Friday 25 May 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm (a) that areas of outstanding natural beauty are a criterion for the allocation of Peace II rural development funding and (b) that strangford lough will be designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty.

(AQW 2789/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): The Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative under the EU Peace II Programme is a joint initiative between my Department, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. There will be public consultation on the detail of its proposals in the near future.

The Initiative will create the capacity to use Peace II funding to improve the tourism infrastructure and associated skills within the areas concerned to help towards economic growth.

Areas of outstanding natural beauty designated under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (NI) Order 1985 and environmentally sensitive areas designated under the Agriculture (Environmental Areas (N.I.)) Order 1987, are eligible for consideration under the initiative.

However, to qualify for assistance under the Initiative these areas must also be areas of economic and social disadvantage. The Strangford Lough area does not qualify as a disadvantaged area. This applies also to other scenic parts of rural Northern Ireland.

I have asked my officials to prepare a report on the issues surrounding the designation of the remaining AONBs including Strangford Lough. I expect to receive their report shortly. I will also wish to have the benefit of the views of the Assembly Environment Committee in considering the way forward on future AONB designations.

However, the fact that the Strangford Lough area has not yet been designated has not, in this instance, had any bearing on its eligibility for funding under the Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative of the Peace II Programme.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the steps he intends to take to ensure that the natural and built environment in the Jordanstown/ Whiteabbey area is protected from (a) over development (b) unsuitable development and (c) developers clearing existing houses and trees prior to planning approval.

(AQW 2876/00)

Mr Foster: The Jordanstown/Whiteabbey area falls within the area covered by the Belfast Urban Area Plan 2001 and is subject to the Department’s existing planning policies and guidance set out in the area plan and planning policy statements.

The Jordanstown/Whiteabbey area is particularly attractive and it has seen change in recent years as development opportunities have been realised. It is recognised that such change can have an effect on the established environment of an area but in permitting any new development, the Department seeks to ensure that those impacts are understood and kept to a minimum.

The Department will continue to apply all existing policies and guidance to this area, although like all other areas, development pressures will continue. In line with the current Government policy to increase the percentage of new houses built within the urban area, change is likely to continue.

The Lenamore area is currently designated as an area of townscape character which provides a measure of protection and the opportunity now presents itself for local residents and elected representatives to make representation to the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan Team on any additional areas of townscape character or conservation areas which they feel should be included in the new plan, which is being prepared to replace the Belfast Urban Area Plan 2001.

The Department has to consider each planning application on its own merits and, where appropriate, will ensure the retention of existing trees and vegetation by applying conditions to planning approvals or by the imposition of tree preservation orders (TPOs). Proposals are also being considered for inclusion in a forthcoming Planning Amendment Bill to strengthen powers with respect to protection of trees.

Generally, however, every site proposed for residential development will be subject to the requirements of the Department’s ‘Creating Places’ document. This will require new proposals to respect the setting and characteristics of the site and the surrounding area. The Department will also be publishing further policy guidance on housing development within urban areas in the near future. The final version of Planning Policy Statement 7 ‘Quality Residential Development’ and a consultation draft of Development Advice Note 8 ‘Small Unit Housing Development’ will be published before the summer.

Although it is understandable that local residents are concerned that developers can clear existing houses and trees prior to planning approval, such action is permitted unless the individual property is a listed building and the trees are protected by a tree preservation order. Such designations can only apply to the best architectural properties and the most significant trees.

Mr Close asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the current position regarding the proposed delisting of 2, Soldierstown Road, Aghalee.

(AQW 2911/00)

Mr Foster: The Aghalee Bar, at 2 Soldierstown Road, Aghalee, was de-listed on 3 April 2001.

A survey undertaken in September 2000 revealed that significant alterations had been made to both the interior and the exterior of the building, including the incorporation of modern features. Accordingly a proposal to de-list was put to the Historic Buildings Council at its meeting on 16 February 2001. This was unanimously agreed.

Lisburn Borough Council, which was also consulted, did not reply within the deadline for response. Its subsequent objection to the proposal was not received until after de-listing had occurred.

Mr Carrick asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the steps he is taking to conserve nature and the countryside in the Lough Neagh area.

(AQW 2941/00)

Mr Foster: Lough Neagh has long been recognised at UK and international levels for its importance in nature conservation terms. Consequently, it has been afforded protection as an area of special scientific interest (ASSI), a special protection area (SPA) and a Ramsar site, in accordance with Northern Ireland legislation and European and international Directives and conventions.

In order to assist the proper management of such an important natural area the Lough Neagh Co-ordinating Committee was established to ensure that statutory bodies with responsibilities for Lough Neagh take a collective approach to its management. This Committee, chaired by my Department, includes officials from Government Departments and local authorities closely involved in the management of the area.

In addition, the Lough Neagh Advisory Committee, representatives of user groups and other bodies with an interest in the area, provides advice to the co-ordinating committee.

Both committees are working together to develop an overall strategy for the sustainable management of the Lough Neagh area, and at present they are collating information to enable a consultation paper to be issued this summer. Further consultation on a draft strategy is also planned for late 2001 and it is anticipated that the final strategy will be published in spring of 2002.

The Planning Service of my Department is currently preparing area plans for each of the district council areas around Lough Neagh. Each area plan will identify sites that are already subject to statutory nature conservation designations, both domestic and international. Sites of local nature conservation importance will also be identified.

The conservation interests of these areas will be taken into account when assessing any proposed developments affecting them.

Area plans may also identify local landscape policy areas, for which policies will be tailored to specific needs which can include nature and countryside conservation.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQW 2320/00, to detail (a) what length of time has the licensed disposal operation left to run at Kilroot Power Station (b) what safeguards are there for nearby residents and (c) what conditions are being imposed to safeguard the visual impact to the coast.

(AQW 2945/00)

Mr Foster: The licensed disposal operation at Kilroot Power Station is not time limited, although the agreed final profile of the site will in practical terms determine the life of the facility. This was agreed as part of the planning process. The planning permission also addresses restoration of the site.

The safeguards for local residents are set out in the conditions contained in the planning permission and in the waste disposal licence. The waste licence is enforced by Carrickfergus Borough Council.

The planning service of my Department agreed the final height and profile of the site after consideration of its location and impact on the coastline.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment, in relation to the application for a telecommunications mast at Ganoway, Ballywalter, to detail (a) the date the application was submitted to the Planning Department (b) the discussions that took place (c) how long the application was with planners and (d) the reason for the delay in replying to the applicant outside the 42-day timescale.

(AQW 2952/00)

Mr Foster: The application for consent under the Department’s prior approval procedure for the erection of this mast was received by the Downpatrick Divisional Planning Office on 23 January 2001.

The application was discussed at the divisional office’s internal group meeting on 1 March 2001, following advertisement in the press on 15 February 2001 and a site inspection on 21 February 2001. The decision to refuse prior approval was taken at the group meeting following careful consideration of the application. The decision letter was generated on 2 March 2001 and, after signature by an authorised officer, was registered on the Planning Service computer system under an issue date of 6 March 2001.

The application was under consideration by the Planning Service for a period of 42 days from the date of receipt, 23 January 2001, until the date of decision, 6 March 2001.

The application was processed in accordance with the usual 42 day timescale. Unfortunately the Planning Service has no record of the actual date of posting of the decision and is, therefore, not in a position to comment on the delay in receipt of the formal notice by the applicant. Normally such decisions would be posted on the same day as they are registered on the agency’s computer system.

Revised administrative procedures have now been introduced to ensure that this situation does not arise again. These include earlier decision making in prior approval cases and use of fax and recorded delivery for communicating decisions.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment whether waste from animal carcasses is being dumped into the Irish Sea by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

(AQW 2953/00)

Mr Foster: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) is advised by the Environment Agency for England and Wales on the environmentally safe disposal of animal wastes. The treatment and disposal of such waste is a matter for MAFF. My Department has no remit in this matter.

My Department has been advised by the Environment Agency that liquid wastes from two burial sites used by MAFF are collected and treated to eliminate the risk of spreading the foot-and-mouth virus.

The collected waste from the Great Orton site in Cumbria is tankered to a waste water treatment works at Workington operated by United Utilities. Here the treated liquid is discharged to sea through a three kilometre outfall, which was subjected to computer modelling for its effectiveness in dispersion. I understand that the total dilution rate of the original waste, through this whole treatment process and at discharge, is one in 40 million. This is considered by the Great Britain authorities to be the best practicable environmental option under the circumstances and to represent zero impact on human health.

The waste from the Birkshaw burial site near Lockerbie, Dunfriesshire, is collected, treated against foot-and-mouth virus, and then deposited at a landfill operated by ALCO Waste Management Ltd site near Workington. Effluent from this site is further treated before discharge to foul sewer under and in accordance with a trade consent issued by United Utilities.

I understand that the Environment Agency has undertaken monitoring of the effluents and sampling at the marine outfalls, has carried out coastal surveys and has arranged for aerial photographs to be taken of the discharges. I further understand that to date no environmental impact has been observed.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the action he will take to prevent the dumping of waste from animal carcasses into the Irish Sea by the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2954/00)

Mr Foster: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) is advised by the Environment Agency for England and Wales on the environmentally safe disposal of animal wastes. The treatment and disposal of such waste is a matter for MAFF. My Department has no remit in this matter.

My Department has been advised by the Environment Agency that liquid wastes from two burial sites used by MAFF are collected and treated to eliminate the risk of spreading the foot-and-mouth virus.

The collected waste from the Great Orton site in Cumbria is tankered to a waste water treatment works at Workington operated by United Utilities. Here the treated liquid is discharged to sea through a three kilometre outfall, which was subjected to computer modelling for its effectiveness in dispersion. I understand that the total dilution rate of the original waste, through this whole treatment process and at discharge, is one in 40 million. This is considered by the Great Britain authorities to be the best practicable environmental option under the circumstances and to represent zero impact on human health.

The waste from the Birkshaw burial site near Lockerbie, Dunfriesshire, is collected, treated against foot-and-mouth virus, and then deposited at a landfill operated by ALCO Waste Management Ltd site near Workington. Effluent from this site is further treated before discharge to foul sewer under and in accordance with a trade consent issued by United Utilities.

I understand that the Environment Agency has undertaken monitoring of the effluents and sampling at the marine outfalls, has carried out coastal surveys and has arranged for aerial photographs to be taken of the discharges. I further understand that to date no environmental impact has been observed.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment to give his assessment on the dumping of waste from animal carcasses into the Irish Sea by the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2964/00)

Mr Foster: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) is advised by the Environment Agency for England and Wales on the environmentally safe disposal of animal wastes. The treatment and disposal of such waste is a matter for MAFF. My Department has no remit in this matter.

My Department has been advised by the Environment Agency that liquid wastes from two burial sites used by MAFF are collected and treated to eliminate the risk of spreading the foot-and-mouth virus.

The collected waste from the Great Orton site in Cumbria is tankered to a waste water treatment works at Workington operated by United Utilities. Here the treated liquid is discharged to sea through a three kilometre outfall, which was subjected to computer modelling for its effectiveness in dispersion. I understand that the total dilution rate of the original waste, through this whole treatment process and at discharge, is one in 40 million. This is considered by the Great Britain authorities to be the best practicable environmental option under the circumstances and to represent zero impact on human health.

The waste from the Birkshaw burial site near Lockerbie, Dunfriesshire, is collected, treated against foot-and-mouth virus, and then deposited at a landfill operated by ALCO Waste Management Ltd site near Workington. Effluent from this site is further treated before discharge to foul sewer under and in accordance with a trade consent issued by United Utilities.

I understand that the Environment Agency has undertaken monitoring of the effluents and sampling at the marine outfalls, has carried out coastal surveys and has arranged for aerial photographs to be taken of the discharges. I further understand that to date no environmental impact has been observed.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of the Environment to give his assessment of the impact of public service agreements on the best value regime for local authorities.

(AQW 2977/00)

Mr Foster: The public service agreements apply to Government Departments only and not to local authorities.

Within my Department’s public service agreement is a specific objective to support a system of local government which meets the needs of citizens and ratepayers. This objective is in keeping with the broad principles of Best Value.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of people applying for transfer of vehicle registration marks in the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01.

(AQW 3023/00)

Mr Foster: The registration and licensing of vehicles are excepted matters. They are carried out in Northern Ireland by DVLNI under the terms of a formal agency agreement between DOE and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR).

DVLNI do not hold details of the number of people applying for transfers of vehicle registration marks. Individuals, especially dealers, may make multiple applications during a year.

In 1999-2000 a total of 22,931 registration marks were transferred and 21,765 in 2000-01. These figures include marks transferred within Northern Ireland, from Northern Ireland to Great Britain and from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the long term effect of the spread of pond weed which may develop due to the presence of zebra mussels in Lough Erne.

(AQW 3030/00)

Mr Foster: Zebra mussels have now become abundant in Lough Erne. They feed by filtering minute algae out of the water. This has now resulted in the water becoming clearer. The nutrients that would have been used by the algae are now potentially available for the growth of other aquatic plants, including pondweeds. These plants have always been present in Lough Erne, though the former growth of algae in the water reduced their abundance.

Excessive growths of algae pondweeds and zebra mussels are all symptoms of excessive nutrients in the lake system (eutrophication). It is impossible to predict by how much the pondweed communities will expand. Expansion of these communities would to some extent be a return to a former state. However, the expansion could favour species tolerant of nutrient enrichment at the expense of those that require good water quality.

EHS has detailed information on the distribution of aquatic plant communities from the Northern Ireland Lakes Survey carried out in the early 1990s. Future monitoring work by EHS will show what kinds of changes have taken place.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline any discussions he has had with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with regard to formulating a financial package of assistance as a result of foot-and-mouth disease in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2862/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): Assistance for those suffering hardship as a result of foot-and-mouth disease is a matter for the Executive and has not involved the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, though the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development has close contact with MAFF and keeps the Executive informed of developments.

The OFMDFM led taskforce links into the Rural Taskforce set up in Great Britain and this will ensure that Northern Ireland benefits from any wider initiatives.

The First and the Deputy First Ministers have today announced a new Help for Business scheme to provide grant assistance for the rate bills of those businesses that have been seriously affected by foot-and-mouth disease. Information on the scheme is being widely distributed in the press and the media.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail any plans to compensate the tourist industry for financial loss due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

(AQW 2873/00)

Mr Durkan: The Executive recognise the adverse impact which the foot-and-mouth disease has had on certain businesses in Northern Ireland and has discussed the issue on a number of occasions.

The tourism industry along with other most affected sectors will benefit from the range of measures already announced which include deferring payment of tax, no interest charges for deferral period, deferral of rate payments and access to the Small Funds Loan Guarantee Scheme.

The important effort over coming weeks and months will be to put in place effective measures to restore confidence in the tourism sector and to encourage visitors back to the region. Central to this effort was the launch on 5 April of the new tourism strategy which will inject £1 million into tourism to support promotion effort overseas, as well as more locally centred, initiatives.

On 21 May the First and the Deputy First Ministers announced a new Help for Business scheme that will make grants available to help pay the rates bills of those businesses that have been seriously affected by foot- and-mouth disease. This scheme should be of particular assistance to the tourism sector and the scheme extends uniquely to very small accommodation facilities that pay domestic rates.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail what further discussions he will hold with the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning the block grant allocation to Northern Ireland; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2903/00)

Mr Durkan: I have publicly expressed my concerns about how the Northern Ireland expenditure block is determined via the Barnett Formula. I do not believe that the Barnett Formula is workable under the new resource accounting and budgeting framework, and I have expressed this view directly to the Treasury.

Over the coming months my officials will have further discussions with their Treasury counterparts on this issue and I will, when necessary, discuss further with Treasury Ministers. What is needed is an objective and transparent assessment of expenditure needs which will highlight that relative need is higher in Northern Ireland.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (a) what actions he has put in place to assist groups in completing the necessary applications forms for GAP Funding (b) how many applications have been made and (c) what is the turn around timescale.

(AQW 2912/00)

Mr Durkan: My Department has overall responsibility for EU Structural Funds in Northern Ireland and prepared an information pack, including an application form, for issue to any groups responding to the gap funding advertisement which was placed in the local press by DFP on 16 March 2001. However, it does not directly manage any of the priorities for funding in the programmes and consequently no applications for gap funding were received. As Minister of Finance and Personnel, I can respond on behalf of the Special EU Programmes Body, which is the managing authority for the PEACE II. (a) The information pack which was issued to all those who responded to the press advertisement contained a telephone contact point in the programmes body through which information and advice was available; (b) 152 applications are being dealt with directly by the body; and (c) it is expected that decisions on all applications will be taken by the end of May or early June 2001.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (a) what percentage of the adult population is disabled and (b) what percentage of children in the population is disabled.

(AQW 2955/00)

Mr Durkan: There is no complete register of disabled people in Northern Ireland; therefore exact numbers and percentages are not available.

The most recent comprehensive study of disability in Northern Ireland (published in 1992) estimated that there were 201,000 people aged 16 years or over, living in Northern Ireland with a physical, sensory or learning disability. This was based on the survey finding of an adult disability prevalence rate of 174 per thousand.

The same study estimated that there were 14,600 children aged under 16 years of age, living in Northern Ireland with a physical, sensory or learning disability. This was based on the survey finding of a prevalence rate of 35 per thousand.

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (a) how many Civil Service employees are on the current Civil Service transfer list and (b) the destination to which members of the Civil Service are seeking transfer.

(AQW 2960/00)

Mr Durkan: [holding answer 17 May 2001]: As at 17 May there were 5,220 members of the NICS on the NICS transfer lists.

The system provides for individuals to indicate up to four location preferences. The destinations to which transfers have been requested are shown in the table below.

The numbers shown against each location are the number of current transfer requests which state that location as the first preferece.

Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to give details of progress on the work to update the deprivation indictors led by Prof Mike Noble, head of the review team at Oxford University.

(AQO 1514/00)

Mr Durkan: The Noble Team made available a draft report on the university website on 30 April. This report, on which comments have been invited, deals with the methodology underpinning the research. The team have also published the third in a series of newsletters which describes the construction of the new measures of deprivation and illustrates how they may be used. Feedback sessions on progress for those originally consulted in the course of the research have been held in Derry, Omagh, Lurgan and Belfast in the past three weeks.

My officials are currently performing quality assurance tests on the initial electoral ward rankings and scores provided by the team. This work will inform the consultants’ final decisions on the new measures which it is planned will be published during the month of June.

Mr Leslie asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail what discussions he has had with the Treasury over the Barnett Formula/NI Block Grant in this financial year.

(AQO 1526/00)

Mr Durkan: In response to representations by myself and the First and Deputy First Ministers during the 2000 Spending Review, HM Treasury agreed to a number of adjustments in the operation of the Barnett formula. These changes mean that the block allocation for this financial year and the next two years is enhanced by an extra £40 million a year.

I will continue to seek changes in relation to the Barnett Formula and press for funding allocations which fully reflect the higher levels of need in Northern Ireland. However, it will only be possible to mount a successful challenge to the Barnett Formula in its existing format if we have a solid foundation in terms of clear information on our public expenditure needs and the effectiveness of our existing policies.

Also, at a recent joint press conference with the Finance Minister of the Welsh Assembly I expressed my reservations about the appropriateness of the Barnett Formula in its current format under the new resource accounting and budgeting regime. My officials have already registered my concerns about this aspect of Barnett funding with HM Treasury. I also expect that the Executive will be making further representations to Treasury ministers in the coming months.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to reintroduce new Ulster Savings account certificates.

(AQO 1491/00)

Mr Durkan: Current policy to close down the Ulster Savings Scheme derives from a 1990 policy review, which found that the scheme’s contribution to the then NI borrowing requirement was marginal, and that no other factor could be identified to justify the cost of its continued operation.

There are no plans to replace the scheme at this time.

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail what action he proposes to take to identify alternative sources of funding to meet the needs of the public sector.

(AQO 1503/00)

Mr Durkan: As I announced on 15 March 2001 a new high-level working group is being established to look into alternative sources of funding from the private sector to address the shortfall of public sector investment in Northern Ireland.

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