(AQW 4229/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Department’s general approach to enforcement action against breaches of planning control is set out in Planning Policy Statement 9

‘The Enforcement of Planning Control’.

The Department’s procedure, when it becomes aware of unauthorised development, is to have the matter investigated and to form a judgement on 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 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 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.

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 introduced a Bill before the Assembly on 10 June 2002 which, among other things, proposes to 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.

Where unauthorised development is likely to be acceptable in planning terms, the 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 will be dealt with in the same way as a ‘normal’ planning application and planning approval will only be granted where normal planning policies and considerations are met.

(AQW 4263/01)

(a) Planning Service already carry out consultations with Roads Service, Water Service and Rivers Agency during the preparation of all development plans, including the BMAP 2001 and the Carrickfergus Area Plan 2001. Planning Service also consults these Services in relation to all applications for housing developments and a range of other development proposals. We act on the advice from those Departments who have the responsibility and the technical expertise for the issues raised in the member’s question.

Water Service is a key consultee of Planning Service in the course of preparing Area Plans. The information on existing infrastructure and capital investment programme, for new and improved infrastructure, is used by Planning Service as key determinants for all land zonings and the Area Plan policies that accompany them.

In responding to Planning Service on planning applications, Water Service currently provides detailed advice regarding the availability of water and sewerage services and will draw attention to any difficulties envisaged in relation to the capacity of existing infrastructure to absorb new development and the timing of new or improved infrastructure. In situations were the existing infrastructure does not have the capacity to accommodate new development Water Service, in conjunction with Planning Service, will explore the options available to the developer.

Well established arrangements are in place for consultation with DARD Rivers Agency regarding the drainage implications of development proposals at all stages in the planning process.

In addition to providing advice to Planning Service as a consultee Rivers Agency may undertake drainage infrastructure improvement works where necessary, subject to economic appraisal and availability of resources.

All new developments proposed in the Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan will be the subject of consultation with both DRD and DARD who will be asked to advise on their likely transportation and drainage impacts. In addition proposals as they emerge will be discussed with Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Borough Councils who will have an opportunity to comment on any proposed new zonings. The Draft Plan will be subject to a six week objection period and all objections will be considered at a Public Inquiry. This approach provides for full and open consideration of the likely impacts of any new proposals.

(b) Most new housing developments would require the roads, footways and communal parking areas to be the subject of a Private Street Determination which ensures that adequate stormwater and sewage discharge facilities are in place for the development before the roads are adopted.

(c) With regard to assessing and monitoring the changes in the water-table, this is not a matter for the Department of the Enviroment.

(AQO 1657/01)

Mr Nesbitt: As I said in response to AQO 1523/01, I will be happy to consider any case that Derry City Council may wish to make for including the city’s walls in the UK tentative list of sites likely to be put forward for World Heritage Site status. Whether any funding would be available to support such a bid, and at what level, would depend on the strength of the case and would be subject to economic appraisal. This would need to take into account, as I have said previously, that World Heritage Sites are required to have outstanding universal value and that the World Heritage Committee has stated that walled cities are already well represented on the world heritage list.

(AQW 4000/01)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Dr Farren): The Atlantic Area Programme is one of 2 Programmes under Strand B of the INTERREG III Initiative for which Northern Ireland is eligible. Lead responsibility for Strand B of the Programme in the UK rests with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (formerly the Department of Transport Local Government and the Regions). The Department of Finance and Personnel is the main contact point in Northern Ireland through which information is disseminated. The Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department of Transport Local Government and the Regions jointly hosted a seminar in Templepatrick on 6 March 2002 to increase awareness of the INTERREG IIB Programme and to encourage potential applications from Northern Ireland. The seminar was attended by representatives of District Councils, Local Strategy Partnerships, Community Groups and Central Government Departments. In line with other devolved administrations, Northern Ireland will have a seat on the Monitoring Committee and Steering Committee for both Programmes on a rotational basis over the life of the Programmes.

(AQW 4028/01)

Dr Farren: There is no current refurbishment work taking place at Dundonald House.

Some work was carried out recently to the cladding panels at the gable ends of the building. This work, which cost £860 K, was to protect the main envelope of the building and to address health and safety problems associated with the ingress of water.

(AQW 4069/01)

Dr Farren: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 3931/01.

(AQW 3686/01)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): Information is available on the number of admissions to hospital for diagnoses of cancer, broken down by constituency and the type of cancer. I have arranged to have this information placed in the Assembly Library and will notify the Member accordingly. Information is not available on the number of people diagnosed with cancer who have attended health clinics.

It should be noted that these figures do not refer to individual persons, as it is possible for a person to be admitted to hospital more than once in the course of a year.

Tá eolas ar fáil ar líon na n-iontrálacha chuig an otharlann le haghaidh diagnóis ailse, breactha síos de réir toghcheantair agus cineál ailse. Shocraigh mé an t-eolas seo a chur i Leabharlann an Tionóil agus cuirfidh mé in iúl don Bhall dá réir. Níl eolas ar fáil ar líon na ndaoine a diagnóisíodh le hailse a d’fhreastail ar chlinicí sláinte.

Bá chóir tabhairt faoi deara nach mbaineann na figiúirí sin le daoine aonair, mar is féidir le duine a ghlacadh isteach in otharlann níos mó ná uair amháin i gcaitheamh na bliana.

(AQW 3807/01)

Ms de Brún: To date, my Department has completed two Equality Impact Assessments. One of these was in relation to the ‘Investing for Health’ Strategy which I launched on 27 March 2002. The Department also completed an Equality Impact Assessment as part of the Third Report on the Capitation Formula Review completed in October 2000, which determines the allocation of resources to the Health and Social Services Boards.

As both of these assessments were integral parts of the policy development process, it is not possible to detail those specific costs to which the member refers.

Go dtí seo, chríochnaigh mo Roinn dhá Mheasúnú Tionchair ar Chomhionannas. Bhain ceann díobh seo leis an Straitéis ‘Infheistíocht sa tSláinte" a lainseáil mé ar 27 Márta 2002. Chríochnaigh an Roinn Measunú Tionchair ar Chomhionannas fosta mar chuid den Tríú tuairisc ar Athbhreithniú na Foirmle Ceannsraithe críochnaithe i nDeireadh Fómhair 2000, a shocraíonn na hacmhainní dáilte ar na Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta.

Mar go raibh an dá mheasúnú seo mar chodanna tábhachtacha den phróiseas forbartha polasaithe, ní féidir mionchuntas a thabhairt ar na costais ar leith sin a dtagraíonn an comhalta dóibh.

(AQW 3808/01)

(a) There are currently three Director vacancies in Homefirst Trust, the Director of Children’s Services, the Director of Adult Services and the Medical Director.

(b) The Director of Children’s Services post has been vacant since 8 February 2001. The Director of Adult Services post has been vacant since 1 October 2001. The Medical Director post has been vacant since 1 December 2001.

(c) & (d) Neither the Director of Children’s Services post nor the Director of Adult Services post has been advertised yet. The first phase of the restructuring is nearing completion and following a formal evaluation of the posts the vacancies will be advertised. The Medical Director appointment does not require public advertisement, however an appointment is expected shortly.

(a) Faoi láthair, tá trí fholúntas ann do phoist mar Stiúrthóirí in Iontaobhas Homefirst, Stiúrthóir Seirbhísí Páistí, Stiúrthóir Seirbhísí Daoine Fásta agus Stiúrthóir Míochaine.

(b) Bhí post an Stiúrthóra Páistí folamh ó 8 Feabhra 2001. Bhi post an Stiúrthóra Seirbhísí Daoine Fásta folamh ó 1 Deireadh Fómhair 2001. Bhí post an Stiúrthóra Míochaine folamh ó 1 Nollaig 2001.

(c) & (d) Níor fógraíodh an post mar Stiúrthóir Seirbhísí Páistí ná an post mar Stiúrthóir Seirbhísí Aosach go fóill. Tá an chéad chéim den athstruchtúrú chóir a bheith críochnaithe agus i ndiaidh meastóireachta foirmiúla ar na poist fógrófar na folúntais. Níl gá le fógraíocht phoiblí don phost mar Stiúrthóra Míochaine, táthar ag dúil le ceapachán gan mhoill, áfach.

(AQW 3968/01)

Ms de Brún: The Consultant medical workforce, across all hospital based specialties, is reviewed by my Department on an annual basis and this informs decisions on the number in training. The latest review of the medical staffing in paediatric services recognised the need to increase numbers in this specialty. My Department will seek to address this need, taking into account available resources and pressures to increase the number of specialists generally.

Déanann an Roinn s’agam athbhreithniú ar an mheitheal oibre míochaine dochtúirí comhairleacha, fud fad na speisialtachtaí otharlann-lonnaithe, ar bhonn bliantúil agus téann seo i bhfeidhm ar chinní ar an líon faoi oiliúint. Aithníonn an t-athbhreithniú is déanaí ar fhoireann míochaine i seirbhísí péidiatraiceacha, an gá le huimhreacha a mhéadú sa speisialtachta seo. Tabharfaidh an Roinn s’agam faoin ghá seo, ag glacadh san áireamh áiseanna atá ar fáil agus brúnna chun líon na saineolaithe a mhéadú go ginearálta.

(AQW 3970/01)

Ms de Brún: Eating disorders have one of the highest rates of mortality of any psychiatric illness, and, together with their many physical and psychological complications, represent a significant cause of ill health. Although there are increasing numbers presenting with eating disorders, it is unclear whether the actual incidence of eating disorders is significantly increasing or this is a result of an increased awareness of the condition.

It is for Boards and Trusts to determine the needs of their local population and target resources accordingly.

Tá ceann de na rátaí is airde mortlaíocht i measc tinneas ar bith síciatrach ag neamhord ite, agus, mar aon leis an iliomad aimhréidh fhisiceach agus shíceolaíoch atá acu is cúis shuntasach iad le drochshláinte.. Cé go mbíonn líon na ndaoine le neamhord ite ag méadú, tá sé dóiléir cé acu an bhfuil méadú suntasach i ndaoine leis an neamhord ite nó an toradh é seo ar ardú feasachta ar an riocht.

Is faoi na Boird agus na hIontaobhais riachtanais a bpobal a chinntiú agus acmhainní a dhíriú dá réir.

(AQW 3989/01)

Ms de Brún: The number of patients registered with General Practitioners here at 31 March 2002 is 1,774,003. Details of the number of General Practitioners per thousand of the population, with comparable figures for England, Scotland and Wales, are shown in the table below. The information shows the whole time equivalent number of General Practitioners providing general medical services and relates to the position at 1 October 2001, the latest figures held. The population figures used are based on the June 2000 mid year estimates. Waiting times for patients to see their General Practitioner are not collated locally at present.

Is é 1,774,003 líon na n-othar cláraithe le Gnáthdhochtúirí anseo ar 31 Márta 2002. Tá sonraí ar líon na nGnáthdhochtúirí an míle duine den daonra, mar aon le figiúirí comparáideacha i Sasana, in Albain agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, léirithe sa tábla thíos. Léiríonn an t-eolas líon coibhéise lánaimseartha na nGnáthdhochtúirí ag soláthar seirbhísí ginearálta míochaine agus baineann sé leis an riocht ar 1 Deireadh Fómhair 2001, na figiúirí is déanaí atá ar fáil. Tá na figiúirí don daonra úsáidte bunaithe ar mheastacháin lárbhliana an Mheithimh 2000. Faoi láthair, ní bhailítear amanna feithimh go háitiúil d’othair ag fanacht le dul chuig a nGnáthdhochtúir.

(AQW 3991/01)

Ms de Brún: Information is not readily available in the form requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Níl eolas ar fáil go réidh san fhoirm iarrtha agus ní fhéadfaí é a fháil ach ar chostas díréireach.

(AQW 4001/01)

Ms de Brún: It is estimated that translating the "Investing for Health" document into Irish will cost £9,980.

The cost of translating the Foreword in the version of the document in English, was £100.16.

Meastar go mbeidh costas de £9,980 ann chun an doiciméad "Infheistíocht sa tSláinte" a aistriú go Gaeilge.

Ba é £100.16 an costas a bhí air leis an Réamhrá a aistriú sa leagan Béarla den doiciméad.

(AQW 4005/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is as follows:

(a) There were 10,000 copies of the Investing for Health consultation document printed for the exercise which commenced in November 2000, and continued through to May 2001.

(b) 8,354 were issued across a range of sectors and on request, and for use at public meetings.

(c) The number left unused at the end of the consultation period was 1,646.

(d) Approximately 100 copies were retained for reference and for issue on request to interested parties after the consultation period closed. The remainder of the consultation documents were sent for recycling when the Executive launched its final public health strategy Investing for Health in March 2002.

(e) The cost of each copy of the document was £2.55.

Seo a leanas an t-eolas iarrtha:

(a) Bhí 10,000 cóip den cháipéis chomhairlithe Infheistíocht sa tSláinte curtha i gcló don chleachtas seo a thosaigh i Samhain 2000, agus a lean ar aghaidh go Bealtaine 2001.

(b) Cuireadh 8,354 cóip chuig réimse earnálacha agus ar iarratas, le húsáid i gcruinnithe poiblí.

(c) 1,646 ba ea an líon cóipeanna nár úsáideadh ag deireadh na tréimhse comhairliúcháin.

(d) Coinníodh timpeall is 100 cóip le haghaidh tagartha agus le cur chuig páirtithe leasmhara ar a n-iarratas i ndiaidh druidim na tréimhse comhairliúcháin. Seoladh fuílleach na gcáipéisí comhairlithe le hathchúrsáil nuair a lainseáil an Feidhmiúchán a straitéis dheireanach sláinte poiblí Infheistíocht sa tSláinte i Márta 2002.

(e) Ba é £2.55 costas gach cóip den cháipéis

(AQW 4014/01)

Ms de Brún: HSS Trusts are required, under assessment and care management arrangements, to undertake individual needs-based assessments for community care services. In the case of patients in hospital the assessment of need for continuing care is an integral part of the pre-discharge procedure. Where the Trust has assessed a person’s needs they will discuss the options available, which may involve residential or nursing home care, or domiciliary care to enable the individual to remain in their own accommodation or a similar tenure.

There are various community support facilities available for patients discharged from hospital. These include the provision of care-managed domiciliary services to support a person at home, including aids to living and essential adaptations to the home. Home Help services can also give clients practical assistance and care in their own homes. Without a Home Help service, many more people might have to go into a care home or remain in hospital. Meals on wheels services are also provided to enable clients to stay at home. There is also open access to district nursing services.

Carers play a key role in supporting people at home and therefore a range of support mechanisms to help carers is provided in the community by Trusts and by voluntary organisations. Such services include respite care and sitting services. Information, counselling and training is also provided particularly to new carers to allow them to adjust to their caring role.

Tá ar Iontaobhais SSS, de réir socruithe measúnaithe agus stiúradh cúraim, measúnuithe bunaithe ar riachtanais aonair a dhéanamh do sheirbhísí cúraim phobail. I gcás othar in otharlanna tá an measúnú ar an ghá le cúram leanúnach mar chuid thábhachtach den ghnáthamh roimh an scaoileadh amach. Nuair atá measúnú déanta ag an Iontaobhas ar riachtanais dhuine aonair, pléifidh siad na roghanna ar fáil a bhféadfadh cúram cónaithe nó tí altranais nó cúram baile bheith i gceist, chun cur ar chumas an duine aonair fanacht ina gcóiríocht féin nó i sealbhaíocht cosúil léi.

Tá áiseanna éagsúla tacaíochta pobail ar fáil d’othair scaoilte amach ón otharlann. Ina measc tá soláthar seirbhísí cúramstiúrtha baile chun tacú le duine sa teach, mar aon le háiseanna maireachtála agus oiriúnuithe riachtanacha don teach. Is féidir le seirbhísí Cuidiú Baile cuidiú agus cúram praiticiúil a thabhairt chomh maith do chliaint ina dtithe féin. Gan seirbhís Cuidiú Baile, is féidir go mbeidh ar go leor leor daoine eile dul isteach i dteach cúraim nó fanacht go fóill san otharlann. Soláthraítear seirbhísí béilí ar rothaí chomh maith chun cur ar chumas cliant fanacht sa bhaile. Tá rochtain oscailte ar sheirbhísí altranais ceantair fosta.

Tá ról tábhachtach ag feighlithe le tacú le daoine sa bhaile agus mar sin de, tá réimse modhanna tacaíochta soláthraithe ag Iontaobhais agus ag eagraíochtaí deonacha sa phobal chun cuidiú le feighlithe. I measc a leithéid de sheirbhísí sin tá seirbhísí cúram faoisimh agus feighle. Cuirtear eolas, comhairle agus oiliúint ar fáil chomh maith, go háirithe d’fheighlithe nua chun ligean dóibh socrú isteach ina ról feighlíochta.

(AQW 4015/01)

Ms de Brún: There are no definitive epidemiological studies of psychiatric problems in people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Due to the core features of autism - social, communication and behavioural difficulties - making an accurate psychiatric diagnosis can often pose difficulties.

My Department will shortly be publishing a strategy and action plan to promote the mental health and emotional health of the total population which includes those with a learning disability.

Níl sainstaidéir eipidéimeolaíochta ar bith ann ar fhadhbanna síciatracha i ndaoine a bhfuil Neamhoird Speictrim Uathachais acu. De dheasca chroí-ghnéithe an uathachais – deacrachtaí sóisialta, cumarsáide agus iompraíochta – is minic a bhíonn deachtachtaí ann fáthmheas síciatrach cruinn a dhéanamh.

Beidh mo Roinn ag foilsiú straitéise agus plean ghnímh ar ball le sláinte meabhrach agus sláinte mhothúchánach an daonra iomláin a chur chun cinn, na daoine sin a bhfuil míchumas foghlama orthu san áireamh.

(AQW 4021/01)

Ms de Brún: I have had no recent contact with the Royal College of Surgeons about this matter.

Ní raibh aon teagmháil agam le Coláiste Ríoga na Máinlianna le déanaí maidir leis an ábhar sin.

(AQW 4024/01)

Ms de Brún: Since 1969 there have been no deaths or injuries to Ambulance staff who reside in the Ards Borough Council area, nor have there been any deaths of fire fighters in this area over the same period.

Accurate statistics of injuries to fire-fighters are only available from 1995. Since then a total of 41 fire fighters who reside in the Ards Borough Council area have been injured in the line of duty.

Ón mbliain 1969 ar aghaidh, ní bhfuair aon duine den fhoireann Otharchairr a chónaíonn i limistéar Chomhairle Baile Aird Uladh bás, ná níor gortaíodh iad, ní bhfuair aon duine den lucht múchta dóiteáin bás sa limistéar sin le linn na tréimhse céanna ach an oiread.

Níl staitisticí cruinne maidir le gortú lucht múchta dóiteáin ar fáil ach ó 1995 ar aghaidh. Ó shin i leith, gortaíodh 41 ar an iomlán den lucht múchta dóiteáin a chónaíonn i limistéar Chomhairle Baile Aird Uladh agus iad i mbun oibre.

(AQW 4066/01)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQO 1600/01.

Treoraím an Ball do mo fhreagra a thug mé ar AQO 1600/01.

(AQW 4251/01)

Ms de Brún: A substantive response was issued on 11 April 2002.

Eisíodh freagra substainteach an 11 Aibreán 2002.

(AQW 3977/01)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr P Robinson): I am advised that Translink has no plans at present to establish rail links to Belfast International and City of Derry Airports. However, a scheme for Belfast City Airport is in the early stages of consideration.

(AQW 4052/01)

Mr P Robinson: Translink have advised that the income from fare paying passengers was £73.793m in 1999/2000 and £74.957m in 2000/2001.

(AQW 4053/01)

Mr P Robinson: Translink have advised that the total cost of running the railways, excluding capital expenditure, in 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 was £26.534, £30.586m and £34.533m respectively.

(AQW 4141/01)

Mr P Robinson: My Department currently supports 16 Rural Community Transport Partnerships under the Rural Transport Fund, which has a budget for 2002/03 of £1.7m. This is due to increase to £1.8m in 2003/04 and the Regional Transportation Strategy proposes that the Fund should receive £18m over the 10-year term. The Strategy also proposes substantial funding of £36.2m to provide demand responsive and new innovative services for people living in deep rural areas and to provide new services linking isolated communities to villages and towns. I believe these proposals will comprehensively complement the recommendations contained in the Rural Development Council’s report –‘A Picture of Rural Change’. It should be noted that the Regional Development Strategy and proposals therein are subject to the normal Budgetary processes.

(AQW 4175/01)

Mr P Robinson: The proposed Eastern Distributor Road is included in the Draft Dungannon and South Tyrone Area Plan which was published for consultation on 15 May 2002. It is designed to improve the A29, which is a Link Corridor in the Regional Strategic Transport Network, and to relieve traffic flows on the more heavily trafficked roads in Dungannon.

It is assumed that the link road to which you refer is the A45 Tamnamore to Coalisland road. Due to the remoteness of this road from Dungannon town centre it is unlikely that it would provide any significant relief to increasing traffic flows in the town. In the circumstances my Department’s Roads Service has no current plans to upgrade this particular route.

(AQW 4176/01)

Mr P Robinson: The Department of the Environment’s Planning Service is currently preparing the Dungannon and South Tyrone Area Plan 2010. The process includes identification of proposed lines for major roads proposals, to be protected during the plan period.

In this context my Department’s Roads Service has carried out a transportation study which identified the proposed Dungannon Eastern Distributor Road as the preferred route for improvement of the A29 Link Corridor to bypass Dungannon. This proposed route has been included in the recently published Revision to the Draft Dungannon and South Tyrone Area Plan 2010.

It is not normal procedure to consult with landowners during the preparation of proposals for inclusion in a Draft Area Plan, but they and other interested parties have the opportunity to express their views during the period for the submission of objections to the Draft Plan.

Should the scheme advance to implementation stage, all interested parties will have further opportunities to express their views and submit objections during the statutory processes for the scheme.

(AQW 4190/01)

Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service continually assesses the public road network with a view to enhancing the safety of all road users. While it has not undertaken a specific assessment of the risks to primary school children who have to cross the A29 through Moy, I understand that there are two strategically positioned school crossing patrols in close proximity to the village’s two primary schools. Together these should cater for the needs of most school children who have to cross the main A29 road.

Roads Service considers that school crossing patrols offer the safest and most effective means of facilitating school crossing movements as they are highly visible to the passing motorist, provide constant adult supervision for the children and have the flexibility to make best use of natural breaks in the traffic flow.

(AQW 3996/01)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): In Northern Ireland some 5,655 customers have defaulted on their agreement with Motability Finance Limited in the last 3 years. Of these a total of 131 customers have had their vehicles removed for fraud and abuse reasons.

(AQW 3997/01)

Mr Dodds: In terms of Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) tenants, and over the period of the Housing Executive’s existence, the information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, since November 2000, when the NIHE’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit was set up, 10 tenants have been evicted on the basis of anti-social behaviour. The total for registered Housing Associations is 16.

An NIHE or registered Housing Association tenancy is normally "secure" and can only be brought to an end by a Court Order. Possession through eviction is a last resort, and a landlord must be satisfied that a tenant’s behaviour provides sufficient grounds for the Court to make such an Order. The grounds for possession, which are set out in legislation, include certain forms of anti-social behaviour such as causing nuisance or annoyance to neighbours, and using a house for illegal or immoral purposes.

It is recognised that procedures for dealing with anti-social behaviour can be enhanced and consequently, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has recently introduced improved procedures and documentation. These will be evaluated after a reasonable period of operation.

In addition, the draft Housing Bill contains provisions to streamline the legal process for eviction, strengthen the existing legislation and provide new and extended grounds for eviction, including anti-social behaviour by tenants’ visitors and guests. It will also introduce new measures, such as power for the Courts to grant injunctions against anti-social behaviour, power for social landlords to offer introductory tenancies and a power for the NIHE to treat applicants as ineligible for housing accommodation or assistance under the homelessness legislation if they have a history of anti-social behaviour.

(AQW 3998/01)

Mr Dodds: I have nothing to add to my previous answer. If the member has a particular issue that is causing concern, I shall be happy to see that it is investigated further if he lets me have the details.

(AQW 4035/01)

Mr Dodds: My Department, through the Urban Regeneration and Community Development Group, in particular, the Voluntary and Community Unit, provides core and project funding to a range of voluntary organisations but does not have any immediate plans to review the procedures for assessing applications for funding.

The Voluntary and Community Unit was responsible for co-ordinating "Partners for Change: Government’s Strategy for Support of the Voluntary and Community Sector". This document contains a "Good Practice Guide on Funding" which provides Government Departments and voluntary and community sector organisations with a framework on the principles and good practice standards which underpin Government funding to the sector.

In light of comments received during the consultation period and the publication of the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) report on Government grants to voluntary and community bodies, the Good Practice Guide on Funding will be revised and published in the final Partners for Change document in September 2002. The implementation of the recommendations from the NIAO report may impact on the procedures for assessing applications for funding from voluntary organisations.

(AQW 4092/01)

Mr Dodds: The provision of such services is not solely a housing matter. The Housing Executive’s review of its services to the homeless has identified a number of areas where such services would be needed and require multi-agency support. Its implementation plan, which is being be finalised in the wake of the Social Development Committee’s own homelessness review findings, will set out ways to engage with others as required, to ensure that such services are provided.

In addition, as I said in the Assembly on 18 June, my Department will be taking the lead in a cross-departmental, cross sector Working Group which will review the difficulties which the homeless face in accessing the various services which can assist them in being included in society rather than excluded. This review will build upon the work already carried out by the Housing Executive and the Social Development Committee.

As I also said in the Assembly, a bid has been made for additional money for the homeless under the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative and the outcome is awaited. Finally, the Supporting People arrangements, due to become operative next April, will help to sustain and improve the existing support services provided to the homeless. The proposed new arrangements will combine the many disparate sources of funding into a single budget which will help create a situation where the needs of the individual will be the most important factor.

When the Working Group’s review has been completed and the extent and scope of services required are identified, the need for resources can be more accurately determined. In the meantime, I will continue to try and attract as much resource as competing priorities will allow, in order to give people the support that they need and the Housing Executive will continue to fund those organisations that already provide essential support to the homeless.

(AQW 4102/01)

Mr Dodds: In January 2002 there were 123 civil servants known to be living in the constituency of West Tyrone and 218 civil servants living in the constituencies of Foyle and East Londonderry who were working for the Department for Social Development in one of the four Belfast constituencies.

(AQW 4181/01)

Mr Dodds: The information is not held in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

(AQW 4266/01)

Mr Dodds: My Department is not responsible for payment of compensation in such cases. As a landlord, the Housing Executive is responsible for remedying damage to the fabric of its dwellings. Compensation for loss of, or damage to, contents, is a matter for the tenant.

The Social Security Agency, through the Social Fund, can make an interest free loan that is intended to help meet an immediate short-term need, in an emergency situation. Applicants do not have to be existing benefit recipients. Unlike an insurance scheme, the Social Fund is not a compensatory scheme and does not, therefore, replace items on a ‘like for like’ basis.

In some instances a non-repayable grant can be awarded to social security benefit recipients.

(AQW 3935/01)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Robert Coulter): There are no plans at present to publish a quarterly magazine. As you know, as soon as possible after each meeting of the Assembly, a Minute of Proceedings is published, under the Speaker’s signature. This is the legal record of the decisions of the Assembly. The Minute of Proceedings also includes a list of motions which have been accepted for debate on a future date, and the record of all documents formally presented to (or ‘laid before’) the Assembly.

The Weekly Information Bulletin, which is published both in hard copy and is on the Assembly’s website, provides comprehensive information on the business of the Assembly, on the activities of Committees and on the progress of legislation. In addition the First Report of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, which will be debated in the Assembly on 24 June, will detail the activities and achievements between devolution in December 1999 and 31 March 2002. Subsequent reports will provide this information on an annual basis.

(AQW 4027/01)

(a) It would be inappropriate to provide this information on the following grounds:

• The information would identify individual members of the Secretariat and this would be a breach of confidentiality.
  

• The time involved in gathering the required information would be disproportionate to the benefits of providing same information

(b) There has been no review of starting pay policy. There has been a pay audit carried out in respect of the starting salaries of applicants who applied to 4 open competitions held prior to December 2000 to establish if there have been any pay anomalies. The results of this audit are due to be discussed in the near future with Trade Union Side.

(c) The current pay policy will be reviewed in the context of the implementation of the independent PricewaterhouseCooper review of Terms and Conditions, and Pay and Grading conducted on behalf of the Assembly Commission.

(AQW 4093/01)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Robert Coulter): The Commission has, from a very early stage, shown a commitment to "sustainability" in its provision of goods and services. As examples of this I would note:

• The use of recycled paper for all Secretariat photocopying

• Recycling of toner cartridges

• The provision of Fairtrade products for sale within Parliament Buildings

• The establishment of an Environmental Best Practice House Committee

• A clear commitment within the Ormiston House project to include sustainability as a central issue

The overall Procurement Strategies and Policies of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission are presently under development by the recently appointed Head of Procurement. It is the intention that these policies will encourage the most efficient use of resources in all respects, which will include environmental issues. This will be achieved by encouraging internal users to actively specify environmentally friendly products when developing specifications. This will also be highlighted in the evaluation processes by recognising environmentally friendly proposals or products from suppliers.

(AQW 4154/01)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Robert Coulter): It is estimated that, with indexation, assembly, printing and binding, 14 -18 weeks is needed to produce a bound volume. To date seven bound volumes have been published, volume eight will be published during the summer and volumes 9, 10 and 11 by early 2003.

This delay in production has been a concern of the Speaker and earlier this year the Editor of Debates completed a review of Hansard’s staffing structure and complement. As a result, recruitment of extra staff is underway and will include provision for the establishment of a team of staff to work solely on bound volumes. It is expected that, once in place, this new team will lead to an earlier production of Bound Volumes.

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