Friday 27 July 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Road Maintenance:
Newtownards Town Centre

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps he intends to take in order to repair/ upgrade roads in Newtownards town centre once the Phoenix Gas pipe laying programme has been completed.

(AQW 3542/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service intends to resurface Old Cross Street, Castle Street, Court Square and parts of New Road and Portaferry Road in Newtownards during the current financial year. This scheme had been programmed for completion last Summer but was postponed to accommodate works in these streets by Phoenix Natural Gas.

As you will know, Phoenix Natural Gas is continuing to carry out street works in Newtownards and Roads Service will monitor these works to ensure that reinstatements are to agreed standards.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) the criteria presently used to determine what areas of grass are cut by the Roads Service (b) how often they are cut (c) the number of contractors employed this year compared to last year and (d) the number of employees working on grass cutting this year compared to last year.

(AQW 3543/00)

(a) My Department’s Roads Service cuts grass on areas of land which it owns to prevent:

• overgrowth onto carriageways and footway surfaces; and
• the obstruction of sightlines and traffic signs.

Grass cutting operations are carried out for road safety reasons and not for cosmetic or amenity purposes.

(b) Roads Service cuts roadside verges and other areas of its land up to twice a year in rural areas and up to 5 times a year in urban areas. It is accepted policy to leave some areas of verge uncut, especially in more rural areas.

(c) In 2001 Roads Service let grass cutting contracts to 12 contractors compared to 11 contractors in 2000.

(d) It would not be possible to ascertain specifically how many Roads Service employees are involved in grass cutting duties because, in general, employees are not dedicated full-time to this task. The number varies from day to day for various reasons, for example, the start and duration of the growing season, the speed of growth and work priorities. Generally, however, the average number of employees working on grass cutting is similar to that of last year.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) the criteria presently used to determine what areas are sprayed for weed control by the Roads Service (b) how often they are sprayed (c) the number of those employed in spraying this year compared to last year and (d) what steps he intends to take in order to prevent the spread of noxious weeds.

(AQW 3544/00)

(a) My Department’s Roads Service sprays weeds on all footways and kerbed and paved areas (including road drainage channels) for road safety reasons and to prevent the deterioration of the road pavement.

(b) Spraying is carried out as often as is necessary to control or eliminate the growth of weeds.

(c) It would not be possible to ascertain how many Roads Service employees are involved in weed spraying duties because, in general, employees are not dedicated full-time to this task. The number varies from day to day for various reasons, for example, the start and duration of the growing season, the speed of growth and work priorities. Generally, however, the average number of employees engaged on weeding spraying is similar to that of last year.

(d) Most noxious weeds seed late in the growing season and Roads Service endeavours to prevent their spread by treating or removing the weeds early in the season (ie, before mid-July). This is done by:

• spot cutting or pulling;
  
• cutting by mower (when this is more economical); and
  
• chemical spraying.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 3293/00, to state when he intends to have the other section of the Inishargey Road, Kircubbin resurfaced.

(AQW 3545/00)

Mr Campbell: Following the recent resurfacing of a section of Kircubbin Road, Ballywalter, my Department’s Roads Service has no immediate plans to resurface either the remaining stretch of Kircubbin Road or Inishargey Road, Kircubbin.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to reconsider Roads Service’s decision in respect of "inadequate sight lines" concerning planning application J/2000/0599/0 at 163 Fyfin Road, Victoria Bridge, BT82 9LJ.

(AQW 3563/00)

Mr Campbell: As you will know, my Department’s Roads Service has been consulted by the Department of the Environment’s Planning Service regarding this planning application. Roads Service has determined that visibility splays of 2.4 metres by 90 metres in both directions are required for the access from the proposed site onto Fyfin Road.

I understand that, whilst the required visibility standard can be provided in one direction, the standard in the other direction is only 2.4 metres by 11 metres. This is because the applicant does not have control over a portion of adjacent land. Roads Service therefore gave an opinion to refuse the application to Planning Service.

I am advised that Planning Service presented the application to Strabane District Council on 26 June 2001 with a recommendation to refuse on grounds of road safety. The Council asked that a decision on the application be deferred. This is to give the applicant another opportunity to meet and discuss his application with Roads Service. That meeting will be arranged in due course. I trust you will appreciate, however, that Roads Service cannot be expected to agree to visibility standards that would prejudice the safety of road users.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) any correspondence he has received from consultants, RPS Environmental Services, acting for Donegal County Council, regarding environmental assessment in relation to route selection stage for proposed links to the A5 from Donegal and (b) any replies he has made.

(AQW 3565/00)

Mr Campbell: I can confirm that I have not received any correspondence from RPS Environmental Services.

My Department’s Roads Service has, however, received four letters over the last year from these consultants seeking comments on their environmental assessment of the various proposals being put forward by Donegal County Council for improvements to the road network in the vicinity of Lifford and a possible connecting link to the A5 in Northern Ireland.

In its replies Roads Service offered the consultants the opportunity to visit its offices at County Hall, Omagh to inspect the Environment Statement prepared for the proposed Stage 2 Strabane Bypass Scheme. It also commented that the longest suggested connecting route (south of Croghan Hill) may not be economically viable.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to consider, in the interests of road safety, the provision of a pedestrian guard rail on the main Strabane Road from the junction of Orr Park to Baronscourt Road, Newtownstewart.

(AQW 3566/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has considered the need for a pedestrian guardrail on the footway at this location but has concluded that it would not be appropriate as it would not provide protection to pedestrians from a vehicle mounting the footway as a result of an accident. Guardrails are normally only provided to channel pedestrians to a safe crossing location and are not designed to withstand vehicular impact.

To reduce the risk of accidents at this location, Roads Service has laid a high friction anti-skid material on the carriageway surface at the sharp bend close to the Baronscourt Road junction and past the junction. This work was completed in the latter half of last year and, since then, there have been no reports of accidents on this stretch of road.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the steps he is taking to offer job security for the part-time drivers in the Peninsula Community Transport Scheme.

(AQW 3568/00)

Mr Campbell: Voluntary partnerships such as that run by Peninsula Community Transport Ltd are eligible for grants from the Rural Transport Fund towards the cost of operating minibus services including any payments to part time drivers. However, the terms and conditions of employment of part time drivers employed by Peninsula Community Transport Ltd is a matter for the Partnership itself. My Department has offered grant towards the operating costs of Peninsula Community Transport Ltd up to the end of March 2002. Support for further years will be based on an assessment of the Partnership’s business plans for those years.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to consider permitting the Peninsula Community Transport Scheme to retain fares for a 12 month period to defray running costs, repairs and maintenance as a result of the delay in the receipt of funding.

(AQW 3569/00)

Mr Campbell: The Peninsula Community Transport Partnership is entitled to retain fares. However, my Department takes into account a Partnership’s existing cash resources when making offers of grant from the Rural Transport Fund.

On receipt of the business plan for 2001-02 from Peninsula Community Transport officials from my Department completed discussions with the Partnership on 24 May 2001 and an offer of grant for the current year issued on 13 June 2001.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he has any plans to extend the service of the Peninsula Community Transport Scheme to include Newtownards and Holywood.

(AQW 3570/00)

Mr Campbell: It is primarily a matter for Peninsula Community Transport to consider the area it wishes to serve. On receipt of any proposal from Peninsula Community Transport to extend services to include Newtownards and Holywood my Department would have to determine whether the proposal would meet the eligibility criteria for the provision of grant aid from the Rural Transport Fund. In particular my Department would have to consider the extent to which the proposal would benefit those who live and work in the rural areas around Newtownards and Holywood.

Mr Clyde asked the Minister for Regional Development to consider duelling that section of road from the end of the M22 to the proposed new Toome Bypass as this is a high accident road and will become more congested with the provision of the bypass.

(AQW 3579/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Road Service is currently assessing the dualling of the existing road between the end of the M22 motorway and the start of the proposed Toome Bypass for possible inclusion in its 10-year Forward Planning Schedule.

I hope to publish details of the Forward Planning Schedule later this year.

Mr Clyde asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the timetable for the provision of onslips to the M2 motorway from Antrim Area Hospital.

(AQW 3580/00)

Mr Campbell: As you are aware my predecessor, Mr Peter Robinson, agreed last year to include the M2 slip roads at Antrim Area Hospital in Roads Service’s Major Works Preparation Pool. Since then, a preliminary alignment has been designed and an environmental consultant has recently been appointed to advise on the environmental assessment for the scheme.

The scheme will be progressed through the necessary statutory procedures as quickly as possible. However, even if there are no objections to the scheme, it could take up to 3 years before these procedures are concluded.

You will appreciate, therefore, that no firm date can be given for the implementation of this scheme as it is at an early stage of development and will depend on the availability of funds at the time when the statutory procedures are completed.

Mr Taylor asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) the number of objections received in respect of the Vesting Order application for the Comber by-pass road scheme; and (b) when it is intended to invite tenders for this scheme; and to make a statement.

(AQW 3606/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has received one objection in response to the recently-published Notice of Intention to Make a Vesting Order in respect of the Comber Bypass scheme. Roads Service is currently endeavouring to resolve the objection and, at this stage, it would be inappropriate to advise when invitations to tender for the scheme might be issued.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail any plans he has to improve public transport in the East Antrim area.

(AQW 3639/00)

Mr Campbell: Translink has advised that the following developments will help to improve public transport in the East Antrim area. The refurbishment of Carrickfergus railway station is well underway and should be completed shortly. It expects to submit proposals to the Department shortly to upgrade the railway line between Whiteabbey and Whitehead. Translink is continuing to investigate the provision of park-and-ride spaces at Trooperslane railway halt as well as providing further parking spaces at Greenisland. It also intends to provide a new bus service between Carrickfergus and Mallusk.

In addition to these developments there have already been some recent improvements to public transport in the East Antrim area. The City Express Quality Bus Corridor along the Jordanstown Road is open and operational, and the number of park-and-ride spaces at Whitehead railway station was recently increased to 29.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment on the state of walkways in Carrickfergus town centre area.

(AQW 3640/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service considers that, while the existing footway surfaces in Carrickfergus town centre area are showing signs of normal wear and tear, they are currently in a safe and satisfactory condition.

Roads Service officials inspect the town centre area on a four weekly cycle basis and any defects that are considered to be safety hazards are identified and repaired in accordance with established road maintenance procedures. Also, any defects brought to the attention of Roads Service by members of the public are investigated and appropriate action is initiated.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of the adequacy of the pedestrian zone in Carrickfergus town centre.

(AQW 3641/00)

Mr Campbell: Officials from my Department’s Roads Service have advised me that the pedestrian zone in Carrickfergus town centre comprises Market Place, West Street and the adjoining North Street. Subject to certain exceptions (eg, emergency/delivery vehicles etc.), vehicular traffic is excluded from the zone.

Officials have recently observed that a number of vehicles have been parked illegally within the zone, mainly in North Street. As the enforcement of parking restrictions is a matter for the RUC, officials have brought this matter to their attention.

Other than the above problem, from a Roads Service perspective the pedestrian zone appears to be adequate in meeting the needs of pedestrians.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of brownfield sites which are available for development in each district council area.

(AQW 3648/00)

Mr Campbell: At present information is not held detailing brownfield sites currently available.

The draft Regional Development Strategy indicates that urban capacity studies will be used to inform the degree to which future urban housing growth can be met within the "footprint" of individual towns.

These urban capacity studies, to be prepared by the Department of the Environment, will establish the extent of land, including brownfield sites, within existing urban areas which is available for development.

This information will provide an important baseline survey for future supplies for housing land within existing urban areas and will inform the preparation of development plans.

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail when the Roads Service’s survey into traffic in Bangor will be completed.

(AQW 3672/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that, whilst it had anticipated that the results of its traffic study of Bangor would be available by the summer, they are not likely to be available until the autumn. This is because of the extensive nature of the study which involves an assessment of traffic conditions at the junctions on a number of roads south and west of the town.

Roads Service officials will make a presentation to North Down Council when the survey is complete.

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development whether the Roads Service’s survey into traffic in Bangor will be made public.

(AQW 3673/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that, whilst it had anticipated that the results of its traffic study of Bangor would be available by the summer, they are not likely to be available until the autumn. This is because of the extensive nature of the study which involves an assessment of traffic conditions at the junctions on a number of roads south and west of the town.

Roads Service officials will make a presentation to North Down Council when the survey is complete.

Dr Birnie asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of the target for use of brownfield sites in the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan.

(AQW 3681/00)

Mr Campbell: At present there is no target for the Belfast Metropolitan Area.

The latest draft of the Regional Development Strategy, which was debated in the Assembly on 2 July 2001 sets an ambitious regional target of 60% up to 2010.

Targets for individual settlements will be set through the development plan process which has recently commenced for the Belfast Metropolitan Area. An assessment of the capacity for additional housing within the existing urban area will be carried out by DOE and this will be used to develop an appropriate target for the BMA.

Dr Birnie asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of the 10% proposed greenfield overzoning in the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan.

(AQW 3682/00)

Mr Campbell: The latest draft of the Regional Development Strategy, presented to the Assembly on 2 July 2001, allows a limited level of over-zoning up to a maximum of 10% to be used as an exception in those situations where a potential land supply difficulty is likely to arise.

I am advised by Mr Foster, the Minister responsible for the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan, that work on the project is still at an early stage of preparation and he hopes to publish an Issues Paper for discussion later this year. No decisions have been taken as regards the content of the Plan, including proposals for over-zoning.

However, the Plan will be prepared within the context set by my Department’s Regional Development Strategy.

Mr Close asked the Minister for Social 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 3465/00)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): The Department for Social Development and its NDPBs have made grants of £100,000 or more to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01 as detailed below.

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

(AQW 3466/00)

Mr Morrow: The schemes are as follows:

• EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation;
• Community Economic Regeneration Scheme;
• Community Regeneration and Improvement Special Programme;
• Article 3 of the Social Need (NI) Order 1986;
• Articles 28 and 156A of the Housing (NI) Order 1981;
• Maydown Ebrington Community Economic Regeneration Scheme;
• Iona Park Community Economic Regeneration Scheme;
• Laganside Schemes;

- Local Events

- Investment Incentive

- Ladder of Provision

- Events Sponsorship

• Volunteer Bureau Initiative;
• Community Volunteering Scheme;
• Active Community Initiative;
• Grant aid to Regional Infrastructural Voluntary Organisations;
• Grant aid to Regional Voluntary Organisations in the Advice Services Field and Community Work Education;
• Londonderry Regeneration Initiative; and
• Londonderry Sub-programme of the EC Urban Community Initiative.

Mr Tierney asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, under the New Disability Welfare Reform Branch (DWRB), the number of (a) cases awaiting re-examination (b) applicants that have had their benefits reduced under the new scheme (c) applicants that have had their benefit increased and (d) cases remaining unchanged.

(AQW 3506/00)

Mr Morrow: As at 28 June 2001 Disability Welfare Reform Branch considered 3045 Disability Living Allowance awards.

(a) 448 cases are currently awaiting re-examination/ determination;

(b) 472 awards (18%) have been reduced or withdrawn;

(c) 534 awards (21%) have been increased; and

(d) 1,591 customers (61%) were found to be receiving the correct level of benefit and their current award was maintained.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the criteria used by the Housing Executive to determine whether replacement windows are wooden or uPVC.

(AQW 3507/00)

Mr Morrow: The Housing Executive’s Chief Executive has advised that softwood, hardwood and UPVC materials are currently used in the manufacture of window frames for Housing Executive contracts. The Executive’s approved standard material for window frames is softwood. There are, however, certain circumstances where softwood is inappropriate, such as:

• the material used for the windows in an existing phase or phases of a scheme:
• sound insulation requirements,
• climate exposure,
• medium/high rise construction or
• location eg maritime environment.

In these circumstances, either uPVC or hardwood may be used.

In addition, if there is no conflict in the choice of materials with adjacent Housing Executive housing, the Executive may apply an approved financial formula to establish which material represents best value for money.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, by district council area, the number and proportion of Housing Executive properties that do not have the current recommended depth of loft insulation installed.

(AQW 3508/00)

Mr Morrow: The Housing Executive’s Chief Executive has advised that the information requested is not readily available in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

However, loft insulation has been part of the Housing Executive’s External Cyclic Maintenance programme since 1996. The Executive estimates that a further 2,000 properties require top up loft insulation and that these will be completed in 2001/2002.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, by district council area, the number and proportion of Housing Executive properties that have cavity wall insulation.

(AQW 3509/00)

Mr Morrow: The Housing Executive’s Chief Executive has advised that the information requested is not available in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

However, I am advised that only a few properties are without cavity wall insulation and that these are included in the Housing Executive’s Cavity Wall Insulation Programme.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, by district council area, the type of windows that have been fitted (including replacements) on housing schemes in each of the last two years.

(AQW 3511/00)

Mr Morrow: The Housing Executive’s Chief Executive has advised that the information requested is not readily available in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

However, I am advised that the Executive installs softwood, hardwood and uPVC window frames as part of its External Cyclic Maintenance Programme or in the Multi-Element Improvement Programme. The type of window frame installed depends on a number of factors including, for example, sound insulation, climate exposure or medium/high rise construction.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister for Social 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 3521/00)

Mr Morrow: In June 2001 my Department launched the Government’s Strategy for Support of the Voluntary and Community Sector entitled "Partners for Change." This strategy commits Government Departments to ensuring that information on grant programmes is widely available and accessible to the sector.

The Department for Social Development and its NDPBs have a strong and well-established relationship with the voluntary and community sector extending across all of the key business areas. We are committed to the promotion of community well-being through integrated social and economic action, in partnership with the sector.

I will arrange for precise details of the guidance supplied to the sector, by the Department and its NDPBs, to be placed in the Assembly Library.

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

(AQW 3525/00)

Mr Morrow: My Department and its NDPBs paid 1,037 grants to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01. I have arranged to have this information placed in the Assembly Library.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail those applicants who were awarded Gap funding via interim funding arrangements in (a) Omagh District Council area and (b) Strabane District Council area.

(AQW 3572/00)

Mr Morrow: The applicants listed below relate to Department of Social Development awards only, in the Omagh and Strabane areas, as it has not been possible to separate the areas on a postcode basis:

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail those applicants who were not awarded Gap Funding via interim funding arrangements in (a) Omagh District Council area and (b) Strabane District Council area.

(AQW 3573/00)

Mr Morrow: The applicants listed below relate to Department for Social Development decisions only and it has not been possible to separate the Omagh and Strabane areas on a postcode basis: -

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the selection criteria under which the awards of Gap Funding were considered via interim funding arrangements.

(AQW 3574/00)

Mr Morrow: The criteria used were those detailed by the Minister of Finance and Personnel on behalf of the Executive Committee in his statement on 12 February. Applications were scored on eligibility and evidence of insufficient resources in the first instance and on the selection criteria in the Programme Complements of the 2 EU Operational Programmes. Given the high demand for some Measures the Department had to prioritise applications based on their score in the assessment process.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to AQW 3355/00 and his response to a supplementary question to AQO 1379/00, to explain why the investigation did not involve both parties affected by this matter.

(AQW 3607/00)

Mr Morrow: When this alleged incident was first raised at Question Time on 8 May I undertook to "see what my Department’s role is and what representations there might be from the incident".

The investigation carried out by my officials was limited to the role played by the Department in the Strabane 2000 Pride in our Town Sub-committee. As stated in my written reply of 8 June, no officials attended any of the meetings and the Department played absolutely no part in the work of this committee.

When it became clear that DSD officials were in no way involved, officials did not attempt to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident because it was not a matter for the Department.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of people claiming DLA and/or incapacity benefit who are then; (a) sent for independent medical examination as a percentage of total claimants; (b) total claimants within the constituency of Mid-Ulster; and (c) total claimants referred to independent medical examiners.

(AQW 3609/00)

Mr Morrow: In the year 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, there were 13,750 Disability Living Allowance customers and 42,100 Incapacity Benefit customers referred for medical examinations. This represents 25% and 35%, respectively, of total claims.

As at February 2001, there were 10,767 people claiming Disability Living Allowance and/or Incapacity Benefit in the Mid-Ulster constituency. Information on the number of these customers referred for medical examination is not held.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the steps he has taken to address Rural Poverty and Social Exclusion.

(AQW 3610/00)

Mr Morrow: Whilst my Department does not have specific responsibility for rural areas, addressing social exclusion is a high priority and applies to all of its business areas. The steps I have taken include action in housing, social security and child support that, among other things, address the needs of unemployed people, travellers, homeless people, and older people with low incomes. In addition my Department provides a wide range of grant programmes that fund the regional voluntary sector, volunteering and advice services infrastructure, promote volunteering, encourage all forms of community involvement and support the local community infrastructure through channelling grant aid to local communities through District Councils. Information on my Departments work programme are set out in a Corporate Plan and the New TSN Action Plan "Making it Work", copies of which are available in the Assembly Library.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of children living in (a) low income households; (b) households where nobody is in work and (c) housing that falls below "the set standard of decency" in Northern Ireland and how this compares to Great Britain and if he will define what is meant by "low income households" and "the set standard of decency".

(AQW 3618/00)

Mr Morrow: Data on household income is currently not available for Northern Ireland to allow identification on low income households and the Department does not have a definition of low income households. Detailed information is obtained in Great Britain through the Family Resources Survey (FRS), which is not currently undertaken in Northern Ireland. The Department is seeking to introduce the FRS to Northern Ireland in April 2002.

The Department does not collect data on the number of households where nobody is in work, and eligibility for benefit is established for benefit units rather than households. It is possible for the household as a whole to be outside the low income grouping, whilst certain members are entitled to receive benefit. There are a number of income related Social Security Benefits and Tax Credits. The table below shows the number of dependents aged 18 and under for recipients of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Working Families Tax Credit.

The 1996 Northern Ireland House Condition Survey records that there were children in 5,080 inhabited houses which failed the statutory fitness standard. The Survey does not record the total number of children within these households, nor is a GB comparator available. Again there is no definition of "set standard of decency".

A dwelling is unfit for human habitation if it fails to meet one or more of the following requirements:

• it is structurally stable;
  
• it is free from serious disrepair;
  
• it is free from dampness prejudicial to the health of the occupants (if any);
  
• it has adequate provision for lighting, heating and ventilation;
  
• it has an adequate piped supply of wholesome water;
  
• there are satisfactory facilities in the house for the preparation and cooking of food, including a sink with satisfactory supply of hot and cold water;
  
• it has suitably located water-closet for the exclusive use of the occupants (if any);
  
• it has, for the exclusive use of the occupants (if any), a suitably located fixed bath or shower and wash-hand basin each of which is provided with a satisfactory supply of hot and cold water;
  
• it has an effective system for the draining of foul, waste and surface water.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister for Social Development to list each consultancy report commissioned by his department in 2000-01, noting its objective, cost and whether or not it was published.

(AQW 3622/00)

Mr Morrow: The information requested is set out in the table below.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister for Social Development to detail how many acres of (a) school and (b) public property have been sold for NIHE development in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3629/00)

Mr Morrow: The Housing Executive has advised that the information requested is not readily available in the form requested and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

However, the Housing Executive considers that the amount of land involved is small: Land and Property staff recall only one transaction, involving a former 12-acre school site at Ballygomartin Road, Belfast, purchased from the Belfast Education and Library Board.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development to detail any plans he has for phase two of Eden Development.

(AQW 3637/00)

Mr Morrow: The Housing Executive’s Chief Executive has advised that Phase 2 of Eden redevelopment, for approximately 25 units of new build, is scheduled to start in 2003/2004. However, the actual start date will depend on the successful completion of Phase 1, which is due on site within the current financial year.

It is anticipated that Phase 2 will be delivered by a Housing Association, yet to be specified.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development, for each of the last five years for which figures are available, to detail (a) how many appeals to backdate Income Support have been received (b) how many of these appeals are related to lack of entitlement to Incapacity Benefit on the grounds of inadequate National Insurance contributions and (c) how many of these appeals have been successful and to detail how much claimed Income Support remained unpaid because of unsuccessful appeals.

(AQW 3651/00)

Mr Morrow: The Department does not hold this information and it could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (a) the average cost of recovering an overpayment of benefit and (b) whether there is a significant difference between the cost of recovering different benefits.

(AQW 3652/00)

(a) The Social Security Agency is currently developing an activity based costing system. The initial research indicates that the average cost of recovering an overpayment of Income Support was around £70 during the 2000/01 financial year. This calculation is based on the direct costs incurred in recovering overpayments. There is no information available about recovering overpayments of other benefits.

(b) This information is not available at present.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to detail what evidence there is to show that (a) the recovery of overpaid benefits is a cost-effective exercise (b) the current method of recovering overpayment of benefits is an effective deterrent to fraudulent claims and (c) legitimate benefit applicants are not misjudged as fraudulent claims.

(AQW 3653/00)

(a) The Social Security Agency is developing an activity based costing system and initial findings are that the average cost of recovering an overpayment of Income Support is around £70. In cases where the amount of benefit recovered falls below this, the cost effectiveness is questionable. However, even where it is not cost-effective to recover a debt, the policy is still to do so in order to discourage further overpayments.

(b) The cost effectiveness of deterrents is difficult to determine and no information on this is available.

(c) There is no evidence that legitimate benefit applicants are misjudged as fraudulent claims.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development whether he has any plans to amend Incapacity Benefit regulations to reflect recent changes in regulations announced for Great Britain.

(AQW 3654/00)

Mr Morrow: In keeping with the long-standing principle of parity between Great Britain and Northern Ireland in social security matters, any changes to Great Britain Incapacity Benefit legislation will be mirrored in Northern Ireland.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development, given the nature of the circumstances which lead to a claim for Incapacity Benefit, to detail what discretion is at the disposal of his department when processing a late benefit claim.

(AQW 3655/00)

Mr Morrow: Regulations prescribe that a claim for Incapacity Benefit can be backdated for up to 3 months from the day benefit is claimed. The Social Security Agency has no discretion to extend this period.

Mr B Bell asked the Assembly Commission to detail any plans to review the pay, allowances and pension arrangements currently payable to elected Members, office-holders and Ministers.

(AQW 3613/00)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Robert Coulter): I am responding to you on behalf of the Assembly Commission.

The Speaker, on behalf of the Assembly Commission, wrote to the Chairman of the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) on 29 June 2001 to seek the SSRB’s agreement to review the existing structure for salaries, allowances and pension benefits paid to Members and office-holders of the Assembly.

In 1999 SSRB reported on the initial pay, allowances, pensions and severance arrangements for the devolved institutions (Report No 42) and devolution salaries for Ministers, other office-holders and office support staff (Report No 43). Both reports recognised that the recommendations were based on planning assumptions about how the devolved bodies would operate and what would be the roles and responsibilities of Members. It is now almost three years since SSRB reported and with the benefit of experience the Commission now feel that it is time to review the structure of existing remuneration arrangements and the levels of salary and allowances which should be payable to Members. The SSRB recently reviewed pay and allowances on behalf of Westminster and the National Assembly for Wales.

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