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 17 April 2009

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
Northern Ireland Assembly Commission

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Climate Change

Mr D McKay asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) what committments are in the Programme for Government relating to Climate Change, and (ii) what responsibilities Ministers have in supporting and promoting this section of the Programme for Government.

(AQW 5954/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness):

It is clear that climate change is one of the most serious problems facing the world. While we recognise that it requires action internationally we are determined to play our part in addressing this challenge. That is why sustainability is one of two cross cutting themes underpinning the Programme for Government.

Protecting and enhancing our environment is one of the five strategic priorities within the Executive Programme for Government. That priority sets out the collective targets for the Executive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2025 and ensure 12% of our electricity is generated from indigenous renewable sources by 2012. In addition, PSA 22 sets out targets for departments in this regard. All departments and Minsters are committed to the delivery of these ambitious targets as we move forward. In line with OFMDFM’s lead role in sustainable development policy we will continue to work with departments to realise our sustainability objectives through our Sustainable Development Strategy and the associated Implementation Plan.

Definition of ‘Victim’

Mr T Elliott asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what the terms of reference are for the review of the definition of 'a victim' announced by the Junior Minister on 26 February 2009.

(AQW 6116/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

Speaking on behalf of the Office, the deputy First Minister outlined our proposals to the Assembly on 31 March 2009, when he said, "We recognise the difficult issues that surround the definition of ‘victim.’ Victims and survivors should consider that issue. We will, therefore, request that the proposed victims’ forum makes it a priority to examine the definition of ‘victim’ and brings forward its proposals." The Victims’ Commissioners have already commenced preparatory work to establish the forum.

Infrastructure Projects

Mr J Craig asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline (i) all infrastructure projects; and (ii) the monetary value of each investment, via the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, planned for the Lagan Valley constituency up to 2011.

(AQW 6187/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister: The information you requested is listed in the table below. Projects of £0.5m or more have been listed separately. In some cases it has been necessary to include the full value of projects covering an area greater than Lagan Valley and where costs cannot be disaggregated by constituency.

Information has been provided up to the end of 2010-11 which is the term of the present Budget. The period beyond 2010-11 in the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland is indicative and details of potential expenditure at constituency level are not available.

ISNI Projects of £500,000 & over in Lagan Valley Constituency Up to the end of 2011

Department	Project Title	Value	Comments
Department of Education	Ballymacrickett P.S. Glenavy	£3.7m	New school on existing site – completed November 2008.
Department of Education	Brookefield Special School, Moira	£4.5m	New school on existing site – completed December 2008.
Department of Education	Pond Park P.S. Lisburn	£4.3m	New school on existing site – under construction, due to complete 2009/10.
Department of Education	Ballinderry P.S.	£2.8m	New school on existing site - under construction, due to complete 2009/10.
Department of Education	St Colman’s P.S. Lambeg	£3.7m	New school on extended site – planning ongoing, estimated construction will start 2009/10.
Department of Education	Dromore Central P.S.	£9.3m	New school on existing site – planning ongoing, estimated construction will start 2009/10.
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment	Telecoms infrastructure projects – Northern Ireland Wide	£12.9m	£6.5m investment in 2009/10 & £6.4m investment in 2010/11. Although these projects are province wide they will include the Lagan Valley constituency
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment	Provision of serviced sites for client companies in the Lisburn area.	£4.4m	Planned investment in 2010/11.
Department for Regional Development	Road Projects A1 Junction Improvement Schemes	£15m	Estimated costs of programmed scheme.
Department for Regional Development	Rail Projects Track Relay – Knockmore to Lurgan	£55m	Subject to agreement of capital plans with Translink. Still at planning stage – project completion due 2014. Economic Appraisal under way.
Department	Project Title	Value	Comments
Department for Regional Development	Purchase 20 new trains to improve services to Lisburn & surrounding areas	£100m	Approximate cost.
Department for Regional Development	Extended platforms on the railways networks	£0.6m	Part of the scheme to purchase 20 new trains.
Department for Regional Development	Upgrade 2 pedestrian crossings at railway crossings in Dunmurry	£2.5m	Scheduled for completion February 2010.
Department for Regional Development	Additional Park & Ride facilities at Lisburn Station	£3m	These projects are still to be confirmed in ongoing discussions around capital planning for the next two years.
Department for Regional Development	Additional Park & Ride facilities at Moira Station	£1m
Department for Regional Development	Bus Projects Improve bus services to Dromore	£0.9m	Budget cost. Project completion due for July 2011 subject to budgets.
Department for Regional Development	Water Projects Castor Bay/Moira Zonal Watermain Improvements	£3.4m	Northern Ireland Water does not hold details of capital projects broken down by parliamentary constituency. However, projects listed in this group are within the Lisburn Borough Council Area, which covers most of the Lagan Valley constituency.
Department for Regional Development	Lisburn North Rural Zone Watermain Improvements	£0.7m
Department for Regional Development	Nutrient Removal at New Holland and Dunmurry Wastewater Treatment Works	£0.7m
Department for Regional Development	Lower Ballinderry Wastewater Treatment Works	£0.9m
Department for Regional Development	Ravarnet Wastewater Treatment Works	£1.4m
Department for Regional Development	Annahilt Wastewater Treatment Works	£4.8m
Department for Regional Development	Lisburn Town Zone Watermain Improvements	£2.3m
Department	Project Title	Value	Comments
Department for Regional Development	Dromara Wastewater Treatment Works	£3.1m
Department for Regional Development	Edenderry Wastewater Treatment Works	£0.5m
Department for Regional Development	Poundburn Wastewater Treatment Works	£0.7m
Department for Regional Development	Dunmurry Drainage Area Plan (Phase 1)	£0.8m
Department for Regional Development	Hugenot Drive Lisburn Sewage Pumping Station	£2.0m
Department for Regional Development	Dunmurry Wastewater Treatment Works	£8.8m
Office of the First Minister & deputy First Minister	Maze/Long Kesh	£3m	Remediation work planned for 2009-10
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development	Laurelvale-Laurevale Stream ll	£0.5m	Estimated cost, at feasibility study stage. (Upgrading infrastructure for new developments & past major floods).
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety	Lisburn Assessment and Resource Centre	Over £3m	Scheduled for completion 2009/10.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety	Replacement Theatres at Lagan Valley Hospital	£3.8m	Design stage. Scheduled to complete in 2010/11.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety	Lagan Valley Hospital and Health & Care Centre	Not Available	Planning Stage. Cost not available until business cases have been approved.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety	Dunmurry Health & Care Centre	Not Available
Department for Education and Learning	South Eastern Regional College – Lisburn Campus	£20m	Estimated Cost. Under construction and due to complete in 2010.
Department	Project Title	Value	Comments
Department for Social Development	Housing projects Seymour Street Lisburn, 48 Elderly units	£8.5m	The new 5 year Social Housing Development Programme (2009/10 – 2013/14) is currently being formulated & will be published on the Housing Executive’s website in due course. The Housing Executive is unable to confirm the contents of its proposed programme of improvement schemes, which is currently being formulated.
Department for Social Development	Trinity place Lisburn, 15 General Needs units	£2.2m
Department for Social Development	Pond Park Road Lisburn, 112 General Needs units	£8.4m
Department for Social Development	Urban Group projects Colin Gateway (IDF scheme)	£3.5m	Belfast Regeneration Office project.

ISNI Projects under £500,000 in Lagan Valley Constituency Up to the end of 2011

Department	Projects	Group Value	Comments
Department for Regional Development	Road Projects	Not Available	Roads Service does not hold details of capital infrastructure projects on a parliamentary constituency basis. However, information on other capital expenditure projects with a value of less than £500,000 for the next two years, is included in the Autumn 2008 council reports for Lisburn, Down, Craigavon and Banbridge which can be accessed at http://www.roadsni.gov.uk/index/publications/publications-council_reports.htm
Department for Regional Development	Water Projects Water & Wastewater infrastructure improvement projects	£2.5	Current estimated costs.
Department of Culture Arts & Leisure	Dromara GFC & Lisburn Racquets Club	£0.37m	Building Sport & Places for Sport Initiatives.
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment	Road extension to Knockmore Hill Industrial Park	£0.17m	Investment in 2008/09.
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development	Lisburn-Brokerstown Road & Flush Bridge Streams and Lurgan-Tirsogue Drain	£0.45m	Estimated cost, at Feasibility Study stage. (Upgrading infrastructure for new developments & past major floods).
Department for Social Development	Urban Group projects 2 Voluntary & Community projects and 3 Belfast Regeneration Projects	£0.94m	Regeneration Improvements. Voluntary & Community projects funded under the Modernisation Fund Capital Programme.

Advertising Expenditure

Mr S Gardiner asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 5476/09, how much has been spent on advertisements by each Department, placed in regional and local newspapers, broken down by each newspaper, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6363/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

Table A provides the classified advertising expenditure, broken down by Irish News, News Letter, Belfast Telegraph and weekly newspapers, for departments for financial years 05/06, 06/07, 07/08. Information is not readily available for each weekly newspaper. The information is as provided by each department in an annual return.

Table A

Classified Expenditure 2005/06
Department	Irish News	News Letter	Belfast Telegraph	Weekly Press
DARD Core Department	£ 8,650.56	£ 8,101.41	£ 16,788.37	£ 34,696.55
DARD Agencies	£ 6,705.21	£ 6,364.33	£ 12,053.18	£ 29,311.07
DARD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 3,501.43	£ 1,099.95	£ 17,945.38	£ 604.84
DARD Total	£ 18,857.20	£ 15,565.69	£ 46,786.93	£ 64,612.46
DCAL Core Department	£ 3,446.73	£ 3,343.49	£ 6,769.64	£ 19,880.70
DCAL Agencies	£ -	£ 360.57	£ 581.91	£ -
DCAL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 10,691.20	£ 11,082.04	£ 51,357.06	£ 3,656.86
DCAL Total	£ 14,137.93	£ 14,786.10	£ 58,708.61	£ 23,537.56
DE Core Department	£ 3,957.61	£ 4,368.32	£ 7,995.42	£ -
DE Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Education and Library Boards)	£ 51,356.82	£ 46,125.39	£ 482,670.31	£ 245,092.07
DE Total	£ 55,314.43	£ 50,493.71	£ 490,665.73	£ 245,092.07
DEL Core Department	£ 12,390.32	£ 13,548.89	£ 21,644.90	£ 15,447.92
DEL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 2,359.01	£ 3,106.12	£ 20,485.14	£ -
DEL Total	£ 14,749.33	£ 16,655.01	£ 42,130.04	£ 15,447.92
DETI Core Department	£ 10,668.09	£ 11,562.74	£ 16,694.89	£ 31,591.04
DETI Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 25,701.30	£ 54,214.14	£ 103,454.33	£ 42,640.10
DETI Total	£ 36,369.39	£ 65,776.88	£ 120,149.22	£ 74,231.14
DOE Core Department	£ 11,304.59	£ 14,381.70	£ 20,464.39	£ 7,407.77
DOE Agencies	£ 154,577.55	£ 160,089.34	£ 280,187.45	£ 785,881.23
DOE Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 2,442.45	£ 1,196.20	£ 6,618.11	£ -
DOE Total	£ 168,324.59	£ 175,667.24	£ 307,269.95	£ 793,289.00
DFP Core Department	£ 43,156.04	£ 51,925.99	£ 96,796.14	£ 8,399.70
DFP Agencies	£ 5,060.89	£ 6,917.90	£ 12,564.72	£ 6,336.10
DFP Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 8,167.10	£ 7,862.80	£ 21,326.33	£ -
DFP Total	£ 56,384.03	£ 66,706.69	£ 130,687.19	£ 14,735.80
DHSSPS Core Department	£ 39,168.45	£ 28,629.63	£ 49,595.32	£ -
DHSSPS Agencies	£ 1,216.04	£ 1,073.11	£ 166,206.19	£ 13,316.71
DHSSPS Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Boards and Trusts)	£ 26,090.67	£ 53,257.01	£ 1,474,958.85	£ 633,572.40
DHSSPS Total	£ 66,475.16	£ 82,959.75	£ 1,690,760.36	£ 646,889.11
DRD Core Department	£ 7,318.78	£ 8,534.84	£ 15,774.74	£ 12,346.87
DRD Agencies	£ 89,153.88	£ 102,541.90	£ 158,877.19	£ 127,891.16
DRD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 6,396.31	£ 6,804.58	£ 168,432.15	£ 3,597.13
DRD Total	£ 102,868.97	£ 117,881.32	£ 343,084.08	£ 143,835.16
DSD Core Department	£ 25,777.00	£ 27,213.00	£ 43,619.00	£ 2,745.00
DSD Agencies	£ 3,634.93	£ 4,856.52	£ 7,978.68	£ 1,002.00
DSD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 33,420.89	£ 42,293.55	£ 87,136.58	£ 74,654.72
DSD Total	£ 62,832.82	£ 74,363.07	£ 138,734.26	£ 78,401.72
2005/06 Total	£ 596,313.85	£ 680,855.46	£ 3,368,976.37	£ 2,100,071.94

Classified Expenditure 2006/07
Department	Irish News	News Letter	Belfast Telegraph	Weekly Press
DARD Core Department	£ 15,066.79	£ 15,574.88	£ 37,602.67	£ 45,086.21
DARD Agencies	£ 3,544.60	£ 3,274.23	£ 10,487.83	£ 17,990.57
DARD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 2,821.00	£ -	£ 5,368.00	£ 587.00
DARD Total	£ 21,432.39	£ 18,849.11	£ 53,458.50	£ 63,663.78
DCAL Core Department	£ 2,876.65	£ 1,739.79	£ 2,367.42	£ 1,445.72
DCAL Agencies	£ 1,179.54	£ 1,356.03	£ 1,865.16	£ -
DCAL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 6,485.26	£ 7,852.70	£ 37,628.76	£ 1,652.32
DCAL Total	£ 10,541.45	£ 10,948.52	£ 41,861.34	£ 3,098.04
DE Core Department	£ 4,507.22	£ 7,068.34	£ 9,250.03	£ 3,427.30
DE Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Education and Library Boards)	£ 27,779.72	£ 33,964.17	£ 490,314.72	£ 215,195.16
DE Total	£ 32,286.94	£ 41,032.51	£ 499,564.75	£ 218,622.46
DEL Core Department	£ 17,118.23	£ 19,494.74	£ 31,068.69	£ 41,197.49
DEL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 1,967.54	£ 2,868.37	£ 17,212.06	£ 1,807.28
DEL Total	£ 19,085.77	£ 22,363.11	£ 48,280.75	£ 43,004.77
DETI Core Department	£ 1,805.27	£ 2,459.48	£ 2,028.00	£ -
DETI Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 53,019.36	£ 73,834.49	£ 125,662.51	£ -
DETI Total	£ 54,824.63	£ 76,293.97	£ 127,690.51	£ -
DOE Core Department	£ 16,038.02	£ 18,407.10	£ 27,732.41	£ 6,376.03
DOE Agencies	£ 126,127.13	£ 114,501.78	£ 233,989.44	£ 833,754.23
DOE Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 4,455.73	£ 1,455.21	£ 9,461.00	£ -
DOE Total	£ 146,620.88	£ 134,364.09	£ 271,182.85	£ 840,130.26
DFP Core Department	£ 34,017.19	£ 32,034.84	£ 57,997.97	£ 2,459.03
DFP Agencies	£ 3,141.86	£ 4,204.64	£ 5,371.62	£ 3,275.52
DFP Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 16,360.82	£ 19,584.20	£ 36,003.19	£ 89,735.60
DFP Total	£ 53,519.87	£ 55,823.68	£ 99,372.78	£ 95,470.15
DHSSPS Core Department	£ 38,579.02	£ 18,211.52	£ 30,410.95	£ 20,730.37
DHSSPS Agencies	£ 402.18	£ 246.79	£ 123,080.68	£ 1,097.70
DHSSPS Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Boards and Trusts)	£ 73,188.77	£ 60,325.03	£ 1,273,026.96	£ 520,983.98
DHSSPS Total	£ 112,169.97	£ 78,783.34	£ 1,426,518.59	£ 542,812.05
DRD Core Department	£ 12,021.05	£ 12,347.28	£ 21,690.51	£ 8,895.07
DRD Agencies	£ 60,385.01	£ 57,619.58	£ 96,526.29	£ 106,076.59
DRD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 43,485.76	£ 60,052.14	£ 130,465.37	£ 75,089.39
DRD Total	£ 115,891.82	£ 130,019.00	£ 248,682.17	£ 190,061.05
DSD Core Department	£ 45,975.88	£ 50,760.61	£ 77,367.84	£ 8,860.00
DSD Agencies	£ 2,358.49	£ 3,480.59	£ 3,500.31	£ 273.00
DSD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 32,694.67	£ 40,716.15	£ 79,647.69	£ 65,467.45
DSD Total	£ 81,029.04	£ 94,957.35	£ 160,515.84	£ 74,600.45
2006/07 Total	£ 647,402.76	£ 663,434.68	£ 2,977,128.08	£ 2,071,463.01

Classified Expenditure 2007/08
Department	Irish News	News Letter	Belfast Telegraph	Weekly Press
DARD Core Department	£ 13,909.12	£ 14,191.42	£ 27,738.13	£ 27,083.15
DARD Agencies	£ 999.51	£ 1,050.09	£ 1,074.61	£ 4,910.88
DARD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 6,196.60	£ 10,995.95	£ 25,434.05	£ 30,209.83
DARD Total	£ 21,105.23	£ 26,237.46	£ 54,246.79	£ 62,203.86
DCAL Core Department	£ 9,476.30	£ 8,389.23	£ 16,574.42	£ 9,437.04
DCAL Agencies	£ 382.92	£ 599.72	£ 859.46	£ -
DCAL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 28,792.39	£ 6,486.51	£ 122,392.73	£ 10,370.09
DCAL Total	£ 38,651.61	£ 15,475.46	£ 139,826.61	£ 19,807.13
DE Core Department	£ 782.00	£ 784.20	£ 1,029.71	£ -
DE Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Education and Library Boards)	£ 34,149.57	£ 35,206.57	£ 627,488.82	£ 56,438.00
DE Total	£ 34,931.57	£ 35,990.77	£ 628,518.53	£ 56,438.00
DEL Core Department	£ 8,585.19	£ 9,294.74	£ 17,480.64	£ 6,437.82
DEL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ -	£ -	£ -	£ -
DEL Total	£ 8,585.19	£ 9,294.74	£ 17,480.64	£ 6,437.82
DETI Core Department	£ 4,182.42	£ 4,634.01	£ 8,481.08	£ 27,525.42
DETI Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 27,712.45	£ 38,084.88	£ 65,101.40	£ 5,534.08
DETI Total	£ 31,894.87	£ 42,718.89	£ 73,582.48	£ 33,059.50
DOE Core Department	£ 8,821.32	£ 8,818.08	£ 15,477.39	£ 5,483.61
DOE Agencies	£ 171,726.00	£ 170,886.52	£ 276,512.51	£ 906,417.76
DOE Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 8,626.75	£ 609.12	£ 18,622.40	£ -
DOE Total	£ 189,174.07	£ 180,313.72	£ 310,612.30	£ 911,901.37
DFP Core Department	£ 32,654.78	£ 41,815.86	£ 65,244.46	£ 8,740.59
DFP Agencies	£ 1,494.50	£ 2,244.10	£ 5,045.15	£ 4,875.63
DFP Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 13,852.97	£ 18,245.75	£ 30,368.54	£ 8,588.98
DFP Total	£ 48,002.25	£ 62,305.71	£ 100,658.15	£ 22,205.20
DHSSPS Core Department	£ 14,023.65	£ 9,253.76	£ 15,641.53	£ -
DHSSPS Agencies	£ 202.72	£ 258.22	£ 140,768.25	£ -
DHSSPS Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Boards and Trusts)	£ 89,438.14	£ 38,924.72	£ 1,048,284.76	£ 390,999.61
DHSSPS Total	£ 103,664.51	£ 48,436.70	£ 1,204,694.54	£ 390,999.61
DRD Core Department	£ 5,423.31	£ 7,371.32	£ 8,474.16	£ 2,178.23
DRD Agencies	£ 66,350.24	£ 70,407.42	£ 104,298.16	£ 118,422.17
DRD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 5,456.60	£ 1,836.92	£ 143,358.49	£ -
DRD Total	£ 77,230.15	£ 79,615.66	£ 256,130.81	£ 120,600.40
DSD Core Department	£ 22,321.68	£ 21,542.22	£ 33,519.99	£ 662.21
DSD Agencies	£ 15,546.15	£ 16,905.33	£ 28,404.21	£ 51,346.35
DSD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 30,147.72	£ 38,221.71	£ 82,759.11	£ 82,567.51
DSD Total	£ 68,015.55	£ 76,669.26	£ 144,683.31	£ 134,576.07
2007/08 Total	£ 621,255.00	£ 577,058.37	£ 2,930,434.16	£ 1,758,228.96

Expenditure on campaign advertising in newspapers is not recorded in the format requested and is not readily available by individual newspaper.

Definition of ‘Victim’

Mr T Elliott asked he Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what proposals are in place to change the definition of a 'victim' within legislation.

(AQW 6370/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

Speaking on behalf of the Office, the deputy First Minister outlined our proposals to the Assembly on 31 March 2009, when he said, "We recognise the difficult issues that surround the definition of ‘victim. Victims and survivors should consider that issue. We will, therefore, request that the proposed victims’ forum makes it a priority to examine the definition of ‘victim’ and brings forward its proposals." The Victims’ Commissioners have already commenced preparatory work to establish the forum.

US Investments

Mr T Elliott asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if the recently announced US investments have any conditions attached, such as the 'McBride Principles'.

(AQW 6446/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

This is a private equity fund which has been designed by the Office of the Comptroller of New York State. The Executive has had no involvement in the design of the Fund. All monies allocated by the Comptroller are from the pension funds of New York State employees. It is entirely a matter for the Comptroller of New York State what conditions are placed on those who wish to avail of the funds.

Recent Visit to United States

Mr J Shannon asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what financial commitment it received from its visit to the United States over St Patrick's Day this year.

(AQW 6488/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The key purpose of our visit to the United States around St Patrick’s Day was to promote new inward investment and to strengthen relationships with some of our most important existing investors. In New York, the deputy First Minister joined the Comptroller of New York State at the announcement of a $30 million pension fund investment for Northern Ireland. The Fund will make private equity investments.

In Los Angeles we met with four prospective investors and we are hopeful that at least two of these companies will be in a position to announce major investments in the very near future. Our direct engagement with senior decision makers in all the companies we visited helped strengthen the investment opportunities that we can offer to American companies.

The Irish Technology and Leadership Group, a group of businesses and investors based in Silicon Valley, have committed to host a conference to examine business opportunities here later this year. This is a significant boost and we are delighted that the Group has chosen Belfast as the location for its 2009 conference.

In Chicago the First Minister met with senior executives at Allstate, one of our key investors; he also met with another prospective investor from the IT sector.

Capital Investment

Mr D McNarry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister how many jobs have been created through investment by Government Departments since devolution.

(AQW 6496/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

Capital Investment from departments accounted for some 31% of the total output of the Construction Industry in 2007-08. On this basis it is estimated that in the 2007-08 financial year some 24,000 construction sector jobs were supported through capital investment by government departments. Statistics for the construction industry indicate that in the 2008-09 financial year Government capital investment has maintained a similar level of employment within the construction sector.

North West Gateway Initiative

Mr P Ramsey asked he Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the future programmes, and their planned deliverables in the North West Gateway Initiative.

(AQW 6537/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister: The North West Gateway Initiative was established to provide a focus for sustained co-operative action between the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government which, over a period of time, would make a real difference to the region. The Initiative has no direct associated funding but is aimed at deriving greater synergy through the effective practical co-operation and co-ordination of existing public expenditure. The region was defined as the Councils of Derry, Limavady and Strabane and Donegal County Council.

The Initiative has played an important role in providing a focus on the region and in encouraging practical co-operation between existing Departments and agencies on a North South basis in developing a range of projects.

Specifically, it has facilitated the development of a range of actions including a cross-border tourism framework, the North West Workforce Development Forum, cross border health initiatives, a major investment in cross border roads infrastructure projects and the establishment of a communications link between the North West Institute of Technology and the Letterkenny Institute of Technology, amongst others.

Whilst OFMDFM has an oversight role, the activities/projects are taken forward by individual Departments. The future work programmes, targets and anticipated outcomes for those projects are determined by each Department. You will appreciate that work is ongoing on a large range of issues and projects. If there is a particular project which you are interested in you may wish to seek information on progress from the appropriate NI Department.

Funding for Victims and Survivors

Mr J Shannon asked he Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) what increases have been made in funding for Victims and Survivors since devolution; (ii) if any group or individual has had funding reduced; and (iii) to confirm whether funding is due to be increased next year.

(AQW 6579/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

In January 2008 we announced a total of £36 million over 3 years for victims and survivors, a very significant increase over previous years.

This year, increased levels of funding were available to victims and survivors groups through the core funding and development grant schemes, £2.3 million and £1.5 million respectively, and these levels are set to increase further in the coming financial year. An additional £1 million was also made available to groups to ensure a smooth transition between the Peace II and Peace III support packages. Individual victims benefited from over £2 million of funding delivered through the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund this year.

We intend to make £12·5 million available for work with victims and survivors during the next financial year. That represents an increase of 50% on this year’s allocation.

North West Gateway Initiative

Mr P Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) for an update on the plans emerging from the North West Gateway Initiative; and (ii) to outline future investment programmes under this initiative.

(AQW 6630/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

We refer the Member to the answer provided in response to AQW 6537/09 relating to the future programmes and planned deliverables in the North West Gateway Initiative.

Details of all future investment programmes under the Initiative are not maintained centrally.

Barrosso Task Force Report

Mrs D Kelly asked he Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister when it will publish the action plan in response to the Barrosso Task Force Report.

(AQW 6665/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The Executive Committee agreed its response to the European Commission’s Task Force Report on Northern Ireland on 26 March. We presented President José Manuel Barroso with a copy of the Executive’s ’Priorities for European Engagement’, which included its 2008/09 Action Plan, on 31 March in Brussels. This document was made available immediately thereafter and we plan to make a statement to this House after the Easter recess.

Bank Representatives

Mr D Simpson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister when it plans to next meet with bank representatives to discuss approaches to tackling the current economic situation.

(AQW 6763/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

We are continuing our dialogue with the banks. We met with the Ulster Bank on 3 February 2009, the Northern Bank on 26 February 2009, the Bank of Ireland on 3 March 2009 and the First Trust/AIB on 6 April 2009.

The four local banks have also agreed to participate in the Cross Sector Advisory Forum, the first meeting of which took place on 6 April 2009.

Construction Industry

Mr R Newton asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister how she plans to respond to complaints that the difficulties in the construction industry are being used as an excuse by banks to refuse credit to small and medium sized enterprises, including those with marginal links to the construction industry.

(AQW 6800/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

We remain concerned about reports that credit may still not be getting to local businesses. While we understand that there may be individual cases where loans cannot be made, we are anxious that this does not turn into a trend for refusals. Credit needs to reach our business on reasonable terms if we are to get out of the economic downturn and this will not happen unless the local banks are lending properly. We have now met with all the four major banks (Ulster Bank on 3 February 2009, the Northern Bank on 26 February, the Bank of Ireland on 3 March 2009 and First Trust/AIB on 6 April 2009). The four local banks have also agreed to participate in the Cross Sector Advisory Forum. Notwithstanding the positive messages that banks have been giving us on the funds available to lend, we will continue to monitor the situation and may return to these meetings, if we receive continuing reports of retrenchment.

Corporate Responsibility Issues

Dr S Farry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline what discussions have taken place with (a) colleagues in other jurisdictions; (b) the local business community; and (c) local trade unions regarding corporate responsibility issues.

(AQW 6830/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

We met with representatives of Business in the Community on 2 February 2009 to discuss their work. We are supportive of the efforts of this group to promote corporate social responsibility and we have offered to lend whatever support we can to their activities.

Departmental/Agency Charge Increases

Mr P McGlone asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in light of the economic downturn and its implications for business and domestic consumers alike, what measures the Executive plans to take to mitigate the effects of proposed Departmental/Agency charge increases.

(AQW 6875/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

As a Department the only charges that OFMDFM or any of its public bodies levies on business and domestic customers are those payable in respect of public tours, events and filming at Crumlin Road Gaol and to the Planning Appeals Commission in respect of appeal fees and deemed application fees. We understand that there are no plans to change the current level of charges.

In relation to the Executive we announced in the Assembly on 15 December a range of measures which should sustain our economy over the coming months and years while confidence returns to the global credit market and economic prospects improve. These measures include a domestic rates freeze, a deferment on separate payments for water, reduced prescription charges now (and free from April 2010), and extension of the free bus scheme for the elderly.

Northern Ireland Children's Commissioner

Mr P Weir asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what is the total legal budget for the Northern Ireland Children's Commissioner for 2009/10; and how this compares to the budget for each of the last three years.

(AQW 6928/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The amount budgeted for legal fees for 2009/2010 is £50,000.

The amounts spent by the Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland in legal fees in each of the last three years were:

2006/2007 - £39,336.68
2007/2008 - £52,914.55
2008/2009 - £105,811.54

The amount initially budgeted for legal fees and the amount actually spent can vary. When preparing her annual business plan, the Commissioner decides how she is going to allocate her overall funds. At this time the amount allocated for legal expenses is a provisional figure as the actual expenditure depends on what cases arise during the year which meet the Commissioner’s criteria for support.

Media Coverage

Mr D Kennedy asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail when it has complained to the media about coverage of the Department or the Executive, including (i) to whom it complained; and (ii) on what grounds it complained.

(AQW 6939/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The Executive Information Service (EIS) on behalf of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is in daily contact with a wide range of media outlets to discuss media coverage of the Department and the Executive.

EIS regularly exercises its right to complain about media coverage that it feels is either inaccurate, misrepresentative or which it feels is unduly negative or unfair.

Ombudsman's Office

Mr D Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what plans it has to revise the role and functions of the Ombudsman's Office, in the light of the Review of Public Administration.

(AQW 6988/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The OFMDFM published report – A Review of the Offices of the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints, remains under consideration.

Planning Appeals Commission

Mr R Newton asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what percentage of written representations of planning appeals received by the Planning Appeals Commission related to proposals for single dwellings.

(AQW 6995/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The Planning Appeals Commission is an independent tribunal Non-Departmental Public Body. Given its independent tribunal status, its Chief Commissioner has been asked to provide a response directly to you, and we understand that she has written to you in the following terms:

"I have been asked to provide you with information requested in the above Assembly Question.

The Planning Appeals Commission issued around 1405 decisions in 2008/09; of these decisions approximately 1002 were processed by means of written representation. It is not possible to state what percentage of these related to single dwellings, however, the Commission did receive approximately 493 planning appeals in 2008/09 and roughly 20% of these referred to single dwellings.

I would be happy to provide any further information you require arising out of this response or to meet with you to discuss the matter if that would be more suitable."

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Agricultural Waste Strategy

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in relation to the Agricultural Waste Strategy, what is (i) the status of the strategy; (ii) the timeframe for consultation on the strategy; and (iii) the timescale for its formal publication.

(AQW 6492/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): The Waste Management Strategy for the north of Ireland "Towards Resource Management 2006-2020" includes measures for Agricultural Waste. Following public consultation, the strategy was published in March 2006 by the Department of the Environment which takes the lead on Waste Management issues. No separate Agricultural Waste Strategy has been developed.

Measures controlling organic manure and slurry promote its nutrient value and recycling as a valuable fertiliser. The Nitrates Action Programme Regulations ensure that most manure and slurry is managed on farms to utilise this nutrient resource without polluting the environment.

The Department of Environment’s Waste Management Regulations NI 2006 extend waste management controls to agriculture in accordance with the European Waste Framework and Landfill Directives. The NI Environment Agency is responsible for implementing these Regulations. Advice on managing agricultural waste in compliance with these regulations is provided in my Department’s Code of Good Agricultural Practice. This includes information on types of agricultural waste, disposal and recycling options and Duty of Care obligations

In line with the Waste Management Strategy for the north my Department’s Renewable Energy Action Plan recognises the opportunities presented by generating energy from waste.

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if all of the £15.25m secured to fund the Farm Modernisation Scheme will be spent on the current applications, including administrative costs.

(AQW 6550/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: No not all of the £15.25m of the budget will be spent on this first tranche, this will amount to approximately £6m. The £15.25m covers all three tranches including METS and administrative costs.

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Mr B Armstrong asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what consideration her Department has given to opening further tranches of the Farm Modernisation Scheme in 2009 after it closes for applications on 31 March 2009.

(AQW 6551/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I have commissioned a review for the way forward for the next two tranches of the Farm Modernisation Programme in light of concerns over the launch of tranche one . There will be no further tranches launched in 2009 until this review is completed.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mr T Elliott asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what percentage of overall Bovine Tuberculosis on farm tests were carried out by her Department's in-house veterinary staff.

(AQW 6555/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development:

In 2008 80% of all TB testing was carried out by Private Veterinary Practitioners (PVPs) and 20% by my Department's in-house staff.

Crossnacreevy Site

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if her Department has any responsibility for releasing or raising any finances needed because of the miscalculation of the value of the Crossnacreevy Site

(AQW 6557/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department has responsibility for discharging the DARD Budget which contains a capital receipts target for the sale of Crossnacreevy in 2010/11. That target will not be met and officials are in ongoing discussions with DFP about the budgetary implications.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mr T Elliott asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what input her Department had in the Northern Ireland Audit Office report "The control of Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland."

(AQW 6558/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The NIAO consulted with my Department throughout its investigations. Following the completion of the NIAO’s main fieldwork in 2006, the NIAO had a series of consultations with my Department on its findings. My Department had the opportunity to review the draft report before it was finalised.

At the conclusion of this process, there remained a number of matters in the report with which my Department said it did not agree or believed needed clarification.

For completeness, the NIAO has included these points in Appendix 10 of its report.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mr T Elliott asked e Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action she is considering in response to the Northern Ireland Audit Office report, "The Control of Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland."

(AQW 6559/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I welcome the NIAO Report and its recommendations regarding the control of bovine TB. The Public Accounts Committee hearing to consider the NIAO report took place on Thursday 26 March. The next stage in the process is for the PAC to publish its Report. I look forward to seeing the PAC comments when they publish their Report in due course. My Department will then consider the PAC Report and a formal Memorandum of Reply will be laid before the Assembly within two months of receipt of the Report, giving our commitment to the recommendations that have been made.

My Department is continuing to work in partnership with our key stakeholders to develop the agreed joint industry/Government approach to TB that I announced in December. My Department will take full account of the recommendations of the Report as we develop the detail of the strategy.

Dairy Industry

Mr E Poots asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she is taking to assist the dairy industry.

(AQW 6580/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The dairy industry makes a vital contribution to the agri-food sector in the north of Ireland and my aim is to ensure that it remains competitive and continues to bring benefit to the local economy, particularly in rural areas. Therefore, when milk prices fell sharply last October my executive colleagues and I worked hard to secure the re-introduction of export refunds for dairy products. This included lobbying the Defra Minister to support the re-introduction and at my behest the First and deputy First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister. I and industry representatives welcomed the re-introduction by the European Commission on 22 January.

There is also a need to plan for the future so the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and I agreed to provide support to Dairy UK (NI) to undertake a competitiveness study into the dairy sector. The aim of this study is to ensure that the North has a sustainable dairy sector with a structure to enable it to compete globally.

Financial assistance is also being provided under the Regional Food Programme. Over the last two years the Dairy Council has received funding offers of £228,870 for promotional and market research activities. Assistance is also available to the dairy sector under Axis 1 of the Rural Development Programme, which has a budget of £45m. The dairy sector also benefits indirectly from aid which continues to be provided under the EU School Milk Scheme to encourage the consumption of milk by school children.

In addition my Department carries out a wide range of activities aimed at assisting the dairy sector. These include the provision of technical support to producers and processors; the provision of knowledge and technology transfer programmes and benchmarking services which enable farmers to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their farm business. The industry also receives significant assistance from Government through AFBI and CAFRE, including dedicated dairy technologists.

My Department and I will continue to work for outcomes on issues which are in the best long term interests of the local dairy industry.

Dairy Industry

Mr E Poots asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the strategy documents her Department has produced for the dairy sector, in the last five years.

(AQW 6584/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development was recently informed of my agreement, and that of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Development, to provide support to Dairy UK (NI) to undertake a competitiveness study into the dairy sector. The overall objective of this study is to ensure that the north of Ireland has a sustainable dairy sector with a structure to enable it to compete globally. In view of the important contribution which the dairy sector makes to the local economy and the challenges which it is currently facing this is an important piece of strategic work.

Other strategy documents with a bearing on the dairy sector include the 'Fit For Market' report published in November 2004. The dairy industry was actively involved in implementation of the recommendations in this report and received significant financial support for various projects.

In addition the Red Meat Strategy was published in October 2007. One of the key findings of this study was in relation to dairy-origin beef models. A working group is currently taking forward this recommendation which has potential to benefit farmers by providing for an economically viable outlet for bull calves from dairy herds.

Finally, I can assure you that during the past five years my Department has worked closely with the dairy industry providing policy, technical, scientific and financial support to help ensure that it has a sustainable future

Forestry Service

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many park rangers are employed in the Forestry Service.

(AQW 6635/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: There are 18 industrial staff that have duties largely in connection with the recreation facilities and customer care issues at 9 Forest Parks. During periods of peak demand, additional industrial staff are made available on a needs basis.

Tollymore Forest Park

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development why 24 hour security is not provided at the caravan park in Tollymore Forest Park.

(AQW 6636/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: It is my intention to improve customer facilities and customer service within Forest Service caravan and camping sites, by seeking partnership arrangements with suitably experienced providers. Towards this end, Forest Service staff are currently establishing the level of private sector interest in delivering caravanning and camping services; with the intention of securing a suitable partner or partners in 2009 / 2010. This process is in keeping with Government’s "Wider Markets" initiative, and preference will be given to those who offer a 24 hour presence where appropriate.

Until this happens, sites will continue to be operated by DARD staff and it is impracticable to have these staff within this site 24 hours per day.

Tollymore Forest Park

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many park rangers are employed by the Forest Service at Tollymore Forest Park.

(AQW 6637/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Currently 4 park rangers are employed on a full time basis within Tollymore Forest Park. A further 4 staff are available for park ranger duties on a needs basis.

Tollymore Forest Park

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action her Department has taken or intends to take, to ensure that the Forest Service is combating anti-social behaviour at the caravan park in Tollymore Forest Park.

(AQW 6638/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My response to AQW 6636 also applies. A number of specific measures have been taken to address anti-social behaviour issues at the caravan site at Tollymore Forest Park. These include:

a) The provision of education and advice to visitors via notice boards, site rules leaflet, and the involvement of Forest Service in the "Safer Mournes Partnership" initiative.

b) The provision of Forest Education packages that include education provision on "good citizenship" and respect for the forest environment.

c) The exclusion of offenders from the site.

d) Refusal to take any future booking from known offenders.

e) Evoking applicable legislation (including court orders).

f) Meeting with Senior Police Officers to review interpretation and PSNI action taken.

Forestry Land

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action her Department is taking to prevent anti-social or criminal behaviour on forestry land.

(AQW 6639/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Forest Service is very aware of the importance of maintaining the security of all forest areas and the need to restrict, as far as possible, anti-social or criminal behaviour. This is important in ensuring public safety and forest recreation benefits; preventing the theft/damage of timber and other publicly owned assets, and to maintain habitat diversity and protection of wildlife.

Basic forest security is achieved by placing gates or barriers on all forest roads where public vehicular access is not permitted. Security measures at these entrance points are reviewed and maintained or upgraded as required. Permitted vehicular access on operational forest roads is strictly controlled by permits or licence agreements.

Specific actions are taken throughout the forest estate to manage and control commercial activities. For example:

- All timber buyers are required to comply with the Forest Service Timber Permit Management System. All timber stacks are regularly inspected for theft;

- All incidents of forest fires, fly tipping, dumping of dead animals, dumping of by-products from diesel laundering, unauthorised motorised access etc are fully investigated. Forest Service also provides assistance to the appropriate authorities with a view to prosecuting identifiable offenders. Where possible, action is taken to discourage repeat offences.

A number of specific measures have been taken to address anti-social behaviour issues at the various caravan sites operated by Forest Service. These include:

- Refusal to take any future bookings from known offenders.

- The exclusion of offenders from the site.

- Use of applicable legislation (including court orders).

- Meeting with Senior Police Officers to review cases and PSNI action taken.

- The provision of Forest Education packages that include education provision on "good citizenship" and respect for the forest environment.

Knock River in East Belfast

Mr R Newton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when the Knock River in East Belfast was last cleaned out; and when the next inspection will be carried out.

(AQW 6647/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: As a designated watercourse maintained in the Rivers Agency’s programme of works, the Knock River in East Belfast was last inspected on 17October 2008. Identified maintenance works required to ensure the free flow were subsequently carried out in the period from 11 to 17 November 2008. The next inspection of the Knock River is scheduled for the period September to December 2009, with any necessary maintenance works being carried out during September 2009 to March 2010.

In the event of complaints or severe weather predictions additional inspections will be carried out as necessary.

Thermally Efficient Schemes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has received any inquiries about thermally efficient schemes to provide energy for homes in the countryside.

(AQW 6658/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: To date I have not received any inquires regarding thermally efficient schemes to provide energy for homes in the countryside.

Risk Based Inspections of Feed Businesses

Dr A McDonnell asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) to give a breakdown of the programme of inspections of (a) feed businesses in Northern Ireland, (b) for imports from the Republic of Ireland and (c) for imports from other sources providing the number of samples taken and analysed and the outcomes in terms of findings from both the inspections and the sampling/analyses; and (ii) how and where in the public domain consumers can access this data.

(AQW 6704/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Risk based inspections of all feed businesses including farms are undertaken by Quality Assurance Branch inspectors. Samples are also taken on a risk basis for laboratory testing.

In 2008/09 a total of 1239 feed related inspections were completed and 619 samples were submitted for a range of analyses.

Animal feed legislation is common to all EU Member States, enabling the free movement of feed materials. Therefore DARD does not have a sampling and inspection programme specifically targeting products coming from other Member States. However, if there is a known problem with materials coming from another EU Member State or an EU Rapid Alert has been issued, DARD inspectors work closely with local feed businesses to isolate the problem material, sample and test and arrange for recall of that material, if necessary.

QAB inspectors regularly sample imports of feed materials from non-EU countries. The FSA in consultation with the EU Commission provides guidance regarding the products and origins of greatest risk, which enables targeting of high risk products. Samples are screened for a range of contaminants including toxins, heavy metals, processed animal proteins and dioxins. In 2008/09, 253 samples of imported material were obtained and no problems were detected.

Results of inspections and testing are reported to the FSA, who in turn make returns to the EU Commission. Results are also reported to businesses and where results are unsatisfactory enforcement action is initiated. Relevant stakeholders are also informed of results.

Fishing Boats

Mr J Shannon asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what assistance has she given to fishing boats so that they can fish the area (box) in the Clyde, Scotland.

(AQW 6714/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: No assistance has been provided to fishing boats to enable them to fish the Clyde "box". In 2009 the Scottish Government again closed parts of the Firth of Clyde to certain types of fishing method from 14 February to 30^th April in order to protect spawning cod. This closure has been imposed every year since 2002 and the requirements of the closure are unchanged.

Under the new Days at Sea regime that applies to the West of Scotland, of which the Clyde forms part, vessels have to use selective gear as specified in the new TAC and Quota Regulation. All Administrations are also offering more days at sea to vessels that adopt selective gear that goes beyond the statutory minimum specification in order to reduce cod mortality. Selective fishing gear may eligible for funding under the European Fisheries Fund and my Department would welcome applications when the Fund opens in May.

Single Farm Payment Scheme

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when she intends to make a decision on the issue of duplicate fields claims that were applied for under the 2005 Single Farm Payment scheme.

(AQW 6726/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Since receiving the duplicate field judgement my Department has been engaged with its legal advisers as to the impact of the judgement on other duplicate field cases. I and my officials are considering the legal advice given and the options available. I would hope to be in a position to make a decision shortly after the Easter break.

Departmental Funds for Halls

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what the total amount of funding was from her Department for (i) Orange halls; (ii) GAA halls; and (iii) other rural community halls, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6753/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The figures for Orange Order and other halls in receipt of departmental funds are detailed in the attached table. No Cumann Lúthchleas Gael (Gaelic Athletic Association) hall received funding in this period.

		2006	2007	2008
Total	5,035,313.38	3,085,325.56	915,309.75	1,034,678.07
Orange Halls	714,632.53	322,327.27	118,368.75	273,936.51
Others	4,320,680.85	2,762,998.29	796,941.00	760,741.56

Rural Businesses

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many rural businesses her Department has assisted in each of the last three years (i) in total; and (ii) broken down by constituency.

(AQW 6762/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The information is not held in the form requested and could only be produced at disproportionate cost. However 39,981 farm businesses received grant or subsidy in the last EAGF financial year 16 0ctober 2007 to 15 October 2008.

The Department recognises the interest shown by Members in having better information on the level of payments broken down by constituency. Details of subsidy/grant payments for European financial years 2002 to October 2007 are already published on the Department’s website. Further details of payments for the European financial year to October 2008 will be published by the end of April 2009 on the DEFRA website. The information on CAP, Rural Development and other grant payments for the EAGF year October 07/08, summarised by postcode prefix level, is currently available in the Assembly Library.

Departmental Funds for Halls

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many (i) Orange halls; (ii) GAA halls; and (iii) other rural community halls, have benefited from support programmes managed and funded by her Department in rural areas, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6764/09)

2006	2007	2008	Total
8	1	7	16	Orange halls
42	10	22	74	Other halls
50	11	29	90

Welfare of Horses

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps are being taken to introduce legislation to protect the welfare of horses.

(AQW 6816/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 1972, it is already an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal. An owner can be adjudged to have permitted cruelty if he fails to exercise reasonable care to prevent unnecessary suffering. It is also an offence to abandon an animal. The PSNI is responsible for enforcing the 1972 Act with regard to non-farm animals including horses, and has the power to seize an injured or sick animal, or, in the worst cases, to have it destroyed in order to prevent further suffering.

I recently announced my intention to bring forward a new Animal Welfare Bill. I expect to be in a position shortly after the Summer Recess to seek Executive approval to bring forward the Bill.

As I believe that it is vitally important that animal welfare legislation across the Island of Ireland is broadly compatible, the new legislation that I bring forward will also reflect on developments in the South, where new animal welfare legislation is also under consideration. I will also seek to ensure that we learn lessons from Britain where legislation has already been introduced.

In bringing forward new legislation, I will want to ensure that the maximum penalties are available to the Courts for animal cruelty offences, so that these penalties can act as a sufficient deterrent, and provide adequate protection for animals. This is one of the key areas that I will seek to address in new legislation.

In considering what new legislation is needed, I will of course take on board any lessons that might be learned from welfare incidents particularly those concerning horses which have been brought to my attention in recent times.

Countryside Management Scheme

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) how much money has been allocated to the new Countryside Management Scheme; (ii) when the money was made available; (iii) when the scheme was opened; (iv) when the scheme closed; and (v) when the scheme will reopen.

(AQW 6843/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007 – 2013, funding of £219 million is available for the agri environment measure. This includes the funding for existing participants as well as those joining the new Countryside Management Scheme (CMS) and the Organic Farming Scheme. It is anticipated that this funding will allow up to 5000 new participants in addition to those who wish to transfer from existing schemes to the new CMS.
This funding is available for the duration of the RDP.
The first tranche of the new CMS opened to application on 30 June 2008.
The first tranche of the new CMS closed on 29 August 2008.
I anticipate that the next tranche of the new CMS will open in Summer 2009. I will announce the date in due course.

Tourism Initiatives in North Antrim

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her Department's (i) biker tourism initiative; and (ii) sailing lessons initiative in North Antrim.

(AQW 6847/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Under the leader+ Programme my Department paid a grant of £9786 to North Antrim leader+ group to deliver a ‘Biker Tourism Co-operation Project’. The objective of the project was to complete research into biker tourism potential and aid four businesses in the area with the installation of biker facilities. To date the report has been completed and four businesses in the North Antrim Area have received assistance.

The Sailing Lesson initiative was a project initiated and undertaken by a private promoter with Leader+ grant aid of over nine thousand pounds obtained through North Antrim Leader group. The aim of the project was to offer high level sailing coaching, create a website and employ one person. This business is still running and now employs two people in the North Antrim area.

Countryside Management Scheme

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on what date the Countryside Management Scheme will open to receive applications.

(AQW 6944/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: It is anticipated that the new Countryside Management Scheme and the Organic Farming Scheme under the Rural Development Plan 2007 – 2013 will open for applications in summer 2009. I will announce the date in due course.

Clay Lakes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if he is aware that the Clay Lakes remain at risk of drying up again and what action he is taking to rectify this situation; and to provide a completion date for the handover of responsibility for managing the Clay Lakes to the Rivers Agency.

(AQW 6970/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: DARD Rivers Agency currently has no responsibility for controlling water levels in the Clea Lakes. I can confirm that DARD Rivers Agency recently contacted the current controllers to alert them to high water levels posing a potential flood risk. Assurances were given that this situation would be remedied. Due to the legal complexities involved with the transfer of responsibility for water level management it is not possible at this time to provide a definite completion date as requested. However, I can assure you that every effort is being made to complete the transfer of control of the sluice gates for the purposes of the Agency providing more consistent water level management for drainage purposes. However, as the remit of the Agency is flood defence it would not assume any responsibility for low water levels during periods of extreme drought.

Clay Lakes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if he is aware that landowners at Clay Lakes have fishing rights, own land under the lakes and have water rights to households which pre-date the introduction of government stipulated levels in the 1970s; and to outline how the Rivers Agency will control water levels at the Clay Lakes while taking into consideration the rights of landowners in this location.

(AQW 6974/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: DARD Rivers Agency currently has no responsibility for the control of water levels at the Clea Lakes. On transfer of water rights the Agency would intend to carry out maintenance works to the existing sluice gates, and will consider the construction of a weir structure to better ensure water levels are maintained. Landowners and other affected parties, including fisheries interests, would be fully consulted on any proposed works as necessary.

Clay Lakes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development the reasons why (i) water level stipulations at the Clay Lakes were agreed with a single individual rather than a majority of lakeside landowners; and (ii) water levels are not being kept constant by the use of automatic sluices as recently encouraged by the Rivers Agency.

(AQW 6976/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: (i) Available records indicate that the water level stipulations at the Clea Lakes were agreed with the United Chrome Tanners in 1969 as part of a wider arrangement for compensatory works to mitigate the impact of the Ardigon – Dibney Drainage Scheme on their Tannery operation. The Chrome Tanners were in possession of, and dependent on, water rights transferred from a 19^th Century Mill Operation; the then Minister of Agriculture under Drainage Legislation was required to compensate for any diminution of water power or water rights associated with drainage schemes.

(ii) The Rivers Agency is not responsible for operation of the automatic sluices or maintenance of the water levels and can act in an advisory capacity only.

Clay Lakes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development why the undertaking that was given by officials, to landowners at Clay Lakes, during a meeting on 18 June 2008, has since been reneged on.

(AQW 6977/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: At the meeting between representatives of DARD Rivers Agency, NI Environment Agency, Dunbia Dungannon and residents affected by the Clea Lakes on 18 June 2007 it was agreed that responsibility for control of water levels lay with Dunbia Dungannon. It was also agreed that if the historic agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture (now DARD) and the United Chrome Tanners Ltd dated August 1969 be negated it may be possible for the Rivers Agency to construct a control weir at the outlet to the lake. As work regarding the legal transfer of control of water level management remains ongoing it is my understanding that no undertaking has been reneged on.

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail all correspondence and communication received from the European Commission since the application process for the Farm Modernisation Scheme commenced.

(AQW 7014/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Department received a letter from the European Commission on the afternoon of 17 February, dated 12 February, drawing our attention to the need to have defined criteria for the selection of operations and projects and asking which selection criteria would be applied to the Farm Modernisation measure.

The Department received a second letter from the European Commission on 12 March suspending the proposal to include additional national funding in the scheme. This suspension is linked to the Commission’s comments on the selection process.

The Department received a third letter from the European Commission on 2^nd April, dated 30 March, noting that it is not their role to approve the selection process for the programme and that it is therefore up to the Department to take a decision on how to proceed. The Commission has also said they will continue to make payments to the Rural Development Programme.

Underpinning this formal correspondence, there has been ongoing informal communication between the Department and the European Commission.

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Festivals and Events

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his Department's funding for festivals and events in East Antrim since May 2007, broken down by each event.

(AQW 5758/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr G Campbell):

Details of the funding for festivals and events in East Antrim since May 2007 by my Department and its arms length bodies are contained in the attached Annex A.

Annex A

EVENTS GROWTH FUND

2007/08
EVENT / FESTIVAL	AWARD (£)
Guinness Carrick Sevens 07	5, 000
TOTAL	5, 000

COMMUNITY FESTIVALS FUND (CFF)

2007/08
EVENT / FESTIVAL	AWARD (£)
Carrick Pageant	3, 900
Broadisland Gathering	3, 000
Chaine Folk & Blues	1, 500
TOTAL	8, 400

DCAL EVENTS UNIT

2008/09
EVENT / FESTIVAL	AWARD (£)
Aquarama Carrickfergus Incorporating Annual Sea Cadet Corps National Sailing Regatta 2008	10, 000
World Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships 2009	85, 000
TOTAL	95, 000

COMMUNITY FESTIVALS FUND*

2008/09
EVENT / FESTIVAL	AWARD (£)
Carrick Sevens	3, 700
Carrick Pageant	5, 000
Whitehead Festival	500
Carrickfergus Ladies Football Festival	6, 200
Sea Cadets Regatta and Aquarama	4, 000
Broadisland Gathering	7, 000
Harbour Community Group - Community Fun Day	800
Gleno Community Group – Storytelling Festival	1, 200
Ulster Scots Four Day Festival	6, 000
Rathcoole Cultural Festival	1, 000
Monkstown Community Festival	2, 000
Monkstown Family Fest & Fireworks Extravaganza	1, 750
Sewing Seeds – Potato Festival	1, 000
Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum	950
Newtownabbey Community Voice	700
TOTAL	41, 800

*2008/09 figures are inclusive of 50% matched funding from local councils.

ULSTER-SCOTS AGENCY

The following detail incorporates the period from May 2007.

Payments pending – Authorised

GROUP	AMOUNT AUTHORISED (£)
Cairncastle (Soiree)	250
TOTAL	250

Letters of offer – money allocated but not yet claimed

GROUP	AMOUNT OFFERED (£)
Cairncastle (soirees/burns night)	5, 000
Ballycarry Comm Assc (festival)	8, 014
Sir Edward Carson FB (festival)	3, 000
Larne District LOL No.1 (festival)	9, 080
Naggyburn (festival)	2, 950
Naggyburn (concert evening)	250
TOTAL	28, 294

Payments made

GROUP	AMOUNT PAID (£)
Glynn Primary School (after-schools club)	900
Cairncastle LOL 692 Community & Cultural Group (soirees/festivals/summer schools)	34, 074
Ballycarry Community (festival)	2, 125
Ballycarry Community Association (festival)	11, 769
Larne YMCA (summer school)	1, 050
Larne District LOL No:1 Education & Cultural Group (Festival)	250
Naggyburn Ulster-Scots & Schomberg Orange Cultural Society (concert evening)	250
East Antrim Traditional Music School (Festival)	7, 000
TOTAL	57, 420

Tuition

East Antrim Elementary Accordion Orchestra	562
East Antrim (Killyglen) Accordion Orchestra	1, 361
Sir Edward Carson	1, 080
East Antrim (Killyglen) Accordion Orchestra	1, 361
TOTAL	4, 364

Festivals and Events

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his Department's funding of festival and events since May 2007, broken down by constituency.

(AQW 5760/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

Funding details, broken down by constituency where this detail is available, can be found in the attached Annex A.

Annex A

Northern Ireland Events Company - 2007/08

2007/08
EVENT	CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
9^th Annual Blues on the Bay Festival 07	South Down	5, 000
7th World Jet Masters 07	Fermanagh & South Tyrone	7, 500
All Ireland Antrim Girls Golf Ch'Ships 07	South Antrim	10, 000
All Ireland Cup & Shields Final 07	Belfast	5, 000
Aspects Irish Literature Festival 07	North Down	5, 000
Big Tickle Comedy Festival 07	Foyle	7, 000
Circle One BSPA Portrush Open 07	North Antrim	6, 000
University of Ulster Foyle Cup Youth Football Tournament 07	Foyle East Londonderry	44, 712
Garden Show Ireland 07	Lagan Valley	15, 000
Guinness Carrick Sevens 07	East Antrim	5, 000
Irish Country Lifestyle 07	South Antrim	10, 000
NI International Horse Show 07	East Belfast	49, 684
NI Milk Cup 07	East Londonderry North Antrim South Antrim	25, 000
Out to Lunch	East Belfast	8, 891
Tennis Legends	East Belfast	40, 000
The National Countrysports Fair 07	Lagan Valley	10, 000
Ulster Grand Prix 07	Lagan Valley	5, 000
Under 19's Rugby World Championships 07	Belfast East	50, 000
Urban Beach Tour - NI 07	East Belfast	12, 000
Yonex Irish International Badminton Championships 2007	Lagan Valley	2, 175
TOTAL		322, 962

DCAL Events Unit – 2008/09

2008/09

EVENT

CONSTITUENCY

AWARD (£)

10^th Annual Guinness Blues on the Bay Festival 2008

South Down

5, 000

Aquarama Carrickfergus Incorporating Annual Sea Cadet Corps National Sailing Regatta 2008

East Antrim

10, 000

Garden Show Ireland 2008

Lagan Valley

25, 000

Guinness Folk Festival 2008

North Antrim

6, 100

Hillsborough International Oyster Festival 2008

Lagan Valley

15, 000

International Indoor Athletics 2009

Belfast East

7, 250

Joint British Isles & International Series 2009

Belfast South

7, 250

Magner’s Big Tickle Comedy Festival 2008

Foyle

East Londonderry

6, 500

Northern Ireland Dance Music Awards 2008

Belfast East

5,000

Northern Ireland International Airshow 2008

North Antrim

18, 000

Out to Lunch 2009

Belfast North

6, 100

Trans / Urban Arts Academy 2008

Belfast East

10, 000

26^th Annual Northern Ireland Milk Cup International Youth Football Tournament 2008

East Londonderry North Antrim

South Antrim

50, 000

Belfast Maritime Festival 2009

Belfast East

200, 000

August Feile – West Belfast Festival 2008

Belfast West

Belfast North

Belfast East

50, 000

European Round FIM Trials & World Round FIM Trials 2008

North Down

40, 000

Kennedy International North West 200

North Antrim

58, 750

Rally Ireland

Fermanagh & South Tyrone

888, 000

Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week 2008

Lagan Valley

40, 000

University of Ulster Foyle Cup 2008

Foyle

East Londonderry

50, 000

World Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships 2009

East Antrim

85, 000

TOTAL

1, 582, 950

Festivals and Events

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much funding his Department has provided for cultural events and festivals in each (a) constituency; and (b) council area, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6061/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

The information requested is set out, where this is possible, at Annex A.

Annex A

ARTS

Community Festivals Fund (2006/07, 2007/08)

During the period 2006- 2008 The Community Festivals Fund was administered by the Northern Ireland Events Company.

The application process was through an open competition, open to all festival organisers across Northern Ireland. Information for the first 2 years of the Community Festivals Fund is not held by Council area or on a constituency basis. (84 projects were funded during this period)

Community Festivals Fund (2008/09)

On 1 April 2008 the delivery of the CFF transferred to local Councils. DCAL provided funding on the basis that each Council would provide at least 50% match funding.

The table below shows the funding awarded by DCAL to each District Council in 2008/09.

DISTRICT COUNCIL	DCAL AWARD (£)
Antrim	12, 300
Ards	18, 000
Armagh	13, 700
Ballymena	15, 600
Ballymoney	6, 800
Banbridge	10, 600
Belfast	77, 300
Carrickfergus	9, 700
Castlereagh	15, 800
Coleraine	14, 200
Cookstown	8, 500
Craigavon	22, 600
Londonderry	31, 200
Down	16, 500
Dungannon	12, 800
Fermanagh	15, 000
Larne	8, 000
Limavady	8, 900
Lisburn	28, 400
Magherafelt	9, 900
Moyle	4, 400
Newry & Mourne	25, 400
Newtownabbey	20, 400
North Down	18, 600
Omagh	13, 100
Strabane	12, 400
TOTAL	450, 100

The table below shows the funding awarded through the CFF to each Constituency in 2008/09.

CONSTITUENCY	COMMUNITY FESTIVALS FUND (CFF) AWARDS (£)
Belfast North	56, 657
Belfast South	58, 273
Belfast West	58, 474
Belfast East	20, 246
East Antrim	35, 613
East Londonderry	44, 780
Foyle	60, 000
Fermanagh and South Tyrone	52, 832
Lagan Valley	57, 118
Mid Ulster	50, 110
North Antrim	47, 072
North Down	39, 950
Newry and Armagh	53, 796
South Down	64, 287
South Antrim	38, 011
Strangford	34, 032
Upper Bann	66, 442
West Tyrone	48, 252
Across Belfast North, South Antrim, East Antrim	6, 800
TOTAL	892, 745

Figures, for constituency areas, include at least 50% match funding by Councils. Councils can put, up to 10% of their contribution, towards administrative costs.

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each District Council in 2006/07.

DISTRICT COUNCIL	AWARD (£)
Antrim	20, 000
Ards	10, 000
Armagh	290, 468
Ballymoney	1, 350
Belfast	8, 952, 630
Carrickfergus	18, 090
Castlereagh	71, 651
Coleraine	277, 167
Cookstown	99, 839
Craigavon	144, 235
Londonderry	1, 486, 484
Down	413, 155
Dungannon	65, 992
Fermanagh	106, 272
Larne	5, 500
Limavady	21, 000
Lisburn	309, 651
Magherafelt	71, 763
Moyle	13, 420
Newry & Mourne	180, 391
North Down	174, 174
Omagh	115, 333
Strabane	60, 522
TOTAL	12, 909, 087

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each Constituency in 2006/07.

CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
South Antrim	20, 000
Strangford	50 ,200
Newry & Armagh	463, 232
North Antrim	14, 770
Belfast North	2, 140, 164
Belfast South	4, 898, 036
Belfast East	285, 408
Belfast West	1, 668,404
East Antrim	23, 590
East Londonderry	298, 167
Mid Ulster	215, 011
Upper Bann	144, 235
Foyle	1, 486, 484
South Down	420, 782
Lagan Valley	301, 720
North Down	174, 174
West Tyrone	175, 855
Fermanagh & S.Tyrone	128, 855
TOTAL	12, 909, 087

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each District Council in 2007/08.

DISTRICT COUNCIL	AWARD (£)
Antrim	15, 000
Ards	10, 001
Armagh	97, 225
Belfast	7, 751, 992
Carrickfergus	5, 000
Castlereagh	6, 440
Coleraine	190, 150
Cookstown	67, 090
Craigavon	63, 788
Londonderry	1, 230, 322
Down	113, 930
Dungannon	10, 000
Fermanagh	34, 300
Larne	5, 000
Limavady	10, 000
Lisburn	262, 622
Magherafelt	5, 000
Moyle	54, 023
Newry & Mourne	146, 790
North Down	75, 320
Omagh	49, 000
Strabane	22, 000
TOTAL	10, 225, 173

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each Constituency in 2007/2008

CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
South Antrim	15, 000
Strangford	16, 441
Newry & Armagh	239, 195
Belfast North	2, 035, 834
Belfast South	4, 543, 227
Belfast East	162, 134
Belfast West	1, 031, 259
East Antrim	10, 000
East Londonderry	200, 150
Mid Ulster	77, 090
Upper Bann	63, 788
Foyle	1, 230, 322
South Down	118, 930
Lagan Valley	242, 160
North Down	75, 320
North Antrim	54, 023
West Tyrone	71, 000
Fermanagh & South Tyrone	39, 300
TOTAL	10, 225, 173

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each District Council in 2008/2009.

DISTRICT COUNCIL	AWARD (£)
Antrim	78, 750
Ards	51, 751
Armagh	127, 000
Banbridge	8, 000
Belfast	10, 104, 772
Castlereagh	79, 000
Coleraine	143, 000
Craigavon	155, 863
Londonderry	1, 573, 264
Down	165, 100
Dungannon	53, 250
Fermanagh	60, 000
Lisburn	307, 042
Magherafelt	55, 000
Moyle	20, 260
Newry & Mourne	188, 987
Newtownabbey	21, 865
North Down	166, 243
Omagh	163, 350
TOTAL	13, 522, 497

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each Constituency in 2008/2009

CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
South Antrim	78, 750
North Antrim	20, 260
East Antrim	21, 865
Strangford	130, 751
Newry & Armagh	315, 987
Belfast North	3, 291, 107
Belfast South	5, 179, 564
Belfast East	287, 239
Belfast West	1, 346, 862
East Londonderry	143, 000
Mid Ulster	91, 250
Upper Bann	155, 863
Foyle	1, 573, 264
South Down	173, 100
Lagan Valley	307, 042
North Down	166, 243
West Tyrone	163, 350
Fermanagh & South Tyrone	77, 000
TOTAL	13, 522, 497

Footnote:

In addition, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland allocated £367,025 in 2006/2007, £295,496 in 2007/2008 and £505,123 in 2008/2009 to organisations whose activities are regional, for example Youth Music Orchestra and Opera Theatre Company. These figures are not reflected in the tables.

EVENTS

The table below shows funding provided, through the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC), in 2006/2007:

DISTRICT COUNCIL	CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	15, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	29, 615
Antrim	South Antrim	9, 000
North Down	North Down	10, 000
Carrickfergus	East Antrim	5,000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	15, 000
Londonderry	Foyle	12, 500
Limavady	East Londonderry	1, 173
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	20, 000
Fermanagh	Fermanagh and South Tyrone	20, 000
Londonderry	Foyle East Londonderry	60, 047
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	8, 000
Carrickfergus	East Antrim	4, 728
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	30, 000
Antrim	South Antrim	15, 000
Down	Strangford	7, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	25, 000
Coleraine	East Londonderry	11, 941
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	14, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	8,891
Belfast, Fermanagh	Belfast East, Fermanagh and South Tyrone	€411, 197*
Down	Strangford	3, 000
Banbridge	Newry and Armagh	4, 286
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	50, 000
Newry & Mourne	South Down	5, 000
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	15, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	15, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	27, 818
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	8, 000

*Payment in Euro because the agreement between Rally Ireland and the NIEC stated this.

The table below shows funding provided to events facilitated by the NIEC in 2006/07.

DISTRICT COUNCIL	CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
Magherafelt	Mid Ulster	495, 122
Down	Strangford	392, 814
Fermanagh	Fermanagh and South Tyrone	152, 357

The table below shows funding provided, through the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC), in 2007/2008:

DISTRICT COUNICL	CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
Newry & Mourne	South Down	5, 000
Fermanagh	Fermanagh & South Tyrone	7, 500
Antrim	South Antrim	10, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	5, 000
North Down	North Down	5, 000
Londonderry	Foyle	7, 000
Coleraine	North Antrim	6, 000
Foyle, Limavady and Strabane	Foyle East Londonderry	44, 712
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	15, 000
Carrickfergus	East Antrim	5, 000
Antrim	South Antrim	10, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	49, 684
Coleraine, Ballymoney and Ballymena	East Londonderry North Antrim South Antrim	25, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	8, 891
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	40, 000
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	10, 000
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	5, 000
Belfast, North Down	Belfast South & North Down	50, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	12, 000
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	2, 175

The DCAL Events Unit provided funding for the following events in 2008/2009:

DISTRICT COUNCIL

CONSTITUENCY

AWARD (£)

Newry & Mourne

South Down

5, 000

Carrickfergus

East Antrim

10, 000

Lisburn

Lagan Valley

25, 000

Coleraine

North Antrim

6, 100

Lisburn

Lagan Valley

15, 000

Belfast

Belfast North, South, East, West

7, 250

Belfast

Belfast South

7, 250

Londonderry

Foyle

East Londonderry

6, 500

Belfast

Belfast East

5, 000

Coleraine

North Antrim

18, 000

Belfast

Belfast North, South, East, West

6, 100

Belfast

Belfast East

10, 000

Coleraine, Ballymoney and Ballymena

East Londonderry, North Antrim

South Antrim

50, 000

Belfast

Belfast East

200, 000

Belfast

Belfast West

Belfast North

Belfast East

50, 000

North Down

North Down

40, 000

Coleraine

North Antrim

85, 000

Fermanagh*

Fermanagh & South Tyrone

880, 000

Lisburn

Lagan Valley

40, 000

Foyle, Limavady and Strabane

Foyle

East Londonderry

50, 000

Newtownabbey

East Antrim

85, 000

*Cross border event

Plantation Exploration/Commemoration

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, in relation to the plans for the Plantation Exploration/Commemoration, to detail (i) the resources that will be allocated; and (ii) the joint approach that is being taken with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in terms of international marketing and development.

(AQW 6629/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

My Department, through its relevant Arms Length Bodies, will provide advice and guidance to any organisation considering ways of commemorating the Plantation of Ulster.

A range of activities and projects, in relation to the 400^th anniversary of the Plantation of Ulster, have already been planned as set out below:

The Ulster-Scots Agency intends to republish the Reverend George Hill’s ‘An Historical Account of the Plantation of Ulster at the commencement of the seventeenth century, 1605 – 1620’, first published in 1877. It will be accompanied by digital images of the Raven Phillips maps held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Those maps will also feature in the Ulster-Scots Agency’s educational resources on the Plantation, funded by the Special European Programmes Body;
Northern Ireland Screen has agreed to partly fund a bilingual documentary series from the Irish Language Broadcast Fund. The series entitled 'Dissenting Voices' is scheduled to be broadcast in January 2010 and will illustrate what life was like on both sides of the Irish Sea at the time of the plantation;
New history displays will feature in the refurbished Ulster Museum. These will provide background to the Plantation and its main features. They will consider Ulster as the departing point for the Gaelic lords and present an account of the settlement of Ulster up to 1615, covering the establishment of the Royal schools, the development of towns and ports, including Londonderry and Coleraine, and the development by the London Companies, of the county formerly known as Coleraine; and
A range of events will take place across the library service. For example, the Linen Hall library is planning an exhibition of contemporary books and pamphlets.

At present there is no formal cooperation with DETI in terms of international marketing and development.

Newtownards Library

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure when the economic appraisal will be completed for the new Newtownards Library; and when is construction expected to begin.

(AQW 6657/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The South Eastern Education and Library Board has been working in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Library Authority to explore a range of feasible options for the provision of public library services in Newtownards.

The likely timescale and cost of the project will not be known until the Economic Appraisal is finalised. From 1 April 2009 responsibility for the project will transfer to the Northern Ireland Library Authority.

While deliberations have taken longer than expected it is important to explore all the options and achieve the best value for money for a potential investment of over £3m.

After the completion of the Economic Appraisal it will take a minimum of 12 to 15 months for detailed designs to be developed and planning permission to be secured before construction can commence on site.

Ulster/Scots and Irish Language Projects

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how many (i) Ulster/Scots and (ii) Irish language projects his Department has funded (a) in total; and (b) broken down by constituency, in each of the last four years.

(AQW 6737/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

The total number of Ulster-Scots and Irish language projects funded by DCAL and its statutory agencies and arms length bodies including the Arts Council, Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge over the last four years is shown in the table below;

YEAR	ULSTER-SCOTS	IRISH
2008	77	37
2007	55	38
2006	30	37
2005	17	51

Unfortunately, this information is not maintained by parliamentary constituency by the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge. I have instructed these Agencies to begin formatting the information relating to funded projects by parliamentary constituency from 1 April 2009.

Financial Awards Made by Department

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the financial awards made by his Department to (i) GAA clubs; (ii) Irish language; (iii) Ulster/Scots; and (iv) Loyal Orders, for events, projects, and other awards, in the Upper Bann area, in each of the last four years.

(AQW 6738/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

The information requested is set out at Annex A.

Annex A

Funding set out in the attached table was not awarded directly by the Department, but either by the Arts Council Northern Ireland, or through the Community Festivals Fund (CFF). The CFF was initially administered by the Northern Ireland Events Company and in 2008 was devolved to local District Councils.

	Event/Project /Other	Financial Year	Financial Award (£)
(i) GAA Clubs	Nil	Nil	Nil
(ii) Irish Language	Gaelic Week	08/09	2, 475
(iii) Ulster/Scots	Co. Down Pipe Band Championships Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra	08/09 08/09	4, 500 10, 000
(iv) Loyal Orders	2007 Twelfth July Festival Boyne and Beyond (Gilford) Lurgan District Community Festival 2006	07/08 06/07 06/07	5, 000 3, 000 3, 000

Projects Planned for Upper Bann

Mr S Moutray asked Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the (i) projects; and (ii) amount of investment planned for the Upper Bann constituency, for each of the next three financial years.

(AQW 6752/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

Please see attached Table.

DCAL CAPITAL PROJECTS – UPPER BANN

Ongoing and Planned Projects
Name	Value	Start Date	2009/10	2010/11	2011/12
St Paul’s GAC, Taghnevan - Construction of a multi-sports complex.	245,000	2008/09	24,500	0	0
Lurgan Rugby Football & Cricket Club - Refurbishment of 2 existing rugby pitches and training area	126,093	2008/09	25,219	0	0
Glenavon FC – Stadia Safety works	800,000	2010/11	0	800,000	0
Portadown Boat Club - New boathouse and storage area	500,000	2009/10	250,000	250,000	0
Craigavon Borough Council - Provision of Inclusive Fitness suite at Craigavon Leisure Centre	40,000	2009/10	40,000	0	0
Glenavon FC – Ground improvements under Soccer Strategy	235,960	2009/10	235,960	0	0
Lurgan Celtic FC	60,860	2008/09	40,000	20,860	0

Floating Jetty at Moneypenny’s Lock Newry Canal Project Promoter: Craigavon Borough Council	£7,200 DCAL Contribution (Approx 50% of total cost)	n/k	£7,200	0	0

Trouble at International Football Match

Mr J Shannon asked he Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions he has had with the PSNI about the trouble caused by some Polish fans in connection with the football match at Windsor Park on Saturday, 28 March 2009.

(AQW 6788/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

I have already issued a public statement condemning all the disturbances which took place in and around the football match at Windsor Park on Saturday 28 March 2009. However, policing, and the trouble that occurred in connection with the game on 28 March, are reserved matters and therefore the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO). In addition, discussions with the police about the trouble caused in connection with the match are a matter for the Irish Football Association (IFA) which is responsible for the organisation of all Northern Ireland home international football games at Windsor Park.

Proposed New National Stadium

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he would consider a financial contribution to the proposed new Danny Blanchflower stadium as the new national stadium.

(AQW 6790/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

I have had individual meetings with the sports’ governing bodies with the intention of finding a cost-effective and sustainable way of assisting football, rugby and gaelic games develop solutions to their stadia needs and have asked them to let me have a short list of options on stadium provision, highlighting their preferred option.

I will wish to further discuss each of the options received with the governing bodies. In due course preferred options and their associated business cases will need to be subjected to economic appraisal to Green Book standards to ensure value for money, operational viability and affordability. The Government’s financial contribution to overall stadia development will need to be considered as part of this.

Trouble at International Football Match

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much the Irish Football Association has paid Eventsec and other firms to provide security for international matches at Windsor Park, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6806/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure does not retain information on how much the Irish Football Association (IFA) has paid Eventsec or other firms to provide security for international matches at Windsor Park. This is entirely a matter for the IFA.

Trouble at International Football Match

Mr G Savage asked he Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail any contact between his Department and the Home Office about violence emanating from a small section of visiting Polish football fans.

(AQW 6808/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

Violence emanating from football fans is a reserved matter and therefore the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO). It would be a matter for the NIO to consider whether violence involving visiting Polish fans should be raised with the Home Office in the first instance.

Proposed New National Stadium

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions he has had about the new stadium that has been proposed for the Danny Blanchflower playing fields in East Belfast.

(AQW 6858/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

Ulster Scots Agency Newspaper

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (i) how much funding has been provided by his Department for the Ulster Scots Agency newspaper, The Ulster Scot; (ii) how many copies of the newspaper are published; and (iii) what are the areas and bodies that receive the newspaper.

(AQW 6906/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

The Department does not directly fund the Ulster-Scots Newspaper. The newspaper is financially supported by the Ulster-Scots Agency who has provided £337,355 of funding and published a total of 1,557,000 issues over the last three years as detailed in the table below:

Year	Funding	Published
2006	£66,109	434,000 (7 issues)
2007	£119,080	520,000 (8 issues)
2008	£152, 166	603,000 copies (9 issues)

The newspaper is distributed as a supplement within the News Letter and also via a mailing list as detailed below:

Democratic Unionist Party
Ulster Unionist Party
England and Scotland
House of Lords
MLAs
MPs
Community Groups
NI Libraries
Overseas
Dáil Éireann
ROI Senate
Ulster-Scots Groups
Local Media
Councils/Local Government

I trust you find this information helpful.

Department of Education

Teaching Posts

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education the number of teaching posts in each school in the North Down constituency.

(AQW 6388/09)

Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane ):

Ní bhailíonn an Roinn eolas ar líon na bpost do mhúinteoirí i dTuaisceart na hÉireann, ach bailíonn sí eolas maidir le líon na múinteoirí.

The Department does not collect data on the number of teaching posts, but does collect the numbers of teachers. The numbers of teachers in each school in the North Down parliamentary constituency in the academic year 2007-2008 is given in the table below.

Teachers¹ in schools in North Down parliamentary constituency, 2007-2008

School name	Number of teachers filling or temporarily filling teaching posts in 2007-2008
Nursery schools
BANGOR NURSERY SCHOOL	2
HOLYWOOD NURSERY SCHOOL	1
TRINITY NURSERY SCHOOL	3
Primary schools and preparatory departments of grammar schools
BALLYVESTER PS	6
HOLYWOOD PS	18
CRAWFORDSBURN PS	8
BALLYHOLME PS	28
DONAGHADEE PS	23
CLANDEBOYE PS	10
MILLISLE PS	8
REDBURN PS	6
BLOOMFIELD ROAD PS	17
GRANGE PARK PS	16
KILCOOLEY PS	9
RATHMORE PS	22
TOWERVIEW PS	21
KILMAINE PS	24
BALLYMAGEE PS	18
ST PATRICK'S PS	11
ST ANNE'S PS	3
ST COMGALL'S PS	12
ST MALACHY'S PS	13
BANGOR CENTRAL PS	28
GLENCRAIG PS	12
GLENLOLA COLLEGIATE PREP. DEPT.	6
BANGOR GRAMMAR SCHOOL PREP. DEPT.	9
SULLIVAN UPPER SCHOOL PREP. DEPT.	14
Secondary and grammar schools
DONAGHADEE HIGH SCHOOL	23
BANGOR ACADEMY AND 6TH FORM COLLEGE	95
ST COLUMBANUS' COLLEGE	37
PRIORY COLLEGE	36
GLENLOLA COLLEGIATE	67
BANGOR GS	61
SULLIVAN UPPER SCHOOL	79
Special schools
CLIFTON SPECIAL SCHOOL	17
LAKEWOOD SPECIAL SCHOOL	9

¹ This table contains the total number of teachers in full-time or part-time permanent positions, teachers employed on a daily (1/365^th) basis, and teachers temporarily covering vacancies (either full- or part-time). It does not include information on unfilled vacancies, or information on posts shared by teachers.

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Education when she proposes to re-instate the Board of the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

(AQW 6524/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá athbhunú Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirdheiscirt atá ar fionraí fós faoi bhreithniú agus fógrófar mo chinneadh i ndáil leis seo ag an oiriúnach amach anseo.

The reinstatement of the suspended Board of the South-Eastern Education and Library Board remains under consideration and my decision in relation to this will be announced at the appropriate time.

Teaching Posts

Mr A Ross asked he Minister of Education how many teaching posts there are in primary schools in the East Antrim constituency.

(AQW 6529/09)

Minister of Education:

Ní bhailíonn an Roinn eolas ar líon na bpost do mhúinteoirí i dTuaisceart na hÉireann, ach bailíonn sí eolas maidir le líon na múinteoirí.

The Department does not collect data on the number of teaching posts in the north of Ireland, but does collect the numbers of teachers. The numbers of teachers in each school in the East Antrim parliamentary constituency in the academic year 2007-2008 is given in the tables below.

Teachers¹ in schools in primary schools in East Antrim parliamentary constituency, 2007-2008

School name	Teachers filling or temporarily filling posts in 2007-2008
CARNALBANAGH PS	4
LARNE AND INVER PS	9
CARRICKFERGUS MODEL PS	17
OLDERFLEET PS	10
WOODBURN PS	9
MULLAGHDUBH PS	3
EDEN PS	10
GLYNN PS	4
BALLYCARRY PS	7
GREENISLAND PS	19
CARRICKFERGUS CENTRAL PS	9
WHITEABBEY PS	18
UPPER BALLYBOLEY PS	4
SUNNYLANDS PS	9
MOYLE PS	19
WHITEHEAD PS	19
KING'S PARK PS	15
LINN PS	19
VICTORIA PS	25
TOREAGH PS	6
SILVERSTREAM PS	8
HOLLYBANK PS	11
WOODLAWN PS	14
OAKFIELD PS	17
CAIRNCASTLE PS	7
SEAVIEW PS	4
ST ANTHONY'S PS	6
ST JOHN'S PS	9
LOURDES PS	2
ST JAMES' PS	14
ST NICHOLAS' PS	6
ST MACNISSI'S PS	10
KILCOAN PS	4
CARNLOUGH CONTROLLED INTEGRATED PS	3
CORRAN INTEGRATED PS	10
ACORN INTEGRATED PS	10

Teachers¹ in schools in secondary schools in East Antrim parliamentary constituency, 2007-2008

School name

Teachers filling or temporarily filling posts in 2007-2008

LARNE HIGH SCHOOL

40

CARRICKFERGUS COLLEGE

63

MONKSTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

50

DOWNSHIRE SCHOOL

59

ST COMGALL'S HIGH SCHOOL

17

ULIDIA INTERGRATED COLLEGE

42

CARRICKFERGUS GS

56

LARNE GS

51

BELFAST HIGH SCHOOL

67

ST MACNISSI'S COLLEGE

41

Teaching Posts

Mr A Ross asked he Minister of Education how many teaching posts there are in secondary schools in the East Antrim constituency.

(AQW 6530/09)

Minister of Education:

Ní bhailíonn an Roinn eolas ar líon na bpost do mhúinteoirí i dTuaisceart na hÉireann, ach bailíonn sí eolas maidir le líon na múinteoirí.

Teachers¹ in schools in primary schools in East Antrim parliamentary constituency, 2007-2008

School name	Teachers filling or temporarily filling posts in 2007-2008
CARNALBANAGH PS	4
LARNE AND INVER PS	9
CARRICKFERGUS MODEL PS	17
OLDERFLEET PS	10
WOODBURN PS	9
MULLAGHDUBH PS	3
EDEN PS	10
GLYNN PS	4
BALLYCARRY PS	7
GREENISLAND PS	19
CARRICKFERGUS CENTRAL PS	9
WHITEABBEY PS	18
UPPER BALLYBOLEY PS	4
SUNNYLANDS PS	9
MOYLE PS	19
WHITEHEAD PS	19
KING'S PARK PS	15
LINN PS	19
VICTORIA PS	25
TOREAGH PS	6
SILVERSTREAM PS	8
HOLLYBANK PS	11
WOODLAWN PS	14
OAKFIELD PS	17
CAIRNCASTLE PS	7
SEAVIEW PS	4
ST ANTHONY'S PS	6
ST JOHN'S PS	9
LOURDES PS	2
ST JAMES' PS	14
ST NICHOLAS' PS	6
ST MACNISSI'S PS	10
KILCOAN PS	4
CARNLOUGH CONTROLLED INTEGRATED PS	3
CORRAN INTEGRATED PS	10
ACORN INTEGRATED PS	10

Teachers¹ in schools in secondary schools in East Antrim parliamentary constituency, 2007-2008

School name	Teachers filling or temporarily filling posts in 2007-2008
LARNE HIGH SCHOOL	40
CARRICKFERGUS COLLEGE	63
MONKSTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL	50
DOWNSHIRE SCHOOL	59
ST COMGALL'S HIGH SCHOOL	17
ULIDIA INTERGRATED COLLEGE	42
CARRICKFERGUS GS	56
LARNE GS	51
BELFAST HIGH SCHOOL	67
ST MACNISSI'S COLLEGE	41

Moira Primary School's New Nursery Unit

Mr J Craig asked he Minister of Education what the estimated timescale is for the completion of work on Moira Primary School's new nursery unit.

(AQW 6561/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá tugtha le fios dom ag Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirdheiscirt go ndéanfear breithniú ar an tionscadal i dtaca le clár mionoibreacha na bliana seo, in éineacht le tosaíochtaí iomaíochta eile agus ó thaobh na n-acmhainní airgeadais a bheidh ar fáil.

The South Eastern Education and Library Board has advised that the project will be considered for this year’s minor works programme, along with other competing priorities and in the context of the financial resources which will be available.

History Curriculum in Secondary Level Education

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Education what topics are available for study as part of the history curriculum in secondary level education; and for a breakdown of the topics available for each of the individual year groups.

(AQW 6614/09)

Minister of Education:

Is cuid den churaclam reachtúil anseo, ón Bhunchéim go hEochairchéím 3, í an Stair. Tugann bun inneachar reachtúil na Staire creatlach agus solúbthacht do mhúinteoirí le leithead agus doimhneacht an ábhair a mhúnlú ionas go bhfreastalóidh sé ar riachtanais gach dalta.

History is part of the statutory curriculum here from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 3. The statutory minimum content for history provides a framework and the flexibility for teachers to tailor the breadth and depth of coverage to meet the needs of individual pupils.

At Key Stage 3, there is an explicit requirement for schools to deliver the minimum content through a broad and balanced range of: historical periods; Irish, British, European and global contexts; and significant political, social economic, cultural and religious development. This includes providing opportunities for pupils to investigate the long and short term consequences of the partition of Ireland and the impact of events and ideas of the 20^th century on the world.

At Key Stage 4, there is significantly less curricular prescription in order to provide greater choice and flexibility for pupils. At Key Stage 4 and in sixth form it is for pupils to choose to study history.

Schools here are free to choose which awarding body they use when entering pupils for GCSEs or A levels. The subject content for history will therefore vary, depending upon the examination specification (syllabus) set by individual awarding bodies. Awarding bodies are required to design and develop their GCSE and A level specifications against criteria set down by the Qualifications' Regulators.

The content requirements set out in the current criteria for GCSE and A level history are very broad in that they define the general parameters for specification development rather than specific topics or periods of history to be studied. These are left to the discretion of the awarding body. For example, in both GCSE and A level history a key requirement is that all awarding bodies must allocate at least 25% of the course content to significant individuals, topics and issues related to Irish and/or British History. Awarding bodies have the freedom to specify content within this broad context.

STEM Subject Teachers

Mr P Butler asked e Minister of Education (i) how many teachers are qualified to teach STEM subjects in each educational sector; and (ii) how many STEM subject teachers there were in each educational sector, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6676/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá tugtha le fios ag an Chomhairle Ghinearálta Teagaisc (GTCNI) go bhfuil 4,125 múinteoir ‘STEM’ ar Chlár na Múinteoirí faoi láthair agus aithníodh 3,314 den líon sin mar mhúinteoirí a raibh conarthaí buana \ sealadacha acu.

Ní choinnítear eolas stáiriúil agus ní bhíonn eolas de réir earnálacha oideachais.

The General Teaching Council (GTCNI) has advised that there are currently 4,125 ‘STEM’ teachers on their Register of Teachers of which 3,314 have been identified as permanent/temporary contracted.

Historical data is not held nor is information available by education sector.

School Pupils in Upper Bann

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Education how many pupils in (i) primary; and (ii) secondary schools in the Upper Bann constituency do not have English as their first language.

(AQW 6677/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is contained in the table below.

Pupils who have English as an additional language attending primary and post-primary schools in the Upper Bann Constituency – 2008/09

School type	Number of pupils who have English as an additional language
Primary	587
Post primary	246
Total	833

Source: School census.

Note:

Figure for primary schools includes nursery, reception and year 1 – classes.
A child with English as an additional language is defined as one for whom English is not their first language and who has significant difficulty with the English language and requires assistance.

Secondary Schools

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to detail the secondary schools that do not have year 13 and 14 pupils enrolled.

(AQW 6691/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is contained in the table below.

Post primary schools that currently do not have pupils enrolled in a sixth form – 2008/09

SCHOOL NAME

ARMAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE

AUGHNACLOY COLLEGE

BALLEE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

BALLYMONEY HIGH SCHOOL

BLACKWATER INTEGRATED COLLEGE

BROWNLOW INT COLLEGE

CASTLE HIGH SCHOOL

CLOUNAGH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

CRAIGAVON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

CRUMLIN INTEGRATED COLLEGE

DE LA SALLE SECONDARY SCHOOL

DONAGHADEE HIGH SCHOOL

DROMORE HIGH SCHOOL

DRUMCREE COLLEGE

DUNDONALD HIGH SCHOOL

DUNLUCE SCHOOL

DUNMURRY HIGH SCHOOL

GARVAGH HIGH SCHOOL

KILLICOMAINE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL¹

KNOCKBREDA HIGH SCHOOL

LISNASKEA HIGH SCHOOL

LURGAN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL¹

MARKETHILL HIGH SCHOOL

MOVILLA HIGH SCHOOL

NENDRUM COLLEGE

NEWTOWNABBEY COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

NEWTOWNHAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL

OUR LADY OF LOURDES HIGH SCHOOL

PARKHALL HIGH SCHOOL

RATHFRILAND HIGH SCHOOL

SAINTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

ST AIDAN'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST ALOYSIUS HIGH SCHOOL

ST BENEDICT'S COLLEGE

ST BRIGID'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST COLMCILLE'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST COLUMBAN'S COLLEGE

ST EUGENE'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST JOHN'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST JOSEPH'S BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL, NEWRY

ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL, COALISLAND

ST MARY'S COLLEGE, IRVINESTOWN

ST MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL, BELLEEK

ST MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL, LURGAN

ST PATRICKS & ST BRIGIDS HIGH SCHOOL

ST PAUL'S COLLEGE

ST PAUL'S JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL¹

STRABANE HIGH SCHOOL

TANDRAGEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL¹

THE HIGH SCHOOL BALLYNAHINCH

Source: Annual school census.

Note:

Junior High schools have been included, but only enrol children up to Year 10.
Sixth form defined as pupils in Year 13 or above studying level 3 courses.

School Enrollment

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the schools that have year 13 and 14 pupils enrolled; and (ii) the number of these pupils in each school.

(AQW 6692/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is contained in the table below.

Post primary schools with pupils enrolled in a sixth form – 2008/09

School name	Total
ABBEY CHRISTIAN BROTHERS GS	218
ANTRIM GS	187
AQUINAS DIOCESAN GS	218
ASHFIELD BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL	71
ASHFIELD GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL	107
ASSUMPTION GS	259
BALLYCASTLE HIGH SCHOOL	53
BALLYCLARE HIGH SCHOOL	283
BALLYCLARE SECONDARY SCHOOL	114
BALLYMENA ACADEMY	318
BANBRIDGE ACADEMY	380
BANBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL	19
BANGOR ACADEMY AND 6TH FORM COLLEGE	257
BANGOR GS	207
BELFAST BOYS' MODEL SCHOOL	154
BELFAST HIGH SCHOOL	233
BELFAST MODEL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS	171
BELFAST ROYAL ACADEMY	386
BLOOMFIELD COLLEGIATE	193
CAMBRIDGE HOUSE GRAMMAR SCHOOL	236
CAMPBELL COLLEGE	197
CARRICKFERGUS COLLEGE	70
CARRICKFERGUS GS	196
CASTLEDERG HIGH SCHOOL	52
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' GS	250
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS SECONDARY SCHOOL	155
CITY ARMAGH HIGH SCHOOL	14
COLÁISTE FEIRSTE	79
COLERAINE SECONDARY SCHOOL	58
COLERAINE ACADEMICAL INSTITUTION	126
COLERAINE HIGH SCHOOL	208
COOKSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL	155
CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE	108
CROSS AND PASSION COLLEGE	158
CULLYBACKEY HIGH SCHOOL	47
DALRIADA SCHOOL	220
DEAN BRIAN MAGUIRC COLLEGE	55
DEVENISH COLLEGE	104
DOMINICAN COLLEGE, PORTSTEWART	269
DOMINICAN COLLEGE, BELFAST	109
DOWN HIGH SCHOOL	266
DOWNSHIRE SCHOOL	66
DRUMGLASS HIGH SCHOOL	32
DRUMRAGH COLLEGE	108
DUNCLUG COLLEGE	93
EDMUND RICE COLLEGE	82
ENNISKILLEN COLLEGIATE	145
ERNE INTEGRATED COLLEGE	84
FIVEMILETOWN HIGH SCHOOL	84
FORT HILL COLLEGE	89
FOYLE & LONDONDERRY COLLEGE	225
FRIENDS' SCHOOL	266
GLASTRY COLLEGE	66
GLENGORMLEY HIGH SCHOOL	164
GLENLOLA COLLEGIATE	269
GROSVENOR GS	289
HAZELWOOD COLLEGE	138
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE	250
HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE	187
HUNTERHOUSE COLLEGE	169
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION COLLEGE	36
INTEGRATED COLLEGE DUNGANNON	95
KILKEEL HIGH SCHOOL	126
LA SALLE BOYS' SCHOOL	218
LAGAN COLLEGE	196
LARNE GS	184
LARNE HIGH SCHOOL	66
LAURELHILL COMMUNITY COLLEGE	83
LIMAVADY GS	253
LIMAVADY HIGH SCHOOL	85
LISMORE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL	228
LISNAGARVEY HIGH SCHOOL	51
LISNEAL COLLEGE	105
LITTLE FLOWER GIRLS' SCHOOL	135
LORETO COLLEGE	195
LORETO GS	270
LUMEN CHRISTI COLLEGE	223
LURGAN COLLEGE	203
MAGHERA HIGH SCHOOL	18
MAGHERAFELT HIGH SCHOOL	56
MALONE INTEGRATED COLLEGE	136
METHODIST COLLEGE	520
MONKSTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL	21
MOUNT LOURDES GS	306
NEW-BRIDGE INTEGRATED COLLEGE	89
NEWRY HIGH SCHOOL	109
NEWTOWNBREDA HIGH SCHOOL	78
NORTH COAST INTEGRATED COLLEGE	50
OAKGROVE INTEGRATED COLLEGE	148
OMAGH ACADEMY	175
OMAGH HIGH SCHOOL	65
ORANGEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL	30
OUR LADY AND ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE	332
OUR LADY OF MERCY GIRLS' SCHOOL	94
OUR LADY'S GS	222
PORTADOWN COLLEGE	374
PORTORA ROYAL SCHOOL	130
PRIORY COLLEGE	23
RAINEY ENDOWED SCHOOL	190
RATHMORE GS	353
REGENT HOUSE SCHOOL	358
SACRED HEART COLLEGE	148
SACRED HEART GS, NEWRY	230
SHIMNA INTEGRATED COLLEGE	105
SLEMISH COLLEGE	120
SPERRIN INTEGRATED COLLEGE	57
ST BRIGID'S COLLEGE	102
ST CATHERINE'S COLLEGE	243
ST CECILIA'S COLLEGE	187
ST CIARAN'S HIGH SCHOOL	146
ST COLMAN'S COLLEGE , NEWRY	238
ST COLMAN'S HIGH SCHOOL, BALLYNAHINCH	68
ST COLM'S HIGH SCHOOL, DRAPERSTOWN	63
ST COLM'S HIGH SCHOOL, LISBURN	83
ST COLUMBANUS' COLLEGE	54
ST COLUMBA'S HIGH SCHOOL	24
ST COLUMB'S COLLEGE	412
ST COMGALL'S HIGH SCHOOL	32
ST COMHGHALL'S HIGH	83
ST DOMINIC'S HIGH SCHOOL	267
ST EUGENE'S COLLEGE	5
ST FANCHEA'S COLLEGE	32
ST GEMMA'S HIGH SCHOOL	60
ST GENEVIEVE'S HIGH SCHOOL	223
ST JOSEPH'S SECONDARY SCHOOL, DERRY	122
ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE, ENNISKILLEN	7
ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE, RAVENHILL ROAD	106
ST JOSEPH'S CONVENT GS	137
ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL, COLERAINE	55
ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL, CROSSMAGLEN	61
ST LOUIS GS, BALLYMENA	243
ST LOUIS GS, KILKEEL	154
ST LOUISE'S COLLEGE	471
ST MACNISSI'S COLLEGE	152
ST MALACHY'S COLLEGE , BELFAST	246
ST MALACHY'S HIGH SCHOOL, CASTLEWELLAN	203
ST MARK'S HIGH SCHOOL	113
ST MARY'S CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' GS	265
ST MARY'S COLLEGE, CLADY	43
ST MARY'S COLLEGE, DERRY	151
ST MARY'S GS, MAGHERAFELT	283
ST MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL, DOWNPATRICK	89
ST MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL, NEWRY	111
ST MARY'S LIMAVADY	85
ST MICHAEL'S COLLEGE, ENNISKILLEN	214
ST MICHAEL'S GRAMMAR, MAGHERALIN	281
ST PATRICK'S ACADEMY, DUNGANNON	407
ST PATRICK'S CO-ED COMP COLLEGE, MAGHERAFELT	350
ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE, BALLYMENA	85
ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE, BANBRIDGE	50
ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE, BEARNAGHEEHA	122
ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE, MULLAGHMORE	69
ST PATRICK'S GS, DOWNPATRICK	203
ST PATRICK'S GS, ARMAGH	203
ST PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL, DUNGIVEN	38
ST PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL, KEADY	220
ST PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL, LISBURN	31
ST PAUL'S HIGH SCHOOL, CAMLOUGH	230
ST PETER'S HIGH SCHOOL, DERRY	77
ST PIUS X COLLEGE	126
ST ROSE'S HIGH SCHOOL	91
STRABANE GS	118
STRANGFORD INTEGRATED COLLEGE	82
STRATHEARN SCHOOL	192
SULLIVAN UPPER SCHOOL	288
THE ROYAL BELFAST ACADEMICAL INST.	262
THE ROYAL SCHOOL ARMAGH	178
THE ROYAL SCHOOL DUNGANNON	168
THORNHILL COLLEGE	393
ULIDIA INTERGRATED COLLEGE	91
VICTORIA COLLEGE	227
WALLACE HIGH SCHOOL	312
WELLINGTON COLLEGE	188

Source: School census.

Note:

Figures may include some children who are re-sitting level 2 exams.

School Meals

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Education how many (i) boys; and (ii) girls, entitled to free school meals, obtained three As at A level standard, in the last academic year.

(AQW 6712/09)

Minister of Education:

Number of Year 14 school leavers achieving 3 or more grade As at A level standard by gender and free school meal entitlement 2006/07

	Pupils not entitled to free school meals	Pupils entitled to free school meals	Total
Boys	676	24	700
Girls	1,021	42	1,063
Total	1,697	66	1,763

Source: School Leavers Survey

A Levels

Miss M McIlveen asked he Minister of Education how many (i) boys; and (ii) girls obtained three As at A level standard, in the last academic year.

(AQW 6713/09)

Minister of Education:

Number of Year 14 school leavers achieving 3 or more grade As at A level standard by gender and free school meal entitlement 2006/07

	Pupils not entitled to free school meals	Pupils entitled to free school meals	Total
Boys	676	24	700
Girls	1,021	42	1,063
Total	1,697	66	1,763

Source: School Leavers Survey

Middletown Estate

Mr T Elliott asked he Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 6099/09, (i) if the £3,411,554 cost to the budget was augmented by a similar amount from the Republic of Ireland; (ii) if these amounts included all costs of acquisition of the Middletown estate; and (iii) in what year the acquisition costs were paid.

(AQW 6729/09)

Minister of Education:

Is féidir liom a dheimhniú gur roinneadh ar bhonn 50/50 idir an Roinn Oideachais ó Thuaidh agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta ó Dheas aon chistiú caipitil agus aon chistiú ioncaim a bhain leis an tionscadal um Ionad Uathachais Choillidh Chanannáin.

I can confirm that all capital and revenue funding relating to the Middletown Centre for Autism project have been shared on a 50/50 basis between the Department of Education (DE) in the north and the Department of Education and Science (DES) in the south.

In the figures provided in the answer to AQW 6099/09 amounts were also provided, which related to DE internal costs relevant to the Middletown project. These costs were specific to DE only and DES will have had their own internal costs of unrelated amounts.

With regards to parts (i) and (ii) of your question, I can confirm that the amounts provided in AQW 6099/09 did include all costs for the acquisition of the Middletown estate which took place in June 2004. The overall capital cost was £3m which was split evenly between DE and DES.

Broughshane Primary School

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education for her assessment of the accommodation at Broughshane Primary School.

(AQW 6731/09)

Minister of Education:

A request for a replacement school was submitted last year to the North Eastern Education and Library Board by the Boards of Governors of the school. The condition of the building is generally good and this together with relatively few shortfalls in accommodation resulted in the North Eastern Education and Library Board being unable to recommend that the school be considered a priority at this time. A permanent extension was carried out to the school in 1998 and the mobiles at the school are in relatively good condition.

North Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to list the schemes in the North Eastern Education and Library Board major capital building programme that are awaiting approval from her Department.

(AQW 6732/09)

Minister of Education:

There are currently fourteen North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) schemes which are at draft Economic Appraisal stage and have not yet been agreed between the Board and the Department:

Antrim Primary School
Ballycastle High School
Ballyclare Primary School
Castle Tower Special School
Cambridge House Grammar
Carrickfergus Grammar School
Carrickfergus High School
Carrickfergus College
Crumlin High School
Cullybackey High School
Coleraine High School (joint EA with Coleraine Academical Institution)
Kilmoyle Primary School
Larne High School
The Thompson Primary School

There are two NEELB primary school schemes for which Economic Appraisals have been approved and which await agreement of funding to proceed. The primary schools concerned are Woodburn and Islandmagee.

The NEELB has identified twelve potential capital major works schemes which will need to be assessed with the department before they could proceed to appraisal stage. These are as follows:

Ashgrove Primary School
Carnmoney Primary School
Carrickfergus Central Primary School
Carrickfergus Model Primary School
Clough Primary School
Greenisland Primary School
Hezlett Primary School
Linn Primary School
Moyle Primary School
Randalstown Primary School
Dunclug College
Downshire School

The need for these schemes has not yet been with the Department.

North Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr M Storey asked he Minister of Education to list the schemes in the North Eastern Education and Library Board major capital building programme that have had economic appraisals approved and are awaiting new starts clearance from her Department.

(AQW 6733/09)

Minister of Education:

There are currently fourteen North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) schemes which are at draft Economic Appraisal stage and have not yet been agreed between the Board and the Department:

The NEELB has identified twelve potential capital major works schemes which will need to be assessed with the department before they could proceed to appraisal stage. These are as follows:

The need for these schemes has not yet been with the Department.

North Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to list the schemes in the North Eastern Education and Library Board major capital building programme.

(AQW 6734/09)

Minister of Education:

There are currently fourteen North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) schemes which are at draft Economic Appraisal stage and have not yet been agreed between the Board and the Department:

The NEELB has identified twelve potential capital major works schemes which will need to be assessed with the department before they could proceed to appraisal stage. These are as follows:

The need for these schemes has not yet been with the Department.

Portadown College

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Education if she will agree to have Departmental officials visit Portadown College to discuss why its Board of Governors wants the new school to be built on the existing footprint.

(AQW 6739/09)

Minister of Education:

Chuir mé in iúl ag an díospóireacht ar Portadown College ar na maillaibh gur iarradh ar Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt (SELB) tabhairt faoi obair bhreise ar an Bhreithmheas Eacnamaíochta (EA)

I indicated during the recent debate on Portadown College that the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) has been asked to undertake some further work on the Economic Appraisal (EA).

I stress, as I did during the debate, the importance of ensuring that the principles of appraisal have been correctly applied and that the decision on how best to provide suitable accommodation for current and future pupils attending Portadown College is robust and presents value for money. To that end the EA must address a full range of feasible options. I hope that the work on the appraisal can be concluded quickly.

Youth Workers

Mr D McKay asked he Minister of Education how many (i) youth workers; and (ii) hours per week will be provided for youth workers in 2009/10 for (a) Doury Road, Ballymena; (b) Ballykeel, Ballymena; and (c) Dunclug, Ballymena.

(AQW 6772/09)

Minister of Education:

Thug Príomhfheidhmeannach Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirthuaiscirt an t-eolas seo a leanas don bhliain 2009/10.

The Chief Executive of the North Eastern Education and Library Board has provided the following information for 2009/10.

	Doury Road		Ballykeel		Dunclug
	FT	PT	FT	PT (1)	FT	PT (2)
Youth Workers	1	9	1	10	1	5
Hours per week provided for youth workers	3.6	44	7.2	49	7.2	29

This figure includes 1 part time worker funded under the DSD Employability and Citizenship Scheme for a total of 5 hours per week.
This figure includes an application for 1 part time youth worker under the DSD Employability and Citizenship Scheme for a total of 5 hours per week. This application has not yet been approved.

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to list the schemes in the South Eastern Education and Library Board's major capital building programme, that are awaiting approval from her Department.

(AQW 6795/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá cúig scéim de chuid Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt nár shocraigh an Roinn breithmheas eacnamaíochta orthu leis an Bhord go fóill;

There are five South-Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) schemes for which Economic Appraisals have not yet been agreed between the Department and the Board;

Academy Primary School, Saintfield
Ballynahinch Primary School
Downpatrick Primary School and Nursery School
Killinchy Primary School
Down High School

Economic Appraisals for a new Ballywalter Primary School and for sports hall provision at Saintfield High School have been agreed and await agreement to proceed.

Additionally, the SEELB has identified six potential capital major works schemes. These are;

Bangor Central Primary School
Brownlee Primary School
Cairnshill Primary School
Forthill Campus, Lisburn
Londonderry Primary School
Tonagh, Knockmore, Old Warren and Lisburn Central Primary Schools

Of these schemes, my Department has recently assessed and agreed the need for a replacement Bangor Central Primary School and a draft EA prepared by the SEELB is under consideration. The remaining schemes have not yet been assessed or agreed by my Department but further engagement with the SEELB on these schemes can be expected in the near future.

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to list the schemes in the South Eastern Education and Library Board's major capital building programme, that have had economic appraisals approved and are awaiting for new start clearance from her Department.

(AQW 6796/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá cúig scéim de chuid Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt nár shocraigh an Roinn breithmheas eacnamaíochta orthu leis an Bhord go fóill;

There are five South-Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) schemes for which Economic Appraisals have not yet been agreed between the Department and the Board;

Academy Primary School, Saintfield
Ballynahinch Primary School
Downpatrick Primary School and Nursery School
Killinchy Primary School
Down High School

Economic Appraisals for a new Ballywalter Primary School and for sports hall provision at Saintfield High School have been agreed and await agreement to proceed.

Additionally, the SEELB has identified six potential capital major works schemes. These are;

Bangor Central Primary School
Brownlee Primary School
Cairnshill Primary School
Forthill Campus, Lisburn
Londonderry Primary School
Tonagh, Knockmore, Old Warren and Lisburn Central Primary Schools

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to list the schemes in the South Eastern Education and Library Board's major capital building programme.

(AQW 6797/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá cúig scéim de chuid Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt nár shocraigh an Roinn breithmheas eacnamaíochta orthu leis an Bhord go fóill;

There are five South-Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) schemes for which Economic Appraisals have not yet been agreed between the Department and the Board;

Academy Primary School, Saintfield
Ballynahinch Primary School
Downpatrick Primary School and Nursery School
Killinchy Primary School
Down High School

Economic Appraisals for a new Ballywalter Primary School and for sports hall provision at Saintfield High School have been agreed and await agreement to proceed.

Additionally, the SEELB has identified six potential capital major works schemes. These are;

Bangor Central Primary School
Brownlee Primary School
Cairnshill Primary School
Forthill Campus, Lisburn
Londonderry Primary School
Tonagh, Knockmore, Old Warren and Lisburn Central Primary Schools

St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education when the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS Forkhill will commence.

(AQW 6801/09)

Minister of Education:

(i) It is estimated that the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(ii) It is estimated that the new build for St Patrick’s PS, Dromintee will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(iii) It is estimated that the new build for St Clare’s Convent PS will commence in autumn 2009 and complete around spring 2012.

(iv) It is estimated that the new build for Carrick PS Burren’s will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around late 2010.

(v) It is estimated that the new build for St Joseph’s PS Newry will commence in early 2010 and complete around summer 2011.

Braitheann na hamscálaí seo ar chur i gcrích sásúil na bpróiseas riachtanach pleanála agus tógála ar fad agus infhaighteacht na n-acmhainní i rith bliain áirithe. Beidh siad faoi réir beartas na Roinne, mar shampla pleanáil cheantar-bhunaithe agus tabharfaidh siad san áireamh iad.

These timescales are of course subject to all the necessary planning and building processes being completed satisfactorily and the availability of resources in any particular year. They will also be subject to, and take into account, Departmental policies such as area based planning.

St Patrick's PS, Dromintee

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education when the new build for St Patrick's PS Dromintee will commence.

(AQW 6802/09)

Minister of Education:

(i) It is estimated that the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(ii) It is estimated that the new build for St Patrick’s PS, Dromintee will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(iii) It is estimated that the new build for St Clare’s Convent PS will commence in autumn 2009 and complete around spring 2012.

(iv) It is estimated that the new build for Carrick PS Burren’s will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around late 2010.

(v) It is estimated that the new build for St Joseph’s PS Newry will commence in early 2010 and complete around summer 2011.

Abbey-St. Clare's, Newry

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education when the new build for Abbey-St. Clare's Newry will commence.

(AQW 6803/09)

Minister of Education:

(i) It is estimated that the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(ii) It is estimated that the new build for St Patrick’s PS, Dromintee will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(iii) It is estimated that the new build for St Clare’s Convent PS will commence in autumn 2009 and complete around spring 2012.

(iv) It is estimated that the new build for Carrick PS Burren’s will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around late 2010.

(v) It is estimated that the new build for St Joseph’s PS Newry will commence in early 2010 and complete around summer 2011.

Carrick PS Burren’s

Mr D Bradley asked he Minister of Education when the new build for Carrick PS Burren's will commence.

(AQW 6804/09)

Minister of Education:

(i) It is estimated that the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(ii) It is estimated that the new build for St Patrick’s PS, Dromintee will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(iii) It is estimated that the new build for St Clare’s Convent PS will commence in autumn 2009 and complete around spring 2012.

(iv) It is estimated that the new build for Carrick PS Burren’s will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around late 2010.

(v) It is estimated that the new build for St Joseph’s PS Newry will commence in early 2010 and complete around summer 2011.

St Joseph's PS, Newry

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education when the new build for St Joseph's PS Newry will commence.

(AQW 6805/09)

Minister of Education:

(i) It is estimated that the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(ii) It is estimated that the new build for St Patrick’s PS, Dromintee will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(iii) It is estimated that the new build for St Clare’s Convent PS will commence in autumn 2009 and complete around spring 2012.

(iv) It is estimated that the new build for Carrick PS Burren’s will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around late 2010.

(v) It is estimated that the new build for St Joseph’s PS Newry will commence in early 2010 and complete around summer 2011.

Post- Primary School Leavers

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Education (i) how many children left primary education in 2008 but were not registered in a post- primary school; and (ii) to detail any follow-up her Department has had with these children and their families.

(AQW 6818/09)

Minister of Education:

Faoi láthair, ní bhailíonn mo Roinn an t-eolas a iarradh. Tugadh isteach uimhreacha sainiúla daltaí (UPNanna) in iar-bhunscoileanna ó thús na scoilbhliana 2007/08 agus i mbunscoileanna ó thús na scoilbhliana 2008/09, áfach. Baineann na huimhreacha seo le daltaí aonair agus iad fós san earnáil bhunoideachais agus iar-bhunoideachais. Tá obair ar siúl a ligfidh don UPN aistriú leis an dalta agus é nó í ag aistriú ón earnáil bhunoideachais go dtí an earnáil iar-bhunoideachais.

My Department does not collect the information requested at present. However, unique pupils numbers (UPNs) were introduced in post primary schools from the start of the 2007/08 school year and in primary schools from the start of the 2008/09 school year. These numbers relate to individual pupils while they remain in the primary or post-primary sector. Work is underway to enable the UPN to move with the pupil when transferring from the primary to post-primary sector.

I understand from the Education and Library Boards (ELBs) that they monitor the number of children transferring from primary to post-primary schools and undertake an assessment to determine unplaced children in their area at the close of the post-primary admissions procedure at 30 May each year.

Children may remain unplaced at this stage for a variety of reasons for example:

they reside in border areas and have decided to attend school in the south;
their families have moved elsewhere;
they have been unable to get a place in their preferred school;
they are awaiting an assessment;
they are receiving Board organised home tuition;
their parents have chosen to home educate; or
they await approval to have an additional year in their primary school.

If unplaced children are identified, ELBs liaise with their parents/carers to determine what action should be taken. For example, they may advise families of the post-primary schools which have places available and request further preferences. Alternatively, the child may obtain a place in their original choice of post-primary school through a successful appeal. Children may also have a needs-appropriate school identified for them following an assessment by an educational psychologist. ELBs will continue to liaise with families until a suitable form of education for the child has been identified.

ELBs also complete a reconciliation exercise each September which highlights any child not enrolled in the school in which they were originally placed or if they have not enrolled elsewhere. The details of any child not enrolled in a school in September are then passed on to the Education Welfare Service (EWS) in each ELB. The EWS will contact the family to determine if appropriate home tuition is in place and, if not; work with the family to secure a school place.

School Leavers Entering Third Level Education

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Education what percentage of students went on to third level education in the last five years, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

(AQW 6821/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá an freagra mionsonraithe sa tábla thíos.

The answer is detailed in the table below.

Percentage of school leavers recorded as entering third level institutions by parliamentary constituency 2001/02 to 2006/07

	2001/02			2003/04			2004/05			2005/06			2006/07
	HE	FE	Total	HE	FE	Total	HE	FE	Total	HE	FE	Total	HE	FE	Total
BELFAST EAST	35.1	20.1	55.3	37.7	21.3	59.0	35.3	27.2	62.4	36.3	25.9	62.2	37.3	24.9	62.2
BELFAST NORTH	23.7	19.7	43.4	19.6	20.6	40.2	28.4	17.8	46.2	24.5	19.8	44.3	26.7	16.2	42.8
BELFAST SOUTH	43.9	20.1	64.1	48.4	17.6	66.0	52.5	16.0	68.5	52.8	20.0	72.9	51.9	17.8	69.7
BELFAST WEST	22.0	16.4	38.5	22.9	20.2	43.2	22.1	22.4	44.5	24.9	22.0	46.8	25.1	22.1	47.1
EAST ANTRIM	34.5	21.3	55.8	38.1	23.8	61.9	39.4	20.4	59.7	34.0	26.3	60.3	37.8	20.1	57.9
EAST DERRY	32.9	35.1	67.9	35.6	27.6	63.2	31.6	36.0	67.5	33.6	38.3	71.9	36.3	36.2	72.4
FERMANAGH AND SOUTH TYRONE	43.0	23.5	66.5	46.2	23.4	69.6	45.4	25.6	71.0	43.3	25.4	68.7	42.8	29.4	72.2
FOYLE	34.0	31.4	65.5	40.3	27.7	68.0	40.9	33.4	74.3	44.1	24.7	68.7	41.1	30.1	71.2
LAGAN VALLEY	39.8	30.9	70.7	39.4	26.8	66.2	38.8	29.7	68.4	39.8	27.5	67.2	42.7	25.0	67.7
MID ULSTER	35.7	26.7	62.4	41.0	24.1	65.2	40.5	22.8	63.3	37.0	28.8	65.7	45.2	22.0	67.3
NEWRY AND ARMAGH	33.9	32.9	66.7	33.6	32.2	65.8	36.9	32.7	69.7	36.0	35.3	71.3	39.0	32.9	71.9
NORTH ANTRIM	34.1	30.0	64.0	34.5	25.0	59.5	38.2	28.4	66.7	34.9	32.5	67.3	38.9	29.1	68.1
NORTH DOWN	42.1	33.5	75.6	42.4	30.8	73.2	45.2	32.6	77.8	44.3	34.3	78.5	43.0	32.5	75.5
SOUTH ANTRIM	34.0	29.4	63.4	36.9	29.2	66.2	40.1	26.0	66.0	41.3	28.8	70.1	37.7	28.5	66.2
SOUTH DOWN	35.3	26.1	61.5	33.5	26.7	60.2	38.5	24.9	63.4	38.1	25.3	63.4	36.1	24.1	60.1
STRANGFORD	35.4	29.7	65.1	34.4	35.6	70.0	36.9	32.7	69.6	37.5	37.0	74.5	36.9	34.4	71.3
UPPER BANN	34.2	30.4	64.6	31.2	38.9	70.1	35.2	36.1	71.2	34.7	32.7	67.4	35.7	33.7	69.3
WEST TYRONE	40.6	21.0	61.6	43.2	21.9	65.1	48.3	25.2	73.6	42.7	21.6	64.4	43.9	29.9	73.8
NI Average	35.0	26.8	61.8	36.0	26.7	62.7	38.1	27.5	65.6	37.4	28.2	65.6	38.4	27.4	65.9

Source: School Leavers Survey

Education and Library Board Workers

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Education when Education and Library Board workers will be told of the location of their jobs in the new Education and Skills Authority.

(AQW 6846/09)

Minister of Education:

Aithním gur ceist rí-thábhachtach í ceist an tsuímh ina mbeidh foireann na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne agus foireann eagraíochtaí eile lonnaithe, a mbeidh a gcuid feidhmeanna ag aistriú go dtí an Údarás um Oideachas agus Scileanna. Níor socraíodh ceist an tsuímh go fóill.

I recognise that location is a critical issue for staff in the Education and Library Boards and staff in other organisations whose functions will be transferring into the Education and Skills Authority. At this stage, no decisions have been taken on location.

A location strategy for ESA is currently being drawn up by the ESA Implementation Team, taking account of the new models of service delivery and associated organisational structures which the team is developing in consultation with staff in the existing organisations. The location strategy will be consistent with Executive policy on the location of public sector jobs and will have equality and improvement of service delivery at the heart of the decision making process.

A draft strategy is expected by the Summer. It will set out the ESA organisational structure and the proposed location of functions and will be implemented over the first 3 years of ESA. Decisions on the location of staff on Day 1 of ESA will be made in the Autumn and communicated in good time to staff before ESA is established on 1 January 2010.

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attending post-primary schools take up the entitlement to free school meals; and what percentage of the post-primary school enrolment they represent.

(AQW 6877/09)

Minister of Education:

Bíonn líon na ndaltaí a fhaigheann béilí scoile ag athrú ó sheachtain go seachtain. Tugann eolas a bhailítear gach bliain ón Áireamh Bhéilí Scoile léargas dúinn maidir leis na líonta a fhaigheann béilí scoile ar an lá a bhailítear eolas an áirimh. Seo a leanas na figúirí ón áireamh a rinneadh sa bhliain 2008.

The number of children taking school meals varies from week to week. However, information collected annually from the School Meals Census provides a snapshot of the numbers taking meals on the day on which census information is gathered. The figures from the 2008 census were as follows:

	Pupils Taking Free School Meals	% Number of Total Enrolment Taking Free School Meals
Total Post-Primary	18,164	12.27
Non-Selective (Secondary)	15,285	10.33
Grammar	2,879	1.95

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils who attend non-selective post-primary schools are entitled to free school meals.

(AQW 6878/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is detailed in the table below.

Post primary pupils entitled to free school meals (FSM) by school type, 2008/09

School type	Number of pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	% of total enrolment entitled to FSM
Secondary	20,868	85,576	24.4
Grammar	3,521	62,410	5.6
Total	24,389	147,986	16.5

Source: School census.

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked he Minister of Education how many pupils attending non-selective schools take up the entitlement to free school meals; and what percentage of the post-primary school enrolment they represent.

(AQW 6879/09)

Minister of Education:

	Pupils Taking Free School Meals	% Number of Total Enrolment Taking Free School Meals
Total Post-Primary	18,164	12.27
Non-Selective (Secondary)	15,285	10.33
Grammar	2,879	1.95

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attending grammar schools take up the entitlement to free school meals; and what percentage of the post-primary school enrolment they represent.

(AQW 6880/09)

Minister of Education:

	Pupils Taking Free School Meals	% Number of Total Enrolment Taking Free School Meals
Total Post-Primary	18,164	12.27
Non-Selective (Secondary)	15,285	10.33
Grammar	2,879	1.95

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attending grammar schools are entitled to free school meals; and what percentage of the post-primary school enrolment they represent.

(AQW 6882/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is detailed in the table below.

Post primary pupils entitled to free school meals (FSM) by school type, 2008/09

School type	Number of pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	% of total enrolment entitled to FSM
Secondary	20,868	85,576	24.4
Grammar	3,521	62,410	5.6
Total	24,389	147,986	16.5

Source: School census.

Grammar School Teachers

Mr P Butler asked he Minister of Education how many teachers in the grammar school sector have availed of the early retirement scheme, in the last 5 years.

(AQW 6904/09)

Minister of Education:

Seo a leanas líon na múinteoirí a chuaigh ar scor ó earnáil na scoileanna gramadaí faoin scéim um luathscor i ngach bliain le cúig bliana anuas.

The number of teachers who have retired from the grammar school sector under the premature retirement scheme in each of the last five years is as follows:

Financial Year	Number of Prematurely Retired Teachers
2004 - 2005	31
2005 – 2006	69
2006 – 2007	67
2007 - 2008	117
2008 - 2009	42

New Primary School at Carrick, Warrenpoint

Mr P J Bradley asked he Minister of Education how she intends to address the delay in issuing the tenders for the building of the new Primary School at Carrick, Warrenpoint.

(AQW 6908/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an scéim a bhaineann le Carrick PS ag ardchéim pleanála agus cuireadh iarratas réamh-thairisceana ar chostais isteach chuig an Roinn le déanaí fá choinne breithnithe.

The scheme for Carrick PS is well advanced in planning with a Pre-Tender cost submission having recently been submitted to the Department for consideration. Further information has been requested from the school’s advisers and this is still awaited. The acquisition/vesting of additional land had been delayed due to redesign work to one of the proposed new school entrances. This redesign work has now been completed and the vesting process should be completed in the

near future. Tenders for the construction of the new school will be sought just as soon as vesting has been completed and all the information for the Pre-Tender submission has been received and agreed.

Primary Schools

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attend primary schools.

(AQW 6909/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos. Is féidir teacht ar eolas breise maidir le rolluithe scoile agus teidlíocht saorbhéilí scoile áfach sa rannán Statistics and Research ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne Oideachais ag an nasc seo a leanas:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/32-statisticsandresearch_pg/32-statistics_and_research_statistics_on_education_pg/32_statistics_and_research-numbersofschoolsandpupils_pg.htm

The information requested is contained in the table below. However, further information in relation to school enrolments and entitlement to free school meals can be accessed on the Statistics and Research part of the Department of Education website via the following link:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/32-statisticsandresearch_pg/32-statistics_and_research_statistics_on_education_pg/32_statistics_and_research-numbersofschoolsandpupils_pg.htm

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

School type	All pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	%
Primary schools	28,419	164,811	17.2
Post primary schools	24,389	147,986	16.5
Total	52,808	312,797	16.9

Source: Annual school census.

Note:

Figures for primary schools include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.
Figures for nursery class children include those recorded as having a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support and those entitled to free school meals.

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attending primary schools are entitled to free school meals; and what percentage of the primary school enrolment they represent.

(AQW 6910/09)

Minister of Education:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/32-statisticsandresearch_pg/32-statistics_and_research_statistics_on_education_pg/32_statistics_and_research-numbersofschoolsandpupils_pg.htm

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

School type	All pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	%
Primary schools	28,419	164,811	17.2
Post primary schools	24,389	147,986	16.5
Total	52,808	312,797	16.9

Source: Annual school census.

Note:

Figures for primary schools include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.
Figures for nursery class children include those recorded as having a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support and those entitled to free school meals.

Post-Primary Schools

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attend post-primary schools.

(AQW 6911/09)

Minister of Education:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/32-statisticsandresearch_pg/32-statistics_and_research_statistics_on_education_pg/32_statistics_and_research-numbersofschoolsandpupils_pg.htm

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

School type	All pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	%
Primary schools	28,419	164,811	17.2
Post primary schools	24,389	147,986	16.5
Total	52,808	312,797	16.9

Source: Annual school census.

Note:

Figures for primary schools include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.
Figures for nursery class children include those recorded as having a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support and those entitled to free school meals.

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attending post-primary schools are entitled to free school meals.

(AQW 6912/09)

Minister of Education:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/32-statisticsandresearch_pg/32-statistics_and_research_statistics_on_education_pg/32_statistics_and_research-numbersofschoolsandpupils_pg.htm

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

School type	All pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	%
Primary schools	28,419	164,811	17.2
Post primary schools	24,389	147,986	16.5
Total	52,808	312,797	16.9

Source: Annual school census.

Note:

Figures for primary schools include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.
Figures for nursery class children include those recorded as having a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support and those entitled to free school meals.

Skip2bfit Programme

Mr D Hilditch asked he Minister of Education if she will consider funding the introduction of the Skip2bfit programme in schools.

(AQW 6923/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá mé lántiomanta do pháistí a chur ar an eolas ag aois óg, faoi na tairbhí a bhaineann le stíl mhaireachtála shláintiúil.

I am fully committed to introducing children to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle at an early age.

In support of this, I launched my Curriculum Sports Programme in November 2007 to give our youngest pupils more opportunities to develop their physical literacy skills and to be active. I firmly believe this benefits not only their health but also their overall well-being, self-esteem and achievement in school.

It is a matter for individual schools to decide on any materials or programmes they wish to use to deliver the curriculum, and to meet any associated costs from within the resources available to them. My Department does not prescribe or support the use of any particular programmes or materials by schools to support their curricular provision. Schools may, however, seek advice from their Education and Library Board when making decisions about specific materials or programmes.

Education and Skills Authority

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education how many staff redundancies are expected when the Education and Library Board are changed to the Education and Skills Authority.

(AQW 6925/09)

Minister of Education: Nuair a bhunófar an tÚdarás um Oideachas agus Scileanna ar 1 Eanáir 2010, tabharfar le chéile feidhmeanna na 5 Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne, CCMS, CCEA, an Chomhairle Ógra agus Coimisiún na Foirne, chomh maith le feidhmeanna tosaigh DE, NICIE agus CnaG.

The creation of the Education and Skills Authority on 1 January 2010 will bring together the functions of the 5 Education and Library Boards, CCMS, CCEA, the Youth Council and the Staff Commission and the front-line functions of DE, NICIE and CnaG. The key aim of the RPA in education is to improve education outcomes by creating a single organisation with responsibility for raising standards in every school in every sector and with clear accountability to me and to the Assembly for doing so. This will be facilitated by streamlining administration and releasing resources for re-allocation to the classroom and frontline support services.

The Outline Business Case for ESA indicates that by the end of year 3 of ESA an additional £20m per annum will be released to directly support improved education outcomes and in subsequent phases I believe we can radically improve service delivery in a way which will make further resources available to enhance the quality of front-line services. This will be achieved through the introduction of new service delivery models and a reduction of around 460 administrative and headquarter posts, with the greatest proportionate impact at senior and middle management levels.

I expect that streamlining can be achieved through a combination of the significant number of vacant posts and staff in acting up positions, natural wastage and voluntary severance and that compulsory redundancies can be avoided.

Education Sector

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education what is the anticipated savings in the education sector from the outcome of the Review of Public Administration.

(AQW 6926/09)

Minister of Education:

Is é an feabhsú ar thorthaí oideachais agus ar chomhionannas an tsoláthair atá mar bhunábhar an Athbhreithnithe ar Riarachán Poiblí san Oideachas.

The Review of Public Administration in education is fundamentally about improving educational outcomes and equality of provision. In doing so, there must be a focus on ensuring resources are efficiently and effectively used for improving the most important service that shapes and guides the development and life chances of our young people and builds strong and cohesive communities.

The anticipated efficiency savings arising from the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority (ESA) are £8.3 million and £13 million in 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively. These efficiency savings have already been taken into consideration by the Executive in determining the budget for Education in each of those years. From 2011-12, the level of anticipated efficiency savings is estimated to be in the region of £20 million.

Free School Meals

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education how many children in East Antrim are entitled to free school meals.

(AQW 6960/09)

Minister of Education: Tá 1,584 páiste ag scoileanna agus in áiteanna maoinithe in ionaid dheonacha agus réamhscoile príobháidí i dtoghcheantar Aontroim Thoir atá i dteideal saorbhéilí scoile a fháil.

There are 1,584 children at schools and in funded places in voluntary and private pre-school centres in the East Antrim constituency entitled to free school meals.

Source: school census.

Note:

Figures for primary include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.
Figures for nursery children are included, whether they are recorded as having a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support, or are entitled to free school meals. Figures for children in pre-school centres relate to children with a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support.
Figures relate to children in funded places in voluntary and private pre-school centres, nursery schools, primary schools and post primary schools.

Nursery Schools

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of Education why children whose parents receive state benefits are given preference for places at state nursery schools over children whose parents do not receive state benefits.

(AQW 6979/09)

Minister of Education:

Is í an aidhm atá ag an Chlár um Fhorleathnú Oideachais Réamhscoile (PSEEP) ná bliain amháin oideachais chistithe réamhscoile ar ardchaighdeán a chur ar fáil do gach páiste ar mian lena t(h)uismitheoirí í, sa bhliain díreach roimh oideachas éigeantach.

The aim of the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme (PSEEP) is to provide one year of high quality funded pre-school education, in the year immediately before compulsory education, for every child whose parents wish it.

In determining the admissions criteria the Department of Education specifies some priorities i.e.

Social disadvantaged (whose parents receive Income Support or income-based Jobseekers’ Allowance)– because research has shown that those children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds tend to experience more difficulty at school than other children; and
4 year olds with July and August birthdays – because these children do not enter compulsory education until after their 5^th birthday.

Pre-school settings must then set their own criteria to select children down to the last available place when too many children apply to a provider. These include a range of factors such as proximity to the school or the previous attendance of siblings and are entirely at the discretion of the individual school/playgroup.

Number of Teachers Sacked

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Education how many (i) teachers; and (ii) headteachers have been sacked, in each of the last 10 years.

(AQW 6971/09)

Minister of Education:

Sna cúig Bhórd Oideachais agus Leabharlainne agus CCMS, díbríodh 10 múinteoir agus múinteoir príomhoide amháin ó phost laistigh den deich mbliain seo chuaigh thart.

Within the five Education and Library Boards and CCMS 10 teachers and 1 head teacher has been sacked within the last 10 years.

Department for Employment and Learning

Further Education Courses

Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning (i) which Further Education courses have the highest percentage of (a) male enrolments; and (b) female enrolments; and (ii) to detail what is being done to encourage men to consider alternative non-traditional employment opportunities.

(AQW 6514/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): (i)(a) The Further Education courses which had the highest percentage of male enrolments in 2007/08 (the latest academic year for which validated data is available) were in Construction, Planning and the Built Environment, Education and Training and Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies.

(i)(b) The Further Education courses which had the highest percentage of female enrolments in 2007/08 were in Health, Public Services and Care, Retail and Commercial Enterprise and Business Administration and Law.

Source: Further Education Statistical Record.

(ii) In order to widen access and increase participation, Further Education (FE) Colleges offer a wide range of provision, through the Sector’s main campuses and approximately 750 Community Outreach Centres. Through their outreach activities and programmes, Colleges engage with particular groups, including gender groups, using these opportunities to encourage them to re-engage in learning and to consider alternative non-traditional employment opportunities.

The Department’s Careers Service also has a key role to play in supporting individuals’ career decision making process through the provision of effective guidance and up to date labour market information. The approach to the delivery of careers guidance is impartial and client centred and explores the skills, interests, experience and achievement of the individual, together with labour market information relating to current and future employment opportunities and requirements. This includes non traditional employment opportunities for men.

Careers Advisers are encouraged in their initial training, and through Continuous Professional Development (CPD), to challenge gender stereotypes and to give clients a genuine understanding of the pay, rewards and challenges of occupations, particularly those not traditionally taken up by their gender.

Further Education Courses

Mr A Ross asked he Minister for Employment and Learning how many people over the age of 40 have enrolled for Further Education courses, in each of the last 5 years.

(AQW 6532/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The table below shows the number of people aged over 40 who have enrolled for Further Education courses from 2003/04 to 2007/08 (the latest year for which validated data is available).

Academic year	Over 40 year old students
2003/04	47,513
2004/05	49,591
2005/06	47,176
2006/07	42,450
2007/08	33,802

Source: Further Education Statistical Record.

Education Based Learning for School Leavers

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail how many private trainers offering work or education based learning for school leavers and adults and are in receipt of funds from his Department, have failed standards inspections, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6586/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

None of the private training organisations offering work or education based learning for school leavers and are currently in receipt of funds from my Department have failed standards inspections.

Further Education Colleges

Mr P Butler asked he Minister for Employment and Learning what steps his Department will be taking to address the findings in the recent auditor’s report into the financial management of Further Education Colleges.

(AQW 6667/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) published his report on a Review of Financial Management in the Further Education Sector in Northern Ireland from 1998 to 2007, along with the Governance Examination of Fermanagh College of Further and Higher Education, on Wednesday 25 March 2009. Both reports are scheduled to be considered at the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on 7 May 2009 where formal evidence will be taken from Departmental officials.

Following this meeting, the Committee will publish a report setting out its findings and recommendations which will be considered and responded to fully by my Department and the Department of Finance and Personnel. This will be done in the form of a DFP Memorandum of Reply, which is laid by the Minister of Finance and Personnel before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Whilst it would be inappropriate for me to comment in detail in advance of the PAC hearing and the DFP Minister’s considered response to the Committee’s report, I can report that I am satisfied that monitoring arrangements have improved in the FE Colleges since the Auditor's report. A more comprehensive response to your query will be provided by the DFP in its Memorandum of Reply."

Apprenticeships

Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what contact he has had with the top 100 companies to ask them to deliver ApprenticeshipsNI at level 3; and if the Department has encouraged companies to deliver training at this level.

(AQW 6682/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

I have had extensive contact with top 100 companies and in many instances I have discussed skills development and the use of apprenticeships. While the Department would encourage Level 3 to be a desired achievement level, the ApprenticeshipsNI programme offers Level 2 apprenticeships for a number of reasons.

Firstly Level 2 apprenticeships replaced Jobskills Traineeships which encouraged the exploitation of unemployed school leavers. But Level 2 is also a qualification and competence level demanded by many sectors as sufficient for the employment offered, for example, construction, retail, hospitality and catering and social care. It is also a first realistic step for many learners that will encourage them to later raise their personal achievement bar to Level 3. This is particularly important to many returners to training, who are now able to take advantage of the new all age provision and the reduced contracted hours requirement.

For many sectors, for example, engineering, construction, electrical installation, gas fitting and automotive, level 3 is the industry norm and is now considered as a base for foundation degree and degree training for higher skilled technicians or those progressing into management responsibilities. As industry raises its need for skill levels the Department will continue to actively promote Level 3 qualifications.

North West Regional College

Ms M Anderson asked e Minister for Employment and Learning if he will intervene in the current dispute at the North West Regional College to resolve the difficulties and restore an atmosphere conducive to the needs of both staff and students.

(AQW 6728/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

I am aware of the dispute which has arisen at the North West Regional College. The Governing Body of the College is responsible, in the first instance, for the resolution of such problems, and I have been assured that it is actively seeking a way forward.

My Department will remain in contact with the Governing Body as it strives to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

Apprenticeship System

Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how he intends to address the lack of confidence in the apprenticeship system held by small and medium enterprises; and how his Department intends to address this issue including consideration of possible centres of excellence for Small and Medium Enterprises, cooperation through cluster networks and structuring on a sectoral and/or geographical basis..

(AQW 6794/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

I am aware that the Federation of Small Businesses recently briefed the Committee for Employment and Learning and outlined survey findings from a sample of UK SMEs. However, I am not aware of a general lack of confidence in the apprenticeship system by SMEs in Northern Ireland.

The ApprenticeshipNI programme is available to companies of all sizes and recent changes, such as the introduction of all age apprenticeships and the reduction to 21 hours per week as the minimum number of contracted hours for apprentices, are expected to meet the needs of SMEs in particular.

It is the role of the SSCs to promote equally, sector development as deemed appropriate and to bring forward any proposals. Where a group training approach is suggested the Department will consider support but recognises that this may not suit all training models. Examples of current co-operation are the Skills Smart, Skills Shop agreed pilot (although not yet taken forward by Skills Smart), and the work underway with the Engineering Training Council (ETC) to look at the feasibility of regional clustered apprenticeship training for small and medium sized engineering companies. A further successful initiative is the Northern Ireland spoke of the UK National Skills Academy in Manufacturing which is running under the auspices of ETC.

Jobs & Benefits Offices

Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to confirm the number of referrals from all Jobs & Benefits Offices to TWL Training Limited, in the County Antrim area, under Step 2, of the Steps to Work programme.

(AQW 6851/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

At 31 March 2009, the total number of referrals from the Jobs and Benefits Offices in Antrim, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus and Larne and the JobCentre in Ballymena, under Step 2 of the Steps to Work programme to TWL Training Limited, was 438.

Research in Universities

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail how much the charitable and voluntary sectors have spent on research in universities, in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) institution (ii) charity; and (iii) research topic.

(AQW 6873/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

I have asked the two universities in Northern Ireland to provide this information as it is not held within my Department. Over the last five full academic years (2003/04 to 2007/08) a total of £36.483m was spent on research by the charitable and voluntary sectors. Of this, £29.988m was spent on the Queen’s University Belfast and £7.495m on the University of Ulster. A total of 131 charitable and voluntary organisations were involved in this spend and it covered a total of 295 research areas and topics. I have appended Table A listing the charities and Table B detailing the research areas and topics.

TABLE A – Charity Listing	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
Action Cancer	157,621	164,772	187,475	299,202	230,879	1,039,950
Action Mental Health		9,926				9,926
Action MS	10,031	10,771	9,965	12,006	52,089	94,862
Alcohol Education Research Council		5,000	4,826			9,826
Alzheimer's Disease Society					163,334	163,334
Alzheimer's Research Trust			30,000	70,500	16,700	117,200
Artillery Youth Centre			3,250			3,250
Association of Continence Advisors	1,758					1,758
BACCN	960					960
Bogside & Brandywell Women's Group-Com Fund	92,094					92,094
British Association of Urology Nurses	4,000					4,000
British Diabetic Assocn	86,712	70,347	507			157,566
British Geomorphological Research Group			400			400
British Heart Foundation	54,820	33,602	1,094	111,604	139,067	340,186
Camelot Foundation				78,965		78,965
Cancer Research UK	680,795	639,205	834,171	970,572	1,577,772	4,702,515
Cardiac Research Fund	29,357	37,584	25,280			92,221
Carnegie UK Trust		12,000				12,000
Cedar Foundation	2,550					2,550
CFPNI		2,263				2,263
Charted Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)					36,980	36,980
Chartered Soc of Physiotherapy		567				567
Chest Heart & Stroke	49,159	95,859	131,590	107,376	139,454	523,439
CIMA General Charitable Trust Fund			9,974			9,974
College of Occupational Therapists via Uni York			2,832			2,832
TABLE A – Charity Listing (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
Community Foundation N.I.				214,464	27,831	242,295
Community Foundation NI				7,088		7,088
Community Relations Council		34,855	76,640	374,500	25,152	511,147
Craft Northern Ireland					9,000	9,000
Cystic Fibrosis	33,174	35,450	73,406	113,444	79,411	334,885
Cystic Fibrosis Trust					250	250
DAIWA Anglo - Japanese Foundation			1,500		2,000	3,500
Derry Well Woman	50,236					50,236
Diabetes UK		149,924		145,326	204,435	499,685
Diabetes UK Support Group – LIMAVADY			2,000	1,250		3,250
Ear Foundation			2,000			2,000
Elizabeth Casson Trust			250			250
Eye Fund Charity, Bedford Hospital				24,500		24,500
Family Planning Association – Lottery	127,060					127,060
Foundation for people with learning disabilities		10,000				10,000
Freshwater Biological Association					28,198	28,198
Genetics Society			2,000			2,000
Gingerbread Northern Ireland		33,409		28,875		62,284
Global Dimensions in Schools NI					5,737	5,737
Heritage Lottery Fund			44,317		49,000	93,317
ICLRD				62,493		62,493
IFI	2,491	1,663	147	146	309	4,755
InterTradeIreland - Centre for Cross-Border Stud			19,200			19,200
Investment Property Forum Educational Trust		67,000				67,000
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust		51,000				51,000
Joseph Rowntree Foundation			34,920	10,000	70,842	115,762
TABLE A – Charity Listing (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
Leverhulme	133,629	128,014	244,221	225,247	150,923	882,034
Leverhulme Trade CharitiesTrust	47,764					47,764
Macmillan Cancer Relief (via NHSSB)		15,000				15,000
Manchester Geographical Society			500			500
McClay Foundation	327,375	427,651	315,381	294,578	79,122	1,444,108
Multiple Sclerosis	11,559	15,946	-2,422	0	0	25,084
Multiple Sclerosis Society		4,500				4,500
NatCen				37,939		37,939
National Association of Theatre Nurses		900				900
NI Chest, Heart & Stroke Association	55,008	130,698			60,050	245,756
NI Kidney Research Fund	52,453	51,949	130,697	40,098	135,616	410,814
NI Leukaemia Research	222,925	250,380	277,465	348,490	389,137	1,488,397
NI Leukaemia Research Fund			155,702			155,702
NICTT - Lottery			91,200			91,200
NICVA		3,000				3,000
Northern Ireland Hospice Care	8,000	8,000	12,000		12,000	40,000
Northern Pharmacies Ltd Trust Fund	30,000					30,000
Northlands		29,683				29,683
NSPCC- NI		21,562				21,562
Nuffield	33,172	22,110	16,290	92,266	53,887	217,725
Organix Foundation					120,000	120,000
Other UK Charities	2,516,413	2,280,938	3,022,821	1,883,978	2,405,770	12,109,919
Parkinson's Disease Society				71,326		71,326
Phillips Price Memorial Trust				500		500
Physiotherapy Research Fund.				56,651	20,018	76,669
Playboard				1,134		1,134
TABLE A – Charity Listing (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
Presbyterian Church in Ireland					5,000	5,000
Prince's Trust				12,931		12,931
Prostate Research Campaign UK					30,000	30,000
Quaternary Research Association			350			350
QUB Foundation	9,521	62,782	159,647	219,714	174,002	625,665
Rank Prize Foundation			10,000			10,000
Rank Prize Fund - Vacation Studentship					1,600	1,600
RICS				6,000		6,000
RICS Educational Trust		2,000				2,000
RICS Foundation	5,000					5,000
Royal Academy of Engineering	400				300	700
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children				50,473		50,473
Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists			500			500
Royal Inst.Chartered Surveyors					7,000	7,000
RVH Cardiac Research Fund			96,000			96,000
Save the Children (NI Programme)				12,541	11,756	24,297
Scottish Crop Research Institute				26,943		26,943
Society for Endocrinology					10,210	10,210
St Columb's Park House	2,000					2,000
The British Academy					300	300
The BUPA Foundation	82,973					82,973
The Burdett Trust		9,843	35,484	39,164		84,491
The Certified Accountants Educational Trust				11,640		11,640
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy	600					600
The College of Optometrists	12,870		48,030		3,785	64,685
The Constance Owens Trust			100			100
TABLE A – Charity Listing (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
The Flax Trust		25,000				25,000
The Foundation for Canadian Studies in the UK				17,643	4,709	22,352
The Garfield Weston Trust				15,000		15,000
The Howard Foundation			2,000	6,000		8,000
The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group			1,800	1,047		2,847
The Irish Nephrology Society: Amegen Res Grant			6,845			6,845
The Judith Trust			36,000			36,000
The Leverhulme Trust	49,042		33,949	58,221	159,270	300,482
The McGrath Trust/Ulster Garden Villages				900,000		900,000
The Nuffield Foundation	11,487	23,153	7,570	1,679	9,716	53,605
The Nuffield Trust		15,612				15,612
The Playhouse	2,500					2,500
The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund	2,500					2,500
The Royal Academy of Engineering	600	300		1,800	4,500	7,200
The Royal College of Midwives Trust	5,000					5,000
The Royal Geographical Society		15,000				15,000
The Royal Society	20,649	7,105	33,340	27,366	14,119	102,579
The Understanding Conflict Trust	16,640					16,640
The Wellcome Trust	76,267	2,640	1,360	95,800	363,331	539,398
Triangle Housing Association Ltd	119,940					119,940
Ulster Cancer Foundation	316,622	298,269	432,677	199,958	362,693	1,610,220
Understanding Conflict Trust	35,228	54,663	58,451	10,300		158,642
University of Ulster Foundation				250,000		250,000
Wellcome	543,335	823,339	959,342	767,266	536,829	3,630,112
Women's Voice Maternity Service Liaison Committee		15,000				15,000
Youth Action NI & Nat Council of YMCAs of Ireland	12,000					12,000
TABLE A – Charity Listing (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
Youth Action Northern Ireland		21,295				21,295
Youth Action Northern Ireland/Big Lottery Fund			21,000			21,000
Grand Total	6,146,290	6,231,529	7,706,045	8,416,005	7,984,084	36,483,953

TABLE B - Research Topic/Area	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
13th Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia Research.			970			970
13th International Congress of Radiation Research				1,160		1,160
2004 IEEE International Workshop on IP Operations & Management (IPOM 2004).		1,960				1,960
2006 Royal Society Exhibition.			1,200			1,200
4th DNA Repair Workshop.	700					700
61st Annual Gaseous Electronics Conference.					1,230	1,230
7th Asia-oceania symposium on Fire Science and Technology				1,990		1,990
8th World Biomaterials Conference.					850	850
A comparative study of relative pupil size, ocular accommodation and intraocular pressure. between individuals taking antihistamines and that of a control group.					1,500	1,500
A palliative care needs assessment within the NHSSB.		15,000				15,000
A randomised controlled clinical trial to determine the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training and neuromucular electrical stimulation in a multiple sclerosis population with lower urinary tract dysfunction.	1,758					1,758
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
A randomised double blind 12 week crossover trail of Hypertonic saline (HTS) 7: Versus saline (ITS) (09%) in patients with bronchiectasis.					20,018	20,018
A Study of Performance Measurement in the Outsourcing Decision.			9,974			9,974
A Survey of British Urology Nurses.	4,000					4,000
Actions and mechanisms underlying novel therapeutic actions of GIP receptor antagonists for diabetes.				145,326		145,326
Advanced brain-computer interface using recurrent quantum neural networks				3,730		3,730
African migrants in the North-West.			43,506			43,506
Agriculture, Veterinary & Food Science	60,487	30,345	37,534	35,393	34,100	197,860
Airway Clearance in Bronchiectasis: Is Non-invasive Ventilation a Useful Adjunct in Moderate to Severe Disease?	16,008					16,008
Allied Health Professions & Studies	61,256	39,215	50,378	29,735	63,211	243,795
American Geophysical Union Annual fall meeting (AGU)					1,270	1,270
An Analysis of Real-Time Protocols for Chaotic Encryption in IPv6.	5,137					5,137
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
An evaluation of the Ulster Cancer Foundation's "Smokebusters" club.					25,000	25,000
An examination of the communication between A & E and ICU nursing staff.	960					960
An exploration of the attitudes & knowledge of people in mid life to cancer prevention.				6,000		6,000
An exploration of the attitudes and knowledge of people in mid-life to cancer prevention.	45,000					45,000
An Exploration of the Psychosocial Risk Factors of Hazardous Alcohol Use in People with Learning Disabilities.		5,000				5,000
An exploration of the role of the staff nurse/development officer within Action Mental Health's New Horizon Units and Accept Services.		9,926				9,926
An exploration of the support needs of parents with head and neck cancer.				10,000		10,000
An Integrated Marine Survey of the Bagamoyo/Zanzibar Channel, Tanzania.		15,000				15,000
An investigation of the efficacy of a novel holistic interventive strategy to improve clinical control in haemodialysis patients.			6,845			6,845
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Anthropology	19,494	-4,207	66,986	28,055	5,943	116,271
Anti-cancer activities of soft fruit CAST AWARD				26,943		26,943
Archaeology	22,834	12,842	25,060	5,268	1,941	67,947
Architecture & the Built Environment			1,694	12,643	6,948	21,284
Are people with stomas more likely to develop low back pain?			1,800	1,047		2,847
Art in Public Summer School 2007					2,330	2,330
Beach morphodynamics under rising sea level scenarios in the UK and Japan.					2,000	2,000
Biological Sciences	85,258	60,942	123,063	84,013	116,718	469,994
Business & Management Studies	23,371	47,546	6,406	2,331	16,076	95,731
Canadian studies development programme 2007.					3,959	3,959
Canadian studies programme				3,050		3,050
Cancer Studies	1,673,298	1,960,824	1,985,269	2,427,972	2,930,394	10,977,757
Catalyst partnership for Newry and Armagh, Carrickfergus and Lisburn.	12,000					12,000
Celtic Studies		1,867	3,827	310		6,004
Celts and Slavs in Central and South-eastern Europe.					300	300
Centre for Young Men's Studies.		51,000				51,000
Chaotic behaviour in discrete time models of car following.			1,130			1,130
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Characterization & evaluation of novel CYP2A4 inhibitors as anti-proliferative/prodifferentiating agents targeted towards hormone refractory prostate cancer					30,000	30,000
Characterization of NPAS2 as a novel vitamin D receptor (VDR) interacting protein. A novel role for vitamin D in regulation of the peripheral clock?					9,500	9,500
Characterization of NPAS2 as a novel vitamin D receptor (VDR) interacting protein. A novel role of vitamin D in regulation of the peripheral clock?					710	710
Charge transport at molecular and bio molecular interfaces of carbon nanotubes.			12,000			12,000
Chemistry	367,354	380,172	190,969	85,257	43,672	1,067,423
Children's Friendship Project for Northern Ireland.		2,263				2,263
China - UK Science Networks.		1,150				1,150
Church House Research Project.					5,000	5,000
Civil engineering	78,510	48,446	26,347	40,838	33,720	227,862
Classics, Ancient History, Byzantine & Mod Greek	14,483	-6,142				8,341
Colloquium: 'When words collide'.		5,000				5,000
Common Gestures, Class Acts: Studies in 'young British art'.				20,734		20,734
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Computer Science & Informatics	4,259	15,868	49,145	18,167	301	87,741
Consumption of meat in men aged 18-35 years - a pilot study.					1,600	1,600
Control of bioelectrocatalytic activity by means of magnetic fields				12,000		12,000
Control of DNA methylation in germ cell tumours.		10,000				10,000
Controls and consequences of oxygen depletion in lakes.					28,198	28,198
DAIWA foundation Small Grant.			1,500			1,500
Delineation of littoral cells along a coastal section of Co Down, Northern Ireland.		1,050				1,050
Dentistry	34,709	31,695	25,920	20,077	39,077	151,478
Detection of Biological Binding Events at Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Arrays.	12,000					12,000
Development and Characterisation of Silicon Implemented Wide-Band Circuits and Architectures for Deployment in next Generation Radio Freqency Integrated Circuits.	4,837					4,837
Development and dissemination of antibiotic resistance in eye infecting MRSA.					3,874	3,874
Development and evaluation of potent long acting fatty acid linked analogues of GIP for type 2 diabetes.		149,924				149,924
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Development of Land and Property Markets in Central and Eastern Europe - Issues of Data.	5,000					5,000
Diabetes Education for Adolescents				50,473		50,473
Diabetes Education for Adolescents.					204,435	204,435
Digital Games Research Association, Vancouver Canada 2005.		300				300
Director of the Cardiovascular Research Centre				900,000		900,000
Distinguished Visiting Fellowship - Dr Chen					4,500	4,500
Diversity in Action: Extension July 08-Sept 08 (Slippage).					15,393	15,393
Diversity in Action: Extension.					5,079	5,079
DNA methylation, mismatch repair and drug resistance				61,883		61,883
Do we need palliative care for patients with Parkinsons' disease?				71,065		71,065
Do we need palliative care for patients with Parkinsons’ disease?				261		261
Donation to Research on Suicide.		25,000				25,000
Donation to the Vision Science Research Group				24,500		24,500
Education	60,108	72,131	38,572	208,538	363,663	743,011
Educational Sessions in Pulmonary Rehabilitation.		21,325				21,325
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Effects of Novel GIP Agonists on the Beta-Amyloid-induced block of synaptic plasticity and memory formation impairments.			30,000			30,000
Elected Representatives/political parties and minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland				74,061		74,061
Electrical & Electronic Engineering	62,200	12,878	6,099	6,518	15,956	103,651
Endocrine disruption and cancer.					120,000	120,000
Enduring Values in Medical & Health Care: The Case of Northern Ireland: Medicine and the Troubles.		15,612				15,612
English Language & Literature			388	18,592	-504	18,476
Enhancement Award for the Development of the History of Medicine in Ireland				94,400		94,400
Epidemiology & Public Health	443,303	441,031	477,272	422,348	422,786	2,206,739
Epidemiology of myopia in a UK child population					735	735
Epidemiology of myopia in a UK child population.			48,030			48,030
Equipment application					16,700	16,700
Evaluating the effectiveness of 'NSPCC One-to-one' counselling in schools.		21,562				21,562
Evaluation of Northlands Substance Misuse Project.		29,683				29,683
Evaluation of Princes Trust XL Programme				12,931		12,931
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Evaluation of the Education for Citizenship Support.	2,000					2,000
Evaluation Programme for Community Relations Council core funded groups.		29,855	18,134			47,989
Evaulation of the "Living Well Cancer Programme".	6,000					6,000
Fatigue Research Project.					4,500	4,500
First European Conference on Earthquake Engineering and Seismology.				717		717
First International Conference on Quadruplex DNA				640		640
Flex and Ply.					122,490	122,490
Forward Thinking, Northern Ireland.					155,877	155,877
French			35,992	5,319	-5,350	35,960
Frequency dependent electrical detection of biological binding events at self assembled aligned carbon nanotube arrays.	1,650					1,650
Funding a research assistant.	30,000					30,000
Future Ways Programme				10,300		10,300
Future Ways Programme.		18,375	20,179			38,554
Futureways Programme.	16,640					16,640
General Inequality in British & German Universities.					29,383	29,383
Genetics: screening, choice and rights.		10,000				10,000
Geography & Environmental Studies	117,507	104,721	108,838	63,355	3,778	398,198
Gift towards research on macula disease				2,000		2,000
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Gift towards research on Macula Disease.			2,000	4,000		6,000
Good relations.		3,000				3,000
Health Services Research	11,713	21,428	1,855	5,053	1,963	42,012
Highly Sensitive Biosensors from Chemically Functionalized Graphene Sheets.					1,400	1,400
History	47,664	88,065	98,333	38,850	15,310	288,221
Hot Nano Topics 2008: 3 Overlapping workshops on current hot subjects in Nanoscience.					1,095	1,095
Housing and Neighbourhoods Monitor.					67,042	67,042
Iberian & Latin American Languages			708		2,279	2,987
ICLRD development funding.			19,200			19,200
Identifying perioperative nursing research priorities: A delphi study.		900				900
Identifying predictors that sustain women with a dual diagnosis to successfully reside in the community after discharge from a long-stay hospital.			36,000			36,000
Impact Electronic Assistive Technologies.			100			100
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Impact of electronic assistive technology and environmental design as perceived by physically disabled adults in a supported housing scheme.	2,550					2,550
Impact of Poverty on Young Children's Experience of Poverty - Dissemination					3,800	3,800
Implementing Equality Policies in Northern Ireland and Canada: A review of progress and Prospects.				25,000		25,000
Improving outcomes for patients requiring oral bowel preparation for colonoscopy.				9,994		9,994
Institutional Investment in Regeneration: Necessary Conditions for Effective Funding.		67,000				67,000
Insulin signalling analysis in a rodent model of Alzheimer's; interaction with GLP1 signalling.				19,000		19,000
Intelligent Image Capture and Processing.	5,000					5,000
Interfacial Properties of carbon nanotubes linked with biomolecules.			1,440			1,440
International Coastal Symposium (ICS2007)				1,879		1,879
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
International Conference on Applications of Diamond and Related Materials.			1,220			1,220
International Conference on Metallurgical Coatings and Thin Films ICMCTF2007				1,280		1,280
International Travel Grant				400		400
International Travel Grant - 4th IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging				700		700
International Travel Grant - ICMAT 2007 - International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies				700		700
International travel grant scheme 2004.	600					600
International Travel Grant.	400				300	700
Interventions to reduce the harmful effects of bullying in the life world of student midwives.	5,000					5,000
Investigating the actual and potential role of the GP and primary care nurses in the prevention of cancer: a mixed methods study.					124,000	124,000
Investigation and evaluation of Real Property taxes within CEE Countries.		2,000				2,000
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Investigation of natural product pathways in phosphate metabolising.		580				580
Investigation of the effect of carbon catabolite repression on organophosphonate metabolism within a phosphonoacetate metabolising strain of Agromyces fucosus.		1,400				1,400
Joint Lectureship in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics.	39,000					39,000
Journeys Out: From conflict to participation				209,404		209,404
Journeys Out: From Conflict to participation extension 1				7,088		7,088
Journeys Out: From Conflict to Participation Extension 2.					27,831	27,831
Joy riding in Belfast.	47,764					47,764
Knowledge management measures for organisational accountability.					36,980	36,980
Large scale, integrative computational approaches to protozoan post-genomics.			1,340			1,340
Law	55,202	78,981	169,408	246,774	225,720	776,085
Learning & Changing Project.		36,288				36,288
Learning and Changing Project.	35,228		38,272			73,500
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Learning to deal with difference in the workplace: An investigation of formal and informal process.				61,439		61,439
Lessons today for change tomorrow				15,000		15,000
Listening to children living in poverty				12,541		12,541
Listening to Children living in poverty - Extension					9,429	9,429
Listening to Children Living in Poverty - Extension March 2008.					2,327	2,327
Making It 07					9,000	9,000
Management of AF using a novel passive implantable atrial defibrillator.			96,000			96,000
Managing Diversity and Respecting our differences.					2,350	2,350
Mapping seabed habitats using remote acoustic techniques: Evaluating the link between backscatter and biology.		5,000				5,000
Mathematical modelling of the heart - nursing award.	29,357	37,584	25,280			92,221
Mechanical, Aeron & Manufacturing Engineering	2,322	8,876	11,644	20,834	19,817	63,493
Medical Migration to and from Ireland 1860-1960.	76,267					76,267
Medicine Unspecified	643,000	456,692	340,724	20,013	23,694	1,484,123
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Modulation of the anti-cancer activities of vitamin A and vitamin D through the process of reversible sumoylation.				10,000		10,000
Monitoring and evaluating the delivery and impact of the Global Dimensions through the Northern Ireland Curriculum.					5,737	5,737
Moving from residential homes to supported living: The impact on the social inclusion of people with learning disabilities.	119,940					119,940
Music	4,589	53,605	35,229	45,465	11,696	150,583
Network Grant - Novel strategies to prevent neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease				51,500		51,500
New strategies to prevent neurodegeneration in Alzheimer disease using insulin-like drugs.					163,334	163,334
Non Invasive Ventilation in Cystic Fibrosis.	600					600
North American CF Conference					250	250
Nurse-Patient communication in the cancer treatment setting: a qualitative pilot study.					9,968	9,968
Nursing & Midwifery	24,628	25,682	28,865	25,122	21,158	125,455
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Occurrence of food borne and food-poisoning bacterial pathogens in domestically composted household waste.			1,360			1,360
OSL Dating of Loess - Towards a deglacial chronology.			350			350
OSL Dating of Loess from NW England: Towards a deglacial chronology.			500			500
OSL dating of loess in Northwest England - towards a deglacial chronology.			400			400
Other Hospital Based Clinical Subjects	349,338	466,646	1,531,319	468,631	488,923	3,304,855
Other Laboratory Based Clinical Subjects	131,563	164,432	159,564	258,161	309,030	1,022,749
Parental views on the outcomes of Paediatric Cochlear Implantation.			2,000			2,000
Partners in Practice.			35,484			35,484
Peace Agreement Database.					6,916	6,916
Pensions Deficits: The Financial Impact on FT 350 Companies				11,640		11,640
Pharmacy	147,786	272,859	412,301	410,136	369,116	1,612,199
Physics	21,405	-12,864	7,091	51,906	76,756	144,294
Politics & International Studies	127,562	54,986	87,380	40,516	17,881	328,325
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Population based analysis of drinking behaviour and related psychological problems and cognitive impairment.			4,826			4,826
POSSIBILITIES (Extension 2)				14,774		14,774
Possibilities (extension)				14,101		14,101
Possibilities.		33,409				33,409
Post-transcriptional control of DNA methylation reprogramming in the mouse.					79,964	79,964
Pre-Clinical & Human Biological Sciences	96,851	216,930	277,220	255,491	329,204	1,175,695
Primary Care & Other Community Based Clinical Subj					1,667	1,667
Principles and practices of working with young women.		2,820				2,820
Priorities for Occupational Therapy Research (POTTER) project.			2,832			2,832
Prisons Memory Archive.			44,317			44,317
Prisons Memory Archive: Maze and Long Kesh					49,000	49,000
Professor William Twining Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship Award				3,341		3,341
Promoting International Collaboration in Physiotherapy.				9,146		9,146
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Protective effects of Fructans against carcino-genesis.		900				900
Proteomic analysis of the signalling events involved in Leukaemic transformation by the tyrosine kinase fusion protein Tel/PDGFBR.			155,702			155,702
Psychiatry, Neuroscience & Clinical Psychology	70,133	50,901	30,804	86,179	88,101	326,119
Psychology	95,535	32,959	15,680	-5,227	45,033	183,980
Public Attitudes and Public Service Responsiveness.				37,939		37,939
Pure Mathematics	12,152	1,176	7,303	7,288	33,959	61,878
Quality assurance audit of Greater New Lodge.			3,250			3,250
Racism & Multiculturalism in Education - Best Practice in the North West.			15,000			15,000
Realising Integrated Sustainable Communities in Deconstructed Interface Environments.				65,000		65,000
Redevelopment of programme for the delivery of fundamentals to Playboard workers.				1,134		1,134
Refractive Error: "The Change in Various Eccentric Ocular Parameters in Refractive Error Development".	12,870					12,870
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Rehabilitation of Multiple Sclerosis.		4,500				4,500
Research on the needs and views of maternity service users.		15,000				15,000
Research Support Grant - Mr James McAteer				750		750
Research Support Grant - Mr James McAteer 2007.					750	750
Role of the novel genes Rudhira and Asrij during haemopoietic differentiation of embryonic stem cells,				1,400		1,400
Seabed mapping in the Gulf of Maine, Canada.			6,330			6,330
Selection of the most relevant signal components for faulty classification.			5,000			5,000
Self-organised Titanium Oxide Nanotubes for Biosensor Array Applications					5,800	5,800
Sexual Health and Well-Being of People with Learning Disabilities in Northern Ireland.	127,060					127,060
Small Connected Towns in Cross-Border Regions				6,220		6,220
Small equipment grant to support diabetes research				1,000		1,000
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Small equipment grant to support diabetes research.			2,000	250		2,250
Social Work, and Social Policy & Administration	56,949	54,677	82,214	67,842	134,387	396,069
Sociology	93,836	56,724	-2,277	21,489	29,035	198,807
Structure and Stability of Architectures in Guanine - Rich Gene Regulatory Regions.			13,200			13,200
Structure/Function relationship in the eye lens				3,970		3,970
Student Nurses' Perceptions of the Role of the Health Care Assistant (HCA).		9,843				9,843
Studies evaluating the effectiveness of community palliative care services					12,000	12,000
Studies evaluating the effectiveness of community palliative care services.	8,000	8,000	12,000			28,000
Study of nanocrystalline TiO2 films for a range of applications.			2,270			2,270
Summer Scholarship - Psychophysical assessment of non-refractive optical defects in healthy adults.					1,550	1,550
Summer Studentship.			2,000			2,000
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Supporting the implementation of Cross-Border collaborative frameworks: Newry-Dundalk sub region.				29,213		29,213
Sustainable Communities				27,060		27,060
System identification for rapid generation of transparent analysable control code for autonomous mobile robots					129,887	129,887
Teaching of History in Northern Ireland - Publication				1,679		1,679
The 4th International Workshop on Statistical Seismology (Tokyo).			1,140			1,140
The anticancer effects of novel analogues of dihydroartemisinin.					1,400	1,400
The colon in health and disease.			10,000			10,000
The Cross Border Childcare Research Project.	44,236					44,236
The evaluation of a school-based physical activity programme aimed at reducing childhood obesity and CVD risk profile.					11,792	11,792
The experience and coping behaviour of men with prostate cancer after radiotherapy treatment.			215,414			215,414
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
The homocysteine- lowering effect of riboflavin in CVD patients with different MTHFR C677T genotypes.		36,490				36,490
The impact of fatigue on communication in multiple sclerosis: an insiders view.			500			500
The impact of poverty on young children's school experience				10,000		10,000
The impact of poverty on young children's school experience.			34,920			34,920
The impact of urban form on energy use in developing countries					7,000	7,000
The information seeking behaviour of men with cancer: a qualitative study.			9,933			9,933
The Leverhulme Visiting Professorship - Prof John Wilson Foster.	49,042					49,042
The Playhouse Early Years Project.	2,500					2,500
The political impact of Religious Independence in Northern Ireland.		9,000				9,000
The relationship between cross-community contact in Northern Ireland and attitudes to Ethnic minorities: A qualitative analysis.		6,703				6,703
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
The Role of Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) in Tumour Progression: Implications for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer.	75,000					75,000
The Role of Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) in Tumour Progression: Implications for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer.		37,500				37,500
The role of pancreatic beta-cell growth factors in stem cell differentiation into pancreatic islet all phenotypes for type 1 diabetes.		1,320				1,320
The study of DNA-linked carbon nanotube networks for advanced genetic testing.		2,515				2,515
The unmet needs of, and coping among carers of stroke sufferers in Northern Ireland, with particular focus on gender differences					5,766	5,766
The unmet needs of, and coping among carers of stroke sufferers in Northern Ireland, with particular focus on gender differences.					42,492	42,492
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
The use of PRICE in the management of acute soft tissue injury				56,651		56,651
Theorising multiculturalism and social cohesion in Canada and the UK				13,843		13,843
Three Travel Awards.	2,812					2,812
To evaluate the effectiveness of the context assessment index as a tool to assess and develop person centred continence care in rehabilitation settings for older people.				39,164		39,164
Town & Country Planning	1,148	22,617	14,006	8,818	6,334	52,923
Transatlantic dialogue on emerging technologies: bioethics symposium					5,000	5,000
Transforming Lives				78,965		78,965
Transport Disadvantage in Rural Northern Ireland.	2,500					2,500
Travel Award.		567				567
Travel Grant Bulgaria				500		500
Travel Grant.			250			250
Trends in Shariah - compliant real estate investment				6,000		6,000
Troubles-related trauma in Northern Ireland: extent of the problem, associated factors and effects.			91,200			91,200
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
University of Ulster Real Estate Initiative				250,000		250,000
Using older people's stories to inform service development.	82,973					82,973
Vacation Scholarship 2005.		1,320				1,320
Virtual reality: It's use in the recovery of upper limb function following stroke.		72,883				72,883
Voices of the Future, Legacies of the Past: The perspectives of Children and Young People and the role of Education in Reconciliation.				169,000		169,000
Web based resource centre on peace building in Northern Ireland				5,060		5,060
Whose Voice is it Anyway?				5,000		5,000
Women and Conflict: cross - community perspectives on the marching season in Northern Ireland.			27,619			27,619
Young Life and Times Survey Northern Ireland.		12,000				12,000
Young men and Violence Research (Sept 04 - May 05).		18,475				18,475
Young people's aspirations and women reconciling life in and outside the home in NI.	92,094					92,094
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Young women living in Northern Ireland research project.			21,000			21,000
Grand Total	6,146,290	6,231,529	7,706,045	8,416,005	7,984,084	36,483,953

University of Ulster redundancies

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many support staff are being made redundant at the University of Ulster's Jordanstown campus.

(AQW 6883/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

The University of Ulster is carrying out restructuring exercises in two areas of its Jordanstown campus – Residential Services and the Faculty of Computing and Engineering. Fourteen support staff roles within Residential Services will be discontinued. Thirteen of the support staff have asked for and have been granted voluntary redundancy effective from 5 June 2009. The remaining member of staff has asked to be considered for redeployment.

Within the Faculty of Computing and Engineering, five support staff have asked for and have been granted either voluntary redundancy or early retirement. Six staff have been redeployed to other posts in the University. The restructuring process is likely to be completed by 30 June 2009 by which time further voluntary redundancies or early retirements will have been explored with support staff as well as the opportunity to consider redeployment. At present the number to be made redundant or granted early retirement cannot be known until the process nears completion.

One further support post at Jordanstown will be discontinued in the Faculty of Life & Health Sciences in September 2009. The post holder is currently being interviewed for another post under redeployment procedures.

The university is handling these matters in line with its normal processes and procedures to minimise the potential for redundancies.

Skills Pledge

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many companies have committed to the Skills pledge.

(AQW 6889/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

Northern Ireland and Scotland are not participating in the Skills Pledge initiative; Wales has its own basics skills version of the Skills Pledge.

The Skills Pledge programme in England is managed by the Learning and Skills Council, which is an England-only body. The Department has no information on the number of companies which have signed up to the Skills Pledge.

Skills Pledge

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline how his Department has supported the Skills pledge.

(AQW 6890/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

Northern Ireland is not participating in the Skills Pledge initiative which was introduced in England in response to a recommendation in the Leitch "Review of Skills Report, Prosperity for All in the Global Economy: World Class Skills." Scotland is not participating in the initiative and Wales has subsequently introduced its own basic skills version of the Pledge.

Essential Skills Learners

Mr M Storey asked he Minister for Employment and Learning if essential skills learners can use their qualifications to contribute to the points for accessing a place in Queen's University.

(AQW 6895/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

Essential Skills qualifications do not contribute towards University Central Admissions System (UCAS) tariff points in terms of accessing a place at Queens University (QUB). The University’s general entrance criteria require applicants to have GCSE at grade A* to C, or other qualifications deemed equivalent by its Admissions Committee; Essential Skills qualifications do not satisfy these criteria, at present. My Department is in discussion with QUB regarding the possibility of Essential Skills at level 2 becoming an acceptable equivalent qualification for the purposes of meeting the University’s general entrance requirements.

Essential Skills Learners

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if Queens University recognises essential skills qualifications under its Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme point system.

(AQW 6896/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme is a system which allows a student to claim exemptions from modules, or access to a particular level of study, where they have previous certificated learning from another higher education institution.

I am advised by Queen’s University that applicants would be expected to satisfy the university’s English Language requirement as well as course or subject requirements, which for some programmes include GCSE Mathematics or an acceptable qualification.

To date, Essential Skills Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy qualifications have not been accepted by the university in lieu of GCSE English Language and Mathematics.

My Department is in discussion with QUB regarding the possibility of Essential Skills at level 2 becoming an acceptable equivalent qualification for the purposes of meeting the University’s general entrance requirements.

Lifelong Learning UK Project

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning (i) to detail the amount of funding; and (ii) to provide a breakdown of how funding is being spent, on the Lifelong Learning UK project 'Labour Market Information- Work Based Learning and Youth Work'.

(AQW 6897/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

The aim of the Lifelong Learning UK project on "Labour Market Information on Work Based Learning and Youth Work" was to identify and address workforce skills gaps and to achieve a holistic Sector Skills Agreement covering all areas in their footprint. A total of £74,350 funding support has been provided for this project and is broken down as follows:

Inception meetings with stakeholders; background papers; tender to appoint a consultant; inception meeting with consultant. The funding was structured to cover two streams of work; £4,125 funding in relation to the Workbased Learning element and £3,300 for the Youth Work element.
Research design; data collection; analysis of data; Project Steering Group Meetings; production of a final report. Again this was structured to cover two streams of work; £31.667.50 of funding was provided for the Workbased Learning element and £27,342.50 for the Youth Work element.
£7,915 of funding was provided for a range of information sessions, merchandising and the launch of the Sector Skills Agreement

STEM Subject Lecturers

Mr P Butler asked Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (i) the number of lecturers that are qualified to teach STEM subjects in the further education sector; and (ii) the numbers of STEM subject lecturers in the further education sector, in each of the last 5 years.

(AQW 6903/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The number of lecturers employed to teach STEM subjects in each of the

last five academic years (04/05, 05/06, 06/07, 07/08 and 08/09) is shown

below.

Two Colleges (South West College and Southern Regional College) do not hold this information for the period prior to the merger of colleges in August 2007.

Name of College	Academic Year	No. of STEM subject Lecturers
Belfast Metropolitan College	08/09	193
	07/08	217
	06/07	204
	05/06	200
	04/05	192

Name of College	Academic Year	No. of STEM subject Lecturers
North West Regional College	08/09	158
	07/08	171
	06/07	155
	05/06	168
	04/05	187

Name of College	Academic Year	No. of STEM subject Lecturers
South Eastern Regional College	08/09	144
	07/08	180
	06/07	138
	05/06	117
	04/05	90

Name of College	Academic Year	No. of STEM subject Lecturers
Southern Regional College	08/09	260
	07/08	262
	06/07	Pre-merger staff information not available
	05/06
	04/05

Name of College	Academic Year	No. of STEM subject Lecturers
Northern Regional College	08/09	68
	07/08	62
	06/07	60
	05/06	60
	04/05	60

Name of College	Academic Year	No. of STEM subject Lecturers
South West College	08/09	76
	07/08	71
	06/07	Pre-merger staff information not available
	05/06
	04/05

North West Regional College

Mr P Ramsey asked he Minister for Employment and Learning (i) how many Deputy/Assistant Directors were in post prior to the merger of North West Institute of Further and Higher Education and Limavady College; (ii) how many are in place now; and (iii) when and where were the additional positions advertised.

(AQW 6907/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

Prior to merger, the former North West Institute of Further and Higher Education, and Limavady College had six Deputy Directors (or posts of equivalent grade) in post and one unfilled vacancy.

Following merger, the North West Regional College (NWRC) now has five Deputy Directors (or equivalent) in post.

Student Fees

Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if he will have completed the review of student fees in time for it to be debated in this session of the Assembly, to allow appropriate actions to be implemented by the Higher Education institutions for the academic year 2010/11.

(AQW 6922/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning: In terms of review timescales, I expect to receive an interim report for consideration in early June 2009. This will subsequently be brought before the Committee for Employment and Learning prior to a public consultation scheduled for Autumn 2009. The final report and Assembly debates are anticipated for early 2010 with the academic year 2011/2012 being the earliest possible date for implementation to allow appropriate time for the communication and development of any proposed new or revised arrangements.

Further Education Colleges

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what the annual budget was for each of the Further Education Colleges in 2008/09.

(AQW 6947/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

Further Education College allocations are made on an academic year basis. For the 2008/09 academic year each college received the amounts detailed below through its main recurrent block grant allocation.

Belfast Metropolitan College £34,561,800

North West Regional College £22,637,800

Northern Regional College £21,776,400

South Eastern Regional College £21,756,000

South West College £15,497,100

Southern Regional College £24,770,900

Total £141,000,000

Additionally, sector wide funds are made available in-year for specific purposes and allocated through demand led, earmarked funds.

Regional Further Education Colleges

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the financial surpluses in each of the Regional Further Education Colleges, in 2008/09.

(AQW 6951/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

The financial year for the Further Education Colleges coincides with the academic year and runs from 1 August to 31 July. Accordingly, audited accounts for the 2008/09 financial year will not be available until November 2009.

Public Service Agreements

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what impact the acceleration of capital from the Department of Employment and Learning will have on Public Service Agreements, for the financial year 2010/11.

(AQW 6985/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

My Department has been successful in ensuring that a number of major projects have been brought to contract stage recently. Nevertheless, it is always difficult to accelerate capital spend. There is a significant lead in time required to preparing business cases, completing design work and obtained planning permission. However, projects, including conventional and Public Private Partnership procurements with a value of some £235m, are currently being delivered in the College and University sectors. Given the volume of projects under way, there are no plans to adjust the existing Public Service Agreements for the financial year 2010/11.

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Plantation Exploration/Commemoration

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) to detail her Department's plans for product development and international marketing for the Plantation Exploration / Commemoration; and (ii) if a joint approach is being taken with the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in creating the product.

(AQW 6631/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster): NITB has recently undertaken an Audit Report of the Ulster-Scots product within Northern Ireland, which has relevance to the Plantation Exploration/Commemoration, which highlights that there are some interesting features which might be exploited. However, many of the sites connected with Ulster-Scots are not staffed, have little interpretation and are not open at times convenient to visitors. The next step will be to identify places where products can be profitably developed looking in particular at interpretation and access, with a potential focus being on ‘the American Connection’.
NITB continues to work with the Ulster Scots Agency regarding cultural tourism in Northern Ireland. During recent meetings NITB agreed to assist the Agency in identifying a visitor-focused Ulster Scots tourism trail.

If a Plantation Exploration/Commemoration product is developed, Tourism Ireland will include this as part of its suite of marketing literature, publicity and promotional campaigns overseas.

Tourist Motor Homes

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for his assessment of provision in urban centres for tourist motor homes.

(AQO 2508/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The provision of tourist motor home facilities is essentially an issue for each Council to consider within their own operating environment and within the parameters of legislation as detailed in The Caravans Act (Northern Ireland) 1963.

Currently there are some specific facilities for motor homes in urban centres in Northern Ireland. These include two aires de service in Carrickfergus Borough Council, and a further aire de service in Broughshane which was installed by the Broughshane Community Development Association.

Motor home tourists can also access Council-run tourism amenity car parks where no height restriction barrier is installed. There are a range of these throughout urban and non urban areas of Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Mr S Gardiner asked he Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (i) the number; (ii) the names; and (iii) the investment figures of the projects that the Northern Ireland Tourist Board is operating or supporting, in (a) the Upper Bann constituency; (b) the Craigavon Borough Council area; and (c) the Banbridge District Council area, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6680/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

Under the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s (NITB) Tourism Development Scheme (TDS) 2008 – 2011 NITB received 8 applications from the Upper Bann Constituency of which 2 have been shortlisted and are now going through final approval assessment.

This includes the "Bringing People Closer Together at Portmore Lough Nature Reserve" with total grant rate sought at £35,730 and the "Enterprise Barge Restoration Project" with total grant sought at £30,000.

In addition, both Craigavon Borough Council and Banbridge District Council are members of the Armagh & Down Tourism Partnership.

NITB has made a commitment to provide the Armagh & Down Regional Tourism Partnership (RTP) with £70,000 plus VAT for three years from 2008/2009 for services which support the delivery of NITB’s corporate objectives.

The RTP also received two offers under the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), one for £35,438 and the other for £73,556 on 23^rd August 2007. Both offers relate to the support of activities, operations and initiatives which enhance product development and industry capability.

Environment and Renewable Energy Fund

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what evaluation has been carried out of the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund.

(AQW 6690/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

The Environment and Renewable Energy Fund (EREF) was split across six Government Departments (DETI, DSD, DARD, DFP, DOE, and OFMDFM). Departments who received EREF funding are responsible for ensuring evaluation of their individual EREF funded projects, under their Department’s evaluation protocols.

To date DETI has completed evaluations of:-

Reconnect;
Reconnect advertising campaign;
the Grid Study;
Carbon Trust (Invest NI); and
development work within Action Renewables

The Evaluation of the Energy from Waste Programme both within DETI and Invest NI cannot take place until these projects have been completed. Similarly the energy storage study is still ongoing and so the evaluation has not yet taken place.

The DETI Evaluation Programme is reviewed and agreed annually by the Departmental Board and is managed centrally by the Policy Evaluation and Development Unit in accordance with the Department’s Evaluation Protocol. Evaluation of on going projects will be included in this evaluation programme in due course.

Package for Small Businesses

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail which small firms are benefiting from the Chancellor’s £7 Billion package for small businesses announced in November 2008; and to quantify the extent of that help.

(AQW 6743/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

I am not in a position and nor would it be appropriate to identify individual firms that have received assistance from the range of financial measures announced by the Chancellor in November 2008 and launched by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) in January 2009. BERR has confirmed that the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme has £211 million of eligible applications from 1900 firms across the UK that have been granted or are being processed or assessed. Early indications show a low level of participation in the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme in Northern Ireland and I and other Ministers will continue to press the local banks to give this scheme full consideration when assessing the needs of business customers.

Debt Relief Scheme

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what action she is taking on debt relief after the consultation period on her debt relief scheme ends on 6 May 2009; and are there any interim measures she plans to take.

(AQW 6744/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: DETI intend to take forward the procedure leading to the introduction of a Bill to set up the scheme. This will include briefing the ETI Committee on the outcome of the consultation, submission of a policy memorandum to the Executive and instructing Legislative Counsel to draft the Bill. I plan to introduce the Bill in June 2010.

There is no statutory authority for any interim measures.

Companies Registry

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if she will reduce fines for small companies missing their annual return deadline or shuttle return deadline with Companies Registry during this period of economic downturn.

(AQW 6745/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: I appreciate that it may seem harsh to penalise companies in the current economic climate.

However, it is important that companies file their accounts on time as this is the bedrock of the limited liability system. If companies are to enjoy the benefits of limited liability, it isessential that customers, suppliers and stakeholders are able to view the company’s latest available accounts to make informed judgements as a guide to their dealings with the company. A failure to file on time leaves an incomplete company record. For any company that cares about its reputation, for example with a view to securing credit, having all filings up to date is essential.

Nevertheless, in view of current difficult trading conditions, and to reduce the immediate burden of payment, Companies Registry is prepared to accept payment of the penalty by monthly instalments.

Invest NI

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) how much money has been allocated to each overseas office; (ii) what the number of enquiries per office was and (iii) how many visits to Northern Ireland resulted from each office, over the past three years.

(AQW 6820/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

Overseas is defined as outside the United Kingdom. On this basis, the Invest NI office in London has not been reflected in the responses below.

(i) Money Allocated to each Overseas Office

Total	3,696	3,968	3,990
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09 ³
	£’000	£’000	£’000

Dublin	301	306	346
Brussels	263	303	335
Mumbai	-	236	351
San Jose	245	283	270
New York	277	406	280
Boston	1,351	1,520	1,610
Dusseldorf	232	159	185
Seoul	288	195	125
Shanghai	92	186	152
Taipei	205	49	-
Tokyo	145	41	-
Denver	95	113	126
Dubai	137	156	210
Singapore	65	15	-

(ii) Number of Enquiries per Office

Invest NI do not record enquiries per office. The agency’s work in this area is proactive in nature consisting mainly of outbound calling to potential investors by investment executives.

(iii) No. of visits to Northern Ireland resulting from each Office, over the past Three Years

2006-07

2006-07

2007-08

2007-08

2008-09

2008-09

Inward visits ¹

Trade ²

Inward visits ¹

Trade ²

Inward visits ^1&3

Trade ^2&3

Dublin

26

-

24

-

34

-

Brussels

6

-

3

-

2

-

Mumbai

-

-

-

-

4

25

San Jose

13

-

5

-

8

-

New York

18

-

5

-

19

-

Boston

4

39

10

21

32

43

Dusseldorf

1

-

-

24

-

32

Seoul

7

-

9

-

5

-

Shanghai

-

-

-

90

-

97

Taipei

-

-

-

-

-

-

Tokyo

1

-

-

-

-

-

Denver

-

29

-

79

-

27

Dubai

-

36

-

37

-

102

Singapore

-

11

-

-

-

-

Total

76

115

56

251

104

326

Notes:

¹ The above lists the number of inward visits to Northern Ireland handled or managed by each of the overseas offices (i.e. number of companies and influencers who visited NI). Inward visits often involve client facing personnel from the Belfast HQ.

²The above lists the number of companies assisted by the overseas offices in identifying and developing trade / export opportunities.

³2008-09 are provisional numbers based on data collated to 28 February 2009 and will be subject to change.

Corporate Responsibility Issues

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline what discussions have taken place with (a) colleagues in other jurisdictions; (b) the local business community; and (c) local trade unions regarding corporate responsibility issues.

(AQW 6832/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

The Executive recognises the importance of promoting socially and environmentally responsible practices. In that regard, Northern Ireland Departments have sought to work with organisations such as Business in the Community (BitC), to promote corporate responsibility in Northern Ireland.

Recently the First and deputy First Minister met with representatives from BitC to discuss opportunities for further corporate responsibility in the public sector. The Head of the Civil Service has also recently engaged in discussions with BitC to explore how the public sector can further utilise and encourage participation in corporate responsibility.

Public Limited Companies

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to report on any plans she has to require public limited companies to publish an annual social responsibility report.

(AQW 6853/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

It should also be noted that the Companies Act 2006, which is being implemented on a United Kingdom-wide basis, increased the requirements for quoted companies to report on environmental, employee, social and community matters. The Companies Act 2006 will be fully implemented by 1 October 2009 and I am not aware of any plans, at this stage, to increase these reporting requirements.

Business in the Community

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to report on any discussions her Department has had with Business in the Community to develop corporate social responsibility similar to the initiatives undertaken by that organisation in other parts of the United Kingdom.

(AQW 6854/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

DETI has not had any recent, significant contact with BitC, however, my officials identified key issues for discussion at a recent meeting of BitC and OFMDFM where opportunities for further corporate responsibility in the public sector were discussed.

Tourist Information Centres

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how her Department is promoting Northern Ireland branded projects and items in tourist information centres/offices.

(AQW 6898/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

Tourist Information Centres (TICs) are run by local authorities and regional tourism bodies. Day to day management and decisions including stock items rests with the relevant TIC. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) works closely with the TIC network to ensure consistency of service and standards including staff knowledge and training.

A new brand strategy for Northern Ireland Tourism is currently being developed to ensure that visitors can experience the true Northern Ireland at every stage of their journey. This means ensuring that all aspects of the visitor journey and experience reflect the unique assets of Northern Ireland from attractions to food and from entertainment to retail.

During the financial year 2008/2009 NITB has delivered a number of branding initiatives for TIC team members. These initiatives have focused on ensuring that TIC staff are aware of the brand for Northern Ireland tourism and are equipped with the skills to improve visitor experiences. The initiatives included a Visitor Servicing Conference and Workshop, funding for regional familiarisation trips, two ‘Welcome Host Plus’ customer service training sessions designed to provide knowledge and skills enabling world class customer service delivery, induction training to new TIC team members and an opportunity for TICs of Excellence to be identified through the annual Northern Ireland Tourism Awards; and an opportunity is provided for TICs of Excellence to be identified through the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards which are delivered annually.

NITB will continue to work with TICs to facilitate the delivery of unique visitor experiences throughout Northern Ireland. A research programme will be undertaken to understand how visitors currently use TICs and the service they would like provided in the future. This research will include retail provision and feedback will be provided to all bodies responsible for TICs to ensure that the correct retail offering is provided.

Cost of Ferry Travel

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment as to whether the present cost of ferry travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain is conducive to attracting tourists.

(AQW 6956/09)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Over the past decade the market for travel from Northern Ireland to Britain has remained reasonably static, with the main change being a degree of movement away from using ferries to using low-cost air services instead. This change has occurred despite the investment that ferry companies have made in new, state of the art, passenger car ferries and port-side facilities. In general terms, while ferry traffic has declined, air traffic has increased and there has been an overall 2% increase in combined sea and air carryings between 2007 and 2008.

Both the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland Ltd. have made significant investments in integrated marketing campaigns directed at the short-break market since 2007.

Ferry travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, from which Northern Ireland tourism benefits, is provided by private sector ferry companies. Fare levels are a matter for their commercial judgement, having regard to prevailing market conditions.

Department of the Environment

Refundable Deposits on Drinks Containers

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment if he will consider introducing refundable deposits on drinks containers.

(AQW 6501/09)

Minister of the Environment (Mr S Wilson): I do not have any plans to introduce a refundable deposit scheme in respect of drinks containers.

Working Group on PPS21

Mr P Weir asked he Minister of the Environment what the time-scale is for the report of the independent working group on PPS21.

(AQW 6547/09)

Minister of the Environment: The Independent Working Group will report by 26 June 2009.

National Park

Mr J Wells asked he Minister of the Environment if he is carrying out any research before making a decision on the creation of a national park.

(AQW 6608/09)

Minister of the Environment: I am carrying out research. For example, I will visit the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland from April 7 to April 9 to see for myself how a National Park works in practice. I want to hear about the impact it is having on the communities, businesses and farms within its boundaries and what people think about how it is working.

Climate Change

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment what correspondence his department has had with the Met Office about Climate Change.

(AQW 6624/09)

Minister of the Environment: Over the years my Department has had many contacts with the Meteorological Office to discuss possible future weather pattern scenarios in Northern Ireland. The most recent occasion was October 2008.

The "Preparing for a Changing Climate in Northern Ireland" report, known as the "SNIFFER report" published in January 2007, drew heavily on Meteorological Office data and models.

Climate Change

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment for his Department's assessment of the rise in the daily maximum temperature by 0.65C between 1914 to 2006.

(AQW 6625/09)

Minister of the Environment: My Department continues to monitor and assess temperature fluctuations using Armagh Observatory records, Meteorological Office records and UK Climate Impacts Programme data.

Climate Change

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment for his Department's assessment of the decline by 25 days of air frost in the past 48 years.

(AQW 6626/09)

Minister of the Environment: My Department continues to assess a number of variables in Northern Ireland. These include air temperature; hot and cold days; rainfall; snow days; and growing season length. Air frost is not a variable that we currently measure.

Climate Change

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of the theory that Climate Change will lead to (i) more rain in winter: (ii) more extreme natural events; and (iii) the warming of the sea.

(AQW 6627/09)

Minister of the Environment: My Department has worked with, and continues to work with the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) and the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research to investigate possible future climate scenarios. UKCIP uses modelled scenarios produced by the Meteorological Office Hadley Centre. These scenarios suggest more rain in the winter, more extreme natural events and sea surface warming, however given the complexities of these models the predictions must be treated with considerable caution.

Carbon Footprint of MLAs

Mr D McKay asked he Minister of the Environment (i) to detail the research he carried out on the carbon footprint of MLAs; and (ii) to publish the research, including his own carbon footprint.

(AQW 6628/09)

Minister of the Environment: Firstly, I only gathered information on members of the Environment Committee. Mileage claims submitted by MLAs are published on the Assembly website. I then accessed www.carbonbalanced.org which allowed me to calculate the carbon footprint for the number of miles claimed.

I would refer to my responses to the Environment Committee on 26 February and AQ 2377/09, which are both recorded in Hansard. I have not studied my carbon footprint because I am not exercised about it. I was simply giving the information to members who seem to be deeply concerned by the matter.

Area Plan for North Down

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of the Environment when the area plan for North Down will be published.

(AQW 6649/09)

Minister of the Environment: The Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (BMAP) was published in November 2004. BMAP relates to the administrative council areas of Belfast City, Lisburn City, Carrickfergus Borough, Castlereagh Borough, Newtownabbey Borough and North Down Borough.

The North Down and Ards Area Plan (1984-1995) will remain a material consideration in determining planning applications in North Down until such time as it is superseded by the adoption of BMAP.

The BMAP Public Inquiry commenced in April 2007 and concluded in May 2008. The Planning Appeals Commission (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. Any review of timescales undertaken by the PAC may advance the Report.

Upon receipt of the report, Planning Service will consider the recommendations of the PAC and prepare the Plan for adoption.

Strategic Projects Unit is

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) each article 31 planning application that the Strategic Projects Unit is processing; (ii) each non-article 31 application that the unit is processing, and (iii) the projects that are in pre-application discussions.

(AQW 6725/09)

Minister of the Environment: Details of the applications currently being processed by my Department’s Strategic Project teams are set out in the attached annexes.

Annex 1 – Article 31 applications
Annex 2 – Non Article 31 applications
Annex 3 – Pre-application discussions

Annex B

Non Article 31 applications

	Ref No	Applicant	Proposal / Location
1	S/2005/0342/O	Bow Street Mall Ltd	Demolition of properties and extension of existing Bow Street Mall, Lisburn
2	X/2005/0668/LB	Castlebawn Ltd	Shopping Centre, Court Street, Castle Bawn (Former abattoir site) Newtownards
3	W/2008/0886/F	Dermot Developments Ltd c/o Pragma Planning	Phase 1 of new residential development 169 Rathgael Road/School avenue, Bangor
4	W/2008/0115/F	MLS Partnership	Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 529 residential units at 182, 186, 188, & 188a Rathgael Rd Bangor
5	T/2008/0079	Randox Laboratories Ltd	Construction of new facility to accommodate manufacturing laboratory, 55 Diamond Road, Crumlin
6	W/2008/0294/F	MLS Partnership	Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 92 residential units at 182, 186, 188, 188a & 188b Rathgael Rd Bangor
7	W/2008/0302/RM	MLS Partnership	Demolition of existing buildings & erection of residential development at 182 Rathgael Rd, Bangor
8	Z/2008/1058/F	Titanic Quarters Ltd & Belfast Harbour Commissioners	Erection of financial service campus, Queen's Island, Belfast
9	S/2008/0192/F	Antrim Construction Company	Housing development Brokerstown Road, Knockmore Road, Lisburn
10	S/2008/0527/F	O'Kane & Devine Ltd	Residential development (526 dwellings) lands to the north and east of Ballymacash Primary School, Lisburn
11	S/2008/0537/RM	O'Kane & Devine Ltd	Residential development (470 dwellings) plus neighbourhood facilities lands to the north and east of Ballymacash Primary School, Lisburn
12	S/2008/0400/F	The Carvill Group	Variation of condition 6 of S/2003/0466/O to uplift residential numbers, land north of 27A, 64, 66 & 66A Ballinderry Road, west of Wallace Court Lisburn
13	S/2008/0485/F	O'Kane & Devine Ltd	Residential development ( dwellings) lands to the north and east of Ballymacash Primary School, Lisburn
14	S/2008/0526/F	O'Kane & Devine Ltd	Vary planning condition (S/2003/1780/O) re density Lands to the north and east of Ballymacash Primary School, Lisburn.
15	Z/2008/1548/RM	Titanic Quarters Ltd & Belfast Harbour Commissioners	Mixed use development, Abercorn basin Queen's Island, Belfast
16	Z/2008/1831/F	The Odyssey Trust Co Ltd	Extension to existing building to incorporate a Titanic signature project / Titanic experience / luxury hotel at Odyssey Complex, Queen's Quay, Belfast
17	Z/2008/1963/F	Culzean Properties	Hotel adjacent to Belfast City Airport
18	Z/2008/2150/F	Sainsburys	Petrol Filling Station, Kennedy Centre, Falls Road, Belfast
19	S/2008/1171/O	Bow Street Mall Ltd	Provision and construction of new access road off Thiepval Road rear of Bow Street Mall, Lisburn
20	S/2008/1172/O	Bow Street Mall Ltd	Redevelopment of lands comprising demolition of existing buildings and extend existing Bow Street Mall to form new retail development
21	Z/2008/2287/F	The Carvill Group	Proposed 3 storey marketing suite former Sirocco Works, Belfast
22	L/2008/0741/F	Western Health & Social Care Trust	Alternative "Blue Light" route to servce new acute hospital Enniskillen
23	N/2008/0835/RM	J H Turkington & Sons	Superstore Marlborough Retail Park, Highfield Groce, Craigavon
24	K/2008/1167/F	Western Health & Social Care Trust	Road Widening of Donaghanine Road & landscaping associated with proposed Omagh local hospital
25	Z/2009/0079/RM	Titanic Quarters Ltd & Belfast Harbour Commissioners	Restoration of Hamilton Graving Dock, Queen's Island, Belfast
26	Z/2009/0092/F	Bombardier Aerospace	New factory, Airport Road West, Belfast
27	Z/2009/0097/F	Titanic Quarters Ltd & Belfast Harbour Commissioners	Restoration and part change of use of listed, former Harland & Wolff drawing offices to function rooms
28	Z/2009/0101/LB	Titanic Quarters Ltd & Belfast Harbour Commissioners	Restoration and part change of use of listed, former Harland & Wolff drawing offices to function rooms
29	Z/2009/0115/F	Titanic Quarters Ltd & Belfast Harbour Commissioners	Proposed mixed use development Abercorn Crescent / Queen's Road, Queen's Island, Belfast
30	K/2009/0007/F	Western Health & Social Care Trust	New single carriageway, 2 lane link road with new bridge over Camowen River to also serve new access for proposed Omagh local hospital
31	S/2008/0482/RM	O'Kane & Devine Ltd	Residential development (138 dwellings) lands to the north and east of Ballymacash Primary School, Lisburn

Annex C

Pre-application discussions

Ref number	Proposal	Date Requested
A/2008/0267/Q	Fort George re-development, Londonderry	01/04/2008
H/2008/0118/Q	Restoration and retention of listed building & mixed use regeneration, Upperlands	18/02/2008
L/2008/0936/Q	Catalina Bay, Destination Resort, Gublusk bay, Enniskillen	18/06/2008
P/2008/0789/Q	Proposed industrial development at Carbane Industrial Estate Newry	11/06/2008
P/2008/0836/Q	New Bridge at Narrow Water, Warrenpoint	16/04/2008
S/2008/0259/Q	Mixed use Retail Park, Laganbank, Lisburn	03/03/2008
U/2008/0137/Q	Residential development at northern section of Ballyclare Relief Road	04/03/2008
Z/2008/0932/Q	Proposed Crematorium, Milltown, Belfast	04/06/2008
Z/2008/1388/Q	Mixed use development at Odyssey, Queen’s Quay, Belfast	04/06/2008
Z/2008/1583/Q	Mixed use development at St George’s Gate, Cromac Street, Belfast	21/07/2008
Z/2008/1857/Q	Re-development of Andrews Mill, Percy Street, Belfast	02/09/2008
Z/2008/1697/Q	Proposed stadium development at "The Valley" Newtownabbey	31/07/2008
Z/2008/2019/Q	Proposed major mixed development at Glenmona, Belfast	18/09/2008
Z/2008/2155/Q	96 apartments/car parking café/restaurant, Pilot Street, adjacent to Clarendon Dock, Belfast	17/10/2008
S/2008/1083/Q	Erection of elite facility for basketball and/or volleyball at lands at Laurel Hill Community College, Lisburn	22/10/2008
X/2008/0970/Q	Major retail led regeneration proposal at Newtownards Town Centre – lands bounded by High Street, Cross Street and Court Street	27/10/2008
R/2008/0594/Q	Multipurpose leisure development, Newcastle	23/09/2008
W/2008/0812/Q	Proposed new elite training facility at Ballyholme Yacht Club, Seacliff Road, Bangor	22/10/2008
U/2008/0671/Q	Proposed redevelopment of Northcott Shopping Centre, Glengormley	20/11/2008
Y/2008/0533/Q	Residential development, Millmount, Dundonald	04/12/2008
Q/2008/0665/Q	Retail development, Bridgewater Park, Banbridge	04/12/2008
X/2008/1112/Q	Retail development incorporating superstore, retail units, petrol filling station, car parking and associated works, Newtownards	08/12/2008
U/2008/0693/Q	Proposed relief road, Ballyclare connecting Ballyrobert Rd – Templepatrick Road through to Doagh Road – Rashee Road, Ballyclare	10/12/2008
I/2009/0003/Q	Proposed training college at land south of Desertcreat Road, east of A29 Dungannon Road, Cookstown	19/12/2008
W/2009/0014/Q	Site for mixed use development at Queen’s Parade, Bangor	08/01/2009
Z/2009/0014/Q	Proposed Sydenham Interchange	22/12/2008
S/2009/0048/Q	Proposed Crematorium, Lisburn Road, Moira	15/01/2009
Z/2009/0075/Q	Enabling development at Ormiston House, Belfast	19/01/2009
R/2009/0069/Q	Proposed Velodrome, Inch Abbey Road, Downpatrick	28/01/2009
F/2009/0021/Q	Tesco Store, Inver Road, Larne	05/02/2009
K/2009/0151/Q	Design Exemplar at Omagh Hospital	20/02/2009
T/2009/0104/Q	The construction of a new facility to accommodate manufacturing laboratory, Largy Road, Crumlin	03/03/2009
Z/2009/0401/Q	Titanic Quarter Phase II – Black 12	19/03/2009

Wind Turbines

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment the Department's minimum required separation distance between a wind turbine and a domestic property.

(AQW 6769/09)

Minister of the Environment: Planning applications for wind turbines are assessed in the context of Planning Policy PSU 12 ‘Renewable Energy’, contained in ‘A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland’. There is no specific policy or guidance relating to the proximity of nearby dwellings. However, careful consideration is given to the possible loss of amenity to a property from noise, shadow flicker, ice throw, reflected light, and possible interference with communications.

All proposals for wind turbines or wind farms or groups of wind turbines (including any associated ancillary development) will be assessed in respect of their implications for the visual, ecological and historic landscapes; the implications for agriculture and the safety and amenity of local residents.

Wind Turbines

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment which applications for wind turbines are (i) assessed by a local office; and (ii) assessed by headquarters.

(AQW 6770/09)

Minister of the Environment: Planning permission is required for all wind turbines. Applications for wind farms / turbines producing energy specifically for the national Grid are currently dealt with in Planning Service HQ. Applications for turbines that produce energy for specific end users (e.g. hospital; school; farm etc.) are processed in the appropriate Divisional Planning Office.

Wind Turbines

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment when an Environmental Impact Assessment statement is required for a wind turbine.

(AQW 6771/09)

Minister of the Environment: Wind turbines fall within descriptions of development listed under Schedule 2, category 3(j) to the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999. The Department of the Environment is required to screen applications for the need for EIA where the development involves the installation of more than 2 turbines or the hub height of any turbine or height of any other structure exceeds 15 metres.

Schedule 2 projects located in defined "sensitive areas" will all require an EIA if they are likely to have significant effects on the environment. A "sensitive area" is defined as:

• a designated Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI);

• a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB);

• a designated National Park;

• a World Heritage Site;

• a scheduled Monument; or

• European Sites as defined in Regulation 9 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc,) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 such as a Special Protection Area (SPA) or a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Mr R Newton asked the Minister of the Environment in relation to Planning Application Z/2008/0014/F, (i) why it has taken the Northern Ireland Environment Agency over six months to respond to Planning Service, considering the deadline was 23 October, 2008; and (ii) when Planning Service can expect a response.

(AQW 6793/09)

Minister of the Environment: On behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) I would like to apologise for the length of time it took to process this application. The Land and Resource Management (LRM) Unit within the Northern Ireland Environment Agency received a very high number of applications in the months of September, October and November 2008 for the redevelopment of brownfield sites. Due to this workload, combined with an existing backlog arising from the severe resource constraints which existed at that time, LRM was unable to process the application within the target timescale.

The Unit has now engaged specialist consultants to help clear the backlog and as a result, a response on this application was issued to Planning Service on 30 March 2009.

Planning Service

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to his answer to AQW 4385/09, will he advise whether, when NIE is consulted on a planning application and advises that the development would contravene electrical safety regulations, the Planning Service would either refuse the planning application or otherwise inform the planning applicant and will he advise what other actions the Planning Service should take in those circumstances.

(AQW 6825/09)

Minister of the Environment: My Department ensures that Northern Ireland Electricity plc (NIE) is consulted on all individual planning applications on land crossed by existing overhead power lines where it is appropriate to do so. NIE will provide advice on operational safe clearance for development proposals. If, through the consultation process, NIE raise concerns regarding electrical safety regulations my Department will contact the applicant. It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate how the development can be made safe through revised design measures. Following receipt of this information, my Department will confirm with NIE that they are satisfied with the amended drawings. If additional information is not submitted by the applicant my Department may consider refusing planning permission.

Divisional Planning Offices

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to his answer to AQW 4385/09, will he advise whether the proximity of overhead cables is included within the parameters of 'interests of acknowledged importance'.

(AQW 6827/09)

Minister of the Environment: The proximity of overhead cables to development proposals submitted to my Department is included within the parameters of ‘interests of acknowledged importance’ (PPS1: General Principles, Paragraph 59). This is clearly a health and safety matter, and my Department ensures that Northern Ireland Electricity plc (NIE) is consulted on all individual planning applications on land crossed by existing overhead cables, where it is appropriate to do so. NIE will provide advice on operational safe clearances for development proposals, and full consideration of their response forms part of the decision making process.

Recycling Material

Mr J Shannon asked he Minister of the Environment what steps he is taking to address the poor prices for recycling material since prices have recently dropped dramatically.

(AQW 6860/09)

Minister of the Environment: In Northern Ireland, a slowdown and difficulties in obtaining revenue for recyclates have been reported. However, goods are currently still moving albeit at a reduced rate for some materials and the things which householders here are being asked to identify, separate and place in the recycling bins and boxes are still being sent for recycling.

However, my officials have advised me that they believe the current lower prices internationally for some recyclable materials will be temporary and that the long-term outlook for the market remains strong, in part because of the growing demand for raw materials from developing countries.

The 3 Northern Ireland Waste Management groups are in regular contact with their contractors in respect of the prevailing situation and are keeping it under constant review. The Groups currently have no plans to stockpile material or send it to other alternative disposal routes such as landfill.

In my press statement of 12 January 2009 I encouraged everyone to play their part by placing only the appropriate materials in their recycling bins and boxes. This will ensure that the quality is as high as possible throughout the entire supply chain and is one of the key ways to ensure that sustainable markets for the materials can be found.

I acknowledge the challenges the current market situation has been causing councils and waste management companies but would stress that the Department will continue to work with all stakeholders to help them through what has been a difficult situation and to minimise the impacts on the environment both now and in the longer term.

Hydro-Electric Turbines

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of licence applications received by his Department to operate a hydro-electric turbine since the Statutory Rule of Northern Ireland No. 482 Water Abstraction and Impoundment (Licensing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 came into operation on 1st February 2007.

(AQW 6940/09)

Minister of the Environment: Since the introduction of the Statutory Rule of Northern Ireland No. 482 Water Abstraction and Impoundment (Licensing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 on 1 February 2007, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency has received 53 Abstraction & Impoundment licence applications, made in relation to the operation of hydro-electric turbines.

Hydro-Electric Turbines

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of the Environment (i) how many licences have been issued for operating hydro-electric turbines (ii) to whom were they issued (iii) the date of issue and (iv) the location of each application, since the Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland No. 482 Water Abstraction and Impoundment (Licensing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 came into operation on 1st February 2007.

(AQW 6941/09)

The Department has issued 19 authorisations under the transitional provisions of the Abstraction and Impoundment Regulations and 9 licences for operating hydro-electric turbines - 4 for existing hydro-electric turbines and 5 for new hydro-electric turbines.

(ii)-(iv) The names of applicants, dates of issue and locations of licences and authorisations are detailed in the table attached below.

Name of Applicant	Location of application	Date of Issue	License/ Authorisation
Davidson	Lawrencetown (Hazelbank) Mill	21 May 2007	Authorisation
Maguire	Inver River	21 May 2007	Authorisation
Maguire	Redhall	21 May 2007	Authorisation
Turner	19 Hall Road, Donacloney	27 June 2007	Authorisation
Frazer	Hillmount House,Cullybackey	12 October 2007	Authorisation
Frazer	Hillmount,Cullybackey	12 October 2007	Authorisation
Frazer	Hillmount,Cullybackey	12 October 2007	Authorisation
Mills	Carrickaness, Benburb	27 December 2007	Authorisation
Boyce	BallyFarlea	20 December 2007	Authorisation
Glasgow	Upperlands	25 January 2008	Authorisation
Bruce	Donaghrisk	13 February 2008	Authorisation
Robinson	Ballyrickard Beg	10 March 2008	Authorisation
Moyola	Moyola Park	20 March 2008	Authorisation
Black	Keely	20 March 2008	Authorisation
McCambridge	Ballynaglogh	20 June 2008	Authorisation
O’Neill	Ballygobby	12 August 2008	Authorisation
Morrison-Lyons	Aghadowey	28 August 2008	Authorisation
Mills	Salmon Leap - Blackwater	4 February 2009	Authorisation
Mills	Carrickaness, Benburb	5 February 2009	Authorisation
Macnaghten	Ballyness	9 July 2007	Licence
Murphy	Glehygolgan	23 August 2007	Licence
McGuigan	Omagh College, Camowen	23 August 2007	Licence
Connolly	Glen River	4 December 2007	Licence
Cunningham	Ballyrobin	12 June 2008	Licence
O’Neill	Shanes Castle Hydro - River Maine	3 September 2008	Licence
McBurney	Tircreven	30 June 2008	Licence
McBurney	Mettican River	3 September 2008	Licence
Johnston	Letteran	5 February 2009	Licence

Hydro-Electric Turbines

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of the Environment what is the maximum penalty that can be imposed on an operator of a hydro-electric turbine found not complying with the Statutory Rule of Northern Ireland No. 482 Water Abstraction and Impoundment (Licensing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006.

(AQW 6942/09)

Minister of the Environment: Article 25 of the Statutory Rule of Northern Ireland No. 482 Water Abstraction and Impoundment (Licensing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 states that:

A person guilty of an offence shall be liable:-

(a) on summary conviction:

to a fine not exceeding £20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both; and
in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding £200 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.

(b) on conviction on indictment:

to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both; and
in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.

Hydro-Electric Turbines

Lord Morrow asked he Minister of the Environment how much time an unlicensed operator has to submit an application for a licence to operate a hydro-electric turbine since the making of Statutory Rule of Northern Ireland No. 482 Water Abstraction and Impoundment (Licensing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 came into operation on 1st February 2007.

(AQW 6943/09)

Minister of the Environment: The Water Abstraction and Impoundment (Licensing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 do not prescribe a time limit for submission of an application for a licence. However, the Regulations do state that it is an offence to operate without a licence.

Cavanacaw Goldmine

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of the Environment if he will agree to reject any planning applications for the removal of material from Cavanacaw goldmine until the project is nearing completion and all possibilities for the storage of waste material on site have been investigated.

(AQW 6946/09)

Minister of the Environment: My Department is obliged by statute to process all valid planning applications submitted to it. It is also required to process such applications without a pre-determined outcome in view and to treat every application on its individual merits.

I can, however, assure you that in dealing with the current application for the removal of material from the Cavanacaw Gold Mine, the Department will have regard to the development plan, in so far as it is material to the application, and to any other material considerations including the amount of material available for restoration and on site storage. For this purpose the Department has sought the services of colleagues in the Department of Finance & Personnel’s Central Procurement Directorate to survey the site and material stored on site before making a decision on the planning application.

This information and any information provided by the applicant will be made publicly available under the Department’s normal open file procedures.

Decline in Number of Cuckoos

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what assessment his Department has made whether there has been a significant drop in the number of cuckoos this spring; and what steps he can take to address this matter.

(AQW 6972/09)

Minister of the Environment: The Cuckoo is a migratory bird and typically arrives in Northern Ireland during the second week of April. There is therefore no information available on population figures for 2009.

Historic information on breeding Cuckoo, supported by more recent observations, indicate that the Cuckoo is declining in Northern Ireland and has disappeared from many former haunts.

The main causes of this decline are thought to be due to land use changes leading to loss of preferred habitats. Changes in its wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa are also likely to be a factor.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is supporting work to monitor bird populations in Northern Ireland, including the Cuckoo, through the British Trust for Ornithology’s Atlas programme (due for completion in 2011) and the Ulster Museum’s Cuckoo recording scheme (operated each year since 2007).

Agri-environment schemes operated by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development include measures for the protection and management of important habitats for the Cuckoo such as wetlands, heathland and species-rich grassland.

Several Northern Ireland Habitat Action Plans provide actions relevant to the conservation of Cuckoo habitat.

Road Safety

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment what plans he has to increase road safety awareness to both pedestrians and drivers across Northen Ireland and in particular the Coleraine area, following the recent deaths from road accidents.

(AQW 6975/09)

Minister of the Environment: One of my Department’s key responsibilities is to work towards further reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads each year.

Some of the ways in which we work towards this are to make all road users, drivers and pedestrians alike, aware of their vulnerability on our roads, their responsibilities towards themselves and other road users and to influence their attitudes and behaviours when using, or thinking of using, the roads.

The road safety advertising and publicity strategy will continue to deliver a broad mix of messages to all road users, with both existing and new campaigns throughout 2009. Along with traditional methods such as television, radio, cinema and posters, we will also explore increasing our use of newer technologies such as online games environments and social networking systems.

An essential element in educating the public and influencing its attitudes and behaviours towards road safety is instilling good road user attitudes and behaviours in children. What is learnt and put into practice in childhood forms the basis of adult behaviour and delivery of a road safety education programme for children is key to achieving this.

My Department’s Road Safety Education Officers will therefore continue to promote and deliver road safety education in all nursery, primary and post-primary schools throughout Northern Ireland in line with the Department for Transport’s ‘best practice’ guidelines.

My Department attempts to identify the most cost effective ways of promoting road safety and improving road user attitudes and behaviours to everyone in Northern Ireland. Limited resources mean that we have to make difficult decisions and decide what advertising will have the greatest impact and reach the largest audiences. As road safety is a common issue right across Northern Ireland, the campaigns are generic and delivered NI wide rather than to specific areas.

Wind Turbines

Lord Morrow asked he Minister of the Environment how many planning applications for wind turbines (i) have been received; (ii) have been approved; and (iii) have been refused, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6986/09)

Minister of the Environment: Over the last three years my Department has received 419 planning applications for wind turbines. 379 were granted planning permission and 23 were refused planning permission. The breakdown of planning applications in each of the last three years is as follows:

Year

Applications
received

Applications
approved

Applications
refused

2006/2007

113

2007/2008

117

147

2008/2009

1 April – 31 Dec

189

165

It should be noted that applications received in the year may not have had a decision issued within the same time period and applications decided in the year may not have been received in the same period.

Working Group on PPS21

Mr P McGlone asked he Minister of the Environment how often his officials met with the independent working group on PPS21.

(AQW 7013/09)

Minister of the Environment: Departmental officials have met the Independent Working Group once.

ASSI Property

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of the Environment what action can the Department take to assist landowners if an Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) property has a negative impact on non-ASSI property.

(AQW 7015/09)

Minister of the Environment: Article 34 of the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (the Order) empowers the Department to enter into a management agreement with the owner or occupier of lands included in an ASSI to ensure that they are managed in a manner that will secure or enhance its special scientific interests. Financial assistance is provided by the Department in respect of these agreements.

Article 43 of the Order enables the Department to enter into agreements on lands adjacent to an ASSI in order to conserve or enhance the features by reason of which the ASSI has been declared.

Department of Finance and Personnel

Investment for Infrastructure

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what projects will benefit from the £1.46bn investment for infrastructure, to which he referred on 4 February 2009.

(AQW 4873/09)

Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr N Dodds): In the Department of Finance and Personnel News Release of 4 February 2009, which highlighted the importance of the Investment Strategy to the local construction industry, I advised that during this financial year alone, it is expected that Government will spend in excess of £1.4 billion on infrastructure works. This represents a significant increase from 2003 when Government spending was only £676 million.

The £1.4 billion figure is based on the latest Forecast Outturn returns from Northern Ireland Departments regarding the expected level of net capital investment for the 2008-09 financial year.

Whilst expenditure on large construction projects typically spans a number of financial years, Departments have indicated that some of the main projects that will benefit from this year’s spend include:-

DEPARTMENTS / PROJECTS
DRD - main projects include:-
DBFO 1 Westlink / M2.
DBFO 2 A1 Beechill-Cloghogue, Newry & A4 Dungannon-B’gawley.
Rail–Infrastructure incl Ballymena-L’derry Track Life Extension.
NI Water - Belfast Sewers Project plus 22 waste water treatment plants in other areas.

DSD - main projects include:
Urban Regeneration Public Realm Programme incl Belfast Streets Ahead, NW-Londonderry and Regional Towns.
Social Housing Development Programme.

DHSSPS - main projects include:
Royal Group of Hospitals – Critical Care, Belfast.
Royal Group of Hospitals – Pharmaceutical Services, Belfast.
Altnagelvin Re-development, Londonderry.
Ulster Hospital Redevelopment, Belfast.
Downe Hospital, Downpatrick.
SW Acute Hospital, Enniskillen.
Omagh Local Hospital, Omagh.
Health & Well Being Centres

DE - main projects include:
Abbey Grammar School, Newry.
Pond Park Primary School, Lisburn.
Banbridge Academy, Banbridge.
Bangor/Nendrum – Bangor Academy.
Holy Cross College, Strabane.
DEPARTMENTS / PROJECTS
DE Cont’d
Drumragh Integrated College, Omagh.
DEL - main projects include:
South Eastern Regional College – Bangor & Newtownards
South West College, Enniskillen

DFP - main projects include:
NICS Residual Office Estate Capital Building Projects

DARD - main projects include:
Farm Nutrient Management Scheme, Various locations.
Environment and Renewable Energy Centre, Hillsborough.

DCAL - main projects include:
Ulster Museum Refurbishment, Stranmillis, Belfast
PRONI New Headquarters, Titanic Quarter, Belfast.
Waterways Ireland Headquarters, Enniskillen

DETI - main projects include:
Derry Playhouse
Titanic Signature Project incl Thompson Dock and Pump House Restoration

Central Car Pool

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to list the (i) name; (ii) model; and (iii) engine size of the official cars, excluding Ministerial vehicles; broken down by (a) the Department to which they belong; (b) the purchasing cost; (c) the number and cost of chauffeurs; (d) the cost of petrol; and (e) the cost of maintenance, in each of the last two years.

(AQW 5549/09)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: There are five non-ministerial cars in the DFP’s Central Car Pool. These are detailed below:

2 x Toyota Prius T Spirit 1500 cc (Petrol)

2 x Skoda Superb Elegance TDI 2000 cc (Diesel)

1 Volkswagen Caravelle Executive TDi 2461cc (Diesel)

All the above cars are owned by the Department of Finance and Personnel.

The 2 Toyota Prius T Spirit 1500 CC each cost £15,462.24. The 2 Skoda Superb Elegance TDI 2000 CC each cost £14,249.29. The Volkswagen Caravelle 2461 Executive cost £26,455.28. These costs exclude VAT.

There are four drivers in the Central Car Pool and it is estimated that this costs the Department a total of £119,000 per year.

The gross amount of fuel (petrol and diesel) used was £11,095.73 from 1^st April 2007 until 31^st March 2008 & £12,236.43 from 1^st April 2008 to date.

The costs for maintenance of the cars over the last two years are set out in the table below:

Car	Maintenance Cost
	07/08	08/09
Toyota Prius 1	£673	£500.40
Toyota Prius 2	£500	£418
Skoda Superb 1	£235.42	£235.42
Skoda Superb 2	£271.17	£235.42
Volkswagen Caravelle	zero	£40.78

Civil Service Computer Systems

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the total number of recorded security breaches on computer systems in the Civil Service; (ii) the systems which were breached; (iii) the nature of each breach; (iv) the severity of the breach; (v) whether the security breaches were from an internal or external source; (vi) if the perpetrators of the breaches were identified; and (vii) the sanctions that were imposed on those perpetrators, for each of the last five years.

(AQW 5851/09)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: A very limited number of non-significant security incidents involving computer systems in the NICS in the last 5 years have originated from external sources. No perpetrators have been identified and as such no sanctions could be imposed.

The recourse has been to review our efforts to protect our online sites.

Civil Service

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of vacancies in the Northern Ireland Civil Service in the Londonderry/Derry City Council area at (a) Administrative Officer grade; (b) Executive Officer II grade; (c) Executive Officer I grade; and (d) Staff Officer grade, broken down by Government Department.

(AQW 6404/09)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The number of vacancies in permanent posts, located in the Council area, in each Northern Ireland Civil Service Departments at the grades of (a) Administrative Officer; (b) Executive Officer 2; (c) Executive Officer 1; and (d) Staff Officer is set out in the attached table.

Department	Number of vacancies
Department	(a) AO	(b) EO 2	(c) EO 1	(d) SO
Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)	2	2	0	0
Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL)	0	0	0	0
Education (DE)	0	0	0	0
Employment and Learning (DEL)	4	1.23	0	0
Enterprise, Training and Investment (DETI)	0	0	0	0
Finance and Personnel (DFP)¹	0.57	0	1	0
Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS)	0	1	0	0
Environment (DOE)	0	1	0	0
Regional Development (DRD)	0	0	0	0
Social Development (DSD)	9.69	5.48	4	0.20
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM)	0	0	0	0
Total	16.26	10.71	5	0.20

¹DFP: Latest figures available at 12 March 2009.

Birth Figures

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many children have been born to people originally from outside of Northern Ireland, in each of the Health and Social Care Trust areas, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6519/09)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The table below give the number of births registered in each Health and Social Care Trust area, broken down by mother’s country of birth, for the registration years 2004 to 2008.

Births by Mother’s Country of Birth Grouping and Health and Social Care Trust by Registration Year 2004 to 2008^P

Registration Year	Mother's Country of Birth	Belfast	Northern	South Eastern	Southern	Western	Total
		Health and Social Care Trust
2004	Northern Ireland	3,433	4,995	3,484	4,036	3,108	19,056
	Rest of UK	197	382	314	237	278	1,408
	Irish Republic	77	91	65	213	243	689
	All Other Countries¹	429	229	206	196	105	1,165
	Total	4,136	5,697	4,069	4,682	3,734	22,318
2005	Northern Ireland	3,401	4,934	3,387	4,100	3,218	19,040
	Rest of UK	190	375	322	278	298	1,463
	Irish Republic	84	89	71	201	260	705
	All Other Countries¹	336	225	204	234	121	1,120
	Total	4,011	5,623	3,984	4,813	3,897	22,328
2006	Northern Ireland	3,468	4,991	3,571	4,197	3,384	19,611
	Rest of UK	227	384	343	253	270	1,477
	Irish Republic	87	105	71	215	258	736
	All Other Countries¹	365	301	255	373	154	1,448
	Total	4,147	5,781	4,240	5,038	4,066	23,272
2007	Northern Ireland	3,646	5,152	3,866	4,289	3,372	20,325
	Rest of UK	225	371	332	275	253	1,456
	Irish Republic	82	75	74	243	249	723
	All Other Countries¹	514	423	256	555	199	1,947
	Total	4,467	6,021	4,528	5,362	4,073	24,451
2008^P	Northern Ireland	3,861	5,352	3,941	4,395	3,546	21,095
	Rest of UK	219	375	324	263	229	1,410
	Irish Republic	103	87	85	230	274	779
	All Other Countries¹	570	527	321	705	224	2,347
	Total	4,753	6,341	4,671	5,593	4,273	25,631

¹Includes a small number of births where the mother’s country of birth was not known.

^P Provisional data

Central Procurement Directorate

Mr G Savage asked he Minister of Finance and Personnel what the yearly cost was of the Central Procurement Directorate, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6809/09)

Minister of Finance and Personnel:

The cost of the Central Procurement Directorate in each of the last five years was as follows.

Year	Salary Expenditure £000	Non – Salary Expenditure £000	Total £000	Income £000	Net Total £000	Capital Expenditure £000
2007/08	12,390	3,919	16,309	-10,580	5,729	589
2006/07	12,072	2,582	14,654	-9,466	5,188	469
2005/06	15,673	3,619	19,292	-13,852	5,440	339
2004/05	15,872	3,021	18,893	-12,534	6,359	530
2003/04	16,495	2,102	18,597	-13,734	4,863	406

Notes

1. The above figures show budget outturn for CPD for financial years 2003/04 to 2007/08. Outturn for 2008/09 is not yet available. Non - salary expenditure includes non - cash items.

2. Prior to 1 April 2006, Properties Division formed part of Central Procurement Directorate. Properties Division is now contained within the Department of Finance and Personnel Core Department.

The Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) is funded, in the main, through hard charging of client organisations. In addition, it receives an allocation of baseline funding in respect of its "common good" activities such as policy and strategy development.

CPD recently published the sixth annual report to the Procurement Board setting out progress against the targets set out in the Board’s Strategic Plan. A key target for the three years 2005 - 08, for CPD and the other Centres of Procurement Expertise, was to deliver £250m of value for money gains from procurement. £254m of gains were actually delivered providing clear evidence of reform and the added value delivered by professional procurement practices. CPD’s contribution to the total was £58.9m.

Lords Barnett Formula Select Committee

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what representations he has made to the Lords Barnett Formula Select Committee.

(AQW 6953/09)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Head of the Civil Service formally submitted evidence to the Lords Barnett Formula Select Committee. This evidence was prepared by DFP officials and formally approved by me as Minister.

Furthermore, my officials gave oral evidence to the Select Committee when it visited Belfast on the 27th March.

Transition of Projects

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel in relation to the Executive's access to capital end of year flexibility stock, how are Department funding the transition of projects between financial years.

(AQW 6984/09)

Minister of Finance and Personnel:

The funding implications of slippage in capital projects from one year to the next are a matter for the respective departments to address from within their existing budget allocations in the first instance.

However, departments are able to submit any residual funding pressures as spending bids for consideration by the Executive as part of the in-year monitoring process.

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Regional Hospital for Children and Women

Mr G Adams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what the proposed date is for the completion of the Regional Hospital for Children and Women.

(AQW 6467/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): Due to funding constraints, consideration is being given to the scheme going forward as two separate hospital projects. Current planning assumptions, which are constrained by my Department’s budgetary allocation, mean that site enabling works are due to start in 2011, with construction of the Women’s Hospital beginning in 2015/16 and completing in 2017/18. Under the current capital profiles, construction of the Children’s Hospital is not anticipated to start until 2017/18 with completion expected in 2021/22.

Regional Hospital for Children and Women

Mr G Adams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what the proposed date is for the award of the contract for the construction of the Regional Hospital for Children and Women.

(AQW 6469/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Timescales for the award of contract for this project can only be determined following approval of the business case and confirmation of availability of funding.

Under current funding constraints, construction of the Women’s hospital is not due to begin until 2015/16 with commencement of the Children’s in 2017/18.

Therapy Provision

Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consultation has taken place between his Department and Fleming Fulton School in relation to any possible changes in therapy provision in the school as a result of the implementation of the Review of Public Administration in Health and Social Care Trusts.

(AQW 6474/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: To date, there has been no formal consultation between my Department and Fleming Fulton School in relation to possible changes to therapy provision as a result of the Review of Public Administration. However, I have asked the Trust to meet with the school as soon as possible to address any concerns around this issue.

Dental Services

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what provision is being made for improved access to Health Service dental services in the (i) Dungannon; (ii) Cookstown; and (iii) Magherafelt districts.

(AQW 6483/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In response to the demand for greater access to Health Service dentistry, my Department and the HSS Boards tendered for additional dentists to provide Health Service dentistry throughout Northern Ireland. The dentists will be based in areas of need including the Mid-Ulster area.

I intend to make an announcement in respect of the above in the near future.

Hip Operations

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in relation to the delay in carrying out hip operations, (i) how many people were involved; and (ii) what the reason was for funding not being available.

(AQW 6489/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: There has not been any delay in the provision of elective orthopaedic procedures or fracture treatment for patients.

At 31 December 2008, the most recent quarter for which official waiting time data are available, there were 614 patients, recorded on the DHSSPS Inpatient Waiting Times Dataset, as waiting for a hip replacement operation. The average waiting time for a hip replacement was 55 days.

At 31 December 2008, two patients were waiting for hip arthroscopy. I am advised that hip arthroscopy is a relatively new procedure for the treatment of some hip conditions and the Health Boards have not yet agreed to commission it on a routine basis. The Health Boards have however asked clinicians to submit an evidence based business case for the development of a hip arthroscopy service and the Boards will wish to consider this in full before making decisions on the recurrent funding of a hip arthroscopy service in Northern Ireland.

In the interim, where this procedure is recommended on clinical grounds, the Health Boards will consider funding the treatment of individual patients through their standard procedures for extra-contractual referral. The alternative treatment is physiotherapy and medical therapy and this may be offered where it is considered clinically appropriate.

Dental Treatment

Mr G Robinson asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what criteria do dentists use for dropping patients from the Health Service list if they have not required dental treatment over a five year period.

(AQW 6507/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Registration with a dentist lapses automatically after a 15 month period in cases where the patient has not seen the dentist during the registration period. If a dentist wishes to terminate a patient’s registration they should provide 3 months notice. My Department is currently taking forward the measures necessary to increase the registration period to 24 months for all patients in Northern Ireland.

Dentists will advise on the most appropriate recall period, depending on the individual dental health needs of the patient.

Royal Victoria Hospital

Mr G Robinson asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans there are to provide additional seating for visitors in the corridors of the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac wards.

(AQW 6508/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The capacity within the corridors to hold further seating is restricted. The Trust however is to scope the potential for increased seating and will consult with Patient and Client Support Services and Estates Services to determine whether an increase in seating can be organised.

Funding Allocated to Hospices

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) how much funding; and (ii) and for what purposes funding, has been allocated, to each of the hospices, in the 2009/10 financial year.

(AQW 6533/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Figures relating to the funding of individual hospices in Northern Ireland for the 2009/10 financial year are not yet available. Statutory funding to support hospices in their role of providing support for patients with life limiting or terminal illness for the 2008/09 is expected to amount to £5.32m. Health and Social Services Boards, acting as health service commissioners, provide 50% funding per adult cared for in Northern Ireland. In addition to this, £500,111 was spent on community palliative care services over the same period.

Hospice	Contributory body	Total statutory funding 2008/09
Northern Ireland Hospice (Adult)	EHSSB	£1,478,364
	DHSSPS	£130,000
	NHSSB	£527,543
Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice	DHSSPS	£200,000
	Northern Trust	£40,000
	South Eastern Trust	£40,000
Marie Curie	EHSSB	£1,527,588
Marie Curie	NHSSB	£146,000
Southern Area Hospice	SHSSB	£937,000
Foyle Hospice	WHSSB	£297,650
Total		£5,324,145

Autism

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action is being taken to identify adults who suffer from autism but have yet to be diagnosed.

(AQW 6564/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The need for more detailed information of adults affected by Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is widely accepted. This information can only be gathered over time, by compiling information from a wide range of services, even then there will always be adults who will not come forward unless and until they need help.

The newly established Regional ASD Group will oversee the implementation of the ASD Strategic Action Plan, to be published in April. This multi disciplinary, multi agency group will develop and implement plans for the collection of data on all those affected by ASD including adults.

Autism

Mr P Weir asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people were diagnosed with autism as adults, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6565/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is not collected centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Autism

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much of his learning disability budget is being allocated to people with autism.

(AQW 6566/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: This information is not available centrally and could only be identified at disproportionate cost.

Autism

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why there are no family support workers for people with autism in the (i) Southern; and (ii) South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust areas.

(AQW 6567/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Southern Health and Social Care Trust currently offers a range of dedicated core services to support families who care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and agreement has been reached with Commissioners to provide additional Family Support Workers with 2009/10 funding.

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has developed a range of pre-diagnostic, diagnostic and treatment services to support people with autism which includes support for families and carers in clinic settings and the family home. The Trust also employs Autism Intervention workers whose role is to support families post diagnosis. Whilst the South Eastern Trust does not directly employ staff with the job title of "Family Support Worker", it is contracting with voluntary organisations to establish a Family Support Service across the three localities in the South Eastern Trust. This service is currently being recruited in partnership with Autism NI and the South Eastern Trust.

Autism

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action is proposed under his Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Strategic Action Plan to meet the needs of adults with autism.

(AQW 6568/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Autism Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan is currently being developed and will address the needs of people of all ages who are affected by autism. Given the importance of the issues involved together with the broad range of services which adults need, this issue will be addressed throughout the lifespan of the Action Plan at both Regional and Local Levels.

Attacks on Hospital Staff

Mr T Burns asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to his answer to AQW 4811/09, how many of these attacks were alcohol or drug related.

(AQW 6585/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Violent attacks against healthcare staff have been formally monitored by my Department since April 2004 and are recorded on a 6 monthly basis. At present, Trusts do not record whether attacks are alcohol or drug related. However, data collection is currently under review.

Disposal of Vaccines

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the quantities and types of vaccines his Department has disposed of because they were past their ‘use by’ date; and (ii) the estimated financial loss to his Department from the expiration and disposal of these vaccines, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6588/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: There is an ongoing programme of review and destruction of vaccines as use-by dates are reached. Every effort is made to limit amounts destroyed.

Year	Type of Vaccine	Number of Doses	Cost
2008	Seasonal Influenza	107,620	£372,685
2007	Seasonal Influenza	101,905	£304,512
2006	Seasonal Influenza Civil contingency vaccine	47,992 *	£144,176 £750,000 est.
2005	Central procurement of seasonal flu vaccine started in 2005. Figures before this date are not available.
2004

* For national security reasons the amounts and types of vaccine held cannot be disclosed.

Alcohol and Drug Dependent Parents

Mr T Burns asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many children are living with (i) alcohol or (ii) drug dependent parents, broken down by Council area.

(AQW 6589/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is not available.

Health Service Dentists

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many Health Service dentists have stopped providing services in each Health and Social Services Board area, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6616/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is shown in table 1 below. This dental practitioner data is only available for the last four years.

Table 1: Number of dentists¹ who have stopped providing HS dental services by HSS Board^2,3.

	March 05 – March 06	March 06 – March 07	March 07 – March 08	March 08 – March 09
EHSSB	24	29	26	22
NHSSB	14	14	13	13
SHSSB	6	9	10	8
WHSSB	8	15	9	10
Northern Ireland⁴	51	64	57	52

Source: Central Services Agency

Notes:

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

2. In order to obtain a split by Board, dentist numbers are taken from the list of dentists who have Health Service contracts with the HSS Boards.

3. The statistics represent dentists who have ceased their contract with a Health Board during the year specified. This includes dentists who have left the Health Service completely for example due to retirement, maternity, moving solely into private practice, or leaving Northern Ireland to work elsewhere. It also includes dentists who may have ceased work in one Health Board area, but continue to practice Health Service work within another Board area.

4. Dentists may work in more than one HSS Board therefore the total for all HSS Boards may not equal the Northern Ireland figure.

In order to address the problem of dentists who have stopped providing health service dentistry, my officials are currently evaluating a tender which will result in additional dentists providing full time health service dentistry in areas where difficulty is being experienced.

Health Service Dentists

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of dentists providing Health Service dental care in each Health and Social Services Board area, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6617/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is shown in table 1 below.

Table 1: Number of dentists¹ registered to provide Health Service dental services by Board².

	March 05	March 06	March 07	March 08	March 09
EHSSB	325	328	334	349	366
NHSSB	187	189	191	193	201
SHSSB	140	151	155	164	172
WHSSB	114	123	121	122	120
Northern Ireland³	725	748	764	793	829

Source: Central Services Agency

Notes:

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

2. In order to obtain a split by Board, dentist numbers are taken from the list of dentists who have Health Service contracts with the HSS Boards.

3. Dentists may work in more than one HSS Board therefore the total for all HSS Boards may not equal the Northern Ireland figure.

My officials are currently evaluating a tender which will result in additional dentists providing full time health service dentistry in areas where difficulty is being experienced.

Health Service Dentists

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what actions his Department is taking to make Health Service dental care more widely available.

(AQW 6618/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department has worked closely with the HSS Boards to recruit additional dentists to provide Health Service dental care in areas where access is limited.

To provide longer term stability, my Department is currently negotiating a new contract with the dental profession. This will allow services to be commissioned in areas where access is currently problematic, target groups and areas which have the highest need, fairly remunerate dentists for the services they provide and provide stable and sustainable dental services. This will ensure that everyone in Northern Ireland has access to high quality effective dental care.

Royal Victoria Hospital

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he has any plans to alleviate traffic congestion at peak times at the Royal Victoria Hospital by reviewing current parking arrangements.

(AQW 6648/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Belfast Trust is continually reviewing how traffic flows at the Royal Group of Hospitals site can be improved and is currently in discussions with the Car Parking provider, Car Parking Solutions, about increasing the level of car parking capacity at the hospital that would help alleviate the current traffic congestion that occurs at peak times.

Healthy Start Food Outlets

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to provide a list of retailers who are registered as a Healthy Start food outlet, in each constituency; and (ii) what incentives are offered to retailers to become a Healthy Start food outlet.

(AQW 6664/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Department is unable to provide this information in the format requested.

The Healthy Start website www.healthystart.nhs.uk includes a facility to enter individual postcodes to locate nearby participating retailers.

No incentives are offered to retailers to become a Healthy start food outlet. However there are a number of advantages in joining the scheme and these are highlighted on the Healthy Start website.

Rise in Obesity

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of achieving the PFG target to halt the rise in obesity by 2011; and to outline how he plans to achieve this.

(AQW 6666/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In respect of the target to stop the rise in obesity in children and young people by 2010, which is shared by the Department of Education and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, recently collected data indicates a slowing down in the rate of obesity in Primary One children. However at this stage we are unable to forecast confidently what the position will be in 2010. In respect of adult obesity the data collected to date does not suggest a slowing down in the rate of adult obesity.

My Department is addressing obesity across the life-course though the development of an obesity prevention strategic framework, this includes ongoing work on implementing the Fit Futures report.

Intensive Care Beds

Mr M Durkan asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the (i) number of referrals to; and (ii) overnight rates charged by; (a) Mater Private Hospital, Dublin; (b) Blackrock Hospital, Dublin; and (c) Guys Hospital, London, which were used because of a lack of available intensive care beds in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 6674/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of referrals to the Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Blackrock Hospital, Dublin and Guys Hospital, London, because of a lack of available intensive care beds in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust during 2008/09, is not available.

In 2008/09, the Belfast HSC Trust was contracted to provide 1,000 elective cases in cardiac surgery. The Trust delivered these 1,000 cases in addition to its emergency workload. Due to increased demand for surgery however, there was a need to access treatment for an additional 411 elective patients as follows:

Referral Hospital	Number referred
Mater Private Hospital, Dublin	349
Blackrock Hospital, Dublin	24
Guys Hospital, London	38

Source: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

While these patients were transferred due to capacity related issues, it is not possible to determine how many, if any, were transferred specifically due to a lack of available intensive care beds.

The overnight rate charged by each of these providers varies depending upon the reason for the patient’s stay. Provision of data reflecting the full scope of overnight rates charged by each provider for patients transferred from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust would incur a disproportionate cost.

Neurologists

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm when a second neurologist is to be appointed by the Western Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 6675/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I am advised by the Western Trust that the consultant neurologist post has been advertised twice without successful recruitment. The Trust plans to advertise again within the next 3 months, taking account of doctors completing the relevant specialist training programme.

Nurse Practitioners

Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his understanding of the Nurse Practitioners’ role in the Health Service.

(AQW 6685/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Nurse Practitioners are nurses who have undertaken additional training to allow them to practice with a higher level of autonomy within a defined role. Nurse practitioners operate within a number of fields of practice including: Accident and Emergency Units; Neo Natal Units; Community and Primary Care. They are employed to deliver services to patients and clients in both community and secondary care settings working in conjunction with multi-disciplinary teams.

Nurse Practitioners

Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the future of Nurse Practitioners.

(AQW 6686/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The future of any role within health and social care is driven by the needs of patients and clients. The role of the nurse practitioner has successfully evolved to meet the needs of patients within emergency care, neonatal care and primary care. I would anticipate that the role of Nurse Practitioner will continue to evolve and expand to meet the changing demands of our population as the review of public administration challenges providers to deliver services that are responsive to local needs.

Nurse Practitioners

Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether he supports Nurse Practitioners’ aspirations to be recognised as a separate entity on the Nurse and Midwifery Council register.

(AQW 6687/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The issue of annotations or marks on the professional register of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the responsibility of the regulatory body and as such is outside of the remit of my Department.

Nurse Practitioners

Mr K McCarthy asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether he supports Nurse Practitioners’ aspirations to be able to sign Medical Certificates and referrals.

(AQW 6688/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Extending the role of Nurse Practitioners must be set against an identified service need as well as being supported by appropriate education, training and assessment of competence; it must also meet the standards and code of practice set out by the regulator, the Nursing and Midwifery Council. I am in support of any healthcare professional developing their role in a way that supports access or provision of services to meet the changing needs of patients. Such an extension of practice will require governance processes such as clinical protocols and standards. It should be noted that there are some initiatives that may require legislative amendment to enact.

Nurse Practitioners

Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what his Department is doing to promote the work of Nurse Practitioners.

(AQW 6689/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In September 2006, Modernising Nursing Careers; Setting the Direction was launched as a UK wide initiative to modernise nursing careers. Through the office of the Chief Nursing Officer, my department has been working with colleagues locally and nationally on a range on initiatives that encompass all nursing roles within four priority areas:

Develop a competent and flexible nursing workforce
Update career pathways and career choices
Preparing to lead in a changed health and social care system
Modernise the image of nursing and nursing careers

Efficiency Savings

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when he will be assessing the Health and Social Care Trusts' proposals for efficiency savings.

(AQW 6698/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I have received proposals from four of the Health and Social Care Trusts.

I have made my decisions and announced them in relation to the proposals for residential care homes and further decisions will follow in the near future, after I have considered the Trust proposals further.

Health Budget

Mr T Burns asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to detail how much has been saved in relation to the health budget as a result of the temporary cut in VAT; and (ii) how much has been saved by his Department as a result.

(AQW 6703/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The cut in the VAT rate has had minimal impact on the health service and the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety, since VAT paid on goods and services by government departments in Northern Ireland may be refunded. This exemption also extends to health and social care bodies not classed as non-departmental public bodies.

Some savings have been made by those HSC bodies classed as non-departmental public bodies. However, the value of these savings cannot be quantified without disproportionate time and cost.

Public Health

Mr D McKay asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the impact that climate change will have on public health.

(AQW 6723/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The scientific community has expressed in no uncertain terms that climate change is the biggest environmental concern facing the world today. With rising temperatures, changing sea levels, and extreme weather patterns, it presents a major threat to public health. Globally, climate change is expected to have consequences on economic development, food production, access to water, migration patterns and has the potential to affect transmission patterns of communicable diseases. These effects will be felt more strongly in some countries than in others. The forthcoming review of the Investing for Health Strategy is likely to highlight the need to consider how to address the public health challenges of climate change in a cross-cutting way.

Reports from the Department of Health in 2002 and from the Health Protection Agency in 2007 have helped us to begin to understand the likely health effects of climate change. Locally, the report "Preparing for a changing climate in Northern Ireland" produced by the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER) in February 2007 has been a helpful addition to this analysis.

Not all the effects will be negative. Overall, the reports suggest generally that with adequate planning, the Health and Social Care system should cope well with the impacts of climate change.

Love for Life Programme

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the feedback his Department has received from schools that use the 'Love for Life' programme to complement the relationships and sexuality education in the personal development scheme.

(AQW 6735/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department has not received detailed feedback from schools that use the ‘Love for Life’ programme to complement the relationships and sexuality education in the personal development scheme.

Health and Social Services Board Jobs

Mr D Hilditch asked Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many Health and Social Services Board jobs there are in the East Antrim area.

(AQW 6748/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: This information is not available centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Polycythaemia

Mr D Hilditch asked Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why chemotherapy is no longer the recommended treatment for those patients who suffer from Polycythaemia; and why drugs are prescribed instead.

(AQW 6749/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I can confirm that chemotherapy remains a treatment option for patients suffering from polycythaemia who meet certain clinical criteria.

Patients with polycythaemia in Northern Ireland are treated as per the national guidelines from the British Society of Haematology on the diagnosis, investigation and management of polycythaemia.

It is a matter for clinicians to decide on the most appropriate form of treatment for individual patients.

Polycythaemia

Mr D Hilditch asked Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action his Department is taking to help patients with Polycythaemia.

(AQW 6751/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Patients with polycythaemia are referred to the haematology service in their Trust area. More complex cases can be referred to a specialist clinic at Belfast City Hospital.

Independent Sector Providers

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for the cost of using independent sector providers for the 2007/08 and 2008/09 period.

(AQW 6755/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the Member to the answer I gave to AQW 4342/09.

Agency Staff

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for the cost of using agency staff for the 2007/08 and 2008/09 period.

(AQW 6756/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the Member to the answer I gave to AQW 4343/09 on 6 February 2009. Information on the use of Agency staff is published on a bi-annual basis on the departmental website at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hrd/wpu/wpu-monitoring.htm

The cost of agency staff for 08/09 is not yet available however the information relating to the first half of the 08/09 year will shortly be placed on the website, following internal validation of the figures.

Consultant Posts

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many consultant posts are vacant.

(AQW 6757/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of consultant vacancies can be found in the latest Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Workforce Vacancies Report at 30^th September 2008, which is on the DHSSPS website at:

http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/vacancy_survey_september_2008_web_report.pdf

Appointments at Outpatients

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many appointments at outpatients were seen within waiting times, and how many appointments were not, in 2008/09.

(AQW 6758/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The 2008/09 Priority for Action target relating to waiting times for a first outpatient appointment states that ‘Trusts should ensure that, from April 2008, no patient waits longer than 13 weeks for a first outpatient appointment, reducing to 9 weeks by March 2009.

Information on the number of outpatients seen for the first time, and the number of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment is collected by the Department on a quarterly basis.

The number of (i) outpatients seen for the first time and (ii) the number waiting more than the maximum waiting time of 13 weeks are outlined in the table below, for the first three quarters of 2008/09.

Quarter Ending

Total Outpatients seen for the first time

Total waiting more than 13 weeks

30^th June 2008

121,470

82

30^th September 2008

117,976

317

31^st December 2008

124,284

239

Source: Departmental Returns CH3 and CH4.

Royal Victoria Hospital

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to provide the results of the hygiene audits for theatre 1 at the Royal Victoria Hospital since 1 November 2008; (ii) what impact these results have had on cleaning procedures; and (iii) what changes are planned as a result of these audits.

(AQW 6759/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: (i) The environmental cleanliness audit results for Theatre 1 at the Royal Victoria Hospital since 1 November 2008 are as follows:

8 December 2008 86%

19 January 2009 91%

16 February 2009 87%

16 March 2009 90%

(ii) These results have not impacted on cleaning procedures however the Hospital management recognise that continual improvement must be maintained.

(iii) Changes planned for the Royal Group of Hospitals cleaning service include:

the use of microfiber dusting for very high and high risk areas;
increased supervision;
investment in new cleaning equipment.

Royal Victoria Hospital

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to provide the results of the hygiene audits for ward 4F at the Royal Victoria Hospital since 1 November 2008; (ii) what impact these results have had on cleaning procedures; and (iii) what changes are planned as a result of these audits.

(AQW 6760/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: (i) The environmental cleanliness audit results for Ward 4F at the Royal Victoria Hospital since 1 November 2008 are as follows:

25 November 2008 39%

11 December 2008 74%

10 March 2009 77%

(ii) The result for November 2008 has resulted in remedial action being taken by the Trust as evidenced by the measured improvements in the December and March results.

(iii) As a result of audit scores in respect to the condition of the environment and the cost of the necessary upgrades, the Trust is considering closing the kitchen in Ward 4F. In addition, the Trust is planning for the use of microfiber dusting for very high and high risk areas, increasing supervision and investment in new cleaning equipment.

Listeria Outbreak

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how a copy can be obtained of the independent report into the listeria outbreak in the Belfast Trust in 2008.

(AQW 6761/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The report of the investigation into this outbreak is being drafted and is due to be published by the end of June. My Department will advise closer to the publication date how the report can be obtained.

St Luke's Hospital, Armagh

Mr W Irwin asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether a section of the St Luke's Hospital site in Armagh is being prepared for sale, if so, to provide the reasons for the sale.

(AQW 6776/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

I can confirm that no portion of the St Luke’s Hospital site in Armagh is currently being prepared for sale.

Prescription Charges

Mr P Ramsey asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in light of the recent announcement on prescription charges, if people who have made an annual pre-payment for their prescriptions, will be entitled to any refund.

(AQW 6781/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: There is no provision under the relevant regulations, the Charges for Drugs and Appliances Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, for entitlement to a refund as a result of the reduction in prescription charges since 1st January 2009. However, a full or partial refund of a Pre-payment Certificate can be considered if a person fits the exemption criteria covered in these regulations. Further details on refunds can be found in the booklet HC11 "Are you entitled to help with health costs?" available on the Departmental website

http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/hc11_help_with_health_costs.pdf

Dental Practices

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps can people take in North Down to find a dental practice that accepts Health Service patients.

(AQW 6798/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In the first instance members of the public seeking a dental practice should contact practices in their area to enquire whether any are taking on health service patients. In the event of difficulties, the Dental Directorate for the Health & Social Care Board will be happy to assist people to find a Health Service dentist in their area. They can be contacted on 028 9055 3780 or in writing at Health & Social Care Board Headquarters, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BS.

Family Support Workers

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many family support workers are in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area.

(AQW 6811/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has advised that as at March 2009, there are 16 (12.0 Whole-Time Equivalent) Family Support Workers employed in the South Eastern HSC Trust area. Recruitment is currently ongoing for an additional 3 (2.0 WTE) Family Support Workers within Children’s Services.

Children on the 'at risk' Register

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many children in the Lagan Valley constituency are on the 'at risk' register.

(AQW 6814/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information is not available in the form requested.

Residential Homes

Mr A Easton asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what are the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust's alternative efficiency plans after the announcement that Ravara House Residential home will not be closing.

(AQW 6823/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust will be developing alternative proposals to ensure its efficiency target can be met.

Residential Homes

Mr A Easton asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what are the Southern Health and Social Care Trust's alternative efficiency plans after the announcement that two residential homes will not be closing.

(AQW 6824/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Southern Health and Social Care Trust will be developing alternative proposals to ensure its efficiency target can be met.

Clinical Physiologists

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what discussions he has had with his counterpart, Ben Bradshaw MP, about implementing a statutory regulation for clinical physiologists.

(AQW 6837/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Statutory regulation of clinical physiologists, like most healthcare professionals, will be on a UK-wide basis.

Consequently the Department of Health (DH) in England will be taking the lead in bringing forward legislation which will lead to the statutory regulation of clinical physiologists. DH recently provided a timeline to the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP), the profession’s leadership body, for the development of this UK-wide legislation.

While I have not had discussions with my counterparts in DH on this matter I have been fully briefed by my officials on the progress towards statutory regulation for clinical physiologists and I fully support work in this area.

Clinical Physiologists

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is his position on implementing statutory regulation for clinical physiologists.

(AQW 6838/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The purpose of regulation of healthcare professionals is to secure safe, effective, respectful and high quality care for individuals who depend on health and social care staff for their health and well-being. Regulatory systems need to be proportionate to risk and need to secure the confidence of the public. Since many people have interaction with healthcare professionals when they are unwell and more vulnerable I fully support adequate regulation of those operating in healthcare.

My Department is currently heavily involved in the out workings of the White Paper, "Trust, Assurance and Safety – The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21^st Century". Officials are developing a range of measures which will lead to better regulation across a range of healthcare professions in Northern Ireland.

The need for statutory regulation of clinical physiologists was identified some time ago and I fully support the implementation of this regulation. I am aware that the Department of Health in England, who will take the lead in preparing the legislation, have recently provided a timeline for this legislation.

Mid-Ulster Hospital

Mr F Molloy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) if the Northern Health and Social Care Trust will ensure that the acute and accident and emergency provision in the Mid-Ulster Hospital remains open until a new ward is built; and (ii) if he can guarantee the safety of patients who will be using an overcrowded and diluted service.

(AQW 6842/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I am advised that, following extensive consultation final proposals for the future provision of healthcare, including hospital services, in the Northern Trust area were agreed at the Trust Board meeting on Thursday 26 March 2009. These proposals will now be referred to me for consideration.

I will give these proposals my fullest consideration before determining the most appropriate way forward.

In the meantime, I would restate my commitment that there will be no significant changes to services provided at the Mid-Ulster until appropriate and robust alternatives are in place, subject to any clinical risk and patient safety issues which may emerge.

Dental Practices

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to his answer to AQW 6228/09, to list the dental practices in North Down that have accepted Health Service patients, in the last year.

(AQW 6845/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

A list of practices in North Down who have registered new Health Service patients at any time during 2008/09 year is provided below.

A new Health Service patient is defined as a patient who is registered with a Health Service dentist employed in a given surgery at March 2009, but the patient was not registered there at April 2008. It should be noted that Health Service registered patients may be registered for emergency treatments only.

Address1	Address2	Postcode
32 ABBEY STREET	BANGOR	BT20 4JA
29A HAMILTON ROAD	BANGOR	BT20 4LF
109G CLANDEBOYE ROAD	BANGOR	BT20 3JW
38 BRUNSWICK ROAD	BANGOR	BT20 3DU
4 HAMILTON ROAD	BANGOR	BT20 4LE
25 HAMILTON ROAD	BANGOR	BT20 4LF
107 HAMILTON ROAD	BANGOR	BT20 4LN
16 HAMILTON ROAD	BANGOR	BT20 4LE
4 BINGHAM STREET	BANGOR	BT20 5DW
38 HAMILTON ROAD	BANGOR	BT20 4LE
SPRINGHILL SURGERY	BANGOR	BT19 1NB
97 BRUNSWICK ROAD	BANGOR	BT20 3DW
1 MOIRA DRIVE	BANGOR	BT20 4RN
BLOOMFIELD SURGERY	BANGOR	BT20 4XA
22A GROOMSPORT ROAD	BANGOR	BT20 5LN
64 DONAGHADEE RD	BANGOR	BT20 4QX
13 THE PARADE	DONAGHADEE	BT21 0AE
55/57 HIGH STREET	DONAGHADEE	BT21 0AQ
1A STATION ROAD	HELENS BAY	BT19 1TN
116 HIGH STREET	HOLYWOOD	BT18 9HW
128 HIGH STREET	HOLYWOOD	BT18 9HW
32 SHORE ROAD	HOLYWOOD	BT18 9HX

Source: Central Services Agency

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will consider the appointment of an independent special advisor to assist him with all matters pertaining to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

(AQW 6849/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: No. I do not consider it necessary to appoint a special adviser to assist me with Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service matters.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

Mr G Robinson asked he Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to his answer to AQW 6452/09, how impartial the advice of the Chief Fire Officer and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Board can be, since they take the decisions to which Assembly questions refers.

(AQW 6850/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I rely on the advice provided by the Chief Fire Officer and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Services Board to be objective and professional on all operational matters.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to his answer to AQW 6452/09, if he will review all decisions he has made about the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, taking independent input to ensure impartiality in decision making.

(AQW 6857/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I have no plans to review decisions in relation to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

Cherry Lodge, Randalstown

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to provide an update on the review of services at Cherry Lodge, Randalstown; and (ii) to confirm if this facility will now remain open despite being initially proposed for closure.

(AQW 6871/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Consultation on the proposals in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust closed on the 6^th March 2009 and I have recently received information from the Trust on the outcome of this consultation process. I am currently reviewing this in light of responses to the consultation and will announce my decision soon.

Health Service Staff

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how many Health Service staff were disciplined for failing to follow hygiene procedures, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6872/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is not readily available for years prior to April 2007. However, information held by HSC Trusts since they established in April 2007 indicates that one individual has been disciplined for failing to follow hygiene procedures.

Dental Treatment

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) where people in Limavady can get Health Service dental treatment; and (ii) what steps he intends to take to ensure that Health Service dental treatment is available in all areas.

(AQW 6915/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I recognise that in some areas, including Limavady, it has become difficult to access Health Service dentistry. For this reason, my Department has worked closely with the HSS Boards to recruit additional dentists to provide Health Service dental care in areas where access is limited.

Obstetric Services

Mrs C Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the Lagan Valley Community Midwifery unit that will only caters for low risk births, will put further pressure on obstetric services at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Craigavon Area and Ulster Hospitals.

(AQW 6919/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Maternity services in Northern Ireland are of a high standard, professionally delivered and safe, and I am confident that the transfer of inpatient obstetrics from Lagan Valley Hospital will not affect this standard.

I have asked the Trust to work closely with other Trusts and the new Health and Social Care Board to bring forward detailed proposals for the introduction of this new service and produce an implementation plan so that the change in services can be introduced quickly.

I have also recently announced significant investments to improve capacity for maternity services at Craigavon Area Hospital and Daisy Hill Hospital, and this year an additional 12 midwives are being trained specifically for the Southern Trust area.

In addition I am investing £4.2 million at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital. This resource will be used to maintain services and address issues of infection control and patient safety. It will also provide additional capacity of up to 1200 births from across the Greater Belfast area including the Lisburn area.

We will as always keep the situation in relation to capacity under review.

Obstetric Services

Mrs C Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he has any plans to improve or enhance obstetric services at the Royal Victoria Hospital since Lagan Valley Hospital is only dealing with low risk births.

(AQW 6920/09)

We will as always keep the situation in relation to capacity under review.

Proposed Changes to Health Sector

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what the projected savings are for his Department from the proposed changes to the Health Sector under the Review of Public Administration.

(AQW 6950/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department will deliver savings of £53m per annum by 2010-11 through restructuring and modernisation under the review of Public Administration. Over the period 2007-08 to 2010-11 total savings will be £116m.

Investment Delivery Plans

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) when he plans to publish his Departments remaining Investment Delivery Plans; (ii) what projects these plans relate to; and (iii) why they have been delayed.

(AQW 6958/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Investment Strategy did not deliver the level of capital investment required for Health, and as a result, I commissioned a Review of Capital Priorities which takes account of the current budgetary constraints. I am still considering how best to address the key issue of the timing of projects within these budgetary constraints.

I hope to be in a position to publish my Department’s Investment Delivery Plan before the summer recess.

Dental Practices

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many dental practices in East Antrim have accepted Health Service patients in each of the last three years; and to list these practices.

(AQW 6962/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of practices in the East Antrim Constituency area which have registered new Health Service patients in each of the last three years is shown in table 1 below, and a list of these practices is shown in table 2.

A new Health Service patient is defined as a patient who is registered with a Health Service dentist employed in a given surgery at March of a given year, but the patient was not registered there at April of the previous year.

Table 1: Number of dental practices in East Antrim Constituency that have registered Health Service patients in each of the last three years.

	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
Number of East Antrim practices that registered new Health Service patients	16	16	16

Source: Family Practitioner Services - HSC Business Services Organisation

Table 2: List of dental practices in East Antrim Constituency that have registered Health Service patients in each of the last three years.

Address1	Address2	Postcode
Address1	Address2	Postcode
1 MARINE ROAD	CARNLOUGH	BT44 0HE
19 ST BRIDES STREET	CARRICKFERGUS	BT38 8AF
2 MARKET PLACE	CARRICKFERGUS	BT38 7AW
51 VICTORIA ROAD	CARRICKFERGUS	BT38 7JJ
22 WEST STREET	CARRICKFERGUS	BT38 7AR
22 NORTH STREET	CARRICKFERGUS	BT38 7AQ
50 STATION ROAD	GREENISLAND	BT38 8TP
14 VICTORIA ROAD	LARNE	BT40 1RN
11 THORNDALE AVENUE	LARNE	BT40 1QX
9/11 GLENARM ROAD	LARNE	BT40 1BN
11 VICTORIA ROAD	LARNE	BT40 1RT
137 OLD GLENARM ROAD	LARNE	BT40 1NH
105 MONKSTOWN ROAD	NEWTOWNABBEY	BT37 0LG
604 SHORE ROAD	WHITEABBEY	BT37 0SN
14 BALMORAL AVENUE	WHITEHEAD	BT38 9QD
14 MARINE PARADE	WHITEHEAD	BT38 9QP

Source: Family Practitioner Services - HSC Business Services Organisation

Heart Surgery Procedures

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety the number of heart surgery procedures carried out in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast in the last three years.

(AQW 6964/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of heart surgery procedures carried out in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast in the last three years is shown in the following table:-

Year	Heart Surgery Procedures
2007/08	6,515
2006/07	6,126
2005/06	6,280

Source: Hospital Inpatient System

Urgent Care and Treatment Centres

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what the difference is between the level of services delivered at a Minor Injuries Unit and an Urgent Care and Treatment Centre.

(AQW 6981/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Tyrone County is the only local hospital in Northern Ireland with an Urgent Care and Treatment Centre (UCTC).

The UCTC provides treatment and care for cuts bruises, sprains or minor fractures to limbs. In addition to these services, nurse specialists at the UCTC also assess walk-in patients presenting with heart problems. Patients presenting with serious conditions and likely to require admission are normally transferred for treatment to a hospital with the appropriate range of acute services. Those patients whose condition is assessed as less serious can be appropriately managed at TCH, where they can undergo further diagnostic tests or observation.

Services at the Urgent Care and Treatment Centre are provided on a 24/7 basis.

Altnagelvin and Erne Hospital

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the length of time patients at (i) Altnagelvin; and (ii) the Erne Hospital are kept on trollies while waiting for a bed to become available.

(AQW 6982/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the member to the answers I gave to AQW 5974/09 and 5976/09 on 12 March 2009.

Altnagelvin and Erne Hospital

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many patients in (i) Altnagelvin; and (ii) the Erne Hospital have had to spend time on a trolley, in March 2009.

(AQW 6983/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the member to the answers I gave to AQW 5974/09 and 5976/09 on 12 March 2009.

Second Fire Appliance in Portstewart

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he could confirm that he ordered the second fire appliance in Portstewart to be returned to emergency call out status until he makes the final determination about its future.

(AQW 7000/09)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The decision to return the second appliance at Portstewart to emergency call out status was taken by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service following discussions with my Department.

Department for Regional Development

Public Transport

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development what progress has been made to increase availability to public transport for people with disabilities, particularly in terms of cost and affordability.

(AQW 6412/09)

Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): I am told by Translink that all Metro services in Belfast are operated by low floor buses which meet Disabled Persons' Transport Advisory Committee standards. Of the Ulsterbus fleet of 1214 vehicles, 61 percent are wheelchair accessible and 48 percent have low floors. Translink has carried out work to improve station accessibility at the majority of stations to ensure they meet with the conditions set out in the Disability Discrimination Act. The scope of this work was developed in consultation with Disability Action in order to provide best value across the network for all disabled users. The cost of this work was £17million.

In addition to these public transport services, my department also provides funding to the door-to-door transport scheme which provides low cost, local transport in 29 urban areas for people with disabilities or who cannot avail of mainstream public transport due to ill health or age, and to the Rural Transport Fund which supports rural community transport groups to provide transport in rural areas to people with reduced mobility.

People who are registered blind or are war disabled are eligible for free concessionary travel on public transport. Other disabled passengers using public transport are entitled to a half fare concession.

Northfield Road, Donaghadee

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans Road Service has to widen the Northfield Road, Donaghadee.

(AQW 6510/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that there are no plans to widen the Northfield Road, Donaghadee.

Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans his Department has to resurface the Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee.

(AQW 6511/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that there are no plans to carry out resurfacing in the Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee. However, Roads Service will continue to inspect the roads within the estate and repair any defects identified, in accordance with road maintenance guidelines.

Resurface Ashfield Estate, Donaghadee

Mr A Easton asked he Minister for Regional Development what plans his Department has to resurface the Ashfield Estate, Donaghadee.

(AQW 6512/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that there are no plans to carry out resurfacing in the Ashfield Estate, Donaghadee. However, Roads Service will continue to inspect the roads within the estate and repair any defects identified, in accordance with road maintenance guidelines.

Beechfield and Ashfield Estates, Donaghadee

Mr A Easton asked he Minister for Regional Development what plans his Department has to include another route into the Beechfield and Ashfield Estates Donaghadee.

(AQW 6513/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the draft Ards and Down Area Plan 2015 includes a section of land between the Newtownards Road and the Cannyreagh Road, Donaghadee, which is zoned for housing. One of the key design criteria for the development of this land is that any developer should construct a distributor road, linking these two roads. Although no timescale can be put on its provision, as it is dependent on housing development, this link road would represent an alternative route into the Beechfield and Ashfield Estates.

Parking Meters Scheme

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Regional Development what the cost of enforcing the parking meters scheme is in Lisburn City Centre.

(AQW 6560/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that, since the commencement of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement, in October 2006, there have been five Traffic Attendants deployed in Lisburn City, on a daily basis, to enforce waiting and parking restrictions. The annual cost of this enforcement is approximately £160,000.

I can further advise that since the introduction of the controlled parking zone in Lisburn, in July 2008, the daily deployment levels and enforcement costs have remained unchanged.

Shared Surface Planning Approval

Mr M Durkan asked e Minister for Regional Development to outline his Department's policy on objections, lodged by residents in established housing developments with a shared surface, in relation to planning approval that is sought or granted for further housing development with access through the existing shared surface.

(AQW 6569/09)

Minister for Regional Development: When considering such objections by residents in established housing developments, my Department’s Roads Service applies the guidelines of the Planning Service/Roads Service joint publication ‘Creating Places’. Each objection is considered on its merits and in line with the published standards and guidance.

The ‘Creating Places’ publication can be accessed from the Planning Service internet site at the following web address:

http://www.planningni.gov.uk/index/policy/supplementary_guidance/guides/guides_places.htm

Road Repair Budget Cutbacks

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the extent of the road repair budget cutbacks that he is planning for (i) the remainder of this financial year; and (ii) 2009/10.

(AQW 6573/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

There is no planned reduction in my Departments Roads Service budget for road maintenance in 2008/09. The Member may be interested to note that as part of the Executive’s response to the current economic difficulties, an additional £2.5 million was made available in 2008/09 for this key activity.

With regard to the 2009/10 financial year, I can further advise that there are no plans to reduce the Roads Services funding for structural maintenance, which is currently estimated at £71.8 million.

Translink

Mr G Robinson asked he Minister for Regional Development what action he has taken to ensure that applying value for money criteria does not adversely impact on the quality of services provided by Translink, especially in rural areas.

(AQW 6574/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

The rules that govern all public sector investment decisions dictate that value for money must be demonstrated. This means delivering good quality services in a cost effective manner; it does not mean delivering poor services as cheaply as possible. Value for money involves consideration of effectiveness of services which includes quality of service.

The quality of the services provided by Translink is defined under the targets set in the Regional Transportation Strategy which cover the following areas:

Average age of buses – to be no more than 8 years by 2012, with no bus older than 18 years or Goldline coach older than 12 years;
100% of buses accessible by 2012;
All local trains replaced by new trains by 2012;
Reliability and punctuality targets set in the Passenger’s Charter i.e. 99.2% of all buses and trains to run as planned (99.5% on the Dublin line), 95% of all buses to arrive no more than 7 minutes late, 95% of local trains to arrive no more than 5 minutes late and 90% of cross border trains to arrive no more than 10 minutes late.

These targets apply equally to rural and urban areas and are delivered through substantial DRD investment in buses, trains and road and rail infrastructure thus ensuring good quality Translink bus and rail services.

Gortcorbies Climbing Lane

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on finding a solution to the problem of surplus material that will be generated during the construction of the Gortcorbies climbing lane on the Coleraine to Londonderry/Derry A37 road.

(AQW 6575/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that they are continuing to seek a solution to the problem of surplus material that will be generated during the construction of the Gortcorbies Climbing Lane on the Coleraine to Derry A37 road. The climbing lane lies within the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and it has proved to be difficult to develop a cost effective solution to dispose of the substantial volume of surplus material, in a manner which would have the least environmental and ecological effect on this area.

I have been advised by Roads Service that there are now two options being examined, which may reduce the amount of surplus material arising from the construction of the scheme. An environmental assessment and design will assist with the selection of a cost effective scheme, which best fits the topography and the environment. Appropriate disposal of the surplus material, arising from construction of the scheme, will be a vital part of the environmental assessment and environmental design.

However, some, or all, of the surplus material may have to be disposed of in licensed tips, remote from the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and this would add considerably to construction costs.

Beechfield and Ashfield Estates, Donaghadee

Mr A Easton asked he Minister for Regional Development if his Department would do an evaluation of the condition of the roads in and around Beechfield and Ashfield Estates, Donaghadee.

(AQW 6594/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the roads in and around the Beechfield and Ashfield estates, Donaghadee, are routinely inspected under a cyclic regime. Actionable defects noted during these inspections are processed for repairs in accordance with Roads Service’s maintenance guidelines.

There are no plans therefore to carry out a separate evaluation at these locations.

Water Supply in Portaferry

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development what action his Department intends to take to resolve the problems with burst water main; and the resulting loss of water supply in the Portaferry area.

(AQW 6633/09)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that the incident which resulted in a disruption to the water supply for some customers in the Portaferry area is currently being reviewed together with other associated problems with the water distribution system. In view of the frequency of interruptions to the water supply in the area, NIW is investigating the possibility of implementing further infrastructure improvements to ensure continuity of the water supply.

I have asked the Acting Chief Executive of NIW, Chris Mellor, to write to you when the outcome of the investigation is known.

Water Supply in Portaferry

Mr S Hamilton asked he Minister for Regional Development how much has been spent on repairing burst water mains in the Portaferry area, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6634/09)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that it estimates that it has cost £22,000 to repair burst water mains in the Portaferry area from 2007 to date and this can be broken down as follows:-

2007

2008

2009 (To Date)

£9,000

£9,000

£4,000

Drain Cleansing Teams

Mr R Newton asked he Minister for Regional Development when drain cleansing teams last worked in the Orangefield area of East Belfast, in particular, Orangefield Park.

(AQW 6645/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the storm water carriageway gullies, in the Orangefield area and Orangefield Park, were last inspected and cleaned as follows:-

Orangefield area - between mid-December 2008 and mid-February 2009.
Orangefield Park - 10 February 2009, when all gullies were found to be operating normally.

Road Resurfacing Projects

Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the (i) footpath; and (ii) road resurfacing projects planned for the East Belfast constituency, in the next 12 months.

(AQW 6646/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that in anticipation of financial allocations being finalised, that within the East Belfast Constituency, the carriageway and footway resurfacing schemes, detailed in the table below, have been provisionally programmed for completion in the 2009/10 financial year,.

Location	Scheme Type
Knocklofty Park, Belfast	Footway resurfacing
Wanstead Avenue, Dundonald	Footway and carriageway resurfacing
Craigleith Drive, Dundonald	Footway resurfacing
Castlehill Road, Belfast (part of carriageway)	Carriageway resurfacing
Ballyhanwood Road, Dundonald	Carriageway resurfacing

Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans his Department has to use energy saving light bulbs for street lighting.

(AQW 6650/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it seeks to use the most suitable street lighting equipment for energy efficiency and performance. Conventional energy saving light bulbs, such as compact fluorescents, are generally not the most energy efficient choice for street lighting. Other efficient lamps, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), are likely to become viable light sources for street lighting in the near future. Should suitable LEDs become available, Roads Service will assess their efficiency and performance, with the view to possible implementation.

Water Mains Bursts in Portaferry

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development how many water mains bursts there have been in the Portaferry area, in the last 3 years.

(AQW 6673/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that the number of incidents of burst water mains in the Portaferry area from 2007 to date is as follows:-

2007

2008

2009 (To Date)

18

18

8

Budget for Roads in North Down

Mr A Easton asked he Minister for Regional Development when he plans to reveal his Department's budget for roads in the North Down area, in the next financial year.

(AQW 6697/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Road Service budget is usually allocated to its Divisions and Section Offices by May of each year. Roads Service will consult with District Councils early in the 2009/10 financial year prior to setting out details of planned works in the Spring Reports to each Council. Council reports can be viewed at www.roadsni.gov.uk/index/publications/publications-council_reports.htm.

Homes on the Ballybryan Road, Greyabbey

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 6199/09, if he could explain how homes on the Ballybryan Road, Greyabbey have had a minimum standard, when water has not been available on 50% of the days since Christmas 2008.

(AQW 6716/09)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that the height of the properties above the stop tap at the boundary may be affecting the water supply at Ballybryan Road, Greyabbey and the issue is currently being reviewed together with other associated problems with the water distribution system in the area.

In view of the frequency of interruptions to the water supply, NIW is investigating the possibility of implementing infrastructure improvements to improve continuity of the water supply in the area.

I have asked the Acting Chief Executive of NIW, Chris Mellor, to write to you when the outcome of the investigation is known.

Northern Ireland Water

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development what consultation was carried out with (i) local representatives; and (ii) business people in Rasharkin prior to the announcement that the Main Street was to be closed by NI Water; and how much notice members of the public and businesses received.

(AQW 6721/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that it is investing around £1 million to improve the sewerage network in Rasharkin and this work will benefit businesses and residents in the area.

The road closure at Main Street was essential to progress this work and businesses and local residents were notified of the closure on 20 March 2009 through publication of notices in local newspapers by Roads Service. In addition, NIW commenced a letter drop on 23 March to approximately 500 properties and a representative was made available to meet anyone with queries regarding the scheme.

The work commenced on 30 March 2009 and NIW aims to keep the timescale of the road closure to a minimum to reduce any inconvenience to local businesses and residents.

Road Openings by Utilities

Mr D McKay asked he Minister for Regional Development for his assessment of the Road Openings by Utilities: Follow-up to Recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee (NIA 19/08-09) report.

(AQW 6722/09)

Minister for Regional Development: I note publication of the report and will consider the Committee’s recommendations fully.

An established parliamentary process is in place for responding to recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee. A detailed Memorandum of Reply, setting out my Department’s response to the report, will be submitted to the Chairman of the Committee by 22 May 2009.

It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment in detail in advance of the issue of the Memorandum of Reply.

A4 Realignment

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) when the network of minor roads adjacent to the A4 realignment will be reinstated following heavy damage from construction and diverted traffic; and (ii) to confirm if it is his Department or the contractor who is responsible for the work.

(AQW 6765/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the contractor working on the Dungannon to Ballygawley dual carriageway, currently employs a full time crew that carries out weekly inspections of the side roads, used by construction traffic, adjacent to this major scheme. Where damage has occurred they carry out repairs, including verge reinstatement and repairing pot holes. Roads Service also carries out inspections of these roads, to ensure they are kept in a safe condition.

In addition, the A4 scheme design includes upgrading various sections of the minor road network, adjacent to the new road. This will address any damage on side roads, which cross or link to the new dual carriageway. These works are being completed, on a road by road basis, as the scheme progresses.

Roads outside these upgrades will be inspected jointly, with the Design Build Finance Operate Company and Roads Service. A programme of repairs will be carried out as soon as practical, after use by construction traffic has stopped. Where it is proven that extraordinary traffic generated by the contractor has caused the damage, the contractor will be liable for the repair.

Translink

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development what feasibility studies have been carried out, in the last five years by Translink regarding the placing of a bus shelter in Rasharkin.

(AQW 6773/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

This is an operational matter for Translink. However, I have been informed that, on two occasions in 2005, representatives from Ballymoney Council, the Department of the Environment and Translink carried out an assessment of Rasharkin with a view to erecting a bus shelter. One possible site was considered but planning permission was refused. There were also objections received from residents.

More recently Translink considered another potential site but has concluded that no suitable site exists.

Translink

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what cuts Translink is planning that will affect the East Londonderry constituency.

(AQW 6784/09)

Minister for Regional Development: The plans that Translink provided to my Department indicate that within Derry there will be no bus service withdrawals and that geographical coverage of the city will be maintained. There will be revisions to the frequencies of very low use routes but alternatives should be provided. There will be some frequency reductions on evenings and Saturday mornings.

There are no plans to change rail services or timetables but as part of general efficiency there may be some curtailment of station opening hours across the North. It is not possible at this time to detail these by constituency.

Translink

Mr G Robinson asked he Minister for Regional Development what cuts Translink is planning that will affect the Limavady Council area.

(AQW 6785/09)

Minister for Regional Development: The plans that Translink provided to my Department indicate that within Limavady there will be no bus service withdrawals and that geographical coverage will be maintained. There will be revisions to the frequencies of very low use routes but alternatives should be provided.

Services between Limavady and Belfast/Belfast and Limavady will be provided by connecting services between Limavady and Dungiven, with travel between Dungiven and Belfast by service 212. The number of such connections will be substantially increased.

Outside Limavady one bus service will be withdrawn, service 148b from Dungiven/Ballymonie Estate to Derry, which has less than 2 passengers per trip. The main 148 service will continue to run and can be used as an alternative to the withdrawn service.

There are no plans to change rail services or timetables but as part of general efficiency there may be some curtailment of station opening hours across the North. These plans are still being developed and it is not possible to detail these by constituency at this time.

Translink

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what cuts Translink is planning that will directly affect rural services.

(AQW 6787/09)

Minister for Regional Development: The plans that Translink provided to my Department indicate that bus service withdrawals are few in number and will concentrate on town services rather than rural services.

There are no plans to change rail services or timetables but as part of general efficiency there may be some curtailment of station opening hours.

Translink

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development how long it takes for the schedules inspector in the Coleraine depot of Translink to (i) process; (ii) discuss; and (iii) implement any proposals to changes in the town bus route services.

(AQW 6819/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

This is an operational matter for Translink. However, I have been advised that any proposal for a change to existing bus service(s) involves a review of existing provision, consideration of passenger requests/needs, consultation with key stakeholders and if necessary a road service licence application. There is no set period of time for completion of this process.

Roads Service

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development what remedial measures will be taken by Roads Service to address the deteriorating condition of roads in the Ardboe, Ballinderry, Stewartstown, Rock, Pomeroy and Coalisland areas.

(AQW 6829/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the 2009/10 resurfacing programme for the Cookstown area includes schemes planned for the Drumenny Road, Ballinderry Bridge, Brigh Road and North Street, Stewartstown and Main Street, Ballyronan. A programme of edge strengthening work at various locations along the Shore Road between Ballinderry Bridge and Ballyronan is also planned for the 2009/10 financial year.

In the Coalisland area, Roads Service has resurfaced two stretches of the Moor Road, Coalisland, during March 2009. During the 2009/10 financial year, Roads Service plans to resurface stretches on the Mountjoy Road, Moor Road and Ballynakelly Road. Surface dressing is also planned to be undertaken on the Stewartstown Road, and part of the Moor Road, during the summer period.

Roads Service’s surface dressing programme also includes a number of roads within the areas highlighted by the Member. These roads include sections of the Drumenny Road, Cavanakeeran Road, Slatequarry Road, Tandragee Road, Annaquinn Road and Clougfin Road.

Roads Service

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development what remedial measures will be taken to address the deteriorating condition of Drumenny Road from Ballinderry Bridge to its junction with Battery Road, Ardboe in the Cookstown district.

(AQW 6834/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that, in the 2008/09 financial year, it carried out substantial edge strengthening work on this section of the Drumenny Road.

This preparatory work was undertaken to improve the effectiveness of the final road surface that Roads Service plans to lay during this summer. This should address the worst affected section of this road.

Magherafelt Bypass

Mr F Molloy asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on the proposals for a road to bypass Magherafelt.

(AQW 6840/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service is continuing to progress the development of the proposed A31 Magherafelt Bypass.

The Preferred Route for the bypass has been selected, and a Public Inquiry, to hear objections to the Preferred Route, is scheduled for 29 April to 1 May 2009. Further progress of the scheme will depend on the outcome of the Public Inquiry that is expected in the autumn of this year, the completion of the statutory procedures and the availability of funding.

Half Price Smart Pass Scheme

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 5708/09, (i) why a half fare SmartPass holder can only buy a return ticket to the value of two singles rather that the half return fare; and (ii) is this in line with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, about the equality agenda for people with a disability.

(AQW 6848/09)

Minister for Regional Development: The half fare concession for bus and rail journeys is based on the cost of a single ticket. The decision to allow the purchase by half fare SmartPass holders of return tickets on rail journeys was taken in view of the fact that rail travellers are generally expected to purchase tickets before boarding the train. It represents a reasonable adjustment for people with disabilities and means that they only need to queue once when making a return journey.

The concessionary fares scheme was subjected to an equality impact assessment in 2004 which concluded that the scheme did not adversely impact on the equality of opportunity of any of the nine section 75 groups.

Half Price Smart Pass Holders

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 5708/09, if he will review the decision and grant equality of fares to Half Price SmartPass holders in relation to return fares.

(AQW 6856/09)

Minister for Regional Development: I can confirm that my Department has no plans at present to make any further change to the arrangements relating to the purchase of concessionary journeys by Half Fare SmartPass holders.

Translink

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline (i) the rationale for redundancies in Translink in the Foyle constituency; and (ii) how the redundancies will impact on transport services.

(AQW 6864/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

Translink operates under a commercial remit and, in order to keep fares increases to a minimum, constantly faces the challenge of keeping costs under control. In this context Translink has had to look at low use bus services and decide whether or not to continue running them. Low use public transport services do not represent good value for money to the taxpayer nor is it environmentally friendly to run buses which are largely empty particularly where alternatives are available. A small number of low use bus services have been identified in Derry.

Bus

Across the whole of Ulsterbus and Metro operations it is anticipated that some 50 job losses will be required during 2009/10. This represents approximately 1.5% of the total number of staff employed in the two bus companies. I have actively engaged with the Translink unions on this issue and a joint statement was issued on 18 March as a result. This welcomed the undertaking by Translink that numbers would be reduced through natural wastage and that there would be no compulsory redundancies. Translink have informed me that they have started the process of identifying ways of reducing staff numbers including seeking voluntary redundancies but this process is not complete.

In terms of the impact on transport services, the plans that Translink provided to my Department indicate that within Derry the geographical coverage of the city will be maintained. There will however be minor revisions to the frequencies of very low use routes as part of a schedule of service alterations and consolidations. This will impact on six services in total. There will be some frequency reductions on evenings and Saturday mornings. Any rural service alterations will be made to very low use routes and geographical coverage will be maintained.

Rail

There are no plans to change rail services or timetables but as part of general efficiency programmes there may be some curtailment of station opening hours across the North. It is expected that there could be 25 job losses in NIR but this cannot be broken down by constituency at this time.

Public Transport

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline any plans to introduce public transport to the Culmore Road area of Londonderry/Derry.

(AQW 6865/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

The provision of public transport in the Culmore Road area is currently subject to a licence held by the Lough Swilly Bus Company. However, I have been advised by Translink that, on 26 March 2009, it submitted an application to the Department for the Environment for a licence to operate services to Culmore Point.

Translink

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) to outline what initiatives have been undertaken to increase Ulsterbus passenger count in the Foyle constituency; and (ii) whether a comparative analysis has been carried out to examine the cost per journey of public transport compared to private car or taxi services, for family transport in particular.

(AQW 6866/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

This is an operational matter for Translink. However, I have been informed that following a strategic review of bus operations a number of initiatives were introduced in the Derry City and County areas. These initiatives include enhancements to schedules, simplified timetables and the introduction of additional express services.

Additionally, in September 2006, Derry City Services were rebranded as Ulsterbus Foyle and a simplified modern network of routes was introduced. This has greatly improved safety, access and hours of operation and I am pleased to say has resulted in a 38% increase in passengers.

I understand that Translink has carried out a comparative analysis of the cost of public transport compared to the private car on several typical commuter routes to and from Derry. In each case, commuters fare much better with public transport, with considerable savings to be made in the course of a year. I will ask Translink to send a copy of this analysis to you.

Road Service and NI Water

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the work that will be carried out by Roads Service and NI Water, in the South Antrim constituency, in April 2009.

(AQW 6874/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that in addition to the ongoing M2 Improvements Scheme, between Sandyknowes and Greencastle junctions, the following work will be undertaken in the South Antrim Constituency during April 2009:

completion of footway links at the junction of Ballyquillan and Diamond Roads;
completion of resurfacing at Ballyquillan Road;
completion of resurfacing at Castleton, Templepatrick;
work will continue on the environmental improvement scheme at The Square, Ballyclare; and
carriageway resurfacing is programmed to start after Easter on the A57 Templepatrick Road, Ballyclare.

Routine maintenance work, which will also be carried out on roads in the South Antrim constituency during April 2009 includes:

gulley and manhole cleaning, sweeping, litter picking and grass cutting;
routine maintenance repairs to the road network (as required);
emergency telephone and communications cabinet cleaning; and
Ragwort treatment.

NI Water has advised of the following work to be carried out in the South Antrim Constituency during April 2009:

replacement watermain - Birchill Road, Antrim;
rehabilitation work - Rashee Service Reservoir:
service reservoir enhanced security work, telemetry work at divisional sites - Newtownabbey, Antrim:
replacement of Joints - Hydepark Service Reservoir;
reservoir rehabilitation - Ballyvaston Service Reservoir;
foul sewer upgrade - Aldergrove Sewerage Scheme, Antrim Road;
installation of Storm Tank - Roughfort Wastewater Treatment Works;
upgrading of existing works - Milltown Wastewater Treatment Works, Antrim;
construction of pumping stations - Masserene, Antrim and Randalstown,
laying of sewers - Main Street and New Street, Randalstown;
installation of gravity sewer, pumping main and two pumping stations - Creevery Sewerage Scheme Phase II; and
ongoing investigation work, consisting of bore holes, trial pits and slit trenches – no road closures are planned - Whitehead, Ballystrudder and Ballycarry.

This work is in addition to the day-to-day maintenance and repair required to the water and sewerage network.

Mobile Telephone Masts

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister for Regional Development what his Department's policy is regarding the sale of land for mobile telephone masts.

(AQW 6876/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it has no policy, specific to the sale of land for mobile telephone masts. Any surplus land is disposed of by my Department, in line with the DFP Guidance "Disposal of Surplus Property in Northern Ireland".

Traffic Calming Measures

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 6147/09, whether he intends to introduce traffic calming measures in the Upper Bann area, in the next 12 months.

(AQW 6886/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service receives many requests for traffic calming schemes and, as demand greatly exceeds the capacity to supply these measures, all proposals are required to be assessed, scored and prioritised within each Council area. Works programmes are then drawn up on an annual basis, and published each year in the Autumn Roads Service Report to Councils. This programme may be subject to change, depending on the assessed priority of new requests for traffic calming.

In my reply to the Member’s previous Assembly Question, AQW 6886/09, I advised that the Upper Bann constituency covers areas from both Craigavon and Banbridge Councils.

In relation to the 2009/10 financial year, the tables below provide the location of proposed traffic calming schemes, and school travel and safety projects for the Craigavon and Banbridge Council areas:

Traffic Calming Schemes

Banbridge Council area

Craigavon Council area

Dromore Street, Banbridge

North Circular Road, Lurgan

Huntly Road

Ballynamoney Road, Aghacommon

Ballygowan Road

Mill Hill, Waringstown

Seapatrick Road, Seapatrick

Lower Toberhewny Lane, Lurgan

Newry Street, Rathfriland

School Travel and Safety Projects

Banbridge Council area

Craigavon Council area

Banbridge Academy

Portadown Integrated Primary School

St Matthew’s, Leitrim

Eglish Primary School

Management of Bonfires

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development what Roads Service states the minimum distance is that a bonfire should be from a public road.

(AQW 6899/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it does not set down prescribed distances that a bonfire should be from a public road.

The Member may be aware that, while bonfire management is an inter-agency issue, Roads Service has the power, under the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993, to remove any bonfire material near or on a public road, which may constitute a danger to road users.

The support, co-operation and involvement of local communities are important factors in addressing this issue, as was recognised in the report of the inter-agency group, which produced guidelines on bonfire management. A copy of the report can be found on the Northern Ireland Environment Agencies website, at the following web address:

http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/bonfires_report.pdf.

Management of Bonfires

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development how many times has Roads Service removed bonfire material that was on or near a public road in (i) 2005; (ii) 2006; (iii) 2007; and (iv) 2008.

(AQW 6900/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

The information requested by the Member is not maintained by my Departments Roads Service.

Car Parking Charges

Mr P Butler asked he Minister for Regional Development for a breakdown of car parking charges in (i) Belfast; (ii) Coleraine; (iii) Lisburn; (iv) Newry; (v) Omagh; (vi) Newtownards; (vii) Dungannon; (viii) Londonderry/Derry; and (ix) Enniskillen.

(AQW 6902/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that charges for car parking within the North incorporate both on-street and off-street parking.

Off-street car parking tariffs are reviewed annually and the rate of the tariff is set based on a matrix of local factors, such as, local market and traffic conditions in that particular town or city. Currently tariffs range in the North from 30p/hr to £1/hr, with the most common tariff being 30p/hr.

Information in relation to charges that apply to specific Roads Service off-street car parking in Belfast, Coleraine, Lisburn, Omagh Newtownards, Dungannon, Lodonderry/Derry and Enniskillen is contained in the Road Traffic and Vehicles Off-Street Parking Order (Northern Ireland) 2000 as amended.

I am further advised that on-street car parking charges are only applicable to the cities of Belfast, Lisburn and Newry. The current tariffs in these cities are:

£1.00 per hour, in Belfast
£0.60 per hour, in Lisburn; and
£0.40 per hour, in Newry.

Information regarding on-street parking charges is contained in the Road Traffic and Vehicles On-Street Parking Order (Northern Ireland) 2000 as amended.

Copies of the aforementioned legislation and amendments are available in the Assembly Library.

Road Closure

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the contingency arrangements that will be put in place during the closure of the Sheepbridge Road, Newry that will permit farmers to cross the A1 main road; and (ii) what measures will be introduced to limit the time and distance for drivers of heavy farm machinery who will have to use the main Dublin to Belfast Road to access the Corcreechy or Turmore Road.

(AQW 6913/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

Firstly, I should explain that the closure of the Sheepbridge Road, Newry, is required to facilitate construction work associated with the provision of a new bridge and completion of a stretch of new dual carriageway for the A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue Dual Carriageway scheme.

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that Lagan Ferrovial, the Construction Contractor, plans to commence a ten month closure of the Sheepbridge Road in approximately three weeks time. Given the layout of the minor road network in the area, the shortest diversion route, which will be signposted, will be via the Sheepbridge Road, Glen Road and the A1 Belfast Road.

I understand that the Construction Contractor has carried out consultation with the local communities regarding this road closure, and agreed details of the diversion route and the duration of the closure with Roads Service and the PSNI.

On completion, the new bridge will link directly between Sheepbridge Road and Corcreechy Road and onwards to Turmore Road via the remaining section of the former A1 single carriageway, which extends southwards from the new bridge. Roads Service has asked Lagan Ferrovial to keep them updated, as to when the Sheepbridge Road to Corcreechy Road link, via the new bridge, will become available for use by local traffic.

Access to and from both Turmore Road and Corcreechy Road onto the existing A1 single carriageway will remain unaffected for the time being.

Potholes

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the number; and (ii) the value of claims, made by motorists for damage to motor vehicles caused by potholes etc, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6914/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

The number of compensation claims made against the Department for Regional Development and the amount of compensation paid in each of the last five financial years in respect to damage to motor vehicles caused by potholes is as follows:-

	Number of Claims Received	Total Compensation Paid To Date	Number of claims outstanding
2004/05	610	£65,730.96	0
2005/06	652	£65,619.40	0
2006/07	910	£88,482.09	1
2007/08	891	£76,663.20	3
2008/09	1,355	£65,253.71	625

It is not possible to provide the total value of the claims received because that information is not always provided with the claim and, if the claim is turned down, there is no point in pursuing that information. The total amount of compensation paid in respect of all the successful claims has been provided instead.

Northern Ireland Railways

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 6766/09, if he will consider starting urgent work on the disabled access to Bellarena Northern Ireland Railways halt, to alleviate the current disabled access difficulties.

(AQW 6924/09)

Minister for Regional Development: Translink state that they are unaware of any urgent work that is required at Ballarena and they have no current plans to undertake any works at this location until 2012. The reason for this is that the platform at Ballarena may need adjusting as part of a planned re-lay of the track between Coleraine and Derry and as such it would make sense to do all necessary work at the same time.

Northern Ireland Water

Mr R Beggs asked he Minister for Regional Development to detail the reasons for a deterioration in samples from the public water supply at Northern Ireland Water's Killylane Reservoir in relation to levels of Trihalomethanes.

(AQW 6930/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that trihalomethanes (THMs) arise from the reaction of chlorine, used for disinfection of the drinking water supply, with natural organic material present in water from surface sources such as Killylane Reservoir. There has been an increase in natural organic matter in raw water over the past 2 years, particularly following periods of intense rainfall, which has resulted in an increase in the level of THMs in the area supplied by Killylane Water Treatment Works. NIW has taken all appropriate steps to reduce the level of THMs in order to secure compliance with the water quality regulations and there have been no regulatory exceedences in the level of THMs in water supply zones supplied by Killylane Water Treatment Works in 2009.

Northern Ireland Water

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development, (a) what matters are covered in enforcement notices for (i) Killylane Water; and (ii) Dorisland Water Treatment Works; and (b) what action is being taken by Northern Ireland Water to meet the requirements of the notices.

(AQW 6931/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that the enforcement actions taken by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) in respect of Killylane Water Treatment Works and Dorisland Water Supply Zone related to trihalomethane and iron parameters respectively.

In both cases NIW has given an undertaking to secure compliance to the satisfaction of the Drinking Water Inspectorate. Details of the issues covered by the enforcement notices and the actions that NIW will take to rectify the position are available on the DWI website at www.ni-environment.gov.uk/water/drinkwater/public_water.

Car Parking Charges

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) for a breakdown of car parking charges in (a) Bangor; and (b) Holywood; and (ii) how these charges compare with the rest of Northern Ireland.

(AQW 6948/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that car park tariffs are reviewed annually and the rate of the tariff is set based on a matrix of local factors. The tariffs in specific car parks across the North cannot be compared directly, as the tariff will be set based on the local market and traffic conditions in that particular town or city. Currently tariffs range across the North range from 30p/hr to £1/hr, with the most common tariff being 30p/hr.

Information in relation to charges that apply to specific Roads Service off-street car parking in Bangor and Holywood is contained in the Road Traffic and Vehicles Off-Street Parking Order (Northern Ireland) 2000 as amended.

Copies of the aforementioned legislation and amendments are available in the Assembly Library.

Installation of Footways

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on the installation of footways on the Diamond Road, Crumlin.

(AQW 6968/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the footway works at the Diamond Road area, near Crumlin, are being carried out in five separate phases. Work has just been completed on the section near Aldergrove Chapel where, in addition to the construction of new footway links, improvements to the existing bus stop have also been included.

The next phase is on Ardmore Road, near the cottages, and is being considered for inclusion in the programme for pedestrian improvements for the incoming financial year. The remaining phases will be considered for future programmes, should finance become available.

Road Safety

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development what measures his Department will take to assess the safety of the road junction at Railway Road, leading to Circular Road in Coleraine since there were several accidents and a fatality there.

(AQW 6973/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

The PSNI provide my Department’s Roads Service with copies of records of all collisions involving injuries. These records indicate that there have been no injury collisions, at this junction, in recent years, prior to the recent tragic fatal collision.

Following this collision, Roads Service has carried out an initial investigation of the junction, in conjunction with the Road Policing Unit of the PSNI. Roads Service will, in due course, receive a report from the PSNI giving details of the collision, allowing a more detailed assessment to take place. This will include vehicle and pedestrian surveys at the junction.

Translink

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what is the number of buses on order for Translink, broken down by (i) single and double deckers; (ii) the depots to which they are destined; and (iii) whether they are for Ulsterbus or Metro Services.

(AQW 7001/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

The Department has agreed funding for 69 buses for 2009/10. Under this approval, Translink already has 60 high-capacity single deck buses on order. They have no double deckers on order or planned for this year.

All the new vehicles on order are destined for Ulsterbus depots.

Due to the fact that initial deliveries of the new buses will not commence until December 2009 the exact depots and services to which they will be allocated cannot as yet be determined. These allocations vary regularly due to operational issues and travel patterns, however they will replace life-expired vehicles in the depot to which they are utilised.

Dungiven By-Pass Road Scheme

Mr G Robinson asked he Minister for Regional Development to outline (i) the planning stage of a bus stop in Dungiven for the use of the 212 Londonderry/Derry to Belfast Express in the Dungiven by-pass road scheme; and (ii) if it will include a park and ride facility.

(AQW 7003/09)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that bus stops on the Dungiven Bypass have not yet been identified. These will be subject to consultation with Translink, as the design for the scheme progresses.

Roads Service will consider the feasibility of a park and ride facility, on the Dungiven Bypass, as part of the design for the scheme.

The Member will also be aware from my answer to his previous Assembly Question, AQW 1250/09, that Roads Service is considering a Park and Ride car park facility at the former Dungiven Primary School site. This would provide 140 parking spaces, but the success of this proposal will be dependent on the availability of funding.

Translink

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what assurance he can give that passengers transferring from the 246 Limavady to Dungiven Express bus to the 212 Londonderry/Derry Express Service and vice versa, will not have to wait on the roadside until they transfer.

(AQW 7008/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

This is an operational matter for Translink which has advised me that the stop at which passengers will transfer is situated in a bus lay-by with bus shelter facilities. Translink has also confirmed that journeys are co-ordinated and that buses will wait for the arrival of the connecting service before departing.

Translink

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what assurance he can give that the proposed extension to Limavady's town service bus route will be fast tracked through all necessary processes to protect employment in the Limavady Translink depot.

(AQW 7009/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

This is an operational matter for Translink who has advised me that it is currently considering extensions to the existing Limavady town service. Any changes will be subject to the normal licensing approval procedures.

Management of Bonfires

Dr S Farry asked the Minister for Regional Development to report on the policy and responsibilities of Roads Service in relation to ‘11th Night’ bonfires on public highways.

(AQW 7019/09)

Minister for Regional Development:

I can advise the Member that under the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993, my Department has the power to remove any bonfire material near, or on a public road which may constitute a danger to road users. However, bonfire management is an inter-agency issue and it is often difficult to find solutions acceptable to the interested parties, when problems arise. The support, co-operation and involvement of local communities is an important factor and this was recognised in the inter-agency group report, which produced guidelines on bonfire management. In these circumstances, my Department’s Roads Service will continue to take a joint approach with the other agencies in the management of bonfire sites.

Roads Service experience has been that many of the complaints received from the public are related to the stockpiling of materials on sites adjacent to public roads, which are not owned by Roads Service. On occasions where the overspill from bonfire stockpiles obstructs a public road or footway, Roads Service will, in consultation with the police and local communities, remove it or arrange for it to be pushed back off the road onto the bonfire site,. However, Roads Service has a duty of care to its staff and the immediate and ongoing safety of personnel tasked with removal work must be taken into consideration.

In the relatively few instances where bonfires are actually brought onto public roads for lighting, Roads Service will arrange for burnt out debris to be removed and will carry out any repairs to carriageways, footways and street lights that may be needed.

Department for Social Development

Housing Executive Staff

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development if her Department has any concerns in relation to Housing Executive staff in the West Belfast district and the contract for repairs with Red Sky.

(AQW 6376/09)

Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): I have no particular concerns about Housing Executive staff. I am aware that some aspects of delivery of contracts in the West Belfast area are currently being examined.

However, as the Northern Ireland Audit Office is investigating this matter I am unwilling to comment further until I receive their report.

Energy Efficiency Savings

Mr J Shannon asked he Minister for Social Development if Eaga has the capabilities to respond to all of the enquiries for Energy Efficiency Savings that have been lodged.

(AQW 6578/09)

Minister for Social Development: I have been advised by Eaga that they do not record details of energy efficiency enquiries and can therefore only report on actual referrals recorded.

The Warm Homes Scheme has been hugely popular and oversubscribed. The budget for 2008/09 has been exhausted and the Public Service Agreement target was exceeded.

Currently there are 5,858 expressions of interest for the Warm Homes Scheme, of which, approximately 3,167 should receive insulation measures when the new scheme managers are appointed and the new scheme introduced.

My officials have been working with Eaga to identify people on the waiting list whose heating system is broken down beyond repair and I am pleased to confirm that all those households will have heating measures installed in April. The remaining applicants have functioning heating systems and although they may be inefficient, they are still working. If these people believe that they meet the new criteria they are welcome to apply to the new scheme when it opens for applications.

Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee

Mr A Easton asked he Minister for Social Development to confirm her commitment to the new heating scheme for Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee in the new financial year.

(AQW 6590/09)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive has proposed a heating scheme for the Beechfield estate in Donaghadee to include 112 dwellings at a total cost of £493k. The Housing Executive can not yet confirm the upcoming programme of improvement and maintenance schemes which is currently being formulated.

Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development to confirm her commitment to the maintenance scheme for Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee, in the new financial year.

(AQW 6591/09)

Minister for Social Development: The Beechfield External Cyclical Maintenance Scheme proposes external repair works to include 220 dwellings at a cost of £320k. The Housing Executive can not yet confirm the upcoming programme of improvement and maintenance schemes which is currently being formulated.

Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development when will the area around the community flat in Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee be tarmaced, as agreed by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 6592/09)

Minister for Social Development: The proposed works are to be carried out as part of the Beechfield External Cyclical Maintenance scheme. The Housing Executive can not yet confirm the upcoming programme of improvement and maintenance schemes which is currently being formulated. A start date is not yet available.

Social Housing

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development what enquiries the Minister has received about thermally efficient energy schemes for social housing.

(AQW 6659/09)

Minister for Social Development: My department receives many approaches about potential energy efficiency schemes. These approaches are considered by officials, however quite often more development work is required and schemes need to be fully tested in the market place.

Removal of Paramilitary Murals

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development when will funding plans be agreed for the removal of paramilitary murals in the North Down area, in partnership with the Intensive Change and Control Programme.

(AQW 6700/09)

Minister for Social Development: Neighbourhood Renewal funding has been made available for a programme of re-imaging work in the Kilcooley Estate - including the removal of a number of paramilitary murals - identified by the Intensive Change and Control Programme in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Officials are liaising with community representatives to determine how and when the work will commence.

Youth Workers in Dunclug

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development why funding from his Department for youth workers in Dunclug is being cut; and if she will look into the possibility of continuing to provide funding for youth workers in the area.

(AQW 6746/09)

Minister for Social Development: Funding for the NEELB’s current Youth Project in Dunclug was provided through the DSD Areas at Risk programme, which funded a full time dedicated Youth Worker and 5 part-time Apprentice Youth Workers from 2007-2009.

The Department is unable to provide any further grant assistance for the Youth Project as intervention through the Areas at Risk programme is specifically limited to a 2 year period.

The Department has no other funding programmes through which this project can be supported and, therefore, its continuation depends on funding being secured from other sources.

You should note that to date, the Areas at Risk Programme has committed total funding of £347,989 to projects in Dunclug. This is the largest amount provided to any community through this programme.

Dunclug Action Plan

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development if her Department will ensure that whilst the Dunclug Action Plan work is taking place around Durlston House, that the area is kept clean, safe and secure as children play in this area.

(AQW 6747/09)

Minister for Social Development: The delivery of any programme of improvement works will involve some level of disruption to the local environment. However, the Housing Executive will require the relevant contractor to ensure that the area is made safe both during working hours and after. If any issues arise during the course of the improvement works, the Housing Executive will of course review the arrangements made.

Homeless Figures

Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Social Development how many people were registered as homeless in East Belfast in (i) 2006/07; (ii) 2007/08; and (iii) 2008/09.

(AQW 6777/09)

Minister for Social Development: The following figures show the number of households found to be homeless and awarded Full Duty Applicant status for the years requested.

(i) 2006/07 - 432

(ii) 2007/08 - 380

(iii) 2008/09* - 274

*This relates to the period 1April to 31 December 2008. The Housing Executive is currently collating waiting list information for the end of the financial year 2008/09.

Co-Ownership Applications

Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Social Development, how many co-ownership applications were made in East Belfast in 2008/09, and how many were successful.

(AQW 6778/09)

Minister for Social Development: Co-Ownership Housing has advised me that it records statistics on a full local council area basis. Since the Scheme reopened in November 2008, a total of 29 applications have been received by people seeking to purchase a home in the postcode areas of BT4, BT5 and BT6, which are recognised as mainly covering the East Belfast area; all of these are currently being considered.

Social Housing

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development how much money her Department has spent on (i) new builds; and (ii) repairs and maintenance work of social housing, for each month, over the past three years.

(AQW 6782/09)

Minister for Social Development: The table below details the monthly expenditure for the past three years with regard to the Social Housing Development Programme along with maintenance and improvement work to Northern Ireland Housing Executive dwellings.

Housing Executive expenditure

by Month 2005/06 – 2008/09

	Maintenance			Improvements			Social Housing Programme
	2008/09	2007/08	2006/07	2008/09	2007/08	2006/07	2008/09	2007/08	2006/07
Month	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
April	8,617	7,882	7,021	8,062	6,418	6,254	36,913	38,323	59,715
May	9,005	8,788	8,356	6,442	7,536	7,700	11,724	6,190	2,787
June	8,453	10,213	10,064	7,924	9,091	9,349	7,099	3,933	2,822
July	8,659	8,406	7,402	7,082	7,435	7,490	6,440	5,020	5,458
August	7,737	9,129	9,121	4,998	7,036	7,704	12,019	6,971	252
September	8,248	9,147	9,360	7,302	8,120	8,172	9,654	5,545	3,979
October	9,489	9,564	9,238	6,770	9,775	9,926	2,286	2,437	4,351
November	8,113	10,032	9,527	6,676	8,487	8,638	8,296	6,577	2,981
December	7,743	8,719	8,927	4,508	7,204	7,001	5,760	9,328	4,670
January	9,017	7,447	7,424	5,172	7,005	7,756	4,927	16,701	4,287
February	10,587	9,644	9,506	2,752	7,423	7,883	7,591	12,932	11,102
March	n/a*	7,775	12,077	n/a*	9,689	12,680	29,943	58,366	13,921
	95,668	106,746	108,023	67,688	95,219	100,553	142,652	172,323	116,325

Note:

*Figures for 2008/09 are not yet available.

Social Housing

Mr A Ross asked e Minister for Social Development how much her Department has spent on (i) new builds; and (ii) repairs and maintenance work of social housing in the Monkstown estate, for each month, in the last three years.

(AQW 6783/09)

Minister for Social Development: During the period 2005/06 – 2007/08 no new build activity has taken place in the Monkstown estate. The table below details the Housing Executive’s expenditure with regard to maintenance and improvement activities for the period requested.

Housing Executive expenditure in Monkstown

Total	1659	1295	1314	151.5	158.3	226.7
	Improvement			Maintenance
	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
	£k	£k	£k	£k	£k	£k
April	85	87	40	7.6	12	37.6
May	212	92	48	11.3	9.1	15.7
June	181	84	37	12	10.5	14.9
July	167	24	96	6.6	10.6	25.6
August	187	61	0	6.6	12.6	14.6
September	152	209	280	12.8	11.6	11.5
October	136	231	115	11.9	15.7	21
November	169	85	92	13	19.4	12.5
December	94	88	60	12	15.7	24
January	89	137	74	18.4	18.7	17
February	89	117	106	17.9	15.7	17
March	98	80	366	21.3	6.3	14

Repairs to Homes in the Churchill Area of Bangor

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development when her Department will complete repairs to residents homes that are leaking, in the Churchill Area of Bangor.

(AQW 6826/09)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive is aware of reports of water penetration affecting several flats within Churchill Park and has previously completed a number of remedial repairs. The Housing Executive, in consultation with the relevant contractor, has sought to identify the underlying cause of the problem and the necessary remedial works to eradicate this problem will be completed within the next few weeks.

Corporate Responsibility Issues

Dr S Farry asked the Minister for Social Development to outline what discussions have taken place with (a) colleagues in other jurisdictions; (b) the local business community; and (c) local trade unions regarding corporate responsibility issues.

(AQW 6831/09)

Minister for Social Development: My Department places a lot of emphasis on Corporate Responsibility as well as encouraging social responsibility in the context of building communities and tackling disadvantage. Our business aims to ensure that any actions we take have a positive impact on society.

The table below gives details of various meetings at which Corporate Responsibility issues were discussed; Corporate Responsibility issues would also have featured during other discussions, although it would not have been the main purpose of the meeting.

Other jurisdictions	Local business community	Local trade unions (representative bodies)
Liquor licensing legislation – Discussions regarding corporate responsibility issues around retail or supply of alcohol were held as follows:
Minister Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform – 22 July 2008 Officials Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform – 9 September 2008 Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Scottish Government Alcohol Team – 23 September 2008 Whitehall Departments & Scottish and Welsh administrations – 6 March 2009		Minister Federation of Retail Licensed Trade – 14 June 2007; 17 November 2008 NI Federation of Clubs – 6 August 2007 NI Independent Retail Association – 17 December 2007 Officials Federation of Retail Licensed Trade – 17 October 2007; 6 November 2008; 5 February 2009
Other jurisdictions	Local business community	Local trade unions (representative bodies)
Gambling – Discussions on a voluntary code of responsibility in relation to gaming machines were held as follows:
		Minister NI Turf Guardians Association – 20 June 2007 NI Amusement Caterers Trade – 7 January 2009 Officials NI Turf Guardians Association - 3 October 2008 NI Amusement Caterers Trade -17 April 2008 NI Federation of Clubs - 11 March 2009
Charities – discussions relating to the regulation and governance of charities
Officials Department for Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs - 25 April 2008 (also Charity Regulator Forums held quarterly since October 2008) Irish Revenue Commissioners – January 2008 Scottish Executive – 20 March 2007 Office of the Third Sector, Treasury Department, England – 15October 2008 HM Revenue and Customs – February, June and December 2008 Ministry of Defence – 3 April 2009 Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator – forums held quarterly since October 2006 Charity Commission for England and Wales – forums held quarterly since October 2006
Other jurisdictions	Local business community	Local trade unions (representative bodies)
Business in the Community – promotion of Employer Supported Volunteering, supporting local communities and developing staff.
	Minister Event at Hillsborough in February 2009, hosted by Business in the Community

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Social Development, in relation to matters affecting the remit of her Department, what recognition is given to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome/M.E.

(AQW 6835/09)

Minister for Social Development: Depending on the individual circumstances a range of social security benefits is available to people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis including employment and support allowance, incapacity benefit, disability living allowance, attendance allowance and income-related benefits, such as income support and pension credit.

The following groups received small grants during 2007/2008 financial year through the Community Volunteering Scheme which is funded by my Department and administered by the Volunteer Development Agency: Portadown ME Support Group, Fibromyalgia Support North Down and Southern Area Fibromyalgia Support Group.

Crisis Loans

Mr F Molloy asked he Minister for Social Development how much money has been paid out through the Social Fund in the form of crisis loans to people waiting for their claims to be processed.

(AQW 6839/09)

Minister for Social Development: Crisis Loan alignment payments are made to people awaiting their first payment of benefit, which is paid in arrears. Crisis Loan payments made in these circumstances are intended to cover the day to day living expenses until the first benefit payday, following which full payments of benefit can be made. The total amount paid under these alignment arrangements over the last 3 years is given in the table below.

Year	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Total amount paid £m	1.629	1.431	1.576*

* information currently only available up to the end of February 2009

Pension Credit Applications

Mr F Molloy asked the Minister for Social Development what measures are being put into place to ensure that pension credit applications that are in the system for more than six months are being (i) followed up; and (ii) completed.

(AQW 6841/09)

Minister for Social Development: The Pension Service takes active steps to ensure that all Pension Credit applications are finalised as quickly as possible once all the evidence has been received. In cases where the customer has supplied wrong or incomplete information these are followed up through issuing reminders as appropriate. More recently the Pensions Transformation Programme has introduced enhanced IT systems which enables management to monitor work in progress to make certain that all claims particularly the older cases are being managed effectively and in a timely manner bearing in mind that the rules governing the benefit stipulate that the responsibility for providing the necessary evidence rests with the customer.

The completion of all State Pension Credit new claims is monitored against an Actual Average Clearance Time target measured from the point at which claimants have supplied all necessary information. The target for 2008-09 is 15 days and the latest available monthly performance figure for February 2009 is 7.7 days.

Social Housing

Mr D McKay asked he Minister for Social Development for an update on the proposed social housing scheme for Rasharkin; and whether she can give a date for the commencement of the scheme.

(AQW 6844/09)

Minister for Social Development: An application for planning approval has been submitted by Triangle Housing Association and they are continuing to work with the Planning Service to resolve issues around site layout and car parking provision.

NI Water, however, has currently imposed an embargo on all new connections to the existing sewerage disposal system in Rasharkin as it is operating at full capacity. No new connections will be permitted until the sewerage infrastructure improvement works complete. Obviously Planning Approval for the scheme will not be granted until an acceptable sewerage disposal solution is provided.

I am aware that NI Water is currently onsite in Rasharkin, however I understand that this scheme will not provide the necessary system upgrade to allow new connections to the sewer. The Housing Executive has written to

NI Water requesting a commencement date for the infrastructure improvement works and will continue to work with Triangle Housing Association and the other agencies involved to achieve an on-site start as early as possible.

Housing Executive

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development on what grounds would the Housing Executive not carry out occupational therapy recommendations for an accommodation for a disabled person in relation to a (i) toilet; (ii) bedroom; and (iii) hand wash basin.

(AQW 6859/09)

Minister for Social Development: The only circumstances under which the Housing Executive would not carry out a disabled adaptation recommended by an Occupational Therapist would be if the adaptation was not technically feasible or if the tenant refused the work.

House Maintenance Budget

Mr J Shannon asked he Minister for Social Development if she would provide figures for the (i) House Maintenance Budget; and (ii) general maintenance budget for 2008/09, compared to the budgets for the preceding three years.

(AQW 6861/09)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested. However, the table below details the Housing Executive’s expenditure for response maintenance and planned improvements for the financial years 2005/06 to 2008/09.

Response Maintenance					Planned Improvements
*2008/09	2007/08	2006/07	2005/06		*2008/09	2007/08	2006/07	2005/06
£95.6m	£106.7m	£108m	£99.1m		£67.6m	£95.2m	£100.5m	£106.2

* These figures are to the end of February 2009.

House Maintenance Budget

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development if she could confirm figures for the (i) House Maintenance Budget; and (ii) general maintenance budget for 2008/09 for (a) Ards Borough Council; (b) Down District Council; and (c) Castlereagh Borough Council for this financial year.

(AQW 6862/09)

Response
Maintenance

Planned Improvements

£k

£k

Ards Borough Council

1730

4006

Down District Council

1589

1099

Castlereagh Borough Council

1999

4475

Travellers' Sites

Mr S Moutray asked he Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 6142/09, why the Housing Executive places Travellers' sites mostly in Craigavon and does not use it's discretion to spread them throughout Northern Ireland.

(AQW 6887/09)

Minister for Social Development: There is no question that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive locates Travellers' sites primarily within the Craigavon area. There are a number of other Housing Executive owned sites currently available to Travellers located in the Belfast, Derry, Strabane, and Dungannon council areas.

Travellers' Sites

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 6142/09, for her assessment of the impact that the number of Travellers' sites in Craigavon has on community relations.

(AQW 6888/09)

Minister for Social Development: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has worked closely with the Good Relations officers from Craigavon Borough Council to address issues raised by members of the settled community relating to Travellers. A series of meeting have been also been held with all residents groups in the Brownlow Area to discuss current and future plans for Traveller Accommodation in the wider Craigavon area.

Travellers' Sites

Mr D Simpson asked he Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 6142/09, for her assessment of the environmental impact of each of the Travellers' sites in Craigavon.

(AQW 6894/09)

Minister for Social Development: The environmental impact of permanent camp sites and caravan sites which include Travellers’ sites in all areas of Northern Ireland may in certain circumstances be subject to the 1999 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations. EIA is the process by which the environmental effects of a project are collected, assessed and taken into account by the Planning Service in reaching a decision on whether the proposed development should be granted planning permission.

Those camp or caravan sites which exceed one Hectare in size are likely to require such an assessment but this is a planning requirement and one which the Northern Ireland Housing Executive who have responsibility for Traveller specific accommodation has little or no control over. Environmental impact assessments (EIA) are major pieces of work that would only be carried out at the request of the Planning Service.

You may wish to seek further clarification from Planning Service which is an Executive Agency within the Department of The Environment regarding this issue.

Social Housing

Mr A Maskey asked he Minister for Social Development to detail the number of households that have been permanently housed in social housing in the Botanic ward of South Belfast since April 2007 and who have been awarded intimidation points.

(AQW 6901/09)

Minister for Social Development: Twenty-one households who have been awarded intimidation points have been permanently housed in social housing in Botanic ward of South Belfast.

Social Housing

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Social Development how many social houses will be built in the Dairyfarm Housing District in the next financial year.

(AQW 6905/09)

Minister for Social Development: This information can not currently be provided as the new 5 year Social Housing Development Programme (2009/10 – 2013/14) is currently being formulated and, pending appropriate approvals, will be published on the Housing Executive’s website at www.nihe.gov.uk. I will place a copy in the Assembly Library.

Social Housing

Mr P Weir asked he Minister for Social Development how many social houses were built in 2008/9; and how this compares with each of the last five years.

(AQW 6927/09)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested. However, the table below details the number of social houses starts for the period requested. It should be noted that the starts includes new build, acquisitions and rehabilitated properties.

Year	Units Started
2003/04	1526
2004/05	1317
2005/06	1519
2006/07	1032
2007/08	1595
2008/09	1136
Total	8125

Social Housing

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how the delivery of social houses in 2008/09, compares with the projected target.

(AQW 6929/09)

Minister for Social Development: The target for our Social Housing Development Programme during 2008/09 was to start 1500 new homes. Despite the loss of over £70m from my budget last year as a result of the collapse of the land and property market, I am pleased to note that by the end of the 2008/09 year we had started 1136 new homes, with the outstanding programmed houses expected to start in the first weeks of 2009/10.

Social Security Offices

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister for Social Development what the average waiting time is for a job interview at Social Security Offices.

(AQW 6936/09)

Minister for Social Development: The Jobs and Benefits Service is jointly delivered by the Social Security Agency (SSA) and the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) in 25 offices throughout Northern Ireland. An initial new claim interview comprises two parts:

A claim form check undertaken by SSA staff
A work focussed interview (WFI) carried out by DEL staff.

The new claim process in the remaining 10 Social Security Offices is carried out entirely by SSA staff.

The average waiting times for a first interview for the 4 week period ended 27 March 2009 across the 35 offices was 5.74 days.

Housing Executive Waiting List

Mr S Hamilton asked he Minister for Social Development to outline the number of people on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive waiting list; and how this compares with the previous year.

(AQW 6937/09)

Minister for Social Development: The number of people on the social housing waiting list at 31^st December for the past two years was:-

31 December 2007 - 38332
31 December 2008 - 38828

The Housing Executive is currently collating waiting list figures for the financial year ending 31^st March 2009.

Housing Association

Mr S Hamilton asked he Minister for Social Development to detail the size of the cash reserves of each Housing Association.

(AQW 6938/09)

Minister for Social Development: The total cash reserves held by Housing Associations is £29,513,537. A breakdown of each Association’s cash reserve is outlined in the table below.

Cash balance details for each Registered Housing Association

Abbeyfield	£238,331
Abode	-£62,962
Ark	£1,176,064
Ballynafeigh	£70,090
Belfast Community	-£1,571,323
BIH	£427,133
Broadway	£497,309
Clanmil	-£328,138
Clonard	£665,735
Co-Ownership	-£1,080,012
Connswater	£63,381
Covenanter	£178,187
Craigowen	£2,239,662
Donacloney	£390,004
Dungannon & District	-£667,299
Filor	£426,880
Flax	-£2,374,547
Fold	£7,705,383
Gosford	£581,889
Grove	£362,392
Habinteg	-£3,897,063
Hearth	£166,978
Newington	£1,590,435
North & West	£10,034,705
Oaklee	-£3,717,074
Open Door	£2,156,996
Presbyterian	£46,265
Rural	£64,289
SHAC	£1,131,984
South Ulster	-£2,202,186
St Matthews	£1,077,201
Triangle	£1,549,325
Trinity	-£82,582
Ulidia	£4,328,574
Wesley	£3,944,901
Woodvale & Shankill	£4,517,584
TOTAL	£29,513,537

Data taken from each Housing Association’s most recent set of annual accounts

The level of cash reserves held by Housing Associations fluctuates dramatically on a daily basis given the nature of their business thus a snap shot can be misleading. Explanations of these fluctuations can range from:

- A grant tranche payment being received and the payment to a developer not being made;

- A Housing Association has just drawn down long term private finance and the final costs of a development scheme are still outstanding;

- A Housing Association maybe in an overdraft situation as it arranges longer term private finance or awaits a grant tranche payment.

- In light of these fluctuations the cash reserves of a Housing Association should not be viewed in isolation from other financing issues.

Social Housing

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister for Social Development for her assessment of meeting her target of 10,000 social and affordable housing units by 2013.

(AQW 6954/09)

Minister for Social Development: The Programme for Government commits my Department to delivering 10,000 social and affordable homes by 2013. I am satisfied that these can be delivered providing the resources are made available during that time.

Warm Homes Scheme

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development how many homes are waiting on the warm homes scheme in the Larne area.

(AQW 6959/09)

Minister for Social Development: There are currently 77 households in the Larne post code area waiting for assistance.

Home Maintenance budget

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development what money is available to the home maintenance budget for Executive homes in (i) Newtownabbey; (ii) Larne; and (iii) Carrickfergus areas.

(AQW 6963/09)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive was notified of its budget allocation for 2009/10 on 1 April 2009 and is currently finalising its programme of improvement and maintenance schemes.

The Housing Executive District Plans are due for publication during summer 2009 and will contain relevant scheme information.

Business and Resource Centre in Rathenraw

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answers to AQW 592/09 and AQW 3640/09, to provide an update on the project to build a Business and Resource Centre in Rathenraw, Antrim.

(AQW 6966/09)

Minister for Social Development: Construction of the new family and resource centre is progressing well since the appointment of a new contractor in January 2009. The estimated completion date for the project is now October 2009.

Home Repossessions

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Social Development to detail how many home repossessions have occurred in each of the last 5 years, broken down by socio economic group or social class.

(AQW 6967/09)

Minister for Social Development: My Department does not hold the information requested. Details of the number of Actions for Repossession are published in quarterly Housing Statistics Bulletins, which are compiled by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. The table below details the number of Actions sought in the last five years.

Financial Year

Number

2004/05

2,188

2005/06

2,614

2006/07

2,413

2007/08

2,401

April – September 2008

1,935

I understand that not all of the Actions will result in actual repossession. Indications are that the level of Actions are increasing and, consequently, that a considerable number of people are at risk of losing their home. These reasons mean that obtaining the funding to fully launch my Mortgage Rescue Scheme is so important. My officials will continue to make bids to obtain the funding required during in year monitoring rounds.

Social Housing

Mr D McKay asked he Minister for Social Development when the work to install new kitchens at Riverdale in Rasharkin, which was due to start in January, will commence.

(AQW 6996/09)

Minister for Social Development: The scheme commenced on 26 January 2009 and the Housing Executive anticipates that it will be completed in summer 2009.

Repair Schemes

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development how many refurbishment/repair schemes that were due to start in the last 12 months, have been postponed.

(AQW 6997/09)

Minister for Social Development: There were 233 schemes initially included in the Housing Executive’s draft programme of improvement schemes for 2008/09, of which 82 schemes started onsite.

Each scheme within the Housing Executive’s planned improvement and maintenance programme is assigned an estimated start date but this is only indicative, as the actual start date for any scheme is subject to the availability of finance, acceptable tender prices and other statutory approvals.

Social Housing

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses will her Department build in financial year 2009/10.

(AQW 6999/09)

Minister for Social Development: During 2009/10, I have allocated £154.75m to the Social Housing Development Programme and expect this to deliver at least 1750 new homes for those in greatest need.

Jobseekers Allowance

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development how many people are claiming Jobseekers Allowance in the Ards Borough.

(AQW 7002/09)

Minister for Social Development: Information presently available shows that there were 1337* people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in the Ards Borough at 13 March 2009.

* The information provided is derived from a 100% un-validated Jobseekers Allowance Scan and the verified data is not available until August 2009.

Social Housing

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development how many are currently on the waiting list for social housing in the Ards District.

(AQW 7004/09)

Minister for Social Development: At 31 December 2008, 1644 applicants were on the waiting list for social housing in the Housing Executive’s Ards District Office.

Jobseekers Allowance

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development how many people are claiming Jobseekers Allowance in the Strangford constituency.

(AQW 7006/09)

Minister for Social Development: Information presently available shows that there were 1600* people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in the Strangford Constituency at 13 March 2009.

* The information provided is derived from a 100% un-validated Jobseekers Allowance Scan and the verified data is not available until August 2009.

Social Housing.

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development how many of those currently on the waiting list for social housing in the Ards District have been designated as homeless.

(AQW 7007/09)

Minister for Social Development: At 31 December 2008, 366 applicants on the Housing Executive’s Ards District Office waiting list were designated as homeless.

Social Housing

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development (i) how many social housing tenants awaiting essential improvement and maintenance work in the South Belfast constituency will be affected by the latest budget announcement; and (ii) how many of these have been deemed essential as a result of a recommendation by an occupational therapist.

(AQW 7010/09)

Minister for Social Development: This information is not available in the format requested. All repairs are prioritised into emergency, urgent or routine repair categories and the Housing Executive is currently carrying out all repair work within the targets set. The only circumstances under which the Housing Executive would not carry out a disabled adaption as a result of a recommendation by an Occupational Therapist would be if the adaption was not technically feasible or if the tenant refused the work. The Housing Executive is currently considering its budget allocation for 2009/10 and finalising details of its programme of activities.

Social Housing

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development (i) how many social housing tenants awaiting essential improvement and maintenance work in the East Belfast constituency will be affected by the latest budget announcement; and (ii) how many of these have been deemed essential as a result of a recommendation by an occupational therapist.

(AQW 7012/09)

Management of Bonfires

Dr S Farry asked the Minister for Social Development to report on the policy and responsibilities of the Housing Executive in relation to ‘11th Night’ bonfires on its property.

(AQW 7018/09)

Minister for Social Development: The management of bonfires is an interagency issue with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive working in partnership with the PSNI, Fire Service, Councils and local communities.

The Housing Executive adopts a good relations and community led approach to best manage bonfires, reduce the number and reduce the cost to reinstate sites. Local bonfire management initiatives are monitored by the Housing Executive’s Community Cohesion Unit, which is charged with translating its good relations duties under Section 75 (part 2) and community relations policy into actions on the ground through a partnership approach. This work supports local communities to focus on more acceptable expressions of culture which extends to the control of bonfires by way of local agreements.

In addition the Housing Executive provides an estate warden service which monitors the condition of bonfire sites in a number of its estates.

Northern Ireland Assembly Commission

Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Mr A Ross asked the Assembly Commission how many lights there are in Parliament Buildings; and how many energy saving bulbs are in use.

(AQW 6598/09)

The Assembly Commission can confirm that there are approximately 6-7,000 fixed light fittings in Parliament Buildings.

The Assembly Commission are committed to reducing the amount of energy that we use and to that end energy Saving bulbs are used wherever feasible throughout Parliament Buildings and in all cases where new light fittings are being installed.

Where possible, energy saving light bulbs are also used when replacing lamps in movable light fittings such as desk lamps and uplighters,

I would refer the Member to AQW 2922/09 which details the use of energy saving light bulbs. (Please see attached copy of AQ 2922/09)

Committee Visits

Mr C Boylan asked the Assembly Commission to detail the costs of (i) Committee visits; and (ii) overnight stays since the restoration of devolution, broken down by Committee including (a) transportation; and (b) hotels.

(AQW 6933/09)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr A Maginness):

The table below details the costs as requested broken down to show (a) travel, (b) hotels and (c) other costs:-

2007/2008
		Travel	Hotels	Other Costs	Totals
2050	Social Development Committee	£754.32	£97.45	£32.81	£884.58
2060	Regional Development Committee	£3,526.23	£3,118.75	£50.18	£6,695.16
2070	Employment & Learning Committee	£200.00	£0.00	£0.00	£200.00
2080	Enterprise Trade & Invest Committee	£80.00	£0.00	£0.00	£80.00
2100	Agriculture & Rural Dev Committee	£6,419.24	£2,105.17	£756.25	£9,280.66
2110	Culture Arts & Leisure Committee	£3,057.90	£621.67	£0.00	£3,679.57
2120	Education Committee	£2,629.70	£0.00	£5.00	£2,634.70
2140	HSPS Committee	£7,219.21	£4,373.17	£927.99	£12,520.37
2150	Public Accounts Committee	£249.92	£0.00	£55.00	£304.92
2160	Standards & Privileges Committee	£3,077.35	£1,210.00	£324.11	£4,611.46
2170	Committee of OFMDFM	£7,872.90	£1,204.92	£35.20	£9,113.02
2180	Procedures Committee	£3,787.62	£3,999.40	£1,066.40	£8,853.42

		£38,874.39	£16,730.53	£3,252.94	£58,857.86

2008/2009
		Travel	Hotels	Other Costs	Totals
2050	Social Development Committee	£23,640.69	£9,562.75	£1,874.19	£35,077.63
2060	Regional Development Committee	£2,892.19	£1,489.98	£100.00	£4,482.17
2070	Employment & Learning Committee	£1,224.87	£305.60	£0.00	£1,530.47
2080	Enterprise Trade & Invest Committee	£498.92	£0.00	£13.90	£512.82
2100	Agriculture & Rural Dev Committee	£6,572.47	£1,848.88	£357.23	£8,778.58
2110	Culture Arts & Leisure Committee	£1,751.48	£109.95	£88.24	£1,949.67
2120	Education Committee	£559.00	£793.85	£15.00	£1,367.85
2130	Environment Committee	£1,555.73	£1,067.54	£46.12	£2,669.39
2140	HSPS Committee	£4,215.08	£789.00	£454.37	£5,458.45
2150	Public Accounts Committee	£1,089.52	£1,557.81	£439.05	£3,086.38
2160	Standards & Privileges Committee	£2,909.43	£1,260.00	£285.30	£4,454.73
2170	Committee of OFMDFM	£13,436.81	£4,894.49	£171.17	£18,502.47
2180	Procedures Committee	£148.98			£148.98

		£60,495.17	£23,679.85	£3,844.57	£88,019.59

In the above analysis:

"Travel" consists of – mileage allowance, passenger allowance, airfares, coach hire, car parking, public transport costs and taxis

"Other costs" consists of:- day subsistence, meals, hospitality, souvenirs and personal allowance.

The breakdown provided includes both Assembly Members and Committee support staff. Due to the reporting structure in place at the time of processing these transactions, it is not possible to differentiate between staff costs and Members’ costs. However this analysis will be available from 1 April 2009.

Committee Visits

Mr C Boylan asked the Assembly Commission to detail the cost of travel for staff who accompany Committee members on visits, broken down by Committee.

(AQW 6934/09)

As noted in the response to AQW 6933/09, due to the reporting structure in place at the time of processing these transactions it is not possible to differentiate between staff travel costs and Committee Members’ travel costs. This analysis will be available from 1 April 2009.

Committee Visits

Mr C Boylan asked the Assembly Commission what mechanisms are in place to ensure responsible use of public funds when planning Committee and/or staff travel.

(AQW 6935/09)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr A Maginness):

Provision for Members travel is made in The Northern Ireland Assembly (Members’ Allowances) Determination 2000. This Determination informs the travel policies which are operated by the Assembly for all Members travel. The current NICS travel policy applies to all Secretariat staff, who travel on Assembly business.

Travel arrangements for the Assembly are co-ordinated through the central travel desk. This enables greater control, and ensures that both policies are administered correctly and that there is a responsible use of public funds when planning all Assembly travel.

Quarter Ending	Total Outpatients seen for the first time	Total waiting more than 13 weeks
30^th June 2008	121,470	82
30^th September 2008	117,976	317
31^st December 2008	124,284	239

Traffic Calming Schemes
Banbridge Council area	Craigavon Council area
Dromore Street, Banbridge	North Circular Road, Lurgan
Huntly Road	Ballynamoney Road, Aghacommon
Ballygowan Road	Mill Hill, Waringstown
Seapatrick Road, Seapatrick	Lower Toberhewny Lane, Lurgan
Newry Street, Rathfriland
School Travel and Safety Projects
Banbridge Council area	Craigavon Council area
Banbridge Academy	Portadown Integrated Primary School
St Matthew’s, Leitrim	Eglish Primary School

	Response Maintenance	Planned Improvements
	£k	£k
Ards Borough Council	1730	4006
Down District Council	1589	1099
Castlereagh Borough Council	1999	4475

Financial Year	Number
2004/05	2,188
2005/06	2,614
2006/07	2,413
2007/08	2,401
April – September 2008	1,935

Friday 17 April 2009

Written Answers to Questions

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Climate Change

Definition of ‘Victim’

Infrastructure Projects

Bus Projects

Water Projects

Housing projects

Urban Group projects

Water Projects

Urban Group projects

Advertising Expenditure

Table A

Definition of ‘Victim’

US Investments

Recent Visit to United States

Capital Investment

North West Gateway Initiative

Funding for Victims and Survivors

North West Gateway Initiative

Barrosso Task Force Report

Bank Representatives

Construction Industry

Corporate Responsibility Issues

Departmental/Agency Charge Increases

Northern Ireland Children's Commissioner

Media Coverage

Ombudsman's Office

Planning Appeals Commission

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Agricultural Waste Strategy

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Bovine Tuberculosis

Crossnacreevy Site

Bovine Tuberculosis

Bovine Tuberculosis

Dairy Industry

Dairy Industry

Forestry Service

Tollymore Forest Park

Tollymore Forest Park

Tollymore Forest Park

Forestry Land

Knock River in East Belfast

Thermally Efficient Schemes

Risk Based Inspections of Feed Businesses

Fishing Boats

Single Farm Payment Scheme

Departmental Funds for Halls

Rural Businesses

Departmental Funds for Halls

Welfare of Horses

Countryside Management Scheme

Tourism Initiatives in North Antrim

Countryside Management Scheme

Clay Lakes

Clay Lakes

Clay Lakes

Clay Lakes

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Festivals and Events

Festivals and Events

Festivals and Events

Plantation Exploration/Commemoration

Newtownards Library

Ulster/Scots and Irish Language Projects

Financial Awards Made by Department

Projects Planned for Upper Bann

DCAL CAPITAL PROJECTS – UPPER BANN

Trouble at International Football Match

Proposed New National Stadium

Trouble at International Football Match

Trouble at International Football Match

Proposed New National Stadium

Ulster Scots Agency Newspaper

Department of Education

Teaching Posts

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09