Friday 27 July 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Surgical Procedures

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) how many elective surgical procedures have been scheduled in each month over the last twelve months, and (b) how many elective surgical procedures have been cancelled in each month over the last twelve months, in each Health Board area.

(AQW 3685/00)

(a) Information is not available in the form requested.

(b) Information is not available in the form requested.

(a) Níl an t-eolas ar fáil ar an dóigh as iarradh í.

(b) Níl an t-eolas ar fáil ar an dóigh as iarradh í.

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the figures for each six month period over the last five years, of (i) the number of people on the waiting list, and (ii) the average waiting time, for outpatients appointments in each Health Board area and (b) any steps that are being taken to reduce these waiting times.

(AQW 3686/00)

(a)

(i)Information is not available in the form requested.

(ii) Information is not available in the form requested.

(b) I refer the member to the answer given to AQW 3684/00

(a) 

(i)Níl an t-eolas ar fáil ar an dóigh as iarradh í.

(ii) Níl an t-eolas ar fáil ar an dóigh as iarradh í.

(b) Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 3684/00.

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the figures for each six month period over the last five years of (i) the number of people on the waiting list, and (ii) the average waiting time, for day surgery in each Health Board area and (b) any steps that are being taken to reduce these waiting times.

(AQW 3687/00)

(a)

(i)Information is not available in the form requested.

(ii) Information is not available in the form requested.

(b) I refer the member to the answer given to AQW 3684/00

(a) 

(i)Níl an t-eolas ar fáil ar an dóigh as iarradh í.

(ii) Níl an t-eolas ar fáil ar an dóigh as iarradh í.

(b) Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 3684/00.

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the figures for each six month period over the last five years, of (i) the number of people on the waiting list, and (ii) the average waiting time, for day procedures in each Health Board Area and (b) any steps that are being taken to reduce these waiting times.

(AQW 3688/00)

(a)

(i)Information is not available in the form requested.

(ii) Information is not available in the form requested.

(b) I refer the member to the answer given to AQW 3684/00

(a)

 (i)Níl an t-eolas ar fáil ar an dóigh as iarradh í.

(ii) Níl an t-eolas ar fáil ar an dóigh as iarradh í.

(b) Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 3684/00.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail the guidance his Department and its NDPBs give to voluntary and community bodies, on accessing, using and accounting for grants from public monies.

(AQW 3449/00)

The Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment (Dr Farren): My Department and it’s NDPBs give a range of guidance to voluntary and community bodies about accessing, using and accounting for grants from public funds. None of the Department’s NDPBs administers grant support to such bodies.

EUROPEAN FUNDING

The majority of incidences where the Department administers grant to voluntary and community bodies relates to European Community funding under those programmes which are now ending. The availability of European Funding was published through advertised open calls for application, press releases and holding information seminars. Information is also provided in response to individual queries from potential applicants. Application forms were accompanied by guidance notes to assist project promoters in the completion of application forms and the development of their project proposal. Successful applicants received a European Social Fund Promoters Operating Manual to inform them of requirements for administration of projects in accordance with European Commission regulations and to indicate best practice. Additional guidance is available in EU programme documentation, letters of offer, European regulations and Monitoring Visit guidelines.

Similar arrangements are being put in place for the implementation of the Building Sustainable Prosperity and Peace II programmes.

For the Northern Ireland EQUAL Programme a series of workshops for potential applicants was held across Northern Ireland in the week commencing 25 June. A call for applications has been published in the press. An Initial Guidance document is being provided with the application form on the selection process, on administration during the first two or three stages of EQUAL projects and on compliance with European Social Fund regulations. The Department has contracted Proteus to provide technical support to applicants and later to those projects which are selected.

Funding provided to projects under Gap Funding arrangements is subject to the same guidance and requirements as are applicable to European funding.

OTHER GRANTS

The Department provides non-EU funding on a continuing basis to a number of voluntary and community sector organisations. The terms and conditions under which funding is provided and accounted for are contained in either formal contracts with these organisations or in letters of offer issued annually by the Department.

AUDIT ARRANGEMENTS

The Department has a Financial Audit and Support Team (FAST) which audits projects or groups receiving grant support. Until this year this service covered grants made by the Training and Employment Agency but this year will cover all such funding by the Department. A report is prepared following each audit and submitted to the relevant sponsor Division to follow up any issues with the project or group concerned. Follow up may include giving additional guidance.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment 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 3467/00)

Dr Farren: My Department made offers of grants of £100,000 or more to the following voluntary and community bodies in the 2000-01 financial year –

The Department’s NDPBs do not offer such grants.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail all current schemes under which grants are paid by his Department and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community sector.

(AQW 3468/00)

Dr Farren: My Department pays grants to the voluntary and community sector under the following schemes –

EU Schemes - the Northern Ireland Single Programme, the Peace Programme, and the EU Community Initiatives Employment/Adapt and Interreg. The Department also pays ‘Gap’ Funding to previously EU-funded projects pending the implementation of Building Sustainable Prosperity and Peace II programmes.

None of the Department’s NDPBs operates grant schemes for the voluntary and community sectors.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail all grants paid by his Department and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01.

(AQW 3469/00)

Dr Farren: Grants paid by my Department to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01 are detailed in the Table below.

The Department’s NDPBs do not provide grant support to voluntary and community groups.

In addition to direct payments, my Department also indirectly funds voluntary and community groups through Intermediary Funding Bodies (IFBs) under the EU Peace I Programme. In 2000-01 IFBs received funding for such purposes as follows

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail the number of courses available at Newtownards College of Further Education in 1999-00 and 2000-01.

(AQW 3593/00)

Dr Farren: There were 212 and 234 courses available in 1999-00 and 2000-01 respectively at the Newtownards campus of North Down & Ards Institute of Further and Higher Education.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail the number of students who completed courses at Newtownards College of Further Education in 1999-00 and 2000-01.

(AQW 3605/00)

Dr Farren: In 1999-00, 1268 students completed courses at the Newtownards Campus of North Down & Ards Institute of Further and Higher Education. Information on those completing courses in 2000-01 is not yet available.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to confirm that the basic skills strategy is designed to reflect an individual skills strategy for each constituency.

(AQW 3611/00)

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 province-wide basic skills strategy.

Ms Morrice asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment if he will introduce measures to protect immigrant workers who are brought into Northern Ireland by agencies so as to ensure that they have equal employment rights and access to trade unions.

(AQW 3631/00)

Dr Farren: The conduct of Employment Agencies is governed by regulations aimed at protecting all workers recruited by those Agencies operating within the jurisdiction. In line with changes to GB legislation, there are plans to strengthen regulations, particularly towards ensuring greater protection from exploitation for temporary workers.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment whether the recent allocation of £1.3m to home/college transport is sufficient to meet current demands.

(AQW 3647/00)

Dr Farren: The recent allocation of £1.3m was to cover an identified shortfall in the Home to College Transport budget. I am satisfied, based on latest estimates of need, that the revised budget is sufficient to meet the current demands.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail the total number of (a) academics and (b) other staff employed by the Queens University of Belfast and the University of Ulster broken down separately by gender within the following salary bands: less than £20,000; £20,000 to £29,999; £30,000 to £39,999; £40,000 to £49,999; £50,000 to £59,999; £60,000 to £69,999; £70,000 to £79,999 and £80,000 and above.

(AQW 3657/00)

Dr Farren: The table below sets out information on academic staff salaries by gender at Queen’s University and the University of Ulster. The Department does not collect such information on other staff at the universities.

Salary of academic staff by NI University 1999/2000

Note

(1) Due to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998, HESA now implements a strategy designed to prevent the disclosure of personal information about any individual. This strategy involves the suppression of small numbers in the table. The total figures therefore reflect that the figures have been suppressed.

(2) There is no refinement of the bands above £50,000.

Source: HESA dataset

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to outline the most recent educational attainment survey of those who have been unemployed for more than one year and how his Department is providing educational support to the long term unemployed.

(AQW 3660/00)

Dr Farren: The most recent survey information on the educational qualifications of the ILO unemployed is contained in the Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey published by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. It shows that 44% had no qualifications. There is no recent survey information on the qualifications of the long-term unemployed specifically. Under New Deal, the long-term unemployed are encouraged to work for qualifications ranging from basic literacy and numeracy up to NVQ level III.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail the number of courses accredited by the Open College Network in (a) each district council area and (b) in each constituency.

(AQW 3661/00)

Dr Farren: The number of courses accredited by the Northern Ireland Open College Network is 264.

This data is not captured in a way that allows the Department to answer the question in full.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to deal with the effects of bus lanes constricting the flow of traffic into Belfast in the morning and evening rush hours.

(AQW 3193/00)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): Bus lanes are not intended to constrict the flow of traffic but are designed to allow buses to bypass traffic queues on the approaches to traffic signals by altering vehicle stacking patterns. Bus lanes normally stop short of junctions to allow all traffic to queue back from the traffic signals and this ensures that the number of vehicles passing through the traffic signals is not reduced because of the presence of bus lanes. Even though the length of queues for non-priority traffic has increased, road capacity remains largely unchanged.

Bus lanes have not been implemented at locations in Belfast where high traffic volumes and limited road widths would result in major disruption to other traffic. I should also point out that, although buses account for only 2% of traffic in Belfast, they carry about one quarter of the people travelling into the city during the morning rush hour.

At present buses and pedal cycles are permitted to use with-flow bus lanes in Belfast and my Department has been considering if more efficient use could be made of the limited road infrastructure that is available. As taxis provide a valuable public transport service, my Department will be advertising imminently its intention to admit certain classes of public hire taxis to bus lanes on those roads where they are licensed to operate.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to upgrade roads that are showing distinct signs of wear in the Ards Peninsula area.

(AQW 3213/00)

Mr Campbell: I would refer the Member to my response of 4 May 2001 to his earlier Written Assembly Question AQW 2648/00.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) what assessment he has made of the ferry service on Strangford Lough (b) what steps he is taking to extend the hours of operation to meet new social and economic patterns and (c) why the ferry service is unable to operate in fog conditions and what steps he is taking to upgrade the ferries to enable them to do so.

(AQW 3343/00)

Mr Campbell: Last summer consultants, commissioned by my Department’s Roads Service, carried out a comprehensive assessment of the Strangford Lough ferry service in the form of a Customer Satisfaction Survey. The survey, which involved interviews with 522 randomly-selected passengers, covered various aspects of service provision. Overall, the results of the survey were pleasing with only 9% being dissatisfied with the service (the main reason being the lack of shelter for foot passengers).

Roads Service has no plans to extend the operating hours at present. Although there is more traffic on weekend evenings because of social activity, the overall demand does not exist to warrant running the ferry service beyond the current sailing times.

The ferry vessels are not operated in dense fog as the safety of passengers, the crew and other lough users is of paramount importance. Whilst there is radar equipment on board the vessels, it is used as an aid to navigation and it is not sensitive enough to pick up the smaller craft which regularly use this stretch of the Lough. In less severe conditions sailings will only take place where the Skipper considers it safe to do so.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) whether vesting notices have been advertised in respect of the Comber bypass (b) whether any objections have been received and (c) the expected commencement and completion dates for the bypass.

(AQW 3351/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service published the Notice of Intention to Make a Vesting Order (NIMVO) to acquire the necessary land for stage 2 of the Comber Bypass scheme in the local press during the weeks ending 18 and 25 May 2001. The closing date for receipt of objections was 26 June 2001. One objection was received and Roads Service is currently endeavouring to resolve it.

A commencement and completion date for the scheme cannot be confirmed until the objection has been dealt with.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 3120/00, to define "within a reasonable period from the date of completion of houses".

(AQW 3352/00)

Mr Campbell: In my response to your Written Assembly Question AQW 3120/00 I advised, inter alia, that:

"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".

Before responding to your recent question, I should first of all wish to correct a minor inaccuracy in my earlier reply. The word ‘occupation’ should be inserted instead of ‘completion’. I apologise for this error.

Given the nature of the way in which housing developments are normally progressed in stages and the time incurred pursuing developers to complete outstanding street works or effect such work by statutory processes, Roads Service has not thought it appropriate to define the word ‘reasonable’, as referred to in Article 21 of the 1980 Private Streets Order, in terms of a specific time period. Whilst each case is considered on its own merits, Roads Service will, however, normally seek to pursue developers on the issue of adoption where 80% of the houses have been occupied for one year or, where adoption has not taken place within two years of the street works being substantially complete.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail progress on the proposed sewerage scheme for Drumlegagh, West Tyrone.

(AQW 3354/00)

Mr Campbell: The provision of public sewerage facilities in Drumlegagh is estimated to cost in the region of £180,000 and would not be economically viable for the existing population. Water Service is aware, however, that a developer has acquired land in Drumlegagh for a new housing development.

Initial discussions with the developer indicate that, if the development currently envisaged proceeds, the provision of public sewerage facilities for Drumlegagh would be feasible. The position cannot be clarified until planning approval has been obtained and Water Service has had further detailed discussions with the developer.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he has any plans to simplify the business planning process that is required for Rural Transport Schemes.

(AQW 3363/00)

Mr Campbell: The requirement for Rural Community Transport Partnerships to submit Business Plans in advance of the annual award of grant from the Rural Transport Fund is in accordance with good practice in the application of public expenditure. Clearly, I would not advocate weakening controls on public spending, but my officials will be consulting with the Community Transport Association with a view to improving and, where possible, simplifying the business planning process.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail how the "free travel for pensioners scheme" will impact on Rural Transport Schemes.

(AQW 3365/00)

Mr Campbell: The Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme, which is being extended from 1 October 2001 to provide free travel for older people, applies only to bus operators holding a road service licence under Part II of the Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1967. The Rural Community Transport Partnerships, which provide minibus services for their members only, on a not-for-profit basis, do not operate under such a licence and, therefore, are not included in the Concessionary Fares Scheme.

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his proposals for the upgrading of; Elders Road; Old Road; Barkers Road; Glen Road; Cortamlat Road and Knockowen Road in the Newtownhamilton area, and to make it his policy that a special programme of remedial action will be implemented, along with appropriate resources given to the local Roads Service section, to address the dangerous condition of roads in the area.

(AQW 3369/00)

Mr Campbell: Whilst my Department’s Roads Service has no plans to upgrade the above-mentioned roads (ie to carry out capital improvement works), the road maintenance programme of works for the current financial year contains schemes on four of these roads:

• the surface dressing of Elders Road;
  
• the resurfacing of a 300 metre stretch of Old Road;
  
• the surface dressing of a 250 metre stretch of Glen Road with other resurfacing work planned for later in the year; and
  
• the surface dressing of Knockowen Road.

All of the surface dressing work listed above is programmed to start within the next four weeks. Due to other competing priorities, the current year’s maintenance programme does not include any work on Barkers Road or Cortamlat Road, although I understand that reinstatements recently undertaken by my Department’s Water Service have improved the condition of Cortamlat Road.

As I have previously indicated in the Assembly, I am very conscious that existing levels of funding to maintain properly and improve the road network fall short of what is required. It is in this context that I will be considering, as part of the work underway to develop a 10-year Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) for Northern Ireland, the scale of the infrastructural investment required on roads, including rural roads. The RTS will consider ways of increasing investment in the transportation infrastructure and also how any additional money might best be spent. I hope to be in a position to present my draft RTS to the Regional Development Committee in Autumn this year.

Until such times as the RTS is in place, I will continue to press for additional funds for the road network at all opportunities. In the meantime, I can assure you that my Department will continue to make the best use of the resources currently available to develop and maintain the entire road network.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total budget for roads in each district council area and to specify how much of the budget is allocated to (a) maintenance (b) new road construction and (c) other works.

(AQW 3392/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service does not allocate its total budget for roads across district council areas. In particular, major road works are prioritised on a Northern Ireland-wide basis, and not on a Roads Service Divisional or district council basis, taking account of a broad range of criteria such as strategic planning policy, traffic flows, number of accidents, potential travel save times, environmental impact and value for money.

The resources available for minor road works and road maintenance are, however, allocated to the 4 Roads Service Divisions and, in turn, are apportioned across district council areas using appropriate indicators of need.

For your information the attached table illustrates the average Roads Service expenditure on minor road works and road maintenance during the period 1994/95 to 1998/99. Regrettably, because of changes to internal financial systems arising from the reorganisation of Roads Service in 1999/2000, the information for that year and 2000/01 is not yet available on a district council basis.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to extend road dualling and overtaking provision on the A26 between Coleraine and Glarryford and to outline the proposed timetable for the implementation of these measures.

(AQW 3415/00)

Mr Campbell: Proposals to extend the dualling and overtaking provision on this road are currently being assessed for possible inclusion in my Department’s 10-Year Forward Planning Schedule of major works. Needless to say, there are many other schemes also competing for a place in this Schedule. Until this assessment is completed later this year, I am not in a position to indicate which schemes will be included in the Schedule. The timescale for the commencement of the schemes which are admitted to the Schedule will depend on the availability of funding in future years.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 2971/00, to detail the traffic calming schemes that were received in respect of the Omagh and Strabane district council areas and, of these, those that were identified for possible inclusion in the 2001/02 programme.

(AQW 3432/00)

Mr Campbell: As I indicated in my response to your Written Assembly Question AQW 2971/00, my Department’s Roads Service received 5 and 10 requests respectively for traffic calming schemes within the Omagh and Strabane District Council areas during 2000-01. Details of these are as follows:

Trillick Road, Dromore;

Omagh Road, Carrickmore;

Pomeroy Road, Carrickmore;

Main Street, Carrickmore; and

Hazelhill Road, Carrickmore.

Strabane Road, Castlederg;

Castlefin Road, Castlederg;

Aghyaran Road, Castlederg;

Mason Road, Magheramason;

Church Square, Sion Mills;

Clady;

Ardstraw Village;

Mourne Park, Newtownstewart;

Urney Road, Strabane; and

Allen Park, Dunamanagh.

Of the 15 requests received, only 12 were deemed appropriate for traffic calming measures. Unfortunately, none of these 12 were assessed as being of sufficient priority to merit inclusion in the 2001-02 traffic calming programme. However, they may be included in future programmes.

I should add that 5 traffic calming schemes for locations within the Omagh and Strabane District Council areas, which had been assessed in previous years, are included in the 2001/02 programme. Details of these are as follows:

Dromore Road, Omagh;

Derry Road, Omagh.

Carletown Drive, Strabane;

Townsend Street, Strabane; and

Glebe.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail bus terminal facilities currently in place or planned for each town with a population in excess of 10,000.

(AQW 3435/00)

Mr Campbell: As population information is gathered on an electoral ward basis, statistics on town population are not readily available. However, Translink provide bus terminal facilities at the following towns: Antrim, Armagh, Ballyclare, Ballymena, Banbridge, Bangor, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Downpatrick, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Newcastle, Newry, Newtownabbey, Newtownards, Omagh and Strabane. Bus passenger facilities are provided at all the above towns apart from Newtownabbey and Strabane. Translink also has plans to provide new bus stations at Magherafelt and Downpatrick.

In planning for new bus stations Translink consider the extent of usage of bus services to be a more relevant factor than the size of the surrounding population.

Mr Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development, in light of a House of Lords ‘Alconbury’ judgement made in May 2001 which deals with Article 6 of the ECHR, to detail his plans to amend Article 13 of the Water and Sewerage Services Order 1973, which precludes an independent appeal for an individual on whose land the Water Service wishes to carry out works.

(AQW 3459/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department is considering the implications for its decision–making powers and processes of the recent House of Lords judgement on "Alconbury". There are no plans to amend Article 13 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1973.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to ensure the safety of children attending the new Castle Gardens school in Newtownards by introducing the following traffic management schemes (a) a footpath (b) drop-off and pick-up parking areas and (c) the provision of a pedestrian crossing.

(AQW 3472/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that, during its extensive consultations with consultants acting on behalf the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) regarding the design of the new Castle Garden School, it emphasised the need to ensure safe arrangements for school children and parents. As a result, the design includes a footway link from the school to the existing public footway on Bowtown Road and a pick up and set down area within the school grounds.

Whilst Roads Service has no plans at present to provide a formal crossing point, the situation will be monitored. It is assumed that the SEELB will provide a crossing patrol when the new school opens later this year.

Mr Neeson asked the Minister for Regional Development to explain why Translink are proposing to operate double-decker buses on the residential Jordanstown Road to service the University of Ulster at Jordanstown rather than using the main entrance to the University on the Shore Road.

(AQW 3495/00)

Mr Campbell: Translink has advised that the Property Department of the University of Ulster has allocated the side entrance of the Jordanstown Campus for service buses and provided a suitable turning circle. The route used within the campus meets DRD Roads Service standards whereas, due to safety considerations, both the routes via the main entrance on the Shore Road to the turning circle do not.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the guidance his Department and its NDPBs give to voluntary and community bodies, on accessing, using and accounting for grants from public monies.

(AQW 3496/00)

Mr Campbell: Guidance on grant aid applications under the Rural Transport Fund is available on request from my Department and is also published on the Department’s Internet web site.

Guidance on grants from the Transport for Disabled Persons Programme is available from officials in my Transport (Policy & Support) Division.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to encourage rural commuters to travel by bus.

(AQW 3501/00)

Mr Campbell: The Rural Transport Fund established by my Department provides revenue support for uneconomical rural bus services. Since Translink started operating services in February 1999, with the assistance of the Fund, 85 new services have been trialed in rural areas throughout Northern Ireland and there are currently 39 services in operation. My Department has also part-funded the purchase of 10 fully accessible midi-buses for use in rural areas and it has enabled Translink to improve public transport information in these areas.

Translink advise that it actively promotes the Goldliner services in regional areas. Promotional offers for specific areas are advertised in the local press and on local radio. In addition Translink also produce timetables in regional formats. Translink have also developed a website that includes a journey planner facility and have provided a call centre where specific information can be obtained.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to consider the issue of free car parking "on call" discs to health visitors and community nurses when engaged on Health Service business.

(AQW 3504/00)

Mr Campbell: To introduce a scheme to issue free parking "on call" discs to health visitors and community nurses when engaged on Health Service business would have significant resource implications for my Department’s Roads Service who would have to administer, manage and police its operation. My Department has not been approached by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety about this matter. New primary legislation could be required to issue "on call" badges. I am not convinced that such a scheme is justified.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 3203/00, to detail response times for repairs against performance criteria in West Tyrone as covered by Omagh and Strabane District Council areas.

(AQW 3505/00)

Mr Campbell: In my answer to the Written Assembly Question (AQW 3203) on 14 June 2001, I detailed the new performance criteria introduced during 2000-2001 against which my Department’s Roads Service monitors their response times for repairs of defects on the road network. These new standards were introduced as part of Roads Service’s continuous improvement programme.

As this is the first year these particular standards have been set, performance monitoring results for a complete year are not yet available. However, results for the period 1 March to 31 May 2001 for repairs to defects in the combined Strabane and Omagh District Council area are as follows:

• Of those defects identified to be repaired or made safe within 1 day of detection, 81% were repaired or made safe.
• Of those defects identified to be repaired or made safe within 5 working days of detection, 71% were repaired or made safe.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development 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 3522/00)

Mr Campbell: The Department for Regional Development gave grant aid of £456,512 to Disability Action and £102,500 to Bridge Accessible Transport in the financial year 2000-01.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail all current schemes under which grants are paid by his Department and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community sector.

(AQW 3523/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department currently provides grant funding to the voluntary and community sector under the Transport for Disabled People Programme and the Rural Transport Fund.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail all grants paid to voluntary and community bodies by his Department and its NDPBs in the financial year 2000-01.

(AQW 3524/00)

Mr Campbell: In the financial year 2000-01 the following voluntary and community bodies received grant aid from the Department for Regional Development:

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to consider providing a sign at the floodgates on the Portaferry Road, Newtownards, indicating whether ferry services in Portaferry are operating normally in order to prevent wasted journey times for motorists.

(AQW 3533/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service is currently considering a contract for the provision of 5 electronic variable message signs for the Strangford Lough ferry service. These signs are to be located at the ferry slipways and at strategic road locations close to both Strangford and Portaferry.

It is hoped that this contract will be the first phase of such works. If successful and funding is available in future years, the provision of further signs, including one at Portaferry Road, Newtownards, will be considered.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to consider providing a 7.00 am commencement of ferry services between Portaferry and Strangford in order to alleviate early morning congestion.

(AQW 3534/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has no plans at present to extend the operating hours of the Strangford Lough ferry service. The service currently operates to the limits of the permissible European Union and Maritime Coastguard Agency working hours regulations and to extend the operating hours would involve the employment of additional crew with other associated costs. Roads Service believes that the increased capacity of the new vessel, due to enter service in September 2001, will help to ease any difficulties with early morning capacity.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what surveys he has done or has planned on traffic congestion on the Portaferry Road, Newtownards in respect of the forthcoming relocation of Castle Gardens Primary School this autumn.

(AQW 3535/00)

Mr Campbell: As I indicated in my response to your Written Assembly Question (AQW 3291/00) on 21 June 2001, following closure of Castle Gardens Primary School, my Department’s Roads Service intends to carry out a study to determine the feasibility of introducing traffic management measures to improve traffic progression at this location.

This study is programmed to commence in September, after the holiday period, and will include any necessary surveys to help assess traffic movement at this junction. No recent surveys have, therefore, been carried out.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail who has responsibility for the repair of the range wall leading to Derg Bridge, Castlederg on the Castlegore Road.

(AQW 3537/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has responsibility for the repair and maintenance of the above wall which is a continuation of the parapet wall of Derg Bridge. A section of this wall, fronting Castlederg Free Presbyterian Church, was taken down by the Rivers Agency to facilitate the installation of a sewer. Rivers Agency have asked Roads Service to incorporate the repair of the wall into the scheme to raise the level of the parapet walls on Derg Bridge to the same level as the recently constructed flood protection wall. This scheme is programmed to be carried out later this year in conjunction with other maintenance work to the bridge.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail when Ednagee Road, Castlederg will be re-instated to Roads Service standards following pipe laying.

(AQW 3539/00)

Mr Campbell: Departmental officials have advised me that, following the installation of a replacement water main along a section of Ednagee Road, a temporary bitmac reinstatement was laid for a period to allow settlement to occur. Officials anticipate that a scheme to resurface the entire road width along the length of the temporary reinstatement will be completed before the end of August 2001.

<< Prev / Next >>