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 8 January 2010

Written Answers to Questions

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Agriculture and Rural Development
Education
Employment and Learning
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Environment
Finance and Personnel
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Regional Development
Social Development
Northern Ireland Assembly Commission
Revised Writen Answers

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Community Relations Council

Mr M Storey asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 1937/10, if their Department has carried out any assessment of the effectiveness of the Community Relations Council in promoting understanding of all sections of the community.

(AQW 2663/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): The CRC performance and effectiveness is measured against their Annual Business Plan. We are satisfied that they are performing well against achieving these targets this year.

Civil Servants' Earnings

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

(AQW 2951/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: Within OFMDFM, 28 civil servants earned more than the Junior Ministers, 9 earned more than the First Minister and 2 earned more than the deputy First Minister.

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 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 (£71,434 for the First and deputy First Ministers and £19,601 for Junior Ministers) 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.

10-day Prompt Payment Scheme

Dr S Farry asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what action they are taking to ensure that the 10-day prompt payment scheme is passed on to sub-contractors by businesses who are receiving direct payments from the Department, and its related public bodies.

(AQW 3132/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: On 28 November 2008, the Finance Minister announced that Executive departments were taking all possible steps to pay valid invoices submitted by suppliers within a 10 day target .

A working group of the Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland Procurement Task Group is currently considering the expansion of the ‘Code of Practice for Government Construction Clients and their Supply Chains’ to include a ‘Fair Payment Charter’. The proposals will seek to ensure that main contractors pass on the benefits of prompt payment to subcontractors.

Supplies and services contracts also require main contractors to enter into subcontracts on the same terms and conditions as the main contract. Central Procurement Directorate is currently considering if the approach taken in construction contracts would be practicable in supplies and services contracts.

Review of Childcare Funding for Women's Centres

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what groups their Department intends to consult with on the Review of Childcare Funding for Women's Centres.

(AQW 3447/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: There are no current proposals to undertake a specific review of childcare funding for Women’s Centres. On 3 February 2009 the then Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson undertook to bring an interim report to the Executive on funding for women’s organisations, in order to secure the best possible return on investment for women and for the communities to which they contribute. To fulfil this undertaking, the intention is to provide a report for Ministers’ consideration on the extent and coverage of government grants currently available to women’s groups providing services in their community; how these groups support and complement the development and delivery of public policy and services; and their future funding prospects.

It is envisaged that the project board for the interim review, which will be jointly chaired by senior officials from OFMDFM/DSD, will meet for the first time in January 2010. The Gender Advisory Panel, representing key stakeholders and a wide range of skills and experience, will be invited to act as a reference group. The review team, comprising officials from OFMDFM, DSD and DFP, will seek contributions from other departments and public bodies, key voluntary and community sector representatives and other key stakeholders.

The interim review will also take account of the current work on childcare provision being undertaken by the Inter-Ministerial Group on Children and Young People. It is envisaged this will include a public consultation on a new childcare strategy.

Review of Childcare Funding for Women's Centres

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the review of Childcare Funding for Women's Centres.

(AQW 3448/10)

Review of Funding of Women's Centres

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what groups have been, or will be, consulted on the Review of Funding of Women's Centres.

(AQW 3449/10)

Review of Funding of Women's Centres

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Review of Funding of Women's Centres.

(AQW 3450/10)

Review of Funding of Women's Centres

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister if a steering group has been appointed to review the Funding of Women's Centres; and if so, whether a chair or consultant has been appointed.

(AQW 3451/10)

Civil Servants' Earnings

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how many civil servants in their Department receive an annual salary (i) between £37,801-£43,100; (ii) between £43,101-50,537; (iii) between £50,538-71,433; (iv) between £71,434-82,975; and (v) above £82,976.

(AQW 3494/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The number of OFMDFM civil servants in each of the specified pay bands is as follows:

Salary band	Number of OFMDFM staff
(i) £37,801 - £43,100	27
(ii) £43,101 – 50,537	19
(iii) £50,538 – 71,433	22
(iv) £71,434 – 82,975	9
(v) above £82,976	8

Economic Crisis

Mr P McGlone asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what new initiatives, measures and practices have been implemented by their Department as a means of assisting the community and achieving improved, efficient decision-making during the current economic crisis.

(AQW 3573/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Executive has worked together to tackle the economic downturn and we have continued to meet various interest groups to listen to key concerns. We set up the Cross Sector Advisory Forum (CSAF) to continue this dialogue in a systematic manner and to identify recommendations for remedial action. Ministerial led sub-groups have been established to take forward detailed work of the CSAF.

The latest meeting of the CSAF took place at the beginning of October and Ministerial chairs of the sub-groups were asked to submit recommendations by 31^st October 2009. These are now being considered and a consolidated report on these returns will be produced in the New Year.

We continue to pay close attention to the impact of the recession on the local economy and this continues to be a standing item on the agenda of Executive meetings.

As stated in our Programme for Government, we are taking forward the most wide ranging reform of public services for a generation. At the heart of this reform programme is a commitment to world class public services which meet the needs of the economy and wider society. Modernising the infrastructure and processes of the civil service is a key part of our reform programme. Our aim is to reduce costs and cut out bureaucracy by sharing key corporate services such as human resources, finance and ICT across Departments. This will realise significant savings which will be redirected to delivering key services direct to the public.

Under the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, and subsequently Budget 2008-2011, the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, along with other Departments is required to find cash releasing efficiency savings of 3% this year, reductions in administration costs of 5% and real savings, on a without exception basis to the administration element of the budgets of all Non Departmental Public Bodies and sponsored bodies. Any cash releasing efficiency savings count toward the overall 3% target.

The Performance, Efficiency and Delivery Unit was established to examine scope to deliver savings over and above the 3% which has been set.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Lough Erne

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (i) the highest legal water level in Lough Erne; (ii) the lowest legal water level in Lough Erne; (iii) the legal water level in Lough Erne before spilling is permitted at Ballyshannon; and (iv) the water level in Lough Erne on 4 November 2009.

(AQW 3339/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): the highest statutory water level in Lower Lough Erne is 152’ 0" AOD Poolbeg and the highest statutory water level in Upper Lough Erne is 155’ 0" AOD Poolbeg.

The lowest statutory water level in Lower Lough Erne is 147’0" AOD Poolbeg. The lowest statutory level for Upper Lough Erne is not specified, but by default is 150’0" AOD Poolbeg as The River Erne through Enniskillen is specified as at no time to fall below 150’0" AOD Poolbeg.

Spilling from Lower Lough Erne must commence if the water level in it rises to 151’6" AOD Poolbeg and the water level in Upper Lough Erne is 154’0" AOD Poolbeg, is rising, and is in the opinion of the Departments engineer or the Electricity Supply Board’s engineer likely to rise above 155’0" AOD Poolbeg. Spilling would continue until the Lower Lough falls to 151’6" AOD Poolbeg.
The water level in Lower Lough Erne on 4 November 2009 was 151’5" AOD Poolbeg. The water level in Upper Lough Erne on 4 November 2009 was 154’0" AOD Poolbeg.

Lough Erne

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will review the current policy of dredging Upper Lough Erne.

(AQW 3341/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: As part of the transfer of functions in 1999, responsibility for watercourse navigation transferred from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. This responsibility has since then passed to Waterways Ireland. Dredging of parts of Upper and Lower Lough Erne was carried out by DARD in the past in order to allow for the passage of boats. With the transfer of responsibility above, DARD no longer has a policy regarding dredging of Upper and Lower Lough Erne.

Civil Servants' Earnings

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many civil servants within her Department, inclusive of salaries, bonuses and any paid positions on outside bodies, earn more than the salary of a departmental Minister of £80,902.

(AQW 3453/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: There are a total of 5 civil servants in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who earn more than the salary of a Departmental Minister of £80,902. This is based on salary records relating specifically to their employment in the Department for the current financial year.

There is no requirement for the Department to hold remuneration details for staff with paid positions on outside bodies.

Farmers Living in Poverty

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many farmers can be classified as living in poverty; and to outline the indicators used for this classification.

(AQW 3468/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development collects and publishes data annually on farm business profits for a range of farm types and a variety of farm sizes. In order to assess the extent of farmer poverty, additional information on off-farm earnings, transfer payments and income from investments would be required both for the farmer and for all other members of the farm household. These data are not available to the Department and, therefore, it is not possible to estimate the extent or degree of farmer poverty.

Temporary Crisis Framework

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she intends to access the European Commission's amended Temporary Crisis Framework which allows EU Member States to provide farmers with a payment of up to €15,000 in state aid until the end of 2010.

(AQW 3472/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Temporary Community Framework is a mechanism for State aid measures to support access to finance in the current financial and economic crisis.

Member States are required to notify the Commission of their intention to avail of the amended Temporary Community Framework and to receive Commission approval before any payments can be considered. The notification must contain agriculture-specific data to support any claim that farmers have been adversely affected by the current economic difficulties. Defra are currently working on a notification on behalf of Britain and the north of Ireland.

Investing for Health Strategy

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what targets her Department set within the Investing for Health strategy; and what progress has been made to date against these targets.

(AQW 3503/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: No formal targets were set for DARD within the Investing for Health Strategy. However, the Department does take every opportunity to promote awareness of health issues and, for example, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise supports student health through disseminating information on healthy eating, the impact of alcohol/substance abuse on health, promoting mental and sexual health by working with local agencies and Health and Social Services.

In addition, through our Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion framework my Department is contributing to the elimination of poverty and reduction of social exclusion in rural areas. Working with other Departments, funding from this programme has been used for the development of an assisted rural transport scheme, the installation of heating and insulation systems in rural dwellings, a rural childcare programme, community development and maximising access to services, grants and benefits in the most disadvantaged rural areas. It also contains a rural challenge programme which will support projects from the most vulnerable groups addressing issues such as health and well-being, education, housing issues, transport, employment, low pay, social and recreational opportunities linked to well being.

Welfare of Animals Bill & Dangerous Dogs Bill

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline the timetable for the legislative passage of (i) the Welfare of Animals Bill; and (ii) the Dangerous Dogs Bill.

(AQW 3522/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Welfare of Animals Bill and Dog Control Bill are key priorities for me and I intend to bring both Bills through to enactment during the lifetime of this Assembly. The legislative timetable for both Bills is outlined below:

Welfare of Animals Bill

(i) The Executive at their meeting on 5 November 2009 endorsed the final policy proposals for a new Welfare of Animals Bill and agreed to the drafting of the Bill. My officials are currently preparing instructions for the Office of the Legislative Council (OLC) and the actual Bill will be drafted in early 2010. It is my intention, subject to Executive approval, to progress the new Bill through to introduction to the Assembly by June 2010.

Dog Control Bill

(ii) Following Executive approval on 5 November 2009, I launched a public consultation on policy proposals for a new Dog Control Bill on 23 November. Consultation will run until 1 February 2010. Details of my proposals, and how to respond to the consultation, are available on my Department’s website.

Following consideration of the responses to the consultation, I intend to seek the agreement of the Executive to the final policy content of the proposed Dog Control Bill in the spring and thereafter to the introduction of the Bill to the Assembly by June 2010.

It is proposed, that both Bills will complete their formal Assembly stages and reach the statute book within the lifetime of the current Assembly.

Protection of Dams

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she intends to take to increase the regulation of dams, to bring the levels of protection in Northern Ireland up to the standard of the rest of the United Kingdom.

(AQW 3527/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Regulatory control of reservoir safety was identified as a policy gap by the independent Flood Risk Management Policy Review carried out in 2007. Government’s response to this review "Living with Rivers & the Sea" identified the need to take forward appropriate legislation relative to this area of work. Work to secure the additional resource necessary for this new work area is ongoing.

Economic Crisis

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what new initiatives, measures and practices have been implemented by her Department as a means of assisting the community and achieving improved, efficient decision-making during the current economic crisis.

(AQW 3529/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: A wide range of my Department's activities are already aimed at assisting individuals and organisations in making effective choices in relation to their own personal or business decisions. In recent times, for example, the Department has provided financial support to farmers under the Agriculture Flooding Hardship Scheme and to fishermen under the Financial Assistance to the NI Fishing Industry Scheme. The promotion of the NI Rural Development Programme (2007-2013) is also aimed at raising awareness of the range of funding and support that is available for farm diversification, business creation, village renewal and farm modernisation, initiatives that will be welcomed in the current economic climate.

I also chair the Agriculture Sub-Group of the Cross Sector Advisory Forum. The Agriculture Sub-Group was established to create a dialogue with key stakeholders and identify practical steps which could help alleviate the impact of the economic downturn.

Illegal Fishing Activity

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm the outcome of the investigation into allegations of breaches of fishing regulations by the 'Emil Grazza'.

(AQW 3581/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Following investigation into alleged illegal fishing activity in Belfast Lough by the vessel Emerald Gratia on 20 May 2008, a prosecution file was submitted to the Public Prosecution Service.

After consideration, the PPS directed that this matter could not be proceeded with because the case did not contain sufficient evidential value to consider proceedings against any party.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Recruitment of Teachers

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Education what steps are being taken to ensure that there is no discrimination in the recruitment of teachers, as a result of job specifications which differentiate between those with experience in permanent posts and those with experience in temporary or supply teaching posts.

(AQW 1668/10)

Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane ): An ‘Equal Opportunities Policy for Teachers in Schools’ which includes reference to recruitment and selection, has been agreed by the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee and issued to all schools for adoption by Boards of Governors. The responsibility for developing job specifications rests with the Boards of Governors of individual schools and they must comply with relevant employment and equality legislation. Eligibility criteria used for recruitment, selection or promotion must be related to ability to do the job and must be non-discriminatory. Eligibility criteria must also be made known to prospective applicants.

Léiríonn an traenáil ar earcaíocht agus roghnúchán atá ar fáil do gach Príomhoide agus do na Boird Gobharnóirí go léir an tábhacht a bhaineann lena áirithiú go bhfuil gach gné de na critéir áirithe oibiachtúil agus go mbaineann siad leis an phost. Tugtar le fios do Bhoird Gobharnóirí nár cheart dóibh leithcheal neamhdhleathach a dhéanamh agus próisis earcaíochta á ndéanamh acu.

Training on recruitment and selection is offered to all Principals and Boards of Governors, which emphasises the importance of ensuring that all aspects of the specific criteria are objective and job related. Boards of Governors are also advised that they must not unlawfully discriminate when carrying out recruitment processes.

I have been informed by the employing authorities that the experience criterion does not differentiate between those with experience in permanent posts and those with experience in temporary or supply teaching posts. All experience (temporary or permanent) is taken into account when checking applications against criteria. If an employing authority finds evidence of inappropriate practice it does not ratify the appointment(s).

Catholic Maintained Schools

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Education how many Catholic maintained schools are in the ownership of the public sector.

(AQW 2139/10)

Minister of Education: Tá 474 scoil san earnáil Chaitliceach faoi chothabháil. Coinnítear na scoileanna seo ar Iontaobhas le haghaidh feidhmeanna oideachais chun cead a thabhairt don Roinn Oideachais deontas caipitil a íoc. I mórán cásanna, is comhlachtaí cláraithe iad na hiontaobhaithe atá faoi theorainn ráthaíochta agus nach bhfuil scairchaipiteal acu. Éilíonn reachtaíocht go mbeadh scoileanna Caitliceacha faoi chothabháil faoi uinéireacht Iontaobhaithe Scoile agus, mar gheall air sin, níl aon scoil faoi uinéireacht na hEaglaise Caitlicí, Easpag na hEaglaise Caitlicí, ná an earnáil phoiblí.

There are 474 schools in the Catholic maintained sector. These are held on Trust for educational purposes to permit the Department of Education to pay capital grant. In many cases the Trustees are registered companies limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. Therefore as legislation requires Catholic maintained schools to be in the ownership of School Trustees, none are owned by the Catholic Church, Bishops of the Catholic Church or the public sector.

Catholic Maintained Schools

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Education how many Catholic maintained schools are in the ownership of (i) the Catholic Church; and (ii) Bishops of the Catholic Church.

(AQW 2197/10)

DEPARTMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING

South Eastern Regional College

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of enrolments for the South Eastern Regional College in Newtownards and Bangor for (i) 2008; and (ii) 2009.

(AQW 3362/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): There were 6,946 enrolments on Professional and Technical Courses at the Bangor Campus of the South Eastern Regional College in 2007/08 with a further 2,596 at the Newtownards Campus. In addition to these accredited Courses, there were 908 hobby and leisure enrolments at the Bangor Campus in 2007/08 and 422 hobby and leisure enrolments at the Newtownards Campus.

Full-year data for 2008/09 are currently being validated and will be available for publication in January 2010. My Department will forward these to you once these are available.

Source: Further Education Statistical Record.

Access Courses

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many people are enrolled on Access courses at the Coleraine and Limavady campuses of the North West Regional College.

(AQW 3443/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: In the 2007/08 academic year there were 117 enrolments on Access courses at the Coleraine Campus of Northern Regional College. In the same academic year there were 74 enrolments on Access courses at the Limavady Campus of North West Regional College.

The 2007/08 data is the latest available at present.

Source: Further Education Statistical Record.

Civil Servants' Pay

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, pursuant to AQW 2956/10, to detail (i) the job titles; (ii) pay scale; and (iii) the total amount earned by the civil servants in question.

(AQW 3444/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Pursuant to the answer to AQW 2956/10, the details of the current members of staff employed by the Department for Employment and Learning are as follows:

Job title	Pay Band	Total Earned 2008/09
Acting Permanent Secretary	Pay Band 3 £98,059 - £205,000	£90,000 - £95,000
Deputy Secretary	Pay Band 2 £81,600 - £160,000	£100,000 - £105,000

As individuals could be identified, the exact salary has not been declared. The salary details have been provided in £5k bands, as would be listed in the Departmental Resource Accounts.

Investing for Health Strategy

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what targets his Department set within the Investing for Health strategy; and what progress has been made to date against these targets.

(AQW 3517/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) has no specific targets in the Investing for Health Strategy. However, my Department is actively involved in a number of the Interdepartmental Groups that have been established to address key themes in Investing for Health, for example Suicide, Domestic and Sexual Violence, Drugs and Alcohol, Physical Activity, Obesity, Tobacco Action Plan, Mental Health and Learning Disability. The Department is committed fully to playing its part in these important areas of work.

In light of the direct correlation between poverty, poor educational attainment and poor health, DEL contributes to the goals and objectives of the Investing for Health Strategy through its overall activities towards the achievement of its own strategic goals and objectives (reflected in DEL PSA targets), rather than through specific targets attributed to my Department. This is reflected in the text of the Strategy and covers the spectrum of my Department’s activities in the fields of employment and skills, including targets set for Essential Skills and also, for example, the policies of Further and Higher Education institutions in relation to healthy living, drugs and alcohol, and the support made available to students via a range of pastoral care services.

Economic Crisis

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what new initiatives, measures and practices have been implemented in his Department as a means of assisting the community and achieving improved, efficient decision-making during the current economic crisis.

(AQW 3525/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The Department has undertaken a range of measures to mitigate the effects of the economic downturn on the community.

In September, I launched information packs to provide practical help to employers and individuals affected by the current economic downturn.

The information packs summarise the full range of measures which will benefit individuals and employers, and contain information and advice, offering solutions and opportunities to enable people to plan their future path with confidence.

The Department has also published a suite of sectoral, regional and sub-regional Labour Market Information to help people make informed labour market decisions through the downturn and beyond. These publications are assisting both the Careers Service and the Employment Service as they seek to provide their clients with information and guidance on education, training, employment and careers opportunities.

Within the Employment Service, against a background of a Jobs Seekers Allowance claimant count increase from 29,554 in September 2008 to 52,537 in November 2009 (a rise of 77.8%), measures have been taken to improve the provision of key services, such as moving to four-weekly job search, prioritisation of clients and streamlining of processes. The Employment Service has also recruited 99 new staff to date to deal with rising unemployment and the search for new work.

The Department, in conjunction with the Social Security Agency, Invest NI, the Educational Guidance Service for Adults and the Careers Service, also provide an on-site redundancy support service. From 1 April 2009 to 9 December 2009, we were been notified of, or identified, 76 employers who proposed making redundancies, affecting 6,489 employees. To date, 22 employers have accepted the Department’s offer of support, with 34 redundancy clinics having been held, whilst 14 others are presently considering the offer of support.

A further action is the new waged strand, ‘Step Ahead’, that has been introduced within the Steps to Work programme. This initiative will provide up to 1,000 temporary jobs in the community/voluntary sector in direct response to the increasing numbers who are long term unemployed or economically inactive. Step Ahead is expected to remain in place for up to two years and will provide 26 weeks’ temporary employment for those who have been out of work for over 30 months.

On the skills side, the Department has developed a programme for up to two years based on the content of the current Apprenticeship programme (i.e. skills training, technical certificate and Essential Skills) but without the requirement of employment (an element of work experience will be included). The new ‘Programme-Led Apprenticeship’ provision was introduced on 7 September 2009 and initial provision has been made for approximately 3,000 trainees at a cost of £12m. At 26 November, there were 2,908 trainees registered on the programme.

In higher education, the Department is investing in the all-island research capacity and capability of the two Northern Ireland universities. To March 2011, the total investment in the research base will be £17.2m, including an investment of around £11.8m to create approximately 120 new research/technician posts.

In the further education sector, all six colleges have in place a wide range of existing and newly developed initiatives to help employers and individuals during the downturn. An example is the ‘Rapid Response Northern Ireland’ programme, which is being funded through the Department’s Innovation Fund. This programme, led by South Eastern Regional College, will provide a portfolio of services to support the needs of employers and employees across Northern Ireland during the economic downturn.

Finally, the First Minister and deputy First Minister established a Cross- Sector Advisory Forum at the end of 2008 to review the local impact of the current economic downturn on local people and businesses and make recommendations for addressing problems arising from the economic crisis.

Jointly with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, I chair the CSAF sub-group devoted to Business and Skills. We have ensured that our work dovetails with that of the Economic Development Forum, and have recently made a number of recommendations which will shortly be considered by the Executive.

Civil Servants' Earnings

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many civil servants in his Department receive an annual salary (i) between £37,801-£43,100; (ii) between £43,101-50,537; (iii) between £50,538-71,433; (iv) between £71,434-82,975; and (v) above £82,975.

(AQW 3564/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The number of civil servants in the Department for Employment and Learning who receive an annual salary (i) between £37,801-£43,100; (ii) between £43,101- £50,537; (iii) between £50,538- £71,433; (iv) between £71,434- £82,975; and (v) above £82,975 is as follows:

Salary Band	Number of civil servants included
£37,801-£43,100	36
£43,101- £50,537	14
£50,538- £71,433	16
£71,434- £82,975	0
above £82,975	2
Total	68

DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Proposed Rose Energy Incinerator

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, given the advanced stage of the due diligence by Invest NI on the funding required for the proposed Rose Energy Poultry Litter Incinerator, to detail (i) the approximate funding required from Invest NI and the Department; (ii) if the funding has been budgeted for; and (iii) where the funding will come from.

(AQW 3355/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster): 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 and the provision of funding. Details of proposed funding and budget allocations are confidential.

Invest NI

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total sum of any current outstanding rent arrears owed by tenants of Invest NI owned properties; and the number of tenants who are currently in arrears.

(AQW 3401/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Invest NI offers its client companies a range of property solutions in support of their economic development projects; the provision of properties for rent is one of the options available.

There are currently five tenants with rental arrears totalling c£84,614. The annual income which Invest NI derives from the rental of its properties is c£1,822,000.

Invest NI seeks to ensure that all money due in respect of rental payments is paid on time and in full. It will continue to work closely, on a case by case basis, with those tenants currently in arrears to agree mutually acceptable payment plans.

In its dealings with clients, Invest NI is mindful of the current economic climate and the impact it has had on businesses.

Kilroot Power Station

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if her Department has assessed the potential for Kilroot power station to co-fire its main fuel source of coal with poultry litter.

(AQW 3462/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: My Department has not carried out any detailed assessment of the potential for Kilroot Power Station to co-fire its main fuel source of coal with poultry litter.

The Department did, however, require AES Kilroot to conduct a study on the scope for use of biomass co-firing at its plant as a condition of its Article 39 consent, granted in December 2005, for the fitting of flue gas desulphurisation equipment.

AES Kilroot has advised the Department that limited biomass co-firing trials in the past at their plant have highlighted the technical difficulties with co-firing. Modification of the existing units at Kilroot to allow co-firing of biomass products, such as poultry litter, is not considered to be a practical option by AES.

Kilroot Power Station

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if her Department has compared the capital construction costs of the proposed Rose Energy incinerator at Glenavy, including the proposed Invest NI subsidy, with the costs of modifying the existing Kilroot power station to allow it to co-fire coal with poultry litter.

(AQW 3463/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: My Department has not compared the capital construction costs of the proposed Rose Energy incinerator with the costs of modifying the existing Kilroot power station to allow it to co-fire coal with poultry litter.

Rose Energy

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if she can guarantee that there are no cheaper methods available for the processing and disposal of poultry litter other than the current proposal by Rose Energy at Glenavy.

(AQW 3464/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Invest NI continues to evaluate this project and the due diligence process is at an advanced stage. This considers the economics of the project including viability of the process involved. Until completion of the evaluation I am unable to comment on alternative methods.

New Initiatives

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what new initiatives, measures and practices have been implemented in her Department as a means of assisting the community and achieving improved, efficient decision making during the current economic crisis.

(AQW 3502/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: My Department has implemented the following actions in response to the current economic crisis:-

Launch of the Accelerated Support Fund (ASF)

The £5 million Accelerated Support Fund (ASF) was launched in September 2008 by Invest NI, to offer businesses targeted support to address specific issues arising due to the current economic conditions. To date 112 applications for support have been approved, and this, combined with over 500 Diagnostic interventions has committed a total £4.9 million of grant support.

Organising ‘Credit Crunch’ Seminars

Between September 2008 and March 2009, Invest NI organised 14 seminars across Northern Ireland on the theme of ‘Challenges and Opportunities – The Credit Crunch’ events across the province. These provided clients with the opportunity to avail of 3 - 5 days of free diagnostic support on a range of key issues from qualified business advisors.

In tandem with these events, Invest NI, in partnership with local councils, Enterprise NI and local Enterprise Agencies also staged ten seminars across Northern Ireland to offer practical advice to local businesses on how to deal with the impact of the downturn.

Launch of the new Research & Development (R&D) Grant

The new grant for R & D, which was launched by Invest NI in December 2008, is designed to provide streamlined, transparent and accessible support for R&D and technological innovation relevant at all stages of company development. It will help underpin the delivery of the Matrix imperatives for the future of the Northern Ireland knowledge economy. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the new Grant offers a user-friendly holistic approach to R&D support and supercedes a number of Invest NI’s previous business R&D programmes.

Launch of the Short Term Aid Scheme (STAS)

In May 2009 I announced a new £15 million Short Term Aid Scheme to help businesses experiencing difficulty retain key staff during the economic downturn. The scheme is open to companies across the manufacturing and tradable services sectors that have experienced difficulty since July 2008, with grant support provided for agreed existing key posts in a company based on eligible salary costs.

An increase in Advisory Services to Companies

Invest NI continues to increase its support across their range of advisory services, assisting companies to control energy and waste costs, helping them improve their ICT systems and up to date and relevant information through the nibusinessinfo website.

Implementation of the Economic Development Forum (EDF) sub-groups on the economic downturn, manufacturing and exports

My Department was represented on the Economic Development Forum (EDF) sub-groups which I set up to consider what further measures could be implemented to help business (specifically those in the manufacturing and export sectors) through the economic downturn. The sub-groups have reported on a list of proposals which continue to be monitored and updated on the specific actions that are being taken. Work is ongoing in this area and DETI officials are liaising with Business Alliance representatives to progress further. An update of this work will be provided to OFMDFM early in the New Year.

Developing an Assistance to Business Table

The Assistance to Business Table developed by DETI Officials is intended to inform Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) of the range of access to finance initiatives introduced at European, UK and local level during the current economic downturn. This table is available on the DETI website, at www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk and has been circulated to politicians and business representative bodies.

Supporting the MATRIX Panel’s Recommendations

In its first report, the MATRIX Panel recommended that, if our small and medium sized businesses are to compete more effectively in global markets, they should form new collaborative Industry-led Innovation Communities delivering improvements in scale, product ranges and efficiency. A number of these communities are already being established by Northern Ireland businesses with the active support and facilitation of Invest NI, DETI and MATRIX. An ad hoc support system has been put in place to facilitate the emerging Industry-led Innovation Communities. This will develop into a more sustained mechanism for IICs, the Government Innovation Gateway, by summer 2010.

Developing a Revised Strategy Energy Framework DETI is also committed to ensuring that energy policy in Northern Ireland focuses on addressing energy costs, building competitive energy markets and protecting our future by enhancing the reliability and sustainability of our energy supply and consumption. With the launch of its pre-consultation scoping document in November 2008, DETI began a process aimed at identifying and securing consensus on the strategic energy priorities for Northern Ireland over the next ten years and beyond. Feedback from the scoping paper and a number of related energy workshops helped inform, develop and shape a revised draft Strategic Energy Framework which will set out the proposed priorities for Northern Ireland’s energy future over the next ten years and to outline the key energy goals in terms of competition, security of supply, sustainability and infrastructure.
Providing an Enhanced Debt Advice Service

Citizens Advice is currently under contract to provide, at a cost of £400,000 each year for three years, a free face-to-face debt advice service to Northern Ireland debtors. Latest figures show that the service dealt with 1092 new clients during April to November 2009 handling £6.3 million of consumer debt.

A new telephone-based debt advice contract worth £800,000 and operated by A4E commenced on 1 September 2009 and will run until 31 March 2011. So far the new service had handled 420 calls and handled £3.2 million of consumer debt and has established 16 separate referral channels.

A further face-to-face debt advice contract worth £820,000 was awarded to Advice NI. It commenced in November 2009 and will run until 31 March 2011. It will complement the existing network of advisers and will provide 15 advisers operating new services in Armagh, Ballymena, Belfast, Cookstown, Portadown, Downpatrick, Limavady, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Moyle, Omagh and Strabane.

Empowering Consumers through the Cost of Living Campaign

The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) through its Cost of Living Campaign has helped empower consumers so they can make the best decisions about their money by providing price watch information on home heating oil and diesel through its website. CCNI have also undertaken an information campaign to raise awareness.

Assistance to Industrial and Provident Societies entering Administration

As a result of the economic crisis one of Northern Ireland’s Industrial and Provident Societies, the Presbyterian Mutual Society (PMS), got into financial difficulties and was unable to meet demands for withdrawals. In response to this DETI took action for an Order to be made to enable the PMS to enter administration. This was to provide a better outcome for members of the Society than would have been the case with the precipitate sale of its assets which would have ensued following liquidation.

In all its activities, including those listed above, my Department strives to adopt a robust approach to effective, efficient and accountable decision making. All staff are encouraged to consider and develop new and innovative ideas about how the Department can better deliver its services particularly in responding to the economic downturn.

Investing for Health Strategy

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what targets her Department set within the Investing for Health strategy; and what progress has been made to date against these targets.

(AQW 3518/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: DETI has, through its sponsored non-departmental public body the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), contributed in part to the Investing for Health strategy target to reduce by one tenth the number of accidental injuries and deaths in the home, workplace and from collisions on the road in the period 2000 to 2010. Specifically in relation to the workplace there has been a 27% reduction in the number of reportable workplace injuries in the period 2000-2008.

Cross Border Consumers

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if she has any plans to build upon the significant numbers of people from the Republic of Ireland who are crossing the border to buy goods at an estimated value of over £390 million this year to date.

(AQW 3537/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) delivers a year round programme of targeted marketing campaigns to promote Northern Ireland to Republic of Ireland (ROI) residents. The most recent evaluation of this activity shows hugely encouraging results; the summer 2009 campaign generated £10.6 million to the local economy. Overall 2009 has seen significant growth in overnight visitors from the ROI, with a 31% increase in visitor numbers during the first half of the year and a corresponding 37% increase in spend.

Within the NITB marketing activity, specific shopping centre promotional activity has been carried out to reach the huge number of shoppers from ROI visiting Northern Ireland; this activity aims to entice shoppers to either extend their visit or indeed return again for a short break. This activity will continue to play a key role in NITB’s marketing activity. The autumn campaign has just been completed, while the spring 2010 campaign is currently being developed.

Civil Servants' Pay

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many civil servants in her Department receive an annual salary (i) between £37,801-£43,100; (ii) between £43,101-50,537; (iii) between £50,538-71,433; (iv) between £71,434-82,975; and (v) above £82,975.

(AQW 3562/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

Salary Range (as at 14 December 2009)	Number Of Civil Servants
£37,801-£43,100	40
£43,101-50,537	19
£50,538-71,433	12
£71,434-82,975	3
above £82,975	1

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Pumping Station, Portadown

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of the Environment whether the pumping station at the junction of the Gilford Road and Russwood Park, Portadown, has planning permission, and if not, what action his Department intends to take.

(AQW 3383/10)

Minister of the Environment (Mr E Poots): On 8 October 2008, Northern Ireland Water was granted planning permission for a new Pumping Station at the junction of Russwood Park and Gilford Road, Portadown under application N/2007/0875/F. The proposal involved a new pumping station to be located underground with the only above ground elements being a control panel kiosk and a telemetry pole. However in November 2009, following commencement of works on site, Planning Service received a number of complaints regarding the size of the kiosk being erected on site. Planning Service has investigated the matter and confirmed that the kiosk as erected does not have the benefit of planning permission as it is larger than approved and located in a different position on the site. Planning Service has since requested a full planning application in order to fully assess the acceptability of the larger kiosk. To date, an amended application has not been received.

Planning Applications

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if he would consider introducing an on-line tracking system to enable applicants to trace the progress of their planning applications.

(AQW 3459/10)

Minister of the Environment: Planning Service has already introduced an on-line tracking system known as Planning Explorer which enables the public to search for and to track the progress of a planning application at all stages through its process. It also provides details of valid planning applications that are being advertised during a particular period and details of applications that are being presented to district councils as part of the statutory consultation process. Planning Explorer on the Agency’s web site is updated automatically on a daily basis.

On the completion and implementation of the e-PIC system in 2010, the functionality provided by Planning Explorer will be upgraded and replaced by Public Access.

Planning Applications

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of the Environment to outline (i) how many planning applications his Department has asked Lisburn council’s Planning Committee to defer; and (ii) the location and details of these planning applications.

(AQW 3483/10)

Minister of the Environment: My Department has not asked Lisburn City Council to defer any planning applications.

Legislation

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment to provide a timetable for legislation which his Department plans to bring before the Assembly by 2011.

(AQW 3487/10)

Minister of the Environment: My Department is currently working to bring a range of primary legislation before the Assembly by 2011, and plans to introduce six Bills by the dates indicated in the table below. These dates are subject to Environment Committee consideration and Executive Committee approval as appropriate. My Department also intends to bring a number of pieces of subordinate legislation to the Assembly for approval by Affirmative Resolution, however, I am unable to confirm a timetable for the relevant debates at this stage.

TITLE	PROPOSED DATE FOR INTRODUCTION TO THE ASSEMBLY
Local Government Finance Bill	January 2010
Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill	January/February 2010
Local Government Reorganisation Bill	May 2010
Planning Reform Bill	June 2010
High Hedges Bill	June 2010
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill	June 2010

Private Hire Taxis

Ms A Lo asked the Minister of the Environment what action his Department is taking to prevent private hire taxis operating on a public hire basis; and if he would consider amending existing legislation to prevent this.

(AQW 3488/10)

Minister of the Environment: During the period 1 August 2009 to 31 October 2009, the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) carried out 44 taxi enforcement operations in Belfast and scrutinised 238 taxis and drivers at the roadside for compliance.

Throughout these operations, enforcement officers directed unbooked private hire taxis away from busy pedestrian areas where evidence of pre-booked fares could not be established. Of these, 59 drivers who were suspected of plying for hire received advice and warnings. A further 18 drivers who were detected picking up passengers without pre-bookings were subjected to ongoing disciplinary action, which may lead to the suspension or revocation of their taxi driver licences, PSV licences (taxi plates) or both.

The Taxis Act, which gives the Department powers to reform and modernise the taxi industry, provides for the introduction of a single licensing system. When this is introduced it will be possible to hail any taxi in the street. However, only wheelchair-accessible taxis will be able to stand at taxi ranks or pick up passengers within a specified distance of taxi ranks. The Department is committed to implementing the changes over a five year period.

Civil Servants' Earnings

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment how many civil servants within his Department receive an annual salary in excess of (i) £37,801; (ii) £43,101; (iii) £50,538; (iv) £71,434; and (v) £82,976.

(AQW 3490/10)

Minister of the Environment: There are two hundred and twenty-two (222) civil servants who receive an annual salary in excess of (i) £37,801; (ii) £43,101; (iii) £50,538; (iv) £71,434; and (v) £82,976 and these are categorised as follows: -

Salary Band £	Number of DOE Staff
37801-43100	114
43101-50537	66
50538-71433	36
71434-82975	3
82976 and above	3
Total	222

Development of Dunadry

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment, further to his statement in the Assembly on 9 November 2009, if he will ensure that developments T/2000/0360; T/2000/0964; and T/2004/1305(o) are precluded from being used as a benchmark for the further development of Dunadry.

(AQW 3498/10)

Minister of the Environment: Planning histories are but one of a number of material considerations which are considered by the Department in determining planning permission. Due consideration has also to be paid to current or emerging Policy, in this instance, the recently published Draft Addendum to PPS7 "Safeguarding the Character of Established Residential Areas" will be a consideration. This recent policy document will be considered in conjunction with the policies already contained within PPS7.

Whilst each planning application is assessed on its own individual merits, the planning approvals referred to will remain relevant considerations to the Department in dealing with any future planning applications in Dunadry to ensure that the cumulative impact of development is fully considered.

New Initiatives

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment what new initiatives, measures and practices have been implemented in his Department as a means of assisting the community and achieving improved, efficient decision making during the current economic crisis.

(AQW 3507/10)

Minister of the Environment: My Department is working with Executive Colleagues to deliver the range of measures announced in the Assembly on 15 December 2008, designed to protect the people and business of Northern Ireland from the effects of the credit crunch. In connection with this work I sit as Joint Chair on the Cross Sector Advisory Forum (CSAF) subgroup on Infrastructure, Planning and Procurement. The recommendations of the subgroup have been submitted to the First and deputy First Minister who intend to produce a consolidated report on the work of all subgroups for the next meeting of the CSAF.

In addition, DOE has implemented a number of new initiatives, measures and practices as a means of assisting the community and achieving improved, efficient decision making during the current economic crisis. Initiatives have been introduced by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and Planning Service, which has undertaken this work as part of short term reform measures aimed at improving efficiencies and helping the economy. Details of these initiatives are as follows:

Improving waiting times

Due to a concerted effort, vehicle and driving test waiting times have gradually fallen over the last year. This gives customers more flexibility when booking tests. In November 2008, the average waiting time for an MOT test was 15 days, compared to 9 days in November 2009. The waiting times for driving tests were 21 days in November 2008 and 17 days in November 2009. On occasions customers have been able to book tests within shorter time spans.

Retaining fees at existing levels

As a Trading Fund, DVA operates on the basis of full cost recovery in relation to vehicle and driver test functions. Fees are reviewed annually and fee increases are proposed when the cost of running the functions exceeds the anticipated income to be generated during the following year. This Agency has in many cases been able to absorb running cost increases through generating greater efficiencies.

On-line booking

The inclusion of the facility to book a vehicle and driving test on-line through NIDirect has increased ease of booking tests for customers. Previously they could book through the DVA website, but NIDirect has added another access channel. On-line booking rates are gradually increasing, and the impact that NIDirect has will be monitored. In Nov 2008 18.96% of tests were booked on-line and this increased to 23.44% in November 2009.

Merger of DVLNI and DVTA, 1 April 2007

Since the merger, a single enquiries unit has been set up to deal with both licensing and testing enquiries. There were previously two dedicated enquiry functions in separate locations, with no contact between them. Customers now have a single point of enquiry, which reduces the time they will spend trying to get information. From 1 April 2008 to 30 November 2009, this unit has dealt with 370,378 calls, and answered 90.5% within 30 seconds. Satisfaction surveys indicate a high level of satisfaction with this service.

Approved Driving Instructors

To enable the driving public to make better and more cost effective decisions when choosing a driving instructor, DVA has carried out an advertising campaign to raise public awareness of the importance of using instructors registered with the Approved Driving Instructor scheme. These instructors are qualified to teach, unlike a number of unregistered instructors that currently operate as driving instructors. Adverts were placed on the backs of buses during November in the Belfast and greater Belfast areas, and a further campaign is planned.

Customer Complaints

DVA has a very small proportion of complaints relative to business volumes, however these are now analysed for trends, and where these are found, this information is fed back to the Agency’s policy and strategy section.

Waiting times in Local Vehicle Licensing Offices

A project has been undertaken to look at how waiting times at local licensing offices can be reduced using ‘Lean’ thinking. Lean is an approach to process management and improvement that involves the staff working on the processes, and ensures a strong customer focus is retained.

Funding for listed buildings

Following the launch of a new Listed Building Grant programme in May 2008, some £3.8m will be spent in the current year to assist with the conservation of listed buildings in Northern Ireland benefiting both the construction industry and owners of listed buildings. In addition, NIEA continues to work with private sector stakeholders, including developers, education bodies and local community groups to give technical advice and guidance on conservation projects.

Better Regulation

Through its Better Regulation Programme, NIEA is focused on delivering a more efficient, streamlined service and reducing the burden on businesses. Current initiatives include:

Consultation on NIEA Draft Charging policy which proposes to limit fee increases to rate of inflation;
Development of online application facility - enables businesses to apply and pay for permits online by March 2010;
NetRegs.gov.uk - provision of free, up to date guidance and new learning tools on regulations and green business practices;
NIEA is working to reduce the regulatory burdens for well-managed materials through the development of Waste Quality Protocols, in partnership with the Environment Agency and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme). This should encourage more sustainable re-use of waste materials and in turn reduce waste disposal costs.

Construction and Maintenance

NIEA continues to carry out a programme of capital and maintenance works at its country parks and nature reserves which benefit both the local companies who carry out the work as well as enhancing the experience of our visitors to the sites.

Natural Heritage grants programme

NIEA continues to provide funding of some £3m for projects and initiatives that contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and protection of the landscapes. This is available to environmental Non Government Organisations, community groups and councils.

Strategic Projects

As part of key reform measures to support the economy, two Strategic Projects teams at Planning Service Headquarters were created to specifically handle all large scale investment planning proposals. They also have a specific focus on applications of social or economic significance to Northern Ireland and also facilitate the pre-application discussions (PADs) process which was introduced in December 2007.

This helps to ensure that economically significant applications are processed without undue delay, particularly in the current economic climate, when it is essential that proposals that will bring inward investment are processed to a decision as quickly as possible.

The aim is to front load the planning process by encouraging applicants to engage in constructive pre-application discussions designed to result in a good quality planning application being submitted accompanied by all of the necessary information which will maximise the prospects of getting through the statutory planning process quickly leading to a speedier decision.

Streamlining

A very successful streamlined council consultation scheme has been introduced with the agreement of all 26 Councils which greatly assists the community through the more efficient handling of minor non-contentious planning applications. Approved streamlined application decisions are issued on average within 32 working days, which is particularly beneficial to the economy, particularly in terms of Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SME), which currently represent about 30% of all applications. Discussions are ongoing with Councils to extend the Scheme.

Six councils are currently operating an extended scheme and it is hoped that with the agreement of all councils, streamlined applications will represent at least 50% of all applications submitted in future.

Good Practice Guide

The Minister launched a Good Practice Guide on 18 June 2009 in partnership with the building industry with the joint aim of improving the efficiency of the planning system and providing greater certainty about timescales. A key objective of the Guide is to raise the quality of applications focusing on the role of all key stakeholders with the overall aim of speeding up the planning process.

Joint Housing Working Group

A Working Group has been established jointly between the Planning Service and the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) with the twin aims of improving efficiencies in the handling of planning applications and raising the quality of housing development. An agreed Housing Action Plan is currently being implemented.

Investing for Health Strategy

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of the Environment what targets his Department set within the Investing for Health strategy; and what progress has been made to date against these targets.

(AQW 3519/10)

Minister of the Environment: My Department has 3 targets under Investing for Health objectives 5 and 6.

The target under objective 5, "To improve our neighbourhoods and wider environment" is; "To reduce the levels of respiratory and heart disease by meeting the health-based objectives for the 7 main air pollutants by 2005". This target is to be achieved in each subsequent year.

Air quality in general is continuing to improve throughout Northern Ireland. The average number of days of moderate or worse air quality across all monitoring sites in Northern Ireland has decreased in the last ten years from 8.3 days in 1999 to 2.8 days in 2008.

Measurements from Northern Ireland’s network of 32 automatic air quality monitoring stations during 2008 and previous years show that the Air Quality Strategy (AQS) Objectives for the following 5 out of the 7 main pollutants have been met by the due dates –

Carbon Monoxide

PM10

Benzene

1,3-Butadiene

Sulphur Dioxide

However, monitoring has identified some areas across Northern Ireland where there have been incidences and Action Plans to improve air quality in these locations are being formulated and implemented by the relevant councils under the provisions of the Environment (NI) Order 2002.

My Department provides funding to District Councils through the Local Air Quality Grant Scheme to assist them with their statutory responsibilities and actions to improve local air quality.

The targets under, objective 6, "To reduce accidental deaths and injuries in the home, workplace, and from collisions on the road" are,

"Target i: To reduce the death rate from accidents in people of all ages by at least one fifth between 2000 and 2010".

"Target ii: To reduce the rate of serious injuries from accidents in people of all ages by at least one tenth between 2000 and 2010".

This is a cross cutting target which my Department has contributed to through its road safety and vehicle testing programmes. The number of road deaths in NI fell from a peak of 372 in 1972 to a record low of 107 in 2008. The reduction from the total of 171 in 2000 has been 37%. However, road deaths in 2009, to 17 December, are up 8% on the same period last year. Since 2000, serious injuries on the roads have fallen from 1,786 to 990, a reduction of 45%. Road deaths amongst children fell from 18 in 1999 to seven in 2008, serious injuries from 191 to 94, and slight injuries from 1,746 to 952.

In 2008-09, DVA conducted around 900,000 full vehicle tests and 76,000 practical driving tests.

Dog Fouling

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of the Environment how many investigations have been carried out in relation to dog fouling in each local council area, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3550/10)

Minister of the Environment: Information in relation to investigations and warnings by local councils with respect to dog fouling offences is not held by the Department.

Prosecutions for dog fouling offences are relatively rare with district councils more likely to issue fixed penalty notices (£50 fine) to offenders, as an alternative to prosecution by the courts.

The table below provides information on dog fouling cases which were taken to the courts. The first figure relates to the number of cases, the second relates to the number of successful prosecutions.

Financial Year
Council Area	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
Belfast	12/0	18/4	25/7	3/3	9/3
Coleraine	1/1	1/1	0	0	1/1
Craigavon	0	1/1	0	1/1	0
Down	0	1/1	1/1	1/1	0
Larne	0	0	2/1	1/1	1/1
Limavady	0	0	0	1/0	0
Newtownabbey	2/2	1/1	6/4	1/1	0

Dog Fouling

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of the Environment (i) how many people have been prosecuted for dog fouling offences in each local council area, in each of the last five years; and (ii) how many of these prosecutions have been successful.

(AQW 3551/10)

Minister of the Environment: Information in relation to investigations and warnings by local councils with respect to dog fouling offences is not held by the Department.

Prosecutions for dog fouling offences are relatively rare with district councils more likely to issue fixed penalty notices (£50 fine) to offenders, as an alternative to prosecution by the courts.

The table below provides information on dog fouling cases which were taken to the courts. The first figure relates to the number of cases, the second relates to the number of successful prosecutions.

Financial Year
Council Area	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
Belfast	12/0	18/4	25/7	3/3	9/3
Coleraine	1/1	1/1	0	0	1/1
Craigavon	0	1/1	0	1/1	0
Down	0	1/1	1/1	1/1	0
Larne	0	0	2/1	1/1	1/1
Limavady	0	0	0	1/0	0
Newtownabbey	2/2	1/1	6/4	1/1	0

Dog Fouling

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of the Environment how many warnings have been issued for dog fouling, in each local council area, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3552/10)

Minister of the Environment: Information in relation to investigations and warnings by local councils with respect to dog fouling offences is not held by the Department.

Prosecutions for dog fouling offences are relatively rare with district councils more likely to issue fixed penalty notices (£50 fine) to offenders, as an alternative to prosecution by the courts.

The table below provides information on dog fouling cases which were taken to the courts. The first figure relates to the number of cases, the second relates to the number of successful prosecutions.

Financial Year
Council Area	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
Belfast	12/0	18/4	25/7	3/3	9/3
Coleraine	1/1	1/1	0	0	1/1
Craigavon	0	1/1	0	1/1	0
Down	0	1/1	1/1	1/1	0
Larne	0	0	2/1	1/1	1/1
Limavady	0	0	0	1/0	0
Newtownabbey	2/2	1/1	6/4	1/1	0

Marine Bill

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment whether the reform of fisheries legislation will be included in the Northern Ireland Marine Bill, as was the case with the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act.

(AQW 3554/10)

Minister of the Environment: The Northern Ireland Marine Bill will not contain provisions for reform of fisheries legislation.

Sea fisheries legislation is a matter for the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. I understand that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will review the fisheries enforcement powers contained in the Marine and Coastal Access Act and consider if similar powers are required through a local Fisheries Bill.

Reform of Local Government

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment how the initial investment of £118 million for the Reform of Local Government, as set out in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report, is to be funded.

(AQW 3555/10)

Minister of the Environment: Firstly, I am convinced that the initial investment of £118 million funding for Local Government reform is critical to the success of the reform programme. For that reason, I am working closely with the Strategic Leadership Board and other regional implementation structures in developing the arguments for, and the approach to, funding the implementation programme. I have already spoken to Minister Wilson on funding and further discussions will be held.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) economic appraisal identifies a range of funding for both the implementation programme and on-going delivery of services under the new 11-council model. Officials from my Department and the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) are examining a range of funding options. These will form future discussions with Minister Wilson in due course.

Reform of Local Government

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of the view of local government finance officers that the predicted transformation costs and benefits of the Reform of Local Government as set out in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report are speculative.

(AQW 3556/10)

Minister of the Environment: The Economic Appraisal sets out a strategic direction of travel for Local Government in Northern Ireland. The current set of high-level costs and benefits within the Economic Appraisal will continue to be refined as detailed design work is undertaken. So while the assumptions around costs and benefits are high-level and derived from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) extensive experiences elsewhere the key question is whether they are reasonable at this stage.

At this stage of the process, I believe that it is reasonable to seek a 7.5% efficiency saving over 5 years from Local Government based on an investment of £118m in additional funding to support and enable change. Therefore, the projected saving of £438m, over 25 years, represents a reasonable base case and provides a firm foundation for the strategic outline business case. Nevertheless, I agree with ALGFO that their queries must be fully addressed during the detailed design phase.

Listed Buildings

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of listed buildings by (i) grade; and (ii) category.

(AQW 3557/10)

Minister of the Environment: The number of listed buildings for the end of every Financial Year is published in the Northern Ireland Environmental Statistics Report. The figures recorded for March 2009 are reproduced in the table below. Please note that as this report states: ‘Because many listings may include multiple buildings, such as terraces or farm buildings under a single listing reference, the total number of structures is greater than the figure given and is estimated to be around 8,500.’

(i) As requested this information has been subdivided to detail the grades of these buildings as follows:-

Grade A	187
Grade B+	520
Grade B1	3384
Grade B2	2304
Grade B	1785

(ii) We have taken ‘category’ to mean ‘current building use/s’, of which there are 129 types on our database. The detailed breakdown of figures is attached as Appendix.

Appendix

Current Buildings Uses = 129 types

There are currently 8306 records which are recorded within the groupings below.

Aircraft Hangar	2
Alms House	0
Alms House - Terrace	0
Arch	6
Archaeological Site	0
Assembly Room	5
Band Stand	4
Bank	120
Bank - Terrace	3
Barracks	17
Bathing House	0
Bee Bole/ House	3
Boat House	6
Boundary Marker	6
Bridge	282
Canal Structure	17
Cannon	1
Castle	2
Church	898
Clock Tower	5
Closet	3
Coastguard House - Terrace	26
Coastguard Station	0
Country House	122
Court House	23
Dove/ Pigeon House	5
Demolished	1
Entertainment Building	6
Estate Related Structures	81
Factory	27
Farm Buildings	27
Fire Station	1
Folly	5
Fort	3
Fountain	29
Gallery/ Museum	29
Gallery/ Museum - Terrace	0
Garden Features	16
Gas Works	5
Gates/ Screens/ Lodges	328
Glass House	7
Graveyard	8
Grotto	1
Hall	149
Harbour/ Pier	12
Health Centre	7
Health Centre - Terrace	1
Hospital Building	36
Hotel	47
Hotel - Terrace	5
House	2893
House - Terrace	1249
Hunting Lodge	1
Hydraulic Ram House	1
Ice House	17
Kelp Store	1
Kennels	2
Library	14
Library - Terrace	1
Light House/ Navigation Mark	10
Market	8
Mass Rock	0
Mausoleum	35
Memorial	116
Milestone	11
Mill	50
Observatory	4
Office	152
Office - Terrace	34
Outbuildings	93
Outdoor Pursuits Centre etc	4
Parliament Building	1
Pavillion	0
Pillar	2
Police Station	8
Port-Cochere	0
Post Box	3
Post Office	24
Post Office - Terrace	1
Power Station	0
Prison	8
Public Baths	2
Public House	96
Public House - Terrace	6
Pump	43
Pump House	3
Railings	1
Railway Station Structures	24
Recreational Club	19
Recreational Club - Terrace	3
Rectories/ Manses etc	70
Religious House	30
Residential Home	17
Residential Home - Terrace	2
Rural Industry	14
School	127
Shop	417
Shop - Terrace	46
Shopping Arcade	2
Soup Kitchen	1
Stables	5
Standing Stone	0
Stocks	1
Store	21
Sundial	3
Sweat House	0
Telephone Exchange	3
Telephone Kiosk	23
Thatched House	3
Toll House	0
Tower	31
Town Hall	22
Tramway Station	0
Tunnel	3
University/ College Building	31
University/ College Building - Terrace 9
Viaduct	11
Walled Garden Structure	14
Walling	21
Warehouse	14
Watch House	3
Watch Tower	3
Water Trough	0
Water Works Structures	21
Well	7
Well House	2
Windmill	6
Workhouse	2
World War II Structures	3

Listed Buildings

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment (i) how many 20th century buildings have been listed in Northern Ireland in each year since 2000; and (ii) to list the address and location of these buildings.

(AQW 3558/10)

Minister of the Environment: In total 107 Twentieth Century buildings have been listed in Northern Ireland since 2000, the numbers per year are as follows:-

2000/2001 - 4

2001/2002 - 9

2002/2003 - 8

2003/2004 - 5

2004/2005 - 8

2005/2006 - 12

2006/2007 - 26

2007/2008 - 19

2008/2009 -16

The address and location of these buildings are detailed in the attached Appendix.

Appendix

NI Buildings Database

20th Century Listings by Financial Year

2000/2001 financial year = 4

HB Ref No	Address	Survey 2	Current Use
HB02/10/027	Aircraft Hangar Shackleton Barracks Ballykelly Limavady Co Londonderry	B+	Store
HB02/12/040	Owens Public House 50 Main Street Limavady Co Londonderry BT49 OEU	B2	Public House
HB06/08/015	Bandstand in Town Park Glenarm Road Larne Co Antrim	B1	Band stand
HB06/08/016	Princess Victoria Memorial Chaine Memorial Road Larne Co Antrim	B2	Memorial

2001/2002 financial year = 9

HB Ref No	Address	Survey 2	Current Use
HB06/05/049	54 Main Street Ballycarry Larne Co Antrim BT38 9HH	B2	House
HB16/03/024	First Trust Bank 30 Greencastle Street Kilkeel Newry Co Down BT34 4ND	B2	Bank
HB16/07/019 B Kennels	121 Leitrim Rd Hilltown Newry Co Down BT34 5XS	B2	Kennels at Leitrim Lodge
HB20/15/023	St John's C of I Church Main Street Crumlin Co Antrim	B1	Church
HB20/15/030	Railway viaduct Mill Road Crumlin Co Antrim	B1	Viaduct
HB26/07/009	Administration and drawing office block (Harland & Wolff) Queens Road Belfast BT3 9DV Co Down	B+	Office
HB26/13/006	Cabin Hill Preparatory School Upper Newtownards Road Belfast Co Down BT4 3HS	B2	School
HB26/33/004	St Comgall's Primary School Divis Street Belfast Co Antrim BT12 4AQ	B1	School
HB26/43/025	Former synagogue [now Mater Hospital Physiotherapy Gym] 4 Annesley Street Belfast Co Antrim BT14 6AU	B2	Hospital Building

2002/2003 financial year = 8

HB Ref No	Address	Survey 2	Current Use
HB01/25/025	Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church Steelstown Road Londonderry BT48 8EU	B2	Church
HB16/04/049	A World War II structures To rear of 102 Greencastle Road Kilkeel Newry Co Down BT34 4JP	B1	World War II Structures
HB16/08/050	RUC Station 18A Downpatrick Street Rathfriland Newry Co Down BT34 5DG	B2	Police Station
HB20/14/029	Former Control Tower Langford Lodge Airfield 97 Largy Road Crumlin Co Antrim	A	World War II Structures
HB20/14/031	Hangar no. 6 Langford Lodge 97 Largy Road Crumlin Co Antrim	B1	Aircraft Hangar
HB26/12/051	Little Lea 76 Circular Road Belfast BT4 2GD	B1	House
HB26/43/024	Masonic Lodge 91 Crumlin Road Belfast BT14 6AD	B2	Hall
HB26/50/279	Cathedral Buildings 60-68 Donegall Street Belfast BT1 2GT	B1	Shop

2003/2004 financial year = 5

HB Ref No	Address	Survey 2	Current Use
Postbox	Corner of Rathlin Road & Ann Street Ballycastle Co Antrim	B2	Post Box
HB16/14/044	S of 16 Ardkeeragh Road Donaghmore Newry Co Down BT34 1NW	B2	House
HB18/15/012	Our Lady of the Assumption RC Church, Downs Road, Newcastle, Co. Down BT33 OAG	B1	Church
HB20/06/022	Donegore Footbridge over M2 Motorway Donegore Hill and Loughanmore Road Donegore Co Antrim	B1	Bridge
HB24/04/052	Mount Stewart Newtownards Co. Down	B	'Tir N'an Og' burial ground B1 Graveyard

2004/2005 financial year = 8

HB Ref No	Address	Survey 2	Current Use
HB05/14/030	A Silversprings House 20 Quay Road AKA 20 Silverspring Ballycastle Co Antrim BT54 6ED	B1	House
HB05/14/034	County Primary School 43 Quay Road Ballycastle Co Antrim BT54 6BJ	B2	School
HB16/26/040	Glebe House Windsor Avenue Newry Co Down BT34 1EQ	B2	Rectories/ Manses etc
HB20/09/016	Antrim Railway Station 38 Station Road Antrim Co Antrim BT41 4AE	B2	Railway Station Structures
HB20/14/020	Aircraft Hangar No. 6 R.A.F. Station Crumlin Road Aldergrove Co Antrim	B2	Aircraft Hangar
HB24/06/036	Methodist Church 2 Moat Street Donaghadee Co Down BT21 0DA	B2	Church
HB24/15/038	Maxwell Court, 15 Ballygowan Road, Comber, Co. Down BT23 5PG	B1	House
HB26/50/222	College of Technology College Square East Belfast BT1 6DJ	B+	University/ College Building

2005/2006 financial year = 12

HB Ref No	Address	Survey 2	Current Use
HB06/02/001 N	Cottage in Glenarm Castle Estate ('Lord Antrim's Cottage') Great Deer Park Glenarm County Antrim BT44 0BD	B2	House
HB09/14/024 B	Chapel of the Annunciation St Brigid's Convent Convent Road Cookstown Co Tyrone BT80 8QA	B1	Church
HB12/02/054	10 Killard Road Derrygennedy Newtownbutler Co. Fermanagh BT92 8BF	B1	House
HB12/02/074	House Clontivrin Newtownbutler Co. Fermanagh BT92 6FR	B1	House
HB15/02/051	St Paul's Church of Ireland Church Annagora Road Portadown Craigavon Co Armagh	B2	Church
HB16/30/014 B	Chapel at Convent of Mercy (RC) Home Avenue Newry Co Down BT34 2DL	B1	Church
HB19/04/030 A	‘H’ Block 6 Zone J, The former Maze Prison, Halftown Road Lisburn BT27	B1	Prison
HB19/04/030 D	Multi Denominational Chapel Zone J, The former Maze Prison, Halftown Road Lisburn BT27	B2	Prison

2005/2006 financial year = 12

HB Ref No	Address	Survey 2	Current Use
HB19/04/030 E	Concrete Perimeter Walls Zone F and J, The former Maze Prison, Halftown Road Lisburn BT27	B1	Prison
HB19/04/030 F	Cellular Health Care Centre Zone F2, The former Maze Prison, Halftown Road Lisburn BT27	B1	Prison
HB19/04/030 G	Cellular Administration Block Zone F2, Former Maze Prison, Halftown Road Lisburn BT27	B1	Prison
HB25/17/007	Belvoir Park Hospital Hospital Road Belfast BT8 8JP	B2	Hospital Building

2006/2007 financial year = 26

HB Ref No	Address	Survey 2	Current Use
HB01/09/002 K	Building Number 85 Officers Mess Ebrington Barracks Limavady Road Londonderry BT47 6HH	B2	Barracks
HB01/09/002 O	Building Number 79 Ebrington Barracks Limavady Road Londonderry BT47 6HH	B2	Barracks
HB03/02/038	Pump outside 139 Carhill Road Swatragh Maghera Co. Londonderry	B2	Pump
HB06/03/033	Fountain Opposite junction of Carncastle and Coast Roads Ballygalley Larne Co. Antrim	B2	Fountain
HB06/03/035	Pump situated opposite 316 Coast Road Ballygalley Larne Co Antrim	B2	Pump
HB08/06/019	Pump 128 Mullaghboy Road Bellaghy Magherafelt Co. Londonderry	B2	Pump
HB08/07/013	Fountain Outside 9 Main Street Tobermore Magherafelt Co Londonderry	B2	Fountain
HB08/10/005 C	Pump at rear of Bridge House 14 Bridge Street Castledawson Magherafelt Co. Londonderry	B1	Pump
HB11/07/033	Fountain outside 104 Main Street Beragh Omagh Co. Tyrone	B2	Fountain
HB11/07/037	Fountain outside 25 Main Street Beragh Omagh Co. Tyrone	B2 Fountain	B2 Fountain
HB11/20/015	Fountain outside 29 Main Street Sixmilecross Omagh Co. Tyrone	B2	Fountain
HB11/20/016	Fountain outside 46 Main Street Sixmilecross Omagh Co. Tyrone	B2	Fountain
HB11/20/017	Pump outside Weighbridge House Main Street Sixmilecross Omagh Co Tyrone	B2	Pump
HB11/20/018	Pump outside 71 Main Street Sixmilecross Omagh Co Tyrone	B2	Pump
HB16/21/089	Fountain 177 Armagh Road Mullaghglass Bessbrook Co. Armagh	B2	Pump
HB16/21/090	Pump opposite 7 Arch View Terrace The Doctors Hill Mullaghglass Bessbrook Co. Armagh	B1	Pump
HB17/01/049	Pump opposite 10 Park Lane Gilford Co. Down	B2	Pump
HB17/01/054	Pump No. 2 Park Lane Gilford Co. Down	B1	Pump
HB17/03/058	Pump Outside Reformed Presbyterian Church Dublin Road Loughbrickland Banbridge Co. Down	B2	Pump
HB18/08/139	Potato store 11 Castleward Road Strangford Co Down	B2	Store
HB18/08/140	Fountain situated in Quay Lane Strangford Co. Down	B2	Fountain
HB18/08/141	Pump at 12 The Quay Strangford Co Down	B2	Pump
HB18/09/067	Shed at Ardglass Harbour Ardglass Co Down	B2	Store
HB19/01/066	Pump 20 Station Road Ballinderry Lisburn Co. Antrim	B2	Pump
HB24/01/055	42 Shore Road Portaferry Co Down BT22 1JZ	B2	House
HB24/01/163	36 The Square Portaferry Co Down BT22 1LR	B1	House

2007/2008 financial year = 19

HB Ref No	Address	Survey 2	Current Use
HB04/15/008 B	Pump outside Byre in farmyard of Leslie Hill Farm Ballypatrick TL Ballymoney Co. Antrim	B2	Pump
HB05/05/017	Pump at 3 Drones Road Armoy Co Antrim	B1	Pump
HB08/02/001 B	William Clark & Sons Ltd Mill Complex (Excluding Old Mill) 6 The Green Kilrea Road Upperlands Maghera County Londonderry BT46 5RY	B1	Factory
HB09/05/022	Pump behind house 32 Killyneedan Road Sandholes Cookstown Co. Tyrone	B1	Pump
HB11/07/035	Pump outside 76 Main Street Beragh Omagh Co. Tyrone	B2	Fountain
HB11/07/036	Fountain outside 32 Main Street Beragh Omagh Co Tyrone	B2	Fountain
HB11/20/014	Fountain Outside 30 Main Street Sixmilecross Omagh Co. Tyrone	B2	Fountain
HB16/02/068	Fountain Silent Valley Annalong Newry Co. Down	B2	Fountain
HB16/02/069	Fountain situated in Silent Valley Annalong Newry Co. Down	B2	Fountain
HB17/01/052	Pump Next to 23 Park Lane Gilford Co. Down`	B2	Pump
HB18/08/143	Fountain at the slip Strangford Co Down	B2	Pump
HB18/09/068	Larger shed at Harbour Ardglass Co Down	B1	Store
HB19/23/049	Pump opposite 73 Edenderry Village Edenderry Belast	B2	Pump
HB19/23/050	Pump at junction of Drumbo, Pinehill and Front Roads Drumbo Lisburn	B1	Pump
HB21/04/010 B	Pump No. 2 9 The Village Ballyeaston Larne Co. Antrim	B2	Pump
HB22/03/003	Orient House 142 Upper Road Greenisland Co Antrim BT38 8RL	B2	House
HB22/08/034	Military complex within Carrickfergus Borough Council yard Town hall Joymount Carrickfergus Co Antrim BT38 7DL	B1	Store
HB23/18/058	Glenmakieran 141 Bangor Road Cultra Holywood	B+	House
HB24/17/099	Bradock Island Killinchy Newtownards BT23 6PZ	B1	House

2008/2009 financial year = 16

HB Ref No	Address	Survey 2	Current Use
HB09/03/011	Aughlish Bridge Lower Kildress Road Cookstown Co Tyrone	B2	Bridge
HB09/07/021	10 Urbal Road Coagh Cookstown BT80 0DW	B2	House - Terrace
HB09/07/022	12 Urbal Road Coagh Cookstown BT80 0DW	B2	House - Terrace
HB09/07/023	14 Urbal Road Coagh Cookstown BT80 0DW	B2	House - Terrace
HB09/07/024	16 Urbal Road Coagh Cookstown BT80 0DW	B2	House - Terrace
HB09/09/018	15 and 17 Ballyneill Road Ballyronan Magherafelt Co Londonderry BT45 6JL	B2	House
HB09/13/032	Telephone Exchange Molesworth Road Cookstown Co Tyrone BT80 9NR	B2	Telephone Exchange
HB09/14/026	Social Security Office Fairhill Road Cookstown Co Tyrone BT80 8AG	B1	Office
HB16/01/040	Intercepting Weir At grid J3435 2438 Near Annalong Newry Co Down	B2	Water Works Structures
HB16/01/041	Intercepting Weir and Tunnel At Grid J3415 2425 Near Annalong Newry Co Down	B2	Water Works Structures
HB16/01/050	Water Conduit Rourke’s Park Head Road Annalong Newry Co Down	B2	Water Works Structures
	HB16/01/051 Well House B2 Water Works Structures Dunnywater Head Road Annalong Newry Co Down
	HB16/01/054 Aqueduct B2 Water Works Structures Dunnywater Annalong Newry Co Down
	HB16/01/055 Mixing Wells B2 Water Works Structures Dunnywater Annalong Newry Co Down
	HB16/01/061 Well House B2 Water Works Structures Off Head Rd Annalong Newry Co Down BT34 4RJ
	HB26/50/280 Frames Snooker Hall B1 Entertainment Building 2/14 Little Donegall Street Belfast BT1 2JD

Review of Public Administration

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of the Mid Ulster Transition Committee review which states that the Pricewaterhousecooper Report would not in any way meet the normal standards required of Economic Appraisals by the Department of Finance and Personnel, in so far as most of its assumptions are totally unsubstantiated.

(AQW 3592/10)

Minister of the Environment: Firstly, I welcome the comments of the Mid Ulster Transition Committee on the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Economic Appraisal and appreciate their continued strong support for the philosophy that underpins the Review of Public Administration.

The Committee has raised a number of interesting points and these, together with those from across local government, were discussed at the recent Strategic Leadership Board meeting held on Wednesday, 9 December 2009. At that meeting, concerns were raised about the lack of confidence across the sector regarding the detail of the costs and efficiencies articulated in the report. Whilst it was recognised that it is not possible to have full details of all the costs and benefits, it was considered imperative that the assumptions and methods used in the report are further examined before the report’s key findings and recommendations are approved.

Although these high-level estimates are deemed appropriate for the purposes of the appraisal, detailed business cases will need completed in respect of the individual projects that will underwrite it. I therefore anticipate that the issues raised will be fully addressed as part of the detailed design phase.

Local Government Reform

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of the assumptions made in the Pricewaterhousecooper Report in identifying the transition costs.

(AQW 3593/10)

Minister of the Environment: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) took the view that any assumptions being made in relation to either costs or benefits would be based on a prudent approach. Therefore, throughout the appraisal they have taken the higher cost and the lower benefits when considering transition and transformation.

Evidence of this approach is demonstrated within the transition section of the report where PwC calculate the severance scheme for councillors at £5.25 million. This is based on calculating the maximum qualifying period and the highest cost. However, experience, based on Scottish council reform, indicates that only around 60% of those eligible would take up such a scheme. This equates to a cost of £3.15 million.

On the overall assumptions, I am content with the consultants approach. Where budget lines currently exist for the on-going costs relating to RPA functions (e.g. Strategic Leadership Board, Regional Transition Coordination Group, Regional Local Government Reform Joint Forum) these should not be included within the appraisal. This is also the case with Northern Ireland Local Government Association who have a reform role and have secured addition funding through my Department.

Local Government Reform

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment what action he proposes to take to eliminate the inequity which will result from the differing, existing district rates and liabilities of the constituent councils.

(AQW 3595/10)

Minister of the Environment: There is a role for my Department and the Department of Finance and Personnel to undertake some work to examine the potential impact on ratepayers within amalgamating councils and to explore the potential for measures to avoid significant rises in both domestic and non-domestic district rates as a result of this amalgamation.

I consider the issue of the convergence of rates to be critical to the success of the local government reform programme and I will be addressing this with the Finance Minister, the rest of the Executive and with District Councils over the coming months.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Government Office Accommodation

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail by parliamentary constituency the location of (i) existing; and (ii) proposed public sector and government office accommodation, including (a) the employing public authority or Government Department; and (b) the amount of office square footage in each location.

(AQW 3016/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr S Wilson): The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Government Office Accommodation

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to list the location of public sector and Government office accommodation occupied by senior civil service grades in each parliamentary constituency, identifying the public authority or Government Department in each instance.

(AQW 3120/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The information requested is provided in the attached table.

Building Name	Address	Postcode	Constituency Area (if known)	Number of Senior Civil Servants	Associated Dept or NDPB
DSD Owned/leased Buildings
Great Northern Tower	Great Victoria Street Belfast	BT2 7BN	Belfast South	1	DSD
Housing Centre	2 Adelaide Street Belfast	BT2 8PB	Belfast South	6	NIHE
DE Owned/Leased Buildings
Forestview	Purdys Lane Saintfield Road	BT8 7AR	Belfast South	1	DE
OFMDFM Owned/Leased Buildings
Temporary building on site of Crumlin Road Gaol	53-55 Crumlin Road	BT14 6ST	Belfast North	1	OFMDFM
DARD Owned/Leased Buildings
CAFRE Greenmount Campus	22 Greenmount Road, Tirgracey Road Muckamore Antrim	BT41 4PU	South Antrim	1	DARD
AFBI Stormont	Stoney Road Belfast	BT4 3SD	Belfast East	1	AFBI
AFBI Newforge	18 Newforge Lane Belfast	BT9 5PX	Belfast South	3	AFBI
AFBI Crossnacreevy	50 Houston Road, Crossnacreevy, Belfast	BT6 9SH	Strangford	1	AFBI
DCAL Owned/Leased Buildings
PRONI	66 Balmoral Avenue Belfast	BT9 6NY	Belfast South	1	DCAL
MacNeice House	77 Malone Road Belfast	BT9 6AQ	Belfast South	1	Arts Council NI
House of Sport	Upper Malone Road Belfast	BT9 5LA	Belfast South	1	Sport NI
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum	153 Bangor Road Cultra Holywood	BT18 0EU	North Down	2	National Museum NI
NI Assembly
Parliament Buildings	Stormont Estate Belfast	BT4 3LR	Belfast East	4	OFMDFM
DFP Owned/Leased Buildings
Dundonald House	Stormont EstateBelfast	BT4 3Sb	Belfast East	19	DARD
Castle Buildings & Annexes	Stormont Estate Belfast	BT4 3SX	Belfast East	823	OFMDFMDHSSPS
N/A	83 Ladas Drive Belfast	BT6 9FR	Belfast East	1	HESNI
Rathgael House	43 Balloo Road Bangor	BT19 7NA	North Down	59	DEDFP
Rathgael House Old	43 Balloo Road Bangor	BT19 7NA	North Down	123	DEDFP
Calvert House	23 Castle Place Belfast	BT1 1FY	Belfast West	3	DOE
Oxford House	49-53 Chichester Street Belfast	BTl 4HH	Belfast South	1	DFP
Hydebank	4 Hospital Road Belfast	BT8 8JL	Belfast South	1	DARD (Rivers Agency)
Netherleigh	1 Massey Avenue Belfast	BT4 2JP	Belfast East	9	DETI
Centre House	79 Chichester Street Belfast	BT1 4JE	Belfast South	1	DFP
Clarence Court	10-18 Adelaide Street Belfast	BT2 8GB	Belfast South	415	DOEDRD
Royston/Ferguson House	13 Wellington Place Belfast Floors 4, 5, 6 & 7	BT1 6GB	Belfast South	14	DHSSPSDFP
Queen’s Court	56-66 Upper Queen’s Street Belfast	BT1 6FD	Belfast South	4	DFP
Lancashire House	5 Linenhall Street Belfast	BT2 8AA	Belfast South	2	DRD
Bankmore House	62-66 Bedford Street Belfast	BT2 7FH	Belfast South	1	DFP
Longbridge House	12-24 Waring Street Belfast	BT1 2EB	Belfast North	1	DFP
Waterman House	5 Hill Street Belfast	BT1 2LA	Belfast North	1	DOE
Victoria Hall	12 May Street Belfast	BT1 2NL	Belfast North	5	DFP
Lincoln Building	25-45 Great Victoria Street Belfast	BT2 7SL	Belfast South	2	DFP
Craigantlet Buildings	Stormont Estate Belfast	BT4 3SX	Belfast East	1	DFP
Stormont Castle	Stormont Estate Belfast	BT4 3TA	Belfast East	8	OFMDFM
N/A	Road Transport Licensing Division 148-158 Corporation Street Belfast	BT1 3DH	Belfast North	1	DOE
Adelaide House	39-49 Adelaide Street Belfast	BT2 8FD	Belfast South	10	DEL
McAuley House	2-14 Castle Street Belfast	BT1 1SA	Belfast South	1	DFP
Avenue House	42-44 Rosemary Street Belfast	BT1 2QT	Belfast West	1	DHSSPS
Lesley House	25-27 Wellington Place Belfast	BT1 6GQ	Belfast South	1	DSD
Millenium House	1^st(pt), 2^nd & 3^rd(pt) Floors 17-25 Great Victoria Street Belfast	BT2 7BN	Belfast South	4	DOE
Causeway Exchange	1-9 Bedford Street Belfast	BT2 7EG	Belfast South	61	DCALDFP
Goodwood House	44-58 May Street Belfast	BT1 4NN	Belfast South	1	DOE
Clare House	303 Airport Road West Belfast	BT3 9ED	Belfast East	8	DFP
Waterfront Plaza	1^st floor 8 Laganbank Road Belfast	BT1 8LX	Belfast South	1	DETI
Lighthouse	1 Cromac Place Gasworks Business Park Belfast	BT7 2JB	Belfast South	11	DSD
James House	2-4 Cromac Avenue Gasworks Business Park Belfast	BT7 2JA	Belfast South	5	DSD
Colby House	Stranmillis Court Belfast	BT9 5BJ	Belfast South	2	DFP
Klondyke Building	Cromac Avenue Belfast	BT7 2JA	Belfast South	3	DOE
Knockview Buildings	Blocks 1-5 Stormont Estate Belfast	BT1 6ED	Belfast East	1	OFMDFM
Orchard House	40 Foyle Street Londonderry	BT48 6AT	Foyle	1	DSD
N/A	39 Abbey Street Armagh	BT61 7EB	Newry & Armagh	1	OFMDFM

Civil Servants' Earnings

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the number of senior civil servants in each pay grade; and (ii) the total salary costs for each senior civil service pay grade in each of the last three financial years.

(AQW 3159/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The total salary including bonuses of senior civil servants in each pay band in the last three financial years is set out in the table below. For reasons of data protection the salary of the Head of the Civil Service (HOCS) has been included in the pay band 3 figures.

Financial Year	Pay band	No. of Staff	Total salary (gross + bonus)£
2006/07	Pay band 1	176	11,952,444
	Pay band 2	42	3,880,903
	Pay band 3 + HOCS	13	1,576,725
2007/08	Pay band 1	173	11,803,089
	Pay band 2	43	4,054,539
	Pay band 3+ HOCS	14	1,747,164
2008/09	Pay band 1	167	11,510,821
	Pay band 2	42	4,053,541
	Pay band 3 +HOCS	14	1,752,049

Retired Civil Servants

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many (i) Administrative Assistants; (ii) Administrative Officers; and (iii) EO2s retired from the Civil Service between 1 January 2003 and 31 August 2008.

(AQW 3257/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The number of Administrative Assistants, Administrative Officers and EO2s who retired from the Civil Service between 1 January 2003 and 31 August 2008 is set out in the table below.

Period 1 January 2003 -31 August 2008	Administrative Assistant	Administrative Officer	EO2
Retirees	235	425	267

Pleural Plaques

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline a timetable for the introduction of legislation on pleural plaques and compensation for sufferers.

(AQW 3276/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: A consultation exercise on pleural plaques closed on 12 January and since then officials have analysed the submissions made and monitored developments in Great Britain. On 7 October officials met with the Committee for Finance and Personnel and discussed the draft analysis and proposals on the way forward. Policy recommendations are being considered by officials and I hope to be able to place policy recommendations before the Executive Committee early in the New Year.

Local Government Reform

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel (i) for his assessment of the recent PriceWaterhouseCoopers report and the suggestion that rate-payers in Fermanagh will be expected to pay a 20% increase; and (ii) for his assessment of the fairness of this levy on rate-payers in the region.

(AQW 3420/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: My understanding is that the initial economic appraisal in relation to the local government reforms is still being considered and it has not yet been formally submitted to DFP for approval. I therefore would not want to give my assessment of the report until this process is complete. What I would say, though, is that the projected district rates currently contained in the PWC economic appraisal are incomplete and do not represent an accurate portrayal of what actual rates will be following the move to eleven councils.

It needs to be borne in mind that the District Rate accounts for less than half of a typical household rate bill and the impact of changes to the regional rate need to be factored in. Furthermore, there are a wide range of other variables which will impact on the outcome, including the extent and method of funding of the transferring functions and the efficiency savings that will emerge in the coming years from reducing the number of councils.

I have said publically that this Executive will not preside over a local government reform process which leads to rate increases of the scale suggested in the PWC report and this remains the position.

Local Government Reform

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel (i) if the proposed eleven council model goes ahead, what effect the Reform of Local Government will have on the rates levied throughout the existing local councils; (ii) which of the existing councils would be subject to (a) lower household rates; and (b) increased household rates, under the proposed eleven council model.

(AQW 3421/10)

New Initiatives

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what new initiatives, measures and practices have been implemented by his Department as a means of assisting the community, and achieving improved, efficient decision-making during the current economic crisis.

(AQW 3500/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: To protect the people and business of Northern Ireland from the effects of the credit crunch, the First Minister and deputy First Minister announced in the NI Assembly on 15 December 2008 a range of measures which should sustain Northern Ireland’s economy over the coming months and years while confidence returns to the global credit market and economic prospects improve.

My department has taken forward a number of these measures including:

A regional rate freeze currently applies in both the domestic and non-domestic sectors (for the 2009/10 rating year);
A Small Business Rate Relief Scheme, to be introduced in April 2010;
An examination of ways to maximise opportunities for small contracting firms to bid for contracts;
Social and economic sustainability requirements are included in all new construction contracts where the procurement commenced since December 2008; and
The introduction of a new 10 day prompt payment policy across all departments.

In addition, my department has pro actively managed the resources available to the Executive in order to facilitate many of the actions taken by other departments. This includes the payment to low income households following the increase in energy costs as well as the record level of investment in capital projects last year which has provided significant support to the construction sector.

Currently one of the key objectives of the ongoing Review of 2010-11 spending plans is to fund the further deferral of domestic water charges which will avoid the potential additional burden on household bills next year.

My department is also supporting the work of the Cross Sector Advisory Forum (CSAF) which was established to review and bring forward recommendations for addressing problems arising from the economic crisis.

Investing for Health Strategy

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what targets his Department set within the Investing for Health strategy; and what progress has been made to date against these targets.

(AQW 3508/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Department of Finance and Personnel has no direct targets as a result of the Investing for Health strategy but undertakes actions in a number of areas in support of the strategy.

In advising Ministers on public expenditure and financial issues, DFP incorporates information on a variety of issues including for example the New TSN social and/or health implications.

The Occupational Health Service (OHS) continues to be at the forefront of developing and helping to deliver innovative approaches which promote health in the workplace setting. For example, the OHS has delivered the Lifestyle and Physical Activity Assessment programme to over 10,000 civil servants. In addition, a new NICS Mental Wellbeing at Work Charter was published in 2009.

The NICS People Strategy 2009-13 includes as a key component, employee health, wellbeing and engagement, which affords the NICS further opportunity to take action to invest in the health of its workforce.

Key developments in the Northern Ireland Building Regulations since 2005 have included improvements to fire safety standards, revised energy performance, air supply standards and extended the application of requirements on accessibility to buildings.

Civil Service Back Pay

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, in light of the dissatisfaction among some civil servants regarding HR Connect's administration of Pay Roll, what safeguards are being put in place to ensure that the payment of civil service back pay is seamless and without unnecessary delay.

(AQW 3511/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Following discussions with NIPSA, a proposal for settlement of all the equal pay claims has been put to the Trade Union Side. In the event that this is accepted, a number of arrangements will be needed to facilitate implementation.

I have instructed my officials to ensure that the necessary arrangements and appropriate safeguards are in place, including those concerning the role HRConnect might play.

HRConnect service reports have shown that the service is now providing a very accurate payroll service.

2008-2011 Budget

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if the 2008-2011 Budget agreed by the Executive included the circa £700 million in 3% efficiency savings faced over the three year budget period by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

(AQW 3512/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: As part of the Budget 2008-11 process, the Executive agreed that all Northern Ireland departments would be required to deliver 3% per annum cash releasing efficiency savings over the three year period.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was set the same % target as other departments which implies that £695 million of savings are to be achieved by DHSSPS over the years, 2008-09 to 2010-11.

The resources released from these efficiency savings were allocated to departments within the Budget 2008-11 process to improve public services.

Special EU Programmes Body

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what monitoring and evaluation his Department is undertaking, or intends to undertake, of the Special EU Programmes Body allocation of Peace III funding.

(AQW 3528/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: DFP as Northern Ireland sponsor department for the Special EU Programmes Body has extensive formal mechanisms in place to monitor progress and performance of all aspects of the PEACE III Programme including allocations made in line with departmental, NSMC and EU requirements.

Full reports on the PEACE III Programme performance are provided to the North South Ministerial Council in its Special EU Programmes sectoral format. DFP examines these reports in detail and agrees their contents. In line with NSMC procedures these papers are circulated to the Executive, and following the meeting I make a statement to the Assembly.

In line with EU regulations full progress reports on the PEACE III Programme are provided to the Programme Monitoring Committee, which includes DFP and meets at least twice per year. This involves monitoring and reporting against agreed performance indicators including in terms of the key horizontal principles, environment and equality. The first major Programme evaluation, Implementation Analysis of PEACE III and INTERREG IVA Programmes, was carried out in 2009 and is available on the website of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It includes analysis of the geographical spread of projects and coverage of target areas and groups.

DFP also monitors Programme implementation through it membership of all Programme steering committees that are responsible for the selection of projects.

Energy Performance Certificates

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what measures have been taken since May 2007 to ensure that all properties when sold or rented have a valid Energy Performance Certificate.

(AQW 3553/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Prior to, and since the making of, The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations (NI) 2008, the Department adopted a compliance-based enforcement regime based on best practice advice from Trading Standards. This included:

Radio and television interviews by Minister and officials;
Press releases;
A series of seminars to property professionals, solicitors and members of the public;
Advertisements in all local newspapers;
Advertisements and editorials in professional publications;
Creation of a dedicated website (www.epb.dfpni.gov.uk) from which the public can get additional information and download a number of guidance booklets;
Distribution of posters and leaflets;
Letters and information visits to Northern Ireland estate and letting agents;
Compliance checks on randomly selected marketed properties in Estate/Letting Agents across Northern Ireland; and
Most recently transferring the enforcement role to district councils.

Civil Servants' Earnings

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many civil servants in his Department receive an annual salary (i) between £37,801-£43,100; (ii) between £43,101-50,537; (iii) between £50,538-71,433; (iv) between £71,434-82,975; and (v) above £82,976.

(AQW 3563/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The information requested is set out in the table below.

Annual Salary	Number of Civil Servants
£37,801-£43,100	210
£43,101-£50,537	62
£50,538-£71,433	97
£71,434-£82,975	8
Above £ 82,976	14
Total Civil Servants	391

Equal Pay

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if an estimate has been made of the number of staff, in those civil service grades covered by the November equal pay claim offer, who left the service between 1 February 2003 and 31 July 2008.

(AQW 3569/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The number of staff at Administrative Assistant, Administrative Officer and Executive Officer 2 (and analogous) who left the NICS between 1 February 2003 and 31 July 2008, are set out in the table below. These staff are not covered by the proposal to settle the NICS Equal Pay claims.

GRADE	STAFF NUMBERS
Administrative Assistant	5426
Administrative Officer	2650
Executive Officer 2	684

Equity Release Scheme

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he would consider an equity release scheme to realise additional funding from the Treasury set against the value of Executive assets.

(AQW 3582/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: This proposal was raised informally with the Treasury when it was first suggested in December 2008. The Treasury indicated then that such a scheme would not be acceptable to them.

Such a scheme would give rise to concerns regarding the cost to the UK Exchequer, the implied transfer of risk, the value for money position at the UK level as well as implications for Whitehall departments and the other Devolved Administrations.

The Block Grant

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if additional borrowing by the Executive would lead to a reduction in the block grant.

(AQW 3583/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The UK Government’s funding arrangements for the Northern Ireland Executive are set out in the HM Treasury publication, Statement of Funding Policy, which indicates that borrowing by the devolved administrations counts towards the UK Public Sector Net Cash Requirement.

Therefore, under the current arrangements, any increase in borrowing by the Executive would result in a corresponding reduction in the Block Grant, in order to restore the UK borrowing position.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Ambulance Fleet

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many of the 60 new ambulances will be (i) additional vehicles to the ambulance fleet; and (ii) replacement vehicles for the existing fleet.

(AQW 3351/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): On 1 October 2008 I announced my intention to invest some £100 million over the next ten years to enable the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to modernise its estate and replace its fleet and equipment on a regular basis. This included an investment of £17 million capital funding over the CSR period 2008-2011 to modernise the ambulance service fleet, estate, equipment and IT infrastructure. My announcement made clear that the new vehicles would replace older vehicles so that, in time, no vehicle would be more than five years old.

Rapid Response Vehicles

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if rapid response vehicles are equipped with exactly the same level of equipment as emergency ambulances.

(AQW 3353/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the Member to the answer I gave to AQWs 1249/10 and 1250/10 on 20 October 2009.

Ambulance Crew Overtime

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many ambulance shifts in the Western Health and Social Care Trust were covered by crew members on overtime due to staff sickness in each month of the last three years.

(AQW 3357/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) does not routinely collect data of the type requested. Arrangements for covering ambulance shifts in the event of crew members being unavailable for duty are dealt with on a day-to-day basis by local management.

Emergency Ambulances and Rapid Response Vehicles

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many of the announced additional 65,000 ambulance hours will be covered by (i) emergency ambulances; and (ii) rapid response vehicles.

(AQW 3358/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Details of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service’s plans for Comprehensive Spending Review efficiency savings and investment may be found on the Trust’s website at: www.niamb.co.uk/docs/documents/news_downloads/CSR%20Final%20EQIA%20and%20Consultation%20Report.pdf.

In-Patient Cases of Listeria

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) how many in-patient contracted cases of Listeria have occurred in each hospital; and (ii) how many of these cases proved fatal, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3363/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information is not available on (i) the number of in-patient contracted cases of Listeria that have occurred in each hospital; and (ii) the number of these cases that have proved fatal, in each of the last three years.

Health and Social Care Trust

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if any current Chief Executive or Director of a Health and Social Care Trust has ever been suspended or faced disciplinary proceedings; and if so, to provide details.

(AQW 3365/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: No current Chief Executive or Director of any of the Health and Social Care Trusts has ever been suspended or faced disciplinary proceedings.

Clerical Abuse

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action the Executive is taking to ensure that safeguards are in place to prevent any recurrence of clerical abuse.

(AQW 3388/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My officials have had some preliminary discussions with representatives of the National Safeguarding Board for Children within the Catholic Church about their recent proposal to explore with the relevant government departments and statutory authorities, a mechanism by which to ensure that the Catholic Church’s current policies and practices in relation to the safeguarding of children represent best practice and that all allegations of abuse are properly handled. We wish to establish if this approach has the potential to provide us with independent reassurance about how children are now protected within the Catholic Church.

My officials are also preparing a paper for the Executive setting out options for dealing with the issue of historical abuse within Northern Ireland.

In addition, the introduction of the new Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups legislation, which supersedes the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults legislation, introduces tougher safeguarding arrangements to help meet Government's commitment to increasing public protection by significantly extending the range of activities and workplaces from which individuals may be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults. Consequently, many more individuals than at present who may pose a risk to children can be removed from the workplace. These arrangements extend to clergy within the Roman Catholic Church.

My Department will be bringing forward legislation next year to establish a regional, independently-chaired Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland. The Board will ultimately replace the non-statutory Area Child Protection Committees and will have a duty to make arrangements to safeguard the welfare of children and young people. There will be a duty for relevant agencies to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to co-operate to improve the well being of children.

The current statutory framework in Northern Ireland requires that where allegations of child abuse come to light these must be reported immediately to PSNI and Social Services for investigation. I would strongly encourage anyone who has any information regarding any allegations of child abuse to report these immediately to the statutory authorities for investigation so that perpetrators can be brought before the courts where this is appropriate.

Clerical Abuse

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action the Executive is taking to assist the victims of clerical abuse.

(AQW 3389/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Current arrangements are that victims can consult their GP who can then make an appropriate referral for treatment and/or counselling. Victims can also contact social services for advice, counselling and support. Voluntary organisations such as the NEXUS Institute which deals confidentially with those who have suffered sexual abuse can also be contacted.

The Roman Catholic Church has made arrangements with an organisation "FAOISEAMH" which was set up and funded by the Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI) to listen to and arrange face-to-face counselling for victims of abuse by members of religious orders. "Faoiseamh" is a completely private and confidential service. I would recommend that victims of clerical abuse, including those who were abused in Northern Ireland, should contact the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church who will be able to advise them as to the support available to them through Faoiseamh and through the Church in general.

Emergency Calls

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, for each month of the last three years, the percentage of emergency calls answered (i) in urban areas; and (ii) in rural areas, within the 8 minute target for life threatening calls, in the Western Local Commissioning Group area.

(AQW 3393/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) does not separately monitor its performance against the 8 minute target for life-threatening calls in rural and urban areas.

Cardiac Patients

Ms A Lo asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if it is normal practice for doctors of cardiac patients, who do not require immediate surgery, to keep them in the Belfast City Hospital for six weeks in order for them to be fast tracked for surgery in the Royal Victoria Hospital; and what is the daily cost of such a patient occupying a bed in Belfast City Hospital.

(AQW 3398/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Standard practice is that only patients who have been referred for cardiac surgery and are assessed as ‘urgent’ cases will be required to stay in hospital until their surgery is complete. The waiting time target between referral and surgery for these patients is 28 days. Unfortunately, current figures [as at 14^th Dec 2009] have shown that five patients have had to wait longer than 28 days. However, the Belfast Trust is working to ensure all patients are dealt with within the timescales set and in accordance with their clinical priority. As patients in these circumstances must remain in hospital for clinical reasons, the cost of their care while awaiting surgery must be met by the Trust.

Community Care Arrangements

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many patients with mental health issues have had their discharge date delayed for more than four weeks due to complications with community care arrangements, broken down by (i) health board; and (ii) the discharging healthcare institution, in each of the last 5 years.

(AQW 3403/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of patients with mental health issues that have had their discharge date delayed for more than four weeks due to complications with community care arrangements can only be provided for the last 2 years & Health & Social Care Trust.

The following table includes the number of inpatients with a mental health diagnosis resident in an acute hospital that had their discharge date delayed for more than four weeks due to complications with community care arrangements, broken down by the HSC Trust of the discharging healthcare institution.

	2007/08	2008/09
	No. of inpatients with a mental health diagnosis resident in an acute hospital that had their discharge date delayed for more than four weeks due to complications with community care arrangements
Belfast HSC Trust	41	30
Northern HSC Trust	55	7
Southern HSC Trust	6	4
South Eastern HSC Trust	44	17
Western HSC Trust	16	16
Northern Ireland	162	74

Source: Admissions & Discharges Universe

Patient Discharges

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, for each Health and Social Care Trust area and healthcare institution, (i) the number of patients discharged from mental health units who have been re-admitted within 28 days; (ii) the rates of re-admission as a percentage of all discharges for patients aged (a) under 18; (b) 18-44; (c) 45-65; and (d) over 65.

(AQW 3405/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information is held on a variety of systems, not currently accessible centrally.

People who are Deafblind

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) how many people are currently registered as deafblind; (ii) what proportion of these people have had their individual needs assessed by sensory support services; and (iii) whether any waiting list exists for such assessments.

(AQW 3406/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on persons registered as deafblind, assessments by sensory support services, and waits for these assessments is not collected centrally.

Home-Care Packages

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (i) the home-care packages available through Health and Social Care Trusts; and (ii) the criteria involved in deciding how these packages are allocated.

(AQW 3407/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The level and type of home care packages available is dependent on the assessed needs of each individual service user, with the service tailored to meet those needs. Services range from help with domestic tasks at home to intensive personal care to night sitting. Home care services should, where possible, be rehabilitative in nature, enabling people to help themselves, maintain existing skills and develop appropriate new ones.

In May 2008, my Department issued Access Criteria for Domiciliary Care. Following assessment of need, HSC Trusts are required to consider those needs against 4 defined bandings: critical, severe, moderate and low. Services are then allocated according to the level of risk a service user’s needs present both to the service user and to their carers and family.

Nursing Care in the Community

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many private companies are contracted by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to provide nursing care in the community; and to detail the locations in which these companies currently operate.

(AQW 3409/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Southern Trust does not use agencies or any other private companies to provide nursing care by a registered nurse into the patient’s own home.

C-difficile

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if in the last three years, any patients not suffering from C-difficile, or recovering after having had C-difficile, have been kept in specialist C-difficile wards; and if so, in which hospitals.

(AQW 3410/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the member to the answer I gave to AQW 2906/10.

Dermatology Treatment

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the average waiting time for patients referred to the Causeway Hospital for urgent dermatology treatment; and (ii) the number of people currently on the waiting list for dermatology treatment at the Causeway Hospital.

(AQW 3414/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the waiting time for a first outpatient appointment is collected by specialty and the length of time that a patient is waiting in time bands. The median waiting time band for patients referred to the Causeway Hospital¹ for a first outpatient appointment in the Dermatology specialty, at the 30^th September 2009, was 0-6 weeks. The number of people on the waiting list for a first outpatient appointment in the Dermatology specialty at the Causeway Hospital¹ at the 30^th September 2009 was 306.

(Source: Departmental Return CH3)

¹Data relates to patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment in the Dermatology specialty at the former Causeway HSS Trust

Altnagelvin Hospital

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) what is the annual running cost of the coal-fired boiler in the new wing at Altnagelvin Hospital; and (ii) what would the estimated running cost be if a switch was made to natural gas.

(AQW 3415/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The existing coal fired boiler at Altnagelvin Hospital provides heating for the new south wing, at an annual cost of £133,000. An equivalent amount of natural gas, required to heat the new south wing of Altnagelvin Hospital, would cost £183,000 per year.

Carbon Reduction Commitments

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the estimated cost to (i) Antrim Hospital; and (ii) Altnagelvin Hospital of carbon reduction commitments from April 2010.

(AQW 3416/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The first year of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) is 2010/20011 and no purchases of allowances for emissions of CO² will be required in this year. In April 2011, Antrim Hospital will be required to purchase allowances based on the CO ² emissions in 2010/2011. The Northern Trust has estimated that the cost to Antrim Hospital in 2011/2012 for purchasing these allowances will be around £89,000. This figures is estimated using 2008/09 data.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has confirmed that they will be using the advisory reports associated with display energy certificates for Antrim Hospital to target further energy efficiency measures as a means of reducing the potential costs of CRC allowances.

Altnagelvin Hospital is excluded from the CRC as they are already participating in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).

Termination of Pregnancy

Rt Hon J Donaldson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps his Department is taking in response to the High Court judgement which ruled that certain aspects of the guidelines on the termination of pregnancy are unlawful.

(AQW 3423/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The High Court did not quash the guidance. The High Court found that two aspects, namely the sections on Counselling and Conscientious Objection failed to give "fully clear and accurate guidance". On these two issues alone the High Court has ordered the removal of the guidance with a view to the guidance being reconsidered by my Department.

I am currently giving careful consideration to the two adverse findings.

NI-ADD

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the support provided by NI-ADD to the parents of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

(AQW 3454/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: NI ADD provides a Parenting Programme, a specially designed 10 week programme to meet the complex needs of families affected by AD/HD. The organisation also provides an Individual Counselling Service provided within a caring and supportive environment for adults experiencing difficulties relating to the impact of AD/HD.

A wide range of support and information is also provided to parents of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder through their Telephone Helpline, Advocacy service, Information service, Monthly Support Meetings and Library service.

NI-ADD

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what funding is available to NI-ADD to ensure that there is adequate provision to support children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and their families.

(AQW 3455/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department currently provides the Northern Ireland Attention Deficit Disorder Support Centre with £25,000 per year towards its central administrative expenditure. The balance of its income should come from selling its services. It is for NI-ADD to promote its services to Health and Social Care Trusts and enter into formal contracts with them for the delivery of its services.

All-Ireland Protection for Children

Mrs C Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps his Department has taken since the debate on the Ryan report motion on 2 November 2009, with specific reference to the establishment of a working group to ascertain the extent of the abuse, the provision of funding for a support helpline and counselling services, and ensuring that all-Ireland protection for children is put in place as soon as possible.

(AQW 3457/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: As you are aware the Executive have asked me to assume the role of lead Minister in relation to any implications for the Executive of issues arising from the Ryan Report. My Department is currently exploring what mechanism might be used to inform any assessment of the level of abuse which may have occurred in Northern Ireland. I have also written to other Departments asking for their views on how the issue of historical abuse in Northern Ireland might be taken forward and I am currently awaiting responses from a number of key departments. Once all relevant information is available to me for consideration I will be in a position to bring detailed proposals forward to the Executive, in the New Year. My officials have begun drafting a paper for the Executive based on the information which is already known to them. Any decision on the way forward will be for the Executive as a whole.

Current arrangements are that victims can consult their GP who can then make an appropriate referral for treatment and/or counselling. Victims can also contact social services for advice, counselling and support. Voluntary organisations such as the NEXUS Institute which deals confidentially with those who have suffered sexual abuse can also be contacted.

Under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council we are working in partnership with our counterparts in the Irish Republic to strengthen child protection. This includes, for example, current work to developing and implementing joint guidance setting out steps should be taken when a child at risk of harm moves between the two jurisdictions.

Prader-Willi Syndrome

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in light of our meeting of 24 November 2008, what action he has taken to address the issue of provision of homes for people diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome; and if this issue can be addressed from within existing resources.

(AQW 3465/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My policy is to provide the range of help and support necessary to allow those with conditions such as Prader - Willi Syndrome (PWS) to remain in their own community and to live as independent a life as possible. In that context, an individual with a diagnosis of PWS has access to the full range of services available and those services are based on a person centred assessment of need and are provided by specialist staff within multi-disciplinary teams to meet each individual’s needs.

Services are provided from within the overall funding available for Learning Disability Services. I have made Learning Disability Services an area of priority and I fought hard to secure an additional £33m within the current CSR period.

Health and Social Care Trusts' Spending

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the expenditure per capita of each Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3469/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Expenditure per capita of each HSC Trust is not available for the five years requested. Information prior to 2007/2008 would not be meaningful as the legacy Trusts were a mix of Acute, Community or both and as such did not relate to geographic area.

Doctor On Call Services

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the expenditure on 'doctor on call' services by each Health and Social Care Trust, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3470/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the member to AQW 1957/10, AQW 2615/09 & AQW 1532/08.

Private Health Care Referrals

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of referrals made to the private sector by each Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3471/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information is only available from the beginning of 2007/08.

The number of patients that received either (i) a first outpatient appointment or (ii) inpatient treatment in the independent sector, following a referral from each Health and Social Care Trust, in the financial years 2007/08 and 2008/09, is contained in the table below.

HSC Trust	Number of patients that attended a first outpatient appointment		Number of patients receiving inpatient treatment
HSC Trust	2007/08	2008/09	2007/08	2008/09
Belfast	4,603	8,544	3,379	4,037
Northern	5,054	8,539	902	1,828
Southern	1,515	3,210	1,676	3,171
South Eastern	4,893	10,051	1,810	2,890
Western	4,761	8,509	2,660	5,086

Source: HSC Trusts

Note: These figures may contain an element of multiple counting. For example, one patient may have received a first outpatient appointment, and then subsequent inpatient treatment, in the independent sector during this period.

The requirement placed on Trusts to deliver against waiting times targets remains as does the option of engaging with the independent sector to help address any shortfalls in health service capacity which are identified.

Supplementing health service capacity through use of the independent sector is an appropriate short-term measure which will help reduce waiting times to a level at which they can be stabilised and maintained. I expect that, when that position is achieved, independent sector capacity will be sought only in exceptional circumstances.

Western Health and Social Care Trust Posts

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the total number; (ii) the location; and (iii) the grade of posts within the Western Health and Social Care Trust which are located in (a) the Omagh district; and (b) the Strabane district; and to detail any other posts within the West Tyrone constituency which are linked to an agency or agencies within his Department's remit.

(AQW 3473/10)

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

Western Trust facilities in Omagh LGD at 30^th September 2009

TYRONE COUNTY	CARRICKMORE HEALTH CENTRE
TYRONE & FERMANAGH	DROMORE HEALTH CLINIC
OMAGH CENTRE DEVERNEY RD	STRATHROY PSYCHIATRIC HOSTEL
GORTIN CENTRE	CAMOWEN HILL BUNGALOW
GORTMORE HOUSE DAY CENTRE	RIVENDELL HOUSE,OMAGH
RIVERSIDE FAMILY CENTRE	LISSAN HOUSE, OMAGH
THE BRIDGE CENTRE OMAGH	BRIDGE HOUSE, OMAGH
GORTMORE OLD PEOPLE HOME	BELTANY HOUSE
CONEYWARREN CHILDRENS HOME	DEVERNEY HOUSE
WOODLANDS CHILDRENS HOME	ERNE HOUSE, OMAGH
OMAGH HEALTH CENTRE	WOODLANDS

Number of staff in post within Western HSC Trust facilities in Omagh LGD at 30^th September 2009

Staff Group	Headcount	WTE
Administration & Clerical	377	338.4
Estates Services	51	50.5
Support Services	224	166.3
Nursing & Midwifery	682	618.3
Social Services	261	237.6
Professional & Technical	191	165.2
Medical & Dental	50	45.8
Total	1836	1622.1

Source: Human Resource Management System

AQW 3473/10 cont’d

Western Trust facilities in Strabane LGD at 30^th September 2009

STRABANE DAY CENTRE

GREENFIELD HOME FOR THE ELDERLEY

DONEMANA HEALTH CLINIC

CASTLEDERG HEALTH CLINIC

STRABANE COUNTY BUILDINGS

GLENSIDE S.C.S., DERRY ROAD

STRABANE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH TEAM, RAILWAY STREET

NEWTOWNSTEWART HEALTH CLINIC

Number of staff in post within Western HSC Trust facilities in Strabane LGD at 30^th September

Staff Group	Headcount	WTE
Administration & Clerical	13	11.0
Support Services	22	12.4
Nursing & Midwifery / Professional & Technical	17	14.8
Social Services	62	55.6
Total	114	93.8

Source: Human Resource Management System

Notes:

WTE = whole-time equivalent.
LGD = Local Government District
Staff figures exclude bank staff and staff with a whole-time equivalent less than or equal to 0.03.

In addition, the Public Health Agency has 7.5 whole-time equivalent staff employed in facilities within Omagh and Strabane LGDs.

HIV

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if his Department has carried out a structured investigation into the rise in the number of HIV cases; and what is the Department's strategy to address this issue.

(AQW 3475/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: On behalf of my Department, the Public Health Agency, in collaboration with the Health Protection Agency, routinely monitors the incidence and prevalence of HIV in Northern Ireland.

My Department’s Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan 2008-2013 sets the strategic context to improve, protect and promote the sexual health of our population. The Strategy aims to effect a reduction in the number of all STI diagnoses including HIV. Planned action to address issues around HIV includes raising public awareness with a particular focus on those most at risk and preventative initiatives including community based programmes and outreach programmes. The Action Plan also includes the consideration of local research needs to help inform the approach to allow appropriate preventative activities targeted at those most in need.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of patients who attended the Accident and Emergency department in (i) Antrim Area Hospital; (ii) Whiteabbey Hospital; and (iii) the Mid Ulster Hospital, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3482/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of patients who attended the Accident and Emergency department in (i) Antrim Area Hospital; (ii) Whiteabbey Hospital; and (iii) the Mid Ulster Hospital, in each of the last five years, are published each year in the annual ‘Hospital Statistics’ publication. These publications can be found at the following link: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research/stats-activity_stats-2/hospital_statistics.htm.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of (i) consultants; (ii) registrars; (iii) senior house officers; and (iv) nurses currently employed in the Accident and Emergency departments in (a) Antrim Area Hospital; (b) Whiteabbey Hospital; and (c) the Mid Ulster Hospital.

(AQW 3484/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The information requested is provided in the table below.

Permanent Staff in Accident & Emergency departments at December 2009

	Antrim Area Hospital		Whiteabbey Hospital		Mid Ulster Hospital
	Headcount	WTE	Headcount	WTE	Headcount	WTE
Consultants	4	4.0	0	0	0	0
Registrars/ Associate Specialist/ Staff Grade	13	13.0	4	3.9	0	0
Senior House Officers	5	5.0	0	0	0	0
Qualified Nurses	69	57.8	10	8.2	13	11.6

Source: Northern Health & Social Care Trust

Notes:

Figures include permanent staff only. Bank staff and locums are excluded.

Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Ms A Lo asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what facilities are provided to children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and their familes by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 3485/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: ADHD is diagnosed at an early age and children suspected of having ADHD are in the first instance referred to Child Development Clinics for diagnosis. Services for children with ADHD are provided by community paediatric clinics and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

NI-ADD

Ms A Lo asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in light of the service it has provided through Trust referrals in the past, what support the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust will be giving NI-ADD.

(AQW 3486/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I understand that you already have had a full reply directly from Belfast Trust, but I can confirm that the Trust is not in a position to contract with NI-ADD at this time, as all voluntary budgets are allocated and it is not envisaged that they will be able to incur further expenditure in the present financial year.

However, with regard to future commissioning of services, Belfast Trust will consider NI-ADD within the Trust’s service planning arrangements for 2010/11.

Civil Servants' Earnings

Mr J Craig asked e Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 2908/10, to detail (i) the job titles; (ii) pay scale; and (iii) the total amount earned by the civil servants in question.

(AQW 3496/10)

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

Job Title	Number	Pay Scale 2008-09 £	Total Amount Earned 2008-09 £
Permanent Secretary	1	98,059 – 205,000	115 – 120k
Deputy Secretary	4	81,600 – 160,000	420 – 425k
Deputy Chief Medical Officer	1	57,300 – 116,000	85 – 90k
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer	1	57,300 – 116,000	90 – 95k
Chief Nursing Officer	1	57,300 – 116,000	90 – 95k
Senior Medical Officer	4	57,300 – 116,000	335 – 340k
Assistant Secretary	3	57,300 – 116,000	250 – 255k

Economic Crisis

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what new initiatives, measures and practices have been implemented by his Department as a means of assisting the community and achieving improved, efficient decision-making during the current economic crisis.

(AQW 3530/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department’s particular role is to cope with the consequences of the crisis for the mental and physical wellbeing of the population. As such, reduced prices for prescriptions this year and the move to free prescriptions next year will help alleviate the effects of the economic downturn on the population. My Department will sustain access to a full range of services for the population to support continued improvements in health and wellbeing. The approach taken to efficiency targets has been to protect staffing in general, and front-line staffing in particular.

My Department also continues to move ahead with just under £680m of planned investment within the current CSR period to address issues such as modernising the health and social care system and NI Fire and Rescue Service infrastructure.

Neuromuscular Services

Mrs C Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will commission a review of neuromuscular services.

(AQW 3532/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: A Review of Adult Neurology Services in Northern Ireland was completed in November 2000 and its findings published in May 2002.

I have recently commissioned the Health and Social Care Board, as regional commissioner of services in NI, to undertake a full and comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of the recommendations contained in that review and report its findings to me next year.

In parallel with this process, my officials are reviewing the continued relevance of the Review recommendations in light of any professional or other guidance which has issued since their publication. This work will inform my Department as to the need for further development of neurology services in Northern Ireland.

Muscular Dystrophy

Mrs C Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he is taking to ensure that vulnerable patients with muscular dystrophy have access to Health Service funded muscular dystrophy care advisers.

(AQW 3533/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In line with the recommendations of the 2009 Walton Report, a business case for the funding of a Muscular Dystrophy NI Care Advisor post has been completed and is currently being considered by the Health and Social Care Board. The post will lead on service development and provide advice and support for people with Muscular Dystrophy in Northern Ireland.

Knockbracken Healthcare Site

Mrs N Long asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why the Dorothy Gardner and Rathlin wards at Knockbracken are to be amalgamated; and for his assessment of the impact on patient care.

(AQW 3534/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Trust has more beds than is required and is merging the Dorothy Gardiner and Rathlin admission wards on the Knockbracken site to Rathlin Villa. Rathlin will have two wings, one male and one female. The Dorothy Gardner Villa will become the rehabilitation ward for the Trust. The Trust is confident this will bring a vast improvement in the quality of accommodation for patients who may spend lengthy periods of time in hospital. The reduction in acute beds and enhancement of community mental health services is in line with Bamford recommendations.

Belfast Trust, met recently with a wider group of concerned carers and former patients and, having listened to their concerns, has decided to take another look at its plans to merge the Dorothy Gardiner male villa and the Rathlin female villa.

Representations have also been made to the Trust encouraging the continuation of Rathlin villa as a female only ward and the Trust has agreed to consider if reconfiguration of acute provision could accommodate this suggestion.

Windsor House

Mrs N Long asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the reasons for the rejection of the proposal to close Windsor House.

(AQW 3535/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust’s Board did approve the proposal to close Windsor House, however, it took the view that the unit should not close until building commenced on the new inpatient unit. Consultation on the proposed location for the new inpatient unit is currently underway.

Knockbracken Healthcare Site

Mrs N Long asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what measures are planned to mitigate the loss of the 'singing kettle' facility on the Knockbracken Healthcare site.

(AQW 3536/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Belfast Trust has confirmed that the Singing Kettle Café is not closing. The Trust has been in negotiation with New Horizons to continue the Singing Kettle's function. This service will be focused on aspects of recovery such as training and work experience.

First Responder Scheme

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (i) how a First Responder scheme would be established; (ii) the criteria for recruiting volunteers as First Responder; and (iii) if the NI Ambulance Service would be the training providers for volunteers to a First Responder scheme.

(AQW 3538/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) provides advice on establishing First Responder schemes on its website at www.niamb.co.uk/docs/our_services_first_response.html#1stresp4.

Agenda for Change

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has not engaged with level 5 band nurses who wish to have their banding reassessed under Agenda for Change.

(AQW 3540/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: It is not clear from the member’s question the clinical area or the location of Band 5 nursing staff to which he is referring. The South Eastern HSC Trust employs over 1,400 band 5 nurses in a range of specialties so it is difficult to be specific in my response. However, there is a clear process for the implementation of the Agenda for Change pay and grading system that has been developed in partnership with Trade Unions. I have been assured that the South Eastern HSC has adhered to this partnership process throughout.

Agenda for Change

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has not engaged with level 5 band nurses who are seeking information on how to achieve band 6 status under Agenda for Change.

(AQW 3541/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: It is not clear from the member’s question the clinical area or the location of Band 5 nursing staff to which he is referring. However, the grade assigned to a job is determined by the responsibilities that that particular job carries. It is not in any ones interest to allow a job evaluation process, that is primarily intended to deliver on equal pay, to be manipulated in such a way that individuals are told how they can increase their grading beyond that which is deem to be fair and achieved through a systematic process.

Nurses in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why band 5 nurses in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust are currently training recently employed band 6 nurses.

(AQW 3542/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Training newly recruited staff this is a matter for individual HSC employers to address. However, it is not unusual for more experienced staff members to advise new starts on housekeeping matters but this does not mean that the clinical skills for which individuals are recruited should in any way be questioned.

Toxocariasis Infections

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many patients have been treated for toxocariasis infections in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3548/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of patients treated for toxicariasis infections in each of the last five years is not available.

Annual Salaries

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many civil servants in his Department receive an annual salary (i) between £37,801-£43,100; (ii) between £43,101-50,537; (iii) between £50,538-71,433; (iv) between £71,434-82,975; and (v) above £82,976.

(AQW 3560/10)

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

Salary Range	Number of Civil Servants
£37,801 - £43,100	76
£43,101 - £50,537	30
£50,538 - £71,433	43
£71,434 - £82,975	9
Above £82,976	8

Review of Public Administration

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the redundancies made to date at each management level, under the Review of Public Administration, in each Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 3565/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: A total of 512 applications have been approved for Review of Public Administration related voluntary redundancies and voluntary early retirements on the grounds of redundancy in Health and Social Care Trusts. The number in each Trust at each level at 8 December 2009 is set out below; this process is continuing.

HSC Trust	Level 1 (Chief Executive)	Level 2 (Director)	Level 3 (Deputy/Assistant Director)	Level 4 & below (Below Assistant Director)
Belfast HSC Trust	3	16	58	89
Northern HSC Trust		8	22	85
Southern HSC Trust	3	10	6	77
South Eastern HSC Trust		6	15	31
Western HSC Trust		5	11	67

External Consultants

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many former DHSSPS staff are currently employed by his Department as external consultants.

(AQW 3566/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: This Department does not currently employ any former DHSSPS staff as external consultants.

Swine Flu

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for a detailed breakdown of the cost to his Department of swine flu.

(AQW 3567/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In September officials forecasted that Swine Flu would cost the Department £64.6m. This forecast, known as scenario 1, was based on a low level of virus spread. It is now predicted that costs emerging under scenario 1 conditions will be in the region of £61.6m. The reduced requirements resulting from this changing need have been returned to DFP.

Forecast Costs of Swine Flu	September Monitoring £m	December Monitoring £m
Antivirals	9.0	9.0
Antibiotics/Medicines	0.9	0.9
PPE/Consumables	6.4	5.3
Vaccine Purchase	14.8	14.1
Surge Planning- Hospitals/Community Services	11.8	13.6
Surge Capacity- Primary Care	3.4	3.7
Critical Care Equipment	4.3	4.5
Vaccination Programme	3.5	2.1
Other Surge Costs	1.7	1.3
Communications	1.5	1.4
Storage/Distribution	4.7	2.8
National Pandemic Flu Service	2.6	3.0
Total Forecast Expenditure 2009/10	64.6	61.6

Based on current scientific evidence, UK wide decisions have been taken to extend the vaccination programme to include children over 6 months and under 5 years; further consideration is also being given to proposals to vaccinate carers. My Department has supplied information to DFP as part of the December monitoring round on funding required for these areas. These initiatives are outside the scope of the plans and required budget of £64.6m previously agreed by the Executive.

I will be in a position to confirm planned total expenditure subsequent to the Executive’s consideration of December monitoring bids.

Hospital Hygiene

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action has been taken following the recent Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority report on hospital hygiene.

(AQW 3568/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I have set up a new team comprising senior staff from the Department and the Public Health Agency to ensure that there are rigorous arrangements in place to drive up hygiene and cleanliness across all health facilities.

I have asked Chief Executives and senior officials in the Trusts to walk the wards at least every month to check cleanliness and hygiene levels.

I have commissioned a toolkit for ward staff to monitor the state of hospital wards, and I have commissioned additional support and advice for domestic cleaning staff.

I have also commissioned a ‘back to basics’ pilot scheme to ensure more effective cleaning of wards – equipment and surfaces that are regularly touched such as door handles will be cleaned even more frequently.

Parkinson's Disease

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he is aware of the Parkinson's Disease Society's 'Get it on time' campaign; and whether he has considered issuing a directive, or implementing other measures, to ensure that people with Parkinson's Disease who are in hospitals and care homes always get their medication on time.

(AQW 3576/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I am aware of the Parkinson’s Disease Society, "Get it on Time" campaign and that they have produced a set of resources to support the campaign for its use in hospitals and care homes.

Following a meeting with members of the Parkinsons Disease Society in 2007, the Chief Nursing Officer gave his support to the "Get it on time Campaign," and requested the Royal College of Nursing(RCN) to work in partnership with the Parkinsons Disease Society (PDS) to raise the awareness of the needs of people with Parkinsons Disease within the Nursing Profession.

Northern Ireland has been cited as a "success story" in a recent article on the Parkinson’s Disease Society website which describes the high number of nurses participating in workshops organized jointly by the RCN and the PDS to raise awareness of the needs of people with Parkinson’s in Hospitals and Care Homes.

Parkinson’s Disease Specialist Nurses of which there are 6 in Northern Ireland regularly provide awareness sessions for staff in HSC Trusts and Care Home settings.

Trusts encourage patients to bring their own medication into hospital and systems are in place in many areas which promote self medication where appropriate.

Re-Banding of Grade 5 Nurses

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why there has been no resolution to the re-banding of grade 5 nurses to grade 6 following discussions which were initiated four years ago, and after an appeal was lodged one year ago.

(AQW 3584/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The South Eastern HSC Trust employs over 1,400 band 5 nurses in a range of specialties, 249 of these staff have submitted review requests following their Agenda for Change grading and these are at different stages within the review process. The Trust maintains regular contact with Trade Unions in this continuing process and staff will be notified of their review outcome when the process is complete.

South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how and when the dispute concerning banding of nurses within the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust will be resolved and what meetings are planned to facilitate this.

(AQW 3585/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I understand that a formal grievance has been lodged by district nursing staff in the South Eastern HSC Trust and this will be heard in early January 2010. It is therefore not appropriate for the Trust to facilitate further meetings to discuss this issue until the grievance process has been exhausted.

DEPARTMENT FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Pumping Station at the junction of the Gilford Road and Russwood Park, Portadown

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Regional Development what public consultation was carried out prior to the erection of the pumping station at the junction of the Gilford Road and Russwood Park, Portadown.

(AQW 3375/10)

Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that its proposals for Gilford Road Sewage Pumping Station were presented to Craigavon Borough Council in February 2008 and to local residents and public representatives at a site meeting in March 2008.

In addition, as part of the normal planning process, Planning Service consulted with local residents and statutory bodies likely to be affected by the proposed works. Following receipt of planning approval for the Pumping Station in October 2008, NIW provided local residents with general construction information and contact details to enable residents to discuss any concerns about the works.

Pumping Station at the junction of the Gilford Road and Russwood Park, Portadown.

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Regional Development whether NI Water notified the residents of Russwood Park that the dimensions of the kiosk erected at the pumping station at the junction of the Gilford Road and Russwood Park, Portadown, were different to those on the original plans.

(AQW 3381/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that if it had sought an amendment to the original planning application for Gilford Road Sewage Pumping Station, Planning Service would have consulted with local residents as part of the normal planning process. Regrettably, because NIW failed to do so, residents in the area were not advised that the dimensions of the control kiosk had been changed.

NIW has now consulted with public representatives and local residents and is currently reviewing the design of the control kiosk with a view to retrospectively submitting an amended planning application to Planning Service for consideration.

Bicycle Parking Bays

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister for Regional Development how many bicycle parking bays for public sector workers are provided in each parliamentary constituency.

(AQW 3396/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I should advise the Member that the majority of office accommodation used by my Department’s staff is within buildings that are owned and managed by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP). These buildings are often shared with other departments.

The table below provides details of the number of bicycle parking bays available for my Department’s staff. In addition, although they are not designated bicycle parking bays, areas within Roads Service depots are made available for bicycle parking by staff:-

Building Name	Address	Postcode	Constituency Area (if known)	No of bicycle parking bays
Roads Service	Section Offices and Depots throughout the North		N/A	21
DFP Owned/Leased Buildings Occupied by DRD Staff
County Hall	5 Mountjoy Road, Omagh	BT79 7AF	WEST TYRONE	10
Marlborough House	2 Central Way, Craigavon	BT64 1AD	UPPER BANN	6
Rathkeltair House	87 Market Street, Downpatrick	BT30 6AJ	SOUTH DOWN	5
Hydebank	4 Hospital Road, Belfast	BT8 8JL	BELFAST SOUTH	18
Clarence Court	10-18 Adelaide Street, Belfast	BT2 8GB	BELFAST SOUTH	10
County Hall	7 Castlerock Road, Coleraine	BT51 3HS	EAST LONDONDERRY	20

New Initiatives

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development what new initiatives, measures and practices have been implemented in his Department as a means of assisting the community and achieving improved, efficient decision making during the current economic crisis.

(AQW 3504/10)

Minister for Regional Development: The Executive announced, in the Assembly on 15 December 2008, a range of measures which should sustain our economy over the coming months and years while confidence returns to the global credit market and economic prospects improve.

This included the allocation by the Executive of an additional £4.3m to my Department to address the impact of the economic downturn in 2008-09. Translink identified several projects that could be completed before the end of March and its £1.8m additional allocation was used to:

improve bus stations and depots;

buy and erect fencing; and

improve sea defences on the railways network.

The additional funding also allowed Roads Service to allocate £2.5m for resurfacing work. Local contractors carried out much of this work and it was completed before 31 March 2009.

As the largest capital Department, DRD has also continued to progress significant capital and maintenance programmes across Roads, Transport and Water which support local contractors and the local economy.

In addition, my Department has assisted the community by playing its part in waiving domestic water charges for 2009-10 and introducing the extension of free travel on bus and rail services to people aged 60-64.

As part of the December package, the First Minister and deputy First Minister also established a Cross Sector Advisory Forum (CSAF) to continue our dialogue with business, trade unions and voluntary and community stakeholders.

The CSAF is an informal and ad hoc advisory group which meets to review the local impact of the current economic downturn on local people and businesses. The purpose of the group shall be to make recommendations for addressing problems arising from the economic crisis.

Together with the Minister for the Environment, I jointly chaired the Infrastructure Planning and Procurement Sub Group of the CSAF. A number of key issues were considered by the Sub Group to be important in addressing the economic downturn. These have been included in the final report with recommendations and have been submitted to the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

Since December 2008 my Department has committed to paying invoices within 10 days following checking and approval.

Central Procurement Directorate in DFP is currently considering the inclusion of additional conditions in its supplies and services contracts in relation to fair payment to ensure that main contractors pass on the benefits of prompt payment to their subcontractors. Any additional conditions in this respect will be mirrored in contracts entered into by the Department and its related public bodies.

In addition, the Department has developed and improved Corporate Governance arrangements to ensure that I am provided promptly with all the information I need to make timely and effective decisions on economic and financial issues.

Investing for Health Strategy

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development what targets his Department set within the Investing for Health strategy; and what progress has been made to date against these targets.

(AQW 3520/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department did not set any specific targets within the Investing for Health Strategy. However, we identified a range of actions which would help to meet the strategy’s two goals and seven objectives. Actions included the development and implementation of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) and the Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS); extension of the concessionary fares scheme; the development of rural community transport programmes; the development of walking and cycling schemes and infrastructure; measures to reduce road traffic collisions; the improvement of drinking water quality; improved compliance with wastewater treatment works discharge standards; and the provision of some form of assistance to households without mains water supply to help improve the quality of their private supplies.

Considerable progress has been made in the last seven years on all these areas. The RDS and RTS are currently under review. Key objectives of the revised RDS include the reduction of carbon emissions by reducing reliance on the car and taking actions to reduce our carbon footprint and facilitate adaption to climate change by increasing the use of renewable energies and sustainable management of waste. The RTS will have a series of strategic outcomes including the reduction of greenhouse gases and other environmental impacts. The review of the RTS will also have an outcome to achieve a safer transportation network. Policy measures will help to achieve a reduction in the number of killed or seriously injured on our roads.

In addition, Roads Service is very active in addressing road safety concerns, especially around schools, and continues to develop and implement initiatives to further reduce the number of children involved in accidents at all locations. DRD (Roads Service and Travelwise NI) works closely with the Department of Education and other Departments on the Safer Routes to School (SRS) Programme. The Programme seeks to make the school journeys safer and more sustainable through a range of road engineering measures outside schools, so that drivers are made aware of the presence of children.

A key element of the RTS is to encourage more people to walk and cycle as part of the normal travel plans. Roads Service continues to build new cycle lanes and footways as part of its annual improvement programme in support of cycling and walking. Roads Service assists district councils in the signing of Highway to Health projects to encourage people to enjoy the health benefits of walking and facilitates the signing of sections of rural walking routes that are either on or cross public roads. Over the last 10 years, the Department has been actively involved with Sustrans on the development and signing of a national cycle network in the North.

An objective in Investing for Health is tackling poverty and social exclusion. The Accessible Transport Strategy is being implemented to reduce or eliminate the barriers faced by people with disabilities and older people in accessing transport. The latest draft action plan for 2009-2012 has recently completed public consultation and is due to be finalised by the Executive by the end of the year.

The Department has commissioned research as part of the Bamford implementation plan, on the transport needs of those with a learning or mental health difficulty. This will contribute to the objective to promote mental health and emotional well being.

The Department also operates a number of transport related schemes aimed at helping reduce social exclusion. These schemes include the Concessionary Fares Scheme, The Transport Programme for People with Disabilities and the Rural Transport Fund.

On 9 November 2009 I announced the introduction of two new rural transport schemes. These are Dial-a-Lift and the Assisted Rural Transport Scheme. These schemes have been developed to provide transport opportunities to rural dwellers and to reduce social exclusion.

Compliance with drinking water quality standards is calculated by calendar year. In 2006 the level of compliance achieved was 99.34%. The level of compliance in 2008, the most recent year for which complete figures are available, was 99.49%. The target for compliance for 2009 is 99.7%.

Compliance with waste water treatment works discharge standards has increased steadily in recent years. In 2008-09 the water industry achieved compliance levels of 90.24% of population equivalent for NIEA Water Order Consent standards at waste water treatment works serving a population equivalent greater than 250.

My Department is currently reviewing the policy on the provision of financial assistance to properties that are not served by a water main. The first stage of this review involved an assessment of the mains water provision for all domestic properties in the North. This revealed around 4,000 which might not be served by a water main. Questionnaires were issued to these households. Analysis of the responses indicated around 1,200 properties which might not be served by mains water – about 300 of which expressed an interest in being connected. The next stage of the review will be the developing of policy options, including estimating approximate costs and funding requirements, and the drafting of a policy proposal that might effectively tackle this issue for Executive consideration and public consultation. Responsibility for private water supplies rests with DOE.

Hospital Appointments

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Regional Development what discussions his Department has had with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety regarding the provision of transport for people attending hospital for appointments.

(AQW 3549/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Officials from my Department met with officials from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) in February 2009. At that meeting my officials explained the role of the Rural Transport Fund and the Department’s support for Rural Community Transport Partnerships. They pointed out that the Partnerships may be in a position to help deliver non emergency transport services, for people in rural areas, to attend hospital appointments but that this could only be done if funding from DHSSPS was made available.

Officials from DHSSPS agreed to consider the matter and respond to DRD and I understand that a further meeting has been arranged.

As a separate matter, the Partnerships continue to provide transport to their members wishing to visit GP surgeries, dentists, health centres, pharmacies and so on.

NI Water

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the progress being made by NI Water in improving its procurement regulations and procedures.

(AQW 3596/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that it is a recognised Centre of Procurement Excellence and is continually improving its procurement procedures. It is also a key contributor to the Procurement Task Group, set up by the Minister for Finance and Personnel in conjunction with the Construction Industry Forum NI, to develop practical procurement solutions that will :-

further develop the partnership between Government and the construction industry;

facilitate the delivery of projects to the market place as quickly as possible;

deliver best value for money projects that meet the sustainability objectives set out in the Programme for Government; and

provide wider stakeholders with confidence that the procurement process is modern, robust and fair.

NIW continues to develop a long-term capital works procurement strategy which will involve the use of an Alliance Framework and will be fully in line with procurement best practice. This approach will provide a number of benefits including capital savings and efficiencies and opportunities for the local construction industry.

Spreading Mixtures Used on Roads

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the different types of spreading mixtures being used on roads during the current cold weather; (ii) where they are sourced; (iii) the chemical composition of the various types of spreading mixture; (iv) the cost; and (v) the relative effectiveness of the different compositions of mixture.

(AQW 3651/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it uses rock salt to facilitate the de-icing of the North’s roads, during the Winter Service programme.

The rock salt used, which is sourced from mines in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, has a chemical purity of a minimum 90% Sodium chloride, and is not mixed with any other compound prior to spreading.

The rock salt used was procured under tender, and therefore, its cost is commercially sensitive information.

When the rock salt used by Roads Service is spread on a reasonably heavy trafficked road, it is effective as a de-icer, until sustained temperatures fall below minus 10 degrees Celsius.

DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Private Sector Housing Grants

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development (i) how much money is currently owed to contractors for private sector housing grants work already carried out; (ii) how many individual grants this represents; and (iii) how much of this is more than 6 weeks old, broken down by each grants office.

(AQW 3146/10)

Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): The information is not available in the format requested as the Housing Executive generally makes payments to the applicant and cannot pay contractors unless the applicant has assigned the payments directly to the contractor. The table below details how much money is currently owed to applicants, contractors and FOLD/Gable for private sector housing grants work already carried out and also how many individual grants this represents broken down by Housing Executive grants office. In relation to (iii) the Housing Executive aims to make 90% of all grants payments within 6 weeks of a request and no monies are currently owed for more than six weeks.

Grants Office	Total Payments Being Processed		Payments to Applicants		Payments to Contractors		Payments to FOLD/Gable
Grants Office	No.	Value	No.	Value	No	Value	No.	Value
Ballyclare	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Ballymena	3	£17,082.41	1	£4,597.84	2	£12,484.57	0	0
Belfast	29	£154,490.94	19	£94,082.31	6	£35,388.29	4	£25,020.34
Craigavon	14	£121,509.00	8	£50,612.00	4	£36,462.00	2	£34,435.00
Derry	31	£168,255.67	13	£88,115.61	18	£80,140.06	0	0
Dundonald	41	£256,683.97	22	£56,763.95	10	£132,573.09	9	£67,346.93
Fermanagh	31	£193,966.89	23	£102,633.20	8	£91,333.69	0	0
Lisburn	3	£30,500.00	0	0	2	£17,000.00	1	£13,500.00
Newry	26	£256,151.00	13	£115,819.00	12	£112,332.00	1	£28,000
Omagh	55	£279,365.17	33	£136,506.52	22	£142,858.65	0	0
HMO East	9	£72,520.29	9	£72,520.29	0	0	0	0
HMO West	2	£42,700.00	2	£42,700.00	0	0	0	0

Modernisation Fund

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the Modernisation Fund, including if, and when, it will re-open for bids.

(AQW 3161/10)

Minister for Social Development: The Modernisation Fund (Revenue) Programme has been completed and a total of £2 million was allocated to 18 groups.

To date £2.9 million has been spent from the Modernisation Fund (Capital) Programme and a further £12 million will be allocated by March 2011. This was a hugely oversubscribed, successful scheme with £196 million worth of projects, 475 in total, applying to a Fund of £15 million.

The Modernisation Fund will only be re-opened if new funding becomes available.

Social Housing

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of applicants deemed to be in housing stress, currently on the social housing waiting list for North Belfast broken down by (i) Housing Executive common land lord area; (ii) the religion of the applicants; (iii) the gender of the applicants; (iv) dependant status of the applicants; (v) age of the applicants; and (vi) disability status of the applicants.

(AQW 3220/10)

Minister for Social Development: The five tables attached provide the information requested in relation to applicants in housing stress who are on the social housing waiting for North Belfast. In relation to (iv) for the purposes of the dependant status of applicants, I have assumed that this means household type. In relation to (vi) the information is not available in the format requested. The Housing Executive does not collate information regarding applicants with a disability other than where it pertains to the housing needs of the applicant. From the latest information available there are no disabled applicants in housing stress currently on the social housing waiting list in North Belfast.

Table 1 - Applicants in housing stress on the social housing waiting list at 31 March 2009 (latest information available)

North Belfast	Applicants in Housing Stress
Alliance	10
Ardoyne	158
Ballysillan	76
Carlisle/New Lodge	172
Cavehill	199
Cliftondene	8
Cliftonville	177
Duncairn Gardens	25
Fairhill	18
Gainsborough	25
Glandore & Dunmore	8
Grove Area	25
Lower Ligoniel/Glenbank	16
Lower Oldpark	10
M/S Flats - Carlisle	19
Mount Vernon Estate	16
Newington/Limestone	19
Oldpark	83
Rosewood/Crumlin RDA	<5*
Ross House Flats/Mountvernon Flats	5
Shore Road	46
Skegoneill/Ashfield/Fortwilliam	61
Somerton Rd (Sheltered)	34
Sunningale	22
Torrens	34
Unity Flats	27
Upper & Lower Duncairn	17
Upper Ligoniel	80
Westland	7
Wheatfield	5
Whitewell/Lower Whitewell Rd. / Fairyknowe	72
Whitewell/White City	8
TOTAL	1482

Note

*Where there are less than 5 applicants these are not identified for Data protection purposes and to prevent identification of the individual applicant

Table 2 - Applicants in housing stress on the social housing waiting list by religion at 31 March 2009 (latest information available)

North Belfast Common Landlord Area	Catholic	Other	Protestant	Unknown	Total
Carlisle/New Lodge	140	7	<5	23	170*
Duncairn Gardens	15	<5	<5	<5	15*
Fairhill	0	<5	13	<5	13*
Gainsborough	0	<5	16	6	22*
Glandore & Dunmore	<5	<5	0	<5	0*
Grove Area	0	<5	16	8	24*
M/S Flats - Carlisle	13	0	0	6	19
Mount Vernon Estate	0	0	12	<5	12*
Newington/Limestone	16	<5	0	<5	16*
Ross House Flats/Mou	0	0	<5	<5	0*
Shore Road	0	<5	34	10	44*
Skegoneill/Ashfield/	12	10	30	9	61
Somerton Rd (Shelter	6	<5	16	11	33*
Unity Flats	22	0	<5	<5	22*
Upper & Lower Duncairn	0	0	11	6	17
Whitewell/Lower Whitew	51	5	<5	15	71*
Whitewell/White City	<5	0	7	0	7*
Alliance	<5	0	6	<5	6*
Ardoyne	136	7	<5	12	155*
Ballysillan	<5	5	56	13	74*
Cavehill	145	11	6	37	199
Cliftondene	<5	<5	<5	<5	0*
Cliftonville	131	8	8	30	177
Lower Ligoniel/Glenbryn	<5	<5	11	<5	11*
Lower Oldpark	<5	0	6	<5	6*
Oldpark	55	<5	<5	23	78*
Rosewood/Crumlin	0	0	0	<5	0*
Sunningale	0	<5	19	<5	19*
Torrens	24	<5	<5	5	29*
Upper Ligoniel	69	<5	0	7	76*
Westland	0	0	6	<5	6*
Wheatfield	0	0	<5	<5	0*

Note:

* Where there are less than 5 applicants these are not identified for Data protection purposes and to prevent identification of the individual applicant.

Table 3 – Applicants in housing stress on the North Belfast social housing waiting list by gender at 31 March 2009 (latest information available)

North Belfast	Gender		Total
	F	M
Alliance	5	5	10
Ardoyne	93	65	158
Ballysillan	41	35	76
Carlisle/New Lodge	91	81	172
Cavehill	103	96	199
Cliftondene	5	<5	5*
Cliftonville	91	86	177
Duncairn Gardens	10	15	25
Fairhill	16	<5	16*
Gainsborough	14	11	25
Glandore & Dunmore	5	<5	5*
Grove Area	18	7	25
Lower Ligoniel/Glenbank	12	<5	12*
Lower Oldpark	<5	9	9*
M/S Flats - Carlisle	<5	15	15*
Mount Vernon Estate	7	9	16
Newington/Limestone	16	<5	16*
Oldpark	49	34	83
Rosewood/Crumlin RDA	<5	0	0*
Ross House Flats/Mountvernon Flats	<5	<5	0*
Shore Road	16	30	46
Skegoneill/Ashfield/Fortwilliam	30	31	61
Somerton Rd (Sheltered)	24	10	34
Sunningale	18	<5	18*
Torrens	23	11	34
Unity Flats	19	8	27
Upper & Lower Duncairn	10	7	17
Upper Ligoniel	42	38	80
Westland	<5	<5	0*
Wheatfield	<5	<5	0*
Whitewell/Lower Whitewell Rd. / Fairyknowe	48	24	72
Whitewell/White City	<5	<5	0*
TOTAL	5	5	10

Note:

* Where there are less than 5 applicants these are not identified for Data protection purposes and to prevent identification of the individual applicant.

Table 4 – Applicants in housing stress on the North Belfast social housing waiting list by Household type at 31 March 2009 (latest information available)

North Belfast Common Landlord Area	Older People	Large Adult	Large Family	Single	Small Adult	Small Family	Total
Alliance	<5	0	<5	5	0	<5	5*
Ardoyne	8	0	5	84	<5	59	156*
Ballysillan	10	<5	<5	41	<5	15	66*
Carlisle/New Lodge	15	<5	<5	74	<5	72	161*
Cavehill	20	6	11	99	8	55	199
Cliftondene	0	<5	0	5	0	<5	5*
Cliftonville	31	<5	7	86	<5	48	172*
Duncairn Gardens	<5	0	<5	16	<5	<5	16*
Fairhill	0	0	<5	5	<5	10	15*
Gainsborough	6	0	<5	11	<5	5	22*
Glandore & Dunmore	0	0	0	<5	<5	<5	0*
Grove Area	7	0	<5	7	<5	8	22*
Lower Ligoniel/Glenbank	9	0	0	<5	0	<5	9*
Lower Oldpark	<5	0	0	7	<5	0	7*
M/S Flats - Carlisle	0	0	0	18	0	<5	18*
Mount Vernon Estate	<5	<5	0	8	<5	<5	8*
Newington/Limestone	<5	0	<5	6	0	8	14*
Oldpark	<5	0	<5	42	<5	33	75*
Rosewood/Crumlin RDA	0	0	0	<5	0	0	0*
Ross House Flats/Mountvernon Flats	0	0	0	5	0	0	5
Shore Road	<5	<5	<5	30	<5	6	36*
Skegoneill/Ashfield/Fortwilliam	17	<5	<5	30	<5	10	57*
Somerton Rd (Sheltered)	30	<5	0	<5	<5	0	30*
Sunningale	<5	0	<5	7	<5	9	16*
Torrens	5	<5	<5	9	<5	15	29*
Unity Flats	<5	0	<5	10	<5	13	23*
Upper & Lower Duncairn	<5	0	<5	10	0	<5	10*
Upper Ligoniel	<5	<5	11	34	7	25	77*
Westland	<5	0	0	<5	0	<5	0*
Wheatfield	<5	0	0	<5	0	<5	0*
Whitewell/Lwr Whitewell Rd. Fairyknowe	5	0	<5	28	<5	33	66*
Whitewell/White City	<5	0	0	5	0	<5	5*

Notes:

Older People – Male 60+, Female 60+, Husband & Wife 60+, 3+ OAP, 2 Adults either 60+

Large Adult – 3+ Adults 0-1 Children

Large Family – 2 Adults 3 Children, 2 Adults 4+ Children, 1 Parent 3 Children, 1 Parent 4+ Children, 3+ Adults 2+ Children

Single – Single Male 16-59, Single Female 16-59

Small Adult – Husband & Wife 16-59, 2 Adults 16-59

Small Family – 2 Adult 1 Child, 2 Adult 2 Children, 1 Parent 1 Child, 1 Parent 2 Children

* Where there are less than 5 applicants these are not identified for Data protection purposes and to prevent identification of the individual applicant.

Table 5 – Applicants in housing stress on the North Belfast social housing waiting list by age at 31st March 2009 (latest information available)

North Belfast Common Landlord Area	Under 18	18 - 25 yrs	26 - 29 yrs	30 - 39 yrs	40 - 49 yrs	50 - 59 yrs	60 - 64 yrs	65 yrs+	Total
Carlisle/New Lodge	<5	69	19	33	22	10	<5	14	167*
Duncairn Gardens	0	5	<5	6	8	<5	0	<5	19*
Fairhill	0	<5	5	6	<5	<5	<5	0	11*
Gainsborough	0	10	<5	<5	<5	<5	<5	<5	10*
Glandore & Dunmore	0	<5	0	<5	<5	0	<5	0	0*
Grove Area	0	<5	<5	6	<5	<5	<5	6	12*
M/S Flats - Carlisle	0	7	<5	5	<5	<5	0	0	12*
Mount Vernon Estate	<5	7	<5	<5	<5	<5	0	<5	7*
Newington/Limestone	0	5	0	7	<5	<5	0	<5	12*
Ross House Flats/Mou	0	<5	<5	<5	0	<5	0	0	0*
Shore Road	0	14	6	5	10	6	0	5	46
Skegoneill/Ashfield/	0	14	9	9	6	<5	<5	18	56*
Somerton Rd (Shelter	0	<5	0	0	<5	<5	<5	26	26*
Unity Flats	0	9	<5	8	<5	<5	<5	<5	17*
Upper & Lower Duncai	<5	5	<5	<5	<5	<5	<5	<5	5*
Whitewell/Lwr Whitew	<5	20	10	21	13	<5	<5	<5	64*
Whitewell/White City	<5	<5	0	<5	0	<5	<5	0	0*
Alliance	0	<5	0	6	<5	0	0	<5	6*
Ardoyne	<5	61	15	41	17	12	5	6	157*
Ballysillan	0	38	7	9	5	5	<5	11	75*
Cavehill	0	58	25	37	35	17	11	16	199
Cliftondene	0	<5	<5	<5	0	<5	0	0	0*
Cliftonville	<5	51	21	25	27	18	11	23	176*
Lower Ligoniel/Glenb	0	<5	<5	<5	<5	<5	<5	8	8*
Lower Oldpark	0	<5	<5	<5	0	0	<5	0	0*
Oldpark	0	30	15	13	16	<5	<5	<5	74*
Rosewood/Crumlin RDA	0	<5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0*
Sunningale	0	<5	0	8	5	<5	0	<5	13*
Torrens	<5	10	<5	7	6	0	<5	6	29*
Upper Ligoniel	<5	28	10	17	18	<5	<5	<5	73*
Westland	0	<5	0	0	<5	<5	0	<5	0*
Wheatfield	0	<5	<5	0	0	<5	<5	<5	0*

Note:* Where there are less than 5 applicants these are not identified for Data protection purposes and to prevent identification of the individual applicant

North Belfast Housing District

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development for a breakdown of sites in the North Belfast Housing District sold or transferred by her Department into either public or private ownership since 2000, including (i) the size of each site; (ii) the year of sale or transfer; (iii) the location of each site by common landlord area; (iv) the amount the site was sold for; and (v) the official stated purpose for selling or transferring the site, including its intended future use by either a public body or private party.

(AQW 3222/10)

Minister for Social Development: The tables attached provide the information requested

Table 1 - Land disposed of by the Housing Executive to the Private Sector

Size (acres)	Year of Sale	Location (by Common Landlord Area)	Amount Sold for	Purpose
5.36	2000	Fairhill/Waveney/ Downview	£2,296,000	Housing
1.01	2003	Upper Ligoniel	£15,000	Housing
3.904	2005	Grove	£1,245,000	Housing
0.84	2006	Upper Ligoniel	£170,000	Housing
4.02	2007	Alliance	£627,000	Housing
5.68	2007	Ballysillan	£850,000	Housing
0.098	2008	Gainsborough	£60,000	Housing

Table 2 – Land transferred by the Housing Executive to Housing Associations (at NIL cost)

Size in

Hectares

Year of Transfer

Location (by Common Landlord Area)

Purpose:

For Social Housing

(Housing Association/Units))

0.31

2001/02

Wheatfield

Fold: 13

0.57

2001/02

Cliftonville

Oaklee: 25

0.38

2001/02

Carlisle

Newington: 13

0.38

2001/02

Carlisle

Newington:22

1.10

2001/02

Carrickhill

Oaklee: 43

1.20

2002/03

Grove

Grove: 41

0.24

2002/03

Cliftonville

North & West: 6

1.10

2002/03

Carrickhill

Oaklee: 5

0.92

2003/04

Alliance

Helm: 30

0.53

2003/04

Wheatfield

Fold: 18

0.32

2003/04

Grove

Grove: 17

0.622

2003/04

Carlisle

Newington: 32

0.56

2003/04

Cliftonville

Oaklee: 26

0.53

2003/04

Carlisle

Newington: 21

0.73

2004/05

Gainsborough

Helm: 26

1.10

2004/05

Torrens

Fold: 34

0.12

2004/05

Lower Oldpark

Helm: 9

0.92

2005/06

Torrens

Fold: 14

0.88

2005/06

Gainsborough

Clanmil: 35

0.93

2005/06

Ardoyne

North & West: 21

0.03

2006/07

Carlisle

Oaklee: 13

0.125

2007/08

Various

Clanmil: 16

0.138

2007/08

Ardoyne

North & West: 6

0.73

2007/08

Lower Whitewell

North & West:12

0.22

2007/08

Carrickhill

Oaklee: 10

0.011

2007/08

Cliftonville

Helm: 1

1.72

2008/09

Torrens

Fold: 112

0.373

2008/09

Ardoyne

Flax: 15

0.51

2009/10

Carlisle

Habinteg: 28

0.412

2009/10

Ardoyne

North & West: 16

0.91

2009/10

Sunningdale/Joanmount

Clanmil: 46

0.13

2009/10

Carrickhill

Oaklee: 11

Table 3 – Land disposed of by the Department for Social Development for regeneration purposes. This is not defined by common landlord area and the location has been provided.

Size (Acres)	Year Of Disposal	Site Address	Receipt (£s)	Future use
0.027	2000	63 Duncairn Gardens	2,000	Commercial
0.821	2000	7-9 Alliance Crescent	2,000	Community / Commercial
0.954	2001	Alliance Crescent	30,000	Commercial / Residential
1.665	2002	Land at Glenbank Drive	25,000	Community / Commercial
0.056	2003	40-44 Duncairn Gardens	25,500	Commercial
0.051	2003	937 Crumlin Road	10,000	Retail / Residential
138.13	2003	Land at North Foreshore	950,000	Recreation / Open Space / Commercial / Industrial
0.61	2005	203 Crumlin Road	5,000	Commercial
0.129	2005	146 / 154 North Queen Street	1	Recreation
0.234	2005	Land at Glenbryn Park	85,000	Residential
0.223	2006	164-188 Duncairn Gardens	70,000	Retail / Residential
0.027	2006	181 Duncairn Gdns	10,000	Retail / Residential
0.436	2007	Henry Place / Glenravel Street	64,000	Community / Commercial
0.293	2007	172-176 & 188-194 North Queen Street	225,000	Residential

North Belfast Housing District

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the number of sites in the North Belfast Housing District acquired by her Department or the Housing Executive since 2000; (ii) the size of each site; (iii) the location of each site by common landlord area; (iv) the cost of each site; and (v) the official stated purpose for purchasing each site.

(AQW 3224/10)

Minister for Social Development: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has acquired 14 sites in the North Belfast Housing District since 2000. The information requested for these sites is detailed in Table 1 and Table 2 below. Table 3 provides details of 30 sites acquired by the Department for Social Development since 2000.

Table 1 – Sites purchased since 2000 by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive:-

Size (acres)	Location by Common Landlord Area	Cost	Reason for Acquisition
1.554	Cavehill	£1.25m	For social housing
0.45	Lower Oldpark	£130k	For future social housing
0.74	Grove	£430k	For social housing
1.21	Gainsborough	£550k	For social housing
0.32	Cavehill	£637k	For social housing
0.27	Carrickhill	£600k	For social housing
1.2	Carlisle	£600k	For social housing
0.42	Carrickhill	£95k	For social housing

Table 2 – Sites vested by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive:-

Size (acres)	Location by Common Landlord Area	Reason For Vesting
1.80	Upper/Lower Whitewell	For social housing
0.24	Ardoyne	For social housing
0.24	Upper Ligoneil	To enable access for social/private housing
0.69	Skegoneill	For social housing & environmental improvement
0.06	Ardoyne	For social housing
0.20	Gainsborough	For social housing

Note: The vesting process involves compensation claims which in many instances have not been agreed, either through negotiations not having been completed or not having identified the owner of the site. It is not currently possible to supply an accurate acquisition cost for individual sites.

Table 3 – Sites acquired by the Department for Social Development since 2000:-

Size (acres)_	Location by Common Landlord Area	Cost	Reason for acquisition
0.061	203 Crumlin Road	£15k	Regeneration
0.223	164-188 Duncairn Gardens	£55k	Regeneration
0.129	146/154 North Queen Street	£37.5k	Regeneration
0.056	40-44 Duncairn Gardens	£33k	Regeneration
0.051	937 Crumlin Road	£ - *	Regeneration
0.058	499/501 Crumlin Road	£40k	Regeneration
0.108	118-120 Antrim Road	£185k	Regeneration
138.13	Land at North Foreshore	£ - *	Regeneration
0.139	Adam Street Gospel Hall	£72.5k	Regeneration
1.626	Alliance Rd / Glenbryn Pk / Berwick Rd	£400k	Regeneration
0.018	10 York Road	£10k	Regeneration
0.019	176 North Queen Street	£ - *	Regeneration
0.238	Land at Ballysillan Park	£62.5k	Regeneration
0.236	188-194 North Queen Street	£270k	Regeneration
0.012	12 York Road	£30k	Regeneration
0.131	22-28 & 40 Oldpark Road	£20k	Regeneration
0.026	42-44 Oldpark Road	£52k	Regeneration
0.011	184 North Queen Street	£25k	Regeneration
0.063	30-34 Oldpark Road	£100k	Regeneration
0.127	50-58 York Road	£265k	Regeneration
0.170	294-296 Crumlin Road	£200k	Regeneration
0.028	20 Oldpark Road	£92.5k	Regeneration
0.031	36-38 Oldpark Road	£160k	Regeneration
0.024	28 Duncairn Gardens	£145k	Regeneration
0.365	35-55 Carr's Glen Park	£650k	Regeneration
0.252	44-50 Carr's Glen Park	£325k	Regeneration
0.980	Ballysillan Park / Carr's Glen Park	£55k	Regeneration
0.028	970-976 Shore Road	£200k	Regeneration
0.726	Land at Alliance Crescent	£23.1k	Regeneration
14.0	Girdwood Army Barracks	£7m	Regeneration

* Compensation figure not yet agreed for these sites

Social Housing Waiting List

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development how many (i) disabled people; (ii) young people; and (iii) single men are currently on the social housing waiting list; and how many people in these groups were on the list in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3227/10)

Minister for Social Development: In relation to (i) the information is not available in the format requested as the Housing Executive does not collate information regarding applicants with a disability other than where it pertains to the housing needs of the applicant. However, at 31 March 2009 there were 436 applicants requiring wheelchair accessible accommodation and Table 1 details social housing applicant households with functional mobility problems, that is, cannot climb stairs/need a downstairs toilet/need a ‘through lift’ etc. with regard to their current accommodation.

Table 1

	Housing Applicant Households - with functional mobility problems
30 Sep 09	8,070
31 Mar 09	8,336
31 Mar 08	8,660
31 Mar 07	8,031

In relation to (ii) and (iii) Table 2 details the number of young people and single men on the waiting list in the last 3 years.

Table 2

	Young People under 25	Single Men 16-59
30 Jun 09	8,280	11,135
31 Mar 09	8,431	11,228
31 Mar 08	9,059	11,235
31 Mar 07	8,344	10,523

Housing Executive

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) as a percentage; and (ii) in monetary terms the annual and overall rent increases for Housing Executive tenants in each of the last ten years.

(AQW 3228/10)

Minister for Social Development: The table below details the percentage rent increases, the average rent increases for Housing Executive tenants over the last 10 years, and the gross NIHE rental income for the last 10 years.

It should be noted that, while the average rental income has increased year-on-year, the gross rental income has largely decreased because of the number of Housing Executive dwellings sold through the house sales policy.

	% Rent Increase	Average Rent Increase (per NIHE dwelling) (£)	Gross NIHE Rental Income (£k)
2000/01	4.5	1.66	247,169
2001/02	3.0	1.16	240,857
2002/03	3.0	1.19	234,402
2003/04	3.25	1.35	226,584
2004/05	3.0	1.31	221,767
2005/06	3.1	1.54	222,417
2006/07	2.7	1.31	221,981
2007/08	3.6	1.78	227,028
2008/09	3.95	1.99	235,409
2009/10	1.95	1.03	239,373

Egan Contracts

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development to list the schemes that will be brought forward as a result of the release of a further £12 million for Egan contracts.

(AQW 3366/10)

Minister for Social Development: The following schemes have been identified for starts when the £12 million is released to the Egan contractors.

External Cyclical Maintenance

Moyard, Belfast

Craigyhill & Rural, Larne

Roden Street (South), Belfast

Divis, Belfast

Greystone Park, Mullaghmesh

Revenue Replacement

Seacourt Kitchens, Larne

Whitehead/ Eden Kitchens, Carrickfergus

New Barnsley Phase 2, Belfast

Suffolk Kitchens Phase 1, Belfast

Springwell/ Denamona, Omagh

Lecky Road/ Court, Quarry Street, Derry

Glenelly View/ Millbrook, Strabane

Milltown Estate Kitchens, Lisburn

Millars (1988/9/90), Dundonald

Brownstown Flats, Portadown

Gilford, Banbridge

Rural Estates, Mourneview, Lurgan

Ardcarne Park, Newry

Mullaghbawn/ Crossmaglen

Ashfield Court, Belfast

Movilla Kitchens, Newtownards

Shankill/ Wakehurst, Lurgan

Dromara Kinallen, Banbridge

Markethill, Armagh

Mossley Mallusk, Newtownabbey

Suffolk Phase 2, Belfast

Ballybone Phase 3, Belfast

Jubilee Kitchens, Lisburn

Bowtown 1988/89 Kitchens, Newtownards

Fallowlea/ Millpath/ Desmond, Derry

Ballybeen/ Moatview, Dundonald

Heating

Donaghadee

Enniskillen

Meenan Drive/Westland Street, Derry

Newpark, Antrim

Currynierin Waterside, Derry

Elmfield/ Manor/ Ligoniel, Belfast

Flying Horse/ Model Farm, Downpatrick

Lisnaskea, Fermanagh

Ardowen, Lurgan

Glenville, Newtownabbey

Belfast Ad Hoc Replacements

Fund Raising

Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Social Development for her assessment of whether it is acceptable for fund-raising to be held for a specific charity or cause where the businesses or individuals involved in the fund-raising can directly profit; (ii) if fund-raising bodies are required to disclose a full breakdown of costs incurred, or likely to be incurred, in the process of fund-raising, specifically to those who donated or plan to donate; and (iii) if all fund-raising bodies are subject to scrutiny.

(AQW 3419/10)

Minister for Social Development: (i) Many charities employ what are termed professional fundraisers to collect or raise money on their behalf. These can be individuals or companies. This is entirely legal but in terms of good practice all collectors should wear identification and indicate that they are collecting on behalf of the charity and if not done on a voluntary basis, that they are being paid to do so. Under current legislation all public collections whether made directly by a charity or by a commercial body on their behalf are required by law to have a permit issued by the PSNI to do so.

(ii) Under the new Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, charities will be required to make annual returns to the Charity Commission detailing their financial activity in the preceding year, this will include any fundraising. This will be placed on the Charity Commission web site and the public will be able to view this.

(iii) The Charities Act also introduces new requirements in relation to public collections and this extends to charities, philanthropic and benevolent bodies. In the first instance an application to carry out collections will be made and a certificate indicating that the body is a fit organisation to do so will be issued; then when an actual collection is to take place that body will request a permit to do so. Additionally the Charities Act introduces requirements on professional fundraisers to state that they are being paid by the charity to carry out the collection.

The Charities Act will be introduced in stages over the next three years.

Funding for Women's Centres

Rt Hon J Donaldson asked the Minister for Social Development what future funding her Department intends to provide to women's centres to maintain the provision of childcare for women from a disadvantaged background; and if she will make a statement to the Assembly on this matter.

(AQW 3424/10)

Minister for Social Development: My Department has committed £1.84 million to maintain the provision of childcare for women from a disadvantaged background. Details of this funding to specific women’s groups have been placed in the Assembly library. Neighbourhood Renewal contracts for funding have been allocated up to the end of March 2011 and Women’s Centres Childcare Fund contracts to March 2010. Future decisions on funding childcare through the Women’s Centres Childcare Fund will be subject to available funding and guided by the deliberations and outcomes of the Executive review of childcare currently being undertaken by OFMdFM under the guidance of the Ministerial sub-group on children and young people. I have no plans to make a statement to the Assembly on this matter.

Unfit Housing

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development how many (i) Housing Executive; and (ii) registered housing association properties are deemed unfit in each local council area.

(AQW 3425/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested. However, in relation to (i) Table 1 below gives details by District Office area of Housing Executive properties that are considered derelict and pending demolition, subject to any necessary approvals. In relation to (ii) Table 2 gives details of registered housing association properties that are considered unlettable, to be refurbished, pending demolition or consideration is being given to options for reimprovement.

Table 1 – Housing Executive properties

DISTRICT OFFICE	Pending Demolition
Belfast West	1
Belfast East	0
Belfast North	46
Belfast Shankill	219
Belfast South	140
BELFAST AREA	406
Bangor	35
Newtownards	29
Castlereagh	24
Lisburn Antrim St	0
Lisburn Dairy Farm	0
Downpatrick	0
SOUTH EAST AREA	88
Banbridge	0
Newry	0
Armagh	1
Lurgan/Brownlow	3
Portadown	6
Dungannon	0
Fermanagh	0
SOUTH AREA	10
Ballymena	31
Antrim	0
Newtownabbey 1	28
Newtownabbey 2	0
Carrickfergus	0
Larne	87
Ballycastle	0
Ballymoney	0
Coleraine	0
NORTH EAST AREA	146
Waterloo Place	0
Waterside	0
Collon Terrace	0
Limavady	0
Magherafelt	0
Strabane	1
Omagh	0
Cookstown	0
WEST AREA	1
TOTAL	651

Notes: figures in Table 1 include properties connected to regeneration zones and flats.

Table 2 – Housing Association properties

District Council Area	No.
Antrim	2
Armagh	0
Ballymena	0
Ballymoney	0
Banbridge	0
Belfast	6
Carrickfergus	0
Castlereagh	0
Coleraine	0
Cookstown	0
Craigavon	0
Derry	2
Dungannon	0
Down	8
Fermanagh	0
Larne	4
Limavady	0
Lisburn	0
Magherafelt	0
Moyle	0
Newtownabbey	0
Newtownards	0
Newry & Mourne	0
North Down	0
Omagh	0
Strabane	0

Social Housing

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development to list all current restrictions on the right to buy social housing.

(AQW 3426/10)

Minister for Social Development: The House Sales Scheme succeeded the "Right to Buy" and Voluntary Sales Schemes. Entitlement to buy only arises after the tenant has been a secure tenant (of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive or qualifying landlord) for a period of not less than five years, or for periods amounting together to not less than five years. Under the auspices of the House Sales Scheme, these secure tenants may purchase their home provided:

It is not a sheltered dwelling unit;

It is not a single storey or ground floor dwelling (other than a flat) with no more than two bedrooms to which either of the following conditions applies:

the relevant tenancy began on or after 1^st September 2002

the relevant tenancy began prior to 1^st November 2000 and both of the following sub-conditions apply;

a person of at least 60 years of age was the tenant and/or a member of the tenant’s household when the relevant tenancy began

the relevant tenancy did not begin because of a compulsory transfer from another Housing Executive dwelling in respect of which the tenant had the right to buy.

The tenant has not been served with a relevant statutory notice seeking possession at any time within the previous three months.

Proceedings for possession of the dwelling pursuant to a relevant statutory notice are not pending.

The landlord is not actively considering whether it would be appropriate to serve- at some stage within the next three months- a relevant statutory notice seeking possession.

A secure tenant also cannot exercise a right to buy where they are obliged to give up possession of the dwelling in pursuance of an Order of the Court which has been granted pursuant to a relevant statutory notice or will be so obliged at a date specified in the Order.

Where a secure tenant is in rent arrears, no sale will be completed until all arrears of rent or any other payment due from them as a secure tenant have been paid.

Social Housing

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development what is the current discount level on purchasing social housing; and how this level has changed in each of the last 10 years.

(AQW 3427/10)

Minister for Social Development: Details of the levels of discounts available, together with a summary of qualification criteria for statutory house sales are detailed below.

1. From May 1993 the following arrangements applied:

a. in respect of house sales, tenancies of less than two years qualified for a 30% discount and tenancies of two years qualified for discount of 32% with an additional 1% discount for each additional completed year of tenancy, up to a maximum of 60% (subject to Historic Cost, which is explained below).

b. in respect of flat sales, tenancies of less than two years qualified for a 40% discount and tenancies of two years qualified for discount of 44% with an additional 2% discount for each additional completed year of tenancy, up to a maximum of 70% (subject to Historic Cost).

2. From September 2002 a two year minimum tenancy qualification existed and the following arrangements applied:

a. in respect of house sales, tenancies of two years qualified for discount of 32% with an additional 1% discount for each additional completed year of tenancy, up to a maximum of 60% (subject to Historic Cost).

b. in respect of flat sales, tenancies of two years qualified for discount of 44% with an additional 2% discount for each additional completed year of tenancy up to a maximum of 70% (subject to Historic Cost).

The maximum level of discount available from September 2002 was £34,000.

3. From October 2004 tenants were required to have been qualifying tenants for a minimum of five years before being eligible to purchase their social home under the rules of the House Sales Scheme. A tenancy of five years qualified for discount of 20% with an additional 2% discount for each additional completed year of tenancy up to a maximum of 60% (subject to Historic Cost). A revised maximum level of discount was also placed at £24,000. These revisions applied to both houses and flats sales.

Housing Associations were not required to sell homes to tenants until the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 came into operation. However, those that operated a voluntary scheme typically applied the rules set out above.

Historic Cost is the amount incurred in the provision, improvement or acquisition of the dwelling. It includes the current financial year and the ten years before the purchase is made.

Right to Buy Scheme

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development how many (i) Housing Executive; and (ii) registered housing association properties have been sold under the right to buy scheme, with a discount, in each local council area, in each of the last 10 years.

(AQW 3428/10)

Minister for Social Development: During the last ten years, over 36,000 homes have been sold to social tenants. Information about sales to housing association tenants are not available in the format requested. Table 1 below sets out data in respect of Northern Ireland Housing Executive house sales. Table 2 sets out data in respect of housing association house sales.

Table 1: Sales of Dwellings by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive by District Council Area 1999/00 to 2008/09

District Council Area	99/00	00/01	01/02	02/03	03/04	04/05	05/06	06/07	07/08	08/09
Antrim	128	191	141	168	173	121	113	93	23	1
Ards	151	162	202	172	232	130	77	85	28	1
Armagh	154	155	177	135	151	58	59	50	15	3
Ballymena	134	224	96	147	167	141	105	66	14	3
Ballymoney	58	91	93	73	79	54	41	37	8	2
Banbridge	134	106	145	124	117	75	45	23	21	0
Belfast	1024	1079	858	1,605	1,079	539	482	480	208	9
Carrickfergus	77	138	133	176	156	74	47	64	22	0
Castlereagh	140	228	196	215	205	125	78	81	20	1
Coleraine	106	157	131	133	108	85	80	53	18	1
Cookstown	77	106	61	92	96	55	52	32	13	0
Craigavon	193	178	194	173	252	131	109	102	39	1
Derry	383	376	406	576	584	309	234	201	59	7
Down	141	191	242	193	202	104	59	49	19	3
Dungannon	122	109	151	141	119	59	50	45	15	1
Fermanagh	136	157	143	166	135	88	86	69	43	8
Larne	61	91	44	66	82	36	30	39	18	1
Limavady	113	123	87	111	96	56	57	26	10	0
Lisburn	265	477	503	505	498	230	195	183	67	3
Magherafelt	136	131	92	119	103	51	57	43	5	0
Moyle	27	63	38	39	54	34	36	23	11	1
Newry & Mourne	269	328	287	266	312	131	115	77	29	3
Newtownabbey	133	284	247	240	245	159	113	127	46	4
Newtownards	78	121	115	127	170	66	77	36	25	0
Omagh	118	140	115	111	84	60	57	47	14	1
Strabane	168	149	114	181	153	82	68	70	18	0
Sales of NIHE Dwellings	4,526	5,555	5,011	6,054	5,652	3,053	2,522	2,201	808	54

Table 2: Sales of Dwellings by Housing Associations 1999/00 to 2008/09

	99/00	00/01	01/02	02/03	03/04	04/05	05/06	06/07	07/08	08/09
Sales to Tenants	78	94	108	152	110	109	173	188	76	7

Housing Benefit

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development how many (i) Housing Executive; (ii) registered housing associations; and (iii) private rented sector tenants are currently in receipt of housing benefit; and what is the monetary value of the housing benefit received by each sector.

(AQW 3429/10)

Minister for Social Development: At 1 December 2009 the number in receipt of Housing Benefit claims was as follows:-

- Housing Executive claims 68,113

- Housing Association claims 20,694

- Private Sector claims 59,416

The information in relation to the monetary value of the housing benefit received by each sector is not available in the format requested. The Housing Executive currently reports Housing Benefit expenditure on the basis of public sector (NIHE) tenants and private sector (non NIHE tenants). The private sector expenditure figure therefore includes expenditure for Housing Association related housing benefit claims.

The most recent expenditure figures for 2008 -2009 are as follows:

- Public Sector (NIHE) expenditure - £199.5 million

- Private Sector (includes Housing Association expenditure) - £263.4 million.

Civil Servants' Earnings

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to AQW 2907/10, to detail (i) the job titles; (ii) pay scale; and (iii) the total amount earned by the civil servants in question.

(AQW 3442/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information requested is set out in the table below. It is NICS policy, taking account of the Data Protection Act, not to disclose the remuneration details of individual civil servants other than in broad terms. Total amounts earned are therefore stated in bands of £5,000.

Job Title	Pay Scale	Total Amount £’000
Permanent Secretary	Pay Band 3 (£98,059 - £205,000)	125-130
Deputy Secretary, Resources, Housing & Social Security Group	Pay Band 2 (£81,600 - £160,000)	105-110
Deputy Secretary, Urban Regeneration & Community Development Group	Pay Band 2 (£81,600 - £160,000)	100-105
Chief Executive, Social Security Agency	Pay Band 2 (£81,600 - £160,000)	90-95
Deputy Secretary, Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division	Pay Band 2 (£81,600 - £160,000)	90-95
Assistant Secretary	Pay Band 1 (£57,300 - £116,000)	80-85

Shared Future Housing

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development how much her Department has spent on 'shared future' housing in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3477/10)

Minister for Social Development: A twin track approach has been adopted to deliver shared housing, firstly through the new build programme and, secondly, through the Shared Neighbourhood Programme.

In relation to the new build programme, in order for a scheme to become a "shared future scheme" it must firstly be on the new build programme on the basis of housing need, i.e. the scheme would be funded and delivered regardless of its ‘shared’ designation. There is, therefore, no direct attributable cost to the new build programme in addition to the normal Housing Association Grant.

The Shared Neighbourhood Programme commenced in May 2008 and is a 3 year pilot programme delivered on the ground by the Housing Executive across 30 estates in Northern Ireland. The Programme costs approximately £1million with the International Fund for Ireland providing £698,000 of this. The remainder is funded by the Department for Social Development through the Housing Executive.

Social Security and Pensions Legislation

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development for an estimate of the total cost involved in developing all social security and pensions legislation, from initial proposal to making of Regulations or Acts, in her Department since May 2007.

(AQW 3478/10)

Minister for Social Development: The estimated total cost to my Department in developing social security and pensions legislation since May 2007 is £1.8 million.

Social Security and Pensions Legislation

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development for an estimate of the cost to her Department of drafting all social security and pensions legislation in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3480/10)

Minister for Social Development: The estimated cost to my Department of drafting all social security and pensions legislation in each of the last three years is as follows—

2007 £474,000

2008 £494,000

2009 £501,000.

Social Security and Pensions Legislation

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development for an estimate of the cost to her Department of consultation on all social security and pensions legislation in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3481/10)

Minister for Social Development: The estimated cost to my Department of consultation on social security and pensions legislation in each of the last three years is as follows—

2007 £7,100

2008 £11,800

2009 £24,300.

Household Fuel Payments

Ms A Lo asked the Minister for Social Development to explain why people deemed eligible for future Household Fuel payments in December 2008 will now not receive these payments.

(AQW 3499/10)

Minister for Social Development: My Department made a Household Fuel Payment to over 165,000 households automatically during April and May this year. In order to make provision for those households who did not receive a payment but were entitled, the regulations provided an opportunity for potential beneficiaries to apply for a payment. Any person who was eligible for a Household Fuel Payment, and did not receive it by 31 May 2009, could apply in writing to my Department by 30 June 2009. Over 2,000 successful applications were received and Household Fuel Payments were made to these householders.

Following representation from a number of elected representatives I contacted Departmental Solicitor’s Office who confirmed that there is no legal cover to make a payment to applicants who missed the 30 June deadline.

Economic Crisis

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Social Development what new initiatives, measures and practices have been implemented by her Department as a means of assisting the community, and achieving improved, efficient decision making during the current economic crisis.

(AQW 3501/10)

Minister for Social Development: I have ring fenced £155m for the Social Housing Development Programme this year that will deliver 1750 new homes for those across the community in greatest need. This will be the largest number of new homes started in the last ten years and is offering a valuable lifeline to many in the construction industry who have been so badly affected by the collapse of the private house building sector.

My Department has also brought forward a number of new initiatives aimed at making our scarce resources go further, supporting those communities in housing need. For example, a new procurement strategy has been introduced to deliver new homes more efficiently than ever before, and in Lisburn, the purchase of former Military Housing has given 112 families the chance to get a home much sooner than would otherwise have been the case.

In terms of new initiatives, I have made additional resources available to support the voluntary advice sector in this time of recession and increasing demand on their services. Additional funding in excess of £0.5m has been made available to help support the frontline voluntary advice provision across Northern Ireland and to contribute to the provision of additional training for the advice sector.

As regards measures and practices, the Department deploys an innovative "risk based" approach to ensure that funding to low risk projects is released quickly and with the minimum bureaucracy. Under this arrangement, funding utilised to support salary costs within projects can be paid up to six months in advance.

Investing for Health Strategy

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development what targets her Department set within the Investing for Health strategy; and what progress has been made to date against these targets.

(AQW 3505/10)

Minister for Social Development: Targets set for the Investing for Health strategy reflect the cross cutting nature of the strategy and require collaborative working across Departments to tackle the factors which adversely affect health and perpetuate health inequalities.

My Department has the policy lead for two targets. These relate to reducing levels of fuel poverty and supporting housing providers to build affordable homes. Both targets have been met.

Child Maintenance Legislation

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development for an estimate of the total cost involved in developing all child maintenance legislation, from initial proposal to making of Regulations or Acts, in her Department since May 2007.

(AQW 3513/10)

Minister for Social Development: Since May 2007 the estimated cost of developing and making all child maintenance legislation from initial proposals through to making of Regulations and Act is £307,567

Child Maintenance Legislation

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development for an estimate of the cost to her Department of drafting all child maintenance legislation in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3514/10)

Minister for Social Development: The estimated costs for drafting child maintenance legislation in each of the last three years are;

2007 £45,756

2008 £49,834

2009 £48,381

Child Maintenance Legislation

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development for an estimate of the cost to her Department of consultation on all child maintenance legislation in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3515/10)

Minister for Social Development: The estimated consultation costs incurred by the Department on all child maintenance legislation in each of the last three years are;

2007 £4443

2008 £4631

2009 Nil

Civil Servants' Earnings

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many civil servants in her Department receive an annual salary (i) between £37,801-£43,100; (ii) between £43,101-50,537; (iii) between £50,538-71,433; (iv) between £71,434-82,975; and (v) above £82,975.

(AQW 3523/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information requested is set out in the table below.

Pay Range	Number of Staff
Between £37,801 - £43,100	74
Between £43,101-50,537	29
Between £50,538-71,433	23
Between £71,434-82,975	4
Above £82,975	5

Housing Executive Posts

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the total number; (ii) the location; and (iii) the grade of posts within the Housing Executive, and other public bodies within her Department's remit, which are located in (a) the Omagh district; and (b) the Strabane district.

(AQW 3546/10)

Minister for Social Development: The tables below detail the number of staff currently employed by the Housing Executive (Table 1) and the Department (Tables 2 and 3) in the Omagh and Strabane Districts.

Table 1

Grade	Omagh	Strabane
Level 07 (Principal Officer)	3	1
Level 06 (Assistant Principal Officer)	4	1
Level 05 (Senior Officer)	5	1
Level 04 (Senior Administrative Officer)	21	5
Level 03 (Administrative Officer)	8	3
Level 02 (Clerical Officer)	48	4
Level 01 (Clerical Assistant)	3	1
Technical level 07	2	0
Technical level 03	3	0
Technical level 02	9	3
Total	106	19

Table 2

Grade	Omagh Jobs and Benefit Office	Regional Development Office Kevlin Buildings	Appeals Service	Total
Grade 7	0.00	1.00	0.00	1.00
Deputy Principal	0.00	1.00	0.00	1.00
Staff Officer	1.50	3.50	1.00	6.00
Executive Officer 1	7.81	2.00	1.00	10.81
Executive Officer 2	28.87	0.00	3.60	32.47
Administrative Officer	41.33	2.00	15.10	58.43
Administrative Assistant	4.40	0.00	2.20	6.60
Support Grade Band 2	1.00	0.00	1.00	2.00
Temporary AA	9.00	0.00	1.00	10.00
Typists	0.00	0.00	2.00	2.00
Temporary SGB2	2.00	0.00	0.00	2.00
Total	95.91	9.50	26.90	132.31

In addition to the table above, the Social Security Agency 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) on a part –time basis an average of 1 day and 1.5 days respectively per week.

Table 3

GRADE	Strabane Social Security Office
Staff Officer	1.00
Executive Officer 1	1.68
Executive Officer 2	18.74
Administrative Officer	20.45
Administrative Assistant	2.00
Support Grade Band 2	3.00
Temporary AA	3.00
TOTAL	49.87

Boiler Scrappage Scheme

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development if he will introduce a boiler scrappage scheme similar to the scheme announced by the Chancellor in the pre-budget report.

(AQW 3570/10)

Minister for Social Development: My Department is considering a boiler replacement scheme as part of its review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy. The new strategy will be subject to public consultation early in 2010.

Examining Medical Practitioners

Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the average amount paid to Examining Medical Practitioners per assessment in relation to sickness benefits and Disability Living Allowance.

(AQW 3606/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information requested is set out in the table below.

Benefit	Average amount paid per assessment (£)
* Incapacity Benefit	52
* Severe Disablement Allowance	52
* Employment and Support Allowance (Limited Capacity for Work)	52
* Employment and Support Allowance (Work Focused Health Related Assessment)	39
* Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit	62.40
Disability Living Allowance	70.50

* Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit medical assessments are paid on a sessional basis. A session is a specified period of 3.5 hours and the figures given for average cost per assessment for each benefit are derived from average cost per session. Doctors who carry out Disability Living Allowance assessments are paid per assessment. Average costs per assessment include travelling and subsistence expenses paid to doctors.

Temporary Heating to Households

Ms D Purvis asked the Minister for Social Development (i) to outline the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's policy in providing temporary heating to households whose main or only heating system has broken down; (ii) what form temporary heating takes; (iii) how the needs of particular households are assessed; and (iv) if there are any plans to review this policy in light of the recent prolonged period of sub-zero temperatures

(AQW 3645/10)

Minister for Social Development: If the heating system in a house fails, and it is not possible to complete the necessary repairs in the same day, it is the Housing Executive’s policy to provide at least 2 temporary heaters. These heaters would normally be in addition to an existing electric focal point fire which the majority of Housing Executive homes have. These temporary heaters would normally be either 3kw electric convector fan heaters or 3kw electric panel heaters. The Housing Executive’s contractor will assess particular cases at the time of the repair visit, consult with the tenant and provide additional heaters, beyond the 2 normally provided, if required. This will depend on the household makeup and the length of time the tenant will be without heat. Normally this would be done in liaison with the Housing Executive’s District Office. There are no plans, at this time, to review the policy.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

Claims

Mr A Attwood asked the Assembly Commission to detail (i) the total amount paid by the Commission to settle claims against it; (ii) the total amount, and in each case, paid towards plaintiff legal costs; and (iii) the total amount, and in each case, paid in defence legal costs, in financial years (a) 2007/08; (b) 2008/09; and (c) 2009/10 to date.

(AQW 3589/10)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr S Neeson):

The Commission considers that any amount paid by it to settle claims against it forms part of the relevant terms of settlement, and the Commission regards such information as confidential. Furthermore, due to the small number of such claims, aggregation of such amounts is not appropriate. The Commission therefore regrets that it would be inappropriate of it to answer this part of your question.
The Commission considers that any amount paid by it towards the legal costs of a plaintiff forms part of the relevant terms of settlement, and the Commission regards such information as confidential. Furthermore, due to the small number of such claims, aggregation of such amounts is not appropriate. The Commission therefore regrets that it would be inappropriate of it to answer this part of your question.

(iii) Due to the small number of claims in any year, the Commission regards it as inappropriate to provide a yearly breakdown as requested. However, in the interests of transparency, it is content to provide an aggregate amount. The amount paid to external professional legal providers in defence legal costs for financial years 2007/08, 2008/09, and 2009/10 (to 01/12/2009) is £146,158. Internal costs were also incurred in relation to staff time and other resources, but these are not quantified.

Reid Review

Mr A Attwood asked the Assembly Commission to detail the amount paid to (i) Mr. George Reid in relation to the Reid Review; (ii) Mr. John Hunter in relation to the Reid Review; and (iii) each of the other members of the Reid Review.

(AQW 3590/10)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr S Neeson):

(i) The amount paid to Mr George Reid in respect of the Review of the Assembly Secretariat was £6,714.

(ii) The amount paid to Mr John Hunter in respect of the Review of the Assembly Secretariat was £25,239.

(iii) The amount paid to Mr Robert Campton in respect of the Review of the Assembly Secretariat was £6,453.

(iv) The amount paid to Irwin Turbitt in respect of the Review of the Assembly Secretariat was £3,500.

Expenses

Mr A Attwood asked the Assembly Commission to detail in each financial year since 2007 (i) the total cost of travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred by Commission members in relation to their duties as Commission members; (ii) the number of visits to the Republic of Ireland, including to Dublin by the Commission, the total cost of travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred by Commission members in relation to their duties as Commission members during the visits, including the names of any hotels where Commission members stayed and accommodation cost per Commission member for the hotel accommodation; (iii) the number of visits to Britain by the Commission, the total cost of travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred by Commission members in relation to their duties as Commission members during the visits, including the names of any hotels where Commission members stayed, and accommodation cost per Commission member for the hotel accommodation; (iv) the number of visits outside Britain and Ireland by the Commission, the total cost of travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred by Commission members in relation to their duties as Commission members during the visits, including the names of any hotels where Commission members stayed and accommodation cost per Commission member for the hotel accommodation.

(AQW 3591/10)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr S Neeson):

The total cost of travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred by Commission Members in relation to their duties as Commission Members for each financial year since 2007 is as follows:

2007/08	2008/09	2009/10 year to date
£750.00	£22,758.90	£4,197.81

(ii) The Assembly Commission undertook two visits to Dublin since 2007. The total cost for travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred by Commission Members in relation to their duties was £1391.66. On the first occasion, Commission Members stayed at the Buswells Hotel, Dublin at a cost of £107 per Commission Member. On the second occasion, the Commission were hosted by the Oireachtas, there were no accommodation costs incurred during this visit. The Members stayed at the Merrion Hotel, Dublin.

(iii) The Assembly Commission made no visits to Britain within the financial years since 2007 – 2009.

The Assembly Commission made one visit outside Britain in May 2008, when it travelled to Canada. The total costs for travel and other expenses incurred by Commission Members in relation to their duties during this visit were £17,275.10. The Commission Members were hosted by the Canadian Parliament, at the Fairmont Cháteau Laurier Hotel, Ottawa and Nova Scotian Parliament, at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront, Nova Scotia. There were no accommodation costs incurred.

REVISED WRITTEN ANSWERS

Friday 8 January 2010

(AQW 2833/10)

The forecast capital spend for the current financial year on Sporting and Cultural Projects is £64,543k. This can be broken down into:

Sporting Projects - £23,382k
Cultural Projects - £41,161k

The department also intends to spend £1,850k on Inland Waterways and Inland Fisheries projects.

An analysis of this proposed spend across constituencies is tabled as Annex 1.

You will note that certain amounts have been described as unallocated. There are a number of reasons for this: funds may not yet have been allocated to specific recipients; successful applications may not yet have been announced; and spend or proposed spend may cover a number of constituencies or be in the nature of central administration cost (eg IT equipment) and be impossible to allocate between them.

I would caution that while these forecasts have been carefully prepared, they are subject to a range of factors and are therefore subject to change.

ANNEX 1

DEPARTMENT OF ARTS, CULTURE AND LEISURE

FORECAST CAPITAL SPEND IN 2009/10 ANALYSED BY CONSTITUENCY (REVISED)

Capital Spend for 2009/10 by Constituency
Capital Spend for 2009/10 by Constituency
Constituency	Cultural	Sports	IWIF	TOTAL
	£000's	£000's	£000's	£000's
North Down	2,324	972	27	3,323
Strangford	19	202	12	233
Lagan Valley	8	28		36
North Antrim	14	783	283	1,080
South Antrim	1,663	1,080	18	2,761
East Antrim	394	100	12	506
Upper Bann	0	1,409	32	1,441
East Londonderry	782	796	44	1,622
Belfast North	1,527	615	10	2,152
Belfast East	16,689	963	12	17,664
Belfast West	67	793	25	885
Belfast South	7,907	1,166	8	9,081
Foyle	781	1,545		2,326
South Down	23	5,980	522	6,525
Fermanagh, South Tyrone	2,940	1,514	748	5,202
Mid Ulster	16	1,449	27	1,492
West Tyrone	304	1,248	10	1,562
Newry and Armagh	410	1,222	18	1,650
Unable to allocate	5,293	1,517	42	6,852
Total (Based On December proposed monitoring)	41,161	23,382	1,850	66,393

(AQW 3123/10)

Efficiencies have been made in Housing, Urban Regeneration and Community Development programmes, the Social Security Agency, the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division and in my Department’s Core administration.

The efficiency target for 2007/08 of £49.4m was agreed with the previous direct rule administration, and was achieved. In 2008/09, the value of achieved efficiencies was £19.62m. As at 30 September 09, my Department was on track to achieve the cumulative full year efficiency target of £38.1m.

Size in Hectares	Year of Transfer	Location (by Common Landlord Area)	Purpose: For Social Housing (Housing Association/Units))
0.31	2001/02	Wheatfield	Fold: 13
0.57	2001/02	Cliftonville	Oaklee: 25
0.38	2001/02	Carlisle	Newington: 13
0.38	2001/02	Carlisle	Newington:22
1.10	2001/02	Carrickhill	Oaklee: 43
1.20	2002/03	Grove	Grove: 41
0.24	2002/03	Cliftonville	North & West: 6
1.10	2002/03	Carrickhill	Oaklee: 5
0.92	2003/04	Alliance	Helm: 30
0.53	2003/04	Wheatfield	Fold: 18
0.32	2003/04	Grove	Grove: 17
0.622	2003/04	Carlisle	Newington: 32
0.56	2003/04	Cliftonville	Oaklee: 26
0.53	2003/04	Carlisle	Newington: 21
0.73	2004/05	Gainsborough	Helm: 26
1.10	2004/05	Torrens	Fold: 34
0.12	2004/05	Lower Oldpark	Helm: 9
0.92	2005/06	Torrens	Fold: 14
0.88	2005/06	Gainsborough	Clanmil: 35
0.93	2005/06	Ardoyne	North & West: 21
0.03	2006/07	Carlisle	Oaklee: 13
0.125	2007/08	Various	Clanmil: 16
0.138	2007/08	Ardoyne	North & West: 6
0.73	2007/08	Lower Whitewell	North & West:12
0.22	2007/08	Carrickhill	Oaklee: 10
0.011	2007/08	Cliftonville	Helm: 1
1.72	2008/09	Torrens	Fold: 112
0.373	2008/09	Ardoyne	Flax: 15
0.51	2009/10	Carlisle	Habinteg: 28
0.412	2009/10	Ardoyne	North & West: 16
0.91	2009/10	Sunningdale/Joanmount	Clanmil: 46
0.13	2009/10	Carrickhill	Oaklee: 11