Friday 23 June 2000
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment what plans he has to address the training and employment needs of young Protestant males, and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 587/99)

The Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment (Dr Farren): I have no plans to introduce training or employment measures designed specifically for young people (either male or female) from a particular community background. My Department’s various training and employment programmes are available to all who satisfy the programme’s entry criteria, irrespective of gender, disability, race or community background. Our programmes are about enhancing opportunity and ensuring a more equal distribution of the benefits of economic growth through targeting, in particular, those individuals and areas in greatest need.

Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail the grants provided by his Department to Kinawley Teleworking Integrated Enterprise.

(AQW 630/99)

Dr Farren: Since 1993 my Department has paid European grants amounting to £1,400,936 to the Kinawley Integrated Teleworking Enterprise (KITE).

A further £76,000 of European grants have been paid to KITE by sectoral partners contracted to this Department.

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail (a) the number of students from the Republic of Ireland enrolled in full-time courses in further and higher education colleges in Northern Ireland and (b) the number of students from Northern Ireland who have enrolled in universities and further education institutes in the Republic of Ireland, in each of the last 10 years.

(AQW 637/99)

¹ Enrolments at the NI Higher Education Institutions are as at 1 December.

Information on Northern Irish students enrolled on Further Education courses at institutions in the Republic of Ireland is not available.

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will give a date for the decision on the future of the sewage treatment works in the Donaghadee area.

(AQW 562/99)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr P Robinson): The Water Service commissioned consultants to carry out detailed environmental assessments of two possible sites for the North Down and Ards wastewater treatment works. These assessments have been completed and are currently being considered. Proposals for the location of the marine outfall site and storm water handling are being finalised.

I wish to consider all the issues very carefully, as I am aware of the concerns expressed by public representatives and members of the public about the siting of the proposed works. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement in two to three months.

Mr Byrne asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to increase funding for the Northern Ireland railway network and to indicate what steps he will take to ensure that the present level of services will not be further downgraded.

(AQW 569/99)

Mr P Robinson: The future level of funding for the public transport system in Northern Ireland, including the railway network, is being considered as part of the 2000 spending review, which is currently under way. I expect that the recommendations of the Railways Task Force will have a significant influence on the decisions taken in the spending review. In any event, my Department is already pressing strongly for additional public expenditure resources to be allocated to railways. My Department has undertaken in the current year to subsidise the existing levels of service, but operational imperatives — including safety considerations — may necessitate some reductions in service.

Mr C Murphy asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail consultations that the Department has had with Irish Government officials in relation to the ‘Shaping Our Future’ document, and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 570/99)

Mr P Robinson: The draft regional strategic framework for Northern Ireland was published in December 1998 by the former Department of the Environment. During the course of its preparation, officials from that Department met with their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland on various occasions to discuss matters of potential mutual benefit. More recently, and since the establishment of the Department for Regional Development, an official from my Department has been appointed to serve on the expert advisory group which is monitoring and advising on the preparation of a national spatial strategy for the Republic of Ireland. I am satisfied with the arrangements which continue to be in place to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to promote the development of the Bleach Green to Antrim railway line as a commuter link for south and east Antrim, and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 583/99)

Mr P Robinson: Translink has advised that specific plans to promote the development of this line have not yet been finalised. However, Translink does intend to promote the line to potential commuters and others as the date for its reopening for passenger services, expected in early 2001, approaches.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to develop commuter rail travel between Larne and Belfast.

(AQW 584/99)

Mr P Robinson: I understand that Translink does not currently have any plans to develop commuter rail travel between Larne and Belfast. My Department does not at present have the resources available to meet the additional running cost subsidy that Translink would need to develop services on this line, and Translink does not have sufficient rolling stock available to increase services.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps have been taken to ensure that the Belfast to Larne railway line maintains its Trans- European network status.

(AQW 585/99)

Mr P Robinson: The European Commission is currently revising the Trans-European network (TEN) guidelines. However, there are no proposals to alter the Trans- European network in Northern Ireland, and the status of the Belfast to Larne railway is not due to change.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the current status of (a) the Newtownstewart bypass; (b) the next phase of the Omagh through-pass; (c) the next phase of the Strabane bypass.

(AQW 592/99)

Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service is currently progressing each of these schemes through the various statutory procedures. Notices of intention to make direction orders and environmental impact assessment notices have been published for the Newtownstewart bypass and the Strabane bypass stage 2 and will be published within the next few weeks for the Omagh throughpass stage 3. Subject to the successful completion of these statutory procedures and the availability of funds, work on site is scheduled to commence on all these schemes in April/May 2001.

The development of the schemes will ease the flow of through traffic on the Londonderry-Ballygawley route and will provide benefits to local communities through the removal of traffic from town centres.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide statistics of the quantities of lead, arsenic and fluoride which have been introduced to the Tandragee watercourse over the past 25 years, including the amounts of lead and arsenic used in aluminium as a flocculating agent.

(AQW 602/99)

Mr P Robinson: I understand that this question relates to the Tandragee water supply.

Aluminium has not been used as a flocculating agent for the water supplied to Tandragee during the past 25 years. The water in the Tandragee area contains only trace amounts of lead. Random samples taken at consumers’ taps may occasionally contain lead as a result of lead service pipes or internal plumbing in some older properties.

Until the early part of this year the Tandragee area was supplied from a local borewell. At the request of the local health authority, fluosilicic acid was added to the water to improve dental health. Approximately 8 litres of the acid was added each day, and over a 25-year period approximately 75,000 litres of the acid would have been added to the water. Fluosilicic acid contains minute quantities of arsenic. On mixing in supply, the levels would have been well below the detection limit of one part per billion, which is one fiftieth of the concentration of arsenic permitted in the Water Quality Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994. It is estimated that approximately 12g of arsenic was added to the water each year, which corresponds to a total of 300g over a 25-year period. Tandragee is now supplied from an alternative water source, and fluoridation has ceased.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development if finance has been allocated for the completion of the new road from the Flood Gates to the Comber Road in Newtownards and to confirm the completion date for this project.

(AQW 620/99)

Mr P Robinson: A scheme to construct a new link road between the Flood Gates and Comber Road in Newtownards is phase 1 of the Newtownards southern relief road. This scheme is included in my Department’s forward planning schedule. At present, finance has not been allocated for the scheme, and construction will depend on the future availability of funds for the roads programme and the priority of the scheme compared to other worthwhile schemes across Northern Ireland.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm the quantities of (i) lead, (ii) arsenic, (iii) fluoride and (iv) lead and arsenic used in aluminium as a flocculating agent released into the waters of Tandragee in total over the past 25 years.

(AQW 624/99)

Mr P Robinson: I am replying, as this is a matter for the Department for Regional Development.

I refer the Member to my answer of 22 June 2000 to his question AQW 602/99.

Mr Molloy asked the Minister for Regional Development what is the current position in regard to the installation of mobile phone masts on Department of the Environment Water Service properties.

(AQO 274/99)

Mr P Robinson: I am replying as this is a matter for the Department for Regional Development. The Water Service has its own telecommunications system, which includes a large number of masts at strategic locations across Northern Ireland. These sites are serviced with access roads and electricity and are thus attractive to cellular telephone companies.

Applications by cellular telephone companies to erect masts on Water Service sites or to erect dishes on existing Water Service masts are subject to rigorous assessment. This includes ensuring that the proposed installation does not affect Water Service operations, that all licensing requirements are met, and that the applicant has obtained planning approval from the Department of the Environment. Provided that an application meets these criteria, the Water Service is normally prepared to allow the installation and charge an appropriate rental. This approach helps to limit the overall impact of mast development.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister for Regional Development what assessment he has made of the responses in the further consultation period on the ‘Shaping our Future’ document, and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 267/99)

Mr P Robinson: More than 80 responses were received in the consultation period to which the Member refers. I have been briefed on the main thrust of these responses, and have instructed officials to give them the fullest possible consideration in bringing forward a final version of the regional development strategy for further political direction. The relevant Assembly Committee has recently had presentations on the subject by both my officials and myself, and so I have no plans to make a further statement at this time.

Mr McHugh asked the Minister for Regional Development to undertake to act on responses to the final draft of ‘Shaping our Future’, in particular on submissions on infastructure from the West rural region, and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 303/99)

Mr P Robinson: I have instructed my officials to take account of all the responses which were received in relation to the proposed regional development strategy. I welcome the fact that five district councils in the west of the region collaborated in making a very significant submission.

I can assure the Member that the points about infrastructure will be given the fullest possible consideration when the strategy is being finalised. Thereafter, I will be making every effort to secure the funds which will be necessary to implement it.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister for Regional Development if his Department has any plans to increase investment in the omnibus and rail services in Northern Ireland in the light of the recent 3% to 4% cutback in these services.

(AQO 301/99)

Mr P Robinson: The future level of funding for the public transport system in Northern Ireland is being considered as part of the 2000 spending review that is currently under way. I am pressing strongly for additional public expenditure resources to be allocated to public transport.

Mr Neeson asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that Northern Ireland will get a share of the money that has been made available from the Exchequer for public transport.

(AQO 275/99)

Mr P Robinson: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his Budget statement, announced an additional £280 million in 2000-01 for transport. Under the existing Treasury rules the Northern Ireland block has been allocated a proportional amount, as it has in relation to the additional funds announced for health and education. I am anxious that the additional funds should be allocated to public transport, and I have made strong representations to that end.

Mr McClelland asked the Minister for Regional Development to authorise a feasibility study to examine the cost of linking the proposed A6 Toome bypass with the M2 motorway.

(AQO 307/99)

Mr P Robinson: A scheme for dualling the 4.1 mile section of the A6 between the end of the motorway and the start of the proposed Toome bypass has been proposed for some years. The scheme is estimated to cost some £15 million and is currently included in my Department’s forward planning schedule, where it will have to compete for priority and funding in future roads programmes.

Mr Ford asked the Minister for Regional Development when he expects to receive the report of the railways task force.

(AQO 279/99)

Mr P Robinson: I expect an interim report from the task force by late July this year.

Mr Close asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline how he proposes to influence the programme of government in the light of his absence from meetings of the Executive Committee.

(AQO 277/99)

Mr P Robinson: My party’s position on sitting on the Executive Committee with those who represent an armed terrorist group is well known.

On my Department’s input to the programme of government, I have already met with the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to discuss my proposals. My Department has submitted detailed proposals, and I have outlined the Department’s programme to the Assembly’s Rural Development Committee.

The programme of government will have to be approved by the Assembly, and every Assembly Member will have an opportunity for input at the debate stage.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will give a progress report on improvements made to the A26 from Woodgreen to Ballee.

(AQO 296/99)

Mr P Robinson: Following the award of contract on 10 April 2000 for the dualling of the A26 road between Woodgreen and Ballee roundabout, site works commenced on 2 May 2000. At present, earth and drainage works are progressing on programme between Woodgreen and the Cromkill Road junction, with completion of the scheme scheduled for next summer (2001).

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development under what authority grants are paid to public transport operators.

(AQW 732/99)

Mr P Robinson: The payment of grants to public transport operators, in particular grants to cover the cost of concessionary fares, is provided for under the Transport (Northern Ireland) Order 1977. The relevant parts of this legislation were not transferred from the Department of the Environment to the Department for Regional Development on devolution. The approval of the Assembly to transfer responsibility for the relevant provisions in the 1977 Order will be sought in a forthcoming Transfer of Functions Order. Pending that approval, necessary expenditure in these areas will be met by repayable advances from the Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister for Social Development to introduce a scheme through which first-time home buyers will be exempt from stamp duty.

(AQW 705/99)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): Stamp duty levied in Northern Ireland is an excepted matter under schedule 2 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister for Social Development to make funding available to enable first-time buyers of newly built properties in housing developments to recover the Value Added Tax.

(AQW 729/99)

Mr Dodds: Taxation is an excepted matter under schedule 2 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

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