2.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will consider match-funding the moneys raised by voluntary organisations for sporting provision.

(AQO 1418/01)

I am aware of the positive contribution of voluntary organisations to the development of sport in Northern Ireland. I would like to be in a position to match the funding that those organisations raise for sporting provision, but resources do not permit that.

The Minister should be the master of his own resources. He should determine his budget in discussion with the Assembly Committee and his Executive Colleagues. Given that he feels this, why did he feel it necessary to interrupt important ministerial business several weeks ago to vote against an Executive Colleague's being able to enjoy the same flexibility to decide on, and be the master of, her budget? He voted for a motion that required the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to match the money raised by friends of hospitals groups. Does the Minister not consider his actions to be hypocritical, given that his voting against his ministerial Colleague was inconsistent with the answer that he just gave?

I will try to respond to that long, convoluted second question.

It was a simple point.

I will respond without prompting, if the Member does not mind.

With regard to matching funding for sport, the Department is already providing up to 70% for capital funding, so the Member is asking it to reduce that from 70% to 50 %. The Department is also funding up to 90% of revenue for sports development. Under the Member's proposal, that would drop to 50%. With regard to Exchequer funding for sports development, we are already providing up to 50%, so funding from voluntary organisations is being matched in many areas.

Perhaps the Minister could answer the question.

I ask the Member to be patient. If he does not shout at me, he will be able to hear me better.

With regard to sports, the data is less precise than would be expected for health and social services, so if the Member is proposing that we should match-fund the money raised by voluntary organisations for sport, he should say what sort of money he is talking about. We estimate that up to £50 million is raised by voluntary organisations, and it is completely beyond the Department's reach to match such amounts. There is a connection between sport and health, but they are two different matters. Mr Murphy would be better to ask questions that relate to my responsibilities.

The Minister kindly supplied me with some information on the sports match-funding that is available in England, and that has distributed some £28 million among 72 different sports. I thank the Minister for his assessment. Has he looked at the possibility of introducing such a scheme?

The funding is constantly under review, but, as Mr Hilditch knows, we are constrained by resources. The money that we give to the Sports Council amounts to £2·4 million, a small amount. It is difficult to consider other initiatives with such a level of funding, but we keep the matter under review. I value the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure's ideas for initiatives.

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3.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what capital and revenue funding will be provided to visitor amenities in Northern Ireland during the current financial year.

(AQO 1449/01)

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure already provides revenue funding to several visitor amenities, such as the Ulster Museum, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, the Ulster American Folk Park, Armagh County Museum and the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium. The funding will amount to just over £12 million for this financial year. At present, no moneys are set aside for capital development or, indeed, to resource the 400 other facilities identified in research work for the local museum and heritage review.

The sums mentioned by the Minister are attributable to museums only. The Minister will be aware of the problems that many visitor centres are experiencing because of the economic climate, especially the tourist trade. Does the Minister agree that those visitor centres should not be considered profit-making enterprises, although they should strive to enhance their income as much as possible? As visitor centres are enduring features of our culture and heritage, would moneys not be better spent on them than on one-off sponsored concerts?

It is difficult for me to see a way to fund all 400 local museum and heritage sites. My Department is looking at how we approach and prioritise support. That is where the current local museum and heritage review comes in. That review is with the Department of the Environment awaiting response, which will allow us to produce the document and an implementation plan. It specifically looks at the 400 local museum and heritage sites. Mr McGrady and other Members will understand that it is impossible for the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to fund all the sites, so large is the network.

The Northern Ireland Events Company provides a different function for concerts and events held on the Stormont estate - it underwrites potential losses. If a concert does not make a loss, the Events Company provides no money. If a concert makes a loss, there is a limit up to which that loss will be underwritten, which is to ensure that the concert takes place. Thus far, the concerts have been successful; they have promoted the image of Northern Ireland in particular, which is important. After 25 years of our unfortunate, chaotic history, we need to try harder to improve our image outside Northern Ireland. Therefore, that is where the Events Company comes in.

Does the Minister agree that we could have an overprovision of amenity centres in Northern Ireland, and that he should show greater caution in approving further centres in view of the experiences we have had at the Navan Centre, the Armagh Planetarium and now at St Patrick's Centre in Downpartick? Will he ensure that future applications have proper marketing machinery in place, so that centres do not increasingly burden our ratepayers?

This Department or, indeed, its predecessor, did not have a role in approving any of those cases. As far as I understand, Down District Council took the lead on decisions on St Patrick's Centre. The Armagh Planetarium has been in operation for some 35 years and is a valuable facility. That is why we are looking at proposals to ensure that the planetarium remains, and at ways in which we can redevelop it. The Navan Centre is the property of trustees in Armagh. As such, it is their responsibility.

I agree with the Member's subtext. We have a proliferation of such facilities, and people who decide to build and develop them should be clear about the revenue consequences. Obtaining the capital is only one aspect - getting the revenue to run the centres from year to year is the hard part. There is a tendency in many proposals to overestimate the visitor count. The Navan Centre visitor count was estimated at around 150,000, yet it never attracted more than 50,000 - therein lies the centre's difficulty.

One of the major visitor amenities in Northern Ireland is Derry's walls, and that is not only when the Apprentice Boys attend their parade in the Maiden City. Will the Minister indicate the capital and revenue funding that the walls will receive this year, so that the figure of 90,000 tourists that visited the venue last year can be increased?

The Derry walls are the responsibility of the Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of the Environment. The Department plays a part in attracting visitors by promoting cultural diversity and through support for the Maiden City Festival, which, through the Apprentice Boys' march, features Derry's walls. The Department plays a part, but the question would have been better put to the Department of the Environment, which is more responsible.

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4.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether there has been any consideration of providing a visual arts museum at the Ulster Museum site.

(AQO 1415/01)

The Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland's (MAGNI) 'Opening Horizons' document identified the need for a museum that would encompass all creative arts, not another gallery displaying rows of paintings. The Department and MAGNI continue to discuss the best way to achieve that need, which could result in a visual arts museum at the Ulster Museum site.

This is a follow up to my question AQO  128/99 of 7 February 2000 on the creation of a creative arts museum. Will the Minister consider implementing the "string of pearls" idea throughout Northern Ireland, using such Belfast sites as the Crumlin Road Courthouse and Jail, the Ormeau Baths Gallery and the Engine Room Gallery on the Newtownards Road?

I recall the question and the response to Dr Adamson. There is an argument that there is a so-called string of pearls in Belfast; the other argument is that there is a cluster. We support MAGNI's strategy, a key part of which will be the museum of sea and sky, which relates directly to east Belfast and to the opportunities that are opening up around the Titanic Quarter - the slipways, the drawing office and the Thompson dry dock. That seems to be a productive way forward for the museum sector.

A £60 million flagship national art gallery was discussed, but that will be beyond the means of the devolved Administration for the foreseeable future. An extension to the Stranmillis building could provide a site for such a gallery. Other ideas can be advanced, but we must consider the capital and resource implications and be certain that we will get the visitors through the doors to avoid the need for constant subventions.

Many private conversations are being held on all sides of the House. Please bear in mind that that is not only discourteous to the Minister, but it makes it difficult for the questioner to hear the answer.

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5.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, in view of the lack of European Structural Fund (ESF) funding to many groups, including the Inner City Trust and the Playhouse in the Derry City Council area, to give a commitment, in the short term, to provide financial assistance to some of these groups.

(AQO 1451/01)

As no additional funds have been set aside, I cannot make a commitment to provide further financial assistance to groups within the Derry City Council area; however, my Department has funded various groups there. In the past three years, £2 million has been awarded to arts projects through the Arts Council and direct from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. Furthermore, last year over £200,000 was awarded to groups through the Department's cultural diversity grants programme.

I thank the Minister for his response, which I probably anticipated. The Playhouse has a unique history; it provides an extensive view of the arts through innovative programmes. Therefore, I hoped that in this financial year there would be a commitment to provide funding to tide it over during a difficult part of its history.

I appreciate Mrs Courtney's concerns, and I understand exactly why she holds them. However, her question relates to the lack of European structural funding - in effect, the gap. Unfortunately, resources for the arts are limited. It is difficult to fund gaps, although the Executive have recently tried to do so. There is constant funding.

The Inner City Trust has received funding, and the Playhouse in the Derry City Council area has received funding to the tune of £266,000. There has been support in the past, but it would be wrong of me to hold out hope that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure can step in and provide gap funding for groups that are in difficulties as a result of the lack of ESF funding.

Does the Minister agree that Derry City Council should manage its finances better, so that it could give extra finance to those facilities, rather than give the Bloody Sunday Trust a large amount of money to the detriment of other voluntary and social groups in the wider council area?

That is a matter for Derry City Council. I am not aware of how much money has gone to the Bloody Sunday Trust. The ratepayers and the electorate in the city need to ask those questions. Mrs Courtney illustrated perfectly the difficulties that several groups face over a very small amount of money. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure cannot support those groups, and the council needs to look carefully at how it can support them - if it is not already doing so.

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Does the Minister agree that the community and voluntary organisations committed to promoting culture and the arts in designated TSN areas will not benefit from Peace II because the criteria have been skewed to favour the private business sector?

I am not saying that I agree or disagree. That question is outside my remit and should be directed at another Minister.

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6.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline the total funding allocated for disabled sports in the last five financial years; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1430/01)

The Sports Council is responsible for distributing funding for sport, including disabled sports, and the total funding allocated for disabled sports in the past five financial years was £409,000. That may not sound a significant sum, but well over half of that total, £223,000, was allocated in the last year. I will continue to do my utmost to secure further additional funds for disabled sport.

The Special Olympics will be held in Ireland next year, the first time that they will have been held outside America. Will the Minister say what the Sports Council is doing to encourage people with disabilities to participate in sport, so that they will be able to compete in next year's Olympics?

My Department has bid for £1·2 million from the Executive programme funds to support the Special Olympics. We are playing a part in the host towns' process and the torch run, and an event is taking place in Belfast. The Sports Council supports athletes with disabilities, and the Department and the Sports Council want to increase participation and access.

I do not have details of the funding for athletes taking part in next year's Special Olympics. However, a series of programmes is under way, and Disability Sports NI, which was set up with Sports Council guidance, runs many of them and promotes athletes with disabilities. We are producing a strategic plan for Disability Sports NI, and funding has been offered. The Sports Council has always funds for disability access and so on, but I will see what more can be done.

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9.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what strategy he will develop to explore how cultural diversity can be creatively addressed.

(AQO 1429/01)

My Department has played a key role in promoting cultural diversity through, for example, the Diversity 21 programme, and its cultural diversity grants programme. The need for a wider cultural diversity policy was identified in the arts and culture vision document 'Face to Face'. The Department has begun the process of gathering information to help shape a cultural diversity strategy. The process is in the early stages of development and will include specific proposals for action to extend the Department's cultural diversity activities in line with the recommendations set out in 'Face to Face'.

The Minister will be aware that there has been a re-emergence of some difficulties in interface areas, even in his constituency of South Belfast. Will he assure us that he will seek to work on community relations with representatives from such areas to allow those strategies to be developed in a meaningful way that will have a tangible and positive impact on interface areas?

Responsibility for interface areas, and the issue that Mr Maskey has just raised, lies with the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. The principle behind the cultural diversity programme is increased understanding across communities. The development and implementation of a cultural diversity policy is being advanced. Work is under way to develop the policy and is informed by what is happening on the ground and the role that we can play.

Culture shapes us and makes us what we are. To deny somebody's culture is to try and deny their existence. That is one of the elements that is in play on the Ormeau Road, where a cultural right is being denied. Denying the rights of the Orange culture in south Belfast and Ballynafeigh is effectively a way of saying that people have no right to exist in that area. That type of message promotes difficulties at interface areas. Increasing understanding across communities, difficult though that is, is worth striving for. We need everybody to work towards that. Many of the problems in interface areas have nothing to do with cultural differences. Rather, they have more to do with territory and, perhaps, organisations that are involved with those territories.

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10.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to make a statement on the current level of expenditure on materials purchased by libraries in (a) English; (b) Irish; and (c) Ulster Scots.

(AQO 1452/01)

The information cannot be provided for those categories of materials. However, through the electronic libraries project and the introduction of a new library management system, the information should become available. Education and library boards' policy is to provide stock that meets local demand, and, therefore, the amount and nature of material varies between libraries.

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire as a fhreagra.

The Minister will not be surprised to learn that my primary reason for posing the question is to address the inadequate provision of Irish language materials in libraries. The Minister does not need to be reminded of his statutory duty to promote the Irish language across all departmental services. Will he make a commitment to recognise, in terms of library provision, the growth in the Irish-medium sector of education and the general increasing interest in the Irish language, and ask for details to remedy the underprovision in our libraries?

This year, £1·7 million will be spent on books and materials for our libraries. Mr McElduff asked about the breakdown of expenditure on materials in English, Irish and Ulster Scots. He will not be surprised to hear that the overwhelming majority of the money will be spent on English language material because that is where the demand lies - that is what is being used. However, there is specialist demand in some libraries for Irish material, just as there is for Ulster Scots material.

At the moment, the difficulty lies in identifying that need, library by library. Under the electronic libraries for Northern Ireland (ELFNI) project, we will be able to do that. However, it will be no surprise to the Member that there is little or no demand in Newtownards library for materials in Irish, just as there would be little demand for Ulster-Scots material in Coalisland library. We look to meet the demands of library users and to increase the use of libraries.

We take our responsibilities seriously. Foras na Gaeilge is responsible for promoting the Irish language. It is funded by, and answerable to, the Assembly, as is Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch. Those matters are being addressed. The argument for extra resources can be made across a huge range of needs. However, we have made strides.

Does the Minister agree that there must be a more conjoined and proactive approach by his Department and the Department of Education if Ulster Scots is to be accorded the equality of status it was promised in the Belfast Agreement?

Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch has responsibility for the promotion of Ulster Scots and has made great advances in language and culture, and in the building of Ulster-Scots groups. However, there is still a great deal of work to do. There are matters that can be discussed with the Department of Education and, in particular, the education and library boards. It seems to me that there is a demand for Ulster-Scots language and culture in several schools. I see that demand on a regular basis, and I am sure the Member does also. I am sure that the Department of Education will take that demand seriously and examine how our young people can be better informed.

Agriculture and Rural Development

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1.

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when she expects to publish the vision action plan; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1442/01)

In early March I announced my acceptance of 11 measures, recommended in the vision report, which could be implemented without additional resources. I have also made budget bids in respect of recommendations on the environment, strengthening the food chain, developing people, animal health, research and development and rural development. Those recommendations were widely supported in the consultation exercise and were capable of being turned quickly into policy proposals. I am now working on an action plan, which I hope to be able to publish in late June or early July.

The vision plan calls for radical change in the industry. Does the Department also need to change?

The vision exercise is one of several strands of work that are coming together and that highlight the need to examine the Department's structures. Others include our commitment to e-business, the review of education and research and development, the mid-term review of the common agricultural policy and the independent review of our handling of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, as well as major policy reviews on tuberculosis, brucellosis, forestry and fisheries.

To meet those pressures, I have commissioned officials to undertake an internal departmental modernisation programme. That will involve a review of our aims, priorities and strategy to ensure that they reflect not only the outcome of the vision exercise, but also a more modern approach, better suited to the developing needs of our customers and the wider society.

Has the Minister decided to establish a food body, as recommended in the vision action plan? If so, when will that body come into being?

The Member may be aware that I have set up a working group, as recommended by the vision report, to examine whether there should be a food body, and if so, what its remit should be. I expect that group to report by the end of June. I will make a decision on the food body depending on what arises from the report.

What consideration have the Minister and the Department given to supporting projects such as Taste of Ulster in the vision plan in order to promote Northern Ireland produce?

I am not sure whether there has been any reference in the report to projects such as Taste of Ulster, but the Department assesses projects on their merit. Recently we funded Taste of Ulster at the fisheries exhibition in Brussels. We examine projects individually, and we support projects as we see fit. We are awaiting a business plan from those behind Taste of Ulster.

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2.

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she is taking to provide funding for the development of a new pier at Kilkeel harbour.

(AQO 1457/01)

A new pier at Kilkeel harbour would form part of the proposals for the redevelopment of the harbour. The total cost has been put at around £30 million. Completion of technical studies, including work on the design and wave climate of the proposed new outer harbour, will allow assessment of the feasibility of the proposals. In addition, the scope to pursue that as a public-private partnership must be explored, and the project must be subject to an economic appraisal. No formal request for funding has been made by the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority. Such a request would have to compete against other bids for support. It is too early to indicate if and when funding will be made available.

The new Kilkeel harbour project has been a long saga. I am somewhat surprised by one aspect of the Minister's reply regarding the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority. The authority told me that it has inadequate funding to pursue the matter. That is a fairly large gap in the programme, but many studies have been carried out over the years, and consultation has taken place with the onshore and offshore fishing interests. Is there any timescale to allow Kilkeel and other harbours to modernise in order to compete in a difficult market, which is becoming increasingly more difficult for our Northern Ireland fishing fleet and its onshore add-on value factories?

Specific provision is made in the Department for harbour development schemes. That enables the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority to access funds, subject to satisfactory economic appraisal of need and business cases. In addition, resources including match-funding from the Department are available under the current round of European structural funds. My officials have been in close contact with the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority in connection with three aspects of work to Kilkeel harbour that the authority has identified as priority projects for the safety and continued viability of port users. I have therefore advanced those projects for funding under the current initiative, which was negotiated recently by the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister with the Treasury, and the Executive programme funds. However, they will have to be considered alongside other competing priorities.

I also looked to the review of the fishing industry which I announced earlier this year, and which I expect to launch shortly, to consider and advise on the longer-term aspects of the strategic development of the fishing industry in Northern Ireland, including the appropriate infrastructure to promote and support the industry in a safe and forward-looking manner.

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3.

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to report on progress in her Department in introducing e-government initiatives.

(AQO 1450/01)

For some time my Department has been making progress on introducing e-government initiatives in several areas that can change how business is conducted between the Department and its customers. My Department is engaged in progressing several reviews and initiatives to enable it to meet more effectively the challenges of the agrifood industry and the wider needs of rural communities in the new millennium.

What electronic services are available for farmers who apply for farm subsidies?

Over the past two years, data held on the Department's cattle database - APHIS Online - has increasingly been used to preprint animal details on subsidy application forms, and that helps to reduce the administrative burden on farmers. Over 43% of farmers now have their subsidies paid directly into their bank accounts, which is speedier, more secure and more convenient than payable order.

Work is under way to facilitate the submission of applications for farm subsidies via the Internet. Our aim is that applicants under the 2003 sheep annual premium will be able to submit their application in this way. The online claim facility will then be rolled out progressively to other schemes over the next two years. A wide range of information about farm subsidies, including blank application forms, is already available on the grants and subsidies web site.

The rural portal web site forms a central part of the Department's e-government strategy. It provides farmers and growers with a single signposted access point to online information and services. It provides a one-stop shop for the farming community, enabling many services to be accessed from home. To date, about 9,000 farmers have been able to access these services on computer, and the aim is that all farmers will be able to access it by 2005. We will also enable farmers to reskill and to up-skill to do that.

The Programme for Government is committed to making 100% of key services available online. Does the Minister regard all the services provided to farmers by her Department as being key services, or are some areas excluded?

The Department of Agriculture is on target in its commitment to the Programme for Government. Nine thousand farmers, roughly one third, have access to online services. By 2005 we hope that farmers can access all online services and that all will avail of it. Farmers who do not wish to use online services may continue to use paper.

I welcome the Minister's progress on e-government. Surely it is another way of including townland names in her customers' addresses, as these are all in the countryside?

That is stretching supplementary questions a bit too far. Mr Francie Molloy is not in the Chamber, so question 4 will fall.

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5.

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she is taking to promote (a) the purchase of local agricultural produce in Northern Ireland; and (b) the export of local produce to EU and non-EU countries.

(AQO 1456/01)

I have provided financial support of £1·5 million to market Northern Ireland red meat for its quality, and £400,000 has been earmarked for marketing in the pig sector. In addition, my schedule of visits is planned to lend support to local producers and food companies. I regularly attend major events such as international food fairs, the Balmoral Show and Ireland's International Food, Drink and Catering Exhibition (IFEX). I have actively participated in campaigns to promote local produce run by the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU), retailers and the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC).

I have also met with major food retailers in Northern Ireland to encourage greater use of locally sourced produce. Under the Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity I have recently launched a joint marketing initiative promotion scheme for fisheries and a marketing of quality agricultural products grants scheme to assist the food industry in marketing and promoting its products. One of my main priorities is to enable the resumption of Northern Ireland beef exports. I am pressing the EU Commission to relax the conditions of the date-based export scheme to make it more commercially viable for meat plants that wish to export beef.

How many farmers have applied for the schemes under the rural development programme? In order to promote local produce, will the Minister encourage people to ask where the food that they purchase in supermarkets, shops, restaurants and other food outlets has been produced?

I cannot give the Member a detailed response on the take up of schemes because some of the schemes have been introduced and others have not. However, I will inform the Member as soon as I have the figures. I use every opportunity to encourage people to purchase local produce. In particular, I encourage housewives and house husbands, when they do their shopping, to enquire at the meat and vegetable stalls whether the food is sourced in Northern Ireland.

The Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development (Mr Savage): The Minister knows that in the drive to boost local purchase of Northern Ireland produce it is important to educate the public about the quality and standards of the food that they eat. In the light of a previous answer that the Minister gave me, which revealed that beef labelling rules do not apply to processed foods such as sausages, pies and canned beef, will she consider introducing a voluntary labelling scheme for Northern Ireland-sourced processed produce, so that a local campaign based on high-quality content may be mounted?

The Member is aware that the EU regulates beef labelling. A voluntary labelling scheme would be just that - voluntary. People would not be required to participate in it. Food labelling is a matter for the Food Standards Agency.

Given what the Minister has said on that issue, does she agree that there is great concern about some imported products - derived from chicken and beef - that end up in the catering trade, where there are not the same stringent conditions on food quality? Does she agree that Government purchasing departments should be sensitive to quality issues implicit in the use of imported food products?

I am aware of local industry concerns about food safety. However, I assure the Member that all imported foods must be checked and certified by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. I would encourage caterers - and have done so publicly - to use locally sourced and locally produced foods in the catering industry.

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6.

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what support she has given to women in the context of rural development.

(AQO 1428/01)

Under the capacity-building element of the Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity delivered by the rural community networks there will be opportunities for rural women to develop the skills, knowledge and experience that they need to play a part in the significant economic, environmental and social changes that are impacting on rural areas. Under the same programme the local regeneration programme delivered by the Rural Development Council and the Rural Development Division provides opportunities for women's groups and organisations, among others, to bring forward proposals for consideration. Those proposals can have an economic, social or environmental focus or combine elements of all three. Several women's organisations and other bodies have submitted applications to the Rural Development Council for consideration, and those are currently being processed.

The LEADER+ programme is a special EU community initiative designed to encourage and assist the rural community to develop its own areas in accordance with its own needs. Women comprise one of the priority target groups on which LEADER+ will focus. The LEADER action groups will submit their business plans for approval shortly. I anticipate that those will feature various initiatives targeted at women, with a particular focus on microbusiness.

The Rural Development Division is working with the Women's Resource Development Agency, the Rural Community Network and rural women's networks in carrying out an analysis to assess the needs of rural women. That work is being completed, and I look forward to the outcome.

Several sources of funding and other levels of support have been mentioned. The Minister is aware that many organisations are in danger of collapse because of a lack of funding. The rural women's network, which recently made a presentation to the Committee of the Centre, is one example. What specific measures will the Minister's Department be taking to give leadership to the rural women's network and other rural women's organisations?

I am aware of these matters. My officials and representatives from the Women's Resource Development Agency and the rural women's network will be meeting consultants in early June to address the concerns that the Member has raised, and I know of the concerns about core funding.

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