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Friday 23 November 2001 Agriculture and Rural Development Agriculture and Rural Development Measurement of Fishing Vessels Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under what authority does the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority act in boarding and measuring fishing vessels within the Northern Ireland fleet. (AQW 656/01) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): The Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority advise that the Authority's Bye-Laws permit the Authority to board and measure fishing vessels within the harbour limits for which the Authority is responsible, namely at Kilkeel, Portavogie and Ardglass. The number of recorded measurements of fishing vessels by the Authority in the last 3 years was one, in 2000. No records are available for earlier periods. Measurements are only carried out on the very rare occasion when there is a doubt about the size of the vessel for the purpose of determining Harbour Dues. Measurement of Fishing Vessels Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of fishing vessels that were measured by the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority in each of the past five years. (AQW 657/01) Ms Rodgers: The Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority advise that the Authority's Bye-Laws permit the Authority to board and measure fishing vessels within the harbour limits for which the Authority is responsible, namely at Kilkeel, Portavogie and Ardglass. The number of recorded measurements of fishing vessels by the Authority in the last 3 years was one, in 2000. No records are available for earlier periods. Measurements are only carried out on the very rare occasion when there is a doubt about the size of the vessel for the purpose of determining Harbour Dues. Fishing Vessel Licences Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of fishing vessel licences which have been frozen and withdrawn in each of the past five years. (AQW 658/01) Ms Rodgers: A total of 29 licences have been frozen during each of the past five years as follows: 5 in 1996, 8 in 1997, 5 in 1998, 10 in 1999 and 1 in 2000. No licences were withdrawn in the same period. Illegal Fishing Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of court cases pending in respect of illegal fishing incidents and the time scale for the completion of these court proceedings. (AQW 697/01) Ms Rodgers: As you may be aware, the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) is the body responsible for the conservation and protection of salmon stocks in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas. I understand that your question relates to the Loughs Agency's areas of responsibility. The Loughs Agency currently has 31 cases pending, involving 36 people, as a result of the detection of illegal fishing during the 2001 season. These cases will come to Court over the next few months. The exact timing of Court appearances is dependent on the service of the summons and on the Courts. Salmon Fishing : Carlingford and Foyle Loughs Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline if there are any plans to restrict the bag limit for catching salmon in Carlingford and Foyle Loughs. (AQW 698/01) Ms Rodgers: As you may be aware, the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) is the body responsible for the conservation and protection of salmon stocks in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas. As part of its conservation and protection policy, the Agency currently limits the number of salmonids retained by an angler in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas to four in any one day. This bag limit was first introduced in the Foyle Area in May 1999 by the Agency's predecessor, the Foyle Fisheries Commission. The Loughs Agency then introduced the Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling) Regulations 2001 in May 2001 to extend this restriction to cover the Carlingford Area. The Loughs Agency currently has no plans to review its bag limit for anglers. However should it consider it necessary to introduce further measures to protect salmon stocks in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas in the future, it may do so. I also wish to advise you that the Agency has no plans to introduce bag limits or quota for commercial salmon fishing in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas. Fishing Licences : Foyle and Carlingford Loughs The Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the currency in which licence fees for fishing in the Foyle and Carlingford areas will be sold in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the Republic of Ireland during the financial year 2002; and is there a provision for a variation in the licence fee during 2002 if the euro and sterling exchange rates change. (AQW 734/01) Ms Rodgers: As you may be aware, the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) is the body responsible for the conservation and protection of salmon stocks in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas. It is the Loughs Agency's intention that customers will be able purchase licences in the currency of their choice at the Agency's Headquarters in Prehen and in its Carlingford Office. Licences sold by other distributors will be available in the currency of whichever jurisdiction the distributor is located. I would also confirm that should there be a substantial variation in the value of sterling against the euro then the Loughs Agency would introduce a further set of regulations to redress any imbalance created. The Loughs Agency is also committed to carrying out a licence review on an annual basis, and exchange rates will form part of that review. TOPCentre of Excellence for Sports Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail progress on the establishment of centres of excellence for sports. (AQW 648/01) The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): Centres of excellence for sports are being provided throughout the UK under the United Kingdom Sports Institute. One such centre is currently being established in Northern Ireland at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. Key personnel have been appointed for the development of the centre and work is expected to commence on the capital elements in 2002. A centre of excellence for golf is also being developed at the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick. Work is expected to start on this project next year. Expenditure on Sport & Leisure Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail expenditure on sport and leisure facilities by each local district council from 1998 to date. (AQW 649/01) Mr McGimpsey: My Department does not have a role in providing funding for District Councils and is not therefore in a position to indicate the expenditure that they have allocated to sport and leisure facility provision within their respective areas. However, my officials have contacted the Department of the Environment, who have responsibility for District Council matters, and they have provided the following figures indicating the District Council spend on sport and leisure facilities during the periods you have specified.
* Figures have not yet been certified by Local Government Office. Regional Centre of Excellence for Sports Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will make a statement on the provision of a regional centre of excellence for sports. (AQW 709/01) Mr McGimpsey: Centres of excellence for sports are being provided throughout the UK under the United Kingdom Sports Institute. One such centre is currently being established in Northern Ireland at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. Key personnel have been appointed for the development of the centre and work is expected to commence on the capital elements in 2002. TOPResources for People with Learning Disabilities Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Education what resources were available for the education of people with learning disabilities in each year since 1995. (AQW 634/01) The Minister of Education (Mr McGuinness): Education and Library Boards do not identify spending on children with statements of special educational needs in nursery, primary, secondary and grammar schools separately in their accounts. Board expenditure on Special Schools and Home Tuition in the years requested was as follows :
Figures are not yet available for 2000/01. * unaudited figure Teacher Training : Special Educational Needs Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail training currently available for teachers in relation to teaching children with special educational needs. (AQW 637/01) Mr McGuinness: My Department is currently supporting a two year pilot project involving teachers undertaking the M Sc in the Teaching of Visually Impaired Learners course at Queen's University, Belfast. It is also prepared to consider Education and Library Board support for teachers on other mandatory postgraduate courses for teaching the hearing and visually impaired. I understand that Boards run both centrally- and school-based courses in special education and that they are currently supporting teachers undertaking the Diploma in Professional Development for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators at Queen's University, Belfast. Re-Employment of Retired Teachers Mr Danny Kennedy asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of retired teachers who have been employed to address teacher shortages, in the last twelve months, in (a) primary schools and (b) post-primary schools. (AQW 651/01) Mr McGuinness: Teachers are appointed and employed by employing authorities which, in the vast majority of cases, are the Education and Library Boards or the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools. The Department does not receive information from these authorities as to the reasons why retired teachers are employed and it is not possible, therefore, to state how many were employed in the last twelve months to address teacher shortages. Information about the number of occasions, in the 2000/2001 school year, on which retired teachers were employed in our schools, is shown in the table below
Enniskillen Nursery School Mr Tommy Gallagher asked the Minister of Education to detail the total number of children enrolled at Enniskillen Nursery School and, of these, the number who are in their final pre-school year. (AQW 652/01) Mr McGuinness: At 1 September 2001 there were 78 children enrolled at Enniskillen Nursery School of which 58 were in their final pre-school year. Former Castle Gardens Primary School Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail his plans for the former Castle Gardens Primary School building in Newtownards and to give a commitment that it will be retained for educational purposes. (AQW 655/01) Mr McGuinness: The future use of the former Castle Gardens Primary School building is a matter for consideration by the South-Eastern Education and Library Board. At present there is uncertainty regarding ownership of the site. The Board is now awaiting legal advice on the matter and cannot proceed further until the position is clarified. Torr Bank Special School : Renovation Work Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) the commencement date for renovation work at Torr Bank Special School in Dundonald and (b) the timescale for the completion of this work. (AQW 659/01) Mr McGuinness: The South-Eastern Education and Library Board has commenced planning of a new school for Tor Bank Special School on part of the Dundonald High School site. The school will be considered for a place in next year's capital programme in the light of the resources available but I am unable to give any timescale for the project at this stage. Pupil Enrolment Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of pupils enrolled in each sector of the education system. (AQW 693/01) Mr McGuinness: Figures for 2001/02 are not yet available. The information requested in respect of 2000/01 was as follows:
1 Includes nursery classes and reception classes/groups. 2 Includes reception classes/groups. 3 Includes one Irish Medium school, with an enrolment of 208 pupils. Career in Teaching Mr Sean Neeson asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to encourage graduates from business backgrounds to pursue a career in teaching by undertaking a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. (AQO 388/01) Mr McGuinness: It has not been necessary here to introduce financial incentives similar to those used in England and Wales to attract graduates into teaching, as our PGCE courses were again oversubscribed this year. Most graduates entering initial teacher education did so on completion of their first degree. Implementing Special Needs Statements Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister of Education what safeguards are in place to ensure the implementation of all aspects of a Statement of Special Needs. (AQO 376/01) Mr McGuinness: Under Special Education legislation Education and Library Boards have a duty to arrange that the special educational provision indicated in a statement of special educational needs is made for the child. Where a grant-aided school is specified in a statement, the Board of Governors must admit the child to the school Where the child attends an ordinary school the Board of Governors must use its best endeavours to ensure that the special educational provision he requires is made. Annual reviews of statements provide parents with an opportunity for expressing concerns about current provision. Holy Cross Primary School Mr Gerry Kelly asked the Minister of Education what measures have been put in place to deal with the trauma suffered by the pupils of Holy Cross Primary School. (AQO 406/01) Mr McGuinness: I have on many occasions expressed my deep concern about the situation surrounding Holy Cross Girls' Primary School and the disruption and anxiety caused to teachers, pupils and parents in both Holy Cross and Wheatfield Primary Schools. Every pupil has the right to travel to school unhindered and to be educated in a safe and secure environment that is conducive to learning. Following extensive discussions between my Department, the Belfast Education and Library Board and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools I announced on 25 October a support programme for Holy Cross and the nearby Wheatfield Primary School. The funding, which totals £154,000, will be used to support the measures which the schools themselves have identified as necessary to meet the needs of pupils and staff. These include additional substitute teachers, classroom assistants, curriculum support for P7 pupils, including those taking the transfer test, and respite activities for pupils and staff. In addition the Belfast Board will continue to provide ongoing support services for Holy Cross and any other school in its area that requires assistance. My Department, along with the Belfast Board and CCMS, will continue to support the schools, but the protest at Holy Cross should end immediately. Once again I would urge local representatives to come together to resolve any community issues that exist, through dialogue. Asperger Syndrome Mr Conor Murphy asked the Minister of Education to outline (a) measures currently being taken to ascertain the incidences of Asperger Syndrome in the school population and (b) the nature and scope of resources currently available to meet the needs of children with Asperger Syndrome. (AQO 404/01) Mr McGuinness: In the October 2000 school census my Department sought information for the first time on the number of children affected by autism according to their statements of special educational needs. The 2001 census has asked schools to record separately those affected by Asperger Syndrome. Most children with Asperger Syndrome attend mainstream schools where some receive classroom assistance and additional teaching, as appropriate. Those with additional learning difficulties attend special schools or units. New Starts Programme Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister of Education to detail his method for implementing the policies of rural proofing, social inclusion and equality in terms of capital allocations in the New Starts Programme; and to make a statement. (AQO 373/01) Mr McGuinness: Under the new starts programme available resources are directed to the highest priorities based on educational need. This encompasses the areas of social inclusion and equality and ensures that rural communities have access to a network of strong rural schools. My Department's Equality Scheme provides for the school building programme to be the subject to an Equality Impact Assessment in the next financial year. New Viability Criteria for Post Primary Schools Mr David Ford asked the Minister of Education, following his announcement of the new viability criteria for post-primary schools, if he is aware of any schools or proposed schools that may already meet this new criteria. (AQO 387/01) Mr McGuinness: My Department is aware of only one proposed post-primary school that may already meet the new viability criteria of an initial intake of 50 pupils. School Transport : Cost Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Education to detail the cost of the current school transport system in each education and library board. (AQO 410/01) Mr McGuinness: Estimated expenditure by each education and library board on home to school transport in 2000/01 is as follows: £000's Belfast 3,467 North Eastern 11,452 South Eastern 10,270 Southern 12,798 Western 9,629 TOTAL 47,616 Criteria for Irish Medium & Integrated Schools Mr Barry McElduff asked the Minister of Education to detail the likely impact that his recent decision to lower the viability criteria for Irish medium and integrated schools will have on these sectors. (AQO 393/01) Mr McGuinness: The reduction of the viability criteria for both and Irish-medium and integrated schools will enable both sectors to grow and to strengthen. Indeed, once viability has been established and approval granted, schools will be eligible to receive recurrent funding immediately. This will secure the long-term future of such schools in a shorter timescale than was previously possible. The arrangements are designed to operate within the context of the Good Friday Agreement and my Department's statutory duties to encourage and facilitate Irish-medium and integrated education. School Transport : Southern Board Area Mr George Savage asked the Minister of Education if he will undertake to address the issues of inequity raised by the situation in the Southern Education Board area where some school children travelling from Waringstown to Banbridge have been issued with bus passes and others have not. (AQO 408/01) Mr McGuinness: The operation of the home to school transport arrangements is a matter for the appropriate education and library board. The Southern Board has advised that the following arrangements apply to pupils living in Waringstown and travelling to Banbridge -
In determining pupils' eligibility the Board has regard to the current approved arrangements which enable transport to be provided where pupils have been unable to gain a place in all suitable schools within statutory walking distance of their home (3 miles for pupils in post-primary schools) measured by the nearest available route. For the purposes of the transport arrangements the term 'suitable school' has a precise definition. It relates solely to the established educational categories of controlled, Catholic maintained, integrated and Irish-medium and, in the grammar sector, denominational and non-denominational schools. Non-integrated Schools : Running Costs Ms Eileen Bell asked the Minister of Education to detail the proposed total running costs, in this financial year, of (i) non- integrated primary schools (ii) non-integrated secondary schools and (iii) non-integrated teacher training facilities; and to make a statement. (AQO 399/01) Mr McGuinness: The apportionment of running costs between the two categories requested will not be known until the end of the financial year. Funding allocations made under LMS Formulae to non-integrated primary and non-integrated secondary schools are recorded in the following table. The figures do not take account of any additional funding that schools may receive outside of the formula, for example, substitution costs met centrally, earmarked allocations linked to Board or Department initiatives etc.
Notes: (1) Includes Controlled Schools, Maintained Schools and schools with Nursery Classes and excludes Controlled Integrated and Grant Maintained Integrated Schools, (2) Includes Controlled Schools, Maintained Schools and Voluntary Grammar Schools and excludes Controlled Integrated and Grant Maintained Integrated Schools, Teacher training facilities are not financed by my Department. Responsibility for their funding falls within the remit of my colleague, Mr Sean Farren, Minister for Employment and Learning. TOPCross Border FEC Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if he will undertake to set up a cross border Institute of Further and Higher Education which would serve the three District Council areas of Strabane, Letterkenny and Derry. (AQW 613/01) The Minister for Employment and Learning (Dr Farren): I have no plans to set up a cross border initiative. My Department will continue to work in partnership with the North West Institute of Further and Higher Education and to facilitate co-operation between it and other colleges in the wider region including on a cross border basis. NI Hotel & Catering College & University of Ulster Merge Mr Sean Neeson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, pursuant to AQO 1383/00, to give an update on plans to merge the Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College with the University of Ulster. (AQW 650/01) Dr Farren: The Governing Body of the Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College and the Council of the University of Ulster have formally agreed to the merger of the college and the University. My Department is preparing a draft administrative order to facilitate the merger and will be initiating a consultation process shortly. Duplication of Student Course Work Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister for Employment and Learning why the Training and Employment Agency requires Further Education College Lecturers to duplicate student course work that has already been provided to examination bodies. (AQW 663/01) Dr Farren: Further Education Colleges are contracted by my Department to deliver training under the Training and Employment Agency's Jobskills programme. The Agency, normally requires providers, including Colleges, to achieve National Vocational Qualifications outcomes. The process of evidence gathering and acceptability is a matter for the appropriate Awarding Body, overseen by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and is not a matter for the Agency. I will draw the attention of QCA and/or appropriate Awarding Bodies to any examples of unnecessary paperwork which are reported to the Department. Individual Learning Accounts Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (a) the number of people who have been defrauded out of Individual Learning Accounts and (b) any action being taken to bring those engaged in this fraud to justice. (AQW 684/01) Dr Farren: In announcing the suspension of the scheme I said that while there is currently no evidence of fraud in the scheme in Northern Ireland, as had been reported in England, it is something that my Department takes very seriously. My Department investigates all complaints and, if there is evidence of fraud, will not hesitate to take appropriate action. Individual Learning Accounts Mr Billy Hutchinson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if applications are still being processed for the Individual Learning Account Grant Scheme and can applicants still apply. (AQW 725/01) Dr Farren: No new applications for Individual Learning Accounts are being accepted after 26 October 2001, the date on which the scheme was suspended. Existing Account holders can still use their Account to enrol on eligible courses provided the course is booked on the Individual Learning Account Centre system by 7 December 2001. Enterprise, Trade and Investment Job Losses & Jobs Created : Strabane District Council Area Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of jobs lost and the number of jobs created in Strabane District Council area in the last year. (AQW 587/01) The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): During the period September 2000 to October 2001 there were 112 confirmed redundancies in the Strabane Job Centre Area. Detailed information on the precise number of jobs created is not available. However, figures from the NI Census of Employment can be used to estimate the net change in employee jobs between Censuses. Latest figures from the September 1999 Census of Employment showed that there were 9,092 employee jobs in Strabane District Council area. This represented an increase of 90 (1%) from the previous Census figure (September 1997). Cross Border Business Park Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will undertake to set up a cross border Business Park in the Strabane/Lifford area. (AQW 616/01) Sir Reg Empey: IDB and IDA officials are co-operating in a number of ventures under the Invest North West Initiative aimed at attracting further investment to Strabane, Derry, Limavady and Donegal Council areas. There are no plans currently for a cross border business park at Strabane/Lifford. However IDB is currently evaluating proposals from developers for the provision of 30,000 sq ft of new business space at Orchard Road. There is also some private sector interest in a possible mixed use development at Lifford Road but this is at an early stage. TOPGolden Jubilee Celebrations Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail those District Councils who are planning events for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations and to itemise their plans. (AQW 628/01) The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): The planning of events for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations is entirely a matter for individual district councils. The Department of the Environment would not necessarily be involved in such plans. Golden Jubilee Celebrations Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to outline any funding available for district councils in relation to the 2002 Golden Jubilee Celebrations. (AQW 642/01) Mr Foster: No funding has been made available for district councils, in relation to the Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Councils would have to provide for any expenditure on the event in their 2002/2003 budgets. Water Pollution : Nitrates Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (a) his plans to reduce water pollution caused by nitrates from agriculture sources and (b) the steps he has taken to comply with the EU nitrates directive - 91/676/EEC. (AQW 667/01) Mr Foster: In March 1999 the former Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland designated three Nitrate Vulnerable Zones under The Protection of Water Against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution Regulations (NI) 1996. These Regulations transposed into Northern Ireland legislation the requirements of the EU Nitrates Directive. The former DOE (NI) also implemented Action Programmes in respect of the designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in June 1999. These Programmes specified limits to the amount of nitrates to be applied within the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. Farmers with land inside the Zones received copies of an advisory booklet prepared by DOE (NI) and the former Department of Agriculture. They also received copies of the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the protection of water from pollution by nitrates. Adherence to t his Code is compulsory within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. My Department also operates a groundwater and surface water monitoring network. Monitoring data from this network is analysed on a regular basis to assess the impact of agriculturally derived nitrate on all waters. It is my Department's view that, as a result of the identification and designation of the three Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and the implementation of the Action Programmes, Northern Ireland is in compliance with the requirements of the Nitrates Directive. Shooting Permits : Strangford Lough Area Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of shooting permits issued for the Strangford Lough area in each of the last 10 years. (AQW 685/01) Mr Foster: No shooting permits were issued in the last 10 years for those parts of the Strangford Lough area owned by my Department. Shooting rights for most of the foreshore of the Lough are owned or leased by the National Trust, and administered under its Strangford Lough Wildlife Scheme. The revenue from the issue of shooting permits goes towards the costs of operating the scheme. Because of its conservation benefits, the scheme is also supported by grant aid from the Environment and Heritage Service of my Department. Shooting Permits Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to outline (a) where the monies collected for shooting permits are spent and (b) which departments benefit from these monies. (AQW 686/01) Mr Foster: No shooting permits were issued in the last 10 years for those parts of the Strangford Lough area owned by my Department. Shooting rights for most of the foreshore of the Lough are owned or leased by the National Trust, and administered under its Strangford Lough Wildlife Scheme. The revenue from the issue of shooting permits goes towards the costs of operating the scheme. Because of its conservation benefits, the scheme is also supported by grant aid from the Environment and Heritage Service of my Department. TOP |
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