Friday 18 May 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his policy to increase investment in the minor road network; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2771/00)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): It is clear that the levels of expenditure on Northern Ireland’s roads over recent years have been inadequate to maintain properly or improve the existing road network. I will therefore be considering, as part of the work currently underway to develop a 10-year Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) for Northern Ireland, the scale of the infrastructural investment required on roads, including minor roads. The RTS will consider ways of increasing investment in transportation infrastructure and also how any additional money might best be spent. I hope to be in a position to consult the Regional Development Committee in Autumn this year about the draft RTS.

Until such times as the RTS is in place, I will continue to press for additional funds for the road network at all opportunities.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQO 278/99, to seek advice from the RUC and ascertain local business support for the removal of flags from street lighting standards in Strabane town centre.

(AQW 2776/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that the flags on street lighting columns in Strabane town centre are not a danger to road users and, at present, it has no plans to remove them. Roads Service is not aware of any strong local support to have the flags removed and, in line with the response given by my predecessor, Mr Peter Robinson, to AQO 278/99, it does not feel it is appropriate in this instance to seek the advice of the RUC about removing the flags. The problem of flag flying is prevalent throughout Northern Ireland and Roads Service does not have the resources to enable it to be pro-active in measuring the extent of local support for the removal of flags from its property. In this context there is a need for general consensus across the political spectrum before a programme to remove flags or other emblems can be initiated.

Mr Berry asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to reduce the speed of traffic on the Mullahead Road, Tandragee.

(AQW 2777/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service, in consultation with the RUC, take into account a number of factors when considering if there is a need to introduce a speed restriction on a road. These include the density and type of development along the road, the nature of the road, pedestrian and cycle usage, the history of recorded personal injury road accidents and the current speed of traffic.

I understand that Mullahead Road is a rural, relatively lightly trafficked route with no development in depth. It is little used by pedestrians and cyclists. When these factors are considered, together with the accident history, Mullahead Road falls well short of the criteria associated with the provision of a 30 or 40 mph speed limit.

Roads Service has therefore no plans to introduce a speed restriction on the road. I would, however, refer you to my answer to your Oral Assembly Question (AQO 1424/00) which I gave yesterday.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail when Lagmore Avenue, Dunmurry, will be adopted by Road Service.

(AQW 2801/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that Lagmore Avenue has been constructed in phases as a distributor road for housing development and that:

• the section of road from its junction with Stewartstown Road to the Glenfearna Park development is adopted;
• the section from the Glenfearna Park development to the Glendowan development is expected to be adopted following the completion by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) of some outstanding work. This work, which has been agreed with Roads Service, is programmed for completion in early summer;
• the section between the Glendowan development and the Tealing development is currently showing signs of structural failure and the NIHE proposes to carry out remedial works during the autumn period. Subject to completion of this work and a 12 month maintenance period, this section of road will also be adopted by Roads Service;
• and a further short section will be adopted when the next housing development currently under construction is satisfactorily completed and maintained for a 12 month period.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development how much money has been allocated over the last 5 years to traffic calming schemes across each divisional headquarters area.

(AQW 2804/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service allocates money for traffic calming schemes to its Divisions as part of their overall minor works allocation. The overall minor works allocation is apportioned taking into account the lengths of urban and rural roads, the number of accidents and the population in each Division.

Individual traffic calming schemes are assessed taking into account such factors as the accident history, the volume and speed of traffic and the local environment of the area or street being considered. The overall programme of traffic calming schemes is co-ordinated by Roads Service Headquarters.

As you may know, on 10 April 2001, I announced that the overall funds available this year have been increased to £1.8 million.

The tables below show the Roads Service expenditure on traffic calming schemes on a divisional basis during each of the last five years (the tables reflect the reorganisation of Roads Service which took effect from 1 April 1999):

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline what criteria he uses when allocating money to traffic calming schemes across each divisional headquarters area.

(AQW 2805/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service allocates money for traffic calming schemes to its divisions as part of their overall minor works allocation. The overall minor works allocation is apportioned taking into account the lengths of urban and rural roads, the number of accidents and the population in each division.

Individual traffic calming schemes are assessed taking into account such factors as the accident history, the volume and speed of traffic and the local environment of the area or street being considered. The overall programme of traffic calming schemes is co-ordinated by Roads Service Headquarters.

As you may know, on 10 April 2001, I announced that the overall funds available this year have been increased to £1.8 million.

The tables below show the Roads Service expenditure on traffic calming schemes on a divisional basis during each of the last five years (the tables reflect the reorganisation of Roads Service which took effect from 1 April 1999):

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development whether, as a result of the introduction of the Private Street (Construction) Regulations 2001, he intends to use the savings accrued to upgrade inadequate or non- existent street lighting in other areas.

(AQW 2810/00)

Mr Campbell: The Private Streets (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 which came into operation on 1 May 2001, place responsibility on developers to provide street lighting in new developments determined as part of the planning process after that date. My Department’s Roads Service is, however, still responsible for the provision of street lighting facilities in new developments that were determined prior to 1 May 2001. Since a grant of full planning permission is valid for 5 years, the savings arising from this legislation could take some time to be fully realised.

While I will be seeking to retain any eventual savings within my Department’s budget, it is not possible to indicate at this time how such savings might ultimately be used. For example, the impact of both the Climate Change Levy and the increase in NIE energy charges within the last year has resulted in an unavoidable increase in street lighting maintenance charges of approximately £1 million. Unless additional funding is made available, this increase will have to be met from the existing Departmental budget.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to explain how the new Private Street (Construction) Regulations 2001 will address the issue of the provision of street lighting when a series of single homes are constructed by individual builders over a period of time.

(AQW 2812/00)

Mr Campbell: The Private Streets (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2001, which came into operation on 1 May 2001 places responsibility on developers to provide street lighting in new developments determined as part of the planning process after that date.

Any such street, determined after 1 May 2001, will be subject to the provision of a bond to cover the cost of the construction of the street and necessary services, including street lighting. The developer taking out the bond will be responsible for providing street lighting, even if individual builders construct some or all of the dwellings.

Mr Berry asked the Minister for Regional Development when he intends to introduce traffic calming measures on the A 27.

(AQW 2814/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has no plans to introduce further traffic calming measures along the A27 Portadown to Newry road at this time.

Traffic calming measures are considered to be most beneficial and safe when used in urban residential areas which are governed by a 30 mph speed limit. The A27 is mainly rural in nature with little or no development along its length and, with the exception of the villages of Tandragee and Poyntzpass which have been previously treated with traffic calming measures, is subject to a 60 mph speed limit.

Roads Service officials will, however, continue to work closely with the RUC Traffic Branch to improve road safety along this route by the introduction of traffic or other road improvement measures where appropriate.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail when the Slievenagarragh, Yellow Road, Hilltown will be adopted by Road Service.

(AQW 2829/00)

Mr Campbell: In the case of private streets that have been determined through the planning process (as is the case with the developments referred to in the two questions), it is the responsibility of developers to bring the roads and sewers up to the required standards for adoption by my Department. When roads and sewers are constructed to the required standards, they are adopted after they have been satisfactorily maintained for a 12-month period.

My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that the development at Slievenagarragh, Yellow Road, Hilltown is being constructed in 2 phases:

• 90% of the roads in Phase I are kerbed and stoned and the developer has assured Roads Service that the basecourse bitmac will be laid this week; and
• the roads in Phase II are currently being constructed.

As regards the development at Carquillan, Main Street, Hilltown, it is being constructed in 3 phases:

• the roads in Phase I are laid in basecourse bitmac; and
• the roads in phases II and III are laid out in stone. The developer has advised Roads Service that basecourse bitmac will be laid by October 2001.

At this stage, therefore, Roads Service is not in a position to advise when the roads in the above developments will be adopted but they will be continuing to urge the developers to complete their works as quickly as possible.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail when Corguillan, Main Street, Hilltown, Newry will be adopted by Road Service.

(AQW 2830/00)

Mr Campbell: In the case of private streets that have been determined through the planning process (as is the case with the developments referred to in the two questions), it is the responsibility of developers to bring the roads and sewers up to the required standards for adoption by my Department. When roads and sewers are constructed to the required standards, they are adopted after they have been satisfactorily maintained for a 12-month period.

My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that the development at Slievenagarragh, Yellow Road, Hilltown is being constructed in 2 phases:

• 90% of the roads in Phase I are kerbed and stoned and the developer has assured Roads Service that the basecourse bitmac will be laid this week; and
• the roads in Phase II are currently being constructed.

As regards the development at Carquillan, Main Street, Hilltown, it is being constructed in 3 phases:

• the roads in Phase I are laid in basecourse bitmac; and
• the roads in phases II and III are laid out in stone. The developer has advised Roads Service that basecourse bitmac will be laid by October 2001.

At this stage, therefore, Roads Service is not in a position to advise when the roads in the above developments will be adopted but they will be continuing to urge the developers to complete their works as quickly as possible.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of households in North Antrim that have unadopted main sewers.

(AQW 2839/00)

Mr Campbell: The procedures for the adoption of sewers are contained in Article 17 of The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1973. Water Service and the developer normally enter into a formal agreement, which requires the developer to construct the sewers to a specified standard. On satisfactory completion of the work, Water Service adopts the sewers and they become part of the public sewerage network.

Most housing developers do not seek formal adoption of sewers until the housing development is substantially complete. In the interim, maintenance of unadopted sewers remain the responsibility of the developer.

In the North Antrim area, there are currently some 170 housing developments under construction. Water Service estimates that approximately 2,000 occupied dwellings in these developments drain to unadopted sewers. These sewers will be adopted in due course, subject to them having been constructed to the specified standards.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development whether an assessment has been made to establish if the new traffic schemes in the Shore Road/ Station Road area of Newtownabbey have addressed the underlying traffic management problems of residents and commuters using the A2.

(AQW 2877/00)

Mr Campbell: The traffic management scheme recently completed by my Department’s Roads Service at the Shore Road/Station Road junction sought to:

• facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians by providing a signal controlled crossing at Station Road;
• reduce the delays for citybound traffic on the A2 Shore Road during the morning peak period by the introduction of part-time traffic lights on the roundabout; and
• improve bus journey times by providing bus priority measures on Station Road.

Since the scheme was completed, the performance of the junction has been closely monitored and necessary adjustments have been made to the timings of the signals. Roads Service has advised me that its objectives (listed above) have been met. In particular, there has been a marked improvement in traffic flows from Carrickfergus during the morning peak period.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his current capital expenditure plans to upgrade public transport provision in the constituency of East Antrim.

(AQO 1485/00)

Mr Campbell: I expect, within the next few months, to receive detailed proposals from Northern Ireland Railways to up-grade the railway line between Whiteabbey and Whitehead. Work has started to completely refurbish the railway station at Carrickfergus, at a cost of £800,000.

By the end of June, Translink expect to open new park and ride facilities at Whitehead railway station. The company is also seeking to purchase land to provide park and ride spaces at Trooperslane railway halt. New parking spaces have been provided recently at Greenisland railway halt.

A new Ulsterbus service will be started soon between the Carrickfergus area and Antrim Hospital, with support from the Rural Transport Fund. The Fund will continue to support the Larne to Coleraine, "Antrim Coaster" bus service during the winter months.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of the new traffic arrangements introduced at the junction of the A2 and Station Road, Whiteabbey.

(AQO 1454/00)

Mr Campbell: In undertaking the new traffic management scheme at the junction of Station Road with the A2 Shore Road, Whiteabbey, my Department’s Roads Service sought to:

(a) facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians by providing a signal controlled crossing at Station Road;

(b) reduce delays on the A2 Shore Road during the morning peak period by the introduction of part-time traffic signals on the roundabout; and

(c) provide bus priority on Station Road to improve bus journey times.

Roads Service is satisfied that these objectives have been met. However, Roads Service will continue to monitor closely the location and make any necessary adjustments to the traffic signals to ensure their optimum performance.

Ms E Bell asked the Minister for Regional Development to review speed restrictions on roads that have a history of serious road accidents; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1458/00)

Mr Campbell: I recognise that speed is a major contributor to the road traffic casualty figures in Northern Ireland.

I can assure you that my Department’s Roads Service already takes into account the history of road accidents in drawing up its ongoing programmes of accident remedial works and traffic calming schemes. Through these programmes lower speed limits have been introduced on several stretches of rural road and in a number of residential areas in Northern Ireland.

Clearly the control of speed will be a crucial element in the fight against road casualties in the coming years. The Government has recently reviewed its speed management policy in Great Britain. In light of this I have initiated a comprehensive review of speed management policy on our roads which will explore how on a practical basis the application of speed limits can be used to bring about further reductions in casualties.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the steps he is taking to prevent the coastal erosion of the A2 Newry to Kilkeel road.

(AQO 1434/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has a duty to maintain roads and if a road is affected by coastal erosion, any defects identified are duly remedied. Several such repairs were carried out over the past six months on the A2 Newry to Kilkeel road which is retained by a sea wall over about 2 kilometres of its length. Roads Service is content that this sea wall is presently sound but will continue with its regular inspections and carry out any repairs required to ensure its structural integrity.

Mr Berry asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what action is being taken to address the dangerous stretch of road on the Mullahead Road, Tandragee following a recent fatal accident.

(AQO 1424/00)

Mr Campbell: First, I would like to convey my condolences to the family circle of the young man who died so tragically as a result of the recent accident on Mullahead Road.

Following the accident, a joint inspection of the stretch of road in question was carried out by my Department’s Roads Service and the RUC Traffic Branch to assess the scene and to identify any measures that may be considered appropriate. A meeting was also subsequently held with a local Councillor and residents to address their concerns.

As a result, Roads Service will shortly be erecting additional warning signs to give drivers further guidance along this section of road. In the longer term, I have asked Roads Service to undertake a feasibility study to determine whether an improvement scheme is warranted.

Dr McDonnell asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his policy on the disposal of classified documentation.

(AQO 1471/00)

Mr Campbell: ‘A Guide to Records Management’ issued by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) states that a First Review should be carried out when records are ten years old. PRONI monitors records found by Departments to have no further administrative value, and thus ensures that nothing of potential long-term historical or research value is destroyed. Unless a Disposal Schedule specifically sanctions destruction, no records can be destroyed without such monitoring taking place.

Ms Morrice asked the Minister for Regional Development what departmental or cross-departmental initiatives will he be undertaking to make it safer for children to walk, cycle, or use public transport to get to school.

(AQO 1441/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department has recently established a Northern Ireland School Travel Advisory Group made up of representatives from the Department of Education, the Education and Library Boards, the Health Promotion Agency, Translink, the Department of the Environment’s Road Safety Education Unit, the Police, School Teachers, parent group representatives and my own Department’s Roads Service.

Aided by this Group, Roads Service is on course to prepare draft plans for "Safer Routes to Schools" pilot projects during 2001-2002. These will support school-based initiatives designed to make it safer for children to walk, cycle or use public transport in their journeys to and from school.

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline how he has taken account of New TSN in the draft Regional Strategy.

(AQO 1476/00)

Mr Campbell: The draft Regional Development Strategy "Shaping Our Future" will provide a new development strategy for Northern Ireland up to 2025. The strategy seeks to achieve balances between urban and rural communities and the east and the west of the Region to provide equality of opportunity for all. It also provides a vital context within which major development decisions will be taken by individuals as well as public and private sector bodies. As a result the strategy places great importance on integrated solutions which embrace all relevant policy areas, including New TSN.

The strategy has been drawn up in a manner consistent with the approach of New TSN. Consequently, the implementation of the strategy will include appropriate indicators to assess impact on accessibility to jobs, housing, transport, social amenities and a quality environment for those living in socially disadvantaged communities.

My Department will lead on the implementation of the strategy, but it is recognised that the delivery of key actions will fall to a range of NI Departments. Regional Planning Policy Statements will be prepared to translate the strategic guidance of the strategy into more detailed policy guidance on specific subjects, for example in the areas of housing and transportation.

Given the cross-cutting nature of the strategy it will be important to prepare a composite and comprehensive set of targets and indicators to measure performance across a number of areas, including New TSN. In the autumn I will be bringing forward a monitoring and evaluation framework for consideration by the Regional Development Committee.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he has any plans to introduce traffic calming measures in Cookstown and Magherafelt.

(AQO 1489/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has no plans at present to introduce traffic calming measures in either Cookstown or Magherafelt. Three traffic calming schemes are, however, programmed for completion in 2001/02 in the Magherafelt District Council area, ie in Draperstown, Swatragh and Tobermore.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will undertake to assist Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company in its ongoing efforts to develop Newry Railway Station.

(AQO 1422/00)

Mr Campbell: Translink has advised that it is currently reviewing the situation in relation to the provision of a new railway station in Newry. I understand that a number of options are being considered and that Translink hopes to be in a position to make a decision shortly. In the meantime, my Department will await Translink’s proposals on this matter.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm that "Notices of Intention to Vest Land" have been published in relation to the Comber by-pass.

(AQO 1466/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service intends to publish the Notice of Intention to Make a Vesting Order for the Comber Bypass Stage 2 scheme during this week.

Mr Close asked the Minister for Regional Development whether Northern Ireland drinking water complies with regulatory requirements concerning the level of aluminium, iron and lead.

(AQO 1468/00)

Mr Campbell: Drinking water quality in Northern Ireland is good with 98.2% of all tests carried out on samples taken at the customers’ taps in 2000 complying with the standards contained in The Water Quality Regulations (NI) 1994. A total of 96% of samples comply with the regulatory standards for aluminium and iron, while almost 97% of samples comply with the regulatory standard for lead.

Full compliance with the regulatory standards cannot be achieved without a significant programme of investment in both water treatment works and the water distribution network. This is estimated to cost approximately £800 million over the next 10 years.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister for Regional Development what measures he intends to take to improve access to public transport for the disabled; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1472/00)

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 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 minibus 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.

Ms Gildernew asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the plans for a roundabout at the Eglish junction on the A4 Ballygawley Road, and will it be brought forward in the five year plan.

(AQO 1435/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service is currently examining possible options for improving Eglish Junction, including the provision of a single or double roundabout, and will shortly be appointing consultants to prepare an Environmental Statement for the scheme. The scheme also includes the provision of climbing lanes at Cabragh. It is hoped that the Environmental Statement will be published before the end of the year and, thereafter, the necessary planning and land acquisition procedures will be progressed.

As funding has been secured for this scheme from the Executive Programme Funds, I can assure you it will proceed to construction stage on the satisfactory completion of these statutory processes.

Mrs Courtney asked the Minister for Regional Development if he has any plans to provide further funding to assist development at City of Derry airport.

(AQO 1482/00)

Mr Campbell: Not at present. Certain conditions relating to the earlier offer of grant assistance on the airport runway extension project remain to be fulfilled. The Department is also aware that the future management of the airport is under review. These matters require to be resolved before any further consideration can be given to the provision of additional funding.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development to consider the establishment of a part-time unemployment sub-office in Killyleagh to facilitate those unemployed in Shrigley and Killyleagh.

(AQW 2787/00)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): There are no plans to open an unemployment sub-office in Killyleagh as the arrangements for Jobseekers in this area are consistent with those in place for all Jobseekers throughout Northern Ireland where there is no Social Security Office in the immediate locality. Any individual customer experiencing difficulties can contact Downpatrick Social Security Office.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development to outline what changes have been made since 1997 to help pensioners on modest occupational pensions.

(AQW 2795/00)

Mr Morrow: Pensioners on modest occupational pensions will have benefited from some or all of the measures introduced to help pensioners in general. These include the extra increases in basic state pension, increased tax allowances, the Minimum Income Guarantee, winter fuel payments and free TV licences for the over 75s.

As a result of tax and benefit measures introduced since 1997, pensioner households will, on average, be over £11 a week, or £580 a year, better off.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development to outline what progress is being made to eradicate pensioner poverty.

(AQW 2796/00)

Mr Morrow: A number of measures have been introduced to help the elderly, such as the Minimum Income Guarantee campaign and the Winter Fuel Payments scheme. These initiatives have resulted in an additional 4,000 pensioners receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee with an average extra payment of £23.00 per week. In the last financial year Winter Fuel Payments totalling £43m were paid to pensioners. Work will continue in this area to ensure pensioners claim and receive all the help they are entitled to.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development to outline what research he has commissioned to ascertain the reasons for the variations in take-up of targeted benefits.

(AQW 2797/00)

Mr Morrow: There is at present insufficient information available on the overall level of benefit take-up to indicate what variations may be present or to permit research into the reasons for them. Accordingly, the focus of research at present is to establish overall levels of benefit take up. The Family Resources Survey, which is the major source of information on this subject for Great Britain, will be undertaken in Northern Ireland from 2002-03 onwards, with a dress rehearsal in winter 2001-02.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail his plans to uprate the payments to residential homes to cover the cost of the care of residents.

(AQW 2798/00)

Mr Morrow: People living in residential care and nursing homes can get help through Income Support with their accommodation and care costs.

Normal Income Support, including a residential allowance towards accommodation costs, is available to people who entered care on or after April 1993 under the community care arrangements. Payments to the homes for care costs under these arrangements are the responsibility of Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts.

People who were living in care homes at 31 March 1993 and who continue to live there are entitled to special higher rates of Income Support under the preserved rights arrangements. This amount comprises the amount of the home fees or a set national limit, whichever is the lower, and an amount for personal expenses. All Income Support rates were increased from 9 April 2001 by 1.8% as part of the annual uprating of social security benefits.

Subject to the approval of the Assembly, I intend to increase Income Support preserved rights amounts by a further 1.9% from 2 July 2001, making a total increase of 3.7%. This above inflation increase will help address the shortfall between the fees charged and the weekly benefit limits of many preserved rights cases.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development whether the Social Fund is operating in line with its original criteria; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2809/00)

Mr Morrow: The Social Fund was introduced specifically to help the poorest and most vulnerable people in society by providing help with intermittent expenses which are difficult to meet from regular income. The scheme continues to play an important role in the social security system by complementing the main income-related benefits.

The operation of the scheme has been regularly reviewed and major reforms have been introduced which have improved the scheme’s effectiveness. We will continue to look at ways of improving the Social Fund to ensure that it provides a focused, efficient service which helps families and individuals in difficult circumstances

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development to give his assessment on the take-up of child benefit since 1997.

(AQW 2834/00)

Mr Morrow: The take-up of child benefit is regarded as very high, since this is a universal benefit for children aged up to 16.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the action he intends to take to reduce the number of public bodies or quangos under the control of his Department.

(AQW 2866/00)

Mr Morrow: The Child Support, Pensions and Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2000, contains measures to align the arrangements for Decision Making and Appeals in respect of Housing Benefit with those applying to other Social Security Benefits. The Act provides for a right of appeal from a relevant authority decision, to an appeal tribunal administered by the Appeals Service for Northern Ireland. Under the revised arrangements the Northern Ireland Housing Benefit Review Boards will be abolished with effect from 2 July 2001.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development whether he has any plans to collate information on the amount of benefits unclaimed or underpaid so that an assessment can be made of how well the benefits system is working.

(AQW 2881/00)

Mr Morrow: At the present time, there are no estimates of the amount of benefit unclaimed. There are estimates of the level of erroneous underpayment where information already supplied by claimants would justify a higher level of payment, but no estimates of the levels of underpayment where claimants have not mentioned all relevant facts, or of the entitlement of non-claimants. The Family Resources Survey will commence in Northern Ireland in April 2002, with first results for 2002-3 available in late 2003, and this will allow estimates of the level of take-up (and hence of underpayment) to be produced. In the interim, the Department is seeking to establish indicative levels of take-up through re-analysis of existing survey sources.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (a) what actions he has put in place to assist groups in completing the necessary application forms for Gap funding (b) how many applications have been made and (c) what is the turnaround timescale.

(AQW 2901/00)

Mr Morrow: All applicants for Gap Funding received initially an information pack from either the EU Special Programmes Body or the Department of Finance and Personnel together with their application forms. In response to mainly telephone requests my officials assisted many groups with general advice on completing the forms as well as providing specific advice on the most appropriate EU Programmes, Priorities and Measures under which they might apply for funding. In total my Department received 414 applications. It is expected that groups will be notified of decisions on applications for funding under Measures assessed by my Department by the beginning of June.

Mr Carrick asked the Minister for Social Development whether the Social Security Agency has any plans to re-introduce pre-paid envelopes.

(AQW 2963/00)

Mr Morrow: I am pleased to announce that as part of the Social Security Agency’s ongoing commitment to improve customer service, it has re-introduced pre-paid reply envelopes for its customers from April 2001.

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