(AQW 2432/01)

Mr M McGuinness: It was considered that the educational needs of the children in the area would best be met through the amalgamation of Hillsborough and Newport Primary Schools in a new primary school in Hillsborough. This decision was based on a range of factors including enrolment patterns (where the current figure for Newport is 61 pupils), potential changes to enrolments, educational factors, alternative provision in the area, condition of the existing schools' premises, social and community issues plus objections and representations made about the proposal to amalgamate the two schools. The decision fully reflects my statement of 6 December 2000 about the importance of consulting with local communities. In the present case there was full consultation with all relevant groups including staff and Governors at both schools, Newport Concerned Parents Group and a group of MLA's representing Lagan Valley.

It should be emphasised that, subject to being included in a New Starts Programme, the amalgamation decision will provide modern facilities in new accommodation to deliver an improved learning experience for the pupils and staff of both schools.

(AQW 2436/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The information requested is not available. However, for the 2000/01 financial year the figures are as follows:

(AQW 2488/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I have accepted an invitation to visit Carrick Primary School but I regret that my schedule has so far not permitted me to fulfil this commitment. While I cannot at this time give a precise date, I will ensure that the invitation will be taken into account in planning any future visits to the Warrenpoint area.

(AQW 2494/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The question of where young people should pursue their studies after they leave school is essentially one of careers guidance, which is provided by officers of the Careers Service, rather than careers education, which is provided by teachers; as such it falls within the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Employment and Learning.

(AQW 2502/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I cannot give any commitment about funding for Tor Bank School. Planning of a new school is being taken forward by the South-Eastern Board and the school is being considered for a place in the capital programme which I shall be announcing shortly.

(AQW 2503/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I want a modern education system which is fair and will raise standards for all pupils. Decisions about new post-primary arrangements will not be made until I have considered the responses to the current consultation. The Assembly will be consulted about any new arrangements, including any legislation which is necessary.

(AQO 974/01)

Mr M McGuinness: If assistance in finding accommodation for the Down Youth Office is requested by the South-Eastern Education and Library Board, the Department will ask the Valuation and Lands Agency to carry out an initial property search to identify options which may be suitable and to recommend the terms under which they should be acquired. Alternatively the Board could approach the VLA directly.

I understand from the Board that, while it is essential to find alternative accommodation for the Down Youth Office, no decision has been made to relocate the office outside the town of Downpatrick.

(AQO 988/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Standards of literacy and numeracy in the primary sector are improving steadily across all Board areas as measured by end-of Key Stage 2 assessment results; however, there is not yet clear evidence of a steady increase in the post-primary sector. Improving standards generally and, especially standards of literacy and numeracy, remain at the top of my agenda. My Department works closely with the Education and Library Boards and CCMS on the implementation of strategies for improving literacy and numeracy standards. A review of these strategies, which will examine how they can be strengthened and developed to the benefit of all schools, is currently underway.

(AQO 987/01)

Mr M McGuinness: In tackling the educational implications of social deprivation, my approach is to use the most appropriate means of identifying the extent of the problem to be addressed. For example, in the case of the common funding formula for schools, I consider that the use of a pupil-orientated indicator such as entitlement to free school meals is more appropriate than using the Noble indicators which are location-based and could not, therefore, be used to target resources at schools with socially deprived children in attendance, given that pupils do not always attend their nearest school.

The extent to which Noble indicators are used by Education and Library Boards in circumstances where they consider their use to be appropriate, is a matter for the Boards themselves. I would not see their use in such circumstances as being inconsistent with my approach to social deprivation.

(AQO 993/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I should explain that the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment is responsible for the setting, marking and administration of the Transfer Tests, while other administrative duties, including recruitment, training and payment of invigilators and posting of results are the responsibility of Education and Library Boards.

I am advised by CCEA and the Boards that cost of administering the transfer procedure tests in 2001/02 was £188,000.

(AQO 960/01)

Mr M McGuinness: In many professions it is normal for those starting out on their careers to move up their salary scale incrementally each year. This does not mean that they are being treated inequitably compared to colleagues, who are at a higher point on the same salary scale because they started the job before them.

The same practice applies to the teaching profession, where it is a long-standing principle, negotiated between Management Side and Teachers' Side, to pay teachers according to their qualifications and experience. As such, teachers with a good honours degree start on the second point of the pay scale, which is currently £17,001 per annum, rising to £24,843 after 7 years' service. They can then apply for threshold assessment at the start of their 8th year of service and, if successful, move onto the first point of the upper pay scale, which is £26,919 per annum.

(AQO 991/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The employing authorities and my Department are very concerned to make sure that the right health support arrangements are in place and working for teachers. In particular, considerable emphasis is placed on the importance of a strong employer/employee relationship, which is why Management Side of the Teachers' Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools) has commissioned a report into teachers' health and well-being.

In addition, the employing authorities have drawn up a common policy and procedures on managing attendance at work. They provide schools with support and advice in promoting a culture which recognises that good attendance by school staff enhances the learning of children. The policy also raises awareness of the employing authorities' staff care services, which provide support for those suffering from stress, anxiety or who having difficulty coping with life experiences such as bereavement, relationships, family or financial difficulties and work related problems.

(AQO 992/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Expenditure incurred by the Department of Education in producing documents for consultation over the last 3 years is as follows:

* period 2 December 1999 - 31 March 2000

(AQO 990/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Negotiations are taking place between my Department, Management Side and Teachers' Side in order to reach a mutually acceptable way forward. In the meantime, both Unions have made it clear that their action will not affect pupils' education. The position is being kept under close review, and so far there is no evidence of any adverse effect on the quality of teaching and learning.

(AQO 989/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The majority of special schools are in reasonably good order but there are still serious accommodation problems in some of the former 'Special Care' schools which transferred to the Education sector in 1987. My Department has sought to give priority to the replacement of these schools as reflected by the inclusion of sixteen of them in capital programmes announced since 1990.

There remain 11 special schools requiring major capital development in the school capital priorities planning list.

(AQO 1013/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The video was made available to the Education Committee in draft form and a number of changes have been made to reflect their comments. The video is in the final stages of production and will be issued with supporting materials to all schools, FE Colleges, community groups and public libraries at the end of March.

The aim is to provide information on the review, clarify the proposals made by the Review Body and to explain the arrangements for consultation. I hope that the video and supporting materials will stimulate discussion about the main issues and will encourage informed responses to the review.

(AQO 968/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I met the Vice-Chancellors on 19 February to discuss the need for change in post- primary education.

Both Vice Chancellors said that a significant and increasing number of students are progressing to university from non-grammar and non A-level routes. This is an important point to be considered in the post-primary review.

Professor McKenna said that only about 50% of students at the University of Ulster have traditional A-levels and the university found no difference in academic outcome irrespective of the route taken by students to reach university. He stressed that academic and vocational study should be given parity of esteem.

Sir George Bain said that Queen's has many students who do not come via the traditional A-level route and they include some of the university's best students. Sir George indicated that Queen's wants the most able students regardless of their social or economic background, or the method of study they pursued.

Both Vice-Chancellors agreed that post-primary education should maximise the potential of children within society, and that there should be an open, transparent and equitable system which ensures that all who can benefit from higher education get the opportunity to do so.

(AQO 957/01)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department wrote to the Chief Executives of the five Education and Library Boards and to the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools on 22 November 2001 asking them to consider what priority schemes could be considered as PPP projects for inclusion in future capital programmes. The replies are being considered and it is planned to hold a series of meetings with the Boards and CCMS later in the year to progress the PPP initiative.

I will be making an announcement later this month in relation to the New Starts Programme and will be considering the use of Public-Private Partnerships to reduce the current backlog.

(AQW 2273/01)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): On 16 October 2001 I issued a consultation paper on how to realise the potential of renewable energy to generate electricity in Northern Ireland. The responses received are currently being evaluated but it is already clear that wind generation will remain a key technology within the overall renewables mix in Northern Ireland.

I envisage that the mechanisms necessary to encourage the rapid development of all relevant renewable energy systems will be determined during the next 6-8 months. My Department has received outline assessments of the level of land based wind generation available and has also agreed with the Crown Estate the terms of a lease for a 150 megawatt offshore wind farm off the North Coast of Northern Ireland. A competition to award the lease is currently underway with the aim to select a developer by the end of April.

However, the intermittent nature of wind power raises a number of complex control and systems security issues which must be fully understood and dealt with if the maximum potential of wind to generate electricity in Northern Ireland is to be realised. My Department, together with NIE and a senior academic specialising in wind generation are currently engaged in a comprehensive study of the electricity network in Northern Ireland. The study will determine the maximum level of wind generation which can be safely and economically accommodated on the electricity network.

In addition the Regulator has brought forward proposals for alleviating trading disincentives for wind generation which aim to encourage greater investment in micro and small scale wind power projects. These are currently being considered.

Full details of the Regulator's proposals can be obtained from OFREG, Tel: 028 9031 1575 or by visiting their website .www.nics.gov.uk/ofreg.

(AQW 2314/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The non-manufacturing sector makes a significant contribution to the Northern Ireland economy accounting for 83.5% of GDP and for 84.5% of all employee jobs in NI. Over the last five years the number of employee jobs in non-manufacturing sectors has grown by 14.2% and this positive trend is expected to continue.

Limited data is available at Parliamentary Constituency level and it is not possible to provide an up-to-date assessment of the current state of the non-manufacturing sector in West Tyrone. However, employment data at Parliamentary Constituency level is available up to September 1999. At this date Census of Employment data indicated that non-manufacturing jobs accounted for 80% of total employee jobs for West Tyrone. This compares to an average for NI of almost 83% at the same date. Between 1997 and 1999 the number of non- manufacturing jobs in West Tyrone grew by 4.8% compared to NI growth of 6.7%.

(AQW 2315/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The adverse impact of the Foot and Mouth outbreak on the local tourism sector, particularly rural tourism, is widely acknowledged. Forecasts for the year 2001 indicate a 2% decline in visitor numbers to Northern Ireland but the arrangements for collecting tourism statistics do not enable definitive regional impacts to be attributed to the outbreak.

(AQW 2336/01)

Sir Reg Empey: West Belfast

Within the West Belfast Parliamentary Constituency area IDB has units in the following Industrial/Business Parks:

Additionally, there are six further business parks in the West Belfast Parliamentary Constituency run by Local Enterprise Agencies:

East Belfast

There are three LEDU, DOE/DSD and Belfast City Council-supported sites in East Belfast Parliamentary Constituency:

While IDB has no land or buildings in East Belfast the private sector offers significant industrial property in the area. There is c105 acres available (subject to planning) at Titanic Quarter, c8 acres at Titanic Technology Park, c6 acres at the former ESSO tanks site and c35 acres under development and c15 acres available from BHC at Sydenham Business Park in the Harbour Estate. At the Titanic Properties Channel Commercial Park there is 110,000 sq ft of business space available for occupation and a further 100,000 sq ft planned.

(AQW 2379/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The terrorist attacks of September 11th have had a serious adverse affect on international tourism. While most of our long haul visitors in 2001 would have already visited prior to 11th September, the impact will continue to be felt for some time. The arrangements for collecting tourism statistics do not enable definitive regional impacts to be specifically attributed to the horrifying events.

(AQW 2008/01)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Nesbitt) [holding answer 5 March 2002]: The number of prosecutions for pollution of watercourses by my Department's Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and by the Fisheries Conservancy Board in each of the last 5 years is set out in the table below.

Rather than taking court action against a polluter, EHS may instead issue a warning letter. A warning letter can deal effectively with less severe incidents, giving advice to prevent further pollution and warning of the consequences of not doing so. There is no penalty attached to a warning letter, but it may be produced in court in the event of a further offence. The number of warning letters issued is also included in the table.

* Only those cases of pollution where statutory samples were taken.

EHS may also serve a notice requiring action to prevent or remedy pollution, or to prohibit any activity causing or having potential to cause pollution. EHS may also seek a court order against a convicted offender requiring that person to remedy or nullify the pollution in question.

(AQW 2089/01)

Mr Nesbitt [holding answer 4 March 2002]: Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) is responsible for the protection of water quality in Northern Ireland, in line with the requirements of the Water (NI) Order 1999, EC legislation, and other Departmental commitments. EHS is responsible, under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, which implement the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive in NI, for setting standards and assessing compliance of treatment works and collection systems.

Water Service of DRD is responsible for the provision and improvement of sewerage and water facilities under the Water and Sewage Services Order 1973.

The Planning Service consults Water Service on all development proposals potentially impacting on water and sewerage infrastructure. Where Planning Service feels it necessary, it also consults with the Water Management Unit of EHS, which is responsible for monitoring effluent discharged from Waste Water Treatment Works and its impact on water quality.

Where properties are not connected to the public sewer, private operators or householders may, subject to conditions laid down by EHS, obtain prior consent to discharge to a waterway or the underground stratum under the terms of the Water Order. In such cases it is the responsibility of the discharger to ensure that appropriate treatment is provided to meet consent conditions. Proposals for treatment are considered by Planning Service during the process of planning applications.

Water Service, EHS and the Environment and Health Department of the District Council are consulted as appropriate. When consulted by Planning Service about development proposals, EHS seeks to identify the risk to the environment through assessment of the performance of the receiving sewage treatment works and the sewerage system and also compliance with current and potential EHS and Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive standards.

Where the advice from Water Service or EHS is that there is no infrastructure in place, that a proposed development will cause overloading of a sewerage system or treatment works, or cause or exacerbate non-compliance with any EC Directive, the Planning Service would seek further advice on alternative or interim arrangements. These might include phasing of development, use of negative conditions attached to a planning consent to prevent development commencing pending a solution being put in place, or requests to the developer to contribute funding to possible solutions. Where no alternative can be found, a refusal of planning permission would normally follow.

Where possible, EHS will seek to draw the attention of Planning Service to potential problems relating to sewerage infrastructure capacity at Area Plan stage.

In some cases, potential overloading of a works has been countered by the provision of enhanced treatment by the Water Service. This is, however, not always possible.

(AQW 2125/01)

Mr Nesbitt [holding answer 5 March 2002]: All applications for wind farm development are considered under existing planning regulations and against prevailing planning policies, taking account of representations received following normal advertising and consultation procedures.

The main policy guidance in this area is contained in "A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland". This states that all proposals for wind farms will be assessed in respect of their implications for the visual, ecological and historic landscapes; the implications for agriculture; and the safety and amenity of local residents. It also makes it clear that permissions will not be granted within, or in any location, where they would have a seriously detrimental impact on the amenity of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, (AONB) or any area designated for its conservation, scientific, archaeological or historic interest.

Consultation on wind farm proposals will normally include the Environmental Health Department of the relevant local Council, my own Department's Environment and Heritage Service, the Department for Regional Development's Roads and Water Services, the Ministry of Defence, and the Civil Aviation Authority.

In addition, under the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999, my Department may require an Environmental Statement where a proposal involves the installation of more than 2 turbines; or the hub height of any turbine or height of any other structure exceeds 15 metres. This Statement will provide my Department with detailed information about the impact that a proposal may have on the environment.

As regards the visual impact of planning applications for wind farms in proposed Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Co. Fermanagh, I can assure you that careful and detailed consideration will be given to any such proposals, against the policies and regulations outlined above.

(AQW 2134/01)

Mr Nesbitt [holding answer 5 March 2002]: The number of Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency staff currently seeking a transfer to another Department has now reduced to 26. The length of time each of these has been waiting on the Central Transfer List is detailed below in ascending order.

(AQW 2195/01)

Mr Nesbitt [holding answer 8 March 2002]:

(a) The cost to local councils of compliance with EC Regulation 2037 / 2000 is dependent upon a number of variable factors. These include the number of waste fridges to be dealt with, the time taken to establish an approved disposal route, the location of the recycling plant, and the cost of recycling. The exact cost to councils of recycling will not be known until more robust estimates of the numbers of domestic fridges and freezers are available and the unit costs of disposal have been established through tendering. My officials continue to work with District Councils to determine numbers and costs.

(b) There should be limited impact from the Regulation on costs to private individuals. Several options are currently available for disposal of waste fridges and freezers. District Councils are statutorily obliged to accept, free of charge, waste domestic refrigeration equipment for disposal. Councils are also statutorily obliged to collect this equipment, if requested to do so, although Councils can, and some do, impose a charge for this service. Alternatively some charity shops or refurbishment shops will collect these items for reuse.

In liaison with Councils consideration is being given to the conditions under which partnership arrangements might be entered into with retailers and refurbishment outlets to provide the most effective and environmentally friendly collection and recycling service.

(AQW 2256/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The High Hedges Bill referred to, was a Government sponsored Private Member's Bill that failed to complete its necessary legislative stages. It no longer forms part of the legislative programme for England and Wales.

I have no plans, at present, to introduce similar legislation to the Assembly.

(AQW 2316/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Environment Ministers from the three devolved administrations have standing invitations to attend meetings of the Cabinet Committee on the World Summit on Sustainable Development (MISC 18). Unfortunately, it was not possible for my predecessor to attend any of the three meetings of the Committee to date, because of other commitments, in particular Executive and Assembly business.

I plan to attend meetings of MISC 18 when I can, subject as before to Executive and Assembly business taking priority. My officials will continue to receive papers for, and to attend where appropriate, meetings of the Steering Group of officials supporting MSC 18.

(AQW 2347/01)

Mr Nesbitt: In accordance with my Department's Development Plan Programme, work is due to commence on the preparation of the West Tyrone Area Plan in the middle of 2002.

It is envisaged that the Draft Plan will be published within 18 months of the commencement date.

The purpose of the new Plan will be to set out the broad planning framework for the physical development of the entire area, including all the urban settlements and the rural hinterland within the council areas of Omagh and Strabane, for the succeeding 15 year period. The Plan will also advise the public and potential land users on the policy framework which will be used to guide future development, and provide a basis for the control of this development.

(AQW 2348/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The information requested is only available on a parliamentary constituency basis from January 2000.

(a) Details of the total number of valid planning applications which have been lodged with the Planning Service in each of the last two years for the South Belfast constituency area are set out below:

(b) Details of the number of decisions issued and planning applications approved for the South Belfast constituency in each of the last two years are set out below:

I should explain that it is not possible to make a direct comparison between the number of applications received during these two years and the number of approvals issued. This is because the number of decisions made during 2000 and 2001 will include approvals of applications received prior to each of these years, and also because some of the applications received during this period will not be determined until after 31 December 2001.

To obtain details for the 12 months prior to 1 January 2000 would entail manual checking of relevant application files in the Downpatrick and Belfast Divisional Planning Offices, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to the Department.

(AQW 2380/01)

Mr Nesbitt: EC Regulation 2037 / 2000 requires that with effect from 1 January 2002 all Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) contained in domestic refrigeration equipment must be removed using approved technologies.

Such substances are present not only in the refrigerant but also in the insulating foam of older domestic fridges and freezers. There is currently no plant in the UK capable of removing ODS contained in the insulating foam and hence the short term requirement for storage.

My officials have been liaising with the councils, DEFRA and the waste management industry to quantify the impact of the Regulation, provide advice and develop standards relating to the storage and disposal of waste fridges and freezers.

Draft standards on the storage of waste units awaiting disposal along with advice to householders issued to all councils for consideration on 10 January 2002. Further guidance on standards for the removal of ODS from refrigerants, from insulating foam and on the destruction of ODS are currently being finalised. These will inform the waste management industry of the types of processes required for disposal and will assist councils in the compilation of contract documents.

Officials have been considering, along with the councils and the Government Procurement Agency the development of a collective contract to maximise the benefits of economies of scale and reduce the financial burden on the local authorities.

Further liaison is ongoing into the conditions under which partnership arrangements might be entered into with retailers and refurbishment outlets to provide the most effective and environmentally friendly collection and recycling service.

(AQW 2381/01)

Mr Nesbitt: I refer the Member to my reply to AQO 908/01, which was answered in the Chamber on Monday 4 March 2002.

(AQW 2382/01)

Mr Nesbitt: Action on this is taken within the context of the of the Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC). The Directive aims to minimise the amount of packaging generated and to decrease the tonnage going to landfill sites. The Directive is implemented here by the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waster) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999. The Regulations promote the introduction of reusable packaging systems, with a projected life of at least four years. A number of companies in the dairy and drinks sectors here have managed to reduce their costs considerably through the use of returnable glass bottles.

Packaging is closely linked to the product it contains and the requirements of the customer. Companies must also balance the composition of the packaging and the need to use the correct specification to ensure the safety and hygiene of the product.

My Department has published 'Guidelines for Company Reporting on Waste' to assist business. The Industrial Research and Technology Unit of DETI also provides advice and guidance to companies on the design of packaging. The message of reduction, reuse and recycling within this industrial sector is also being promoted within the Department's public awareness and information programme.