Friday 25 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
Assembly Commission
Revised Written Answers

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Maze/Long Kesh Site

Mrs D Kelly asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the current level of expenditure on the Maze/Long Kesh site, such as the cost of removing the contamination, security and development proposals.

(AQW 4051/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): The Maze/Long Kesh current level of expenditure to 31 December 2010 is set out below. The largest element of spend has been on remediation.

Expenditure at Maze/Long Kesh 5 April 2010 to 31 December 2010

* involves skills that are not available in-house in the NICS

Electricity Costs

Mr J Spratt asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how much their Department and its arms-length bodies have spent on electricity in each of the last three available financial years.

(AQW 4433/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Department of Finance and Personnel is responsible for payment of electricity costs for the majority of OFMDFM departmental premises. DFP will therefore include these costs in their response to the question.

OFMDFM separately pays for some electricity costs, largely incurred through various arms length bodies as follows:

FM/DFM: US Visits

Mr M Brady asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline any future plans for visits to the USA.

(AQO 1084/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: We plan to visit Washington, DC from Tuesday 15 to Friday 18 March.

It is too early to confirm the exact details of our itinerary, as officials on both sides of the Atlantic are preparing a detailed programme of meetings. However, we can advise that we expect to undertake a number of engagements aimed at promoting the local economy.

We will also fulfil our Ministerial obligations by representing the Executive at private meetings with the Obama Administration. In addition to these important calls, we plan to meet members of Congress to secure their continued support for the work we are doing here to strengthen the local political institutions and to promote the economy.

On the economic front, we plan to host two events. The first, the Northern Ireland Bureau’s Annual Business Breakfast on 17 March at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center, will, this year, promote the growing Creative Industries Sector to a specially invited audience of politicians, policy makers and executives from that sector. This annual Business Breakfast is focused exclusively on Northern Ireland and it is the most prominent event in the Bureau’s Annual Calendar.

In the second, we will address a specially invited audience of business executives at a Roundtable event in the US Chamber of Commerce Building which is being organised under the direction of the US Special Economic Envoy.

We will use both events to highlight the advantages of doing business here and to push the Northern Ireland Business Message.

St Patrick’s Barracks Ballymena

Mr P Frew asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the proposals for the former St. Patrick's barracks site in Ballymena.

(AQO 1085/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The former St. Patrick’s barracks site in Ballymena is one of four former military bases earmarked for transfer to the Executive under the Hillsborough Castle Agreement.

We are conscious that the Department for Social Development has plans to turn 47 former military dwellings at the St. Patrick’s site into social housing, working in partnership with a housing association. We can assure the Assembly that we are making every effort to ensure that the Hillsborough Castle Agreement is implemented properly. That would allow this important housing project in Ballymena to proceed to the benefit of the local community.

Programme for Government

Mr P Ramsey asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister why the Executive has been unable to produce a draft Programme for Government.

(AQO 1086/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: All Ministers and their departments have been focused, over the past six months, on the development of a 4-year draft Budget which the Executive agreed on 14 December 2010. The consultation on the draft Budget ended on 16 February. The Executive hopes to agree a final budget by end of February or start of March.

Our officials have been working with departments on a draft Programme for Government during this period.

As Members will know, the Executive’s priorities over the next 4 years are to stimulate the economy, tackle disadvantage, protect the most vulnerable in our society and protect front line services.

Whilst officials will continue to work on preparations for the next PfG, Ministers would not wish to pre-empt consideration of the issues by the next Executive and are therefore not planning to publish a new Programme for Government in this Assembly term.

Ministerial Subcommittee on Children and Young People

Mrs M Bradley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the work of the Ministerial Sub-Committee for Children and Young People.

(AQO 1087/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: Junior Minister Newton and Junior Minister Kelly continue to chair the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children and Young People, which was established with the ultimate aim of improving the lives of our children and young people.

Having agreed six key priorities on which to focus, sub-groups were established to take forward work on these priorities.

Each of the sub-groups developed an action plan, five of which were agreed by the Executive on 25 th March 2010. These plans identified key actions along with lead departments and target dates.

The Junior Ministers have recently requested an update on progress against the action plans from each of the lead departments and this will inform the future direction of this work.

The work in relation to the sixth priority of child poverty has, to date, focused on exploring options for the future delivery of childcare here.

It is our intention that a lead department for this policy area will be identified by the Executive, and that the childcare strategy will be developed in collaboration with the Ministerial Sub Committee and the child poverty sub-group.

Additionally, the child poverty sub-group has considered the definition of severe child poverty and this was agreed by the Executive on 16 th December 2010. Further work is now being carried out to monitor progress on this using the Family Resources Survey.

We do not intend that the priorities of the Ministerial Sub-Committee will remain static, rather that a flexible approach is taken so it can continue to consider emerging issues.

Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation

Mr R McCartney asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the establishment of the Development Corporation for the Maze/Long Kesh site.

(AQO 1088/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The appointment process to select the Chair and members of the Development Corporation will commence shortly. All appointments will be determined by a public appointment process.

The Development Corporation will appoint staff by secondment and public advertisement where necessary.

Our aim is that the Development Corporation will be operational by the end of the summer.

Programme for Government

Mr T Lunn asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the development of the next Programme for Government.

(AQO 1090/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: All Ministers and their departments have been focused, over the past six months, on the development of a 4-year draft Budget which the Executive agreed on 14 December 2010. The consultation on the draft Budget ended on 16 February.

Our officials have been working with departments on a draft Programme for Government during this period.

As Members will know, the Executive’s priorities over the next 4 years will be to stimulate the economy, tackle disadvantage, protect the most vulnerable in our society and protect front line services.

Whilst officials will continue to work on preparations for the next PfG, Ministers would not wish to pre-empt consideration of the issues by the next Executive and are therefore not planning to publish a new Programme for Government in this Assembly term.

We would however anticipate a new Executive will want to bring forward a draft Programme for Government for consultation quite quickly following elections in May.

Presbyterian Mutual Society

Mr G Robinson asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what further progress has been made in resolving the Presbyterian Mutual Society issue.

(AQO 1091/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: We, alongside the DFP Minister and the DETI Minister, have been working tirelessly to finalise the proposed solution to the PMS situation, which was not of the Executive's making. Through the Ministerial Working Group we have managed to secure from the Government the resources necessary for the £175m loan and a £25m contribution to the Mutual Access Fund. The Executive’s own Budget 2010 proposals include provision for the Executive's own contribution to the Mutual Access Fund. This is considerable achievement in a difficult financial context and we are doing everything in our power to ensure that payments can be made as soon as possible in 2011-12.

We understand that the DETI Minister is in discussions with the Presbyterian Church about the size of its contribution and it is our desire that PMS Members with less than £20,000 should receive most of their money back.

The remaining issues which need to be addressed to implement the proposed solution will be expedited and dealt with as quickly as possible. These include, in particular, making the necessary legislation for both schemes in the Assembly, the Administrator securing members’ and creditors’ agreement to the proposals as part of his formal Scheme of Arrangement, consideration of legal and contractual issues, and securing EU State Aid’s approval to the Executive’s proposed loan.

Any final solution will be subject to the agreement of the Executive, the Assembly, the EU, and PMS creditors and members.

DRD Water Review: Philip Holder

Mr S Gardiner asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister why they have not sought legal advice on whether there is a conflict of interest in Mr Philip Holder remaining in his position as a member of the review team investigating the Department for Regional Development's handling of the water crisis.

(AQO 1092/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: It was not necessary to seek legal advice.

It is important that those charged with carrying out the Review are allowed to complete their work unhindered.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Capital and Resource Investment in the West Belfast Constituency

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how much her Department spent on (i) capital investment; and (ii) resource investment in the West Belfast constituency, in each of the last two years.

(AQW 4131/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew):

(i) Capital Investment: 2008/09 - £110K, 2009/10 - £474K

(ii) Resource Investment: 2008/09 - £100K, 2009/10 - £107 K 

Foresight Report

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of the publication of the Foresight Report; and its potential implications.

(AQW 4181/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The publication of the Foresight Report adds further analysis of the future challenges facing food production and the global food system between now and 2050. It sets out a compelling case for urgent action in the global food system to satisfy the demands of a growing world population at a time when critical resources such as water, energy and land are becoming increasingly scarce. The report highlights the need for food production to become more sustainable, whilst adapting to the effects of climate change and contributing to climate change mitigation, and calls for increased investment in research to provide the knowledge required to solve problems in the coming decades.

While globally relevant, it also underlines the challenge locally for our farming and food industry to make the most productive use of our natural resources. I am pleased this is consistent with the food strategies published last year for the agrifood industry in Ireland, north and south. Both the north’s ‘Focus on Food’ and the south’s ‘Food Harvest 2020’ focussed priority on enhancing levels of productivity and competitiveness while protecting the environment and using resources more sustainably.

Single Farm Payments

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many farmers in the East Londonderry constituency were awaiting their Single Farm Payments on 31 January 2011.

(AQW 4182/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department received 2,428 claims to Single Farm Payment in the 2010 scheme year from farmers in the East Derry parliamentary constituency. Of these, 281 have yet to be finalised. Not all of the remaining claims may be due a payment because of ineligibility or the application of penalties under scheme rules.

Parliamentary constituency data is not automatically held against each farm business record on the Grants and Subsidies System in which information relating to applications to the Single Farm Payment Scheme is held. The information provided is derived from the postcode held against each farm business when matched against data taken from the Electoral Office NI. If postcodes are missing, incomplete or inaccurate then this may cause some inaccuracy.

Research and Development

Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how much her Department spent on research and development in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4282/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Expenditure on Research and Development (R&D) is outlined below:

*Information pertaining to Research Grant-in-Aid to Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute AFBI is not yet available and will be presented in the Annual Government R&D Survey compiled by the Office for National Statistics. The 2009/10 figures should be published around end of March 2011.

This Expenditure relates to R&D activities across a wide range of the Department’s responsibilities including the Scientific Evidence and Innovation Strategy which provides the over-arching framework for DARD-funded research; Animal Health; Rivers; Fisheries and Forestry.

Forest Land: Harvested

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the total area of forest land that was harvested in the last three years.

(AQW 4367/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The total area of forest land that was harvested in the Department’s forests by Forest Service over the last three financial years is 2686.5 hectares and for each year is as follows:

This figure does not include private forestry harvesting as that information is not available to the Department.

Forestry Planting

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the total area of forestry planting that is scheduled to take place in the next three years.

(AQW 4369/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Forestry planting over the next three years will take place on both Forest Service and privately owned land.

Forest Service planting will take place on existing forest areas where the tree crop has been harvested and the area is due to be regenerated. Forest Service will achieve this through planting and, in selected areas, through natural regeneration.

AQW 4367/11 detailed Forest Service woodland harvested in the last three years. This amounted to 2686.5 ha over the three year period. All harvested areas will be regenerated according to forest design plans agreed and approved through forest planning processes.

On privately owned land, the majority of tree planting to create new woodland takes place on agricultural land, grant-aided through the Woodland Grant Scheme under the Rural Development Plan. DARD’s consultation on the draft budget has just ended and I am currently considering more detailed allocation of resources to areas such as woodland creation, however, these are yet to be agreed.

However in future, I remain committed to the long term aim of the Forestry Strategy of doubling the area of woodland in the north of Ireland. Progress against this long term aim will depend on the willingness of landowners and farmers to create woodland and available budget cover.

Rural Tourism in North Down

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what her Department is doing to promote rural tourism in North Down.

(AQW 4417/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I believe rural tourism to be of vital importance to the sustainability of rural communities, which is why the Rural Development Programme 2007-13 (RDP) contains the Encouragement of Tourism Activities measure with a budget of £12 million. Additionally, farm families wishing to diversify into self-catering and activity-based tourism can apply under RDP Measure 3.1, Farm diversification.

DRAP (Newtownards, Down, North Down and Banbridge Councils) Joint Council Committee (JCC) oversees RDP funding decisions in your constituency area and is one of seven JCC’s established to deliver funding under Axis 3 of the RDP. DRAP has been allocated £2.8 m of the £12m budget under the Encouragement of Tourism Activity Measure.

Axis 3 of the RDP is being delivered through the bottom-up Leader approach, which empowers local communities through Local Action Groups to promote local projects in line with priorities in their local development strategy. The JCC strategy has strategic priorities regarding Tourism and has plans to allocate their full budget by 31 March 2012 with all projects expected to be completed by June 2014.

In addition, Forest Service officials have been involved in discussions with the Tourist Board and other stakeholders regarding the possible contribution to be made from forests and how that can best be delivered. Forest Service has recently agreed with the Tourist Board to commission a study to assess the existing and potential tourism development opportunities available from forests in the north.

Rural Development Programme

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether sports clubs are entitled to apply for funding through the Rural Development Programme.

(AQW 4499/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Funding for sports clubs are the statutory responsibility of Department of Culture Arts and Leisure. Under the Rural Development Programme sports clubs can apply for funding where the project is operated as a separate undertaking from the restricted members club and a separate bank account or accounting system is employed for the purposes of separation, transparency and verification of targets. The service, facilities or products offered must be available to all potential customers in the wider rural community and no preferential use or rates should be afforded to club members.

New Entrants Scheme

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for an update on the New Entrants Scheme.

(AQW 4524/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The current New Entrants Scheme was suspended to new applications in July 2008 and permanently closed to applications at the end of February 2009 (although payments under it may continue until 2015/16). There are currently 262 applicants under the Scheme, including 22 individuals who have received their maximum benefits under the Scheme, leaving 240 active applicants. Since the Scheme opened until 15 February 2011, DARD has paid just over £1.5 million to approved applicants.

Pork Contamination in 2009

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she is aware of the source of the primary producer of the fuel oil which led to the pork contamination in 2009.

(AQW 4554/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department has no legal jurisdiction for matters relating to fuel oil and does not hold information on the source of the oil which led to the pork contamination incident in 2008. It is my understanding that the name of a company, which was allegedly involved, is in the public domain and this matter is currently the subject of legal proceedings.

Single Farm Payments

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what percentage of the funding available for Single Farm Payments in the current year remains unpaid to farmers.

(AQW 4556/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: At 21 February 2011, claims worth a total of £245 million were finalised in respect of the 2010 Single Farm Payment Scheme. This is 90.7% of the total estimated value of the budget for the scheme year leaving up to 9.3% potentially still to be paid.

Chemical Fertilizer

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) how much chemical fertilizer, in tonnage spread, was used on farms in each of the last ten years; (ii) how much of this fertilizer was imported each year; and (iii) to detail the nitrates and phosphates breakdown of the fertilizer.

(AQW 4565/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Department collects data on deliveries of fertilisers by local manufacturers in addition to recorded imports. Based on this information, estimates are produced of the purchases of fertiliser by farmers. This information, which is published annually in the ‘Statistical Review of Northern Ireland Agriculture’, is contained in Table 1 below. Estimates of the nutrient content of these fertiliser purchases are produced also (see Table 1 for a breakdown of nitrate, phosphate and potash content). Table 2 below provides the details of the imports of fertiliser which were recorded over the last 10 years. Please note that imports are included in the totals given in Table 1.

Table 1 – Purchases of Fertilisers for Agricultural and Commercial Horticultural Use in Northern Ireland (‘000 tonnes).

Table 2 – Recorded Imports of Fertiliser

Single Farm Payments

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what is the total amount of money which still has to be paid to farmers in North Down for Single Farm Payments.

(AQW 4636/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: At 21 February 2011, the total estimated maximum gross value of claims submitted by farmers in the North Down parliamentary constituency under the 2010 SFP scheme, which are not yet finalised, is around £31,700.

Until validation checks are completed on the cases concerned it is not possible to provide the net amount payable to farmers as some claims may be ineligible or subject to the application of penalties under scheme rules. In addition, all payments are subject to modulation. A lower rate of modulation will be deducted from the first €5,000 of payments with a higher rate of 13% deducted from payments over €5,000.

A8 Dual Carriageway: Agriculture

Mr P Girvan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment, from an agricultural perspective, of the proposed A8 By-pass.

(AQO 1108/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My personal opinion is that the wider economic and social benefits of the scheme will vastly outweigh any impact. However, it is the responsibility of the Department of Regional Development ( DRD) to ensure the impact of any roads scheme is properly assessed. The Minister for Regional Development has advised that his Department’s Road Service has carried out and Environmental Impact Assessment. Part of this assessment identified the likely effects of the scheme on agricultural land. Whilst the impact upon individual farms has been assessed as varying from negligible to significant adverse impact, the overall agricultural impact upon the north has been assessed as negligible. The full Environmental Statement is available on the Roads Service website.

Where practicable, the impacts will be mitigated as part of the scheme development. The Department of Finance and Personnel’s Land and Property Service will then take account of the final impact, as part of the overall compensation package.

My main concern in the process is that the impact on individual farm businesses is minimised where possible and properly compensated for when it cannot be mitigated against. Information on the process of land acquisition for major road schemes and the parties and timescales involved is available on the DRD website. These guidelines have been developed by the Department for Regional Development’s Roads Service in consultation with the Ulster Farmers’ Union and my Department.

The A8 scheme is of considerable strategic importance to the island of Ireland. In January 2007, the Irish Government announced their new National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013. This plan contained proposals for considerable Irish Government investment in North/South projects including the Eastern Seaboard Key Transport Corridor of which the A8 is part.

DARD: Headquarters

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline the benefits of relocating her Department's headquarters from Belfast to a location west of the Bann.

(AQO 1107/11)

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, £13m capital has been reserved during this budget period, out of a total capital budget of £80m approximately. In order to complete the work a further £13m of capital expenditure is required and this will fall into the following budget period. The overall estimated capital cost of a new DARD Headquarters is in the region of £26m.

No decision has yet been taken as to the precise location of the proposed new DARD headquarters but it is time that Government was more proactive in decentralising its functions into the rural community, particularly west of the Bann.

There are significant benefits in relocating to a rural area and because of this I am personally committed to the relocation proposal. Belfast has a very high proportion of public sector employees per head of the working age population and people travel from every council area to work in the public sector in Belfast. It is widely acknowledged that there is a clear disparity in the distribution of public sector jobs in the north of Ireland. This impacts on the ability to grow the economy in a way that rural areas are not disadvantaged. I would remind Members that one of the Executive’s primary aims is to grow the economy, an issue which is even more important in the current economic climate. Relocating public sector jobs can make a significant contribution. For example, bringing accessible, high quality and well paid jobs into rural areas will increase spending and stimulate the local economy. By way of illustration there is over 800 DARD staff located in the current DARD headquarters building.

This represents an important first step to relocate a significant share of public sector jobs and could pave the way for a much larger programme of relocation involving the public sector, which would greatly enhance the economic and social development of our rural communities.

I wish to assure members that this project will be subject to the Executive’s usual requirements in respect of business cases and procurement.

Single Farm Payment Stage 2 Appeals

Mr G McHugh asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for an update on the Single Farm Payment Stage 2 appeals.

(AQO 1109/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Since 2005, when the Single Farm Payment scheme was introduced, my Department has received 555 SFP Stage 2 review applications. Of these 51 did not proceed as the application was either lodged after the required deadline or withdrawn by the applicant.

Of the remaining 504 cases, 358 have been completed and the farm businesses concerned have been informed, 74 are on hold for various reasons, 28 are receiving consideration in advance of going to the Panel, 24 have had a Panel recommendation that is still being considered by the Department and it is intended that the remaining 20 will be forwarded to the Panel for consideration shortly (in the next 10 weeks).

National Ploughing Association

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has had any discussions with the National Ploughing Association regarding the possibility of hosting the Irish Ploughing Championships in this jurisdiction.

(AQO 1118/11)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I have raised the possibility of hosting the Irish Ploughing Championships in a more northerly location with the Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association (NPA). She has advised me that the NPA would consider holding the Ploughing Championships further north if the availability of a suitable site with sufficient land area and infrastructure necessary for this major event was identified.

Relocation of Department's Headquarters

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what proportion of her capital budget covering the next four years will be spent on the relocation of her Department's headquarters.

(AQO 1119/11)

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, £13m capital has been reserved during this budget period, out of a total capital budget of £80m approximately. In order to complete the work a further £13m of capital expenditure is required and this will fall into the following budget period. The overall estimated capital cost of a new DARD Headquarters is in the region of £26m.

No decision has yet been taken as to the precise location of the proposed new DARD headquarters but it is time that Government was more proactive in decentralising its functions into the rural community, particularly west of the Bann.

There are significant benefits in relocating to a rural area and because of this I am personally committed to the relocation proposal. Belfast has a very high proportion of public sector employees per head of the working age population and people travel from every council area to work in the public sector in Belfast. It is widely acknowledged that there is a clear disparity in the distribution of public sector jobs in the north of Ireland. This impacts on the ability to grow the economy in a way that rural areas are not disadvantaged. I would remind Members that one of the Executive’s primary aims is to grow the economy, an issue which is even more important in the current economic climate. Relocating public sector jobs can make a significant contribution. For example, bringing accessible, high quality and well paid jobs into rural areas will increase spending and stimulate the local economy. By way of illustration there is over 800 DARD staff located in the current DARD headquarters building.

This represents an important first step to relocate a significant share of public sector jobs and could pave the way for a much larger programme of relocation involving the public sector, which would greatly enhance the economic and social development of our rural communities.

I wish to assure members 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

Electricity Costs

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much his Department and its arms-length bodies have spent on electricity in each of the last three available financial years.

(AQW 4430/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr N McCausland): The Department and its arms-length bodies (including North/South bodies) incurred the following expenditure on electricity in the financial years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10:

* includes electricity costs for Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, an agency of the Department until 1 April 2008.

** includes electricity costs for Libraries NI, an arms-length body of the Department from 1 April 2009

Odyssey Trust Company Limited

Lord Empey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions he or his officials have had with the Odyssey Trust Company Limited with regard to their ongoing activities.

(AQW 4434/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: My officials are in regular discussions with the Odyssey Trust Company Limited in relation to their charitable objectives, particularly to the maintenance of a Science Centre.

Odyssey Trust Company Limited

Lord Empey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure who approves the appointment of the Directors of the Odyssey Trust Company Limited.

(AQW 4435/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The Odyssey Trust Company (OTC) Limited is a charity and an independent company limited by guarantee. As such appointments are a matter for the company and the Directors are appointed by its Trustees.

Odyssey Trust Company Limited

Lord Empey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether his Department has issued any guidance to the Odyssey Trust Company Limited on how it should disburse its funds.

(AQW 4436/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: It is not within the Department’s remit to issue guidance to an independent private company limited by guarantee. It is for the Trustees to ensure that this charitable company’s funds are used appropriately.

Odyssey Trust Company Limited

Lord Empey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for his assessment of whether the funds held by the Odyssey Trust Company Limited are being deployed to the best advantage of the community.

(AQW 4437/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The Odyssey Trust Company (OTC) Limited is a charity and an independent company limited by guarantee.

The Memorandum of Association of the OTC Limited set out the charitable objectives of the Company and these are available from Companies House.

As with any other charitable organisation, those responsible for OTC are duty bound to ensure that they operate efficiently and effectively within the framework of its Memorandum and Articles, and in full accordance with relevant legislation and regulations.

It is recognised that the Odyssey, a project developed on time and within its budget of c. £90m, has achieved considerable success. The project has, among other things, provided the people of Northern Ireland with a prestigious landmark development that has been an important precursor to the regeneration of the Titanic Quarter and has offered a wide range of well supported events to audiences across the whole community that hitherto did not have access locally to a facility of such standard. The Science Centre is one of the top five visitor attractions in Northern Ireland with over 200,000 visitors per year.

Odyssey Trust Company Limited

Lord Empey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the charitable objectives of the Odyssey Trust Company Limited.

(AQW 4438/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The Memorandum of Association of the Odyssey Trust Company Limited sets out the charitable objectives of the Company. These are available from Companies House, and state that they are:

• to advance public education and in particular, but without limitation to the generality of the foregoing to establish and maintain a science centre or museum to which the public shall be admitted (at no or an appropriate charge having regard to the income and expenses of the Charity as the Charity shall consider fit) (“the Science Centre”) at Queen’s Quay, Belfast with the intent that the Science Centre will contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge and the education of the general public in particular the public of Northern Ireland;
• for the benefit of the inhabitants of Northern Ireland to provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure-time occupation in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving their conditions of life.

Elite Sporting Venues

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much public money has been spent on the five elite sporting venues which are no longer proceeding.

(AQW 4483/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The funding for Business Case development which may have included public money from district councils is entirely a matter between the applicant and their consultants. Consequently the Department does not have details of the costs.

Draperstown Library

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure why Draperstown library is (i) only open part-time hours; and (ii) closed on Fridays.

(AQW 4500/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The number and pattern of opening hours is that which the North Eastern Education & Library Board (NEELB) introduced for ‘small’ libraries following a review of provision in 2005. Libraries NI retained these agreed hours and the library is now subject to the second stage of the Strategic Review of the public library estate which the organisation is undertaking.

Sectarian Chanting and Disorder of Local Football Fans

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for his assessment of the sectarian chanting and disorder of local football fans in and around the Aviva Stadium in Dublin at the recent Carling Nations Cup match.

(AQW 4587/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I have already publicly stated that I was extremely disappointed by the behaviour shown on the YouTube footage, involving a group of approximately 30 people purporting to support Northern Ireland at the recent game against Scotland in the Carling Nations Cup in Dublin. T he behaviour demonstrated by this small group does nothing to promote the good name of football and sport in Northern Ireland to other regions. I understand the IFA has asked for a police report on the incidents in and around the Aviva Stadium and this is currently awaited.

Seagahan Dam, Armagh

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the fishing rights arrangements for Seagahan Dam, Armagh.

(AQW 4732/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Seagahan Dam, Armagh is owned by NI Water and the fishing rights are leased to Armagh Fisheries. This is a private lease agreement between the two parties and DCAL Inland Fisheries Group is not aware of the details of the lease.

A DCAL game rod licence is required by anglers fishing at Seagahan Dam and DCAL Fisheries Protection Officers have powers to check that all anglers fishing the water comply with the requirements of the Fisheries (NI) Act 1966, as amended.

Cultural Awareness Strategy

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure why his Department is conducting an eight-week rather than a twelve-week consultation on the Cultural Awareness Strategy.

(AQO 1122/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The current DCAL Equality Scheme recommends 8 weeks consultation. As such the consultation period on the ‘ Cultural Awareness Strategy’ is compliant with it.

2012 Olympics: Training

Mr L Cree asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for an update on any Olympic teams that are planning or are negotiating to train in Northern Ireland for the 2012 London Olympics.

(AQO 1127/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: A number of National Olympic Committees and National Paralympic Committees are currently considering Northern Ireland as a destination for their pre Games training; these include Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine and Jordan.

SportNI has developed an action plan in conjunction with a number of Governing Bodies and key figures in sport in order to run pre Games training events with a view to securing pre Games Training Camps for a number of sports, such as: badminton, athletics, judo, sailing, boxing, table tennis, fencing and gymnastics.

SportNI is working with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games to promote Northern Ireland Venues as a destination for Pre – Games Training Camps and events.

Tourism: North Antrim

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what his Department has done and intends to do in the North Antrim constituency under the Tourism Strategy to 2020,

(AQO 1128/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: My Department and arm's length bodies make a valuable contribution to cultural tourism through our facilities and services. My officials worked closely with DETI colleagues to develop the Tourism 2020 Strategy.

DCAL's contribution under the strategy spans brand development to tell the story of Northern Ireland's cultural heritage, to provision of access to our canals and rivers and a range of cultural and sporting events.

In North Antrim, my Department has funded and continues to fund a number of activities and services including community festivals in Moyle, the Ulster-Scots Centre in Ballymoney, the Bushmills Salmon Station Open Day, the Milk Cup and angling and arts events across the constituency area.

In the coming spending period, DCAL will be the lead for the World Police and Fire Games which has the potential to provide tourism opportunities across Northern Ireland. The potential impact on our tourism industry is huge, with over 20,000 participants and their families and friends expected to attend.

Sport NI is currently considering two expressions of interest from venues in North Antrim to host events as part of the Games.

Commemorations: Famine

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure why the Irish Famine/Great Hunger will not be included in his Department's framework under which significant historic events are to be addressed.

(AQO 1129/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: In developing a strategic approach to the issue of commemorations my department’s focus was on the 400th and 100th anniversaries of events that occur in the period 2010 to 2021.

Past history has shown that centenary, bicentenary, tricentenary and quadricentenary celebrations are the events that strike a chord with the public, for example the 200 th anniversary of 1798 and the 300 th anniversary of 1690.

This year is the 166 th anniversary of the start of the Irish Famine, as it is the 321 st anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. Neither of these anniversaries fit within the context of the department’s strategic approach to commemorations and are therefore not included.

Irish Language Strategy

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to provide an update on his position in relation to the development of an Irish Language Strategy.

(AQO 1130/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Considerable work has been carried out on a Regional or Minority Languages Strategy for the Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture and the Irish language.

However there remains an outstanding issue in relation to cultural rights of children in the classroom. On 8 February 2011 I met the Minister for Education to try to progress this matter.

If my concerns around this issue can be addressed it would be my intention to bring a draft strategy to the Executive before the end of this Assembly.

Community Festivals Fund

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline the findings from his Department's most recent evaluation of the Community Festivals Fund, and in particular, the findings in relation to underspend.

(AQO 1131/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: In its second year of being administered by the councils, the Community Festivals Fund was very successful.

438 organisations were allocated funding and councils reported financial benefits to the local economy, increased visitor numbers and bed nights and improved community spirit.

In 2009/2010 fourteen councils advised DCAL that they were unable to spend all of their allocation, with a total underspend of just under £36,500.

Councils that were oversubscribed were asked to express an interest in receiving additional funding.

The underspent amount was subsequently reallocated to five councils that had spent more than the required match funding amount on festivals.

Foras na Gaeilge

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for his assessment of whether Foras Na Gaelige has failed to address any matters which might give rise to concern about its effectiveness and whether he has any evidence of a lack of public confidence in the organisation.

(AQO 1132/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Foras na Gaeilge has undertaken a review of its core funded bodies and is developing proposals to deliver its statutory remit in a way that improves value for money and delivers the optimum outcomes for the communities it serves.

Foras na Gaeilge is planning to introduce a new funding framework for the sector in 2012 and it is my understanding that work on drafting the new funding schemes has already begun. However, the changes will take time to work through the necessary approval systems.

These proposals arise from concerns from the Sponsor Departments and the sector about the effectiveness of the system and were developed by the Sponsor Departments in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge.

Steps were taken at the North/South Ministerial Council Meeting in Language Sectoral format on 3 November 2010 to enhance the implementation of the proposals including the appointment of a project manager and the establishment of a steering committee and an advisory committee.

Since the Sponsor Departments are seeking to implement change in a disparate sector in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge, it is inevitable that tensions will arise between the sector and the agency and also between the agency and the Sponsor Departments. These are natural tensions that are being managed in the normal way.

I do have other concerns however I am unable to comment on them at this point in time as there is ongoing legal correspondence on related matters.

Arts: Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for his assessment of the contribution made to the arts by the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster.

(AQO 1133/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I commend the work of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster and the positive impact the association makes on our local community. The aims, objectives and the diversity of its membership are consistent with my aspiration and commitment to a shared and better future for our society.

The association has a strong programme, including arts and cultural activities, designed to encourage the development of its members. With a membership of around 2,500, aged between 12 and 25 years, there is enormous potential to make a significant contribution to the arts.

I have been keen to explore how my Department can assist the excellent work of the association and have encouraged the association to consider and avail of the potential funding opportunities offered by the Department’s arms length bodies and wider government to enhance what it offers to its members.

Libraries: Newtownards

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for an update on the proposed redevelopment of Newtownards Library in light of the current budget constraints.

(AQO 1134/11)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I am sure you will be aware that Libraries NI were in discussions with Ards Borough Council to explore the possibility of jointly developing a new library and cultural centre on the site of the Queen’s Hall.

However the project is currently ‘on hold’ as a bid for Libraries NI capital funding was unsuccessful in the Budget 2010 process.

While I am disappointed not to have the money to invest in this project, at this time, it should be remembered that all Departments are going through the biggest budget reductions experienced in a generation. Consequently a number of my Department’s priorities are not able to be funded.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Consultations

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) how many consultations her Department has carried out since May 2007; (ii) the cost of each consultation; and (iii) the changes that resulted from the consultations.

(AQW 4426/11)

Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane ): (i) Ó mhí na Bealtaine 2007, tá 42 comhairliúchán déanta ag mo Roinn.

(i) Since May 2007 my Department has carried out 42 consultations.

(ii) The cost of each consultation is detailed below. A number of the consultations were carried by electronic means, resulting in nil cost other than staff costs, which could not readily be disaggregated for individual consultations. Costs associated with the other consultations resulted primarily from translations, printing of documents and hire of premises for public meetings.

1. EQIA consultation on funding for Transfer interviews - £3790.73
2. DE Draft Budget 2011-2015 - £3942.22
3. Draft Early Years (0-6) Strategy Consultation - £18665.26
4. Disability Action Plan 2010-2013 - £4750.00
5. Community Relations, Equality & Diversity in Education Policy - £15000.00
6. Teacher Education in a Climate of Change – The Way Forward - £6767.92
7. Draft Government STEM Strategy £2670.24
8. Consultation on draft Education (School Development Plans) Regulations (NI) 2010 - £400.00
9. Draft Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the Proposal to withdraw Funding from Preparatory Departments of Grammar schools - £616.68
10. Common Funding Formula Consultation January 2010 - £419.88
11. Consultation on EMA policy and pupils with Asperger's Syndrome (Focussed consultation to a small number of organisations) – NIL COST
12. Guidance to schools on school uniform related policies – NIL COST
13. DE Staff Transfer Scheme – NIL COST
14. Every School A Good School: The Way Forward for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion - £23418.00
15. Consultation on the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) of the Teachers' (Compensation for Redundancy and Premature Retirement) Regulations (NI) 2010 and complementing amendments to the Teachers' Superannuation Regulations (NI) 1998 - £2092.80
16. Consultation on the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) Every School A Good School – School Improvement Policy - £393.00
17. Education and Skills Authority Implementation Team Consultation on 'The Education Sector Staff Transfer Scheme' – NIL COST
18. Food in Schools Policy - £4910.03
19. School Circular – The Education of Children and Young People from the Traveller Community – NIL COST
20. School Admissions (Exceptional Circumstances) Regulations 2010 - £3306.35
21. Consultation on the Review of Public Administration – NIL COST
22. Education and Skills Authority - Director structure consultation – NIL COST
23. RPA Policy Paper 19: Education Advisory Forum – NIL COST
24. Equality Impact Assessment of the Transfer 2010 Guidance - £6086.99
25. Transfer 2010 Guidance - £8925.15
26. Consultation on the draft teachers' (Compensation for Redundancy and Premature Retirement) Regulations (NI) 2009 - £1857.89
27. The Recruitment, Redeployment and Voluntary Severance (RRVS) Strategy - NIL COST
28. Consultation on Draft Pupil Records and Reporting Regulations and Levels of Progression - £13541.00
29. RPA Policy Paper 20: Publicly owned schools - Ownership and Representation - NIL COST
30. Review of Irish-medium Education - £18408.89
31. Local Management of Schools - Common Funding Formula - £717.12
32. The Teachers' Pensions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (NI) 2008 - NIL COST
33. Review of Literacy and Numeracy Strategy- £22827.00
34. Local Management of Schools - Common Funding Formula – NIL COST
35. Every School A Good School – School Improvement Policy - £3357.00
36. Consultation on the Area-based Planning Policy - £761.85
37. Public Consultation on Building a Better Future - £1863.86
38. RPA/Paper 5 Governance and Accountability – NIL COST
39. Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance Strategy – NIL COST
40. Consultation on Draft Regulations to Prohibit Discrimination by General Qualifications Bodies on the Grounds of Disability - £1780.00
41. Consultation on Draft Amendment Regulations to Prohibit Discrimination by General Qualifications Bodies on the Grounds of Disability - £1800.00
42. Policy on Supporting Ethnic-Minority Children and Young People who have English as an Additional Language - £24131.00

(iii) All responses to consultations are fully considered in formulating final policies. In addition, a number of major policy areas are still under development following the consultations. These include; the Review of Irish-medium Education, Every School a Good school – The Way forward for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion, Draft early Years Strategy and the Review of Literacy and Numeracy Strategy.

Education Psychology Service

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education how many (i) primary school; and (ii) post-primary school children in each Education and Library Board area are currently receiving assistance from the Education Psychology Service; and how many children who have been referred are awaiting assistance.

(AQW 4427/11)

Minister of Education: Is iad na staitisticí is déanaí atá ar fáil maidir le líon na bpáistí a fhaigheann cuidiú ó na Seirbhísí Síceolaíochta Oideachais sna Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlann ná líon na bpáistí a fuair measúnú sa bhliain acadúil 2009/10. Mar atá:

The most recent statistics available regarding the number of children receiving assistance from the Educational Psychology Services in the Education and Library Boards are the number of children who received an assessment in the 2009/10 academic year. These are:

* SELB does not maintain separate figures for Primary and post-Primary schools

The number of children who are awaiting assistance by Educational Psychology Services are recorded as the number of referrals to a Service of children who have not yet been seen by an educational psychologist or whose assessment process has not yet been completed. The numbers for each Board are as follows:

Free School Meals

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Education to detail for each primary school in the Southern Education and Library Board area, in the 2008/09; and 2009/10 academic year (i) the number and percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals: (ii) the number and 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 number and percentage of pupils obtaining A, B1, B2 and C grades in the transfer procedure in the last two years in which this was operational.

(AQW 4477/11)

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

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

DEPARTMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING

Education Maintenance Allowance

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many people in the North Down area are in receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance.

(AQW 4207/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning (Mr D Kennedy): Data is not available in the constituency format requested. I can advise that 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.

Research and Development

Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how much his Department spent on research and development in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4235/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The table below details the total research and development funding, allocated by my Department to our Higher Education institutions in each of the last five years, ending in 2009/10. The information is presented by academic year, that is, from 1 August to 31 July.

Consultation Documents

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to list the number and titles of all consultation documents issued by his Department since May 2007.

(AQW 4338/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Since May 2007, my Department has issued 27 consultation documents. These are listed below.

• Development of a Higher Education Strategy for Northern Ireland
• Draft Budget 2011-15:Budget Settlement and Proposals to Reduce Expenditure for the Department for Employment and Learning
• The Agency Workers Directive
• Regulations to Prohibit the Blacklisting of Trade Union Members
• Disability Action Plan 2009 -11
• Government STEM Strategy
• Success through Skills 2: The Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland
• Proposed Changes to the Scope of the Construction Industry Training Board in Northern Ireland (CITBNI)
• Disputes in the Workplace: a Systems Review
• Flexible Working and Time to Train: Proposed extension of Flexible Working Law and Introduction of a new right to request time to train.
• Employment Tribunal Claims and the Public Interest Disclosure Act
• Choice for Families: Additional Paternity Leave and Pay: Consultation on Draft Regulations
• Implementation of the European Works Council Directive 2009/38/EC
• An Amendment to the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005
• A Consultation on the Proposal to Exempt Student Loans from Individual Voluntary Arrangements
• Proposals to revise Qualifications required to Teach in Institutions of Further and Higher Education
• New Regulatory Arrangements for Vocational Qualifications in Northern Ireland
• Consultation on Proposals to Amend Trade Union Law
• Employment Agencies and Businesses: Proposed Changes to Investigation Powers and Penalty Regime
• FE Means Business: Policy Proposals for Curriculum Provision in Further Education Colleges
• The Review of Higher Education in Further Education, including Foundation Degrees
• Preparing for Success: A Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) Strategy for Northern Ireland
• Additional Paternity Leave and Pay: Consultation on Administration
• Changes to Recruitment Industry Law and Related Guidance
• Disability Action Plan 2007–08
• Public Consultation on draft Regulations to Increase Paid Holiday Entitlement (1)
• Public Consultation on draft Regulations to Increase Paid Holiday Entitlement (2)

Tuition Fees for Students

Ms M Ritchie asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, in light of the decision by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development not to increase tuition fees for students at agricultural colleges, whether he intends to apply the same to students at universities and colleges of Further and Higher Education.

(AQW 4376/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The Student Fees (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 were made by my Department on 5 January 2011 and will come into operation on 1 September 2011.

These Regulations provide for an inflationary increase in the prescribed basic and higher amounts which higher education institutions in Northern Ireland may charge by way of tuition fees in academic year 2011/12. I can also advise that the Student Support Regulations for academic year 2011/12 provide for a corresponding increase in the tuition fee loans available to eligible students.

Legal Advice

Mr Pól Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the total amount spent on legal advice for matters relating to industrial relations or related issues by each Regional College, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 4422/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: I have contacted all six Further Education colleges and they have indicated that the information sought is not readily available in the format requested.

University Students

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of first year students from (i) the Republic of Ireland; (ii) EU countries, excluding the UK and the Republic of Ireland; and (iii) outside of the EU who have studied at Northern Ireland universities in each of the last ten years.

(AQW 4456/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The number of first year students enrolled at Northern Ireland Higher Education Institutions in each of the last ten years for which data are available from (i) the Republic of Ireland; (ii) EU countries, excluding the UK and the Republic of Ireland; and (iii) outside of the EU is detailed in the table overleaf: -

Source: HESA

Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Spend on Electricity

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how much his Department and its arms-length bodies have spent on electricity in each of the last three available financial years.

(AQW 4462/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The total amount spent on electricity by the Department for Employment and Learning, and its arms-length bodies, in each of the last three financial years is:

2007/2008 - £3,036,871.18;

2008/2009 - £3,244,598.06;

2009/2010 - £3,242,785.63.

The full breakdown is included at Annex A.

Annex A

Breakdown of spend on Electricity -

Department for Employment and Learning

2007/2008 - £135,395.00

2008/2009 - £174,000.00

2009/2010 - £146,777.00

CITB Construction Skills NI

2007/2008 - £41,145.00

2008/2009 - £42,411.00

2009/2010 - £21,844.00

Ulster Supported Employment Limited

2007/2008 - £27,155.00

2008/2009 - £26,700.00

2009/2010 - £28,863.00

Labour Relation Agency

2007/2008 - £24,026.00

2008/2009 - £27,431.00

2009/2010 - £34,041.00

Office of Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal

2007/2008 - £30,865.75

2008/2009 - £36,784.53

2009/2010 - £10,300.64

Further Education Colleges

2007/2008 - £2,778,284.43

2008/2009 - £2,937,271.53

2009/2010 - £3,000,959.99

Immigrant Workers

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what steps are being taken to ensure that the qualifications of immigrant workers are given due recognition by employers.

(AQW 4558/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: There is provision within my Department for migrants to have their qualifications, academic and vocational, mapped to UK equivalents. This is done through the United Kingdom National Academic Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC), International Comparisons databases, to which my Department subscribes. This service has been available to anyone contacting the Department since April 2002. However, in December 2010 a pilot was launched by the Department's Employment Service in its Dungannon and EURES (Belfast) offices to provide qualifications equivalences to migrants more locally. The pilot will be reviewed after three months.

This service can also be used by employers, and I can report that enquiries have been received from employers wishing to check the validity of particular qualifications presented to them by migrants seeking employment.

Student Costs

Ms D Purvis asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the total annual cost, to the Departmental Expenditure Limit budget, of a full-time student in (i) further education; and (ii) higher eduction, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4559/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: (i) Further Education

Recurrent block grant funding to the six Further Education Colleges is allocated on an academic year basis through the Further Education funding model and allocations are made in line with Departmental priorities. The average cost of a full-time enrolment paid through the funding model is detailed in the table below.

Additionally other financial support is available to all students, including full-time students, who are inhibited by financial considerations from accessing and participating in further education or who, through whatever reason including physical or other disabilities face financial difficulties. Due to the nature and range of support available it is not possible to disaggregate this to student level.

(ii) Higher Education

The Department incurs costs relating to institutional grant and individual student support in respect of a full-time student in higher education. It is not possible to quote a figure for a full-time student as the amount is dependent on the course taken and on the individual’s personal and family circumstances. However, all the elements and costs quoted below do impact on the Department’s Departmental Expenditure Limit budget.

Table 1 below provides the institutional cost of a full-time student in each of the last five years. The actual level of institutional grant depends on the type of course an individual enrols on and in the current year the cost could range from £4,737 to £18,948. An average figure has also been provided which is based on a Full Time Equivalent (FTE) basis.

Table 1

In addition to the above, a full-time student could qualify for a range of grants and allowances depending on personal and family circumstances. Table 2 below summarises the maximum amount that a student could qualify for in each instance. It is not possible to quote an average figure in this instance.

Table 2

Earnings Disregard

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning whether his Department is willing to co-operate with the pilot on earnings disregard, which aims to address child poverty by enabling parents in households where no-one works to return to work.

(AQW 4575/11)

Minister for Employment and Learning: I support any action that will help to lift people, and especially children, out of poverty. However, the proposed earnings disregard pilot has been overtaken by events. A new Welfare Reform Bill, recently introduced in Westminster, will introduce Universal Credit in October 2013. This new credit will allow benefit claimants to keep more of their earnings as benefits will be withdrawn at a uniform rate of no more than 65 pence in every additional pound earned. This change will do exactly what the earnings disregard pilot will test. I expect Universal Credit to be introduced in Northern Ireland in 2013 as a social security parity measure. To trial a change to a benefits regime which is about to be radically changed would, in my view, be nugatory.

DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Appointments to Public Bodies and Arms-Length Bodies

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number and names of individuals that have been appointed to (i) public bodies; and (ii) arms-length bodies since May 2007.

(AQW 4449/11)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster): (i) There have been 53 appointments including 19 re-appointments (R) made to DETI public bodies (ie NDPBs) since May 2007, detailed as follows:

* Other than for reappointments, if a name appears twice, the position, ie member or chair, is indicated in brackets .

(ii) nil

Electricity

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how much her Department and its arms-length bodies have spent on electricity in each of the last three available financial years.

(AQW 4463/11)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment and its arms-length bodies have spent the following amounts on electricity in the last three financial years.

* Full costs unavailable as some electricity costs are included in rental charges from this year.

Enterprise Northern Ireland

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) the level of funding her Department allocated to Enterprise Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and (ii) for a general breakdown on how this money was spent.

(AQW 4678/11)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Apart from funding of the Points of Presence initiative, Invest NI does not provide Enterprise Northern Ireland with funding. Enterprise Northern Ireland have successfully tendered for Invest NI programme delivery.

The level of funding to Enterprise Northern Ireland in each of the last five years is as follows:

2006/7 £3,052,000

2007/8 £3,136,991

2008/9 £2,682,005

2009/10 £3,075,071

Current year £3,910,797

Total £15,856,864

The breakdown of the funding is as follows:

• £500,000 for the Points of Presence initiative, for branding, signage and Customer Relationship management system within ENI’s Local Enterprise Agency members.
• £2,235,579 for delivery of the Social Entrepreneurship Programme
• £7,361,000 for delivery of the Start a Business Programme
• £5,760,285 for delivery of the Enterprise Development Programme

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Reorganisation of Planning Service Offices

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on the reorganisation of Planning Service offices.

(AQW 4205/11)

Minister of the Environment (Mr E Poots): On April 1, Planning Service will cease to be an Agency and its functions and staff will be absorbed into the core of the Department. Area Planning Offices, with their Development Plan and development management services, will be brigaded in one Division dealing with local planning.

A separate Division will deal with all strategic planning functions – including determination of “Article 31” and special subjects (eg windfarms and minerals) applications; along with operational advice on development plans, development management and landscape and design.

Tree Preservation Orders

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number and location of Tree Preservation Orders made in each of the last three years.

(AQW 4227/11)

Minister of the Environment: 114 Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) have been made during the period January 2008 to December 2010. The table below identifies the numbers made during each of the three years for each council area.

I regret in the time available I was unable to provide the location of all the TPOs listed in council areas, but shall write with these details to the Member within the next few days.

Local Government Staff Commission

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the level of funding his Department has allocated to the Local Government Staff Commission in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4278/11)

Minister of the Environment: The Local Government Staff Commission received £25,000 in 2006/07 from my department and another £25,000 in 2008/09.

Prosecutions Under Article 66A (1) of the Planning (NI) Order

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of prosecutions under Article 66A (1) of the Planning (NI) Order 1991 since 2005; and how many have been successful.

(AQW 4306/11)

Minister of the Environment: Prior to 2009, Planning Service did not retain full electronic records for Enforcement therefore, in order to provide you with accurate information for the time period in question a manual check of case files would be required. This is not only disproportionate in terms of time and cost but would result in un-validated statistics being released.

My Department has advised that one investigation during the 2009/10 and two investigations during the 2010/11 business year to date, relating to the cutting down, uprooting or wilfully destroying a tree, or wilfully damaging, topping or lopping a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) resulted in prosecutions.

Consultation Documents

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment to list the number and titles of all consultation documents issued by his Department since May 2007.

(AQW 4339/11)

Minister of the Environment: My Department has issued 139 consultation documents since 1 May 2007.

The table below lists the title of each document issued.

Spend on Electricity

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of the Environment how much his Department and its arms-length bodies have spent on electricity in each of the last three available financial years.

(AQW 4464/11)

Minister of the Environment: The table below provides the costs incurred by my Department and its arms-length bodies on electricity in each of the last three available years. These costs exclude the cost of electricity paid for by DFP Properties Division for office estate buildings other Department’s including DOE may occupy. DFP will include these costs in their reply.

Felled Trees at Myrtle Lodge, Newcastle

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment what action has been taken to enforce the Tree Preservation Order on trees which were felled at Myrtle Lodge, Newcastle.

(AQW 4466/11)

Minister of the Environment: The Department has taken legal advice and is currently considering its position in relation to the enforcement action regarding the felling of trees that were covered by a Tree Preservation Order.

It is not possible to disclose details at this time due to data protection issues and to avoid any prejudice to legal action by the Department.

Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQW 3389/11, to define the status of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, given that its employees are civil servants employed by his Department under NICS terms and conditions.

(AQW 4479/11)

Minister of the Environment: The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is an Executive Agency within the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland. It is the successor of the Environment & Heritage Service (EHS) which was also an Executive Agency within the Department. The NIEA was launched on 1 July 2008 as a result of a Ministerial decision that the EHS would be reorganised into the NIEA.

The Chief Executive of the Agency is also the Agency Accounting Officer with the responsibilities and delegations outlined in Chapter 3 of the Department of Finance & Personnel (DFP) Guide - Managing Public Money Northern Ireland.

A s the Agency is an integral part of the DOE, the Principal Accounting Officer for all matters relating to NIEA is the Permanent Secretary of the DOE.

Departmental Redundancies and Redeployments

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of the Environment how many staff hired by his Department since 2007 have been, or are in the process of being, (i) redeployed; or (ii) made redundant.

(AQW 4480/11)

Minister of the Environment: Since 1 January 2007 my Department has recruited a total of 286 staff. Of this number 97 staff were recruited in the General Service discipline, of which 5 have been redeployed and 1 is in the process of being redeployed. 189 staff were recruited in the Specialist disciplines and to date none of these staff have been redeployed and whilst future specialist redeployments are anticipated individual staff have not been identified.

To date the Department has not made any redundancies.

Appointments to Public Bodies and Arms-length Bodies

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number and names of individuals who have been appointed to (i) public bodies; and (ii) arms-length bodies since May 2007.

(AQW 4504/11)

Minister of the Environment: As Minister of the Environment I have responsibility for appointing individuals to the following public bodies:

• The Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC);
• The Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland (LGSC);
• The Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC);
• The Historic Buildings Council (HBC) and
• The Historic Monuments Council (HMC).

Since May 2007, there have been a total of 44 appointments made to these bodies.

The number of appointments made to each of the bodies, as well as the names of the individuals appointed is detailed in the table below.

Removal of Hazardous Waste

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of the Environment what advice the Northern Ireland Environment Agency has given to Craigavon Borough Council in relation to the Agency's responsibility for the removal of hazardous waste contained in a trailer in the Carn Industrial Estate, Craigavon.

(AQW 4514/11)

Minister of the Environment: My Department was notified about the trailer in May 2010 and investigated the incident thoroughly with HMRC and PSNI in June 2010. NIEA were not in a position to give advice to the council as they do not have the legal authority, the resource or the infrastructure to remove or clean-up controlled waste. Local district councils do have the powers, under Article 28 of The Waste and Contaminated Land (NI) Order 1997 to remove and clean-up controlled waste and I understand that both Roads Service and Craigavon Borough Council have been in discussions about the proper disposal of this waste.

Carvill Group

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister of the Environment, in light of the difficulties being experienced by the Carvill Group, to outline her Department's understanding of the current ownership status of the Sirocco Quays development site in Belfast.

(AQW 4539/11)

Minister of the Environment: The only information my Department has in respect of the ownership of the Sirocco Quays site is detailed on the Planning Application Certificate submitted with the planning application for the current development proposals on the site. This Certificate constitutes a statement of ownership and not proof of ownership. In this instance the applicants, the Carvill Group, served notice on the following bodies who appeared to have an interest in the land other than the Carvill Group itself;

• Translink, Central Station East Bridge Street, Belfast, Co Antrim BT1 3PB
• DRD Roads Service, Hydebank, 4 Hospital Road, Belfast, BT8 8JL
• Department for Social Development, Belfast City Centre Regeneration Directorate, 2nd Floor McKelvey House, 25 Washington Place, Belfast BT1 6GD
• Conor Wylie, Millar McCall Wylie, Solicitors, 1 Lanyon Quay, Belfast BT1 3GP

Big Picture Developments

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of the Environment (i) whether any member of the Planning Service has had any contact with Big Picture Developments since December 2009; (ii) if so, what was the nature of this contact; (iii) whether any member of the Planning Service is related to representatives of Big Picture Developments, including its agent; and (iv) if so, whether this member of the Planning Service has had any involvement with any aspect of the planning application for the Nelson Street site in North Belfast since December 2009.

(AQW 4634/11)

Minister of the Environment: (i) & (ii) Since December 2009 various members of Planning Service staff have been in contact with the agent representing Big Picture Developments in the course of processing this application. Contact took the form of discussions as to changes to be made to the application and progress which was being made to bring it to a decision.

(iii) A member of staff whose husband is working as a Planning Consultant along with the lead agent on this application is the Principal Planning Officer dealing with enforcement in Belfast Divisional Planning Office. Following the retirement of another Principal Planner she has taken responsibility for dealing with applications in North and West Belfast excluding those where her husband is acting as a Planning Consultant on behalf of an applicant or objector. She therefore has declared an interest in the big picture planning application and has not at any time been involved in the processing of the application. This is in line with Planning Service policy on conflicts of interest. I am unaware of any other member of staff in the Planning Service having a connection with Big Picture Developments or its agent.

(iv) Consideration of the application is ongoing in the normal way. The member of staff who is related to the agent has never had any involvement with any aspect of the planning application since it was received.

Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the planned timetable for the roll-out of the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan.

(AQW 4637/11)

Minister of the Environment: The Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) 2015 was published in November 2004. A pproximately 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 PAC is an independent body and is not part of the Department of the Environment but appointed by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

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.

The PAC had indicated a preliminary timescale for delivery of the remainder of the report to Planning Service as early summer 2010. However, in July 2010, the PAC stated that ‘due to the number of objections and the scope and complexity of the issues they raise’ they were unable to deliver the report in accordance with the timescale originally envisaged, and they now aim to present their report to the Department by the end of March 2011.

Upon receipt of the report, Planning Service will consider the PAC recommendations and will prepare the Plan for adoption. The final timescale for the adoption of BMAP will be dependent on a number of factors, including the nature of the recommendations contained in the PAC Report. Due to the scale of the task involved, it is anticipated that the Plan will be finally adopted in 2012.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Draft Health Budget

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what co-operation has taken place to date between the Performance and Efficiency Unit and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in relation to efficiencies in relation to the draft Health Budget.

(AQW 3573/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr S Wilson): There has been no specific co-operation between PEDU and DHSSPS on the efficiencies required by the draft Health Budget.

However, on the broader topic of efficiencies, PEDU has commenced work on a Joint Efficiency Review with DHSSPS as agreed by the Executive as part of the outcome to the June Monitoring exercise. Following agreement on a Terms of Reference, work on the Efficiency Review commenced in January 2011. Stage one of the work is focusing on examining analysis in the recently published McKinsey Report.

As you can appreciate this is work in progress and it is too early to comment on detail at stage.

Overseas Training Courses for Staff

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the number of training courses which members of staff from his Department have attended overseas in each of the last five years; (ii) the names of the course/purpose of the training; (iii) when the courses took place; (iv) the duration of each course; (v) how many members of staff took part in each course; (vi) the grade and branch of each member of staff who took part; (vii) in which country the courses took place (excluding the UK and Republic of Ireland); (viii) the cost of fees for each course and each individual attendee; (ix) the travel expenses incurred by each attendee of each course; (x) the accommodation costs incurred by each attendee of each course; and (xi) the specific name and location of places where each attendee stayed during their travel and attendance on each course.

(AQW 4121/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The information requested is attached.

(i) During the last 5 years, the number of training courses which members of staff from DFP have attended overseas is as follows:

2006 – 2 Courses (Total of 6 participants)

2007 – 3 Courses (Total of 6 participants)

2008 – 5 Courses (Total of 6 participants)

2009 – 2 Courses (Total of 3 participants)

2010 – 1 Course (Total of 1 participant)

(ii) The table below outlines the 5 different types of course attended, together with their purpose, (iv) duration and (vii) location.

(iii) Dates of the course, (v) numbers attending, (vi) grade and branch of the individuals attending, (viii) (ix) (x) costs and (xi) specific accommodation details are as follows:

Electricity Costs

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how much his Department and its arms-length bodies have spent on electricity in each of the last three available financial years.

(AQW 4429/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Department of Finance and Personnel and its arms-length bodies have spent the following on electricity in each of the last three available financial years.

2007/08 - £2,339,303

2008/09 - £3,159,037

2009/10 - £2,306,389

Departmental Priorities

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what steps he is taking to ensure that individual departmental priorities are balanced against the priorities of Northern Ireland as a whole.

(AQW 4474/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The draft budget position was predicated on some key over-arching priorities such as the need to protect funding for the provision of health services and promoting economic growth and skills enhancement. Allocations to these priorities therefore transcended individual departmental priorities. Allocations beyond these over-arching priorities were made in correlation with departmental assessments of their individual priorities.

Civil Servants: Meetings

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what plans he has to restrict the number of journeys to other countries made by civil servants to attend meetings when the meeting could be conducted by video-conferencing.

(AQW 4476/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Northern Ireland Civil Service has a number of video-conferencing units which are used to reduce travel costs, both within Northern Ireland and to other countries. Video-conferencing is also used for internal meetings and conferences throughout the NICS.

The new travel contract which began on 1 st November 2010, requires civil servants to consider the use of video-conferencing as a viable alternative to any official travel to other countries.

INTERREG IVA

Mr Pól Callaghan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel when applications for funding for tourism projects under INTERREG IVA will be accepted.

(AQW 4513/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Tourism sub-priority of the INTERREG IVA Programme has a budget of some £28 million of which more than half has already been allocated.

Although applications are not currently being accepted, a further call for tourism projects should be announced shortly.

Government Assets

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what Government assets will be put up for sale in the near future.

(AQW 4522/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The draft Budget identified planned capital receipts worth £447 million over the 2011-2015 period. In addition to these receipts already identified by departments, the Executive decided to task OFMDFM’s Central Asset Management Unit with identifying another £100 million worth of capital receipts over the four year Budget period. The profile of these additional receipts is £10 million / £15 million / £25 million / £50 million. The generation of these additional receipts are skewed towards the latter part of the 2011-2015 period.

The table attached shows the £447 million of planned receipts by department.

Table: Planned Capital Receipts - £million

Totals may not add due to roundings

Dwellings Valued for Rating Purposes

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the number of dwellings which have yet to be valued for rating purposes.

(AQW 4581/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: District Valuers within Land & Property Services (LPS) aim to value all new houses and enter these in the Valuation List as soon as a property is capable of occupation. As at 31 st January 2011 LPS had 2,357 active cases, which involve the valuation for rating purposes of new dwellings, registered in LPS’ systems and scheduled for inspection. If the properties are complete, they will be valued and entered in to the Valuation List. Recent LPS inspections have shown that many of these properties are not yet complete.

Dwellings Valued for Rating Purposes

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel whether he will offer an amnesty for home owners whose properties have not been valued for rating purposes for a number of years.

(AQW 4582/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Rating legislation does not contain provision for an amnesty for ratepayers; rates are due for the period that a domestic property is occupied. This is an essential component of the equity of the rating system.

I am, however, mindful of the difficulties that a backdated rate bill can cause ratepayers; Land & Property Services, therefore, seeks to work with ratepayers to agree extended payment arrangements where this is appropriate and helpful.

Appointments to Public Bodies and Arms-Length Bodies

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number and names of individuals that have been appointed to (i) public bodies; and (ii) arms-length bodies since May 2007.

(AQW 4585/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: 20 individuals have been appointed to public bodies in the Department of Finance and Personnel since May 2007. No individuals have been appointed to arms-length bodies during that time.

The names of those appointed to public bodies are detailed below.

Small Business Rates Relief Scheme

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what consideration has been given to changing the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief for small businesses that have a low turnover but are exempt from any relief due to Land and Property Services' valuation of their property.

(AQW 4609/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Small Business Rates Relief Scheme, introduced in April 2009, is an automatic scheme, which uses net annual value (NAV) to establish eligibility. The automatic award of this relief was something the business community was particularly keen to see in the Northern Ireland scheme and using NAV was the only practicable way this could be done, which is in line with the approach taken elsewhere in the UK.

You have raised the issue of awarding relief to those beyond the valuation thresholds on the basis of low business turnover. This poses a number of serious difficulties.

Turnover is difficult to verify, varies from year to year and would require individual businesses to lodge annual returns or make annual applications for relief. Furthermore, many would question the use of turnover on the basis that profit, expressed as a percentage of turnover, differs not only from sector to sector, but also from product to product within particular sectors. Any such move would also remove some of the main strengths of business rates, of being visible and stable, which would be lost if eligibility for the scheme were linked to business turnover.

Consideration can be given to extending the scheme in the future by increasing the valuation limits but this poses major issues of affordability. The current scheme costs up to £8m a year and helps up to 20,000 of our smaller business. Any increase in the levels would directly affect our spending ability in terms funding the health service, our schools, roads and so on.

It must not be forgotten that the Executive has been highly proactive in assisting the wider business community with rates. This includes a freeze in the non domestic regional rate as well as a planned freeze in rates in real terms over the next four years, helping all businesses irrespective of size. In addition, it is planned to hold manufacturing rates at 30% rates while full rating liability on unoccupied commercial properties remains at 50%. Together with the small business rate relief scheme these are some of the most generous measures in the UK and affirm the Executive’s commitment to put the economy first and help businesses.

Draft Budget 2011-15 Consultation

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to list all the bodies and organisations who responded to the draft Budget 2011-15 consultation.

(AQW 4632/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Due to the high volume of responses, numbering in their thousands, this information is not yet available.  My officials are working through the responses received and will be publishing lists of those who responded through the website as soon as possible.  Some individuals and organisations have requested that their details are not released and I will of course respect their wishes on this.   

In addition, individual departments will have received consultation responses and it will be for them to decide on the publication of the respondents details.  A summary of the consultation information will be used to inform the revised Budget process.

N.I. Water

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to oultine the financial implications to the Executive, under Treasury or other rules, of the proposal by the Minister for Regional Development to bring N.I. Water back into the Department.

(AQW 4643/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: A number of classification and accounting issues would need to be reassessed by DRD if NI Water is to cease being a GOCo and become either an NDPB or Government Agency. I will however need to wait until the DRD Minister puts forward detailed proposals before I can properly assess the cost of changing the status of NI Water.

Future Status of NI Water

Lord Empey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel (i) what discussions he has had with the Minister for Regional Development in the last twelve months on the future status of NI Water; (ii) what was the outcome of these discussions; and (iii) whether any provision has been made in the Budget 2011-15 for liability arising from potential demands from the Treasury for VAT or capital depreciation.

(AQW 4677/11)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: I have had no specific discussions with the Minister for Regional Development on the future status of NI Water. The Minister for Regional Development has indicated in meetings, such as the draft Budget Bilateral on 30 November 2010, that he intended to bring forward proposals to change the status of NI Water to bring it into a closer relationship with his Department. The details of the proposals were not discussed.

With regard to the allocations in the draft Budget 2011-15, it is for departmental Ministers to decide how to use the funds that they have available. Therefore the question of provision for VAT liability and depreciation costs is a matter that should be raised with the Minister for Regional Development.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Legal Services

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much his Department and its agencies paid for legal services in each of the last five years; and to detail the firms engaged.

(AQW 1501/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): The table below shows expenditure on legal services for the Core Department and its Executive Agencies over the last five years. Expenditure in each year varies as it is dependent on the legal advice that is required.

Firms engaged in 2009/10 are shown below. Due to changes in financial systems, it is not possible to readily extract details of firms engaged prior to 2009/10 from the legacy financial systems. Therefore this information cannot be provided due to the disproportionate cost.

Firms engaged in 2009/10

New Fire Station and Area Headquarters

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 771/11, to detail the results of the feasibility study on a potential site for a new Fire Station and Area Headquarters.

(AQW 1533/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: HLM Architects has recently completed a feasibility study on Council owned land at Antrim Road, Ballymena, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).

This study consisted of a site analysis, which examined the location, site boundaries, existing and adjoining site structures as well as topographical and geotechnical surveys of the proposed site. It also included an analysis on access to the site and the potential traffic impact of the proposal.

I understand that the outcome of the study was positive and that the NIFRS has now proceeded to outline planning application stage. The next stage will be the development of a Business Case for submission to my Department.

Northern Health and Social Care Trust: Senior Managers

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many senior managers are there currently working for the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 2004/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is given in the table below.

Number of Staff employed in the Northern Trust as Senior Managers 1 as at September 2010

Source: Northern HSC Trust

Notes:

• The Northern HSC Trust has defined ‘Senior Manager’ as all staff employed at Payband 8A-8D. This will include not only staff with a direct managerial role, but will also include some staff with a clinical role and some staff with a professional role who may not have direct line management responsibilities.
• WTE = Whole-time Equivalent.

Alcohol Hand Gels in Hospitals

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much it cost each Health and Social Care Trust to maintain and replace alcohol hand gels in hospitals in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2764/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Health and Social Care Trusts continue to promote good hand hygiene amongst patients, staff and visitors as part of infection control measures which, in the three years since 2007, has seen C. difficile cases come down by 54% and MRSA cases come down by 44%. .

Blanket Ban on the Hiring of Agency Staff

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether a blanket ban has been placed on the hiring of agency staff by each Health and Social Care Trust; and how this is affecting service delivery.

(AQW 2765/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: There is no blanket ban on the use of agency staff in the Health and Social Care. In light of budget constraints I have asked Health and Social Care organisations to look at alternative arrangements when providing emergency cover in order to achieve savings. In the longer term this may impact on service delivery.

Anti-Depressant Medication

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many patients in each Health and Social Care Trust have been prescribed anti-depressant medication in the last twelve months, broken down by the age of the patient; and how many of these patients have been referred for counselling services in the statutory, voluntary or community sector.

(AQW 3089/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of patients for whom antidepressants were prescribed and dispensed between October 2009 and September 2010 is shown in the table below, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust and age of the patient.

Figures relate to prescriptions for anti-depressants which were dispensed by a community pharmacist or dispensing doctor, and presented for payment during the period. The data provided only covers drugs dispensed in primary care, as drugs prescribed and dispensed in hospital cannot be captured centrally due to the use of different hospital IT systems.

It should be noted that antidepressant medication may be prescribed for reasons other than depression - certain antidepressants can be prescribed for pain relief, anorexia and bulimia. Information on the number of patients who have been referred for counselling is not available.

Table 1: Number of patients 1 for whom antidepressants were prescribed and dispensed 2 between October 2009 and September 2010 by HSC Trust 3 and age band.

Source: Family Practitioner Services, Information and Registration Unit, BSO.

Notes:

1 Counts refer to distinct patients - patients may have had multiple items within the period but have only been counted once in the table.

2 Analysis relates to 89% of dispensed antidepressant items where patient details were available.

3 Figures exclude patients that could not be assigned to a HSC Trust area based on their postcode.

Legal Fees

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much was spent on legal fees by each of the Health and Social Care Trusts, and their predecessors, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3160/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Legal costs for the years 2005 to 2010 have been provided by the Directorate of Legal Services and are set out below.

Notes:

• The above shows only the direct costs of legal services to the HSC organisation. It does not include the 3 rd Party Solicitor Costs or the damages costs paid from the Central Medical Negligence Fund.
• The information relates only to cases managed by the Directorate of Legal Services. It does not include information on cases prior to 2008 carried out by other legal providers.

Regional MS Respite Centre at Dalriada Hospital, Ballycastle

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline his Department's plans for the continued provision of Multiple Sclerosis services at the Regional MS Respite Centre at Dalriada Hospital, Ballycastle.

(AQW 3590/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is committed to sustaining respite care and has no plans to change services at Dalriada Hospital in North Antrim, for Multiple Sclerosis respite or for other services. The Trust has sought initial views from existing MS respite service users on future service provision, and any plans for changes in service provisions will follow discussions with those who use services.

Multiple Sclerosis Services in North Antrim

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in light of his budget allocation, to outline his Department's plans for the continued provision of Multiple Sclerosis services in North Antrim.

(AQW 3591/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is committed to sustaining respite care and has no plans to change services at Dalriada Hospital in North Antrim, for Multiple Sclerosis respite or for other services. The Trust has sought initial views from existing MS respite service users on future service provision, and any plans for changes in service provisions will follow discussions with those who use services.

Vacant Consultant Posts

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total number of (i) approved consultant posts; (ii) consultant posts currently vacant in each Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 3735/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The funded establishment whole-time equivalent (WTE) of Consultant posts by Trust and the number of Consultant Vacancies are given in the tables below:

Funded Establishment whole-time equivalent of Consultant Posts by Trust as at 30 th September 2010

Source: NI HSC Trusts

Notes:

1. WTE = Whole-Time Equivalent.
2. Belfast figure excludes 30.96 WTE Joint Appointments with Queen’s University Belfast.

Number of Consultant Vacancies by Trust as at 30th September 2010

Source: NI HSC Vacancy Survey ~ NI HSC Trusts

Notes:

1. WTE = Whole-Time Equivalent
2. Information on vacancies within the Northern Ireland Health & Social Care is collected bi-annually (as at 31 st March and 30 th September) by means of a survey. The September 2010 data is the latest available and is published on the DHSSPS website and can be found at: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/vacancy_survey_september_2010_web_report.pdf
3. A current vacancy is a post which at 30 th September 2010, the organisation was actively trying to fill. Note that these posts do not have to be unoccupied.

Outstanding Answers

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when he will provide answers to (i) AQW 1501/11; and (ii) AQW 3160/11, given that they were submitted on 19 October 2010 and 16 December 2010 respectively.

(AQW 3819/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Answers have been provided to these Assembly Questions.

Investigation into Suspicious Deaths or Injury of Patients

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether consultants or other health professionals, who have retired or moved to other posts, are recalled to give evidence in the event of an investigation into the suspicious death or injury of a patient who was previously in their care.

(AQW 3937/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: All suspicious deaths are referred to the Coroner for investigation. The Coroner has power to summon witnesses under the Coroners Act 1959.

Health and Social Care Trusts request all relevant parties, including those who have retired or moved to other posts, to provide information and co-operate with any internal investigation relating to a patient or client who was previously in their care. Trusts have no powers to compel individuals in this regard.

Regional Access Criteria

Mr F Molloy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether the Western Health and Social Care Trust is operating a panel system to determine if assessed needs are met using the Regional Access Criteria.

(AQW 4225/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Western Trust has advised that a Domiciliary Care Access Panel was established in May 2009 tasked with scrutinising requests for new domiciliary care packages against Regional Access Criteria to ensure consistency of application and resource allocation.

The operation of the panel does not in any way delay or prevent the delivery of care and support for clients where professional staff have assessed a client as falling within the critical or substantial risk categories as described within the Regional Access Criteria.

More widely speaking, however, I am aware that Trusts are experiencing difficulty in meeting demand for services. Budget proposals to reduce resources for domiciliary care will have an immediate, severe impact on the ability of HSC Trusts to meet the needs of vulnerable people.

Kidney Transplants

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW3617/11, how many of the kidney transplants were successful; and whether there is any evidence to show greater success levels in either category of donor.

(AQW 4242/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of transplants, including the number that failed within a year of transplantation, for the past three years available are:

Source: Belfast HSC Trust

The number of transplant procedures in this three-year period in Belfast is too small to decide whether or not live donor transplantation is more successful than deceased donor transplantation. However, there is ample clinical evidence available to show that those who receive a live donor kidney survive longer than those who receive a deceased donor kidney. For example, for those transplanted in the UK between 1996 and 1998, the chances of being alive 10 years later was 89% in the live donor group versus 71% in the deceased donor group (source: NHS Blood and Transplant).

Neuro-Physiotherapists

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many neuro-physiotherapists, who work soley to provide treatment and care in an out-patient setting for people with progressive neurological conditions, are funded by each Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 4243/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is given in the table below.

Number of Neurophysiotherapists Providing Treatment in an Outpatient Only Setting for People with Progressive Neurological Conditions employed within the NI HSC Trusts as at February 2011.

Source: NI HSC Trusts

Notes:

1. WTE = Whole-Time Equivalent
2. Physiotherapists with neuro-disability skills provide services to people with a wide variety of neurological conditions across all Health and Social Care Trusts, however these services are provided within a variety of settings, not solely within an outpatient setting.

Consultation Documents

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to list the number and titles of all the consultation documents issued by his Department since May 2007.

(AQW 4248/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety issued 93 documents for public consultation since May 2007. The title of each of these consultation documents is included in the attached list.

Call-out of Fire Service Personnel to a House in Portadown

Mr S Anderson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 3967/11, to detail (i) the cost of a retained member of the Fire and Rescue Service staff; (ii) the cost of a retained member of staff on a public holiday; (iii) the number of (a) full-time; and (b) retained Fire and Rescue staff in the crew which was called to Portadown on 26 December 2010; and (iv) why a retained tender and crew were deemed necessary.

(AQW 4252/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

(i) Retained firefighters’ rates of pay are shown in the table below.

(ii) Retained Duty staff are paid at double time rates on designated public holidays; these include Boxing Day.

(iii) (a) Five wholetime firefighters

(b) Six retained firefighters and six on standby.

(iv) The wholetime crew attended the incident referred to in AQW 3967/11 on 26 December 2010; while that incident was being dealt with a retained crew of six firefighters was mobilised to attend a different incident in Portadown and a second crew of six retained firefighters was placed on standby.

Health and Social Care Staff: Attending Conferences

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the cost of sending Health and Social Care staff to conferences in (i) Northern Ireland; (ii) the Republic of Ireland; and (iii) the rest of the world, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 4259/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department does not collect this information centrally. It is primarily the responsibility of individual health and social care organisations to administer and fund conferences, including those taking place outside Northern Ireland, taking full account of guidance on travel issued by the Department.

Hospital Acquired Infections

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current number of cases of hospital acquired infections in each Health and Social Care Trust, broken down type of infection.

(AQW 4262/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Budget for Domiciliary Care

Ms M Ritchie asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) when the budget for domiciliary care will be determined; (ii) what that budget is likely to be; and (iii) to detail the domiciliary care budget for each year since 2007.

(AQW 4264/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Budgets for domiciliary care are not set by my Department. The responsibility for allocating this budget rests with the Health and Social Care Board, which, in its role as Commissioner, is given the flexibility to purchase services across a range of social care solutions to meet identified needs.

Actual expenditure on domiciliary care services amounted to £200.0 million in 2009/10, £185.6 million in 2008/09 and £170.7 million in 2007/08.  

Research and Development

Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much his Department spent on research and development in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4284/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The amount spent on Research and Development by my Department for each of the last five financial years was as follows:

Display of Cigarettes in Shops

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether he still proposes to ban the display of cigarettes in shops; and if so, when he expects this change in the law to be implemented.

(AQW 4290/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: It remains my intention to introduce legislation banning the display of tobacco products at point of sale in retail outlets as soon as possible. The aim of this new legislation is to discourage children and young people from taking up the smoking habit and to create a supportive environment for people who want to quit.

Public consultation on draft regulations proposing a ban on the display of tobacco products at point of sale ended on 24 December 2010. While the draft regulations proposed an introductory date of 1 July 2011, I have previously stated that no final decision on the timing would be taken until the consultation responses had been analysed. This process is currently underway, however, given that over 1,000 responses have been received; this will take some weeks to complete.

Occupational Therapy Services

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the audit of Occupational Therapy services which was carried out in 2008.

(AQW 4296/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Value for Money Audits are a vital tool to ensure that the full benefits of an appropriately structured programme are realised across the HSC. The VFM Audit for occupational therapists was carried out along side similar audits for speech and language therapists and physiotherapists.

My Department is committed to addressing all the recommendations arising from each of the Value for Money Audit programmes. Some of the recommendations from the OT report have already been action via other processes. Others, of a strategic nature, will be addressed in the Allied Health Professions Strategy which is currently under development. The AHP Strategy will be launched later this year after consultation with key stakeholders.

Blood Tests Used to Detect Bowel and Stomach Cancer

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the blood tests used to detect bowel and stomach cancer in countries such as Germany and Belgium.

(AQW 4302/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:   I am aware that studies by teams of scientists in Germany and Belgium have identified blood tests which have the potential to detect gastrointestinal cancers. However those studies are still at the research stage, the expert advice at both national and European level is that only those tests for which an evidence base exists should be used in screening programmes.

To date, the faecal occult blood test (FOBT) for men and women aged 50–74 years has been recommended for colorectal cancer screening. The Northern Ireland bowel cancer screening programmes uses the FOB test, an approach consistent with the advice issued by the National Screening Committee.

Accident and Emergency Services at the Downe Hospital

Ms M Ritchie asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the result of the Equality Impact Assessment carried out by his Department on the decision to withdraw night-time consultant-led accident and emergency services at the Downe Hospital.

(AQW 4304/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The service changes to the emergency department at the Downe Hospital are part of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust‘s proposals for urgent care in the Trust area. The Trust carried out an equality screening exercise to assess the impact of the proposal. It was considered to have a low impact in relation to equality and human rights, given that over 97% of appropriate patients will continue to be managed on the hospital site. The Trust is committed to carrying out ongoing screening of this proposal.

Further detail can be found in the Trust’s consultation document ‘Proposals for a Safe and Sustainable Urgent Care Network in the South Eastern Trust (including a proposal to change the Emergency Department at the Downe Hospital)’ available on the Trust’s website at www.setrust.hscni.net/involving/reference/Urgent%20Care%20Proposal%20-%2024%20Nov%2010.pdf.

Acute In-Patient Pyschiatric Services

Ms M Ritchie asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the result of the Equality Impact Assessment carried out by his Department on the decision to re-locate acute in-patient pyschiatric services from the Downe Hospital to the Lagan Valley Hospital.

(AQW 4305/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The relocation of acute inpatient psychiatric services from the Downe Hospital is part of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust‘s policy for mental health services across its entire area. The Trust’s consultation document ‘Mental Health Services: The Future of Hospital In-Patient Care in the South Eastern Trust’ includes an Equality Impact Assessment of the proposals. A copy of the consultation document is available on the Trust’s website at www.setrust.hscni.net/involving/reference/Mental%20Health%20Proposal%20Final%20-%2024%20Nov%2010.pdf .

Accident and Emergency Services at the Downe Hospital

Ms M Ritchie asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the clinical assessments which were undertaken by his Department and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust that resulted in the decision to remove night-time consultant-led accident and emergency services at the Downe Hospital.

(AQW 4308/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust‘s consultation document ‘Proposals for a Safe and Sustainable Urgent Care Network in the South Eastern Trust (including a proposal to change the Emergency Department at the Downe Hospital)’ details the reasons for the decision to change the model of emergency care at the Downe Hospital and the options considered.

I am advised by the Trust that each option was assessed on the basis of its ability to provide a quality focused and safe service that was both sustainable and affordable. The assessment of the options included an analysis of the number, condition, arrival method, treatment and outcome of patients attending the current emergency department between 10pm-8am; this work assisted the decision making process.

The Trust further advises that a range of clinical assessments were undertaken to ensure that the agreed model was workable. These included a retrospective analysis of patient notes for those who presented to the Downe Hospital between 10pm-8am. This enabled the clinicians and GPs to clearly see what type of cases presented after hours and agree how those cases would be managed in the new model. This audit work has been repeated several times. In-depth clinical protocols have been developed based on the ongoing learning from the clinical assessments to ensure patient safety is paramount. The Emergency Department has piloted the model on several occasions to identify problems and learning.

Acute In-patient Psychiatric Services at the Downe Hospital

Ms M Ritchie asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the clinical assessments which were undertaken by his Department and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust that resulted in the decision to re-locate acute in-patient psychiatric services from the Downe Hospital to the Lagan Valley Hospital.

(AQW 4309/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The relocation of acute inpatient psychiatric services from the Downe Hospital is part of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust‘s policy for mental health services across its entire area. I am advised by the Trust that a number of clinical issues were considered, as part of the formal options appraisal detailed in the South Eastern Trust proposal, for the re-provision of existing acute mental health inpatient care to a single site solution based at the Lagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn.

The Trust further states that key objectives detailed within the proposal included a requirement to ensure the provision of safe, effective and sustainable acute psychiatric inpatient care; this would be consistent with best practice developments and an improved patient experience for those individuals transitioning in care between the acute psychiatric inpatient units presently based at the Downe and Ulster Hospitals. The proposal to move acute inpatient care from the current three facilities to a single unit has been assessed as offering a number of clinical benefits such as greater patient choice, improved outcomes, a more responsive service and concentration of staff skills and services. Senior clinicians representing psychiatry, nursing and social work were involved in formulating the proposal and planning a service model that aims to deliver these improved outcomes. User and carer representatives were also members of the option appraisal group.

Ballymena Health and Care Centre

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the proposed Ballymena Health and Care Centre, including the proposed date for the commencement of work.

(AQW 4311/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The business case for the development of a new Health and Care Centre in Ballymena is currently being assessed. Until the business case has been approved and I have confirmation of the available funding to both build and operate the new facility following finalisation of Budget 2010, I cannot confirm the timeframe for commencing work on this project. However, I can confirm that the development of a new health and care centre remains a high priority for me and for the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

Fire Station and Ambulance Station in Ballymena

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the proposed new (i) Fire Station; and (ii) Ambulance Station in Ballymena, including the proposed date for the commencement of work.

(AQW 4312/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department received a Stage 2 outline business case for an Ambulance Station in Ballymena in December 2010. This is currently being reviewed by my officials. A similar business case for a Fire Station in Ballymena is expected to be received in mid-2011.

You will be aware of the significant cut in the expected funding to my Department as part of the draft budget allocation. The proposed level of funding makes it difficult for me to progress all of the projects I had hoped. Until both projects have received business case approval and the final budget is agreed, I am not in a position to announce the way forward for either project.

Leg Ulcer Care

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether (i) GPs, who employ their own practice nurses, are funded to provide an assessment, treatment and ongoing prevention service for patients with leg ulcers; (ii) there is a strategy for leg ulcer care; and if not, are there proposals to develop one.

(AQW 4318/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Under the GMS contract GP Practices receive funding for the delivery of a range of primary care services. This funding takes account of staff costs including Practice Nurse where they are employed by the Practice. Practice Nurses do treat leg ulcers; however, there is a spectrum of severity of venous ulceration in patients where the patient's condition warrants more specialist care. In such cases patients will be referred to tissue viability nurses or other clinical specialists.

There is currently no Leg Ulcer Strategy in Northern Ireland. Officials from my Department have been in touch with members of the All Ireland Leg Ulcer Forum and Tissue Viability Network, and are meeting soon to consider how the proposal for a Leg Ulcer Strategy fits with the wider Quality Initiatives that are being developed.

Local Enhanced Hospital in Omagh

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the services which are planned for the Local Enhanced Hospital in Omagh; and the time-frame for the commencement and completion of building the hospital.

(AQW 4324/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The proposed Local Enhanced Hospital Complex in Omagh will provide a range of services. These include, Intermediate Care, Renal Dialysis, Day Surgery, Urgent Care and Treatment Centre, Cardiac Assessment Unit, Pharmacy, Diagnostics, Outpatients, GP services, Mental Health, Learning disability and an ambulance station.

In terms of a time-frame for this project, you will be aware of the significant cut in the expected funding to my Department as part of the draft budget. The proposed level of funding makes it difficult for me to progress all of the capital projects across Northern Ireland which I had hoped to bring forward. It will not be possible to make a final decision on the time-frame until the budget has been finalised and the business case has been approved.

Health Service's Electronic and Manual Processes

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when he will integrate into the Health Service's electronic and manual processes, a system that will allow GPs to indicate a patient's communication and mobility needs, so that this information can be easily passed on whenever a patient is being referred for treatment.

(AQW 4330/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The present referral template used for vast majority of referrals from Primary to Secondary Care (the MDSv4) contains a section which allows the referrer to indicate any relevant mobility or communication issues.

The NI Clinical Communications Gateway project has been initiated to facilitate the electronic transmission of GP referrals to secondary care using this template. The project is due to commence as a pathfinder in the Southern Trust within the next 6 weeks and will be rolled out throughout Northern Ireland by the end of 2012.

Format of Appointment Letters and Other Correspondence

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when he will introduce and promote the provision of appointment letters and other correspondence in a patient's preferred format.

(AQW 4331/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I have recently launched for consultation a draft Physical and Sensory Disability Strategy, which includes recommendations about the provision of information in a range of accessible formats for people who are visually impaired. In addition, Health and Social Care Trusts have been working collaboratively in preparation of a draft Section 75 Action Plan and Equality Scheme which contains actions to ensure that information is available in an accessible format for people with a sensory disability. The outcome will be an accessible appointment letter and guidelines developed within its first year.

Written Information on Patients

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when all the written information on a patient, whether specific or general, will be available on request to that patient in their preferred format, such as large print, audio, braille or email.

(AQW 4333/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer the member to my answer to AQW 4331/11.

Complaints Made in Hospitals

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 3338/11, for a breakdown of the type of complaints received and their outcome.

(AQW 4348/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of complaints received by Hospitals during the Christmas period is not routinely collected by the DHSSPS and the additional information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Delayed Admissions

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 3399/11, (i) to detail, for the Royal Victoria Hospital, (a) the number of people who experienced delayed admissions to wards after reporting to accident and emergency units during the Christmas holiday period; (b) the length of time these people had to wait for admission; and (c) the reasons for the delayed admissions; and (ii) whether any staff in the RVH were called back, or returned voluntarily from leave to help alleviate the delays.

(AQW 4349/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: (i) (a) Between 24th December 2010 and 1 st January 2011, 370 patients were cared for in A&E in the Royal Victoria Hospital Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department, while waiting to be admitted to hospital after a decision was made to admit.

(b) Of these 370 patients, 159 waited less than 2 hours to be admitted to hospital after a decision was made to admit, whilst 211 waited 2 hours or more.

(c) Information on the reasons for patients waiting to be admitted is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

(ii) Over the Christmas holiday period, a number of A&E staff were called back or returned voluntarily from leave, as and when required to help alleviate the delays.

Delayed Admissions

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 3400/11, how many additional beds were opened during the Christmas period in the (i) Royal Victoria Hospital; (ii) Belfast City Hospital; and (iii) Mater Hospital.

(AQW 4350/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust have provided the following details on the number of additional beds that were opened, during the Christmas holiday period (24 th December 2010 – 1 st January 2011 inclusive), (i) Four (ii) Nine (iii) Zero.

Brain Scans in the Royal Victoria Hospital

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how long patients had to wait for a brain scan in the Royal Victoria Hospital during the Christmas period; and was this longer than usual.

(AQW 4351/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The table below shows the waiting times for patients waiting for a brain scan in the Royal Victoria Hospital at 31 st December 2010.

Source: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

My 2010/11 waiting time target for diagnostic services requires that by March 2011, patients should wait no longer than nine weeks for this type of diagnostic service. At 31 st December 2010, 722 patients were waiting more than nine weeks at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Hospital Infections

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 3451/11, whether any wards in the Royal Victoria Hospital were closed during the last eight weeks because of infections.

(AQW 4352/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: There were no wards closed due to infection in the Royal Victoria Hospital during the eight week period from 13 th December 2010 to 6 th February 2011.

Oral Medicine Incident at the Royal Victoria Hospital's School of Dentistry

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how long was the consultant involved in the recent oral medicine incident at the Royal Victoria Hospital's School of Dentistry left to work unsupervised after concerns were first raised about his competence; and what was the rationale for this.

(AQW 4354/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Approximately 5 weeks.

The rationale was that for this period these were only allegations. During the 5 weeks the Trust were establishing the facts, to engage the supervising consultant and to get agreement with the consultant at the centre of the allegations.

Oral Medicine Incident at the Royal Victoria Hospital's School of Dentistry

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (i) the supervision imposed on the consultant involved in the recent oral medicine incident at the Royal Victoria Hospital's School of Dentistry; (ii) what role the supervisor had; and (iii) whether patients were examined as well as having their notes reviewed.

(AQW 4355/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety:

1. The supervising consultant reviewed the clinical records (2-3 clinics each week) of patients seen in the Oral Medicine Service. He then subsequently met with the Oral Medicine Consultant on a weekly basis to discuss the management of these patients.
2. The supervisor’s role was:
   1. To meet with the Oral Medicine Consultant on a weekly basis after reviewing the clinical records of the patients.
   2. To ensure that patient care was in keeping with good practice.
   3. To discuss overall case management with the Oral Medicine Consultant.
3. The supervising consultant did not examine the patients.

Royal Victoria Hospital's School of Dentistry

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the procedure for carrying out blood tests for oral cancers at the Royal Victoria Hospital's School of Dentistry, from appointment to results being given.

(AQW 4356/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In contrast with other forms of cancer (bowel, ovarian) there are no specific blood markers (tests) for oral cancer.

Child Residential Care

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much it costs his Department per week to keep a child in residential care.

(AQW 4357/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The average cost of keeping a child in residential care, based on 2009/10 financial information, was £2,815 per week.

Funding for Home Start

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much funding his Department provided to Home Start in each of the last five years; and how much funding will be allocated in the next financial year.

(AQW 4358/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department provides funding for Home-Start’s central administrative costs. There are no plans for this funding to cease. In addition, 4 local Home-Start schemes have received funding from the Department. This funding is due to cease in March 2011.

In each of the last 5 years, this funding is as follows:

As you are aware, the Executive’s draft Budget is currently out for public consultation. Until this is agreed, work cannot be finalised on the detail of my Department’s Budget. This means that I am unable to give guarantees to any groups at this time about the availability of funding beyond March 2011.

Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the current waiting time for a patient to see a consultant dermatologist at the Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh.

(AQW 4359/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department collects data relating to waiting times for a first outpatient appointment by Health and Social Care Trust on a quarterly basis. The waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant dermatologist at the Western Health and Social Care Trust, at 30 th September 2010, the most recent quarter for which official data are available, is outlined in the table below.

Source: Departmental Return CH3

Transfer from Hospital to a Nursing Home

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many older people in each Health and Social Care Trust area are currently awaiting a transfer from hospital to a nursing home.

(AQW 4360/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information provided by the Chief Executives of the five Health & Social Care (HSC) Trusts indicates that 21 people were waiting in Hospital for a nursing home care package, longer than the agreed time period specified in my Departments Priorities for Action target below:

“From April 2010, the HSC Board and Trusts should ensure that 90% of complex discharges take place within 48 hours, with no discharge taking longer than seven days. All other patients should be discharged within six hours of being declared medically fit.”

Midwifery-led Maternity Unit in Omagh

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the proposed Midwifery-led maternity unit in Omagh.

(AQW 4361/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I am still considering the complex issues of mother and baby safety, the impact on maternity services at other hospitals and the sustainability of such a service. I am giving these issues my fullest consideration taking the necessary professional advice.

Voluntary Medical Services

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to what extent Health and Social Care Trusts avail of voluntary medical services such as the St John's Ambulance and the Order of Malta.

(AQW 4366/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: St John Ambulance and The Order of Malta are both well established and highly respected volunteer services which assist ambulance services and Health and Social Care organisations throughout the UK. The medical volunteer staff of both organisations are highly trained.

In Northern Ireland the St John Ambulance has been used by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the five other Health and Social Care Trusts. The Order of Malta is used only by the Western Health and Social Care Trust. Both voluntary organisations are used to provide for the non-emergency transport of patients particularly at times of high demand for NIAS resources such as Christmas, New Year and the Twelfth of July.

Weekend Shifts

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether it is practice for locum doctors or other medical staff to be brought in from outside Northern Ireland to cover weekend shifts.

(AQW 4368/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Health and Social Care Trusts make every effort in the first instance to recruit Locum Doctors and other Medical staff from within their Trust who have the skills set to cover the shifts required. It is only if the Trust fails to obtain cover from within the organisation that as a last resort they contact local contracted agencies. These Agencies normally recruit staff from Northern Ireland; however, some of these agencies will, when necessary provide locums from outside Northern Ireland. This is particularly the case in circumstances when there is no suitable specialist available in Northern Ireland.

Eating Disorders

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what services are available for people aged 18 years and older who have an eating disorder.

(AQW 4371/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The services available for individuals with eating disorders depend on the nature, severity and complexity of the specific condition and the needs of that individual.

Services range from GP services, community support, specialist eating disorder teams to specialist inpatient care.

All Trusts have specialist eating disorder teams in place, which have been developed in accordance models agreed through the Regional Eating Disorders Network Group. Services include:

• Assessment including risk assessment;
• Community based psychological interventions;
• Psycho-education approaches;
• dietician advice, support and nutritional rehabilitation;
• Family intervention and support;
• Psychiatric interventions, especially in co-morbid conditions; and
• Medical interventions, advice and support.

Each Trust is also currently working with in-patient teams to develop care pathways for individuals requiring admission to an acute setting.

Bed-Blocking in Hospitals

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how he intends to address the problem of bed-blocking in hospitals.

(AQW 4391/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I am continuing to develop and expand the range of domiciliary care services available and increase the number of people who manage their own care through Direct Payments. I have also introduced Regional Access Criteria for Domiciliary Care in 2008 to provide for greater transparency and harmonisation in the process of identifying and prioritising need. In the present budget period I have committed an extra £58m from April 2008 to March 2011 in order to help support an additional 1500 people in the community.

In spite of this investment, Trusts are finding it extremely difficult to meet the rising demand for domiciliary care, not least because they remain unable to plan on the basis of their next year’s budget.

I have sought to highlight these circumstances in order to make the best possible case for increased resources, and to advise the Executive, the DFP and the Assembly of the increasing urgency of the need for resources to provide this lifeline for some of the most frail and vulnerable people in our community.

Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many days a week a consultant dermatologist is available for clinics at the Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh.

(AQW 4397/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Western Trust has advised me that the Dermatology Clinic takes place every Monday, except Bank Holidays.

The morning clinic runs from 9:30 am until 1:00pm and the afternoon clinic runs from 1:30pm until 4:30 pm.

Local Enhanced Hospital in Omagh

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether the Local Enhanced Hospital in Omagh is included in the capital programme of his 2011-15 budget.

(AQW 4398/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: As I have previously stated, the proposed Local Enhanced Hospital Complex in Omagh is a key project for me. However, you will be aware of the significant cut in the expected funding to my Department as part of the draft budget. The proposed level of funding makes it difficult for me to progress all of the capital projects which I had hoped. As a result I am looking at all options open to me, including phasing, to allow me to progress this project. However, it will not be possible to confirm the way forward for this project until the business case has been approved and the budget has been finalised.

Meals on Wheels in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people have been in receipt of Meals on Wheels in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area in each of the last three years.

(AQW 4404/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of people in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area in receipt of Meals on Wheels, over the last three years is as follows:

Meals on Wheels services are provided by the Health & Social Care (HSC) Trusts for vulnerable people where a needs assessment shows that the person is experiencing a temporary or long term inability to cook a meal. The criteria have remained unchanged during the 3 year period above. Meals can be provided directly by the HSC or by the independent sector either within the persons own home in the form of a cooked or frozen meal, or at a day centre.

Information regarding the numbers of people in the Southern HSC Trust who have had their Meals on Wheels service withdrawn in the last three years is not available.

Meals on Wheels in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the eligibility criteria for receiving ‘Meals on Wheels’ in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area; and whether the criteria has changed over the last three years.

(AQW 4405/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of people in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area in receipt of Meals on Wheels, over the last three years is as follows:

Meals on Wheels services are provided by the Health & Social Care (HSC) Trusts for vulnerable people where a needs assessment shows that the person is experiencing a temporary or long term inability to cook a meal. The criteria have remained unchanged during the 3 year period above. Meals can be provided directly by the HSC or by the independent sector either within the persons own home in the form of a cooked or frozen meal, or at a day centre.

Information regarding the numbers of people in the Southern HSC Trust who have had their Meals on Wheels service withdrawn in the last three years is not available.

Meals on Wheels in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area have had their Meals on Wheels service withdrawn in each of the last three years.

(AQW 4406/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of people in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area in receipt of Meals on Wheels, over the last three years is as follows:

Meals on Wheels services are provided by the Health & Social Care (HSC) Trusts for vulnerable people where a needs assessment shows that the person is experiencing a temporary or long term inability to cook a meal. The criteria have remained unchanged during the 3 year period above. Meals can be provided directly by the HSC or by the independent sector either within the persons own home in the form of a cooked or frozen meal, or at a day centre.

Information regarding the numbers of people in the Southern HSC Trust who have had their Meals on Wheels service withdrawn in the last three years is not available.

Home Start

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, given that for every £1 spent by Home Start £4.69 is saved by the relevant statutory bodies, for his assessment of the importance of his Department's investment in Home Start.

(AQW 4407/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I am aware of the valuable contribution of organisations such as Home-Start make providing families with advice and support. However, I am unaware of the statistic that is quoted in this question and would welcome the evidence that this is based on.

Eating Disorders

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) to detail (a) the number, and percentage, of patients with an eating disorder who were sent to Germany or England in each of the last four years; (b) the average time between diagnosis of an eating disorder and the commencement of treatment; and (c) the level of funding allocated for the treatment and prevention of eating disorders; and (ii) for his assessment of whether this funding is adequate to address the issue; and (iii) for an update on the progress made by the Health and Social Care Board in developing a specific community and in-patient based service across the five Health and Social Care Trusts.

(AQW 4410/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: A) The numbers of patients with an Eating Disorder who were referred outside of Northern Ireland for treatment are as follows:

N.B. Please note these patients were admitted to hospitals in Mainland UK and the Republic of Ireland. No patients were admitted to Germany.

B) Eating disorders can vary in type, severity and presentation and can affect children, adolescents and adults. Individuals present in many different ways and in different settings, and to a range of health and social care staff. They can also feature as part of other co-morbid conditions. Therefore, the information is not available in the format requested.

C- (i) Given the range of presentations and interventions, it is not possible to give the total investment in all eating disorder service provision. However, there has been additional investment of £2.5m since 2005/06 which is now recurrent and has been invested in community eating disorder services for adults and children. As identified in (a) above, number of people requiring placement outside of the jurisdiction is falling, thus highlighting that progress is being made in the development of specialist eating disorder services locally.

(ii) While I believe that this level of funding within existing specialist services is still not sufficient to address the current level of need, I have been unable to commit further investment in this area due to the financial restrictions imposed on my Department.

(iii) Each Trust has community eating disorder services in place which have been developed in accordance with good practice as identified through the Regional Eating Disorders Network Group. This Group is led by the Public Health Agency in collaboration with the HSC Board. Each Trust is currently working with inpatient teams to develop care pathways for individuals requiring admission to acute settings.

Where admission is required, in-patient based staff with assistance from the specialist community teams co-manage individual cases.

Royal Victoria Hospital's School of Dentistry

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many of the 139 patients recalled by the Royal Victoria Hospital's School of Dentistry are from the North Down constituency.

(AQW 4418/11)

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

Electricity

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much his Department and its arms-length bodies have spent on electricity in each of the last three available financial years.

(AQW 4431/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The total cost of electricity incurred by the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) and its arms length bodies in each of the last three financial years is set out in the table below.

Waiting Lists in the Health Service

Mr P Frew asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether any waiting lists in the Health Service are prioritised by alphabetical order of the patient's surname.

(AQW 4635/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Health and Social Care Trusts have advised me that patients on waiting lists are prioritised in the first instance according to their clinical need and then in strict chronological order.

IR1 Forms

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many IR1 forms, from consultants raising concerns over patient safety, were received by each Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last three years.

(AQW 4646/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

People with Eating Disorders

Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what stage has been reached in the strategic planning for Tier 4 services for people with eating disorders, as recommended in the Bamford Review 2005; and how many patients are currently receiving out of area treatment as a result of a lack of inpatient beds.

(AQW 4683/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Tier 4 services for those with Eating Disorders are currently being addressed through the provision of in-patient services in each Trust area: where admission is required, in-patient based staff with assistance from the specialist community teams co-manage individual cases, where appropriate. It is recognised that more investment is required in eating disorder services but, due to budgetary pressures, no additional resource is currently available.

At this time, there are 8 patients being treated outside of Northern Ireland. Reasons for referral outside of this jurisdiction may be due to a number of factors which would be fully discussed between the individual patient and the relevant Trust.

Efficient Responses to Assembly Questions

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what measures he will put in place in his Department to ensure efficient responses to Assembly Questions.

(AQW 4729/11)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Since I took up this post I have responded to nearly 7100 Assembly Questions – including almost 1100 Priority Written questions - significantly more than any other Department. Of these, over 90% have been answered on time.

I do not regard this performance as in any way inefficient.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Compensation Claims for Injuries

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Justice to detail the number of compensation claims and the total amount paid out in each of the last three years for injuries received while prisoners served their sentence.

(AQW 4261/11)

Minister of Justice (Mr D Ford): Data do not distinguish between sentenced and remand prisoners. The number of compensation claims and the total paid out in each of the last three financial years and current financial year to 31 January for injuries to all prisoners are:

Unlawfully at Large

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice how many people are currently regarded as being unlawfully at large, broken down by court division.

(AQW 4299/11)

Minister of Justice: Table A below sets out the number of people who are currently regarded as being unlawfully at large.

It is not possible to give a breakdown by court division.

Table A

Column B – refers to erroneously released prisoner.

Column C - refers to sentenced prisoners granted temporary release by the Prison Service,

Column D - refers to remand prisoners granted temporary release by the courts,

Column E - refers to prisoners who were not unlawfully at large (UAL) at the end of the custodial portion of their sentences but who have subsequently breached the terms of their licences in the community, and have failed to return to prison.

Sentencing Guidelines Council

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice what consideration he has given to introducing stiffer sentencing guidelines in relation to defendants who deny a charge and then change their plea on the day that the case is to be heard.

(AQW 4301/11)

Minister of Justice: Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the judiciary who are wholly independent of government. Judges have statutory powers to discount the sentences of offenders who plead guilty at an early stage.

However, it is clearly vital to use important criminal justice resources, including court time, as effectively as possible. It is also critical that, wherever possible, we reduce the burden imposed on victims and witnesses who are often called to court unnecessarily in such cases.

I have, therefore, asked officials to consider measures to address the issue of late guilty pleas, as part of the wider programme of work to speed up justice.

Consultation Documents

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Justice to list the number and titles of all consultation documents issued by his Department since May 2007.

(AQW 4336/11)

Minister of Justice: The Department of Justice came into existence on 12 April 2010. Since that date the Department has issued 13 consultations which are listed in the table below:

Sex Offenders Register

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice how many people are on the sex offenders register, and of these, what percentage had more than one relevant previous conviction.

(AQW 4375/11)

Minister of Justice: The recording of information about offenders subject to the notification requirements set out in Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (the ‘sex offender register’) is a matter for the Chief Constable, who is accountable to the Northern Ireland Policing Board. I am committed to respecting the operational independence of the Chief Constable and the role of the Policing Board.

You may therefore wish to direct your question to the PSNI.

Possession of Mephedrone

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice how many convictions have been secured for the possession of mephedrone since it was banned.

(AQW 4382/11)

Minister of Justice: The information requested is not available. Convictions for drug offences are identified on the basis of classification and not the specific type of substance. The numbers arrested / charged / reported to Public Prosecution Service are also compiled by classification.

Information on seizure incidents is, however, broken down by type of substance; figures for the period 16 April 2010 (when the ban came into effect) to 31 January 2011 are documented in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Mephedrone seizures and seizure incidents

16 April 2010-31 January 2011 (1)

Source: PSNI

(1) 2010/11 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment.

Transportation of Seperated Prisoners

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, pursuant to AQW 3765/11, given that loyalist and republican prisoners were never previously transported to locations in the same vehicle, to explain the statement 'It has also been decided that for safety reasons it is not acceptable for loyalist and republican separated prisoners to share the same vehicle'.

(AQW 4400/11)

Minister of Justice: Prior to the Agreement of 12 August 2010, separated loyalist and republican prisoners were transported to the visits areas in the same vehicle, albeit at different times. Following the Agreement, a review of the new search facility arrangements led to a decision to increase the use of a vehicle to transport segregated prisoners to other areas of the prison. As a result of the decision for the increased use of a vehicle, it was concluded that for security and safety reasons it was no longer acceptable for loyalist and republican separated prisoners to share the same vehicle.

Self-Harm by Prisoners

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice how many incidents of self-harm by prisoners have been reported in each prison facility, including the Juvenile Justice Centre, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4401/11)

Minister of Justice: Table A below shows the number of reported incidents of self harm recorded in each prison during the last five years. The overall increase of reported incidents by 77 cases between 2009 and 2010 is indicative of improved reporting by staff and more advanced recording facilities introduced in January 2010, using the Prisoner Record Information Systems Management (PRISM).

Table A – Reported self harm incidents in prison Establishments

Table B shows the number of reported incidents recorded by the Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC) for the period 2007 to 2010.

Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre maintains a detailed database of all incidents of self harm including those of a relatively minor nature. As such, the statistics recorded in table B may not be directly comparable to Northern Ireland Prison Service figures, which have been drawn from a separate reporting system. Table B shows the number of self harm incidents taking place in the Centre for the period August 2007 to December 2010. Information prior to August 2007 is not readily available.

Table B: Reported incidents of self harm in JJC: 16th August 2007 – 31st December 2010

(1) The 12 serious incidents relate to two incidents of attempted hanging, one of overdose and 9 of deep cutting. Examples of the other 185 self harm incidents, not deemed to be in the serious category, include superficial cutting, wall/door punching and head banging.

(2) Covers the period 16 th August 2007 – 31 st December 2007. Figures prior to 16 th August 2007 are not readily available.

Case Number 10/11679

Lord Morrow asked e Minister of Justice for a breakdown of the total cost of case number 10/11679.

(AQW 4402/11)

Minister of Justice: Some of the costs associated with this case are not yet known and not all agencies hold cost information at case level - for example the legal aid costs may not be submitted for some months and police costs are estimated for the court stages.

However the table below sets out the estimated costs associated with case number 10/116179 and includes all appearances before the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court.

Estimated costs associated with case number 10/116179

Solicitor Advocates

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice whether solicitor advocates will be paid the same composite legal aid fee as barristers.

(AQW 4496/11)

Minister of Justice: In respect of criminal cases, the fees paid to solicitors exercising their proposed new rights of audience in the Court of Appeal will be a matter for the Taxing Master who has responsibility for assessing the fees payable in individual cases at that court tier.

In criminal cases at court tiers other than the Court of Appeal, where the fee are prescribed in rules, the policy intention is that solicitors exercising their existing rights of audience in place of counsel would be paid at a rate commensurate to rates paid to junior counsel (leading, sole or led junior, as appropriate), except where a solicitor has been involved in the preparation of the case. In these circumstances, the fee of the solicitor who prepared the case would be subject to a reduction. The existing position in the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2005, is that the fee paid to a solicitor who prepared the case is reduced by 10%.

In respect of civil cases, the fees paid to solicitors exercising their proposed new rights of audience in the Court of Appeal and the High Court will be subject to taxation by the Taxing Master who has responsibility for determining the fees payable in individual cases at those court tiers.

In relation to County Court cases, the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission has adopted the County Court Scale Costs as set out in the County Court Rules (Northern Ireland) 1981. Order 55 of the Rules provides for an enhanced fee where a solicitor conducts a trial or hearing without counsel. The amount of the enhanced fee is 50% of the relevant fee to which counsel would have been entitled under the Rules.

The Legal Services Commission has responsibility for the remuneration of solicitors in all other civil cases not subject to taxation or the County Court Scale Costs.

Appointments to Public Bodies and Arms-Length Bodies

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Justice to detail the number and names of individuals that have been appointed to (i) public bodies; and (ii) arms-length bodies since May 2007.

(AQW 4505/11)

Minister of Justice: The Department of Justice came into existence on 12 April 2010. Since that date the Department has made (i) no appointments to public bodies; and (ii) twenty appointments to the following arms-length bodies:

Persons Charged with Committing Sexual Offences

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice whether he intends to introduce a ban on the publication of names of persons charged with committing sexual offences up to or until conviction.

(AQW 4519/11)

Minister of Justice: There are no plans to introduce a ban on the publication of names of persons charged with committing sexual offences up to or until conviction.

DEPARTMENT FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Tender C 398

Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 1843/11, (i) whether NI Water can provide an assurance that tender C 398 represents best value for money; and (ii) to outline the process followed in carrying out the tender evaluation, including who carried it out and at what level.

(AQW 3460/11)

Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that legal proceedings have been issued in relation to tender C 398 and in these circumstances it is inappropriate to comment further on this matter pending determination of such proceedings.

Meetings of the Board of NI Water

Mr C McDevitt asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the dates and attendance lists for each meeting of the Board of NI Water between 1 January 2010 and 10 January 2011.

(AQW 4107/11)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that the dates and attendance lists for its Board meetings during the period requested, are as detailed in the table below. The minutes have yet to be approved for Board meetings held on 4 and 5 January 2011.

Contracts Claimed to be in Breach of Procurement Procedures

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total value of the contracts claimed to be in breach of procurement procedures on 12 March 2010.

(AQW 4157/11)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that the total value of the 75 contracts in breach of procurement procedures on 12 March 2010 was £29.4 million. Following validation by NIAO this figure was adjusted by £1.9 million to £31.3 million. This total generally only includes irregular expenditure incurred from 1 April 2007 until the date the financial reports were ran during the respective audits in December 2009 and January 2010.

Water Shortage Crisis

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the methodology used by NI Water to determine the number of (i) domestic; and (ii) non-domestic properties that had their water supply restored after the recent water shortage crisis.

(AQW 4216/11)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that the water distribution network in Northern Ireland is divided in District Meter Areas and for each of these areas, NIW has details of domestic and non-domestic properties. Using this information NIW can determine which properties are affected by any interruption to supply.

Water Shortage Crisis

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) whether experienced NI Water staff were called in or diverted from other sections to assist in the recent water shortage crisis, and if not, to detail the reasons why; and (ii) how many staff had their business mobile phones removed in the period prior to the crisis.

(AQW 4217/11)

Minister for Regional Development: The Executive review of the response to the recent emergency, which will report at the end of February, will cover the type of issue you have raised in relation to staffing.

I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that 189 mobile phones were withdrawn from staff following a review d uring 2010. The review identified a number of employees with a mobile phone who did not meet the qualifying criteria, as many were office based in non mobile roles and who were not part of an “on call” rota.

In light of the freeze/thaw incident, NIW is carrying out a further review of the deployment of mobile phones to determine whether amendments to qualifying criteria are required.

NI Water: Procurement Breaches

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 3894/11, to detail (i) when each procurement breach began; and (ii) at what level and on which date each of the contracts were authorised.

(AQW 4228/11)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that (i) the date when each procurement breach began and (ii) the level and date of authorisation of each contract (excluding 50 contracts which involved expenditure without a contract), is as set out in the table below.

¹ The dates have been taken from the NIAO report entitled “Examination of Procurement Breaches in Northern Ireland Water” dated 9 December 2010.

² The dates have been taken from the NIAO report entitled “Examination of Procurement Breaches in Northern Ireland Water” dated 9 December 2010

Research and Development

Mr C Lyttle asked the Minister for Regional Development how much his Department spent on research and development in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4238/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department has spent a total of £629,881 on research and development over the last five years since 2006/2007. The figures are as follows:

Sixmilewater River

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail all readings in relation to discharges into the Six Mile Water river from the Ballyclare Waste Treatment Works on (i) 1 January 2010 to 1 February 2010; and (ii) 1 January 2011 to 1 February 2011.

(AQW 4266/11)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that Ballyclare Waste Water Treatment Works operates under a formal Water Order Consent established by Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) which sets out the standards for discharges from the works to the Six Mile Water river.

Due to an incident on the river over the weekend of 22 – 23 January 2011, NIEA are conducting an investigation and NIW have been advised that they will be required to provide a Statement under Caution. This is to provide relevant information around the incident and it is the normal practice for an incident of this type. NIW will have 28 days to provide their response. One possible outcome of the investigation may be that NIEA will take legal action against NIW and therefore it would at this stage not be appropriate to release information which might prejudice the investigation. Consequently, while this investigation is underway NIW will avoid the risk of prejudicing the investigation by limiting the information on discharges to what is available in the public domain.

Under the Ballyclare Wastewater Treatment Works Water Order Consent there are 3 consented discharge points from the works to the river:-

• The tertiary treated waste water which has been treated through the membrane treatment process and discharges through the effluent discharge point;
• The screened, settled storm waste water which normally operates in storm conditions, when the storm tanks are full, and overflows from the storm tanks to discharge to the river; and
• The screened storm waste water from the combined storm overflow chamber, where overflows in excess of 338litres/sec, as a result of storm events, discharge over a storm overflow weir, and through a storm screen, to the river.

Only Discharge (a) which is a continuous discharge, has quality standards set within the consent. Discharges (b) and (c) may operate in wet weather (storm) conditions and are considered intermittent discharge points.

Water Order Consent

The Water Order Consent numeric discharge standard for the tertiary treated waste water is:-

• Biochemical Oxygen Demand ( BOD) – 10 mg/litre;
• Suspended Solids (SS) - 15 mg/litre;
• Ammonia (NH 3) - 1.5 mg/litre.

In addition to these 3 key parameters, the discharge standard also sets limits on total phosphorus (Total P), pH, iron (Fe), aluminium (Al), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and other chemicals.

The Ballyclare works is sampled independently and in accordance with the NIEA approved sampling programme. All analyses are carried out in a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited laboratory, which is certified to International Standards Organisation (ISO) 17025 standard. The Water Order Consent audit sample results, covering the periods requested, are as follows:

Note – All results are in mg/litre.

Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations

There is also a requirement that the discharges from the works should comply with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (UWWTR). The discharge standard under UWWTR is:

• Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) – 25 mg/litre;
• Chemical Oxygen Demand ( COD) – 125 mg/litre; and
• Total Phosphorus (Annual Average) – 2 mg/litre.

The UWWT sample results for the periods requested are as follows:

Hamlet of Tattyreagh

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister for Regional Development when the hamlet of Tattyreagh will be provided with a waste water treatment works to meet the needs of the community and to enable local development.

(AQW 4272/11)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that during 2009 a poll of local residents of Tattyreagh was undertaken to determine their willingness to connect to a sewerage system should it be provided. Some of the residents indicated that they would not wish to connect to any proposed network. The current estimated cost of providing a suitable sewage treatment facility and network is £2.2 million and those who would benefit from connection to the system would be required to contribute to the overall cost.

In view of the high cost of the project and the relatively few residents required to contribute, the cost per resident is likely to be excessively high. In the circumstances, NIW does not intend to actively pursue the proposal, but will review the various aspects of cost, contributions, etc. should residents seek to requisition the sewer.

Proposed Dual Carriageway Between Ballymena and Ballymoney

Mr P Frew asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on the proposed dual carriageway between Ballymena and Ballymoney on the A26 Frosses Road, between Glarryford and Drones Road, including the expected start date.

(AQW 4313/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service is progressing plans for the provision of a 7km stretch of dual carriageway on the A26, between Glarryford and the A44 Drones Road. This is one of the major projects included in the ten year Investment Delivery Plan for Roads.

Unfortunately, the funding levels envisaged in the draft budget will not enable construction to start in the next four year period. The timing of delivery will be dependent on the allocation of finances beyond the Budget 2010 period. However, in the meantime, Roads Service will continue to develop the scheme through the normal statutory processes.

Rural Road Improvements and Repairs

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 3641/11, to provide a breakdown of what the additional funding allocated to Roads Service was spent on, broken down by District Council area.

(AQW 4335/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the additional funding received for roads maintenance was used for both Structural Maintenance and Resource activities and was allocated to its Divisions in stages between October 2010 and late January 2011.

The additional Structural Maintenance funding has been primarily targeted at resurfacing works. The Resource funding has been targeted at meeting the additional costs incurred in delivering Winter Service and routine maintenance activities, as well as dealing with other Divisional pressures.

A breakdown of how this additional funding will be used on Structural Maintenance and Resource activities, by District Council area, is detailed in the table below:

Fixed Penalty Notices

Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 3783/11, how many fixed penalty notices were successfully appealed.

(AQW 4374/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that while it maintains details of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued for individual towns, details of challenges, representations and appeals made against PCNs are not collated on a similar town by town basis. However, details for all PCNs issued in the North are available and details for the 9 month period, 1 April 2010 to 31 December 2010, are provided in the table below. The table also includes details of the number of challenges, representations and appeals which were successful.

Coleraine Bus and Rail Station

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail any plans he has to increase car parking spaces, for rail travellers, at the Coleraine bus and rail station.

(AQW 4380/11)

Minister for Regional Development: Translink’s current capital plans include provision for Park and Ride improvements at Coleraine railway station during the CSR period. However, Translink is in the process of reviewing these plans to take account of the draft budget proposals. This might lead to a reprioritisation of the projects they can take forward. These will be agreed with my Department as part of the process to approve Translink’s Corporate Plan.

These plans will of course be subject to the usual statutory processes, including resolution of any relevant land issues.

Public Lighting in Rural Housing Settlements

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail any plans he has to review the criteria for the provision of public lighting in rural housing settlements.

(AQW 4381/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service uses two main criteria when considering the provision of street lighting in rural areas:

• the density of housing within a community, including public buildings with significant night time use; and
• road safety, where street lighting would contribute to a reduction in the number of night-time accidents.

These criteria serve to balance the demand for more rural lighting against the unwelcome effects of increased urbanisation of the countryside, the environmental impact of night sky light pollution on people, wildlife and flora, and the financial costs of providing and maintaining additional public lighting installations.

The policy for provision of road lighting in rural locations was relaxed in 2002, so that any public building with significant evening use within a community could be counted as two dwellings, when applying the housing density criteria. I have no plans for a further review of the criteria at this time.

Belfast to Newtownards Dual Carriageway

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) how much Roads Service has invested in the Belfast to Newtownards dual carriageway in each of the last two financial years; (ii) what each scheme entailed; and (iii) what plans are in place for further investment.

(AQW 4386/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that details of the amount invested and the work carried out on the Belfast to Newtownards dual carriageway, in 2009/10 and 2010/11, to date, are included in the table below:-

With regard to what plans are in place for future years, I am further advised that Roads Service are planning to complete a resurfacing scheme on the remaining stretch of the Belfast bound carriageway from Ballyrainey Road to the council sign near Dundonald. It is anticipated that this work will be carried out during the 2011/2012 financial year.

Family Parking Spaces in Public Car Parks

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the legal requirements for the provision of family parking spaces in public car parks.

(AQW 4399/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service operates its off-street car parks under the Off-Street Parking Order NI (2000), within which, there is no power to make specific provision for parents with children.

Black Arch on the Coast Road, Drainsbay

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the progress on the installation of replacement lighting beside the Black Arch on the Coast Road, Drainsbay.

(AQW 4408/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that a meeting with members of Larne Borough Council is likely to take place during week commencing 28 February 2011, to determine if this matter can be progressed.

Roads Service's Proposed Legislation

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the progress on the Roads Service's proposed legislation allowing local authorities to close roads in their area for special events.

(AQW 4409/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the primary legislation to enable district councils to close roads for special events is in place. A commencement order, which will bring the relevant provisions into operation, is currently being prepared.

Roads Service is also preparing guidance for use by councils and promoters, when planning and organising events.

It is anticipated that both the commencement order will be made and guidance prepared by June 2011.

Wastewater Improvement Scheme in Ballyhalbert

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on the Wastewater Improvement Scheme in Ballyhalbert, including the expected completion date.

(AQW 4446/11)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that the new wastewater treatment works at Ballyhalbert is currently undergoing final testing and commissioning. It is anticipated that it will be operational by April 2011.

Damage to Vehicles as a Result of the Condition of Roads

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development how many claims have been brought against Roads Service for damage caused to vehicles as a result of the condition of roads, in each District Council area, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 4572/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Central Claims Unit maintains accident statistic information on a Roads Service Section Office basis. Roads Service Section Office areas correspond approximately with District Council areas. Disproportionate expense would be incurred in reviewing claim files and mapping claims against exact District Council boundaries. For this reason the claim information is presented on a Section Office basis and is set out in the table below.

Coleraine to Londonderry Track Relay

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development if and when the planned work on the Coleraine to Londonderry track relay will commence.

(AQW 4595/11)

Minister for Regional Development: The draft budget proposals make provision for the commencement of the Coleraine to Derry Track relay in 2014. This reflects estimated capital availability over the period as well as the practicalities of trying to complete this project before the start of the City of Culture year in January 2013.

Translink are currently identifying interim measures to be undertaken to ensure the continued running and safety of the line up until 2014. Funding has been provided for this purpose.

NI Waters Reservoirs

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development if NI Water has any plans to sell its reservoirs in (i) 2010/11; and (ii) 2011/12.

(AQW 4596/11)

Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that no reservoirs will be sold during the 2010/11 financial year. During 2011/12, NIW plans to dispose of the reservoirs listed below, which have all been declared no longer required for future use.

In identifying and declaring these reservoirs suitable for disposal, NIW must ensure that any disposal will not have an adverse impact on current or future provision of water and wastewater services. NIW adheres to the general principle that public bodies should limit their holdings of land and buildings to a minimum required for their present and clearly foreseen responsibilities.

Legal Parking of Private Taxis

Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the size and composition of the enforcement team responsible for ensuring the legal parking of private taxis; (ii) the number of related penalties issued in the last 12 months; and (iii) what percentage of these penalties relate to violations of public taxi hire ranks.

(AQW 4617/11)

Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that there is no dedicated enforcement team to ensure the legal parking of private hire taxis. Approximately 117 traffic attendants are deployed each day to enforce the contravention of waiting restrictions against all vehicles, including private and public hire taxis.

When issuing a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), Traffic Attendants do not collect information that would identify if that PCN has been issued to a private hire taxi. However, in the twelve months from 1 February 2010 to 31 January 2011, 1,585 PCN’s have been issued to vehicles which have been parked illegally on public hire taxi ranks.

Directors of NI Water

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he is aware of the existence of emails, relating to a sacked non-executive director and two directors of NI Water, which were sent to the then CEO of NI Water by the current Director of Customer Delivery Services prior to her appointment to that role; and if so, whether they will be made available to persons charged with carrying out a review of NI Water.

(AQW 4623/11)

Minister for Regional Development: I was not aware of the existence of the emails you refer to until the DRD Private Office and the DRD Permanent Secretary were copied into an email (with the emails you refer to attached) from Mr Declan Gormley to the NI Water Director of Customer Service Delivery on 14 February 2011. As these emails are linked to the review of Northern Ireland Water’s procurement governance failings, and as Mr Gormley has not been a member of the NI Water Board since March 2010, they do not appear to be relevant to the current reviews which focus specifically on the recent major water supply incident. I therefore do not plan to circulate them further, although the Private Office has asked to be copied into the response to Mr Gormley’s email of 14 February 2011.

Potholes

Mr J Bell asked the Minister for Regional Development, given the health and safety risks and the damage to vehicles as a result of potholes, whether he intends to prioritise and publish a pothole repair timetable for the following areas (i) Newtownards; (ii) Ballygowan (iii) Saintfield; and (iv) the Ards Peninsula.

(AQW 4777/11)

Minister for Regional Development: Although the Member has enquired about four specific locations, I am advised that the deterioration of the road network, following the recent period of severe cold weather, has resulted in a proliferation of potholes throughout the North including the Ards and Down Council areas. I can also assure him that my Department’s Roads Service seeks to address these problems on a Council-wide basis.

Roads Service already has in place an ongoing cyclical inspection and repair regime which makes provision for the identification and subsequent repair of potholes on a prioritised basis, within timescales set out in Roads Service’s Maintenance Guidelines.  It also responds to reports of defects notified by members of the public. As this arrangement results in repair target dates for each individual defect, rather than for each specific area, and work plans are subject to ongoing changes in light of the information received, it would not be practical to publish a pothole repair timetable.

It is, however, fully accepted that a speedy response is both prudent and necessary to address the problem of widespread pothole formation on public roads in all areas, including the Ards and Down Council areas.  To this end, Roads Service has engaged an external contractor to carry out road repairs, in addition to those undertaken by its own internal contractor operation.

I can also confirm that since the period of extreme cold weather, Roads Service’s local Section Offices in the Ards and Down Council areas, have each received additional funding in excess of £500,000 for resurfacing, carriageway patching and refurbishment.  This funding will be very beneficial in helping to address many of the problems currently being experienced where, in many instances, the recent severe weather conditions have been a significant contributory factor.

DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Grit or Salt Bins

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development (i) to list the location of the grit or salt bins provided to Housing Associations and folds in West Belfast; (ii) to outline the criteria used when deciding where salt or grit bins should be placed; and (iii) how often these bins are filled.

(AQW 4004/11)

Minister for Social Development (Mr A Attwood): I assume the Member is referring to grit boxes provided in Housing Associations, not on Roads Service adopted areas. Housing Associations have provided the following information set out in the table below:-

Special Needs Management Allowance

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development what his plans are for the continuation of the Special Needs Management Allowance funding for Housing Associations.

(AQW 4197/11)

Minister for Social Development: The payment of Special Needs Management Allowance will continue until the outcome of the Departmental review is known and a decision taken regarding future funding arrangements.

Social Housing New Build Scheme for Newcastle

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the time-frame for the proposed 130 unit social housing new build scheme for Newcastle.

(AQW 4292/11)

Minister for Social Development: Apex Housing Association proposes to construct 130 social dwellings at Castlewellan Road, Newcastle. An application for full planning permission was lodged with the Planning Service on 16 December 2010. Subject to obtaining the necessary statutory approvals, Apex Housing Association anticipates starting on site in March/April 2011 with an estimated completion date for the scheme of March 2014.

Housing Executive

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister for Social Development whether there has been a review of the response times of, and criteria used by, Housing Executive staff when dealing with extreme weather conditions like those that prevailed in December 2010 and January 2011.

(AQW 4322/11)

Minister for Social Development: The adverse weather was unprecedented and its immediate and subsequent impacts were severe.

Before Christmas, the response processes put in place by the Housing Executive were upgraded as a result of their own deliberations as well as input from officials in my Department. This included relocating their Emergency Services Response capability to the Belfast Customer Service Unit to enable better telephone customer response. In addition to laying further and additional requirements in response to the situation, I also instructed that a report be immediately prepared to reconfigure the Housing Executive response to an emergency. This has resulted in a revised three phase response, which shall include an upgraded telephone response to an emergency.

I have been in regular contact with the Housing Executive’s Chief Executive to ensure that lessons learned are applied, that Emergency/Contingency Plans are updated and actions developed to provide future emergency planning which is fit for purpose. The Housing Executive has already addressed a number of issues including changes and improvements to their Emergency/Contingency Plans and put in place Contractors/Contract conditions including the need for each contractor to have an emergency plan and have a 24/7 response and also ensure the supply and availability of materials from merchants.

The Housing Executive has met with all its Response Maintenance and Major Heating Contractors to discuss future contingency arrangements. All the contractors are now in the process of a formal review of their Business Continuity and Emergency Plans. These will aim to ensure that they can provide any and all resources to deal with similar circumstances in future, should the situation develop. These are to be submitted for consideration against the Housing Executive’s own plans with the aim of ensuring that the response to future emergencies is carried out in a well planned and coordinated manner. I have also instructed that there is a full and deep evaluation of the work; the response of contractors; and that there should be accountability in relation to performance. I will keep the Social Development Committee informed of progress.

Housing Executive Rents Rise

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development how much additional revenue the 3.75 per cent rise in Housing Executive rents will raise.

(AQW 4403/11)

Minister for Social Development: The 3.75% rent increase for 2011/12 will generate an additional £9.2 million income for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Queens Parade Project in Bangor

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the Queens Parade project in Bangor.

(AQW 4413/11)

Minister for Social Development: In December 2009 Karl Greenfarm Properties Limited were appointed as the preferred developer for the Queen’s Parade site. The developer is currently in Pre Application Discussions with the Planning Service on the proposals for the site and this process is expected to take until September 2011 to complete. The Department has established a Project Board to manage the regeneration scheme and a Community Engagement Partnership to liaise with the local community throughout the process.

Demolition of the Flats at West Green, Holywood

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on and time table for the demolition of the flats at West Green, Holywood.

(AQW 4414/11)

Minister for Social Development: The demolition was scheduled for January 2011 but has been delayed slightly and it is now anticipated that the demolition contractor will commence work on the site by the end of February 2011. The Housing Executive has advised that services are currently being disconnected from the flats at West Green, Holywood and their measured term contractor for demolitions has been briefed regarding this demolition project. The demolition is to take place in two phases, the first phase involving the flats and the second involving the adjacent properties.

Social Housing New-Build Scheme in Newcastle

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development when South Down MLAs will be consulted on the proposed 130 unit social housing new-build scheme in Newcastle.

(AQW 4439/11)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive has advised that stage 1 of the Planning process involves consultation with statutory agencies and other organisations during the month following receipt of the Planning Application. The Planning Application is also publicly advertised to allow any interested party to comment to the Planning Service at any time. Standard consultations on the Planning Application for the proposed 130 unit social housing new build scheme at Castlewellan Road, Newcastle were sent on 14 January 2011 and neighbour notifications were sent on 1 February 2011.

Housing Associations are also required to undergo a consultation process on their proposed housing scheme in accordance with guidance set down in the Housing Association Guide. Apex Housing has carried out a community consultation exercise involving those living around the site but has not consulted with any of the South Down MLAs to date.

Apex has confirmed it will be happy consult with the South Down MLAS at an appropriate time but as yet many aspects of this project still remain fluid.

Community Groups in the North Down District Council Area

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the grants made by his Department to community groups in the North Down District Council area in each of the last three years.

(AQW 4450/11)

Minister for Social Development: Details of grants made by DSD to community groups in the North Down District Council area in each of the last three years are provided in the table below.

Volunteer Bureau Initiative and Small Grants funding to North Down District Council Area was by way of North Down and Ards Volunteer Centre for 2008/09 and Volunteer Services Bureau for Belfast, Castlereagh and North Down for 2009/10 and 2010/11. It should be noted that these figures cannot be split by individual Council area with any accuracy.

Social Development Capital Receipt Figures

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the nature of the elements which make up the Social Development Capital Receipt figures in table four of the draft Budget 2011-15 document.

(AQW 4485/11)

Minister for Social Development: Capital receipts over the next 4 years are expected to come from Departmental land sales, Housing Executive house & land sales and from Housing Association/Housing Executive grant and loan repayments. A breakdown of the amounts is provided in the table below.

As advised in my response to Ms Anna Lo last month, AQW 3369/11 refers, while the figures represent our best estimates of the likely level of receipts possible, prevailing market conditions will undoubtedly impact on the timing of sales and hence the final values ultimately realised.

One-Off Grant Payment

Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Social Development whether further consideration has been given to a one-off grant payment to vulnerable people who incurred additional costs for heating etc, during the recent severe weather conditions.

(AQW 4517/11)

Minister for Social Development: I have taken a number of steps to determine how financial help might be provided to social housing tenants affected by the severe adverse weather. I wrote to the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in December and January, in relation to proposals to compensate people affected by the severe adverse weather. In December I outlined the scope of the current Social Fund scheme in helping people affected by the recent spell of extremely cold weather through the provision of repayable Crisis Loans or Budgeting Loans, as well as non-repayable Community Care Grants. As the Social Fund is cash-limited, I recommended that contact be made with HM Treasury and the Department for Work & Pensions to argue for an increase in funding this year. I also raised the option of other interventions under the Financial Assistance Act and the Emergency Assistance Scheme and suggested that officials scope out the details of how schemes could operate. In my January letter I asked if the First Minster and deputy First Minister had any further view on the principle of assistance under the available schemes and how our Departments may work on any proposals.

I intend to be exhaustive in working through these to find opportunities to provide help and have now written again to the First Minister and deputy First Minister suggesting officials should meet as soon as possible to consider how interventions could be implemented under the Financial Assistance Act or other mechanism.

I am assessing if this might be available for additional heating costs, redecoration and reinstatement of properties.

Housing Executive Tenants

Mr P Frew asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to AQW 3847/11, to detail the location of the damaged houses from which the five tenants were moved; and how many of the five tenants have yet to return to their property.

(AQW 4528/11)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive has advised that due to the Data Protection Act (1998) they are unable to detail the exact addresses of the properties in question because of the potential risk of identifying individuals or individual households. However, they have advised that the five properties were located in the following areas:-

- Crebilly Road

- Devenagh Way

- Shanlieve

- Lanntara

- Dunvale

Four tenants have returned to their homes.

Compensation for Housing Executive and Housing Association Tenants

Ms J McCann asked the Minister for Social Development whether compensation will be paid to the Housing Executive and Housing Association tenants whose homes were (i) flooded; and (ii) without working heating systems during the recent severe winter weather; and when this compensation will be paid.

(AQW 4580/11)

Minister for Social Development: I have taken a number of steps to determine how financial help might be provided to social housing tenants affected by the severe adverse weather. I wrote to the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in December and January, in relation to proposals to compensate people affected by the severe adverse weather. In December I outlined the scope of the current Social Fund scheme in helping people affected by the recent spell of extremely cold weather through the provision of repayable Crisis Loans or Budgeting Loans, as well as non-repayable Community Care Grants. As the Social Fund is cash-limited, I recommended that contact be made with HM Treasury and the Department for Work & Pensions to argue for an increase in funding this year. I also raised the option of other interventions under the Financial Assistance Act and the Emergency Assistance Scheme and suggested that officials scope out the details of how schemes could operate. In my January letter I asked if the First Minster and deputy First Minister had any further view on the principle of assistance under the available schemes and how our Departments may work on any proposals.

I intend to be exhaustive in working through these to find opportunities to provide help and have now written again to the First Minister and deputy First Minister suggesting officials should meet as soon as possible to consider how interventions could be implemented under the Financial Assistance Act or other mechanism.

I am assessing if this might be available for additional heating costs, redecoration and reinstatement of properties.

Urban Regeneration and Community Development

Ms A Lo asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the preparation of a strategy and policy framework for urban regeneration and community development; and when he will brief the Social Development Committee on this work.

(AQW 4583/11)

Minister for Social Development: The Urban Regeneration and Community Development Framework was drafted to support the transfer of operational regeneration and community development to 11 new councils in May 2011. This is now not happening. Work is underway to re-visit the draft Framework and re-express the principles contained within it, in a way which reflects the changed context. It is not proposed to brief the Committee until after 24 March 2011.

Housing Executive Properties Uninhabited

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Social Development what is the legal limit on the length of time a Housing Executive property, with a named tenant and for which rent is being paid through Housing Benefit, can be uninhabited.

(AQW 4608/11)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive has advised that the Housing Benefit regulations allow for the payment of Housing Benefit to cover temporary absence from the home for a period of 13 weeks. The regulations also permit, in certain defined circumstances, the continuation of the payment of Housing Benefit for a maximum period of 52 weeks.

These include absences due to:-

- A stay in hospital.

- A period on remand.

- Undergoing medical treatment or convalescence other than in hospital.

- Undertaking an approved training course.

- Providing medically approved care to another.

- Fear of violence.

Consultancy and Capital Projects in the West Belfast Constituency

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development how much his Department has spent on (i) consultancy; and (ii) capital projects, in the West Belfast constituency in the last two years.

(AQW 4611/11)

Minister for Social Development: The table below provides a breakdown of (i) consultancy expenditure and (ii) capital project spend in the West Belfast constituency in the last two years:

Neighbourhood Renewal Deprivation Rankings for the Kilcooley Estate in Bangor

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the Neighbourhood Renewal deprivation rankings for the Kilcooley estate in Bangor over the 2001-2011 period.

(AQW 4645/11)

Minister for Social Development: Deprivation in the Kilcooley estate is defined by an amalgam of Enumeration Districts (2001) and Output Areas (2005 and 2010) statistics within the Clandeboye and Dufferin electoral wards. The deprivation ranking for each Enumeration District and Output Area which make up the Neighbourhood Renewal Area are detailed in the table below.

*Enumeration District Level data based on Economic Deprivation Rank – 3729 in total

** Output Area 2005 results based on Economic Deprivation Rank, Output Area 2010 results based on Multiple Deprivation Rank – 5022 in total

Clerical Errors Made by the Child Support Agency in 1997

Mr B McElduff asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number and extent of the calculation and clerical errors made by the Child Support Agency in 1997 which resulted in the miscalculation of child support payments; and whether there is an appeal mechanism in place that will allow people to appeal their payments on the grounds that the error was not of their making.

(AQW 4655/11)

Minister for Social Development: (i) The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division does not hold records on the extent of calculation and clerical errors made by the Child Support Agency in 1997; (ii) Clients may ask for a review of a decision with regard to the amount they have been assessed to pay, or they may lodge a formal appeal which will be heard by the independent Appeal Service.  The timescales for receipt of applications for revisions or appeals have always been clearly outlined on assessment notifications.  The timescale is one month from the date the notification was sent to the Client. 

Proposed Development of Curran Street in Portadown

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the proposed development of Curran Street in Portadown.

(AQW 4660/11)

Minister for Social Development: Full planning permission for the redevelopment of the Curran Street Site was approved by Planning Service in October 2010. The process to appoint a developer to acquire the site and deliver the scheme formally commenced in June 2010 with an advertisement placed in the Official Journal of the European Union. A short-list of interested developers was drawn up and each was asked to submit bids to purchase and develop the site. Unfortunately, the bids submitted by the potential developers were significantly below the market value of the site and the Department has been unable to appoint a preferred developer at this time. Officials are currently exploring alternative models to deliver the regeneration of this key site, including the social housing elements, as quickly as possible.

Suffolk Estate in West Belfast

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development when the Housing Executive will replace windows in the Suffolk Estate in West Belfast.

(AQW 4722/11)

Minister for Social Development: The Housing Executive has advised that window replacement in the Suffolk Estate is their first priority Local Area Priority scheme for 2011/12 in West Belfast. There are 173 properties included in the scheme, at an estimated cost of £450,000. It is hoped the scheme will start in summer 2011, dependent on funding being available. The scheme should take four to five months on site to complete.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

Overseas Training Courses for Staff

Mr T Burns asked the Assembly Commission to detail (i) the number of training courses which members of staff from the Commission have attended overseas in each of the last five years; (ii) the names of the course/purpose of the training; (iii) when the courses took place; (iv) the duration of each course; (v) how many members of staff took part in each course; (vi) the grade and branch of each member of staff who took part; (vii) in which country the courses took place (excluding the UK and Republic of Ireland); (viii) the cost of fees for each course and each individual attendee; (ix) the travel expenses incurred by each attendee of each course; (x) the accommodation costs incurred by each attendee of each course; and (xi) the specific name and location of places where each attendee stayed during their travel and attendance on each course.

(AQW 4142/11)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr P Ramsey): To ask the Assembly Commission to detail (i) the number of training courses which members of staff from the Commission have attended overseas in each of the last five years; (ii) the names of the course/purpose of the training; (iii) when the courses took place; (iv) the duration of each course; (v) how many members of staff took part in each course; (vi) the grade and branch of each member of staff who took part; (vii) in which country the courses took place (excluding the UK and Republic of Ireland); (viii) the cost of fees for each course and each individual attendee; (ix) the travel expenses incurred by each attendee of each course; (x) the accommodation costs incurred by each attendee of each course; and (xi) the specific name and location of places where each attendee stayed during their travel and attendance on each course.”

I attach a schedule (at Annex A) of all such training courses for the past five years.

Flight Information for the City of Derry Airport

Mr Pól Callaghan asked the Assembly Commission whether real-time flight information for the City of Derry Airport will be included on AssISt, the Assembly intranet, in addition to the information on airports in Belfast.

(AQW 4492/11)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr S Neeson): I am happy to report that the IS Office, on behalf of the Assembly Commission, updated the Intranet immediately upon receipt of your query.

The IS Office is happy to consider all requests for improvements to AssISt from Members and can be contacted directly, via the IS Service Desk on telephone number (028 905) 21000 or via the IS Service Request pages on AssISt.

Hansard Bound Volumes

Mr G Campbell asked the Assembly Commission whether a record is kept detailing Members who wish to receive a copy of Hansard Bound Volumes.

(AQW 4529/11)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr P Doherty): The answer to your question is yes. The Office of the Official Report (Hansard) keeps a list of the names of those Members (79 at the last count) who chose to receive the volumes.

As you may be aware, the Commission recently decided that, with immediate effect, hard copy volumes will only be provided to Members on a subscription basis. However, Members have been offered the facility to receive the volumes free of charge in CD-ROM format and the Commission also decided that each registered party with a seat in the Assembly will be provided with two copies of each volume.

The Speaker wrote to all Members on 7 th February 2011 advising them of the decision and that was followed by a letter from the Editor of Debates to determine whether Members are interested in taking out a subscription and/or wish to receive the CD-ROM. Once the results of that exercise are known, the Office of the Official Report (Hansard) will, of course, update its records.

I hope that the above information is helpful and answers your question.

Staff and Visitor Cars on Sitting Days

Mr J Craig asked e Assembly Commission if there are any plans to accommodate all staff and visitor cars on sitting days.

(AQW 4731/11)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr S Neeson): The Assembly Commission acknowledges the difficulties experienced with parking in the Assembly car parks, particularly on Sitting days, and senior Assembly staff have been in ongoing discussions with DFP colleagues in an attempt to resolve this problem, and indeed reduce car parking pressures and difficulties across the Estate.

Following recent discussions with DFP, the Assembly Commission put in place two low cost pilot schemes, as a possible means of increasing car parking space for staff and visitors, particularly on Sitting days. The initial response of staff has been good and the trial schemes will run to the end of March 2011 subject to review.

The first of these involved the temporary transfer of daily management of the lower East car park from DFP to Assembly Security staff. During business hours, access to the car park will be restricted to staff, other persons having official business within Parliament Buildings and visitors. Security staff are also ensuring that all vehicles within that car park are parked properly and that obstructions are not caused.

The Commission also recently put in place a ‘park and ride’ system using the DFP car park at Rosepark House, Upper Newtownards Road. This has enabled users to leave their cars at Rosepark and walk a very short distance to Annexe C, where they can be picked up by the Assembly people carrier for onward transport to Parliament Buildings. A return service is also in place, and staff located within Annexe C can also avail of the car park at Rosepark.

The Commission will continue with discussions with DFP and one possibility may be that of assuming ownership of the Lower East Car Park on subsequent transfer from DFP. This might also include carrying out a feasibility study of possible future expansion of that car park, subject to planning and funding. This is at a relatively early stage however and would naturally be dependant upon satisfactory resolution of a number of issues, including subsequent DFP agreement.

Naturally, all users of Parliament Buildings will kept apprised of developments in due course.

Stationery Supplies in Parliament Buildings

Mr P Butler asked the Assembly Commission for an update on the current difficulties regarding the provision of stationery supplies in Parliament Buildings.

(AQW 4739/11)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr S Neeson): For the past number of years, Office Resources (the Business Area responsible for this contract) secured their Office Stationery and IT Consumable requirements through a Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) framework contract, which expired in November 2010. A re-tender of this contract was undertaken during 2010 but at the notification of award stage, CPD received a legal challenge under the Remedies Directives available within the Public Contracts Regulations. The NIA was advised of this during week commencing 4 th February 2011.

Office Resources issued guidance on 7 th February 2011 to ask all users to request only urgent stationery items for a 2-3 week period. Subsequently, with effect from 21 st February 2011, Office Resources were able to order and receive a stock of items through the EROS system. This system is used throughout the 12 Northern Ireland Civil Servant Departments and other public bodies.

However certain items previously available are not listed on the EROS system and cannot be supplied at this stage. In addition, deliveries of items outside of Parliament Buildings are also unavailable during this interim period.

A Postmaster has been issued to all Members, Support Staff and Secretariat to provide updates, and furthermore a copy of this Postmaster has been placed in Members’ pigeon holes.

Going forward, Support Services and Procurement are working to procure a longer term solution which is intended to be in place by the new mandate. It is not clear at this stage what form this contract will take in relation to items that will be available; however we wish to ensure the best service possible is delivered to all users.

REVISED WRITTEN ANSWERS

Friday 25 February 2011

(AQW 4117/11)

D’fhreastail 13 bhall foirne ar fad ón Roinn Oideachais ar 7 *gcúrsa thar lear le linn na 5 bliana féilire 2006 – 2010.

A total of 13 staff from the Department of Education attended 7 *courses overseas throughout the 5 calendar years 2006 – 2010. Detailed information as asked for at (ii) – (xi) of the question is provided in the table below.

* For the purpose of answering this question, attendance at courses has been interpreted to include study visits.