(AQW 3162/01)

Reply: The Executive’s Programme for Government contains a number of actions by various Departments aimed at improving community relations. These include the putting in place by the end of the current year a cross-departmental strategy for the promotion of community relations and to ensure an effective and co-ordinated response to sectarian and racial intimidation. Where sectarian tensions have been manifest such as in North Belfast and Larne, officials and voluntary groups have sought to work with local communities to address problems and find solutions.

(AQW 3177/01)

Reply: We refer the Member to the reply we gave to AQO1235/01 on 30 April 2002.

Since this answer was issued we have devoted considerable time and effort to seeking a resolution of this issue. We have had two series of meetings with elected and community representatives.

Last Friday (17 May) we wrote to each of the local MLAs and the key community interests in Ardoyne and Upper Ardoyne. We proposed two programmes of work for progress on community safety and community dialogue that we expect to operate simultaneously but separately. We believe that progress on these programmes will benefit both communities, provide assurances for all the interests involved and create mutually conducive progress.

To set the context for and to underpin the process, we also proposed that both communities at the outset should sign up to a Statement of Principles on Building Trust and Confidence.

Copies of the work programmes and the Statement of Principles are attached for the MLA and have been placed in the Assembly Library.

We have asked the MLAs and community interests to come back to us this Friday 24th May with comments and views after which we will endeavour to take into account any reasonable concerns of either community.

(AQW 3184/01)

Reply: We recognise that the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 was an important development in outlawing discrimination against disabled people but it fell short of providing comprehensive and enforceable civil rights. We are committed to addressing this shortfall and this will be achieved in a number of ways. The disability discrimination law will be further strengthened when the final phase of the Act’s access to services provisions comes into force on 1 October 2004. We will also implement the Executive’s detailed response to the recommendations made by the Disability Rights Task Force. A report on the consultation on our response is in preparation.

When we have finalised this, we will bring forward appropriate legislation to implement legislative proposals for improving disability rights.

As set out in the Programme for Government, we will establish an interdepartmental Working Group this year under the Promoting Social Inclusion element of New TSN to development a strategy to implement the proposals in the Executive’s response and any wider issues raised in the consultation.

Furthermore, we have asked the Equality Commission to consider further a range of issues raised by the Task Force.

(AQW 3421/01)

Reply: The most recently published figures for the composition of the Northern Ireland workforce were those presented in the Equality Commission’s 11th Annual Monitoring Report. These showed the position at 1 January 2000. At that date, the composition of the Northern Ireland workforce was

*The percentages in square brackets exclude those in the Non-determined category.

The Equality Commission’s 12th Annual Monitoring Report on monitoring figures for 2001 will be published later this year.

The composition of the Commission’s workforce at 31 January 2001, and reported in its 2nd Annual Report was

*The percentages in square brackets exclude those in the Non-determined category.

These figures show that both Protestants and men are under-represented in the Commission’s workforce. The Equality Commission is currently using affirmative action measures, such as welcoming statements in job advertisements to help increase the numbers of job applications from the Protestant community and from men.

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s first review under Article 55 of the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998 will be conducted later this year. This review will consider the Commission’s workforce composition and identify an appropriate affirmative programme to address these issues.

The Commission will continue to use lawful affirmative action measures to address under-representation in its workforce.

(AQO 1425/01)

Reply: We deplore all racially motivated and sectarian attacks which have no place in a civilised society.

The responsibility for criminal justice, including criminal law on racially motivated and sectarian crime, is a reserved matter.

The Secretary of State has announced his intention to consult on the scope for strengthening the law in this area, and we await with interest the publication of his proposals.

(AQO 1446/01)

Reply: The Executive approved the draft Bill at its meeting on 16 May 2002.

On 24 May, we wrote to the Speaker enclosing the draft, together with the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum. A Statement on the legislative competence of the Assembly in relation to the bill will follow today.

We have proposed that the bill should be introduced to the Assembly on 5 June.

(AQO 1411/01)

Reply: Work on the development of the Executive’s response to the PSI Working Group Report on Travellers is at an advanced stage.

The Executive will publish its response shortly.

(AQO 1437/01)

Reply: The Executive is there to serve all the people in Northern Ireland. It is therefore appropriate to hold Executive meetings outside Belfast. However, the benefits of Executive meetings flow from the work that is done. By its nature and the decisions it has taken, the Executive has clearly demonstrated its inclusive nature and effectiveness in serving all the people of Northern Ireland.

(AQO 1431/01)

Reply: We will attend a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (Europe) on 11 June, along with Ministers from the other devolved administrations and Whitehall Departments. UK policy positions for the European Council at Seville on 21-22 June will be discussed at this meeting.

(AQO 1432/01)

Reply: A number of North/ South Ministerial Council Meetings have been scheduled to be held following the formation of the new Irish Government. Meetings in the following Sectors have been arranged to take place before the end of June:

• Language

• Special European Programmes

• Tourism

• Food Safety/Health

• Waterways and Trade

Further meetings may also be arranged.

(AQO 1438/01)

Reply: In fulfilling our Programme for Government commitment we are currently developing a strategy to tackle racial inequality with the assistance of departments, statutory agencies, and voluntary bodies through our PSI Working Group on Ethnic Minorities.

A number of recommendations made by the Group have already been introduced which include the establishment of a Race Equality Unit and the introduction of a funding scheme for Minority Ethnic Voluntary Organisations.

We are making arrangements to meet with the PSI Working Group in the very near future to discuss the draft race strategy and formulate a plan to take our work forward.

We intend to have a full and open consultation on the document, before it is finally agreed by the Executive Committee and it is anticipated that the strategy will be issued for consultation over the summer period with the final strategy published later this year.

(AQW 3394/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): Meat may only be imported into the EU from establishments and countries specifically approved by the EU through Food Veterinary Office inspections. The meat must comply with the import conditions of the EU and be certified as doing so. An import certificate must accompany all consignments and the meat marked with the country and establishment of origin.

Inspections of imported meat from Third Countries are carried out at the Border Inspection Posts in accordance with EU regulations. Where discrepancies are discovered in the accompanying documentation or physical problems with the consignment observed a detention notice is issued under the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998. Consignments not in compliance with the requirements for entry into the EU may be ordered to be destroyed, re-exported or referred for processing for animal feed.

Controls and conditions for the production and sale of minced beef are prescribed in the Minced Meat and Meat Preparations (Hygiene) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997. These Regulations are enforced by the Department’s Veterinary Service, or in certain circumstances by District Council Environmental Health Officers, on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Neither my Department, nor the FSA is aware of any illegal activity in relation to the production or sale of minced beef to retail outlets or to any other establishments. If any illegal activity involving the production or consignment of minced beef is known to be taking place, details should be reported to the FSA or to the appropriate enforcement authority so that appropriate legal action including prosecution can be taken.

(AQW 3489/01)

Ms Rodgers: As part of the plans to celebrate the Golden Jubilee I welcomed the Queen to the DARD exhibition at the Balmoral Show where I took the opportunity to outline the important contribution that agriculture makes to the life and economy of Northern Ireland. I also attended a Reception in Parliament Buildings, hosted by the Speaker of the Assembly, Lord Alderdice, to mark the Golden Jubilee.

The Northern Ireland Civil Service has awarded the additional Bank Holiday set for Monday, 3 June to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

(AQW 3558/01)

Ms Rodgers: DARD officials contributed to the extensive consultation exercise which was carried out as part of the rural housing policy review. Following that exercise, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive established a Rural Steering Group to oversee the implementation of the rural policy review. That Group included members representing DARD, DSD, the Rural Development Council, the Rural Community Network, and the Federation of Housing Associations. Progress made in implementing this policy was highlighted in a Report published by the NIHE as recently as 15 May at the Balmoral Show. This report acknowledges the role played by rural representatives in taking the policy forward.

(AQW 3559/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is the Agency with statutory responsibility for homelessness. DARD officials contribute to NIHE policy development in several ways including having representation on the ‘Rural Housing Estates Programme’. An NIHE Rural Homelessness Survey is planned for later this year and DARD officials will contribute as appropriate to policy considerations following on from that Survey.

(AQW 3560/01)

Ms Rodgers: The consultation period on the Housing Bill has just ended, 30 April 2002. DARD officials were consulted as part of that process and will be consulted again, as appropriate, when the Department of Social Development has considered the results of the consultation process.

(AQW 3696/01)

Ms Rodgers: As you are aware, I commissioned a research project into Early Retirement and New Entrants Schemes last year. The research is being carried out by Queen’s University, Belfast in association with University College, Dublin and the final report is to be with me by the end of July 2002. I attach a copy of the Terms of Reference for the study.

I did not appoint consultants specifically to look into the scheme proposed in the Assembly on 5 December 2000 but the researchers from Queen’s University and University College, Dublin are aware of your proposal. Indeed, I understand that they discussed it at some length with you a couple of weeks ago.

I commissioned the research project (and an earlier consultancy study, the outcome of which was inconclusive) because there are issues of value for money surrounding early retirement and new entrants schemes. I have to be satisfied that there is a benefit to the economy and to the Northern Ireland taxpayer if I am to consider introducing either scheme. Such evidence is best obtained from an examination of the structural and other issues involved, and a review of experiences in some other Member States, rather than by investigating just one possible model of a scheme.

I will make the research report available to the Assembly Committee once I receive it.

(AQO 1445/01)

Ms Rodgers: Under EU regulations, decisions on the payment of optional agrimoney compensation could be taken only at Member State level. There was no discretion for regions within Member States unilaterally to make compensation payments which were not available throughout the Member State. The agrimoney compensation mechanism itself expired at the end of December 2001. The recent debate on the availability of agrimoney compensation to the livestock sector related to the 2nd and 3rd tranches of compensation which had previously been triggered. The disappointing decision by the UK Government not to avail of this compensation means that the system has now come to a complete end.

(AQO 1414/01)

Ms Rodgers: In relation to Brucellosis and TB my Department holds the figures in Divisional Veterinary Office area rather than constituency area. The following are therefore the figures for the Omagh Divisional Veterinary Office

(a) The following figures on TB reflect the number of reactors as a percentage of the number of animal tests.

(b) Brucellosis

(c) Information on the incidence of BSE in West Tyrone is not available. However the number of clinical cases of BSE in Co Tyrone for the last four years are 7, 2, 4 and 8 respectively, with 5 further cases to date this year. For surveillance cases, 0, 0, 13 and 12 with 9 further cases to date. This gives a total of 7, 2, 17, 20 and 14 to date.

(AQO 1455/01)

Ms Rodgers: My Department’s Colleges offer full-time and part-time Further Education and Higher Education courses to students aged from 16 years in a range of land based and agri-food areas. Delivery of this education incorporates a strong focus on the promotion and development of a healthy behaviour and environment amongst students and staff.

Examples include:

"Healthy Eating" promotions to encourage students and staff to consider their diet and nutrition.

Student Counselling Services which offer a confidential service on a wide range of physical and emotional issues affecting the health of individuals.

a robust "Pastoral Care" policy which promotes an ethos of health promotion, care and well-being.

A range of Clubs and Societies designed to improve the social networks of students.

A no-smoking policy in all but designated rooms in all the colleges.

Fully equipped and modern fitness suites and a wide range of recreational activities encourage physical activity.

regular drug and alcohol awareness seminars held in collaboration with the local Police Service.

Specific health and safety training for students and the completion of risk assessments in all areas of study.

All these activities are consistent with and complementary to the principles of the Investing for Health Strategy.

(AQO 1419/01)

Ms Rodgers: My concerns at the level of Brucellosis in South Armagh and elsewhere led me to announce some additional measures recently. Those measures included the allocation of additional manpower and treating Brucellosis as the highest priority thereby maximising the use of our existing resources. Additional staff have been moved into the three high incidence areas of Armagh, Newry and Enniskillen and my Department is in the process of re-organising staff at markets and abattoirs in order to provide extra resources for Brucellosis duties. In addition the use of the bulk milk sampling programme in dairy herds has allowed additional staff to be allocated to the above high incidence areas.

It will, however, take some time for the results of these extra measures to become apparent.

(AQO 1441/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Countryside Management Scheme opened for a third round of applications on 20 May 2002. This application period will close on 31 July 2002.

By 22 May 2002 a total of 883 farmers, who had made application to join the CMS in the two previous application periods, had already entered into management agreements with DARD. However, other farmers have been invited to enter into management agreements with DARD and I therefore expect that this figure will rise to over 1,000 CMS participants within the next few weeks.

I intend that the CMS will re-open to new applications on an annual basis.

(AQW 3600/01)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The Sports Council is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland and I am fully supportive of the Council’s initiatives in this important area. These include:

• The Play Sport Programme, which aims to enable as many young people as possible, in areas of deprivation, to take up and obtain a quality start in sport, by creating locally available, high quality sporting opportunities on or near to primary school sites for school and community use.

• The Sport Share Programme, which aims to establish well-managed sports facilities for post-primary and structured community use.

• The Sports Institute for Northern Ireland, which is located at the University of Ulster and aims to provide world-class training and support services for talented performers. The facilities will also be available for community use.

(AQW 3608/01)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department has a well-established interest in promoting cultural diversity through, for example, the Diversity 21 programme. More recently, my officials have been considering how best to develop cultural diversity policy following from the recommendations published in the vision document for arts and culture, Face-to-Face.

I must emphasise that this work is still at an early stage of development independent of any direct Community Relations Council input.

The Department has not at this stage taken any specific steps to engage with the Community Relations Council in respect of cultural diversity. Having said that, I do recognise that the Council is an important player in this field and would expect engagement with them in the future along with other key interests as the development of cultural diversity policy progresses.

(AQW 3621/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The relationship between the Odyssey Trust Company (OTC) and Sheridan Millennium Ltd is that of landlord and tenant, and resolution of the outstanding works at the Odyssey Arena are to be resolved in that context. I have been advised that OTC has provided Sheridan with a report on the various construction issues. My officials have had a series of meetings with both parties and I have discussed the issue with the OTC and intend to meet with representatives from Sheridan in the near future.

(AQO 1413/01)

Mr McGimpsey: A total of 49 applications for Golden Jubilee funding from groups within Co Tyrone has been approved by the Northern Ireland Golden Jubilee Advisory Panel. Nearly £98,000 has been allocated to Co Tyrone, representing 27% of the total funding allocation.

Approximately 30 of these groups are located in West Tyrone with a funding value of £56, 500.

(AQO 1417/01)

Mr McGimpsey: £160K is already available for organising the Ulster Grand Prix in August 2002. This was raised over several months, by the organisers of the Grand Prix, the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club.

The Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club still require a further £43K to hold the competition in August and an application for funding of £40K, to help stage this year’s race, has recently been received from the Club by the Northern Ireland Events Company. It is too early to say whether or not this application will be successful, but the outcome will hopefully be known in June.

(AQO 1416/01)

Mr McGimpsey: I understand that the Minister for the Environment provided you with a written answer on 20 May 2002 to a similar Assembly Question (AQW3416/01) regarding his Department’s commitment to securing the future of the Ulster Way.

From this answer you will have learned that the Department of Environment has commissioned the Countryside Access and Activities Network to carry out a review of the future of the Ulster Way which is due to be completed towards the end of this year. Once that review is published, the recommendations will be considered by the three relevant statutory bodies with an interest in the Ulster Way, the Environment and Heritage Service of DOE, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Sports Council.

As Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, I have no direct responsibility for the Ulster Way.

(AQW 3565/01)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): Grades are only awarded for the test as a whole and not for individual components within the papers. Accordingly, the information requested at (c) and (d) is not available. The number of pupils who sat the test by grade and the number of pupils who opted out in Irish Medium and all other grant aided schools for the last five years is detailed below.

* The number of pupils in these categories is too small to detail separately.

* The number of pupils in these categories is too small to detail separately.

* The number of pupils in these categories is too small to detail separately.

* The number of pupils in these categories is too small to detail separately.

(AQW 3647/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The figures below set out primary, secondary, grammar and integrated schools per capita allocations across each Education and Library Board area based on formula allocations. The grammar school figures include both controlled and voluntary grammar schools. The figures for the integrated sector include both the primary and secondary phase.

The figures below set out the per capita costs for special schools based on the Resource Allocation Plans for each Education and Library Board in 2001/02. Special schools are not funded through LMS Funding Formula and the costs are not therefore directly comparable with other types of school.