The Northern Ireland Assembly - Written Answers to Questions: Monday 24 January 2000

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what has been the budget of the Sports Council for Northern Ireland for each of the last five years.

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The information is as follows:

	£	£	£	£
1994-95	2,117,000	20,000	58,118	2,195,118
1995-96	2,481,000	20,000	885,594	3,386,594
1996-97	2,482,000	20,000	187,781	2,689,781
1997-98	2,781,470	33,008	137,120	2,951,599
1998-99	2,412,000	28,000	108,000	2,548,000
1999-00	2,292,000	67,000	50,000	2,409,000

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what has been the total public funding for sport in Northern Ireland for each of the last five years.

Mr McGimpsey: Funding for sport in Northern Ireland is made available through the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. The figures are as follows:

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much public funding has been given in each of the past five years to (a) the Gaelic Athletic Association, (b) the Irish Football Association, (c) the Irish Rugby Football Union, (d) the Northern Ireland Cricket Association, (e) the Northern Ireland Cycling Federation.

Mr McGimpsey: Funding for sport in Northern Ireland is made available through the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. The figures are as follows:

* The recognised body for cycling is the Ulster Cycling Federation, and figures shown indicate funds made available for the sport of cycling, not specifically for the Northern Ireland Cycling Federation.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what is the total public funding given to each of the following sports in each of the last five years: (a) gaelic football, (b) camogie, (c) hurling, (d) association football, (e) rugby football, (f) athletics, (g) cricket, (h) hockey, (i) cycling.

Mr McGimpsey: Funding for sport in Northern Ireland is made available through the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. The figures are as follows:

* The recognised body for cycling is the Ulster Cycling Federation and figures shown indicate funds made available for the sport of cycling, not specifically for the Northern Ireland Cycling Federation.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail any appointments he has made of a Member of the Assembly to a role analogous to that of a Parliamentary Private Secretary, detailing the terms of their employment and outlining any access they will have to departmental papers.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to clarify his recently reported statements concerning the transfer procedure and to explain how they might impact upon the review currently being undertaken by the working party set up at the instigation of his Department.

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): Future arrangements for secondary education must be considered against the principles of equality, excellence, choice, accessibility and affordability. The project team researching the impact of selection will report early this year, and I will take its findings into account, along with the issues raised, in the ensuing public and political debate in considering the future of selective education.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education what account he takes of external funding sources for integrated or Irish-medium education in determining the availability of funding to these and the other (ie, controlled, maintained and voluntary grammar) sectors of education.

Mr M McGuinness: No account is taken of external funding sources in determining the recurrent budget of any school grant-aided by the Department of Education.

Mr Taylor asked the Minister of Education what proposal he has to extend Regent House Grammar School; what is the timescale of any proposed extension; and if he will make a statement.

Mr M McGuinness: Advance site works in connection with the extension of Regent House Grammar School have been undertaken by the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

The main building contract for Regent House is one of a number of high-priority schemes being considered for inclusion in this year’s school building programme, which I hope to announce within the next month or so. The Regent House project has been linked to the sale of the former Scrabo High School site by the South Eastern Board, and, whilst the timing of the disposal continues to be uncertain, the board is aware that the proceeds from the sale will be applied in due course towards the cost of developing Regent House.

I am sorry I was unable to provide this answer on 13 January 2000 as I was out of the country.

Mr Taylor asked the Minister of Education (a) how many pupils are enrolled at St Patrick’s Grammar School, Downpatrick; (b) how many applicants for admission were refused enrolment in the academic year beginning September 1999; (c) what proposals he has for an extension to the grammar school; and if he will make a statement.

(a) There are 729 pupils enrolled at St Patrick’s Grammar School in 1999-2000.

(b) 20 applicants were refused admission to year 8 in the 1999-2000 school year.

(c) A capital scheme to cater for a long-term enrolment of 800 has been approved in principle by the Department to replace existing temporary and sub-standard accommodation.

It is a matter for the South Eastern Education and Library Board in the first instance to ensure that there are sufficient school places in its area.

I am sorry I was unable to provide this answer on 13 January 2000 as I was out of the country.

Mr Taylor asked the Minister of Education what representation he has received to reopen Killyleagh High School; what is the estimated capital cost to reopen Killyleagh High School; and if he will make a statement.

Mr M McGuinness: Representations were made to my predecessor in April 1999 about the possible reopening of Killyleagh High School.

The statutory responsibility for determining the level of secondary school provision in the area is a matter, in the first instance, for the South-Eastern Education and Library Board. I understand that the board is currently carrying out a major review of school provision in its area and that this will consider the demand for places in the Killyleagh area. I am not in a position to estimate the cost of reopening the school.

I am sorry I was unable to provide this answer on 13 January 2000 as I was out of the country.

Mr Taylor asked the Minister of Education what proposals he has to replace Castle Gardens Primary School in Newtownards; what is the timetable for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr M McGuinness: I understand from the South- Eastern Education and Library Board that the board is currently seeking tenders for a replacement school on a new site on the Bowtown Road, Newtownards, and work on the new school is expected to start on site in early spring.

I am sorry I was unable to provide this answer on Thursday 13 January 2000 as I was out of the country.

Mr Taylor asked the Minister of Education how many students applied for enrolment into (a) Saintfield High School; and (b) Down High School for the academic year beginning September 1999; (c) how many in each school were refused admission and if he will make a statement.

Mr M McGuinness: The number of applications (first and subsequent preferences) for admission to year 8 in September 1999 to (a) Saintfield High School was 128 and (b) Down High School was 157. (c) The numbers refused admission were: Saintfield High School 63, and Down High School 27.

There were alternative places available for pupils who did not gain admission to these schools.

It is a matter for the South-Eastern Education and Library Board in the first instance to ensure that there are sufficient school places in its area.

I am sorry I was unable to provide this answer on 13 January 2000 as I was out of the country.

Mr Taylor asked the Minister of Education whether a Union flag has been supplied to the Education Centre, Market House, Armagh City; whether the Union flag was flown at this centre on 25 December 1999; and if he will make a statement.

Mr M McGuinness: The flying of the Union flag at the premises concerned is not a matter for me or my Department. I am sorry I was unable to provide this answer on 13 January 2000 as I was out of the country.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education what was the total expenditure by his Department on drugs awareness/education programmes in (a) 1998 and (b) 1999.

Mr M McGuinness: Provision for drugs awareness and education programmes is an integral part of the curriculum in schools, and the costs involved are not separately identified. Similarly, training and support given to teachers on this subject is dealt with through the curriculum advice and support services of the education and library boards and is not costed separately. Additional resources totalling £247,000 were made available in the 1996-97 (£222,000) and 1997-98 (£25,000) financial years to provide for additional training for teachers and resource materials for schools. Further additional resources are to be made available over the next three financial years to support the drive against the use of illegal drugs, and consideration is currently being given, on an interdepartmental basis, to bids from both the statutory and the voluntary sectors for the use of these resources.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education what is the projected expenditure by his Department in the financial year on drugs awareness/education programmes.

Mr M McGuinness: Provision for drugs awareness and education programmes is an integral part of the curriculum in schools, and the costs involved are not separately identified. Similarly, training and support given to teachers on this subject is dealt with through the curriculum advice and support services of the education and library boards and is not costed separately. Additional resources totalling £247,000 were made available in the 1996-97 (£222,000) and l997-98 (£25,000) financial years to provide for additional training for teachers and resource materials for schools. Further additional resources are to be made available over the next three financial years to support the drive against the use of illegal drugs, and consideration is currently being given, on an interdepartmental basis, to bids from both the statutory and the voluntary sectors for the use of these resources.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education what plans are there for his Department to provide a new school building for Clifton Special School in Bangor.

Mr M McGuinness: My Department accepts the need for a new school for Clifton, and planning of this is being taken forward by the South-Eastern Education and Library Board. When planning is sufficiently advanced the school will be considered for a place in the capital programme in light of the resources available to the education service.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education what policy he will pursue in relation to the flying of the Union Jack from departmental buildings.

Mr M McGuinness: My policy is that no flags should be flown from departmental buildings.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education what plans he has on the issue of selection procedure in the Northern Ireland schools system.

Mr M McGuinness: Future arrangements for secondary education must be considered against the principles of equality, excellence, choice, accessibility and affordability. The project team researching the impact of selection will report early this year, and I will take their findings into account, along with the issues raised, in the ensuing debate, which I believe is important in considering the future of selective education. That debate might include the views of everyone who has an interest in secondary education.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education what plans he has to promote the teaching of the Irish language in voluntary grammar and controlled secondary/primary schools.

Mr M McGuinness: I believe that the Irish language is an important element in the cultural heritage of all the people of Ireland, and I would encourage as many schools as possible in all sectors to offer pupils the opportunity to learn the language. It is, however, a matter for schools themselves to determine the curriculum they offer to pupils, subject, of course, to their meeting their statutory obligations.

Ms E Bell asked the Minister of Education how many children applied for a place at each of the integrated schools in Northern Ireland in September 1999 and how many were admitted to each school.

Mr M McGuinness: The total number of applicants and the total number of pupils admitted to each grant-aided integrated school in Northern Ireland in September 1999 are as follows:

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education, in light of the public reaction to his appointment, whether he feels that if he were to resign, the children of Northern Ireland would have a better future. (AQW 132/99)

Mr M McGuinness: No. I believe that the interests of all our children for the future are best served by the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, from which my appointment derives and to which I am fully committed. The public reaction to my appointment has been generally positive.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education if he will condemn IRA violence against school children.

Mr M McGuinness: I am absolutely and totally opposed to violence against school children from any quarter.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education how much expenditure the Department incurred in respect of the Minister’s visit to the United States of America commencing on 12 January 2000.

Mr M McGuinness: It is not possible to provide a total figure of the expenditure incurred by my Department today. I will write to you as soon as the information is available. I should point out that my own expenses were met from party funds. The only costs incurred by my Department were for my two senior officials, who engaged extensively with the United States Department of Education.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Education to detail any appointments he has made of a Member of the Assembly to a role analogous to that of a Parliamentary Private Secretary, detailing the terms of their employment and outlining any access they will have to Departmental papers.