Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 15 December 1999

Education
Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister

Education

Integrated Schools

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of Education how many of the pupils who applied to an integrated school in September this year were unable to secure a place.

(AQW 4/99)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): The numbers of unsuccessful first-preference applications to integrated schools for admission in September 1999 were 11 for primary school and 253 for secondary school.

Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister

Civic Forum

Mr Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what progress has been made in the establishment of the Civic Forum.

(AQW 5/99)

Reply: On 16 February 1999 the Assembly agreed a report from the First Minister (Designate) and Deputy First Minister (Designate) which included a section on the Civic Forum. Initial work was undertaken on the basis of that report on preliminary arrangements for securing nominations for the Forum. Action is now being taken forward under the auspices of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. Consultation on membership will take place shortly with a range of sectoral interests. Consideration is also being given to the location and staffing of the Forum.