Friday 16 March 2001
Written Answers to Questions

Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister

Victims Unit: Funding

Mr David Hilditch asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the proposed spend on the Victims Unit for the financial year 2001/02.

(AQW 2121/00)

Reply: The Victims Unit has, to date, been allocated £150,000 for the 2001/02 financial year. Bids for additional resources will be made in monitoring rounds during the year.

The Northern Ireland Executive will also be contributing approximately £1.67 million to a total allocation of around £6.67 million for the new victims’ measure under the Peace II Programme. The Victims Unit will be responsible for this measure.

The Northern Ireland Office recently made available substantial extra funds of £12 million over 3 years for victims. £3 million of this is to go to the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund and Ministers Haughey and Nesbitt will be meeting with Mr Ingram in the near future to discuss the allocation of the remaining £9 million.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the steps she is taking to ensure a lifting of the export ban on Northern Ireland beef, sheep, pigs and poultry.

(AQW 2065/00)

Ms Rodgers: We will have to monitor the current Foot and Mouth Disease situation closely. One case of the disease has been confirmed to date. After an appropriate period without any further cases being confirmed, Northern Ireland would be regarded as free from Foot and Mouth Disease. This would enable us to seek recognition from the European Commission as a disease-free region.

As soon as we are sure that we have eradicated Foot and Mouth Disease I will be making the case vigorously to the Commission for regionalisation of Northern Ireland which would free us from the export controls currently in place.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide financial assistance for Northern Ireland beef, pig, sheep and poultry producers for losses incurred by the current export ban.

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Ms Rodgers: We will shortly be able to start paying compensation to those who have had livestock slaughtered as a result of the disease outbreak and we will be examining the subsidy aspects of these cases to ensure that the producers in question do not lose out. I have also asked my officials to ensure that the newly announced agri- monetary compensation is paid out as quickly as possible.

Mr Clyde asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) the number of German cattle imported into Northern Ireland (b) the dates of importation (c) if any of these cattle were slaughtered in County Antrim and (d) where they were slaughtered.

(AQW 2090/00)

Ms Rodgers: For the 14-month period 01/01/00 – to date, a total of 245 cattle of German origin were imported into Northern Ireland.

Of these, 62 were imported on 2nd February 2001. These 62 cattle were slaughtered as follows:

• 1 in County Antrim on 8th February;
• 41 in County Armagh on 5th February 2001; and
• 20 in County Down on 5th February 2001,

The remaining 183 German cattle are still in other herds throughout Northern Ireland, mainly in small numbers on individual farms. The specific details of these animals could be provided if required but only with a disproportionate effort. At this critical time I hope you will understand that I would prefer not to divert valuable veterinary resources from the work to contain the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail any expenditure on the Salmonid Enhancement Scheme since its inception.

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Ms Rodgers: The Salmonid Enhancement Programme (SEP) was launched in December 1995 and was aimed at improving the economies of rural communities and fostering reconciliation by encouraging the development of game angling.

The programme was divided into three tranches.

The total award for Tranche I was £2,002,624.55 which was awarded to 59 projects. The amount actually spent was £1,999,528.70 leaving an underspend of £3,095.85.

Tranche II was awarded £412,948.50. This funded 59 projects and to date the total spend is £371,960.56. This leaves a remainder of £40,987.94 to be spent. Two clubs have still to complete their projects.

Tranche III was launched in 1999 with 40 clubs and associations awarded funding of £1,739,965.23. The total spend to date is £1,386,068.26 leaving £353,896.97 to be spent. Clubs have so far declared they will be surrendering £23,892.25 leaving £330,004.72 to be claimed by June 2001.

In order to assist you, the table below summarises this expenditure.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail how much financial compensation has been paid to Bann Systems Limited and to give an assessment of the benefit of such payments.

(AQW 2145/00)

Ms Rodgers: Bann Systems Limited has been paid a total of £61,000 for the years 1996-1998 under the Salmonid Enhancement Programme (SEP). This was for the right to operate the salmon traps at the cutts on the Lower Bann to take brood stock for the production of eggs and fry for restocking the Lough Neagh system. They were assessed to be capturing up to 4000 mature salmon annually, which were migrating into the Lough Neagh tributaries.

The non-operation of the traps for three consecutive years has allowed additional mature salmon returning from the sea into the Lough Neagh system. This not only provided additional fish for angling, but increased the numbers of spawning adults available to each of the Lough Neagh tributaries to utilise habitat which was being improved or created by clubs funded by SEP.

The benefit accruing from this expenditure was:

1. 725 fish caught by anglers, assuming a value of £100 per fish to the economy (based on the value of a rod caught fish on the Bush), is estimated at £72500 per annum.

2. Value of the natural spawning from the additional salmon in the system – assuming an extra 2900 fish of which 55% are female producing 55825 smolts at a value of £12 per wild smolt added benefit is £669900.

3. Overall benefit is therefore estimated at approximately £0.75 million per annum.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) what targets he has set to measure the success of the Salmonid Enhancement Scheme and (b) whether these targets have been met.

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Ms Rodgers: The Salmonid Enhancement Programme (SEP) was launched in December 1995 and was aimed at improving the economies of rural communities most affected by violence, and fostering reconciliation by encouraging the development of game angling. The programme offered angling clubs the opportunity to implement projects to improve fish populations, access and angling facilities.

As a measure of its success it has improved access to all of the clubs that received funding, including access by the angling public and tourists alike through the provision of day permits. The number of salmon in Northern Ireland rivers as a result of improvements funded by SEP are difficult to determine as improvements in habitat take a number of seasons to be translated into increased numbers of adult fish returning.

A salmon management plan has been set up and funded by SEP to provide hard data on adult salmon returning to individual catchments. This will enable the Fisheries Conservancy Board to provide the Department with advice on salmon stocks. This project requires the construction of fish counting facilities in Northern Ireland which is currently underway.

Mr Taylor asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans the Rivers Agency has to improve Dunlady Stream and the overflow culvert following the flooding, on 29 September 2000, at Dunlady Park; Canberra Park; Canberra Gardens; Ballyregan Crescent and Cherryville Road, Dundonald.

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Ms Rodgers: I can confirm that Rivers Agency has implemented a number of improvements to the Dunlady Stream and overflow culvert in Dundonald to reduce the risk of flooding. Works completed include replacement of the main culvert inlet grille plus maintenance of the designated channel upstream. Installation of an interceptor trash grille is planned as soon as possible. Extension of the designated limit is being actively pursued with a view to undertaking any further maintenance deemed beneficial.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to (a) detail the number of farmers, in the Dungannon District Council area, that have been summonsed by her Department for offences arising from (i) late registration of cattle, (ii) herd book irregularities and (b) comment on how these figures compare to the rest of Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2166/00)

Ms Rodgers: The information requested is not held by District Council area. Our information is held by Divisional Veterinary Office and I have included the details for Dungannon and the rest of Northern Ireland since 1 January 2000 below:

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the steps she is taking to prevent the importation of German produce to Northern Ireland following the discovery of foot and mouth disease in Germany on 27 February 2001.

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Ms Rodgers: There has been no outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Germany. Some sheep imported from Great Britain were found to have Foot and Mouth antibodies and were slaughtered as a precautionary measure.

As there is no Foot and Mouth disease in Germany, the trade in produce to Northern Ireland is not affected and is permitted in line with conditions laid down in a variety of EU Directives.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) how many "rock- planks" have been installed in rivers with assistance from the Salmonid Enhancement Scheme (b) the average cost of these installations and (c) how many are still in working condition.

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Ms Rodgers: Under the Salmonid Enhancement Programme (SEP) most in-river works involve the placement of rock to create fishery habitat by providing pools, riffles and glides. These features were inspected by staff of DANI (Now DCAL) as part of the grant procedures, work which has been ongoing since 1996.

Rivers are dynamic habitats and it would be expected that some features would change over a period of time.

At this stage officers of DCAL are unable to inspect these features due to Foot and Mouth disease and the cost of doing so is disproportionate:

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) what proportion of land is dedicated to commercial forestry (b) how much afforested land is privately owned and (c) what plans she has to increase the proportion of afforested land.

(AQW 2174/00)

(a) Areas that are predominantly for commercial wood production account for 75% of Forest Service area;

(b) Private woodland extends to 22,000 ha;

(c) Forest Service intends to increase afforested land on average by 700 ha per annum. The Rural Development Plan allows continued support for the private woodland programme, at a rate of 600 hectares of new planting on agricultural land. The balance of 100 ha will be planted by the Forest Service.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her policy on pesticide control and the number of staff involved in this area.

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Ms Rodgers: There are very stringent EU legislative requirements for pesticides, which apply across all Member States. Statutory pesticide controls operate uniformly throughout the UK. In GB responsibility for these matters falls to the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), an executive agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), while in Northern Ireland the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) is responsible. PSD and DARD enforce the legislative regime through the introduction of parallel Regulations covering the approval, revocation, etc of pesticides.

In carrying out their functions PSD and UK Agriculture Departments are advised by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP), an independent panel of scientific and medical experts. The ACP is in turn advised by other experts, as necessary, such as the Pesticides Residue Committee, which also has an entirely independent membership.

In addition to ensuring compliance with EU and national legislative requirements, work proceeds to encourage pesticide minimisation, for example, through training and advice such as PSD’s publication of Local Environmental Risk Assessments for Pesticides (LERAPS).

There are 19 DARD administrative and professional staff involved in pesticides, whether in relation to preparation of legislation and general administration or in monitoring and enforcement. However these staff are not dealing exclusively with pesticide issues; they have other duties as well. You may also note that Health and Safety Executive staff and the Environmental Health Officers of local District Councils also have responsibilities in relation to pesticides.

You may be aware that the UK Government had proposed the introduction of a pesticides tax as a means to achieve environmental benefits. However before coming to a final decision they provided opportunity for the agro-chemical industry to propose voluntary arrangements that would achieve equivalent effects. The Crop Protection Association (CPA) submitted proposals, which secured the support of farming organisations, including the Ulster Farmers’ Union, and environmentalists. The Budget statement of 7 March 2001 welcomed these proposals and the Treasury will soon meet the CPA to discuss the timetable for implementation. I am confident that avoidance of a pesticides tax represents the best possible outcome for Northern Ireland agriculture.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her proposed spend on the Forestry Service in parliamentary constituency of East Antrim for 2001-02.

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Ms Rodgers: An approximation of the spend by Forest Service for 2001/02 in the East Antrim Constituency is £130,000.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) her policy on the payment of compensation due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease and (b) who will be eligible for such compensation.

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Ms Rodgers: The payment of compensation in the event of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease is provided for in Schedule 2 Part II of the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. That legislation makes provision for compensation to be paid in respect of animals slaughtered because either:

• they are affected with foot and mouth disease;
• they have been in contact with affected animals; or
• they have been exposed to the infection.

Under the terms of the legislation animals are valued prior to slaughter. Compensation payable for an affected animal is its value before it became affected and in every other case the value of the animal before it was slaughtered.

Herd and flock owners whose animals have been slaughtered either because of evidence of infection or as a precautionary measure to halt the spread of the foot and mouth disease virus are normally eligible for compensation. However, the Department may withhold, either wholly or partially, compensation in respect of a slaughtered animal where, in the judgement of the Department, the owner or person in charge of the animal has been guilty of an offence tending to prejudice the due control of Foot and Mouth Disease.

The legislation also allows for compensation to be paid for a limited range of other materials, such as carcases, fodder or feedingstuffs that may be seized to prevent the spread of the disease.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm (a) that the shipment of animals to the farm at Meigh, County Armagh had previously been refused entry to Northern Ireland and (b) the number of sheep in that consignment traced and slaughtered.

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Ms Rodgers: Investigations are still continuing into the circumstances surrounding the importation of sheep from Great Britain to Meigh, Co. Armagh. Until such time as these investigations are completed, I am not in a position to comment further on this matter, other than the statements I have already given in the Assembly on 12 March 2001.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide additional funding to offset the Light Dues levied annually on the Northern Ireland fishing industry.

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Ms Rodgers: Responsibility for policy relating to the collection of lights dues rests with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in London. As such I am continuing to lobby on behalf of Northern Ireland fishermen for the removal or reduction of the payment of lights dues.

As you know I wrote to Mr. Keith Hill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, seeking a reduction or the removal of the payment of lights dues by UK fishermen. In his reply he has stated that, while sympathetic to the financial state of the industry, the removal or reduction of lights dues would be contrary to the "user pays" principle, and that, as users of aids to navigation, lights dues are a proper charge against fishermen. I have responded that I feel the particular difficulties being experienced by the fishing industry have not been fully considered – the reduction in Total Allowable Catches, the closure of the Irish Sea to cod fishing, the additional closure of the West of Scotland fishery, the high cost of fuel, and have reminded him of the non-payment of lights dues by neighbouring fleets, both in Ireland and Europe.

Since policy on the payment of lights dues remains a reserved matter I have asked that when reviewing that policy the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions considers the economic circumstances of the industry and also considers the wider European context under which the fishing industry is regulated. I await a reply.

I can assure you that in the event of policy in this matter being devolved to this administration I shall indeed consider providing the funding required to offset lights dues payments by local fishermen. There are a number of considerations to take into account in making such a decision, such as the EU rules on State Aids. However while such matters need to be considered in full, I remain committed to helping the local industry as much as I can in the difficult times it faces.

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to her statement to the Assembly of 5 March, to list the European Union regulations which prohibit the inspection, at port of arrival, of animals being imported into Northern Ireland.

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Ms Rodgers: Council Directive 90/425 sets down the veterinary checks that apply for trade in certain live animals within the EU as part of the Single European Market. This Directive is implemented in Northern Ireland legislation by the Animals and Animal products (Import and Export) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.

The Directive places the onus on the exporting Member State to ensure that all animals exported comply with the conditions of trade. Article 5 allows the competent authority of the Member State of destination to carry out only non-discriminatory veterinary spot checks but only at the point of destination – not at the port. It does not specify the level of checks. This is left to Member States to decide in relation to the particular animals and the risk of particular diseases from each type of animal.

While trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is not directly covered by the Directive, we have, since the Single European Market was introduced, been applying its terms to relevant animals and material arriving in Northern Ireland.

Article 8 of the Directive allows much more intensive checking if animal disease or fraud is suspected and that is what is now being invoked in Northern Ireland following the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Great Britain.

Directive 90/425 seeks to achieve a balance between free trade within Member States and disease risk. To apply stricter controls between Northern Ireland and Great Britain at times other than in the current emergency would be contrary to the principle of an open market and the free movement of goods.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline her policy on the future payment of agrimonetary compensation and to make a statement.

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Ms Rodgers: As I indicated in my reply to your previous question on this topic (AQO 1331/00), I favour the payment of all available agrimonetary compensation as it represents one of the few ways in which we can channel money directly into the hands of hard-pressed producers without breaching the very strict EU State Aid Rules. Since becoming Minister, I have argued, with a good measure of success, for the payment of agrimonetary compensation on each occasion that it has become available and will continue to do so for as long as it is available and is needed by our industry. However, as there is no regional discretion on its payment, agreement has to be reached at a UK level on this issue.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his projected spend for consultancy services in the 2001/2002 financial year.

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The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): My Department has not yet finalised its plans for the use of consultants next year. A number of areas are under consideration. The purpose of these projects will be to assist my Department undertake its core business and to take decisions on improving the delivery of the services provided by it and the bodies it funds. As a new Department it is essential that it has an up-to-date assessment of how these are being delivered and what is required to enhance and improve them.

The following are the areas that are being considered.

In addition, to the above consultancy services, the Electronic Libraries for Northern Ireland (ELFNI) Project for Procurement advice under PFI is at a projected cost of £145k.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the steps he is taking to widen access to the Arts.

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Mr McGimpsey: In November 2000 my Department initiated a pilot programme administered by ADAPT Northern Ireland (Access for Disabled People to Arts Premises Today) to carry out a comprehensive audit of an initial 40 venues and buildings in the culture, arts and leisure sectors. The pilot programme runs to March 2001 and comprises:

• access appraisals carried out in buildings chiefly funded directly or indirectly by DCAL;
• assessment of training needs of staff in these buildings and the delivery of training on universal accessibility issues; and
• the establishment of a small grants scheme to provide incentives and lever funding for access improvements.

Decisions on the scale and format of future programmes will be informed by an evaluation of the pilot programme to be carried early in the new financial year.

It is important that people regardless of age, gender, income or geographical location should be able to attend and participate in as wide a range as possible of arts activity. In its recent announcement of allocations for 2001- 2002, the Arts Council has re-profiled its expenditure to allow a stronger focus on arts in the community and arts for young people. My Department has commissioned an independent review of community arts to be completed later this year and under its TSN action plan has commissioned work to identify indicators of social disadvantage in the context of the arts and identify barriers to social exclusion.

In the current financial year DCAL is also making up to £170,000 available to strengthen and expand the "New Belfast" Community Arts Initiative, involving high levels of participation from among the most socially disadvantaged communities in Belfast. DCAL funding will support a dramatic increase in the scale and scope of the project, giving it the ability to capture the public imagination and involve larger numbers of people in the production of major artworks. The additional resources will also provide for some of the themes to be explored in an associated outreach initiative in Portadown.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what assessment he has made of the quality of sports facilities in rural areas.

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Mr McGimpsey: At local level, each District Council is responsible for securing the provision for its area of adequate facilities for recreational, physical and cultural activities. District Councils and sporting bodies may make application to the Sports Council for Northern Ireland which has overall responsibility for the development of sport, for assistance with facility development. The Sports Council makes no difference in the quality of the facilities provided in either rural or urban areas. Applications for the development of facilities in both rural and urban areas are assessed for quality in a range of criteria, including building dimensions, design concept and build quality and the quality of sporting activities for which provision has been made is constantly monitored.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail those measures he is taking to ensure National Lottery funding is distributed to those areas with the greatest social need.

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Mr McGimpsey: The National Lottery is a reserved matter and overall responsibility rests with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in London (DCMS). Policy Directions were issued to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland by the former Department of Education for Northern Ireland which acted as an agent for DCMS. This responsibility now rests with DCAL. The Directions define how the distributing bodies will distribute lottery proceeds and include the need to consider the scope for reducing economic and social deprivation. Both bodies are also designated under equality legislation. The Distributing Bodies can also solicit applications to pursue strategic objectives and can therefore target areas where there is social need and a low uptake of grants or less interest in applying.

Government has also re-launched the Targeting Social Need initiative under the banner of New TSN. New TSN is about identifying people and areas in greatest need in our society and trying to ensure that all public sector programmes are more effective in helping them. New TSN will be taken into consideration in all Lottery programmes.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the proposed timetable for the promotion of the Ulster Scots language, culture and history in North Antrim.

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Mr McGimpsey: The North/South Ministerial Council on 5 December 2000 approved Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch corporate plan for 2001/2 to 2003/4. Tha Boord circulated the plan on 2 January 2001 for a period of consultation which ended on 28 February 2001. In accordance with its remit under the North/South Bodies (Implementation Order) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 that plan covers the promotion of Ullans and Ulster- Scots cultural issues throughout Northern Ireland.

My Department commissioned research to help the Ulster-Scots Language Society develop their strategic planning capability. The report which has recently been received outlines a three-year strategy for promoting awareness, understanding and respect for the Ulster-Scots language as a central and integral part of the Ulster-Scots identity and to support its use and development.

I understand that Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch and the Ulster-Scots Language Society will work closely on implementing their respective plans.

Mr Douglas asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (a) whom he has employed as special adviser(s) (b) the qualifying criteria used for the appointment and (c) the remit of the special adviser(s).

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Mr McGimpsey: I can confirm that I have appointed Mr Bob Stoker as my Special Adviser. Mr Stoker was appointed on the basis of his ability to carry out the functions of the post.

The remit is set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the standard contract of employment for such advisers, a copy of which has been placed in the library.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his timetable to achieve parity of funding between the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages.

(AQW 2106/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) on 5 December approved Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch corporate plan for 2001/2 to 2003/4. Tha Boord circulated the plan on 2 January 2001 for a period of consultation which ended on 28 February 2001. The Corporate Plan for Foras na Gaeilge will be submitted to NSMC shortly.

The Ulster-Scots and Irish languages are at different stages of development and this is reflected in the funding for Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch and Foras na Gaeilge. It is also reflected in the treatment of the two languages under the Council of Europe Charter on Regional or Minority Languages, Ulster-Scots is specified for Part II whereas Irish is specified for Part III of the Charter.

There will be equity of treatment for the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages. It is not, however, appropriate to use the treatment of one language as a benchmark for the treatment of the other because one is not comparing like with like in terms of actions required to sustain and celebrate individual languages.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his plans to (a) develop football stadiums and (b) provide a coaching framework to enhance football skills.

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Mr McGimpsey: The Safe Sports Grounds scheme, which I announced in August, is designed to implement urgent health and safety work at the major sports grounds in Northern Ireland, including Football, Gaelic Football and Rugby. The main objective of the scheme is to assist clubs who host fixtures at the larger sports grounds in Northern Ireland to upgrade safety arrangements at their respective venues.

Two Categories of clubs are eligible to apply for funding. Those in Category A include Premier League Football (10 clubs), Main County GAA grounds (6 clubs), League of Ireland (1 ground) and Rugby (1 ground). Those in Category B include 1^st Division Football (10 clubs) and Secondary County GAA grounds (6 clubs).

Funding is provided under three Programmes:

• The Major Works programme is available only to Category A grounds and provides funding to assist clubs to carry out more substantial works to upgrade spectator accommodation at their venues. The assistance available under this element of the scheme is 85% of the total cost, subject to a maximum grant of £250k.
• The Urgent Works Programme provides funding to assist clubs to address structural related matters which may place spectators or others visiting their respective venues at risk. The assistance available for urgent works is 85% of the total cost, subject to a maximum grant of £25,000 for Category A clubs and £15,000 for Category B clubs.

The Safety Management Programme includes the training of safety officers and stewards, nominal remuneration for stewards, grant-aid for CCTV for larger fixtures, grant-aid for crowd control and ‘super’ stewards for larger, potentially confrontational fixtures. All clubs are required to participate fully in this element of the scheme before applying for funding under Programmes (1) and (2).

The Safe Sports Grounds scheme has allowed a start to be made on tackling urgent health and safety needs at our major sports grounds. I am aware, however, that the long-term needs have yet to be addressed but the outcome of the Soccer Strategy should be an important consideration in determining future developments.

Furthermore, the process of developing a strategy for soccer, which I instigated last August, is intended to identify ways of tackling the long-term problems facing local soccer, including coaching. Following the release last month of a report commissioned by me and carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers, on the difficulties facing local soccer, my Department organised a 3-day conference workshop in Newcastle, in which all interests in football were represented, to identify key issues to be confronted. The Conference has drawn together a list of follow-up projects under which it is intended to create both a strategy for the development of coaching and youth football and which may incorporate the concept of a centre for technical development.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether he has consulted with the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to strengthen collaboration between Museums, Galleries and Visitor Centres and to make a statement.

(AQW 2163/00)

Mr McGimpsey: To date, I have not consulted with my Ministerial colleague about visitor centres, or, more generally, visitor amenities.

The design and implementation of a strategy for the development of visitor amenities is a key task in my Department’s corporate strategy. My officials will, therefore, consider how to take this forward in light of the recommendations of the Local Museums and Heritage Review, which should be available shortly. I may seek a meeting with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment when I have had an opportunity to study the Review for myself.

Preliminary discussions on visitor amenities have already taken place between our two Departments at official level.

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

(AQW 1957/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): The Department of Education’s projected expenditure on consultancy services in the 2001/02 financial year is £934,000.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to (a) confirm the number of children who have a statement of educational need on the basis of autism (b) detail what educational facilities are provided for such children and (c) specify what funding is set aside for them in the educational budget.

(AQW 2045/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The October 2000 school census show a total of 179 children in nursery, primary and secondary schools as having autism according to their statements of special educational needs. I will also provide information on the numbers in special schools when these become available.

Many autistic children with severe learning difficulties attend special schools where there are appropriate staff and facilities to meet their special educational needs. Depending on the severity of their needs, some of those at mainstream schools may have classroom assistance and be supported either by a peripatetic teacher or an outreach teacher attached to a special school.

Money to meet the needs of autistic children is drawn from the Special Education budget which is intended to meet the needs of children with all kinds of learning difficulties and disabilities.

Mr Douglas asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) whom he has employed as special adviser(s) (b) the qualifying criteria used for the appointment and (c) the remit of the special adviser(s).

(AQW 2079/00)

Mr M McGuinness: I have appointed Mr Aidan McAteer as a Special Adviser. Mr McAteer was appointed on the basis of his ability to carry out the functions of the post. His remit is set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the standard contract of employment for such advisers, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Education what steps he has taken to ensure that the teaching of European languages in primary schools would not be promoted to the detriment of the Northern Ireland schools curriculum.

(AQW 2105/00)

Mr M McGuinness: There is currently no requirement to teach a European language in primary schools, although many schools choose to do so, on an informal basis. The statutory school curriculum is not designed to take up 100% of teaching time, and this allows schools to teach other topics/subjects which they consider to be important for a pupil’s development. It is a matter for individual schools to determine whether the teaching of languages is one of their priorities. It is generally recognised that starting to learn a language early can be beneficial and this is an issue that the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment will be considering as part of their current review of the curriculum.

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