(AQW 1912/01)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr P Robinson): Actual spend on consultancy services in the past 3 years is as follows:

(AQW 1948/01)

Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service receives a great many requests for the provision of controlled pedestrian crossing facilities. To ensure a consistent and equitable approach, requests are assessed using criteria based on national guidelines.

This further consideration takes into account a number of factors including vehicle speed, road geometry, proximity to shops, schools, community centres, hospitals etc, and accident history. Based on this detailed assessment potential sites are prioritised accordingly.

(AQW 1993/01)

Mr P Robinson: The total cost of providing security (excluding VAT) at Marlborough House, Craigavon for each of the last three financial years was as follows:

(AQW 2018/01)

Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service does not have readily available detailed information on the length of Key Transport Corridors by constituency. To obtain the information on this basis could only be done at disproportionate cost. I have however placed in the Library a map showing the Key Transport Corridor network and the sections which are currently motorway and dual carriageway standard.

My predecessor, Gregory Campbell and the Chief Executive of Roads Service wrote to you and other elected representatives on 26 September 2001 and 11 October 2001 respectively, regarding the consultation process informing the formulation of the Roads Service 10-Year Forward Planning Schedule. The Schedule will identify those schemes (including dual carriageway schemes) which, it is anticipated, could be funded and started within the 10-year period of the Regional Transportation Strategy.

Appendices 2 and 3 attached to the Chief Executive’s letter of 11 October, gave an indication of the sections of new road network where upgrading to dual carriageway standard is being considered. I have also provided a copy of those appendices in the Library.

The Proposed Regional Transportation Strategy is currently out for consultation until 16 April 2002 and, in preparing the final draft Strategy, my Department would be happy to carefully consider any comments that you or your constituents wish to make.

(AQW 2020/01)

Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service has no plans at this time to implement a scheme aimed at improving traffic flow at the Tamlaght Road roundabout on the Omagh Throughpass.

(AQW 2035/01)

Mr P Robinson: The Department for Regional Development currently employs a total of 4,963 staff. This total is made up of 2,996 non-industrial staff and 1,967 industrials.

A Strategic Review of Civil Service Accommodation, which includes an examination of the scope for decentralisation of Civil Service jobs, is currently ongoing. Pending the outcome of the review, opportunities to relocate Civil Service jobs will continue to be examined on a case by case basis, as particular needs and issues arise. Where there are considered to be pressing accommodation needs or where short-term decisions are required, business cases are prepared taking full account of the current relocation policy.

Due to the operational nature of its main functions (ie, provision and maintenance of roads and water/ sewerage services), DRD is already a widely-dispersed Department, with a recent survey finding that over 61% of its staff are based at locations outside the Greater Belfast area. This figure may be even higher if staff in certain specialised and purpose-built buildings (eg, stores, depots, pumping stations) were also to be taken into account.

At present, the Department has no plans to implement any major decentralisation of jobs during the year 2002. Any significant accommodation or staff relocation proposals would be considered within the context of the above-mentioned Review and of Departmental business needs.

(AQW 2140/01)

Mr P Robinson: My department’s policy is to use townland addresses when the person has clearly indicated that they wish this to be included in any correspondence. Equally, my Department will also use the townland name to reply to correspondence when the address given includes the specific townland name.

(AQW 1955/01)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): The amount spent in the last three years in my Department on external consultants and consultancy reports is as follows:

(AQW 2000/01)

Mr Dodds: This information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

(AQW 2014/01)

Mr Dodds: Current plans for social housing provision in Omagh and Strabane District Council areas are as shown in the table below. The projects will be undertaken by housing associations. In summary the position is as follows:

(AQW 2016/01)

Mr Dodds: My Department has responsibility for 6 Non-Departmental Public Bodies as follows:

• Northern Ireland Housing Executive

• Laganside Corporation

• Charities Advisory Committee

• Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board

• Rent Assessment Panel

• Vaughan’s Charity.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Laganside Corporation follow the guidance on reporting fraud. While the remaining Bodies have no responsibility for the disbursement of public monies, my Department ensures that Government Accounting procedures are followed in respect of the Bodies’ administrative expenditure.

(AQW 2034/01)

Mr Dodds: There is currently a total of 8,484 staff employed in the Department for Social Development of whom 2,332 are based outside of the Greater Belfast area. Whilst no specific plans exist to increase the number of posts based outside of Belfast between January and December 2002, departmental officials continue to work with colleagues in other departments to examine the scope for decentralisation of civil service jobs as set out in the Programme for Government.

(AQW 2048/01)

Mr Dodds: The Housing Executive is undertaking a fundamental review of its maintenance service which will examine all aspects of the repair service, including emergency repair work. However, the Executive is currently achieving its targets for completion of emergency repairs, including Immediate Call Out repairs, in the Dungannon area.

(AQW 2057/01)

Mr Dodds: A breakdown by electoral ward is unavailable. However a breakdown by Social Security Office of the number of confirmed fraud cases, in each of the last 2 years, by customers in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance is attached.

(AQW 2114/01)

At Glen Road and Monagh Road it is understood that each scheme will contain a community house but it is yet to be considered whether these will be eligible for housing association grant. Additional workspaces are provided at the Omagh site and are also planned for the Magherafelt site. Details are as follows:

• Omagh - A stable block and paddock area costing £85,000.

• Magherafelt - An area costing £15,000 designated for the retention of scrap.

The Department considers these to be non-qualifying costs and they will not therefore attract housing association grant.

The 2 Belfast schemes are still at an early stage of development and have not yet been submitted for approval. Only the cost per unit within the Omagh and Magherafelt schemes can be provided at this point. The actual cost per unit within the Omagh and Magherafelt schemes, excluding all non-qualifying costs, is as follows;

• Omagh - £85,300 (actual cost per unit)

• Magherafelt - £126,166 (estimated final completion cost per unit)

It is difficult to provide an estimate for maintenance costs since only the Omagh scheme has been completed (in December 2001). The Housing Association responsible for this scheme has set aside £324 per unit per annum for maintenance as opposed to £216 per unit for traditional needs housing.

Responsibility for the provision of social housing now lies with Housing Associations and not NIHE. The estimated cost per unit for a Housing Association to build 8 two storey family dwellings to lifetime home standards on the Omagh site and 5 on the Magherafelt site would be £78,120 and £99,471 respectively.

• Omagh - £767,404

• Magherafelt - £650,830

• Omagh - £95,925

• Magherafelt - £130,166

(AQW 2115/01)

At Glen Road and Monagh Road it is understood that each scheme will contain a community house but it is yet to be considered whether these will be eligible for housing association grant. Additional workspaces are provided at the Omagh site and are also planned for the Magherafelt site. Details are as follows:

• Omagh - A stable block and paddock area costing £85,000.

• Magherafelt - An area costing £15,000 designated for the retention of scrap.

The Department considers these to be non-qualifying costs and they will not therefore attract housing association grant.

The 2 Belfast schemes are still at an early stage of development and have not yet been submitted for approval. Only the cost per unit within the Omagh and Magherafelt schemes can be provided at this point. The actual cost per unit within the Omagh and Magherafelt schemes, excluding all non-qualifying costs, is as follows;

• Omagh - £85,300 (actual cost per unit)

• Magherafelt - £126,166 (estimated final completion cost per unit)

It is difficult to provide an estimate for maintenance costs since only the Omagh scheme has been completed (in December 2001). The Housing Association responsible for this scheme has set aside £324 per unit per annum for maintenance as opposed to £216 per unit for traditional needs housing.

Responsibility for the provision of social housing now lies with Housing Associations and not NIHE. The estimated cost per unit for a Housing Association to build 8 two storey family dwellings to lifetime home standards on the Omagh site and 5 on the Magherafelt site would be £78,120 and £99,471 respectively.

• Omagh - £767,404

• Magherafelt - £650,830

• Omagh - £95,925

• Magherafelt - £130,166

(AQW 2135/01)

Mr Dodds: Full-time students are not normally eligible to claim income-related benefits. The policy remains that students should be supported through the educational maintenance system. However, certain students in vulnerable groups, for example, lone parents or disabled students, are eligible to claim Income Support and Housing Benefit.

When deciding a claim for an income-related benefit most income is taken into account. A student loan is taken into account as available income whether or not the student has applied for it. There are existing disregards from student loan income, such as amounts intended for travel or for books and equipment. Also, a further £?10 of the weekly amount of a student loan may be disregarded, subject to the over-riding limit of £20 on disregarded income of students. To ignore the rest of the student loan income available to students, which is intended for everyday living expenses, would be unfair to other claimants of similar means and circumstances.

There are no plans to change this policy.

(AQO 904/01)

Mr Dodds: Ulidia Housing Association constructed an 11-bedroom Women’s Aid Refuge in Enniskillen in 1991 with financial assistance from the Department of the Environment. The refuge was managed by Women’s Aid under a joint management agreement. At the request of Women’s Aid the facility was closed approximately 2 years ago due to lack of use. The premises are now occupied by young physically disabled people.

Women’s Aid is currently in discussion with the Housing Executive with a view to utilising a Housing Executive dwelling for use as a refuge facility. A property has been identified and arrangements are being made to consult adjoining residents. Further discussion will be arranged with Women’s Aid to develop the proposal.

The Housing Executive already has a number of properties in Fermanagh that are used for temporary accommodation placements for vulnerable women.

(AQO 872/01)

Mr Dodds: The Social Security Agency has a comprehensive network of local Social Security Offices. To deliver its service to the people in Northern Ireland customers can call at any of these offices for information about any social security matter, advice on which benefits to claim and assistance with filling forms. This is the biggest and most extensive network of government offices in Northern Ireland. Alternative arrangements are also in place for customers who might experience difficulties in calling at a Social Security Office, for example

• jobseekers who live in rural areas are able to confirm their Job-search activities by post;

• increasingly home visits to customers are available where information, advice and assistance with form filling services are provided; and

• staff from Social Security Offices regularly provide benefit awareness seminars at venues in rural areas.

The Agency is also embarking on a Modernisation Programme which over the next few years will see a number of measures introduced to improve the delivery of services. These include major refurbishment of the local offices, and simpler application processes such as tele-claims, which should be of particular advantage to people in rural areas.

(AQO 903/01)

Mr Dodds: The waiting list is not constituency based. I can say, however, that in the Housing Executive’s District 7 area, which forms the bulk of the constituency, there are 1,012 on the waiting list. A number of those on the waiting list will be housed through relets but in terms of new housing in the past 3 years there has been an average of 357 houses built per year. The new build programme from 1999/00-2005/06 includes proposals for 553 units, 48 of which have already been completed. Site acquisition in South Belfast continues to pose a problem as a consequence of high land values and competition from the private sector.

(AQO 874/01)

Mr Dodds: The Housing Executive has applied its House Sales policy across Northern Ireland, irrespective of the location of new build programmes which are now undertaken by Housing Associations.

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