Friday 11 May 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline when he will establish a Joint Energy Council to serve the interests of gas and electricity consumers; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2676/00)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): My Department circulated a paper to interested parties in early March seeking views on the main options for the reform of the existing gas and electricity consumer representation arrangements. Most responses have now been received and these are currently being analysed. I plan to announce my preferred option before the summer recess. Changes to the existing arrangements will require primary legislation.

Mr O’Connor asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail what grants have been paid to Lintrend Textiles Limited and Lintrend Lamont Limited since 1989 and for what purpose.

(AQW 2691/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Lintrend Textiles (NI) Limited first approached LEDU in 1989 with a view to acquiring assistance to develop the company. A number of meetings took place with LEDU and the company was requested to provide more details - only limited information was forthcoming and as a result no assistance was offered to the company.

Lintrend Lamont Limited received no LEDU assistance.

IDB has no record of any grant payments to either Lintrend Textiles and Lintrend Lamont Ltd.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline progress to date in the creation of a Regional Research, Development and Innovation Strategy.

(AQO 1420/00)

Sir Reg Empey: A Working Group, comprised of senior officials from NI Departments, has been reconvened to carry forward the work of preparing a Regional Research, Development and Innovation Strategy. The Group is in the process of commissioning consultants to assist with the drafting of this Strategy; an important element of which will be a consultation exercise with the key interest groups.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the estimated loss in visitors and finance to the North West as a result of the cancellation of the North West 200 motorcycle event.

(AQO 1399/00)

Sir Reg Empey: I am pleased that a good proportion of accommodation bookings made in the North West for the period of the event have not been cancelled. I hope that the alternative ‘North West Fest’, organised by Coleraine Borough Council, will minimise loss of revenue to the area.

Mr Neeson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to confirm if the North/South Tourism Company has started its work to promote Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as an island destination in the North American market.

(AQO 1398/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The company is currently developing major proposals for marketing and promotional activities in key international markets including North America. It is intended that these will be in place for the 2002 tourist season.

Mrs Courtney asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the current position of the application by Questar/Bord Gais for a gas pipeline license and when an announcement is likely to be made.

(AQO 1411/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Gas Licences are issued by the Director General of Gas for Northern Ireland. I understand that the application by Questar/Bord Gais is currently the subject of negotiations between the companies and the Director General. It is not possible to say when the negotiations will be completed and an announcement made.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of the impact of foot-and-mouth disease on business and tourist establishments in the South Down area.

(AQO 1365/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The foot-and-mouth outbreak has had a significant effect on many businesses particularly those involved or associated with the agricultural and tourism sectors. My Department has been specifically monitoring the effects on the tourism and food processing sectors of industry. The Executive has set up a taskforce led by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister involving my and other Departments to monitor the wider economic consequences of the outbreak. It will also consider what feasible and practicable measures would be appropriate to support those sectors most affected, taking account of local circumstances.

As announced previously, I have made £1million of Government funding available to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to implement an integrated tourism recovery plan. This is aimed to restore tourism business throughout Northern Ireland. I am aware that the Kingdoms of Down Regional Tourism Organisation (covering North Down, Ards, Lisburn and Down District Council areas) has availed of funding under the NITB recovery package. Marketing assistance will also be available, indirectly, to tourism businesses in the South Down area via additional funding provided to accommodation sectoral groups.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail how many people have been made redundant in Northern Ireland in both public and private sectors since 1998.

(AQO 1407/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Robust estimates of redundancies split by public/private sector are not available. However, over the period from January 1998 to March 2001 there have been 15,489 confirmed redundancies in Northern Ireland jointly in the public and private sectors.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to provide details of those reviews which he has undertaken or is undertaking this year to build New TSN into funding formulae.

(AQO 1410/00)

Sir Reg Empey: As part of ongoing financial monitoring procedures, DETI identifies the New TSN implications of each policy or programme and this information is considered during the planning and allocating of resources. A consultant was recently appointed by OFMDFM to assist departments in further refining their method of identifying New TSN impact.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of the impact of foot-and-mouth disease on businesses; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1384/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The foot-and-mouth outbreak has had a significant effect on many businesses particularly those involved or associated with the agricultural and tourism sectors. My Department has been specifically monitoring the effects on the tourism and food processing sectors of industry. The Executive has set up a taskforce led by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister involving my and other Departments to monitor the wider economic consequences of the outbreak. It will also consider what feasible and practicable measures would be appropriate to support those sectors most affected, taking account of local circumstances.

Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to consider setting up a cross border business park on the Strabane/Lifford border in conjunction with the New Single Economic Agency and the Industrial Development Authority; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1401/00)

Sir Reg Empey: IDB and IDA officials are co-operating in a number of ventures under the Invest North West Initiative aimed at attracting further investment to Strabane, Derry, Limavady and Donegal. There are no plans currently for a cross-border business park at Strabane/ Lifford. However IDB is committed to providing 20000 sq ft of new business space in Strabane.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will undertake to avail of the opportunities that exist in Tourism promotional literature and advertising to promote the quality of Northern Ireland agricultural produce.

(AQO 1392/00)

Sir Reg Empey: I have asked IDB and LEDU to draw up an enhanced programme of marketing support for the food processing sector. This will be co-ordinated with the promotional activities of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Ms Morrice asked the Minister of the Environment to introduce legislation to ensure that all cars for sale at auction, including those ‘sold as seen’, have passed basic mechanical checks to ensure they are safe and roadworthy before leaving the auction premises.

(AQW 2706/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): Article 83 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 makes it an offence, subject to a maximum fine of £5000, for a person, to sell, offer to sell or supply a motor vehicle or trailer in an unroadworthy condition.

Case law has established that, for cars sold through auction, this liability does not pass to the auctioneer, on the grounds that the auctioneer seeks offers to buy rather than making offers to sell. I have asked my officials to seek legal advice on whether, in these circumstances, Article 83 liability remains with the owner who puts the car up for auction. I will write to the Member when this advice has been received.

It should also be borne in mind that it is the responsibility of motorists to ensure that vehicles being driven on public roads comply with the requirements of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999; and, if a vehicle is four years old or more, that it has a valid MOT certificate. Prospective buyers at auctions should therefore satisfy themselves about the roadworthiness of vehicles before purchase, including examination by a qualified engineer.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of the Environment what account he took of the effect of noise disturbance to local residents when considering the application for an extension to ‘The Sly Fox’, Moy, Co Tyrone.

(AQW 2710/00)

Mr Foster: My Department consulted with the Environmental Health Department of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, which indicated that it had no objection in principle to the proposed extension.

My Department also took account of the nature of the proposal and its location, and concluded that the proposed extension to an existing licensed premise within a mixed- use area in a village centre location was an acceptable proposal.

While increasing the size of the premises creates potential for a larger number of patrons my Department cannot assume that this factor alone will necessarily result in an unacceptable increase in noise and disturbance.

The district council has the power to take action if noise nuisance occurs.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of the Environment what account he took of the effect on visual amenity when considering the application for an extension to ‘The Sly Fox’, Moy, Co Tyrone.

(AQW 2712/00)

Mr Foster: Policy CON 5 of the Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland was the relevant policy context at the time of the determination in 1998. The Department judged that this 2-storey rear extension to an existing 3-storey property was acceptable, as it did not make an undue impact on the scale or proportions of the existing property. In addition, the setting of the existing building, together with the character and appearance of adjoining properties, was not prejudiced.

The original building is a listed building and a separate application for listed building consent was required and Historic Monuments and Buildings Branch was consulted. After some minor, mainly internal, alterations were carried out to the original submission, Historic Monuments and Buildings Branch confirmed that it had no objection to the scheme and was satisfied with its visual appearance.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of the Environment when he will introduce policy guidelines for extensions or alterations to licensed premises in villages; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2713/00)

Mr Foster: General planning policies for development in towns and villages including extensions or alterations to licensed premises are set out in ‘The Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland’. Land use and design issues are covered in Des 2, Des 8 and SP 18. Planning Policy Statement 3 ‘Roads Considerations’ advises on all traffic matters. Supplementary planning guidance is contained within the ‘Development Control Advice Note No. 7-Public Houses.’

Planning Service assesses the impact of such proposals through the planning application process with reference to these policies. Such applications are usually referred to the Environmental Health Department of the District Council for advice and comments especially on amenity matters.

As Planning Service considers the existing general policies and guidance to be adequate, the Department has no proposals to revise present policy, or to introduce new policy guidelines regarding extension or alterations to licensed premises.

Mr J Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment to list the rivers and lakes in Northern Ireland that are monitored for water quality and detail the regularity of the sampling process.

(AQW 2745/00)

Mr Foster: I am pleased to say that in 2000, following a review, the extent of the river network monitored by the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) of my Department was more than doubled from 280 sites to 600 sites. This will enable some 5200 km of rivers to be classified biologically and some 4200 km to be classified chemically.

I am arranging for a full list of the sites in rivers and lakes which comprise the routine chemical and biological monitoring network to be sent to the Member. This list also shows the frequency of sampling at each site during 2000. Information on water quality at these sites is available on the EHS web site (www.ehsni.gov.uk).

The rationale for the EHS monitoring strategy and objectives for the monitoring network are to be published in a short report which will be made available on the EHS web site by June this year.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of the Environment to give his assessment of how the executive will respond to a European Commission consultation paper, of 27 March 2001, SEC (2001) 517, setting out the Commission services’ initial views on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable development.

(AQW 2750/00)

Mr Foster: Responsibility for responding to European Commission proposals, including the consultation paper for an EU Sustainable Development Strategy, rests with the UK government.

I understand that the consultation paper is broadly in line with the UK Government’s Strategy on sustainable development, which was published in 1999. This set out four objectives to be met at the same time:

• social progress which recognises the needs of everyone;
• effective protection of the environment;
• prudent use of natural resources; and
• maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.

These objectives are reflected in the Programme for Government. The Executive intends to consult on proposals for a Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland later in the year. The Commission’s views will be taken into account as part of that process.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (a) the criteria used for the allocation of funds from the Children’s Fund, (b) was this criteria subject to an Equality Impact Assessment and (c) was it formulated in consultation with the voluntary and community sector.

(AQW 2708/00)

(a) The criteria for the allocation of funds from the Children’s Fund are:-

• that the proposal will provide direct support for children in need or young people at risk;
• where possible, that the proposal involves co-ordinated actions across Departments;
• where feasible, that the proposal complements existing actions by Departments or by non- governmental bodies; and
• where the proposal covers assistance for third parties, that there is a comprehensive management agreement available for the resources.

(b) The policy of establishing Executive Programme Funds, including the Children’s Fund, was included in the draft Programme for Government, which was submitted to an Equality Impact Assessment and widespread consultation.

(c) The consultation process, which ran from 24 October until 15 January, involved a large number of non-governmental organisations. Responses were received from 120 organisations including many of the main children’s organisations in Northern Ireland. In advance of Budget statement, I met with a delegation from the Children’s Fund Lobby Group to hear their views on the concept of the Children’s Fund and I understand that Mr Haughey and Mr Nesbitt had a meeting to discuss its operation. The representations that were made by children’s and other non-governmental organisations were taken into account in finalising the detailed criteria and management arrangements for the Children’s Fund. The detailed arrangements for the distribution of the funds to the voluntary and community sector are currently being developed. There will be full consultation with the voluntary and community sector on these and they will be subject to an equality impact assessment.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety 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 2663/00)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): Section 8 of my Department’s Equality Scheme sets out commitments on public access to information and services.

Steps taken this year to ensure public access to information include:

• face to face meetings, focus groups and public meetings with relevant groups to disseminate information and obtain views;
• convening of conferences with relevant groups;
• placing of relevant documents and consultation papers on the Department’s Internet website;
• making available consultation documents in a range of accessible formats;
• making available the views expressed in consultation and produced summaries of key documents.

Actions planned this year include:

• assessing our arrangements for providing information as set out in the Department’s Equality Scheme, and to consult widely on the findings and recommendations prior to implementation;
• disseminating findings arising from equality impact assessments and other public consultation exercises using a variety of accessible formats and methods;
• workshops on best practice and the production of guidelines for staff on public consultation.

Leagann Mír 8 de Scéim Chomhionannais mo Roinne gealltanais amach ar theacht an phobail ar eolas agus ar sheirbhísí.

I measc na mbeart a rinneadh i mbliana le cinntiú go dtagann an pobal ar eolas tá:

• cruinnithe aghaidh ar aghaidh, cruinnithe fócasghrúpa agus poiblí le grúpaí feiliúnacha chun eolas a scaipeadh agus chun tuairimí a fháil;
• tionól comhdhálacha le grúpaí feiliúnacha;
• cur cáipéisí feiliúnacha agus páipéir chomhairlithe ar líonláithreán Idirlín na Roinne;
• cur ar fáil cáipéisí comhairlithe i réimse leaganacha infhaighte;
• cur ar fáil na dtuairimí curtha in iúl sa phróiseas comhairlithe agus achoimrí ar eochaircháipéisí foilsithe.

I measc na mbeart pleanáilte i mbliana tá:

• Measúnú ar ár socruithe chun eolas a chur ar fáil, mar atá leagtha amach i Scéim Chomhionannais na Roinne, agus dul i gcomhairle fhorleathan ar na bearta agus ar na moltaí sula gcuirtear i bhfeidhm iad;
• scaipeadh na mbeart a thagann ó mheasúnuithe na héifeachta ó chomhionannas agus ó chleachtaí comhairlithe poiblí eile, ag úsáid leaganacha agus modhanna infhaighte éagsúla;
• ceardlanna ar an chleachtadh is fearr agus foilsiú treoirlínte don fhoireann ar chomhairliú poiblí.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of monies paid to private hire taxi companies by Trust Board area for each of the last four financial years for which figures are available.

(AQW 2674/00)

Ms de Brún: The information required for the years 1996-2000 is as follows:

Mar a leanas, seo an t-eolas a iarradh do na blianta 1996-2000:

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the criteria for the use of private hire taxis by Trust Boards.

(AQW 2675/00)

Ms de Brún: A Regional Transport Manual for the HPSS was produced and issued by Department in June 1998. In relation to the use of taxis it states clearly that their use should be strictly controlled in order to minimise costs. Trusts have to ensure that when taxis are used to support fleet operation for regular or adhoc work, that there are proper management protocols and monitoring arrangements in place.

Trusts must have mechanisms in place to ensure relevant Directors are notified of expenditure on taxis. Also taxi services obtained from commercial taxi companies are subject to a process of tender through Regional Supplies Services.

D’fhoilsigh agus chuir an Roinn Lámhleabhar Réigiúnach Iompar amach do na SSSP i Mí Mheithimh 1998. Maidir le húsáid tacsaithe, cuireann sé in iúl go soiléir gur chóir dá n-úsáid bheith stiúrtha go docht le costais a híoslaghdú. Ní mór d’Iontaobhais cinntiú go bhfuil proctacail bhainistíochta chearta agus socruithe monatóireachta i bhfeidhm nuair a úsáidtear tacsaithe d’obair rialta nó anois agus arís le tacú leis an scuaidrín tacsaithe.

Ba chóir d’Iontaobhais meicníochtaí a chur i bhfeidhm le cinntiú go gcuirtear an caiteachas ar thacsaithe in iúl do na Stiúrthóirí cuí. Tá seirbhísí tacsaí a fhaightear ó chomhlachtaí trácthtála tacsaí faoi réir próiseas tairisceana trí Sheirbhísí Réigiúnacha Soláthair fosta.

Mr Wells asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she intends to approve the use of the drug ‘Epothilone’ for the treatment of cancer.

(AQW 2678/00)

Ms de Brún: Epothilones are a new class of potential anti-tumour compounds which are at a very early stage of pre-clinical development. They are not recommended for the treatment of patients at present, although it is anticipated that these drugs will go into early clinical development in the near future.

Is sórt cumasc ionchasach nua frithshiada iad eapatealóin atá ag céim an-luath d’fhorbairt réamhchliniciúil. Ní mholtar do chóireáil othar iad faoi láthair, cé go bhfuiltear ag súil go ndéanfar forbairt réamhchliniciúil luath ar na drugaí seo ar ball.

Mr Wells asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number of patients that received Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) treatment during the years 1999 and 2000 (b) the success rate of the treatment and (c) the number of patients who suffered side effects as a result of ECT treatment.

(AQW 2679/00)

(a) In 1999, 736 patients received ECT treatment in local hospitals. The figure for 2000 was 645.

(b) This information is not collected.

(c) This information is not collected.

(b) Ní chruinnítear an t-eolas seo.

(c) Ní chruinnítear an t-eolas seo.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of the role of European Funding in the provision of day care facilities and other resources to those individuals with learning disabilities.

(AQW 2682/00)

Ms de Brún: European funding has enabled Health and Social Services Trusts, in partnership with the voluntary sector, to promote a diversity of vocational and non- vocational training schemes for people with a learning disability, resulting in an overall increase in available day care places.

Chuir maoiniú Eorpach ar chumas Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta, i gcomhar leis an earnáil dheonach, scéimeanna oiliúna gairmiúla agus neamhghairmiúla éagsúla a chur chun cinn do dhaoine le míchumas foghlama ar tháinig méadú san iomlán sna háiteanna cúraim lae ar fáil astu.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline who is responsible for the cost of inspection of imported meat from (a) the European Union and (b) other countries; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2687/00)

Ms de Brún: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that where meat from other Member States arrives in licensed meat premises here checks are carried out by Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) Veterinary staff covering both the public and animal health aspects. DARD costs are recovered from the industry as part of the general meat inspection charge. Where meat is imported directly from another Member State to a premises under the supervision of a District Council, the Council is responsible for the checks and also recovers costs from the industry.

Checks on meat imported from third-world countries are carried out jointly by DARD and District Council Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) at the local Border Inspection Post and fees are levied for the animal health and public health checks carried out.

Mhol an Ghníomhaireacht um Chaighdeáin Bhia dom gur chóir go ndéanfadh foireann Tréidliachta na Roinne Talmhaíochta agus Forbairt Tuaithe (RTFT) seiceáil ar fheoil a thagann go háitribh chéadúnaithe fheola anseo ó Bhallstáit eile, ag cumhdach gnéithe sláinte poiblí agus ainmhithe araon. Faightear costais RTFT ar ais ón tionscal mar chuid den táille cigireachta ginearálta ar fheoil. Áit a n-iompórtáiltear feoil go díreach ó Bhallstát eile go háitreabh faoi mhaoirseacht Comhairle Ceantair, tá an Chomhairle freagrach as an seiceáil agus as fáil ar ais na gcostas ón tionscal fosta.

Déanann RTFT agus Oifigigh Thimpeallachta Sláinte Chomhairle Ceantair (OTS) comhsheiceáil ar fheoil iompórtáilte ó Thríú Tír ag Ionad Teorann Áitiúil Cigireachta agus gearrtar táillí ar an chomhsheiceáil shláinte poiblí agus shláinte ainmhithe a dhéantar.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in respect of haemophiliacs, to detail (a) what services are available (b) what steps she is taking to improve the level of service and (c) the timescale and cost of such improvements.

(AQW 2692/00)

Ms de Brún: The Haemophiliacs Centre at the Royal Hospital provides specialist comprehensive care for adults and children with bleeding and thrombotic conditions. The service includes specialist nursing and medical management for the diagnosis and treatment of bleeding and thrombotic disorders, laboratory services and a genetic service for the investigation and diagnosis of haemophilia carriers. Counselling for patients and their families, social worker access, dental and full medical services are also available, as well as home therapy and prophylactic programmes.

As regards improvements to the service, a new draft service specification has been produced and is under consideration in the Department of Health in Great Britain. My Department will be monitoring developments there.

Soláthraíonn an tIonad Haemaifiliach ag an Otharlann Ríoga cúram sainiúil cuimsitheach do dhaoine fásta agus do pháistí le riochtaí fola agus trombótacha. Leis an tseirbhís, tá bainistíocht shainiúil bhanaltrachta agus mhíochaine d’fháthmheas agus do chóireáil neamhord fola agus trombótach, seirbhísí saotharlainne agus seirbhís ghéiniteach d’fhiosrú agus d’fháthmheas iompróirí haemaifilia. Tá comhairle do thuismitheoirí agus dá dteaghlaigh, teacht ar oibrí sóisialta, agus seirbhísí iomlána fiaclóireachta agus míochaine ar fáil fosta, chomh maith le teiripe baile agus cláir phróifiolactacha.

Maidir le feabhsuithe sa tseirbhís, rinneadh dréacht nua bunriachtanas seirbhíse agus tá machnamh á dhéanamh air sa Roinn Sláinte ar an Bhreatain Mhór. Beidh an Roinn s’agamsa ag coinneáil súile ar chastaí nua thall ansin.

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