(AQW 895/01)

Reply: [holding answer 15 January 2002]: We recognise that there is tension and the potential for violence at a number of interface areas in Northern Ireland. North Belfast demonstrates the importance of dialogue initiated at a local level between and within the communities. We will do all that we can to support efforts by local communities to resolve their differences. We believe that the measures we have already taken in North Belfast will potentially benefit the neighbouring constituencies.

The draft Programme for Government includes a commitment to support the capacity of local communities to deal with matters of dispute and division including the proliferation of sectarian graffiti, unauthorised flag flying, the erection of memorials and other issues that can lead to community tensions. We intend to bring forward proposals to deal with these matters following completion of the current review of community relations policy, upon which we will be consulting.

(AQW 1180/01)

Reply: The Review of Public Administration is due to be launched in the Spring 2002 and an examination of local government will be an integral part of that Review.

(AQW 1592/01)

Reply: The composition of the UK delegation to the Summit is a matter for the Prime Minister, as Head of the Delegation, and the matter is currently under consideration. We have no plans to seek inclusion in the UK delegation.

(AQW 1608/01)

Reply: The development of relations and co-operation on an east-west basis is one of the Executive’s priorities under the Programme for Government. A Memorandum of Understanding, supplementary agreements between the UK Government, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly, and a Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC), which comprises representatives of the above administrations, have been established. The committee’s role is to consider non-devolved matters that impinge on devolved responsibilities and vice-versa. This forum can also consider devolved matters where all parties agree that there is mutual benefit in discussing their respective treatment in the different parts of the UK.

In the coming year, we intend to take forward work in the Joint Ministerial Committee on issues including health, poverty, the knowledge economy and Europe.

A number of Northern Ireland Departments have extensive east-west links at all working levels with their counterparts in Whitehall, Scotland and Wales across a wide range of topics which include agriculture, animal health, veterinary matters, trade, industrial research and technology, energy issues, information age initiative, water issues and cultural and linguistic ties.

The British-Irish Council will also improve linkages between the devolved administrations of the United Kingdom

The British-Irish Council Summit meeting held on 30 November 2001 heard updates on the BIC work programme that is being taken forward on important issues such as Drugs, Social Inclusion, Transport, Environment and Knowledge Economy. Significant elements of further work in these sectors have been set in train by the summit. It is intended that Ministerial meetings on Environment and Drugs will be held before the next Summit meeting, which is arranged for 19 April, when the main topic of discussion will be Knowledge Economy.

As part of the work in this area the summit meeting will be followed by a major Conference on ‘Bridging the Digital Divide.’ in Jersey from 24 – 26 April

The Council has also agreed two further areas of work to be taken forward under the British-Irish Council – Tourism which is to be taken forward by Guernsey and Health (Tele-medicine) by the Isle of Man. Meetings of senior officials from each administration will be held in the near future to discuss proposals for taking forward work in these areas.

(AQW 1637/01)

Reply: Individuals appointed to Non-Departmental Public Bodies for which our department is responsible are expected to adhere to the standards set out in 'Guidance on Codes of Best Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies'.

Copies of the 'Guidance on Codes of Best Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies' have been placed in the Assembly library.

(AQW 1784/01)

Reply: It was announced on 22 June 2001 that Her Majesty The Queen will be including Northern Ireland as part of her Golden Jubilee Tour during this year.

The matter and substance of Her Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee is being organised by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in conjunction with the Depertment of Culture, Arts and Leisure DCAL.

As yet the details of the programme have not been finalised.

(AQW 1791/01)

Reply: We currently have no plans to jointly visit the constituency of East Antrim.

(AQW 1845/01)

Reply: The full details of the various costs associated with our most recent visit to the USA are not yet available. We will write to you again when these have been identified.

(AQW 1895/01)

Reply: The work of the Disability Rights Task Force came to an end in December 1999 following the publication of its report entitled "From Exclusion to Inclusion" which contained many recommendations for comprehensive civil rights for disabled people. The Northern Ireland Executive detailed response to the Task Force, entitled "Improving Civil Rights for Disabled People", was issued for consultation in September 2001.

Responses to the consultation are currently under consideration. We have asked the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, as part of its role to monitor and review the Disability Discrimination Act, to consider further some other issues raised by the Task Force.

A strategy to implement the Executive’s proposals will be developed by an interdepartmental working group to be established this year under the Promoting Social Inclusion element of New TSN. Legislation will be brought forward to implement many of the Executive’s proposals for improving disability rights.

We are committed to the elimination of discrimination against disabled people and in view of the ongoing work to improve disability rights we are firmly on track to achieve this important goal.

(AQW 1902/01)

Reply: The Planning Service is an executive agency within the Department of the Environment and, as such, it is within the jurisdiction of the Assembly Ombudsman under the Ombudsman (NI) Order 1996. There are no plans to duplicate the functions of the Assembly Ombudsman by establishing a separate Office to deal specifically with complaints arising from the work of the Planning Service.

(AQW 1916/01)

Reply: On 5th February 2002, the Home Secretary announced his intention to publish a consultation paper in the spring or early summer on the introduction of a universal entitlement card. In order to ensure that the paper will be balanced and comprehensive and present to the public as full a picture as possible, the Government has said that it wishes to discuss its emerging ideas with interested parties prior to publication. We have been given assurances that we will be consulted as part of this process, and will consider at that point what representations should be made on behalf of the local administration.

(AQW 2051/01)

Reply: The Executive yesterday endorsed a proposal from the Minister for Social Development to issue a consultation document on the draft Belfast Regeneration Office Strategy.

(AQW 2113/01)

Reply: The Assistant Director post in the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington is a Grade 7 post within the Northern Ireland Civil Service. It is normal practice to fill posts at this grade by level transfer of an existing Grade 7 or from a pool of candidates eligible to compete for vacancies in the grade. Furthermore, it is recognised that it is helpful for the Assistant Director in Washington to have a working knowledge of the Northern Ireland government system.

The Director post in the Washington Bureau will be publicly advertised in the near future to fill a vacancy which will arise later in the year.

(AQO 824/01)

Reply: We recognise and pay tribute to the valuable work carried out by community groups in resolving local issues.

Recent experience, in North Belfast and Larne, has shown the importance of dialogue to promote mutual understanding and trust where there is tension between local communities. Community organisations have a vital role to play in this, and we are determined to do all that we can to support their efforts.

We have been, and will be, available to meet with community groups.

(AQO 836/01)

Reply: The Executive are determined that this Review will be conducted in an open, transparent and inclusive manner. The Assembly will have a key role in the process, not least because the Review will address the relationship between the local and regional tiers of government.

We have made available to all Assembly Members the proposed terms of reference for the Review. We are keen to hear the views of Members and relevant committees. To that end we have tabled a motion to debate the proposed terms of reference in this Assembly on 25 February.

The Executive will provide the Assembly with every opportunity to be actively engaged in this process from the start. We hope the Assembly will play an active and constructive role in the process. Last month we wrote to the Speaker seeking his advice on how the Assembly wants to oversee the Review. We understand the Business Committee is considering the issue.

(AQO 839/01)

Reply: The Working Group was established in September 2001 to fulfil our Programme for Government commitment to review the opportunities for the use of private finance in all major service provisions/ infrastructure projects, to increase investment and provide innovative and value for money solutions through Public Private Partnerships/Private Finance Initiative (PPP/PFI).

The Working Group includes representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors and also the trade unions. The deliberations of the Working Group are now well advanced and it is intended that a draft report will be submitted to us and the Minister of Finance and Personnel by Easter. We plan to publish the report, which will incorporate an Equality Impact Assessment, in May for consultation.

(AQO 844/01)

Reply: We have currently no plans to make a joint visit to North Down in the near future.

(AQO 838/01)

Reply: We currently have no plans to jointly visit the Newry and Armagh constituency.

(AQO 832/01)

Reply: Following a very successful consultation, which closed on 8 November 2001, over 300 responses have been analysed and decisions are being taken on the way forward. We intend to introduce legislation to the Assembly in the near future, with a view to appointing the children’s commissioner in the Autumn.

We are at an advanced stage of drafting the Bill and we are also bringing forward the necessary preparatory work for the appointment.

We recognise that progress in taking this initiative forward has not been as quick as we had hoped. However, we firmly believe that it is better to take a little more time now, to make sure that the office we establish can properly discharge its important role. We believe that by doing this, Northern Ireland can be a world-leader in improving life for children and young people.

(AQO 837/01)

Reply: Following a very successful consultation, which closed on 8 November 2001, over 300 responses have been analysed and decisions are being taken on the way forward. We intend to introduce legislation to the Assembly in the near future, with a view to appointing the children’s commissioner in the Autumn.

We are at an advanced stage of drafting the Bill and we are also bringing forward the necessary preparatory work for the appointment.

We recognise that progress in taking this initiative forward has not been as quick as we had hoped. However, we firmly believe that it is better to take a little more time now, to make sure that the office we establish can properly discharge its important role. We believe that by doing this, Northern Ireland can be a world-leader in improving life for children and young people.

(AQO 842/01)

Reply: Pursuant to AQO 625/01 answered on 25th January 2002.

Work on the development of the race strategy is ongoing and will be brought forward during 2002, with subsequent implementation.

There will be a full and open consultation on the document before it is finally agreed by the Executive Committee.

(AQO 835/01)

Reply: We are determined to tackle age discrimination. We will be issuing our proposals to tackle age discrimination for consultation early next year. We will ensure that legislation is in operation before the deadline of 2006 imposed by the European Directive.

In our consultation on the general content and scope of a Single Equality Bill, we asked some general questions about age discrimination. There are many complex issues to be addressed and we want to ensure that we take account of expert advice and comments in taking forward this work.

(AQW 1867/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): £500 will be made available.

(AQW 1875/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is a legal requirement under Article 14 of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92.

In March 2001 the European Commission produced a Green Paper on the future of the CFP and sought responses from Member States by September 2001. Based on the outcome of its consultations the Commission is due to table proposals for reform early in 2002 with final decisions on reform by end of 2002.

The Green Paper provided an analysis of the current state of play in European fisheries including the following aspects:

• the state of the main fish stocks

• the environmental dimension

• fleet policy

• decision making processes and stakeholder involvement

• monitoring and control

• aquaculture

• the processing sector

In tandem with other UK Fisheries Departments, DARD conducted its local consultation on the Green Paper in Spring 2001 with a wide range of industry, environmental and statutory bodies. Responses were taken into account in the preparation for the major debate on the Green Paper at the June 2001 Fisheries Council.

I participated in discussions with UK Fisheries Ministers and emphasised the need to strengthen the social and economic dimension of the CFP as well as the need for greater stakeholder involvement at regional level. I attended the June 2001 debate.

I was at pains during those discussions to ensure that local needs and priorities were factored into the UK position and trust that they will be reflected in the Commission proposals.

(AQW 1880/01)

Ms Rodgers: The use of all Lindane-based products is currently being phased out. Since 20 June 2001, such products may not be sold or supplied in the United Kingdom and remaining stocks of such products in the possession of farmers and intended for agricultural use must be used up or disposed of by 20 June 2002.

The approval for the use of Lindane wood preservatives has also been revoked and stock must be disposed of by November 2002. Some insecticides remain approved for storage and use until January 2003 but must then be disposed of by January 2004.

(AQW 1883/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries Bill is being brought forward to extend the functions of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) in line with the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (NI) Order 1999 and to amend a number of provisions of the Foyle Fisheries Act (NI) 1952 relating to inland fisheries and will include provision to enable the FCILC to licence and develop aquaculture in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas. An equivalent Bill is being brought forward in parallel in the South.

Officials from my Department and the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources in Dublin continue to work together with a view to producing a final draft of the Bill as soon as possible. While it had been my intention to introduce the Bill to the Assembly earlier, there were a number of policy matters on which it was more difficult to obtain the agreement of legal advisors in both jurisdictions than had been anticipated. However the majority of these issues have now been resolved and it is hoped that any outstanding issues will be resolved in the coming weeks, subject to clearance of the proposed policy being received from legal advisors in both jurisdictions. However progress on the Bill is subject to parallel progress being made in the South. Unfortunately progress in the South has been delayed recently due to competing priorities, which has resulted in a further delay in producing a final draft. However my officials continue to press their colleagues in the South on this matter.

I can assure you that it is my intention to have the Bill introduced to the Assembly as soon as possible to ensure that the Loughs Agency is provided with the necessary powers to licence and develop aquaculture in the Loughs without further unnecessary delay.

In relation to the work needed to assist people on the waters of both Loughs, the Loughs Agency is currently undertaking work on both Loughs for the benefit of its stakeholders. It has recently put in place a number of monitoring programmes in both Loughs including the installation of automatic temperature loggers and the carrying out of regular sampling for the purpose of obtaining information fundamental to the development and management of the shellfish industry. It is also currently developing a strategy for the development of marine tourism and as part of this process intends, in the very near future, to commission a marine tourism audit to ascertain the level of facilities currently available in the Loughs. The Agency also maintains a patrol vessel on Carlingford Lough where aquaculture licensing is currently carried out by this Department and the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources in Dublin, and continues to undertake its conservation and protection work on Lough Foyle in relation to salmon fisheries.

(AQW 1885/01)

Ms Rodgers: At this stage it is not possible to give a precise commencement date. While the project has satisfied an economic appraisal it has to compete with other projects on a priority basis, and it appears that this project will not commence until 2004/05.

(AQW 1894/01)

Ms Rodgers: At the outset of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), in February 2001 the Department adopted the policy with respect to trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland similar to that which the EU requested between Great Britain and any other Member State in that all imports of cattle and FMD susceptible animals were banned.

However, as a result of the Office International des Epizooties OIE decision on 21 January 2002 to recognise UK FMD freedom and the improving situation, an amendment has been made to Commission Decision 2001/740/EC which will relax trade control measures between Great Britain and the rest of the European Union.

Department officials are currently reviewing the full range of FMD controls, which were put in place in Northern Ireland. Consequently live cattle imports into Northern Ireland are likely to recommence in the near future. I will announce any decision on these matters as soon as the deliberations and consultations with the relevant stakeholders are completed.

(AQW 1911/01)

Ms Rodgers: In the period since devolution (21/12/99), DARD expenditure on external consultancy and consultancy reports was as follows:

(AQO 857/01)

Ms Rodgers: To date Joe Walsh and I have agreed a paper, which sets out the position in relation to each of the most significant animal diseases in both parts of the island. That paper establishes the baseline and the position in relation to each disease and will inform a decision on whether there is scope for increased cross-border co-operation in order to effect an improvement. The results of that exercise will form the strategy to which the Member refers. I expect the strategy to be ready by the end of the year and to set parameters for dealing with animal health on the island of Ireland for the next 5 – 10 years.

The new all-island animal health strategy will:

While both administrations have been pursuing those objectives largely separately for many years, the difference now is that we will be attempting to capitalise on the benefits that a joint approach can bring.

Dealing strategically with these diseases will bring economic benefits on both sides of the border and enhance public confidence in the industry.

(AQO 854/01)

Ms Rodgers: I am conscious of the distress caused in the areas affected by the flooding on 1 February which arose from exceptionally high tides accompanied by high winds. I can confirm that Rivers Agency provided an emergency response to some 100 flood calls by deploying staff at a number of locations including Newry, Newcastle, East Belfast, Killough and the Ards Peninsula. The Agency staff were involved in sandbagging and pumping operations and remained on call throughout the evening of Friday 1 February and on Saturday 2 February.

In Newry, where there was substantial flooding, some 50 Rivers Agency personnel, assisted by Water Service and District Council staff, distributed approximately 3,000 sandbags to 110 businesses and 53 domestic premises. Emergency action saved 41 businesses and 36 premises from flooding and reduced flooding in another 86 cases.

The completed sections of a flood alleviation scheme underway in Newry prevented direct inundation from the river.

(AQO 847/01)

Ms Rodgers: The agrifood industry in Northern Ireland as a whole currently faces many challenges. The vision Steering Group’s task was to identify these, come forward with a Vision for the future development of the industry and make recommendations for the achievement of this vision. This I believe it has done.

The Vision Steering Group did not attempt any area by area analysis but I believe that, if we get things right at the Northern Ireland level, this will be to the benefit of farmers in all parts of the North including West Tyrone.

(AQO 861/01)

Ms Rodgers: My Department intends to make a temporary, acting, appointment to the post of Director of the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland. This temporary replacement will be made pending the outcome of the public review of my Department’s provision of undergraduate and postgraduate education and research and development in agriculture and food science. The Department would wish to consider any recommendations made by the review panel and the implications, if any, for this post before a substantive appointment is made. My senior officials have had discussions with the Board of Trustees of the Institute who have also made representations on this matter.

(AQW 1780/01)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is currently awarding grants of between £500 and £5,000, primarily to groups that cannot accept lottery money, because of ethical or religious reasons. Applications are also being considered from groups that are ineligible for Awards for All lottery funding, for technical reasons, eg a group that currently holds a grant(s) totalling £5,000 in a 12-month period. Funding from the Department will complement lottery funding available through the Awards for All scheme. In this way all groups in Northern Ireland can become involved in organising Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Applications were invited for two rounds of funding. Round 1 closed on 30 November 2001. Out of 11 applications received, 10 will be awarded funding. Round 2 closed on 1 February, by which stage over 600 grant applications had issued from the Golden Jubilee Unit. 268 completed applications have been received and are currently being processed. We hope to issue letters of notification to applicants by the end of March.

(AQW 1848/01)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department is committed to working with District Councils to develop integrated local plans for culture, arts and leisure. Through the Cultural Forum my Department is encouraging and assisting district councils in the development of Local Cultural Strategic Plans, which will also assist in accessing funding such as that available under the Peace II Programme. This includes the preparation of guidance for councils, hosting a workshop and a series of training days.

My Department will also be arranging for the production of an advocacy document, which would be of assistance in attracting funding and support for culture, arts and leisure projects. It is hoped that this document will be available for consideration at a conference event provisionally planned for May 2002.

(AQW 1850/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The training programme is being provided by Mr Tommy Ryan and Mr Paul Gleeson.

The contract for managing, evaluating and reporting on the pilot training project was awarded to Iontaobhas Ultach on a single tender basis. This was because:

• this project represented a unique and complex undertaking where there was clearly a need for detailed specialist knowledge and language expertise;

• the project had to be delivered to an acceptable timescale;

• the project was to provide the benchmark for future training programmes and had to be of high quality and represent value for money;

• it was not possible to draw up a comprehensive Statement of Requirement because of the largely unexplored nature of the project;

• expert guidance was sought and this confirmed that Iontaobhas Ultach is uniquely placed in Northern Ireland to meet delivery of the initial pilot training programme.

An informal advisory committee will evaluate the project and make recommendations to the Department for future developments. The appointment of any future management agents will be by way of an open tendering process.

(AQW 1882/01)

Mr McGimpsey: On devolution, ownership of the public Shooting Rights on Lough Erne transferred to my Department from the former Department of Agriculture (DANI). With this transfer my Department inherited a three-year licence arrangement effective from 1 September 1998 drawn up between DANI Rivers Agency, Lough Erne Wildfowlers’ Council (LEWC) in partnership with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). This Licence arrangement has introduced to the Lough Erne Estate for the first time sustainable local management, wardening and conservation.

Under the Licence arrangements annual permits have been made available to anyone with valid insurance cover willing to comply with the Code of Conduct and Management Plan implemented and regulated by LEWC. My Department has had no other regulating control over the wildfowling clubs involved. The annual permit fee of £10 (BASC members) and £25 (non-BASC members) has been regarded by the Department as both reasonable and equitable given the significant management and conservation expertise provided by BASC.

My Department agreed to extend this Licence arrangement for the 2001/2 shooting season which finished on 31 January on the understanding that we will be undertaking a comprehensive review of future management arrangements. You have my assurance that consultation will form an integral part of this review.

(AQW 1940/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The information you require is set out below.

The growth in consultancy reflects the particular stage of the Department’s strategic development. The figures include a wide range of exercises including the development of new strategies across all of the Department’s main programmes, as well as supporting the essential development of the Department’s infrastructure eg ICT, finance and human resources.

(AQW 1947/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Irish Football Association awarded funding of £5,000 in each of the past 5 years for the Milk Cup tournament. The Northern Ireland Events Company awarded funding of £90,000 towards the 2001 Milk Cup tournament, and is considering funding the 2002 tournament.

(AQW 2004/01)

Mr McGimpsey: I am aware that the cost of insurance is increasing for all sporting clubs, governing bodies and sporting events. However, this is an issue which belongs to the realm of the commercial sector and is not one in which I can become involved. I recognise insurance is an essential element for those participating in sporting activities and it is a matter for the clubs to shop around for the best deals.

(AQO 830/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland has overall responsibility for the promotion and development of sport in Northern Ireland. The Sports Council has recently been working closely with the governing body for off-road sport, namely the Motorcycle Racing Association, and those other governing bodies within the family of motorsports disciplines, on a strategic plan for 2 and 4 wheeled motorsports.

It is anticipated that this strategic plan, which will shortly be subjected to public consultation, will map out the governing bodies’ vision for the sport’s future, and include facility provision for the promotion, development and future sustainability of the sport. I would not want to comment in advance of the completion of the strategic plan.

There are currently ten venues in the province that regularly cater for off-road motorcycle sport. These are:

(AQO 655/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Responsibility for the provision of library services in Newtownards rests with the South Eastern Education and Library Board. The board will carry out an economic appraisal early next financial year which will look at all viable options for library provision in Newtownards.

My aim is to improve public library services and infrastructure throughout Northern Ireland. With that in mind my Department is currently carrying out a comprehensive review of the services, but improvements are likely to require additional resources. However, we have already taken a very significant step to improve services through the Electronic Libraries project which will be implemented over the next 18 months and will expand considerably the services available in Newtownards library.

I have recently been able to make additional resources available to the Public Library Service. This has allowed the South Eastern Board to release £500,000 for expenditure on bookstock this year and should help improve stock in all libraries including Newtownards.

(AQO 846/01)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department’s vision is of a confident, creative, informed and prosperous community. Our goals are supportive of the wider government objectives to promote economic and social development in Northern Ireland and should therefore win the confidence of the entire community.

My Department has a specific target in the Programme for Government of working with District Councils to develop integrated local plans for culture, arts and leisure. Through the Cultural Forum, we are assisting District Councils in the development of Local Cultural Strategic Plans which will assist access to funding sources, including that available under the Peace II programme. In West Tyrone, both Omagh and Strabane district councils have already identified culture, arts and leisure as key themes in the development of action plans for Peace II derived from their Local Strategy Partnerships.

(AQW 1819/01)

The Minister of Education (Mr McGuinness): It is a statutory responsibility of the education and library boards to secure for their areas the provision of adequate facilities for youth service activities. I have not made any specific assessment of provision in the South Eastern area.

However, I can say that I have been very impressed by the standard and range of youth service activity offered by both the statutory and voluntary sectors in all board areas.

(AQW 1904/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The recommended site area for a new primary school is determined by the school’s enrolment and is set out in the Department’s Building Handbook. However, the areas in the handbook are intended as a guide because the shape and topography of the site can influence its suitability for school development. The recommended site area for a new primary school in the 400-500 pupil range is between 3.7 and 4 acres. The answer to part (b) of the question is set out in the table below.

(AQW 1925/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Since my appointment as Minister for Education I have visited the following schools in the Controlled Sector:

• Vere Foster Primary School, Belfast

• Rathfriland Hill School

• Belmont House School, Derry

• Kilronan Special School, Magherafelt

• Galliagh Nursery School, Derry

I remain willing to respond positively to all invitations which I receive from schools to visit them and to attend events at which I can meet pupils and teachers from all school sectors.

(AQW 1945/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Funding within the Youth Service is allocated as follows:

• each education and library board receives an allocation based largely on youth population, free school meals and youth unemployment;

• the Youth Council for Northern Ireland receives funding mainly to support headquarter voluntary organisations and curriculum development;

• bids for specific projects or initiatives in either the controlled or voluntary youth sector can be made to sources such as the Youth Education Social Inclusion Partnership, Executive Programme Funds, Belfast Regeneration Office and the Londonderry Regeneration Initiative.

Each of these bodies or programmes allocates funding to individual clubs or organisations in accordance with their specific criteria.

(AQW 1998/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The percentage of 15-year-old pupils in 1999/2000 who achieved 5 or more GCSEs at Grades A* - A, including the GNVQ Intermediate Part 1 equivalent, is given below:

The percentage of 15 year old pupils in 1999/2000 who achieved 5 or more GCSEs at Grades A* - B, including the GNVQ Intermediate Part 1 equivalent, is given below:

(AQW 2001/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Any receipts realised from the sale of the former Scrabo High School will be used to offset expenditure on capital development in the South-Eastern Board area.

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