Friday 15 December 2000
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Barnett Formula

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline what recent discussion he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to the operation of the Barnett formula.

(AQW 834/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): I have not had any discussions with the Chancellor relating to the operation of the Barnett formula recently. However, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister and myself met with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to press for changes in relation to the Barnett formula.

My officials have also had a series of meetings with Treasury officials during the spending review process to discuss Northern Ireland’s Barnett-determined funding allocations.

In response to these representations the Treasury agreed to a number of changes to the operation of the Barnett formula. These changes are worth £40 million extra per year to Northern Ireland over the 2000 spending review period. The Treasury also agreed to provide additional CAP funding for modulation payments of £3 million, £4 million and £4·5 million over the 2000 spending review period.

Civil Service Jobs: Omagh and Strabane

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he has any plans that will impact on the number of civil service jobs in (a) Omagh District Council area and (b) Strabane District Council area.

(AQW 839/00)

Mr Durkan: The number of civil servants employed on a function, or in a geographical area, depends on the business needs of Departments, which are subject to change from time to time. The only plans of which I am aware at present, and which would impact significantly on the number of civil service jobs currently located in the Strabane and Omagh district council areas, relate to the jobseekers’ allowance joint working initiative. This involves the Social Security Agency and the Training and Employment Agency working together for the benefit of their customers and could result in up to 12 additional jobs in Omagh towards the end of 2001 with a similar number in Strabane in 2002.

In line with the commitments made in the draft Programme for Government and in the context of an accommodation review, I intend to examine the scope for decentralisation of civil service jobs. It would be wrong to prejudge the outcome of this work or to speculate as to the precise locations that might be involved in any decentralisation exercise. Factors to be taken into account include the current number of civil service jobs in an area in relation to the local workforce; New TSN indicators; the regional planning strategy; the effects on equality of opportunity and not least service delivery, business efficiency and cost.

Civil Service Jobs: Omagh and Strabane

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to state the proportion of civil service jobs in (a) Strabane District Council area and (b) Omagh District Council area as a proportion of the number of people living in each of these areas.

(AQW 840/00)

Mr Durkan: The proportion of civil service jobs to the population of working age in Strabane and Omagh district council’s areas is 0·7% and 2·8% respectively.

Civil Service Personnel: Working outside Omagh and Strabane areas

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to state the number of civil servants, and their grades, resident in (a) Strabane District Council area and (b) Omagh District Council area who work outside their respective council area.

(AQW 841/00)

Mr Durkan: Reliable and comprehensive information on where civil servants reside is not available centrally. I have asked my officials to examine urgently how such data might be compiled and kept up to date and will write to you on the outcome.

Civil Service Jobs: Omagh and Strabane

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to state the number of civil service jobs in (a) Omagh District Council area and (b) Strabane District Council area - together with the grade of those jobs and their respective Government Departments/Agencies.

(AQW 842/00)

Mr Durkan: The information is set out in the attached tables.

Table 1 Number of NI Civil Servants working in Strabane District Council Area (1st January 2000)1

Table 2 Number of NI Civil Servants working in Omagh District Council Area (1st January 2000)1

1 Permanent and casual, Industrial and Non-Industrial staff on a headcount basis.2 The grade structure listed i_n the table is that for General Service grades, but the figures reported include other non-industrial staff working at equivalent grade levels outside the General Service.

3 Other grades include industrial and casual staff.

North/South Ministerial Council:
Legal Action

Mr Dodds asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to ensure that no public money is expended by the Executive or any Department on legal action related to North/South Ministerial Council meetings.

(AQW 847/00)

Mr Durkan: In most circumstances, the Departmental Solicitor’s Office will provide legal support to Departments and Ministers in the discharge of their official functions. In cases that have implications for Ministers in their official position, and where a conflict of interest could arise, or the Minister deems it necessary, the Ministerial Code allows for the commissioning of independent legal advice. Accounting officers will ensure that there are controls on any expenditure that might be incurred, and final payment will be subject to review and advice by the Departmental Solicitor.

Legal Advisers and Costs

Mr Poots asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (a) who is the solicitor acting on behalf of the Minister of Education in the case against the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister, (b) was this solicitor previously registered to act on behalf of the Department of Education and what is the estimated fee (c) who is the barrister acting on behalf of the Minister of Education against the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister (d) was this barrister previously registered to act for the Department of Education (e) what fee this barrister is charging per day and what is the estimated preparation fee and (f) how long the case is predicted to last.

(AQW 911/00)

Mr Durkan: The information requested is as follows:-

(a) The solicitors acting on behalf of the Minister of Education in the case against the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister are Messrs P J McGrory and Co.

(b) These solicitors do not act for the Department of Education, nor have they previously acted for that Department. The solicitors’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor.

(c) The barristers acting on behalf of the Minister of Education in the case against the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister are Mr Michael Lavery QC and Mr John Larkin BL.

(d) I have no knowledge of either barrister acting previously for the Department of Education.

(e) The barristers’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor. The case is listed for 15 December and is predicted to last 1 day.

Legal Advisers and Costs

Mr Poots asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (a) who is the solicitor acting on behalf of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in the case against the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister, (b) was this solicitor previously registered to act on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and what is the estimated fee (c) who is the barrister acting on behalf of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety against the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister, (d) was this barrister previously registered to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (e) what fee is the barrister charging per day and what is the estimated preparation fee and (f) how long the case is predicted to last.

(AQW 912/00)

Mr Durkan: The information requested is as follows:-

(a) The solicitors acting on behalf of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in the case against the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister are Messrs Madden and Finucane.

(b) These solicitors do not act for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, nor have they previously acted for that Department. The solicitors’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor.

(c) The barristers acting on behalf of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in the case against the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister are Mr Seamus Treacy QC and Mr Martin O’Rourke BL.

(d) I have no knowledge of either barrister acting previously for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

(e) The barristers’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor. The case is listed for 15 December and is predicted to last one day.

Legal Advisers and Costs

Mr Poots asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (a) who is the solicitor acting on behalf of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in the case against them by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, (b) how much is the estimated fee (c) who is the barrister acting on behalf of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in the cases brought by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (d) how much is the barrister charging per day and what is the estimated preparation fee and how (e) long the case is predicted to last.

(AQW 913/00)

Mr Durkan: The information requested is as follows:-

(a) The solicitors acting on behalf of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in the cases against them by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety are, respectively, Messrs King and Gowdy and Messrs Rory McShane and Co.

(b) The solicitors’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor.

(c) The barristers acting on behalf of the First Minister are Mr Declan Morgan QC, and Mr Patrick Good BL. The barristers acting on behalf of the Deputy First Minister are Mr Peter Smith QC and Mr Michael Keogh BL.

(d) The barristers’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor. The cases are listed for 15 December and are predicted to last one day

INTERREG III

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail his current proposals for funding under INTERREG III.

(AQW 925/00)

Mr Durkan: The draft programme proposals for INTERREG III, strand A were drawn up by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) following a comprehensive consultation process. The proposals were approved by the Executive Committee and the North/South Ministerial Council prior to their submission to the European Commission on 22 November, as a basis for negotiations over the next five months. Formal negotiations will begin as soon as the Commission approves the admissibility of the programme proposals. Total funding available for the new programme will be approximately £75 million.

The INTERREG programme will be managed by the SEUPB, which will be involved in the negotiations of the draft programme proposals with the European Commission, and will report regularly to the North/South Ministerial Council. SEUPB will also prepare the programme complement which details the measures in the programme, the financial allocations to those measures and identifies the most appropriate delivery mechanisms to be used to implement the programme. The programme complement will be approved by the joint monitoring committee established to oversee implementation of the programme.

Rate Collection Agency: Review

Mr ONeill asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what plans he has for a review of the Rate Collection Agency.

(AQW 1105/00)

Mr Durkan: My Department will shortly start a review of the Rate Collection Agency. Consultants will support the review group, whose membership includes customers of the Agency and staff representatives. The group will evaluate the organisational options for carrying out the Agency’s functions in the future, its performance and the operation of its relationships with the Department of Finance and Personnel. It is planned that the review will be completed by the end of March 2001.

An informal market sounding exercise is also underway to explore how potential suppliers would propose to meet the Agency’s future need for an integrated computer system. The emerging findings from this exercise will be considered as part of the review.

HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES
AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Ulster Hospital: Accident and Emergency

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of patients treated at the accident and emergency department at the Ulster Hospital in each of the last three years and how do these figures compare with other accident and emergency departments in Belfast.

(AQW 827/00)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): Information on the number of accident and emergency attendances at the Ulster Hospital is detailed in the table below. Comparative figures for accident and emergency departments in other Belfast hospitals are also shown.

Tá sonraí ar líon na bhfreastal ar an Roinn Timpistí agus Éigeandála ag Otharlann Uladh tugtha sa tábla thíos. Taispeántar figiúirí comparáideacha don Roinn Timpistí agus Éigeandála in otharlanna eile chomh maith.

Budget Increase

Ms Armitage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what percentage of the 7·2% budget increase received by her Department she will allocate to the independent sector.

(AQW 850/00)

Ms de Brún: My Department will not be allocating a specific amount of the budget increase to the independent sector, as the purchase of health care provision is the proper domain of health and social services boards. However, the independent sector, as part of the local health and social care community may, according to local needs and priorities, benefit from this improved financial position.

Ní bheidh mo Roinn ag dáileadh suim ar leith den mhéadú buiséid ar an earnáil neamhspleách, mar baineann ceannach sholáthar chúram sláinte leis na Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta. Mar sin féin, thig leis an earnáil neamhspleách, mar chuid den chomhphobal sláinte agus cúraim shóisialta áitiúil, de réir riachtanas agus tosaíochtaí áitiúla, sochar a bhaint as an fheabhas seo sa staid airgeadais.

Fees Paid to Independent Sector

Ms Armitage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how she proposes to agree the fees paid to the independent sector for the provision of nursing and residential care for the elderly for the years 2001/02 and 2002/03 in respect of the minimum care specification.

(AQW 851/00)

Ms de Brún: It is the responsibility of health and social services boards to agree with providers the fees to be paid for places in independent sector nursing and residential care homes. The rates are reviewed each year in light of prevailing circumstances and priorities and my department is currently considering, with boards, the approach for 2001/2002.

Is í freagracht na mBord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta na táillí atá le híoc as áiteanna in árais altranais agus cúraim chónaithe de chuid na hearnála neamhspleáiche a shocrú le soláthraithe. Déantar athbhreithniú ar na rátaí gach bliain de réir na dtosca agus na dtosaíochtaí atá ann ag an am agus tá an cur chuige do 2001/2002 á mhachnamh faoi láthair ag mo Roinn i bpáirt leis na Boird.

Ulster Hospital: Accident
and Emergency Waiting Times

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times at the accident and emergency department at the Ulster Hospital.

(AQW 852/00)

Ms de Brún: The Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust has taken some steps recently to improve its accident and emergency service and waiting times. Within the past month 22 nurses from the Philippines have been appointed to relieve pressures in various departments in the hospital. Two of these are presently working in the accident and emergency department. By the end of January 2001, the trust intends to have at least another six nurses over and above its present establishment in accident and emergency. The minor injuries units set up by the trust a few years ago, in Bangor and Ards community hospitals, with telemedicine links to the Ulster, are continuing to provide a valuable service to patients in those areas and to take some of the pressure off the Ulster’s accident and emergency department.

Ghlac Iontaobhas Ospidéal agus Pobail Uladh roinnt céimeanna ar na mallaibh lena seirbhísí agus amanna feithimh taisme agus éigeandála a fheabhsú. Le mí anuas, ceapadh 22 altra ó na Filipíneacha leis an bhrú a laghdú i ranna éagsúla san ospidéal. Faoi láthair tá beirt acu ag obair sa roinn T&É. Faoi dheireadh Mhí Eanáir 2001, tá rún ag an Iontaobhas seisear altra eile ar a laghad, de bhreis ar an líon atá ann anois, a bheith aige sa roinn T&É. Tá seirbhís luachmhar á cur ar fáil go fóill ag na hAonaid Mhionghortuithe a chuir an tIontaobhas ar bun roinnt blianta ó shin in Ospidéil Phobail Bheannchair agus na hArda d’othair sna ceantair sin, le naisc teileleighis le hOspidéal Uladh, agus tá na seirbhísí sin ag baint cuid den bhrú ó Roinn T&É Ospidéal Uladh.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Waiting Times

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if, pursuant to AQW 603/00, she will detail the average waiting time for accident and emergency departments at all hospitals in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 853/00)

Ms de Brún: The information is not available in the form requested.

Níl eolas ar fáil san fhoirm a iarradh.

Nurses Prescribing Medicines

Mr McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her policy on the role of nurses in prescribing medicines.

(AQW 881/00)

Ms de Brún: The initiative to extend prescribing rights to nurses was one of the recommendations in the ‘Review of Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines’ report (the Crown Report) published in 1989. The recommendations in the Crown Report were generally welcomed here and prescribing by nurses was introduced on a phased basis from 1998/99. The final Crown Report published in March 1999 recommended extending prescribing to a wider range of nurses and from an expanded nurse prescribers’ formulary.

My Department has recently issued a consultation paper, prepared by the Department of Health in London, to interested parties inviting comments on the proposals to extend nurse prescribing. Comments are required by 15 January 2001 and decisions on the way forward will be taken as soon as possible after that.

Bhí an tionscnamh chun cearta ordaithe oideas a leathnú d’altraí ar na moltaí sa Tuairisc ar an Athbhreithniú ar Ordú, Sholáthar agus Riarachán Cógas (Tuairisc an Dr. Crown) a foilsíodh i 1989. Fearadh fáilte fhorleathan anseo roimh na moltaí i dtuairisc an Dr. Crown agus tugadh ceart d’altraí oidis a ordú ar bhonn céimithe ó 1998/99. Mhol tuairisc dheireanach an Dr. Crown, a foilsíodh i Márta 1999, go leathnófaí cearta ordaithe oideas do réimse níos leithne altraí agus ó Leabhar Foirmlí méadaithe d’Altraí Ceadaithe chun Oidis a Ordú.

D’eisigh mo Roinn páipéar comhairliúcháin ar na mallaibh, ullmhaithe ag an Roinn Sláinte i Londain, do pháirtithe leasmhara ag iarraidh orthu a mbarúlacha a nochtadh ar na moltaí chun cearta ordaithe oideas a thabhairt d’ altraí a leathnú. Caithfidh barúlacha a bheith istigh roimh 15 Eanáir 2001 agus déanfar socruithe ar an bhealach chun tosaigh chomh luath agus is féidir ina dhiaidh sin.

Long-Term Care

Mr McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the financial implications of implementing the findings of the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care.

(AQW 882/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQO 210/00. Work is continuing on proposals for the provision of long-term care here and I will make a statement when this is completed. An initial bid for additional resources to implement options on long-term care was made within this year’s spending review. If a need for further funding arises this will be considered in the context of the next spending review.

Dírim aird an Teachta ar an fhreagra a thug mé ar AQO 210/00. Tá obair ag dul ar aghaidh ar mholtaí maidir le soláthar cúraim fhadtéarmaigh anseo agus déanfaidh mé ráiteas nuair a chuirfear críoch leis an obair seo. Rinneadh tairiscint thosaigh ag iarraidh acmhainní breise le roghanna ar an chúram fadtéarmach a chur i gcrích in Athbhreithniú Caiteachais na bliana seo. Má tharlaíonn go bhfuil gá le tuilleadh maoinithe, déanfar machnamh air sin i gcomhthéacs an chéad Athbhreithnithe Caiteachais eile.

Nurses Authorised to Prescribe Drugs

Mr McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how many nurses are authorised to prescribe drugs.

(AQW 883/00)

Ms de Brún: Nurses working in community trusts, or for GPs as practice nurses who hold the district nurse or health visitor qualification and who have successfully completed an approved nurse prescribing course are legally entitled to prescribe. The number of nurses authorised to prescribe will be 293 by the end of 2000. It is anticipated that an additional 273 nurses will be authorised to prescribe by the end of 2001.

Altraí ag obair in Iontaobhais Phobail nó le liachleachtóirí mar altraí cleachtais a bhfuil cáilíochtaí mar Altra Ceantair nó Chuairteoir Sláinte acu agus a bhfuil cúrsa ceadaithe d’ altraí ar oidis a ordú déanta acu atá i dteideal oidis a ordú de réir dlí. 293 an líon altraí a mbeidh údarás acu oidis a ordú faoi dheireadh 2000. Táthar ag dúil go n-údarófar 273 altra sa bhreis le hoidis a ordú faoi dheireadh 2001.

Royal Commission on Long-Term Care

Mr McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she intends to implement the findings of the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care in line with the decision of the Scottish Executive.

(AQW 884/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQO 210/00. It is imperative that any proposals that I may bring to the Executive for changes to long-term care are founded on the needs of older people here. Work is continuing on proposals for the provision of long-term care and I will make a statement when I have completed my consideration.

Dírím aird an Teachta ar an fhreagra a thug mé ar AQO 210/00. Ní mór go bhfuil aon mholtaí a chuirfinn os comhair an Fheidhmeannais maidir le hathruithe sa chúram fadtéarmach bunaithe ar riachtanais daoine níos sine anseo. Tá obair ag dul ar aghaidh i rith an ama ar mholtaí le haghaidh sholáthar cúraim fhadtéarmaigh agus déanfaidh mé ráiteas nuair atá machnamh déanta agam air.

Maternity Services

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what further steps she is taking with regard to maternity services in Belfast in the light of the high court ruling of 29 November 2000.

(AQW 907/00)

Ms de Brún: I am considering advice from my legal advisors in assessing the full implications of the recent judicial review and determining what actions need to be taken in the light of the judgement. I expect to make a statement shortly.

In arriving at any conclusions, my continuing concern is to ensure the future of safe and effective maternity services in the interest of women, mothers and babies.

Tá mé ag déanamh machnaimh ar chomhairle ó mo chomhairleoirí dlí ag measúnú impleachtaí uilig an Athbhreithnithe Bhreithniúnaigh agus ag cinneadh cad é na bearta a ba chóir a dhéanamh i dtaca leis an bhreithiúnas. Tá mé ag dúil le ráiteas a dhéanamh gan mhoill.

Is é an cúram is mó a atá agam agus mé ag teacht ar aon chonclúidí a chinntiú go mbeidh seirbhísí máithreachais atá sábháilte, éifeachtach ann sa todhchaí ar mhaithe le mná, máithreacha agus leanaí.

Trusts: Parity

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will (a) confirm that trusts in Great Britain are treated differently to those in Northern Ireland and (b) take steps to ensure parity for all trusts in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 914/00)

Ms de Brún: I understand that this question refers to the treatment of the financial deficits of trusts. I can confirm that trusts, here and in England, have to comply with the statutory duty to break even over a rolling three-year period, and in exceptional circumstances, over a five- year period. Where trusts, here and in England, experience financial deficits, they are required to produce a financial recovery plan in order to recover the deficit position. With regard to these matters trusts here are dealt with in the same way as in Great Britain.

All trusts for which my Department has responsibility must comply with the same statutory duties and follow the Departmental recovery plan guidance. I can ensure you that these recovery plans will be evaluated and agreed on a consistent basis, following the same approach, to ensure parity for all trusts.

Tuigim go mbaineann an cheist seo leis an dóigh ar caitheadh le heaspaí airgeadais Iontaobhas. Is féidir liom a dhearbhú go gcaithfidh Iontaobhais, anseo agus i Sasana araon, cloí leis an dualgas reachtúil gan gnóthú ná cailleadh thar thréimse trí bliana as a chéile, agus i gcásanna ar leith, thar thréimhse cúig bliana. Nuair a bhíonn deacrachtaí airgeadais ag Iontaobhais anseo agus i Sasana araon, iarrtar orthu plean téarnaimh airgeadais a sholáthar leis an staid easpa airgeadais a athghabháil. Maidir leis na hábhair seo pléitear le hIontaobhais ar an dóigh chéanna anseo agus sa BM.

Caithfidh na hIontaobhais uile a bhfuil a bhfreagracht ar mo Roinn cloí leis na dualgais reachtúla céanna agus treoir phlean téarnaimh na Roinne a leanúint. Féadaim a dhearbhú duit go ndéanfar meastóireacht agus socrú ar na pleananna téarnaimh seo ar bhonn comhsheasmhach, ag leanúint den chur chuige céanna, le cinntiú go bhfuil cothroime ann do gach Iontaobhas.

Mental Health Care

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline how she is addressing the national service framework for mental health care within Northern Ireland.

(AQW 920/00)

Ms de Brún: The national service framework for mental health sets quality standards for England and Wales. My Department is currently reviewing a range of issues for improving the quality of care and treatment within the HPSS. The development of local service frameworks, linked to the Programme for Government and HPSS priorities, is one of the issues under consideration.

Leagann Creatlach na Seirbhíse Náisiúnta don Mheabhairshláinte amach caighdeáin cháilíochta do Shasana agus don Bhreatain Bheag. Tá mo Roinn ag déanamh athbhreithniú ar réimse saincheisteanna faoi láthair le caighdeán cúraim agus cóireála sa tSláinte agus i Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Pearsanta a fheabhsú. Ar na saincheisteanna atá á machnamh tá forbairt chreatlaigh sheirbhíse áitiúla, ceangailte leis an Chlár Rialtais agus le Tosaíochtaí Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Pearsanta.

HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT

Private Finance Initiatives

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail (a) current Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) undertaken by his Department (b) his plans for future PFI considerations and (c) if he is satisfied that PFI will in the longer term give value for money.

(AQW 848/00)

The Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment (Dr Farren):

(a) Current PFI Projects

• Information Systems/Information Technology (IS/IT) Services – In May 1998, the Training and Employment Agency signed a 10-year PFI contract with ICL (International Computers Limited) for the provision of a range of IS/IT services. This contract is now used to provide IS/IT services to the Department.
• North West Institute of Further and Higher Education – The contract with the private sector contractor, Northwin Limited, was signed in August 1999 and will provide, over 25 years, for 7,500 square metres of accommodation and related services for the North West Institute. The new building will be on the institute’s main campus with a target date for occupation of February 2001.
• Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education – The contract with the private sector contractor, Northwin Limited, was signed in July 2000. It will provide a new building on the Millfield Campus to replace the existing Millfield and Ormeau accommodation and will offer, over 25 years, 20,700 square metres of accommodation. The target date for the occupation of the new building is September 2002.

(b) Future Projects

• Omagh and East Tyrone Colleges Project – To provide a new build for Omagh College and a new build at Dungannon for East Tyrone College.
• The scheme, is being taken forward as a single project and is, currently, at outline business case stage. It will go to PFI test if the outline business case is positive and approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel.
• Springvale – The project, is to provide a further education and higher education campus for the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education and the University of Ulster at Springvale in West Belfast. A project board and project team have been established to prepare the outline business case.

(c) Longer Term Value for Money

• This process has in-built mechanisms that provide indicators of whether value for money is achievable in relation to each individual project. The public sector body, as part of its prepatory work, develops an outline business case for pursuing a PFI solution to its requirements. The case includes a fully costed reference project or public sector comparator, which tests whether an affordable investment option exists. Risk assessments of the public sector comparator are undertaken and refined throughout the PFI procurement process to take account of unforeseen changes.

EQUAL

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail the criteria in respect of EQUAL and to confirm the number of community and voluntary sector groups who responded to the consultation.

(AQW 871/00)

Dr Farren: EQUAL is an EU community initiative designed to test and promote new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in the workforce affecting the unemployed and those in work. It will be necessary for projects to address an aspect of these issues and that they be undertaken by development partnerships. Such partnerships must be made up of at least two local groups and at least two transnational partners from within other EU countries or from enlargement countries.

Promoters of projects will be required, at the outset, to identify from the positive outcomes they expect, and to report the results achieved against those targets on a monthly basis.

During June and July this year a written consultation was undertaken of some 150 interested bodies and individuals. Twenty-five replies were from the voluntary and community sector with some of these from umbrella organisations. Three workshops were held to allow special interest groups to outline their views on issues to be addressed by EQUAL. Representatives of community and voluntary sector groups attended these workshops.

Back to Your Future

Mr ONeill asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment what targets he has set for the ‘Back to your Future’ campaign.

(AQO 468/00)

Dr Farren: The ‘Back to your Future’ campaign is the first phase of a campaign to attract experienced people back to Northern Ireland. The experience of a web-based initiative will assist me to set future targets. As 40% of graduates leave Northern Ireland each year there is significant potential for the initiative. Since the launch 14 companies have received a total of 31 job applications.

Basic Skills Strategy

Ms Hanna asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment what steps he will be taking to implement a basic skills strategy, in light of the recent international adult literacy report, which highlighted levels of adult illiteracy and innumeracy levels in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 465/00)

Dr Farren: I am committed to addressing the problems highlighted in the international adult literacy survey. An important element in this work has been the establishment of the basic skills unit to advise the Department on the development of a set of standards for basic skills; the establishment of a new basic skills curriculum; assessment arrangements corresponding to the new standards; and national standards for tutors and trainers. The unit will also promote research and innovation. Its advice will inform decisions on the most appropriate strategy to be implemented in Northern Ireland.

Adult Learning Facilities

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to outline the provision he is making for adult learning facilities in South Down and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 448/00)

Dr Farren: The East Down Institute of Further and Higher Education has five campuses and 32 outreach centres providing a range of vocational and non-vocational training for adults. In addition, planning for provision in South Down is progressing well with East Down Institute and others leading a partnership in the Downpatrick District Council area.

Task Force on Employability

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail his plans to take forward the work of the inter-departmental employability task force.

(AQO 459/00)

Dr Farren: I plan to hold the inaugural meeting of the employability task force, which will comprise representation from Northern Ireland departments, early in the new year. I am in the process of commissioning a scoping study to begin in January. The study, which will review the existing evidence on employability and develop workable definitions of employability, will help inform the work of the task force.

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