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Friday 10 November 2000 Department: Special Advisers Mr Ford asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will provide a list of those appointed as special advisers in his Department, detailing in each case (a) the date appointment was offered, (b) the date employment commenced, (c) the gender of the appointee, (d) whether or not the appointee is disabled, (e) whether or not the appointment was as a result of open competition, and (f) whether the appointee held membership of any political party on the date appointment was offered. (AQW 442/00) The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): I can confirm that: one special adviser has been appointed in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; the appointment was offered on 22 August 2000 and employment commenced on 29 August 2000; the appointee is male. Special advisers have the status of temporary civil servants during the period of their service and, as it is Civil Service policy to afford a high degree of confidentiality to individual monitoring information, including that on disability, I am unable to disclose the information you request in relation to disability. Special advisers are appointed under the Civil Service Commissioners (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, article 3(2) of which disapplies the principle of selection on merit on the basis of fair and open competition where an appointment to a situation in the Civil Service is made for the purpose of providing advice to Ministers during a period terminating on or before the end of an Administration. All civil servants, including special advisers, are entitled to hold membership of a political party, although political activity is restricted according to their role. Information on membership of a political party is not held for special advisers or any other civil servants. Irish Language Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will outline his guidelines for the promotion of the Irish language. (AQW 454/00) Mr McGimpsey: Policy in respect of languages is informed and underpinned by the commitment in the Belfast Agreement to respect, understanding and tolerance of linguistic diversity. The UK Government on 2 March 2000 signed the Council of Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, recognising Irish and Ulster-Scots in Northern Ireland for Part II, which contains general principles of recognition and non-discrimination. It will ratify it shortly, specifying Irish as a language to which the more specific provisions of Part III will apply. On 28 September the Executive Committee noted a paper covering the provisions of Part III, which can be applied in relation to Irish when the Charter comes into force early next year. A standing interdepartmental Charter group chaired by my Department will draw up an action plan for implementing the Charter. The plan will be ready by April 2001. That group will also consider draft guidance on the use of Irish in official business. The guidance will be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval. My Department has commissioned a consultant to produce an action plan for a pilot Irish-language film and television production project to test demand. The pilot should be ready to start by April 2001. In order to obtain quality information on various aspects of the current situation regarding the Irish language sector and demand for its use in public life, my Department has commissioned and planned a number of research projects. The results of these will help us to develop policy. An important component of language promotion is the work undertaken by the North/South Language Body. The two component agencies of the Body, Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch, will in due course bring forward to the North/South Ministerial Council corporate plans setting out how they propose to implement their obligations in respect of the Belfast Agreement. In developing policy guidelines we will also listen to advice from the North/South Language Body, the departmental Assembly Committee, ministerial colleagues, the Human Rights Commission subcommittee on languages, and individuals or organisations with expertise or an interest in this area. Ulster-Scots Day Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans he has to designate a specific Ulster-Scots day annually to celebrate the contribution of the Ulster-Scots diaspora throughout the world and which will allow those of all cultures to join in such celebrations; and if he will make a statement. (AQW 492/00) Mr McGimpsey: At present, Ulster-Scots language and culture is promoted and supported in many ways throughout the year. My Department is involved in promoting or supporting some of this through its arts, heritage and cultural diversity programmes, as is Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch. The idea of designating a specific day to mark the contribution of the Ulster-Scots diaspora is an interesting one. Before going any further than that, however, I should like to take the views of Lord Laird, who, as you know, is chairperson of Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch, on this. I will write to you again when I have done so. Salmonid Enhancement Project Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he is familiar with the Ards and Down Salmonid Enhancement Association project in Strangford Lough and if he will outline his plans to assist in its implementation. (AQW 510/00) Mr McGimpsey: I have only recently become aware of this project, which I understand seeks to enhance sea trout in the Strangford Lough and Dundrum Bay areas to produce a quality sea angling resource. Officials from the previous Department of Agriculture appraised the project on a number of occasions as it had been submitted to various bodies seeking grant aid support. While the Department was supportive of the objectives of the project and believed that they could be achieved with current technology, it had concerns about the cost of the project and the project outputs as outlined in the original applications and the economic appraisal prepared by Capita management consultants. Prior to devolution, Department of Agriculture officials met with the project sponsors and Capita to discuss its reservations. The Department had concerns about the scale of the project, which sought to cover all sea trout angling from Newcastle to Bangor, and because this is currently a free public fishery, consent would be required from both the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Culture,Arts and Leisure, which could possibly precipitate a local public inquiry. The Department of Agriculture, therefore, encouraged the team to review the scale of the application to ensure that outputs are achievable and costs more attractive to funding agencies. I understand that the project is currently under review by the cross-border aquaculture initiative team, and I hope that the project will emerge in a form that we will find easier to support. Ulster Treasures Dr Adamson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will outline his plans to secure the return to Northern Ireland of ancient Ulster treasures such as the Broighter Gold Hoard, the Shankill Crozier, the Book of Armagh and the Bangor Antiphonary; and if he will make a statement. (AQO 242/00) Mr McGimpsey: I have no powers to require the return on a permanent basis of any historical or archaeological objects of local origin that are owned by institutions outside Northern Ireland. I do, however, believe that people here should, where possible, have the opportunity to see these treasures in a local setting, and arrangements can usually be made to borrow these and other treasures through short-term loan agreements. Film Production Mr Ford asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will outline the steps he will take to encourage film production in Northern Ireland. (AQO 245/00) Mr McGimpsey: I recognise the value of film production as a significant sphere of activity within the growing creative industries sector in Northern Ireland. My Department has convened a creative industries action group that will seek to develop an interdepartmental strategy for raising the profile of the sector and realising its potential for growth. My Department will continue to co-operate with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in the promotion of an integrated approach to the development of film culture and the film and television production industry in Northern Ireland and will seek to encourage the growth of film production in the context of the development of the creative industries generally. Lagan Canal Mr Davis asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will give priority to the restoration of the Lagan Canal to link Belfast to Lough Neagh and, via a restored Ulster Canal, to the waterway network of Ireland. (AQO 254/00) Mr McGimpsey: I am very aware of the public interest in restoring abandoned navigations, and I have set up a meeting with the key bodies with an interest in the Lagan Navigation — including district councils — on 15 November, with a view to developing a strategy for possible future restoration, including looking at potential sources of funding. Waterways Ireland has commissioned consultants to update an earlier feasibility study on the Ulster Canal, and we have to await the outcome of that study before determining the way forward in relation to the Ulster Canal. Departmental Documents: Irish Language Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will list (a) the documents produced by his Department in Irish, (b) the cost of their production, and (c) who receives them. (AQW 260/00) The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): At present, Irish language versions of departmental press notices are provided at their request to the following media outlets:
To date, the total cost of the production, including translation, of such press releases has been £2,460·87. The Department’s Research Briefing RB4/2000, ‘The Effect of the Selective System on Secondary Education in Northern Ireland’, has been provided in Irish to members of the public on request. The only additional cost was for translation, which amounted to £543. During the summer term 2000, Inspection Services Branch began to issue relevant inspection documentation in Irish to Irish-speaking schools. There was no extra cost to the Department as translations were undertaken in-house by specialist inspectors of Irish and administrative support from the branch. One advertisement, on behalf of Statistics and Research Branch, was published in both English and Irish. The estimated cost of publishing in Irish was £1,249. Primary Schools: Funding Mr Taylor asked the Minister of Education if he will advise when the allocation of funding to primary schools, as provided for by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his July 2000 statements, will be announced for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. (AQW 430/00) Mr M McGuinness: The additional allocations announced in the Chancellor’s statement in July form part of the total resources available for distribution through the draft Assembly Budget statement of 17 October. Under current proposals this will provide an additional £20 million in 2001-02 for schools — not only primary schools — over and above formula-driven budgets, in addition to some £9 million for work on the schools’ estate. Following further consultation with the Education Committee, I expect to announce in the new year how these funds are to be allocated. Department: Special Advisers Mr Ford asked the Minister of Education if he will provide a list of those appointed as special advisers within his Department, detailing in each case (a) the date appointment was offered, (b) the date employment commenced, (c) the gender of the appointee, (d) whether or not the appointee is disabled, (e) whether or not the appointment was as a result of open competition, and (f) whether the appointee held membership of any political party on the date appointment was offered. (AQW 444/00) Mr M McGuinness: Mr Aidan McAteer has been appointed special adviser in the Department of Education and has the status of a temporary civil servant. a. Formal written offer of appointment was made on 10 January 2000. b. 1 December 1999. c. Male. d. It is Civil Service policy to afford a high degree of confidentiality to individual monitoring information, including that on disability. e. No. Special advisers are appointed under the Civil Service Commissioners (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, article 3(2) of which disapplies the principle of selection on merit on the basis of fair and open competition where an appointment to a situation in the Civil Service is made for the purpose of providing advice to Ministers and the Presiding Officer of the Northern Ireland Assembly during a period terminating on or before the end of an Administration. f. All civil servants, including special advisers, are entitled to hold membership of a political party, although political activity is restricted according to their role. Information on membership of a political party is not held for special advisers or any other civil servants. St Paul’s School (Bessbrook) Mr Fee asked the Minister of Education if, in relation to the proposed new school for St Paul’s Bessbrook, he will detail (a) the date an application for stage D approval was received by his Department, (b) the criteria applied when the concept of phased development was introduced, (c) what outstanding matters are preventing the issuing of stage D approval and (d) when a decision may be expected. (AQW 453/00) Mr M McGuinness: The application was received by my Department on 13 October 1999, but required a number of amendments. All outstanding matters have now been satisfactorily resolved and my Department has conveyed its approval to the school trustees. The phasing of development is considered for all capital works with a value of over £4 million in order to ensure affordability within the resources available. Pre-School Education Mr Fee asked the Minister of Education if he will outline his proposals for the development of pre-school education with specific reference to the pre-school playgroups, nursery education, and reception classes. (AQW 491/00) Mr M McGuinness: My Department is investing £38 million over the four years from 1998-99 in the pre-school education expansion programme, which forms part of the Northern Ireland childcare strategy, Children First. Additional pre-school provision is being created by the establishment of new statutory nursery units and, for the first time, the funding of places in existing voluntary/private settings which meet the standards of the programme. By 2001-02 I expect that some 9,000 new pre-school education places will have been secured, making places available for 85% of all children in their final pre-school year. One of the objectives of the programme is, where possible, to replace reception classes and groups with alternative nursery or playgroup provision. While some reception provision is of a high standard, quality overall is uneven, and the continuation of such provision in certain circumstances can represent an unnecessary duplication of places. The draft Programme for Government outlines the objective of one year’s pre-school education for every child. Nursery Schools: Principals’ Pay Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will, pursuant to AQW 354/00, (a) detail why a number of controlled nursery school principals in the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) have not yet received the new pay scale, (b) outline why SELB has failed for over one year to introduce the new pay scale and (c) explain why maintained nursery schools in Newry have already received the new pay scale. (AQW 500/00) Mr M McGuinness: The Southern Education and Library Board has again confirmed to my Department that there are no controlled nursery schools in its area where the principal has not been placed on the new pay spine from 1 September 1999. In addition, the teachers’ payroll system has been operating only the new pay rates for all principals since that date, irrespective of whether they are employed in controlled or maintained nursery schools. Controlled Nursery Schools Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will, pursuant to AQW353/00, (a) detail why principals of controlled nursery schools in Lurgan, Portadown and Banbridge have not yet received the new pay scale, (b) outline his plans to remedy this, (c) ensure that principals’ pensions are not affected, and (d) confirm that principals do not suffer financially because of these delays. (AQW 501/00) Mr M McGuinness: The Southern Education and Library Board has confirmed to my Department that the principals of controlled nursery schools in Lurgan, Portadown and Banbridge are being paid on the basis of the individual school range recommended by employing authorities, which takes account of schools of different sizes, using the school group determined by enrolment numbers as shown on the October 1998 schools’ census preceding the 1 September 1999 implementation date for the new pay spine. Since they are being paid on the new pay spine, their pensions have not been affected, and they have not suffered financially. Primary Schools (South Down) Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Education if he will detail the number of pupils currently enrolled at primary schools in the South Down constituency and provide the equivalent figures for each of the last five years. (AQW 503/00) Mr M McGuinness: The current enrolment figures for primary schools in the South Down constituency are not yet available. Enrolments for the past five years are listed below. PRIMARY AND PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT ENROLMENTS IN THE SOUTH DOWN CONSTITUENCY 1995/96 - 1999/00
* St Patrick’s Primary School (5036605) opened on 1/9/98. Integrated Schools: Funding Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will, pursuant to AQW 271/00, (a) confirm that integrated primary and integrated secondary schools received more per capita funding than comparable controlled and maintained schools in each of the last three years, and (b) detail the steps he is taking to redress this imbalance. (AQW 508/00) Mr M McGuinness: Grant-maintained integrated primary and secondary schools did receive higher per capita funding than controlled and maintained schools. That reflects the range of services that such schools must fund themselves, such as landlord maintenance, accountancy, audit and insurance, but that are met centrally by education and library boards for controlled and maintained schools, and also the specific characteristics of such schools, particularly their generally smaller size. Controlled integrated schools are funded on the same basis as controlled and maintained schools. The local management of schools (LMS) common formula that is being developed will ensure that all schools are funded using the same formula, but per capita funding will continue to vary according to the different characteristics of schools. Rural Schools (Cookstown Area) Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Education if his plans for rural schools in the Cookstown District Council area take account of the Northern Ireland Research and Statistics Agency estimate that there will be a decrease of 25% in the number of children in the area over the next 13 years. (AQW 517/00) Mr M McGuinness: My Department is aware of the decline in birth rates in the Cookstown area and this is reflected in its long-term enrolment calculations for schools in the area, which take account of trends over specific time periods. That is one of the factors to be considered in relation to the provision of schools in that district council area. Literacy and Numeracy Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that the strategy for numeracy and literacy in Northern Ireland requires, from Autumn 2000, all grant-aided schools (except special schools) to publish their current position in terms of Key Stage assessment levels in English and mathematics and the targets they have set for themselves, and if he will detail when these will be made available to the public. (AQW 529/00) Mr M McGuinness: Since the 1998-99 school year, all grant-aided primary and post-primary schools have been required to publish, in their prospectuses and boards of governors’ annual reports, information about the proportions of pupils in the school attaining specified levels in English and in mathematics — and, at Key Stage 3, in science — in the statutory Key Stage assessments. Irish-speaking primary schools are required to publish information about performance in Irish and mathematics at Key Stage 1 and in Irish, English and mathematics at Key Stage 2. Additionally, since September 1998 all such schools have been required to set targets for the overall performance of pupils at the school, both in relation to the outcomes of statutory assessment and against specified indicators of public examination performance, and to review those targets every year. While it was originally intended that schools should be required to publish the targets in their prospectuses from September 2000, it was subsequently decided that they should be given additional time to become familiar with the target-setting process before the requirement to publish was introduced, and it is not now intended that it should be introduced before September 2001. Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that the strategy for numeracy and literacy in Northern Ireland requires each education and library board to set annual targets for improvement in literacy and numeracy for its area by September 1998 and to produce a report annually on progress towards meeting these targets, and if he will outline the targets for each board and advise on progress to date. (AQW 530/00) Mr M McGuinness: Challenging targets for 2002 were published in the strategy for the promotion of literacy and numeracy and remain in place. Education and library boards are determining targets for improvements in literacy and numeracy in their areas and, in the short term, the overall targets apply to them. Following the publication of the strategy document, 1998-99 was mainly a planning year and boards are currently submitting to my Department their first annual reports on the action being taken to improve standards. The most recent information available on progress is shown below:
Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Education if he will confirm that he is still committed to achieving by 2002 the targets for English and mathematics published in the strategy for numeracy and literacy in Northern Ireland, and if he will detail the latest figures of achievements towards these targets. (AQW 533/00) Mr M McGuinness: Challenging targets for 2002 were published in the strategy for the promotion of literacy and numeracy and remain in place. Education and library boards are determining targets for improvements in literacy and numeracy in their areas and in the short-term the overall targets apply to them. Following the publication of the strategy document, 1998-99 was mainly a planning year and boards are currently submitting to my Department their first annual reports on the action being taken to improve standards. The most recent information available on progress is shown below:
School Buses: Overcrowding Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to prevent overcrowding on education and library board-operated school buses in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. (AQW 546/00) Mr M McGuinness: Education and library boards’ school buses operate under the Department of the Environment’s bus permits scheme. There are no restrictions on the number of passengers who may be carried, but vehicles must comply with the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (NI) 1999, which require them to be operated in a manner that ensures that no danger is caused, or is likely to be caused, to a person in or on the vehicle, or on the road. Education and library boards do not permit standing passengers on their vehicles. Although the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment and Use) Regulations 1995, which set limits for the maximum number of passengers which can be carried on public service vehicles, do not apply to board vehicles, boards ensure at all times that the numbers carried are within the limits specified in those Regulations. The Environment Committee is currently holding an inquiry into transport used for children travelling to and from school. The inquiry will address issues such as the number of passengers who can be carried on education and library board vehicles, and I will consider carefully any recommendations that the Committee makes. |
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