Friday 6 October 2000
Written Answers to Questions

Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she is aware of press reports alleging Internet misuse within the Department, if she will comment on the accuracy of these reports and detail what action she has taken in respect of these allegations.

(AQW 165/00)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): I am aware of press reports covering Internet misuse. An investigation has been carried out into misuse of the Internet by some departmental staff. As a result, formal disciplinary action has been taken against a number of officers. An investigation is ongoing into misuse of e-mail facilities by some staff. If appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken. A range of actions are underway to counter possible misuse of the Department’s computer facilities in the future.

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will outline the consultation process carried out by her on the Department’s draft equality scheme; (a) how the consultation was carried out (b) who was consulted (c) how the responses received will be written into the final schemes to be submitted to the Equality Commission and (d) how the consultation process will be taken forward.

(AQW 166/00)

Ms Rodgers: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s consultation on the draft equality scheme was carried out along the lines set out in the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s Guide to the Statutory Duties.

A copy of the scheme was sent to some 370 organisations, including representative organisations of the Section 75 groups, community and voluntary groups, political parties and groups representing the agriculture industry and the rural community. A list of those organisations contacted has been placed in the Assembly Library.

Wherever possible comments have been written in to the draft equality scheme which was submitted to the Equality Commission on 30 June. Other comments are under active consideration by my Department.

The consultation will be progressed as soon as a formal response is received from the Equality Commission. Organisations will also be invited to comment on the Department’s screening policy which is currently underway.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will undertake to consider designating the Lough Neagh wetlands and waterways as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and/or an environmentally sensitive area.

(AQW 179/00)

Ms Rodgers: Northern Ireland has already designated five environmentally sensitive areas, which include the most important wildlife habitats and characteristic landscapes. These are: (a) the Mourne Mountains and Slieve Croob; (b) the Antrim Coast, Glens and Rathlin; (c) West Fermanagh and the Erne Lakeland; (d) the Sperrins and (e) Slieve Gullion. Environmentally sensitive areas now cover 20% of the total Northern Ireland land area, which is comparable with the amount of land so designated in other EU member states.

EU legislation restricts the amount of land that any member state may designate as an environmentally sensitive area (ESA). This has been done in the interests of ensuring that ESA designation is carried out only for the purpose intended and is not being used as an illegal state aid to the farming industry. Further extensive designation could not, therefore, take place unless the requirements of the EU legislation could be met, and there is considerable doubt about whether the land around Lough Neagh could meet these.

My Department recognises, however, the importance of promoting environmentally beneficial farming practices on all farmland in Northern Ireland. The new Northern Ireland Rural Development Plan makes provision for this by introducing a countryside management scheme (CMS), which shares the same broad aims as the ESA scheme. This new scheme will fund those farmers who adopt environmentally beneficial farming practices and can provide the greatest environmental benefit in the 80% of Northern Ireland that falls outside the ESAs. Farmers around Lough Neagh will have opportunity to apply to enter the CMS.

My colleague, the Minister of the Environment, informs me that his Department is currently refining its policy on the designation of additional areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) under the provisions of the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. However, it remains unlikely that the landscape around Lough Neagh will merit AONB designation.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline what action has been taken in relation to the recent recommendation by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee that Northern Ireland potato growers require (a) investment in adequate storage facilities and (b) to identify other varieties of potato in order to extend their season; and if she will make it her policy to provide financial assistance and professional advice and research to assist in the implementation of these alternatives.

(AQW 194/00)

Ms Rodgers: Through the 1994-99 EU Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme some £2m has been provided to projects which included investment in modern potato storage facilities. That scheme is now closed, but the Rural Development Programme for 2000 to 2006, which is subject to EU clearance, includes provision for a continuation of processing and marketing grants on a similar basis. Each year trials are undertaken to evaluate new varieties for their potential for use by the ware sector in Northern Ireland, and I can confirm that this work will continue. There is also an ongoing advisory programme aimed at developing the competencies of growers to manage the harvesting, storage and handling of potatoes.

Mr Adams asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to identify the number of staff in her Department and its associated agencies currently receiving (a) the national minimum wage and (b) less than £5 an hour.

(AQW 220/00)

Ms Rodgers: All staff in my Department and its associated agencies are currently receiving at least the national minimum wage.

The numbers of staff currently receiving less than £5 an hour are as follows:

Mr J Wilson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she intends to take to prevent a recurrence of the flooding in Ballyclare in September 1999.

(AQO 85/00)

Ms Rodgers: Following the flooding in September 1999, interim flood defences were constructed by the Rivers Agency to improve protection to the most vulnerable sections of the Green Burn which flows through Ballyclare, and consultants were commissioned to carry out a wide-ranging study of the flooding problems in the town. The study is due to be completed in December 2000. Officials will be available early in the New Year to discuss the way forward with the interests involved.

Pending the outcome of the study operational staff are carrying out frequent inspections and maintenance as necessary.

Mr McNamee asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she intends to take extra steps to combat the massive increase in the incidence of brucellosis outbreaks in areas of South Armagh.

(AQO 89/00)

Ms Rodgers: We have already taken additional action in an effort to reduce the level of brucellosis in the South Armagh area. In normal circumstances, when an outbreak occurs, those herds in an inner ring contiguous to the infected herd are subjected to movement restrictions and to an immediate herd test, with follow-up testing every four months until they are no longer at risk. Testing is also carried out immediately and at four monthly intervals in an outer ring contiguous to herds in the inner ring. In the Armagh area we have extended this outer ring to another circle of herds which we also subject to immediate and subsequent testing at four monthly intervals. We are also carrying out bulk milk sampling in the area. This amounts to a significantly enhanced effort on DARD’s behalf to reduce the level of brucellosis in the area concerned.

We are also considering certain further measures which might be helpful both in high-incidence areas and elsewhere. These include changing from biennial to annual testing in high-incidence areas such as Armagh, extending the bulk milk sampling programme Province wide and introducing a cull cow blood sampling programme all which would act as early indicators of infection.

However, any or all of these can be put in place if we can make available the necessary resources.

Brucellosis is easily spread, and once infection enters a herd, neighbouring herds are at high risk of contracting the disease.

Farmers in South Armagh and elsewhere in Northern Ireland must play their full part in prevention by taking appropriate precautions such as purchasing cattle from a reliable source, maintaining the integrity of the herd, ensuring that tests are carried out on time and by reporting abortions. It is also important to maintain good herd records so that where infection is detected, tracing of animals can be carried out quickly and effectively. There is no doubt that we are facing a significant problem in relation to brucellosis, but I hope that industry and Government working together can bring us back to the position we were in some years ago when Northern Ireland was clear of the disease.

Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will explain how excluding 2,600 small family farms from area aid payments will help sustain and encourage rural development and rural regeneration.

(AQO 88/00)

Ms Rodgers: This question has been overtaken by events. The 2,600 farmers referred to are now included in the LFA scheme which has been sent to Brussels for approval.

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if, following her decision on the allocation of additional milk quotas, she will consider providing discretion for those producers who in the past two years have purchased milk quotas placing them over the threshold for additional quota.

(AQO 86/00)

Ms Rodgers: The allocation to eligible producers will be based on the volume of quota held at 1 April 1999. Anyone who has purchased quota since that date, which has resulted in bringing them above the 250,000 litre threshold, will be considered for an allocation on the basis of their quota held at 1 April 1999.

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what additional costs fall on farmers in Northern Ireland compared to those in Great Britain as a result of higher energy costs.

(AQO 83/00)

Ms Rodgers: There is relatively little data available on comparative energy costs in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. However, information on electricity costs indicates that general consumers in Northern Ireland pay 20% to 25% per cent more than their counterparts in GB. There is nothing to suggest that agriculture is any different.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what measures are being taken by the Arts Council to recognise and promote the development of the Irish language.

(AQW 120/00)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The Arts Council’s policy in relation to support for Irish language arts is the same as that for the arts in English, Irish or any other language: to promote work of quality, whether it be in the genres of writing, storytelling, traditional singing or drama. The council does not support language development per se, but rather underpins the development of all arts in language communities.

Arts Council expenditure on both Irish language and Ulster-Scots arts activities has risen significantly in recent years, and the council has published a position statement entitled ‘Literature, Language, Tradition’ in both languages, which clearly sets out its current policy on these areas. In addition, the council has drawn up terms of reference for a needs analysis into Irish and Ulster-Scots language arts. It is partnering with the respective agencies of the North/South language body in this welcome and necessary piece of research which will help inform future policy and the development of a more proactive role for the Arts Council in this important area.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what progress has been made in (a) the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, (b) other Departments and (c) statutory agencies to develop a policy towards the promotion of the Irish language.

(AQW 121/00)

Mr McGimpsey: All Departments are aware of the overarching commitment in the Belfast Agreement to promote understanding, tolerance and respect for linguistic diversity and of the specific commitments to Irish in the agreement and the Council of Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

It is clear that since devolution the level of interest in the use of Irish has increased considerably in the Executive and in one or two Departments in particular.

Northern Ireland Departments, together with the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Court Service, have been considering the relevant policy and practical implications of these developments.

On 28 September the Executive Committee noted a paper covering the measures which can be applied by Departments to Irish in Northern Ireland in the context of the Council of Europe Charter on Regional or Minority Languages.

Work will be undertaken by a Standing Interdepartmental Charter Group, chaired by my Department to develop an action plan for implementing the charter. This plan will be ready by April 2001.

All Departments are currently considering draft guidance on the use of Irish in official business which will be brought to the Executive Committee for approval before the charter comes into force early next year.

My Department will shortly consider corporate plans for Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch, which set out how both agencies propose to implement their obligations in respect of the Belfast Agreement. These may have implications for other Departments. The plans will be submitted for approval to the North/South Ministerial Council.

A priority for my Department in helping us develop policy is to obtain quality information regarding various aspects of the current situation regarding the Irish language sector and demand for its use in public life. We have, therefore, commissioned or planned a number of research projects. The results of these will be made available to Departments and will be published as appropriate.

My Department has also been examining the implications of the Belfast Agreement commitment to seek more effective ways to encourage and provide financial support for Irish language film and television production in Northern Ireland and has consulted widely with those with expertise and experience in this area. We have commissioned a consultant to produce an action plan for a pilot project to test demand. The project should be in place by April 2001.

In developing policy towards promotion of the Irish language we will listen carefully to advice from Foras na Gaeilge, the Department Assembly Committee, ministerial colleagues and individuals or organisations with expertise or an interest in this area.

Within the context of the obligations imposed by the Belfast Agreement and the Council of Europe Charter, it is a matter for individual Departments and their statutory agencies to develop policy and practice tailored to their own circumstances.

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will outline the consultation process carried out by him on the Department’s draft equality scheme; (a) how the consultation was carried out (b) who was consulted (c) how the responses received will be written into the final schemes to be submitted to the Equality Commission and (d) how the consultation process will be taken forward.

(AQW 167/00)

Mr McGimpsey: I can confirm that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure consulted widely with numerous bodies including district councils, public bodies responsible for culture, arts and leisure as well as voluntary and community groups. A list of those consulted is attached for your information. Advertisements were also included in the local press to ensure that anyone who may have been inadvertently omitted was given an opportunity to respond. During the consultation phase departmental officials met with representatives of groups declaring a specific interest in our scheme. The equality scheme was amended in the light of the responses received during the consultation exercise.

I can also confirm that the Department will continue to consult widely in relation to the equality scheme and the impact assessments of our policies in the future. All those consulted on the draft scheme and those who responded will be included. In addition, when carrying out impact assessments over the coming years the Department will advertise in the local press to give everyone a further opportunity to be fully involved.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps will be taken to improve public access to Ulster-Scots literature and culture and if he will co-operate with his colleague, the Minister of Education, to explore opportunities through which this minority language might be encouraged and accorded respect.

(AQW 173/00)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department has lead responsibility for giving effect to the Belfast Agreement commitment to promote tolerance, respect and understanding for linguistic diversity which includes Ulster-Scots.

The North/South Co-operation (Implementation) Northern Ireland Order 1999 set up the language body with two parts, Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch. The role of the boord is to promote greater awareness and use of Ullans and Ulster-Scots culture. My officials are currently considering the draft corporate plan for Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch which sets out how the boord proposes to carry out this function for 2000/2001 to 2003/2004. The plan will be submitted for approval to the North/South Ministerial Council.

Indicative funding for the boord of £667,000 in the current year represents a fivefold increase in Government expenditure on Ulster-Scots in 1999/2000 of £118,000. The boord will have indicative funding of £1·3m in 2001.

In March this year the UK Government in March this year signed the Council of Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, recognising Ulster-Scots for Part II which contains general principles and objectives regarding recognition and non-discrimination. Work will be undertaken by a Standing Interdepartmental Charter Group chaired by my Department to develop an action plan for implementing the charter as a whole. This plan will be ready by April 2001.

A priority for my Department in helping us develop policy on linguistic diversity is to obtain quality information on aspects of the Ulster-Scots language situation. We have therefore commissioned or planned a number of research projects. The results of these will be made available to Departments and will be published as appropriate.

In developing policy towards promotion of the Ulster-Scots language and culture we will listen carefully to advice from Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch, the departmental Assembly Committee, ministerial colleagues and individuals or organisations with expertise or an interest in this area.

As part of the work of developing its corporate strategy my Department instigated the Future Search Programme within which we are looking at the possible role of the Department in various areas. One of these is cultural diversity which would include Ulster Scots culture.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action he will take to promote sport for the young.

(AQW 174/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland has statutory responsibility for the development of sport within the Province, including sport for the young. In 1993, the Sports Council, in partnership with other agencies, published a strategy for sport for young People. The implementation of this strategy over the last six years has demonstrated that Northern Ireland leads the way in this area of sports development, and others are now starting to introduce similar programmes throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Programmes run in Northern Ireland include Youth Sport Foyle and Youth Sport West, both of which are cross-border programmes and Youth Sport South, North-East and South-East. All of these programmes are operated in conjunction with the appropriate education and library boards and district councils.

In addition to the youth sport programmes, the Sports Council Lottery Fund also supports a wide variety of programmes ranging from training provision for coaches specifically involved with young people, to the provision of multi sport facilities in primary schools.

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will undertake to set up an agency to promote the protection of fishing and waterway environments.

(AQW 180/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The inland fisheries of Northern Ireland are currently the subject of an inquiry by the Assembly’s Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee. I have at the same time instituted a review of the functions of the Fisheries Conservancy Board (FCB). I have no plans in advance of the outcomes of either of these initiatives to set up any new agency. However, in the meantime, my Department is in the process of taking legislation through the Assembly that will strengthen the fishery conservation and protection powers presently available to the FCB.

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he has put in place any activities to celebrate the bi centenary of the Act of Union in 2001.

(AQO 101/00)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department is in the process of planning a rolling programme of events to mark the bi centenary of the Act of Union in 2001, which at this early stage includes:

• an inaugural reception and lecture in Newtownards in January 2001;
• a centrepiece exhibition in Parliament Buildings in March 2001 which will move to the Ulster Museum in May;
• a scaled-down exhibition in the Dublin Arts Centre in the autumn of 2001;
• a conference in Londonderry in June 2001; and
• education workshops for A-level students in Belfast in October 2001.

It should be noted however that many of the arrangements at this stage are tentative.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans there are to create a motorcycle racing track in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 78/00)

Mr McGimpsey: I am aware of a number of proposals to develop a new motorcycle racing track in the Province through both local authority and private enterprise initiatives. At my request the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, in conjunction with the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland, will be undertaking a review of facilities at the Province’s four existing short circuit venues. As part of that exercise a preliminary feasibility study will be carried out to explore the need and scope for a new motorcycle race track. My Department will be making additional resources available so that this work can be completed urgently.

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will provide an update on the work of the task force looking into Irish league football; and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 80/00)

Mr McGimpsey: In August I announced my intention to set up a football task force to take a fundamental look at the game in Northern Ireland. This will be a major exercise to build a strategy for the future development of football.

My Department is finalising the arrangements for taking this forward, and I will be making a further comprehensive announcement shortly. I intend the process to be inclusive, transparent and innovative, with the widest possible interests being consulted. It is important that all aspects of the game, from grass-roots through to international level be examined.

Mr Leslie asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he has established any special cultural theme for the year 2001.

(AQO 100/00)

Mr McGimpsey: I do not at present plan to establish any single cultural theme for the year 2001.

However, this week I shall be announcing a £1m cultural initiative called Diversity 21 to be funded by my Department. This will be funded with new money voted by the Executive Committee in July to enable us to promote cultural diversity.

The initial phase of this programme will be held between October 2000 and March 2001 and will cover 14 separate projects, most of which are expected to continue throughout the year 2001.

I believe it will be more beneficial to Northern Ireland to have a programme that allows us to deal with cultural diversity in all its forms, rather than focus on a single theme.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to indicate what steps are being taken to encourage the promotion of the film industry in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 99/00)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department is co-operating with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to promote an integrated approach to the development of film culture and the film industry in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Film Commission, the key organisation representing the local film industry, will receive a total of over £0.5m in financial assistance from DCAL and LEDU in the current financial year. LEDU also provides direct assistance to over 25 local independent television and film producers and is involved in PACT, the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television, in developing a series of training programmes designed to increase the competitiveness of local producers.

Funding from DCAL and LEDU complements funding for film and television projects from a variety of other sources, most notably the National Lottery film finance programme of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland which provides around £700,000 a year for film projects.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Education if he will outline the measures he has taken to ensure that the present administration of education is efficient and cost- effective.

(AQW 144/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): All bodies in the education sector are subject to controls on administrative expenditure and to various performance targets. Our aim is to ensure that the resources available to education are used efficiently and cost-effectively so as to maximise the funds devoted to the classroom and other front-line services.

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Education if he will outline the consultation process carried out by him on the Department’s draft equality scheme (a) how the consultation was carried out (b) who was consulted, (c) how the responses received will be taken into account in the final schemes to be submitted to the Equality Commission and (d) if the consultation process will be ongoing.

(AQW 152/00)

Mr M McGuinness: In undertaking the consultation process the Department issued printed copies of its draft equality scheme to some 450 organisations and individuals. In so doing the Department identified a wide range of groups/organisations representative of persons likely to be affected by the scheme. Letters issued to all schools in Northern Ireland, and press advertisements aimed at the general public, indicated that a copy of the draft scheme was available on the Department’s Internet web site or from the Department’s equality unit on request. In addition, the scheme was available, on request, in Braille, large print, audio tape and Cantonese versions, although no requests were received for any of these alternative versions.

A list of those organisations and individuals consulted was included at Annex F to the Department’s revised equality scheme, which was submitted to the Equality Commission on 30 June. I have now placed a copy in the Assembly Library.

Consultations on the draft scheme took place over an eight week period ending on 9 June 2000, and the revised scheme submitted to the Equality Commission on 30 June took account of the many constructive comments offered by those organisations who responded to the draft. The revised scheme is still under consideration by the commission.

Consultations on the Department’s draft scheme were completed on 9 June, but further consultations will take place progressively over the next three to five years on its detailed implementation.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will confirm that the term-time staff salary review will be concluded before the end of this year; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 159/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Jobs have already been evaluated on a generic basis for some term-time staff. An evaluation in relation to classroom assistants is to be undertaken as soon as possible, within a timescale to be agreed as part of the continuing negotiations. It would be feasible to complete this before the end of the year if agreement is reached.

At the meeting of the joint negotiating council on 22 September, the trade union side indicated that they were not yet in a position to respond to the management side’s offer made at the meeting on 31 July, as the unions have not completed consultation with their members. A further meeting of the council has been scheduled for 3 November.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education if he will (a)confirm the level of public expenditure on his ministerial transport arrangements and (b) identify the private company involved in these arrangements.

(AQW 164/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The Department currently rents a car for use by me on official business at a cost of £775 per month plus VAT.

The rate payable in respect of the driver and back-up driver, where appropriate, is £5·68 an hour plus allowances for overtime, evening or night working.

No private company is involved in this work

Mr Byrne asked the Minister of Education to set out the proposed timetable for the construction of a new building for St Mary’s Primary School, Killyclogher, Omagh.

(AQW 232/00)

Mr M McGuinness: A select list of contractors for the new school was approved by my Department in September, and tenders are expected to be submitted shortly. The contract period will be approximately 18 months.

Mr Adams asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to identify the number of staff in his Department and its associated agencies currently receiving (a) the national minimum wage and (b) less than £5 per hour.

(AQW 219/00)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): The number of staff in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and its associated agencies currently receiving (a) the national minimum wage is nil and there are 174 who earn less than £5 an hour.

The April 2000 pay settlement has been finalised but has not yet been applied to individual salaries. The Department will provide updated figures when this process has been completed.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment on what basis he took the decision to transfer the enforcement and policy work of the Transport Licensing Enforcement Branch to the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency.

(AQW 188/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): Following a review of workload pressures on the senior management of the Transport Licensing and Enforcement Branch, the enforcement function of the branch and associated operational policy was transferred to the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency with effect from 1 October 2000.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment if there has been any consultation with staff affected by the transfer of enforcement and policy work from the Transport Licensing Enforcement Branch to the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency.

(AQW 189/00)

Mr Foster: Yes. Staff representatives were consulted about the proposed changes to the management arrangements and senior management met the staff involved to answer questions they had raised.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment if he will confirm that he is responsible for both policy development and enforcement of licensing regulations to suit operational and business needs.

(AQW 190/00)

Mr Foster: Yes. Recent changes to the management arrangements for the Department’s road freight, bus operator and taxi driver licensing and associated enforcement functions do not affect ultimate responsibility for these functions which remains with me.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment if he will confirm that he contracted consultants to assess the Driver and Vehicle Testing, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing (NI), and the Transport Licensing and Enforcement Branch under the Next Steps Agency quinquennial review, if that review has been completed and if so to state when the results will be published.

(AQW 191/00)

Mr Foster: I understand that consultants were engaged by the previous direct rule Administration to assist in carrying out a combined next steps quinquennial review of the Driver and Vehicle Testing (NI), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing (NI) and the executive functions of the Department’s Transport Licensing and Enforcement Branch.

That Administration did not reach any conclusion on the review pending devolution. I intend to bring the review to a formal conclusion in the near future and I will announce the outcome in the Assembly in due course.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail what performance measurement of the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency is undertaken each year.

(AQW 200/00)

Mr Foster: The key performance measures which I approved for the agency are set out in its published business plan for 2000/2001, copies of which were placed in the Assembly Library on 4 July 2000. The performance of the agency against these targets will be set out in its annual report which will be presented to the Assembly in the summer of 2001.

The agency’s annual report for 1999/2000 was presented to the Assembly in July 2000, and copies are available in the Assembly Library.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment to detail his assessment of the recommendations in the Sterling Report (‘Review of Northern Ireland Taxi Service 1992’), and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 201/00)

Mr Foster: I have not made any assessment of the ‘Sterling Report’ (‘Review of Northern Ireland Taxi Service 1992’). I understand that this report was prepared for a previous direct rule administration and that the proposed changes were, for the large part, not implemented.

I acknowledge that with the passage of time since the earlier review there would be merit in undertaking a further examination of the regulation of the taxi industry here in the light of present circumstances and I have bid for resources in the 2000 spending review to initiate such an examination. Further progress depends on the success of that bid.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment if his policy for restructuring the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will prevent efforts to privatise these organisations in the future.

(AQW 202/00)

Mr Foster: There are no plans to privatise the functions carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency and Driver and Vehicle Licensing (NI).

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment if his decision to transfer the functions of the Transport Licensing and Enforcement Branch to the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is premature in advance of the publication of the next steps agency quinquennial review.

(AQW 203/00)

Mr Foster: No. I refer the Member to the answer to written question 191/00.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment to detail how many driver and vehicle licensing enforcement officers have been employed in each of the last five years.

(AQW 210/00)

Mr Foster: The numbers of enforcement officers involved in enforcement work in relation to road freight operators, bus operators and taxi drivers and their vehicles in each of the last five years are as follows:

1 April 1996 - 16
1 April 1997 - 16
1 April 1998 - 16
1 April 1999 - 14
1 April 2000 - 14

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of the Environment if he intends to amend the regulations relating to private hire taxis to permit the carrying of guide dogs.

(AQW 248/00)

Mr Foster: No. The provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which will require public hire taxis to carry guide dogs will apply throughout the United Kingdom. There are no plans to extend these provisions to the carriage of guide dogs in private hire vehicles.

Mr Adams asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to identify the number of staff in his Department and its associated agencies currently receiving (a) the national minimum wage and (b) less than £5 an hour.

(AQW 216/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): There are no staff in the Department of Finance and Personnel and its associated agencies currently receiving the national minimum wage or less.

There are 376 staff in the Department of Finance and Personnel and its associated agencies currently receiving less than £5 an hour.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what information, other than appraisal reports, is held on the personnel files of civil servants; to state if a civil servant has access to his/her file and to confirm if civil servants may access the file relating to their own employment without notice.

(AQW 222/00)

Mr Durkan: Personal files for civil servants contain a variety of information relevant to an individual’s employment, for example, documentation relating to recruitment, transfer requests, details of bank/building society account, queries raised by the individual, notification of pay changes, details of promotions and copies of any disciplinary warnings.

Civil servants do not have a formal right of access to their file but requests for access may be granted at the discretion of the employing department. In relation to legal proceedings, civil servants have the same rights to disclosure of information as any other employee.

In addition, civil servants, in common with all other individuals, have rights under the Data Protection Act 1998. This will entitle them, with effect from 24 October 2001, to receive copies of personal data held on them.

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