Friday 1 December 2000
Written Answers to Questions

Ms Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister if it has any plans to appoint a junior Minister for Children.

(AQW 640/00)

Reply[holding answer 24 November 2000]: The Executive Committee is determined to ensure that our arrangements for protecting children and upholding children’s rights are based on best practice. The draft Programme for Government contains a range of specific actions, including the establishment of a children’s fund, to ensure a joined-up approach to children’s issues across Departments. We will carefully examine key developments in other jurisdictions and, in the light of those developments, will consider what new arrangements are needed when formulating proposals for the children’s fund.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will outline her plans to restructure farm businesses to attract younger farmers into the industry.

(AQW 669/00)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers):

1. In choosing a career, young people and their parents are strongly influenced by future career prospects and the image of the industry. A competitive and profitable industry, perceived as having a viable future, will be successful in attracting young people to enter it.

2. My Department already provides a wide range of support services to help the industry improve its competitiveness. For young people wishing to enter the industry, my Department’s colleges provide a wide range of high-quality courses. These courses are widely advertised and promoted, with comprehensive careers guidance provided for potential students and their parents. On returning to the farm, a young person can receive further support from the Department for the adoption of technology and best management practice.

3. With the present low incomes arising from the strength of sterling, BSE and other factors, some farm families will need to secure additional income from the farm or from off-farm employment. To help young people who wish to combine off-farm employment with part-time farming, my Department is collaborating with the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to provide a multi-skilling programme funded under that Department’s ESF allocation.

4. I have previously advised you of my Department’s proposals for Peace II programmes to support reskilling and up-skilling (AQW 429/00).

5. The current vision exercise is considering other measures to move the industry forward. I look forward to receiving its proposals and developing a positive and proactive programme for industry development. Although a retirement scheme and support for young farmers are permitted under the Rural Development Regulation, questions have been asked about the value for money of such schemes. Although a retirement scheme was not mentioned in the vision group’s ‘Emerging Themes’ paper, I have not ruled it out and have commissioned an independent review of such a scheme.

6. Fairly steady restructuring is already taking place. Over the last three decades the number of farm businesses has declined by an average of 1·8% per year. In the last 10 years, average area per farm has increased by 17%.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if, in relation to rural proofing, she will (a) confirm that a group will be appointed to rural proof all Government polices, (b) outline who will appoint this group and to whom it will be responsible, (c) detail when this group will be appointed, and (d) ensure that the Assembly will be able to scrutinise its activities.

(AQW 672/00)

Ms Rodgers: There is a commitment in the Executive’s draft Programme for Government to establish a ministerial- led group to proof all Government policies for their rural impact. As we are still consulting on the draft Programme, and the Assembly has yet to approve a Programme, it would be premature to finalise arrangements for implementing rural proofing. The concerns raised will be taken into account when implementation is being considered.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will detail the amount spent by her Department on the "peace maze" at Castlewellan; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 680/00)

Ms Rodgers: At the end of October 2000, a total of £138,000 has been spent on the "peace maze" at Castlewellan from a total allocation of £500,000 under the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. Of this figure, 75% (£103, 500) has been provided from EU funds, with the remaining 25% (£34,500) being allocated from Government matching funds.

This unique project is intended to symbolise the long and difficult path to peace, marking the journey through community involvement at all stages in its design, planting and use. It has received widespread support since its inception and, at the design stage, captured the imagination of over 4,000 schoolchildren who submitted design ideas. The best of those ideas were incorporated in the final design. Planting, which is taking place over the next four to five weeks, has also been organised to involve as wide a cross section of the community as possible and includes special days for the general public, youth groups, community groups and schools.

When the project is finished (early spring 2001), it will be the largest hedge maze in the world and its setting within one of our premier forest parks, in an area of outstanding natural beauty, will make it a unique attraction. While the main focus of the project is to foster peace and reconciliation in our own community in Northern Ireland, it also has the potential to capture the imagination internationally and become a major tourist attraction in its own right.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will detail when she last met representatives of the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) to discuss the impact of fuel duty on hill farmers.

(AQW 699/00)

Ms Rodgers: My last meeting with the UFU at which the issue of fuel duty was raised was when I travelled to union headquarters on 11 October 2000 to meet the president of the UFU and the commodity and central committee chairmen. We had a wide-ranging discussion at that meeting and, as I recall, the particular issue of escalating fuel costs was raised by the chairmen of the seeds and cereals and mushroom committees.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will detail what effect the Agricultural Wages Board has had on current rates of pay in the horticultural sector.

(AQW 700/00)

Ms Rodgers: The Agricultural Wages Board specifies minimum rates of pay for agricultural workers generally. There are no separate provisions for the horticultural sector. The board’s current order No 80, which came into operation on 28 August 2000, had the effect of increasing previous rates by 3%. This revised the minimum gross pay for workers as follows:

A copy of order No 80 is available in the Assembly Library (Ref 4890).

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she is taking to encourage the consumption of milk.

(AQW 701/00)

Ms Rodgers: It is not a direct part of my responsibility to encourage the consumption of milk. Nevertheless my colleagues in the Executive and I are keen to encourage milk consumption. An example of that is my decision, with the support of Ministers de Brún and McGuinness to jointly fund the top-up of the school milk scheme. The decision will ensure that children will continue to be encouraged to develop the milk drinking habit at an early age.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will outline her priorities for the next reform of the common agricultural policy dairy regime.

(AQW 702/00)

Ms Rodgers: Given the forthcoming World Trade Organisation negotiations on agricultural support and trade liberalisation, the preparations for EU enlargement, the associated budgetary implications and the absence of any significant current debate on the issue, it is not possible for me to take a detailed position on the future shape of the EU dairy regime at this time. However, the Member can be assured that when the issue comes up for consideration, I will be working for an agreement that is in the best long-term interests of the local industry and in full consultation with all stakeholders. I will also ensure that the Northern Ireland position is clearly articulated and properly represented in the negotiating process.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will outline what assistance is available to farmers wishing to diversify into organic production.

(AQW 703/00)

Ms Rodgers: In view of the increasing market opportunities for organic produce and the environmental benefits that can be delivered by organic farming, I am making every effort to encourage the development of a vibrant organic sector in Northern Ireland. Increased resources were therefore included in the Northern Ireland Rural Development Plan (NIRDP). These will help 1,000 farmers convert 30,000 hectares to organic farming by 2006.

The organic farming scheme was considered formally by the EU Commission on 24 October as part of the NIRDP. The statutory rule necessary to bring the scheme into effect has since been subject to agriculture industry consultation and will shortly come before the Assembly Committee for scrutiny. On completion of these necessary steps the legislation will be made and the scheme can open for applications.

Payments to producers under the organic farming scheme will total, over a period of five years, £450 per hectare for land eligible for the arable area payment (AAP) scheme and for land in permanent crops. Payments of £350 per hectare will be made for improved land not eligible for the AAP scheme, and £50 per hectare for unimproved grassland or rough grazing land. Producers will also receive lump sum payments of £300 in the first year, £200 in the second and £100 in the third year towards the initial costs of advice and training.

You will, I am sure, be aware that I have commissioned a strategic study of the Northern Ireland organic sector by independent consultants based at the highly respected Elm Farm Research Centre in Berkshire. I shall be extremely interested to receive the results of their study in early 2001, as I am particularly concerned that the organic production sector develops in the best possible way to take full advantage of expanding market opportunities.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will provide funding in respect of Ulster- Scots groups engaged in east-west exchanges on a basis similar to that afforded to cultural groups engaged in North/South exchanges.

(AQW 679/00)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): Funding to promote cultural activity generally is made available through a range of programmes for which my Department is responsible. These include support for the Arts Council, which provides direct financial assistance to a wide variety of arts bodies, including a number engaged in North/South co-operative projects.

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 that 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 North/ South Language Body and the Ulster-Scots Language Society in this welcome and necessary piece of research that will help inform future policy and the development of a more proactive role for the Arts Council in this important area.

My Department also funds the North/South Language Body which, through its two agencies, Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch, may promote and support activity related to language and culture.

Tha Boord has a specific remit to promote greater awareness and use of Ulster-Scots language and culture. This may include developing stronger links between Ulster and Scotland focused on those areas. Tha Boord has recently produced a draft corporate plan that will be referred to the next North/South Ministerial Council language sectoral meeting for approval. In a recent press release detailing its future plans, Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch announced that it was considering opening an office in Scotland. It is a matter for Tha Boord to identify and develop connections with Scotland that will help it fulfill its functions.

A model for east-west language links already exists in the Columba Initiative/Iomairt Cholm Cille. This tripartite organisation was launched in 1997 by the then Minister of State for Education at the Scottish Office, Mr Brian Wilson MP. It aims to foster closer cultural and linguistic ties among the Gaelic-speaking communities of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Funding is provided from all three areas.

Officials from my Department have established links with related centres of expertise in Scotland and will continue to build on those as appropriate.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will detail the funding available through the Sports Council for Northern Ireland for minority sports, particularly karate, judo and squash, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 744/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council has allocated (A) Exchequer funding and (B) sports Lottery funding for karate, judo and squash during the last three years as follows:

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps he is taking to provide facilities for ice hockey outside the Belfast area.

(AQW 766/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland is responsible for the development of sport in the Province. I understand that funding is available for the development of ice hockey through the Sports Lottery, Club Sport and/or community sport programmes. Clubs with proposals for development should, therefore, get in touch with the Sports Council.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education if he will detail the amount of pre-school education advisory group funding that has been made available for the Ards Borough Council area for the years 1998-99 and 1999-2000.

(AQW 648/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): Capital funding was made available under the pre- school education expansion programme in the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 financial years for the following projects in the Ards Borough Council area:

Recurrent funding of £17,138 was also made available in the 1999-2000 financial year to fund places at Abbey Primary School. In addition, recurrent funding of £30,800 was made available in the 1998-1999 financial year and £71,734 in the 1999-2000 financial year to secure places in the voluntary and private sector.

In these two years funding has also been made available under the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation for the provision of new nursery units at West Winds Primary School and Portavogie Primary School. The capital costs of these projects were £115,000 and £80,000 respectively.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education if he will confirm that he has instructed his Department not to use the term "Northern Ireland" in official departmental correspondence.

(AQW 654/00)

Mr M McGuinness: I have not issued any such instruction on this issue.

Ms Morrice asked the Minister of Education if he will detail when he will disseminate the guidelines on relationships and sexuality education.

(AQW 667/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Guidance from the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment on teaching relationships and sexuality education and a departmental circular for schools are being finalised but will also be subject to equality impact assessment before issue. It is planned that both will issue in the spring.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will (a) detail the unit totals in the Belfast Education and Library Board and the Southern Education and Library Board for each nursery school in the controlled and maintained sectors as at October 1998, and (b) outline the specific individual school ranges scale given to each school in the same categories.

(AQW 686/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The information is given in the tables below.

All schools have been allocated to one of eight principal groups based on their unit totals. All schools with a unit total of up to 1,000 are in group 1, and all nursery schools fall into this group. The individual school ranges recommended by all employing authorities to boards of governors were one to seven for a unit total of one to 350 and two to eight for a unit total of 351 to 700.

College Farm School, in the Southern Education and Library Board maintained sector, is a new school that opened in 1999 and did not have an enrolment included in the October 1998 schools census. The individual school range has therefore been based on projected enrolment.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) his assessment of the Northern Ireland Audit Office report NIA 16/00, (b) what steps he intends to take to address the recommendations therein, and (c) what plans he has to provide boards of governors with predetermined and measurable criteria in order to compute salaries for principals and vice-principals.

(AQW 690/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The Department of Education is currently studying the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) report on pay flexibilities for school principals and vice-principals. In addition to considering the NIAO recommendations, I shall be looking at any policy implications.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will give his assessment of the total hours worked by teachers in terms of class teaching, extra-curricular activities and preparation times before and after school hours.

(AQW 705/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Under their terms and conditions of employment, teachers are required to be available for 1,265 hours per year, exclusive of time spent off school premises in preparing and marking lessons. Out of this 1,265 hours they may not be required to teach for more than 25 hours per week in a primary or special school and 23·5 hours per week in a secondary school.

My Department does not hold information on which to make an assessment of the time that teachers spend on extra-curricular activities and preparation time before and after school hours. I do, however, recognise the very significant contribution that the teaching profession makes in all these areas of activity.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will (a) give his assessment of the funding of controlled, maintained and integrated schools, and (b) detail the steps he intends to take to ensure transparency in funding.

(AQW 706/00)

(a) Under current arrangements, schools are funded through seven formulae operated by education and library boards and the Department of Education. These formulae are broadly similar and comprise factors that reflect the relative need for funding across schools. They also take account of the different responsibilities of controlled, maintained and integrated schools.

(b) The different formulae give rise to inequities in funding, and I intend therefore to bring forward proposals for a common local management of schools (LMS) formula that will continue to base funding on relative need and will ensure that schools of similar size and characteristics receive similar levels of funding.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will give his assessment of teacher morale.

(AQW 725/00)

Mr M McGuinness: I am very much aware of the pressures and challenges facing the teaching profession. My Department is therefore working closely with teachers’ representatives and other partners to seek ways of reducing the bureaucratic burden on teachers and to commission independent research to identify the work pressures that give rise to stress. I am confident that the research will lead to strategies being put in place to further improve the welfare of teachers and to create a healthy working environment for them.

During my visits to schools and in meetings with individual teachers and teacher representatives, I have been most impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of the teaching profession in meeting the needs of its pupils. Their notable success in the recent teaching awards scheme is a fitting recognition of their professionalism. Indeed, the high regard in which the profession is held here is reflected in the large number of candidates wishing to enter teacher training each year and the low level of resignations last year.

I believe that teachers are the key to raising educational achievements, and I will continue to work closely with them to ensure that their profession remains an attractive and rewarding career in the twenty-first century.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will detail his plans to ensure that the teaching profession retains its status in society and is rewarded accordingly.

(AQW 726/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Work is well underway to establish a General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland next year, with the help of an advisory group representing the interests who will be members of the council. As an independent professional body for teachers, the council will promote high standards within the profession and raise the status and public standing of teachers. In keeping with a higher status for teachers, the Teachers’ Salary and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools) is already considering a better career structure for teachers and opportunities for rewarding teachers who meet professional standards.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education if he will outline the current arrangements for the handling and marking of school examination papers for 2000-01.

(AQW 730/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Operational matters relating to the conduct of examinations rest with the awarding body concerned and are agreed among the five main awarding bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland — the unitary awarding bodies — annually. The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) has responsibility for dealing with the majority of examination entries here. Its procedures are regularly reviewed in order to ensure that the best possible service is provided to examination centres and candidates alike.

I was pleased to be able to write some weeks ago to the chairman of CCEA to thank him and his staff for an excellent performance in the 1999-2000 examination round. I have asked him to ensure that procedures are kept under review to help in maintaining this high standard.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education if, pursuant to AQW 586/00, he will detail the steps he is taking to ensure that Comber High School will be included in the capital building programme in the financial year 2001-02.

(AQW 741/00)

Mr M McGuinness: As I indicated, the revised economic appraisal for Comber High School is currently under consideration in my Department. When this process has been completed, the South Eastern Education and Library Board will proceed further with the planning of the new school. However, this has not advanced sufficiently to enable the project to be considered for a place in next year’s capital programme.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education if he will detail the number of school children receiving free school milk in the Killyleagh area.

(AQW 745/00)

Mr M McGuinness: There are no children in the Killyleagh area currently receiving free milk under the arrangements approved by my Department.

I understand, however, that there are 10 children in the area currently in receipt of free milk under the welfare foods scheme, which is administered by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Nursery and primary pupils may also avail of milk at a subsidised price through the EU subsidised milk scheme, which is administered by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. There are currently 40 children receiving subsidised milk through this scheme in Killyleagh Primary School. I am very pleased that my Department has been able to make a contribution towards the shortfall in EU funding of this scheme.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Education if he will detail the level of expenditure by his Department per child in (a) the voluntary playgroup sector, and (b) the nursery school sector.

(AQO 379/00)

Mr M McGuinness: In 2000-01 each part-time place in the voluntary playgroup sector attracted funding of £1,160 and full-time equivalent places in the statutory nursery sector attracted average funding of £2,173.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Education if he will detail the packages he has put in place in schools to target dyslexia.

(AQO 364/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Educational provision for children with special educational needs is a statutory responsibility of the education and library boards and is dependent on the assessment made and provision indicated in each child’s statement of special educational needs. Not all children with dyslexia, however, will have statements. The provision for children with dyslexia is broadly similar across all five boards.

Most provision can be made in-school, with supportive organisation and planning, and sometimes with outside assistance from an education and library board reading centre, or peripatetic or outreach literacy support. This may include advice to, or in-service training for, the class teacher and the school’s special needs co-ordinator.

Statements are made on a few children whose learning difficulties are particularly severe, and in such cases the length of additional tuition is extended and information technology equipment may be provided.

Mr B Bell asked the Minister of Education for the estimated cost of the review of post-primary education; and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 378/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Costs of the review body for the current financial year are estimated at £500,000. The body has embarked on a major series of public meetings as part of widespread consultation. Actual costs will depend on the extent of the response to their efforts to encourage the submission of views. My Department will be monitoring the costs. However, this is the most significant issue the education sector has faced in many years, and I am determined that sufficient resources will be available to ensure that it is addressed effectively.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Education to detail when he intends to announce the schools capital building programme for 2001-02.

(AQO 376/00)

Mr M McGuinness: I hope to announce the programme early next year.

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Education if he will confirm that there will be equality in the allocation of resources to all small schools; and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 382/00)

Mr M McGuinness: A consultation document will be published early in the new year setting out proposals for a common funding formula for use in the allocation of resources for all schools, including small schools. This is intended to ensure that schools of the same size and with similar characteristics receive similar levels of funding.

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Education if he will detail the number of teachers for secondary and grammar schools recruited in each of the last two years from (a) Northern Ireland, (b) the rest of United Kingdom, and (c) outside United Kingdom.

(AQO 374/00)

Mr M McGuinness: In 1998-99, 78 permanent teachers were recruited to secondary schools and 61 to grammar schools. In 1999-2000, the equivalent numbers were 99 to secondary schools and 40 to grammar schools. These figures relate to first-time appointments and do not include teachers transferring from other teaching posts.

Information about the countries from which these teachers were recruited is not held by the Department of Education.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of Education if he will detail the uptake for pre-school education in each of the five education and library board areas.

(AQO 380/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Figures for 2000-01 are not yet available. For 1999-2000 the following number of pupils are in funded pre-school places:

Mr Poots asked the Minister of Education if he will detail the number of children who fail to achieve four GCSEs at grade C or higher in Northern Ireland, and what are the comparable figures for Scotland, England and Wales.

(AQO 355/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The information requested is not readily available. In 1998-99, the number and percentage of pupils not achieving 5 or more GCSEs at grades A*-C were as follows:

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of Education what plans he has to accommodate the wishes of children from mixed backgrounds and ethnic minorities in his Department’s review of the eligibility criteria for integrated schools.

(AQO 358/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The consultation paper on the review of the viability criteria for integrated and Irish- medium schools published on 6 November 2000 deals with the issue of religious balance in integrated schools.

The consultation paper indicates that the relevant legislation clearly defines integrated education in terms of the education together of Protestants and Roman Catholics. For the purposes of the legislation, the Department has determined that this requirement will be satisfied where schools achieve in their intakes/overall enrolment a minimum of 30% of the minority religion in the school, that is, at least 30% Protestant and 30% Roman Catholic pupils. This requirement could, therefore, allow for a school to have 40% of its pupils drawn from other backgrounds. The Department has indicated that it does not consider it appropriate to reduce the 30% requirement.

All responses to the consultation document will be carefully considered.

Mr McClelland asked the Minister of Education if he will detail the number of mobile or temporary classrooms in use in schools in the constituency of South Antrim.

(AQO 386/00)

Mr M McGuinness: I understand that there are approximately 140 mobile or temporary classrooms in use in schools in the South Antrim constituency.

ENTERPRISE, TRADE
AND INVESTMENT

Tourist Figures

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will give his assessment of recent trends in tourist figures for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 740/00)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): Recent tourism trends in Northern Ireland have been positive. Last year saw the highest-ever numbers of visitors, bringing £265m into the economy. Estimates for 2000 indicate further progress. It is pleasing to report continued growth in a context of adverse exchange rates and the continuing negative impact of disturbances related to the parades disputes in what should be our peak tourist season.

The ENVIRONMENT

Single Rural Dwellings:
Planning Applications

Mr Wells asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail the number of planning applications for single dwellings in the countryside granted during the period 1973 to 1999 and outline the proportion of successful applications that were located within a green belt area of special control.

(AQW 627/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): Since 1979, when details were first recorded in the format requested, 66,531 new single dwellings have been approved in the countryside, 27% of which were in the green belt areas of special control.

Landfill Tax

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail (a) the amount of landfill tax available to councils in the last financial year (1999-2000) and (b) the projected amount available for each council area for 2000-01.

(AQW 660/00)

Mr Foster: Landfill tax is an excepted matter. I am therefore unable to provide the information requested.

Landfill Tax Credit Scheme

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if he will ensure that the Biffa Waste Services company will allocate funds to each council area from the landfill tax credit scheme.

(AQW 663/00)

Mr Foster: The landfill tax credit scheme is an excepted matter. I am not able to ensure the allocation of tax credits under the scheme.

Protection of Wildlife and
Areas of Special Scientific Interest

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment what steps he is taking to update existing legislation for the protection of wildlife and areas of special scientific interest (ASSI) within Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 687/00)

Mr Foster: My officials have been considering whether additional measures are required to ensure that wildlife and ASSIs are effectively protected and managed. I expect them to bring forward proposals shortly on possible means of strengthening the existing legislation. I will consult widely on any such proposals.

Areas of Special Scientific Interest: Legislation

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (a) his assessment of ASSIs in Northern Ireland (b) how many such areas there are (c) the legislation governing them and (d) if he has plans to amend this legislation.

(AQW 691/00)

Mr Foster: The declaration of ASSIs is governed by the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

To date 179 ASSIs have been declared, covering over 87,000 hectares and involving around 4,500 landowners.

ASSIs are central to the conservation of our biodiversity. The vast majority of the sites declared remain in good condition. Serious incidents of damage have been very rare, and most landowners willingly co-operate with my Department.

My officials have been considering whether additional measures are required to ensure that such sites are effectively protected and managed. I expect them to bring forward proposals shortly on possible means of strengthening the existing legislation. I will consult widely on any such proposals.

Licensed Motor Vehicles (West Belfast)

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail the total number of licensed vehicles in the parliamentary constituency of West Belfast and the total revenue generated by payment of road tax on these vehicles.

(AQW 710/00)

Mr Foster: The licensing of vehicles and the collection of vehicle excise duty (VED) are excepted matters. These functions are carried out in Northern Ireland by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI) under the terms of a formal agency agreement between my Department and the UK Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions.

The information requested is not held by parliamentary constituency and is available only for the whole of Northern Ireland. At 18 November 2000 there were 709,493 licensed vehicles in Northern Ireland and £124 million in VED was collected in the financial year 1999/2000. VED is an unhypothecated tax and the revenue collected is paid into the UK Consolidated Fund.

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