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 24 September 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
Justice
Regional Development
Social Development
OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration
Dr S Farry asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how the forthcoming Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration will be integrated into decisions regarding the forthcoming Budget and Programme for Government.
(AQW 68/11)
First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): The Budget 2010 process is ongoing. Bids on behalf of this department have been made as part of that process, including bids for the Programme for Cohesion Sharing and Integration. We will not know the outcome of the budget settlement until October/November by which time it is envisaged that Ministers will have had the opportunity to discuss the Executive’s priorities in the context of the new Programme for Government and budget settlement.
Community Relations and Good Relations Work
Mr T Lunn asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the total expenditure on behalf of their Department on community relations and good relations work in each of the past 5 years, broken down by (i) the Department directly; (ii) related agencies; (iii) arms length bodies; and (iv) community and voluntary organisations.
(AQW 69/11)
First Minister and deputy First Minister: Much of our Department’s funding for the promotion of community relations and good race relations is distributed via the Community Relations Council, which delivers our grant funding through several strategic schemes to community and voluntary groups. The Department directly funds the District Councils Community Relations Programme, a range of community organisations and groups, summer interventions programme work, funding to minority ethnic groups and a targeted community relations programme in North Belfast. The Department does not provide any good relations funding to any related agencies.
Whilst there is an indicative budget for 2010/11, we are still considering the detailed final allocations of the budget; consequently it is not possible to provide the requested information for the 2010/11 financial year.
The information you requested is as follows;
| Description | 2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department | £4,220k |
£4,040k |
£3,959k |
£4,913k |
£3,824k |
| District Councils | £1,923k |
£1,914K |
£1,932k |
£2,407k |
£2,649k |
| Arms Length Bodies (Community Relations Council) | £2,858k |
£2,936k |
£3,289k |
£3,341k |
£3,547k |
| Community & Voluntary Organisations | £488k |
£451k |
£345k |
£425k |
£560k |
Risk of Disallowances or Infraction Proceedings
Dr S Farry asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of the risk of any disallowances or infraction proceedings being brought in relation to the work of their Department or its related agencies; and to set out the measures being taken to mitigate any such risks.
(AQW 143/11)
First Minister and deputy First Minister: The risk of disallowance or infraction proceedings being brought in relation to the work of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is currently considered to be low. Our officials monitor developments elsewhere in the UK and at EU level relevant to the responsibilities of the department, and keep legislation here under review to ensure that appropriate action is taken to transpose and implement EU law as required.
Sexual Orientation Strategy
Ms D Purvis asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on their plans to publish a Sexual Orientation Strategy; and to detail the actions taken by their Department following the Sexual Orientation Consultation in 2006.
(AQW 165/11)
First Minister and deputy First Minister: The last consultation on a Sexual Orientation Strategy took place in 2006. Around the same time, under direct rule, our department established a short-term fund which helped to build capacity and partnership working across the LGB sector. The administration of the fund was overseen by a Steering Group initially chaired by an OFMDFM official, and latterly by a volunteer from the sector. The group membership consisted of volunteers and people working in the sector, who co-operated to deliver a range of successful outputs.
In addition, considerable work has been done across government and public bodies to develop, and keep under review, cross-departmental action plans to tackle identified inequalities which LGB and Transgender people face and to tackle issues which impact upon the community such as homophobic crime.
Through their work to encourage and promote such work across government, our department is aware that many other civil service departments now have well-established communications with key voluntary LGB groups, through which issues can be highlighted and addressed by the relevant authorities in a timely and responsive manner.
The recent CSI consultation document indicates that Ministers are fully committed to publishing the sexual orientation strategy. In order to help inform work on the forthcoming strategy, our department will seek to establish and build on contacts across the full range of relevant interests. We expect the newly established LGB and Transgender fora to provide useful conduits for key concerns to be raised, and we will seek to work collaboratively across government and with the wider public sector, to develop a Sexual Orientation Equality Strategy.
Strategic Investment Board
Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of (i) the value for money provided; and (ii) the value added by the Strategic Investment Board.
(AQW 203/11)
First Minister and deputy First Minister: We refer the Member to the reply to AQW 112/11, dated 16 September 2010.
Investment Strategy and Capital Expenditure
Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of the impact of the proposed budget cuts from Westminster on the Investment Strategy and capital expenditure.
(AQW 207/11)
First Minister and deputy First Minister: Any potential reduction in the levels of capital funding available to the Executive over the incoming four-year Budget period will have consequential impacts on the rate at which capital projects and programmes can be delivered. On behalf of OFMDFM, the Strategic Investment Board is currently exploring options to minimise the impact of any reductions, to ensure that existing contractual commitments are protected, and to ensure that remaining future investment is directed towards the Executive's highest priority areas. This work will be informed by the outcome of the Spending Review, due to be published by the Treasury on 20 October. Subsequent decisions by the Executive will be contained in a revised ISNI to be published in the autumn.
Planning Appeals Commission
Mr B Leonard asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how many staff currently work for the Planning Appeals Commission and if the complement is adequate to deal with the workload.
(AQO 70/11)
First Minister and deputy First Minister: There are currently 21 full time Commissioners, 17 fee paid Panel Commissioners and 19 administrative staff working for the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC).
PAC is an independent tribunal Non-Departmental Public Body, which is sponsored by OFMDFM but operates at arms length from Government and exercises its functions accordingly.
In recognition of the challenges and pressures facing the PAC and in line with PSA 21, we have committed additional spending power of around £2 million over the three years 2008/11. The planning appeals backlog has been reduced significantly from over 3,000 in 2007 to 495 at 31 August 2010.
Operational responsibility for the PAC rests with the Chief Commissioner who is responsible for the deployment of resources to address the prevailing workload. Our Department has no locus in relation to PAC’s workload scheduling or decision-making.
Our Department will continue to liaise closely with the Chief Commissioner regarding her resourcing requirements.
Executive's Budget Review Sub-Committee
Mr S Moutray asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the work of the Executive's Budget Review Sub-Committee established at the Greenmount away-day.
(AQO 76/11)
First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Executive has recognised that it is vital to ensure a collective and corporate approach to the fiscal challenges facing our society and our economy in the coming years and to secure the best possible outcome. To this end, following our discussions at Greenmount, it was agreed that an all-party Ministerial sub-group of the Executive should be established to oversee the development of our response to the very significant budgetary issues we face.
This Budget Review Group consists of the First Minister, the deputy First Minister, the Minister of Finance and Personnel, the Minister for Employment and Learning, the Minister for Social Development and the Minister of Justice.
The group will examine a range of issues relevant to the budgetary and economic situation and preparatory work has been commissioned from all departments to inform the Group’s discussions. It is intended that the first meeting of the Group will take place in the near future.
Traveller Equality
Lord Morrow asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how much has been spent on the promotion and implementation of traveller equality in each constituency in each of the last two years; and how many staff are currently employed on this project.
(AQW 226/11)
First Minister and deputy First Minister: OFMDFM provides funding through its Minority Ethnic Development Fund to organisations representing Irish Travellers for the purpose of improving relations between communities.
In 2008/09 and 2009/10 OFMDFM allocated £150k and £180k respectively.
It is not possible to provide a constituency breakdown. The table below gives a more detailed breakdown of specific cost and the geographical area of operation of the recipient groups.
As to how many staff are currently employed on this issue within OFMDFM, this would amount to a very small percentage of a staff year.
| 2008/09 £k |
2009/10 £k |
|
|---|---|---|
| An Munia Tober (Belfast and Regional) | 105 |
90 |
| Craigavon Travellers Support Committee | 45 |
45 |
| Derry Travellers Support Group | Nil |
45 |
TOTAL |
150 | 180 |
Head of the NI Civil Service Correspondence
Mr P McGlone asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what is the target response time for the Head of the NI Civil Service in replying to correspondence.
(AQW 268/11)
First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Head of the NI Civil Service endeavours to respond to all correspondence as promptly as possible and within a target response time of ten working days. However, from time to time, the particular complex issues raised in correspondence can give rise to a delay in meeting this target.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Beef Industry
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of the long-term viability of the beef industry; and what action she is taking to address the slump in the prices currently paid to beef producers.
(AQW 92/11)
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): I am very aware of the serious challenges facing the beef industry and the issues surrounding the economic viability of the red meat sector. However it is very difficult to assess accurately the long-term viability of the beef industry as it is driven essentially by market forces, which are outside my remit.
The Red Meat Task Force Report provided information to enable farmers and others to make informed choices about the future direction of their businesses and DARD continues to work alongside industry representatives in taking this work forward.
Innovation and improved efficiency are vital to longer-term viability. A range of services are available through CAFRE and AFBI to support the agri-food sector, which needs to have the flexibility to be able to tailor their produce to ensure that they deliver what the market requires efficiently and receive the best returns possible.
In respect of your question about beef prices, this is strictly a commercial matter and I refer you to my response to your previous written question on this issue in July 2010.
Farmers Seeking Weather Aid Payments
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development why she could not offer farmers seeking weather aid payments a half of one percent of the £200m her Department received from the Department of Finance and Personnel; and what contact she has had with potato growers and sheep farmers since they were refused hardship funding.
(AQW 94/11)
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Firstly, I wish to clarify the position regarding the £200m. This is in respect of Capital expenditure, to make good a deficit in my Department’s capital receipts baseline and did not represent additional spending power. Furthermore, as Capital expenditure it could not be used for any potential hardship funding.
I submitted a bid under June monitoring for £1.1 million in respect of hardship payments for farmers who suffered crop and sheep losses as a consequence of this year’s severe weather.
The June monitoring round bids were considered by the Executive but due to other higher priorities the Executive was not able to meet the bid. A bid for £1.1m has been resubmitted for consideration in September monitoring.
I issued a Press Release on 4 August 2010, informing farmers of the Executive’s decision and expressing my disappointment that funding could not be made available. I also reiterated that my Department continues to offer advice around best farming practice to mitigate risks of losses in future, and that officials would hold discussions with the farming and insurance industries to explore how to improve access to insurance.
Car Trailers
Mr P J Bradley asked Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has met with the Minister of the Environment to discuss the inconvenience caused to farmers, who attained their driving licence after January 1997, subjected to the weight limit restriction imposed on car trailers; and for her assessment of the impact of this restriction on farmers.
(AQW 98/11)
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: There has been no representations made to me from farmers who attained their driving licence after January 1997 being inconvenienced by the weight limit restrictions imposed on car trailers and I have not met with the Minister of the Environment to discuss this matter. I now appreciate that this restriction will impact most on our younger farmers and would encourage them to undertake the required assessment to ensure they are properly licensed when towing trailers.
Rural White Paper
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether consultation papers on the proposed Rural White Paper will be issued in September 2010.
(AQW 101/11)
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: DARD is continuing to work with other Departments on the development of realistic and meaningful actions for inclusion in the Rural White Paper. We remain committed to issuing a draft Rural White Paper for consultation by March of next year.
Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowance
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to make a statement on why her Department is considering changes to the Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowance.
(AQW 102/11)
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Since 2001, the Less Favoured Areas Compensatory Allowance (LFACA) Scheme has provided support to those who farm in less favoured areas (LFAs) in the north of Ireland. Since then, EU agricultural support has been decoupled and this has brought significant changes to the economics of livestock production. Cattle and sheep numbers in the LFA, and particularly the SDA, have continued to fall and we are seeing increasing evidence of the environmental impact of that in terms of under grazing, scrub encroachment and rush infestation. The current LFA support arrangements are not preventing this and a review and refocusing of the scheme is required, sooner rather than later. Furthermore, the EU policy framework places LFA support firmly within the ambit of environmental stewardship.
My officials have commenced a series of meetings with stakeholder organisations to discuss detailed proposals for a revised LFACA scheme based on the delivery of environmental benefits through active land management. This builds on the substantial public consultation undertaken last year and the extensive body of evidence compiled by my Department. Discussions are on-going and we are keen to receive stakeholder views to inform our way forward.
Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill
Mr J Wells asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has any plans to introduce a Bill that will negate the decision of the Assembly to include a ban on enclosed hare coursing in the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
(AQW 103/11)
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Responsibility for hunting or coursing with dogs does not rest with my Department and as such I have no powers to regulate or ban hunting or coursing. I will not therefore be taking any action that could negate the provisions on a ban on hare coursing as contained in the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
Falsely Labelled Eggs
Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has had any contact with the UK authorities to discover if any eggs, falsely labelled as organic or free range and stamped with the British Lion stamp and which were involved in the deception operated by Keith Owen of Heart of England Eggs Unlimited who was jailed in March 2010 in Worcester Crown Court, were sold to any supermarkets or other retail outlets in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 139/11)
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The court case you refer to relates to a fraud which occurred during 2004 until 2006. DARD Egg Marketing Inspectorate staff worked very closely with their Defra counterparts in carrying out this investigation. There was no evidence that fraudulently labelled eggs were sold in the north of Ireland.
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
Ulster Camogie Council
Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action his Department has taken in relation to the findings of the Northern Ireland Audit Office report into the Ulster Camogie Council published on 7 July 2010.
(AQW 187/11)
Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr N McCausland): My Department had already, prior to the publication of the Northern Ireland Audit Office report into the Ulster Camogie Council, disseminated the lessons learned from the matter throughout the Department.
Following the publication of the Northern Ireland Audit Office report, the Department has taken stock of all comments included in the report, along with any other outstanding matters, and will again highlight the correct procedures to be followed within the Department and to its Arms Length Bodies by issue of a revised Fraud Response Plan.
Furthermore the Department is closely liaising with Sport NI to ensure that it has fully addressed all of the issues arising from the Ulster Camogie Council matter and will apply the lessons learned fully in the future.
Ulster Camogie Council
Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action he has taken regarding Sport NI's failure to deal with information it received over a prolonged period regarding suspected fraud involving the Ulster Camogie Council.
(AQW 188/11)
Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: My Department is closely liaising with Sport NI to ensure that it has fully addressed all of the issues arising from the Ulster Camogie Council matter and will apply the lessons learned fully in the future.
Specifically, the Department is awaiting answers from Sport NI on the issue of its handling of information received or offered regarding the Ulster Camogie Council. Following the Sport NI response on this issue, the Department will, if appropriate, write to the Sport NI Accounting Officer highlighting any concerns.
Risks of Disallowances or Infraction Proceedings
Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for his assessment of any risks of disallowances or infraction proceedings that could be taken in relation to the work of his Department or its related agencies; and to set out the measures being taken to mitigate any such risks.
(AQW 189/11)
Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: My Department has responsibility for the protection and conservation of salmon and inland fisheries. Non-compliance with the EC Habitats Directive or the Water Framework Directive in relation to these could result in infraction proceedings against the UK as a Member State. DOE is the lead Department in Northern Ireland for the implementation of these Directives. DCAL seeks to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Directives and the implementing legislation in Northern Ireland through the discharge of its responsibilities in relation to the conservation and protection of salmon and inland fisheries.
With regard to the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon, DCAL is responsible for the enforcement of fisheries legislation and those involved in unlicensed and illegal fishing are actively pursued by DCAL Fisheries Protection Officers. My Department has also been involved over time in reducing the number of commercial salmon fisheries operating in Northern Ireland waters, in line with our obligations (through the UK Government) to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO). In addition DCAL implements a range of NASCO strategies through Salmon Management Plans for the protection, restoration and enhancement of salmon habitats within our jurisdiction.
DCAL is also responsible for the implementation of EU Eel Regulation 1100/2007 and in March 2010, 3 Eel Management Plans for the relevant catchments in Northern Ireland were approved by the EU. The risk of infraction in relation to these is currently assessed as low, but this could change if it is deemed that we have failed to implement the Eel Management Plans when they are reviewed by the EU in June 2012.
Library Books
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail for each of the last five years (i) the number of incidents where library books have been disposed of on a large scale for health and safety reasons; (ii) the total number of library books which were disposed of in each case; (iii) at which library the incidents occurred; (iv) the total value of the disposed books; and (v) the specific reason for their disposal.
(AQW 238/11)
Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Libraries NI have recorded one incident in the current year where glass was broken in Warrenpoint library and showered over books. Libraries NI decided to dispose of 1676 books for health and safety reasons, due to the fact that some shards of glass could still have been in the books.
The books disposed of at Warrenpoint will cost the library service £6,859.20 to replace.
Library Books
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the total number of library books which have been disposed of in each of the last 5 years; and the estimated value of these books.
(AQW 240/11)
Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The total number of books withdrawn in each of the past five years is provided in the following table:
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No of books | 388,633 |
504,462 |
529,129 |
1,175,909 |
383,104 |
The figure for 2009 is unusually high as BELB conducted a stock audit in the annex of Belfast Central Library and as a result extra books were withdrawn and disposed of.
Libraries NI have confirmed to the Department that such stock is of no monetary value and is efficiently disposed of.
Sport NI
Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure when did Sport NI advise its Board or the Audit Committee that offers of information, indicating suspected fraud involving the Ulster Camogie Council, had been received by Sport NI prior to this information being provided to the Public Accounts Committee.
(AQW 322/11)
Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I have been informed by Sport NI that its officers considered the communications in question to be either press enquiries or Freedom of Information requests and therefore acted in accordance with the relevant Sport NI protocols for dealing with such communications, and as such they were not elevated to its Board or Audit Committee.
In hindsight, Sport NI has accepted that it did not deal with the original offer of information, in accordance with established fraud procedures. Further it takes this matter seriously and will ensure that the recommendations from the various reports into the Ulster Camogie Council are fully implemented.
Irish Language Act
Mr B Leonard asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, given that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has said that his reason for not introducing the Irish Language Act is "not human rights compliant", if he will now introduce the Act.
(AQW 420/11)
Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I am currently considering the correspondence from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and have sought legal advice on this issue.
I will copy you in to my response to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
External Consultants
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Education, for each of the last five years (i) how much (a) her Department; and (b) the Education and Library Board spent on external consultants; and (ii) how much was paid to (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers; (b) Deloitte; and (c) Ernst & Young.
(AQW 40/11)
Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): Is soláthraithe sa tábla thíos atá mionsonraí ar chaiteachas na Roinne ar chomhairleacht sheachtrach ón bhliain 2005-06 go dtí an bhliain 2008-09. Tá figiúirí don bhliain 2009-10 á dtabhairt chun críche faoi láthair, agus scríobhfaidh mé chuig an Chomhalta chun na sonraí seo a sholáthar nuair a chuirtear ar fáil iad.
Details of expenditure by the Department on external consultancy from 2005-06 to 2008-09 are provided in the table below. Figures for 2009-10 are currently being finalised, however, I will write to the Member and provide the details when these become available.
DE
| Year | Total £ |
PWC £ |
Deloitte £ |
Ernst & Young £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2005-06 |
532,244.15 |
164,008.60 |
NIL |
NIL |
2006-07 |
905,600.57 |
67,575.39 |
NIL |
NIL |
2007-08 |
1,067,704.53 |
86,424.00 |
79,465.20 |
NIL |
2008-09 |
850,883.94 |
100,596.00 |
33,177.40 |
NIL |
ELBs
| Year | Total £ |
PWC £ |
Deloitte £ |
Ernst & Young £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2005-06 |
1,441,986.00 |
979,998.00 |
19,575.00 |
64,000.00 |
2006-07 |
1,964,736.00 |
1,663,537.00 |
NIL |
NIL |
2007-08 |
1,894,554.00 |
1,552,000.00 |
NIL |
NIL |
2008-09 |
613,119.00 |
460,325.00 |
NIL |
NIL |
School Uniform Grants
Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of primary school uniform grants awarded by the start of the 2010/11 academic year; and (ii) the monetary value of these grants broken down by Education and Library Board area.
(AQW 42/11)
Minister of Education: Dhearbhaigh na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlann, a riarann an Scéim um Liúntais Éadaí, gur íoc siad as 27,647 deontas i leith chostas na n-éadaí bunscoile ag costas iomlán de £988,336 roimh thús na scoilbhliana acadúla 2010/11.
The Education and Library Boards, which administer the Clothing Allowances Scheme, have confirmed that by the start of the 2010/11 academic year they had paid 27,647 grants towards the cost of primary school uniforms at a total cost of £988,336.
The value and number of the grants broken down by Education and Library Board area is as follows:-
BELB - £217,379 (6,081 grants paid)
NEELB - £177,749 (4,972 grants paid)
SEELB - £131,310 (3,673 grants paid)
SELB - £218,182 (6,103 grants paid)
WELB - £243,716 (6,818 grants paid)
Vacancy Control in Education and Library Boards
Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Education to outline her approach to vacancy control in Education and Library Boards.
(AQW 66/11)
Minister of Education: Tá Polasaí Rialaithe um Fholúntas i bhfeidhm trasna gach fostóra san earnáil oideachais lena chinntiú go dtógtar gach céim réasúnta chun fostaíocht na foirne reatha sin a aithníodh mar "faoi phriacal" san Athbhreithniú ar Riarachán Poiblí a chosaint agus a dhaingniú.
A Vacancy Control Policy is in place across all education sector employers to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to safeguard and secure the employment of existing staff within the Education Sector identified as being "at risk" as a result of the Review of Public Administration.
The Vacancy Control Policy, first introduced in October 2006, was developed and agreed by the Department of Education, employers and trade unions, following the Executive’s agreement of the Public Service Commission second Guiding Principle and associated recommendations on Managing Vacancies Effectively. A key focus of the policy is the need to keep open all possible means to redeploy staff, to avoid creating new posts and to manage vacancies effectively, in order to reduce the potential for redundancies.
The failure to reach agreement on a date to establish the Education and Skills Authority has led to the operation of the Vacancy Control Policy across the organisations for longer than originally planned. As a result of this failure to agree a date for ESA, transitional arrangements and a Convergence Plan have been put in place. The implementation of convergence activity will have implications for organisations in terms of existing structures and staffing levels and it continues to be of the utmost importance that the employment of existing staff is safeguarded.
A number of concerns have been raised by stakeholders regarding the impact of prolonged vacancy control measures and a review of the current Vacancy Control Policy is underway. Education sector organisations and trade unions have been consulted on a number of options aimed at ensuring the policy continues to meet its objectives. Responses have now been received in relation to those options and these are under consideration by my Department to ensure the outcome of the review provides a balance in terms of supporting organisations to continue to provide quality services and at the same time delivers planned efficiency savings through the reorganisation and rationalisation of administrative support services.
Education and Library Board Staff
Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Education (i) how many staff; and (ii) what percentage of posts in each Education and Library Board are currently designated as 'acting'.
(AQW 71/11)
Minister of Education: Chuir na Príomhfheidhmeannaigh ar na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne gur mar seo a leanas atá líon na foirne atá ainmnithe mar ‘gníomhach’ agus an céatadán post atá ainmnithe mar ‘gníomhach’ faoi láthair le fios dom.
I have been advised by the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards of the following numbers of staff currently designated as ‘acting’ and the percentage of posts currently designated as ‘acting’.
| Board Area | Staff Employed | Staff ‘acting’ | % |
|---|---|---|---|
BELB |
445 |
83 |
18.6 |
NEELB |
405 |
96 |
23.7 |
SELB |
774 |
130 |
16.8 |
SEELB |
463 |
123 |
26.5 |
WELB |
735 |
113 |
15.37 |
Year 8 Placements
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Education how many children in the North Down area have yet to be allocated a Year 8 placement for the 2010/11 academic year.
(AQW 106/11)
Minister of Education: Chuir Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Oirdheiscirt in iúl nach léiríonn a chuntais nár tugadh áit i mBliain 8 d’aon pháiste i limistéar chomhairle ceantair an Dúin Thuaidh don bhliain acadúil 2010/11.
The South-Eastern Education and Library Board have advised that their records show that no children in the North Down district council area have yet to be allocated a Year 8 placement for the 2010/11 academic year.
Primary School Teachers
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the current number of primary school teachers, broken down by gender; and (ii) the number of primary schools that do not currently employ male teachers.
(AQW 114/11)
Minister of Education:
(i) THE NUMBER OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS FOR 2009/10 BY GENDER1,2
| Males | Female | All | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 1,327 |
7,214 |
8,541 |
(ii) Tá 244 bunscoil nach bhfuil aon mhúinteoirí fir fostaithe iontu faoi láthair.
(ii) There are 244 primary2 schools that do not currently employ male teachers.
Source: Teacher Payroll and Pensions Administration System
Note:
1 Teachers employed at more than one school are counted at the school at which they work the majority of their time.
2 Includes teachers employed at preparatory departments of grammar schools.
Number of Primary Schools
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of primary schools, broken down by sector.
(AQW 115/11)
Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh mionsonraithe sa tábla thíos.
The information requested is detailed in the table below.
Primary1 schools broken down by management type 2010/11
| Management type | No. of schools |
|---|---|
| Controlled2 | 385 |
| Voluntary3 | 14 |
| Catholic Maintained | 396 |
| Other Maintained | 24 |
| Controlled Integrated | 19 |
| Grant Maintained Integrated | 23 |
Total |
861 |
Note:
1 Includes primary schools and preparatory departments in grammar schools
2 Figures include 3 preparatory departments in grammar schools.
3 Figures relate to preparatory departments in voluntary grammar schools.
Enrolment Figures
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the total number and name of each primary school and secondary school that started the 2010/11 academic year with enrolment figures of fewer than (a) 5; (b) 10; (c) 15: (d) 20; (e) 25; (f) 30; (g) 35; (h) 40; (i) 45; or (j) 50; and (ii) the number of staff employed in each school.
(AQW 116/11)
Minister of Education: Ní bheidh an t-eolas a iarradh ar fáil go dtí go bhfuil daonáireamh scoile na bliana 2010/11 críochnaithe. Tá eolas don bhliain 2009/10 soláthraithe thíos.
The information requested will not be available until after the completion of the 2010/11 school census. Information has been provided below for 2009/10.
There were no primary schools with fewer than 5 pupils in 2009/10.
Primary schools with a total enrolment of fewer than 10 and the FTE number of teachers employed in these schools – 2009/10
| School name | Total enrolment | FTE Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| St Mary's Primary School, Rathlin Island | 6 |
1.4 |
Primary schools with a total enrolment of fewer than 15 and FTE number of teachers employed in these schools – 2009/10
| School name | Total enrolment | FTE Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| St Patrick's Primary School, Creggan | 12 |
2.0 |
Primary schools with a total enrolment of fewer than 20 and FTE number of teachers employed in these schools – 2009/10
| School name | Total enrolment | FTE Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Drelincourt Infants School, Armagh | 15 |
2.2 |
| Clogher Regional Primary School, Clogher | 17 |
2.4 |
| St Davog's Scraghey Primary School, Killen | 18 |
3.0 |
| Keady Primary School, Keady | 19 |
2.0 |
Primary schools with a total enrolment of fewer than 25 and the FTE number of teachers employed in these schools – 2009/10
| School name | Total enrolment | FTE Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| St John's Primary School, Newry | 20 |
2.0 |
| Braid Primary School, Broughshane | 20 |
2.0 |
| Aghavilly Primary School, Milford | 23 |
2.4 |
| Gaelscoil na Spéiríní, Draperstown | 24 |
3.0 |
Primary schools with a total enrolment of fewer than 30 and the FTE number of teachers employed in these schools – 2009/10
| School name | Total enrolment | FTE Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Knocknagin Primary School, Desertmartin | 26 |
1.0 |
| St John's Eglish(1) Primary School, Portadown | 26 |
2.6 |
| St James' Primary School, Markethill | 27 |
2.2 |
| St Brigid's Primary School, Mountfield | 28 |
2.5 |
| Ballycloughan Primary School, Saintfield | 28 |
2.8 |
| St Anne's Primary School, Donaghadee | 28 |
2.0 |
| Carlane Primary School, Toomebridge | 28 |
2.2 |
| Stewartstown Primary School, Stewartstown | 29 |
2.4 |
Primary schools with a total enrolment of fewer than 35 and the FTE number of teachers employed in these schools – 2009/10
| School name | Total enrolment | FTE Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| St Anthony's Primary School, Limavady | 30 |
2.0 |
| Loughash Primary School, Donemana | 30 |
2.0 |
| St Paul's Primary School, Ahoghill | 30 |
3.0 |
| St Mary's Gortnaghey Primary School, Dungiven | 31 |
2.0 |
| Queen Elizabeth II (Pomeroy) Primary School, Dungannon | 31 |
2.4 |
| Cullycapple Primary School, Aghadowey | 31 |
3.0 |
| Clintyclay Primary School, Dungannon | 31 |
2.1 |
| Listress Primary School, Claudy | 31 |
2.0 |
| Magheralough Primary School, Trillick | 31 |
2.0 |
| Carhill Integrated Primary School, Garvagh | 32 |
2.6 |
| St Macartan's Primary School, Dromore | 32 |
2.0 |
| St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey Primary School, Castlederg | 32 |
2.0 |
| Groarty Primary School, Springtown | 32 |
3.0 |
| St Matthew's Primary School, Garvaghey | 32 |
2.0 |
| All Saints Primary School, Omagh | 32 |
2.0 |
| Aghadrumsee Primary School, Aghadrumsee | 33 |
2.5 |
| Envagh Primary School, Drumquin | 33 |
2.0 |
| Tir-na-Nog Primary School, Ballycastle | 33 |
2.0 |
| Desertmartin Primary School, Magherafelt | 33 |
2.4 |
| Lourdes Primary School, Whitehead | 33 |
2.0 |
| Bellarena Primary School, Limavady | 34 |
2.4 |
| Altishane Primary School, Dunamanagh | 34 |
2.0 |
| Gaelscoil Eanna, Newtownabbey | 34 |
3.5 |
Primary schools with a total enrolment of fewer than 40 and the FTE number of teachers employed in these schools – 2009/10
| School name | Total enrolment | FTE Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgehill Primary School, Castlederg | 35 |
2.0 |
| St Eugene's Primary School, Lisnaskea | 35 |
2.5 |
| Royal School, Armagh | 35 |
2.8 |
| Altayeskey Primary School, Draperstown | 35 |
2.4 |
| Culnady Primary School, Maghera | 36 |
2.8 |
| Dromore Primary School, Dromore | 36 |
2.4 |
| Bunscoil an Traonaigh, Lisnaskea | 36 |
3.0 |
| St Joseph's Primary School, Caledon | 36 |
2.0 |
| Derrygonnelly Primary School, Enniskillen | 37 |
2.8 |
| St Malachy's Primary School, Magherafelt | 37 |
2.1 |
| Bellaghy Primary School, Magherafelt | 37 |
2.5 |
| St Brigid's Primary School, Gortin | 37 |
3.0 |
| St Joseph's Primary School, Glenmarnan | 37 |
2.0 |
| Crievagh Primary School, Cookstown | 39 |
2.0 |
| St Mary's Primary School, Fivemiletown | 39 |
2.0 |
| St Patrick's Primary School, Dunamanagh | 39 |
3.4 |
| Roscavey Primary School, Omagh | 39 |
2.0 |
| Erganagh Primary School, Castlederg | 39 |
3.1 |
| Gaelscoil na Daroige, Ballymagroarty | 39 |
2.0 |
Primary schools with a total enrolment of fewer than 45 and the FTE number of teachers employed in these schools – 2009/10
| School name | Total enrolment | FTE Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield Collegiate Prep School, Belfast | 40 |
3.2 |
| Drumard Primary School, Maghera | 40 |
3.2 |
| Ballee Primary School, Ballymena | 40 |
3.6 |
| Augher Central Primary School, Augher | 40 |
2.4 |
| Anamar Primary School, Crossmaglen | 40 |
2.7 |
| St Malachy's Primary School , Glencull | 40 |
2.0 |
| Derriaghy Primary School, Lisburn | 41 |
4.0 |
| St Eugene's Primary School, Lislap | 41 |
2.0 |
| Belleek(2) Primary School, Corry | 41 |
2.4 |
| Churchtown Primary School, Cookstown | 42 |
3.0 |
| St Brigid's Primary School, Augher | 42 |
2.8 |
| Langfield Primary School, Drumquin | 42 |
3.0 |
| Duneane Primary School, Toombridge | 42 |
2.1 |
| Upper Ballyboley Primary School, Ballyclare | 42 |
3.0 |
| Cloughmills Primary School, Cloughmills | 42 |
2.3 |
| Moy Regional Primary School, Moy | 43 |
2.8 |
| Glenann Primary School, Cushendall | 44 |
3.0 |
| Drumlegagh Primary School, Newtownstewart | 44 |
2.6 |
| Carnlough Controlled Integrated Primary School, Carnlough | 44 |
3.0 |
| Carr Primary School, Lisburn | 44 |
2.9 |
| St Teresa's Primary School, Armagh | 44 |
3.0 |
Primary schools with a total enrolment of fewer than 50 and the FTE number of teachers employed in these schools – 2009/10
| School name | Total enrolment | FTE Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Clontifleece Primary School, Warrenpoint | 45 |
3.3 |
| Mullaghdubh Primary School, Islandmagee | 45 |
3.2 |
| St Aidan's Primary School Magilligan, Limavady | 45 |
3.0 |
| St Finlough's Primary School, Sistrakeel | 46 |
3.4 |
| Annsborough Primary School, Castlewellan | 46 |
3.4 |
| St Michael's Primary School, Newtownhamilton | 46 |
3.4 |
| St Macnisius' Primary School, Tannaghmore | 47 |
3.0 |
| Drumduff Primary School, Sixmilecross | 48 |
3.0 |
| Gortin Primary School, Gortin | 48 |
3.0 |
| Gillygooley Primary School, Omagh | 49 |
3.0 |
| St Joseph's Primary School, Strangford | 49 |
3.0 |
| St Peter's & St Paul's Primary School, Dungiven | 49 |
3.6 |
| St Mary's Primary School, Dungannon | 49 |
3.4 |
| Longstone Primary School, Ahogill | 49 |
3.6 |
| Scarva Primary School, Craigavon | 49 |
3.2 |
| St Joseph's Primary School, Downpatrick | 49 |
3.2 |
| Donaghmore Primary School, Dungannon | 49 |
3.3 |
There were no post-primary schools with an enrolment of fewer than 45 pupils in 2009/10.
Post primary schools with a total enrolment of fewer than 50 and FTE number of teachers employed in these schools – 2009/10
| School name | Total enrolment | FTE Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| St Aloysius High School, Cushendall | 43 |
8.5 |
Source: School census and Teacher Payroll and Pensions Administration System
Note:
1. Figures for enrolment in primary schools include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.
2. For the purpose of this AQ ‘staff employed in each school’ has been defined as teaching staff. The number of teaching staff has been presented in this AQ as the full-time equivalent (FTE) number of teachers. This is based on the hours worked by each teacher employed in the school.
High Speed Broadband
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Education to list the names and locations of (i) primary schools; and (ii) secondary schools which currently do not have access to high speed broadband.
(AQW 169/11)
Minister of Education: Soláthraíonn seirbhís Classroom 2000 (C2k) seirbhísí TFC do gach scoil dheontaschúnta, lena n-áirítear nasc líonra áitiúil i ngach scoil, leithdháileadh ríomhairí atá bunaithe ar líon na ndaltaí, agus nasc leathanbhanda le líonra achair fhairsing (LAF) phríobháideach, rud a cheanglaíonn gach scoil le chéile agus a sholáthraíonn teacht scagtha ar an idirlíon. Trí ghnáthsholáthar C2k, cuirtear leathanbhanda ar fáil d’iarbhunscoileanna agus do scoileanna speisialta ag luas de 2MB ar a laghad ar línte príobháideacha tiomnaithe . Tá luas réamhshocraithe de 2MB ag línte bunscoileanna, cé go bhféadfaidh ceithre shuíomh líne phríobháideach amháin a roinnt.
The Classroom 2000 (C2k) service provides all grant-aided schools with ICT services including a local network in each school, an allocation of PCs based on pupil numbers and a broadband connection to a private wide area network (WAN) connecting all schools and providing filtered access to the internet. The standard C2k provision makes broadband available to post-primary and special schools at a speed of at least 2MBs on dedicated private lines. Primary school lines also have a default speed of 2MB, though up to four sites may share a single private line.
All schools benefit from WAN optimisation services that help utilize the available bandwidth most efficiently.
Exceptions to this provision exist for a number of primary schools which, as a result of their locations and distance from exchanges, cannot be connected to the standard broadband network. Some have satellite broadband with download speeds of over 1MB. Others are served by Serial Circuit and ADSL connections, which are not classed as broadband, and these schools are listed below.
| Serial Circuit Connection | |
|---|---|
School Name |
Location |
| Aghadrumsee Primary School | Enniskillen |
| Altayeskey Primary School | Magherafelt |
| Altishane Primary School | Dunamanagh |
| Ballougry Primary School | Ballougry |
| Ballykeigle Primary School | Newtownards |
| Ballymacrickett Primary School | Glenavy |
| Ballytrea Primary School | Dungannon |
| Brackenagh West Primary School | Kilkeel |
| Clay Primary School | Keady |
| Clintyclay Primary School | Dungannon |
| Clontifleece Primary School | Warrenpoint |
| Cornagague Primary School | Enniskillen |
| Craigbrack Primary School | Derry |
| Crievagh Primary School | Cookstown |
| Donaghey Primary School | Dungannon |
| Drumsallen Primary School | Armagh |
| Eden Primary School | Carrickfergus |
| Evish Primary School | Strabane |
| Holy Cross Primary School | Kilkeel |
| Killean Primary School | Newry |
| St.Patricks PS Legamaddy | Downpatrick |
| Lisfearty Primary School | Dungannon |
| Listress Primary School | Derry |
| Loughash Primary School | Dunamanagh |
| Recarson Primary School | Omagh |
| Roscavey Primary School | Beragh |
| Sacred Heart Primary School | Dungannon |
| St Colman's Primary School (Saval) | Newry |
| St Finlough's Primary School | Ballykelly |
| St John's Primary School (Middletown) | Armagh |
| St Joseph's Primary School (Madden) | Armagh |
| St Patrick's Primary School (Aughadarragh) | Augher |
| St Patrick's Primary School Castlewellan | Castlewellan |
| Tildarg Primary School | Ballyclare |
| Toreagh Primary School | Larne |
| Upper Ballyboley Primary School | Ballyclare |
| ADSL Connection | |
School Name |
Location |
| Bunscoil an Chaistil | Ballycastle |
| Bunscoil an Traonaigh | Lisnaskea |
| Darkley Primary School | Armagh |
| Drumduff Primary School | Sixmiletown |
| Foley Primary School | Armagh |
| Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach | Crumlin |
| Gaelscoil Eanna | Newtownabbey |
| Gaelscoil na Daroige | Derry |
| Gaelscoil na gCrann | Omagh |
| Gaelscoil na Speirini | Magherafelt |
| Killyhommon Primary School | Enniskillen |
| Phoenix Integrated Primary School | Cookstown |
| Roe Valley Integrated Primary School | Limavady |
| St Eugene's Primary School (Knocks) | Enniskillen |
Four schools which opened at the beginning of this school year do not yet have access to C2k services. They are:
Gaelscoil Léim an Mhadaidh, Limavady
Bunscoil na mBeann, Kilkeel
Gaelscoil Choin Rí Uladh, Ballymena
Gaelscoil an tSeanchaí, Magherafelt
C2k will work with these schools to provide an appropriate connection.
Educational Achievement
Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of Education what steps she is taking to improve Protestant working class children's educational achievement, particularly the number of pupils leaving school with poor qualifications and a lack of success gaining admission to university.
(AQW 173/11)
Minister of Education: Maireann míbhuntáiste oideachasúil i measc Protastúnach agus Caitliceach, buachaillí agus cailíní araon. Baineann sí le míbhuntáiste socheacnamaíoch agus cuirtear easpa dóchais léi ró-mhinic.
Educational disadvantage exists among Protestants and Catholics, boys and girls, and among our ethnic minorities. Too often, it is related to socio-economic disadvantage and compounded by poverty of aspiration.
My focus is on tackling underachievement wherever it exists and improving outcomes for all our young people, whether they are Catholic or Protestant, boys or girls, or from our newcomer communities, the children from which have so many hurdles to overcome. I am putting in place a jigsaw of inter-connected policies aimed at ending academic selection and ensuring every child fulfils her or his potential through tackling underachievement, promoting equality, and raising educational standards. Policies such as ‘Every School a Good School’, the revised curriculum, the literacy and numeracy strategy, the review of SEN and Inclusion, the Achieving Belfast and Derry programmes, and the Entitlement Framework, will help bolster the educational achievements of young people. These policies will provide a greater proportion with the qualifications, skills and attributes to have a choice in their future that includes further education, including at university. They will make a significant contribution to the strategy, being developed by the Department of Employment & Learning, aimed at widening participation in higher education in the north of Ireland, particularly among learners from disadvantaged backgrounds and with learning difficulties and disabilities. My policies will also help to reduce further the proportion of our school leavers not in education, employment or training (NEETT). By improving the educational achievements of today’s young people we are improving the skills of the future workforce, and helping to underpin the economy, particularly through the promotion of science, technology, engineering and maths.
Underspent Building Budget
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Education, in relation to the underspent building budget, to detail which schools in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone area were ear marked for or due to receive funding, but did not, and to where this funding was allocated.
(AQW 191/11)
Minister of Education: Sa bhliain 2009/10 ní raibh aon airgead gannchaite i mbuiséad caipitil na Roinne. Tá 4 scoil i limistéar Fhear Meanach/ Thír Eoghain Theas ar áireamh i bPlean Soláthair Infheistíochta na Roinne:-
In 2009/10 there was no underspend in the Department’s capital budget. There are 4 schools in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone included in the Department’s Investment Delivery Plan: -
Devenish College,
Enniskillen Model PS,
St Pauls PS, Irvinestown,
St. Patricks Academy, Dungannon.
Funding is not earmarked for any individual project. Projects can only be approved for construction when they have submitted a business case demonstrating value for money, successfully secured planning permission, completed the design process and, at that point, proceed if capital funding is available to take the project forward.
Nursery Unit for St. Colman's Primary School in Annaclone
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Education to expand on the 'conditional approval' given in June 2010 in relation to the provision of a nursery unit for St. Colman's Primary School in Annaclone.
(AQW 270/11)
Minister of Education: D’fhaomh mé togra forbartha chun aonad naíscoile a bhunú ar Bhunscoil Cholmáin, Eanach Cluana, ar 28 Meitheamh 2010. Beidh 28 áit lánaimseartha naíscoile le fáil san aonad nua, as éifeacht ó 1 Meán Fómhair 2011 nó a luaithe is féidir ina dhiaidh sin.
I approved the development proposal to establish a nursery unit at St Colman’s Primary School, Annaclone on 28 June 2010. The new unit will offer 26 full time nursery places with effect from 1 September 2011 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The approval is conditional on the basis that the school fill a minimum of twenty places with children in their immediate pre-school year, in September 2011.
New School in Carrick, Warrenpoint
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Education to outline the proposed timescale for seeking tenders in relation to the provision of a new school in Carrick, Warrenpoint.
(AQW 271/11)
Minister of Education: Is í Carrick Primary School ceann de na 13 scoil ar tugadh faomhadh dóibh dul ar aghaidh chuig an chéim foirgníochta tar éis m’fhógra i leith maoiniú caipitil breise ar 5 Lúnasa 2010.
Carrick Primary School was one of the 13 schools given approval to proceed to construction following my announcement on 5 August 2010 regarding additional capital funding.
The tender process now in place is a two stage process which involves (i) the completion of a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to determine a select list of contractors; and (ii) an Invitation To Tender (ITT) to determine which contractor on the select list is awarded the contract.
The PQQ stage of the process for Carrick Primary School was advertised in the local press on Tuesday 7 September 2010 with returns due by 23 September 2010. It is currently estimated that both stages of the tender process will be completed by late December 2010 with construction work estimated to start on site in early January 2011.
Average Annual Salary for Teachers
Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Education what is the average annual salary for teachers in (i) primary schools; and (ii) secondary schools.
(AQW 281/11)
Minister of Education: Is é an meántuarastal reatha (i) do mhúinteoirí i mbunscoileanna ná £35,425.20, agus (ii) do mhúinteoirí i meánscoileanna ná £36,696.40.
The current average annual salary for teachers in (i) primary schools is £35,425.20 and (ii) secondary schools is £36,696.40.
Underspent Building Budget
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education, in relation to the underspent building budget, to detail which schools in the North Down area were ear-marked for or due to receive funding, but did not, and to where this funding was allocated.
(AQW 331/11)
Minister of Education: Sa bhliain 2009/10 ní raibh aon airgead gannchaite i mbuiséad caipitil na Roinne. Tá 4 scoil i limistéar an Dúin Thuaidh ar áireamh i bPlean Soláthair Infheistíochta na Roinne nach bhfuair cistiú go fóill:-
In 2009/10 there was no underspend in the Department’s capital budget There are 4 schools in the North Down area included in the Department’s Investment Delivery Plan which have not yet received funding: -
Holywood Primary School (including Holywood Nursery School)
Redburn Primary School
Priory College
St Columbanus’ College.
Funding is not earmarked for any individual project. Projects can only be approved for construction when they have submitted a business case demonstrating value for money, successfully secured planning permission, completed the design process and, at that point, proceed if capital funding is available to take the project forward.
Primary Languages Programme
Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Education how many primary schools in each constituency have taken up the Primary Languages Programme to date.
(AQW 372/11)
Minister of Education: Tá 361 bunscoil ag glacadh páirte sa Chlár Teangacha Bunscoile faoi láthair. Tá líon na scoileanna atá páirteach ann i ngach toghcheantar leagtha amach sa tábla thíos. Tá an tábla bunaithe ar theorainneacha athbhreithnithe toghcheantair mar atá leagtha amach sa Chúigiú Tuarascáil Threímhsiúil de chuid an Choimisiúin um Theorainneacha.
There are currently 361 primary schools participating in the Primary Languages Programme. The number of participating schools in each constituency is set out in the table below. The table is based on revised constituency boundaries as outlined in the Boundary Commission Fifth Periodical Report.
| CONSTITUENCY | NUMBER OF SCHOOLS |
|---|---|
| Belfast East | 6 |
| Belfast North | 12 |
| Belfast South | 11 |
| Belfast West | 10 |
| Mid Ulster | 33 |
| East Derry | 26 |
| Fermanagh and South Tyrone | 28 |
| Foyle | 12 |
| Lagan Valley | 15 |
| Newry and Armagh | 31 |
| East Antrim | 18 |
| North Antrim | 35 |
| South Antrim | 25 |
| North Down | 4 |
| South Down | 30 |
| Strangford | 18 |
| Upper Bann | 13 |
| West Tyrone | 34 |
Extended Schools Programme
Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Education how many schools in the South Belfast constituency have taken up the Extended Schools Programme.
(AQW 373/11)
Minister of Education: Sa chlár um Scoileanna Sínte (ES) sa bhliain 2010/11, tá 19 scoil i dtoghcheantar Bhéal Feirste Theas atá i dteideal cistiú ES agus roghnaigh siad ar fad go nglacfadh siad leis na hacmhainní. Tá na scoileanna seo mionsonraithe sa tábla thíos.
In the 2010/11 Extended Schools (ES) programme there are 19 schools in the South Belfast constituency eligible for ES funding and all have chosen to take up the offer of resources. These schools are outlined in the table below.
The table is based on revised constituency boundaries as outlined in the Boundary Commission Fifth Periodical Report.
| 2010/11 Extended Schools in the South Belfast constituency |
|---|
| Arellian Nursery School |
| Nettlefield Primary School |
| Taughmonagh Primary School |
| Donegall Road Primary School |
| Fane Street Primary School |
| Blythefield Primary School |
| Botanic Primary School |
| St Malachy’s Primary School |
| Scoil An Droichid |
| Cranmore Integrated Primary School |
| Belvoir Park Primary School |
| St Joseph’s College |
| Malone Integrated College |
| Knockbreda High School |
| Fleming Fulton Special School |
| Harberton Special School |
| Park Education Resource Centre |
| Glenveagh Special School |
| Oakwood Special School |
Translating Examination Papers
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to detail the cost of translating examination papers into Irish in each of the last three years.
(AQW 375/11)
Minister of Education: Soláthraíonn an Chomhairle Curaclaim, Scrúdúcháin agus Measúnaithe (CCSM) aistriúcháin Ghaeilge ar a hábhair scrúdaithe chun go bhféadfadh iarrthóirí a mhúintear trí mheán na Gaeilge, nó dóibh siúd ar mhian leo, scrúduithe a dhéanamh tríd an mheán seo.
The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) provides translations of its examination materials into Irish in order that candidates taught through the medium if Irish, or those who wish to do so, can sit a paper presented in that medium.
The cost of translating examination papers into Irish in each of the last three years was:
| Year | 2007/2008 | 2008/2009 | 2009/2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper Translation Costs | £33,006 |
£48,651 |
£76,297 |
These translation costs include salaries, paper, quality assurance and print.
Translating Examination Papers
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education how many examination papers, apart from those for the subject of Irish, were translated into Irish in the 2009/10 academic year; and how many are planned to be translated in the 2010/11 academic year.
(AQW 377/11)
Minister of Education: Soláthraíonn an Chomhairle Curaclaim, Scrúdúcháin agus Measúnaithe (CCSM) aistriúcháin Ghaeilge ar a hábhair scrúdaithe chun go bhféadfadh iarrthóirí a mhúintear trí mheán na Gaeilge nó dóibh siúd ar mhian leo, scrúduithe a dhéanamh tríd an mheán seo
The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) provides translations of its examination materials into Irish in order that candidates taught through the medium if Irish, or those who wish to do so, can sit a paper presented in that medium.
In 2009/10 CCEA translated 224 papers, across 27 different subjects, into the medium of Irish. The number for 2011 will be dependent upon candidate entry patterns. However, CCEA predicts the position will be similar to that in the 2009/10 academic year.
Area Learning Communities
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail the transport costs for pupils, at key stage 4 and aged over 16, taking part in Area Learning Communities.
(AQW 393/11)
Minister of Education: Faigheann scoileanna buiséid tharmligthe a gcumasaíonn dóibh an curaclam a sholáthar de réir riachtanais pholasaí agus riachtanais reachtacha. Chomh maith leis sin, ós rud é go bhfuil costais bainteach le roghanna an churaclaim a fhorbairt, lena n-áirítear trí chomhoibriú le scoileanna, coláistí agus soláthraithe oiliúna eile, soláthraíonn mo Roinn cistiú breise do scoileanna trí fhoirmle maoinithe an Chreata Teidlíochta.
Schools receive delegated budgets to enable them to deliver the curriculum in line with policy and legislative requirements. Additionally, and in recognition of the fact that there are costs associated with expanding the curricular offer, including through collaboration with other schools, colleges or training providers, my Department provides additional funding via the Entitlement Framework funding formula to schools.
Such costs are therefore met from within the total budget delegated to each school and the Department does not hold specific information on the proportion spent by schools on transport. We do, however, require schools to ensure that resources are used in a cost-effective manner and to explore alternative and imaginative approaches to widening their curricular offer, including through making more effective use of our excellent ICT infrastructure or through moving teachers rather than pupils.
Taxis and Buses for Pupils
Mr G Savage asked e Minister of Education to provide a breakdown of the spending on (a) taxis; and (b) buses for pupils, in each of the last three years.
(AQW 394/11)
Minister of Education: Chuir na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlann in iúl dom go bhfuil miondealú an chaiteachais ar (a) tacsaithe; agus (b) busanna le haghaidh daltaí, i ngach bliain de na trí bliana is déanaí dona bhfuil figiúirí ar fáil, mar atá soláthraithe sa tábla thíos. Níl na figiúirí don bhliain 2009-10 ar fáil go fóill.
I am advised by the Education and Library Boards that the breakdown of the spending on (a) taxis; and (b) buses for pupils, in each of the last three years for which figures are available is as provided in the table below. The figures for 2009-10 are not yet available.
| Financial Year | (a) Taxis £k |
(b) Buses* £k |
|---|---|---|
2006-07 |
7,325 |
54,386 |
2007-08 |
6,959 |
56,244 |
2008-09 |
7,807 |
61,607 |
* This represents all buses provided by Translink, Education & Library Boards and private operators.
Source: The Education and Library Boards Actual Outturn Expenditure Home to School Transport.
School Milk Scheme
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail the (i) schools; and (ii) nurseries which avail of the School Milk scheme, broken down by Education and Library Board area.
(AQW 395/11)
Minister of Education: Is mar seo a leanas atá na scoileanna a bhaineann leas as Scéim Bhainne Scoile an AE, agus iad mionsonraithe de réir limistéar Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann:
The schools which avail of the EU School Milk Scheme, broken down by Education and Library Board area, are as follows:
Belfast Education and Library Board
Nursery
Arellian Nursery School Bethlehem Nursery School Botanic Primary School Nursery Unit Brefne Nursery School Cathedral Nursery School Edenderry Nursery School Glenbank Nursery School Glendhu Nursery School Holy Child Nursery School Holy Cross Nursery School Holy Family Nursery School Holy Rosary Nursery School Hope Nursery School McArthur Nursery School Newlodge Nursery School Oldpark Nursery School Our Lady’s Nursery School |
Ravenscroft Nursery School Sandbrook Nursery School Shaftesbury Nursery School Stanhope Street Nursery School St Anne’s Primary School Nurs. Unit St Bernadette’s Nursery School St Bride’s Primary School Nurs. Unit St Maria Goretti Nursery School St Martin’s Nursery School St Mary’s Nursery School St Michael’s Nursery School St Oliver Plunkett Nursery School St Paul's Nursery School St Peter’s Nursery School St Teresa’s Nursery School Tudor Lodge Nursery School Victoria Nursery School |
Primary
Avoniel Primary School Ballygolan Primary School Ballysillan Primary School Belmont Infants School Black Mountain Primary School Cliftonville Primary School Currie Primary School Dundela Infants School Edenbrooke Primary School Edmund Rice Primary School Elmgrove Primary School Euston Street Primary School Fane Street Primary School Gaelscoil na bhFál Glenwood Primary School Greenwood Primary School Grove Primary School Harding Memorial Primary School Harmony Primary School Hazelwood Primary School Holy Child Primary School Holy Cross Boys’ Primary School Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School Holy Family Primary School Holy Rosary Primary School Knocknagoney Primary School Ligoniel Primary School |
Lowwood Primary School Mercy Primary School Nettlefield Primary School Our Lady’s Primary School Rosetta Primary School Sacred Heart Primary School Scoil an Droichid Seaview Primary School Springfield Primary School Springhill Primary School Stranmillis Primary School Strathearn School Prep Department St Bernadette’s Primary School St Clare’s Primary School St Joseph’s Primary School, Slate St St Malachy’s Primary School St Mary’s Star of the Sea PS St Matthew’s Primary School St Michael’s Primary School St Oliver Plunkett Primary School St Paul’s Primary School, Mica Drive St Peter’s Primary School, Ross Road St Vincent de Paul Primary School Victoria Park Primary School Taughmonagh Primary School Wheatfield Primary School |
Special
Cedar Lodge Special School Clarawood Special School Fleming Fulton Special School Glenveagh Special School Greenwood House Assessment Centre |
Harberton Special School Oakwood Special School Mitchell House Special School Park Education Resource Centre St Gerard’s Education Resource Centre |
North-Eastern Education and Library Board
Nursery
Ashgrove Nursery School Ballycastle Nursery School Ballyhenry Nursery School Ballymena Nursery School Ballymoney Nursery School Ballysally Nursery School Broughshane Nursery School Carrowreagh Nursery School Clough Nursery School Dunclug Nursery School Earlview Nursery School Eden Nursery School, Ballymoney Gracehill Nursery School Harpurs's Hill Nursery School Hezlett Nursery School Kylemore Nursery School Larne Nursery School Magherafelt Nursery School |
Millstrand Integrated Nursery School Mossley Nursery School Oakfield Nursery School Portstewart Nursery School Roundtower Nursery School Silverstream Nursery School Steeple Nursery School Straidbilly Nursery School Sunnylands Nursery School St Anthony's Nursery School St Columba’s Nursery School Kilrea St James’ Nursery School St Joseph's Nursery School, Antrim St Joseph's Nursery School, Crumlin St Joseph's Nursery School, Dunloy St Mary's Nursery School, Cushendall St Patrick’s & St Brigid's Nurs. School Victoria Nursery School |
Primary
Abbotts Cross Primary School Ampertaine Primary School Anahorish Primary School Antrim Primary School Armoy Primary School Ballycarry Primary School Ballycastle Primary School Ballyclare Primary School Ballycraigy Primary School Ballyhackett Primary School Ballyhenry Primary School Ballykeel Primary School Ballymoney Model Primary School Ballynease Primary School Ballynure Primary School Ballysally Primary School Ballytober Primary School Barnish Primary School Braidside Primary School Buick Memorial Primary School Bushmills Primary School Cairncastle Primary School Carhill Primary School Carlane Primary School Carnaghts Primary School Carnalridge Primary School Carnlough Primary School Carniny Primary School Carrickfergus Central Primary School Carrickfergus Model Primary School Carrowreagh Primary School Castledawson Primary School Castleroe Primary School Cloughmills Primary School Corran Primary School Creavery Primary School Creggan Primary School Culcrow Primary School Cullycapple Primary School Culnady Primary School Dalriada School Prep Department Damhead Primary School Desertmartin Primary School D H Christie Primary School Drumard Primary School Duneane Primary School Dunservick Primary School Earlview Primary School Eden Primary School, Ballymoney Eden Primary School, Carrickfergus Fairview Primary School Gaelscoil Ėanna Gaelscoil na Spéiríní Garvagh Primary School Garryduff Primary School Glengormley Primary School Glenravel Primary School Gorran Primary School Gracehill Primary School Greenisland Primary School Groggan Primary School Harpurs Hill Primary School Harryville Primary School Hezlett Primary School Hollybank Primary School Holy Family Primary School Kells & Connor Primary School Kilbride Primary School Killowen Primary School Kilmoyle Primary School Kilrea Primary School Kilross Primary School King’s Park Primary School Kirkinriola Primary School Knockahollett Primary School Knockloughrim Primary School Knocknagin Primary School Landhead Primary School |
Larne & Inver Primary School Leaney Primary School Lislagan Primary School Loanends Primary School Longstone Primary School Maghera Primary School Magherafelt Primary School Maine Integrated PS, Randalstown Mallusk Primary School Millburn Primary School Millquarter Primary School Millstrand Primary School Moneynick Primary School Moorfields Primary School Mossgrove Primary School Mossley Primary School Mount St Michael's Primary School Moyle Primary School Mullaghdubh Primary School New Row Primary School Oakfield Primary School Olderfleet Primary School Portglenone Primary School Randalstown Primary School Rasharkin Primary School Rathcoole Primary School Rathenraw Primary School Silverstream Primary School Straid Primary School Straidbilly Primary School Straidhavern Primary School St Anthony's Primary School St Brigid’s Primary School, Ballymena St Brigid's PS, Cloughmills St Brigid's Primary School, Mayogall St Brigid's Primary School, Tirkane St Ciaran's Primary School St Colmcille's PS, Ballymena St Columba’s Primary School, Straw St Comgall’s Primary School St Eoghan's Primary School St John's Primary School, Coleraine St. Joseph's Primary School, Antrim St Joseph's Primary School, Dunloy St Mac Nisius’ PS, Tannaghmore St Macnissi’s Primary School, Larne St Macnissi’s PS, Newtownabbey St Malachy's Primary School St Mary's Primary School, Bellaghy St Mary's Primary School, Cargan St Mary's Primary School, Cushendall St Mary's Primary School, Glenview St Mary's Primary School, Greenlough St Mary's Primary School, Portglenone St Mary's Primary School, Rathlin St Olcan's Primary School, Armoy St Oliver Plunkett's PS, Toome St Patrick's Primary School, Loughgiel St Patrick's Primary School, Portrush St Patrick's Primary School, Rasharkin St Patrick's Primary School, Waterfoot St Patrick's & St Joseph's PS, Garvagh St Patrick's & St Brigid's PS (Junior) St Patrick’s & St Brigid's PS (Senior) St Trea's Primary School Templepatrick Primary School The Diamond Primary School The Thompson Primary School Tildarg Primary School Tobermore Primary School Toreagh Primary School Upper Ballyboley Primary School Victoria Primary School Whiteabbey Primary School Whitehead Primary School Whitehouse Primary School Woodburn Primary School Woodlawn Primary School |
Special
Castle Tower Special School Hillcroft Special School Jordanstown Schools Kilronan Special School Riverside Special School |
Roddensvale Special School Rosstulla Special School Sandelford Special School Thornfield House Special School |
South-Eastern Education and Library Board
Nursery
Abbey Nursery School Barbour Nursery School Bloomfield Road Nursery School Comber Nursery School Forthill Nursery School Killowen Pre School |
Old Warren Nursery School Pond Park Nursery School St Kieran’s Nursery School St Malachy’s Nursery School, Bangor Trinity Nursery School |
Primary
Abbey Primary School Academy Primary School Alexander Dickson Primary School Anahilt Primary School Andrews Memorial Primary School Annsborough Primary School Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School Ballycloughan Primary School Ballykiegle Primary School Ballymacrickett Primary School Ballynahinch Primary School Ballynahinch PS Special Unit Ballyvester Primary School Ballywalter Primary School Bangor Central Primary School Braniel Primary School Brooklands Primary School Brownlee Primary School Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche Cairnshill Primary School Carr Primary School Carrickmannon Primary School Carryduff Primary School Castlewellan Primary School Cedar Integrated Primary School Christ the King PS, Drumaness Christ the Redeemer Primary School Convent of Mercy Primary School Cumran Primary School Donaghadee Primary School Downpatrick Primary School Downshire Primary School Gilnahirk Primary School Glasswater Primary School Good Shepherd Primary School Harmony Hill Primary School Kilcooley Primary School Killinchy Primary School Killyleagh Primary School Kilmaine Primary School Millenium Primary School |
Kirkistown Primary School Knockmore Primary School Leadhill Primary School Legamaddy Primary School Loughries Primary School Lower Ballinderry Primary School Maghaberry Primary School Mckinney Primary School Moira Primary School Moneyrea Primary School Newcastle Primary School Oakwood Integrated Primary School Our Lady Queen of Peace PS Portaferry Integrated Primary School Portavogie Primary School Rathmore Primary School Rowandale Integrated Primary School Spa Primary School St Anne’s Primary School St Bernard’s Primary School St Brigid’s Primary School St Colmcille’s Primary School St Finian’s Primary School St Joseph’s Primary School, Crossgar St Joseph’s Primary School, Lisburn St Kieran’s Primary School St Luke’s Primary School St Malachy’s PS, Castlewellan St Malachy’s Primary School, Kilclief St Mark’s Primary School St Mary’s Primary School, Comber St Mary’s Primary School, Newcastle St Mary’s Primary School, Portaferry St Mary’s Primary School, Saintfield St Patrick’s Primary School, Portaferry St Patrick’s PS, Burrenreagh The Holy Family Primary School Tonagh Primary School Towerview Primary School Victoria Primary School Westwinds Primary School |
Special
Brookfield Special School Clifton Special School Killard House School Knockevin Special School |
Longstone Special School Parkview Special School Tor Bank Special School |
Southern Education and Library Board
Nursery/Playgroups
Banbridge Nursery School College Farm Nursery School Cookstown Nursery School Downshire Nursery School Dromore Nursery School Dungannon Nursery School Drumnamoe Nursery School Earlybird Edenderry Nursery School Fivemiletown Nursery School |
Grove Nursery School Harrison Nursery School Little Flower Nursery School Little Villagers Millington Nursery School Naíscoil an Iúir Railway Street Nursery School Seaview Nursery School Tandragee Nursery School |
Primary
Aghavilly Primary School Anamar Primary School Annalong Primary School Armagh Christian Brothers’ PS Armstrong Primary School Aughamullan Primary School Augher Central Primary School Ballydown Primary School Ballyholland Primary School Ballyoran Primary School Bessbrook Primary School Brackenagh West Primary School Bridge Primary School Bronte Primary School Bunscoil an Iúir Carntall Primary School Churchhill Primary School Churchtown Primary School Clea Primary School Clonalig Primary School Cloughoge Primary School Coagh Primary School Cortamlet Primary School Derryhale Primary School Dickson Primary School Donacloney Primary School Donaghmore Primary School Donaghy Primary School Dromintee Primary School Dromore Central Primary School Dromore Road PS, Warrenpoint Drumadonnell Primary School Drumgor Primary School Drumhillery Primary School Drumsallen Primary School Edenderry Primary School, Banbridge Edenderry Primary School, Portadown Fairhill Primary School Fivemiletown Primary School Gilford Primary School Grange Primary School Hardy memorial Primary School Hart Memorial Primary School Hamiltonsbawn Primary School Holy Trinity Primary School Iveagh Primary School Jonesborough Primary School Keady Primary School Kilbroney Primary School Kilkeel Primary School Killean Primary School Killowen Primary School Killylea Primary School Kingsmills Primary School King’s Park Primary School Lisnadill Primary School Lisfearty Primary School Lurgan Model Primary School Maralin Village Primary School Millington Primary School Milltown Primary School Moneydarragh Primary School Moneymore Primary School Moy Regional Primary School Moyallen Primary School Mount St Catherine’s Primary School Mullaghglass Primary School Newmills Primary School Newtownhamilton Primary School Orchard Primary School Orritor Primary School Our Lady’s Primary School, Tullsarran Our Lady’s & St Mochua’s PS |
Portadown Primary School Primate Dixon Primary School Richmond Primary School Richmount Primary School Roan Primary School Saints & Scholars Integrated PS Seagoe Primary School Scarva Primary School St Brendan’s Primary School St Brigid’s Primary School, Drumilly St Bronagh’s Primary School St Colman’s Abbey PS, Newry St Colman’s PS, Annaclone St Colman’s (Bann) Primary School St Colman’s Primary School, Dromore St Colman’s Primary School, Kilkeel St Dallan’s Primary School St Francis of Assisi Primary School St Jarlath’s Primary School St John’s Primary School, Middletown St John the Baptist Primary School St Joseph’s Primary School, Bessbrook St Joseph’s Convent PS, Newry St Joseph’s Primary School, Madden St Joseph’s PS, Poyntzpass St Laurence’s PS, Belleeks St Malachy’s Primary School, Armagh St Malachy’s PS, Ballymoyer St Malachy’s PS, Carrickcroppin St Malachy’s Primary School, Glencull St Mary’s PS, Ballygawley St Mary’s Primary School, Banbridge St Mary’s Primary School, Cabra St Mary’s Primary School, Dechomet St Mary’s Primary School, Derrytrasna St Mary’s Primary School, Dunamore St Mary’s PS, Fivemiletown St Mary’s Primary School, Granemore St Mary’s PS, Glassdrumman St Mary’s Primary School, Lisbouy St Mary’s Primary School, Pomeroy St Mary’s Primary School, Rathfriland St Mary’s PS, Stewartstown St Matthew’s Primary School St McCartan’s Convent PS St Michael’s Primary School, Clady St Michael’s Primary School, Finnis St Oliver Plunkett’s PS, Ballyhegan St Oliver Plunkett’s PS, Forkhill St Patrick’s PS, Aghacommon St Patrick’s Primary School, Armagh St Patrick’s PS, Ballymaghery St Patrick’s PS, Crossmaglen St Patrick’s PS, Cullyhanna St Patrick’s PS, Donaghmore St Patrick’s PS, Drumgreenagh St Patrick’s PS, Dungannon St Patrick’s Primary School, Loup St Patrick’s PS, Mayobridge St Patrick’s PS, Moneymore St Patrick’s Primary School, Newry St Paul’s Primary School, Cabra St Peter’s PS, Cloughreagh St Ronan’s Primary School St Teresa’s PS, Tullyherron Tandragee Primary School Tullygally Primary School The Cope Primary School The Drelincourt Primary School Waringstown Primary School Windmill Primary School Windsor Hill Primary School Woods Primary School |
Special
Ceara Special School Donard Special School Lisanally Special School |
Rathore Special School Sperrinview Special School |
Western Education and Library Board
Nursery
Academy Nursery School Ballycolman Nursery School Belmont Nursery School Bligh’s Lane Nursery School Carnhill Nursery School Ebrington Nursery School Enniskillen Nursery School Galliagh Nursery School Limavady Nursery School Lisnagelvin Nursery School |
Londonderry Model Nursery School Longtower Nursery School Omagh North Nursery School Rosemount Nursery School St Patrick's Nursery School, Castlederg Steelstown Nursery School Strathfoyle Nursery School Termoncanice Nursery School Trench Road Nursery School |
Primary
Aghadrumsee Primary School All Saints Primary School Altishane Primary School Ardstraw Primary School Artigarvan Primary School Ashlea Primary School Ballinamallard Primary School Ballougry Primary School Ballykelly Primary School Barrack Street Boys’ Primary School Bellarena Primary School Belleek Primary School Bready Jubilee Primary School Bridgehill Primary School Broadbridge Primary School Brookeborough Primary School Bunscoil an Traonaigh Bunscoil Cholmcille Chapel Road Primary School Christ the King Primary School Cooley Primary School Corranny Primary School Culmore Primary School Cumber Claudy Primary School Denamona Primary School Derrygonnelly Primary School Donemana Primary School Dromore Primary School Drumachose Primary School Drumlegagh Primary School Drumlish Primary School Drumrane Primary School Dungiven Road Good Shepherd PS Dunmullan Primary School Edwards Primary School Eglinton Primary School Enniskillen Integrated Primary School Enniskillen Model Primary School Envagh Primary School Erganagh Primary School Evish Primary School Faughanvale Primary School Florencecourt Primary School Fountain Primary School Gaiscoil Ėadain Mhóir Gaelscoil ui Dhochartaigh Gillygooley Primary School Glendermott Primary School Gortin Primary School Greenhaw Primary School Groarty Primary School Hollybush Primary School Holy Child Primary School Holy Family Primary School Holy Trinity PS – St Michael’s Irvinestown Primary School Jones Memorial Primary School Kesh Primary School Killen Primary School Killyhommon Primary School Kilskeery Ind Christian School Lack Primary School Limavady Central Primary School Lisbellaw Primary School Lisnagelvin Primary School Listress Primary School Loreto Convent Primary School Loughash Primary School Magheralough Primary School Maguiresbridge Primary School McClintock Primary School Moat Primary School Nazareth House Primary School Newbuildings Primary School Newtownbutler Primary School |
Newtownstewart Primary School Oakgrove Integrated Primary School Omagh County Primary School Omagh Integrated Primary School Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Queen Elizabeth II Primary School Roe Valley Primary School Roscavey Primary School Sacred Heart PS, Derry Sion Mills Primary School Strabane Contolled Primary School St Anne's Primary School St Anne's Primary School, Strabane St Brigid's PS, Altamuskin St Brigid's Primary School, Carnhill St Brigid's Primary School, Cranagh St Canice's Primary School, Dungiven St Canice's Primary School, Feeny St Colmcille's Primary School St Columban's Primary School St Columba's Primary School, Clady St Columba's PS, Newbuildings St Columbkille's Primary School St Conor's Primary School St Davog's Primary School St Davog's Primary School, Scraghey St Eithne's Primary School St Eugene’s Primary School, Knocks St Eugene's PS, Derry St Finlough's Primary School St Francis of Assisi Primary School St John the Baptist Primary School St John's Primary School St Joseph's Primary School, Drumquin St Joseph's Primary School, Ederney St Joseph's PS, Glenmoran St Laurence's Primary School St Martin's Primary School St Mary's Primary School, Altinure St Mary's Boys’ Primary School St Mary's PS, Brookeborough St Mary's Primary School, Cloughcor St Mary's Girls’ Primary School St Mary's Primary School, Gortnaghy St Mary's Primary School, Killesher St Mary's PS, Killyclogher St Mary's PS, Maguiresbridge St Mary's PS, Mullymesker St Mary's PS, Newtownbutler St Mary's Primary School, Teemore St Mary's Primary School, Tempo St Matthew's Primary School St Naile's Primary School St Ninnidh's Primary School St Oliver Plunkett PS, Beragh St Oliver Plunkett PS, Derry St Patrick's PS, Derrygonnelly St Patrick's PS, Dunamanagh St Patrick's Primary School, Eskra St Patrick's Primary School, Gortin St Patrick's PS, Mullanskea St Patrick's PS, Pennyburn St Paul's Primary School St Paul's Primary School, Slievemore St Peter’s & St Paul's Primary School St Peter's Primary School, Plumbridge St Ronan's Primary School St Scire's Primary School St Theresa's Primary School, Glebe St Theresa's PS, Lenamore St Tierney's Primary School Tattygar Primary School Tempo Primary School Tummery Primary School |
Special
Arvalee School & Resource Centre Belmont House Special School Elmbrook Special School Erne Special School |
Foyleview Special School Knockavoe School & Resource Centre Rossmar Special School |
DEPARTMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
Higher and Further Education
Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the spend on (i) higher education; and (ii) further education (a) in total; and (b) per student, in each of the last three financial years.
(AQW 56/11)
Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): (i) The total spend on Higher Education has been taken from the HM Treasury Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2010 published in July this year. Student numbers are taken from the Higher Education Statistical Agency. The figures for the last three available years are:
| 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HE Spend | £332m |
£342m |
£332m |
| Spend per Student | £6,795 |
£7,095 |
£6,882 |
(ii) The six Further Education Colleges are funded annually through the Recurrent Block Grant on the basis of enrolment numbers rather than student numbers. There are variances in funding levels between enrolment types, so the figures detailed below are broken down to full-time enrolments and part-time enrolments. Additionally figures for Higher Education provision delivered in the Further Education sector are provided as they are not reflected in the HE figures above.
| FE Spend * | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spend (Total) | £108.6m |
£104.2m |
£106m |
| Spend (Full Time) | £75.7m |
£74.4m |
£80m |
| Spend per FT enrolment | £5,224 |
£4,670 |
£4,310 |
| Spend (Part Time) | £32.9m |
£29.8m |
£26m |
| Spend per PT enrolment | £567 |
£581 |
£502 |
* Enrolment numbers and spend exclude recreational provision
| HE in FE Spend | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spend (Total) | £21.1m |
£25.7m |
£26.4m |
| Spend (Full Time) | £11.1m |
£17.7m |
£18m |
| Spend per FT enrolment | £3,956 |
£5,113 |
£4,433 |
| Spend (Part Time) | £10m |
£8m |
£8.4m |
| Spend per PT enrolment | £1,497 |
£1,392 |
£1,376 |
Free English Language Courses
Ms A Lo asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if his Department has any plans to introduce free English language courses in Further Education Colleges for asylum seekers.
(AQW 182/11)
Minister for Employment and Learning: My Department provides funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision in FE colleges in recognition of its importance to the economy as well as its role in promoting social cohesion.
Within the funding formula, ESOL provision is given the highest weighting and so attracts enhanced funding. Across the FE sector, over £2.8m worth of ESOL provision has been recorded so far in the 2009/10 academic year (data correct at June 2010) against a total of 4847 enrolments. However, as incorporated bodies, colleges have their own fee policy and may or may not charge fees to students. Contributions are also sought from employers where appropriate.
In the current economic climate we have focused our investment and provision on those people who have made a commitment to living in this country but whose English skills prevent them from getting or keeping a job.
Currently all migrants who meet UK residency requirements are eligible for financial assistance for ESOL training. Those who fail to meet these requirements are charged at a full cost recovery rate. In cases of hardship, students may receive help from Support Funds.
I am aware of a recent briefing paper submitted by the Law Centre (NI) on behalf of a number of interested parties which sets out a case for the provision of free ESOL classes for asylum seekers and refugees. My officials are considering the implications of this request. However, I can confirm that there are no plans at present to introduce free English classes specifically for asylum seekers.
Risks of Disallowances or Infraction Proceedings
Dr S Farry asked the Minister for Employment and Learning for his assessment of any risks of disallowances or infraction proceedings that could be undertaken in relation to the work of his Department and its agencies; and what measures he is taking to mitigate any such risks.
(AQW 210/11)
Minister for Employment and Learning: My Department is responsible for the transposition of the Agency Workers Directive (Directive 2008/104/EC) in Northern Ireland, which is intended to give temporary agency workers equal treatment to directly-employed workers in respect of pay, hours of work, holiday entitlement, etc. A consultation paper is due to issue in October this year. I am content that the
transposition date of 5 December 2011 will be met, and that there is no threat of disallowances or infraction proceedings.
Queen's University Merger with Stranmillis College
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what commitments Queen's University has given to (i) academic staff; and (ii) non-academic staff in relation to their continued employment in the event of a merger with Stranmillis College.
(AQW 253/11)
Minister for Employment and Learning: In working towards the merger of the two institutions, the Governing Bodies of Queen’s University and Stranmillis University College, have adopted a set of guiding principles. Principle number two states:
"There will be full consultation with all staff and Trade Unions. Staff will transfer under TUPE with their terms and conditions protected and will remain in their current pension schemes. No compulsory redundancies will arise as a direct result of this merger."
I expect this commitment to be honoured in the event of a merger.
Third Level Education
Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what discussions his Department has had with the UK Government in relation to the future funding of third level education.
(AQW 269/11)
Minister for Employment and Learning: Since the change of government senior officials within my Department have met and engaged in significant dialogue with colleagues in the other UK regions and with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. These communications dealt with a range of issues, specifically related to Further and Higher Education including funding, and explored the new policy directions of the Coalition.
Steps To Work Programme
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, in relation to participants from West Belfast, to detail (i) how many people are currently on the Steps To Work programme, broken down by industry sector; (ii) how many people have participated in the programme since it commenced; (iii) how much money a business receives per placement ; (iv) how much money each participant receives; (v) how many people have been successful in gaining paid employment and; (v) how many people have been successful in gaining employment with their placement organisation.
(AQW 283/11)
Minister for Employment and Learning:
- Steps to Work occupancy statistics are not currently captured by industry sector.
- The first Step to Work statistical bulletin will be published on the 29 September 2010. Prior release of this information would breach the terms of the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics Order (Northern Ireland) 2009. The number of participants for West Belfast will be available from 20 October 2010.
- No funding is made available, through the programme, to businesses offering work placements.
- Programme participants receive their current rate of benefit (or an equivalent training allowance), plus top up / Training bonus (£15.38 per week), travel allowance (where costs are in excess of £4 per week), childcare allowance (where appropriate). Participants on the waged strand of the programme receive at least the National Minimum Wage.
- Statistics on employment outcomes will be published on the 29 September 2010. Prior release of this information would breach the terms of the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics Order (Northern Ireland) 2009.
- Statistical information is not collected on employment outcomes gained directly with placement organisations.
DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Ryanair
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail all correspondence between Ryanair and her Department in the last 18 months.
(AQW 109/11)
Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster): I received a letter from Mr Michael Cawley, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of Ryanair, dated 9 September 2010, summarising the topics discussed at the meeting which we had on 3 September. I replied to Mr Cawley on 16 September thanking him for the opportunity to discuss his Company’s concerns.
My Department’s Statistics Research Branch received one statistical survey form (the Census of Employment) from Ryanair to collect information on the number of employee jobs by location and gender. The Census of Employment form was issued on 7th September 2009 and was completed and returned to the Department on 16th September 2009.
Risks of Disallowances or Infraction Proceedings
Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of any risks of disallowances or infraction proceedings that could be taken in relation to the work of her Department or its related agencies; and to set out the measures being taken to mitigate any such risks.
(AQW 156/11)
Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: My officials, in consultation with their Whitehall counterparts, have assessed any risks of disallowance or infraction proceedings as low.
My Department is fully aware that there is a risk that EU funds may be disallowed where EU regulations are not complied with. The Department mitigates this risk through regular verification and grant inspection activity, ongoing liaison with Implementing Bodies and the provision of written guidance and training for those involved in drawing down funding.
My officials are also well aware of the importance of timely transposition of EU Directives, and current procedures are sufficiently robust to ensure that this happens as a matter of course. This reflects a much greater awareness now of the importance of transposing EU Directives on time and the potential consequences of failing to do so. Within DETI, the Legislative Monitoring Unit (LMU) acts as an initial alerting service, taking details of all newly adopted EU Directives from the European Policy and Co-ordination Unit (EPCU) within OFMDFM, and issuing these to relevant Departmental Heads of Divisions (HODs). The HODs then take ownership of the respective Directives, in liaison with their Whitehall counterparts, and are responsible for monitoring and managing the transposition process to ensure that all Directives within their policy remit are transposed on time. DETI’s Departmental Board oversees all DETI legislation and monitors progress via regular reports.
Broadband
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to AQW 4050/10 and AQW 3333/10, for an update on the broadband upgrades to telephone exchanges in the South Antrim constituency.
(AQW 168/11)
Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Broadband upgrades are planned for 44 designated areas in the South Antrim constituency. By the end of August 2010, 19 areas had been upgraded which is 43% of the total for the constituency. Across all of Northern Ireland 40% of all designated areas have been upgraded. By May 2011 all designated areas are expected to be upgraded.
Broadband
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an update on the delivery of next generation broadband for the Strangford constituency.
(AQW 299/11)
Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Broadband upgrades are planned for 33 designated areas in the Strangford constituency as part of the Next Generation Broadband Project. By the end of August 2010, 11 areas had been upgraded which is 33% of the total for the constituency. Across all of Northern Ireland 40% of all designated areas had been upgraded by end August, with deployment in some areas in line with the Northern Ireland average, whilst deployment in some other areas is either ahead of or behind that average. However, by May 2011 all designated areas are scheduled to be upgraded.
Broadband
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an update on the delivery of next generation broadband for the East Antrim constituency.
(AQW 439/11)
Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Broadband upgrades are planned for 27 designated areas in the East Antrim constituency as part of the Next Generation Broadband Project. By the end of August 2010, 18 areas had been upgraded which is 66% of the total for the constituency. Across all of Northern Ireland 40% of all designated areas had been upgraded by the end of August. By May 2011 all designated areas are scheduled to be upgraded.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Risks of Disallowances or Infraction Proceedings
Dr S Farry asked the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of any risks of disallowances or infraction proceedings that could be taken in relation to the work of his Department or its related agencies; and to set out the measures being taken to mitigate any such risks.
(AQW 155/11)
Minister of the Environment (Mr E Poots): We seek to minimise the risk of disallowances and infraction proceedings arising by working with other jurisdictions across the UK. We ensure each Directive is transposed into domestic law by the transposition deadline and that all implementation requirements are met.
MOT Tests
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment how many MOT tests have taken place in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) MOT centre; and (ii) vehicle type.
(AQW 217/11)
Minister of the Environment: For the purposes of this response the number of MOT tests has been taken to mean the number of vehicles presented for full vehicle tests in each of the financial years from 2005-06 to 2009-10, and vehicles have been classed as cars, motorcycles, light goods vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, trailers or buses/taxis.
| Year 2005-06 | Vehicle Type | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Motor Cycles | Light Goods | Heavy Goods | Trailers | PSV Buses/Taxis | |
| Armagh | 15819 |
418 |
1842 |
1798 |
1000 |
566 |
| Ballymena | 33666 |
1467 |
3495 |
1537 |
1204 |
1070 |
| Belfast | 53195 |
1474 |
3790 |
1616 |
627 |
2590 |
| Coleraine | 36787 |
1683 |
3523 |
1598 |
468 |
660 |
| Cookstown | 31834 |
700 |
4586 |
2140 |
822 |
566 |
| Craigavon | 23821 |
958 |
2157 |
1898 |
887 |
474 |
| Downpatrick | 22631 |
500 |
2258 |
1348 |
263 |
458 |
| Enniskillen | 22765 |
1228 |
2613 |
1290 |
666 |
417 |
| Larne | 20275 |
942 |
1436 |
1404 |
1395 |
564 |
| Lisburn | 27823 |
1112 |
2336 |
1851 |
809 |
871 |
| Londonderry | 30507 |
773 |
2949 |
1248 |
342 |
1959 |
| Mallusk | 36500 |
1304 |
3118 |
3403 |
2845 |
2139 |
| Newry | 36052 |
512 |
4114 |
2228 |
788 |
845 |
| Newtownards | 56083 |
2240 |
3187 |
1187 |
247 |
1346 |
| Omagh | 20741 |
402 |
2891 |
1223 |
371 |
530 |
Total |
468499 | 15713 | 44295 | 25769 | 12734 | 15055 |
| Year 2006-07 | Vehicle Type | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Motor cycles | Light Goods Vehicles | Heavy Goods Vehicles | Trailers | PSV Buses/Taxis | |
| Armagh | 17538 |
516 |
2040 |
1884 |
1077 |
535 |
| Ballymena | 39959 |
1648 |
4260 |
1739 |
1457 |
1046 |
| Belfast | 58263 |
1756 |
3987 |
1762 |
681 |
2713 |
| Coleraine | 38333 |
1665 |
3743 |
1619 |
538 |
716 |
| Cookstown | 33303 |
698 |
4814 |
2221 |
923 |
587 |
| Craigavon | 27894 |
1262 |
2567 |
1809 |
855 |
349 |
| Downpatrick | 23862 |
455 |
2454 |
1340 |
256 |
442 |
| Enniskillen | 24246 |
1397 |
2746 |
1383 |
792 |
413 |
| Larne | 22190 |
1037 |
1613 |
1421 |
1397 |
605 |
| Lisburn | 31028 |
1170 |
2650 |
1791 |
840 |
960 |
| Londonderry | 36141 |
813 |
3697 |
1267 |
341 |
2054 |
| Mallusk | 40086 |
1536 |
3846 |
3746 |
3038 |
2582 |
| Newry | 39619 |
632 |
4532 |
2430 |
924 |
941 |
| Newtownards | 66124 |
2494 |
3780 |
1180 |
247 |
1366 |
| Omagh | 21655 |
378 |
3048 |
1271 |
375 |
530 |
Totals |
520241 | 17457 | 49777 | 26863 | 13741 | 15839 |
| Year 2007-08 | Vehicle Type | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Motor cycles | Light Goods Vehicles | Heavy Goods Vehicles | Trailers | PSV Buses/Taxis | |
| Armagh | 19140 |
515 |
2250 |
1980 |
1088 |
576 |
| Ballymena | 43132 |
1669 |
4609 |
1815 |
1392 |
1361 |
| Belfast | 55292 |
1748 |
4006 |
1824 |
643 |
2709 |
| Coleraine | 40350 |
1659 |
4084 |
1643 |
416 |
702 |
| Cookstown | 32139 |
719 |
4676 |
2378 |
1007 |
606 |
| Craigavon | 31909 |
1251 |
2954 |
1771 |
802 |
517 |
| Downpatrick | 27046 |
510 |
2850 |
1221 |
251 |
487 |
| Enniskillen | 26051 |
1508 |
3157 |
1389 |
834 |
458 |
| Larne | 24506 |
1077 |
1784 |
1213 |
1539 |
619 |
| Lisburn | 33811 |
1235 |
2839 |
1745 |
848 |
1074 |
| Londonderry | 38432 |
877 |
3949 |
1417 |
322 |
2332 |
| Mallusk | 34264 |
1523 |
3520 |
4131 |
3013 |
2515 |
| Newry | 40640 |
687 |
4695 |
2297 |
893 |
837 |
| Newtownards | 64573 |
2734 |
3742 |
1301 |
283 |
1394 |
| Omagh | 22771 |
443 |
3354 |
1305 |
379 |
498 |
Totals |
534056 | 18155 | 52469 | 27430 | 13710 | 16685 |
| Year 2008-09 | Vehicle Type | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Motor cycles | Light Goods Vehicles | Heavy Goods Vehicles | Trailers | PSV Buses/Taxis | |
| Armagh | 22723 |
612 |
2757 |
2085 |
1171 |
640 |
| Ballymena | 45890 |
1871 |
4967 |
1900 |
1546 |
1251 |
| Belfast | 61865 |
1878 |
4495 |
1801 |
720 |
3132 |
| Coleraine | 43253 |
1814 |
4364 |
1608 |
468 |
745 |
| Cookstown | 38857 |
766 |
5624 |
2371 |
974 |
631 |
| Craigavon | 35604 |
1273 |
3228 |
1765 |
866 |
529 |
| Downpatrick | 29999 |
587 |
3077 |
1332 |
284 |
500 |
| Enniskillen | 28952 |
1408 |
3518 |
1408 |
926 |
468 |
| Larne | 28615 |
1259 |
2024 |
1174 |
1428 |
523 |
| Lisburn | 37614 |
1400 |
3322 |
1784 |
940 |
1027 |
| Londonderry | 42356 |
1008 |
4110 |
1360 |
333 |
2297 |
| Mallusk | 40999 |
1615 |
4289 |
4249 |
3121 |
2719 |
| Newry | 44915 |
794 |
5223 |
2509 |
1031 |
913 |
| Newtownards | 70590 |
2953 |
4158 |
1231 |
288 |
1309 |
| Omagh | 24597 |
515 |
3528 |
1236 |
410 |
483 |
Totals |
596829 | 19753 | 58684 | 27813 | 14506 | 17167 |
| Year 2009-10 | Vehicle Type | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Motor Cycles | Light Goods Vehicles | Heavy Goods Vehicles | Trailers | PSV Buses/Taxis | |
| Armagh | 25615 |
555 |
3084 |
2171 |
1106 |
624 |
| Ballymena | 45208 |
1756 |
4916 |
1881 |
1423 |
1128 |
| Belfast | 68796 |
2164 |
4609 |
1807 |
722 |
3543 |
| Coleraine | 43589 |
1801 |
4478 |
1605 |
449 |
755 |
| Cookstown | 38407 |
785 |
5551 |
2207 |
968 |
633 |
| Craigavon | 34982 |
1368 |
3160 |
1728 |
878 |
552 |
| Downpatrick | 29077 |
599 |
2999 |
1129 |
239 |
483 |
| Enniskillen | 28617 |
1533 |
3472 |
1433 |
997 |
488 |
| Larne | 24858 |
1339 |
1607 |
1032 |
1266 |
405 |
| Lisburn | 38446 |
1450 |
3276 |
1690 |
906 |
895 |
| Londonderry | 44870 |
1069 |
4201 |
1411 |
349 |
2231 |
| Mallusk | 47105 |
1569 |
4962 |
3652 |
2970 |
2502 |
| Newry | 46074 |
893 |
5177 |
2484 |
966 |
939 |
| Newtownards | 70044 |
2974 |
4150 |
1161 |
240 |
1171 |
| Omagh | 25420 |
552 |
3731 |
1167 |
373 |
481 |
Totals |
611108 | 20407 | 59373 | 26558 | 13852 | 16830 |
MOT Tests
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of MOT test appointments where the vehicle owner did not attend, therefore the tests were not carried out and the fee was not refunded, in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) MOT Centre; and (ii) vehicle type.
(AQW 219/11)
Minister of the Environment:
| Year 2005-06 | Vehicle Type | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Motor cycles | Light Goods | Heavy Goods | Trailers | PSV Buses/Taxis | |
| Armagh | 721 |
33 |
146 |
164 |
92 |
11 |
| Ballymena | 1142 |
47 |
218 |
100 |
70 |
33 |
| Belfast | 2824 |
89 |
386 |
149 |
77 |
90 |
| Coleraine | 1162 |
19 |
211 |
85 |
49 |
16 |
| Cookstown | 1493 |
32 |
365 |
251 |
102 |
19 |
| Craigavon | 978 |
18 |
160 |
166 |
113 |
15 |
| Downpatrick | 843 |
22 |
171 |
109 |
34 |
15 |
| Enniskillen | 1088 |
65 |
175 |
87 |
48 |
13 |
| Larne | 693 |
24 |
100 |
57 |
60 |
17 |
| Lisburn | 1142 |
39 |
194 |
129 |
72 |
29 |
| Londonderry | 1517 |
46 |
260 |
152 |
64 |
45 |
| Mallusk | 1308 |
64 |
214 |
258 |
174 |
60 |
| Newry | 1987 |
23 |
382 |
234 |
71 |
45 |
| Newtownards | 1599 |
88 |
210 |
75 |
8 |
23 |
| Omagh | 944 |
35 |
245 |
135 |
52 |
13 |
Totals |
19441 | 644 | 3437 | 2151 | 1086 | 444 |
| Year 2006-07 | Vehicle Type | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Motor Cycles | Light Goods | Heavy Goods | Trailers | PSV Buses/Taxis | |
| Armagh | 668 |
19 |
123 |
134 |
82 |
20 |
| Ballymena | 1283 |
74 |
226 |
112 |
97 |
30 |
| Belfast | 2228 |
73 |
320 |
96 |
51 |
85 |
| Coleraine | 1140 |
63 |
187 |
86 |
57 |
14 |
| Cookstown | 1289 |
26 |
323 |
184 |
80 |
28 |
| Craigavon | 1112 |
56 |
145 |
134 |
89 |
15 |
| Downpatrick | 840 |
22 |
173 |
102 |
34 |
5 |
| Enniskillen | 938 |
35 |
136 |
97 |
58 |
11 |
| Larne | 669 |
42 |
90 |
88 |
71 |
17 |
| Lisburn | 1057 |
41 |
143 |
107 |
75 |
25 |
| Londonderry | 1287 |
35 |
272 |
119 |
44 |
42 |
| Mallusk | 1157 |
73 |
229 |
261 |
143 |
62 |
| Newry | 1663 |
31 |
320 |
176 |
65 |
24 |
| Newtownards | 1577 |
75 |
186 |
75 |
5 |
26 |
| Omagh | 725 |
19 |
199 |
114 |
30 |
24 |
Totals |
17633 | 684 | 3072 | 1885 | 981 | 428 |
| Year 2007-08 | Vehicle Type | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Motor Cycles | Light Goods | Heavy Goods | Trailers | PSV Buses/Taxis | |
| Armagh | 600 |
20 |
149 |
121 |
85 |
15 |
| Ballymena | 1067 |
42 |
201 |
118 |
83 |
4 |
| Belfast | 1675 |
75 |
240 |
97 |
32 |
69 |
| Coleraine | 944 |
40 |
157 |
87 |
27 |
13 |
| Cookstown | 971 |
29 |
244 |
158 |
52 |
20 |
| Craigavon | 804 |
49 |
147 |
101 |
55 |
15 |
| Downpatrick | 719 |
22 |
139 |
64 |
27 |
9 |
| Enniskillen | 806 |
29 |
145 |
82 |
44 |
15 |
| Larne | 629 |
50 |
78 |
67 |
76 |
6 |
| Lisburn | 880 |
33 |
130 |
92 |
76 |
17 |
| Londonderry | 1112 |
40 |
214 |
88 |
20 |
40 |
| Mallusk | 966 |
57 |
192 |
216 |
115 |
43 |
| Newry | 1263 |
25 |
223 |
155 |
45 |
23 |
| Newtownards | 1335 |
79 |
156 |
52 |
8 |
18 |
| Omagh | 603 |
25 |
178 |
93 |
29 |
15 |
Totals |
14374 | 615 | 2593 | 1591 | 774 | 322 |
| Year 2008-09 | Vehicle Type | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Motor Cycles | Light Goods | Heavy Goods | Trailers | PSV Buses/Taxis | |
| Armagh | 661 |
17 |
129 |
134 |
89 |
14 |
| Ballymena | 1017 |
54 |
192 |
92 |
92 |
35 |
| Belfast | 1564 |
85 |
223 |
81 |
49 |
72 |
| Coleraine | 932 |
47 |
152 |
69 |
33 |
16 |
| Cookstown | 878 |
25 |
211 |
118 |
39 |
14 |
| Craigavon | 709 |
40 |
122 |
92 |
49 |
12 |
| Downpatrick | 616 |
25 |
137 |
74 |
22 |
3 |
| Enniskillen | 690 |
23 |
131 |
75 |
38 |
6 |
| Larne | 537 |
41 |
61 |
57 |
59 |
5 |
| Lisburn | 807 |
35 |
134 |
79 |
58 |
20 |
| Londonderry | 1050 |
29 |
171 |
85 |
26 |
26 |
| Mallusk | 955 |
48 |
203 |
195 |
117 |
44 |
| Newry | 1097 |
35 |
212 |
157 |
53 |
16 |
| Newtownards | 1202 |
68 |
151 |
51 |
8 |
17 |
| Omagh | 578 |
26 |
130 |
65 |
31 |
9 |
Totals |
13293 | 598 | 2359 | 1424 | 763 | 309 |
| Year 2009-10 | Vehicle Type | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Motor Cycles | Light Goods | Heavy Goods | Trailers | PSV Buses/Taxis | |
| Armagh | 303 |
14 |
65 |
58 |
43 |
7 |
| Ballymena | 501 |
24 |
110 |
55 |
37 |
14 |
| Belfast | 837 |
59 |
101 |
42 |
30 |
52 |
| Coleraine | 448 |
22 |
69 |
34 |
21 |
9 |
| Cookstown | 405 |
12 |
103 |
59 |
31 |
6 |
| Craigavon | 334 |
22 |
66 |
40 |
16 |
5 |
| Downpatrick | 270 |
13 |
57 |
41 |
7 |
6 |
| Enniskillen | 330 |
19 |
65 |
45 |
27 |
4 |
| Larne | 275 |
28 |
32 |
35 |
26 |
0 |
| Lisburn | 386 |
33 |
50 |
28 |
27 |
5 |
| Londonderry | 511 |
26 |
89 |
55 |
16 |
15 |
| Mallusk | 478 |
26 |
108 |
85 |
52 |
21 |
| Newry | 512 |
12 |
88 |
51 |
39 |
11 |
| Newtownards | 592 |
49 |
61 |
29 |
3 |
7 |
| Omagh | 248 |
9 |
74 |
46 |
20 |
6 |
Totals |
6430 | 368 | 1138 | 703 | 395 | 168 |
General Grant
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the level of general grant currently allocated to each of the 26 local councils.
(AQW 245/11)
Minister of the Environment: The level of General Grant currently allocated to each of the 26 local councils is set out in the table below. General Grant is made up of two elements, De-rating and Resources. Details of these are provided for completeness.
| District Council | General Grant De-rating (Estimated) 2010/2011 £ |
General Grant Resources 2010/2011 £ |
|---|---|---|
| Antrim | 1,034,215 |
0 |
| Ards | 596,841 |
785,867 |
| Armagh | 690,292 |
1,475,363 |
| Ballymena | 1,212,474 |
0 |
| Ballymoney | 281,000 |
971,663 |
| Banbridge | 448,244 |
976,434 |
| Belfast | 4,372,476 |
0 |
| Carrickfergus | 537,334 |
547,263 |
| Castlereagh | 684,084 |
0 |
| Coleraine | 596,213 |
0 |
| Cookstown | 817,510 |
581,795 |
| Craigavon | 2,144,907 |
911,163 |
| Derry | 1,407,484 |
1,289,796 |
| Down | 487,918 |
1,360,408 |
| Dungannon & South Tyrone | 1,583,210 |
895,750 |
| Fermanagh | 861,691 |
1,058,941 |
| Larne | 441,082 |
105,196 |
| Limavady | 165,002 |
1,240,891 |
| Lisburn | 1,708,872 |
0 |
| Magherafelt | 694,746 |
1,044,018 |
| Moyle | 179,585 |
480,341 |
| Newry & Mourne | 1,164,675 |
1,562,677 |
| Newtownabbey | 1,374,603 |
0 |
| North Down | 560,168 |
0 |
| Omagh | 540,751 |
1,296,598 |
| Strabane | 287,322 |
1,762,836 |
The De-rating figures are estimates and will be finalised around the end of October using updated valuations (Net Annual Values or NAVs) provided by the Land and Property Services Agency, together with the 2010/2011 district rates.
Planning Service
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on the position of the Planning Service in relation to the delays to the outworking of the Review of Public Administration.
(AQW 246/11)
Minister of the Environment: I remain committed to the planning reform process, and I have indicated to Executive colleagues and others that, despite the delays to implementing the recommendations of the Review of Public Administration (RPA), I intend to take forward a Planning Bill.
Officials are currently engaged in drafting the primary legislation, and I intend to bring a paper to the Executive in due course seeking agreement to introduce the draft Bill.
Planning Service Staff
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment if (i) an Equality Impact Assessment; and (ii) a risk assessment has been carried out on the proposals to redeploy Planning Service staff.
(AQW 249/11)
Minister of the Environment: I can confirm that separate EQIA screening exercises were carried out on my Department’s Regrading and Redeployment Schemes i.e. Section 75 Equality of Opportunity Screening Analysis forms were completed and both polices were screened out. I should add that my Department liaised with NISRA for relevant data to assist with this exercise and the Departmental Equality Unit was informed of the outcome of this work.
My Department has now commenced a strategic baseline review of the Planning Service's organisation, funding and operations and senior structures taking account of the range of factors now impacting on the Agency. The Planning Service will reorganise to live within its budget and reprioritise resources to ensure key services to customers can be maintained and impact from the reduction in staff is minimised.
Planning Service
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of whether the redeployment of Planning Service staff may inadvertently lead to an excessive number of judicial reviews on Planning Service decisions.
(AQW 250/11)
Minister of the Environment: It remains open for anyone to seek a Judicial Review of planning decisions made by my Department at any time. However, the potential for such a challenge increases if the decision involves particularly complex or controversial issues. While the potential for such legal challenges in complex and controversial cases exists there is nothing to indicate that the redeployment of staff (due to a downturn in the number of applications being submitted) would inadvertently lead to an increase in the number of legal challenges faced by my Department in the future.
Planning Service Staff
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment if there are any plans to introduce voluntary redundancy for Planning Service staff.
(AQW 251/11)
Minister of the Environment: My Department is currently concentrating its efforts on securing successful regrading, redeployment and loan opportunities for surplus Planning Service staff. This remains the primary focus and there are no plans to introduce voluntary redundancy at this time.
Planning Service Staff
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment, given that many Planning Service staff are qualified in planning and geography, what consideration he has given to the skills and knowledge that will be lost and not fully exploited if staff are redeployed.
(AQW 252/11)
Minister of the Environment: My Department is working with the Department of Finance and Personnel and other NICS Departments to identify suitable posts for Professional &Technical (P&T) staff together with opportunities to loan or second P&T staff to other organisations for limited periods. To help reduce the financial pressure on the Department my officials have developed a regrading scheme to enable P&T staff in Planning Service to transfer voluntarily to the General Service discipline. This opens up the possibility of redeployment to vacancies across the NICS and at the same time retains this valuable expertise within the NICS.
I am conscious that when the economy starts to recovery P&T planners will have an important role to play in facilitating and helping to speed up that recovery. Therefore, in implementing arrangements for regrading and redeployment of staff, my Department will incorporate provisions that will enable those P&T planners redeployed to other duties in the NICS to retain their professional membership through continuous professional development.
The Department will also examine the scope for P&T staff to be considered for future vacancies in planning posts, whether in central or local government.
Weight Regulations
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the weight regulations that apply to new drivers of a car towing a trailer; and whether he is aware of the inconvenience the weight limit restrictions has caused to young farmers and construction workers.
(AQW 277/11)
Minister of the Environment: The Second European Directive on Driving Licences (Council Directive 91/439/EEC) was adopted in 1991 and implemented in NI with effect from 1997 through the Driving Licences (Community Driving Licence) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 and the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996.
In accordance with the Second Directive, since January 1997, anyone who passes a category B (car) test is only allowed to tow a trailer of a maximum authorised mass (MAM) not exceeding 750 kg, and the combined weight of the car and trailer cannot exceed 4,250 kg. However it is permissible to increase the weight of the trailer providing its MAM does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle and the combination weight does not exceed 3,500 kg. MAM in driving licence terms, is the maximum weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load that can be carried safely while used on the road.
It is also possible to obtain a category B+E (car and trailer) licence by passing a test which will allow the towing of a trailer with a MAM greater than 750 kg by a category B vehicle whose mass does not exceed 3,500kg.
The Third European Directive on Driving Licences (Council Directive 2006/126/EC) was adopted in 2006 and its provisions must be fully implemented by early 2013.
Under the provisions of the Third Directive drivers with a Category B licence will be able to upgrade their licences in order to drive with a trailer in excess of 750kg provided that the MAM of the combination does not exceed 4,250kg. However, where the combination of tractor vehicle and trailer exceeds 3,500 kg, the driver must either complete a course of training or pass a test or both. The final decision on which of these approaches to adopt has yet to be decided as assessment of the responses to a recently carried out consultation on the proposals for implementing the requirements of the Third Directive is still ongoing. This variation on the category B licence is known as a B96 licence.
Category B+E drivers will also be restricted to towing a trailer with a maximum mass of 3,500kg by a category B vehicle (which has a maximum mass of 3,500kg). The minimum age at which a Category B+E licence will be issued will be 18.
During the consultation process no major expressions of concern were received with regard to this area of the Third Directive. Towing trailers requires a specialised skill set. The restrictions placed upon drivers towing trailers are there to enhance road safety and ensure that they are not a danger on the roads.
Planning Fees
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment if his Department plans to review planning fees as part of an overhaul of the Planning Service.
(AQW 309/11)
Minister of the Environment: A review team has been established within my Department to review the current planning fees structure in light of the prevailing economic situation. The review is carefully considering a range of options for change and will bring forward recommendations which will be the subject of public consultation in the very near future.
Planning Fees
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment why planning fees are significantly lower than in other planning authorities in the UK; and for his assessment of whether this represents a disadvantage to the Planning Service.
(AQW 311/11)
Minister of the Environment: The system of planning fees in Northern Ireland has been developed separately from those of other UK jurisdictions, and hence the level and structure of planning fees differs. A review team has been established within my Department to review the current planning fees structure in light of the prevailing economic situation. The review is carefully considering a range of options for change and will bring forward recommendations which will be the subject of public consultation in the very near future.
The current planning fees were determined in compliance with Treasury guidance with regard to full cost recovery and therefore, even though they are lower than the fees in other planning authorities in the UK, the Planning Service has not been disadvantaged. The economic downturn, which has resulted in a significant reduction in planning application income, has been the main driver for the fundamental review of planning fees.
Planning Service
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment whether there are any plans to reduce the reliance on fees as a source of funding for the Planning Service; and for his assessment of the appropriateness of this resourcing mechanism for accounting purposes.
(AQW 313/11)
Minister of the Environment: In parallel to the ongoing Review of Planning Fees and Charges, the Department intends to engage with the Department of Finance and Personnel to seek agreement to a revised framework for the future financial management of the Planning Service which more accurately reflects the demand led nature of planning application income. Discussions will be progressed as part of the Budget 2010 process.
Planning Service
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that the Planning Service is fit for purpose and is in a position to aid economic recovery.
(AQW 316/11)
Minister of the Environment: The planning reform programme has brought about a number of performance improvements to the planning system over the past three years. The roll-out of streamlined council consultation procedures has already made a positive impact on the application process. Some 60% of applications are now streamlined and it is hoped to extend this to 80% by March 2011. This has led to improvements in processing times for all categories of application and the Agency is now exceeding a number of its Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets and is on track to achieve the remainder by March 2011. The Programme for Government (PfG) also contains a commitment to process large scale strategic investment planning proposals within 6 months provided there have been pre-application discussions. To date, 10 applications have met the criteria to apply the 6 month target. Of these, 9 have been processed on target with the remaining 1 on track for achievement.
As regards current initiatives, action is now being taken to reduce the number of cases that have already exceeded the PSA processing targets and a strategy for the 2010-11 business year is currently being implemented. It includes the implementation of challenging divisional targets for processing backlog cases with a particular emphasis on strategic and major applications.
Planned legislative changes to permitted development rights also have the potential to impact positively on future workloads.
My Department is also in the process of developing workforce models for the Planning Service which should assist in determining the Agency’s future staffing requirements. In addition, a review of the Planning Service senior management structure is underway and any savings achieved will be directed towards reducing staff redeployments from the Agency.
Overgrown Invasive Plant Species
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) how many times his officials have cleared overgrown invasive plant species from his Department's property in each of the last five years; (ii) the cost involved; and (iii) the type of plant species removed in each case.
(AQW 378/11)
Minister of the Environment: Not all the information requested is available, but such information as is held by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency is supplied in the following tables.
Clearance of Invasive Plant Species at NIEA Country Parks
Year |
Site | Species | Money spent |
|---|---|---|---|
2005/6 |
Scrabo Country Park | Rhododendron / Cherry Laurel | £0 |
2006/7 |
Scrabo Country Park | Rhododendron / Cherry Laurel | £2887.50 |
2007/8 |
Scrabo Country Park | Rhododendron / Cherry Laurel | £0 |
2008/9 |
Scrabo Country Park | Rhododendron / Cherry Laurel | £300.00 |
2009/10 |
Scrabo Country Park | Rhododendron / Cherry Laurel | £0 |
2005/6 |
Peatlands Park | Rhododendron | £57,000 |
2006/7 |
Peatlands Park | Rhododendron | £65,000 |
2007/8 |
Peatlands Park | Rhododendron | £83,783 |
2008/9 |
Peatlands Park | Rhododendron | £99,735 |
2009/10 |
Peatlands Park | Rhododendron | £4,307 |
2005/6 |
Redburn Country Park | Cherry Laurel | £1400 |
2006/7 |
Redburn Country Park | Cherry Laurel | £11,300 |
2007/8 |
Redburn Country Park | Cherry Laurel | £4,900 |
| Japanese Knotweed | £50 |
||
2008/9 |
Redburn Country Park | Cherry Laurel | £10,700 |
2009/10 |
Redburn Country Park | Cherry Laurel | £300 |
| American Raspberry | £300 |
||
2005/6 |
Crawfordsburn Country Park | Cherry Laurel | £15,100 |
2006/7 |
Crawfordsburn Country Park | Knotweed | £600 |
| Winter Heliotrope | £400 |
||
2007/8 |
Crawfordsburn Country Park | Cherry Laurel | £3,000 |
| Bamboo | £300 |
||
2008/9 |
Crawfordsburn Country Park | Cherry Laurel | £13,700 |
| Pond invasives | £2,200 |
||
2009/10 |
Crawfordsburn Country Park | Cherry Laurel (clearance) | £1,100 |
| Cherry Laurel & Heliotrope spray | £1,000 |
||
| Knotweed | £340 |
||
| American Raspberry | £900 |
||
2005/6 |
Castle Archdale Country Park | Sycamore | £7000 |
2006/7 |
Castle Archdale Country Park | Rhododendron | £3000 |
2007/8 |
Castle Archdale Country Park | Rhododendron, Himalayan Balsam | £7,879 |
2008/9 |
Castle Archdale Country Park | Himalayan Balsam | £4269 |
| Japanese Knotweed | £1293 |
||
| Rhododendron | £930 |
||
| American Raspberry | £2175 |
||
| Sycamore | £1312 |
||
2009/10 |
Castle Archdale Country Park | Himalayan Balsam | £5,590 |
| Japanese Knotweed | £344 |
||
2005/6 |
Roe Valley Country Park | Japanese Knotweed | £500 |
2009/10 |
Roe Valley Country Park | Himalayan Balsam | £0 |
Clearance of Invasive Plant Species at NIEA Nature Reserves
Year |
Site | Species | Money spent |
|---|---|---|---|
2009/10 |
Glenariff FNR | Rhododendron | £514 |
2008-09 |
Quoile NR | Sycamore | £2,177 |
2008-09 |
Rostrevor NR | Sycamore | £7,430 |
2008-09 |
Dorn NR | Spartina | £1,542 |
2009-10 |
Quoile NR | Sycamore | £343 |
2009-10 |
Dorn NR | Spartina | £556 |
2010-11 |
Quoile NR | Sycamore | £1,254 |
2010-11 |
Rostrevor NR | Sycamore | £1,394 |
2010-11 |
Hollymount NR | Sycamore | £697 |
2008/09 |
Marble Arch | Beech Removal | £352 |
2008/09 |
Castle Archdale Islands | Sycamore | £176 |
2008/09 |
Castle Archdale Islands | Beech | £967 |
2009/10 |
Tullywannia | Rhododendron | £37 |
2009/10 |
Castle Archdale Islands | Sycamore | £352 |
2006/07 |
Reas Wood | Rhododendron, Box Wood, American Raspberry, Piggy Back Plant, Laurel, Dog Wood, Japanese Knotweed | £1,586.25 |
2006/07 |
Randalstown Forest | Skunk Cabbage | £18 |
2006/07 |
Lough Neagh Islands | Himalayan Balsam | £55 |
2006/07 |
Brackagh Moss | Japanese Knotweed | £37 |
2007/08 |
Reas Wood | Rhododendron, Box Wood, American Raspberry, Piggy Back Plant, Laurel, Dog Wood, Japanese Knotweed | £5,923 |
2007/08 |
Randalstown Forest | Skunk Cabbage | £18 |
2007/08 |
Lough Neagh Islands | Himalayan Balsam | £55 |
2007/08 |
Brackagh Moss | Japanese Knotweed | £37 |
2008/09 |
Reas Wood | Rhododendron, Box Wood, American Raspberry, Piggy Back Plant, Laurel, Dog Wood, Japanese Knotweed | £4,356 |
2008/09 |
Randalstown Forest | Skunk Cabbage | £18 |
2008/09 |
Lough Neagh Islands | Himalayan Balsam | £55 |
2008/09 |
Brackagh Moss | Japanese Knotweed | £37 |
2009/10 |
Reas Wood | Rhododendron, Box Wood, American Raspberry, Piggy Back Plant, Laurel, Dog Wood, Japanese Knotweed | £2,085 |
2009/10 |
Randalstown Forest | Skunk Cabbage | £18 |
2009/10 |
Lough Neagh Islands | Himalayan Balsam | £55 |
2009/10 |
Brackagh Moss | Japanese Knotweed | £37 |
2010/11 |
Reas Wood | Rhododendron, Box Wood, American Raspberry, Piggy Back Plant, Laurel, Dog Wood, Japanese Knotweed | £1964 to date |
2010/11 |
Randalstown Forest | Skunk Cabbage | £37 |
2010/11 |
Lough Neagh Islands | Himalayan Balsam | £55 |
2010/11 |
Brackagh Moss | Japanese Knotweed | £37 |
Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment if he has any plans to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, particularly in relation to delivering on its enforcement responsibilities.
(AQO 66/11)
Minister of the Environment: No, there are no such plans. The Agency was formed in 2008 following a significant independent review of environmental governance (The Burke Report). As far as enforcement is concerned a revised Enforcement Policy, which builds on the Agency’s successful prosecution record, will be published this autumn and the NIEA Environmental Crime Unit now reports directly to the Chief Executive.
Planning: Enforcement
Mr J Wells asked the Minister of the Environment whether he has considered changing the current procedures to enable public representatives to receive regular updates in relation to the progress of planning enforcement cases.
(AQO 67/11)
Minister of the Environment: In all planning related enforcement investigations, my Department’s standard procedure is not to enter into correspondence with a complainant or anyone else on the detail of the case other than to confirm that a case has been opened, that the site has been visited and investigation is ongoing involving the landowner and any other relevant parties. At the conclusion of the case Planning Service will inform the complainant of the outcome.
It is not the case that Planning Service is being unhelpful but due to the restrictions imposed by the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 the Department is limited to the information that can be released in order to prevent an enforcement investigation being prejudiced and to safeguard the rights of all the individuals involved. The legislation applies equally to information that can be disclosed to individual members of the public and elected representatives, therefore I am prevented from making any changes to the current procedures.
Seals
Mr J Bell asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on the post-mortem investigation by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency into seal deaths on the Co. Down coast.
(AQO 69/11)
Minister of the Environment: As a result of the enhanced environmental monitoring associated with the trial Marine Current Turbine in the Strangford Narrows, NIEA collects all seal carcases, excluding those in an advanced state of decay, found between Cloghy and Minerstown, including all of Strangford Lough.
These are forwarded to a veterinary pathologist for post mortem to determine cause of death.
In 2008 and 2009 a number of ‘unnatural’ seal deaths were recorded, the majority of which occurred in late autumn and early winter. None of these were attributed to the Marine Turbine.
So far this year there has been only one recorded instance of an unnatural death.
In April 2010 a seal was collected from Murlough beach that had significant trauma to the side of its face. The veterinary pathologist concluded that an implement such as a boat hook or gaff may have caused the injury.
NIEA continues to assume responsibility for carcase collection in the areas referred to, and has received a number of calls regarding suspicious activity involving seals since its recent press release on the matter.
Planning: George Best Belfast City Airport
Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment what action his Department has taken to enforce planning agreements with the George Best Belfast City Airport.
(AQO 71/11)
Minister of the Environment: I am aware of a breach of the seats for sale restriction contained in the 2008 Planning Agreement between my Department and George Best Belfast City Airport. In light of the current request by the Airport to remove the restriction legal action has been held pending the outcome.
Planning: Rose Energy
Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister of the Environment to provide his rationale for approving the planning application for Rose Energy's incinerator at Glenavy despite local community objections, and in light of his decision for a public inquiry into a runway extension at George Best Belfast City Airport following local community objections.
(AQO 72/11)
Minister of the Environment: The two Rose Energy planning applications for a Biomass Fuelled Power Plant and a Water Abstraction Facility have been fully assessed having regard to the Development Plan for the area and all other material considerations including the views of third parties and the expert advice provided by consultees.
In determining the two planning applications, it has been concluded that the economic considerations in support of the power plant proposal and associated water abstraction facility should be given determining weight. In addition, the advice from DARD’s scientific advisors is that a biomass fuelled incineration plant is currently the only proven technology for processing poultry litter on a commercial scale that significantly reduces the volume of litter to be disposed of. In addition, this type of facility can help Northern Ireland comply with EU Directives and avoid potential EU infraction costs.
Following advice from my planning officials, I am satisfied that the issues raised by third parties have either been satisfactorily addressed by the applicant or can be controlled either under the IPPC permitting regime or by the imposition of planning conditions.
Each planning application is determined on its merits’ and the number of representations received in respect of a planning application is not justification in itself to cause a public inquiry to be held. The key test for the Department in deciding the process route is whether a public inquiry is necessary to provide a forum for presentation and consideration of issues arising from the representations received and which need to be assessed to allow the Department to determine the application.
In this case it is contended that a public inquiry is not required on the grounds that, it is not considered necessary to further consider the representations that have been made in order to assist the Department in arriving at a decision in this case.
Local Government: Transition Committees
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of the Environment what guidance has been given to local authorities in relation to Transition Committees continuing to meet.
(AQO 73/11)
Minister of the Environment: I am very conscious of the difficult position that Transition Committees find themselves in at present, in the absence of clarity from the Executive on the delivery timetable for local government reform.
I have not yet determined the precise role that Transition Committees will play in future and cannot do so until I have a clear decision from the Executive on the delivery timetable for local government reform and on the role that Transition Committees will play in delivering improvement, collaboration and efficiency across the local government sector in advance of the structural reorganisation of local government.
I can assure the Member that my aim is to reach the point where I am in a position to issue guidance to Transition Committees as soon as possible. In the meantime, my advice to Transition Committees is to exercise judgement as to when and whether they meet and in determining the issues they wish to pursue within the terms of the guidance already issued by my Department.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
Lone Pensioners Allowance
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to provide the latest figures for the uptake of Lone Pensioners Allowance, broken down by each Local Government district.
(AQW 74/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr S Wilson): As of 31 August 2010, there are 25,633 current awards of Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA).
Land & Property Services administers 21,280 current LPA awards to home owners. A breakdown of the number of awards made in each district council area, and their value, is set out in Table 1.
Awards of LPA for ratepayers in the social and private rented sectors are made by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The Executive has 4,353 current awards under the scheme. The Executive is able to supply details by district council but is not currently able to break down the value of the awards by council area. The NIHE figures are shown in Table 2 attached.
Table 1
Land & Property Services awards of LPA:
| LPS awards by councilarea | No of current awards |
Total value of current awards |
|---|---|---|
| Antrim | 503 |
£84,288 |
| Ards | 1121 |
£200,711 |
| Armagh | 655 |
£105,453 |
| Ballymena | 853 |
£146,563 |
| Ballymoney | 307 |
£47,644 |
| Banbridge | 430 |
£66,246 |
| Belfast | 3751 |
£721,577 |
| Carrickfergus | 559 |
£91,614 |
| Castlereagh | 1428 |
£223,935 |
| Coleraine | 869 |
£159,154 |
| Cookstown | 248 |
£38,842 |
| Craigavon | 821 |
£118,196 |
| Derry | 736 |
£127,868 |
| Down | 837 |
£151,298 |
| Dungannon & South Tyrone | 413 |
£58,262 |
| Fermanagh | 632 |
£90,100 |
| Larne | 494 |
£69,777 |
| Limavady | 235 |
£40,235 |
| Lisburn | 1440 |
£233,225 |
| Magherafelt | 291 |
£39,292 |
| Moyle | 220 |
£41,235 |
| Newry & Mourne | 752 |
£129,108 |
| Newtownabbey | 1270 |
£184,508 |
| North Down | 1723 |
£348,822 |
| Omagh | 437 |
£63,169 |
| Strabane | 255 |
£35,007 |
TOTAL |
21,280 |
£3,616,130 |
Table 2
NIHE awards of LPA:
| NIHE awards by region | No of current awards |
|---|---|
| Antrim | 126 |
| Ards | 224 |
| Armagh | 131 |
| Ballymena | 214 |
| Ballymoney | 62 |
| Banbridge | 115 |
| Belfast | 760 |
| Carrickfergus | 159 |
| Castlereagh | 223 |
| Coleraine | 198 |
| Cookstown | 42 |
| Craigavon | 226 |
| Derry | 155 |
| Down | 148 |
| Dungannon & South Tyrone | 78 |
| Fermanagh | 115 |
| Larne | 110 |
| Limavady | 41 |
| Lisburn | 335 |
| Magherafelt | 53 |
| Moyle | 39 |
| Newry & Mourne | 133 |
| Newtownabbey | 254 |
| North Down | 295 |
| Omagh | 75 |
| Strabane | 42 |
Total |
4353 |
Total value of current awards - £429,039
Capping of Industrial Rates
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many companies benefitted from the capping of industrial rates; and how much was saved in total, broken down by each Local Government district.
(AQW 75/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: It is not possible to identify how many ‘companies’ pay industrial rates, given that not all ratepayers who qualify for industrial derating can be legally classified as a company.
To date in 2010/11 (as at September 2010), 4,232 ratepayers have benefitted from the 30% cap.
In terms of estimating the amount of rates forgone, which would represent the total saving to ratepayers, the following figures should be treated with caution. They are calculated with reference to what the same number of ratepayers in manufacturing would otherwise pay if liable to the full rate paid by other business sectors. The imposition of full rates, however, could easily jeopardise the viability of struggling manufacturing firms and therefore the savings figures can only represent a maximum. Actual savings cannot be determined with any certainty.
On this basis a maximum of £50.4m has been saved by those 4,232 ratepayers for the 2010/11 rating year.
For the 2009/2010 rating year (year ending 31 March 2010), 4,241 ratepayers benefitted from the 30% cap, with a maximum saving of £51.5m.
The relevant figures, as broken down by district council, are set out at Table 1.
Precise numbers are not available for the 2007/8 and 2009/10 rating years. However, based on outline figures published on a quarterly basis by LPS, it is clear that similar numbers benefitted, and the maximum level of savings would have been broadly equivalent in those rating years.
Table 1: Number of industrial ratepayers and amount of savings for those ratepayers as a result of industrial derating cap (30%) by district council area, compared to 100% liability.
| 2010/11 rating year (as at September 2010) | 2009/10 rating year | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Savings to ratepayers | Number | Savings to ratepayers | |
| Antrim | 145 |
£1,904,138 |
144 |
£1,894,880 |
| Ards | 164 |
£1,231,745 |
163 |
£989,712 |
| Armagh | 163 |
£1,309,933 |
163 |
£1,260,647 |
| Ballymena | 158 |
£2,758,114 |
152 |
£2,615,646 |
| Ballymoney | 80 |
£410,211 |
79 |
£404,476 |
| Banbridge | 112 |
£897,797 |
113 |
£845,684 |
| Belfast | 487 |
£6,959,686 |
489 |
£6,857,839 |
| Carrickfergus | 78 |
£1,072,271 |
76 |
£1,026,442 |
| Castlereagh | 144 |
£1,770,305 |
144 |
£1,771,776 |
| Coleraine | 134 |
£1,332,111 |
133 |
£1,200,874 |
| Cookstown | 144 |
£1,853,285 |
144 |
£1,650,196 |
| Craigavon | 236 |
£4,710,341 |
239 |
£4,631,205 |
| Derry | 212 |
£2,770,712 |
210 |
£2,692,273 |
| Down | 125 |
£847,604 |
126 |
£1,081,839 |
| Dungannon & South Tyrone | 256 |
£3,867,621 |
261 |
£3,794,361 |
| Fermanagh | 159 |
£1,996,268 |
161 |
£1,877,422 |
| Larne | 57 |
£1,016,959 |
60 |
£876,134 |
| Limavady | 60 |
£347,255 |
59 |
£313,161 |
| Lisburn | 314 |
£4,237,372 |
315 |
£4,872,897 |
| Magherafelt | 176 |
£1,802,316 |
176 |
£1,667,083 |
| Moyle | 18 |
£61,575 |
18 |
£57,856 |
| Newry & Mourne | 278 |
£2,460,170 |
279 |
£2,474,551 |
| Newtownabbey | 183 |
£2,847,384 |
186 |
£2,713,098 |
| North Down | 139 |
£1,220,793 |
142 |
£1,192,940 |
| Omagh | 130 |
£1,156,091 |
132 |
£1,050,711 |
| Strabane | 80 |
£639,461 |
77 |
£602,424 |
| Total | 4232 | £51,481,518 | 4241 | £50,416,127 |
Non-domestic Regional Rate
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the total amount saved by ratepayers by the freeze on the non-domestic regional rate, broken down by each Local Government district.
(AQW 76/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The regional non-domestic rate has been frozen over the last three years (in either cash or real terms). The regional non-domestic rate was frozen in cash terms at 2008/2009 levels in 2009/2010, instead of increasing by an inflationary factor of 2.7% as originally intended. This produced a savings for non-domestic ratepayers of around £7.8 million. A detailed breakdown of the savings produced, by District Council area, was provided in response to AQW/5423/2009, dated 23 March 2009. The relevant data is reproduced at Table 1.
The regional non-domestic rate was frozen in real terms for 2010/2011, increasing only in line with inflation (i.e. by 2.7%) from 2009/2010 levels. This produced a cash saving for non-domestic ratepayers of around £2.1 million, compared to an increase of 3.3% which was the average non-domestic rate increase under direct rule. A detailed breakdown by District Council area is provided in Table 2.
Table 1: Savings in 2009/2010 to non-domestic ratepayers for each District Council area from freezing the regional non-domestic rate at 2008/09 levels, rather than increasing it by 2.7%. Columns may not add up due to roundings.
| DISTRICT | Revenue With Freeze | Revenue with no freeze | Savings to Non Domestic Rate payers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim | £9,906,708 |
£10,174,189 |
£267,481 |
| Ards | £6,475,163 |
£6,649,992 |
£174,829 |
| Armagh | £5,356,058 |
£5,500,671 |
£144,614 |
| Ballymena | £9,724,194 |
£9,986,747 |
£262,553 |
| Ballymoney | £2,000,968 |
£2,054,994 |
£54,026 |
| Banbridge | £4,090,353 |
£4,200,793 |
£110,440 |
| Belfast | £96,799,421 |
£99,413,005 |
£2,613,584 |
| Carrickfergus | £4,270,528 |
£4,385,832 |
£115,304 |
| Castlereagh | £10,038,270 |
£10,309,304 |
£271,033 |
| Coleraine | £9,124,539 |
£9,370,901 |
£246,363 |
| Cookstown | £3,997,250 |
£4,105,175 |
£107,926 |
| Craigavon | £12,766,232 |
£13,110,920 |
£344,688 |
| Down | £6,214,835 |
£6,382,636 |
£167,801 |
| Dungannon & South Tyrone | £6,137,103 |
£6,302,805 |
£165,702 |
| Fermanagh | £8,176,018 |
£8,396,770 |
£220,752 |
| Larne | £4,766,010 |
£4,894,692 |
£128,682 |
| Limavady | £3,152,486 |
£3,237,603 |
£85,117 |
| Lisburn | £16,693,094 |
£17,143,807 |
£450,714 |
| Derry | £18,942,661 |
£19,454,113 |
£511,452 |
| Magherafelt | £3,722,264 |
£3,822,765 |
£100,501 |
| Moyle | £1,173,080 |
£1,204,753 |
£31,673 |
| Newry & Mourne | £12,013,435 |
£12,337,798 |
£324,363 |
| Newtownabbey | £13,473,034 |
£13,836,806 |
£363,772 |
| North Down | £11,195,874 |
£11,498,163 |
£302,289 |
| Omagh | £6,883,475 |
£7,069,329 |
£185,854 |
| Strabane | £3,381,427 |
£3,472,725 |
£91,299 |
Total |
£290,474,479 | £298,317,290 | £7,842,811 |
Table 2: Savings in 2010/2011 to non-domestic ratepayers, by District Council area, from freezing the regional non-domestic rate, in real terms, at 2009/2010 levels, rather than increasing it by 3.3% Columns may not add up due to roundings.
| DISTRICT | Revenue - freeze in real terms | Revenue with 3.3% increase in Rate | Savings to Non Domestic Rate payers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim | £11,678,965 |
£11,749,746 |
£70,782 |
| Ards | £7,761,375 |
£7,808,414 |
£47,039 |
| Armagh | £6,099,267 |
£6,136,233 |
£36,965 |
| Ballymena | £11,667,194 |
£11,737,904 |
£70,710 |
| Ballymoney | £2,483,746 |
£2,498,799 |
£15,053 |
| Banbridge | £4,939,355 |
£4,969,290 |
£29,935 |
| Belfast | £116,160,411 |
£116,864,413 |
£704,002 |
| Carrickfergus | £5,146,961 |
£5,178,155 |
£31,194 |
| Castlereagh | £12,416,552 |
£12,491,803 |
£75,252 |
| Coleraine | £10,940,038 |
£11,006,341 |
£66,303 |
| Cookstown | £4,778,325 |
£4,807,284 |
£28,960 |
| Craigavon | £15,211,679 |
£15,303,871 |
£92,192 |
| Down | £7,288,734 |
£7,332,908 |
£44,174 |
| Dungannon & South Tyrone | £7,289,853 |
£7,334,034 |
£44,181 |
| Fermanagh | £10,207,841 |
£10,269,707 |
£61,866 |
| Larne | £5,864,534 |
£5,900,077 |
£35,543 |
| Limavady | £3,713,948 |
£3,736,457 |
£22,509 |
| Lisburn | £19,991,319 |
£20,112,479 |
£121,160 |
| Derry | £22,389,244 |
£22,524,936 |
£135,692 |
| Magherafelt | £4,575,477 |
£4,603,208 |
£27,730 |
| Moyle | £1,364,971 |
£1,373,243 |
£8,273 |
| Newry & Mourne | £14,097,925 |
£14,183,367 |
£85,442 |
| Newtownabbey | £16,080,640 |
£16,178,098 |
£97,458 |
| North Down | £13,599,727 |
£13,682,150 |
£82,423 |
| Omagh | £8,575,202 |
£8,627,173 |
£51,971 |
| Strabane | £4,113,074 |
£4,138,002 |
£24,928 |
Total |
£348,436,356 | £350,548,092 | £2,111,735 |
Ministerial Cars
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how much will be saved under the new contract for the provision of Ministerial cars.
(AQW 113/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: I am unable to advise you of any savings that may be achieved until decisions have been made regarding the future provision of Ministerial cars.
Website Maintenance and Construction Contracts
Mr S Gardiner asked e Minister of Finance and Personnel how many website maintenance and construction contracts from Government Departments and associated arm’s length agencies were awarded to firms and individuals from (i) within Northern Ireland; and (ii) outside Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and what the monetary value of this work was in each of these categories.
(AQW 134/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: Between January 2005 and August 2010 the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) awarded 23 contracts on behalf of Northern Ireland Civil Service departments, their agencies and associated non departmental public bodies.
Of those, 13 contracts valued in total at approximately £306,253.00, were awarded to firms within Northern Ireland and 10 contracts valued in total at approximately £246,608.00, to firms outside Northern Ireland. The number and value of contracts awarded during this time are listed in Table 1.
This response only includes those contracts awarded on behalf of departments by CPD and does not include any contracts established by the departments themselves.
Table 1
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number of Contracts Within NI | 4 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
13 |
| Total Value of Contracts Within NI | £110,854.00 |
£37,820.00 |
£34,545.00 |
£59,059.00 |
£0.00 |
£63,975.00 |
£306,253.00 |
| Total Number of Contracts Outside NI | 3 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
| Total Value of Contracts Outside NI | £128,478.00 |
£61,150.00 |
£22,450.00 |
£0.00 |
£22,325.00 |
£12,205.00 |
£246,608.00 |
Total |
23 | ||||||
| £552,861.00 | |||||||
Risks of Disallowances or Infraction Proceedings
Dr S Farry asked e Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of any risks of disallowances or infraction proceedings that could be taken in relation to the work of his Department or its related agencies; and to set out the measures being taken to mitigate any such risks.
(AQW 190/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: My department is responsible for ensuring that all EU receipts due to Northern Ireland are drawn down by the departments responsible.
The Structural Funds funding package for the period 2000-06 has closed with final documentation being prepared to meet the Commission’s Regulatory deadlines. The risk of any disallowance as a result of the closure process has been mitigated by the development, by my department, of detailed closure guidance which conforms to the European Commission’s requirements. This guidance is being used across all NI EU programmes.
For the 2007-13 period my Department mitigates the risk of decommitment of unclaimed balances by reviewing expenditure and claim forecasts from the Programme Managing Authorities. This provides an early warning of any expected shortfall to ensure remedial action is taken and full claims are submitted.
My department is also responsible for rating. The granting of rate reliefs for business would normally be considered unlawful State aid given in contravention of the EC's State aid rules, resulting in infraction proceedings and the recovery, with interest, of the payment from the recipient. However, industrial derating and freight transport relief are allowable as pre-accession aids. Small business rate relief, which was introduced on 1 April, operates the same way as the rest of the UK under de minimis rules, with a current ceiling of €200,000 on the total de minimis aid that can be granted to any one business from all public sources over a rolling three-year period.
There is always the risk that the Commission may intervene if the conditions associated with the various concessions are not complied with. However, it is my Department's assessment that such a breach is unlikely to occur.
The Department has sought to manage any risk of disallowance or infraction proceedings by considering the matter during policy development, through assessing legal advice, liaising with the State Aid Unit in DETI and examining practice elsewhere in the UK. Land and Property Services has also advised those in receipt of small business rate relief of their obligations under the de-minimis rules should the receipt of rate relief be likely to breach the threshold of allowable support.
Construction Industry
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the impact of the economic decline on the construction industry; and what his Department has done in the last twelve months, and will do in the next six months, to help the construction industry.
(AQW 205/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The construction industry makes an important contribution to the Northern Ireland economy. The latest Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency Construction Industry Bulletin for Quarter One 2010, published on 18 August 2010, indicates that the industry’s turnover in the twelve months to 31 March 2010 was some £2.9bn, and that almost 63,000 people were employed in the industry.
The economic downturn has had a severe impact on the Northern Ireland construction industry. This has affected many firms and individuals. In August 2010, almost 13,000 people from the construction sector were claiming benefit, an increase of almost 28% since January 2009.
While such levels of unemployment are of real concern, the industry has benefitted significantly from capital expenditure by the Executive over the last twelve months. Indeed, without the unprecedented level of Government investment, representing in excess of 40% of the industry’s turnover, the impact of the economic downturn on the industry would have been much worse.
Gross capital expenditure by NI departments in 2009-10 was £1.7 billion reflecting the highest ever level of gross capital expenditure in Northern Ireland. This was an increase of 0.5% on 2008-09 and an increase of almost 30% on 2005-06.
Despite a reduction in the level of capital receipts, the June monitoring outcome estimates that gross capital expenditure during 2010-11 will also be around £1.7billion. This figure will be subject to ongoing review through the in-year monitoring process.
During the year, Central Procurement Directorate and the Centres of Procurement Expertise introduced changes to the way firms are selected to be invited to tender for construction works contracts. Following consultation, through the Construction Industry Forum, a revised pre-qualification process has been specifically developed to benefit SMEs by increasing their opportunities to bid for Government contracts and reduce their costs by streamlining the procurement process.
We will not know the precise details of the settlement for the NI Executive until the outcome of the 2010 Spending Review is announced on 20 October 2010. However, it is anticipated that the outcome of the Review will mean lower levels of capital expenditure by departments. Although not all capital expenditure is on construction projects, reduced levels of available funding will undoubtedly have an impact on the construction industry.
My department will, however, be working to ensure that Northern Ireland is not unfairly treated and that the Budget, despite being difficult, will be balanced and targeted at our long term strategic priorities.
Government Contracts
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what Central Procurement Directorate is doing to ensure that local companies benefit from the awarding of Government contracts.
(AQW 206/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: Public procurement is subject to EU Treaty obligations, which require freedom of movement, transparency and non-discrimination on the basis of nationality. Public sector buyers therefore cannot restrict their purchases of goods, works or services to favour local firms.
Government recognises the important contribution that local companies make to the economy of Northern Ireland. In support of this, Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) is taking forward a number of initiatives aimed at encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and social economy enterprises (SEEs) to compete for public procurement contracts.
For example, CPD introduced eSourcing NI, an electronic tendering portal in May 2008. This is now operational across all Centres of Procurement Expertise (CoPEs). In addition, seven Councils have signed up to using the system. Use of the portal will make it easier for SMEs/SEEs to locate Government tendering opportunities. It will also help to simplify and standardise the tendering process, thereby reducing the cost and time required to participate in the procurement process.
In June 2010, CPD established a Business and Industry Forum for Northern Ireland (BIFNI). This Forum provides a strategically focused interface between representatives from CPD, the CoPEs and the wider business community, where parties can consider matters of mutual interest relating to all aspects of public procurement. The Forum held its second meeting on 8 September and will meet again in the New Year.
A number of Procurement Guidance Notes are being developed to help SME/SEEs access public sector contracting opportunities. This work is being assisted by CPD’s participation in a number of cross-departmental working groups including the Social Entrepreneurship Programme Stakeholder Group, the Social Economy Policy Group and the Social Economy Procurement Group.
CPD has also implemented a number of key improvements to the construction procurement process. Opportunities for SMEs to bid for Government construction contracts have been increased by setting proportionate minimum standards for experience and financial standing and by accommodating applications from consortia. Bid costs have also been reduced through standardising and streamlining the pre-qualification process by, for example, the introduction of a common standard for the assessment of contractors’ health and safety competency which means that it need only be assessed annually and will be mutually recognised across all CoPEs.
These measures, which were agreed through the Construction Industry Forum for NI, have been incorporated into a standard template Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). The roll out of this PQQ commenced on 1 March 2010 and CoPEs, with responsibility for construction procurement, have agreed that all pre-qualification will, as far as is practicable, follow this process from 1 September 2010.
During May 2010, CPD in partnership with the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) held ‘Simplifying Procurement Roadshows’ in Newry, Antrim and Omagh. These events were used to communicate how the standard PQQ will be applied as part of the electronic tendering process used by CoPEs. A total of 330 delegates attended the roadshows.
Since May 2008, CPD has also participated in an additional 34 workshops and delivered presentations on ‘how to access Government procurement opportunities’ to over 1770 delegates.
Government Department Recruitment
Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the number of vacant posts; and (ii) the number of graduates recruited to fill those posts within each Government Department in (a) 2007; (b) 2008; (c) 2009; and (d) the first six months of 2010, broken down by graduates recruited by (i) direct entry for which a degree was not required; (ii) graduate recruitment; and (iii) professional/technical entry for which a graduate qualification was required.
(AQW 218/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The number of vacant posts in the eleven NICS Departments from April 2007 to April 2010 is set out in table (i) attached.
(i) NICS Vacancies by Department April 2007 to April 2010 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEPT | VACANCIES (FTE) | |||
| 01/04/2007 | 01/04/2008 | 01/04/2009 | 01/04/2010 | |
| DARD | 0.0 |
69.6 |
63.6 |
37.1 |
| DCAL | 52.0 |
73.2 |
63.0 |
4.0 |
| DE | 30.6 |
22.1 |
5.8 |
0.0 |
| DEL | 123.3 |
201.0 |
210.7 |
126.8 |
| DETI | 40.0 |
116.0 |
51.5 |
18.0 |
| DFP | 212.0 |
167.0 |
25.0 |
44.5 |
| DHSSPS | 74.0 |
78.0 |
2.0 |
14.0 |
| DOE | 263.0 |
405.0 |
343.0 |
64.0 |
| DRD | 182.0 |
259.0 |
214.0 |
265.7 |
| DSD | 622.0 |
410.0 |
102.6 |
90.0 |
| OFMDFM | 62.0 |
21.0 |
28.0 |
6.0 |
TOTAL |
1660.9 | 1821.9 | 1109.2 | 670.1 |
All external recruitment to the NICS is reported by financial year on an annual basis. Annual reports detail applications received and appointments made, by occupational group, to the NICS as a whole. Appointments to each Department are not reported separately.
Information on the number of graduates recruited to fill posts within Departments for which a degree is not required is not available. The NICS normally advertises a corporate administrative Degree Holder competition each year to attract new graduate entrants to the NICS. These graduate appointments are detailed in table (ii) below, by financial year. Appointments made to a professional and technical grade are also detailed in table (ii). It must be noted that some of these appointments, dependent on the position, may have required a degree qualification but it cannot be assumed that all professional and technical grades require a degree on entry.
(ii) NICS APPOINTMENTS: 2007-1010 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Year | (i) Total appointments | (ii) Graduate appointments | (iii) Professional / Technical appointments |
2007-2008 |
2166 |
55 |
200 |
2008-2009 |
2858 |
47 |
324 |
2009-2010 |
720 |
27 |
127 |
| Total | 5744 | 129 | 651 |
Energy Performance Certificates
Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many Energy Performance Certificates have been issued for (i) dwellings for sale, since 30 June 2008; (ii) new buildings, since 30 September 2008; (iii) properties for rent, since 30 December 2008; (iv) properties (other than dwellings) for sale, since 30 December 2008; and (v) public sector buildings, since 30 December 2008.
(AQW 312/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The attached table sets out the number of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) registered as at 21 September 2010 for existing dwellings, new dwellings and non-dwellings as well as the lodgements of Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for public sector buildings. It is not possible to distinguish between EPCs issued for properties for sale and those for rental as a single EPC serves both purposes and may be used multiple times for either purpose during its 10 year validity period.
| EPCs Registered in Northern Ireland as at 21 September 2010 | |
|---|---|
| EPCs for existing dwellings since 30 June 2008 | 78,811 |
| EPCs for newly built dwellings since 30 September 2008 | 10,940 |
| EPCs for properties other than dwellings issued since 30 December 2008 | 1,573 |
| DECs for public sector buildings issued since 30 December 2008 | 2,488 |
Energy Performance Certificates
Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what discussions his Department has had with local Councils regarding the enforcement of Energy Performance Certificates.
(AQW 314/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Department has had extensive discussions with district councils both prior to and following the transfer of enforcement powers for the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations in December 2009.
The amendment to the Regulations to transfer these powers was made with the full agreement of all 26 district councils. The councils agreed that Belfast City Council would carry out enforcement on behalf of all 26 district councils for a pilot period of 12 months, with the role being undertaken by the Building Control section. An enforcement protocol between Belfast City Council Building Control and the Department was signed on 28 January 2010 setting out a framework for enforcement activities as well as a formal monitoring and reporting structure between the parties.
The Department provided training for the enforcement team on the interpretation and application of the Regulations. Outside of the formal reporting arrangements set out by the Protocol, officials in the Department continue to be a source of advice and guidance for the enforcement team and the wider Building Control on an ongoing basis.
The Protocol stipulates that a representative group of Building Control Officers and the Department meet on a quarterly basis to review enforcement activities undertaken, the effect on levels of compliance and the targeting of forthcoming enforcement activities. To date, two such meetings have been held and a further one is planned for early October.
Temporary Promotions Within the NI Civil Service
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what Equality Impact Assessment has been carried out into deputising arrangements or temporary promotions within the NI Civil Service, in the last three years.
(AQW 348/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: There has been no Equality Impact Assessments carried out into deputising arrangements or temporary promotions within the NI Civil Service, in the last three years.
Rate Empty Homes
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for an update on the plans to rate empty homes, including the timescale, the scale of rating and any exemptions that are planned.
(AQW 391/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: I announced on 29 June 2010 that the rating of empty homes would be introduced from 1 October 2011.
It was intended to introduce the measure in April 2010, however, last year I decided to postpone it due to the exceptionally low level of activity in the housing market at that time.
This will allow those holding empty properties with additional time to prepare for the new charge, or get the home in question occupied. Liability will be set at 100%.
In order to avoid adversely impacting on the building industry, there will be an initial exclusion from the rating of empty homes for developers’ unsold and never occupied stock. For those already built and those that are completed in the next financial year, there will be an 18 month initial exclusion. This will be reduced to 12 months for those properties eligible in subsequent years.
It is also planned to introduce a number of additional exclusions. While the legislative detail is currently being finalised, and will be brought to the Finance and Personnel Committee Assembly in early 2011, exclusions from the rating of empty homes will cover instances where:-
- a property has a rateable capital value of below £20,000;
- occupation of a property is legally prohibited or by government action;
- the person entitled to possession is receiving care or hospital treatment;
- the property is empty due to imprisonment or the owner’s death (probate).
Northern Ireland Block Grant
Ms M Ritchie asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the likely reduction in the resource and capital elements of the Northern Ireland Block Grant for 2011/12, based on his discussions with the Treasury.
(AQO 74/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The latest analysis undertaken by my officials is that the October Spending Review announcement by the Chancellor will result in current expenditure staying flat in cash terms from 2011-12 onwards over the four years of the Spending Review. This means a decline of approx 2.7 per cent per annum in real terms. Capital however will contract by some nine per cent per annum over the period in real terms.
I believe these to be reasonable planning assumptions because they correlate closely to forecasts delivered to the Scottish Executive in a recent independent report. Also my officials are in frequent contact with
their Treasury counterparts and they have not had any indication that our planning assumptions are unrealistic.
Budget Process
Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel why he did not take account of the recommendations of the Committee for Finance and Personnel, as set out in its second Report on the Inquiry into the Role of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Scrutinising the Executive's Budget and Expenditure, before submitting his Department's Review of the Executive's Budget Process 2008-11 Action Plan to the Executive.
(AQO 78/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: I issued my revised Budget Process Action Plan paper to the Executive on 5 July this year. Unfortunately, this was before I appreciated Committee’s concern on one particular recommendation relating to the role that Assembly Committees should play on the Budget consultation process.
While I understand that the Committees are not comfortable with this proposed coordination role, I still take the view that they should play a more pro-active role in terms of co-ordinating responses to departmental budget allocations. I have stressed to my ministerial colleagues that it is imperative that they engage as early as possible and in a transparent manner with their Committees.
Full and frank engagement is beneficial to both Committees and ministers. A minister who has the full support of his or her committee is surely in a stronger position when it comes to budget lobbying.
Vacant Properties
Mr F Molloy asked e Minister of Finance and Personnel why local Councils are being asked to identify vacant property on behalf of Land and Property Services; and for his assessment of whether this duplication of work represents value for money to the taxpayer.
(AQW 482/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: Land & Property Services and district councils have developed increasingly strong links over the last few years, recognising the importance of close collaboration in ensuring the effective operation of the rating system in Northern Ireland.
One important area of collaboration is the use of the information and local knowledge of councils and their staff regarding the occupancy (or vacancy) of properties. Many councils are actively working with LPS in this area. LPS also uses a number of other sources to gather the information it requires to issue rate bills, but recognises the central importance of its relationship with district councils. Coordination of the work ensures that there is no duplication of effort.
I am very pleased with the continuing development of the relationship between LPS and district councils, and that this continues to improve the effectiveness of the rating system, thereby benefitting both councils and the Executive through the collection of district and regional rates.
Outstanding Rates
Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the amount in commercial or business rates that is still outstanding or unpaid for each of the last three financial years.
(AQW 502/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The non-domestic rates unpaid for Northern Ireland at 18 September 2010, split by year of assessment, are as follows:
| Financial year | Unpaid non-domestic rates |
|---|---|
2007-08 |
£7.8 m |
2008-09 |
£15.9 m |
2009-10 |
£38.5 m |
Land & Property Services continues to pursue all unpaid rates, whilst recognising the genuine financial difficulties of many ratepayers. The Agency seeks to agree payment arrangements with ratepayers where possible.
The Executive has introduced a number of measures to support businesses via the rating system, including the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme and the freezing of the Regional Rate, and has maintained industrial rates at 30% liability.
Reduction in the Number of Quangos
Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what assessment he has made of the savings to the public purse that could be made by a reduction in the number of quangos.
(AQW 504/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: I have not, as Minister of Finance and Personnel, made an assessment of what savings might be made by reducing the number of quangos.
This is an issue that is being considered by the Budget Review Group and I look forward to the Executive Sub-Group’s consideration of the papers on this issue.
I am also aware that the Efficiency Review Panel established within OFMDFM is tasked with looking at this issue but I am not aware of its current status in terms of progress.
Civil Service: Classic Plus
Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many current Civil Service staff are totally or partially covered by the Classic Plus retirement benefit scheme.
(AQO 82/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The current number of civil servants who are totally or partially covered by the Classic Plus retirement benefit scheme are 314 current members, 89 pensioner members and 3 deferred members.
Put in context, this means that 0.9% of current members, 0.4% of pensioner members and 0.03% of deferred members are covered by the Classic Plus scheme.
I should add that membership of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Northern Ireland) is not restricted to civil servants and includes staff who work in a number of other public sector bodies.
Economic Growth
Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline any meetings he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to secure an equitable level of funding which reflects our unique economic situation and particularly the need to grow our private sector.
(AQO 83/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: I have had a number of meetings with Treasury ministers over recent weeks. As recently as last Wednesday I met with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury who is charged with taking forward the UK Spending Review.
Along with my Scottish and Welsh counterparts I have repeatedly stressed the need for transparency and fairness in the allocation process.
The Northern Ireland economy is unique in its heavy dependence on the public sector and I have made the point that this needs to be reflected in our Spending Review settlement. We need time to grow our private sector to alleviate any impacts of the forthcoming spending reductions.
Civil Service Compensation Scheme
Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the impact that the changes to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme will have on staff.
(AQO 84/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Civil Service Compensation Scheme (Northern Ireland) was recently amended to comply with an Employment Tribunal judgment so that the lump sum element of Compulsory Early Retirement payments made to civil servants between age 57 and 60 will be paid in full, rather than being tapered if the person is within 3 years of the scheme pension age. New provisions were also added for a lump sum of 6 months’ pay to be paid to staff who leave on compulsory retirement terms aged 60 or over, in the same circumstances as a lump sum is payable to those under age 60.
I am aware that the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, introduced a Superannuation Bill in the House of Commons on 15 July 2010 to place upper limits on the amount of redundancy payments made under the provisions of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. The Bill, which would apply only to staff in the Home Civil Service in Great Britain, will cap all compulsory redundancy payments at 12 months pay, and limit payments for voluntary exits to 15 months’ salary.
Budget 2010: Consultation
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to explain the compressed timeframe for Budget 2010, in light of the challenging budget reduction; and how he will ensure that there will be meaningful consultation with the Assembly and the public.
(AQO 85/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The decisions taken by the Executive as part of the Budget 2010 process will have an impact on all the people of Northern Ireland. In this context, it is essential that there is as much public engagement as possible.
However, for this budget process the Assembly finds itself in a highly constrained environment. HMT will announce a Spending Review outcome in October rather than the usual July date. The Executive needs to allow departments and their relevant bodies as much time as possible to plan ahead and setting budgets early is therefore critical.
Ideally the Executive will, just after the Spending Review announcement on 20th October, publish a draft budget for public consultation. This would allow the Assembly Committees until early December to consult on their proposed departmental budget allocations.
Departments have already been encouraged to engage with their key stakeholders in developing Budget 2010 spending proposals and should currently be discussing the contents of their Savings Delivery Plans with the groups that are expected to be most affected by them.
In addition my department has already had a series of pre-consultation meetings with key stakeholders encompassing business organisations, trade unions, the Equality Commission as well as the community and voluntary sector. My officials intend to continue this engagement after the publication of the draft budget.
The Executive intends to publish more supporting documentation than in previous Budget processes – this is to ensure that everyone has a full picture in respect of the choices facing the Executive.
Dormant Bank Accounts
Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what progress has been made in relation to the Dormant Bank Accounts Scheme and when he expects the relevant legislation to be in place.
(AQO 86/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: We do not yet know the exact amount of money that will be available to Northern Ireland under the Scheme, although we can assume that the sums are not likely to be significant. In addition, the profile over which the money will be available for distribution is likely to be very much front-loaded and tail off quickly. Against this, the results of the public consultation exercise showed that support was evident for a wide range of priorities, but with a great degree of overlap between responses.
For these reasons, careful consideration is needed of how best to direct such funds available. Essentially, I am concerned to ensure that every effort is made to develop our priorities and to put in place a distribution programme that reflects as much as possible the results of the consultation exercise. This I hope will result in positive change that will, as far as possible, provide opportunities and long-term benefits to local communities that will outlast what may well be a relatively short-term funding stream.
I am working to bring the draft Northern Ireland Dormant Accounts spending priorities to the Executive for approval, subject to endorsement by the First Minister and the deputy First Minister. The Finance and Personnel Committee and the Big Lottery Fund will also be consulted. At this point, I cannot say when the necessary legislation will be in place but I am working to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays.
Budget 2010: Bilaterals
Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline progress to date in the Budget 2010 process, following his round of bi-lateral meetings with Ministerial colleagues.
(AQO 87/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The timeframe I had outlined to Ministerial colleagues and departments involved the Executive, just after the Spending Review announcement on 20th October, publishing a draft budget for public consultation. This would allow Assembly Committees until early December to consult on their proposed departmental budget allocations.
I met with most of my Ministerial colleagues over the summer, which allowed me to hear their views on the Budget process and the specific issues facing their departments. Unfortunately since those meetings some Ministers have not co-operated with the process as fully as expected. For example, some ministers were extremely slow to engage with the Executive’s Budget Review Group.
Whilst the timeframe remains as I have outlined, the lack of cooperation by some Executive colleagues mean that the Budget process may be delayed.
Public Services
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of how front-line services in his Department can be protected in light of the 25% budget cuts estimated by the First Minister.
(AQO 88/11)
Minister of Finance and Personnel: The precise quantum of reductions will not crystallise until the UK Spending Review outcome is announced in October 2010. However planning for the reductions cannot wait until then and in my own department we are proactively developing a draft Savings Delivery Plan which will publish around the time that the Draft Budget will be published.
The majority of DFP’s expenditure is incurred in providing a range of services, including shared services, to other NICS departments and in supporting the Executive by ensuring that the financial resources available to Northern Ireland are allocated effectively to NI departments and provide maximum value for money services to the citizens of Northern Ireland. Frontline services are provided by my department’s two Executive Agencies, Land and Property Services and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, which account for some 14% of the department’s baseline.
In reviewing the savings options put forward by my department I will of course closely scrutinise these for the impact they will have on frontline services and seek to minimise adverse impacts in the same way that I am sure my other Ministerial colleagues are doing, in respect of their own frontline services.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
McDermott Brothers Case
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if Social Services staff attended any court hearings relating to the Owen-Roe McDermott or James McDermott case.
(AQW 2/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): Yes. Representatives of the Western Health and Social Care Trust were in attendance at the sentencing hearing in Omagh Court on Friday 18 June 2010.
Paramedic Response Times
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail any improvement made in paramedic response times in the Glens of Antrim area since the new arrangements for response were created by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service in 2009.
(AQW 3/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) performance against its emergency response target is measured regionally and on the basis of Local Commissioning Group (LCG) areas. The Glens of Antrim falls within the Northern LCG.
NIAS has advised that, in August 2009, prior to the implementation of its Comprehensive Spending Review Efficiency Savings and Investment plans, 61.1% of life-threatening emergency calls in the Northern LCG were responded to within eight minutes. The equivalent figure for August 2010 was 63.1%.
Maxillo-Facial Surgery
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 6538/10, to detail the (i) social criteria; and (ii) clinical criteria used to determine admissions for planned maxillo-facial surgery.
(AQW 4/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Admission dates for planned maxillo-facial surgery may be agreed with patients to facilitate unavoidable personal social commitments which limit their availability eg attendance at educational courses outside Northern Ireland.
The care of patients requiring surgery may entail preparatory orthodontic or medical treatment before surgery can be undertaken. In some cases, particularly with children and young people, planned treatment may take place over several years.
Surgery Waiting Times
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to detail the current waiting times for (a) single jaw surgery; and (b) double jaw surgery; (ii) how these waiting times compare to the targets set; and (iii) what steps are in place to reduce waiting times.
(AQW 5/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Patient waits for specialist maxillo facial jaw surgery, where it is the first or only part of the treatment, are subject to my 2010/2011 Priorities for Action (PfA) waiting list target which is that the majority of patients should be treated within 13 weeks with none waiting longer than 36 weeks. The length of time between being listed and then admitted for surgery is dependent upon clinical priority, length of wait and resource availability.
Separate data for single and double jaw surgery are not recorded. However, patient waits for jaw surgery at quarter ended 30 June 2010, the most recent official data available, are set out in the table below.
| Weeks waiting | 0-6 |
>6-13 |
>13-21 |
>21-26 |
26-36 |
>36 |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number waiting | 7 |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
17 |
Source: DHSSPS Inpatient Waiting Times Dataset
Health and Social Care Trusts will continue to seek to maximise theatre capacity within the available resource to ensure all patients are treated appropriately.
Cycling Accidents
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of (i) adults; and (ii) children who attended A&E with head injuries resulting from cycling accidents in each of the last 5 years.
(AQW 9/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is not available.
Cycling Accidents
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of (i) adults; and (ii) children who were admitted to hospital due to head injuries resulting from cycling accidents in each of the last 5 years.
(AQW 10/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The table below provides figures on the number of admissions to hospital within the acute program of care throughout Northern Ireland due to head injuries resulting from cycling accidents, in each of the past 5 years.
| Year | *Admissions | |
|---|---|---|
| Children aged under 16 | Adults aged 17 and over | |
2005/06 |
98 |
55 |
2006/07 |
83 |
36 |
2007/08 |
83 |
38 |
2008/09 |
85 |
51 |
2009/10 |
73 |
33 |
Source: Hospital Inpatient System
*Deaths and discharges are used to denote admissions.
A&E Waiting Areas
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety which Health and Social Care Trusts have an A&E waiting area specially designated for children, broken down by hospital; and which do not.
(AQW 11/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Trusts should ensure the safety and security of all patients, particularly children, attending hospital Accident and Emergency Departments. I am advised that the current position in our hospitals is as shown in the table below:
| Hospital | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Altnagelvin | Separate waiting area and separate cubicle for the treatment of children. |
| Erne | Separate waiting area and separate cubicle for the treatment of children. |
| Antrim Area | Designated children’s waiting area and separate children’s treatment area |
| Causeway | Designated children’s waiting area and separate children’s treatment area |
| Craigavon Area | Dedicated Children’s Emergency Department with its own waiting area. All children will be treated in this Department Monday – Friday until 10pm. Outside of these hours children will, whenever possible, be treated in this Department or within separate cubicles in the main A&E Department |
| Daisy Hill | Does not have a separate children’s waiting area; however, it does have a small separate treatment area for children. |
| Belfast City | Dedicated children’s waiting area within their A&E Department and also have cubicles identified specifically for the treatment of children |
| Mater | Dedicated children’s waiting area within their A&E Department and also have cubicles identified specifically for the treatment of children |
| RBHSC | Children, up to the age of 13, are seen in the A&E Department at Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. |
| Ulster | Designated play area for children within the main waiting room of the A&E Department. Also has a separate treatment area for children. |
| Lagan Valley | Does not have a designated play area for children or a separate treatment area however, treatment for children under 5 is prioritised. |
| Downe | Designated play area for children within the main waiting room of the A&E Department. Also has a separate treatment area for children. |
Written Assembly Questions
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many written Assembly Questions he has received since becoming Minister; and how many times he has responded to say "the information is not available" or a similar answer.
(AQW 25/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Since becoming Minister in May 2007 I have received over 5600 Written Assembly Questions and been asked to provide input to a further 160 questions which were tabled to other departments. To date I have also received and answered almost 500 Oral and Urgent Oral Assembly Questions.
My Private Office does not categorize the responses given to Assembly Questions and I am therefore unable to advise regarding the number of questions that have been answered in the way that you describe. I am confident however that full and comprehensive answers are provided to all reasonable questions where possible.
Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the recruitment of a Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, including the reasons for re-advertising the post.
(AQW 27/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Belfast Trust is still actively working to recruit a Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. The post has had to be re-advertised due to a lack of applications. In the interim, a locum clinical specialist with experience in paediatric gastroenterology has been in post since August and a Specialty Doctor appointed to the Paediatric Gastroenterology team in RBHSC is expected to take up post in November 2010.
Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologists at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the resources available for the provision of Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologists at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children; and how this is benchmarked against similar provision in other jurisdictions.
(AQW 28/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Belfast Trust continues to have funding for 1.0 whole time equivalent (wte) Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist. This post is currently vacant and the vacancy has been covered by a locum since 1 May 2010.
The Trust has also recently appointed 0.5 wte speciality doctor for Paediatric Gastroenterology who it is anticipated will take up post in November 2010.
In addition to the clinical posts the Trust also has supporting infrastructure in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, including scoping sessions, outpatient sessions, 1.0 wte nurse specialist, 0.5 wte dietitian, 0.5 wte clinical psychology and 0.5 wte secretarial support.
The Trust has had network support from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Hospital Trust from May 2010 until 31 August 2010. They also continue to have support from Birmingham Sick Children's Hospital for patients with liver disease. Belfast Trust and commissioners are currently in discussion with Newcastle and Alder Hey regarding ongoing network support with outreach services in RBHSC.
Belfast Trust is currently considering what additional support is required to secure a sustainable service on an ongoing basis and will be taking this matter forward with commissioners. It is not possible to make direct comparisons with service arrangements in other jurisdictions. It is for the Health and Social Care Board, as commissioners of services, to assess the adequacy of resources available for the delivery of health and care services in Northern Ireland.
Bonfires
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of times ambulances, paramedics or other medical crew were called to bonfires on 11th July 2010.
(AQW 30/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has advised that it responded to 17 incidents at bonfire locations on the night of 11/12 July 2010.
Legal Advice
Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW8454/10, why information on the figures for legal fees paid for legal advice purchased from private legal practitioners (prior to the Directorate of Legal Services assuming sole responsibility for provision of legal advice to Health and Social Care organisations) was unavailable; (ii) how long his Department stores financial records, such as the payment of legal fees; and (iii) how long its various arms length bodies are advised to store this kind of financial information.
(AQW 39/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Prior to my decision in 2008 to make the Directorate of Legal Services the sole provider of legal services to Health and Social Care organisations, each organisation had the option of purchasing legal services from private legal practices, with these practices being engaged on a block contract basis.
The Directorate of Legal Services maintains a case-recording system which records time spent on each case, and which in turn allows for calculation of fees incurred in individual cases. However, legacy HSC organisations which purchased legal advice from other legal providers did not maintain records of costs incurred on an individual case basis (with the exception of the legacy Craigavon Area Hospital Trust). As Trusts no longer have contracts with these firms, and some of these firms no longer exist, it is therefore not possible to access information on legal costs associated with individual cases where legal services were provided by private practices.
Papers relating to clinical negligence cases are reviewed when the file is ten years old. Any payments made by the Department, including legal fees, were previously processed by the Department of Social Development. The Department retains copies of those payment records for eighteen months. Payments are now processed through Accounts NI.
Arms Length Bodies are advised to store this information for six years.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the current average waiting time for children to be first contacted by the relevant parties following a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
(AQW 50/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Figures are not available in the format requested.
FASA office in Bangor.
Mr A Easton asked e Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the core funding for the FASA office in Bangor.
(AQW 51/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the member to the answer I gave to AQW 7453/10.
Ravara House Residential Home in Bangor
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why Ravara House residential home in Bangor is not currently taking long-term stay residents.
(AQW 52/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has not been admitting permanent residents to any of its Residential Homes for Frail Elderly people since November 2007, as part of its plans for the reform and modernisation of statutory residential care. The Trust continues to utilise the existing capacity to provide Respite Care and Intermediate Care which includes rehabilitation, assessment and convalescence for older people.
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Lord Morrow asked Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the cost to date to the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust since it took over medical and care services in Maghaberry Prison.
(AQW 61/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The South Eastern Trust took on responsibility for provision of health services at Maghaberry from 2008/09.
I refer my colleague to the information provided in AQW 7714/10.
Drugs
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to detail all the drugs available through the Health Service that are banned in any other EU country; (ii) in which countries these drugs are banned; and (iii) which conditions these drugs are used to treat.
(AQW 77/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Details of drugs that have been banned in other EU countries cannot be provided as this information is not centrally held.
Blood
Mr T Burns asked Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if any blood, or blood components, donated by the public have been disposed of without being used in each of the last five years; and to detail the types of blood components and volumes which have been disposed of.
(AQW 78/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Red Cell Components
| 2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red cell components collected | 62,846 |
59,534 |
56,313 |
56,490 |
57,888 |
| Total red cell components discarded | 2,462 |
2,253 |
2,622 |
3,018 |
3,865 |
| Red cell components discarded due to time expiry | 1,306 |
990 |
1,165 |
1,202 |
1,321 |
| Red cell components discarded for other reasons | 1,156 |
1,263 |
1,457 |
1,816 |
2,544 |
In summary, between 2-4% of blood components are discarded. Half of this is due to time expiry and the remainder relates to a miscellaneous group of reasons, such as underweight pack, overweight pack, burst pack in centrifuge, quality failures, validation failures, labelling errors and post donation information which disqualifies the donation.
Platelet Components
Platelets are collected in two ways. One is by apheresis which is a single or double dose platelet donation. Platelets can also be recovered from four whole blood donations, the platelet rich fraction of which is cooled from which a platelet component is prepared. The platelet rich component of a whole blood donation or "buffy coat" is a waste product and for this reason an excess of pooled platelet components are manufactured at no additional cost to provide cover in the event of a platelet shortage. It should be noted that platelets have an expiry of 5 days. Red cell components have an expiry of 35 days.
Details of platelet collections and discards for the five financial years are set out in the table below:
| 2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pooled | Apheresis | Total | Pooled | Apheresis | Total | Pooled | Apheresis | Total | Pooled | Apheresis | Total | Pooled | Apheresis | Total | |
| Platelet components prepared | 2,640 |
6,692 |
9,332 |
3,610 |
6,039 |
9,649 |
3,077 |
6,357 |
9,434 |
2,808 |
5,714 |
8,522 |
3,030 |
5,355 |
8.385 |
| Total platelet components discarded | 463 |
1,231 |
1,694 |
665 |
1,123 |
1,788 |
691 |
852 |
1,543 |
656 |
757 |
1,413 |
682 |
930 |
1,612 |
| Platelet components discarded due to time expiry | 314 |
854 |
1,168 |
419 |
469 |
888 |
448 |
326 |
774 |
480 |
562 |
1,042 |
446 |
612 |
1,058 |
| Platelet components discarded for other reasons | 149 |
377 |
526 |
246 |
654 |
900 |
243 |
526 |
769 |
176 |
195 |
371 |
236 |
318 |
554 |
In summary, between 10 and 20% of platelet components are not transfused to patients. This is largely because of time expiry and the inherent short shelf life of these products
Blood
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) if any blood or blood components donated by the public have been sold in each of the last five years; (ii) who they were sold to; (iii) for what purpose they were sold; (iv) the volume of blood and blood components which were sold; and (iv) the amount of revenue received as a result.
(AQW 79/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The processing of donated whole blood collected by NI Blood Transfusion Service into blood components suitable for transfusion, results in surplus plasma as only 10% of the plasma produced is required by hospitals. Up until 2008, this plasma was incinerated as there was no other clinical use for it. As there is a commercial market for this component, since 2008, surplus plasma has been sold to two commercial firms, Nova Biologics and Randox, to be used in the manufacture of laboratory test reagents. The table below details the volume of surplus plasma sold and the revenue received.
| Litres | £ | |
|---|---|---|
2009/10 |
11,046 |
331,367 |
2008/09 |
7,418 |
207,691 |
External Consultants
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much has been spent on external consultants in each of the last five years by (i) his Department; (ii) the Health Estates; and (iii) the Business Services Organisation; and (iv) how much of these amounts was paid to (a) PWC; (b) Deloitte; and (c) Ernst & Young
(AQW 82/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The expenditure on external consultancy is set out in the following table.
| Financial Year | Categories | Core Department | Health Estates | Business Services Organisation | Total Annual Expenditure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009/10 |
Total | 699,862 |
Not Applicable | 63,458 |
763,320 |
| PWC | 0 |
0 |
|||
| Deloitte | 30,496 |
0 |
|||
| Ernest & Young | 23,806 |
0 |
|||
2008/09 |
Total | 606,066 |
146,445 |
Not Applicable |
752,511 |
| PWC | 37,123 |
0 |
|||
| Deloitte | 89,344 |
0 |
|||
| Ernest & Young | 0 |
0 |
|||
2007/08 |
Total | 2,034,151 |
278,410 |
Not Applicable |
2,312,561 |
| PWC | 269,500 |
0 |
|||
| Deloitte | 96,516 |
0 |
|||
| Ernest & Young | 0 |
0 |
|||
2006/07 |
Total | 2,231,473 |
271,014 |
Not Applicable |
2,502,487 |
| PWC | 321,486 |
0 |
|||
| Deloitte | 227,196 |
14,430 |
|||
| Ernest & Young | 0 |
0 |
|||
2005/06 |
Total | 1,985,482 |
182,984 |
Not Applicable |
2,168,466 |
| PWC | 331,156 |
0 |
|||
| Deloitte | 328,058 |
0 |
|||
| Ernest & Young | 0 |
0 |
|||
Health Estates ceased to be an executive agency with effect from 1st April 2009 and is incorporated into the Core Department expenditure for financial year 2009/10.
Staff Bonuses
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he can confirm that none of the £20m his Department received in the June monitoring round will be spent on bonuses for staff.
(AQW 89/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: No element of the £20m funds received in the June Monitoring round will be spent on staff bonuses.
Tami Flu Tablets
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans his Department has to make use of, or dispose of, the stock pile of Tami Flu tablets.
(AQW 104/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Tamiflu is the first line antiviral treatment for pandemic flu and my Department has arrangements in place to maintain a stockpile as part of ongoing pandemic preparedness plans in line with UK policy. These antivirals would be required should another pandemic occur. Arrangements include the management of Tamiflu stock as it reaches expiry.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Services
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the reasons for the recent decision to remove the oral and maxillofacial surgery services from the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.
(AQW 136/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I propose to answer questions AQW 136/11, AQW 137/11 and AQW 138/11 together.
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has advised that there has been no removal of oral and maxillo-facial services from the Ulster Hospital. There has been no decision taken to remove these services nor are there any plans to remove these services in the future.
A maxillo-facial surgeon, based at the Ulster Hospital, retired in 2008 but a new surgeon was recruited to fill this vacancy.
Maxillofacial Surgeon at the Ulster Hospital
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust intends to appoint a new Maxillofacial surgeon to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.
(AQW 137/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I propose to answer questions AQW 136/11, AQW 137/11 and AQW 138/11 together.
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has advised that there has been no removal of oral and maxillo-facial services from the Ulster Hospital. There has been no decision taken to remove these services nor are there any plans to remove these services in the future.
A maxillo-facial surgeon, based at the Ulster Hospital, retired in 2008 but a new surgeon was recruited to fill this vacancy.
Maxillofacial Surgery/Clinic at the Ulster Hosptial
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the timescale for the re-establishment of the oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Clinic at the Ulster Hosptial in Dundonald.
(AQW 138/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I propose to answer questions AQW 136/11, AQW 137/11 and AQW 138/11 together.
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has advised that there has been no removal of oral and maxillo-facial services from the Ulster Hospital. There has been no decision taken to remove these services nor are there any plans to remove these services in the future.
A maxillo-facial surgeon, based at the Ulster Hospital, retired in 2008 but a new surgeon was recruited to fill this vacancy.
Medical Secretaries
Ms A Lo asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the proposal by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust to make 50 medical secretaries redundant rather than middle management posts.
(AQW 149/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: As a direct consequence of budgetary constraints imposed by the Executive all HSC employers have to be innovative about future spending and are having to make difficult decisions in order to safeguard front line services. Staff salaries form the largest part of HSC Trust costs so it is vital that staffing levels and grading in all areas of administration are kept under review. Over 750 administrative/management posts have already been removed from the HSC under the Review of Public Administration and while medical secretaries perform an important administrative service they cannot be exempt from this process.
In the recent review of Medical Secretary provision the Belfast HSC Trust looked at what they required in light of the needs of the service and developments in technology. This review is now at the consultation stage and the Trust is proceeding with the consultation and negotiation as agreed with the Trade Unions. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further until this period of consultation is complete but I am assured that the review recommendations do not contain proposals for compulsory redundancies.
Prisoners Taking Prescription Medicine
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safetywhether prisoners taking prescription medicine, including those in hospital wings, are in charge of their own medication or whether it is dispensed per dose by prison staff.
(AQW 163/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: All prisoners who are prescribed medication are subject to a comprehensive risk assessment to determine their suitability to be in possession of their own medication. The risk assessment takes into account the prisoner, the medication and the location. If they are found suitable, they may receive their medication on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, depending on the drug. If not considered suitable to be in possession of their own medication, it will be issued to them dose by dose by a prison nurse.
Healthcare orderlies are the only prisoners in in-patient units who will have medication in their possession.
Disabled Facilities Grant
Ms M Ritchie asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action has been taken to reduce the delays experienced by applicants for the Disabled Facilities Grant, with specific regard to Occupational Therapy and assessment.
(AQW 164/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department has progressively addressed the issue of Community Occupational Therapy assessment waiting times for some time now.
Currently there is a 9 week waiting time target between referral and treatment for Community Occupational Therapy Services.
The administration of the Disabled Facilities Grant System is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I am unable to answer specific questions regarding the time taken to process claims made under this grant.
However, a series of service improvement initiatives have been implemented to streamline housing adaptations delivery both by the DHSSPS and on an Interdepartmental basis.
Most recently my Department and the Department for Social Development (DSD) commenced a Joint Review of the Housing Adaptations Service in February 2010. This review will jointly propose strategies to ensure closer working practices and maximise the resources available to both the DHSSPS and DSD to meet the needs of disabled people in Northern Ireland during a period of significant economic downturn.
Rioting
Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) the number of children under 17 with whom Social Services has had contact in relation to safety concerns surrounding involvement in rioting in 2008-09 and 2009-10; (ii) how many of these children have been placed on the 'at risk' register; and (iii) what types of care packages have been put in place to support these children.
(AQW 166/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is not available.
Long-term Comas
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people currently in long-term comas who are being cared for by the Health Service; and the length of time each of these people has been in this condition.
(AQW 170/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of people currently in long-term comas that are being cared for by the Health Service is not available.
People Under 18 who Have Had Heart Attacks
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people under the age of 18 years have had heart attacks in each of the last five years.
(AQW 171/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number people under the age of 18 years who have had a heart attack in the last 5 years is not available
McDermott Brothers Case
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, given that the Lord Chief Justice has now clarified the position in relation to the McDermott brothers returning to Donagh, will he now instigate an investigation into the handling of this case by the Western Health and Social Care Trust and all the staff involved.
(AQW 452/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I have asked the Regional Health and Social Care Board to undertake a case review. I anticipate that this review will present interim findings to me within a month and a full report as soon as possible thereafter.
NHS Commissioning
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the effectiveness of the new commissioning arrangements.
(AQO 93/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The RPA reforms I introduced in April 2009 established the Health and Social Care Board and Public Health Agency and allow for the preparation of a regionally focused commissioning plan. For the first time, in 2010/11 we can plan the delivery of health and social care regionally but ensure local needs are accounted for through local commissioning groups, whilst giving due weight to the public health agenda.
These values underpinned my Health and Social Care reforms and the Commissioning Plan gives them written expression. My highest priority remains the improvement of the health and social well being of the people of Northern Ireland, reducing inequalities irrespective of where we live.
Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital: Complaints
Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many complaints have been received in relation to the Antrim Area Hospital and the Causeway Hospital in the last two years.
(AQO 96/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: During 2008/09, the Northern Trust received 263 complaints relating to services at Antrim Area Hospital and 130 complaints relating to services at Causeway Hospital. In 2009/10, the Northern Trust received 211 relating to services at Antrim Area Hospital and 110 complaints in relation to services at Causeway Hospital.
To set these figures in context, in each of the last two years the Northern Trust hospitals have provided more than 190,000 outpatient appointments, more than 147,000 A&E attendances, more than 92,000 inpatient admissions and delivered more than 4,000 births.
Ophthalmology: Referrals
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if there are any pilot electronic referral schemes in use by GPs to refer eye patients to eye specialists.
(AQO 97/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I have announced the introduction the Northern Ireland Electronic Referrals project which will introduce the capacity to transfer electronically referrals from GP Practices to consultant-led clinics in Secondary Care by 2012. A pathfinder pilot electronic referral scheme involving GP practices in the Southern Trust area will begin in January 2011. It is intended that all GP referrals to consultant-led clinics will be electronic, however a specific project to implement pilot ophthalmic referrals to eye specialists has not yet been developed.
Altnagelvin Area Hospital: Radiotherapy
Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the timescale for the development of a new satellite radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin Hospital.
(AQO 98/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Western Trust and my Department are working hard against a tight timescale to ensure that the new development is appropriate in terms of capacity, high quality and value for money for the taxpayer. It is important when planning a public investment of this scale that we get it right. The business case approval process requires that the Trust’s proposal has the support of the Health and Social Care Board and the Department of Finance. The commissioner has given its support to this development however delivery of the scheme will be dependent on the outcome of budget negotiations with the Minister of Finance.
Health and Social Care
Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much demand rose for Health and Social Care services from 2007 to 2010 and what is the projected level of demand for 2011-2015.
(AQO 99/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Between 2007 and 2009 elective demand rose by 19%.
For example:
13,000 more elective operations were performed
19,000 more new A&E attendances
86,000 more referrals to outpatients
6,000 more emergency admissions
All this at a time when my funding only grew by less than 1%.
I anticipate demand and demographic growth in the region of 15.2% from 2011 to 2015. The growth we are seeing is not simply about increasing expectations, rather it is because we have and will have the fastest growing elderly population in the UK, because the NI population generally is growing and because we have objectively greater need for both health and social services in Northern Ireland
Antrim Area Hospital: Car Parking
Mr S Neeson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans there are to provide extra car parking spaces at the Antrim Area Hospital.
(AQO 100/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Northern Health & Social Care Trust will be providing 100 additional car parking spaces at Antrim Area Hospital. This work will alleviate shortages at peak periods and, in particular, visiting time. It will also help improve the segregation between patient/visitor parking and staff parking. Visitors and patients will have access to more convenient parking as a result. This is part of an overall scheme aimed at improving parking provision and management on the Antrim Area Hospital site. It is estimated that the places will be available in early 2011.
Child Protection
Mr J Bell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the pressures faced by Child Protection Services within the Family and Childcare Social Work Programme.
(AQO 101/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: It is widely acknowledged that family and child care services in Northern Ireland are around 30% underfunded compared to similar services in England.
Pressure on child protection services in Northern Ireland continues to rise and this is highlighted by a 33% increase in the number of children being referred to social services between 2004 and 2009.
In recent years I have invested over £20m in support of children’s services. However, we all need to recognise that in the current climate of financial restraint the level of funding that can be sustained in support of these services will largely depend on the outcome of very difficult budgetry negotiations.
Belfast City Hospital: Cancer Patients
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans he has to alleviate the substantial costs incurred by patients travelling to the Belfast City Hospital for cancer treatment.
(AQO 102/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The potential for patients to suffer financial hardship as a result of prolonged illness is common across a range of conditions, not just cancer.
Help from the Hospital Travel Cost Scheme is available to those patients in receipt of specified social security benefits or on low income. Similar schemes operate in England, Scotland and Wales. Cancer patients attending hospital for chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also exempt from car parking charges.
I have no plans to review the current scheme.
Antrim Area Hospital: Accident and Emergency
Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the current waiting times for the Accident and Emergency Unit in the Antrim Area Hospital.
(AQO 103/11)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The latest information available on the waiting times for the accident and emergency unit in the Antrim Area hospital refers to July 2010. During July over 6,000 people attended the accident and emergency unit. 75.3% of patients were either treated and discharged, or admitted within four hours of their arrival in the Antrim Area emergency care unit, whilst 24 people waited in excess of 12 hours.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Prison, Community Sentencing and Crime Report
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice for his assessment of Professor Ken Pease's 'Prison, Community Sentencing and Crime' report published in August 2010.
(AQW 12/11)
Minister of Justice (Mr D Ford): The issues raised in the report are considered in the context of England and Wales. However, I will consider Professor Pease’s comments alongside other views in my forthcoming review of alternatives to custody.
Community-based Sentencing
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, given his support for fewer custodial sentences, whether the Probation Board of Northern Ireland is adequately staffed to deal with the proposed increase in community-based sentencing, without detracting from its current workload.
(AQW 44/11)
Minister of Justice: I will be launching a review of alternatives to custody which will provide the opportunity to open up the debate on the range of community disposals currently available to the judiciary and on the value of short prison sentences. Decisions on the way forward will be considered in light of responses to the review and, of course, the resource impact these might have on the Criminal Justice agencies, including Probation Board for Northern Ireland.
Dissident Protest in Maghaberry Prison
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice to provide the total cost of refurbishment following the damage caused by the dissident protest in Maghaberry Prison.
(AQW 45/11)
Minister of Justice:
The refurbishment following the damage caused by the protest at Roe House in Maghaberry Prison is ongoing. It is estimated that when complete it will have cost £138,000.
Rioting
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice how many people have been convicted, to date, in relation to rioting over the twelfth period; and of these, how many people reside outside the area where the rioting took place.
(AQW 46/11)
Minister of Justice: Information is not yet available on convictions for these offences and it is, in any event, likely to be some time before all such cases have completed due criminal process. However, I can advise that, as at 14 September, a total of 78 persons have been arrested in relation to disturbances across Belfast. 62 of those have been charged with various offences including 3 with the attempted murder of a police officer.
In Londonderry, 37 individuals were arrested for interface violence, during July and August; of those arrested, 5 were subsequently charged and 32 reported to the PPS.
I regret that the information on the number of persons who reside outside the area where the rioting occurred is not collated in the format requested.
Juvenile Offenders
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice to detail the current number of juvenile offenders in each policing district; and of these, how many were or are currently in care or are known to Social Services.
(AQW 63/11)
Minister of Justice: The number of juvenile offenders in each policing district is a matter for the Chief Constable, who is accountable to the Northern Ireland Policing Board. I am committed to respecting the operational independence of the Chief Constable and the role of the Policing Board.
You may therefore wish to direct your question to the PSNI.
Maghaberry Prison
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice to outline the total cost of the new search area for visitors to dissident prisoners in Maghaberry Prison.
(AQW 91/11)
Minister of Justice: There are no plans for a new search area for visitors to dissident prisoners in Maghaberry Prison.
In line with the agreement reached on 12 August, a new search building is being installed to facilitate searches of separated prisoners returning from their visits. Its cost is estimated at just under £100,000.
Maghaberry Prison
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice whether proposals have been made to roof the astroturf football pitches in Maghaberry Prison; and the estimated cost.
(AQW 142/11)
Minister of Justice: The need for a secure roof over the two Astroturf pitches has been risk assessed. This work is in hand - the estimated cost is £200,000.
Disruptive Behaviour at Court Buildings
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice to detail the number of instances of disruptive behaviour at court buildings in each of the last two years.
(AQW 146/11)
Minister of Justice: The table below details the number of locally reported instances of disruptive behaviour for the last two years by court venue.
The incidents listed include a wide variety of circumstances, ranging from verbal abuse and minor scuffles to more serious disturbances. The table below does not include security incidents such as hoax calls.
Number of Reported Incidents of Disruptive Behaviour
| Venue | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Antrim | 1 |
0 |
| Ballymena | 0 |
1 |
| Bangor | 1 |
2 |
| Coleraine | 2 |
1 |
| Downpatrick | 4 |
1 |
| Dungannon | 1 |
2 |
| Enniskillen | 0 |
1 |
| Laganside | 16 |
16 |
| Londonderry | 3 |
1 |
| Newry | 2 |
5 |
| Newtownards | 1 |
4 |
| Omagh | 2 |
1 |
| Royal Courts of Justice | 2 |
1 |
Total |
35 |
36 |
Non-Molestation Orders
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice how many Non-Molestation Orders were made in each of the last two years, broken down by county court division.
(AQW 148/11)
Minister of Justice: The table below states the number of non-molestation orders granted in the High Court and in each County Court Division in 2008 and 2009.
Number of Non-molestation orders made (Interim and Final Orders)
| 2008 | 2009 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Court | 272 |
249 |
521 |
| Antrim | 1189 |
1423 |
2612 |
| Ards | 1129 |
1050 |
2179 |
| Armagh& South Down | 947 |
956 |
1903 |
| Belfast | 1742 |
1375 |
3117 |
| Craigavon | 603 |
538 |
1141 |
| Fermanagh & Tyrone | 464 |
487 |
951 |
| Londonderry | 1413 |
1292 |
2705 |
Total |
7759 | 7370* | 15129 |
*The figures provided in the answer to AQW6995/10 in respect of orders made in 2009 were provisional. The figure quoted in this table represents the fully validated data.
Assaults Against Prison Staff
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice how many assaults against staff in prisons have resulted in (i) injury; and (ii) sick leave, in each facility, including Hydebank Young Offenders Centre and the Juvenile Justice Centre, in the last 12 months.
(AQW 180/11)
Minister of Justice: The number of assaults against NIPS prison staff that have resulted in injury and sick absence between 10 September 2009 and 10 September 2010 is 85 and 41 respectively. (These figures are not mutually exclusive.) There have been no such assaults within the Juvenile Justice Centre.
The table below provides a breakdown of this information in relation to each NIPS establishment and function. The figures for sickness absence arising out of assaults are shown in brackets.
Maghaberry |
Magilligan |
Hydebank |
PECCS* |
57 (19) |
4 (3) |
7 (7) |
17 (12) |
*PECCS is the in-house service for Prisoner Escorting and Court Custody.
Maghaberry Prison
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice to detail (i) the individuals and agencies involved in negotiations in relation to the protests carried out by dissident republican prisoners in Maghaberry prison; and (ii) the costs of facilitating these negotiations, including the details of from where negotiators travelled.
(AQW 181/11)
Minister of Justice: Discussions with prisoners during the recent protest in Roe House in Maghaberry Prison were facilitated by the Joint Facilitation Group (JFG). The JFG was comprised of representatives from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Peter Bunting), Ráth Mór (Conal McFeely) and the Dialogue Advisory Group (Dr. Ram Manikkalingam).
The cost of facilitating the discussions, including the travel costs for the facilitators, were met by the JFG; consequently the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) does not hold any details of where the facilitators travelled from. However NIPS did provide some refreshments and hospitality throughout the discussions the cost of which amounted to a total of £64.
Remand Prisoners
Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Justice to detail (i) the length of time served by the current longest serving remand prisoner; and (ii) how many prisoners currently in custody have served over one year on remand.
(AQW 194/11)
Minister of Justice: The current longest serving remand prisoner has been in custody since 13th September 2008, a total of 734 days at 16 September. There are currently 40 prisoners in custody who have served one year or longer on remand.
Lateral Entry Between An Garda Síochana and the PSNI
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Justice how many times the Working Group considering lateral entry between An Garda Síochana and the PSNI have met and on which dates.
(AQW 212/11)
Minister of Justice: Following the making of the necessary legislation to facilitate lateral entry, the Working Group met on 30 April 2009. Any future meeting is to be arranged by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Lateral Entry Between An Garda Síochana and the PSNI
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Justice to outline the reasons given by the Irish Government for the delay in achieving lateral entry between An Garda Síochana and the PSNI as envisaged in the Patten Report.
(AQW 213/11)
Minister of Justice: All necessary legislation to allow lateral entry between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Siochana, as envisaged by the Patten Report, is already in place for eligible and qualified candidates.
Both the DOJ and DJELR recognise that there are practical issues for individuals in relation to the transferability of police officers’ pensions. These are not matters over which either department has control.
Lateral Entry Between An Garda Síochana and the PSNI
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Justice what steps he intends to take in relation to the outstanding Patten recommendations on lateral entry and when he expects them to be achieved.
(AQW 214/11)
Minister of Justice: In line with the UK Government’s commitments in the Patten Implementation Plan, statutory provision is in place to facilitate lateral entry into the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Lateral entry is encouraged through advertising posts in the Republic of Ireland.
Police College at Desertcreat, Cookstown
Mr P Weir asked inister of Justice for an update on the proposed police college at Desertcreat, Cookstown.
(AQW 222/11)
Minister of Justice: Plans are at an advanced stage for a public services training college for the police, fire and rescue, and prison services that will ensure that they can provide the highest level of service to the public.
The site is prepared and all survey work has been carried out.
A business case review has been carried out jointly by the DOJ and the DHSSPS and a number of issues were identified that required to be addressed before the business case can proceed to the next stage.
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Justice to detail the number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders served (i) in total; and (ii) in the North Down area, in each of the last thee years, broken down by the statutory body which applied for the order.
(AQW 225/11)
Minister of Justice: The Department of Justice has been notified by the relevant authorities of the following information:
Total number of ASBOs issued in the last three years
| Year | Total | PSNI | Councils | NIHE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 |
25 |
24 |
1 |
0 |
2008 |
32 |
28 |
4 |
0 |
2007 |
24 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
Total number of ASBOs issued in the North Down Assembly Constituency in the last three years
| Year | Total | PSNI | Councils | NIHE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2008 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2007 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Notes
The statistics record the year in which the ASBO was first issued.
The Anti-social Behaviour (NI) Order2004 defines relevant authority as district councils, PSNI or Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Pitch Incursions
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Justice for his assessment of the importance, in cultural terms, of celebratory pitch incursions in football, rugby and Gaelic games and whether pitch incursions will be treated in a flexible manner within any future sports legislation.
(AQW 233/11)
Minister of Justice: I do appreciate the practice of fans at times going on to the pitch to celebrate, for example, winning a major final or trophy. However, match organisers are increasingly conscious of the safety and public order implications of allowing free access to the pitch, even at the conclusion of a match. This will take on added importance as the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure's Safety of Sports Grounds legislation takes full effect especially in terms of permitting access to the pitch.
An important feature of the pitch incursion offence I intend to introduce in the forthcoming Justice Bill is that an incursion will be an offence only if it is not authorised by the match organisers or in the absence of a lawful excuse.
Laser Pens
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Justice what consideration he has given to making laser pens illegal items, alogside his proposals in relation to the possession of fireworks and flares at sports matches.
(AQW 237/11)
Minister of Justice: In terms of sporting events, event organisers would already be entitled to disallow entry or to remove anyone found using a laser pen. As part of my plans for a Justice Bill, I will consider banning the taking of laser pens into sporting events.
Youth Conference Order
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice to outline what a Youth Conference Order entails and which agencies are involved.
(AQW 241/11)
Minister of Justice: A Youth Conference Order is an order of the court that the Youth Court must consider making following a finding of guilt by a young person. It requires the offender to comply with the requirements specified in a Youth Conference Plan in accordance with Part 4 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002.
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) may also consider a Diversionary Youth Conference as an alternative to prosecution in court for less serious offences. The diversionary youth conference is only available to prosecutors if the defendant admits that he committed the offence and agrees to accept and participate in the diversionary option.
The Youth Conference process is a meeting or series of meetings facilitated by a Youth Conference Co-ordinator from the Youth Justice Agency (YJA) and is available for an offender aged 10-17 who admits guilt and consents to undertaking the Youth Conference process. The Youth Conference process considers what the young person will do to put right the harm caused by the offence and steps they will take to stop reoffending. The meetings must involve the following persons to be considered part of the Youth Conference process- (i) Youth Conference Co-ordinator, (ii) the young person/offender, (iii) a police officer (generally a Youth Diversion Officer) and (iv) an appropriate adult.
Other people are entitled to attend the Youth Conference, including legal representatives, the victim, victim supporters and agencies with an interest in the young person. Others may be invited to participate if appropriate to the offence. However the Agencies that are required by statute to be involved in the process are the YJA, the PPS, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Courts.
At any Youth Conference, the Youth Conference Coordinator will encourage participation, provide support to the young person and support the victim if in attendance. Representations or participation may also be made at the Youth Conference by individuals from the community, statutory and voluntary sectors. These will be people who either have statutory involvement such as a social worker, or have an interest in public protection/community safety.
The aim of the Youth Conference process is to produce a Plan that may include any number of nine requirements to be completed by the young person which include:
- Apology to the victim or persons affected by the offence
- Restitution to the victim
- Restriction of their movements
- Electronic monitoring
- Reparation for the victim
- Unpaid work or service
- Supervision by an adult
- Participation in programmes to stop offending
Once agreed, the plan is then presented to the Youth Court where the District Judge has the power, in consultation with the Youth Conference Co-ordinator, to vary the plan. However, once ratified by the Judge, the plan becomes a statutory order which is monitored by the YJA for compliance until completion. Non-compliance in the Youth Conference Plan / Order by the young person may result in breach of the Order and a return to court. In the case of Diversionary Youth Conferences, the plan is agreed or amended by the PPS. Failure to complete the plan may result in the PPS taking further action.
The use of Youth Conference Orders is the main disposal of the Youth Court.
Criminal Records Held by People Coming from Other Countries
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice whether his Department is informed of any previous criminal records held by people coming from other countries to work or live in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 242/11)
Minister of Justice: My Department is not routinely informed of previous criminal records held by people coming from other countries to work or live in Northern Ireland.
There are, however, a range of mechanisms through which the PSNI may obtain criminal records from other nations. This includes application through the United Kingdom Central Authority-Exchange of Criminal Records (UKCA-ECR). The most common purpose of a request is for presentation to a court prior to sentencing.
Magilligan Prison
Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Justice what progress he expects to make in the next 12 months in relation to the new build for Magilligan Prison.
(AQW 257/11)
Minister of Justice: I am personally committed to providing a replacement prison for Magilligan. Much of the existing accommodation and infrastructure was condemned in the HMCI/CJINI report published on 13 September.
The Outline Business Case is nearing completion. Final decisions on making progress with a new prison must take account of the need to provide value for money and the availability of funding. I recognise that colleagues outside the Department of Justice will need to be involved in the process.
Average Cost of a Prison Place
Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Justice to detail the change in the average cost of a prison place between 2008 and 2009.
(AQW 258/11)
Minister of Justice: The Northern Ireland Prison Service calculates an average cost per prisoner place for each financial year. The table below sets out the costs for 2008 and 2009 and the targets for those years, which were met.
| Financial Year | Actual cost per prisoner place | Target cost per prisoner place |
|---|---|---|
2007/08 |
£81,254 |
£82,500 |
2008/09 |
£81,340 |
£81,500 |
Tickets for Concerts and Sporting Events in Northern Ireland
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Justice what powers his Department has to pursue people from outside Northern Ireland who offer tickets for sale, above face value, for concerts and sporting events in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 307/11)
Minister of Justice: Currently there is no legislation in Northern Ireland to tackle the problem of unauthorised ticket sales or what is commonly known as "ticket touting". In the context of the potential for crowd trouble and public disorder I have recently announced my intention to bring forward legislation by way of the Justice Bill to make it an offence for an unauthorised person to sell or dispose of tickets for certain association football matches. Policy on the sale or re-sale of concert tickets is not a matter for the Department of Justice.
Access NI
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice to detail (i) the number of times Access NI has provided inaccurate information on individuals; and (ii) how many complaints have been received in relation to this matter to date.
(AQW 334/11)
Minister of Justice: (i) For the period 1 April 2009 – 31 July 2010 AccessNI received 191,936 applications for disclosure. In 384 cases, AccessNI has upheld disputes from applicants in respect of information contained within Disclosure Certificates and issued revised Certificates. The 384 cases can be categorised as follows;
- 242 were minor errors; e.g.: involving incorrect spelling of names, addresses, position applied for or other details;
- 40, or 0.02% of all applications received, were more serious errors relating to incorrect information provided by AccessNI in respect criminal record details;
- 102 involved errors accredited to Police forces across the UK.
(ii) AccessNI is unable to provide information on the total number of complaints received about Disclosure Certificates, but of those complaints received, 384 were upheld, as set out above.
Access NI
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice (i) for his assessment of the performance of Access NI; and (ii) how much it has cost to date.
(AQW 335/11)
Minister of Justice: (i) While AccessNI experienced considerable problems in returning disclosure certificates between April and December 2008, overall performance since that time has exceeded targets. The following table sets out performance since 1 April 2009 to 31 July 2010 against those targets;
| Period | Target | Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April 2009-31 July 2010 | To deliver 90% of basic disclosures within 2 weeks | 97% delivered within 2 weeks |
| 1 April 2009-31 July 2010 | To deliver 90% of standard disclosures within 2 weeks (3 weeks up to January 2010) | 98% delivered within 2/3 weeks (as per target prevailing at that time) |
| 1 April 2009-31 July 2010 | To deliver 90% of enhanced disclosures within 4 weeks | 96% delivered within 4 weeks |
During this period the average delivery times were as follows;
| Basic disclosures | 8.12 calendar days |
| Standard disclosures | 8.05 calendar days |
| Enhanced disclosures | 15.98 calendar days |
Over this period a total of 191,936 applications for disclosure were received.
Information is published each month on the AccessNI web-site, www.accessni.gov.uk in relation to its performance.
Furthermore, a customer survey carried out by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency in January concluded that 87% of organisations registered with AccessNI were satisfied with the service provided, while only 3% expressed dissatisfaction.
(ii) The cost (including non-capital implementation start-up costs) of AccessNI since 2006 (up to the end of August 2011) is as follows;
| 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imp costs | £189k |
£304k |
£493k | |||
| Running costs | £105k |
£622k |
£2,301k |
£2,795k |
£1,202k |
£7,025k |
Total |
£7,518k | |||||
During this time AccessNI has received receipts from fees and other income amounting to £7,407k. Therefore AccessNI has not only recouped all its running costs but a significant proportion of its non-capital implementation costs also.
AccessNI is required to meet its yearly operating costs from the income derived.
Rioting
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Justice what protocols or procedures are in place to enable his Department to pursue people from outside Northern Ireland who are alleged to have been involved in rioting.
(AQW 435/11)
Minister of Justice: The pursuit of people from outside Northern Ireland, who are alleged to have been involved in rioting, is a matter for the Chief Constable, who is accountable to the Northern Ireland Policing Board. I am committed to respecting the operational independence of the Chief Constable and the role of the Policing Board.
You may therefore wish to direct your question to the PSNI.
Drug Seizures
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Justice how many drug seizures were carried out by the PSNI in each of the last three years.
(AQW 441/11)
Minister of Justice: The seizure of drugs by the PSNI is a matter for the Chief Constable, who is accountable to the Northern Ireland Policing Board. I am committed to respecting the operational independence of the Chief Constable and the role of the Policing Board.
You may therefore wish to direct your question to the PSNI.
Dissident Republican Terrorist Related Offences
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Justice to detail the number of convictions for dissident Republican terrorist related offences in each of the last three years.
(AQW 451/11)
Minister of Justice: I regret the information requested is not available. Court conviction data do not contain background information in relation to offences committed or the group with which an offender is affiliated. It is, therefore, not possible to determine the number of convictions for dissident Republican terrorist related offences.
Rioting Convictions
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Justice how many convictions there have been to date for rioting during the recent marching period.
(AQO 110/11)
Minister of Justice: There is a robust criminal justice process being pursued to bring to account those responsible for the serious public disorder this summer. While we have not yet reached the stage of convictions, to date a total of 78 persons have been arrested in relation to the disturbances across Belfast. 62 of those have been charged with various offences including 3 with the attempted murder of a police officer.
In Londonderry, 37 individuals were arrested for interface violence during July and August, of those arrested, 5 were subsequently charged and 32 reported to the PPS.
As this is my first opportunity to do so in this chamber since the summer, I wish to pay tribute to the measured, proportionate and focused response of the PSNI in responding to the disorder. That reflects the absolute commitment of police officers to carry through a style of policing designed to protect life but also to avoid heavy handedness or overreaction, despite the ferocity of attacks that were waged on them.
I understand that Police in Londonderry are due to meet with representatives from the Human Rights Commission this afternoon to discuss concerns regards the use of Operation Exposure.
I welcome the support of the entire community in assisting the police with their investigation and ultimately bringing those responsible to account.
Repeat Offenders
Mr G Adams asked e Minister of Justice for his assessment of the situation where a repeat offender, convicted of the murder of Harry Holland and deemed to be a high-risk offender, was released from prison and then re-offended.
(AQO 111/11)
Minister of Justice: The repeat offender was not convicted of murder, as you suggest. Had he been, he would have received an automatic life sentence and would only have been released from custody with the agreement of the Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland. On release he would have remained under licence for life and been subject to recall.
In the event, the offender was convicted of the lesser charge of affray. Under the law applying to offences committed before May 2008, there was no provision for mandatory post-custody supervision. At that time, such supervision required the agreement of the individual offender, which was not forthcoming in this case.
From 15th May 2008, new sentencing arrangements came into force. These strengthened public protection from dangerous violent or sexual offenders in respect of offences committed from that date. The new arrangements provide judges with the capacity to issue public protection sentences, with release decisions for more serious offenders based on an assessment of risk and underpinned by compulsory supervision.
Should a similar case occur in the future, the judge would have the option of applying a public protection sentence. In addition, under the new sentencing regime, the offender would be subject to mandatory post-custodial supervision and recall if warranted.
Restorative Justice
Mr P Maskey asked the Minister of Justice to outline his strategy for supporting and developing community based restorative justice schemes.
(AQO 112/11)
Minister of Justice: The Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland proposed a role for Community-based restorative justice schemes in dealing with low level crime coming to their attention in local communities, and a ‘Protocol for CBRJ Schemes’, enshrining strict safeguards, was published in February 2007. CBRJ schemes seeking Government accreditation are subject to inspection by Criminal Justice Inspection NI and individuals working in schemes are subject to rigorous child protection and police checks prior to approval by an independent Panel.
To promote the development of the CBRJ schemes, the Westminster government entered a "match funding" arrangement with Atlantic Philanthropies, a charitable organisation, which has come to the Department of Justice on devolution. It provides a total of £200k funding per year to schemes up to March 2011 when this arrangement will expire. It was anticipated that this funding would provide credibility and a platform for schemes to seek funding from statutory sources to facilitate their work. Following accreditation, CBRJ schemes have been able to secure significant funding for their work from statutory sources, including the Department for Social Development, the NI Housing Executive and the Probation Board. The latest CJINI inspection report indicates inward investment of around £2M in 2009-11.
We continue actively to support CBRJ schemes, and are about to embark on a pilot project. This initiative will allow PSNI to divert suitable cases they encounter to CBRJ schemes with the agreement of the victim, the offender and the Public Prosecution Service, providing the potential to expand the operation of CBRJ schemes. The PSNI are supportive of the work of CBRJ schemes, and have found them invaluable in developing cooperative relationships with communities where historically this has been difficult.
Crimes against Older People
Mr M Brady asked the Minister of Justice what steps he is taking to reduce crime against older people.
(AQO 113/11)
Minister of Justice: The safety of older people and ensuring that they can live their lives free from crime and the fear of crime is of paramount importance to us all. Though statistics show that crimes against elderly are relatively rare they can have a disproportionate impact on the victims and increase fear in the wider community.
My Department developed and introduced Safer Ageing: ‘A Strategy and Action Plan for Ensuring the Safety of Older People’. This sets out the actions and initiatives to help older people be safe and feel safe in their homes, neighbourhoods and communities. The development of the strategy recognises that although violent crime against older people accounts for less than 2%, we cannot afford to be complacent and are taking steps to enhance the safety of older people.
Since its launch of the ‘Safer Ageing’ Strategy my Department has been taking forward key actions in partnership with PSNI, the Northern Ireland Policing Board and older people’s groups including the Older Person’s Advocate, Age Sector Platform and Centre for Intergenerational Practice.
The key actions include: promoting Neighbourhood Watch, especially in those areas with elderly or vulnerable residents; advising older people of the practical steps they can take to secure their homes, and; reducing anti-social behaviour and reduce fear of crime through schemes such as the Good Morning Network and Intergenerational projects to help provide peace of mind for older people and make them more secure and provide peace of mind.
The "HandyVan" Scheme operating in greater Belfast is a practical initiative that my Department supports. This provides home security support to older people through practical measures such as additional locks, as well as repairs and home security advice. Up to June 2010 a total of 2433 homes have benefited from this scheme. The "Lock Out Crime Scheme" provided and installed, free of charge, security devices to those aged 65 and over, and offered them to those in receipt of specific benefits. Over 18,000 homes had this work completed.
Maghaberry Prison: Roe House
Mr A Maskey asked the Minister of Justice for an update on the current situation in Roe House at Maghaberry Prison.
(AQO 114/11)
Minister of Justice: Following a protest by separated prisoners in Maghaberry about their conditions of detention, which was launched on Easter Sunday of this year, the Northern Ireland Prison Service entered a facilitation process with prisoners which led to the Agreement of 12 August. That Agreement has led to prisoners ending their protest and a significant reduction in tensions and I am grateful to the Joint Facilitation Group in helping to reach a solution which I am confident has the potential to provide lasting stability,
The management team at Maghaberry is implementing all of the recommendations from the Prisoner Ombudsman’s Report, published on 11 June, and is taking forward the terms of the Agreement of 12 August (subject to any necessary infrastructural work, for example the installation of a new search facility).
There are some issues regarding the fine detail of the agreement, particularly in relation to full body searching and controlled movement. I am pleased to note that the management team at Maghaberry is continuing to work alongside the facilitators with a view to resolving the detail with prisoners. Local managers and prisoners are also discussing the issues through the Prisoner Forum, in line with the terms of the Agreement.
Physical improvements with regards to search and regime facilities have been agreed and some work has been completed, while more continues.
Implementation of the agreement is subject to ongoing monitoring and the Ombudsman continues to monitor the implementation of the recommendations from her report.
Prison Review Team
Mr F McCann asked the Minister of Justice if he is satisfied that the Prison Review Team has sufficient resources to fulfil its terms of reference.
(AQO 115/11)
Minister of Justice: Dame Anne has confirmed that she is satisfied that the resources allocated will allow her to address the scope of the review, as set out in the Terms of Reference. However I will of course keep this under review.
It is however important that there is a clear understanding that the resources required to implement the recommendations of the review, as distinct from conducting the review, is a separate matter and my views on this are already a matter of public record. Without prejudice to the outcome of the review, my belief is that radical change is both possible and necessary, but that, almost certainly, we will not have the resources to introduce a Patten-style severance package for NIPS.
I am confident that the Review Team has a vital role in setting out a compelling vision and strategic direction for the future development of the Prison Service. But in the meantime we need to press forward with making the Service more efficient and effective and ensuring that the building blocks for change – which will form the foundation for implementing the Review Team’s recommendations - are put in place. That work has already been launched through the Service’s Strategic Efficiency and Effectiveness Programme. The SEE Programme will design and launch new operating practices that will enable the transformation and modernisation of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
Paedophile: Accommodation
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Justice what discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues regarding accommodation arrangements for paedophiles, to ensure the protection of vulnerable people within residential settings.
(AQO 116/11)
Minister of Justice: The Department of Justice has overall policy responsibility for protecting the public from the risks posed by those who have been convicted of sexual offences. This responsibility is discharged principally through the public protection arrangements in Northern Ireland. The public protection arrangements are operated by a number of agencies which work together, sharing information in relation to offenders, assessing the risk that they pose and developing and delivering risk management plans. The main agencies involved are police, probation and social services. Others include the Prison Service and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
I have been holding a series of bilateral meetings with my ministerial colleagues in recent weeks, and the specific issue raised by the Member has not been raised. However, I would like to assure the Member that in assessing and managing the risks posed by those convicted of sexual offences, agencies develop risk management plans which take account of the offender’s accommodation including residential settings such as approved hostels for those offenders who are under probation supervision.
The Department of Justice does not have responsibility for residential facilities. Approved hostels are funded to accommodate offenders through the Government’s ‘Supporting People’ initiative, which is administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. However, there are many more hostels in Northern Ireland providing accommodation for homeless people, some of whom may be offenders.
The notification requirements contained in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 require all those who have been convicted of a sexual offence, and who meet certain thresholds in relation to the seriousness of the offence, to notify personal details of identity and whereabouts to the police.
Sex offenders may also be subject to a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO). This is a civil order, under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, for the purpose of protecting the public from serious harm. An order may prohibit an offender from living in accommodation which has not been approved by the police. Breach of an order is a criminal offence.
Sex offenders who are released under licence or probation supervision may, as part of their release conditions, have to live in accommodation approved by probation. If they do not comply with these conditions they can be returned to court.
Justice: North/South Co-operation
Mr F Molloy asked the Minister of Justice to outline the areas of co-operation with his counterpart in the Irish Republic.
(AQO 117/11)
Minister of Justice: An Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation on Criminal Justice Matters provides for regular meetings with the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern TD, as well as a Working Group of officials that identifies areas in which criminal justice cooperation could be enhanced or initiated. The most recent meeting with Mr Ahern was held on 9 July 2010 and I reported the outcome of that meeting to the Assembly on 13 September.
At the meeting on 9 July, we discussed a range of issues of mutual interest and agreed a work programme which includes a number of priority areas for action by next summer. It builds on existing areas of cooperation including support for victims, public protection, risk management of sex offenders, youth justice, forensic science services and social diversity within the criminal justice system.
The two Departments will jointly host the annual Cross Border Organised Crime Seminar later this year, providing an opportunity further to strengthen partnerships between law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border by evaluating current strategies and seeking areas for improvement.
The two Departments will also jointly produce the Biennial Cross Border Organised Crime Assessment this year outlining serious and organised crime in both jurisdictions. Work will also continue between the Organised Crime Task Force, the Departments and law enforcement agencies in relation to cross border issues such as drugs, fuel fraud, human trafficking, illegal dumping and money laundering.
Anti-Social Behaviour
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Justice what new or additional action is planned to combat anti-social behaviour.
(AQO 118/11)
Minister of Justice: Tackling anti social behaviour is one of my Department’s key priorities, and we are currently on target to deliver a 15% reduction in anti-social behaviour incidents by next March.
The approach to tacking anti-social behaviour can be summarised by 3 themes of prevention, intervention and enforcement which collectively have resulted in 17,000 fewer incidents of anti-social behaviour in 2009/10 than in 2007/08.
You will also be aware that the Home Secretary has recently announced a review into anti-social behaviour powers in England and Wales. My officials are liaising with the Home Office to ensure that the outcomes of the review of these powers and anti-social behaviour orders can be considered in a local context.
In the autumn my Department will be launching a consultation on a new Community Safety Strategy which will provide an opportunity to consider the current approaches to tackling anti social behaviour as well as obtaining views on the use of anti social behaviour orders and alternative approaches to addressing Anti social behaviour.
Dealing with this issue is not solely the responsibility of any one agency. It requires a partnership approach and my Department will continue to work with PSNI, district councils and the NI Housing Executive in their actions to tackle anti-social behaviour. They are using the full range of tools available to them including verbal or written warnings, mediation, diversionary activities, acceptable behaviour contracts, injunctions, ASBOs, criminal prosecutions, and evictions.
DEPARTMENT FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
NI Water
Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) for his assessment of why the Stakeholder Unit within his Department failed to identify the issues relating to the awarding of contracts within NI Water; and (ii) whether he has any plans to initiate an urgent review of the functions, roles and effectiveness of this unit.
(AQW 17/11)
Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): (i) The awarding of contracts in NI Water was and is the responsibility of the company. It was therefore the responsibility of the NI Water Board to ensure compliance with financial delegations and proper procurement practice and to seek Shareholder consent as appropriate in relation to the award of contracts. The Shareholder Unit was never intended to interfere in the day-to-day management or to duplicate the work of the company on such operational matters.
(ii) The terms of reference for the Independent Review included the provision of an analysis of any failures by DRD as Shareholder and any necessary recommendations. The recommendations have been implemented and the role of the Shareholder Unit has been strengthened. For example, the Director now attends all NI Water Audit Committee meetings and the Department has also introduced a revised reporting format at all Quarterly Shareholder Meetings which provides more comprehensive assurances on adherence to delegations and other governance requirements. There has also been a change in process to ensure that the Shareholder Unit is provided with additional information regarding procurements conducted through single tender action for anything above £30,000. I have no current plans to further review the functions, roles and effectiveness of the Unit, although the Unit staff will continue to consider action that could further enhance its performance.
NI Water
Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development if he can confirm that he was unaware of the emails from his Permanent Secretary to the Independent Review Team outlining desired changes to the report on NI Water.
(AQW 57/11)
Minister for Regional Development: I can confirm that I was unaware of the emails from my Permanent Secretary to the Independent Review Team outlining his desire to have changes made to the report on Northern Ireland Water.
NI Water
Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development if, and when, legislation will be brought forward to change the status of NI Water.
(AQW 59/11)
Minister for Regional Development: In my statement to the Assembly on 13 September 2010 on the governance of Northern Ireland Water (NIW) I outlined short and long term measures. I said that, in the lifetime of this Assembly, it would not be possible to enact the extensive legislation necessary to change the status of NIW. I said I would put proposals to the Executive based on the delivery of water and sewerage services by a body within the public sector for the longer term.
In the short term I announced measures to strengthen governance arrangements and said that I would, if necessary, propose legislation to ensure that public sector controls were in place.
DRD Water Service Contract Work
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development, in relation to the Public Accounts Committee inquiry into NI Water, why his Department was reliant on Atkins Contractors to provide detail of the £5,222,144 paid by the Department to them between March 2002 and April 2007, in relation to DRD Water Service Contract work.
(AQW 83/11)
Minister for Regional Development: My Department was not reliant on Atkins Contractors to provide this detail. However, because of the amount of information that was requested by the PAC within tight timescales following the 1 July hearing, Atkins Contractors was approached directly.
Car Park in Perry Street, Dungannon
Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Regional Development, in relation to the car park in Perry Street, Dungannon, why the only two disabled parking bays are located in the fee-paying area with no disabled parking provision in the free area.
(AQW 90/11)
Minister for Regional Development: My Department's Roads Service has advised that, in a car park that has both pay and display parking and free car parking spaces, it is normal practice to provide the disabled spaces within the pay and display parking, due to such spaces being closer to the business centre and the car park exit/entrance. Pay and display disabled parking also ensures that there is a regular turnover of short duration disabled parking spaces within a car park.
I understand that the disabled parking spaces at Perry Street have been provided adjacent to the pay and display machine and close to the car park exit. I also can advise that Omagh Access Forum provided guidance to Roads Service regarding the location of the disabled parking bays. If disabled bays were provided in the free area of this car park, disabled people would have further to walk to the car park exit.
It should also be noted that, during parking usage surveys, disabled parking space is normally available in this car park. Roads Service has therefore no plans to alter the disabled parking provision within the car park.
Official Opening of the A1
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development, in relation to the official opening of the A1 on 29 July 2010, to detail (i) the names of the elected representatives that were invited to attend; (ii) which office prepared the invitations; and (iii) which statutory bodies were consulted regarding the invitations.
(AQW 157/11)
Minister for Regional Development: My officials in Roads Service, Southern Division, following the practice normally adopted for previous similar events, intended to invite all elected representatives in the area where the new A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue dual carriageway scheme was constructed. The following list of MLAs, MEPs and Councillors were invited to attend:
MLAs |
Cathal Boylan, Dominic Bradley, William Irwin, Danny Kennedy, Mickey Brady |
|---|---|
MEPs |
Bairbre DeBrun, Jim Nicholson, Diane Dodds |
Councillors |
Mayor: - Councillor M Murphy Deputy Mayor: -Councillor K McKevitt |
| Crotlieve - Councillor M Carr, Councillor M Ruane, Councillor J O'Hare, Councillor AV Williamson, Councillor C Mussen |
|
| Fews - Councillor J Feehan, Councillor A Moffett, Councillor T Murphy, Councillor JP McCreesh, Councillor G Oliver, Councillor P McGinn |
|
| Newry Town - Councillor B Curran, Councillor F Feely, Councillor M Mathers, Councillor C Casey, Councillor J McArdle, Councillor G Stokes, Councillor J Patterson |
|
| Slieve Gullion - Councillor G Donnelly, Councillor A Flynn, Councillor PJ McDonald, Councillor T Hearty, Councillor C Burns |
|
| The Mournes- Councillor WJ Burns, Councillor IB Hanna, Councillor M Connolly, Councillor H Reilly,Councillor S Rogers |
*The list does not include elected representatives who participated in the official opening.
Roads Service has advised that, while the scheme extends into both the Newry and Armagh and the South Down Assembly and Westminster constituencies, an oversight resulted in only the MLAs from the Newry and Armagh constituency receiving an invitation. I understand that the Divisional Roads Manager has already written to you apologising for this oversight, and advising that the Divisional records have been updated to ensure this error does not occur again for future events. Despite this oversight, I am pleased to note that you were able to attend this event.
No statutory bodies were consulted regarding the invitations.
Unapproved Hoardings
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his Department's policy on the removal of unapproved hoardings located on public property or on property under the control of the Department's agencies.
(AQW 159/11)
Minister for Regional Development: I can advise that Article 87 of the Roads (NI) Order 1993 makes it an offence to display an advertisement on a road or anything in or on a road and provides for a maximum fine of £500. It also provides for the Department’s Roads Service to remove any advertisements displayed illegally and recover its costs, regardless of whether or not legal proceedings have been initiated. Roads Service property includes, but is not limited to, public roads. Article 87(1) of the Roads (NI) Order 1993 provides that any person that displays any advertisement, upon the surface of a road or upon any tree, structure or other works in or on a road, shall be guilty of an offence. Therefore any signs that are displayed on BT, or NIE poles, may be removed by Roads Service. Furthermore, Article 88 makes it an offence to obstruct the road. The Roads Order may not be used on land which the Department owns but is not public road.
The Department can also grant licence agreements to applicants to erect, affix and maintain hoardings at sites which are in the Department’s ownership. These sites will have secured the necessary approval of Planning Service under the Control of Advertisements Regulations.
Advertising signs or hoardings erected on land which is not in the ownership of Roads Service, without the requisite planning approval, would normally be a matter for enforcement action under planning legislation.
Roads Service utilises a considerable resource in the removal of unauthorised hoardings located on the public road. Periodic sweeps of local areas are undertaken, as resources permit, and Roads Service endeavours to remove all unlawful advertising hoardings on the public road. Roads Service then seeks to recover its costs accordingly.
Free Standing Advertising Boards
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development whether his Department is aware that free standing advertising boards were recently taken away from business properties in the centre of Newry.
(AQW 160/11)
Minister for Regional Development: One of Roads Service’s core objectives is the safe passage of pedestrian traffic and therefore it is of paramount importance that footpaths are kept free from obstructions, such as advertising signs. These signs can be unsightly and can be particularly dangerous to vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.
Roads Service has a programme of regular inspections on main roads and streets to identify and remove unlawful advertising on its property. This has included the removal of a number of sandwich board type signs from the footways in Newry City Centre over recent months.
These regular patrols will continue throughout the area, subject to resources being available.
Free Travel on Public Transport
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development for his assessment of the annual cost of providing free travel to an essential travelling companion of a passenger entitled to free travel on public transport.
(AQW 161/11)
Minister for Regional Development: I have made no such assessment.
However, a policy review of the concessionary fares scheme carried out in 2006 estimated that the cost of providing free travel to those people in receipt of Carers Allowance would be in the region of £1 million per annum at 2006 prices. This figure does not include costs associated with setting up and administering such a scheme.
Closed Railway Stations
Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the cost of maintaining closed or mothballed railway lines, railway stations and bus stations, in each of the last five years; and to list the location of each station and line.
(AQW 167/11)
Minister for Regional Development: Translink has told me that the following rail stations/halts are currently not used for scheduled services but are maintained:
| Crumlin Station* | } | Antrim to Knockmore line |
| Knockmore (branch platform)* | } | |
| Ballinderry Halt* | } | |
| Glenavy Halt* | } |
*These were closed to scheduled rail services on 29 June 2003.
The rail line between Antrim and Knockmore is also maintained as a diversionary route in the event of emergency situations and has also been used for testing and training on new trains.
A table outlining the costs over the last 5 financial years associated with these facilities is below:
| Location | 2005/06 £ |
2006/07 £ |
2007/08 £ |
2008/09 £ |
2009/10 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knockmore Halt | 33 |
2,510 |
0 |
1,400 |
0 |
| Ballinderry Halt | 521 |
6,714 |
2,073 |
400 |
323 |
| Glenavy Halt | 0 |
3,284 |
1,479 |
0 |
0 |
| Crumlin Station | 2,167 |
4,819 |
1,176 |
75 |
72 |
| Antrim-Knockmore rail line | 112,814 |
80,657 |
46,740 |
24,887 |
26,634 |
Total |
115,535 | 97,984 | 51,468 | 26,762 | 27,029 |
Translink state that there are no bus stations, no longer in use but still being maintained. We have relinquished some bus parks over recent years but they incur no current maintenance costs.
Risks of Disallowances or Infraction Proceedings
Dr S Farry asked the Minister for Regional Development for his assessment of any risks of disallowances or infraction proceedings that could be undertaken in relation to the work of his Department and its agencies; and what measures he is taking to mitigate any such risks.
(AQW 211/11)
Minister for Regional Development: A high proportion of the statutory and regulatory framework for water and sewerage services is set out by EU requirements. It is a constantly developing area with ongoing implementation of directives on water framework, marine strategy, floods and revisions on drinking water. The risk of challenge at an EU level is correspondingly high.
Specifically, my Department is providing monitoring returns to the European Commission on two infraction cases concerning compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. The cases arose from historic failures to comply with waste water treatment requirements under the Directive. As a result of investment, the treatment works identified are now compliant and the ongoing monitoring returns are for the purpose of demonstrating compliance.
I recently approved changes to regulations transposing the Drinking Water Directive here in response to European Commission concerns about adequate transposition of the Directive. A response from the Commission is awaited.
My Department monitors potential infraction risks through communication with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which is the coordinating authority. An example is the Commission's recent Reasoned Opinion about the design, monitoring and operation of intermittent discharges which could lead to more stringent EU requirements for waste water collection systems.
I have set EU compliance as a priority in my Social and Environmental Guidance for Water and Sewerage Services 2010-13. The Guidance envisaged that approximately £600 million will be invested in water and sewerage services over the next three years.
I will continue to make the case for the investment needed to deliver improvements in our water and sewerage infrastructure to mitigate infraction risks and improve services for consumers.
The risk of infraction procedures arising in the transport field is recognised due to the extent of EU involvement in this area and the complexity of the legislation involved. This risk is managed through in-house experience and expertise, input from legal advisers and well established working relationships with colleagues in Britain, the South and the EU. These measures are regarded as sufficient to manage the residual risk and to prevent formal infraction procedures or disallowance.
Dualling Between Eglington and Campsie
Mr G Campbell asked the Minister for Regional Development, following the completion of the dualling between Eglington and Campsie, when he expects the remainder of the scheme between Campsie and Maydown roundabout in Londonderry to be completed.
(AQW 264/11)
Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the £25 million A2 Maydown to City of Derry Airport Dualling scheme continues to make good progress and is expected to be substantially complete by December 2010.
Maintenance of Street Lighting
Mr M Durkan asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on the resolution of the contractual issues in relation to the maintenance of street lighting.
(AQW 380/11)
Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service ran simultaneous competitions for ten Measured Term Contracts, for the Maintenance and Improvement of Street Lighting, using the open tendering procedure. The contracts are to be awarded on the basis of the offers which the Department considers are the most economically advantageous and the arrangements for the competitions were such that the contracts could have been won by a number of small and medium size enterprises. Following the assessment of the offers made for each of the contracts, one contractor was deemed successful in all ten competitions, and had sufficient financial suitability to be awarded all ten contracts.
All of the contractors who had taken part in the competitions were notified of the intention to award the contracts to the successful contractor. However, during the mandatory standstill period before the awards can be made, solicitors representing two of the unsuccessful contractors raised a number of issues concerning the competitions. Based on legal advice from the Departmental Solicitor’s Office (DSO), the standstill period was extended until midnight on 16 September 2010 to allow time to respond to the issues raised. The DSO responded to the letters on 14 September 2010 and on 16 September 2010, both firms of solicitors requested a further extension of the standstill period. Based again on the advice of the DSO, the standstill period was further extended until midnight on 23 September 2010.
Roads Service is conscious of the importance of its street lighting system to public safety and, in the interim, is making arrangements to have emergency works carried out and street lighting outages repaired.
DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Temporary Promotion
Mr T Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development (i) how many staff in his Department received temporary promotion or were designated to the next grade in each of the last 3 years; (ii) the length of time each individual was promoted; and (iii) the cost to the Department in each case.
(AQW 19/11)
Minister for Social Development (Mr A Attwood): The information sought in each of the limbs of the question is not held in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
However, at 19 July 2010, there were 367 current temporary promotions in the Department. Information on the duration, within bands, of these temporary promotions at that date is given below.
|
|
0 – 6 months | 6 – 12 months | Over 1 Year | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of TPs | 93 |
69 |
205 |
367 |
Staffing Levels
Mr T Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the (i) current; and (ii) required staffing levels in each branch or section of his Department, broken down by grade; and what plans there are to deal with the surplus staff or vacant posts in each case.
(AQW 22/11)
Minister for Social Development: The work of my Department is divided across a number of business areas (Social Security Agency, Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division and Departmental Core.)
The tables below show the number of staff in post at 31 August 2010 expressed in terms of whole time equivalents rather than actual headcount.
(i) Staff in post at August 2010
Social Security Agency (SSA)
| Grade | Working Age Benefits Network Directorate (Including BBDC) Staff In Post 31 August 2010 |
Pensions, Disability and Carers Service Directorate Staff In Post 31 August 2010 |
Working Age Benefits Central Staff In Post 31 August 2010 |
Benefit Assurance Directorate Staff In post 31 August 2010 |
Operations Transformation Directorate staff in post 31 August 2010 |
Finance and Planning Directorate staff in post 31 August 2010 |
Business Development Directorate staff in post 31 August 2010 |
Total SSA staff in post 31 August 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | 0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
| Grade 5 | 0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
3.00 |
| Grade 6 | 1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
6.00 |
| Grade 7 | 5.00 |
3.00 |
2.00 |
5.00 |
3.00 |
4.68 |
4.50 |
27.18 |
| Deputy Principal | 9.00 |
6.00 |
5.00 |
10.00 |
10.80 |
13.80 |
14.00 |
68.60 |
| Staff Officer | 51.00 |
13.81 |
12.28 |
30.90 |
36.97 |
19.74 |
27.81 |
192.51 |
| Executive Officer 1 | 129.52 |
63.14 |
29.15 |
72.86 |
28.59 |
33.03 |
43.68 |
399.97 |
| Executive Officer 2 | 631.94 |
315.15 |
166.31 |
165.94 |
6.00 |
79.40 |
77.59 |
1442.33 |
| Administrative Officer | 1376.53 |
369.24 |
336.65 |
40.90 |
2.80 |
178.17 |
13.60 |
2317.89 |
| Administrative Assistant | 210.82 |
80.58 |
81.16 |
14.00 |
0.00 |
35.61 |
1.00 |
423.17 |
| Other Permanent Staff | 40.52 |
12.00 |
2.50 |
5.96 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
26.28 |
87.26 |
| Temporary Administrative Assistant | 48.00 |
12.00 |
18.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
80.00 |
| Temporary Support Grade Band 2 | 70.00 |
7.00 |
2.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
3.00 |
1.00 |
83.00 |
| Other Temporary Staff | 0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Total |
2573.33 | 882.92 | 656.05 | 347.56 | 89.16 | 370.43 | 212.46 | 5131.91 |
Child Maintenance & Enforcement Division (CMED)
| Grade | Northern Ireland Business Staff In Post 20 August 2010 |
Eastern Business Unit Staff In Post 20 August 2010 |
CMED Whole Time Equivalent Staff In Post 20 August 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | 1.00 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
| Grade 5 | 0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
| Grade 6 | 2.00 |
1.00 |
3.00 |
| Grade 7 | 3.90 |
2.00 |
5.90 |
| Deputy Principal | 10.99 |
5.70 |
16.69 |
| Staff Officer | 19.93 |
16.61 |
36.54 |
| Executive Officer 1 | 24.96 |
33.15 |
58.11 |
| Executive Officer 2 | 95.32 |
161.13 |
256.45 |
| Administrative Officer | 231.19 |
661.52 |
892.71 |
| Administrative Assistant | 10.60 |
36.82 |
47.42 |
| Other Permanent Staff | 1.77 |
0.00 |
1.77 |
| Temporary Administrative Assistant | 0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
| Temporary Support Grade Band 2 | 0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
| Other Temporary Staff | 0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Total |
401.66 | 917.93 | 1319.59 |
DSD Core
| Grade | Urban Regeneration Community Development Group Staff In Post 31 August 2010 |
Resources Housing and Social Security Group Staff In Post 31 August 2010 |
DSD Core Whole Time Equivalent Staff In Post 31 August 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | 1.00 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
| Grade 5 | 5.00 |
5.00 |
10.00 |
| Grade 6 | 1.00 |
2.00 |
3.00 |
| Grade 7 | 28.60 |
20.48 |
49.08 |
| Deputy Principal | 45.18 |
60.13 |
105.31 |
| Staff Officer | 73.69 |
110.57 |
184.26 |
| Executive Officer 1 | 37.29 |
104.65 |
141.94 |
| Executive Officer 2 | 24.41 |
63.26 |
87.67 |
| Administrative Officer | 38.63 |
102.53 |
141.16 |
| Administrative Assistant | 10.00 |
22.78 |
32.78 |
| Other Permanent Staff | 13.80 |
29.40 |
43.20 |
| Temporary Administrative Assistant | 7.00 |
1.00 |
8.00 |
| Temporary Support Grade Band 2 | 0 |
3 |
3.00 |
| Other Temporary Staff | 0 |
5 |
5.00 |
Total |
285.60 | 530.80 | 816.40 |
(ii) As the Department is still working on finalising its staffing position for 2010/11, it is not possible to provide definitive details of 2010/11 staffing requirements for each business area. The current projections in the Department are that it may have additional staff of approximately 350 posts. However the Department will manage any staff reduction under its established policy and strategy for redeployment and, as part of this, will introduce measures such as redeploying staff to vacant posts, applying the Northern Ireland Civil Service embargo on recruitment and promotion, reviewing temporary promotion arrangements and releasing temporary staff. There is also the normal staff turnover through leavers and retirees that will be used to absorb any surplus staff
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development to detail any existing legislation requiring landlords and the Housing Executive to install (i) smoke alarms; and (ii) carbon monoxide alarms in their properties; and whether any further legislation is planned.
(AQW 24/11)
Minister for Social Development: The Building Regulations require fitting of smoke alarms to all new residential property. There is no legislation requiring the fitting of smoke alarms to existing stock however, arising out of its duty of care, the Housing Executive has a policy to install such alarms in their properties. My department through the Housing Association Guide requires Housing Associations to install smoke alarms in their properties.
There is no statutory requirement to fit carbon monoxide alarms to new or existing housing stock. However, in light of the recent tragic incident in Castlerock, a technical review has commenced by the Housing Executive and it is hoped to complete this by the end of December 2010. If the review indicated that carbon monoxide alarms were required in Social Housing dwellings any potential implementation programme would be subject to the availability of finance.
There is currently no requirement for private landlords to have smoke alarms in their properties except for landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), which are covered by "The Housing (Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993". As part of the Private Rented Sector Strategy the current fitness standard will be raised for the private rented sector and the issue of health and safety is being considered as part of this.
I welcome the recent motion on ‘Carbon Monoxide Awareness and Strategy’ and the debate which took place in the Assembly on 20 September, to compel builders to fit carbon monoxide alarms to all new homes and to raise awareness of this silent killer and encourage people to fit carbon monoxide alarms in their homes.
My department currently has no plans to introduce legislation in respect of fitting of carbon monoxide alarms but will review this in light of the outcome of the review being undertaken by the Housing Executive.
Bonfire Sites
Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the costs incurred by his Department in cleaning and repairing bonfire sites during the summer of 2010.
(AQW 29/11)
Minister for Social Development: The table below details the Housing Executive clean up costs in relation to bonfires during the period June to August 2010:-
| Area | Costs |
|---|---|
| Belfast | £32,811 |
| South | £7,382 |
| South East | £20,057 |
| West | £9,240 |
| North East | £26,436 |
| Total | £95,926 |
External Consultants
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Social Development (i) how much has been spent on external consultants in each of the last five years by (a) his Department; and (b) the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; and (ii) how much of these amounts was paid to (a) PWC; (b) Deloitte; and (c) Ernst & Young.
(AQW 81/11)
Minister for Social Development: The information on external consultancy spend within the Department for Social Development (including the Social Security Agency and Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division) and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive over the last five years is set out below. This includes a breakdown of expenditure to PWC, Deloitte and Ernst & Young.
| External Consultancy Spend | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| DSD | NIHE | TOTAL | |
2005/06 |
£479,212 |
£173,653 |
£652,865 |
2006/07 |
£604,441 |
£4,000 |
£608,441 |
2007/08 |
£734,684 |
£18,022 |
£752,706 |
2008/09 |
£1,627,856 |
£8,058 |
£1,635,914 |
2009/10 |
£1,919,349 |
£184,650 |
£2,103,999 |
| PWC | Deloitte | Ernst & Young | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSD | NIHE | DSD | NIHE | DSD | NIHE | |
2005/06 |
£34,000 |
£13,200 |
£3,350 |
£45,725 |
Nil |
Nil |
2006/07 |
£9,625 |
£4,000 |
£160,052 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
2007/08 |
£55,131 |
£10,980 |
£142,562 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
2008/09 |
£50,000 |
Nil |
£48,854 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
2009/10 |
£39,000 |
Nil |
£16,211 |
Nil |
£8,500 |
Nil |
Community Worker in the Kilcooley Estate in Bangor
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the continuation of Housing Executive funding for the community worker in the Kilcooley estate in Bangor.
(AQW 105/11)
Minister for Social Development: The community development worker post in Kilcooley is funded by my Department through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund. The funding runs until 31 March 2011. I am unable at this time to provide an update on the continuation of funding after 31 March 2011. My Department’s budget for 2011/2012 and subsequent years will be set as part of the Budget 2010 process which is currently underway. I will not be able to enter into any funding commitments beyond 31 March 2011 until that process is completed at the end of the year. However my budget 2011 – 15 bid sought an increase in funding for Neighbourhood Renewal.
Flats at West Green, Holywood
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development when the demolition of the flats at West Green in Holywood is due to start.
(AQW 150/11)
Minister for Social Development: Services are currently being disconnected from the flats and demolition has been scheduled for January 2011.
Multi-Element Schemes
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development what Multi-Element schemes are planned for the Bangor area for the 2010/11 financial year.
(AQW 151/11)
Minister for Social Development: There are no Multi Element Improvement schemes programmed for the Bangor area for 2010/11 because the significant resources needed to take forward such a scheme are no longer available. The Savills Stock Condition Report said that the Housing Executive should develop a maintenance strategy which will be completed later this year and will determine the investment necessary on all Housing Executive stock. This investment strategy will also consider alternative ways to deliver the refurbishment of all Housing Executive stock. The Housing Executive has also been advised that Multi Element Improvement Schemes are not part of my Department's plans in the 2011-15 Budget.
However there are currently two Multi Element Improvement schemes on site in Bangor, at Kilcooley and Bloomfield which are due to complete in this financial year.
Multi-Element Schemes
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development what Multi-Element schemes are planned for the Holywood area for the 2010/11 financial year.
(AQW 152/11)
Minister for Social Development: There are no Multi Element Improvement schemes programmed for the Holywood area for 2010/11 because the significant resources needed to take forward such schemes are no longer available. The Savills Stock Condition Report said that the Housing Executive should develop a maintenance strategy which will be completed later this year and will determine the investment necessary on all Housing Executive stock. This investment strategy will also consider alternative ways to deliver the refurbishment of all Housing Executive stock. The Housing Executive has also been advised that Multi Element Improvement Schemes are not part of my Department's plans in the 2011-15 Budget.
Multi-Element Schemes
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development what Multi-Element schemes are planned for the Donaghadee area for the 2010/11 financial year.
(AQW 153/11)
Minister for Social Development: There are no Multi Element Improvement schemes programmed for the Donaghadee area for 2010/11 because the significant resources needed to take forward such schemes are no longer available. The Housing Executive has also been advised that Multi Element Improvement Schemes are not part of my Department's plans in the 2011-15 Budget.
The Savills Stock Condition Report said that the Housing Executive should develop a maintenance strategy which will be completed later this year and will determine the investment necessary on all Housing Executive stock. This investment strategy will also consider alternative ways to deliver the refurbishment of all Housing Executive stock.
Multi-Element Schemes
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development what Multi-Element schemes are planned for the Millisle area for the 2010/11 financial year.
(AQW 154/11)
Minister for Social Development: There are no Multi Element Improvement schemes programmed for the Millisle area for 2010/11 because the significant resources needed to take forward such schemes are no longer available. The Savills Stock Condition Report said that the Housing Executive should develop a maintenance strategy which will be completed later this year and will determine the investment necessary on all Housing Executive stock. This investment strategy will also consider alternative ways to deliver the refurbishment of all Housing Executive stock. The Housing Executive has also been advised that Multi Element Improvement Schemes are not part of my Department's plans in the 2011-15 Budget.
Houses for Travellers
Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses have been built specifically for travellers in the last two years in each constituency.
(AQW 186/11)
Minister for Social Development: The table below details the units built specifically for travellers in the last two years 2008/2009 and 2009/2010:-
| Year | Units | Constituency |
|---|---|---|
2008/2009 |
10 |
Foyle |
2009/2010 |
21 |
West Belfast |
New Kitchen Schemes
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development what new kitchen schemes are planned for the Bangor area for the 2010/11 financial year.
(AQW 192/11)
Minister for Social Development: A kitchen replacement scheme is programmed for Bangor in 2010/11 for 62 dwellings at Fern Grove /Bloomfield Place. Delivery of the scheme is subject to the availability of finance.
Window Replacement Schemes in Derry
Mr R McCartney asked the Minister for Social Development (i) when the proposed window replacement schemes for (a) Marianus Park; (b) Drumleck Drive; (c) Moyola Walk; (d) Moyola Drive; (e) Fern Park; and (f) Benview Estate, Derry will commence; (ii) to provide a timeline for the duration of the works; and (iii) for a summary of the main works to be carried out.
(AQW 201/11)
Minister for Social Development: The scheme for these areas is currently being surveyed by the contractor. Once completed, the proposed scheme design will then be presented to the Housing Executive for approval. It is at this stage that the final content and duration of the works will be determined. The start date for the scheme will depend on the availability of funding.
Works at Moyola Drive and Moyola Walk in Shantallow
Mr R McCartney asked the Minister for Social Development (i) when the kitchen replacement and re-wiring scheme at Moyola Drive and Moyola Walk in the Shantallow area will commence; (ii) to provide a timeline for the duration of the works; and (iii) for a summary of the main works to be carried out.
(AQW 202/11)
Minister for Social Development: This scheme involves the replacement of kitchens and electrical modernisation. It was approved in September 2010 and is now released to start on site. A preliminary site meeting with the contractor had been arranged this month. The anticipated scheme duration is 32 weeks.
Bungalow Accommodation
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development how many (i) general applications; and (ii) transfer applications there are currently on the housing waiting list for bungalow accommodation in each constituency.
(AQW 208/11)
Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested because the Housing Executive does not record the number of applicants on the Waiting List who specifically require bungalow accommodation, nor do they record the number of applicants on the Waiting List by constituency. The table attached details the number of applicants on the Waiting List requiring ground floor accommodation by Housing Executive area.
Number of persons recorded on the Waiting List Requiring Ground Floor Accommodation
A = Applicants H = Housing Association Transfers T = NIHE Transfers
| Area | NIHE | A | H | T | Grand Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | Belfast East | 408 |
40 |
117 |
565 |
| Belfast North | 355 |
26 |
159 |
540 | |
| Belfast West | 367 |
34 |
136 |
537 | |
| Belfast South | 301 |
31 |
148 |
480 | |
| Shankill | 159 |
30 |
105 |
294 | |
| Belfast Total | 1590 |
161 |
665 |
2416 | |
| North East | Antrim | 173 |
3 |
67 |
243 |
| Ballycastle | 59 |
10 |
14 |
83 | |
| Ballymena | 282 |
10 |
81 |
373 | |
| Ballymoney | 86 |
2 |
28 |
116 | |
| Carrickfergus | 330 |
11 |
100 |
441 | |
| Coleraine | 308 |
18 |
98 |
424 | |
| Larne | 119 |
9 |
43 |
171 | |
| Newtownabbey 1 | 205 |
6 |
96 |
307 | |
| Newtownabbey 2 | 254 |
4 |
94 |
352 | |
| North East Total | 1816 |
73 |
621 |
2510 | |
| South | Armagh | 209 |
9 |
49 |
267 |
| Banbridge | 168 |
5 |
64 |
237 | |
| Dungannon | 115 |
4 |
51 |
170 | |
| Fermanagh | 176 |
15 |
55 |
246 | |
| Lurgan | 300 |
17 |
101 |
418 | |
| Newry | 243 |
10 |
81 |
334 | |
| Portadown | 152 |
15 |
46 |
213 | |
| South Total | 1363 |
75 |
447 |
1885 | |
| South East | Bangor | 573 |
7 |
139 |
719 |
| Castlereagh | 258 |
10 |
121 |
389 | |
| Downpatrick | 238 |
9 |
62 |
309 | |
| Lisburn | 512 |
20 |
162 |
694 | |
| Newtownards | 461 |
17 |
132 |
610 | |
| Poleglass | 66 |
22 |
77 |
165 | |
| South East Total | 2108 |
85 |
693 |
2886 | |
| West | Collon Terrace | 162 |
32 |
90 |
284 |
| Cookstown | 79 |
20 |
99 | ||
| Limavady | 97 |
8 |
40 |
145 | |
| Magherafelt | 96 |
2 |
27 |
125 | |
| Omagh | 116 |
1 |
32 |
149 | |
| Strabane | 115 |
11 |
53 |
179 | |
| Waterloo Place | 195 |
20 |
54 |
269 | |
| Waterside | 219 |
14 |
48 |
281 | |
| West Total | 1079 |
88 |
364 |
1531 | |
Grand Total |
7956 |
482 |
2790 |
11228 | |
Bungalow Accommodation
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development how many (i) general applications; and (ii) transfer applications there are currently on the housing waiting list for bungalow accommodation, which can accommodate wheelchair use, in each constituency
(AQW 209/11)
Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested because the Housing Executive does not record the number of applicants on the Waiting List who specifically require wheel chair friendly bungalow accommodation, nor do they record the number of applicants on the Waiting List by constituency. The table attached details the number of applicants on the Waiting List who have been awarded Functionality Points for using a wheelchair, by Housing Executive area.
Waiting List Applicants awarded Functionality Points for Using a Wheelchair
A = Applicants H = Housing Association Transfers T = NIHE Transfers
| Area | NIHE DISTRICT | A | H | T | TOTALS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | East Belfast | 20 |
0 |
5 |
25 |
| North Belfast | 29 |
5 |
10 |
44 | |
| Shankill | 6 |
5 |
4 |
15 | |
| South Belfast | 20 |
3 |
5 |
28 | |
| West Belfast | 12 |
6 |
5 |
23 | |
| Belfast Total | 87 |
19 |
29 |
135 | |
| North East | Antrim | 15 |
2 |
4 |
21 |
| Ballycastle | 6 |
3 |
0 |
9 | |
| Ballymena | 21 |
2 |
3 |
26 | |
| Ballymoney | 1 |
0 |
1 |
2 | |
| Carrickfergus | 10 |
2 |
3 |
15 | |
| Coleraine | 15 |
3 |
4 |
22 | |
| Larne | 3 |
1 |
4 |
8 | |
| Newtownabbey 1 | 17 |
1 |
9 |
27 | |
| Newtownabbey 2 | 14 |
1 |
5 |
20 | |
| North East Total | 102 |
15 |
33 |
150 | |
| South | Armagh | 14 |
2 |
3 |
19 |
| Banbridge | 6 |
0 |
3 |
9 | |
| Dungannon | 4 |
1 |
3 |
8 | |
| Fermanagh | 11 |
0 |
1 |
12 | |
| Lurgan | 14 |
1 |
3 |
18 | |
| Newry | 16 |
1 |
4 |
21 | |
| Portadown | 6 |
0 |
1 |
7 | |
| South Total | 71 |
5 |
18 |
94 | |
| South East | Bangor | 27 |
0 |
6 |
33 |
| Castlereagh | 10 |
2 |
3 |
15 | |
| Downpatrick | 20 |
0 |
2 |
22 | |
| Lisburn Antrim Street | 34 |
4 |
4 |
42 | |
| Dairyfarm | 6 |
3 |
4 |
13 | |
| Newtownards | 20 |
2 |
3 |
25 | |
| South East Total | 117 |
11 |
22 |
150 | |
| West | Cookstown | 4 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
| Derry 1 | 7 |
1 |
0 |
8 | |
| Derry 2 | 15 |
0 |
3 |
18 | |
| Derry 3 | 8 |
4 |
1 |
13 | |
| Limavady | 4 |
2 |
2 |
8 | |
| Magherafelt | 7 |
0 |
1 |
8 | |
| Omagh | 6 |
0 |
2 |
8 | |
| Strabane | 5 |
2 |
2 |
9 | |
| West Total | 56 |
9 |
13 |
78 | |
| N. Ireland Total | 433 |
59 |
115 |
607 | |
New Kitchen Schemes
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development what new kitchen schemes are planned for the (i) Donaghadee; (ii) Holywood; and (iii) Millisle areas for the 2010/11 financial year.
(AQW 228/11)
Minister for Social Development: There are no kitchen schemes planned for any of these areas for the financial year 2010/11.
Adaptation Schemes
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development what adaptation schemes are planned for the (i) Bangor; and (ii) Holywood areas for the 2010/11 financial year.
(AQW 229/11)
Minister for Social Development: The table below details the planned adaptations for Bangor and Hollywood for the 2010/2011 financial year:-
| Adaptation | Bangor | Holywood |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | 9 (2 on site) |
1 |
| Heating | 22 |
4 |
| Hardstandings | 0 |
1 |
Housing Executive Maintenance
Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development for a breakdown of the amount spent by the Housing Executive on maintenance to date in 2010/11 in each constituency.
(AQW 231/11)
Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested because the Housing Executive does not collate these details by constituency. However, the table attached details the spend by the Housing Executive on maintenance to date in 2010/11, by District Office.
HOUSING EXECUTIVE MAINTENANCE SPEND: APRIL 2010 – AUGUST 2010
| Area Planned Maintenance | General Maintenance | Grounds Maintenance | Reactive Maintenance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spend to August 10 |
£27,569,019 | £3,478,538 | £3,917,594 | £19,005,454 | £53,970,605 |
| £s | £s | £s | £s | £s | |
| Antrim District Office | 459,094 |
143,236 |
612,302 |
1,214,631 |
|
| Armagh District | 531,454 |
38,345 |
412,143 |
981,942 |
|
| Ballycastle District Office | 27,398 |
10,487 |
142,791 |
180,676 |
|
| Ballymena District Office | 1,205,183 |
76,322 |
578,570 |
1,860,076 |
|
| Ballymoney District Office | 676,321 |
7,142 |
309,140 |
992,602 |
|
| Banbridge District | 662,609 |
11,324 |
310,158 |
984,091 |
|
| Bangor District Office | 185,348 |
38,499 |
512,259 |
736,107 |
|
| Belfast East | 750,000 |
88,666 |
546,587 |
1,385,253 |
|
| Belfast North | 1,824,060 |
895,028 |
1,277,312 |
3,996,400 |
|
| Belfast Shankill | 393,061 |
64,070 |
858,403 |
1,315,534 |
|
| Belfast South | 450,258 |
105,367 |
763,441 |
1,319,066 |
|
| Belfast West | 3,207,705 |
135,065 |
1,063,177 |
4,405,947 |
|
| Carrickfergus District Office | 281,729 |
14,018 |
376,586 |
672,333 |
|
| Castlereagh District Office | 945,075 |
358,415 |
692,088 |
1,995,577 |
|
| Coleraine District Office | 440,376 |
46,062 |
672,310 |
1,158,749 |
|
| Collon Terrace District | 786,479 |
29,385 |
708,776 |
1,524,639 |
|
| Cookstown District | 242,152 |
13,742 |
162,205 |
418,100 |
|
| Downpatrick District | 770,016 |
29,010 |
711,445 |
1,510,471 |
|
| Dungannon District | 517,088 |
25,616 |
445,637 |
988,342 |
|
| Fermanagh District | 1,021,445 |
25,777 |
436,500 |
1,483,723 |
|
| Larne District Office | 355,291 |
37,744 |
272,424 |
665,459 |
|
| Limavady District | 199,954 |
23,467 |
365,949 |
589,371 |
|
| Lisburn District 1 | 766,082 |
407,311 |
629,472 |
1,802,865 |
|
| Lisburn District 3 | 137,789 |
42,181 |
300,453 |
480,423 |
|
| Lurgan District | 1,009,774 |
117,484 |
711,517 |
1,838,774 |
|
| Magherafelt District | 84,668 |
11,496 |
208,263 |
304,427 |
|
| Newry District | 618,615 |
49,020 |
478,550 |
1,146,185 |
|
| Newtownabbey District 1 Office | 433,502 |
315,745 |
415,351 |
1,164,599 |
|
| Newtownabbey District 2 Office | 903,804 |
42,626 |
423,890 |
1,370,319 |
|
| Newtownards District | 1,589,694 |
28,421 |
942,809 |
2,560,924 |
|
| Omagh District | 206,905 |
29,979 |
488,248 |
725,132 |
|
| Portadown District | 238,726 |
21,818 |
494,176 |
754,719 |
|
| Strabane District | 296,114 |
21,745 |
514,254 |
832,113 |
|
| Waterloo Place District | 1,290,140 |
25,666 |
540,783 |
1,856,590 |
|
| Waterside District | 305,373 |
36,698 |
519,023 |
861,095 |
NB Some totals may be rounded to nearest £1
West Green Flats in Holywood
Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the proposed timetable for the West Green flats in Holywood; and what progress has been made to date.
(AQW 232/11)
Minister for Social Development: In June I announced plans to invest £6 million for the redevelopment of West Green. The flats and adjacent properties will be demolished to make way for a more sustainable mix of new accommodation.
Services are currently being disconnected from the flats in preparation for demolition in January. There are still four tenants and one owner occupier in the adjacent properties and demolition here will commence immediately vacant possession has been achieved.
Social Economy Projects
Mr B McElduff asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the social economy projects involving community regeneration, leisure provision and job creation to which his Department has provided financial support, in each of the last four years.
(AQW 235/11)
Minister for Social Development: The table below details the social economy projects involving community regeneration, leisure provision and job creation to which his Department has provided financial support, in each of the last four years.
2006 - 2007
| Category | Project name | Project type |
Amount |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Community regeneration |
Leisure provision |
Job creation |
|||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Mayfair Business Centre Ltd., Portadown | 166,085 |
|||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | First Friends Playgroup, Kilcooley, Bangor | 35,557 |
|||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Resource Centre Derry | √ |
61,891 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | North West Centre for Learning & Development | √ |
34,135 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Creggan Country Park Enterprises. | √ |
55,527 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Creggan Pre-school & Training Trust | √ |
40,120 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Gortfoyle House | √ |
√ |
72,000 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Waterside Health & Social Care Centre | √ |
√ |
58,641 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ardmonagh Family And Community Group | √ |
√ |
63,088 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ashton Centre | √ |
√ |
75,130 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Blackie River Community Group | √ |
√ |
45,378 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum | √ |
√ |
45,948 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Clonard Neighbourhood Development Partnership | √ |
√ |
28,071 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Colin Neighbourhood Partnership | √ |
√ |
26,347 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Conway Education Centre | √ |
√ |
62,513 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Divis Joint Development Committee | √ |
√ |
44,148 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Falls Women's Centre | √ |
√ |
110,646 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Footprints Womens Centre | √ |
√ |
193,190 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Holy Trinity Centre | √ |
√ |
46,472 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ionad Uibh Eachach | √ |
√ |
64,940 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Roden Street Community Development Group | √ |
√ |
36,048 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Scoil na Fuiseoige | √ |
√ |
8,167 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Short Strand Partnership | √ |
√ |
23,305 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Springfield Charitable | √ |
√ |
23,930 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Star Neighbourhood Centre | √ |
√ |
32,135 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Upper Andersonstown Community Forum | √ |
√ |
113,036 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Upper Springfield Development Company Limited | √ |
√ |
81,383 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Whiterock Creche Association | √ |
√ |
21,887 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Wishing Well Family Centre | √ |
√ |
47,148 |
|
| Housing | Main Street, Toome | √ |
677,328 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, PH 1E, West Belfast | √ |
323,527 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, Phase 2A, West Belfast | √ |
374,573 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, PH 1D, Poleglass | √ |
305,910 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, Phase 2B, | √ |
126,754 |
||
| Housing | 19 Shimna Close, Castlereagh | √ |
147,545 |
||
| Housing | Poleglass, Ph 2A | √ |
351,131 |
||
| Housing | Poleglass, Ph 2B | √ |
236,683 |
||
| Housing | 1-3 Seaview, Millisle | √ |
324,648 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, Phase 2C, West Belfast | √ |
267,005 |
||
| Housing | 19 Ballymurphy Crescent, Belfast | √ |
158,371 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, Phase 2, West Belfast | √ |
299,392 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions Phase 2 C, Poleglass | √ |
292,088 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions Phase 2D, Poleglass | √ |
452,750 |
||
| Housing | 68 Laurelbank Poleglass Ph 2E | √ |
134,142 |
||
| Housing | 12 Ballymurphy Drive | √ |
170,164 |
||
| Housing | 3 McDonnell Street, Belfast | √ |
155,349 |
||
| Housing | Newtownards, Phase 2 | √ |
275,281 |
||
| Housing | McQuistons Memorial Church | √ |
1,276,206 |
||
| Housing | 35-37 Shore Road, Holywood | √ |
2,716,831 |
||
| Housing | 43 Juniper Rise, Twinbrook | √ |
118,859 |
||
| Housing | 3 Ladymar Grove, Belfast | √ |
130,321 |
||
| Housing | 440 Glen Road & 10 Watermouth Cres, Belfast | √ |
282,648 |
||
| Housing | Candahar St, Belfast | √ |
4,086,267 |
||
| Housing | Bennan Park, ballybeen | √ |
2,200,606 |
||
| Housing | 67 Rowan Drive, Kilmakee Dunmurry | √ |
157,379 |
||
| Housing | 12 Tynedale Grove, Belfast | √ |
125,606 |
||
| Housing | 1-3 Victoria Street, Carrickfergus | √ |
676,439 |
||
| Housing | Longview Lisdalgin Replacement | √ |
1,184,826 |
||
| Housing | 119-121 + 195 Donaghadee Rd, Bangor | √ |
3,255,898 |
||
| Housing | Ardaveen Park, Bessbrook | √ |
2,116,476 |
||
| Housing | Castlehill, Dungannon | √ |
2,597,516 |
||
| Housing | Lagmore Grove, Stewartstown Rd, Belfast | √ |
2,972,054 |
||
| Housing | The Courtyard, Ph 2, Sites 1 - 5, Crumlin | √ |
858,908 |
||
| Housing | Moira Rd/Ballinderry Rd, Ph2, Lisburn | √ |
1,180,689 |
||
| Housing | Bloomfield Road South, Bangor | √ |
1,404,795 |
||
| Housing | Glenview Park, Belfast | √ |
3,585,395 |
||
| Housing | 33 Norglen Drive, West Belfast | √ |
151,911 |
||
| Housing | 41 East Mount, Newtownards | √ |
137,571 |
||
| Housing | North Rugby Club, Ph 2, Belfast | √ |
4,668,367 |
||
| Housing | 62/64 Glenalina Rd, Belfast | √ |
350,533 |
||
| Housing | Rurals, Ph 1, Comber | √ |
366,847 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, Connswater | √ |
115,020 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions Phase 2 Connswater | √ |
687,601 |
||
| Housing | 10 Castleton Gardens, Belfast | √ |
87,063 |
||
| Housing | 49 Westland Drive, Belfast | √ |
81,220 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions Phase 5D, Belfast | √ |
92,948 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions, Phase 5E | √ |
99,502 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions, Phase 5F | √ |
143,766 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions Ph 6C | √ |
193,278 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions, Ph 6A, Belfast | √ |
381,211 |
||
| Housing | Herbert St, Ph2, Belfast | √ |
3,611,936 |
||
| Housing | Knockmore Ph 6, Lisburn | √ |
1,410,310 |
||
| Housing | 79 Torrens Cresent, Belfast | √ |
115,839 |
||
| Housing | Castlecoole Road, 1-2 Wickham Place Enniskillen | √ |
1,467,460 |
||
| Housing | Randalstown | √ |
1,109,532 |
||
| Housing | New Lodge Rd, Belfast | √ |
735,563 |
||
| Housing | Whiterock Cresent, Belfast | √ |
1,712,080 |
||
| Housing | Crossmaglen, Ph 3, | √ |
1,237,414 |
||
| Housing | Hawthorn Drive, Springtown Rd, Londonderry | √ |
4,100,970 |
||
| Housing | Parkgate Avenue, Belfast | √ |
2,555,280 |
||
| Housing | Twisel Lodge | √ |
282,930 |
||
| Housing | 10 Glenkeen, Poleglass | √ |
162,757 |
||
| Housing | Gate Lodge, Ormeau Road, Belfast | √ |
219,724 |
||
| Housing | Newington Acquisitions Ph 6A, Belfast | √ |
904,767 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Ph 14A, Londonderry | √ |
585,433 |
||
| Housing | The House, St Columns Well, Derry RI | √ |
1,222,786 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Ph 14B, Londonderry | √ |
590,524 |
||
| Housing | Woodbank House RI | √ |
129,344 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Ph 14C, Londonderry | √ |
613,232 |
||
| Housing | Rural Cottages, Ph 7, Strabane | √ |
650,815 |
||
| Housing | Ballyarnett, Travellers, Londonderry | √ |
1,637,212 |
||
| Housing | Glenluce Walk, Ph1, Belfast | √ |
3,080,607 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Ph 14D, Londonderry | √ |
642,730 |
||
| Housing | 72 Steeltown Road, Londonderry | √ |
992,671 |
||
| Housing | Oakland Park, Londonderry | √ |
3,700,607 |
||
| Housing | Northumberland St, Belfast | √ |
1,329,286 |
||
| Housing | Drumintee Rd, Ph 2, Meigh | √ |
629,493 |
||
| Housing | Milk Marketing Board, Antrim Road Belfast | √ |
5,913,760 |
||
| Housing | Princetown Rd, Bangor | √ |
1,030,288 |
||
| Housing | Bryansford Rd, Newcastle | √ |
654,812 |
||
| Housing | Tempo Rd, Enniskillen | √ |
979,938 |
||
| Housing | Cregagh Community Centre, Belfast | √ |
934,688 |
||
| Housing | Halliday's Road, Belfast | √ |
1,666,110 |
||
| Housing | Conway St, Ph 2, Belfast | √ |
2,139,576 |
||
| Housing | 20, 28 & 48 Cappagh Avenue, Portstewart | √ |
444,632 |
||
| Housing | Railway Court, Newtownbutler | √ |
145,066 |
||
| Housing | Coolaghy Rd, Ardstraw, Ph 2 | √ |
60,531 |
||
| Housing | Landbrook, Newtownbutler | √ |
104,035 |
||
| Housing | 14 The Meadows, Irvinestown | √ |
124,568 |
||
| Housing | 16 Old Mill Court, Lisbellaw | √ |
134,615 |
||
| Housing | Rural Acquisitions | √ |
926,335 |
||
| Housing | Grangemore Road Ph 3A Keady | √ |
394,192 |
||
| Housing | 19 Boyd's Row, Armagh | √ |
307,886 |
||
| Housing | 4 Baronscourt, Belfast | √ |
495,484 |
||
| Housing | Ballycmacoss Cebtral, Ph 3, Lisburn | √ |
1,489,828 |
||
| Housing | 7 Highfield Grove | √ |
306,579 |
||
| Housing | 62 Carnmore Rise, Enniskillen | √ |
189,513 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, West Belfast, Ph 2 | √ |
366,906 |
||
| Housing | Abbey Drive, Enniskillen | √ |
792,049 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, East Belfast, Ph 1 | √ |
244,382 |
||
| Housing | 5 Liburn Hall, Lurgan | √ |
340,291 |
||
| Housing | Broom Street/Parkview, Belfast | √ |
389,000 |
||
| Housing | West Woodvale, Belfast | √ |
451,022 |
||
2007 - 2008
| Project name | Project type (please tick as appropriate) |
Amount |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Community regeneration |
Leisure provision |
Job creation |
|||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Building Ballysally Together Healthy Eating Community Café - Salaries & Running Costs, Coleraine | 2,037 |
|||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballee Childcare Limited, Ballymena | √ |
√ |
75,978 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballymena Environmental Action Team B.E.A.T. NI Ltd | √ |
73,006 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | CHIPS 2 Play care Services After School Club and Summer Scheme | √ |
√ |
49,069 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballee After Schools Play Care Project, Ballymena | √ |
√ |
38,730 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballee Pre School Play Group< Ballymena | √ |
√ |
23,867 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballysaggart Business Park< Dungannon | √ |
√ |
45,000 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Confederation of Community Groups, Newry | √ |
265,500 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Resource Centre Derry | √ |
65,014 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | North West Centre for Learning & Development | √ |
31,362 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Creggan Country Park Enterprises. | √ |
57,157 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Creggan Pre-school & Training Trust | √ |
49,794 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Feeny Crisp | √ |
√ |
382,670 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Gortfoyle House | √ |
√ |
17,263 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Waterside Health & Social Care Centre | √ |
√ |
97,735 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ardmonagh Family And Community Group | √ |
√ |
59,968 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ashton Centre | √ |
√ |
77,329 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ashton Centre Development | √ |
156,500 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Blackie River Community Group | √ |
√ |
47,005 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum | √ |
√ |
47,301 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Clonard Neighbourhood Development Partnership | √ |
√ |
45,329 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Colin Neighbourhood Partnership | √ |
√ |
413,796 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Conway Education Centre | √ |
√ |
98,966 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Conway Mill Preservation Trust | √ |
√ |
35,508 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Divis Joint Development Committee | √ |
√ |
94,718 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Falls Women's Centre | √ |
√ |
116,948 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Footprints Womens Centre | √ |
√ |
157,729 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Holy Trinity Centre | √ |
√ |
48,192 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ionad Uibh Eachach | √ |
√ |
66,845 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Roden Street Community Development Group | √ |
√ |
46,070 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Scoil na Fuiseoige | √ |
√ |
25,231 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Short Strand Partnership | √ |
√ |
33,383 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Springfield Charitable | √ |
√ |
35,357 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Star Neighbourhood Centre | √ |
√ |
33,590 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Upper Andersonstown Community Forum | √ |
√ |
118,078 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Upper Springfield Development Company Limited | √ |
√ |
87,325 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Whiterock Creche Association | √ |
√ |
22,543 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Wishing Well Family Centre | √ |
√ |
47,280 |
|
| Housing | 14-20 University St, Belfast | √ |
2,796,989 |
||
| Housing | 221 Holywood Road, Belfast | √ |
4,547,931 |
||
| Housing | Glenside, Ligoniel | √ |
3,424,816 |
||
| Housing | Upper Crescent, Comber | √ |
6,922,471 |
||
| Housing | 339-343 Donegall Road | √ |
1,537,746 |
||
| Housing | Cromwell's Close, Lisburn | √ |
1,217,755 |
||
| Housing | McAuley Street, Phase 3, Belfast | √ |
1,896,428 |
||
| Housing | 99 Manor Street, Belfast | √ |
123,008 |
||
| Housing | Gleneagles Gardens, Ballybeen | √ |
1,698,719 |
||
| Housing | 1 Donaghadee Road, Groomsport, Bangor | √ |
3,590,045 |
||
| Housing | 18 Inglewood Park / Belfast Road, Bangor | √ |
4,881,235 |
||
| Housing | North Howard Street | √ |
6,354,231 |
||
| Housing | 2A Brookhill Avenue, Belfast | √ |
1,575,475 |
||
| Housing | Greysteel Phase 2, Limavady | √ |
1,237,385 |
||
| Housing | North Phase 2B, Balfour Avenue, Belfast | √ |
1,309,343 |
||
| Housing | Norfolk Road, Belfast | √ |
2,537,212 |
||
| Housing | Lower Antrim Road, Infill, Belfast | √ |
3,312,478 |
||
| Housing | Harland Walk, Belfast | √ |
1,684,021 |
||
| Housing | 6-10 Severn St, Belfast | √ |
791,998 |
||
| Housing | Connswater, Phase 3, Belfast | √ |
12,382,945 |
||
| Housing | Thomas Street, Dungannon | √ |
1,009,577 |
||
| Housing | Dunlea Vale, Dungannon | √ |
248,158 |
||
| Housing | Gate Lodge, Flax Street, Belfast | √ |
797,019 |
||
| Housing | Lismore Park, Sion Mills, Strabane | √ |
1,917,020 |
||
| Housing | Knockbracken Healthcare Park | √ |
2,034,269 |
||
| Housing | Springtown Road, Ph4, Londonderry | √ |
2,156,217 |
||
| Housing | Derryveagh Drive, Suffolk Road, Belfast | √ |
247,558 |
||
| Housing | Green Walk, Newtownabbey | √ |
2,031,721 |
||
| Housing | Jamaica Street Phase 2A, Belfast | √ |
923,938 |
||
| Housing | Hillview Rd/Crumlin Rd, Belfast | √ |
8,413,562 |
||
| Housing | Glendhu, Belfast | √ |
2,078,046 |
||
| Housing | 233 Whitewell Road, Belfast | √ |
1,628,034 |
||
| Housing | Travellers Site, Monagh Road, Ph 1, Belfast | √ |
4,567,749 |
||
| Housing | 143d Glen Road | √ |
268,375 |
||
| Housing | Stanhope Site, Phase 1, Belfast | √ |
1,320,483 |
||
| Housing | Mayne House, Bloomfield Road, Bangor (Croft) | √ |
895,021 |
||
| Housing | Colinpark Street, Belfast | √ |
352,486 |
||
| Housing | Ilex Avenue, Newtownards | √ |
836,518 |
||
| Housing | Annaclone, Ph2, Banbridge | √ |
869,916 |
||
| Housing | Lisbane Park, Mayobridge | √ |
1,013,499 |
||
| Housing | Old School Site, Phase 2, Kinallen | √ |
994,989 |
||
| Housing | PSNI Site, Moy /Beechgrove, Dromore /Hillside Pk,Gilford | √ |
1,007,810 |
||
| Housing | Canal Street, Phase 3, Newry | √ |
3,639,687 |
||
| Housing | 1 Old Rectory Park Cookstown | √ |
376,631 |
||
| Housing | William Street, Newtownards | √ |
1,416,794 |
||
| Housing | Dunmisk Park, Phase 3, Belfast | √ |
3,503,733 |
||
| Housing | 5 Dufferin Avenue, Bangor | √ |
92,689 |
||
| Housing | Devonshire Tradas, Phase 2, Belfast | √ |
3,633,012 |
||
| Housing | Bonds Hill, Londonderry | √ |
1,535,024 |
||
| Housing | 8 Lilburn Hall, 1 Bowens Close - Lurgan | √ |
718,687 |
||
| Housing | Sycamore Drive, Enniskillen | √ |
760,543 |
||
| Housing | Ballymacoss Central, Phase 5, Lisburn | √ |
9,140,695 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Home, Palmerston Road, Belfast | √ |
5,277,910 |
||
| Housing | East Belfast Acquisitions Phase 1A | √ |
1,399,323 |
||
| Housing | 24 Glenbawn Square, Poleglass | √ |
185,139 |
||
| Housing | 6 Bryson Square, Newtownabbey | √ |
137,252 |
||
| Housing | 81 Blenheim Drive, Newtownards | √ |
155,278 |
||
| Housing | 3 South Avenue, Bangor | √ |
173,653 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, Ph 3, West Belfast | √ |
1,078,260 |
||
| Housing | 3 Rinnalea Grove ( West Belfast Acq Ph3B) | √ |
188,731 |
||
| Housing | 108 Moyard Parade ( West Belfast Acq Ph3D) | √ |
168,540 |
||
| Housing | 45A Bracken Avenue, Newcastle | √ |
143,943 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions Ph 1 Downpatrick | √ |
1,169,633 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions Ph3B Poleglass | √ |
518,446 |
||
| Housing | East Belfast Acquisitions Phase 1 | √ |
1,429,757 |
||
| Housing | East Belfast Acquisitions Phase 1B | √ |
560,585 |
||
| Housing | 135 Horn Drive (West Belfast ACQ 3C) | √ |
193,483 |
||
| Housing | 8 McDonnell Street, Belfast | √ |
199,584 |
||
| Housing | 49 Ivan Street, Lisburn | √ |
162,660 |
||
| Housing | 20 Ballymurphy Parade, Belfast | √ |
190,977 |
||
| Housing | 16 Lenamore Park, Newtownards | √ |
183,972 |
||
| Housing | 40 Canberra Gardens, Newtownards | √ |
183,972 |
||
| Housing | 11Burnreagh Court, Newtownards | √ |
197,870 |
||
| Housing | 94 Shackleton Walk, Newtownards | √ |
155,312 |
||
| Housing | 11 Abbott Gardens, Newtownards | √ |
167,467 |
||
| Housing | 3 Laburnum Drive, Comber | √ |
174,445 |
||
| Housing | 10 Clifton Crescent, Belfast | √ |
218,089 |
||
| Housing | 38 Blenheim Drive, Newtownards | √ |
162,290 |
||
| Housing | 70 Mourneview Park, Newry | √ |
170,311 |
||
| Housing | 2 Marconi Park, Ballycastle | √ |
175,584 |
||
| Housing | 33 Stroanshesk Park, Ballycastle | √ |
175,584 |
||
| Housing | 18 Bloomfield Drive, Belfast | √ |
182,475 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions Phase 2A Connswater | √ |
325,292 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, Poleglass Ph1B | √ |
881,888 |
||
| Housing | West Belfast Acquisitions 1A | √ |
369,983 |
||
| Housing | 15 Bryson Court | √ |
179,020 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, Dungannon | √ |
1,221,925 |
||
| Housing | 179 York Park | √ |
117,853 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions Ph 6B Belfast | √ |
539,645 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions 7A, Belfast | √ |
1,184,123 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions 7B, Belfast | √ |
209,294 |
||
| Housing | 13 Kingston Court | √ |
159,907 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions Ph7D | √ |
190,509 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions Phase 7C | √ |
158,060 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions Phase 7F | √ |
201,367 |
||
| Housing | North Belfast Acquisitions Phase 1A | √ |
336,982 |
||
| Housing | North Belfast Acquisitions Phase 1B | √ |
134,279 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, Londonderry | √ |
984,192 |
||
| Housing | Greater West Belfast ESPs Phase 1 | √ |
959,763 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions, Newtownards | √ |
383,853 |
||
| Housing | Greater West Belfast Acquisitions Ph1A | √ |
940,523 |
||
| Housing | 32 Jacksons Road, Holywood | √ |
202,726 |
||
| Housing | 40 Altananam Park, Ballycastle | √ |
143,695 |
||
| Housing | 17A Roemill Gardens | √ |
106,692 |
||
| Housing | 12 Rosemount Gardens, Belfast | √ |
531,168 |
||
| Housing | Derry Acquisitions Phase 11 | √ |
780,854 |
||
| Housing | Newington Acquisitions Ph 6B Belfast | √ |
326,365 |
||
| Housing | Newington Acquisitions, Ph7, Belfast | √ |
1,148,784 |
||
| Housing | West Bank, Ph15A, Londonderry | √ |
818,881 |
||
| Housing | West Bank, Ph15B, Londonderry | √ |
787,144 |
||
| Housing | West Bank, Ph15C, Londonderry | √ |
736,254 |
||
| Housing | West Bank, Ph15D, Londonderry | √ |
1,001,647 |
||
| Housing | Westbank PH15E, Derry | √ |
1,106,651 |
||
| Housing | Westbank PH15F, Derry | √ |
1,056,083 |
||
| Housing | WestBank Phase 15G | √ |
1,079,847 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Phase 15H, Derry | √ |
1,281,687 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Phase 15I, Derry | √ |
1,131,290 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Phase 15J, Derry | √ |
1,338,335 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Phase 15K, Derry | √ |
1,402,578 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Phase 15L | √ |
1,262,391 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Phase 15M | √ |
1,499,127 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Phase 15N | √ |
1,018,272 |
||
| Housing | 14 Bloomfield Court, Bangor | √ |
164,098 |
||
| Housing | 15 Ballyminetragh Gardens, Bangor | √ |
195,934 |
||
| Housing | 28 Bracken Park, Derry | √ |
164,037 |
||
| Housing | 14 Knockalla Park, Derry | √ |
152,149 |
||
| Housing | 10 Elaghamore Park, Derry | √ |
158,093 |
||
| Housing | 149 Gallaigh Park, Derry | √ |
164,037 |
||
| Housing | 33 Ballyminetragh Gardens, Bangor | √ |
195,934 |
||
| Housing | Rural Acquisitions Ballycanice Close | √ |
520,999 |
||
| Housing | Ards ESPs Phase 1 | √ |
522,565 |
||
| Housing | Newry & Mourne ESP's | √ |
1,572,164 |
||
| Housing | Ards Acquisitions Phase 1B | √ |
740,466 |
||
| Housing | Rural Acquisitions Eglinton Phase 2 | √ |
495,599 |
||
| Housing | Down ESP's | √ |
336,119 |
||
| Housing | Down ESP's Phase 2 | √ |
322,429 |
||
| Housing | 2 & 8 Mill Line, Derrygonnelly | √ |
289,350 |
||
| Housing | 26 Mourne Park, Newtownstewart | √ |
151,097 |
||
| Housing | Newry & Mourne ESPs Phase 2 | √ |
416,759 |
||
| Housing | 15 Curragh Walk, Derry | √ |
157,788 |
||
| Housing | 42 Ballymurphy Road | √ |
182,479 |
||
| Housing | Bellevue Manor | √ |
2,591,947 |
||
| Housing | Maple Villas, Springfield Rd, Belfast | √ |
1,870,957 |
||
| Housing | Springfield Mill, Springfield Rd, Belfast | √ |
1,036,328 |
||
| Housing | Beechlands, Carnlough | √ |
723,424 |
||
| Housing | Causeway Meadows, Lisburn | √ |
3,375,046 |
||
| Housing | Millview Manor, Dungannon | √ |
3,547,889 |
||
| Housing | Carvill Site, Annadale, Belfast | √ |
7,683,007 |
||
| Housing | 293 Antrim Road, Belfast | √ |
1,119,959 |
||
| Housing | 34 Cliftonville Road, Belfast | √ |
1,261,319 |
||
| Housing | 162-172 Antrim Road, Belfast | √ |
2,264,118 |
||
| Housing | 45 Cliftonville Road, Belfast | √ |
1,987,768 |
||
| Housing | 8 Glandore Avenue | √ |
515,542 |
||
| Housing | Mill Road, Bawnmore | √ |
791,296 |
||
| Housing | 23 Thorndale Avenue, Belfast | √ |
309,464 |
||
| Housing | Lawnbrook Avenue | √ |
725,850 |
||
| Housing | Springtown, Martins Lane, Newry | √ |
2,892,250 |
||
| Housing | Gilpin Mews, Old Portadown Road, Lurgan | √ |
2,579,616 |
||
2008 -2009
| Project name | Project type (please tick as appropriate) |
Amount |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Community regeneration |
Leisure provision |
Job creation |
|||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Building Ballysally Together Healthy Eating Community Café - Salaries & Running Costs, Coleraine | 27290 |
|||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballee Childcare Limited, Ballymena | √ |
161072 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballymena Environmental Action Team B.E.A.T. NI Ltd | √ |
57901 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | CHIPS 2 Play care Services After School Club and Summer Scheme, Ballymena | √ |
√ |
69585 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballee After Schools Play Care Project, Ballymena | √ |
√ |
40703 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballee Pre School Play Group, Ballymena | √ |
√ |
67687 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Enniskillen Enterprise Programme | √ |
3000 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Coalisland retail and Development | √ |
41,467 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Dungannon Enterprise Programme | √ |
5,400 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Brownlow Ltd., Craigavon | √ |
829,000 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | 80/20 Recycling, Newry | √ |
93,319 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency | √ |
147,437 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Resource Centre Derry | √ |
62,632 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | North West Centre for Learning & Development | √ |
19,847 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Creggan Country Park Enterprises. | √ |
58,550 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Creggan Pre-school & Training Trust | √ |
4,170 |
||
| Community Development | The Village Garden (Broughshane) Ltd | √ |
526,150 |
||
| Community Development | Greater Shankill Partnership | √ |
267,861 |
||
| Community Development | Shaftesbury Community & Recreation Centre | √ |
226,664 |
||
| Community Development | Omagh Community House | √ |
299,487 |
||
| Community Development | Donaghmore Community Services Hub Project | √ |
283,066 |
||
| Community Development | St Peters Club Building for Tomorrow | √ |
248,625 |
||
| Community Development | Youth Link NI | √ |
255,000 |
||
| Community Development | Aware Defeat Depression | √ |
34,915 |
||
| Community Development | Ballinran Rural Empowerment Programme | √ |
45,572 |
||
| Community Development | Belfast Exposed Photography | √ |
94,401 |
||
| Community Development | Best Cellars Music Collective | √ |
73,042 |
||
| Community Development | Boho Community Assoc | √ |
80,409 |
||
| Community Development | Brackaghreilly & District Community Association | √ |
24,251 |
||
| Community Development | Burnfoot Community Development Assoc | √ |
59,811 |
||
| Community Development | Carleton Street Communty Development Assoc | √ |
97,950 |
||
| Community Development | Citizens Advice Belfast | √ |
100,000 |
||
| Community Development | Coleraine Riding for the Disabled | √ |
96,100 |
||
| Community Development | Corpus Christi Services | √ |
100,000 |
||
| Community Development | Crossfire Trust | √ |
72,281 |
||
| Community Development | Dunsford Cross Community Resource Centre | √ |
94,281 |
||
| Community Development | Ederney Community Development Trust | √ |
56,489 |
||
| Community Development | First Housing Aid & Support Services | √ |
46,337 |
||
| Community Development | Hillcrest House Family Centre | √ |
80,256 |
||
| Community Development | Village Sure Start Childrens Centre | √ |
58,789 |
||
| Community Development | Inter Estate Partnership | √ |
62,151 |
||
| Community Development | Ionad Uibh Eachach | √ |
100,000 |
||
| Community Development | Kilcranny House | √ |
82,636 |
||
| Community Development | Kingsmills Committee | √ |
100,000 |
||
| Community Development | Laganview Enterprise Centre | √ |
63,492 |
||
| Community Development | Learmount Community Development | √ |
37,597 |
||
| Community Development | Little Orchids | √ |
80,820 |
||
| Community Development | New Life Counselling Service | √ |
49,346 |
||
| Community Development | Newbuildings Youth and Community Project | √ |
59,994 |
||
| Community Development | Newington Credit Union | √ |
91,482 |
||
| Community Development | NI Association for Mental Health | √ |
82,292 |
||
| Community Development | Opportunity Youth | √ |
98,779 |
||
| Community Development | Orchardville Community Ctaering | √ |
33,502 |
||
| Community Development | Pearse Og in the Community | √ |
100,000 |
||
| Community Development | Peninsula Healthy Living Partnership | √ |
67,533 |
||
| Community Development | Playboard | √ |
17,520 |
||
| Community Development | Public Achievement | √ |
99,877 |
||
| Community Development | Quaker Service | √ |
21,759 |
||
| Community Development | REACH Across | √ |
24,645 |
||
| Community Development | RNIB | √ |
80,114 |
||
| Community Development | Shankill Lurgan Community Project | √ |
100,000 |
||
| Community Development | Special Olympics | √ |
80,916 |
||
| Community Development | Stepping Stones | √ |
28,624 |
||
| Community Development | The Bytes Project | √ |
27,777 |
||
| Community Development | The Rural College | √ |
96,995 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ardmonagh Family And Community Group | √ |
√ |
79,395 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ashton Centre | √ |
√ |
109,287 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballysillan Community Forum | √ |
√ |
27,508 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Blackie River Community Group | √ |
√ |
89,267 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum | √ |
√ |
50,675 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Clonard Neighbourhood Development Partnership | √ |
√ |
50,198 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Colin Neighbourhood Partnership | √ |
√ |
333,712 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Conway Education Centre | √ |
√ |
61,730 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Conway Mill Preservation Trust | √ |
√ |
162,212 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Culturlann Mcadam O Fiaich | √ |
√ |
18,213 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Divis Joint Development Committee | √ |
√ |
76,770 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Falls Women's Centre | √ |
√ |
119,756 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Flax Housing Association | √ |
√ |
60,747 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Footprints Womens Centre | √ |
√ |
179,415 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Holy Trinity Centre | √ |
√ |
50,055 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ionad Uibh Eachach | √ |
√ |
57,400 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Newington Credit Union | √ |
√ |
28,705 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Roden Street Community Development Group | √ |
√ |
48,178 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Scoil na Fuiseoige | √ |
√ |
28,958 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Short Strand Partnership | √ |
√ |
36,340 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Springfield Charitable | √ |
√ |
51,953 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Star Neighbourhood Centre | √ |
√ |
52,420 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Upper Andersonstown Community Forum | √ |
√ |
118,323 |
|
| Housing | Main Street, Phase 2 Toome | √ |
401,204 |
||
| Housing | 1-3 Crawfordsburn Road, Bangor | √ |
2,863,369 |
||
| Housing | Newtownabbey (Abbotts Cross) | √ |
1,667,970 |
||
| Housing | 3 Ashgrove Road, Newry | √ |
1,865,620 |
||
| Housing | Seymour Street, Lisburn | √ |
6,249,518 |
||
| Housing | 31-35 Donaghadee Road, Newtownards | √ |
4,299,273 |
||
| Housing | Ballybone, Oldpark | √ |
1,991,950 |
||
| Housing | Downpatrick Road Ardglass | √ |
1,367,431 |
||
| Housing | Guide Street, Broughshane | √ |
529,737 |
||
| Housing | Torrens Phase 3A | √ |
16,904,377 |
||
| Housing | Lourdes Hall, Waterloo Place, Londonderry | √ |
2,098,503 |
||
| Housing | Church Street, Strabane | √ |
1,872,928 |
||
| Housing | Dove Gardens, Phase 1, Derry | √ |
5,735,704 |
||
| Housing | Longlands, Newtownabbey | √ |
6,945,142 |
||
| Housing | Ellis Street, Carrickfergus (Ellis Street Replacement) | √ |
2,515,909 |
||
| Housing | Shaftesbury Road, Bangor | √ |
4,426,742 |
||
| Housing | Library Site, Sion Mills, Strabane | √ |
368,574 |
||
| Housing | St. Gall's Site, Phase 2, Belfast | √ |
868,721 |
||
| Housing | Ballygowan Levin/ Meadowbrook | √ |
2,820,162 |
||
| Housing | 2 Beechfield Street, Belfast | √ |
1,127,649 |
||
| Housing | 12 Alan Close, Newcastle | √ |
608,966 |
||
| Housing | 18 Coronation Park, Clough | √ |
134,185 |
||
| Housing | 38 - 40 Bryansburn Road, Bangor | √ |
1,424,081 |
||
| Housing | 115-117 Hamilton Road, Bangor | √ |
627,545 |
||
| Housing | Church Street, Newtownards | √ |
1,857,216 |
||
| Housing | 38 Belfast Road, Comber | √ |
1,269,508 |
||
| Housing | 70 Sunnyside Street, Belfast | √ |
1,491,309 |
||
| Housing | Stradreagh Challenging Behaviour Unit, Derry | √ |
2,700,386 |
||
| Housing | Poleglass Acquisitions Phase 4A | √ |
1,131,608 |
||
| Housing | West Belfast Acquisitions Phase 4A | √ |
164,748 |
||
| Housing | East Belfast Acquisitions Phase 2A | √ |
706,068 |
||
| Housing | East Belfast Acquisitions Phase 2B | √ |
1,871,998 |
||
| Housing | East Belfast Acquisitions Phase 2C | √ |
1,312,353 |
||
| Housing | 2 Cherryvale Avenue (SP Complex Needs) | √ |
221,790 |
||
| Housing | 16 Iniscarn Close, Lisburn | √ |
207,114 |
||
| Housing | 46 Inisharoan Court, Newtownards | √ |
197,870 |
||
| Housing | 14 Lisvarna Place, Belfast | √ |
181,485 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions Phase 7E | √ |
351,973 |
||
| Housing | Ardoyne Acquisitions Phase 8A | √ |
193,921 |
||
| Housing | North Belfast Acquisitions Phase 1C | √ |
343,724 |
||
| Housing | 22 Templemore Street, Belfast | √ |
163,047 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Phase 16A | √ |
1,397,122 |
||
| Housing | Westbank Phase 16B | √ |
1,559,275 |
||
| Housing | 79 Thornhill Drive | √ |
180,511 |
||
| Housing | Pond Park, Lisburn | √ |
837,427 |
||
| Housing | Carrickvale Manor, Lurgan | √ |
1,050,491 |
||
| Housing | Glenbryn Park | √ |
799,577 |
||
| Housing | Chequer Hill, Armagh Road, Newry | √ |
3,580,184 |
||
| Housing | Grange Meadows, Kilkeel | √ |
811,919 |
||
| Housing | Glenwood, Newtownards | √ |
771,026 |
||
| Housing | Atlantic Avenue | √ |
329,367 |
||
| Housing | Church Lane, Donaghadee | √ |
603,395 |
||
| Housing | Wolfhill Manor, Belfast | √ |
1,251,478 |
||
| Housing | Foxhill | √ |
746,384 |
||
| Housing | The Bush | √ |
673,874 |
||
| Housing | Pottingers Quay, Belfast | √ |
3,316,235 |
||
| Housing | Trinity Terrace, Lisburn | √ |
1,664,848 |
||
| Housing | Fairy Glen, Crossmaglen | √ |
2,238,260 |
||
| Housing | Slatequarry Road, Cullyhanna, Newry | √ |
663,778 |
||
| Housing | Clanrye Avenue, Newry | √ |
730,262 |
||
| Housing | Ard Grange, Derry | √ |
1,459,934 |
||
| Housing | 17 Milltown, Dungannon | √ |
518,928 |
||
| Housing | 124-126 Antrim Road, Belfast | √ |
687,389 |
||
| Housing | 7A Glen Road | √ |
636,271 |
||
| Housing | Thorne Retail Park, Whitewell Road, Bangor | √ |
1,227,565 |
||
| Housing | 7 & 8 Beech Tree | √ |
236,911 |
||
| Housing | Culowen, Blackwatertown, Co Armagh | √ |
592,648 |
||
| Housing | Mark Street, Lurgan | √ |
2,514,744 |
||
| Housing | Station Road, Dunloy | √ |
357,058 |
||
| Housing | 107A North Road | √ |
907,892 |
||
| Housing | The Ferns, Rostrevor Road, Newry | √ |
1,118,480 |
||
2009 -2010
| Project name | Project type (please tick as appropriate) |
Amount |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Community regeneration |
Leisure provision |
Job creation |
|||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Building Ballysally Together Healthy Eating Community Café, Coleraine | 24294 |
|||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballymena Environmental Action Team B.E.A.T. NI Ltd | √ |
40492 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | CHIPS 2 Play care Services After School Club and Summer Scheme, Ballymena | √ |
√ |
57236 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballee After Schools Play Care Project, Ballymena | √ |
√ |
41541 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballee Pre School Play Group, Ballymena | √ |
√ |
27465 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Dungannon Enterprise Programme | √ |
980 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Coalisland retail and Development | √ |
15,133 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Enniskillen Enterprise Programme | √ |
13,110 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Coalisland Exploring enterprise Programme | √ |
4,905 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | CIDO (Craigavon Industrial Development Organisation) | √ |
6,758 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency | √ |
254,904 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency | √ |
100,193 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Resource Centre Derry | √ |
66,079 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | The Cresco Trust | √ |
135,409 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | North West Centre for Learning & Development | √ |
29,795 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Creggan Country Park Enterprises. | √ |
72,250 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Creggan Pre-school & Training Trust | √ |
61,937 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Feeny Crisp | √ |
√ |
22,216 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Pennyburn Credit Union | √ |
√ |
191,382 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Columba House | √ |
√ |
162,286 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Waterside Health & Social Care Centre | √ |
√ |
37,302 |
|
| CommunityDevelopment | Ards Community Network Modernisation Project | √ |
1,079,342 |
||
| CommunityDevelopment | Coleraine Urban ~& Rural Network | √ |
1,500,000 |
||
| CommunityDevelopment | Confederation of Community Groups | √ |
1,306,197 |
||
| CommunityDevelopment | Holywell Trust | √ |
1,418,912 |
||
| CommunityDevelopment | Business in the Community | √ |
300,000 |
||
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ardmonagh Family And Community Group | √ |
√ |
51,121 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ashton Centre | √ |
√ |
111,902 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ballysillan Community Forum | √ |
√ |
50,416 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Blackie River Community Group | √ |
√ |
125,387 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum | √ |
√ |
44,518 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Clonard Neighbourhood Development Partnership | √ |
√ |
51,238 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Colin Neighbourhood Partnership | √ |
√ |
330,599 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Conway Education Centre | √ |
√ |
117,977 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Conway Mill Preservation Trust | √ |
√ |
1,589,290 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Culturlann Mcadam O Fiaich | √ |
√ |
30,344 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Divis Joint Development Committee | √ |
√ |
95,969 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Failte Feirste Thair | √ |
√ |
85,355 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Falls Women's Centre | √ |
√ |
123,004 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Flax Housing Association | √ |
√ |
43,275 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Footprints Womens Centre | √ |
√ |
157,991 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Holy Trinity Centre | √ |
√ |
50,766 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Ionad Uibh Eachach | √ |
√ |
50,272 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Roden Street Community Development Group | √ |
√ |
49,376 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Scoil na Fuiseoige | √ |
√ |
31,869 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Short Strand Partnership | √ |
√ |
38,510 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Star Neighbourhood Centre | √ |
√ |
40,229 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Upper Andersonstown Community Forum | √ |
√ |
105,279 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Upper Springfield Development Company Limited | √ |
√ |
131,315 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Whiterock Creche Association | √ |
√ |
25,959 |
|
| Neighbourhood Renewal | Wishing Well Family Centre | √ |
√ |
51,179 |
|
| Housing | 43 Whitewell Road, Belfast | √ |
1,480,803 |
||
| Housing | 100 Cliftonville Road, Belfast | √ |
1,203,976 |
||
| Housing | Killough Road, Downpatrick | √ |
1,598,734 |
||
| Housing | Bass Brewery Site, Glen Road, Belfast | √ |
17,666,342 |
||
| Housing | 36A - 38 Park Avenue, Belfast | √ |
2,375,402 |
||
| Housing | 57 Rosevale Avenue, Newtownards | √ |
1,341,363 |
||
| Housing | Roden Street, Phase 2, Belfast | √ |
5,056,132 |
||
| Housing | Enniskillen EMI, Phase 1 | √ |
4,152,534 |
||
| Housing | Crossmaglen Phase 4 | √ |
1,222,976 |
||
| Housing | Eden 3A, Carrickfergus | √ |
797,144 |
||
| Housing | Upper North Street, Newtownards | √ |
2,773,839 |
||
| Housing | Dunsy Way, Comber | √ |
2,961,910 |
||
| Housing | Tesco Site, Donegall Road, Belfast | √ |
7,298,500 |
||
| Housing | Westbank, Derry | √ |
11,687,984 |
||
| Housing | Ivan Street, Belfast | √ |
627,223 |
||
| Housing | St. Patrick's PS, North Queen Street, Belfast | √ |
4,186,693 |
||
| Housing | 98 Whitewell Road, Belfast | √ |
1,046,799 |
||
| Housing | Old Warrenpoint Road, Newry | √ |
2,835,488 |
||
| Housing | 31 The Brae, Ballgowan | √ |
1,516,941 |
||
| Housing | Re-improvement, Glenarm | √ |
1,046,173 |
||
| Housing | 26-30 Cliftonville Road, Belfast | √ |
699,816 |
||
| Housing | 53/59 Camden Street, Belfast | √ |
1,080,623 |
||
| Housing | Rathgill Zone 1, Bangor | √ |
2,339,874 |
||
| Housing | 51 Main Street, Crumlin | √ |
404,238 |
||
| Housing | Regent Street, Mill Street Newtownards | √ |
4,271,884 |
||
| Housing | Travellers Site, Monagh Road, Ph2, Belfast | √ |
1,320,853 |
||
| Housing | Jamaica Street, Phase 2, Belfast | √ |
1,900,138 |
||
| Housing | PSNI Site, Rosemount, Derry | √ |
1,665,679 |
||
| Housing | Drumawill Phase 1, Enniskillen | √ |
3,085,422 |
||
| Housing | Shiels St, Belfast | √ |
619,780 |
||
| Housing | 6 - 12 Breda Park Newtownbreda | √ |
4,280,562 |
||
| Housing | Coolnagard, Omagh (Challenging Behaviour) | √ |
1,376,637 |
||
| Housing | Drumalla House, Carnlough | √ |
884,665 |
||
| Housing | 270-272 Falls Road, Belfast | √ |
842,448 |
||
| Housing | Gibson's Lane, Bangor | √ |
1,537,734 |
||
| Housing | Carrick Hill/Library Street, Belfast | √ |
782,409 |
||
| Housing | PSNI Site, Newcastle Road, Castlewellan | √ |
549,449 |
||
| Housing | St. Theresa's Site, Glen Road, Belfast | √ |
1,928,988 |
||
| Housing | Carrowshee Park, Lisnaskea | √ |
1,655,660 |
||
| Housing | Central Avenue, Bangor | √ |
5,004,253 |
||
| Housing | Highway, Highfield Estate, Belfast | √ |
203,857 |
||
| Housing | Thomas Street, Portadown | √ |
1,129,612 |
||
| Housing | Prince's Close / Street, Craigavon | √ |
280,959 |
||
| Housing | Beechgrove, Dromore Phase 2 | √ |
439,660 |
||
| Housing | Ennis Green, Lurgan | √ |
703,456 |
||
| Housing | Portadown Rehabs | √ |
1,047,056 |
||
| Housing | Caherty Road, Broughshane | √ |
3,813,253 |
||
| Housing | Garryduff Gardens Ballymena Road, Ballymoney | √ |
310,873 |
||
| Housing | Finaghy Rd South, Belfast | √ |
1,250,382 |
||
| Housing | Dunmisk Park Phase 2, Belfast | √ |
2,989,591 |
||
| Housing | 21 Ashley Park, Dunmurry | √ |
786,228 |
||
| Housing | Grove Street East, Belfast | √ |
1,521,806 |
||
| Housing | Strand Avenue, Holywood | √ |
2,002,548 |
||
| Housing | Ladas Way, Belfast | √ |
1,758,987 |
||
| Housing | Appletree House, Bridge Street, Downpatrick | √ |
3,006,126 |
||
| Housing | 74 Cedar Avenue, Belfast | √ |
622,299 |
||
| Housing | Charter Youth Club, Sandy Row, Belfast | √ |
339,228 |
||
| Housing | East Belfast Acquistions | √ |
418,988 |
||
| Housing | Dungannon Acquisitions Phase 1 | √ |
668,590 |
||
| Housing | Dungannon Acquisitions Phase 2 | √ |
848,348 |
||
| Housing | Dungannon Acquisitions Phase 3 | √ |
321,586 |
||
| Housing | Dungannon Acquisitions Phase 4 | √ |
757,366 |
||
| Housing | Armagh Acquisitions | √ |
164,137 |
||
| Housing | Cookstown Acquisitions | √ |
392,610 |
||
| Housing | Omagh Acquisitions | √ |
79,942 |
||
| Housing | 20 Arosa Parade, Belfast (Part DPF) | √ |
25,509 |
||
| Housing | Westbank 17A | √ |
444,217 |
||
| Housing | Westbank 17B | √ |
548,569 |
||
| Housing | Dungannon Coalisland Acquistion | √ |
539,084 |
||
| Housing | Acquisitions 17D | √ |
620,991 |
||
| Housing | Carrickvale Manor, Lisburn Part DPF | √ |
185,212 |
||
| Housing | Old Bleach Green, Banbridge | √ |
713,380 |
||
| Housing | Woodbrook Park Phase 2 | √ |
732,536 |
||
| Housing | Sherman Court, Derry | √ |
1,700,505 |
||
| Housing | Curzon Cinema Site | √ |
4,284,493 |
||
| Housing | Woodbrook Phase 1, Lisburn | √ |
700,608 |
||
| Housing | Annaghbeg Park South | √ |
139,310 |
||
| Housing | Diamond Court, Dungannon | √ |
361,434 |
||
| Housing | Millview Manor Phase 3 | √ |
375,186 |
||
| Housing | Lisnaree, Dungannon | √ |
261,206 |
||
| Housing | Milestone, Dungannon | √ |
396,474 |
||
| Housing | Gortin Park | √ |
298,522 |
||
| Housing | Ballygawley Road | √ |
342,056 |
||
| Housing | Lurgaboy Lane | √ |
517,437 |
||
| Housing | The Square, Clough | √ |
500,205 |
||
| Housing | Clonard Gardens, Belfast | √ |
1,102,965 |
||
| Housing | Camden Street, Belfast | √ |
902,312 |
||
| Housing | Dunanney Avenue, Rathcoole | √ |
2,531,214 |
||
| Housing | 1-3 Jubilee Court Jubilee Road, Dromore | √ |
212,137 |
||
| Housing | Bartley's Wood | √ |
986,094 |
||
| Housing | Peggy's Loaning, Banbridge | √ |
4,861,183 |
||
| Housing | Chequer Hill Phase 2 | √ |
397,539 |
||
| Housing | Swilly Park, Portstewart | √ |
2,246,136 |
||
| Housing | Dungannon Coalisland Purchases | √ |
794,845 |
||
| Housing | Millview Manor, Phase 2, Coalisland | √ |
1,854,878 |
||
| Housing | Lurgaboy Lane, Dungannon | √ |
898,458 |
||
| Housing | Springtown, Derry | √ |
1,960,836 |
||
| Housing | Ashdene, Dungannon | √ |
835,168 |
||
| Housing | Knocknagreena, Warrenpoint | √ |
1,117,492 |
||
| Housing | Henderson Avenue, Belfast | √ |
312,032 |
||
| Housing | Oakfield Court, Tempo Road, Enniskillen | √ |
787,671 |
||
| Housing | Millvale Close, Annaclone | √ |
523,537 |
||
| Housing | Aghagay Meadows, Newtownbutler (OTS) | √ |
295,561 |
||
| Housing | Gilpins Mews, Old Portadown Road, Lurgan | √ |
321,201 |
||
| Housing | Greenhall Highway, Coleraine | √ |
1,907,025 |
||
| Housing | Chapel View, Bellaghy | √ |
193,015 |
||
| Housing | Chapel View, Bellaghy Phase 2 | √ |
191,636 |
||
| Housing | Churchfields, Rasharkin | √ |
224,066 |
||
| Housing | 28-32A Maloon Manor | √ |
333,119 |
||
| CommunityDevelopment | Ballylaw Regeneration Group | √ |
43,784 |
||
Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Social Development for a breakdown of how the money claimed by the Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership in each of the last five years has been allocated to the various programmes outlined in its Action Plan; and which statutory agencies were responsible for these programmes.
(AQW 288/11)
Minister for Social Development: The information, based on the value of projects approved each year, is as follows:
Financial Year 2005/2006
Project |
DSD Funding |
Statutory Agency |
NR Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral Road Playground Development | 11,085.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Physical Renewal |
| Drumarg Community House Running Costs | 4,027.00 |
Community led | Community Renewal |
| Neighbourhood Partnership Technical Assistance/Resource Support | 63,011.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Technical Assistance |
| O'Fiaich Community Centre - Security Measures | 8,366.00 |
Community led | Physical Renewal |
| Drumarg Multisports Groundwork NI | 53,459.44 |
Armagh City & District Council | Physical Renewal |
| Callanbridge Multisports Groundwork NI | 70,603.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Physical Renewal |
| Mullacreevie Multisports Groundwork NI | 42,184.74 |
Armagh City & District Council | Physical Renewal |
| Drumarg Community House Refurbishment | 39,000.00 |
Northern Ireland Housing Executive | Community Renewal |
| Mullacreevie Community Premises Development | 13,880.28 |
Community led | Physical Renewal |
| Neighbourhood Partnership Building the Capacity (Tech Assistance (2) | 6,100.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Technical Assistance |
| Cathedral Road First Floor Refurbishment | 75,366.30 |
Armagh City & District Council | Community Renewal |
| Neighbourhood Partnership Building the Capacity (Tech Assistance 2) | 5,000.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Technical Assistance |
| Drumarg Community House Running Costs 2 | 6,413.31 |
Community led | Community Renewal |
Financial Year 2006/2007
| Project | DSD Funding Awarded | Statutory Agency | NR Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount St Catherine’s Out of Schools Club | 20,715.00 |
Southern Education & Library Board | Social Renewal |
| Development of Drumbreda Play Facility | 80,000.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Community Renewal |
| Neighbourhood Partnership Technical Assistance Resource Support | 12,079.05 |
Armagh City & District Council | Community Renewal |
Financial Year 2007/2008
| Project | DSD Funding | Statutory Agency | NR Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regeneration of NR Estates / DRD Vol 2 | £220,444.00 |
DRD | Physical Renewal |
| Sports Support Programme | £58,321.20 |
Armagh City & District Council | Community Renewal |
| Drumarg Community House Running Costs 2 | £8,118.43 |
Armagh City & District Council | Community Renewal |
| Sustaining & Building Community Confidence | £158,000.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Community Renewal |
| Armagh / Dungannon / Coalisland - Health & Wellbeing Programme | £120,784.80 |
Social Renewal | |
| Neighbourhood Partnership Technical Assistance 3 | £74,722.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Technical Assistance |
| Armagh FE College - Social renewal Education Programme | £99,602.00 |
Southern Regional College | Social Renewal |
| SELB - Social Renewal Education Programme | £130,036.00 |
Southern Education & Library Board | Social Renewal |
| Culdee, Drumarg and Callanbridge - fencing and walls | £22,600.00 |
NIHE | Physical Renewal |
Financial Year 2008/2009
| Minor Works, Callanbridge Community House and Cuildee Flats | £29,189.50 |
NIHE | Physical Renewal |
| Support to Community Houses | £38,400.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Community Renewal |
| Social Renewal Education Programme | £266,000.00 |
Southern Education & Library Board | Social Renewal |
| NIHE Physical Renewal Programme | £80,258.10 |
NIHE | Physical Renewal |
| Cathedral Road upgrade of playing Field | £175,000.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Physical Renewal |
| Neighbourhood Partnership Technical Assistance/Resource Support | £10,111.89 |
Armagh City & District Council | Technical Assistance |
Financial Year 2009/10
| Project | DSD Funding | Statutory Agency | NR Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Education and Library Board – Schools Equipment | £192,754.22 |
Southern Education & Library Board | Social Renewal |
| Neighbourhood Partnership Technical Assistance ( 4 ) | £43,100.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Physical Renewal |
| Community House Running Costs ( 2 ) | £24,000.00 |
Armagh City & District Council | Community Renewal |
| Mullacreevie Community Facility Refurbishment | £59,769.00 |
NIHE | Community Renewal |
Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the results of the education programmes funded by his Department, through the Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership; and for his assessment of their effectiveness.
(AQW 289/11)
Minister for Social Development: A formal evaluation of the Neighbourhood Renewal funded education programmes in Armagh is not due to be undertaken until after the current academic year ends in June 2011. However quarterly monitoring information provided by the Southern Education and Library Board indicates that the programmes are achieving the targets which were set for them.
Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Social Development (i) which Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Action Plan programme provided for the purchase of interactive white boards for local schools; (ii) the total cost of these white boards; and (iii) at which Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership meeting this was agreed.
(AQW 290/11)
Minister for Social Development: The interactive whiteboards were provided as part of an Armagh education capital programme which cost £192,259.22 and was approved by the Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Board at its meeting on 10 February 2010.
Contracted Projects
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the number of projects to which his Department is currently contracted; (ii) the total expected financial commitment for each of these projects; (iii) the location of each of these projects; and (iv) the money spent to date on each of these projects.
(AQW 292/11)
Minister for Social Development: The table below details the urban regeneration committed projects. There are 790 projects across Northern Ireland with contracts in place, requiring £52.5m of funding and £101.6m has been spent to date on these projects.
Table: Urban Regeneration committed projects
| Location | Total Spend to Date (£) |
Future Committed Spend (£) |
Total Expected Financial Commitment (£) |
No. of Projects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim | 150,283.96 |
127,843.54 |
278,127.50 |
4 |
| Armagh | 1,063,922.73 |
406,182.36 |
1,470,105.09 |
15 |
| Ballycastle | 112,699.76 |
26,553.34 |
139,253.10 |
2 |
| Ballyclare | 356,450.38 |
18,840.20 |
375,290.58 |
3 |
| Ballygawley | 118,297.24 |
5,000.00 |
123,297.24 |
1 |
| Ballymena | 1,709,721.00 |
1,089,416.57 |
2,799,137.57 |
30 |
| Ballymoney | 236,059.26 |
77,932.74 |
313,992.00 |
3 |
| Ballynahinch | 0.00 |
50,000.00 |
50,000.00 |
1 |
| Banbridge | 50,700.38 |
132,608.42 |
183,308.80 |
2 |
| Bangor | 609,007.77 |
170,998.21 |
780,005.98 |
13 |
| Belfast | 45,421,657.36 |
32,881,931.61 |
78,303,588.97 |
392 |
| Bellanaleck | 715,420.88 |
31,000.00 |
746,420.88 |
1 |
| Bessbrook | 12,801.41 |
0.00 |
12,801.41 |
1 |
| Blackwatertown | 647,070.05 |
8,459.30 |
655,529.35 |
1 |
| Broughshane | 260,192.00 |
265,958.00 |
526,150.00 |
1 |
| Caledon | 107,837.61 |
0.00 |
107,837.61 |
1 |
| Carrickfergus | 122,139.99 |
79,996.01 |
202,136.00 |
2 |
| Castlereagh | 68,774.58 |
96,284.42 |
165,059.00 |
1 |
| Coalisland | 237,102.02 |
9,916.66 |
247,018.68 |
6 |
| Coleraine | 3,504,612.94 |
1,078,533.42 |
4,583,146.36 |
17 |
| Cookstown | 65,601.62 |
91,842.28 |
157,443.90 |
2 |
| Craigavon | 4,132,198.82 |
995,561.15 |
5,127,759.97 |
28 |
| Devenish | 135,636.67 |
56,351.61 |
191,988.28 |
6 |
| Down | 77,026.24 |
107,836.76 |
184,863.00 |
2 |
| Downpatrick | 2,134,310.06 |
1,912,167.94 |
4,046,478.00 |
9 |
| Dungannon | 670,080.04 |
2,303,956.64 |
2,974,036.68 |
16 |
| Dunmurry | 452,052.25 |
163,268.99 |
615,321.24 |
3 |
| Enniskillen | 174,996.85 |
30,823.00 |
205,819.85 |
3 |
| Fermanagh | 209,421.06 |
130,925.67 |
340,346.73 |
4 |
| Fintona | 91,426.45 |
24,382.93 |
115,809.38 |
1 |
| Holywood | 91,004.16 |
36,405.84 |
127,410.00 |
1 |
| Kilkeel | 838,461.24 |
505,660.76 |
1,344,122.00 |
2 |
| Larne | 296,070.15 |
148,321.60 |
444,391.75 |
7 |
| Limavady | 499,294.50 |
219,486.59 |
718,781.09 |
9 |
| Lisburn | 1,898,856.45 |
776,209.16 |
2,675,065.61 |
21 |
| Londonderry | 15,844,065.97 |
3,459,732.51 |
19,303,798.48 |
83 |
| Lurgan | 2,849,426.64 |
206,108.68 |
3,055,535.32 |
8 |
| Magherafelt | 419,860.56 |
144,720.35 |
564,580.91 |
3 |
| Newcastle | 3,473,022.72 |
0.00 |
3,473,022.72 |
1 |
| Newry | 2,020,640.83 |
1,620,521.46 |
3,641,162.29 |
19 |
| Newtownabbey | 251,881.78 |
252,106.16 |
503,987.94 |
7 |
| Newtownards | 734,507.16 |
739,857.84 |
1,474,365.00 |
7 |
| Newtownhamilton | 132,377.40 |
3,000.00 |
135,377.40 |
1 |
| North Down | 120,319.58 |
94,247.42 |
214,567.00 |
2 |
| Omagh | 430,773.54 |
480,260.29 |
911,033.83 |
16 |
| Pomeroy | 684,775.50 |
7,188.87 |
691,964.37 |
1 |
| Portadown | 4,348,239.50 |
758,935.36 |
5,107,174.86 |
8 |
| Portrush | 151,523.82 |
0.00 |
151,523.82 |
1 |
| Randalstown | 77,003.75 |
30,805.25 |
107,809.00 |
1 |
| Sion Mills | 919,551.51 |
9,425.00 |
928,976.51 |
1 |
| Sixmilecross | 542,879.38 |
2,000.00 |
544,879.38 |
1 |
| Strabane | 594,054.46 |
448,666.13 |
1,042,720.59 |
15 |
| Various | 761,790.62 |
183,786.17 |
945,576.79 |
4 |
Total |
101,627,882.60 | 52,502,017.21 | 154,129,899.81 | 790 |
Notes:
- The figures above include revenue and capital commitments. Spend to date is to August 2010.
- The Department has a revenue funded baseline of £48m per annum (subject to efficiencies) to cover future regeneration requirements.
Housing Executive Improvement Schemes
Mr G Campbell asked the Minister for Social Development when he expects work to commence on the Housing Executive improvement schemes, including kitchen schemes, in Ballygallin Park and Loughanhill Park, Coleraine,
(AQW 294/11)
Minister for Social Development: The kitchen replacement scheme for Ballygallin Park is included in Phase 2 of the Ballysally Kitchen Replacement Scheme. It includes 127 dwellings and is programmed for the next financial year, with an estimated start date of January 2012, subject to finance. The kitchen replacement scheme in Loughanhill Park is included in Phase 1 of the Ballysally Kitchen Replacement Scheme and is programmed to start in January 2011.
Winter Fuel Payments
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development how much money has been ring-fenced for winter fuel payments in 2010/11; and how this figure compares to the uptake of winter fuel payments in 2009/10.
(AQW 297/11)
Minister for Social Development: The Department’s Main Estimate provision for the 2010/11 financial year includes an amount of £68.9m for Winter Fuel Payments. The Department will review and revise this figure throughout the year depending on demand via the estimate process.
This amount is not ring-fenced but forms part of the Department’s overall estimate for social security benefit expenditure, or Annually Managed Expenditure, that is available for the 2010/11 financial year.
The expenditure on Winter Fuel Payments for the 2009/10 financial year was £68.8m.
Flats at West Green, Holywood
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the flats at West Green, Holywood.
(AQW 306/11)
Minister for Social Development: In June I announced plans to invest £6 million for the redevelopment of West Green. The flats and adjacent properties will be demolished to make way for a more sustainable mix of new accommodation. Services are currently being disconnected from the flats in preparation for demolition in January. There are still four tenants and one owner occupier in the adjacent properties and demolition here will commence immediately vacant possession has been achieved.
General Employment/Pay and Conditions
Ms D Purvis asked the Minister for Social Development whether there are any circumstances in which his Department would derogate from the rules on General Employment/Pay and Conditions set out in the NI Civil Service Staff Handbook.
(AQW 315/11)
Minister for Social Development: There has been one part of the Department (formerly the Child Support Agency) that has sought under its delegations to derogate from the Staff Handbook to change terms and conditions to meet specific business needs. Such changes were required to be approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP). The Department has also used discretion when the particular circumstances of some individual staff cases are not covered by the provisions of the Staff Handbook.
Welfare and Social Security Reform
Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development what discussions his Department has had with the new Westminster Government in relation to welfare and social security reform.
(AQW 326/11)
Minister for Social Development: Following the recent announcement by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions of a number of proposals for welfare reform, I met with Lord Freud, the Welfare Reform Minister on 19 July and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Ian Duncan Smith, on 2 September. Although the detail of the proposals is yet to be finalised I raised my concerns about how they will impact on the most vulnerable in society, and particularly, those living in Northern Ireland.
I am currently working with my Department and experts outside the Department to identify measures to ease the impact of welfare cut backs and shall robustly continue to make Northern Ireland’s case to the London Government.
I intend to continue my dialogue with Lord Freud during the development of any proposals on welfare reform to ensure that account is taken of the unique circumstances of the most vulnerable in Northern Ireland. I have a further meeting with Lord Freud on 27 September.
Egan Contracts
Ms J McCann asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the Egan contracts to which the Housing Executive is currently contracted; (ii) the duration of these contracts; (iii) the cost of each contract; and (iv) the function of each contract.
(AQW 330/11)
Minister for Social Development: The table attached details the works and services which the Housing Executive is currently contracted for under ‘Egan’ contracts.
Housing Executive ‘Egan’ Contracts
| Scheme Title | Duration | Estimated Cost | Function of Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Heating | 5 years from 01.06.01 with provision for ext. to max of 11 | Est £10 M per annum | Implementation of Decent Homes Standard. Heating Replacement and Maintenance and including Heating Adaptations. 3 contracts let to cover the Province Expires 31.05.12 |
| Response Maintenance Repairs | Previously let for up to 5 years. Currently 4 years from 01.09.10 to expire 31.08.14 subsequent phases will be for 4 years from date of possession | Total £ 40 millions per annum | The provision of an all trades Response Maintenance Service. The first contract was let in 2001 and followed by the appointment of one contractor per District in 2003 and 2004. A new procurement has been completed in respect of nine District offices (four contracts) and 12 are due for retender next week. The remainder will be published in the Official Journal early in October |
| Revenue Replacement / External Cyclical Maintenance Framework | 4 years with possible 1 year extension from 28.01.08 to 27.01.12/ 13 | Est £36 M per annum | Implementation of Decent Homes Standard. 1 contractor appointed to each Housing Executive Area to undertake all Revenue Replacement (Kitchens/Bathrooms) and External Cyclical Maintenance work within that area and for which funding is available. |
| Tree Management Services | 4 years from 01.10.08 to 30.09.12 | Est £1.4 M per annum | Statutory Duty One contractor appointed per Area to undertake tree management works and services. |
| Rathcoole Multi Storey Framework | 4 years from 22.04.09 to 21.04.13 | Up to approx £10 Millions for the 4 blocks | Implementation of Decent Homes Standard. Single Member Framework. Phase 1 let and subsequent phases will be let if finance becomes available during the 4 years |
| Grounds Maintenance | 5 + 2 years from 01.11.04 to 31.10.11 | Est £8 Mper annum | Statutory Duty Eight contracts let |
| Vertical Lifts for Disabled | 5 + 2 years from 15.09.03 to 14.09.10 | £750 K to £900K per annum | One Contractor for Province Tenders currently being assessed following retender for 4 year period |
| Stair Lifts for Disabled | 5 years from 01.12.05 to 30.11.10 | £500k per annum | 1 Contractor for Province. Currently in process of retender |
| Void Property Maintenance | 4 years from 01.04.06 to 31.03.10 | £600 K per annum approx. | 1 Contractor for Province. Revised documentation almost complete.OJEU prepared for publication week commencing 20.09.10 |
| Adaptations (Major Works) Framework | 4 years from 25.08.10 to 24.08.14 | Est. £20 M | 1 contractor appointed to each Area to undertake required works during the 4 year period |
| Warm Homes Scheme | 3 years from 01.07.09 to 30.06.12 with 1 + 1 year extension to 30.06.14 | Est £20 M per annum | Relieve Fuel Poverty Two Scheme Managers appointed to undertake the provision of heating and insulation where the owners/occupiers meet the Statutory Requirements |
Neighbourhood Renewal Funding
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development whether Neighbourhood Renewal funding will continue after March 2011.
(AQW 357/11)
Minister for Social Development: It is my intention to continue funding the NR programme after 2011 and my Budget 2011-15 bid demonstrates a continuing increased commitment. As the flagship programme of the Executive to tackle disadvantage, the programme is essential and critical at a time of recession, with potentially fewer public sector jobs and in order to maintain stability. In addressing poverty and disadvantage Executive colleagues should work collaboratively both with government and with the community. The absence of this carries the risk of a fragmented, partial and unsuccessful approach.
Unfunded Commitments
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the current unfunded commitments within his Department.
(AQW 358/11)
Minister for Social Development: The Department has placed a bid of £0.9m in the September monitoring round to cover contractual commitments that are deemed unfunded commitments. If the September bid is not successful, the commitment will be reconsidered as part of the December monitoring round proposals.
The Department has capital requirements for year on year normal baseline capital projects that extend into the new budget period. The position on capital funding for the years 2011-2015 is of course still to be agreed by the Executive.
Egan Contracts
Ms J McCann asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the cost incurred by the Housing Executive following the extension of any Egan contracts in each of the last five years.
(AQW 365/11)
Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive confirms that no additional costs were incurred by the extension of any Egan Contracts.
Translation of Departmental Papers
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister for Social Development how much his Department spent on the translation of departmental papers into (i) Irish; and (ii) Ulster Scots in (a) 2007/08; (b) 2008/09; and (c) 2009/10.
(AQW 383/11)
Minister for Social Development: My Department has not incurred any expenditure on translating departmental papers into either Irish or Ulster Scots in the period requested.
Contracts Awarded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for Adaptations
Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development if people employed under contracts awarded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for adaptations are protected under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 and the Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, meaning that their employment, including the rights accrued through that employment, will transfer to the new contract holder.
(AQW 443/11)
Minister for Social Development: The letting and award of any contract by the Housing Executive is undertaken by it in accordance relevant procurement law. Once a contract has been awarded by the Housing Executive, the relationship between it and its contractor is largely governed by the terms and conditions of the contract existing between them.
Where such an award results in a change from one contractor to another both the incoming and outgoing contractor must comply with any legal obligations imposed on them and in particular the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 ("the TUPE Regulations") and the Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations.
The determination as to whether TUPE is to apply is entirely a matter between the two contractors involved and if it cannot be resolved by agreement between them, is then a matter for determination by a Tribunal on application by the affected employees. It is not a matter in which the Housing Executive could or should become involved other than to provide the relevant historical information relating to the work carried out under the old contract.