Friday 25 January 2002
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)
Education
O’Neill Memorial Primary School, Crossnacreevy
Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister of Education
to detail (a) the date of the last inspection carried out at O’Neill Memorial
Primary School, Crossnacreevy; (b) the date of the last parents’ meeting;
and (c) if the possible closure of the school was recorded on the agenda
for the last parents’ meeting.
(AQW 1289/01)
The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): The
South-Eastern Education and Library Board has confirmed:
(a) The date of the last inspection was May 1996;
(b) The date of the last parents’ meeting was 28 November
2001; and
(c) The South-Eastern Education and Library Board’s area strategic development
plan, which indicates that there will be a review of primary provision,
was an item on the agenda for the meeting on 28 November 2001.
Education Psychologists: Waiting Times
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education
to provide the current waiting times for appointments with education psychologists
in each education and library board.
(AQW 1304/01)
Mr M McGuinness: The position on referrals for
statutory assessment of special educational needs at Stage 4 of the code
of practice in each education and library board area is as follows: -
Belfast |
89.5% assessed within six weeks |
Western |
90% assessed within six weeks |
North Eastern |
average time is 41 days |
South Eastern |
95% assessed within six weeks |
Southern |
92% assessed within six weeks |
Average waiting times at Stage 3 of the code of practice are not available.
O’Neill Memorial Primary School
Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister of Education to detail (a)
if the chairman of the board of governors of O’Neill Memorial Primary
School has received any requests, since 1 December 2001, for an Extraordinary
General Meeting of Parents with the Governors; (b) the decision reached;
and (c) the reason for this decision.
(AQW 1306/01)
Mr M McGuinness: The South-Eastern Education and Library Board
have confirmed:
(a) The chairperson of the board of governors received a letter posted
on 14 December 2001 from a group of concerned parents requesting an emergency
meeting of the board of governors; and
(b) and ( c) The chairperson responded on 15 December 2001 indicating
that because of the Christmas holidays it would not be possible to hold
a meeting until the new year. The parents were asked to write to the secretary
to the board of governors suggesting suitable dates for a meeting.
O’Neill Memorial Primary School, Crossnacreevy
Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister of Education to list (a) the
parent governors of O’Neill Memorial Primary School, Crossnacreevy, at
the beginning of the academic year September 2001; and (b) the number
of children each parent governor has enrolled at the school.
(AQW 1307/01)
Mr M McGuinness: The South-Eastern Education and Library Board
have confirmed:
(a) The parent governors at September 2001 were Mrs Valerie Atcheson
and Mr Desmond Butler; and
(b) These individuals did not have children at the school in September
2001, but did so at the time of their election as parent governors.
O’Neill Primary School, Crossnacreevy
Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister of Education to detail (a)
those parent governors of O’Neill Primary School, Crossnacreevy, at January
2002, and were they appointed at a parents’ meeting; (b) the date of the
parents’ meeting; (c) if all the parents were invited to this meeting;
and (d) the number of children each of these parent governors have enrolled
at the school.
(AQW 1308/01)
Mr M McGuinness: The South-Eastern Education and Library Board
have confirmed:
(a) At January 2002 there were 2 vacancies for parent governors at
the school due to the withdrawal of the parent governors elected to serve
for the period 2001-2005. The school is in the process of arranging a
new election;
(b) The governors who have withdrawn were elected at the meeting held
on 29 October 2001;
(c ) All parent were invited to this meeting; and
(d) As parent elections are currently pending details are not known.
Student Teachers: Mathematics
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to outline (a) the
number of student teachers currently training that will have mathematics
as their main subject area; and (b) if he is considering increasing these
numbers to meet any potential shortfall.
(AQW 1332/01)
Mr M McGuinness: There are currently 105 student teachers training
with mathematics as their main subject. My Department adjusts the overall
allocation of teacher training places annually to ensure a reasonable
match between the numbers being trained and projected teacher vacancies
based on a statistical model. Each higher education institution is then
responsible for distributing its total allocation of places across its
own course provision.
Mathematics Teachers: Vacancies
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education what assessment
he has made in relation to the number of suitable mathematics teachers
available currently for posts advertised for secondary level schools;
and to make a statement.
(AQW 1334/01)
Mr M McGuinness: My Department does not collect information from
the employing authorities about the number of applications to fill teaching
vacancies in schools; and the employing authorities have not reported
to my Department that they are experiencing serious problems in recruiting
mathematics teachers to secondary schools.
Classroom Assistants
Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the number
of classroom assistants currently employed in primary schools in each
education and library board area.
(AQW 1352/01)
Mr M McGuinness: I have been advised by the education and library
boards that the numbers are as follows:
BELB |
231 |
WELB |
670 |
NEELB |
569 |
SEELB |
579 |
SELB |
860 |
Maintenance Work
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education to list the schools awaiting
high priority maintenance work in the constituency of North Down; and
the proposed dates for the commencement of this work.
(AQW 1385/01)
Mr M McGuinness: Responsibility for maintenance of controlled
and maintained schools in the constituency rests with the South-Eastern
Education and Library Board. I understand from the board that it plans
to commence high priority maintenance work at the schools listed below
over the next two years. The Department has no information on planned
maintenance work at other schools in the constituency.
2002/03 Financial Year |
Ballyholme Primary School, Bangor |
Ballyvester Primary School, Bangor |
Bangor Nursery School |
Bloomfield Primary School, Bangor |
Clandeboye Primary School, Bangor |
Conlig Primary School |
Donaghadee Primary School |
Donaghadee High School |
Grange Park Primary School, Bangor |
Holywood Central Meals Kitchen |
Kilcooley Primary School, Bangor |
Kilmaine Primary School, Bangor |
Priory College, Holywood |
Rathmore Primary School, Bangor |
St Columbanus College, Bangor |
St Finian’s Primary School, Newtownards |
St Malachy’s Primary School, Bangor |
St Patrick’s Primary School, Holywood |
Towerview Primary School, Bangor |
Trinity Nursery School, Bangor |
2003/04 Financial Year |
Ballyholme Primary School, Bangor |
Clandeboye Primary School, Bangor |
Glencraig Primary School |
Kilcooley Primary School, Bangor |
Kilmaine Primary School, Bangor |
Redburn Primary School, Holywood |
St Columbanus College, Bangor |
St Malachy’s Primary School, Bangor |
Average Class Size
Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail, by education
authority, the average class size in secondary schools in each year since
1994.
(AQW 1449/01)
Mr M McGuinness: The information requested is not held by the
Department, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Classroom Assistants:
Qualifications or Experience
Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Education what qualifications
or experience classroom assistants require before entering the classroom
environment.
(AQW 1456/01)
Mr M McGuinness: I have been advised that while there are a number
of qualifications that offer qualified status to classroom assistants,
the minimum qualification offering recognised status by the education
and library boards to classroom assistants in all schools is a NVQ Level
II in Early Years Care and Education.
Employment and Learning
UCAS
Ms McWilliams asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if
she will consider providing Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
(UCAS) with the facility to collect data on the religious background of
their Northern Ireland applicants.
(AQW 1323/01)
The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): This matter
has been discussed with UCAS. As an admissions organisation for institutions
across the United Kingdom they are unwilling to treat applicants from
Northern Ireland in a different way from those of the other jurisdictions.
Community Relations Programmes
Ms McWilliams asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what
plans she has to promote community relations programmes in teacher education
and further and higher education.
(AQW 1325/01)
Ms Hanna: The promotion of community relations programmes in teacher
education is the responsibility of the Department of Education.
A working group set up by my Department is to produce recommendations
on the promotion of community relations within the FE curriculum. It is
also expected to produce a good practice guide for colleges.
The NI universities are autonomous bodies with a statutory obligation,
under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, to promote equality
of opportunity and good community relations. My Department has set aside
additional funding of £155,000 in 2001-02 to assist the universities in
meeting these statutory obligations.
Complaints: Labour Relations Agency
Mr Kennedy asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail
(a) the number of complaints, post devolution, that have reached tribunal
stage and have been referred to the Labour Relations Agency in respect
of cases taken against directors of further education colleges on the
grounds of bullying, abusive behaviour and discriminatory employment practices;
and (b) what measures she intends to put in place to address such matters.
(AQW 1327/01)
Ms Hanna: Governing bodies, and employees do not, as a matter
of course, advise the Department of cases that have been referred to tribunals
or the Labour Relations Agency. The Department has however been made aware
of two cases, since 1999, where complaints have been made against directors
of colleges and which have been referred to the Labour Relations Agency.
Staffing and employee relations matters are issues for the governing body
of colleges of further and higher education. There exists already internal
and external procedures, including employment law, for dealing with such
matters.
Training and Employment Agency: Accounts
Mrs Nelis asked the Minister for Employment and Learning when
does the Training and Employment agency intend to lay its accounts before
the Assembly for the year 1999-2000; and to make a statement.
(AQW 1412/01)
Ms Hanna: The Training and Employment Agency’s
final set of accounts for 1999-2000 were passed in draft form to the Northern
Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) in September 2000. The NIAO questioned the
technical accounting policy used in those accounts in relation to the
timing of the recognition of income from European Union claims. After
extended discussions, an alternative approach has been accepted. I hope
that the necessary information will be available within about a month
to enable the accounts to be redrafted and passed to NIAO. They will then
be laid as soon as NIAO have completed its report.
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Halifax Call Centre (Gasworks Site)
Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade
and Investment to detail the percentage of employees at the Halifax Call
Centre (Gasworks site) who reside in each Belfast post code area.
(AQW 1281/01)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir
Reg Empey): The information requested is gathered on new investment projects
in order to assess the extent to which actual jobs created have had an
impact in New TSN areas. The information is gathered on a voluntary basis
from companies promoting these projects on the understanding that it will
not be used to identify individual companies unless the companies are
content to release the data, currently DETI does not have the information
requested. It is the intention of the Department that figures relating
to job creation in New TSN areas will be published after the financial
year end.
Petroleum Licence Applications
Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise,
Trade and Investment to detail, by constituency, the number of applications
received for petroleum licenses in each of the last three years.
(AQW 1380/01)
Sir Reg Empey: The details are as follows:
Year |
No of applications received |
Constituency |
2001 |
1 |
Licence area falls mostly in East Antrim but includes parts of
North Antrim and South Antrim |
2000 |
0 |
N/A |
1999 |
0 |
N/A |
Tourism Potential:
Carrickfergus Borough Council Area
Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
to set up a cross-departmental committee to harness the tourism potential
of the inland fishing and forest walks within the Carrickfergus Borough
Council area.
(AQW 1391/01)
Sir Reg Empey: In 1999 the Northern Ireland Tourist Board established
national product marketing groups for the Northern Ireland angling and
walking products. Each group is comprised of representatives from regional
tourism organisations, local authorities, government agencies and advisory
bodies, Sustrans and the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN).
A partnership approach is adopted by the product marketing groups to develop
and fulfil an annual marketing activities plan and highlight areas for
further product development.
Carrickfergus Borough Council is already represented on each group through
the Causeway coast and glens regional tourism organisation. In the circumstances,
I do not feel a further cross-departmental committee to harness the tourism
potential of the inland fishing and forest walks within the Carrickfergus
Borough Council area would be appropriate.
Bombardier
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
what assurances he received from Bombardier with reference to the retention
of design staff in Belfast.
(AQW 1400/01)
Sir Reg Empey: I have had frequent meetings and discussions with
Bombardier, including my recent visit to Bombardier Headquarters in Montreal.
I have received assurances from Bombardier that it is committed to retaining
a strong design, engineering and manufacturing capability in Belfast,
which will enable it to respond effectively to future business opportunities.
Bangor Job Centre Area: Redundancies
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
to detail the number of redundancies in the Bangor job centre area in
the last year.
(AQW 1510/01)
Sir Reg Empey: Over the year to 18 January 2002, there were 4,848
redundancies in Northern Ireland confirmed to the Department of Enterprise,
Trade and Investment. Of these, 19 were in the Bangor job centre area.
Environment
Planning Applications
Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment
what percentage of planning applications made since 1996 were approved
in each of the following sectors (a) large scale retail development; (b)
new housing development; and (c) hotel complexes.
(AQW 1248/01)
The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): The details are set
out below:
Percentage of applications approved
- Large scale retail developments 59%
- Housing development 67%
- Hotel complexes 70%
The figure for new housing development excludes applications for single
houses.
The figure for hotel complexes includes applications received for restaurants
and public houses.
Statutory Service Providers
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant
to AQW 866/01 and AQW 867/01, to detail (a) how water and electricity
supplies are to be provided to the properties in the development and (b)
any precedent that would support an unorthodox method, should one be adopted,
of providing water and electricity in this case.
(AQW 1257/01)
Mr Foster: It is a matter for statutory service providers to determine
how they provide their services. However, my Department has written to
the agents acting for the developer in this case, imposing a number of
conditions under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. These have
been imposed to protect the badgers near this site, and include a condition
that no services are to be placed underground within the "no development"
zone.
Moratorium on Planning Applications for Telecommunication
Masts
Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of the Environment to impose a
moratorium on all planning applications for telecommunication masts until
such time as all health concerns have been fully assessed.
(AQW 1261/01)
Mr Foster: It would not be practical, or indeed lawful, for me
to impose a moratorium on planning applications for telecommunication
masts, as my Department has a statutory duty to process and determine
any valid planning application which it receives. Accordingly once all
material planning information relating to an application for a telecommunications
mast has been received and fully considered, including consultation replies
together with any other representations received, my Department is under
a legal obligation to determine that application.
The member may also be aware that Article 33 of the Planning (Northern
Ireland) Order 1991 provides an applicant, in all but major cases designated
under Article 31 of that Order, with the right to appeal to the Planning
Appeals Commission on the grounds that his or her application has not
been determined by my Department within laid down timescales.
Any objections relating to health issues or other public concerns raised
in representations on planning proposals are fully considered by Planning
Service in processing applications. Where appropriate advice on health
matters is sought from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public
Safety. As regards proposals for telecommunications masts, the most recent
advice available from the DHSSPS has advised that, where emissions from
the mast are within the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation
Protection (ICNIRP) public exposure guidelines, they would not raise any
further questions with regard to health. It is in the context of this
current advice from DHSSPS that Planning Service considers health concerns
raised about such development.
Planning Applications:
Telecommunication Masts
Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of the Environment to make it
his policy that any future planning applications for telecommunication
masts will only be granted where they are at least 1,000 metres from private/public
dwellings.
(AQW 1262/01)
Mr Foster: My Department issued a consultation paper on 10 November
2000, seeking views on possible changes to planning legislation for the
control of development by licensed telecommunications code system operators,
and on the terms of a draft planning policy statement on telecommunications
development.
Following a decision of the Executive Committee, I intend to shortly
bring forward legislation, which will require full planning permission
for all new telecommunications development. All new mast development will
then be subject to the full rigour of the planning process. At the same
time my Department is revising the draft planning policy statement on
telecommunications development taking advice, on health issues, from the
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. As part of that
revision, my Department is considering the issues raised by the Member.
I will, of course, advise the Member of the outcome of that process.
Telecommunication Masts: Emissions
Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of the Environment what plans
he has to ensure that emissions from telecommunication masts do not exceed
the legal limits.
(AQW 1263/01)
Mr Foster: My Department has no responsibility for monitoring
or control of emissions from telecommunications base stations. Responsibility
for the regulation of telecommunications in the United Kingdom rests with
the Department of Trade and Industry. Operators of public telecommunications
systems require a licence issued by the Secretary of State for Trade and
Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984.
The Stewart Report on mobile phones and health in May 2000 recommended
the adoption, as a precautionary approach, of the International Commission
on Non- Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) public exposure guidelines
in lieu of the guidelines of the National Radiological Protection Board
(NRPB).
The Report also recommended that an independent random audit of telecommunications
base stations should be carried out to give the public confidence that
emissions to which the public are exposed do not exceed the ICNIRP guidelines.
Surveys are currently being undertaken by the Radiocommunications Agency
(RA), an Agency of the DTI. The initial focus of the audit is schools
with base stations on their premises. 100 surveys have been completed
up to December 2001, including 6 school sites in Northern Ireland, with
all measurements so far showing emissions to be hundreds of times below
the ICNIRP public exposure guidelines. The full results are published
on the RA website at (www.radio.gov.uk).
Green Belts
Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what assessment
has been made in relation to the effect of green belts on the development
opportunities of local district councils such as the creation of new community
and leisure facilities.
(AQW 1291/01)
Mr Foster: My Department has not carried out any specific assessment
of the effects of green belts on the development opportunities of local
councils. Specific applications would be assessed against prevailing planning
policies contained in the planning strategy for rural NI and planning
policy statements and against the content of the relevant area plan. However,
the development plan preparation process offers councils the opportunity
to make representations covering the extent of green belt which may be
relevant to any development matters causing concern.
Telecommunications Mast:
School Road, Crogarry, Newry
Mr Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to
AQO 2/01, what progress has been made in relation to the removal of the
telecommunications mast at School Road, Crogary, Newry.
(AQW 1315/01)
Mr Foster: I have little to add to my answer to AQO2/01 when I
explained that Crown Castle, agents for One 2 One, had intended to replace
the mast with two smaller roadside masts. This is still their position.
Crown Castle wrote to me on 19 December 2001 advising that they were
consulting widely on the sites identified. In addition to writing to the
local council with details of their proposals, they advised that they
had sent mail shots to all those parties believed to have an interest
in this matter. They further advised that they were at the initial stages
of consultation and were not yet in a position to submit planning applications.
In responding to that letter, my private secretary stated that I was anxious
to ensure that this matter is satisfactorily resolved with the minimum
of further delay, and added that I trusted they would be in a position
to submit the relevant applications as soon as possible.
No applications have been received to date, but we will continue to press
Crown Castle for a satisfactory resolution of this matter.
Multiple Occupancy Dwellings: Portstewart/Portrush
Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the
measures he uses to ensure that the number of multiple occupancy dwellings
do not exceed the number of private occupancy dwellings within new housing
developments in Portstewart and Portrush.
(AQW 1342/01)
Mr Foster: Under the provisions of the Planning (Use Classes)
Order (NI) 1989, a dwelling house may be occupied by not more than six
residents living together on a communal basis, as a single household,
without the requirement to seek planning permission for a change of use
from a dwelling previously occupied by a single person, or by people living
together as a family.
Similarly a new dwelling can be designed to accommodate up to six residents
living together on a communal basis as a single household without a requirement
for the developer to specifically distinguish it as a proposed house in
multiple occupation. The Regulations do not provide my Department with
any powers to specify how the dwelling might subsequently be occupied,
at the time an original planning application is determined.
As a consequence, there are no measures available to ensure that dwellings
in multiple occupation to not exceed the number of privately occupied
dwellings.
Bulk Buying of Housing for Student Accommodation
Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment if he has any
plans to limit bulk buying of houses for student occupation in areas of
new residential development.
(AQW 1343/01)
Mr Foster: I have no powers to limit the bulk buying of housing
for student accommodation. However, any proposals to provide accommodation
for multiple occupancy are bound by the provisions of the Planning (Use
Classes) Order (NI) 1991, which states that a dwelling house may be occupied
by not more than six residents living together on a communal basis, as
a single household, without the requirement to seek planning permission
for a change of use from a dwelling previously occupied by a single person,
or by people living together as a family.
Houses Built in Portstewart
Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (a)
the number of new houses built in Portstewart in the last five years;
and (b) the number of these houses currently owner-occupied.
(AQW 1344/01)
Mr Foster: Records held on housing completions in Portstewart
are available for the last four years 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 and
2000-01. These show that there were 421 housing completions during that
period.
My Department does not hold information on houses which are owner occupied.
Houses Built in Portstewart
Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the
number of houses built in Portstewart without initial planning permission,
in each of the last five years.
(AQW 1345/01)
Mr Foster: My Department does not keep a record of this information.
Planning Permissions Granted
Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the
number of planning permissions granted retrospectively in 2001.
(AQW 1361/01)
Mr Foster: The information requested is not readily available,
and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to my Department.
Ballylumford Power Station
Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (a)
the monitoring process for emissions at Premier Power Ltd, Ballylumford,
Islandmagee; and (b) if any regulations have been breached in each of
the last three years.
(AQW 1362/01)
Mr Foster: Ballylumford Power Station which operates on natural
gas, with heavy fuel oil as a standby fuel, is authorised under the Industrial
Pollution Control (NI) Order 1997.
The authorisation requires the company continuously to monitor emissions
to the atmosphere of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide
and smoke and manually to test the emissions from each boiler, on an annual
basis, using an accredited testing laboratory.
The company is also required to monitor its discharges to Larne Lough
for key parameters, such as temperature, pH, total residual oxidant, oil/grease
and ferrous sulphate, on a four-hourly, daily or monthly basis depending
on the parameter.
The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) regularly inspects the plant
and arranges for check monitoring of the emissions to air and water.
Copies of the authorisation and monitoring reports are placed on public
registers, which are located in Larne Borough Council offices and in the
EHS Office in Calvert House, Belfast.
Over the last three years, the company has complied with all of the authorised
limits, except for three breaches of the particulate-to-air limit and
a few periods of dark smoke emission. The first particulate breach was
recorded in March 2000 and the other two occurred during October 2001.
The intermittent episodes of dark smoke emission occurred during 1 to
4 January 2002 when there was an interruption of the gas supply to the
station and the company was required to switch over to heavy fuel oil.
When the plant was returned to gas firing, the problem disappeared. The
particulate exceedences were very minor and did not result in any off-site
complaint nor any reported adverse impact on the environment.
On each occasion, EHS was informed by the company of the reasons for
the release and the steps taken to alleviate the problem.
Multiple Student Occupancy
Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment what action
he intends to take to sustain and enhance local communities that are experiencing
a high density of multiple student occupancy, in particular, towns neighbouring
the University of Ulster, Coleraine.
(AQW 1365/01)
Mr Foster: There are no provisions within planning law to enable
my Department to control who occupies particular properties and there
is no basis in planning law or policies for distinguishing between students
and other sections of the community. Providing that the use to which the
property is put meets with legal requirements and the provisions of current
planning policy, there are no actions that my Department can take.
I understand the Member’s concern about the impact of
student accommodation on a community, and on the character of specific
areas around the north coast, and within the catchment area of the University.
However, there are limitations on the ability of the land use planning
system to regulate the growth of houses in multiple occupation, that do
not exceed the threshold specified in the Planning (Use Classes) Order
(NI) 1989. Where houses in multiple occupancy require planning permission
my Department seeks to ensure the protection of residential amenity in
its consideration of planning applications.
Multiple Student Occupancy:
Current House Prices
Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment what assessment
he has made in the relationship between areas with multiple student occupancy
and current house prices.
(AQW 1366/01)
Mr Foster: I have made no assessment of this matter. However,
the area plan preparation process, particularly with the new "Issues Paper"
approach, will allow planning issues related to multiple occupancy of
properties to be raised and discussed.
Multiple Occupancy
Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment if there is
an optimum percentage of dwellings of multiple occupancy that can be accommodated
by an existing community.
(AQW 1367/01)
Mr Foster: My Department is not aware of any such figure. While
many houses in multiple occupation fall outside the scope of existing
planning regulations contained within the Planning (Use Classes) Order
(NI) 1989, and do not require planning consent, where they do, my Department’s
prime consideration in processing planning applications is the potential
impact on the amenities of an area. In reaching a planning decision, my
Department’s aim is to ensure the protection of residential amenity and
the provision of a suitable standard of accommodation.
Waste Management
Mr Gibson asked the Minister of the Environment what financial
assistance is available to local councils to help them achieve their waste
recycling targets.
(AQW 1376/01)
Mr Foster: My Department’s remaining budget for waste management
in the current financial year is £2.5 million.
I have recently approved a waste management grant scheme which will disburse
£2 million of this budget to Councils in the current financial year. A
copy of the scheme was sent to all councils on 14 January 2002.
The scheme provides funding for activities, including recycling, which
will help councils meet the objectives and targets in the NI waste management
strategy and in councils’ developing waste management plans. The amount
to be allocated for recycling is a matter for the Councils themselves,
in line with their draft waste management plans and the terms of the scheme.
The allocation in my Department’s budget for 2002-03 is £7.4 million.
No decisions have yet been taken on how much of this will be available
to councils. This will depend on progress in finalising their waste management
plans. Again the amount available to support recycling within any allocation
will be a matter for the Councils themselves.
The remaining £0.5 million of this year’s budget is being used by my
Department for further waste data surveys, on public awareness and education
on waste issues and on extending the GB Waste to Resources action programme
to Northern Ireland.
World Summit on Sustainable Development
Mr Ford asked the Minister of the Environment to make a statement
on the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development and on Northern
Ireland participation in the Cabinet Committee dealing with the Summit.
(AQW 1388/01)
Mr Foster: The World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002
(WSSD) will mark the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development in Rio.
The Whitehall Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is
leading the UK preparations for the Summit.
The agenda for WSSD has not yet been formally agreed, but is evolving
through the international preparatory process. UK priorities for the summit
are eradicating poverty by making globalisation work for sustainable development,
freshwater and oceans, access to clean energy, sustainable development
initiatives for Africa, resource productivity/efficiency worldwide (including
the use of scientific and technological knowledge) and capacity building
as a cross cutting issue.
Northern Ireland is undertaking a number of activities in the run-up
to WSSD, including a conference in September 2001, a Green Living Fair
and the ‘Our World Project’, which I launched, in partnership with the
Worldwide Fund for Nature, in September 2001. This project involves schools
in Northern Ireland competing for a grant of £15,000 to help make their
school more sustainable. In addition, an Earth Champion, selected from
the winning school, will play an active role at the Summit.
The new Cabinet Committee on WSSD [MISC 18], chaired by the Deputy Prime
Minister, is co-ordinating the UK’s strategy for the Summit. The Environment
Ministers from the three devolved Administrations, have been invited to
attend meetings of the Committee. There have been two meetings to date.
Unfortunately, because of Executive and Assembly Business, which must
take priority for me, I have been unable to attend either. I have therefore
written to the Deputy Prime Minister to assure him of my support for the
process and I will attend future meetings where possible. Moreover, my
Department is represented at meetings of officials supporting the MISC
18 process.
Belfast Regeneration Office:
Upper Dunmurry Lane
Mr Maskey asked the Minister of the Environment if the Belfast
Regeneration office has any plans to sell land, which it considers surplus
to use, in the Upper Dunmurry Lane adjoining the Colin Glen Trust for
a horticultural college and garden centre.
(AQW 1407/01)
Mr Foster: I can confirm that my Department regards these lands
as surplus to its requirements. The Department of Social Development’s
Belfast Regeneration Office is taking forward the disposal process on
behalf of my Department.
As part of this process, and in line with Government procedures, details
of the lands have been circulated to other Government Departments, and
expressions of interest have been invited. If a compelling case can be
made, the lands may be transferred to the appropriate Department. If not,
they will be placed on the open market.
While there have been expressions of interest none of these have involved
a proposal to develop a horticultural college and garden centre.
Recycling Plastics
Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what facilities
exist for the recycling of plastics.
(AQW 1414/01)
Mr Foster: There are 15 Northern Ireland companies which recycle
or reprocess plastic film and/or dense plastic waste. They are listed
in a comprehensive guide to recycling and reprocessing facilities entitled
‘Recycling Directory of Ireland’. The Directory identifies alternative
paths for plastics waste, which minimise the loss of valuable material
to landfill and reduce costs to companies. It is available free of charge
to industry, business and local authorities both in hard copy and via
a web-site (www.irelandrecycling.ie).
Recycled Packaging Waste
Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what percentage
of packaging is currently recycled.
(AQW 1421/01)
Mr Foster: The most up-to-date figures available for the percentage
of waste packaging being recycled are for the calendar year 2000 and refer
to the UK, as a whole. These indicate that 36% of packaging waste was
recycled.
Since the packaging recovery scheme was designed to operate in a seamless
way across the UK, it is not possible to separate data individually applicable
to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Department is commissioning further studies of commercial and industrial
waste. These will, among other things, help to clarify what progress is
being made in promoting the recycling of packaging waste.
Disposal of Fridges and Freezers
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to outline (a)
any meetings which have taken place with local district councils to agree
a strategy for the disposal of fridges and freezers; and (b) the timetable
for agreeing and implementing this strategy.
(AQW 1422/01)
Mr Foster:
(a) To date no meetings have taken place with local councils to agree
a strategy for the disposal of fridges and freezers as this is dependent
on guidance on recovery standards and the subsequent establishment of
facilities.
(b) The short-term strategy is to store waste units until an approved
disposal route can be found. Guidance on storage issued to councils last
week for consideration. My officials are making arrangements to meet with
council representatives to discuss the guidance and other issues relating
to storage.
Draft guidance on standards for the recovery of ozone depleting substances
from insulating foam has been circulated. It should become clearer over
the next three months how the waste management industry intends to respond
to these and the needs of councils in terms of the siting of approved
disposal plant. It would be appropriate at that stage to commence the
formulation of a strategy for disposal of the waste units when decisions
could be taken based on more accurate transport and disposal cost information.
Areas of Special Scientific Interest
Mr Wells asked the Minister of the Environment
when he expects to complete his programme of designation of areas of special
scientific interest.
(AQW 1438/01)
Mr Foster: I am not yet able to say when the programme
will be completed. My Department’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS)
is at present reviewing the network of Areas of Special Scientific Interest
(ASSIs). EHS hopes to complete this review in the next financial year.
In this review, the current and proposed extent of the ASSI network (as
well as the subsequent management and monitoring requirements) is being
assessed. It is not yet possible to predict the final number of ASSIs
nor to estimate when the designations will be completed. The final number
is likely to be more than twice the present total of 190 but the average
size of the additional sites will be much less than that of the existing
ones.
There has been steady progress in the declaration of
ASSIs, despite the additional requirement to identify and designate sites
under European Directives and other international obligations. The 190
current ASSIs cover about 6% of our land area. There remains a significant
number of additional sites which are known to merit designation.
Action to Eradicate Vandalism:
Local Government Properties
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment
what action has been taken or is planned in the future to eradicate vandalism
against local government properties.
(AQW 1454/01)
Mr Foster: No direct action has been taken by
the Department of the Environment to eradicate vandalism of local government
properties. This is a matter for district councils, some of which have
installed CCTV systems in their areas to address local problems such as
vandalism.
Cost of Vandalism:
Local Government Properties
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment
to detail, by district council area, the financial cost of the vandalism
of local government buildings over the past five years.
(AQW 1455/01)
Mr Foster: The financial cost of the vandalism
of local government buildings is not recorded centrally. Expenditure over
the past five years could only be determined at disproportionate cost.
Listed Buildings Demolished: North Down
Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to detail, in each
of the last 3 years within North Down, the number of (a) buildings which
have been given the designation "listed"; and (b) "listed" buildings which
have been demolished.
(AQW 1492/01)
Mr Foster: Within North Down, no buildings have been given the
designation "listed", nor has any "listed" Building been demolished, within
the last three years.
Bilateral Concordat
Mr B Bell asked the Minister of the Environment if it is his intention
to enter into a bilateral concordat with any GB Departments in order to
maintain good working relations.
(AQW 1569/01)
Mr Foster: I can confirm that my Department has agreed a bilateral
concordat with the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions
(DTLR). I believe this will provide a sufficient basis for the continued
good working relationship, which already exists between the two Departments,
copies of the concordat have been placed in the Assembly Library.
My officials are also involved in discussions with officials from the
Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) with a
view to agreeing a similar concordat with that GB Department.
-
Finance and Personnel
Land Registers of Northern Ireland: Applications
Mr Leslie asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant
to AQW 86/01, to detail (a) the number of applications that are currently
outstanding; and (b) the number of applications that have been outstanding
for more than one year.
(AQW 1272/01)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Dr Farren): The registry
has approximately 26,912 applications for registration awaiting processing.
Approximately 17,951 of these applications are overdue in terms of internal
target times, which the registry uses to monitor the progress of work
(See Note 1 below). Some 7,431 applications are one year old. There are
2,880 applications which have exceeded target times by one year.
Note 1:
The reference to entries has been assumed to relate to applications for
registration.
Peace II Programme
Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant
to AQW 926/01, how he will meet the needs of groups who did not apply
for gap funding but who are now facing funding difficulties as the applications
for Peace II are taking longer than expected.
(AQW 1283/01)
Dr Farren: The Special EU Programmes Body as managing authority
for Peace II is working very closely with all implementing bodies across
the programme to ensure that all possible steps are being taken to ensure
full implementation of the Programme as soon as possible and complete
all stages without delay. A full application programme is currently operational
and calls for projects have already been made across the majority of the
Peace II Programme. Every effort is being made to ensure that Peace II
funds are available and flowing to projects on the ground as soon as possible.
All applications under the new Peace II Programme will be open to any
project/ group whether in receipt of gap funding or not and all projects
in receipt of gap Funding will be required to make a full application
under the programme.
<< Prev / Next >>
|