Friday 6 April 2001
Written Answers to Questions

Mr Adams asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to identify the number of staff within his Department and its associated agencies currently receiving (a) the National Minimum wage and (b) less than £5.00 per hour.

(AQW 219/00)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): [supplementary answer]: Pursuant to my original answer on Monday 9 October I would now confirm the following:

The number of staff within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and its associated agencies currently receiving (a) the National minimum wage is NIL and (b) less than £5.00 per hour is 170.

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the level of expenditure by the Industrial Development Board (IDB), Local Economic Development Unit (LEDU) and Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU) by electoral ward and parliamentary constituency during each of the last three years.

(AQW 1216/00)

Sir Reg Empey: [supplementary answer]: Pursuant to the answer given on Wednesday 24 January 2001 I would inform you that the table referring to Selective Financial Assistance Expenditure from the Industrial Development Board contained incorrect information.

Please find the correct information in the attached table.

NOTE: Payments of SFA are made to the NI headquarters of the company concerned and are therefore recorded against the constituency in which the HQ is located.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline what similar regional programmes are available in Northern Ireland, into which the new European Commission communications "GoDigital" initiative, aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s), can link as part of the wider e-Europe action plan.

(AQW 2382/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The Information Age Initiative’s Strategic Framework and Action Plan, "Leapfrog to the Information Age", identified 25 actions aimed at supporting:

(i) the increased use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by all NI businesses;

These actions are being progressed by the Information Age Initiative in close conjunction with DETI, its Agencies and the T&EA. These organisations manage a wide range of schemes aimed at stimulating companies to make greater use of the latest ICTs, and especially to exploit e-commerce and e-business opportunities. These programmes are consistent with the objectives of the GoDigital initiative which will be launched on 6 April 2001.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of (a) decreasing recruitment in the manufacturing sector and increasing recruitment in the service sector (b) the implications of this trend to the Northern Ireland economy with particular regard to those areas with a high manufacturing dependency and (c) the measures being taken to address the issue.

(AQW 2385/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Manufacturing employment in Northern Ireland has been relatively stable over the last five years during which time the sector has enjoyed strong output and productivity growth. The overall stability of manufacturing employment has however resulted from strong growth in some sectors offsetting declines in others, mainly the more traditional sectors. Although the manufacturing sector has, as a whole, performed well, we must continue to encourage and facilitate the growing sectors while helping to minimise the adverse effects on those sectors which face restructuring.

Service sector employment in Northern Ireland has risen sharply over the last five years and this is to be welcomed. Many of these jobs, which have arisen through the activities of DETI and its agencies, are in areas such as software development and financial services. These are quality jobs that are making a significant contribution to growth in our economy.

Within the context of the Programme for Government, my Department will continue to promote the knowledge-based economy in order to realise our vision of securing for Northern Ireland an economy that is fast growing, competitive and innovative. This will involve supporting enterprise and innovation in all sectors as well as taking into account the need to manage the restructuring that has to take place in some of our traditional industries.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the economic growth rate for each of the last ten years.

(AQW 2400/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Northern Ireland’s real economic growth rates for the last ten years for which official estimates exist were:

1990: Zero
1991: 3.0%
1992: 2.5%
1993: 4.2%
1994: 6.1%
1995: 4.9%
1996: 1.0%
1997: 4.0%
1998: 0.9%
1999: 1.1%

Over the above ten year period, the Northern Ireland economy grew in real terms by 31%, yielding an average annual rate of increase of 2.7%. Over the same period, the UK economy expanded by 22.6% giving an annual average real growth rate of 2.1%.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of jobs created in each of the last ten years.

(AQW 2401/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Information on the number of jobs created is not available. However, figures from the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) can be used to estimate the net change in employee job levels during the last ten years.

Latest figures from the QES show that in December 2000 there were 639,570 employee jobs in NI. This represents an increase of 92,810 (17%) from the December 1990 figure of 546,760. The net change in employee job levels in NI for each of the last ten years can be found in the attached table.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total amount of investment attracted in each of the last ten years.

(AQW 2402/00)

Sir Reg Empey: I understand the member is referring to inward investment when he refers to investment attracted in the last ten years. Information on the levels of investment planned by new and existing externally-owned companies in relation to projects secured by the Industrial Development Board is set out in the attached table.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the current unemployment figures for each district council area and to make a statement.

(AQW 2418/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The information requested is available in the DETI monthly publication, Northern Ireland Labour Market Statistics (Section 3, Table 3.8), copies of which are placed in the Assembly Library.

Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (a) the number of Republic of Ireland tourists who visited Northern Ireland in each of the last three years for which figures are available (b) the projected figures for 2001, 2002 and 2003 and (c) the total promotional spending by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on the Republic of Ireland market.

(AQW 2435/00)

Sir Reg Empey: There were 360,000 visitors from the Irish Republic to Northern Ireland in 1998, 384,000 in 1999 and forecasts for 2000 indicate 357,000 visitors. Targets set for the Republic of Ireland market for 2001, 2002 and 2003 are 368,000, 379,000 and 390,000 respectively, representing an average annual growth of around 3%. The total promotional spend by NITB on the Republic of Ireland market in the last three years was £1,467,073.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of the impact created by the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland last year in (a) Strabane District Council area (b) Omagh District Council area and to detail what plans the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland has to attract investment to West Tyrone.

(AQW 2442/00)

Sir Reg Empey: In providing this answer I have reviewed IDB’s activity in West Tyrone from January 2000 to date. I believe that the summary below indicates that IDB has been making an impact in the two council areas and that it is seeking to improve on that performance by actively engaging with appropriate representatives from the region.

IDB has been proactive in implementing initiatives to help boost the attractiveness of the West Tyrone area to inward investors. In March 2000, IDB held a regional event in Londonderry at which representatives from the Strabane, Derry, Limavady and Donegal council areas were given the opportunity to meet with the IDB Board and Senior Management to discuss issues affecting their areas. A similar event was held in Omagh in September 2000 which covered Omagh, Cookstown, Dungannon, Fermanagh and Magherafelt areas.

IDB continues to work closely with Strabane and Omagh Councils to market these areas, and the wider region in which they sit, to potential inward investors. In a regional context IDB and the IDA have agreed a marketing strategy - Invest North West- covering the council areas of Strabane, Derry, Limavady and Donegal; and have developed a joint marketing database and process for handling visits to the region. In addition, work is underway with the Into-The-West Council grouping, which includes Omagh, to identify a US location to be targeted for a regional marketing approach.

In December I had the pleasure of announcing a £1·3m investment by Fabplus Ltd who have decided to locate in IDB’s former advance factory in Strabane with the transfer and expansion of its ROI-based sprinkler systems fabrication operation, which is expected to create 30 new jobs. Following on from this IDB is actively exploring ways to procure more accommodation in Strabane and is also working towards finding a suitable tenant for the advance unit at the Doogary West site in Omagh to which there have been seven visits by potential investors since January 2000.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of the effects of raising the national minimum wage on the economy of Northern Ireland and to make a statement.

(AQW 2450/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The national minimum wage is a reserved matter and is applied in the same way across the whole of the UK. In its third report (volume 1), the Low Pay Commission concluded that the national minimum wage had not adversely affected the economy, that gender and regional pay gaps had narrowed and that employment effects of the increase are likely to be small.

The increase in the national minimum wage to £4.10 from 1 October 2001 will be of direct benefit to around 50,000 workers in Northern Ireland, some seven per cent of the working population.

The increase from £3.70 to £4.10 is broadly consistent with the overall level of wages growth experienced across the UK economy since the initial introduction of the national minimum wage. As the introduction of the NMW was not associated with any significant adverse labour market impacts in Northern Ireland, and because the labour market has further tightened, it is unlikely that the proposed new rate will generate any significant adverse employment effects.

A copy of the Low Pay Commission’s report, which contains a thorough assessment of the impact across the UK of the national minimum wage so far and of the likely impact of the increase, has been placed in the Assembly Library.

Mr Byrne asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of the growing role for District Councils in relation to promoting local economic development in response to Peace II delivery and other European Union developments.

(AQO 1244/00)

Sir Reg Empey: With the assistance of EU Structural Funds, District Councils have played an important role in the delivery of local economic development over the past number of years. Their knowledge, growing expertise and commitment in this area is widely acknowledged and is being built upon with a view to taking forward further local economic development activities through the new Building Sustainable Prosperity and Peace II Programmes. The evolution of a local partnership approach through which these EU Programmes are to be delivered will also require the full participation of District Councils. Contact is currently being made with all 26 District Councils so that local workable delivery mechanisms can be agreed and proper complementarity achieved.

Mr Wells asked the Minister of the Environment to detail when the draft Down/Ards Area Plan will be published.

(AQW 2426/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): The Draft Ards and Down Area Plan is scheduled for publication during 2001/02. Preparation of the Draft Plan is on target as set out in the Planning Service’s current Corporate and Business Plan.

Dr Birnie asked the Minister of the Environment to give his assessment of the desirability and feasibility of an independent Environment Protection Agency for Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2436/00)

Mr Foster: Operational responsibility for environmental issues currently rests with the Environment and Heritage Service, an Agency within my Department. As such, environmental regulation is carried on under the control and direction of a locally elected Minister directly accountable to this Assembly. These arrangements, therefore, have important advantages, which will need to be balanced alongside any advantages which might accrue from having an environmental regulator independent of the Executive. I will be considering these matters in conjunction with my Executive colleagues.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to outline what plans he has to consult with District Councils and the public in the preparation of the Northern Area Plan.

(AQW 2437/00)

Mr Foster: It is my Department’s intention that during the course of preparing the Northern Area Plan, views, attitudes and aspirations of residents within the area, as reflected by Councillors, community groups and individual representation will be taken into account. Planning Service representatives have now completed a first round of meetings with the four Councils involved at which a format to facilitate Planning Service/Council Consultation over the Draft Plan preparation was discussed and agreed. Additionally the start to plan preparation has recently been advertised in the press, inviting representation. It is intended to offer the opportunity for wider and more effective public participation in the preparation of the Draft Plan by publishing an Issues Paper in place of the more traditional Preliminary Proposals Publication. A comprehensive and wide-ranging public and community consultation programme will be implemented at the Issues Papers stage.

The purpose of this Area Plan is to set out the broad planning framework for the physical development of the entire area including all the urban settlements and also the rural hinterland within the four Council Areas for the period up to the year 2016. The Plan will provide a planning policy framework to guide future development by public and private sectors and provide a basis for the control of this development. In preparing the Area Plan, my Department will take into account the overall policy framework, primarily set by the provisions of the Regional Development Strategy (once published in final form) together with Planning Policy Statements as existing and also programmed for preparation. The Plan must also embrace the principles established by a number of government objectives and initiatives such as those relating to Equality of Opportunity, New Targeting Social Need, Sustainability, Biodiversity and Transportation.

The programme for preparation of this Plan is to produce the Issues Paper by the end of 2001, a Draft Plan by the end of 2002 and to Adopt the Plan by Spring 2004.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the scope of the Northern Area Plan.

(AQW 2438/00)

Mr Foster: It is my Department’s intention that during the course of preparing the Northern Area Plan, views, attitudes and aspirations of residents within the area, as reflected by Councillors, community groups and individual representation will be taken into account. Planning Service representatives have now completed a first round of meetings with the four Councils involved at which a format to facilitate Planning Service/Council Consultation over the Draft Plan preparation was discussed and agreed. Additionally the start to plan preparation has recently been advertised in the press, inviting representation. It is intended to offer the opportunity for wider and more effective public participation in the preparation of the Draft Plan by publishing an Issues Paper in place of the more traditional Preliminary Proposals Publication. A comprehensive and wide-ranging public and community consultation programme will be implemented at the Issues Papers stage.

The purpose of this Area Plan is to set out the broad planning framework for the physical development of the entire area including all the urban settlements and also the rural hinterland within the four Council Areas for the period up to the year 2016. The Plan will provide a planning policy framework to guide future development by public and private sectors and provide a basis for the control of this development. In preparing the Area Plan, my Department will take into account the overall policy framework, primarily set by the provisions of the Regional Development Strategy (once published in final form) together with Planning Policy Statements as existing and also programmed for preparation. The Plan must also embrace the principles established by a number of government objectives and initiatives such as those relating to Equality of Opportunity, New Targeting Social Need, Sustainability, Biodiversity and Transportation.

The programme for preparation of this Plan is to produce the Issues Paper by the end of 2001, a Draft Plan by the end of 2002 and to Adopt the Plan by Spring 2004.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the proposed timetable for the publication of the Northern Area Plan.

(AQW 2439/00)

Mr Foster: It is my Department’s intention that during the course of preparing the Northern Area Plan, views, attitudes and aspirations of residents within the area, as reflected by Councillors, community groups and individual representation will be taken into account. Planning Service representatives have now completed a first round of meetings with the four Councils involved at which a format to facilitate Planning Service/Council Consultation over the Draft Plan preparation was discussed and agreed. Additionally the start to plan preparation has recently been advertised in the press, inviting representation. It is intended to offer the opportunity for wider and more effective public participation in the preparation of the Draft Plan by publishing an Issues Paper in place of the more traditional Preliminary Proposals Publication. A comprehensive and wide-ranging public and community consultation programme will be implemented at the Issues Papers stage.

The purpose of this Area Plan is to set out the broad planning framework for the physical development of the entire area including all the urban settlements and also the rural hinterland within the four Council Areas for the period up to the year 2016. The Plan will provide a planning policy framework to guide future development by public and private sectors and provide a basis for the control of this development. In preparing the Area Plan, my Department will take into account the overall policy framework, primarily set by the provisions of the Regional Development Strategy (once published in final form) together with Planning Policy Statements as existing and also programmed for preparation. The Plan must also embrace the principles established by a number of government objectives and initiatives such as those relating to Equality of Opportunity, New Targeting Social Need, Sustainability, Biodiversity and Transportation.

The programme for preparation of this Plan is to produce the Issues Paper by the end of 2001, a Draft Plan by the end of 2002 and to Adopt the Plan by Spring 2004.

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the progress he has made to report on the review of the boundaries of the Somerton/Chichester Conservation Area in Belfast.

(AQW 2440/00)

Mr Foster: The review of the boundaries of existing Conservation Areas within the Belfast Metropolitan Area is being undertaken as part of preparation of the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP).

Consultants are being recruited to advise on the appropriateness of existing Conservation Area boundaries within the Plan area.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to designate Aughnadarragh Lough, County Down a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) given that a survey of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly showed a higher population at that location as opposed to Montaighs Moss, County Antrim, which is a designated SAC.

(AQW 2458/00)

Mr Foster: The Member will be aware from my letter of 6 February 2001 that I was not persuaded at that time that Aughnadarragh Lough was of such importance to justify its selection as a Special Area of Conservation. This remains my view.

Sites selected as SACs for Marsh Fritillary, both in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK, are ones which support long-established and well-documented colonies of this species. They tend to be much larger than Aughnadarragh Lough and include extensive areas of suitable breeding habitat, which are necessary to accommodate a sustainable population.

Montiaghs Moss was identified as being suitable for selection through a survey undertaken in 1999 which was commissioned by my Department. The area of breeding habitat and numbers of Marsh Fritillary together justified SAC designation.

Numbers were determined through larval web counts, rather than the less reliable method of counting flying adults. The survey revealed 48 larval webs at Aughnadarragh Lough, compared to 89 at Montiaghs Moss. Aughnadarragh Lough also has a limited area of suitable habitat.

It was concluded that Aughadarragh Lough did not qualify as an SAC on the grounds of its Marsh Fritillary population.

Mr Hay asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the steps he is taking to address grant funding for historic buildings in the current financial year.

(AQO 1228/00)

Mr Foster: My Department will continue to pay grant-aid to owners of listed buildings in the financial year just begun.

Some £2 million has been allocated for historic buildings grant-aid for 2001/2002.

This will be used to meet grant commitments on those eligible schemes for which applications were received prior to the introduction of the suspension on 29 October 1999.

New applications for grant-aid will be accepted from this month.

Any grant will be offered on the understanding that payment may not be made until the 2002/2003 financial year.

I was able to obtain a significant increase in resources in the financial year just ended which has eased the situation. I will continue to look for opportunities for additional resources to enable applications approved this year to be paid on completion of the work.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment to undertake to introduce legislative amendments on the impact of discharges on water quality.

(AQO 1246/00)

Mr Foster: My Department published two Consultation Papers on 21 November 2000 proposing amendments to the system of consents for discharges to waterways.

One paper dealt with the Department’s implementation of the pollution prevention powers in the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. This included measures to update the consents system to take account of scientific advances and the requirements of various EC Directives, including the Water Framework Directive.

The second paper outlined the Department’s proposals for the introduction of a fees and charges scheme to recover the costs it incurs in operating the discharge consents system.

The consultation period has ended and the responses received, including those of the Assembly Environment Committee, are being considered. I expect to be in a position to lay the necessary regulations shortly, with a view to an operational date of June this year. Any changes to the original proposals will be notified to the Committee in advance of the draft regulations being laid.

Mr McHugh asked the Minister of the Environment if he will consider introducing legislation to make it compulsory for school transport to display flashing warning lights when children are alighting or boarding.

(AQO 1221/00)

Mr Foster: Dedicated school buses are required when carrying school children to and from school to display special signs front and rear indicating that school children are on board. However, Education and Library Board vehicles which have a distinctive yellow and white colour scheme are exempt from this provision.

Regulations currently permit drivers of dedicated school buses to use hazard warning lights when the bus is stopped and children are boarding or alighting. There are no current plans to make this provision compulsory.

It has been accepted in the past that, on balance, drivers are best placed to take account of relevant traffic conditions and to judge when the use of hazard lights is likely to be most effective in alerting other road users to the presence of children without causing confusion.

However, the Assembly Environment Committee is currently undertaking a public inquiry into school transport. The Committee may bring forward recommendations relevant to this issue. I will wish to give any recommendations by the Committee on this and other matters very careful consideration.

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm that he has no plans to abolish the Road Safety Council.

(AQO 1219/00)

Mr Foster: The Road Safety Council of Northern Ireland is a voluntary organisation which I have no powers to abolish.

However, the Council does receive the bulk of its funding each year from my Department. In 2000/01 this amounted to almost £150,000.

As with all government-funded programmes, the work of the Council is subject to regular review to ensure that its activities represent good value for money and that public resources are being used effectively and efficiently.

The work of the Road Safety Council will be reviewed during the course of this financial year. This will include an assessment of the appropriate level of funding for its work.

I believe it is important that Northern Ireland has an effective voluntary road safety movement. This provides a vital link between the statutory agencies and local road safety interests. I should like to express my appreciation of the efforts of volunteers in the area of road safety and would encourage more to participate.

Mr McLaughlin asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm that the levels of nuclear residue found at the mouth of the River Foyle are due to the fact that British Nuclear Fuels at Sellafield has had its discharge limit increased from ten terabecquerels (TBq) per annum to two hundred TBqs in 1994 and to detail what representations he has made regarding this issue and to make a statement.

(AQO 1245/00)

Mr Foster: A collaborative monitoring study was undertaken by my Department’s Environment and Heritage Service, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and University College, Dublin in 1992. This showed that the quantities of radioactivity detected in Lough Foyle could be attributed to past discharges from Sellafield but were of negligible radiological significance.

Following the authorised increase of the technetium 99 discharge limit from Sellafield in 1994, increased levels were found in fish, shellfish and seaweed throughout the Irish Sea.

The authorised limit was reduced to 90 terabecquerels in 1999 and a marked reduction in contamination levels followed. The dose implications to the Northern Ireland public as a result of increased technetium 99 discharges have been minimal.

The Environment Agency in Great Britain has just completed a consultation exercise on options for further reducing the limit.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of the Environment pursuant to the "Local Government (Payments to Councillors) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999" to introduce a change that will allow payment of travel allowance in respect of site visits.[R]

(AQO 1213/00)

Mr Foster: The Local Government (Payments to Councillors) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 introduced a new system for payment of allowances to councillors. Regulation 4 provides for a council to pay attendance allowance to councillors in respect of the performance of any approved duty. However, in the interpretation of approved duty, site visits are excluded.

Travel allowances recompense councillors for expenditure necessarily incurred when performing an approved duty.

The "basic allowance" paid to councillors is intended to cover costs such as travel expenses related to site visits.

A review of councillors’ allowances is currently under way and, while I can not pre-empt the outcome of the review, I intend to examine this aspect of the present arrangement.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment to outline his policy in relation to identifying brown field sites in rural areas.

(AQO 1196/00)

Mr Foster: As regards rural towns, the Department for Regional Development is considering a target of 40% for accommodating new housing on brownfield sites. This target, if it remains in the final Regional Development Strategy will be reflected by my Department in the provision of future housing and development plans. At that time, sites will have to be identified in these Plans.

Brownfield development has little relevance outside these towns, but where they are identified in smaller rural settlements, this can also be provided for through the development plan process.

In the rural countryside, my Department will not normally identify brown field sites, but will instead consider each application for development on its own merits, and against prevailing plans and policies.

In order to facilitate the proper consideration of this in forthcoming Development Plans, the Planning Service is currently undertaking an urban capacity database compilation project. This, in effect, is an inventory of sites that might be considered as having potential for housing development in association with this strategic regional target.

Mr Carrick asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what new steps he proposes to take in the fight against environmental crime.

(AQO 1205/00)

Mr Foster: Environmental law in Northern Ireland has created a number of criminal offences for actions that lead to pollution of the environment or damage to species and habitats. The penalties for these offences can range from various levels of fine to imprisonment for up to two years in the case of the most serious offences. My Department seeks to ensure that the Courts, in determining penalties, are aware of the seriousness of the offences.

I am also aware that the European Commission has recently published a proposal for a Directive relating to the protection of the environment through the criminal law. It is too early yet to assess the detail of the proposal and the extent to which any Directive may involve matters within the competence of this Assembly.

Member States now have the opportunity to form a view on the Commission’s proposal including the issue of any Community competence in the field of criminal law. I shall ensure that, as the UK response to the EC proposal is being developed and agreed, the implications for Northern Ireland are fully assessed and taken into account.

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