This publication contains the written answers to questions tabled by Members. The content of the responses is as received at the time from the relevant Minister or representative of the Assembly Commission and has not been subject to the official reporting process or changed in any way.

Friday 2 April 2010

Written Answers to Questions

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Agriculture and Rural Development
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Education
Employment and Learning
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Environment
Finance and Personnel
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Regional Development
Social Development
Revised Written Answers

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Relocation and Decentralisation of Departmental Posts

Mr D McKay asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what consideration they have given to posts within their Department that could be relocated or decentralised.

(AQW 5259/10)

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

The majority of posts within the Department are located in and around Belfast, with a small number of posts located in Armagh and Derry/Londonderry.

The Executive is still to consider a paper in relation to the Bain Review on the Location of Public Sector jobs. The decentralisation/relocation of posts within the Department is still under consideration.

Funding to Tackle Racism

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the funding distributed by their Department to tackle racism across Belfast, broken down by the four Belfast constituencies, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 5370/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

In each of the last three financial years, OFMDFM has awarded funding to organisations in the four Belfast constituencies under the Minority Ethnic Development Fund as shown in the table below. The Minority Ethnic Development Fund supports work which contributes to the promotion of good relations, community cohesion, and integration between people from different racial groups, thus helping to tackle racism.

2007-08 Minority Ethnic Development Fund

Total	£ 352,571.23
Belfast East	-
Belfast North	-
Belfast South	£ 215,000.00
Belfast West	£ 137,571.23

2008-09 Minority Ethnic Development Fund

Total	£ 578,000
Belfast East	£ 38,000
Belfast North	£ 15,000
Belfast South	£ 405,000
Belfast West	£ 120,000

2009-10 Minority Ethnic Development Fund

Total	£ 652,764
Belfast East	£ 38,000
Belfast North	£ 75,000
Belfast South	£ 389,764
Belfast West	£ 150,000

Direct geographical criteria do not form part of the criteria for awarding funding under the scheme; the criteria are need-based. This has resulted in a spread of organisations to be funded which broadly aligns with the location of the minority ethnic population here and from where many of the applications for funding originate, which is in the South Belfast constituency. However, it should be noted that many of the successful organisations operate on a regional basis, or will deliver projects at a regional level. This means that they provide support and guidance to those outside the constituency in which their headquarters are located, across all of Belfast and in many cases Northern Ireland. We recognise and value the vital roles played by minority ethnic groups, and those who support them, with work on the ground.

It is hoped that Junior Ministers will make an official announcement on the successful applicants of the 2010-11 Minority Ethnic Development Fund in the forthcoming weeks.

Apology for Child Migrants Programme

Ms M Anderson asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) if they are aware of the British Prime Minister's apology for the Child Migrants Programme, under which 150,000 children between the ages of 3-14 were sent to Commonwealth countries where many of them were abused and forced into slave labour; (ii) how many of these children were born on the island of Ireland; and (iii) if they will make a statement on this matter.

(AQW 5472/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

We are aware of the apology made by Gordon Brown on 24 February for the Child Migrant Programme of the UK Government and indeed welcome the resultant establishment of the Family Restoration Fund.

Whilst inquiries into the programme were led by the House of Commons and data is held at Westminster, the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has examined the statistics and background. Hence we understand between 1938 and 1956, Roman Catholic agencies sent a total of 1109 children from the UK to Australia, 103 of whom are known to have come from Roman Catholic agencies here. However, even after considerable work, these figures are an estimate and it is difficult to identify true numbers with limited records available.

We do not intend to make a statement on this matter but are aware that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety will be discussing the Restoration Fund and how it will operate here with the NIO and the Department of Health in London.

Public Perceptions of the Executive Opinion Poll

Mr D Kennedy asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in relation to the 'Public Perceptions of the Executive' opinion poll, (i) when this report was commissioned; (ii) when their Department received the report; (iii) to outline the tendering process, including the number of companies that were approached to conduct the research; (iv) if the departmental Accounting Officer signed off on the expenditure; (v) if any other Department was consulted on the poll; (vi) if the report was circulated to any other Department or Minister; (vii) under which duty their Department deemed the poll necessary; and (viii) when, and to whom, the report was distributed.

(AQW 5602/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

At the Executive meeting on 11 February, Ministers considered the work programmes arising out of the Agreement. Community consultation was recognised as an important part of the process and Ministers were advised that the Executive Information Service would examine the most appropriate channels to raise public awareness. It is important that we gauge public perception of the work of the Executive. This will help inform our future work on how we communicate with the public. EIS was asked to commission this research and given the impact of the Hillsborough Castle Agreement on the work of OFMDFM, it was appropriate that this research should also address the issue of Policing and Justice. The research company was given final approval to proceed with the poll on 18 February.
The report was received by the Executive Information Service on Thursday evening 4 March and was forwarded to our offices on Friday 5 March for consideration.
Given the short timescale involved, the only option was to proceed with a single tender action.
Given the timescale, the Departmental Accounting Officer was asked to approve a single tender action and the expenditure. This was received on 16 February.
&(vi)Given the timescale involved, it was not possible to consult other departments on the poll. A copy of the research report was sent to all Ministers on Monday 8 March.

As Chairs of the Executive, it was entirely appropriate for us to assess public opinion on the work of the Executive. It is essential that we and our Executive colleagues have an accurate, independent assessment of how the public perceive the work of the Executive.
A copy of the report went to Ministerial colleagues on Monday 8 March and was also sent to Departmental Principal Information Officers by EIS on the same day.

Projects Supporting Victims and Survivors

Mr A Ross asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any funding distributed by their Department for projects supporting victims and survivors in the East Antrim constituency in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 5615/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The Development Grant Scheme funds projects to address the needs of victims and survivors. In excess of 400 projects were funded last year through 110 groups. Any group can apply for this funding. No group in East Antrim has applied for funding through this scheme in the last three years.

Racism in North Down

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the funding distributed by their Department to tackle racism in North Down in each of the last three years.

(AQW 5621/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

OFMDFM’s Community Relations Unit has provided annual funding to North Down Borough Council of £53,295 (for 2007/08), £55,959.75 (for 2009/10) and £58,757.74 (for 2009/10) through its Good Relations Programme. This funding supports the Council in its efforts to tackle both sectarianism and racism, which have been highlighted in the Council’s Good Relations Action Plan.

OFMDFM’s Minority Ethnic Development Fund (MEDF) also awards funding to organisations to promote good relations, community cohesion and integration between people from different racial groups, thus helping to tackle racism.

While no organisation with headquarters in the North Down constituency has been successful in applying for this Fund in the last three years, many of the successful organisations operate on a regional basis, or will deliver projects at a regional level. This means that they provide support and guidance to those outside the constituency in which their headquarters are located, including North Down.

Implementation Plan Steering Group of the Sustainable Development Strategy

Mr D Ford asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the criteria for selecting members to the Implementation Plan Steering Group of the Sustainable Development Strategy.

(AQW 5630/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The Sustainable Development Strategy Implementation Plan Steering Group has been established to meet a strategic need for engagement with the different sectors of our society in the development of the Implementation Plan.

To fulfil this role the group needs to have particular characteristics: its members must be capable of acting in a representative capacity on behalf of their sectors; it must give access to all critical stakeholder sectors in the sustainable development field; and it must be of a size that permits efficient working. Building on the department’s past experience in working with similar representative groups in this area we decided that a small group with a strong capacity to reach out and represent the various interests of the wider community would be most effective.

The members of the Implementation Plan Steering Group have agreed, in taking up membership, to undertake a representative role within their respective sectors. This has allowed us to strike the best balance between keeping the group small enough to be efficient while being capable of effectively representing the broad range of interests within the ambit of the Sustainable Development Strategy.

Projects in the North Belfast Constituency

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the projects they have initiated, or funded, in the North Belfast constituency since May 2007

(AQW 5631/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

OFMDFM funds a range of projects across the North Belfast constituency. Information on detailed funding provided through the Community Relation Council, Belfast City Council and the North Belfast Community Action Unit has been placed in the Assembly Library. The following paragraphs are a summary of the information which has been placed in the Library. The information relates only to voluntary and community sector projects which have been initiated or funded and does not include any physical redevelopment projects e.g. development of the Crumlin Road Gaol.

Through the North Belfast Community Action Unit (NBCAU), OFMDFM provided the following amounts for community capacity building projects in North Belfast:

07/08 £2.3m

08/09 £2.4m

09/10 £1.6m

OFMDFM funds the Community Relations Council through grant in aid for it to disburse funding in accordance with its funding schemes guidelines. Total grant in aid provided specifically to North Belfast groups over the last 2 years is as follows

07/08 £201K

08/09 £351K

Belfast City Council also received the following funding from our District Councils Community Relations Programme to undertake a range of good relations programmes specifically in North Belfast.

07/08£50K

08/09 £64K

09/10 £50K

OFMDFM has provided funding specifically for summer intervention diversionary activity in North Belfast. Total amounts provided since 2007 are summarised as follows.

07/08£79K

08/09£140K

09/10£113K

A further £40K was provided to the Belfast Education and Library Board for North Belfast summer intervention work in 2009.

In 2008, through the North Belfast Community Action Unit in partnership with the Community Relations Council, OFMDFM initiated the formation of the Hazelwood Community Partnership. The aim of this inter-agency project is to support the community in building good relations by delivering practical responses to all issues arising from community tensions in the greater Whitewell area and ensuring good local partnership working between community and statutory agencies.

Good Relations Strategy

Mr C McDevitt asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in light of the murder of Shaun Fitzpatrick, for their assessment of whether the Good Relations strategy should be extended to include other minority groups, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, and people with disabilities.

(AQW 5666/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

One of the goals of the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration is to build a strong community where everyone, regardless of race, colour, religious or political opinion, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation can live, work, rest and socialise in a context of fairness, equality, rights, responsibilities and respect.

Furthermore, the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration will provide a framework for the delivery of our objectives and will translate the vision, policy and strategic priorities into tangible actions. While this programme focuses on tackling sectarianism and racist attitudes and behaviours, it also affirms that all manifestations of intolerance, such as harassment, discrimination, prejudice or hate crime are unacceptable in our society. We strongly repudiate and condemn attacks on people on any basis, including on the basis of age, disability, race, sexual orientation or gender. We will seek to ensure that the principles in this Programme are reflected within the initiatives and policies for these sectors of our community.

Single Equality Bill

Mr D Kennedy asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 5269/10, if there was ever a Single Equality Bill team; and when and why it was disbanded.

(AQW 5721/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

We can confirm that the Department has in the past had a small team of people working on developing options for a Single Equality Bill. The team was responsible for conducting two public consultations in 2001 and 2004 and for holding a further round of pre-consultation discussions with key stakeholders in 2007. Some of the staff involved in the development of the Single Equality Bill continue to be involved in equality legislation.

Committee of the Regions of the European Union

Mr D McNarry asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the attendance level of each Northern Ireland member of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union at both Plenary and other Commission meetings, since their appointments.

(AQW 5735/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The table below details Northern Ireland’s Committee of the Regions (CoR) members and their attendance levels since the Committee’s current mandate began on 9 February 2010 (information current to 22 March 2010).

CoR Member	Type of Membership	CoR Commission	Plenary Sessions		Commission Meetings
CoR Member	Type of Membership	CoR Commission	Number Attended	Number open to each Member*	Number Attended	Number open to each Member**
Cllr Jonathan Bell MLA		Territorial Cohesion (COTER)	1	1	3	3***

	Full Member
Francie Molloy MLA		Environment, Climate Change & Energy (ENVE)	1	1	1	2

	Full Member
Cllr Arnold Hatch		Natural Resources (NAT)	0	0	1	1

	Alternate Member
John Dallat MLA		Education and Culture (EDUC)	0	0	0	1

	Alternate Member

* Alternates may only attend a CoR Plenary session if their full member is not attending.
** The first Commission meetings took place during the inaugural Plenary session and were therefore not attended by alternate members.
*** Jonathan Bell attended an Economic and Social Policy (ECOS) Commission meeting on 24 February as a substitute for a Welsh member.

The formal record of attendance is found in the published Minutes of each meeting, found on the Committee’s website (https://toad.cor.europa.eu/). As some of the formal records are not yet available, the table above contains informal records held by the Committee of the Regions’ Brussels-based Secretariat and the United Kingdom’s Local Government Association.

Rising Cost of Fuel

Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what discussions the Executive has had regarding the rising cost of fuel.

(AQW 5740/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

It is not our practice to disclose details of Executive business. The content of Executive papers and all aspects of Executive business are confidential.

Projects Supporting Victims and Survivors

Mr J Craig asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any funding distributed by their Department for projects supporting victims and survivors in the Lagan Valley constituency in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 5762/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

In the last three years, OFMDFM has provided the following funding for projects supporting victims and survivors in the Lagan Valley area:

2006/07£30,894

2007/08£35,780

2008/09£38,513

Project funding is made available to any group seeking to work with victims and survivors by way of open applications to the Community Relations Council, who distribute the funding on behalf of OFMDFM.

Racism in the Lagan Valley Constituency

Mr J Craig asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the funding distributed by their Department to tackle racism in the Lagan Valley constituency in each of the last three years.

(AQW 5764/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

OFMDFM’s Community Relations Unit has provided annual funding to Lisburn City Council of £48,005.00 (for 2007/08), £50,405.25 (for 2008/09) and £52,925.51 (for 2009/10) through its Good Relations Programme. This funding supports the Council in its efforts to tackle both sectarianism and racism, which have been highlighted in the Council’s Good Relations Action Plan.

OFMDFM’s Minority Ethnic Development Fund also awards funding to organisations to promote good relations, community cohesion and integration between people from different racial groups, thus helping to tackle racism.

Through the Minority Ethnic Development Fund, OFMDFM has awarded a total of £74,278 to the Old Warren Partnership in the Lagan Valley constituency over the last two years. This total comprises an award of £43,278 in the 2009/10 financial year and an award of £31,000 in the 2008/09 financial year. No organisation from the Lagan Valley constituency successfully applied for funding in the 2007/08 financial year.

Note that many of the organisations who are awarded funding from the Minority Ethnic Development Fund operate on a regional basis, or deliver projects at a regional level. This means that they provide support and guidance to people outside the constituency in which their headquarters are located, including the Lagan Valley constituency.

Presbyterian Mutual Society

Rev Dr R Coulter asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the current situation in relation to the Presbyterian Mutual Society.

(AQO 1000/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The Member will be aware that in June 2009 Prime Minister Gordon Brown established a working group with representatives from HM Treasury and the Departments of Finance and Personnel (DFP) and Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) to bring forward a series of proposals to reach a solution to the PMS problem.

Following an encouraging meeting of the Ministerial Working Group in October 2009 when we, along with our Ministerial colleagues, Arlene Foster and Sammy Wilson, met with the Chief Secretary of the Treasury, senior officials both here and in HM Treasury have been looking at a number of options for dealing with the crisis. Indeed, we have also met directly with the Prime Minister on a number of occasions over recent months in an effort to progress the issue. As has been well documented, finding a remedy to the PMS problem has proven to be a complex matter and there remains a number of challenging issues to resolve. This has meant that the work on a solution has taken longer than expected. However, we are expecting to be presented with the full report on final considerations and options from officials soon.

St Patrick’s Day Visit to the White House

Mr T Burns asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail (i) the total costs incurred as a result of the trip to the White House on St Patrick’s Day 2010; (ii) how this money was spent; and (iii) the Assembly or Government officials who went on this trip.

(AQW 5846/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

We undertook a full week’s programme in the US including multiple engagements in Chicago, Washington, New York and Houston. It is not possible to extrapolate the costs relating specifically to attending the events in the White House on St Patrick’s Day.

We met with the President, the Vice President, Secretary of State Clinton and the National Security Adviser in the White House on St Patrick’s Day. We were each accompanied by a special adviser as well as the Head of the Civil Service and the Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington. These officials also supported us at the White House St Patrick’s Day reception later that evening.

St Patrick's Night Dinner Hosted by President Obama in Washington

Mr P J Bradley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the people and organisations, that their office in Washington is aware of, who represented Northern Ireland's interests at the 2010 St Patrick's night dinner hosted in Washington by President Obama.

(AQW 5902/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

Invitations to attend the evening reception at the White House were issued by the Office of the President and the First Lady to a number of people from Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington acted as the link between the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Office of Protocol at the White House. The White House issued invitations through the Bureau to the following Executive Ministers, Assembly Members and officials, all of whom attended the event.

First Minister;
deputy First Minister;
Minister for Employment and Learning;
Minister for Social Development;
Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment;
The Speaker of the Assembly;
Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service;
Chief Executive, InvestNI;
Director, NI Bureau, Washington, DC;
Special Adviser, deputy First Minister; and
Special Adviser, First Minister.

We are aware that other invitations were issued by the White House via the British Embassy in Washington to Northern Ireland Office Ministers and representatives of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. In addition, the White House issued a number of invitations to local people via the US Consulate General in Belfast.

The Bureau did not have any responsibility for co-ordinating those additional invitations and is therefore unable to provide accurate information on the wider Northern Ireland representation at the White House reception.

Gender Advisory Panel

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail (i) the membership; and (ii) the community background of the Gender Advisory Panel.

(AQW 5906/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The Gender Advisory Panel advises and assists in the development and monitoring of cross-departmental gender equality action plans. The membership of the Panel comprises 25 external stakeholders. Members of the Gender Advisory Panel are representatives of women’s organisations, representatives of men’s organisations, the ECNI, NIC/ICTU and CBI.

A number of the groups which have been invited to join the Panel are membership organisations. Members of the Panel will ensure that information is appropriately provided by them to other interested groups and stakeholders. This also enables the views of grassroots organisations to be heard in the opinions and voices at the table. There is no record of the community background of current members of the Gender Advisory Panel. All members participate on a representational basis rather than in a personal capacity.

Gender Advisory Reference Group

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) to detail (a) the membership; and (b) the community background of the Gender Advisory Reference Group; and (ii) to indicate which members are representatives of community-based womens' groups.

(AQW 5907/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The Gender Advisory Reference Group is comprised of ten members from the Gender Advisory Panel who self nominated to assist with the interim review of funding. They represent a wide range of groups including women’s membership organisations, the Equality Commission and the Women’s National Commission.

The Gender Advisory Reference Group will advise the Steering Group about how the Interim Review should be undertaken. They will also support communication about the Interim Review, and provide information to other interested groups and stakeholders, in order to seek to secure a consistent approach. There is no record of the community background of members of the Gender Advisory Reference Group. All members are representative of wider, regional or membership organisations and participate in a representational rather than personal capacity.

Funding to the Voluntary and Community Sectors in Belfast

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) to detail the funding allocated by their Department to the voluntary and community sector in the Belfast area in the 2009/10 financial year; and (ii) how much of the funding is used for (a)staff support; and (b) programmes.

(AQW 5910/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

In the 2009/10 financial year, the OFMDFM Community Relations Unit has provided the following funding:-

District Council Community Relations Programme
Belfast City Council	£371,408	Programme
Belfast City Council	£122,786	Salaries and Administration
Total	£494,194

Summer Intervention programmes
Upper Springfield Development Co. Ltd	£17,930.00	Programme
Greater Village Regeneration Trust	£5,000.00	Programme
Falls Youth Providers	£5,000.00	Programme
Upper Ardoyne Youth Centre	£5,000.00	Programme
Lower Castleregh Community Group	£5,000.00	Programme
Total	£37,930

Community Relations bodies and groups in Belfast
North West Belfast Parades Forum	£64,718.00	Staff costs
Belfast Reconciliation Network	£ 28,202	Staff costs
North Belfast Interface Network	£ 13,000	Programme
Hewlett Packard Digital Communities Programme	£24,000	Staff costs
Transition Training	£35,000	Programme
Total	£164,920

OFMDFM also funds the Community Relations Council through grant in aid for it to disburse funding across Northern Ireland in accordance with its funding schemes guidelines. It is not yet possible to ascertain how much of this funding was for programmes in the Belfast Area for the 2009/10 financial year.

Community Relations Council	£1,216,000	Salaries and Admin
Community Relations Council	£2,331,000	Programme
Total	£3,547,000

North Belfast Community Action Unit. Funding has been channelled through the Community Empowerment Partnerships (CEPs). The CEPs are a confederation of stakeholder organisations operating in or on behalf of the various North Belfast communities. The programme has the overarching theme of good relations. Activities delivered include youth development, social inclusion programmes, leadership development and cross community projects.

TOTAL	601,563.64	573,930.62	459,226.66	1,634,720.39
CEP	Salaries	Overheads	Programmes	TOTAL
Ardoyne / Marrowbone	76,529.01	26,309.25	9,664.00	112,502.26
Ballysillan	19,064.01	31,046.22	26,259.00	76,369.23
Cliftonville	57,488.52	44,998.27	28,542.50	131,029.29
Citizen Youth	47,245.68	18,806.75	29,974.10	96,026.53
DLI	164,411.98	37,717.00	40,725.00	242,853.98
Greencastle	12,972.89	46,161.87	29,240.00	88,374.76
Ligoniel	25,206.37	31,795.31	39,002.25	96,003.93
Loughview	NIL	79,316.00	116,764.00	196,080.00
North Belfast Independent Advice	118,207.98	61766.76	18369.36	198,344.10
New Lodge	43,253.47	64,075.37	51,533.45	158,862.29
Rathcoole	8,836.56	70,329.82	24,230.00	103,396.38
Upper Ardoyne	9,313.59	38,565.00	21,389.00	69,267.59
Upper North	19,033.58	23,043.00	23,534.00	65,610.58

OFMDFM has provided funding of £400k to the Department of Education in the 2009/10 financial year, for a range of youth summer diversionary programmes across all the 5 Library Boards. Specific funding condition stated that £160k should be earmarked for Belfast with £40k of that total being targeted at North Belfast. The majority of this funding would have been for programme activities but it is not possible to determine the exact spilt between programme and staff costs for these activities.

Cross-border Event to Commerate the Irish Famine

Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister if the Executive has received a request from the Minister of Education or the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to discuss preparations or funding for a cross-border event to commemorate the Famine in Ireland; and if this item will be added to a future Executive meeting agenda.

(AQW 5968/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:

It is not our practice to disclose details of Executive business. The content of Executive papers and all aspects of Executive business are confidential.

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Impact on Farmers of the Rising Cost of Fuel

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of the impact on farmers of the rising cost of fuel.

(AQW 5739/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): At this time we are acutely aware of the impact that the rising cost of fuel is having at farm level. This impacts on farmers and the farming family as rising fuel costs will result in increased cost of production for their farming enterprises and day to day living expenses. Currently CAFRE is helping farmers to become more energy efficient through energy efficiency workshops.

Rural Poverty Strategy and Action Plan

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when her Department will launch the Rural Poverty Strategy and Action Plan.

(AQW 5781/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Since 2008 DARD’s rural Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Programme has brought forward schemes to address issues of poverty and social exclusion in rural areas throughout the north. Five priority areas were identified through the development of a framework, namely, rural fuel poverty, rural transport, rural childcare, rural community development and a rural challenge programme to allow rural communities to identify and address local issues relating to poverty and exclusion. Actions to address these priority areas have been rolled out by my Department over the past two years.

I will continue to advocate on behalf of rural areas in my role as Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development and as part of the Ministerial sub committee for poverty and social exclusion.

Budget to Tackle Rural Poverty

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how much of the £10m budget to tackle rural poverty was spent in (i) 2007 - 2008; (ii) 2008 - 2009; and (iii) 2009 - February 2010, broken down by project.

(AQW 5782/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The programme for Government included a DARD commitment to bring forward a package of actions to address rural poverty and social exclusion across the budget years 08/09-10/11. Throughout 2008 and into 2009 ongoing research and consultation was carried out to develop the Anti Poverty and Social Inclusion Framework (AP&SE) and a range of interventions to address the key rural poverty and inclusion priorities identified (Childcare; Fuel Poverty; Transport and Access; Community Development and specific local and regional poverty and exclusion issues). As the various interventions across the 5 priority areas are at different stages of implementation and are being delivered in collaboration with a number of government departments, statutory agencies and community and voluntary sector bodies it is difficult to give precise figures in relation to in-year spend to date. Overall spend across the budget years to end March 2011is projected to total £10.5m including spend levered in through working in partnership with DRD, DHSSPS and DSD. The table below sets out how much has been spent in 2008-09 and projected spend for 2009-10 (actual spend will be confirmed by May 2010):

Programme / Project	Spend 08/09	Projected Spend 2009-10
Rural Childcare Programme	-	£300,000
Rural Fuel Poverty – warm home scheme in conjunction with DSD (DARD allocation)	£380,000
Rural Fuel Poverty – home insulation in conjunction with DSD/NIE (DARD allocation)	-	£250,000
Rural Challenge Programme – Local Project	-	£44,000
Rural Challenge Programme Regional Project – Maximising Access to Services Grants and Benefits in conjunction with DHSSPS (DARD allocation)	-	£66,000
Rural Support	£76,000	£85,000
Rural Community Development including funding of the Rural Community Network (RCN) and the Rural Support Networks (RSN’s)	£315,000	£1,100,000
Rural Transport assisted travel – in conjunction with DRD	£50,000	£340,000

Child Nursery Places under the Rural Development Plan

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development where the 400 extra child nursery places provided under the Rural Development Plan will be allocated.

(AQW 5791/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department has recently awarded approximately £1.3m in funding to 20 applicants who submitted successful pilot/demonstration project applications to the Rural Childcare Programme. The Rural Childcare Programme was developed to provide solutions that address the particular and distinct challenges faced by rural areas/communities in relation to the delivery of and access to rural childcare services. DARD are not responsible for childcare provision and it is intended that these pilot/demonstration projects will help form evidence that can be presented to the responsible departments and inform the future provision of childcare.

One of the successful applicants was NICMA (NI Childminding Association) which has a project objective to create 400 new childcare places in 15 areas throughout the rural north. The project target areas are as follows:

1.Newtownhamilton, Camlough, Kilbroney, Burren, Mayobridge, and Conallon

2.Rathfriland & outlying areas

3.Washingbay, Killymain, Altmore, Coalisland N & S

4.Belcoo, Garrison, Belleek and Boa

5.Lisnaskea & Newtownbutler

6.Drumquin & outlying areas

7.Claudy, Ballykelly, Greysteel & Maydown

8.Cushendall, Glenravel, Carnlough, Cushendun, Glenarriff, & Glenarm

9.Armoy, Ballycastle, Portballintrae, Bushmills, Ballintoy, Dervock

10.Kilrea, Dunloy, Garvagh, Rasharkin & surrounding areas

11.Rostrevor, Newcastle, Kilkeel & Annalong

12.Killinchy, Comber, Donaghadee, Ballygowan, Kircubbin and parts of the Ards Peninsula

13.Downpatrick, Ardglass, Killough

14.Ballinderry, Moira, Maghaberry, Stoneyford, Dundrod & Glenavy

15.Plumbridge, Sion Mills, Newtownstewart & Donemana

Bonuses Paid to Non-Civil Servants

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for a breakdown of any bonuses paid in the 2009/10 financial year to persons, other than civil servants, from within the Department's overall budget.

(AQW 5818/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The following table provides a breakdown of bonuses relating to staff in the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and the Loughs agency banded by grade.

Grade	Amount of Bonus Awarded (£)	No. of Staff Awarded a Bonus within the Grade
Senior Scientific Officer	£500	1 Member of staff
Charge Hand/ Spec Grade C(Industrial)	£2,400	16 Members of staff
Semi Skilled Grade E(Industrial)	£150	1 Member of staff
Semi-Skilled Grade F(Industrial)	£300	2 Members of staff
Senior Supervisor - Grade A(Industrial)	£300	2 Members of staff
Supervisor - Grade B(Industrial)	£300	2 Members of staff
UnSkilled Grade I(Industrial)	£150	1 Member of staff
Chief Executive Officer	£1,933	1 Member of staff
Total	£6,033

Fox Population

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what her Department is doing to control the fox population.

(AQW 5878/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department is not taking any action on this matter as it is unaware of any concerns about fox numbers. In June 2007, when asked if I would consider re-introducing the "fox bounty" to control the rise in fox numbers and their impact on wildlife, I concluded that, in view of the lack of evidence of any more recent concerns, there was no overriding need to re-introduce any control measure. That position has not changed.

The question of re-introduction of the fox bounty scheme was also raised in 2000 when my predecessor considered that it could not be justified given various factors including the probable level of effectiveness of such a scheme, the level of payment needed to encourage participation and the cost of resources required to ensure proper monitoring of the operation.

A 1968 report by Dr James Fairley noted that there was no case where bounty schemes have successfully controlled fox numbers however a scheme had been introduced here in 1943 in circumstances which suggested that the culling of the fox population was necessary to reduce the levels of predation on farm stock. The measure proved to be ineffective in reducing fox numbers and bore out the conclusions in Dr Fairley’s report.

I will of course re-consider the position should there in future be any compelling and widely held concerns about fox numbers.

Assistance for Fishing Boat Owners to Acquire Electronic Log-books

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if her Department can provide any assistance for fishing boat owners to acquire electronic log-books.

(AQW 5879/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department has secured EU funding to provide assistance of up to 95% of the cost of purchasing electronic logbook software from approved suppliers.

Monitoring of the Fishing Industry

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of the continued need for monitoring of the fishing industry, given that most within the industry now self-monitor.

(AQW 5915/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Member States are under obligation through EU Regulation for competent authorities to put in place systems to restrict commercial fishing activity and record quota uptake, days at sea, and fish sales and movements. In the north of Ireland this responsibility falls to DARD.

Off-shore Wind Turbines and Sea Turbines

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has had any discussions with the fishing industry or fishing organisations about the development of off-shore wind turbines and sea turbines.

(AQW 5916/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I have not had any discussions with the fishing industry or fishing organisations about the development of offshore marine renewable energy. However my Department is aware of the industry’s concerns about such developments and, through its membership of the DETI led inter departmental Project Steering Group, is ensuring that the industry is kept aware of, and is consulted about such proposals by DETI.

I understand that the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation and the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations have responded to DETI’s recent consultation on the draft Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009 - 2020 and that ANIFPO was represented at a consultation seminar on the subject. The draft Plan proposes to establish of an Offshore Renewable Energy Forum involving marine stakeholders and I would urge the fishing industry to become actively involved in this.

Fish in the Irish Sea

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of the increase in the number of fish, particularly white fish, in the Irish Sea brought on by the recent cold winter.

(AQW 5924/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Both 2008 and 2009 winters have been colder than recent averages, in terms of temperatures in the Irish Sea. A modest increase in abundance of juvenile cod was detected in AFBI research surveys during 2009 however, extensive update surveys conducted in the past few weeks have not yet been analysed. The Fisheries Science Partnership (FSP) managed by CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science) also conducts surveys in the Irish Sea on commercial trawlers. ICES will analyse the latest research and FSP survey data in May and its advice will be published on 26 June.

Work Related Stress in the DARD Direct Office

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many working days have been lost due to work related stress by staff in the DARD Direct Office, Glenree House, Newry in each of the past five years; and to express this figure as a percentage of the total working days.

(AQW 5933/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: It is not possible to identify absences specifically due to work related stress as information as to the cause of stress is not recorded separately. Prior to November 2008, such absences were included in the category ‘Psychiatric / Psychological illnesses’ and since November 2008, such absences are included in the category ‘Anxiety / Stress / Depression / Other Psychiatric Illnesses’.

The DARD Direct Office in Glenree House was not established until 28 January 2008.

The figures below represent the absences attributed to ‘Psychiatric/ Psychological illnesses’ or ‘Anxiety / Stress / Depression / Other Psychiatric Illnesses’ during the periods in question.

	Days Lost	Available Working Days	% Working Days Lost
01/02/08 - 31/03/08	65.0	2,180.2	3.0
01/04/08 – 31/03/09	232.5	14,012.6	1.7
01/04/09 – 28/02/10	189.9	13,448.5	1.4

Cross-border Event to Commemorate the Irish Famine

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how much funding has been set aside by her Department, in the current or next financial year, for a cross-border event to commemorate the Irish Famine.

(AQW 5935/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Whilst no funds have currently been set aside by my Department for a cross-border event to commemorate the Irish Famine, I have been in correspondence with Minister Ó Cuiv about this issue and I am currently considering how best it might be taken forward.

Cross-border Event to Commemorate the Irish Famine

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail any contact her Department has had with the Government in the Republic of Ireland regarding plans for a cross-border event to commemorate the Irish Famine, including the nature, level and content of this contact; and if there are plans for further contact on this issue.

(AQW 5938/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I wrote to Minister Ó Cuiv last year to congratulate him on the 2009 Famine Commemoration event held in Skibbereen, County Cork and to express an interest in how the famine might be appropriately marked on an all island basis. Minister Ó Cuiv responded with details of the National Famine Commemoration Committee who organise commemoration events for the Famine, advising that this Committee agreed that events would be rotated around the four provinces, with an event planned for Ulster in 2011. I am currently considering how best this issue might be taken forward.

Agriculture Support Payments

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what agriculture support payments, including those fully funded by the EU, those co-funded by the EU and any other body and those co-funded by the EU and her Department, were made to members of the Royal Family or their agents in respect of the Royal Estate in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years

(AQW 5947/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department holds the details of farm businesses which have claimed and been paid EU grant or subsidy. The information which we hold against each farm business does not identify the members of the Royal Family or their agents in respect of the Royal Estate.

National Ploughing Championships in the Republic of Ireland

Mr G Savage asked e Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) if she (a) requested; and (b) received permission from the Executive to spend £33,500 on the National Ploughing Championships in the Republic of Ireland; (ii) if she did not seek Executive permission to give the reasons; (iii) why she deemed it necessary to award the funding to the event; and (iv) to outline the benefits to the Northern Ireland agricultural industry from providing funding for this event.

(AQW 5992/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: This matter did not require referral to the Executive.

No funding was awarded to the event. The costs incurred relate solely to the staging and staffing of a DARD exhibition.

The primary focus of the DARD exhibition at the National Ploughing Championships is to facilitate a number of small, locally based, developing rural businesses to access trade opportunities in the south. These businesses had received support from DARD through the Rural Development Programme or engagement with DARD Development Services. This has led to additional sales and orders for these businesses and following the initial support from DARD, some are now exhibiting independently at the National Ploughing Championships.

Closket River in County Armagh

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail any work carried out, or reports produced, by the Rivers Agency on the Closket River in County Armagh in the last 24 months.

(AQW 6030/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I can confirm that in the last 24 months my officials in Rivers Agency have carried out no works on, or produced any reports relating to, the Closet River in Co. Armagh.

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Boys Brigade Grounds at Ganaway, Millisle

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he has received any enquiries form national Olympic federations for their archers to train at the Boys Brigade Grounds at Ganaway, Millisle, prior to the 2012 Olympic Games.

(AQW 5710/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr N McCausland): Sport Northern Ireland, which is in the lead in securing pre Games training camps (PGTC) for Northern Ireland in the run up to the 2012 Games, has not received any enquiries to date with regard to the venue being used as a camp for archery.

The Ganaway Centre in Millisle is one of 26 venues in Northern Ireland included in the London2012 Pre Games Training Camp Guide for the Olympic Games. The Ganaway Centre is advertised in the Guide and the Northern Ireland PGTC brochure for cycling only.

2012 Olympic Games

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if any Olympic teams will be coming to Northern Ireland to train prior to the 2012 Olympic Games.

(AQW 5711/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

Northern Ireland is seeking to attract 10 countries or teams for pre Games training in the run up to 2012. Sport Northern Ireland leads a small cross organisational working group to take this forward with representatives from local government, Invest Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, and Disability Sport Northern Ireland.

Twenty six sports facilities have registered in the London2012 Pre Games Training Camp (PGTC) Guide for the Olympic Games and eight sports facilities have registered in the PGTC guide for the Paralympic Games.

The group is working proactively with the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and through the sports governing bodies to attract those countries or sports to Northern Ireland. Inclusion in the PGTC Guide does not guarantee that the venue will be selected by a National Olympic or Paralympic Committee (NOC/NPC). Inclusion in the guide is confirmation from London2012 that the facilities are suitable for Olympic and Paralympic sports training.

Staffing Levels at the Irish and Local Studies Library in Armagh

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if there has been any reduction in staffing levels at the Irish and Local Studies Library in Armagh; and if there are any future plans for staff reductions.

(AQW 5768/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Three staff currently work in The Irish and Local Studies Library in Armagh. There have been no recent changes to this position.

One of these staff is due to retire shortly. In the short term, Libraries NI intends to provide additional library assistant ‘hours’ to ensure continuity of service as well as the Belfast based Heritage Services Manager spending time in the library to provide additional professional support.

In the longer term, Libraries NI will consider staffing levels at the Irish and Local Studies Library in Armagh, as part of an overall review of heritage services which will be undertaken shortly.

Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages with Regard to the Irish Language 2005-08

Mr B Leonard asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action he is taking to deal with attacks on the Irish language following the Pobal report on the 'Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages with Regard to the Irish Language 2005-08' highlighting this issue.

(AQW 5918/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

I have considered the Pobal report however I do not believe that the needs of the Irish language can be best met through an Irish Language Act as there is insufficient community consensus on this issue. The needs of the Irish language can be best met through the Regional or Minority Languages Strategy which will protect and enhance the development of the Irish language and enhance and develop the Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture.

The Regional or Minority Languages Strategy will seek to promote Ulster-Scots and Irish as part of our shared cultural heritage and will contribute to the Executive’s goal of a shared and better future for all.

Irish Football Association

Mr J Shannon asked e Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions he has had with the Irish Football Association regarding the registration, by the Republic of Ireland, of players from Northern Ireland who have benefited from training and expertise gained through Northern Ireland school-boys, under 18s and under 21s.

(AQW 5926/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

I have had a number of discussions with the Irish Football Association (IFA) on matters relating to the development of football in Northern Ireland. These have included the issue of players from Northern Ireland registering to play for the Republic of Ireland. Registration policies for football players are ultimately determined by the world governing body of football, FIFA, and the IFA. The IFA has taken its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland and it would not therefore be appropriate for me to comment further at this time. However, as I stated in my previous answer, successive devolved Sports Ministers have made clear to both FIFA and the IFA that they support the principle of sports governing bodies doing everything possible to encourage young talented players from Northern Ireland to go on to represent their country at international level. I also support that position.

Department of Education

Capital Spend on Projects in Mid-Ulster

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Education to detail her Department's (i) capital spend on projects in Mid-Ulster from 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 to date; and (ii) projected spend for 2010/11.

(AQW 5695/10)

Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane ): Capital spend on the schools’ estate in Mid-Ulster in 2007/08, 2008/09 and in 2009/10 to date was as follows:

£000s

2007/083,732

2008/094,279

2009/10 to date8,123

Tá 7 mórthionscadal caipitil faoi láthair i dtoghcheantar Uladh Láir cuimsithe i gclár ollchaipitil mo Roinne. Tá obair á déanamh ar cheann díobh seo faoi láthair, ag Magherafelt High School, atá le críochnú mall sa bhliain 2011. Tá na tiosncadail go léir atá fágtha ag céimeanna éagsula den phróiseas pleanála.

There are currently 7 major capital projects in the Mid Ulster constituency included in my Department’s major capital programme. Construction work is currently underway on one of these, Magherafelt High School, which is due to complete in late 2011. The remaining projects are all at various stages of the planning process.

You may be aware that in October 2009, I commissioned a review of all current projects still in planning. This review will inform a more strategic approach to capital investment decisions and the management of the schools estate. In the current economic climate the review will ensure that available resources are used to secure the best outcomes for children and maximum value for the taxpayer. In light of this it is important that we validate that the capital projects in which we invest are viable in the long term.

It is critically important that investment in the education estate is consistent with and supportive of the policy framework I am putting in place and that it adheres to our statutory duties in relation to equality and targeting on the basis of objective need. At the heart of this is Every School a Good School, Revised Curriculum, Sustainable Schools, Irish Medium Review and the Entitlement Framework.

As area based planning develops, these policies will drive the reshaping of our estate and the consequential investment plans. As Minister for Education, I need to ensure that the substantial resources we are now investing produce the best outcomes for children and value for the taxpayer.

As the Department’s capital budget has not yet been finalised, it is not possible at this stage to state how much will be spent on capital works in schools in the Mid Ulster constituency in 2010/11

Early Years Support Services

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Education if the District Child Care Co-ordinators have been dissatisfied with any of the Early Years Support services; and which services they deemed unsatisfactory.

(AQW 5784/10)

Minister of Education: Oibríonn Comhordaitheoirí de chuid na Comhpháirtíochta Ceantair um Chúram Leanaí i mBéal Feirste go gar le Foirne Luathbhlianta de chuid an Iontaobhais Shláinte agus Chúraim Shóisialaigh, a bhfuil freagracht orthu as clárú agus cigireacht na réimsí luathbhlianta. Níl na Comhordaitheoirí de chuid na Comhpháirtíochta Ceantair um Chúram Leanaí míshásta le ceann ar bith de na seirbhísí a sholáthraíonn Luathbhlianta, an Eagraíocht do Pháistí Óga.

The District Childcare Partnership Coordinators in Belfast work closely with the Health and Social Care Trust Early Years Teams, which have responsibility for the registration and inspection of early years settings. The District Child Care Partnership Coordinators are not dissatisfied with any of the services provided by Early Years, The Organisation for Young Children.

Removal of Logos from the Western and South Eastern Education and Library Board Buses

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education who made the decision to remove logos from the Western Education and Library Board and the South Eastern Education and Library Board buses; and to outline the reasons for this decision.

(AQW 5822/10)

Minister of Education: I have been advised that during 2009 there was a series of meetings between the ESA Implementation Team (ESAIT) and staff from Education and Library Boards to prepare for the Executive’s agreed date for the implementation of ESA on 1^st January 2010. Although it was agreed that rebranding could not begin until after 1^st January 2010 a particular issue arose around school buses.

To allow for rebranding to start on 1^st January and also to alleviate undue pressure on transport staff applying the new logo to all buses over the Christmas holiday period, it was decided by Chief Transport Officers after a meeting with ESAIT staff to start the process of removing some existing logos as buses came in for maintenance, cleaning and refuelling.

Tugadh comhairle dom nár bhain Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirdheiscirt lógónna de cheann ar bith dá chuid feithiclí agus, mar sin de, níl aon athchur ag teastáil. Go dtí go mbunófar ESA i mí Eanáir 2010, cinneadh é, i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2009, gan lógónna a chur ar fheithiclí nuafhaighte tar éis an dáta seo. Bhain Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Iarthair roinnt lógónna d’fheithiclí agus níor chuir sé lógónna ar fheithiclí nuafhaighte tar éis an dáta seo. Athchuirfear na lógónna ar bhusanna BOLI roimh lár-Aibreán agus is é an costas iomlán ar athchur ná £2,700, costais ghaolmhara an lucht oibre agus ceannach na lógónna nua san áireamh. Íocfaidh BOLI as an athchur.

I have been advised that the South Eastern Education & Library Board did not remove logos from any of its vehicles so none require replacement. Pending the establishment of ESA January 2010, it was decided, in October 2009, not to place logos on any newly acquired vehicles following this date. The Western Education & Library Board removed some logos from vehicles and did not place logos on any newly acquired vehicles following this date. The logos will be replaced on WELB buses by mid-April and the total cost of replacement is £2,700, inclusive of associated labour costs and purchase of new logos. The WELB will pay for the replacement.

Removal of Logos from the Western and South Eastern Education and Library Board Buses

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education whether the logos removed from the Western Education and Library Board and the South Eastern Education and Library Board buses will be replaced; and who will pay for the replacements.

(AQW 5823/10)

Minister of Education:

I have been advised that during 2009 there was a series of meetings between the ESA Implementation Team (ESAIT) and staff from Education and Library Boards to prepare for the Executive’s agreed date for the implementation of ESA on 1^st January 2010. Although it was agreed that rebranding could not begin until after 1^st January 2010 a particular issue arose around school buses.

Teachers 'Sick Days'

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education to detail the average number of "sick days" taken by teachers in a permanent post, in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) controlled schools; (ii) maintained schools; (iii) secondary schools; and (iv) grammar schools.

(AQW 5829/10)

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

The information requested is detailed in the table below.

CONTROLLED SCHOOLS
Financial Year	2004/05
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Primary	25516	4155	6.14
Nursery	808	133	6.08
Secondary	20081	2753	7.29
Special	7697	792	9.72
Grammar	5847	1012	5.78
Peripatetic	1837	280	6.56
Total	61786	9125	6.77
Financial Year	2005/06
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Primary	32133	4064	7.91
Nursery	989	132	7.49
Secondary	24768	2700	9.17
Special	8606	804	10.70
Grammar	7997	1016	7.87
Peripatetic	2128	242	8.79
Total	76621	8958	8.55
Financial Year	2006/07
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Primary	29696	3971	7.48
Nursery	1596	129	12.37
Secondary	22448	2631	8.53
Special	9544	790	12.08
Grammar	6608	1017	6.50
Peripatetic	2156	237	9.10
Total	72048	8775	8.21
Financial Year	2007/08
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Primary	30473	3971	7.67
Nursery	1098	130	8.45
Secondary	20277	2582	7.85
Special	9332	774	12.06
Grammar	5885	1014	5.80
Peripatetic	2399	238	10.08
Total	69464	8709	7.98
Financial Year	2008/09
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Primary	28717	4002	7.18
Nursery	1486	137	10.85
Secondary	18635	2530	7.37
Special	7550.5	790	9.56
Grammar	6037	1040	5.80
Peripatetic	2029	243	8.35
Total	64454.5	8742	7.37

MAINTAINED SCHOOLS
Financial Year	2004/05
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Primary	34707	3958	8.77
Nursery	890	64	13.91
Secondary	27463	3107	8.84
Special	804	74	10.86
Total	63864	7203	8.87
Financial Year	2005/06
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Primary	42922	3859	11.12
Nursery	885	63	14.05
Secondary	33272	3101	10.73
Special	1057	74	14.28
Total	78136	7097	11.01
Financial Year	2006/07
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Primary	40523	3777	10.73
Nursery	881	64	13.77
Secondary	30889	3036	10.17
Special	1092	67	16.30
Total	73385	6944	10.57
Financial Year	2007/08
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Primary	36053	3761	9.59
Nursery	848	63	13.46
Secondary	26987	2956	9.13
Special	1009	67	15.06
Total	64897	6847	9.48
Financial Year	2008/09
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Primary	33263	3801	8.75
Nursery	504	65	7.75
Secondary	24109	2928	8.23
Special	775	66	11.74
Total	58651	6860	8.55

SECONDARY/GRAMMAR
Financial Year	2004/05
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Secondary	51577	6469	7.97
Grammar	5847	1012	5.78
Total	57424	7481	7.68
Financial Year	2005/06
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Secondary	62672	6433	9.74
Grammar	7997	1016	7.87
Total	70669	7449	9.49
Financial Year	2006/07
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Secondary	59358	6317	9.40
Grammar	6608	1017	6.50
Total	65966	7334	8.99
Financial Year	2007/08
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Secondary	52222	6207	8.41
Grammar	5885	1014	5.80
Total	58107	7221	8.05
Financial Year	2008/09
School Type	No of Days	No of Teachers	Average

Secondary	47315	6175	7.66
Grammar	6037	1040	5.80
Total	53352	7215	7.39

CCTV Cameras in Schools

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Education to list the schools which have CCTV cameras installed in bathrooms and shower rooms; and to detail the reasons given to her Department for the need to install the cameras.

(AQW 5842/10)

Minister of Education: The Primary School Building Handbook specifies that an external only CCTV system shall be provided for school security purposes. The CCTV system should be designed to monitor main entrance / exit points, main car parks and other areas deemed to be at a high risk level. CCTV can also be used to provide surveillance of areas not directly watched by staff, remote areas prone to vandalism or theft and for general premises protection during out of school hours.

The Department of Education makes no provision for the installation of internal CCTV cameras. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of individual school authorities and their professional consultants to decide on the installation / location of CCTV cameras in their school buildings.

Ní féidir líon na gceamaraí TCI atá suiteáilte i scoileanna agus cá háit a bhfuil siad suite a mhionsonrú. Bheadh sé am-íditheach le hé seo a dhéanamh agus bheadh na costais a thabhófaí díréireach i gceist leis an eolas a iarradh a fháil.

It is has not been possible to detail the number of CCTV cameras installed in schools or where exactly they are located. To do so would be a very time consuming exercise and the costs incurred would be disproportionate to the information requested.

CCTV Cameras in Schools

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Education what procedures are in place, within her Department, to scrutinise the installation of CCTV cameras in schools.

(AQW 5844/10)

CCTV Cameras in Schools

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Education (i) to detail the number of CCTV cameras installed in schools, broken down by Education and Library Board area; and (ii) to list these schools.

(AQW 5848/10)

Disposal of Computers in Education and Library Boards

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Education, excluding the North Eastern Education and Library Board, who is contracted to manage the disposal of all computers used in each of the Education and Library Boards; and when the existing contracts expire.

(AQW 5864/10)

Minister of Education: Is mar seo a leanas atá an t-eolas a iarradh:

The information requested is as follows:

Education and Library Board	Computer Contract Management
Belfast	AMI Data Removal and Disposal undertake the work under DFP’s Central Procurement Directorate’s Disposal Framework contract which expires on 31 July 2010.
South Eastern	AMI Data Removal and Disposalundertake the work under DFP’s Central Procurement Directorate Disposal Framework contract which expires on 31 July 2010.
Southern	Disposal Services Agency undertake the work under DFP’s Central Procurement Directorate Disposal Framework which expires on 31 July 2010.
Western	The Board had a contract with NWP Recycling which has now expired. The Board will be included within the new Central Procurement Directorate Disposal Framework contract which will be put in place from August.

C2K Contract

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Education when the C2K contract is due for renewal.

(AQW 5865/10)

Minister of Education: Is stiúrthóireacht laistigh de Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Iarthair é Classroom 2000 (C2K), rud a sholáthraíonn seirbhís bhainistithe ICT do scoileanna. Mar sin de, níl sé faoi réir conartha le haon eagraíocht eile.

Classroom 2000 (C2k), which provides all schools with a managed ICT service, is a directorate within the Western Education and Library Board. As such, it is not the subject of a contract with any other organisation.

Local Management of Schools Common Funding Formula

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 5457/10, to detail the reasons for the disparity in year-on-year funding from 2005 to 2010 between controlled, maintained and grant maintained integrated primary schools.

(AQW 5877/10)

Minister of Education: Is í Foirmle Comh-mhaoinithe (FCM) na Bainistíochta Áitiúla Scoileanna (BÁS) an mheicníocht a úsáidtear chun leithdháiltí buiséid tharmligthe scoile aonair a chinneadh. Is í is aidhm léi ná leithdháileadh cothromasach follasach an mhaoinithe atá ar fáil a bhaint amach trasna gach scoile, de réir a leibhéil choibhneasta riachtanais.

The Local Management of Schools (LMS) Common Funding Formula (CFF) is the mechanism used to determine individual school delegated budget allocations. Its aim is to achieve an equitable and transparent distribution of available funding across all schools based on their relative level of need.

The distribution of funding is primarily based on the number of pupils; their ages and profile; the relative size of schools; costs associated with school buildings; together with a range of other factors which recognise the distinctive features of individual schools and certain pupils that give rise to significant and unavoidable costs. Curriculum support for relatively small schools, Foundation Stage funding for years 1 and 2, support for Principals of smaller primary schools, above average teacher salary costs and the incidence of social disadvantage and educational under-achievement in individual schools are also taken into account.

All schools are funded on a consistent and equitable basis, regardless of their geographical location, management type or sector. Primary schools in the controlled sector are treated exactly the same as those with similar characteristics in the maintained sector.

The higher per pupil funding received by grant-maintained integrated primary schools reflects the additional responsibilities carried by these schools in respect of the payment of VAT costs, landlord maintenance expenditure and the administration costs associated with the running of their schools. Each of the five Education and Library Boards meet these additional spending commitments centrally for those controlled and maintained schools located within its area. Specific factors have been included within the CFF to assist grant-maintained integrated primary schools meet these costs.

Local Management of Schools Common Funding Formula

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 5457/10, and in light of the equality legislation and guidance issued by the Office of the First and deputy First Minister, for her assessment of the disparity between controlled, maintained and grant maintained integrated primary schools in relation to the average funding per pupil delegated under the Local Management of Schools Common Funding Formula.

(AQW 5882/10)

Permanent Teaching Posts

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) how many full-time permanent teaching posts are currently available in each Education and Library Board area; (ii) how many qualified teachers, who have graduated in the last ten years, have not been able to obtain a full-time teaching post; and (iii) whether she will use these teachers to address the current under-achievement in literacy and numeracy in schools.

(AQW 5885/10)

Minister of Education: (i) Iarann an Roinn eolas ar fholúntais mhúinteoireachta ó gach scoil dheontaschúnta ar bhonn bliantúil. Soláthraíonn an t-eolas seo "alaghraf" d’fholúntais ar dháta ar leith gach bliain. Sainaithníonn an t-eolas is déantaí atá ar fáil folúntais ar an 2 Samhain 2009; tá miondealú de réir cheantar Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne leagtha amach thíos.

(i) The Department seeks information on teacher vacancies from all grant-aided schools on an annual basis. This information provides a "snapshot" of vacancies at a specific date each year. The latest information available identifies vacancies at 2 November 2009; a breakdown by Education and Library Board area is set out below:

Full-time Permanent Teaching Posts Unfilled as at 2 November 2009
Primary, nursery and prep	Classroom teachers	Vice-principals	Principals	Total
Belfast	4	1	1	6
Western	8	1	3	12
North Eastern	4	2	0	6
South Eastern	16	4	3	23
Southern	15	0	0	15
Total	47	8	7	62
Post-primary	Classroom teachers	Vice-principals	Principals	Total

Belfast	9	1	1	11
Western	7	0	0	7
North Eastern	4	0	1	5
South Eastern	3	0	0	3
Southern	7	1	1	9
Total	30	2	3	35

Special	Classroom teachers	Vice-principals	Principals	Total
Belfast	1	1	1	3
Western	0	0	0	0
North Eastern	3	0	0	3
South Eastern	3	1	0	4
Southern	0	0	0	0
Total	7	2	1	10

All schools	Classroom teachers	Vice-principals	Principals	Total
Belfast	14	3	3	20
Western	15	1	3	19
North Eastern	11	2	1	14
South Eastern	22	5	3	30
Southern	22	1	1	24
Total	84	12	11	107

(ii)Information on the number of qualified teachers who have been unable to obtain a full-time teaching post is available in respect of graduates from 2003/04 onwards. This information, which has been sourced from the General Teaching Council here (GTC) and from the Department of Education (DE) teachers’ payroll system, is set out below:

Year Graduated	Graduates per GTC*	Number without permanent job**
2003/04	698	94
2004/05	790	207
2005/06	816	291
2006/07	807	335
2007/08	805	427
2008/09	735	500

Neither DE nor the GTC hold information on graduates prior to 2003/04.

* The graduate figures for each year include a number of graduates who are not currently registered with the GTC.
**Permanent job refers to full-time permanent employment, part-time permanent employment, and those employed on contracts of one year or more.

(iii)I will soon bring forward a revised literacy and numeracy strategy which will set out how we will tackle underachievement and promote the raising of literacy and numeracy standards. At the heart of the strategy will be the central role of the classroom teacher in providing high quality teaching for all pupils and appropriate support for those who are identified as underachieving. As with the school improvement policy, the strategy is based on the premise that schools are responsible for their own improvement and is being developed from the starting point of ensuring that the most effective use is made of existing resources.

Ratio of Classroom Assistants to Pupils

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Education what is the ratio of full-time classroom assistants to pupils in (i) primary schools; and (ii) secondary schools compared to (a) England; (b) Scotland; and (iii) Wales.

(AQW 5890/10)

Minister of Education: Is é cóimheas cúntóirí ranga is daltaí i dtuaisceart na hÉireann ná 31.46 ag leibhéal bunscoile agus 51.38 ag leibhéal iarbhunscoile. Níorbh fhéidir, áfach, teacht ar chóimheasa inchomparáide do Shasana, d’Albain agus don Bhreatain Bheag.

The ratio of classroom assistants per pupil in the north of Ireland is 31.46 at primary level and 51.38 at post primary level. It has not however been possible to source comparable ratios for England, Scotland and Wales.

Classroom Assistants

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of classroom assistants in (a) primary schools; and (b) secondary schools in each of the last five years.

(AQW 5892/10)

Minister of Education: Mionsonraithe thíos atá líon na gcúntóirí ranga i mbunscoileanna agus i meánscoileanna i ngach ceann de na cúig bliana a chuaigh thart. Tá na figiúirí seo soláthraithe ag an Roinn agus ag Príomhfheidhmeannaigh na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne.

The number of classroom assistants in primary and secondary schools in each of the last five years is outlined below. These figures have been provided by the Department and the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards.

	Primary	Post-Primary
2005/06	4091	2036
2006/07	4054	2217
2007/08	4219	2336
2008/09	4627	2589
2009/10	4924	2876

Classroom Assistants

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Education how much her Department has spent on (i) full-time; and (ii) part-time classroom assistants in each of the last five years.

(AQW 5894/10)

Minister of Education: Mar fhostóirí, tabhaíonn na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne, na Scoileanna Deonacha Gramadaí agus Scoileanna Chomhtháite faoi Chothabháil Stáit an mhórchuid de na costais i dtaca le cúntóirí ranga.

The Education & Library Boards; Voluntary Grammar Schools and Grant Maintained Integrated Schools as employers incur the bulk of the costs in relation to classroom assistants.

My Department has however made available significant amounts of funding in respect of the additional pay costs, including arrears, arising from the job evaluation exercise.

The annual allocations over the past five years to the Boards are outlined below and confirm that to date some £37 million has been allocated to the classroom assistant job evaluations process. Unfortunately a breakdown of the allocations for full-time and part-time classroom assistants is not available.

CLASSROOM ASSISTANT JOB EVALUATION ALLOCATIONS (£000s)
YEAR	TOTAL ALLOCATED
2009/10	3807
2008/09	3706
2007/08	3609
2006/07	3458
2005/06	3300
2004/05	3200
2003/04	16000

Classroom Assistants

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Education what is the spend (i) per primary school pupil; and (ii) per secondary school pupil for classroom assistants in Northern Ireland compared to (a) England; (b) Scotland; and (c) Wales.

(AQW 5897/10)

Minister of Education: The average expenditure per primary school pupil and post primary school pupil on classroom assistants is as follows:

Primary - £ 233
Post-Primary - £ 174

Níl fáil ar an eolas inchomparáide a iarradh, áfach, i dtaca le caiteachas i Sasana, in Albain agus sa Bhreatain Bheag.

The comparative information requested relating to expenditure in England, Scotland and Wales is however unavailable.

Ratio of Classroom Assistants to Pupils

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Education to detail, where possible, the ratio of classroom assistants to pupils in Northern Ireland compared to (i) the Republic of Ireland; (ii) Finland; (iii) France; (iv) Germany; and (v) Austria in primary and secondary education.

(AQW 5899/10)

Minister of Education: The ratio of classroom assistants per pupil in the north of Ireland is 38.80.

D’fhoilsigh an Eagraíocht um Chomhar agus Fhorbairt Eacnamaíochta (ECFE) tuairisc le déanaí dar teideal, ‘Oideachas d’Aonamharc – 2009’ a chuimsigh táscaire ar líon na gcúntóirí ranga in aghaidh gach 1000 dalta. Ní raibh fáil ar shonraí le haghaidh an fhoilseacháin seo do na tíortha a d’iarr tú, áfach.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently published a report entitled, ‘Education at a Glance – 2009’ which included an indicator on the number of classroom assistants per 1000 pupils. Data on other parts of the world you have requested was however unavailable for this publication.

Capital Spend

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Education what is the planned capital spend for schools in the East Antrim constituency for the 2010/11 financial year.

(AQW 5900/10)

Minister of Education: Seans gurb eol duit gur choimisiúnaigh mé athbhreithniú ar gach tionscadal reatha atá fós á phleanáil i mí Dheireadh Fómhair sa bhliain 2009. Cuideoidh an t-athbhreithniú seo le cur chuige níos straitéisí a fhorbairt ar chinntí infheistiú caipitil agus ar bhainistíocht eastát na scoileanna. Sa timpeallacht gheilleagrach reatha, cinnteoidh an t-athbhreithniú go n-úsáidfear gach acmhainn atá ar fáil chun na torthaí is fearr do pháistí agus an luach is fearr don cháiníocóir a bhaint amach. Mar gheall air seo, tá sé tábhachtach go ndearbhaíonn muid go bhfuil gach tionscadal caipitil ina n-infheistíonn muid inmharthana san fhadtéarma.

As the Department’s capital budget has not yet been finalised, it is not possible at this stage to state how much will be spent on capital works in schools in the East Antrim constituency in 2010/11.

Fund for Senior Managers Severance Pay

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Education if the £7 million ring fenced fund for senior managers severance pay is being used for this purpose; or whether the money is being reallocated within the Northern Ireland budget or to the Treasury.

(AQW 5923/10)

Minister of Education: Ní úsáidfear an mhórchuid den bhuiséad de £7 milliún, rud a bunaíodh chun pá téarfa a thairiscint do gach foireann laistigh de na heagraíochtaí sin a dtéann bunú an ESA i bhfeidhm orthu, sa bhliain 2009/10. Bhí moilleanna ar an reachtaíocht a thabhairt isteach agus, de bharr sin, an ceanglas ar phlean coinbhéirseachta agus cuíchóiriú a fhorbairt, agus éifeachtaí a chur i bhfeidhm ina gcúiseanna le neamhábaltacht na Roinne chun an buiséad seo a úsáid sa bhliain reatha. Mar gheall air seo, tuairisceofar go raibh sé seo gannchaite.

The majority of the £7 million budget, established to offer severance to all staff within those organisations affected by the establishment of ESA, will not be utilised in 2009/10. Delays in introducing legislation and the resulting requirement to develop a convergence plan, to progress rationalisation and effect efficiencies, has resulted in the Department being unable to use this budget in the current year. As a consequence this will be reported as underspend.

Event to Commemorate the Irish Famine

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail the level, nature and plans for any further contact she has had with the Government of the Republic of Ireland in relation to plans for a cross-border event this year or next year to commemorate the Irish Famine.

(AQW 5936/10)

Minister of Education: To date I have not had any contact with the south of Ireland Government in relation to the National Famine Commemorative Day event which is due to be held in the north of Ireland in 2011. I have discussed the development of this proposed event with my Ministerial colleague, Michelle Gildernew.

Is ócáid bhliantúil é Lá Náisiúnta Cuimhneacháin an Ghorta Mhóir agus óstálann cúige éagsúil é gach bliain. Creidim gur féidir linn, mar Choiste Feidmiúcháin, páirt thábhachtach a ghlacadh inti nuair a thagann an ócáid chuimneacháin go Cúige Uladh sa bhliain 2011.

The National Famine Commemoration Day is an annual event and is hosted each year by a different province. I believe that, as an Executive, we can and should play an important part when the commemoration event comes to Ulster in 2011.

Event to Commemorate the Irish Famine

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education how much funding has been set aside by her Department for a cross-border event this year or next year to commemorate the Irish Famine.

(AQW 5937/10)

Minister of Education: Níor chuir mé aon mhaoiniú ar leataobh do leithéid d’ócáid agus níor iarradh orm é seo a dhéanamh. Is ócáid bhliantúil é Lá Náisiúnta Cuimhneacháin an Ghorta Mhóir agus óstálann cúige éagsúil é gach bliain. Creidim gur féidir linn, mar Choiste Feidmiúcháin, páirt thábhachtach a ghlacadh inti nuair a thagann an ócáid chuimneacháin go Cúige Uladh sa bhliain 2011.

I have not set aside any funding for such an event and nor have I been asked to do so. The National Famine Commemoration Day is an annual event and is hosted each year by a different province. I believe that, as an Executive, we can and should play an important part when the commemoration event comes to Ulster in 2011.

After School Homework Clubs

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Education to list the schools in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency which offer after school homework clubs; and of these how many have a teacher present.

(AQW 5950/10)

Minister of Education: Information on after schools clubs is not routinely collected. However, the Department’s Extended Schools (ES) programme provides a recognised funding stream for those schools serving the most deprived and disadvantaged areas to provide for a wide range of services and activities outside of the traditional school day and this can include homework clubs.

Sa bhliain airgeadais 2009/10, leithdháileadh maoiniú Scoileanna Sínithe do 20 scoil i ndáilcheantar Fhearmanach agus Thír Eoghain Theas. Dhearbhaigh Príomhfheidhmeannaigh ar BOLI agus ar BOLD go dtairgeann naoi scoil imeachtaí thacaíocht foghlama i ndiaidh am scoile/ clubanna obair baile atá tacaithe ag maoiniú Scoileanna Sínithe, eolas atá mionsonraithe sa tábla ceangailte.

In the 2009/10 financial year, Extended Schools funding was allocated to 20 schools in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency. The Chief Executives of the WELB and SELB have confirmed that nine schools offer after school learning support activities/homework clubs supported by Extended Schools funding, and detailed in the attached table.

Extended Schools 2009/10

St Mary’s Primary School, Newtownbutler

St Paul’s Primary School, Irvinestown

St Davog’s Primary School, Belleek

Bunscoil An Traonaigh, Lisnaskea

St Mary’s College, Irvinestown

St Eugene’s College, Roslea

St Comhghall’s High School, Lisnaskea

Fivemiletown Primary School

St Patrick’s Primary School, Dungannon

Funding to the Voluntary and Community Sector in Belfast

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Education (i) to detail the funding allocated by her Department to the voluntary and community sector in the Belfast area in the 2009/10 financial year; and (ii) how much of the funding was for (a) staff support; and (b) programmes.

(AQW 5962/10)

Minister of Education: Féadaim a dhearbhú gur dáileadh méid iomlán de £1,750,899 sa bhliain airgeadais 2009/10 don earnáil dheonach agus d’earnáil an phobail i gceantar Bhéal Feirste, agus figiúr a miondealaíodh mar a leanas:

I can confirm that in the 2009/10 financial year a total of £1,750,899 was allocated to the voluntary and community sector in the Belfast area, broken down as follows:

Organisation	Funding Allocated		Total
Organisation	Staff Support	Programmes	Total
Arts Council (Cultural Traditions Programme)		200,000	200,000
Belfast YMCA	46,203	1,108	47,311
Bytes Project	275,121	32,876	307,997
Co-Operation Ireland	30,159	14,289	44,448
Corrymeela	48,989	4,620	53,609
Childrens Project (CPNI)	36,052	13,860	49,912
Community Relations in Schools (CRIS)	121,196	17,095	138,291
Early Years (NIPPA)	60,751	4,714	65,465
Forthspring	20,844	2,811	23,655
Childrens Enterprise (NICE)	17,898		17,898
Council for Integrated Education (NICIE)	31,534	1,848	33,382
NICHS (a Community Relations Organisation)	41,181		41,181
National Union of Students and the Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI)	24,024	3,326	27,350
Panarts	31,768	2,311	34,079
Prince’s Trust	114,007	60,993	175,000
Public Achievement	32,756		32,756
Spirit of Enniskillen	119,565		119,565
Volunteer Development Agency Belfast	264,645	74,355	339,000
Total	1,316,693	434,206	1,750,899

It should be noted that the above figures relate to voluntary and community organisations based in Belfast, however, some operate programmes across the north of Ireland.

Definition of Terms in Relation to School Funding

Lord Browne asked the Minister of Education to detail her Department's definition of the following terms when used in relation to school funding (i) delegated funding; (ii) non-delegated funding; and (iii) recurrent funding.

(AQW 5965/10)

Minister of Education: Leagann an Fhoirmle Chomh-mhaoinithe um Bainistíocht Áitiúil Scoileanna (BÁS) an t-eolas amach ar rangú an caiteachais do scoileanna in Iarscríbhinní A1 go A3 den Scéim Chomh-mhaoinithe, rud atá ar fáil ag láithreán Gréasáin na Roinne:

The Local Management of Schools (LMS) Common Funding Scheme sets out information on the classification of expenditure for schools in Annexes A1 to A3 of the Common Funding Scheme, available on the Department’s website:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/schools/schools funding/common funding/common funding scheme.htm; (i)Delegated funding includes funding which is allocated directly to all grant-aided schools under the Common Funding Formula (CFF) arrangements. Schools have full discretion for the use of such funds in accordance with their school’s needs and relative priorities. In addition to the funding provided to schools under the CFF, certain funds may also be allocated directly to schools during the financial year by the relevant Funding Authority. Schools also directly receive a range of programme specific funding (for example, extended schools, specialist schools, etc.), which are in addition to their CFF funding.(ii)Non-delegated funding for schools refers to a range of funding provided for school services, at an individual school level – as detailed at part 4 of the Common Funding Scheme. Such funding will include, for example, reorganisation allowances, substitution costs for long-term teacher sickness, in-service training costs, etc.(iii)Recurrent (termed ‘current’) funding is defined by exception. Any expenditure which enhances or creates an asset of government and capital grants which support investment by other bodies is capital. Anything else is current. In terms of funding for schools’ services this would include delegated funding and non-delegated funding as outlined at (i) and (ii) above as well as resources held centrally by Education & Library Boards for services provided to schools. Such funding would include, for example, home to school transport, milk and meals etc.

Preparatory Schools

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education how many pupils are currently enrolled in each preparatory school.

(AQW 5995/10)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.The information requested is contained in the table below.

Enrolments in preparatory departments of grammar schools, 2009/10

DENI No	School name	Total enrolment
1620018	Bloomfield Collegiate	40
1620020	Campbell College Junior School	205
1620022	Fullerton House Preparatory School	217
1620023	Downey House School	208
1620027	Inchmarlo	191
1620028	Ben Madigan Preparatory School	180
1620089	Strathearn School	147
1620264	Victoria College	135
3620012	Dalriada School	125
4610063	Regent House School	132
4610085	Down High School	134
4610097	Glenlola Collegiate	80
4620015	Connor House Preparatory School	133
4620044	Sullivan Upper School	185
4620050	Friend's School	153
4620051	Wallace High School	110
5620263	Royal School, Armagh	35
Total		2,410

Source: school censusNote:1. Figures include children in nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes

Review of Capital Projects

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education when she intends to announce the list of schools which will be scheduled for new builds under the review of capital projects.

(AQW 5996/10)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-athbhreithniú caipitil ar siúl agus tá m’fheidhmeannaigh ag obair chun an próiseas a chríochnú, a ghaiste is féidir. Mar gheall ar thábhacht an táisc seo, áfach, tá sé ríthábhachtach go mbailítear fianaise láidir agus go dtugtar breithniú iomlán ar gach tionscadal, sula ndéanfar aon chinneadh. Tá mé ag súil le go mbeidh mé in ann fógra a dhéanamh sa ghar-thodhchaí.The capital review is ongoing and my officials are working to complete the process, as quickly as possible. Given the importance of this task, however, it is essential that robust evidence is collated and that full consideration is given to each project, before a decision is taken. I expect to be in a position to make an announcement in the near future.

New Build for Devenish College, Enniskillen

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Education (i) to outline her Department's current position on the economic appraisal submitted by the Western Education and Library Board on the provision of a new build for Devenish College, Enniskillen; and (ii) for a timescale of when her Department will complete the assessment of the appraisal and issue its findings.

(AQW 6008/10)

Minister of Education: An Economic Appraisal (EA) for controlled and voluntary post-primary provision in Fermanagh, including Devenish College, was submitted to the Department in January 2010. It is critically important that investment in the education estate is consistent with and supportive of the policy framework I am putting in place and that it adheres to our statutory duties in relation to equality and targeting on the basis of objective need. At the heart of this is Every School a Good School, Revised Curriculum, Sustainable Schools, Irish Medium Review and the Entitlement Framework. As area based planning develops, these policies will drive the reshaping of our estate and the consequential investment plans. Chuige seo, choimisiúnaigh mé athbhreithniú caipitil a chuideoidh le cur chuige níos straitéisí a fhorbairt ar chinntí infheistithe caipitil agus ar bhainistíocht eastát na scoileanna. Sa timpeallacht gheilleagrach reatha, cinnteoidh an t-athbhreithniú go n-úsáidfear gach acmhainn atá ar fáil chun na torthaí is fearr do pháistí agus an luach is fearr don cháiníocóir a bhaint amach. Tá an t-athbhreithniú ar siúl agus fógróidh mé an toradh agus na himpleachtaí le haghaidh infheistithe sa todhchaí nuair atá sé críochnaithe. Mar sin de, níl mé in ann clár ama táscach ar a dhul chun cinn a sholáthar ag an am seo.To this end I have commissioned a capital review which will inform a more strategic approach to capital investment decisions and the management of the schools estate. In the current economic climate the review will ensure that available resources are used to secure the best outcomes for children and maximum value for the taxpayer. The review is ongoing and when it is complete I will announce the outcome and the implications for future investment. I am therefore unable to provide an indicative timetable for progression at this current time.

Inspections Carried out by the Education and Training Inspectorate

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Education, to detail (i) the grades, from 1 to 6, obtained by each primary school from the inspections carried out by the Education and Training Inspectorate in each of the last four years; and (ii) the free school meal entitlement figures recorded at the time of inspection.

(AQW 6010/10)

Minister of Education: The Department does not use nor publish numerical grades for school inspections as, after extensive consultation with the sector, the Department decided against this.Léiríonn an tábla seo a leanas ainmneacha agus uimhreacha tagartha na mbunscoileanna a ndearnadh cigireacht orthu sna ceithre bliana a chuaigh thart, chomh maith leis na figiúirí ar bhéilí saora scoile a taifeadadh ag an am a rinneadh gach cigireacht scoile.The following table shows the names and reference numbers of those Primary schools which have been inspected over the last four years, along with the free school meal figures that were recorded at the time of each school’s inspection. You can view the inspection reports for these schools on the Education and Training Inspectorate’s website at: www.denidata.nics.gov.uk/appInspRptsSearch/IRMain.aspx

Primary School Inspections - 2006/2007

Name of Primary School	School Ref No	Inspection	Free School Meal
Springfield Primary School, Belfast	1010221	23-Oct-06	41
Blythefield Primary School	1016207	22-Jan-07	99
St Oliver Plunkett Primary School, Belfast	1036602	09-Oct-06	241
St Clare's Primary School, Belfast	1036630	07-May-07	187
Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagain	1046596	30-Apr-07	45
Gaelscoil an Damba	1046654	23-Apr-07	19
Bloomfield Prep Department	1620018	23-Oct-06	0
Strathearn Prep School	1620089	26-Mar-07	0
Shanmullagh Primary School, Enniskillen	2011866	19-Feb-07	0
Derrygonnelly Primary School	2011899	30-Apr-07	*
Culmore Primary School	2012052	27-Mar-07	5
Bellarena Primary School	2012087	28-Feb-07	*
Newtownstewart Model Primary School	2016262	25-Oct-06	20
Gortin Primary School	2016395	12-Mar-07	*
Rosemount Primary School	2030364	12-Mar-07	78
St Mary's Primary School	2032294	24-Oct-06	10
magheralough Primary School	2032473	19-Feb-07	0
Drumnabey Primary School	2032600	23-Oct-06	14
Envagh Primary School	2032631	05-Mar-07	*
St Davog's Primary School	2032664	15-Jan-07	7
St Colmcille's Primary School	2036053	21-May-07	46
Steelstown Primary School	2036084	30-Jan-07	236
St Peter's and St Paul's Primary School, Dungiven	2036085	15-Jan-07	11
St Naile's Primary School	2036090	27-Nov-06	*
St Mary's Primary School	2036095	29-May-07	39
St Oliver Plunkett Primary School	2036143	15-Jan-07	78
St Dympna's Primary School	2036186	21-Mar-07	16
Trench Road Primary School	2036259	09-Oct-06	119
All Saints Primary School, Omagh	2036557	27-Nov-06	9
Bunscoil an Traonaigh	2046669	14-May-07	9
Garryduff Primary School	3010594	26-Mar-07	*
Ballynure Primary School	3010802	21-May-07	*
The Diamond Primary School, Cullybackey	3010826	16-Oct-06	7
Ballymoney Model Primary School	3010866	12-Mar-07	64
Ballymena Primary School	3010875	09-Oct-06	43
Knockahollet Primary School	3010893	22-Jan-07	7
Mossley Primary School	3016015	21-May-07	75
Garvagh Primary School, Coleraine	3016119	09-Oct-06	23
Cairncastle Primary School	3016269	05-Mar-07	7
Glenann Primary School	3030708	21-May-07	8
Altayeskey Primary School	3032011	12-Mar-07	0
Ballyhackett Primary School	3032104	22-Jan-07	5
St Trea's Primary School	3032185	21-Mar-07	8
St Colum's Primary School	3032231	23-Oct-06	13
Lourdes Primary School	3036093	28-Feb-07	0
St Joseph's Dunloy	3036243	28-Nov-06	20
Desertmartin Primary School	3042162	08-May-07	8
Carnlough Controlled Primary School	3050519	08-May-07	10
Corran Integrated Primary School	3066561	28-Mar-07	20
Maine Integrated Primary School	3066652	29-May-07	6
Lisburn Central Primary School	4010807	16-Oct-06	63
Seymour Hill Primary School	4010882	23-Apr-07	49
Gilnahirk Primary School	4011606	14-May-07	28
Alexander Dickson Primary School	4013046	23-Oct-06	*
Harmony Hill Primary School	4013305	26-Mar-07	13
Spa Primary School	4016123	26-Feb-07	3
Kilmaine Primary School	4016192	29-May-07	23
Pond Park Primary School	4016401	23-Oct-06	18
Maghaberry Primary School	4016417	25-Oct-06	5
St Mary's Primary School,Aughlisnafin	4033002	12-Mar-07	19
St Comgall's Primary School	4036146	28-Mar-07	11
Ballydown Primary School	5011617	28-Feb-07	15
Aughnacloy Primary School	5012621	25-Oct-06	12
Poyntzpass Primary School	5016078	12-Mar-07	11
St Malachy's Primary School	5031133	22-Jan-07	42
St Mary's Primary School, Stewartstown	5032692	26-Mar-07	38
St Mary's Primary School, Ballygawley	5032735	19-Mar-07	11
St Mary's Primary School, Rathfriland	5033004	14-May-07	17
St Michael's Primary School, Finnis	5033006	19-Mar-07	6
St Joseph's Primary School, Dungannon	5036033	28-May-07	38
Jonesborough Primary School	5036122	23-Oct-06	17
St Malachy's Primary School, Carnagat	5036433	26-Mar-07	168
St Patrick's Primary School, Dungannon	5036504	30-Apr-07	137
St Francis Primary School, Lurgan	5036633	27-Nov-06	153
Windmill Integrated Primary School	5066554	23-Oct-06	49

Primary School Inspections - 2007/2008

Name of Primary School	School Ref No	Inspection	Free School Meal
Dundela Infants School	1016242	05-Nov-07	37
Bunscoil Mhic Reachtin	1016647	27-May-08	38
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Belfast	1030313	08-Oct-07	28
St Joseph's Primary School, Belfast	1036246	08-Oct-07	*
Holy Trinity Primary School	1036623	28-Apr-08	122
St Malachy's Primary School, Belfast	1036466	12-May-08	298
Gaelscoil an Lonnain	1046672	03-Mar-08	22
Forge Integrated Primary School	1056535	10-Mar-08	38
Londonderry Model Primary School	2010380	12-Nov-07	98
Florencecourt Primary School	2011881	01-Oct-07	9
Ballinamallard Primary School	2011893	14-Jan-08	*
McClintock Primary School	2012344	22-Oct-07	*
Erganagh Primary School	2012617	03-Mar-08	18
Langfield Primary School, Drumquin	2012671	30-Apr-08	11
Lisbellaw Primary School	2016218	14-Jan-08	15
Sion Mills Primary School	2016442	26-Nov-07	71
St Tierney's Primary School, Roslea	2031868	23-Apr-08	20
St Paul's Primary School	2031898	05-Mar-08	48
Broadbridge Primary School, Eglinton	2032278	19-May-08	34
Loreto Convent Primary School	2032537	14-Apr-08	47
St Brigid's Primary School	2032573	05-Mar-08	13
St Macartan's Primary School	2032687	24-Oct-07	0
St Joseph's Primary School, Drumquin	2032700	07-Apr-08	17
Evish Primary School	2032702	28-Apr-08	8
Roscavey Primary School	2032723	19-May-08	*
St Canice Primary School	2036045	03-Mar-08	71
St Scire's Primary School, Trillick	2036153	01-Oct-07	*
St Mary's Primary School, Teemore	2036181	11-Mar-08	*
St Therese Primary School, Lenamore	2036461	12-Mar-08	227
St Patrick's Primary School	2036581	15-Oct-07	158
Harryville Primary School	3010781	08-Oct-07	59
Whitehouse Primary School	3010827	28-Jan-08	79
Carnmoney Primary School	3013301	08-Oct-07	25
Ballykeel Primary School	3013315	19-May-08	121
Leaney Primary School	3013325	26-Nov-07	81
The Irish Society's School	3016264	21-Apr-08	13
Hazelbank Primary School	3016444	04-Feb-08	5
Braid Primary School	3030836	28-Apr-08	0
St Columba's Primary School	3032268	12-May-08	5
St John's Primary School	3033709	30-Apr-08	34
St Joseph's Primary School	3036050	16-Apr-08	62
St James Primary School, Newtownabbey	3036100	14-Apr-08	23
St Brigid's Primary School	3036103	21-Jan-08	10
Carhill Controlled Integrated Primary School	3052071	14-Nov-07	14
Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School	4010720	22-Oct-07	8
Greyabbey Primary School	4011300	26-Nov-07	*
Newtownbreda Primary School	4011610	12-May-08	22
Dromara Primary School	4011619	04-Feb-08	11
Holywood Primary School	4011631	12-May-08	26
Millisle Primary School	4011681	21-Jan-08	24
Brooklands Primary School	4016503	25-Feb-08	116
Ballymacrickett Primary School	4030823	12-May-08	14
St Joseph's Primary School	4030897	15-Apr-08	24
St Patrick's Primary School	4031628	13-Nov-07	12
St Aloysius Primary School	4033306	03-Mar-08	41
St Colman's Primary School	4033307	06-Feb-08	29
Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche	4046648	25-Feb-08	6
Edenderry Primary School, Craigavon	5011189	10-Mar-08	45
Iveagh Primary School, Newry	5011611	10-Mar-08	37
Benburb Primary School	5012451	12-Nov-07	*
Donaghmore Primary School, Dungannon	5012632	12-Mar-08	*
Newmills Primary School, Dungannon	5012719	18-Feb-08	*
Fivemiletown Primary School	5016088	04-Feb-08	12
Richmond Primary School	5016643	14-Jan-07	9
Cloughoge Primary School, Newry	5031130	03-Mar-08	53
St Joseph's Primary School, Madden	5031138	04-Feb-08	16
Holy Cross Primary School, Kilkeel	5031694	12-May-08	*
St Macartan's Primary School, Clogher	5032624	14-Apr-08	14
St Mary's Primary School, Dunamore	5032699	07-Apr-08	10
St Mary's Primary School, Glassdrumman	5036001	27-May-08	16
St Joseph's Primary School, Bessbrook	5036110	15-Oct-07	82
St Patrick's Primary School, Magherafelt	5036120	04-Feb-08	19
St Jarlath's Primary School, Dungannon	5036121	23-Apr-08	26
Sacred Heart Primary School	5036136	01-Oct-07	13
St Dallan's Primary School	5036136	01-Oct-07	13
St Joseph's Primary School, Caledon	5036463	12-Nov-07	*
Seagoe Primary School, Portadown	5046137	12-May-08	29

Primary School Inspections - 2008/2009

Name of Primary School	School Ref No	Inspection	Free School Meal
Elmgrove Primary School	1010255	11-May-09	168
Seaview Primary School	1010266	20-Apr-09	70
Beechfield Primary School, Belfast	1010271	20-Oct-08	46
Vere Foster Primary School, Belfast	1010321	30-Mar-09	39
St Aidans Primary School	1030316	11-May-09	117
St Bernadettes Primary School	1030317	20-Apr-09	123
St John the Baptist Girls' Primary School, Belfast	1036091	24-Nov-08	51
Sacred Heart Primary School, Belfast	1036471	13-Oct-08	97
Holy Child Primary School	1036576	11-May-09	120
Bunscoil An Tsleibh Dhuibh	1046593	06-Oct-08	59
St Patrick's, Mullanaskea	2031828	09-Mar-09	17
St Patrick's Primary School, Gortin	2032676	10-Nov-08	9
Altishane Primary	2032722	02-Mar-09	5
St Columba's, Derry	2036247	02-Feb-09	*
St Oliver Plunkett Primary School	2036291	30-Mar-09	16
St Mary's Primary School, Tempo	2036356	06-Oct-08	7
Bunscoil Cholmcille, Derry	2036574	19-Jan-09	63
Holy Trinity Primary, Enniskillen	2036632	26-Jan-09	117
Gaelscoil na gCrann, Omagh	2046677	02-Mar-09	7
Oakgrove Intergrated Primary School	2066558	31-Mar-09	96
Longstone Primary School	3010466	20-May-09	7
Dunseverick Primary School	3010726	26-May-09	8
Gracehill Primary School, Ballymena	3010794	18-May-09	9
Carrickfergus Central Primary School	3010841	26-Jan-09	32
Upper Ballyboley Primary School	3010850	30-Mar-09	*
Bushmills Primary School	3010873	26-May-09	30
Ballytober Primary School, Bushmills	3010892	24-Nov-08	10
Cullycapple Primary School	3012224	11-May-09	11
Damhead Primary School	3012225	12-Jan-09	12
Bellaghy Primary School	3012290	26-May-09	0
Maghera Primary School	3012291	06-Oct-08	*
Kilross Primary School	3013703	30-Mar-09	*
Gorran Primary School	3016055	06-Oct-08	6
St Mary's Primary School, Portglenone	3030621	02-Mar-09	16
St MacNissius' Primary School	3030848	29-Apr-09	0
St Anthony's Primary School	3030900	10-Nov-08	24
St Oliver Plunkett Primary School	3033303	09-Mar-09	32
Glengomley Integrated Primary School	3050791	27-Apr-09	20
Tonagh Primary School	4010885	29-Sep-08	46
Newtownards Model	4011345	26-Jan-09	95
Cairnshill Primary School, Belfast	4013024	23-Feb-09	16
Derriaghy Primary School	4013309	12-Jan-09	27
Abbey Primary School, Newtownards	4016399	23-Mar-09	71
St Joseph's Primary School	4031660	10-Nov-08	9
Lisnadill Primary School, Armagh	5011153	02-Feb-09	*
Dromore Central Primary School	5011575	13-May-09	45
Stewartstown Primary School	5012643	02-Feb-09	10
Clogher Regional Primary School	5012659	19-Jan-09	*
Dungannon Primary School	5012720	24-Nov-08	40
Millington Primary School, Craigavon	5016007	12-Jan-09	112
Drumgor Primary School & Nursery Unit	5016080	23-Mar-09	72
Donacloney Primary School & Nursery Unit	5016178	29-Apr-09	14
Donaghey Primary School	5016224	18-May-09	6
St Michael's Primary School	5031070	01-Apr-09	22
Clontifleece Primary School, Warrenpoint	5031301	12-Jan-09	*
Grange Primary School	5031589	29-Apr-09	19
St Malachy's Primary School	5032306	30-Mar-09	*
Crievagh Primary School	5032693	29-Apr-09	*
St Marys Primary School, Dechomet	5033011	11-May-09	7
St Mary's Primary School, Derrymore	5036006	29-Sep-08	6
Our Lady & St Mochua's Primary School, Derrynoose	5036639	24-Nov-08	11
St Bronagh's Primary School	5036673	02-Mar-09	31
Saints & Scholars IPrimary School	5066578	27-Apr-09	39

Primary School Inspections - 2009/2010

Name of Primary School	School Ref No	Inspection	Free School Meal
St Therese of Liseux	1036132	28-Sep-09	39
St Paul's Primary School, Belfast	1036624	05-Oct-09	107
Gaelscoil na Mona	1046671	30-Nov-09	46
Cliftonville IPrimary School	1056483	09-Nov-09	80
Ballougry, Derry	2012095	19-Oct-09	*
Eglinton	2012245	16-Nov-09	35
Gibson, Omagh	2016089	28-Sep-09	52
Bready Jubilee Primary School	2016645	18-Jan-10	11
St Mary's Newtownbutler	2031869	13-Oct-09	41
St Patrick's Primary School	2031874	11-Jan-10	24
St Joseph's Primary School	2032683	08-Feb-10	12
Gaelscoil Ui Dhochartaigh, Strabane	2046638	19-Oct-09	38
Woodburn Primary School	3010696	08-Feb-10	16
Doagh Primary School	3010754	12-Oct-09	8
Mallusk Primary School	3010812	04-Nov-09	7
Greenisland Primary School	3010817	20-Oct-09	11
Kilbride Primary School	3010828	11-Jan-10	*
Kells and COnnor Primary School	3010835	30-Nov-09	20
Straidhavern Primary School	3010879	01-Dec-09	*
Carnelridge Primary School	3012049	11-Jan-10	21
Tobermore Primary School	3012233	01-Feb-10	23
Ampertaine Primary School, Upperlands, Maghera	3012234	28-Sep-09	12
Ballycraigy Primary School	3013331	01-Dec-09	39
Creggan Primary School	3030434	22-Feb-10	6
Carlane Primary School	3030713	28-Sep-09	*
Anahorish Primary School	3032257	20-Jan-10	12
Glenravel Primary School	3033311	08-Feb-10	6
St Bernards Primary School	3033313	01-Feb-10	43
St Columba's Primary School	3036147	28-Sep-09	16
St Ciaran's Prmary School	3036268	09-Nov-09	*
St MacNissi's Primary School	3036575	05-Oct-09	31
Braidside Integrated Primary School	3066551	12-Oct-09	74
Castle Gardens, Newtownards	4011462	12-Oct-09	38
Killinchy	4016396	12-Oct-09	8
Riverdale Primary School	4016615	01-Feb-10	*
St Patrick's Downpatrick	4031644	09-Nov-09	65
St Joseph's Strangford	4033005	21-Oct-09	*
St Mary's Primary School	4036428	18-Jan-10	17
Mullavilly Primary School	5011095	05-Oct-09	6
Killylea Primary School	5011132	21-Oct-09	9
Newtownhamilton Primary School	5011137	30-Nov-09	6
Clare Primary School	5011142	11-Jan-10	6
Kilkeel Primary School	5011649	21-Oct-09	66
Walker Memorial Primary School	5012657	30-Nov-09	7
Bocombra Primary School	5016138	19-Oct-09	8
Windsor Hill Primary School	5016451	04-Nov-09	24
Anamar Primary School	5031146	04-Nov-09	18
St Mary's Primary School, Maghery	5031164	04-Nov-09	13
St James' Primary School, Marketthill	5031167	19-Oct-09	*
St Brigid's Primary School (Drumilly)	5031169	11-Jan-10	10
St Joseph's Primary School, Meigh	5031188	28-Sep-09	33
Moneydarragh Primary School	5031516	08-Feb-10	6
St Patrick's Primary School, Mayobridge	5031697	30-Nov-09	32
Ballylifford Primary School	5032208	28-Sep-09	6
Lissan Primary School	5032262	18-Jan-10	10
St Mary's Primary School, Lisbuoy	5032592	12-Oct-09	7
St Paul's Primary School, Cabra	5033003	19-Oct-09	5
St Patrick's Primary School, Cullyhanna	5036099	09-Nov-09	63
St Ronan's Primary School, Newry	5036409	18-Nov-09	26

Source: School CensusNote:

Figures relate to pupils in nursery, reception and Year 1-7 classes.
For nursery class pupils, figures include those entitled to free school meals and those with a parent in receipt of a Job Seeker’s Allowance or Income Support.

* Relates to fewer than 5 cases.

Pupils from Low Income Families Studying A Levels

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Education how many pupils, aged 16 to 18 years old, from low income families are studying A Levels.

(AQW 6024/10)

Minister of Education: Ní choinníonn an Roinn an t-eolas ar leith a iarradh. Is é líon na ndaltaí idir 16 – 18 bliain d’aois atá i dteideal béilí saora scoile agus atá ag déanamh staidéir ar chúrsaí A-leibhéil nó ar chúrsaí coibhéiseacha in iarbhunscoileanna sa bhliain 2009/10 ná 2,887.The specific information requested is not held by the Department. The number of 16 – 18 year old pupils entitled to free school meals, that are studying A-level or equivalent courses in post-primary schools in 2009/10 is 2,887.These figures are taken from the annual School Census and relate to pupils aged 16 – 18 at 1 July 2009.

Local Management of Schools Common Funding Formula

Mr S Gardiner asked e Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 5457/10, to detail the amount of funding provided, per pupil, under the Local Management of Schools Common Funding Formula, broken down by (i) controlled integrated primary schools; (ii) controlled Irish-medium primary schools; and (iii) grant-aided Irish-medium primary schools, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6031/10)

Minister of Education: Leagann an tábla thíos amach an meánmhaoiniú in aghaidh an dalta a tarmligeadh faoi shocruithe na Foirmle Comh-mhaoinithe um Bainistíocht Áitiúil Scoileanna i ngach ceann de na cúig bliana a chuaigh thart, do (i) bhunscoileanna comhtháite rialaithe; do (ii) bhunscoileanna rialaithe lán-Ghaeilge; agus do (iii) bhunscoileanna deontaschúnta lán-Ghaeilge.

The table below sets out the average per pupil funding delegated under the Local Management of Schools Common Funding Formula arrangements in each of the last five years, for (i) controlled integrated primary schools; (ii) controlled Irish-medium primary schools; and (iii) grant-aided Irish-medium primary schools.

Financial Year	Controlled Integrated Primary ⁽¹⁾	Controlled Irish-medium Primary	Irish-medium Primary ⁽²⁾
	£	£	£
2005/06	2,313	3,129	2,604
2006/07	2,447	3,166	2,730
2007/08	2,533	3,253	2,847
2008/09	2,716	3,391	3,029
2009/10	2,972	3,821	3,356

Notes:
(1) Figures for one Controlled Irish-medium primary school
(2)Figures for other maintained Irish-medium primary schools includes one Catholic maintained Irish-medium school and excludes one Controlled Irish-medium school.
(3)The figures include allocations for nursery class pupils in primary schools where applicable.
(4) Funding distributed in 2005/06 and 2006/07 included the transitional funding arrangements designed to support schools and smooth budgetary changes in moving all schools to the single funding formula.
(5) Funding distributed in 2006/07 and 2007/08 excludes the funding allocated directly to primary schools in respect of the Children & Young People Fund.

Department for Employment and Learning

Measures to Prevent Convicted Sex Offenders Working in Universities and Colleges

Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, pursuant to AQW 5071/10, whether any convicted sex offenders have been detected in each of the last three years by the Access NI vetting checks carried out on all new staff in universities and colleges; and whether any of the offenders had started work before their convictions came to light.

(AQW 5679/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): All Further Education Colleges have confirmed that no convicted sex offenders have been detected in each of the last three years by Access NI vetting checks carried out on new staff. Queen’s University Belfast, Stranmillis University College and St. Mary’s University College have confirmed that, in the last three years, none of their successful applicants, appointed to posts which require an Access NI enhanced disclosure, have been convicted sex offenders.The University of Ulster has confirmed that an individual was appointed prior to receipt of the AccessNI Disclosure Certificate, however, it was made clear to the person concerned that confirmation of the appointment was subject to AccessNI clearance and, therefore, the individual was placed on restricted duties to limit access to children or vulnerable adults. On receipt of the AccessNI Disclosure Certificate, which included details of a conviction for an offence of a sexual nature, the individual was suspended from duty and ultimately dismissed. The offence resulted in a Conditional Discharge and occurred over 18 years prior to the disclosure request.

Performing Arts Centre and Technology Innovation Centre of the South Eastern Regional College

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how much capital investment his Department earmarked for 2010/11 for the new Performing Arts Centre and Technology Innovation Centre of the South Eastern Regional College which was recently put on hold.

(AQW 5701/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The procurement of the Bangor Performing Arts Centre and Technology Innovation Centre project has been put on hold, at tender stage, due to a reduction in my Department’s 2010/11 capital budget. All of the 2010/11 capital funding available has been previously committed to contractually committed schemes so no funding can be earmarked for this project at this stage.

Ashby Building at Queen's University

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline his Department's projected capital spend for 2010/11 for the refurbishment of the Ashby Building at Queen's University.

(AQW 5702/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Subject to the outcome of the Executive’s consideration of the 2010/11 budget proposals and their endorsement by the Assembly, my Department’s planned spend on the schemes is as follows:

Institution	Project	Allocation
Queen’s	Ashby Building Refurbishment	£2.45m
Stranmillis	Refurbishment of Science Teaching area	£0.5m
St Mary’s	Phase 2 of refurbishment of Main Quad	£0.5m
University of Ulster	Sports Centre Construction, Coleraine	£2.45m

Science Teaching Area at Stranmillis University

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline his Department's projected capital spend for 2010/11 for the refurbishment of the science teaching area at Stranmillis University.

(AQW 5703/10)

Institution	Project	Allocation
Queen’s	Ashby Building Refurbishment	£2.45m
Stranmillis	Refurbishment of Science Teaching area	£0.5m
St Mary’s	Phase 2 of refurbishment of Main Quad	£0.5m
University of Ulster	Sports Centre Construction, Coleraine	£2.45m

St Mary's University College

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline his Department's projected capital spend for 2010/11 for phase 2 of the refurbishment of the main quad at St Mary's University College.

(AQW 5704/10)

Institution	Project	Allocation
Queen’s	Ashby Building Refurbishment	£2.45m
Stranmillis	Refurbishment of Science Teaching area	£0.5m
St Mary’s	Phase 2 of refurbishment of Main Quad	£0.5m
University of Ulster	Sports Centre Construction, Coleraine	£2.45m

Sports Centre at the University of Ulster, Coleraine

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline his Department's projected capital spend for 2010/11 for the construction of a sports centre at the University of Ulster, Coleraine.

(AQW 5705/10)

Institution	Project	Allocation
Queen’s	Ashby Building Refurbishment	£2.45m
Stranmillis	Refurbishment of Science Teaching area	£0.5m
St Mary’s	Phase 2 of refurbishment of Main Quad	£0.5m
University of Ulster	Sports Centre Construction, Coleraine	£2.45m

Economically Inactive People with a Disability

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline the assistance available for people in the North Antrim constituency who are economically inactive and also have a disability.

(AQW 5751/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: My Department provides a range of services and provision to assist those people within the North Antrim Constituency who are economically inactive and who also have a disability. These include a number of Disability Programmes such as Workable (NI); Access to Work (NI), Job Introduction Scheme, New Deal for Disabled People, as well as the Choices package available through the Pathways Programme such as Condition Management Programme, Work Preparation Programme and the Return to Work Credit. All of these programmes are designed to assist people to obtain and retain suitable employment and can be accessed through specially trained Pathways Advisers who are based in both the Ballymoney Jobs & Benefits office and the recently opened Ballymena Jobs & Benefits office. My Department’s Disablement Advisory Service provides ongoing specialist support and guidance to the Pathways Teams in both offices in the constituency through Disability Programme Managers, Access to Work Advisors and the Occupational Psychology Service. These staff can also offer specialist advice, guidance and assessment for people with disabilities or serious health conditions in the constituency who are looking to progress towards work, find a suitable job or remain in employment.

Economically Inactive People in North Antrim

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what steps her Department has taken to address the number of economically inactive people in the North Antrim constituency.

(AQW 5752/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: A comprehensive range of services is available through my Department’s Jobs and Benefits offices and JobCentres and through contracted Providers to help economically inactive people find work. Steps to Work is the Department’s main adult return to work programme. The programme is available to anyone who is aged 18 years old or over and who is unemployed or economically inactive, irrespective of whether or not they are in receipt of benefit. There is no upper age limit for participating in the programme. The Department has a range of provision within the Pathways to Work initiative called the choices menu. The Choices menu is targeted at people in receipt of Incapacity Benefit/Employment & Support Allowance. The choices menu consists of; the Condition Management Programme, the Work Preparation Programme, Return to Work Credit and New Deal for Disabled People.The Department also provides a range of provision to assist disabled people who are economically inactive find and keep suitable employment, this provision includes: the Job Introduction Scheme, Access to Work (NI) and Workable (NI). All of these services are available in the North Antrim constituency.I should also say that progress is being made on the abolition of what have come to be known as "inactive" benefits. The Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) replaced Incapacity Benefit (IB) in October 2008 and I understand the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA, will shortly introduce a new Welfare Reform Bill to the Assembly. This will further simplify the benefits system and provide for the final abolition of inactive benefits with the gradual phasing-out of Income Support.

Neutral Working Environment in Colleges and Universities

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how his Department ensures that colleges and universities maintain a neutral working environment.

(AQW 5772/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Further Education Colleges and Universities must comply with all legislation relating to equality diversity and good relations, including Section 75 (2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. My Department has taken a number of steps to help Further Education Colleges ensure that they provide a harmonious and welcoming working environment to all. This included the issue of guidance to Further Education Colleges to promote ‘Good Relations’, in line with their statutory requirements. Similarly, it is a requirement of the Financial Memoranda between my Department and each University that they give due regard to all legislative requirements placed upon, to ensure fair and equal treatment for their staff and students.

St Patrick's Day Celebrations in Colleges and Universities

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what action his Department has taken to ensure that St Patrick's Day celebrations in colleges and universities are carried out in a community neutral way.

(AQW 5774/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The University of Ulster, Stranmillis University College and St. Mary’s University Colleges did not promote or celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on their campuses. However, Queen’s University and the University of Ulster organised and funded the Saint Patrick’s Day Festival based around Queen’s University’s Students’ Union on St. Patrick’s Day. Only Belfast Metropolitan College chose to host an event related to St. Patrick’s Day. My Department was not directly involved with the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in colleges and universities. However, it is a requirement of the Financial Memoranda between my Department and each of the Northern Ireland universities and university colleges that they should have due regard for all legislative requirements placed upon them and their governing bodies to ensure fair and equal treatment of their staff and students.As statutory bodies, Further Education Colleges must comply with Section 75 (2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. This states that ‘a public authority shall in carrying out its functions relating to Northern Ireland have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group’.

Celebrations for St Patrick's Day at the Belfast Metropolitan College

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what consultation the Belfast Metropolitan College had with his Department before arranging its celebrations for St Patrick's Day.

(AQW 5775/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Whilst there is no requirement for Further Education (FE) Colleges to consult with my Department on the detail of their operational decisions, as public authorities, all Colleges are required to give due regard to the promotion of good relations. Belfast Metropolitan College adopted a number of strategies to ensure the St Patrick’s Day celebration was carried out in a community neutral way, including promoting the event within the broader context of a number of multi-cultural celebrations which take place during the course of the academic year, e.g. Chinese New Year, Polish Day and the Cultural Share Festival. The College has played a key role in the implementation of my Department’s cultural diversity policy throughout the FE Sector and has been commended for its initiatives in this regard. Belfast Metropolitan College’s annual College Development Plan has also provided assurance of the College’s continued commitment to the promotion of a harmonious working environment which respects and values all.

St. Patrick’s Day 2010 Celebrations

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the total expenditure incurred by (i) her Department; and (ii) colleges and universities in relation to the St. Patrick’s Day 2010 celebrations in the Holyland area of Belfast; and for a summary of how this money was spent.

(AQW 5810/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The total expenditure incurred in relation to the St. Patrick’s Day 2010 celebrations in the Holyland area of Belfast is as follows:(i)Although my Department is represented on Belfast City Council’s Holyland Inter-Agency Group, it did not incur any costs in relation to the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. (ii) The University of Ulster, Stranmillis University College and St. Mary’s University Colleges did not promote or celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on their campuses. However, Queen’s University and the University of Ulster organised and funded the Saint Patrick’s Day Festival based around Queen’s University’s Students’ Union on St. Patrick’s Day. Only one Further Education (FE) College chose to host an event related to St. Patrick’s Day. The total expenditure incurred in relation to the St Patrick’s Day celebrations by the Belfast Metropolitan College was £300, as staff from the College were involved in supporting and supervising activities in the Holylands area of South Belfast. Queen’s University and the University of Ulster organised a number of joint events, based around Queen’s University’s Students’ Union, in the lead up to, and including, St. Patrick’s Day. The universities have stated that the final expenditure to run the joint Universities St Patrick’s Day Student Festival has yet to be determined. I will, of course, write to you with this information when it becomes available.

Bonuses Paid to Non-Civil Servants

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning for a breakdown of any bonuses paid in the 2009/10 financial year to persons, other than civil servants, from within the Department's overall budget.

(AQW 5825/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: My Department has not paid any bonuses from its overall budget to persons other than civil servants during the 2009/10 financial year. Under the Reward and Recognition Scheme for staff below Senior Civil Service grade, only 19 staff within my Department were allocated awards in the 2009/10 year at a total cost of £7,150, equating to an average of £376 per person.

Policy of Appointing Sole Traders or Independent Contractors

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister for Employment and Learning whether the South Eastern Regional College carried out an Equality Impact Assessment on the policy of appointing sole traders or independent contractors.

(AQW 5931/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The South Eastern Regional College has confirmed that contracting arrangements deployed to procure these services are in accordance with the conditions laid out in the Public Procurement Regulations and that it has complied fully with all guidance relating to equality screening. On this basis, the appointment of contractors by the College has not been subjected to an Equality Impact Assessment, as it was not deemed necessary to do so.

Admission Arrangements for Students

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what are the current admission arrangements for students wishing to attend (i) St Mary's College; and (ii) Stranmillis College..

(AQW 5939/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The current admissions arrangements are as follows:(i)Students wishing to apply to St. Mary’s University College do so directly to the College and not through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). St. Mary’s operate a post-qualification selection system as opposed to the UCAS system, which makes the majority of its admissions decisions prior to the publication of final qualification results. (ii)All full-time undergraduate students wishing to apply to Stranmillis University College do so through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). UCAS is the organisation through which applications to most full-time undergraduate degree programmes in the United Kingdom are processed. There is no obligation for any Higher Education Institution to join the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).All Higher Education Institutions are expected to have an appropriate admissions policy which ensures that admissions are carried out on the basis of fair, transparent, reliable and objective criteria, applied equitably and consistently.

Stranmillis College

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many people from (i) a Roman Catholic background; and (ii) a Protestant background were accepted in the first year intake for Stranmillis College for the (a) BEd course; and (b) PCGE course, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 5942/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

The number of people from (i) a Roman Catholic background and (ii) a Protestant background enrolled on the first year of (a) BEd course; and (b) PCGE course, at Stranmillis University College in each of the last five years, is detailed in the table below:

Year	Course	Protestant	Catholic
2004/05	BEd	175	15
2004/05	PGCE	25	10
2005/06	BEd	170	20
2005/06	PGCE	25	15
2006/07	BEd	125	15
2006/07	PGCE	15	5
2007/08	BEd	10	0
2007/08	PGCE	15	5
2008/09	BEd	115	5
2008/09	PGCE	5	0

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 on religion at Stranmillis University College is only collected for NI domiciled students. (4) Religious affiliation is not a mandatory question and therefore can have a high non-response rate.(5) In 2007/08 there was an extremely high non-response rate to the religious affiliation question for first year students enrolled at Stranmillis University College (76%). Figures should therefore be viewed in this context.

St Mary's College

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many people from (i) a Roman Catholic background; and (ii) a Protestant background were accepted in the first year intake for St Mary's College for the (a) BEd course; and (b) PCGE course, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 5943/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

The number of people from (i) a Roman Catholic background and (ii) a Protestant background enrolled on the first year of (a) BEd course; and (b) PCGE course, at St Mary’s University College in each of the last five years, is detailed in the table below:

Year	Course	Protestant	Catholic
2004/05	BEd	0	140
2004/05	PGCE	0	15
2005/06	BEd	0	170
2005/06	PGCE	0	15
2006/07	BEd	0	170
2006/07	PGCE	0	15
2007/08	BEd	0	115
2007/08	PGCE	0	10
2008/09	BEd	0	130
2008/09	PGCE	0	15

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 on religion at St.Mary’s University College is only collected for NI domiciled students. (4) Religious affiliation is not a mandatory question and therefore can have a high non-response rate. The above figures should be viewed in this context.

Students from EU Countries and Non-EU Countries

Rev Dr R Coulter asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many students from (i) other EU countries; and (ii) non-EU countries are currently studying at universities in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 6029/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: In the 2008/09 academic year there were 445 students from (i) "other EU" countries (i.e excluding the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland); and 1,550 from (ii) non-EU countries enrolled at Northern Ireland Higher Education institutions.Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)Notes: (1) Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. (2) The latest available data are for 2008/09.

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Proposed Incinerator at Glenavy

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) whether Invest NI has made any indicative offers to Rose Energy for its proposed incinerator at Glenavy; and (ii) to list the dates and financial structure of these offers.

(AQW 5659/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster): Rose Energy was provided with an illustration as to the quantum/type of assistance that may be available, subject to a positive outcome of the due diligence process.As a commercial proposition that is still under evaluation, it would be inappropriate to comment on the amount and structure of the proposed assistance as this was provided for indicative purposes only.

Britvic Northern Ireland

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if her Department has had any discussions with Britvic Northern Ireland in relation to the termination of its distribution contract for C&C Products and how this will impact on the retention of jobs at Britvic's facilities at the Gortrush Industrial Estate, Omagh.

(AQW 5670/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: As C&C / Britvic is not an Invest NI client company my officials have not been involved in any discussions with Britvic NI, and have not been approached by Britvic NI to discuss the termination of the distribution contract for C&C products. I am, however, aware of the Company’s importance within the local communities of Omagh and Belfast. This is a commercial decision but it is regrettable that job losses have resulted in this termination of contract. Officials within DEL have, however, been involved with the Company at both Omagh and Belfast sites. Job Clinics, Benefit Awareness Sessions and Back to Work advice and guidance will commence at the company on 29th March 2010.

Developing Tourism Infrastructure

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how much the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has spent on developing tourism infrastructure since May 2007.

(AQW 5675/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has processed grant payments totalling some £25.4million under its Tourism Development Scheme over the period from May 2007 to March 2010. These payments have been made to a total of 38 capital development projects covering various aspects of tourism infrastructure development.

Foreign Direct Investment

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) how much foreign direct investment her Department has attracted; and (ii) how many jobs this has created, since May 2007.

(AQW 5677/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Between 1^st May 2007 and 28^th February 2009, Invest NI has attracted foreign direct investment commitments of £1.1 billion in relation to employment-related projects, offering £107million of financial support in the process. Cumulatively the projects supported plan to create and safeguard 10,261 jobs, of which 7,533 will be new and 2,728 will be safeguarded. Initial indications show that 4,297 jobs are already in place (approximately 42% of the overall jobs total), of which 1,944 are new and 2,353 have been safeguarded. It should be noted that the jobs promoted by Invest NI supported projects may take a number of years to create, and in the case of larger projects, may take up to 5 years to fully mature.Examples of larger projects assisted during the period under review include investments by companies such as Bombardier Aerospace, New York Stock Exchange, The Global E-Mail Company, MM Teleperformance and Michelin Tyres.In addition, Invest NI has also attracted foreign direct investment commitments of £236 million in relation to innovation-based projects, offering £70 million of financial support in the process Although not directly related to job creation, these capability-development activities will boost business competitiveness leading eventually to export growth, productivity growth and employment opportunities.

Rising Cost of Fuel

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of the impact of the rising cost of fuel on local businesses.

(AQW 5738/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: There is no doubt that fuel price increases are having an impact on our local businesses and on the cost of doing business generally. Those with large fleets of vehicles and those which require products or services to be delivered by third parties will be particularly susceptible to fluctuations in fuel costs. Given the wider economic slowdown, companies are unlikely to be able to pass costs on to end users. However, to help offset such increases, Invest NI offers a range of energy programmes designed to help businesses increase profitability at the same time as becoming more energy efficient. For example, an Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme is available to help businesses reduce their energy costs. This provides interest free loans of between £5,000 and £400,000 that can be used towards the cost of relevant energy saving measures such as replacing or upgrading existing equipment with a more energy efficient version. The scheme also provides specialist technical advice and services and encourages best energy efficiency practice.

Rising Cost of Fuel

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what discussions have taken place between her Department and HM Treasury in relation to the rising cost of fuel.

(AQW 5763/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: I appreciate the fact that the cost of fuel has implications for businesses as well as for the general public. Fuel duty is, however, a reserved matter and is applied equally across the UK, with the same implications in every region. My Department has had no recent discussions with HM Treasury on this subject.

Land at Melmount Road, Strabane

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to AQW 4569/10, to provide a timescale for Invest NI's completion of the acquisition and development of the 11.5 hectares of land at Melmount Road, Strabane, for the development of a Business Park, given that the Minister of the Environment has indicated his intention to grant approval for the two planning applications associated with the proposal.

(AQW 5802/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Invest NI has recently received a Notice of Opinion from Planning Service on its two applications for the Melmount Road Site. Whilst the Notice stated that Department’s Opinion was that approval should be granted, a number of conditions were attached.
Invest NI and its technical advisors are currently considering these conditions to ensure that they will allow the project to proceed.Until these deliberations have concluded, it would be premature to provide a timescale for delivery of the project.Invest NI continues to work closely with Strabane Council, Planning Service and its consultees to take this project forward.

Industrial Development Board

Ms M Anderson asked e Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, following the Auditor General's report of 23 March 2010 (i) who was the Chief Executive of the Industrial Development Board when the leases for the two buildings at Campsie were agreed; and (ii) who were the developers with whom the leases were agreed.

(AQW 5984/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The Chief Executive of the Industrial Development Board when the leases for the two buildings at Campsie were agreed was Tony Hopkins.
The two developers with whom the leases were agreed were Campsie Real and McCormick Properties.

Department of the Environment

Planning Applications

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment what guidance is given to officials in relation to the weight to be given to (i) letters of support; (ii) petitions of support; and (iii) lobbying by public representatives on behalf of developers seeking planning approval for major projects.

(AQW 5803/10)

Minister of the Environment (Mr E Poots): Advice to Planning Service staff states that in the course of determining any planning application they must carefully take account of all public representations including those from elected representatives whether in support or objection to a particular proposal.The weight to be given to such representations is a matter for the decision maker based on the grounds for support or objection and the nature of each planning application being determined, however, only representations which raise relevant planning issues can be afforded any weight.My Department recognises the role public representatives have in representing their constituents in planning matters and relevant planning issues will be considered in the same manner as representations from the public. In terms of the statutory obligation to consult the relevant District Council, Planning Service will also take account of the corporate view of the Council.

Planning Applications

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment how many times a planning officer has signed off on a planning application with a note indicating that he or she does not agree with the planning approval decision in each of the last three years.

(AQW 5804/10)

Minister of the Environment: The Planning Service’s corporate opinion on a planning application is recorded in the case officer’s professional planning report and is signed by three officers prior to the opinion being presented to Council. The corporate opinion may be reached by either the unanimous view of the three officers or by a majority. Where there is a dissenting opinion this is normally only recorded on the application file. I am only aware of one case in the past three years where a planning officer, with a dissenting view, also recorded reservations when signing off the corporate decision reached by the Planning Service. In this instance, while the officer concerned had reservations about the Opinion to be presented to Council, he accepted the corporate decision of the development management group and continues to work on progressing the application to a final decision.Whether there have been any other instances in the last three years could only be established by a manual check of over 90,000 application files where a decision has issued, which could not be done in the required timescale and would be disproportionate in terms of time and cost.

Planning Files

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment what policies are in place to ensure that planning files are updated when new and relevant information comes to light which could influence a planning officer's opinion.

(AQW 5805/10)

Minister of the Environment: All relevant information submitted during the course of processing a planning application is placed on or attached to the planning application file in line with good file management procedures. Certain new information, such as an amended scheme may result in the need to re-advertise, issue new neighbour notifications and reassess the entire proposal which could in certain instances lead to a change in opinion on a particular proposal.

Whistle-blowers in the Planning Service

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment what policies are in place to protect whistle-blowers in the Planning Service.

(AQW 5806/10)

Minister of the Environment: In December 2008 the Department introduced a "Whistleblowing" Policy which also applies to its Agencies and core Departments. The policy was developed to meet best practice and comply with the Public Interest Disclosure (NI) Order 1998 which provides employment protection for staff who are concerned about malpractice within the workplace. The purpose of this policy is to reassure staff that it is safe and acceptable to speak up. The policy informs staff if they have a concern, for example, malpractice or fraud, rather than wait for proof the Department would prefer for the individual to raise the matter as soon as possible. The policy sets out contact names and numbers of staff, who are at a senior management level both within DOE and Internal Audit, to report any concern particularly if the individual wants to contact someone not in their Line Management command. If a member of staff reports a genuine concern under these arrangements, they will not be at risk of losing your job or suffering any form of retribution as a result. Provided they are acting in good faith, it does not matter if they are mistaken. This assurance does not extend to someone who maliciously raises a matter they know to be untrue. If an individual who reports a concern asks the Department not to disclose their identity, this will not be done without the individuals consent or unless required by law.

Planning Applications

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment what policies and practices are in place to ensure that claims by a developer relating to enhancements are capable of delivery in a planning application before planning opinion is offered.

(AQW 5807/10)

Minister of the Environment: In the consideration of planning applications my Department needs to be satisfied that sufficient information has been provided to allow all material aspects of a proposal to be taken into account before an opinion is formed. Such information may include supporting statements or letters from the applicant/agent and other relevant parties.If an opinion to approve has been formed and agreed with Council, the Department may consider the imposition of conditions or the use of an Article 40 agreement to secure certain requirements. Conditions are enforced through the use of a Breach of Conditions Notice. An Article 40 Agreement is registered as a statutory charge on the land.

Electronic Planning Information for Citizens System

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to explain how the oversight of the Electronic Planning Information for Citizens system met the criteria for payment of efficiency bonuses.

(AQW 5813/10)

Minister of the Environment: Bonus payments to staff whose responsibilities included (but were not restricted solely to) the e Pic project were made in line with the criteria specified in the relevant pay guidance for the years in question. For the Senior Civil Service (SCS) this guidance was revised each year in line with arrangements for SCS members elsewhere in the UK. For other staff the guidance contained in the NICS special bonus scheme was applied. The contribution of individuals to the e Pic project varied depending on what portion of their time was spent on this specific project alongside their other responsibilities.

Funding Originating from the Landfill Tax

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) the projects which have benefited from funding originating from the landfill tax in each of the last five years; and (ii) the method used to allocate this funding.

(AQW 5831/10)

Minister of the Environment: (i) A total of £4,736,936.19 has been given to projects registered by Northern Ireland Environmental Bodies since 1 April 2005 as part of the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF), which is funded by the landfill tax and administered by a private sector regulator, ENTRUST, on behalf of Her Majesty Revenue and Customs. Additionally £2,059,036 was provided as grants between 2005-2009 by the Department as part of the Community Waste Innovation Fund (CWIF) to support sustainable waste management projects. Full details of the LCF and CWIF projects are at Annexes A and B, respectively.

(ii) Environmental Bodies (EBs) are organisations that have registered with ENTRUST in order to receive landfill tax money from landfill operators or other EBs. There are two methods of receiving funding through the LCF: directly from a landfill operator or, the most common way, is to approach a Distributive Environmental Body (DEB), who will distribute funds on behalf of the landfill operator. A landfill operator can contribute up to 6% of their landfill tax liability to EBs, and reclaim 90% of this contribution as a tax credit. They may bear the remaining 10% themselves, or else an independent third party can make up this 10% difference to the landfill operator.

Annex A

PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE LANDFILL TAX THROUGH THE LANDFILL COMMUNITIES FUND (LCF) ADMINISTERED BY ENTRUST

The following data has been supplied by ENTRUST. The data shows the projects registered from 1 April 2005 by Northern Ireland (NI) Environmental Bodies (EBs), which have received monies as of 31 March 2009. LCF expenditure for projects located in NI but potentially registered by non-NI EBs is not included in the data. The financial data is taken from the last financial year, which ended on 31 March 2009 and so spend that has occurred over the last 12 months (since 1 April 2009) will not be reflected in the figures. The tables below are based on financial years. The information is correct to the financial returns, which have been submitted to ENTRUST.

Table 1. Projects Approved 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006

Environmental Bodies	Project Name	Environmental Bodies	Project Name
Arena Network, Northern Ireland	Washingbay Reedbed Project	Bryson House	Faith Waste
Bryson House	Bog Meadows Grazing Project	Bryson House	Duncans Park
Bryson House	Tree for All - Newtownabbey	Bryson House	Giant's Ring Public Field Path
Bryson House	Tree for All - Ards	Bryson House	Belfast Boundary Wildlife Hedge
Bryson House	Tree For All - Lisburn	Bryson House	Six Mile Water Conservation Survey
Bryson House	Tree for All - Belfast	Bryson House	Derriaghy River Glen
Bryson House	Tree for All - Carrickfergus	Bryson House	Jubilee Park, Kingsway
Bryson House	Reconnect to Nature	Bryson House	Union Locks, Blaris Road
Bryson House	Waste Into Fashion Pilot Study	Bryson House	Georges Lane Path, Seymour Hill
Bryson House	Design Into Fashion Pilot Study	Bryson House	Dunmurry Station Footpath
Bryson House	Swap Shop Scoping Study	Bryson House	Gelnvale Wildlife Reserve Phase II
Bryson House	Wastebusters Video	Bryson House	Six Mile Water Community Woodland
Bryson House	Waste Minimisation Club - Pilot Programme	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Mount Street Environmental Improvements
Bryson House	Biodiversity Improvements at Three Mile Water	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Glas Na Baden Glen Entrance Scheme
Bryson House	Reedbed Reinstatement for Biodiversity	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Rathcoole Multistory Environmental Improvements
Bryson House	Belfast Schools Waste Minimisation Education Programme	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Ballycraigy Wood and Way Marked Walkway
Bryson House	Belfast Biodiversity in Bloom	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Derryhill Community Garden
Bryson House	Rams Island Heritage Project	Groundwork Northern Ireland	St Endas GAC Sensory Garden
Bryson House	Birds, Bees & Biodiversity	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Garden, Knockalla Park, Galliagh, Derry City
Bryson House	Outdoor Play for After Schools Club	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Rossdale/Rossmore Landscape Corridor Enhancement
Bryson House	Pilot for Re-use and Recycling of White Goods in Belfast	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Environmental Improvements to the Caw Estate - Londonderry
Bryson House	Newtownbreda Breakout and Dream	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Multi-Use Games Area - Lettershandoney - Derry City
Bryson House	Green Gym at Knockbracken	Pipe Organ Preservation Trust	Repair of Pipe Organ in Comber Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church, Co Down
Bryson House	Slievenacloy Nature Reserve	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Connor Environmental Improvements
Bryson House	Reward Scheme Feasibility Study and Pilot Programme	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Environmental Play by Konflux
Derry Healthy Cities Project	Environmental Improvements Derry City Centre Open Spaces	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Newry Basin LCA Biodiversity Action Programme
Derry Healthy Cities Project	Sports Pavillion Culmore Playing Fields Derry City	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Hoys Meadow Park Improvement Scheme
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Monkstown Wood Improvement and Visitor Monitoring Project	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Omagh Farmland LCA Biodiversity Action Programme
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Trafalgar Wood, Three Mile Water Conservation Park	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	The Bag Lady Project
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Bann Estuary Biodiversity Action Programme	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Mollycovet, Devenish Partnership Forum, Wildlife Guardian
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Glen Park Entrance Scheme	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Holy Cross Monastery, Wildlife Guardian
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Ballyeaston Village Enhancement Scheme	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Arts-Space at Oxford Island
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Ballyduff Community Garden	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Refurbishment of Johnston Building, Armagh
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Brown & Blue Bin Promotional Project	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Aghadowey Adventure Garden
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Do You Really Need A Plastic Bag? Campaign	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Milford Cutting Nature Reserve
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Environmental Calendar 2006	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Ulster Wildlife Centre, Crossgar
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Can Do	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Inishargy Bog, Nature Reserve
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Community Composting Pilot	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Habitat Improvement at Keady Glen
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	The Bag Lady Project (Newry)	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Slievenacloy Nature Reserve, Co Antrim
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Armagh Enviro-Week 2006	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Queen Elizabeth 11 P S Wildlife Garden
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Pomeroy Park Creation	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Woodland Creation and Maintenance at FSC Derrygonnelly
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Balshaws Quarry, Co Antrim	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Lough Neagh Tree Sparrow Project
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Ballydyan Nature Reserve, Co Down	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Bashfordsland Biodiversity and Access Project
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Blessingbourne, Co Tyrone	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Gracehill Old School Trust (GHOST)
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	John McSparran Hill Farm, Glendun, Co Antrim	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Glasswater Wood - Crossgar
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Straidkilly Nature Reserve, Co Antrim	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Pond and River Sampling Equipment
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Ecos Nature Reserve, Co Antrim	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Blackhead Coastal Walk
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Umbra Nature Reserve, Co Londonderry	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Creation of Stephen Perry Sensory Garden at Mullycovet Mill, Co Fermanagh
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Ballynahone Bog, Co Londonderry	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Re-discover the Belted Beauty in NI

Table 2. Projects Approved 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007

Environmental Bodies	Project Name	Environmental Bodies	Project Name
Arena Network, Northern Ireland	Craig's Bog	Bryson House	Bells Lane Lagan Towpath Maintenance Programme Year 2
Arena Network, Northern Ireland	Seefin Walk, Ballyknock, Maghera	Bryson House	Jubilee Park, Kingsway Year 2
Bryson House	Biodiversity NI @ Belfast Zoo	Bryson House	Derriaghy River Glen Year 2
Bryson House	Bog Meadows Paving the Way Project	Bryson House	Enhancing the nature conservation value of scrub and fen/ reed swamp at Portmore Lough Reserve
Bryson House	Enhancing habitat and understanding of breeding Arctic and Common Tern at Belfast Harbour Reserve	Bryson House	Bog Meadows Grazing Project Phase 2
Bryson House	Enhancement of Lower Botanic Wildlife Corridor	Bryson House	Quercus Biodiversity Project - Falls Park
Bryson House	Comber Greenway 2	Bryson House	Quercus Biodiversity Project - Musgrave Park
Bryson House	Establishing a colony of breeding Common Tern at Portmore Lough Reserve	Bryson House	Quercus Biodiversity Project - Victoria Park
Bryson House	Comber Greenway 3	Bryson House	Quercus Biodiversity Project - Ormeau Park
Bryson House	Comber Greenway 1	Bryson House	Quercus Biodiversity Project - Botanic Gardens
Bryson House	Tullyrusk Graveyard	Bryson House	Quercus Biodiversity Project - Woodvale Park
Bryson House	Union Locks, Blaris Road	Bryson House	Quercus Biodiversity Project - Alexandra Park
Bryson House	Duncans Park	Bryson House	Belfast Hills Irish Hare (Slievenacloy) Project
Bryson House	Giant's Ring Public Field Path Year 2	Bryson House	Belfast Hills Marsh Upland Heath (Sleivenacloy) Project
Bryson House	Dunmurry Station Footpath Year 2	Bryson House	Clements Wood Access Project
Bryson House	Millbrook Riverside Park	Bryson House	Bashfordisland Habitat Creation and Access Project
Bryson House	George's Lane Path, Seymour Hill	Bryson House	Environmental Improvements at Friends of Belvoir Community Woodland CR2.1
Bryson House	Lowland Wood Pasture and Parkland in Belfast	Bryson House	Environmental Improvements at Oakfield Glen CA2.2
Bryson House	Lough Neagh Wetlands Tree Sparrow Project	Bryson House	Environmental Improvements at Woodland View Community Woodland A02.3
Bryson House	Lisbarnett and Lisbane Community Improvement Programme	Bryson House	WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Saline Lagoon AO2.1
Bryson House	Glenvale Wildlife Reserve Phase Three	Bryson House	Environmental Improvements at Seymour Hill LO2.1
Bryson House	Bog Meadows Nature Reserve Development Year 1	Bryson House	Environmental Improvements at Carnmoney Hill No. 2.2
Bryson House	Securing the future of Breeding Waders at Belfast Harbour Reserve	Bryson House	Hanwood Trust Third Generation Pitch Tullycarnet CR2.2
Bryson House	Lagan Meadows Year 3	Bryson House	Environmental Improvements at Monkstown Community Woodland No. 2.1
Bryson House	Beach Road Quarry and Nature Reserve CA2.1	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Bog Meadows Nature Reserve
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Inver River - Water for Wildlife and People	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	The Field, Burrenbridge
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Regeneration of Riverview Park - Derry	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Improving lakeside walk, Enniskillan
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Environmental Improvements to the Glen Play Park, Derry City	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Lough Neagh Wetlands Whooper Swan Project
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Community Garden MacGill Court - Ballymagroarty - Derry	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Water supply for Sensory Garden
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	St Mary's PS Conservation Project	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Upgrading of Corngrade path, Enniskillen
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Topped Mountain Path
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Cuilcagh Way	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Lough Acrussel Enhancement, Co. Fermanagh
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Orritor Conservation Project	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Harmony Senses
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Castlerock Community Association Garden	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Development of Delamont Country Park
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Ballinderry White-clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) breeding and reintroduction programme	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Stewartstown PS Sensory Garden
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Macosquin Land Reclamation	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Mayobridge Environmental Improvement Scheme
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Downhilll, Walled Garden	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	A Better Way Forward
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Biodiversity audit, implementation, planting of trees and 15 acres of wild bird seed and installing bird boxes at Loughgall Country Park	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Bio-diversity at Little Acorn Wood
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Lagan Meadows Nature Reserve	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Connecting The Community

Table 3. Projects Approved 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008

Environmental Bodies	Project Name	Environmental Bodies	Project Name
Bryson House	Environmental Improvements at Kilcooley Community Woodland ND2.2	Bryson House	Making the Thompson Dock Gates Safe for the Future BO208
Bryson House	Environmental Improvements at Woodland Walkway BO2.1	Bryson House	Making the Rosamund Preager Sculpture on the Thompson Pump House accessible
Bryson House	Community Gateway Comber Greenway BO2.3	Bryson House	Enhanced Habitat @ Belfast Harbour BO2.5
Bryson House	Union Locks, Blaris Road	Bryson House	Bog Meadows Paving the Way Part 11
Bryson House	Georges Lane Path, Seymour Hill	Bryson House	Bog Meadows LNR Pt 11
Bryson House	Tullyrusk Graveyard	Bryson House	Slievenacloy Nature Reserve Phase 2
Bryson House	Duncans Park	Bryson House	Lough Neagh Wetlands Whooper Swan Project
Bryson House	Bells Lane Lagan Towpath Maintenance Programme Year 2	Bryson House	Lough Neagh Tern Breeding Platforms
Bryson House	Dunmurry Station Footpath Year 3	Bryson House	Environmental Improvements at Seaview Community Woodland LA2.1
Bryson House	Derriaghy River Glen Year 2	Bryson House	Glenside Community Woodland
Bryson House	Giant's Ring Public Field Path Year 3	Bryson House	Environmental Improvements at Carnmoney Hill Phase 2 no. 2.2
Bryson House	Jubilee Park, Kingsway Year 3	Bryson House	Neillsbrook Environmental Project Randalstown AN2.5
Bryson House	Millbrook Riverside Park	Bryson House	Riverside Park Improvement Scheme
Bryson House	Holywood Old School ND2.1	Bryson House	Restoration of Lagan Navigation Lock 2 (Corby Wood)
Bryson House	Sigersons ST2.3	Bryson House	Education Resource Centre Thompson Titanic Trail
Bryson House	Recreational / Environmental Facilities Drummond Centre ST2.6	Bryson House	Improvement Work on Donnemana River
Bryson House	Enhanced Reedbed @ Belfast Harbour BO2.5	Creggan Country Park Enterprises Limited	Creggan Country Park Access Project
Bryson House	Regeneration of Ballytotten Pk St2.5	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Enhancing Access to Claudy Play Area
Bryson House	Environmental Improvements at Burn Walk Community Woodland ST2.1	Pipe Organ Preservation Trust	Rebuild of Pipe Organ in All Saints' Church Clooney, Londonderry
Bryson House	Nature Study Picnic Area ST2.2	Pipe Organ Preservation Trust	Restoration of the Organ in St Brendan's Church Sydenham Belfast
Pipe Organ Preservation Trust	Rebuild of the Organ in Holy Trinity Church Banbridge Co. Down	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Tree Survey at Folly Glen, Armagh
Pipe Organ Preservation Trust	Renovation of the organ in All Saints church Antrim co. Antrim	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Silent Valley Nature Trail Phase 2
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	City Park Water Management and Enhancement Project	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Landscaping of Mid Ulster Sports Arena
Pipe Organ Preservation Trust	Repairs to the organ in St Thomas' Church Douglas Isle of Man	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	New Nature Reserve at Moyola, Waterfoot, Lough Neagh
Pipe Organ Preservation Trust	Repair of organ in Ahorey Presbyterian Church Co. Armagh	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Planting Native Trees in Clare Glen
Pipe Organ Preservation Trust	Restoration of Organs in St Andrew's Church Deal Kent	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Improvements to Forthill / Cemetary, Cookstown
Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Improving Drumcairne Forest Walk, Cookstown	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Planting Native Trees at Tandregee Leisure Centre

Table 4. Projects Approved 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009

Environmental Bodies	Project Name	Environmental Bodies	Project Name
Bryson House	Restoration work on SS Nomadic	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Creation of a Multi-use games area at the Glen Play Park, Derry City
Bryson House	Lagan Watersports	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Lapwing Recovery at Belfast Harbour Reserve
Bryson House	Shaws Bridge Boathouse	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Regeneration of Roulston Avenue Playground
Bryson House	Clarence Wharf Project	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Glenavy Youth Project '07'
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Village Green Playground - Eglinton, Northern Ireland	Groundwork Northern Ireland	Lisburn Rangers Ground Development Project
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Seymour Hill Community Woodland Path Upgrade	Pipe Organ Preservation Trust	Restoration and rebuilding of organ in The Cathedal Church of Christ the Redeemer, Dromore Co. Down
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Safeguarding the Future for Lapwing in the Lough Neagh Basin	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Giant Hogweed Control on Drum Manor/ Drumard Tributary
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Glenbank Woodland Trail	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Drain and Reseed Portion of Mall, Armagh
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Crewe United Multi - Sports Pitch Development	Wildlife Trust (Ulster)	Environmental Improvement Work at Ballyronan Marina
Groundwork Northern Ireland	Regeneration of Maydown Playground

Annex B

PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE COMMUNITY WASTE INNOVATION FUND (CWIF) ADMINISTERED BY ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE SERVICE (NOW THE NORTHERN IRELAND ENVIRONMENT AGENCY) OVER THE PERIOD 2005 TO 2009

Total			£3,715,648	£2,059,036	55%
	Applicants Name	Description	Total final agreed project costs	Agreed final grant applied for	% Grant
1	DERG VALLEY CARE LTD	Glass for life project which will recycle glass in labour intensive manner to create meaningful employment for 20 adults with learning disabilities.	£829,504	£202,753	24%
2	BRYSON HOUSE ‘RATHLIN PROJECT’	Joint application with Rathlin community to provide each dwelling with a container to store and carry materials to a newly created multi-material bring site on the island.	£10,317	£9,858	96%
3	BRYSON HOUSE ‘SORT IT OUT’	‘Sort it out' waste minimisation programme. Educational programme for primary school children to promote and create awareness of waste management.	£567,190	£425,392	75%
4	EAST BELFAST MISSION	This project is an advancement of an existing practice. The proposal is to develop a new outlet for the resale of second - hand furniture and electrical supplies.	£804,722	£450,000	56%
5	CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS NI	To set up a green waste recycling project in Coleraine Borough. To provide a kerbside collection facility, a processing yard and associated equipment.	£431,000	£126,548	29%
6	BAGLADY PRODUCTIONS	The NEEDabag 2 project to encourage alternatives to plastic bags, promotes recycling, and reduces the number of non-biodegradable plastic bags to the environment.	£82,800	£58,480	71%
7	ENVIROCENTRE	The establishment of a Northern Ireland Sustainability and Resources Institute as part of the Queens University Centre for Sustainability and Environmental Governance.	£154,000	£154,000	100%
8	SUSTAINABLE NI	To organise a major NI-wide conference in November 2005 on community waste issues and produce a Waste Guide highlighting best practice and offering practical help.	£31,500	£21,000	67%
9	LIMAVADY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITITATIVE	To provide a home collection service for glass, textiles, furniture, garden waste and paper. To employ a project co-ordinator and general operative to work in the Limavady area to make a significant contribution to the NI Local & Council Waste Management.	£361,368	£167,758	46%
10	VOLUNTARY SERVICE LISBURN LTD (VSL)	To provide a collection service for unwanted domestic white goods and a 'drop off' area for the public to bring unwanted items for reuse or recycling.	£443,247	£443,247	100%

The Belfast Wheel

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on the status of the planning application for the 'Belfast Wheel'; and when a determination will be made.

(AQW 5920/10)

Minister of the Environment: Planning Service had requested information from the applicant to support the case for the application to retain the wheel in its current location on 5 October 2009 with a further request issuing on 4 March 2010. This information has not been provided. However, on 22 March the applicant informed Planning Service of his intention to close the wheel at 6 pm on 11 April 2010.In view of this, and the lack of the requested information, Planning Service will now process the application to conclusion. I anticipate, therefore, that a recommendation in respect of the application will be made to the Town Planning Committee of Belfast City Council on 22 April 2010.

Craigmore Road Landfill Site

Mr B Leonard asked the Minister of the Environment (i) how many complaints his Department received in relation to the bad smell coming from the Craigmore Road landfill site in Ringsend during (a) October to December 2009; and (b) January to March 2010; (ii) what remedial actions were demended; and (iii) what action his Department is taking to eradicate this problem.

(AQW 5921/10)

Minister of the Environment: (i) NIEA has received 2 complaints in relation to bad smells allegedly emanating from the Craigmore landfill site from October to December 2009 and a further 24 in 2010 to date.

(ii) An enforcement notice was issued by NIEA requesting odour source investigations and mitigation measures be installed at the site within a restricted timescale, the operator was also asked to submit landfill gas management plans. The operator has subsequently installed gas management infrastructure and carried out extensive capping works on site, which has mitigated odour at the site.

(iii) NIEA continues to monitor the situation through regular site inspections.

Electric Cars

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment how he plans to introduce and promote the use of electric cars.

(AQW 5922/10)

Minister of the Environment: Although transport issues are in the main a matter for the Minister for Regional Development my environmental remit includes climate change policy. Latest figures show that road transport is responsible for over 30% of the total CO2 emissions in Northern Ireland and that transport emissions have risen by almost 50% since 1990. I am therefore keen to encourage alternative forms of travel which reduce emissions and I understand many companies are working to develop technologies that might efficiently exploit the potential of substitutes to fossil fuel for transport. The Committee on Climate Change which provides independent advice to government, in its December 2008 Report, suggested that electric vehicles combined with the decarbonisation of electricity generation could lead to dramatic reductions in emissions from cars and light vans. With levels of renewable electricity generation likely to increase significantly over the next 10 years I believe the time is right to explore further the role which electric vehicles can play in maximising the output from renewable sources, particularly wind, while providing a flexible transport solution with no harmful emissions.However this work needs to be undertaken in a joined up manner. I have therefore agreed that my officials should work alongside their counterparts in DRD to jointly lead a project to seek to establish a consortium to progress a bid for a pilot electric vehicle project in Northern Ireland.The consortium will be bidding for seed funding from the UK wide £30m "Plugged in Places" scheme which aims to install electric vehicle infrastructure in up to 6 cities or regions across the UK. The "Plugged in Places" money will be available to consortia made of local authorities, businesses, electricity distributors, suppliers and other organisations in order to support the early market for electric vehicles. If successful Northern Ireland will be at the forefront of the rollout of electric vehicles and one of a handful of areas across the UK where lessons learned will be used to inform the future development of a national recharging infrastructure.

Light Pollution

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment how many complaints his Department received in relation to light pollution in each of the last five years; and what enforcement action his Department has taken.

(AQW 5945/10)

Minister of the Environment: No records are held centrally by the Department in respect of complaints about light pollution, as the Department has no powers currently available to it to deal with such complaints.The Department is however currently consulting on a proposal in the draft Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill to create a new statutory nuisance in respect of artificial light emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance. This is similar to that which was introduced in England and Wales in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 and would be enforced by district councils. Artificial light nuisance is not necessarily the same as light pollution. It is a source of light that, in the opinion of a trained public health official who makes an assessment on a case by case basis, interferes with someone’s use of their property and is, or might be, prejudicial to someone’s health. Light pollution, on the other hand, can be defined as any form of light which shines outside the area it needs to illuminate, including light that is directed above the horizontal line into the sky creating sky glow or which creates a danger by glare. Although light pollution can affect our view of the night sky, and interfere with astronomy, it is not necessarily also a light nuisance and therefore the statutory nuisance regime is not an appropriate tool for dealing with light pollution per se.

Fairtrade Status

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment which towns and cities have achieved 'Fairtrade' status, broken down by Council area.

(AQW 5948/10)

Minister of the Environment: I have been advised by the Fairtrade Foundation UK and Fairtrade Mark Ireland, who are responsible for granting Fairtrade status in Northern Ireland, that Belfast, Dundonald village, which is located within Castlereagh Borough Council, and Newry and Warrenpoint, which are located in Newry and Mourne District Council, have been granted Fairtrade status.

New Pitches Near the Burrenbridge Road, Newcastle

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQW 4604/10, (i) when a decision will be made on the planning application made by the Down County Board on behalf of Bryansford Gaelic Athletic Club to build new pitches near the Burrenbridge Road between Newcastle and Castlewellan, given that a meeting between Jim Wells MLA and Roads Service took place on 9 February 2010; and (ii) to outline Roads Service's assessment of this application.

(AQW 5966/10)

Minister of the Environment: The application was taken to Council as an approval on 26 October 2009 and subsequently I have held a meeting with Jim Wells MLA, Planning Service and Roads Service officials, giving further consideration to road safety issues. Roads Service is content with the proposal subject to a number of conditions and the decision notice will be issued when the appropriate road safety conditions have been finalised.

Road Fund Licences

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of the Environment how much revenue has been generated from road fund licences in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6006/10)

Minister of the Environment: The vehicle excise duty (motor tax) collected in Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department for Transport in the last three years was as follows -

2006/07    £143m
2007/08    £155m
2008/09    £163m

Vehicles Without Road Tax

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of the Environment for an estimate of the number of vehicles currently without road tax.

(AQW 6007/10)

Minister of the Environment: Vehicle licensing is an excepted matter which is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport. It is administered in Northern Ireland by the Driver & Vehicle Agency under a formal agreement between DoE and the Department for Transport (DfT). The rate of evasion of vehicle excise duty is measured annually by DfT through roadside surveys carried out across the UK. The 2009 survey showed that the rate of evasion "in traffic" in Northern Ireland is currently 0.8%.

Inaccurate Flooding maps

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of the Environment if he is aware that, when assessing one-off planning applications in the countryside and the potential risk of flooding, the Planning Service relies on flooding maps which are not accurate to local detail, therefore putting the onus on the applicant to challenge at his expense an initial opinion to refuse an application; and (ii) whether he will liaise with the Rivers Agency to find a resolution.

(AQW 6013/10)

Minister of the Environment: Where a flood risk is known to exist my Department will pay particular regard to current policy set out in PPS15: Planning and Flood Risk when determining planning applications.All planning applications are determined with reference to the Strategic Flood Map for Northern Ireland which was developed by DARD Rivers Agency in consultation with my officials. As the Map provides a strategic overview of the areas estimated to be at risk from flooding my Department also uses other sources of information to inform planning decisions such as local evidence and detailed study maps where these are available. DARD Rivers Agency is currently consulted by my Department for advice on applications within flood plains on the Strategic Flood Map in most cases. Where new development within a flood plain would result in a significant flood risk my Department may refuse planning applications on these grounds. If an application is refused the applicant has the right of appeal to the Planning Appeals Commission and must bear any expense at appeal. It is the responsibility of the applicant to identify potential flood risk as early in the development process as possible and demonstrate how the development can be made safe through design and flood resilient construction and that it does not increase flood risk elsewhere.

Graves

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if he can confirm that a 2.4 metre by 950 mm and 10 feet in depth walled grave meets with current regulations.

(AQW 6025/10)

Minister of the Environment: If a cemetery or graveyard benefits from planning permission or has been established for a number of years individual graves do not require separate planning consent as they are considered ancillary to the use of the land as a cemetery. A grave within the curtilage of a dwelling house could potentially benefit from permitted development rights subject to conditions and limitations detailed in the Planning (General Development) Order (NI) 1993 (as amended). In any other location a grave would constitute operational development and require planning permission. There are of course environmental health regulations associated with burial which is the responsibility of the relevant District Council.

Department of Finance and Personnel

Staff Grievances by Civil Servants

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQW 4516/10, if any disciplinary procedures were instigated against the staff whose actions resulted in the successful grievance claims.

(AQW 5558/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr S Wilson): Pursuant to AQW 4516/10, due to differing recording methods in Departments and the absence of a central database recording the statistics, the figures are not readily available. Therefore I am unable to provide a definitive response.

Civil Servants Employed by the Inland Revenue

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel why civil servants employed by the Inland Revenue cannot transfer to positions in other Departments.

(AQW 5709/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: As the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) and the Home Civil Service (HCS) are two legally separate services, staff cannot normally move directly between the two. However, in exceptional circumstances, my department may allow requests from HCS staff to move to the NICS to be considered by NI Departments in the context of the business needs of the NICS. Such transfers occur only in very exceptional cases and where it is not reasonably practicable to make the appointment in accordance with the merit principle. Currently the NICS has a number of surplus staff (at various grades) and is working to redeploy staff across Departments. A temporary embargo on recruitment and promotion to the general service grades (Administrative Assistant (AA) – Grade 6) is in place. In such circumstances requests to transfer into the NICS could not be considered.

Bonuses Paid to Non-Civil Servants

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for a breakdown of any bonuses paid in the 2009/10 financial year to persons, other than civil servants, from within the Department's overall budget.

(AQW 5819/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: No persons, other than civil servants, received bonuses in the 2009/10 financial year from within the Department’s overall budget.

Occupied Properties Incorrectly Listed as Vacant in 2008/09

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel (i) to outline the terms agreed between Land and Property Services and each local council to identify the occupied properties that were incorrectly listed as vacant in 2008/09; (ii) to detail (a) the agreed payment to be made to each council; and (b) the actual amount paid to each council; and (iii) why the contracts agreed are not being honoured.[R]

(AQW 5838/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: In 2008, LPS working in partnership with District Councils, undertook a full programme of inspection of properties. The properties included those properties which were recorded as vacant or where no bills had issued due to difficulties obtaining full occupancy details.

The terms agreed with each Council were to:

undertake an examination of all vacant property in its District;
establish which properties were occupied or vacant for rate assessment and collection purposes;
provide full details of occupiers/owners where a property was found to be in rateable occupation;
send occupancy/ownership information to LPS on a pro forma provided by LPS.

The agreed payment to be made to Council was £7 per completed inspection sheet returned to LPS.
The actual amount paid to each Council is given in the table below.

Council Amount Paid

Antrim £10,199.09

Ards £20,530.15

Armagh £24,302.46

Ballymena £13,930.84

Ballymoney £1,829.00

Banbridge £13,378.04

Belfast £92,071.00

Carrickfergus £9,437.60

Castlereagh £10,822.55

Coleraine £15,586.20

Cookstown £13,874.97

Craigavon £19,370.80

Derry £24,569.60

Down £24,777.00

Dungannon/S Tyrone £2,483.40

Fermanagh £29,302.69

Larne £9,796.85

Limavady £7,779.80

Lisburn £26,607.00

Moyle £7,009.84

Newry/Mourne £28,620.00

Newtownabbey £20,041.69

North Down £14,938.00

Omagh £13,699.29

Strabane £16,133.45

Council	Amount Paid
Antrim	£10,199.09
Ards	£20,530.15
Armagh	£24,302.46
Ballymena	£13,930.84
Ballymoney	£1,829.00
Banbridge	£13,378.04
Belfast	£92,071.00
Carrickfergus	£9,437.60
Castlereagh	£10,822.55
Coleraine	£15,586.20
Cookstown	£13,874.97
Craigavon	£19,370.80
Derry	£24,569.60
Down	£24,777.00
Dungannon/S Tyrone	£2,483.40
Fermanagh	£29,302.69
Larne	£9,796.85
Limavady	£7,779.80
Lisburn	£26,607.00
Moyle	£7,009.84
Newry/Mourne	£28,620.00
Newtownabbey	£20,041.69
North Down	£14,938.00
Omagh	£13,699.29
Strabane	£16,133.45

Magherafelt Council declined to take part in the exercise.All invoices submitted by the Councils were paid in full.

At the outset of this exercise LPS had intended that the cost of the exercise would not be charged to the district rate, however legal and accounting advice was unequivocal – that the costs must be added to the cost of collection. The amount was split under the terms of Rate Regulations between the regional and district rates.

Each Council was therefore advised in May 2009 that the annual cost of collection figure for each Council included a charge to the district rate for the Vacancy Exercise which was undertaken by Councils on behalf of LPS.

Business Rates

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how much revenue has been collected through business rates in each local council area, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 5843/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Rate payments receipted in the current rating year to 21 March 2010 for non-domestic properties totalled £519,522,308. Table 1 attached breaks this down by District Council.

Information contained within the rate collection computer system cannot be split between domestic and non-domestic for previous year’s receipts.

Table 1 Non-Domestic and Mixed Rate Receipts from 1 April 2009 to 21 March 2010 by District Council and Sector

District Council	Mixed	Non-Domestic
Totals	-£10,603,659	-£519,522,308
Antrim	-£598,165	-£18,722,820
Ards	-£413,287	-£11,099,200
Armagh	-£312,265	-£9,412,121
Ballymena	-£456,433	-£18,169,780
Ballymoney	-£179,977	-£3,497,893
Banbridge	-£241,587	-£7,321,918
Belfast	-£1,251,667	-£177,621,710
Carrickfergus	-£57,037	-£8,321,211
Castlereagh	-£591,293	-£16,030,325
Coleraine	-£582,877	-£16,430,829
Cookstown	-£355,169	-£6,971,830
Craigavon	-£613,633	-£21,757,806
Derry	-£257,581	-£36,430,649
Down	-£520,689	-£10,357,604
Dungannon & S.Tyrone	-£376,967	-£10,259,137
Fermanagh	-£688,745	-£13,482,143
Larne	-£141,760	-£9,260,984
Limavady	-£186,506	-£5,653,201
Lisburn	-£596,626	-£27,141,521
Magherafelt	-£367,819	-£6,192,850
Moyle	-£215,317	-£2,188,366
Newry & Mourne	-£450,339	-£20,679,217
Newtownabbey	-£393,170	-£25,329,824
North Down	-£168,202	-£19,132,008
Omagh	-£376,052	-£11,388,485
Strabane	-£210,499	-£6,668,877

Notes :

Totals may not add up exactly due to roundings.
£10,603, 659 rates were receipted against properties that had both a domestic and non-domestic valuation (Mixed sector in table 1). These receipts cannot be broken down into the domestic and non-domestic elements.

Unpaid Business Rates

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how much revenue has been lost in unpaid business rates as a result of companies going into administration or becoming insolvent in each local council area, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 5845/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: LPS does not hold the information requested. The rate collection computer system does not sub categorise rates forgone as a result of companies going into administration or becoming insolvent.

Spend per Capita on Health

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the spend per capita on health in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK.

(AQW 5914/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The latest figures from the HM Treasury publication Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) 2009 indicate that the planned level of Health spending per head of population in Northern Ireland was £1,835 in 2008-09 compared to £1,795 for the rest of the United Kingdom.

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Chief Executives and other Executive Members of Health and Social Care Trusts

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) why Chief Executives and other Executive members of Health and Social Care Trusts receive 'benefits in kind' and 'performance pay'; (ii) what these benefits are awarded for; and (iii) what work the Chief Executives in each Trust received these benefits for in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4488/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): The "benefits in kind" shown in the Trust Annual Accounts is the monetary value that HM Revenue & Customs place on the worth of a leased car; it is not a payment that is made directly to the Trust’s Senior Executive. Under the terms of the employment contract Health and Social Care organisations may offer a leased car to employees whom they require to be mobile and where they deem it in the interest of the service to do so. The leased car scheme does not represent a cost to the public purse, because the lease payment to the car supplier are covered in full by payments by the member of staff and the costs of travel on business. When comparing the cost of a leased car with paying standard mileage rates the leased car option proves less costly to the HSC. However, access to the scheme is treated by HMRC as a benefit in kind, tax implications for the individual of having a leased car.Health and Social Care Trust Chief Executives and Directors are employed under contracts that provide them with a single annual percentage increase on their basic pay. This percentage increase is based on how well they have achieved the performance targets set for them in the previous year. There is no automatic entitlement to any increase under these employment contracts.

Domiciliary Care

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the average cost of maintaining a patient who remains in a hospital setting because of a lack of domiciliary care and the average cost of a patient receiving domiciliary care.

(AQW 5068/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The average cost of a patient receiving domiciliary care from Health and Social Care Trusts is £13.19 per hour. It should however be noted that the amount of care received by individual clients will vary considerably.The average daily cost of maintaining a patient in a hospital setting is approximately £261 per day.Information is based on 2007/08, uplifted for inflation, as 2008/09 not yet available.

Health Service Dentists

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many patients in total have been registered under the Health Service arrangements with dentists in the South Belfast constituency in each of the last four quarters.

(AQW 5164/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The numbers of Health Service patients registered with a principal dentist in the South Belfast constituency in the four quarters of 2009 are shown in the table below:

Quarter	Q1 2009	Q2 2009	Q3 2009	Q4 2009
Date	Jan09-Mar09	Apr09-Jun09	Jul09-Sep09	Oct09-Dec09
Number of patients registered 1	36,847	32,907	31,966	32,543

Source: Family Practitioner Services - HSC Business Services Organisation

Notes:¹The figures given for number of patients registered include all patients registered at any time during the quarter. Patients were still counted even if they were not registered for the full 3 month period.

Health Service Dentists

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many dentists in the South Belfast constituency registered new patients under the Health Service arrangements during the period 1 September 2009 to 31 December 2009; and how many new patients were registered or re-registered during this period.

(AQW 5165/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Figures provided by Family Practitioner Services - HSC Business Services Organisation show that 59 principal dentists working in the South Belfast constituency registered 4,728 new patients between mid August 2009 to mid December 2009. Figures are for Principal dentists only; assistants and Vocational Dental Practitioners are not included.

'Invest to Save' Initiative

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what bids his Department has made in relation to the 'Invest to Save' initiative; and what consideration was given to bids that seek to address communal segregation in service provision and to promote integration.

(AQW 5166/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

My Department made 37 bids to the Invest to Save programme. The outcome of these bids has not been confirmed and I look forward to Executive consideration. Included in the Department’s bids are schemes to support the reform of health and social care, schemes to modernise catering and laundry services, schemes that utilise modern telecoms and software solutions and schemes designed to deliver modern community based support services.Organisations focussed their attention on the scale of savings that could be achieved and tied this in with the policy objectives of the Department. These include a commitment to fulfilling their equality obligations and to promoting inclusion. For example, providing community rather than hospital support services improves equality of access and in many cases allows more people to live as individuals with their own front door, or at least in their own area rather than in an institution.

'Clear Space' Requirements for Providers of Child-care

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to list the minimum 'clear space' requirements applicable during 2009 for providers of child-care to children aged (a) 0-2 years; (b) 2-3 years; (c) 3-5 years; and (d) 5-12 years, in each Health and Social Care Trust; (ii) to highlight any recent changes to these requirements; and (iii) what notice was given to child-care providers of any such changes.[R]

(AQW 5363/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: 1) The information requested on clear space for providers of childcare is set out in the table and notes below. 2) There were no recent changes to these clear space requirements. 3) Childcare providers did not require notification of any changes in clear space requirements.

Current Clear Space Requirements for each Child in Childcare
(measured in square metres)

Type of Childcare	From age 0 up to 2 years	From age 2 up to 3 years	From age 3 up to 5 years	From age 5 up to 12 years
Day Nursery	4.2	2.8	2.8	2.3
Crèche *	3.7	2.8	2.3	2.3
Play Group under 4 hours per day**	n/a	n/a	2.3 (pref.2.76 ST)	n/a
After School Care	n/a	n/a	n/a	2.3

*Southern HSC Trust
**South-Eastern and Southern HSC Trusts

Western Urgent Care Out-of-Hours Service

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the Western Urgent Care Out-of-Hours service will face a reduction in cover from 5 to 3 doctors during the hours of 12 midnight to 8.30am from the 1 July 2010; and for his assessment of how this fits with his undertaking not to reduce front-line services.

(AQW 5380/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I can confirm that a paper has been sent to my Department which proposes a reduction in GP cover from 5 to 3 during the hours of 12 midnight to 8.30 am when, on average, only around 4 face-to-face consultations per GP per night currently take place. A nurse will be employed to triage calls. The 3 GPs will be mobile and cover all 5 existing Out-of-Hours Centres, and will continue to provide home visits where necessary. There will be a further 3 GPs on call if required on an unexpectedly busy night. I am advised that the proposed reconfiguration of the service, tailored to actual demand, will maintain the delivery of a high quality, responsive service meeting response times for seeing patients as set out in NI Quality Standards.

Waiting Time for Appointment with a Registered Health Service Dentist

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the average waiting time for an appointment with a registered Health Service dentist in each ward in south Belfast; and for his assessment of whether there is a sufficient number of dentists in this area to adequately serve the population.

(AQW 5674/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: It is not possible to detail the average waiting time for appointments with registered Health Service dentists in south Belfast as the information is not collected centrally.In south Belfast there are 79 dentists per 100,000 heads of population, which is the highest count of any parliamentary constituency here. I am satisfied that there are an adequate number of dental practitioners in south Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland. I have no plans to directly recruit additional dentists for this area.

Gorse Fires

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to detail the total number of gorse fires recorded in (a) the hills around Belfast; and (b) all of Northern Ireland; (ii) how many of these fires were started as a result of arson or suspected arson; and (iii) the total cost to the Fire Service of attending and controlling the fires which were started by arsonists, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 5681/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Table 1 shows the number of gorse fires and indicates which were suspected of being started deliberately (D), or accidentally (A).

Table 1 – Gorse Fires

Total	33		28		33		55		31
Year	2005/06		2006/07		2007/08		2008/09		2009/10*
	D	A	D	A	D	A	D	A	D	A
Belfast Hills	28	5	28	0	32	1	53	2	29	2

Across Northern Ireland	3024	281	3916	406	2121	132	3551	311	2549	165
Total	3305		4322		2253		3862		2714

*Up to 11 March 2010

The actual costs of attendance at gorse fires could be provided by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) only at a prohibitive cost. It has, therefore, provided an estimate of the costs incurred in attending deliberate gorse fires in each of the last five years. These are outlined in Table 2. The average cost per mobilisation is based on the total expenditure of NIFRS in any year.

Table 2 – Gorse Fires: Estimated Costs

Year	Number of mobilisations to deliberate gorse fires	Average cost per mobilisation	Total cost
2005/06	3,024	£2,066	£6,247,584
2006/07	3,916	£2,225	£8,713,100
2007/08	2,121	£2,184	£4,632,264
2008/09	3, 551	£2,547	£9,044,397
2009/10*	2, 549	£2,547**	£6,492,303

* Up to 11 March 2010** Final year costs not yet available; average costs based on 2008/09 data

Allegations of Ill-treatment of Patients Against Staff from Private Care Companies

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if there have been any allegations of ill-treatment of patients made against staff from private care companies contracted by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last three years.

(AQW 5706/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: There have been allegations of ill treatment of patients made against staff from private care companies contracted by the South Eastern HSC Trust within this period. All allegations are taken seriously and investigated under the relevant policy and procedures.

Child Protection Register

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of children on the Child Protection Register in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last five years, broken down by age and gender.

(AQW 5707/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is detailed in Table 1 below. Figures for 2009 are due for publication on 16 April 2010.

Table 1 - Numbers of children on the Child Protection Register in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last five years, by age and gender

Age Band	Year
	2004		2005		2006		2007		2008
	Boys	Girls	Boys	Girls	Boys	Girls	Boys	Girls	Boys	Girls
Under 1 year	11	13	18	10	18	10	24	18	22	17
1-4 years	39	35	42	33	41	45	65	52	70	54
5-11 years	80	71	84	80	64	65	89	67	88	65
12 and above	31	31	38	49	33	55	47	69	48	53
All Ages	161	150	182	172	156	175	225	206	228	189

Notes: The source of this information is Community Return CPR1, which is collected annually from Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland. Table 1 details the numbers of children on the Child Protection Register at 31 March each year.

Allegations of Ill-treatment of Patients Against Staff in Residential or Care Homes

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if there have been any allegations of ill-treatment of patients made against staff in residential or care homes in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last three years.

(AQW 5708/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: There have been allegations of ill treatment of patients made against staff in residential or care homes in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust within this period. All allegations are taken seriously and investigated under the relevant policy and procedures.

Regional Care Adviser for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on funding for the Regional Care Adviser for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

(AQW 5716/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: A business case for the recurrent funding of neuromuscular care advisor posts has been developed by the Belfast Trust and is currently being considered by the Health and Social Care Board.

Neuro-Physiotherapists

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many neuro-physiotherapists currently operate in each Health and Social Care Trust; and how many of these are designated to working with patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

(AQW 5723/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the member to the answers to AQW 4338/10 (amended) and AQW 4399/10.

Appointment Waiting Times for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the average; and (ii) the longest appointment waiting times for patients with Multiple Sclerosis in each Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last three years.

(AQW 5728/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the waiting time for a first outpatient appointment is collected by specialty and the length of time that a patient is waiting, in time bands. The waiting time position for a first outpatient appointment in the Neurology specialty, at the 31^st December 2009, the most recent date for which official statistics are available, was published in the Northern Ireland Waiting Times Bulletin, which can be found at the following link:www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/waiting_times_dec09.pdf

Report of the Lymphoedema Services Review Group 2004

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety where lymphoedema patients will be able to access treatment in Fermanagh and South Tyrone under the recommendations of the Report of the Lymphoedema Services Review Group 2004; and when these services will be available.

(AQW 5730/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Lymphoedema Network Northern Ireland (LNNI) was established in February 2008 with a remit to co-ordinate and shape regional service development in order to provide a high standard of care accessible throughout the Province. The network is headed by a regional clinical lead, and supported in each Trust by a Trust lymphoedema lead. The Western Trust was unable to appoint a suitable candidate at the same time as other Trusts; however, an appointment has recently been confirmed which has enabled the Trust to commence a service which is available to patients at both the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen and the Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh.

Nuero-Physiotherapists

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what he is doing to increase the number of nuero-physiotherapists available to treat patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

(AQW 5748/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department has recently established a short-term working group to look at the baseline of neuro-physiotherapy service in Northern Ireland including an assessment of staffing levels. Multiple Sclerosis sufferers are currently assessed and treated by physiotherapists with neuro-disability skills in the five Health and Social Care Trusts as part of their caseload.

Nuero-Physiotherapists

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many nuero-physiotherapists are available at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald to treat patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

(AQW 5749/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: There are 3 (2.8 Whole-time Equivalent) neurophysiotherapists at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald who as part of their caseload will treat patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Suspected Cancer Patients

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he plans to mirror the pledge of the Labour party in England that anyone suspected of having cancer should be tested within seven days of the GP referral.

(AQW 5750/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: It should be noted that the Labour party’s pledge to ensure that patients suspected of having cancer should be tested within seven days, is merely that; no formal target currently exists.My Department, working with the Northern Ireland Cancer Network, has developed regional cancer referral pathways to ensure that patients with suspected cancer are treated within current targets, which are broadly in line with cancer targets in the rest of the UK.

Multiple Sclerosis

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the current average life expectancy of a person diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis; and how this compares to the rest of the UK.

(AQW 5753/10)

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

Miscarriage and Still-Births

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the incident rates for (i) miscarriage; and (ii) still-birth in 2009/10; and how these compare to the rest of the UK.

(AQW 5755/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information is not available on the incident rates for (i) miscarriage or (ii) still-birth in 2009/10.

Support Services to Play Groups and Day Nurseries

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, excluding the reduction in administation costs, why support services to play groups and day nurseries in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust have been reduced by 45% at a time when these groups are experiencing child protection support needs and issues around quality, funding and sustainability.

(AQW 5756/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer you to my response to your previous question AQW 5198/10.

Obtaining an Appointment with a General Practitioner

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the target timescale for patients to obtain an appointment with their General Practitioner; and how his Department monitors the target.

(AQW 5759/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) was introduced as part of the General Medical Services contract that came into effect in April 2004. QOF is a voluntary reward and incentive programme for all GP practices in Northern Ireland. The standard set by QOF for patients to obtain an appointment with a GP or other appropriate health care professional is within 2 working days. If they prefer to see a specific GP they may have to wait a little longer.From April 2008, the measurement of achievement against this QOF standard is through the national Patient Experience Survey conducted by Ipsos MORI. Results of the Patient Experience Survey are notified to the Health and Social Care Board as well as to the individual practices.

Patients Registered with a General Practitioner

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the (i) minimum; and (ii) maximum number of patients that can be registered with a General Practitioner.

(AQW 5761/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The General Medical Services Contract (GMS), which was introduced on 1 April 2004, provides for a contract to be placed with a GMS contractor, and not an individual GP. The contract does not stipulate a recommended number of patients per contractor or GP but commissions the provision of general medical services in line with the requirements of the contract.

Mephedrone

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what liaison his Department has had with the Department of Health in England concerning mephedrone.

(AQW 5771/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: There has been growing concern about the use of legal highs, and Mephedrone in particular, across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. This issue has therefore been discussed extensively at the British-Irish Council Drug Misuse Sectoral Group. There have also been ongoing discussions between my Department, the Department of Health in Westminster, the Home Office and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).Following recent reports of the availability of Mephedrone and emerging evidence of its harms in Northern Ireland, I wrote to the Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) and the Home Secretary asking them to take this issue forward as a matter of urgency. I also spoke to the Home Secretary by telephone regarding this matter. The ACMD recommended on 29 March 2010 that Mephedrone, and all generic cathinones, should be classified as Class B drugs. The Home Secretary has accepted this recommendation, and advised that Mephedrone will become illegal to possess or supply within weeks. In addition, its importation was banned with immediate effect.

Mephedrone

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he intends to take on the issue of the availability of mephedrone.

(AQW 5773/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Following recent reports of the availability of Mephedrone and emerging evidence of its harms in Northern Ireland, I wrote to the Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) and the Home Secretary asking them to take this issue forward as a matter of urgency. The ACMD recommended on 29 March 2010 that Mephedrone, and all generic cathinones, should be classified as Class B drugs. The Home Secretary has accepted this recommendation, and advised that Mephedrone will become illegal to possess or supply within weeks. In addition, its importation was banned with immediate effect.

Allied Health Professions Strategy

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 2190/10, when the Allied Health Professions strategy will be completed and issued for consultation.

(AQW 5776/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The AHP strategy currently being developed will provide the opportunity to set out the overall vision, shape and nature of AHP services to meet the future needs of the population.I expect to be in a position to issue the strategy for consultation before the end of the summer 2010.

Vacant Therapist Posts in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 2192/10, how many vacant posts currently exist for (i) Occupational Therapist; (ii) Physiotherapists; and (iii) Speech and Language Therapist in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust; and when they will be filled.

(AQW 5778/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

The information requested is provided in the table below. The Trust has sought to identify the posts currently known to be vacant which are actively being recruited to at the present time. It should be noted that this is subject to ongoing change.

Professions	WTE
Southern Trust Vacancies
Occupational Therapists	2.80
Physiotherapists	5.42
Speech & Language Therapists	1.5

Source: Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Notes: 1. WTE = whole time equivalent

The Southern Trust has assured me that these posts are currently being recruited to following the normal recruitment process and timeline.

Adoption Strategy

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when the Adoption Strategy will be published; and if it has been delayed in the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

(AQW 5780/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I issued a draft paper to the Executive seeking agreement to the development of an Adoption and Children Bill in June 2009. To date responses to this draft paper have been received from nine Departments, with one response still outstanding from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM). Until comments have been received from OFMDFM in relation to the draft Executive paper, I am unable to progress the development of a new Adoption and Children Bill any further.

Early Years Organisation

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if health care providers in the Belfast Trust have been dissatisfied with any of the Early Years Organisation support services; and which services they deemed unsatisfactory.

(AQW 5783/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I understand that your question relates to the Early Years Organisation.The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust have not received any complaints about the Early Years Organisation from health care providers.

Legal Highs

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many admissions to Accident and Emergency Departments during the 2009/10 financial year can be attributed to the consumption of 'legal highs'.

(AQW 5789/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on how many admissions to Accident and Emergency Departments can be attributed to the consumption of 'legal highs' is unavailable.

Royal Irish Regiment and Ulster Defence Regiment After Care Services

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if his Department is currently assisting, or been asked to assist, Royal Irish Regiment and Ulster Defence Regiment after care services.

(AQW 5792/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My officials have met with officers of the Royal Irish Regiment and Ulster Defence Regiment after care services, who gave a presentation on their work but did not seek assistance in any form.

Enhanced Local Hospital in Omagh

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in relation to the enhanced local hospital in Omagh, (i) to provide a timeline for the construction and completion of the hospital; (ii) if funding is in place to complete this project; (iii) to outline the source of this funding; and (iv) to detail the range of services for inpatients and outpatients to be provided at the hospital.

(AQW 5799/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Due to budget constraints facing my Department I cannot give a firm commitment to any project in the planning stage until I am able to confirm that the necessary funding is available. This applies to the Omagh Local Hospital as to all other planned projects. The Trust and my officials are working together to resolve a number of outstanding issues in relation to the business case. That said, I remain committed to the Omagh Hospital project and hope that it will progress as planned, but it is crucial that I ensure that the necessary funding is available to both construct and, as equally important, to operate the new facility, once completed, before I announce the way forward for this project. Cuts to my Department's budget make this difficult and it is something that I am monitoring closely.Subject to funding it is planned that the new facility, which was approved by the Assembly, once fully operational, will provide a range of services including; Care of the Elderly, Cardiology, Renal Dialysis, Day Surgery, Doctor-led Urgent Care and Treatment Centre, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Imaging, Children’s Centre, Outpatients including obstetrics and gynaecology, and Clinical Investigation. This is as well as a Mental Health Unit and the provision of GP services

Out-Of-Hours Services in the Strabane District

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he plans to change the operation of out-of-hours services in the Strabane district; and whether these proposals will be subject to a statutory consultation and Equality Impact Assessment.

(AQW 5800/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the member to the answer provided to AQW 5380/10. As there will be no change to the way patients access out-of-hours services after midnight, and patients will not be affected adversely in terms of age, marital status, gender, disability, dependents, political opinion, racial group, religious belief or sexual orientation, the proposed reconfiguration of the service will not be subject to a statutory consultation and Equality Impact Assessment.

Partnerships in Care UK

Rt Hon J Donaldson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why the Health Service has been unable to provide adequate facilities for patients requiring psychiatric or mental health care and has had to contract this work to Partnerships in Care UK.

(AQW 5824/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the member to the answer I gave to AQW 5766/10 on 26 March 2010.

Mephedrone and Other Legal Highs

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) for his assessment of the extent of the use of mephedrone and other 'legal highs'; and (ii) how many people have been treated in hospitals as a result of using such substances in the last twelve months.

(AQW 5934/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

(i) There has been growing concern within Northern Ireland, and across the UK and in the Republic of Ireland, about the use of "legal highs" including mephedrone. We have no recorded information on the prevalence of the use of "legal highs", although there are anecdotal accounts of its availability and use in Northern Ireland. In future there will be a question on the use of "legal highs" in the All-Ireland Drug Prevalence Survey, which will be conducted in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland later this year.

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 it 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 is due to report at the end of March 2010. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is likely to be recommending to the UK Government further action including probable legal controls on mephedrone.

(ii) Information is not available on the number of hospital admissions that could be related to the suspected consumption of mephedrone or other so-called "legal highs".

Diabetes Clinic at Roe Valley Hospital, Limavady

Mr B Leonard asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether the Diabetes Clinic in Roe Valley Hospital, Limavady will remain open and if staff vacancies will be filled in the normal manner so that the facility remains fully operational.

(AQW 5975/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Western Health and Social Care Trust is responsible for the configuration of local services. The Trust has advised me that it intends to keep the Diabetes Clinic at the Roe Valley Hospital operational and will recruit staff as necessary to fill vacancies.

Dermatology Clinic at Roe Valley Hospital in Limavady

Mr B Leonard asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, given that the Dermatology Clinic at Roe Valley Hospital in Limavady has been closed for two weeks because of a consultancy vacancy, whether the Western Health and Social Care Trust knew of this impending vacancy; and what recruitment process is in place to fill the vacancy.

(AQW 5998/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Western Health and Social Care Trust administers its staff recruitment process. The Consultant responsible for the dermatology clinic at Roe Valley Hospital gave the necessary notice to the Trust of his intention to retire; since this time the Trust has been working through the required recruitment process. The Trust has advised me that the dermatology clinic is not closed but that it is actively seeking a locum replacement for the Consultant who is currently on annual leave and will retire from 1^st April.

Department for Regional Development

Road Bonds

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 5010/10, how much money has been recovered from developers' road bonds in order to complete the projects outlined.

(AQW 5660/10)

Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): Details of the amount of money recovered to date, by my Department’s Roads Service from developers’ road bonds, in order to complete roads in developments, in each of the last two years, broken down by council area, are set out in the tables below:

Amount of money recovered from developers’ road bonds in 2008/09		Amount of money recovered from developers’ road bonds in 2009/10
Council Area	Amount	Council Area	Amount
Coleraine	£7,185.00	Newtownabbey	£3,660.05
Armagh	£72,693.37
Craigavon	£90,982.41
Ards	£20,050.70
Newry & Mourne	£20,546.21
Castlereagh	£62,542.00
Carrickfergus	£5,755.51
Newtownabbey	£12,444.00
TOTAL	£292,199.20	TOTAL	£3,660.05

Utility Companies

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Regional Development what sanctions his Department can impose on utility companies which do not restore roads back to the required standard after carrying out work; and what action he has taken against such companies in each of the last three years.

(AQW 5713/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that where a utility company fails to reinstate a road opening to the specified standard, Roads Service has powers to require the utility company to carry out remedial works and, at the utility company’s expense, to inspect those remedial works while in progress and on completion. The defect inspection fees charged to utility companies over the last three years have amounted to £32,000 in 2006/07, £11,600 in 2007/08 and £27,900 in 2008/09, rounded to the nearest £100.Road Service has also advised that where more than 10% of utility reinstatements are found, through sample inspections, to be defective, the utility is required to prepare and implement an agreed improvement plan. Two such improvement plans have been implemented in each of the last three years.Roads Service also has powers to prosecute utilities, which may lead to a fine not exceeding level five on the standard scale (£5,000), where reinstatements are not to the required standard. Roads Service reserves this sanction for cases where public safety has been compromised. Two prosecutions were taken in 2006/07 on offences, including failure to reinstate to the specified standards, and two further such prosecutions were taken in 2008/09. There were no such prosecutions taken in 2007/08.

St. Patrick’s Day 2010 Celebrations

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total expenditure incurred by her Department in relation to the St. Patrick’s Day 2010 celebrations in the Holyland area of Belfast; and for a summary of how this money was spent.

(AQW 5811/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department did not incur any expenditure in relation to the St. Patrick’s Day 2010 celebrations in the Holyland area of Belfast.

Road Maintenance and Capital Scheme Spending

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development how much has been spent in each District Council area on (i) road maintenance; and (ii) capital schemes in (a) 2005/06; (b) 2006/07; (c) 2007/08; and (d) 2008/09.

(AQW 5814/10)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service expenditure on Operation and Maintenance activities and Capital Schemes in each District Council Area, for which information is available, is set out in the table below:-

District Council	Operation and Maintenance
District Council	05-06 £	06-07 £	07-08 £	08-09 £
Antrim	4,218,000	3,251,000	3,494,000	3,507 ,000
Coleraine	3,960,000	4,139,000	4,449,000	4,275,000
Limavady	3,327,000	2,737,000	3,573,000	2,830,000
Moyle	2,111,000	1,860,000	2,093,000	1,674,000
Ballymoney	2,410,000	2,283,000	2,430,000	2,395,000
Derry	5,324,000	5,281,000	5,828,000	5,876,000
Ballymena	5,493,000	4,432,000	4,537,000	5,168,000
Larne	2,632,000	2,754,000	2,546,000	2,238,000
Belfast	15,576,000	13,730,000	16,990,000	13,976,000
Castlereagh	3,149,000	3,029,000	3,552,000	3,429,000
Newtownabbey	2,418,000	3,189,000	4,576,000	3,388,000
Carrickfergus	1,296,000	1,764,000	1,971,000	1,642,000
North Down	4,160,000	3,640,000	3,974,000	2,962,000
Lisburn	6,245,000	5,695,000	4,948,000	7,704,000
Ards	3,706,000	3,468,000	5,014,000	3,394,000
Armagh	6,011,000	5,477,000	7,539,000	7,013,000
Newry and Mourne	6,839,000	5,843,000	6,212,000	5,372,000
Banbridge	4,008,000	3,841,000	3,996,000	3,404,000
Craigavon	5,241,000	5,217,000	5,478,000	4,219,000
Down	4,914,000	4,503,000	4,262,000	5,813,000
Magherafelt	3,242,000	2,612,000	3,834,000	3,239,000
Omagh	6,004,000	5,587,000	6,487,000	5,699,000
Strabane	4,758,000	4,746,000	5,258,000	5,068,000
Cookstown	2,605,000	2,857,000	2,759,000	2,739,000
Fermanagh	6,142,000	6,737,000	6,598,000	7,036,000
Dungannon	5,395,000	5,477,000	5,781,000	5,391,000
Totals	121,184,000	114,149,000	128,179,000	119,451,000

District Council	Capital Spend
District Council	05-06 £	06-07 £	07-08 £	08/09 £
Antrim	1,901,000	2,801,000	1,970,000	848,000
Coleraine	2,152,000	1,380,000	2,090,000	1,745,000
Limavady	1,390,000	1,145,000	1,450,000	1,406,000
Moyle	383,000	177,000	287,000	464,000
Ballymoney	3,753,000	1,223,000	510,000	670,000
Derry	9,165,000	3,754,000	8,492,000	19,397,000
Ballymena	2,343,000	1,910,000	6,170,000	4,920,000
Larne	1,825,000	346,000	1,216,000	2,074,000
Belfast	7,246,000	26,628,000	6,116,000	11,503,000
Castlereagh	8,440,000	835,000	1,316,000	444,000
Newtownabby	3,476,000	1,578,000	1,965,000	2,219,000
Carrickfergus	1,712,000	2,566,000	4,849,000	4,165,000
North Down	1,892,000	1,916,000	1,770,000	1,218,000
Lisburn	3,855,000	3,673,000	2,686,000	2,345,000
Ards	1,790,000	1,725,000	1,960,000	8,667,000
Armagh	2,270,000	1,677,000	3005,000	2,446,000
Newry and Mourne	17,692,000	62,010,000	14,863,000	4,627,000
Banbridge	2,262,000	2,221,000	887,000	1,251,000
Craigavon	4,879,000	1,803,000	1,658,000	1,704,000
Down	2,679,000	1,539,000	986,000	1,341,000
Magherafelt	1,344,000	966,000	2,651,000	2,544,000
Omagh	7,869,000	3,455,000	4,387,000	11,534,000
Strabane	3,006,000	2,067,000	1,296,000	695,000
Cookstown	975,000	1,078,000	865,000	1,135,000
Fermanagh	4,137,000	2,121,000	4,017,000	8,607,000
Dungannon	5,401,000	15,361,000	14,235,000	4,622,000
Totals	103,837,000	145,955,000	91,697,000	102,591,000

Note, that Roads Service expenditure on Operation and Maintenance, includes Structural Maintenance, Highways Structures, Routine Maintenance, Traffic Maintenance, Winter Maintenance, Street Lighting Maintenance, Car Parking Maintenance and EU schemes.I should also explain that Roads Service does not simply split its total budget for capital expenditure on roads across all the District Council areas. Major road improvements are prioritised on a countrywide basis, taking account of a broad range of criteria such as strategic planning policy, traffic flow, number of accidents, potential for reducing travel times, environmental impact, accessibility and value for money. While the actual spend on a major works scheme may be within one District Council area, the benefits of such schemes are not confined to the District Council, constituency or county in which they are completed.

Bonuses Paid to Non-Civil Servants

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development for a breakdown of any bonuses paid in the 2009/10 financial year to persons, other than civil servants, from within the Department's overall budget.

(AQW 5858/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department has not paid any bonuses to persons, other than civil servants, from within the Department's overall budget.

Cost of Legal Fees

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 5513/10, what proportion of legal costs were (i) paid by his Department to external legal firms; and (ii) incurred by his Department's internal solicitor or legal team.

(AQW 5862/10)

Minister for Regional Development: The legal costs have been apportioned on a percentile basis and are set out in the table below. When reading these figures it is important to note that claimants’ legal costs are only paid where a claim succeeds. Most claimants are legally-aided and the Department cannot recover defence costs against such claimants. Consequently the percentile figure for costs paid to the Department Solicitor’s Office (DSO) comprises the costs of conducting all litigation, which includes both successful and unsuccessful claimants’ actions.

YEAR	PERCENTILE APPORTIONMENT OF LEGAL COSTS
YEAR	CLAIMANT’S LEGAL COSTS	DSO COSTS
2008/09	53.3	46.7
2007/08	57.2	42.8
2006/07	50.7	49.3
2005/06	48.7	51.3
2004/05	47.4	52.6

Claims for Falls and Injuries

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 5514/10, why the cost of claims against his Department for falls and injuries was so high in the Lisburn Council area compared to the Banbridge Council area in (i) 2006/07; (ii) 2007/08; and (iii) 2008/09.

(AQW 5868/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Central Claims Unit maintains claims statistics on the basis of Roads Service Section Office areas. The higher Lisburn Section Office area cost of claims statistics are explained by three main factors. These are:-

1.A higher population density. The Lisburn Section Office maintenance area includes Lisburn city and a western part of Belfast city.

2.The length of the adopted highway is greater in the Lisburn Section Office maintenance area. It comprises 1,110 carriageway and 745 footway kilometres compared to 1,047.7 carriageway and 247.4 footway kilometres in the Banbridge Section Office maintenance area. Most personal injury claims occur on footways.

3.The records disclose a greater proportion of higher value High Court claims for the Lisburn Section Office. By way of explanation on this point, 61% of the cost of claims for 2007/08 for Lisburn Section Office is accounted for by five High Court cases.

Consideration to Blind People and People with Disabilities

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development what consideration is given to (i) blind people; and (ii) people with disabilities when (a) Roads Service; and (b) NI Water are carrying out work on pavements and roads.

(AQW 5873/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the legal requirements for signing at road works are set out in Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual 2009, which deals with traffic safety measures and signs for road works and temporary situations. The manual provides guidance on meeting those legal requirements, including how to address the special needs of people with visual, and other mobility impairments, and persons with prams or wheelchairs. Protection for people with a visual impairment will generally require that road works sites should be guarded on those sides accessible to pedestrians. In addition, there must be a pedestrian barrier which can be readily detected by a visually impaired person using a stick. The manual also defines the requirements for ramps to facilitate wheelchair users and pushchairs. Roads Service complies with these requirements when carrying out work on pavements and roads.

Article 25 (1) of the Street Works (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 requires that an undertaker executing street works shall ensure that any part of the street, which is broken up or open, or is obstructed by plant or materials used, or deposited in connection with the works, is adequately guarded and lit. In addition, that traffic signs are placed, maintained and where necessary operated, as reasonably required for the guidance, or direction of persons using the street, having regard, in particular, to the needs of people with a disability. Northern Ireland Water (NIW) is deemed to have satisfied their obligations under Article 25, if they comply with the Code of Practice on Safety at Street Works and Road Works. This code of practice is consistent with the requirements of Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.

NIW has advised that extensive consultation is undertaken with local Councils, residents and business owners, before and during the design and construction of its capital projects. The needs of the local community and the travelling public are taken into account during this consultation process, and as part of the normal management of projects, all construction sites are monitored and independently inspected to ensure adherence to the health and safety rules. All construction work is properly guarded and signed in accordance with current health and safety legislation.

Particular attention is paid to members of the community with a disability, so that inadvertent access to the construction site is restricted, and that access to and from places of business, or residences, is both possible and safe. In addition, many of the contractors working for NIW are members of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, a scheme where the contractors are monitored by an experienced industry professional to assess their performance against the eight point Company Code of Considerate Practice. The Code includes the categories Considerate, Environment, Cleanliness, Good Neighbour, Respectful, Safe, Responsible and Accountable.

Roads Service and NI Water Consultations

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what consultation is undertaken between Roads Service and NI Water before they undertake schemes of work in any area.

(AQW 5874/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that consultation between Roads Service and Northern Ireland Water (NIW), in advance of schemes of work in any area, is undertaken in line with the Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for Road Purposes and Related Matter.

The Code of Practice sets out formal minimum periods of notice to be provided for individual works through the NI Streetworks Registration and Notification System. Roads Service arranges six-monthly meetings of its four Divisions with the Utility Committees. These meetings involve consideration of specific major projects, medium term and annual works programmes, both capital and maintenance for my Department and the utility companies, including NIW.

NIW has advised that it undertakes extensive consultation with Roads Service prior to undertaking construction work on public roads. Roads Service is contacted at an early stage of any project to outline the proposal, and to obtain general advice regarding road works. This initial advice will often affect the proposals, for example, changes in the route selection, method of construction and reinstatement, or the general timing of the construction. This consultation continues as the proposal is further developed, until Roads Service agreement and approval is granted prior to the start of construction.

Utilities such as NIW must follow Roads Service procedure for the notification of street works, and are required to give certain periods of notice to Roads Service on their proposed date to commence construction works. At each notice stage, Roads Service will consider the proposed dates and decide, for example, if the proposed start date conflicts, or interferes with other work, if certain conditions should be imposed or if the notice should be refused. NIW is unable to commence construction work until the full notice procedure is completed, and agreed by Roads Service.

Grit Boxes in the North Down Constituency

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the location of grit boxes in the North Down constituency.

(AQW 5875/10)

Minister for Regional Development:

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it does not hold information on the location of salt boxes on a constituency basis. However, the table below details the location of salt boxes in the North Down Section Office area, the boundary of which is coterminous with that of North Down District Council.

Cultra Slip Road, Belfast bound to Folk Museum, Holywood

Abbots Wood, near junction Demesne Road, Holywood

Strathearn Court at Street Light (S/L) No. 1, Holywood

Cedar Grove, opposite S/L No.4, Holywood

The Green at S/L No.1, Holywood

Inver Park, opposite S/L No.4, Holywood

Demense Park at No.15, at wall, Holywood

Demense Avenue at No.15, Holywood

Elizabeth Road, opposite S/L No.3, Holywood

Ardmore Road at S/L No.6, Holywood

Ardmore Heights, opposite No.9 at S/L No.6, Holywood

Ardmore Road, past No.39, near radius, Holywood

Glenview Road at No.7, Holywood

Glenview Avenue opposite S/L No.3, Holywood

Ardmore Park at No.3, Holywood

Brook Street at Clinic, Holywood

Windsor Avenue at No.12, Holywood

Victoria Road at end of grass verge, Holywood

Tudor Oaks, No 3, at wall, Holywood

Old Quay Court at No.4, Holywood

Kintyre Avenue at S/L No.5, Holywood

Princess Gardens at S/L No.15, Holywood

Princess Park, opposite No.9, Holywood

Torgrange at No.10, near S/L, Holywood

Invergourie Road at Stathleven Park name plate, Holywood

Brown's Brae opposite No.5, Holywood

The Spires at S/L No 3, Holywood

Woodcroft Park outside No 3, Holywood

Creighton's Green Road before speed limit sign 1/3 on bend, Holywood

Creighton's Green Road down from No.15 on bend, Holywood

Creighton's Green Road down from No.41 on RHS at field gate, Holywood

Carlston Avenue at No.1/Whinney Hill, Holywood

Martello Park at No.10, Holywood

Martello Park at No 28, Holywood

Larch Hill at No.1 (half way up hill), Holywood

Larch Hill Drive at No.3, Holywood

Ballygrainey Road at No.3 (at wall near A2), Holywood

Ballygrainey Road opposite No.15, Holywood

Dalchoolin at No 19, Holywood

Cultra Avenue opposite No.41, Holywood

Tarawood at S/L No.1, Holywood

Carney Hill near junction A2, Holywood

Quarry Court past S/L No.2, Holywood

Grey Point at S/L No.3, Holywood

Ballymoney Road near Whinney Hill, Holywood

Ballymullen Road opposite No.40, Crawfordsburn

Ballymullen Road at No.6, Crawfordsburn

Meadow Way at junction near Ballymullan Road, Crawfordsburn

Burnside Park at No.2 (at wall/Meadow Way), Crawfordsburn

Meadow Park North at No 11 at mini pillar, Crawfordsburn

Carolsteen Park at No.1A junction Bridge Road, Helens Bay

Killaire Avenue opposite S/L No.8 (at fence), Bangor

Ailsa Park at S/L No.3, Bangor

Ravelstone Avenue at junction Killaire Park (at wall), Bangor

Killaire Avenue at No 5, Bangor

Station Road opposite S/L No.15 (on grass) below No.68 on waste ground, Bangor

Station View at S/L No.1, Bangor

Wandsworth Park at junction with Wandsworth Road, Bangor

Lyndhurst Avenue opposite No.2, Bangor

Kilieen Avenue at S/L No.9, Bangor

Innisfayle Drive opposite S/L No.4, Bangor

Jubilee Drive near S/L No.15, Bangor

Springhill Heights at No.10, Bangor

Farm Grove at junction Springhill Avenue, Bangor

Ballyquinton Gardens at side of No.18 at BT pole, Bangor

Kilclief Gardens at S/L No.103, Bangor

Craigboy Mews at telegraph pole, Bangor

Balligan Gardens at S/L No.122, Bangor

Birch Park at junction Birch Drive, Bangor

Clandeboye Way at S/L No.1, Bangor

Monea Way at S/L No.8 (end of wall), Bangor

Rostrevor Way at No.12, Bangor

Clandeboye Way opposite S/L No.6, Bangor

Rostrevor Drive opposite name plate, Bangor

Moyne Road, Conlig at junction Vermont Avenue at S/L No.5, Bangor

Bangor Road, Conlig, at top of Green Road, Conlig

Meadowvale opposite No.15, Bangor

Meadowvale Park at S/L No.2, Bangor

Beechfield junction Main Street, Conlig

Tower Road/Main Street, Conlig

Forrest Hill/Main Street, Conlig

Forrest Hill, Conlig at S/L 10 at side of No. 74

Westmorland Crescent at side of No.2 (on grass), Bangor

Westmorland Crescent at S/L No.6, Bangor

Harehills Drive at junction Westmorland Crescent, Bangor

Silverstream Crescent at No.61 (in laneway), Bangor

Silverstream Drive at No.18 (at wall), Bangor

Silverstream Avenue at No 31, Bangor

Manor Park/Manor Avenue, Bangor

Hillcrest Walk outside No 9, Bangor

Bangor Police Station/Castle Park Avenue, Bangor

King Street at sign no. 4, Bangor

Tennyson Avenue at S/L No.1, Bangor

Princetown Road at Junction of Seacourt Lane, Bangor

Railwayview Street at No.54, Bangor

Windsor Gardens at No.2-4, Bangor

Rugby Avenue opposite No.60, Bangor

Donard Avenue at No.44 (upper side of BT pole), Bangor

Donard Avenue at No.25, Bangor

Maryville Park opposite No.22, Bangor

Bryansglen West at No.7 (lower side of S/L), Bangor

Bryansglen Avenue at No.21, Bangor

Grange Avenue at No.5, Bangor

Downshire Road at upper side of Maxwell Road at S/L No.14, Bangor

Downshire Road at lower side of Maxwell Road at S/L 15, Bangor

Clelland Park South at No.12, Bangor

Alexandra Gardens at SL 6, Bangor

Church Avenue at junction Church Drive at wall, Bangor

Abbey Park at No.49/51, Bangor

Fairfield Road at junction Dellmont Road side of no. 50, Bangor

Fairfield Road opposite No.103 on verge, Bangor

Dellmont Drive at S/L 3 outside No 10, Bangor

Sunningdale Park at No.7, Bangor

Glenanne Park opposite Sunningdale Court between hedges, Bangor

Stanley Road opposite No.9, Bangor

Seaforth Road opposite S/L No.3, Bangor

Grove Park at junction Bellevue, Bangor

Baylands Fourth Avenue at No.4, Bangor

Beverly Hills at junction Beverly Drive at white wall, Bangor

Beverly Gardens at junction Beverly Drive opposite No.34, Bangor

Conniston Drive beside S/L No.2, Bangor

Chippendale Vale at junction Chippendale Park, Bangor

Windmill Lane at S/L No.1, Bangor

Portview/Ballymaconnell Road, Bangor

Balloo Crescent opposite Howells, Bangor

Cranley Road opposite No.4, Bangor

Cranley Grove at S/L No. 4, Bangor

Cranley Hill at No.2, Bangor

Irvine Park outside No 38, Bangor

Hanover Chase at wide footpath, beside No 7 Hanover Court, Bangor

Beaumont Drive outside No 26, Bangor

Malvern Heights at S/L No. 28 at bottom of Hill, Bangor

The Brae junction Ard-Na-Ree, Groomsport

Springwell Drive beside S/L No.3, Groomsport

Springwell Drive junction The Brae opposite No.7, Groomsport

Springwell Crescent at No.58 at BT pole, Groomsport

Springwell Crescent opposite S/L 4 at rose bed, Groomsport

The Brae at wall opposite Hillfoot, Groomsport

Glenganagh Park at S/L No. 3, Groomsport

Towerview at S/L No.4, Bangor

Ivyhill Crescent at S/L No. 2, Bangor

Ballymacormick Park at name plate, Bangor

Towerview Avenue opposite No.101, Bangor

Sherwood Road at S/L No.6, Bangor

Abbey Ring at S/L No. 34, Holywood

Abbey Ring at S/L No. 12, Holywood

Ardmillan Park at S/L No 4, Bangor

Cranley Grove at No 54, Bangor

Croft Park at No 34, Holywood

East Link at S/L No. 2, Holywood

Kinwood Road at No2, Bangor

Knightsbridge Court at No 15-17, Bangor

Knockmore Park at SL 12, Bangor

Princetown Road at No 67, Bangor

Ranfurly Ave at S/L No. 15, Bangor

Regency Square at S/L No. 2, Bangor

Rhanbuoy park at S/L No. 10, Holywood

Thornleigh Gardens at S/L No.6, Bangor

West Link at S/L No. 8, Holywood

Windmill Road at S/L No. 1, Bangor

Road Safety

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline any co-operative ventures he has undertaken or planned with other Departments in relation to road safety.

(AQW 5908/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department is cooperating with the Department of the Environment in taking forward their Road Safety Strategy 2010-2020. Specific areas of the strategy, which are the responsibility of my Department, include the road infrastructure and setting of speed limits. The draft Strategy was approved by the Executive on 25 February 2010 and consultation commenced on 16 March 2010.

My Department also aims to promote and support sustainable transport options for the school journey through the initiative, Travelwise NI Schools. It has been specifically developed for the education sector in consultation with Travelwise partner organisations, including the Department of Education, the Department of the Environment’s Road Safety Division, Eco Schools and Sustrans. All Travelwise Schools resources and initiatives include road safety information and advice.

In addition to the Travelwise NI Schools initiative, my Department is committed to installing road safety facilities outside schools as part of the Travelwise Safer Routes to Schools initiative. This typically involves providing flashing school warning signs and enhanced road safety features near schools to advise motorists of the presence of children. This scheme is run in partnership with the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department of Education which, where appropriate, provides infrastructure improvements within the school grounds.

Residents' Parking Scheme in South Belfast

Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the cost of all consultation exercises carried out by his Department in relation to the implementation of a residents' parking scheme in the South Belfast constituency.

(AQW 5919/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it has carried out two consultation exercises in 2008 and 2009, in relation to the implementation of developed proposals for residents parking schemes in the following areas of Belfast, three of which are within the South Belfast Constituency:

Barrack Street;
Brown’s Square;
Donegall Pass;
Sandy Row; and
The Markets (East and West).

The consultancy costs associated with these schemes, up to the end of the 2008/09 financial year, are approximately £85,000 and include the design and development of the schemes and the cost of the 2008 consultation exercise with the residents. It is not possible within the Roads Service accounting procedures to identify the exact breakdown of costs by constituency area, or by consultation exercise alone. In addition, Roads Service staff costs are not included in this amount, as they cannot be extracted from the overall Roads Service staff cost figure.

Pothole-related Claims

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 5694/10, to outline the reason for the disproportionate decrease in the amount of compensation paid between 2008/09 and 2009/10, given that the number of claims reduced by only 9 for the same period.

(AQW 5944/10)

Minister for Regional Development: The reduction in compensation paid is explained by three factors:-

1.The number of claims paid must be distinguished from the number of claims received. Not all claims are successful and successful claims are not always paid in the same year during which they are received.

2.Compensation payments were made to 21 claimants during the financial year 2008/09. Two of these claims were for personal injury and accounted for £9,750.00. The balance of £2,364.02 was paid out for 19 vehicle damage claims.

3.Compensation payments for 2009/10 have been made for 10 vehicle damage claims. There have been no personal injury compensation payments in 2009/10.

Unauthorised Use of Lamp Posts

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister for Regional Development what guidance his Department has issued to Roads Service Divisional Roads Managers on the unauthorised use of lamp posts and other street furniture for displaying (a) flags; and (b) advertising signs.

(AQW 5960/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service is signed up to the multi-agency Protocol on the Display of Flags in Public Areas. Divisional Roads Managers have been advised to follow this protocol, under which Roads Service will provide support facilities, such as tower wagons, to take down unwanted flags that have been agreed for removal, but not removed by the communities themselves.With regard to the unauthorised use of lamp posts and other street furniture for displaying advertising signs, guidance for Divisional Roads Managers is contained within Roads Service’s Policy and Procedure Guide: Advertisements placed within road boundaries and overlooking Motorways.A copy of this document has been placed in the Library.

Watermain to the Former Ministry of Defence Housing at Wood Road, Ballykelly

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps NI Water is taking to address the low pressure of the watermain to the former Ministry of Defence housing at Wood Road, Ballykelly.

(AQW 5961/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that it has commenced an investigation into the low water pressure problem experienced by residents within the former Ministry of Defence estate at Ballykelly. During the next two weeks, NIW will be analysing data from water pressure monitoring equipment installed on the Clooney Road at the point where the estate is connected to the public watermain. The water infrastructure within the estate is unadopted and therefore not the responsibility of NIW.I have asked Laurence MacKenzie, Chief Executive of NIW to write to you direct when the outcome of the investigation is known.

Money Allocated for Water Works

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the amount of money allocated for (i) water treatment works; (ii) waste water; (iii) clear water; and (iv) waste incinerators for the 2010/11 financial year.

(AQW 6035/10)

Minister for Regional Development: A budget has not yet been agreed for 2010/11. Hence the amount of money allocated for (i) water treatment works; (ii) waste water; (iii) clear water; and (iv) waste incinerators for the 2010/11 financial year, is still being determined.

Department for Social Development

Nelson Street Site

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development (i) if her Department, or the Housing Executive, had any discussions with the company that own the Nelson Street site, and/or their representatives, to discuss the usage of the site for social housing; (ii) if these discussions are still ongoing; and (iii) to outline the nature of these discussions.

(AQW 5536/10)

Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): As this matter is currently the subject of a PSNI investigation, I would not want to potentially prejudice the outcome of that investigation by answering this question at this time. I will be happy to revert to the Member with a substantive response at the conclusion of those investigations.

Village Redevelopment Area of South Belfast

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development why only 82 properties out of 538 in the Village redevelopment area of south Belfast were internally surveyed, given that the Housing Executive booklet 'Redevelopment General Advice and Guidance' states that 'we will carry out a full survey of all the properties in the area and if more than a third are unfit we will consider redevelopment'.

(AQW 5644/10)

Minister for Social Development: Over 27% of occupied dwellings within the Village Urban Renewal Area were surveyed internally. In numerical terms 286 out of 1033 occupied dwellings were internally surveyed. The methodology used for the Urban Renewal Assessment is as determined by the Housing (NI) Order 1992, Unfitness – Area Approach and Enforcement Action. The acquisition on vesting is determined by the Housing (NI) Order 1981 Article 46. Neither of these legal processes requires a full house condition survey of each dwelling.

Village Redevelopment Area of South Belfast

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development if a full survey was carried out on the 82 properties surveyed in the Village redevelopment area of south Belfast; and how many were unfit for human habitation.

(AQW 5645/10)

Minister for Social Development: Taking account of an internal survey carried out on 286 properties and the 106 blocked up properties, 33% of properties in the Village area were deemed not to meet the fitness standard

Village Redevelopment Area of South Belfast

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development if a full survey was carried out on the 204 properties in the Village improvement area of south Belfast; and how many were unfit for human habitation.

(AQW 5646/10)

Village Urban Renewal Area of South Belfast

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the criteria used to select properties in the Village Urban Renewal area of south Belfast for an internal survey.

(AQW 5647/10)

Minister for Social Development: The 286 occupied properties internally inspected were selected on a random basis.

Village Redevelopment Area of South Belfast

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development whether a condition report was carried out on all properties in the Village redevelopment area of south Belfast, prior to them being blocked up.

(AQW 5649/10)

Minister for Social Development: A condition report is not required for vacant properties. All blocked properties were vacant.

Disability Living Allowance

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development what action she is taking to provide assistance to people who are severely ill in completing Disability Living Allowance renewal forms and periodic enquiry forms.

(AQW 5793/10)

Minister for Social Development: The leaflets and detailed guidance notes issued with Disability Living Allowance (DLA) renewal and periodic enquiry forms provides comprehensive advice on how to complete the form. Information is also included signposting the customer if they want help filling in the claim form or any part of it. Customers can contact a free phone Benefit Enquiry Line staffed by specially trained advisors. A text phone service is also available for people with speech or hearing difficulties. Last year close to 450 people used this service to obtain help with DLA form completion. Assistance is also available by calling at Social Security and Jobs & Benefits offices, the Benefit Shop in Castle Court and in certain circumstances a home visit can also be arranged. The information accompanying the forms also points out that a customer may wish to ask a friend, relative, a carer or an advice worker to help them.

Nelson Street Site in North Belfast

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development if any Housing Executive staff have been suspended pending a PSNI criminal investigation into the Nelson Street Site in North Belfast.

(AQW 5794/10)

Minister for Social Development: No Housing Executive staff have been suspended pending a PSNI criminal investigation into the Nelson Street site in North Belfast.

Community Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge over the River Mourne

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Social Development when she will make a decision on the application by Strabane District Council for funding towards the development of the proposed community pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Mourne.

(AQW 5797/10)

Minister for Social Development: I remain committed to this project and my officials have worked closely with both Department for Regional Development (DRD) and Strabane District Council over recent months, leading to the resolution of a number of outstanding issues.My Department’s economists have advised that they are content with the economic appraisal prepared by Strabane District Council and the appraisal has now been forwarded to the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) for approval.Further progress is, of course, dependent on the response from DFP and the availability of funding. I will be in a position to take further decisions once these matters are finalised.

St. Patrick’s Day 2010

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the total expenditure incurred by her Department in relation to the St. Patrick’s Day 2010 celebrations in the Holyland area of Belfast; and for a summary of how this money was spent.

(AQW 5801/10)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive incurred costs of £401.57 in relation to the St Patrick’s Day 2010 celebrations in the Holyland area of Belfast. This included staff costs of £259.57 for before and after inspections of the streets, alleys and gardens and £142 spent on letters and postage to Landlords.

Discretionary Housing Payment Budget

Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Social Development how much has been earmarked for the Discretionary Housing Payment budget for 2010.

(AQW 5854/10)

Minister for Social Development: I have not yet agreed the budget for the Housing Executive for the incoming financial year and therefore am currently unable to confirm what will be included for the Discretionary Housing Payment budget in 2010/11.

Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme in the Kilcooley Estate, Bangor

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the next stages of the Neighbourhood Renewal scheme in the Kilcooley Estate, Bangor.

(AQW 5870/10)

Minister for Social Development: The neighbourhood renewal strategy in Kilcooley is being progressed in line with the Kilcooley Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership’s Vision Framework and 3 year rolling action plan for the regeneration of the estate. To date, DSD funding of over £1,663,504 has been allocated to a range of projects identified in the action plan, with additional funding of £765,509 levered in from other sources. The Partnership is shortly due to carry out its annual Action Plan review and project prioritisation exercise, which will determine its priorities for the next financial year and beyond.

Funding to the Voluntary and Community Sector

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development (i) to detail the funding allocated by her Department to the voluntary and community sector in the Belfast area in the 2009/10 financial year; and (ii) how much of the funding is used for (a) staff support; and (b) programmes.

(AQW 5909/10)

Minister for Social Development: The funding allocated by my Department to the Voluntary and Community Sector in Belfast for the 2009/10 financial year was £18,138,430.54. Detail of this funding is supplied at Annex A to this response.

Programme / Organisation	Grant Award Amount	Salaries	Running / Programme Costs
Areas at Risk	£ 79,930.00	£ 14,200.00	£ 65,730.00

Community investment Fund	£ 521,856.00	£ 471,555.00	£ 50,301.00

Modernisation Fund	£ 521,856.00	£ 471,555.00	£ 50,301.00

Regional Infrastructure Programme	£ 3,754,579.00	£ 2,786,038.00	£ 968,541.00

Volunteering Bureaux Initiative	£ 289,066.82	£ 214,882.64	£ 74,184.18

Capacity Building Programme	£ 472,525.36	£ 366,010.50	£ 106,514.86

Womens Centres Childcare	£ 392,431.00	£ 346,041.00	£ 46,390.00

Community Volunteering Scheme	£ 328,581.00	£ -	£ 328,581.00

Community Support Programme - Belfast City Council*	£ 1,928,504.00	£ -	£ -

Neighbourhood Renewal *	£ 10,251,180.00	£ -	£ -
Collated Total	£18,540,509.18	£14,670,282.14	£1,670,543.04

* Only Grant Award figures available

Maintenance Strategy

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development if her Department is planning to undertake an Equality Impact Assessment on any revisions to its current maintenance strategy.

(AQW 5912/10)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive’s Maintenance Investment Strategy is currently under review and will be submitted to my Department for consideration upon completion. The issue of an equality impact assessment regarding the agreed strategy will be addressed upon completion of the review.

Social Housing Waiting List in South Belfast

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development for a breakdown of the social housing waiting list in South Belfast in terms of the size of the property according to the number of bedrooms.

(AQW 5932/10)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested as the waiting list is categorised by household type and not by the size of the property according to the number of bedrooms.

Fuel Poverty Strategy

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Social Development if her Department's objective in the Fuel Poverty Strategy 'to eliminate fuel poverty in vulnerable households' will be delivered by its target date in 2010.

(AQW 5954/10)

Minister for Social Development: It has already been widely acknowledged that the target to eliminate fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010 will not be met. Fuel poverty is affected by three factors: income, fuel prices and energy efficiency. Government can have some influence over improving household incomes; however, Government influence on fuel prices is limited as fuel prices are determined largely by world markets. The energy efficiency of houses is the contributor to fuel poverty where Government has greatest potential for making an impact. Since 2001 my Department has spent over £118 million making over 72,000 homes warmer. A new fuel poverty strategy is being developed and will be subject to public consultation in the summer.

Funding Allocation for the Maintenance and Capital Works

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail her Department's funding allocation for the Maintenance and Capital Works for the 2010/11 financial year; and for her assessment of the impact of any expenditure reduction on Egan and other local contractors.

(AQW 5957/10)

Minister for Social Development: Due to the downturn in land and house sales there will be a shortfall in the Housing Budget for 2010/11 which will impact on all spending programmes, including the maintenance and capital works programmes. The Housing Executive has not yet been advised of its budget allocations for next year as the Executive have not yet approved the Northern Ireland Block budgets.

Belfast Area Partnership Boards

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the future role of the Belfast Area Partnership Boards in the delivery of Neighbourhood Renewal projects.

(AQW 5987/10)

Minister for Social Development: The current contracts for the Belfast Area Partnership Boards cover the period 1 October 2009 – 31 March 2011. In carrying out their functions the Boards work closely with and provide practical assistance on an ongoing basis to Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships (NRPs) throughout Belfast in taking forward the priority actions identified within neighbourhood action plans under the various regeneration themes.Under the Review of Public Administration (RPA) urban regeneration operational delivery functions and the delivery of support for the voluntary and community sector at local level will transfer to local Councils with effect from May 2011. The operational implications of the transfer of functions will be the responsibility of the City Council.

Funding for Groundwork NI

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to explain her decision not to continue funding for Groundwork NI from 31 March 2010.

(AQW 5989/10)

Minister for Social Development: I have not taken a decision not to continue funding for Groundwork NI. I am aware that officials are considering a brief extension of the contract which ends on 31 March 2010 after which Groundwork NI will be required to compete for contracts along with others who offer similar services.

Environmental Scheme on the Anderstown Road

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development (i) when the environmental scheme on the Anderstown Road will begin; (ii) how long it will take to complete; and (iii) how much it will cost.

(AQW 6011/10)

Minister for Social Development: Subject to the availability of funding, the proposed Andersonstown Road Environmental Improvement Scheme is due to commence in the autumn of this year. The scheme will cost in the region of £1.7m and will take up to 16 months to complete.