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Monday 7 February 2000 Sports Grounds: Safety Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will advise the Assembly on how the recently announced funding for safety of sports grounds is to be allocated. (AQO 127/99) The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): A Northern Ireland committee of the Football Trust is being set up to oversee the introduction and running of the funding scheme. The committee will establish the policy, criteria and application process. It will determine priorities and the level of funds to be allocated to clubs. National Museum / Gallery of Art Dr Adamson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps are currently being taken to create a National Museum/Gallery of Art for Northern Ireland. (AQO 128/99) Mr McGimpsey: The need for increased provision for the display of creative arts in Northern Ireland is widely recognised. I understand that a free-standing landmark gallery of international quality will be a key feature of the first corporate plan of the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland when it is published for consultation in the near future. National Sports Stadium Mr Ford asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will conduct a feasibility study into the building of a new national sports stadium for Northern Ireland. (AQO 145/99) Mr McGimpsey: I fully support the need to examine the scope for Northern Ireland to have its own national stadium. There are, however, crucial issues to be addressed, including the potential usage of a stadium and the significant level of capital and revenue investment required. My Department is currently investigating the potential for developing a viable scheme, particularly the scope to harness private-sector support. Following the completion of these investigations, I will consider how to proceed. Maritime Museum (Belfast) Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what consideration his Department has given to a maritime museum for the city of Belfast. (AQO 190/99) Mr McGimpsey: The National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland are already in possession of an important maritime collection, and their draft corporate plan highlights the need to consider how best these can be displayed and augmented. At this point the development of a museum which would incorporate a maritime theme has not been developed beyond the concept stage, and it is not possible to be definitive about the museum’s location. Lisburn Library Mr Close asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to confirm a start date for the construction of a new library in Lisburn, to confirm that the site has been identified and that this is the first priority in the Library Service capital development programme. (AQO 191/99) Mr McGimpsey: The Department is considering a proposal from the South Eastern Education and Library Board to build a library in Lisburn funded through the private finance initiative. The proposal is still at an early stage in the process, and I cannot, therefore, predict a precise start date for construction. I can, however, confirm that the board has identified a preferred site and that a new library for Lisburn is the first priority for the board’s library capital development. General Exchequer Grant Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment whether the penny product figures used in the general Exchequer grant formula prior to the year 2000-01 were accurate. (AQW 371/99) The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): Having corrected the penny product figures used for distribution of the general Exchequer grant for 2000-01, the Rate Collection Agency was asked to examine data provided for previous years. It has now been confirmed that inaccurate information was also provided in relation to 1997-98. As most district councils were informed last year of their final grant entitlement for 1997-98, it has been necessary for Local Government Division of my Department to determine what adjustments may be required and when they might be applied. Urgent consideration is now being given to how this matter can be rectified, and district councils will be notified of the outcome as quickly as possible. I have instructed my Department to review the formula as a matter of urgency in light of the difficulties experienced as to its operation. Health, Social Services and Public Safety Malnutrition Mr Byrne asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she accepts the finding of the Malnutrition Advisory Group (MAG) that malnutrition is a serious public health problem in Northern Ireland, and if she will propose the creation of a special task force to deal with this issue. (AQW 149/99) The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): Poor diet is one of the most significant factors contributing to ill health here, and it is also recognised that the management of malnutrition in the community is particularly important. The aim of the recently issued quality standards is to ensure effective patient-centred multi-disciplinary assessment and care planning, including assessment of dietary status. Nutrition and diet is one of a number of important issues on which I will be considering the need for further action. Tá drochréim bia ar cheann de na tosca is tábhachtaí a bhaineann le heasláinte anseo, agus aithnítear chomh maith go bhfuil tábhacht ar leith le bainistiú an mhíchothaithe sa phobal. Is é is aidhm do na Caighdeáin Cháilíochta a foilsíodh ar na mallaibh ná a chinntiú go mbeidh measúnú agus pleanáil cúraim éifeachtaigh, otharlárnaigh agus ildisciplíngh ann, le measúnú ar stádas cothaithe san áireamh. Tá cothú agus réim bia ar cheann de roinnt saincheisteanna tábhachtacha a mbeidh mé ag breathnú ar an ghá le gníomh ina leith. Drugs Policies Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if there is any delay in the disbursement of funds, in relation to Northern Ireland drug policies, in the introduction of reforms and the appointment of a drugs co-ordinator, and to make a statement. (AQO 186/99) The answer given to question AQO 129/99 on Monday 31 January 2000 was intended to be the answer to question AQO 186/99 also. South Tyrone Hospital: Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will review the accident and emergency hours at South Tyrone Hospital. (AQW 200/99) Ms de Brún: Accident and emergency and acute surgical services were temporarily transferred from South Tyrone to Craigavon Area Hospital in September 1999. I will examine the future provision of these services as part of my overall consideration of the long-term future of South Tyrone Hospital. I am very aware of how important hospital services are to local communities in particular. I shall want to ensure that decisions about the future of such services are based on the fullest possible information. Aistríodh seirbhísí timpiste, éigeandála agus géarmháinliacha go sealadach ó Thír Eoghain Theas go hOtharlann áitiúil Craigavon i Meán Fómhair 1999. Scrúdóidh mé soláthar na seirbhísí amach anseo agus mé ag cur thodhchaí Otharlainne Thír Eoghain Theas san áireamh. Is maith a thuigim tábhacht seirbhísí otharlainne don ghnáthphobal ach go háirithe. Déanfaidh mé cinnte go bhfuil cinnidh faoi thodhchaí na seibhísí bunaithe ar eolas cuimsitheach. Cardiac Services Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what changes are envisaged to the cardiac services in the Dungannon area. (AQW 201/99) Ms de Brún: I understand that training recognition for general medicine is likely to be withdrawn from South Tyrone Hospital by July 2000. The Southern Health and Social Services Board is discussing the potential implications of this with the Armagh and Dungannon Trust. Tuigim go mb’fhéidir go dtarraingeofar siar aitheantas traenála dón tseirbhís ghinearálta liachta ó Otharlann Thír Eogain Theas faoi cheann Iúil na mílaoise. Tá Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhisí Sóisialta an Deiscirt ag plé na n-impleachtaí a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ann le hIontaobhas Ard Mhaca agus Dún Geanainn. Sexual Abuse of Children Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the joint protocol procedures whereby the RUC and social services jointly investigate sexual abuse of children offer the best method of investigation. (AQW 224/99) Ms de Brún: There is no room for complacency on anyone’s part with respect to allegations of child sexual abuse or other forms of abuse against children. Maximising co-operation between those with statutory responsibility for investigating child abuse is an important element of both protecting the rights of the child and minimising the distress caused. Ní tráth bogáis é ag aon duine i dtaca le hainíde chollaí ar pháistí nó cineálacha eile ainíde ar pháistí. Is cuid thábhactach é de chosaint chearta na bpáistí agus laghdú an chrá a tharlaíonn, uasmhéadú na comhoibre eatarthu siúd ar a bhfuil freagracht reachtúil as ainíde ar pháistí a fhiosrú. Care Packages Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people in Northern Ireland are waiting for care packages to be funded to facilitate discharge from hospital. (AQW 266/99) Ms de Brún: The Department has not routinely collected this information. An annual survey has been carried out in late January/February to provide a "snapshot" figure. That survey will be carried out at the end of February this year. A report of the position will be due around mid-March. The Department has commissioned Regional Information Branch to design and put in place a mechanism to collect and report this information. That mechanism will be developed during the year 2000-01. Níor bhailigh an Roinn an t-eolas seo ar bhonn rialta. Rinneadh suirbhé bliantúil go mall i Mí Eanáir/Mí Feabhra le figiúirí d ‘am na huaire’a sholáthar. Déanfar an suirbhé sin arís ag deireadh Mhí Feabhra i mbliana. Beidh tuairisc ar an toradh le fáil thart faoi Mhí Mhárta. Thug an Roinn ar an Bhrainse Eolais Réigiúnaigh córas a dhearadh agus a chur i bhfeidhm chun an t-eolas seo a bhailiú agus a thuairisciú. Déanfar forbairt ar an chóras sin le linn na bliana 2000-01. Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people in Northern Ireland are waiting for packages of care to be funded to ensure that they can remain in their own homes. (AQW 267/99) Ms de Brún: The Department has not, as a routine, collected this information. The Department has commissioned Regional Information Branch to design and put in place a mechanism to collect information on persons waiting at home or in another community setting for care packages to be arranged, and to report to the Department on a quarterly basis. Such a system will be developed during the year 2000-01. Níor bhailigh an Roinn an t-eolas ar bhonn rialta. Thug an Roinn ar an Bhrainse Eolais Réigiúnaigh córas a dhearadh agus a chur i bhfeidhm chun eolas ar dhaoine atá ag fanacht sa bhaile nó i suíomh eile sa phobal ar phacáiste cúraim a bheartú agus tuairisc faoi seo a thabhairt don Roinn ar bhonn ráithiúil. Déanfar forbairt ar an chóas seo le linn na bliana 2000-01. Higher and Further Education, Departmental Buildings: Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment what policy he will pursue in relation to the flying of the Union flag from departmental buildings. (AQW 169/99) The Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment (Dr Farren): I will have full regard to any decision taken by the Executive Committee with regard to the flying of flags from public buildings. In the meantime, I intend to review the issue of the flying of the Union flag from my departmental buildings, having regard to the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement and, in particular, paragraph 5 of the section on rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity, which acknowledges the need, in creating the new institutions, to ensure that symbols and emblems are used in a manner which promotes mutual respect rather than division. Entrants Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment what he intends to do to increase the number of entrants to higher and further education from the Protestant community. (AQW 264/99) Dr Farren: It is not possible from existing data to provide an accurate assessment of the religious composition of entrants to higher and further education institutions. It is not my policy to earmark a specific level of places in higher and further education institutions in Northern Ireland for any particular religion or denomination. The principal aim of the 10,000 additional places allocated over the years 1999-2002 to higher and further education institutions in Northern Ireland is to widen access to and increase participation in tertiary education by Northern-Ireland-domiciled students. Recently published figures show that the number of local students admitted to Queen’s University, Belfast, and the University of Ulster last Autumn increased by 7% in a year. I am considering how the number of tertiary places might be further increased, but this is subject to consultations and the availability of resources. As regards Northern Ireland students who choose to study elsewhere, my authority extends only to student support. All Northern-Ireland-domiciled student applications for support are assessed against the same criteria regardless of where the student chooses to study. I intend to have arrangements for the support of Northern-Ireland-domiciled students reviewed. Unemployed People: Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to advise of the percentage of those unemployed, by constituency, who have no educationally recognised qualifications. (AQW 284/99) Dr Farren: I am unable to provide the information requested. Statistics on unemployed people are published monthly by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in its ‘Labour Market Statistics’ publications. There are two data sources on unemployed people — the claimant count and the labour force survey. The claimant count figures are derived from records of claimants at social security offices. While these figures are broken down by parliamentary constituency, the educational qualifications of the claimants are not recorded. The data from the labour force survey, which is a sample survey, are not statistically reliable at the constituency level. Departmental Special Advisers Mr Ford asked the Minister of Further and Higher Education, Training and Employment to list those appointed as special advisers within his Department, detailing in each case, the date the appointment was offered, the date employment commenced, the gender of the appointee, whether or not disabled, whether or not the appointment was a result of open competition, and membership of any political party on the date appointment was offered. (AQW 332/99) Dr Farren: I have made no such appointment. Regional Strategic Framework Mr McGrady asked the Minister for Regional Development what assessment he has made of the evidence collected from consultations held in October and November 1999 in respect of the draft regional strategic framework, and if he will make a statement. (AQW 185/99) The Minister for Regional Development (Mr P Robinson): The independent panel which conducted the public examination of the draft regional strategic framework was tasked with assessing the consultations and representations made during October and November 1999. I received the report of the panel on 31 January 2000, and I am arranging for its publication. I intend to make a statement shortly about the next steps in the process. Railways Mr Neeson asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he intends to take to upgrade the rail system in Northern Ireland. (AQW 194/99) Mr P Robinson: My Department will be providing financial assistance to the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and Translink in 2000-01 for work on the following major railway projects which have already started: reinstating the line between Antrim and Bleach Green; construction of Bangor bus and rail station; construction of Coleraine bus and rail station. I will decide on which new projects to support when I receive the transport companies’ business plan for 2000-01. Pedestrian Crossings Mr McCarthy asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to reassess the current criteria for the provision of pedestrian crossings. (AQW 195/99) Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service is currently reviewing the assessment criteria used to determine the need for pedestrian crossings. It is anticipated that this review will be completed in early spring. Railways: Aldergrove Mr Ford asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to reopen the railway station at Aldergrove. (AQW 197/99) Mr P Robinson: I understand that, while there was a halt near RAF Aldergrove in the 1940s, there has never been a station at the civil airport. The possibility of providing a station at Belfast International Airport has been considered by Translink, but the evidence is that too few passengers would use the station to justify the capital investment required. Sprucefield Area Mr Poots asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he recognises the strategic importance of the Sprucefield area as a regional centre. (AQW 199/99) Mr P Robinson: The strategic importance of the Sprucefield area as a regional centre is recognised in the draft regional strategic framework which has recently been the subject of a public examination. This document identifies the area as being suitable for the development of major employment activities and mixed-use development. I just received the report of the panel on 31 January 2000, and I am arranging for its publication. I intend to make a statement shortly about the next steps in the process. Road Schemes: Finance Mrs Carson asked the Minister for Regional Development how the Department will finance the road schemes announced for the period 1999-2000 to 2003-04, and what the criteria will be for prioritising road development. (AQW 203/99) Mr P Robinson: Funds for road schemes for the period 1999-2000 to 2003-04 are made available from within the Northern Ireland block. In addition, in May 1998 the Chancellor of the Exchequer provided an additional £70 million for programmes including roads, schools and housing as part of his economic strategy for Northern Ireland. These additional funds were dependent on proceeds from the sale of the port of Belfast. If the sale does not proceed, it is likely that there will be an impact on the roads programme. The priority of road schemes is assessed against a broad range of criteria, such as strategic planning policy, traffic flows, numbers of accidents, potential travel time savings, environmental impact and value for money. In the final analysis, I will be responsible for deciding annually which schemes will proceed. A26 Road (Ballymena-Ballymoney) Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister for Regional Development what is the completion date of the A26 road between Ballymena and Ballymoney. (AQW 213/99) Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service has no immediate plans to upgrade the remaining single carriageway section of the A26 between Ballymena and Ballymoney to dual carriageway standard, although this will be kept under review in the light of traffic flows and journey times. The Roads Service has, however, commenced a study of this section of road and intends to prepare a strategy to improve the safety record along the route. This study is being carried out in conjunction with the RUC. As soon as the results of the study are known, it is hoped, safety improvements can be identified which could be implemented this year. Road Traffic (Newry Area): Mr Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development if a date has been set for the commencement of the public inquiry to investigate road traffic problems in the Rathfriland Road / Damolly Road area of Newry. (AQW 214/99) Mr P Robinson: The Department’s Roads Service proposes to hold the public inquiry, locally in the Newry area, in early spring this year. Public representatives and the general public will be advised of the date, time and venue of the inquiry when arrangements have been finalised. Roads: Gritting Mr Kennedy asked the Minister for Regional Development if there are any plans to carry out a review of the current gritting schedules, particularly in the constituency of Newry and Armagh. (AQW 215/99) Mr P Robinson: The overall salting schedule is reviewed annually by the Roads Service to ensure that all routes, including those in Newry and Armagh, which meet the existing qualifying criteria, are included in the schedule. Any significant increase in the salting schedule could only be achieved by relaxing the existing criteria, which were established following a comprehensive review by Roads Service in 1996, and diverting resources from elsewhere in my roads budget. I will, however, be consulting the Regional Development Committee about the priority which should be accorded to this aspect of roads expenditure. Mr Kennedy asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm the data used by his Department in the calculation of traffic volumes required to determine the gritting of minor roads and if these are applied consistently throughout Northern Ireland. (AQW 216/99) Mr P Robinson: The criteria used to determine which roads are included in the Department’s salting schedule are applied consistently across the country. They provide that main through routes carrying 1,500 or more vehicles per day are salted during wintry conditions. In addition, some other routes that carry more than 1,000 vehicles per day are salted provided there are special circumstances — for example, sharp bends or severity of gradients. To determine which routes meet these criteria, the peak winter traffic flows on all likely routes are obtained using automatic traffic counters. Roads (Ards Borough) Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will review the funding which is allocated for road maintenance and improvement in the Ards Borough Council area. (AQW 218/99) Mr P Robinson: I will be considering, as part of work on a long-term transport strategy, the need to maintain properly the existing road network. This will include examining the criteria used in prioritising capital and maintenance schemes within the available resources. I am very conscious that I have inherited a significant roads maintenance backlog and that the existing levels of funding fall far short of what is required. These are issues which I will also be pursuing in my input to the programme of government and consideration of public expenditure priorities. Comber Bypass Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to indicate the proposed timescale for the completion of the Comber bypass, the amount of financial assistance being sourced in the private sector for its completion and whether its completion is dependent upon the actions of private developers. (AQW 219/99) Mr P Robinson: A scheme to construct stage 2 of the Comber bypass is included in the Department’s current major works planning programme, with a scheduled start date in 2003-04. Completion of the scheme is not dependent on financial assistance from the private sector or the actions of private developers. However, departmental officials have met representatives from a consortium of private developers to explore options for advancing the scheme to accommodate their residential development proposals. If the planning application for these proposals is successful the developers have indicated a willingness to contribute towards the cost of the bypass, which is required to provide access to their development. Flood Prevention (County Tyrone) Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development what measures are in place to prevent flooding of the A5 and business premises in Omagh. (AQW 223/99) Mr P Robinson: In order to help prevent the recurrence of flooding in Omagh, my Department’s Water Service is to construct a new pumping station at Campsie to transfer storm water to the river Camowen during periods of high river levels. Work is expected to start in June 2000 and to be completed by the end of the year. The Department’s Roads Service is reminding relevant landowners of their responsibilities to maintain their private drainage systems in order to avoid spillage of water and debris from their properties into road drains. Such spillage was a contributory factor to recent flooding on the A5, particularly in the Newtownstewart area. Furthermore, I understand that, following the flooding of the A5 north of Strabane, the Rivers Agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has completed works to repair breaches in the floodbanks along the Burndennet River in order to restore flood protection to normal levels at that location. Roads (County Tyrone) Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will indicate what upgrading will be made to the A5 Aughnacloy/Londonderry trans-European route, and what is the expected start date for these improvements. (AQW 229/99) Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide the start dates and the contractual costs for the Omagh bypass (stage 3), the Strabane bypass and the Newtownards bypass. (AQW 230/99) Mr P Robinson: I have taken the above two questions together. In the latter question, I assume, the Member’s reference to the Newtownards bypass is intended to be to the Newtownstewart bypass. My Department’s Roads Service proposes to carry out the following schemes to upgrade the A5 Aughnacloy to Londonderry route:
The above costs are current estimates and are not contractual costs since the award of contracts has not yet been made. It is hoped that the Leckpatrick scheme will start in early 2000/2001. The other schemes are dependent upon the completion of the necessary statutory procedures, although it is hoped that all 3 schemes will start in 2001-02. Lislea Community Centre: Mr Fee asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will take steps to improve road safety at the community centre, Lislea, South Armagh, by instructing the Roads Service to provide two additional street lights at the entrance to the centre. (AQW 233/99) Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service only installs lighting on rural roads if the density of development exceeds certain criteria or if it is needed as a measure to reduce personal injury accidents. The density of development in this case is significantly below the minimum level required to warrant lighting, and there have been no reported after-dark accidents in the vicinity in the last five years. In the circumstances, I do not propose to instruct the Roads Service to provide street lighting at this location. Public Water Supply Mr McElduff asked the Minister for Regional Development if any plans exist to connect hundreds of homes in rural areas to the public water supply, and if he will make a statement. (AQW 239/99) Mr P Robinson: Approximately 1% of properties (6,000) across Northern Ireland are not connected to a mains water supply. The provision of a mains water supply to a property is governed by the cost of connection to the mains network and the engineering practicalities of supply. The Department for Regional Development’s Water Service will connect properties to mains water supplies if the costs of connection are £2,900 or less. I commenced a review of the allowable cost limit some weeks ago, and I will ensure that Assembly Members are informed of the outcome of this review when an appropriate conclusion has been reached. Roads: Gritting Mr McElduff asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to review existing policy on salting the roads, estates and footpaths in rural areas. (AQW 240/99) Mr P Robinson: My Department’s current criteria for the salting of roads are applied consistently across Northern Ireland. They provide that main through routes carrying 1,500 or more vehicles per day are salted during wintry conditions. In addition, some other routes that carry more than 1,000 vehicles per day are salted provided that there are special circumstances — for example, sharp bends or gradients. Roads in estates and rural areas do not generally meet the criteria and are not therefore salted. Neither are footpaths. Any significant increase in the salting schedule, such as that required to include those roads and footpaths, could only be achieved by diverting resources from elsewhere in my roads budget. Nevertheless, I will be consulting the Regional Development Committee about the priority that this aspect of roads expenditure should have. Public Water Supply Mr McElduff asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will increase the allowable cost limit per household unit to address the urgent need of many people to be connected to the public water supply and if he will make a statement (AQW 242/99) Mr P Robinson: The Department for Regional Development’s Water Service will connect properties to mains water supplies if the costs of connection are £2,900 or less. I commenced a review of the allowable cost limit some weeks ago, and I will ensure that Assembly Members are informed of the outcome of this review when an appropriate conclusion has been reached. Newry Social Security Office Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development, if he will confirm whether steps are being taken to replace the Social Security Office in Newry, and if he can give details of the intended location of any new offices and details of the projected total costs of the project. (AQW 237/99) The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): The Social Security Agency is committed to finding a new social security office in Newry which will provide suitable accommodation for both its customers and its staff. A process is under way to establish the most cost-effective solution. At present it is too early to say what the location and cost will be. |