Thursday 31 August 2000
Written Answers to Questions

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to make it their policy to counter economic disadvantage experienced by the constituency of West Tyrone due to rurality, and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 580/99)

Reply: In view of the cross-cutting nature of the question, the Executive’s response has been co-ordinated by OFMDFM.

The primary responsibility for policies to counter economic disadvantage in rural areas such as West Tyrone lies with those Departments which deliver services relevant to rural and industrial development — DARD and DETI in particular.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to support farmers throughout Northern Ireland. In addition, the new rural development programme (2000-06) is currently being negotiated with the European Commission. The aim of the programme will be "To promote comprehensive and integrated action towards the sustainable and equitable development of disadvantaged rural areas and, in doing so, contribute to the economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of the rural community for the benefit of the whole community of Northern Ireland."

As part of the wider new Targeting Social Need policy, which is designed to combat deprivation — in particular, targeting disadvantaged areas — the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment will continue to give priority to Strabane and Omagh District Councils, which have been designated for New TSN purposes. There are 18 IDB client companies, employing 3,672 people, in the West Tyrone constituency. Since April 1995 IDB has offered client companies in the constituency £9·4 million of selective financial assistance to promote or safeguard 766 jobs. A high-specification 39,000 sq ft advance unit was completed at Doogary estate in Omagh in July 1999, and a 15,000 sq ft standard advance factory is available at Orchard Road, Strabane. There are currently 681 LEDU-supported businesses trading in the West Tyrone constituency, and over the last three years LEDU has committed over £3 million to the area. LEDU also actively works with the Enterprising West Partnership, the delivery agent for the business start programme in the western region.

Mr McFarland asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what is the average cost of replying to Assembly questions since devolution.

(AQW 779/99)

Reply: No information on the cost of replying to an Assembly question is yet available.

An exercise to determine a range of costs incurred in responding to questions for written or oral answer will be undertaken in the autumn. The findings of this exercise will be placed in the Library.

Mr McFarland asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what is the cost limit above which it is uneconomical to reply to Assembly questions.

(AQW 780/99)

Reply: An answer may be refused if the information required to provide it is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. There is no cost limit for answers to Assembly questions, although a figure of £550 is used for guidance, based on the equivalent procedure at Westminster.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm that the Government’s action plan on the designation of future nitrogen- vulnerable zones will include consultation with farmers in those areas.

(AQW 750/99)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): The Government’s action plan on the designation of future nitrate-vulnerable zones has UK-wide application, and I can only respond in respect of Northern Ireland. If the Member has questions relating to England, Wales or Scotland, I suggest that he approach the territorial agriculture and environment Departments directly.

With regard to the designation of nitrate-vulnerable zones in Northern Ireland, I refer the Member to my answer of 29 June to AQW 737/99.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has received research data results which suggest that with the same level of rainfall nitrogen levels are higher in grassland than in intensively cultivated land.

(AQW 751/99)

Ms Rodgers: Although my Department has not undertaken a comparison of nitrogen losses between arable cropping and grassland, scientists employed by DARD have carried out research on nitrate levels in grazed grassland, and their findings were reported to me.

We are aware that nitrate, ammonium and nitrate levels in drainage water from grazed grassland can be high. Despite those findings, our research has also shown that the EU maximum admissible concentrations of nitrate, ammonium and nitrate for drinking water were not normally exceeded. For these levels to be exceeded in the drainage water, fertiliser had to be applied to the grassland at a rate well above the maximum laid down in my Department’s guidelines on the application of fertiliser and in the code of good agricultural practice for the protection of water.

Consequently, we consider that this research has no implications for my Department’s policy on nitrate levels in water. It does not provide any reason to further extend the boundaries of the existing nitrate-vulnerable zones or justification to designate new ones.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in pursuance of AQW 571/99, (i) what are the projected income figures derived from licence fees paid to the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission for each of the years 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02; (ii) what percentages of the income are paid to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and to the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources in Dublin; (iii) what percentage of the £431,000 running costs is met by the Government of the Republic of Ireland; (iv) what other moneys are paid by the Government of the Republic of Ireland for the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission.

(AQW 755/99)

Ms Rodgers: The estimates of income derived from licence fees paid to the FCILC are as follows: 

1999-2000, £140,000;

 2000-01, £160,000; 

2001-02, £180,000.

None of this income is paid to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development or the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. As explained in my letter of 21 June 2000 in response to the Member’s earlier query, this income is deducted from the Commission’s total financial requirements to establish the balance required to be met by both Departments as joint sponsors of the FCILC.

The £431,000 paid to the FCILC is the contribution of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to the running costs of the Loughs Agency of the FCILC for 2000-01. The Department of the Marine and Natural Resources will contribute £800,000 for the same period.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has received any indication of European Commission approval for the Northern Ireland rural development plan.

(AQW 762/99)

Ms Rodgers: We are still in the process of negotiation on the Northern Ireland rural development plan, as are the other countries of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. There have been some difficulties with the UK and Irish plans for compensatory allowances in the less-favoured areas, but once differences over these have been resolved, there should remain no fundamental obstacles to acceptance of the Northern Ireland Plan.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what are the levels of expenditure on agri-environment schemes and less- favoured areas compensatory allowances in each of the 18 constituencies.

(AQW 764/99)

Ms Rodgers: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be compiled at disproportionate cost.

Mr Dalton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development which statutory body has responsibility for removing an animal carcass from a river; what is the extent of this responsibility; and if no statutory body exists, what steps will be taken to remedy the situation.

(AQW 771/99)

Ms Rodgers: Under the terms of the Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973, the Rivers Agency — an executive agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development — is empowered to carry out such drainage works may as be necessary to maintain a free flow in designated watercourses. The works would include the removal of carcases and other waste material, but only where these were causing a significant obstruction to flows or where the watercourse involved was owned by the Department.

The agency is not empowered to remove carcases solely for public health or amenity reasons or from watercourses which have not been designated under the terms of the Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order for maintenance at public expense.

I understand that district councils have discretionary powers under the Pollution Control and Local Government (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 to remove carcases which pose a public health risk.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans exist to deal with a major outbreak of sheep scab during the time farmers are without organophosphates.

(AQW 819/99)

Ms Rodgers: No plans are considered necessary to deal with a major outbreak of sheep scab during the temporary suspension of OP dips. OP dips are only one method of treatment for sheep scab. Effective alternative treatments are available, including synthetic pyrethroid dips, pour-ons and injectable products. The Government’s decision to suspend the marketing of OP sheep dips is to allow companies to improve container design. Advice from the expert scientific Veterinary Products Committee has been received and is under consideration.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what is the total cost to farmers of the withdrawal of organophosphate sheep dip.

(AQW 820/99)

Ms Rodgers: Since the development of alternative products for the treatment of sheep scab, some farmers have chosen not to use organophosphates. There will therefore be farmers whose costs are not affected at all by the withdrawal of these products. Alternative treatments, such as injectables and pour-ons, are more expensive to purchase but are less labour intensive than dipping. As there are a variety of products available from a wide range of distribution outlets in Northern Ireland, no information is available on any changes in the pattern of sales following the withdrawal of organophosphates.

Dr Adamson asked the Minister of Education what consultations have been held with Ulster-Scots cultural and language groups to implement the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages; what steps have been taken to fulfil commitments to education in Ulster-Scots required by part two of the Charter; and to make a statement.

(AQW 695/99)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): Northern Ireland Departments have responsibility to observe and implement international obligations in carrying out their transferred functions. Work will be needed to promote and monitor activity by Departments, in line with the Charter and to evaluate and report on progress. My Department is committed to doing so.

I would be very happy to hold consultations with Ulster-Scots cultural and language groups on the implications for schools of the Charter, but so far I have not received any requests for such consultations, nor have any representations been made to me concerning a demand for the provision of education in Ulster-Scots.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Education to confirm starting dates for the provision of a purpose- built nursery at Carrick School, Burren and a new Primary School at Carrick.

(AQW 753/99)

Mr M McGuinness: Approval has not been given for a new school or a nursery unit for Carrick Primary School.

The need for additional statutory nursery provision in the Burren and Kilbroney ward cannot be determined until the impact of a new statutory nursery school in Warrenpoint on the overall requirement for pre-school places has been assessed.

The need for a new school for Carrick Primary School will be evaluated in a full economic appraisal of the options for meeting the long-term accommodation needs of the pupils. There is a substantial number of high-priority projects in the school planning lists, and at this stage I cannot say when the appraisal for Carrick Primary School will be completed. The Department is liaising with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools on the programme for economic appraisals in the maintained sector.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the criteria used to ensure the safe transport in taxis of children with special needs; (ii) the procedures for monitoring the application of these criteria in each board area; (iii) the number of children with special needs who have reported injuries while being transported by taxi in each board area in 1999-2000.

(AQW 801/99)

Mr M McGuinness: All taxi firms must comply with the education and library board terms and conditions for taxi operators, which require that all vehicles must be properly licensed, insured and in a roadworthy condition; that drivers must hold the appropriate licence; that only nominated vehicles may be used and these may be manned only by nominated regular or relief drivers and escorts (if provided by the taxi firms since some are employed by the boards). All drivers and escorts must undergo a criminal record disclosure check in order to comply with child protection requirements. No adults other than the driver and escort (where provided) may be carried in taxis. Escorts may be required to undertake board training. Drivers are expected to meet the parents before the service is provided and to familiarise themselves with the child’s disability. Wherever possible, taxi firms are expected to inform parents in advance of a change of driver.

Boards carry out random checks on taxi runs throughout the school year in order to verify that taxi firms and drivers are meeting their requirements. Schools are expected to report any concerns about transport arrangements to the board transport sections. I am advised by the boards that no injuries to pupils with statements of special educational needs while being transported to and from school were reported in the 1999-2000 school year, although it was alleged by parents that one pupil had been bullied by other children sharing the same taxi. The relevant Board has made alternative arrangements for the pupil concerned.

In 1999-2000 Boards awarded contracts to 393 taxi firms to carry 2,604 children with statements of special educational needs to and from school. Of these, 2,371 did not have escorts.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education how many contracts exist with taxi firms in Northern Ireland to transport children with special educational needs.

(AQW 802/99)

Mr M McGuinness: All taxi firms must comply with the education and library board terms and conditions for taxi operators, which require that all vehicles must be properly licensed, insured and in a roadworthy condition; that drivers must hold the appropriate licence; that only nominated vehicles may be used and these may be manned only by nominated regular or relief drivers and escorts (if provided by the taxi firms since some are employed by the boards). All drivers and escorts must undergo a criminal record disclosure check in order to comply with child protection requirements. No adults other than the driver and escort (where provided) may be carried in taxis. Escorts may be required to undertake board training. Drivers are expected to meet the parents before the service is provided and to familiarise themselves with the child’s disability. Wherever possible, taxi firms are expected to inform parents in advance of a change of driver.

Boards carry out random checks on taxi runs throughout the school year in order to verify that taxi firms and drivers are meeting their requirements. Schools are expected to report any concerns about transport arrangements to the board transport sections. I am advised by the boards that no injuries to pupils with statements of special educational needs while being transported to and from school were reported in the 1999-2000 school year, although it was alleged by parents that one pupil had been bullied by other children sharing the same taxi. The relevant board has made alternative arrangements for the pupil concerned.

In 1999-2000 boards awarded contracts to 393 taxi firms to carry 2,604 children with statements of special educational needs to and from school. Of these 2,371 did not have escorts.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail how many children with special educational needs (i) are transported to school by taxi in Northern Ireland; (ii) travel in taxis without attendants.

(AQW 803/99)

Mr M McGuinness: All taxi firms must comply with the education and library board terms and conditions for taxi operators which require all vehicles to be properly licensed, insured and in a roadworthy condition; that drivers must hold the appropriate licence; that only nominated vehicles may be used and these may be manned only by nominated regular or relief drivers and escorts (if provided by the taxi firms since some are employed by the boards). All drivers and escorts must undergo a criminal record disclosure check in order to comply with child protection requirements. No adults other than the driver and escort (where provided) may be carried in taxis. Escorts may be required to undertake board training. Drivers are expected to meet the parents before the service is provided and to familiarise themselves with the child’s disability. Wherever possible, taxi firms are expected to inform parents in advance of a change of driver.

Boards carry out random checks on taxi runs throughout the school year in order to verify that taxi firms and drivers are meeting their requirements. Schools are expected to report any concerns about transport arrangements to the board transport sections. I am advised by the boards that no injuries to pupils with statements of special educational needs while being transported to and from school were reported in the 1999-2000 school year, although it was alleged by parents that one pupil had been bullied by other children sharing the same taxi. The relevant board has made alternative arrangements for the pupil concerned.

In 1999-2000 boards awarded contracts to 393 taxi firms to carry 2,604 children with statements of special educational needs to and from school. Of these 2,371 did not have escorts.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Education to indicate if benchmarking, aptitude testing and accepted norms are available to all Primary 1 teachers, and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 827/99)

Mr M McGuinness: Primary 1 teachers have always assessed children on entry to school, but the baseline assessment scheme which is currently being piloted is intended to bring what teachers are already doing here into a standard format. The Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), which has responsibility for the pilot of baseline assessment has recommended that the baseline assessment system should be subject to a further pilot year. All Primary 1 teachers and classroom assistants from schools which participated in the 1999-2000 pilot received training, which was organised and administered by the education and library boards. This will be extended to any Primary 1 teachers and classroom assistants from schools which decide to participate in the pilot scheme for the first time in 2000-01.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Education to indicate the average class size for primary schools in Northern Ireland in year 1997 and year 2000, and if he will detail the average class size, by A-level subject, for the same years.

(AQW 828/99)

Mr M McGuinness: The average class sizes for primary schools were as follows:

Information on A level class size is not collected by the Department.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Education to indicate the criteria used for establishing and funding Irish-Medium schools; at what stage these schools receive Department of Education funding; if this includes funding for staffing, books/materials, maintenance, et cetera; and what is the system of management controls for such schools.

(AQW 831/99)

Mr M McGuinness: The Department of Education considers statutory development proposals for grant-aided status for Irish-medium schools against a range of criteria, including the availability of suitable alternative provision, the possible impact on other schools, educational effectiveness, affordability, financial implications, and the potential viability of the school, based on pupil enrolment patterns and projections.

The present viability criteria, which are under review, are a minimum P1 intake of 25 pupils, with a long-term enrolment potential of 150 to 175 pupils for primary schools, and for secondary schools a minimum intake of 80 pupils in Form 1, with a long-term enrolment potential of 400 pupils.

As is the case for other grant-aided schools, Irish-medium schools approved for grant-aided status receive recurrent funding, from the effective date of approval, towards staffing costs, books, materials and maintenance needs, under the terms of the local management of schools scheme prepared by the relevant education and library board. The schools are managed by appointed boards of governors in accordance with schemes of management approved by the Department.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm that the process of designating nitrogen- vulnerable zones is based upon sound scientific evidence.

(AQW 749/99)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): The decision to designate nitrate-vulnerable zones (NVZs) is taken after consideration of data which are scientifically gathered from surface and ground water monitoring and sampling programmes. In Northern Ireland, this data is gathered and analysed by the Department’s Environment and Heritage Service. Its NVZ database includes appropriate inputs from the British Geological Survey and the Industrial Research and Technology Unit.

Mr Berry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what are the numbers of Roman Catholics and Protestants employed in Roads Service depots in Newry/Armagh.

(AQW 758/99)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): Community background monitoring information is collected for the specific purpose of addressing the extent to which the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) offers and provides equality of opportunity and fair participation to both sections of the community and, where this is assessed not to be the case, to consider the appropriateness or otherwise of taking lawful affirmative action. This is the basis on which staff have been asked for and have provided the information.

Given the sensitivity of community background information, the NICS has had in place, since the introduction of monitoring in 1985, a code of practice, agreed with trade unions, governing the confidentiality of monitoring information and the categories of statistical analyses to be published.

Information about the composition of the NICS is contained in the regular reports of the Service’s Equal Opportunities Unit, the most recent of which — the seventh report — contains an extensive range of analyses and was published in April this year. Copies of the report are available in the Library and on the Internet at www.dfpni.gov.uk.

Given the purpose for which community background monitoring information has been collected, and the fact that the compositional profile of staff working in a particular office or branch is not relevant in informing the development of policies and practices which promote equality of opportunity and fair participation across the NICS, monitoring information is not maintained at the level requested.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to conduct a review of the Land Valuation Order, particularly in regard to compensation for property owners affected by the vesting process.

(AQW 765/99)

Mr Durkan: The primary legislation governing compensation to property owners is the Land Compensation (Northern Ireland) Order 1982. This closely mirrors equivalent legislation in Great Britain.

A review of GB legislation was initiated in 1998 with the aim of establishing a more efficient, effective and fairer system for claimants. The review group engaged in this work has yet to produce its final recommendations.

In the circumstances it would not be appropriate to conduct a separate Northern Ireland review, but developments in GB will be closely monitored, and the applicability to Northern Ireland of any proposed changes in legislation will be considered as a matter of urgency.

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