Friday 8 June 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail what recent representations he has received on his measures to tackle long-term unemployment.

(AQW 3064/00)

The Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment (Dr Farren): I have received no recent representations. Measures to tackle long-term unemployment include the enhanced New Deal 25+ which was launched in April after extensive consultation; and the Task Force on Employability and Long-Term Unemployment which will be engaging with a wide range of people and organisations interested in these issues.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment whether there is a need for investment to improve adult basic numeracy and literacy in each District Council area.

(AQW 3131/00)

Dr Farren: There is a need to address the problem of adult basic numeracy and literacy throughout Northern Ireland.

This is a key priority for my Department which is working to produce a strategy later in the year.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to explain why none of the 22.25 million funds for Peace I administered by Proteus was allocated to the Carrickfergus Borough Council area.

(AQW 3132/00)

Dr Farren: Of the 951 applications PROTEUS received seeking funding from the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation four were from the Carrickfergus Borough Council area.

Of these one was transferred to LEDU as the applicant had applied to PROTEUS under a measure for which it had no responsibility. The remaining three projects all failed the selection process because they did not comply with the Peace and Reconciliation Programme’s guidelines for EU assistance.

Regional Development

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to consider adopting the section of road from 114 Beltany Road, Omagh through to Castletown Road, Omagh.

(AQW 2978/00)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): The Private Streets (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 provides that my Department’s Roads Service may adopt a road into the public road network if it is of the opinion that the road should become public (eg where there is significant public usage) and the majority of the frontagers or the landowner(s) request or agree to the adoption in writing. The legislation also requires Roads Service, except in exceptional circumstances, to be satisfied that the road is fit and proper to be adopted. In exercising this provision, a road that falls below adoption standards would normally have to be upgraded at the expense of the frontagers or the landowner(s) before adoption.

I understand that the section of road in question is a private laneway which has minimal public usage as the adjacent adopted Killynure Road provides access between Beltany Road and Castletown Road. The laneway is extremely substandard in terms of structure, width and visibility and, even if it were to be considered as a desirable enhancement of the public road network, it would require substantial investment by the frontagers or the landowner(s) to bring it up to adoption standards.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment on the sewage system for Ellis Street and Woodburn Road in Carrickfergus following new developments in these areas.

(AQW 3022/00)

Mr Campbell: The sewerage system serving Ellis Street and Woodburn Road was constructed using the historic practice of combined foul and storm sewers.

Water Service is not aware of any out of sewer flooding at Ellis Street associated with heavy rainfall. Flooding from the sewer at Woodburn Road has however occurred during periods of exceptional rainfall. A detailed investigation has been undertaken and a number of short-term measures, to reduce the risk of future flooding, have been identified. These will be implemented within the next 18 months, subject to all necessary agreements.

Water Service has stipulated that separate storm and foul sewers are provided for the recent and proposed housing developments in these areas. This means that only the foul sewage from these developments is connected to the existing sewers. The volume of this is small in relation to capacity of the sewerage system and does not significantly increase the risk of flooding from the sewers.

A major upgrading of the sewerage network in the Carrickfergus and Whitehouse areas is planned to commence in 2006. This will enable the system to cope with future demands, reduce the risk of flooding, and meet environmental objectives.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) whether a chemical used to make the inner coating of many food tins is present in the drinking water supply (b) what effect filtration has on the chemical and (c) what steps he is taking to address this issue.

(AQW 3027/00)

Mr Campbell: It is assumed the question refers to Bisphenol A, which has been the subject of recent articles about food contamination from protective liners applied to food tins. Bisphenol A is used in the production of epoxy resins, which are used to coat some water supply pipes, as well as food tins. The independent Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food considers there is no evidence that the levels of Bisphenol A in canned foods surveyed were likely to be of health concern.

All products, which are in contact with drinking water, must be approved for use under the Water Quality Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994. Materials are approved only after lengthy investigation by a panel of experts, called The Committee for Chemicals and Processes, who will take into account the potential leaching of chemicals into supply. The resins used to coat watermains have received approval under the Regulations. Indeed, only a very small percentage of watermains are epoxy lined, and it is unlikely that this situation will significantly change.

In the circumstances, there is no evidence that the presence of Bisphenol A in the water supply is a source of concern. However, Water Service is not complacent about these issues, and liaises closely with the Chief Medical Officer and the Drinking Water Inspector to ensure that its monitoring and testing arrangements are appropriate to cover any elements or substances in the water supply which may be detrimental to public health. In addition, Water Service contributes to a United Kingdom wide water industry research programme, which investigates issues such as the effect of chemicals entering drinking water, and on appropriate methods of removal of such chemicals.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to (a) detail his policy on contracting out emergency sewage repair work to external contractors (b) detail the number of occasions that this took place over the last three years and (c) give his assessment as to whether this is the most cost effective way of meeting the demands placed upon the Water Service Agency.

(AQW 3054/00)

Mr Campbell: Water Service efficiency strategy is based on the United Kingdom Government’s "Modernising Government" and "Better Quality Services" initiatives. The strategy involves implementing an annual programme of efficiency measures which target the activities and processes considered to offer the greatest scope for improvement in quality or cost. The efficiency measures are employed in an integrated manner to deliver the year on year efficiencies which allow Water Service to operate within the challenging running cost targets it faces annually.

Efficiency programmes over the last ten years have included market testing of a range of functions. In some cases this has resulted in work being contracted out. In other instances work has been retained through successful in-house bids.

Water Service has for many years used both in-house resources and external contractors in operational activities associated with sewer repair work such as desilting of sewers, sewer and manhole repairs and clearing sewer blockages. Over the past three years clearing sewer blockages has been contracted out in all areas except Belfast and Craigavon where in-house bids were successful. This involved two separate tender competitions.

The tendering process used for all these contracts followed European Union procurement procedures. All tenders were carefully evaluated against quality and cost criteria to ensure that the most economically advantageous offer was accepted for each contract. The contracts are monitored to ensure that the work continues to be provided in a cost-effective manner. At the end of the current contracts further tender competitions will be held.

I have been assured by Water Service that these arrangements are kept under review and that they represent the most cost effective means of delivering a high quality service to the public.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the measures he is taking to ensure that a co-ordinated approach is adopted by utilities where it is necessary to undertake roadworks.

(AQW 3072/00)

Mr Campbell: Utilities have a statutory right to open roads and footways for the purpose of installing and maintaining their equipment. While my Department’s Roads Service cannot prevent utilities from carrying out this work, it does endeavour, as far as possible, to co- ordinate their activities. For example, Roads Service has introduced a computer-based Northern Ireland Street Works Register and Notification System enabling it to monitor on-going and proposed street works by utilities and to negotiate with utilities where there is a conflict in their proposals. In addition, Roads Service has published a Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for Road Purposes and Related Matters which requires utilities to co-operate with one another so that, where possible, their works are carried out on a co-ordinated basis.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to increase the level of safety for cyclists.

(AQW 3074/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Northern Ireland Cycling Strategy, which was published in June last year, identifies a range of measures that will be undertaken by a number of agencies in the short to medium term to improve conditions for cyclists, including safety, and will help to establish a pro-cycling culture. A copy of this document has been placed in the Assembly Library.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to give a timescale for the introduction of a new waste water treatment works planned for Newtownards.

(AQW 3085/00)

Mr Campbell: North Down and Ards Borough Councils have accepted my invitation to nominate Councillors to join a Working Party to review the suitability of the criteria and processes used in the site selection for the new North Down/Ards Wastewater Treatment Works. The Working Party will commence the review shortly after the Local Government elections on 7 June and report to me by the end of August.

I will give detailed consideration to the findings which emerge from the review and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on the most appropriate site in Autumn 2001. Subject to planning approval and land acquisition, the construction of the new Works is scheduled to commence in 2004. It will take three years to complete and is estimated to cost £35 million.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of assaults that have occurred in railway stations in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3107/00)

Mr Campbell: Translink has advised that there were six reported assaults in railway stations during 1996/1997, ten in 1997-98, seven in 1998-99, three in 1999-2000 and four in 2000-2001.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail when Hazelgrove, Drumquin Road, Castlederg and Dergvale, Castlegore Road, Castlederg will be adopted by Roads Service.

(AQW 3120/00)

Mr Campbell: In the case of private streets that have been determined through the planning process, it is the responsibility of developers to bring roads and sewers up to required standards for adoption by my Department. Where such roads and sewers are provided to the prescribed standards, they are adopted promptly.

As regards the developments at Hazelgrove and Dergvale, only the roads and sewers in Phase I of the latter have been adopted. Other roads and sewers have not yet been constructed to adoption standards.

Where satisfactory completion of roads and sewers is not effected within a reasonable period from the date of completion of houses, my Department has powers under the Private Streets (Northern Ireland) Order 1980, as amended, to enable it to complete the necessary work at developers’ expense. Such action is normally only initiated after efforts to persuade developers to meet their obligations have not been successful, with each case being carefully considered on its merits.

My Department’s Roads Service will contact the developers of Hazelgrove and Dergvale in an effort to resolve any outstanding issues so the roads and sewers in these developments can be completed and adopted as soon as possible.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what action is being taken to address road safety issues at Hamilton’s Corner on the A5 between Sion Mills and Strabane.

(AQW 3121/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service monitors personal injury road accidents across Northern Ireland to identify locations where specific engineering measures, in the form of accident remedial schemes, would reduce the number of road traffic accidents. I am advised that, when compared to other locations, the accident history at Hamilton’s Corner on the A5 between Sion Mills and Strabane would not presently warrant such a scheme.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) his assessment of the impact of the aggregate tax on his policies (b) whether he has corresponded with the Department of Finance and Personnel regarding the likely impact of the tax and (c) what plans he has in place to alleviate any adverse impact.

(AQW 3123/00)

Mr Campbell: I refer the Member to my answers of 12th January 2001 (AQW 1025/00) and 9th February 2001 (AQW 1490/00) to similar questions.

The introduction of the tax will raise roads structural maintenance costs by some 4% and the cost of capital schemes by between 4% and 17% depending on the nature and scale of the works.

The impact on the Water Service capital programme is estimated at about 1% additional costs and about 0.5% on the public transport capital budget.

As recently as last month (May 2001) my Department made further representations to the Department of Finance and Personnel on my behalf and registered bids for additional resources to cover the increased costs in the context of next year’s Budget. The bids reflect current estimated costs which total just under £8 million, rather than the £7 million we had assessed earlier. Failure of the bids will impact adversely on my capital programmes, particularly in the Roads Service, where the structural maintenance programme will also be severely affected.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development if he plans to introduce legislation to enable residential areas to be protected by the introduction of 20mph speed restrictions and traffic calming ramps.

(AQW 3145/00)

Mr Campbell: As indicated in my answer to your Written Assembly Question (AQW 102/00) on 29 September 2000, the legislation permitting the introduction of 20 mph speed limits on roads in residential areas in Northern Ireland is already in place. My Department’s Roads Service has now introduced eleven 20 mph zones, each with self-enforcing traffic calming measures, and a further three zones are currently being developed. Roads Service will continue to create such zones through its on-going traffic calming programme which is aimed at reducing the number and severity of road traffic accidents.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 2748/00, if he will make it his policy to provide a purpose built bus terminal facility in Strabane.

(AQW 3148/00)

Mr Campbell: The provision of a purpose built bus terminal facility in Strabane is primarily an operational issue for Translink and the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company to decide upon. Such a project would, however, have to be considered with other pressing transport priorities and would have to compete for the limited funding that is currently available for public transport in Northern Ireland. Although I accept that a purpose built bus terminal in Strabane would be highly desirable, I would not be justified, in the light of their other priorities, in asking Translink and the Holding Company to alter their programme to build such a facility now.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 2645/00, whether he has undertaken discussions with local authorities regarding the introduction of a congestion charge for motorists.

(AQW 3157/00)

Mr Campbell: I have not had any discussions with district councils or any other organisations regarding the introduction of a congestion charge for motorists. However, my Department’s consultation paper, "Developing a Regional Transportation Strategy", which was published in January 2001, identified road user charging as a means of reducing traffic congestion and a potential source of funding for local transport improvements. A preliminary study on the introduction of such charging in Belfast is currently being undertaken by consultants on behalf of Roads Service.

When feedback from the consultation paper and the study findings have been assessed, I shall consider whether it is appropriate to undertake more detailed work on the introduction of road user charging. I can assure you, however, that any proposal to introduce such charging will, of course, be the subject of detailed consultation with appropriate interested parties.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the programme for upgrading public bus services to ensure that the disabled are adequately catered for.

(AQW 3188/00)

Mr Campbell: Translink has embarked upon a programme to replace older buses in its fleet with new low floor accessible vehicles that will be easier for disabled people to use. The Budget for 2001-02 provides £1.7 million to assist Translink with its bus replacement programme. I am seeking additional funds for bus replacement grants.

As part of a national trial, Translink has been invited to operate a prototype fully accessible express coach on its Goldliner services. Discussions are in progress with a view to introducing the coach later in the year.

My Department continues to provide funding to Translink for the operation of Easibus services designed to meet the needs of elderly and disabled passengers. In 2001-02, revenue support of £122,000 has been earmarked for these services.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail how much funding was allocated to upgrade public transport for the disabled in the years 1999-00 and 2000-01.

(AQW 3212/00)

Mr Campbell: In 1999-2000 and 2000-01, my Department provided the following funding to upgrade public transport for people with disabilities:

Grant was paid to Translink during these years from the European Regional Development Fund to assist the upgrading of bus and railway stations at Bangor, Newry, Armagh, Coleraine and Central Station in Belfast. The works included improvement of access to facilities for people with disabilities.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Social Development whether there are constraining factors influencing the size of the Housing Executive’s new build programme and to state how the new build programme compares against identified strategic requirements.

(AQW 3040/00)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): Independent research carried out on behalf of the Housing Executive and published in The Northern Ireland Housing Market Review 2001-04, has identified a need for some 1,500 new social dwellings each year. Current funding allocations, for the next 3 year period, allow for Housing Associations, which now provide all new social housing, to provide on average 1,300 new dwellings per year. It is estimated that some additional £28m, over the 3 year period, would be required to fund provision up to the projected level of need.

As part of last year’s Spending Review, I made a substantial bid to cover the shortfall in provision. However, given the pressures on other funding priorities, the Assembly’s Executive Committee was not able to meet the bid in full.

Given that resource difficulties may be a feature for the foreseeable future, my Department has been looking at ways in which to maximise the funding which is available.

New procedures, just introduced, now require Housing Associations to fund major repairs to their properties from their own resources, where previiously they could apply to the Department for grant aid.

The Department and the Housing Executive are also pioneering new methods of procurement, which produce new social housing at a low cost to the public purse. A number of schemes are being advanced under competitive bidding arrangements, whereby Housing Associations are providing housing at rates of grant below the norm. Additionally, a new ‘land for houses initiative’ is being promoted where a Developer obtains Housing Executive land in exchange for providing social housing on part of the site.

I am still committed to the housing effort and while recognising the continued pressures on resources, intend to make a bid for additional resources at the next available opportunity.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the 35 organisations making up the external reference group on the implementation of the "Supporting People" project and to explain the criteria used for the selection of these organisations.

(AQW 3041/00)

Mr Morrow: The Supporting People project is being implemented by the Department for Social Development in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The External Reference Group is an information sharing forum and has no responsibilities as regards the actual implementation of the project.

Nominations to the External Reference Group were sought from the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations and the Council for the Homeless NI which are the main umbrella bodies for those agencies dealing with the provision and management of supported housing schemes. Direct approaches were also made to a number of other Agencies to make sure that the full range of interests were represented.

The organisations represented are as follows:

• Chartered Institute of Housing
• Cedar Foundation
• Praxis
• Women’s Aid
• Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health
• Extern 109 Project
• Barnardos
• DSD
• DHSSPS
• Probation Services
• NIHE
• Threshold
• NIFHA
• Oaklee Housing Association
• Equality Commission, Disability Unit
• Fold Housing Association
• A representative from the 4 Area Health Boards
• United Response
• North & West Housing
• Foyle Homeless and Advice
• Abbeyfield NI Development Society
• Triangle Housing Association
• Edward Street, Portadown (Hostel)
• Council for the Homeless
• Simon Community
• Extern
• MENCAP
• National Schizophrenia Fellowship

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Social Development, following the Housing Executive’s recent successful bid from Executive Programme Funds for the Building Capacity in Rural Areas project, to detail the 12 selected areas where it is intended to enhance community infrastructure.

(AQW 3043/00)

Mr Morrow: An area selection process forms part of the project for which funding has been awarded and the final choice of project areas will only be known following a comprehensive profiling exercise in rural areas, by the Housing Executive, based on detailed selection criteria for example:

• Rural Estates will be targeted (ie outside Belfast and the larger towns).
• No direct community development support or activity in the last 3 years.
• Areas of high social need based on benefit dependency levels.
• Lack of community infrastructure (eg little/no local voluntary groups or community facilities).
• Areas will be spread across the Province.

An important aspect of the project is the contribution it will make to the broader regeneration and renewal strategies to be developed within rural communities as well as dealing with New TSN and Promoting Social Inclusion.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the Housing Executive’s plans for the Building Capacity in Rural Areas project, following the recent successful bid from Executive Programme Funds.

(AQW 3044/00)

Mr Morrow: I should emphasise that the Building Capacity in Rural Areas project is a partnership initiative involving the Housing Executive, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), the Rural Community Network (RCN), the NI Voluntary Trust and all the local communities. The project is aimed at community development in rural estates in villages and more dispersed localities and is also referred to as the Rural Housing Estates Programme (RHEP).

£560K has been set aside in each of the years 2001-02 – 2003-04 (£140K from EPF; £140K from DSD; and £280K from DARD through PEACE II.).

The project will support both the Rural Development Programme and the Rural Housing Strategy with the aim of enhancing community infrastructure in 12 areas selected by the Housing Executive. Each area must have at least 500 NIHE homes with no or low existing representative community organisations and little evidence of community development. Another important consideration is the longer-term sustainability and growth of the communities concerned and any other complementary regeneration plans proposed or anticipated.

Discussions will take place with District Councils and Rural Networks to develop partnerships which will guide locally led teams to implement plans tailored to address the special needs of each locality and it is hoped that the first stage of local engagement will take place by the autumn.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of prosecutions for breaches of the NIHE tenancy agreement in each of the 26 District Council areas, for (a) nuisance neighbours and (b) rent arrears.

(AQW 3051/00)

Mr Morrow: The information is set out in the attached table. With the setting up by the Housing Executive of an Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, in November 2000, it is anticipated that the number of cases proceeding to court and enforcement will increase.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister for Social Development to detail what discussions he has had with other Departments to promote a co-ordinated approach to eliminating child poverty.

(AQW 3066/00)

Mr Morrow: My Department contributes to the policy of eliminating child poverty through those aspects of the social security benefits system which target families on low incomes. In that context, my officials maintain contact with, principally, the Department for Social Security but also with the Inland Revenue and other Whitehall Departments, and other Northern Ireland Departments.

Mr G Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, by housing district on a monthly basis for the year 2000-01, (a) the number of individuals or families who were presented as homeless to the Housing Executive; (b) the number of homeless individuals or families; and (c) the waiting time of those accepted as homeless by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 3067/00)

Mr Morrow: The table below, shows the total number of households who presented as homeless and were awarded full duty applicant status during the year 2000/01. A full duty applicant is someone to whom the Housing Executive owes a duty under the Housing (NI) Order 1988. Under that Order, the Housing Executive is required to secure that accommodation is made available for persons who are homeless, in priority need, and not intentionally homeless.

The average time taken to rehouse those households accepted as homeless was 131 days. A total of 3,995 accepted homeless households were rehoused during the year. The figures for the Homeless Advice Centre (HAC) cases are shown separately because they relate to those who presented as homeless from outside NI, or who have no fixed address.

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