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Monday 31 January 2000 Office of First Minister and Deputy First
Minister Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister Parliament Buildings, Stormont: Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to make a statement detailing the rules concerning the flying of the Union flag on Parliament Buildings and whether they can confirm if it was flown on 25 December 1999. (AQW 152/99) Reply: This is a matter for the Assembly Commission. Civic Forum Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister whom they intend to appoint to the Civic Forum to represent the victims of terrorism in Northern Ireland. (AQW 153/99) Reply: Work on establishing the Civic Forum is moving ahead. No decisions on appointments have yet been made. Office Furniture Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to confirm that junior Minister Dermot Nesbitt spent two hours in December meeting with the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service to discuss his office furniture, and what contribution this made to the delivery of good government. (AQW 155/99) Reply: No such meeting took place. Northern Ireland and Scotland: Links Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what representations, if any, they have made to their Scottish Office equivalents about future links between Northern Ireland and Scotland. (AQW 156/99) Reply: We are fully committed to establishing and maintaining links with Scotland where we identify issues of common interest or concern. On 17 December we attended the inaugural meeting of the British-Irish Council, which provides a forum for contact with the Scottish Executive, among others, on matters of mutual interest within our competence. There is also provision for Joint Ministerial Councils, again involving Ministers of the Scottish Executive, to study specific areas of interest, and we will participate fully in these arrangements. UUP Downing Street Delegation Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to confirm whether civil servants from Northern Ireland accompanied a UUP delegation to a meeting with the Prime Minister in Downing Street on Wednesday 12 January 2000. (AQW 207/99) Reply: The First Minister attended a meeting with the Prime Minister at No 10 Downing Street on Thursday 13 January 2000. Both the Prime Minister and the First Minister were supported at the meeting by their officials. The First Minister was supported by his principal private secretary and his chief of staff, who is a special adviser and a temporary civil servant. North/South Implementation Bodies Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister whether appointments to the North/South implementation bodies were carried out under the Peach recommendations. (AQW 211/99) Reply: Appointments to the North/South implementation bodies do not fall within the remit of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Public Appointments and were not, therefore, subject to the Peach recommendations. North/South Ministerial Secretariat Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister whether appointments made to the North/South ministerial secretariat reflect fair employment guidelines. (AQW 212/99) Reply: The staffing of the Southern side of the Secretariat is a matter for the Irish Government. On the Northern side, the Secretariat is currently made up of staff who were transferred from existing Northern Ireland Civil Service posts. Fair employment guidelines therefore already apply to these staff. Their transfer was in line with the normal considerations of the operational need of the secretariat and the suitability of the staff to fill the posts effectively. Deputy First Minister: Rome Visit Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister whether civil servants accompanied the Deputy First Minister during his visit to Rome and to explain what political purpose was served by this visit. (AQW 246/99) Reply: During his visit to Rome the Deputy First Minister was accompanied by his private secretary. The purpose of the visit was threefold: first, to meet Pope John Paul II, head of the Vatican State and the Catholic Church, and update him on political developments; secondly, to carry out a series of engagements where he met business and political figures to hear at first hand about the Italian experience of developing programmes of government and how they approach regional representation within the EU; thirdly, the visit provided an opportunity to brief a range of people about the devolved Administration and the scope for greater linkages, business and political, between Northern Ireland and Italy. Agriculture and Rural Development Rural Poverty: Alleviation Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what discussions she has had with the Minister for Social Development about a special financial package to alleviate rural poverty. (AQW 164/99) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): I have not had an approach from the Minister for Social Development about any plans for a special financial package to alleviate rural poverty. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss rural issues with him or with any other Minister. Imported Potatoes Mr Poots asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action she will take to ensure that imported potatoes meet the standards of Northern Ireland produce, particularly with regard to brown rot. (AQW 181/99) Ms Rodgers: The Department is already taking all preventative measures permissible under EU rules in relation to imported potatoes and will continue to take all possible steps to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests and diseases, including brown rot, into Northern Ireland. Control measures currently being taken include sample checking on imports and inspections of registered potato businesses, including importers, processors and packers. Classroom Assistants Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of Education if he will provide for classroom assistants and school secretaries to be paid during school holidays. (AQO 109/99) The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness):The payment of classroom assistants and school secretaries is a matter for their employing authority, and it would be inappropriate for me to intervene. Local Management of Schools: Funding Mr B Hutchinson asked the Minister of Education if he recognises the negative effects emanating from the funding formula incorporated in local management of schools and, if so, what he proposes to do to alleviate these problems. (AQO 110/99) Mr M McGuinness: The current use of seven different LMS formulae leads to inequities in the funding of schools. This will be addressed through the development of a single common formula, based on the relative needs of schools. Pre-School Provision Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Education, to indicate when he intends to introduce the provision of pre-school education within all age bands to schools under his control. (AQO 134/99) Mr M McGuinness: I am fully committed to increasing the availability of pre-school education. My Department is investing £38 million over the four years from 1998-99 in the pre-school education expansion programme. These resources will have secured 9,000 new pre-school education places by 2001-02, making places available for 85% of all children in their final pre-school year. Our long-term aim is to provide a year of free pre-school education for every child whose parents wish it. Schools: Parental Choice Mr J Kelly asked the Minister of Education what approach he intends to take to ensure that parents have full information in deciding which schools their children should attend. (AQO 140/99) Mr M McGuinness: Each education and library board publishes booklets setting out information about the schools in its area, their admissions and enrolment numbers and their admissions criteria, the arrangements for open enrolment and the provision of home-to-school transport. These booklets are available in December to parents of children below compulsory school age and in January to parents of children in their last year at primary school. All schools are required to publish a school prospectus. In the post-primary sector, school performance tables are published by the Department. In August of a child’s final primary school year the parents receive a leaflet summarising the arrangements/ timetable for the transfer of pupils from primary to secondary education, and a further leaflet before the transfer test results are issued in February offering advice on the factors to be considered when choosing a school and how to complete the child’s transfer report/application form. Mr Neeson asked the Minister of Education to explain if parental choice is diminished by Article 16(8) of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. (AQO 148/99) Mr M McGuinness: Article 16(8) of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 does not diminish the principle of parental preference in the open enrolment procedures. St Patrick’s Primary School Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Education if he will consider funding a permanent extension to St Patrick’s Primary School, Ballygalget, County Down, in preference to additional mobile classrooms. (AQO 149/99) Mr M McGuinness: My Department has approved a new mobile classroom with integrated toilet facilities to replace the existing temporary classroom at the school. The cost of a permanent extension to replace a single mobile would not be a proper use of scarce capital resources. Integrated Schools Mr Ford asked the Minister of Education if he supports a target of 5% of pupils in Northern Ireland being taught in integrated schools by 2005 and 10% by 2010. (AQO 150/99) Mr M McGuinness: It is not my role to set or recommend targets for the development of integrated schools or any other school sector. I am committed to the principles of equality, accessibility, excellence and parental choice in education, and my Department will assess proposals for new schools or the transformation of existing schools to integrated status using robust criteria which ensure educational effectiveness and the safeguarding of the public purse. La Salle Secondary School Mr Attwood asked the Minister of Education if he will confirm when funding will be made available for new accommodation for La Salle Secondary School, West Belfast. (AQO 151/99) Mr M McGuinness: Funding for any school building project depends on its admission to the capital programme, the completion of planning and the availability of resources. The development of La Salle is inextricably linked to the ongoing plans for the replacement of the neighbouring St Genevieve’s High School, which is being taken forward under the private finance initiative. The planning of the capital project for La Salle will be accorded high priority by my Department. Dromintee Primary School Mr C Murphy asked the Minister of Education if he agrees that the conditions in Dromintee Primary School are intolerable and to give priority to their improvement. (AQO 153/99) Mr M McGuinness: I am aware of the poor accommodation conditions in Dromintee Primary School. A capital development scheme to replace the present buildings is in the early stages of planning consideration. This involves the preparation of an economic appraisal to determine the most suitable method of meeting the school’s long-term accommodation needs. Schools: Parental Choice Mr McNamee asked the Minister of Education how he will ensure that parents have full information in deciding which school their children should attend. (AQO 154/99) Mr M McGuinness: Each education and library board publishes booklets setting out information about the schools in its area, their admissions and enrolment numbers and their admissions criteria, the arrangements for open enrolment and the provision of home-to-school transport. These booklets are available in December to parents of children below compulsory school age and in January to parents of children in their last year at primary school. All schools are required to publish a school prospectus. In the post-primary sector, school performance tables are published by the Department. In August of a child’s final primary school year the parents receive a leaflet summarising the arrangements/ timetable for the transfer of pupils from primary to secondary education, and a further leaflet before the transfer tests results are issued in February offering advice on the factors to be considered when choosing a school and how to complete the child’s transfer report/application form. School Sectors: Funding Mr Molloy asked the Minister of Education if he accepts the need for equality of funding across all school sectors and to outline the steps he intends to take to meet the need. (AQO 155/99) Mr M McGuinness: I accept that schools in all sectors should be funded on a common basis according to relative need, and this is the aim of the ongoing work on the development of a common LMS formula to replace the seven existing formulae. Council for Irish-Medium Education Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Education to outline what plans are in place to establish the Council for Irish-medium education. (AQO 156/99) Mr M McGuinness: I intend shortly to meet a number of Irish-medium education support organisations to hear their views on the establishment of an Irish-medium education promotional body. Subject to the timing of these discussions, I hope to make an announcement in February about the arrangements for establishing the new body. Rural Schools: Closure Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Education to assure the Assembly that rural schools are not threatened with closure against the wishes of the local communities. (AQO 197/99) Mr M McGuinness: In considering any statutory development proposal made by an education and library board or the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools for a school closure or amalgamation, the views of the local community would be taken into account along with issues such as enrolment viability, educational effectiveness, the proximity and accessibility of neighbouring schools and social, economic and demographic considerations. Each case must be considered on its own merits with the overriding objective of serving the educational interests of the pupils. Enterprise, Trade and Investment Ballycastle-Campbeltown Ferry Service Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to make a statement on the future of the Ballycastle-Campbeltown ferry service. (AQW 165/99) The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): I am familiar with the Ballycastle- Campbeltown ferry issue and have met with the current operators of the service. In principle, I am keen to see the service maintained, and I am holding discussions with Brian Wilson MP, Minister of State, Scottish Office, to ascertain options which may improve the viability of the route. Payments by LEDU and IDB Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how much money has been paid out to companies in North Antrim by LEDU and the IDB for each year from 1991-99 and to list those companies and the individual amounts paid. (AQW 166/99) Sir Reg Empey: I attach details of assistance paid to companies in North Antrim by LEDU and the IDB for each financial year from 1991-92 to 1998-99 (Annex A). For reasons of commercial confidentiality, it has been long-standing policy and practice not to disclose actual assistance paid to individual companies which are still operational. I therefore attach at Annex B a list of assistance offered to IDB companies in North Antrim during this period, and at Annex C a list of assistance offered to LEDU companies. Following are the annexes: ANNEX A IDB 1. Selective Financial Assistance paid by IDB to companies in North Antrim
LEDU 2. LEDU assistance paid to client companies in North Antrim
ANNEX B IDB
ANNEX C LEDU
LEDU and IDB Payments: Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to make a statement about how the Minister intends to ensure that payments to companies made by LEDU and the IDB are tested for compliance with fair-employment legislation. (AQW 167/99) Sir Reg Empey: All offers of selective financial assistance which are made by the IDB incorporate a note drawing the company’s attention to article 66 of the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, which provides that a Northern Ireland Department may refuse to give to any unqualified person any financial assistance to which the article applies. The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland notifies the IDB of all such unqualified persons. Offers of assistance made by LEDU also contain the condition that the client will comply with all statutes, orders and regulations governing discrimination in employment and the provision of services on the grounds of race, religion, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation or sex. Any breach of such legislation is therefore deemed a breach of the client’s obligations under its letter of offer. Ballymoney: Investment Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to make a statement about what steps his Department has taken to attract investment to Ballymoney. (AQW 168/99) Sir Reg Empey: The IDB has been working closely with Ballymoney Council in promoting the area. In July 1999 the IDB met with Ballymoney Borough Council as part of ongoing discussions on their priorities for local economic development and to understand the council’s key marketing message. Since then the IDB has continued to work with the economic development team — in particular, on the linking of the council’s website to that of the IDB. The website is being revised and will include details of all the IDB’s property, including the 7·6 acres of land at Garryduff Road available for investment. The link to the council’s website will also provide potential investors with a wide range of information on the Ballymoney area. Lignite Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to make a statement on the potential for lignite development in North Antrim. (AQW 171/99) Sir Reg Empey: The main commercial potential for the development of the proven lignite reserves in North Antrim lies in their use for fuelling an electricity generating station located close to the mine. Any such development would be dependent on planning and other relevant statutory consents being granted for both the lignite mine and the electricity generating station and, crucially, on the electricity produced by the generating station being able to compete successfully, in price terms, in the increasingly competitive and liberalised markets in Northern Ireland and neighbouring, interconnected countries. Textile Industry Mr Poots asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what action will be taken to ensure that the textile industry has a future within Northern Ireland. (AQW 182/99) Sir Reg Empey: The recent announcement of a significant number of potential job losses has again brought into focus the challenges facing our textiles and clothing companies. The long-term trend in employment in the sector continues to be downward, but increased competition from imports from lower-cost economies and the continuing strength of sterling are keeping pressure on the sector. The textiles and clothing industry in Northern Ireland is a major employer, and we have some very strong and competitive companies with a vast resource of skills and knowledge. I believe that the industry has a future, but it must continue to meet the challenges of competition. The IDB has worked, and continues to work, with organisations such as the Northern Ireland Growth Challenge and the Northern Ireland Textiles and Apparel Association and other key influencers to develop a strategy for the future development of the industry, which will focus on growth through improvements in management quality and marketing, product differentiation through design and innovation, customer service and increased exporting. The industry itself, as evidenced by its contribution to the development of Strategy 2010, recognises the need for change and that implementation of these strategies is the key to its future. Hotels (Development): Grant Aid Mr Poots asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether the moratorium on grant aid beyond a 10-mile radius of Belfast city centre should be lifted without delay. (AQW 188/99) Sir Reg Empey: The moratorium applies to grant aid within, rather than beyond, a 10-mile radius of Belfast. During the past five years the number of hotel rooms in Belfast has almost doubled. New hotels and expansion of existing hotels have been and are presently being developed without grant aid from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Therefore there is no compelling reason to lift the moratorium on investment support for hotel projects in Belfast. |
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