Friday 14 January 2011

Written Answers to Questions

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Agriculture and Rural Development
Education
Environment
Finance and Personnel
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Justice
Regional Development
Social Development
Assembly Commission

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Draft Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill

Mr T Elliott asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister if they will make public the amended version of the draft Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill that has been developed following the consultation process.

(AQW 2222/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): We announced our intention to amend the draft Bill following consultation. Following analysis of the consultation responses we have not decided to proceed at this time.

Savings Programme for North-South Bodies

Mr S Gardiner asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether any savings programme has been developed with the Government of the Irish Republic for North-South bodies.

(AQW 2457/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The need to maximise efficiency in all public bodies is particularly important in the current economic climate. The 2010 Business Plans for each of the North South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland Ltd have been approved at relevant NSMC meetings and include minimum 3% cash releasing efficiency savings.

Work is underway to finalise the 2011-2013 Corporate Plans and 2011 Business Plans and budgets for each of the Bodies. These will include further minimum cash releasing efficiency savings of 3% in 2011 cumulating to 9% over the period 2012 and 2013.

In addition, the two Finance Ministers are taking forward bilateral discussions on the scope for efficiencies.

Barosso Taskforce Report

Mrs D Kelly asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Barosso Taskforce report.

(AQW 2966/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Task Force’s 2008 stocktake of our European engagement offered suggestions on how we might participate more fully in the European Union and its initiatives. On receipt of the report, the Executive agreed a number of high level priorities and key actions and targets. The OFMDFM Committee was consulted on this at the time.

The key priorities were to:

• raise our positive profile throughout Europe;
• access EU funding;
• raise awareness of and encourage participation in European matters;
• promote our interests within the European Union; and
• share our experience with Europe and beyond.

Important work has been done in all these areas and we plan to publish a statement of ‘European Achievements’ demonstrating progress against these priorities.

We recently opened the Executive’s new office in Brussels with President Barroso. We used our visit to engage politically at the highest levels, including with the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek and the Chair of the Parliament’s Regional Development Committee, Danuta Hübner, as well as Commissioners Geoghegan-Quinn and Hahn.

As an indication of his renewed commitment, President Barroso announced the Task Force would continue and will visit NI early this year. This will allow officials to consider synergies between our European policy priorities and those of the Commission, especially in relation to the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Our European Working Group, chaired by Junior Ministers, will determine how we can capitalise on this expertise to create fresh opportunities for the region.

Threatened Closure of the Coastguard Headquarters in Bangor

Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what representations their Department has made, or intends to make, to the UK Government in relation to the threatened closure of the coastguard headquarters in Bangor.

(AQW 2994/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: We are very concerned about the potential closure of the only coastguard rescue centre here, the Belfast Rescue Centre, based in Bangor, and the impact on the safety of people on our coast and at sea and any associated job losses. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has launched a consultation exercise and this will run until 24 March 2011. After this, the responses received will be analysed and reviewed and a final proposal submitted to the Department for Transport. Once this process is complete, the Agency will publish its final proposals.

Whilst coastguard services are a reserved matter, we will respond to the Coastguard Modernisation Consultation. This will be our opportunity to provide information about local factors that will influence decisions by the Department for Transport.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Back Office or Administrative Functions

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has identified any back office or administrative functions that could be pooled with counterpart Departments in Scotland and Wales so that savings could be made; and whether she has discussed this with the relevant Ministers in those regions.

(AQW 2508/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): My department has already transferred out a range of back office functions, including Human Resources, Finance, IT and Training. These are now delivered through a mixture of third party providers and some in-house resource which are managed and delivered as shared services for all NI Departments.  DFP’s Enterprise Shared Services has overall responsibility for this work programme with the objective of improving value for money of common back office functions. 

My Department has no other common administrative functions that could be pooled with counterparts in Scotland and Wales and therefore I have not discussed this with the relevant Ministers.

I can assure you that I remain open to any further pooling of back office functions, should that be possible in the future. Similarly if there were to be opportunities to pool back office resources with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on a North South basis, I would be open to pursuing such an issue. My Department continues to work closely with colleagues in the south on many issues of mutual benefit.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Measured Term Contracts for School Maintenance

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the savings made by the Belfast Education and Library Board following its decision to introduce measured term contracts for school maintenance; and (ii) to compare its spending on school maintenance before and after the introduction of these contracts.

(AQW 2294/11)

Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): (i) Thug an Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann le fios don Roinn go ndearnadh ceacht samplach luach ar airgead.

I understand that the Belfast Education and Library Board has carried out a sample value for money exercise. This exercise covered a total of 200 orders raised between 1 November 2006 and 21 April 2008. Based on this exercise the Board concluded that managed term contracts produced savings (of up to 28%) compared to the previous form of maintenance procurement (dayworks).

The amount spent by the Education and Library Boards on maintenance in any year is based on identified need and the level of resources available; it is not dependent on or connected to the delivery methodology.

(ii) The Belfast Education and Library Board has informed the Department that it has not increased its compliment of staff in order to process and supervise the measured term contracts for school maintenance. It has reported there has been a net reduction in staffing levels with cost savings in the region of £45,000per annum.

The Belfast Education and Library Board has six Measured Term Contracts (MTCs) in place using the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) measured term contract. The JCT Form of Contract allows the contractor to sub-contract or sub-let any order or part of an order under a domestic arrangement with the consent of the board under clause 3.2. The Board has reported that under this clause contractors have sub contracted orders or parts of orders to contractors who have carried out school maintenance work for the board prior to 2007 in their particular areas of work.

Measured Term Contracts for School Maintenance

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of Education how many, if any, additional staff the Belfast Education and Library Board has employed to process and supervise the measured term contracts for school maintenance.

(AQW 2296/11)

Minister of Education: Thug an Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann le fios don Roinn go ndearnadh ceacht samplach luach ar airgead.

I understand that the Belfast Education and Library Board has carried out a sample value for money exercise. This exercise covered a total of 200 orders raised between 1 November 2006 and 21 April 2008. Based on this exercise the Board concluded that managed term contracts produced savings (of up to 28%) compared to the previous form of maintenance procurement (dayworks).

The amount spent by the Education and Library Boards on maintenance in any year is based on identified need and the level of resources available; it is not dependent on or connected to the delivery methodology.

The Belfast Education and Library Board has informed the Department that it has not increased its compliment of staff in order to process and supervise the measured term contracts for school maintenance. It has reported there has been a net reduction in staffing levels with cost savings in the region of £45,000per annum.

The Belfast Education and Library Board has six Measured Term Contracts (MTCs) in place using the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) measured term contract. The JCT Form of Contract allows the contractor to sub-contract or sub-let any order or part of an order under a domestic arrangement with the consent of the board under clause 3.2. The Board has reported that under this clause contractors have sub contracted orders or parts of orders to contractors who have carried out school maintenance work for the board prior to 2007 in their particular areas of work.

Measured Term Contracts for School Maintenance

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of Education whether the companies awarded the measured term contracts for school maintenance in the Belfast Education and Library Board area have sub-contracted any of these contracts; and if so, whether any of the sub-contractors had carried out school maintenance work in the Belfast Education and Library Broad area prior to 2007.

(AQW 2297/11)

Minister of Education: Thug an Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann le fios don Roinn go ndearnadh ceacht samplach luach ar airgead.

I understand that the Belfast Education and Library Board has carried out a sample value for money exercise. This exercise covered a total of 200 orders raised between 1 November 2006 and 21 April 2008. Based on this exercise the Board concluded that managed term contracts produced savings (of up to 28%) compared to the previous form of maintenance procurement (dayworks).

The amount spent by the Education and Library Boards on maintenance in any year is based on identified need and the level of resources available; it is not dependent on or connected to the delivery methodology.

The Belfast Education and Library Board has informed the Department that it has not increased its compliment of staff in order to process and supervise the measured term contracts for school maintenance. It has reported there has been a net reduction in staffing levels with cost savings in the region of £45,000per annum.

The Belfast Education and Library Board has six Measured Term Contracts (MTCs) in place using the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) measured term contract. The JCT Form of Contract allows the contractor to sub-contract or sub-let any order or part of an order under a domestic arrangement with the consent of the board under clause 3.2. The Board has reported that under this clause contractors have sub contracted orders or parts of orders to contractors who have carried out school maintenance work for the board prior to 2007 in their particular areas of work.

Grammar Schools Visits

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail the (i) controlled grammar schools; and (ii) voluntary grammar schools, broken down by (a) denominational; and (b) non-denominational schools, she has visited since May 2007.

(AQW 2489/11)

Minister of Education: Cuimsíonn an tábla thíos liosta de na scoileanna gramadaí rialaithe agus deonacha, idir scoileanna sainchreidmheacha agus scoileanna neamh-shainchreidmheacha, ar thug mé cuairt orthu ó mhí Bealtaine 2007.

The table below contains a list of controlled and voluntary grammar schools, broken down by denomination and non-denominational I have visited since May 2007.

I also met with

BMF Business Services

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Education how much her Department, and its arms-length bodies, have spent on BMF Business Services since May 2007.

(AQW 2724/11)

Minister of Education: Seo a leanas na méideanna a chaith mo Roinn, na Boird agus na Forais ar Sheirbhísí Gnó BMF ó mhí Bealtaine 2007:

My Department, and its arms-length bodies, have spent the following amounts on BMF Business Services since May 2007:

The following arms-length bodies reported a nil return:

The Staff Commission for Education & Library Boards, the Youth Council and the Exceptional Circumstances Body.

Oversubscribed Schools

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the (i) nursery schools; (ii) primary schools; and (iii) post-primary schools that were oversubscribed for the 2010/11 academic year in the East Antrim area.

(AQW 2837/11)

Minister of Education: Léiríonn eolas a thug Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Oirthuaiscirt gur seo a leanas (i) na naíscoileanna (lena n-áirítear bunscoileanna le haonaid naíscolaíochta), (ii) na bunscoileanna agus (iii) na hiarbhunscoileanna i gceantar Aontroim Thoir a raibh ró-shuibscríobh orthu don bhliain acadúil 2010/11:

Information provided by the North Eastern Education and Library Board show that the (i) nursery schools (including primary schools with nursery units), (ii) primary schools and (iii) post-primary schools that were oversubscribed for the 2010/11 academic year in the East Antrim area are as follows:

(i) Nursery Schools (including primary schools with nursery units)

Monkstown Nursery School

St Anthony's Nursery School

Moyle Primary School

Whitehead Primary School

Linn Primary School

Victoria Primary School

Silverstream Primary School

Oakfield Primary School

St James' Primary School

Corran Integrated Primary School

Acorn Integrated Primary School

(ii) Primary Schools

Carrickfergus Model Primary School

Olderfleet Primary School

Eden Primary School

Greenisland Primary School

Whiteabbey Primary School

Whitehead Primary School

Linn Primary School

Toreagh Primary School

Oakfield Primary School

Cairncastle Primary School

Carnlough Controlled Integrated Primary

Acorn Integrated Primary School

(iii) Post-Primary Schools

Downshire School

Ulidia Integrated College

Carrickfergus Grammar School

Larne Grammar School

Belfast High School

Male Teachers

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education, to provide in tabular format (i) the number of (a) full-time; and (b) part-time male teachers who are employed in primary schools, excluding principals who do not teach, broken down by sector, in each of the last ten years; and (ii) to detail the percentage of primary school teachers that these figures represent.

(AQW 2840/11)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sna táblaí thíos.

The information is contained in the tables below.

NUMBER OF MALE TEACHERS IN PRIMARY 1,2,3 SCHOOLS BY FULL-TIME/PART-TIME WORKING AND MANAGEMENT TYPE: 2001/02 - 2009/10

Source: Teacher Payroll and Pensions Administration System

Source: Teacher Payroll and Pensions Administration System

Source: Teacher Payroll and Pensions Administration System

Source: Teacher Payroll and Pensions Administration System

Source: Teacher Payroll and Pensions Administration System

Source: Teacher Payroll and Pensions Administration System

Source: Teacher Payroll and Pensions Administration System

Source: Teacher Payroll and Pensions Administration System

Source: Teacher Payroll and Pensions Administration System

Notes to tables :

1. Individual teacher data is only available for primary schools from 2001/02 onwards.
2. Does not include preparatory departments of grammar schools.
3. Data includes both teaching and non-teaching principals.
4. Includes teachers in nursery classes.
5. Teachers employed at more than one school are counted at the school at which they work the majority of their time.
6. The teacher numbers are based on a reference week in the autumn term.
7. The following types of teacher are included:
   • full-time (FT) permanent teachers;
   • part-time (PT) permanent teachers;
   • temporary teachers filling vacant posts, secondments or career breaks.
8. The following teachers are excluded:
   • substitute teachers covering illness or other short-term absences;
   • peripatetic teachers.
9. Prior to 2003/04, the figures for nursery, primary, secondary (non-grammar) and special schools were extracted from the computerised teachers’ payroll system, whilst the figures for grammar schools were obtained from an aggregate statistical return completed by the schools. Now, every grant-aided school is sent a list of teachers derived from the computerised teachers’ payroll system, and asked to mark any amendments. This checking process was introduced from 2003/04 for nursery, primary, secondary (non-grammar) and special schools. The net effect of this change in 2003/04 was that the number of teachers as verified by schools was some 400 lower than the number of teachers extracted from the payroll system, because, for example, substitute teachers had been incorrectly recorded.
10. Prior to 2003/04 it was assumed that temporary teachers worked full-time hours.
11. In 2009/10, data on gender and date of birth of teaching staff were validated by schools.

The information provided includes all principals as it is not possible to identify from the data if a principal is a teaching or non-teaching principal.

Information is only available from 2001/02 onwards on an individual teacher level which allows analysis by gender.

Free School Meals

Mr W Humphrey asked the Minister of Education to detail the number and percentage of Year 7 pupils resident in each Neighbourhood Renewal area who were in receipt of free school meals in (i) 2005/06; (ii) 2006/07; (iii) 2007/08; (iv) 2008/09; and (v) 2009/10.

(AQW 2851/11)

Minister of Education: Tugtar eolas ar theidlíocht saorbhéilí scoile sna táblaí thíos. Ní féidir eolas a thabhairt don bhliain 2005/06 as siocair gur bailíodh eolas ar bhunscoileanna ag leibhéal comhiomlánaithe scoile roimh 2006/07.

Information on free school meals entitlement is provided in the tables below. It is not possible to provide data for 2005/06 as, prior to 2006/07, data for primary schools were collected at aggregated school level.

Year 7 pupils entitled to free school meals (FSME) broken down by Neighbourhood Renewal area (NRA) of residence, 2006/07

Year 7 pupils entitled to free school meals (FSME) broken down by Neighbourhood Renewal area (NRA) of residence, 2007/08

Year 7 pupils entitled to free school meals (FSME) broken down by Neighbourhood Renewal area (NRA) of residence, 2008/09

Year 7 pupils entitled to free school meals (FSME) broken down by Neighbourhood Renewal area (NRA) of residence, 2009/10

Source: School Census

‘*’ denotes fewer than 5 pupils.

Note:

1. Figures relate to number and percentage of Year 7 children, where their residence is located within the NRAs listed.

School Maintenance in Upper Bann

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Education for a breakdown of the spending on maintenance in each school in Upper Bann, in each of the last three years; and to detail the current maintenance backlog, including the estimated costs for each school.

(AQW 2938/11)

Minister of Education: Mionsonraítear sna táblaí thíos miondealú ar an chaiteachas ar chothabháil i ngach scoil i dtoghcheantar na Banna Uachtaraí. Níl fáil éasca ar fhigiúirí do scoileanna deonacha gramadaí ná do scoileanna imeasctha faoi chothabháil stáit.

The breakdown of the spend on maintenance in each school in Upper Bann is detailed in the tables below. Figures for voluntary grammar and grant maintained integrated schools are not readily available.

MAINTENANCE SPEND: SCHOOLS' ESTATE - UPPER BANN IN LAST 3 YEARS

BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURE FOR LAST THREE YEARS BY SCHOOL

MAINTENANCE BACKLOG

TOTAL £22,549,215.95

New Builds for St Patrick's Secondary School, Banbridge and St Michael's Grammar School, Lurgan

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Education for an update on the new builds for (i) St Patrick's Secondary School, Banbridge; and (ii) St Michael's Grammar School, Lurgan.

(AQW 2949/11)

Minister of Education: (i) Socraíodh san Athbhreithniú Caipitil a tharla ar na mallaibh nach raibh an Tionscadal a bhain le Coláiste Pádraig iomlán comhlíontach. Socraíodh go raibh tuilleadh measúnuithe de dhíth maidir le scóip an tionscadail mar gheall ar athbhreithniú an iarbhunoideachais a rinne an Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE) agus mar gheall ar cheisteanna faoi líon íseal na ndaltaí a fhanann sa scoil i ndiaidh aoise 16 bliain.

(i) The project for St Patrick’s College was deemed partially compliant in the recent Capital Review because the scope of the project needed to be considered in the wider context of the Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE) review of Post-primary education and because of concerns regarding the consistently low post-16 enrolments.

Initial discussions on the capital review have taken place between DE and CCMS. However, further discussion will be necessary around the proposals which will emerge from the NICCE review and their impact on the St Patrick’s capital scheme.

Given the uncertain budget position for future financial years, I cannot at this time provide a timeframe for work to commence on any new build projects, including the potential project for St Patrick’s College.

(ii) I am aware that the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools is reviewing post-primary provision in the Lurgan area and is consulting with the local community on a number of options to address future need. Currently there are no plans with my Department for a new build for St Michael’s Grammar School.

Little Flower Girls' School, Belfast

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of Education if there are any plans to fund a replacement boiler for the Little Flower Girls' School, Belfast, given that one boiler is out of commission.

(AQW 2988/11)

Minister of Education: Tuigfidh tú nach féidir an buiséad caipitil a leithdháiltear le haghaidh scéimeanna mionoibreacha sa bhliain airgeadais seo gach scéim a bhaineann leis an Chlár um Mhionoibreacha a mhaoiniú.

You will be aware that the capital budget allocated for minor works schemes this financial year will not be able to fund all of the schemes on the Minor Works Programme. Therefore, only those schemes which meet the Department’s inescapable statutory requirements such as Health and Safety, Fire Protection and statutory obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act have been considered.

As funding for this financial year has been fully committed, this scheme along with other urgent priority schemes will be considered for funding in the 2011/12 financial year. I will continue to press for additional funds to address the historic underinvestment in our schools’ estate.

Moderate Learning Difficulties Units

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of moderate learning difficulties units in primary schools in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2995/11)

Minister of Education: Tá tugtha le fios dom ag Príomhfheidhmeannaigh na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlann go bhfuil aonaid bhunscoile le haghaidh daltaí a bhfuil deacrachtaí measartha foghlama acu ag Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann Bhéal Feirste agus ag Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Oirdheiscirt amháin agus sonraítear méid na scoileanna sin sa tábla thíos:

I have been advised by the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards that only the Belfast Education and Library Board and South Eastern Education and Library Board have moderate learning difficulty units in primary schools and the numbers of those are contained in the table below.

* These figures include some schools with more than one unit.

The other 3 Boards have learning support centres which cover a range of special educational needs including pupils with moderate learning difficulties, but also include other special educational needs such as severe learning difficulties, speech and language difficulties, autistic spectrum disorder, or a combination of these difficulties. As such these figures are not comparable with the table above, but are included in the table below for your information.

* The SELB has in excess of 31 learning support classes attached to these schools.

Religious Background of Teachers and Classroom Assistants

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Education to provide a breakdown of the religious background of (i) teachers; and (ii) classroom assistants in each sector, broken down by Education and Library Board area.

(AQW 3036/11)

Minister of Education: Ón tráth ar bunaíodh reachtaíocht um chóir fhostaíochta sa bhliain 1976, bhí fostaíocht na múinteoirí saor ón chosaint a thugtar in aghaidh idirdhealaithe ar fhoras chreidimh. Mar gheall air seo, níl an t-eolas a iarradh, ar chúlra chreideamh na múinteoirí, ar fáil.

Since the inception of fair employment legislation in 1976, the recruitment of teachers has been exempt from protection against discrimination on the grounds of religious belief. The requested information on the religious background of teachers is therefore not available.

The Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards have provided a breakdown of the religious background of classroom assistants and this is outlined below:

Classroom Assistants

Please note that these tables do not include classroom assistants working in the Voluntary Grammar/Grant Maintained Integrated sectors.

Stage 3 Special Educational Needs

Mr P Girvan asked the Minister of Education how many children in post-primary mainstream education, in each of the last five academic years, were assessed as having Stage 3 Special Educational Needs, broken down by Education and Library Board area.

(AQW 3039/11)

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

The information requested is contained in the table below.

Post primary pupils recorded at Stage 3 of the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice, by Education and Library Board, 2006/07 – 2010/11

Source: School census

Note:

1. Figures exclude pupils in special schools and special units in mainstream schools.

Literacy Teaching and Support Service

Mr P Girvan asked the Minister of Education, in (i) each of the last five academic years; and (ii) the 2010/11 academic year to date, how many children in post-primary mainstream education were withdrawn from class to receive additional literacy teaching by the Literacy Teaching and Support Service, as a result of having Stage 3 Special Educational Needs, broken down by Education and Library Board area.

(AQW 3040/11)

Minister of Education: Tá tugtha le fios dom ag Príomhfheidhmeannaigh na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlann gur tugadh teagasc breise litearthachta do dhaltaí. Seo a leanas na figiúirí a bhaineann le gach bliain le cúig bhliana anuas agus gach ceantar ELB maidir le líon na ndaltaí a fuair an teagasc breise sin.

I am advised by the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards that the following number of pupils received additional literacy teaching in each of the last five academic years in each ELB area:

¹ The Chief Executive of the SEELB has confirmed that the table contains the number of pupils in the SEELB area receiving additional teaching in relation to SpLD. However, this additional teaching provision does not necessarily involve each child being physically withdrawn from class.

Belfast Education and Library Board (BELB)

The Board uses a time allocation of specialist teaching support from St Gerard’s Educational Resource Centre and Park School Outreach Learning Support to target literacy difficulties. Following assessment schools prioritise the children in greatest need to receive the service and identify in liaison with the service the best model of service delivery. Priority is given to those children who have statements of special educational needs and, while much support is delivered by the children being withdrawn from class, some children may be assessed as benefiting more from in-class support.

North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB)

At Stage 3 of the Code of Practice on the identification and Assessment of Special Educational Need the NEELB Literacy Teaching Support Service (LTSS) usually provides advice and support to post primary schools to enable teachers to develop and manage effective literacy interventions with pupils who are identified with severe literacy difficulties and/or dyslexia. This form of intervention does not involve the withdrawal of a pupil from a class by an LTSS teacher.

Since September 2010 pupils in post primary schools may be withdrawn for LTSS direct teaching where:

a pupil has been identified by an educational psychologist and referred to the LTSS in Year 7 but has not received direct teaching on transfer to post primary school. In these circumstances he or she is given one term of direct teaching, followed by two terms of advice and support to the school. The direct teaching takes the form of withdrawing the pupil from class for one session per week. This is an enhancement of the service previously provided.

Southern Education and Library Board (SELB)

Within the SELB’s Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) Service the focus of intervention at post-primary level relates to meeting the needs of pupils by promoting capacity building at school-based level. This involves enhancement of teaching skills in relation to specific literacy difficulty and less emphasis on direct teaching.

The reduction in numbers of pupils receiving direct teaching in post-primary schools in the SELB area is reflective of the decrease in referrals to the SpLD service from post-primary schools.

Western Education and Library Board (WELB)

As the focus of the work of the WELB Learning Support Service is to support pupils at Stage 3 of the Code of Practice, with literacy difficulties in Years 4 – Year 7 in an effort to address their identified literacy needs at the earliest possible stage, the WELB does not currently withdraw pupils from class in post primary settings for individual support. The WELB however, offers advisory support and training to school staff to assist them in meeting the special educational needs of these pupils.

South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB)

The SEELB delivers additional teaching in relation to SpLD at Stage 3 of the Code of Practice to a number of post-primary pupils. I understand from the Chief Executive of the SEELB that although a proportion of these children will be withdrawn from class in order to receive additional teaching, the Board is not able to detail the number of such pupils.

Literacy Teaching and Support Service

Mr P Girvan asked the Minister of Education (i) why the Literacy Teaching and Support Service has been withdrawn from pupils in post-primary mainstream education; and (ii) for her assessment on the impact this reduction in service provision will have on pupils' current and future educational needs.

(AQW 3041/11)

Minister of Education: Tá tugtha le fios dom ag Príomhfheidhmeannaigh Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann Bhéal Feirste, Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Deiscirt, Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Iarthair agus Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Oirdheiscirt nár baineadh Seirbhísí Tacaíochta le haghaidh Teagasc Litearthachta d’ iarbhunscoileanna an ghnáthoideachais.

I am advised by the Chief Executives of the Belfast Education and Library Board, Southern Education and Library Board, Western Education and Library Board and South Eastern Education and Library Board, that the Literacy Teaching Support Services have not been withdrawn in post-primary schools in mainstream education.

The Chief Executive of the North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) has advised that Literacy Teaching and Support Service (LTSS) in the NEELB is providing an enhanced service to the post primary sector. At Stage 3 of the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs the NEELB Literacy Teaching Support Service usually provides advice and support to post primary schools to enable teachers to develop and manage effective literacy interventions with pupils who are identified with severe literacy difficulties and/or dyslexia. This form of intervention does not involve the withdrawal of a pupil from a class by an LTSS teacher.

Since September 2010 however, pupils in post primary schools may be withdrawn for LTSS direct teaching if a pupil has been identified by an educational psychologist and referred to the LTSS in Year 7 but has not received direct teaching on transfer to post primary school. In these circumstances he or she is given one term of direct teaching, followed by two terms of advice and support to the school. The direct teaching takes the form of withdrawing the pupil from class for one session per week. This is an enhancement of the service previously provided.

As provision of literacy support services has not been reduced there is no consequential impact on pupils’ educational needs.

Vacant School Buildings

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education South to detail each of the vacant school buildings in the South Eastern Education and Library Board area.

(AQW 3053/11)

Minister of Education: Maidir leis an eastát scoile agus scoileanna rialaithe, is leis an SEELB na foirgnimh seo a leanas a bhí in úsáid mar scoileanna agus atá folamh go fóill.

Within the controlled schools estate, still in the ownership of SEELB, the following former school buildings are currently vacant:

Ravarnette PS, Legacurrry Road, Ravarnette

Charley Memorial PS, 141 Ballyskeagh Road, Drumbeg

Drumbo PS, 4 Back Road, Drumbo

Hillhall PS, 33 Orr’s Lane, Lisburn

Hilden IPS, 4 Bridge Street, Hilden

Kindle IPS, 83 Commons Road, Ballykinlar

Lisnasharragh HS, Stirling Avenue, Belfast

Newtownbreda PS, School Road, Newtownbreda

Lambeg PS, 6 Tullynacross Road, Lisburn

Ballinderry PS, 1A Crumlin Road, Lower Ballinderry

Brookfield Special School, 6 Halfpenny Gate Road, Moira

Newport PS, 117 Culcavey Road, Hillsborough

Killard House Special School, North Road, Newtownards

Drumaghlis PS, 7 Drumaghlis Road, Crossgar – a non-catholic maintained school – title still held by DE

Former catholic maintained schools in the South Eastern Board area which have closed over the last number of years are:

Guiness PS, Ballynahinch

St Aidan’s HS, Glenavy

St Mary’s PS, Ballygowan

Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus, Omagh

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Education how much has been spent on the development of the Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus, Omagh, in each of the last two financial years.

(AQW 3129/11)

Minister of Education: Seo a leanas an méid sin airgid a caitheadh ar fhorbairt an Chomhchampas Oideachais Lisanelly, ar an Ómaigh, ón bhliain airgeadais 2008/09:

The spend on the development of the Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus, Omagh, since the 2008/09 financial year is as follows;

Eligibility for Transport Assistance

Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister of Education whether it is possible to extend the eligibility for transport assistance to include pupils with dyslexia attending non grant-aided schools, who do not have a statement of Special Educational Needs, but require additional specialist support.

(AQW 3146/11)

Minister of Education: Cuireann an disléicse isteach ar pháistí ar bhealaí difriúla. Bíonn réimse deacrachtaí i gceist a chuimsíonn fadhbanna leis an léamh, leis an scríobh, leis an litriú nó le huimhreacha agus ciallaíonn seo go mbíonn freagra difriúil i gceist i ngach cás, maidir leis an tacaíocht bhreise a thugtar.

Dyslexia affects children differently. They may have a range of difficulties from mild to severe in reading, writing, spelling or manipulating numbers and therefore each case requires a different response in terms of the need for additional support. It is only in severe cases where children can become very frustrated and have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, that separate transport would be considered necessary. This would currently be reflected in their statement. I therefore do not consider a change in policy is required.

Nursery School Places

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education how many nursery school places were available in the North Down area in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3153/11)

Minister of Education: Sonraítear sa tábla thíos méid na n-áiteanna reachtúla naíscoile atá ar fáil i dtoghcheantar an Dúin Thuaidh.

The statutory nursery school places available in North Down are as detailed in the attached table. The number of applications detailed includes those in respect of children in their final pre-school year (who are the target of the provision) and those in their penultimate pre-school year.

Nursery School Places

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education how many applications were received for nursery school places in the North Down area in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3154/11)

Minister of Education: Sonraítear sa tábla thíos méid na n-áiteanna reachtúla naíscoile atá ar fáil i dtoghcheantar an Dúin Thuaidh.

The statutory nursery school places available in North Down are as detailed in the attached table. The number of applications detailed includes those in respect of children in their final pre-school year (who are the target of the provision) and those in their penultimate pre-school year.

Free School Meal Uptake

Mr P Weir asked e Minister of Education to detail the current level of free school meal uptake among primary school children in each primary school, in the North Down constituency.

(AQW 3159/11)

Minister of Education: Athraíonn líon na ndaltaí a mbíonn béilí scoile acu ar bhonn seachtainiúil.

Ach tugann an t-eolas atá bailithe ag an Móraireamh um Béilí Scoile pictiúr dúinn faoi líon na ndaltaí a mbíonn béilí scoile acu ar an lá a dhéantar an Móraireamh. Seo a leanas na figiúirí ón Mhóraireamh 2009 a bhaineann le daltaí bunscoile ó thoghcheantar an Dún Thuaidh agus is iad na figiúirí is déanaí atá ar fáil.

The number of children taking school meals varies from week to week. However, information collected annually from the School Meals Census provides a snapshot of the numbers taking meals on the day on which census information is gathered. The most recent figures available, for primary school pupils in the North Down constituency, taken from the 2009 census, were as follows:

Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Education for an update on the new build project for the Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt.

(AQW 3161/11)

Minister of Education: Cuireadh san áireamh le Clár Caipitil na Roinne 2004 mórthionscadal caipitil le haghaidh Rainey Endowed School. Soláthar airgid ón PPP a bhí i gceist leis an tionscadal seo a fhorbairt ach níor fíoraíodh an tionscadal seo ar chúiseanna eacnamaíochta agus ceapadh é mar thionscadal “coinbhinsiúnach” i mí Mheán Fómhair 2009.

A major capital project for Rainey Endowed School was included in the Department’s 2004 Capital Programme. It was to be taken forward under PPP procurement but this did not materialise for economic reasons and the project was re-designated as “conventional” in September 2009.

Following the recent review of capital projects Rainey Endowed was deemed to be fully compliant, however, planning of the project has not yet commenced.

In accordance with the Guide to Expenditure Appraisal and Evaluation, the Economic Appraisal (EA) for Rainey Endowed School must be updated before project implementation could potentially begin. The EA will therefore, be updated by DE officials early in 2011. In the interim the Project Manager will continue to prepare procurement documentation for the appointment of a Design Team.

As you are aware, the severe constraints on the capital budget are also impacting on the rate at which we can take forward the school building programme.

Primary School Children in the Process of being Statemented

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education how many primary school children are currently in the process of being statemented in the South Eastern Education and Library Board area.

(AQW 3207/11)

Minister of Education: Tá tugtha le fios dom ag Príomhfheidhmeannach Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Oirdheiscirt go bhfuil 19 dalta ag an chéim atá molta le measúnú ráitis a dhéanamh agus tá 45 dalta eile a bhfuil measúnú reachtúil á dhéanamh orthu faoi láthair.

I am advised by the Chief Executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board that there are 19 pupils at the proposed statement stage whilst a further 45 pupils are currently undergoing statutory assessment.

Moderate Learning Difficulties

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education, for each of the last three years, to detail the number of primary school children who have been statemented as having moderate learning difficulties, in the South Eastern Education and Library Board area, who do not attend moderate learning difficulties units.

(AQW 3210/11)

Minister of Education: Tá tugtha le fios dom ag Príomhfheidhmeannach Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Oirdheiscirt na sonraí seo a leanas:

I have been advised by the Chief Executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board that the numbers are as follows:

2007/08 - 19 pupils

2008/09 - 24 pupils

2009/10 - 25 pupils

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Brooke Park Masterplan

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the car park requirements of the Brooke Park Masterplan and whether it is necessary for the proposed car park to be located at the boundary of the leisure centre at the Brooke Park site in Derry.

(AQW 3008/11)

Minister of the Environment (Mr E Poots): My Department is not responsible for policy and legislation in relation to recreational facilities provided by district councils and has no knowledge or information concerning Derry City Council’s proposed Masterplan for Brooke Park. You may wish to contact the Council directly regarding this matter.

Proposed Plastic Bag Tax

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment for her assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Plastic Bag Tax on small and medium sized convenience stores.

(AQW 3188/11)

Minister of the Environment: I am considering the most appropriate mechanism for implementing a levy to cover single use bags. However, as a levy would require retailers to charge for single use bags, the potential impacts are likely to be associated with the need for:

(i) tills to be programmed to itemise a levy;

(ii) staff awareness training on the operation of a levy;

(iii) record keeping in relation to carrier bags purchased for accounting and audit purposes.

Areas of Townscape Character, Belfast

Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister of the Environment what impact the sole objection to Areas of Townscape Character in Belfast is having on planning policy decisions in areas designated as potential Areas of Townscape Character.

(AQW 3225/11)

Minister of the Environment: There are 53 proposed Areas of Townscape Character (ATC) contained within the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) all of which are the subject of objection. 26 of these proposed ATCs are the subject of one objection only. Given that these ATCs are proposed within a draft plan which remains to be finalised and have been the subject of public objection heard before a Public Inquiry, my Department is unable to apply prevailing regional planning policy for ATCs which is currently set out in an Addendum to PPS 6: Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage published in August 2005.

However notwithstanding this, I would point out the proposed designation of any ATC in a development plan is also accompanied by a Direction Order which introduces control over the demolition of unlisted buildings in these areas. Importantly, various appeal decisions have held that under PPS 7: Quality Residential Environments, the demolition of a building(s) within a draft ATC is a material consideration in the determination of a planning application for residential development if it is judged that the proposal, when balanced against the existing building(s), would result in unacceptable damage or harm to an area’s townscape character or appearance. Such control therefore assists in protecting proposed ATCs from damaging demolition of existing property.

In addition, I would point out that urban design issues together with the quality of new development are important material considerations in the determination of any planning application, but particularly in areas of distinctive townscape character such as draft ATCs. Policy advice on these matters is set out in paragraphs 15-22 of PPS 1: General Principles.

Finally, under the provisions of the Joint Ministerial Statement (Jan 2005) my Department may also consider the issue of prematurity for development schemes in a proposed ATC, where it is considered that these would prejudice the outcome of the plan process.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Rates Rebates

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the number of rates rebates valued at £10,000 or more that have been awarded in each of the last 10 years; (i) the individual value of each specific award and the sum total of all awards; (iii) who they were awarded to; and (iv) whether the individuals receiving the rebates were commercial businesses or private individuals, broken down by district council area.

(AQW 2967/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr S Wilson): The question has been clarified as referring to refunds issued on rates overpaid. Such refunds can arise for a number of reasons, including:

• A ratepayer moves from a property during the year, having paid the year’s rates as a lump sum at the beginning of the year;
• The ratepayer becomes eligible for benefits or reliefs that reduce the rates owed, after the rates have been paid by the ratepayer; and
• The valuation of a property is reduced, leading to a recalculation of a rate bill.

Land & Property Services (LPS) has reviewed the records that it holds, and has also considered the provisions of the Data Protection Act, in providing the information below.

LPS is able to provide details of refund amounts relating to specific occupancies from 01 April 2009. A summary of the number of properties in receipt of refunds greater than £10,000 and the total value of these refunds is provided in the table below:

LPS’ systems are not structured to provide information on individual refunds paid prior to 01 April 2009.

LPS cannot provide detail of individual ratepayers to whom refunds have been paid as disclosure of the names of individuals would be in contravention of the Data Protection Act 1998. The listing of the value of each individual refund paid out would be of little value. The table above shows the minimum, maximum and average values for refunds paid out against specific properties.

The following table provides the value of refunds against properties greater than £10,000 by sector for each District Council:

Figures may not total exactly due to roundings

Current Budget Process

Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, given the short consultation time and lack of detailed information, for his assessment as to whether the current budget process meets basic standards of good practice, in providing Assembly Members and the public sufficient time and information to adequately scrutinize and respond to the draft Budget 2011-15.

(AQW 3375/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Departments were encouraged to engage with their key stakeholders in developing Budget 2010 spending proposals and should have discussed the contents of their Savings Delivery Plans with the groups that are expected to be most affected by them. A very clear directive was also given when the Budget was announced on 15 th December that details of departments budgets should be published on their respective websites within a week of the Budget announcement.

Ideally, a longer consultation period would be preferable but this eight week period was dictated by the binding time constraints confronting the Executive in seeking to produce a final budget for 2011-15 before the dissolution of the Assembly.

From my perspective, I began a pre-consultation process last summer with key stakeholders on the budget process.  This consultation is ongoing.  I am anxious to ensure that the wider budget process and the planned allocations to departments are analysed and considered as widely as possible.

As Finance Minister I can only remind those Ministers, whose departments have not provided detail, of their responsibilities to the Executive. I might also remind them of the media scrutiny that this Budget process is under and that questions have already been asked regarding the lack of information made available publicly by individual departments.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Specialist Neurological Beds at the Royal Victoria Hospital

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, to date, how many letters of concern have been received by (i) the Belfast Trust; and (ii) his Department regarding the closure of specialist neurological beds at the Royal Victoria Hospital; and how many of these were from Health Service employees.

(AQW 3183/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): My Department received 11 letters directly related to the reduction in neurology beds at the Royal Victoria Hospital. None of these were received from individuals identifying themselves as Health Service employees. Each letter has been dealt with appropriately.

I am aware that the Belfast Trust has received a number of letters and Freedom of Information requests in respect of the provision of neurology beds. For further details on the number and nature of these requests, I suggest you contact the Belfast Trust directly.

Trade Union Representatives

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many Trade Union representatives, within his Department and Arms-Length Bodies, are currently paid to carry out their Trade Union duties full time or part time; (ii) to list which Unions they represent; (iii) how much each person receives; and (iv) how much this has cost in total in each of the last five financial years.

(AQW 3184/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: (i) In my Department one full-time official Trade Union representative (Departmental Secretary) is currently paid to carry out official trade union duties. A number of local representatives also undertake Trade Union business on a part-time basis under an internal Facilities Agreement; this is also undertaken at my Department’s expense. The number of trade union representatives in my Department’s seventeen Arms-Length Bodies is dependant on the size and location of the unions’ membership and the expected workload associated with the role. Details of the number of accredited trade union representatives in the Arms-Length Bodies are not held centrally and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

(ii) NIPSA; British Dietetic Association; British Orthoptic Society; Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; Royal College of Midwives; Royal College of Nursing; Society of Radiographers; Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians; UNISON; British Medical Association; British Dental Association; UNITE; General Municipal & Boilermakers Union; Transport & General Worker’s Union; The Society of Chiropodists; The Association of Clinical Biochemists; and The Fire Brigade Union.

(iii) The current full-time trade union official in my Department is EO1 Grade. The current EO1 salary range is £21,826 - £26,086; I am unable to disclose the actual salary in payment as this would be in breach of the Data Protection Act. Trade union representatives in my Department’s seventeen Arms-Length Bodies receive their normal rate of pay while undertaking accredited trade union activities.

(iv) Data Protection legislation prevents me from disclosing the actual salary for the one full-time trade union official in my Department. Costs associated with local representative trade union activity in my Department are not available. Details on the level of spending in the last five years by my Department’s seventeen Arms-Length Bodies for accredited trade union representation is not held centrally and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

Marriage Support Services

Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what funding he has allocated to organisations providing marriage support services in each of the last three years; and what funding he plans to allocate in the future.

(AQW 3195/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In the last three years my Department has awarded core funding for central administrative costs to two organisations that provide marriage support services as detailed below.

It will not be possible to confirm what, if any funding these organisations will receive in 2011/12 until I have been able to confirm my Department’s budget.

In addition to the funding identified above, I have, through my Departments family and parenting strategy – Families Matter, made available £210k Children and Young Peoples funding recurrently to the Health and Social Care Board for family mediation services, that support couples through the separation process.

Attempted Suicide

Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the procedures in place when a person presents at hospital (i) after an attempted suicide; and (ii) with evidence of self-harm; and what further support is offered after these patients are discharged.

(AQW 3222/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: When someone presents in hospital after an attempted suicide or having self harmed they are assessed and treated medically in the first instance. When they are deemed to be fit for a mental health assessment they are referred - either for an urgent assessment that day, or for low risk patients, or those unwilling to wait for a mental health assessment, given a next day mental health appointment through the "Card before you leave" scheme.

Post assessment patients are offered services according to their assessed needs.

For those with a mental illness services available include; mental health in patient treatment; home treatment; day hospital; community mental health social work or nursing services; psychology; psychological therapies; and / or treatment by their GP. They may also be referred to or provided with information about specialist services contracted by Trusts from Independent Sector providers.

Those deemed to have an addiction problem are offered referral to Addictions Services.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Convictions and Fixed Penalties for Speeding

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Justice to detail the number of convictions and fixed penalties for speeding, in each of the last five years, as a result of (i) fixed cameras; and (ii) hand-held speed cameras by PSNI officers.

(AQW 2517/11)

Minister of Justice (Mr D Ford): Table 1 below gives the number convicted at court for speeding offences by parliamentary constituency. Court conviction data do not contain background information in relation to offences committed and it is therefore not possible to determine the method by which the offence was detected.

Data cover the calendar years 2002 to 2006 (the latest year for which figures are currently available) and are collated on the principal offence rule; only the most serious offence for which an offender is convicted is included.

Table 2 gives the number of detections for excess speed by the Northern Ireland Safety Camera Scheme in each of the financial years 2005/06 to 2009/10, while Table 3 gives the number of officer issued fixed penalty tickets for excess speed broken down by police District Command Unit for the same period. Fixed penalty information is not collated on the basis of parliamentary constituency.

PSNI currently have 83 hand held radar speed measuring devices and 199 LASER devices, 6 of which are currently being used in the safety camera vans. Only those 6 which are currently being used in safety camera vehicles are linked to video recording equipment.

Table 1: Number of convictions for speeding offences by parliamentary constituency 1, 2002-2006

1. Based on the parliamentary constituency in which the offender’s address falls.

2. Missing data refer to those offenders for whom parliamentary constituency information is not available.

Source: Department of Justice

Table 2: Number of Detections for Excess Speed by the Northern Ireland Safety Camera Scheme, 2005/06-2009/10

Notes:

These figures reflect initial detections by the safety cameras rather than the eventual numbers of Conditional Offers issued and include some offences that are subsequently cancelled or that turn to prosecution.

The figures for motorists detected by the average speed cameras (SPECS) are included with the figures for Mobile detections.

Source: PSNI

Table 3: Number of officer issued fixed penalty tickets by District Command Unit 1 2005/06-2009/10

1. Based on the District Command Unit in which the offence was detected.

Source: PSNI

Convictions and Fixed Penalties for Speeding

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Justice to detail, for each of the last five years and broken down by constituency (i) the number of convictions and fixed penalties for speeding as a result of hand-held speed cameras by PSNI officers; and (ii) the number of hand-held speed cameras deployed to PSNI officers.

(AQW 2518/11)

Minister of Justice: Table 1 below gives the number convicted at court for speeding offences by parliamentary constituency. Court conviction data do not contain background information in relation to offences committed and it is therefore not possible to determine the method by which the offence was detected.

Data cover the calendar years 2002 to 2006 (the latest year for which figures are currently available) and are collated on the principal offence rule; only the most serious offence for which an offender is convicted is included.

Table 2 gives the number of detections for excess speed by the Northern Ireland Safety Camera Scheme in each of the financial years 2005/06 to 2009/10, while Table 3 gives the number of officer issued fixed penalty tickets for excess speed broken down by police District Command Unit for the same period. Fixed penalty information is not collated on the basis of parliamentary constituency.

PSNI currently have 83 hand held radar speed measuring devices and 199 LASER devices, 6 of which are currently being used in the safety camera vans. Only those 6 which are currently being used in safety camera vehicles are linked to video recording equipment.

Table 1: Number of convictions for speeding offences by parliamentary constituency 1, 2002-2006

1. Based on the parliamentary constituency in which the offender’s address falls.

2. Missing data refer to those offenders for whom parliamentary constituency information is not available.

Source: Department of Justice

Table 2: Number of Detections for Excess Speed by the Northern Ireland Safety Camera Scheme, 2005/06-2009/10

Notes:

These figures reflect initial detections by the safety cameras rather than the eventual numbers of Conditional Offers issued and include some offences that are subsequently cancelled or that turn to prosecution.

The figures for motorists detected by the average speed cameras (SPECS) are included with the figures for Mobile detections.

Source: PSNI

Table 3: Number of officer issued fixed penalty tickets by District Command Unit 1 2005/06-2009/10

1. Based on the District Command Unit in which the offence was detected.

Source: PSNI

Court Service Case Number 10/111192

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, pursuant to AQW 2236/11, how the estimated figure of £10,000 for defence legal aid was reached in view of the composite fee system.

(AQW 2773/11)

Minister of Justice: The legal aid bill in respect of case number 10/111192 has not yet been submitted to the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission to be assessed. Estimated legal aid costs were derived from court records, the relevant remuneration arrangements and the Legal Service Commission’s experience. The estimated costs reflect the following:

a). the cost of providing legal advice and assistance at the police station;

b). the costs associated with this case at the Magistrates Court which are governed by the Magistrates’ Court and County Court Appeals (Criminal Legal Aid) (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009. These rules prescribe a set fee for attendance at a preliminary hearing and, where relevant, payment for travel time and mileage.

c). the costs of the Crown Court case which are prescribed by the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2005. These Rules provide a standard fee system which includes a Basic Trial Fee for Crown Court work. Where the matter is contested, the fee applied takes account of the class of offence, which in this instance was one of theft.  The Rules also provide for other court attendances as appropriate to the case and also includes an element of travel and mileage, as appropriate, for both solicitor and counsel.

The estimated costs provided in the table below are inclusive of VAT and allow for costs which may have been incurred which are not visible from the court records including potential disbursements.

Estimated Costs:

I will provide the actual figures to the Member once they are available.

DEPARTMENT FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Upper Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus

Mr D Hilditch asked e Minister for Regional Development why, given its treacherous condition, the Upper Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus was not closed during the recent adverse weather conditions.

(AQW 2742/11)

Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): I can advise the Member that, in such severe circumstances, it is the PSNI which usually closes roads for public safety reasons.

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the PSNI attended the Upper Woodburn Road, on 1 December 2010, to rescue two members of the public from their vehicle and transport them to an awaiting ambulance. The decision to allow the road to remain open was a matter for the PSNI.

Adoption of Public Areas

Mr J Craig asked the Minister for Regional Development, for each of the last five years, to detail how many requests his Department has received regarding the adoption of public areas for which noone takes responsibility, broken down by local council area; and of these, how many requests have been (i) approved; or (ii) not approved.

(AQW 3221/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that details of the number of requests it has received for the adoption of public areas for which no-one takes responsibility, broken down by local council area, is shown in the table below. The table includes details of how many of these requests have either been approved, or not approved.

Independent Review Team

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) how many members of the Independent Review Team met with the Chair of NI Water's Audit Committee prior to their appointment; (ii) to detail the nature of any meetings; (iii) whether members declared these meeting prior to their appointment; and (iv) what consideration was given to any potential conflict of interest in the appointment of members of the Independent Review Team.

(AQW 3227/11)

Minister for Regional Development: (i)-(iii) No members of the Independent Review Team (IRT) met with the Chair of NI Water’s Audit Committee prior to their appointment. (iv) As regards any potential conflict of interest in the appointment of members of the IRT, I refer to the answers I gave to AQW 255/11 and AQW 876/11 on 28 September and 18 October 2010 respectively.

Chairperson of NI Water's Audit Committee

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) to clarify what was meant by the term 'different attitude' which was applied to the Chairperson of NI Water's Audit Committee as a reason for not dismissing him; (ii) which members of the Independent Review Team were involved in coming to this 'different attitude' conclusion; and (iii) how this conclusion was communicated to the Minister.

(AQW 3228/11)

Minister for Regional Development: I did not apply the term ‘different attitude’ to the Chairperson of NI Water’s Audit Committee as a reason for not dismissing him from the Board of NI Water. In my letter to him I noted that the Independent Review Team report praised the work he had done to sharpen the NIW Audit Committee’s focus since he took on responsibility as its Chairperson.

Chairperson of NI Water's Audit Committee

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the purpose of any meetings, correspondence and telephone calls that the Chairperson of NI Water's Audit Committee had during the last 12 months with (i) the Minister; (ii) the Permanent Secretary; (iii) Deputy Permanent Secretaries; and (iv) members of the Independent Review Team, outside of the interview process.

(AQW 3229/11)

Minister for Regional Development: In response to points (i) and (ii) no meetings, correspondence or telephone calls took place outside of the Independent Review Team (IRT) interview process. On point (iii) I have been advised that one of DRD’s Deputy Secretaries wrote to NI Water’s Audit Committee Chairperson on 28 January 2010 about NIAO access to NI Water’s Internal Audit Reports completed by Ernst and Young. The Deputy Secretary also attended a Biannual meeting with him on 19 April to take an update on the company’s ongoing internal audit and assurance issues. On 17 June the Deputy Secretary also had a telephone conversation with him with the purpose of determining whether he would be interested in being considered for the NI Water interim Chair position. On point (iv) I have been advised that none of the IRT members had any meetings, correspondence or telephone calls with the Chairperson of NI Water’s Audit Committee outside of the IRT interview process.

Chairperson of NI Water's Audit Committee

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development on what date the Chairperson of NI Water's Audit Committee was made aware that he was not going to be dismissed; and who advised him of this decision.

(AQW 3230/11)

Minister for Regional Development: I wrote to the Chair of NI Water’s Audit Committee on 3 rd March 2010 to inform him that in consideration of the full evidence given to me I was content for him to continue as a Non-Executive Member of the NI Water Board.

Water Shortage Crisis

Ms M Ritchie asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what compensation will be made available to households which were without water during the recent water shortage crisis.

(AQW 3243/11)

Minister for Regional Development: There is no specific statutory provision under which compensation may be paid to customers for interruption of their water supply under the Water and Sewerage Services Order 2006.

Article 91 of the Order places a domestic water supply duty on Northern Ireland Water (NIW) and if a person sustains loss or damage as a result of any breach of this duty they are entitled to take legal action against NIW (under Article 93). However, during the recent freeze / thaw incident I gave a general direction to NIW under Article 295 of the Order to enable it to do what was necessary to mitigate the effects of the emergency. This allowed NIW to interrupt supplies to tens of thousands of customers in order to deal with the civil emergency. The need to deal with the emergency overrides the supply and other duties.

DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Housing Executive Homes in the Colin Area of West Belfast

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development (i) how many Housing Executive homes in the Colin area of West Belfast reported problems with their heating systems during the recent cold weather snap, broken down by type of heating system; (ii) to outline the Housing Executive's policy on the repair and maintenance of heating systems; and (iii) how many of these homes were left without heating for (a) more than seven days; and (b) less than seven days, and the reasons for the delays.

(AQW 2903/11)

Minister for Social Development (Mr A Attwood): It is not possible to provide the information in the format requested for the Colin area only. In relation to (i) in the Housing Executive’s Lisburn Dairyfarm District Office area there were 130 reports of problems with heating systems between 29 November and 9 December 2010. Of these, 112 related to gas systems, 14 to oil and four to solid fuel room heaters.

In relation to (ii) the Housing Executive’s policy for maintaining heating systems is to carry out a planned service of all central heating systems in their dwellings. Services are carried out by the relevant heating contractor on an annual basis to room heaters and gas systems and biennially to oil systems, all in accordance with a programme agreed with the Energy Services Unit. Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 there is a mandatory duty for landlords to carry out an annual safety check to all gas heated properties. There is no such requirement for oil and solid fuel systems but, as a responsible landlord, the Housing Executive has been servicing these appliances. Under response maintenance the Housing Executive’s policy makes provision for maintaining the complete central heating system following installation and/or a planned annual service. Any response maintenance work to room heater, oil or gas central heating systems is carried out by the relevant heating contractor. Priorities have been set up for orders issued to the heating contractors depending on the nature of the repairs. As soon as the Housing Executive is made aware of a break down of a heating system tenants are offered immediate access to temporary heating.

In relation to (iii) of the above 130 heating problems reported to the Housing Executive, 84 were without their normal heating source and a further 46 still had their main source of heating operational. No tenants however were without their normal source of heat for more than seven days.  The main reasons for any delay in fixing heating problems were because contractors initially could not carry out repairs until pipes had thawed as well as having to wait for replacement boilers and parts.

Vandalism to Housing Executive Owned Homes

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development how many (i) non-tenants; and (ii) tenants in each district office area have been prosecuted for vandalism to Housing Executive owned homes in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2991/11)

Minister for Social Development: The information is not available in the format requested as the Housing Executive does not collate information regarding prosecutions. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive co-operates fully with the Police Service NI in the pursuit of those responsible for acts of vandalism/criminal damage to its properties, whether the individuals involved are Housing Executive tenants or not.  However it is ultimately for the Police Service NI and Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland to determine the appropriate legal sanctions to be taken against those individuals committing such acts.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

Hansard Bound Volume

Mr T Clarke asked the Assembly Commission, pursuant to AQW 2640/11, how much it has cost to publish bound volumes of Hansard in each year since 1998.

(AQW 3093/11)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr S Neeson): Bound volumes are provided for under Standing Order 80 and represent the major archive of the business of the Assembly. Each volume contains the definitive versions of the Official Reports of plenary sittings, formal clause-by-clause Committee Stages of Bills, Written Answers to Questions and written ministerial statements.

The information you requested regarding historical costs is as follows:

The cost of producing volumes depends on a number of factors, not least the size of each volume, the number of copies printed and the printing process itself. It is worth noting that we have sought to reduce the number of copies printed and, in 2009, changes in printing methodology and contractual arrangements have allowed the Assembly to substantially reduce the cost of bound volume production.

As I informed you in my response dated 14 December 2010 to your previous question (AQW 2640) regarding bound volumes, the Office of the Official Report (Hansard) had an objective in its business plan for this year to review archiving arrangements, notably in respect of Bound Volumes, and recommendations from that review are about to go to the Speaker.

Without going into detail in advance of a decision on those recommendations, the effect of them (if accepted) would be to further reduce the cost of each Bound Volume. At all times, we seek to ensure that the Assembly maintains a balance between cost effectiveness and the need to provide and maintain a sustainable and robust archive.

As I also mentioned in my previous response, once a decision on the recommendations has been made, I would be happy to write to you again and advise you of the outcome.

I hope that the above information answers your question, but I would be happy to provide further detail should you require it.