Friday 28 January 2011

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

Review of Arms-length Bodies

Ms S Ramsey asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the review of arms-length bodies as outlined in his recent draft Budget 2011-15 statement.

(AQO 827/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): The Executive will shortly consider criteria to be applied by the Budget Review Group in reviewing arms-length bodies. This Group will bring recommendations to the Executive in due course, which will inform final decisions and lay the basis for legislation early in the term of the next Assembly.

Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

Mrs D Kelly asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister why there has not been an equality impact assessment carried out on the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.

(AQW 3476/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The public consultation on the draft Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration ended on 29 October 2010. The report on the independent analysis of the consultation responses was completed in early January and the findings will be sent to us shortly to inform our considerations.

The consultation document included details of how the Programme was screened for equality impacts and the public were given the opportunity to comment on equality impacts as part of the consultation exercise.

An Equality Impact Assessment will be completed taking account of these comments. As a Programme that will cut across many areas of responsibility, the departmental policies currently underpinning it, and any new policies or programmes leading from it, will also be subject to Equality Impact Assessment processes where appropriate.

Single Equality Bill

Mrs D Kelly asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline their proposals for bringing forward legislation on a single Equality Bill.

(AQW 3477/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: We are currently considering the options for legislative reform here. When we have made a decision we will outline our proposals.

Whilst no policy decision has been taken regarding a single Equality Bill, the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister continues to legislate in order to provide legal protection against discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity.

Chief Executive of the Strategic Investment Board

Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the cost to date of the recruitment process for the currently unfilled post of Chief Executive of the Strategic Investment Board, broken down by (i) advertising; (ii) administration; and (iii) interview process.

(AQW 3512/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The following amounts were incurred during the recruitment exercise for the chief executive post in the Strategic Investment Board (SIB).

Advertising: £41,115

Administration: £15,866

Interview process:

- Room hire £576

- Travel expenses £725

Total cost incurred to date: £58,282

Review of the Strategic Investment Board

Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 112/11, when their Department considered the findings of the review of the Strategic Investment Board; and what recommendations were made to the Executive.

(AQW 3513/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Department is currently considering the findings of the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) review. The Executive will be advised of the outcome in due course.

Strategic Investment Board

Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 207/11, what action the Strategic Investment Board has taken to minimise the impact of the reduction in the levels of capital funding available to the Executive, whilst ensuring that existing contractual commitments are protected.

(AQW 3514/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: As part of the Budget development and Investment Strategy (ISNI) process Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) and the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) conducted a thorough assessment of existing capital programmes to ensure that contractual commitments would be met.

Thereafter SIB has worked closely with DFP, individual spending departments and other public bodies to revise and update the Executive's Investment Strategy. The Investment Strategy will continue to ensure that the capital available to the Executive is used in ways that maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits to citizens.

2011 St Patrick's Day Celebrations in the USA

Mr P J Bradley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they have received an invitation to the 2011 St Patrick's Day celebrations in the USA; and if they are aware of any other members of the Executive being invited to attend.

(AQW 3521/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: These plans are still at an early stage and full details of our itinerary will not become clear until arrangements are provided by the Obama Administration.

At this stage we are not aware of any invitations being extended to other members of the Executive.

Revenue Raising Measures

Mrs M O'Neill asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what progress has been made, in consultation with Executive colleagues, in bringing forward additional revenue raising measures apart from those outlined in the draft Budget 2011-15 statement.

(AQO 826/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: In the context of the impact of the UK Spending Review announcement, additional sources of revenue are an important component in developing a Budget to enable the Executive to stimulate the economy, tackle disadvantage and protect the most vulnerable people in our society.

While recognising that the Executive has limited powers to raise revenue, work has continued since the publication of the draft Budget on identifying additional means of raising revenue and leveraging funds. This has included further development of the options outlined in the draft Budget. The Budget Review Group met again on 18 January to consider some of these issues. Work on developing the detail on potential options and discussions are continuing as part of developing the Budget.

Investment Strategy

Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 3169/11, when the new Investment Strategy will be published.

(AQW 3653/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: An Investment Strategy for 2011-21 is under development and will be published in due course following agreement with the Executive. It is not possible to confirm a date for publication for consultation at this stage.

Permanent Secretary of the Department for Regional Development

Mr P McGlone asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 3276/11, to provide detail of the process which follows on from Sir Jon Shortridge’s report, including (i) who is leading this process; (ii) what investigative processes have been established; (iii) the remit of investigations; (iv) how many meetings have taken place to date; (v) how many people have been interviewed to date; and (vi) what time-scale has been set for the completion of the process.

(AQW 3678/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The investigation commissioned by the Head of the NI Civil Service and carried out by Sir Jon Shortridge is part of an internal Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) management process as part of its disciplinary policy. The process has been conducted in accordance with NICS Human Resources procedures and guidance.

In accordance with NICS Human Resources policy and the obligations placed on employers by data protection legislation, no comment will be made until the process has been completed.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Occupation: Farmer

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the total number of people listing their occupation as farmer in each (i) constituency; and (ii) council area, in each of the last ten years, broken down by age.

(AQW 2717/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): Information on the number of people identifying themselves as farmers and partners (full-time and part-time) comes from the June Survey of Agriculture and Horticulture undertaken annually by DARD. Head count results by (i) constituency and (ii) council area for each of the last 10 years are attached as Tables 1 and 2.

Information on farmer ages is not collected in a way that allows reliable profiling at parliamentary constituency or council levels.

Table 1: Farmers by Parliamentary Constituency (2000-2009)

Note – Not all Constituency Information is available for 2000.

Table 2: Farmers by District Council (2000-2009)

European Task Force

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what discussions she has had with the European Task Force to ensure that money which was available under Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme is invested in projects in Northern Ireland and not returned to the EU.

(AQW 3383/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department remains completely engaged with the Barroso Task Force work and has secured real benefit from this engagement. For example, the Task Force has been very helpful in securing early approval of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in 2007 and our CAP Healthcheck changes in 2009.

On the subject of retaining EU funding allocated to the RDP, this issue has not arisen. Axis 3 is only one element of a broader RDP which is worth in the region of £500 million. A broader Programme enables more flexible financial management and at the end of 2010, expenditure of EU funds under the RDP exceeded the financial targets agreed with the EU at the start of the Programme. My Department continues to monitor and manage the Programme finances closely in order to optimise the contribution from the European Commission to our European Programmes.

I have recorded my concern at the slow progress of Axis 3 implementation and spend and have commissioned a review of the barriers to Axis 3 progress which I am currently considering. I am hopeful that the findings will enable adjustments to operational processes that will speed up delivery on the ground.

Electric Shock Dog Collar Training Devices

Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has any plans to introduce a ban on electric shock dog collar training devices in light of the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) Regulations in Wales.

(AQW 3404/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I have no plans at present to introduce a ban on electronic collar training devices. The Welfare of Animals Bill, which will be considered by the Assembly next month, includes the power to make subordinate regulations to secure the welfare of animals. This will provide the power to ban shock collars in future if the evidence shows that it is necessary. I am aware that DEFRA commissioned research in 2007 into the use of shock collars and they anticipate that this will be completed later this year. When the outcome of that research is available my Department will consider what subordinate legislation, if any, may be required. Any such subordinate legislation would be subject to public consultation, scrutiny by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and approval by affirmative resolution of the Assembly.

Singvac 3 year Vaccine

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action her Department has taken to encourage the availability in the near future of a vaccine similar to the Singvac 3 year vaccine.

(AQW 3433/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The old single dose ‘Singvac’ vaccine is no longer available anywhere due to restructuring in the pharmaceutical industry. It was previously available through Fort Dodge Animal Health.

Pfizer Ltd. which acquired Fort Dodge Animal Health is currently in the process of seeking an alternative product, ‘Ultravac’, a two dose vaccine which could be passed through VMD for use in the north of Ireland and Britain. We now understand that the VMD have approved the import of Ultravac into the north and Britain but there is a current difficulty obtaining supplies.

The department is regularly monitoring the situation with VMD.

Financial Allocation

Mr D McNarry asked e Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, for each of the last six financial years, and this year to date, to detail (i) the total financial allocation to her Department; (ii) the amount received or deducted through in-year monitoring; and (iii) her Department's actual spend in each year.

(AQW 3470/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The information you have requested is set out in Table 1 below. It should be noted that the figures provided include both Resource and Capital expenditure and that the actual spend figures are those as provided to DFP as part of the annual Final Outturn exercise.

The figures include DARD Core, Agencies and NDPBs.

Table 1

(i) Total financial allocation is the final approved budget from the outcome of the February Monitoring round in each year, except for 2010/11;

(ii) the financial allocation figure for 2010/11 represents the outcome of the December Monitoring Round;

(iii) amounts deducted are shown in brackets;

(iv) actual spend is as reported in Final Outturn.

Nitrates Derogation

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether the recently renewed nitrates derogation includes the poultry industry.

(AQW 3561/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I refer to my answer AQW 2712/11 which was published on Friday 17 December 2010. In that answer I explained that the EU Decision granting derogation to the north of Ireland until 31 December 2014 does not include poultry litter or poultry manure and detailed the reasons why.

Children and Young Peoples Action Plan

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what implementation strategies her Department has in place for the Children and Young Peoples Action Plan in the Limavady Borough Council Area.

(AQW 3593/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: DARD takes its Section 75 responsibilities seriously and we are working hard to ensure that children and young people in rural communities throughout the north of Ireland have a voice in shaping those public policies that impact on their lives. This Action Plan sets out our commitments.  

We developed the Action Plan in partnership with the Participation Network (PN).  This organisation, working alongside Children in NI (CiNI) work closely with all government departments to help ensure that government has the support it needs to engage fully with those organisations representing children and young people in taking forward their Section 75 equality duties.

We consulted on the draft Action Plan from November 2009 to the end of February 2010.  We issued a Press Release in December 2009 about the launch of the draft Action Plan and invited comments and offered to meet any organisation during the consultation period.  Through the Participation Network and the Children’s Commissioner’s contacts we were able to make sure that our draft Plan was made widely available to groups and organisations throughout the north and we were able to meet up with groups of rural young people to hear first hand about issues of concern to them and their views on our proposals.    

In addition, two organisations kindly assisted us with providing photographs for the final publication.   We were delighted that 9 such meetings were requested and set up with us, right across the north.  We spoke at youth events, evening discussions, and Saturday workshops and also received useful and constructive comments from 12 leading children and young people’s organisations.  The full details of who we consulted with, who we met and organisations that provided comments are available from page 32 in the Action Plan.  While it would have been impossible for us to consult across every town, we have engaged with every leading children and young people’s organisation.    

Most of the Actions in our Plan are not specifically targeted at any particular area although hopefully the actions in the Plan will appeal to young people right across the north, including those living in the Limavady Borough Council area and other rural communities too.  Our Action Plan will deliver on outcomes for children and young people, and no specific borough, council or rural area has been specifically targeted, or excluded from our actions.  We hope, as a first step that it will encourage discussion and interest within organisations and groups in rural areas to hear more about the specific actions and how the young people that they represent can benefit from it.

As stated in our Plan we will continue to meet with children & young people and their representative organisations, to identify further useful actions that our business areas can take forward to better promote participation and involvement of children and young people in all areas of the north. 

Pedigree Limousin Cattle

Mr P Girvan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number and grades of pedigree limousin cattle that have been slaughtered in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3601/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I am unable to provide this information as my Department does not collect data on the pedigree status of cattle, there being no legislative requirement to do so.

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE

Portavoe Reservoir in Groomsport

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether the proposed sale of Portavoe Reservoir in Groomsport will have an impact on the sale of fishing licences for that area in the forthcoming year.

(AQW 3362/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr N McCausland): Angling licences, together with permits to fish the Public Angling Estate are available from DCAL and its authorised distributors throughout Northern Ireland. An angling permit is a document issued by the owner of a fishery (or the lessee of the fishing rights) which confers the right to fish in that fishery. An angling licence is required by law to use a fishing rod.

Portavoe Reservoir in Groomsport, which is owned by NI Water, will remain part of the Public Angling Estate for the angling season commencing 1 st March to 31 st October 2011. The proposed sale of Portavoe Reservoir should not therefore impact on the number of fishing licences or permits available for sale for this season.

NI Water has confirmed that the Company intends to place Portavoe Reservoir on a list for sale in 2011/12.

Funding Granted for Football, Rugby and Gaelic Games

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for a breakdown of the funding granted by his Department or its arms-length bodies for (i) football; (ii) rugby; and (iii) gaelic games, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3612/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. In the last five financial years, SNI has allocated a total of £53,458,048 for (i) football; (ii) rugby; and (iii) gaelic games.

This funding is broken down in the tables below.

Exchequer Funding

Lottery Funding

Total Funding

Sports Grounds

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether there are any structures at sports grounds that his Department has assessed as having architectural or heritage value; and if so, whether these structures have been afforded legal protection from demolition.

(AQW 3613/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The Department of Environment (DOE) is responsible for assessing what structures in Northern Ireland, including those at sports grounds, have architectural or heritage value. This is not a function of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL). DOE is also responsible for affording such structures legal protection from demolition where it deems appropriate.

Sport Northern Ireland, however, which is responsible for the development of sport including the distribution of funding, requires all applicants in receipt of Exchequer or Sports Lottery capital grant awards to comply with all statutory and planning conditions in relation to any works funded at sports grounds in Northern Ireland. This requirement covers demolition works at grounds, and any works that may affect structures that DOE has afforded legal protection from demolition following assessment of their architectural or heritage interest.

Funding Allocated to Ice Skating

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much funding has been allocated to ice skating in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3634/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. In the last five financial years, SNI has allocated a total of £215,552 to ice skating.

This funding is broken down in the table below.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Draft Savings Delivery Plans

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Education if she can confirm that her Department will publish its draft Savings Delivery Plans within one week of the publication of the draft Budget 2011-2015; and whether it will include details of departmental saving measures and the potential impact of these measures.

(AQW 3141/11)

Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): Foilsíodh dréacht den Phlean um Choigilteas Seachadta le haghaidh comhairliúchán ar 13 Eanáir 2011. Leagtar amach go soiléir sa phlean seo an tionchar a bheas ag an dréachtbhuiséad ar an Roinn Oideachais agus sonraítear dréacht moltaí na Roinne le hairgead a choigilt sna Buiséid idir 2011-15.

I published my draft Savings Delivery Plan for consultation on 13 January 2011. This Plan clearly sets out the implications of the draft Budget for the Department of Education and outlines the Department’s draft saving proposals over Budget 2011-15. The consultation period ends on 16 February and I am keen to hear the views of key stakeholders on my proposals. In the interim, my officials will be working with education’s non-departmental public bodies on the likely impacts for services from the proposed reductions and how frontline services and jobs can be protected as far as possible.

Safety of Pupils Travelling to School

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Education to detail the arrangements in place between Translink, Roads Service and the Education and Library Boards to ensure the safety of pupils travelling to school in the event of adverse weather conditions.

(AQW 3428/11)

Minister of Education: Tá na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlann freagrach as sábháilteacht na bpáistí atá incháilithe le haghaidh cuidiú taistil. Is é an soláthraí taistil atá freagrach as gach dalta eile, is iad sin na tuismitheoirí agus Translink go príomha.

Education and Library Boards are responsible for the safety of pupils who are eligible for transport assistance. Responsibility for all other pupils lies with the transport provider, primarily Translink and parents.

In relation to eligible pupils, Boards have devised guidance for contractors in relation to the safety of pupils during periods of adverse weather conditions. The guidance includes ensuring that:

• the provider checks the latest weather forecast and prevailing conditions before setting out;
• drivers are equipped with a means to contact base/schools/Boards (eg., mobile phones) and are aware of the numbers to call;
• in the event of being unable to complete a journey, pupils are properly supervised before being left; and
• where applicable, a connecting service is available before children are left.

The full guidance (which includes advice for parents and schools) is available at present on the North Eastern, Southern, and South Eastern Boards’ websites, with the remaining Boards to follow.

In relation to the condition of roads to, and in the vicinity of, schools the Department of Regional Development has indicated that Roads Service has no statutory obligation to salt roads, although it does earmark funds to provide a salting service with the aim of helping main road traffic move safely and freely in wintry conditions. However, it has introduced enhanced communication arrangements, and priority “secondary” salting to rural schools most affected by weather conditions following a baseline survey conducted in the winter of 2008/09 and updated subsequently.

Publication of the Open Enrolment Booklets

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education what procedures are in place to ensure that children, whose parents have specified a nursery unit as their first choice, will not be disadvantaged should the Department not have made a decision on a development proposal before the publication of the Open Enrolment booklets by an Education and Library Board.

(AQW 3487/11)

Minister of Education: Sa chás nach bhfuil aonad naíonra ar fáil mar gheall ar shocrú nach bhfuil déanta go fóill agus go mbaineann an socrú le moladh forbartha an naíonra sin, cuirfidh an Bord Oideachais agus Leabarlann leis an ghníomh chuí de réir imthosca gach cás ann féin.

Where a specified nursery unit is not available because a decision has not been made on a development proposal relating to the nursery unit, the Education and Library Board will take appropriate action depending on the circumstances of individual cases. If you would like to advise me of a particular nursery unit's development proposal about which you are concerned, I will be happy to write to you regarding procedures that will be followed in respect of a decision relating to the unit.

In the meantime, should a parent have any concerns regarding an application to a nursery unit they should contact the Transfer Officer in the appropriate Education and Library Board as soon as possible for advice.

Proposed Multi-schools Capital Build Project for Holywood

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education what implications, if any, the Department's draft budget will have on the proposed multi-schools capital build project for Holywood.

(AQW 3526/11)

Minister of Education: Léiríonn an Dréachtbhuiséad 2011-15 go ndéanfar laghduithe móra ar bhuiséad caipitil an Oideachais don chéad ceithre bliana eile le teacht.

Is dócha mar sin gur teoranta agus eadrannach go bliain 2014-15 a bheidh infheistíocht ar bith a bhaineann le tógáil nua, más féidir infheistíocht a fháil. Ní féidir tús a chur le tógáil scoileanna ar bith nua sa bhliain 2011-12 mura bhfaighim an bhreis acmhainne ar a bhfuil mé ag tairiscint. Scríobhfaidh mé chuig gach scoil nuair a bheidh an buiséad socraithe.

The Draft Budget 2011-15 highlights significant reductions in the capital budget for Education over the next four years. Any investment in new builds, if at all possible, is therefore likely to be intermittent and limited until 2014-15 and unless I receive further resource which I am bidding for it will not be possible to commence construction of any new schools in 2011-12. I will write to schools when the budget position is finalised.

I want to continue to build much needed new schools but the rate at which I can do so is totally dependent on the availability of resources. The reduction in the capital allocation will require a comprehensive reassessment of how the limited capital funds available should be deployed on a strategic and prioritised basis to address the most pressing needs.  This work will be a priority for my Department in the coming months. As such, it not possible to provide a timeframe on the way forward for proposed capital build projects such as that for the Holywood area.

Funded Pre-school Places

Mr R Beggs asked e Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 1221/11, to detail the number of children, in their immediate pre-school year, who applied for, but did not receive a funded pre-school place, broken down by District Council area.

(AQW 3543/11)

Minister of Education: Thug mé le fios sa fhreagra dar dáta 26 Deireadh Fómhair 2010 (AQW 1221/11) go raibh 19823 páiste in iomlán a raibh sa bhliain roimh thosú ar an réamhscoil agus a raibh áit mhaoinithe réamhscoile faighte acu. Bhí 1202 páiste as an líon seo nach raibh áit réamhscoile socraithe acu i réamhscoil ar bith atá bainteach leis na cúig Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann. Baineann na figiúirí seo leis an dáta deireanach den Phróiseas Iontrála Réamhscoile ar 30 Aibreán 2010.

In my answer of 26 October 2010 (AQW 1221/11), I advised that at the end of the Pre-School Admissions process on 30 April 2010, a total of 19823 children in their final pre-school year had been allocated a funded pre-school place and a total of 1202 such children were unplaced across the five education and library boards. This information is not available broken down in District Council area, but is available by education and library board area.

Following the allocation of the additional £1.3m, information received from the ELBs shows that a further 1145 funded pre-school places in both the statutory nursery and voluntary/private sectors, have been filled by children in their final pre-school year. It should be filled by those children who were unplaced at 30 April , some will have been taken up by children for whom no application was made during the actual admissions process. It is therefore not possible to determine how many of those children unplaced at the end of the process are still without a funded pre-school place as the ELBs do not track the applications of individual unplaced children after 30 April.

The applications which parents make to individual providers after the process is completed, whether as a result of a child being unplaced or because a parent’s initial approach is subsequent to the conclusion of the admissions process, is a matter which is dealt with directly between parents and individual providers. At this stage parents approach individual settings and are offered a place in a statutory setting if one is available or if a parent approaches a voluntary/private setting, with capacity to accept additional children, this setting will seek extra funded places from the ELB to meet demand.

The table below shows the number of additional children in their final pre-school year allocated a funded place since 30 April 2010:-

The attached list details those voluntary and private settings who admitted additional children in their final pre-school year subsequent to the completion of the Admissions process on 30 April 2010.noted, however, that whilst a significant proportion of these places may have been

Voluntary and private groups which have accepted additional children in their final pre-school year into funded places since 30 April 2010:-

Belfast Education and Library Board area

Belmont Pre-School Playgroup

Early Learners Day Nursery

First Steps Playgroup

Forge Integrated Playgroup

Malone Nursery School

Naíscoil na Mona

Naíscoil Mhic Reachtain

Naíscoil Ard Eoin

Naíscoil Bheann Mhadagain

Oasis NSPCC

Our Lady’s Girls Primary School Playgroup

Parkside Playgroup

Play and Learn Playgroup

St Colmcille’s Pre-School Playgroup

St Oliver Plunkett Pre-School Playgroup

Springhill Playgroup

Sunshine Playgroup

174 Trust

Western Education and Library Board area

Banagher Community Playgroup

Belcoo Playgroup

Brambly Hedge Community Playgroup

Brookborough and District Community Playgroup

Chapel Road Playgroup

Chatterbox Playgroup

Craigbrack Pre-School Group

Denamona Pre-School

Dromore Community Playgroup

Drumahoe Community Playgroup

Eglinton Community Pre-School Centre

First Steps Community Playgroup

Greysteel Playgroup

Happy Faces Playgroup

Holy Trinity Pre-School Education Centre

Irvinestown Cross community Playgroup

Jack & Jill Community Playgroup

Kindertee Community Playgroup

Little Acorns Pre-School

Little Diamonds Community Playgroup

Little Flower Playgroup

Little Friends Playgroup

Little Rascals Community Playgroup

Magilligan Community Playgroup

McClintock Pre-School Centre

Naíscoil Colmcille An Charraig Mhor

Naíscoil Leim an Mhadaidh

Naíscoil Mhaol Iosa

Naíscoil Neachtain

Newtownbutler Cross community Playgroup

Orchard Community Playgroup

Pennyburn Playgroup

Playtime Playgroup

Rainbow Child and Family Centre

Rainbow Community Playgroup

Rascals Playstation

Roe Valley Community Playgroup

Roundabout Playgroup

Squirrels Montessori Nursery

St Bernadette’s Playgroup

St Joseph’s Community Playgroup

St Mary’s Pre-School Centre

Stepping Stones Pre-School Playgroup

Sugar & Spice Playgroup

Tempo Community Playgroup

The Dry Arch Centre

The Little Castle Playgroup

Tiny Tots Cross Community Playgroup

Treehouse Creche

Treehouse Kindergarton

Woodlands Community playgroup

North Eastern Education and Library Board area

Alphabet Playgroup

Armoy Cross Community Playgroup

Ballee Pre-School Playgroup

Ballinascreen Early Years

Ballyronan Community Playgroup

Busy Bee Cross Community Playgroup

Castlerock Community Playgroup

Crow’s Nest Community Playgroup

Crumlin Primary School Playgroup

First Steps Pre-School

Garvagh Community Pre-School Playgroup

Glenarm Community Pre-School

Glengormley Integrated Primary School Playgroup

Gleno Pre-School

Glenravel Community Playgroup

Greendale Day Nursery

Greenlough Early Years

Greystone Community Playgroup

Harbour Bears Pre-School

Happitots Playgroup

Highkirk Community Playgroup

Kilbride Playgroup

Kilroot Playgroup

Kirkinriola Early Years

Laughterland Early Years

Little Rainbow Playgroup

Little Robins Day Nursery

Loughgiel Community Early Years

Mallusk Community Playgroup

Millburn Community Pre-School Playgroup

Mt St Nicholas’ Playgroup

Naíscoil an Chastil

Naíscoil Eanna

Naíscoil Mhachaire Ratha

Newtownabbey Methodist Missions Playgroup

Playaway Playgroup

Playhouse Activity Centre

Portglenone Community Playgroup

Portrush Community Playgroup

Randalstown Community Playgroup

Rasharkin Community Playgroup

Round Tower Community Playgroup

St Bernards Pre-School Playgroup

St Louis Pre-School Playgroup

St MacNissi’s Playgroup

Slievegallion Community Pre-School

Stepping Stones Cross Community Playgroup

Sunshine Playgroup

Tiny Tots Centre

Tiny Tots Pre-School Centre

Watt Fun Community Playgroup

South Eastern Education and Library Board area

Anahilt Playgroup

Ardglass Community Playgroup

Ballybeen Women’s Pre-school Centre

Ballygowan Community Playgroup

Ballykinlar Cross Community Pre-school Playgroup

Ballymacward Pre-School

Bangor Abbey Pre-School Centre

Busy Bees Playgroup

Castlewellan Community Playgroup

Carrowdore Early Years Centre

Carryduff Pre-School Playgroup

Chirpy Chicks Pre-School

Country Kids Day Nursery

Crawfordsburn Playgroup

Crossgar Cross Community Playgroup

Drumaness Cross Community Playgroup

Groomsport Playgroup

Grove Community Playgroup

Great Oaks Playgroup

Little Acorns Pre-School Playgroup

Little Doves Childcare Centre

Little Starfish Playgroup

Mount Oriel Playgroup

Naíscoil Dhun Padraig

Naíscoil Uachtar Tire

Newcastle Pre-School Playgroup

Play-a-Way Childcare Centre

Play Links Playgroup

Rainbow Corner Playgroup

Redburn Community Playgroup

Rhyme Times Playgroup

St Finian’s Early Years Centre

Seymour Hill Pre-School Playgroup

Tecconnaught Cross Community Playgroup

Tiggers Palace Nursery

Tiny Toons Community Playgroup

Southern Education and Library Board area

Aghagallon Playgroup

An Tearmann Early Years Project

Aughnacloy Playgroup

Ballygawley Early Years Ltd

Ballinderry Bridge Playgroup

Banbridge Playgroup

Beacon Playgroup

Bosco Playgroup

Brockagh Playgroup

Clady Tiny Tots Playgroup

Clogher Valley Playgroup

Clonduff Pre-School Playgroup

Dara Playgroup

Domincan Playgroup

Dromintee & Jonesborough Playgroup

Dunnamann Playgroup

Early Bird Playgroup

Firs Playgroup

Forever Friends Playgroup

Giggles Daycare Centre

Happy Days Playgroup

Humpty Dumpty Playgroup

Jolly Jester’s Playgroup

Jolly Tots Playgroup

Keady Community Playgroup

Kids R Us Playgroup

Kidzone Playgroup

Kidzone Pre-School Playgroup

Kilkeel Playgroup

Killyman Playgroup

Kingdom Playgroup

Laurencetown Playgroup

Lissan Cross Community Playgroup

Little Acorns Playgroup

Little Folk Playgroup

Little Villagers Playgroup

Lower Mourne Playgroup

Loughgall Playgroup

Montessori Nursery

Moy Area Playgroup

Naíscoil an Chreagain

Naíscoil an Iuir

Naíscoil Chamlocha

Naíscoil Eoghain

Naíscoil Chois Locha

Naíscoil na Banna

Naíscoil na mBeann

Naíscoil Ui Chleirigh

Newmills Playgroup

North Lurgan Playgroup

O’Fiaich Playgroup

Panda Cross Playgroup

Peatlands Playgroup

Rainbow Playgroup, Dungannon

Rainbow Playgroup, Dromore

Rainbow Stop Playgroup

Rascals ‘n’ Ruffians Playgroup

St Mary’s Playgroup

St Peter’s Playgroup

Scotwell House Playgroup

Tannaghmore Playgroup

Tiny Tots Cross Community Playgroup

Tiny Tots Pre-School Education Centre

Toddler’s Cove

Trinity Park Pre-School Nursery

Twinkle Playgroup

Nursery Places

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Education how many nursery places are available for enrolment in September 2011 in the (i) Larne; and (ii) Carrickfergus area.

(AQW 3629/11)

Minister of Education: Sonraítear sa tábla thíos méid na n-áiteanna reachtúla atá ar fáil sa Latharna agus i gCarraig Fhearghais don scoilbhliain 2011/12.

The statutory nursery school places available in Larne and Carrickfergus for the 2011/12 school year are detailed in the table below:

Nursery Enrolment Applications

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Education how many nursery enrolment applications, for September 2011, the North Eastern Education and Library Board has received, to date, for the (i) Larne; and (ii) Carrickfergus area.

(AQW 3630/11)

Minister of Education: Dhearbhaigh Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Oirthuaiscirt nach bhfuil an t-eolas seo acu faoi láthair mar tá ar na tuismitheoirí na foirmeacha iarratais a chur ar aghaidh go díreach chuig an réamhscoil a bhfuil mar chéad rogha acu.

The North-Eastern Education and Library Board has confirmed that at present they do not have this information as parents are required to forward application forms directly to their first preference pre-school provider.

The information will be available from the Education and Library Board later in the process.

Capital Spend

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister of Education to detail the capital spend by her Department in the South Belfast constituency since 2007.

(AQW 3690/11)

Minister of Education: Seo mar a leanas an caiteachas caipitiúil i dtoghcheantar Dheisceart Bhéal Feirste ó 2007:

Capital spend in the South Belfast constituency since 2007 is as follows:

You may wish to know that I attended the sod cutting ceremony at Taughmonagh Primary School recently and this project will cost £3.5 million.

DEPARTMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING

Apprenticeships in the Foyle Constituency

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many apprenticeships are currently available in the Foyle constituency; and how this figure compares to the previous year.

(AQW 3298/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning (Mr D Kennedy): ApprenticeshipsNI is a demand led provision and, as such, the number of apprenticeship places in Northern Ireland is determined by employers.

As of 10 th January 2011, there are 762 apprentices from the Foyle constituency following an apprenticeship. The comparative figure as of 10 th January 2010 is 540. Although these apprentices reside within the Foyle constituency, they may or may not be following their apprenticeship with training suppliers or employers in that constituency.

Local Employment Intermediary Service Project

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, in relation to the Local Employment Intermediary Service Project, to detail why there is a comparative reduction in the primary funding for areas most in need, including West and North Belfast and Derry; and for his assessment of this reduction in funding in light of the Executive's Anti-Poverty Strategy.

(AQW 3316/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The existing methodology for allocating primary funding to providers for the Local Employment Intermediary Service is flawed. Evidence from the operation of the Service to date indicates that allocating primary funding on the basis of the number of benefit claimants in an area bears no relation to the actual performance of providers. In fact some providers who received less primary funding compared to others, out-performed them in terms of client engagement and job outcomes.

If the final budget settlement provides me with the resources necessary to retain the Service, primary funding will be allocated equally to all providers, all of whom will be working in areas of social need and thereby contributing to the Executive’s Anti-Poverty Strategy. All will have an equal opportunity to earn output related funding based on performance.

Local Employment Intermediary Service Project

Ms S Ramsey asked e Minister for Employment and Learning, in relation to the Local Employment Intermediary Service Project, for his assessment of whether there is a need for greater equality between providers, particularly in relation to the allocation of primary funding and how the new funding model targets resources towards areas most in need.

(AQW 3317/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: My assessment, based on evidence from the operation of the Local Employment Intermediary Service over the last three years, is that there is a need for greater equality between providers in relation to the allocation of primary funding. If the final budget settlement provides me with the resources necessary to retain the Service, primary funding will be allocated equally to all providers, all of whom will be working in areas of social need. All will have an equal opportunity to earn output related funding based on performance.

Student Fees

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if any increase in student fees will affect students currently enrolled at university.

(AQW 3337/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Should the Assembly vote to increase fees beyond the annual inflationary increase, those students currently enrolled at university will continue to be charged tuition fees at the existing level (subject to annual inflationary increases) for the duration of their course. Any subsequent increase in tuition fees beyond inflation would only apply to students entering higher education on or after the date from when the new fee level would become effective.

Apprenticeship Places in the Foyle Constituency

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many apprenticeship places are currently available in the Foyle constituency; and how this figure compares to the previous year.

(AQW 3411/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: ApprenticeshipsNI is a demand led provision and, as such, the number of apprenticeship places in Northern Ireland is determined by employers.

As of 10 th January 2011, there are 762 apprentices from the Foyle constituency following an apprenticeship. The comparative figure as of 10 th January 2010 is 540. Although these apprentices reside within the Foyle constituency, they may or may not be following their apprenticeship with training suppliers or employers in that constituency.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister for Employment and Learning whether his Department intends to continue providing the Education Maintenance Allowance.

(AQW 3622/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: In December 2010 my Department and the Department of Education received the findings of the jointly commissioned Review of the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme in Northern Ireland. Officials from both Departments are currently assessing the findings of the report and the Employment and Learning Committee was initially briefed on 19 January 2011. My Department will engage fully with the Committee as policy options are developed, which will clearly consider any potential impact on those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds whom I am committed to supporting. Any proposals to amend the current provision of Education Maintenance Allowance within the Department will be subject to a public consultation and appropriate equality considerations.

DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Foreign Direct Investment

Ms M Ritchie asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of the number and location of jobs as a result of foreign direct investment in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3352/11)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster): Invest NI is the agency through which the Department of Enterprise Trade & Investment (DETI) provides funding to grow the private sector in Northern Ireland. Invest NI will work with any manufacturing and tradable services business in Northern Ireland which has the potential and ambition to export, to improve its productivity and to become more internationally competitive. Invest NI does not assist projects which only serve the local marketplace e.g. those involved in retail and distribution activities.  We, therefore, do not have information relating to investment made by externally-owned businesses in these sectors. This response is based on those inward-investment projects which have been assisted by Invest NI.

Invest NI’s focus is to increase business productivity, the means by which wealth can be created for the benefit of the whole community. It does this by supporting projects that aim to create jobs, an aspect of the agency’s work that is becoming increasingly important given the need to increase employment levels following the impact of the downturn. Although not directly related to job creation, Invest NI's innovation and capability development activities are designed to increase business competitiveness which generates growth, leading eventually to improved productivity and increased employment opportunities.

Between 1st April 2005 and 31st March 2010, Invest NI offered financial support to assist employment-related projects by externally-owned companies that planned to create nearly 15,300 new jobs and safeguard over 6,200 existing jobs. It should be noted that jobs promoted by Invest NI supported projects may take a number of years to create. Indeed, larger projects may take up to five years to fully mature.

The table below shows the number of jobs that these projects promoted and / or safeguarded in each Parliamentary Constituency Area (PCA) in each of the last five years.

NUMBER OF JOBS PROMOTED AND SAFEGUARDED BY EXTERNALLY-OWNED INVEST NI CLIENTS BY PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY AREA (2005-06 TO 2009-10)

NOTES:

• New Jobs represent the number of jobs expected to be created by the project.
• Safe Jobs represent the number jobs that would have been lost if the project was not supported.
• An additional 31 new jobs have still to be located.

It should be noted that Invest NI does not allocate budgets by geographic areas such as Parliamentary Constituency Areas. Assistance patterns are demand-led by those businesses which have come forward with projects suitable for Invest NI assistance. In addition, these areas are not self-contained labour markets. A project assisted in a particular location has the potential to create benefits across a much wider area. Northern Ireland is a relatively small place and evidence indicates that many investments draw their workforce from areas beyond constituency boundaries.

Invest NI

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the companies that have received financial assistance from Invest NI in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3440/11)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The attached document details the list of companies that have been paid financial assistance by way of a letter of offer, in each of the 2007-8, 2008-9 and 2009-10 financial years.