Mr Pat McNamee asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total expenditure paid to contractors within the Water Service for each of the past five financial years.

(AQW 915/01)

Mr Robinson: Water Service has paid a total of £433.2 million to contractors over the past five years. The expenditure each year is set out below.

Dr Dara O'Hagan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total expenditure paid to consultants within the Water Service for the past five financial years.

(AQW 916/01)

Mr Robinson: Water Service has paid a total of £51.4 million to consultants over the past five financial years. The expenditure each year is set out below.

Dr Dara O'Hagan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total amount of labour costs for non-industrial civil servants within the Water Service for each of the past five financial years in respect of (i) salaries, (ii) pensions, (iii) expenses, (iv) bonuses and (v) National Insurance contributions.

(AQW 917/01)

Mr Robinson: The total amount of labour costs for non-industrial civil servants within the Water Service for each of the past five financial years is as follows:

* The only bonuses payable to non-industrial staff consist of those occasional discretionary payments made to reward special efforts, with the total amount involved being minimal (ie, less than 0.2% of the total paybill). Payments to staff are made through salary and cannot be itemised separately.

Dr Dara O'Hagan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the level of savings achieved by the Water Service under its efficiency plans in each of the last five financial years.

(AQW 918/01)

Mr Robinson: One of Water Service’s strategic aims is to improve business performance. This aim is supported by a key performance target to achieve efficiency savings of 3% on running cost expenditure. Water Service has met this target in each of the last five financial years.

This has been achieved through the implementation of Water Service’s efficiency strategy which is based on the Government’s "Modernising Government" and "Better Quality Services" initiatives. The strategy involves implementing an annual programme of efficiency measures which target the activities and processes considered to offer the greatest scope for improvement in quality or cost. The efficiency measures are employed in an integrated manner to deliver the year on year efficiencies which allow Water Service to operate within the challenging running cost targets it faces annually.

Dr Dara O'Hagan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total amount of labour costs for industrial civil servants within the Water Service for each of the past five financial years in respect of (i) salaries, (ii) pensions, (iii) expenses, (iv) bonuses and (v) National Insurance contributions.

(AQW 919/01)

Mr Robinson: The labour costs for industrial civil servants within Water Service for the past five years are detailed below.

Note (ii): Includes travel expenses, both taxable and non-taxable, and subsistence allowances.

Mr Tommy Gallagher asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to change the planning regulations for the erection of houses in rural areas.

(AQO 519/01)

Mr Robinson: May I take this opportunity to emphasise the importance I attach to the contribution of the rural community to the economic and social well being of Northern Ireland. This, I believe, is fully recognised in the Regional Development Strategy which was launched on 4 December 2001.

One of its key aims is to develop an attractive and prosperous rural area based on a balanced and integrated approach to the development of town, village and countryside. I believe that this approach will help sustain a strong and vibrant rural community; one which is able to contribute to the overall prosperity of Northern Ireland.

In progressing the strategy, I will be bringing forward detailed strategic regional planning policy guidance on a range of important issues. One key area on which guidance will be prepared is in respect of the countryside. Initial, preparatory work and information gathering has already commenced on this important regional guidance. While the final content and nature of this guidance has yet to be decided, it is likely to contain strategic rural planning policies within which Departments will be expected to structure, interpret and implement individual operational policies.

I recognise fully that an issue to be addressed in the emerging policy guidance will be the tension that exists between the desire of individuals to live in dwellings in the countryside and the need to maintain viable and sustainable rural settlements, as outlined in the recently published Regional Development Strategy. A balance will need to be struck if we are to avoid the detrimental effects of either excessive urban growth or the blight of the countryside through isolated development.

Clearly this is an issue of significant public interest and I will ensure that the Assembly, its committees and the rural communities, are fully consulted as the work on this strategic regional planning guidance progresses.

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development if his Department was consulted in respect of the Port of Larne's decision to permanently close a pedestrian access gate from Chaine Memorial Road as a security measure in the wake of the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001.

(AQW 1050/01)

Mr Robinson: This pedestrian access was first closed in February 2001on the instructions of DARD as a Foot and Mouth precaution. Security measures have been put in place at all UK ports following the terrorist attacks on the USA on 11 September 2001. However, there is no requirement on the Port of Larne, as a private company, to consult the Department in relation to such operational matters.

Mrs Annie Courtney asked the Minister for Regional Development if he has any plans to upgrade the railway line from Belfast to the north-west.

(AQO 538/01)

Mr Robinson: There has already been a substantial upgrade of the railway line between Belfast and the north-west with the re-opening in June of the Antrim to Bleach Green railway line for scheduled passenger services. This has provided significantly increased levels of passenger comfort as well as enhanced journey times for passengers travelling on the Belfast to Londonderry corridor. The resources provided for railways in the Assembly’s December 2000 Budget is sufficient only to maintain the core network of the most heavily used lines and for the acquisition of much needed new rolling stock. Lines north and west of Ballymena are outside the core network and any enhancement of these lines can best be considered in the context of the ten year Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) that is currently being prepared by my Department. I will certainly consider seeking additional resources from the Assembly in light of the RTS findings but would point out that any further upgrade plans for lines in the north-west will be dependent on the Assembly allocating the necessary funding.

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development when he intends to bring forward a planning policy statement on the review of retail development; and to make a statement.

(AQO 526/01)

Mr Robinson: I am aware of the pressing need to bring forward new regional planning policy guidance on retailing. The recently published Regional Development Strategy gives recognition to the important part retailing plays in the future well being of Northern Ireland and provides further impetus to moving ahead quickly with the new policy guidance.

I am conscious that Northern Ireland has experienced a major upsurge in shopping development in recent years, reflecting both a "backlog" of retail interest and a need to modernise our shopping outlets. I am aware too, of concerns from many quarters about the operation of the existing retail planning policy.

On 21 September, my predecessor Mr Gregory Campbell, appointed Roger Tym and Partners to carry out a major retail planning research project. I believe that this research is of critical importance. It will provide up to date and independent information on which to base the new regional planning policy guidance. It is due for completion by May 2002. I will, of course, consult the Assembly and the public on the report.

I shall prepare the new draft regional planning policy guidance for Assembly and public consultation by the Autumn 2002. Finally, I anticipate that the new guidance will be in place by June 2003.

Mr Gregory Campbell asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide a progress report on the Limavady bypass including the estimated cost and completion date.

(AQO 493/01)

Mr Robinson: As I announced on 7 December 2001, my Department’s Roads Service has appointed contractors, Graham Construction, to construct the Limavady Bypass. Construction work on the £11.5M bypass commenced last week and is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete. When completed, it will significantly reduce congestion and environmental disturbance in Limavady and will lead to considerable improvements in journey times between Coleraine and Londonderry.

Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the current financial position of Translink, including current and planned funding for the company; and to make a statement.

(AQO 507/01)

Mr Robinson: In 2000/01, the constituent companies that make up Translink recorded the following profit or loss after the deduction of tax. Northern Ireland Railways made a loss of £2.334 million, Citybus made a loss of £1.213 million, Flexibus made a profit of £55,000 and Ulsterbus made a profit of £1.836 million.

The balance sheets for these companies at 1 April 2001 showed that the net assets of Northern Ireland Railways, Citybus, Flexibus and Ulsterbus were £3.214 million, £2.776 million, £1.366 million and £40.041 million, respectively.

In the current year, £12.5 million of revenue subsidy and £28.2 million of grant for the improvement of rolling stock and infrastructure are being provided to Northern Ireland Railways from my Department’s budget. Translink’s bus companies are receiving £7.1 million of fuel duty rebate, £1.7 million of grant toward the purchase of new buses, £2.8 million of grant for a new ticketing system and £890,000 of revenue subsidy for rural and other uneconomic services. Translink will also receive a concessionary fares grant amounting to £12.4 million.

The planned funding for 2002/03 will provide £16.5 million of revenue subsidy and £56.6 million of capital grants to Northern Ireland Railways. Translink’s bus companies have been allocated £8.0 million of fuel duty rebate, £1.7 million of bus purchase grant, £2.9 million of grant for the new ticketing system and £890,000 of revenue subsidy for rural and other uneconomic services. The concessionary fares grant will be increased to £16.0 million.

Years of under-investment, in bus and rail services have had a depressing effect on patronage, which in turn has eroded the financial position of the Translink companies.

I welcome the significant increase for public transport in the Assembly’s budget, particularly the additional funding to improve the safety of the rail network and for new rolling stock. There is still much to do to bring our public transport services up to modern standards and I shall be bringing forward my plans for further investment within the ten-year Regional Transportation Strategy. I look forward to support from the Assembly in its future budgets.

Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister for Regional Development if he has any plans to bring forward the date for the commencement of the new Waste Water Treatment Works in Downpatrick; and to make a statement.

(AQO 495/01)

Mr Robinson: A scheme to upgrade the Downpatrick Waste Water Treatment Works was originally programmed to start in October 2000 but successive deferments have resulted from the need to direct available resources to higher priority projects. The scheme is currently programmed to commence in 2005 at an estimated cost of £2.3 million.

The Works was designed to treat a population equivalent of up to 16,000 and presently caters for about 13,000. It has, therefore, the capacity to cope with additional development in the Downpatrick area. The Works also consistently complies with the registered discharge standards set by the Department of the Environment’s Environment and Heritage Service. Pending the major upgrading, Water Service will continue to maximise the efficiency of the treatment processes at the Works. This will include the provision of new inlet screens which are to be installed next March.

A major review of Water Service’s Capital Investment Programme is currently underway in order to ensure that the available funding will be allocated to the highest priority schemes. I will be consulting the Regional Development Committee about this in January.

Dr Esmond Birnie asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline any developments on his policy on on-street parking in urban areas.

(AQO 518/01)

Mr Robinson: I can report that my Department’s Roads Service:

• is currently involved in consultations with the Police Service of Northern Ireland regarding the development of a Service Level Agreement in relation to the enforcement of on-street parking by traffic wardens employed by the Police; and
• is giving consideration to strengthening its powers to control on-street parking. A consultant will be appointed in the Spring of 2002 to undertake a feasibility study into decriminalised parking enforcement which would permit Roads Service to enforce on-street parking restrictions.

Roads Service would be prepared to carry out a small number of pilot residents’ parking schemes to test the necessary administrative and enforcement procedures that would be involved. Such schemes would only be of benefit to residents if they are effectively enforced and, under current arrangements, this is a matter for the Police. I understand that the Police have indicated that they are not in a position to carry out this work.

Mr Alan McFarland asked the Minister for Regional Development when will he be able to provide a plan for waste water treatment in North Down.

(AQO 517/01)

Mr Robinson: I am aware that progress on this issue has been much slower than expected. However, my predecessor and I have been anxious to ensure that both Ards and North Down Borough Councils are fully aware of the process which had led to the identification of the two shortlisted sites. I am currently reviewing the issues with officials and I expect to make a firm announcement early in the New Year.

Mr David Ford asked the Minister for Regional Development to make a statement on his assessment of the number of passengers using the Knockmore railway line.

(AQO 515/01)

Mr Robinson: I will be making a full assessment of the number of passengers using the Antrim/Knockmore line as part of my consideration of the related Equality Impact Assessment. The closing date for comments to the Equality Impact Assessment was Friday 23 November 2001.

Translink has advised that, based on a survey of ticket sales during the six month period from May to November 2001 that some 13,839 passenger journeys either originated from or terminated at Ballinderry, Glenavy and Crumlin halts. They further advise that this translates into approximately 76 passenger journeys per day on that line. A similar survey in March 2001 indicated just over 100 passenger journeys per day. Translink point out that during the period May to November 2000, some 43,703 passenger journeys either originated from or terminated at these three stations.

Ms Mary Nelis asked the Minister for Regional Development to explain why the roads west of the Bann, specifically the Glenshane Pass, were not gritted on 6 November 2001.

(AQO 492/01)

Mr Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that the minimum temperature west of the Bann during both the morning and evening of Tuesday 6 November 2001 was around +5^oC. There was therefore no need to salt roads on that day and no problems were reported.

I understand, however, that on Thursday 8 November 2001 the road temperature on the Glenshane Pass dipped earlier than was forecast by the Met Office and icy conditions were reported on it before salting commenced at 6.30pm. Whilst Roads Service will continue to make every effort to prevent ice forming on roads included in the salted network, you will appreciate that conditions can change rapidly and ice-free roads simply cannot be guaranteed.

Mr Eamonn ONeill asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to the report 'Bathing Waters in Newcastle', to detail how he proposes to improve the sewerage system in Newcastle and thus improve the quality of the sea water; and to make a statement.

(AQO 501/01)

Mr Robinson: I share the disappointment that the bathing waters at Newcastle failed to comply with the EU Bathing Water Directive during the 2001 bathing season, particularly since the bathing waters have consistently met the regulatory standards since 1990.

To achieve compliance with the EC Bathing Water Directive, at least 19 of the 20 regulatory samples collected at any bathing water location must meet the mandatory standards. The bathing waters at Newcastle failed because 2 out of 20 samples collected during the bathing season did not meet these stringent standards. Meeting the standards can be significantly affected by factors such as changes in tidal patterns, strong winds, a wet or dry summer and by non-sewage related discharges, particularly diffuse agricultural run-off in wet weather. Whether or not failures will occur at one or more of the more vulnerable locations in a particular season is, therefore, to a significant degree influenced by many factors only some of which are within Water Service’s control.

The bathing water results for 2001 show the vulnerability of coastal waters in Northern Ireland and highlight the critical need for additional investment to address the historic underfunding of the sewerage infrastructure. The need to direct the limited funding available towards improvements to drinking water quality and waste water treatment has meant that investment in the sewerage system has been severely restricted and is likely to remain so for some time. Water Service plans to commence a study of the sewerage network in Newcastle the Summer of 2002. The study will examine the existing system and identify any upgrading measures required to remedy any deficiencies that may have contributed to failure of the bathing waters. The initial study, which will take around 18 months to complete, will be followed by consultations with Environment and Heritage Service. Regrettably, given the present level of funding available it is unlikely that any measures identified will be implemented before 2006.

Pending the outcome of the sewerage network study, Water Service plans to implement upgrading measures at the Burren Road pumping station. The pumping station, which has a combined sewer overflow, discharges to the Burren River in wet weather and occasionally results in visible pollution, such as rags and paper, in the river. The installation of a new screen at the works, planned for the Spring of next year, will significantly reduce any visible pollution occurring at such times.

Mr Pat McNamee asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps has he taken to harmonise pay and terms and conditions of employment for Water Service Agency employees.

(AQO 512/01)

Mr Robinson: In view of the Department of Finance and Personnel’s general management and control of the NI Civil Service, overall responsibility for the terms and conditions of industrial civil servants, including those within the Water Service, remains a function of that Department. Over recent months, officials from DFP, my own department and those other departments which employ industrial staff have been engaged in discussions with the trade unions about the undertaking of a major programme of work to harmonise terms and conditions across all industrial staff in the first instance, and then across industrial and non-industrial staff.

Work is also under way to establish a central consultation body which will provide a forum to discuss and deal with those employment terms and conditions which are not currently delegated to departments. Centralised pay bargaining will also be dealt with by this body once the continuing links to national pay agreements have been broken and a suitable pay and grading evaluation system for both industrial and non-industrial staff has been developed.

Mr John Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development when he intends to present his case to the Executive for additional funds to extend the M22 motorway to Derry City Council area and to upgrade the railway service from Belfast to the north-west; and to make a statement.

(AQO 539/01)

Mr Robinson: You will be aware that my Department is currently preparing a 10-year draft Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) which, in support of the Regional Development Strategy, will identify strategic transportation priorities for Northern Ireland over the next decade.

At the same time my Department’s Roads Service is in the course of developing a

10-Year Forward Planning Schedule of major road schemes which will be compatible with the RTS. While Roads Service has no current plans to extend the M22 Motorway to Derry City Council area a number of schemes to improve this route are being assessed for possible inclusion in the Forward Planning Schedule, which will be published after the RTS. .

With regard to upgrading the railway service from Belfast to the north-west, the Assembly only voted sufficient resources for the core railway network of most heavily used lines as well as for new rolling stock. The line between Bleach Green and Antrim has just been upgraded but the lines to the north-west from Ballymena are outside the core network and will only be considered in the context of the RTS.

The aim is to publish the proposed RTS for consultation in January 2002.

Mr Billy Bell asked the Minister for Regional Development what measures he is taking to ensure that all feeder roads into major road systems are properly signed with advance warning of roadworks.

(AQO 522/01)

Mr Robinson: It is a legal requirement in Northern Ireland that warnings of all road works shall comply with Chapter 8 of The Traffic Signs Manual. The Manual, which is published by the Stationery Office, contains recommendations on traffic safety measures, including signing, for road works.

In addition to containing recommendations regarding the provision of signs on roads affected by road works, the Manual also includes recommendations regarding the provision of signs on feeder roads in the immediate vicinity of road works. The enforcement of Chapter 8 is a matter for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Mr Mervyn Carrick asked the Minister for Social Development when he will publish his annual report on the Social Fund for 2000-2001 and the Social Fund Commissioner's annual report.

(AQW 869/01)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): The Department’s annual report on the Social Fund for 2000-2001 has been published today and has been laid before the Assembly. The Social Fund Commissioner’s report has also been published and copies placed in the library.

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (a) the amount of benefit recovered from claimants who either mistakenly or fraudulently received such benefits in the last year, and (b) how much is estimated to remain uncollected.

(AQW 881/01)

Mr Dodds: The amount of benefit recovered from customers that was either received mistakenly or fraudulently in the last financial year is approx. £3.6 million. Twenty eight million pounds is estimated to remain uncollected. The Agency is active in combating fraud within benefits with a comprehensive strategy. Levels of fraud have been identified using the benefit review process, Ministerial targets have also been set to reduce fraud and error in the four main benefits, Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance. The Agency has also a number of options when actively pursuing overpayment of benefits. These include:

• A recovery from benefits (where this option is available).
• Voluntary agreements to repay (where the debtor is not in receipt of benefit).
• Enforcement action via the Courts and the Enforcement of Judgements Office.

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development what criteria is used to assess contractors for Housing Executive renovations and repairs.

(AQW 892/01)

Mr Dodds: The Housing Executive maintains a Register of Approved Contractors and no firm may be invited to tender or contract with the Housing Executive until such time as its name is formally enrolled on that Register. In addition firms must not allow their registration to lapse, or be suspended or removed from the Register.

The Minimum Criteria for Admission to that Register is that applicants must:

a. Normally have been trading for at least one year.

b. Hold a current Construction Industry Scheme Certificate.

c. Where required by law, be registered for Value Added Tax.

d. Possess Public Liability Insurance in the sum of at least one million pounds; (this must be increased to £5 million prior to the award of most contracts).

e. Possess Employers Liability Insurance in the sum of £5 million.

f. Satisfy the Executive that it has undertaken previous work to a standard acceptable to the Executive.

g. Produce to the Executive, or Consultant Accountants engaged by the Executive, accounts for examination, audited where appropriate.

h. Sign a declaration that the firm is not an unqualified company for the purposes of Articles 64 to 66 of the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998.

i. Sign a declaration that the firm has a Health & Safety Policy / Statement and that it will comply with the Health & Safety Regulations and any approved Health & Safety Plan for any specific scheme which the firm may be awarded, or for which the firm may be cleared as a subcontractor and, in addition, that the person responsible for Health and Safety has attended a recognised course.

j. In the case of electrical contractors, be registered with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting and have attained Quality Assurance Certification to at least BS 5750 Part 3 / ISO 9000.

k. In the case of firms wishing to undertake gas installation/repairs, be registered with C.O.R.G.I.

The general criteria for selection is that the firm’s registration is in order; that the firm is approved for the category of work(s) included in the scheme(s); that the firm has adequate financial capacity to undertake the proposed works and that its performance on similar type of work has been satisfactory. There may also be additional criteria, for more complex schemes.

Ms Mary Nelis asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, by constituency, the religious composition of the workforce of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive at middle and senior management level.

(AQW 922/01)

Mr Dodds: While this is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, for the organisation as a whole, the community background of the middle and senior management grades is as follows:

The collection of monitoring information regarding an individual's community background is a sensitive issue and it is collected solely to meet an employer's monitoring obligations. In addition, the confidentiality of community background monitoring information is protected through Regulations made under the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998. These make it a criminal offence, subject to specific exceptions, to disclose information on the community background of an individual which has been obtained or used for the purposes of monitoring under the 1998 Order. The exceptions permitted include disclosure to members of staff or to Trade Union officials, if the nature of their duties renders it reasonable to do so. They also permit disclosure in connection with actual or prospective proceedings before the Fair Employment Tribunal.

The information requested by constituency is not held by the Housing Executive and given the small numbers involved at such a level of disaggregation, information at that level would breach the confidentiality requirements.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development if he has any plans to introduce a Pensions Agency similar to the one operating in GB.

(AQW 924/01)

Mr Dodds: There is no Pensions Agency operating in Great Britain, although there is a Pensions Organisation within the Department of Work and Pensions. My Social Security Agency continues to seek opportunities to improve services to Pensioners.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (a) the targets set for lone parents back into employment through New Deal; and (b) the effectiveness of New Deal for lone parents.

(AQW 939/01)

Mr Dodds: The New Deal scheme for Lone Parents is voluntary. The Department therefore sets a target for numbers participating in the scheme rather than numbers back into employment. The target for the current financial year is for 4121 Lone parents to participate in the scheme. From April 1998 up until the end of October 2001, the total number of Lone Parents who agreed to participate in the programme was 7959. Of these, 4,013 commenced full-time work and were no longer entitled to Income Support. A further 490 commenced part-time work and still were entitled to Income Support.