8.

asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether there is a transition "cushion" for Invest Northern Ireland (INI) or will it be expected to produce results immediately on its creation.

(AQO 700/01)

I assure Members that there will be no transitional "cushion" for Invest Northern Ireland when it becomes operational on 1 April 2002. Much time and effort has been devoted to ensuring that Invest Northern Ireland hits the ground running and that no time is lost in building on the success of existing agencies.

What progress has been made on the establishment of Invest Northern Ireland?

The House passed the Final Stage of the Industrial Development Bill a fortnight ago, and the Bill will now be given Royal Assent. The legislative framework is nearly in place. I intend that Invest Northern Ireland should take effect from 1 April 2002. Much work has been done, and it has been a mammoth task. However, along with the team that has been put together, I intend to complete the make-up of the body's board by the end of March. As Members know, I have appealed for further applications for membership of that board, and applications from women are particularly welcome. The closing date for applications is 31 January. The process of assessment will continue, and the new applications will be considered alongside those that have already been lodged.

A good deal of work has already been done, and I record my appreciation of the restructuring branch of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and of the co-operation of the boards of the existing agencies and the trade unions who have been working with us throughout the process. I hope that it will be possible to have a fully effective and operational body by 1 April 2002.

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Will the new investment body be in a better position to help small businesses? In the past, the IDB was less able to do so because of the size of businesses, especially in rural areas.

The Member can be assured that small businesses are the backbone of Northern Ireland's business economy. Without the growth that those companies provide, it would not be possible to sustain a significant economy. The Member will know that, as the profile of small businesses is higher in his constituency than in other counties. As part of the corporate plan that will be prepared for the new body and which must be agreed by my Department in conjunction with the board of Invest Northern Ireland, we will ensure that the welfare of small businesses is at the top of the list. The birth rate of our small businesses is lower than the United Kingdom average - although the survival rate after three years is higher than in any other region of the UK - and we have a long way to go to catch up on the creation of those new companies. However, I intend to ensure that the interests of small businesses are effectively reflected in the corporate plan of the new organisation.

10.

asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what progress has been made by the Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU) since undertaking an examination of Northern Ireland's competitiveness as a knowledge-based economy on our telecoms infrastructure.

(AQO 665/01)

My Department has been developing a range of measures to raise awareness of the benefits of broadband services to business, and to stimulate demand for, and facilitate access to, those services - particularly in rural areas. The measures include a programme of support for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that will facilitate access to broadband via satellite, which I announced on 15 January.

What specific actions is the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment taking to stimulate competitiveness in the telecoms market?

The Industrial Research and Technology Unit's e-solution centre demonstrates the various broadband technologies to businesses, and also provides impartial advice and guidance on the costs and quality of services associated with those technologies. An outreach marketing strategy is being developed, and it will be launched in February to take expertise to rural areas and to stimulate demand for broadband services. I receive a continual flow of written questions on this, as many Members, particularly those in rural areas, are concerned that their constituents will be disadvantaged through lack of access to physical, hardwired broadband services. We are looking at alternatives such as wireless and satellite, and I believe that the technology needed to provide those services exists. Indeed, we will stimulate companies to undertake that through a programme to encourage small- and medium-sized enterprises to take up satellite services. Support is available, in the form of up to 50% of set-up costs for first-year running costs, to a maximum of £1,500. That brings the cost of satellite broadband to a level comparable with the current costs of the hardwired asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), as charges are currently higher for satellite than for ADSL. Northern Ireland is the first region of the UK to implement that kind of initiative, and it will have the opportunity to stimulate demand for the use of satellite services and create a level playing field, particularly for people in rural areas.

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11.

asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what plans he has for the Mackies International site situated on the Springfield Road, Belfast; and to make a statement.

(AQO 664/01)

The vision for the former Mackies complex is that of a high-quality business park, which can be easily accessed by all sections of the community, and which provides much-needed jobs for local people. That will be realised through the retention and remodelling of some of the existing buildings and the provision of new purpose-built facilities to attract an appropriate mix of industrial and knowledge-based projects to the park.

Will the Minister's plans for access to the Mackie's site via the Springfield road have any impact on people in the Greater Shankill area?

When my Department bought the complex from the receiver of Mackies in February 2001, I was particularly enthusiastic about the project because it facilitates access to the site for all sections of the community. Access can be gained via Workman Avenue and the Springfield Road, and that should ensure that people from the Greater Shankill area have access without any fear of intimidation, and that likewise, people from other parts of West Belfast will have access via the Springfield Road.

This was one of the unique features of the site and one of the reasons why I am optimistic that it is going to be possible to develop that site to the benefit of everybody who lives in the greater Shankill area, as well as the greater west Belfast area.

When international bodies close down their operations, and bearing in mind the considerable local investment in those operations, does the Minister have any influence on the future use of such sites?

That depends on who owns the site at the time of closure. In this case, the company owned the site, and the IDB subsequently acquired the site on behalf of the state. Sometimes a company could be operating on an IDB site or occupying an IDB factory, although there are fewer of those around now than there used to be - most have been sold off. It really depends on the circumstances at the time. It may well be that it is a matter entirely for the private sector, and it is sold on the open market. It depends on whether the IDB is entitled to receive any money back on behalf of the taxpayer through clawback - for example, the plant, land, or factory building might be security for loans from the IDB. However, this must be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes we have influence, sometimes we have control, and sometimes we have none - it depends entirely on the case. If the Member has a particular one in mind, she can certainly bring it to my attention.

12.

asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail any negotiations officials have had with United Distillers and Vintners (UDV) to locate a facility in Mallusk.

(AQO 675/01)

I welcome the company's statement on 15 January of its intention to build a plant on a greenfield site in Belfast, and the IDB is in discussions with the company about the project. However, these discussions are still confidential, and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

I accept that the negotiations are confidential. I am hopeful that the greenfield site, which has been spoken about publicly, may be in my constituency. If that turns out to be the case, does the Minister agree that there should be further negotiations with the firm concerned aimed at ensuring that Northern Ireland suppliers will be afforded the opportunity to provide the raw materials required by this firm?

I know that the Member has asked the question from an altruistic point of view, with the whole of Northern Ireland in mind, and that the benefits to the whole of Northern Ireland are his primary concern. I cannot go into the detail, as I indicated earlier, but the question of local suppliers was one of the factors that influenced the negotiations. I would be optimistic that local companies could provide a significant amount of raw material to the investor. This is an extremely prestigious investment, which was won against stiff competition. It has the potential to create 93 high-quality jobs somewhere in Northern Ireland, and I am sure the hon Member will wish it well wherever it goes.

13.

asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what assessment he has made in relation to the failure to introduce the proposed loughlink ferry service for Belfast Lough.

(AQO 670/01)

A number of factors contributed to the failure of this project, ranging from a delay in the delivery of the vessels to the failure to secure an operating licence. Despite investigation by my Department, it is regrettable that the project was unable to secure the additional funding required to take the project forward. It is also regrettable that what would have been a new business proposal for Northern Ireland will not proceed owing to the commercial difficulties experienced by the promoters of the project.

Will the Minister indicate the cost to the taxpayer of grant payments or resources made available to the Loughlink Ferry Service, during what was supposed to be the start-up period?

Resources were offered to the company to assist in obtaining consultancy services. The company was offered the maximum amount available under the home start programme - because that was deemed to be a local service - but did not claim any grant money.

14.

asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an update on the power station and gas project to the north-west.

(AQO 696/01)

OFREG has published proposals to grant a gas conveyance licence to Bord Gáis, and the closing date for representations and objections was 25 January 2002. The power station project is on schedule to achieve its completion date.

Can we be updated regularly on the matter, because it is critical to economic development in the north-west?

I assure the Member that it is inconceivable that after all of her questions and those of her Colleagues, and after the interest that they have shown in the matter, it will pass by default.

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15.

asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to AQW 581/01, to detail the progress achieved in identifying appropriate and affordable technology opportunities, in particular broadband services, west of the Bann.

(AQO 707/01)

I recently announced a programme of support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which enables rural, non-asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) areas gain access to broadband services. That included areas west of the Bann. My Department has also secured £1·5 million from the Department of Trade and Industry in London for a range of innovative schemes and pilot actions with the aim of extending broadband networks to a wider range of customers than those who appear commercially viable.

I represent the rural constituency of West Tyrone. It is very important to that area and especially to my home town of Strabane that the proper IT infrastructure is in place to enable us to attract inward investment.

The Minister will have to respond to the Member's supplementary question in writing, since the time for questions is up.

Employment and learning

Question 8, in the name of Mr Hilditch, has been transferred to the Minister of Education and will receive a written answer.

On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

I do not normally take points of order during questions to the Minister. I am somewhat at a loss to know what possible point of order there could be on such a question, since the question of transfers is a matter for the Executive. The Member may simply be unaware of the proper procedures, and he may wish to clarify that. I shall happily take his point of order at the end.

Question 8 has been withdrawn, not transferred, so it is misinformation to the House.

I am grateful to the Member for indicating that - that was the information that I have before me in writing. Question 6, in the name of Mr McGrady, question 10, in the name of Mr R Hutchinson, question 14, in the name of Mr Byrne and question 15, in the name of Mr McElduff, have been withdrawn and will receive written answers.

1.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many university or training places are available for adults with learning disabilities.

(AQO 682/01)

As it is my first Question Time, I wish to assure the Member of my commitment, during my term as Minister for Employment and Learning, to do all that I can to improve opportunities for people with learning disabilities to access the full range of training and learning.

My Department funds a wide range of education and training provision that is available to people with learning disabilities. Applications to universities and further education colleges from people with disabilities are assessed according to the same entry criteria that apply to all students. My Department's training programmes are open to people with learning disabilities, and my Department supports several organisations that provide training specifically for people with learning disabilities. The Department provides a range of practical and financial help through its disablement advisory service.

Go raibh maith agat. First and foremost, I wish to congratulate the Minister on her new post. Undoubtedly, she will carry out her work with the dignity and respect that it deserves.

Has everyone with a learning disability been given equal rights to choice, opportunity and respect, with the support that they need in university and in places of training? Does the Minister agree that they should not have to depend on charity or handouts to take their places in society, whether they are young or old, and whatever the nature and severity of their disability?

I agree with the Member. Between 1997 and 2002, my Department has committed approximately £480,000 of funding to encourage high-quality provision for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. There is also a widening access premium for students with disabilities. That funding amounted to £202,000 for 2001-02. It is determined by the proportion of students that each university recruits who are in receipt of disabled students' allowance.

Under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, universities and further education colleges have a responsibility to promote equality of opportunity for all who are disabled. Does the Minister agree that it will be difficult to test how far that laudable goal is being achieved, given the lack of statistics on the size of the disabled population?

I agree that that is difficult without the statistics, but people with a learning disability are not obliged to state it. Therefore, collecting statistics can be difficult.

Mr Alex Maskey is not in his place for question 2, but I have been advised that the reason for his absence is a serious family illness. It is only right that the House knows that. Mr John Fee is also not in his place for question 3, and I have had no message in that regard.

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4.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the bids made by her Department in the December monitoring round.

(AQO 693/01)

My Department made five bids in the December monitoring round: £1·5 million to meet pressures from individual learning accounts; £1 million for additional grant aid to Lisburn Institute of Further and Higher Education; £632,000 for further education capital costs; £660,000 in respect of training centre receipts no longer receivable by the Department; and £300,000 to meet increases in stipends to post-graduate students.

I welcome the Minister to her first Question Time. I congratulate her on her appointment, especially as she is the third woman in Government. I wish her well in her role. Can the Minister outline how the underspend has arisen?

I thank the Member for her good wishes. I welcome the opportunity to clarify the matter because there has been some disinformation circulating about that. The net surrender for one year of my Department's resource budget is £21·2 million. That net figure is the difference between the gross amount surrendered of £40·3 million and net allocation to bids met by my Department of £19·1 million.

As Members will be aware, monitoring rounds are held four times a year when all Departments - and I stress that this applies to all Departments - are asked to identify areas in which they expect to spend less than was provided for, to surrender those amounts and to submit bids for additional expenditure where there is need. No Department is permitted to reallocate within its own budget. The monitoring rounds are a useful way to ensure that the money voted by the Assembly is maximised and can be reallocated to meet emerging priorities, as decided by the Executive. I stress that it is not wasted money. It is an intrical part of our budgeting process.

Mr Sammy Wilson is not in his place for question 5.

7.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline the timetable for the process of awarding funding under the building sustainable prosperity programme.

(AQO 684/01)

The Department is responsible for administering the employment priorities of the programme for building sustainable prosperity. In November, the Department issued calls for project applications for several measures in the priority. Those applications will be appraised this month and next, and it is expected that selection panels will meet in the second half of February. The intention is that all projects which are successful under those measures will receive offers of funding in March.

The Department made a call for the remaining measure on 17 January, with applications due by 1 March. It is intended that offers of funding under that measure will be issued to successful projects in April.

Will the Minister say how much money is available under that programme and who can apply for it?

A total of £21 million will be available for projects in the next two years. There will then be a further call for applications in respect of a similar amount. The call for applications and the availability of funding are good news for the many groups who have been waiting for this opportunity. A wide range of organisations may apply, including voluntary, community, and education and training organisations. The only exclusions under the European social fund regulations are individuals, sole traders and organisations that are not legally constituted.

9.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to provide an update on the work of the task force on employability and long-term unemployment.

(AQO 698/01)

The task force has completed the engagement process and is now involved in ongoing bilateral meetings with relevant Government Departments to consider and analyse the main issues arising from the process. The results will be drawn together to form the first draft of the action plan.

I thank the Minister for her answer. I welcome her to her new position, which I know she will carry out with distinction. Will the Minister outline some of the issues that have emerged from the engagement process?

I thank the Member for his good wishes. A few broad themes have already emerged from replies to the discussion document and engagement meetings. Those include the benefit system, specifically the benefits trap and the fear of moving from benefit to employment, the availability and affordability of childcare provision and transport, to name but a few. Those concerns, along with others, are being pursued with the relevant Departments through the bilateral meetings.

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Research and Development
(Discussions with Universities)

11.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what discussions she has had with universities on research and development.

(AQO 691/01)

The Northern Ireland Economic Council's (NIEC) report highlights the particular significance of university research to economic development here. In the light of that, the Executive recommended the development of commercially-focused and co-ordinated research and development, and an innovative strategy for Northern Ireland to drive on the knowledge-based momentum.

I have partly answered the question. I am ahead of myself here. No doubt the Member for South Belfast will know.

There is no harm in a new Minister's being ahead of herself. Keeping up the momentum subsequently is not the same thing.

I congratulate the Minister and encourage her to stay ahead of herself.

Does the Minister agree that university research plays a vital role in the development of Northern Ireland on the back of that? However, may I ask that the enthusiasm that she mentioned earlier be reinforced in the future?

I agree with the Member that research is an integral part of our universities. Indeed, it is essential. It has been highlighted by the NIEC, and it has also been highlighted by the Member for South Belfast on many occasions.

12.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to give her assessment of the adequacy of available statistics on the uptake of further and higher education services under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

(AQO 687/01)

The Department and the institutes of further and higher education have made significant progress on the collection of data in relation to section 75 since becoming designated under the terms of the legislation. For a comprehensive analysis, I refer the Member to data that has already been sent to him, which amount to several pages and would not be appropriate to repeat.

I thank the Minister for her reply and welcome her to her new post. I refer the Minister to her Department's publication, the 'Labour Market Bulletin', of November 2001. On page 155, various researchers in the Training and Employment Agency point out that there is a lack of sufficient data on the number of persons eligible for both further and higher education in respect of many categories of section 75, notably by sex, religion and disablement. Does the Minister not recognise that her Department asks a lot of colleges and universities to monitor the equality-of-opportunity impact of their policies when the data hardly exist for them to do so at present?

I agree with the Member. It can be difficult to collect the data, especially when people are not obliged to give the information. That is part of the problem.

13.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the colleges of further education that have exceeded their budgets and what steps she intends to take to rectify the matter.

(AQO 679/01)

Castlereagh College, the Lisburn Institute, the North East Institute, the North West Institute and Omagh College reported an operating deficit in the 2000-01 financial year. The Department requires colleges that have an operating deficit and a worsening financial situation to develop financial recovery plans.

I add my congratulations to the Minister on her appointment. What action has been taken in respect of the colleges that she has mentioned?

Castlereagh College, the Lisburn Institute and Omagh College have developed financial recovery plans. The North East Institute is in the process of developing a financial recovery plan. Through monitoring, my Department has learnt that the North West Institute has gone from two years of an operating surplus to an operating deficit. My Department has appointed consultants to establish, first, why the deficit has occurred and is of such significance and, secondly, why the full extent of the deficit became clear only in the final financial year monitoring returns.

Mr McFarland is not in his place for question 16.

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17.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if the initial key objectives of the new educational campus at Springvale are included in the current draft academic plan; and to make a statement.

(AQO 708/01)

The second draft of the academic plan is being developed by the two institutions in support of the initial objectives for the campus and will be available for consultation shortly. The responses from the community to the first draft of the plan provided valuable community perspectives, and those have been analysed and included in the second draft.

I thank the Minister for her reply and welcome her to Question Time. Will she reassure the Assembly that the initial objectives for community education have not been watered down and that the draft academic plan will include adequate provision for the Irish language?

The objectives and the plan will not be watered down in any way, and the main purpose of the Springvale campus - that the curriculum must meet the needs of local people by improving their quality of life and by making people more employable - will most certainly be implemented.

I also add my congratulations to the Minister on her elevation, and remind her that, from the corridor that we once shared, several other Members have been elevated in a variety of degrees - the noble Lord Kilclooney, Mr Dermot Nesbitt and, most recently, Mr Mark Durkan.

The Springfield campus will operate in an area where, traditionally, there has been limited progression from school to either further or higher education. The Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister recently commissioned research on the subject of such non-progression, which seems especially marked among Protestant, working-class males. Will the Minister's Department respond to such research findings, and, if so, how?

I assure the Member that we shall certainly respond to those findings.

I was rather wondering if the supplementary reference to Members who have been elevated was less for the attention of the Minister and more for the attention of someone else who may be able to change those circumstances - [Laughter].

18.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what progress has been made in reviewing the provision of support to adult learners following the withdrawal of the individual learning accounts scheme.

(AQO 695/01)

The review of the national individual learning accounts (ILA) scheme, as it has operated in Northern Ireland, is under way. I hope to announce replacement arrangements as soon as possible. In the meantime, anyone who needs advice on any education or training course, and the support that may be available, should contact the learndirect freefone helpline.

I would like to add my voice of welcome to the Minister - I wish her well in her new post.

Will the review take account of the success of the ILA scheme in attracting to learning those who might not otherwise have undertaken an education or training course?

I thank the Member for her good wishes.

Although there were some problems with the operation of the original ILA scheme, they should not mask the fact that the scheme had many positive effects. My aim is to build on the successful aspects while addressing those issues of concern and to tailor new arrangements more closely to Northern Ireland's learning needs.

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19.

asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations arising from the Dearing Report.

(AQO 663/01)

Good progress has been made in respect of each of the five Northern Ireland recommendations that arose from the Dearing Report, and, in particular, with those concerned with the developing role of higher education institutions in economic development, the provision of additional higher education places and the increased volume and quality of research activities in universities.

I would like to add my congratulations to the Minister on her elevation, which, perhaps unlike previous Members, is not meant as a hint for elevation on my part - I think that fairly unlikely anyway. I wish her good luck.

Will the Minister provide more information on one of the central recommendations with regard to the Northern Ireland aspect of the Dearing Report, which was the expansion of student numbers? How does the Department view the balance between the various options that were outlined in the Dearing Report for routes by which those numbers could be expanded?

Members will be aware that 1,000 new higher education places are coming on-stream. That is from the student support review, which begins in September. However, the provision of any further higher education places will depend on the outcome of the spending review for 2002.

I do not see Mr Armstrong in his place. The Minister remarked earlier that she appeared to be ahead of herself. She is so far ahead of herself and the rest of the Members that none of them is available to ask her any further questions -[Laughter].

Social Development

I wish to advise the House that question 5 in the name of Mr Barry McElduff and question 7 in the name of Mr Mick Murphy have been withdrawn.

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1.

asked the Minister for Social Development to specify the number of applicants currently on the Housing Executive waiting list who were forced to flee their homes following attack or intimidation from terror groups.

(AQO 678/01)

At the end of December 2001 the waiting list included 344 persons accepted as homeless due to intimidation. The information system does not record the source of intimidation.

Can the Minister assure the House that the procedure followed in each district housing area is adequate to meet the seriousness of each applicant's safety and needs? Will he take all steps possible to ensure that displaced families are rehoused without delay? Finally, will the Minister make sure that families who decide not to move are afforded every assistance to make their homes safe from the thugs who are trying to kill them?

All Members of the House will condemn the intimidation of people from their homes, whether they are in social rented accommodation or privately owned homes. The situation is disgraceful and despicable. No one deserves to be intimidated out of his home for any reason.

We have no reason to believe that there is not consistency across the district offices or that different standards are being applied. I would be concerned if that were the case. If the Member has any such examples that he wishes to draw to my attention, perhaps he will write to me. I can assure Mr Dallat, and other Members, that the Housing Executive acts speedily when people are intimidated from their homes. Action is, of course, dependent on a police report.

When families decide not to move in spite of intimidation, that is a matter for them, but the Housing Executive, in various areas of the Province, does take action to secure properties by installing secondary glazing and taking other measures. If someone is intimidated and is under threat, the Housing Executive will allocate him a substantial number of points for transfer.

Will the Minister outline in more detail the steps he can take to help those who have been intimidated from their homes?

The Member will know, because it has been reported in the news recently, that the Housing Executive runs the scheme for the purchase of evacuated dwellings (SPED), which is intended to help home owners. It allows the Housing Executive to buy houses at market value when the Chief Constable issues a certificate confirming that the owner has been intimidated and is in danger. Properties that are purchased under that scheme are then resold on the open market.

Secondly, the acquisition of satisfactory houses scheme (ASH) allows the Housing Executive to purchase houses to meet individually urgent housing needs, which may or may not be a result of intimidation. As I said in answer to the previous question, if people are accepted as having been intimidated out of their homes, the Housing Executive will ensure that they are awarded sufficient points under the common selection scheme to enable them to go to the top of the list for allocation of social housing. There is also the emergency grants scheme, which allows the Housing Executive to pay a small amount of grant aid to help one of its own tenants, someone in social rented accommodation or a home owner to cover the initial expenses associated with the need to move. That grant stands at £199.

2.

asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of properties purchased by the Housing Executive in each council area over the last five years due to the intimidation of tenants.

(AQO 683/01)

During the last five years the Housing Executive purchased 12 properties to facilitate the rehousing of its tenants affected by intimidation. All of these were in Belfast and stemmed from the so-called Shankill feud, which occurred in the summer of 2000.

Ten of the dwellings were acquired in the financial year 2000-01, which involved expenditure of some £560,000, and two dwellings were acquired in the financial year 2001-02, which involved expenditure of some £133,000.

As I said, under the special purchase of evacuated dwellings (SPED) scheme, the Housing Executive also purchases houses from owner-occupiers who have been intimidated from their homes. That information is held neither by constituency nor for the last five years. However, I refer the Member to my written answer to AQW 1071/01 in the Official Report volume 13 No WA6, of 11 January 2002, which gives figures by Housing Executive district office for the 12-month period from 1 December to 30 November in each of the last two years.

We understand that people are often caught up in those unfortunate circumstances as a result of sectarian intimidation, which, unfortunately, appears to be increasing. Is the Minister satisfied that Housing Executive offices in all areas are able to respond speedily and effectively when enquiries come from people who are caught up in such circumstances?

The Housing Executive must respond speedily in such situations. When such situations arise, people are in desperate circumstances. Sometimes there is a slight delay in dealing with them if, for example, there is a delay in getting the necessary report from the police. In addition to receiving the police report, the Housing Executive will make enquiries, because it must be satisfied that the criteria for homelessness due to intimidation are met. If the Member is concerned about specific examples and wishes to draw my attention to them, I will be happy to receive the information and have them investigated.

I refer again to my written answer to Assembly question 1071/01, cases where houses have been purchased by the Housing Executive under SPED are fairly well spread throughout the province. Districts such as Belfast 6, Carrickfergus and Belfast 5 have more purchases under SPED. However, in virtually every district there are examples of the Housing Executive's having to purchase houses under the SPED scheme.

How much of the Minister's departmental budget will be spent on SPED this year?

Unfortunately, far more money must be spent on the SPED scheme than any Member would wish. However, the scheme is led by demand. It must be remembered that the houses that are purchased under that scheme will eventually be re-sold on the open market. Therefore, the Department is able to recoup much of the money. In the current financial year, to the end of December 2001, 88 houses have been bought by the Housing Executive under the SPED scheme and subsequently sold on the open market at a cost of around £7·5 million. It is expected that that amount could rise to £11·5 million by the end of the financial year.

Northern Ireland has the highest rate of homelessness in the UK, with 12,600 cases in the last year, 254 of which came from north Belfast. Can the Minister advise us how social problems - such as lack of social harmony and poor community relations - might be improved in the community in general, and north Belfast in particular?

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