Friday 6 July 2001
Written Answers to Questions

B>Mr Gibson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail its proposals to ensure the continuous improvement of public services; and to make a statement.

(AQW 3173/00)

Reply: The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister places a high priority on the continuous improvement of public services and we have given responsibility for implementing this priority to the Public Service Improvement Unit (PSIU). The approach which the Unit brings to the task is centred upon promoting and supporting the use of a range of Quality schemes which are aimed at ensuring better delivery of services:-

The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model has been adopted as the primary vehicle for focusing improvement effort. It is expected that use of the Model will be enhanced by the introduction in November 2000 of the ‘Steps to Excellence’ scheme, which is an award scheme for public sector organisations achieving specific standards against the criteria of the Model. To date 14 public sector organisations have elected to submit for the STEPS scheme. The development of this scheme in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Quality Centre is unique to Northern Ireland and is raising interest in other administrations.

Charter Mark focuses on results in terms of the service which customers receive and Northern Ireland has been particularly successful within the Scheme. The award which is firmly part of the public service culture will continue to be promoted.

Virtually all of the Northern Ireland Civil Service has now achieved IIP accreditation and the current focus of PSIU attention is on giving support and advice to those organisations which are seeking re-accreditation within recently revised guidelines.

The Balanced Scorecard is finding increased public sector use as a business planning tool which helps organisations achieve a sharpened focus on key objectives and measures.

The approach of the PSIU to promoting and supporting these schemes includes providing advice, running seminars and a range of awareness events, facilitating workshops and giving continued support to those within public sector organisations who are driving improvement efforts.

In addition to these Quality approaches, our Department, in conjunction with the Department of Finance and Personnel, will take the lead in the Executive’s quest to continuously improve the quality and accountability of public services and maximise the output from the public sector. We are specifically seeking to:

• Establish an effective system of regularly reviewing all major policy areas within Departments.
• Build on the success of the Executive Agencies in service delivery by maintaining a system of fundamental reviews in order to establish the "Best Supplier" and using the same principles to equally ensure the effective provision of services by all Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs).
• Modernise government services through the use of Information and Communications Technology and the promotion of electronic service delivery.
• Introduce Departmental Service Delivery Agreements to underpin the objectives and key targets set out in the Public Service Agreements.

We will continue to review these arrangements for continuous improvement to ensure that they remain effective in bringing about changes which will result in constantly improving services for all our citizens.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to give an assessment of the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey and to detail what steps are being taken to ensure men are not portrayed in a negative way in the media and that the equality agenda eliminates any bias against men.

(AQW 3243/00)

Reply: The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (NILT), launched in 1998, is an independent social survey carried out annually by a team of academics from Queen’s University Belfast and University of Ulster. The survey aims to monitor the attitudes and behaviours of people living in private households in Northern Ireland. The survey provides a time-series of how attitudes and behaviours develop, and change, on a wide range of social policy issues.

The Statutory Equality Obligation under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act requires Departments, in carrying out their functions in Northern Ireland, to promote equality of opportunity between, among other categories, men and women. The Sex Discrimination Order (1976), makes it unlawful to discriminate against an individual on the grounds of his or her sex in the fields of employment, training and related matters, the provision of goods, facilities and services or the disposal and management of premises.

The protrayal of men in the media is a matter for newspapers and broadcasting organisations to determine.

Mrs Carson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister for an assurance that the steering group for the Children’s Fund will not be a Quango.

(AQW 3322/00)

Reply: At present no formal structures have been established for the Children’s Fund. An inter-departmental group led at official level by the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Economic Policy Unit has been tasked with bringing forward proposals on the criteria for future allocations from the Children’s Fund and the structures that might be put in place to manage the allocation process and ensure that appropriate accountability mechanisms exist. These proposals will be considered shortly by the Executive and will then be subject to full consultation over the coming months. As part of this process, Assembly Committees and individual MLAs will have an opportunity to make known their views.

In reaching final decisions on arrangements, our priority will be to ensure that the funding available from the Children’s Fund goes directly to projects that support children in need and young people at risk.

Mrs Carson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail what input elected representatives will have into the Children’s Fund.

(AQW 3323/00)

Reply: The amount of funding available from the Children’s Fund is decided as part of the overall budgetary process which is subject to Assembly approval.

As we said in our answer to AQW3322, the Executive will shortly consider proposals on the criteria for future allocations from the Children’s Fund and the structures that might be put in place to manage the allocation process. These proposals will then be subject to widespread consultation over the coming months. As part of the consultation process, we will be writing to all MLAs to seek their views. We will also be writing to the Chairpersons of the relevant Assembly Committees to ask them to consider the proposals and how they might impact on the elements of the work of their Departments that relate to children.

Mr McGrady asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail what recent discussions have been held with the International Fund for Ireland concerning their programmes of funding; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1607/00)

Reply: We have not formally met the International Fund for Ireland, however our officials maintain regular contact with the Board of the Fund through the Advisory Committee meetings.

At the most recent meeting of the Advisory Committee, held on 12 June 2001, a range of matters relating to the Fund were discussed. The Committee advises the Board of the Fund on all matters, including its Programmes of funding. Senior officials from those Departments which help to administer, and in some cases jointly support, the various IFI Programmes attend the Advisory Committee meetings. The next meeting of the Advisory Committee is due to be held on 4 September 2001.

The Fund’s most recent Annual Report was published earlier this year and we understand a copy was issued to all Assembly Members. This Report provides a very useful insight into the range of activities undertaken by the Fund as well as recording the important contribution which the Fund has made to developments including providing assistance of over £3·8 million to some 4,600 projects involving a total investment of over £1 billion.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what key information is available in the Ulster Scots language as stated in the Programme for Government.

(AQW 3397/00)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): In the Programme for Government my Department has made the commitment to make key information available in languages other than English.

The Department currently has available in the Ulster-Scots language copies of the DCAL Corporate Strategy, the DCAL Equality Scheme and a summary of the New TSN report. It is intended that the DCAL revised Action Plan will also be made available in the Ulster-Scots language.

My Department takes a view on a case by case basis, regarding what information should be provided in languages other than English. We consider making available specific documents which may be of particular relevance to a certain section of the community.

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline how his policy takes account of the marching season in promoting a positive image at home and abroad.

(AQW 3401/00)

Mr McGimpsey: It is my firm belief that the marching season has the potential to contribute positively to the image of Northern Ireland. It is clear that the vast majority of marches represent colourful celebrations of culture and heritage which bring an immense amount of enjoyment to local communities across the Province. They have a valuable part to play in a society which recognises and respects cultural diversity.

However, I appreciate that a minority of marches have been associated with an image of conflict, division, and disputes over competing rights. It does not have to be that way. The efforts of, for example, the Apprentice Boys of Derry have shown how an imaginative approach in partnership with the local community can help to defuse potential conflict by placing marches within their wider cultural context. The Maiden City Festival has broken new ground in shifting the focus beyond marches alone to incorporate a week of celebrations which include several events with cross-community appeal.

Last year I attended the pageant at Guildhall Square and was impressed by the widespread community representation and the reception the event received. The Maiden City Festival has helped to show the entire city in a good light and is just one example of the potential for promoting a positive image through high quality cultural events.

I intend to support this year’s festival and hope that others can learn from the positive lessons of this experience.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (a) what progress has been made in his target of auditing 40 culture, arts and leisure venues by May 2001 and (b) his assessment of these audits.

(AQW 3413/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Audits have been carried out on 40 venues. These covered a variety of large and small, old and new, indoor and outdoor amenities, each with a cultural programme and included theatres, community centres, hotels, recreational and fishing outlets.

It was found that a large majority of the premises audited needed considerable improvements to meet the requirements of current legislation. These included a number of new buildings that were disappointing in the level of universal accessibility provided.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether he has any plans for a leisureplex, including a swimming facility, for the Twinbrook, Poleglass and Lagmore areas of Belfast.

(AQW 3417/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Statutory responsibility for leisure and recreational provision at local level rests, not with me, but with the relevant district council. I would therefore encourage you to take these matters up with Lisburn Borough Council in the first instance. You may also find it useful to contact Belfast City Council to see what facilities they may be planning to provide close by the Twinbrook, Poleglass and Lagmore estates.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his plans to meet the play needs of children within the Twinbrook, Poleglass and Lagmore areas of Belfast.

(AQW 3420/00)

Mr McGimpsey: I refer you to the answer I gave to your Assembly Question AQW 3417/00.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail grant-aid schemes to the Fisheries Conservancy Board for the conservation and protection of fish stocks.

(AQW 3424/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The total grant-aid available to the Fisheries Conservancy Board in 2001/02 is £150,000. This allocation is intended to cover a number of initiatives to be taken forward by the Board. Those concerned with the conservation and protection of fish stocks are the introduction of a salmon carcass tagging scheme, the appointment of technical staff to implement the Salmon Management Plan and to fulfil new obligations related to the control of the removal of material from river beds, and the recruitment of additional staff to monitor fishery protection measures at water abstraction sites.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail whether the Diversity 21 initiative has been extended, as stated in the Programme for Government, and to give his assessment as to whether it has achieved its aims.

(AQW 3429/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Diversity 21 was a programme originally devised and implemented by the Northern Ireland Millennium Company. It was included within the Agenda for Government and launched in October last year. Fourteen separate programmes were included within the initiative which aims to promote and celebrate all cultures in Northern Ireland; the seven criteria or ‘keys’ to Diversity 21 are: location, inclusion, participation, variety, opportunity, visible diversity and sustainable legacy.

I was delighted with the progress made during the initial start up phase, which resulted in Diversity 21 continuing to be funded through the Programme for Government and now being supported directly by my Department. A progress report on each of the programmes developed during the initial phase of Diversity 21 is attached for your information and a copy will be placed in the Assembly Library. I am also enclosing copies of some of the material produced through the Keynotes competition, Intercom, and, of course, what was undoubtedly the highlight of the initial phase, the Northern Odyssey Gala, which I was delighted to see televised recently and hope will be broadcast shortly through the Public Service Network in the USA.

As Diversity 21 has been in operation for less than a year, it would be unrealistic to claim that it has achieved all its aims; I am confident, however, that it has made an excellent start, and the number of people who have participated, in the region of 120,000, has greatly exceeded our expectations. I am particularly pleased that the exhibitions and workshops have attracted so many people throughout Northern Ireland and that we are now receiving requests from the Republic of Ireland.

The Department will continue to support and develop the Diversity 21 programme through the Programme for Government, using the main themes of language, history, music, sport, storytelling, faith, film and consider initiatives in other areas not previously covered such as drama and dance.

Ms Morrice asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the guidance his Departments and its NDPBs give to voluntary and community bodies on accessing, using and accounting for grants from public monies.

(AQW 3484/00)

Mr McGimpsey: I undertook in the official response to write separately to you providing more details on the various forms of advice provided by my Department and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies on accessing, using and accounting for grants and public monies.

Finance and Accountability Branch does not normally provide guidance and advice directly to voluntary and community groups. It does however provide all of DCAL’s Heads of Divisions, Agencies and NDPBs with up to date guidance and advice. This is usually in the form of DAO (DFP) letters and other directives received from DFP, but on some occasions it is in the form of internal guidelines or advice. They are advised that they may copy any of these, where appropriate, to any of the bodies that they fund.

As far as Exchequer Funding is concerned, applicants are issued with a "Heads of Agreement" which details the terms and conditions under which grants are applied.

Advice and guidance offered to potential and actual applicants from the Sports Council Lottery Fund is as follows:

• Newsletter 2001 – detailing all programmes and eligibility.
• Information and guidance booklets for all programmes.
• Guide to preparing a business plan.
• Technical Guidance Notes.
• Site Visits.
• "What Happens Next" guidance note.
• Meetings with applicants to assist in completing claims and monitoring returns.
• Roadshows to answer customers’ queries and give information on funding programmes.

The Northern Ireland Museums Council occasionally gives grants to voluntary and community bodies for the production of feasibility studies.

A copy of the Council’s guidance on accessing, using and accounting for grants and public monies is attached for information.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is the statutory body through which public funding for arts in Northern Ireland is channelled. It is the Council’s statutory duty to advise the Department and other government departments, district councils and other bodies on matters relating to the arts.

Accessing of Council grants is via an application process. Guidance given to applicants is detailed in the guidance notes attached to each programme sent out with each application form. These notes detail what applicants will be expected to give the Council in terms of accounting for the funds, ie invoices, receipts, mid-term report and how they will be monitored. The letter of offer for Lottery grants, for example, also details what, how and when payments should be made.

The Department does not as a rule directly fund voluntary or community bodies as part of its Arts Programme. However, on those few occasions where there is a direct funding relationship, guidance on the use of resources and accounting procedures is contained in a letter of offer, which is effectively a contract that the body must agree to be bound by before any monies are paid over.

A pilot scheme to assist Cultural Diversity projects or events has just been established and a copy of the Application Form and Guidance Notes which accompany the form are attached, together with a specimen of the formal letter of offer, the acceptance form and Standard Conditions of Grant attached to the offer.

With awards exceeding £10,000, the process of agreeing an application form will include a meeting with the applicant to agree dates for staged payments.

The Northern Ireland Events Company follow a similar procedure, and a copy of their application form, and Guidance notes are attached. Northern Ireland Events Company staff would normally have meetings with applicants at various stages of the grant process.

I hope you find this information helpful. This letter and the attachments has been copied to the Business Office and to the Assembly Library.

Ms Morrice asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail all grants of £100,000 or more made by his Department and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01.

(AQW 3516/00)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department and its NDPBs have made two grants in excess of £100, 000 to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01, they are:-

Mr Leslie asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 3209/00, to detail the amounts due to Ballymena Academy under the proposals for TSN funding in the consultation document "A Common Funding Formula for Grant Aided Schools".

(AQW 3426/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): The amounts due to Ballymena Academy under the proposals for TSN funding contained in the consultation document "A Common Funding Formula for Grant Aided Schools" are as follows:-

I must however stress that these figures are subject to the constraints set out in Section 18.2 of the Consultation Document and could change should the various assumptions made in the model require revision.

Mr Leslie asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to "A Common Funding Formula for Grant- Aided Schools", to detail the figures used in the formula to calculate the impact of high and low ASB for Ballymena Academy.

(AQW 3427/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The table below details the figures used in the proposed common funding formula for Ballymena Academy:

I must however stress that these figures are subject to the constraints set out in Section 18.2 of the Consultation Document and could change should the various assumptions made in the model require revision.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether Tourism Ireland Limited will promote country-sports on a pro-active basis given that the Irish Tourist Board has stated that it will not promote shooting sports.

(AQW 3361/00)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): While Tourism Ireland Limited has yet to submit its marketing strategy for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council, it will be the Company’s responsibility to market the island of Ireland as a holiday destination. It will also undertake regional and special interest product marketing on behalf of both tourist boards. There are a small number of providers in Northern Ireland who offer packages for field sports enthusiasts. NITB has always facilitated distribution of their packages and would be expected to continue to do this through the new arrangements.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether he has any plans to remove crown immunity that extends to Government Buildings insofar as health and safety legislation is concerned.

(AQW 3408/00)

Sir Reg Empey: At present all the relevant provisions of Northern Ireland health and safety legislation apply to the Crown with the sole exception of those which enable prosecution and other statutory enforcement proceedings to be taken. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland is to examine these issues as part of its association with the Great Britain "Revitalising Health and Safety" strategic initiative.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail what progress he has made in achieving inward investment and the associated marketing initiatives as set out in the Programme for Government.

(AQW 3410/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The year to 31 March 2001 was a record year for new inward investment. 16 new projects were secured and these are expected to create 3,085 new jobs, almost all in the knowledge based sectors, and generate an investment of £48 million. In addition, 14 of the 16 new projects, involving 2,715 (88% of total) new jobs promoted were in areas designated by Government as being disadvantaged.

IDB has developed new branding for inward investment, following extensive research in the target markets of North America, Great Britain, Republic of Ireland, Germany and Asia/Pacific regions. The branding more effectively communicates Northern Ireland’s unique proposition of a ready supply of creative and innovative talent to companies in the knowledge-based sectors. This refreshed presentation of Northern Ireland as an investment location was introduced across promotional vehicles such as literature, advertising and website. The website – www.investni.com – has been significantly improved in terms of design and functionality to enhance its capabilities as a powerful marketing tool. The new branding was launched in IDB’s main market, the US, in mid-June and will be rolled out in other key markets over the coming months.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (a) his assessment of the current state of the textile and clothing sector (b) what visits or meetings he has had with B H McCleery & Co Ltd over the past 12 months and whether he plans to visit in the near future and (c) what further financial help can be given to the company.

(AQW 3430/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The Northern Ireland Textiles and Clothing Industry has experienced several years of competitive pressure from manufacturers in low cost economies. The recent re-structuring within the UK retail sector has added to these pressures. Significant job losses have resulted.

The recently prepared Kurt Salmon Associates (KSA) Action Plan for the Industry identifies 5 key themes to take the industry forward. These are to develop unique and desirable products, to introduce a balanced sourcing policy, to create strategic alliances, to take full advantage of the new economy and to grow brands.

There are many good companies in the industry which are already addressing a number of these themes. The Industrial Development Board has several initiatives in place to develop these themes further and is working closely with the appropriate industry bodies.

The future lies in these added value areas. The outcome could see further job losses but an increase in the quality of remaining and new jobs.

I am assuming that the company referred to in the question is McCleery Yarns located in Killinchy. B H McCleery & Co Ltd which had two manufacturing locations, Ballygowan and Killinchy, ceased to trade with the closure of the Ballygowan premises in June 2000. The Killinchy factory was acquired in a Management Buy Out from the parent company Lamont Holdings plc and the new company renamed McCleery Yarns. I have not had the opportunity to visit the factory or had any meetings with the management of the company.

In December 2000, LEDU provided a package of assistance to McCleery Yarns and would be happy to discuss any future development plans with the company.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to AQW 2976/00, to detail the minimum required threshold level for accuracy.

(AQW 3434/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The minimum required accuracy threshold level for the Northern Ireland quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS) (from which the information given in answer to AQW 2976 was taken) is 8,000 cases. The criterion used in determining this level is the same as that adopted by the Office for National Statistics for the UK LFS, namely that the maximum relative standard error (the standard error as a percentage of the estimate) should be 20%. As a consequence the requested data on the number of teleworkers could not be released at Parliamentary Constituency level.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he could outline when he expects to announce the results of the review into NIE’s response to the widespread power disruptions in late February 2001.

(AQW 3575/00)

Sir Reg Empey: I have now completed my review of NIE’s response to the late February power disruptions. The review was in two parts. Firstly I visited the NIE Incident Centre in Craigavon on 28 March where I met the Duty Incident Team, call handlers and repair engineers involved in the restoration of supplies to customers during very difficult weather conditions. Secondly I met NIE senior management, the electricity regulator and the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Consumer Committee for Electricity on 26 June to consider the conclusions and recommendations contained in both the NIE report on its response to the February disruptions and the separate report commissioned by the regulator.

Our consideration of the NIE response covered a number of aspects, including customer communications and public relations; network performance and damage; special arrangements for critical care customers; goodwill payments; NIE resources for dealing with future emergency situations; and arrangements for NIE obtaining external assistance in such situations.

The consensus of the meeting on 26 June was that the additional measures put in place by NIE following the last major weather related power disruptions in December 1998 had resulted in a marked improvement in the company’s performance in restoring supplies in February. However there were a number of areas – particularly in the provision of accurate and timely information to customers – where the company has identified the need for further improvements. All parties agreed to give further collective thought to the issue of ensuring supplies to critical care customers during emergency situations. This is not simply a matter for NIE to deliver but will require the active involvement and support of Departments and Agencies and the voluntary and community sector.

NIE has drawn up, on the basis of its experiences in February, a detailed Action Plan with the aim of improving further its arrangements for dealing with future weather related disruptions. The regulator plans to monitor the implementation of the NIE Action Plan. I have asked him to keep me informed of progress.

Mr Neeson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail his plans to assist Harland and Wolff in view of the protracted legal considerations in the company’s dispute with Global Marine.

(AQO 1663/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Following the recent decision of the Court of Appeal Harland and Wolff has now received the money associated with the final delivery instalment for the Global Marine drillship. Payment of the money will strengthen Harland’s position and help re-establish customer confidence as they seek out new orders.

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