Friday 11 May 2001
Written Answers to Questions

Ms Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to advise if the community and voluntary sectors will be represented on the Interdepartmental Working Group for a Children’s Commissioner.

(AQW 2633/00)

Reply: The interdepartmental group comprises senior officials from all NI Departments, plus colleagues from the Northern Ireland Office, and the Northern Ireland Court Service.

We recognise the valuable part that the community and voluntary sectors can play and they will be given every opportunity to make their views known. To facilitate this, we have established a Non Governmental Organisations’ Forum to advise the interdepartmental group, which includes representatives from the community and voluntary sector.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail (a) the costs of the recent visit by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to Washington DC, (b) those officials who accompanied them, (c) the reason why they accompanied them and (d) the costs associated with their visit.

(AQW 2689/00)

Reply: The total costs associated with the visit by the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and supporting officials to Washington in March amount to just under £42,000 including car hire, accommodation and air fares. Within this figure, the costs of air fares and accommodation for accompanying officials amounts to £29,000.

The First Minister was accompanied by his Private Secretary and Principal Information Officer. The Deputy First Minister was accompanied by his Principal Private Secretary, Principal Information Officer and a Special Adviser. In addition, both Ministers were accompanied by a senior official from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

All officials provided support to Ministers during a range of meetings and engagements including with senior members of the US administration.

Mr Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail any discussions with the Children’s Unit within the Department for Education and Employment regarding its remit in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2707/00)

Reply: The Children’s Unit was established within the Department of Education and Employment in November 2000 to look at how best to improve service provision for children and young people and to work closely with the voluntary, statutory, and community sectors to develop a forward strategy.

It has no remit in Northern Ireland as these matters fall within the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. However, officials have been in contact with counterparts in the Unit and will liaise with them to exchange information and best practice in relation to the development of a Children’s Strategy in Northern Ireland.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail all meetings she and her officials have had with Ministers of the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and the Irish Government relative to the Fishing Industry in the last twelve months.

(AQW 2566/00)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): [holding answer 3 May 2001]: I have met Mr Fahey TD on several occasions in the last year, namely 5 July 2000, 10 November 2000 and 6 April 2001. At meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council, on the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights sector. I also had dinner with Mr Fahey on 7 December which included discussion on fisheries issues. I met with Ms Brankin MSP in the pre meeting to the Fisheries Council on 13 March and at the Fisheries Council in Brussels on 14 December. I have not met with my Welsh counterpart to discuss fisheries issues.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail any discussions she has had with a Minister of the Scottish Parliament regarding the fishing vessel ‘tie-up’ scheme.

(AQW 2617/00)

Ms Rodgers: Prior to and in the margins of the December 2000 Fisheries Council I had discussions with other Fisheries Ministers including the Scottish Minister on a range of issues including the impact of the stock recovery programmes and the associated issue of not paying compensation for reductions in fishing opportunities created as a result of stock recovery programmes or reductions in quota.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has made representation to the Minister of Finance and Personnel to acquire additional resources for the fishing vessel ‘tie up’ scheme.

(AQW 2618/00)

Ms Rodgers: I have made no representations to the Minister for Finance and Personnel for additional resources for a fishing vessel ‘tie up’ scheme. As I clarified to the Assembly during the recent fisheries debate on 27 March, I have no proposals to introduce such a scheme as it is not my policy to compensate fishermen for reductions in fishing opportunities as a result of stock recovery programmes or quota reductions.

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) how much money will be made available to pig farmers in Northern Ireland under the Pig Outgoers Scheme mark 2, and (b) if farmers will receive guidance in relation to the likely compensation figure involved.

(AQW 2657/00)

Ms Rodgers: There is no regional breakdown of the provision made available for Outgoers Mark 2. There is a UK scheme which operates on a competitive basis. The amount that ultimately will be paid to producers in Northern Ireland is entirely dependent on their success in the bidding process.

You will be aware that Outgoers Mark 2 closed to applications on 20 April. My officials were unable to provide specific guidance on the level of compensation producers should seek since this scheme, as with the first part of Outgoers, was based on competitive tendering. We did stress the competitive element in all discussions with applicants. However, it was for applicants to decide themselves what maximum level of bid they considered would (a) provide a level of compensation (acceptable to them) for staying out of pig production; and (b) succeed in the bidding competition. My officials were not in a position to advise producers as to the level at which they should pitch their tenders.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the cost to the Department of disinfectant procedures at (a) the Northern Ireland ports and (b) at the border with the Republic of Ireland.

(AQW 2685/00)

Ms Rodgers: The information in the form you request is not readily available because the cost of disinfection procedures is not itemised separately from the myriad of other FMD costs incurred by the Department. There is no obvious or easy method of disaggregating the individual disinfection costs.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will publish a risk assessment report on the spread of foot-and-mouth disease on the sheep flock, cattle herd and pig herd in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2686/00)

Ms Rodgers: DARD is currently undertaking a serological survey on the extent of foot-and-mouth disease sheep in Northern Ireland. Some 10,000 samples are being taken per day. Advice will be issued once results have been assessed.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) the amount of compensation paid to farmers following the outbreak of foot-and- mouth disease (b) the number of (i) cattle (ii) sheep (iii) pigs (iv) and other animals for which compensation was paid and (c) the amount of compensation paid in respect of each category of animal.

(AQW 2693/00)

Ms Rodgers: At 1st May 2001 the total amount of compensation paid to farmers following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is £1,275,774. The number of animals compensated for by species is (i) cattle 409 (ii) sheep 9,150 (iii) pigs 992 and (iv) goats 3. The amount of compensation paid to date by species is (i) cattle £240,235 (ii) sheep £979,584 (iii) pigs £55,830 (iv) goats £125.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm that there were no officials available on the Lifford/Strabane border crossing over the Easter week-end and that vehicles coming from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland were not disinfected.

(AQW 2720/00)

Ms Rodgers: The approach we adopt endeavours to balance risk and response, and apply measures where the threat is highest.

The threat of transmission of FMD to Northern Ireland is predominantly from GB and the focus of our cleaning and disinfection work is therefore at ports and airports. A second but much lower risk of transmission is from the ROI where so far there has only been one outbreak. We reacted to that development by manning roads on the Armagh/Louth border and providing disinfection facilities. The situation is kept under daily review and, in line with the balanced risk/response approach, I will ensure that appropriate new or enhanced precautions are put in place if and when any new threat emerges.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she is taking to ensure that compensation is paid solely in respect of those livestock that were present on holdings where foot- and-mouth disease has been diagnosed.

(AQW 2721/00)

Ms Rodgers: Compensation is only payable for animals present on a holding and where it is considered that their slaughter is necessary to prevent the spread of foot-and- mouth disease. All such animals are valued by a DARD valuation officer, or independent valuer, and compensation is only paid on confirmation of slaughter. Procedures dictate that compensation cannot be paid for animals not present at the time of valuation.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) the total number of animals culled in Northern Ireland as a result of foot- and-mouth disease (b) the breakdown of the numbers of each type of animal culled (c) the total amount of compensation paid as a result of the cull and (d) the number of claimants who have received compensation.

(AQW 2732/00)

Ms Rodgers: Some 45,724 animals have been culled to date consisting of 4,253 cattle, 37,880 sheep, 3,588 pigs and 3 goats. Compensation amounting to £1,275,774 has been paid to 108 producers in respect of 10,554 animals. Final cull and compensation figures will not be available until the disease is eradicated from Northern Ireland.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of people employed directly in agriculture at the latest date for which figures are available.

(AQW 2793/00)

Ms Rodgers: In the June 2000 Agricultural and Horticultural Census, the number of persons employed in farm work at the Census date was 57,823. These include full and part-time farmers, their spouses and other workers, paid and unpaid.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) use information from the June Agricultural Census to estimate the numbers of self-employed persons and employees in agriculture on a basis consistent with statistics for other sectors; their estimate for 2000 is 35,403. This figure excludes part-time farmers, who are demed to be recorded elsewhere, and the spouses of the principal farmers.

Using both definitions, the numbers employed each year between 1991 and 2000 are shown in the attached table, together with the annual percentage changes.

Source: June Agricultural and Horticultural Censuses.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of veterinary surgeons employed by her Department in the last three years.

(AQW 2794/00)

Ms Rodgers: The following details the number of Veterinary Surgeons employed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:

In addition the Department would from time to time call upon the services of Panel Veterinary Surgeons. Although 17 Veterinary Surgeons are currently on the Panel they are generally used infrequently.

The Department also calls upon the services of Private Veterinary Practitioners, mainly for tuberculosis testing. There are currently 93 approved veterinary practices. There are also 78 practices approved for Export Certification duties.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) the estimated number of people employed in agriculture in each of the past ten years and (b) what the percentage change was in each year.

(AQW 2836/00)

Ms Rodgers: In the June 2000 Agricultural and Horticultural Census, the number of persons employed in farm work at the Census date was 57,823. These include full and part-time farmers, their spouses and other workers, paid and unpaid.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) uses information from the June Agricultural Census to estimate the numbers of self-employed persons and employees in agriculture on a basis consistent with statistics for other sectors; this estimate for 2000 is 35,403. This figure excludes part-time farmers, who are deemed to be recorded elsewhere, and the spouses of the principal farmers.

Using both definitions, the numbers employed each year between 1991 and 2000 are shown in the attached table, together with the annual percentage changes.

Source: June Agricultural and Horticultural Censuses.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to AQW 2522/00, to confirm (a)when the two projects will be subject to evaluation and (b) the pre-determined criteria to be used.

(AQW 2841/00)

(a) The two projects are subject to evaluation by the Department on the basis outlined within the respective letters of offer issued to the project promoters. This evaluation of performance against targets will be carried out on an ongoing basis, initially against specific targets for each project and subsequently as part of the overall evaluation of the Castlederg Area Based Strategy. The evaluation process for specific projects funded under the Area Based Strategy is expected to be completed by December 2001 with the evaluation of the overall Strategy anticipated by Summer 2002.

(b) The indicators against which the performance of these two projects will be measured are contained within the respective letters of offer and are detailed below:

• to create community cohesion within the area;
• to provide a range of community services, training and education programmes, youth and elderly facilities, and activity programmes for women and young people;
• to improve the environmental appearance of the area by renovating a previously derelict building;
• to create one full time job in the facility, as well as offering employment opportunities through training and employment initiatives;
• the completion of the facility within the timescale and resources identified;
• the production of project performance information, detailing financial and non financial information including employment, user numbers and cashflows.

• to provide a quality facility for use by the local community within the MourneDerg area, which will be used for facilitating the development of new skills through the delivery of computer training courses;
• to encourage the development of human resource skills within the area, with 120 people successfully completing computer skills training courses;
• to create 3 part time tutor posts;
• to provide a suite of 10 computers and 4 printers;
• to provide internet access for the trainees;
• to seek to encourage participation in training by young people and women to enhance employment skills;

In turn, these performance indicators contribute towards the overall objectives of the Castlederg Area Based Strategy.

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the funds allocated during the last three years to the five education and library boards for investment in information technology, including the internet, in public libraries.

(AQW 2652/00)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The Department funds the Public Library Service at 100% through the Education and Library Boards. Investment in information technology is a matter for each Education and Library Board.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the steps (a) already taken and (b) to be taken this year to make arrangements for ensuring, and assessing, public access to information and to services provided by the authority as required by Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

(AQW 2662/00)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department is committed to effective communication with the public. It recognises, however, that there is a risk that some sections of the public will not enjoy equality of opportunity in accessing information provided by my Department. There are three particular risk areas:

• people with sensory and learning disabilities may have particular difficulties with information in print;
• members of minority ethnic groups, whose first language is not English, may have difficulties with information provided only in English;
• some local newspapers are read predominantly by members of only one of the major religious-political groups (ie Protestants/Unionists or Catholics/ Nationalists).

In disseminating information through the local press, my Department does ensure that press statements and public advertisements are carried by all three Belfast daily newspapers. Where press statements of public advertisements are aimed at a particular area within Northern Ireland, the Department ensures that the information is disseminated through at least two local newspapers circulating in that area, ensuring that the information is accessible to both main political-religious sections of the community.

My Department has given commitments in its Equality Scheme on equality of opportunity in accessing information without prejudice to any rights to information in the current Code of Practice on Open Government or in the new Freedom of Information legislation.

My Department intends that all of its services are fully accessible to all parts of the community and will assess its arrangements for providing information in large print, audio cassette, signed video cassette and various language formats.

The assessment will take account of the statutory requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; the likely demand for information in such formats across its main policy areas; resource implications; and, in particular, the recommendations of current cross- departmental groups. These include the Promoting Social Inclusion (PSI) working groups on minority ethnic people and on access to information and the Steering Group on the Council of Europe Charter on Regional or Minority Languages. The assessment will make recommendations on how public access to information can be better ensured by improving arrangements for providing information in different formats and languages. My Department will consult on these recommendations and will implement them appropriately.

In locating its offices, intended to be open to the public my Department will seek to secure that no section of the community is deterred from visiting, for whatever reason. All public offices will maintain a welcoming and harmonious environment and the Department will adhere to the relevant provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Mr Carrick asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail those grants awarded by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland in each of the past 10 financial years, for which figures are available, to (a) The Gaelic Athletic Association and (b) Association Football.

(AQW 2683/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The information is included in the tables below. The Lottery was introduced in 1994/95 and funding from this source did not become available until 1995/96.

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to explain why, when the recent review of curatorial grade F and E work identifies the need for 11 additional curatorial staff to be appointed, the Management of PRONI continues to refuse to offer the posts to those grade E staff who formerly held similar posts in 1996.

(AQW 2690/00)

Mr McGimpsey: In my response to AQW1695 dated 19 February I indicated to you that PRONI’s senior management team was considering a number of recommendations contained in various organisational and efficiency reports. The Management Team has now decided on the recommendations which it proposes to accept and is in the process of implementing them.

In particular PRONI has accepted the findings of the review of curatorial F and E work in relation to grading. These include the identification and description of three levels of archival work. Based on descriptions of these levels the review team concluded, and PRONI accepts, that the bulk of work which needs to be done lies at grade F level and below.

In these circumstances it would not be appropriate for PRONI to employ higher graded (and higher paid) curatorial grade E staff for an indefinite period to carry out work at the lower curatorial F level. To accept this proposition would leave the Department open to criticism and possible censure on a number of fronts:-

• it would run counter to grading standards and principles which underpin pay arrangements across the NICS;
• it would be inefficient and would not provide good value for money for the taxpayer;
• it would set a precedent which could give rise to claims under equal pay legislation from, for example, staff at grade F level who would be carrying out the same tasks for less pay.

Subject to the availability of finance, and to agreement on changes to the recruitment and progression processes, PRONI wishes to recruit up to 12 staff at curatorial F level and 1 at curatorial E level. The latter case may well provide an opportunity for the staff formerly graded as curatorial E to apply for an appointment in PRONI.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether the Sports Council for Northern Ireland recognises the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) as a body to represent shooting interests in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2697/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council recognises BASC as a bona fide representative body of shooting interests in Northern Ireland but not as a Governing Body for Competitive Shooting disciplines. The BASC are not affiliated to the International Governing Bodies for shooting disciplines which organise Olympic/World championships.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to consider awarding long-term shooting rights for Lough Erne rather than the current three-year renewal system and when could the new process commence.

(AQW 2752/00)

Mr McGimpsey: With devolution, ownership of the public shooting rights on Lough Erne transferred to my Department from the former Department of Agriculture. As you may be aware, that Department (through the Rivers Agency), at the request of Lough Erne Wildfowlers Council in conjunction with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, entered into a licence arrangement effectively allowing them management control of these sporting rights for an initial trial period of three years commencing 1 September 1998.

My Department has inherited and honoured that licence which is due to be reviewed at the end of its three-year tenure. You have my assurance that your request will be considered when formulating our future policy for the management of these Lough Erne shooting rights.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Education to outline when he will bring forward legislation which will reflect special educational needs and disability; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2619/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): I am pleased to confirm that my Department has begun work on the preparation of legislation for Northern Ireland equivalent to that contained in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill currently making its way through Westminster.

This legislation will impinge upon the functions of my Department and that of the Department of Higher and Further Education Training and Employment. Dr Séan Farren Minister of that Department and I have agreed joint sponsorship of this legislation. It is our aim to introduce this legislation in the next Assembly Session.

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Education to confirm if the consultation document on a Common Funding Formula for Granted-Aided Schools is available in Irish and if so, (a) how much did it cost to produce in Irish; and (b) was the contract for translating it into Irish put out for tender and if so, who was the successful bidder or if not, what process was used to award the contract.

(AQW 2668/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The Consultation Document on a Common Funding Formula for Grant-Aided Schools and the Response Form were published on 5 April 2001 and will be available in Irish to meet the needs of Irish-medium schools and units.

Because of the size of these documents, the normal translation service was not able to undertake the work so a single tender action was initiated with another of the recommended translators to translate both documents into Irish at a cost of £5,473.50. The document is being reproduced by the internal facility within the Department.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education to detail what funding he has made available to the NEELB in each financial year since 1998 for the improvement of school buildings and to list the school buildings that have benefited from any such funding.

(AQW 2730/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Capital funding made available to the NEELB in each financial year since 1998 is as follows:-

The school buildings that benefited from this funding are attached.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Education to detail the progress made towards the provision of pre- school places for all.

(AQW 2733/00)

Mr M McGuinness: In 1997 there were funded places for 45% of all children in their final pre-school year. As a result of my Department’s Pre-School Education Expansion Programme, that figure has risen to 75% this academic year (2000/01), and is expected to exceed 85% in 2001/02. The aim of the programme is to have places for all children in their final pre-school year whose parents wish it by March 2003.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the number of grant aided schools in Northern Ireland which have radon levels of over 400 Becquerels.

(AQW 2754/00)

Mr M McGuinness: I am aware of only one school at present where radon gas concentrations exceed 400 becquerels per cubic metre. The school is taking advice from the Health and Safety Executive as to what further action is necessary.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Education to detail his plans to survey schools for radon gas.

(AQW 2755/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The North-Eastern, South-Eastern and Southern Education and Library Boards have all carried out tests for radon gas in schools in their areas and the Western Board is planning to undertake similar tests. There are no plans to survey schools in the Belfast Board area because of the low radon levels in the geographical area.

Ms Morrice asked the Minister of Education to explain why Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) professionals have been excluded from the North South Task Force that is deliberating on the infrastructure needed for helping children with autism.

(AQW 2759/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The North-South Special Education Co-ordinating Group is limited to officials from the respective Education Departments. An Inter-Board Task Group has been established in the North to advise my Department on training and other matters relating to education provision for autistic children. For manageability reasons, this Group was kept small, but it is engaging with a range of individuals and organisations with an interest in the education of autistic children. A representative of the Group has already met with a parents’ group supporting the Applied Behaviour Analysis approach and one professional in this area.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of primary and non-primary schools that have been affected by closure on account of foot-and-mouth disease.

(AQW 2763/00)

Mr M McGuinness: One primary school was closed for two days and one non-primary school was closed

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education what advice is being given to parents in the rural community on whether children should be withheld from school on account of the outbreak of foot-and- mouth disease.

(AQW 2764/00)

Mr M McGuinness: On the advice of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Education issued general guidance to all schools on 2 March 2001 indicating that it would not be necessary for schools to close and that, subject to local circumstances, schools would be expected to remain open.

Education and Library Boards and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools provided further advice in relation to children who had recent close contact with livestock and attend schools in a designated infected area.

This guidance provided that such pupils should keep away from school and:

• can return to school when 7 days have elapsed since their last contact with livestock provided the livestock concerned has not been identified as having the foot and mouth virus;
• should not return to school if their lifestyle involves ongoing contact with livestock.

Mr G Kelly asked the Minister of Education to outline when he expects to publish the bilateral concordat between his Department and the Department for Education and Employment.

(AQW 2930/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The Secretary of State for Education and Employment and I have today agreed the text of the Concordat between the Department of Education and Employment and the Department of Education. Copies of the Concordat have been placed in the Assembly Library.

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