(AQW 4378/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): It estimated that lamb to the value of £10m will be exported to France in the current year. The French Government proposal to require the removal of spinal cord from carcasses of sheep over 6 months of age was deferred for a further 6 months. It is therefore considered that there was little or no financial impact on the NI industry.

You will be aware that the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) take the lead on European issues on behalf of the UK Agriculture Departments. In advance of the French deferral I made Mrs Margaret Beckett, the Secretary of State for DEFRA, aware of the NI concerns over the proposed unilateral introduction of additional SRM measures for sheep. Mrs. Beckett subsequently made representations to the EU Commission in order to put pressure on the French authorities.

I am pleased that the French Government has deferred their proposal on SRM measures for a further 6 months but should there be any attempt to introduce these measures in the future I will be making further representation to DEFRA to have infraction proceedings instigated by the EU Commission.

(AQW 4388/01)

Ms Rodgers: For the area in question, the Agricultural and Environmental Science Division of DARD hold data on concentrations of heavy metals in soils only. This soil geochemical dataset has been reviewed.

The dominant soil types in this area are peats, humic rankers and humic gleys developed on largely basaltic parent material. Soil acidity (pH) reflects the humic nature of the soils with most soil pH values in the range 5-6 i.e. slightly acid. The EU have set maximum allowable total concentrations of Cadmium, Copper, Lead and Zinc for disposal of sewage sludge to soils. These are shown in Table 1.

The total metal concentration ranges for Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Nickel and Zinc in soils found in the area of interest are shown in Table 2.

Of these metals, only the EU/UK limit for total Nickel concentrations is exceeded in these soils. However, these high metal concentrations simply reflect the basaltic nature of the soils in this area and are not due to man-made influences. Note also that the total metal concentrations do not necessarily reflect the levels of these metals transferred to plants or watercourses in the region. Most of the metal is locked up in the soil matrix and only becomes available to plants and water if soil acidity becomes very high (i.e. when soil pH values drop to very low levels).

Maps of the distribution of 15 elements including the 6 listed above, together with supporting tables of data and text, are available in the recent DARD Science Service publication "The Soil Geochemical Atlas of Northern Ireland".

(AQW 4407/01)

Ms Rodgers: The impact on the farming industry of any cap in the maximum subsidy paid per farm would depend first on the level at which this is set and second on the use made of any consequent budgetary savings. At this stage an assessment has been made based on a threshold of €300,000 (approx £200,000).

A cap of £200,000 per farm is unlikely to affect any farms in Northern Ireland. This conclusion is based on estimated subsidy levels in 2007 when the full impact of the Agenda 2000 agreement has been realised. It excludes payments under the Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances which are not subject to modulation.

(AQW 4475/01)

Ms Rodgers: Number of Credit Cards in use:

(AQW 4512/01)

Ms Rodgers: While there have been no bilateral discussions on this issue with the Ministers named in your question, the Executive has recently launched the Review of Public Administration which will review the existing arrangements for the accountability, administration and delivery of public services in Northern Ireland, and bring forward options for reform.

Any proposals resulting from this Review and the widespread consultation on this issue will, of course, be considered, as appropriate, in conjunction with all my Executive colleagues.

(AQW 4514/01)

Ms Rodgers: While there have been no bilateral discussions on this issue with the Ministers named in your question, the inclusion of Rural Proofing in the Programme for Government, and the Executive’s endorsement of my proposals for its implementation, demonstrates the Executive’s continuing commitment to the rural areas of Northern Ireland and to the people who live there.

Furthermore the Executive has endorsed the setting up of an Inter-departmental Steering Group to take forward the work required to implement this process. This Group, which I Chair, is comprised of senior officials from all Departments and will ensure that all appropriate Executive proposals and policies are examined carefully and objectively to determine whether or not they have a different impact in rural areas from that elsewhere and in particular to ensure that as far as is possible public services are accessible on a fair basis to the rural community.

The Executive has recently launched the Review of Public Administration, which will review the existing arrangements for the accountability, administration and delivery of public services in Northern Ireland, and bring forward options for reform. Any proposals resulting from this Review and the widespread consultation on this issue will, of course, be considered in conjunction with all my Executive colleagues and will be Rural Proofed, as appropriate, during the development of any future policy proposal.

(AQW 3550/01)

The scheme ran from November 2000 to March 2001 and 40 venues throughout the province were assessed. They included community centres, leisure complexes, arts venues, libraries, heritage centres, folk parks and sporting venues. An independent evaluation of the pilot programme was carried out and one of the recommendations was that funding should be sought to continue the project. The Department was able to provide a further £100,000 to ADAPT in 2001-02 and a second programme was carried out, building on the achievements of the first programme.

A website interface was also established as a mechanism to increase participation in data collection and a further 100 cultural and sporting venues are being appraised. These venues will be included in the Access 400 booklet which is due to be launched in October 2002. A full report on the project, including recommendations on the way forward and the results of the feasibility study will be available to the Department by the end of June 2002.

(AQW 4361/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The funding for the two Agencies of the Language Body from 2000-2002 is as follows:

(AQW 4362/01)

Mr McGimpsey: There will be equity of treatment for the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages. It is not, however, appropriate to use the treatment of one language as a benchmark for the treatment of the other because one is not comparing like with like, in terms of actions required to sustain and celebrate individual languages.

The Ulster-Scots and Irish languages are at different stages of development and this is reflected in the funding for Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch and Foras na Gaeilge.

(AQW 4368/01)

Mr McGimpsey: This is a matter for the Department of Education.

The North/South Ministerial Council meeting on 5 December 2000 approved the Corporate Plan 2000/1-2003/4 for Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch. One of the Corporate Plan’s key themes was "to establish partnerships with the education and community sectors to promote the study of Ulster-Scots language, culture and history".

I brought the Corporate Plan to the attention of the Assembly on 18 December 2000.

I understand that Tha Boord has been in discussion with officials from the Department of Education concerning an education strategy for Ulster-Scots.

(AQW 4369/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch (the Ulster-Scots Agency) currently has four staff. Two of these are seconded civil servants and two are recruitment agency staff. Foras na Gaeilge (the Irish Language Agency) currently employs forty-five staff.

(AQW 4370/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Neither agency employs staff with that job title. However, both employ staff who interface directly with target groups to increase awareness of how the agencies may support them to obtain objectives which are in line with the agencies own. The Ulster-Scots Agency has one member of staff working in that capacity. The Irish Language Agency has 6 members of staff working in that capacity.

(AQW 4487/01)

Mr McGimpsey: John Hegarty took up his position as the interim Chief Executive for Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch on 2 December 1999. His resignation from this post took effect from 14 August 2001.

(AQW 4488/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The first Interim Chief Executive of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch was appointed by way of a NICS wide trawl. His appointment was made by the two Governments, as indeed were appointments of Interim Chief Executives of all the North-South Bodies at that time. The appointment was not approved by the North-South Language Body, which was not in existence at that time.

(AQW 4489/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Mr Mallon was formally appointed on 6 September 2001 by the Chair of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch, Lord Laird of Artigarvan, to act as Administrative Consultant. The appointment was by way of a term contract with Mallon Associates. Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch approved the appointment at a Board meeting on 17 August 2001. That contract was renewed by the Agency on 19 November 2001 and again on 14 January 2002.

(AQW 4490/01)

Mr McGimpsey: There will be equity of treatment for the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages. It is not, however, appropriate to use the treatment of one language as a benchmark for the treatment of the other because one is not comparing like with like, in terms of actions required to sustain and celebrate individual languages.

Ulster-Scots is at an earlier stage of development and the Ulster Scots Agency has made enormous strides over the past two and a half years. The next step planned is a Future Search process which, has been successfully used in other sectors of my Department and should result in a strategy for developing the Ulster-Scots language and culture in a structured and planned fashion.

(AQW 4491/01)

Mr McGimpsey: I met with representatives of the Ulster-Scots Heritage Council on 20 June 2002 to discuss a Future Search process for Ulster-Scots language and culture which my Department plans to undertake in the near future. I meet Lord Laird, Chair of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch (an Agency of the North/South Language Body) as appropriate, to discuss issues.

(AQW 4492/01)

Mr McGimpsey: There are no plans to consult on responsibility for the North/South Language Body which consists of two Agencies, Foras na Gaeilge (the Irish Language Agency) and Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch (the Ulster-Scots Agency).

(AQW 4493/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Responsibility for the structure of the department is a matter for the Permanent Secretary.

(AQW 4494/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Responsibility for the structure of the department is a matter for the Permanent Secretary.

(AQW 4495/01)

Mr McGimpsey: My department seeks the views of relevant individuals and organisations as appropriate. Specifically, Linguistic Diversity Branch commissioned a consultant to carry out research work with the Ulster Scots Language Society to help them develop their strategic planning capability. The Steering Group for that research was chaired by Linguistic Diversity Branch and included representatives of the Ulster-Scots Language Society and the Ulster-Scots Heritage Council. More recently Linguistic Diversity Branch commissioned research to establish demand for services and activities in the Ulster-Scots Language. This research involved consultation with a wide range of Ulster-Scots interests including representatives of the Ulster-Scots Heritage Council and the Ulster-Scots Language Society.

(AQW 4496/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Mr Mallon was formally appointed on 6 September 2001 by the Chair of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch, Lord Laird of Artigarvan, to act as Administrative Consultant. That contract was terminated by Tha Boord on 28 March 2002.

(AQW 4497/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The annual report and accounts for 2001 of the North/South Language Body have not yet been produced. The annual report and statement of accounts will be laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly. It is a matter for the Assembly to decide if they will be debated.

(AQW 4498/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The annual report and accounts for 2001 of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch have not yet been produced. The annual reports and accounts of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch and Foras na Gaeilge will be amalgamated and the statement of accounts for the North-South Language Body will be examined and certified by the Comptrollers and Auditors General (North and South). The annual report and accounts for the Body will then be laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly. It will be for the Assembly to decide if they will be debated.

(AQW 4499/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The annual report and accounts for 2000 of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch have not yet been finalised. The North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Language Sector format on 14 June 2002 approved the draft activity report for Tha Boord and noted the draft unaudited accounts. My answer to your question AQW 4500 covers points (c) and (d).

(AQW 4500/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The annual report and accounts for 2000 of the North-South Language Body have not yet been produced. The annual reports and accounts of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch and Foras na Gaeilge will be amalgamated and the statement of accounts for the North-South Language Body will be examined and certified by the Comptrollers and Auditors General (North and South). The annual report and accounts for the Body will then be laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly. It will be for the Assembly to decide if they will be debated.

(AQW 4501/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The North-South Language Body met on 11 February 2000. There have been no further meetings.

(AQW 4502/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The draft Equality Scheme for the Language Body was approved at the North-South Ministerial Council Language Sector meeting on 14 June 2002. At that meeting it was also agreed that the scheme be submitted to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. Consideration of the scheme is a matter for the Equality Commission.

(AQW 4503/01)

Mr McGimpsey: I am not aware of any proposal for my Department to hold the meetings to which you refer. You may wish to write providing more detail.

(AQW 4516/01)

Mr McGimpsey: I confirm that my Department has not been approached by the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment seeking funding for the post of an Ulster-Scots Development Officer.

(AQW 4517/01)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department, along with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs funds the North/South Language Implementation Body, which incorporates Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch. Tha Boord is responsible for promoting greater awareness and use of the Ulster-Scots language and for Ulster-Scots cultural issues. It is a matter for Tha Boord to decide on development of appropriate linkages to help meet its objectives.

I will make sure that Mr George Holmes of Tha Boord o Ulstèr Scotch is aware of your interest in this matter.

(AQW 4441/01)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): The £8 million capital under-spend was due to slippage on the following projects:

a. QUB Research Institute for Electronics, Communications and Information Technologies - £3.1 million.

b. Elmwood Teaching and Learning Centre at QUB - £1.8 million

c. UU Open and Distance Learning Infrastructure - £0.75 million

d. Springvale Campus - £0.5 million

e. Access for students with disabilities at Stranmillis and St Mary’s - £0.15 million

f. ICT provision for FE lecturers - £0.4 million

g. Upgrade of accommodation at NI Catering College - £0.6 million

h. East Tyrone College: Cookstown Campus -£0.7 million

In addition to the above which contributed to the £8 million under-spend, there was slippage on the East Antrim Newtownabbey Campus project. Approval for this project was subject to the sale of land at Larne, which has not happened yet.

(AQW 4230/01)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Dr Farren): Jobs maintenance (safeguarding) as a specific monitoring indicator, is only applicable to a limited range of Measures under the Building Sustainable Prosperity and PEACE II Operational Programmes. At this early stage in implementation, there are 268 successful applications recorded on the Applications Database, none of which are under the Measures in question. There are 30 unsuccessful applications to these same Measures but information is not held regarding the number of jobs which would have been safeguarded. As they will not receive funding, Implementing Bodies are not required to insert monitoring information in respect of these unsuccessful projects.

(AQW 3721/01)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): Information on the amount spent on legal fees in relation to litigation cases, in each of the last 5 years, is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Information is available on the cost of legal services supplied to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Health and Personal Social Services and Executive Non Departmental Public Bodies for the last 5 years, and is provided in the table below :

Níl an t-eolas ar mhéid airgid caite ar tháillí dlí maidir le cásanna dlíthíochta, le 5 bliain anuas, ar fáil agus ní féidir é a sholáthar ach ar chostas díréireach.

Tá eolas ar fáil ar chostas seirbhísí dlí a soláthraíodh don Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí, Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsanta agus Comhlachtaí Feidhmeannacha Poiblí Neamhroinne le 5 bliain anuas, léirítear seo sa tábla thíos:

(AQW 3810/01)

Ms de Brún: I have no plans at present to meet with the European Commission’s Health and Consumer Protection Directorate.

(AQW 3855/01)

Ms de Brún: Last year, in response to the inaugural Programme for Government, I issued ‘Priorities for Action’, setting out specific objectives and targets for the Health and Personal Social Services in 2001/02, within the context of the Programme for Government and the Budget agreed by the Assembly. 87% of those targets have been achieved or substantially achieved. I am greatly encouraged by the progress that was made last year but it is disappointing that some key targets, such as those relating to waiting lists, have not been achieved. I remain fully committed to tackling these problems.

In March I announced my ‘Priorities for Action 2002/03’, setting out my planning goals and priorities for the HPSS, again in the context of the Programme for Government and Budget agreed by the Assembly. HSS Boards have produced Health and Wellbeing Investment Plans setting out how they intend to deliver those priorities and I now look forward to further positive developments in the coming year. In particular, I am committed to:

• continued implementation of the Investing for Health Strategy;

• the introduction of free nursing care for residents of nursing homes;

• support for an additional 1,000 people in community settings;

• increased access for those who need hospital treatment, particularly in key cardiac, renal and cancer services; and

• the modernisation of our acute hospital services.

Anuraidh, mar fhreagairt ar an chéad Chlár um Rialtas d‘eisigh mé ‘Tosaíochtaí le haghaidh Gnímh’ a leag amach sainchuspóirí agus spriocanna do na Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsanta i 2001/02, i gcomhthéacs an Chláir um Rialtas agus an Bhuiséid a d’aontaigh an Tionól. Baineadh amach nó baineadh go pointe áirithe 87% de na spriocanna sin amach nó chuathas níos faide ná iad. Is mór an spreagadh dom an dul chun cinn a rinneadh anuraidh agus is ábhar díomá é nach bhfuil roinnt eochairspriocanna, amhail na cinn sin a bhaineann le liostaí feithimh, bainte amach. Tá mé geallta go huile agus go iomlán do dhul i ngleic leis an fadhbanna seo.

I Márta d’fhógair mé mo "Thosaíochtaí le haghaidh Gnímh 2002/03" ag leagan amach mo spriocanna agus mo thosaíóchtaí pleanála do na SSSP, arís i gcomhthéacs an Chláir um Rialtas agus an Bhuiséid a d’aontaigh an Tionóil. Sholáthraigh Boird SSS Pleananna Infheistíochta sa tSláinte agus san Fholláine a leagann amach conas atá sé ar intinn acu na tosaíochtaí a chur i bhfeidhm agus tá mé ag dréim anois le forbairtí breise dearfach sa bhliain atá le teacht. Tá mé geallta do, go háirithe:

• Infheistíocht sa tSláinte a chur i bhfeidhm go fóill

• Cúram altranais saor do chónaitheoirí tithe altranais a thabhairt isteach;

• Tacaíocht a thabhairt do 1,000 duine sa phobal

• Rochtain mhéadaithe dóibh siúd a bhfuil cóireáil otharlainne de dhíth orthu go háirithe in eochairsheirbhísí croí, duánacha agus ailse; agus

• Géarsheirbhísí otharlainne a nuachóiriú.

(AQW 4258/01)

Ms de Brún: I can confirm that no special consideration in terms of financial assistance or preferential payment agreements was given to the Sandown Group or its associates from my Department.

The Health and Social Services Boards have advised that neither they nor their respective Trusts at any time prior to, or during, the time the Sandown Group was in receivership afforded them any preferential payment arrangement or financial assistance.

Is féidir liom a dheimhniú nár caitheadh ar aon bhealach faoi leith ó thaobh cúnam airgeadais no comhaontuithe íocaíochtaí buntáistiúla do Sandown Group ná a chuid comhlachach.

Tá sé curtha in iúl ag na Boird Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta nár chaith siadsan nó a gcuid Iontaobhas faoi seach aon tráth roimh an Sandown Group a bheith faoi ghlacadóireacht nó le linn na trátha sin go buntáistiúil leo ó thaobh íocaíochtaí nó cúnamh airgeadais.