This publication contains the written answers to questions tabled by Members. The content of the responses is as received at the time from the relevant Minister or representative of the Assembly Commission and has not been subject to the official reporting process or changed in any way.
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
Friday 01 June 2007
Written Answers to Questions
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Agriculture and Rural Development
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Education
Employment and Learning
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Environment
Finance and Personnel
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Regional Development
Social Development
Assembly Commission
OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
Planning Appeals
Mr Tommy Gallagher asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister if it will provide the following information in relation to planning appeals to the Planning Appeals Commission:
1. The number of appeals received in the years 2005, 2006, and 2007; and
2. The time taken currently to determine those appeals that (a) request a formal hearing and (b) request written representation.
(AQW 25/07)
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister (Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness): The Planning Appeals Commission is a tribunal Non Departmental Public Body, and I understand the Chief Commissioner has written to the honourable Member in the following terms:
"I have been asked to provide you with information requested in the above Assembly Question. I have set out, in the following table, the total number of appeals received in the 2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07 financial years.
YEAR |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
|---|---|---|---|
Appeals received |
762 |
1265 |
2765 |
I have also provided, in the table below, figures for the average time taken to decide an appeal for all of the procedures available. These figures indicate the time taken to determine appeals already heard and illustrate the position as at 30 April 2007.
PROCEDURE |
MEDIAN TIME (WEEKS) |
|---|---|
| Formal Hearing | 64 |
| Informal Hearing | 66 |
| Written Representation (accompanied Site Visit) | 63 |
| Written Representations (unaccompanied Site Visit) | 62 |
The Commission publishes updates of these figures on a monthly basis via its website. I would be happy to provide any further information you require arising out of this response or to meet with you to discuss the matter if that would be more suitable."
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Fishing Industry
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what discussions she has had with the Anglo-North Fish Producers' Organisation and the Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation regarding promotion of the fishing industry.
(AQW 107/07)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Gildernew): Prior to taking up my Ministerial appointment I met the Chairmen and Chief Executives of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation and the Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation on 26 April 2007 to hear at first hand about the main issues facing the fishing industry. I hope to meet with both organisations again in the near future.
DARD Direct (Enniskillen)
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give a date by which the evaluation of the DARD Direct (Enniskillen) experiment will be made known; and to advise whether a consultation process will be entered into, following the formal evaluation.
(AQW 122/07)
Ms Gildernew: The evaluation should be completed by the end of July 2007 and at this stage no decision has been taken on consultation.
Kilkeel Harbour
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline her plans to upgrade the entrance to Kilkeel Harbour.
(AQW 123/07)
Ms Gildernew: My Department is funding the further technical studies recommended in the Wallingford Report. The studies will assess the feasibility of a new breakwater with regard to solving the safety issues at the entrance to Kilkeel harbour and assess the impacts of the structure.
No decision on construction of a new breakwater can be taken until after the studies are completed in 2008.
Animal Health
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide full details of progress made in dealing with animal health issues on an all-island basis, since the collapse of the previous Assembly in 2002.
(AQW 124/07)
Ms Gildernew: Despite the suspension of the machinery of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), co-operation in the field of animal health and welfare has continued through the work of the nine working groups set up under the auspices of NSMC arrangements to discuss a range of animal health and welfare issues.
The most significant achievements of the working groups to date have been the development of a broadly similar system of sheep identification, broad (though not total) alignment of policies in respect of border controls to prevent introduction of animal disease, convergence of policies on scrapie, sharing of data on animal disease trends and outbreaks, close liaison on Avian Influenza, Equine Infectious Anaemia and a range of other epizootic diseases, co-operation on contingency planning for exotic disease outbreaks and co-operation on testing regimes for TB and Brucellosis in border areas.
As I have already announced, the issue of the All-island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy is one of my key priorities. It is my intention to meet the new Minister for Agriculture in the South, at the earliest possible opportunity, in order to discuss how we can develop the Strategy.
Organic Horticulture
Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has to introduce capital grants for organic horticulture, for polytunnels and specialist machinery.
(AQW 141/07)
Ms Gildernew: There may be scope for capital grant support through a proposed Farm Modernisation measure within the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (NIRDP). However, negotiations are ongoing with the European Commission and I hope to announce more detailed information after the NIRDP has been approved.
Designation of Less Favoured Areas
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action has been taken to ensure that areas of Northern Ireland designated as 'less favoured' will retain their designation.
(AQW 165/07)
Ms Gildernew: The European Commission plans to carry out a major review of the approach to the designation of Less Favoured Areas across the EU in 2008-9. This has been prompted by criticism of the current regime by the European Court of Auditors. The Commission is still at an early stage in this process.
DARD is closely engaged with its counterparts in the rest of the UK in preparing for this review. DARD will be seeking a robust and objective set of criteria for future LFA designation.
Farm Nutrient Management Scheme
Mr Tom Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many applicants for the Farm Nutrient Management scheme have not yet received approval; and what is the timescale for the receipt of such approvals.
(AQW 225/07)
Ms Gildernew: At 24 May 2007, 3332 applicants had not received approval to the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme. Issue of approvals to all of these applicants is subject to additional funding being made available.
CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
Waterways Ireland
Mr Willie Clarke asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what progress has been made in relation to the disparity of pay between Waterways Ireland employees north and south.
(AQW 28/07)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr Poots): The disparity of pay between Waterways Ireland employees north and south is due to the differing public sector pay increases which have applied North and South in recent years. The movement in the euro -sterling exchange rate has also had an impact. Southern staff have their pay linked to ROI public sector pay whilst Northern staff pay is linked to Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) rates. These arrangements have been agreed through the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) procedures.
The Chief Executives of the North/South Bodies, including Waterways Ireland, have raised a number of concerns about the pay and conditions of service of their staff. Any change to these conditions is primarily a matter for Finance Ministers and the NSMC. As these are complex issues the NSMC Joint Secretariat, in consultation with Sponsor and Finance Departments north and south, is currently considering scope for introducing revised arrangements.
The following correction to this answer was published in the Weekly Answer Booklet 15 June 2007
The disparity of pay between Waterways Ireland employees north and south is due to the differing public sector pay increases which have applied North and South in recent years. The movement in the euro -sterling exchange rate has also had an impact. Southern staff have their pay linked to ROI public sector pay whilst Northern staff pay is linked to Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) rates. These arrangements have been agreed through the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) procedures.The Chief Executives of the North/South Bodies have raised a number of concerns about the pay and conditions of service of their staff. These are complex issues and the NSMC Joint Secretariat, in consultation with Sponsor and Finance Departments north and south, is currently considering them with a view to agreeing a possible response.
Orange Order Funding
Mr Mervyn Storey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much funding was allocated for the promotion of (a) the annual Orange Order 12 July celebrations; (b) the Independent Orange Order 12 July celebrations; (c) the annual Sham Fight of Scarva; (d) the Maiden City Festival; and (e) the annual Royal Black Institution Black Saturday celebration, in each of the last three years.
(AQW 91/07)
Mr Poots: Funding as follows was allocated to support the annual Orange Order 12th July celebrations and the Maiden City Festival. No funding has been made available to support the Independent Orange Order 12th July celebrations, the annual Sham Fight of Scarva or the Annual Royal Black Institution Black Saturday celebration, in the last three years.
2004-2005 |
2005-2006 |
2006-2007 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Order 12 July | £2000 | £34,705 | £136,533 |
| Maiden City Festival | £87,100 | £84,100 | Nil |
Financial Assistance to Football Clubs
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what financial assistance was made available to football clubs for the financial years 2002/03; 2003/04; 2004/05; 2005/06; and 2006/07, for (1) Premier League clubs; (2) 1st Division clubs; and (3) Intermediate Clubs.
(AQW 114/07)
Mr Poots: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. SNI has provided financial assistance to football clubs for the financial years 2002/03; 2003/04; 2004/05; 2005/06 and 2006/07, for (1) Premier League clubs; (2) 1st Division clubs; and (3) Intermediate clubs as follows:
2002/03 - Exchequer Funding to Soccer
Organisation |
Award (£) |
Premier league |
1st Division |
Intermediate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armagh City FC | 2,657 |
2,657 |
||
| Dungannon Swifts FC | 1,910 |
1,910 |
||
| Larne FC | 2,492 |
2,492 |
||
| Bangor FC | 2,248 |
2,248 |
||
| Omagh Town FC | 2,817 |
2,817 |
||
| Ballymena Utd FC | 22,685 |
22,685 |
||
| Glenavon FC | 74,630 |
74,630 |
||
| Institute FC | 15,275 |
15,275 |
||
| Linfield FC | 99,863 |
99,863 |
||
| Ards FC | 2,625 |
2,625 |
||
| Ballyclare Comrades FC | 2,157 |
2,157 |
||
| Carrick Rangers FC | 2,775 |
2,775 |
||
| Cliftonville FC | 5,760 |
5,760 |
||
| Coleraine FC | 75,194 |
75,194 |
||
| Crusaders FC | 81,304 |
81,304 |
||
| Glentoran FC | 12,772 |
12,772 |
||
| Limavady Utd FC | 3,625 |
3,625 |
||
| Lisburn Distillery FC | 3,285 |
3,285 |
||
| Newry City FC | 4,100 |
4,100 |
||
| Portadown FC | 71,043 |
71,043 |
||
Totals |
489,217 |
479,412 |
9,805 |
0 |
2002/03 – Lottery Funding to Soccer
Organisation |
Award (£) |
Premier League |
1st Division |
Intermediate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Knockbreda FC |
30,345 |
30,345 |
||
Tandragee Rovers FC |
70,000 |
70,000 |
||
Totals |
100,345 |
0 |
0 |
100,345 |
Total Funding |
589,562 |
479,412 |
9,805 |
100,345 |
2003/04 – Exchequer funding to Soccer
Organisation |
Award |
Premier League |
1st Division |
Intermediate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ards FC |
1,900 |
1,900 |
||
Ballymena Utd FC |
3,010 |
3,010 |
||
Cliftonville FC |
5,083 |
5,083 |
||
Coleraine FC |
3,250 |
3,250 |
||
Crusaders FC |
2,360 |
2,360 |
||
Dungannon Swifts FC |
2,160 |
2,160 |
||
Glentoran FC |
6,362 |
6,362 |
||
Glenavon |
3,110 |
3,110 |
||
Institute FC |
2,220 |
2,220 |
||
Larne FC |
1,940 |
1,940 |
||
Limavady Utd FC |
1,820 |
1,820 |
||
Linfield FC |
7,121 |
7,121 |
||
Lisburn Distillery FC |
2,080 |
2,080 |
||
Newry City FC |
2,500 |
2,500 |
||
Omagh Town FC |
1,830 |
1,830 |
||
Portadown FC |
3,606 |
3,606 |
||
Totals |
50,352 |
48,452 |
1,900 |
0 |
2003/04 Lottery Funding to Soccer
Organisation |
Award (£) |
Premier League |
1st Division |
Intermediate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ballinamallard Utd FC |
85,000 |
85,000 |
||
Dungiven Celtic FC |
70,000 |
70,000 |
||
Rathfriland FC |
76,004 |
76,004 |
||
Totals |
231,004 |
0 |
0 |
231,004 |
Total Funding |
281,356 |
48,452 |
1,900 |
231,004 |
2004/05 Exchequer Funding to Soccer
Organisation |
Award (£) |
Premier League |
1st Division |
Intermediate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coleraine | 1,370 |
1,370 |
||
| Ards FC | 1,800 |
1,800 |
||
| Ballymena Utd FC | 3,230 |
3,230 |
||
| Cliftonville FC | 4,385 |
4,385 |
||
| Dungannon Swifts FC | 2,220 |
2,220 |
|
|
| Glentoran FC | 7,135 |
7,135 |
||
| Institute FC | 2,190 |
2,190 |
||
| Limavady Utd FC | 2,460 |
2,460 |
||
| Linfield FC | 7,045 |
7,045 |
||
| Lisburn Distillery FC | 2,170 |
2,170 |
||
| Loughall FC | 2,200 |
2,200 |
||
| Newry City FC | 2,290 |
2,290 |
||
| Omagh Town FC | 1,610 |
1,610 |
||
| Portadown FC | 3,970 |
3,970 |
||
| Totals | 44,075 |
42,275 |
1,800 |
0 |
| Total Funding* | 44,075 |
42,275 |
1,800 |
0 |
*There were no lottery awards issued to soccer in financial year 2004/05.
2005/06 – There were no exchequer or lottery awards issued to soccer in this financial year.
2006/07 Exchequer Funding to Soccer
Organisation |
Award (£) |
Premier League |
1st Division |
Intermediate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballymena Utd FC | 168,326 |
168,326 |
||
| Newry City FC | 2,179 |
2,179 |
||
| Dungannon Swifts FC | 2,402 |
2,402 |
||
| Portadown FC | 4,995 |
4,995 |
||
| Glentoran | 11,706 |
11,706 |
||
| Ards FC | 1,888 |
1,888 |
||
| Linfield FC | 11,628 |
11,628 |
||
| Armagh City FC | 3,365 |
3,365 |
||
| Cliftonville FC | 4,023 |
4,023 |
||
| Crusaders FC | 2,134 |
2,134 |
||
| Donegal Celtic FC | 3,150 |
3,150 |
||
Totals |
215,794 |
213,906 |
1,888 |
0 |
Total Funding* |
215,794 |
213,906 |
1,888 |
0 |
* There were no lottery awards issued to soccer in financial year 2006/07.
Re-opening of the Ulster Canal
Mr Daithi McKay asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans he has to help secure the re-opening of the Ulster Canal.
(AQW 172/07)
Mr Poots: I am well aware of proposals to re-open the Ulster Canal as a major cross-border project and I am actively considering the options open to me at this time.
Irish Language Funding
Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what funding has been given by Foras na Gaeilge to the Irish language organisation Pobal, in each year from 2000 onwards.
(AQW 198/07)
Mr Poots: The funding given by Foras na Gaeilge to POBAL since 2000 is shown in the table below:
Year |
Amount |
|---|---|
| 2000 | £50,000 |
| 2001 | £115,800.00 |
| 2002 | £143,155.00 |
| 2003 | £156,530.00 |
| 2004 | £150,240.00 |
| 2005 | £154,387.10 |
| 2006 | £169,582.00 |
Colmcille Funding
Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what funding has been given to the Gaelic language network Colmcille in each year from 2000 onwards.
(AQW 199/07)
Mr Poots: The amount of funding given by my Department to Colmcille from 2000 is shown in the table below.
| 2000-2001 | 2001-2002 | 2002-2003 | 2003- 2004 | 2004- 2005 | 2005- 2006 | 2006- 2007 | 2007- 2008 |
| £67,500 | £150k | £177k | £180k | £180k | £180k | £180k | £30k to date |
Future Viability of the Belfast Festival at Queen's
Mr David McNarry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what long-term plans are in place to secure the future viability of the Belfast Festival at Queen's.
(AQW 218/07)
Mr Poots: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council and the Queen’s University Belfast are engaging in on-going discussions, with the aim of securing the future viability of the Belfast Festival at Queen’s.
Queen’s University, Belfast, is currently preparing a three year plan intended to move the festival towards a more sustainable business model.
Football Task Force
Mr David McNarry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans are in place to reinstitute the Football Task Force for Northern Ireland; and whether he is satisfied that Windsor Park will continue to maintain its status as an international venue.
(AQW 227/07)
Mr Poots: The Irish Football Association (IFA) is the governing body of football in Northern Ireland and primarily responsible for implementing the recommendations contained within the Soccer Strategy Advisory Panel’s report of October 2001. The IFA is presently implementing these recommendations and, consequently, there is no need to reinstitute the Panel. As part of this process, the Association is also considering the status of Windsor Park as an international venue in conjunction with the owners of the ground, Linfield FC.
Financial Procedures at Ordnance Survey
Mr David McNarry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether he is satisfied that controls at the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, as described by a Northern Ireland Audit Office report on a £70,000 fraud perpetrated against the agency, have been resolved.
(AQW 229/07)
Mr Poots: The Agency completed a review of financial procedures in November 2003 which identified control weaknesses and made recommendations for improvement. All of the recommendations have now been implemented. The recommendations included new management checks, new arrangements for collection of valuable receipts and better segregation of duties in post opening and the handling of valuables.
Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta Funding
Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what funding has been given by Foras na Gaeilge to Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta, in each year since its formation.
(AQW 231/07)
Mr Poots: The funding given by Foras na Gaeilge to Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta is shown in the table below:
£ |
|
|---|---|
| 2002 | Nil |
| 2003 | 75,000 |
| 2004 | 50,000 |
| 2005 | 25,000 |
| 2006 | Nil |
Creative Connections Plan
Mr David McNarry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what assessment has been made of the Arts Council for Northern Ireland's five-year 'Creative Connections' plan; and what meetings he has had in relation to the plan.
(AQW 233/07)
Mr Poots: The Arts Council’s 5 year plan ‘Creative Connections’ was approved by my Department prior to its launch on 29th January 2007. This is a high level strategic plan and I support the vision and themes set out in it.
I have not yet held a business meeting with the Arts Council to discuss the plan in detail, though I have received a broad outline of its key principles in an introductory meeting with the Council’s Chairman and Chief Executive.
EDUCATION
New School for Ballywalter
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education if she will give an update on the new school for Ballywalter; and if she will confirm that a site for the new school has been identified.
(AQW 45/07)
The Minister of Education (Ms Ruane): The South Eastern Education and Library Board submitted a draft economic appraisal for Ballywalter Primary School to the Department of Education in November 2005. The recommended option is for the provision of a new seven classbase school on a new site in Ballywalter. The capital scheme for the school is one of a number of such schemes currently with the Department and in line with the recommendations of the Bain Report, the planning of the new school is being considered within the context of area-based planning and a Shared Future.
The South Eastern Education and Library Board has identified a proposed new site for the school, some 300 metres from the existing school.
Victoria Primary School, Ballyhalbert
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education if she will confirm the start date for construction of the new primary school adjacent to Victoria Primary School in Ballyhalbert.
(AQW 46/07)
Ms Ruane: There are several planning, site and cost issues which require to be addressed before work on the new school for Victoria P.S. could start on site. The South Eastern Education and Library Board have advised that they expect these issues to be resolved by July and subject to that being the case, they anticipate that construction work for the new primary school could start in August 2007.
Educational Psychologists
Mr Barry McElduff asked the Minister of Education to detail the shortage of available educational psychologists in each of the five Education and Library Board areas; and to detail the measures she will take to ensure adequate provision of, and to remove barriers to the recruitment of, same.
(AQW 52/07)
Ms Ruane: I am advised by the Chief Executive Officers of the Education and Library Boards that the shortage of available educational psychologists in each Board is currently as follows;
Belfast Education and Library Board 4
South Eastern Education and Library Board 6
North Eastern Education and Library Board 4.5
Western Education and Library Board 3
Southern Education and Library Board 1
Since 2004/045 The Department of Education has provided an additional £53m to enable the Boards to improve services for children with special educational needs, including the provision of additional Educational Psychologists.
DE has increased the number of Educational Psychology trainees to 12 per annum and to attract applicants provides funding for an annual bursary of £15,000 per trainee for the three year duration of the course at QUB.
I am informed by the Chief Executives of the Boards that due to the high number of young women in this profession the Boards have introduced family-friendly working arrangements to help retain their employment in the Educational Psychology Service. In addition, the vacancy control measures, imposed because of the Review of Public Administration, have been lifted in relation to the recruitment of permanent Educational Psychology staff due to the unique situation of the Educational Psychology Service.
Transport Assistance for Pupils Attending School in ROI
Mr Barry McElduff asked the Minister of Education to detail the measures she plans to introduce to ensure that pupils who reside in Strabane, Co. Tyrone, but who attend their nearest post-primary school in the Irish medium sector in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, receive financial assistance towards transport costs.
(AQW 54/07)
Ms Ruane: The Western Education and Library Board cannot legally provide assistance for a pupil to attend a school which is not grant-aided under the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Orders.
It is, however, prepared to provide transport assistance for pupils in Strabane to attend the post-primary Irish-Medium unit Coláiste Bhríde in Londonderry which is the nearest suitable grant aided school.
I intend to meet with the incoming Minister for Education in the South to discuss a range of issues. You will be aware that the North South Ministerial Council will be meeting and this will create an opportunity for issues like this to be raised. In the meantime I will discuss this matter with my officials.
New Schools in Upper Bann
Mrs Dolores Kelly asked the Minister of Education when the new schools building programme for the Upper Bann constituency, which was announced during direct rule, will commence; and if she will give the dates for completion of the programme on a school by school basis.
(AQW 73/07)
Ms Ruane: Planning is underway for each of the schools which have been allocated funding for major capital building works in the Upper Bann constituency. The table below provides the estimated dates for construction work to start on site and estimated completion dates for each of the schools. The dates are subject to each stage of the planning and building processes being completed and approved within agreed timescales.
SCHOOL |
ESTIMATED START DATE |
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE |
|---|---|---|
| St Teresa’s P.S., Lurgan | December 2007 |
March 2009 |
| Tannaghmore P.S., Lurgan | August 2008 |
November 2009 |
| St Mary’s P.S., Banbridge | March 2009 |
June 2011 |
| St Patrick’s College, Banbridge | June 2009 |
May 2011 |
| Waringstown P.S. | July 2007 |
September 2008 |
| Banbridge Academy | December 2007 |
January 2011 |
| Lurgan College | March 2008 |
July 2011 |
| Portadown College | April 2008 |
April 2011 |
Meeting with ROI Education Minister
Mr Sammy Wilson asked the Minister of Education what are her plans to meet with her counterpart in the Republic of Ireland to discuss education matters.
(AQW 117/07)
Ms Ruane: I have met with the previous Minister in the South – Mary Hanafin and intend to meet with the incoming Minister following the elections.
Locally Produced Food in Schools
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Education to outline her plans to increase procurement levels of locally produced food in schools.
(AQW 125/07)
Ms Ruane: Procurement of food for schools must be undertaken in the context of European and Government procurement requirements and in a way which is designed to ensure value for money and that the appropriate specifications regarding food content and quality are met. Within that framework, Education and Library Boards make every effort to source food from local producers wherever possible. The creation of the new Education and Skills Authority will provide a new opportunity to look at procurement arrangements to see if further improvements can be made in ways that can support local producers.
My Department is also investing additional funding of over £3 million to improve the quality of food served in schools. Through that funding it has been possible to increase spending on ingredients and raise the quality, attractiveness and nutritional content of the food being served.
Naiscoil Choin Ri Uladh Funding
Mr Daithi McKay asked the Minister of Education if she will provide the necessary funding for Naiscoil Choin Ri Uladh (Baile Meanach) to operate in 2007/08; and if she will confirm that the school will be included in the Pre-school Education Expansion Programme.
(AQW 260/07)
Ms Ruane: To receive funding in respect of places in the voluntary pre-school sector from the Department of Education would require Naiscoil Choin Ri Uladh to be in the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme.
I understand that the North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) Pre-School Education Advisory Group (PEAG) have received correspondence from Naiscoil Choin Ri Uladh requesting 13 places in the Programme from September 2007.
The NEELB PEAG is currently going through the re-allocation of places process. Until this is completed, hopefully by mid June, they cannot confirm whether new providers will be admitted to the Programme.
EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
Permanent Teaching Posts
Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many teachers, upon completing their studies in Northern Ireland in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 have yet to obtain a permanent teaching post in a primary school in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 50/07)
The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): The Department for Employment and Learning only holds information on the destination of graduates 6 months after they complete their studies.
The table below indicates the number of students, who returned information and for which a destination is known, gaining primary school teaching qualifications between 1999/00 and 2004/05 and who had not gained a permanent teaching post in a primary school in Northern Ireland 6 months after they graduated.
1999/00 |
207 |
2000/01 |
227 |
2001/02 |
261 |
2002/03 |
307 |
2003/04 |
317 |
2004/05 |
357 |
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency
Restriction of Funding for Adult Learning Courses
Mr Stephen Moutray asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what assessment he has made of the number of learners who will be denied access to adult learning courses, following the decision to restrict funding to colleges delivering non-externally regulated qualifications; and if he will publish the figures.
(AQW 133/07)
Sir Reg Empey: Under existing policy, Further Education colleges are required to increase the proportion of their provision that is on nationally accredited qualification frameworks, in order to ensure quality, recognition by employers, and progression routes for learners. My Department’s strategy for Further Education includes a review of curriculum policy. The revised policy will be the subject of an Equality Impact Assessment and public consultation later this year. No final decision has been taken on how this will impact on college funding and provision. An analysis of the potential impact on learners will be included in the EQIA and consultation process.
Equality Impact Assessment for Adult Learning Courses
Mr Stephen Moutray asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what equality impact assessments his department has carried out to determine which learners will be denied access to adult learning courses, following the decision to restrict funding to colleges delivering non-externally regulated qualifications.
(AQW 134/07)
Sir Reg Empey: To date there has been no Equality Impact Assessments on the revised curriculum policy for Further Education however one will be conducted later this year
Further Education Means Business Strategy
Mr Stephen Moutray asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many adult learners aged 16 and over are not within the level two band identified by his department in its 'Further Education Means Business' strategy; and if he accepts that progression routes must be made available to encourage as many of these learners as possible to progress to level two and above.
(AQW 135/07)
Sir Reg Empey: In the 2005/06 academic year there were 70,493 (27,543 of which were on assessed courses) adult learners aged 16 and over enrolled on provision below level 2 in the Northern Ireland FE sector. All qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework must have clear progression routes that meet quality criteria laid down by the Regulatory Authorities of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Accordingly, the Department for Employment and Learning promotes qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework as the qualifications of first choice to ensure quality and guarantee progression routes for learners. The Department encourages colleges to review their lower level provision, and where possible move it onto the National Qualifications Framework.
Qualifications Framework for Adult Learners
Mr Stephen Moutray asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if he will (a) support a qualifications framework; and (b) review departmental funding, to enable progression of more adult learners into the level two band identified by his department in its 'Further Education Means Business' strategy.
(AQW 136/07)
Sir Reg Empey: My Department supports the National Qualifications Framework and, in conjunction with the administrations in England and Wales, is working towards developing a new national qualifications and credit framework – the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ). Within this major programme of reform of vocational qualifications the participating administrations are also testing and trialling new funding arrangements.
Adult Learning
Mr Stephen Moutray asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if he will outline his department's strategy for providing meaningful learning opportunities for progression of the significant number of adult learners currently below the level two band identified by his department in its 'Further Education Means Business' strategy.
(AQW 137/07)
Sir Reg Empey: Through its 48 campuses and 876 outreach centres, the Further Education sector offers an extensive range of vocational and non-vocational provision for adult learners. FE colleges also help deliver various labour market programmes designed to provide adults with opportunities to develop the skills needed to obtain and retain employment.
To further improve opportunities for learner progression, my Department is developing arrangements for better collaboration between FE colleges and community-based education and training organisations. Through these arrangements, adult learners, particularly those who may be disadvantaged or who were previously reluctant to engage in further education, will be actively encouraged and assisted to progress towards qualifications at level 2, and above. Consultation on these new arrangements is expected to take place later this year.
English Classes for Non-English Speakers
Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to advise what financial support his department gives towards English classes for non-English speakers.
(AQW 219/07)
Sir Reg Empey: Expenditure, funded by the Department for Employment and Learning, on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses in Further Education colleges, in each of the last 5 years, was:-
2006/07 £1,469,297
2005/06 £865,059
2004/05 £691,628
2003/04 £486,093
2002/03 £349,276
Funding is also available within the New Deal programmes. However, it is not possible to separately identify this funding.
ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Lignite Mining
Mr Mervyn Storey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on lignite mining in County Antrim.
(AQW 96/07)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr Dodds): My Department is responsible for issuing and regulating prospecting and extraction licences for all non-precious minerals, including lignite.
As a result of the considerable amount of data compiled from exploration activity, the Department has, since October 2004, suspended the issue of any further prospecting licences for lignite. The position is to be reviewed later this year.
In relation to extraction, it will be necessary for a company seeking a mining license to obtain planning and other statutory approvals before consideration is given to the application. Currently there are no lignite mining applications under consideration.
The Department’s Strategic Energy Framework acknowledges the strategic importance of lignite reserves. The Framework is consistent in its approach to the use of lignite with policy on prospecting and extraction licensing and indicates that any application under Article 39 of the Electricity (NI) Order 1992 to use lignite for power generation will only be considered against published criteria.
North Coast Tourism Industry
Mr David McClarty asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what policy he will pursue in relation to the tourism industry on the north coast.
(AQW 111/07)
Mr Dodds: Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) will be pursuing the following policies in relation to the tourism industry on the North Coast:
"Tourism in Northern Ireland - A Strategic Framework for Action 2004-2007" has identified the Causeway Coast/Antrim Glens area and the Walled City as Signature Projects.
The Causeway Signature Project is being delivered through "The Causeway Tourism Masterplan 2004-2013" (including the Causeway Coastal Route and the development of new visitor facilities at the Giants Causeway) and is the blueprint for sustainable development in the region. Financial investment to date in the delivery of the Masterplan has been £10m.
Phase 1 of The Walled City Signature Project is now complete with £4.6m invested in a Visitor Orientation Programme and the Tower Museum/Armada in Ireland exhibition. A further £9.1m has been secured for Phase II including the City Lighting Scheme and a Built Heritage Programme.
Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre
Mr David McClarty asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what is the current position in regard to (i) his Department's involvement in; and (ii) the current status of, a new visitors' centre at the Giant's Causeway site.
(AQW 112/07)
Mr Dodds: Following disagreement between key stakeholders on development of new visitor facilities at the Giants Causeway my Department has been in the lead in planning for a replacement centre. It is the intention that a planning application will be submitted once car park requirements and financial viability issues have been settled. Progress on the Department’s application will be related to that on a separate private sector application.
ENVIRONMENT
Mournes/Slieve Croob Area
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment if she will outline her plans to assist the members of the farming community concerned about the consequences to the industry that will arise if the Mournes/Slieve Croob area is granted National Park status.
(AQW 3/07)
The Minister of the Environment (Mrs Foster):
I am awaiting the recommendations of the Mourne National Park Working Party which are expected within the next few months and I will consider these before making any decision on the proposal to establish a National Park in the Mournes.
I can assure you that I will take the interests of the farming community and all other stakeholders fully into account.
Ards/Down Area Plan
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what is the timescale for completion of the Ards and Down Area Plan 2015.
(AQW 14/07)
Mrs Foster: The Public Inquiry into the draft Ards and Down Area Plan has now ended and the Department awaits the Report on the Inquiry from the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC). The PAC Report is expected at the end of 2007.
The Department intends to publish the adopted Plan as expeditiously as possible. It is not possible however to give a precise date for publication at this point in time as this will depend on both the date of receipt of the PAC Report and the nature of its content.
Ards/Down Area Plan
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if the Ards and Down Area Plan 2015 will be made available to elected representatives prior to its announcement to the press and public.
(AQW 17/07)
Mrs Foster: The Ards and Down Area Plan 2015, when published in final form, will become the statutory plan to guide development in Ards and Down over the plan period. The adopted Plan will be made available to all interested parties, including elected representatives, at the same time. In line with established practice, it is not intended to make the adopted Plan available to elected representatives prior to it being made available to the press and public.
Policy Planning Statement 14
Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to detail how many applications received since 16 March 2006 met the criteria for Planning Policy Statement 14: Sustainable Development in the Countryside, and were subsequently approved, in the following categories:
1. replacement dwellings (number per District Council Area);
2. infill sites (number per District Council Area); and
3. farm dwellings (number per District Council Area).
(AQW 21/07)
Mrs Foster: Details of the number of applications received since 16 March 2006 meeting the criteria for PPS 14 and subsequently approved as replacement, infill or farm dwellings are shown in the attached table.
District council area |
Farm |
Infill |
Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
Ballymena Division |
|||
Antrim |
2 |
0 |
17 |
Ballymena |
3 |
1 |
34 |
Carrickfergus |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Larne |
1 |
0 |
11 |
Magherafelt |
6 |
1 |
45 |
|
12 |
2 |
109 |
Belfast Division |
|||
Belfast |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Castlereagh |
1 |
0 |
9 |
Newtownabbey |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
1 |
0 |
15 |
Craigavon Division |
|||
Armagh |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Banbridge |
0 |
0 |
5 |
Craigavon |
3 |
0 |
8 |
Newry and Mourne |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
3 |
0 |
19 |
Downpatrick Division |
|||
Ards |
5 |
0 |
21 |
Down |
4 |
1 |
26 |
Lisburn |
6 |
0 |
42 |
North Down |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
15 |
1 |
93 |
Londonderry Division |
|||
Ballymoney |
1 |
0 |
15 |
Coleraine |
0 |
0 |
20 |
Derry |
1 |
0 |
6 |
Limavady |
2 |
0 |
16 |
Moyle |
3 |
0 |
7 |
|
7 |
0 |
64 |
Omagh Division |
|||
Cookstown |
0 |
0 |
14 |
Dungannon |
1 |
0 |
27 |
Fermanagh |
1 |
0 |
24 |
Omagh |
1 |
0 |
23 |
Strabane |
0 |
0 |
19 |
3 |
0 |
107 |
|
|
41 |
3 |
407 |
[Note: These figures represent the number of approvals recorded on the Planning Service’s database, from descriptions provided by applicants/agents, as replacement, infill or farm building. There may be some approvals on the database which have not been described in this way but which otherwise meet the PPS 14 criteria. It is not possible to provide figures for these cases. It should be noted that a considerable number of applications received after 16 March 2006 still are in the "backlog" of applications in some Districts, particularly Armagh and Newry & Mourne Districts and have not been decided.]
Single Houses in the Countryside
Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to detail, per district council area, how many outline planning applications for single houses in the countryside were approved in the financial years 2004/05; 2005/06; and 2006/07.
(AQW 22/07)
Mrs Foster: The number of outline planning approvals for single houses in the countryside over the last 3 financial years are shown in the attached table
District council area |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07* |
Ballymena Division |
|||
Antrim |
315 |
206 |
76 |
Ballymena |
432 |
266 |
111 |
Carrickfergus |
10 |
3 |
4 |
Larne |
20 |
22 |
7 |
Magherafelt |
309 |
296 |
118 |
1086 |
793 |
316 |
|
Belfast Division |
|||
Belfast |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Castlereagh |
7 |
4 |
1 |
Newtownabbey |
5 |
6 |
5 |
15 |
10 |
6 |
|
Craigavon Division |
|||
Armagh |
269 |
317 |
174 |
Banbridge |
248 |
168 |
108 |
Craigavon |
132 |
130 |
44 |
Newry and Mourne |
619 |
504 |
152 |
1268 |
1119 |
478 |
|
Downpatrick Division |
|||
Ards |
246 |
64 |
14 |
Down |
220 |
89 |
51 |
Lisburn |
206 |
74 |
36 |
North Down |
6 |
4 |
6 |
678 |
231 |
107 |
|
Londonderry Division |
|||
Ballymoney |
236 |
267 |
85 |
Coleraine |
226 |
260 |
140 |
Derry |
60 |
62 |
41 |
Limavady |
216 |
145 |
59 |
Moyle |
95 |
85 |
33 |
833 |
819 |
358 |
|
Omagh Division |
|||
Cookstown |
371 |
303 |
181 |
Dungannon |
585 |
678 |
457 |
Fermanagh |
798 |
790 |
710 |
Omagh |
459 |
583 |
434 |
Strabane |
176 |
329 |
142 |
2389 |
2683 |
1924 |
|
Totals |
6269 |
5655 |
3189 |
*It should be noted that a considerable number of applications received after 16 March 2006 still are in the "backlog" of applications in some Districts, particularly Armagh and Newry & Mourne Districts and have not yet been decided.
Policy Planning Statement 14
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment what plans she has to apply withdrawn status, or similar, to planning applications refused as a direct result of Planning Policy Statement 14: Sustainable Development in the Countryside, or on the grounds of prematurity arising out of delays in the production of Area Plans; and if she has any plans to refund application fees in respect of such applications.
(AQW 40/07)
Mrs Foster: Once an application has been determined it cannot be withdrawn as this is a formal decision. Moreover, application fees cover the costs of processing and it would not be appropriate to return a fee after an application has been determined. I therefore have no plans to apply withdrawn status or similar to applications refused as a result of PPS14 or on the grounds of prematurity arising out of delays in the production of Area Plans. I also have no plans to refund application fees in respect of such applications.
Salmonid Rivers
Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what safeguards she will introduce to ensure that salmonid rivers and their tributaries in rural and urban areas receive a higher level of protection than is currently the case.
(AQW 55/07)
Mrs Foster: DCAL has overall policy responsibility for the supervision and protection of salmon and inland fisheries. Its Salmon Management Plan informs conservation measures, such as restrictions on commercial and recreational fishing and habitat protection and improvement programmes. The Conservation Officers of the Fisheries Conservancy Board and the Loughs Agency seek to detect unlicensed and illegal fishing and liaise with my Department on pollution and fish habitat matters.
My Department has responsibility for protecting rivers and lakes important for Atlantic Salmon through the use of nature conservation legislation. To date Lough Melvin, the River Foyle system and the River Roe system have been declared both as Areas of Special Scientific Interest under domestic legislation, and as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) under the European Habitats Directive.
In response to EU concerns that more rivers may need to be formally protected, my Department has commissioned a report from experts in the field of freshwater fisheries and will act upon its findings to ensure that Atlantic Salmon are given the highest reasonably practicable level of protection.
My Department has also designated 4154km of our rivers and some lakes as salmonid waters, requiring that they comply with quality standards specified in the European Freshwater Fish Directive. We seek to protect, and, where possible, to improve the quality of the aquatic environment. My response to your Question (AQW 49-07) on urban streams gives more detail of our water quality work.
Proposed Review of Road Safety
Mr Raymond McCartney asked the Minister of the Environment if she will outline the timescale for her proposed review of road safety; and if the process of consultation will include the relevant agencies in the Republic of Ireland.
(AQW 56/07)
Mrs Foster: It is my intention to seek an early meeting with the Department for Regional Development and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the other key stakeholders involved in developing the Road Safety Strategy, to discuss the way forward.
My Department works closely with the relevant authorities in the Republic of Ireland to ensure shared road safety benefits, and they will be included in any consultation on proposals for the future direction of road safety in Northern Ireland.
Extensions to Rural Businesses
Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to detail how many planning applications made since 16 March 2006 for extensions to rural businesses have been refused planning permission.
(AQW 62/07)
Mrs Foster: Since 16 March 2006, 2 applications concerning extensions to rural businesses have been refused planning permission.
Rotting Seaweed at Ballyferris Beach
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if she will detail the outcome of discussions between the Environment and Heritage Service and Ards Borough Council regarding the clearing of rotting seaweed from the beach at Ballyferris.
(AQW 80/07)
Mrs Foster: Representatives of Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) met with Ards Borough Council officials on the 5 May 2007 to discuss the impact of beach cleaning upon ASSIs within their district, especially the Outer Ards shoreline. An approach was agreed that would allow litter and rubbish to be removed from the beaches in a timely and environmentally friendly manner, taking care not to impact upon the ASSI. The exact proposals will be finalised soon and all legal and public health obligations will be addressed, with the Council obtaining an open-ended assent from EHS to continue to maintain their amenity beaches to the expected high standards.
Unauthorised Developments
Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley asked the Minister of the Environment (a) how many unauthorised developments have occurred in Northern Ireland in the last three years; and (b) what are her plans to stop this type of illegal behaviour.
(AQW 82/07)
Mrs Foster: It is not known how many unauthorised developments have occurred. However, my Department has opened some 11,229 files on possible breaches of planning control in the last 3 years.
I should add that not all unauthorised developments are illegal, but if a breach of planning control has been established and the offender has failed to resolve the breach following a formal notice, then the activity is illegal.
The Department’s general policy approach to dealing with breaches of planning control is contained within Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 9 "The Enforcement of Planning Control" and having regard to existing enforcement legislation. Changes to legislation were made in 2003 and 2006 and I have no proposals to introduce any new legislative measures at present.
Enforcement Action
Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley asked the Minister of the Environment what action her Department proposes to take against developers who have not sought appropriate approval.
(AQW 83/07)
Mrs Foster: If a developer carries out a development without the appropriate planning approval, this may constitute a breach of planning control. If there is a breach, my Department takes the appropriate enforcement action to remedy it and regularise the situation.
Carrickfergus Town Walls
Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment if she will give an assessment of the present condition of the town walls in Carrickfergus.
(AQW 86/07)
Mrs Foster: About half of the original circuit of the 17th century Carrickfergus town walls is still extant and the best-preserved stretch is in the Joymount area (the north east corner) where the walls stand to their full height of around four metres and have impressive battlements. North Gate is the only surviving gateway. This was re-modelled in the early 20th century. Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) has cared for these walls for many decades, most recently conserving the portion along the back of the Lancasterian Street carpark. The only upstanding portion not in State Care is a fragment of ‘bastion’ in Albert Road. The walls are mainly in good condition. They display many interesting features including artillery bastions, wall walks and a blocked door. Ongoing maintenance is always necessary to keep such a monument in good condition. The site is monitored regularly by EHS and action is undertaken as appropriate.
Unauthorised Developments
Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley asked the Minister of the Environment to list, by constituency, the number of unauthorised developments in each of the last three years.
(AQW 97/07)
Mrs Foster: I regret that my Department does not keep this information in the format requested. However, across Northern Ireland as a whole it has opened some 11,229 files on possible breaches of planning control in the last 3 years.
I should add that not all unauthorised developments are illegal. However, if a breach of planning control has been established and the offender has failed to resolve the breach following a formal notice, then the activity is illegal.
Draft Metropolitan Area Plan
Mr Alex Easton asked the Minister of the Environment what plans she has to release greenbelt land in north Down for development.
(AQW 110/07)
Mrs Foster: The draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (dBMAP) includes proposals for development affecting some greenbelt land in North Down. These and other proposals in the draft Plan have been the subject of a significant number of objections which are being considered by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) at an ongoing public inquiry. My Department will, therefore, not be in a position to decide finally on such proposals, including those for development affecting greenbelt land, until after it receives and considers the PAC Inquiry report.
Illegally Dumped Waste
Mr Simon Hamilton asked the Minister of the Environment what estimates have been made of the tonnage of waste, originating in the Republic of Ireland, that is illegally dumped in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 154/07)
Mrs Foster: Estimates suggest that up to 250,000 tonnes of household waste from ROI were illegally deposited on land within Northern Ireland between October 2002 and the end of 2004, the latest period for when figures are available.
Recycling of Domestic Waste
Mr Simon Hamilton asked the Minister of the Environment what percentage of domestic waste is recycled in each of the 26 district council areas.
(AQW 155/07)
Mrs Foster: In 2005/6, District Councils in Northern Ireland recycled an average 24.5% of domestic waste. Details for each Council are set out in the table below.
| Waste Management Group | District Council | Percentage of household waste recycled and composted as % of total household waste arisings | |
| 2004/05 | 2005/06 | ||
| ARC 21 | Antrim Borough Council | 38.4 | 44.0 |
| Ards Borough Council | 20.4 | 24.0 | |
| Ballymena Borough Council | 23.4 | 26.9 | |
| Belfast City Council | 8.9 | 14.4 | |
| Carrickfergus Borough Council | 17.2 | 17.4 | |
| Castlereagh Borough Council | 22.2 | 32.5 | |
| Down District Council | 19.2 | 33.7 | |
| Larne Borough Council | 16.5 | 25.0 | |
| Lisburn City Council | 12.3 | 19.8 | |
| Newtownabbey Borough Council | 19.9 | 22.5 | |
| North Down Borough Council | 17.2 | 24.6 | |
| ARC 21 | 16.7 | 22.9 | |
| SWaMP | Armagh City & District Council | 23.3 | 26.7 |
| Banbridge District Council | 39.2 | 41.0 | |
| Cookstown District Council | 20.6 | 28.1 | |
| Craigavon Borough Council | 23.4 | 29.3 | |
| Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council | 20.1 | 19.5 | |
| Fermanagh District Council | 21.0 | 20.8 | |
| Newry and Mourne District Council | 20.0 | 24.9 | |
| Omagh District Council | 19.6 | 17.8 | |
| SWaMP | 23.0 | 25.9 | |
NWRWMG |
Ballymoney Borough Council | 24.02 | 24.4 |
| Coleraine Borough Council | 18.6 | 24.3 | |
| Derry City Council | 13.7 | 28.1 | |
| Limavady Borough Council | 17.3 | 35.9 | |
| Magherafelt District Council | 31.4 | 35.7 | |
| Moyle District Council | 11.3 | 25.5 | |
| Strabane District Council | 17.3 | 21.3 | |
| NWRWMG | 19.3 | 27.6 | |
Northern Ireland |
18.9 | 24.5 | |
Job Losses in the Driver and Vehicle Agency
Mr John Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment what action has been taken to compensate for the proposed loss of vehicle registration and licensing jobs at County Hall, Coleraine; and what steps have been taken to ensure that there will be no further job losses in the Driver and Vehicle Agency.
(AQW 247/07)
Mrs Foster: DVA carry out vehicle licensing work in Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT have decided to integrate the NI and GB IT systems and to bring the delivery of vehicle licensing services in NI into line with the rest of the UK. This re-alignment of services would have meant the loss of 260 jobs from the peak number of posts funded by DfT. However, DfT have agreed to transfer a block of UK-wide work to NI, safeguarding 93 jobs. In anticipation of these changes, DVA have been allowing the number of permanent staff employed to run down through natural wastage and replacing permanent staff who leave with casual employees, where possible. At present, it is projected that around 100 permanent staff will be surplus when these changes take place in November 2008. The Central Personnel Group of the Department of Finance and Personnel, working with the DoE, are seeking to identify redeployment opportunities for the staff losing their posts in vehicle licensing. The expectation is that all the surplus staff will be redeployed somewhere in the wider Civil Service and redundancies are not anticipated. The identification of redeployment opportunities will include examining if work from functions in DoE or other NI Departments could be relocated to Coleraine. Future employment levels on vehicle licensing in Coleraine will be determined by DfT, in line with business needs. However, these proposed changes will put NI on to the same basis as the other 3 operational regions in the UK and there is no reason to believe that different criteria would be applied to employment levels in NI than in the rest of the UK.
FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
Review of Public Administration
Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what are the most recent cost estimates of the current Review of Public Administration proposals; and what funding has been identified within the (a) 2007/08 Budget; (b) 2008/09 Estimates; and (c) 2009/10 Estimates; and if he will provide a breakdown of the costs.
(AQW 186/07)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Robinson):
Work is ongoing to update the cost and savings estimates arising from the Review of Public Administration (RPA) proposals. That work will also need to recognise any emerging views from the Executive as to the nature of RPA. For the current year, I can confirm that any costs arising will be managed through a combination of opening budget allocations and the normal in-year mechanisms. Provision for the 2008-09 and 2009-2010 years will be considered as part of the forthcoming Programme for Government and Budget processes
Sick Absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service
Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to advise of the number of days absence that were recorded, by department, over each of the last five years; how this compares to the private sector; what investigations have occurred to account for any variations; and what action has been taken.
(AQW 187/07)
Mr Robinson: In answering this question it has been assumed that the number of day’s absence relates to days lost due to sickness absence. The answer reflects the position for the non-industrial grades only and covers the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration, including Executive Agencies.
Sickness absence statistics for the Northern Ireland Departments are analysed by financial year as opposed to calendar year. Published statistics for Northern Ireland Departments for the financial years 2001/2002 – 2005/2006 are accessible on the Department’s website at www.dfpni.gov.uk/publications.
Information relating to the 2006/2007 financial year will be published in the autumn.
Information on sickness absence rates in Northern Ireland Departments is set out in Table 1. Table 2 and Table 3 include statistical information drawn from reports published by Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Confederation of British Industry (CBI) respectively.
It should be noted that it is not possible to make statistically valid comparisons between the information contained in Tables 2 and 3, and Table 1. The methods used by CIPD and CBI to collect the information differs significantly to the current arrangements in the Northern Ireland Departments where there is a very robust, accurate and comprehensive means of recording and analysing sickness absence data.
Managing sickness absence is a key priority within Northern Ireland Departments and there is a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to deal with sickness absence. Much work has been done to ensure that the policies and practices reflect organisational best practice, including an academic research project that was carried out by the University of Ulster and ongoing benchmarking with a range of public and private sector organisations in Northern Ireland and with Government Departments in the UK.
In addition, the Northern Ireland Audit Office has been undertaking a major review of sickness absence in the non-industrial NICS and their report is awaited.
Table 1: 11 NI Departments - Average Days Lost per Staff Year for Non-Industrial Staff
Department |
2001/2002 |
2002/2003 |
2003/2004 |
2004/2005 |
2005/2006 |
DARD |
11.8 |
13.4 |
12.4 |
11.5 |
11.1 |
DCAL |
14.6 |
13.8 |
15.1 |
11.0 |
10.3 |
DE |
13.2 |
12.5 |
11.7 |
12.8 |
12.9 |
DEL |
19.0 |
18.7 |
17.7 |
14.7 |
14.0 |
DETI |
13.0 |
12.7 |
11.8 |
9.9 |
10.7 |
DFP |
13.5 |
13.6 |
14.3 |
13.7 |
13.0 |
DHSSPS |
14.6 |
13.2 |
12.3 |
9.5 |
10.7 |
DOE |
14.1 |
14.5 |
13.4 |
12.0 |
11.1 |
DRD |
11.4 |
10.7 |
12.0 |
10.2 |
8.2 |
DSD |
18.4 |
19.1 |
19.7 |
19.4 |
18.3 |
OFMDFM |
11.6 |
12.2 |
12.6 |
8.6 |
8.6 |
OVERALL |
15.1 |
15.4 |
15.5 |
14.2 |
13.4 |
Table 2: Findings from the CIPD Surveys from 2002 to 2006
Average Days Lost per Employee
CIPD |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
| Private Sector | 8.4 |
7.0 |
7.8 |
6.8 |
6.8 |
| Public Sector | 10.9 |
10.6 |
10.7 |
10.3 |
9.9 |
- The figures in Table 2 come from a series of annual reports produced by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
- These reports set out the findings of surveys of sickness absence policy and practice in public, private, manufacturing and production, and non-profit organisations.
Table 3: Findings from the CBI Surveys from 2002 to 2006
Average Number of Working Days Lost per Employee
CBI |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
| Private Sector | 6.5 |
6.9 |
6.4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |