(AQW 397/02)

Mr M McGuinness: Where expenditure associated with the removal or isolation of asbestos that is causing a health and safety risk cannot be met within existing Education and Library Boards’ maintenance budgets, my Department is prepared to consider requests for additional funding from within the resources available to the education sector.

(AQW 398/02)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department does not own or lease any buildings and responsibility for the buildings occupied by Departmental staff rests with the Department of Finance and Personnel.

Departmental staff occupy buildings at two locations, Rathgael House, Bangor and Waterside House, Londonderry. The number of staff employed in Rathgael House is 482 and in Waterside House 126.

(AQW 407/02)

Mr M McGuinness: The number of pupils who applied for a secondary school place at Regent House and the number who were unsuccessful in obtaining a place and a list of the schools where they were placed is detailed below:

(AQW 408/02)

Mr M McGuinness: The number of pupils who applied for a secondary school place at Movilla High School and the number who were unsuccessful in obtaining a place and a list of the schools where they were placed is detailed below:

(AQW 236/02)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): I have been advised that EGSA are currently seeking premises in the Larne town centre area and several locations are currently under consideration. In the interim period, an EGSA presence in the Larne area will continue to be supported by the Belfast Office staff, in collaboration with staff in both the statutory and voluntary agencies in the Larne area.

(AQW 248/02)

Ms Hanna: Records of participants are not collated on an Assembly constituency basis. To date 70 participants from County Tyrone have progressed to the US phase and have received financial support from the Department.

An Interim Evaluation of the Walsh Visa Programme has been conducted by DTZ Pieda Consultants. A final report is expected shortly.

(AQW 290/02)

Ms Hanna: Following on from the announcement of the draft spending allocations for my Department I am considering the affordability of re-introducing Individual Learning Accounts. My priority is to ensure that the funding available to the Department for adult learning is targeted on those in greatest need either because of social disadvantage or low skills levels. When I have considered the impact of the draft budget allocations for 2003/04 on my Department I will make a decision in respect of Individual Learning Accounts. I would expect to make that decision over the next few weeks when spending allocations are confirmed.

(AQW 305/02)

Ms Hanna: I do not intend to follow the Scottish system. I do intend, however, to provide support, within the resources available, to students who come from low income families. To this effect my Department has introduced a means tested, non-repayable Higher Education Bursary for students from low income families, worth up to £1,500 per year. I have also recently announced that this will increase to £2000 with effect from September 2003. The income threshold for these bursaries will also rise from £15,000 to £20,000.

(AQW 310/02)

Ms Hanna: The New Deal Programme and Bridge to Employment are particularly suited to those about to be made redundant. Both enable individuals to re-train and enter employment in areas other than that which they have just left. Contact between INI and my Department means that JobCentre staff are alert to forthcoming redundancies. A series of models have been developed which enables companies and individuals to be provided with a range of options ranging from re-training to self-employment. The models also include the facility to inform local businesses not facing redundancies, about the availability of potential staff and training programmes.

(AQW 311/02)

Ms Hanna: My Department’s Regional staff maintain ongoing links with colleagues in INI, local economic development groups and Strategic Partnerships in order to work pro-actively with inward investment and indigenous businesses. Their local knowledge and the range of options on offer including Bridge to Employment and New Deal mean that businesses can be offered potential staff and training as a composite package. These will be tailored to suit the needs of both the company and individuals concerned.

(AQW 330/02)

Ms Hanna: Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) have been carried out on all pieces of proposed employment legislation since devolution. These assessments are forecasts, made prior to implementation, of the risks, costs and benefits likely to arise as a result of the legislation and are used to inform public debate. Some employment legislation may result in additional costs for business, including small businesses, but I believe there will also be real benefits for firms, through, for example, more harmonious employee relations, reduced pressures on working parents, clarification of rights and the spread of good practice.

(AQW 346/02)

Ms Hanna: The Employability Taskforce, which I chair on behalf of the Executive, has been examining how barriers to employment can be overcome and more people assisted to engage with the labour market. I expect the Report to be published shortly.

In addition, my Department is introducing a new process whereby all jobseekers are required to address their training and employment needs as part of their benefit claiming process. This service is being rolled out through joint Jobs and Benefits offices.

Finally, job vacancies notified by employers to my Department are displayed on jobcentreonline, our new web site, giving instant access to jobseekers.

(AQO 199/02)

Ms Hanna: My Department is making steady progress with the re-consideration of the Further Education Strategy. Given the importance of further education to the economy and social fabric of Northern Ireland, the outcomes of this review will be very important.

The first stage, which is due for completion around the beginning of December, is a consultation on the role of the statutory FE sector. This exercise will serve as the starting point for a consideration of wider issues in four key areas:

(AQO 191/02)

Ms Hanna: While student loans, which are highly subsidised, offer students a method of funding their living costs, with very favourable repayment terms, it was recognised during my predecessor’s review of student support, that specific groups of students are experiencing particular difficulties. Consequently, means tested non-repayable bursaries of up to £1,500 per year were introduced from the beginning of this month, which will reduce the amount of loans that students need to borrow.

I intend to increase the maximum bursary to £2000 with effect from September 2003, while simultaneously increasing the income threshold from £15,000 to £20,000.

(AQO 225/02)

Ms Hanna: Disabled young people face a range of difficulties in accessing services including further and higher education. My Department is committed to removing and addressing any difficulties disabled young people have in accessing further and higher education. Already Universities have carried out "disability audits", while further education colleges are currently being audited, to identify essential capital works needed to improve physical access. Skill NI has also been commissioned to develop an audit tool to help institutions improve access to the curriculum. In addition, my Department has, in conjunction with the Department of Education, recently published proposals for a Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill for Northern Ireland.

(AQO 223/02)

Ms Hanna: Between 2000-01 and 2001-02 the Departmental Expenditure Limit budget for my Department, excluding ring-fenced provision for the EU Peace Programme, increased by 2.9%. For comparison purposes the 2000/01 base on which the percentage is calculated includes Welfare to Work provision which was outside the Departmental Expenditure Limit budget in 2000/01 but included in it, in 2001/02.

(AQO 198/02)

Ms Hanna: I understand your question concerns my Department’s funding of university research here. The bulk of my Department’s funding is through the annual recurrent mainstream grant which is essentially related to research quality and volume as is the case in Great Britain. Otherwise there are separate funding streams for specific initiatives which are generally local derivations of initiatives in England, although the Support Programme for University Research is a notable local exception. I should point out that my Department’s grants are only part of the picture as the Universities can attract funds from other sources such as Research Councils, other Government Departments and the private sector.

(AQO 221/02)

Ms Hanna: From their introduction in September 2000, expenditure on Individual Learning Accounts was £1.3 million in 2000/01; £7.2 million in 2001/02; and £0.4m to date in 2002/03.

A recent survey has shown that the great majority of Northern Ireland users had improved their skills, were fully satisfied with their courses and the value for money. However, it also indicated the scheme’s limited impact on those who are educationally and economically disadvantaged.

(AQO 202/02)

Ms Hanna: My Department provides funding for teacher education in Queen’s University, Belfast, the University of Ulster, St Mary’s University College and Stranmillis University College. These institutions’ recruitment and admissions policies are subject to the requirements of equality legislation.

I have no plans to add to this provision.

(AQW 92/02)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey) [holding answer 20 September 2002]: The table below sets out information relating to payments to each of the Companies. The notes explain the basis for the information supplied.

* Including associated companies

(AQW 93/02)

Sir Reg Empey [holding answer 20 September 2002]:

(AQW 267/02)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department does not provide such financing to industry in Northern Ireland.

As launch aid (now termed Launch Investment) is a "reserved matter" administered by DTI, the Member should put his query to the Secretary of State for DTI, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, MP, at 1 Victoria Street, London, SWIH 0ET.

(AQW 273/02)

Sir Reg Empey: The Moyle District Council area is heavily dependent on the rural economy and the retail sector is a significant employer. Moyle also has a low manufacturing base. These structural issues are significant when considering economic development plans for the region.

Invest NI is engaged with its enterprise partners within Moyle including Moyle Local Strategic Partnership to address the economic development issues facing the region. A number of appraisals have been completed on economic development issues and consultations have taken place within the community and with key influencers to identify the key local economic development needs. These consultations resulted in a number of significant actions aimed at promoting economic development within Moyle.

Moyle District Council has an agreed Local Economic Development plan in place. This plan was drawn up with input from Invest NI and sets out priorities for the region until 2005.

It is the view of Invest NI that an additional economic appraisal at this time is not necessary. A number of appraisals have taken place over the last year and the Moyle Local Strategy Partnership has consulted widely in order to determine the priorities for the region. The key economic points of this have been captured within the Moyle District Council Local Economic Development Plan.

Invest NI is now working with its partners within Moyle to ensure the targets set out in these plans are met.

(AQW 301/02)

Sir Reg Empey: In each case, the answer is none.

(AQW 312/02)

Sir Reg Empey: In the last 2 years East Antrim area has seen the loss of around 2250 jobs in the hi-tech and telecommunications sector.

I recognise the key role that such employees play in achieving economic prosperity and the importance of retaining them in the sector, particularly those with technological skills. For this reason my Department liaises closely with the Department of Employment and Learning and local companies to help find new employment opportunities for any employees being made redundant. In addition, Invest NI has a range of support available to encourage people to use their skills in developing businesses. For example, in the East Antrim area, Invest NI has approved support for the Enterprise Agency in Larne to run the Fresh Start Redundancy Programme. This programme is aimed at people being made redundant, who may consider Self Employment. The programme will cover,

What’s involved in self-employment?

Ideas Generation

Role model stories

Market Research

Invest NI is currently considering a proposal to run a ‘Managers into Enterprise Programme’ (MINE). This programme would seek to encourage managers in companies to consider setting up their own business.

Invest NI also has a Growth Start Programme, which is aimed at supporting people to set up businesses with potential to expand in export markets.

This scheme can provide financial support for product development, marketing and revenue costs.

I am very much aware of the difficulties currently faced by the East Antrim area and officials will consider if additional measures are needed to encourage alternative employment opportunities or to allow highly skilled people to start their own businesses.

(AQW 334/02)

Sir Reg Empey: I have impressed upon Bombardier senior management, both in Belfast and in Montreal, the critical importance of continuing investment in people skills and research and development in Belfast and I have expressed my deep concerns about these most recent redundancies. On the ground Invest NI seeks to influence this through selective financial support for investment in research capability and training and development, which will strengthen Shorts’ position as a centre of excellence within the Bombardier group.

As regards additional recruitment in Montreal as far as I have been made aware, Bombardier Montreal has only been recruiting a limited number of highly specialised posts over the past few months, including in its Defence Services facility at Mirabel.

(AQW 335/02)

Sir Reg Empey: The recent public statement made by Bombardier underlines the previous assurances given by senior Bombardier management in both Belfast and Montreal about their commitment to retain a strong integrated design and engineering function in Belfast. It also reaffirms Belfast as a core part of Bombardier’s aerospace business. The aerospace industry has witnessed significant contraction over the past year as the result of the global downturn and the unprecedented events of September 11. Major international players in the sector, including Bombardier, have had to review their operations and make commercial judgements on an ongoing basis to ensure they can continue to compete in a rapidly changing and fiercely competitive environment.

(AQW 336/02)

Sir Reg Empey: I have expressed to Bombardier senior management my deep disappointment at the recent announcement of job losses. The public statement made by Bombardier underlines the previous assurances given to me by senior Bombardier management in response to my previous representations, to retain a strong design and engineering capability in Belfast and also reaffirms Belfast as a core part of Bombardier’s aerospace business. Invest NI will also seek through support for investment in research and engineering capability and training to maximise employment opportunities.

In regard to pensions, this is not a matter for my Department and I would advise the Assembly Member that any questions he has on this should be taken up with the company; the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) at: Invicta House, Trafalgar Place, Brighton, BN1 4DW, Phone: 01273 627600, e-mail: helpdesk@opra.gov.uk website: www.opra.gov.uk or ultimately with the Pensions Ombudsman, at: OPAS 11 Belgrave Road, London SW1 V1RB, Phone: 020 7233 8080, website:www.opas.org.uk

(AQW 337/02)

Sir Reg Empey: The Member will be aware that I have worked very closely with senior management of Bombardier both in Belfast and in Montreal since last October when they announced up to 2000 potential redundancies by the end of this year. Officials of Invest NI have also been in touch with colleagues in the Department of Employment and Learning to ensure that the fullest possible effort would be made to alleviate the difficulties that are facing those employees and their families who will be affected by the recent announcement, both in terms of offering assistance and in identifying specific needs including alternative employment and retraining.

In relation to assurances about the future of the company I have expressed my deep concerns about the recent job losses with senior Bombardier Shorts management. I have been told that these were made very reluctantly but were forced upon the company due to the continued softening of the regional and business jet markets and the general slowdown in the global economy. In its recent public statement the company has given assurances that it is committed to retaining a strong integrated design and engineering function in Belfast. It is continuing to invest to a significant degree in both capital and in skills training, in order to ensure that Belfast retains its core position as a centre of excellence within the Bombardier group and is well placed to compete for new aircraft programmes when the market recovers.

Invest NI is also in close discussions with the company about current programmes which will maximise employment opportunities in Belfast.

(AQW 347/02)

Sir Reg Empey: Invest NI is committed to working in close partnership with the Local Enterprise Agencies in Larne, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey. Each Agency delivers the Business Start Programme in their respective areas and a range of specific programmes have been developed and delivered. Examples of these include the Business Start Aftercare Programme through Mallusk Enterprise Agency, the Business Support Programme through Carrickfergus Enterprise Agency and the Fresh Start Enterprise Programme through Larne Enterprise Development Company Limited (LEDCOM).

Invest NI is keen to consider programme proposals from the Local Enterprise Agencies and to support these where they provide a positive contribution to the region, and are complementary with other programmes and schemes already available. In this way, the Local Enterprise Agencies in Larne, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey could enhance the current services they provide.

Invest NI is also committed to ensuring that there is an integrated and coordinated approach to local economic development and to this end is working closely with Enterprise NI, of which the 3 East Antrim LEAs are members, to develop an approach whereby the LEA’s provide an enhanced service to companies in the local market place and encourage a more enterprising culture.

My recent visit to East Antrim highlighted the real difficulties being faced in the area and I will ensure that our resources are harnessed to meet areas of greatest need.

(AQW 348/02)

Sir Reg Empey: Invest NI are actively pursuing tenants to invest and locate at the Global Point site Newtownabbey. Some interest has been received from inward and indigenous companies and negotiations are well advanced with a local development consortium in respect of the provision on a speculative basis of a 40,000 sq ft light industrial customer contact centre.

(AQW 351/02)

Sir Reg Empey: My Departmental research, which still continues, has identified a formidable complex of reasons for current difficulties. These include the combined impact of long term unprofitability in the industry; the particular problems of insuring industrial diseases; the need for some level of cyclical market readjustment; the current stock market downturn and the difficulty of raising capital in these circumstances; the re-insurance problems caused by September 11_, increasing societal expectations and consequent litigation. Both Government and the insurance industry have set up Working Groups to examine the scope for addressing present difficulties. My officials are closely involved in both; and I propose to discuss the issue soon with the Economic Secretary to the Treasury.

(AQW 377/02)

Sir Reg Empey: Invest NI and before it, IDB has been and is continuing to closely monitor Bombardier’s performance, including the investment of public funding provided to the company. The best way of protecting public investment in Shorts is to ensure that the business takes the necessary actions in order to ensure its international competitiveness in a rapidly changing and fiercely competitive marketplace. Invest NI will continue to seek to influence this through the provision of support to encourage investment by the company in research capability and training, which are the essential factors which will enable the company to compete effectively for new work as the market recovers.

(AQW 384/02)

Sir Reg Empey: Bombardier regards its core business in Belfast to be the development of fuselages, engine nacelles and composites. To enable it to focus resources on, and release funds for the development of the core business, the company has sold off non –core activities such as its missiles division.

The recent public statement by the company in relation to the recent job losses emphasised Bombardier’s commitment to retaining Belfast as a core part of the Bombardier group and ensuring a strong integrated design and manufacturing capability here. I and Invest NI will continue to work closely with Bombardier Shorts’ senior management to see how we can leverage further research development and investment in these areas, which will strengthen the core business and secure the future competitiveness of the company.

(AQW 422/02)

Sir Reg Empey: No. Failures to comply with the relevant legislation are offences under the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 which may attract fines not exceeding £5,000 on summary conviction. The offences are also triable on indictment in the Crown Court, where they may attract unlimited fines. The actual penalty imposed in any particular case is, of course, a matter for the judiciary.

(AQW 430/02)

Sir Reg Empey: The answer in all three cases is none.