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.

Friday 26 October 2007

Written Answers to Questions

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Agriculture and Rural Development

Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

All-Ireland Parliamentary Forum

Mrs D Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what discussions have taken place in relation to the development of an all-Ireland Parliamentary Forum.

(AQW 536/08)

The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness): At the North South Ministerial Council Plenary in Armagh in July, the Council noted the provisions of the St. Andrews Agreement relating to a North South Parliamentary Forum. The Council recognised that any development of a joint parliamentary forum was a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Oireachtas.

It was agreed that officials from the two administrations would make contact with the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Houses of the Oireachtas and report back to the NSMC at the earliest opportunity on the prospects for the development of such a forum. Officials in OFMDFM have written to the Clerk of the Northern Ireland Assembly. We have been advised that the Speaker has commissioned some preliminary research into the format of such a Forum and how best it could operate. We understand that he also discussed the development of the Forum with his counterpart in the Oireachtas during his recent visit to Dublin.

Victims' Groups

Mr S Moutray asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the meetings attended by (i) the First Minister; and (ii) the deputy First Minister, with representatives of victims' groups, since assuming office.

(AQW 617/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Since assuming office on the 8^th May 2007, (i) the First Minister has not met representatives of victims’ groups in an official capacity. However he has met a number of groups and individuals in a personal capacity in his role as MP and MLA. The deputy First Minister met representatives of the Disabled Police Officers Association on the 21^stMay.

Equality Legislation

Mr M Storey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 339/08, to explain why it has not contacted other legislatures to investigate how EU Directives on equality have been implemented in other Member States; and to detail whether or not it will now hold such meetings.

(AQW 624/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Each Member State has an obligation to implement European Directives within set time limits and to determine how best to do so in a way which gives effect to the requirements of the Directives and takes account of each Member State’s own national legislation.

Given that implementation of Directives is a matter for each Member State, how others comply with Directives, whilst of interest, is not directly pertinent. We do not therefore normally contact other Member States nor do we plan to do so. However, to ensure consistency of approach across the Member State, officials have regular contact with their counterparts in Great Britain.

As equality is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of this administration to consider how the requirements of equality Directives impact on Northern Ireland and to bring forward legislation specific to Northern Ireland to implement those Directives.

Policy consideration on the appropriate transposition of EU Directives into domestic law includes consideration of the degree of flexibility available to the Member State and the devolved administration. In doing so we are also required to meet our statutory equality obligations and comply with the Human Rights Act 1998.

If the Member State does not fully implement a directive within a specified timeframe it is likely that the EU will commence infraction proceedings which usually take the form of daily fines until full implementation is achieved. The Member State therefore has limited discretion in the implementation of directives.

Equality Legislation

Mr M Storey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 339/08, to detail how it will ensure that EU Directives on equality will be implemented to cater for Northern Ireland's particular local situation, in the absence of evidence of how other regions have implemented such Directives to best suit their local needs.

(AQW 626/08)

Equality Legislation

Mr M Storey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 339/08, to detail whether or not, as part of the department's ongoing contact with counterparts in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, it will also establish contact with other regions of the European Union, in order to gather information from all sources to investigate the degree of flexibility available when bringing forward equality proposals, with a view to protecting (i) freedom of speech; (ii) the right to protest; and (iii) defining and implementing harassment provisions, so as to grant greater exemptions for people of religious conviction.

(AQW 631/08)

Staff Team Building

Mr S Moutray asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the total cost of (i) staff away days; and (ii) staff team building exercises, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 808/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The total cost of (i) staff away days; and (ii) staff team building exercises held in the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister in each of the last three complete financial years is provided in the table below. The period covered includes 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005, 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 and 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007. For completeness, information is also provided for the current financial year, from 1 April 2007 to 30 September 2007.

Financial Year	Type of Event and Cost of Each
	Away Days	Team Building Exercises
1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005	£9,890.43	£337.43
1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006	£26,466.61	£3,853.58
1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007	£24,240.00	£45.00
1 April 2007 to 30 September 2007-	£11,485.87	Nil

Comprehensive Spending Review

Mrs N Long asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail how good relations considerations have been taken into account within the department's bid, in relation to the current Northern Ireland Comprehensive Spending Review.

(AQW 821/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The good relations impacts have been assessed and taken into account in the advice and recommendations provided to Ministers on the OFMDFM bid relating to the Northern Ireland Comprehensive Spending Review. The equality, poverty/social inclusion, and sustainable development impacts of these financial proposals have also been considered. The completion and consideration of these "High Level Impact Assessments" is a fundamental aspect of the Comprehensive Spending Review and Priorities and Budget 2007 processes.

Planning Appeals

Mr J Wells asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the number of appeals lodged with the Planning Appeals Commission, since 1 April 2007.

(AQW 904/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Planning Appeals Commission is a statutory appellate body established under Article 110 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 to decide a wide range of appeals against decisions of the Department of the Environment’s Planning Service and to report on various matters under planning and other legislation.

Given the independent tribunal status of the Commission, we have asked the Chief Commissioner to provide a response directly to you. We understand the Chief Administrative Officer, of the Commission has responded to you in the following terms:-

"The total number of appeals received by the Commission since the 1 April 2007 and up to the 30 September 2007 is 1035. As of the 30 September 2007 the Commission has a total of 3108 appeals for determination.

I enclose a copy of our latest statistical information which is updated and downloaded to the publication page of our website www.pacni.gov.uk at the start of each month.

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."

Planning Appeals Commission

Mr J Wells asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the number of appeals currently being considered by the Planning Appeals Commission.

(AQW 906/08)

I enclose a copy of our latest statistical information which is updated and downloaded to the publication page of our website www.pacni.gov.uk at the start of each month.

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."

Commissioned Report

Mr D Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQO 379/08, to give a definition of the term 'a private report'; to detail the number of such reports that were (i) commissioned; and (ii) received by the department, during the periods 1 January 2006 to 7 May 2007; and since 8 May 2007; and to detail the other kinds of reports commissioned by the department.

(AQW 911/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The term private report was made in the reference to the Deloitte Touche report on "The Cost of Division – A Shared Future Strategy". This phrase means that it was a report completed not within OFMDFM but from an external source. This report was commissioned by the previous administration in March 2006 and was conducted and finalised during direct rule and is an independent piece of research.

The following table provides information on the number of such reports commissioned and received by the Department, during the periods 1 January 2006 to 7 May 2007 and since 8 May 2007 to 30 September 2007. The total numbers stated for reports that were commissioned and received do not correlate because reports that were commissioned in one period may not have been received until a later period or not received to date. No other kinds of reports were commissioned by the Department.

Reports Commissioned and Received By OFMDFM

1 January 2006

To

7 May 2007

8 May 2007

To

30 September 2007

Commissioned

Received

Commissioned

Received

Number of Reports

Budget Underspend

Mr G Savage asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the department's projected underspend for this financial year.

(AQW 965/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: On the basis of outturn for the six-month period ended 30 September 2007, OFMDFM is not projecting any underspend for this financial year.

Integrated Development Fund

Mr G Adams asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it will reaffirm the support for, and safeguarding of, resource funding pledged to projects in west Belfast and greater Shankill, through the pilot Integrated Development Fund.

(AQW 1063/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Under the current arrangements, all outline pilot projects supported by the Integrated Development Fund (IDF), will have an entitlement to funding of the amount previously agreed by Ministers, subject to the provision and approval of the required economic appraisals for the respective projects.

Any further funding applications for individual projects, above the agreed amount or beyond the specified timescales, will be a matter for relevant lead Departments. Departments will consider such applications on the basis of their competing priorities and available resources.

Public Service Agreements

Ms S Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if they will confirm that children will be identified as a priority under target setting in the current round of Public Service Agreements, specifically in relation to (i) the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister; (ii) the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; (iii) the Department for Employment and Learning; and (iv) the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

(AQW 1068/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Executive is determined to seize this opportunity to deliver a better future for all our people. In support of this, work has been ongoing to develop our first Programme for Government which will set out our strategic priorities for the next three years. The Programme for Government will be supported by a framework of Public Service Agreements (PSAs) which will confirm the key actions we will take in support of our priorities, and the outcomes and targets we aim to achieve.

Our approach to developing PSAs has been directed by a focus on the key cross-cutting issues and challenges we face rather than along departmental structures as was previously the case. This will help ensure a more co-ordinated response across Government to the key issues and outcomes to which we are committed. Within that framework, improving the outcomes and life chances for children will continue to be a key objective for the Executive.

Executive Committee Meeting

Mr D McNarry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the process by which the minute of the Executive Committee meeting held on 8 October 2007 was drafted, circulated for comment and approved.

(AQW 1147/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The minutes of the meeting of the Executive which took place on 8 October 2007 were prepared in the normal manner. An Executive Secretariat official who attended the meeting took notes of the proceedings and prepared a set of draft minutes. With the approval of the Secretary to the Executive these were passed to us for consideration and approval to issue. The draft minutes were subsequently issued to Executive Ministers on 17 October 2007 for consideration at the meeting the following day. At that meeting, the draft minutes were approved by the Executive without amendment.

Links With Scotland

Mr J Spratt asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to give its assessment of maintaining links with Scotland for the mutual benefit of both countries; and what steps it is taking to encourage all Northern Ireland departments to co-operate, where possible, with their Scottish counterparts.

(AQO 493/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We recognise the strong historical bond that exists between our countries and the importance of maintaining close links with Scotland for our mutual benefit.

In June, we signed an agreement with the Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond, to work closely together and to consolidate and strengthen the social, educational and cultural relationship between our two countries.

Departments are taking forward work on strengthening links with Scotland across a range of sectors of mutual interest and through the work of the British Irish Council.

Co-operation is also ongoing at Executive level. We had the opportunity to meet Alex Salmond during our recent visit to the US and there have been a series of meetings between Executive Ministers and their Scottish counterparts on a range of issues including, Tourism, economic co-operation, fisheries, environment, higher education, culture, arts and leisure.

Meetings with Ministerial Counterparts

Mr D Burnside asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the number of meetings that it has had with Ministers of the Government of the Republic of Ireland; and to detail the number of meetings that it has had with Ministers of the United Kingdom Government, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly.

(AQO 516/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Since 8 May this year, Ministers in the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister have attended 3 meetings with Ministers of the Southern Government, one of which was the NSMC Plenary meeting in Armagh on 17 July; 6 meetings with UK Government Ministers, of which 3 were with the Secretary of State; and 3 meetings with the Scottish First Minister.

We hosted the British Irish Council Summit in Belfast in July which was attended by Ministers of each of the participating administrations. We also had separate discussions with the British Prime Minister during the Summit.

Ministers also participated in 2 Joint Ministerial Committee meetings on Europe, which were attended by UK Government Ministers and Ministers from the Scottish Government and Welsh Executive

Public Appointments

Mr K McCarthy asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to give its assessment of the effectiveness of the appointments process as detailed in its publication, 'A Guide to Public Appointments in Northern Ireland', in meeting the needs of the general public.

(AQO 562/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: In the interests of openness and transparency, responsibility for ensuring the effectiveness of the public appointments process is delegated to an independent statutory Commissioner for Public Appointments.

The Commissioner publishes a Code of Practice and audits departmental public appointment processes to establish whether the Code of Practice is being observed. The Commissioner has the power to investigate complaints.

The Commissioner also publishes an annual report which is available to the public that provides information on the observance by departments of the Code of Practice, an account of the outcome of the audit process and any complaints investigated.

The procedures set out in the Commissioner’s Code of Practice are underpinned by the principles of selection based on merit, independent scrutiny in the selection process, equality of opportunity and a process that is open and transparent.

In 2005 the Department published a guide to public appointments to raise awareness of public appointment opportunities; explain how the public appointment process works in practice; and to help people engage with the process to the best of their ability.

A Shared Future and Racial Equality Strategy

Mrs M Bradley asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what budget is being sought, in order to resource 'A Shared Future and Racial Equality Strategy'.

(AQO 590/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The department currently spends in the region of £25m to support good relations including good race relations activities. This includes approximately ₤17m under the Special European Programme, Measure 2.1 for Peace and Reconciliation.

We are unable to provide any details of the bid for future resources until the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review Budget and Priorities 2007 exercise is made known.

Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington

Mr L Cree asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what plans it has to expand the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington, following the success of the recent Smithsonian exhibition.

(AQO 538/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Northern Ireland Bureau’s strategy over the last four years has pro actively developed networks and contacts in other regions in the United States. Recent Ministerial visits, including those during the Smithsonian Festival, have convinced us of the need to further develop these networks and this may lead to an expanded role for the Bureau, particularly in New York and Boston.

The feasibility of any possible expansion will be investigated by the new Director of the Bureau when he takes up post in November 2007.

Sustainable Development Strategy

Mr S Gardiner asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to give its assessment of whether or not the Sustainable Development Strategy target to obtain 40% of all electricity consumed in Northern Ireland from indigenous renewable energy sources, beyond 2025, will be achieved.

(AQO 537/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has lead policy responsibility for Sustainable Development and we are fully committed to promoting a strong, stable and sustainable economy with a strong healthy and just society while at the same time maintaining and improving our natural resources.

Climate change is one of the most severe problems we face today. The Sustainable Development Strategy identified the potential locally to develop renewable energy sources as an important step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Older Persons' Commissioner

Mr K Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the costs incurred in appointing an independent party to undertake work on behalf of junior Ministers, to review the case for an Older Persons' Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

(AQO 536/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We have committed to carrying out the review for an Older People’s Commissioner by December 2007 and work will be undertaken by an independent party. The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister will seek quotations through a competitive tendering process, from those seeking to do this work and who are on the Northern Ireland Civil Service Management Consultancy Framework Agreement select list. Until the contract of work has been awarded it will not be possible to provide costs.

Investment Strategy

Mr J Dallat asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what assessment it has made, and what plans it has to review, the impact of the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland on equality of opportunity, generally, and on access to job opportunities across Northern Ireland.

(AQO 587/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Executive is currently developing a new Investment Strategy, which will be published shortly for consultation along with the draft Programme for Government and the draft Budget. A full Equality Impact Assessment is being carried out on the Investment Strategy and the result of this work will be published in tandem with the draft Investment Strategy document.

The substantive infrastructure investment programmes that the Executive will outline in the Investment Strategy have the potential to make impact positively on access to job opportunities across Northern Ireland.

Victims' Commissioner

Mr F Cobain asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the final stages of the appointment process for the Victims' Commissioner; and to give a timescale within which the successful candidate is likely to take up the post.

(AQO 549/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We would refer the Member to our statement on 8 October in which we stated that we intend to announce the new Commissioner for Victims and Survivors before the end of this year.

Public Appointments

Ms A Lo asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to give an assessment of the effectiveness of its arrangements for ensuring racial equality in public appointments.

(AQO 559/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The overriding principle of the public appointment process is that selection is based on merit. We are committed to equality in the public appointments process and believe that existing arrangements support this aim.

In the interests of openness and transparency, responsibility for ensuring the effectiveness of the public appointments process is delegated to an independent statutory Commissioner for Public Appointments.

The Commissioner publishes a Code of Practice setting out procedures which are underpinned by the principles of selection based on merit, independent scrutiny in the selection process, equality of opportunity and a process that is open and transparent. The Commissioner’s Code of Practice requires Departments to comply with their statutory duty under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 when making Ministerial appointments to public bodies and to have due regard for the need to promote equality of opportunity.

Existing legislation prohibits the selection of candidates on the basis that they are, for example, of a particular religion, gender or race. Decisions about who to appoint must be based solely on skills and abilities and not on factors that could be construed as discriminatory.

We are aware however, that some sections in our society are under represented on the Boards of public bodies and, following the reception we hosted on 9 May 2007, remain committed to recognising and encouraging greater participation by the minority ethnic community.

Victims' Commissioner

Mr A Maginness asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what assessment it has made of the appointment of a Victims' Commissioner, with specific reference to whether or not this appointment should be based on merit.

(AQO 589/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: All appointments are subject to the public appointments procedures. The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is committed to the principles of public appointments, based on merit with independent assessment, openness and transparency of process.

Attacks on Orange Halls

Mr A Bresland asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what is its assessment of continued attacks against Orange Halls, including the destruction of an Orange Hall in Strabane; and if it will make a direct representation to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on this matter.

(AQO 496/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We totally deplore these acts and condemn utterly those people who carry out such attacks, which are a scourge on our society. We are totally committed to moving society forward to make a real difference to the lives of all our people.

On Tuesday 11 September the Assembly debated the motion: ‘that this Assembly condemns all attacks on Orange Halls and calls on all political parties to use their influence to stop such sectarian attacks.’

As responsibility for policing and justice is still a reserved matter, Junior Minister Kelly made an undertaking to the Assembly to forward the report of the debate to the Secretary of State. We wrote to the Secretary of State on the 3^rd October and reiterated our strong condemnation of any such attacks and sought his support in doing all that he could to bring all those responsible to justice.

Legislative Programme for 2007/2008

Mr S Wilson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to give a timescale within which it intends to publish the legislative programme for 2007/2008; and to detail the number of pieces of legislation on this programme.

(AQO 494/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We wrote to the Speaker on 19 October on behalf of the Executive to set out its Legislative Programme for the 2007-2008 session of the Assembly. Including the three Bills which were introduced to the Assembly before the Summer Recess and which are currently before Committee, we anticipate that 18 Bills will be progressed during this session.

Victims' Commissioner

Mr D O'Loan asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline why it did not consider any of the existing candidates for the position of Victims' Commissioner to be suitable for appointment.

(AQO 543/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The people who were deemed appointable under the direct rule process can, if they so wish, have their names carried forward into the newly extended process. They won’t have to reapply, will not be re-interviewed, and will be considered along with any further applicants who are deemed appointable.

Maze Site Development

Mrs D Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it will outline a timetable for a decision to be made on the future of the Maze site.

(AQO 593/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: A decision on the proposed development of the Maze/Long Kesh site will be made following receipt of the business case, which is currently being finalised. Following detailed examination of the value for money case and assessment of affordability the development proposal will be brought to the Executive for formal consideration.

Agriculture and Rural Development

Comprehensive Spending Review

Mrs N Long asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail how good relations considerations have been taken into account within her department's bid, in relation to the current Northern Ireland Comprehensive Spending Review.

(AQW 822/08)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has complied with all the good relations procedures required by OFMDFM and DFP in respect the Department’s Comprehensive Spending Review proposals. These procedures are in line with Section 75 requirements and A Shared Future policy. The Department’s compliance has been achieved through the completion of High Level Impact Assessments for all bids submitted to DFP.

Comprehensive Spending Review

Mrs N Long asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail how the Deloitte Touche report, ‘The Cost of Division – A Shared Future Strategy’ is being taken into account within her department's approach to the current Northern Ireland Comprehensive Spending Review.

(AQW 823/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has taken account of the Deloitte Touche report, ‘The Cost of Division – A Shared Future Strategy’ by following the good relations procedures required by OFMDFM and DFP in respect the Department’s Comprehensive Spending Review proposals. These procedures are in line with Section 75 requirements and A Shared Future policy. The Department’s compliance has been achieved through the completion of High Level Impact Assessments in relation to DARD’s proposals.

National Ploughing Championships

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (i) the number of departmental representatives who attended the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore in the Republic of Ireland, in their official capacity; (ii) the total cost to her department of their attendance; and (iii) what is her assessment of the benefit of this to the farming community in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 895/08)

Ms M Gildernew: A total of 21 DARD officials attended the ROI National Ploughing Championships, which was a 3 day event. Officials manned the DARD exhibition stand. On average, 7 DARD officials manned the stand each day.
The total cost to DARD was £27,459 (£20,601 for staff and £6,858 for exhibition build).

The DARD exhibition at the ROI National Ploughing Championships, which also included an Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) exhibit (AFBI is a Non-Departmental Public Body of DARD), afforded the opportunity to promote the NI agri-food industry and rural community at Ireland’s largest agricultural event. Around 165,000 people attended the event and NI was well represented amongst the large number of visitors and trade exhibitors. The DARD exhibition promoted a wide range of services, which generated awareness amongst a large audience. The exhibition included several businesses that received funding from the NI Rural Development Programme 2000-2006 and these businesses received significant interest in their products.

In addition, DARD/AFBI officials identified potential opportunities for mutual collaboration on an all island basis, for example animal disease control, fisheries management and rural development, which could bring much benefit to the NI agri-food sector and rural community.

My own attendance provided DARD and the new Executive a firm voice at this major agricultural event. I had the opportunity to speak directly with President McAleese, The Tanaiste –Brian Cowan, my counterpart - Mary Coughlan, The Minister of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs- Eamon O’Cuiv, and the Minister of State, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Trevor Sargent – on agri-food and rural issues These included, importantly, the current animal disease situation and the approach being taken to prevent the arrival of Foot and Mouth and Bluetongue diseases in the island of Ireland.

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the cost of establishing the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute; and to provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure.

(AQW 901/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The additional identifiable costs incurred in the lead-up to the establishment the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) were as follows :-

			£’000(rounded)
Change Management Team		60
Change Manager			30
Staff Conference Costs		10
Corporate Publicity		15
Refurbishment of Offices		100
ICT Costs			250
Consultancy			65
Finance System		115
Launch Costs		5
	Total		650

No additional resources were made available to DARD in relation to these set up costs for AFBI. These costs were met from within the DARD Resource Consumption budget for 2005/06.

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the projected running costs for the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, for each of the next three years.

(AQW 902/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The projected net costs to the NI Block for running the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) for each of the next three years are as follows:-

AFBI Running Costs	Projected
	Expenditure	(£million)
2008-2009	32.2
2009-2010	31.5
2010-2011	30.3

Budget Underspend

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her department's projected underspend for this financial year.

(AQW 926/08)

Ms M Gildernew: As part of the October Public Expenditure Monitoring Review, my Department identified Resource Current pressures totalling £7.2m. At this stage it is therefore anticipated that there will be no underspend in Resource Current expenditure. However, the Resource Current budget will be kept under review during the remainder of the financial year.

My Department has sought DFP approval to roll forward £5.1m of Capital budget from this financial year to 2008/09. In the event that this £5.1m Capital is not removed from the Department’s baseline in this financial year, it will emerge as underspend at the year end. At this stage no other Capital underspend is anticipated. However, the Capital budget will be kept under review during the remainder of the financial year.

Departmental Offices

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has for her department's offices across Northern Ireland; to detail the impact that these plans will have on services; and to outline in full any anticipated job losses.

(AQW 977/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Currently all DARD frontline services are not available from every DARD office in the North and opening times for these offices vary. I plan to introduce a new way of working called DARD Direct which will help to standardise the service we provide, to improve the efficiency of customer transactions and to provide more choice in how and when transactions are conducted. This would be enabled, in part, by bringing together staff from all the main services, at 10 single locations. To ensure that we continue to provide rural communities with equitable access, these locations would need to be strategically placed across the North.

DARD Direct will involve the main customer facing DARD services including Veterinary Service, Grants & Subsidies Inspection Branch, Countryside Management Branch, CAFRE Development Advisers, Quality Assurance Branch, Rural Connect and Customer Service Improvement Branch. Regionally based staff from these branches, under this proposal, would be headquartered at one of these 10 locations, so some current offices are likely to close. I am aware of recent media speculation that DARD will make large job cuts solely by closing regional offices through rolling out DARD Direct. It has arisen because consultation on the roll-out proposal has been inaccurately linked to part of the Budget process, where all Departments including DARD will have to make reductions in expenditure on administration and absorb the cost of pay settlements. The fact is that nothing has been decided on this front yet and it is likely that any job reductions which have to be made will fall across most areas of the Department.

In advance of formal consultation, we are canvassing the views of key stakeholders this proposal might affect. No decision has yet been made on the final locations of these offices. Inishkeen House, Enniskillen is the exception because it has already been modified to test the DARD Direct model.

Local Community Fund

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 302/08, if she will give a timescale within which the review of the Local Community Fund will be completed; and to detail what input Local Strategy Partnerships and community groups will have in relation to the review.

(AQW 990/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The review of the Local Community Fund is due to be completed in early 2008. Intermediary Funding Bodies responsible for the delivery of the Programme, including Local Strategy Partnerships, and community groups will be consulted during the review process.

Culture, Arts and Leisure

Maritime Museum

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will investigate the potential for a maritime museum, adjacent to the recently announced Titanic project; and the potential for developing such a project based on the unique vessels that are already in local waters.

(AQW 758/08)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, through the National Museums Northern Ireland will give priority consideration to the development of a Maritime Museum. Naturally options for locations will include the Titanic Quarter.

Arts Council Funding

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to provide a breakdown of funding given by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to each district council, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 887/08)

Mr E Poots: A breakdown of funding given by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to each district council in each of the last three years is shown in the attached table.

Sources of funding include exchequer, lottery and Re-Imaging Communities programmes.

Council area	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	Total

Antrim	222,732	84,000	0	306,732
Ards	0	0	11,840	11,840
Armagh	45,000	50,000	140,000	235,000
Ballymena	0	0	0	0
Ballymoney	168,450	0	0	168,450
Banbridge	5,000	30,003	0	35,003
Belfast	538,718	737,369	54,000	1,330,087
Carrickfergus	0	0	16,425	16,425
Castlereagh	5,000	30,003	0	35,003
Coleraine	12,000	36,200	40,600	88,800
Cookstown	65,367	28,000	90,000	183,367
Craigavon	336,681	46,383	66,500	449,564
Derry	180,254	0	18,300	198,554
Down	69,969	68,000	92,250	230,219
Dungannon	0	42,000	10,990	52,990
Fermanagh	470,039	48,000	129,750	647,789
Larne	19,628	0	0	19,628
Limavady	0	0	0	0
Lisburn	66,929	0	50,580	117,509
Magherafelt	0	0	0	0
Moyle	147,215	9,180	0	156,395
Newry and Mourne	0	0	49,820	49,820
Newtownabbey	221,350	0	0	221,350
North Down	198,448	0	22,500	220,948
Omagh	0	57,000	100,000	157,000
Strabane	248,000	0	55,000	303,000
Total	3,020,780	1,266,138	948,555	5,235,473

Budget Underspend

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his department's projected underspend for this financial year.

(AQW 925/08)

Mr E Poots: The Department has just completed a review of its spending plans and priorities and currently does not project an underspend for this financial year.

Foras na Gaeilge

Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to his answer to AQW 232/07, to detail whether or not Foras na Gaeilge has started to translate the minutes of its board meetings into English and to post them on the English language section of its website.

(AQW 1002/08)

Mr E Poots: The decision to have the minutes of the Foras na Gaeilge Board meetings translated into English and posted on the English language section of their website has not yet been taken by the Board. This will be discussed at the next Board meeting due to be held on 2 November 2007.

Ordnance Survey

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps he is taking to liaise with district councils to ensure that new buildings and dwellings are included on all Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland maps as soon as possible.

(AQW 1008/08)

Mr E Poots: Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland^® (OSNI^®) has worked with district councils for many years. This includes district councils being users of OSNI’s products, and close collaboration in the creation and maintenance of Pointer, the definitive address file for Northern Ireland.

Information on the location of new properties is gathered by OSNI from many sources, and accurate, timely change information is vital for OSNI as it continues to improve the currency of its databases in line with its ministerial targets. District councils provide change information via updates to the Pointer dataset and four district council representatives sit on the Pointer Project Board.

Land & Property Services (LPS) is also working with Building Control sections in district councils to provide timely data to support property valuation. As OSNI prepares to merge into LPS in April 2008, OSNI managers are working with LPS colleagues to consolidate data flows between district councils and LPS/OSNI. This will support the ongoing improvement of LPS datasets, including the up-to-dateness of the mapping database.

Community Arts Projects

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what funding arrangements his department has put in place for community arts projects based in North Belfast.

(AQW 1048/08)

Mr E Poots: Government funding for the arts in Northern Ireland is disbursed through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Funding is not ring-fenced for any particular area but must be applied for in competition with other applications. Funding awarded to community arts projects in North Belfast in the last two financial years and in 2007/08 to date is detailed in the attached table.

Bamford Review and Investment for Health Strategies

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what arrangements his department has put in place to resource the Bamford Review and Investment for Health Strategies.

(AQW 1050/08)

Mr E Poots: DCAL recognises the significant role the Arts, Culture and Sport play in supporting people of all ages with mental health and learning disabilities subject to budgetary considerations. DCAL will endeavour to maintain and develop policies and programmes consistent with the Bamford Review and Investment for Health Strategies.

Fisheries Conservancy Board

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of staff employed by the Fisheries Conservancy Board.

(AQW 1137/08)

Mr E Poots: The Fisheries Conservancy Board currently employs 19 staff consisting of a Chief and Deputy Chief Executive, one support manager, 4 other administrative staff, 11 fisheries officers and a cleaner.

The Department has currently budgeted £464,000 to be paid to the FCB in 2007/2008. This includes payment for bailiffing services carried out by FCB on the Department’s Public Angling Estate, the Salmon Management Plan and deficit funding to ensure the FCB remains operationally viable. This budget is likely to increase once FCB functions transfer to the Department to take account of transferred staff and operational costs. These additional costs have been included in the bid to secure additional funding to carry out the FCB functions in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Provisions to abolish the FCB and transfer its functions to the Department are included in the Draft Public Authorities Reform Bill which will be taken forward by OFMDFM and is included in the Legislative Programme for the 2007/2008 Assembly Session. The timing of the transfer will depend on when this Bill is passed.

Fisheries Conservancy Board

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the budget currently allocated to the Fisheries Conservancy Board; and whether or not that budget will be increased, with the transfer of interest to his department.

(AQW 1139/08)

Fisheries Conservancy Board

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline the timescale for the transfer of interest from the Fisheries Conservancy Board to his department.

(AQW 1140/08)

Education

Unoccupied Desks

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of unoccupied desks expected in (i) controlled schools; (ii) maintained schools; (iii) integrated schools; and (iv) Irish language schools, in each of the next five years.

(AQW 24/08)

The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): The Department does not have projections for the future level of surplus places in each sector. In the 2006/07 school year there were an estimated 55,100 surplus places in schools in the North of Ireland - 36,600 in primary schools and 18,500 in the post-primary schools. The breakdown of this information by school sector is as follows:

Sector	Estimated Surplus Places in Primary Schools	Estimated Surplus Places in Post-Primary Schools
Controlled	17,200	7,900
Maintained	18,200	9,300
Integrated*	800	300
Irish-Medium	400	0
Voluntary Grammar	not applicable	1,000
Totals	36,600	18,500

* Controlled integrated and grant maintained integrated schools have been grouped together.

Based on the population projections from the Northern Ireland Statistics Research Agency (NISRA) the school-age population is projected to decline by approximately 15,000 in the period 2007 to 2012 as follows:

Year	Projected decrease in the school population in the 5-18 age-range
2007/08	- 4,228
2008/09	- 3,495
2009/10	- 2,433
2010/11	-2,721
2011/12	-2,183

Changes in pupil numbers are not the only factor affecting the numbers of surplus places. Changes to the schools’ estate through capital works and as a result of proposals from school authorities for closures or amalgamations also impact on the estimated numbers of surplus places.

Governing Body of the SELB

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Education to give a timescale within which she intends to restore democratically elected representatives and independent members to the governing body of the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

(AQW 355/08)

Ms C Ruane: In the interests of local accountability I would be keen that the members of the SEELB Board take up their former responsibilities as soon as possible. However, in the context of the many changes and challenges facing the South Eastern Education and Library Board, it is essential to ensure that there would be no return to the difficulties which the Commissioners inherited when they were appointed in July 2006 and that the stability which has since been achieved is sustained. I am therefore arranging to meet with a cross-section of Board members in the near future to explore their readiness to take up their former responsibilities and to deliver those effectively. That meeting will help inform decisions on how best to move forward.

New-Build School

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Education to give a timescale within which she will consider the provision of a new-build school for St Gerard's Educational Resource Centre, Upper Springfield Road, Belfast, taking into account the school's special needs unit.

(AQW 575/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Department of Education is in the process of arranging a feasibility study with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools in order to identify site options for the school. The feasibility study is expected to be completed by January 2008. Subject to the conclusions of the feasibility study, an economic appraisal would be undertaken to examine the best way of addressing the building needs of the school.

Extended Schools Funding

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Education if she will explain why St Brigid's Primary School, Ballymena, is not entitled to extended schools funding, despite having a significant number of pupils from the Dunclug area, who were previously entitled to this funding when they attended St Joseph's Primary School, which is now closed.

(AQW 639/08)

Ms C Ruane: Entitlement to extended school funding does not transfer with pupils. St Brigid’s Primary School is not located in a Neighbourhood Renewal Area or a deprived ward and does not have a sufficient percentage of pupils claiming free school meals to qualify for funding.

Centre of Excellence for Autism at Middletown

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 29/08, to detail the number of responses that were received in December 2002, from the individuals and organisations listed; whether or not views were sought specifically in relation to the proposal for Middletown Centre of Excellence for Autism; and if she will place the letter seeking views and the responses received in the Assembly Library.

(AQW 777/08)

Ms C Ruane: There were a total of 17 responses from education and health providers in the North. The views were sought specifically in relation to the proposal for the Middletown Centre for Autism. A copy of the letter that issued from this Department in December 2002 and the accompanying Briefing Paper will be placed in the Assembly Library. The consent to the release of individual responses was not sought in 2002 and therefore the summaries of the North’s education and health sector responses will be placed in the Assembly Library. A similar letter issued from the Department of Education and Science (DES) Joint Chair of the Steering Group to their education and health providers. It is not for this Department to publish the responses sought by the DES in the South.

School Financial Deficits

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 337/08, to outline the ten largest financial deficits run by schools in Northern Ireland, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 797/08)

Ms C Ruane: The 10 largest financial deficits in each of the 5 years from 2002/03 to 2006/07 are as follows:

2002/03 £	2003/04 £	2004/05 £	2005/06 £	2006/07 (Provisional) £
-788,352	-817,549	-784,714	-563,425	-482,425
-487,853	-628,229	-609,044	-441,331	-447,199
-347,165	-347,741	-372,301	-413,878	-440,538
-291,653	-346,286	-348,023	-343,910	-339,886
-260,270	-294,216	-306,657	-329,297	-337,967
-256,194	-277,119	-302,809	-328,410	-334,198
-228,975	-246,176	-290,639	-289,355	-318,321
-220,475	-242,336	-281,870	-280,297	-315,990
-217,959	-202,279	-275,076	-279,554	-309,936
-215,006	-185,654	-239,125	-247,994	-282,249

The total cost of schools financial deficits in each sector, in each of the last five years is as follows:

Sector	2002/03 £k	2003/04 £k	2004/05 £k	2005/06 £k	2006/07 (Provisional) £k
Controlled	-5,678	-6,531	-8,723	-8,984	-7,067
Maintained	-5,482	-5,898	-7,976	-9,618	-6,626
Irish Medium	-238	-206	-280	-265	-253
Integrated	-78	-124	-161	-207	-217
Voluntary Grammar	-2,051	-1,796	-1,637	-1,872	-2,761

School Financial Deficits

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 337/08, to detail the total cost of financial deficits run by schools in each sector, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 798/08)

Ms C Ruane: The 10 largest financial deficits in each of the 5 years from 2002/03 to 2006/07 are as follows:

2002/03 £	2003/04 £	2004/05 £	2005/06 £	2006/07 (Provisional) £
-788,352	-817,549	-784,714	-563,425	-482,425
-487,853	-628,229	-609,044	-441,331	-447,199
-347,165	-347,741	-372,301	-413,878	-440,538
-291,653	-346,286	-348,023	-343,910	-339,886
-260,270	-294,216	-306,657	-329,297	-337,967
-256,194	-277,119	-302,809	-328,410	-334,198
-228,975	-246,176	-290,639	-289,355	-318,321
-220,475	-242,336	-281,870	-280,297	-315,990
-217,959	-202,279	-275,076	-279,554	-309,936
-215,006	-185,654	-239,125	-247,994	-282,249

The total cost of schools financial deficits in each sector, in each of the last five years is as follows:

Sector	2002/03 £k	2003/04 £k	2004/05 £k	2005/06 £k	2006/07 (Provisional) £k
Controlled	-5,678	-6,531	-8,723	-8,984	-7,067
Maintained	-5,482	-5,898	-7,976	-9,618	-6,626
Irish Medium	-238	-206	-280	-265	-253
Integrated	-78	-124	-161	-207	-217
Voluntary Grammar	-2,051	-1,796	-1,637	-1,872	-2,761

Scientific Explanations of the Origin and Development of Life

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education to detail what correspondence she has received in relation to the teaching of scientific explanations of the origin and development of life in science classes, since assuming office.

(AQW 811/08)

Ms C Ruane: To date I have received 7 letters from the public and 14 Written Assembly Questions on this issue.

Scientific Explanations of the Origin and Development of Life

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education to outline the process through which (i) pupils may request that scientific data pointing to explanations for the origin and development of life, other than Darwinian evolution, be made available in science class; and (ii) parents may make such a request on behalf of their children.

(AQW 812/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Department of Education does not tell teachers how to teach, as that is a matter for their professional judgement. Issues regarding a school’s teaching should be raised in the first instance through representation to the Board of Governors. It is important to bear in mind that, whilst the revised curriculum offers greater opportunities for alternatives to evolutionary views to be explored, this could be in areas such as RE.

Comprehensive Spending Review

Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister of Education to detail how good relations considerations have been taken into account within her department's bid, in relation to the current Northern Ireland Comprehensive Spending Review.

(AQW 826/08)

Ms C Ruane: As part of the current Budget 2007 process, Departments were obliged to undertake high level impact assessments in respect of each bid submitted to the Department of Finance and Personnel.

The purpose of these high level impact assessments was to ascertain the equality and good relations implications for each funding proposal submitted and assessments were undertaken in accordance with Section 75 (1) and (2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland also produced a briefing paper for Departments on the importance of mainstreaming equality and good relations considerations into the Comprehensive Spending Review and Priorities and Budget, and this paper was also used to inform the development of my Department’s bids.

Comprehensive Spending Review

Mr S Neeson asked the Minister of Education to detail how the Deloitte Touche report, ‘The Cost of Division – A Shared Future Strategy’ is being taken into account within her department's approach to the current Northern Ireland Comprehensive Spending Review.

(AQW 827/08)

Ms C Ruane: I understand that this report was a piece of independent research which was commissioned by the previous administration. It represents the views of Deloitte Touche and was not taken into account in my department’s approach to the Budget 2007 process.

Glastry College

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Education what steps she will take to ensure that mobile classrooms in Glastry College are maintained to the highest standard, whilst the new school is being built.[R]

(AQW 882/08)

Ms C Ruane: The upkeep and repair of mobiles at controlled and maintained schools is the responsibility of Education and Library Boards. Funding for this is met from the Boards’ recurrent budgets.

In the case of Glastry College the South Eastern Education and Library Board has responsibility for maintaining the mobile classrooms until such time as the new school is built. In doing so they must work within budget limits and ensure that any expenditure on mobiles during this period represents value for money.

Glastry College

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Education to detail the funding her department will make available to Glastry College to assist with the maintenance of mobile classrooms, whilst the new school is being built.[R]

(AQW 883/08)

Ms C Ruane: The upkeep and repair of mobiles at controlled and maintained schools is the responsibility of Education and Library Boards. Funding for this is met from the Boards’ recurrent budgets.

Classroom Assistants

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Education to detail the criteria used to determine which classroom assistants should be graded as classroom assistants (additional special needs).

(AQW 941/08)

Ms C Ruane: Following intensive talks that were facilitated by the Labour Relations Agency over the weekend of 13 and 14 October, the employers and the unions have agreed to hold further negotiations during the rest of October. The terms of the proposed offer are primarily a matter for the employers and the unions and it would not be appropriate or helpful for me to comment on the possible outworkings of the proposed offer whilst talks remain at such an advanced stage.

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Classroom Assistants

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Education to detail the percentage of classroom assistants employed in special schools, who will be graded as classroom assistants (additional special needs).

(AQW 942/08)

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Classroom Assistants

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Education what plans she has to encourage all classroom assistants to consider training to NVQ Level III, and to provide funding to cover the cost of such courses.

(AQW 943/08)

Ms C Ruane: As Educational Bodies, the Department of Education and the Education and Library Boards always encourage their staff to consider their own development needs and to avail of opportunities to achieve their own potential.

Classroom Assistants

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Education to detail the precise number of classroom assistants that will be budgeted for, in each of the three grades.

(AQW 944/08)

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Classroom Assistants

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Education if she will confirm that classroom assistants currently working 32.5 hours per week will be considered as full-time employees, despite the change to the 36 hour divisor; and that no reduction in hours will be enforced.

(AQW 945/08)

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Classroom Assistants

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Education if she will undertake to examine the difficulties for classroom assistants who are attached to a specific child on a short-term contract, with regard to payment protection.

(AQW 949/08)

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Classroom Assistants

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Education if she will confirm that between 30% and 50% of classroom assistants will see an increase in their hourly rate of pay, under the proposed pay settlement.

(AQW 950/08)

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Classroom Assistants

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Education to explain the reasons why classroom assistants must be evaluated on the basis of a 36 hour week, despite the fact that it is impossible for them to work more than 32.5 hours per week; and if she will undertake to remedy this situation as soon as possible.

(AQW 951/08)

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Classroom Assistants

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Education if she will provide a detailed example of the back pay owed to a classroom assistant working in a special needs school with SEN allowance, currently on SCP 15, and having been in full-time employment for the past 18 years.

(AQW 955/08)

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Access Audits

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 327/08, to indicate when the access audit of each school will be completed.

(AQW 959/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Department has a programme to carry out access audits in every school. At the present time over 700 audits have been completed. It is the intention of the Department to have all schools in the estate audited by the end of March 2009.

Entitlement Framework

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 191/08, to outline what vocational courses will be guaranteed under the entitlement framework.

(AQW 960/08)

Ms C Ruane: Under the Entitlement Framework all pupils will be guaranteed access to a greater range of applied (vocational) courses and it will be for individual schools to decide which courses to offer their pupils, based on an assessment of their pupils’ needs as well as discussions with other schools, other providers and employers. The courses (both general and applied) which can contribute to a school’s curricular offer under the requirements of the Entitlement Framework are listed in the Approval of Qualifications circular issued by the Department of Education (DE) which is updated on a continual basis.

In terms of raising of standards, we will continue to use assessment and other information on school performance along with inspection to promote and raise the highest possible educational standards of teaching, learning and achievement throughout the education and training sectors and the forthcoming school improvement policy will include a particular focus on the use of both performance data and inspection findings to improve performance.

Measuring the success of our school systems over a longer period and in wider economic terms will always present challenges. However, we know from employers the importance of ensuring that our young people leave compulsory schooling with the highest possible standards of literacy and numeracy, with qualifications that are relevant to the economy here and with the lifeskills needed to succeed in the world of work and in wider society. That is why we are committed to bringing forward strategies on school improvement, on literacy and numeracy and, in conjunction with the Department for Employment and Learning, on careers advice, information, education and guidance to support the focus that the revised curriculum already has on delivering balanced, relevant learning opportunities for all our young people.

Educational Standards

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 191/08, what action she is taking to ensure that educational standards are raised to so that young people have the necessary skills to progress into employment.

(AQW 966/08)

Educational Standards

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 191/08, to detail the means through which her department will measure the success of the contribution made by increased educational standards and improved skills against the long-term economic success of Northern Ireland.

(AQW 967/08)

Educational Standards

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 191/08, what plans she has to measure the success of her department's efforts to raise educational standards and ensure that young people have the necessary skills to progress into employment.

(AQW 968/08)

Bullying

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Education to detail her department's strategy to prevent bullying, whilst children are travelling to and from, and attending, secondary school.

(AQW 972/08)

Ms C Ruane: All grant-aided schools are required, by law, to have measures in place to address all forms of bullying among pupils as part of their discipline policy. The Department has issued guidance to schools on this; however, it is for each school to decide, taking account of its own ethos and circumstances, what behaviours and situations will be covered by its policy.

When developing a policy, a school community must decide on its position in respect of pupil behaviour off site and out of school hours, for example while travelling to and from school. The school’s position should be clearly set out in the discipline policy and the entire school community, including pupils, parents and staff, should be fully aware of it and its implications.

Astroturf Facilities at Limavady Grammar School

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Education if she will undertake, as a matter of urgency, to resolve the problems surrounding the after-school use of the new Astroturf facilities at Limavady Grammar School.

(AQW 980/08)

Ms C Ruane: I understand that the Western Education & Library Board has instructed its legal advisors to prepare a draft agreement between the Board and Limavady Borough Council for the community use of the new pitch. Until the terms and conditions, including insurance arrangements, have been agreed between the Board and the Council, the Board is unable to allow community use of the facility. The WELB is working to ensure that community use happens as soon as possible and in line with statutory requirements.

Review of Public Administration and the Education and Skills Authority

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail whether or not her department carried out a risk assessment prior to the implementation of the recommendations of the Review of Public Administration, and the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority.

(AQW 994/08)

Ms C Ruane: Risk Assessment is an integral part of the management of the RPA Programme in Education. In my Department a RPA Programme Management Board (PMB) which was established in December 2005, oversees both the Department of Education and the Education and Skills Authority Implementation Team (ESAIT) elements of the overall programme. The PMB is supported by a Programme Management Office (PMO) which is accountable to the PMB and provides it with assurances on the overall programme.

Education and Skills Authority

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of individuals involved in the risk assessment in relation to the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority; and the costs associated with (i) salaries; (ii) travel/subsistence; and (iii) the secretariat.

(AQW 995/08)

Ms C Ruane: Risk assessment is an integral part of the management of the RPA Programme in education and indeed the work of my Department in general. It is therefore not possible to specifically quantify the numbers of individuals involved and the costs associated with risk assessment in relation to the programme.

Classroom Assistants

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Education to explain what will happen when the pay protection for classroom assistants concludes at the end of the review period.

(AQW 1016/08)

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Classroom Assistants

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Education to detail whether the 36 hour divisor for classroom assistants was agreed upon during or after their job evaluation.

(AQW 1017/08)

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Classroom Assistants

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of classroom assistants who will be offered a 36 hour week in their contracts.

(AQW 1018/08)

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Classroom Assistants

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Education to detail what criteria she is using to evaluate the jobs of classroom assistants.

(AQW 1019/08)

I hope however that the recent progress that has been achieved will lead to an agreed settlement being reached in the very near future.

Education and Skills Authority

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail the amount of money allocated in order to establish the Education and Skills Authority by 31 March 2008.

(AQW 1052/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Education and Skills Authority (ESA) is to be established by 1 April 2009 at the latest rather than 31 March 2008. Funding to establish ESA will be considered in the course of the Budget 2007 process, the outcome of which has yet to be determined.

Available Year Eight Places

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of year eight places available in (i) Strangford College; (ii) Movilla High School; (iii) Regent House; (iv) Donaghadee High School; and (v) Glastry College.

(AQW 1070/08)

Ms C Ruane: The number of year eight places approved at each of the schools (their admissions number) for the 2007/08 school year is as follows:

Strangford College: 80

Movilla High : 180

Regent House : 210

Donaghadee High : 76

Glastry College : 110

Academic Best Practice

Rev Dr R Coulter asked the Minister of Education what plans she has to disseminate the academic best practice of the leading grammar schools in Northern Ireland to secondary schools, so that overall school performance can be enhanced.

(AQO 406/08)

Ms C Ruane:

Best practice, academic and non-academic, is not confined to grammar schools. Very many schools can point to good practice and all are encouraged to develop further that good practice, to disseminate it within their own school and to share examples with other schools. This is an area which I am keen to develop and am considering in the context of a new school improvement policy which will be the subject of consultation next month.

Employment and Learning

National Minimum Wage

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on reported plans to replace the National Minimum Wage with regional variants.

(AQW 787/08)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): I have had no such discussions on this reserved matter.

Following media reports about the possible introduction of regional variants to the minimum wage, officials from my Department met with officials from the Low Pay Commission (LPC), which reports to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. LPC officials confirmed that there were no proposals to replace the National Minimum Wage with regional variants. My officials also spoke to officials from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform who confirmed that no such proposals were being considered.

You will be aware from the debate on 11 September that, in common with most Members, I am opposed to any move to replace the National Minimum Wage with regional variants. I will be writing to the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory

Friday 26 October 2007

Written Answers to Questions

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

All-Ireland Parliamentary Forum

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Comprehensive Spending Review

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Planning Appeals Commission

Commissioned Report

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8 May 2007

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Commissioned

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