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Friday 27 July 2001
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister Review of Mrs Carson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail when the review into Public Bodies or Quangos will begin and when its first report is expected. (AQW 3367/00) Reply: The Executive gave a commitment in the Programme for Government to undertake a Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland. While decisions have yet to be taken on detailed aspects of the Review, it is expected to be a comprehensive and strategic examination of all aspects of the public sector, not just quangos. The Executive are still considering arrangements for the review, and hope to make a statement on these as soon as possible. Appointment to Public Bodies Mrs Carson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail (a) those persons sitting on (i) two (ii) three (iii) four (iv) five and (v) six or more Quangos; (b) what salary and/or allowance each receives; and (c) by what means each was appointed. (AQW 3368/00) Reply: (a) Details of those persons sitting on more than one public body to which appointments are made by Northern Ireland Ministers have been placed in the Assembly Library. 114 people hold 2 appointments, 15 hold 3 and 4 hold 4. There are no persons holding more than 4 appointments on bodies for which Northern Ireland Ministers are responsible. (b) Information on the salary and/or allowances payable to those holding public appointments in Northern Ireland is available in Volume 2 of the Central Appointments Unit’s 1999/2000 Annual Report on Public Appointments, a copy of which is available in the Assembly Library. (c) Northern Ireland Ministers make public appointments to bodies for which they are responsible in accordance with the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Public Appointments’ guidance. That guidance lays considerable emphasis on the need for all public appointments to be governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit; the inclusion of an independent element in the selection process; openness and transparency; and for information to be published about appointments made. Before offering an appointment to an individual who already holds a public appointment, departments should be satisfied that the person will be able to devote sufficient time and commitment to the new appointment. Programme for Government: Mrs I Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail which targets, as set out in the programme for government, have been achieved to date. (AQW 3382/00) Reply: The following targets contained in the Programme for Government have been achieved to date. The targets are shown against the Departments responsible.
The three actions listed below were achieved after the target date.
Research into Mrs Nelis asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the cost of commissioning Deloitte and Touche to undertake a study of services provided to victims; and to make a statement. (AQW 3388/00) Reply: The cost of commissioning the research is £34,950. The research is seeking views on the needs of victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland and the range and quality of services provided to them. Views are being sought from victims and survivors groups, and individuals who define themselves as victims or survivors but who are not associated with any group. The study will provide baseline information about the services provided, indicate where gaps exist and assist in determining the priority areas for improvement. The final report is expected to be available in July 2001. It is proposed that a summary of the findings and an action plan of how the findings will be taken forward will be issued to all those who took part in the research. Schemes under which Grants are paid to Voluntary and Community Bodies Mr Carrick asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail all current schemes under which grants are paid by the office and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community sector. (AQW 3442/00) Reply: The Office funds community and voluntary organisations in the community relations field under the authority of the Community Relations (Amendment) (NI) Order 1975. The Community Relations Unit administers a small capital programme and provides funding to a very few groups and projects which do not fall within the remit of the Community Relations Council. The Community Relations Council, although not an NDPB, is the main channel for community relations funding to the voluntary and community sector. From funding provided through the Community Relations Unit, the Community Relations Council makes grants to various voluntary and community sector bodies under the following schemes:
The Race Equality Unit in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister is responsible for the management of a newly created funding scheme to support minority ethnic voluntary organisations and projects. The scheme provides core and innovative project funding from a budget of £400,000; the core aim is the promotion of good relations between different ethnic groups. The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland provides financial assistance to other bodies for the purposes of education and research under Article 55 of Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976 and Article 44 of the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997. The Commission also gives financial or other assistance to organisations appearing to the Commission to be concerned with the promotion of equality of opportunity, and good relations, between persons of different racial groups under Article 43 of the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997. Finally, the office is currently operating interim funding arrangements under two measures of the European Union Peace II Programme, namely ‘Reconciliation for sustainable peace’ and ‘Integration and reconciliation of victims’. The purpose of this scheme is to provide interim funding to sustain projects that are considered likely to be eligible for funding under the Programme paper. Grants paid to Voluntary and Mr Carrick asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail all grants paid by the office and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01. (AQW 3443/00) Reply: The following grants were paid to Voluntary and Community bodies by the Community Relations Unit during 2000/01.
In addition the following were paid by Community Relations Unit under the European Union Physical & Social Environment Programme.
The main channel for the provision of Community Relations funding to the community and voluntary sector is the Community Relations Council, which is an independent voluntary organisation supported by Government. From funding provided by the Department and the European Union, it paid out some £3.3m in grants to over 400 groups and projects in 2000/2001. Details of those will be published in the Council’s annual report due later in the year. The Victims Unit paid the following grants:
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland made the following grants to community and voluntary sector bodies in the financial year 2000/01: Under Article 55 of the Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976
Under Articles 43 and 44 of the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997
Guidance given to Voluntary and Mr Carrick asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the guidance given by the office and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community bodies, on accessing, using and accounting for grants from public monies. (AQW 3446/00) Reply: The Race Equality Unit published Notes of Guidance to assist applicants in making a claim against a fund established in support of minority ethnic organisations. The Community Relations Unit and the Victims Unit provide oral or written advice as appropriate in response to any approach from a voluntary or community body regarding financial assistance for a project aimed at promoting better community relations or assistance for victims. The main channel for community relations funding to voluntary and community bodies and the centre of expertise on community relations practice is the Community Relations Council. Guidance notes including eligibility criteria are available in relation to each of its schemes of assistance and, in addition, Council staff are available to provide advice with regard to developing a project proposal. In the case of Community Relations Unit, Victims Unit and Community Relations Council, the formal letters of offer which make available grants to successful applicants contain relevant information about the use for which the assistance is provided, how it may be drawn down and accounting requirements. The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland offers guidance on the availability of grants under anti-discrimination legislation in the form of explanatory leaflets and other printed materials. These materials explain the requirements to be met by applicants and the basis on which a determination will be made in relation to an application. When grants are approved, the receiving body is required to provide the Commission with evidence of expenditure of the grant in relation to the project for which it was awarded. Grants paid to Voluntary and Mr Carrick asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail all grants of £100,000 or more made by the office and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01. (AQW 3460/00) Reply: The Community Relations Unit paid two grants of over £100,000 to Voluntary and Community bodies in 2000/01.
The Victims Unit paid a grant of £340,710 to the Northern Ireland Victims Memorial Fund. The Community Relations Council is the main channel for the provision of Community Relations funding to the voluntary and community sector. It is not however an NDPB. From funding provided by Community Relations Unit, Community Relations Council made two grants over £100,000 in 2000/01 –
Structure of Whitehall Departments Dr Birnie asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister whether it has considered any implications of the recent changes to Whitehall Departments for the structures of Departments here. (AQW 3554/00) Reply: We note the recent changes to the structure of Whitehall Departments made by the Prime Minister following his re-election on 8 June. These have no direct implications for the structures of Departments here which were agreed by the Assembly in February 1999. However, under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the four administrations last July, amendments may be required to bilateral concordats agreed between Northern Ireland and Whitehall Departments to properly reflect such structural change and revised responsibilities in Whitehall Departments. Director of Communication: Mr Poots asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the length of contract of the newly appointed Director of Communications. (AQW 3560/00) Reply: The contract for the post is to be offered as a permanent appointment. Victims Mr P Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to define who may or may not be described as a victim and whether there is a statutory or other provision regarding this definition. (AQW 3623/00) Reply: The definition of victims as stated in the Programme for Government as endorsed by the Executive and Assembly includes, "The surviving injured of violent, conflict-related incidents and the close relatives or partners who care for them along with those close relatives and partners who mourn their dead." The word "injured" refers to both physical and psychological injury and this clarification will be made in the consultation paper on a victims’ strategy. There is no statutory definition of a victim. Payments to Victims Mr P Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail how much has been paid out to victims through funds made available from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. (AQW 3624/00) Reply: During the 2000/2001 financial year a total of £420,000 was allocated to a variety of initiatives relating to victims. In particular, over one third of a million was paid to the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund, which operates a variety of schemes that assist individual victims in a practical way. Funding of £650,000 for the current year has not yet been allocated. A victims measure with funding of approximately £6·67 million will be available under the Peace II programme. £1·67 million of this has come from Executive funds. Access to Polling Stations Ms Morrice asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, with regard to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, to detail what facilities are available in respect of access to polling stations. (AQW 3642/00) Reply: The arrangements for access to Polling Stations are not a matter for the devolved administration. While OFMDFM has responsibility for disability discrimination policy and legislation, each employer or service provider is responsible under the legislation for the provision of facilities or for making reasonable adjustments to existing facilities. While the arrangements in respect of polling stations are a matter for the Secretary of State, we agree that the provision of accessible facilities for disabled people should be in place. Economic Policy Unit Mr Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to outline the arbitration carried out by the Economic Policy Unit on competing fund demands and final determinations that were necessary to be reached by EPU within the June monitoring round. (AQW 3663/00) Reply: The Economic Policy Unit (EPU) worked closely with the Department of Finance and Personnel to draft agreed advice on the strategic considerations, options, and approach to the June Monitoring round. EPU also expressed views on the extent to which all bids from Departments took account of the priorities and objectives set out in the Programme for Government. Economic Policy Unit Mr Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the Economic Policy Unit’s current evaluation of the effectiveness of government programmes and policies. (AQW 3664/00) Reply: In March the Executive agreed the Terms of Reference for five Needs and Effectiveness Evaluations. The five areas chosen for evaluation are housing, education, training, industrial development and health, which together account for 70% of planned public spending. Project plans have been drawn up to identify the objectives of the evaluations, the outputs that can be expected, and the timescales involved. The Economic Policy Unit, working in conjunction with the Department of Finance & Personnel and the relevant departments, leads each of the reviews. Economic Policy Unit Mr Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail progress within the Economic Policy Unit on the effective co-ordination and development of cross-cutting policies. (AQW 3665/00) Reply: The Economic Policy Unit (EPU) has co-ordinated development of the Programme for Government, the Executive’s principal means of promoting cross-cutting policy-making. The Executive Programme Funds provide a financial mechanism to encourage cross-Departmental working to deliver the Executive’s Priorities under the Programme for Government. EPU has also initiated a programme of cross-cutting Performance and Innovation studies. It participates in several Inter-Departmental Groups on cross-cutting issues and is leading the administration’s response to a number of UK-wide cross-cutting initiatives. Northern Ireland Block Grant Mr Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the negotiations that have been undertaken by the Economic Policy Unit, together with the relevant Northern Ireland Minister and the Secretary of State, with HM Treasury on the size of the Northern Ireland block grant. (AQW 3666/00) Reply: The Economic Policy Unit, together with the Department of Finance and Personnel, advised Ministers on negotiations on the size of the Northern Ireland block grant during the 2000 Spending Review. These negotiations included a meeting on 28 June 2000 between the First Minister, Deputy First Minister, Minister of Finance and Personnel, the Secretary of State and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Modernising Government Strategy Mr Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail progress by the Public Service Improvement Unit on the development of an overall strategy for modernising government in Northern Ireland. (AQW 3667/00) Reply: A Modernising Government Group was established on 8 May 2001, comprising representatives from each Department at Senior Civil Service level. The Group has now met on two occasions and is working to the following Terms of Reference:- Against the background of "The Creating and Delivering Modern Government Services in NI" paper and the commitments given in the Programme for Government (particularly chapter 7 - "Working Together") the Modernising Government Group should examine and report upon:
The Group has been asked to produce, by 30 November 2001, an agreed action plan for submission to Ministers and the Executive. Agriculture and Rural Development Maintenance on Watercourses Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail at what periods does the Rivers Agency carry out maintenance on designated watercourses. (AQW 3473/00) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): The Rivers Agency carries out maintenance works on designated watercourses all year round. In the case of watercourses with fishery interest, channel works are restricted during the spawning season (November to March). Works on urban watercourses are generally concentrated in the late Autumn, early Winter period in anticipation of high Winter flows, to alleviate potential flooding risks. Importation of German Cattle Mr Clyde asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) the number of cattle of German origin imported into Northern Ireland since 1 Jan 2001 (b) where they were slaughtered and (c) where the remainder of the cattle are currently located. (AQW 3481/00) Ms Rodgers: A complete ban on the import of pigs, sheep, goats and cattle into Northern Ireland, was imposed on 21 February 2001, with the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom. Prior to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, 31 cattle for breeding were imported from Germany on 1 January 2001. None of the cattle have been slaughtered. Thirty of these cattle remain in a herd in Co Down and one animal has since died. Rural Proofing Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail progress on the co-ordination of executive policy on rural proofing. (AQW 3503/00) Ms Rodgers: My executive colleagues and I remain firmly committed to the policy of rural proofing. The Member will nevertheless understand that because of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, resources within my Department have had to be diverted from other duties. As a result, progress to establish the machinery necessary to implement rural proofing has been slower than I would have wished. The Ministerial led inter-departmental group to oversee the process will, however, be established shortly. Guidance given to Voluntary and Ms Morrice asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the guidance her Department and its NDPBs give to voluntary and community bodies on accessing, using and accounting for grants from public monies. (AQW 3517/00) Ms Rodgers: The Department and its NDPBs offer guidance on accessing, using and accounting for grants from public monies in a number of formats including specific one-to-one advice from Department officials, site visits, information booklets, guidance notes, workshops and ‘grant information evenings’. The guidance is designed to support voluntary and community groups in the planning, managing and monitoring of projects and budgets. Grants paid to Voluntary and Ms Morrice asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail all grants paid to voluntary and community bodies by her Department and her NDPBs in the financial year 2000-01. (AQW 3518/00) Ms Rodgers: The total grants paid under the Rural Development Programme 1994-1999 amounted to £8.5m. Within the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, grants of £2·7m were paid under the community-based actions measure. Forest Service Grants amounted to £76,948 and grants paid to Local Shows, the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster and the Rural Stress Action Fund amounted to £100,884. Schemes under which grants are paid to Voluntary and Community Bodies Ms Morrice asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail all current schemes under which grants are paid by her Department and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community sector. (AQW 3519/00) Ms Rodgers: The current schemes under which grants are paid are:-
Grants paid to Voluntary and Ms Morrice asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail all grants of £100,000 or more made by her Department and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01. (AQW 3520/00) Ms Rodgers: The Department did not make any individual grants of £100,000 or more in the financial year 2000-2001. Cattle Tested for TB and Brucellosis Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) the percentage of cattle tested for tuberculosis and brucelosis for the year 1999-2000 and were subsequently found to be positive reactors to either disease and (b) the amount of compensation paid as a result. (AQW 3528/00) Ms Rodgers: The information requested is as follows:- (a) the percentage of cattle tested for TB for the year 1999-2000 and subsequently found to be positive reactors to the disease was 0.4% and the percentage of cattle tested for Brucellosis for the year 1999-2000 and subsequently found to be positive reactors to the disease was 0.11%; and (b) the amount of compensation paid as a result was £5,549,116 for Tuberculosis and £272,398 for Brucellosis. Lamb Collection Centre System Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail when the lamb collection point system will commence and who will monitor and regulate the system. (AQW 3531/00) Ms Rodgers: The lamb collection centre system is already in place. The approval of the local Divisional Veterinary Officer must be obtained for both the centre and the centre protocols. The running of the centres is on a self regulatory basis, with responsibility lying with Lamb Group Managements. Reconciliation of numbers of lambs presented is undertaken at Meat Plants. Export of Livestock to the Republic of Ireland Mr ONeill asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development , following her discussions with her counterpart in the Dail, to detail her plans for re-opening trade from Northern Ireland to the Republic for the immediate slaughter of animals. (AQW 3581/00) Ms Rodgers: Under regionalisation the export of livestock to the Republic has been allowed and indeed the conditional export of pigs has re-commenced. However, the authorities in the Republic have not yet agreed the arrangements under which the importation of sheep can proceed. My officials have met with their counterparts in the Republic on this issue and the latter have undertaken to progress this matter so that exports from Northern Ireland can recommence in the near future. Lamb Collection Centres Mr ONeill asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail any plans to open evaluation centres or safeguards in South Down where lambs can be taken prior to transportation to the Republic of Ireland. (AQW 3582/00) Ms Rodgers: The provision of lamb collection centres is a matter for the industry and some are already in existence for lambs going to slaughter within Northern Ireland. Collection centres are subject to approval by the Department. As you are aware the export of sheep to the Republic has not yet re-commenced. I am not aware of any plans by the industry to establish collection centres whether in South Down or elsewhere to deal with lambs for export to the Republic when that trade re-opens. Fencing of Farmland: Financial Assistance Mr ONeill asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has any plans to provide financial assistance to farmers to improve the fencing of farmland in order to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases. (AQW 3583/00) Ms Rodgers: I will answer AQW 3583 and AQW 3584 together as they are both similar in nature. Provision of fencing of farmland, cattle crush and sheep dip facilities are all the responsibility of individual farmers. While capital grant assistance for items such as these could have been considered under the SPARD scheme, which operated in the previous EU approved Single Programme, no such scheme is currently in operation and there are no plans at present to introduce one. Crushes and Sheep Dip Facilities: Grant Aid Mr ONeill asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has any plans to grant aid crushes and sheep dip facilities on farms in order to help prevent the spread of communicable disease. (AQW 3584/00) Ms Rodgers: I will answer AQW 3583 and AQW 3584 together as they are both similar in nature. Provision of fencing of farmland, cattle crush and sheep dip facilities are all the responsibility of individual farmers. While capital grant assistance for items such as these could have been considered under the SPARD scheme, which operated in the previous EU approved Single Programme, no such scheme is currently in operation and there are no plans at present to introduce one. Removal of Safeguards Mr ONeill asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail when she will announce the removal of safeguards in Northern Ireland in respect of the sale of livestock. (AQW 3585/00) Ms Rodgers: As you may be aware I have announced that livestock marts may reopen from 30 July for sales of store cattle, breeding cattle, bulls, drop calves, pigs and pedigree ewes and rams. I will review the resumption of sheep sales (other than of pedigree stock) towards the end of August. I will also keep under review the re-commencement of sales of sheep direct from farms (as distinct from their sale through a recognised mart) although it appears unlikely that these will resume before the end of this year. EU Conservation Regulations Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she intends to provide assistance to the Fishing Industry in light of the new EU conservation regulations. (AQW 3633/00) Ms Rodgers: Since both questions refer to the same subject matter, I will answer both together. The latest conservation regulations which has been introduced by the EU are those establishing measures for the recovery of hake stock. It is considered that these will have a limited impact on local fishermen. For example they do not extend to the Irish Sea. It is not therefore my intention to provide assistance to the industry to take particular account of these regulations. EU Conservation Regulations Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment of the new EU conservation regulations upon fishing; and to make a statement. (AQW 3634/00) Ms Rodgers: Since both questions refer to the same subject matter, I will answer both together. The latest conservation regulations which has been introduced by the EU are those establishing measures for the recovery of hake stock. It is considered that these will have a limited impact on local fishermen. For example they do not extend to the Irish Sea. It is not therefore my intention to provide assistance to the industry to take particular account of these regulations. Oyster Production: Strangford Lough Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she is aware of any proposals made by private firms to increase the oyster production in the Strangford Lough area. (AQW 3636/00) Ms Rodgers: Yes. There are currently 2 commercial private enterprises cultivating both Pacific and Native oysters at 8 licensed sites in Strangford Lough. Whilst one is currently producing oysters the other has not yet reached the commercial production stage. A further 2 applications, including one which also involves the cultivation of scallops, are under consideration. The total area licensed and under application to private firms for oyster cultivation is approximately 345 and 215 hectares respectively. Forest Service: Performance Targets 2001-02 Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the performance targets that have been set for the Forest Service for the financial year 2001-02. (AQW 3679/00) Ms Rodgers: The following Key Targets have been set for the Forest Service for 2001- 2002:
Rivers Agency: Performance Targets 2001-02 Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the performance targets that have been set for the Rivers Agency for the financial year 2001-02. (AQW 3680/00) Ms Rodgers: The following Key Targets have been set for the Rivers Agency for 2001-2002:
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