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Friday 08 March 2002 Office of the First
Minister and Deputy First Minister
OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER Stability of Devolved Government Mr Ken Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister how the Executive can contribute towards improving the stability of devolved government. (AQO 932/01) The First Minister and Deputy First Minister (Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan): The Executive continues to work to provide a stable Government for the people of Northern Ireland. It addresses a range of strategic and cross-cutting issues such as developing the Programme for Government, the Review of Public Administration, and agreeing the annual Budget. In particular the Programme for Government represents our commitment, as an Executive, to effective and accountable government which makes a real difference to the lives of the people in Northern Ireland. This is evident in decisions which have been taken on key infrastructure projects relating to gas and roads. The Executive also has decided to fund free travel and nursing care for the elderly. The strength of the Programme for Government is that the choices are being made, on a cross-party basis, by an administration which understands and wants to respond to the difficulties and challenges which Northern Ireland faces. Review of Public Administration Dr Esmond Birnie asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what steps are being taken to ensure that the Review of Public Administration will be rigorous and that there will be a full public consultation. (AQO 920/01) Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: As was stated during last week's very constructive debate, the Executive is determined that this will be an open, transparent and inclusive process in which everyone has ample opportunity to participate and make their views known. The initial consultation with the Assembly and others on the proposed terms of reference for the review is a clear indication of the way in which we intend to proceed. Once the Review is launched and underway there will be many more opportunities for people to become involved and contribute their ideas. Everyone will have access to the review team via the website, which is currently up and running, as well as through more formal consultation exercises. Consultation Documents : Cost Mr Séamus Close asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the cost of producing documents for consultation over the last three years, including preparation, printing, distribution and all ancillary costs. (AQO 915/01) Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: At 22nd February 2002 the cost of producing documents for consultation in our department over the last three years, including preparation, printing, distribution and all ancillary costs was £217,719.65. Interdepartmental Working Group Mr Kieran McCarthy asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQO 730/01, why the Interdepartmental Working Group on the removal of flags, emblems and graffiti has not been set up.
Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: This is a subject on which we appreciate and share the concern of Members and are determined that appropriate steps should be taken to address it as soon as possible. However, in our view the problem is not one that can be addressed in isolation from other community relations issues. Nor do we consider that it would be inappropriate to seek to deal with such a potentially sensitive issue in advance of the review of community relations policy, which is nearing completion, and the public consultation which will follow. Therefore, we will bring forward proposals as part of our cross-departmental strategy and framework for the promotion of community relations and to ensure an effective and co-ordinated response to sectarian and racial intimidation.
President of the United States : Meeting
Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: We have plans to visit Washington next week as part of the events surrounding St Patrick's Day. We hope to meet with President Bush during that visit. Programme for Government : Race Strategy
Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: In fulfilling our Programme for Government commitment we are developing a policy to tackle racial inequality with the assistance of departments, statutory agencies, including the Equality Commission and voluntary bodies through our PSI Working Group on Ethnic Minorities with a view to bringing it forward this year. The voluntary agencies represented on the Group are NI Council for Ethnic Minorities, Chinese Welfare Association, Indian Community Centre and Multi Cultural Resource Centre.
Children's Unit Mr Tommy Gallagher asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to make a statement on the establishment of a Children's Unit.
Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: Our Department established a Children's and Young People's Unit on 1st January 2002, to ensure that the rights and needs of children and young people are given a high priority within the Executive.
Review of Public Administration
Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: Obviously we want to learn from best practice elsewhere and also to avoid making mistakes from which others have suffered. Therefore the Review will look internationally at how best to organise public administration. We also intend to appoint independent external experts who can bring a different dimension to the Review drawing on innovative examples and ideas for the organisation and delivery of services. The European Commission has been undergoing a major programme of reform which could also yield valuable lessons. During our recent visit to Brussels, Neil Kinnock encouraged us to look at their experience of significant culture change. The Review team will be asked to look at the European Commission experience as well as looking at other countries in the European Union and beyond. EU Strategy Mr Barry McElduff asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister if it is liaising with the Irish Government to ensure that the North-South dimension is addressed in the development of EU strategy. (AQO 909/01) Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: The Executive is currently considering a paper providing a framework for an EU strategy. Much of the early focus is on ensuring that Departments are alert to EU developments relevant to their responsibilities and have the procedures in place to ensure they progress Northern Ireland's interests appropriately. As the strategy develops, we will be identifying key policy priorities at a detailed level and the best means of taking these forward. It is at this point that the North South aspect will become important as issues are identified where there are distinct and common interests which would benefit from harmonised arrangements or co-operative working. Paragraph 17 of Strand Two of the Agreement provides for the North South Ministerial Council to consider the European Union dimension of relevant matters, including the implementation of EU policies and programmes and proposals under consideration in the EU framework. At its meeting in institutional format on 17 December 2001, the Council agreed that further work, building on preliminary discussions between Ministers, should be undertaken to consider the most effective way of pursuing this role. A Working Group has been established for this purpose, and will report back to the next meeting of the Council in institutional format. Forthcoming Legislative Programme
Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: On 27 September last year, Sir Reg Empey and Seamus Mallon wrote to Members to inform them of the legislative programme for the 2001/2002 session comprising 23 Bills, including 4 carried over from the previous session. To date, 3 Bills have been enacted, a further 3 have completed their Assembly passage, and the Personal Social Services (Amendment) Bill has reached Consideration Stage. In addition, the Railway Safety Bill was introduced on 18th February, while the Health and Personal Social Services and Children Leaving Care Bills are at Introduction stage.
District Council Community Relations Programme
(AQO 951/01) Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: There is no specific initiative aimed at promoting St Patrick as a symbol which all communities in Northern Ireland can embrace. However, a number of District Councils (including Newry & Mourne) are organising cross-community events in association with St Patrick's Day which are part-funded by our department under the District Council Community Relations Programme. Northern Ireland Office : Brussels Office Mr P J Bradley asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to outline (a) who the First Minister and Deputy First Minister met during their recent trip to Brussels; (b) if invitations were extended to European leaders to visit Northern Ireland; and (c) if any response was given. (AQO 937/01) Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan: During the reception to launch the Brussels
Office we met many of the 140 guests who attended, including Vice-President
Kinnock, Commissioners Barnier, Schreyer, Byrne and Bolkestein, the British
and Irish Permanent Representatives to the European Union, the British and Irish
Ambassadors to Belgium, the Minister-President of the Brussels Region and many
Members of the European Parliament. AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Injuries Recorded at Lairages Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many injuries have been recorded at lairages in abattoirs and markets.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (NI) 1997 it falls to individual employers and the self-employed to report accidents, which result in either major injuries or more than three days away from work, to the Health and Safety Executive (NI). My Department's responsibility in this area thus relates only to its employees. During the last three years six accidents were recorded at lairages, all of these in abattoirs. Land Lost to Tidal Erosion : Compensation
Ms Rodgers: I am conscious of concerns regarding coastal erosion and flooding resulting from recent high tides.
Non-Departmental Public Bodies
Ms Rodgers: The annual Cabinet Office Publication, "Public Bodies" provides a range of information including expenditure for Northern Ireland Non Departmental Public Bodies. Copies of these publications have been placed in the Assembly Library and are also available on the Cabinet Office website. (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/quango) CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE Non-Departmental Public Bodies
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The annual Cabinet Office Publication, "Public Bodies" provides a range of information including expenditure for Northern Ireland non-Departmental Public Bodies. Copies of these publications have been placed in the Assembly Library and are also available on the Cabinet Office website (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/quangos). European City of Culture
Mr McGimpsey: The total amount spent on promoting the bid as of 1 March 2002 is £574,551.14 with £302,431.90 spent on marketing, detailed below. The difference of £272,119.21 was spent on Administration and equipment. European City of Culture
Mr McGimpsey: I am unable to supply figures relating to future spending on promotion of the bid. This will be determined when the Board of Imagine Belfast have agreed their Business Plan for 2002/03. Curling
Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland has responsibility for the development of sport within the province. I understand curling is not practised in Northern Ireland on a regular basis but if this position were to change and a Governing Body was formed, the Sports Council would be happy to discuss with the Governing Body how the sport could be developed. EDUCATION Ministerial Visits Outside Northern Ireland : Cost
The Minister of Education (Mr McGuinness): The total amount spent on such visits is as follows:
Principal and Vice-Principal Grades
Mr McGuinness: The numbers of male and female teachers in Principal and Vice-Principal grades at (a) primary school and (b) secondary school level are as follows:
Imbalance of Female to Male Teachers in Primary Schools
(AQW 2164/01) Mr McGuinness: Although the number of males entering primary teacher training is still low relative to the number of women, their number has increased by 36.8% between 1998/1999 and the 2001/02 academic year, which is an encouraging trend. When the General Teaching Council is established later this year, it will have a role in promoting male primary teaching as a career, alongside the ongoing work of Stranmillis and St Mary's University Colleges, the employers and school careers advisors in challenging gender stereotyping.
Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Education what research he has carried out into the educational attainment of children in care. (AQW 2172/01) Mr McGuinness: My Department, together with DHSS&PS, is funding research into the educational experiences of looked after children. The research is being undertaken by Save the Children and the report is expected in the summer. Links Between Schools and Further Education
Mr McGuinness: I recently announced plans for a third phase of a pilot initiative which is designed to allow schools flexibility to provide a work-related learning programme for selected pupils at Key Stage 4 by permitting the disapplication of aspects of the statutory curriculum. Pupils may spend up to 2 days per week on vocational activities, which may include study at a further education college or training organisation, together with work-related experience. Special Schools : Building Guidelines
Mr McGuinness: My Department uses the guidance in the DfEE Building Bulletin 77 'Designing for Pupils with Special Educational Needs - Special Schools'. This is adapted to suit local circumstances after consultation with individual schools, Boards officers and the Education and Training Inspectorate. Effects of the Selective System of Secondary Education
Mr McGuinness: The Report "The Effects of the Selective System of Secondary Education in Northern Ireland" includes two volumes of research papers. In addition, the body of the main report includes references to other relevant published research; these are clearly denoted and copies are obtainable from the sources quoted. Non-Departmental Public Bodies
Mr McGuinness: The expenditure figures for non-Departmental Public Bodies under my responsibility in each year since 1995 are as follows:- N I COUNCIL FOR THE CURRICULUM, EXAMINATIONS AND ASSESSMENT
* The 2000/01 accounts are currently under audit. Expenditure figures are made up of Department of Education grant, examination
fees, and other income generated by the Council. The Audited Accounts for the Education and Library Boards are published each year as Command Papers and are available in the Assembly Library. The net expenditure for each Board for the periods 1995/96 to 1998/99 are as follows, together with unaudited figures for 99/00 and 00/01:-
THE STAFF COMMISSION FOR EDUCATION AND LIBRARY BOARDS
Note COUNCIL FOR CATHOLIC MAINTAINED SCHOOLS
YOUTH COUNCIL FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
External Link Disclaimer: The Northern Ireland Assembly does not exercise any editorial control over the websites listed above and therefore cannot be held responsible for the information, products or services contained therein. |
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