Friday 5 January 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Central Administration Budget

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail the central administration budget for his Department in each of the last two financial years and to advise the specific functions to which any increase will be allocated; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 944/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): I have interpreted the central administration budget as referring to Departmental Running Costs (DRC).

The DRCs of my Department were:

1998-99 - net expenditure amounting to £15·112 million

1999-2000 - net expenditure amounting to £16·016 million

The increase is attributable to the application of the 1999 pay settlement and inescapable costs arising from the restructuring of Departments in preparation for devolution.

ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Central Administration Budget

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the central administration budget for his Department in each of the last two financial years and to advise the specific functions to which any increase will be allocated; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 940/00)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): The central administration budget for my Department for the years 2000-01 and 2001-02, respectively, is £36·4 million and £38·1 million.

For the year 2000-01, additional moneys have been allocated to the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) and to Companies Registry. In 2001-02, additional moneys will be allocated to the continuing support of HSENI. In addition, moneys will be allocated to work required for the freedom of information legislation, the modernising government agenda and to cover devolution costs.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps he has taken to encourage the development of sustainable and renewable energy.

(AQW 948/00)

Sir Reg Empey: I support fully the development of sustainable and renewable energy. The harnessing of renewable energy sources assists the diversification of Northern Ireland’s energy supplies and has an important role to play in reducing greenhouse gases emissions.

Government have established an initial target of 45 megawatts of renewables plant in Northern Ireland by the year 2005. The then Department of Economic Development, in pursuit of this objective, made two Non-Fossil Fuel Orders (NFFO) in 1994 and 1996 under which Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) is required to purchase some 32 megawatts of renewable energy. In addition, a number of innovative renewable energy projects have been assisted under the EU funded energy demonstration scheme and the EU INTERREG cross-border energy sub-programme. Furthermore, 1,000 customers currently receive all or part of their electricity from renewable sources under Northern Ireland Electricity’s eco-energy tariff scheme.

Recent assessments of the potential for renewables in Northern Ireland have indicated that, based on certain assumptions, 7% of electricity consumption could be met by offshore wind energy by 2005 and that a further 7·6% could be met by other renewables by 2010.

My Department intends to consult interested parties in the new year on the future development of renewable energy sources in Northern Ireland. We will wish, in particular, to seek views on how Northern Ireland might best make a proportionate contribution to the revised UK target of 10% of electricity from renewables by 2010 and also on the possible replication of the recent Great Britain legislation on a renewables obligation which will place an obligation on suppliers to obtain a specified percentage of their supplies from renewable sources.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will confirm that adequate engineering expertise is available in Northern Ireland to undertake large-scale shipbuilding; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 956/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Northern Ireland has a long and respected tradition of engineering excellence which is partly reflected in the engineering faculties of the two universities and the further education institutions where substantial numbers of students are enrolled in courses in engineering and the technologies. At November 2000 there were nearly 2,500 participants undertaking specialist training in engineering occupations under the Jobskills programme.

With regard to skills that may be required in the future to meet the needs of large-scale shipbuilding, it remains important that education and training providers be sufficiently flexible and responsive to the needs of employers to ensure that skill needs will be met, regardless of the sector in which those needs arise.

A number of important initiatives have already been taken in this area.

The Northern Ireland skills task force has commissioned a programme of research to review in detail the skills demand and supply in priority areas on which one report, on the IT sector, has already been published and another, on the electronic engineering sector, is almost complete.

Work is due to begin on a review of the mechanical engineering sector in the new year. This research will provide a better and more informed understanding of the balance between skills supply and demand in the engineering — including shipbuilding — sectors.

In the meantime the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment will continue to work closely with the Harland & Wolff Group to identify specific trades and skills required to meet the challenges of potential new work in the shipbuilding and offshore sectors.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the percentage volume of non-fuel material quarried or extracted in Northern Ireland and reused within Northern Ireland for each of the past five years.

(AQW 967/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The following quantities of non-fuel material were quarried or extracted in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years:

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the volume of quarried or extracted non-fuel materials imported into Northern Ireland from (a) the Republic of Ireland, (b) Great Britain and (c) the rest of the world for each of the past five years.

(AQW 968/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The information requested is not available.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the percentage volume of quarried or extracted non-fuel materials exported from Northern Ireland to (a) the Republic of Ireland, (b) Great Britain and (c) the rest of the world for each of the past five years.

(AQW 969/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Comprehensive information on the quantity of non-fuel materials exported from Northern Ireland is not available. The report of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners for 1999 records that the following quantities of stones were exported, mainly to Great Britain, in each of the last years:

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to state the definition of (a) "urban" and (b) "rural" used within his Department.

(AQW 1006/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment does not have specific definitions for "urban" or "rural".

THE ENVIRONMENT

Central Administration Budget

Mr Savage asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the central administration budget for his Department in each of the last two financial years and to advise the specific functions to which any increase will be allocated; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 941/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): The Department’s central administration budget meets the salary, general administrative expenses and other costs of staff employed in corporate services, as well as IT capital requirements.

Corporate services was set up in December 1999 following devolution.

The following table sets out the actual expenditure incurred by corporate services in 1999-2000 and projected spend for the current year.

Mr Maskey asked the Minister of the Environment if he will provide a breakdown by constituency of (a) areas of townscape character and (b) conservation areas in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 953/00)

Mr Foster: The information requested is set out in the attached schedules.

Mr McElduff asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the legal requirements placed on quarry owners to prevent noise, dust, fume-pollution and structural damage to neighbouring homes.

(AQW 963/00)

Mr Foster: In granting planning permission for quarries for the extraction of hard rock the Department imposes planning conditions which control the vibration and noise from blasting operations. Current practice and research indicates that the application of these conditions will prevent structural damage occurring to property.

All quarries are required by the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 to use best available techniques not entailing excessive cost (BATNEEC) to prevent, or minimise, all aspects of air pollution from their operations.

The BATNEEC requirement is enforced for each quarry by conditions set out in an authorisation issued by the chief industrial pollution inspector of my Department. In most cases, these authorisations incorporate an improvement programme setting out a series of actions required to bring the quarry’s standards of dust control up to the BATNEEC standards.

In addition, quarry operators are obliged to comply with the Quarries (Explosives) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991. These regulations take account of modern blasting practices and materials and set out the standards to be achieved in order to prevent danger from the presence and use of explosives at quarries. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry’s quarry inspector polices these regulations.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment if he will make it his policy that a planning application for housing development must indicate the full proposed development plans before approval is granted.

(AQO 485/00)

Mr Foster: Full details of any proposed housing development are indicated before planning approval is granted. However, under existing law, applicants are entitled to make an outline planning application for operational development, which includes housing. This enables applicants to establish whether the development of land for a proposed use is acceptable in principle, without the financial expense of preparing detailed plans. This is a long established procedure within the planning system, and I have no plans to change it.

However, the Department’s publication ‘Creating Places – Achieving Quality in Residential Developments’ requires applicants to provide much more detailed information — for example, an analysis of the application site and its context together with a concept statement, with applications for outline permission. This will assist the Department in assessing a proposal against quality and sustainability objectives. It will also provide the public with more information about the proposals.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of the Environment what steps he is taking to address the problem of drink-driving; and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 507/00)

Mr Foster: Drink-driving remains a major cause of deaths and serious injuries on Northern Ireland’s roads. My Department carries out extensive research into attitudes to drinking and driving. This is to ensure that the Department’s education and advertising activities are targeted effectively. Advertising and publicity campaigns are co-ordinated with RUC enforcement campaigns.

I can assure the Assembly that I am totally committed to further reducing road casualties. I recently launched a new anti-drink-drive commercial in association with the National Safety Council in the Republic of Ireland. This has provided the focus of the current Christmas anti-drink-drive campaign.

An experimental scheme in the use of courses as a sentencing option for drink-drive offenders has been running in Belfast and Newtownabbey petty sessions district since April 1998. On 11 December, the Assembly approved the motion to extend the experimental period until 2005.

My Department, in association with the RUC and other road safety groups, will continue with our efforts to reduce the problem of drink-driving and to encourage responsible driver attitudes. The importance of discouraging drink-driving will be emphasised in the new road safety strategy, on which I hope to be able to consult as soon as possible next year.

Mr Poots asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what consultations he has had on the issue of third party planning appeals.

(AQO 495/00)

Mr Foster: My Department is in regular contact with its counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales on this subject. There is no provision for third party appeals in any of the planning jurisdictions in the UK.

I have, however, been giving very careful consideration to all aspects of third party appeals and how they might impact on the planning system in Northern Ireland.

On the one hand, third parties already have structured opportunities to make representations concerning planning applications. Such representations are given careful consideration.

On the other hand, there is an argument that third party appeals would provide better protection to members of the public and that it would place them on the same footing as applicants whose permission for development had been refused.

Work carried out by my Department indicates that there would be significant costs involved in introducing a third party appeal system in Northern Ireland. Such a provision would also add delays to the planning process and would increase uncertainty among developers. Third party appeals could also be used to obstruct a commercial competitor or to frustrate a neighbour.

This is an area which I realise is attracting considerable interest and debate not just in Northern Ireland but also in the rest of the UK. I will therefore continue to keep our policy and procedures under review and have presented an analysis to my Executive Colleagues for early consideration.

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Central Administration Budget

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the central administration budget for his Department in each of the last two financial years and to advise the specific functions to which any increase will be allocated; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 937/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): The central administration budget for the Department of Finance and Personnel for 2000-01 is £92·6 million. The revised budget for 2001-02 as presented to the Assembly on 12 December provides £97·1 million. This represents an increase of £4·5 million and will allow the Department to maintain its current level of service including provision for pay increases and the restructuring of the Department to incorporate the former Department of the Environment agencies.

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the revenue generated through the collection of domestic rate by electoral ward in the parliamentary constituency of West Belfast and as a percentage of the overall domestic rate value in the Belfast City Council area.

(AQW 1122/00)

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

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the rates revenue generated from retail business in the constituency of West Belfast by electoral ward and as a percentage of the overall retail rate value generated in Belfast City Council area.

(AQW 1188/00)

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

HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES
AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Central Administration Budget

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the central administration budget for her Department in each of the last two financial years and to advise the specific functions to which any increase will be allocated; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 935/00)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s running cost provision for 2000-01, its first full year of operation, is £31·1 million. The Budget proposals for 2001-02 uplift the provision to £32·7 million. Most of the additional £1·6 million would go towards maintaining existing levels of service by meeting next year’s pay pressures, but it will also enable the Department to augment its support for a number of programmes and services. Examples of these are the development of children’s services, strengthening support for the equality and New TSN agendas, hospital services, public safety and strategic planning.

Is é £31·1m. costais choinneála na Roinne Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí do 2000-01, a chéad bhliain iomlán oibre. Ardaíonn na moltaí Buiséid do 2001-02 an soláthar go dtí £32·7m. Chaithfí an chuid is mó den £1·6m breise leis na caighdeáin seirbhíse atá ann anois a choinneáil trí bhrú pá na bliana seo chugainn a chlúdach, ach chomh maith leis sin cuirfidh sé ar chumas na Roinne cur lena tacaíocht do roinnt clár agus seirbhísí. Orthu seo tá forbairt sheirbhísí páistí, ag neartú tacaíochta do na cláir oibre don chomhionannas agus DRS Nua, seirbhísí ospidéil, sábháilteacht phoiblí agus pleanáil straitéiseach.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she has had discussions with other Departments in relation to public information on the long-term effects of designer drugs, with specific reference to Ecstasy.

(AQW 945/00)

Ms de Brún: Public information plays an important role in increasing awareness of the damage that can be caused by drug misuse. During the recent meeting of the ministerial group on drugs, of which I am chairperson, I provided an overview of the drugs–related public information campaign delivered by the Health Promotion Agency over the last few years. One phase of this campaign was focused on Ecstasy, LSD and amphetamine sulphate (speed), providing information to young people on long-term and short-term effects of these drugs.

I also advised my ministerial colleagues of the next phase of the campaign, which, although not focused solely on Ecstasy, will be targeted at young people attending bars and nightclubs.

Tá ról tábhachtach ag an eolas phoiblí ar aird a dhíriú ar an dochar is féidir le mí-úsáid drugaí a dhéanamh. Ag cruinniú den ghrúpa aireachta ar dhrugaí ar na mallaibh, a bhfuil mise i mo chathaoirleach air, thug mé forbhreathnú ar an fheachtas eolais phoiblí faoi dhrugaí atá ar bun ag an Ghníomhaireacht Cothaithe Sláinte le blianta beaga anuas. Bhí céim amháin den fheachtas seo dírithe ar an Eacstais, LSD agus sulfáit amfaitimín (luas), ag cur eolais ar fáil do dhaoine óga ar éifeachtaí fadtéarmacha agus gearrthéarmacha na ndrugaí seo.

Chomh maith leis sin chuir mé mo chomhAirí ar an eolas faoin chéad chéim eile den fheachtas, a bheas dírithe ar dhaoine óga a ghnáthaíonn tithe tábhairne agus clubanna oíche.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) how many Filipino nurses have been recruited for the Eastern Health and Social Services Board, (b) the total cost to date and (c) how much it costs to provide accommodation for these nurses.

(AQW 957/00)

Ms de Brún: Within the Eastern Health and Social Services Board area the Ulster Community & Hospitals Trust has recruited 20 Filipino nurses.

The total cost to date is £48,183.

The nurses are responsible for their own accommodation charges.

Taobh istigh de limistéar Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir d’earcaigh Iontaobhas Pobail agus Ospidéal Uladh 20 banaltra ó na Filipíneacha.

Is é an costas iomlán go dtí seo £48,183.

Tá na banaltraí freagrach as costas a lóistín féin.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (a) confirm that the cardiac surgeon who left the Eastern Health and Social Services Board at the Ulster Hospital has not yet been replaced and (b) outline the steps she is taking to fill the vacancy.

(AQW 958/00)

Ms de Brún: There is no cardiac surgeon based at the Ulster Hospital. However, a consultant cardiac surgeon employed by the Royal Hospitals Group HSS Trust retired recently, and the vacant post has been advertised. There has been a specialist trainee in post for several years, who has completed training within the last year in anticipation of such a vacancy. The vacant post will have to be filled through competition in line with the Appointment of Consultant Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996.

Níl aon mháinlia cairdiach bunaithe ag Ospidéal Uladh, ach d’éirigh máinlia cairdiach comhairleach a bhí fostaithe ag Iontaobhas SSS Ghrúpa na nOspidéal Ríoga as a obair ar na mallaibh, agus fógraíodh an post folamh. Tá foghlaimeoir sainiúil i bpost le roinnt blianta anuas in oirchill folúntais den chineál a bhfuil traenáil críochnaithe aige taobh istigh den bhliain seo caite. Caithfear an post folamh a líonadh trí iomaíocht de réir Rialacha Ceapacháin na nDochtúirí Comhairleacha (TÉ) 1996.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what provision she has made for the chiropractic service within the Health budget and how many staff are employed in each board area with that expertise.

(AQW 959/00)

Ms de Brún: No specific provision for chiropractic services has been made within the HPSS budget. The information requested on members of staff with chiropractic expertise is not readily available.

Ní dhearnadh aon soláthar ar leith sa bhuiséad SSSP do sheirbhísí círeapraicteacha. Níl an t-eolas a iarradh maidir le baill foirne a bhfuil scileanna círeapraicteacha acu ar fáil go héasca.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps she is taking to release the funding necessary to address the need for nurses in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board.

(AQW 960/00)

Ms de Brún: The number of nurses employed in the Eastern Board area is a matter for determination between the board and the health and social services trusts. The additional resources that I intend to make available to the health and social services boards should help the Eastern Board address the priorities in its area.

Is ceist í líon na mbanaltraí a fhostaítear i gceantar Bhord an Oirthir atá le socrú idir an bord agus na hontaobhais sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta. Ba cheart do na hacmhainní breise a bhfuil sé de rún agam á gcur ar fáil do na boird sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta cuidiú le Bord an Oirthir tabhairt faoi na tosaíochtaí ina cheantar.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) how many people have been diagnosed with cancer since 1996, (b) what categories they fall under and (c) what steps she is taking to reduce the incidence of prostate cancer.

(AQW 974/00)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not yet available. Data for the years 1997 and 1998 should be available in early 2001. Information on the number of deaths from cancer since 1996 is shown in the following table.