Friday 4 February 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

Cross Border Mobility Issues

Mr Pól Callaghan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the potential new or emerging cross border mobility issues identified by the North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat (i) up to the July 2010 NSMC Plenary; and (ii) since that meeting.

(AQW 3087/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): In July 2010, the NSMC Plenary noted that the NSMC Joint Secretariat had identified a number of cross-border mobility issues and that these would be examined in greater depth. The issues identified at that stage included taxation, access to welfare benefits and cross-border postal services.

Following that Plenary, the NSMC Joint Secretariat explored these issues in greater depth with departments, agencies and other bodies and at focus group meetings with relevant stakeholders.

The NSMC Plenary on 21 January 2011 noted that the Joint Secretariat had identified a number of potential new/emerging cross-border mobility issues including: taxation, access to welfare benefits and associated advisory services, cross-border transport services, mutual recognition of vocational qualifications, access to vocational training and cross-border postal services.

T he Joint Secretariat will now explore and discuss these issues with departments, agencies and other relevant bodies. A progress report will be presented to the next NSMC Institutional meeting.

Social Protection Fund

Ms M Ritchie asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what steps they will take to ensure that the Social Protection Fund will be funded for a four year period; and whether they will make a statement on this issue.

(AQW 3239/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Executive remains committed to tackling the problem of disadvantage here.

Following on from the Executive’s commitment at Greenmount, a key issue will be the need to protect the most vulnerable in our society. The purpose of the Social Protection Fund will be to assist those in severe hardship as a result of the economic downturn.

OFMDFM is recommending that the Executive allocate £20 million in year one, with equivalent or increased funding in future years.

The details of the scheme are still under consideration so we are not yet in a position to make a statement on the matter.

Integrated Services for Children and Young People Programme

Mr D Bradley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what discussions have taken place within their Department regarding future funding for the Integrated Services for Children and Young People Programme.

(AQW 3602/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: On 30 September 2010, a delegation from the Integrated Services for Children and Young People Programme (ISCYP) met with Junior Minister Robin Newton to discuss the work of the project.

At official level, two officials from our Department met with a representative of ISCYP on 17 June and on 12 October one official visited a number of projects involved in the programme. In addition, on 30 November, a representative from the ISCYP presented to the Children’s Champions – a cross departmental group of officials involved in children’s issues.

On 2 December, both Junior Minister Gerry Kelly and Junior Minister Robin Newton visited the ISCYP project in North and West Belfast and heard from a number of clients and professionals involved in the projects.

 The services provided by the ISCYP cut across a number of departments, including the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Department of Education. The issue of possible future funding is still under active consideration.

Integrated Services for Children and Young People Programme

Mr D Bradley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what meetings they have had with community and voluntary organisations and other Government Departments regarding future funding of the Integrated Services for Children and Young People Programme.

(AQW 3603/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The services provided by the ISCYP cut across a number of departments, including the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Department of Education. We are currently examining what funding options may be available to the ISCYP programme.

Meetings with Banks

Mr S Anderson asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what meetings they have had with banks in the last three months in relation to lending to local small businesses.

(AQW 3710/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: We arranged for a number of meetings with local financial institutions at the outset of the current economic crisis. The Cross Sector Advisory Forum, which includes representation from local banks, has continued this work. In addition, the Ministers of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and Finance and Personnel have held a series of meetings with local banks to discuss the contribution they are making to assist local companies overcome the prevailing economic conditions. Ministers, along with their officials, have maintained regular contact with the banks and have used this dialogue to highlight a number of specific problems being experienced by local businesses.

Transferring the Work of Quangos or Arms-length Bodies

Mr S Anderson asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether any savings have been identified that could be made by transferring the work of quangos or arms-length bodies to (i) Departments; or (ii) the private sector.

(AQW 3711/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: It is our intention that the Budget Review Group should undertake a review of all arms-length bodies. We anticipate that the Executive will shortly be invited to consider criteria to be applied in the review and that the Group should make its recommendations with a view to informing final Executive decisions in May. We expect that the identification of savings will be an important element of the review.

Sir John Shortridge's Investigation: DRD

Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 3445/11, when Sir John Shortridge's report on the Department for Regional Development will be published.

(AQW 3766/11)

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 and the contents of Sir Jon’s report will not be published. This was set out in letters sent by the Head of the NI Civil Service to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and the Chair of the Regional Development Committee.

Sir John Shortridge's Investigation: DRD

Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 3455/11, to detail the cost incurred to date by the office of the Head of the Civil Service in supporting Sir John Shortridge's investigation into the Department for Regional Development.

(AQW 3767/11)

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 is ongoing. The costs incurred to date by the office of the Head of NI Civil Service in relation to the investigation are £8,198.

The terms of reference and the scope of the investigation were provided to the Public Accounts Committee and the Regional Development Committee and subsequently published on 1 September 2010.

Proposed Savings Plans for the 2011-15 Budget Period

Mrs D Kelly asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail their Department's proposed savings plans for the 2011-15 Budget period.

(AQW 3802/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: OFMDFM must deliver savings of £3.8m/£6.9m/£10.3m/£13.8m in the Budget 2011-15 period. In addition, the Department must manage a number of unfunded pressures. The Department has developed a series of savings measures to meet its savings targets and to address its funding pressures. These are summarised in the table below.

DRAFT BUDGET 2011-15: OFMDFM SAVINGS MEASURES

Planning Appeals Commission

Mr G Campbell asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the cost to the public purse of the Planning Appeals Commission in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3831/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The cost of the Planning Appeals Commission in each of the last three financial years was as follows:

2009/10 £2.642m

2008/09 £2.347m

2007/08 £1.914m

Water Shortage Crisis

Lord Empey asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister when they first became aware that external help was available to deal with the emerging water crisis in December 2010.

(AQO 841/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: We were first made aware of an offer of external help to deal with the emerging water crisis on 28 th December, in the form of an offer from Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, for 160,000 litres of bottled water.

Planning Appeals

Mr J Wells asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what progress has been made to date to reduce the backlog of planning appeals currently being dealt with by the Planning Appeals Commission.

(AQO 842/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Planning Appeals Commission is an independent Tribunal which operates at arms length from Government and exercises its functions independently of our Department.

While OFMDFM holds sponsorship responsibility for the Commission and provides financial and administrative support, the Chief Commissioner is responsible for day to day operation of the Commission and for deployment of its resources to meet the prevailing workload. However, in recognition of the challenges and pressures facing the Commission, we made a commitment through PSA 21 to deliver increased resources to enable it to address increases in workload.

We allocated significant additional budget to the Commission over the three-year period 2008 to 2011 to deliver potential increased spending power by around £2 million over the three years.

This additional funding has enabled us to appoint an additional 14 fee-paid Panel Commissioners to address the backlog of planning appeals, and to increase the Commission’s capacity at senior levels to enable it to address an increasingly complex workload.

As a result, the planning appeals backlog has reduced from its height of over 3,000 in 2007 to a figure of 347 at the end of December 2010. In addition, work has commenced or will commence shortly on public inquiries into four major planning proposals classified as Article 31 cases.

We will continue to liaise closely with the Commission regarding its workload and associated resourcing issues.

Investment Strategy

Mr A Maginness asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the content of their discussion with the British Prime Minister regarding their mutual understanding of the £18 billion long-term investment strategy.

(AQO 845/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: We continue to be in close contact with the Coalition Government on the details of our settlement and its repercussions and we continue to press on this.

Following the Spending Review Settlement we remain unconvinced that the commitment to a long-term investment strategy of £18 billion from 2005 to 2017 will be achieved. Our figures suggest a lower figure for investment and there are a number of areas of disagreement concerning the treatment of items of capital expenditure between ourselves and HM Treasury that remain to be resolved.

We have written to the Prime Minister to express our concerns and there has been much engagement at official level between the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Treasury on the detail of their calculation of the £18 billion investment commitment. DFP continues to have concerns in relation to the assumptions underlying the Treasury figure work.

However, despite our disappointment as to the quantum of expenditure, we went ahead and agreed a Budget on 15 December not just for one year but for four years up to 2014/15. Many people said that agreeing a draft Budget here would be the Executive’s biggest challenge and many felt such a challenge would be impossible. Others said the best we could achieve would be a one-year budget. But we are pleased to say that we have now agreed a draft budget not for one year, but for the entire SR period. This we consider to be a major achievement for the Executive.

Maze/Long Kesh: Peace-building and Conflict Resolution Centre

Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister why their Department sought European funds to build a Conflict Transformation Centre at the former Maze prison site.

(AQO 846/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: We announced on 29 July 2010 our intention to create a Development Corporation to deliver the regeneration of Maze/Long Kesh including the construction of a Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Centre on the site as agreed by the all-party Maze/Long Kesh Consultation Panel.

The Department of Finance and Personnel has confirmed that it was always envisaged that the Peace III Programme had the capacity for large-scale capital projects that would create shared space and have a significant transformational impact.

A successful application to Europe for this Centre will not displace funding to other sectors and will enhance the work of peace building and conflict resolution here and across the globe.

Child Poverty Strategy

Mr J Bell asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Child Poverty Strategy.

(AQO 847/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The provisions of the Child Poverty Act 2010 specifically require us to produce and present to the Assembly, by 25 March 2011, a Child Poverty Strategy. The strategy will outline those actions that departments are taking to ensure its associated targets are met.

The Act further places an ongoing requirement for child poverty strategies to be produced every three years and for annual reports to be made to the Assembly.

In developing our proposals we are required to consult with local public bodies, children and organisations working with or representing children, and may also consult “such other persons as the devolved administration thinks fit”.

Work is progressing well in this area with a pre-consultation stakeholder event having been held during September. To date, public consultation events have already been held in Belfast on 16 th December 2010, Ballymena on 11 th January, Newry on 13 th January, Derry/Londonderry on 18 th January and Enniskillen on 20 th January.

Further events are due to take place in Omagh on 25 th January and Belfast on both 27 th and 29 th January. The last of these events will particularly focus on obtaining the views of children and young people and will be facilitated by Playboard.

Formal public consultation will end on Sunday 6 February 2011 and after analysis of the consultation responses, and consultation with the OFMDFM Committee, the strategy document will be finalised and issued to the Executive for approval with the intention of laying before the Assembly by 24 th March 2011.

Institutional Abuse

Mr R McCartney asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the work programme of the Interdepartmental Taskforce on Institutional Abuse.

(AQO 849/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Interdepartmental Taskforce held its first meeting on Tuesday 4 January 2011 to take this matter forward. An important aspect of the Taskforce’s work programme will include considering the experiences of other jurisdictions in developing options for an approach that will best meet the needs and circumstances here.

The group is also working to ensure that adequate provision is available through government services to address the short-term needs of survivors of historical institutional abuse.

The group’s work programme will include direct engagement with victims and survivors throughout the process. The Taskforce has met with a number of victims/survivors and held discussions with officials in other jurisdictions, with further meetings planned in the coming weeks.

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the difficulties experienced by her Department in delivering grant money under Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme in the ARC North West area.

(AQW 3382/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): Funding under Axis 3 measures of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 is being delivered by local Council Clusters. Assisting Rural Communities (ARC) North West (NW) is one such Council Cluster and is responsible for delivering funding in the Omagh, Strabane, Derry and Limavady Council areas.

Following an invitation I met ARC NW representatives in Omagh on 1 December 2010 to discuss a number of issues which they had identified around Axis 3 delivery. I clarified: that the operating rules are detailed to provide comprehensive support and guidance to clusters; that delays in issuing RD1 numbers are only in exceptional circumstances; that system 2007 Database is fully operational; the guidance on Village Renewal, Co-operation, bespoke training, insurance requirements; and, the use of in-kind contribution.

I expressed my concern with the slow progress of Axis 3 spend in the Assembly on 28 September and asked officials to review the barriers to spend. On the basis of this review, which was on-going, I was able to respond and inform ARC representatives about an easement on procurement rules and that officials are seeking state-aid clarification around support for stand alone renewable energy projects.

We had a very useful discussion and agreed the importance of maximising project spend and minimising administration spend and I asked ARC to further explore if they feel there is a need for an increase in funding intervention rates.

I found the meeting to have been a very useful and clear exchange and was encouraged by the commitment shown by ARC NW representatives to achieving maximum success for our rural community through the Axis 3 measures.

Spreading of Poultry Litter on Agricultural Land

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what measures are being taken by her Department to deal with the issues surrounding the spreading of poultry litter on agricultural land; and what guidance is currently provided to poultry farmers.

(AQW 3563/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department, working jointly with the Department for the Environment, has implemented the Nitrates Action Programme. Its purpose is to ensure that spreading of livestock manures, including poultry litter and poultry manure, and chemical fertilisers are appropriately managed on all farms across the north of Ireland.

Measures include limits on how much livestock manure can be spread on agricultural land and when and how it can be spread. The purpose of these controls is to prevent excess applications of livestock manures which could result in nutrient losses to water and subsequent pollution.

A temporary measure under the Nitrates Action Programme Regulations allows poultry litter to be stored in field heaps prior to land spreading. Agreement has recently been secured with the European Commission to extend this to September 2011, when it will be reviewed. The Departments and the industry are currently conducting on farm trials of low cost temporary storage measures for poultry litter prior to land spreading to inform the review.

However, land spreading of poultry litter at current levels is not sustainable in the long term. This is due to its high phosphorus content, the enriched phosphorus status of local soils and the resulting detrimental impact of excess phosphorus on water quality.

Consequently, DARD, in conjunction with Agri Food and Bio Sciences Institute (AFBI), has evaluated a wide range of alternative technologies for processing poultry litter. They have been involved in four studies since 2005 and continue to monitor developments in alternative technologies.

Comprehensive guidance documents are available for farmers on the requirements of the Nitrates Action Programme and include advice on the storage and spreading of poultry litter.

Since 2007, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) have held some 400 information workshops on the Nitrates Action Programme for farmers, with a number specifically targeted for poultry farmers. Training workshops are ongoing.

A series of online support tools are available to help farmers comply with the Action Programme requirements. These cover nitrogen loading, nutrient management and manure storage calculators.

Specific guidance for farmers on the temporary field storage measure and on spreading of poultry litter will be issued this Spring. Updated guidance on the Action Programme for 2011-2014 will also be issued in the coming months.

In addition, advice on reducing the risk of botulism in cattle from spreading poultry litter has been published and distributed to poultry farmers.

The D ARD Code of Good Agricultural Practice (COGAP) for the prevention of pollution of water, air and soil includes practical guidance for farmers on spreading and storage of poultry litter.

Broadband Services in Rural Areas

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what assessment has been made of the availability of broadband services in rural areas; and what areas are currently not able to avail of adequate broadband coverage.

(AQW 3680/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Access to improved telecoms provides a key catalyst for rural businesses, communities, and a means of communication with the rest of the world for those isolated from urban centres.

I am constantly reminded by rural dwellers of the importance of good communications and of the increasing reliance many place on telecoms in their day to day lives. That is why I decided that funding specifically targeting rural areas should be made available from my Department to provide increased access to these services in rural areas.

To date m y department has through two separate interventions provided £2.5 million as part of the BT Next Generation project. These funds have been specifically targeted at rural areas with roll-out to be completed in April 2011.

As you know Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment has statutory responsibility for the provision of communication services including broadband and they can provide the detailed information regarding assessment of availability.

Rural Development Programme

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she would consider introducing a new application form for the Rural Development Programme which would capture more information at the application stage and reduce the follow up time expended on acquiring further information.[R]

(AQW 3702/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Officials met with Joint Council Committees, Local Action Groups and Council Admin Units on 19 January 2011. They were informed that a change to the online application to allow summary financial information to be recorded was in the process of being implemented by the software company with an expected live date at the end of April 2011.

As you know since taking office I have strived to reduce bureaucracy wherever and whenever possible.

The application form now used in Axis 3 has been reduced from a cumbersome form of 32 pages to just 7.

Rural Development Programme

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) how many levels of audit are carried out on the Rural Development Programme; (ii) what costs are associated with these audits outside of cluster budgets; and (iii) for her assessment of this cost compared to the perceived risk to public funds.[R]

(AQW 3703/11)

• Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: There are 5 levels of audit undertaken in compliance with requirements under EU Control Regulations governing the terms and conditions associated with EU funding of the Rural Development Programme. These cover the European Court of Auditors, independent audit of accounts by the NIAO, DARD internal audit report on procedures and standards, DARD EU Verification Unit sample audit governing expenditure declared to the EU and percentage re-performance checks on applications by DARD Programme Compliance Unit;
• Reference to “ cluster budgets” suggest that the key focus in the question relates to Axis 3 of the RDP, however what follows are the most recent annual audit costs associated with the entire RDP, which is a programme with a total value of over £500m. : DARD Internal Audit £38,000; EU Verification Unit £160,000; DARD Programme Compliance Unit £132,000. I am unable to provide details of the costs associated with the EU Auditors and NIAO as these functions are outside my Department’s responsibility.
• As I have indicated, the above auditing regime is in keeping with EU funding terms and conditions; my own views on audit costs in relation to perceived risk is therefore irrelevant. What I would add though is that audit, in its various forms, is fundamental to good governance practice when managing public funds. It ensures a constant focus towards achieving value for money, fairness and equality of opportunity in procurement processes and delivery practices. It also provides an independent assessment of how programmes are managed and delivered, highlighting any perceived weaknesses and making recommendations towards continuous improvement. Moreover, audit provides a framework for ensuring that procedures are in place to quality assure funding claims and payments processes so that all expenditure can be accounted for. Finally, the auditing process in its entirety helps reduce the risk of EU funding disallowance and penalty.

Rural Development Programme

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action her Department has taken to allow Rural Development Programme clusters to distribute funds as quickly and efficiently as possible, rather than excessive administration and micro-management of the programme.[R]

(AQW 3704/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: To enable the Rural Development clusters to distribute funds quickly and efficiently, my Department has introduced a partnership delivery mechanism between council clusters and Local Action Groups. The experience of councils in the administration of Public and European funds has enabled the Joint Council Committees to oversee and take responsibility for financial management while allowing Local Action Groups to do what they do best. That is finding local solutions to local problems and encouraging applications from local people.

My Department has supported this mechanism by the provision of a comprehensive operating manual; pre-assessment checks of all first tranche applications; training of all LAG and JCC members in Public Accountability and Project Assessment; and training in scheme specific areas for council administrative staff.

More recently Departmental officials have worked on a one-to-one basis with council staff on the eligibility assessment of applications in order to break the backlog of applications which partnerships had built up.

The slow implementation of Axis 3 /4 by partnerships of which I spoke in the house on 28 th September 2010 continues to be a concern. Officials have recently met with JCC and LAG representatives and it has been identified that the efficient delivery of the Axis is being hampered by the poor standard of claims coming from promoters.

I hope that the Rural Support Networks will be able to offer assistance to both LAGs and project promoters to help improve and speed up the claim process. The Rural Network will also be involved. It is very important for this programme that funds are distributed more quickly to rural dwellers and an efficient claim process is a key point of achieving that.

Rural Development Programme

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) how much money each Rural Development cluster has awarded to date; (ii) what is the budget allocation for each cluster; and (iii) how many clusters have reached their agreed targets. [R]

(AQW 3705/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: (i) & (ii) The awards and allocations are as follows :-

(iii) All clusters submitted Local Rural Development Strategies and developed implementation plans for the full period of the programme 2007-2015, these included targets. As the programme still has several years to run all clusters are working towards these.

Rural Development Programme

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) how many projects in each Cluster area have dropped out of the Rural Development Programme after receiving approval from a Local Action Group and a Joint Committee due to bureaucracy or because of a technical issue raised by the Department; (ii) the total cost of these projects; (iii) the reason they dropped out; (iv) for her assessment of these reasons; and (v) what action she is taking to rectify this situation.[R]

(AQW 3706/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The statistics you have asked for have been taken from the EU grants database used by the council administration units on behalf of Joint Council Committees to input their progress and analyse applications.

I have included a table giving a breakdown of the figures you have asked for and would add the following summary;

(i) To date 6 applications in total are recorded as having dropped out due to bureaucracy and a further 7 due to technical issues.

(ii) The total cost of these projects is nil as they did not proceed but funding of £ 238,506 had been approved.

(iii) The reasons are as you requested bureaucracy and technical issues.

(iv) The reasons are not uncommon within any programme given the number of applications received.

(v) Officials continually meet with representatives of Joint Council Committees, Local Action Groups and Council Administration Units to examine day to day issues with progress and have recently introduced a number of easements to help progress applications.

Blue Tongue Disease

Mr P Girvan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what is the situation with regard to Blue Tongue disease; and why it is taking so long for cattle to be allowed entry to Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom.

(AQW 3722/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Following the widespread outbreaks of Bluetongue in Europe and Britain, I with the support of the UFU and other stakeholders, have consistently urged importers not to put their business, and those of their neighbours, at risk by importing animals from Bluetongue Protection Zones in Britain and Europe. The industry also decided to operate a voluntary ban on the imports of slaughter animals from Bluetongue affected areas. In addition any susceptible animals coming here from Britain or Europe are tested after they arrive to ensure they have complied with the legal requirements and these animals are restricted and isolated until the results of those tests are known.

I shudder to think of the consequences had these measures not been in place.

Almost three years ago, on 14 th February 2008, these control measures allowed us to quickly identify and cull an imported affected animal. Further investigations were carried out and a total of 30 animals were culled because they had also been affected by the disease or posed a threat of further disease spread.

Based on economic estimates the local industry could have suffered to the tune of £75m to date if bluetongue had become established then.

I have been consistent on this issue in maintaining a "Fortress Ireland” approach to keeping Bluetongue out and I do not intend to make any changes to this policy at this time.

Single Farm Payments

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many farmers have not yet received their Single Farm Payment.

(AQW 3769/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department has finalised 34,504 claims for receipt of any payment due by 31 January 2011. This is 90.3% of farmers who claimed the Single Farm Payment in 2010. A further 3,674 claims (9.7%) are not yet finalised for a variety of reasons, including queries on the claim, the need to complete processing of an on-farm inspection report, challenges by others of the right to claim the land, the need to await probate or because the farmer has not provided bank account details to allow payment to be made by electronic transfer. Not all remaining claims will be due a payment because of ineligibility or the application of penalties under scheme rules.

Rural Development Programme

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of the delays caused by the different procurement criteria applied by Government Departments and agencies which jointly fund projects under the Rural Development Programme; and what action she will take to address this issue.[R]

(AQW 3776/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I am unable to answer the question on behalf of other Departments and agencies. However as regards the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development the procurement criteria used by funded projects is informed by best practice and experience gained through audit and inspection findings and recommended actions of current and previous programmes such as Leader +.

My officials have been proactive in working with the Council Administration staff on the ground to address issues and have met with a number of bodies to ensure projects involving multiple agencies progress. Indeed when possible easements and improved practices have been introduced to help in these cases. However the overriding purpose of procurement is to achieve best value for the public purse in line with the 12 principals governing public procurement.

Single Farm Payments

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action she is taking to speed up the delivery of the outstanding Single Farm payments.

(AQW 3788/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I set challenging targets for my Department for the processing of 2010 Single Farm Payments during December 2010 and January 2011. The objective was to complete 83% of claims for receipt of any payment due by 31 December and a total of 90% by the end of January. I am pleased to say that both targets were exceeded with 84.5% achieved in December and 90.3% in January. A total of £231 million has been paid out for receipt by farmers before the end of January 2011.

I am keen that all the remaining claims are finalised at the earliest possible date and all possible steps are being taken to ensure that this is the case. However, under EU rules my Department can only make payments on fully verified claims and when the results of verification checks have been taken into account and the correct amount due has been calculated. Many of the remaining cases require recalculations going back over a number of years to take account of boundary changes and ineligible areas found at on-farm inspections. These assessments are highly complex and take time to clear. For this reason, I have made available more staff time for dealing with the remaining applications.

It is critical that farmers work with us by reporting changes to their maps and claiming only on eligible areas of land when they submit their claim in order to avoid delays at a later stage.

Rural Development Programme

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to AQW 2657/11, (i) whether the review of Axis 3 delivery has been completed; (ii) to outline the findings of the review; and (iii) whether Local Action Groups will be given clear and coherent guidance to avoid frustration in delivering the programme.

(AQW 3881/11)

• Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Review of Axis 3 delivery has been completed, and a paper setting out the recommendations to the Minister was issued to Local Action Groups and Councils before Christmas. I understand you are a member of the SOAR Joint Council Committee and I assume you have seen and commented on the paper.
• The Review sets out 7 key issues which are causing concern, some of which may have a direct impact on spend, and others which may have the effect of improving procedures generally.

The seven issues are:-

Audit/Procurement Rules

Many Article 26 re performance checks have been reduced to 50%. Where they remain at 100%, this is at the request of the LAGs.

Quotations are now ‘sought’, rather than ‘obtained’ and it is hoped that e-mail quotations will be accepted – this is still being assessed.

• Lack of flexibility on Operating Rules

Requests for phased payments and the use of underspend have been made. The phased payments, on a case by case basis, is agreed and underspend on Letters of Offer, up to a maximum value of 10% of total grant is also agreed.

• Capacity Issues/Spend

This is the crux of the difficulties within this Axis. Spend (which is processing claims quickly and effectively) is slow.

I have asked the Rural Network to work with Clusters on ways to help them speed up their claim work. There needs to be performance targets which are monitored and reviewed.

• Match Funding/Grant Rates

To change the intervention rates will require a sound rationale for the European Commission.

Raising the maximum of grant available (from £50k to £100k) requires evidence of need, and Monitoring Committee agreement. In Scotland and ROI the Private Sector Intervention Rate remains at 50%. However, evidence of need has been requested from the LAGs.

• Self Implementation Programmes

These types of projects can pose risks for the LAGs and the Department. However, the Rural Network have been asked to assist in assessing the value of these types of Projects on potential spend, in particular, and overall impact of the Programme.

• Best Practice

There are a number of issues which are resolved quickly by some LAGs and much more slowly by others. The exchange of best practice is key in a Programme such as this, and again the Rural Network will be working with LAGs and JCCs to revisit internal procedures and to produce a paper on a practical way forward for best practice communication.

• Programme Actions (Required Bid)

Clusters are keen to see a regional approach taken to Renewable Energy Projects and a Programme for Small Food Processors.

In relation to Small Food Processors, a paper has been drawn up to discuss how this might be taken forward in the context of food policy, and is under consideration.

• There are more difficulties in relation to Renewable Energy in connection with State Aid, and advice is being sought.
• Local Action Groups will be kept closely informed on progress. However, the key issue is to find ways to help them increase spend. The level of commitment by way of Letters of Offer is impressive, but this must be quickly realised into the payment of claims to rural businesses and the rural community in general.

I must emphasise that clear guidance for LAGs on all aspects of the Programme has been in place for some time.

Single Farm Payments

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, given that some farmers have been waiting for 12 months since farm inspections were carried out and have not yet received their Single Farm Payments, what plans she has to address the shortcomings in the Payment system.

(AQW 3949/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I set challenging payment processing targets for my Department for the processing of 2010 Single Farm Payments during December 2010 and January 2011. The objective was to complete 83% of claims for receipt of any payment due by 31 December and a total of 90% by the end of January 2011. I am pleased to say that both targets were exceeded with 84.5% achieved in December and 90.3% in January.

I am keen that all the remaining claims are finalised at the earliest possible date and all possible steps are being taken to ensure that this is the case. However, under EU rules my Department can only make payments on fully verified claims and when the results of verification checks have been taken into account and the correct amount has been calculated. Many of the remaining cases require recalculations going back a number of years to take account of boundary changes and ineligible land found at on-farm inspections. These assessments are highly complex and take time to clear. For this reason, I have made available more staff time for dealing with the remaining applications.

My Department has also now completed work to update the systems required to process claims to which penalties have to be applied under the cross compliance requirements because of discrepancies found at cattle identification inspections. These assessments are now being progressed and any payments due will be issued at the earliest possible date.

It is critical that farmers work with us by reporting changes to their maps, claiming only on eligible areas of land when they submit their claims and making sure that they comply with the cross compliance requirements, in order to avoid delays at a later stage.

Single Farm Payments

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many farmers were awaiting their Single Farm Payment as of 31 January 2011.

(AQW 3972/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department had finalised 34,504 claims for receipt of any payment due by 31 January 2011. That is 90.3% of farmers who claimed the Single Farm Payment in 2010. 3,674 (9.7%) claims are not yet finalised for a variety of reasons, including queries on the claim, the need to complete processing of an on-farm inspection report, challenges by others of the right to claim the land, the need to await probate or because the farmer has not provided bank account details to allow payment to be made by electronic transfer. Not all of the remaining claims will be due a payment because of ineligibility or the application of penalties under scheme rules.

Water Leaks: Farmland

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she plans to lobby NI Water on behalf of farmers who suffered water leaks on their land during the recent adverse weather and who might receive significantly increased water bills because of the time taken to locate and repair leaks.

(AQO 913/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Farmers and rural dwellers were particularly badly hit during the recent adverse weather. My Department played its full part in supporting NI Water, and during the course of the incident we provided general advice for farmers on checking premises for leaks as well as specific advice regarding drinking water requirements for livestock, and dairy hygiene. We also provided Rivers Agency staff to visit farms and deliver bottled water to vulnerable people; Departmental staff volunteered to assist with call handling within the NI Water call centre; and we set up a dedicated DARD Helpline.

I would pay tribute to farmers and the wider rural community for their resilience during this difficult time. I would also commend staff from my own Department, as well as NI Water, for dealing with a number of urgent cases reported to our Helpline so quickly.

I have discussed the matter of leakages with the Minister for Regional Development and he has been advised by NI Water (NIW) that damage or defects can occur at any time during the year which can result in leakage on customer supply pipes.

NI Water has advised that it developed its current arrangements for dealing with payment for water lost from customers’ pipes in 2008. In these arrangements, non-domestic customers such as farmers who are billed on a metered basis will be charged for the water that has been recorded by the meter, whether used or lost through leakage within the property. However, billed customers who have experienced a leak, and who are connected to the public sewer, can apply for a reduction of the sewerage bill in recognition that the leaked water would not have returned to the sewer.

NI Water is not responsible for the supply pipe within the customer’s property and encourages property owners to protect and maintain their private pipes. It is not reasonable to expect other customers or the taxpayer to bear the cost of water wastage arising from leaks on private pipes.

Farm Maps

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what is the proposed timetable for the completion of the new farm maps.

(AQO 914/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) Improvement Project to improve the quality of farm maps will be carried out in two Phases. Phase one will deal with the issues which are of most concern to the EU auditors. It will remove areas from fields that are ineligible to receive area based payments. Phase One will be substantially complete by January 2012 with most new maps issued to farmers between August and December 2011.

Phase 2 aims to amend the Ordnance Survey maps and then the DARD farm maps to align them with Global Position System technology. I expect the Phase two changes to be minimal, but they are necessary improvements to the mapping data-base.

Headquarters: DARD

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she can confirm that the proposed relocation of her Department's headquarters will cost about £26 million.

(AQO 915/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: As identified in the Draft Budget 2011-15 Spending and Savings Proposals within Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, I have made provision for a capital allocation of £13m in 2014/15 to begin a new building, with the remaining £13m of capital expenditure falling into the following budget period. The overall estimated capital cost of a new DARD Headquarters is in the region of £26m.

This proposal has my personal commitment because it is time that Government was more proactive in decentralising its functions into the rural community, particularly West of the Bann. This presents an opportunity to move public sector jobs out of Belfast into a rural area, which is line with the recommendation of the Bain report on relocating public sector jobs. I am excited at the prospect of having a main Government Department headquartered outside the Greater Belfast Area and more especially so because it is my Department, whose customers are located almost exclusively in rural areas. This represents an important first step to relocate a significant share of public sector jobs to rural areas bringing with it significant socio-economic benefits from increased local spending and access to high quality, local employment.

I envisage the project to relocate the DARD HQ will not be complete until around 2016 and can confirm that an economical appraisal will be carried out as part of the overall plan for the project. I can assure you that this project will be subject to the Executive’s usual requirements in respect of business cases and procurement.

Cattle: Electronic Tagging

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has any plans to introduce the electronic tagging of cattle.

(AQO 916/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Electronic identification, or EID, of cattle is under active consideration in Brussels and we are awaiting proposals on the issue from the European Commission. The Commission is expected to present a proposal on Cattle EID at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in May, with the potential to introduce legislation later this year or early next. When the EU legislation comes into force this would allow us to introduce domestic legislation to support the use of EID tags as an official means of identification, and may also allow us to require EID tags on a compulsory basis.

The objective of electronic tagging of cattle is to make it easier to trace individual animals, especially in a serious disease outbreak situation such as Foot and Mouth Disease, and to improve the reliability of cattle tracing, which would in turn increase customer confidence in our products. I would expect a Cattle EID system to offer many of the opportunities that were offered through the Sheep EID system that we introduced last year . These could include advantages to keepers through reduced bureaucracy, paperwork costs, and a reduced risk of recording errors.

There has been significant industry support for Cattle EID here based on the potential for improving competitiveness, increasing market opportunities and exploiting wider technical developments for the benefit of the beef sector. I know that many dairy keepers and some suckler keepers are actively using EID technology to improve their businesses and my officials will continue to work with the industry to ensure that the technology is used effectively.

My officials will also continue to work closely with officials in the south to ensure that any Cattle EID systems adopted are compatible and support the All Island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy objective of the free movement of animals.

Cattle Diseases

Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action her Department will take over the next four years to eradicate Brucellosis and significantly reduce Tuberculosis.

(AQO 917/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: We have made significant progress in our fight against brucellosis since our peak in 2002, to an annual herd incidence of 0.38% at 30 November 2010. Eradication of this disease in the next few years is a realistic possibility, provided our good progress is not frustrated by further fraudulent activity, including deliberate infection.

We have also made considerable progress in TB eradication, reducing the herd incidence from almost 10% in 2002 to 5.29% at 30 November 2010. There has been an encouraging steady reduction in the animal incidence over the past year which, if sustained, should lead to a further reduction in the herd incidence here.

We continue to work to enhance our TB eradication programme. We now remove as reactors animals that give an inconclusive result to a second consecutive TB test, rather than a third test as before. Removing these reactors at an earlier stage should help further reduce TB levels.

We are now applying DNA identity tags to reactors to help reduce the potential for animal substitution post-valuation, to reduce the risk of both fraud and further disease spread.

We are conducting a TB Biosecurity Study to assess what differences there are between herds that are infected and herds that remain free of disease in a TB high incidence area in County Down. This Study should help inform new biosecurity advice for farmers.

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) have been commissioned to conduct comprehensive literature reviews on critical evidence gaps in relation to bovine TB. We are developing links with the current badger vaccination trials that are being undertaken in the south of Ireland and England. We are also reviewing the way we use the gamma interferon blood test in the TB programme to ensure we are making the best use of it. And we have made improvements in the rigour of our TB testing process and supervision.

I am committed to eradicating these diseases and will continue to work towards this end.

Dioxin Contamination

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she will undertake to have the issue of the 2008 Dioxin Contamination Incident placed on the agenda of the next Joint Ministerial Meeting with a view to the two Ministers issuing a joint statement on all the findings since the outbreak.

(AQO 918/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Dioxin issue has been discussed at a number of North South Ministerial Council meetings (NSMC) under the Animal Health area of co-operation agenda item. There has already been significant progress made on strengthening cooperation on the island of Ireland in order to deal with such incidents in the future.

My Department has developed a common early warning protocol for major incidents with DAFF which covers the following areas:-

Pesticides and their residues;

Meat, dairy and eggs;

Animal Feed; and

Plant Health and horticulture.

My officials will discuss and consider with their southern counterparts the frequency of testing of these protocols on an all island basis, in the meantime plans are already underway for an all island contingency exercise later this year to test mapping capability with a more extensive contingency exercise anticipated for next year.

It is expected that the Executive will formally respond to the Mackenzie review into the quality, timeliness and management of the incident in the near future. I would expect progress to be discussed on this issue at the next NSMC meeting.

Headquarters: DARD

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when an economic appraisal will be carried out on the £13 million prioritised capital spend on a new departmental headquarters as outlined in her Department's spending proposals for 2011-15.

(AQO 919/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: As identified in the Draft Budget 2011-15 Spending and Savings Proposals within Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, I have made provision for a capital allocation of £13m in 2014/15 to begin a new building, with the remaining £13m of capital expenditure falling into the following budget period. The overall estimated capital cost of a new DARD Headquarters is in the region of £26m.

This proposal has my personal commitment because it is time that Government was more proactive in decentralising its functions into the rural community, particularly West of the Bann. This presents an opportunity to move public sector jobs out of Belfast into a rural area, which is line with the recommendation of the Bain report on relocating public sector jobs. I am excited at the prospect of having a main Government Department headquartered outside the Greater Belfast Area and more especially so because it is my Department, whose customers are located almost exclusively in rural areas. This represents an important first step to relocate a significant share of public sector jobs to rural areas bringing with it significant socio-economic benefits from increased local spending and access to high quality, local employment.

I envisage the project to relocate the DARD HQ will not be complete until around 2016 and can confirm that an economical appraisal will be carried out as part of the overall plan for the project. I can assure you that this project will be subject to the Executive’s usual requirements in respect of business cases and procurement.

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Displays at the Ulster Museum Relating to the IRA Hunger Strikes

Mr S Anderson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for his assessment of the displays at the Ulster Museum relating to the IRA Hunger Strikes.

(AQW 3714/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr N McCausland): The Troubles Gallery at the Ulster Museum contains one interpretive panel relating to the Hunger Strikes.

The Troubles Gallery has been on display since the Ulster museum reopened to the public on 22 October 2009.

This panel is part of the Troubles Gallery which comprises a series of interpretative panels and supporting photographs. It is arranged around particular themes and events which are intended to give a broad platform of information about issues which have shaped our recent history.

National Museums NI are currently undertaking a Post Project Evaluation (PPE) of the Ulster Museum investment. This has been expanded, at my request, to consider matters such as curatorial interpretation and presentation.

I look forward to, in due course, receiving and considering the final PPE report which will contain input from independent advisors.

Carling Nations Cup 2011

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action his Department and Sport NI are taking to promote the Carling Nations Cup 2011 in order to take full advantage of the tourism opportunities it will bring.

(AQW 3758/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: As sports Minister for Northern Ireland, I am pleased that the Northern Ireland international football team will be participating in the Carling Nations Cup 2011. However, neither my Department nor Sport NI have any remit to either promote the Carling Nations Cup 2011 or take advantage of the tourism opportunities it may bring. All games in the 2011 Cup are being staged in Dublin and responsibility for promoting the competition rests, in the first instance, with the organisers namely the Football Association of Ireland, the Irish Football Association, the Scottish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales.

Responsibility for tourism promotion in Northern Ireland, including taking advantage of tourism opportunities provided by major events, is a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

Sports Stadia: Development

Mr F McCann asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline the proposed timescale for the development of Casement Park, Windsor Park and Ravenhill.

(AQO 921/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Providing fit-for-purpose stadiums for football, Gaelic games and rugby is, and has been since coming into office, one of my key priorities. To secure this objective my Department, through Sport NI, appointed consultants to undertake an Outline Business Case to examine the preferred options identified by the sports for their long-term stadium needs, including variations around those options and two-sport options. The Outline Business Case has been completed, fully considered within my Department and is currently being assessed by the Department of Finance and Personnel.

Funding to take forward stadium development was always subject to normal budgetary processes and I am delighted that the Executive, in announcing the draft Budget 2011-2015, has included £110m for this purpose. This is a significant outcome in financially challenging times and one which will now enable me, in consultation with the Executive, to further consider how best to progress this issue.

In terms of timescales for the development of Casement Park, Windsor Park and Ravenhill, this is very much dependent on the varying nature of work required to bring stadium provision to acceptable standards. The Sports’ Governing Bodies will be working on their respective stadiums at their own pace having regard to individual design requirements, planning, procurement and other complexities normally associated with major developments of this kind.

Sport: Newbuilds

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for his assessment of the impact of the shelving of five new sports centre builds on the sustainability of these sports and what alternative support his Department can offer.

(AQO 922/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: All Departments are going through the biggest budget cuts experienced in a generation and as a result whilst some of my Department’s key priorities were met, some on the other hand were not met. I am disappointed not to have the money to invest in Elite facilities. This will have an impact on the sports’ ability to achieve their ambition to enhance and develop high performance athletes in their respective disciplines.

I have already publicly stated that despite this disappointing outcome there has been very significant investment in sport by my Department. Some £53m of capital investment delivering new and up graded sports facilities across Northern Ireland will have been made over the period 2008 to 2011 through programmes such as Places for Sport, Stadia Safety and the Building Sport Programme. This figure also includes the 50metre swimming pool which is on target to be completed in June 2012. Additionally, Lottery funding has also contributed significantly to the establishment of the Sports Institute Northern Ireland and its ongoing role in providing support to elite athletes.

In terms of the specific investment to date by the applicants I would emphasise that consultants were appointed directly by them and negotiation of fees and the amounts involved is entirely a matter between the applicant and their consultants.

Arm’s-Length Bodies: DCAL

Mr M Brady asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, given the recent budget constraints, how he intends to ensure balanced spending within his Department's arms-length bodies.

(AQO 924/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I am not entirely sure what the member means by “ensuring balanced spending” – whether he is referring to the Department’s allocations of budget across its sponsored bodies; or to allocations within various sectors like arts or sports; or to the control of spending within budget limits. I trust I will have interpreted him correctly if I concentrate on how allocations to arm’s length bodies are arrived at.

In reviewing allocations across my Department and its Arm’s Length Bodies, following the Executive’s announcement, I have been mindful of a number of factors.

I have considered the long term impact of budget cuts on infrastructure and the existence of inescapable pay and cost pressures. I have also borne in mind the existence of alternative funding streams, for example, from Lottery and from charging or other revenue raising possibilities. Indeed, I believe that public bodies should take every step to explore these possibilities as imaginatively as possible.

There are also my priorities as a Minister to consider and the requirement for my Department to service the Assembly.

Finally, I have also tried to offer some measure of protection to smaller bodies

In weighing these factors, I have endeavoured to ensure as fair a balance as possible in the circumstances.

2012 Olympics: Training

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether his Department has been successful in attracting any international teams to use local training facilities ahead of the London Olympics in 2012.

(AQO 927/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Work to attract countries for pre Games training began in 2007 by ensuring Northern Ireland venues were included in the London 2012 pre Games training camp Guide. A delegation with representatives from my Department, SportNI and Local Government went to the Beijing Games in the Summer of 2008 where they promoted Northern Ireland as a pre Games training destination to all National and Paralympic Committees.

Members of the Pre Games training camp subgroup have attended many major sporting events both abroad and in the UK to promote Northern Ireland for pre Games training. Delegations from other Countries including Palestine and Russia have been hosted in NI and received presentations on this opportunity. Some of the Countries that have been visited include Lebanon, Jordan and Germany.

During my visit to the Commonwealth Games in Dehli last year, I used the opportunity to promote NI venues for pre Games training to key sporting contacts I met.

In addition my Officials have presented to Honorary Consuls in Northern Ireland representing 31 Countries worldwide, who have agreed to promote this opportunity in their respective sponsor countries.

A number of National Olympic Committees and National Paralympic Committees are currently considering Northern Ireland as a destination for their 2012 pre Games training camps these include, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Jordan and Palestine.

It is important to note that apart from all but the very best athletes in the world, few will know whether or not they have qualified to take part in the Games and therefore selection of training camp destinations will not be known for some time, and will be dependent on the number of athletes and their disciplines.

SportNI continue to work with Governing Bodies and key figures in sports to develop contacts in order to run events, visits and qualification events for a number of sports, such as: badminton, athletics, judo, sailing, boxing, table tennis, fencing and gymnastics.

2012 Olympics: Benefits

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, given the shelving of sports projects and plans to maximise legacy benefits, for his assessment of the benefits of the 2012 London Olympics for our local community.

(AQO 929/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: My Department continues to work with Northern Ireland 2012 partners and London2012 to maximise the benefits, in terms of: sport, business, volunteering, cultural activities and tourism.
The Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place so close to Northern Ireland provides us with the unique opportunity to inspire and increase participation in sports and the arts; to engage the young in these activities and make a positive contribution to tackling obesity.

We have worked closely with London2012 to secure 4 days for the Olympic torch relay in Northern Ireland and this will provide the opportunity to raise the profile of community events and for them to become part of the London2012 celebrations and the Cultural Olympiad.

Through a partnership with VolunteerNow we are working hard to maximise the opportunities for our volunteers and will increase both the capacity and capability of volunteering in Northern Ireland that will help to secure future international and major events and support the delivery of the World Police and Fire Games that are taking place in Northern Ireland in August 2013, requiring in the region of 5,000 volunteers.

Furthermore, we have worked closely with Invest NI to maximise the 2012-related business opportunities for Northern Ireland companies, such as Lagan Construction, who have secured a contract to build a bridge in the heart of the Olympic Park. To date more than 30 local companies have won contracts estimated at a value of £24m.

The legacy benefits will be to develop our experience and those 2012 activities and apply them to the significant Northern Ireland based 2013 activities, such as the World Police and Fire Games and City of Culture, ensuring a positive and lasting legacy.

2012 Olympics: Sports Centres

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much has been invested to date in planning for the five sports centres for the 2012 Olympics, for which funding has now been withdrawn.

(AQO 930/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: All Departments are going through the biggest budget cuts experienced in a generation and as a result whilst some of my Department’s key priorities were met, some on the other hand were not met. I am disappointed not to have the money to invest in Elite facilities. This will have an impact on the sports’ ability to achieve their ambition to enhance and develop high performance athletes in their respective disciplines.

I have already publicly stated that despite this disappointing outcome there has been very significant investment in sport by my Department. Some £53m of capital investment delivering new and up graded sports facilities across Northern Ireland will have been made over the period 2008 to 2011 through programmes such as Places for Sport, Stadia Safety and the Building Sport Programme. This figure also includes the 50metre swimming pool which is on target to be completed in June 2012. Additionally, Lottery funding has also contributed significantly to the establishment of the Sports Institute Northern Ireland and its ongoing role in providing support to elite athletes.

In terms of the specific investment to date by the applicants I would emphasise that consultants were appointed directly by them and negotiation of fees and the amounts involved is entirely a matter between the applicant and their consultants.

Ulster-Scots Agency: Invoices

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what is the target time for processing invoices within the Ulster Scots Agency.

(AQO 931/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: In accordance with Government Accounting Practice the Ulster-Scots Agency has a target time of 30 days for the processing of invoices from suppliers relating to the payment of goods and services.

Under the Financial Assistance Scheme the Agency has a target of 5 weeks for the payment of grants from receipt of fully completed applications with supporting paperwork.

Sports Stadium

Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if his Department will reconsider funding a new shared sports stadium, as a cheaper alternative to upgrading the three current stadia.

(AQO 932/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The member will be aware of the origins of my Department’s present consideration of stadium development. When it was decided that a shared stadium option at the Maze should not proceed it was essential to find a cost-effective, sustainable and affordable way of assisting football, rugby and Gaelic games to meet their regional stadium needs.

We asked the Governing Bodies of these sports to come forward with options on stadium provision to meet their long-term strategic requirements. The outcome clearly indicated that they saw three separate and individually-tailored stadiums as the most practical and effective way as achieving this. The Executive Committee subsequently agreed that we move forward on that basis.

Much work has since been done on this and we have been working closely with the three sports on developing proposals. This has culminated in the production of an Outline Business Case covering all three sports which has closely examined all the options, and variations of options. The Outline Business Case has been completed, examined within my Department and is presently the subject of scrutiny by the Department of Finance and Personnel.

Regional stadium development has therefore proceeded on the basis originally envisaged and agreed by the Executive. There is no opportunity to incorporate the type of approach you suggest at this stage in the process.

King James Bible

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans he has to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.

(AQO 933/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I have written to the Chief Executives of PRONI, National Museums Northern Ireland, the Arts Council and Libraries Northern Ireland to encourage them to mark the 400 th anniversary of the King James Bible as part of their planned commemoration events.

Department of Education

Primary Languages Programme

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education (i) which languages are currently being taught through the Primary Languages Programme; and (ii) to list the schools which have chosen to teach each language in the 2010/11 academic year, broken down by Education and Library Board area.

(AQW 2845/11)

Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane ): Is iad na teangacha atá á dteagasc trí Chlár na dTeangacha i mBunscoileanna ná an Ghaeilge, an Spáinnis agus an Pholainnis.

The languages currently being taught though the Primary Languages Programme are Irish, Spanish and Polish.

The 359 schools currently participating in the programme are detailed in the tables below by Education and Library Board Area and the language being taught.

School Maintenance Schemes

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education whether there are any plans to implement the measured term contracts for school maintenance schemes beyond the Belfast Education and Library Board area.

(AQW 3055/11)

Minister of Education: Measured Term Contracts are not new to the Education and Library Boards (ELBs) and have been used to deliver maintenance across the schools’ estate for the past 10 years.

Tá pleananna idir lámha cheana féin le conarthaí Seirbhíse Téarma (TSCanna) le haghaidh cothabhála scoile a chur i bhfeidhm ar fud na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlann (ELBanna).

Plans are already underway to implement Term Service contracts (TSCs) for school maintenance across the Education and Library Boards (ELBs).

The introduction of TSCs is a means of adopting a consistent approach across the ELBs and to ensure compliance with the direction of the Procurement Board and the Central Procurement Directorate (DFP) who specified that all public sector contracts of this nature should use an NEC form of contract. Term Service Contracts are part of the NEC3 suite of contracts.

You will be aware that I have commissioned investigations in regard to procurement in two of the ELBs, one of which is looking specifically at the management and control of maintenance contracts in the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB). The outcome of these investigations will be taken into account in putting in place a new Centre of Procurement Excellence for the Education Sector.

End Year Flexibility

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education the dates on which she wrote to the Treasury and the Minister of Finance and Personnel regarding the removal of access to End Year Flexibility.

(AQW 3506/11)

Minister of Education: I think it is important to set the record straight here given some comments in recent days.

Chuir Státchoiste na Breataine srianadh rochtain i bhfeidhm ar Sholúbthacht Dheireadh na Bliana (EYF) sa bhliain 2008.

The British Treasury restricted access to End Year Flexibility (EYF) in 2008. At that time I made several representations to the then Finance Minister, Peter Robinson.  At that point, the Executive collectively recognised the unique position of Education and agreed that schools and Education and Library Boards should be treated as a special case.

Since then, I have continually highlighted the importance of EYF to the education system with two further Finance Ministers, Nigel Dodds and Sammy Wilson. 

Since 2008/09 my Department has sought access to EYF from the Executive as required and at the same time worked with Education and Library Boards to manage the position of individual schools through prudent financial planning.

In October, the British Treasury demanded that the existing EYF scheme was to be abolished, including all accumulated stocks, with effect from the end of this financial year.

I was not prepared to accept this loss of school funding and I immediately raised this issue at the Executive meeting on 22 October 2010 and at Budget Bilateral meetings with the Finance Minister. I then formally issued a letter to the Finance Minister on 13 January 2011 and followed this up with a meeting on 21 January, at which the issue was resolved.

We both agreed that schools must continue to have access in the future to surpluses which they have accumulated through sound financial management and guaranteed to put in place arrangements to ensure that both past and future savings would be honoured, in line with the Executive’s commitment to schools.

This is a good outcome for our schools – indeed the outcome I fought for. Schools have now been provided the certainty they require.

Lagan Valley Area: School Budgets

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number and names of schools in the Lagan Valley area which saved money from previous years budgets, that is now being removed; and (ii) the amount of money saved by each school.

(AQW 3558/11)

Minister of Education: I ndiaidh an chomhaontaithe is déanaí a rinne mé leis an Aire Airgeadais ar 21 Eanáir 2011, féadaim a dhearbhú duit nár baineadh aon fhuílleach scoile ar shiúl sa bhliain airgeadais reatha.

Following the recent agreement I made with the Finance Minister on 21 January 2011, I can assure you that there has been no removal of school surpluses in the current financial year. Furthermore, I have agreed with the Finance Minister that schools must continue to have access to these surpluses in the future. School surpluses will therefore continue to roll-over into future financial years.

The latest Financial Year for which the data you have requested is available is 2009/10. At March 2010, there were 36 schools in the Lagan Valley constituency which had saved money (cumulative school delegated budget surpluses) from previous years’ budgets. The detail of individual schools, including the amount of school surplus for each, is shown in the table below.

School Budget Surpluses

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) her Department's position on the roll-over of school budget surpluses into the 2011/12 financial year; (ii) what action is being taken to ensure this money is not lost; and (iii) what communication her Department has had with schools in relation to this matter.

(AQW 3599/11)

Minister of Education: Ba é mo dhearcadh riamh gur trí bhainistíocht fhónta airgeadais atá na fuílligh seo carntha ag scoileanna agus go bhfuil siad i dteideal rochtain a bheith acu ar na fuílligh seo i rith an ama.

My view has always been that schools have accumulated these surpluses through sound financial management and that they are entitled to continue to have access to these surpluses. This is the position I have taken with successive Finance Ministers and with Executive colleagues over a number of years.

The British Treasury took the decision to abolish End Year Flexibility (EYF), including all accumulated stocks, from the end of this financial year. Neither I, nor my Department, were prepared to accept this loss of schools’ funding and raised the issue with the Executive and the Finance Minister. Most recently, I wrote to Sammy Wilson on 13 January 2011 and as a result I had a meeting with the Finance Minister on 21 January 2011 to resolve the issue. We both agreed that schools must continue to have access to these surpluses in the future. School surpluses will therefore roll-over into the 2011/12 and future financial years.

This is a good outcome for our schools – indeed the outcome I fought for.

I asked my officials to write to all grant-aided schools on 18 January 2011 advising them that under the Local Management of Schools (LMS) arrangements, schools were allowed to carry forward unspent delegated funds that could be accessed through the End Year Flexibility mechanism. The letter made it clear that I regarded the removal of schools savings by the British Treasury as unacceptable and was doing all I could to resolve the difficulties and get a fair deal for our schools. I have since written to all schools (on 24 January 2011) advising them that I was able to reach a satisfactory resolution to the matter with the Finance Minister and confirming that they could still access their surpluses. Schools have now been provided the certainty they require. I trust this will ease the very real concerns on this matter

Religious Education

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Education what action her Department is taking to ensure that all schools notify parents of their right to have their children opt out of religious education.

(AQW 3636/11)

Minister of Education: Tá an tOideachas Reiligiúnach ina chuid reachtúil den churaclam le haghaidh gach dalta ón Bhunchéim go hEochairchéim 4. De réir Airteagal 21(5) den Ord um Leabharlanna agus Oideachas (TÉ) 1986, Education and Libraries (NI) order 1986, áfach, tá an ceart ag tuismitheoirí a gcuid páistí a aistarraingt ó gach chomhgníomhaíocht adhartha (nó cuid de) agus ó ranganna RE mar aon, de réir a gcoinsias pearsanta.

Religious Education is a statutory part of the curriculum for all pupils from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 4. However, under Article 21(5) of the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1986, parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of collective worship and/or RE lessons on the grounds of conscience .

Departmental circular - 2003/15 issued to all grant-aided schools, ELB’s, CCMS and CCEA advises schools of their requirements and responsibilities in providing information to parents of pupils at school. The circular refers to requirements on schools to publish information in their schools prospectuses about Religious Education provided at the school and of the arrangements in respect of the exercise by the parents of a pupil of their rights under Article 21(5) of the 1986 Order in relation to the pupil’s attendance at collective worship or religious education.

Religious Education

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Education what alternatives are provided for pupils who opt out of religious education in schools.

(AQW 3637/11)

Minister of Education: Má iarrann tuismitheoir dhalta ar bith go n-aistarraingítear a pháiste ó Oideachas Reiligiúnach (RE), tá an scoil freagrach as soláthar malartach a chur ar fáil do na daltaí sin.

If the parent of any pupil requests that their child should be wholly or partly withdrawn from Religious Education (RE), it is the responsibility of the school to provide alternative provision for such pupils. The nature of provision will naturally vary from school to school, reflecting any agreed school policies on this issue, the staffing position within the school, the numbers of children involved and the needs of those children. Principals, Board of Governors and teachers are supported in this by the Curriculum Advisory Support Service.

Religious Education

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Education what action her Department is taking to ensure that religious education in schools takes into account religions other than Christian-based faiths.

(AQW 3638/11)

Minister of Education: Is ar scoileanna atá an fhreagracht maidir leis an Oideachas Reiligiúnach (RE) a sheachadadh agus is ceist é nádúr agus ábhar an tseachadta sin nach mór do scoileanna a dhearbhú i gcomhairle le tuismitheoirí ar shlí a léiríonn éiteas sainiúil na scoile.

The responsibility for delivering Religious Education (RE) rests with schools and the nature and content of that delivery is a matter for schools to determine in consultation with parents and in a way that reflects the particular ethos of the school.

In order to ensure that teaching of RE is broad and balanced and integrated with other areas of learning within the revised curriculum, a Core Syllabus for Religious Education was developed and introduced into schools from 2007.

That Core Syllabus reflect the predominantly Christian ethos of our schools while also recognising the increasing diversity of faith that is now part of, and I believe greatly enriches, our society.

The revised curriculum also includes a specific focus on building tolerance and respect for difference. Within the Religious Education syllabus, World Religions are now specifically referenced. For example, at Key Stage 3, the syllabus provides for pupils are to be given opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of two world religions other than Christianity, with an emphasis on the beliefs, practices and lifestyles of their followers.

Opting out of Religious Education Report by Queen's University

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware of the 'Opting out of Religious Education' report by Queen's University; and for her assessment of this report.

(AQW 3639/11)

Minister of Education: Níor cuireadh an tuairisc “Opting Out of Religious Education - The Views of Young People from Minority Belief Backgrounds” ar aghaidh chuig mo Roinn le go ndéanfaí trácht air agus ní raibh mé ar an eolas faoina fhoilsiú go dtí ar na mallaibh.

The report “Opting Out of Religious Education - The Views of Young People from Minority Belief Backgrounds” has not been sent to my Department for comment and I have only very recently become aware of its publication. It is an interesting report and we will consider carefully its findings and recommendations.

Pupils Suspended or Expelled for Carrying Weapons

Mr Pól Callaghan asked the Minister of Education how many pupils have been (i) suspended; or (ii) expelled for carrying weapons in each of the last five years, broken down by Education and Library Board area.

(AQW 3649/11)

Minister of Education:Ní bhailíonn an Roinn an t-eolas a iarradh.

Nuair a tharlaíonn fionraí nó díbirt bailítear eolas fúthu seo ar bhonn bliantúil ó gach Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann agus ní shainaithnítear san eolas seo an t-iompar airm mar chúis shonrach le haghaidh fionraí nó díbeartha.

The Department does not collect the information requested.

Suspensions and expulsions are collected on an annual basis from each of the Education and Library Boards and do not identify carrying a weapon as a specific reason for suspension or expulsion.

Teaching Posts

Mr Pól Callaghan asked the Minister of Education how many teaching posts have been advertised in each of the last three years: and of these, how many applications have been received for each post, broken down by Education and Library Board area.

(AQW 3651/11)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla seo a leanas:

The information requested is as follows:

1 Information is presented in academic years

2 For posts advertised from September 2010 to present

New School Builds

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Education how many schools in the South Antrim area are currently awaiting approval for new school builds; and how many proposals at an advanced stage will be affected by the budget cuts.

(AQW 3671/11)

Minister of Education: I gceantar Aontroma theas, tá tionscadal amháin ar Phlean um Sheachadadh Infheistíochta na Roinne (IDP) agus tá 6 thionscadal bhreise ag staid Staidéar Féidearthachta agus Breithmheas Eacnamaíochta.

In the south Antrim area, there is one project on the Department’s Investment Delivery Plan (IDP) and a further 6 potential projects are at Feasibility Study and Economic Appraisal stage.

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 it will not be possible to commence construction of any new schools in 2011-12. I will write to schools to inform them of the position 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.

Economic Appraisals

Mr P Girvan asked the Minister of Education to detail the process followed by schools when carrying out an economic appraisal, including the criteria used; and whether this criteria applies to all sectors.

(AQW 3688/11)

Minister of Education: Tá Breithmheas Eacnamaíochta de dhíth le haghaidh na móroibreacha caipitil ar fad atá beartaithe i ngach scoil i ngach earnáil. Déantar gach Breithmheas Eacnamaíochta de réir na treorach sa Treoirleabhar um Breithmheas agus Measúnú ar Chaiteachas.

An Economic Appraisal is required for all proposed major capital works in all schools in all sectors. All Economic Appraisals are carried out in line with guidance in the Guide to Expenditure Appraisal and Evaluation ( NIGEAE)

Surplus Money in Schools' Budgets

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Education (i) to outline the legal position on surplus money in schools' budgets at the end of this financial year; and (ii) whether a school is within its rights to determine how these surplus monies are used (a) before the end of this financial year; and (b) in the next financial year.

(AQW 3708/11)

Minister of Education: Tá an cumas fuílligh a iompar ar aghaidh leabaithe i Scéim Bhainistíocht Áitiúil na Scoileanna (LMS).

The ability to carry forward surpluses is embedded in the Local Management of Schools (LMS) Scheme. Under the LMS arrangements, schools may carry-forward unspent delegated funding from one financial year to future years.

The purposes for which accumulated surpluses may be used are limited to items of expenditure as permitted under the Common Funding Scheme.

I am delighted to be able to advise you that following my meeting with the Finance Minister on 21 January, we have agreed that the arrangement to carry forward unspent funding will remain in place. My Department and DFP colleagues will now work on the detailed arrangements for this.

Balmoral High School, Lisburn

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Education (i) which school is currently operating out of the old Balmoral High School, Lisburn; (ii) how long the building has been occupied; (iii) the cost to date of keeping this school building open for the school currently occupying it; (iv) how many pupils and staff are working out of the building; and (v) what is the capacity of the building.

(AQW 3715/11)

Minister of Education: Tá Bunscoil Cholmáin i Lann Bheag san fhoirgneamh ina mbíodh Ardscoil Bhaile Mhoireil faoi láthair. Tá an foirgneamh á áitiú ag Bunscoil Cholmáin le 24 mhí agus fanfaidh sí ar an tsuíomh go dtí deireadh na scoilbhliana 2011/12.

The former Balmoral High School is currently occupied by St Colman’s Primary School, Lambeg. St Colman’s primary school has occupied the building for 24 months and will remain on site until the end of the 2011/12 school year. Prior to the relocation of St Colman’s the premises were vacant, due to the closure of Balmoral High School in August 2008.

The cost of relocating St Colman’s Primary School to the former Balmoral premises amounted to £329k, which compared favourably against the cost of providing temporary mobile accommodation, resulting in a saving to the Education Sector of around £100k. The cost to date of keeping the school building open for use by St Colman’s, up to the end of January 2011 amounts to £495k.

There are 341 pupils and 34 staff (17 teachers, 13 classroom assistants, 2 admin staff and 2 caretakers) at the school.

The Balmoral premises were originally built for a capacity of 500 pupils.

St Colman's Primary School, Lisburn

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Education (i) whether her Department intends to go ahead with the building of a new school for St Colman's Primary School, Lisburn as announced on 5 August 2010; (ii) how much the project is scheduled to cost; (iii) the current stage of the project; and (iv) who owns the land in which the new school building is to be built.

(AQW 3716/11)

Minister of Education: Tig liom a dhearbhú go bhfuil mo Roinn ag leanúint ar aghaidh leis an tionscadal le foirgneamh úr scoile a sholáthar do Bhunscoil Cholmáin, Lann Bheag.

I can confirm that my Department is proceeding with the project to provide a new school building for St Colman’s Primary School, Lambeg.

The estimated total cost of the project is £3.8m, which includes for the construction of the new school and associated professional fees. Tenders for the construction work were received in December 2010 and my Department is currently considering the Tender Report submitted by the school’s consultants on 14 January 2011. It is anticipated that construction work will commence in February 2011.

The main site on which the new school is to be constructed is in the ownership of the school’s Trustees. Some additional areas of land required to facilitate the project are currently in the ownership of the Parish of Derriaghy. The Parish has agreed to transfer the ownership of the required areas to the school Trustees at “nil cost” and the acquisition / vesting of the additional plots is expected to be completed in late January / early February.

Over-Subscribed Schools

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to detail the (i) nursery schools; (ii) primary schools; and (iii) post-primary schools that were over-subscribed for the 2010/11 academic year in the North Down constituency.

(AQW 3742/11)

Minister of Education: Dhearbhaigh Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Oirdheiscirt go raibh ró-shuibscríobh iarratas don scoilbhliain 2010/11 ann i dtoghcheantar an Dúin Thuaidh maidir leis na naíscoileanna, na naíonraí, na bunscoileanna agus na hiarbhunscoileanna seo a leanas:

The South-Eastern Education and Library Board has confirmed that in the North Down Constituency the following nursery schools, nursery units, primary school and post primary schools were over-subscribed with applications for the 2010/11 school year:

Nursery schools:Bangor Central Nursery School

Holywood Nursery School

Trinity Nursery School

Nursery units at primary schools: Donaghadee Primary

Millisle Primary School

Bloomfield Road Primary School

Kilcooley Primary School

Rathmore Primary School

Towerview Primary School

Kilmaine Primary School

St Malachy’s Primary School

Primary schools: Crawfordsburn Primary School

Kilmaine Primary School

Bangor Central Integrated Primary School

Glencraig Integrated Primary School

Post primary schools: Bangor Academy and 6 th Form College

St Columbanus College

Priory Integrated College

Glenlola Collegiate

Bangor Grammar School

Sullivan Upper School

Pre-School and Preparatory School Funding

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Education if she intends to reduce (i) pre-school; and (ii) preparatory school funding as part of her Department's spending proposals.

(AQW 3760/11)

Minister of Education: Foilsíodh sonraí mo chuid dréacht-leithdháiltí agus mo chuid moltaí maidir le coigilteas ar shuíomh gréasáín na Roinne Oideachais ar 13 Eanáir.

Details of my draft allocations and savings proposals were published on DE’s website on 13 January. In assessing the areas for potential savings, I have decided that a number of important spending areas should be afforded protection. These included years where I propose to increase funding by £3m in 2011-12 and £3.5m in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively to progress work on the Early Years (0-6) Strategy and to ensure that sufficient places are available for pre-school provision.

The Bain Report highlighted the issue of the funding of preparatory schools in grammar schools, whose only criteria for selection is a parent’s ability to pay significant fees. One of the key recommendations of the Bain Report was that the rationale for funding preparatory departments should be reviewed.

My Department commissioned an Independent review of this funding. This concluded that my Department should consider the withdrawal of funding to preparatory departments on the basis of equality of access. M y view was, and remains that the funding of these schools is an inequitable use of public funding. However, taking into account comments received as part of the EQIA consultation exercise, I recognised that the ending of funding completely may have caused difficulties for parents and children and possible disruption to some schools. Hence my decision to continue funding preparatory departments, but to reduce the current level of funding by one-third with effect from September 2010. There is no proposal to change the funding of preparatory departments within my draft savings proposals.

Educational Psychologist

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Education to outline the reasons why it can take up to one year to obtain an appointment with an educational psychologist.

(AQW 3762/11)

Minister of Education: Tá na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlann freagrach as an phróiseas um measúnú oideachais síceolaíochta a sholáthar.

The process of delivering an educational psychology assessment is the responsibility of the Education and Library Boards. Educational psychologists provide a range of services that include an assessment at stage 3 of the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs (CoP) and a statutory assessment at stage 4 of the CoP.

Boards give priority to statutory assessments at stage 4. They have 16 weeks to complete the assessment from the date that the Board notifies the parents that it is considering making an assessment or from the date that the request to carry out an assessment is received by the Board from the parent or the school. Upon receipt of a request for a statutory assessment, the Boards are required to decide within 6 weeks if they will carry out the assessment and have a further 10 weeks to complete the assessment.

In conducting an assessment with a child at stage 3 of the CoP, educational psychology services in the Belfast, Western, Southern and North Eastern Education and Library Boards use a time allocation model for service delivery. This means that each school receives an allocation of an educational psychologist’s time and it is for the school’s Principal and/or Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator to prioritise the referrals within their school. Under this model of service delivery, a school may identify urgent cases that can often receive an assessment in a very short period of time, however cases that the school determines to be less urgent may have to wait longer.

When a school has a greater demand for educational psychology services than its time allocation would permit, the Board will work closely with the school to try to ensure these needs can be met within the available resources.

In the SEELB area, a consultation model for the delivery of educational psychology services is employed. Under this approach, regular consultation meetings are carried out in schools, to consider and advise on the needs of children nominated for stage 3 assessment by the school. Where appropriate following the consultation meeting, children are referred on to the Boards’ support services, obviating the need for the child to avail of a full individual assessment by the educational psychology service. For those children requiring a full stage 3 assessment, the SEELB will conduct assessments in the order in which the referral is received.

Harryville Primary School, Ballymena

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 1192/11, if there are currently any further inspections of Harryville Primary School, Ballymena, scheduled to take place.

(AQW 3780/11)

Minister of Education: Scríobh Príomhfheidhmeannach an NEELB chuig Príomhchigire na Cigireachta Oideachais agus Oiliúna (ETI) le linn an chéad téarma den bhliain acadúil seo ag iarraidh air imscrúdú a dhéanamh ar sholáthar thréadchúraim na scoile.

During the first term of this academic year the Chief Executive of the NEELB wrote to the Chief Inspector of the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) requesting an inspection of the school’s pastoral care provision. The Chief Inspector considered this request and then asked that the NEELB ensure the school was aware of the Board’s request for such an inspection. Having received this assurance, the ETI will make the necessary arrangements for the inspection to take place; giving the school the standard period of pre-inspection notification.

Outreach and Detached Youth Workers

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Education, in relation to outreach and detached youth workers (i) for an update on the current position of those workers on protective notice from the Belfast Education and Library Board since 4 January 2011; (ii) to provide a breakdown of all outreach and detached youth workers, broken down by Education and Library Board, including who funds the posts, a definition of the role of each post, and which posts are core-funded or other; and (iii) who makes the decision on whether youth workers receive funding from the Education and Library Boards.

(AQW 3822/11)

Minister of Education: Tá sé socraithe agam go gcuirfí an t-eolas a iarradh i Leabharlann an Tionóil.

I have arranged for the information requested to be placed in the Assembly Library.

Free School Meals

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Education, to detail for each primary school in the Belfast Education and Library Board area, in the 2008/09 academic year (i) the free school meal entitlement: (ii) the percentage of pupils obtaining (a) levels 2 or 3 in the Key Stage 1 assessment; and (b) levels 4 or 5 in the Key Stage 2 assessment for both Maths and English; and (iii) the percentage of pupils obtaining A, B1, B2 and C grades in the transfer procedure.

(AQW 3845/11)

Minister of Education: Tá sé socraithe agam go gcuirfí an t-eolas a iarradh i leabharlann an Tionóil.

I have arranged for the information requested to be placed in the Assembly library.

Pupil Numbers in the East Londonderry Constituency

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of Education to detail the future projections for pupil numbers at primary schools and post-primary schools in the East Londonderry constituency, in each of the next three academic years, broken down by council area.

(AQW 3862/11)

Minister of Education: Níl na figiúirí réamh-mheasta do thoghcheantar Doire Theas ar fáil ach le haghaidh na bliana acadúla seo chugainn, 2011/2012.

Projected figures for schools in the East Derry constituency are only available for the next academic year, 2011/12. Information on longer term enrolment projections is available for pupil numbers throughout the north of Ireland .

Projected pupil numbers for schools in the East Derry constituency 2011/12

Source: School census.

Free School Meals

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of Year 8 pupils entitled to free school meals as a percentage of all Year 8 pupils, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3868/11)

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

The information requested is detailed in the table below.

Percentage Year 8 pupils entitled to free school meals (FSM), 2006/07 – 2010/11

Source: School census

Note:

1. Figures relate to all grant-aided post-primary schools.
2. The figure for 2010/11 is provisional.

Free School Meals

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Education, for each of the last five years, to detail the number of Year 8 pupils, entitled to free school meals, who have enrolled in a grammar school (i) in total; and (ii) as a percentage of (a) all pupils entitled to free school meals; and (b) as a percentage of the total number of grammar school pupils.

(AQW 3869/11)

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

The information requested is detailed in the table below.

Year 8 pupils entitled to free school meals (FSM) shown as a percentage of total post primary pupils entitled to free school meals and total grammar pupils– 2006/07 – 2010/11

Source: School census

Note:

1. Figures for 2010/11 are provisional.

IFA Football Coaches for Primary Schools

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education whether funding for IFA football coaches for primary schools will continue, in light of the proposed draft budget for 2011-2015.

(AQW 3879/11)

Minister of Education: Tá Dréachtbhuiséad 2011-15 an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin foilsithe le haghaidh comhairliúcháin agus leanfaidh an comhairliúchán sin go dtí 16 Feabhra. Tá mo mholtaí um dhréachtleithdhailtí agus um choigilt foilsithe faoin chomhthéacs sin agus tá mé ag súil le tuairimí na ngeallsealbhóirí príomha a chloisteáil.

The Executive has published its Draft Budget 2011-15 for consultation and that consultation continues until 16 February. In that context I have published my proposals for draft allocations and for savings and I am keen to hear the views of key stakeholders on those proposals. Once that process of consultation on the Draft Budget and engagement with education stakeholders has been completed, the Executive will consider and agree a final Budget which will set firm Departmental spending plans for the next 4 years.

It will not be until this stage that I will make final decisions on funding for education services, including future funding for the Curriculum Sports Programme.

Proposed Rationalisation of the School System

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education how her Department intends to ensure that (i) decision making on the proposed rationalisation of the school system, contained in her budget options for sharing on a cross-sectoral basis and integration, have been fully considered; and (ii) parents and local communities are kept fully informed of the possibilities and options for cross-community sharing and integration when local schools are being considered for closure.

(AQW 3880/11)

Minister of Education: (i) Tosóidh Pleanáil straitéiseach Bunaithe sa cheantar nuair a bhunófar an tÚdarás Oideachais agus Scileanna.

Full strategic Area-based Planning will commence once the Education and Skills Authority has been established. In the interim, DE will ensure that all proposals for rationalisations brought forward by school managing authorities adhere to the principles of an area-based approach which include the need to consider opportunities for sharing and collaboration.

(ii) The criteria to be applied in reviewing the educational viability of a school are set out in the “Policy for Sustainable Schools”. The policy is explicit in stressing the importance of schools exploring the possibilities for sharing and collaboration both within and across sectors to ensure that children’s wider educational needs are met. Any proposal for school closure arising from a review must be brought forward through the statutory Development Proposal process. This involves consultation prior to publication with all those associated with the school, including parents, and a public consultation on the published Development Proposal. Both of these consultations provide opportunities to raise options for sharing and collaboration.

Financial Support to Schools

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education whether her Department intends to provide financial support, within the current budget proposals, to schools wishing to collaborate and explore mergers, amalgamations and integration across different sectors.

(AQW 3883/11)

Minister of Education: Beidh athsmaoineamh cuimsitheach de dhíth ar an laghdú suntasach i leithdháileadh caipitil le haghaidh Oideachais maidir leis an dóigh ar chóir feidhm a bhaint as na cistí caipitil teoranta atá ar fáil.

The significant reduction in the capital allocation for Education will require a comprehensive rethink as to how the limited capital funds available should be deployed. It will be essential to set priorities to address the most pressing needs, eliminate surplus places and greatly reduce the level of duplication in the system to ensure that we have a viable and sustainable schools estate that provides for the needs of the children and young people.

It will not be sufficient to continue the status quo. I hope to engage with schools and school managing authorities to explore new and innovative ways of addressing their needs on a greatly reduced budget, including collaboration and amalgamations across different sectors to ensure affordable, sustainable provision.

Taking forward the detail of this work will be a major priority for my Department and the school managing authorities in the coming months. The financial implications will be considered as part of the development of options.

Schools: Budget Surplus

Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of Education whether she can guarantee that schools which hold a budget surplus of more than £40,000 in the current year will be able to access this money in 2011/12.

(AQO 941/11)

Minister of Education: Chuir Státchoiste na Breataine srianadh rochtain i bhfeidhm ar Sholúbthacht Dheireadh na Bliana (EYF) sa bhliain 2008.

The British Treasury restricted access to End Year Flexibility (EYF) in 2008. At that time I made several representations to the then Finance Minister, Peter Robinson.  At that point, the Executive collectively recognised the unique position of Education and agreed that schools and Education and Library Boards should be treated as a special case.

Since then, I have continually highlighted the importance of EYF to the education system with two further Finance Ministers, Nigel Dodds and Sammy Wilson. 

Since 2008/09 my Department has sought access to EYF from the Executive as required and at the same time worked with Education and Library Boards to manage the position of individual schools through prudent financial planning.

In October, the British Treasury demanded that the existing EYF scheme was to be abolished, including all accumulated stocks, with effect from the end of this financial year.

I was not prepared to accept this loss of school funding and I immediately raised this issue at the Executive meeting on 22 October 2010 and at Budget Bilateral meetings with the Finance Minister. I then formally issued a letter to the Finance Minister on 13 January 2011 and followed this up with a meeting on 21 January, at which the issue was resolved.

We both agreed that schools must continue to have access in the future to surpluses which they have accumulated through sound financial management and guaranteed to put in place arrangements to ensure that both past and future savings would be honoured, in line with the Executive’s commitment to schools.

This is a good outcome for our schools – indeed the outcome I fought for. Schools have now been provided the certainty they require.

Western Education and Library Board: Newbuilds

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Education which proposed new school builds in the Western Education and Library Board area will be affected by the recent budget constraints.

(AQO 942/11)

Minister of Education: Ó Mhí na Bealtaine 2007, i leith, is é aon cheann déag, líon na mórthionscadal caipitil atá curtha i gcrích i gceantar Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Iarthair. Is ionann é seo agus infheistíocht de thimpeall céad agus ocht déag milliún punt.

Since May 2007, 11 major capital projects have been completed in the WELB area, representing an investment of around £118m, this includes, Drumragh College (£10m), Enniskillen Integrated PS (£2.4m), Holy Cross College Strabane (£31.3m), Lisneal College Derry (£14.2m), Lisnagelvin PS Derry (£5.5m), St Mary's College Derry (£22.5m), St Cecilias College Derry (£22.5m) and Drumrane PS Dungiven (£1.1m).

The Department’s Investment Delivery Plan (IDP) currently contains 18 schemes in the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) area – as listed below. Of these, a scheme for a new Coranny and Cornagague Primary School is scheduled to commence on site this current financial year.

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 it will not be possible to commence construction of any new schools in 2011-12. I will write to schools to inform them of the position 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. I will, as I recently emphasised to the Education Committee, be lobbying for £800m, unallocated resources to go to education. This work will be a priority for my Department in the coming months.

Free School Meals

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister of Education if she can confirm that she intends to continue with the extension of the free school meals initiative, as announced last year.

(AQO 944/11)

Minister of Education: D’fhógair mé, i Mí Aibreáin seo caite, go ndéanfaí na critéir do cháilitheacht na mbeilí scoile saor in aisce a shíneadh, ar bhonn céimnithe.

I announced, last April, that the free school meals’ eligibility criteria would be extended, on a phased basis, to include (full‑time) nursery and primary school children whose parents are in receipt of working tax credit and have an annual income which does not exceed £16,190 (in 2010/11).

The first phase was introduced in September 2010 and included Nursery, Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 pupils. I intend, as part of the budget plans for the next four years, to make additional funding available to enable the extension to be rolled out to Key Stage 2 pupils from September 2011. When the change is implemented in full around 10,000 additional children in nursery and primary schools will be eligible for free school meals.

Eligibility for free school meals also entitles families to other benefits, including school uniform grants and I would encourage all lower income families to claim their full entitlement. The additional funding contains a small element to cover this.

End-year Flexibility: DE

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education what action she intends to take to restore funding for schools lost by the withdrawal of end year flexibility.

(AQO 945/11)

Minister of Education: I think it is important to set the record straight here given some comments in recent days.

Chuir Státchoiste na Breataine srianadh rochtain i bhfeidhm ar Sholúbthacht Dheireadh na Bliana (EYF) sa bhliain 2008.

The British Treasury restricted access to End Year Flexibility (EYF) in 2008. At that time I made several representations to the then Finance Minister, Peter Robinson.  At that point, the Executive collectively recognised the unique position of Education and agreed that schools and Education and Library Boards should be treated as a special case.

Since then, I have continually highlighted the importance of EYF to the education system with two further Finance Ministers, Nigel Dodds and Sammy Wilson. 

Since 2008/09 my Department has sought access to EYF from the Executive as required and at the same time worked with Education and Library Boards to manage the position of individual schools through prudent financial planning.

In October, the British Treasury demanded that the existing EYF scheme was to be abolished, including all accumulated stocks, with effect from the end of this financial year.

I was not prepared to accept this loss of school funding and I immediately raised this issue at the Executive meeting on 22 October 2010 and at Budget Bilateral meetings with the Finance Minister. I then formally issued a letter to the Finance Minister on 13 January 2011 and followed this up with a meeting on 21 January, at which the issue was resolved.

We both agreed that schools must continue to have access in the future to surpluses which they have accumulated through sound financial management and guaranteed to put in place arrangements to ensure that both past and future savings would be honoured, in line with the Executive’s commitment to schools.

This is a good outcome for our schools – indeed the outcome I fought for. Schools have now been provided the certainty they require.

Budget 2011-12: DE

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Education what impact assessment has been carried out on the potential reclassification of £41 million from capital to resource funding in 2011/12.

(AQO 946/11)

Minister of Education: Tá staid airgeadais na Roinne Oideachais in 2011/12 fíordheacair. 

The financial position for the Department of Education in 2011/12 is particularly difficult.  I have sought to minimise the impact on the classroom and protect the front line as far as possible because our teachers are our most important resource. I have therefore had to take the difficult decision to reclassify £41 million to resource. 

In doing this I recognise that the remaining capital will be focused on projects already started or announced in August 2010.

I will not make final decisions on budget allocations until after the period for consultation ends on 16 February and the Executive agrees the revised Departmental Budget allocations

I can assure you that in the interim I will to continue to seek additional funding for education.

Schools: Homework

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Education what action she is taking to encourage parents to help their children with homework and revision.

(AQO 947/11)

Minister of Education: Creidim go bhfuil sé iontach tábhachtach go mbeidh tuismitheoirí páirteach i ngach gné fhoghlama dá gcuid páistí.

I believe that it is very important for parents to be involved in all aspects of their children’s learning. Helping with or checking homework and, for older pupils, helping with revision for examinations are valuable ways in which parents can support their children and also support the work of their teachers.

That is why e ncouraging and supporting parents to become more involved in all aspects of their children’s education, including homework and revision, is a key aspect of my school improvement policy.

Whilst the setting of homework is a matter for the local management of individual schools, my Department expects every school to have a written homework policy that is shared with parents.

Additionally, the meetings with parents that take place each year provide a useful opportunity for schools to explain their approach to homework and for parents to discuss with teachers how best to support their children in completing homework or revision. Information on revision and homework is also available for parents on NIDirect.

Supporting children as they complete their homework or are revising for examinations can present particular challenges for those parents who, themselves, struggle with aspects of literacy and numeracy. Through programmes such as Extended Schools, schools serving the most deprived and disadvantaged areas are able to provide a varied menu of activities including, in many cases, homework clubs and revision/study support programmes, in response to the particular needs and aspirations of pupils and their parents.

PISA Survey

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister of Education how her Department intends to address the findings of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Programme for International Student Assessment survey.

(AQO 948/11)

Minister of Education: Is suirbhé é PISA a mheasann cumas pháistí cúig bliana déag d’aois agus na scileanna léitheoireachta, matamaitice agus eolaíochta atá faighte acu faoin aois sin.

PISA is a survey of how 15-year-olds perform in reading, maths and science. Our performance in reading and maths is not significantly different from the OECD average. We lag behind the highest performing systems and we continue to have a significant body of underachievement.

Performance in science remains significantly above the OECD average and that is to be welcomed – but we still have considerable room for improvement.

We are looking carefully at the PISA findings to identify the lessons we can learn from the top performing countries. However, the policy framework I am advancing reflects the overall PISA findings.

I have made it a priority to raise standards for all our young people and to tackle underachievement, especially among our most disadvantaged. Our emphasis on supporting high quality teaching and school leadership is central to this. By abolishing the state-run transfer process I have also ensured that the curriculum is not distorted by unnecessary testing.

PISA adds to the body of evidence on the benefits of pre-school education. I have increased funding for pre-school education.

PISA shows clearly that progressive countries where academic selection is not a major factor are capable of outperforming us to a significant degree. The policy of the Department of Education is for a non-selective system of post-primary transfer and those schools that continue to use breakaway tests need to review the PISA results.

Department for Employment and Learning

Places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Employment and Learning (i) how many pupils gained a place at Oxford and Cambridge universities in each of the last ten years, broken down by subject studied; and of these pupils, how many attended (a) private secondary schools; (b) controlled schools; (c) integrated schools; (d) maintained schools; and (e) other types of schools; and (ii) how many of these pupils were entitled to free school meals.

(AQW 3564/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning (Mr D Kennedy): The Department of Education does not hold destination  information of school leavers by  individual Higher Education Institution. Therefore, it cannot identify the courses being taken in specific Higher Education institutions by Northern Ireland school leavers.

However the Department for Employment and Learning is able to provide information on those from Northern Ireland who enrol at Oxford and Cambridge but on a different basis. As a proxy to pupils who have gained a place, the number of 18–21 year old Northern Ireland domiciled first year undergraduates enrolled at Oxford University and Cambridge University by subject in each of the last ten years is detailed in tables. These have been placed in the Assembly Library and on the Department for Employment and Learning’s website.

Please note, however, that a breakdown of the information on these students by schooling background is not retained in this format. In addition, a breakdown by entitlement to free school meals is not available through the Higher Education Statistics Agency record. Therefore these data have not been provided.

Illiteracy and Innumeracy

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to list the further and higher education colleges currently delivering programmes designed to address issues relating to illiteracy and innumeracy.

(AQW 3583/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

(1) The principal course provision is the Essential Skills Programmes of Communication (equivalent to literacy) and Application of Number (equivalent to maths/numeracy).

(2) Tutor education courses for those individuals delivering literacy and numeracy programmes

Widening Participation in Higher Education

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning for an update on Widening Participation in Higher Education.

(AQW 3669/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: In academic year 2010/11, my Department has allocated £2.5 million to various widening participation initiatives including widening participation and disability premiums and special project funding for outreach programmes, such as Step-Up and Discovering Queens.

The University of Ulster’s Step-Up Programme provides an opportunity for young people from working class areas to improve their academic performance and to gain entry to universities. This programme is extremely well regarded and to date almost 1,000 pupils have participated with a progression rate into higher education of 97%.

Discovering Queens is a Northern Ireland wide programme of activities. The targeted groups are disadvantaged pupils in non-selective post primary schools. To date over 15,000 pupils have engaged with the programme and 87% have reported that the initiative had made them more likely to want to attend Higher Education.

My Department also provides additional student support measures, including higher education bursaries and maintenance grants, and requires individual universities to produce their own access agreements, which include details of their student bursaries and funding for other outreach activities.

At almost 50%, Northern Ireland’s participation rates in Higher Education are the highest in the United Kingdom. The participation rate in Northern Ireland in 2008/09 for those from Socio Economic Classifications (SEC) 4-7 was 42%. This is also the highest rate in the United Kingdom.

However, despite the range of DEL funded initiatives to widen participation in Higher Education, the evidence suggests that some groups continue to be under- represented. My Department recognises that addressing disadvantage and exclusion will require coordinated action and consequently it is leading on the development of a new integrated Regional Strategy for Widening Participation in Higher Education. I plan to launch a public consultation on the development of the Regional Strategy for Widening Participation in Higher Education by Spring 2011.

Student Drop-out Rates

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what action his Department is taking to reduce student drop-out rates.

(AQW 3670/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Northern Ireland ’s participation rates of young people in Higher Education are now the highest in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland outperforms the other regions in increased access to higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Although there are many factors which impact on drop-out rates, there appears to be a correlation between widening participation and increased drop-out rates. In recognition of this, my Department pays the higher education institutions around £1.5m per year in the form of a Widening Participation premium to support the recruitment and retention of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The issue of drop-out rates among disadvantaged students is also being specifically addressed in the development of the Regional Strategy for Widening Participation in Higher Education.

Both Queen’s University and the University of Ulster regard the issue of student retention as an institutional priority and have in place a range of mechanisms to address student drop-out rates. Details of these are attached at Annex A which has been placed in the Assembly Library and on the Department for Employment and Learning’s website.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many young people would be affected by the removal of the Education Maintenance Allowance.

(AQW 3686/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Any proposals to amend the current provision of the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme in Northern Ireland, which is available to pupils in schools and further education colleges, will be subject to a public consultation and appropriate equality considerations. As at December 2010, 24,291 Northern Ireland domiciled students had been approved for payment of Education Maintenance Allowance for the current academic year 2010/2011.

A review of whether Education Maintenance Allowance is meeting its aims and objectives is with my Department and the Department of Education for consideration and has also been shared with the Employment and Learning Committee.

Apprenticeships in the North Down Constituency

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

(AQW 3701/11)

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 21st January 2011, there are 353 apprentices from the North Down constituency following an apprenticeship. The comparative figure as of 21st January 2010 is 380. Although these apprentices reside within the North Down constituency, they may or may not be following their apprenticeship with training suppliers or employers in that constituency.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (i) the current number of students in receipt of Educational Maintenance Allowance, broken down by constituency; and of these (ii) how many in total receive (a) £30; (b) £20; and (c) £10 per week.

(AQW 3873/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: I can advise (i) Data is not available in the constituency format requested. As at December 2010, a total of 24,291 Northern Ireland domiciled students had been approved for payment of Education Maintenance Allowance for the current academic year 2010/2011. (ii) The total is broken down by allowance as follows:

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Transfer of Telecommunications Policy

Mr Pól Callaghan asked e Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether she has any plans to seek the transfer of telecommunications policy to Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3916/11)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster): I have no plans to seek transfer of telecommunications policy to Northern Ireland. Powers given to my Department under the Communications Act 2003 are sufficient to tailor communications policy to deliver appropriate investment and competition in Northern Ireland. My Department also has regular contact with the Department for Business Innovation and Skills to ensure that Northern Ireland’s interests are taken into account in national policy initiatives.

Transfer of Telecommunications Policy

Mr Pól Callaghan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether she will commission an assessment of the potential benefits of transferring responsibility for telecommunications policy to Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3917/11)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: I have no current plans to commission such an assessment. My Department’s priority is to complete the delivery of existing Programme for Government telecommunications commitments.

Department of the Environment

Transfer of Powers on Planning Matters

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment if the transfer of powers on planning matters to District Councils will be cost neutral.

(AQW 3585/11)

Minister of the Environment (Mr E Poots): It is my intention that the planning system which is handed over to councils is properly structured and resourced to provide the service, with available resources.

I am already working to resize and reshape planning structures so that we have the right number and grades of staff in the right places to provide the service. I am also reviewing planning fees to ensure that they cover all relevant costs and that they are fair.

Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) any changes he intends to make to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, as a result of the draft Budget 2011-15; and (ii) for his assessment of the impact these changes will have on its role in environmental protection and practices.

(AQW 3586/11)

Minister of the Environment: It is not envisaged that any fundamental structural change will be made to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency as a result of the Draft Budget 2011-15. However, in light of the Executive’s Draft Budget proposals for the Department of the Environment, all areas of spending have been reviewed and draft spending and savings proposals are detailed in the Department’s Draft Budget 2011-15 consultation document.

The proposed reduction in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s current expenditure budget for 2011-12 (£3.7 million) represents an 8% reduction compared to the 2010-11 opening budget position. It is proposed to deliver this overall saving through the following measures:

Reduction in Events £0.4m

Reduction in Grants and Surveys (Built Heritage) £0.8m

Reduction in Grants and Maintenance (Natural Heritage) £1.0m

Reduction in Monitoring (Environmental Protection) £0.5m

Vacancy Management, Better Regulation and

additional income £1.0m

Total £3.7m

The proposed reduction of £0.5 million in Environmental Protection will require a reduction in proactive pollution prevention and the capacity to respond to non planned pollution monitoring. In addition, it is likely that there will be an increase in the time taken to process waste management licences and to carry out environmental inspections.

Funding for Masterplans

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment how much funding his Department is providing for hamlet, village, town or city Masterplans in each local council area; and to detail the full anticipated cost to his Department of each Masterplan.

(AQW 3718/11)

Minister of the Environment: The Department for Social Development (DSD) is responsible for urban regeneration in Northern Ireland and, as part of this remit, has prepared a series of Masterplans, normally for town and city centres across the region. In association with this work my Department agreed with DSD in March 2009 to co-fund a consultancy study on retail and commercial leisure development in Antrim, Ballymena and Larne towns to inform future forward planning work for these towns and assist the preparation of Masterplans by DSD. My Department contributed £31,030 towards this study, 50% of the total costs.

My Department has not provided funding for any other Masterplans prepared by DSD during the life of the current Assembly, although officials from Planning Service have on many occasions attended Masterplan steering group meetings to provide advice and guidance at a strategic level.

In addition to Masterplans prepared by DSD, in October 2009, I agreed to provide funding of up to £25,000 to assist Larne Borough Council with the costs associated with the preparation of a Regeneration Masterplan for Glenarm through an 'Enquiry by Design' process, facilitated by the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment (PFBE).  At the launch of the 10 year Regeneration Strategy in the village in June 2010, I also announced my support for a secondee from my Department to the PFBE at Senior Planning Officer grade on a part time basis of 2½ days per week for a period of 6 months - after which the position will be reviewed.  I understand this secondment, which carries an estimated cost of £11,000, will commence during February 2011.

Resource Grant

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the resource grant allocated to each local council in the 2011/12 financial year.

(AQW 3741/11)

Minister of the Environment: The General Grant allocated to each of the 26 local councils is set out in the table below. As you will be aware, General Grant is made up of two elements, De-rating and Resources. Details of both of these elements, which are estimated figures at this stage, are provided for completeness.

The Resources figures cannot be confirmed until the Department’s Budget is finalised for 2011/2012 while the De-rating figures will be finalised around the end of October 2011 using updated valuations (Net Annual Values or NAVs) provided by Land and Property Services, Department of Finance and Personnel, together with the 2011/2012 district rates.

Planning Fees Income

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the projected annual planning fees income which councils should receive when the proposed transfer of the Planning Service takes place.

(AQW 3811/11)

Minister of the Environment: It is not possible to project future annual income from planning fees at this stage as the amounts received have fluctuated considerably with the Economic downturn. Also, the future timetable for the transfer of functions has not yet been determined by the Executive.

You will be aware that I am currently undertaking a review of planning fees and have completed the first stage of this work having consulted on proposals to make the fees structure fairer by addressing areas of under-recovery and cross-subsidisation. I will shortly be bringing forward proposals for subordinate legislation to give effect to these proposals.

I remain committed to taking forward further work to put in place a sustainable fees and funding model which is fit for purpose both now and after planning functions are transferred to local government.

Proposed Transfer of Elements of the Planning Service

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to provide an estimate of the cost of the proposed transfer of elements of the Planning Service to local councils.

(AQW 3813/11)

Minister of the Environment: I am reviewing planning fees to make sure they address the true costs of the service provided and reshaping and restructuring the organisation to make sure we have the right number of people in the right places to get the work done. This will ensure that the service transferred to councils is both affordable and effective.

Other costs are unlikely to be significant; these relate to modifying existing Planning Service IT systems, training staff involved in the decision-making process and providing guidance to those involved with the planning system.

The benefits of more efficient development management processes and shorter processing times should far outweigh any financial costs.

Planning Service

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the total running costs of the Planning Service in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3815/11)

Minister of the Environment: The total operating costs as recorded in the Planning Service Accounts for each of the last five financial years is as shown in the table below:

Note

1. Other Admin costs relate mainly to notional costs charged by other government departments, such as the Department of Finance and Personnel for accommodation costs and the Department for Regional Development in respect of consultations with the Road Service in respect of planning applications. In 2009/10, notional costs amounted to £11.4 million of the overall £13.8 million ‘other admin costs’.

2. Total operating costs for 2008/09 were restated as £42,024 in the 2009/10 accounts as a result of the first time adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Planning Fees Income

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the total planning fees income generated by the Planning Service in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3816/11)

Minister of the Environment: The total planning fee income as recorded in the Planning Service Accounts for each of the last five financial years is as shown in the table below:

Councils: Gritting Roads and Pavements

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail any discussions his Department had with the Minister for Regional Development, prior to the recent adverse weather, in relation to obtaining extra resources for councils to assist them in gritting roads and pavements.

(AQW 3818/11)

Minister of the Environment: Following contact with all councils on 21 December to encourage local government to make gritting of pavements a priority, I was also in touch with the Department for Regional Development about maintaining gritting resources to councils during the period of adverse weather.

I have encouraged councils to collaborate with the Department’s Roads Service and enter into arrangements for the gritting of public areas as the safety of people is paramount. It is a matter for councils to discuss directly with Roads Service the extra resources they might need to obtain to undertake that task.

Gritting of Roads and Footpaths

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what action he took, or guidance he issued, to encourage councils to assist with the gritting of roads and footpaths and agree suitable terms with the Roads Service, during the recent severe weather.

(AQW 3820/11)

Minister of the Environment: I contacted all Councils on 21 December 2010 through the Local Government Emergency Management Group urging Chief Executives to make gritting of the pavements in town centres and key routes a top priority. I called on them to divert resources as ensuring the safety for the public was paramount at Christmas.

As the responsibility for maintaining the public highway lies with the Department for Regional Development, I spoke to Roads Service regarding maintaining gritting supplies to councils during this period.

I have also continued to encourage councils to collaborate with Roads Service and enter into arrangements for winter gritting, and to work within the terms of any guidance issued by the Minister for Regional Development.

Chief Executives of Local Councils

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the cost of the gross salaries, including pension contributions, of the 26 Chief Executives of local councils in 2010. [R]

(AQW 3839/11)

Minister of the Environment: The Department does not hold the information in the format requested. The table below provides the salary band range for District Council Chief Executives for the financial year 2009/2010. This is the standard accounting format for providing information on senior officer’s salaries.

In relation to pension contributions, councils pay a standard rate of 17% of gross salary.

Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015; and when he expects it to be adopted.

(AQW 3865/11)

Minister of the Environment: The Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) 2015 was published in November 2004. Approximately 4,000 representations and objections were received, and Planning Service asked the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) to convene a Public Inquiry to consider the objections.

The BMAP Public Inquiry commenced in April 2007 and concluded in May 2008. The PAC is currently considering all the information before it prior to completing its report and making its recommendations to the Department.

In July 2010, the PAC stated that they were unable to deliver their report to the Department in accordance with the timescale originally envisaged i.e. early summer 2010. The Report is now expected in March 2011.

Upon receipt of the report, Planning Service will consider the PAC recommendations, and prepare the Plan for adoption. It is anticipated that the Plan will be adopted in 2012.

Department of Finance and Personnel

Northern Ireland Civil Service: Surplus Posts

Mr Pól Callaghan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the (i) location; and (ii) number of surplus posts in the Northern Ireland Civil Service at (a) Administrative Assistant; (b) Administrative Officer; (c) Executive Officer II; (d) Executive Officer I; and (e) Staff Officer; and (f) Deputy Principal grades, in each Government Department.

(AQW 3453/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr S Wilson): The location and number of surplus posts in the Northern Ireland Civil Service at grades Administrative Assistant (AA) to Deputy Principal (DP), in each Government Department are set out in the attached table. The number of surplus posts is subject to regular change due to factors such as natural wastage, redeployment of surplus staff and Departmental budgetary pressures.

The information provided relates to surplus posts as at 17 January 2011 and those anticipated between 18 January 2011 and 31 March 2011.

AQW 3453/11 - LOCATION & NUMBER OF SURPLUS POSTS IN THE NICS AT AA, AO, EO2, EO1, SO & DP AT 17/1/11

  * DSD anticipates that staff made available from these surplus posts will be absorbed elsewhere in the Department through leavers and vacancies

Performance Efficiency Delivery Unit

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel which Departments or arms-length bodies have received help from the Performance Efficiency Delivery Unit since it was set up.

(AQW 3547/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Performance and Efficiency Delivery Unit, PEDU, in conjunction with OFMDFM, developed the PFG Performance Management Framework which was subsequently adopted by the NI Executive.

On a quarterly basis PEDU provides significant support in preparing the Departmental Monitoring PSA Request templates, arranging the Central assessment Team meetings and drafting the bulk of the Interim and Full Delivery Reports for the Executive.

On a bi-annual basis, PEDU provides support by drafting the Ministerial and Official level pre assessment accountability briefings and the outcome papers of the meetings to drive progress on the challenging targets.

PEDU were also commissioned to undertake a review of Land & Property Services (LPS, DFP). The recommendations of the Review Team identified cultural, strategic and operational issues in six areas for priority action that were to be addressed through implementation of a comprehensive time bound Action Plan drawn up under the leadership of the Chief Executive of LPS. A link to a copy of the Review Report, including the Action Plan, is enclosed as follows:

http://www.lpsni.gov.uk/lps_copy_of_lps_review_final_report.pdf

In conjunction with Planning Service (DOE), PEDU undertook an intensive piece of work focused on improving processing times for planning applications. Ultimately that led to the development and implementation of an Action Plan to tackle the issued identified. Following the work, and implementation of the plan, processing times for planning applications improved and backlogs were reduced.

In conjunction with DSD some staff from the Unit have undertaken a piece of work to assist DSD in a wider project that is aimed at identifying and reducing the administrative and bureaucratic burdens that can sometimes be placed upon voluntary and community organisations in receipt of public funding.

As you are aware, as part of June Monitoring, the Executive agreed that DHSSPS and DE be exempted from their pro rata share of in-year reductions on the condition that “the Ministers for Health and Education agree to DFP, on behalf of the Executive, commissioning PEDU to undertake work into the scope for, and delivery of, significant cost reductions across the two sectors”. In relation to DE, work commenced in November under an agreed Terms of Reference.

Solicitors Reported to the Law Society

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many solicitors have been reported to the Law Society in each of the last three years, and of these, how many complaints have been upheld.

(AQW 3595/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Department of Finance and Personnel does not hold statistics on how many solicitors have been reported to the Law Society. That information is held by the Society, which is the body responsible for regulating solicitors. It does not publish statistics on this issue.

Statistical information on the number of complaints made against solicitors is to be found in the reports of the Lay Observer for Northern Ireland who reports to the Department on an annual basis. His report is also laid before the Assembly and copies are available in the Library and at the website of the Lay Observer (http://www.layobserverni.com/).

Figures contained within the last 3 published reports of the Lay Observer reveal the following statistics about complaints

2009: 149 complaints from 104 complainants, of which 17% were upheld, 20% resolved, 23% redirected or withdrawn and 40% not upheld

2008: 317 complaints from 133 complainants, of which 26% were upheld, 41% resolved or redirected and 33% not upheld

2007: 295 complaints from 206 complainants, of which 31% were upheld, 39% resolved or redirected and 30% not upheld

Construction Projects

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel whether any construction projects have been suspended or cancelled as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review and the draft Budget 2011-15; and if so, to list these projects.

(AQW 3655/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: No approved DFP construction projects have been suspended or cancelled as a result of the CSR and draft Budget.

Details in relation to projects planned by other departments would need to be obtained from those departments.

Lone Pensioner Allowance

Mr Pól Callaghan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how much money has been spent on promoting the uptake of the Lone Pensioner Allowance since its introduction; and to detail how this money has been spent.

(AQW 3682/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: My Department estimates that the cash expenditure specifically on promoting the take up of Lone Pensioners Allowance is less than £10,000.

Land & Property Services (LPS) has a small Benefits Take-Up Team, whose duties are to promote the take up of all rate-related benefits and allowances. The primary focus of the team has been the preparation of appropriate leaflets for different target groups of ratepayers, attendance at local and regional events to talk with ratepayers on the benefits and reliefs that are available, the simplification of application forms and related material, and answering queries from ratepayers by telephone, letter and email. 

Much of the take up work is undertaken by an LPS Outreach Officer, with support when required, and is completed in conjunction with the independent advice sector (Access 2 Benefits (a2b), Advice NI and others) and voluntary sector organisations, including many local groups providing support for the elderly.

Arms-length Bodies and Organisations: Funding

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to list (i) all the operational arms-length bodies and organisations which are fully funded by Government; (ii) all similar organisations, fully funded by Government, which have been set up but are not yet fully functional; and (iii) similar organisations which will be established by legislation which is currently (a) with a Committee for consideration; and (b) awaiting Executive approval.

(AQW 3726/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The operational arms-length bodies which are funded in whole or in part by my Department are as follows:

• NI Building Regulations Advisory Committee
• Statistics Advisory Committee

The other organisations which are funded by my Department in whole or in part are as follows:

• Department of Finance and Personnel (Core Department)

• Land and Property Services
• Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
• Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB)
• Public Service Commission for Northern Ireland
• Lay Observer for Northern Ireland
• Lands Tribunal for Northern Ireland
• Northern Ireland Valuation Tribunal
• Northern Ireland Civil Service Appeals Board
• Northern Ireland Law Commission (a non departmental public body of the Department of Justice which is part funded by DFP)

My department has no similar organisations, fully funded by DFP which have been set up but are not yet fully functional; and no similar organisations which will be established by legislation which is currently either with a Committee for consideration or awaiting Executive approval.

My Department does not hold this information in respect of other departments’ arms-length bodies and other organisations.

Rate-payer Debt

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the current amount of rate-payer debt in each council area.

(AQW 3738/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: At any point in time, the total amount of ratepayer debt comprises two elements: the previous years’ ratepayer debt; and in-year debt. At 23 January 2011, the previous years’ ratepayer debt of £157 million at 31 March 2010 had been reduced to £80 million. The break down between district council areas is given in Table 1.

It is difficult to quantify in-year ratepayer debt given that, as part of normal business, bills are issued and paid on a daily basis.

Table 1

P rior year rating debt by District Council as at 23 January 2011

Figures may not total exactly due to rounding

Ministerial Cars

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, in light of a new fleet of Ministerial cars being purchased, (i) what will happen to the current fleet; (ii) what is the value of the current fleet; and (iii) what is the estimated amount of money that could be returned to the Executive from the sale of this fleet.

(AQW 3812/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The existing fleet of cars will be assessed and all cars deemed as surplus to requirements will be auctioned off.

The current Ministerial car fleet has an estimated auction value of £60k.

The sum at auction will be retained by the Department of Finance and Personnel.

End Year Flexibility

Mr P Givan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what impact the withdrawal of the End Year Flexibility will have on unspent capital funding; and what measures can be taken to ensure any negative impact is minimised.

(AQW 3814/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The closure of the existing End of Year Flexibility (EYF) scheme means that any unspent capital resources at the end of this financial year will be lost to the Executive.

As part of the Northern Ireland Spending Review Settlement, the Executive was afforded a one-off facility to declare a Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) reduction in December 2010 for this year, in return for an equivalent DEL increase in 2011-12. The Executive, as part of its December monitoring deliberations, agreed to utilise this facility to carry forward £23 million of capital resources into next year.

Given the requirement on departments not to breach their control totals, there may be some residual capital investment underspend at the year-end. Whilst underspends have reduced significantly in recent years, departments will need to continue managing their budgets carefully to ensure that any 2010-11 year-end underspends are minimised.

Incorrect Rate Evaluations

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what action he is taking to protect councils from incorrect rate evaluations carried out by Land and Property Services.

(AQW 3823/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: District Valuers within Land & Property Services (LPS) are making changes to Valuations Lists on a daily basis to take account of new properties, alterations to existing properties, demolitions and applying exemptions and reliefs. As a result, assessments will increase and decrease. In law, ratepayers have a statutory right to challenge valuations, which may lead to backdated reductions in assessments and impact on a council’s rate income.

I am seeking to ensure that outstanding challenges to valuation assessments are completed expeditiously to minimise impacts on councils.

Civil Service Equal Pay Settlement

Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how much the Civil Service equal pay settlement cost; and how much of those costs were secured from the UK Treasury.

(AQW 3826/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: To date, £127.5 million has been paid in lump sum settlement payments. No additional resources were secured from the UK Treasury to address the equal pay issue. However, the Treasury did provide flexibility in terms of re-profiled capital and borrowing powers that could then, on an exceptional basis, be converted to current expenditure.

Assimilation costs to the new higher pay scales added approximately £26m to the annual NICS pay bill which were met by existing funding.

Licensed Premises with Rates Arrears

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQW 3494/11, to detail (i) the total number of licensed premises with rates arrears greater than £5,000 in each council area; and (ii) the exact value of the arrears in each case.

(AQW 3843/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Note that the numbers attached are for 30 January 2011, and therefore do not match the figures in the answer to AQW 3494/11, which was based on 16 January 2011 figures.

The figures include rates owed for 2010-11 and all previous years. They therefore include amounts being paid under monthly instalment plans.

Land & Property Services continues to pursue all outstanding rates due.

The total number of licensed premises with rates arrears greater than £5,000 in each council area and the total debt as at 30 January 2011 is provided in the table below

  Figures may not total exactly due to roundings

(ii) The exact value of the arrears for each property by District Council is provided in the table below

Capital Expenditure at Airport in Londonderry

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel whether any representations have been made to him, or the Executive as a whole, regarding the recent efforts by the City Council in Londonderry to address the significant shortfall in funding for capital expenditure at the Council-owned airport.

(AQW 3864/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: I would like to thank the Member for the representations that he and Council officials have made on this issue. The Executive will consider the matter as part of the Monitoring Round in February.

Rates Rebates

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQW 2967/11, to detail the total (i) number; and (ii) value of rates rebates below £10,000 issued to (a) domestic; and (b) commercial customers in (i) 2009-10; and (ii) April 2010 to January 2011, broken down by local council area.

(AQW 3900/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Rate 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.

In many cases, the issue of a rate refund is associated with the billing of an incoming ratepayer. It is therefore not correct to say that rate refunds reduce the rates due to District Councils or the Consolidated Fund, or require repayment of the monies by District Councils.

The Number of Occupancies in receipt of refunds less than £10,000 by District Council and sector is provided in the table below.