Friday 27 April 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to confirm the accuracy of the statistics quoted in ‘The Times Higher Education Supplement’ of 23 March 2001 that percentages of Catholics and Protestants in local full-time education were 39·5% and 29·1% respectively in higher education and 47·8% and 37·1% in further education.

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The information on the religion of NI full-time students enrolled at higher education institutions in Northern Ireland was based on provisional enrolment data for the 1999-2000 academic year held by the Department. This information has subsequently been revised and is detailed below.

The information on the religion of students enrolled on full-time courses at the NI further education colleges in 1999-2000, published in the Times Higher Education Supplement of 23 March 2001 is correct

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to explain (a) the funding method student powered unit of resources (b) why using this funding method has a differential impact on colleges and (c) what advice is he giving to colleges in this regard.

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(a) The new FE funding formula is based on the measurement of student activity and achievement called a student powered unit of resource (SPUR). SPURS are awarded for the delivery and study of further education at three key interconnected phases: recruitment phase, learning phase, outcome phase. The SPURs generated take account of the mode of delivery, course duration, type of provision (e.g. vocational, non-vocational), the category of student and subject area.

(b) The new FE funding formula was introduced after incorporation and replaced the five separate funding formulae operated by the education and library boards (ELBs). Under the funding arrangements for ELBs, each ELB was free to determine the amount to be allocated to further education and this resulted in different levels of funding for colleges depending on the area in which the college was sited. The new funding methodology ensures that all colleges are funded on the same basis. The new funding methodology has been introduced on a transitional basis over the past three years to allow colleges time to adjust to the common funding arrangements, with full implementation of the formula from 2001-02.

(c) The new FE funding formula has been developed with the full co-operation of the sector. It has been the subject of detailed consideration and wide consultation. The formula funding working group, which comprised representatives from colleges and the Department, made its initial recommendations in March 1998 and, after consultation with the whole sector, agreed the formula for implementation in March 1999.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his plans to increase access to public transport for the disabled.

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The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): I recently announced the publication of a consultation document on draft Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations. These draft regulations lay down standards for the accessibility of trains by people with disabilities and standards which should enable them to travel in safety and comfort. The Regulations will apply to all new trains entering service, including the trains that Translink are in the preliminary stages of ordering. Translink has advised that, where practical, it will bring older trains undergoing major refurbishment into line with the legislation.

Bus accessibility regulations are a matter for the Minister of the Environment, but in advance of such legislation being introduced, Translink has already started to replace old buses with new low floor buses which people with disabilities find easier to use. Translink is also making railway and bus stations more accessible for people with disabilities when upgrading work takes place. In the current year, improved facilities will come into use at Bangor, Coleraine and Belfast Central.

Under the rural transport fund programme an additional five new fully accessible minibuses will be made available to rural community transport partnerships, bringing the total fleet up to 25. My Department also continues to fund dial-a-ride and easibus services, which improve access to transport for people with disabilities.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to consider, where suitable, the conversion of wide grass verges to hard shoulders that would be capable of carrying slow-moving traffic on major rural routes.

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Mr Campbell: The use of hard shoulders as running lanes for traffic would be in breach of the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. Nevertheless, my Department’s Roads Service is considering the road safety, structural and legislative issues associated with the possible use of hard shoulders by very slow-moving vehicles.

The Roads Service is, however, of the view that instead of converting wide grass verges to hard shoulders for use as occasional running lanes, it would be more cost effective to provide improved overtaking opportunities at selected locations by the use of "2+1" carriageway layouts. A "2+1" layout is where there are two lanes in one direction and one lane in the other direction.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the market research undertaken to establish the rail transport requirements for passengers travelling between Belfast and Newry.

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Mr Campbell: The Enterprise train provides most of the rail services for passengers travelling between Belfast and Newry. Translink has advised that extensive market research was undertaken as part of the Enterprise service specification and development project. The research programme was undertaken by Oscar Faber in association with Irish Marketing Surveys and Ulster Marketing Surveys. The research sought to identify passenger needs and expectations as well as developing a passenger-led timetable, including the required stopping patterns of trains. Over 1700 interviews were conducted in the process.

In addition, a study aimed at developing a plan for increasing the patronage of both bus and rail services in Northern Ireland was carried out by Steer, Davies and Gleave in 1999 during which the corridor between Newry and Belfast was considered. As a result of the study, a rail link bus service connecting Newry station to the town centre was introduced and considerable improvements were made to the provision of passenger facilities at the station.

Dr Birnie asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of (a) the feasibility and (b) the public expenditure implications of the introduction of free public transport for students.

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Mr Campbell: Students over the age of 16 do not qualify for assistance under the concessionary fares scheme. Neither my Department nor Translink holds sufficient information in accessible form about the usage of public transport by students over 16 or by students receiving tertiary level education to enable an assessment of the costs of allowing them to travel free.

It would probably be feasible to introduce free travel for students, if the resources were available, but, having secured funding to provide free public transport for people aged 65 and over, my next aim is to extend the provision of half-fare concessions for more categories of people with disabilities. I consider that my priority in future funding negotiations.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to consider the provision of pedestrian bridges across the river Mourne at Strabane as recommended in the Strabane 2000 urban regeneration programme.

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Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service acknowledges that the two pedestrian bridges over the River Mourne, as proposed by Strabane 2000, would be desirable. However, the two road bridges, which provide pedestrian access across the river, mean that the construction of the pedestrian bridges (estimated to cost some £1·5m) would not be regarded as a high priority by the Roads Service.

I can, however, confirm that, if Strabane 2000 is successful in securing funding for the bridges, the Roads Service would be happy to project-manage the construction of the bridges, provided they are designed to the Roads Service technical standards with links to the footway network so that, when completed, they can be adopted into the public road network.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what analysis of urban land, unused because of political divides, is available.

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Mr Campbell: There is no information available on the quantum of urban land unused because of political divides.

It is recognised, however, that some urban land has been unused or underused because of community conflict.

Urban capacity studies being prepared by the Department of the Environment will provide a baseline survey for the future supply of housing land in urban areas and will inform the preparation of development plans. These studies will also be used to assess the potential of all sites for brownfield development. It is recognised that there are issues related to availability of brownfield land, and this is a matter which will require further work as part of the drive to deliver urban renaissance.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail all brownfield sites available.

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Mr Campbell: At present, information is not held detailing brownfield sites available.

The draft of the regional development strategy, which is being considered by DRD Assembly Committee, outlines that urban capacity studies will be used to inform the degree to which urban housing growth can be met within the "footprint" of individual towns. The urban capacity studies being prepared by the Department of the Environment will provide a baseline survey for future supplies of housing land in urban areas and will inform the preparation of development plans.

The draft strategy also shows that the aspirational target for brownfield development is a minimum of 40% with a recognition that higher targets can be set for towns and cities as the urban capacity studies become available.

The DRD Assembly Committee, and some Members, have expressed concern that the 40% minimum figure is too low and, indeed, could end up becoming the accepted figure. I am giving serious consideration to their representations before deciding how best to address this matter.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister for Regional Development to state when he intends to issue a closure order for the Craig’s Bog Road, Aughnacloy in order to end the problem of illegal dumping in the Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council area.

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Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service hopes to publish a notice of intention to make an abandonment order for part of Craig’s Bog Road in the local press within the next two weeks. After publication, a statutory period of one month is allowed for objections. The timescale for the completion of the necessary statutory process will depend on the number and nature of objections that may be received.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of the provision of tactile paving surfaces in Larne town centre and if he has any plans to upgrade surfaces to improve the safety of the visually impaired.

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Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service acknowledges that there may be scope for further tactile paving in Larne town centre. Arrangements are being made for officials from the Roads Service and Disability Action to meet on site to discuss this matter and I am hopeful that such paving can be provided at appropriate sites over the coming months.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development to explain why legislation and procedures were changed to place responsibility on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, as opposed to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, for carrying out heating repairs recommended on occupational therapy grounds.

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The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but I am advised by the chief executive that there has been no change in responsibility for carrying out heating repairs recommended on occupational therapy grounds.

However, in conjunction with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSS&PS), the Housing Executive recently carried out a best value review of the housing adaptation service. One of the aims of the review was to deal with concerns about waiting times for adaptations, particularly for the conversion of fuel heating systems.

In addressing the provision of suitable heating in the homes of elderly and disabled people, the review found that in the public sector, heating requests were overloading occupational therapy (OT) and Housing Executive systems, thereby delaying other adaptations. It was therefore agreed that the Housing Executive should take responsibility for assessment of public sector heating changes, enabling it to include heating adaptation schemes in its heating strategy. This would reduce the workload of OTs and enable them to concentrate on other types of adaptation need.

In the private sector there is a legal duty for DHSS&PS and the Housing Executive to liaise on disabled facilities grants. OT’s will continue to assess and make recommendations regarding private sector requests for heating changes.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister for Social Development to list the performance indicators which have been put in place to measure the effectiveness of the additional expenditure on the social security agency customer charter Initiative.

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Mr Morrow: There are performance indicators to measure standards and targets, and these are set out in the customer charter. These are well established and performance is reported regularly against them in the agency’s annual report.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the training available for Social Security Agency staff on the benefit system and to confirm that Social Security Agency staff are now being trained across the benefit system.

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Mr Morrow: Staff undergo an extensive and detailed training programme in the benefit they administer. In addition, customer service training, which includes a general awareness of all benefits, is provided to front-line staff who deal directly with customers.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of additional staff that were recruited for deployment to provide advice and information to the public on the customer charter initiative.

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Mr Morrow: No additional staff were recruited specifically because of the customer charter initiative. As part of the process to improve customer service, staffing levels increased by 80. However, these staff carry out as many duties, including providing information, advice and assistance to customers.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (a) the number of unfit houses and (b) the percentage of unfit housing by (i) district council area and (ii) parliamentary constituency.

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Mr Morrow: Every five years, the Housing Executive carries out a house condition survey which shows the levels of unfitness in Northern Ireland. The information is not analysed at a parliamentary constituency level. The anlaysis requested by district council area from the most recent survey is as follows:

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to give details of the actual or estimated amount of income support that was (a) not claimed and (b) underpaid by the Social Security Agency, in each district council area, in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

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Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency does not hold figures for the actual or estimated amount of income support not claimed. Although it does not hold figures for actual or estimated amount of income support underpaid by district council area, the total estimated amounts of income support underpaid is as follows:

Mr Feeasked the Minister for Social Development with regard to each category of Northern Ireland Housing Executive grant, what is the average time between (a) submission of the completion card and inspection of the finished work and (b) approval of the finished work and payment being made by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

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Mr Morrow: Information is not available in a form which allows separate answers to parts (a) and (b) of the question. However, the average time from submission of the completion card to making the payment is six weeks. The average time by grant type is as follows:

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister for Social Development to ensure that funding is made available for the extensive Northern Ireland Housing executive programme in the South Down constituency.

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Mr Morrow: I will continue to argue the strongest case possible for a budget that can effectively tackle housing need in Northern Ireland. The Housing Executive is responsible for identifying that need and for allocating funding accordingly. I understand that it has a comprehensive list of schemes programmed to start in 2001-02 in South Down and will be bidding for additional funds to carry out any schemes for which funding is not yet available.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to give details of the actual or estimated amount of attendance allowance that was (a) not claimed and (b) underpaid by the Social Security Agency, in each district, in each of the last five years.

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Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency does not hold figures for the actual or estimated amount of attendance allowance not claimed or underpaid.

Mr Feeasked the Minister for Social Development to give details of the actual or estimated amount of invalid care allowance that was (a) not claimed and (b) underpaid by the Social Security Agency, in each district, in each of the last five years.

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Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency does not hold figures for the actual or estimated amount of invalid care allowance not claimed. No evidence of underpayment of benefit has been identified in a review of invalid care allowance.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to give details of the actual or estimated amount of Incapacity benefit that was (a) not claimed and (b) underpaid by the Social Security Agency, in each district, in each of the last five years.

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Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency does not hold figures for the actual or estimated amount of incapacity benefit not claimed. An estimate of the amount of that benefit underpaid for year ending March 2001 will be made but is not yet available. I will write to the Member when this information is available.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to give details of the actual or estimated amount of disability living allowance that was (a) not claimed and (b) underpaid by the Social Security Agency, in each District, in each of the last five years.

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Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency does not hold figures for the actual or estimated amount of disability living allowance not claimed. Although it does not hold figures for actual or estimated amount of disability living allowance underpaid by district area, the total estimated amount of disability living allowance underpaid is as follows:

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to give details of the actual or estimated amount of child benefit that was (a) not claimed and (b) underpaid by the Social Security Agency, in each district, in each of the last five years.

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Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency does not hold figures for the actual or estimated amount of child benefit not claimed. While a review of child benefit was carried out in year ending March 2000, a statistically valid estimate of underpayment could not be made as no material evidence of underpayment was identified.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister for Social Development to detail which agencies or groups in the community sector are entitled to mainstream core funding and whether this funding is available only to those agencies or groups with a regional remit.

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Mr Morrow: None of the voluntary and community sector organisations in receipt of mainstream core funding from the Department for Social Development has an entitlement, as such, to funding of that type. The Department, together with its advisers, exercises its judgement and discretion in determining which applications for funding should be given priority subject to the availability of resources. Part of that process involves consideration of whether the work of the voluntary and community organisation will help the Department further its policy objectives or provide a resource supporting the wider voluntary and community sector. The Department also needs to consider whether it has a clear long-term policy need for the services provided, whether it values the services provided by the organisation and agrees with the organisation’s view of their relative priority, and also whether the Department values the body’s expertise and ability to develop new approaches to meeting needs.

Finally, it should be noted that organisations in receipt of core funding operate on a regional, rather than local, basis.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to give details of the actual or estimated amount of industrial injuries disablement pension that was (a) not claimed from and (b) underpaid by the Social Security Agency, in each district, in each of the last five years.

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Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency does not hold figures for the actual or estimated amount of industrial injuries disablement pension not claimed or underpaid.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to give details of the actual or estimated amount of maternity allowance that was (a) not claimed from and (b) underpaid by the Social Security Agency, in each district, in each of the last five years.

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Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency does not hold figures for the actual or estimated amount of maternity allowance not claimed or underpaid.

Mr Feeasked the Minister for Social Development to give details of the actual or estimated amount of retirement pension that was (a) not claimed from and (b) underpaid by the Social Security Agency, in each district, in each of the last five years.

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Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency does not hold figures for the actual or estimated amount of retirement pension not claimed or underpaid.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to give details of the actual or estimated amount of industrial injuries death benefit that was (a) not claimed from and (b) underpaid by the Social Security Agency, in each district, in each of the last five years.

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Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency does not hold figures for the actual or estimated amount of industrial injuries death benefit not claimed or underpaid.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to give details of the actual or estimated amount of contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance that was (a) not claimed from and (b) underpaid by the Social Security Agency, in each district, in each of the last five years.

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Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency does not hold figures for the actual or estimated amount of contribution- based Jobseeker’s Allowance not claimed. While a review of contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance was carried out, a statistically valid estimate of underpayment for year ending March 2000 could not be made as no material evidence of underpayment was identified.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to detail over what period may (a) overpayment of Social Security benefits be recovered and (b) underpayment of Social Security benefits be backdated.

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Mr Morrow: There is no legislative provision for the period of recovery of Social Security benefits. The period of recovery depends on the amount of the overpayment and the rate of recovery. The rate of recovery depends on a person’s ability to repay

Normally, underpayments of benefits are backdated to the date the error occurred. However, if the customer contributed to the error, underpayment can be backdated only up to a maximum of 13 months.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (a) when the Northern Ireland Housing Executive intends to have the Martin Memorial Clock at Shrigley refurbished and (b) how much this will cost.

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Mr Morrow: The Housing Executive is working with several organisations to have the clock restored in its present location and to have it managed by a trust. However, a developer has applied for planning permission to construct houses beside the monument, which may have implications for any proposals to refurbish it. It is not possible, therefore, to say when refurbishment work may be carried out, as this will depend on the outcome of a planning inquiry and on obtaining suitable funding. There are no costings for restoration, but in 1995 the cost was estimated to be between £150,000 and £175,000.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development whether the developer had commenced building work at Model Farm, Downpatrick before the land purchase from NIHE was finalised.

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Mr Morrow: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but the chief executive has advised that the developer started building work on land which had not been offered for sale. On discovery, the Housing Executive immediately took action to prevent the developer from proceeding.

In subsequently agreeing to the sale of the land to the developer, the Housing Executive took account of the Planning Service’s opinion on the best use for the land and also sought substantial compensation, including interest charges, from the developer. This has been paid in full and the sale of the site to the developer was completed in March 2001.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the number of disabled facilities grants that are available to those seeking adaptations in their homes.

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Mr Morrow: There are two types of grant-aid available to those in the private sector. First, disabled facilities grant is available for major works and is means-tested. The approval of an application for this grant is mandatory for work involving access to, around, and within the house, as well as access to facilities in the house. In addition, discretionary grant aid may be given for other works that would make the dwelling or building suitable for the accommodation, welfare or employment of a disabled occupant.

Secondly, the minor works assistance grant covers small scale works, similar in nature to that covered by the disabled facilities grant and is available to those on income related benefits and tax credits.

The Housing Executive and registered housing associations carry out adaptations in their own stock.

Mr Carrick asked the Minister for Social Development what performance targets have been set for the Social Security Agency for the current financial year.

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Mr Morrow: The following targets have been set with the objective of continuing to provide high levels of service to customers. I am satisfied that the targets are represent a demanding challenge for the agency. The targets will be included in the agency’s 2001-04 strategic and business plan, which is due for publication later this month. A copy of the plan will be placed in the Library. The targets are as follows:

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