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Friday 16 November 2001 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER Civic Forum : Attendance Records Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail (a) the attendance record of members at meetings of the Civic Forum (b) the number of times it has met and (c) the achievements made to date. (AQW 523/01) The First Minister and Deputy First Minister (Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan): The attendance record of Civic Forum members at plenary meetings is detailed in the attached schedule. The Civic Forum has met in plenary session on seven occasions at locations throughout Northern Ireland. In July the Forum made a positive and constructive response to the Executive's Position Report on developing a Programme for Government and the Budget for 2002/03. Dermot Nesbitt and Denis Haughey have now written to the Civic Forum to seek its views on the recently published draft Programme for Government and the Executive's budget proposals. The Forum has responded to a number of consultation papers including the Department of Education's Review of post- primary education arrangements, the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister's Role of the Commissioner for Children, and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's Investing in Health. The Forum is currently considering three consultation documents. These are the Department for Employment and Learning's consultation paper, Employability and Long-term Unemployment, the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister's Review of Community Relations Policy and the draft Bill of Rights that was published recently by the Human Rights Commission. In addition to this work, the Forum has five other major projects at different stages of development. These are Life Long Learning, Combating Poverty, Towards a Plural Society, Entrepreneurship and Creativity, and Creating a Sustainable Northern Ireland.
(1) Pauline Buchanan resigned November 2000 (2) Hugh Frazer resigned June 2001 (3) Margaret Gregg appointed as a member of the Civic Forum August 2001 Civic Forum : Running Costs Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the running costs of the Civic Forum to date. (AQW 524/01) Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: The running costs including one off capital costs for the Civic Forum to date have been as follows: October 2000 - March 2001 £145,000 April 2001 - October 2001 £178,000 Children's Fund Ms Eileen Bell asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to provide an update on the work currently being undertaken by the Children's Fund, including details of any grants awarded; and to make a statement. (AQO 369/01) Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: Work is continuing on the development of the twelve projects that received support in the first allocations from the Children's Fund that were announced on 2 April. Following the Executive's agreement that the voluntary and community sector should have direct access to support from the Children's Fund, proposals for the management and operation of the Fund and the involvement of the sector have recently been published for consultation. The consultation period lasts until 11 January. We will then need to consider the responses so that we can put in place appropriate arrangements for the administration of the Fund with a view to making further allocations to departments and to projects from the voluntary and community sector as soon as possible. TOPAGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Database for Distribution of CAP Support Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline the selection criteria for farms which will be used to create a database in relation to the distribution of CAP support. (AQW 575/01) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): The Social Survey of farms which will, among other things, assist the Department with carrying out assessments of the distribution of CAP support in the context of Targeting Social Need and the Department's Equality Scheme, has a sample of 3550 farms which was selected at random within farm size and type categories. This is normal statistical survey practice. After selection, the sample was checked to ensure that area analyses could be carried out. Drainage Infrastructure : Glenkeen Avenue/Jordanstown Rd Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what is the proposed timetable for the completion of the Rivers Agency scheme at the junction of Glenkeen Avenue/Jordanstown Road in Newtownabbey. (AQW 633/01) Ms Rodgers: I can confirm that the Rivers Agency Scheme to upgrade drainage infrastructure at the Glenkeen Avenue/Jordanstown Road junction is substantially complete except for the reinstatement of two private gardens. The timing of these works was affected by concurrent private development proposals, and adverse weather. With the agreement of the property owners concerned Rivers Agency will complete the reinstatement works in the Spring of 2002. TOPCULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE Sports Lottery Fund : Grants Awarded 2000-01 Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail any grants that have been awarded by the Sports Lottery fund from April 2000 to October 2001. (AQW 519/01) The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): During the period April 2000 to October 2001, 133 grants were awarded by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland's Lottery Fund totalling £6,009,036. These are as follows:
Details of all Lottery Awards made by all National Lottery Distributing Bodies across the UK can be accessed through the Awards Search on the Web Site of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport: www.culture.gov.uk/lottery/index.html. Rugby Union : Ulster Branch Strategic Plan Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to give his assessment of the Ulster Branch Strategic Plan for Rugby Union, and to make a statement. (AQW 591/01) Mr McGimpsey: The Ulster Branch are to be congratulated for taking a bold and imaginative step within Irish Rugby by producing a Strategic Plan for their sport that is founded on a realistic and positive approach towards future development. The Ulster Branch have produced a plan which clearly links aims with objectives and actions and is designed to strengthen human, financial and physical resources within the game. Many of the proposed actions within the Plan mirror those identified in the Strategy for the Development of Sport in Northern Ireland, which I would roundly recommend as the appropriate template for all sporting bodies involved in managing change. I welcome the Ulster Branch's Strategic Plan and would hope that its full implementation will lead to a prosperous and secure future for the sport. TOPEDUCATION Official Engagements : 7 November 2001 Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Education to list his official engagements for Wednesday 7 November 2001. (AQW 539/01) The Minister of Education (Mr McGuinness): On Wednesday 7 November 2001 I was on official business in the Republic of Ireland. Human Rights in Education Conference Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQO 291/01, to detail (a) the date and location of the conference on human rights in education; (b) the list of speakers at the conference; (c) the list of invitees; (d) the cost of the conference; and (e) if the Departmental Accounting Officer has approved the expenditure. (AQW 605/01) Mr McGuinness: The details requested are as follows:- (a) The Human Rights in Education Conference was held on Wednesday 26 September in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast. (b) The following were speakers at the Conference: Francesca Klug Dr Ursula Kilkelly (c) Those attending the Conference were a broad representative sample of those involved in education provision together with a range of voluntary/community organisations. All had either a working knowledge and/or interest in human rights in education issues. (d) Final costs are not yet available. However it is expected that the costs will be in the region of £12,000. (e) The Department was fully satisfied of the regularity and propriety of this expenditure. Human Rights in Education Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQO 291/01, whether the proposal to hold a conference on human rights in education had the support of the Executive Committee. (AQW 606/01) Mr McGuinness: This Conference specifically focused on human rights in education. The aim of the Conference was to raise the awareness of human rights in education and to identify key strategic actions from the education sector. These areas fall fully within my responsibility as Minister of Education. Advisory Teacher : Children's Law Centre Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQO 291/01, to detail (a) the process for the appointment of an advisory teacher who will be based in the Children's Law Centre; (b) the cost of this appointment; and (c) if the Departmental Accounting Officer approved this expenditure. (AQW 607/01) Mr McGuinness: The details are as follows: In line with agreed appointment procedures (a) The Belfast Education and Library Board in association with the other four Boards and in partnership with the Children's Law Centre placed an advertisement in the local press on 11 September 2001 for applicants for this post. Interviews took place on 9 October 2001. Related recruitment processes are therefore ongoing. (b) The funding for this two year appointment is £60,000. (c) The Department was fully involved in the discussion leading to the decision to fund this post and is satisfied that it raised no issues in relation to the propriety and regularity of the expenditure. Appointment of Advisory Teacher Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQO 291/01, whether the proposal for the appointment of an advisory teacher had the support of the Executive Committee. (AQW 608/01) Mr McGuinness: This was a matter which fell entirely within my responsibility as Minister for Education. Advisory Teacher : Children's Law Centre Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQO 291/01, what use he intends to make of the human rights information and learning materials produced by the advisory teacher working in the Children's Law Centre. (AQW 609/01) Mr McGuinness: The main duties of the advisory teacher working in the Children's Law Centre will be to develop human rights information and training materials. These will be used to provide training for adults in the education system in respect of education law, policy and practice. Appointment of Teachers : Human Rights Awareness Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQO 291/01, to identify the five teachers, including their normal place of employment, who are to assist in raising awareness of human rights issues in post-primary schools. (AQW 610/01) Mr McGuinness: As the recruitment process has just commenced - an advertisement was in the local press on 23 October, I am unable to provide the information requested. Appointment of Advisory Teachers Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQO 291/01, whether the appointment of five teachers to assist in raising awareness of human rights issues in post-primary schools had the support of the Executive Committee. (AQW 611/01) Mr McGuinness: The decision to support the appointment of these teachers was one which fell entirely within my responsibilities as Minister for Education. Conditions of Pay & Service for Teachers Mr Danny Kennedy asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made regarding an independent enquiry into pay levels, salary structure and conditions of service of teachers and Principals/Vice-Principals. (AQW 653/01) Mr McGuinness: Although agreement was reached between both Sides of the Negotiating Committee on a general 3.7% pay increase from 1 April, with higher increases for teachers beginning their careers, a settlement has not been reached on Teachers' Side's claim for an independent inquiry into pay and conditions of service. I agreed, therefore, to meet separately with both Sides of the Negotiating Committee to discuss Teachers' Side claim and Management's Side option of a joint review. Unfortunately, I have had to reschedule the meetings due to other unavoidable commitments. The meetings have been rearranged for 13 December. ICT Funding Mr Mick Murphy asked the Minister of Education to detail the level of funding provided to schools to further his ICT strategy. (AQW 654/01) Mr McGuinness: Funding of £13.81 million has been made available for the ICT training of teachers, of which £10.81 million is from the New Opportunities Fund. Schools have also been provided with £20 million worth of laptop computers and digital projectors to support the training. A further £15.8 million has been made available to enhance the electrical and data cabling circuits in schools, and £16 million to implement the Classroom 2000 managed services in small primary schools over the next eight months. Further investments will be made over the next year on completion of the negotiations of the contracts for the remaining primary schools and for special and secondary schools. This significant investment is additional to the schools' computer-based administration systems and the NINE Connect Internet services, which are already in place. This expenditure has been managed centrally in order to minimise the bureaucratic burden on schools so that they can concentrate on the educational use of ICT. TOPEMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING Official Engagements : 7 November 2001 Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to list his official engagements for Wednesday 7 November 2001. (AQW 536/01) The Minister for Employment and Learning (Dr Farren): On 7 November 2001, I undertook the following official engagements:
ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT Provision of ADSL : West Tyrone Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what action he has taken to encourage British Telecom to extend Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) to the west of the province and, in particular, to West Tyrone. (AQW 581/01) The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): The provision of ADSL is a commercial decision for all telecommunications providers, including BT. The Executive is committed to working with all telecommunication operators to encourage them to extend broadband services across Northern Ireland. My Department is currently working with a number of telecommunication providers to identify appropriate and affordable technology opportunities, in particular broadband satellite services, with emphasis on meeting the needs of rural areas. Financial Support for Businesses in Border Areas Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he has any plans to introduce financial support for businesses in border areas to assist with the necessary adjustments following the introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Ireland in January 2002. (AQW 585/01) Sir Reg Empey: My Department has no plans to introduce financial support for businesses in border areas to assist them with their preparations for the euro. However, DETI financially supports and services the NI Euro Preparations Forum whose remit is to help all local businesses, including those in border areas, prepare for the euro. Activities of the Forum include euro workshops, factsheets, seminars, case studies and newsletters, and information about the euro can be obtained through the Forum's website (www.euroforum-ni.org.uk). Tax Free Industrial Zone : Strabane Area Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to consider setting up a tax free industrial zone to encourage investment in the Strabane area. (AQW 586/01) Sir Reg Empey: Responsibility for fiscal policy arrangements in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Textile Industry : West Tyrone Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, following the report from Kurt Salmon on the textile industry in Northern Ireland, what plans he has to support the textile industry in West Tyrone and in particular, Strabane. (AQW 588/01) Sir Reg Empey: The Kurt Salmon Associates (KSA) Action Plan for the Textiles and Clothing Industry was commissioned by IDB to stimulate and grow the entire Northern Ireland Textiles and Clothing Sector. It was presented to senior industry managers, support organisations and academia on 26 January 2001. The launch of the action plan followed a series of workshops and consultation meetings with industry representatives. The action plan identifies 5 key themes to be addressed by companies and industry bodies, with support from Government agencies where appropriate. A team of industrialists and legal and banking representatives was brought together to oversee the formation of a new company to drive change in the industry. This company has been formed. An operating plan is presently being prepared. While the emphasis is on the recovery programme being industry led, IDB continues to work closely with textile and clothing companies and the industry bodies to implement the recommendations of the KSA report. IDB already has a number of initiatives in place to develop the 5 key themes outlined in the KSA report. The measures being taken are industry wide and not specific to any geographic area of Northern Ireland. Their ultimate aim is to ensure the sustainable growth of the sector. Additionally IDB continues to offer financial support to individual company activity. Companies in all parts of the province are being encouraged to bring forward investment projects that address the KSA action themes. Advance Factory in Strabane Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he has any plans to construct an advance factory in Strabane to attract further investment. (AQW 589/01) Sir Reg Empey: IDB is currently evaluating proposals received from developers in response to a development brief for the provision of 30000 sq ft of new business space at Orchard Road, Strabane Carbon Trust Mr Sean Neeson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will make a statement on progress towards introducing the work and resources of the Carbon Trust to Northern Ireland. (AQW 601/01) Sir Reg Empey: The Carbon Trust, a UK wide body, was launched in April 2001 with the support and involvement of the Devolved Administrations. My Department represents Northern Ireland's interests in this area and the Director of Scientific Services from the Industrial Research and Technology Unit sits as a non-executive director on the Carbon Trust Board. As a result of the establishment of the Carbon Trust and the introduction of the Climate Change Levy, Northern Ireland has access to financial resources of approximately £1.4million per annum. The work of the Carbon Trust in Northern Ireland is being taken forward in conjunction with the Industrial Research and Technology Unit. Officials in the Industrial Research and Technology Unit have prepared a strategic action plan, which was approved by the Board of the Carbon Trust in July 2001, for utilising this funding. Vehicle Hire Companies Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to list the names of Northern Ireland private vehicle hire companies which have gone out of business since January 2000. (AQW 603/01) Sir Reg Empey: The names of Northern Ireland private vehicle hire companies which have gone out of business since January 2000 are as follows:
Hiring of Private Vehicles Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to list the names of Northern Ireland companies whose business includes the hiring of private vehicles to members of the public. (AQW 604/01) Sir Reg Empey: It is not possible to provide the names of businesses involved in the hiring of private vehicles, as any information pertaining to individual undertakings collected by the Department under the Statistics of Trade and Employment (NI) Order must remain confidential. For information, the latest figures from the September 1999 Census of Employment showed that there were 108 businesses and 730 employee jobs involved in the hiring of private vehicles. In this answer the hire of private vehicles includes 'Renting of automobiles', 'Renting of buses and coaches' and 'Renting of other land transport equipment'. Gas Pipeline : West Tyrone Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he has any plans to extend the gas-line from Derry City Council area to West Tyrone. (AQW 612/01) Sir Reg Empey: At present there are no plans to extend the gas pipeline to West Tyrone. Any further expansion of the gas network will be dependent on the private sector initiating projects. Promotion of Tourism : West Tyrone Area Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what plans he has for the promotion of tourism in West Tyrone, the Sperrins and the Strabane area. (AQW 615/01) Sir Reg Empey: NITB supports walking, cycling and angling promotions for the area and markets the Sperrins banner on its web-site and in its Northern Ireland regional guide. With NITB support a public / private sector partnership covering the Council areas of Strabane, Omagh, Magherafelt and Cookstown has been set up. This body will play a major role in the future development and promotion of tourism in the area and is also working with the neighbouring Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau producing a regional angling guide for the whole Foyle System. It is anticipated that funding bids to support these activities will be submitted to the relevant EU Peace and Reconciliation Programmes. Car Hire Firms Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many car hire firms are operating in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years. (AQW 619/01) Sir Reg Empey: The latest available figures on the number of car hire firms operating in Northern Ireland comes from the September 1999 Census of Employment. At that date there were 41 businesses involved in car hire. It is not possible to extend this analysis to each of the last three years. Quality of Car Hire Services : County Down Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps are the Northern Ireland Tourist Board taking to ensure that a quality car hire service is available for tourists in the County Down area. (AQW 621/01) Sir Reg Empey: While NITB retains a list of car hire firms in Northern Ireland, it has no mandate to certify or regulate the car hire industry, nor does it have any influence on the commercial operations of individual companies or on the rates that they set for individual customers. It has however met with representatives of the sector to suggest the setting up of a representative body for the industry in Northern Ireland and will work with this body to ensure high standards of service and competitiveness within the industry. Petrol Retail Industry : Strabane Area Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline his plans to help alleviate the crisis faced by the Petrol Retail Industry in the North West and particularly the Strabane area. (AQW 622/01) Sir Reg Empey: Fuel excise duty is a reserved matter and therefore not the responsibility of my Department. However, I have made various representations to HM Treasury and HM Customs & Excise on that issue and also on the matter of illicit fuel, highlighting their impact on Petrol Retailers in Northern Ireland, particularly in border areas like Strabane. Customs & Excise officials point out that since September 2000 there has been a four fold increase in resources in Northern Ireland devoted to tackling oil frauds. Their initial analysis suggested that progress is being made with a doubling of fuel and tripling of vehicles seized in 2000/01 compared with the previous year. Payments Due to Repairs to the Electricity Network Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what compensation is available for the business community as a result of lost trade due to NIE repairs. (AQW 631/01) Sir Reg Empey: NIE is legally required to make the following payments to non-domestic customers for breaches of specified performance standards related to repairs to the electricity network:- (a) £50, on receipt of a claim, if it fails to give a customer at least 3 days notice of a planned interruption of supply for purposes of essential maintenance to the network; (b) £25 if it fails to replace, within 3 hours on any working day (or 4 hours on any other day), a main fuse which has operated so as to disconnect a customer's supply; and (c) £125 if it fails to reconnect a customer's supply within 24 hours following a failure or fault, and further payments of £25 for each 12 hour period thereafter. The company is exempted from making payment where failure to meet a performance standard is due to circumstances outside its control. Redundancies : East Antrim Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of job losses in the current financial year in the constituency of East Antrim. (AQW 632/01) Sir Reg Empey: It is not currently possible to provide information on redundancies for parliamentary constituencies. However, between 1 April 2001 to 9 November 2001, there were 3,279 redundancies in Northern Ireland confirmed to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Of these 1,218 were in the Carrickfergus, Islandmagee, Larne and Newtownabbey Job Centre Areas, which are within the East Antrim Parliamentary Constituency Area. Redundancies at Shorts Bombardier Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (a) the number of composite and fuselage employees at Shorts Bombardier in comparison to those employed at Bombardier Montreal and (b) the likely impact that recent redundancies will have on both workforces. (AQW 641/01) Sir Reg Empey: (a) It is not possible to make a proper comparison as the roles of the two facilities are different. Bombardier in Belfast is the centre of excellence within the group for the design and manufacture of airline fuselages, engine nacelles and composite structures. Bombardier's Montreal facilities specialise in the final integration and completion of the Regional Jet family and the Challenger business aircraft (b) Bombardier has stated that 2005 employees in Montreal and 480 in Belfast will be laid off before the end of the year. A further 2700 in the aerospace division will be notified as market conditions dictate in the new fiscal year. It is expected that over half of the 2700 job losses would be in Belfast. Workforce at Shorts Bombardier Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the breakdown of the workforce at Shorts Bombardier in terms of (a) age and (b) experience. (AQW 643/01) Sir Reg Empey: This information is confidential to the company and it would be inappropriate for me to disclose it. Government Assistance : Shorts Bombardier Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the level of assistance given to Shorts Bombardier in each year from 1989-2001. (AQW 644/01) Sir Reg Empey: Direct government assistance to Bombardier from 1989/90 to 2000/01 is detailed below: Financial Year Assistance 1989/90 £5.7m 1990/91 £23.0m 1991/92 £21.8m 1992/93 £32.5m 1993/94 £24.3m 1994/95 £15.0m 1995/96 £11.7m 1996/97 £6.1m 1997/98 £6.2m 1998/99 £4.1m 1999/00 £7.5m 2000/01 £8.4m Total £166.3m Shorts Bombardier Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he has any agreement with Shorts Bombardier to retain the Composite and Fuselage Technical Section in Belfast. (AQW 645/01) Sir Reg Empey: The terms and conditions of assistance to Bombardier and any other client company are a matter of commercial confidentiality between the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the company. Bombardier has, however, made it clear that it will continue to retain a strong design and manufacturing capability in Belfast. |