Friday 07 June 2002
Written Answers to Questions

Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Agriculture and Rural Development
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Education
Employment and Learning
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Environment
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Social Development

Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister

Commissioner for Children

Mr Wells asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what progress has been made on the legislation for the Commissioner for Children and Young People’s Bill.

(AQW 3231/01)

Reply: Work on the drafting of the legislation for the Commissioner for Children and Young People’s Bill is well advanced and we intend to introduce the Bill to the Assembly in June.

Commissioner for Children

Mr Beggs asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what additional functions are being proposed for a Children’s Commissioner for Northern Ireland compared to (a) Wales; (b) Norway; and (c) Republic of Ireland (Ombudsman).

(AQW 3383/01)

Reply: Ultimately the functions of the Commissioner for Children and Young People will be a matter for the Assembly to decide.

The consultation paper, which was issued last year, however envisaged the Commissioner having functions in four main areas: advocacy; legal representation; com-plaints; rights promotion and research.

This can be compared to Wales and Norway where the respective Commissioner and Ombudsman have no power to bring legal proceedings in their own name or to intervene in legal proceedings.
In the Republic of Ireland, the Bill to establish an Om-buds-man for Children does not contain powers in relation to assisting children or intervening in relation to legal proceedings nor bringing test proceedings in his own name.

Civic Forum

Mr Wells asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the costs associated with the establishment and running of the Civic Forum since its inception.

(AQW 3539/01)

Reply: The cost of establishing the Civic Forum was approximately £75,000. This covered the cost of filling the post of Civic Forum Chairman and the costs to nominating sectors.

The Civic Forum’s running costs since its establish-ment in October 2000 until 24 May 2002 have been as follows:

October 2000	March 2001 £145,000
April 2001	March 2002 £450,000
April 2002	24 May 2002 £ 40,000

Civic Forum

Mr Shannon asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the costs for the Civic Forum in the last 12 months for (a) building; (b) Secretariat; and (c) Members.

(AQW 3578/01)

Reply: The running costs of the Civic Forum from April 2001 until 24 May 2002 were approximately £490,000. This includes £207,000 for Secretariat salaries and expenses and £50,000 for members’ travel and accommodation.

The Civic Forum currently occupies offices in a property, which is leased by the Department of Finance and Personnel and thus is part of the Government estate.

Euro

Dr Birnie asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what position, if any, has the Executive adopted on the possibility of the UK adopting the Euro.

(AQW 3591/01)

Reply: This is a matter for the UK Government but we would anticipate there would be consultations with the devolved administrations before any developments take place.

Rural Post Offices

Ms Morrice asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to outline (a) if it will under-take to support rural post offices as they are fundamental to the local community, and (b) if it will support their financial assistance.

(AQW 3634/01)

Reply: Responsibility for the postal service is a reserved matter and support for rural post offices subsequently falls to the Department of Trade and Industry.

The Cabinet Office Performance and Innovation Unit Report "Counter Revolution" in June 2000 placed a formal requirement on the Post Office to maintain the rural network.

The Post Office Regulator Postcomm has provided advice to the Department of Trade and Industry on support to the rural network following the transfer of Social Security payments to bank accounts from January 2003.

A £2m capital funding project has been established by the Department of Trade and Industry to assist community and voluntary groups maintain or re-establish rural post offices. To date funds have been provided in respect of Stranagalwilly Post Office, Co Tyrone and Ballyward Post Office, Co Down.

Review of Public Administration
Mrs I Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQO 1133/01, to outline (a) any plans it has for the Review of Public Administration; (b) the date for its commencement and completion; and (c) the proposed timescale for its implementation.

(AQW 3635/01)

Reply: As stated in response to AQO 1133/01, the proposed terms of reference for the Review of Public Administration were debated in the Assembly on 25 February 2002, and in the subsequent weeks we engaged in a pre-consultation process with a broad spectrum of stakeholder interests.

We are now in the process of finalising the terms of reference, taking on board points raised during the pre-consultation. The revised terms of reference will then have to be quality assured by high-level independent experts before we launch the Review. We expect to launch the Review in the coming weeks, and the main phase is expected to take eighteen months to complete.

The length of time necessary to implement the recom-mend-ations emerging from the Review will depend on the nature of those recommendations. It is not possible to be definitive about the time needed at this stage.

Agriculture and Rural Development

‘Taste of Ulster’ Initiative

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail funding and other support the Department has given to the ‘Taste of Ulster’ initiative, over the past 5 years.

(AQW 3785/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): The Department’s financial contribution to the ‘Taste of Ulster’ initiative over the past 5 years was £93,787. Officials have also supported the work of the Management Board of ‘Taste of Ulster’ and provided technical support to the ‘Taste of Ulster’ Speciality Food Group.

Review of the Horticulture Sector

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline (a) the completion date of the Review of the Horticulture Sector; and (b) the date it will be made available to the public.

(AQW 3820/01)

Ms Rodgers: The consultants appointed to undertake a strategic review of the Commercial Horticulture Sector now expect to present their report at the end of June. Given this timescale and the forthcoming holiday period, I would anticipate that it would be early autumn before I will be seeking the industry’s views on their findings and recommendations.

Review of the Horticulture Sector

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps will be taken to implement the Review of the Horticulture Sector following publication.

(AQW 3821/01)

Ms Rodgers: I will not be a position to respond to your question until I have received the Consultant’s report on the review of the Commercial Horticulture Sector and have had the opportunity to consider its content and recommendations, and indeed have taken account of the industry’s views on the latter.

Greenmount College: Vacancy

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline (a) the current position regarding the vacant post of ‘Top Fruit Advisor’ for the apple industry; and (b) the timescale for an appointment to this position.

(AQW 3868/01)

Ms Rodgers: The position of Top Fruit Adviser within Technology and Business – Crops and Horticulture Division at Greenmount College is currently vacant due to the promotion of the member of staff who previously filled this post.

Arrangements have been made for the previous incumbent to provide part-time cover until such times as the post can be filled. This will take some time due to the very specialist nature of the post and funding constraints. The post may not be filled on a permanent basis until April 2003.

I realise the importance of this sector and assure you that my Department will endeavour to provide the necessary expertise to ensure its sustained development.

Culture, Arts and Leisure

Signage: Irish Language

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps he has taken to ensure that all signage in buildings and workplaces within the Depart-ment’s responsibility are in the Irish language.

(AQW 3679/01)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): Research commissioned by my Department to inform work on implementing the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has shown a degree of general public support for some signage in indigenous languages.

My Department has tri-lingual signs in English, Irish and Ulster-Scots at the entrances to the Interpoint Centre. It is a matter for the Department’s Agencies and other Associated Bodies to determine wider dual practice on Irish and/or Ulster-Scots signage.

European Capital of Culture 2008: Belfast Bid

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much is being spent on consultation fees in respect of Belfast’s bid to become European capital of culture in 2008.

(AQW 3707/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The total amount spent on consult-ation fees to date in respect of Belfast’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2008 is £21,282.56.

Education

Education and Library Boards: Staffing Levels

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the total number of staff in all categories currently employed by (a) each Education and Library Board; and (b) all Inter-Board services.

(AQW 3651/01)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): The latest information available is at 30 September 2001 and is as follows:

BELFAST EDUCATION AND LIBRARY BOARD
	Industrial		Non Industrial
	Full - time	Part - time	Full - time	Part - time
Headquarters Administration	3	10	232	17
Curriculum Advisory & Support	-	-	47	15
Youth Service	-	27	33	112
Transport	72	80	6	-
Miscellaneous (school crossing patrol, maintenance, others)	-	111	-	-
School Meals Service	41	530	17	1
Library Service	15	31	49	54
School-Based Staff	150	921	548	239
Inter-Board Services	10	9	51	-

NORTH EASTERN EDUCATION AND LIBRARY BOARD
	Industrial		Non Industrial
	Full - time	Part - time	Full - time	Part - time
Headquarters Administration	2	11	353	61
Curriculum Advisory & Support	-	-	47	15
Youth Service	4	24	36	470
Transport	69	86	-	-
Miscellaneous (school crossing patrol, maintenance, others)	78	161	3	-
School Meals Service	139	1,098	15	-
Library Service	-	32	91	150
School-Based Staff	198	2,233	430	993
Inter-Board Services	-	-	4	-

Nursery Teachers

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education how many full-time posts of 4½ hours are available for Nursery Teachers within each Board area in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3652/01)

Mr M McGuinness: It is not possible to provide the information on the basis requested.

As all full-time teachers have the same working time contract irrespective of the phase in which they teach, the number of full-time teachers in nursery schools over the last 3 years is set out in the table below. It does not include teachers in nursery units attached to primary schools, as the Department does not hold this information separately. The figures have been extracted from the teachers’ payroll.

	1999/00	2000/01	2001/02
BELB	64	63	61
WELB	21	22	23
NEELB	33	35	35
SEELB	31	31	31
SELB	27	26	26

NEELB: Staffing Levels

Mr Dalton asked the Minister of Education to detail current staffing levels within the North Eastern Education and Library Board.

(AQW 3661/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The latest information available is at 30 September 2001 and is as follows:

	Industrial		Non Industrial
	Full - time	Part - time	Full - time	Part - time
Headquarters Administration	2	11	353	61
Curriculum Advisory & Support	-	-	47	15
Youth Service	4	24	36	470
Transport	69	86	-	-
Miscellaneous (school crossing patrol, maintenance, others)	78	161	3	-
School Meals Service	139	1,098	15	-
Library Service	-	32	91	150
School-Based Staff	198	2,233	430	993
Inter-Board Services	-	-	4	-

School Teachers

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he has any plans to commend the achievement of the Province’s grammar schools in placing high numbers of students in ‘Ivy League’ universities throughout the UK.

(AQW 3667/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I frequently commend our schools and our teachers for their dedication and commitment to ensuring that all our young people are helped to achieve their full potential. I am happy to reiterate my gratitude to our teachers but I think it would be invidious for me to single out any one sector for special commendation.

Burns Report

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to outline (a) the completion date of the recently announced public postal consultation on the Burns Report; (b) the cost of this exercise; and to make a statement.

(AQW 3690/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The closing date for responses to the consultation exercise, including completion of the house-hold response form, is 28 June 2002. The estimated cost of this exercise is £185,000 but the final cost will depend on the level of response. I want as many people as possible to let me have their views and all responses will be considered. I intend to publish an analysis of the responses received from all the strands of consultation around the end of September.

Primary and Secondary Schools: Funding

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) any proposed changes to the common funding formula for primary schools; and (b) any steps he is taking to address the current funding imbalance between primary and secondary education.

(AQW 3744/01)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department’s consultation docu-ment on the common funding formula for all grant- aided schools, published last year, proposes a skewing of resources to the primary sector. The adjustment to AWPU weightings and changes in other factors, such as premises, small schools protection and teacher salary protection, proposed in the consultation document will contribute to the shift in the share of resources received by primary schools. The cumulative effect of all the proposals, planned for implementation in April 2003, would be to increase primary sector funding by around £12m or 4% and the balance between funding attracted by primary schools compared to post-primary schools would rise from 65% to 67%.

Summer Literacy and Numeracy Schemes

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Education to outline (a) the number of summer literacy and numeracy schemes that were established for children in each of the last 3 years; and (b) the number he anticipates in place for summer 2002.

(AQW 3752/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The number of summer literacy and numeracy schemes in each of the last 3 years was 61, 106, 131 respectively. The Department has made available funds for 161 schemes for summer 2002.

Employment and Learning

University Equality Schemes

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what measures local universities have taken to fulfil their obligations under section 75(1)(a) of the NI Act 1998.

(AQW 3871/01)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): The universities have produced Equality Schemes which set out how they will meet their duties under Section 75. These have been submitted to the Equality Commission for approval. The institutions have also carried out extensive staff awareness training on issues such as obligations under the legislation, dealing with complaints and the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Equality Schemes. They have also employed a Research Officer and Research Assistant to support Equality Impact Assessments.

University Awards

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Employment and Learning whether local universities should have concern at any proposal to name university awards after persons who have been linked with paramilitary activity by Garda Siochana informers or other security personnel.

(AQW 3885/01)

Ms Hanna: The local Universities are, like all UK Universities, legally independent bodies with a large degree of autonomy in managing their own affairs including the awarding and naming of scholarships and bursaries. I have, therefore, no locus in this area which is internal to the respective Universities.

Further and Higher Education Institutes: Disabled Access

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister for Employ-ment and Learning to give an update on what steps have been taken to ensure adequate access for people with disabilities, not only to buildings but to all services and facilities, in Institutes of Further and Higher Education.

(AQO 1496/01)

Ms Hanna: Institutes of Further and Higher education currently have duties under the Disability Discrimination Act to disabled employees and when providing non educational services to the public. There are also a number of initiatives already in place at Further Education colleges which promote access for students with disabilities or learning difficulties, including specific support for individuals. The Department will be adding to these measures shortly by taking forward, with the Department of Education, new legislation which will provide comprehensive and enforceable rights to education for all disabled people on the same basis as the rest of the United Kingdom.

Investors in People

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister for Employ-ment and Learning how does the uptake of ‘Investors in People’ awards in Northern Ireland compare to Great Britain.

(AQO 1466/01)

Ms Hanna: There are currently in excess of 25,000 recognised ‘Investors in People’ organisations in GB accounting for 23.8% of the workforce. Northern Ireland has 570 recognised organisations employing 20·4% of the Northern Ireland workforce.

University Funding

Mr J Kelly asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what assessment can she make as to whether research and training at our universities is suffering as a result of shifting resources to widening access.

(AQO 1500/01)

Ms Hanna: Funding of research and training and funding towards widening access to higher education are separate aspects of my Department’s grant allocation to the universities. There has been no shift in resources from one area of activity to the other. Indeed, additional resources have been provided for both SPUR £43 million and the Student Support package £65 million.

Further Education Colleges

Rev Robert Coulter asked the minister for employment and learning to detail the total cost of senior management salaries as a proportion of the total allocated budgets of further education colleges.

(aqo 1491/01)

Ms Hanna: The total cost of service management salaries was approximately 3% of the overall expenditure by colleges in 2000/01, the latest year for which figures are available.

Further Education Colleges: Centres of Excellence

Mr Savage asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline (a) the centres of excellence which exist within further education colleges; and (b) the criteria normally used for determining a centre of excellence.

(AQO 1492/01)

Ms Hanna: In 2000/2001 colleges bid for recognition as centres of excellence in one or more of six key vocational areas significant to the regional economy. This resulted in the creation of eight centres of excellence across six colleges - in four key vocational areas: 

Information and communication technology; 
electronics; 
manufacturing engineering; 
and tourism and hospitality.

The criteria for the assessment of the centres of excellence bids focused on the quality of teaching and learning and the links with the relevant local business.

‘Roberts Report’: Postgraduate Studies

Mr Foster asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what assessment can she make of the recent ‘Roberts Report’ on postgraduate studies in science and engineering.

(AQO 1481/01)

Ms Hanna: The Roberts Report, commissioned by the Treasury, the Department for Education and Skills, and the Department of Trade and Industry was published very recently on 15th April. The report examines the reduction in the supply of science, technology, engineering and mathmatics skills in the UK and its adverse impact on the economy. The Department’s postgraduate advisory board will consider the report at its June meeting and will advise me of its recommendations.

Student Grants

Mr Gallagher asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what steps is she taking to increase the number of students receiving grants.

(AQO 1503/01)

Ms Hanna: The aim of the recent Student Support Review was to increase participation in third level education. Grants of up to £1,500 pa were introduced in September 2001 to support further education students from low-income families. A similar level of assistance will be available to higher education students from September 2002. Also in place from September 2001 are childcare grants and an increase in the level of parental income at which a contribution towards tuition fees becomes due.

Further Education Courses

Mr McGrady asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what steps she will take to ensure the provision of software engineering and information technology at a higher education level at East Down Institute in Downpatrick.

(AQO 1463/01)

Ms Hanna: Subject to the normal course approval process East Down Institute is free to develop higher education level provision in software engineering and information technology on a part-time basis. Due to financial considerations the level of publicly funded full-time higher education provision is subject to restriction.

Unemployment

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how the task force on Employability and Long-Term Unemployment will address those areas of Northern Ireland with the highest incidences of long- term unemployment.

(AQO 1482/01)

Ms Hanna: The taskforce is giving careful consideration as to how it will deal with those areas of Northern Ireland with the highest incidences of long-term unemployment. Its action plan is currently undergoing rigorous drafting to bring it to the final draft stage. I intend to issue the draft action plan to the Assembly Committee and subsequently to report to the Executive before the summer recess. Until this has been achieved I am not in a position to announce details of proposed initiatives.

Adult Literacy Strategy

Mr McHugh asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, in relation to the adult literacy strategy, to outline (a) targets she has developed for the reduction of low levels of literacy skills; and (b) measures being put in place to ensure that those targets are achieved.

(AQO 1498/01)

Ms Hanna:
(a) The long term aim is, by 2012, to reduce by half the number of people with low levels of literacy and numeracy.
(b) I will establish and lead an essential skills committee who will drive the essential skills for living strategy forward and implement the key recommendations to achieve the targets detailed in the strategy.

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