(AQW 2868/01)

Reply: Work on the drafting of legislation to establish a Children’s Commissioner is well advanced and we intend to introduce the Bill to the Assembly this month. This is later than intended, but it was necessary to take sufficient time to ensure that this important and significant piece of legislation fulfils our objective of putting Northern Ireland at the leading edge of best practice.

(AQW 2981/01)

Reply: There are no credit cards currently in use within our department. However, during the financial year ended 31 March 2002 a Government Procurement Card was used and the total amount spent was £2,687.48.

Four credit cards are currently in use within our Department’s non-departmental public bodies or bodies funded by a grant in aid. The Development Office of the Northern Ireland Economic Council has one credit card and the amount spent using this card in the financial year ended 31 March 2002 was £268.04. The Equality Commission has three credit cards and the amount spent on each in the financial year ended 31 March 2002 was £7,260, £4,432 and £1,483 respectively.

The Community Relations Council currently has no credit cards in use but did previously have two cards. The amount spent on each in the financial year ended 31 March 2002 was £3,507.92 and £564.50 respectively.

(AQW 2993/01)

Reply: The cost of design, printing, and distribution of "Reshape, Rebuild, Achieve", the Key Contacts List for Government Departments and Agencies, and the posters and leaflets which accompanied those documents, will amount to approximately £42,000, although some invoices are still outstanding. This figure includes the costs associated with the official launch of the documents and the distribution of some 220,000 leaflets through the three main newspapers in order to reach as many individual victims as possible throughout Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3069/01)

Reply:

(AQW 3133/01)

Reply: We intend to issue our proposals for legislation to address age discrimination early next year. We will ensure that this legislation is in operation before the 2006 deadline imposed by the European Employment Framework Directive.

(AQW 3163/01)

Reply: The Assembly Ombudsman is independent of the Assembly and of government departments. The inquiry should be addressed to the Assembly Ombudsman, 33 Wellington Place, Belfast BT1 6HN.

(AQO 1320/01)

Reply: The Assembly endorsed the Executive’s second Programme for Government for the 2002/03 financial year and beyond in December 2001. The Economic Policy Unit worked with all departments to co-ordinate the work for the Programme.

The Programme sets out two priorities- "Securing a Competitive Economy" and "Investing in Education and Skills" which will contribute to achieving our economic development goals. Within these two priorities, the Programme proposes a wide range of actions which will contribute to the achievement of a modern, high-skilled, knowledge-based economy. These include actions on infrastructure; attracting inward investment; promoting enterprise and innovation; regenerating the rural economy; and improving the education and training of our young people. This approach builds on the proposals in the first Programme for Government, published in March 2001, focusing on the right conditions for economic growth and involves actions across a range of departments.

There is a major role for government in ensuring that the essential infrastructure necessary for economy growth is in place. The new borrowing powers which will be available to the Executive, as part of the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative, should help to ensure that we can make major improvements in our infrastructure.

(AQO 1319/01)

Reply: Women’s Centres can obtain funds from a range of sources. Particularly important among these sources are Government Departments, European Funds, and the National Lotteries Charities Board. This mix of funding sources is a reflection of the broad range of services which these centres provide to their local communities.

Departments make funding available through specific programmes which have particular aims and objectives in line with Departmental priorities. To access these funds, voluntary and community organisations, which includes the women’s centres, are invited to bid, on a competitive basis, against set criteria

(AQO 1308/01)

Reply: Since we last answered questions on this matter, the UK Government has indicated that places will be available within its delegation for each of the devolved administrations. In view of this we are presently considering this administration’s representation.

(AQO 1360/01)

Reply: As stated in the Programme for Government, we initiated last spring the Working Group Review on the opportunities for Public Private Partnerships/Private Finance Initiative (PPP/PFI) in all major public service programmes. The report is to be published later this month to enable us to consult on "financing our future". This will include consideration of and comment on the full range of possible sources of funding and help in the development of a future policy framework on PPPs that takes account of our local context.

The Executive is actively encouraging investment by the private sector to strengthen the economy and generate new employment. The Reinvestment and Reform Initiative, announced on 2 May, provides an opportunity for a substantial infrastructure investment programme, beginning with £200 million of investment in the next two years. Using this package in conjunction with other sources of finance will enable the renewal of essential assets.

As part of the Initiative we intend to establish a new strategic investment body which would be able to take and use the mix of sources of financing – be it from the new borrowing power, from traditional public sector finance or from PPPs. It would link this to the best procurement methods, whether involving the public or private sectors or a combination. By using the new body the Executive hopes to provide the best possible opportunities to promote the effective use of all the various means available.

The Executive’s current approach to stimulating private equity to contribute to our broader economic goals is to leverage increased venture capital provision in the market place where there is clear evident of market failure via venture capital funds financed by a combination of public and private sector finance.

In conclusion, we need to look at all possible sources of funding to help improve our public services and bring together contributions from all sectors including the private sector.

(AQO 1361/01)

Reply: Business transacted at Executive meetings is confidential and is only made public as and when agreed by the Executive.

(AQO 1313/01)

Reply: In September 2000 the Executive Committee initiated a ‘Review of the Northern Ireland Economic Council and the Provision of Economic Advice and Research’. A Steering Group, comprised of academics, researchers and departmental representatives, was set up to carry out the task. The review looked at both the demand for and supply of economic advice. .

Following completion of the review the Executive has agreed that it should propose to set up a single research body to replace the Northern Ireland Economic Council and Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre and we will be consulting on this proposal with the NIEC and NIERC, with the Committee of the Centre, the Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Finance and Personnel Committees.

(AQO 1305/01)

Reply: The First Minister and Deputy First Minister met the Prime Minister on 2 occasions in the last 6 months. In addition, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister met with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Odyssey Arena on 2 May when the Reinvestment Reform Initiative was announced. Both the First Minister and Deputy First Minister have each had 2 separate meetings with the Prime Minister during this period.

(AQO 1311/01)

Reply: I refer the member to the response provided to AQO 1233/01 on 29 April.

(AQO 1321/01)

Reply: Measures are being put in place to raise the profile of the Future of Europe debate in Northern Ireland, including a conference to be held in June or early July 2002. The conference will include representatives of all major sectors and organizations which have involvement in European issues. The Convention will take account of the views expressed by the wider community through the conference and other measures. Meanwhile we are keeping in touch with the development of the debate at the Convention.

(AQO 1307/01)

Reply: Mr Haughey along with Ministers de Brun and Farren met with representatives of Women’s Centres. As a result of this meeting Ministers considered that the best way to begin the process of looking at this was for officials to look at the issue in a general way and initially report back to them.

Our officials convened interdepartmental meetings with departmental representatives and undertook research to explore issues relating to core funding for the women’s voluntary organisations.

It is important that the funding difficulties of the Women’s Centres be resolved in a strategic context as their problems are not unique within the Voluntary and Community Sector. This was recognised in a recent review (The Harbison Review) led by the Department for Social Development who have responsibility for funding the sector as a whole.

Officials are presently finalising a position paper on the funding of women’s organizations generally. They are also liaising with officials in the Department for Social Development with a view to identifying how these funding problems can be most effectively addressed. The position paper will be sent to Ministers for their consideration within the next few weeks.

(AQO 1318/01)

Reply: The Community Relations Policy Review Report has been completed and submitted to us for consideration. It is a lengthy and comprehensive document which offers a number of options as to the form of and approach to be adopted in a new community relations strategy. We want to give those serious and detailed consideration before reaching any conclusion in relation to this crucial area.

(AQO 1316/01)

Reply: We recognise the importance of consultation between departments and their committees in respect of Executive Programme Fund bids and confirm that we will consult with the Committee of the Centre on potential executive Programme Fund bids before they are lodged.

(AQW 2763/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): The number of cases of Brucellosis in cattle recorded in each of the last 5 years was

(b) The number of cases in the month of January 2002 was 44 reactors and the number of reactors in February was 111.

Brucellosis continues to be a serious problem in Northern Ireland with some 284 herds currently being restricted. As the figures demonstrate there has been a significant increase over the last five years in the number of reactors detected and of course the situation was exacerbated by the FMD outbreak last year which resulted in the diversion of resources and the suspension of Brucellosis testing.

That said we have taken steps to deal with the problem through moving from biennial to annual blood testing in the high incidence Divisions of Enniskillen, Newry and Armagh as well as introducing cull cow blood sampling in both of the OTMS slaughter plants and a bulk milk sampling scheme for dairy herds both of which are helping to pick up infection at an early stage.

I have also arranged for more veterinary manpower to be made available for Brucellosis as the remaining FMD controls are further relaxed.

Apart from these ongoing measures a formal review conducted by my officials looking at options for dealing with Brucellosis is nearing completion and in due course I will be considering their recommendations and consulting with industry on the way ahead.

(AQW 3164/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Consultancy Report on a Policy Review of the Northern Ireland Potato Sector was commissioned by me to enable me to consider future support arrangements for the Northern Ireland Seed Potato sector in particular. I intend to put out for public consultation the Recommendations arising from the Report, so that I can take account of the industry’s views on the range of options identified. I would have done this at an earlier stage but felt it prudent to await decisions by the present promotional body, Seed Potato Promotions Ltd (SPP), on its own future, given the recent and continuing difficult situation facing that Company.

As you may be aware, SPP decided, at an Extraordinary General Meeting on Monday 22 April, that it would cease to trade from the end of June 2002. In light of that decision, the way is now clear to begin the consultation phase. I shall be writing shortly to the Assembly Agriculture and Rural Development Committee to begin the consultancy process. I would hope to be able to make final decisions on the way forward in August or September following consultations.

(AQW 3266/01)

Ms Rodgers: I can confirm that the parasitic mite Varroa has been discovered in Honey-bee hives in eight locations in north County Down. Infestations are presently under chemical treatment to control the mite populations on site at each of the apiaries. Bee Inspectors will monitor this treatment to the end of the exposure period. This treatment does not guarantee 100% elimination of the mites but reduces numbers to below a manageable threshold over the summer months. Treatment is applied in autumn if monitoring dictates necessity. Standstill Notices are in operation until the Department is satisfied that the risk of spread is negligible.

Infestations can be effectively treated, but once the mite becomes widespread, there is little doubt that there will be re-occurrences. You are probably aware that, up to now, Northern Ireland has been the only area of the British Isles considered free from this mite, and its presence has obvious implications for bee keepers in leading to loss of honey production and fruit pollination. However, it is of no great surprise that infestation has now occurred here since it is widespread in Great Britain and infestations have been increasingly detected in the Irish Republic, gradually moving north, with two border counties affected in recent years. The extent of the infestations in Northern Ireland will only be known when the annual Spring Survey of hives, which is currently underway, is complete.

Freedom from the mite has enabled Northern Ireland to maintain Protected Zone (PZ) Status within the EU, enabling us to control imports of Queen Bees and bee semen, and contingency arrangements have been put in place to deal with this outbreak. Notices have been served on the hive owners with regard to the isolation, treatment, and if necessary, destruction of the affected hives, and restrictions have been imposed at all bee-keeping locations within a 5km radius of each of the sites. Furthermore, my officials had earlier arranged for wide distribution of a comprehensive booklet dealing with the detection, management and treatment of Varroa.

My officials are currently considering, in consultation with the industry, whether or not PZ status is sustainable. A decision on this issue will also influence whether the present outbreaks will require destruction of the hives or whether measures can be confined to simply treating the bees.

(AQW 3287/01)

Ms Rodgers: The measures currently open under the Rural Development Programme do not apply to individual applications. However, groups or collectives of farmers may bring forward projects for consideration. The measures open are under the Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity (BSP) and the Peace II Programme.

To date, 87% of the applications under the "for profit" element of the BSP Programme have come from farmers’ groups or collectives. Only 5% of the applications under the "not for profit" element of that Programme have come from farmers’ groups or collectives. Likewise, 5% of applications under the Peace II Programme have come from farmers’ groups or collectives.

Individual farmers may bring forward projects under the LEADER + Programme. It is expected that LEADER + Action Groups will be in a position to call for project applications around August / September 2002.

(AQW 3292/01)

Ms Rodgers: (a) Registration of fishing vessels is the responsibility of the Registry of Shipping and Seamen at Cardiff. My Department does not retain information on the number of vessels whose registration denotes a port in Northern Ireland. However, the information available on the number of vessels locally licensed by my Department, is as follows:

*Records of FCU vessel numbers may not be complete for these years. Licensing was not extended to 10m and under vessels until 1 May 1993

(b) During the last ten years, there have been five Decommissioning schemes and a total of 84 vessels have been permanently removed from the Northern Ireland fishing fleet as a result of these schemes. 15 vessels were decommissioned in 1994, 13 in 1995, 20 in 1996, 5 in 1997 and 31 in the 2001 scheme.

(AQW 3358/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Burns Report is not a set of policy proposals. DARD officials have not been involved in consideration of the Report. DARD officials will however be consulted, as appropriate when later this year the Department of Education is drafting policy proposals for post-primary education and, if necessary, will assist in the Rural Proofing of those proposals.

(AQW 3359/01)

Ms Rodgers: Consultation on the issues surrounding the Acute Hospitals Review Group Report will start in the coming weeks. DARD officials will be consulted, as appropriate when DHSSPS is drafting proposals for changes to existing policies and, if necessary, will assist in the Rural Proofing of those proposals.

(AQW 3360/01)

Ms Rodgers: Even though this Review is in its early stages DARD officials have already been involved in consideration of the draft Terms of Reference for the Review. The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister has already identified the need to apply Rural Proofing to Service Delivery. DARD officials will be consulted, as appropriate when OFMDFM is drafting policy proposals for Public Administration and, if necessary, will assist in the Rural Proofing of those proposals.

(AQW 3361/01)

Ms Rodgers: DARD officials, at many levels and in all key work areas, have been closely involved with their colleagues in the Department of Regional Development in the development of the Regional Development Strategy. The contribution from DARD is evident from the extent to which rural issues are reflected in the Strategy Document. The Section on Rural Northern Ireland is comprehensive, and rural issues are reflected in all the other key sections of the document.

DARD officials are members of the Inter-departmental Steering Group set up to monitor the implementation of the Strategy. This will ensure that rural issues continue to be fully considered in the future development of policies that support the Strategy.

(AQW 3367/01)

Ms Rodgers: In response to AQW 1911/01, DARD expenditure on external consultancy and consultancy reports in the period since devolution was confirmed as follows:

(AQW 3371/01)

Ms Rodgers: This Review is in its early stages. DARD officials have been involved in consideration of papers including an Interim Report from consultants identifying strategic issues relating to the Review. DARD officials will be consulted, as appropriate when DFP is drafting proposals for the Review and, if necessary, will assist in the Rural Proofing of those proposals.

(AQW 3395/01)

Ms Rodgers: In Northern Ireland the annual information packs for Area Aid applications under the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS ) are issued in mid- March each year for return on or before 15 May. In 2002 some 25,000 IACS application packs were issued on 18 March 2002 to all producers who submitted an Area Aid application 2001. Blank application forms and information packs have also been available at all County Agriculture Offices since that date for producers entering the scheme in 2002 for the first time.

The issue and ongoing return of 2002 declarations is consistent with previous years. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is not aware of any problems in Northern Ireland relating to either the distribution or receipt of IACS application packs and the closing date for receipt of applications (without penalty) remains 15 May 2002. Under normal rules late applications, which will be subject to penalty, can be accepted until 9 June 2002.

(AQW 3407/01)

Ms Rodgers: I am aware of concerns about flooding in the light of recent reports of studies on climate change. I regret however that it is not possible to provide a simple and definitive response to the first part of your question. My Department’s Rivers Agency has historic records of individual flood events over many years and can provide localised information if requested. However these records do not indicate the frequency or significance of the event. In particular in urban areas flooding may result from blockages of pipes or grilles and is unpredictable.

I can assure you however that Rivers Agency has a robust system for analysing flooding events to identify the causes and scope for remedial action, whether in the form of removal of a simple blockage in a culvert system, or a full scale study of the financial viability of a capital works scheme to provide or upgrade flood defences.

Many households in Northern Ireland currently benefit from major flood alleviation schemes undertaken in towns across the Province and a major scheme to address flooding in Newry is nearing completion. Rivers Agency has a full programme of capital works to alleviate flooding risk where such works are financially viable.

The Agency also has a scheduled maintenance regime for open watercourses, urban culverts and grilles to minimise the risk of flooding.

Additionally Rivers Agency has a vital advisory role in its liaision with DOE Planning Service in seeking to avoid inappropriate development eg development in floodplains.

The annual Rivers Agency budget is in the order of £20 million which includes capital works, maintenance and enforcement.

(AQW 3454/01)

Ms Rodgers: The total expenditure to

(a) Farmers - £7.4 million

(b) Veterinary Surgeons - £1.5 million

(b) There was no expenditure in respect of external valuers as Departmental Valuation Officers carried out all valuations. As there were no disputes at the time of valuation, it was not necessary to employ independent valuers.