The Northern Ireland Assembly - Written Answers to Questions: Friday 1 February 2002

Mr Hilditch asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail (a) the cost of and (b) to whom it is providing hospitality during the month of December 2001.

Reply: During the month of December 2001 the First Minister hosted a presentation by Save the Children. Ministers Haughey and Nesbitt held working lunches for the UN Secretary General’s Office and a Professor in Economics at the Ulster University. The total cost of these events was £426.

Mr Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, in respect of the Employment and Social Affairs Council decision (IP/01/1714), to make a statement on the proposal to make 2003 the European Year of People with Disabilities; including the intention to support any events at regional and local level.

Reply: The designation of 2003 as the European Year of People with Disabilities is a positive development with worthwhile objectives. The UK Steering Group for the Year, on which Northern Ireland has sought representation, is scheduled to hold its first meeting next month.

Mr Weir asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what is the proposed completion date for the Review of Public Administration.

Reply: The Review of Public Administration will be very complex task and will need to be tackled in stages. The first stage is likely to last between 12 and 18 months.

Mr Gibson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what steps it is taking to inform those who provide goods and services of the access requirements for disabled people.

Reply: Our department has lead policy responsibility for disability discrimination legislation which deals with access to goods, facilities and services for disabled people. It is the role of the Equality Commission to provide information and advice about that legislation and its requirements. The Commission advises, trains and informs disabled people of their rights, and organisations of their responsibilities, both as employers and providers of a service.

Mr Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister if consideration has been given to the possible inclusion, within single equality legislation, of provision similar to section 15(2) of the Republic of Ireland’s Equal Status Act.[R]

Mr Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to outline the timetable for the cross-departmental strategy to promote community relations.

Reply: Officials from our department have completed a wide-ranging series of meetings and workshops with key stakeholders, and have received substantial inputs to the review of community relations, which they are currently analysing. Various research reports have been commissioned on aspects of the review. These too are being assessed.

Mr G Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what financial resources and support services have been committed for the North Belfast initiative announced in December 2001.

Reply: On 3 December 2001, we, along with the Minister for Social Development, launched the North Belfast Community Action Project, with the aim of putting in place a plan of short, medium and long-term actions to address social and community issues in North Belfast. To date, funding of £250,000 has been committed to this project, to be provided jointly by our Department and the Department for Social Development. The secretariat and support services for the project are provided by a team of seven officials on secondment from the two Departments The team is led by a senior official from our Department.

a four-phased programme of road works designed to promote community safety in the Upper Ardoyne area. This will be facilitated by the Department for Regional Development, with the estimated costs of approximately £236,000 plus the cost of any land acquisition to be met by our Department;
increased support for trauma and counselling services This will be provided by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety through the North and West Belfast HSS Trust, with the additional costs of £104,000 being met by our Department.

The Minister for Education announced on 17 December 2001 a package of education measures to address the immediate needs of schools in the area and rebuild community relationships. A total of £1·5m will be available over the financial years 2001-02 to 2004-05 to support the following:

Support for 15 primary schools	£450k
Enhancement of Belfast Board Behavioural Support Unit	£250k
Additional Youth Workers	£500k
Additional after-school provision	£50k
Funding for art and music therapies	£30k
Refurbishment of Wheatfield Primary School	£100k
Development of St Gabriel’s Secondary School playing field as an astro-turf facility for use by both communities.	£120k

The Department for Social Development is taking a number of steps to protect housing in the area.

There is already in existence a scheme to protect the homes of social tenants, ie, tenants of the Housing Executive and Housing Associations, living in interface areas, who require security measures to be installed to protect their homes from attacks.

In addition, officials in the Department for Social Development are working closely with colleagues in this Department and the Department of Finance and Personnel to develop a scheme and obtain the necessary funding to enable the Housing Executive to extend its scheme to cover homeowners who are at the greatest security risk. The details of this are still being finalised.

Mr McGrady asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister when will a decision be made on the application for financial assistance from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in respect of the development and construction of a Primary Care Centre in Kilkeel; and to make a statement.

Reply: The successful bids were announced on 3 December 2001 by the Minister of Finance and Personnel on behalf of the Executive. This bid was one of the unsuccessful bids from the second tranche of allocations from three of the Executive Programme Funds.

Mr Carrick asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister if it was consulted regarding the reinstatement of the old railway bridge at Corcrain, Portadown.

Reply: Our department has not been consulted regarding the reinstatement of the old railway bridge at Corcrain, Portadown. This matter is being dealt with by the Northern Ireland Office.

Mr Dallat asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail plans to develop cultural and economic links with Third World countries; and to make a statement.

Reply: The Executive does not have any specific plans to develop cultural and economic links with developing counties. However, the Executive Information Service has organised programmes for journalists from developing countries visiting Northern Ireland. These visits are part of a UK Government initiative.

Dr McDonnell asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what plans they have to develop the Washington Office.

Reply: We have already taken a number of steps to raise Northern Ireland’s profile in the USA by developing the role of the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington.

Mr J Wilson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister if principles that will underlie the relationship between the Executive and the Northern Ireland Court Service have been agreed with the Lord Chancellor.

Reply: The principles that will underlie the relationship between the Northern Ireland Court Service and the Executive have been agreed between the Lord Chancellor’s Department and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and are contained in a bilateral concordat published today. Copies of the Concordat have been placed in the Assembly Library.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her policy on the promotion of ‘Farmers’ Markets’ in town centres.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): I welcome the establishment, by the Farming and Retailing Movement (NI), (FARM(NI)), of the Farm & Speciality Food Market in Belfast’s St George’s Market. Indeed, I have visited that market on 3 occasions. The success of farmers’ markets is dependent on their ability to attract traders with the range and quality of produce to draw sufficient custom. Location and venue are also of critical importance. FARM(NI) has developed considerable expertise in this area over the past 3 years. I am aware of on-going discussions involving FARM(NI) and various parties across Northern Ireland regarding the establishment of similar markets in other suitable towns. These include Newry, Cookstown, Enniskillen, Coleraine and Bangor. The decision as to the suitability of particular towns and venues rests with FARM(NI) and the relevant local authority. However, I would be delighted to see the development of a comprehensive network of farmers’ markets throughout Northern Ireland.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to make a statement on the effect for Northern Ireland’s agriculture industry following HMG’s statement, on 14 January 2002, that the United Kingdom has been declared free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.

Ms Rodgers: The impact on Northern Ireland’s industry will be positive and is good news, particularly as a result of the OIE decision to accept United Kingdom FMD freedom. As you are aware at the outset of FMD in GB I adopted the policy with respect to trade between GB and Northern Ireland similar to that which the EU required between GB and any other Member State.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what contact has she made with the EU Commission regarding the reduced export funds on dairy products.

Ms Rodgers: When export refunds on dairy products were reduced by the EU Milk and Milk Products Management Committee I asked my officials to lobby strongly at future meetings for these to be restored. Then at a recent meeting with other UK Agricultural Ministers I impressed upon Mrs Beckett the need to put pressure on the EU Commission to secure an increase in refunds. Separately I also ensured that Commissioner Fischler was made aware of the importance of this matter for Northern Ireland. I am also pleased that producers and processors are united on this matter. The positive outcome at the Management Committee on 24 January is a result of the combined efforts of interested parties and their lobbying of the EU Commission.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline if she will be lobbying the EU Commission for increases in export refunds on dairy products.

Ms Rodgers: In recognition of the deteriorating market situation for dairy products I and my officials have worked hard to secure an increase in export refunds. Then at the recent meeting with other UK Agriculture Ministers in London I impressed upon Mrs Beckett the need to put pressure on the EU Commission to secure an increase in refunds. Separately I also ensured that Commissioner Fischler was made aware of the importance of this matter for Northern Ireland. In addition my officials continued to press the Northern Ireland case at the regular EU Milk and Milk Products Management Committee meetings in Brussels. I am also pleased that producers and processors are united on this matter and have actively put pressure on the Commission to address the position quickly. The positive outcome at the Management Committee on 24 January is a result of the combined efforts of all interested parties. I hope that this will stabilise markets and improve the price being paid to producers. I will continue to keep the situation under review with the dairy industry.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of non-UK and non-Republic of Ireland citizens who are registered as working in the agricultural industry in each of the last 5 years.

Ms Rodgers: I am sorry that I unable to provide information on this. My Department does not collect such details.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail any representations she has made on behalf of the dairy industry in relation to milk powder returns which have fallen below EU intervention support level.

Ms Rodgers: I and my officials have worked hard to secure an increase in export refunds. When export refunds for milk powders were reduced by the EU Milk and Milk Products Management Committee I asked my officials to lobby strongly at future meetings for these to be restored. Then at a recent meeting with other UK Agricultural Ministers I impressed upon Mrs Beckett the need to put pressure on the EU Commission to secure an increase. Separately I also ensured that Commissioner Fischler was made aware of the importance of this matter for Northern Ireland. I therefore welcome the positive outcome at the November, December and January Management Committee meetings when export refunds for both whole milk powder and skimmed milk powder were increased.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to make a statement in relation to the continued fall of milk powder prices and what assessment has she made of the long-term impact this will have on the dairy industry.

Ms Rodgers: I am fully aware of the reductions in returns for milk powders resulting primarily from a weakening of international markets and the fact that intervention for skimmed milk powder is not available from September to February, leaving no floor in the market. This has been a very worrying development and, if sustained, could undermine the stability of this very important sector of the Northern Ireland agri-food industry. That is why, following a reduction in export refunds for milk powders by the EU Milk and Milk Products Management Committee, I asked my officials to lobby strongly at future meetings for these to be restored. Then at a recent meeting with other UK Agricultural Ministers I impressed upon Mrs Beckett the need to exert pressure on the EU Commission to increase export refunds particularly for milk powders. Separately I also ensured that Commissioner Fischler was made aware of the importance of this matter for Northern Ireland. Our lobbying secured a positive outcome at recent Management Committee meetings, when export refunds for both whole milk powder and skimmed milk powder were increased. I sincerely hope that this will stabilise markets and provide the industry with confidence for the future.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to make a statement in relation to the current and forecast prices paid to dairy farmers for milk supplies and to give her assessment of the long- term impact that these prices will have on the industry.

Ms Rodgers: I am fully aware of the recent reductions in prices paid to producers for milk and have met with industry organisations to hear at first hand their views on the seriousness of the matter. In particular I have noted that in recent months there has been a significant drop in the average price for milk sold at the United Dairy Farmers monthly milk auction. This is a very worrying development and, if sustained, could undermine the stability of the dairy industry which makes a very important contribution to the Northern Ireland agri-food industry. I understand that these reductions resulted primarily from a weakening of international markets and a reduction in export refunds for milk powders by the EU Milk and Milk Products Management Committee. To help redress the situation I and my officials have been working hard to secure an increase in export refunds. In this respect I am pleased to say that our intensive lobbying both at national and EU level secured a positive outcome at recent Management Committee meetings, when export refunds for whole milk powder, skimmed milk powder and butter were increased. I trust that the increases achieved will bring some stability to the market and an improvement in prices paid to producers.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many companies or individuals have been contracted to decommission fishing vessels in 2002.

Ms Rodgers: The Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2001 requires the owners of vessels approved for decommissioning grant aid to seek the Department’s approval in writing of the intended date, place and proposed method of scrapping. Any contract entered into to decommission such vessels is between the owner and the contractor. The Department does not hold information on the number of companies or individuals involved.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many fishing vessels are to be decommissioned in each of the following ports (i) Portavogie; (ii) Kilkeel; and (iii) Ardglass.

Ms Rodgers: Decommissioning grant aid of some £5 million was offered in respect of 34 vessels, 19 in the "whitefish" category and 15 in the "other" (nephrops) category. The split of successful vessels between the 3 Northern Ireland ports is (i) Portavogie 5; (ii) Kilkeel 20 and (iii) Ardglass 9. It should be noted that this merely reflects the bids received.

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail, for her Department and associated agencies, (a) the total amount of money paid to W & G Baird for printing over the last 5 years; (b) if the work was tendered and awarded to the lowest tender; and (c) if there was any variation from the price quoted to the actual cost paid.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to AQW 1237/01 to provide further detail regarding projects which the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority have put forward for Portavogie Harbour; and to give a timescale for the completion of these projects.

Ms Rodgers: In addition to a major works project to provide protection and repair to the quay wall at Portavogie, which is currently being evaluated and progressed by the Department, (estimated cost £520,000) the Authority is about to complete the new ice plant which cost £645,000 and was grant aided by the Department. The Authority has also just completed a project involving new lights and electrical upgrades costing £100,000 which is currently being evaluated for grant aid purposes.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to AQW 1338/01, to detail the breakdown of the figures for each of the individual Gaelic sports.

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The figures are as follows:

	1998/99 £m	1999/00 £m	2000/01 £m
Gaelic Football	3.160	1.320	1.587
Hurling	-	0.060	0.070
Camogie	-	-	-
Handball	-	-	-

	1998/99 £m	1999/00 £m	2000/01 £m
Gaelic Football	-	-	0.025
Hurling	-	-	0.037
Camogie	-	-	-
Handball	-	-	-

	1998/99 £m	1999/00 £m	2000/01 £m
Gaelic Football & Hurling*	0.020	0.042	0.024
Camogie	0.005	0.010	0.015
Handball	0.003	0.003	0.001

Funding under the Safe Sports Grounds scheme was allocated to Gaelic Football only.

Mr Wells asked the Minister of Education how many invitations has he received to visit the following categories of schools (a) Catholic Maintained; (b) State Controlled; (c) Integrated; and (d) Irish Medium.

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): I have received the following number of invitations to visit these categories of schools:

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail, by Education Board, the number of pupils who left school in (i) 2000; and (ii) 2001 without attaining a grade in GCSE Mathematics and English.

Mr M McGuinness: Validated information on the GCSE grades achieved in specific subjects is not available in respect of school leavers.

Belfast	1,045
Western	978
North-Eastern	952
South-Eastern	757
Southern	1,091

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Education what is the cost of educating a child in a special needs school compared to the cost of educating a child with special educational needs at home.

Mr M McGuinness: It is difficult to make a meaningful comparison between the two since children generally receive a maximum of eight hours tuition per week at home (this varies according to age) compared to a maximum of twenty five hours in school. Home tuition is also provided for as long as a child requires it, which is less than a year in many cases, and cannot provide classroom assistance or the many other facilities available in school. Bearing in mind these reservations the latest available costs are as follows: -

Type of Education	Range of Cost
Home Tuition	£2,500 - £6,270
Special School	£5,598 - £12,229

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) the number of children, in the school year 2000-01, that were tutored at home, and, of these (b) how many had special educational needs.

Mr M McGuinness: The number of children receiving home tuition varies throughout the school year according to the number convalescing after hospitalisation or suffering from long term illnesses etc. The average numbers in each Education and Library Board area in the 2000-01 school year were as follows:-

Board	No. on Home Tuition	No. with Statements
Belfast	110	11
Western	102	15
North Eastern	102	6
South Eastern	140	*
Southern	150	8

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Education what surveys have been conducted into the English literacy levels of children attending Irish Medium (i) primary schools; and (ii) secondary schools; and to publish the outcome of the surveys.

Mr M McGuinness: No surveys have been conducted into the English literacy levels of children attending Irish medium schools. The Key Stage 2 assessment outcomes in English, however, indicate no significant difference in performance between pupils in Irish medium schools and those in other schools. Numbers of pupils in Irish medium post-primary education are so few as not to permit meaningful comparison of Key Stage 3 outcomes.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the timescale for the commencement of building work at Down High School in the event of a successful conclusion to the economic appraisal currently being carried out.

Mr M McGuinness: My Department is currently considering the South Eastern Education and Library Board’s Economic Appraisal on the development needs of Down High School. When this is completed and planning of the project is sufficiently advanced, the school will be considered for a place in the capital programme in light of the resources available. At this stage, it is not possible to say when building work will start.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the timescale to complete the SEELB’s economic appraisal into the building project at Down High School.

Mr M McGuinness: The Economic Appraisal prepared by the SEELB which recommends part refurbishment and part replacement of the existing accommodation at Down High is currently under consideration in my Department.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education how much capital expenditure has been allocated for (a) new school buildings; and (b) repairs and improvements to school buildings in North Down in each of the last 3 years.

Mr M McGuinness: Capital funding of £12·0 million was allocated in 1999 for a new school building for Glenlola Collegiate and £4·8 million was allocated in 2001 for a new school for Clifton Special School. In addition, a new school for Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College, at a capital value of £15 million, was included in the Public Private Partnerships programme announced in 2001.

1999-2000	2000-2001	2001-2002
£000s	£000s	£000s
773	1,985	1,913

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Education what measures are in place to assist the Education Boards to maintain an appropriate number of supply teachers.

Mr M McGuinness: All employing authorities, including the Education and Library Boards, are responsible for employing teachers in the schools under their management. The Education and Library Boards, and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, have not employed supply teachers since the end of 1993/94 school year. In filling such temporary vacancies, it is generally the practice for their schools to maintain lists of locally available teachers, or to use the employment services of the Training and Employment Agency or the private sector.

Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister of Education to outline his future plans for the O’Neill Memorial Primary School building.

Mr M McGuinness: I understand that the South-Eastern Education and Library Board has met the Board of Governors and the parents of O’Neill Primary School to discuss the decline in enrolments at the school, which currently stand at 16 pupils. The South-Eastern Board is keeping the future of the school under review.

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Education to detail, for his Department and associated agencies, (a) the total amount of money paid to W & G Baird for printing over the last 5 years; (b) if the work was tendered and awarded to the lowest tender; and (c) if there was any variation from the price quoted to the actual cost paid.

Mr M McGuinness: My Department has not made any payment to W & G Baird over the last 5 years.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Education if he will ensure, as a matter of urgency, that Hazelwood College and Hazelwood Integrated Primary School receive the special funding he announced, in December 2001, on the same basis as Controlled and Maintained schools in areas of social need in North Belfast.

Mr M McGuinness: The aim of the Executive Package which I announced on 17 December 2001 is to provide immediate support for the schools in the area most affected by the unrest and to contribute towards the rebuilding of community relationships through the enhancement of youth service provision.

Mr M McGuinness [supplementary answer]: Further to my answer dated 28 January, written representations have now been received from Hazelwood College and will be considered by my Department.