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 4 December 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

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Homosexuality

Dr S Farry asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 1548/10, if it is policy within the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minster to refer to homosexuality as a ‘lifestyle choice’.

(AQW 2340/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister does not have a policy on this issue.

Homosexuality

Dr S Farry asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 1548/10, whether specific guidance will be issued to Ministers and officials to refrain from referring to homosexuality as a ‘lifestyle choice’.

(AQW 2341/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: There is no Departmental policy on this issue and therefore there is no plan to issue specific guidance.

However, Ministers are required by the Ministerial Code and Pledge of Office "to serve all the people of Northern Ireland equally, and to act in accordance with the general obligations on government to promote equality and prevent discrimination".

Conduct of officials is governed by the NICS Code of Ethics. This sets out the Civil Service values and standards of behaviour including a requirement to carry out responsibilities in a way that is fair, just and equitable and reflects the Civil Service commitment to equality and diversity and its obligations under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Taxi Expenditure

Mr T Lunn asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how much their Department has spent on taxis in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2456/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The table below details how much the Department has spent in each of the last five years:

Description	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
Taxis	£8,435	£14,527	£12,399	£20,077	£14,650

The figures also include the costs incurred for car hire by our offices in Brussels and Washington during Ministerial visits.

Third Periodic Report of the Committee of Experts into the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages

Mr D Bradley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister when they will issue the supplementary report to the Third Periodic Report of the Committee of Experts into the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages.

(AQW 2685/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The issue of this report will require the agreement of the Executive. Proposals by the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure are under consideration but, at this time, no date can be given as to when any such report will be issued.

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

Mrs M Bradley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for update on the implementation of the concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

(AQW 2709/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The children and young people’s strategy action plan will be the main vehicle for taking forward the UNCRC Concluding Observations. The current 2008-11 action plan already addresses a number of these recommendations but work is underway in strengthening it.

The Executive agreed that the action plan will be a ‘living document’ open to review and amendment and a key element of this will be the consideration of additional actions, where necessary, to address the Concluding Observations.

We consider that this will more effectively integrate respect for children’s rights into policy and practice than developing a separate UNCRC action plan. In revising the strategy action plan, we will also make a clearer link between the appropriate actions and the relevant Concluding Observations.

To help inform this work, we have carried out a process of engagement during August and September with over 600 children and young people from a wide social and geographical spread. We asked them to identify the priority issues which they felt were not being addressed by the existing action plan, with a particular focus on the UNCRC Concluding Observations.

To conclude this consultation, we hosted a conference on 21^st November which afforded young people the opportunity to feed their views back directly to policy makers. This will be used to inform departments when considering additional actions for inclusion in the revised action plan.

We do however recognise that we cannot tackle all of the issues in the short-term and whilst we will of course consider all of the concluding observations as we take this work forward, we have identified a set of 14 priorities on which we will focus first.

The Junior Ministers have also been working with their counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales and they have contributed to the development of a joint statement of commitment to take action in response to the UNCRC’s concluding observations. This was published on 20^th November 2009 and includes a section covering common areas for co-operation and links to 4 documents outlining the priorities for each administration in addressing the concluding observations.

EU Directives

Mr A Ross asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how many EU Directives their Department has (i) received; and (ii) implemented in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2728/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

Year	Adopted¹	Transposed²
2007	0	0
2008	0	2
2009³	0	0

¹For the purposes of this question, ‘received’ is understood to mean adopted. A directive is formally adopted on the date it is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

²Transposed refers to the date at which enabling legislation is complete and is therefore the legal date of implementation. This column may include directives which were adopted prior to 2007.

³Figures up to and including 29 October 2009.

Equality Commission's Proposals for Legislative Reform

Ms D Purvis asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Equality Commission’s proposals for legislative reform, and any actions that their office has taken to consider and implement these proposals.

(AQW 2741/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Equality Commission’s proposals for legislative reform seek to extend protection to combat discrimination based on age, sex, race, religious belief and disability. All but one of the Commissions proposals requires to be implemented by way of primary legislation. We are therefore giving this matter careful consideration.

Ballykelly Royal Air Force and Army Base

Mr D McClarty asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister if they are aware of any plans for the future use of the Ballykelly Royal Air Force and Army base.

(AQW 2793/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: Ballykelly RAF Base was founded in June 1941. The entire site was gifted to the British Army on 2 June 1971 and renamed Shackleton Barracks.

We are not aware of any plans for the future use of this site.

European Commission

Mr D Kinahan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) what permanent liaison their Department has with the European Commission; (ii) how frequently their Department talks to relevant representatives in Europe about forthcoming policy and legislation; and (iii) what steps they take to inform the Assembly about this forthcoming legislation.

(AQW 2926/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: (i) The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has maintained an office in Brussels since 2001 to support EU engagement by the Executive and wider Civic Society. The Office facilitates contacts between EU Institutions and NI Ministers and officials; reports on European Policy; and maintains our profile with key European influencers.

The introduction of the EU Commission Task Force strengthens our existing base for dialogue with the EU Commission. This has been enhanced by the secondment of an EU official to the NICS with a remit to strengthen policy discussions between our Departments and their Brussels counterparts.

(ii) Our Brussels Office is in daily contact with key European Stakeholders. The staff meet regularly with UK Representation to the EU (UKRep) and Scottish and Welsh officials to consider issues relevant to the Devolved Administrations. The head of the office attends weekly Heads of Sections briefings at UKRep. The Office also has regular contact with the IrishRep to discuss forthcoming policy and legislation and co-operation on EU programmes.

OFMDFM works closely with Northern Ireland representatives in Brussels including MEPs, members of the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee.

All Departments have an interest and responsibility for EU policy development and implementation and have established links with their UK counterparts as well as staff in the EU Commission.

OFMDFM Ministers have worked with the Commission in taking forward the Taskforce work. Junior Ministers chair an inter-departmental group of senior officials to oversee this work. Currently, Ministers and their Departments are finalising the 2009/10 action plan.

OFMDFM Ministers and officials attend the Joint Ministerial Committee on Europe, which meets quarterly, chaired by the Foreign Secretary, to consider key European policies. Other Northern Ireland departments are involved in this process by providing briefing on relevant agenda items.

(iii) European Division in OFMDFM regularly disseminates information on EU developments, including proposed policy and legislative programmes, to relevant Executive Departments. Departments and their Ministers decide how and when to consult with Assembly Committees.

Officials from OFMDFM European Division have provided evidence to the OFMDFM Assembly Committee on four occasions covering the Lisbon Treaty; the process of European Engagement and the role of the Brussels Office; and the Executive’s Action Plans in response to the Commission Task Force Report on Northern Ireland. In addition, OFMDFM has written to the Committee concerning a UK-wide consultation on a draft EU Equality Directive.

The Brussels office has facilitated policy visits of members of the OFMDFM, Agriculture, and Environment Assembly Committees as well as the Assembly Director of Clerking and Reporting and the Assembly Business Trust.

Public Sector Jobs in West Tyrone

Mr B McElduff asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the number, the location, the grade and the posts within their Department currently located in (a) the Omagh District; and (b) the Strabane District; and to outline his Department's plans to increase the number of public sector jobs in West Tyrone.

(AQW 2936/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has currently no staff working in the Omagh and Strabane Districts. The Department currently has no plans to increase the number of civil servants in these areas.

EU Forward Planning

Mr D Kennedy asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the main forward planning areas of the EU Commission over the next five years; and what steps they have taken to ensure that Northern Ireland Departments are focused on these areas.

(AQO 411/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The European Union is in a state of flux pending the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December. The existing Commission is acting in a limited caretaker capacity. Nominees for the new College of Commissioners should be known this month, but a new Commission is not expected to be in office until late January.

It is difficult to predict the longer-term objectives of the new Commission when the Commissioners themselves are unknown. However, the outgoing Commission has agreed an Annual Policy Strategy for 2010, which does offer some short-term insight.

The economic crisis is affecting every part of Europe and the new Commission will wish to monitor the impact of the European Economic Recovery Plan, including a reassessment of the Lisbon Growth and Jobs Strategy, to ensure that it is providing a solid basis for recovery.

Assuming an agreement on climate change in Copenhagen in December, the new Commission will also wish to deliver on commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, develop renewable energies and improve energy security and efficiencies.

These key policy areas are already well-known to our Departments and we will monitor this work carefully.

Junior Ministers chair the inter-departmental Barroso Task Force Working Group. This forum provides a mechanism to consider the new Commission’s emerging priorities and, through the Executive’s annual statement of European Priorities and Action Plan, to reflect these, as appropriate, into the work of Northern Ireland Departments.

Our well-established contacts with Commission officials and other Brussels-based institutions and organisations, spearheaded through the work of the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels, also positions us well for future dialogue with the new College of Commissioners.

Children and Young People

Mr T Buchanan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what co-operation there has been among the four UK regions in relation to children and young people.

(AQO 412/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: In an effort to ensure our children and young people enjoy their childhood and can look forward to the best possible future, we enjoy close links with our counterparts in other administrations, both within the UK and further afield.

In relation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child we have recently co-operated on the Commitment to take action in response to the UNCRC Concluding Observations and in particular have agreed to work together on child poverty; negative stereotyping and media portrayal of young people; raising awareness of children’s rights and participation.

The Junior Ministers hold annual meetings with their opposite numbers in the other three administrations and officials meet quarterly to discuss matters such as support for the Commissioners for Children and Young People, child poverty, play and children’s rights’ issues.

As you will also be aware, we have recently agreed to be part of the UK-wide Child Poverty Bill. This will ensure closer UK working on this issue and provide a UK-wide resource for the advice and guidance in relation to child poverty through the new Commission. We will also be able to nominate a commissioner to this body.

OFMDFM Staffing

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how many civil servants were employed within their Department in each of the last three years.

(AQO 413/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The size of the Department has gradually reduced from 408 staff in September 2007, to 401 in September 2008 and to 394 in September 2009.

We are committed to the efficient and effective delivery of the wide range of functions and programmes delivered by OFMDFM.

Interface Areas

Mr N Dodds asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what action their Department is taking in relation to interface areas, with particular reference to tackling antisocial behaviour by young people, encouraging shared spaces, and working to tackle division with the support of the community.

(AQO 414/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: Junior Minister Kelly and Junior Minister Newton continue to chair the north Belfast Working Group focusing on interface issues in Belfast and across Northern Ireland.

This work has been and continues to be carried out in partnership with other departments, agencies and statutory bodies as well as local groups working on the ground. We have invested £29m in good relations work in the current CSR period – to build a shared and better future.

Since devolution we have spent £1.5m on funding summer diversionary programmes as well as a number of discrete pieces of work such as the North Belfast Interface Network (NBIN) project "Wise up M8" aimed at diverting young people away from interface violence. Further, in our role as Accountable Department for three Priorities under PEACE III we are content that funded programmes are targeted at specific areas and groups. We also work collaboratively with the International Fund for Ireland on targeting resources and programmes at interface areas.

As well as this, the North Belfast Community Action Unit has, as part of its core objectives, been working to address interface issues in North Belfast since it’s formation in 2002. North Belfast has the highest concentration of interfaces in Northern Ireland.

The Unit has facilitated relationship building and cross community activity across interface areas in North Belfast through funding provided for the Community Empowerment Partnerships. The types of programmes funded include summer diversionary activity, youth development work, respect events and cultural awareness projects. Key interface areas targeted for such activity include – Ardoyne, Duncairn Gardens, Cliftonpark Avenue and Oldpark Road.

The Unit has also facilitated key discussions and partnership work in sensitive areas such as Hazelwood, Tigers Bay and Glandore/Skegoniel where there is a particular emphasis on addressing anti-social behaviour and youth issues.

Ministerial Pledge of Office

Mr C Boylan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether all decisions taken by Ministers in their office must conform with the Ministerial Pledge of Office.

(AQO 415/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: In accordance with section 28A(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, a Minister or Junior Minister must act in accordance with the provisions of the Ministerial Code, including the Pledge of Office.

Policing and Justice Powers

Mr D Ford asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for on update on the Cohesion, Sharing and Integration strategy.

(AQO 416/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: We would refer the Member to the answer we provided on Monday 9^th November. What we said then is equally applicable now.

Policing and Justice Powers

Mr M Durkan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on negotiations regarding the transfer of Policing and Justice.

(AQO 417/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: Preparations for the devolution of policing and justice powers have continued to progress in line with the process paper which we made public following our attendance at the Assembly and Executive Review Committee (AERC) on 18 November last year.

One of the essential steps indentified in the process paper was the satisfactory conclusion to financial discussions involving ourselves, the NIO, the Treasury and the Prime Minister. These discussions have been pursued intensively in recent months. An offer of a financial package to meet the pressures faced by bodies responsible for the delivery of policing and justice functions has been set out in a letter from the Prime Minister, which he made public on 21 October. We have briefed the major Assembly parties and, on 10 November 2009, the Assembly and Executive Review Committee (AERC) on the financial package offered by the Prime Minister.

In March 2009, legislative changes were enacted at Westminster to reflect the recommendations contained in the AERC’s Report of January 2009 on arrangements for the devolution of policing and justice. This report was endorsed by the Assembly on 20 January 2009 and the Committee has since been working on a further report on a broad range of other issues relevant to devolution.

Consequent on the AERC Report, primary legislation has been enacted at Westminster to facilitate its recommendations. The Secretary of State has made an Order increasing the maximum number of Executive Departments to permit the establishment of a justice department.

On 14 September 2009, a Bill was introduced in the Assembly to facilitate the future creation of a Department of Justice and make arrangements for the appointment of a Minister of Justice. The Bill, which has now passed Second Stage, Committee scrutiny and Consideration Stage, is preparatory in nature, and its commencement provision will ensure that it is brought into operation on a date agreed by us.

We re-emphasise our commitment to working faithfully through the remaining steps identified in the November process paper, so that devolution can be achieved without undue delay.

Northern Ireland Block Grant

Mr R Beggs asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline any discussions they have had with the Prime Minister's Office and the Treasury in relation to the impact of proposed efficiency savings on the Northern Ireland Block Grant.

(AQO 418/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: All formal budgetary negotiations with HM Treasury are conducted on behalf of the Executive by the Finance Minister and his officials in Central Finance Group. At no time have we or any other Executive Minister sought to compromise this position.

Forum for Victims and Survivors

Rt Hon J Donaldson asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister if the newly convened Forum for Victims and Survivors has undertaken to examine the issue of the definition of a victim.

(AQO 419/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Forum commenced discussions on the issue of the definition of a victim at meetings on 22 September and 10 November 2009. Further discussions are expected to take place early in 2010.

Victims Strategy and Proposed Victims Service

Mrs N Long asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, given the lack of clarity on the victims strategy and the proposed victims service, what arrangements are in place in relation to core and development funding for victims from 1 April 2010.

(AQW 3147/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The new Strategy for Victims and Survivors was agreed by the Executive Committee on 5^th November. The document will be published shortly. In addition we are currently considering responses to our consultation on proposals for a new victims’ and survivors’ service. It is our intention that no groups will be disadvantaged as we implement the new strategy.

We intend to make an announcement on the continuation of funding and other transitional arrangements that will be put in place to support victims and survivors in the near future.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Rural Development Fund

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how much modulation money has been transferred from funds for direct payments to farmers to the Rural Development Fund.

(AQW 2819/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): From the commencement of Modulation in 2001, to 2008, Stg £90,756,837 of Modulation funds have been transferred from funds for direct payment to farmers to the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

European Common Fisheries Policy

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the tonnage of (i) cod; (ii) haddock; and (iii) whiting thrown overboard by fishing vehicles in 2008/09, in order to comply with the European Common Fisheries Policy.

(AQW 2934/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Fisheries data on the extent of discarding is based on information collected by scientific observers from AFBI (Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute) who carry out an annual programme of observation trips with the local commercial fleet. The data is then scaled up to provide an estimate at fleet level. The table below shows the 2008/9 discard estimates for the north of Ireland nephrops fleet, divided into fish above and below (MLS) minimum landing size (all figures in tonnes).

	Cod	Haddock	Whiting
Below MLS	2.9	92.7	495.5
Above MLS	0.6	2.0	17.8
Total	3.5	94.7	513.3

Only one whitefish vessel was sampled in the 4^th quarter of 2008 during which only 1 cod above minimum landing size and no haddock or whiting were discarded. This information is insufficient to produce a fleet level estimate for the white fish fleet.

Civil Servants' Earnings

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many civil servants in her Department earn more than the Minister, inclusive of salaries, bonuses and any paid positions on outside bodies.

(AQW 2952/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Ministerial salary used for comparison purposes in this response is the annual salary payable in 2008-2009 to a Ministerial Office Holder of £37,801 plus the basic annual salary payable to a Member of the Legislative Assembly of £43,101. Ministers who are also in receipt of a salary as a Member of Parliament have the MLA element of their salary abated by two thirds (£43101 reduced to £14368). As a Sinn Féín MP I receive no salary from Westminster. Therefore only the abated MLA salary of £14368 plus the Ministerial Office Holder salary of £37,801 (£52,169 in total) has been applied.

There are a total of 30 civil servants in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who earn more than the Minister. This is based solely on salary records relating specifically to their employment in the Department in 2008-09. There is no requirement for the Department to hold remuneration details for staff who have paid positions on outside bodies.

Game

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she is taking to promote Game as a menu item in restaurants and homes.

(AQW 2976/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I understand that the reference to "Game" relates to animals raised for sport or pleasure and wild animals or birds pursued in chase including deer, rabbits and pheasants. Also, whilst these do not form part of main stream agri-food activities I welcome the fact that there are entrepreneurs who are willing to accept the challenge to diversify into such enterprises which help to satisfy the requirements of niche markets and restaurants.

I wish to advise that there are very strict EU rules which limit the extent to which public funds may be used to support the promotion of domestically produced meat. However, I can confirm that my Department has been proactive in promoting and administering the Regional Food Programme, which provides financial assistance to local agri-food groups to promote quality regional produce. This scheme is open to all parts of the food industry, including the "Game" sector, and would be an ideal revenue stream to help the ‘Game" industry to promote its products.

You will also wish to be aware of the recent merger of Food Promotions NI and Taste of Ulster to form a local food industry promotional body. This is an important development as it streamlines local promotional activities particularly for the speciality food sector to both the retail and hospitality sectors without the restrictions of EU rules.

My Department also carries out a wide range of activities aimed at supporting the agri-food sector. These include the provision of technical support and guidance. I would encourage the "Game" sector to avail of these.

Flooding Incidents

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many requests were made to Rivers Agency to attend flooding incidents in (i) the Ards Borough Council; and (ii) the Strangford constituency in (a) August 2009; (b) September 2009; and (c) October 2009.

(AQW 2977/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: DARD Rivers Agency can confirm that during the period August 2009 to October 2009 five calls for assistance at flooding incidents in the Ards Borough Council area were received. These calls were all received in September 2009. Outside of the Council area, but still within the Strangford constituency area, no further calls were received.

Set-aside Land

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how much set-aside land there is in each Parliamentary constituency.

(AQW 2983/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: In 2008, the set-aside rate was reduced to zero and the requirement to set-aside land was abolished altogether with effect from 1 January 2009. However, producers may still voluntarily set land aside. A total of 334.79 hectares of land was declared by farmers on 2009 Single Application Forms as being in set aside use.

The Department does not hold Single Application details on a constituency basis. The data is currently held by county/postcode. A list of the total land areas declared as being in set aside use by farm businesses located in each post code area is attached at Annex A.

ANNEX A

Farm Business in Post Code	Land Area Declared in Set-aside Use (Hectares)
BT1	0.41
BT19	2.28
BT22	7.3
BT23	8.79
BT24	2.27
BT25	7.23
BT26	16.89
BT27	33.95
BT28	3.22
BT29	3.32
BT30	17.67
BT32	9.57
BT34	10.62
BT35	2.75
BT39	2.22
BT41	28.31
BT43	5.98
BT44	2.64
BT45	17.3
BT47	31.33
BT48	3.08
BT49	6.52
BT51	0.37
BT52	6.75
BT54	0.78
BT60	3.76
BT61	5.11
BT62	26.93
BT63	5.26
BT66	2.78
BT67	11.77
BT68	3.23
BT69	1.18
BT70	2.6
BT71	5.4
BT74	0.92
BT78	23.79
BT79	0.74
BT8	2.02
BT81	1.81
BT82	3.05
BT92	0.55
BT93	0.24
Other	2.1
Total Area Used	334.79 Hectares

Emergency Funds from Europe for Farmers

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, following the recent extreme rainfall and flooding, what applications her Department has made for emergency funds from Europe for farmers and people living in rural areas.

(AQW 3178/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The extreme flooding which has particularly impacted upon the north of Ireland, has created great inconvenience to people here. My thoughts are with everyone affected and my heart goes out to the farmers and those living in rural areas who have suffered disruption as a result.

There are currently no Executive compensation schemes available for crop or other losses. However, I intend to raise the issue of the financial loss to farmers etc with my Executive colleagues. I have considered all avenues for financial support from Europe, including State Aid and the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF). The primary requirement for state aid is that DARD must have evidence that farmers have lost more than 30% of their average annual production compared with the last 3 years. Under the EUSF, a Member State must demonstrate that it has suffered a "major natural disaster" defined in Britain’s case as constituting over £2 billion of damage or 0.6% of Gross National Income - approximately £9 million, therefore these are not feasible in the circumstances

Farmers may also be able to pursue support through their insurers for any flood damage to property, and I would strongly urge all those affected, to do so as soon as possible.

Transporting of Horses

Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to AQW 2568/10, whether a Certificate of Competence test only applies to licensed hauliers, or if it applies to any person transporting horses, including people who are moving their own stock and people travelling to and from equestrian events.

(AQW 3239/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: As required by Article 6(5) of Council Regulation EC 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, from 5 January 2008 every person who drives or acts as an attendant on a road vehicle transporting domestic Equidae, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or poultry, on a journey over 65km in connection with an economic activity, should hold a certificate of competence. An economic activity is considered to be any transport of animals undertaken as part of a business or commercial activity, which aims at achieving financial gain, whether direct or indirect, for any person or company involved with the transport.

Exclusions from the scope of the Regulation include journeys where the transport is not in connection with an economic activity, for seasonal transhumance purposes (the moving of animals to and from seasonal pasture over relatively short distances), transportation to or from veterinary practices or clinics under veterinary advice, or an individual animal (fit for the intended journey) accompanied by its owner or other responsible person or pet animals accompanied by their owner on a journey.

The following kinds of journey are not considered to be connected to an economic activity:-

Pet animals taken to or from a specialist show or competition, where the primary purpose is for pleasure or competition.

The transport of horses and ponies by their owner for the purpose of riding or showing or competing for pleasure. However, if a person transports horses to such an event and was paid for undertaking the transport, this would be within the scope of the EU Regulation.

My Department has designated several bodies to examine for and award certificates of competence. These bodies include An Teagasc in the south of Ireland, and the Road Haulage Association, the National Proficiency Training Council and the British Driving Society in the north of Ireland and in Britain.

Full details, forms and guidance notes are available on the Department’s website.

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE

Ulster-Scots Culture

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what is his Department's definition of Ulster-Scots 'culture'.

(AQW 2895/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr N McCausland): As defined in the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 ‘Ulster-Scots cultural issues’ relate to the cultural traditions of the part of the population of Northern Ireland and the border counties which is of Scottish ancestry and the influence of their cultural traditions on others, both within the island of Ireland and the rest of the world.

Public Sector Jobs in West Tyrone

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number, the location, the grade and the posts within his Department currently located in (a) the Omagh District; and (b) the Strabane District; and to outline his Department's plans to increase the number of public sector jobs in West Tyrone.

(AQW 2935/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: My Department has no offices located in either Omagh or Strabane. At this time DCAL has no plans to increase the number of public sector jobs in West Tyrone.

Amateur Sports Clubs

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what funding schemes are available through his Department for amateur sports clubs.

(AQW 2974/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. Amateur sports clubs are eligible to apply to SNI for funding on the same basis as any other type of sports club and can seek to access a range of club based funding programmes. These include a new Awards for Sport scheme which recently opened for applications

Civil Servants Earnings

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how many civil servants in his Department earn more than the Minister, inclusive of salaries, bonuses and any paid positions on outside bodies.

(AQW 2997/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The term civil servants encompasses members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, including the Senior Civil Service and, under a special arrangement, Special Advisors to Ministers. Salaries for civil servants are determined in pay scales relative to the appropriate grading structure. The grading structures are underpinned by job evaluation methodologies. Civil Service salaries paid in 2008-2009 have been used for the purpose of this comparison.

The Ministerial salary used for comparison purposes in this response is the annual salary payable in 2008-2009 to a Ministerial Office Holder of £37,801 plus the basic annual salary payable to a Member of the Legislative Assembly of £43,101, a total of £80,902. My Department had two civil servants earning more than this combined figure in 2008-09.

New Library Headquarters

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what progress has been made in identifying a location for the new library headquarters; and when he expects construction to begin.

(AQW 3035/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Libraries NI are currently carrying out an Economic Appraisal to identify a permanent location for the organisation’s headquarters.

The following options are being considered:

Utilisation of spare accommodation in Libraries NI buildings
Rental of public sector accommodation
Rental of private sector accommodation

A new building is not currently being considered as an option.

Libraries NI anticipate that the Economic Appraisal will be completed early in 2010. The appraisal including the recommended location will then be forwarded to the Department for approval.

Ulster Scots Agency

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much money the Ulster Scots Agency spent on renting offices in (i) Belfast; and (ii) Newtownards, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3037/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: In the last three years the Ulster-Scots Agency has paid the following amounts towards the rental of its offices in Belfast, 2007 - £28,101.50; 2008 - £77,849.75 and 2009 - £119,798.39. The increase in rent is due to the new office accommodation now used by the Ulster-Scots Agency at 68-72 Great Victoria Street, Belfast which is significantly larger than the previous premises rented at Franklin House.

The Agency does not have any offices in Newtownards.

Ulster Scots Agency

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for how long has the Ulster Scots Agency been renting offices in (i) Belfast; and (ii) Newtownards.

(AQW 3038/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Since its establishment in 1999 the Ulster-Scots Agency has been renting office accommodation in Belfast. The Agency does not rent offices in Newtownards.

Ulster Scots Agency

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for how long have the Ulster Scots Agency offices in (i) Belfast; and (ii) Newtownards been operational.

(AQW 3039/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The Ulster-Scots Agency’s office in Belfast has been operational since 1999. The Ulster-Scots Agency does not have office accommodation in Newtownards.

Maze Multi-Sports Project

Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, following the discontinuation of the Maze multi-sports project, how much funding is available for the development of seperate stadia for (i) football; (ii) rugby; and (iii) gaelic games; and how much funding has each of these sports sought to date.

(AQW 3050/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: On 26 June 2009 when my predecessor took his recommendations on progressing stadium development to the Northern Ireland Executive it was noted that the indicative funding package from Government was £110m. The final funding package will be determined following consideration of a recently produced Outline Business Case on stadium development. This will be subject to normal budgetary processes.

Any allocation of funding to the Governing Bodies will not be determined until the outcome of the Outline Business Case has been reviewed by my Department and subsequently approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Executive.

Libraries NI December Events Brochure

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (i) how many copies of the flawed Libraries NI December Events brochure were printed, and at what cost; and (ii) how many copies were reprinted, and at what cost.

(AQW 3193/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

8000 copies of the Libraries NI December Events brochure were initially printed at a cost of £710
8000 copies of the brochure were reprinted at a cost of £700

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Funding for Private Schools

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Education if she has consulted with her counterpart in the Irish Government about why funding for private schools in the Republic of Ireland has been cut; and is this likely to be replicated in primary and secondary schools across all sectors, including Irish-medium schools and specialist schools in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2380/10)

Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane ): Creidim gur chóir go ndéileálfaí le gach earnáil fud fad oileán na hÉireann ar mhodh cothrom. Tá sé faoi chúram rialtas na hÉireann cinntí a dhéanamh ar chaiteachas ar scoileanna sa Deisceart.

I believe that all sectors throughout the island of Ireland should be treated in a fair and equal manner. Decisions on spending for schools in the south are properly a matter for the Irish Government to determine, however I can confirm that I have recently written to the Minister for Education and Science to request an update in relation to the block grant for protestant fee paying schools.

I continue to engage with all Churches and education sectors to ensure equality for all sectors. For schools in the north, my spending decisions seek to ensure that all our children and young people have the opportunity to fulfil their full potential through quality education services. Central to this is fair and equitable funding, within finite resources available for funding all schools.

I will continue to seek the support of all parties in the Assembly to endorse my efforts to secure additional funding for Education.

Education and Skills Authority

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education how much money has been spent to date on (i) salaries; (ii) accommodation; (iii) support services; and (iv) all other costs in preparation for the take over of education functions by the Education and Skills Authority.

(AQW 2817/10)

Minister of Education: I ndiaidh chinneadh an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin chun an Údarás um Oideachas agus Scileanna a bhunú ó 1 Eanáir 2010, tá sonraí leagtha amach sa tábla thíos den chaiteachas a tabhaíodh go dtí seo mar ullmhúchán dona bhunú.

Based on the Executive’s decision to establish the Education and Skills Authority from 1 January 2010 details of expenditure incurred to date in preparation are set out in the table below

Expenditure Category Total Expenditure *

£’000

Salaries
5,434

Accommodation
359

Support Services
670

Other Costs
727

Total
7,190

Expenditure Category	Total Expenditure *
	£’000
Salaries	5,434
Accommodation	359
Support Services	670
Other Costs	727
Total	7,190

*expenditure disclosed up to 31 October 2009

Capital Spend on Projects

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Education to detail her Department's total capital spend on projects this year to date in each constituency.

(AQW 2829/10)

Minister of Education: The table below provides a detailed breakdown of capital spend to date on major school projects in each constituency, for the current financial year.

CONSTITUENCY	£ (000's)
BELFAST EAST	31650
BELFAST NORTH	297
BELFAST SOUTH	100
BELFAST WEST	3570
EAST ANTRIM	0
EAST DERRY	403
FERMANAGH & SOUTH TYRONE	753
FOYLE	1730
LAGAN VALLEY	1414
MID ULSTER	155
NEWRY & ARMAGH	5251
NORTH ANTRIM	1258
NORTH DOWN	1209
SOUTH ANTRIM	1884
SOUTH DOWN	1777
STRANGFORD	183
UPPER BANN	2580
WEST TYRONE	512

Ní féidir an leibhéal cruinne céanna a sholáthar le haghaidh caiteachais chaipitiúil ar mhionthionscadail chaipitil. Bheadh sé am-íditheach d'fheidhmeannaigh agus bheadh costas díréireach i gceist leis an eolas seo a fháil.

It has not been possible to provide a similar level of detail for capital spend on minor capital projects. To do so would be a very time consuming exercise for officials and the costs incurred would be disproportionate to the information requested. It has, however, been possible to provide details of the total capital spend on minor capital projects to date in the current financial year, which is £23,024,000.

Common Entrance Assessment Tests

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Education what assurance she can give to pupils who have followed her advice by not participating in the Common Entrance Assessment tests and GL Assessment tests.

(AQW 2836/10)

Minister of Education: Níor chóir go mbeadh ar aon pháiste teist a dhéanamh d’fhonn teacht ar an ardchaighdeán iarbhunoideachais atá siad i dteideal a fháil. Léiríonn an taithí a bhí ag tíortha ar fud an domhain nach n-éilítear córas roghnaíoch le sármhaitheas acadúil a bhaint amach, agus tá an Fhionlainn ina sampla maith de seo.

No child should have to sit a test in order to access a quality post-primary education to which they are entitled. Experience in countries throughout the world demonstrates that academic excellence does not require a selective system, Finland is a very good example. Transfer 2010 is my Department's policy for the transfer of children from primary to post-primary school and it recommends that transfer should not involve academic testing.

This guidance will deliver an effective and fair system of post-primary transfer. It will also deliver a system of post-primary transfer that helps to answer the wider and desperately urgent reform agenda embracing demographic decline and school sustainability, the delivery of the Entitlement Framework and tackling under-achievement.

Capital Spend on Projects

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Education to detail her Department's projected total capital spend on projects in 2010/11 in each constituency.

(AQW 2888/10)

Minister of Education: Ní féidir freagra a thabhairt ar an cheist ag an am seo siocair go mbeidh éifeacht ag aon tionscadal a fhaofar idir seo agus deireadh na bliana ar an chaiteachas iomlán don bhliain airgeadais 2010/11.

It is not possible to provide an answer to this question at this time as any projects approved between now and the end of the year will have an impact on the total spend in 2010/11. In addition I have commissioned a review of all proposed capital projects to validate that they are consistent with my policy framework and hence will be viable and sustainable in the long term. The outcome of this review will inform priorities for investment which will impact on projected capital spend in 2010/11.

Civil Servants' Earnings

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Education how many civil servants in her Department earn more than the Minister, inclusive of salaries, bonuses and any paid positions on outside bodies.

(AQW 2953/10)

Minister of Education: Tá cúigear státseirbhíseach sa Roinn Oideachais a thuillean níos mó airgid ná an tAire faoi láthair.

There are currently 5 civil servants in the Department of Education who earn more than the Minister.

Newry Grammar Schools

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Education what assessment she has made of the contribution made to education by Newry Grammar schools (i) the Sacred Heart; (ii) Our Lady's; (iii) Abbey Christian Brothers; and (iv) St.Colman's College; and whether she can give an assurance that the planned changes to the entrance process will not impact on the levels of academic achievement in these schools.

(AQW 3034/10)

Minister of Education: Bhí ról suntasach ag gach ceann de na scoileanna ar an Iúr ar ghnóthachtáil oideachasúil agus ar fhorbairt phearsanta pháistí an cheantair thar na blianta.

All of the schools in Newry have made a significant contribution to educational achievement and personal development of children in the area over many years. I am confident that my Department’s transfer policy, Transfer 2010, will enhance equality and excellence for all. Indeed this policy will make sure that the educational experience of all children is improved by ensuring that primary

schools focus on teaching the revised curriculum, without the distraction of teaching to a test, and there will be better equality of access for all children to high quality education in their local area without the stress of unnecessary tests.

Academic excellence is entirely possible without using a breakaway test, as can be evidenced by examining the performance of non-selective education systems throughout the world.

Irish Signage within Education Buildings

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Education why she is promoting internal signage in Irish within education buildings, including Irish signage for toilets.

(AQW 3045/10)

Minister of Education: Cruthaíonn an Chairt Eorpach do Theangacha Réigiúnda nó Mionlaigh oibleagáidaí ar an rialtas teangacha, cosúil leis an Ghaeilge, a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn mar chuid dár n-oidhreacht chultúrtha. Tá oibleagáidí reachtúla agam faoi Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus faoi Chomhaontú Chill Rímhinn agus tá sé de rún agam iad a chomhlíonadh.

The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages places obligations on government to protect and promote languages such as Irish as part of our cultural heritage. I also have statutory duties under the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrew’s Agreement and I intend to fulfil these.

Irish Language Funding

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Education for her assessment on the level of funding for Irish Language schools and Irish translations which serve 5000 of the 300,000 school population.

(AQW 3048/10)

Minister of Education: All grant-aided schools are funded under the Common Funding Formula, which is made up of a range of factors developed to reflect the main costs associated with schools. Funding is distributed on a consistent and equitable basis to ensure that all schools with similar circumstances receive similar levels of funding to address identified need. The Formula also includes factors which recognise the distinctive features of individual schools and certain pupils that give rise to significant and unavoidable costs.

Irish-medium schools and Irish-medium units attached to host English-medium schools have additional costs associated with their particular type of provision and the Formula provides for extra support for these schools and units to reflect the costs associated with the development / translation of curricular materials and to recognise the additional costs incurred in teaching English at Key Stage 2.

Soláthraíonn mo Roinn aistriúcháin ar dhoiciméid agus ar ábhair eile le freastal ar éileamh na ndaltaí, na dtuismitheoirí agus aon duine eile a bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar chéadteanga acu. An rud is éigean a dhéanamh ná cearta comhionanna a thabhairt do pháistí a bhfuil an Ghaeilge acu agus a thugtar do pháistí a labhraíonn Béarla. Féachann An Chairt Eorpach do Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh, Comhaontú Chill Rímhinn agus Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta le hurraim agus cosaint a thabhairt don Ghaeilge agus tá rún agam mo chuid dualgas a chomhlíonadh sa chomhthéacs seo.

My Department provides translations of documents and other material to meet the demands of pupils, parents and others who use Irish as their first language. There must be equal rights afforded to our Irish and English speaking children. The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the St. Andrews Agreement and the Good Friday Agreement all seek to respect and protect Irish and I intend to fulfil my obligations in this regard.

I therefore consider the level of funding to the Irish Medium Sector is in line with their assessed needs.

Every School A Good School: The Way Forward for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Education how much she expects to save through the implementation of 'Every School a Good School - The Way Forward for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion'.

(AQO 453/10)

Minister of Education: Molann na moltaí sa doiciméad comhairliúcháin ‘Gach Scoil ina Scoil Mhaith – An Bealach Chun Tosaigh do Riachtanais Speisialta Oideachais agus Chuimsiú’ Pleananna Tacaíochta Comhordaithe agus Pleananna Foghlama Pearsanta a thabhairt isteach le déileáil le coisc ar an bhfoghlaim. Dhíreodh na moltaí ar an suíomh agus ar mhonatóireacht na dtorthaí do phaistí; próiseas a meastar nach ndéileáltar go cuí leis sa chóras reatha.

The proposals contained in the consultation document ‘Every School a Good School – The Way Forward for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion propose to introduce Co-ordinated Support Plans and Personal Learning Plans to address barriers to learning. A Co-ordinated Support Plan, for children and young people with complex or multiple needs, or a Personal Learning Plan for all other SEN children, as well as setting out the special educational needs assessed and how these are to addressed, would additionally focus on the setting and monitoring of outcomes for children, a process which is considered not adequately captured in the current system.

The Review also focuses on the need for early identification of SEN and early intervention to ensure that children can receive the assistance they need as soon as possible to help them reach their full potential.

Currently many children face lengthy delays before they reach the stage where a statutory assessment of their needs can be undertaken by an Education and Library Board.

This delay is unacceptable and the Review proposals aim to enable more mainstream schools to meet the special educational needs of SEN pupils through the effective use of school based interventions and through the advice available to them from a range of professionals.

The Review’s proposals are also designed to ensure that funding allocated to special education is used effectively and the resources, which are available, will be used to support children and young people with special educational needs. It is proposed that schools will have greater discretion in the utilisation of funds to enable them to put in place interventions to support pupils as early as possible.

The proposals call for greater accountability at all levels for the progress and outcomes for children and young people who need support. In order to enhance the existing training provision in the field of special educational needs, I have currently set aside an additional £25million to develop and implement a capacity building programme for all schools, including the pre-school sector. The precise detail of how this will be allocated will be determined by the end of this financial year. This £25m is in addition to the annual funding my Department allocates for SEN which in 2008/09 was £202 million an increase of 9% on the previous year of £185 million.

A fundamental principle of the proposals is to seek to ensure that all children who face barriers to learning will receive the right support at the right time to allow them to develop their skills and abilities to their fullest potential.

Every School A Good School: The Way Forward for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Education what legislative changes will be needed to implement the proposals in the consultation document 'Every School a Good School - The Way Forward for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion'.

(AQO 454/10)

Minister of Education: Síníodh an tréimhse le haghaidh comhairlithe phoiblí do na moltaí sa doiciméad comhairlithe ‘Gach Scoil ina Scoil Mhaith- An Bealach chun Tosaigh do Riachtanais Speisialta Oideachais agus Chuimsiú’, tréimhse a chríochnaíonn ar an chéad lá is tríocha de mhí Eanáir.

The policy proposals contained in the consultation document ‘Every School a Good School – The Way Forward for SEN and Inclusion’ have undergone an extended period of public consultation, which finishes on 31 January 2010.

Decisions around any changes to the existing legislative framework for special educational needs can only be considered following full analysis of the consultation responses and the detailed development of lower level policies. It will only be at that stage when any future legislative changes required can be set out.

Teachers: False Allegations

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Education what action her Department has taken to ensure that teachers are protected against false allegations from pupils or parents.

(AQO 455/10)

Minister of Education: Bíonn freagracht as cosaint mhúinteoirí i gcoinne líomhaintí bréagacha ar fhostóirí, is é sin Bord Gobharnóirí na scoile ina bhfuil siad fostaithe.

Responsibility for the protection of teachers against false allegations rests with their employers, i.e. the Board of Governors of the school in which they are employed.

There are agreed procedures in place that provide for Principals and Boards of Governors to investigate complaints against teachers. The Principal (or the Board of Governors if the allegation is against the Principal) will conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether there is a case to answer. Where an allegation is found to be false, the formal disciplinary procedure is not invoked and no further action taken.

Any allegation of child abuse made by a child, or by a person on their behalf, must be treated seriously by school authorities and in line with established procedures. Where the allegation is made against a member of staff it may take an investigation by social services or the police to determine that it is false. Schools should give equal consideration to the needs of the staff member and the child in such situations. The motivation behind the allegation may indicate a cause for concern about the child's welfare and a requirement for some type of therapeutic intervention. The support needs of the staff member in the aftermath of such an allegation should also be addressed by the school authorities. Where a formal referral is made to the police or social services and the teacher is subsequently exonerated, no record of the complaint or action taken is retained on the teacher's file.

Newcomer Children

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Education to outline what specific new projects have been proposed to her Department in relation to approaches on the integration of newcomer children in schools; and for her assessment of these.

(AQO 456/10)

Minister of Education: Le blianta beaga anuas, bhí deis againn fáilte a chur roimh chuid mhór núíosach, a roghnaigh teacht chuig an oileán seo le bheith ag obair agus a dteaghlaigh a thógáil ann. Tá sárú na bacainne teanga ar cheann de na príomhdhúshláin maidir le rochtain ar an gcuraclam, ach is gné thábhachtach de shocrú isteach i bpobal nua í cairde a dhéanamh.

Over recent years, we have been given the opportunity to welcome many newcomers, who have chosen to work and raise their families all over Ireland. Overcoming the language barrier to access the curriculum is one of the main challenges, but making new friends and being accepted in school are important aspects of settling in a new community.

My Department has worked hard in partnership with schools, the Education and Library Boards, non government organisations and drawing on experience throughout Ireland and Scotland in particular to find the best strategies to support our newcomer pupils.

This has brought about the development of the Inclusion and Diversity Service, a regional service within the Education and Library Boards which provides support to schools through its diversity officers, interpreting and translating services, a multi-lingual website and a toolkit for primary schools.

In April 2009, I launched the policy ‘Every School a Good School – Supporting Newcomer Pupils’. The policy outlines the framework that has been put in place, through the various support services of the Inclusion and Diversity Service, to ensure that newcomer pupils receive the support they need to access the curriculum and enjoy an inclusive environment in all areas of school life, so that they can fulfil their potential.

Since then my Department has received one proposal from the Inclusion and Diversity Service on a north/south school coordinator training tool for primary and post-primary schools. This is currently under consideration.

Every School A Good School: The Way Forward for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion

Mrs M Bradley asked the Minister of Education if children who currently have statements of special educational needs could lose that status if the proposals contained in 'Every School a Good School - The Way Forward for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion' are implemented.

(AQO 457/10)

Minister of Education: Molann na tograí sa doiciméad comhairlithe ‘Gach Scoil ina Scoil Mhaith- An Bealach chun Tosaigh do Riachtanais Speisialta Oideachais agus Chuimsiú’ Pleananna Tacaíochta Comhordaithe agus Pleananna Foghlama Pearsanta le déileáil leis na baic ar fhoghlaim.

The proposals contained in the consultation document ‘Every School a Good School – The Way Forward for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion propose to introduce Co-ordinated Support Plans and Personal Learning Plans to address barriers to learning . A Co-ordinated Support Plan, for children and young people with complex or multiple needs, or a Personal Learning Plan for all other SEN children, as well as setting out the special educational needs assessed and how these are to addressed, would additionally focus on the setting

and monitoring of outcomes for children, a process which is considered not adequately captured in the current system.

Currently many children face lengthy delays before they reach the stage where a statutory assessment of their needs can be undertaken by an Education and Library Board.

Key tenets of the Review proposals are for early identification of pupils’ needs, followed by appropriate early intervention to reduce the barriers to learning.

Depending on the responses received to the current consultation process, further consideration will be given to the best way to meet the special education needs of children and young people, including those who currently have statements. Further detailed proposals can then be made to determine whether this can best be achieved through a statement or an alternative improved process.

Castlewellan Irish Language Primary School

Mr J Wells asked the Minister of Education if she has any plans to investigate, with Castlewellan Irish Language Primary School, the address given on their recent planning application.

(AQO 458/10)

Minister of Education: Níl sé ar intinn agam an t-iarratas ar chead pleanála a iniúchadh maidir leis an suíomh le haghaidh Bhunscoil Bheanna Boirche i gCaisleán Uidhilín.

I have no plans to investigate the recent application for planning permission in respect of the site for Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche in Castlewellan.

InaG made a planning application to Down District Council, part of this included ordinance survey location maps from which came the official name of the site.

Lagan College

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Education to provide an update on the building of the new school at Lagan College.

(AQO 460/10)

Minister of Education: Thug mé cuairt le déanaí ar Choláiste an Lagáin le bualadh le múinteoirí agus daltaí, agus le feiceáil le mo dhá shúil féin staid reatha na scoile.

I recently visited Lagan College and had the opportunity to meet with teachers and pupils and to see at first hand the current condition of the school.

My department has recently received revised costs for this project. We will now evaluate this bid in line with recently revised guidance. I remain hopeful that a satisfactory outcome can be achieved.

Controlled Schools

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Education how many primary schools and post-primary schools in the controlled sector have closed since September 2006.

(AQO 461/10)

Minister of Education: Ó mhí Mheán Fómhair 2006, druideadh 17 mbunscoil rialaithe agus 7 iarbhunscoil rialaithe. I rith na tréimhse seo, d’fhaomh mé druidim 5 bhunscoil agus 2 iarbhunscoil san earnáil Chaitliceach faoi chothabháil, 1 bhunscoil agus 2 aonad in earnáil na Gaelscolaíochta agus 2 bhunscoil agus 1 iarbhunscoil san earnáil Imeasctha. Druideadh 2 scoil speisialta agus 2 naíolann fosta.

Since September 2006, 17 controlled primary schools and 7 controlled post-primary schools have closed. During this period, I have also approved the closure of 5 primary schools and 2 post-primary schools in the Catholic maintained sector, 1 primary school and 2 units in the Irish-medium sector and 2 primary schools and 1 post primary school in the Integrated sector. 2 special schools and 2 nurseries have also closed.

There have been a total of 7 amalgamation schemes involving 17 schools. Of these 17 schools, 9 were in the controlled sector and 8 were in the maintained sector. These amalgamations resulted in 8 new primary schools, 4 in the controlled sector and 4 in the maintained sector. There have been no closures in the post-primary sector, as a result of amalgamation during this time.

DEPARTMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING

Civil Servants Earnings

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many civil servants in his Department earn more than the Minister, inclusive of salaries, bonuses and any paid positions on outside bodies.

(AQW 2956/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): The Ministerial salary used for comparison purposes in this response is the annual salary payable in 2008-2009 to a Ministerial Office Holder of £37,801, plus the basic annual salary payable to a Member of the Legislative Assembly of £43,101. Civil Service salaries paid in 2008-2009 have been used for the purpose of this comparison.

2 Civil Servants currently employed in this Department earned more than the Minister in the 2008/2009 year, inclusive of salaries and bonuses.

Green Economy

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what action his Department is taking to promote placements in the green economy.

(AQO 466/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: My Department is funding a pilot project with Bryson House and Belfast City Council to provide up to 50 temporary jobs in the Green Economy. The scheme will focus on improving environmental quality in the Belfast area. This scheme is modelled on the Future Jobs Fund in Great Britain where the Department for Work and Pensions has secured funding of £1.5bn to create 150,000 jobs in the next 2 years. We hope to begin in January and, if the scheme proves successful locally, we will seek to expand it to other areas if resources are available.

Holylands Stakeholder Forum

Ms A Lo asked the Minister for Employment and Learning for an update on the Holyland Forum Action Plan.

(AQO 467/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The Action Plan which was issued to stakeholders at the Holyland Stakeholder Forum on 28 October details what is currently happening, what is planned in the short, medium and long term and identifies those responsible for taking these actions forward.

The Action Plan includes;

Existing and proposed initiatives on alcohol promotion and sensible drinking.
Proposals for increased Policing powers.
Proposals for more effective management of HMOs.
Improved university induction processes for students.
And a more strategic oversight management role for Belfast City Council’s Holyland Inter-Agency Group.

The Action Plan is not intended to be a quick fix to the problems in the Holyland. Some of the proposed solutions involve changes in legislation and these take time to put into practice.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the agencies involved, and especially the Belfast City Council, for their contribution to the Action Plan.

A number of the actions identified in the Plan have already taken place, including additional wardens being available in the area over the Halloween period and funding secured to install re-deployable CCTV, and I want to assure you that I intend to monitor progress closely.

Steps to Work: Childcare

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many parents have availed of assistance with childcare costs within the Steps to Work programme.

(AQO 468/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Since the introduction of the Steps to Work programme on 29 September 2008 until 9 November 2009, 402 parents have availed of assistance with childcare costs while participating on that programme. In addition, to the 1 November, 148 parents availed of assistance with childcare costs while participating on the New Deal programme.

Employment Strategy

Mr D Ford asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if his Department will introduce an employment strategy.

(AQO 469/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: My Department is already actively engaged in labour market policy and has a range of employment, training, skills and further and higher education provision available for individuals. This provision underpins our economy and provides the conditions under which the economy can grow.

My Department is committed to contributing to the development of dynamic economy through promotion of learning, preparing people for work and enhancing the skills base in Northern Ireland. To that end it has developed a number of strategies including the Skills strategy and FE strategy which encompass a large number of programmes.

University Awards

Mr F Cobain asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline the recent successes of Queen's University and the University of Ulster in the national awards to universities.

(AQO 470/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Both Queen’s University, Belfast and the University of Ulster were recognised at the recent Times Higher Education Awards ceremony in London.

Queen’s University was named Entrepreneurial University of the Year. The judges cited the university’s strong leadership and vision, real student engagement and clear impact in terms of successfully commercialising its research, particularly through its impressive portfolio of successful spin out companies.

The University of Ulster’s Step-Up programme was shortlisted in the Widening Participation Initiative of the Year category. It is a significant achievement that Step-Up was one of just 6 programmes from across the United Kingdom shortlisted for this prestigious higher education award.

Progress 2 Work

Mrs C McGill asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many people have signed up for the Progress 2 Work programme since its inception.

(AQO 471/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The Department, through the pilot progress2work programme, provides specialist employability support to people claiming working age benefits, who are experiencing significant difficulty in accessing the labour market as a result of having a history of drug or alcohol misuse; being homeless; or are ex-offenders/ex-prisoners. At 30 September 2009, a total of 903 clients had started on the programme since the pilot rolled out in November 2005.

Tuition Fees

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to provide an update on the independent review of tuition fees.

(AQO 472/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: I have recently received an interim report from Joanne Stuart, independent chairperson of the review of variable fees and student finance arrangements.

I am currently considering the report’s findings and I look forward to bringing my recommendations forward to the Committee for Employment and Learning and other stakeholders in due course.

ICT Future Skills

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, in relation to the ICT Future Skills and Action Plan Progress Report, what assessment he has made of the possible lessons that could be learned from the Independent Review on Economic Policy to increase development and innovation in this area.

(AQO 474/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The Independent Review of Economic Policy recommends that the links between DETI, Invest NI and DEL are strengthened in line with existing structures such as that of the Future Skills Action Group for ICT. This group brings together Government, Further and Higher Education and employers to help address the skill needs of the sector. Following the success of this model, Future Skills Action Groups have been established for the Hospitality and Tourism and the Financial Services sectors.

Apprenticeships

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Employment and Learning for an update on the effectiveness of the programme-led apprenticeships programme; and what assistance his Department can provide to ensure its success.

(AQO 475/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Between the introduction of the Programme-Led Apprenticeships in September 2009 and 16 November 2009, 2,871 school leavers have enrolled on the provision. Without this intervention, I would have been fearful of a significant rise in the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training, and to that extent the programme has been effective. But, as for all policy initiatives, I will want to consider the effectiveness of the programme after it has been running for a longer period.

By design, the Programme follows the same Level 2 Framework and qualifications that are used in the Employer-Led Apprenticeship. While participants spend more time within the training organisations, the emphasis is very much on skills acquisition, including a work placement where possible, to reinforce and utilise the skills acquired. The benefit of this approach is that should a young person secure employment at any time during his /her training, he/she can progress seamlessly to the Employer-Led Programme.

While on the Programme-Led Apprenticeship programme, trainees receive a non means-tested Educational Maintenance Allowance of £40 per week as well as help with travel and childcare costs.

One of the important issues central to this programme is the provision of suitable work placements for trainees, to enable them to achieve the NVQ element of the apprenticeship framework. While providers continue to work hard on this dimension, it is proving difficult in some instances, and my Department is currently considering this issue. In addition, following recent discussions with my Department, nine Government departments and Translink have recently offered to provide over 120 placement opportunities in a range of occupational areas. It is too early to comment on the uptake of these placements.

The Department will continue to provide support and guidance to Suppliers on the delivery of this programme.

Autism: ‘Don’t Write Me Off’

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what action he intends to take in relation to the National Autistic Society's 'Don't Write Me Off' campaign.

(AQO 476/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: My Department is fully aware of the ‘Don’t Write Me Off’ campaign. I am confident that the programmes and services in place address the issues raised in relation to employment in this campaign.

The Department has a range of programmes and services to assist people with disabilities, including those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, find and keep suitable employment.

The Department delivers the Pathways to Work programme which includes the Work Preparation Programme and Condition Management Programme to help people with health conditions and disabilities including those with Autistic Syndrome Disorder. The programme is delivered by specially trained Advisers who help new claimants on Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance consider work options and provide help and support to seek and obtain work. This programme is open on a voluntary basis to those already in receipt of Incapacity Benefit. Pathways to Work eligible customers may also volunteer to participate in the Steps to Work Programme.

Other programmes include Access to Work (NI), Workable (NI), New Deal for Disabled People and the Job Introduction Scheme.

The particular programme that is appropriate for each individual is discussed and agreed with an Adviser based in local Jobs and Benefits Offices/Jobcentres across Northern Ireland. All Advisers receive awareness training in Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Jobs Created in Larne

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many jobs have been created in the Larne area in the last three years.

(AQW 2863/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster): During the three financial years 2006/07 to 2008/09 Invest NI assisted a range of employment-related projects which expect to create 306 new jobs and safeguard 31 existing jobs in the Larne District Council Area (DCA).

In addition, there is a job creation impact through Invest NI funding of Enterprise Northern Ireland in the Enterprise Development Programme (formerly the Start a Business programme). This is expected to create over 200 jobs in Larne DCA through locally-owned business start up projects over the same period.

Phoenix Gas Application to take Natural Gas to Saintfield

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to provide an update on the Phoenix Gas application to the Utility Regulator to take natural gas to Saintfield.

(AQW 2911/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: In July 2009, Phoenix Natural Gas applied to the Utility Regulator for a licence to extend its natural gas licensed area to include Saintfield in Co.Down. The Utility Regulator and Phoenix have however been unable to reach agreement on the terms of this licence extension.

Phoenix informed the Utility Regulator on 4 November 2009 that the company intended to withdraw its licence extension application to Saintfield, at this time. It is hoped that agreement between Phoenix and the Utility Regulator on the terms of a licence extension will eventually be reached.

Gas Extension Study

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment why the gas extension study did not include areas such as east Down.

(AQW 2913/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: An outline proposal for providing natural gas to the East Down / Downpatrick area was developed by Phoenix Natural Gas, and so this discrete area was not included in the ongoing natural gas network extension study which is focused on the West and parts of the North-West of Northern Ireland where gas is not available. It is expected that the results of the study will provide useful and relevant findings for development of the gas industry more widely in Northern Ireland, including areas not included within the remit of the study, such as East Down.

Rose Energy Application

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to provide an update on the Rose Energy application for Invest NI support.

(AQW 2923/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Invest NI continues to evaluate this project and the due diligence process is at an advanced stage. The outcome of this will determine if, and to what extent an offer of financial support will be made.

Small Businesses in East Antrim

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to AQW 2276/10 and AQW 1361/10, what steps she will take to increase the number of viable small businesses based in East Antrim.

(AQW 2933/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Invest NI continues to offer a wide range of support to encourage the growth and development of the small business sector both in East Antrim and across Northern Ireland. Some specific activities include:-

The Enterprise Development Programmes, which were launched in April this year and comprises the Go for It and Growth programmes. These replaced the Start a Business programme and provide a comprehensive range of support and advice for new businesses at various stages in their life-cycle. Participants on the Go for It programme are offered training in a number of key areas including Finance, Marketing, Human Resources and business planning. Those businesses demonstrating the greatest potential for growth can subsequently avail of further one to one mentoring or receive follow up advice and guidance on issues specific to their new venture via a range of business clinics. To date over 150 participants in East Antrim have indicated that they intend to participate in the Start Up strand with over 40 already proceeding to start up.

The Propel Programme, has been designed to support entrepreneurs with an innovative hi-growth concept capable of becoming a significant export business and employer in Northern Ireland. The programme offers support for the preparation of an investor ready business plan whilst utilising available incubation space throughout Northern Ireland.

The Growth Accelerator Programme is aimed at assisting SMEs to grow faster in export markets. Areas of support include marketing costs, specialist consultancy and key worker salaries.

In terms of assisting small businesses to cope with the impact of the economic downturn, the Short Term Aid Scheme can provide businesses with financial assistance to enable the retention of key staff while they plan, and where necessary, restructure for the future and prepare to take advantage of the upturn. The Accelerated Support Fund can also offer enhanced support to Invest NI Clients to facilitate a tactical response to current circumstances and the removal of constraints to growth, viability and competitiveness brought about by current economic conditions.

Investment by U.S Companies

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to list (i) each investment there has been in Northern Ireland by U.S companies this calendar year to date; (ii) the jobs created as a result of this investment; and (iii) the monetary value of each investment.

(AQW 3012/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: This response is based on those US-owned projects which have been assisted by Invest NI. Invest NI does not assist projects which only serve the local marketplace e.g. those involved in retail and distribution activities. We, therefore, do not have information relating to investment made by US-owned businesses in these sectors.

In response to point (i) the table below shows those US-owned businesses that have received an offer(s) of assistance from Invest NI during the period 1^st January to 31^st October 2009. The number of ‘New Jobs’ promoted as a result of these projects is included in response to point (ii), and represents the number of jobs expected to be created. The ‘Total Planned Investment’ answers point (iii) and represents the estimated total cost of these projects to the business. The associated assistance offered by Invest NI in support of these projects is also included for information.

Invest NI Assistance Offered (Over £10k) to US-Owned Businesses (Jan – Oct 09)

BUSINESS NAME	ASSISTANCE OFFERED (£)	TOTAL PLANNED INVESTMENT (£)	NEW JOBS
3M UNITED KINGDOM PLC	39,583	158,330	-
ALLSTATE NORTHERN IRELAND LIMITED	11,864	15,561	-
BROADSOFT INTERNATIONAL INC	99,000	920,000	10
CIRDAN LIMITED	39,456	98,640	2
CRANE STOCKHAM VALVE LTD	188,500	1,532,000	10
CROSSBOWS OPTICAL LTD	92,405	231,012	-
DYNAMIC AIR ENGINEERING UK LIMITED	72,000	559,750	6
F G WILSON (ENGINEERING) LTD	103,609	311,558	-
FINLAY HYDRASCREENS (OMAGH) LTD	188,951	755,807	-
HEARTSINE TECHNOLOGIES LTD	34,324	85,675	-
MIMIX EUROPE LTD	75,770	174,907	-
NACCO MATERIALS HANDLING LTD	1,039,511	3,701,768	-
NAVINET	944,000	4,358,000	59
NICOBRAND LTD	40,365	160,666	-
NYSE TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT LTD	9,578,364	35,950,000	400
PERFECSEAL LTD	234,036	696,788	-
POWERSCREEN INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION LTD	122,465	489,859	-
QWIZDOM UK LTD	57,585	143,963	-
TEREX GB LIMITED	90,251	361,007	-

Notes:

1. Some of the assistance offered may not be paid if projects are not fully delivered by the client.

2. Total Planned Investment includes Total Assistance Offered.

3. Assistance provided that does not promote new jobs is targeted at innovation based activities such as training, research and development, trade development and technology and process development. Although not directly related to job creation, these capability development activities will underpin business competitiveness leading eventually to growth and employment opportunities.

There have been a number of other offers of assistance made to US-owned business during this period; however, these offers have not yet been publicly announced and to include them in this response could prejudice the commercial interests of our clients.

Economically Inactive People

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment the number of economically inactive people in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3057/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The table below provides the estimated¹total number of economically inactive people in Northern Ireland, aged 16 & over and of working age, in each of the last five years.

Seasonally adjusted number of economically inactive² persons in NI, 2005 - 2009

Period	Total Economically InactiveAged 16+	Total Economically InactiveWorking Age³
Jul-Sep 2005	523,000	282,000
Jul-Sep 2006	535,000	290,000
Jul-Sep 2007	545,000	294,000
Jul-Sep 2008	552,000	295,000
Jul-Sep 2009	575,000	314,000

¹ The LFS is a sample survey and the estimate has an associated degree of sampling error.

²The economically inactive are those people who are neither in employment nor unemployed. This group includes, for example, all those who are looking after the family/home, retired, sick/disabled or in full-time education etc.

³ Working age refers to females aged 16 to 59 and males aged 16 to 64.

Source: Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Jobs in Public Authorities or Government Departments

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to list the total number of full-time, permanent jobs currently provided by public authorities, or Government Departments, in each parliamentary constituency.

(AQW 3061/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The latest source of information on total public sector jobs at sub Northern Ireland level is the September 2007 Census of Employment. The number of full-time jobs by parliamentary constituency area is included in the table below, however information on permanent and temporary jobs is not available from the Census of Employment.

Full-Time Public Sector Employee Jobs by Parliamentary Constituency Area

Parliamentary Constituency	Full-time Public Sector Employee Jobs
Belfast East	9769
Belfast North	11456
Belfast South	25003
Belfast West	10027
East Antrim	2874
East Londonderry	5852
Fermanagh & South Tyrone	5705
Foyle	10651
Lagan Valley	6662
Mid Ulster	3046
Newry & Armagh	8138
North Antrim	6087
North Down	4093
South Antrim	7385
South Down	4480
Strangford	5538
Upper Bann	7458
West Tyrone	5737
Total	139961

* Please note that full-time employees are those who normally work more than 30 hours per week

Source: NI Census of Employment, September 2007

People with Two or More Jobs

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an estimate of how many people currently have two or more jobs.

(AQW 3084/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) data, from the period July – September 2009, estimate¹ that there are 26,000 people in Northern Ireland who have at least two jobs.

¹ The LFS is a sample survey and the estimates from it are therefore subject to sampling error.

Jobs in Public Authorities or Government Departments

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to list the total number of (i) part-time; and (ii) temporary jobs currently provided by public authorities, or Government Departments, in each parliamentary constituency.

(AQW 3093/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The latest source of information on total public sector jobs at sub Northern Ireland level is the September 2007 Census of Employment. The number of part-time jobs by parliamentary constituency area is included in the table below, however information on permanent and temporary jobs is not available from the Census of Employment.

Part-Time Public Sector Employee Jobs by Parliamentary Constituency Area

Parliamentary Constituency	Part-time Public Sector Employee Jobs
Belfast East	3277
Belfast North	4387
Belfast South	8001
Belfast West	6252
East Antrim	2098
East Londonderry	3190
Fermanagh & South Tyrone	4180
Foyle	4525
Lagan Valley	4316
Mid Ulster	3245
Newry & Armagh	6611
North Antrim	3878
North Down	2116
South Antrim	4709
South Down	3109
Strangford	4877
Upper Bann	5857
West Tyrone	3085
Total	77713

* Please note that part-time employees are those who normally work 30 hours per week or less

Source: NI Census of Employment, September 2007

Small Businesses in the Strangford Constituency

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many small businesses have (i) been set up; and (ii) gone out of business in the Strangford constituency, in the last year.

(AQW 3140/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: It is not possible to provide the numbers of small business that have i) been set up; and ii) gone out of business in Strangford constituency, in the last year. However, the latest available data published by the Office for National Statistics from the Inter Departmental Business Register provides the numbers of business births¹ and deaths² in Northern Ireland by District Council in 2008 by employment size.

The following tables provide a summary of those District Councils which comprise the Strangford Parliamentary Constituency Area:

Table 1- Count of Business Births in 2008 by District Council and employment size

	Employment Sizeband
	0 - 4	5 - 9	10 - 19	20 +	Total
Ards	190	10	10	5	215
Castlereagh	145	10	10	0	165
Down	165	15	10	0	190
Northern Ireland	5,120	360	145	65	5,690

Table 2 - Count of Business Deaths in 2008 by District Council and employment size

	Employment Sizeband
	0 - 4	5 - 9	10 - 19	20 +	Total
Ards	150	25	5	5	185
Castlereagh	75	5	5	0	85
Down	140	15	10	5	170
Northern Ireland	3,775	425	150	55	4,405

A birth is identified as a business that was present (i.e. had VAT or PAYE activity) in year t, but did not exist in year t-1 or t-2. Births are identified by making comparison of annual active population files and identifying those present in the latest file, but not the two previous ones.
A death is defined as a business that was on the active file in year t, but was no longer present in the active file in t+1 and t+2.
Further published tables of business births and deaths of all NI District Councils can be accessed at the following link: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_commerce/Business-Demography-2008.xls
The Inter-Departmental Business Register contains information on all businesses in the United Kingdom which are either VAT registered or operating a PAYE scheme. As a result this answer will exclude those smaller businesses which do not exceed the VAT threshold or are VAT exempt.
Business births and deaths Information is only available at the district council level and as such, the Northern Ireland Census of Employment 2007 has been used to provide an indication of the extent of the overlap between the Strangford Parliamentary constituency and the Ards, Castlereagh and Down District Council areas. The latest figures indicate that 92% of employees in Ards District council, 44% of employees in Castlereagh Council and 9% of employees in Down District Council were located in Strangford Parliamentary constituency area. It should be noted however that the Census of Employment is a measure of the number of employee jobs rather than the number of businesses.

Invest NI: Rose Energy

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an update on the Rose Energy application for Invest NI funding for the proposed plant at Glenavy.

(AQO 484/10)

INTERREG IV

Mr M Brady asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what action her Department is taking to ensure that cross-border groups awaiting Interreg 4 funding do not have to terminate their projects.

(AQO 485/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: My Department is committed to working with the Special EU Programmes Body and DFP, as their sponsoring Department, to expedite the INTERREG IVA approvals process.

So far we have had limited visibility of the multi annual plan component projects submitted by the cross border groups. Of the 40 or so enterprise and tourism related projects in the pipeline, to date the Special EU Programmes Body has presented the Department with 4 cases for final consideration.

At a recent meeting with one of the five cross border groups, East Border Region, I made a commitment that my officials would meet with each of the groups to assist them in shaping projects in a way which increases their chances of success when they eventually come to us for approval. This offer of early engagement was very positively received, and meetings with three of the groups have been arranged to take place this week.

Northern Ireland Tourist Board: Printing and Postage Costs

Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment the total cost of printing and postage for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board's direct mail initiative 'The View' in a six-monthly format from September 2004 until June 2007; and in seasonal format from Winter 2007 - Winter 2009.

(AQO 486/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: From March 2005 until June 2007 the total cost of postage and print for 'The View' in a six-monthly format was £14,326.03. Figures are not available prior to this date.

The total cost of postage and print for ‘The View’ from Winter 2007 – Winter 2009 was £12,458.47.

Cross-border Day Trippers

Rev Dr R Coulter asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many day-trippers from the Republic of Ireland visited Northern Ireland over the last three years; and for an estimate of the total amount spent by these visitors over this period.

(AQO 487/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Information on the number of day-trippers from the Republic of Ireland visiting Northern Ireland is not collected via any DETI or NITB survey and therefore relevant figures are not available.

My Department has, however implemented a series of campaigns promoting Northern Ireland as a destination for short breaks and day-trips, ensuring exposure in the Republic of Ireland across the whole of 2009 and in the previous three years. NITB’s 2009 Autumn campaign is currently underway.

Data from the Republic of Ireland Central Statistics Office show that overnight visitor numbers from the Republic of Ireland increased by 35% between 2005 and 2008 to 367,000, with revenue generated by these visitors increasing by two thirds over the period to reach £50 million in 2008.

2009 has seen significant growth in overnight visitors from the Republic of Ireland, with a 31% increase in visitor numbers during the first half of the year and a corresponding 37% increase in spend.

The Economy

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of the current state of the economy and to outline how she has supported the economy over the past twelve months.

(AQO 488/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: It is clear that Northern Ireland is still experiencing significant difficulties as a result of the global recession. However, recent statistics produced by my Department indicate that the local economy may be beginning to stabilise.

In particular, it is encouraging to note that claimant count unemployment did not increase during October 2009 – the first month this figure has not risen since February 2008. In addition, service sector output was stable in the second quarter of 2009 and increased in the previous quarter.

Independent forecasts commissioned by my Department suggest that the economy will contract by 4.3% this year, before returning to marginal growth as we move into 2010.

My Department and the Executive have taken a number of important steps to support businesses during the last year. Specifically, Invest NI established a Short Term Aid Scheme and continued to administer other programmes such as the Accelerated Support Fund. Invest NI also ran a series of seminars providing advice for both client and non-client companies on how to deal with the challenges caused by the economic downturn.

I will continue to do all that I can to support businesses, and to help them exploit the opportunities that arise during the upturn. To this end, Invest NI have already begun to devote more resources towards supporting Innovation and R&D in local businesses. It is also in that context that I am currently examining the Independent Review of Economic Policy (IREP) report and the responses from its consultation which recently concluded. I aim to make a statement early in the new year on the next steps with the IREP report.

Renewable Energy

Mr L Cree asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of the uncompetitive nature of renewable energy compared to more conventional fuel options; and what action she intends to take to make renewable energy a more realistic option.

(AQO 489/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: It is widely accepted that power generation from renewable energy sources is not as competitive as conventional fossil fuel options. This results in the need to provide support to make renewables a more cost effective option. The Renewables Obligation (NIRO) is the market based mechanism used in Northern Ireland to help meet the additional cost of producing electricity from renewable sources.

The levels of support provided under the NIRO vary to take account of the relative costs of the different technologies; with more generous support offered to the less well developed renewable technologies such as wave and tidal. My Department, working closely with the Regulator, is currently commissioning a review of support mechanisms for renewable electricity with a view to ensuring that we have the most cost effective means of maximising the potential of renewable electricity in Northern Ireland.

There is much less understanding of the relative costs of energy for heat as very few statistics are currently available. Therefore, as outlined in the draft Strategic Energy Framework, my Department has just commissioned a substantial piece of work that will examine the potential for deployment of renewable heat in Northern Ireland. If our work indicates that a support mechanism is appropriate for Northern Ireland then a legislative timetable would have to be developed, with legislation likely to be forthcoming in 2011/12.

Business: Use of Euro

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what support, guidance and assistance her Department offers to businesses, shops and other retail outlets to become more Euro friendly.

(AQO 490/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: DETI does not currently offer support or advice to shops and other retail outlets.

However, whilst Invest NI’s Enterprise Development Programme has no specific module in relation to the Euro or other foreign currency, the training and mentoring support can be tailored to the specific needs of a business if this is identified as an issue for them.

Business: Electricity Costs

Dr W McCrea asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what impact the recent review published by the energy regulator will have on the cost of electricity for businesses.

(AQO 491/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: I am very aware of the difficulties being experienced by large energy users as they deal with significant increases in electricity costs, resulting from higher Public Service Obligation and network charges.

On 11 November 2009, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR) formally announced an inquiry into how electricity suppliers have communicated with, and set charges for, business electricity customers.

It is expected that the NIAUR inquiry will be concluded in early 2010, hence it is too early to speculate what impact the inquiry will have on the cost of electricity for businesses.

My Department strongly supports the NIAUR inquiry, and would welcome any role the Regulator could play in helping companies’ energy managers understand the offers they are receiving from different electricity suppliers.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

EU Directives

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of the Environment how many EU Directives his Department has (i) received; and (ii) implemented in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2722/10)

Minister of the Environment (Mr E Poots): The number of EU Directives my Department has (i) received; and (ii) implemented in each of the last three years is set out in the table below.

Year*	Adopted	Transposed
2007	5	11
2008	8	3
2009	8	8
TOTAL	21	22

*Calendar year basis (1 January to 31 December).

For the purposes of this question, the year ‘received’ has been interpreted to mean the year adopted by the European Union. A directive is formally adopted when it is published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Subsequently, departments receive details of the directive and determine what action needs to be taken. This answer includes only those Directives for which my Department has lead responsibility, and does not include Directives transposed on a UK wide basis.

The year ‘implemented’ has been interpreted to mean the year transposed i.e. the date at which enabling legislation is complete. The figure quoted may include Directives which were adopted prior to 2007 as transposition can take place up to 2 years after adoption. Further action in terms of operational implementation may be required by departments, however timescales may be open-ended.

Audit Office in Local Government

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment what additional role he envisages for the Audit Office in Local Government under the Review of Public Administration.

(AQW 2813/10)

Minister of the Environment: The additional role envisaged for the Local Government Auditor is to underpin the robustness of the proposed new service delivery and performance improvement regime by providing Ministers and ratepayers with independent assurance that a Council’s Improvement Plan stands up to scrutiny, and independent verification of any improvements. This assurance role could also extend to the operation of Community Planning.

Planning Permission Applications

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of the Environment what meetings, discussions and correspondence he has had with individuals and organisations regarding an extension to the five year limit on planning permission applications.

(AQW 2842/10)

Minister of the Environment: During my tenure as Minister of the Environment I have received one piece of correspondence which raised the issue of extending the five year limit on planning permissions.

As indicated in my answer to the Member’s other question (AQW 2843/10) the recent planning reform consultation outlined proposals to reduce the normal duration of planning permissions. Without wishing to pre-empt the process of full analysis of the consultation responses, I can nevertheless advise the Member that of the 163 respondents who replied to this proposal, 87 supported it and 76 opposed it. Eleven respondents specifically called for an extension to the normal 5 year duration of a planning permission.

Planning Permission Applications

Mr T Elliott asked e Minister of the Environment, in light of the continued economic recession, if there will be an extension to the five year limit placed on planning permission applications; and if so, what steps has he taken to have the change in policy reflected in legislation.

(AQW 2843/10)

Minister of the Environment: I am not minded at this stage to extend the normal duration of planning permission beyond five years. The issue of the duration of planning permission was recently considered in the proposals for reform of the planning system which have been subject to a period of public consultation. The planning reform consultation paper proposed that, rather than being extended, the normal duration of planning permission and consent should be reduced, from five to three years.

Since the close of the consultation my officials have been analysing all the responses received. All views expressed in relation to the issue of the duration of planning permission will of course be fully considered before any final policy decisions are taken.

The Member will appreciate that I do not want to pre-empt the process of full policy analysis and, with this in mind, it is too early for me to be able to indicate what the final policy position on the issue will be. I intend to take my final policy proposals on all of the planning reform measures, including those relating to the duration of planning permission, to the Executive for consideration early in the New Year.

Arches and Flagpoles

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment to outline when the Planning Service would consider (i) an arch; and (ii) a flagpole to be (a) a permanent; or (b) a temporary structure.

(AQW 2893/10)

Minister of the Environment: There is no single definition as to when a structure could be considered temporary or at what point it might be considered permanent. It is a matter of judgement taking account of the specific structure in question and the length of time it is erected.

Civil Servants' Earnings

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of the Environment how many civil servants in his Department earn more than the Minister, inclusive of salaries, bonuses and any paid positions on outside bodies.

(AQW 2904/10)

Minister of the Environment: The term civil servant encompasses members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service including the Senior Civil Service and, under a special arrangement, Special Advisors to Ministers. Salaries for civil servants are determined in pay scales relative to the appropriate grading structure. The grading structures are underpinned by job evaluation methodologies. Civil Service salaries paid in 2008-2009 have been used for the purpose of this comparison.

The Ministerial salary used for comparison purposes in this response is the Office Holder salary payable in 2008-2009 to the DOE Minister of £37,800.96 plus the basic annual salary payable to a Member of the Legislative Assembly of £43,101. Ministers who are also in receipt of a salary as a Member of Parliament have the MLA element of their salary abated by two thirds (£43,101 reduced to £14,368). Consequently, the DOE Minister’s salary is the MLA salary of £43,101 plus the Ministerial Office Holder salary of £37,800.96 (£80,901.96 in total).

Therefore in the Department of the Environment the number of civil servants who earn more than the Minister is four (4).

White Paper on the Environment

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of the Environment when the White Paper on the Environment will be published, given that the NI Environment Agency committed to it being commissioned during the current mandate.

(AQW 2905/10)

Minister of the Environment: I intend to publish a White Paper on the environment within the lifetime of this Assembly.

PPS18

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment, in relation to Drumdarragh windfarm, for his assessment of the research that indicates that it is presently in breach of the noise limit set out in PPS18; and if he will ensure that cumulative windfarms proposed for the area meet the cumulative windfarm landscape character guidance set out in PPS18.

(AQW 2928/10)

Minister of the Environment: PPS18 requires that proposed wind farm developments will not cause significant harm to the safety or amenity of any sensitive receptors arising from noise. The report ‘The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms’ (ETSU-R-97) describes a framework for the measurement of wind farm noise. It makes a series of recommendations that can be regarded as relevant guidance on good practice. PPS18 recommends that this ETSU-R-97 guidance should be used in the assessment and rating of noise from wind energy developments. My department is satisfied that the Drumadarragh wind farm proposal complies with the ETSU-R-97 guidelines.

It has been reported to me that an independent study, undertaken on behalf of objectors to the proposed development, indicates acceptable noise levels would be exceeded by the proposal. The results of the study have not been submitted to my department for consideration. I am unable therefore to give any assessment of the research.

In assessing the Drumadarragh proposal my officials have considered the potential cumulative impact on the landscape arising from this proposal and previous planning approvals for other wind farms in the area. I am satisfied that their conclusions are consistent with the guidance set out in PPS18.

Legislation on the Creation of National Parks

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of the Environment for an indication of the timeline for legislation being brought before the Assembly on the creation of national parks.

(AQW 2981/10)

Minister of the Environment: I anticipate that National Parks enabling legislation will be brought forward early in the new Assembly.

National Park Status

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of the Environment if his Department has determined which areas are to be considered for national park status.

(AQW 2982/10)

Minister of the Environment: I have not determined which areas are to be considered for national park status.

Local Government Boundary Review

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of the Environment what consideration he gave to the decision of the British parliamentary convention of legislative bodies to accept the recommendations of the Boundary Commissioner without amendment when determining his approach to the current Local Government Boundary Review process.

(AQW 2988/10)

Minister of the Environment: The legislation governing the setting of local government boundaries in Northern Ireland permits me, as Minister of the Environment, to make modifications to the recommendations of the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner. The legislation is similar in the rest of the United Kingdom.

Secretaries of State and Electoral Commissions in other jurisdictions have on occasions modified the recommendations of relevant Commissions.

PPS7

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the timescale for consultation on the three proposed new addenda under PPS7.

(AQW 3025/10)

Minister of the Environment: The Draft Addendum to PPS 7 on ‘Safeguarding the Character of Established Residential Areas’ was issued for four months public consultation on Monday 9 November 2009. The consultation period will end on Friday 5 March 2010.

Young Drivers

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of the Environment which education programmes are directed at young drivers; and what structures his Department has in place to promote the road safety agenda.

(AQW 3029/10)

Minister of the Environment: One of the 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 by influencing their attitudes and behaviours when using, or thinking of using, the roads. The Department’s Road Safety Education Officers (RSEOs) promote and deliver road safety education in schools throughout Northern Ireland in line with the Department for Transport Best Practice Guidelines.

Within post-primary schools, RSEOs actively promote the timetabling of Road Traffic Studies and a GCSE in Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies and provide the necessary teaching materials and resources, teacher training, advice and support to deliver these. In the 2008-09 school year, 89 schools offered MVRUS. In addition students aged 17-19 years are offered the opportunity to participate in a driver training scheme.

RSEOs meet teachers regularly and where appropriate deliver interactive road safety sessions to supplement and reinforce the teacher’s work. RSEOs also work closely with teachers on specific initiatives. There have been strong links between the Department and the Department of Education (DE) since the mid-1970s

Advertising campaigns address road traffic collision causation factors including speeding, drink driving, driver and pedestrian inattention, and driving under the influence of drugs, as well as injury severity factors, such as failure to wear a seat belt. Campaigns have also been developed to raise awareness among young people of the dangers they face on the roads and also to highlight the increased risk all road users face on the roads over weekend periods. The Department has also recently been involved with online advertising activity, in-game advertising on XBox Live and a Bluetooth initiative all designed to target young drivers.

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.

The main structure in place to promote the road safety agenda is the Road Safety Review Group (RSRG). The Group is chaired by a senior official in DOE and includes representatives of DOE’s Road Safety Division (RSD), Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), DRD, PSNI and DHSSPS. RSRG co-ordinates the activities and initiatives as set out in the Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland 2002-2012. The Group is also responsible for monitoring progress against the targets; ensuring current activities remain effective; and developing new initiatives.

The Road Safety Strategy seeks to promote an integrated partnership approach across the statutory road safety agencies and departments and throughout the wider community, engaging for example, voluntary groups, organisations representative of specific road user groups, employers, parents and schools.

Maintenance Budget

Mrs M Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the maintenance budget variances over the last three years, including the current financial year, in each of the regional areas; and the implications of any reductions.

(AQW 3059/10)

Minister of the Environment: I understand your question is relating to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). A breakdown of the overall site maintenance expenditure on a region by region basis within NIEA for the last 3 years, (including this year) is shown below:

NIEA Regional Operations Maintenance Expenditure

* Current budget

Region	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10
North	£357k	£380k	£350k*
South East	£512k	£608k	£415k*
Central	£538k	£548k	£320k*
West	£381k	£302k	£230k*
Annual total	£1788k	£1838k	£1315k*

This reduction in funding for the current financial year has obliged site managers to focus on priority maintenance works.

Single Waste Authority

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the estimated savings, calculated by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which could be achieved with the creation of a Single Waste Authority; and if a Single Waste Authority could be achieved with or without the reconfiguration of Local Councils under the Review of Public Administration.

(AQW 3077/10)

Minister of the Environment: The Economic Appraisal of Local Government Service Delivery produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) did not include an estimate of the savings that could be achieved with the creation of a Single Waste Disposal Authority. However, the potential efficiencies will be identified as part of the design work around this new organisation which is being taken forward by my Department.

The main benefit of a Single Waste Disposal Authority would be a centralised disposal function which could potentially generate savings through economies of scale, providing enhanced purchasing power and taking responsibility for facilitating integrated waste management planning. The potential savings should arise as a consequence of replacing three Waste Management Groups with a single Authority. Whilst it is envisaged that an Authority should be established in tandem with the RPA timetable, it is not an essential requirement.

George Best Belfast City Airport

Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of the Environment whether the George Best Belfast City Airport has sought his Department's approval to remove the 'Seats For Sale' limit in its planning agreement.

(AQW 3083/10)

Minister of the Environment: The George Best Belfast City Airport has requested that the seats for sale restriction be removed from the 2008 modified Planning Agreement between the airport and my Department.

George Best Belfast City Airport

Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of the Environment whether he intends to approve the request from the George Best Belfast City Airport to remove the current cap on flights, which is part of the airport’s planning agreement and designation as a city airport.

(AQW 3180/10)

Minister of the Environment: I can confirm that George Best Belfast City Airport has requested the removal of the 2 Million cap on the number of ‘seats for sale’ that can be offered from the airport. My Department is presently seeking legal advice as to whether it can consider this request.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Civil Service Overtime

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the total amount paid for overtime throughout the Civil Service in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2649/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr S Wilson): The total amount paid by the eleven Northern Ireland Civil Service departments (and their agencies) to non-industrial and industrial staff in respect of overtime for the last five financial years is set out in the table below.

Financial Year	Total
2004/05	£20,403,474
2005/06	£21,365,841
2006/07	£21,075,985
2007/08	£17.245.675
2008/09	£15,656,381

Rates Increases

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how much, on average, ratepayers in Co. Fermanagh would have to pay if their rates were increased by 20% on the 2008/09 levels.

(AQW 2811/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Ratepayers in any district council area can pay rates on a wide variety of properties which include: households, individual car parking spaces, retail warehouses and in some areas even power stations and airports. There is no such thing as a typical ratepayer and to provide a average payment would be both meaningless and misleading.

Public Sector Jobs in West Tyrone

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number, the location, the grade and the posts within his Department currently located in (i) the Omagh District; and (ii) the Strabane District; and to outline his Department's plans to increase the number of public sector jobs in West Tyrone.

(AQW 2880/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Figures have been provided in the attached table in relation to the number, the grade and the posts within DFP currently located in the Omagh District and the Strabane District areas.

On the wider issue of location of public sector jobs, I have already responded to your Assembly Question AQW 1118/10 that in my opinion, given the current economic climate and the significant pressures on public spending, it is not affordable to implement the recommendations of the independent Report, nor is this the time to set aside normal value for money principles. It is a matter, however, that will have to be considered by the Executive and I am keen to have a discussion at the Executive as soon as possible.

Omagh District – Number of DFP Posts

All Omagh Posts are located at Boaz House.

Administrative Assistant	1
Administrative Officer	25
Assistant Valuer	3
Executive Officer I	1
Executive Officer II	6
Graduate Trainee Valuer	3
Higher Map and Charting Officer\|	1
Mapping and Charting Officer	7
Map and Charting Tech Grade	1
Senior Valuer (G7)	1
Staff Officer	1
Valuer I	6
Valuer II	5
TOTAL	61

Strabane District – Number of DFP Posts

DFP currently have 0 Posts in Strabane.

Civil Servants Earnings

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many civil servants in his Department earn more than the Minister, inclusive of salaries, bonuses and any paid positions on outside bodies.

(AQW 2909/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: There are 98 civil servants in DFP that earn more than the Minister’s (abated) salary.

The term ‘civil servants’ encompasses members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service including the Senior Civil Service and, under a special arrangement, Special Advisors to Ministers. Salaries for civil servants are determined in pay scales relative to the appropriate grading structure. The grading structures are underpinned by job evaluation methodologies. Civil Service salaries paid in 2008-2009 have been used for the purpose of this comparison.

The Ministerial salary used for comparison purposes in this response is the annual salary payable in 2008-2009 to a Ministerial Office Holder of £37,801 plus the basic annual salary payable to a Member of the Legislative Assembly of £43,101. Ministers who are also in receipt of a salary as a Member of Parliament have the MLA element of their salary abated by two thirds (£43,101 reduced to £14,368). Any salary payable as an MP has not been taken into account in this comparison. Only the abated MLA salary of £14,368 plus the Ministerial Office Holder salary of £37,801 (£52,169 in total) has been applied.

EU Interreg IVA Funds

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for an update on the status of EU Interreg IVA funds for local authority groupings in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic; and to detail the timetable for distribution of those funds.

(AQW 2927/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: All local authority groups have submitted and had approved multi annual plans setting out the strategic development plans for their regions. Individual projects from within these plans are currently being developed and progressed through the INTERREG IVA assessment procedure. Projects that meet the agreed selection requirements will be issued with letters of offer and can begin spending. The first such letters of offer are expected to issue before the end of this year. Others will follow in the first 6 months of next year. The precise timetable will depend on the timing and quality of the applications being made in relation to the Programme requirements.

Applicants for Civil Service Posts

Mr T Elliott asked e Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQW 2668/10, (i) if his Department considers an act of terrorism committed in the Northern Ireland conflict as a criminal offence; and (ii) if applicants for Civil Service posts are required to disclose on their application forms if they have a conviction for a terrorist act.

(AQW 2931/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The vetting processes adopted by the NICS when determining a person’s suitability for appointment make no distinction between convictions for terrorist/scheduled offences and any other criminal offences. Applicants for NICS posts are not required to disclose on their application forms if they have criminal convictions of any sort. Criminal record checks are only carried out at the stage when the candidate is being considered for appointment.

Stress-related Sick Leave

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many civil servants in each Department, have been on stress-related sick leave in (i) 2005/06; (ii) 2006/07; (iii) 2007/08; (iv) 2008/09; and (v) 2009/10 to date, broken down by (a) grade; (b) gender; and (c) age.

(AQW 2942/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The information requested is set out in the attached tables. However, in answering the question, I would wish to highlight the following points:

The information relating to the period 2005 to 2008 has been produced using archive data from the Human Resource Management System. This system used the International Classification of Diseases codes for recording illnesses. Stress-related illnesses were categorised as Psychiatric / Psychological illnesses, which included illnesses such as reaction to severe stress, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and life management difficulties.

A new sickness absence recording system was introduced in 2008. Stress-related illnesses are now categorised and reported as Anxiety/Stress/Depression/Other Psychiatric Illnesses.

The information relates to non-industrial staff only. Departments traditionally operated different methods for recording industrial sickness absence. However, following the introduction of HRConnect, a common system for recording sickness absence is now in place and such information will be available in future.

Year-to-date information is not currently available.

Number of Non-Industrial Civil Servants with a Stress Related Sick Absence in the Financial Years 2005/06 to 2008/09 by Department and Gender

Number of Non-Industrial Civil Servants with a Stress Related Sick Absence in the Financial Years 2005/06 to 2008/09 by Department and Gender
Department	Gender	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
DARD	F	109	107	96	73
	M	73	47	53	36
	Total	182	154	149	109
DCAL	F	12	15	16	10
	M	14	19	23	4
	Total	26	34	39	14
DE	F	41	43	26	16
	M	12	14	12	10
	Total	53	57	38	26
DETI	F	25	32	29	15
	M	14	15	12	9
	Total	39	47	41	24
DFP	F	141	124	130	106
	M	97	96	83	68
	Total	238	220	213	174
DEL	F	119	132	118	99
	M	43	33	33	24
	Total	162	165	151	123
DHSSPS	F	44	45	37	23
	M	17	16	12	9
	Total	61	61	49	32
DOE	F	98	128	108	78
	M	51	60	57	30
	Total	149	188	165	108
DRD	F	84	82	48	29
	M	75	68	43	31
	Total	159	150	91	60
DSD	F	693	635	599	514
	M	340	319	296	245
	Total	1033	954	895	759
OFMDFM	F	6	20	26	4
	M	3	10	9	2
	Total	9	30	35	6
Total	F	1372	1363	1233	967
	M	739	697	633	468
	Total	2111	2060	1866	1435

Number of Non-Industrial Civil Servants on Stress Related Sick Leave in the Financial Years 2005/06 to 2008/09 by Department and Age Group
Department	Age Group	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
DARD	16 - 24	15	11	13	7
	25 - 34	50	34	32	25
	35 - 44	63	55	46	25
	45 - 54	42	45	42	40
	55+	12	9	16	12
	Total	182	154	149	109
DCAL	16 - 24	2	3	2	3
	25 - 34	5	6	7	1
	35 - 44	8	4	7	3
	45 - 54	9	18	15	4
	55+	2	3	8	3
	Total	26	34	39	14
DE	16 - 24	7	9	2	0
	25 - 34	9	8	4	7
	35 - 44	20	22	17	11
	45 - 54	13	12	9	6
	55+	4	6	6	2
	Total	53	57	38	26
DETI	16 - 24	1	1	4	2
	25 - 34	8	11	10	6
	35 - 44	17	14	14	9
	45 - 54	11	19	8	6
	55+	2	2	5	1
	Total	39	47	41	24
DFP	16 - 24	22	16	17	16
	25 - 34	55	59	65	45
	35 - 44	72	64	56	47
	45 - 54	70	62	53	48
	55+	19	19	22	18
	Total	238	220	213	174
DEL	16 - 24	14	12	8	7
	25 - 34	34	34	22	21
	35 - 44	56	52	49	40
	45 - 54	51	51	62	48
	55+	7	16	10	7
	Total	162	165	151	123
DHSSPS	16 - 24	8	5	1	3
	25 - 34	8	13	3	3
	35 - 44	17	14	20	10
	45 - 54	17	22	19	13
	55+	11	7	6	3
	Total	61	61	49	32

Department	Age Group	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
DOE	16 - 24	14	15	19	3
	25 - 34	39	58	42	25
	35 - 44	50	53	54	34
	45 - 54	31	43	35	44
	55+	15	19	15	2
	Total	149	188	165	108
DRD	16 - 24	13	15	9	7
	25 - 34	21	22	17	15
	35 - 44	52	54	26	10
	45 - 54	48	48	24	20
	55+	25	11	15	8
	Total	159	150	91	60
DSD	16 - 24	152	136	114	70
	25 - 34	299	289	250	224
	35 - 44	341	272	274	220
	45 - 54	199	202	209	208
	55+	42	55	48	37
	Total	1033	954	895	759
OFMDFM	16 - 24	0	2	1	0
	25 - 34	1	5	5	1
	35 - 44	4	6	10	4
	45 - 54	3	14	15	1
	55+	1	3	4	0
	Total	9	30	35	6
Total	16 - 24	248	225	190	118
	25 - 34	529	539	457	373
	35 - 44	700	610	573	413
	45 - 54	494	536	491	438
	55+	140	150	155	93
	Total	2111	2060	1866	1435

Number of Non-Industrial Civil Servants on Stress Related Sick Leave in the Financial Years 2005/06 to 2008/09 by Department and Grade
Department	Grade	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
DARD	G7+	5	4	13	8
	DP	8	5	5	6
	SO	14	17	22	18
	EOI	30	21	21	15
	EOII	29	29	25	15
	AO	57	46	39	23
	AA	39	32	24	24
	Total	182	154	149	109
DCAL	G7+	1	4	4	1
	DP	2	3	3	1
	SO	5	6	7	2
	EOI	6	8	9	1
	EOII	2	4	2	3
	AO	8	5	7	4
	AA	2	4	7	2
	Total	26	34	39	14
DE	G7+	4	2	2	1
	DP	2	3	1	2
	SO	3	6	7	0
	EOI	4	7	4	5
	EOII	8	14	9	5
	AO	21	17	12	11
	AA	11	8	3	2
	Total	53	57	38	26
DETI	G7+	0	3	2	0
	DP	5	5	3	4
	SO	6	3	5	5
	EOI	10	10	7	2
	EOII	3	8	4	4
	AO	10	13	10	6
	AA	5	5	10	3
	Total	39	47	41	24
DFP	G7+	7	8	8	4
	DP	15	20	13	11
	SO	23	22	26	22
	EOI	34	25	17	20
	EOII	36	27	27	32
	AO	87	80	87	72
	AA	36	38	35	13
	Total	238	220	213	174

Department	Grade	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
DEL	G7+	2	1	2	3
	DP	6	9	5	4
	SO	11	15	8	10
	EOI	30	26	25	20
	EOII	35	48	47	43
	AO	65	49	53	40
	AA	13	17	11	3
	Total	162	165	151	123
DHSSPS	G7+	4	3	5	3
	DP	7	3	5	3
	SO	8	10	9	4
	EOI	4	8	9	5
	EOII	9	12	8	6
	AO	15	12	6	5
	AA	14	13	7	6
	Total	61	61	49	32
DOE	G7+	7	3	4	3
	DP	10	8	8	7
	SO	10	14	13	13
	EOI	20	19	27	11
	EOII	12	18	19	10
	AO	69	88	63	50
	AA	21	38	31	14
	Total	149	188	165	108
DRD	G7+	6	2	0	3
	DP	9	6	2	0
	SO	22	12	15	7
	EOI	30	39	18	12
	EOII	14	19	10	5
	AO	46	36	18	14
	AA	32	36	28	19
	Total	159	150	91	60
DSD	G7+	5	6	7	4
	DP	5	5	15	12
	SO	27	17	30	27
	EOI	69	64	64	49
	EOII	251	225	220	200
	AO	529	527	475	393
	AA	147	110	84	74
	Total	1033	954	895	759
OFMDFM	G7+	0	4	4	1
	DP	2	2	1	0
	SO	1	3	6	0
	EOI	1	4	5	2
	EOII	2	7	8	2
	AO	2	9	9	1
	AA	1	1	2	0
	Total	9	30	35	6

Department	Grade	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
Total	G7+	41	40	51	31
	DP	71	69	61	50
	SO	130	125	148	108
	EOI	238	231	206	142
	EOII	401	411	379	325
	AO	909	882	779	619
	AA	321	302	242	160
	Total	2111	2060	1866	1435

Rates Arrears

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the amount of rates arrears discovered as a result of the recent exercise with District Councils examining properties recorded as vacant, broken down by (i) domestic; (ii) non-domestic; (iii) District Council area; and (iv) by the year to which the rates apply; and to report on the collection of these outstanding rates.

(AQW 2978/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The value of rate bills issued to date as a result of the vacancy inspections by councils in late 2008 and early 2009 is shown in the attached table

Land & Property Services records the full value of each bill on the date that it is issued. This is required to operate the Penny Product Regulations, which determine payment to district councils on the basis of billing date. Land & Property Services cannot report on specific collection performance for the bills issued as a result of this particular exercise. This is because many of the monies are due from ratepayers who also have other amounts outstanding for various properties, and collection and recovery action is progressed at ratepayer (rather than bill) level. Nevertheless, the normal billing and recovery procedures (final reminders and court actions, alongside the opportunity for ratepayers to approach LPS to agree a payment arrangement) apply for the rate bills issued as a result of this exercise, and overall rate collection for 2008-2009 was 92.4%, and for 2009-2010 is expected to be in excess of 95%.

Land & Property Services continues to work closely with district councils to ensure that the occupancy status of all properties is correctly recorded.

Council	Domestic (£)	Non Domestic (£)	Total bills issued 2008/09 (£)	Domestic (£)	Non Domestic (£)	Total bills issued 2009/10 (£)
Antrim	177,397	199,566	376,963	7,292	0	7,292
Ards	320,363	85,543	405,906	40,713	5,534	46,247
Armagh	355,735	10,814	366,549	159,523	1,249	160,772
Ballymena	233,882	609,551	843,433	100,898	0	100,898
Ballymoney	31,360	0	31,360	1,569	0	1,569
Banbridge	221,723	25,526	247,249	4,360	18,157	22,517
Belfast	1,913,320	3,642,787	5,556,107	978,760	1,670,322	2,649,082
Carrickfergus	174,447	43,171	217,618	43,330	1,785	45,115
Castlereagh	269,274	6,013	275,287	49,952	0	49,952
Coleraine	240,721	225,069	465,790	208,385	153,202	361,587
Cookstown	157,208	203,051	360,259	29,157	62,546	91,703
Craigavon	47,223	52,235	99,458	338,673	209,240	547,913
Down	299,930	156,658	456,588	55,087	0	55,087
Dungannon	6,401	64,593	70,994	-515	142,707	142,192
Fermanagh	385,324	286,750	672,074	66,355	93,169	159,524
Larne	168,975	130,955	299,930	20,510	60,015	80,525
Limavady	95,194	1,472	96,666	59,698	0	59,698
Lisburn	651,308	429,130	1,080,438	123,802	0	123,802
Derry	416,463	895,911	1,312,374	87,600	183,816	271,416
Moyle	163,861	901	164,762	33,006	21,232	54,238
Newry	55,030	364,877	419,907	207,583	542,529	750,112
Newtownabbey	652,640	1,795,192	2,447,832	131,240	66,282	197,522
North Down	416,242	175,887	592,129	118,357	298,526	416,883
Omagh	167,250	101,481	268,731	25,481	0	25,481
Strabane	201,426	50,723	252,149	20,376	1,192	21,568
TOTAL	7,822,697	9,557,856	17,380,553	2,911,192	3,531,503	6,442,695

Notes:

Magherafelt Council chose not to participate in the exercise; LPS is taking forward vacancy inspections in this Council area
The table only includes bills issued as a result of council inspections; LPS continues to use other data sources to raise rate bills

Civil Service Equal Pay

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will ensure that relevant NIO staff will benefit from the equal pay settlement agreed for the NI Civil Service, including back pay.

(AQW 2987/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Following the delegation of pay and grading, the NIO has separate pay and grading arrangements and therefore the NIO is not joined to the equal pay issue facing the Northern Ireland Departments in relation to the disparity between administrative and technical grades

Policy Framework in Northern Ireland

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to report on the policy framework in Northern Ireland, including legal barriers to the use of government bonds for raising revenue.

(AQW 2991/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Where the statutory power to borrow for specific purposes exists, there is legislative provision for the issue of Treasury Bills and other securities as a means of borrowing.

However, the key issue in respect of additional borrowing by the Executive is that it would count towards the UK Public Sector Net Cash Requirement. Under the terms of the Statement of Funding Policy, any additional borrowing by the Executive would be offset by a reduction in the Block Grant from Treasury.

This is the main practical barrier to the use of bonds as there would be no increase in the short-term spending power of the Executive, whilst at the same time incurring a longer-term liability in respect of both the principal and interest payments.

In addition, there is also the more general issue of intergenerational equity in seeking the balance between today’s capital investment needs against the costs that this will impose going forward, which places a limit on the amount of borrowing that it appropriate.

Although there may not be legal barriers to the use of government bonds for raising funding, the imprudence of such an action is the main consideration.

Civil Service Equal Pay

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline progress in the Civil Service equal pay claim; and when he expects to announce a resolution.

(AQW 3001/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Following the Executive’s agreement to my recommendations regarding a proposal aimed at settling the NICS equal pay claims, I instructed my officials to make a formal offer to NIPSA. That offer was made to NIPSA on 23 November. The details of the proposal are contained in a letter to NIPSA which may be found at www.dfpni.gov.uk/pay

NIPSA have stated that they will recommend the offer to staff and will now engage in the process of consulting with its members on whether they wish to accept the offer. Once we know the outcome of that consultation, and whether NIPSA members are willing to accept the offer, I will make a full Statement to the Assembly.

Departmental Underspend

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel the total departmental underspend in (i) monetary; and (ii) percentage terms in each of the last ten years.

(AQW 3058/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The attached table sets out total departmental underspends in respect of resource and capital expenditure for the last seven financial years. Information on underspends is not available prior to this period.

The figures are for Departmental DEL and are based on the Provisional Outturn figures provided by departments around May/June of each year.

The figures for 2001-02 and 2002-03 are based on Stage 1 of the transfer to Resource Accounting and Budgeting and so are not directly comparable with the following years which are prepared on a Stage 2 basis.

DEPARTMENTAL DEL UNDERSPENDS
	2001-02		2002-03		2003-04		2004-05		2005-06		2006-07		2007-08		2008-09
	RAB		RAB		RAB		RAB		RAB		RAB		RAB		RAB
	Stage 1		Stage 1		Stage 2		Stage 2		Stage 2		Stage 2		Stage 2		Stage 2
	£m	%	£m	%	£m	%	£m	%	£m	%	£m	%	£m	%	£m	%
Resource	117.5	2.2	108.7	1.9	160.2	2.4	117.9	1.7	150.6	2.0	158.8	2.1	176.8	2.1	43.8	0.5
Capital	80.8	10.7	99.6	13.0	170.0	19.9	171.8	15.0	224.5	18.2	96.7	8.8	75.9	6.3	-16.6	-1.1
Total DEL	198.3	3.2	208.3	3.1	330.2	4.4	289.7	3.5	378.1	4.4	255.5	2.9	252.7	2.6	27.2	0.3

Civil Service Equal Pay

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for an update on the Civil Service Equal Pay claim.

(AQW 3065/10)

Equal Pay Offer

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how long he estimates it will take to make payments under the equal pay offer, should NIPSA accept the proposed settlement.

(AQW 3072/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: NIPSA are currently consulting their members to determine if the settlement is acceptable. Should the offer be acceptable to staff, there will be a detailed and lengthy process to be followed before payments could be made. The precise details of the process and the timescales are currently being developed but it is my intention that it should not take any longer than is absolutely necessary.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Unauthorised Salary Increases Paid to NI Fire and Rescue Service

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) if the unauthorised salary increases paid to NI Fire and Rescue Service senior officers has been repaid; (ii) when each individual concerned made the repayments; and (iii) if disciplinary action has been, or will be taken, in relation to this matter.

(AQW 705/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): The repayment by senior officers of unauthorised salary increases is a contractual matter for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and those officers affected. I am satisfied that the NIFRS board has put in place appropriate arrangements to ensure that a similar situation does not occur in the future.

GP Out of Hours Centres

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total cost of operating GP Out of Hours centres in each Health and Social Care Trust area in 2007/08 and 2008/09.

(AQW 1957/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The total cost of operating GP Out-of-Hours Centres in each Health and Social Care Trust area in 2007/08 was provided in the response to AQW 2615/09.

Costs relating to 2008/09 are detailed below.

Health and Social Care Trust Area	2008/09 £’000
Belfast HSC Trust area	3,510
Northern HSC Trust area	5,020
South Eastern HSC Trust area	3,698
Southern HSC Trust area	4,333
Western HSC Trust area	5,498
NIAS	N/A
Overall Total	22,059

Source: Health and Social Care Board

'Life' Mobile Unit

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for her assessment of the "Life" mobile unit that visits primary schools.

(AQW 2778/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Life Education Project works in partnership with schools and teachers to provide a series of health and drug education programmes that are appropriate for school children from nursery to Primary 7. The programmes take place in a specially designed mobile classroom, equipped to provide a stimulating and exciting environment in which to explore a range of health-related issues such issues as bullying, managing emotions, healthy eating, substance misuse, assertiveness and normative education. A range of positive techniques and strategies are used to enable children to develop the confidence and skills needed to make informed health choices.

One scheme in the South East Antrim Area is operated and core funded by the North Eastern Education and Library Board, and receives a small amount of funding from the Northern Investing for Health Partnership. A further programme is currently operated by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in the North Down and Ards area.

Swine Flu Vaccination

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the Birmingham Health Trust scheme which is paying bonuses to GPs who sign-up patients for the swine flu vaccination; and if he intends to introduce this in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2797/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust will be implementing the nationally agreed arrangements for swine flu vaccinations with its GPs and will not be offering an incentivised bonus scheme.

GP Practices in Northern Ireland receive the nationally agreed fee for administering swine flu vaccinations.

Emergency Ambulances

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 1847/10, if engine replacement and regular maintenance is sufficient to keep emergency ambulances in operational condition, when high mileage and age causes vehicular deterioration that cannot be repaired.

(AQW 2800/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The mechanical maintenance of the emergency ambulance fleet is an operational matter for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS).

NIAS has advised that the service regime for its vehicles exceeds manufacturers’ recommendations.

Ambulance Performance Standards

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 1848/10, if he is aware that ambulance crews believe that the 'platinum ten minutes' is a performance standard, rather than the "concept" to which he refers.

(AQW 2801/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Ambulance crews are fully aware that the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) performance is measured against a more exacting 8 minute target. For 2009/10, NIAS must respond to an average of 70% of Category A (life-threatening) calls within this target, increasing to an average of 72.5% by March 2010 (and not less than 65% in any Local Commissioning Group (LCG) area). NIAS's cumulative Northern Ireland performance up to week ended 8 November 2009 was 73.3% and 70.8% in the Western LCG area.

Visitor Access at the Causeway Hospital

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 2212/10, (i) if misleading information about visitor access at the Causeway Hospital was supplied; and (ii) if he will make a public apology to those visitors who were denied access on 17 and 18 October 2009.

(AQW 2802/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: No-one was refused entry to the hospital site on 17 and 18 October 2009

Dynamic Tactictal Deployment Plan

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 2213/10, if the dynamic tactictal deployment plan is an electronic based system.

(AQW 2803/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Yes.

Ambulance Resources

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 2213/10, what ambulance resources are deployed to cover the Limavady area when the emergency ambulance based in Limavady is deployed out of its local area.

(AQW 2804/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the Member back to the answer I gave to AQW 2213/10 on 9 November 2009.

Bladder/Urinary Specialists

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many bladder/urinary specialists currently work in the Health Service.

(AQW 2805/10)

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

Bladder/Urinary specialists in Health & Social Care at November 2009

Grade of Specialist	Headcount	WTE
Consultant	23	23.00
Doctor – other grades	13	12.00
Specialist Nurse	18	16.02
Total	54	51.02

Source: Health & Social Care Trusts

Notes:

1. WTE = whole-time equivalent.

Bladder/Urinary Specialist

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when a replacement will be in place for the bladder/urinary specialist in Antrim Area Hopsital.

(AQW 2807/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has confirmed that currently all urology patients are referred to the urology service at Causeway Hospital.

Antrim Area Hospital does not provide a specialist urology service. Previously, there was a surgeon with an interest in urology; however, he retired in March 2008.

Bladder/Urinary Specialist

Mr A Ross asked e Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what travel and accommodation assistance is offered to patients living in East Antrim who are given an early morning appointment to see a bladder/urinary specialist in the Causeway Hospital.

(AQW 2808/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 set out the criteria for the payment of travel expenses.

Swine Flu Vaccination

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what percentage of Health Service staff have refused the swine flu vaccination.

(AQW 2823/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: As part of the swine flu vaccination programme, Health and Social Care members of staff are encouraged voluntarily to attend a vaccination clinic. The reasons for members of staff failing to attend are not known; therefore information on staff who specifically refused the vaccine does not exist.

Regulation of Sunbeds

Mrs C Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if a decision has been reached on the regulation of sunbeds, following the recent conference, consultation and research group led by his Department.

(AQW 2835/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: On 19 November 2009, I issued a public consultation to seek the views on a range of possible measures for regulating the sunbed industry in Northern Ireland, with particular regard to the need to protect the health of children and young people under the age of 18. The closing date is 19 February 2010.

Stress-related Sick Leave

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of man hours of stress-related sick leave taken by ambulance crews in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2845/10)

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

Cancelled Clinics

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the cost to the Health Service of cancelled clinics in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2846/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the member to the answer previously given to AQW 4528/09. The cost of clinics that have been cancelled is not available centrally.

Minor Ailments Scheme

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when the review of the Minor Ailments Scheme for pharmacists will take place.

(AQW 2848/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In accordance with the agreement reached with the Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee in late 2008, the community pharmacy minor ailments scheme will be evaluated early in 2010.

Minor Ailments Scheme

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he is planning more financial flexibility for pharmacists under the Minor Ailments Scheme.

(AQW 2849/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Minor Ailments Scheme is a demand-led service remunerated on a sliding scale basis dependent on the number of consultations delivered. In the absence of an agreed new pharmacy contract the budget for minor ailments is ring fenced to ensure continued delivery of the service and does not therefore allow for any financial flexibility.

Service Provision to Patients

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he intends to increase service provision to patients under any new pharmacy contract.

(AQW 2850/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: As agreed with the Pharmaceutical profession, the new pharmacy contract will focus on the health needs of the patient. The contract will build upon the current position that every health service prescription will be dispensed promptly, competently and safely.

Over and above this there is a need for the provision of a wider range of services to patients. Subject to negotiation, it is therefore intended that the new contract will allow pharmacies to offer help in a range of areas.

Attacks on the Fire and Rescue Service

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the number of attacks on Fire and Rescue Service vehicles; and (ii) the total cost of repair of these vehicles, broken down by division, in each of the last two years.

(AQW 2851/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The tables below detail the number of attacks on Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service vehicles and the costs of repair broken down by Area Command, in each of the last 2 years.

Table 1 – Number of Attacks on Vehicles

	Eastern Area	Northern Area	Southern Area	Western Area	TOTAL
2007	22	7	8	5	42
2008	20	6	4	6	36
2009 to date	14	4	6	8	32

Table 2 – Cost of Vehicle Repairs

	Eastern	Northern	Southern	Western	TOTAL
2007	£12,650	£4,025	£4,600	£2,875	£24,150
2008	£11,500	£3,450	£2,300	£3,450	£20,700
2009 to date	£8,050	£2,300	£3,450	£4,600	£18,400

Attacks on the Fire and Rescue Service

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of staff who have been injured in attacks against the Fire and Rescue Service, broken down by division, in each of the last two years.

(AQW 2852/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The table below details the number of NIFRS personnel injured in attacks, broken down by Command Area, in each of the last 2 years.

Injury to Personnel (Attacks)
	Eastern Area	Northern Area	Southern Area	Western Area	TOTAL
2008	6	-	-	-	6
2009 to date	2	-	2	-	4

Swine Flu Vaccination

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for the most up-to-date figures on how many people have received the swine flu vaccination, broken down by constituency.

(AQW 2859/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: By 14 November approximately 31,300 people in priority groups have been given the swine flu vaccination in Trusts across Northern Ireland. The total number of people who have received the vaccination from their GP is not available yet. It will not be possible to break down the vaccination figures by constituency.

Swine Flu Vaccination

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people who are entitled to receive the swine flu vaccination in each constituency have refused it.

(AQW 2862/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Vaccination is not compulsory and people attend for vaccination on a voluntary basis. They may not attend for a range of reasons. There is no means of assessing the proportion of those not attending who are choosing to refuse to be vaccinated. As a result data on refusals does not exist.

Out-patient Clinic Appointments

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many out-patient clinic appointments were cancelled at Belfast City Hospital in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2867/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the Member to the answer I gave to AQW 2414/10.

GP-held Medical Files

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what rights patients have to view their GP-held medical files.

(AQW 2872/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 provides any individual a right of access to records containing information about them. This includes patient access to medical files held by their GP.

Patients may not be allowed to access their records if healthcare professionals believe that information in the records is likely to cause serious harm to the patient or another person. Where the record includes details about third parties, these may be removed.

Swine Flu

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people in total were admitted to hospital with swine flu in each of the last six months; and to provide a breakdown down by hospital.

(AQW 2873/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: A total of 484 people have been admitted to hospitals in Northern Ireland with a clinical diagnosis of swine flu since 1st September 2009. The table below provides a breakdown of admissions by hospital in each month since September 2009.

	Admissions to Hospital via A&E with a Clinical Diagnosis of Swine Flu
	September 2009	October 2009	November* 2009
Altnagelvin	14	22	-
Antrim	8	31	19
BCH	-	0	-
Causeway	-	-	-
Craigavon	12	68	29
Daisy Hill	-	6	-
Downe	-	-	-
Erne	-	0	-
Lagan Valley	5	8	6
Mater	6	10	5
Mid Ulster	-	-	0
RBHSC	20	39	16
RVH	22	25	19
Ulster	15	29	15

Note: Data is confidential. Cells with a value between 1 and 4 are anonymised and represented by a dash in the table.

* Latest Date Available – 19^th November 2009

Swine Flu

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the average daily admission rate of patients with swine flu for each hospital; and (ii) the highest daily admission rate of patients with swine flu for each hospital, in each of the last three months.

(AQW 2874/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The average number of admissions to each hospital each day with a clinical diagnosis of swine flu in each of the last three months is given in table (i). The highest daily number of admissions to each hospital each month with a clinical diagnosis of swine flu in each of the last three months is given in table (ii).

Table (i): Average Daily Admissions to Hospital with a Clinical Diagnosis of Swine Flu By Month and Hospital.

	Average Daily Admissions to Hospital via A&E each month with a Clinical Diagnosis of Swine Flu
	September 2009	October 2009	November 2009
Altnagelvin	0	1	0
Antrim	0	1	1
BCH	0	0	0
Causeway	0	0	0
Craigavon	0	2	2
Daisy Hill	0	0	0
Downe	0	0	0
Erne	0	0	0
Lagan Valley	0	0	0
Mater	0	0	0
Mid Ulster	0	0	0
RBHSC	1	1	1
RVH	1	1	1
Ulster	1	1	1

Table (ii): Highest Daily Admissions to Hospital with a Clinical Diagnosis of Swine Flu in Each Month by Hospital.

	Highest Number of Daily Admissions to Hospital via A&E in each month with a Clinical Diagnosis of Swine Flu
	September 2009	October 2009	November 2009
Altnagelvin	2	3	1
Antrim	1	6	3
BCH	2	0	1
Causeway	1	1	1
Craigavon	2	9	3
Daisy Hill	1	1	1
Downe	1	1	1
Erne	2	0	1
Lagan Valley	1	2	2
Mater	1	3	2
Mid Ulster	1	1	0
RBHSC	3	7	2
RVH	2	2	2
Ulster	3	3	3

Swine Flu

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many deaths have occurred this year to date from swine flu in each Health and Social Care Trust area.

(AQW 2875/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Thirteen deaths have occurred this year to date from swine flu in Northern Ireland. There were also two additional deaths of people from Northern Ireland who died outside of Northern Ireland while suffering from the virus. In order to safeguard the privacy of the families of the deceased, information on the number of deaths that have occurred from swine flu in each Health and Social Care Trust area is not presented.

Swine Flu

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what procedures are in place in each hospital to isolate swine flu patients.

(AQW 2876/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Department has issued Guidance for Pandemic Influenza: Infection Control in Hospitals, Community and Primary Care Settings for use by infection control staff in hospitals.

Preventing the spread of any infectious disease to other vulnerable patients in hospital is a high priority. All hospitals have infection control procedures in place. Local risk assessment is undertaken to reduce the risk of exposure to infection, including the H1N1 virus, and minimise the risk of spread to other patients.

Public Sector Jobs in West Tyrone

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number, the location, the grade and the posts within his Department currently located in (i) the Omagh District; and (ii) the Strabane District; and to outline his Department's plans to increase the number of public sector jobs in West Tyrone.

(AQW 2878/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: DHSSPS have no posts in the Omagh or Strabane Districts.

The Department currently has no plans to increase the number of Departmental posts in West Tyrone.

Air-ambulance Service

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail any discussions held by his Department on the provision of an air-ambulance service; and the organisations involved in these discussions.

(AQW 2883/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My officials have met with representatives of the charities Ireland Air Ambulance (IAA) and the Province of Ulster Air Ambulance (PUAA). On each occasion, officials have made clear the Department’s established policy position that the priority for some years to come must be to invest in modernising ground ambulance services to enable the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) to improve its response to emergency life-threatening calls in line with its performance targets.

Capital Spend on Projects

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the capital spend by his Department on projects during this financial year to date, broken down by constituency.

(AQW 2885/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information is not available by parliamentary constituency.

Capital Spend on Projects

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his Department's proposed capital spend on projects for the 2010/11 financial year.

(AQW 2887/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I am unable to finalise my capital plans for the 2010/11 financial year pending the outcome of the ongoing budget review exercise to address capital over-commitments at NI Block level in that year.

Special Clostridium Difficile Wards

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many patients in special clostridium difficile wards have died whilst in these wards of causes other than C. diff, or where C. diff was not a contributory factor, in each of the last three years, and if possible broken down by hospital.

(AQW 2906/10)

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

Civil Servants Earnings

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many civil servants in his Department earn more than the Minister, inclusive of salaries, bonuses and any paid positions on outside bodies.

(AQW 2908/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: A total of 15 civil servants within my Department earned more than the Minister in 2008-09. The salary information available in relation to civil servants includes salaries and bonuses. Information relating to remuneration for paid positions on outside bodies is not available.

Swine Flu Vaccination

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for a breakdown by age group of the number of people who have received the swine flu vaccination to date.

(AQW 2917/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The total number of people who have received the vaccination from their GP is not available yet. The vaccination figures for GPs are divided by those in the priority groups above 65 and those below 65. Therefore the only age division that will be available is over 65 and under 65.

Swine Flu

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for a breakdown by age group of the number of people admitted to hospital with swine flu to date.

(AQW 2918/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of people admitted to hospital in Northern Ireland to date (between 1^st September 2009 and 19^th November 2009) via A&E with a clinical diagnosis of swine flu broken down by age group is given in the table below:

Age Band	Number of Admissions to Hospital via A&E with a Clinical Diagnosis of Swine Flu
Under 1	65
1-4	74
5-14	67
15-44	144
45-64	83
65-74	30
75+	21
Total	484

Air Ambulance Service

Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if his Department would support an air ambulance service if funding was found from outside the Executive.

(AQW 2941/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I am aware that a number of voluntary organisations are proposing to establish an air ambulance service in Northern Ireland with funding derived exclusively from charitable donations. In reality however any such service would most likely be staffed by health service medics and paramedics and their engagement in this activity would represent an opportunity cost to their employing Trusts.

Quite apart from these operational considerations any proposal to establish an air ambulance service would have to convincingly demonstrate that sufficient demand exists to justify the need for such a service. In my view the priority for some years to come must continue to be focussed on the need to invest in modernising ground ambulance services to enable the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to improve its response to emergency life-threatening calls in line with its performance targets.

Swine Flu Vaccination

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how the priority categories were decided for swine flu vaccination.

(AQW 2955/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I can confirm the priority categories for the swine flu vaccination programme are the same across the UK.

Swine Flu Vaccination

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the priority categories for swine flu vaccination are the same throughout the UK.

(AQW 2957/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I can confirm the priority categories for the swine flu vaccination programme are the same across the UK.

Swine Flu Vaccination

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline any practical restrictions that were faced in the production, supply or distribution of the swine flu vaccination.

(AQW 2958/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The main practical restrictions affecting the production, supply and distribution of swine flu vaccine in Northern Ireland are: the inherent complexity and duration of the multi-step manufacturing and testing processes, given that the vaccine must meet all quality control standards; the volume of vaccine needed; uncertainty as to the quantities of vaccine that will be delivered to the UK each week, which impacts on the planning for Northern Ireland; and extremely tight turnaround times to arrange for the vaccine supplied to be split, under pharmaceutical conditions, and re-packed and distributed to every Trust and GP Practice in Northern Ireland on a weekly basis.

In spite of these constraints the swine flu vaccination programme is being rolled out swiftly and successfully to the designated priority groups.

Service Level Agreement for Carers' Organisastions

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the current service level agreement for each carers' organisastion in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area; and for the date of the most recent review.

(AQW 2959/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The following table sets out information regarding the services received by the Southern HSC Trust from the generic and client specific carers’ organisations within the Trust area, as well as the dates of the most recent reviews.

Name of Group	Type of Service		Date of Last Review
Generic Carers Organisations
Craigavon & Banbridge Carers	To facilitate provision of information and support to carers residing in localities of Banbridge and Portadown.		24/09/2008
Lurgan Carers	To co-ordinate and develop a range of services to support carers in the Lurgan area and specially develop and maintain a Training for Carers programme.		24/06/2009
Newry & Mourne Carers	To facilitate the development of respite/ support services for carers of the elderly, disabled, those with learning disabilities or the mentally ill living in the Newry and Mourne Area.		20/11/2009
Armagh & Dungannon Carers	To facilitate the development of services for carers living in the Armagh and Dungannon Area.		13/10/2009
Client Specific Carer Organisations
Parents Council		The Trust is currently in negotiations with the Southern Area Parents Council to develop a new parent/carer support contract for Children with Disability.
Headway (Newry)		Provision of flexible carer support services in the area of physical and sensory disability	To be reviewed Dec 2009
CAUSE		To support carers of mental health service users, providing respite, advice, information and support in response to specific needs for support of carers and help relieve pressure of the caring role.	05/10/2009
Mental Health Forum (Newry & Mourne)		To facilitate the development of support services to carers of mental health service users living in the Newry and Mourne locality.	01/04/2008
Young Carers Projects		Provision of services tailored to the needs of young carers. Project tender has been awarded to Action for Children for a period of 3 years.	To be reviewed annually

Budget Awarded to Carers' Organisations

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the budget awarded by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to each carers' organisation in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2960/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The following table sets out the levels of funding provided by the Southern HSC Trust to the generic and client specific carers’ organisations within the Trust area over the last three years, and the proposed funding for 2010/2011.

Generic Carers Organisations
	Funding provided (£)			Proposed Funding (£)
	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10	2010/11
Craigavon & Banbridge Carers Support Group	68,664	51,465	36,565	32,290
Lurgan Carers Support Group	16,708	8,580	17,159	15,150
Newry & Mourne Carers Support Group	43,384	44,555	44,555	39,350
Armagh Carers Support Group	-	15,000	30,000	26,490

Client Specific Carer Organisations
	Funding provided (£)			ProposedFunding (£)
	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10	2010/11
Parents Council	-	3,360	-	15,000
Headway (Newry)	-	6,250	15,000	-
CAUSE	18,000	15,000	22,500	45,000
Mental Health Forum (Newry & Mourne)	25,210	25,890	25,890	25,890
Young Carers Projects	-	292,850	300,172	306,175

The Trust also contributes £15,500 yearly to ADAPT, an eating disorder carers support group. While not being an organisation purely for carers, a substantial amount of the organisation’s work is aimed at awareness raising, education and support and information for carers.

Budget Awarded to Carers' Organisations

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the proposed budget for each of the carers’ organisations in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area for the financial year 2010-2011.

(AQW 2962/10)

	Funding provided (£)			ProposedFunding (£)
	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10	2010/11
Generic Carers Organisations
Craigavon & Banbridge Carers Support Group	68,664	51,465	36,565	32,290
Lurgan Carers Support Group	16,708	8,580	17,159	15,150
Newry & Mourne Carers Support Group	43,384	44,555	44,555	39,350
Armagh Carers Support Group	-	15,000	30,000	26,490

Client Specific Carer Organisations
	Funding provided (£)			ProposedFunding (£)
	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10	2010/11
Parents Council	-	3,360	-	15,000
Headway (Newry)	-	6,250	15,000	-
CAUSE	18,000	15,000	22,500	45,000
Mental Health Forum (Newry & Mourne)	25,210	25,890	25,890	25,890
Young Carers Projects	-	292,850	300,172	306,175

Ards Hospital Building

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what proportion of the Ards Hospital building is not currently in use.

(AQW 2965/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Ards Hospital comprises a number of buildings. The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust advise that 14% of Ards Hospital is not occupied. This 14% relates to The Gatehouse and The Old House buildings, and a small percentage of McKelvey Unit which the Trust plans to re-utilise.

Bangor Hospital Building

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what proportion of the Bangor Hospital building is not currently in use.

(AQW 2966/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust advise that part of the Connor Wing is not occupied.

Travel Cost Arrangements for Social Workers

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what travel cost arrangements are currently in place for social workers.

(AQW 2970/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

Social Workers employed in the Health and Social Care are currently paid mileage allowances for business travel in line with the Agenda for Change arrangements. Details of these arrangements are set out in Section 17 and Annex L of the Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions Handbook. A copy of the Handbook is available at http://www.nhsemployers.org

Health Service Advisers

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the cost to the Health Service of paying for advisers in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2971/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The term ‘advisers’ is interpreted in this question as meaning ‘external consultants’ as defined by DFP guidance. Over the past three years, the related expenditure in the Health Service (including HSC Trusts, Boards, NDPBs and Special Agencies) was as follows:-

Year	£
2008/09	£779,847
2007/08	£660,444
2006/07	£1,476,919

Statistics on Self-harm

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the statistics held by his Department on self-harm in the Mid-Ulster area in (i) 2007; (ii) 2008; and (iii) 2009.

(AQW 2979/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Department holds statistics on the number of emergency admissions to hospital due to self harm by each local government district in the Mid-Ulster area. The figures for 2007 and 2008 are detailed in the table below, however figures for 2009 are not yet available.

Local Government District	2007	2008
Cookstown	60	60
Dungannon	112	125
Magherafelt	70	83

Source:- Hospital Inpatient System

Deaths and discharges have been used to approximate admissions. These figures do not equate to individuals as a person may be admitted to hospital more than once in a year or across a number of years.

Royal Victoria Hospital Inspection Report

Mr G Robinson asked e Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an assurance that the copy of the Royal Victoria Hospital inspection report of 29 May 2009 that was supplied to media outlets is identical to that seen by Mr Gerry Bond.

(AQW 3071/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The report provided to Mr Bond on 24 November 2009 is the same report that was published on the RQIA website on the same date.

Swine Flu Vaccination

Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether carers living with a person who is immunocompromised are a priority group for swine flu vaccination; and if so when he expects this group to receive the vaccination.

(AQW 3131/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Household contacts of an immuno-compromised person, which would include

carers who live with an immuno-compromised person, are included as a priority group for the swine flu vaccination programme. The vaccination programme was launched in the province on 21 October 2009. In addition to frontline health and social care staff, the vaccine is also being offered to:

Individuals aged between 6 months and 65 years in the current seasonal flu clinical at-risk groups;
All pregnant women;
Household contacts of immuno-compromised individuals;
People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu clinical at risk groups;

I expect everyone within these priority groups to have been offered the vaccine by mid December.

Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority's Hospital Hygiene Overview Report

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will make a statement to the Assembly on the recent Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority's hospital hygiene overview report.

(AQW 3201/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I have no plans to make a statement to the Assembly on the RQIA’s overview report.

Rathlin Ward at Knockbracken Health Care Park

Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if all human rights standards were fully reviewed before the decision was made to make the Rathlin ward at Knockbracken Health Care Park a gender mixed ward; and, if staff, patients and carers were consulted on this decision.

(AQW 3225/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The decision to make Rathlin Ward a gender mixed ward is an operational matter for the Trust.

I understand from the Trust that Human Rights standards were considered fully in regards to this decision. Patients in the merged Rathlin Ward will have single room, ensuite accommodation, within separate male and female wings. Women will have a separate quiet room. In addition, those patients who require or request their care to be provided in a male or female-only ward will have their needs met in single sex acute inpatient wards. This is in keeping with national and regional recommendations.

The Trust has also informed me that the consultation process on the decision to merge these wards has already begun and is ongoing for current inpatients and their relatives. The Trust has completed an Equality Impact Screening Assessment on the plans and has consulted with representatives from users and carers groups.

DEPARTMENT FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Public Hire Taxis

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister for Regional Development how many parking tickets have been issued to drivers of Public Hire Taxis in Donegall Square North in Belfast, in each of the last 24 months.

(AQW 2173/10)

Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it is not possible to provide details of how many Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) that have been issued to drivers of Public Hire Taxis, at this location, as the information is not collated in this format. However, my reply to AQW 2172/10 provides the numbers of PCNs issued in Donegall Square North in each of the last 24 months.

Traffic Attendants issue PCNs when they detect vehicles which are illegally parked. However, Roads Service has advised that it is difficult to issue a PCN to a public-hire taxi as the driver normally stays with the vehicle and, if it is parked illegally, will move off before a PCN can be issued. I am assured that Traffic Attendants do engage with the drivers and attempt to provide enforcement at this location.

Unadopted Roads

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Regional Development to list (i) unadopted roads; (ii) roads that were adopted in (a) 2007; (b) 2008; and (c) this year to date; and (iii) roads that are planned for adoption within the next six months in the Strangford constituency.

(AQW 2689/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has provided the following details of unadopted and adopted roads, in the Strangford Constituency.

Unadopted roads

Aldergrange, Newtownards

Ann Street, Newtowanrds

Adjacent 75 Belfast Road, Comber

Ardmore Manor, Belfast Road, Ballygowan

Ardnavalley Park, Comber

Ardview Road Primary School, Killinchy

Ardview Road, Strangford View, Killinchy

Ballybarnes Meadow, Newtownards

Bangor Road, Newtownards

(Bartley’s Wood), Greyabbey Road, Ballywalter

Beechvale Road, Killinchy

Belfast Road, Comber

Bowtown Estate, Newtownards

Bowtown Road (Environment Improvements), Newtownards

Bowtown Road, Opposite New School, Newtownards

Bramblewood, Old Shore Road, Newtownards

Briar Park, Well Road, Ballywalter

Bridgedale Hosiery (Factory Site), Newtownards

Castle Cottages, Carrowdore

Castle Lane, Comber

Castlemeadows, Kircubbin Road, Cloughy

Church Grove, Kircubbin

26-40 Church Road, Kilmood

Comber Mill, Ballygowan Road, Comber

Cuan View, Lisbane

1a Demense View, Portaferry

Dunover Park, Ballywalter

20-34 East Street, Newtownards

Falcon Way, Mountain Road, Newtownards

Fox Hollow, Comber Road, Ballygowan

Gibson’s Lane, Newtownards

Glenford Road, Newtownards

Hazelwood Farm, The Straits, Lisbane

Helen’s View Park, Newtownards

Judes Crescent, Newtownards

Kalmia Avenue, Newtownards

Katie Jane’s Garden/White Cherry Hill, Killinchy

Laburnum Way, Comber

Lakeview, Belfast Road, Newtownards

Landsdowne Road, Newtownards

Larksborough, Newtownards

Lawson Gardens, Portavogie

Long Island Drive, Kircubbin

42 Magherascouse Road, Ballygowan

252/264 Main Road, Cloughy

Main Street, Carrowdore

23 Main Street (Whitecherry Lane), Killinchy

Manse Close, Carrowdore

Mark and Thomas Street, Newtownards

McBriar Meadow, Main Street, Carrowdore

McKenna Road, Kircubbin

McKenna Road/Rubane, Kircubbin

McVeigh Meadows, Rubane

Mountpleasant, Old Belfast Rd, Newtownards

Movilla Mews, Movilla Road, Newtownards

New Court/Close, Portavogie

North Road, Newtownards

Olivers Close, Ballygalget, Portaferry

Orchard Drive, Whiterock

Portview Heights, Main Street, Portavogie

Princetoon, Portavogie

Quarry Road, Lisbane

Railway Street, Spinners Court, Comber

Rectory Park, Kircubbin

Salt Water Close, Ballywalter

Scrabo Road, Knightsbridge Inn, Newtownards

Seahaven, Main Road, Portavogie

96 Shore Road (Caravan Park), Ballyhalbert

Shorelands Main Road, Cloughy

Springfield Road, Portavogie)

Stanfield Court, Newtownards

Teal Rocks, Newtownards

Teal Rocks, Portaferry Road, Newtownards

The Beeches Balloo, Killinchy

The Brambles, Stump Road, Ballywalter

The Gables, Ballyphillip Road

The Moatlands (Oak Avenue), Ballyhalbert

The Moatlands, Victoria Road, Ballyhalbert

The Stables, Main Street, Carrowdore

The Tides, Main Road, Portavogie

The Willow, Stanvilla Road, Newtownards

Tullynakill Road, Killinchy

1-67 Upper Crescent, Comber

Victoria Road, Ballyhalbert

Warnocks Road, Gowland Road, Portavogie

Westland, Main Road, Portavogie

Westpoint Park, Newtownards

Whiterock Road Killinchy

(ii)(a) Roads Adopted in 2007

Inishanier, Whiterock, Killinchy

Ringbuoy Cove, Cloughey

Station Lane, Ballygowan

Stump Road, Dunover Road, Ballywalter

The Gables, Portaferry

Windmill Hill, Portaferry

(ii)(b) Roads Adopted in 2008

Cronston Cottages, Newtownards

Regency Park, Newtownards

Seahaven, Main Road, Portavogie

The Reefs, Stump Road, Ballywalter

(ii)(c) Roads Adopted in 2009 to date

Demesne Avenue/Drive/Crescent, Ballywalter

Roads planned for Adoption within the next six months

Shore Road, Ballyhalbert

Stump Road, Ballywalter

The Gables, Ballyphilip Road, Portaferry

Road Bonds

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Regional Development to list the roads in the Strangford constituency which have had a road bond for (i) one year; (ii) two years; (iii) three years; and (iv) more than three years, and if possible, please specify the number of years for those more than three years.

(AQW 2707/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Details of the roads in the Strangford constituency which have had a road bond for one, two and three years are provided in the tables below.

Roads In Strangford Constituency That Have Held A Road Bond For One Year
Ballycrochan Road, Bangor (Phase 3)	Bryansburn Road, Bangor (38-40)
Rathgill Avenue, Bangor (Helm Housing)	Rockfield Glen, Bangor (Phase 2)
Shaftsbury, Belfast Road, Bangor (Phase 5)	Stonebridge, Green Road, Conlig (Phases 3 & 4)
Dunover Park, Ballywalter	Upper Crescent, Comber
Ardnavalley Park, Comber	The Cotton, Donaghadee
Lakeview, Belfast Road, Newtownards (Phase 1)	Lakeview, Belfast Road, Newtownards (Phase 2)
Bangor Road, Newtownards	Mark Street and Thomas Street, Newtownards
Olivers Close, Ballygalget	Demesne View, Portaferry

Roads In Strangford Constituency That Have Held A Road Bond For Two Years
Beechfield Avenue, Bangor	Crawfordsburn Road, Bangor
Donaghadee Road, Bangor	Fort Road/Grey Point, Helens Bay
Stonebridge, Green Road, Conlig (Phase 2)	Ardmore Manor, Belfast Road, Ballygowan
Church Road, Ballygowan	Shore Road, Ballyhalbert
Saltwater Close, Ballyhalbert	McBriar Meadow, Main Street, Carrowdore (Phase 1)
McBriar Meadow, Main Street, Carrowdore (Phase 2)	Castle Meadows, Kircubbin Road, Cloughey
Rockhill, Warren Road, Donaghadee	Church Grove, Kircubbin
Moss Road, Millisle (Phase 2)	Moss Road, Millisle (Phase 3)
Moss Road, Millisle (Phase 4)	Mark Street, Thomas Street, Newtownards
Kalmia Avenue, Newtownards	Helens View Park, Newtownards
The Tides, Main Road, Portavogie	Springfield Road, Portavogie

Roads In Strangford Constituency That Have Held A Road Bond For Three Years
Linen Crescent, Rathgill Parade, Bangor	Worcester Avenue, Bangor
Main Street, Carrowdore	The Stables, Main Street, Carrowdore
Shorelands, Main Road, Cloughey	Manor Farm, Moat Street, Donaghadee
East Street, Donaghadee	McKenna Road/Rubane Road, Kircubbin (Phase 1)
McKenna Road/Rubane Road, Kircubbin (Phase 2)	Ballywalter Road, Millisle (Phase 1)
Ballywalter Road, Millisle (Phase 2)	Abbey Road, Millisle
Ballybarnes Meadow, Newtownards	Lakeview, Belfast Road, Newtownards
The Tides, Main Road, Portavogie

Details of the roads in the Strangford constituency which have had a road bond for more than three years and the year/s in which they were bonded are provided in the table below.

Roads In Strangford Constituency That Have Held A Road Bond For More Than Three Years
Abbey Place, Holywood	2004
Ashfield Manor, Bangor	2006
Balloo Drive, South Circular Road, Bangor	1998 & 2006
Ballycrochan Road, Bangor	2005
Ballymaconnell Road, Bangor	2003
Balmoral Square, Balmoral Road, Bangor	2005
Bangor Road, Conlig	2003
Beechfield & Hillfarm, Bangor	2004
Brooklane, Rathgael Road, Bangor	2005
Clifton Road, Bangor (97-99)	2005
Cove Bay, Groomsport	2001, 2002 & 2004
Crawfordsburn Close, Bangor	2002
Crawfordsburn Road, Bangor (75-79)	2004
Dellmount Avenue, Bangor	2006
Demense Gate, Demense Road, Holywood	2004
Downshire Lane, Bangor	2003
Gibsons Green/Willowbrook Park, Bangor	2000, 2003 & 2005
Glen Park, (Bryansburn House), Bangor	2001
Hanover Hill/Close, Bangor	2003
Kinnegar Drive, Holywood	1994
Lineybrook Lane, Bangor	2004
Riverwood Vale, Donaghadee Road, Bangor	2005
Seapark Lane, Holywood	2004
Shaftsbury, Belfast Road, Bangor	2002 & 2003
Stonebridge, Green Road, Conlig	2004 & 2005
Uprichard Court, Bloomfield Road South, Bangor	2002 & 2003
Victoria Drive, Bangor	2006
Woodcroft Lane, Holywood	2004
Woodvale Gardens, Bangor	2006
Fox Hollow, Comber Road, Ballygowan	2005
Bartleys Wood, Greyabbey Road, Ballywalter	1995 & 2005
Edgewater, Millisle Road, Donaghadee	2004 & 2005
Carnmoon, Donaghadee	2005
Rockhill, Warren Road, Donaghadee	2005
Hazelwood Farm, The Straits, Donaghadee	2005
Moss Road, Millisle	2005
East Street, Newtownards	2005
Judes Crescent, Newtownards	2005
The Gables, Ballyphillip Road, Portaferry	2004 & 2005
Princetoon, Portavogie	2005
The Moatlands, Ballyhalbert	1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004
Shore Road, Ballyhalbert	2004
The Brambles, Stump Road, Ballywalter	2004
Castle Meadows, Cloughey	2004
Shorelands, Main Road, Cloughey	2004
Morey Hill, Donaghadee	2004
The Beeches, Balloo, Killinchy	2001 & 2004
McVeigh Meadows, Rubane, Kircubbin	2004
Castle Meadows, Kircubbin Road, Cloughey	2003
Belfast Road, Comber	2003
Teal Rocks, Portaferry Road, Newtownards	1995, 1996, 1998 & 2003
Bowtown Road, Newtownards	2003
The Tides, Main Road, Portavogie	2001, 2003
Main Street, Carrowdore	2002
Laburnum Way, Comber	2002
Castle Lane, Comber	2002
Longisland Drive, Kircubbin	1996, 1998 & 2002
Warnocks Road, Portavogie	2002
Orchard Drive, Whiterock	2002
Railway Street, Spinners Court, Comber	2001
Brackenridge, Donaghadee	1999 & 2001
Seahill, Donaghadee	2001
Main Street, Killinchy	2001
Sanctuary Cove, Kircubbin	2001
Abbey Road, Millisle	1999 & 2001
The Willows, Newtownards	2001
Lansdowne Road, Newtownards	1998 & 2001
Movilla Mews, Movilla Road, Newtownards	2001
Newcourt, Portavogie	1999 & 2001
Manse Close, Carrowdore	2000
Cuan View, Lisbane	2000
Ballywalter Road, Millisle	2000
Katie Janes Garden, White Cherry, Kircubbin	1999
Stanfield Court, Newtownards	1999
Westlands, Main Road, Portavogie	1999
Seahill Park, Donaghadee	1998
Warren Villas, Donaghadee	1998
Tern Park, Teal Rocks, Newtownards	1998
Portview Heights, Main Street, Portavogie	1993 & 1997
Briar Park, Well Road, Ballywalter	1996
Ann Street, Newtownards	1996
Aldergrange, Newtownards	1996
Bramblewood, Old Shore Road, Newtownards	1992

Road Bonds

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Regional Development if he intends to introduce a policy or legislation to cover roads which are subject to a road bond and where there has been a delay in achieving the Roads Service standard for adoption.

(AQW 2710/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I can advise the Member that the following legislation currently exists to ensure that a developer constructs and completes roads to the appropriate adoption standard:

The Private Streets (NI) Order 1980;
The Private Streets (Amendment) (NI) Order 1992;
The Private Streets (Construction) Regulations (NI) 1994; and
The Private Streets (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2001.

I should further advise that, prior to construction, a developer is required to enter into an agreement with Roads Service to provide the roads, footways, street lighting and sewers. However, should a developer fail to satisfactorily complete street works within a reasonable timescale, the Private Streets legislation allows enforcement action to be taken. The agreement between the developer and Roads Service, which is secured by a bond, allows Roads Service to complete the works should the developer default.

A2 between the University of Ulster and Seapark

Mr D Hilditch asked e Minister for Regional Development to provide an update on the progress of the A2 between the University of Ulster and Seapark.

(AQW 2779/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that following the outcome of a public inquiry, which was held in October 2007, it made two of the Statutory Orders for the A2 Shore Road Greenisland scheme, in October 2008. These were the Intention to Proceed and the Direction Order.

Roads Service is, at present, continuing with the development of the A2 Shore Road Greenisland scheme. A Geotechnical Investigation along the route was completed in June 2009 and an Archaeological Investigation is planned for 2009/10.

The completion of the final Statutory Order, the Vesting Order, and progress of the scheme to procurement, will be dependent on the availability of funding in future years.

Road Signage

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development what discussions his Department has had with the PSNI regarding changes to road signage to improve road safety.

(AQW 2814/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that they work closely with the PSNI in order to address a wide range of road safety issues. Discussions may form part of formal routine meetings, or be on an ad-hoc basis to deal with individual items as they arise. These discussions cover all aspects of road safety, including consideration of changes to road signage.

If the Member has concerns about a roads safety issue at a particular location, if he provides me with details, I would be happy to have the matter investigated further.

Road Signage

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development what consideration is being given to changing guidelines on road signage to improve road safety.

(AQW 2815/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Traffic signs play a vital role in directing, informing and controlling road users' behaviour in an effort to make the roads as safe as possible for everyone. Safety is therefore a primary consideration when providing signs.

In terms of guidance, my Department’s Roads Service generally uses the Traffic Signs Manual, which is applicable for use in England, Scotland, Wales and here in the North. It comprises a number of Chapters, each of which is reviewed periodically. Reviews and reissues of each of the individual Chapters are led by the Department for Transport in London, with Roads Service being a key contributor. Reissues take into account any changes in the approach to signing in the intervening period, many of which will be safety related.

Parking Illegally in Disabled Parking Bays

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Regional Development how many tickets have been issued to people parking illegally in disabled parking bays in Lisburn, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2826/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service became responsible for parking enforcement on 30 October 2006, prior to this date parking enforcement was a police function.

Details of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued to vehicles illegally parked in disabled persons parking spaces in Lisburn, since then, to the end of October 2009, are set out in the table below.

Period	PCNs Issued
1 November 2006 – 31 December 2006	10
1 January 2007 – 31 December 2007	109
1 January 2008 – 31 December 2008	234
1 January 2009 – 31 October 2009	274

Pay and Display Parking

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Regional Development how many parking tickets have been issued in Lisburn since on-street parking pay and display was introduced.

(AQW 2827/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that on-street pay and display parking was introduced in Lisburn on 28 July 2008. Since then, to 31 October 2009, 11,517 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) have been issued in the City. This figure relates to all parking contraventions, including those in on-street pay and display parking bays. It also includes 3,990 PCNs issued in off-street car parks.

Capital Spend on Projects

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his Department's total capital spend on projects this year to date in each constituency.

(AQW 2832/10)

Minister for Regional Development: The table below details my Department’s total capital spend on projects this year to date within each constituency. The table covers the Department, Translink and Northern Ireland Water (NIW) . It is not possible to identify Roads Service capital expenditure on projects, with individual values less than £1m, by Assembly Constituency. Spend in the current financial year by Division to 31 October 2009 is:-

Northern £3,440,000

Southern £3,820,000

Eastern £3,860,000

Western £1,620,000

Total £12,740,000

Details of all NIW capital projects have been provided. However, NIW do not hold the information on an Assembly Constituency basis.

Project Name	Spend to date £’000	Constituency
DRD: Rapid Transit Project	154	West Belfast, East Belfast and into Strangford which borders East Belfast
DRD: Roads Service
Strategic Road Improvement Projects
DBFO Package 1 – M1/Westlink and M2 Widening, Belfast	27,200,000	Several Constituencies
M2/A26 Ballee Road East Link, Ballymena	2,100,000	North Antrim
A2 Broadbridge, Maydown to City of Derry Airport, Londonderry	8,000,000	Foyle
A29 Carland Bridge, Dungannon	1,400,000	Mid Ulster
Local Transport and Safety Measures and Bridge Strengthening
Capital Projects with individual values less than £1m	12,740,000*	All Constituencies
Translink
Dargan Bridge (East) - Replace Switch and sleeper rehabilitation	142	Belfast North
Points No 600 & Replacement of Insulated Block Joints and expansion switches	66	Belfast North
York Road Fuel Apron	2	Belfast North
Replacement Compressed Air Systems - York Road	71	Belfast North
Oil Dispensing & De sumping System – York Road	42	Belfast North
Provision of Jib Crane - York Road	1	Belfast North
Internal Racking & Mezzanine Floor - Phase II – York Road	9	Belfast North
Replacement Lorry for Stores	30	Belfast North
CCTV at York Road	46	Belfast North
Yorkgate CCTV System	53	Belfast North
York Road - Upgrade Power Supply	8	Belfast North
Fleet Engineering Wheel Press – York Road	49	Belfast North
Replacement Overhead Crane - York Rd	23	Belfast North
Refurbishment of Workshop & Diesel Shed Floors – York Road	10	Belfast North
Provision of Sand Filling Equipment at Fortwilliam	92	Belfast North
Powered Pallet Truck - Duncrue St	7	Belfast North
Total – Belfast North	651
Assessment of Gas Powered Heating System for Falls Road Brush Paintshop	10	Belfast West
Falls Road Depot Staff Security Measures	5	Belfast West
Refurbishment of CCTV at Falls Road Depot Phase II	5	Belfast West
Total – Belfast West	20
Refurbishment of CCTV at Short Strand Depot Phase II	21	Belfast East
Personal Equipment Lockers for Short Strand	4	Belfast East
Total – Belfast East	25
New Train Maintenance Facility - Adelaide	567	Belfast South
Botanic Platform Extension	10	Belfast South
Great Victoria Street Hub Development	6	Belfast South
Chamber of Commerce House Refurbishment	2	Belfast South
Europa Bus Station - Provision of Traffic Barriers along Bus Lane	8	Belfast South
Laganside Bus Station- Stand Extension for Double Deckers	7	Belfast South
Total – Belfast South	600
Track Condition Retention Programme - Cross Border	285	Cross Border
Enterprise overhaul phase 2	294	Cross Border Line
Installation 3 x Class 201 Locomotives with NIR Trainbourne Safety Systems	87	Cross Border Line
Total – Cross Border	666
Class 450 Overhaul	552	East Antrim
Additional Train Capacity	331	East Antrim
Carrickfergus Park and Ride	3	East Antrim
Magheramorne Passing Loop Replace Turnouts	1	East Antrim
Track Condition Retention Programme - Larne Line	110	East Antrim
Whiteabbey Park and Ride	162	East Antrim
Downshire - Whitehead Sea Defence Strengthening Section 1	13	East Antrim
Signal CL486 Magheramourne Off Indicator	1	East Antrim
Depot Pit Modifications - Larne Depot	14	East Antrim
Provision of Pit Jacks at Larne Depot	5	East Antrim
Provision of Replacement Air Compressors at Newtownabbey & Falls	6	East Antrim
Total – East Antrim	1,198
Bridge Replacements Section 10 (UB 203, 204, 215)	266	East Londonderry
Coleraine Fuel Apron	5	East Londonderry
Coleraine to Derry & Whitehead to Larne - Sea Defences	351	East Londonderry
Coleraine to Derry Track renewal	385	East Londonderry
Co Acting Gates at User Worked Crossing - XL 189	13	East Londonderry
Replacement Fuel Tank - Limavady	1	East Londonderry
Total – East Londonderry	1,021
Replacement Power Wash - Enniskillen	3	Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Total – Fermanagh and South Tyrone	3
Foyle Street Inspectors Bubble	5	Foyle
Total – Foyle	5
Lisburn Automatic Half Barrier Crossings Voltage Drop Standby	5	Lagan Valley
Meeting House Lane Miniature Stop Lights & Glebe Road Manual Crossing Barrier Upgrade Project	3	Lagan Valley
Assessment of Watertower at Lisburn	4	Lagan Valley
Dagger Road Emergency Works	5	Lagan Valley
Dromore Bus Depot - feasibility study	1	Lagan Valley
Lisburn Depot - Provision of New Pay In/Rest Room	4	Lagan Valley
Total – Lagan Valley	22
Magherafelt Ulster Bus Workshop - Provision of Gates	5	Mid Ulster
Total – Mid Ulster	5
Newry Railway Station	2,414	Newry and Armagh
UB208 Poyntzpass Strengthening	11	Newry and Armagh
Newry Bus Station - Basement Tank Bunding	14	Newry and Armagh
Newry Edward St Bus - Culvert	9	Newry and Armagh
Replacement Fuel Tanks - Armagh Bus Depot	13	Newry and Armagh
Provision of 50 Tonne press at Armagh Depot	2	Newry and Armagh
CCTV Installation on 3 Irizar Coaches at Newry	7	Newry and Armagh
Warrenpoint Harbour Authority	406	Newry and Armagh
Total – Newry and Armagh	2,876
Ballymena Permanent Way / Signalling & Telecommunications store and yard	27	North Antrim
Ballymena Rail Station - roof	1	North Antrim
Ballymoney footbridge Replacement	25	North Antrim
Bridge Replacement - Coleraine to Antrim	761	North Antrim
Bridge Refurbishment - Coleraine to Antrim	111	North Antrim
Coleraine to Portrush Re-Rail	1	North Antrim
Killagan Passing Loop - Replace Turnouts	165	North Antrim
Track remedial works programme - Ballymena to Derry	5,297	North Antrim
Bridge Waterproofing - Ballymena to Coleraine	115	North Antrim
Closure of XL191- Gaults User Worked Crossing	1	North Antrim
Ballymoney Rail Station - Replacement Roof Covering	53	North Antrim
Patsy Martins User Worked Crossing XL 108 & XL109	1	North Antrim
Replacement Bulk Storage Tanks at Ballymena	2	North Antrim
Total – North Antrim	6,560
Bangor Line TDM system replacement (Signalling)	101	North Down
Bangor west path	4	North Down
Total – North Down	105
Antrim Street Lisburn UB282 Bridge Protection Beams	2	South Antrim
Track Condition Retention Programme - Derry Line	101	South Antrim
Antrim Station Canopy	47	South Antrim
Antrim Station Signalling Improvements	43	South Antrim
CCTV Systems at Antrim Integrated System	94	South Antrim
Ballyclare Ulster Bus - Upgrade Power Supply for Bus Wash	5	South Antrim
Replacement Fuel Pump at Ballyclare Depot	3	South Antrim
Total – South Antrim	295
Ballygowan Bus Park	4	Strangford
Total – Strangford	4
Bells Row Barrier Relocation	2	Upper Bann
Moneypenny's residual voltage	1	Upper Bann
Portadown Railway Station Refurbishment	6	Upper Bann
Track Condition Retention Programme - Portadown Line	161	Upper Bann
CCTV at Portadown Railway Station Car Park	36	Upper Bann
Portadown Sidings Renewal	153	Upper Bann
Replacement Fuel Tank - Lisburn Infrastructure Yard	11	Upper Bann
Replacement Roof at Craigavon Workshop	1	Upper Bann
Total – Upper Bann	371
Replacement Fuel Tanks - Omagh Bus Depot	23	West Tyrone
Total – West Tyrone	23
4 x Sets of Lifting Jacks for Metro Garages	63	Belfast
Doubledeck Bus Canopy Protection	71	Belfast South and Foyle
Upgrade of Signals CL6 & PD88	13	Belfast South and Upper Bann
Permanent Way Staff Accommodation at 3 Locations	5	East Antrim and East Londonderry
Total – Projects split across constituencies	152
New Trains Two	12,677	Whole Network
Platform Extension Programme (6 Car sets)	203	Whole Network
Class 3000 Phase 1 Overhaul	878	Whole Network
Automatic Half Barrier Crossing LED Road Traffic Signals Upgrades	72	Whole Network
Bridge Assessment Programme - 6 yearly	55	Whole Network
Fencing	143	Whole Network
Point Roller Upgrade Programme	42	Whole Network
Rock slope remedial works (additional)	379	Whole Network
Signal replacement switches upgrade	1	Whole Network
Station fencing programme	1	Whole Network
Tamping heads	220	Whole Network
Track Recording Geometric Equipment	6	Whole Network
Track Survey and Data Acquisition	239	Whole Network
Train Radio Replacement Project	82	Whole Network
User Worked Crossing Miniature Stop Light Provision Phase 1	1	Whole Network
Translink Website Refresh	26	Whole Network
Corporate Asset Management system	2	Whole Network
Firewall strategy	1	Whole Network
Records Management – Electronic Document Record Management System	12	Whole Network
Technology refresh IT Infrastructure (PCs / data communications/ peripherals)	162	Whole Network
Replacement Road Rail Recovery Vehicle	15	Whole Network
Train Stop Markers for 4 Door Class 80 Trains	7	Whole Network
User Worked Crossing Identifications	3	Whole Network
Replacement Crewbuses for NIR Permanent way Squads	195	Whole Network
Purchase of Vans, Lorries & Cars for 2009	85	Whole Network
Retrofit of Vehicle Management Systems on Infrastructure Vehicles	21	Whole Network
System of Padlocks at Track Access Gates & Infrastructure Secure Locations	14	Whole Network
Pulse Coded Modulation Third Party Transmission Sig Device	51	Whole Network
User Worked Crossing - Provision of Trackside Signage	8	Whole Network
Development & Customisation of Safety Management Information System	23	Whole Network
E Sourcing Portal	10	Whole Network
Implementation of Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCIDSS)	1	Whole Network
Safe and Secure Storage of Master Records	4	Whole Network
General IT Equipment	2	Whole Network
Corporate Geographic Information Deployment	6	Whole Network
Total – Projects that affect the whole Rail Network	15,647
Bus Wash	224	Several Constituencies
Replacement Air Compressors at UB Garages	57	Several Constituencies
Installation of Fall Arrest Systems	57	Several Constituencies
Total – Bus projects that fall across several constituencies	338
Ulsterbus Fleet Replacement - 64 Single Deck Buses	293	All Constituencies
Ulsterbus Fleet Replacement - 44 Single Decks	1,833	All Constituencies
Capital Spares for Electronic Ticketing Machine's	1	All Constituencies
Building Condition Upgrade Programme	465	All Constituencies
Building Services Upgrade Programme	37	All Constituencies
BIS Bus Information System	7	All Constituencies
Internet Sales and Booking system for UB Tours	21	All Constituencies
Convert Buses from Powered to Manual Access Ramps	18	All Constituencies
Digital Tachographs for Tour Buses	10	All Constituencies
Ticketing Machines	10	All Constituencies
General Plant & Machinery	4	All Constituencies
General IT equipment	6	All Constituencies
Installation RIBAS (UB) Vehicle Management System	1	All Constituencies
Total – Bus Projects that relate to all constituencies	2,706
Overall Total Spend	33,293
NIW		Information not held by NIW
Tardree Zone WM Imps	963
Northern Key Transport Corridor, Ballymena Watermain Scheme	1,280
Dungonnell Command Service Reservoir	272
Frys Road, Ballymena New Watermain	357
Loan Command SR, Inlet Watermain	365
Old Portglenone Road, Portglenone, Watermain Trunk	277
Ballinrees Central Zone Watermain Improvements	1,023
Altnahinch and Seagahan WTW's Residual Sludge Disposal	2,393
Portballintrae Zone Wm Improvements	687
Ballycastle Zone Wm Improvements	2,524
Glenlough SR, Ballymoney, New SR	277
Seagahan WTW	2,268
Castor Bay/ Shanmoy Zone	810
Castor Bay to Dungannon Strategic Trunk Mains	417
Lurgan & Portadown Public Realm Associated Infrastructure Improvements	475
Waterside Zone Watermain Improvements	1,187
Carmoney East Zone Watermain Improvements	1,887
Limavady Zone Watermain Improvements	1,046
Reservoir Rehabilitation Western Area Phase 2	290
Derry City Centre Public Realm Replacement Watermains	563
Reservoir Rehabilitation Programme Phase 3	1,429
North Tyrone Zone Watermain Improvements	634
Lough Bradan WTWs Upgrade	526
Dunore to Hydepark Pumping Main Replacement	4,005
Belfast City Centre Zone WM Improvements	1,650
Whiteabbey Lower, Mains Replacement. Newtownabbey	926
Ballygowan Zone Watermain Improvements	3,513
Mid Down Zone WM Imps	3,838
Portaferry, Ballyquinton area mains replacment.	819
Lisburn Town Zone Watermain Improvements	654
Lisburn to R.O.I. Border Trunk Road Improvements	483
Aldergrove Sewerage Scheme	590
Milltown, Antrim WwTW	1,925
Glenarm Sewage Pumping Station	269
Toome (Creagh) Sewerage Scheme	510
Moneymore STW Imps	255
Maghera WwTW	262
Magherafelt WwTW	261
Whitehead, Ballystruder & Ballycarry Rationalisation	277
Ballybogey WWTW	620
Bushmills + Portballintrae WwTW	2,585
Castlerock Road Coleraine - Storm Sewer	592
Coalisland WwTW	2,642
Moygashel WwTW	1,321
Hamiltonsbawn WwTW	933
Benburb/Milltown - RBC Installations West & South	1,575
Castlecaulfield WwTW	945
Annaghmore WwTWs	498
Gilford Road Portadown Sewerage Upgrades	898
Dungiven WwTW	615
Donnybrewer WwTW	1,278
Ballycoleman, Strabane Flood Alleviation Scheme	283
Londonderry Sewer Imps Stage 1 - Victoria Market Pumping Station and Fahan Street Relief Sewer	279
Londonderry DAP: Storm Screening	435
Limavady DAP: Stage 2, Roe Mill Road Sewer Upgrades	533
Enniskillen WwTW	1,039
Enniskillen Drainage Area Plan	269
Kensington Gardens Flood Relief	442
Belfast Sewers Project	17,091
Belvoir Park Trunk Sewer	626
Lisbarnet WwTW	2,032
Ormeau Road Storm Separation	419
Ballyhalbert WwTW Interim Solution	650
Ballyholme (Bangor) DAP Phase 1	1,154
Lukes Point (Bangor) DAP Phase 1	317
Joymount Carrick DAP Phase 1	697
Whitehouse DAP Phase 1	399
Castle Place / High Street Sewer and Water main Upgrade	579
Seahill WwTW	576
Downpatrick WwTW	3,509
Saintfield WwTW	741
Comber Rd/Portaferry Rd Newtownards SPS	1,051
Clough WwTW	2,132
North Road, Newtownards Storm	259
Annahilt WwTW	780
Dromara WwTW	965
Lower Ballinderry WWTW	344
Hugenot drive Lisburn SPS Upgrade	459
Poundburn WWTW	334
Crossmaglen WwTW	1,010
Castlewellan WwTW	303
Newry Sewerage Networks Improvements	281
Charlotte Street/Newry Road Warrenpoint Proposed Sewer Improvements	398
Rathfriland WWTW Inlet Screens and CSOS	405
Small WWTWs Priority Upgrades	3,545
	101,025
Sum of projects spending less than £250k Apr - Oct 2009	14,854

Total	115,879

Flooding on the Comber to Dundonald Road

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he intends to take to address the persistent flooding along the Comber to Dundonald Road, particularly the flooding at No.142 and 144 Belfast Road.

(AQW 2844/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that they have been called out to flooding at No. 142 and 144 Belfast Road on two occasions during the recent spell of heavy rain. In both cases the outlet pipe from the gullies at the entrance to these properties, which discharges into a field on the opposite side of the road, appeared to have been blocked by the deliberate actions of a third party. Once the blockage was cleared the drainage system operated as it should and flooding cleared.

Roads Service will continue to monitor the situation at this location closely during wet spells and will take the appropriate course of action to ensure the drainage system remains operational.

I am further advised that Roads Service is also aware of periodic carriageway flooding on the A22 Comber Road, Dundonald in the vicinity of Peartree Hill, during heavy rainfall conditions.

This matter has been investigated and a drainage scheme has been proposed to be undertaken in 2010, dependent upon the availability of finance. However, in the interim, Roads Service will endeavour to undertake all appropriate actions to minimise any problem.

Damage to the Road Surface at Meadowbank Avenue, Donaghadee

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he intends to take to ensure that any damage to the road surface at Meadowbank Avenue, Donaghadee, due to construction work, will be repaired.

(AQW 2847/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that they have been in regular contact with the developer of the site at Meadowbank Avenue, Donaghadee, from the outset of the work. The developer has already carried out some repairs to the carriageway at the request of Roads Service.

In addition, the developer has lodged sums of money, by way of deposits, against any damage caused to public areas as a result of their works. These deposits can be used by Roads Service to carry out repairs, should the developer default from his responsibility.

Road Gritting

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development what training is given to external contracted staff who carry out road gritting.

(AQW 2854/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that its external contract drivers are required to undertake a two-day training course, which covers the operation of the gritter, as well as the mounting and use of the vehicle’s snow plough attachment. This training is identical to that given to Road Service staff, who are required to carry out road gritting.

In addition, all drivers undertake a number of "dry runs" over their designated gritting route, to ensure that they become familiar with the route, in advance of any gritting operations.

Pay and Display Car Parks

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development how much revenue has been generated by each pay and display car park in North Down, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2855/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Details of the revenue generated by the Pay and Display car-parks in North Down, excluding Value Added Tax, are set out in the table below.

* Charges started in the Clifton Road car park in 2006/07.

Car Park	Financial Year
Car Park	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09	Apr to Sep 2009
Abbey Street East, Bangor	£82,740.00	£55,236.00	£61,018.98	£81,925.05	£29,264.05
Bingham Lane, Bangor	£56,209.00	£56,927.00	£59,481.50	£59,012.68	£27,902.93
Castle St, Bangor	£40,124.00	£43,459.00	£47,132.87	£40,934.91	£18,370.58
Clifton Road, Bangor*		£8,628.00	£14,136.65	£12,710.28	£6,399.47
Holborn Ave, Bangor	£44,200.00	£41,777.00	£46,900.53	£45,077.70	£21,896.51
Mills Rd, Bangor	£20,698.00	£24,542.00	£27,949.19	£25,465.84	£10,163.55
The Vennel, Bangor	£31,218.00	£34,350.00	£30,912.36	£32,897.52	£ 17,515.42
Church Rd, Holywood	£78,309.00	£78,875.00	£72,320.26	£61,955.16	£28,037.41
Hibernia St North, Holywood	£44,331.00	£48,135.00	£61,097.24	£53,343.63	£25,602.06
Hibernia St South, Holywood	£25,889.00	£26,815.00	£23,693.94	£24,043.61	£8,547.38

You will be aware that Roads Service’s parking enforcement contract with NSL Services Group (formerly NCP) commenced at end-October 2006.

I should advise the Member that all revenue generated from car parking charges, along with income from parking penalty charge notices, is used to supplement the overall financing of Roads Service by Central Government and that the cost of managing our off-street car parks, and enforcing the on-street parking restrictions, exceeds the total revenue received.

Pay and Display Machines

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development how much it has cost to repair pay and display machines in the North Down constituency in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2856/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that they do not hold the information requested in a format that would enable them to detail the costs of machine repairs in each of the last five years. However, the costs of maintaining the machines in Bangor and Holywood since the commencement of the parking enforcement contract with NSL Services Group (formerly NCP), on 30 October 2006, are as follows:-

30 October 2006 to 29 October 2007

Bangor	£6,001.23
Holywood	£3,000.61

30 October 2007 to 29 October 2008

Bangor	£6,800.63
Holywood	£3,400.31

30 October 2008 to 30 September 2009

Bangor	£6,322.39
Holywood	£3,161.20

Pay and Display Machines

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) how many pay and display machines have been out of order in the North Down constituency in the last year; and (ii) for how long.

(AQW 2860/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that during the period from 1 November 2008 to 31 October 2009, each one of the 18 pay and display machines in the North Down constituency experienced at least one fault that rendered it out of order at some stage.

A total of 433 machine faults were reported in the North Down constituency during last year and the average total length of time that each machine was not operational, as a result of these faults, was 7.7 working days. This equates to approximately 2.5% of the total working time of the machines.

Traffic Calming Measures in Olympia Drive, South Belfast

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Regional Development if he has any plans to introduce traffic calming measures in Olympia Drive, South Belfast.

(AQW 2865/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service receives many requests for traffic calming schemes and all proposals are assessed, scored and prioritised as demand greatly exceeds its capacity to provide such measures. I understand that Olympia Drive was initially assessed for the provision of traffic calming measures in October 2007 and the assessment did not score as high as other potential traffic calming schemes. The scheme was also reassessed in November 2008 and this confirmed the results of the original assessment.

However, following a further request in September 2009 for traffic calming measures in Olympia Drive and the surrounding streets from the Greater Village Regeneration Trust, Roads Service agreed to undertake a further traffic survey. It had been claimed that there had been a marked increase to traffic volumes and speed since the November 2008 survey. In order to ensure that the survey equipment was located on the street where it was felt the problem was greatest, the Greater Village Regeneration Trust was asked to identify their preferred survey site. I understand that to date, no response has been received from the Trust and the planned survey has not yet been arranged.

In order to progress this matter, I have asked Mr Tom McCourt, Divisional Roads Manager, Roads Service Eastern Division, to again make contact with the Greater Village Regeneration Trust, to identify their preferred site.

Speed Survey on Queen's Avenue, Magherafelt

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the results of the recent speed survey carried out on Queen's Avenue, Magherafelt; and what impact this will have on possible traffic calming measures.

(AQW 2869/10)

Minister for Regional Development: The speed surveys were undertaken in Queens Avenue, Magherafelt in October 2009, prior to a public consultation event for the scheme held in the local leisure centre on 12 November 2009. The recorded 85th percentile speed (the speed at or below which 85% of the traffic is travelling) at Queens Avenue, was 33mph, which is considered to be too high for this residential area.

I can confirm that Queens Avenue is included in my Department’s Roads Service's 2009/10 traffic calming works programme. Roads Service proposes to provide flat top ramps at five locations in Queens Avenue, at three locations in Princess Avenue, and at two locations at Kirk Avenue. In addition, a 20mph speed limit will be provided in the area.

It is anticipated that following successful completion of the normal statutory processes, the scheme will be constructed in February or March 2010.

Road Signage

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide an update of his Department's policy on business road signage.

(AQW 2884/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I can advise the Member that I am currently considering proposals for a relaxation of my Department’s Roads Service’s policies relating to the provision of traffic signing for businesses.

However, this is not a straightforward issue, as the desire to provide increased levels of signing to businesses has to be balanced against the need to minimise the impact any such increase would have on the environment and road safety. Any change in the policy will need to be fair and equitable, and the facility provided can be justified, from both traffic management and road safety perspectives.

I hope to be in a position to make a decision on this issue in the near future.

Capital Spend on Projects

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his Department's projected total capital spend on projects in 2010/11 in each constituency.

(AQW 2889/10)

Minister for Regional Development: The table below details DRD’s projected total capital spend on projects in 2010/11 within each constituency. The table covers the Department, Translink and Northern Ireland Water (NIW).

It is not possible to identify the Roads Service capital allocation for Local Transport and Safety Measures and Bridge Strengthening by Assembly Constituency. Figures have been provided by Roads Service Division.

NIW do not hold the information on an Assembly Constituency basis. Details of all capital projects which are considered to be committed have been provided. The allocation of any remaining uncommitted funds in 2010/11 will be dictated by the outcome of the Utility Regulator's Final Determination, currently programmed for publication mid-December 2009.

Figures are estimates and projects will be subject to the availability of funding.

Projects	2010/11£000’s	Constituency
DRD: Rapid Transit	6,000	West Belfast, East Belfast and into Strangford (which borders East Belfast)
DRD: Roads Service
*Major Works Schemes
A2 Broadbridge, Maydown to City of Derry Airport	6,000	Foyle
A29 Carland Bridge, Dungannon	1,500	Mid Ulster
DBFO Package 2 – A1 Beech Hill Cloghogue, Newry & Mourne	100,000	Newry & Armagh
DBFO Package 2 – A4 Dungannon to Ballygawley,	86,500	Fermanagh & South Tyrone
A26/M2 Ballee Road East, Ballymena	500	North Antrim

* The figures relate to the estimated construction costs for Strategic Road Improvement Schemes and, in the case of Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) projects, the Permit to Use Payments for 2010/11.

Projects	Estimated Capital Spend (in 2010/11)£’000s
DRD: Roads Service
**Local Transport and Safety Measures and Bridge Strengthening
Northern Division	6,460
Southern Division	7,500
Eastern Division	6,050
Western Division	4,610

** The figures relate to the estimated capital allocations for 2010/11 on Local Transport and Safety Measures and Bridge Strengthening. It is not possible to identify these allocations by Assembly Constituency.

Projects	2010/11 £000’s	Constituency
Translink
Buses
New Buses	2,628	All constituencies
DDA Compliance	488	All constituencies
Increase depth of depot pits	465	All constituencies
Travel Centre coaches	570	All constituencies
Information System Projects	1,134	All constituencies
CCTV Ulsterbus	137	Several Constituencies
Chamber of Commerce House HQ	2,880	Belfast South
Cars, Vans, Lorries	26	All Belfast
Sub Total Buses	8,328
NI Railways
New Train Phase II	20,165	Whole Network
Platform Extension Programme	2,480	Whole Network
Class 3000 Trains Phase 1 Overhaul	1,752	Whole Network
Bridge Assessment Programme - 6 yearly	272	Whole Network
Automatic Half Barrier Crossing LED Road Traffic Signals Upgrade	73	Whole Network
Information System Projects	1,100	Whole Network
Ballast Wagons (6)	1,725	Whole Network
Station fencing programme	128	Whole Network
Lineside Fencing 2008/09 - 2011/12	497	Whole Network
Cars, Vans, Lorries	144	Whole Network
New Train Maintenance Facility - Adelaide	17,566	Belfast South
Class 450 Trains Overhaul	1,058	East Antrim
Railway Bridge UB424 Carrickfergus - Edge beams	28	East Antrim
Bann Bridge, Coleraine UB190 remedial works	296	East Londonderry
Railway Bridge UB208 Poyntzpass Strengthening	352	Newry and Armagh
Bells Row Barrier Relocation	91	Upper Bann
Meeting House Lane Miniature Stop Lights & Glebe Road Manual Controlled Barrier Upgrade Project	1,442	Lagan Valley
York Road to Bleach Green Replacement of Switch & Crossings	382	Belfast North and East Antrim
Ballymena Permanent Way / Signalling & Telecoms store and yard	1,777	North Antrim
Bangor West path	36	North Down
Coleraine Fuel Apron	49	East Londonderry
Specification for co-acting gates at occupation crossing	25	East Londonderry
Coleraine to Derry Track renewal	2,978	East Londonderry
Closure of Brolly & McConaghy's XL196 User Worked Crossing	892	East Londonderry
Sub Total Railway Capital	55,308
TOTAL	63,636

Projects	Estimated Capital Spend (in 2010/11) £’000s	Information not held by NIW
NIW
Castor Bay to Dungannon Strategic Trunk Mains	1,934
CTM Extension - Barnetts Park to Purdysburn	830
Lisburn Town Zone Watermain Improvements	112
Northern Key Transport Corridor, Ballymena Watermain Scheme	0
Belfast City Centre Zone WM Improvements	518
Dungannon to Ballygawley (A4) Dualling Watermain Diversions	219
A2 Shore Road Realignment - Greenisland	845
Carmoney Water Treatment Works Upgrade	2,500
Lough Bradan WTWs Upgrade	1,960
West Belfast/ North Lisburn	1,318
Ballykine Gravity Distribution	1,820
Dungonnell Command Service Reservoir	382
Tullaghans SR, Dunloy, New Reservoir	228
Glenlough SR, Ballymoney, New SR	307
Altnahinch WTP, Ballymoney, New CWB.	307
Carland Service Reservoir	1,168
Ballyeaston Sewage System Upgrade	200
Draperstown DAP	558
Derrynoyd Road Draperstown Foul & Storm Sewer Extension	25
Gilford Road Portadown Sewerage Upgrades	96
Maghaberry Flood Alleviation Projects	70
Londonderry Sewer Imps Stage 2 - Duke St PS Group Schemes	50
Londonderry DAP: Victoria Road Work Package	845
Londonderry DAP: Strathfoyle & Drumahoe Work package: Drumahoe Old PS	495
Londonderry DAP: Strathfoyle & Drumahoe Work package: Caw PS	570
Londonderry DAP: Sewers Rehab Phase 1	1,720
Londonderry DAP: Sewers Rehab Phase 2	87
Montgomery Rd, Flood Alleviation	254
Belvoir Park Trunk Sewer	88
Derrynoyd Road Draperstown Foul & Storm Sewer Extension	0
South Street, Newtownards WWPS Refurbishment	3,000
Parkgate WwTW Rationalization	235
Mullaghboy WwTW	100
Toome (Creagh) Sewerage Scheme	2,500
Moneymore WwTW Imps	310
Stewartstown WwTW Improvements	493
Magherafelt WwTW	1,930
Coagh WwTW Improvements	1,006
Martinstown WwTW	103
Cargan WwTW	465
Cloughmills WwTW	1,033
Bushmills + Portballintrae WwTW	1,345
Coalisland WwTW	2,570
Moygashel WwTW	600
Dungiven WwTW	440
Feeny WwTW	220
Ballymonie WwTW	622
Rousky Sewerage Scheme	200
Newtownbreda WwTW	7,588
Downpatrick WwTW	325
Ardglass WwTW	4,601
Saintfield WwTW	633
Loughries WWTW	62
Dunmurry WwTW Modifications	7,859
Whitehead, Ballystruder & Ballycarry Rationalisation	8,236
Londonderry DAP: Duke Street Work package	2,102
Ballywalter WwTW Interim Solution	59
Ballyhalbert WwTW Interim Solution	436
Portavogie WwTW Interim Solution	503
Lukes Point (Bangor) DAP Phase 1	200
Lisbarnet WwTW	15
Hook's Corner WwTW	478
Enniskillen WwTW	26
Maghera WwTW	256
Ballycastle Sewerage Scheme	100
Milltown, Antrim WwTW	40
Lurganare WwTW	215

Total Estimated Spend in 2010/11	70,412

Civil Servants Earnings

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Regional Development how many civil servants in his Department earn more than the Minister, inclusive of salaries, bonuses and any paid positions on outside bodies.

(AQW 2903/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Salaries for civil servants are determined in pay scales relative to the appropriate grading structure. The grading structures are underpinned by job evaluation methodologies. Civil Service salaries paid in 2008-2009 have been used for the purpose of this comparison.

Within the parameters given above, DRD has 5 civil servants who earn more than the Minister.

Road Gullies and Drains in Meadowbank Avenue, Donaghadee

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he is taking to ensure that road gullies and drains operate and are kept clear in Meadowbank Avenue, Donaghadee, while construction work is ongoing in the area.

(AQW 2920/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that they have been in regular contact with the developer of the site at Meadowbank Avenue, Donaghadee, from the outset of the work. I can advise that the gullies have been cleaned and the drainage system is working properly.

Roads Service will continue to work with the PSNI and the developer to ensure that the carriageway is kept clean to reduce the risk of gullies becoming blocked.

Road Cleaning

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development what requirements are placed on (i) his Department and its agencies; and (ii) developers to ensure regular road cleaning in areas that are adversely affected by construction work.

(AQW 2921/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I can advise the Member that, under Article 94(1) of the Roads (NI) Order 1993, anyone, including developers, who deposits, or allows anything to be deposited on a road, which is likely to cause an obstruction or danger, shall be guilty of an offence and held liable, on summary conviction, to a fine, not exceeding £200.

In addition, under Article 95(1) of the above Order, anyone, including developers, in charge of a vehicle on a road, who permits any solid or liquid matter from the vehicle to be spilled or dropped onto the road surface in such a quantity so as to create a danger or substantial inconvenience, shall be guilty of an offence and held liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1000.

The responsibility for taking any prosecution under both these Articles lies with the PSNI. However, I understand that deposits on the road must be such that they are deemed by the Police to represent a danger to persons using the road before proceedings are instituted.

While the responsibility for any prosecution for deposits on the road lies with the Police, the objective of enforcement is, however, not so much to secure convictions and to impose penalties, as to restore the condition of the road, and/or to discourage other potential offenders. My Department’s Roads Service’s preferred approach to protecting its interests is by persuasion, rather than prosecution.

To this end, Roads Service monitors roads on a regular basis and, when they can be clearly identified, any offenders, including developers, are instructed to clean a road where it is unduly dirty. The Police are also informed, and if the offenders do not co-operate, the Police would consider taking action under the above 1993 Roads Order.

In certain circumstances, particularly in the interests of road safety, Roads Service may carry out whatever operations are necessary to restore the road condition themselves, and may subsequently seek to recover costs from the offender, if possible.

Building of the A6 and A8

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he is taking to ensure that there is no pollution or damage to the environment in the building of the A6 and A8.

(AQW 2930/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I can advise that the assessment process for the A8 and A6 dualling schemes has already included extensive consultation with a number of agencies, including the Environment Agency in the North, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, regarding the environmental issues within the study areas. In addition, extensive site surveys, desk studies, and computer modelling, have been carried out to ensure the environmental issues are identified and understood.

My Department’s Roads Service will also prepare an Environmental Statement, for both schemes, in accordance with European Directives and the Roads (NI) Order 1993 and, is committed to continue consultation with the relevant government agencies through to completion of the projects.

The chosen procurement route for the A8 dualling scheme involves the early appointment of a contractor to join the project team, during the design development phase, prior to the publication of the Draft Orders. This appointment will provide the project with considerable benefits of early construction advice, which will enable the Project Team, to design the scheme using best construction practice and design out potential construction problems, thus ensuring environmental issues associated with the construction and programming of the works, are fully considered during the planning phases.

I can further advise that prescriptive measures will be built into the construction contracts for both the A8 and A6 dualling schemes, which will require roadwork contractors to install and maintain temporary measures to protect environmentally sensitive river systems, during the construction of the schemes. In the longer term, the installation of Sustainable Drainage Systems will also help reduce the impact of road water on environmentally sensitive rivers.

Old Grand Jury Manor area of Saintfield

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development how much has been spent by (i) NI Water; and (ii) Roads Service in carrying out camera surveys, inspections, investigations, remedial works and excavations in the Old Grand Jury Manor area of Saintfield in each of the last four years.

(AQW 2943/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that spent since its inception, on 1 April 2007, the amounts spent, in connection with work in the Old Grand Jury Manor area of Saintfield, is as detailed in the table below.

YEAR	AMOUNT SPENT
1 April 2007 – 31 March 2008	£120
1 April 2008 – 31 March 2009	£12,163
1 April 2009 – 31 October 2009	£300

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it has spent £650 raising the kerbs, outside No. 1 Old Grand Jury Manor, to prevent water flowing off the public road and on to private property. This work was carried out on 26 October 2007. Roads Service has also carried out two camera surveys on 24 September 2009 and 8 October 2009 at a total cost of £590.

Old Grand Jury Manor area in Saintfield

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of call outs to the Old Grand Jury Manor area in Saintfield by (i) NI Water; and (ii) Roads Service in response to flooding incidents in each of the last four years.

(AQW 2944/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that, since its inception on 1 April 2007, the number of call outs in response to flooding incidents, at the Old Grand Jury Manor area of Saintfield, is as detailed in the table below.

YEAR	NUMBER OF CALL OUTS
1 April 2007 – 31 March 2008	4
1 April 2008 – 31 March 2009	5
1 April 2009 – 31 October 2009	5

The following table details the number of call-outs undertaken by Roads Service, in relation to flooding or reports of blocked gullies, on the Old Grand Jury Road and at Old Grand Jury Manor.

YEAR	NUMBER OF CALL OUTS
1 April 2005 – 31 March 2006	1
1 April 2006 - 31 March 2007	4
1 April 2007 – 31 March 2008	7
1 April 2008 – 31 March 2009	7
1 April 2009 – 31 October 2009	1

Fines for Parking in Urban Clearways and Bus Lanes

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development how many people have been issued with a fine for parking in (i) urban clearways; and (ii) bus lanes since the inception of the NCP contract.

(AQW 2945/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service became responsible for parking enforcement at the end of October 2006. In the period since then, to 31 October 2009, the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued to vehicles in breach of clearway restrictions is 21,512. This figure includes PCNs issued to vehicles illegally parked on the footway, where the clearway restriction does not permit footway parking.

In the same period, the number of PCNs issued to vehicles illegally parked in bus-lanes was 2,627.

A5: Building of New Carriageway

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister for Regional Development if his Department consulted the road users of the A5 as to whether they agreed with the building of the new carriageway or whether they would have preferred a railway link.

(AQW 2949/10)

Minister for Regional Development: The Regional Development Strategy 2025 (RDS) provides guidance on a range of social, economic and environmental issues. The RDS recognises that the North is almost totally dependent on a roads-based transport system, reflecting the small internal transport market and dispersed settlement pattern; and that, even with significant improvements to public transport services, upgrading will be required on key sections of the strategic road network, to reduce congestion and improve the reliability of journey times.

The RDS is supported by the Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS), which includes improvements in provision for walking, cycling and public transport, as well as Strategic Road Improvements. These Strategic Road Improvements focus on the Regional Strategic Transport Network and, in particular, the Key Transport Corridors (KTC) identified in the RDS. One of the KTCs, identified in the RDS, is the Western Transport Corridor, running from Derry to Aughnacloy.

My Department undertook a comprehensive consultation exercise during the preparation of the RTS. Roads Service is guided by the RTS and has not, therefore, consulted the road users of the A5 as to their preference for the building of the new carriageway or a railway link.

Vandalism to Bus Shelters and Bus Stations

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister for Regional Development how much it has cost his Department to repair vandalism to (i) bus shelters; and (ii) bus stations in the West Tyrone constituency, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2968/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Details of expenditure on repairing vandalised bus shelters and bus stations in West Tyrone, in each of the last five financial years to the end of September 2009, are provided in the table below:

	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10 (to 30 Sept. 2009)
Vandalism at Bus Shelters	£239	£945	£97	£447	£83
Vandalism at Bus Stations	£4,056	£5,975	£6,115	£2,347	£541

Senior Smart Pass

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Regional Development how many people currently hold a senior Smart Pass.

(AQW 2972/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Translink has informed me that, as of 23 November 2009, there were 202,715 Senior SmartPasses in circulation. Please note, however, that this figure may include passes where the holder may have died and the pass has not been returned.

Senior Smart Pass

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Regional Development how many journeys were taken by senior Smart Pass holders in each of the last twelve months.

(AQW 2973/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been informed that Translink’s financial system is based on four- and five-week periods rather than calendar months. As such the information is not readily available in the format requested. The table below lists journeys taken by accounting period, with the approximate calendar month in parenthesis. Senior SmartPasses are issued to people aged 65 and over and the figures do not include journeys taken by holders of 60+ SmartPasses.

Period	Total Senior SmartPass Journeys
Period 9 2008/09 (December 2008)	797,118
Period 10 2008/09 (January 2009)	567,621
Period 11 2008/09 (February 2009)	604,890
Period 12 2008/09 (March 2009)	828,807
Period 1 2009/10 (April 2009)	644,583
Period 2 2009/10 (May 2009)	657,232
Period 3 2009/10 (June (2009)	866,446
Period 4 2009/10 (July 2009)	652,899
Period 5 2009/10 (August 2009)	709,884
Period 6 2009/10 (September 2009)	875,978
Period 7 2009/10 (October 2009)	699,876
Period 8 2009/10 (November 2009)	669,451

It should be noted that these figures do not include statistics from a small number of independent coach operators that are members of the concessionary fares scheme. Statistics from these operators in this format are not readily available and account for less than one per cent of the annual journeys made.

Public Transport Consultation

Dr S Farry asked the Minister for Regional Development to explain the rationale for holding public meetings on the current public transport consultation during the working day when many commuters cannot attend.

(AQW 2989/10)

Minister for Regional Development: During the period 2 December 2009 to 21 January 2010, my Department will be holding eleven public consultation events on its public transport reform proposals across the North. Six of these are scheduled to take place during the working day, five during evenings.

The timing and location of these events is intended to accommodate a broad range of public transport users and providers. Public meetings during the working day may be preferred by a number of groups and individuals including for example older people and parents with young children and by members of the public attending in a work-related capacity.

The meetings are intended to be only one of a number of ways that members of the public can respond to the consultation.

Speed Humps

Dr S Farry asked the Minister for Regional Development what consideration is given to motorcycle users in the design and location of speed humps.

(AQW 2990/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that considerable research has been carried out into the design and performance of road humps since the Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1990 were introduced. All traffic calming measures are designed and implemented in accordance with these regulations, and no mechanical damage should occur to vehicles, when they are driven at the appropriate speed.

In addition, a document published by The Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers, entitled ‘Guidelines for Motorcycling – improving safety through engineering and integration,’ provides Roads Service with additional guidance on aspects of road design relating to motorcycling. Chapter 8 of this document relates specifically to motorcycles and traffic calming, and includes design guidance on various measures, including road humps.

Road Cleaning

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the protocols his Department issues in relation to road cleaning.

(AQW 3000/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Article 7 of the Litter (NI) Order 1994 places a duty on District Councils to ensure that all roads within their area, with the exception of designated roads, are, so far as is practical, kept clear of litter. Responsibility for keeping a number of designated roads clear of litter rests with my Department. Designated roads include the motorway network, Ballymena bypass and part of the A8. Removal of litter from these routes is carried out on a regular basis.

Other deposits on the road, which are likely to cause an obstruction or danger, are offences under Articles 94(1) or 95(1) of the Roads (NI) Order 1993, and are dealt with by the PSNI. However, I am advised that deposits on the road must be such that they are deemed by the PSNI to represent a danger to persons using the road, before proceedings are instituted.

To this end, Roads Service monitors roads on a regular basis and, when they can be clearly identified, any offenders are instructed to clean a road where it is unduly dirty. The Police are also informed, and if the offenders do not co-operate, the Police would consider taking action under the above 1993 Roads Order.

Traffic Volumes on the Comber to Dundonald Road

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the average daily traffic volumes on the Comber to Dundonald Road in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3014/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it collects data from approx 300 automatic traffic counting sites located throughout the North’s road network. Roads Service has advised that there is one automatic traffic counting site located on the A22 Comber Road, between Dundonald and Comber, south east of New Line.

Details of the average annual daily two way traffic flow information recorded at this site, over the last five years, is provided in the table below.

Annual Average Daily Traffic

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

10,770

10,860

11,050

11,300

10,973

Meetings with Epilepsy Charities

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail any meetings he has held with epilepsy charities in the last 12 months

(AQW 3042/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have not held any meetings with epilepsy charities in the last 12 months.

Main Route from Belfast City to Belfast International Airport

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail any plans he has to develop the main route from Belfast City to Belfast International Airport.

(AQW 3060/10)

Minister for Regional Development: The infrastructure connections to our airports are very important to my Department, particularly for economic competitiveness, the tourist and leisure market and the convenience of the travelling public. The strategic relevance of these connections will be considered within the review of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) and the Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS).

The revised RDS will provide an overarching spatial framework to influence the future distribution of activities throughout the North to 2035. Within the revised Strategy, the George Best Belfast City and the Belfast International Airports are recognised as key Gateways of, and to, the Region. The importance of Gateways as interchange points is acknowledged, and the quality of connection from the air, and sea ports, to the internal transport network is seen as being crucial for economic competiveness. The review of the RTS also recognises the importance of access to our airports, and is strategically considering improved connections. Draft documents will issue in 2010, for public consultation, on both these Strategies.

The recent completion of the M2 improvement scheme between Sandyknowes and Greencastle has enhanced accessibility between the George Best Belfast City and the Belfast International Airports. In addition to these physical works, the introduction of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) on the motorway system will maximise the use of existing road space, whilst maintaining and improving current safety standards. This has seen the introduction of new overhead message gantries, vehicle detection 'Loops' (Motorway Incident Detection and Automatic Signalling), traffic sensors and a network of CCTV cameras to detect traffic speed and density.

Illegal Parking in Disabled Parking Bays

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Regional Development how many tickets have been issued to people parking illegally in disabled parking bays in the Magherafelt Council area, in each of the last three years, broken down by town or village.

(AQW 3109/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service became responsible for parking enforcement at the end of October 2006, prior to this date parking enforcement was a police function.

The number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued to vehicles parking illegally in disabled parking bays in the Magherafelt Council area since then, to the end of October 2009, are set out in the table below:-

Town/Village	Period	PCNs Issued*
Maghera	01 Nov 2006 – 31 Oct 2007	10
	01 Nov 2007 – 31 Oct 2008	80
	01 Nov 2008 – 31 Oct 2009	108
Magherafelt	01 Nov 2006 – 31 Oct 2007	166
	01 Nov 2007 – 31 Oct 2008	198
	01 Nov 2008 – 31 Oct 2009	201
Draperstown	01 Nov 2007 – 31 Oct 2008	11
	01 Nov 2008 – 31 Oct 2009	7

*These figures include PCNs issued in on-street and in off-street car parks.

Illegal Parking in Disabled Parking Bays

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Regional Development how many tickets have been issued to people parking illegally in disabled parking bays in the Cookstown District Council area, in each of the last three years, broken down by town or village

(AQW 3110/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service became responsible for parking enforcement at the end of October 2006, prior to this date parking enforcement was a police function.

The number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued to vehicles parking illegally in disabled parking bays in the Cookstown Council area since then, to the end of October 2009, are set out in the table below:-

Town	Period	PCNs Issued
Cookstown	01 Nov 2006 – 31 Oct 2007	275
	01 Nov 2007 – 31 Oct 2008	404
	01 Nov 2008 – 31 Oct 2009	312

None of these PCNs were issued to vehicles illegally parked in disabled bays in off-street car parks, in the Cookstown Council area.

Roads Service Southern Division

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister for Regional Development what budget is available for micro schemes in the Roads Service Southern Division for the current financial year.

(AQW 3288/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department's Roads Service has advised that it does not have a specific budget for Micro schemes in its Southern Division. Such schemes are funded from the Local Transportation and Safety Measures Budget, which for the current year, is £4.6 million in Southern Division.

DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Memorial in Newtownbutler

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister for Social Development what action she has taken to ensure the removal of the illegal Irish republican terrorist memorial erected in Newtownbutler earlier this year.

(AQW 2786/10)

Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): This memorial was erected on Northern Ireland Housing Executive owned land within the Galloon Gardens area of Newtownbutler in September. This was done without the knowledge, agreement or involvement of the Housing Executive.

Since then the Housing Executive has met with locally elected representatives to discuss the memorial but little progress has been made.

The whole issue of paramilitary memorials from whatever community is a very difficult one. I am committed to supporting local communities, remove sectional symbols and focus on developing more acceptable expressions of their cultural identity. I have already placed the Shared Future ethos at the heart of all my endeavours in housing and through the Shared Neighbourhood Programme, 30 existing Housing Executive estates will also be identified as communities who want to live together, not apart.

However the erection of this republican memorial in Newtownbutler, together with the loyalist memorial in Bangor shows that we still have much more to do.

Derelict Housing Executive Properties

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Social Development how many Housing Executive properties in (i) the Lisburn office area; and (ii) the Dairy Farm office area are classified as derelict.

(AQW 2824/10)

Minister for Social Development: There is one dwelling considered derelict within these areas. The dwelling, which is located within the Lisburn Antrim Street District Office area, is currently for sale.

Warm Homes Scheme

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Social Development how many people have been successful in their applications to the Warm Homes Scheme for (i) heating; (ii) insulation; and (iii) heating and insulation in (a) Lisburn; and (b) Dromore in each month of the last two years.

(AQW 2838/10)

Minister for Social Development: The new Warm Homes Scheme commenced on 1 July 2009 and is being delivered on behalf of the Department by two new scheme managers, Bryson Charitable Group and H&A Mechanical Services Limited. Prior to this, Eaga plc delivered the scheme and when their contract ended, Eaga handed over all the records they held relating to the scheme to the Department. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive now holds those records of behalf of the Department.

It is not possible to analyse the records from the old scheme in the manner requested. However, since the start of the new Warm Homes Scheme, the following have successfully applied for assistance.

	Banbridge Council Area, (which includes Dromore)	Lisburn City Council Area
Total Eligible (1 Jul – 17 Nov 09)	116	224
Waiting to be surveyed	60	98
Insulation Only	51	115
Heating Only	1	5
Combined	4	6

Rent Arrears

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Social Development how many Housing Executive tenants in (i) the Lisburn office area; and (ii) the Dairy Farm office area have rent arrears of (a) up to three months; (b) three to six months; (c) six to twelve months; and (d) more than twelve months.

(AQW 2840/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested as the Housing Executive cannot measure the specific periods detailed. However, the Housing Executive advise that the number of tenants in arrears of greater than 13 weeks as follows:-

- Lisburn Antrim Street office 102 tenants

- Lisburn Dairyfarm office 91 tenants

Overdue Rent from Housing Executive Tenants

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Social Development how much rental income is currently overdue from Housing Executive tenants in (i) the Lisburn office area; and (ii) the Dairy Farm office area.

(AQW 2841/10)

Minister for Social Development: At the 31 October 2009 the total amount of rental income overdue from Housing Executive tenants was:-

- Lisburn Antrim Street office £358,187

- Lisburn Dairyfarm office £281,477

Waiting List for Social Housing

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many people are currently on the waiting list for social housing in the North Down constituency.

(AQW 2853/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested as the Housing Executive does not collate social housing waiting list information by constituency area. However, at the 30 September 2009 there were 1926 applicants on the waiting list for the Housing Executive’s Bangor District Office area

Derelict Housing Executive Properties

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development how many Housing Executive properties in (i) Larne; (ii) Carrickfergus; and (iii) Newtownabbey are currently classified as derelict.

(AQW 2858/10)

Minister for Social Development: There are currently 87 dwellings within the Housing Executive’s Larne District Office area and 28 dwellings in the Newtownabbey 1 District Office area considered to be derelict. All of the properties are flats and are currently due for demolition. The Housing Executive has no derelict properties in Carrickfergus.

Funding for Community and Voluntary Groups in Larne

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development to detail all funding allocated by her Department to community and voluntary groups in Larne, in each of the last two years.

(AQW 2864/10)

Minister for Social Development: Details of funding allocated for community and voluntary groups in Larne, in each of the last two years are provided in the table below.

	2007/08	2008/2009
Community Investment Fund	49,547	52,814
Community Support Programme	53,518	54,767
Local Community Fund	22,004	22,004
Areas at Risk Programme	301,277	119,178
Small Pockets of Deprivation	1,683	1,140
Volunteer Bureau Initiative and Small Grants	3,097	1,728
TOTAL	431,126	251,631

For Volunteer Bureau Initiative Ballymena and Larne Volunteer Centre received grant funding of 53,562 in 2007/08 and 57,552 in 2008/09. It should be noted that these figures cannot be split with any accuracy between Ballymena and Larne.

Car Park in Posnett Street, Belfast

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development to outline her plans for the NI Housing Executive owned car park in Posnett Street, Belfast.

(AQW 2866/10)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive commissioned a study through the Capital Asset Realisation Task Force in relation to this site. A number of options for future use are being assessed and the Housing Executive will consider these upon completion of the study.

Social Housing Waiting List

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Social Development how many people currently on the social housing waiting list in the Mid-Ulster constituency are deemed to be in housing stress.

(AQW 2870/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested. However, the table below provides details of those deemed to be in housing stress at 30 September 2009 for the Housing Executive’s Cookstown, Magherafelt and Dungannon District Offices, which contain the areas which comprise the Mid-Ulster constituency.

NIHE District Office	Applicants in Housing Stress( 30 pts or more)
Cookstown	165
Magherafelt	242
Dungannon	574

Vacant Housing Executive Properties

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Social Development how many Housing Executive properties in (i) the Magherafelt District Council area; and (ii) the Cookstown District Council area have been vacant in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2871/10)

Minister for Social Development: The tables below detail vacant Housing Executive dwellings at year end for each of the last three financial years for the Housing Executive’s Magherafelt and Cookstown District Offices, which correspond to the relevant local Council areas.

Table 1 - Magherafelt District Office

Year	Total
31/03/2007	28
31/03/2008	17
31/03/2009	13

Table 2 - Cookstown District Office

Year	Total
31/03/2007	17
31/03/2008	9
31/03/2009	8

The figures in these tables include dwellings which are undergoing major repairs or improvements, decanting, awaiting relet and for sale.

Social Housing Within the Titanic Quarter

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development what consultations or meetings she, or her Department, has held in relation to the provision of social housing within the Titanic Quarter; and with whom.

(AQW 2877/10)

Minister for Social Development: My department has held discussions with Titanic Quarter Ltd, The Housing Executive and the Planning Service in relation to the provision of social and affordable housing within the Titanic Quarter.

Public Sector Jobs in West Tyrone

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number, the location, the grade and the posts within her Department currently located in (i) the Omagh District; and (ii) the Strabane District; and to outline her Department's plans to increase the number of public sector jobs in West Tyrone.

(AQW 2879/10)

Minister for Social Development: The tables below details the number, the location and grade of posts within my Department currently located in (i) the Omagh District; and (ii) the Strabane District. The Department has currently no immediate plans to increase the number of public sector jobs in West Tyrone.

(i)

Grade	Omagh Jobs and Benefit Office	Regional Development Office Kevlin Buildings	Appeals Service	Total
Grade 7	0	1.5	0	1.5
DP	0	1	0	1
SO	1.5	3	1	5.5
EO1	6	3	1	10
EO2	27.5	0	3.6	31.1
AO	44.51	2	15.1	61.61
AA	7.37	0	2.2	9.57
Support Grade Band 2	3	0	1	4
Temporary AA	1	0	1	2
Typists	0	0	2	2
Total	90.88	10.5	26.9	128.28

In addition to the table above, the Social Security Agency also has a Medical Examination Centre in Kelvin Building, Omagh. It is staffed by a Medical Attendant Manager (equivalent to Executive Officer 11) and a Medical Attendant (equivalent to Administrative Officer), who work on a part–time basis an average of 1 day and 1.5 days respectively.

(ii)

GRADE	Strabane Social Security Office
Staff Officer	1
Executive Officer 1	2
Executive Officer 2	16.74
Administrative Officer	20.18
Administrative Assistant	3.09
Support Grade Band 2	2
Temporary AA	0
TOTAL	45.01

Discretionary Payments of Housing Benefit

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development how many Housing Executive tenants in the East Antrim constituency who have a history of anti-social behaviour have been awarded discretionary payments of housing benefit over the past 12 months.

(AQW 2898/10)

Minister for Social Development: Discretionary Housing Payments are only payable to residents in the private rented sector and would not therefore be payable to Housing Executive tenants.

Disabled Facilities Extensions

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development what action she is taking to address the shortfall in resources available to the Housing Executive to carry out disabled facilities extensions for this years' 105 applicants.

(AQW 2910/10)

Minister for Social Development: Due to budgetary constraints, there was a temporary delay in starting some of the proposed schemes during 2009/10. However, the Housing Executive has addressed all outstanding issues and any extension scheme which is ready to commence in the current financial year will do so.

I have secured funding to deliver a potential 170 extensions for 2009/10. To date the Housing Executive has agreed start dates for 86 extensions. At this stage it is not possible to confirm how many will be started by financial year end.

Funding for Disabled Aids

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development how much funding is available to the Housing Executive this financial year for disabled aids, excluding disabled extensions.

(AQW 2912/10)

Minister for Social Development: The funding available to the Housing Executive for disabled aids, excluding disabled extensions is £12.1 million in this financial year.

Social Housing Waiting List

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development how many people are currently on the social housing waiting list; and how many people were on this list at year end for each of the last five years.

(AQW 2915/10)

Minister for Social Development: The number of people on the social housing waiting list at 30 September 2009 was 38,200. The table below details those on the waiting list at the year end in each of the last five years.

	Housing Applicants
31 March 2009	38,923
31 March 2008	39,675
31 March 2007	36,182
31 March 2006	31,908
31 March 2005	29,608

Social Housing Waiting List

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister for Social Development how many people are currently on the social housing waiting list in the Foyle constituency; and how many of these people are deemed to be in housing stress.

(AQW 2937/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested. However, at the 30 September 2009 there were 2,513 Applicants on the social housing waiting list for the Housing Executive’s Waterloo Place, Waterside and Collon Terrace District Office areas, which comprise the Derry City Council area, of whom 1,483 were in housing stress.

Social Housing

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister for Social Development how many social houses have been allocated in the Foyle constituency in each of the last twelve months; and in which districts these houses were located.

(AQW 2938/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested. However, the tables below detail the allocations within the Housing Executive’s Waterloo Place, Waterside and Collon Terrace District Office areas which comprise the Derry City Council area.

Table 1 - NIHE allocations

	2008			2009
District	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep
Waterloo Place	7	9	5	12	5	10	9	7	14	6	8	4
Waterside	16	21	16	16	9	9	20	12	19	15	14	17
Collon Tce	4	7	12	11	16	22	6	14	18	13	9	12
Total	27	37	33	39	30	41	35	33	51	34	31	33

Table 2 - Housing Association allocations

District	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep
	2008			2009
Waterloo Place	18	4	14	4	6	6	2	11	8	9	6	3
Waterside	6	2	3	11	4	10	7	2	5	7	5	2
Collon Tce	16	5	8	3	15	7	19	6	8	5	6	8
Total	40	11	25	18	25	23	28	19	21	21	17	13

Social Housing Builds

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of social housing builds which are planned for the Foyle constituency over the next 12 months; and in which districts they will be located.

(AQW 2939/10)

Minister for Social Development: There are four schemes totalling 225 units in the Social Housing Development Programme for the Foyle constituency for 2009/10 area, as follows:-

- Sherman Court, Derry 18 units

- West Bank, Derry 124 units

- Bligh’s Lane, United Technologies Site, Derry 65 units

- PSNI Site, Rosemount, Derry (Surplus Site) 18 units

Rent Arrears

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Social Development (i) how many Housing Executive tenants in Co. Fermanagh are currently in rent arrears; and (ii) what is the average period of arrears.

(AQW 2963/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested as the Housing Executive cannot measure the average period of arrears. However, there are currently 435 Housing Executive tenants in the Housing Executive’s Fermanagh District Office who are in rent arrears, 39 of whom are in arrears for more than 13 weeks.

Housing Executive

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development what the Housing Executive is doing to ensure that pensioners who claim Housing Benefit understand that they must inform the Housing Executive if their financial circumstances change.

(AQW 2995/10)

Minister for Social Development: The requirement to notify the Housing Executive of any changes in circumstances is highlighted on all Housing Benefit application forms, advice leaflets and notifications of awards of Housing Benefit. It is also highlighted on the section of their website relating to Housing Benefit. The Housing Executive also contacts all claimants in receipt of occupational pensions at the start of each financial year reminding them to advise them of any changes to their pensions. Changes can be notified in writing, by phone or in person and the Housing Executive is working towards a facility to allow claimants to notify them of changes online.

Overpayment of Housing Benefit

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development how many pensioners in East Antrim currently owe money to the Housing Executive due to overpayment of Housing Benefit.

(AQW 2996/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested. However, the table below details, by Housing Executive District office in the East Antrim area, the number of pensioners who owe money due to overpayment of Housing Benefit.

Housing Executive District Office
Carrickfergus	75
Larne	80
Newtownabbey 1	58
Newtownabbey 2	64

Social Housing Waiting List

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development how many people have been on the social housing waiting list in (i) Larne; (ii) Carrickfergus; and (iii) Newtownabbey for longer than (a) six months; (b) twelve months; (c) eighteen months; and (d) twenty four months.

(AQW 2999/10)

Minister for Social Development: to ask the Minister for Social Development how many people have been on the social housing waiting list in (i) Larne; (ii) Carrickfergus; and (iii) Newtownabbey for longer than (a) six months; (b) twelve months; (c) eighteen months; and (d) twenty four months.

(AQW 2999/10)

Margaret Ritchie: The table below details the number of people on the social housing waiting list for Larne, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey for the periods requested.

Larne Carrickfergus Newtownabbey*

6-12 months
116

167

291

12-18 months
40

104

169

18-24 months
33

92

157

More than 24 months
172

407

632

* This includes the Housing Executive’s Newtownabbey 1 and 2 District offices.

Families Classified as Homeless

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many families are currently classified as homeless.

(AQW 3017/10)

Minister for Social Development: The current figures can not be provided as the Housing Executive disaggregate the overall homeless figures into household type at the end of the financial year. At 31 March 2009, 3,777 families were awarded Full Duty Applicant status.

Warm Homes Scheme

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many people have been unsuccessful in their applications to the Warm Homes Scheme for (i) heating; (ii) insulation; and (iii) heating and insulation in North Down in each month of the last two years.

(AQW 3018/10)

Minister for Social Development: The new Warm Homes Scheme commenced on 1 July 2009. Prior to that, the scheme was delivered by EAGA plc. When their contract for Warm Homes ended, EAGA handed over all the records they held relating to the scheme to the Department for Social Development. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive holds those records on behalf of the Department.

It is not possible to analyse those records in the manner requested. However, since the start of the new Warm Homes Scheme, approximately 600 people who have applied for help in North Down have been deemed ineligible.

Warm Homes Scheme

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many people have been successful in their applications to the Warm Homes Scheme for (i) heating; (ii) insulation; and (iii) heating and insulation in North Down in each month of the last two years.

(AQW 3019/10)

It is not possible to analyse those records in the manner requested. However, since the start of the new Warm Homes Scheme, the following have successfully applied for help in North Down:

Eligible for Insulation only	69
Eligible for Heating only	3
Eligible for Heating & Insulation	7

Epilepsy Charities

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail any meetings she has held with epilepsy charities in the last twelve months.

(AQW 3047/10)

Minister for Social Development: I have not received any invitations to meet with epilepsy charities during the past year. However, I would be happy to do so if representation is made to me.

	Larne	Carrickfergus	Newtownabbey*
6-12 months	116	167	291
12-18 months	40	104	169
18-24 months	33	92	157
More than 24 months	172	407	632