(AQW 2797/01)

Reply: The objective of Measure 4.1 as outlined in the PEACE II Operational Programme is to contribute to making Northern Ireland and the Border Region a more outward and forward looking region by developing networks of co-operation on a cross-sectoral basis and encouraging a structured approach to participation in wider European and international networks.

Measure 4.1 gives examples of the types of actions which might be supported including:

"a structural approach to the participation of Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland in wider European and international networks, including the identification and communication for best practices through networking between sectors in Northern Ireland to support and develop the international and inter-regional linkages."

(AQO 1559/01)

Reply: We are currently considering two papers identifying strategic priorities for the NI Bureau’s operations in the coming year, together with the associated business objectives, to ensure that the political and business messages to United States target audiences are more closely integrated than at present and that the Bureau’s representational function gives maximum value for money. While the NI Bureau is a separate unit, its personnel are afforded diplomatic status through the British Embassy. Good relationships are maintained with the Irish Embassy and a variety of other bodies.

(AQO 1519/01)

Reply: We are currently considering two papers identifying strategic priorities for the NI Bureau’s operations in the coming year, together with the associated business objectives, to ensure that the political and business messages to United States target audiences are more closely integrated than at present and that the Bureau’s representational function gives maximum value for money. While the NI Bureau is a separate unit, its personnel are afforded diplomatic status through the British Embassy. Good relationships are maintained with the Irish Embassy and a variety of other bodies.

(AQW 4033/01)

Reply: The terms of reference for the ad hoc, temporary Non Governmental Organisations’ Forum were drawn up in April 2001 to encompass work on both the establishment of a Commissioner for Children and Young People, and the development of a Children’s Strategy. Therefore, it is not necessary to review the terms of reference at this time.

The terms of reference will be reviewed when consideration is given to whether there needs to be a permanent mechanism, as part of the Children’s Strategy.

(AQW 3898/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): Over the past 10 years, employment statistics indicate a reduction in numbers of people employed in the catching sector:

Some of Northern Ireland’s fisheries dependent communities lie within the most socio-economically deprived areas of Northern Ireland. The co-operation of the Social Security Agency has therefore been important in ensuring prompt and relevant benefit services to those who are seasonally employed, or facing unemployment, as a result of wider trends in the industry.

As regards levels of training and education, all four of Northern Ireland’s main east coast fisheries dependent communities score low in terms of Noble indicators. This indicates that the adult population is currently not as well equipped as it needs to be to meet the challenges of diversification which the rationalisation of fishing effort, and the modernisation of the industry, as well as other factors, entail. This is an issue which requires to be pursued within a wider context of a full review of the fisheries industry.

I have already announced my wish to indicate a wide ranging review of the whole spectrum of the fisheries industry in Northern Ireland, including European, UK and Northern Ireland policies; all sectors, including the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors; and opportunities for future markets and diversification. Such a review could also address, in a holistic manner, the socio-economic needs of fisheries dependent and traditional fishing communities.

The support and contribution of all key interests is essential to such an important and significant review, whose findings and recommendations have the potential to secure a viable and sustainable fisheries industry for current and future generations of Northern Ireland people, while conserving natural fisheries stocks and other natural marine resources.

(AQW 4138/01)

Ms Rodgers: The report provides a useful starting point for all those engaged in rural policy development appraisal or indeed those who simply need to know more about the complex issues and factors that form part of the modern way of life in rural areas and communities.

It also provides a useful and informative compendium of rural statistics which will complement work on Neighbourhood Statistics which the Executive is funding in the Northern Ireland Statistical Research Agency. This work involves collating and disseminating geographically referenced small area statistics that will be important to rural development as they will provide socio-economic data across Northern Ireland.

The Department has commissioned the Council to complete further short term work relevant to the baseline.

Through this additional work the Council will explore with other funding bodies, for example Local Strategic Partnerships, the potential for them to draw on baseline information relevant to their programmes. It will also consider the application of the Noble Deprivation Indices to the Rural Development Programme, how the participation of the Long Term Unemployed in the Rural Development Programme can be encouraged and how access to rural services might be improved.

(AQW 4156/01)

Ms Rodgers: Restrictions on the docking of dogs’ tails in Northern Ireland are presently imposed through United Kingdom-wide animal welfare legislation.

Historically, this practice was permissible as the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 exempted the carrying out of the tail docking of dogs from the activities that had to be carried out by a qualified veterinary surgeon. However, even then, there were some restrictions, tail docking of dogs had to take place before their eyes opened and needed to be carried out by persons over the age of 18.

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (Schedule 3 Amendment) Order 1991 amended the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 to remove the reference to the tail docking of dogs from the list of exempted activities. The effect of this amendment was to prohibit the docking of dogs tails by anyone who was not a qualified veterinary surgeon. However, while the circumstances in which a qualified veterinary surgeon may carry out tail docking could arguably be further restricted, a total ban would be difficult to justify as there are a limited number of situations where tail docking or amputation by a veterinary practitioner is necessary for genuine clinical reasons.

Westminster is currently revising animal welfare legislation including the issue of docking dogs’ tails. We would wish to look closely at the decisions reached by Westminster before considering the matter further.

(AQW 4300/01)

Ms Rodgers: On being notified of the escape by the Northern Salmon Company, Department staff visited the site to investigate the circumstances surrounding the escape and to co-ordinate an exercise to recover as many escapees as was practicable and to remove escapees from the Glenarm River. As a result of these site visits Department staff concluded that the escape was the result of structural damage to one of the cages during a storm.

(AQW 4319/01)

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).

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.

In addition, a range of further steps are being considered in conjunction with DEFRA to minimise the risk to Northern Ireland’s Agricultural industry presented by animal products. These include announcements on incoming aeroplanes and ferry’s, notices, amnesty bins and sniffer dogs.

(AQW 4148/01)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): There is no person described as a "Cultural Diversity Officer" within my Department.

There is a Cultural Diversity Branch, which was set up in April 2001, and its remit is to agree and implement a cultural diversity strategy and to continue work on commitments such as the Golden Jubilee.

(AQW 4149/01)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department has not had any direct involvement with the Foyle Cup competition and I do not, therefore, have any information on travel assistance offered to participating teams. This information could only be provided by the tournament organisers.

The Northern Ireland Events Company and the Sports Council for NI, both of whom are funded by my Department, have provided financial support for the tournament, but neither have had reason to obtain information about differential levels of travel assistance provided. The Events Company funding has been directed specifically at covering the cost of bringing teams from France and Holland to the tournament, which will enhance its international status and impact. The Sports Council made a small general contribution to the overall travel and tournament costs under its "Awards for All" lottery scheme.

(AQW 4159/01)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department has no funding for capital development other than that voted as part of this year’s budget. As you know, library provision for Lisburn is being taken forward under the public finance initiative. The South Eastern Board is currently finalising an economic appraisal in respect of Bangor Library and will then carry out an appraisal setting out the options for library provision in Newtownards.

The South Eastern Board’s capital programme will be considered along with other competing priorities in the light of available resources. I am, however, seeking to obtain additional resources for library capital development through a bid in Budget 2002.

(AQW 4162/01)

(a) Neither the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland nor the headquarters of the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, on which the Union Flag was flown, are specified in Regulation 6 of the Flags Regulations (NI) 2000;

(b) the Union Flag was flown on both buildings on 15 February 2002;

(c) the decision to fly the Union Flag was taken by the Premises Officer;

(d) discretion was exercised in deciding to fly the Union Flag;

(e) discretionary powers are vested in the Premises Officer;

(f) instructions issued by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister were followed.

(AQW 4298/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966, responsibility for licensing marine fish farms, monitoring their operations and enforcing the conditions of licences lies with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Investigations into the possible causes of escapes of farmed salmon from licensed marine fish farms are for that Department to consider. The Fisheries Conservancy Board has no role in such matters.

(AQW 4299/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Fisheries Conservancy Board’s functions are the conservation and protection of the salmon and inland fisheries of Northern Ireland other than the fisheries of the Londonderry Area or the Newry Area. In pursuit of these functions, the Board enforces the provisions of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 relating to the regulation and prohibition of salmon fishing. Those provisions do not distinguish between farmed salmon and wild Atlantic salmon. In those cases where the Board has initiated prosecution actions, it will be a matter for the courts to make a judgement on each individual case.

(AQW 4077/01)

(a) 

(i) The criteria for intake to an integrated primary school are 15 pupils for schools in urban areas (Londonderry and Belfast) and 12 for schools in rural areas. The school would then be entitled to recurrent funding from the Department. There is also a medium term target of an intake of 20 for urban schools and 15 for rural schools that must be satisfied before the school is eligible for capital funding.

(ii) The intake criterion for post-primary schools is 50 pupils and if this is achieved a school is entitled to recurrent funding, however it is essential that the school demonstrates its viability over a three year period before capital funding can be approved.

(b) the number of pupils enrolled for the new Sperrin Integrated College, Magherafelt currently stands at 53.

(c) Sperrin College has not yet been formally given final approval for grant-aided status and, in the absence of accurate information on pupils, floor area etc., it is therefore not possible to calculate the financial allocation to be made to the school for the financial year ended 31 March 2003.

(AQW 4105/01)

Mr M McGuinness: (a) The total number of applications to Strabane Grammar School for admission to Year 8 for September 2002 was 76. The total applications and (b) the number of successful applications from each contributory primary school for a place in Year 8 for September 2002 are detailed below as follows:

(AQW 4113/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The distribution agent provided the Household Response Forms to the Royal Mail for delivery as follows:

One postcode area, BT58, contains business addresses only
and was not covered.

(AQW 4118/01)

(a) The admissions and enrolment numbers in each of the last 5 academic years at Saintfield High School is set out below as follows:

(b) The number of applications which have not been successful for admission in each of the last 3 academic years is set out below as follows:

(c) The South Eastern Education and Library Board are currently undertaking an economic appraisal to address the deficiencies in accommodation at Saintfield High School.

It is unlikely that a suitable alternative site within the catchment area of the school will become available. Additionally, due to the constraints of the existing site any future development will have to be restricted to cater for a maximum enrolment of 340 pupils.

There are no plans to increase secondary provision in Saintfield or the surrounding area.

(AQW 4123/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Edexcel have taken a commercial decision to cease to offer GCSE examinations here, but will continue to offer all of their other GCE and post-16 qualifications. CCEA and Edexcel have agreed that any Edexcel specifications not already available from CCEA will now be offered through CCEA. I am satisfied that these new arrangements should not disadvantage candidates here in terms of the range of specifications available.

(AQW 4133/01)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department does not have offices in the Greater Belfast area, as defined by reference to the 4 Belfast constituencies.

(AQW 4151/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The School Building Handbook provides advice and guidance on the planning and design of new school buildings including the standards which should be met. Omagh High School - built in 1961 - has some accommodation deficiencies which are being addressed by the Western Education and Library Board within the resources available to it. The Board upgraded the accommodation for Art and Home Economics last year and this summer it plans to carry out other minor capital works including the upgrading of the toilets.

(AQW 4152/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The School Building Handbook provides advice and guidance on the planning and design of new school buildings including the standards which should be met. Strabane High School - built in 1963 - has some accommodation deficiencies which are being addressed by the Western Education and Library Board within the resources available to it. I understand that the Board has carried out various alterations to the school - including the refurbishment of the science accommodation and the upgrade of the IT facilities - and that work on a new technology block is due to start later this year.

(AQW 4153/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The School Building Handbook provides advice and guidance on the planning and design of new school buildings including the standards which should be met. A large proportion of the accommodation at Strabane Grammar School falls below those standards and the Western Education and Library Board is currently undertaking an economic appraisal to see how the accommodation needs of the school might best be addressed.

(AQW 4158/01)

Mr M McGuinness: This information is not currently available. It is anticipated that such information will be available from the Family Resources Survey, which was extended to Northern Ireland in April of this year. Initial results from the Survey will be available in November 2003, with more detailed analyses to follow.

(AQW 4208/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Schools are able to educate young people about the issue of homelessness within the current curriculum, for example as part of personal and social education. The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment is proposing the introduction of a new programme for Citizenship at Key Stages 3 and 4 as part of the current curriculum review and it is intended that this will provide further scope for teaching young people about homelessness. In addition, my Department has provided support to the Simon Community to help with their work with young homeless people. In particular, the Department has part-funded Simon’s Peer Education Programme, which involves young people who currently are, or have been, homeless visiting schools and youth clubs to raise awareness about the practical implications for young people of leaving home.

(AQW 4231/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The four threshold standards, agreed by Teachers’ Side and Management Side of the Teachers’ Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools) as part of the 2000 salary award, are about the professional effectiveness of teachers in meeting the needs of their pupils. The teachers applying for threshold assessment present evidence that they have been working broadly at these high standards over the previous two to three years, and external assessors ensure that the standards have been applied consistently and fairly.

(AQW 4232/01)

Mr M McGuinness: About 25% of full-time equivalent teachers did not move to the upper salary scale for post-threshold teachers, as they, apart from the unsuccessful cohort 1 appeals, did not satisfy the eligibility criterion under the negotiated agreement in order to apply for threshold assessment.

(AQW 4233/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 4232/01. As it takes account of the teachers who did not meet the required standards, the same percentage of 25% of full-time equivalent teachers were not eligible to move to the upper salary scale for post-threshold teachers.

(AQW 4234/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The first year administrative cost was £952,000, which covered the costs of training and accrediting the external assessors and their fees, training all principals in the scheme and substitute cover for teaching principals, developing training materials and manuals, advertising, and the regional centre’s costs. This will fall significantly in subsequent rounds as some of the start up costs apply only in the first year, and there is a marked reduction in the number of teachers eligible to apply in the following years’ rounds.

(AQW 4235/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Only teachers on point 9 of the teachers’ main salary scale at 1 September 1999, for experience and qualifications, were eligible to apply in cohort 1. The additional cost of paying all teachers, compared to the present system, would be more than £11m per year, including employers’ National Insurance and superannuation overheads.

(AQW 4244/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Under the Northern Ireland Drug Strategy, approximately £800,000 for two years was allocated to 6 projects in the education sector in March 2000 to enable provision in schools and the Youth Service to be strengthened. My Department has secured further funding to enable these programmes to continue for a further two years to March 2004. In 2002, under the Northern Ireland Drug and Alcohol Strategy, some £600,000 has been allocated to support activities proposed by the Education and Prevention Working Group, including the development and funding of training courses for drugs and alcohol educators and a revision of the ‘Misuse of Drugs’ pack issued to schools in 1996. A further £350,000 has been made available to fund public information campaigns.

(AQW 4257/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The closing date for responses to the consultation was 28 June 2002. There have been some delays in distributing forms to a few areas including Saintfield. In the light of this, if forms are received in my Department shortly after the closing date, they will be fully considered. Everyone’s views will be taken into account.

(AQW 4289/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The ratio of teachers to children at Ardmore House Special School, Downpatrick, is currently 12 teachers (including the Principal and Vice-Principal) to 31 pupils. All teachers, including the Principal and Vice Principal, also undertake outreach duties, equivalent to 1-1.5 days per week.

(AQW 4292/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The threshold arrangements agreed last year by Teachers’ Side and Management Side of the Teachers’ Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools) also apply to the second round, with the eligibility date rolled forward by one year. The process, which is well underway, is set out in detail in a handbook available to all eligible teachers. Within the Department arrangements are in place to ensure that teachers receive their payments through the payroll as quickly as possible once the Department has received the necessary documentation.

(AQW 4293/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The threshold scheme, which was agreed by Teachers’ Side and Management Side of the Teachers’ Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools), rewards teachers for their professionalism in the classroom. They are advised to keep their applications factual and concise in order to limit additional administrative burden.

(AQW 4295/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The agreement reached last year between Teachers’ Side and Management Side of the Teachers’ Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools) provided for subsequent rounds of threshold applications.

(AQW 4302/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Education legislation encourages schools to consider making their premises available to the community when not in use by the schools themselves. I would hope therefore that schools will, as far as they are able, be responsive to the needs of local communities for facilities. I consider, however, that this is a matter for each school to determine in the light of their individual circumstances.

I am, however, pleased to say that the new opportunities for PE and Sport Programme will greatly enhance opportunities for the community use of school sports facilities. The programme is making available a total of £33.75 million to: build new and refurbish existing sports facilities for school and community use; support the development and promotion of these facilities for community use; and build or refurbish outdoor adventure facilities.

The funding will be split between five area partnerships, led by the Education and Library Boards, who will facilitate schools in developing projects in association with the local community and sports clubs.

(AQW 4316/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 4068/01.

(AQW 4318/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The Southern Education and Library Board provides home to school transport in its area to those pupils who are eligible for that assistance. In some instances, buses carrying eligible children to school have empty seats. It has been the practice of the board to permit pupils, who are otherwise ineligible for transport assistance, to avail of these seats until such times as they are required by eligible pupils, or until the board revises its routes, or services on a route, because declining numbers of eligible pupils make such routes uneconomical to run. Only 6 eligible children remained on two routes servicing Derrychrin Primary School, while only 5 remained on the St Peter’s Primary School route. The board took its decision to remove services from these routes because they were no longer economical to run. The remaining eligible pupils will be accommodated by other means.

Boards have the authority to make such operational decisions in order to ensure that funds are not diverted from key priorities, such as the classroom resource, to provide services for those who are otherwise ineligible.