Friday 27 April 2001
Written Answers to Questions

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of cattle killed in meat plants in Northern Ireland in the period 5-10 February 2001 and, of these, how many were (a) Northern Ireland produced, giving farms of origin in each case (b) produced outside Northern Ireland, stating each country and (c) farm quality assured.

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The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): [holding answer 6 March 2001]: The number of under thirty month cattle killed for human consumption over this period was 9236 of which 8240 were of Northern Ireland origin. The remaining 996 were imported for slaughter and originated as follows: 931 from ROI, 61 from Germany and 4 from GB. Of the total number of 9236 cattle, 7106 were farm quality assured.

I regret that at this time it has been impractical to individually identify the large number of farms of origin of the 8240 Northern Ireland reared cattle.

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline (a) the membership of the review panel established to assess her Department’s links with agricultural colleges and the School of Agriculture and Food Science at The Queen’s University, Belfast and (b) the timetable for the review.

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(a) I have not yet decided on either the chairmanship or membership of the panel.

(b) The original timetable for the review, which I announced on 8 February, was that the panel would commence its work during March 2001 and report by 31 December 2001.

The timetable has been disrupted because of the current outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, which has prevented me from further consideration of the panel membership. However, I hope to announce the panel membership within a few weeks and to have the report completed around the end of the year.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the precautionary measures she has taken along the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in light of Foot and Mouth Disease and to make a statement.

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Ms Rodgers: Precautionary measures along the border were introduced consistent with the level of disease risk coupled with the need to keep disruption to a minimum.

Disinfectant arrangements involving mats and/or pressure spraying are currently in place on all roads on the Armagh/Louth border. This is to reflect the disease risk arising from the outbreak in Co. Louth.

The RUC has had notable success in intercepting consignments of animals being transported illegally, although it would be inappropriate to comment on operational police matters. The Department’s staff are also undertaking surveillance work in the border area. In addition, authorities in the North and the South are co-operating closely on all the precautionary measures in place and these will be kept under review as the disease situation progresses.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm that she has sufficient staff to ensure that adequate control procedures are in place along the border due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak in Co Louth.

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Ms Rodgers: Control of the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Co Louth is a matter for the authorities in the ROI. However, I have taken additional precautionary measures along the border, consistent with the level of disease risk, coupled with the need to keep disruption to a minimum. I review the priorities for disease control frequently to make best use of the staff available.

Mr McHughasked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what progress has been made by the Steering Group on Cross Border Rural Development set up under the North/South Ministerial Council.

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Ms Rodgers: The Steering Committee for Cross Border Rural Development will be presenting a Progress Report on its Work Programme for the next meeting of NSMC on 8 June 2001.

The Committee has initiated tender action on two Cross Border studies:

1. Education Training and Research Study

Advertisements were placed in the local daily newspapers in Northern Ireland and Ireland on 2 March 2001 inviting tenders for two studies. It is anticipated that consultants will be appointed in early May 2001 to undertake these studies.

The studies will be administered and funded jointly by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland and Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Ireland.

Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what progress has been made by the implementation body, Aquaculture and Marine Matters, set up under the North/South Ministerial Council.

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Ms Rodgers: The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission has made good progress to date in taking forward its work in the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Loughs Agency of the FCILC continues to develop its operations in the Carlingford Area and has recently opened a public office in Carlingford and recruited a number of field staff to enable it to carry out its fisheries protection role in the area. The Agency has also recruited a Marine Tourism Officer who will be responsible for developing a marine tourism strategy in the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency is currently bringing forward regulations to provide for the introduction of a salmon carcass tagging scheme as a means of conserving and protecting fish stocks in the Foyle and Carlingford Area. It is hoped that it will be in a position to introduce the scheme as soon as possible following the making of the regulations.

The Agency is currently working with independent consultants to establish formal consultation arrangements with interested parties in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas. These arrangements will include the establishment of an advisory forum and focus groups to represent the various interests in the loughs.

The Agency also continues to take forward work on the Interpretative Centre at its headquarters in Prehen. On completion, this facility will provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the work of the Agency in the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

My Department and the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources in Dublin, as joint sponsors of the FCILC, continue to progress the legislation that will enhance the functions of the Loughs Agency in line with the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (NI) Order 1999 ie in respect of aquaculture licensing. Meantime the Agency is working with interested parties to lay solid foundations to enable it to undertake this role as soon as the relevant powers are obtained.

The functions of the Commissioners of Irish Lights have not yet been transferred to the Lights Agency. The legislative amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 necessary to effect this transfer have to be made by the UK and Irish Governments.

Mr Husseyasked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to the "Financial Summary to 25 May 2000" presented to the Castlederg Area Based Strategy Group, to detail (a) a breakdown of the miscellaneous expenditure figure of £20,000 (b) the criteria adopted relating to the distribution of this amount and (c) whether appropriate accounting procedures were adopted in this case.

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(a) The expenditure figure of £20,000 comprises two awards of funding as follows:-

£10,000 towards fixtures and fittings and environmental works at Garvagh Community Hall, promoted by Garvagh and District Community Association.

£10,000 towards the purchase of computer equipment for an IT suite, promoted by MourneDerg Partnership.

(b) Both of these projects were subjected to the normal application process for funding through the Rural Development Programme. Formal applications are in place for each project, and funding has been awarded subject to the terms and conditions applicable to all projects supported through the Area Based Strategy. Drawdown of funding was contingent on the meeting of usual programme requirements and the provision of appropriate supporting documentation. Additionally, the Strategy has been subjected to the Department’s internal financial review procedures. In due course, these projects will be subject to evaluation against pre-determined criteria to assess effectiveness both in their own right and as contributors to the performance of the Area Based Strategy as a whole.

(c) The Department made these funding commitments as part of the Castlederg Area Based Strategy initiative, one of nine developed by the Department and aimed at targeting resources at the needs of the most disadvantaged areas in Northern Ireland.

The funding commitments outlined above were made at the outset of the Castlederg Area Based Strategy and were aimed at providing a visible example of the type of project, which could be supported by the initiative. The objectives of these projects were entirely consistent with those of the overall Strategy, were delivered within the procedures agreed for area based strategies and the projects themselves have proved to be successful.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her policy on the payment of compensation to those businesses which are "countryside dependant" and therefore suffering because of current Foot-and-Mouth restrictions.

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Ms Rodgers: The payment of compensation resulting from the foot-and-mouth outbreak is limited to those who have had livestock slaughtered or feedingstuffs seized because they have been, or are suspected as having been, exposed to the FMD virus. The Government’s current position is that there is no provision or precedent for consequential compensation.

The Executive is closely monitoring developments in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, including the handling of financial issues. An inter-Departmental group has been established to examine the economic impact of FMD in Northern Ireland. It is considering what practical measures might be feasible and appropriate to support those sectors affected by the crisis, taking local circumstances into account.

Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm the scientific basis for the use of exclusion zones as an effective means of containing foot-and-mouth disease given the rapid spread of the disease across Great Britain and to identify what lessons can be learnt from this and applied locally.

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Ms Rodgers: Foot and Mouth Disease is very contagious and is spread by animal contact and windborne spread. Exclusion zones act in a similar manner to a firebreak when fighting forest fires and spread is effectively halted as there is then no further means of transmission.

It has proved unnecessary to consider exclusion zones in Northern Ireland at this time as the weight of infection is low. The recent cull of almost 10,000 sheep in south Armagh took place as the animals may have been exposed to the Foot and Mouth Disease virus.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) all discussions she has had with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food relating to the fishing vessels ‘tie-up’ scheme (b) the dates and times of the discussions and (c) what action is to be taken as a result of these discussions.

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Ms Rodgers: I have not met with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food specifically to discuss ‘tie-up’ schemes. I did however have a meeting on 14 June 2000 with Mr Morley to share positions on a range of sea fisheries policy issues including plans to support the industry through the Structural Funds. I also met with Mr Morley in the run up to and during the Fisheries Council in December 2000. My officials have also met with their GB counterparts on several occasions to discuss such issues as tie-up schemes, decommissioning of fishing vessels, and means of restoring the 10% cut in this year’s nephrops TAC quotas. I am kept fully briefed by my officials on these discussions.

Mrs I Robinsonasked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to specify (a) who will be eligible for financial assistance in view of the foot-and-mouth outbreak (b) which businesses will qualify as being directly dependent on agriculture and (c) if livestock markets will be counted as such.

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Ms Rodgers: Financial assistance resulting from the Foot and Mouth outbreak is limited to those who have had livestock slaughtered or feedingstuffs seized because they have been, or are suspected as having been, exposed to the FMD virus. The Government’s current position is that there is no provision or precedent for financial assistance or consequential compensation.

The Executive is closely monitoring developments in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, including the handling of financial issues. An inter-Departmental group has been established to examine the economic impact of FMD in Northern Ireland. It is considering what practical measures might be feasible and appropriate to support those sectors affected by the crisis, taking local circumstances into account.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm when the controls will be lifted on the disposal of rumen contents which are presently confined to disposal at landfill sites at considerable cost to the industry.

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Ms Rodgers: Following the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Northern Ireland, for disease control purposes, Northern Ireland was declared a "controlled area" on 1st March 2001. At that time controls on disposal of rumen contents, and other refuse from slaughterhouses, were introduced and these are likely to remain in place until the continuing threat of Foot and Mouth Disease has dissipated.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his plans to promote Ulster Scots culture overseas.

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The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The Boord o Ulster Scotch is charged with promoting greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues. In January 2001 tha Boord produced its Corporate Plan which outlines its strategy for promoting the Ulster-Scots language and culture over the period 2001-02 – 2003-04.

On 3 January 2001 an Institute of Ulster-Scots Studies was set up at the Magee campus of the University of Ulster, funded jointly by the Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch and the University. One of the objectives of the new Institute is to promote understanding and awareness of the Ulster-Scots identity within and beyond Northern Ireland.

On 5 April 2001 I attended a reception in Washington DC to celebrate the launch of the Institute of Ulster-Scots Studies Worldwide Academic Network. The network was established to connect international researchers working on issues relevant to understanding the historical, political, and cultural impact of the Ulster Scots people within various regions worldwide. The Institute has established working arrangements with universities in Scotland, Canada, USA and Australia. The launch event was organised by tha Boord o Ulster Scotch and hosted by Congressman Rick Boucher.

Officials from my Department have established links with related centres of expertise in Scotland and elsewhere and will continue to build on those as appropriate.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the steps he is taking to encourage groups for the disabled to apply for funding in respect of sporting activities.

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Mr McGimpsey: Responsibility for the distribution of funding for sport lies with the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. With respect to Exchequer funding, the Sports Council, earlier this year, developed an equality programme in their governing body programme which will only fund bids which specifically target underrepresented groups. People with a disability are the most obvious groups who will benefit from this fund as all Council Exchequer programmes would have the needs of people with a disability as a core theme.

Furthermore, at its last Council meeting the Sports Council agreed a new procedure regarding the solicitation of applications in line with amendments to the Lottery Directives. Under the new procedure the Sports Council encourages applications from disadvantaged sectors, such as the disabled. The Council Lottery Fund also goes to considerable lengths to ensure that applications to its Capital programmes from under-represented groups attract a higher score and have the opportunity to achieve an enhanced percentage of funding.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the amount of lottery funding allocated by his Department in respect of each constituency in each of the following financial years 1998/1999, 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 to date.

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Mr McGimpsey: At the outset, I should explain that my Department does not allocate lottery funding. The National Lottery etc Act 1993, as amended by the National Lottery Act 1998, provides that the net proceeds of the lottery shall be distributed by the Arts and Sports Councils across the UK, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Community Fund (previously known as the National Lottery Charities Board), the Millennium Commission and the New Opportunities Fund.

This Department has responsibility for the Arts and Sports Councils in Northern Ireland. The Distributing Bodies are not required to collect data by Constituency although some do. It should be noted however that the Constituencies are derived from the applicants postcodes and therefore could present a misleading picture of the actual beneficiaries of lottery awards.

The information which you requested is available for the Arts Council and is as follows, but again I must emphasise that the constituency is derived from the applicant’s postal code.

In relation to the Sports Council, the information requested is not available in the form requested and I would refer you to my answer to written Assembly Question No 2198.

You may wish to contact the other distributing bodies in Northern Ireland, ie the New Opportunities Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Community Fund and the Millennium Commission to obtain the required information.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the steps he is taking to (a) reduce sectarianism in Gaelic sports and (b) lobby the Gaelic Athletic Association to repeal Rule 21.

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Mr McGimpsey: My views on sectarianism in sport are widely known. As recently as 20 March, in response to an Oral question by Patricia Lewsley I pointed out that sectarianism is an obscenity throughout all society and not simply a matter for sport. Unfortunately sport reflects the society in which it is played. I am acutely aware of the problems of sectarianism in sport in Northern Ireland and am committed to seeing this problem eradicated so that people from all traditions can enjoy a diverse range of sporting activity. However, the ultimate responsibility for its elimination rests with the community as a whole and the Governing Bodies of sport.

My views on Rule 21, which bans members of the security forces from the Gaelic Athletic Association, are also widely known. A decision to amend Rule 21 is a matter entirely for the GAA and I know that the Association has been reviewing its policy in recent times. I would regard the deletion of Rule 21 as a welcome step forward as there can be no justification for excluding any section of the population from any sport. The GAA is well aware of my views on this matter. You will recall that on 20 March in response to your supplementary question on this matter, I pointed out that I find Rule 21 offensive and as the process we are in develops I expect that Rule 21 will be dealt with to the satisfaction of everybody in the House.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the steps he is taking to secure an increase in lottery funding for sport in Northern Ireland.

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Mr McGimpsey: The National Lottery etc Act 1993 as amended provides for 2.6% of the 16.6% overall allocation for sport to be distributed in Northern Ireland. The basis of the allocation is home population adjusted by the Northern Ireland contribution to the UK Sports Council. The Sports Council of Northern Ireland receives about £6.5m annually.

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in conjunction with the Scottish and Welsh Offices are currently working on proposals which could lead to a review of percentage Lottery shares for Arts and Sports.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the steps he is taking to source lottery funding for city and rural areas similar to that distributed in Great Britain.

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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). Northern Ireland receives a share of the net proceeds of the Lottery which are distributed by the Arts and Sports Councils, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Community Fund, the Millennium Commission and the New Opportunities Fund, in accordance with Policy Directions issued to each body. The Directions define how the distributing bodies will distribute lottery proceeds. Government does not interfere with individual lottery applications and it is a matter for the distributing bodies to take account of the needs of city and rural areas in reaching decisions.

You may be aware that the New Opportunities Fund is about to launch a new initiative under the heading of Transforming Communities which aims to enhance the quality of life of local communities by improving the appearance and amenities of specific local environments in urban and rural areas.

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what progress has been made by the Implementation Body on Language set up under the North/South Ministerial Council.

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Mr McGimpsey: Considerable progress has been made by the North/South Language Body since its inception. The North/South Ministerial Council approved Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch draft corporate plan for 2001-02 to 2003-04. The plan supported four major themes: supporting Ulster-Scots as a living language and promoting its use and development; acting as a key contribution to the development of Ulster Scots culture; establishing partnerships with the education and community sectors to promote the study of the Ulster- Scots language, culture and history; and developing the public’s understanding of the Ulster-Scots language and culture. Specific areas of work included an Ulster-Scots dictionary. In January this year the first Institute of Ulster-Scots Studies was launched by tha Boord in conjunction with the University of Ulster based at Magee College campus. In April the Institute announced in Washington its plan for a worldwide academic network to foster awareness and promote knowledge of the Ulster Scots contribution to the development of specific communities and nations. There are plans for a regional office in Donegal.

The draft Corporate Plan for Foras na Gaeilge will be considered at the next meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in language sectoral format. The plans of the two agencies will together form part of the plan for the Body as a whole.

Under its approved programme of activities for 2001 Foras na Gaeilge has made provision to allocate more than IR£7 million to Irish language organisations and projects. These include funding of an estimated IR£750,000 for a new pre-school organisation and an estimated £400,000 for Irish language newspapers and journals, projects and partnerships run by the Foras, including book publishing and distribution; and administration and personnel. This will also include an increase in staff numbers from 40 to 65 and the establishment of an office in Belfast.

Foras na Gaeilge is undertaking the production of a new English/Irish dictionary which would supersede that edited by Tomás de Bhaldraithe in 1959. It has also drawn up a three-year action plan to ensure that there is an adequate provision of Irish language textbooks and resources for primary and post-primary and colleges. The material will be made available in printed and electronic formats.

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what progress has been made by the Implementation body, Waterways Ireland, set up under the North/South Ministerial Council.

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Mr McGimpsey: I made a detailed report to the Assembly on 12 February 2001, following the last meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in Inland Waterways Sectoral Format which took place in Scarriff, Co Clare on 29 January 2001.

The next meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council is scheduled to take place before the Summer although no date has yet been confirmed. A further statement will be made to the Assembly following that meeting.

You may also wish to note that the annual reports and accounts for the Cross-border Implementation Bodies require to be laid before the Assembly before the Summer recess.

These will provide further information on the work of the bodies.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what representations he has received regarding the cancellation of sporting events due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

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Mr McGimpsey: Most sporting organisations have responded extremely positively over the past few weeks to the Foot and Mouth outbreak by voluntarily cancelling or postponing matches and competitions etc in line with the Northern Ireland Executive guidelines. Restrictions on sport due to Foot and Mouth have recently been relaxed in Northern Ireland and soccer, rugby and other activities are now beginning to get back to normal. Consequently, I have received very little by way of formal representations regarding the cancellation of sporting events because of Foot and Mouth disease.

The only representation to date that I have personally received was from the Irish Football Association (IFA). This was in relation to the impact of the Foot and Mouth restrictions on the IFA’s junior soccer programme and I am presently responding to a request from them to encourage local councils to facilitate the completion of fixtures that had been postponed in response to the outbreak.

I can also confirm that my officials and I held discussions with the organisers of this year’s Northwest 200, they also met with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, about the position of that event. As you are no doubt already aware, the organisers of the Northwest 200 have since decided to cancel this year’s competition.

Apart from these, my Department has been receiving informal inquiries from various sports groups and enthusiasts mainly concerning access to the countryside and to country and forest parks for sporting and leisure purposes. Amongst those who have been in contact with the Department are the Northern Ireland Sports Forum and some commercial organisers of outdoor pursuit activities. In all cases the Department has referred enquirers to the latest guidelines on Foot and Mouth disease issued by the Northern Ireland Executive.

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline (a) his plans for the future development of the Events Company and (b) his policy for events organised on an all Ireland basis.

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Mr McGimpsey: Following an independent evaluation of the first three years work of the Northern Ireland Events Company, and having considered proposals put to me by the Board of the Company, I have agreed that it should continue beyond the initial five years for which it was originally established. The Company is accordingly in the process of being re-constituted, appointing staff, and refining its future strategy by consulting with other interested bodies such as the Arts Council, Sports Council and Tourist Board.

Each application for funding to the Company is assessed on its merit and on the measurable benefits that it creates for Northern Ireland. To date, only one application has been received for an event organised on an all Ireland basis and the Events Company have offered to provide funding for the stages of the event that are to be held in Northern Ireland. The event organisers are seeking a similar commitment from the relevant organisations in Dublin.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education to detail, in relation to alleged bullying at Down Academy, Downpatrick, (a) the number of incidents reported (b) any recommendations of the Educational Welfare Officer for the South Eastern Education and Library Board and (c) the subsequent action taken by Down Academy.

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The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): The information requested is not available. As I indicated in the Written Answers Booklet for Tuesday 6 February 2001, data on incidents of alleged bullying are not collected by my Department, nor by the Education and Library Boards, nor is information collected about recommendations made to individual schools about specific incidents or action taken as a result. Advice provided to schools by Board officers about countering bullying will be in line with current guidance from the Department and from the Board itself and it is a matter for schools to determine whether and how they will act on this advice. It is, however, my intention to take an early legislative opportunity to provide that all schools must have a whole-school anti-bullying policy and act upon it.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Education to list those vocational subjects taught at General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) level.

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Mr M McGuinness: Vocational subjects are not separately classified, but the following subjects of a vocational nature are available at GCSE level:-

• Accounting
• Agriculture and Horticulture
• Business Studies
• Catering
• Electronics
• Law
• Office Applications

In addition the following GNVQ Part 1 courses (equivalent to 2 GCSEs) are also approved for pupils at Key Stage 4:-

• Art and Design
• Business
• Engineering
• Health and Social Care
• Information Technology
• Leisure and Tourism
• Manufacturing

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Education to detail, in respect of schools in the constituency of West Tyrone, (a) those schools awaiting high priority maintenance work and (b) dates for commencement of such works.

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Mr M McGuinness: Responsibility for maintenance work in controlled and maintained schools in the constituency rests with the Western Education and Library Board. I understand from the Board that it plans to commence the high priority work at the following schools this summer:

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of Education to give his assessment of the current literacy and numeracy projects and to outline his policy in relation to their future expansion.

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Mr M McGuinness: The wide range of initiatives in the Strategy for the Promotion of Literacy and Numeracy are contributing to improved standards, especially in primary schools. More needs to be done, particularly in post-primary schools, and my officials, in consultation with the Boards and CCMS, are currently reviewing how the strategy can be strengthened and further developed. The Executive Programme Fund is providing an additional £6·3 million over the next three years to support Reading Recovery in primary schools.

Mr B Hutchinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the arrangements for consultation in relation to the Review of local management of schools and to make a statement.

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Mr M McGuinness: The Consultation Document was published on 5 April 2001 and copies distributed to all schools and to a range of other organisations with an interest in education. Copies will also be provided to any individual or organisation on request. The document is available on the Department’s website and copies of the full document will be available in Irish and also in large print and audio cassette on request.

A standard response form has issued with each document. Two Briefing conferences have been arranged in each Board area for school Principals and Chairs of Boards of Governors in order to explain the common formula and provide clarification on the proposals in the consultation document.

The consultation period will last for 3 months until 29th June.

Mr B Hutchinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) the amount of money he has accessed from the anti-drug strategy and (b) how this money was spent.

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Mr M McGuinness: Under the Northern Ireland Drug Strategy, approximately £800,000 was allocated to the education sector in March 2000 to enable provision in schools and the Youth Service to be strengthened. Each of the 5 Education and Library Boards has appointed two full-time officers to address the development of drug education programmes. Training will be provided for teachers, youth leaders, parents and governors in the preparation of drugs policies in the different settings, to enable them to deliver drug education programmes effectively and to deal with drug related issues as they arise. The North Eastern Board is also offering an education and support awareness programme aimed specifically at parents of teenagers.

Mr Tierney asked the Minister of Education if there is parity of salary between teachers working as Home Tutors in Northern Ireland and their counterparts in England and Wales.

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Mr M McGuinness: There is no nationally agreed system for payment of home tutors in England and Wales, each Local Education Authority being free to decide its own method. Traditionally home tutors here have been paid the same fixed hourly rates of salary as part-time teachers. This continues to be the case since most home tutors are employed on a casual basis when Education and Library Boards become aware of children unable to attend school because of illness etc. In view of the greater flexibility now allowed with the payment of part-time teachers, I will ask my Department to consult Boards about similar flexibility for home tutors.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Education to detail his policy in relation to the introduction of Performance Related Pay for teachers in grant-aided schools.

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Mr M McGuinness: The introduction of performance management arrangements for teachers is not performance related pay. Performance management facilitates continuing professional development and school improvement through regular feedback between teachers and their senior managers. The focus of performance management is therefore the professional development of all teachers throughout their careers and school improvement.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Education to detail the annual funding over the next three years to meet the costs of (a) the Regional Manager and Deputy Regional Manager posts (b) proposed employment of external threshold assessors and external advisers and (c) training and administrative arrangements associated with this process.

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Mr M McGuinness: The costs in the first year will be the salaries of the Regional and Deputy Regional Manager posts, which will be in the range £42,902-£56,282 and £37,272-£39,783 per annum respectively. The posts have been advertised on the basis of a 2-year contract with the possibility of extension for a further year. The number of external assessors will depend on the total number of applications, which is not available at this point. However, assuming a high application rate it is estimated that this work will take about 1,950 days at £240 per day inclusive of travelling and subsistence, which is £468,000. Consideration is being given to the number and fee rates of the external advisers and to the grading of a small administrative support section of 2 staff. The costs of training the external assessors and all principals, including materials will be about £256,000.

In the second and third years, the number of teachers eligible for threshold assessment will fall to about 5% of the peak year with only some residual training required for new principals, so the costs will fall substantially. They will be the salaries of the Regional and Deputy Manager posts, the administrative support overheads, about £23,500 for the part-time external assessors’ fees and the costs of external advisers.

Mrs Courtney asked the Minister of Education to detail when approval will be given for the construction of the Community Nursery School in Eglinton in the Derry City Council area.

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Mr M McGuinness: The Pre-school Education Advisory Group in the Western Education and Library Board has proposed, as part of its Development Plan, the provision of a pre-school facility in the Eglinton area, to be opened in September 2003. The Plan is subject to approval by my Department, and I envisage that approval in principle will be given shortly. The specific project is, however, subject to the statutory development proposal procedures. A development proposal has been published by the Western Education and Library Board for a new statutory nursery unit at Eglinton Primary School and this is currently under consideration by the Department.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Education to list the number of school days lost, since 1 January 2001, at each of the Primary Schools in the Newry and Mourne and Banbridge District Council areas, due to impassable roads or electricity breakdowns.

(AQW 2571/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The occasions on which exceptional closure has been granted by the Department for these reasons between 1 January and 13 April 2001 are as follows:

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