(AQW 2132/01)

Reply: The postal service is regulated by the Postal Services Commission who has published a set of detailed proposals aimed at opening the UK market to competition whilst ensuring the provision of the universal postal service. To effect an orderly transition towards an open market the Commission has proposed phasing in licensing arrangements for operators from April 2002 to March 2004. To ensure value for money Northern Ireland Government Departments may expose their postal services to competition during this time where such competition exists.

In the interests of efficiency the Department of Finance and Personnel has indicated that it will ask the Government Purchasing Agency to take the lead during this period in reviewing market conditions and the level of service required by Northern Ireland Government Departments with a view to establishing a service wide arrangement should this provide better value for money.

(AQW 2145/01)

Reply: The British-Irish Council and the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference were established on the 2 December 1999. The British-Irish Council met in plenary format on 17 December 1999 and on 30 November 2001. The Council also met three times in sectoral format:

• Transport - 19 December 2000,

• Environment - 2 October 2000 and 25 February 2002.

• The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference met on 17 December 1999.

The communiqués in respect of each of these meetings provide details of the subjects which discussed at each meeting. Copies of the communiqués have been placed in the Assembly Library.

(AQW 2219/01)

Reply: The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister has responsibility for four non-departmental public bodies, these are: -

• Northern Ireland Economic Council

• Planning Appeals Commission

• Statute Law Committee for Northern Ireland

• Water Appeals Commission

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is an Executive non-departmental public body of the Northern Ireland Office, however the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister has responsibility for its expenditure.

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

(AQO 998/01)

Reply: Charter Mark is a UK award scheme for excellence in the delivery of public services. It is awarded to organisations when they have proved that they provide high quality services to their users.

Applicants are assessed against 10 specific criteria by experienced independent assessors and judged by a panel of Charter Mark judges.

Charter Mark applicants must put forward a written application and provide a box file of supporting evidence. The application and evidence are scored against the 10 criteria by an assessor.

The 10 criteria are:

• Set Standards

• Be open and provide full information

• Consult and involve

• Encourage access and the promotion of choice

• Treat all fairly

• Put things right when they go wrong

• Use resources effectively

• Innovate and improve

• Work with other providers

• Provide user satisfaction

An assessor seeks to verify the claims made in the application. The Charter Mark judging panel is responsible for deciding which applicants have reached the standard based on the recommendation of the assessors. Finally, the applicant is given detailed feedback on their performance and they learn whether they have reached the criteria.

(AQW 2003/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): On 30 January I announced changes to the movement standstill rules. Among the changes announced were special arrangements to facilitate animals attending consecutive shows in Northern Ireland within the standstill period.

Since then my officials have been in contact with a number of organisations wishing to include livestock demonstrations and competitions as part of agricultural shows. A protocol allowing these activities to go ahead has been prepared.

I am confident I can rely on those responsible for show activities to work within these rules so that agricultural shows may proceed safely.

(AQW 2168/01)

Ms Rodgers: I have not introduced new Regulations in respect of lairages in abattoirs and markets nor have I any plans to do so.

(AQW 2391/01)

Ms Rodgers: DARD has a gross budget of £427.4 million for the financial year 2001/02. 1.9% or £8.2 million of this budget is allocated to the Rural Development Programme.

(AQW 2392/01)

Ms Rodgers: DARD has a gross budget of £427.4 million for the financial year 2001/02. 6.5% or £27.6 million of this budget is allocated to the corporate administrative costs of DARD. Corporate administration includes the Personnel, Finance, Co-ordination, Office Services etc functions and Policy Development but excludes staff providing direct services to customers (eg Vets, Agricultural Advisors/Inspectors, Scientists, Foresters, Drainage Engineers etc).

(AQW 2393/01)

Ms Rodgers: DARD has a gross budget of £427.4 million for the financial year 2001/02. 19.3% or £82.6 million is allocated to staff salaries and current estimates are that actual expenditure this year will be close to the budget allocation.

(AQW 2406/01)

Ms Rodgers: My Department holds the Budget for its Specialised Buildings e.g. Colleges and Science Service Laboratories. It does not hold any Budget for other office type accommodation occupied by DARD Staff.

(AQW 2452/01)

Ms Rodgers: The figures are as follows:

(AQW 2453/01)

Ms Rodgers: In Northern Ireland herds are tested every 2 years and in addition increased testing from biennial to annual is ongoing in the highest incidence areas of Enniskillen, Newry and Armagh.

The timescale for the removal of infected and in-contact animals from farms is 15 working days from the date of the sample being taken.

(AQW 2483/01)

Ms Rodgers: The dumping of animals in the countryside is to be deplored as it is an offence under the Animal By-Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993, as amended. It is also an offence under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983.

It is the responsibility of farmers to dispose of fallen animals in line with applicable legislation and codes of good farming practice. It is in their own interests to do so to prevent the spread of disease and avoid pollution of water.

My Department has issued a Code of Good Agricultural Practice which provides farmers and growers with practical advice and guidance for the prevention of pollution caused by fallen animals, particularly to watercourses. The Code provides options for the disposal of fallen animals and details how burial sites are to be chosen.

While on-farm burial has been a permitted method of disposal of fallen stock this option may be significantly constrained by the EU Animal By-Product Regulation which is expected to come into operation towards the end of 2002. This is a UK-wide issue and farming unions and other stakeholders are being invited to a meeting in London on 3 April to discuss this issue and the options for possible future arrangements. I will be considering the position in Northern Ireland with the relevant interests in the light of the outcome of that meeting.

(AQW 2486/01)

Ms Rodgers: As required under EU Council Regulation 1259/99, funds raised by the application of modulation can be deployed only for the purposes of agri-environment, afforestation of agricultural land, farmer early retirement or Less Favoured Area support measures. There is also a requirement that expenditure of these monies must be confined to new recipients or new schemes. Therefore, within the Northern Ireland Rural Development Regulation Plan, modulation funds so far committed have been devoted entirely to agri-environment measures and assistance for the afforestation of agricultural land. Approximately £8½ million of the projected modulation receipts up to 2006, plus £24 million of projected match funding, have yet to be allocated under the Plan.

(AQW 2500/01)

Ms Rodgers: Over 95% of testing under the tuberculosis testing programme is already carried out by private veterinary practitioners on behalf of the Department. All overdue tests have already been allocated to private veterinary practices and they are endeavouring to have them completed as soon as possible. Our aim is to have the backlog reduced progressively over the coming months.

(AQW 2305/01)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The issue referred to by the Member is now a matter for Waterways Ireland, the North/South Implementation Body for Inland Waterways. Waterways Ireland has the functions of management, maintenance, development and restoration of certain inland navigable waterway systems throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes.

I understand from Waterways Ireland that the Lough Erne (Navigation) Bye-laws (NI) 1978, as amended, for which they are now responsible are limited to prohibiting navigational behaviour likely to cause nuisance, injury or damage to persons or property or to other vessels or boats and in addition specify certain areas of Lough Erne where speed limits apply.

I am aware that Waterways Ireland will be undertaking a review of all existing Bye-laws within its remit in full consultation with all interested parties and will take account of nature conservation factors within that process.

(AQW 2307/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure currently displays a range of materials including sporting memorabilia which reflects the Department's key responsibilities.

However the Department in common with all other Departments operates within the boundaries of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Equal Opportunities Policy.

This policy outlines the duty to provide a harmonious working environment and atmosphere in which no worker feels under threat or intimidated.

(AQW 2354/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Statutory responsibility for securing adequate facilities for social, physical and cultural activities, under Article 10 of the Recreation and Youth Service (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, lies with District Councils.

In addition, the Sports Council for Northern Ireland has responsibility for the promotion and development of sport, including disbursement of funding for sporting purposes. I can confirm that the Sports Council have not been approached about support for increasing the leisure, or sporting activity, which takes place at Moorlough.

Moorlough, however, forms part of the Department's Public Angling Estate and an action plan for the development of the estate has been drafted and funding is currently being sought to implement it. The Department aims to enhance the lough for angling and, in turn, encourage more anglers to make use of it.

(AQW 2360/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The current number of employees within the Sports Institute for Northern Ireland is as follows:

(AQW 2361/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council and the University of Ulster are finalising the Memorandum of Understanding and Articles of Association in relation to the formation of the Sports Institute Northern Ireland Company. It is anticipated that this will be completed shortly and that an official launch will take place in April/May.

Meanwhile, an audit of sport has identified the needs of individual sports. In due course facilities will be built and managed by the University of Ulster and will be subject to an annual usage agreement between the University and the Company. As an interim measure the use of existing facilities, both on and off site, will be negotiated.

(AQW 2362/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Capital funding has been allocated as follows:

In addition, revenue funding of £400k per annum has been allocated by the Northern Ireland Sports Lottery Fund and a range of indirect funding is also available via Lottery programmes. The total revenue investment in the Sports Institute for Northern Ireland, both direct and indirect, is in excess of £1m per annum.

(AQW 2374/01)

Mr McGimpsey: I have had no meetings with the National Trust about securing free access for children to their properties, and no such meeting has been arranged for the future. The National Trust is a conservation charity and its policy on admission charges rests entirely with the organisation.

(AQW 2375/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland, who have statutory responsibility for the development and promotion of sport within the province, including disbursement of funding for sporting purposes, administer a number of funding programmes through the Sports Lottery Fund. Funding opportunities from this source are available to all sports clubs in the province who engage in recognised sporting activity.

In addition, statutory responsibility for securing adequate facilities for social, physical and cultural activities, under Article 10 of the Recreation and Youth Service (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, lies with District Councils. Each District Council will have a Leisure Division manned by Sports Development Officers who can provide advice on funding for sport clubs at a local level.

(AQW 2491/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland is responsible for the distribution of funding for sport. This includes funding for Talented Athletes with disabilities and a substantial capital investment for improving access for the disabled.

I understand that the Sports Council is in receipt of an application from Disability Sport under the Lottery 'Starting Well' programme which, if successful, would provide £84,000 over 4 years.

The Department is currently working with the Sports Council and Disability Sport to make a case for Executive Programme Funds which would include provision for people with disabilities.

(AQW 427/01)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness) [holding answer 1 November 2001]: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) has only been in existence as a company since July 1998. This company was the result of a merger between Price Waterhouse and Coopers and Lybrand, both of which undertook consultancy assignments for the Department and the Education and Library Boards. Prior to the merger the two companies were in competition with one another for such consultancy work. Therefore, the following information relates only to the period since the merger.

In respect of the numbers of PWC staff engaged in consultancy assignments for the Department or the Boards this information is not readily available and thus it is not possible to provide figures without a detailed inspection of the records relating to each consultancy assignment undertaken by the company. This would require a major exercise at a significant cost in staff time. However, I can confirm that no PWC staff were seconded either to my Department or to the Boards.

In relation to the total consultancy fees paid to PWC the position is as follows:

(a) the Department of Education paid just under £400,000 in consultancy fees to PricewaterhouseCoopers representing just over 14% of total consultancy fees over the period; and

(b) the Education and Library Boards paid just over £3.8 million to PWC which was just under 89% of the total consultancy fees paid by the Boards over the same period.

(AQW 1808/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The Golden Jubilee celebrations are being co-ordinated by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. I understand that the main event for schools will be a poetry competition for pupils aged 7 to 18 on the theme of the Golden Jubilee. Schools and parents' associations may, also if they choose, run their own events to celebrate the jubilee and can apply to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for funding for that purpose. I have no plans to initiate any other programme of events or to provide additional funding to commemorate the occasion.

(AQW 2252/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I would refer to my previous answer to AQW 2164/01.

(AQW 2308/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The most recent payroll for temporary teachers, for service during January 2002, shows that the number of teachers employed in each Education and Library Board area was as follows:

Temporary teachers may have service in more than one sector or school management category in a particular month.

Temporary teachers are employed for a variety of reasons, most often to provide cover for vacant posts; career breaks; maternity or sick leave; leave of absence or for other absences by teachers such as in service training or curriculum development activities.

(AQW 2310/01)

Mr M McGuinness: It is expected that a common LMS funding formula for schools will be introduced from the 2003/04 financial year. A decision on how threshold payments are funded from 2003/04 will be taken in that wider context.

(AQW 2311/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Funding is allocated to Education and Library Boards on an annual accruals basis to meet the needs of their estate - including school bus depots - and it is a matter for each Board to determine its priorities within the resources available.

(AQW 2312/01)

Mr M McGuinness: In the current financial year a total of £744,075 has been spent on consultancy costs in respect of Public-Private Partnerships projects (including Classroom 2000).

(AQW 2313/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I am content that following a number of searching reports on provision, the Department has made improvements to its policy for children with Special Educational Needs. My Department and the Education and Library Boards are currently working together to promote better working practices.

DE has a Code of Practice and a process, which all Boards must follow. The Regional Strategy Group for Special Educational Needs is considering ways in which it can ensure uniformity of assessment and equality of provision for children and the efficient and effective use of resources.

(AQW 2355/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Factors taken into account in the consideration of a proposal to close a school include enrolment patterns, educational factors, condition of the school premises, alternative provision in the area, social and community issues plus local objections and representations made about the proposal. The overriding consideration in any case is the educational interests of the pupils.

(AQW 2358/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I have received two Assembly Questions and a small number of letters and have also responded in the Assembly to a Motion on the subject of the Golden Jubilee. I would refer you to the statement which I made during the debate on that Motion, which is included in the Assembly Official Report for 12 February 2002.

(AQW 2376/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I refer the Member to my reply to his questions on 11 February. I have nothing further to add.

(AQW 2378/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Responsibility for the regulation of the community, private and voluntary early years sector falls within the remit of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and settings in that sector are subject to the requirements of the Children (NI) Order 1995 and relevant guidance. The Department of Education's involvement in the private and voluntary sector is limited to the allocation of funded places under the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme, an initiative for which my Department is responsible. Those centres participating in the Programme are required to have at least half of their staff holding a relevant qualification in education and childcare. Of the qualified staff, at least one member must be qualified to NVQ level 3 or equivalent and the remaining qualified staff must be qualified to NVQ level 2 or equivalent.

In grant-aided nursery schools and units, staff must comprise a qualified teacher and a qualified nursery assistant per class.

(AQW 2389/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The figures below have been provided by the Education and Library Boards and set out the net expenditure per secondary school pupil over the last 5 years.

The figures include -

• amounts made available under LMS Formulae.

• centre funds held by Boards distributed to schools in the course of the year to meet certain costs arising from items of expenditure such as teacher substitution, contingency funds and initiatives funded by both the ELBs and the Department.

• The figures exclude centrally held resources, such as Home to School Transport, CASS, School Meals and Central Administration, as these are not costed to individual schools.

(AQW 2390/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The figures below have been provided by the Education and Library Boards and set out the net expenditure per primary school pupil over the last 5 years.

The figures include -

• amounts made available under LMS Formulae.

• centre funds held by Boards distributed to schools in the course of the year to meet certain costs arising from items of expenditure such as teacher substitution, contingency funds and initiatives funded by both the ELBs and the Department.

• The figures exclude centrally held resources, such as Home to School Transport, CASS, School Meals and Central Administration, as these are not costed to individual schools.

(AQW 2409/01)

Mr M McGuinness: In setting each educational target, account has been taken of trends over recent years in the indicator in question, taking all schools together irrespective of free school meal entitlement. So far as encouraging individual schools to set targets is concerned, my Department provides 'benchmarking' information on the attainment of schools with a similar percentage rate of free school meal entitlement.

Research evidence was summarised in Statistical Bulletin SB2/96 'Free school meals and low achievement', June 1996 and more recently in 'NTSN: Analysis of existing information on education participation, achievement and outcomes for disadvantaged individuals and groups', May 2001, both published by my Department.

(AQW 2420/01)

Mr M McGuinness: There have been no North/South education projects involving the Department of Education and the Department of Education and Science which were solely funded by my Department other than that referred to in my answer to AQW 2054/01.