Friday 4 May 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number of people suffering from tuberculosis and (b) what steps she is taking to combat this disease.

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(a) In 2000 (the latest date for which information is available) there were 51 cases of tuberculosis notified here.

(b) There has been enhanced surveillance for TB here since 1991-02. In March 1997, the Department issued guidelines on TB control and prevention to HSS boards and trusts here. In June 2000, guidelines on drug-resistant TB were issued. The Schools BCG Immunisation Programme, which was suspended in September 1999 due to a severe shortage of vaccine here and in England, Scotland and Wales, will restart in the very near future.

(a) Sa bhliain 2000 (an dáta is deireanaí atá eolas ar fáil) bhí 51 cás eitinne curtha in iúl anseo.

(b) Bhí méadú san airdeall ar eitinn anseo ó 1991-02. I Márta 1997, thug an Roinn treoirlínte ar smachtú agus ar chosc eitinne do Bhoird agus d’Iontaobhais SSS anseo. I Meitheamh 2000, tugadh treoirlínte ar eitinn dhruga-fhrithbheartach. Atosóidh an Clár Imdhíonta BCG i Scoileanna, a cuireadh ar ceal i Mí Mheán Fómhair 1999 mar gheall ar ghéarghanntanas vacsaíne anseo, i Sasana, in Albain agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, ar ball.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that tuberculosis is on the increase in Northern Ireland and can she explain how this disease has re-emerged.

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Ms de Brún: In 1995 there were 84 identified cases of Tuberculosis here. Every year since, there has been a reduction in this number down to a figure of 51 in 2000. There is a very effective TB control programme in place here and as the figures show there is no question of a re-emergence of the disease.

Sa bhliain 1995, bhí 84 cás eitinne aitheanta anseo. Gach bliain ó shin, bhí laghdú sa mhéid seo síos go 51 i 2000. Tá clár smachtaithe eitinne iontach éifeachtach i bhfeidhm anseo agus mar a léiríonn na figiúirí, níl baol ar bith ann go nochtfar an galar arís.

Mr Tierney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what steps are being taken to improve the ability of paediatric intensive care units to improve admission rates.

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Ms de Brún: Paediatric intensive care services are provided at one location, in the Royal Group’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). To cope with increased demand, the steps taken over the past year include an extensive recruitment drive, the development of a tailored internal training programme and increased career development opportunities for all nursing staff.

Soláthraítear Seirbhísí Péidiatraiceacha Dianchúraim ag láithreán amháin, in Ionad Péidiatraiceach Dianchúraim an Ghrúpa Ríoga (IPDC). Le déileáil leis an mhéadú san éileamh orthu, i measc na mbeart a rinneadh le linn na bliana seo a chuaigh thart, bhí feachtas leathan earcaíochta, forbairt cláir oiliúna inmheánaigh rí-fheiliúnaigh agus deiseanna níos mó lena saol oibre a fhorbairt don fhoireann banaltrachta uile.

Mr Tierney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of operations that have been cancelled since January 2000 due to the non-availability of paediatric intensive care beds.

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Ms de Brún: Over the last 15 months since January 2000, a total of 6 operations affecting a total of 3 people have been cancelled due to non-availability of paediatric intensive care beds.

Le linn na 15 mí deireanacha ó Eanáir 2000, cuireadh sé obráid ar ceal mar gheall ar an easpa leapacha péidiatraiceacha dianchúraim. Chuaigh seo i bhfeidhm ar thrí dhuine.

Mr Tierney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of patients who have been refused admission to paediatric intensive care services since January 2000.

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Ms de Brún: Over the last 15 months since January 2000, there have been 34 refusals of admission to paediatric intensive care services.

Le linn na 15 mí deireanacha ó Eanáir 2000, diúltaíodh seirbhísí péidiatraiceacha dianchúraim a chur ar fáil do 34 duine.

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline any discussions she has had with the NIO concerning the protection of vulnerable young people in care and juvenile detention centres; and to make a statement.

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Ms de Brún: Discussions are ongoing between officials of my Department and the NIO about the provision of suitable residential care for young people who have been accused, or have been convicted, of a criminal offence, but for whom custody in a juvenile justice centre is not considered appropriate. The discussions have also covered the implications which the NIO’s decision to concentrate its entire juvenile justice provision in one centre at Rathgael, Bangor will have for the regional care centres in Belfast and Bangor, and these matters are being addressed by the Children Matter task force.

Part of the Social Services Inspectorate concentrate on criminal justice services and work in liaison with the Northern Ireland Office. In the last 12 months there have been a total of 7 unannounced inspection visits made to juvenile justice centres. These visits focus on the treatment, care and protection of young people.

Should the need arise for intervention at Ministerial level, then I would deal with that as appropriate.

Tá caibidilí ar siúl idir feidhmeannaigh mo Roinne agus OTÉ faoi chúram cónaithe cuí do dhaoine óga a cúisíodh nó a ciontaíodh i gcoir, ach nach meastar príosúntacht in ionad cirt d’aosánaigh a bheith fóirsteanach. Ar na hábhair a pléadh bhí na himpleachtaí a bheadh ar chinneadh OTÉ iomlán a soláthair don cheart d’aosánaigh a shocrú i mBeannchar ar ionaid chúraim réigiúnacha i mBéal Feirste agus i mBeannchar. Tá an tascfhórsa Tá Tábhacht le Páistí ag tabhairt aghaidhe ar na hábhair seo.

Díríonn cuid de Fhoireann Chigireachta na Seirbhísí Sóisialta ar Sheirbhísí Cirt Choiriúil agus oibríonn sí i gcomhar le hOifig Thuaisceart Éireann. Sa 12 mhí dhéag dheireannacha rinneadh seacht gcuairt chigearachta gan choinne ar ionaid de chuid an chórais dlí agus cirt d’aosánaigh. Díríonn na cuairteanna seo ar chúram agus chosaint na ndaoine óga.

Má bhíonn gá le hidirghabháil aireachta, pléifidh mé féin leis mar is cuí.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people in Northern Ireland who have died as a result of taking the anti-smoking drug ‘Zyban’.

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Ms de Brún: There have been no reported deaths here.

Níor tuairiscíodh bás ar bith anseo.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail the steps he is taking to assist those with partial or total hearing impairment to gain employment.

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The Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment (Dr Farren): My Department offers a range of practical and financial help to assist people with hearing impairments to gain employment. Information on the Department’s assistance is available in sign language (BSL and ISL) and sub-titled video format, and sign language interpreters can be requested for interviews with Job centre staff. Under the Access to Work (NI) scheme, a wide range of specific assistance can be offered including communication support at job interviews, a support worker in the workplace, specialist equipment and work-based sign language training for immediate work colleagues. In addition to this specific help for hearing impairment, the Department offers job capability assessment, New Deal for Disabled People, Job Introduction Scheme, Employment Support and access to all other Departmental programmes.

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the procedure to be used to assess the number of pensioners who will be entitled to free rail and bus fares following the introduction of the free travel scheme for pensioners on 1 October 2001.

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The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): The detailed procedures relating to the introduction of free travel for older people will be the subject of new agreements to be drawn up between my Department and passenger transport undertakings and approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel. Discussions between my officials and those undertakings and the Department of Finance and Personnel will begin shortly.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline any representation he has made to the Minister of Finance and Personnel to bid for additional funding consequential to the Deputy Prime Minister’s announcement, on 19 February 2001, of an extra £62m for rural buses and to make a statement.

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Mr Campbell: The £62 million of investment, announced by the Deputy Prime Minister, to improve rural bus services in England is an allocation out of the resources already provided in the 2000 spending review. The Northern Ireland block, therefore, has already received its Barnett share. In the December Budget, the Assembly approved the allocation of extra resources to the Rural Transport Fund. In addition, I have bid for a further £1·2 million in each of the next five years, from the Infrastructure Fund, to assist Translink to purchase new low floor buses for use on rural services.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to introduce free transport for pensioners stating (a) the planned timetable for the introduction of the scheme and (b) any restrictions that will apply to journeys undertaken under the scheme.

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Mr Campbell: The scheme will commence on 1 October 2001. It will provide people, who are resident in Northern Ireland, aged 65 and over with unlimited free travel, at any time, on scheduled bus and rail services within Northern Ireland.

Mr Wells asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to reinstate and improve the Ballymacarn Road near Ballynahinch.

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Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that the condition of the Ballymacarn Road near Ballynahinch has deteriorated largely as a result of its extensive use by construction traffic.

The Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 provides that, where roads are damaged by extraordinary traffic, my Department may recover the unusual expense of maintaining the roads from the persons concerned. In the case of Ballymacarn Road, the Roads Service is currently in consultation with the contractor involved in the above- mentioned project regarding the necessary remedial works.

The Roads Service is hopeful that an agreement will be reached in the near future and, pending the implementation of more extensive repairs, will continue to maintain the road in keeping with normal maintenance guidelines to ensure the safety of road users.

Mr Wells asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his plans to update sewage disposal facilities in Rathfriland.

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Mr Campbell: The Wastewater Treatment Works at Rathfriland is operating marginally in excess of its design capacity and requires to be upgraded. A detailed technical appraisal has been initiated to establish the extent and cost of the improvement work.

A study of the Rathfriland sewerage system has recently been completed and a range of minor improvements, estimated to cost £100,000, has been identified. These are not considered to be urgent.

Given current levels of funding and more pressing priorities in the Capital Investment Programme, it is unlikely that the improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Works and the sewerage network will commence before 2005.

Mr Taylor asked the Minister for Regional Development to explain, (a) why the foul sewer was blocked, on Sunday 11 March 2001, at the main road opposite Nos. 16 and 18 Beverley Road, Newtownards, (b) why the Water Service Helpline was not responding to telephone calls that afternoon, and (c) what proposals are there to address this problem.

(AQW 2620/00)

Mr Campbell: The Water Service was informed about a blocked sewer at Beverley Road, Newtownards at approximately 2.00 pm on Sunday 11 March 2001. A maintenance contractor carried out investigations and established that the blockage was caused by an accumulation of building debris and other material in a section of the sewer downstream from Beverley Road. This was cleared by the contractor and free flow was restored at approximately 5.20 pm. This response time was well within the Water Service’s Customer Charter standards. The aim is to have inspection staff on site within 6 working hours and to clear blocked sewers within 1 working day.

A subsequent camera survey of the sewer identified further building debris. Although this is not currently inhibiting the operation of the sewer, arrangements have been made to have this material removed.

The Water Service’s customer service units, which answer calls on the Waterline, are staffed 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. In view of forecasts of heavy rainfall over the weekend of 10/11 March additional call handlers were deployed to deal with an anticipated increase in the number of calls from customers about flooding and blocked sewers. On Sunday 11 March 84 separate incidents were reported to Eastern Division’s customer service unit and 61 calls were answered between 2.00 and 3.00 pm. It is accepted that during this peak period, some calls were not answered as quickly as normal. This may account for the mistaken perception, by some customers, that the Waterline was not operating.

The Water Service has procedures in place for responding to an increased volume of customer calls. These procedures include mobilising additional call handlers to support the affected Divisional customer service unit, diverting calls to other Divisional Units unaffected by an incident, and diverting calls to a call handling centre in England capable of bringing large numbers of call handlers on line at short notice. These procedures are kept under regular review.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the steps he is taking to encourage the creation of cycle lanes in West Tyrone.

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Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service recognises the important role that cycling has to play in creating a sustainable transportation strategy for the future and is committed to playing its part in encouraging a pro-cycle culture throughout Northern Ireland. In the West Tyrone area, the Roads Service has constructed over 6 km of purpose-built cycle paths and has signed approximately 134 km of existing lightly-trafficked minor roads as part of the National Cycle Network (NCN). I understand that Omagh District Council has also contributed to the development of the NCN by creating a further 3 km of off-road cycle paths.

The Roads Service plans to construct a further 1.25 km of cycle path along Gortin Road in Omagh within the coming months. This will complete the NCN in the West Tyrone area.

In addition to the NCN, where practical, the Roads Service constructs new footways, such as that at Dromore Road, Omagh, to a standard suitable for use by both pedestrians and cyclists. The needs of cyclists are also being given careful consideration in the design of new road schemes such as the Strabane bypass and the Omagh throughpass Stage III.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to increase access to public transport for people with disabilities.

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Mr Campbell: Consultation has just ended on draft Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations. A number of points made by consultees are now being considered by officials. These draft regulations lay down standards for the accessibility of trains by people with disabilities and standards that 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 currently in the preliminary stages of ordering. Translink have advised that, where practical, they 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 have already started to replace old buses with new low-floor buses which people with disabilities find easier to use. Translink are 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.

My Department has recently launched a site on the Internet called Getting Out and About. This service provides information on the transport services and related facilities that are available to people with disabilities.

Under the Rural Transport Fund Programme an additional 5 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 McGrady asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to carry out a maintenance programme on rural roads in the constituency of South Down as a result of deterioration caused by severe weather in February 2001.

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Mr Campbell: Within my Department’s Roads Service, the Divisional Roads Managers are currently preparing proposed road maintenance programmes for 2001/02 for the district council areas within their respective Divisions. The Southern Divisional Roads Manager will be presenting his proposals to each district council within the constituency of South Down over the coming weeks.

In general terms, the programmes in rural areas will focus on the structural maintenance of the road network through carriageway resurfacing and surface dressing, along with the repair and augmentation of the road drainage system. These measures will help to address the deterioration of roads which occurred during last winter.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to increase the level of funding for rail transport.

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Mr Campbell: The Budget which the Assembly approved on 18 December 2000 provided for an increase in funding for railways of £19·6m in 2001-02 and indicative increases of £48m and £34·5m in 2002-03 and 2003-04. The resources available should enable the consolidation option in the Railways Task Force’s Interim Report to be taken forward. This involves upgrading those parts of the core network which have not been improved recently and the acquisition of 23 new trains.

Although these increases are most welcome, the resources available for railways are less than those which my predecessor and I sought. I will, therefore, be reviewing the position and may seek further increases in this year’s spending review.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the environmental criteria against which new motorway and bypass projects are considered; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2644/00)

Mr Campbell: Where my Department’s Roads Service is required to carry out an environmental impact assessment for a road scheme, it must do so in accordance with the European Community’s Council Directive No. 85/337/EEC, as amended by Council Directive No. 97/11/EC. That Directive requires that the Environmental Statement must contain the information referred to in Annex IV of the Directive. A copy of Annex IV is attached.

Information Referred to in an Article 5(1)

1. Description of the project, including in particular:-

• a description of the physical characteristics of the whole project and the land-use requirements during the construction and operational phases;
• a description of the main characteristics of the production processes, for instance, nature and quantity of the materials used;
• an estimate, by type and quantity, of expected residues and emissions (water, air and soil pollution, noise, vibration, light, heat, radiator, etc) resulting from the operation of the proposed project.

2. An outline of the main alternatives studied by the developer and an indication of the main reasons for his choice, taking into account the environmental effects.

3. A description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the proposed project, including, in particular, population, fauna, flora, soil water, air, climatic factors, material assets, including the architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the inter-relationship between the above factors.

4. A description of the likely significant effects of the proposed project on the environment resulting from:

• the existence of the project;
• the use of natural resources;
• the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances and the elimination of waste, and the description by the developer of the forecasting methods used to assess the effects on the environment.

5. A description of the measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and where possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment.

6. A non-technical summary of the information provided under the above headings.

7. An indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered by the developer in compiling the required information.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his policy on the introduction of a congestion charge for motorists travelling during peak times to Belfast.

(AQW 2645/00)

Mr Campbell: There are presently no plans to introduce congestion charges in Northern Ireland.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to undertake an urgent maintenance programme for the road network in the Ards Borough Council area.

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Mr Campbell: You will be aware that the funds available for road maintenance are not sufficient to enable my Department’s Roads Service to maintain adequately the country’s road network. The budget for 2001/02 is about half of that which is required. In this context Divisional Roads Managers within Roads Service are currently preparing proposed road maintenance programmes for 2001/02 for the district council areas within their respective Divisions. The Southern Divisional Roads Manager, will be presenting his proposals for the Ards Borough Council area to the Council on 25 June 2001.

In general terms, the programme will focus on the structural maintenance of the road network through carriageway resurfacing and surface dressing, along with the repair and augmentation of the road drainage system.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) the number of public liability claims for damage to vehicles caused by poor road surfaces in the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and (b) what steps he is taking to address the problem.

(AQW 2649/00)

Mr Campbell: The number of public liability claims lodged against the Department for Regional Development during the last two financial years in respect of damage to vehicles was –

1999-2000: 1702 2000-01: 2094

The structural integrity of the road network is the top priority of my Department’s Roads Service. In support of this objective, the Roads Service undertakes a programme of structural maintenance which comprises good value planned activities, such as resurfacing and surface dressing, as well as reactive patching, which is essential to protect my Department against public liability claims.

During 2000-01, as part of the Roads Service Continuous Improvement Programme, new road maintenance standards were introduced. These standards, which take into account varying circumstances (eg the severity of defect and pedestrian and traffic volumes), resulted in quicker response times for repairing road defects.

In addition, I will of course continue to press for additional funds for road maintenance to further reduce the potential for public liability claims.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm (a) that the Central Claims Unit has sufficient staff and resources to process compensation claims within current guidelines and (b) the average timescale for processing a claim.

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Mr Campbell: There are 3 categories of public liability claims which are made against the Department for Regional Development: vehicle damage, property damage and personal injury. The Central Claims Unit deals with all these claims against the Department. As regards vehicle damage, the main business goal of the Unit is to make decisions on those claims within an average of 6 months from receipt of the claim. Recent figures show that the average timescale for processing vehicle damage claims is 5½ months. As this meets their objective, it demonstrates that the unit has sufficient staff and resources to achieve their current targets.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of attacks that have taken place against NIHE personnel in each constituency in the years 1999-00 and 2000-01.

(AQW 2647/00)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): The information is not available by Constituency. The figures by Housing Executive area are as follows:

The figures cover all reported incidents of a threatening nature encountered by Housing Executive staff and include a variety of situations ranging from verbal abuse to physical harm.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister for Social Development to detail what measures are in place, under the Urban II Programme, to promote social inclusion and affordable access to basic services.

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Mr Morrow: The draft Urban II Operational Programme that my Department has prepared has 3 priorities, one of which is developing the potential of people resources. Within that priority there are proposals to develop programmes that will remove key obstacles and maximise opportunities for those most marginalised in inner North Belfast to access training and job linked opportunities. Affordable access to basic services was not highlighted in the consultation process that underpins the proposals but there may be some opportunities in this area through the provision of new facilities for community, training and business development.

The Department’s proposals are subject to agreement with the European Commission.

Mr C Murphy asked the Assembly Commission to detail how much weight will be attached to a civil service board outcome when a civil servant is competing against those from outside the civil service in an external competition for appointment to the Assembly Secretariat.

(AQW 2610/00)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mrs E Bell): No weight is attached to any civil service board outcome in assessing candidates’ suitability for appointment to posts within the Assembly Secretariat, which were the subject of public advertisement.

All appointments to the Assembly Secretariat are made on the basis of selection on merit through fair and open competition. This recruitment principle ensures that all applicants are afforded equality of treatment during the course of their candidature in recruitment competitions and that only the most suitable candidates will be appointed to Assembly posts.

Mr Molloy asked the Assembly Commission to detail what proportion of civil servants, formerly holding secondee positions within the Assembly, were subsequently successful in external competitions for appointment to the Assembly Secretariat.

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The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mrs E Bell): Of the 37 civil servants holding secondee positions in the Assembly and who applied for an advertised post in the Assembly Secretariat, 27 ( 73 %) were successful in securing an appointment.

Mr Maskey asked the Assembly Commission to detail what measures have been put in place to ensure that seconded civil servants, already included on civil service promotion lists, do not enjoy unfair advantage over non-seconded staff in competition for appointment to the Assembly Secretariat.

(AQW 2613/00)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mrs E Bell): No consideration is given to whether candidates are civil servants or non civil servants in determining their suitability for the job.

In accordance with the recruitment principle adopted by the Assembly Commission, all appointments to the Assembly Secretariat are on the basis of selection on merit, through fair and open competition. Adherence to this principle maintains the integrity of the Assembly and cultivates an environment in which applicants for Assembly posts will have confidence in knowing that they will be treated equally and fairly.

All applicants progress through the stages of all Assembly external recruitment competitions solely on their ability to satisfy the requirements of the job for which they have applied.

Mr C Murphy asked the Assembly Commission to confirm that it complies with equality legislation when recruiting staff for (a) new posts, (b) upgrading on a temporary basis and (c) on a full time basis to the Assembly Secretariat.

(AQW 2630/00)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mrs E Bell): All appointments, made to the Assembly Secretariat through external recruitment, comply fully with current equality legislation.

In terms of its recruitment policy the Assembly Commission has adopted the merit principle with all appointments made on the basis of fair and open competition which not only maintains the integrity of the Assembly but also cultivates an environment in which potential applicants for Assembly posts will have confidence that they will be treated in a fair and open manner. The Assembly Commission is committed to attracting the widest pool of applicants to ensure that all sections of the community have the opportunity to compete for employment within the Assembly and that only the most suitable applicants are appointed to Assembly positions.

All job advertisements include the Assembly Commission’s equal opportunities statement, which sets out the Commission’s commitment to equality of opportunity, equity and selection on the basis of merit.

Mr P Doherty asked the Assembly Commission to detail, (a) the number of civil servants, seconded to the Assembly, that have taken up positions on the basis of upgrading or otherwise improved conditions, and (b) what proportion of non civil servants have been recruited on the basis of a negotiated reduction in their former salaries.

(AQW 2631/00)

(a) Of the civil servants seconded to the Assembly Secretariat with effect from 2 December 1999, there have been 27 to date who, through external recruitment, applied for, and were successful in obtaining, appointments at a higher level or under otherwise improved conditions.

(b) Of the 52 non-civil servants recruited to date to the Assembly Secretariat through external recruitment, there have been 8 (15 %) who were recruited on the basis of a negotiated reduction in their former salaries.

All competitions involving temporary upgrading within the Assembly are carried out using procedures which have been agreed with the local Trade Union Side and which fully comply with all equality legislation and the Equality Commission’s Code of Practice.

Ms McWilliams asked the Assembly Commission to detail the number of Assembly staff who are (a) contract staff and (b) permanent staff, and of these, how many are (i) men and (ii) women.

(AQO 1315/00)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Mr J Wells): There are currently 65 contract staff working in the Assembly of whom 38 are men and 27 women. Of the 234 permanent staff, comprising both secondees from the Civil Service and direct recruits, 118 are men and 116 women.

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