Friday 6 April 2001
Written Answers to Questions

Mr Taylor asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail (a) the address of the proposed office for the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels (b) when it is expected to be ready for occupation (c) when it will be available to Northern Ireland businesses to promote their products and to make a statement.

(AQW 2159/00)

Reply: The premises of the Executive Office are at 50 Rue Wiertz, immediately adjacent to the new European Parliament building, and in the vicinity of the offices of the main European Commission institutions, the United Kingdom Permanent Representation, and other regional offices. These will provide the main contacts for the staff of the Office.

The accommodation is expected to be ready for occupation as soon as the fitting out work is completed, estimated as late May.

The Office will be part of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, though staff from the Industrial Development Board will also be based there. It will serve the interests of the Executive, ie. Northern Ireland Ministers and their departments.

The Office will benefit Northern Ireland generally. Its primary function is to liaise with EU and other relevant bodies to meet the policy needs of the Executive. It will also be used to assist the Industrial Development Board to market Northern Ireland to potential inward investors.

Mr Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQO 863/00, to detail the date or dates on which the 16 shortlisted applicants were interviewed for appointment to the Community Relations Council and to confirm if those interviewed have been informed yet of the outcome of the selection process.

(AQW 2173/00)

Reply: [holding answer 16 March 2001]: The shortlisted candidates were interviewed on 7 and 21 February 2000. They have not yet been advised of the outcome of the selection process.

In our answer to AQO 863 on 19 February, we indicated that appointments would be made shortly from the 16 shortlisted applicants who were interviewed.

However, in view of the lengthy delay in making appointments we subsequently decided to review the matter.

We are conscious of the fact that the regular triennial evaluation of the Community Relations Council is under way and is expected to report shortly. In addition, we will be initiating the strategic review of community relations policy signalled in the Programme for Government as a matter of priority.

In these circumstances, we consider that it would not be appropriate to make further appointments to the Community Relations Council.

Officials have written today to the chairman of the Community Relations Council and the shortlisted candidates to explain the position.

Ms Lewsley asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail any plans to assist the Lisburn Women’s Centre or other community groups within the parliamentary constituency of Lagan Valley who are currently facing financial difficulties.

(AQW 2356/00)

Reply: There are a range of sources to which women’s voluntary organisations can apply for support for projects and services, including Health and Social Services Trusts, the Training and Employment Agency, the National Lotteries Board and charitable trusts.

The Community Relations Council under the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation have funded the following community groups within the Lagan Valley Constituency:-

Lisburn Interchurch project - £128,042.50

Greater Twinbrook and Poleglass
Community Forum - £28,000

Regarding European Funding, the Executive has agreed that Departments should be authorised to make advance payment to projects where they judge that there is a very strong likelihood that a project will be eligible for funding and successful in an application under the new round of EU Operational programmes. The allocation of funding under these proposals will not depend upon geographic area.

Mr Gibson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the total cost of Ministerial Special Advisers in the last financial year.

(AQW 2454/00)

Reply: The total cost of Ministerial Special Advisers across all Departments for the financial year 2000/01 amounted to £569,998.90.

Mr Fee asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to outline what progress has been made on the Programme for Government commitments concerning the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington.

(AQO 1250/00)

Reply: We are pleased to report that a number of steps have been undertaken to meet our commitments in respect of the Northern Ireland Bureau, in order that it may better serve the Executive and raise the profile and image of Northern Ireland.

The Bureau’s resources have been strengthened by engaging an additional member of staff at middle management level. The forthcoming relocation of the Bureau will provide the opportunity for a review of its functions, structure, and relationship with other bodies promoting Northern Ireland in the U.S.

Mr Beggs asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail what steps have been taken to improve community relations in the Larne area and to make a statement on current developments.

(AQO 1236/00)

Reply: With the support of the Community Relations Unit, Larne District Partnership Board has had meetings with Larne Borough Council officials, the Community Relations Council, and the Mediation Network.

As a result, a proposal has been put forward for an initial assessment process to be taken forward by the Mediation Network. Mediation Network is anxious to be sensitive to locally based individuals and agencies already engaged with the situation. It is understood that local MLAs were briefed on this in more detail on Friday last and put forward a number of helpful suggestions.

Mrs E Bell asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what consideration was given to the submission from the Civic Forum on the Draft Programme for Government prior to the publication of the final document.

(AQO 1220/00)

Reply: The Civic Forum provided a detailed and very constructive response to the draft Programme for Government.

This was considered carefully as were all of the responses received, and a number of changes were made to the Programme for Government to reflect suggestions made by the Civic Forum and others.

The Civic Forum’s response also contained many suggestions that could not be adopted in time for this year’s Programme for Government. We are looking carefully at these as we take forward work to develop the Programme. Mr Nesbitt and Mr Haughey met with Dr Gibson on the 12 March 2001 to discuss the Civic Forum input to the Programme.

Dr Birnie asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to make a statement on the work in progress of the British Irish Council.

(AQO 1231/00)

Reply: In the British-Irish Council the administrations are progressing work programmes on the topics which were agreed at the first summit meeting on 17 December 1999, namely, environment, transport, drugs, social inclusion and knowledge economy. Two Ministerial sectoral meetings have taken place, one on Environment in October 2000 and the other on Transport in December 2000. The British Government were in the lead at the Environment meeting and an initial programme of work was agreed which included waste management, climate change and radioactive waste from Sellafield.

The Northern Ireland Administration took the lead at the Transport meeting held in Belfast on 19 December 2000. At that meeting it was agreed that senior officials would examine options and prepare detailed recommendations for work in a number of priority areas.

Work at official level is continuing on social inclusion led by the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales and knowledge economy led by Jersey in preparation for Ministerial sectoral meetings on these topics.

The topic of drugs on which the Irish Government is in the lead will be the main item for discussion at the second plenary meeting of the British-Irish Council. This meeting was cancelled and attempts are now being made to reschedule this meeting.

Mr Savage asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail any discussions with the Secretary of State regarding the role of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

(AQO 1230/00)

Reply: We have not jointly discussed this matter with the Secretary of State. However, our respective parties have made representations on a number of occasions.

Ms Lewsley asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail plans to advance the work of the Disability Rights Task Force.

(AQO 1249/00)

Reply: We refer to our letter of 20 March in reply to your AQO 1130/00. The position remains unchanged.

Mr Davis asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to make a statement on the recent visit to Washington D.C.

(AQO 1232/00)

Reply: The main objective of our visit to the US in March was to develop contacts with the new administration in the US.

Our visit was favourably received and provided an opportunity to brief President Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and members of Congress on the work of the Executive.

President Bush reaffirmed his interest in Northern Ireland and the development of a more stable future for the people of Northern Ireland. The administration also indicated its intention to continue co-operation and partnership between the US and the Northern Ireland Executive in areas of mutual interest.

Ms Gildernew asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to outline any plans to fund Rural Women’s Networks.

(AQO 1223/00)

Reply: There is a range of sources to which women’s voluntary organisations, whether urban or rural, can apply for support for projects and services. These include Health and Social Services Trusts, the Training and Employment Agency, the National Lotteries Charities Board and charitable trusts.

We understand that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is working with the Rural Women’s Network on an Economic Appraisal (including a Needs Analysis), of the Rural Women’s sector within the context of the new Rural Development Programme (2001-06). Appropriate future actions will be considered pending the outcome of this.

The Executive has agreed that departments should be authorised to make advance payments to projects where they judge that there is a very strong likelihood that a project will be eligible for funding and successful in an application under the new round of EU Operational Programmes.

Mr Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to confirm that interviews for the candidates shortlisted for appointment to the Community Relations Council were held in January 2000 and that appointments have not yet been made.

(AQO 1222/00)

Reply: The shortlisted candidates were interviewed on 7 and 21 February 2000. They have not yet been advised of the outcome of the selection process.

In our answer to AQO 863 on 19 February, we indicated that appointments would be made shortly from the 16 shortlisted applicants who were interviewed.

However, in view of the lengthy delay in making appointments we subsequently decided to review the matter.

We are conscious of the fact that the regular triennial evaluation of the Community Relations Council is under way and is expected to report shortly. In addition, we will be initiating the strategic review of community relations policy signalled in the Programme for Government as a matter of priority.

In these circumstances, we consider that it would not be appropriate to make further appointments to the Community Relations Council.

Officials have written today to the chairman of the Community Relations Council and the shortlisted candidates to explain the position.

Mr Carrick asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to confirm the level of financial assistance provided for victim support within the parliamentary constituency of Upper Bann and to detail the unsuccessful applications.

(AQO 1203/00)

Reply: The Victims Unit recently allocated £6,000 to the Southern Board Trauma Advisory Panel. To date, all other funding for victims organisations in Upper Bann has come from the core-funding scheme which is funded by the Northern Ireland Office and administered by the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust. Details of funding allocations under that scheme should be sought from either of those bodies.

Mr McMenamin asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to consider the appointment of a Commissioner for senior citizens, similar to the setting up of a Commissioner for Children, as a result of the increasing number of attacks on these innocent victims.

(AQO 1197/00)

Reply: Attacks on vulnerable senior citizens are cowardly and must be deplored by all. The Executive and Assembly will wish to give every possible support to the criminal justice system in making those responsible for such attacks answerable to the law for their crimes.

Arising from the Belfast Agreement, a statutory equality duty was introduced under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 which requires public authorities, in carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity.

Under this new equality duty, persons of different age – which includes senior citizens, is one of the categories to be considered.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to make a statement on the visit to Washington D.C. in March 2001.

(AQO 1192/00)

Reply: The main objective of our visit to the US in March was to develop contacts with the new administration in the US.

Our visit was favourably received and provided an opportunity to brief President Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and members of Congress on the work of the Executive.

President Bush reaffirmed his interest in Northern Ireland and the development of a more stable future for the people of Northern Ireland. The administration also indicated its intention to continue co-operation and partnership between the US and the Northern Ireland Executive in areas of mutual interest.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to (a) confirm that, as a result of the Cod Recovery Plan, fishing boats involved in white fishing have to tie up for five/six weeks and (b) state what assistance is being given to these fishermen.

(AQW 2404/00)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): It is not true that fishing vessels targeting whitefish are required to tie up as a result of the closures from the Cod Recovery Plans. Whilst the closures will curtail their traditional activities in the sea areas affected they are free to seek to fish elsewhere, or change gear to target nephrops in the derogated areas within the closures or outside the closed areas. These are of course subject to the normal quota restrictions. To assist the industry action is being taken on a number of fronts. These include seeking to retrieve the 10% nephrops Total Allowable Catch cut imposed at the December Fisheries Council; the bringing forward of a fishing vessel decommissioning scheme; possible additional training related to the needs of the industry; and seeking to obtain relief for the industry from the payment of light dues.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she intends to compensate farmers for slaughter charges at abattoirs as a direct result of Foot and Mouth Disease .

(AQW 2409/00)

Ms Rodgers: I do not intend to compensate farmers for slaughter charges because the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, limits the conditions under which I can pay compensation for Foot and Mouth.

Payment is for animals affected by the disease or for those which have been in contact with affected animals or have been exposed to the infection. It can also be paid for a limited range of other materials, such as carcasses, fodder or feedingstuffs which have been directly implicated as a disease risk.

Slaughter charges, which are a normal part of the meat industry’s business, do not fall into any of these categories.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) how much money is given to Moderate Learning Difficulty (MLD) special units in each education and library board area and (b) if this money is ring fenced.

(AQW 2303/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): The financial allocations in respect of special education units for pupils with moderate learning difficulties attached to primary and secondary schools in each Education and Library Board area in the current financial year are as follows:-

The amounts allocated by each Board depend on the number of special education units and the number of pupils in each unit within their areas. The Belfast and Western Boards, each have one unit, with a correspondingly larger number of MLD special schools, while the North-Eastern, South-Eastern and Southern Boards have 16, 17 and 26 units respectively. All MLD provision in the Southern Board area takes the form of unit provision.

Teachers’ and classroom assistants’ salaries and special equipment for pupils in units are ring-fenced since these are held centrally by Boards.

I am not aware of any difficulties regarding expenditure on special units. I will, however, ask officials to make enquiries and, if it appears that there may be a problem with the funding of individual units, I will take action to address this.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) the number of announcements made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning the provision of additional money for education since 1997 (b) the amounts allocated to Northern Ireland and (c) the amount actually allocated to education.

(AQW 2383/00)

Mr M McGuinness: I understand that seven announcements have been made in the period since May 1997. The amounts available to Northern Ireland and the amounts allocated to education here are set out below. Figures exclude the announced outcomes of the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review and the 2000 Spending Review as the different Department of Education structures in Northern Ireland and England mean that figures are not readily available for services for which the Northern Ireland Department is responsible.

ADDITIONS ATTRIBUTABLE TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SERVICES

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of (a) children with hearing difficulties that have a classroom assistant in each Education and Library Board and (b) children with hearing difficulties currently awaiting this service.

(AQW 2384/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The number of children with hearing difficulties who have an individual classroom assistant in each Education and Library Board area is as follows:-

Classroom assistance may also be provided on a class basis for those in special schools or special education units for the hearing impaired attached to primary and secondary schools. The number of such children in schools or units with a classroom assistant is as follows:-

The Boards have informed me they are not aware of any children with hearing difficulties currently awaiting classroom assistance.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to outline his plans to ensure that the introduction of new policies, such as New Targeting Social Need, will not hinder those schools that have previously and consistently delivered high standards of educational achievement.

(AQW 2387/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Raising standards in all our schools is one of my Department’s key objectives. In developing and planning new policies we seek to ensure that there are no implications which would adversely affect the performance of any school.

New TSN has a significant contribution to make to the education service and schools in particular. It does not mean that entitlement to statutory education will be affected. It means changing the way we target the money we have so that more of it can be used to benefit those who are most disadvantaged.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) the level of funding for school transport in each Education and Library Board for the financial year 2001/02 and (b) how this compares with the Board’s estimated cost to provide this service.

(AQW 2389/00)

Mr M McGuinness: No specific recurrent and capital funding is allocated to the Education and Library Boards for school transport. Within their overall budget allocations Boards are required to make provision for the estimated costs of their school transport service within their Resource Allocation Plan for 2001/02 which is submitted to the Department for approval.

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Education to detail what provisions have been made by each Education and Library Board to education of children with Asperger’s Syndrome.

(AQW 2394/00)

Mr M McGuinness: I am advised by the Education and Library Boards that the special educational provision made by each Board for children with Asperger’s Syndrome is as follows: -

BELFAST - Most attend mainstream schools where they may have a differentiated curriculum and some may have classroom assistance. Others with an additional learning difficulty attend special schools or units. Additional support in school may be provided by a teacher from a special school.

WESTERN - Most are in mainstream schools and some have classroom assistance. Foyleview Special School provides additional support for those in the northern part of the Board’s area.

NORTH EASTERN - Most attend mainstream schools and some have classroom assistance. A field officer provides additional support for schools.

SOUTH EASTERN - Most attend mainstream schools and some have classroom assistance. Additional support in school is provided by the Board’s Peripatetic Teaching service.

SOUTHERN - Most attend mainstream schools and some receive classroom assistance. Some with additional learning difficulties attend special schools or units. Additional support in school is provided by a peripatetic teacher and an Assistant Advisory Officer. Training may be provided for the class teachers.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education whether the education and library boards have notified him of a shortage of teachers in the current financial year and what steps are being taken to address this situation.

(AQW 2406/00)

Mr M McGuinness: There has been no indication from the Education and Library Boards that they are experiencing problems in filling teacher vacancies.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Education whether he has plans to introduce the ‘Michael Young campaign’ into the school curriculum.

(AQW 2429/00)

Mr M McGuinness: There are no plans to introduce the ‘Michael Young campaign’ specifically into the school curriculum. However, it has always been recognised that schools have a major preventative role to play in addressing the problems of the misuse of drugs and other substances such as solvents, and for this reason the teaching of drugs education is a statutory requirement within the school curriculum. It is taught within the context of health education, and is one of the objectives of the Health Education cross-curricular theme which is compulsory for all pupils aged 4 - 16. At subject level, science, Religious Education and personal and social education programmes are the most common areas through which the topic is covered.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Education to give his assessment on the take-up rate of nursery school places in the last academic year.

(AQW 2453/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Comparing approved and actual enrolments in the nursery school sector in the 2000/01 school year, the take-up rate of places was 91%.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Education to outline his plans to raise standards in secondary schools.

(AQW 2455/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Raising standards in all schools is one of my key objectives and I am taking forward a range of initiatives with this aim firmly in sight. This includes:

• a massive capital investment in our schools;
  
• the abolition of the school performance tables;
  
• the School Improvement Programme which is designed to raise standards in all schools by addressing issues such as literacy and numeracy, discipline, target setting, school development planning and low and underachievement;
  
• a pilot initiative to provide flexibility for an increased focus on work related learning at Key Stage 4;
  
• our investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT);
  
• ongoing work to maintain and enhance the quality of teaching; and the three major reviews of aspects of our education system:
  
• the post-primary review;
  
• the curriculum review; and
  
• the consultation on LMS commonality.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Education to detail the evidence he has collated on the effectiveness of his literacy and numeracy strategies.

(AQW 2457/00)

Mr M McGuinness: A range of information including school inspection findings, Key Stage Assessment outcomes and reports from Education and Library Boards is used to monitor the literacy and numeracy strategy. My officials, in consultation with the Boards and CCMS, are reviewing progress and how the strategy can be strengthened and developed further.

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