4.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what proportion of staff salaries in each of the further and higher education colleges is paid to senior staff and accountants with no direct subject area of responsibility.

(AQO 475/01)

Based on information provided by colleges for the 2000-01 financial year, the average proportion of salaries paid to senior staff and accountants with no direct subject area of responsibility amounted to some 5% of total salary expenditure.

Can the Minister institute a survey to examine what many consider to be the detrimental effects of incorporation on further education colleges? The drift has been towards functional management - as is found in industry - rather than towards proper education-driven management of academic programme areas. Functional management has a tendency to undermine proper educational decision making and quality delivery in favour of domination by accountants.

I assure the Member that my Department continually monitors all its areas of responsibility, including the further education sector, to ensure that they deliver on their mission statements and that those statements meet the overall educational aims, training aims and objectives of our society, especially those set down in the Programme for Government. The Member's question contains many value judgements that would have to be supported by strong evidence before they could be accepted both as an indication of certain trends in expenditure or in the manner in which administrative functions are being delivered. Administrations are there to serve the needs of our institutions. Some level of expenditure must be directed towards them - an overall average of 5% could not be considered excessive in anyone's book. Of course, in individual colleges, there may be balances that should be subject to scrutiny and questioning.

5.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if he has any plans to review the composition and role of the boards of governors of FE colleges.

(AQO 467/01)

I am currently reconstituting governing bodies for the further education colleges, and I shall undertake a review of the composition and role of the governing bodies in line with the next intended reconstitution in 2006.

Does the Minister agree that educational establishments such as further education colleges play an important role as one of the main exemplars of successful integrated education and, to that end, should have a strong local democratic element in their boards of governors, possibly in the wake of pending local government reforms?

Under current legislation - the Further Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 - at least half of the membership of governing bodies comprises individuals from the business and professional communities. Other members include the principal of the college, staff and student representatives and up to two nominees of the local education and library board. The governing body can co-opt up to two other individuals. That spread of representation shows that the governing bodies are intended to reflect many of the general and specific interests that the courses they provide are intended to serve. The Member's point that note should be taken of any review of public administration will be considered when that review is under way.

6.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline the progress to date in respect of the review of the Labour Relations Agency.

(AQO 466/01)

Consultants have been appointed, and the review commenced on 1 October. A wide range of organisations and groups has been consulted, and their responses are being analysed. The consultants have carried out extensive interviews with the principal stakeholders, and they are on target to present their report by 31 December.

What does the Minister feel will be the impact on the review of the recent Department of Trade and Industry consultation on industrial tribunals and the associated Employment Bill, which is going through Westminster at present? Both seem to give a much expanded role to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), which is the Labour Relations Agency equivalent in Great Britain.

It would be inappropriate for a Minister to offer comment of the kind that the Member is inviting during a consultation exercise. The Member will be aware that we have a substantial body of employment legislation that is particular to Northern Ireland. Obviously, we shall consider any recommendations that would suggest alterations, changes or developments and additions to that legislation in the light of developments across the water, especially in the light of the responses we receive locally to our own consultation exercise.

8.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (a) those further education colleges that have experienced financial difficulties following the transfer of responsibility from the Department of Education to his Department and (b) what action has been taken to alleviate the situation.

(AQO 474/01)

In the colleges' financial year August 1999 to July 2000, during which the transfer of responsibilities took place, Castlereagh College of Further and Higher Education and Lisburn Institute of Further and Higher Education experienced financial difficulties. In both cases, the Department engaged directly with the senior management of the college and the chairperson of the governing body, and the college was required to submit a detailed analysis of the causes of its difficulties and the action being taken to deal with the situation. We also required both colleges to develop and implement a formal financial recovery plan and helped to provide financial expertise to support the colleges to develop a recovery plan.

Is the Minister convinced that, in every case, the boards of governors adequately discharged their responsibilities to scrutinise the financial arrangement in their college?

I wish to indicate that the Department monitors the financial circumstances of colleges each quarter. From the data supplied, the Department takes prompt action when there is a need to do so. The Member's question invites me to pass judgement on the colleges' management, but it would be more appropriate for me to indicate the action that we take when difficulties arise. Difficulties can arise for a variety of reasons, and it is important that the Department investigates and supports colleges when they do.

In my initial response, I indicated the general nature of the action we take to provide that kind of support to enable our colleges to function and carry out their mission appropriately - complying with the general financial requirements as set down.

Can the Minister tell us whether there has been continual monitoring of the two colleges that he mentioned were in deficit? Can he also tell us the level of the current deficit and when it is envisaged by the two colleges that they will no longer be in deficit?

I am not in a position to give the details of deficit levels that the Member requests, but I shall endeavour to provide that information. With regard to the two colleges - one of which is in the Member's constituency - the action that has been taken requires the Department to maintain regular and close contact with any college that experiences financial difficulties. I assure the Member and the House that my Department is actively involved with the colleges that I named in my initial response.

9.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of people engaged on the employment support programme at the time it was suspended in June 2000; and to make a statement.

(AQO 455/01)

The employment support programme was never suspended. A moratorium on new applications for places was introduced in October 2000. At that time, 793 people were employed under the programme, and there was a substantial waiting list. The Executive approved funding for 50 additional places from 2001-02 to increase the number of places to 850. As a result, the waiting list has been cleared, and new applications are once again being accepted.

The Minister advised me in writing about the 50 additional places. However, I am aware of last year's substantial waiting list for places on employment support programmes, and I am pleased that that backlog has been cleared. According to my experiences in my constituency, many people would like to enter the employment support programme. How is that measured in relation to real need, and is there a possibility of meeting that need?

I am pleased to tell the Member and the House that the waiting list has been cleared as a result of the additional 50 places and normal turnover in the programme. New applications have been accepted again since October, and people with learning disabilities will be able to gain places on the programme.

The Executive approved funding for 50 additional places from this year. There are many competing demands on the Department's funds, and additional funds had to be sought to cover the increasing costs of maintaining those on employment support in the future. The available funds will not allow a significant expansion of the scheme, but it is important to note that applications are being accepted. I trust that the people in the Member's constituency, about whom he is concerned, are applying for places on the programme.

10.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how he is assisting the East Antrim Institute of Further and Higher Education to develop an accessible further education campus on the site of the former Larne Technical College.

(AQO 488/01)

The development of provision at Larne is a matter for the governing body of the East Antrim Institute. My officials have offered advice when it has been required. My Department also made a payment of £359,000 in December 2000 in connection with the closure and demolition costs of the previous, now derelict, campus.

Does the Minister acknowledge that the current temporary setting of the Larne further education campus away from the centre of Larne creates access difficulties and that East Antrim is one of the few constituencies without a permanent further education campus? It is also one of the few constituencies that currently do not have a learndirect centre, and none of the seven educational guidance services for adults is centred in the borough.

Given that background and the renewed commitment in the Programme for Government to providing everyone with the opportunity for lifelong learning, can the Minister assure me that the resources of his Department - and of other Departments, if necessary - will be used to assist in the sale of the existing campus? That money could then be used to provide the modern campus that is necessary.

Larne has sustained the highest increase in unemployment. Is that increase related to the fact that there is insufficient further education provision in the borough?

We have been over this ground if not at every Question Time, then at every other Question Time. The Department has offered the assistance that I mentioned in my initial response. Formal approval has been given for the sale of the site in question, and there are several complex sale options to be considered by the commercial estate agent to ensure that we achieve best value for money for the institute.

It is my Department's responsibility to ensure that everyone in Larne who seeks training or further and higher education can find it. The work of the East Antrim Institute of Further and Higher Education demonstrates that it provides a range of courses that attract many people from the borough of Larne. Further education institutions elsewhere, such as the North East Institute of Further and Higher Education in Ballymena and the university campus at Jordanstown, are also within immediate reach. We are anxious to ensure that, when the site has been sold, provision will be made in accordance with the needs of the area.

11.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what further steps is he taking to ensure that colleges encourage talented students to continue their careers within Northern Ireland.

(AQO 489/01)

My Department is carrying out a review of careers education and guidance, under the chairmanship of Prof Sean Fulton. The review will make recommendations designed to enhance the system of careers guidance and will specifically consider, among other issues, the structure and nature of careers guidance in the further education sector.

Will the Minister consider launching and funding awards for young inventors and young entrepreneurs to encourage lateral thinking in our educational institutions? We must do more to encourage the development of the necessary qualities in our young people.

A range of such awards is available. If there are gaps for awards that would more effectively meet the needs that the Member has identified, we would be only too pleased to assist. I attend award ceremonies regularly, and they suggest to me that young people - indeed, people of all ages and from many different backgrounds - are being encouraged to be more entrepreneurial and inventive. Many opportunities are provided for people to display their talents in both respects. However, if gaps are identified, we shall consider how to fill them.

12.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of responses received as a result of the consultation document issued by the task force on employability and long-term unemployment.

(AQO 463/01)

The task force on employability and long-term unemployment has met on six occasions and has circulated 2,100 discussion documents. A total of 65 written responses have been returned. We have completed a series of 30 engagement meetings with a wide range of organisations, and bilaterals with all the other Departments. The task force is considering the information gathered with a view to preparing an action plan by 31 March 2002.

I am delighted by that response. Can the Minister assure the House that the views of those who are socially excluded are represented on the task force? Are there any particular views emerging from the consultation process at this early stage?

I assure the Member, and the House, that the views of those who are socially excluded are at the heart of what the task force stands for. We have met with various organisations, including the Organisation of the Unemployed (NI) and the Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre, and have consulted widely with community organisations, voluntary groups, trade unions and employers.

I shall have an early opportunity to meet people who are long-term unemployed through the auspices of the Organisation of the Unemployed (NI). A wide range of views will be available to us. Key issues are emerging, and they may not come as a great surprise. The benefits trap, urban and rural transport, training and the development of the social economy are some of the issues and aspects highlighted by the task force's work. I hope to announce practical recommendations by the date stated.

13.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to give the percentage of higher education students who are currently studying for a PhD.

(AQO 468/01)

During the 2000-01 academic year, 3·3% of students who were enrolled at Northern Ireland higher education institutions were studying for a PhD.

The figure quoted is in stark contrast with that of other European countries. The figure for Austria and Switzerland is 9·9%, Finland, 8·1%, Sweden, 6·2%, the Czech Republic, 5·9%, and France, 5·5%. What is the Department doing to redress the situation?

The Department and its higher education advisory council have been reviewing the provision of financial support for those who are undertaking higher degrees, which includes people who are pursuing doctoral programmes. The aim is to identify recommendations that will provide more effective support for students pursuing research programmes. I have made general points to the House on initiatives that have been taken. Members will recall the support programme for university research (SPUR) initiative announced last year. That initiative was designed to enhance research facilities in particular areas of university work. I have expressed concern to ensure that we have a more effective research constituency available to us, and the key to that is to have students who are prepared to pursue research programmes such as doctoral courses.

The results of that review will be made known in the near future.

14.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what steps he is taking to increase financial aid for college students.

(AQO 479/01)

Following my review of student support, I announced a £65 million package of proposals. Over the next three years this additional funding will help students from lower-income families to enter higher and further education. More financial help will be directed towards students most in need.

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Social Development

1.

asked the Minister for Social Development if he has any plans for the regeneration of Dungannon's west end.

(AQO 481/01)

As the Member is aware, the Department for Social Development has already been involved in two substantial projects in Dungannon West. In 1996, under the community economic regeneration scheme, the Department co-funded with the International Fund for Ireland a business complex at Ballysaggart costing £700,000. In 1998, under the special support programme for peace and reconciliation, the Department supported the provision of nursery school and community facilities at Ballygawley Road at a cost of approximately £200,000.

There are no specific plans for the future regeneration of Dungannon's west end. However, my officials have encouraged Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council to prepare such plans. I understand that a regeneration strategy for Dungannon, including the area known as Dungannon West, has been drawn up by consultants employed by the Dungannon regeneration partnership. This group, which is supported by the council, has just received the final draft report from the consultants. When the strategy is adopted, my officials will engage with council officials to see what role the Department for Social Development can play in implementing the strategy.

The Minister has made reference to funding thus far. Does he accept that, as in other towns, pockets of severe neglect and deprivation still exist? Does the programme that he has mentioned include measures to improve the immediate environment for residents and restore neglected and abandoned business premises in such areas?

The Department for Social Development awaits the final draft report from the consultants. With regard to specific matters, we will have to sit down with council officials to see what role we can play. Existing regeneration tools include comprehensive redevelopment schemes such as have taken place in Lurgan and environmental improvement schemes such as have taken place in Banbridge. The Member will be aware that a new neighbourhood renewal strategy has been prepared and is being assessed. It is the subject of discussion with other Departments, following considerable consultation. We will look carefully at what is being proposed and talk in detail to the council about those matters once we have seen the final report.

A LeasCheann Comhairle, given the decrease in objective C spending announced today, will the Minister tell the House why surplus funding was not put into such a deprived area as Dungannon West to try to alleviate years of discrimination? He will be aware of the extreme cases of dereliction and deprivation in Dungannon West. They are among the worst in the North. Does he intend to put any real resources into this community?

If the Member had been listening, she would have heard the reply that I gave to Mr Gallagher in which I stated that officials from the Department for Social Development stand ready, when the final report is received, to discuss with council officials the role our Department can play. The Member mentioned discrimination. Coming from the party that she does, she will know all about discrimination against sections of the community in Northern Ireland.

As part of the overall strategy for future urban regeneration in Northern Ireland, the Department has a town centre reinvigoration strategy, which will help to ensure that regeneration of our town centres will be better co-ordinated in future. The Department for Social Development will do what it can, with the resources that it has, to reinvigorate as many town centres and areas of decline as possible. However, we must await the report from the regeneration group, supported by the council. We will then discuss it with officials.

2.

asked the Minister for Social Development what plans the Housing Executive has to promote fair participation in employment opportunities in the light of an internal Housing Executive document that outlines the imbalance in the religious breakdown of Housing Executive staff throughout Northern Ireland.

(AQO 453/01)

Where monitoring shows that the Housing Executive's recruitment processes deliver differential outcomes, it initiates an affirmative action programme that aims to encourage the full participation of the community in securing employment in the organisation. While recent research shows that 62% of the public feel that the recruitment processes are fair, the Housing Executive will shortly undertake public consultation on the results of its review of its appointment and promotion procedures. That will provide an opportunity for people to say where there are obstacles and to suggest possible solutions. I will look carefully at the results of the review and at the action taken by the Housing Executive to address any imbalances in its workforce.

I thank the Minister for his response and for his commitment to monitoring the review. I ask him to keep the matter under review, given the substantial under-representation that exists in the Housing Executive and in other bodies. In the Child Support Agency (CSA), for example, there is an outrageous under-representation of Protestants. Only 30% of the people recruited last year to the CSA were Protestant. It is obvious that there is a major problem in parts of the public sector. I thank the Minister for his commitment to keeping the matter under review, and it is hoped that he will continue to do that.

I assure Mr Campbell that I will keep the matter under review, and I will be looking to the outcome of the review that has been initiated by the Housing Executive. There will be an opportunity for public comment when the review is launched before Christmas for consultation.

Mr Campbell mentioned the situation in the CSA. Under fair employment legislation, the Northern Ireland Civil Service is treated as a single entity. Equality of opportunity and fair participation is assessed by examining the religious composition of the Northern Ireland Civil Service at occupational group and grade level. The composition of individual departments, in respect of community background and gender, will vary for many reasons. However, the profile of the Northern Ireland Civil Service as a whole compares well with the estimated economically active population of Northern Ireland.

Can the Minister give the House a breakdown of the composition of the Department for Social Development? Will he make any changes if one section of the community is under-represented? Does the Minister agree that the Housing Executive has a number of measures in place to overcome the problem of under-representation, and does he agree that the Housing Executive has worked in an unbiased manner over the past 30 years?

I will deal with the Member's last point first and affirm what he said about the action taken by the Housing Executive. The affirmative action programme includes: the extension of external recruitment to cover key recruitment grades; the promotion, through 'Housing News', of careers in the Housing Executive in districts where there is under-representation; and the targeting of career work at schools in areas where under-representation exists. That includes the provision of work experience, presentations on housing-related issues and support for school projects.

The Member asked for a breakdown of the composition of the Department for Social Development. Information on the composition of the core Department, the Social Security Agency and the CSA by community background is set out in the second supplement to the seventh report of the Equal Opportunities Unit, which was published in June 2001. Copies of that report were sent to every Member, and a copy was placed in the Assembly Library. It is also available on the Internet.

The Minister will be aware that following leaked information alleging discrimination in the Housing Executive, Catholic workers employed on Housing Executive sites in Derry were threatened by Loyalist paramilitaries. Is the Minister concerned that selective disclosures of this type may well be putting the livelihood and, indeed, the lives of Housing Executive workers in danger?

Threats against any workers or individuals are to be utterly deplored. However, one cannot say that there is any link between those threats and the publication of information. As I have already stated, this information is widely available in the public domain. The Housing Executive made that clear in response to the issues that were initially raised by Mr Campbell; it is invidious to draw a link. Nevertheless, I reiterate that threats coming from any section of the community towards workers employed by the Housing Executive or anywhere else are to be deplored.

The Member is way off track in trying to link this to something that is already in the public domain. Fair employment, the make-up of the workforce and other pertinent issues have been raised by Members of his party about other organisations and firms in the past.

3.

asked the Minister for Social Development what steps he has taken to eradicate fuel poverty; and to make a statement.

(AQO 456/01)

I have introduced a warm homes scheme that provides a comprehensive package of insulation measures for vulnerable private sector householders in receipt of an income- or disability-based benefit. The programme includes improvements in insulation and heating standards for private householders over 60 years of age on income-based benefits. EAGA Partnership was appointed as scheme manager, and the physical installation of insulation and heating measures began on 1 July 2001.

In partnership with a number of organisations, my Department has been operating fuel poverty pilot schemes in parts of Belfast, Londonderry, Armagh and Dungannon, which suffer severe social and economic deprivation. One such scheme is nearing completion in Beechmount, west Belfast, and similar schemes in Foyle and Willowfield in east Belfast have begun.

In addition to the warm homes scheme, which will contribute to the eradication of fuel poverty, other measures for tackling fuel poverty that the Department for Social Development and the Housing Executive are taking forward include: new build social housing programmes with 1,200 dwellings this year; £42 million in private sector grants allocated this year; the Northern Ireland Housing Executive heating policy, with over 700 new or converted systems this year; and winter fuel payments amounting to £200 annually to pensioners.

I thank the Minister for a fairly comprehensive reply. In a departmental press statement dated 24 October, the Department commented that, statistically, there will be 600 deaths attributable to cold- related illnesses this winter. Can the Minister outline how many of these deaths will be prevented by the new domestic energy efficiency scheme?

Will the Minister also comment on the fact that energy efficiency measures will not assist those on low incomes to purchase oil and winter fuels? Does he envisage any means whereby funding can be provided for those who do not benefit from energy efficiency to enable them to have the fuel to keep warm this winter?

Mr McGrady and many other Members are deeply concerned and share my concern about illness and death as a result of fuel poverty in Northern Ireland. It is a very serious issue. Therefore, although my Department is spending £4·38 million in the first year, with almost £8 million targeted next year for the warm homes scheme, it wants to spend more on this and reach more homes to deal with the issues that the Member has highlighted. I am somewhat disappointed at the refusal of the Department of Finance and Personnel to make this a greater priority. Nevertheless, I will continue to strive carefully and assiduously to get as much money into the warm homes scheme as possible.

I am convinced that the work being carried out this year in 4,000 households, and thereafter in 6,000 households per annum, will make a major contribution to reducing the number of deaths as a result of fuel poverty. That has to be a priority of the Government in Northern Ireland.

Will the Minister acknowledge that fuel poverty results in many tenants being tempted to use any source of flammable material to try to keep warm? As a result, personal safety is compromised and the risk of fire is increased. Will the Minister instigate a policy of installing smoke alarms in all Housing Executive homes, and will he encourage all private landlords to follow suit?

The Member raises an important matter. I agree that some examples of the installation of heating appliances are deplorable and dangerous. That must be addressed. The Member will be aware of the Housing Executive's policy on this, and I encourage private householders, where possible, to install smoke alarms, which can go a long way towards preventing deaths through fire. Perhaps we can pursue the matter in greater detail in future.

Today the local press published figures to show that 2,000 people died last year because of fuel poverty. What is being done to address that issue in the public sector?

Ninety-two per cent of houses owned by the Housing Executive already have central heating or whole house heating. The executive's new heating policy will replace solid fuel and economy 7 heating with natural gas where available, and oil elsewhere, over a 15-year period. All new housing association properties are built to modern insulation and heating standards, with similar standards for major repair schemes.

Question 4 is in the name of Mr O'Connor, but he is not in the Chamber.

5.

asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the development of his policy on houses in multiple occupation.

(AQO 469/01)

The new policy for houses in multiple occupation is aimed at increasing the protection given to tenants in such establishments by ensuring that the accommodation provided is safe and of good quality. It will enable the Housing Executive to introduce a mandatory scheme for registering houses in multiple occupation, and only properties that meet an acceptable standard will be permitted to register. The necessary provisions will be included in the forthcoming housing Bill. In the interim a voluntary registration scheme has been launched which will further enhance the Housing Executive's powers to ensure that houses in multiple occupation meet the necessary standards.

Pressures are heaped on long-standing residents through the continued growth in the number of houses in multiple occupation in parts of Greater Belfast. Is it the Minister's judgement that, with respect to anti-social behaviour, tenancy management standards for houses in multiple occupation licensing have become recommended best practice rather than a precondition for such a licence?

I understand the Member's interest, given the concern in his constituency about the spread of houses in multiple occupation. That is essentially a planning matter and beyond the remit of my Department. From my experience I know some of the issues that have arisen, and there will never be an ideal solution to these problems. The Department has a voluntary scheme that goes some way towards allowing people to see who is registered and decide who is meeting certain standards. The mandatory scheme that will be introduced by the housing Bill, which has been the subject of recent discussion in the House - in which the hon Member took part - will take things forward. The matter that the hon Member raises can be discussed at greater length as the housing Bill makes its way through the House.

What arrangements are in place to allow the Housing Executive to determine whether safety standards are met in houses in multiple occupation? How often does the Housing Executive inspect premises to ensure that those standards are met and that the safety features are in place and working?

The current arrangements allow the Housing Executive to inspect houses in multiple occupation and to specify health and safety improvements. The Housing Executive has set a range of standards for matters such as facilities for the storage, preparation and cooking of food, the number of suitably located water closets, the provision of an adequate number of baths, showers or washbasins, a means of escape from fire and other fire precautions. Student accommodation is exempt from the inspection process because of a legal technicality, but that will be rectified by the proposed housing Bill.

In the past financial year, the Housing Executive carried out over 500 inspections of houses in multiple occupation, which resulted in the issue of 230 notices to improve.

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