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 05 October 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
Sustainable Development Strategy
Mr Pat Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister if it will make a statement confirming the Executive's commitment to targets set out in the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland.
(AQW 119/08)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness): We are fully committed to the overall principles contained in the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland. They are also considering, along with Executive colleagues, how best sustainable development can be taken into account in the forthcoming Programme for Government.
In developing a further Implementation Plan to cover the period 2008-11, we will wish to review carefully the targets contained in the Sustainable Development Strategy to ensure that they are still appropriate.
European Directives
Mr Stephen Moutray asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what assessment it has made of the way in which other countries have (i) implemented European Directives on equality; and (ii) legislated on equality issues, over the last five years; and to outline how this has informed the implementation of European Directives in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 137/08)
Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness: OFMDFM has not conducted a formal assessment of the way other countries have implemented EU Directives on equality or legislated on equality issues. Each Member State has an obligation under EU law to implement EU Directives. Failure to implement will lead to infraction proceedings and the imposition of fines until implementation is achieved in full. Given that equality is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of the devolved administration to bring forward legislation to implement EU Equality Directives.
Comprehensive Spending Review
Mr Gregory Campbell asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to outline how it will ensure that each Government Department addresses poverty and social exclusion within its Comprehensive Spending Review bid, as outlined in the 'Lifetime Opportunities' Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Strategy for Northern Ireland, and in anticipation of the Programme for Government.
(AQW 204/08)
Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness: We, and our Department, are determined to properly address poverty and social inclusion. ‘Lifetime Opportunities’ has not yet been formally adopted by the Executive Committee. Section 16 of the Northern Ireland St Andrews Agreement Act 2006 places a statutory obligation on the Northern Ireland Executive Committee to adopt a strategy setting out how it proposes to tackle poverty, social exclusion and patterns of deprivation based on objective need. This process has already begun and proposals are currently being prepared at official level with a view to the Executive Committee considering the adoption of an Anti-poverty and Social Inclusion Strategy later this year.
Part of that process will be the consideration by the Executive of how in the implementation of an agreed strategy, tackling poverty and social exclusion will be prioritised within the public expenditure and Programme for Government planning process.
Lifetime Opportunities
Mrs Dolores Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what assessment it has made of Northern Ireland's progress towards the targets contained in the 'Lifetime Opportunities' document, published by the Secretary of State in November 2006.
(AQW 524/08)
Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness: Section 16 of the Northern Ireland St Andrews Agreement Act 2006 places a statutory obligation on the Northern Ireland Executive Committee, to adopt a strategy setting out how it proposes to tackle poverty, social exclusion and patterns of deprivation based on objective need.
The process to obtain Executive Committee agreement on an anti-poverty strategy has begun. Proposals are currently being cleared at official level, with a view to the Executive Committee considering the adoption of an agreed strategy later this year.
Considerations will inevitably include an assessment of the implementation of a strategy as well as examining the adequacy of existing targets in ensuring that major goals and objectives within the adopted strategy can be achieved.
No formal assessment of progress made towards targets currently outlined in ‘Lifetime Opportunities’ therefore has yet occurred.
Agriculture and Rural Development
Rural Development Council
Mr Allan Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline the role of the Rural Development Council in relation to the delivery of the new Rural Development Programme.
(AQW 301/08)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Gildernew): There will be no formal role for the Rural Development Council (RDC) in relation to delivery of the new Rural Development Programme.
DARD funding for the RDC expires in March 2009 after which the RDC will become an independent voluntary organisation.
The delivery of an element of the new Rural Development Programme will be based on the LEADER methodology of "bottom up" working and will involve self defining Council clusters working in partnership with new Local Action Groups (LAGs). The Council clusters will establish the LAGs by way of an open call, and, together with LAGs, will be responsible for developing a strategy that will meet the needs of the area.
Tullaghoge Fort
Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will ensure that no land surrounding Tullaghoge Fort will be disposed of by her department, if it is required for the future development of this historic monument.
(AQW 320/08)
Ms Gildernew: My Department is working closely with the Environment and Heritage Service (Department of the Environment) and Cookstown District Council regarding their land requirements to safeguard the future of Tullaghoge Fort and to facilitate public access to it. No firm decision has been taken on the future of any land not transferred to Department of the Environment and Cookstown District Council for this purpose
Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2001
Mr Thomas Burns asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has for a review of the Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2001.
(AQW 322/08)
Ms Gildernew: I am currently discussing with my officials a number of options on how to tackle a range of dog control issues, including the enforcement of the current legislation and the All-Island dimension. Once I have decided on how best to proceed, I will bring my proposals to the Executive and the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.
Staff Team Building Days
Mr Stephen Moutray asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the total cost of (i) staff away days; and (ii) staff team building exercises carried out by her department, in each of the last three years.
(AQW 333/08)
Ms Gildernew: The table below shows the total cost of staff away days and staff team building exercises carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in each of the last three years.
Year |
Total Cost of Staff Away Days |
Total Cost of Staff Team Building Exercises |
|---|---|---|
| 2004/05 | £53,698 | £14,400 |
| 2005/06 | £28,572 | £400 |
| 2006/07 | £28,023 | £11,055 |
Fraud
Mr David McNarry asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the total number of staff in her department who are involved in the investigation of fraud cases; and to outline her department's expenditure on such investigations, over the past three years.
(AQW 406/08)
Ms Gildernew: There are 7 staff involved in the investigation of suspected fraud cases. The Department’s expenditure on such investigations over the past three years was £562,135. Expenditure breakdown:
Year |
Salaries |
Miscellaneous and other costs |
|---|---|---|
| 2004/2005 | £170,282 | £21,437 |
| 2005/2006 | £167,069 | £18,926 |
| 2006/2007 | £171,277 | £13,144 |
Potato Inspection Regime
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what is her assessment of the new Potato Inspection Regime, which has replaced the previous system; and if she will comment on the contentment of her department's employees, who have responsibility for potato inspections, with the introduction of the new regime.
(AQW 412/08)
Ms Gildernew: There has been no change to potato inspection arrangements.
Farm Nutrient Scheme
Mr Allan Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (i) what progress has been made in processing applications for the Farm Nutrient Scheme; (ii) the number of farms that have received approval; and (iii) the number of farms that are still awaiting confirmation of funding.
(AQW 453/08)
Ms Gildernew: (i) Considerable progress has been made in recent months in undertaking pre-approval inspections in order that FNMS approvals can be issued. 2712 pre approval inspections have been completed.
(ii) In respect of these, 1947 approvals have been issued as at 25 September 2007.
(iii) Approvals have yet to be issued in respect of 2728 applications although in 765 of these, the pre approval inspection has been completed.
Disease Compensation
Mr David McNarry asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what monies are being withheld from farmers in respect of disease compensation; and to detail the number of farmers that are involved in alleged breaches of legislation.
(AQW 542/08)
Ms Gildernew: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are withholding disease compensation in respect of bovine Brucellosis and bovine Tuberculosis from 25 farmers totalling £1.4m for alleged breaches of legislation.
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Library Authority
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail how much it will cost to establish the new Library Authority; and how this will be funded, other than through further library closures.
(AQW 214/08)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr Poots): The Explanatory and Financial Memorandum accompanying the Libraries Bill set out the estimated costs for setting up the Library Authority as £670,000, comprised chiefly of salaries for the Chief Executive (designate) and her team, temporary premises and consultancy. These resources were bid for and have been secured for this financial year. These costs may rise if the operational date for the Library Authority requires that salaries are paid over a longer period, in which case the proportion of costs which fall in the next financial year will be considered within the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Corporate and support services – eg. finance, human resources, IT, estates management – are currently supplied to the library service within the general administration of the Education and Library Boards, and paid from the DE budget. The Explanatory and Financial Memorandum noted that the Department was undertaking an exercise to establish the cost of libraries’ use of these services as an aid to planning for the Library Authority (Deloitte has estimated total annual cost in respect of libraries across all five Boards is £956,000). In the same exercise, Deloitte also reported on the options for the future provision of corporate services to the Library Authority and the associated costs, both running costs and set up costs. The Department is still considering the Deloitte report to determine the most cost-effective way of providing these services to the Library Authority.
I apologise for the late arrival of this answer.
Titanic Quarter
Mr Robin Newton asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps he is taking to acknowledge the contribution of Harland and Wolff, Bombardier Shorts and the people of East Belfast to the maritime and industrial heritage of Belfast; and if he will consider acknowledging this contribution within the Titanic Quarter.
(AQW 236/08)
Mr Poots: I recognise that this Question was due for answer on the 27th September 2007 and I apologise to the Member for the delay.
National Museums, via the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum (UFTM) site, holds key archival collections in the form of technical drawings and photographs related to Harland & Wolff and has an ongoing relationship with the company in terms of collecting and making collections accessible. Additionally, UFTM has collaborated with the Titanic Made In Belfast exhibitions staged by Belfast City Council and more latterly has presented a profile-raising ‘Titanic Built In Belfast’ exhibition in Washington D.C. as part of the Rediscover Northern Ireland programme. Building on the collections, UFTM has created an innovative new website ‘Titanic Built In Belfast’ [www.titanicinbelfast.com] and has developed, in partnership with Bombardier Aerospace, a major interactive Flight Experience exhibition that presents and illustrates the Shorts story and the Northern Ireland aviation industry in an international context.
At a local community level the UFTM is also a lead partner in the Community Archive Network Northern Ireland (CANNI). This has facilitated several East Belfast community group websites providing an important tool towards community development. An example is the Wise Men of the East website [www.wise-men.org.uk].
In 2002/03 National Museums Northern Ireland commissioned a feasibility study on a Museum of Sea and Sky within Titanic Quarter. Discussions have taken place with National Museums on the possibility of revisiting these proposals for the interpretation of Belfast’s maritime and industrial heritage within the context of the current plans for the regeneration of the Titanic Quarter.
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland is to move to its new location in the Titanic Quarter by 2010 and will be immediately associated with its new location through its existing archive holdings. PRONI intend to build on that association in terms of acquiring appropriate archives, exploiting the existing relevant holdings and seeking opportunities to publicise the holdings thus attracting additional interest in their use. In addition, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is fully supportive of the proposed development of the Titanic Signature Project within the wider Titanic Quarter redevelopment. One of the main objectives of the Titanic Signature Project is to record and celebrate the maritime and industrial heritage of the city.
Museums Strategy
Mr Trevor Lunn asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline the work that has been carried out on the development of a museums strategy since he took up office, taking into account the withdrawal of funding from the Northern Ireland Museums Council.
(AQW 347/08)
Mr Poots: In the 'Better Government for Northern Ireland; Final Decisions of the Review of Public Administration' document published in March 2006 it was announced that the functions of the Northern Ireland Museums Council (NIMC) would transfer to Central or Local Government. The functions provided by the NIMC are varied and whereas there are some of those functions that would transfer readily to local councils there are others that should be handled by central government, the accreditation of museums would fall into this latter category. On foot of the announcement the Department sought a mechanism to categorise the functions of NIMC and where they would best fit. One of the mechanisms considered was the formulation of a museums policy/strategy which would set out the role of museums both national and local and the support structures required to facilitate these roles. Consideration included the drawing up of draft Terms of Reference and an estimation of the resources, both costs and manpower that would be required. Both the NMC and National Museums Northern Ireland provided comment on the terms of reference.
The internal manpower resources required to move forward on this option are not available at present within the Department and it looks increasingly likely that over the next CSR period it would be very difficult for my Department to prioritise the development of such a major strategy. In light of this I met with the Chair and Chief Executive of the NIMC in September and they indicated that they had some thoughts on how they could assist us to move this process forward with more limited resource inputs and I have asked them to prepare a paper for me outlining their proposals.
I have also extended the funding for the NIMC for a further year to enable the organisation to continue in operation pending definitive decisions on the way forward.
Burnavon Arts and Cultural Centre in Cookstown
Mr Ian McCrea asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what financial support the Arts Council of Northern Ireland plans to provide for the future development and structural needs of key regional theatres throughout Northern Ireland, and, in particular, to fund the expansion needs of the Burnavon Arts and Cultural Centre in Cookstown.
(AQW 392/08)
Mr Poots: I have referred your query to the Chief Executive of the Arts Council, and I understand that she has replied to you in the following terms:
"In response to your question to the Minister regarding the development of regional theatres, you may be aware that since the establishment of the National Lottery, the Arts Council has invested significant sums of money in the design and construction not only of new buildings, but in the refurbishment and extension of existing theatres and arts centres outside Belfast. Since 1994 the Council has invested £32.8m in the capital arts infrastructure, £24.8m of which was outside Belfast. This included an award of £1,125,585 to the construction of the Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre. (A full list of the awards is attached for your information).
In addition to its capital investment the Arts Council supports the regional theatres through its Lottery Multi Annual Programme. Each regional theatre (Market Place, Armagh; Burnavon, Cookstown; Riverside, Coleraine and the Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen) currently receives £30,000 per year towards its programming costs. These grants are due to expire in March 2009.
The Council’s Director of Operations, Lorraine McDowell, met with representatives of Cookstown District Council earlier this year to discuss plans for the expansion of Burnavon.
Whilst the Arts Council agrees that the Centre has proved extremely successful and that the plans for its expansion are reasonable and justified, Ms McDowell had to explain that, due to diminishing Lottery funds, the Arts Council no longer has a capital programme through which such a project could be funded. In the incoming year it is likely that the Council will have only a small budget of £250,000 to respond to applications for the purchase of equipment.
The Council’s Lottery income has fallen from a high of £10m in 1997/98 to projected levels of £5.795m in 07/08, reducing further to £4.5m by 2011/12. This situation has been brought about, not only through a general reduction in Lottery ticket sales, but more recently through the announcement by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport that the Arts Council is to lose £4.5m over the next 3-4 years to fund the Olympics 2012.
The Arts Council is working with the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure to redress this loss through CSR 2007 and ISNI 2.
I hope you will agree with me on the need to ensure that funds are made available so that the Arts Council can assist local authorities to not only maintain, but develop their current assets to meet customer needs for up to date, state of the art facilities".
Elite Facilities Capital Programme
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will explain the reasons why Comber Shooting Club and Hollow Farm Shooting Club were not short listed for the Elite Facilities Capital Programme for the 2012 Olympic Games.
(AQW 423/08)
Mr Poots: The responsibility for managing the Elite Facilities Capital Programme rests with Sport Northern Ireland (SNI). The programme is managed on a competitive basis against set criteria and those projects which satisfy the criteria will proceed to the next stage.
The actual detail of the strengths and weaknesses of the Comber Shooting Club and Hollow Farm Shooting Club bid is a matter between them and SNI. The applicants have been notified of the reasons why they were not short listed and of their right to appeal.
Elite Facilities Capital Programme
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will explain the reasons why Dungannon Rifle and Pistol Club was not short listed for the Elite Facilities Capital Programme for the 2012 Olympic Games.
(AQW 433/08)
Mr Poots: The responsibility for managing the Elite Facilities Capital Programme rests with Sport Northern Ireland (SNI). The programme is managed on a competitive basis against set criteria and those projects which satisfy the criteria will proceed to the next stage.
The actual detail of the strengths and weaknesses of the Dungannon Rifle and Pistol Club bid is a matter between them and SNI. The applicants have been notified of the reasons why they were not short listed and of their right to appeal.
Sport NI
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will explain the reasons for the Sport NI decision not to give funding to Wado Karate, with reference to the decisions by the Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly to fund this sport directly.
(AQW 434/08)
Mr Poots: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport within Northern Ireland, including the distribution of funding to sports organisations. SNI advises that it is unaware of any application from Wado Karate in the current financial year. It also advises that neither the Scottish Executive nor the Welsh Assembly provide direct funding to Wado Karate.
Illegal Fishing
Mr Daithí McKay asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of people who have been apprehended by bailiffs for fishing illegally in (i) Killylane Reservoir; (ii) Altnahinch Reservoir; and (iii) Dungonnell Reservoir, in the last year.
(AQW 477/08)
Mr Poots: In the past year Fisheries Conservation Officers (bailiffs) apprehended two people fishing at Killylane Reservoir without the appropriate documentation in their possession. In both incidents they issued the angler with a production document. In the first incident the angler subsequently produced the relevant documentation. In the second incident the production of the relevant documentation is still outstanding but the angler is still within the permitted timescale to produce such documentation.
No one has been apprehended fishing illegally at Altnahinch Reservoir or at Dungonnell Reservoir by Fisheries Conservation Officers in the last year.
Illegal fishing
Mr Daithí McKay asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action he will take in respect of illegal fishing in (i) Killylane Reservoir; (ii) Altnahinch Reservoir; and (iii) Dungonnell Reservoir, due to a lack of bailiffs at these locations.
(AQW 478/08)
Mr Poots: The bailiffing presence allied with other measures is considered adequate at this time. The Department does not rely solely on bailiffing visits to identify illegal fishing but also on reports of illegal fishing from other anglers and through visits of its own staff. The "whistleblower" approach is actively encouraged by Departmental officials and is promoted on the Public Angling Estate website.
As indicated in my reply to AQW 67/08 the Department can allocate additional hours if specific problems are identified. As a result of the reports frequency of patrols at Killylane and Altnahinch Reservoirs were increased but no illegal activity has been detected. Targeted information is more likely to succeed in reducing illegal activity and apprehending offenders than regular visits by Fisheries Conservation Officers. The Department will continue to pursue this approach.
Community Festivals Fund
Mr Daithí McKay asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what financial support the Community Festivals Fund provided to festivals in the North Antrim constituency in (i) 2006/07; and (ii) 2007/08.
(AQW 479/08)
Mr Poots: To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what financial support the Community Festivals Fund provided to festivals in the North Antrim constituency in (i) 2006/07; and (ii) 2007/08.
ANSWER
The table below gives details of festivals in the North Antrim constituency that have received financial support from the Community Festivals Fund:
Year |
Festival |
Amount awarded |
|---|---|---|
2006/07 |
Rathlin Airs Annual Traditional Music Festival 2006 (Rathlin Island) |
£2,000 |
2007/08 |
Dunaghy Cultural and Community Festival (Ballymoney) |
£2,250 |
Heart of the Glens Festival 2007 (Cushendall) |
£3,000 |
Shooting Sports
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, in light of Northern Ireland's participation in the 2012 Olympic Games and the World Police and Fire Games 2013, if he will review his decision on the prioritisation of shooting sports, as there are participants in Olympic shooting sports who currently practice at venues across Northern Ireland.
(AQW 503/08)
Mr Poots: The responsibility for managing the Elite Facilities Capital Programme rests with Sport Northern Ireland. The programme is managed on a competitive basis against a set criteria and those projects which satisfied the criteria will proceed to the next stage. Unsuccessful applicants have been notified of their right to appeal.
British and Irish Sign Languages
Mr Paul Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (i) what progress his department has made in progressing British and Irish Sign Languages; and (ii) to give a timescale within which his department will publish proposals for the provision of more tutors of sign languages, better interpretation services and the installation of specialist equipment in public offices.
(AQW 522/08)
Mr Poots: My Department continues to work in partnership with organisations representing the Deaf community to promote British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) and to educate and inform the wider community. In addition my Department chairs a Sign Language Partnership Group bringing together representatives from Government Departments and the Deaf community to consider ways to improve access to public services for users of sign languages.
Through the Sign language Partnership my Department funded research to identify options to increase the number of qualified tutors and interpreters. The options identified in the report fall within the statutory remit of the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL).
DEL has secured funding from the Skills and Science budget for the current year for training provision for BSL and ISL tutors and interpreters and has made a bid via the Comprehensive Spending Review to fund training provision in subsequent years. DEL may be in a position to draw up proposals for further provision when the outcome of that bid is known.
DEL officials are currently examining costed proposals from Belfast Metropolitan College for the reintroduction of its NVQ Level 4 course in BSL. DEL officials also continue to liaise with colleagues in Wales regarding current and possible future provision there with a view to introducing appropriate proposals in Northern Ireland.
The installation of specialist equipment is a matter for consideration by individual Departments and offices in line with the needs of customers. While a number of systems, such as loop systems, are commercially available to assist those who use hearing aids, the range of systems designed to support sign language is currently very much more limited. Text based systems can be of benefit to both sign language users and the hard of hearing but by their nature use written text and therefore do not specifically support sign language.
Education
Counselling in Schools
Mr Dominic Bradley asked the Minister of Education, with reference to the announcement made by her predecessor in October 2006, to outline the arrangements that have been put in place to provide counselling in schools; and, in particular, to detail (i) who will carry out the counselling; (ii) what level of qualification will be required for the posts; and (iii) what will be the basis of the contract of employment for such counsellors.
(AQW 128/08)
The Minister of Education (Ms Ruane): Following a public tender in Autumn 2006, Contact Youth have been contracted to provide an independent counselling service to all post primary schools who wish it.
The tender specified that Contact Youth are required to employ counsellors who have attained a Diploma in counselling and who are accredited with a recognised counselling body or who are working towards the said accreditation. As well as having recognised counselling qualifications counsellors will have experience of working with children and young people.
The counsellors, who are employed by Contact Youth, are required to provide a total of 3500 counselling hours throughout the North of Ireland as specified by the Department.
Workforce
Mr David Simpson asked the Minister of Education to detail the meetings she has had with business leaders in Northern Ireland, to ascertain how best to enhance the ability of the education system to create a highly skilled workforce.
(AQW 191/08)
Ms Ruane: Since taking up the post of Minister for Education, I have met representatives of the following groups on the dates specified:
Irish Association of Social, Cultural & Economic Relations: 03 July 2007
Confederation of British Industry: 25 July 2007
Ulster Farmers Union: 25 July 2007
Institute of Directors: 08 August 2007
Business in the Community 06 September 2007
Raising educational standards and ensuring young people have the necessary skills to progress into employment is crucial for the long-term economic success of the North of Ireland and I recognise that the Business sector has an important role to play in this process.
The revised curriculum focuses on developing the skills young people need for life and work in the 21st century. Employability, incorporating Entrepreneurship, is also an important part of the revised post-primary curriculum.
In addition, the Entitlement Framework will guarantee all pupils access to a greater range of vocational courses, equipping them with the professional and technical skills that business and industry needs. Pupils will be able to access courses appropriate to their individual needs, interests and aspirations, providing a wider choice at age 14 and an even wider choice at age 16.
To support pupils in making their choices and decisions about their futures, we are working to develop high quality careers education, information advice and guidance.
All of this will be set within a broader strategic framework for 14-19 provision, on which DE and DEL are currently engaged, ensuring that our young people are equipped with the knowledge and skills to take their place in an increasingly global workforce.
Assembly Questions
Mr Paul Butler asked the Minister of Education to provide a breakdown of the total cost of, and time spent on, answering Assembly questions for written answer submitted to her department since she took up office.
(AQW 241/08)
Ms Ruane: The information requested is not collected. However between the 08 May and 14 September 2007 the Department of Education has had 344 assembly written questions tabled.
The table below shows the number of written questions tabled to each Department in the North of Ireland between the 08 May and 14 September 2007.
DEPARTMENT |
NO. OF WRITTEN QUESTION |
|---|---|
| OFMDFM | 118 |
| DARD | 95 |
| DCAL | 153 |
| DEL | 102 |
| DETI | 99 |
| DOE | 197 |
| DFP | 86 |
| DHSSPS | 251 |
| DRD | 263 |
| DSD | 147 |
Note, figures supplied by the Assembly Business Office
Childminding
Miss Michelle McIlveen asked the Minister of Education what consideration she has given to the Northern Ireland Childminding Association's proposed childminder start-up package; and what action she will take in relation to these proposals.
(AQW 260/08)
Ms Ruane: Officials from the Department met with the Director of NICMA on 21st August 2007. At this meeting NICMA was asked to undertake further work in order to demonstrate the benefits, in terms of increased uptake, of introducing a start up grant. NICMA was advised that future consideration may be given to establishing a minimum training standard for childminders.
It was agreed that this further evidence would be provided and when the information is available, I will be happy to convene a meeting with NICMA to discuss the proposals.
St. Colmgall's Primary School
Mr Thomas Burns asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her reply to AQW 364/07, to advise whether or not the consultation exercise for a nursery unit at St. Colmgall's Primary School has been completed; whether or not the development proposal has been published; and, if so, what recommendations have been put forward in the development proposal.
(AQW 293/08)
Ms Ruane: The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) has advised the Department that the consultation with the school’s governors, staff and parents was completed by the end of June 2007 and that they intend to forward the proposal to the North Eastern Education and Library Board by the end of September for subsequent publication.
CCMS advise that the wording of the proposal will state that ‘a single unit Nursery with 26 part-time places to replace existing reception provision be established at St Comgall’s Primary School, Antrim, with effect from 1 September 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter.’
Ulster-Scots
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education if she will explain why her letter dated 19 July 2007, to staff in the South Eastern Education and Library Board, provided an Irish translation but no translation into Ulster-Scots.
(AQW 296/08)
Ms Ruane: The letter updating staff on the RPA developments was written in English, two paragraphs of which were translated into Irish. This reflects my commitment as an Irish speaker to respect the Irish language and reflect it in an appropriate way in departmental communications, consistent with the European Charter for regional or minority languages.
I fully respect Ulster-Scots and my department will be happy to accommodate, as far as is possible, those who wish to seek Ulster-Scots translations of departmental communications.
Disability Access
Mr David Simpson asked the Minister of Education if she will make a statement on disability access to buildings for which her department has responsibility.
(AQW 327/08)
Ms Ruane: Regarding school buildings, the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (SENDO) requires the Education and Library Boards and other school authorities to review and if necessary improve physical accessibility. They are required to prepare an access audit and access management plan which should prioritise the work required to the school. The first step in this process is to undertake an access audit of each school by a consultant specifically qualified to carry out such audits.
The Department has made funds available to enable access audits to be carried out and work agreed to improve physical access to schools. These audits are currently underway. Provision will normally take the form of toilets for disabled pupils and provision of access ramps, handrails, chair lifts and in some cases, the provision of lifts.
All new school buildings have to comply with the Building Regulations Northern Ireland 2000 and should be physically accessible to pupils with a disability.
Regarding the Department’s buildings at Rathgael House, Bangor and Waterside House, Derry, both buildings are fully accessible and comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.
Financial Deficits
Mr Mervyn Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of schools, broken down by sector, that have been running on a financial deficit, in each of the last five years.
(AQW 337/08)
Ms Ruane: The number of schools in each of the last five years is as follows:
|
2002/03 |
2003/04 |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
|
|
Controlled |
210 |
224 |
219 |
216 |
165 |
|
Maintained |
214 |
217 |
231 |
235 |
172 |
|
Irish Medium |
4 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
|
Integrated |
7 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
5 |
|
Voluntary Grammar |
13 |
9 |
8 |
11 |
13 |
Air Quality at Anahorish Primary School
Mrs Michelle O'Neill asked the Minister of Education, in relation to fumes being emitted from a factory in close proximity to Anahorish Primary School in Toomebridge, if she will confirm that an air quality assessment will be carried out at the school as soon as possible, to establish whether or not the fumes are harmful to children attending the school.
(AQW 343/08)
Ms Ruane: My Department has commissioned a series of air quality tests to establish the origin and type of fumes reported at the school. It is expected the results will be known by the end of October.
Conlig Primary School
Dr Stephen Farry asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 445/07, what plans she has to meet a delegation of parents and staff from Conlig Primary School, to discuss their development proposal to transform the school to controlled integrated status.
(AQW 349/08)
Ms Ruane: My previous answer explained that I am content to meet with a delegation once the development proposal is published. The South Eastern Education and Library Board have advised that the development proposal is expected to be published shortly.
Commissioners
Mr Jimmy Spratt asked the Minister of Education to detail the total expenditure on each commissioner currently employed by the South Eastern Education and Library Board.
(AQW 382/08)
Ms Ruane: The South Eastern Education and Library Board has advised that the total expenditure on the four commissioners from 6 July 2006, when they were first appointed, until the end of August 2007 is £114, 383. The breakdown of the amounts paid to individual commissioners is £35,956, £28,067, £27,537 and £22,823.
Parkhall School, Antrim.
Mr David Burnside asked the Minister of Education to provide an update on the progress of new buildings at Parkhall School, Antrim.
(AQW 458/08)
Ms Ruane: Planning of a new school building for Parkhall College, Antrim is being taken forward by the North Eastern Education and Library Board. A revised Stage D submission (providing final sketch plans and costs) is expected to be submitted to the Department for consideration in the near future.
Employment and Learning
Cost of Staff Team Building Days
Mr Stephen Moutray asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the total cost of (i) staff away days; and (ii) staff team building exercises carried out by his department, in each of the last three years.
(AQW 331/08)
The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): April 04 to March 05: Total: £50, 275
April 05 to March 06: Total: £46,346
April 06 to March 07: Total: £62,439
Apprenticeships
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what steps he is taking to renew interest in apprenticeships, in light of the decrease of 51 in the number of applications for apprenticeships in 2006/07, compared to the previous year.
(AQW 420/08)
Sir Reg Empey: As at 25 September a comparison of Modern Apprenticeship start figures for 2005/06 and 2006/07 shows a decrease of 53, about 1.5%.
The new professional and technical training provision, Training for Success, introduces Level 2 Apprenticeships in addition to Level 3 Apprenticeships. As part of the ‘Make it Happen’ advertising campaign for Training for Success the Department also specifically targeted employers with ‘Create a Prodigy’. It is intended that a level of promotion of apprenticeships will be maintained over the coming year.
Currently there are two pilots running for 14 to 16 year olds that will prepare school leavers to progress into apprenticeships. The Department is exploring with DENI, the Education Training Inspectorate and the Learning and Skills Development Agency how this approach can be advanced as part of the schools Entitlement Framework. My Department is also working with the Sector Skills Councils to develop Sector Skills Agreements and encourage greater employer engagement
Apprenticeships
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if he will outline how the number of apprenticeships awarded in manufacturing industry in Northern Ireland compares to those awarded in Great Britain, per head of population, in the years (i) 2004/05; (ii) 2005/06; and (iii) 2006/07.
(AQW 436/08)
Sir Reg Empey: Overall, the structure of training differs throughout the UK. In Northern Ireland, apprenticeships are open to young people aged 16 to 24 who are either entering employment for the first time or meet specified criteria for existing employees. Under the former Jobskills programme, Traineeships were set at Level 2. Now, under the new Training for Success provision, there are both Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeships. Unlike the rest of GB there are no adult apprenticeships funded by the Department.
It is therefore not possible to compare training provision ratios on a like for like basis with GB. However, the table below shows ‘apprenticeship starts’ over the last three years throughout the UK. Figures for Wales for 2006/07 have yet to be published.
2004 -2005 |
2005-2006 |
2006-2007 |
|
NI Level 3 |
3,410 |
3,325 |
3,278 |
NI Level 2 |
4,760 |
4,495 |
4,600 |
England Level 3 |
53,893 |
50,628 |
54,845 |
England Level 2 |
134,504 |
120,682 |
125,266 |
Scotland 16-24 |
13,957 |
13,106 |
13,259 |
Scotland 25+ |
6,209 |
5,685 |
2,415 |
Wales Level 3 |
9,360 |
9,245 |
Not Published |
Wales Level 2 under 18 |
15,250 |
18,835 |
Not Published |
University Applications
Mr David McClarty asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, pursuant to his answer to AQW 16/08, to outline the factors he has identified to explain the fall in applications from Northern Ireland domiciled students to universities in the United Kingdom, broken down by (i) those aged 21-24; and (ii) those aged 25 and over.
(AQW 438/08)
Sir Reg Empey: My Department has examined the most recent figures published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS ) on 12 September 2007 which show that there has been a 0.9% increase in the number of NI domiciled applicants ie students accepted to UK institutions between Academic Years 2006/07 and 2007/08. Within the figures, those students in the 21 to 24 years and over 25 years categories represent a relatively small proportion, 14% of the total number, and the drop in their numbers of 151 is offset by an increase of 268 in the under 21 years category.
It should be borne in mind that these figures are provisional and it is too early to draw any firm conclusions from them. My Department will continue to monitor UCAS figures as further information becomes available.
Review into Higher Education
Mr David McClarty asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, pursuant to his answer to AQW 15/08, if he will give further details on (i) the progress made by his department in setting the terms of reference of, and remit for, the independent review into higher education; and (ii) whether or not such a review will have the same level of independence as that afforded to Dr Andrew Cubie's committee, established by the Scottish Executive in 1999.
(AQW 439/08)
Sir Reg Empey: When government introduced variable tuition fees in AY2006/07, it made a commitment to review these arrangements, 3 years after their introduction, to inform future policy on the funding of students and the higher education sector.
In England, it is proposed to establish an independent Commission reporting to Parliament. As a substantial number of Northern Ireland students study elsewhere in the UK, I have asked my officials to liaise with counterparts in other jurisdictions operating variable fees to ensure that, when we are initiating the Northern Ireland review in AY2008/09, we take a consistent approach where appropriate.
Further Education
Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what action he is taking to ensure that Further Education Colleges offer access to education for all, and in particular to financially disadvantaged groups such as the elderly and disabled.
(AQW 469/08)
Sir Reg Empey: Through its six new colleges, comprising 48 campuses and 876 outreach centres, the further education sector offers an extensive range of professional and technical and recreational provision for adult learners from a wide and varied range of backgrounds and ages. My department is also developing a policy to further increase learner access and engagement, focussing particularly on those who are reluctant to enter further education, and consultation on these arrangements is expected to take place later this year.
Further Education colleges receive funding for students, including those students with a disability, through the Department’s Further Education Funding Formula. In addition, the Department provides further financial assistance to colleges through the Additional Support Fund, which enables colleges to provide assistance to those students who need additional support on account of a disability, and through the Support Fund, which is designed to assist any student who may encounter financial hardship to access further education courses.
However, I would confirm that, as incorporated bodies, colleges are responsible for setting the level of fees, including concessionary fees, for the courses they provide. In doing this, colleges’ fees policies take account of learners’ ability to pay.
Student Loans
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of students in Northern Ireland who took out student loans, in each of the last four years.
(AQW 572/08)
Sir Reg Empey: The number of Northern Ireland students who took out student loans in each of the last four years is as follows:
Academic Year |
Maintenance Loan |
Tuition Fee Loan |
|---|---|---|
2003/04 |
34,555 |
0 |
2004/05 |
35,256 |
0 |
2005/06 |
36,338 |
0 |
2006/07 |
36,380 |
17,965 |
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Invest NI
Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total amount of land currently owned by Invest NI.
(AQW 401/08)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr Dodds): Invest NI holds 2,793 acres of land across Northern Ireland.
Approximately 1,973 acres of its estate is already occupied by its Client Companies leaving 820 acres currently available for industrial use.
Invest NI
Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of land Invest NI has released for development in the last year.
(AQW 402/08)
Mr Dodds: In the year ended 31 March 2007 Invest NI sold 75 acres of land.
At 31 March 2007 Invest NI had 862 acres of land available for sale or lease to its client companies
Tourist Events
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the co-ordination arrangements that exist between his department, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the Northern Ireland Events Committee and district councils, with regard to larger tourist events in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 432/08)
Mr Dodds: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) does not have direct responsibility for tourist events. However, as the sponsor Department for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), DETI is working with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure on the merger of the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) with NITB. This is due to take place on 1 April 2008.
The NIEC is the body responsible for delivering an Events Strategy for Northern Ireland. NITB currently supports it in this role and NITB’s Chief Executive is represented on the NIEC Board. The NIEC also works closely with local Councils to facilitate sponsored events which take place in their respective Council areas.
Regional Tourism Partnerships
Dr Stephen Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to report on the future of Regional Tourism Partnerships, within the context of the Review of Public Administration.
(AQW 445/08)
Mr Dodds: Local delivery and development of visitor services and servicing is a key element of raising the profile of the tourism industry across Northern Ireland and providing visitors with the quality of services and facilities they want and need.
With 26 councils there is a need for regional co-ordination which may be somewhat lessened if there were a reduced number of councils – proposals under the Review of Public Administration include responsibility for a number of local tourism functions to be transferred to the new councils.
Details of exactly what this means have still to be firmed up as does the number of councils. In the circumstances it would be premature to make a definitive comment about the long term future of regional development structures for tourism.
Broadband Internet
Mr Barry McElduff asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail those villages and other rural areas in West Tyrone that do not have broadband access; and to outline his department's strategy and timetable for delivering 100% broadband availability in West Tyrone.
(AQW 514/08)
Mr Dodds: Broadband access with speeds of no less than 512 kilo bits per second have been available to all of Northern Ireland since December 2005. This includes every village and rural area of West Tyrone and is delivered either through telephone lines, wireless or satellite services. Often consumers can choose from more than one provider.
Invest NI
Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of businesses that have been assisted by Invest NI's business start-up programme that survive, after they have completed the programme.
(AQW 523/08)
Mr Dodds: An independent evaluation of the Start a Business Programme carried out in 2006 showed that 78% of businesses surveyed were still trading 3 years after receiving the initial support. This 3-year survival rate is better than the UK average which is estimated at around 73%.
Asbestos
Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of people employed in Northern Ireland, who are working in buildings that contain asbestos.
(AQW 594/08)
Mr Dodds: As there is no legal requirement to notify government of the presence of asbestos in buildings, these figures do not exist.
Environment
Draft Area Plans
Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the cost of preparing the following draft Area Plans: (i) Ards and Down; (ii) Magherafelt; (iii) Northern; (iv) Banbridge and Newry and Mourne; and (v) all other Area Plans in the earlier stages of preparation, including the cost of all Judicial Reviews, public inquiries, legal advice, consultation processes etc.
(AQW 253/08)
The Minister of the Environment (Mrs Foster): While I am not able to provide the cost of preparing individual draft Area Plans, I am able to provide estimates for the overall expenditure of Divisional Plan Teams, some of which are involved in the preparation of one or more draft Area Plans. The figures represent the best estimates available from current accounting procedures and obviously reflect the recorded position at this time.
Team |
Period |
Costs £ (exclusive of salaries and GAE) |
|---|---|---|
Belfast Metropolitan Plan Team * |
Sep00-Aug07 |
1,488,905 |
Ballymena ** |
Jan00-Aug07 |
441,964 |
Craigavon*** |
Feb00-Aug07 |
693,503 |
Downpatrick**** |
Jan99-Aug07 |
565,938 |
Coleraine***** |
Mar01-Aug07 |
305,922 |
Omagh****** |
Sep04-Aug07 |
224,857 |
3,721,089 |
*includes Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan and Belfast HMO Subject Plan
** includes Antrim/ Ballymena/Larne and Magherafelt Area Plans
***includes Banbridge& Newry and Mourne and Armagh Area Plans
***** includes Ards/Down Area Plan
*****includes Northern Area Plan and Coleraine HMO Subject Plan
******includes West Tyrone Area Plan
These estimated costs also include legal costs where appropriate and plan production costs but exclude wages and general administrative expenditure.
The staff complement of Divisional Plan Teams varies depending on business priorities at any particular time and work of the teams includes other routine planning duties beyond plan preparation.
Dibney Rivers Pollution
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if she will give details of the ten incidences of pollution at the Dibney Rivers since January 2004; and if she will explain why the Environment and Heritage Service did not initiate prosecution.
(AQW 299/08)
Mrs Foster: Where pollution occurs it is the policy of EHS to take formal enforcement action, if this is warranted by the severity of the pollution and the circumstances which led to it occurring. In deciding what, if any, action to take in each case, EHS aims to ensure that enforcement is consistent, proportionate and transparent.
In the period 1 January 2004 to date, no formal enforcement action was initiated in relation to the twelve confirmed pollution incidents impacting on the Dibney River, including two incidents which occurred since my previous correspondence. The enforcement action taken depends on the circumstances of each individual case and takes into account issues such as the severity of the incident, the sufficiency of evidence and whether or not a prosecution would be in the public interest.
Enforcement action will normally be progressed for medium severity pollution incidents. EHS does not normally initiate prosecution proceedings for water pollution incidents that are determined as being of low severity unless the incidents are from the same source over a period of time and they meet the criteria laid down in enforcement policy.
Eleven of the twelve confirmed water pollution incidents, in the Dibney River catchment since 1 January 2004, were determined to be of low severity; one was of medium severity. The source of the majority of the low severity incidents, and of the medium severity incident, was confirmed as being DRD Water Service. Enforcement action could not be taken forward as DRD Water Service was part of central Government and could not be prosecuted for pollution offences under ‘crown immunity’.
On 1 April 2007 discharge consent documents were transferred to Northern Ireland Water Ltd (NIWL) under Article 29 of the Water and Sewage Services (2006) Order. From that date discharges made by NIWL have been regulated under the Water (NI) Order 1999 in the same way as other external or private bodies.
National Parks
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what action she is taking to safeguard the rights of landowners and farmers, in relation to any proposals for National Parks.
(AQW 300/08)
Mrs Foster: The Mourne National Park Working Party presented me last week with its recommendations about the proposed Mourne National Park. I will seek the opinions of the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside and the Environment and Agriculture and Rural Development Committees. The views of these bodies will help me decide how to proceed.
Planning Applications
Rt Hon Mr Jeffrey Donaldson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of planning applications that have been deferred for (i) an office meeting; and (ii) a site meeting, in each month since January 2005, broken down by district council area.
(AQW 312/08)
Mrs Foster: The following table provides details of the number of planning applications deferred in each month between January 2005 and August 2007 by district council area. My Department does not record the reasons for deferrals on the IT system and it is therefore not possible to give details of the numbers deferred for office and site meetings respectively without checking each application file. This would entail disproportionate cost.
|
DEFERRED APPLICATIONS BY DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA January 2005 - December 2005 |
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jan-05 |
Feb-05 |
Mar-05 |
Apr-05 |
May-05 |
Jun-05 |
Jul-05 |
Aug-05 |
Sep-05 |
Oct-05 |
Nov-05 |
Dec-05 |
|
|
Antrim |
58 |
60 |
46 |
40 |
46 |
38 |
36 |
30 |
15 |
0 |
34 |
18 |
|
Ards |
17 |
60 |
50 |
69 |
0 |
62 |
17 |
22 |
27 |
6 |
0 |
5 |
|
Armagh |
29 |
52 |
94 |
85 |
105 |
115 |
86 |
51 |
60 |
6 |
7 |
4 |
|
Ballymena |
37 |
58 |
76 |
72 |
0 |
126 |
50 |
53 |
24 |
35 |
37 |
25 |
|
Ballymoney |
33 |
85 |
50 |
70 |
0 |
77 |
39 |
49 |
37 |
9 |
34 |
15 |
|
Banbridge |
34 |
67 |
53 |
48 |
0 |
94 |
0 |
71 |
46 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
|
Belfast |
37 |
30 |
31 |
31 |
0 |
50 |
0 |
54 |
32 |
4 |
7 |
6 |
|
Carrickfergus |
6 |
8 |
4 |
7 |
0 |
12 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
|
Castlereagh |
9 |
6 |
7 |
0 |
11 |
9 |
8 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Coleraine |
19 |
41 |
75 |
62 |
2 |
87 |
33 |
69 |
28 |
30 |
23 |
24 |
|
Cookstown |
29 |
35 |
47 |
59 |
62 |
33 |
42 |
0 |
65 |
39 |
37 |
37 |
|
Craigavon |
10 |
55 |
26 |
1 |
0 |
55 |
60 |
14 |
27 |
7 |
11 |
5 |
|
Derry |
22 |
18 |
22 |
29 |
0 |
34 |
19 |
0 |
23 |
14 |
18 |
12 |
|
Down |
41 |
73 |
94 |
67 |
0 |
239 |
93 |
57 |
45 |
10 |
7 |
0 |
|
Dungannon |
46 |
101 |
62 |
62 |
103 |
131 |
2 |
111 |
55 |
55 |
50 |
28 |
|
Fermanagh |
43 |
96 |
101 |
48 |
2 |
210 |
52 |
1 |
110 |
39 |
39 |
35 |
|
Larne |
11 |
17 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
31 |
12 |
8 |
24 |
7 |
10 |
2 |
|
Limavady |
21 |
24 |
16 |
28 |
0 |
103 |
1 |
184 |
11 |
11 |
5 |
7 |
|
Lisburn |
7 |
76 |
75 |
24 |
0 |
54 |
24 |
22 |
14 |
14 |
17 |
0 |
|
Magherafelt |
120 |
204 |
116 |
0 |
0 |
338 |
0 |
136 |
77 |
37 |
42 |
31 |
|
Moyle |
24 |
41 |
12 |
27 |
11 |
47 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
16 |
7 |
3 |
|
Newry and Mourne |
82 |
176 |
118 |
118 |
0 |
244 |
129 |
72 |
95 |
12 |
17 |
21 |
|
Newtownabbey |
8 |
3 |
7 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
North Down |
7 |
12 |
15 |
11 |
0 |
16 |
10 |
8 |
10 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
Omagh |
51 |
122 |
57 |
86 |
157 |
105 |
87 |
0 |
109 |
96 |
0 |
57 |
|
Strabane |
29 |
39 |
33 |
43 |
38 |
49 |
0 |
33 |
31 |
19 |
21 |
39 |
|
DEFERRED APPLICATIONS BY DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA January 2006 - December 2006 |
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jan-06 |
Feb-06 |
Mar-06 |
Apr-06 |
May-06 |
Jun-06 |
Jul-06 |
Aug-06 |
Sep-06 |
Oct-06 |
Nov-06 |
Dec-06 |
|
| Antrim | 23 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 12 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 6 |
| Ards | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Armagh | 9 | 21 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 21 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 16 | 6 | 8 |
| Ballymena | 46 | 22 | 27 | 37 | 12 | 34 | 20 | 9 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
| Ballymoney | 20 | 17 | 18 | 12 | 22 | 31 | 7 | 24 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| Banbridge | 10 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 7 |
| Belfast | 12 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 25 | 23 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Carrickfergus | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Castlereagh | 5 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Coleraine | 27 | 33 | 26 | 22 | 26 | 38 | 37 | 19 | 15 | 9 | 24 | 15 |
| Cookstown | 20 | 42 | 32 | 40 | 14 | 42 | 25 | 1 | 139 | 48 | 1 | 37 |
| Craigavon | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Derry | 20 | 18 | 8 | 3 | 19 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 12 |
| Down | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Dungannon | 22 | 48 | 47 | 63 | 9 | 57 | 12 | 37 | 52 | 102 | 38 | 32 |
| Fermanagh | 47 | 47 | 77 | 91 | 71 | 52 | 66 | 0 | 108 | 21 | 30 | 73 |
| Larne | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Limavady | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 0 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 5 | 5 |
| Lisburn | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Magherafelt | 26 | 27 | 24 | 36 | 15 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 21 | 10 | 8 |
| Moyle | 11 | 8 | 8 | 19 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Newry and Mourne | 14 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 4 | 16 | 17 | 24 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
| Newtownabbey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| North Down | 1 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Omagh | 16 | 39 | 43 | 52 | 31 | 31 | 44 | 4 | 179 | 42 | 37 | 46 |
| Strabane | 22 | 34 | 27 | 16 | 5 | 26 | 0 | 50 | 48 | 9 | 8 | 0 |
| DEFERRED APPLICATIONS BY DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA January 2007 - Date | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-07 | Feb-07 | Mar-07 | Apr-07 | May-07 | Jun-07 | Jul-07 | Aug-07 | Sep-07 | Oct-07 | Nov-07 | Dec-07 | |
| Antrim | 3 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 11 | 17 | 4 | 6 | ||||
| Ards | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Armagh | 7 | 12 | 6 | 15 | 19 | 13 | 17 | 2 | ||||
| Ballymena | 9 | 2 | 22 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | ||||
| Ballymoney | 6 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 4 | ||||
| Banbridge | 5 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 26 | ||||
| Belfast | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||
| Carrickfergus | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| Castlereagh | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||||
| Coleraine | 8 | 16 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 14 | ||||
| Cookstown | 26 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 0 | ||||
| Craigavon | 8 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||