6.

asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail whether the economic conference planned for Washington will take place in view of the terrible events in the United States of America on 11 September 2001.

(AQO 163/01)

The indications are that the summit will proceed as planned. The proposal to hold the business summit originated in the United States, where the private sector organiser is being supported by the Administration there. Our input is being co-ordinated by the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington on behalf of the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. My officials in the IDB are working closely with the bureau and are in contact with the organisers about their plans.

Will the Minister comment on proposals made by the United States Government for greater economic co-operation between the USA and the Republic of Ireland? Does he believe that we should institute mechanisms to take advantage of any likely trade benefits?

In June I visited the organisers of the proposed summit in Washington, and I have kept in regular contact with them since then. I met the American Secretary of Commerce, Mr Don Evans, and I have been in close contact with our bureau. IDB officials and our bureau have formed a team in Washington to maximise the advantages of this summit. It will focus on business, and several business people have been invited. The response has been positive so far, but it is clear that events, not least those of 11 September, will have an impact.

People who I have talked to seem determined to ensure that the act of terrorism that took place should not be allowed to scupper the proposals. Any opportunity for Northern Ireland's small economy to be put on the world stage with key businesses from the Republic and the United States should not be missed. This is particularly so when the initiative is coming from the United States and they are sponsoring the event. No subsidy is involved; businesses are going there at their own expense. There has been a significant response, and the highest level of the American Administration is showing keen interest in the summit. Therefore, we should take any advantages it presents.

8.

asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail what discussions have taken place with Cruise Belfast Initiative concerning tourist promotion and marketing in Northern Ireland; and to make a statement.

(AQO 173/01)

The Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau and the Port of Belfast plan marketing activity for the Cruise Belfast Initiative. Levels of co-operation include international and dockside promotion.

Cruise Ireland, the marketing co-operative that promotes the island of Ireland as a premier cruise destination, supports that co-operation.

Is the Minister aware of the increasing sense of frustration, bordering on anger, which has been inspired by the failure to date of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) to adequately promote the south- east area, including the Mournes, St Patrick's country and St Patrick's heritage, on an equal footing? Now, when tourism is in danger, will the Minister ensure that initiatives such as the Cruise Belfast initiative are better informed about the potential for tourism in the Mournes and St Patrick's country?

I am under no illusions about the attractions of St Patrick's country to potential visitors. However, the NITB has not been the primary driver in organising this particular initiative. The Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau and other groups, including local authority organisations, were also involved. The project has a two-year lead-in period. There were 15 visits this year, compared with 7 in the previous year. The routes that the liners take are organised several years in advance. I understand that a lot of effort has gone into achieving that growth in visits.

I am personally persuaded that there is absolutely no reason why the St Patrick's area cannot benefit from that, but the NITB does not dictate which bus goes where. It offers a full range of information on what is available in each particular area. It is then up to a particular organisation to pick up on the ideas.

Minister, your time is up. If you have any further information for Mr McGrady, you will no doubt give it to him in writing.

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Employment and Learning

Question 2, in the name of Mr Dallat, will receive a written response. Question 10, in the name of Ms Lewsley, has been transferred to the Minister of Education and will receive a written response.

1.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail how many students have been refused permission to sit examinations or refused results of examinations as a result of non-payment of fees or late payments of fees in each university.

(AQO 159/01)

My Department does not formally hold this information, nor does it determine the policy and procedures followed by our universities. However, Queen's University indicates that, in the circumstances described, it does not refuse permission to sit examinations or refuse results of examinations. While the University of Ulster does not refuse students with outstanding debts permission to sit examinations, their results will not be forwarded to the board of examiners until their debts have been cleared. I also understand that the current number of students at the University of Ulster affected by that policy is 314 - 120 of whom are full-time - out of a total student population of 21,173.

Does the Minister agree that, no matter how minimal the numbers are, those students who definitely cannot afford to pay the exorbitant tuition fees are very seriously affected by this matter? There have been cases, and I am prepared to forward information on this to the Minister, where students have been refused permission to sit examinations and resits. Students have been asked to pay a £100 administration fee - after paying tuition fees - and have still been refused permission to take resits.

It may well be the case that individual students are experiencing the hardship referred to in the question. I am not aware of the individual circumstances of all of those affected. If there are matters that fall within my area of responsibility, I would certainly be anxious to hear from the Member and to attempt to deal with them. I did stress that the policies, procedures and requirements are matters for the universities themselves. I assume that all students are made aware of those.

The Member will be aware that I have been very exercised by the financial circumstances of students. For that reason, I took the major step of reviewing those circumstances and the support available. I initiated considerable reform, much of which will take effect from the current academic year, which is just beginning. It will be fully implemented over the next few years, not least with respect to the introduction of student bursaries or grants - I note that the Member seems persistently to suggest that I have failed to address that matter.

Some students are in hardship situations and have not been able to meet their fee commitments. Is any consideration being given to putting in place hardship funds or other arrangements to meet the needs of students with such difficulties?

Members will be aware that the universities do administer hardship funds. One of the measures that I have taken, as part of the review of student financial support, is to enhance the availability of funding for such hardship funds. Given my experience in one of our universities, I believe that sympathetic consideration is given to students who have genuine cases to make. I am aware that the hardship funds are drawn down to meet the unforeseen difficulties that are experienced by students.

3.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (a) how many people have opened individual learning accounts; and (b) how many individual learning accounts have been used to date.

(AQO 181/01)

At 17 September, a total of 65,225 individual learning accounts (ILAs) had been opened and 26,811 were in use.

Does the Minister intend to review the level of incentives for students opening individual learning accounts?

Given that ILAs only became operational in Northern Ireland a year ago, and because of the limited uptake in late 2000, reliable uptake and usage patterns will not emerge until the end of this year. It will be appropriate to address such questions at that time.

A user survey for the first six months has, however, revealed a very encouraging start. ILAs have clearly encouraged more people than anticipated - from all social and economic groups - to take up learning. Some of the key conclusions of the survey were that 92% of users had their learning expectations met or exceeded; 67% were female; 62% had not undertaken formal learning in the previous year; and 60% had taken IT courses.

What we would refer to as the deadweight - most likely those who would have taken courses regardless of the availability of support from an individual learning account - was about 31%. That compares with an estimated deadweight of between 45% and 50% in Britain.

We are witnessing an initiative that has met with considerable success. The scale of that success is such that it challenges directly the resource provision that was allocated to meet it. However, I hope that we shall be able to overcome some of the inherent problems and point to the introduction of individual learning accounts as an undoubted success in promoting adult and lifelong learning. Recent surveys have indicated that we have much ground to make up.

What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that providers of individual learning accounts who have dubious credentials do not benefit from public funds?

I assure the Member that we do not deal with dubious providers, and if he has any information along those lines, I urge him to make it available to my officials, who will follow it up expeditiously. My Department is aware of its responsibilities, and providers are subject to appropriate evaluation of what they provide, the manner in which they provide it and the associated costs.

What steps has the Minister taken to extend individual learning accounts to remote and rural areas, which the Moser Report highlighted as a facet of rural poverty?

It is important to point out that individual learning accounts are available everywhere. Anyone anywhere can open an individual learning account. Individuals may have concerns about the availability of certain courses because of where they live. However, it has been a gratifying experience for me to note that community organisations are making strenuous efforts to contribute to the provision of adult learning opportunities, even in those areas that might be described as the more remote in our region.

I am aware, from visiting community centres in the Member's constituency and in many others, that individual learning accounts are provided in community centres in rural areas. I compliment the community organisations that are involved in working with their local further education colleges. It is tremendous to see the scale on which our adult population is becoming involved in the new learning opportunities that are being made available to it.

4.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline his response to the review of careers education and guidance chaired by Prof Sean Fulton.

(AQO 169/01)

My Department and the Department of Education commissioned the review of careers education guidance. Both Departments have received a preliminary report and have asked Prof Fulton, who chaired the group that carried out the review, to undertake some additional work before producing his final report. I am pleased to say that Prof Fulton has agreed and is already discharging his responsibilities in that regard.

The Minister will be aware that there was a review of careers guidance and education as recently as the mid-1990s. The fact that another review was necessary in 2000 might imply that the first had only a limited impact. Does the Minister agree that that was the case and, if so, what will be done this time to ensure that history does not repeat itself?

The Member will appreciate that the first review was not my responsibility. There was a considerable demand for a review in the light of the changing and positive economic circumstances that were prevailing towards the end of the 1990s. In addition to the establishment of the skills task force, it was felt that such a review was required. We will make every effort to ensure that it meets our needs. I have every confidence in the work of Prof Fulton, and I am sure that his report will address some of the problems with careers education and advice. The review was urged upon us, not least by the Committee that the Member chairs. I hope that the report will be available before the end of the year and that action can be taken at the beginning of the coming year.

5.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail what percentage of the intake of students into Northern Ireland higher education institutions have qualifications other than the traditional two or more A levels.

(AQO 166/01)

It is not possible at this point to provide a figure from the most recent intake into our higher education institutions. However, data from 1999-2000 indicates that 36% of full-time and 96% of part-time entrants had qualifications other than two or more A levels or their equivalent.

Given that the average intake of students with non-traditional qualifications in the UK as a whole is in excess of 30%, what does the Minister propose to do to ensure that there is parity of esteem between the more academic route into higher education - A levels - and the general national vocational qualification (GNVQ) and national vocational qualification (NVQ)? What action will he take to ensure that universities monitor and maintain quality standards while seeking to avert any significant drop-out levels from students in this cohort who might find it difficult to adjust to the new surroundings?

The percentages that I read out reveal a willingness and an openness, on the part of our higher education institutions, to consider and admit applicants with non-traditional qualifications, as we call them. As we open up access to further and higher education - and particularly higher education, which is the focus of the question - there is anxiety to ensure that selectors in higher education institutions give full consideration to non-traditional backgrounds. I know that the institutions are doing so from my direct contact with the universities.

I am aware, from correspondence to the Department, that there are sometimes concerns about certain individuals. However, generally the selectors show a healthy willingness to be open-minded. I welcome that. The Department encourages such open-mindedness and wants to take advantage of it.

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. There is an increasing trend towards the provision of advanced vocational certificates in post-primary education. They are being provided in the Christian Brothers Grammar School in Omagh, which I attended, where courses in construction and the built environment are available for pupils aged 16 and above. Those courses are proving so popular that not all applicants can be accommodated. Will the Minister co-operate with his Colleague, Mr Martin McGuinness, the Minister of Education, to address the issue of accommodating those students who wish to access that route to higher education institutions? As Ken Robinson said, it is an issue of parity of esteem between the vocational and academic fields.

There is willingness and a healthy openness on the part of the higher education institutions to consider students whose educational backgrounds are different from the traditional academic backgrounds that generally lead to higher education. The figures prove that the institutions are open-minded and will consider students from those backgrounds on the basis of merit.

That is a healthy practice. That is a route that many more of our young people - and, indeed, older people - should take. Ninety-six per cent of part-time students have qualifications other than A levels, which shows that there is a route into higher education other than the traditional one. Many people may not know that such routes exist.

6.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline the provisions currently available in Northern Ireland to facilitate adult learning.

(AQO 185/01)

A wide range of adult learning provision is available. It is supported by my Department through courses at universities, the Open University, further education colleges, private training organisations and voluntary community bodies such as the Workers' Educational Association. The creation of the learndirect network has been a major new development in the field. I have had the pleasure of visiting and opening several of those centres in recent months.

The Minister will be aware that in the draft Programme for Government it states that everyone must have access to opportunities for lifelong learning after their initial education. How will the Minister prioritise within his Department to ensure that everyone, irrespective of status and income, will have access to those educational opportunities?

I have taken initiatives in order to provide a greater degree of financial support for full-time students in further and higher education. I have already mentioned individual learning accounts, which are now universally available for adults who wish to avail of lifelong learning opportunities through courses of short or long duration. We are moving more rapidly than the Member's question suggests to a situation where many more people will have the opportunity to avail of further and higher education. People avail of this opportunity not only for an initial qualification but as part of their lifelong learning.

7.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to state what percentage of funding for Northern Ireland further education colleges derives from the private sector.

(AQO 168/01)

In the 1999-2000 financial year, an average of 14·35% of funding for the Northern Ireland further education colleges derived from the private sector.

Given that the fostering of closer networks between the education colleges and local businesses is a key strategic goal for the sector, will the Minister undertake a strategic review of the further education sector as soon as possible?

The Member may be aware that we constantly monitor provision in the further education sector. I have almost completed a round of visits to the colleges, and I have been impressed by what I have seen. Officials in the Department work constantly with the colleges, and we are moving towards an overall strategy.

We need not wait until we have a formal strategy on paper to be assured that the colleges make a significant contribution - locally and regionally - to economic regeneration, and do so in close contact with the business community.

8.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the progress to date with the task force on employability and long-term unemployment.

(AQO 179/01)

To date, four meetings of the task force on employability and long-term unemployment have taken place. In addition, over 1,500 discussion documents have been issued, and a series of 26 engagement meetings is under way. The engagement meetings are with organisations from the business community, the trade union movement and the voluntary and community sector. Such organisations have an interest in employability and a role to play in devising the action plan that will come out of the work of the task force, so that we can reduce - I hope, eliminate - long-term unemployment.

I welcome what the Minister said about wide-ranging consultation. With what organisations has the task force engaged?

The task force has already met organisations such as the Business Alliance, which represents a number of employer's organisations, the trade unions, the voluntary and community sector under the auspices of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), the board of the Training and Employment Agency, the New Deal task force, organisations representing disabled people, organisations representing minority ethnic communities, women's groups, the health trusts, the education sector - including a group of school principals, Business in the Community and the chief executives of the district councils. Further meetings have been arranged, and we hope to complete the series of engagement meetings by the end of this month. I remind Members that that is also the date by which submissions in response to our discussion document should be lodged with the Department.

9.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the scope of the review he has undertaken on the provision of Irish language vocational training.

(AQO 177/01)

In recent years, the number of children and young people in Irish-medium primary and secondary schools has grown.

I welcome that, having experienced that form of primary and secondary education myself. Those young people are beginning to enter the labour market after compulsory education and will be seeking access to Irish-medium vocational education and training opportunities. I have therefore asked officials in my Department to undertake a policy review of provision for that group and to report to me as soon as possible. I expect officials to consult with Foras na Gaeilge, the Ultach Trust, Forbairt Feirste and other Irish language groups and to take account of the practice in the South and in Scotland and Wales, and possibly elsewhere.

I thank the Minister for his reply and welcome the review that he has undertaken. As with past reviews he is clearly breaking new ground in an effort to create new policy. In this case, he is attempting to mainstream respect for lesser-used languages into our national life - particularly for the Irish language, which is valued by so many in the North. What is the time scale for the review?

My Department will write to interested parties in the next month and will consult widely on practice in the Republic, Great Britain and other parts of the European Union. It is my intention to have any new arrangements for the provision of Irish-medium vocational education and training in place for the academic year 2002-03.

Will the funding allocated to the Irish language body be used to develop such courses, or will he be drawing on the limited funds of his Department? How will he ensure that equality requirements are met and that English speakers will not be discriminated against by the potential reduction in courses that could be of service to them, and by the provision of courses that they will not be entitled to be educated through because they would not be able to understand them?

I am sure that the Member appreciates that my Department, together with all Departments in our Administration, is statutorily, and morally, bound to observe all the equality requirements and to conform to the equality schemes that we have published. To do anything therefore that would result in discrimination would be totally contrary to those obligations, and we would find ourselves in very hot water. I assure the Member that there will be no initiatives taken that will have that effect. Our obligation is to address the requirements relating to equality and parity of esteem contained in the Good Friday Agreement.

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Social Development

1.

asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the action he has taken as a consequence of the Assembly's resolution, on 16 January 2001, for greater provision to be made for people presenting themselves as homeless.

(AQO 187/01)

The Housing Executive is undertaking a review of its homelessness strategy. The review was launched on 24 September, and it will give everyone the opportunity to comment on what must be done and to identify any shortcomings, thus informing decisions on the degree of any increased provision that may be necessary.

I thank the Minister for his reply and join with him in welcoming the document 'Homeless Strategy and Services Review'. It is a considerable contribution to the debate on homelessness, but it is an expensive option. We must look at the issue realistically if we are to tackle it realistically. Since the debate, the homeless figures have increased by 20%. Therefore we must act quickly.

According to the press release, the cost of the programme is estimated at £30 million over the next five years. Some of that can be met by internal redistribution, but, nevertheless, it will be a major commitment. Can the Minister give the House a commitment that he will find the necessary additional funding? Too often in the past the Housing Executive has been asked to do things without any additional funding. I ask the Minister for a commitment today.

Will the Member ask the question?

I have done so. I asked him for a commitment today to support the homeless strategy through a funding requirement.

I reassure the House that I will continue to make bids to tackle homelessness. However, we will be much better informed when we get the report; we will know the exact position. As the Member said, there is a problem and we are aware of it, but we want to go forward in an educated and constructive manner and tackle the difficulty to the best of our ability.

2.

asked the Minister for Social Development to detail his plans to (a) increase the quantity of housing stock available for Protestants; and (b) upgrade current housing stock, given that social deprivation is a cross-community problem.

(AQO 158/01)

The Housing Executive, as the comprehensive housing authority, is responsible for assessing housing need. It has an excellent reputation for impartiality and fairness, both in developing programmes to meet identified need and in the allocation of individual properties. All social housing provided through public sector funding is programmed and allocated on housing need, regardless of religion. In addition, both the Housing Executive and registered housing associations regularly upgrade their stock in line with their respective cyclical maintenance programmes.

What action is the Minister taking to ensure that Unionist communities become more socially active and more aware of their social rights? How has he been encouraging them in this regard?

My Department and the Housing Executive, which has ultimate responsibility for housing, take particular care to ensure that no community is excluded. When I became Minister, I asserted that a good home is not a privilege; it is a basic human right. I intend, as long as I am here, to ensure to the best of my ability that everyone who is entitled to housing gets it, irrespective of where they come from. That applies to both communities. I am concerned about people who have been on a waiting list for a long time or who live in sub-standard housing. My Department and the Housing Executive are working to eradicate that. I assure the Member that we do not take that lightly.

I welcome the Minister's comments. He will note that paragraph 3(22) of the report referred to by Mr ONeill shows that twice as many Catholics as Protestants present themselves as homeless. It is stated in paragraph 3(45) that specific areas have been identified in which Catholic households must wait much longer than average in temporary accommodation. Paragraph 3(54) deals with those with disabilities. Will the Minister consider those points, especially that relating to provision for those with disabilities, who must wait twice as long to be rehoused?

I had difficulty in hearing the whole question. If I have not done, perhaps the Member will take me through any point that I miss.

I assure the Member and the House that the report will flag up all the issues. I assure the Member that we will take very seriously and give full consideration to provision for those with a disability. If that is not a full answer, I will look at Hansard, and I will respond to the Member in more detail.

Can the Minister - [Interruption]

To all other Members who want to speak on this subject: I will not call anyone after Mr Shannon, because those who have already put down a question should have priority.

With regard to the Minister's responses to both Members, can he say how many new-build houses are planned for each council area and how many are planned for renovation?

I cannot give the Member an answer for each council area. I can give him details about this year's plans.

There are 14,000 new dwellings planned for the current year. About 20% of them will be for special needs. For each of the next two years 1,200 are planned; these figures will be reviewed each year, taking into account the circumstances prevailing then. With regard to the upgrading of homes, it is hoped that 27,000 dwellings will be included as part of the maintenance and improvement scheme. In addition, grant aid will be given to 9,000 homes in the private sector. If that information is available for individual council areas I will ensure that the Member gets it.

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