Friday 2 March 2001
Written Answers to Questions

Mr Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister if it is aware of plans by the Government of the Republic of Ireland to pilot an E-Government project in Donegal and to make a statement.

(AQW 1612/00)

Reply: We understand that you are referring to the REACH project.

Initiatives included in the REACH project are very similar to our own OnlineNI initiative which is part of UKOnline (www.ukonline.gov.uk). UKOnline covers the whole of the United Kingdom and appropriately tailored versions are available for citizens in each of the devolved administrations.

It is noteworthy that the British Government, working together with the devolved administrations and the Irish Government, are adopting a similar approach to the provision of electronic services for citizens. The development of OnlineNI will continue and will take account of comments and suggestions from all interested parties including users.

Mr Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister when they will advise on changes to the Programme of Government on the basis of representations from children’s organisations.

(AQW 1641/00)

Reply: The Programme for Government has been redrafted and strengthened in parts in the light of the very many positive and constructive comments received from Assembly Committees and from a wide range of individuals and organisations, including children’s organisations.

The Executive have considered the changes that have been made, and are today presenting the final document to the Assembly for debate and approval in early March.

Mr Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister if the proposed criteria for the Children’s Fund will be subject to impact assessment as required under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

(AQW 1642/00)

Reply: As we indicated in our answer to your previous question, AQW 1222, the policy of establishing Executive Programme Funds, including the Children’s Fund, was included in the draft Programme for Government, which was submitted to an Equality Impact Assessment and widespread consultation.

Departments have now submitted a range of bids for consideration by the Executive. Those projects for which funding is agreed would support policies which will be reflected in the Equality Schemes of individual departments and subjected to equality impact assessment as required under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

In those circumstances, it was not considered necessary to subject the criteria for individual Executive Programme Funds to further impact assessment.

Ms Lewsley asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to outline the progress made regarding the establishment of a working group on the strategy for children and to indicate what steps have been taken to secure the views of those working outside Government to protect children.

(AQW 1745/00)

Reply: We have written to our Ministerial Colleagues inviting them to nominate senior officials to represent their Departments on an interdepartmental working group, which will develop a strategy for children.

It is intended that the first meeting of the working group will take place shortly.

We recognise the need to draw on the expertise of non-governmental organisations. We expect that the interdepartmental working group will engage fully and meaningfully with such organisations, both in formulating proposals and in subsequent consultation. That will ensure that our new arrangements are informed by the knowledge and experience of those working with children and representing their interests.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to detail, pursuant to AQW 1356/00, (a) who has been commissioned to research victims’ needs, (b) the date this work was commissioned, (c) the terms of reference for such an appointment, (d) the date a report is expected and (e) the specific projects undertaken by the Trauma Advisory Panels and Victims’ Organisations.

(AQW 1774/00)

Reply: Research into victims’ needs has not yet been commissioned. Tenders for the work have been received but no decision has yet been made as to who will take this work forward or when it will begin. The terms of reference will enable research to be taken forward to develop and apply a methodology to capture the views of victims of the troubles about the services they need, and the range and quality of services currently provided. It should ensure that views are taken from a broad spectrum of victims.

It will assess victims’ perceptions of how Government have addressed the provision of services for victims, focusing primarily on matters which are the responsibility of the NI Assembly and determine the current level (to be used as a baseline) of victims’ overall satisfaction with the Government’s response to the needs of victims. (The study should examine the feasibility of developing a "satisfaction scale" which could be used in follow-up research).

It will identify any gaps in service provision, and make recommendations on the future provision of services including the roles of the statutory and voluntary sectors and priority areas for Government intervention and funding. The methodology used must be amenable to periodic comparable follow-up studies.

It is envisaged that the research will be completed by early summer 2001. Funding allocations to specific projects have not yet been made but decisions will be made in the near future.

Ms Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail any discussions that have been undertaken by Departments with the Northern Ireland Office in relation to the detention of children in Juvenile Justice Centres.

(AQW 1788/00)

Reply: [holding answer 21 February 2001]: Two departments, Health, Social Services and Public Safety and Education, have had discussions with the Northern Ireland Office.

Officials from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Northern Ireland Office have discussed the implications of the latter’s plans for the juvenile justice estate and their impact upon the future development of residential child care services. These discussions have been of an exploratory nature and follow recommendations regarding children in the justice system included in the report by the Assembly’s Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee into Residential and Secure Accommodation for Children.

The Minister of Education has had a meeting with the Northern Ireland Office Security Minister on how best the education service can assist the Northern Ireland Office in providing education for young people in the juvenile justice system. Officials of both Departments have had a number of follow-up meetings that have resulted in proposals being developed by the South Eastern Education and Library Board, in whose area Lisnevin and Rathgael campuses are located.

An interdepartmental working group is being established to take forward the proposal to establish a commissioner for children, as part of a wider strategy on children’s rights and needs. The group will consider the interface between the role and remit of the Commissioner and the juvenile justice system. For that reason, the Secretary of State was invited to nominate, and has now nominated, a senior official from the Northern Ireland Office to serve on the group.

Mr Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail which Departments are responsible for legislation regarding charities.

(AQW 1804/00)

Reply: The Department for Social Development is responsible for the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 and the Charities (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, which comprise the main body of Northern Ireland legislation regarding charities.

Mr Hilditch asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to detail if discussions have taken place with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding the number of Royal Irish Regiment soldiers whose contracts are not being renewed on 1 May 2001.

(AQW 1810/00)

Reply: Those matters are not the responsibility of the devolved administration. We have not jointly discussed this matter with the current Secretary of State or his predecessor

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what discussions she has had with meat plants to ensure a better price for beef farmers/producers.

(AQW 1846/00)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): The level of prices paid to beef producers by meat plants is a commercial matter to be determined between two parties. The differential between prices paid in Northern Ireland and in Great Britain is a matter of concern to me. Indeed that issue was raised in the Agricultural and Rural Development Committee’s report ‘Restoring Profit to the Beef Producer’. In my response to that report I have recognised the need for investigation of that price differential and in due course will issue further details of my plans. I am pleased to note that it has declined to its lowest level in the last four years or so.

I have sought to improve the return of beef producers in other ways through education, training, research and development, direct support for marketing and more recently through the allocation of an extra £2m per year for a beef quality initiative.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the quantity of beef imported into Northern Ireland from (a) Germany and (b) other European Countries in each of the last two years for which figures are available.

(AQW 1868/00)

Ms Rodgers: Under EU trade rules there is no requirement to maintain data on the importation of meat and meat products entering Northern Ireland from Germany or other Member States. Consequently, the Department is not able to provide statistics on such imports.

CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE

Electronic Methods to Improve Efficiency

Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans he has for the use of electronic methods to improve efficiency and public access to information within his Department.

(AQW 1815/00)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): My Department has recently taken delivery of its first ICT strategy and is in the process of implementing the recommendations in the strategy. The Department is also in the process of engaging consultants to produce an e-business strategy for the Department, which will recommend appropriate methods of improving efficiency and public access to information within the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to identify Northern Ireland’s healthy living centres and to detail (a) the amount of funding available to each centre and (b) the actual expenditure incurred by each centre.

(AQW 1906/00)

Mr McGimpsey: healthy living centres are funded by the New Opportunities Fund (NOF), a distributor of National Lottery proceeds for health, education and environment projects across the UK. 4.5% of its proceeds come to Northern Ireland. The National Lottery is a reserved matter.

NOF will allocate £300 million to fund a series of healthy living centres throughout the UK, Northern Ireland will receive £13.5 million. The healthy living centre programme closed on 21 December 2000. The fund received 97 applications by the December deadline and those bids are currently being assessed. Two projects in Northern Ireland have been successful to date:

Irivinestown Community Partnership received £315,575 from the fund to develop an innovative project in a deprived area of County Fermanagh. The grant will be used to transform four run down terraced houses in the Sallyswood area of Irvinestown into the Arc Healthy Living Centre.

The Passionist Youth and Parents Resource Centre received £179,497 to develop a counselling service for people in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast. The grant will be used to expand existing counselling services for the local community tackling issues such as depression, bereavement, bullying, sexual abuse and drug abuse.

I am not aware of the actual expenditure incurred by either of those centres.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what funding, excluding that announced in his press release of 16 August 2000, has been given to each senior Irish League Football Club in the last six months.

(AQW 1930/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Sports Lottery Capital grants, totalling £273,448, were awarded in the last six months to five senior League Football clubs as follows:

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail specialist sports facilities available in Northern Ireland for young people of exceptional ability.

(AQW 1986/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Most sports facilities, such as pitches, courts, athletic tracks and swimming pools are available to individuals of all ages and all levels of ability. Specialist services to talented individuals from all parts of the Province will, however, be provided through the Sports Institute for Northern Ireland, which is situated at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown.

Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Education to detail what progress has been made in the development of value added measures in educational attainment.

(AQW 1858/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr McGuinness): The Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) has been examining the scope for the introduction of value added measures and late last year published the results of a pilot project aimed at measuring value added. A consultation document is to be published by DfEE in March and a series of further pilot studies is planned. My Department will monitor these developments, and developments elsewhere, closely.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Education if he intends to introduce a grant to trainee teachers such as the £6,000 grant currently being offered by the Teacher Training Agency in England.

(AQW 1875/00)

Mr McGuinness: Places on initial teacher training courses here are usually over-subscribed with sufficient higher calibre candidates so that, to date, almost all are filled by the Higher Education Institutions. The recruitment process, which is underway for the 2001/02 academic year, continues to be monitored closely by my Department and the Department for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, with a particular focus on applications and admissions to initial teacher training. There are no plans at this stage to introduce a similar initiative here.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the options open to pupils who leave moderate learning disability schools such as Rosstulla Special school at the age of 16 and to make a statement.

(AQW 1940/00)

Mr McGuinness: When pupils with moderate learning difficulties leave school at the age of 16, the options for them are as follows : (a) a place on an ordinary course at a college of further education; (b) a place on a specialised course for pupils with learning difficulties at a college of further education; (c) a place on a Jobskills Programme; (d) employment; (e) a place at a special school for pupils with severe learning difficulties. Advice and guidance on the options available are provided by school principals and careers officers of the Training & Employment Agency for pupils from the age of 14.

The aim of the existing arrangements is to ensure that pupils with moderate learning difficulties leaving school at 16 have as wide a range of options available to them as those who do not have such learning difficulties. This seems a reasonable position and I have no plans to change it.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to confirm that pupils leaving moderate learning difficulty (MLD) schools to enter Jobskills provision will subsequently discover their "statement of special educational need" has been withdrawn, thus preventing them from opting for transfer to a severe learning difficulty (SLD) school and to make a statement.

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Mr McGuinness: Statements of special educational needs may be maintained until the age of 19 where the young person is a registered pupil at a school. When a young person leaves school over the upper limit of compulsory school age (16), an education and library board is obliged to discontinue the statement since the young person will no longer be a registered pupil at a school. Where a board maintains a statement of special educational needs on a child, this must be reviewed annually. Annual reviews of statements from age 14 onwards are intended to plan the most suitable destination for the young person on leaving school. Those will have been attended by principals and class teachers, parents, educational psychologists, health professionals, careers officers and board officers. By the age of 16 the young person’s potential on leaving school should have been fully assessed. It is therefore unlikely that a young person who was considered unsuitable for Jobskills would be allowed to go on such a programme. In the unlikely event of that happening, the parents would have to approach the board about re-instating the statement. A board, however, would not be prepared to consider this and amend it to specify a special school for severe learning difficulties, unless it were convinced this was the most appropriate form of provision for the young person.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to consider introducing a curriculum designed for pupils in moderate learning difficulty (MLD) schools.

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Mr McGuinness: The statutory curriculum is a common entitlement for all pupils, and the programmes of study are designed to provide a broad and balanced curriculum with equal access for all pupils. At each Key Stage, an access statement provides teachers with guidance on providing pupils who have particular needs but who are not otherwise exempted, with a curriculum which is appropriate and relevant to their needs and abilities. The current curriculum is therefore designed to meet the needs of every pupil, without the need for exceptional arrangements.

In addition, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) is currently undertaking a review of the school curriculum here, taking into account the changing needs of pupils, society and the economy in the new millennium. As part of this review, CCEA is proposing to include a revised access statement, which will emphasise equality of opportunity for all pupils and will be sufficiently inclusive and flexible to meet the diverse needs of all pupils including those with special educational needs.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Education how many teachers are registered on List 99.

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Mr McGuinness: As of 16 February 2001, the names of 23 individuals excluded by the Department of Education appear on List 99.

Mr Douglas asked the Minister of Education to detail the breakdown by religious affiliation of home education tutors in each education and library board area.

(AQW 1961/00)

Mr McGuinness: It is not possible to provide this information, nor would it be appropriate to do so.

ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

National Minimum Wage

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of the impact of the minimum wage on average earnings.

(AQW 1835/00)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): The National Minimum Wage (NMW), a reserved matter, was introduced to help people on low pay rather than assist with growth of average earnings. The Government’s evidence to the Low Pay Commission in December 2000 reported that the NMW appears to have had little discernible effect on average earnings growth. It found, however, that the minimum wage has helped to bring about a narrowing in the spread of earnings between the highest and lowest paid, a reversal of the long-term trend of a widening earnings gap that began at the end of the 1970s. Evidence also shows that the NMW has assisted in boosting the pay of more women workers, narrowing the differential between men and women’s pay.

The Northern Ireland New Earnings Survey indicates that over the period April 1998 to April 2000 average adult hourly earnings, excluding overtime, increased by 10.0% for females and 4.4% for males, and 9.6% for those working in manual occupations as compared to 6.7% for those in non-manual occupations.

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the procedure for dealing with complaints of a political nature in respect of the work of Northern Ireland Tourist Board offices.

(AQW 1871/00)

Sir Reg Empey: NITB has standard procedures in place to deal with complaints in respect of its work. Such procedures do not make exception for complaints of a political nature.

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of complaints received regarding the political content of briefings given by the Press Officer of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

(AQW 1872/00)

Sir Reg Empey: No complaint has ever been received regarding the political content of briefings given by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Press Office.

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of employees in the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Press Office who are relatives of Social Democratic Labour Party Ministers.

(AQW 1873/00)

Sir Reg Empey: NITB Personnel Records are held in accordance with current fair employment legislation. Records relate to individuals only and do not document details of relatives.

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of people who are currently employed in the Press Office of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

(AQW 1874/00)

Sir Reg Empey: There are four people employed in the Press Office of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board – A Press/PR Manager, two Press Officers and an Administrative Officer.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will detail the benefits to the textile and clothing industry in Northern Ireland from his recent European Marketing Campaign.

(AQW 1902/00)

Sir Reg Empey: During our promotional visit to Europe we presented the Northern Ireland Trade and Investment opportunity to senior business leaders and influencers across all sectors.

In my meeting with Herr Ernst Schwannhold, Minister for the Economy and SMEs in North Rhine Westphalia, we discussed the possibility of creating strategic alliances in a number of fields including textiles, and I am looking at ways to develop this further.

Since my return, I have become aware that a European textile producer has visited IDB to hold initial discussions about joint venture and marketing opportunities in Northern Ireland.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail his projected spend on consultancy services in the 2001/02 financial year.

(AQW 1926/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The total projected spend planned for consultancy services in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is £2,795,550.00.

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the steps he is taking to increase the number of tourists visiting Newry and Armagh.

(AQO 926/00)

Sir Reg Empey: To improve tourism prospects for Newry and Armagh, NITB has awarded over £5^.3m to capital and marketing projects in the constituency since 1996. NITB supports local programmes including the South Armagh Tourism Initiative, the Armagh Marketing Initiative and the Armagh-Monaghan Border Towns Initiative.

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline his plans to encourage job creation in rural areas and what discussions he has had with other departments to ensure his objectives are met.

(AQO 922/00)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department is working closely with DRD, DARD and DHFETE to ensure that the specific employment needs of rural areas are addressed in accordance with the draft Programme for Government and our commitment to assisting New TSN areas, many of which are rural.

Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline his plans for the use of electronic methods to improve efficiency and public access to information within his Department.

(AQO 872/00)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department is currently developing an e-business strategy, which will set out a prioritised list of key services to be delivered to the citizen via electronic means. It will be available by early May 2001. Several of my Department’s agencies already use electronic methods for public access.

Mr Neeson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of the current situation at Harland and Wolff.

(AQO 904/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The company is clearly facing a very lean time at present. However, a conditional contract is in place with AWSR Shipping Ltd for construction of two ro-ro vessels as part of a wider service contract to be entered into between AWSR and the Ministry of Defence. This contract is crucial to the ability of the company to re-establish itself on a commercial footing and negotiations are continuing between the parties in efforts to make the contract effective as quickly as possible.

Mr Wells asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of the impact of the proposed aggregate tax on the Northern Ireland economy.

(AQO 889/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Mark Durkan made a statement in the Assembly on 12 December 2000 about the steps that he and Ministerial Colleagues were taking to fully assess the impact of the levy on the local economy.

Our initial assessment is that up to 4,000 jobs could be at risk in the industry, but work is continuing urgently between relevant Departments and the Quarry Products Association to establish the full economic impact.

Mr Berry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of economic development in the parliamentary constituency of Newry and Armagh.

(AQO 897/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The constituency shares in the economic success of Northern Ireland with the Bank of Ireland’s recent investment announcement reflecting the area’s competitive cost base, infrastructure and skills availability. However, the closure of Adria underlines the need for the local economy to continuously adjust to changes in the broader economic environment.

Dr Ian Adamson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if the slow down in the North American economy will have an adverse impact on his endeavours to attract American investment to Northern Ireland.

(AQO 936/00)

Sir Reg Empey: North America has been the main source of inward investment into Northern Ireland in recent years and will remain a key target market for IDB. It is too early to say what impact the slowing of the US economy will have on such investment in Northern Ireland.

Mr David Ford asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of information technology jobs created in Northern Ireland in the last twelve months.

(AQO 918/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Information on the number of jobs created in any sector is not available. However, the latest employee job figures for September 2000 show an estimated 4,320 employee jobs in companies involved in computer and related activities. Between September 1999 and September 2000, the number of employee jobs in this industry increased by 730 (20.2%).

Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline his strategy for the location of call centres and Integrated Communication Technology (ICT) units in regional towns in Northern Ireland and to make a statement.

(AQO 883/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Decisions on location of such projects rest with investors. Historically the majority have located in Belfast. IDB continues to work closely with councils and differentiates levels of financial assistance to encourage investors to consider other areas. Londonderry and Newry are examples of success in that regard.

Mr Carrick asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if, in view of the recent consultative review of the textile and clothing Industry, he will undertake to increase funding for Research and Development for those textile/clothing firms engaged in value added activities.

(AQO 885/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The Kurt Salmon Associates review has set out an action plan for the future of the textile and clothing industry, of which Research and Development (R&D) is a key component. I would welcome a significant increase in the level of R&D being undertaken in the sector, and expect the action plan arising from the consultative review to lead to a much greater number of R&D projects coming forward to my Department for consideration.

Mr Poots asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail if the Industrial Development Board has any plans to make an announcement in respect of job creation at the Knockmore Hill site, Lisburn.

(AQO 878/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Knockmore Hill Industrial Park is one of IDB’s new strategic locations and is the main industrial estate in the Lagan Valley Constituency.

The developments currently evident on site are in connection with the expansion and relocation of a Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU) growth company.

ENVIRONMENT

Human Rights Legislation

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to give his assessment of the impact of human rights legislation on the planning process and to make a statement.

(AQW 1833/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): The Department of the Environment has been examining the current system of planning and appeals in the context of human rights legislation. It is an evolving area and the Department will continue to actively review policy and procedure in the light of emerging legal judgements.

Third-Party Right of Appeal

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to detail if the introduction of human rights legislation into Northern Ireland will impact on the current absence of a third party right of appeal to planning applications.

(AQW 1834/00)

Mr Foster: The Department of the Environment has been examining the current system of planning and appeals in Northern Ireland in the context of human rights legislation. The Department believes that there are well-established procedures within the planning process through which third parties can submit representations and objections. The Department recognises, however, that it is an evolving area and will continue to keep procedures and policy under review.

Planning (Amendment) Legislation

Ms Morrice asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the proposed timetable for the introduction of Planning (Amendment) legislation.

(AQW 1840/00)

Mr Foster: The proposed Planning (Amendment) Bill is part of the current legislative programme, but there remain several policy areas relating to the proposals that need further consideration.

Although the timetable for introduction has yet to be finalised, the legislation will be introduced during the next Assembly session.

Telecommunications Masts

Mr Clyde asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of telecommunication masts erected in the South Antrim area in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1877/00)

Mr Foster: My Department does not hold details of the number of telecommunications masts actually erected. As with most planning approvals, a developer has five years from the date of a decision notice within which to commence a development.

However, 63 applications for telecommunications masts were approved in the South Antrim constituency area in the last five years.

Legislation - Construction of Apartments

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to undertake to bring forward specific legislation in relation to the building of apartments.

(AQW 1879/00)

Mr Foster: It would not be practical to legislate on that matter. I am aware however, of growing concerns regarding apartments. The best way forward is through clear planning policy with associated planning guidance.

My Department proposes to issue in the spring a final Planning Policy Statement entitled ‘Quality Residential Environments’ (PPS 7). This will provide a context against which the design of proposed housing developments both on greenfield and within existing urban areas can be considered, including their locational context.

Around the same time we also expect to publish for public consultation a draft Development Control Advice Note entitled ‘Small Unit Housing – New Development in Existing Residential Areas’. This will provide planning guidance specifically related to proposals for small unit housing, including apartments, within existing residential areas.

The Department for Regional Development will also be preparing a Regional Planning Policy Statement (RPPS) entitled ‘Housing in Settlements’. Preparation of that RPPS will follow normal procedures, including public consultation, which will provide an opportunity to comment on the relevant issues.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to detail his plans to enhance the Planning Service’s consultation procedures.

(AQW 1880/00)

Mr Foster: The Department has a statutory duty to consult district councils on every planning application received, during the preparation of development plans and on the preparation of planning policy.

The Planning Service, recognising that individuals and groups have important contributions to make to the planning process, publish a variety of documents aimed at improving public awareness of the planning system, and consults widely before introducing new planning policies.

The Planning Service facilitates the involvement of local communities in the preparation of development plans for their areas by ensuring that each stage of the process is publicised, by organising public meetings at convenient locations and by making officials available for discussions. In addition to advertising applications as required by law, the Planning Service operates a neighbour notification scheme. The Planning Service will continue to examine ways of improving public consultation and participation.

The Planning Service is presently piloting new approaches to public consultation during the preparation of development plans. Issues papers have been published as part of the preparation of the Ards and Down and Magherafelt Area Plans. This innovative approach replaces the traditional publication of preliminary proposals and asks the people a series of questions about the future needs of the area in which they live. The intention is to facilitate discussion by the public, elected representatives and interest groups on the future development of their area, as input to the formulation of specific proposals in a draft plan. To assist that process, the Department has commissioned Community Technical Aid to co-ordinate the views of the community to the issues raised in the publications.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the current position in regard to the right of planning appeal by third parties and to make a statement.

(AQW 1881/00)

Mr Foster: Under Article 32 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 there is no provision for a right of appeal by third parties against planning decisions.

There are, however, well-established procedures within the planning process through which third parties can submit representations and objections in relation to planning proposals.

The Department recognises, however, that the area is of considerable public interest and will continue to keep procedures and policy under review.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the proposed timetable for the updating of the Development Control Advice Note 8 (DCAN 8).

(AQW 1882/00)

Mr Foster: The Development Control Advice Note entitled "Small Unit Housing - New Development in Existing Residential Areas" will be published in draft in the spring. A Planning Policy Statement on "Quality Residential Environments" (PPS 7) will also be published in final form in the spring. Both documents will be material considerations in the determination of planning applications and are designed to provide a clearer context for the consideration of proposals for development within existing communities.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the location of designated townscape areas within East Londonderry.

(AQW 1883/00)

Mr Foster: In the East Londonderry constituency, Portrush contains three areas of Townscape Character as designated in the "North East Area Plan 2002, Alteration No 1, Portrush".

They are:

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the cost to the Department of prosecutions taken against owners of unlicensed vehicles in each of the last three years.

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Mr Foster: The collection of Vehicle Excise Duty, and associated activities, including enforcement, are excepted matters. They are carried out in Northern Ireland by DVLNI under the terms of a formal agency agreement between the DOE and the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions.

The total cost of enforcement in 1999/00 was £1,203,800. The forecast estimate for 2000/01 is £1,156,388. The costs have been taken from the agency’s financial system introduced in 1999/00. Costs prior to that year could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

The following table shows the enforcement activity over the past three years.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to detail his projected spend on consultancy services in the 2001/02 financial year.

(AQW 1929/00)

Mr Foster: Projected spend on consultancy services in the 2001/02 financial year is estimated at some £1·2 million.

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

National Minimum Wage

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of employers in Northern Ireland who have contravened the National Minimum Wage legislation since its inception and to make a statement.

(AQW 1851/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): This is a reserved matter and, therefore, I am unable to comment.

Mr Poots asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the criteria by which Government Departments employ legal advisers.

(AQW 1861/00)

Mr Durkan: Legal advice and services to the Northern Ireland Government Departments are provided by the Departmental Solicitor’s Office. Where, exceptionally, particular expertise, or additional resources, are required, or it would not be cost-effective to do the work in-house, Government Departments may employ private sector legal advisers. The criteria applied by Government Departments in employing legal advisers from the private sector are value for money, and the particular experience and expertise required in each case.

Private sector legal advisers have also represented Ministers in litigation against other Ministers, but in such circumstances the legal adviser is employed privately by the Minister and not by the Government Department.

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail how the Executive Programme fund can support the Children’s Commission in the Foyle constituency.

(AQW 1894/00)

Mr Durkan: At its meeting on 25 January, the Executive agreed a process for making allocations from the five Executive Programme funds (EPfs). Departments were provided with guidance on preparing bids for projects that might receive support from the funds and have now submitted their proposals. The Executive have agreed to put in place special measures for the Children’s Fund to allow voluntary sector projects to benefit from it. An interdepartmental working group is being established to consider and implement the arrangements needed for this. However, it should be borne in mind that there will be considerable competition for the available funding under each EPf and it may not be possible to fund every eligible project.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if, pursuant to AQW 1243/00, he will confirm that expenditure was incurred by the North/South Implementation Bodies during the period the Assembly was suspended.

(AQW 1908/00)

Mr Durkan: Some costs were incurred maintaining the North/South Implementation Bodies and the other institutions established in the Good Friday Agreement during the period of suspension. The expenditure was necessary to retain staff and accommodation until power was restored to the Assembly.

As I stated in my answer to AQW 1243/00, it is not possible to detail the amount spent by the bodies during the period of suspension as their annual accounts cannot be disaggregated without incurring disproportionate costs.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail what criteria, other than cost, are used to assess applications for the provision of legal services.

(AQW 1923/00)

Mr Durkan: I refer you to my answer to AQW 1861/00 put down by Edwin Poots MLA.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail what arrangements are in place to provide legal services to Departments.

(AQW 1924/00)

Mr Durkan: Legal advice and services to the Northern Ireland Government Departments are provided by the Departmental Solicitor’s Office. Where, exceptionally, particular expertise, or additional resources, are required, or it would not be cost-effective to do the work in-house, legal services may be obtained on behalf of Government Departments from solicitors in the private sector. Where solicitors are appointed from the private sector, their selection is normally by way of competitive tender.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail what tendering arrangements are in place to secure legal services from outside the public sector.

(AQW 1932/00)

Mr Durkan: I refer you to my answer to AQW 1924/00.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail what representations he has received from haulier associations concerning the level of fuel duty.

(AQW 1936/00)

Mr Durkan: I have no record of any meetings with, or letters from, haulier associations on the subject of fuel duty, although I am aware of representations having been made to the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister.

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