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 9 April 2010

Written Answers to Questions

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

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Gender Advisory Panel

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister which members of the Gender Advisory Panel are representatives of community-based womens' groups.

(AQW 5958/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): The Gender Advisory Panel includes 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 organisations whose members include community-based women’s groups. It is estimated that nine members of the Gender Advisory Panel can be said to be representative of community-based women’s groups, on the basis of their membership.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Tyrone - Cavan Interconnector

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if her Department has held any meetings with 'Safe Energy for Armagh and Tyrone' in relation to the proposed Tyrone - Cavan Interconnector; and if she would consider facilitating such a meeting in order to hear residents' concerns.

(AQW 5928/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): I have been invited to meet representatives of ‘Safe Energy for Armagh and Tyrone’. I intend to meet with this group shortly and listen to their concerns

Mullahead Ploughing Festival

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how much funding her Department has given to the Mullahead Ploughing Festival in Gilford in each of the last three years.

(AQW 5991/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: No funding has been requested by or given to the Mullahead Ploughing Festival in each of the last 3 years by my Department. However, the total cost of DARD sponsorship and attendance at agricultural shows and events in the north of Ireland, including the NI International Ploughing Championships, during 2009 was in excess of £75,000.

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE

Cultural Ambassador for Ireland

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will meet the new Cultural Ambassador for Ireland to explore how the Ambassador can ensure that Northern Ireland is included in his work of fostering a renewed cultural relationship between Ireland and the USA.

(AQW 5816/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr N McCausland): I understand that the renowned film actor Gabriel Byrne has been appointed as the Cultural Ambassador for Ireland by Brian Cowen, with a remit to work with the Government of the Republic of Ireland and Irish artistic bodies.

While I have no immediate plans to meet with Mr Byrne, I am already working to further develop the existing cultural relationship between Northern Ireland and the United States of America. During March I visited Austin, Texas and in a series of meetings and visits explored with State representatives opportunities for co-operation, exchange and promotion in the fields of culture, heritage, the arts and creative industries.

Bonuses Paid to Non-Civil Servants

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure 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 5821/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: A breakdown of the bonuses paid from within the Department’s overall budget, via the respective Arms Length Bodies, for 2009/10 to non-civil servants is provided in the table below.

Arms Length Body	Total amount of bonuses paid 2009/10
Arts Council of Northern Ireland	£950
National Museums Northern Ireland	£1000.00
Northern Ireland Screen	£15,128.30 *
Sport Northern Ireland	£15,800.00

*This figure represents DCAL’s contribution of 55%.

Publicly Funded Museums

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (i) to list all the publicly funded museums; (ii) the number of visitors to each museum in each of the last three years; and (iii) the net cost of each facility in each of these years.

(AQW 5887/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The attached tables detail the information requested in parts i) and ii) of the question. However it has not been possible to provide a complete answer to the third part of the question as both the NMNI and NIMC do not routinely collect this information in the format required.

Publicly funded museums and the number of visitors to each museum in each of the last three years

Visitors
	2007	2008	2009	Total
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum	168,866	190,580	169,628	529,074
Ulster Museum	N/O	N/O	152,380	152,380
Ulster American Folk Park	157,325	152,717	154,471	464,513
Armagh County	12,685	10,439	12,229	35,353
Andrew Jackson & US Rangers	1,044	725	N/K	1,769
Ballycastle Museum	4,064	2,820	N/K	6,884
Ballymoney Museum	6,271	4,301	N/K	10,572
Carrickfergus Museum	30,767	26,909	N/K	57,676
Coleraine Museum	2,388	3,558	N/K	5,946
Craigavon Museum Service – Barn Museum	N/O	650	N/K	650
Craigavon Museum Service – Waterside House & Heritage Building	750	1,830	N/K	2,580
Derry Museum Service – Harbour Museum	3,166	4,084	N/K	7,250
Derry Museum Service – Tower Museum	27,039	25,880	N/K	52,919
Down County Museum	35,285	34,796	N/K	70,081
Fermanagh County Museum	40,355	25,739	N/K	66,094
Inniskillings Museum
Strabane DC Museum Service	1,717	N/O	N/K	1,717
Green Lane Museum	8,470	8,640	N/K	17,110
Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum	51,313	60,507	N/K	111,820
Larne Museum	1,847	4,744	N/K	6,591
Mid-Antrim Museum	5,973	18,838	N/K	24,811
Naughton Gallery at Queen’s	14,000	15,000	N/K	29,000
Newry Museum	28,554	41,933	N/K	70,487
North Down Museum	47,118	44,098	N/K	91,216
Police Museum	1,840	2,075	N/K	3,915
Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum	8,813	9,209	N/K	18,022
Royal Irish Regimental Museum	N/O	N/O	N/K	0
Royal Ulster Rifles Museum	1,840	773	N/K	2,613
Sentry Hill House	5,199	6,400	N/K	11,599
Somme Heritage Centre	21,854	27,194	N/K	49,048

Notes:

1) 'N/O' means Not Open indicating temporary or permanent closure

2) 'N/K' - For 2010 the number of visitors to date for National Museums are shown. For non-national museums, the data for 2009/10 has not yet been received centrally by NI Museums Council.

Funding - NMNI Totals [Figures for individual museums not held]
2006/7	2007/8	2008/9
15594193	15654037	16172537

Fintona Horse-drawn Tram

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will support the request to National Museums Northern Ireland to display the Fintona Horse-drawn Tram, currently housed at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, for a week-long period in 2010 in the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona.

(AQW 5904/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I am pleased that National Museums has engaged with the community of Fintona on several occasions in the past. During 1989-1990, staff from the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum liaised with the Fintona Development Association in relation to the rebuilding of the Fintona Baggage Truck through a youth training programme: the truck is now displayed alongside the tram.

National Museums have advised me that they wish to continue such engagement in regard to the Fintona Horse-drawn Tram. However a close examination, carried out with a view to assessing suitability for travel of the tram to Ecclesville Centre, Fintona has highlighted a number of structural weaknesses in its frame. Movement of the tram, even over a short distance, presents a high risk of further damage.

I trust that the care and preservation of this important part of our transport heritage will be accepted as overriding and that alternative approaches between the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona and National Museums can be explored.

Art Work of Conrad Atkinson

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will encourage the Ulster Museum to exhibit the art work of Conrad Atkinson, given that his work is currently included in the Northern Ireland collection of the Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

(AQW 5905/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I can confirm that National Museums has been in dialogue with Professor Conrad Atkinson. At this stage National Museums have no plans to exhibit the work of Conrad Atkinson in the near future. As a matter of course National Museums keeps under review future exhibitions across its sites and will do so in regard to the availability of collections held by other museums and art galleries.

Games Licenses and Permits on Lough Erne

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the revenue generated for his Department from the issue of Games Licenses and permits on Lough Erne in each of the last ten years.

(AQW 6017/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Local Game licences and permits for Fermanagh can be issued by any of the Department’s permit distributors located throughout Northern Ireland, I am therefore unable to detail the revenue generated for my Department at this time solely for Fermanagh.

The following details the total Local Permits issued for the last ten years for the whole of Northern Ireland.

2000 - 1252

2001 - 892

2002 - 1405

2003 - 1108

2004 - 1180

2005 - 1222

2006 - 1118

2007 - 1238

2008 - 1244

2009 - 1290

The Department is currently seeking to put in place a system where this information can be obtained.

DEPARTMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING

South Eastern Regional College

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if he is aware that the South Eastern Regional College has employed 'self-employed contractors' to deliver teaching; and to detail the number of 'self-employed contractors' employed.

(AQW 5901/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): I am advised that South Eastern Regional College has contracted the services of six individuals, on a self-employed basis, to deliver economically focused courses for local businesses on a full cost recovery basis.

South Eastern Regional College

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what tendering process the South Eastern Regional College followed when appointing self-employed contractors.

(AQW 5929/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: South Eastern Regional College has assured me that the tendering process applied to procure these services complies fully with the Public Procurement Regulations and my Department’s Financial Memorandum with this regard.

All but one of the contracts awarded were for £1500 or less, thus requiring one quotation. The remaining contract was awarded on a single tender basis due to the specialist nature of the provision.

Wind Turbines at the University of Ulster, Coleraine

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Employment and Learning (i) why additional wind turbines are to be located at the Coleraine campus of the University of Ulster to offset CO2 emissions from all campuses including Magee, Jordanstown and Belfast; and (ii) whether any alternative methods of reducing CO2 emissions, such as solar panels, have been considered.

(AQW 5951/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: This question has asked for information that is not held by my Department. The question was referred to the University and it has provided the following information.

(i) The University of Ulster in common with all universities is required to reduce its carbon emissions in order to achieve government targets. The additional wind turbines are not proposed to offset CO2 emissions from other campuses, the purpose is to provide carbon free electricity to match the Coleraine campus load. The existing turbine on the Coleraine campus was the first in a UK University and has produced around 2.5GWh of carbon free electricity and reduced carbon emissions by over 1000 tonnes. The proposed scheme for a further three turbines will provide carbon free electricity for most of the campus’ demand and will reduce carbon emissions by a further 2400 tonnes/yr. Statutory consultation will take place as part of the planning process.

(ii) The University has considered alternative methods of reducing carbon emissions. It has deployed low and zero carbon technologies across its campuses including combined heat and power schemes, ground source heat pumps, grey water recovery, naturally ventilated buildings, absorption chilling, enhanced insulation schemes and conversion to gas fuel.

Solar panels are not currently economically viable for electricity generation in Northern Ireland. The University is considering installing solar hot water heating in new developments and has completed feasibility studies which concluded that the technology is not viable for retro fitting to existing University installations.

DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Bonuses Paid to Non-Civil Servants

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment 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 5857/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster): The bonuses paid to non civil servants in the 2009-2010 financial year are as follows:

Invest NI made 6 awards totalling £3,000. The NI Tourist Board made 2 awards totalling £1,000.

Tourism Ireland made 1 award. However, to disclose the amount may enable the individual to be identified and to do so may breach his/her rights under the Data Protection Act.

'Energy from Waste' Projects

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail all financial assistance that Invest NI has given to 'energy from waste' projects or incinerator projects, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 5946/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: A total of £16,108,701 has been offered by Invest NI to support ‘energy from waste’ or incinerator projects over the past five years. Against these offers £3,416,770 has been paid during the 5 year period. A significant proportion of the assistance has been offered in the past two years and as projects can take between 3 to 5 years to draw down expenditure there is a lag between assistance offered and cash paid. The annual split of offers and payments is detailed in the table below.

Year	Assistance Offered £	Assistance Paid £
2005/06	100,000	100,000
2006/07	854,118	819,118
2007/08	1,525,390	1,519,085
2008/09	9,178,880	144,880
2009/10	4,450,313	833,687
Total	16,108,701	3,416,770

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Disposal of Computers Within the Civil Service

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel (i) how many computers used by the Civil Service have reached the end of their life cycle in each of the last five years; (ii) how many computers have been disposed of in each Department in each of the last five years; and (iii) who is currently contracted to manage the use and disposal of computers within the Civil Service.

(AQW 5861/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr S Wilson): The following table shows computers replaced by NICS, having reached the end of their life cycle in the last five years, or computers purchased for new staff:

TOTAL	3191	3303	3417	3176	3921
	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10
DARD (incl AFBI)	1018	1365	1590	624	450
DEL	0	0	0	0	778
DCAL	65	20	96	18	133
DE	37	144	24	615	145
DETI	234	94	504	12	218
DFP	359	406	243	571	840
DHSSPS	296	110	53	572	219
DOE	213	57	158	294	403
DRD	797	771	652	118	230
DSD	100	134	38	245	374
OFMDFM	72	202	59	107	131

DFP implemented an ICT Shared Service Centre, IT Assist, in April 2007. The responsibilities of this organisation include PC replacement. IT Assist migrated all NI Departments onto the new service from April 2007 – March 2009. Consequently, the information used in this response has been supplemented by information requested from and supplied by other departments.

During the period 2005/06 – 2008/09 DEL’s IT hardware was owned and managed, under a PFI contract, by Fujitsu Services Ltd, hence the NIL responses for 2005/06 – 2008/09.

The majority of the staff working in DSD and part of DEL are on the DWP DOI network. Under this contract, which has been in place since 2005/06, all assets are owned by the supplier, currently HPES, and it is their responsibility to re-use, replace or dispose of any kit no longer in use.

The framework contract that is used for PC replacement requires the supplier to dispose of replaced machines in line with Government/EC standards. Consequently, each computer replaced has been appropriately disposed of. Sufficient information is not kept to show the exact numbers of disposals in each financial year but the total number of disposals will be broadly similar to the numbers in the table.

Over the last 3 years BT have been responsible for the provision of Laptop and Desktop computers to the NICS. BT were appointed following secondary competitions which were tendered through the NICS Hardware Frameworks. As part of the hardware contracts awarded BT were required to partner with one of the companies listed on the NICS IT Disposal Contract, who would be responsible for undertaking all of the equipment disposal activities associated with the hardware contracts. BT appointed AMI as their disposal partner for the NICS Laptop and Desktop contracts.

Deaths

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the total number of deaths registered in each of the last 10 years; and how many and what percentage of these deceased persons were (i) buried; and (ii) cremated.

(AQW 5898/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: In 2009 there were 14,413 deaths registered^p. Information on burials and cremations is not held centrally. Information on cremations is held by Belfast City Council. In 2009 there were 2,685 cremations in Roselawn cemetery including a small number of cremations of deceased residents of the Republic of Ireland.

^P Provisional data

DARD Clerical Errors

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for an explanation of the 'clerical errors which incorrectly reduced DARD's net cash requirement, as stated in Part 2 of the 2009-10 SSEs' as outlined in his letter to Ministerial colleagues dated 18 March 2010; and what measures have been put in place to ensure these errors are not repeated.

(AQW 5941/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: In preparation for the Spring Supplementary Estimates (SSEs), DFP issued departments with draft SSE templates populated with indicative figures to assist them in preparation of their Estimates. During preparation, an indicative figure was placed in an incorrect row.

The error in the draft template was not detected by the Department of Agriculture. DARD used the figurework supplied by DFP to post a reduced cash requirement without verifying its own internal in-year changes. In doing so, DARD did not review or question the misplaced figure, but made compensating adjustments to other associated figures in order to reconcile to an overall total. This was compounded by a second clerical error in the Increase/Decrease in Creditors line. Here, DARD erroneously requested a reduction in the cash requirement which had the result of reducing DARD’s overall cash requirement by £90m.

DARD recognises that there has been a failure of its internal control and has taken steps in agreement with DFP to strengthen its internal control procedures in this area. The Department is monitoring and reporting cash draw-downs more strictly. Ahead of the next Estimates cycle, the Department will also strengthen its quality review processes of Estimates returns. Work on this has already begun.

From a DFP perspective, in order to avoid the possibility of any future recurrence of this issue, DFP will no longer populate departmental Estimate templates with indicative figures, but will instead provide supporting information to allow departments to populate the templates themselves.

Staff Grievances by Civil Servants

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQW 4516/10, if the 83 outstanding grievances from 2008/09 have now been resolved; and if he is aware of the reasons for the increase in the number of grievances over the two year period.

(AQW 5953/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Currently, 9 of the 83 outstanding grievance cases from 2008/09 have been resolved.

An individual can raise a grievance about any employment related matter. There is no specific reason as to why the number of grievances has increased over the two year period; however, it has been recognised that disputes that do arise are less likely to be resolved informally than they were before the statutory procedures were put in place.

Cross-border Event to Commemorate the Famine

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he has received a bid for funding from either the Minister of Education or the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for a cross-border event to commemorate the Famine in Ireland; and if he plans to approve the request.

(AQW 5964/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: I have not received a bid for funding from either the Minister of Education or the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for a cross-border event to commemorate the Famine in Ireland.

Northern Ireland Water

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQW 5790/10 to the Minister for Regional Development, on what basis did his Department approve the payment of bonuses to the Executive Directors of Northern Ireland Water for 2008/09.

(AQW 5994/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: My Department did not approve the payment of any bonuses to the Executive Directors of Northern Ireland Water in respect of 2008-09.

Business Rate

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what is the average business rate in Northern Ireland compared to (i) England; (ii) Scotland; and (iii) Wales.

(AQW 6039/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The average business rate for Northern Ireland which will apply in 2010/11 is 54.33p, based on an average district business rate of 23.64p.

A uniform business rate applies in England, Scotland and Wales. The rate in England and Scotland for 2010/11 is 40.7p for smaller businesses and 41.4p for larger businesses. The two different rates are due to the Small Business Rate Relief Schemes which apply there and are funded by charging ratepayers in larger premises a higher rate.

In Wales, there is a single rate because they fund their small business rate relief through their DEL (as we do in NI), rather than charging other ratepayers more. The Welsh rate in the pound for 2010/2011 is 40.9p.

Business rates in Northern Ireland are not directly comparable with those in England, Scotland and Wales because of the difference in valuation dates. That is, unlike Northern Ireland, non domestic properties in England, Scotland and Wales were revalued in 2010 and are based on 2008 values. Non domestic properties in Northern Ireland were last valued in 2003 and are based on 2001 values.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Bonuses Paid to Non-Civil Servants

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety 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 5820/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): There were no bonuses paid in the 2009/10 financial year to any staff employed in the Health and Social Care or the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

Multiple Sclerosis

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis are automatically referred to an occupational therapist or social worker.

(AQW 5826/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: No. Patients newly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis undergo an individual assessment of their needs. Referral to an occupational therapist or social worker is made in line with their specific identified needs.

Multiple Sclerosis

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people are currently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis; and how this compares with (i) the rest of the UK; and (ii) other European countries.

(AQW 5827/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of people currently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis is not available.

Multiple Sclerosis

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety the longest period of time that a patient diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the East Antrim constituency has had to wait before seeing a physiotherapist.

(AQW 5828/10)

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

Multiple Sclerosis

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety which Health and Social Care Trust area has the highest proportion of people diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

(AQW 5830/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information relating to which Health and Social Care Trust area has the highest proportion of people diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis is not available.

Old Belvoir Park Hospital Site

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he plans to sell land at the old Belvoir Park Hospital site; and how much the sale is expected to achieve in monetary value.

(AQW 5833/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I plan to sell the Belvoir Park hospital site at the best value achievable in accordance with statutory requirement. Land and Property Services (LPS) have advised that in order to maximise the value of the site, planning permission for an alternative use should be obtained prior to sale. A planning application for the site was submitted in December 2009 after extensive discussions with Planning Service. The site will be put on the open market for disposal following receipt of the planning determination and subject to advice from LPS on market conditions and disposal strategy.

The sale value will be determined by market demand at the time of sale.

Departments Surplus Land

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if his Department is allowed to keep the money obtained by selling its surplus land; and if this money can be used for revenue purposes.

(AQW 5834/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The approved capital budget for every Northern Ireland Department at the outset of the current CSR period included, where appropriate, an annual figure that was expected to be achieved through the disposal of surplus assets. Failure to achieve the sales target effectively reduces the available budget in that year. In the event that the approved target is exceeded in any given year, the surplus receipts must be surrendered to the NI Block.

The sales target for DHSSPS for the current CSR period was initially £95m. The economic downturn, and the need to ensure that appropriate planning approvals are in place for each disposal site, have rendered this target unachievable, which means that the DHSSPS capital budget has effectively been cut by more than £86m over the 3-year period.

It is not possible to use capital resources for revenue purposes.

Partially Sighted and Blind Patients

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if there is a uniformed process across all the Health and Social Care Trusts concerning making and attending hospital appointments for partially sighted and blind patients.

(AQW 5835/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Each Health and Social Care Trust has their own procedures for communicating hospital appointments in the most accessible and suitable way to meet the individual needs and preferences of patients who are partially sighted and blind.

Safeguarding Boards and Panels for Child Protection

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the potential need for increased expenditure should his Department proceed with the proposed Safeguarding Boards and Panels for child protection.

(AQW 5836/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: An annual recurrent budget of £750,000 has been identified as the amount required for the SBNI to operate effectively and has been secured within the DHSSPS Departmental budget.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many children under the age of 16 have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in each of the last five years.

(AQW 5847/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information relating to the number of children under the age of 16 diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in each of the last 5 years is not available.

Bonuses Paid to Doctors

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, of the £11m bonuses paid to doctors, (i) how many individuals received payments; (ii) what the average payment was; and (iii) how many of these doctors also receive income from the private sector.

(AQW 5852/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The NI Clinical Excellence Awards scheme aims to ensure recognition of exceptional personal contributions made by individual doctors, locally, nationally and internationally, who show a commitment to achieving the delivery of high quality care to patients and to the continuous improvement of Health and Social Care.

A total of 657 consultants in Northern Ireland received payment for an award following the 2008/2009 awards round. Income received from the private sector is a matter for the individual consultant and this information is not held by the Department.

Health Service Computers

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety who is contracted to manage the computers used by the Health Service; and who is contracted to refurbish and dispose of Health Service computers when they reach the end of their life.

(AQW 5863/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Individual HSC organisations have established local contractual arrangements for the management and refurbishment/disposal of computers. Details of these arrangements and the organisations involved are not retained centrally.

Privately-owned Sun Beds

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans he has, under his proposed legislation, to deal with privately-owned sun beds.

(AQW 5866/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The proposed Bill would make it illegal to sell a sunbed to anyone under 18 years of age.

Care Packages

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total cost of providing care packages in each of the last three financial years.

(AQW 5869/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The cost of care packages for individuals will vary greatly, and is dictated by each individual's assessed care needs.

Category	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
Daycare	£72,875,008	£76,537,304	£79,856,803
Domiciliary care	£157,437,869	£170,698,220	£185,629,659
Nursing Homes care	£209,161,490	£222,956,290	£240,963,015
Residential Homes care	£159,595,483	£167,181,305	£170,808,068
Total	£599,069,850	£637,373,119	£677,257,544

Source: Trust Finance Returns

Provision of Colonoscopy

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will consider reimbursing patients who have paid to undergo an urgent colonoscopy privately because of delays in provision of the procedure by the Health Service.

(AQW 5880/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: It is for the Health and Social Care Board to decide whether or not patients are reimbursed for costs associated with treatment.

The Board does not ordinarily fund patients who source their own private treatment; however, if any patient wishes to write to the Board citing exceptional circumstances, the Board has undertaken to consider each individual case and respond as soon as possible.

Communication Policy of Hospital Administrators

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will consider a review of the communication policy between hospital administrators and patients.

(AQW 5881/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In November 2008 my Department published the document "Improving the Patient and Client Experience" which sets out standards that patients and clients can expect when dealing with health and social care organisations.

The standards relate to respect, attitude, behaviour, communication and privacy and dignity.

I have no plans to review these standards.

Multiple Sclerosis

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) what processes are in place in each Health and Social Care Trust (a) to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis (MS); (b) to set out programmes of support and monitor the changing needs of patients with MS on an ongoing basis; and (ii) what support is given to the emotional and physical needs of patients diagnosed with MS as their condition evolves.

(AQW 5884/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The patient's General Practitioner will play a critical role in respect of identifying early symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis which may require a full neurological assessment by a consultant neurologist.

Once a patient is diagnosed they will remain under the care of the consultant, an MS specialist nurse and their GP. Programmes of support and the monitoring of both emotional and physical needs, will depend on the patient’s clinical condition as it evolves. MS nurse contact will continue to support the patient according to their individual needs and wishes. This process is in place across all our Health Care Trusts.

Following a diagnosis with MS, patients have access to the full range of core community health and social care services across Northern Ireland including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, community nursing, speech and language therapy, dietetics, social work / social care, domiciliary care, day care and day time opportunities and respite care, including specialist respite care.

Multiple Sclerosis

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to detail the number of patients currently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in each Health and Social Care Trust area; (ii) what research is currently being carried out into the needs of MS sufferers; (iii) how the approach of the Health Service compares to other parts of the UK, particularly Scotland; and (iv) if he is aware that we have one of the highest incidences of the condition in the world.

(AQW 5886/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of people currently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in Northern Ireland is not available.

My Department is currently undertaking a scoping exercise of nurses and AHPs working with patients with neurological conditions, aimed at developing proposals for a more innovative approach to meeting the needs of patients across Northern Ireland.

In addition, in 2002, my Department carried out a Review of Adult Neurology Services, and the Health and Social Care Board has been tasked with carrying out a full evaluation of the implementation of the recommendations and report its findings to my Department. The results of this evaluation will help inform policy development for neurology services in Northern Ireland. In parallel with this work, my Department is currently developing a Disability Strategy, which will provide a broad strategic direction for the development of services for people with a physical, sensory or communication disability, including those with a neurological condition such as Multiple Sclerosis.

Western Urgent Care Base

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the closure of the Western Urgent Care Base in Limavady between the hours of midnight to 8.30am from 1 July 2010; and the resulting impact on the quality of health care provision for Limavady during these hours.

(AQW 5888/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: There is no plan to close the Western Urgent Care Base in Limavady between the hours of midnight to 8.30 am from 1 July 2010.

Neuro-therapists

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the estimated cost to his Department of employing an additional 15 neuro-therapists.

(AQW 5889/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The employment of staff is the responsibility of HSC Trusts.

It is probable that any additional staff would initially be paid at Band 5, Agenda for Change rates This results in an estimated cost in the region of £310,650 - £402,585, at current rates.

Through time, it is likely that more experienced members of staff in this specialism could be paid at Band 6 or 7 (£24,381- £39,273).

Media Campaign

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why his Department recently launched a comprehensive media campaign urging young people to abstain from sexual intercourse.

(AQW 5891/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan 2008-2013 identifies young people as a priority group as they are particularly at risk from increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections, with highest rates of infections amongst the 20-24 years age group. Unplanned teenage pregnancy and early parenthood is associated with poor educational achievement, poor physical and mental health, social isolation and poverty. Evidence shows that young people who report an earlier age of first sexual intercourse are more likely not to have used contraception or protection against sexually transmitted infections.

The recent media campaign "Sex. Don’t just do it, think it through" supports a key objective in the Sexual Health Promotion Strategy to enable young people to make informed choices before engaging in sexual activity, especially seeking to empower them to delay first intercourse until an appropriate time of their choosing.

Media Campaign

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to detail the total cost of the recent media campaign urging young people to abstain from sexual intercourse; and (ii) for a breakdown of money spent on each individual strand of the campaign.

(AQW 5893/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The cost of the recent campaign is as follows:

(i) the total cost is estimated at £116,862. The campaign is not due to end until 31^st March and final confirmation of production costs will not be available until after that date;

(ii) the cost is broken down as follows:

Strategy development - £925

Creative development - £2,789

Outdoor advertising costs - £59,850

Radio advertising costs - £17,630

Online advertising costs - £18,795

Production costs - £15,213

Radio repeat costs - £1,660

Media Campaign

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of current and past media campaigns which urge young people to abstain from sexual intercourse.

(AQW 5895/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The ‘Sex. Don’t just do it. Think it through’ public information campaign was the first campaign in Northern Ireland to empower young people to delay first sexual intercourse. It was evaluated by means of a representative survey of the target group (16 to 25 year olds) in February 2009 in terms of impact on behaviour and attitudes among the target group. It found that most of the target group exposed to the campaign have taken time to at least think or discuss their sexual health. A greater impact appears to have been with the youngest respondents aged 16-19.

Domestic Violence

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for a summary of any data that his Department holds on domestic violence in same-sex relationships.

(AQW 5896/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: No robust data on domestic violence in same-sex relationships is available at present.

Voluntary and Community Sector

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to detail the funding allocated by his 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 5911/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

(i) The Government funder’s database sets out all funding to voluntary and community organisations by Government Departments. This can be accessed by using the following link: www.volcomgrantsni.gov.uk

(ii) Information detailing the amount of funding used for (a) staff support; and (b) programmes is not held by the Department and it would take a disproportionate amount of time to collate this information.

Tyrone - Cavan Interconnector

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if his Department has held any meetings with 'Safe Energy for Armagh and Tyrone' in relation to the proposed Tyrone - Cavan Interconnector; and if he would consider facilitating such a meeting in order to hear residents' concerns.

(AQW 5927/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department has not held any meetings with 'Safe Energy for Armagh and Tyrone'. I understand that the Environmental Statement that accompanies the planning application for the proposed Tyrone - Cavan Interconnector, seeks to address health issues and that the relevant public health bodies, in this case the Public Health Agency and the Environmental Health Departments of a number of District Councils, have been consulted. It would be inappropriate to meet while this consultation process is ongoing.

Deer Poaching

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in light of the increase in deer poaching, what measures are in place to ensure that retailers are supplied only with appropriately farmed and approved venison.

(AQW 5930/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: District Councils in Northern Ireland regularly inspect retailers in their District on the basis of risk to ensure compliance with Food Law including the requirements for the traceability of food placed on the market. All estates and hunters supplying retailers with game must comply with this requirement by providing information to the retailer to identify the source of the game. Retailers are required to provide this information to District Councils on demand.

District Councils are obliged to take the appropriate enforcement action if retailers are found to be breach of Food Law.

Cesarean Section

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many babies have been delivered by cesarean section in each of the last five years.

(AQW 5949/10)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of babies that have been delivered by caesarean section in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, for which information is available, is given in the below table:

Financial Year	Number of babies delivered by Caesarean Section(Elective and Emergency)
Financial Year
2004/05	6,290
2005/06	6,575
2006/07	6,846
2007/08	7,355
2008/09	7,797

Source: Child Health System.

The Child Health System is a live system which is being continuously updated. As a result information provided in this table may not agree with figures presented previously.

DEPARTMENT FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Potholes

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he has allocated additional funding to the Roads Service section offices in (i) Newry; and (ii) Downpatrick to assist them in addressing the pothole problems on classified and unclassified roads in the South Down constituency.

(AQW 5917/10)

Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): My Department’s Roads Service has advised that, since the beginning of January 2010, the Newry and Down Section Offices have both received additional funding for the repair and resurfacing of public roads. This money has allowed pre-determined programmes of work to be carried out in these areas, targeting the worst roads, and has also been used to deal with the effects of the recent cold spell.

'E' Procurement System

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 5296/10, for his assessment of whether the improved controls in relation to procurement activity have been realised through the 'E' procurement system.

(AQW 5940/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that the expected improvement controls in relation to procurement activity have been realised through the eOrdering system and associated business process changes. All purchase order requests not related to a contract are now monitored centrally for compliance with NIW’s internal purchasing and financial delegations policies. In addition, all expenditure on operational contracts and management consultants is now monitored to ensure they do not exceed the approved contract or business case value.

Grievances by Civil Servants

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of grievances or dignity at work cases lodged by (i) industrial staff; and (ii) non-industrial staff within his Department in (a) 2007/08; (b) 2008/09; and (c) the current financial year to date.

(AQW 5959/10)

Minister for Regional Development: The information requested is set out in the table below. In the absence of a central database, figures for 2007/08 can only be provided from October 2007, when HRConnect was introduced.

	Number of cases lodged by staff		Number of cases lodged by staff		Number of cases lodged by staff
	October 2007 – March 2008		2008/09		2009/10
	Industrial	Non-Industrial	Industrial	Non-Industrial	Industrial	Non-Industrial
Grievances	1	9	11	12	11	17
Dignity at Work	1	1	8	6	7	3
Total	2	10	19	18	18	20

Rathgael Road, Bangor

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development what consideration Roads Service has given to postponing its work on the Rathgael Road, Bangor until NI Water completes work on the Bryansburn Road.

(AQW 5967/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the present closure of the Bryansburn Road, Bangor is to facilitate the installation of a new water main and storm line by NI Water.

The Rathgael Road, Bangor was closed to facilitate essential drainage maintenance and structural strengthening by Roads Service and the road was re-opened on 30 March 2010.

The closure of both roads was approved by Roads Service in order to allow essential works to be carried out to the infrastructure, and appropriate diversionary signs were put in place to assist road users.

Scheduling of Capital Works

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what discussions are undertaken between Roads Service and NI Water on the scheduling of capital works in any area.

(AQW 5970/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I can advise the Member that, as indicated in my answer to his earlier question, AQW 5874/10, on the same issue, consultation between my Department’s Roads Service and Northern Ireland Water on the scheduling of both capital and maintenance works takes place in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for Road Purposes and Related Matter.

Capital Projects in Bangor

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) why Roads Service and NI Water are simultaneously working on capital projects on two arterial routes in Bangor; and (ii) what action his Department is taking to address the consequential traffic problems.

(AQW 5973/10)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the closure of the Bryansburn Road, Bangor is to facilitate the installation of new water main and storm line by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) and the closure of the Rathgael Road, Bangor is to facilitate essential drainage maintenance and structural strengthening by Roads Service.

Both schemes commenced on the 22 March 2010. The closure of both roads was approved by Roads Service, to allow essential work to be carried out on the infrastructure safely and quickly, and appropriate diversionary signs were put in place to assist road users.

Both these schemes are part of the Department’s ongoing investment in the roads/water infrastructure within the North Down Borough. The timing of the NIW scheme was to allow occupancy of the newly constructed apartments, and the work being undertaken by Roads Service was to facilitate completion of its 2009/10 works programme.

It was recognised that the simultaneous closure of the Rathgael Road and Bryansburn Road, was causing traffic delays and increasing commuting time between Bangor and Belfast. Roads Service duly responded to this situation and introduced a one-way system on the Rathgael Road for Bangor bound traffic, operating from 16.00 hours on a daily basis which enabled evening peak traffic to move more freely.

I am pleased to confirm that the Rathgael Road was re-opened on 30 March 2010.

NI Water

Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 5689/10, to define the term 'fees'; and to detail the average daily fee and hours worked per (i) day; (ii) week; and (iii) month by each of the four former NI Water Board Members for the entirety of their time at NI Water.

(AQW 6000/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that its four former Board members were not employees of NIW on paid salaries but received a fee for their services on the days they attended. The average daily fee during their time with NIW was £866 for the Chairman and £750 for each of the three Non-Executive Directors.

As the former Board members were paid on the basis of days attended, NIW does not hold records of the hours they worked in the categories requested and is therefore unable to provide the breakdown sought. The table below details the days attended per annum.

	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10
	DAYS ATTENDED
Chairman	78.5	*	44.5
Non-Executive Director	35	33	27
Non-Executive Director	40.5	32	27
Non-Executive Director	**	16	29

* Not available as the Chairman also undertook the role of Acting Chief Executive from 1 June 2008 to 26 July 2009.

** Not appointed until July 2008.

Building Developers

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development to list the building developers who have been served with Article 11 procedures to complete development roads in the East Antrim constituency, in each of the last two years; and to include details of the roads concerned.

(AQW 6009/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Details of the developers who have been served Article 11 notices in 2008 and 2009, and the relevant roads in the East Antrim constituency are provided in the table below:

Developer	Site	Year of Issue
B.Crowe and Sons Ltd.	Greenwood Park, Carrickfergus	2008
Ikon Developments Ltd.	Prospect Loanen, Carrickfergus	2008
Astondoa Group Ltd.	Edenmore Court, Jordanstown	2008
Morrisons Homes Ltd.	Rodgers Quay/Maritime Area, Carrickfergus	2009
Claredale Developments.	North Lodge, Prince Andrew Way, Carrickfergus	2009
W&R Moore Ltd.	Woodburn Road (No. 77), Carrickfergus	2009
Taggart Holdings Ltd.	Forthill, Ballycarry	2009

Potholes

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister for Regional Development for his assessment of the extent of Roads Service's liability for claims for damage to vehicles or injury to persons caused by potholes.

(AQW 6015/10)

Minister for Regional Development: Roads Service compensation claims are handled by Central Claims Unit, the Department for Regional Development in-house legal unit. Compensation claims are only settled if there is a failure to properly conduct inspection and repair procedures in accordance with Article 8 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993. Current maintenance procedures are set out in the 27 March 2009 Road Maintenance Standards for Safety.

Abbot Drive, Newtownards

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 5333/10, to confirm whether any claims have been submitted, but not yet processed by the Roads Service, in relation to the damage to vehicles due to the poor condition of Abbot Drive, Bowtown Estate, Newtownards, in each of the last 6 months.

(AQW 6023/10)

Minister for Regional Development: I can confirm, in line with my earlier answer to AQW 5333/10, that no claims had been submitted, not yet processed or otherwise, in each of the last 6 months up to the tabling of this Question. I can add however, that an e-mail request about how to make a claim and relating to Abbot Drive, Newtownards, was received in the Department of the Environment’s Private Office at 20.18 on Friday 26 March 2010. That message was passed to the Department for Regional Development’s Central Claims Unit. That Unit, which is an internal legal unit, deals with all public liability compensation claims against the Department, which includes Roads Service. The Unit replied by e-mail at 11.00 on Monday 29 March 2010. A completed claim form is awaited.

DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Fuel Poverty Strategy

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy and any public consultation initiated on the strategy.

(AQW 5955/10)

Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): My officials are in the final stages of drafting a fuel poverty strategy which will be presented to the Inter Departmental Group on Fuel Poverty, the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group and the Social Development Committee prior to a public consultation exercise which will last 12 weeks. I expect the public consultation exercise to commence in June 2010.

Housing in North Belfast

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development (i) to detail the private developers or development companies that her Department or the Housing Executive have met with in relation to housing in North Belfast since May 2007; (ii) to outline the nature of these discussions; and (iii) the geographical areas of North Belfast to which the discussions related.

(AQW 5956/10)

Minister for Social Development: One of the main components of the North Belfast Housing Strategy is to increase housing supply and specifically to "work with developers to promote a doubling of new private housing output in North Belfast".

In this context officials from the Department and more often the Housing Executive meet regularly with private developers and development companies to discuss a range of issues that would help take forward that strategy.

Discussions have focussed on the acquisition of homes or land for social housing, land issues, the sale of Housing Executive land, social housing need and general housing market activity.

Many of these meetings often take place around the margins of other meetings and the information would simply not exist to provide an exhaustive list or schedule and what precisely was discussed.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

Assembly Library

Mr G Savage asked the Assembly Commission for a breakdown of all costs of the Assembly library in each of the last three years.

(AQW 5850/10)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr S Moutray): The Assembly does not have a library function as understood in the conventional sense. The Assembly does have a Research and Library Service to support the work of Assembly Members and Committees by providing access to a wide range of information and research services, and to deliver these services using the professional skills of a team of qualified librarians and researchers. Consequently whilst the Assembly Library does have a stock of books, the lending of books to Members is not a core service - rather books and other electronic resources are purchased as potential future sources of information. The costs associated with providing the Library Service are attached.

Library

2008 Expenditure 2009 Expenditure 2010 Expenditure

Secretariat Staffing
311587.06

344,337.20

394,214.54

Secretariat Staff T&S
1105.15

3,527.17

10,782

Training and Development
0

0.00

3,080.00

Staff Support
0

17.00

37.00

Core Services
761.09

0.00

65,916.31

IT Support
1498

1,248.00

1,575.00

Publication & Information
188863.35

239,764.00

214,372.31

Utilities
483

0.00

0.00

Consultancy
0

9,416.61

0.00

General Business Expenditure
0

0.00

102.04

Expenditure Total

504,297.65

598,309.98

690,079.63

Library
	2008 Expenditure	2009 Expenditure	2010 Expenditure
Secretariat Staffing	311587.06	344,337.20	394,214.54
Secretariat Staff T&S	1105.15	3,527.17	10,782
Training and Development	0	0.00	3,080.00
Staff Support	0	17.00	37.00
Core Services	761.09	0.00	65,916.31
IT Support	1498	1,248.00	1,575.00
Publication & Information	188863.35	239,764.00	214,372.31
Utilities	483	0.00	0.00
Consultancy	0	9,416.61	0.00
General Business Expenditure	0	0.00	102.04
Expenditure Total	504,297.65	598,309.98	690,079.63

Assembly Library

Mr G Savage asked the Assembly Commission who owns the Assembly library and who is responsible for its budget.

(AQW 5851/10)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr S Moutray): The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission owns the Assembly Library and the Head of the Research & Library Service is the Budget Holder, reporting to the Assembly's Director of Engagement.

Assembly Library

Mr G Savage asked the Assembly Commission to outline the relationship between the Assembly library and other Libraries NI, including any associated costs.

(AQW 5853/10)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr S Moutray): The Assembly library has no formal relationship with the public library network known as 'Libraries NI'. However the Assembly Library has recently subscribed to the LISC 'Inspire' passport project which allows for members of the public to consult material held in the Assembly Library, business requirements permitting. LISC membership cost is £300 per annum.

Also the Assembly library continues to support an informal arrangement to supply material to the Northern Ireland Publications Resource (NIPR) scheme, which provides access to Government publications through Belfast Central Library.

Assembly Library

Mr G Savage asked the Assembly Commission to detail (i) the number of books lent out by the Assembly library; and (ii) the total cost to the Assembly library of lending books, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 5855/10)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr S Moutray): As per the answer to question AQW 5850/10 the Assembly provides a wide range of information and research services. The lending of books is not a core service and consequently the Assembly does not monitor the cost of lending a book.

REVISED WRITTEN ANSWERS

Friday 9 April 2010

(AQW 2427/10)

The cost of the Rail and Bus Fuel Installation, Inspection and Maintenance contracts in each of the last three years are set out in the tables below:

Cost of Fuel Installations

Total	Nil	505,509	235,353
	2006/07 £	2007/08 £	2008/09 £
Bus	Nil	381,720	208,652
Rail	Nil	123,789	26,701

Cost of Inspection and Maintenance

Total	23,101	39,348	48,819
	2006/07 £	2007/08 £	2008/09 £
Bus	19,688	30,528	28,938
Rail	3,413	8,820	19,881

In respect of the contracts for fuel installation referred to in AQW1720/10 Translink have agreed to meet face to face with yourself or any other interested party to discuss the evaluation. Translink have also highlighted that it is open to anyone to pursue a complaint about the tender process. This is set out on the Translink website.