Written Answers to Questions

Tá an freagra cuimsithe sa tábla thíos. Bailítear na sonraí seo mar chuid de Suirbhé ar Fhágálaithe Scoile i mí na Samhna, tuairim is 5 mhí tar éis dheireadh na bliana acadúla roimhe. Taifeadann an scoil an t-eolas nuair a iarradh ar na sonraí.

The answer is contained in the table below. These data are collected as part of the School Leavers Survey in November, approximately 5 months after the end of the previous academic year. The information is recorded by the school at the time of the data request.

Number of school leavers with a destination recorded by the school as unemployed by Council area of residence 2005/06 to 2007/08

*denotes fewer than five pupils

# figure has not been provided due to rules of statistical disclosure

Source: School Leavers Survey

Sparklebox

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the terms of reference; (ii) the timescale; and (iii) who will be conducting the investigation into the handling of the Sparklebox case by her Department and the Western Education and Library Board.

(AQW 4641/10)

Minister of Education:

Seolfaidh Príomhfheidhmeannach Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Iarthair, Barry Mulholland, ar a bhfuil C2k ina stiúrthóireacht, iniúchadh ar láimhseáil an cháis ó C2k. Seo a leanas tearmaí tagartha a iniúchta.

Barry Mulholland, Chief Executive of the Western Education and Library Board, of which C2k is a directorate, will conduct the investigation into C2k’s handling of the case.

The terms of reference of his investigation are as follows.

1.To establish and explain the actions of C2k from the time it became aware of the trial of the owner of Sparklebox to the point at which it removed access to Sparklebox from the system.

2.To report on the protocols, procedures and processes used by C2k in respect of child protection issues relating to schools’ use of the C2k system and to assess whether they were appropriate and effective. In particular to give an assessment of whether C2k’s responses were proportionate and timely.

3.To report on C2k’s reporting procedures to the Department around child protection issues.

4.To determine if the Sparklebox website contained any content or interactive elements that would have been harmful to children? If so, to explain what action was taken regarding these elements?

5. To determine how many schools in the north of Ireland used the Sparklebox website.

6.To determine how this matter can be brought to the attention of service providers and users.

7.To make recommendations on what lessons can be learned from this case in terms of enhancing further policies and procedures for protecting the safety of children. The recommendations should identify cross-cutting issues which affect other departments in the north of Ireland, as well as any north/south and British/Irish issues.

The Chief Executive of the Western Education and Library Board has been instructed to report to the Department by 24 March.

The Permanent Secretary of the Department of Education will oversee an examination of the Department’s internal procedures and protocols.

Department for Employment and Learning

Efficiency Saving Measures

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Employment and Learning why efficiency saving measures within his Department are directed at the delivery of courses rather than reducing the cost of administration.

(AQW 4154/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey):

There are three key factors impacting upon the administration budget within my Department in 2010/11:

• The gross administrative budget allocation for Budget 2008-11 was flat, hence pay inflation has had to be absorbed within a fixed baseline;
• The Department for Employment and Learning must deliver cumulative cash releasing efficiencies from the administrative budget, as part of the Budget 2008-11 process - the budget in 2010/11 will be £1.0m (3.8%) lower than as at April 2008. This is detailed in our Efficiency Delivery Plan, which is on the Department’s website;
• The impact of the NICS Equal Pay claim negotiations will create a further pressure upon the administration budget of c£0.5m in 2010/11.

Therefore my Administrative budget is making a significant contribution to the overall savings requirement from my Department. The additional savings in 2010/11 are not directed at the delivery of courses: there are no plans to reduce the recurrent funding available to the Further Education sector and the Higher Education sector’s proposed allocation in 2010/11 still shows growth of 3.9%.

Learner Access and Engagement Pilot Programme

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning in relation to the Learner Access and Engagement Pilot programme for 2009/10 (i) what was the budget on 1 April 2009; (ii) if any changes have been made to this budget; and (iii) what was the expenditure up to 31/12/09.

(AQW 4168/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

The expenditure on Learner Access and Engagement pilot programme is dependent upon the engagement and enrolment of learners by third party organisations. Based on delivery to date, a budget of £500k was allocated for the programme at 1 April 2009; this budget remains unchanged. Up to 31 December 2009 £137,675 has been expended.

Learner Access and Engagement Pilot Programme

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what is the expected cost to his Department of the Learner Access and Engagement Pilot programme for 2009/10.

(AQW 4170/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

The expenditure on Learner Access and Engagement pilot programme is dependent upon the engagement and enrolment of learners by third party organisations. Projected expenditure for the programme during the 2009/10 financial year is £500,000.

Investing for Health Strategy

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail any meetings or discussions that he, or his officials, have held with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety within the last year to discuss commitments under the Investing for Health strategy.

(AQW 4183/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

I would refer you to my response to Assembly Question 3517/10 where I indicated that my Department is actively engaged with a number of the strategies which underpin the Investing for Health Strategy. In addition to attendance at interdepartmental meetings held in the past year related to some of these strategies i.e. Suicide, Domestic and Sexual Violence, Drugs and Alcohol, Tobacco Action Plan, Mental Health and Learning Disability, Physical and Sensory Disability, the Department for Employment and Learning has had direct discussions with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) on a number of others including the Bamford Review, work in relation to care leavers, and also the Obesity Strategy that is in process of development.

This represents a high level of commitment and co-operation in pursuit of key strategic aims and objectives and therefore no meetings or discussions with DHSSPS within the last year specifically about the overarching Investing for Health Strategy have been required. In relation to the current review of the strategy, to date my Department has been updated on and has contributed to it through correspondence.

IT Skills Courses

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what consideration he has given to increasing the number of I.T skills courses available for unemployed people in conjunction with community groups.

(AQW 4192/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

My Department places considerable emphasis on the provision of IT skills courses, many of which are delivered in conjunction with community groups. For example, ICT was formally adopted as a third Essential Skill in August 2009, adding to the existing Essential Skills of Literacy and Numeracy. As such, anyone seeking to undertake a Level 1 or Level 2 Essential Skills ICT qualification can enrol, free of charge, with their local further education college. The colleges deliver many of these courses in community settings, subject to the availability of ICT suites in the colleges’ outreach centres. While college lecturers deliver these courses, colleges contract with a range of community organisations, whose role is to encourage "hard to reach" adults to avail of these opportunities. The provision of ICT Essential Skills is also available, where necessary, to participants in the Department’s training and further education programmes.

In addition, the Department’s Steps to Work programme provides a range of assistance, including access to IT skills courses, to the unemployed and those who are economically inactive. The programme is delivered through a network of Lead Contractors, a number of whom are from the community and voluntary sector.

Courses for People Aged 60 and Over

Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the uptake by people aged 60 and over for courses in each Further Education College in 2008/09.

(AQW 4243/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

The table below details the uptake of enrolments of those aged 60 and over in each Northern Ireland Further Education College in 2008/09.

Source: Further Education Statistical Record.

Goods and Services Paid for Online

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (i) which goods and services provided by his Department can be paid for online; (ii) the total number of transactions processed by his Department for these goods and services in each of the last five years; (iii) the total number of these transactions which were (a) online payments; (b) payments by cheque; (c) postal order; (d) cash; or (e) other method; and (iv) the percentage of payments made online compared with other payment methods.

(AQW 4244/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: None of the goods and services provided by my Department can be paid for online. The Department for Employment and Learning provides a very limited number of services for which a charge is levied. The Department’s focus is to promote learning and skills, to prepare people for work and to support the economy. In pursuing this aim the key objectives for the Department are to promote economic, social and personal development through high quality learning, research and skills training; and to help people into employment and promote good working practices. Hence an online payment facility would be inappropriate and is therefore not in operation.

Arts and Humanities Subjects

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what action his Department has taken to promote Arts and Humanities subjects within universities.

(AQW 4262/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

As you may be aware, course provision is a matter for the respective Higher Education Institutions to determine. However, you should note that for the academic year 09/10, the University of Ulster received approximately 2800 applications for courses in the Arts and Humanities, of which just fewer than 500 were admitted. This represents 10% of the annual intake to the University. Queen’s University received just over 4900 applications for Arts and Humanities courses, of which just over 880 were accepted onto a course, representing 25% of undergraduate admissions.

Therefore, as these courses are currently oversubscribed, I have no plans to further promote Arts and Humanities subjects.

You may also wish to note that, in addition to their numerous degree level and other courses, Northern Ireland’s universities and colleges currently provide a wide range of recreational arts related courses.

I trust you find this information helpful.

PHD Research Students

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if the Programme For Government target to increase the number of PHD research students by 300, by 2010, will be met.

(AQW 4300/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

My Department is on course to meet this target. The first two tranches of 100 additional places were allocated and filled in Academic Years 2008/09 and 2009/10. The final tranche of 100 additional places will be allocated in Academic Year 2010/11.

Students Studying STEM Subjects

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if there has been an increase in the number of students at graduate and postgraduate level studying STEM subjects in the last year, especially those from disadvantaged communities.

(AQW 4301/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

In the 2008/09 academic year there were 21,190 first degree and postgraduate students enrolled on STEM related courses at Northern Ireland Higher Education institutions. This represents a 2% increase from the corresponding 2007/08 figure.

Of those students enrolled on STEM related courses at Northern Ireland Higher Education institutions in the 2008/09 academic year, who had known Socio Economic Classification, 26% were from groups 5, 6 and 7. This figure is the same as the 2007/08 figure, although the figures are not directly comparable.

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Notes:

(1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

(2) The latest available data are for 2008/09.

(3) Information about students from disadvantaged communities is monitored using Socio Economic Classification (SEC) data from HESA (which includes UCAS data). However, UCAS changed the SEC question asked of applicants between 2007 and 2008 to take account of changing age legislation and the 2008/09 figure cannot therefore be directly compared to the 2007/08 figure.

(4) Data on SEC is only available for 53% of the 21,190 first degree and postgraduate students.

Programme-led Apprenticeships Scheme

Lord Browne asked the Minister for Employment and Learning (i) how many people have enrolled in the Programme-led Apprenticeships scheme; and (ii) how many places have been secured for employer placements.

(AQW 4309/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: As at 1 February 2010, the total enrolment on Programme-Led Apprenticeship programme was 2,927. On the basis of available information from training providers, including Further Education colleges, the Department has determined that approximately 50% of participants have an employer placement.

The Department is currently considering what further measures could be taken to help providers to secure additional work placements for participants on the programme.

Papers Referred to the Executive

Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to list the subject matter of each of the 13 papers that his Department referred to the Executive between May 2007 and 7 December 2009; and to state whether the Executive agreed each paper.

(AQW 4331/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

It is not our practice to disclose details of Executive business. The detailed content of Executive papers including the agenda and minutes of the meeting are confidential.

Hughes Christensen

Ms D Purvis asked the Minister for Employment and Learning (i) what action his Department plans to take to assist workers facing redundancy at Hughes Christensen in East Belfast to ensure they receive fair compensation and legal protection; and (ii) what services his Department will provide to assist these workers back into employment. .

(AQW 4533/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

(i) The Department has produced and updated a range of guidance materials, to provide information for workers on their employment rights, including in the case of redundancy. Companies may often have in place an agreed corporate redundancy payment scheme, which provides workers with compensation above what is statutorily required. Where this is not the case, under the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, employees who are being made redundant may be entitled to a statutory redundancy payment from their employer. Employees may qualify for such a payment if they have been working under a contract of employment and have at least two years’ continuous service. The final amount of any such payment depends on how long the employer has been continuously employed by his/her employer; how the employee’s years of continuous service relate to a particular age band; and the employee’s weekly pay, up to a maximum limit.

The Department has recently updated a guidance booklet (available at the link below or from all Jobs and Benefits Offices), which provides full details of employees’ entitlements under the statutory redundancy payments scheme:

http://www.delni.gov.uk/er3_redundancy_entitlement_statutory_rights_1st_october_2009.pdf

Where an employee disagrees with his/her employer about entitlement to a redundancy payment, then the employee can take the matter to an Industrial Tribunal. The booklet also provides full details of the necessary steps in this process. The booklet also provides details of the statutory provisions that are in place, which may allow an employee who is given notice of dismissal because of redundancy to have reasonable time off with pay during work hours, to look for another job or make arrangements for training for future employment.

The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 also places a duty on an employer proposing to make collective redundancies to consult in advance with representatives of the employees. No notices of dismissal can be issued until the consultation has been completed. Where the employer is proposing to dismiss more than 100 employees (as is the case with Hughes Christensen), then consultation must begin at least 90 days before the redundancy notices take effect. Employee representatives, trade unions, or employees who feel they have not been properly consulted or received adequate notice, may make a complaint to an Industrial Tribunal. If the Tribunal finds in the employees’ favour, it may make a protective award of up to 90 days’ pay. The Department’s booklet at the link below contains full details of the rights and protections of employees and their representatives, to enable them to participate fully in the process of consultation, as well as information on redress, where the rights of employee representatives may have been infringed:

http://www.delni.gov.uk/er4_redundancy_consultation_and_notification_october_2009.pdf

(ii) When companies face redundancies, the DEL district management team works in partnership with organisations such as the local Further Education College, lead Training Providers, Education and Guidance Service, and the Social Security Agency to offer a full range of services to those affected by the redundancy. These services include advice on employment, education, training, reskilling, job search and benefit advice.

In previous redundancy situations within this company, DEL organised redundancy clinics to offer support and advice to those employees affected. DEL’s district management team is currently in discussions with Hughes Christensen, to arrange a suitable date for a similar Redundancy Clinic.

The Further Education Sector’s Rapid Response NI programme, which is funded by the Department, has already provided a range of support services to Hughes Christensen. To date, the programme has engaged with 46 of the company’s employees and, as a result, a range of support programmes have been scheduled for delivery.

Executive Papers

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment and Learning (i) how many policy and discussion papers he has brought before the Executive in relation to Further and Higher Education; (ii) the date the papers were brought forward; and (iii) how many of these papers resulted in legislation going before the Assembly.

(AQW 4610/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: It is not our practice to disclose details of Executive business. The detailed content of Executive papers, including the agenda and minutes of the meeting, are confidential.

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Goods and Services Paid for Online

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (i) which goods and services provided by her Department can be paid for online; (ii) the total number of transactions processed by her Department for these goods and services in each of the last five years; (iii) the total number of these transactions which were (a) online payments; (b) payments by cheque; (c) postal order; (d) cash; or (e) other method; and (iv) the percentage of payments made online compared with other payment methods.

(AQW 4293/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster):

My Department’s Insolvency Service and Invest Northern Ireland both operate an online purchase facility for certain services.

DETI’s Company Registry Branch also offered the purchase of company documents online. This is now provided by Companies House, Cardiff following the transfer of this function from DETI in Oct 2009.

The number of transactions and method of payment for each service is set out in the following tables.

Invest NI

Invest NI provides one service with an online payment option, a series of workshops called ‘Passport to Export’. This is a one day export skills training workshop open to all companies.

Table 1

Table 2

* Number of delegates paid for by this method

Insolvency Service

Table 1

Table 2

The cost of ascertaining the method of payment would involve manually checking through over 7,500 individual payments and would, therefore, be disproportionate.

Companies Registry

Table 1

Note 1: Service commenced during November 2005 and ceased with effect from 1 Oct 2009 following transfer of all Company Registry functions from DETI to Companies House, Cardiff

Table 2

Note 2: No information on method of payment is available. Figures shown as "Other" represent number of payments made for copy documents via the Public Office.

Avanti Communications

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) for her assessment of the performance of Avanti Communications in delivering the services agreed under the terms of the satellite broadband contract; (ii) whether Avanti Communications has sufficient satellite broadband capacity to meet current user needs; and (iii) the number of complaints Avanti Communications has received regarding access to satellite broadband from (a) businesses; and (b) home users since it took over the contract from British Telecom.

(AQW 4359/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: DETI has commissioned consultancy firm Analysys Mason to independently monitor Avanti Communication’s performance in delivering the services specified in its contract with the Department. Analysys Mason has submitted three reports to date and noted that Avanti is delivering services in line with the contract.

With regard to bandwidth capacity, DETI has sought and has received assurances from Avanti that it has sufficient capacity to meet the needs of its current users. Avanti monitors and forecasts capacity requirements on an ongoing basis and will increase network capacity as required to ensure that it complies with the performance criteria of its contracts with end-users. The last capacity increase was conducted in December 2009 flowing from Avanti’s consideration of forecast requirements for the first half of 2010.

In relation to the number of complaints received, since installation of Avanti services commenced in February 2009, 87 complaints have been received from 43 customers located in Northern Ireland. These are not high numbers when taken in the context that, to end December 2009, Avanti had installed services for 787 customers in NI. It is not possible to show the complaints figure separately for business and home users as many home packages are being used by small businesses.

People Aged 50 and Above Currently in Employment

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the percentage of people aged 50 and above currently in employment; and for the equivalent figure in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4390/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

The table below provides estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for the proportion of those aged 50 and over who are in employment in each of the last five years. Estimates for those aged 50 to state pension age are also provided for information.

Employment Rates¹ for those aged over 50, 2005 - 2009

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

² Pre 2010 the state pension age was 59 for females and 64 for males.

Source: Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Vision for the North East Area

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment why the Northern Ireland Tourist Board did not invite a representative from Moyle District Council to attend the meeting about a ‘Vision for the North East area’ on 19 January 2010, when representatives from Larne, Ballymena and Coleraine Councils were invited.

(AQW 4423/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

The recent meeting was an informal discussion around a range of issues and just one part of NITBs ongoing engagement programme with tourism partners across Northern Ireland to assist in better understanding local priorities, key product strengths and how everyone can work better together to maximize opportunities. Tourism is a huge industry with a broad range of stakeholders, and it is impossible to meaningfully meet with every partner in one meeting which is why there is an ongoing programme of both formal and informal meetings and events.

At the meeting on 19^th January several tourism businesses within the Moyle area were represented. There will be further meetings and events in the future as part of NITBs ongoing engagement strategy with as many stakeholders in the area as possible, including Moyle District Council.

Vision for the North East Area

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) if the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has apologised, or intends to apologise, to Moyle District Council for excluding it from the ‘Vision for the North East area’ meeting on 19 January 2010; (ii) if a reasonable explanation has been given; and (iii) to outline the criteria used when drawing up the invitation list.

(AQW 4424/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

The recent meeting was an informal discussion and just one part of NITBs ongoing engagement programme with tourism partners across Northern Ireland to assist in better understanding local priorities, key product strengths and how everyone can work better together to maximize opportunities.

The NITB Chief Executive spoke with the Chief Executive of Moyle District Council on 29^th January 2010 to outline the steps NITB is taking to try and increase its engagement with stakeholders across Northern Ireland. Tourism is a huge industry with a broad range of stakeholders and when meeting for discussion or at events it is not possible to include every partner on every occasion.

At the meeting on 19^th January 2010 NITB sought to meet with a mix of public and private sector tourism partners and representative bodies from across the sector, and several tourism businesses within the Moyle area were represented.

Tourism Meetings

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has carried out an Equality Impact Assessment on its policy of inviting relevant parties and groups for tourism meetings and events held by the Chief Executive.

(AQW 4425/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

NITB does not operate a specific policy regarding invitees to meetings and events. In response to recent stakeholder research NITB is seeking to increase its ongoing programme of engagement particularly in the regions across Northern Ireland.

The context for our engagement is to maximise the opportunities for local and regional tourism development within a national framework of identified priorities. Tourism offers unparalleled potential to generate growth and jobs for Northern Ireland but faces the challenge of getting the vast range of government and industry agencies and organisations involved in tourism delivery to work better together in partnership with the private sector to pool efforts and resources to a common vision and goal.

NITB always attempts to engage as a wide a spectrum interests and providers within the tourism sector including, but not limited to, local councils, accommodation providers, event organisers, carriers, visitor attractions and developers.

Geothermal Energy

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what contact she has had with the Utility Regulator regarding (i) geothermal energy; and (ii) the need for the regulator to accommodate the setting up of a geothermal energy network.

(AQW 4455/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

My Department has had no discussions with the Utility Regulator on geothermal energy specifically or the setting up of a geothermal energy network.

DETI is however engaged with the Utility Regulator and other Departments on a project to examine the potential for renewable heat in Northern Ireland, which includes scoping out any potential contribution from geothermal energy.

DETI also chairs a cross departmental group on renewable heat which brings together expertise in the field and this group may consider geothermal issues as they emerge.

Geothermal Energy

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if and when she will introduce a regulatory regime for the development of geothermal energy.

(AQW 4456/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

My Department has no plans to introduce a regulatory regime to assist in the development of geothermal energy.

Current work underway in my Department to assess the potential for renewable heat in Northern Ireland needs to be completed so that the contribution that geothermal energy might play in the energy mix here can be fully identified.

Geothermal Energy

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if she expects all barriers to the development of geothermal energy to be removed by 2012.

(AQW 4457/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment recognises that there are a number of legislative, technical and financial barriers to the development of geothermal energy in Northern Ireland.

Work to date on deep geothermal energy has been led by the Department’s Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) and has addressed the issues of regulatory barriers and the risks associated with inadequate knowledge of the potential deep geothermal energy resource. GSNI is currently carrying out geophysical and geological research, under the Innovation Fund, aimed at reducing these risks.

GSNI has been a partner in an EU-funded project, Geothermal Regulations – Heat (GTR-H), which produced a Geothermal Energy Regulatory Framework, in November 2009, for use as a template for those countries without adequate legislation for geothermal energy exploration, development and production.

DETI is currently undertaking research into the potential for the development of a renewable heat market in Northern Ireland. The research will consider all types of renewable heat, including geothermal, and the measures needed to develop such a market.

Fuel Bills

Mr G Adams asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if she has any plans to introduce a mandatory social tariff to permit money off fuel bills for people who are eligible, including vulnerable cancer patients.

(AQW 4492/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

In response to Executive concerns about the impact of high energy costs on vulnerable consumers the Utility Regulator agreed to take forward work to establish the scope for regulatory action to make tariff changes aimed at helping to address fuel poverty. On 18 January 2010, the Regulator’s Office issued a consultation paper entitled ‘Assisting with Affordability Concerns for Vulnerable Energy Consumers’ The consultation, which runs until 12 April, aims to identify the key issues that need to be debated and considered in the formulation of policy options for introducing ‘affordability tariffs’ within the Northern Ireland energy sector.

However, the impact of any tariff changes in Northern Ireland will need to be considered carefully, not least with regard to the proportion of consumers in need of assistance and the stage of development of competition in the energy market.

Social Economy Enterprises

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an update on the application by the Ulster Community Investment Trust to Invest NI to secure investment for social economy enterprises.

(AQW 4527/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

Invest NI met the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) in January to discuss the business case they had presented for additional loan fund capital and to identify other possible options for UCIT to consider taking forward. These options include broader Departmental interest, consolidation with other loan funds and an interest in a new EU Microfinance facility.

I understand that Invest NI are scheduled to meet UCIT again on 15 February 2010 to update on progress and advise of Invest NI’s position.

Hughes Christensen

Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) what action her Department took to prevent the recent job losses at Hughes Christensen in East Belfast; and (ii) what action her Department is taking to ensure that workers are able to secure new employment.

(AQW 4568/10)

(i) Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Invest NI, on my behalf, has been in close liaison with the Local Management Team of Hughes Christensen throughout, and prior to, the current period of recession. In 2007, Invest NI provided assistance to attract a new mobile project to the Plant. The introduction of the Polydiamond Carbonate Drill Bit Production Line was intended to strengthen the Plant’s competitive position within the Group by widening its product portfolio beyond Tri-cone Drill Bits.

Since then, up until the end of December 2009, a number of different schemes were discussed with the local management team in an effort to minimise the impact of global recession on the plant. However, despite this due to significant ongoing overcapacity in the market, the Senior US Management Team was forced into instigating redundancies in 2009. Invest NI Officials and those from the Department for Employment and Learning continued to liaise with the Local Management Team during this period with a view to intervening as appropriate.

Regrettably, on the 28^th January 2010, representatives from the Senior US Management Team informed Invest NI that they had decided to enter into 90 day consultation with a view to possible factory closure. Invest NI are continuing to liaise with the Senior US Management Team in relation to this. No further comment can be made at this stage.

(ii) Invest NI in association with the Department for Employment and Learning are continuing to liaise with the local management team and have already offered to assist employees explore other employment options. The Local Management Team have indicated that they will draw down on these services when appropriate.

Land at Melmount Road, Strabane

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to provide a timescale for the completion of the acquisition of the 11.5 hectares of land at Melmount Road, Strabane, for the development of a Business Park.

(AQW 4569/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

In seeking to address the lack of available industrial land in the Strabane district Invest NI is actively progressing a strategic project to acquire new land.

In August 2009 the agency submitted two planning applications (full and outline) seeking approval for the development of a new business park in the district. A c44 acres gross site at Melmount Road has been identified as the preferred location, its acquisition, however, is dependent upon Invest NI achieving acceptable planning approval and expiry of the statutory juridical review period for the proposed development.

Prior to the submission of the applications Invest NI engaged with both Planning Service and other key stakeholders through the Pre Application Discussion process. Invest NI is hopeful that this engagement will assist Planning Service with its consultation process and enable an early decision to be provided.

Invest NI will continue to work with Planning Service, the council and key stakeholders to achieve a successful outcome.

Avaya

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if her Department has given any financial assistance to the U.S. company Avaya.

(AQW 4572/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:

No financial assistance agreement was ever entered into between Avaya and Invest NI. As such, no grant assistance has ever been paid by Invest NI to Avaya.

Department of the Environment

Impact of Salting and Gritting on Fresh Waterways

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment what is the environmental impact on fresh waterways of the prolonged periods of salting and gritting of roads.

(AQW 4303/10)

Minister of the Environment (Mr E Poots): There are minimal short-term impacts to the ecology of watercourses, from de-icing/gritting and the salt input to rivers is not prolonged enough to cause significant long-term damage. As salt from roads tends to enter watercourses during a thaw, it is diluted relatively quickly. Northern Ireland Environment Agency carries out an extensive freshwater biological monitoring programme, sampling rivers and streams, and have found no evidence of significant impact on aquatic wildlife from the addition of salt and grit to roads.

Developments Owned by Fred Fraser

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail any planning enforcement actions initiated on developments owned by Fred Fraser or associated companies, in each of the last 20 years.

(AQW 4345/10)

Minister of the Environment: My Department’s records indicate that since 2000 no enforcement action has been taken against the late Mr Fred Fraser or any of his known associated companies.

To provide accurate figures for the information requested over the last 20 years would require a manual check of records which is disproportionate in terms of time and cost.

Planning Applications

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail any representations made by Peter Robinson MP, MLA to his Department since 2000, in relation to planning applications by (i) Ken Campbell or associated companies; and (ii) Fred Fraser or associated companies.

(AQW 4346/10)

Minister of the Environment: My Department’s records indicate that since 2000 Mr Peter Robinson made no representations to planning applications by Ken Campbell or associated companies and no representations to planning applications by Fred Fraser or associated companies.

It should be noted that the details of the Directors of a company are seldom relevant to the processing of a planning application as planning permission relates to land rather than an individual.

As it is not uncommon for developers to establish a company to deal with a specific development proposal to provide accurate figures for the information requested would require both a company search and manual checking of files which is disproportionate in terms of time and cost.

Release of Whitelands at Millmount, Dundonald

Mr B Wilson asked e Minister of the Environment to detail any representations made by Peter Robinson MP, MLA to his Department, in relation to the release of Whitelands at Millmount, Dundonald, for housing development.

(AQW 4347/10)

Minister of the Environment: According to the report on the Public Inquiry under Article 31 on the major planning applications for housing development on Belfast Urban Area Plan Whiteland between the development limit and inner edge of the Green Belt no representations were submitted by Peter Robinson MP, MLA.

Craigmore Landfill Site

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment (i) how many site inspections has the Northern Ireland Environment Agency carried out on the Craigmore landfill site, near Garvagh, in the last three months; and (ii) how many complaints have been received about the site.

(AQW 4366/10)

1. Minister of the Environment: NIEA has carried out 5 site inspections on the Craigmore landfill site, in the last three months. Odour has been detected on 4 occasions and the operator has been asked to submit a gas management plan.
2. NIEA has received 16 complaints since the site opened in October 2008. One complaint in 2008 regarding a tear in the netting system which was quickly repaired. There were 12 complaints in 2009, 7 of which were about odour. Agency staff recorded a slight odour on the site however there was no evidence of off-site odour. The other complaints were about out–of–hour’s activity and these were passed to the Planning Service for their attention. Since the start of 2010 there have been 3 complaints all in relation to odour. The operator has been asked to submit capping and gas proposals.

Council Chief Executives

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of the Environment what plans he has to make council Chief Executives more accountable to him for their actions and decisions.

(AQW 4369/10)

Minister of the Environment: Council Chief Executives are employed by the individual councils and as such, they are fully accountable to their employing council for their actions and decisions. I am willing to consider proposals for change as part of RPA.

George Best Belfast City Airport

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of the Environment when he will make a final decision on whether to hold a public enquiry on the extension of the runway at the George Best Belfast City Airport.

(AQW 4371/10)

Minister of the Environment: The application to extend the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport is still under consideration by my officials in Planning Service and I await their report. I hope to be in a position to make a decision on the procedural route that will be taken shortly.

Preventative and Early Intervention Measures

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment for an estimate of the percentage of his annual budget which is directed towards preventative and early intervention measures.

(AQW 4388/10)

Minister of the Environment: During this year approximately 48% (£83,792,950) of my Department’s gross annual budget (£174,423,000) will be directed towards preventative and early intervention measures. Measures taken include monitoring of water quality and waste management in order to prevent environmental damage, the provision of grants to prevent deterioration of built heritage and the environment, prevention of unauthorised development through the development management process and improving road safety which contributes to the prevention of road casualties and reduction of vehicle crime.

Green Grave Burial System

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if the new pre-formed Green Grave burial system complies with burial regulations.

(AQW 4406/10)

Minister of the Environment: While my Department has responsibility for the Burial Ground Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992, it is not for my Department to determine whether the new pre-formed Greengrave burial system would comply with those Regulations. The Regulations require district councils to comply with certain conditions of burial and it is for them to decide if such pre-formed burial systems would meet those conditions.

Landfill Sites in the Ringsend Area of County Derry

Mr B Leonard asked the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of the need for three landfill sites in the Ringsend area of County Derry in the context of (i) recessionary pressures; and (ii) increased recycling resulting in less landfill waste.

(AQW 4426/10)

Minister of the Environment: There is currently one landfill in the Ringsend area which is being operated by a private sector contractor. A further two applications for landfills are with planning service and are being processed.

One of the two applications relates to the Cam Road site which has been identified by the North West Region Waste Management Group (NWRWMG) in its waste management plan as the preferred option for disposal of municipal waste in this region, following a rigorous site selection process which included public consultation and meetings.

The other application relates to a proposed inert landfill to be operated by another private sector contractor. This application has to fulfil the need criteria set out in Policy WM 3 (Waste Disposal) of Planning and Policy Statement 11.

Recycling rates in Northern Ireland have increased from some 5% in 1999 to some 35% currently, and must reach a minimum of 50% by 2020. Increased recycling will undoubtedly further reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

This reduction and the potential impact of the recession are factors that the NWRWMG and the private sector contractor will need to take into account when considering the need for additional landfill facilities

Planning Applications

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) the number of planning applications submitted where the proposed site was in an area of high scenic value in each of the last 10 years; and (ii) the number of these applications which were approved.

(AQW 4440/10)

Minister of the Environment: Areas of high scenic value are designated to protect areas of landscape merit and are currently found in the following Development Plans:-

• Draft BMAP 2015
• Derry Area Plan 2011
• Draft Magherafelt Area Plan 2015
• Ards and Down Area Plan 2015

In each of the last 10 years the number of applications submitted where the site was in an area of high scenic value and the number of these which were approved, refused, withdrawn and which are currently being processed are as follows:-

Source: MVM 20/20 Planner

Road Deaths

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment what new initiatives his Department is considering to address the problem of road fatalities.

(AQO 683/10)

Minister of the Environment: In the near future, I will be consulting on the development of a new road safety strategy to be introduced before the end of the year. The draft paper is with the Executive and I will be discussing it with the Environment Committee on Thursday.

Officials have engaged with road safety partners and other interested parties in developing over 170 possible measures to improve safety on our roads. These measures, along with proposed new targets and performance indicators will inform the upcoming public consultation.

My officials are working on a programme of proposals to change our driver training and testing systems. The key objective of the "Learning To Drive" proposals is to reduce the number of young and novice drivers killed or seriously injured by better preparing them to cope with the challenges of driving unsupervised in modern conditions.

I also intend to consult shortly on Graduated Driver Licensing to reduce the exposure to risk for new drivers and to improve driving standards in Northern Ireland. These measures could place certain restrictions on learner and restricted drivers which will gradually be lifted as the driver gains more experience. Amongst the measures, I am considering would be changes to the current 45 mph speed restriction on learner and replacing the current ‘R’ driver scheme.

I was heartened by the strong support for lowering the limits following the public consultation on drink driving carried out last year. I have already indicated my willingness to reduce the limit.

Earlier this month the PSNI called for powers to seize vehicles from drink drive offenders and referred to powers already in place in Scotland. I am prepared to look at this and have already asked my officials to work with the NIO, PSNI and the Courts Service to determine the experience in Scotland with such powers and the nature and extent of any powers that might be applicable here.

Planning Reform

Ms A Lo asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on planning reform.

(AQO 689/10)

Minister of the Environment: Members will be aware that the wide-ranging proposals for reform of the planning system, including the measures necessary to transfer planning functions to the new district councils in 2011, were subject to public consultation from July – October last year.

Almost 500 people, representing a wide-range of sectors and organisations, attended one or more of the consultation events and 264 formal written responses were received. As you can imagine, the comments and responses received reflected a vast array of, often conflicting, viewpoints. Nevertheless, in general terms there was broad support for the vast majority of the reform proposals.

Following the public consultation I have now formulated my final policy position, taking full account of the views expressed through the consultation, and subsequently submitted these policy proposals to Executive colleagues for consideration on 7 January 2010, with a view to seeking clearance at an Executive meeting as soon as possible thereafter. Members will appreciate that I am not in a position to advise on the detailed final policy position in advance of Executive clearance. Subject to Executive agreement, the final policy position will be made public thereafter and we can then move forward with the legislative process.

Given the extremely tight legislative timescale to which we are working it is essential that Executive clearance of the final policy is secured in the coming weeks if we are to remain on course to deliver the reforms by the 2011 deadline.

Clean Neighbourhoods

Lord Browne asked the Minister of the Environment when consultation will begin on the clean neighbourhoods legislation.

(AQO 690/10)

Minister of the Environment: Subject to Executive clearance I would very much like to commence the consultation exercise on a draft Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill in February.

Road Safety: Speed Cameras

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister of the Environment how Speed Enforcement Camera Systems have improved road safety.

(AQO 692/10)

Minister of the Environment: The Northern Ireland Safety Camera Scheme was launched on 1st July 2003.  As part of the first phase of the scheme there were 4 fixed camera sites, 31 mobile camera sites and 33 mobile camera routes. 

Data was collected over the 3 years immediately prior to the launch and compared with the 3 years subsequent to the launch.  These data demonstrated a 41% reduction in the number of fatal or serious injury collisions and a 36% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured at these sites. 

The decline in the number of fatal or serious injury collisions at sites not covered by the scheme was around 20.5% over the same period.

In the 2002/03 Financial Year there were 169 fatal or serious injury collisions at the sites.  In 2008/2009 there were 76 fatal or serious injury collisions; a reduction of 55%.  The decline in the number of fatal or serious injury collisions in Northern Ireland generally, was around 24.5% over the same period.

These are significant reductions and a clear demonstration that safety cameras, both fixed and mobile, reduce fatal or serious injury collisions.

Illegal Instruction of Learner Drivers

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of the Environment how many incidents of illegal instruction of learner drivers have been detected in each of the last three years.

(AQW 4485/10)

Minister of the Environment: Since the PSNI is the prosecuting authority for cases of illegal driving instruction, my Department may not be aware of every incident. However, the Driver & Vehicle Agency, which maintains the register of approved driving instructors, is aware of two cases of illegal or unregistered instruction that were detected and prosecuted in 2007 and of one further case that is now pending.

Department of Finance and Personnel

Central Procurement Directorate Staff

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many staff within Central Procurement Directorate have been subject to (i) internal investigation; (ii) disciplinary measures; (iii) demotion; or (iv) termination of contract, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 4073/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr S Wilson): The information requested is as follows:

(i)* NIL

(ii) NIL

(iii) NIL

(iv) NIL

* includes Dignity at Work and discipline investigations.

Response period 1 February 2007 – 31 January 2010.

Goods and Services Paid for Online

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) which goods and services provided by his Department can be paid for online; (ii) the total number of transactions processed by his Department for these goods and services in each of the last five years; (iii) the total number of these transactions which were (a) online payments; (b) payments by cheque; (c) postal order; (d) cash; or (e) other method; and (iv) the percentage of payments made online compared with other payment methods.

(AQW 4246/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Details of the relevant goods and services, together with the transaction data and percentages requested for the Department of Finance and Personnel (including its agencies) for the last five financial years are provided in the attached tables.

The information is provided on the basis of the last five complete financial years representing the basis of preparation of the Department’s accounts.

2008/09

*Information on the numbers of mapping transactions made via other payment methods is not readily available. Data provided above is based on a manual exercise providing a best estimate.

2007/08

*Information on the numbers of mapping transactions made via other payment methods is not readily available.

2006/07

*Information on the numbers of mapping transactions made via other payment methods is not readily available.

2005/06

*All telephone and online general register office certificate applications during the 2005/06 financial year were recorded as credit card payments, and hence fall within the "other method" category.

2004/05

Consultations on Building Regulations

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the consultations carried out by his Department since August 2009 on (i) existing Building Regulations; and (ii) new Regulations introduced in 2009.

(AQW 4274/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: There have been no consultations carried out on existing Building Regulations since August 2009.

There were no new Regulations introduced in 2009, however the Building (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (SR 2010 No. 1) were made on 4 January 2010, and will come into effect on 31 March 2010.

Building Regulations (NI) 2000

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he plans to alter Part F (Conservation of Fuel and power) of the Building Regulations (NI) 2000 to provide for further reductions in the Carbon Emission Rate of 25% by 2010 and 44% by 2013, as is planned for the rest of the UK.

(AQW 4275/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The figures quoted above are the regulatory targets proposed for the England & Wales building regulations. My officials continue to work closely with their counterparts in the Department of Communities and Local Government to examine the outcome of their consultation paper on this proposal for England & Wales and to finalise the calculation methodologies and technical detail for their amendment.

Once this work has been concluded, officials will consult on proposals for an appropriate and comparative set of regulations for Northern Ireland, to come into effect as soon after England & Wales as possible. It would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the consultation.

Birth Rate

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for (i) the birth rate in each of the last five years; (ii) the projection for the next two years; and (iii) the number of non-national children registered in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4297/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Table 1 below shows the annual birth rate¹ between 2004 and 2008 and the projected the annual birth rate¹ between 2009 and 2011.

Birth registration does not record nationality; the nearest proxy is country of birth. Table 2 gives the number of births registered in Northern Ireland from 2004 to 2009 Q1-Q3^P where the parent(s) country of birth is outside the UK and Ireland.

Table 1: Actual and projected birth rates¹, 2004-2011

Table 2: Births registered in Northern Ireland to parent(s) born outside the UK and Ireland, 2004-2009 Quarter 1-Quarter 3 (Q1-Q3^P).

¹ Number of births per 1,000 women aged 15-44

^P Provisional data

Valuation of Properties in New Developments

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what action he is taking to speed up the process of valuation of properties in new developments to allow householders to apply for rates reductions.

(AQW 4319/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: District Valuers within Land & Property Services (LPS) aim to value all new houses and enter these in the Valuation List as soon as a property is capable of occupation. LPS is specifically targeting a reduction in the number of new houses awaiting inspection and valuation and is making substantial improvements. LPS works closely with all district councils, in particular their Building Control Offices, to assist in targeting completions.

Although new houses are constantly added to the workload, the total number of outstanding cases continues to reduce. The table below illustrates the current position and the progress being made.

LPS recognises the impact of backdated rate bills on ratepayers, and seeks to offer extended payment arrangements in such cases where this is requested by ratepayers. LPS also works with ratepayers to ensure that the benefits and reliefs available to ratepayers are applied for the full period of entitlement.

Capital Projects

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for a breakdown of spending on capital projects in this financial year to date.

(AQW 4321/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Capital investment covers a wide range of expenditure and thousands of individual projects. The information routinely provided by Departments in financial monitoring returns does not therefore separately identify each individual project.

Consequently, the information required to provide a reply to your question is not held centrally within the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) and could only be obtained comprehensively across all Departments at disproportionate cost.

Regarding my own Department, DFP Properties Division has indicated that it has planned to incur expenditure across a number of capital projects during the financial year 2009/10. These projects are listed at Annex A.

ANNEX A

Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if they can confirm that there will not be an underspend on the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2.

(AQW 4322/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2 (ISNI2) covers the period 2008-2018. The figures published for the first three years reflect the capital investment allocations made to departments in Budget 2008-11. However, the ISNI shows gross capital investment whereas departmental budgets are set net of capital receipts.

The years 2011-2018 shown in the ISNI are indicative, for planning purposes only, as allocations can only be confirmed once funding has been agreed with the Treasury through the Spending Review process.

Departmental spending performance is measured annually against their final plan position for the year. This position incorporates changes to departmental budgets that have been agreed by the Executive though the in-year monitoring process.

In my statement to the Assembly on 7 July 2009, I announced that in 2008-09 departments delivered some £1.5 billion of net capital investment. This position reflected an overspend of £16.6 million against final plan. This was due to the fact that the Department for Regional Development incurred an overspend in respect of additional costs arising from the reclassification of Northern Ireland Water, while the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development had an overspend in relation to the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme. In both cases the Executive was aware of the potential for further costs to be incurred.

Provisional Outturn information for 2009-10 will not be available until June/July this year. The position for 2010-11 is currently being reviewed by the Executive.

Preventative and Early Intervention Measures

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for an estimate of the percentage of his annual budget which is directed towards preventative and early intervention measures.

(AQW 4324/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel:

In 2008/09 my department spent an estimated 1.8% of its annual budget on planned preventative maintenance on the NICS office estate.

Cost of Deferring Water Charges

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for a breakdown of the estimated £210m cost of deferring water charges in 2010/11, giving non-cash costs and revenue shortfall.

(AQW 4327/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: There is no simple breakdown of the £210m funding requirement. This represents the difference between the Budget 2008-11 allocation for NI Water (NIW) and the latest Budget requirement. The Budget 2008-11 position accounted for NIW as a Government owned Company (GoCo) and was based on full domestic charging having been introduced. The latest budget requirement now identified for 2010-11 takes account of the fact that domestic charging has not been introduced and NIW is being accounted for as an NDPB. This funding requirement should be firmed up once the Executive has considered the final determination of the Price Control (PC10) and assesses the appropriate funding envelope for NIW for the next three years.

Approximately £72m of the overall net cost of deferring domestic water charging relates to depreciation (non cash cost) and is due to the reclassification from GoCo to NDPB. The remainder is primarily due to the net lost income.

Flights for Civil Servants

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQW 3801/10, to explain why his Department's travel desk deems it unnecessary to record the number of flights booked for staff that go unused.

(AQW 4357/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel:

Given that the number of flights booked for civil servants in DFP but not used is relatively low, the cost of implementing an administrative system to record, collate and monitor them would not represent value for money. My Department is required to operate efficiently and to keep its administration costs to a minimum.

Consultations on Building Regulations

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail any consultations planned for 2010 on (i) new Building Regulations; or (ii) Amendments to existing Building Regulations.

(AQW 4376/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel:

There are three consultations planned for 2010 on both existing and new building regulations, namely:

• An amendment to the Building Regulations (NI) 2000 that addresses issues relating to the lifespan of building regulations approval and how it should apply to applications for more than one dwelling. The proposed amendment will also clarify certain issues relating to the application of Parts F (Conservation of fuel and power) and E (Fire safety) of the Regulations. This consultation is currently planned for Spring 2010;
• An amendment to the Building (Prescribed Fees) Regulations (NI) 1997, that will address the level of fees payable and other mechanisms relating to the fee structure; and
• Proposals for new Building Regulations that consolidate previous regulations and implement changes brought about by the Building Regulations (Amendment) Act 2009. The consultation will also include proposals for technical uplifts to four parts of the regulations, namely Part C (Preparation of site and resistance to moisture), Part F (Conservation of fuel and power), Part G (Sound insulation), and Part K (Ventilation).

It is anticipated that consultation on the latter two proposals will take place in the second half of 2010.

Fairtrade Products

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, further to his commitment to ensure that all new catering contracts specify that Fairtrade products must be made available in new buildings and at official functions, how many contracts have been awarded in accordance with this criteria since this commitment was given; and to list these contracts.

(AQW 4383/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Since the original commitment was given in 2006, all contractors supplying catering services to the Northern Ireland Civil Service have been required to provide fair trade products for hospitality services and to offer, where appropriate, fair trade products for purchase by staff. This requirement was included in all new contracts and also in those contracts which were extended.

7 new contracts have been awarded since 2006 for catering services in the following buildings:- Public Records Office of Northern Ireland, Agri-Food and Bioscience Institute Northern Ireland (AFBINI), Great Northern Tower, Goodwood House, Stormont Castle, Clare House and College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).

Staff Uniforms

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what proportion of staff uniforms purchased through central procurement contracts are made from Fairtrade fabrics.

(AQW 4384/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) do not have any arrangements for the procurement of staff uniforms for the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS).

Preventative and Early Intervention Measures

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for an estimate of the percentage of the budget for all Government Departments which is directed towards preventative and early intervention measures.

(AQW 4389/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Department of Finance and Personnel does not collect data from Northern Ireland departments in respect of the amount of funding directed towards preventative and early intervention measures.

The broad range of activities that could possibly be considered as relating to preventative and early intervention measures, and the absence of a precise definition encompassing all public services, means that it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the amount of funding that is allocated for this purpose.

Capital Investment

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if the expected net capital investment of £1.5bn, as set out in March 2009 by the previous Minister, was spent by the Executive in 2008/09.

(AQW 4396/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel:

My statement to the Assembly on 7 July 2009 informed members that £1.5bn of net capital expenditure was reported by Northern Ireland departments for 2008-09 at Provisional Outturn.

Procurement and Tendering Procedures

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how his Department is improving procurement and tendering procedures to provide opportunities for local construction companies, including those which are not currently registered with Constructionline.

(AQW 4418/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Public procurement is subject to EU Treaty obligations, which require freedom of movement, transparency and non-discrimination on the basis of nationality. Public sector buyers therefore cannot restrict their purchases of goods, works or services to favour local firms.

Government recognises the important contribution that local construction companies make to the economy of Northern Ireland and in response to the economic downturn, my department established the Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland (CIFNI) Procurement Task Group. Since the publication of the Task Group’s report, Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) and the other Centres of Procurement Expertise (CoPEs) have been working with the Construction Industry Group for Northern Ireland (CIGNI) to develop a number of measures to standardise and streamline the pre-qualification process and thereby maximise opportunities for Small and Medium sized Enterprises.

The emerging proposals have been incorporated into a standard Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) template to be used to shortlist firms for invitation to tender. The PQQ:-

• includes proportionate minimum standards for experience and financial standing;
• accommodates applications from consortia;
• streamlines the assessment of health and safety competence; and
• removes the need for firms registered with Constructionline to submit financial information for each competition.

Constructionline is a register of contractors and consultants that have undergone a preliminary assessment for work in the public and private sectors. Greater use of Constructionline will reduce tendering costs and free up valuable resources that can be used to deliver best value for money projects.

Where a firm is not registered with Constructionline, it will be able to apply by submitting financial and other details with its PQQ. This information will be passed to Constructionline for assessment to the same standard.

It is anticipated that, subject to final agreement, the standard PQQ will be introduced for use by all CoPEs from 1 March 2010.

Rate Arrears

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what impact rate arrears will have on Executive spending plans in the current Comprehensive Spending Review period.

(AQW 4432/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: In line with the principles of Resource Accounting and Budgeting, from 2008-09, regional rates income has been budgeted for on an accruals basis.

This involves recognising costs and revenues as they are earned or incurred, irrespective of the period of receipt or payment. Therefore, there will be little, if any, impact from rate arrears over the Budget 2008-11 period.

Land Registry Service Staffing

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for the total staffing costs of the Land Registry Service in each of the last five financial years.

(AQW 4482/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Land Registry (the office responsible for registering the ownership of land in Northern Ireland) was formerly part of the organisation known as Land Registers of Northern Ireland. It merged with, and became part of, Land & Property Services on 1 April 2008.

The table below shows the staffing costs in connection with land registration for the last five financial years.

Financial Year	Staffing Costs
2004-2005	£4.490m
2005-2006	£5.258m
2006-2007	£5.378m
2007-2008	£6.364m
2008-2009	£4.352m

District Rates

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the average expected increase or decrease in district rates for (i) the Portaferry ward; (ii) the Ards district; and (iii) Northern Ireland as a whole.

(AQW 4507/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: District rates are set by each individual local council. Rates for the incoming financial year are normally struck by each council in February. It is not possible to know what the increase or decrease in district rates in the Ards area will be until that council sets its rate for the coming year.

The overall rate bill is made up of a regional and district rate. In 2008, the Executive agreed to freeze the domestic regional rate for the life of the CSR period. There will therefore be no increase in the domestic regional rate element in 2010/11.

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Cost of Smoking Cessation Programmes and Products

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much money was spent (i) in total; and (ii) by each Health and Social Care Trust, on (a) smoking cessation programmes; and (b) ‘stop smoking’ products issued free to the general public, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4125/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey):

Action to support smokers to quit is an important element of smoking reduction policy. Considerable investment has therefore been made in smoking cessation services across Northern Ireland.

A total of £3,131,283 has been spent on funding for smoking cessation services across Northern Ireland since 2004/05. Information on funding is not available by Health and Social Care Trust.

In addition, from 2006/07, £1,556,000 has been spent specifically for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), available free of charge to those who are eligible for free prescriptions. Spend on NRT is not available by Trust area.

It should be noted that any reduction in smoking related illnesses would greatly benefit the health service in terms of reduced overall costs for treating such illnesses. The latest available figures, which were for 2003/04, show that the estimated applicable total hospital costs here of treating cancer, circulatory and respiratory diseases, of which smoking has been a contributory factor, was £74m.

Procurement Process

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, given the concerns that have been raised in relation to value for money in the procurement process of his Department, what assurances can he give that the process will be operated in an objective manner which promotes value for money and transparency.

(AQW 4133/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

My Department’s approach to procurement has always been governed by Northern Ireland public sector procurement policy. Operating within that framework and through Centres of Procurement Expertise, we will continue to secure value for money using fair and transparent procedures.

Guidance on the Termination of Pregnancy

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he can confirm that his Department's guidance on the termination of pregnancy has been taken out of circulation and that all Health and Social Care Trusts have informed doctors of the High Court ruling regarding this guidance.

(AQW 4153/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

Following the decision of the High Court in the SPUC Judicial Review, I am currently considering my options. I will be making an announcement in due course.

Guidance on the Termination of Pregnancy

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if his Department is re-drafting its termination of pregnancy guidance in light of the Judicial Review in October 2009.

(AQW 4155/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

Following the decision of the High Court in the SPUC Judicial Review, I am currently considering my options. I will be making an announcement in due course.

Occupational Therapists' Referrals

Mr J Shannon asked Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she would consider applying a rule of construction to the timescales in which Occupational Therapists' referrals can be made on applications for disabled facilities grants.

(AQW 4157/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

Occupational therapists’ referrals in relation to Disabled Facilities Grant are subject to the existing Priorities for Action target of 13 weeks from referral to initial OT assessment.

Spinal or Neck Injuries

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why people who suffer spinal or neck injuries as a result of road traffic accidents in the Omagh area are taken to the Erne Hospital before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast

(AQW 4169/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service crews, in line with current best practice, will take a cautionary approach to assessing patients with potential spinal or neck injuries following road traffic collisions. While some spinal injuries are clinically apparent at the scene, the majority are not. Given the potential risk of long term disability, should crews consider such an injury may have occurred, patients will be taken to the nearest appropriately equipped hospital so that the presence or absence of an injury may be confirmed. The requirement for onward transfer to specialist care is then assessed in light of the individual patient’s clinical needs.

X-ray Scans in Dalriada Hospital

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many x-ray scans were carried out on patients whilst they were recuperating in Dalriada Hospital in (i) 2007; (ii) 2008; and (iii) 2009.

(AQW 4176/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The number of x-rays carried out on patients whilst they were recuperating in Dalriada Hospital in 2007, 2008 and 2009 is shown in the table below, broken down by CT Scan, and Plain Film X-ray.

Source: Northern Health and Social Care Trust

Dedicated Drugs Rehabilitation Centre

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration has been given to setting up a dedicated drugs rehabilitation centre.

(AQW 4190/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Overall regional commissioning and planning of substance misuse services, including access to specialist community based residential facilities, is now co-ordinated via the joint Health and Social Care Board (HSCB)/Public Health Agency (PHA), Bamford Mental Health and Disability Implementation Taskforce.

At present in each Trust area there is access to:

• comprehensive Addictions Treatment services within secondary care (including community and residential/in-patient services); and
• generic primary/secondary care services who will meet physical/mental health needs that may arise because of the misuse of drugs and alcohol.

During 2010/2011 the HSCB/PHA will appraise current levels of service provision, including access to specialist substance misuse treatment services.

Fraud Investigation Team

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 3676/10, to detail (i) the cost of funding the fraud investigation team; and (ii) the total revenue recovered by this team, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4207/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

During the financial years 2005/06 – 2009/10, the operational costs of the Counter Fraud Investigation Service (CFIS) of the Business Services Organisation amounted to £2.4m. During the same period, total financial recoveries amounted to £3.29m. The latter excludes an on-going investigation, which has resulted in civil proceedings being instigated to recover some £0.15m.

The above figures do not include savings secured for Health and Social Care by the deterrent effect of the operations of CFIS; evidenced by the reduction of some 50% in the level of fraudulent claims for exemption from payment of statutory Health Service charges for prescriptions, dental and ophthalmic treatment.

Multiple Sclerosis respite in Dalriada Hospital

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) how many beds there are currently for Multiple Sclerosis respite in Dalriada Hospital; and (ii) how many of these beds will be withdrawn this year, and on what date.

(AQW 4211/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

There are currently 12 beds for Multiple Sclerosis respite in Dalriada Hospital; none of these 12 beds will be withdrawn within the 2009/10 year.

Dalriada Hospital

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what cuts to resources or services are being considered at Dalriada Hospital over the next 3 years.

(AQW 4212/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust currently has no plans to reduce services at Dalriada Hospital.

Nerve Stimulation

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 3754/10, when the two patients awaiting nerve stimulation at the Royal Victoria Hospital will receive their treatment.

(AQW 4222/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

At 13^th January two patients were waiting for vagus nerve stimulation at the Royal

Victoria Hospital. This waiting list will be cleared by the end of February 2010.

Consultants on Sick Leave

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) how many consultants in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust are currently on sick leave; (ii) what arrangements the Trust has to cover their absence; and (iii) to provide a breakdown of the specialised care area and location of each absentee.

(AQW 4226/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The Department does not collect the data requested by specific grade of doctor, care area or location but by the medical and dental terms and conditions group.

Trust arrangements for covering absence of consultants varies according to each speciality and duration of absence. Measures include colleagues covering the emergency elements of the work or the recruitment of locums.

Information relating to sickness absence is published on a bi-annual basis the departmental website at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hrd/wpu/wpu-monitoring.htm.

Maternity and Gynaecology Provision

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if maternity and gynaecology provision will be transferred from the Mater Hospital to the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital.

(AQW 4227/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

There are no plans to move gynaecology and maternity services from the Mater to the Royal Jubilee at this time.

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how his budget is equality proofed; and how he is implementing Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act across his Department.

(AQW 4228/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

Individual CSR bids made by the Department were subject to high level equality impact assessments. Trusts carried out screening on their subsequent efficiency proposals and carried out full Equality Impact Assessments where screening indicated this was required. HSC bodies and I, personally, have engaged with the Unions and many other Stakeholders in the course of the process.

Fundamentally, however, there is nothing equal about imposing a blunt 3% CSR efficiency plan on all Departments. No final unified equality impact assessment of the CSR efficiency approach was shown to the Executive before they made their decision. I am now in the position of having scant time to consider fully the impact of the additional £92m cut being imposed on my budget in 2010/11. I am concerned too, to ensure that the impact of the distribution of the total additional cuts for 2010/11 is assessed for each department, rather than only the very marginal difference between proposed cuts and ‘pro-rata’.

My Department screens all its policies to identify those that may have a significant adverse impact on or consequence for people in any of the Section 75 groups. If, during the screening process, it is decided that a policy or decision has the potential for adverse impact, an Equality Impact Assessment is conducted.

Tyrone-Cavan Interconnector

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will conduct an investigation into the potential detrimental effects on health of the proposed Tyrone-Cavan Interconnector, given that a planning application has now been submitted.

(AQW 4229/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

My Department has no plans to commission any work associated with the planning application for the proposed Tyrone – Cavan Interconnector. I understand that the Environmental Statement that accompanies the planning application seeks to address relevant health issues and that the Public Health Agency and the Environmental Health Departments of a number of District Councils have been consulted.

Child Protection Register

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many children are currently on the Child Protection Register within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, broken down by area.

(AQW 4230/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information is not available in the form requested.

Investing for Health Strategy

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for the proposed new timescales for the the review of the Investing for Health Strategy that was scheduled for 2009.

(AQW 4249/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The review of Investing for Health commenced in July 2009.   It is currently anticipated that the review will report by the end of April 2010.

Recommendations from the review will help inform a longer term programme of policy development.

Contact Youth

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what funding has been allocated for Contact Youth this financial year; and for the following year.

(AQW 4250/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

During the financial year 2009/10, £869992 has been allocated to Contact Youth.

Contact Youth provides a range of services which support implementation of a number of public health strategies including Investing for Health, suicide prevention, mental health promotion, and sexual violence prevention. Contact Youth also delivers the regional 24/7 "Lifeline" crisis response telephone helpline service.

Funding allocations for 2010/2011 have not yet been agreed, and future funding for the provision of the Lifeline service will be dependant on an extension of the contract for a further year.

Contact Youth

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people have Contact Youth assisted through their lifeline system in each of the last two years.

(AQW 4251/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

A total of 140,893 calls have been made to Lifeline since the service became operational at the end of January 2008. The service operators, Contact Youth, estimate that almost half of all callers use the helpline as a one-off or occasional repeat resource.

In addition to initial over the phone help, callers can, where appropriate, be referred for ongoing support. This is in the form of ongoing telephone or face-to-face counselling and/or specialised therapeutic support. By the end of December 2009, 8655 Lifeline clients had received additional support. Of these 8655, 4577 clients received counselling and support from mental health service professionals, and a further 4078 were referred to other Lifeline "wraparound" services, such as mentoring, befriending, and complementary therapies as follows:

April 2008 – March 2009 11,574 sessions provided to 1942 clients

April 2009 – December 2009 14,571 sessions provided to 2136 clients

Non-care Elements for Care Home Residents

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the estimated annual cost to the public purse of non-care elements for care home residents such as food and accommodation.

(AQW 4252/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

Research undertaken by my Department has indicated that the cost of non-care elements in care homes can range between one half and two thirds of the total tariff. It is not, however, possible to determine the exact cost to the public purse of these elements as the total tariff for each placement is not constant and will vary depending on factors such as the assessed needs of the individual and the availability of appropriate placements. Furthermore, the cost to the public purse is reduced through each resident’s individually assessed financial contribution towards the total tariff.

Review of Public Administration

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many nursing posts have been lost in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust through the Review of Public Administration.

(AQW 4257/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

None. The most recent Health and Social Care Workforce Census shows that the number of qualified Nursing and Midwifery staff in the Health and Social Care is 13,938 (whole time equivalents) and that this has remained unchanged since March 2008.

Executive Papers

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to list the subject matter of each of the 33 papers that his Department referred to the Executive between May 2007 and 7 December 2009; and to state whether the Executive agreed each paper.

(AQW 4266/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

It is not our practice to disclose details of Executive business. The detailed content of Executive papers including the agenda and minutes of the meeting are confidential.

Investing for Health Strategy

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the Investing for Health strategy recognises the workplace as a priority setting for tackling health issues; and if the review of the strategy took account of the recommendations in the Boorman report, in particular that early intervention services should form part of the minimum service specification for Health Service staff.

(AQW 4276/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The Investing for Health Strategy recognises the workplace as a key setting which has considerable potential for promoting health related issues in the workforce.

The high level review of the Investing for Health Strategy is currently underway and it is anticipated that the review will report by the end of April 2010. The Investing for Health Review is considering a range of high level strategic documents. The specific recommendations from the Boorman report will help inform a longer term programme of policy development with regard to workplace health.

Goods and Services Paid for Online

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) which goods and services provided by his Department can be paid for online; (ii) the total number of transactions processed by his Department for these goods and services in each of the last five years; (iii) the total number of these transactions which were (a) online payments; (b) payments by cheque; (c) postal order; (d) cash; or (e) other method; and (iv) the percentage of payments made online compared with other payment methods.

(AQW 4290/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

My Department does not currently provide goods and services that can be paid for online.

Suicide Rate

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the Programme for Government target of reducing the suicide rate by 15% by 2011 will be met.

(AQW 4298/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

There was a very significant increase in recorded suicide rates in 2005 and 2006, with almost a doubling in the number of deaths since the start of the decade. The Northern Ireland suicide prevention strategy "Protect Life" was launched in 2006, in the midst of this unprecedented increase, with a 15% reduction target based partially on the much lower numbers of recorded suicides prior to 2005/06. The sharp rises in 2006 and 2006 had an almost immediate impact on the potential for achieving the 15% reduction target and it is now clear that this will not be achieved.

The Protect Life strategy is currently being reviewed and refreshed, and consideration is being given to the development of a wider range of performance indicators for assessing the impact of the strategy.

Programme for Government Targets

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if his Department will meet the Programme for Government targets to (i) reduce the number of children in care; (ii) provide family support interventions; (iii) reduce the number of children on the child protection register; and (iv) increase the proportion of care leavers in education, training or employment by the time they reach 19 years of age.

(AQW 4299/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:  

1. The target "To reduce the number of children in care by 12% by 2011" was withdrawn in agreement with the Executive on 1^st October 2009 and a replacement target has been introduced – "From March 2010, for every child taken into care, a plan for permanence and associated timescale should be agreed (by Trusts) within six months".
2. HSC Board figures show that regionally, there were 2,505 family support interventions at December 09 against target of 2000 for the 2009/10 year;*
3. The March 2008 baseline figure showed that 416 looked after children were on the child protection register. The targeted reduction is to be achieved by March 2011. The HSC Board and Trusts are currently developing new regional guidance for child protection of looked after children which is expected to be in place by April 2010.
4. The latest information provided by the HSC Board indicates that, at October 2009, 64% of care leavers were either in education, training or employment working towards a target of 70% by March 2010.*

Day Care Services

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the per capita spend on (i) day care services for people with a learning disability; and (ii) all other services for people with a learning disability in each Health and Social Care Trust area, broken down by capital and current streams.

(AQW 4312/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The table below sets out the 2008/2009 expenditure per capita by Health and Social Care Trusts for day care services for people with a learning disability and all other services for people with a learning disability. This has been broken down by revenue and capital expenditure.

*Capital spend varies significantly year to year by Trust

Note The Belfast trust per capita spend for other services includes Muckamore Abbey hospital which provides services to other trust areas.

Adults With a Learning Disability

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) how many adults with a learning disability currently reside within the Western Health and Social Care Trust area; and (ii) how many of these clients have been provided with a care plan.

(AQW 4313/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information provided by the Western Health and Social Care Trust indicated that as at 29^th January 2010:

1. 1,639 adults were on an informal register as having been referred to the Trust for assessment and met the criteria for a formal diagnosis of learning disability. However, there may be others in the Trust that have never been referred or presented for formal assessment.
2. Approximately 1,200 adults with a learning disability, currently residing in the Trust, have been provided with a care plan.

Preventative and Early Intervention Measures

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an estimate of the percentage of his annual budget which is directed towards preventative and early intervention measures.

(AQW 4323/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

Preventative and early intervention measures are part of the work of all Health and Social Care practitioners from GPs to Family and Childcare Social Workers. As such, it is not possible to clarify the total investment as requested. These measures will form part of the normal response to injury or illness, or risk of neglect or abuse, as practitioners seek to prevent a recurrence of illness and injury, or risk of neglect or abuse.

Nuero-physiotherapy Services

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what arrangements are in place to allow patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, who have impaired mobility and have difficulty travelling to appointments, to access nuero-physiotherapy services.

(AQW 4337/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

Local initiatives, such as Rural Lift transport, Door to Door transport, and volunteer drivers are available, while the Multiple Sclerosis Society may also provide transport to neuro-physiotherapy services. General Practioners may arrange for ambulance transport, if appropriate, or, on occasions, travel by taxi may be authorised. In addition, for those patients who are unable to travel, physiotherapy services may be provided in a domiciliary or day care setting.

Nuero-physiotherapists

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many nuero-physiotherapists currently operate in (i) Northern Ireland; and (ii) in each Health and Social Care Trust; and how these figures compare to the rest of the UK.

(AQW 4338/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The requested information in relation to Northern Ireland is provided in the table below. Figures for neurophysiotherapists in the other UK countries are not readily available.

Physiotherapists with neuro-disability skills in HSC Trusts.

Source: Health & Social Care Trusts

Notes:

¹ WTE= whole-time equivalent

Nuero-physiotherapists

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many nuero-physiotherapists have been in post in each of the last five years; and if he has any plans to increase the number currently employed.

(AQW 4339/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The requested information is provided in the table below.

Physiotherapists with neuro-disability skills in the HSC Trusts

Source: Health and Social Care Trust

† Information is not readily available.

It is the responsibility of Health and Social Care employers to determine the complement of staff necessary to provide service.

Management and Service Structure in Health and Social Care Trusts

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the current (i) management structure; and (ii) service structure, in each Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 4349/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

I refer the member to my answer to AQW 3906/10.

Health and Social Care Trusts and the Regional Health Board

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how the Health and Social Care Trusts and the Regional Health Board work together.

(AQW 4350/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) works with the Public Health Agency (PHA) to assess the health and social care needs of the people of Northern and to reflect them in an annual commissioning plan, which is agreed by both organisations before being approved by my Department.

Health and Social Care Trusts must provide services in response to the commissioning plan, in accordance with the standards and targets set by me.

Working with the PHA, the HSCB is responsible for managing and monitoring the achievement of agreed objectives and targets by Trusts as set out in SBAs. At the same time, the HSCB and PHA also work together closely in supporting Trusts to improve performance and achieve the desired outcomes.

Clinical Obesity

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what progress has been made to address the needs of people who are considered clinically obese and 'at risk'.

(AQW 4356/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Later this year, an Obesity Prevention Strategic Framework aimed at tackling the rising prevalence of obesity in Northern Ireland will be published.

The majority of care and advice to patients who are clinically obese will be provided through their GP including treatment of any specific clinical condition.

Staffing for Heart Surgery Procedures

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he is taking to address the shortage of staffing for heart surgery procedures.

(AQW 4372/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Regional Cardiac Network is currently developing plans to increase local cardiac surgery capacity to make Northern Ireland self-sufficient in the provision of cardiac surgery by 2012/2013. These plans include the equipping of a fourth theatre at the Royal, provision of additional ICU capacity, and recruiting staff, subject to funding. Recruitment is ongoing at the Royal for two Consultant Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists, a Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist, and a Consultant Cardiac Surgeon with primary responsibility for Paediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Disease.

Methodrone

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps his Department is taking to ensure that methodrone and other so-called 'legal highs' are banned.

(AQW 4373/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: ‘Legal highs’ are substances currently not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and which are self-administered to achieve an altered state of mind.

My approach is to act to protect the public from dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs. The availability of these so-called "legal highs" changes the environment in which some young people are now finding themselves. It is therefore imperative that appropriate legislation is introduced that not only deals with current trends but also foreseeable ones. To this end, legislation was introduced on the 23 December 2009 to make it illegal to possess or distribute a range of substances including:

• GBL and 1,4-BD;
• BZP and a group of substituted piperazines;
• a range of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists; and
• 24 anabolic steroids, and two growth promoters.

It is the duty of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to advise Ministers on appropriate measures to be taken with respect to drugs which are being, or appear to them are likely to be, misused and which are causing or may cause a social problem. Following recent reports of the availability of mephedrone and emerging evidence of its harms, the ACMD is now looking at this issue as a priority, and are due to report in 2010.

Allegations of Child Sex Abuse Against Liam Adams

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if Gerry Adams MLA raised any concerns with Social Services regarding the appointment of Liam Adams at the Clonard Youth Centre; and, if his Department has had any discussions with statutory agencies concerning the child healthcare implications of allegations of child sex abuse against Liam Adams.

(AQW 4600/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an individual case.

Hospital-acquired Infections

Rev Dr R Coulter asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how the reduction in MRSA and C-difficile cases in the last six months was achieved.

(AQO 713/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

In the past 18 months MRSA cases have been reduced by a third and C. difficile cases are down by over 40%.

I made it one of my priorities from the outset to tackle healthcare-associated infections. That is why in September 2007 I set targets for reducing C. difficile and MRSA.

In January 2008 I announced a series of focused, practical interventions supported by new money. These included measures to improve environmental cleanliness; the unannounced hygiene inspections; restrictions on visiting; a regional dress code for healthcare staff, and resources to improve antibiotic prescribing.

In addition to these measures I commissioned an independent review of the C. diff outbreak in Northern Trust hospitals. The RQIA made 53 recommendations, which I accepted. The implementation of these recommendations has contributed to the ongoing reductions in infections.

DHSSPS Budget

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an overview of his Department's three year budget settlement.

(AQO 714/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

I always said my budget was only as good as it gets but that in truth it wasn’t enough to deliver the services we need here in Northern Ireland. I stand by that view.

My Department faces its lowest uplift in recent times. Over the three years to March 2011, my Department will receive an uplift of of just 1.7% in real terms. This compares to average real terms English uplifts of 3.4%. In addition, the Executive agreed that my Department must secure CSR savings of 3% per annum which amount to £700m over the CSR period.

John Appleby’s report on relative funding for N Ireland concluded that DHSSPS needed a real terms increase of 4.3% per annum – equivilent to over £400m of additional resources - although even this would be insufficient to close the gap with England. Is what I have enough, no, of course its not. Could I do more if funds were available? Emphatically yes.

Public Health Agency

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the remit of the Public Health Agency's Directorate of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals.

(AQO 719/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The Public Health Agency was established on 1 April 2009 as part of the Review of Public Administration. Within the Agency the Directorate of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals provides professional support and advice on public health, commissioning of services, quality, safety and patient experience, primary care, personal, public involvement and midwifery supervision.

The Directorate while based in the Public Health Agency, provides services to support the Health and Social Care Board in the discharge of its functions. The Director of Nursing is a member of the Agency and HSC Boards.

DHSSPS Advertising

Lord Browne asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much his Department has spent on advertising since March 2007, including the spend on consultants and distribution.

(AQO 720/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

Since March 2007, my Department has spent a total of £1,531,088 directly on advertising. This includes both campaign and classified advertising. It includes all costs relating to the advertising campaign. The Department does not use consultants when developing advertising campaigns.

The Department uses advertising campaigns as an effective intervention to inform or change behaviour.

For example advertising was used to convey important public health messages about swine flu and the HPV vaccine for teenage girls which can prevent cervical cancer. ‘Paid for advertising’ was also used to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence. These campaigns have used a range of media such as TV, radio, posters and leaflets to get across essential health messages.

Adverts are also placed in newspapers to advertise job vacancies.

Erne Hospital

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to ensure the future funding and stability of the Medical and Surgical Assessment Unit at the Erne Hospital.

(AQO 721/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Medical and Surgical Assessment Unit was established in June 2009 as part of the Western Trust’s new Emergency Care Pathway for acute medical and surgical patients following the transfer of acute services from the Tyrone County Hospital. The unit receives all medical and surgical patients referred by GPs to the Erne Hospital where they are assessed to determine whether they need to be admitted to hospital.

The unit is currently funded from within the Trust’s existing budgets and I am advised that this service is sustainable.

Swine Flu

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much has been spent on swine flu to date; and how many deaths have occurred as a result of swine flu compared to the number that were anticipated.

(AQO 722/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

Mr Speaker, as highlighted in the February Monitoring Round, Swine Flu has cost my Department £44m. Almost half of this cost is the result of nationally driven initiatives.

An additional £1.5m has been retained to meet any Swine Flu pressures that may still occur. In line with agreements made with DFP, £19m has been returned for redistribution to other Departments - £3m in December and £16m in February.

Regarding the second aspect of your question, planning assumptions, based on a reasonable worst-case scenario, were issued on 3^rd September and estimated that up to 20,000 deaths were possible in the UK. This was refined in the most recent planning guidance issued on 22^nd October to reflect emerging evidence and it was then estimated up to 1000 deaths in the UK were possible during the second wave. 392 deaths have occurred in the UK to date. 18 of these have occurred in Northern Ireland.

Child Abuse and Neglect

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when he will produce his assessment of the extent of child abuse and neglect in Northern Ireland, as sought in the Ryan report motion on institutional child abuse agreed by the Assembly on 2 November 2009.

(AQO 723/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

My officials are finalising a discussion paper for consideration by the Northern Ireland Executive outlining a range of options which will help to inform the way ahead in relation to historical child abuse within Northern Ireland. I hope to table this paper within the next number of weeks.

Any decision in relation to historical child abuse will be a matter for the Executive as a whole.

Maternity Services

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the impact on mothers and babies as a result of being discharged from hospital within six hours of giving birth.

(AQO 724/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The safety of mothers and babies is a fundamental priority for the Health Service and any decision to allow women home early will be based on clinical decisions by those responsible for their care.

If a woman is not ready for discharge then she will obviously remain in hospital until she is ready.

Post natal care will occur in both the hospital and the community. That care will transfer to the community when the woman is discharged to the community mid-wife.

Department for Regional Development

Potholes

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he is taking to repair and resurface potholes following the recent cold spell.

(AQW 4205/10)

Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): My Department’s Roads Service has established Maintenance Standards for Safety, and an inspection programme, to help ensure that the North’s roads are in a serviceable condition. Surface defects, which are reported to Roads Service, outside of the inspection programme are covered according to the Standards, and remedial work carried out as necessary.

Since the beginning of January 2010, an additional £15 million, approximately, has been allocated to my Department’s Roads Service Divisions. This money will be used to progress Road Service’s pre-determined programmes of work, that target the worst roads across the North, and also to deal with the affects of the recent cold spell.

Road Repairs

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will set aside extra money for road repairs following the recent cold spell.

(AQW 4216/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Since the beginning of January 2010, an additional £15 million, approximately, has been allocated to my Department’s Roads Service Divisions. This money will be used to progress Road Service’s pre-determined programmes of work, that target the worst roads across the North, and also to deal with the affects of the recent cold spell.

Goods and Services Paid for Online

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) which goods and services provided by his Department can be paid for online; (ii) the total number of transactions processed by his Department for these goods and services in each of the last five years; (iii) the total number of these transactions which were (a) online payments; (b) payments by cheque; (c) postal order; (d) cash; or (e) other method; and (iv) the percentage of payments made online compared with other payment methods.

(AQW 4245/10)

Minister for Regional Development: In my Department, Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) and Strangford Ferry tickets can be paid for online. Details on the numbers of PCNs and on the number of Strangford Ferry tickets are contained in Tables A and B.

Table A

Table B

Responsibility for enforcing on street parking restrictions transferred from the PSNI to the Department in October 2006. PCN transactions listed in Table A are taken from November 2006 to date.

A detailed analysis of 2005 data in Table B is not available.

Damage to Roads

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to estimate the overall cost of the damage to roads during the recent cold spell.

(AQW 4259/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that a repeated freezing and thawing cycle, as we have recently experienced, has a damaging effect on the road network, by causing the carriageway to split and potholes to form. It will be some time before the full extent of the damage caused across the road network, due to the recent cold spell, can be fully assessed and, therefore, the cost of repairing the subsequent potholes formed is not available.

However, I can confirm that since the beginning of January 2010, an additional £15 million approximately, has been allocated to Roads Service’s Divisions. This money will be used to progress pre-determined programmes of work, targeting the worst roads, and also to deal with the effects of the recent cold spell.

Roads Service will continue to undertake regular inspections and condition surveys, to ensure that the road network does not fall below satisfactory and serviceable levels.

Potholes and Road Erosion

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he is taking to repair potholes and road erosion due to the recent cold spell.

(AQW 4260/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Article 8 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 places a duty on my Department’s Roads Service to maintain all public roads in reasonable condition. In recognition of this duty of care, Roads Service has put in place Maintenance Standards for Safety, and an inspection programme to ensure that roads are in a serviceable condition. These standards, which are designed to ensure a consistent service level and a safe highway, while offering value for money, are based on best practice, research and consultation with the public and other professional bodies and Industry.

Essentially, the safety standards and procedures currently in operation, establish frequencies for road inspections dependent on traffic volumes, and specify response times for the repair of defects. Inspection frequencies vary between daily cycles for motorways, to four monthly cycles for carriageways carrying low volumes of traffic.

Response times specified for the repair of defects are dependent on the severity of the defect and range from one calendar day, to inclusion in the next work programme. These systems and procedures are recognised and accepted by the courts as being robust, given the finite level of funding available. The Standards were last reviewed in 2006, and they continue to provide a systematic approach to road maintenance management.

Surface defects which are identified outside of these inspection regimes, for example, those reported by members of the public, or as the result of ad-hoc inspections, are also dealt with according to the above standards and remedial work arranged as necessary.

In addition, I can confirm that since the beginning of January, an additional £15 million approximately, has been allocated to Roads Service Divisions. This money will be used to progress pre-determined programmes of work, targeting the worst roads, and also to deal with the effects of the recent cold spell.

CAF Trains

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) how many CAF trains are currently in service by NI Railways; and (ii) how many of these are in use on the Derry to Belfast line.

(AQW 4307/10)

Minister for Regional Development: NI Railways has 23 CAF Class 3000 trains at its disposal.  Normally 20-21 train units would be in service each day, the remaining trains undergoing overhaul, maintenance or examination.

Translink has informed me that during peak morning and evening operations 5 trains are required to operate Derry line services. These are normally CAF rolling stock. The number of trains in use on the Derry to Belfast line can rise to 6 if one of the 5 trains is operating as a 6-car unit.

Road Salt

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Regional Development what is the road salt reserve for January to March 2010.

(AQW 4333/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Departments Roads Service has advised that, as of 29 January 2010, it was holding approximately 18000 tonnes of salt.

Roads Service has a contract with Salt Sales in Carrickfergus for the supply of salt, and is currently replenishing its stocks at a rate of approximately 1000 tonnes each day.

Road Salt

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the volume; and (ii) the cost of road salt spread in North Antrim in each of the last three years, and this year until 10 January 2010.

(AQW 4334/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it holds information on a Divisional basis but not by Parliamentary Constituency. The North Antrim Constituency area lies within Roads Service’s Northern Division and details of the volume of road salt spread in Northern Division, in each of the last three financial years are provided in the table below:

Roads Service purchases road salt by tender, therefore details of the purchase price is commercially sensitive and not be in the interest of securing best value for money to release.

Road Salt

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the volume; and (ii) the cost of road salt purchased by his Department in each of the last three years.

(AQW 4335/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Details of the volume of roads salt purchased in each of the last 3 financial years by my Department’s Roads Service are provided in the table below:-

The purchase of road salt by Roads Service is subject to tender and I am not able to disclose the cost of purchase for reasons of commercial sensitivity and in the interests of securing best value for money.

Contingency Plan Anticipating the Recent Severe Cold Weather

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Regional Development if he approved a contingency plan anticipating the recent severe cold weather, and if so, what actions in this plan related to North Antrim.

(AQW 4336/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service carries out a significant amount of pre-planning to ensure that it is in a state of readiness for the winter service season. As well as undertaking a number of routine pre-season checks, Roads Service reviews its plans to ensure that adequate staffing arrangements are in place, including training for new staff, salt supplies are adequate and that winter service equipment is in working order. Salt bins and piles are also replenished prior to the start of the winter season.

While it was not possible to anticipate the onset of the coldest December since 1981, Roads Service’s winter service objectives were achieved during this prolonged cold period. In addition, secondary salting was carried out where there were exceptional difficulties. In the North Antrim area, as in all other areas, this was prioritised after completion of primary salting commitments, and when resources allowed. Secondary salting included facilitating access for Emergency Services, for medical staff and carers attending the sick and elderly and for the transport of the disabled. It also was also directed at routes to schools at risk of closure due to road conditions and to farms to facilitate the collection of milk and the delivery of food stuffs, and other important additional needs of the community, as requested by elected representatives and the public. Additional grit piles were also provided for use on a self help basis.

Salt boxes were regularly replenished, but it is acknowledged that the extreme weather conditions led to an unprecedented demand for salt. Furthermore, there was an additional pressure exerted on this resource by salt frequently being removed from boxes for use in other areas, outside of the public road network.

NI Water

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Regional Development whether NI Water's embedded contract personnel are employees of NI Water as a result of the mutuality of obligation that exists between them.

(AQW 4352/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that it does not recognise the term ‘embedded contract personnel’. However, employees of contractors engaged by NIW under a tendered contract arrangement are not deemed to be NIW employees.

Tender Documents CO 71 and CO 58

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Regional Development whether NI Water is in the process of re-wording or re-constituting previous contract services tender documents CO 71 and CO 58.

(AQW 4353/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that contracts CO71 and CO58 are being reviewed to ensure that they meet the company’s service requirements in the most efficient and cost effective way.

Within the next six months, NIW expects to re-tender CO71 for the provision of temporary technical support. Contract CO58, which will terminate in April 2010, has been reviewed and the scope of services redefined and incorporated within a larger strategic contract C387 relating to electrical installation and repair. The tender process for C387 is currently underway and NIW hopes to award new contracts in April 2010.

Tender Documents CO 71 and CO 58

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Regional Development if the re-wording or re-constituting of previous contract services tender documents CO 71 and CO 58 will protect the rights of embedded contract personnel.

(AQW 4354/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that it does not recognise the term ‘embedded contract personnel’. Contracts CO 71 and CO 58 are being reviewed to ensure they meet the company’s service requirements in the most efficient and cost effective way. However, employees of contractors engaged by NIW under a tendered contract arrangement are not deemed to be NIW employees and responsibility for ensuring that their rights are protected lies with the contractor.

Potholes

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the cost to Roads Service of repairing potholes in January 2010, caused during the recent cold spell.

(AQW 4355/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that a repeated freezing and thawing cycle, as we have recently experienced, has a damaging effect on the road network, by causing the carriageway to split and potholes to form. It will be some time before the full extent of the damage caused across the road network, due to the recent cold spell, can be fully assessed and therefore, the cost of repairing the subsequent potholes formed is not available.

However, I can confirm that since the beginning of January 2010, an additional £15 million approximately has been allocated to Roads Service’s Divisions. This money will be used to progress pre-determined programmes of work, targeting the worst roads and also to deal with the effects of the recent cold spell.

Roads Service will continue to undertake regular inspections and condition surveys to ensure that the road network does not fall below satisfactory and serviceable levels.

Portrush to Coleraine Rail Service

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) how many times the Portrush to Coleraine train has been out of service in the last year; (ii) why this has occurred; and (iii) what steps he has taken to address the problem.

(AQW 4364/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Translink have informed me that approximately 13,300 services are scheduled to operate on the Portrush line in the course of one year. The following table shows that the Portrush train was out of service 292 times between 29^th January 2009 and 28^th January 2010. However, only 119 of these cancellations are considered to be within the control of Translink. This gives a reliability figure of 99.1% for the Portrush line for this period against a passenger charter target of 99.2%.

Portrush Line Analysis 29/01/2009 – 28/01/2010

Translink point out that it is worth highlighting the following issues arising from this table:

• A fatality on 30^th January 2009 resulted in 1 cancellation and 116 bus substitutions.
• Severe weather in December 2009 and January 2010 resulted in the freezing of train and track operating systems resulting in 4 cancellations and 43 bus substitutions.
• NIE power failures impacted upon 12 services (3 cancellations and 9 bus substitutions).
• Mechanical issues with the 450 class set on the Portrush branch has caused 3 cancellations and 63 bus substitutions.

With any failure of the train set on the Portrush branch an engineer or replacement train is required to be sent from Belfast. This ultimately results in service disruption and for a bus substitution to be implemented.

Any failure of the Class 3000 units in the Coleraine/Londonderry area also requires the set to be removed from the Portrush branch and operated in place of the failed unit. Covering the Portrush branch with a bus substitution is considered the most effective means of minimising the disruption to services on the Derry line.

The Class 450 trains operate to an agreed maintenance schedule, however because of the age of these trains faults will inevitably occur.

Finally power failures require intervention from signalling technicians who may not be in the immediate area to quickly reset the system.

As far as steps to mitigate such occurrences are concerned, NI Railways makes every effort to operate all train services as timetabled. All cancellations and bus substitutions are investigated and cause attributed accordingly.

Derry to Belfast Rail Service

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps he has taken to address the over-crowding on the Derry to Belfast rail service.

(AQW 4365/10)

Minister for Regional Development: In common with most interurban/commuter railways NI Railways experiences a degree of standing passengers on peak morning and evening services, however levels of standing remain generally in line with the Passenger’s Charter commitment and NI Railways would not consider these trains to be overcrowded.

Taking the Derry line specifically, Translink have indicated that levels of standing on Derry line trains were reported as generally in line with the Passenger’s Charter commitment. Currently loadings are similar to the same time last year.  Two Monday-Friday morning trains are busy i.e. the 0656 and 0726 ex Coleraine to Belfast where passengers frequently stand from Antrim to Belfast Central, a journey of some 25 minutes.

On Friday afternoons two trains are particularly busy during term time i.e. the 1420 and 1610 services to Derry, with the 1610 train having been recorded with up to 300 passengers (200 seated and 100 standing).  These numbers are generated by weekly students travelling home in addition to commuters and will frequently result in standing as far as Ballymena.

However Translink are of the view that the above remains in line with Passenger’s Charter commitments because all available trains are deployed during those periods.

NI Railways continues to monitor train loadings on a regular basis across all lines and endeavours to deploy larger trains when additional trains are available, particularly on the services where passenger loadings are highest.  On occasions, usually in response to special events, the normal 3-carriage trains on the Derry line are increased to 6-carriage trains to meet passenger demand. Again, this very much depends on train set availability. However most events are at weekends when peak vehicle requirement is lower than during the week and therefore additional trains are readily available.

In the medium-term Translink anticipate continuing increase in ridership on the Derry route.  Following the arrival of new trains in 2011/12, planned track re-lay and re-signalling between Coleraine and Derry in 2013/14, NI Railways will be in a position to further increase frequency of service provision on this line and thus enhance capacity (seats available per hour), in addition to increasing train size on key selected services.

Skipperstone Road, Bangor

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans the Roads Service has to resurface the Skipperstone Road, Bangor.

(AQW 4370/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that at present, there are no plans to carry out resurfacing work on the Skipperstone Road, Bangor. However, Roads Service will continue to inspect this road and repair any defects identified, in accordance with its maintenance guidelines.

Cost of Providing a Salt Box

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development what the cost of providing a salt box is.

(AQW 4375/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the average cost of supplying and maintaining a grit box is approximately £150.00 for the first year. This figure includes the capital cost for the provision of the grit box and also the average costs associated with the winter replenishment cycle.

Detailed costs cannot be supplied as the information is commercially sensitive.

NI Railways

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the annual figure for (i) capital investment; and (ii) public service obligation payments to NI Railways in each year from 2000 to 2009.

(AQW 4377/10)

Minister for Regional Development: The annual figures for (i) capital investment; and (ii) public service obligation payments to NI Railways in each year from 2000 to 2009 are set out in the attached table.

ANNUAL PUBLIC SERVICE OBLIGATION SUPPORT AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO NI RAILWAYS 2000/01 – 2008/09

Note that the figures supplied reconcile to the Regional Development departmental accounts and may differ marginally from the figures recognised in the NI Railways accounts.

Preventative and Early Intervention Measures

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development for an estimate of the percentage of his annual budget which is directed towards preventative and early intervention measures.

(AQW 4386/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Where appropriate, action is taken to identify and cost preventative and early intervention measures on a range of roads, water and transport infrastructure. But in the way our budgets and programmes are constructed it is not possible to single out the costs involved.

Capital Spend Schemes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development whether his Department carried out risk assessments on all capital spend schemes in each of the last five years, and if not, why not.

(AQW 4407/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Effective risk management has been a required part of capital projects undertaken by the Department and its arm’s length bodies in the last five years. The management of risk is undertaken as part of the project management arrangements.

Water Meters in Commercial Properties

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Regional Development what is NI Water's target for installing water meters in commercial properties.

(AQW 4429/10)

Minister for Regional Development:

I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that it aims to install meters on all commercial properties as it is the preferred method of levying charges on non-domestic properties. However, there are circumstances where it may not be possible to fit a meter such as shared supplies, engineering difficulties and obstructions. NIW estimates that it will install an additional 5,600 water meters on existing and new commercial properties over the next three years.

Removal of Boulders and Fences at Columbas Vale, Newtownards

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development why his Department's office at Jubilee Road, Newtownards has not responded to phone calls and written queries, over a three month period, regarding the removal of boulders and fences at Columbas Vale, Newtownards.

(AQW 4448/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I am advised by my Department’s Roads Service that, whilst they have not provided a substantive reply in this matter, they have indicated in a brief telephone conversation with your office that this was a particularly complex matter which was likely to take some time to resolve. The indications are that legal proceedings will be required and with a number of specific procedural steps to be followed these can be time consuming.

During the last few months, Roads Service staff have dealt with unprecedented weather conditions in the form of flooding and snow/ice issues. I am sure you will appreciate the necessity for staff to prioritise and address the most urgent matters. I understand that this is a matter relating to a neighbourhood dispute and is regarded as less urgent when compared to other competing priorities.

I do offer my apologies that your earlier letter to the local Section Office has not been responded to, and I have asked the local Section Engineer, Mr Stanley Lamb, to write directly to you to update you on this matter.

Buses Involved in Accidents

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) to detail the number of buses involved in accidents directly attributable to the cold weather since the start of December 2009; and (ii) the number of these incidents which involved school buses.

(AQW 4473/10)

Minister for Regional Development:

Translink has advised me that from 1 December 2009 to 1 February 2010 there were 21 accidents attributed to the cold weather, of which four were recorded as involving school buses.

Flooding at 21 Ballyblack Road, Newtownards

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 4378/10, as there has been sufficient suitable weather conditions since the last site meeting in August 2009 to permit NI Water to carry out the work at 21, Ballyblack Road, Newtownards, to give an assurance and timescale for completion of the repairs.

(AQW 4543/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that its contractor will complete the work at 21 Ballyblack Road, Newtownards by 23 February 2010.

Road Repairs

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his strategy for road repairs following the recent cold spell.

(AQO 726/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that a repeated freezing and thawing cycle, as we have recently experienced, has a damaging effect on the road network, by causing the carriageway to split and potholes to form. It will be some time before the full extent of the damage across the road network can be fully assessed.

Article 8 of the Roads Order 1993, places a duty on Roads Service to maintain all public roads in reasonable condition. In recognition of its duty of care, Roads Service has put in place a set of Maintenance Standards for Safety and an inspection programme, to ensure that roads are in a serviceable condition.

These Standards, which are designed to ensure a consistent service level and a safe highway, while offering value for money, are based on best practice, research and consultation with both the public, and other professional bodies and Industry.

Essentially, the Safety Standards and procedures currently in operation establish frequencies for road inspections, dependent on traffic volumes and specify response times for the repair of defects. Inspection frequencies vary between daily cycles for motorways, to four monthly cycles for carriageways carrying low volumes of traffic.

Response times specified for the repair of defects are dependent on the severity of the defect and range from one calendar day, to simple inclusion in the next work programme for that particular route. These systems and procedures are recognised and accepted by the courts as being robust, given the finite level of funding available. The Standards were last reviewed in 2006, and they continue to provide a systematic approach to road maintenance management.

Surface defects which are identified outside of these inspection regimes, for example, those reported by members of the public, or as the result of ad-hoc inspections, will be dealt with according to the standards I’ve mentioned, and remedial work arranged as necessary.

In addition, I can confirm that since the beginning of January, an additional £15 million approximately, has been allocated to Roads Service’s Divisions. This money will be used to progress pre-determined programmes of work, targeting the worst roads, and also to deal with the effects of the recent cold spell.

A26 Ballymoney to Coleraine

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister for Regional Development what the average daily volume of traffic has been on the A26 between Ballymoney and Coleraine in each of the last three years.

(AQO 730/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the average daily volume of traffic on the A26, between Ballymoney and Coleraine, in each of the last three years was as follows:-

Name Plaques on Bridges

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his policy in relation to the erection of name plaques on bridges; and how many plaques have been erected in the last five years.

(AQO 731/10)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department, while being the bridge naming authority, has no policy for the erection of name plaques on bridges.

Unfortunately, my Department’s Roads Service does not hold the information you request. However, I can confirm that Roads Service has, on occasion, replaced some existing name plaques when carrying out maintenance or strengthening works on bridges.

Road Repairs

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister for Regional Development what priority is given to the repairing of potholes on roads.

(AQO 733/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that a repeated freezing and thawing cycle, as we have recently experienced, has a damaging effect on the road network, by causing the carriageway to split and potholes to form. It will be some time before the full extent of the damage across the road network can be fully assessed.

Article 8 of the Roads Order 1993, places a duty on Roads Service to maintain all public roads in reasonable condition. In recognition of its duty of care, Roads Service has put in place a set of Maintenance Standards for Safety and an inspection programme, to ensure that roads are in a serviceable condition.

These Standards, which are designed to ensure a consistent service level and a safe highway, while offering value for money, are based on best practice, research and consultation with both the public, and other professional bodies and Industry.

Essentially, the Safety Standards and procedures currently in operation establish frequencies for road inspections, dependent on traffic volumes and specify response times for the repair of defects. Inspection frequencies vary between daily cycles for motorways, to four monthly cycles for carriageways carrying low volumes of traffic.

Response times specified for the repair of defects are dependent on the severity of the defect and range from one calendar day, to simple inclusion in the next work programme for that particular route. These systems and procedures are recognised and accepted by the courts as being robust, given the finite level of funding available. The Standards were last reviewed in 2006, and they continue to provide a systematic approach to road maintenance management.

Surface defects which are identified outside of these inspection regimes, for example, those reported by members of the public, or as the result of ad-hoc inspections, will be dealt with according to the standards I’ve mentioned, and remedial work arranged as necessary.

In addition, I can confirm that since the beginning of January, an additional £15 million approximately, has been allocated to Roads Service’s Divisions. This money will be used to progress pre-determined programmes of work, targeting the worst roads, and also to deal with the effects of the recent cold spell.

Department for Social Development

People Sleeping Rough

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development (i) for an estimate of the number of people sleeping rough in (a) Belfast; (b) Londonderry; and (c) other towns in Northern Ireland; (ii) what services her Department has in place to help these people; and (iii) what targets exist to reduce or eliminate rough sleeping.

(AQW 4136/10)

Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): (i) An estimate of the numbers of people sleeping rough in (a) Belfast, (b) Londonderry/ Derry and (c) other towns in Northern Ireland during a snap shot of December 2009 is as follows:

(a) Belfast: Homelessness outreach services provided by the Welcome Centre in association with the Salvation Army engaged with 118 individuals during December 2009. A considerable number of these have a propensity for sleeping rough but on average only around five would sleep rough on a nightly basis.

(b) Derry/Londonderry: First Housing Aid and Support Services (FHASS) provide a night time outreach service in Derry City. The activity of the night support service ensured that there were no individuals sleeping rough in the Derry city centre area during December 2009.

(c) Other towns in Northern Ireland: There is little evidence of anybody persistently sleeping rough elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Street drinking services such as the Link Project in Newtownards exist in a number of locations which signpost potential rough sleepers to direct access hostels where appropriate. There have also been isolated cases of persons rough sleeping such as a small group of Polish nationals near Newry during December.

(ii) The Welcome Centre provides a 24 Hour Outreach service to rough sleepers in Belfast. In addition they provide a Drop-In Centre which provides social, catering and showering facilities. In the evenings they collect and escort individuals to either the Crash Facility at the Salvation Army hostel at Centenary House, to other hostels in the city or to private addresses.

A Rough Sleepers/Street Drinkers strategy for Derry has ensured the availability of crisis accommodation and night support services delivered by First Housing Aid and Support Services (FHASS). Individuals are collected and escorted to a range of voluntary sector hostels in the city.

Elsewhere in Northern Ireland direct access hostels provide sufficient places for potential rough sleepers.

(iii) There are no actual targets to reduce or eliminate rough sleeping but the services that are provided exist to eliminate the need for people to sleep rough. These services that have led to an overall reduction in the numbers of rough sleepers are all preventative measures arising initially from the 2002 Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) Homelessness Strategy which led to the Rough Sleeper Strategy established in Belfast in 2004 and are funded by the NIHE in partnership with the voluntary sector. The Derry Rough Sleeper strategy was established in 2009 and a phased implementation plan has been introduced to establish a continuum of services for this client group.

Disabled Facilities Grants

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development the average cost of the administrative processing of a disabled facilities grant (i) west of the Bann; and (ii) east of the Bann; and to explain the reasons for any discrepancy.

(AQW 4156/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested and cannot be broken down by grant type. The Housing Executive measures Grants Offices’ performance taking into account all activity over the previous 12 months against the cost to run the office and expressing the result as a processing rate. The average processing rate at the end of December 2009 was £40.73*. The table below details the rate of each office at December 2009.

Grants Office	Rate
Ballyclare **	£86.55
Ballymena	£39.86
Belfast	£32.08
Craigavon	£32.61
Derry	£39.74
Dundonald	£37.68
Enniskillen	£35.11
Lisburn	£56.21
Newry	£33.36
Omagh	£37.76

Notes

* The average processing rate refers to all activity related to a Grants application and is not an average based on the rate provided for each of the individual offices.

** This figure does not reflect the total office activity as the Housing Executive is implementing a new Private Sector Management System and Ballyclare is the lead Grants Office for implementation.  The Ballyclare Grants Office processing costs will decrease in due course.

Lack of Heating in the High Park Flats, Derry

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister for Social Development if she has immediate plans to address the lack of heating in the High Park flats, Derry, given the inadequate heating system currently in place and the danger this poses to the health of tenants.

(AQW 4210/10)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive recently met with Firmus Energy and agreed that the gas distribution network will be extended into the High Park area by April 2010. Housing Executive tenants within High Park flats will now be consulted about gas installation with a view to making gas heating available within these homes during April 2010.

Investing for Health Strategy

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail any meetings or discussions that she, or her officials, have held with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety within the last year to discuss commitments under the Investing for Health strategy.

(AQW 4233/10)

Minister for Social Development: Over the last year my Department has participated in discussions with DHSSPS and other health professionals on how best the objectives of the Investing for Health Strategy can be addressed. This dialogue has been conducted in bi-lateral meetings and through the appropriate oversight bodies, implementation groups or partnerships. Discussions have dealt with matters such as; fuel poverty, ‘Early Years’, suicide prevention, obesity, nutrition, physical activity, drug and alcohol abuse and mental health.

Neighbourhood Wardens in Ballymena

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development (i) how many Neighbourhood Wardens currently operate in Ballymena; (ii) the areas for which they are responsible; and (iii) if there are any plans to introduce more.

(AQW 4241/10)

Minister for Social Development: There are currently three neighbourhood wardens operating in Ballymena District who provide a service for urban and rural estates as follows:-

The Wardens operate a reciprocal arrangement whereby each will deputise in the absence of the main warden for each of the above locations. The Housing Executive considers that the warden service operates well and efficiently, that the District is adequately covered, and therefore has no plans to introduce any further wardens.

Warm Homes Scheme

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many eligible people are currently awaiting heating and insulation measures under the Warm Homes Scheme.

(AQW 4254/10)

Minister for Social Development: There are currently approximately 2,300 applicants across Northern Ireland who have been deemed by the Scheme Managers to be eligible for assistance and are awaiting the provision of measures under the scheme. The Scheme Managers have a target to complete 90% of installations within 6 weeks from the date the property is surveyed and they are on track to meet this target.

Occupational Therapists' Reports

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development in how many cases the Housing Executive is awaiting reports from Occupational Therapists about the needs of individuals in Housing Executive properties.

(AQW 4255/10)

Minister for Social Development: The number of referrals relating to individuals in Housing Executive properties pending assessment by Occupational Therapists at the end of December 2009 was 195.

Executive Papers

Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Social Development to list the subject matter of each of the 36 papers that her Department referred to the Executive between May 2007 and 7 December 2009; and to state whether the Executive agreed each paper.

(AQW 4270/10)

Minister for Social Development: The content of Executive papers and all aspects of Executive business are confidential. I am therefore unable to provide you with the information you have requested.

Warm Homes Scheme

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how much funding has been allocated to the Warm Homes Scheme in each of the last three years.

(AQW 4281/10)

Minister for Social Development: The Warm Homes Scheme budget for the last three years is set out in the table below.

Community Safety Strategy for Older People

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development what progress has been made in putting in place a Community Safety strategy for older people.

(AQW 4282/10)

Minister for Social Development: In 2008 the Housing Executive launched its Community Safety Strategy 2008-2011: "Building Safer Communities". The strategy established a three year action plan which focussed on the delivery of mainstream housing management services and inter agency partnership working, designed to address anti-social behaviour, crime and the fear of crime. This includes specific actions and services to address the needs and concerns of older people including:-

- The provision of Neighbourhood Wardens
- Inter agency funded Night Time Wardens
- The Intergenerational Programmes
- The Quick Check Initiative
- The Good Morning Projects
- Community Safety Partnerships

The Housing Executive works with a wide range of agencies to meet the specific needs of older households and will also seek to contribute to the delivery of recommendations set out in the recently published NIO strategy for older people "Safer Ageing: A Strategy and Action Plan for Ensuring the Safety of Older People"

Housing Stress

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many older applicants for social housing are currently known to be experiencing housing stress.

(AQW 4283/10)

Minister for Social Development: At 30 September 2009 there were 3,601 applicants on the Social Housing Waiting List over the age of 60 years deemed to be in housing stress.

Sheltered Housing

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many older people are currently on the waiting list for sheltered housing.

(AQW 4284/10)

Minister for Social Development: At 30 September 2009 there were 1,669 applicants over the age of 60 years registered on the Social Housing Waiting List requesting sheltered accommodation.

Grants for Environmentally Friendly Domestic Boilers

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development if she has considered offering grants to Housing Executive tenants to install environmentally friendly domestic boilers; and if so, how these grants would be distributed.

(AQW 4317/10)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive has no plans to offer grants for tenants to install such systems. The Housing Executive already operates a programme of heating improvements for its housing stock which provides for efficient and controllable heating systems using gas, where available, or oil.

Town Centre Masterplans

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development to list the town centre masterplans she has launched since 2007; and what funding her Department has given to each one.

(AQW 4403/10)

Minister for Social Development: The table below shows the list of town centre master plans launched since 2007 and the level of funding provided to each plan.

Town	Funding
Armagh	£94,535
Ballycastle*	£94,752
Ballymena	£59,998
Omagh	£44,218

* Funding for the salary costs associated with a Project Officer to help prepare and implement a Town Development Strategy included in this amount.

Business Improvement Districts

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development whether legislation relating to Business Improvement Districts will be brought before the Assembly this year.

(AQW 4405/10)

Minister for Social Development: My Department is currently working with the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department of the Environment (DOE) to progress the work required to determine the feasibility of statutory Business Improvement Districts in Northern Ireland. There would be a significant amount of preparatory work to be completed – including public consultation before possible legislation could be introduced into the Assembly. Consequently, it seems unlikely that this would happen this year.

Attacks on Staff in Jobs and Benefits Offices

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of recorded incidents of harassment or attacks, on staff in Jobs and Benefits offices, by members of the public in each of the past five years; and to provide a summary of the types of incidents recorded.

(AQW 4411/10)

Minister for Social Development: The attached table provides a breakdown of incidents of unacceptable customer behaviour recorded by my Department from 2005 to 2009 in the 10 Social Security Offices and the 25 Jobs and Benefits Offices. The figures totalled 1006 incidents over the 5 year period.

Reported Incidents 2005 – 2009(Total - 1006)

Year	Type	Number
2005	Verbal	63
	Customers fighting	1
	Total	64
2006	Verbal	201
	Customer with weapon	1
	Items thrown	3
	Written abuse	1
	Total	206
2007	Verbal	284
	Items thrown	7
	Written abuse	2
	Threats	15
	Customers fighting	9
	Total	317
2008	Verbal	185
	Threat	14
	Assault	2
	Customers fighting	4
	Items thrown	5
	Total	210
2009	Verbal	193
	Customers fighting	4
	Damage	8
	Items thrown	3
	Assault on staff	1
	Total	209

Claims for Compensation by Staff in Jobs and Benefits Offices

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the total number of claims for compensation from her Department made by staff in Jobs and Benefits offices arising from incidents of attack or harassment by the general public in each of the last five years; and (ii) the total amount of compensation paid by the Department as a result of these claims.

(AQW 4412/10)

Minister for Social Development: Details of claims for compensation made by staff in Jobs and Benefits offices arising from incidents of attack or harassment by the general public in each of the last five years is as follows.

Community Care Grants

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development how many applications there were for Community Care Grants in the East Antrim constituency in each of the past 24 months; and how many of these were successful.

(AQW 4486/10)

Minister for Social Development: This information is not recorded in the format requested.

Welfare Rights Officers

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister for Social Development if she has any plans to introduce Welfare Rights Officers.

(AQW 4490/10)

Minister for Social Development: I have no plans to introduce Welfare Rights Officers within my Department.

Benefits for Cross-Border Workers

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the recent meeting between her Department and the Department of Social and Family Affairs on improving the processing of claims for tax credits and social security benefits for cross-border workers.

(AQW 4518/10)

Minister for Social Development: Officials of the Social Security Agency (SSA) met with representatives from the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA) on 28 October 2009. The meeting was convened by the North South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat with Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA also in attendance. Whilst Tax Credits are administered by HM Revenue and Customs, and therefore outside the remit of my Department, a useful discussion took place in relation to access to other social security benefits by cross border workers including those factors impacting on the speedy processing of benefit applications. A mechanism for referring individual cases to either the SSA or DSFA for appropriate investigation was agreed.

Economy 7 Heating in Housing Executive Properties

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister for Social Development how many Housing Executive properties in the Newry and Armagh constituency are fitted with Economy 7 heating.

(AQW 4529/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested. However, the Housing Executive currently has 269 properties in its Newry District Office area and 197 properties in its Armagh District Office area fitted with Economy 7 heating.

Social Security Agency Office at Urney Street, Strabane

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Social Development if he can confirm that there will be no reduction in the level of front or back office services currently being provided at the Social Security Agency office at Urney Street, Strabane.

(AQW 4561/10)

Minister for Social Development: There will be no reduction in services provided to customers at the Social Security Office in Strabane. The consideration of any impact on the back office will be assessed in due course.

REVISED WRITTEN ANSWERS

Friday 12 February 2010

(AQW 4077/10)

The economic appraisal for the proposed merger of Stranmillis University College and Queen’s University Belfast has been reviewed by my Department and is currently being reviewed by economists within the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP). If approval is obtained from DFP, it is intended that the proposal to merge will be put out to public consultation following engagement with the Employment and Learning Committee. I would expect that to be in Spring 2010. The economic appraisal will be available as a supporting document to the consultation.