(AQW 3105/01)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): A Northern Ireland student on an exchange to the USA can be considered, in certain circumstances, for support in respect of fees, supplementary allowances and loans under the Student Support Regulations.

Support is also available through the Business Education Initiative for travel, living costs, books, insurance and personal allowances for a number of Northern Ireland students studying in US colleges.

(AQW 3152/01)

Ms Hanna: Queen’s University, like all UK Universities, is a legally independent body with a large degree of autonomy in managing its own affairs including interfacing with its student body. I have no information on the financial turnover in the Students’ Union Bar at Queen’s University for the financial year 2000/01. During this time, the bar licence was held by the Queen’s Union Club; the bar finances were separate from those of the University.

(AQW 3165/01)

Ms Hanna: Queen’s University, like all other UK Universities, is a legally independent body with a large degree of autonomy to manage its affairs. As regards estates it is obliged to comply with certain prescribed procedures but these do not require notifying the Department of individual asset values. However the total value of the University’s assets is reflected in its Annual Accounts a copy of which may be obtained from the University.

(AQW 3166/01)

Ms Hanna: Queen’s University, like all other UK Universities, is a legally independent body with a large degree of autonomy in managing its affairs including contact details relating to students. I have therefore no locus in this matter which is internal to the University.

(AQW 3167/01)

Ms Hanna: Queen’s University, like all other UK Universities, is a legally independent body with a large degree of autonomy to manage its affairs including the provision of student accommodation. I have therefore no locus in this matter which is internal to the University.

(AQW 3168/01)

Ms Hanna: Queen’s University, like all other UK Universities, is a legally independent body with a large degree of autonomy in managing its affairs including student attendance. I have therefore no locus in this matter which is internal to the University.

(AQW 3191/01)

Ms Hanna: The Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College (NIHCC) is the only college which specialises specifically in hospitality and catering. The remaining 16 colleges offer a range of full-time and part-time courses in hospitality and catering as part of their provision.

I have arranged for tables detailing enrolments in hospitality and catering across the FE sector, the country of domicile for students and the destination of students leaving hospitality and catering, for the last 5 years, to be placed in the Assembly library. Figures relating to the academic year 2001/2002 are provisional.

My Department has recently consulted on a proposal to merge the NIHCC with the University of Ulster (UU) and representations have been made by a number of interested parties; these representations are currently being considered.

(AQW 3210/01)

(a) The self-employment route available within New Deal provides initial awareness training in self-employment issues and the opportunity to try out a business idea for up to 26 weeks while in receipt of a training allowance.

(b) Since it’s introduction (April 1998) by the end of March 2002 a total of 980 participants started the self-employment option - of whom 217 were still participating at that time.

(c) To date 367 participants have returned to benefits after completing the self-employment option. The destination of participants is counted as the last known destination within 3 months of leaving the programme.

(AQW 3278/01)

Ms Hanna: My Department published a Framework and Consultation Paper on Adult Literacy entitled ‘Essential Skills for Living’ on 17 April 2002. This paper is out for public consultation until the 21 June 2002. After the consultation period my officials will analyse all responses received and produce by September 2002 an action plan to tackle the problems of adults with low levels of literacy and numeracy.

(AQW 3279/01)

Ms Hanna: There is at present no agreed curriculum to guide the work in Essential Skills in Northern Ireland. The Department is currently piloting a number of projects to test how the Adult Core Curriculum can best be applied in Northern Ireland. The aim will be to develop a curriculum, which is sufficiently flexible to meet the different learning styles, the different prior achievements and the different goals of learners. Northern Ireland will have a regional curriculum in place for Essential Skills at Entry Level by September 2002 and for all levels by September 2003.

(AQW 3280/01)

Ms Hanna: In respect of further education, there have been a number of recent representations received from MPs and MLAs. These include: requests about progress on proposals for major capital works at specific further education colleges; details of financial support available for students; details of colleges which are facing financial difficulties; and the use of further education funding vis-à-vis match funding for European Social Fund projects.

As regards higher education, the issue of funding has been raised at recent meetings with the Vice-Chancellors of Queen’s University, Belfast and University of Ulster, the Assembly Committee and the Association of University Teachers.

(AQW 3281/01)

Ms Hanna: Total funding of £154 million has been made available, in the 2002/2003 financial year, for the Further Education Sector. The majority of this funding is in support of further education colleges and is provided to colleges through their main recurrent block grant and through various earmarked funding initiatives.

(AQW 3284/01)

Ms Hanna: The terms and conditions of service of Further Education lecturers are a matter for governing bodies of Colleges, after consultation with teacher unions. Duties in excess of contractual hours are voluntary. Likewise, Higher Education institutions are responsible for their own employment policies and practices.

(AQW 3296/01)

Ms Hanna: The details requested are as follows:

The 2001/02 figures represent spending for the year to March 2002.

The Northern Ireland figures included contracts with large international companies with offices in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3338/01)

Ms Hanna: I met with a delegation from the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education on 26 March 2002 to discuss a range of issues including Further Education lecturers’ pay and conditions. Regarding the workloads of FE lecturers, I would refer you to my response to your question AQW/3284/01 on the same topic.

(AQW 3339/01)

Ms Hanna: Following a review of Student Support arrangements in NI a £65m package was introduced to encourage participation in Higher Education, particularly from students from low income families. My Department is funding special projects that aim to stimulate demand for HE from underrepresented groups by raising aspirations, improving student attainments and thereby increasing progression rates into HE. Further, my Department provides a funding premium to the universities to assist with retention of students from these groups.

(AQW 3399/01)

Ms Hanna: The Department is actively publicising the benefits of Modern Apprenticeships, and raising awareness of apprenticeships generally, amongst careers advisers, young people, parents, employers, employer representative bodies and training organisations.

As part of this campaign, the Department, in conjunction with the NI Training Councils Association, is currently promoting a competition to select the NI "Modern Apprentice of the Year".

(AQW 3412/01)

Ms Hanna: Employers may be permitted to fill vacancies with non-European nationals if they can demonstrate that recruitment within EEA countries has been unsuccessful. Under the Immigration Act 1971 potential employees must possesses the skills, qualifications and experience necessary for the job. Work permits are not issued for low-level or unskilled jobs.

(AQW 3413/01)

Ms Hanna: My Department has, as part of its JobCentre network, a European Employment Service and has been working successfully with a number of employers in the food production and processing sector to recruit labour from the European Union.

(AQW 3414/01)

Ms Hanna: The Northern Ireland universities, like all other UK Universities, are legally independent bodies with a large degree of autonomy in managing their affairs. I have therefore no locus in this matter which is internal to the universities.

(AQW 3549/01)

Ms Hanna: There were no new Chairpersons appointed to the Fair Employment Tribunals and Industrial Tribunals between May 2000 and May 2002.

(AQW 3235/01)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): The thresholds and rates for National Insurance contributions are a reserved matter for which Her Majesty’s Treasury is responsible across the UK. The increase in the amount of employers’ NI contributions was one of a number of measures affecting business including, for example, a reduction in small companies’ corporation tax rate and an R&D tax credit for larger companies. The combined impact on the level of employment and the economy in general of all these measures is uncertain and depends on decisions made by individual firms.

(AQW 3297/01)

Sir Reg Empey: It would not be possible to supply this information except at disproportionate cost to the Department.

(AQW 3298/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Invest NI maintains a close working relationship with management at Ballynahinch and has recently completed a "competitiveness assessment" of the company. As a result Invest NI has agreed a programme of business improvement activity, to take place over the next few months.

Whilst the Telecoms market remains depressed, in the short-term, the company will continue to monitor business conditions closely and react to the situation in matching its workload and employment levels to market demand. Invest NI will continue to liaise closely with the company

(AQW 3374/01)

Sir Reg Empey: On 10 December 2001 I received the agreement of my Executive colleagues to a number of proposals to help reduce regulatory burdens on business. The proposals, which are being implemented by Northern Ireland Departments, include the introduction of revised Regulatory Impact Assessment requirements for new legislation, prior notification periods for all new legislation affecting business and the formal introduction of an Enforcement Concordat for Departments, agencies and local authorities.

(AQW 3390/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is currently administering a further funding programme under the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2000-2004. Under Priority 4 of this initiative grant assistance will be made available to marketing projects that will assist Northern Ireland to position itself in the global marketplace and on infrastructure- type projects that will promote and develop, in a sustainable manner, the region’s natural and cultural attributes. Grant applications under the International Fund for Ireland’s (IFI) Visitor Attraction Scheme will also be available from June 2002. This scheme is aimed at the improvement of facilities at existing visitor centres and amenities.

Applications for assistance under the EU and IFI initiatives, as well as NITB’s ongoing Tourism Development Scheme, will be welcome from the Lough Neagh area of Upper Bann.

In addition all existing tourist accommodation businesses located in the area which have been certified by the NITB are eligible to apply to Invest Northern Ireland for Selective Financial Assistance grants.

(AQW 3415/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN), on behalf of the DoE’s Environment and Heritage Service, the Northern Ireland Sports Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) are currently undertaking a review of this long distance walking route. CAAN’s final report, which is due to be available towards the end of this year, will include recommendations and an action programme for the future of the Ulster Way. NITB (and the other bodies involved) will take on board the contents of this final report in considering the future of the Ulster Way.

NITB recognises walking as a key product area. It annually produces a dedicated information guide to "Walking in Northern Ireland" and both chairs and co-ordinates a Walking Product Marketing Group that discusses both the development and marketing of walking routes throughout Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3495/01)

(AQW 3192/01)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Nesbitt): The work undertaken by consultants in the last 2 years on behalf of the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), relevant to the Carrickfergus Borough Council area, dealt with the management and promotion of EHS properties throughout Northern Ireland. This work involved three projects: a review of the exhibitions at EHS’s properties; a review of the management and maintenance of six of EHS’s major properties; and a review of charging and commercialisation at EHS properties.

None of the work related specifically to the Carrickfergus Borough Council area. However, Carrickfergus Castle, one of EHS’s most important sites, was included in all three projects.

The total costs of the projects were £67,850.

(AQW 3212/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991, which were made under The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 and came into operation on 25 March 1991, prohibited the use of contaminating material, which includes solder containing lead, in the installation of fittings conveying or receiving water supplied for domestic purposes.

No comprehensive assessment has been carried out of the use of lead solder in the water pipework of domestic residences. However, inspections of domestic plumbing, carried out by Water Service, indicate that the use of solder containing lead is not a significant problem. Although solder containing lead is still available in the market place, plumbing contractors and suppliers are aware that it must not be used in the installation of drinking water pipework.

A new European Union Drinking Water Directive, which imposes higher standards for a number of drinking water parameters including lead, comes into force at the end of 2003. Action being taken by Water Service to ensure compliance with the Directive includes the introduction of orthophosphate treatment to reduce the amount of lead in drinking water. In consultation with the Department of the Environment’s Drinking Water Inspectorate, Water Service has prioritised sites throughout Northern Ireland for the introduction of orthophosphate treatment. Construction of the treatment facilities started in March of this year and are due to be completed in March 2003.

(AQW 3217/01)

Mr Nesbitt: I am aware of the concerns expressed on the growth of apartments in this area.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the demand for small unit housing, including apartments.

All applications for apartment development are assessed under the current Area Plan, Planning Policies and Guidance and due regard is paid to the impact the proposal will have on the character of the area to which the member refers, and to normal planning considerations.

Current policy for housing is set out in Planning Policy Statement 7 - Quality Residential Environments. This requires developers to provide high quality housing proposals which are sympathetic to the existing character of an area, in order to avoid a level of intensification which can adversely affect local townscape character and identity. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring that proposals are sympathetic to their context, and this is an important consideration when applications for apartment developments are being considered.

In addition, Development Control Advice Note 8, Small Unit Housing, which the Department expects to publish in final form shortly, will provide specific guidance on proposals for small unit housing within existing urban areas. While it does not set policy, it gives guidance on the physical form of housing development, including apartments, and on the relationship with surrounding properties.

I can assure you that all proposed developments will be considered against prevailing planning policies and the concerns expressed by elected representatives and the public will be fully taken into account.

(AQW 3229/01)

Mr Nesbitt: There is no provision in planning legislation to pay compensation to third parties for alleged devaluation of property arising either from development which has received planning permission or from unauthorised development, and I have no plans to introduce such compensation.

My Department’s procedure when it becomes aware of unauthorised development is to have the matter investigated and to form a judgement of whether the development is acceptable or unacceptable in planning terms. An important factor in this consideration is the effect of the development on the amenity of the adjoining residents, and whether this is acceptable in planning terms. The Department will then initiate appropriate action to remedy the breach of planning control.

Where unauthorised development is likely to be acceptable in planning terms, my Department will advise the person responsible to submit an application without delay. Applications will then be processed taking into account any views expressed by members of the public, the comments of consultees and the views of the District Council. A retrospective application is dealt with in the same way as a ‘normal’ planning application and approval will only be granted where normal planning policies and considerations are met.

Where unauthorised development is unacceptable in planning terms, my Department will attempt initially to resolve the matter by negotiation; if this is unsuccessful, then formal enforcement action will normally follow to remedy the situation and any harm or adverse effects on adjoining property.

I recognise that enforcement is a key element in providing a credible approach to the application of planning policy and my officials pursue enforcement action against unauthorised development as actively as possible within the current powers and resources available, particularly where harm and adverse impact on public amenity has occurred. As the Member will be aware, I propose to bring a Bill before the Assembly soon which, among other things, will considerably broaden and strengthen the enforcement powers available to the Department. My Department is also in the process of recruiting additional staff to bolster the development control and enforcement functions in the Planning Service.

(AQW 3245/01)

Mr Nesbitt: Where Planning Service becomes aware of unauthorised infilling of wetland areas or receives a complaint about such activity, investigations are carried out to establish the nature, and extent of the operations carried out.

Advice is also sought from the Environment and Heritage Service (Natural Heritage) on whether any protective status applies to a particular site or whether the integrity of the wetland site is at risk. EHS would also provide advice on any remedial activity required to restore a site.

Planning Service would initially seek to secure the restoration of the site by agreement with the landowner.

In the absence of an agreed resolution, Planning Service would, where it considers it expedient to do so having regard to the provisions of the development plan and to any other material considerations, issue an enforcement notice requiring the breach of planning control to be remedied under Article 68 of Part VI of The Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.

Planning Service is presently taking these steps in relation to a number of sites within the area lying to the south of Lough Neagh.

The Environment and Heritage Service has no statutory power to take action in respect of unauthorised dumping unless it affects designated lands, for example Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs), or if there is good reason to believe that it may cause a water pollution incident.

Under the Pollution Control and Local Government (NI) Order 1978, district councils have powers to prosecute landowners and waste carriers involved in the unauthorised dumping of waste. The Council can also issue a notice requiring the landowner to remove the waste. If the landowner fails to comply with the notice, the council can do the work and recoup the cost from the landowner.

In 1999 the Department issued a Code of Practice to assist councils in dealing with fly-tipping incidents.

Within all wetland ASSIs, infilling or dumping would be a notifiable operation. This means that landowners must seek prior consent from EHS before carrying out this activity within the designated site. It is most unlikely that EHS would give consent to infilling and would seek to negotiate a management agreement with the owner.

(AQW 3264/01)

Mr Nesbitt: In recent years there has been a significant increase in the demand for small unit housing, including apartments. My Department has been seeking clarification on the planning policy context for dealing with these proposals.

The Member will be aware that the Regional Development Strategy provides a new strategic context which encourages more housing, including apartments, within existing urban areas by a process of densification which can be delivered without cramming or spoiling the environment. The Strategy also requires the promotion of more housing in urban areas, however, this should not be allowed to result in damage to areas of distinctive townscape character. In established residential areas an overriding objective will be to avoid any significant erosion of the local character and the environmental quality, amenity and privacy enjoyed by existing residents.

Current policy for housing is set out in Planning Policy Statement 7 Quality Residential Environments.

This requires developers to provide high quality housing proposals which are sympathetic to the existing character of an area, in order to avoid a level of intensification which can adversely affect local townscape character and identity. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring that proposals are sympathetic to their context, and this is an important consideration when applications for apartment developments are being considered.

In the primarily residential parts of Conservation Areas and Areas of Townscape Character, proposals involving intensification of site usage or site coverage will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances. In other established residential areas, proposals for housing development will not be permitted where they would result in unacceptable damage to the local character, environmental quality or residential amenity of these areas.

(AQW 3265/01)

Mr Nesbitt: I am aware of the concerns expressed on the growth of apartments in this area.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the demand for small unit housing, including apartments.

All applications for apartment development are assessed under the current Area Plan, Planning Policies and Guidance and due regard is paid to the impact the proposal will have on the character of the area to which the member refers, and to normal planning considerations.

Current policy for housing is set out in Planning Policy Statement 7 - Quality Residential Environments. This requires developers to provide high quality housing proposals which are sympathetic to the existing character of an area, in order to avoid a level of intensification which can adversely affect local townscape character and identity. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring that proposals are sympathetic to their context, and this is an important consideration when applications for apartment developments are being considered.

In addition, Development Control Advice Note 8, Small Unit Housing, which the Department expects to publish in final form shortly, will provide specific guidance on proposals for small unit housing within existing urban areas. While it does not set policy, it gives guidance on the physical form of housing development, including apartments, and on the relationship with surrounding properties.

I can assure you that all proposed developments will be considered against prevailing planning policies and the concerns expressed by elected representatives and the public will be fully taken into account.

(AQW 3288/01)

Mr Nesbitt: On average, all letters of objection are acknowledged within 4 days. The acknowledgement confirms that the objections are taken into account as part of the decision making process.

In addition, all objectors are informed in writing about the decision, which includes an explanation of the reasons for that decision. The timescale depends on the complexity of the application and the relevant issues raised.

There are plans to speed up the process and ensure that objectors are better informed, as part of the Modernising Planning Processes consultation paper.

(AQW 3317/01)

(a) Under Article 5 of the Pollution Control and Local Government (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 it is an offence to deposit controlled waste or cause or knowingly permit controlled waste to be deposited on any land other than in accordance with the terms of a waste disposal licence. Enforcement against anyone suspected of committing such an offence (generally referred to as fly-tipping) is a matter for district councils. Anyone found guilty of fly-tipping is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5000 or on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to an unlimited fine or both. The fines and jail term may be increased where the waste in question is of a hazardous nature.

District councils also have powers under Article 16 of the 1978 Order to serve a notice requiring the occupier of land on which waste has been unlawfully deposited to remove the waste from the land and to take any necessary remedial action. Failure to comply with such a notice is an offence punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding £2500. Continued failure after conviction to comply with the terms of a notice is deemed to be a further offence punishable on summary conviction by a further fine of £1000 for each day that the offence continues.

The 1978 Order also provides district councils with powers to remove waste illegally dumped and to seek to recover its costs from the occupier or from the person responsible for the illegal dumping, if known.

(b) The provisions of the 1978 Order are to be replaced by similar provisions in the Waste and Contaminated Land Order (NI) 1997. These latter provisions will come into operation with the introduction of a new waste management licensing system, under Waste Management Regulations, expected to be made in autumn 2003. The penalties for fly-tipping under the 1997 Order are in some respects more severe than under the 1978 Order. For example, the maximum fine penalty on summary conviction under the 1997 Order is £20,000 compared with £5000 for a similar offence under the 1978 Order.

While I expect these harsher penalties to act as a greater deterrent to fly-tipping, the problem which remains is how to make those responsible for this activity, which is by its nature furtive, amenable to the enforcement powers of District Councils.

(AQW 3327/01)

Mr Nesbitt: My Department’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) is responsible, under the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, for the regulation of effluent discharges to waterways and underground strata and also for the investigation of pollution and the instigation of enforcement action, where necessary.

The resources allocated to this work are as follows:

* August 1999

** at the end of the financial year

In addition, I have also put forward bids in my Department’s Position Report of £3.5m, £3.5m and £3.7m for 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 respectively to implement relevant EC Directives, including the Water Framework Directive and the Nitrates Directive.

EHS plays a major role in the implementation of legislation related to the protection of surface and ground waters. The key Primary Legislation and Regulations transposing the relevant European Directives into Northern Ireland law are shown at Annex A. Additional legislation proposed, for which consultation papers have been issued, includes:

Regulations on Anti-Pollution Works Notices,

The Silage, Slurry and Fuel Oil Storage Regulations, and

The Water Framework Directive.

(AQW 3375/01)

Mr Nesbitt: Application X/2002/0423/F was received by Downpatrick Divisional Planning Office on 12 April 2002. The application seeks planning permission for a change of house type to Site Nos 1-6 and alterations to previously approved access road at 39 – 41 Main Road, Cloughey. Previous approval had been granted on appeal on 16 November 2001 for the approval of reserved matters for housing development at No 41 Main Road and to the rear of Nos 33-55 Main Street Cloughey (X/2000/0266).

Comparison of the new application with the approved drawings indicated that there are no changes in the house type previously approved. The application is therefore purely for a change to the previously approved layout. The application is to be re-advertised on 16 May 2002 as "Alterations to layout on Sites Nos 1-6 and alterations to previously approved access road." Neighbours and objectors will be renotified.

The new application will have to go through the full planning process, including consultation with the public, consultees within Government and the public sector, and consultation with the District Council. The previous planning approval, for an access road and a layout for the 6 houses remains valid. As the current application is for "alterations", the previous approval will be taken account by Planning Service in the determination of the current application.

(AQW 3376/01)

Mr Nesbitt: Planning applications for development which may affect the Outer Ards Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), the proposed Special Protection Area and Ramsar site, will be referred to my Department’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) for assessment and expert advice. In assessing individual applications the Department will be guided by advice received from EHS and by the policies outlined in its Planning Policy Statement 6, Planning and Nature Conservation.

Should the Special Protection Area Status for the Outer Ards Area be confirmed, my Department will be obliged to ensure that its qualifying features, i.e. its breeding and overwintering bird populations, will not be adversely affected by any development.

With regard to planning application X/2002/0423,this is a current application received on 12 April 2002 for a change of house type to Site Nos 1-6 and alterations to previously approved access road on a site at 41 Main Road, Cloughey. EHS has been consulted and the presence of the ASSI and proposed SPA will be a material consideration in the determination of this application.

(AQW 3377/01)

Mr Nesbitt: There is a rolling programme of work in place to bring DOE’s general office accommodation up to the necessary standard. Approximately 75% of all offices have been visited and inspected and the necessary work has commenced.

As well as this, two of the department’s agencies have "specialised buildings".

The Environment and Heritage Service’s Country Park and Countryside Centres have been constructed quite recently and most have been adapted to provide full access for people with disabilities. Historic Monuments present difficulties, but EHS endeavours to provide as much access for people with disabilities as is reasonable. For example Carrickfergus Castle is to have a lift installed to facilitate access to the exhibitions in the castle’s keep.

The Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency has commissioned Accessibility Audits at all of its centres. An implementation plan is currently being drawn up with a view to having all centres compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act by October 2004.

(AQW 3378/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The number of posts purely devoted to enforcement within the Planning Service is 20. This is made up of 6 Higher Professional and Technology Officers (HPTOs), 8 Professional and Technology Officers (PTOs) and 6 Administrative Officers (AOs). All Divisions except Omagh and Londonderry have 1HPTO, 1PTO and 1 AO. Omagh and Londonderry each have an additional PTO to enable them to cover the Divisional Sub-Offices. In addition, a proportion of senior management time in each Division is devoted to enforcement work.

With regard to the number of enforcement officers employed in areas with equivalent populations to Northern Ireland in the rest of the United Kingdom, the information requested is not readily available, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to the Department.

(AQW 3416/01)

Mr Nesbitt: No one body has overall responsibility for the Ulster Way. The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) of my Department has a statutory function in approving ‘long distance routes’. It also grant-aids Councils and the National Trust in the provision of access routes. Individual stretches are the responsibility of the relevant District Council. EHS has commissioned the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN), to review the future of the Ulster Way. To assist with this, CAAN has established an Ulster Way Working Group which is representative of a wide range of user bodies, statutory agencies and farmers and landowners. The review is due to be completed towards the end of this year. Its findings will be considered by the three relevant government bodies, the Environment and Heritage Service, the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, with a view to agreeing the way forward.

I will want to consider CAAN’s report and take the views of my statutory advisors, the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside, before I make a fuller statement on the future of the Ulster Way.

(AQW 3417/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Local Government (Contracts) Act 1997 allows local authorities in Great Britain (GB) to enter into Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts. This Act does not extend to Northern Ireland. The nature of contracts targeted by GB local authorities would tend to come within the responsibilities of central government here. No immediate plans are in place to introduce legislation equivalent to that in GB. A number of district councils has, however, indicated that there is sufficient scope for PFI, to develop some of their major capital projects. These proposals will be considered, with a view to introducing suitable legislation as soon as possible thereafter.

(AQW 3429/01)

Mr Nesbitt: Where outline planning permission and approval for all the reserved matters have been granted on a site, effectively full planning permission has been granted for the development to proceed. If unforeseen environmental factors prevent the development going ahead as approved, and a revised scheme materially different from that given permission is required, then a fresh application, either for outline permission, followed by a reserved matters submission, or for full planning permission, is needed.