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 07 December 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
United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child
Mrs D Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what action it has taken in preparation for the forthcoming examination of the United Kingdom Government by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child; and what plans it has to hold a debate in the Assembly on the Northern Ireland Jurisdictional Report.
(AQW 535/08)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness): The State report which was submitted to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in July of this year was a composite report covering the four jurisdictions. Departmental officials made a significant contribution to that report in relation to devolved issues, following a series of consultations with key stakeholders. These were carried out prior to devolution.
In line with the other devolved administrations, a Northern Ireland country-specific report was sent to the Committee at the end of August. Both reports refer to a pre-devolution period.
Both reports make a clear distinction between devolved and excepted/reserved matters. The reports relate solely to policies and decisions taken in the context of direct rule.
The two reports have been placed in the Assembly Library, made available to the OFMDFM Committee and have been published on the website www.allchildrenni.gov.uk. Hard copies will be available shortly.
We understand that the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child will not hold its examination until late 2008. We have asked our officials to begin our preparatory work now.
The question of whether there should be a debate in the Assembly is of course a matter for the Assembly Business Committee.
Deloitte Touche Report, 'The Cost of Division: A Shared Future Strategy'
Mrs N Long asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the cost involved in placing the Deloitte Touche report, 'The Cost of Division: A Shared Future Strategy' on the departmental website.
(AQW 814/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We have no plans to place the report on the departmental website. As explained in AQW 348/07, the report is already widely accessible.
Resource Efficiency
Mr P Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the mathematical formula used to assess Northern Ireland's resource efficiency, referred to in the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland: First Steps Towards Sustainability.
(AQW 1602/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The measure of resource efficiency included in the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland was estimated using the results of research undertaken within the "Northern Limits Project" (2004), which benefited from sponsorship by the Department of the Environment and Queen’s University Belfast. An objective of the project was to examine and calculate Northern Ireland's ecological impact on the environment.
The estimate of resource efficiency was derived by looking at the amount of resources that remain within Northern Ireland and comparing this to total resource consumption by the economy here. This comparison enabled the ratio of: (i) resources consumed, less waste, to: (ii) total resources consumed, to be calculated.
Precise information relating to the data used within the calculations can be obtained from the "Northern Limits" final report which is available from http://www.northern-limits.com/.
Tackling Child Poverty
Mrs N Long asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail whether or not the proportion of funding for tackling child poverty, set out in the United Kingdom Comprehensive Spending Review, and allocated to Northern Ireland under the Barnett formula, will be ring fenced for this sole purpose, similar to the allocation in England, Scotland and Wales.
(AQW 1727/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Tackling poverty and indeed child poverty requires a co-ordinated plan of actions across a range of departmental programmes including employment, education, health and social development. It is not anticipated therefore that resources within the Northern Ireland Block allocation will be ring fenced solely for this purpose. It is expected however that Departments will, in line with previous practice, continue to skew efforts and resources towards those in greatest objective need.
This will ensure that tackling poverty and child poverty will be prioritised and mainstreamed within the departmental public expenditure planning process.
Junior Ministers, in their role of particular responsibility for children, will continue to lobby ministers in other departments to ensure this is the case.
European Union Gender Goods and Services Directive
Mr M Storey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answers to AQW 624/08, AQW 626/08 and AQW 631/08, to outline the cost of the recent public consultation on the European Union Gender Goods and Services Directive.
(AQW 1828/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The cost associated with the consultation on the EU Gender Goods and Services Directive was £1,724.00. This amount covered design, printing, distribution and advertising costs.
Programmes for Children and Young People
Ms S Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain how it is ensuring that programmes for children and young people are funded and resourced.
(AQW 1834/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The report "An Analysis of Public Expenditure on Children in Northern Ireland" commissioned by the Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland and part funded by OFMDFM and DFP was copied to Ministerial colleagues in advance of the Budget 07 exercise to inform their decisions. We also strongly made the case for significant funding for children’s programmes during pre-Budget discussions. Significant resources have been provided across a number of Departments including £26 million to facilitate the continuation of projects previously funded by the Children and Young People’s funding package.
We were successful in attracting funding in the draft Budget for the development of plans to implement a Play Policy for Northern Ireland. The play policy is set within the context of the 10-year strategy and will contribute to the delivery of many of our strategic aims for children and young people, particularly those which relate to improved health and achievement outcomes.
We have also secured resources in the draft Budget to support exemplar area based projects which will contribute to a range of improved outcomes for children and young people through joined up working.
Junior Ministers have a particular responsibility for children and young people’s issues. They are currently working on an action plan to most effectively ensure children’s issues are addressed and resourced adequately across government.
Waterways Ireland
Mr B McElduff asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the pay awards, both applied and consolidated, in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, for administration and professional technical staff in Waterways Ireland, since the body's inception; and to detail the action he is taking to resolve pay discrepancies between staff from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
(AQW 2173/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Details of the pay awards, both applied and consolidated, for administration and professional technical staff in Waterways Ireland, since the Body’s inception are as follows:
Professional Technical and Administration Staff based in Northern Ireland |
Professional Technical and Administration Staff based in Ireland |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/04/01 | 2% | 01/04/01 | 2% |
| 01/10/01 | 5.5% | 01/10/01 | 5.5% |
| 01/12/01 Bench-marking award Phase 1, 25% of the agreed award was applied to each scale with effect from this date. Each grade received different increase and some grades received different increases at different points on the scales as set out in the Benchmarking Report in the South. These increases were applied to the relevant points on the scales. |
01/12/01 Bench-marking award Phase 1, 25% of the agreed award was applied to each scale with effect from this date. Each grade received different increase and some grades received different increases at different points on the scales as set out in the Benchmarking Report in the South. These increases were applied to the relevant points on the scales. |
||
| 01/04/02 – one off lump sum payment of 1% of annual pay (not applied to scale) non-consolidated. | 01/04/02 one off lump sum payment of 1% of annual pay (not applied to scale) non-consolidated. | ||
| 01/10/02 | 2.67% | 01/10/02 | 4% |
| 01/04/03 – one off payment £200 non-consolidated (performance bonus) | |||
| 01/04/04, plus £235 non-consolidated (performance bonus) | 2% | 01/01/04, plus Ph2 of benchmarking (50% of agreed award) 01/07/04 01/12/04 |
3% 2% 2% |
| 01/08/05 16th month settlement – WI have submitted proposals to TU for consideration. | 01/06/05, plus Ph3 of Benchmarking (25% of agreed award) 01/12/05 |
1.5% 1.5% |
|
| 01/08/06Proposals for implementing the 06/07 pay awards are with Departments for consideration | 01/06/06 01/12/06 01/06/07 |
2.5% 3% 2% |
The Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) of the North/South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland have raised concerns that the disparity in pay, between personnel employed in Northern Ireland whose pay is linked to the Northern Ireland Civil Service and staff in Ireland whose pay is linked to the Irish Civil Service, is affecting their ability to attract, motivate and retain staff. The Council considered this matter at the Institutional meeting on 30 October 2007 and agreed that officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department of Finance would advise their Ministers of the issues and consider the CEO Pay Paper together with additional information provided by the
Bodies in the context of relevant national pay policies. Conclusions will be reported to a future NSMC meeting.Officials from the two Finance Departments plan to meet in the near future to discuss the matter.
Agriculture and Rural Development
Equality in the Agricultural Industry
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development pursuant to her comments during the debate on the Abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board, on 22 October 2007, to give her assessment of which sector(s) within the agricultural industry currently deny equality in the workplace to their employees, whether local or immigrant workers.
(AQW 1867/08)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): I have no evidence to suggest that any sector within the agricultural industry currently denies equality in the workplace to its employees whether local or migrant workers. The existence of the Agricultural Wages Board ensures the rights of all agricultural workers in the North are protected.
Front Line Advisers
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of front line staff currently employed by her department to offer advice to (i) beef and sheep farmers; and (ii) dairy farmers.
(AQW 1869/08)
Ms M Gildernew: My Department currently employs 110 front line staff to provide advice/support, albeit not exclusively, to beef and sheep and dairy farmers.
In addition/on occasion, provide advice, but this is not their primary/sole function.
Article 4 Audits
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of Article 4 audits that have been carried out by her department on European programmes, in each of the last five years.
(AQW 1897/08)
Ms M Gildernew: My Department has carried out a total of 1946 Article 4 inspections across all European programmes for which I am responsible by 16th November 2007. The total number of inspections completed in each of the last five years by programme area is as follows;
| YEAR |
BSP |
PEACE |
LEADER |
INTERREG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 |
25 |
12 |
1 |
0 |
2004 |
37 |
32 |
52 |
0 |
2005 |
58 |
188 |
114 |
3 |
2006 |
74 |
518 |
102 |
10 |
2007 |
236 |
137 |
330 |
17 |
Total |
430 |
887 |
599 |
30 |
Fishing Industry
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what assistance she will give to the fishing industry, given that the price of red diesel has risen to £2.10 per gallon.
(AQW 2007/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Rising fuels prices have been caused primarily by the increase in crude oil prices and also by increases in the rate of excise duty. Both these matters are likely to be long term features for all parts of the economy that use oil.
The European Commission confirmed last year that Member State subsidy of the cost of fuel constituted operating aid and is incompatible therefore with the Treaty. However what we can do is to assist the industry to become more fuel efficient.
Under new European Fisheries Fund Regulation it will be possible to provide assistance for various measures including:
- The purchase of fuel efficient replacement engines, but subject to stringent conditions to prevent increases in fleet capacity.
- Use of bio-fuels in fishing vessels.
- Gear technology that reduces fuel consumption.
- Audits of vessels to identify where fuel can be saved.
- Vessel engineering to reduce fuel consumption.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will be consulting stakeholders early next year on an Operational Programme for the implementation of the EFF here.
Fishing Licences
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the reasons why the entitlement to fish for whitefish has been removed from Category A licence holders.
(AQW 2009/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The 2005 EC TAC and Quota Regulation removed the flexibility for vessels using fishing gear with a higher days at sea allocation from using fishing gears with lower days at sea allocations, if they did not have a track record of using such gears from 2001 to 2004.
The change was made largely to conserve cod stocks by preventing the possibility of vessels with no recent track record of using whitefish gear from doing so in future. This change mostly affected a number of vessels using Nephrops gear that had no track record of using whitefish gear from 2001 to 2004.
Since 2006 vessel owners who wish to use fishing gears, such as whitefish gear, for which they do not have the appropriate track record, are permitted to transfer in days at sea from a vessel with an appropriate track record for that gear. The track record of gear use remains with the donor vessel.
Aid for the Prawn Boat Sector
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what consideration she will give to an emergency aid package for the prawn boat sector, given the high cost of fuel and low prawn prices.
(AQW 2081/08)
Ms M Gildernew: I have no plans to bring forward an aid package for the prawn boat sector. The European Commission confirmed last year that Member State subsidy of the cost of fuel constituted operating aid is incompatible therefore with the Treaty. However the new European Fisheries Fund will provide opportunities for the fishing industry to become energy efficient through measures such as grant-aid for the purchase of more fuel efficient engines. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will be consulting stakeholders early next year on an Operational Programme for the implementation of the EFF here.
Modernisation of the Fishing Fleet
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the measures she will take to modernise the fishing fleet, particularly the prawn sector.
(AQW 2082/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The Down Fishing Villages Taskforce has recently invited applications for a "Fleet Modification Scheme" that will provide grant support to the North’s over-10 metre fishing fleet, to replace existing mechanical machinery (such as winches, cranes, net drums and steering gear) where the replacement will improve the safety of vessels and crew, without increasing the vessel’s fishing-effort capacity. The scheme will make available £480,000 at a rate of 40% grant on eligible items. Further assistance will be available under the European Fisheries Fund which will come into operation next year.
Carbon Footprint of the Prawn Boat Sector
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline what research has been carried out in relation to the carbon footprint of the prawn boat sector.
(AQW 2090/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Comprehensive research on the carbon footprint of the prawn boat sector would require an examination of the direct emissions of CO2 from the fossil fuels consumed by the prawn boat sector as well as the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of the products used by these vessels included those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown. I am not aware of any research on indirect emissions, however Seafish published a report last year (available at www.seafish.org) on "Options for Improving Fuel efficiency in the UK Fleet" which focused on key segments of the fishing fleet, and covers fleet operations, gear type and fishing patterns. The Report includes an assessment of some of the current fuel efficiency measures, the degree of uptake and barriers to uptake of these measures.
Carbon Footprint of Fishing Fleets
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what trials have been carried out into the viability of using bio diesel in fishing fleets in order to reduce its carbon footprint.
(AQW 2091/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Researchers from the University of Exeter, are currently testing the first commercial fishing boat to run on environmentally friendly bio-diesel made from vegetable oil. One of the aims of the project is to determine whether bio-diesel can be used as a direct substitute for red diesel in fishing boats without the need for modifications to the engine or fuel system. If successful the use of bio-fuel could significantly reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions as well as reducing other sulphur emissions to zero. The University of Exeter received funding from Defra under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) and Seafish to carry out the project.
Fishing Diversification Schemes
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what grants are to be made available to fishermen wishing to upgrade their boats in order to diversify into fishing for alternative species.
(AQW 2092/08)
Ms M Gildernew: In November 2006, DARD, through the Down Villages Fishing Taskforce, provided £220,000 grant support to enable vessels that primarily target whitefish to diversify into more sustainable fisheries. 12 eligible applications were received and 6 vessels were awarded diversification support.
In August 2007, a further £170,000 grant was awarded to enable the 6 remaining eligible vessels to complete their diversification projects and an additional £200,000 was provided to allow 5 dedicated whitefish vessels, which had not initially applied for such support, to seek such assistance.
During 2006 and 2007, DARD has also supported experimental "diversification" fisheries in the Irish Sea relating to sprats, potted and trawled nephrops, and shrimp fisheries. The total grant awards associated with this support exceeds £250,000.
There are no plans to have further diversification schemes at the moment although similar projects will be possible under the European Fisheries Fund which will come into operation next year.
Hospitality Expenditure
Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the amount spent by her department on hospitality in each of the last five years.
(AQW 2141/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Expenditure on hospitality for the Core Department only (i.e. excluding Agencies) for the last five financial years:
| 2002/03 | 2003/04 | 2004/05 | 2005/06 | 2006/07 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
£53,021 |
£77,697 |
£86,481 |
£97,169 |
£65,949 |
Coastal Shell Fishing Industry
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has to assist the development of the coastal shell fishing industry based in Belfast and Larne Loughs.
(AQW 2161/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The role of my Department is to promote the sustainable development of both the wild and farmed shellfish sectors in all coastal waters including Belfast and Larne Lough, to licence shellfish farms and to provide financial assistance to develop these sectors under the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). The Department will be issuing a consultation paper early next year on an Operational Programme for the implementation of EFF here and all stakeholders will have the opportunity of contributing to the development of the various measures within the programme.Co-ordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems (CLAMS) Groups have been established for licensed shellfish producers in Belfast Lough and Larne Lough under the Department’s Co-ordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems Initiative. The purpose of these groups is to assist local producers with the management and development shellfish farming the Loughs and inshore waters. The Department is also bringing forward legislation to protect the interests of bottom grown mussel producers whose sites are located within the northern limits of Belfast Harbour.
Fish Farming Industry
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline the assistance she will provide to enable the fish farming industry, in particular those located off the East Antrim coast around Glenarm, to recover from the problems presented by the recent jellyfish appearance.
(AQW 2162/08)
Ms M Gildernew: I have met with representatives of the Northern Salmon Company to discuss the crisis and express my concerns over the potential impact for the company. I have also taken the views of Executive colleagues. My officials are engaging with the Company’s management and officials from other Departments to assess the impact of the recent jellyfish appearance in Glenarm Bay and Red Bay, and to determine the potential for assistance.
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Irish Language Bill
Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline any areas of contention relating to the use of the Irish Language that were raised by (i) individuals; or (ii) organisations, that contributed to his view that an Irish Language Bill would be divisive.
(AQW 1819/08)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): In my statement to the house on the 16 October 2007 on the proposal to introduce Irish language Legislation I advised that over 11,000 written responses were received as well as petitions containing 629 names. 65% (7,500) of the total number of respondents indicated support for some form of legislation. 35% (4,129) of all respondents were against any form of legislation.
The sheer numbers of responses confirms the strong and divergent views on this issue throughout the community. It is my intention to publish all the responses on DCAL’s website by the end of this calendar year in line with Departmental accessibility guidelines.
Ian Patrick Magill's Employment at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail when Ian Patrick Magill was appointed to a position at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, and the position to which he was appointed.
(AQW 1849/08)
Mr E Poots: I will answer these two questions together. Mr Ian Magill was employed by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum between the years 1975 and 1997 in the capacity of Exhibitions Officer. Mr Magill was dismissed on 18 November 1997 following his conviction for the illegal importation of indecent video material and magazines.
Ian Patrick Magill's Employment at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail when Ian Patrick Magill's employment at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum was terminated and the reason(s) for this.
(AQW 1850/08)
Mr E Poots: I will answer these two questions together. Mr Ian Magill was employed by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum between the years 1975 and 1997 in the capacity of Exhibitions Officer. Mr Magill was dismissed on 18 November 1997 following his conviction for the illegal importation of indecent video material and magazines.
Land Bank Value
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the value of the land bank in his department that has the potential to be realised.
(AQW 1911/08)
Mr E Poots: I am aware that this Question was due for Answer on the 4th of December 2007, and I apologise to the Member for the delay.
As part of its planning work for the CSR period (2008 – 11), the department identified capital receipts which would arise through the disposal of PRONI’s existing site on Balmoral Ave and through sales of Libraries assets and land owned by National Museums of Northern Ireland. Sales proceeds are estimated at £14.10m.
Beyond this, Minister Robinson has established a review of departmental asset holdings which seeks to identify the scope for better use of assets, including higher levels of disposals where appropriate. This work is being taken forward by the Capital Realisation Taskforce which plans to report before the end of this year.
DCAL has carried out a thorough review of its and sponsored bodies’ asset holdings and has fully engaged with the Taskforce. Furthermore, I have arranged to meet its Head later this month to discuss my Department’s returns. However, given that this process is not complete, I am unable to provide further details at this time.
Ian Patrick Magill's Employment with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the date on which Ian Patrick Magill was suspended by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, after his arrest in 1995 for importing child pornography; and to confirm whether or not he was paid his full salary during the period of his suspension.
(AQW 1970/08)
Mr E Poots: Mr Magill was suspended by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum on the 9th October 1995 as soon as it became aware that he had been found with indecent material coming through Heathrow Airport. Mr Magill was paid full salary during the period of his precautionary suspension in accordance with the Museums’ disciplinary procedure.
In the period between Mr Magill’s arrest and his conviction the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum undertook a preliminary investigation of the alleged offence. This involved communication with HM Customs and Excise and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. This preliminary investigation, together with legal advice thereon, led the Museum to conclude that Mr Magill should remain on suspension, pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
Following his conviction on the 11th November 1997 Mr Magill was summarily dismissed by the Museum, following a disciplinary hearing, on the 18th November 1997.
Against a background of considerable public and press interest in Mr Magill’s case, the Board of Trustees commissioned an Independent Enquiry into the matter, led by a former County Court judge.
The Enquiry examined the circumstances surrounding Mr Magill’s continued employment after his previous conviction in 1991 and concluded that while the Trustees could have considered the wider implications of the case for the museum, they acted in good faith in accordance with the legal advice available at that time. The Enquiry further established that Mr Magill did nothing untoward on museum premises and no action by him affected any child visiting the museum.
In line with the recommendations of the Enquiry, National Museums Northern Ireland introduced a number of measures to further ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, including the development of a Child Protection Policy and Procedures (now Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy and Procedures).
Ian Patrick Magill's Employment with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action was taken by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in relation to Ian Patrick Magill, between his arrest in 1995 for importing child pornography and his conviction in 1997.
(AQW 1971/08)
Mr E Poots: Mr Magill was suspended by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum on the 9th October 1995 as soon as it became aware that he had been found with indecent material coming through Heathrow Airport. Mr Magill was paid full salary during the period of his precautionary suspension in accordance with the Museums’ disciplinary procedure.
In the period between Mr Magill’s arrest and his conviction the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum undertook a preliminary investigation of the alleged offence. This involved communication with HM Customs and Excise and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. This preliminary investigation, together with legal advice thereon, led the Museum to conclude that Mr Magill should remain on suspension, pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
Following his conviction on the 11th November 1997 Mr Magill was summarily dismissed by the Museum, following a disciplinary hearing, on the 18th November 1997.
Against a background of considerable public and press interest in Mr Magill’s case, the Board of Trustees commissioned an Independent Enquiry into the matter, led by a former County Court judge.
The Enquiry examined the circumstances surrounding Mr Magill’s continued employment after his previous conviction in 1991 and concluded that while the Trustees could have considered the wider implications of the case for the museum, they acted in good faith in accordance with the legal advice available at that time. The Enquiry further established that Mr Magill did nothing untoward on museum premises and no action by him affected any child visiting the museum.
In line with the recommendations of the Enquiry, National Museums Northern Ireland introduced a number of measures to further ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, including the development of a Child Protection Policy and Procedures (now Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy and Procedures).
Ian Patrick Magill's Employment with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action was taken by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in relation to Ian Patrick Magill, after his conviction in 1997 for importing child pornography; and to detail the dates on which such action was taken.
(AQW 1972/08)
Mr E Poots: Mr Magill was suspended by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum on the 9th October 1995 as soon as it became aware that he had been found with indecent material coming through Heathrow Airport. Mr Magill was paid full salary during the period of his precautionary suspension in accordance with the Museums’ disciplinary procedure.
In the period between Mr Magill’s arrest and his conviction the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum undertook a preliminary investigation of the alleged offence. This involved communication with HM Customs and Excise and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. This preliminary investigation, together with legal advice thereon, led the Museum to conclude that Mr Magill should remain on suspension, pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
Following his conviction on the 11th November 1997 Mr Magill was summarily dismissed by the Museum, following a disciplinary hearing, on the 18th November 1997.
Against a background of considerable public and press interest in Mr Magill’s case, the Board of Trustees commissioned an Independent Enquiry into the matter, led by a former County Court judge.
The Enquiry examined the circumstances surrounding Mr Magill’s continued employment after his previous conviction in 1991 and concluded that while the Trustees could have considered the wider implications of the case for the museum, they acted in good faith in accordance with the legal advice available at that time. The Enquiry further established that Mr Magill did nothing untoward on museum premises and no action by him affected any child visiting the museum.
In line with the recommendations of the Enquiry, National Museums Northern Ireland introduced a number of measures to further ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, including the development of a Child Protection Policy and Procedures (now Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy and Procedures).
Sports Funding
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the amount of funding allocated to (i) soccer; (ii) Gaelic games; and (iii) rugby, in the last five years.
(AQW 2054/08)
Mr E Poots: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding to sport. Over the last five financial years SNI has allocated exchequer and lottery funding to soccer, Gaelic games and rugby as follows:
| Soccer | Gaelic Games | Rugby | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002/03 | Exchequer Lottery |
1,931,575 696,561 |
568,559 884,462 |
122,330 160,860 |
| 2003/04 | Exchequer Lottery |
69,624 322,149 |
217,111 1,181,112 |
101,825 244,163 |
| 2004/05 | Exchequer Lottery |
1,053,092 765,048 |
140,839 750,947 |
96,728 - |
| 2005/06 | Exchequer Lottery |
93,258 9,000 |
1,004,081 101,330 |
102,930 - |
| 2006/07 | Exchequer Lottery |
2,158,273 - |
2,701,488 - |
882,901 - |
Library Provision
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail, broken down by education and library board, for each of the last five years (i) the total amount spent on library provision; and (ii) the percentage of the total budget of each board that these amounts represented.
(AQW 2060/08)
Mr E Poots: I attach at Annex 1 details of recurrent expenditure on library provision broken down by Education and Library board, for each of the last five years and the percentage of the total recurrent budget of each board that these amounts represent.
Annex 2 also provides details of capital funding provided by DCAL for the public library service over the last five years.
AQW 2060/08
Annex 1
All figures are in £000's
|
2002/03 | 2002/03 | 2003/04 | 2003/04 | 2004/05 | 2004/05 | 2005/06 | 2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2006/07 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total | DCAL | Total | DCAL | Total | DCAL | Total | DCAL | Total | DCAL |
|
recurrent | recurrent | recurrent | recurrent | recurrent | recurrent | recurrent | recurrent | recurrent | recurrent |
BELB |
203532 | 5730 | 213122 | 6073 | 209959 | 5049 | 222605 | 5541 | 229173 | 5774 |
Percentage |
2.8% |
2.8% |
2.4% |
2.5% |
2.5% |
|||||
NEELB |
244478 |
4613 |
263650 |
5588 |
259989 |
4730 |
280604 |
4741 |
291379 |
5415 |
Percentage |
1.9% |
2.1% |
1.8% |
1.7% |
1.9% |
|||||
SEELB |
222264 |
5183 |
232138 |
5916 |
233532 |
4667 |
249156 |
5376 |
244897 |
5634 |
Percentage |
2.3% |
2.5% |
2.0% |
2.2% |
2.3% |
|||||
SELB |
254194 |
4349 |
273170 |
4336 |
278375 |
4166 |
298583 |
4533 |
310687 |
4996 |
Percentage |
1.7% |
1.6% |
1.5% |
1.5% |
1.6% |
|||||
WELB |
234637 |
4369 |
258493 |
4216 |
284923 |
3726 |
299869 |
4088 |
308998 |
4535 |
Percentage |
1.9% |
1.6% |
1.3% |
1.4% |
1.5% |
|||||
ELfNI |
3294 |
4032 |
3502 |
3514 |
3873 |
Notes
1. The DCAL figures for the financial years 2002/03 to 2004/05 includes payments for job evaluation.
2. In addition to its recurrent budget, the NEELB receives an annual amount for the Electronic Libraries Project for Northern Ireland (ELfNI) which it administers on behalf of the 5 Boards. The ELfNI figures shown in the table above are not included in the NEELB total recurrent budgets.
Annex 2
All figures are in £000's
| 2002/03 | 2003/04 | 2004/05 | 2005/06 | 2006/07 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| capital | capital | capital | capital | capital | |
BELB |
210 |
213 |
647 |
1082 |
865 |
NEELB |
853 |
1409 |
646 |
316 |
1193 |
SEELB |
260 |
448 |
593 |
243 |
515 |
SELB |
194 |
717 |
175 |
559 |
656 |
WELB |
1385 |
856 |
625 |
327 |
183 |
Shooting Clubs
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of shooting clubs that have been approved in each of the last three years.
(AQW 2124/08)
Mr E Poots: The licensing of firearms clubs in Northern Ireland is a reserved matter and responsibility for this matter therefore rests with the Northern Ireland Office.
Shooting Clubs
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of shooting clubs that were established in (i) 1970; (ii) 1990; and (iii) 2000.
(AQW 2125/08)
Mr E Poots: The licensing of firearms clubs in Northern Ireland is a reserved matter and responsibility for this matter therefore rests with the Northern Ireland Office.
Shooting Clubs
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to provide a breakdown of shooting clubs that are (i) clay pigeon clubs and lay-outs; (ii) indoor; and (iii) outdoor.
(AQW 2128/08)
Mr E Poots: The licensing of firearms clubs in Northern Ireland is a reserved matter and responsibility for this matter therefore rests with the Northern Ireland Office.
Windsor Park
Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions he plans to have with the Irish Football Association and Linfield Football Club regarding the condition of Windsor Park; and whether or not government assistance will be made available to ensure that the stadium meets health and safety and FIFA criteria.
(AQW 2155/08)
Mr E Poots: Responsibility for the condition of Windsor Park rests with the owners of the ground, Linfield FC and the Irish Football Association (IFA), the governing body of football in Northern Ireland. My Department is currently facilitating discussions between IFA and Linfield FC in relation to the condition of Windsor Park. Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport including the distribution of funding. SNI runs a number of funding programmes which are designed to assist owners and operators of Soccer grounds, including Windsor Park, meet health and safety and FIFA requirements. These include Soccer Strategy and Stadia Safety programmes.
Children and Young People in Sport
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his strategy for encouraging the participation of children and young people in sport and physical activity.
(AQW 2170/08)
Mr E Poots: On 9th October 2007, I published, for 3 month consultation, a draft of The Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation, 2007-2017." The draft Strategy, which was prepared by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) in partnership with Sport Northern Ireland (SNI), proposes a number of specific targets and actions which are designed to encourage greater participation by children and young people in sport and physical activity. The consultation on the draft Strategy ends on 9th January 2008 and a final Strategy will hopefully be published in the spring.
Irish language Broadcasting
Mr G Adams asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to clarify the position on the future status of Irish language broadcasting in Northern Ireland once the current allocation of funding ends.
(AQW 2248/08)
Mr E Poots: £12 million was made available to the Irish Language Broadcast Fund over a four year period commencing in 2005. This funding is due to end in March 2009. As you are aware, I was unable to secure further funding for the Fund in the draft budget agreed by the Executive.
I am considering what options are available to me to promote Irish language broadcasting within the wider promotion of the Irish language, Government’s commitments under the Council of Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and my anticipated budget. I intend then to bring forward any proposals to this House and the CAL Committee in due course.
Northern Ireland Events Company
Mr P Maskey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the expenses paid to each Board member of the Northern Ireland Events Company in the last three financial years.
(AQW 2253/08)
Mr E Poots: The Northern Ireland Events Company has paid the following amounts in expenses to each Board member in the last three years:
| Name | 2004/05 | 2005/06 | 2006/07 |
| Aideen Corr | £563.80 | ||
| Mervyn Elder | £554.54 | £610.40 | £2,596.99 |
| Ian Lee | £826.00 | £1,068.40 | £1,387.46 |
| Paul McWilliams | £340.00 | £174.40 | £327.20 |
| Eric Saunders | £94.40 | £310.10 | £371.79 |
Northern Ireland Events Company
Mr P Maskey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the salary paid to the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Events Company over the last three years.
(AQW 2254/08)
Mr E Poots: The gross salary for the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Events Company for the last three years was:
2004/05 - £49,999
2005/06 - £53,171
2006/07 - £53,171
Education
Competitive Education System
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail how she proposes to ensure that Northern Ireland's education system delivers a workforce that is more economically competitive than that of the Republic of Ireland.
(AQW 92/08)
The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): 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.
Employment and Learning
School Leavers
Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of school leavers from areas of social disadvantage in Northern Ireland who have enrolled in (i) Queen's University, Belfast; (ii) the University of Ulster; and (iii) the Open University, in each of the past five years.
(AQW 1937/08)
The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): The Department does not hold information on the number of school leavers that have enrolled at Higher Education Institutions. However, first year student enrolments aged 20 and under whose highest qualification includes an A Level or A Level equivalent has been used as a proxy for school leaver.
On that basis, the number of these enrolments from areas of social disadvantage (defined here as the 20% most deprived super output areas) at the Queen’s University of Belfast, the University of Ulster and the Open University, in each of the last 5 available years is given in the table below:
Queen's University of Belfast |
University of Ulster |
The Open University |
|
|---|---|---|---|
2001/02 |
390 |
485 |
10 |
2002/03 |
370 |
600 |
5 |
2003/04 |
320 |
640 |
5 |
2004/05 |
310 |
560 |
5 |
2005/06 |
390 |
710 |
5 |
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency
Notes: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.
School Leavers
Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of school leavers from Northern Ireland who attend universities in (i) England; (ii) Scotland; (iii) Wales; (iv) the Republic of Ireland; and (v) Northern Ireland.
(AQW 2075/08)
Sir Reg Empey: The Department does not hold information on the number of Northern Ireland domiciled school leavers that have enrolled at Higher Education institutions. However, first year student enrolments aged 20 and under whose highest qualification includes an A Level or A Level equivalent has been used as a proxy for school leaver. This information is not available for the Republic of Ireland.
On that basis, the number of these enrolments at UK Higher Education institutions by country of institution in 2005/06 is given in the table below:
| England | 2,125 |
| Scotland | 1,035 |
| Wales | 70 |
| Northern Ireland | 7,750 |
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency
Notes: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.
Graduates
Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of students that attended (a) Queen's University, Belfast; and (b) the University of Ulster, who were from (i) the Republic of Ireland; (ii) Great Britain; and (iii) outside both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, in each of the last ten years.
(AQW 2103/08)
Sir Reg Empey: The number of students that attended Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster who were from the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and outside both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland in each of the last ten years is shown in the table below.
| Queen’s University Belfast | University of Ulster | |||||
| ROI | GB | Outside UK & ROI | ROI | GB | Outside UK & ROI | |
| 1996/97 | 1390 | 540 | 1105 | 2540 | 255 | 565 |
| 1997/98 | 1540 | 485 | 1065 | 2565 | 215 | 580 |
| 1998/99 | 1500 | 445 | 1085 | 2285 | 165 | 545 |
| 1999/00 | 1255 | 595 | 825 | 2055 | 200 | 685 |
| 2000/01 | 1165 | 505 | 770 | 1835 | 245 | 470 |
| 2001/02 | 1095 | 520 | 785 | 1840 | 285 | 520 |
| 2002/03 | 1075 | 500 | 840 | 1995 | 360 | 625 |
| 2003/04 | 975 | 465 | 870 | 2240 | 415 | 620 |
| 2004/05 | 1155 | 570 | 945 | 2265 | 445 | 605 |
| 2005/06 | 920 | 430 | 900 | 2435 | 470 | 620 |
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency
Notes: Figures are based on a snapshot of enrolments at 1st December within the relevant academic year. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.
Hospitality Expenditure
Mr S Moutray asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail his department's expenditure on hospitality for each of the last five years.
(AQW 2140/08)
Sir Reg Empey: The expenditure on hospitality for the last five years is as follows:
| Year | Amount |
|---|---|
£ |
|
06/07 |
30,192.54 |
05/06 |
33,078.80 |
04/05 |
29,904.47 |
03/04 |
42,758.56 |
02/03 |
29,969.93 |
Total |
165,904.30 |
University Students
Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the total number of students from the European Union, excluding the United Kingdom, currently studying at (i) Queen's University, Belfast; and (ii) the University of Ulster.
(AQW 2296/08)
Sir Reg Empey: The total number of student enrolments from the European Union, excluding the United Kingdom, at (i) Queen’s University, Belfast; and (ii) the University of Ulster in 2005/06 (the latest available year) is given in the table below: -
| Queen's University of Belfast | University of Ulster |
1,290 |
2,935 |
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency
Notes: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.
Foreign Nationals
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail what responsibility his department has in relation to monitoring the number of foreign nationals residing in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 2318/08)
Sir Reg Empey: The Department for Employment and Learning has no formal responsibility to monitor the number of foreign nationals residing in Northern Ireland. Foreign nationals comprise a spectrum of categories of people covering asylum seekers, migrants, including migrant workers, dependents, students and others. The Department is leading work by state and non-state organisations on migrant worker issues.
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Alternative Means of Energy Production
Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the work undertaken in his department in relation to the exploration of alternative means of energy production in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 1821/08)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr N Dodds): The Department’s work relating to the identification of alternative means of energy production is focused on renewable sources of energy.
The recently completed Grid Study researched the resource potential for different renewable technologies on the island of Ireland in 2020, the extent to which the renewable generation, primarily wind, could be accommodated onto the electricity grid, and implications for future network development. An initial consideration of study results suggests that there is potential for a significant increase in the level of electricity generation which can be obtained from renewable sources, however this will require significant investment in both renewable technologies and strengthening of the electricity grid.
The Department has also, through Action Renewables, let a contract to research the potential for deep geothermal energy in Northern Ireland. The aim of the study is to assess the potential geothermal energy resources suitable for heating, using all available information including the recently completed Tellus airborne survey. The project report will be available in March 2008. In terms of shallow geothermal energy, Action Renewables is also working with the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) and the British Geological Survey to enable consumers quickly to obtain an assessment of the suitability of the ground conditions for the installation of Ground Source Heat Pump systems.
Through the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund, which has been in place for some 18 months, the DETI has also supported work to stimulate the development of alternative energy sources and, in particular, Energy from Waste, microgeneration technologies and biomass. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, too, has carried out biomass-related work under these Fund initiatives.
In addition, the Department is currently scoping the potential for bioenergy and marine renewable energy to contribute to more diversified and sustainable energy production in Northern Ireland.
Ballycastle/Campbeltown Ferry Link
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if his department is undertaking a new economic appraisal for the Ballycastle/Campbeltown ferry link.
(AQW 1895/08)
Mr N Dodds: I have agreed with Stewart Stevenson MSP, my counterpart in the Scottish Government who has lead responsibility for this matter, to jointly fund a new options and economic appraisal for the proposed Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry route.
Closure of Tyco Health Care (UK) Manufacturing Limited
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what action his Department has taken over the proposed closure of Tyco Health Care (UK) Manufacturing Limited in Ballymoney.
(AQW 1896/08)
Mr N Dodds: I deeply regret the planned closure of Tyco Healthcare UK Manufacturing Ltd (Tyco) in Ballymoney.
My Department has been in regular contact with Invest NI to ensure that all possible options were considered by Covidien Ltd (Covidien), the US parent of Tyco, before a final decision was made in relation to the proposed closure.
Invest NI met with local management in Ballymoney on 31 August 2007 and with senior US management on 4 September 2007. There has been ongoing contact with both local and US management since 4 September 2007.
At the meeting with senior US management Invest NI suggested a number of business options as detailed below:
- Change to production of new higher added value products;
- Possible transfer of products from other Covidien sites;
- An R&D Centre;
- Future use of the specialized sterilization unit in Ballymoney.
Invest NI also re-affirmed the possible forms of financial assistance available from Invest NI.
Following the confirmation of the closure on 23 November 2007 Invest NI met with the Ballymoney management on 29 November 2007. The local management confirmed that Covidien had considered all options during the 90 day consultation period however unfortunately had decided to proceed with the closure of the Ballymoney plant.
The US management has advised that no other option was considered suitable for the plant however this is absolutely no reflection on the workforce and stems from Covidien’s reshaping of its portfolio and streamlining of operations.
Invest NI furnished Covidien with a list of Republic of Ireland companies that are believed to have a need for product sterilization. Invest NI offered to make initial contact with these companies to obtain preliminary feedback in relation to the sterilizer unit. During the 90 day consultation period Covidien had advised Invest NI not to make contact. Following the announcement on 23 November 2007 Invest NI has contacted Covidien in relation to this issue and is awaiting further feedback.
Invest NI contacted the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) in relation to Tyco when the announcement of the proposed closure was made in August 2007. As the closure of the Ballymoney plant has now been confirmed by Covidien, Invest NI will liaise with DEL and the company in order to organise provision of advice to staff on training, job vacancies and opportunities for self employment. The Tyco Human Resources manager has confirmed that the company will host a redundancy clinic and DEL has been advised to contact the company week commencing 3 December 2007 to initiate discussions in respect of the timing of the clinic.
Political Tourism
Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline any plans his department has to develop the political tourism projects that currently take place in West Belfast in order to increase the number of tourists who visit.
(AQW 1926/08)
Mr N Dodds: Political tourism is part of the tourism product mix and the interest in Northern Ireland’s recent past presents a window of opportunity. However it is a sensitive subject where the needs of the visitor have not always been the primary focus of promoters.
It is only one element of the cultural tourism product within West Belfast. NITB is working with Belfast City Council, Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau and local representatives to integrate political tourism into broader promotions for Great Britain and overseas marketing by Tourism Ireland.
Current Visitor Servicing projects supported by the International Fund for Ireland and the Integrated Development Fund include initiatives to distribute visitors from the traditional city centre attractions into communities within the Greater Belfast area. West Belfast is participating in the Belfast Cultural Diversity and Visitor Servicing Pilot Project which is in the final stages of development. This will be marketed by Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB), NITB and Tourism Ireland.
Invest NI
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of visits by potential inward investors, hosted by Invest NI, to the South Antrim constituency in each of the past three years.
(AQW 1932/08)
Mr N Dodds: The figures below outline the number of visits that have been organised by Invest NI for potential inward investors to the South Antrim constituency in 2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07.
| Potential inward investor visits | South Antrim Constituency |
| 2004-2005 | 6 |
| 2005-2006 | 7 |
| 2006-2007 | 5 |
Invest NI does not determine locations for visits for a potential investor: this decision is taken by the investor. The focus of Invest NI’s international sales and marketing effort is to aggressively promote all areas of Northern Ireland as attractive and viable locations for new inward investment opportunities, in what is a very competitive global market.
Renewable Energy
Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail all the bodies known to his department that provide renewable energy advice; and to outline the cost of these bodies to the Northern Ireland budget.
(AQW 1943/08)
Mr N Dodds: The cost to the Northern Ireland Budget of bodies that provide renewable energy advice is detailed below:-
Funding Body |
Organisation Funded |
Total Amount of Funding in 07/08 (£000’s) |
Total dedicated to Renewable Energy advice (£000’s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DETI | Action Renewables | 1.182 | 1.182 This is to deliver an agreed work programme of renewable energy activities including technical advice, tailored renewables information and policy support. |
| Invest Northern Ireland | Carbon Trust | 2.725 | 0.790 This is to provide a support programme for Invest NI client companies on energy efficiency and carbon reduction. |
| Northern Ireland Housing Executive | Northern Ireland Energy Agency | 0.206 | The target here is against providing advice to 70,000 households and delivering advice to elderly residents through Heat Smart. The advice through both programmes primarily focuses on energy efficiency but around 20% of these households also receive general advice on renewable energy. |
Environment and Renewable Energy Fund
Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to provide a breakdown of planned expenditure of the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund to the end of the current financial year.
(AQW 1944/08)
Mr N Dodds: The planned expenditure of the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund (EREF) to the end of the current financial year, broken down by Department is estimated as :-
Department |
Planned capital expenditure (£ m) |
Planned resource expenditure (£ m) |
|---|---|---|
| DETI | 5 | 2.042 |
| DSD | 7.675 | ----- |
| DFP | 0.889 | 0.100 |
| DARD | 1.35 | 0.300 |
| DOE | ----- | 0.170 |
| OFMDFM | ----- | 0.300 |
Renewable Energy Reconnect/Household Programme
Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total amount of money spent on advertising the Renewable Energy Reconnect/Household programme.
(AQW 1945/08)
Mr N Dodds: The total amount spent, as of 22 November 2007, on advertising the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund, household programme, Reconnect is £495,675.
Renewable Energy Fund
Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the cost of installation of each renewable energy type provided for by the Renewable Energy Fund (i) including advertising costs; and (ii) excluding advertising costs.
(AQW 1946/08)
Mr N Dodds: The average costs per renewable energy technology installation, including Reconnect grant, including and excluding advertising, and householder contribution are:
| Technology | Grant Paid (£) |
Advertisng Cost per installation (£) |
Householder Contribution (£) |
Total Installed Cost (Including advertising) (£) |
Total Installed Cost (excluding advertising) (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Hot water | 1125 | 330 | 2575 | 4030 | 3700 |
| Photovoltaic | 9100 | 330 | 8650 | 18080 | 17750 |
| Wood Pellet Boilers | 3160 | 330 | 4070 | 7560 | 7230 |
| Wood Pellet Stoves | 1173 | 330 | 1777 | 3280 | 2950 |
| Wind Turbine | 5100 | 330 | 7800 | 13230 | 12900 |
| Ground Source Heat Pumps | 2960 | 330 | 4900 | 8190 | 7860 |
| Air Source Heat Pumps | 1833 | 330 | 7517 | 9680 | 9350 |
Trade Missions to India
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of companies from (i) Ballymena Borough Council area; (ii) Ballymoney Borough Council area; and (iii) Moyle District Council area, that have taken part in recent trade missions to India.
(AQW 1959/08)
Mr N Dodds: Since the beginning of 2006 Invest NI has organised 4 trade missions to India and participated in one other organised by Enterprise Ireland.
Two companies from the Ballymena Borough Council area and no companies from either the Ballymoney Borough Council or Moyle District Council areas participated in these missions.
Trade Missions are open to all companies in Northern Ireland seeking to do business in international markets. Invest NI publishes an annual trade events programme to all of its client companies and other interested parties. The details of all trade missions are also published on Invest NI’s website www.investni.com/trade and on nibusinessinfo.co.uk – Northern Ireland’s online business advice service
Redundancy Packages
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the actions he is taking to ensure that redundancy packages offered by TYCO are fair.
(AQW 1961/08)
Mr N Dodds: With regard to redundancy, it must be recognised that, beyond reference to statutory minimum requirements, the terms of a redundancy package are entirely a matter for the company to agree in consultation with the employees.
I would suggest that any requests for information concerning the structure of the proposed redundancy package should, in the first instance, be addressed to the company at Ballymoney.
Invest NI
Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the policy of Invest NI in relation to offers of financial assistance to participate in overseas trade missions, by companies that have announced their intention to close their Northern Ireland-based operations before the trade mission takes place.
(AQW 2069/08)
Mr N Dodds: Invest NI policy and practice is not to provide financial assistance to companies towards their participation in overseas trade missions if they have announced their intention to close their Northern Ireland operations before the mission is scheduled to take place.
Invest NI
Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of Invest NI assistance provided for each of the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies, expressed as a figure per head of population.
(AQW 2086/08)
Mr N Dodds: The table below presents assistance per head of adult population offered to businesses by parliamentary constituency.
It should be noted that parliamentary constituency areas are not self-contained labour markets. A project assisted in a particular location has the potential to create benefits across a much wider area. Northern Ireland is a relatively small place and evidence indicates that many investments draw their workforce from areas beyond constituency and council area boundaries. In addition, Invest NI has limited scope for ‘directing’ investment to specific geographic areas. Although it has been able to influence the location decisions of some inward-investment projects, the final location decision rests with the business.
Invest NI Parliamentary Constituency Area Assistance per Head (2002/03 - 2006/07)
| Parliamentary Constituency | ASSISTANCE PER HEAD (£) |
|---|---|
| BELFAST EAST | 1,018 |
| BELFAST NORTH | 332 |
| BELFAST SOUTH | 1,220 |
| BELFAST WEST | 383 |
| EAST ANTRIM | 595 |
| EAST LONDONDERRY | 339 |
| FERMANAGH AND SOUTH TYRONE | 326 |
| FOYLE | 773 |
| LAGAN VALLEY | 242 |
| MID ULSTER | 355 |
| NEWRY AND ARMAGH | 288 |
| NORTH ANTRIM | 245 |
| NORTH DOWN | 167 |
| SOUTH ANTRIM | 480 |
| SOUTH DOWN | 163 |
| STRANGFORD | 119 |
| UPPER BANN | 670 |
| WEST TYRONE | 274 |
| NORTHERN IRELAND | 439 |
Notes
1. Population figures are based on 2006 mid-year estimates of adult population sourced from the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency.
Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Mrs C McGill asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail Northern Ireland Tourist Board funding to projects in the designated Sperrins area of outstanding natural beauty, over the last five years.
(AQW 2111/08)
Mr N Dodds: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) recognises the importance of the Sperrins as a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and the positive contribution this makes to tourism in Northern Ireland.
In the last five years the NITB has provided financial support of £927,313 for projects in the Sperrins area. In addition, £3.4m of Natural Rural Resource Tourism Initiative (NRRTI), which NITB jointly supported with Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD) and DOE Environment & Heritage Service, was allocated to projects in the Sperrins area.
Invest NI
Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the jobs promoted or supported by Invest NI that were located in the Derry/Londonderry City Council area, over the last two years.
(AQW 2164/08)
Mr N Dodds: The table below presents the number of jobs promoted and safeguarded through inward-investment projects, located in Derry District Council Area (DCA), and supported by Invest NI during the two financial years 2005/06 and 2006/07.
| FINANCIAL YEAR | JOBS PROMOTED | JOBS SAFEGUARDED |
| 2005/06 | 361 | 1,258 |
| 2006/07 | 754 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 1,115 | 1,258 |
Projects supported include investments by Seagate Technology (Ireland) Ltd (300 new jobs), Firstsource Solutions Ltd (577 new jobs) and Axa Insurance (153 new jobs).
In addition, the Northern Ireland Start a Business Programme, which is provided by Invest NI in partnership with Enterprise Northern Ireland, offered assistance to 473 individuals to start their own business within Derry DCA. The expected employment associated with these is around 615.
Although Invest NI does not measure the number of jobs promoted in relation to its support for existing indigenous businesses, it is important to note that this element of the agency’s work will also ultimately lead to greater wealth creation and better employment opportunities.
It should also be noted that constituency areas are not self-contained labour markets. A project assisted in a particular location has the potential to create benefits across a much wider area. Northern Ireland is a relatively small place and evidence indicates that many investments draw their workforce from areas beyond constituency and council area boundaries. In addition, Invest NI has limited scope for ‘directing’ investment to specific geographic areas, although it has been able to influence the location decisions of some inward-investment projects. In the case of established businesses, reinvestment patterns will be determined by the existing location of the business.
Invest NI
Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the jobs promoted or supported by Invest NI which have had weekly salaries above the Northern Ireland private sector median, over the last two years.
(AQW 2165/08)
Mr N Dodds: The table below details the number of jobs promoted and safeguarded through inward-investment projects during the past two years. This includes an analysis of the number expected to be paid above the Northern Ireland Private Sector Median (PSM).
| JOBS SUPPORTED | NUMBER OF JOBS ABOVE NI PSM | |||||
| FINANCIAL YEAR | NEW | SAFE-GUARDED | TOTAL | NEW | SAFE-GUARDED | TOTAL |
| 2005/06 | 3,052 | 3,003 | 6,055 | 2,015 | 2,827 | 4,842 |
| 2006/07 | 2,964 | 204 | 3,168 | 1,169 | 199 | 1,368 |
| TOTAL | 6,016 | 3,207 | 9,223 | 3,184 | 3,026 | 6,210 |
NB: The analysis relates only to those jobs for which the necessary salary data was available. The total number of jobs promoted and safeguarded during the two year period was 6,551 and 3,485 respectively.
Invest NI
Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of jobs promoted or safeguarded by Invest NI over the last two years.
(AQW 2166/08)
Mr N Dodds: The table below presents the number of jobs promoted and safeguarded through inward-investment projects supported by Invest NI during the two financial years 2005/06 and 2006/07.
| FINANCIAL YEAR | JOBS PROMOTED | JOBS SAFEGUARDED |
| 2005/06 | 3,100 | 3,281 |
| 2006/07 | 3,451 | 204 |
| Grand Total | 6,551 | 3,485 |
In addition, the Northern Ireland Start a Business Programme, which is provided by Invest NI in partnership with Enterprise Northern Ireland offered assistance to 6,381 individuals to start their own business. The expected employment associated with these is around 8,295.
Invest NI
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total amount of land held by Invest NI in each of the last five years.
(AQW 2193/08)
Mr N Dodds: Table 1 shows the amount of land held by Invest NI at the 31st March in each of the last five years. It also shows the amount of land available for sale.
Table 1 Invest NI Land Holding and Land Available by Year
Date |
Land Holding (Acres) |
Land Available for Sale (Acres) |
|---|---|---|
| 2002-2003 | 2829 | 1028 |
| 2003-2004 | 2805 | 984 |
| 2004-2005 | 2806 | 958 |
| 2005-2006 | 2806 | 910 |
| 2006-2007 | 2793 | 861 |
| 2007/2008 (Estimate) | 2780 | 770 |
The variation in land owned from one year to the next reflects the new impact of freehold sales and acquisations.
Invest NI
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of land acquired by Invest NI in each of the last five years.
(AQW 2194/08)
Mr N Dodds: Since its formation Invest NI has acquired 6.67 acres of land.
Table 1 shows the breakdown of the acquisitions.
Invest NI is currently seeking to acquire new land to service the needs of its client base.
Table 1: Invest NI Land Acquisition by Year
| Location of Land Acquisition | Amount of Land Acquired (Acres) | |
| 2002-2003 | None | None |
| 2003-2004 | Down Business Park | 4 |
| 2004-2005 | None | None |
| 2005-2006 | None | None |
| 2006-2007 | Forth River Business Park | 2.67 |
| 2007-2008 (Estimate) | None | None |
Invest NI
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of land provided for industrial use/development by Invest NI in each of the last five years.
(AQW 2195/08)
Mr N Dodds: Invest NI has interpreted the term "land provided" to mean the amount of land available.
Invest NI holds land exclusively for the use of its clients with an approved business case and a demonstrable immediate property need.
Invest NI currently (as of 31 October 2007) holds 2,793 acres of land across Northern Ireland. At 31 October 2007, Invest NI had 811 acres of available land. It is estimated that by the end of this financial year, 31st March 2008, this figure will have reduced to 770 acres.
Table 1 shows the breakdown of available land at the end of each financial year in each of the last five years.
Over the course of the last two years Invest NI has seen a large increase in demand for industrial land. Should this level of demand continue, the existing land bank will be fully let within the next 5 to 7 years. Invest NI is currently seeking to acquire new land to service the future needs of its clients.
Table 1: Invest Available Land by Year
| Land Available (Acres) | |
| 2002-2003 | 1028 |
| 2003-2004 | 984 |
| 2004-2005 | 958 |
| 2005-2006 | 910 |
| 2006-2007 | 861 |
Invest NI
Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail all the jobs promoted or safeguarded by Invest NI, which have had weekly salaries above the Northern Ireland private sector median average, on an industrial sectoral basis over the past two years.
(AQW 2208/08)
Mr N Dodds: The table below details the number of jobs promoted and safeguarded through inward- investment projects supported during the past two years by industry sector. This includes an analysis of the number expected to be paid above the Northern Ireland Private Sector Median (PSM) wage.
|
JOBS SUPPORTED | NUMBER OF JOBS ABOVE PSM | ||||
| SECTOR | NEW | SAFEGUARDED | TOTAL | NEW | SAFEGUARDED | TOTAL |
| Business & Financial Services | 3,682 | 90 | 3,772 | 1,110 | 90 | 1,200 |
| Clothing & Textiles | 51 | 33 | 84 | 11 | 33 | 44 |
| Electrical, Electronic & Optical Equipment | 559 | 2,268 | 2,827 | 559 | 2,268 | 2,827 |
| Fabricated Metal Products & Metal Finishing | 44 | 0 | 44 | 38 | ||