Friday 24 November 2000
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

EDUCATION

Department: Consultancy Services

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Education if, for the period since devolution, he will detail (a) the number of contracts for consultancy services that did not have to go out to public tender that have been awarded by his Department, (b) to whom these contracts have been awarded, (c) the number of contracts awarded on the basis of such consultancy advice, and (d) to whom these contracts were awarded.

(AQW 550/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): In the period since devolution my Department has awarded two contracts for consultancy services that did not have to go out to public tender. One contract was awarded to PA Consulting Group and the other to Grant Thornton. No contracts were awarded on the basis of this consultancy advice.

Teaching of Democracy and Citizenship

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Education what plans he has to promote the teaching of democracy and citizenship in schools; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 581/00)

Mr M McGuinness: I am very aware of the importance of citizenship education for our young people. The Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) is currently undertaking a review of the school curriculum, taking into account the changing needs of pupils, society and the economy in the new millennium. The council has highlighted the issue of citizenship education as part of this review and has been given approval to begin development work on a programme covering education for democracy and citizenship.

Sale of Poppies
(Departmental Buildings)

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education if he will confirm that he will provide prominent positioning and room for the sale of poppies in departmental buildings.

(AQW 601/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The established Civil Service practice has not changed and continued this year at Rathgael House. I will be considering the equality dimension of this further.

Pre-School Education
Advisory Groups

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education if he will detail the amount of funding to pre-school education advisory groups for each of the board areas in the last 12 months.

(AQW 647/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Funding under the pre-school education expansion programme is allocated on the basis of financial years. The budget for the pre-school education advisory group in each board area for the 1999-00 financial year was as follows:

The budget for the pre-school education advisory group in each board area for the 2000-01 financial year is as follows:

Extra Funding for Schools

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will (a) detail the amount to be given to schools in Northern Ireland following the Chancellor’s announcement on 18 July 2000, (b) confirm that this has been included in the increased education budget which was announced on 17 October 2000, and (c) explain why this money is not being given to schools directly but through education and library boards.

(AQW 688/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The Chancellor’s announcement dealt with the outcome of the spending review at national level. It is for the Executive Committee to determine the allocation of funds locally, and this has been presented to the Assembly in the draft Budget. The Budget includes, inter alia, an extra £20 million that will go directly to schools as an addition to their local management of schools (LMS) allocations for 2001-02. For legislative reasons, the resources for controlled and maintained schools will be issued via the education and library boards, but the funds are earmarked and will be passed on to schools without abatement. The basis of distribution to individual schools will be discussed with the Education Committee.

Key Stage 3 Results

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Education if, in relation to the target set in the strategy for numeracy and literacy in Northern Ireland that 75% of pupils at Key Stage 3 would achieve level 5 or above by 2002, he will (a) explain his published 1998-99 results for English of 67·7% against 70·6% in 1997-98, (b) detail what steps he is taking to reverse this trend to ensure that the target for 2002 is achieved, and (c) provide results at Key Stage 3 for 1999-00.

(AQW 720/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The provisional results for 1999-00 provided to my Department by CCEA are:

Percentage of pupils achieving level 5 or above in end of Key Stage 3 assessment tests:

These indicate that, in terms of end-of-Key-Stage assessment, pupils in post-primary schools have not yet been able to demonstrate the same consistent progress as in the primary sector. That reinforces the need to pursue improvement through a range of measures, particularly the strategy to promote literacy and numeracy that was put in place in 1998-99 and a major programme of in-service training for teachers that commenced in 1999-00. These measures will enable the post-primary sector to build on the solid platform of improvements being achieved in the primary sector. I am also currently engaged in meetings with the chairpersons and chief executives of each education and library board, and am discussing with them progress in each board area and what further action is necessary to meet the targets.

ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Domestic Fuel Costs

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail what steps he is taking to assist senior citizens in view of the recent dramatic rise of nearly 14% in the cost of domestic fuel.

(AQW 584/00)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): Responsibility for ensuring that prices paid by domestic electricity and natural gas customers reflect the cost of production and distribution rests with the independent energy regulator. Similar regulatory arrangements do not apply in the competitive oil and coal sectors, where market forces determine the prices charged to customers.

Responsibility for assisting senior citizens in meeting fuel bills rests with my Colleague, the Minister for Social Development. His Department has a range of measures in place. In his recent pre-Budget report, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced his intention to increase the winter fuel payment by £50 to £200 this winter for all pensioner households. The Department for Social Development (DSD) plans to make these payments in Northern Ireland before Christmas to ensure that the money is available when it is most needed. Cold weather payments are also available to help pensioners on income support with extra heating costs during periods of very cold weather.

DSD provides funding for the domestic energy efficiency scheme (DEES) to install energy efficiency measures in certain qualifying households. The scheme provides basic physical measures such as draughtproofing and loft insulation in dwellings occupied by the over-60s and those households on certain benefits.

From April 2001 a new DEES will come into operation to address the issue of fuel poverty. The scheme will provide physical measures to include cavity wall insulation and either gas or oil central heating systems for the over-60s. Depending on the energy efficiency of the dwelling prior to improvement, it is estimated that elderly households availing of the full package of new DEES measures could save over £300 annually on heating costs.

In addition to the statutory scheme, there are a significant number of voluntary schemes operating in Northern Ireland, all of which provide assistance for the elderly. Advice on such schemes can be obtained by contacting the free Energy Efficiency Advice Centre helpline on 0800 512012.

DSD continues to work closely with the energy utilities in Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive and other agencies and organisations to develop energy efficiency projects and initiatives for the elderly who may not qualify for the statutory scheme.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will outline what steps he intends to take to address the current high cost of domestic coal in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 604/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Government does not have a role in setting or controlling domestic coal prices. Nine tenths of domestic coal stocks in Northern Ireland are imported from outside the United Kingdom. Prices are determined by a number of largely external factors, including the level of prices on the world market, transportation costs and currency fluctuations.

The Department for Social Development has a range of measures in place to assist the elderly and families and individuals on low incomes meet their energy, including coal, bills. The measures include the winter fuel payment scheme, the cold weather payment scheme and the domestic energy efficiency scheme (DEES).

Small and Medium-sized
Businesses: Regulations

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will detail how small and medium-sized businesses are disadvantaged by regulations such as the minimum wage, working family tax credits, student loans or stakeholder pensions; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 629/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The national minimum wage has been introduced with no significant adverse impact on employment or the economy. The new arrangements for the repayment of student loans are aligned closely to the administration of tax and national insurance and should not impose a significant burden on employers. On the impact of stakeholder pensions on business, a copy of the regulatory impact assessment prepared for the stakeholder provisions in the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and the Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations 2000 is available in the Assembly Library. Working family tax credit is a reserved matter that is the responsibility of the Inland Revenue.

Announcement of New Investments

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will (a) outline what policy he follows when announcing new investment in each constituency, (b) detail what invitations he issues to MPs and MLAs to attend any media event associated with such announcements, and (c) detail the elected representatives invited to such occasions in the last 12 months.

(AQW 638/00)

Sir Reg Empey: It is not normal practice for the Minister to issue invitations to MPs or MLAs. Frequently, the Minister is himself a guest.

Most announcements of new investment in any constituency are a matter for the company concerned. Invitations are usually issued by the company or by a public relations firm acting on its behalf. If companies wish to invite MPs, MLAs or councillors, my Department is happy to provide a list of relevant public representatives.

The final decision on who is to be invited is a matter for the company.

THE ENVIRONMENT

Slow-Moving Vehicles

Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of the Environment if he will make it compulsory for all slow-moving vehicles, especially tractors, to have flashing beacons fitted when using public highways.

(AQW 568/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): I have no plans to make the fitting of flashing beacons compulsory on all slow-moving vehicles, such as tractors, when they are used on public highways.

There are already requirements, under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, for motor vehicles with four or more wheels and with a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph to be fitted with a flashing amber beacon when used on a dual carriageway (except to cross such a carriageway). This restriction does not apply to other public roads.

Slow-moving vehicles such as tractors are not permitted to use motorways.

Radon Gas

Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of the Environment what assessment he has made in relation to the threat posed by radon gas in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 608/00)

Mr Foster: My Department published the ‘Radon in Dwellings’ report in May 1999, showing the levels of radon gas in private dwellings throughout Northern Ireland. This report, based on some 16,000 measurements in private dwellings, includes a map of radon risk and information on radon tests carried out in the Province. This shows that there are areas in the west and south-east of the Province where radon risk is elevated. It also includes an assessment of the risk posed by radon gas.

It is estimated that radon could account for about 60 of the 800 or so lung cancer deaths each year in Northern Ireland.

Copies of the report are available in the Assembly Library.

The Environment and Heritage Service of my Department continues to offer free tests to all householders in the highest risk areas.

Department: Recycling

Mr Wells asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail the proportion of stationery used by his Department which is manufactured from recycled material and the proportion of waste paper generated by his Department which is recycled.

(AQW 628/00)

Mr Foster: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Driving Test Examiners (Female)

Mr McClelland asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail the number of driving test examiners who are female and what plans he has to redress any imbalance.

(AQW 656/00)

Mr Foster: Of the 20 driving traffic examiners employed in the Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency, three are female. Prior to 1999, no women had been employed as examiners.

The agency recognises the value of recruiting more female examiners and has already taken steps to redress the gender imbalance. In 1999, following advice from the former Equal Opportunities Commission, the criteria used for recruiting and selecting driving traffic examiners were revised to ensure that they did not discriminate against women either directly or indirectly. All recruitment literature now specifically encourages applications from women able to meet the eligibility conditions, and, partly as a result, the last recruitment exercise for examiners, in July 1999, attracted 46 applications from women out of a total of 174 applications received.

The agency is continuing to monitor and review its recruitment and selection procedures to ensure equality of opportunity and to optimise the number of applications received from suitably qualified women.

Areas of Townscape Character

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of the Environment if he will make a statement on townscape plans.

(AQO 330/00)

Mr Foster: Planning Policy Statement 6, entitled ‘Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage’, explains the nature, purpose and implementation of Areas of Townscape Character.

Areas of Townscape Character are normally designated through the development plan process. This provides guidance on the control of development in areas that, while not necessarily meriting conservation area designation, nevertheless possess characteristics distinctive of building styles of particular eras or localities. Local policies or proposals and guidance for such areas will also be included in the plan or where appropriate in supplementary planning guidance.

There are currently 25 designated Areas of Townscape Character in Northern Ireland and further designations are proposed in draft development plans.

Telecommunications Masts: Planning Policy

Mr J Kelly asked the Minister of the Environment what steps he is taking to address the gap in planning that permits mobile telecommunications masts to be erected without the need for a full planning application.

(AQO 301/00)

Mr Foster: The situation under current legislation is that the installation of masts up to 15 metres in height is permitted development, subject to a prior approval procedure. This involves the approval of matters relating to siting and design. Masts above 15 metres in height require full planning permission.

On 10 November 2000 I issued a consultation paper seeking views on possible changes to planning legislation and revised planning policy guidance for telecommunications development.

The consultation paper is widely available and the closing date for responses is 15 January 2001.

Planning Service and Roads Service: Co-operation

Mr Neeson asked the Minister of the Environment what steps he will take to improve co-operation between the Planning Service and the Roads Service.

(AQO 318/00)

Mr Foster: The Roads Service is consulted by the Planning Service on all planning applications received that affect the public road network and/or road safety. The Roads Service is also fully consulted during the preparation of area development plans and when policies in which both Planning and Roads Services have an input are being prepared.

In addition, quarterly joint management board meetings between the two agencies are held to discuss problems and matters of mutual interest.

Flooding (Area Plans)

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of the Environment if he will ensure that when drawing up new area plans, consideration will be given to the recent increased levels of flooding.

(AQO 333/00)

Mr Foster: This is clearly an issue of growing concern given the implications of recent adverse weather and current predictions regarding long-term climate changes. In drawing up new area plans, it is already established practice for my Department to consult with the Rivers Agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. This is done with a view to seeking advice on areas liable to flooding and to ensure that plan proposals have due regard to these factors.

I can give assurance that such consideration will continue in the preparation of future area plans.

Planning and Compensation Claims

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail the total cost of compensation claims made under the provision of the Land Development Values (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1965 and the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, which are to be amended as part of the Planning (Compensation, etc.) Bill.

(AQO 305/00)

Mr Foster: The Member will appreciate that there must be some doubts about the accuracy and completeness of records which go back 35 years in the case of the 1965 Act, and 28 years in the case of the 1972 Order. Figures extracted from old registers indicate that the total paid under the 1965 Act is in the region of £5·7 million. There are no records of any payments under the 1972 Order.

Since 1991, when the compensation provisions were changed in Great Britain, some £0·9 million has been paid under section 29 of the 1965 Act.

Road Traffic Accidents: Deaths and Injuries

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of the Environment if, for each of the last five years, he will (a) indicate the number of deaths and injuries caused through road traffic accidents, (b) give a breakdown of ages by percentage of those who have died through road traffic accidents, and (c) give his assurance that he is constructively tackling the serious problem of road traffic in co-ordination with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

(AQO 310/00)

Mr Foster: During the period 1995-99 the number of deaths and injuries caused through road traffic collisions was as follows:

I am unable at this stage to provide a breakdown by age of those who have died through road traffic collisions. The collection of road casualty statistics is carried out by the RUC. Policing is a reserved matter, and my Department has requested this information from the Northern Ireland Office. I will write to the Member as soon as the figures are to hand.

I can assure the Member that my Department and the RUC work constructively together in our joint efforts to reduce the unacceptable number of casualties on our roads and to approach this task in a strategic way. To this end, my Department will be publishing shortly a consultation document seeking views on a new road safety strategy for Northern Ireland for 2001-10. This has been drawn up under the direction of the road safety review group, a cross-departmental group led by my Department and including other local Departments and the RUC.

My officials continue to have a close working relationship with the RUC, in particular to ensure that advertising campaigns and increased RUC enforcement are co-ordinated. This will be the case for a new anti- drink-driving commercial to be launched at the end of November.

Protection of Archaeological Sites

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of the Environment if he will outline his plans to address the destruction of many of our ancient archaeological sites by modern housing and road developments and if there are mechanisms in place to protect such sites.

(AQO 315/00)

Mr Foster: My Department is committed to ensuring that all features of the archaeological and built heritage are appropriately protected from unnecessary damage or destruction from whatever source.

There are a number of mechanisms in place that provide protection for our rich archaeological heritage. Specific archaeological sites and monuments may be taken into the care of my Department, or may be scheduled for protection under the provisions of the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1991.

In addition, the planning policies outlined in Planning Policy Statement 6, entitled ‘Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage,’ afford appropriate protection to archaeological remains from the effects of development proposals.

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Department: Consultancy Services

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if, for the period since devolution, he will detail (a) the number of contracts for consultancy services that did not have to go out to public tender that have been awarded by his Department, (b) to whom these contracts have been awarded, (c) the number of contracts awarded on the basis of such consultancy advice, and (d) to whom these contracts were awarded.

(AQW 572/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): The information requested is as follows:

(a) Since devolution the Department has awarded 32 contracts for consultancy services that did not have to go out to public tender.

(b) These contracts were awarded to:

(c) No contracts were awarded on any advice from these consultants.

(d) Not applicable

Capital Modernisation Funding

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will detail how much of the £50 million allocated to Northern Ireland under the capital modernisation funding will be made available to the information and communication technology (ICT) learning centres initiative, and what is the target number of ICT learning centres for Northern Ireland under this programme.

(AQW 618/00)

Mr Durkan: Northern Ireland receives a share through the Barnett formula of resources that are allocated from the capital modernisation fund. This share forms part of the Budget, over the use of which the Executive Committee has full discretion.

Provision of £4 million has been made available in 2000-01 to provide for the establishment of 20 accredited learning centres and the activation of 3,000 individual learning accounts by March 2001.

In the spending review period, the draft Budget provides for the establishment of 30 learning centres and the activation of 17,000 individual learning accounts by March 2002.

Rates (Amendment)
(Northern Ireland) Order 1998

Mr Neeson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will detail when he will implement the Rates (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, particularly in relation to rates relief for rural shops.

(AQW 621/00)

Mr Durkan: The Rates (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 came into operation on 1 April 1999 and the enabling power to make a relief scheme was set out in that Order. To date, 521 local rural settlements have been identified with boundaries delineated on maps, a sample survey has been completed to identify eligible properties in the settlements and estimates of the revenue loss have been made. Further work is required on refining criteria, rules and procedures for the scheme, consulting with district councils and drawing up subordinate legislation. The Executive Committee will consider the proposed scheme and a decision on implementation will be made at the earliest opportunity.

European Funds and Programmes: Update

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to update the Assembly on forthcoming European funds and programmes; and to make a statement.

(AQO 309/00)

Mr Durkan: Negotiations on the European Commission’s Community Support Framework (CSF) for Northern Ireland, which will be implemented via two operational programmes — Peace II and Transitional Objective I — have reached a conclusion and we are awaiting the document’s formal approval and publication by the Commission. Negotiations with the European Commission on the two operational programmes commenced at the beginning of October and are expected to continue until the end of the year. Together with the European Commission, we are committed to finalising these negotiations on the detail of the programmes as quickly as possible.

Outside the CSF, Northern Ireland will also benefit from four Europe-wide community initiative programmes — URBAN, EQUAL, LEADER and INTERREG. The Executive Committee has already considered proposals for these programmes and, following their recent approval by the North/South Ministerial Council, these proposals have now been submitted to the European Commission as a basis for negotiation and agreement.

Listed Buildings: VAT on Repairs

Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will make representation to the Exchequer to change the anomaly between value added tax (VAT) charged on restoring historic buildings at 17·5% and that charged on new build at 0%.

(AQW 633/00)

Mr Durkan: The private secretary to the Chancellor wrote to Departments seeking tax proposals for next year’s Budget. The Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister submitted a composite response on behalf of the Northern Ireland Departments, and this included a proposal that value added tax (VAT) on repairs to listed buildings should be reduced.

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