(AQW 2920/01)

Reply: New Targeting Social Need is the Executive’s main policy for addressing social deprivation and is a key element of the Programme for Government. New TSN is not a policy with its own budget rather it is a theme that runs through all relevant departmental spending programmes and operates by using more of our existing resources to benefit people in greatest objective social need.

The Executive adopted New TSN in June 2000 and Ministers took full responsibility for its effective implementation, through New TSN Action Plans. Action Plans cover a three-year period and commenced on 1 January 2000. This Department has been working hard to deliver its commitments.

A report on this Department’s progress is included in our revised Action Plan for 2001-02. In addition, the New TSN Annual Report 2001 provides specific examples of progress across the Administration over the period 1 January 2000 to 31 March 2001, and arrangements are already in place to publish the next progress report. Copies of both documents can be accessed at the New TSN website, www.newtsnni.gov.uk.

Within our Department a core team of 8 officials are dedicated solely to New TSN. All staff within OFMDFM have responsibility for ensuring that New TSN issues are considered within their policy areas.

Our Department has central policy and executive responsibility for New TSN and has built New TSN considerations into the Programme for Government, the Budget, and the Executive Programme Funds. Consequently, New TSN is given significant consideration, particularly in determining the funding of relevant policies, programmes and services.

Our main area of programme spend is focused on key New TSN relevant areas, as our actions are centred on reducing inequality and community differentials, within the areas of community relations, equality and victims.

Through our Promoting Social Inclusion Working group on ethnic minorities we have established a fund in support of minority ethnic groups and projects. In the first year of its operation 17 groups and projects benefited from the scheme. The fund has £444,000 available for the current financial year.

We have also established a two-year Victims Strategy Implementation Fund with £1.5m from the Social Inclusion Fund which has been matched by the same amount from the Northern Ireland Office. This Fund will be for Departments and Agencies to bid against to provide projects delivering practical help and services to victims.

New TSN is also concerned with redirecting efforts, which means changing the way Government deliver policies, programmes and services so that the poorest in our society benefit.

The New TSN policy involves long-term change and benefits therefore an explicit commitment to evaluate New TSN was built into the policy. Preparations for the evaluation are reaching their final stages and first outcomes planned for the end of 2002. The aim of this interim evaluation is to assess the effectiveness of its implementation and to examine its initial impact.

Our department is leading the evaluation, which involves all departments, and will draw on independent external experts. Ministers will consider the outcomes of the evaluation to help inform future thinking on New TSN. All final reports from the evaluation of New TSN will be made publicly accessible.

(AQW 2992/01)

Reply: "Reshape, Rebuild, Achieve" explains that it is not prudent at the present time to plan strategically beyond 2004. This is because of two major factors occurring within the next two years, namely the possible transfer of some of the functions currently carried out by the Northern Ireland Office to the devolved administration and the ending of some sources of funding, including Peace II, currently accessed by victims’ groups.

Both these factors are addressed by "Reshape, Rebuild, Achieve" which contains specific actions to ensure that the strategy is reviewed and rolled forward from 2004 and will be responsive to emerging needs and developments. The strategy also points out that a Task Force will be established to consider the long term sustainability of the voluntary and community sector, including the needs of victims.

(AQW 3768/01)

Reply: Our office has carried out 9 Equality Impact Assessments (EIA) to date. Details of the total cost of research, consultation, printing and dissemination of each EIA are set out in the attached table.

In three cases the EIA was carried out as part of a wider consultation exercise and it is not possible to separate the cost of the EIA from the total cost. Research and consultation costs relate to external costs such as consultants or consultation meetings. Costs for the circulation of documents for consultation purposes are included under printing and dissemination.

(AQO 1520/01)

Reply: We are working to establish the new Strategic Investment Body as soon as possible to help us take a more strategic approach to investment in our infrastructure. The Project Board, which we have established to advise us about this, met for the first time on 11 June.

An Executive sub-Committee is being established to oversee the work.

(AQO 1524/01)

Reply: On 17 May, we wrote to elected and community representatives seeking their agreement on a way ahead. We sought comments and views by 24 May. We received written responses from the Lower Ardoyne community interests, the Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne (CRUA) and the Board of Governors of Holy Cross Girls’ School (which took account of views expressed at a meeting of parents).

We carefully considered the responses we received and on Friday last (7 June) we wrote again to the interested parties setting out how we intend to move forward. A copy of our letter has been placed in the Assembly Library.

(AQO 1554/01)

Reply: The Seville summit closes the Spanish Presidency and will take place 21-22 June. The main issues it will cover are: policy to tackle illegal immigration, progress on the Future of Europe debate, further work on the economic reform agenda, and the EU’s sustainable development strategy.

The First Minister and Mr Haughey, representing the Deputy First Minister, attended a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on 11 June with the Foreign Secretary, other Whitehall Ministers and Ministers from the other devolved regions, where the Seville Summit was discussed.

(AQW 3869/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): Under the Landing of Carcases and Animal Products Order (Northern Ireland) 1985 [as amended] and the Diseases of Animals (Importation of Poultry) Order (Northern Ireland) 1965 [as amended], it is an offence to import an animal product into Northern Ireland except in accordance with a licence issued by the Department. Limited exceptions are permitted for small amounts intended for personal use only (i.e. by the individual or their family or friends – goods brought into Northern Ireland under these exceptions should not be sold or used commercially in any way).

A press release was issued on 7 June 2002 setting out the rules concerning personal imports of animal products and plants from Great Britain, the Channel Islands, other Member States and Third Countries. It informs the general public of the fact that general licences for personal imports of animal products have been reinstated due to the reduced risk from FMD. These controls are in line with those in Great Britain and are as follows:

Fresh (uncooked) meat may not be brought into Northern Ireland from a non-EU country for personal use under any circumstances.

Permitted personal imports are:

• 1.0 kg of meat cooked in a hermetically sealed container

• 1.0 kg of fish

• 1.0 kg of milk powder (from listed countries only)

• 2.0 kg of raw fruit or vegetables (not potatoes)

• 1 bouquet of cut flowers

• 5 retail packets of seeds (not potatoes) and from the Euro-Mediterranean area only

• 2.0 kg of bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes

• 5 other plants

Regular checks are made by DARD Portal staff at ports and airports to ensure that travellers are complying with these limits. Consignments identified during Customs checks will be checked to ensure that they comply with the limits. Travellers exceeding these limits should declare and surrender material in the Red Channel at Customs. Failure to do so may result in confiscation of the material and prosecution.

Airline and ship operators are already required to make announcements to passengers concerning controls on the import of animal products and the risk of bringing exotic diseases into Northern Ireland. A letter reminding these operators of the requirements will issue later this month. New posters are also currently being produced for the information of travellers as well as a Guide of Roles and Responsibilities. The Guide, which covers both animal products and plants, is essentially a summary of the controls and enforcement activity faced by an importer/traveller as they reach the point of entry into Northern Ireland. In addition, further steps are being considered in conjunction with DEFRA to minimise the risk to the Northern Ireland’s agricultural industry presented by animal products and plants.

(AQW 3915/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Department was involved with the Royal Show in 1997, 1998 and 2000. In 2001 the Royal Show was cancelled. This year due to a need to reprioritise resources within DARD I reluctantly suspended my Department’s arrangements for involvement at the Royal Show 2002. My officials provided advice on the reprioritisation of financial resources available to the Department for expenditure in the current financial year.

I will keep the position of my Department’s involvement at the Royal Show in future years under review.

(AQW 3922/01)

Ms Rodgers: The normal timescale for the removal of Tuberculosis infected and in-contact animals from is 20 days from the date of confirmation of infection.

(AQW 3923/01)

Ms Rodgers: My Department does not hold TB statistics on a "per County" basis but by Divisional Veterinary Office areas. The following table shows the number of TB incidents (herds with reactor animals) by DVO area for the years requested.

(AQW 3925/01)

Ms Rodgers: The incidence of Scrapie in sheep in each of the last 3 years is detailed in the table below.

(AQW 3959/01)

Ms Rodgers: The DARD colleges continue to have an important role in promoting and enhancing education and development within the agricultural industry.

The colleges provide a wide range of full-time, part-time and short courses from NVQ Level 2 up to degree level in agriculture, horticulture, food supply management, food technology and related disciplines. These cater both for people entering the industry and those already working in the industry wishing to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding.

The colleges develop their courses in association with industry to meet changing industry needs. New programmes introduced recently include Good Business Sense and Good Farming Practice. Another recent initiative recognises that some young people wish to combine off-farm employment with farming on a part-time basis. To meet this need the DARD colleges work with some Further Education Colleges to deliver a Multi-skilling Programme on a partnership basis.

Under the EU funded Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity, the colleges also perform an important role in identifying, assessing and demonstrating new technologies, processes and systems and in supporting people in the industry to adopt those which offer benefits to their businesses.

The Vision for the Future of the Agri-food Industry report identified ‘Developing People’ as one of the ten Key Themes covering the Recommendations for Actions required to realise the vision of a dynamic, integrated, innovative and profitable agri-food industry. Competence development is also an essential pre-requisite for delivery of other Key Themes e.g. "Exploiting the Opportunities offered by Information and Communications Technology".

Given the critical importance of education and training in securing sustained industry development through the adoption of technological, management and environmental best practice in businesses, the colleges will have a vital role in the future. They are already working on the development and piloting of the first Challenge Programmes, which help farmers and others to learn while applying best practice in their businesses. I hope to achieve a rapid roll-out of these programmes. Colleges are also working on other initiatives such as the Rural Portal, which will enable farmers and others to obtain easier and more efficient access to services and information on the Internet.

The O’Hare Report, which made recommendations about Education and R&D in Agriculture and Food Science, is presently out to public consultation. During the summer I will be considering these recommendations and the views of stakeholders in the broader context of modernising the Department. An important issue will be whether changes in the organisation and management of the colleges might help them to satisfy the ever-changing needs of the agri-food industry and rural communities more effectively.

(AQW 3926/01)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The Fisheries Conservancy Board (FCB) is responsible for the conservation and protection of the salmon and inland fisheries of Northern Ireland, except for the fisheries of the Londonderry and Newry areas which are the responsibility of the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission.

The Board’s officers carry out regular enforcement patrols of the waters within their area of responsibility, including the public angling estate, in order to detect offences including fishing without the relevant licence or permit.

The statistics requested in respect of bailiffing records in the FCB area are as follows:

(a) There were 92 prosecutions for illegal rod and line fishing in 2001 (23 Lough Neagh area, 19 Northern area, 47 South Eastern area and 3 South Western area).

(b) The overall prosecution rate on files submitted is 99.9%.

(c) 1059 checks were made for illegal line and rod fishing in 2001 (276 Lough Neagh area,

270 Northern area, 218 South Eastern area and 295 South Western area).

Bailiffing activities in 2001 were, of course, somewhat curtailed by the outbreak of foot-and- mouth disease.

(AQW 3988/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The five Education and Library Boards currently employ a total of 1,051 staff in the Public Library service. Of this figure, 219 are male which represents 20.8% of the total workforce.

(AQW 4095/01)

Mr McGimpsey: All the procurement procedures for the Odyssey project at Queen’s Quay, Belfast, were tendered strictly in accordance with European Union procurement regulations.

The disposal of capital assets by the Trust is tightly controlled by the funding agreement of 21 December 1998 between the Department of Education (now Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure) and Odyssey Trust Company. Any changes which would impact on the funding agreement require Departmental approval.

(AQW 4096/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Odyssey Trust Company Limited (referred to in legal documents as The Charity) is a private company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. As such I have no authority to address questions which are specific to this company.

(AQW 4134/01)

Mr McGimpsey: ‘Club Sport’ is a Sports Council Lottery Fund capital programme, which assists sports clubs and governing bodies with the development of locally-based sports facilities. Eligible costs include the upgrading of facilities for club use. The closing date for receipt of applications is 30 August 2002 and 70% grant, subject to a maximum of £100k, is payable.

(AQW 3886/01)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): The current level of funded pre-school education in voluntary and private centres is as follows:

(AQW 3887/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The information requested is as follows:

(AQW 3888/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I am aware that concern has been expressed by a number of voluntary and private providers that the establishment of new statutory nursery provision close to them will threaten their viability.

In planning and implementing the Expansion Programme the Pre-School Education Advisory Groups (PEAGs) have adhered to a set of jointly agreed and adopted principles on "displacement" and PEAGs have actively sought to avoid displacing good quality pre-school provision. The existence of funded provision in existing voluntary and private settings has been taken into account when the locations of new statutory settings are being determined.

The ultimate aim of the Programme, as set out in the Executive’s Programme for Government, is a year’s funded pre-school education for every child whose parents wish it by March 2003.

(AQW 3889/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I visited a voluntary playgroup in the Western Education and Library Board area in January 2001 and had a meeting with representatives from 4 voluntary playgroups based in the Derry area in April 2001.

In planning and implementing the Expansion Programme the Pre-School Education Advisory Groups (PEAGs) have adhered to a set of jointly agreed and adopted principles on "displacement" and PEAGs have actively sought to avoid displacing good quality pre-school provision. The existence of funded provision in existing voluntary and private settings has been taken into account when the locations of new statutory settings are being determined. Under the Expansion Programme the voluntary and private playgroup sector is, for the first time, able to access funding for places which have in the past been funded largely from parental contributions or other sources.

(AQW 3900/01)

(a) Education and Library Boards are required to make such arrangements as they consider necessary in relation to getting children to and from school. The provision of transport in exceptional circumstances is also a matter for individual Boards, and, in the case of a pupil being injured, special provision can be made. Pupils will usually be provided with transport on the recommendation of a Clinical Medical Officer or on receipt of documented medical evidence. Boards would also have regard to the school attended by the pupil when deciding on the level of assistance to provide.

(b) Pupils normally qualify for transport assistance by either: living beyond two miles, in the case of Primary school pupils, or beyond three miles for Post-primary pupils, from their nearest suitable school; or, if they have been unable to secure a place in all suitable schools within the appropriate distance limit. A "suitable school" is defined solely as one in the categories of Maintained, Controlled, Integrated, or Irish Medium and, in the grammar sector, denominational and non-denominational schools.

(AQW 3916/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The information requested is as follows: