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 28 March 2008
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
Victims' and Survivors' Commissioners
Dr S Farry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what its assessment is of the impact upon the delivery of PSA Target 7(6), in relation to the publication of a new strategy for victims and survivors, of the decision to appoint multiple victims' commissioners on 28 January 2008.
(AQW 3556/08)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness): We do not anticipate that the decision to appoint multiple Commissioners designate, instead of making a single appointment, will have any significant impact upon the publication of a new strategy for Victims and Survivors. We aim to publish a new strategy as soon as possible.
Victims' and Survivors' Commissioners
Dr S Farry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what its assessment is of the impact upon the delivery of PSA Target 7(6), in relation to the creation of a Victims and Survivors Forum, of the decision to appoint multiple victims' commissioners on 28 January 2008.
(AQW 3557/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We do not anticipate that our decision to appoint four Commissioners designate will have any impact in relation to delivering this target.
Trip to Brussels
Mr A Easton asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide details about their recent trip to Brussels.
(AQO 1720/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We travelled to Brussels on 9 January 2008, accompanied by the two Junior Ministers, at the invitation of European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
During this trip, we met with Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner, and discussed some of the practical arrangements for the work that will take place after the Commission Task Force completes its report. Commissioner Hübner made it clear that she regards the publication of the report as the start of the Task Force’s work with us, and also the start of a process of long-term engagement in Europe for Northern Ireland. We need to learn how to get the most we can out of Europe, not just financially – though we thank Europe, and others, for their generosity – but also in terms of our policy interests.
We discussed the May Investment Conference and the possibility of the Commissioner’s involvement. It is important that the investors we hope to attract during the conference can see that we are fully engaged and have the support of our wider European partners.
We met with the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. We had a useful discussion about the rapid development of relationships since his visit last year and President Barroso emphasised the need for Northern Ireland to seek out and build relationships with other European regions that share our policy interests.
President Barroso was also interested to hear about the investment conference in May, and hoped to be able to contribute in some way and finally, we discussed the ongoing implementation of the Task Force, and in particular the high level political co-ordination, where we see a specific role for the Junior Ministers.
Along with our colleague the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development we met the Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Fischer Boel to discuss a number of substantive issues including - the forthcoming CAP ‘Healthcheck’.
Following a lunch hosted by the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the EU, Kim Darroch, our final engagement was a meeting with Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the EU, Bobby McDonagh and his staff. He reiterated his Government’s full support for the work of the Taskforce and undertook to provide a single point of contact within the Irish administration for our officials in their dealings with Europe – this has now been done.
Finally, we should like to place on the record our appreciation for the support given to us by so many institutions within the EU and from the UK and Irish Governments.
Victims and Survivors
Mr S Hamilton asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to confirm whether or not sufficient funding has been made available for victims and survivors.
(AQO 1735/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The needs of victims and survivors are one of the highest priorities for this Executive. In the recent budget announcement we committed more than £33 million over the next three years which will support and make a real difference to the lives of victims and survivors. This includes an additional amount of £6 million which we secured following the consultation on the draft budget. This represents an increase of more than 100% over that committed in the 3 years since 2005/2006.
We recognise the pressures that those involved in the sector have been facing and we hope that this increase in spending will go some way to facilitate continuing work and to demonstrate the commitment of this administration to the issues facing victims and survivors.
Review of Parades
Mrs D Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to confirm whether or not it supports the review of parades that was initiated under Direct Rule.
(AQO 1685/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Responsibility for the Strategic Review of Parading, which was announced on 18 April 2007, lies with the Northern Ireland Office. We have met with Lord Ashdown, Chair of the Strategic Review, on 22 May and a further presentation was provided to us by members of the Review Body on 15 October 2007.
We understand the Review Body has continued to hold consultations, with a wide range of interests, and we await the outcome of these.
Post-Primary Transfer
Mr M Storey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the work it has undertaken with the Minister of Education further to her announcement to the Assembly on 4 December in relation to post-primary transfer.
(AQO 1662/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has not undertaken any work with the Minister of Education on the subject of post primary transfer. However, the Minister of Education has briefed Executive colleagues on her proposals on a number of occasions and the matter is the subject of ongoing discussion at the Executive.
Commissioner for Older People
Mr M Brady asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what plans it has to engage all relevant stakeholders when assessing the case for an independent Commissioner for Older People.
(AQO 1747/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The review of the case for establishing an Older People’s Commissioner initially included plans for two consultation events with key stakeholders in Belfast and Londonderry at which interested parties could comment on the possible role/remit of a Commissioner.
The Committee of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister met with the consultants on 16 th January 2008 at which Committee members highlighted their concern that only two consultations had been organised at this stage. Arrangements are now being made to organise an additional event at a rural location to provide a further opportunity for interested parties to submit their views on the possible role and remit of a Commissioner.
EU Gender Goods and Services Directive
Mr A Attwood asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to confirm how and when it was advised of the decision by United Kingdom Ministers to implement the EU Gender Goods and Services Directive; and to outline the reasons that were advanced for this course of action.
(AQO 1686/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Once it had been confirmed that the First Minister had concerns about the content of the Regulations and, in particular, the explicit inclusion of reference to transgender or gender reassignment, we agreed that officials should inform the Government Equalities Office and the Northern Ireland Office that there was high risk that Northern Ireland would not be able to meet the Directive’s deadline for implementation by 21 December 2007. When UK Ministers were made aware of this, they decided to legislate to implement the Directive on a UK-wide basis. Barbara Follett, Parliamentary Under Secretary for GEO formally wrote to us on 17 December to confirm the decision to take the legislation forward on a UK-wide basis. The decision was taken to ensure compliance with the Directive in full, and to ensure that compliance took place as soon as possible in order to minimise the risk of infraction proceedings.
Child Poverty
Mrs C McGill asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what consideration it has given to emulating the strategy devised by the governments of Denmark and Finland in relation to reducing child poverty.
(AQO 1746/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Tackling child poverty is an urgent priority for us and the Junior Ministers, in line with their specific responsibility for children and young people. It is important to consider different approaches to tackling the problem and in particular to understand what has worked well in countries like Denmark and Finland where child poverty figures of around 3% are among the lowest in Europe.
Government policies on taxation, tax credits and family related benefits are some of the factors that affect child poverty rates and as these are set at a national level they are outside the competence of this administration. Nonetheless there are factors which we can influence at local level such as the quality of public services and the potential of people of working age to secure employment with a decent income.
During 2006, departmental officials worked closely with counterparts from other European countries studying the mainstreaming of social inclusion in public policies (www.europemsi.org). The lessons learned from this partnership approach will continue to inform the direction of future policy here.
Shared Future Policy
Mrs N Long asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the steps it has taken, since the Assembly debates on the draft Programme for Government and the draft Budget, in developing a policy on a Shared Future.
(AQO 1760/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: OFMDFM are fully committed to building a shared and better future. As previously stated we will bring forward proposals in the future for a programme of cohesion and integration for a shared and better future to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Work is currently ongoing to fund a wide range of projects aimed at increasing cohesion and integration.
Departmental Functions
Rev Dr R Coulter asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what steps it is taking to divest itself of departmental responsibilities in order to develop the central co-ordinating functions of government.
(AQO 1683/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The ranges of functions carried out by the Department are kept under constant scrutiny and the current efficiency review will ensure that the Department continues to be fit for purpose.
Asylum Cases
Ms A Lo asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail what steps it is taking to influence the outcome of asylum cases being dealt with by the United Kingdom Home Office, that directly affect people living in Northern Ireland.
(AQO 1757/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Immigration, including asylum, is an excepted matter under the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and is the responsibility of the Home Office.
The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has made representations to the Home Office, and to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in respect of three asylum seeker families under threat of deportation. While we recognise the need to have rules governing the granting of asylum, we would wish to see the application of common sense and common humanity in the interpretation and enforcement of these rules.
Officials liaise on an ongoing basis with the Home Office on a variety of immigration related matters.
Dual Membership of the Assembly and Parliament at Westminster
Mr S Gardiner asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide a timescale for ending the practice of dual membership of the Assembly and Parliament at Westminster.
(AQO 1682/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Disqualification for membership of the Assembly is a reserved matter under the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and therefore not one for which the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has any direct responsibility.
A Shared Future - Policy and Strategic Framework for Good Relations in Northern Ireland
Mr S Neeson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the current status of the document 'A Shared Future - Policy and Strategic Framework for Good Relations in Northern Ireland'.
(AQO 1759/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: As we have stated on previous occasions, A Shared Future policy and strategic framework for good relations for Northern Ireland is an inherited policy from the previous administration.
OFMDFM is fully committed to building a shared and better future and a prosperous, peaceful and settled society.
Having considered progress made, we are currently working on detailed proposals for a programme of cohesion and integration, which we will bring forward to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister for consideration. Key objectives, actions and targets will be developed in the context of these proposals.
EU Gender Goods and Services Directive
Mr M Storey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 1825/08, to detail the advice that was (i) sought; and (ii) given, in relation to whether or not the degree of flexibility available to (a) member states; and (b) devolved assemblies, allows for a greater number of exemptions from harassment clauses than those detailed in the proposals issued for consultation in the European Union Gender Goods and Services Directive.
(AQW 4561/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness:
The exemption proposals outlined in the EU Gender Goods and Services consultation document were considered to be the best way of meeting our obligations under the Directive, and legal advice was taken into consideration in that process.
Further legal advice was sought, at the request of the First Minister, on the degree of flexibility available to member states, and devolved administrations, to create further exemptions from the harassment clauses. The advice confirmed that there was no scope available for flexibility on this matter.
Children’s Fund
Mrs N Long asked the Office of the First and deputy First Minister to detail if all existing services funded through the Children’s Fund should be placing staff on redundancy notice as of the beginning of March, as continuation funding has not been confirmed beyond 31 March 2008; what if any action has been taken to advise such programmes of the way forward and if the Department could outline by what mechanisms, if any, such programmes can access the budget line for children and young people, incorporating the previous Children’s Fund, recently announced by the junior Ministers, the main proportion of which appears to have now been mainstreamed within the various Departments?
(AQW 4778/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: As you are aware the Children’s Fund will no longer exist beyond March 2008. This decision was madeon the basis that if the individual projects supported are considered to be of significant value then the funding stream should be in the departments’ programmes, rather than continuing to be managed through central funds.
Whilst the allocation of Departmental budgets remains at the discretion of individual Ministers, Ministerial colleagues have been urged to mainstream and protect funding for children and young people within their departmental budgets.
Junior Ministers are continuing to have discussions with relevant Ministers on the issue of services currently funded through the Children’s Fund. Junior Ministers will respond to you in more detail when the way forward has been decided.
Should your query relate directly to specific programmes or projects, we would suggest that you should also contact the appropriate Minister.
Agriculture and Rural Development
Departmental Expenditure
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her department's underspend in relation to (i) current expenditure; (ii) capital expenditure, in each of the last ten years.
(AQW 4644/08)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): The table attached sets out the information requested. This is based on information contained within the published accounts of the Department and its predecessor and covers all areas of departmental expenditure included in Estimates (ie expenditure within the Departmental Expenditure Limit, Annually Managed Expenditure and Notional Charges). For the years 1997-98 to 2000-01 the information has been extracted from the Annual Appropriation Accounts which were prepared on a cash basis. For the years 2001-02 to 2006-07 for consistency purposes the information has been extracted from the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts, which is prepared on a resource basis. In both cases outturn has been compared with the Spring Supplementary Estimates position. Explanations for the variances are contained within the various Accounts.
You should also be aware that, where appropriate, a significant amount of the under-spends were carried forward to the next financial year under End Year Flexibility arrangements and were therefore not lost to Agriculture and rural areas.
Table 1: Level of DARD Under-spend for years 1997/98 to 2001/02 using Appropriation Accounts
|
Current |
Capital |
|---|---|---|
1997/98 |
2,269 |
(1,426) |
1998/99 |
3,528 |
(1,333) |
1999/00 |
11,078 |
(2,450) |
2000/01 |
9,485 |
(1,407) |
Table 2: Level of DARD Under-spend for years 2001/02 to 2006/07 using Resource Accounts
|
Current |
Capital |
|---|---|---|
2001/02 |
33,045 |
2,662 |
2002/03 |
7,047 |
8,833 |
2003/04 |
32,056 |
(1,250) |
2004/05 |
40,311 |
4,469 |
2005/06 |
55,897 |
6,228 |
2006/07 |
21,006 |
3,506 |
Figures in brackets represent an over-spending.
Dogs Destroyed
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of dogs destroyed as a result of biting humans, in each of the last 5 years.
(AQW 4723/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development does not have responsibility for these figures as these are collected and held by local Councils. Figures provided by Councils to DARD in relation to the number of incidents (attacks on humans) and destruction orders are set out in Table 1.
Table 1. Numbers of dog attacks on humans 2003-2007 (Figures provided to DARD by local Councils).
Year |
Number of incidents |
Destruction Orders |
|---|---|---|
2003 |
697 |
13 |
2004 |
783 |
5 |
2005 |
772 |
8 |
2006 |
764 |
12 |
2007* |
625 |
9 |
T0TAL |
3641 |
47 |
* Figures from January – September 2007
Access to High Mournes
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the funds that will be made available to upgrade the main access to the high Mournes through Tollymore Forest Park.
(AQW 4731/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Access to the wider Mournes area from within Tollymore Forest Park is via the Ulster Way / Mourne Way. Overall responsibility for the Ulster Way and the provision of this type of wider access to the countryside falls to EHS and others who are largely funded by EHS.
The Ulster Way / Mourne Way entry / exit points, and their location within Tollymore Forest Park, have been agreed between Forest Service, EHS and local Councils. A small portion of poor quality Ulster Way trail within Tollymore was abandoned recently in favour of an alternative route. This now follows an existing high quality forest trail and provides a much improved section of the Ulster Way. The route is fully way-marked and upgrading is not regarded as necessary.
Forest Service is in discussions with N.I. Tourist Board on the role that Tollymore Forest Park can play in improving access to the wider Mournes area. This process is being led by N.I. Tourist Board under the Mournes Signature Project.
Dangerous Dogs
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide an update on the review of the legislation in relation to dangerous dogs; and if she will make a statement.
(AQW 4740/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Since I made my statement to the Assembly on 20 November 2007 on my plans to undertake a review of dangerous dogs and dog fighting legislation, my officials have been carrying out a scoping exercise on existing legislation with regard to all aspects of dog control, including dangerous dogs. This exercise has included examination of the wide range of comments made during the Assembly debate. It has also involved consideration of comments made in the past on the efficacy of current legislation.
My officials have also briefed the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on the Review, and I welcome the helpful comments that have been received from the Committee. I have also raised the issue with my counterpart in the South, Mary Coughlan TD and my officials have discussed the matter with their counterparts in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Dublin.
The review is ongoing. Once the scoping exercise is complete, I will consider a number of options, including what new legislation might be required and what it might cover.
Enforcement of the legislation is crucial to this review and many of the issues that have been raised prior to my announcement had been about public safety. I met senior PSNI representatives on Tuesday 22 January, when we discussed the role of the PSNI in enforcement of dog control and dangerous dogs legislation. This was a constructive and positive meeting in which a number of proposals were discussed that will form part of my considerations.
I also met local Council representatives, including dog wardens, on Monday 25 February. This gave me the opportunity to hear at first hand their concerns. Council representatives also provided me with written presentations highlighting key issues for my consideration.
Council representatives welcomed my proposal to establish a Working Group to take forward a Memorandum of Understanding between Councils and the PSNI on the enforcement of dangerous dogs legislation. Arrangements for the first meeting of this Working Group are well underway.
Plans are also underway for meetings with other stakeholders, including animal welfare representatives. I will consider the outcome of all my meetings, and the on-going review of existing legislation, as I seek to balance the need to examine the issues fully, with the requirement to complete the review as quickly as possible.
Official Visits
Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail, by date and duration, all visits she has made to each of the 18 constituencies since taking up her post.
(AQW 4783/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The visits I have made to each of the 18 constituencies since taking my post are set out in the attached table.
AQW 4783/2008 date, duration and Constituency up to 10/03/2008
Date |
Duration |
Constituency |
|---|---|---|
30/01/2008 |
4 hours |
Belfast East |
16/11/2007 |
5 hours |
Belfast North |
24/04/2008 |
1 hour |
Belfast North |
17/05/2007 |
1.5 hours |
Belfast South |
16/05/2007 |
6.5 hours |
Belfast South |
31/01/2008 |
1.45 hours |
Belfast South |
17/05/2007 |
1.45 hours |
Belfast South |
16/05/2007 |
0.5 hours |
Belfast South |
12/06/2007 |
2 hours |
Belfast South |
30/11/2007 |
2.15 hours |
Belfast South |
04/03/2008 |
2.45 hours |
Belfast West |
02/04/2008 |
1 hour |
East Antrim |
24/01/2008 |
1 hour |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
09/01/2008 |
2 hours |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
11/10/2007 |
0.30 hours |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
29/11/2007 |
1 hour |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
26/10/2007 |
1.30 hours |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
21/06/2007 |
1 hour |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
08/08/2007 |
3.30 hours |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
25/07/2007 |
3 hours |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
21/10/2007 |
1.30 hours |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
27/06/2007 |
2 hours |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
09/01/2008 |
1 hour |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
12/10/2007 |
1 hour |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
28/06/2007 |
1 hour |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
09/01/2008 |
1 hour |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
27/06/2007 |
1 hour |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
09/05/2007 |
1 hour |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
14/11/2007 |
2 hours |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
26/09/2008 |
2 hours |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
04/04/2008 |
1.30 hours |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
06/12/2007 |
1 hour |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
01/05/2007 |
1 hour |
Foyle |
21/11/2007 |
4 hours |
Foyle |
14/11/2007 |
2 hours |
Foyle |
20/10/2007 |
4 hours |
Foyle |
20/09/2007 |
3 hours |
Foyle |
27/02/2008 |
1 hour |
Lagan Valley |
08/06/2007 |
2 hours |
Lagan Valley |
23/01/2008 |
2 hour |
Londonderry East |
07/11/2007 |
0.45 hours |
Mid Ulster |
19/09/2007 |
2 hours |
Mid Ulster |
05/03/2008 |
1.30 hours |
Mid Ulster |
25/07/2007 |
0.45 hours |
Mid Ulster |
26/07/2007 |
1.45 hours |
Mid Ulster |
Date |
Duration |
Constituency |
03/10/2007 |
1.30 hours |
Mid Ulster |
23/01/2007 |
2 hours |
Mid Ulster |
23/08/2007 |
3 hours |
Mid Ulster |
03/10/2007 |
3 hours |
Mid Ulster |
23/04/2008 |
2 hours |
Mid Ulster |
28/06/2007 |
2 hours |
Mid Ulster |
05/03/2008 |
0.45 hours |
Mid Ulster |
22/08/2007 |
5 hours |
Mid Ulster |
12/12/2007 |
5.50 hours |
Newry & Armagh |
01/11/2007 |
1 hour |
Newry & Armagh |
15/11/2007 |
1.30 hours |
North Antrim |
28/02/2007 |
1 hour |
North Antrim |
18/04/2007 |
1.30 hours |
North Antrim |
04/10/2007 |
0.45 hour |
North Antrim |
21/06/2007 |
0.30 hour |
North Antrim |
21/11/2007 |
2 hours |
North Antrim |
17/04/2007 |
2 hours |
South Antrim |
19/04/2007 |
5 hours |
South Antrim |
24/07/2007 |
1 hour |
South Antrim |
04/10/2007 |
1 hour |
South Antrim |
26/04/2007 |
2.45 hours |
South Down |
31/05/2007 |
2.30 hours |
South Down |
26/04/2007 |
1.45 hours |
South Down |
05/12/2007 |
8.30 hours |
Strangford |
25/01/2007 |
1.30 hours |
Strangford |
21/02/2008 |
2 hours |
Strangford |
09/05/2007 |
1.15 hours |
Strangford |
16/07/2007 |
1 hour |
Strangford |
23/02/2008 |
4 hours |
Upper Bann |
13/06/2007 |
1 hour |
Upper Bann |
08/03/2008 |
2 hours |
Upper Bann |
30/04/2007 |
2 hours |
Upper Bann |
05/03/2008 |
2 hours |
Upper Bann |
13/06/2007 |
2.10 hours |
Upper Bann |
08/11/2007 |
2 hours |
Upper Bann |
14/11/2007 |
0.50 hours |
West Tyrone |
28/01/2008 |
2.30 hours |
West Tyrone |
20/09/2007 |
0.45 hours |
West Tyrone |
27/06/2007 |
1 hour |
West Tyrone |
14/11/2007 |
3.10 hours |
West Tyrone |
01/11/2007 |
1.30 hours |
West Tyrone |
06/12/2007 |
1 hour |
West Tyrone |
01/11/2007 |
1.30 hours |
West Tyrone |
16/01/2008 |
2 hours |
West Tyrone |
01/11/2007 |
1.30 hours |
West Tyrone |
28/09/2007 |
1.30 hours |
West Tyrone |
Newspaper Expenditure
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her department's expenditure on (i) newspapers; (ii) magazines; and (iii) periodicals, in each of the last 3 years.
(AQW 4796/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The following table details the amount spent on newspapers, magazines and periodicals by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and its Agencies in each of the last three financial years.
|
Newspapers £ |
Magazines £ |
Periodicals £ |
|---|---|---|---|
2004/05 |
10,025.68 |
9,413.03 |
66,085.38 |
2005/06 |
11,338.65 |
9,027.54 |
75,301.62 |
2006/07 |
11,439.65 |
8,757.58 |
78,491.82 |
Note. These figures include the Departmental spend on publications used by staff and students for the delivery of education in the three College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise campuses. The above figures also include estimates for the Science Service which was formerly part of the core Department until April 2006 when it became a Non-Departmental Public Body (the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute).
Equine Training
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action she is taking to continue the current range of equine training, given the high numbers of equine students at Enniskillen College of Agriculture, following the department's withdrawal from the Necarne campus.
(AQW 4834/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The Department is currently undertaking an appraisal to consider options for the delivery of the current range of equine education programmes in Co Fermanagh. The outcome of this appraisal will inform the decision for withdrawal from Necarne and the need for investment in additional facilities.
Communications Course
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what plans she has for discussions with Assembly Members in relation to the proposed withdrawal of the Communications course at Loughry College.
(AQW 4835/08)
Ms M Gildernew: I have already discussed issues in relation to the proposal to withdraw the Communications course at Loughry Campus in the Assembly.
I have also met with a delegation of Loughry students and have listened to their views on this proposal and have asked my officials to consult with key stakeholders. Firm decisions will only be taken when implications have been assessed.
Communications Course
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of requests for meetings, to discuss the proposed withdrawal of her department from the Communications course at Loughry, that she has received from Assembly Members.
(AQW 4836/08)
Ms M Gildernew: I have had one request from an MLA for a meeting to discuss the proposal to withdraw the Communications programmes at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus. This request has been to meet with the Member, in this case, Tom Elliott MLA and Loughry students.
Departmental Policies
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what screening is undertaken on new departmental policies to ensure they are not overly bureaucratic.
(AQW 4837/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The undertaking of screening for both Equality and Regulatory Impact Assessments is common practice for all new Government policies. In addition to ensuring a particular policy or piece of legislation contains no adverse impact on the equality of opportunity for any of the nine groups recognised under Section 75, we are mindful of the costs and benefits it may contain.
The outworking of these processes is therefore to evaluate the likely equality considerations and economic implications on the introduction of proposals or policies and ensure that unnecessary bureaucracy is removed.
I recognise the significance of this issue to all farming families. Since becoming Minister, in association with Environment Minister, Arlene Foster, I established an independent review to examine all DARD/DOE regulations that impose an administrative burden on the agri-food sector, particularly farmers.
This Panel will review Departmental procedures in place to assess the administrative burden associated with new policies and make recommendations, if appropriate, for the strengthening of current procedures.
The aim of the review is “To improve the way in which DARD and DOE operate to meet their regulatory policy objectives and EU obligations, so that compliance by the agri-food sector is facilitated and the cost of compliance is reduced.”
Forest Area
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the amount of forest area in Northern Ireland, broken down by county.
(AQW 4838/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The forested area managed by my Department and the area of grant aided privately owned woodland in the North of Ireland is detailed below:
County |
Combined state managed and grant aided privately owned forested area to nearest 500 Ha |
% of land cover by County |
Antrim |
13,000 |
4 |
Armagh |
3,500 |
3 |
Down |
6,500 |
3 |
Fermanagh |
19,000 |
10 |
Derry |
13,500 |
6 |
Tyrone |
20,500 |
6 |
Animal Carcases
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the responsibility her department has in relation to the removal of animal carcases from the sides of public roads.
(AQW 4894/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The EU Animal By-Products Regulation No. 1774/2002 banned the burial of fallen animal carcases throughout the EU. They must instead be incinerated, rendered, or used in hunt kennels for the feeding to dogs. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) made the Animal By-Products Regulations (NI) 2003 to implement the EU Regulation here. These provide enforcement powers for DARD, Department of the Environment and District Council inspectors.
Where illegal dumping of fallen stock occurs, and where the owner of the carcase cannot be traced, the land owner is responsible for disposal. The land owner could be the Road Service, Rivers Agency, Forest Service, or a private landowner, depending on the circumstances. Where land ownership is in question, or where an on-going health risk remains unresolved, District Councils have Environmental Health responsibilities.
Public Appointments
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (i) the number of people that have been appointed under public appointments by her department since the restoration of devolution; and (ii) the number that were (a) female; and (b) elected councillors.
(AQW 4964/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and its Agencies has appointed 12 people under public appointments since the restoration of devolution, 2 of whom were female and none of whom were elected councillors.
Integrated Animal Control System
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of Integrated Animal Control System applications had penalties imposed on them due to duplicate fields in 2005; 2006; and 2007.
(AQW 4965/08)
Ms M Gildernew: As at 13 March 2008, financial penalty has been applied in 1,168 cases for the 2005 scheme year, in 62 cases for the 2006 scheme year and in 58 cases for the 2007 scheme year.
New Entrants Scheme
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of applications to the New Entrants Scheme that have been approved to date.
(AQW 4966/08)
Ms M Gildernew: By 12 th March 2008, 143 applicants had been approved for financial assistance under the New Entrants Scheme. A further 82 applicants have been advised that they are eligible for the scheme on completion of a viable business plan and a personal development plan.
New Entrants Scheme
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the action she is taking, apart from the New Entrants Scheme, to encourage young farmers to remain in the industry.
(AQW 4968/08)
Ms M Gildernew: My Department, primarily through the Development Service of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) provides support and assistance to those farmers of all age groups who wish to develop their farm business and commit to a future in the industry.
CAFRE’s team of Development Advisers, who are located throughout NI, work with farmers through delivery of tailored Development Plans for their businesses. Through this process business objectives and development needs are identified and the appropriate support agreed. Development Advisers provide support to these farmers through delivery of: -
- Benchmarking which enables farmers to compare their business / farm enterprise performance with other similar businesses.
- Knowledge and Technology Transfer – through a diverse range of projects, CAFRE encourages farmers to adopt world-class, leading edge technology.
- Training – CAFRE has developed a wide portfolio of short courses and Challenge programmes to meet the competence development needs of those within the industry.
For those young people wishing to pursue a career in farming, CAFRE also provides Further and Higher education programmes in agriculture. Courses ranging from NVQ level 2 to Honours degree level, (which is delivered in partnership with Queen’s University, Belfast), are available at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus in Antrim. The NVQ part-time programmes are also available at CAFRE’s Enniskillen Campus.
Official Visits
Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the protocols she follows in informing MLAs that she will be visiting their respective constituencies.
(AQW 4990/08)
Ms M Gildernew: On the day before the event and e-mail is to be sent to all MLA's in the Constituency area that I will be visiting by my Private Office. This e-mail informs the MLA's that I will be in their constituency area am or pm and if they require more details to contact my Private Office.
Botulism in Cattle
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of botulism cases notified to her department in the last 10 years.
(AQW 4994/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The number of suspect botulism cases received through AFBI/VSD from 1998 to the present can be found below. The number of confirmed positive cases is also given. It should be noted that the samples received were tested using the mouse bioassay as set out by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. This is recognised as the gold standard test for diagnosis of this condition.
Year |
Number of suspect botulism cases |
Number of cases confirmed as positive using mouse bioassay |
1998 |
5 |
0 |
1999 |
20 |
1 |
2000 |
17 |
0 |
2001 |
46 |
0 |
2002 |
101 |
14 |
2003 |
138 |
35 |
2004 |
59 |
12 |
2005 |
100 |
13 |
2006 |
73 |
11 |
2007 |
77 |
12 |
2008 to date |
17 |
4 |
Total |
653 |
102 (15.6%) |
|---|
Botulism in Cattle
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her plans to categorise botulism as a notifiable disease.
(AQW 4996/08)
Ms M Gildernew: I have no plans to categorise botulism as a notifiable disease at this time. There are a number of reasons why this is so.
First, any risk of the type of botulism that affects cattle being transmitted to humans is minimal. Second, botulism is not an epizootic disease and does not spread from one animal to another. Therefore botulism cannot be controlled by livestock movement controls or eradication schemes.
The Department issued advisory leaflets on botulism to all farmers in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Posters are also on display at local DARD veterinary offices, agricultural offices, auction marts and UFU offices to alert farmers to the dangers of botulism to their animals and advise them of appropriate control measures.
There is now wider awareness amongst farmers of the disease, of the risk factors involved and of the benefit of vaccination as a control tool. An effective vaccine against botulism in cattle can be obtained through private veterinary practitioners. This vaccine has been very successful in helping to control botulism in cattle here.
Slurry Spreading Activities
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the action she is taking to ensure that all slurry tanks and slurry spreading activities are monitored, so that sensitive rivers are not at risk of pollution; and to confirm that her department is compliant with all European Union requirements to aid the protection of salmonid stocks.
(AQW 4998/08)
Ms M Gildernew: My Department is taking a series of actions to reduce the risk of river pollution from the storage and spreading of slurry. These include advice and training, grant support and regulation.
During the period 2001 – 2007, DARD Countryside Management Branch staff carried out over 14,500 pollution control and waste management advisory visits on farms. These are designed to increase farmer competence in handling slurry, manure and other farm wastes, thereby minimising the possibility of a pollution incident.
All applicants to DARD’s agri-environment schemes are given farm waste management advice. Further farm waste management workshops are provided for farmers by CAFRE. Countryside Management Branch also provide pollution control advisory visits to farmers referred by The Department of the Environment’s (DOE) Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) following a pollution incident from a farm source.
Through the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme (FNMS), DARD is providing very significant capital grant support for improved slurry and manure storage facilities. Some 4500 projects are being progressed under the FNMS with an estimated total investment of approximately £200 million.
My Department has worked jointly with DOE to implement The Nitrates Action Programme Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2006. These set controls on farming practice to reduce the risk of water pollution. Controls include a closed period for the spreading of slurry and a minimum slurry storage requirement on farms.
The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations (NI), introduced by DOE in 2003, aim to minimise the risk of water pollution from the storage of silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oils. These specify standards for the construction of slurry tanks.
EHS is responsible for the regulation of a range of agricultural activities that may impact on water quality. In 2007, EHS inspected over 1000 farms in relation to compliance with legislation and the investigation of pollution incidents.
EHS is responsible for designating rivers to protect their salmon stocks. To date, EHS has designated three Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) in rivers that have salmonid interests. Three Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) that are coincident with these ASSI have been designated under the EU Habitats Directive for their Atlantic Salmon interests .
Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of farmers who have completed their 10 year Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and have been accepted into a new Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme in (i) Antrims Coast, Glens and Rathlin Island; (ii) Sperrins; (iii) Mournes and Slieve Croob; (iv) Slieve Gullion; and (v) Fermanagh and Erne Lakelands.
(AQW 5026/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The numbers of farmers who have completed their 10 year Environmentally Sensitive Areas scheme and have been accepted into a new Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme in the five Environmentally Sensitive Areas are:
- Antrim Coast, Glens and Rathlin Island – 393
- Sperrins – 576
- Mournes and Slieve Croob – 378
- Slieve Gullion – 70
- Fermanagh and Erne Lakelands - 521
Biodiversity Action Plan
Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of whether or not she will achieve the targets within the 2010 Biodiversity Action Plan, in particular maintaining the extent of 8380 hectares of native woodland, restoration of 180 hectares of planted ancient woodland, and expansion of woodland by 460 hectares.
(AQW 5033/08)
Ms M Gildernew: I would refer you to my previous answer to AQW 2801/08 to Mr John McCallister, the Member for South Down, published in the Official Record on Friday 25 January 2008, where I clearly set out the position.
Aid for Energy Crops
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail, for each of the last three years, (i) the number of farm businesses in receipt of Aid for Energy crops; and (ii) the total area of energy crops grown.
(AQW 5039/08)
Ms M Gildernew: In the 2005 scheme year, 19 applications were made to the Aid for Energy Crop Scheme and a total of 239.82 hectares were eligible for payment.
In 2006, 43 applications were received and a total of 418.48 hectares were eligible for payment.
In 2007, 54 applications were made and a total of 736.12 hectares were eligible for payment. As the European Union ceiling of 2 million hectares for energy crops was exceeded this required a coefficient reduction of 0.70337 to be applied and this reduced the total area eligible for payment to 517.76 hectares.
Countryside Management Scheme
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the progress made towards the introduction of the Northern Ireland Countryside Management Scheme.
(AQW 5040/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Considerable progress is being made with the development of the new and improved Countryside Management Scheme (NICMS).
Draft legislation is at an advanced stage and it is proposed to be considered by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on the 8 April. Development of scheme options and literature are currently being finalised and work on associated computer programmes is ongoing. A programme of promoting the scheme to prospective applicants is also being prepared. The anticipated opening date is late spring/early summer 2008
Land Grants
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the amount of land that has been set aside for grants purposes in (i) 2006; (ii) 2007; and (iii) 2008.
(AQW 5043/08)
Ms M Gildernew: For 2006, 573 applicants to the Single Farm Payment Scheme, declared land which was in set aside. A total of 1,923.58 hectares was determined as eligible for payment.
For 2007, 595 applicants declared land which was in set aside. By 18 March 2008, a total of 1,911.53 hectares had been determined as eligible for payment in respect of 2007.
The figures for 2008 will be similar but will not be known exactly until 2008 applications have been received. Declarations by farmers in respect of the 2008 scheme year are due to be made on the 2008 Single Application Form. The application window, for 2008 applications to be accepted without penalty, closes on 15 May 2008.
Farm Nutrients Management Scheme
Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail who set the upper limits on items in the Farm Nutrients Management Scheme of (i) cost of tank, pounds per cubic metre; and (ii) cost of slats, pounds per square metre, and how these costs were formulated.
(AQW 5081/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Reasonable costs for a range of actual cost items were determined by a Chartered Quantity Surveyor.
For above and below ground tanks the reasonable costs are formulated on
the basis of the total volume of the tank.
For slats, reasonable costs are determined per square metre.
Single Farm Payment
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of officials required to process a single farm payment application.
(AQW 5105/08)
Ms M Gildernew: A total of 39,041 applications were submitted under the 2007 Single Farm Payment Scheme. Single Farm Payment (SFP) Branch in Orchard House is responsible for the administration of the SFP scheme. To comply with European Council regulations, SFP Branch is required to carry out a range of validation checks to verify the eligibility claims before a payment can be released. During February 2008, a total of 51 staff within Single Farm Payment Branch were involved specifically in validation and payment processing activity of Single Payment claims.
Single Farm Payment
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the average length of time it takes for a single farm payment application to be processed, from the date the application is received to the date the payment is made.
(AQW 5108/08)
Ms M Gildernew: European Council Regulations rules permit full Single Farm Payments to commence from 1 December in the year of application and require 96.15% of the annual budget to be paid by 30 June of the following year, if the Department is to avoid late payment penalties.
Payments may be made only on fully verified claims. Administrative checks are required on all claims, and on-farm checks are required on at least 5% of claims, to verify eligibility and claim details. On-farm checks, on at least 1% of applications, verify compliance with statutory requirements on issues such as the environment and animal identification and welfare
Validation checks can identify a variety of queries which have to be fully reconciled before a payment can be authorised. Payments on individual claims are released as soon as verification checks and any necessary recalculations to take account of the findings have been completed. The time required to finalise a particular claim depends on the issues, if any, involved in the individual case.
For the 2007 scheme year, 80.9% of applications were paid by the end of December 2007, 85.7% by the end of January 2008 and 90.9% by the end February 2008. It is anticipated that at least 94% of applications will be finalised by 31 March 2008.
Bluetounge Disease
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the steps she has taken to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of vaccinations to tackle a possible outbreak of Bluetounge disease.
(AQW 5109/08)
Ms M Gildernew:
As you will be aware, under EU rules vaccination for Bluetongue is only permitted once the disease is confirmed to be circulating in a country, and then only within the protection zone. Thankfully we are not in that position.
You will also be aware that no vaccine is currently authorised for use against BTV8, the strain of Bluetongue currently affecting Northern Europe and England. Vaccine will become available later this year and we are currently carefully assessing the benefits or otherwise of ordering vaccine. Until the products have received authorisation for use there are many uncertainties including how many doses will be required, the effectiveness of the vaccine and the shelf life of the product.
Defra have ordered 22.5 m doses of vaccine for use in England and Wales. Scotland are considering ordering vaccine. The North, however, as a separate epidemiological unit has different priorities and at the minute my priority is to keep the disease out.
If and when the veterinary risk assessment indicated that it would be prudent to order vaccine we will seek to do so. We have been part of detailed negotiations with Britain that have led to the production of a UK vaccination strategy. While setting out general principles, the strategy allows the North to consider the specific needs we may have given our geographical separation from Britain. My staff and I are also in dialogue with counterparts in the Department of Fisheries and Food (DAFF) in Dublin on this issue.
Industry stakeholders, through the Bluetongue strategy Group, have been assisting veterinary and policy staff in the formulation of policy in this area.
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Newspaper Spending
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the amount his department has spent on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in each of the last three years.
(AQW 4850/08)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure incurred the following expenditure on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in the last three years:
2004-05: £3,413.88
2005-06: £3,474.85
2006-07: £3,355.92
Public Appointments
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (i) the number of people that have been appointed under public appointments by his department since the restoration of devolution; and (ii) the number that were (a) female; and (b) elected councillors.
(AQW 4962/08)
Mr E Poots: Since devolution DCAL has made fifty one public appointments. Appointments have been made in line with guidance set out by the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Northern Ireland (OCPA NI). Fifteen of these appointments have been female and one has been an elected councillor.
Intermediate Football
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the finance available for Health and Safety improvements for first and second division and intermediate football.
(AQW 5059/08)
Mr E Poots: Responsibility for financing health and safety improvements at first and second division and intermediate football grounds rests, in the first instance, with the owners of the grounds. Sport Northern Ireland (SNI), however, is currently considering how it will allocate its recently announced capital budget across sport. Decisions on the finance available for health and safety improvements will be taken by SNI once this process is completed.
Official Visits
Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the protocols he follows in informing MLAs that he will be visiting their respective constituencies.
(AQW 5078/08)
Mr E Poots: MLAs and MPs are informed of any visit to their respective constituency by my Private Office not less than 24 hours in advance of the visit.
Education
Future Capital Projects
Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Education to detail what guidance is being given to schools wishing to advance future capital projects.
(AQW 4220/08)
The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): To be considered eligible for major works funding requires an assessment that the condition and suitability of the school building is such as to require investment, and that an economic appraisal which assesses the options for meeting the accommodation needs has been approved by the department.
As we implement an area-based planning approach, it will also be necessary to clearly identify how proposed provision will fit with the anticipated future needs of an area. My statement to the Assembly on 4 March set out my proposals for local groups to take forward area-based planning in the post-primary sector this year. The Executive’s Investment Strategy published in January stated that from 2012, we would commence a broader programme of schools modernisation, based firmly on cross-sector area plans.
Thug mé cuntas imlíne i mo ráiteas deireanach faoi na príomheilimintí a bheidh ann sna míonna atá amach romhainn sa chur chuige pleanála maidir le soláthar iar-bhunoideachais bunaithe ar limistéir. Rachfar i mbun comhairliúcháin ag deireadh na bliana faoi na pleananna limistéar críochnaithe.
I outlined in my recent statement the main elements of the approach to area-based planning for post primary provision in the coming months, with a consultation on the completed area plans at the end of the year.
Irish Language Schools
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Education whether or not she will (i) carry out an urgent review into substandard and cramped temporary classrooms in Irish language schools; and (ii) take steps to address problems such as dampness, leaking roofs, and disrepair in mobile classrooms.
(AQW 4257/08)
Ms C Ruane: The conditions in many Irish medium schools are unacceptable. I have visited many of them and am very concerned at the current state of the accommodation in many cases. My officials have been liaising with Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta on the accommodation issues at the Irish medium schools. I also had a meeting on 5 March with representatives from the Comhairle Na Gaelscolaíochta
where the accommodation issues were discussed.
Tá ceist na cóiríochta do Ghaelscoileanna á breithniú i gcomhthéacs an Athbhreithnithe ar Bheartas ar Ghaelscolaíocht.
The issue of accommodation for Irish medium schools is being considered in the context of the Irish Medium Policy Review.
Suicide Awareness Programmes
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Education to outline the strategies her department has in place to raise awareness of the issue of suicide among young people; and to detail (i) the suicide awareness programmes supported by her department; and (ii) the amount of funding allocated to each programme.
(AQW 4410/08)
Ms C Ruane: The revised curriculum, being phased in from September 2007, will better equip young people to deal with the challenges they face in life. It includes a new area of Personal Development & Mutual Understanding (PDMU) at primary and Learning for Life and Work (LLW) at post-primary, which provides opportunities to promote positive mental and emotional health among young people. As part of this development, schools can include awareness raising around the issue of suicide and prevention through work to enhance self esteem and manage emotions.
In September 2007, work began on a pupils emotional health and well being programme in post primary schools. The agreed Programme will be expected to address how a pupil’s emotional health and wellbeing is promoted by the school, what support systems are available to support a pupil under stress and what support is available to a school in the event of a crisis. The focus will be on positive prevention by building coping skills in children and young people and will complement the personal development strand of the curriculum. Although the initial focus is on post-primary schools, it is expected that the outcomes can be adapted through time for the primary and special sectors and that the resulting programme will have more general application in developing and supporting pastoral care systems in schools. In the recent budget announcement an additional £2.5 million over the next three years has been made available to make a start on a programme to promote pupils’ emotional health and well being in the primary and special education sectors including £100,000 in 08/09 to build on the learning and outcomes from the post primary programme.
The Department has been actively encouraging schools to improve pupil behaviour and, among other things, to address the problem of bullying. In recent years the Department has issued a range of guidance to schools on bullying which offers advice on the problem and how to develop a whole school approach to tackling the issue.
School authorities must ensure their discipline policies specifically include measures to prevent bullying among pupils; and any changes that school authorities make to their discipline policies must be the subject of consultation with registered pupils and their parents.
The effectiveness of an individual school’s discipline policy is monitored through the regular cycle of school inspections undertaken by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI). If deficiencies are identified, these should be corrected as part of follow up from the inspection. As part of this exercise the Education and Training Inspectorate seek the views of a number of parents, via a questionnaire, on their perceptions of various aspects of pastoral care, including how effectively the school staff deal with bullying.
The Department works with the Anti Bullying Forum to promote best practice across schools in tackling all aspects of bullying and to provide appropriate advice and guidance and funds a Regional Co-ordinator post and programme activities.
Tá straitéis Frith-Bhulaíochta forbartha ag Fóram Frith-Bhulaíochta. Áirítear ar phríomheilimintí phlean straitéiseach an Fhóraim forbairt, forfheidhmiú agus chur chun cinn samhlacha dea-chleachtais, comhpháirtíochtaí tuismitheoirí agus láithreán gréasáin a fhorbairt, agus seachtain bhliantúil frithbhulaíochta.
The NIABF has developed a 3-year Anti-Bullying strategy. The main elements of the Forum’s strategic plan includes development, implementation and promotion of models of good practice, developing parental partnerships, website development and an annual anti-bullying week.
Vulnerable Children
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education to detail the steps she is taking to ensure that vulnerable children are given education and employment opportunities.
(AQW 4454/08)
Ms C Ruane: My vision is that each and every child will realise their full potential and leave school with appropriate qualifications and be equipped to succeed in adulthood.
We are seeking to achieve this through measures such as the revised curriculum, our new school improvement policy and a revised literacy and numeracy policy. Related policies are being developed to support children with barriers to learning including those with special educational needs, English as an additional language and alternative education provision. It will be important that when these policies are in place, they provide a basis for action at school level.
Within school, support for pupils is provided through the Independent Schools Counselling Service, anti-bullying measures and the development of a Pupil’s Emotional Health and Well-being Programme to develop coping skills in children and young people. Life Skills Training Programmes are provided to young people with statements of special education need to improve self help and independent living and Education Transition Co-ordinators work with statutory and other agencies to support the transition process from school to adult life.
Chuaigh mo Roinnse agus an Roinn Fostaíochta agus Foghlama i gcomhairle le déanaí faoi chomhstraitéis maidir le comhstraitéis faoi Oideachas Gairme, Comhairle agus Treorú dar teideal 'Ullmhú don Rath'.
My Department and the Department for Employment and Learning have recently consulted on a joint strategy for Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance e ntitled ‘Preparing for Success’. This strategy aims to support better informed decision-making, leading to more effective career planning and through this to increased participation in education, training and employment and includes proposals to address the needs of young people and adults vulnerable to social exclusion.
Teachers Moving
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to provide an update on the progress made in relation to removing obstacles that prevent teachers moving between education sectors.
(AQW 4492/08)
Ms C Ruane: Since the inception of fair employment legislation in 1976, teachers have been exempt from protection against discrimination on the grounds of religious belief. This exemption originated from the desire to protect the diversity of ethos in the education sectors.
Tá Oifig an Chead-Aire agus an Leas-Chéad-Aire (OFMDFM) ag obair faoi láthair ar Bhille Singil um Chomhionannas chun nua-shonrú agus comhchuibhiú a dhéanamh ar an reachtaíocht in aghaidh leithcheala agus um chomhionannas i dTuaisceart Éireann agus iad a leathnú más gá é sin.
The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) is working currently on a Single Equality Bill to harmonise, update and extend, where appropriate, anti-discrimination and equality legislation in the North of Ireland. Once the proposals in this Bill are published, the Department of Education will consult stakeholders and interest groups to assess their views on this exemption.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of pupils with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in (i) special schools - severe learning difficulty; (ii) mainstream primary and post-primary schools; and (iii) other forms of educational provision, broken down by Education and Library Board.
(AQW 4555/08)
Ms C Ruane: Is mar seo a leanas atá an fhaisnéis a hiarradh.
The information requested is as follows.
Pupils 1 with Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 2007/08
|
Education and Library Board |
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
School type |
BELB |
WELB |
NEELB |
SEELB |
SELB |
TOTAL |
Primary schools 2,3 |
208 |
102 |
185 |
260 |
206 |
961 |
Post primary schools 3 |
207 |
107 |
112 |
278 |
287 |
991 |
SLD Special schools 4 |
* |
# |
23 |
12 |
14 |
61 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other 5 - MLD Special schools |
67 |
21 |
15 |
53 |
0 |
156 |
Pre-schools |
* |
0 |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
Nursery schools |
6 |
0 |
* |
* |
* |
13 |
Source: NI school census.
Note:
- It is a possibility that some pupils at SEN Stages 1 and 2 with this condition may not have been recorded.
- Includes children in nursery, reception and Year 1 – 7 classes.
- Includes pupils in mainstream classes and special units.
- Includes pupils who attend schools that cater for both MLD and SLD.
- Excludes Alternative Education Providers, Independent schools and hospital schools.
* Relates to less than 5 pupils.
# Means figure has been treated under rules of disclosure.
Middletown Centre of Excellence for Autism
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the membership of the board of the Middletown Autism Centre; (ii) the expertise of each member of the board, in relation to Autistic Spectrum Disorder; (iii) how the board was appointed; and (iv) who made the appointments.
(AQW 4616/08)
Ms C Ruane: The Board of Directors of the Middletown Centre for Autism Ltd comprises the following 10 members:
Chairperson - appointed by Department of Education and Science (DES) is Laurence Crowley a former Governor of the Bank of Ireland and a Director of a number of Irish companies.
The four DES Directors are:
- Dermot Ryan, Principal Officer, Office for Disability and Mental Health, Department for Health and Children.
- Breandán Ó Murchú, a retired Divisional Inspector of Schools with the Department of Education and Science. He was a member of the DES Task Force on Autism, which produced its report in 2001 and was also a member of the Department of Education’s (DE) Task Group on Autism, which produced its report in 2002.
- Leo Kinsella, the Local Health Manager with the Health Service Executive for the Cavan/Monaghan area, and is responsible for all primary, community and continuing care services in the two counties. He has held a number of senior managerial appointments in the Health Sector.
- Goretti Newell, the former principal of St Patrick's Boys National School, Hollypark, Co. Dublin, Schools Programme manager with Special Olympics Ireland and a Board member of Ballyowen Meadows Special School, which is under the auspices of Beechpark Services for children with Autism.
These members were appointed by the Minister for Education and Science under their procedures.
Vice-chairperson – appointed by Department of Education is Donal Flanagan OBE, Chief Executive of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools. He has experience of special educational needs during his employment as Education Officer with SEELB.
The four DE Directors are:
- Professor Mary Hanratty CBE, a recently retired Director of Nursing and Midwifery Education for the Southern and Eastern Health and Social Services Boards where she was involved in developing education programmes for children and young people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
- Harry Mullan is retired. He has experience of addressing the needs of children with special needs through his work on education and health boards.
- Ethel Ruddock has a background in education and she was responsible for training and support for new Principals, Vice-Principals, School Senior Management Teams and Boards of Governors and Beginning Teachers in the South Eastern Education and Library Board area. Through this work she developed a considerable understanding of the needs of children with ASDs and their teachers.
- Daphne O’Kane, a retired Principal has extensive experience of working with children with ASDs including when she was Head of pre-school services for children with special education needs in Bromley Education Department and through her membership of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.
These members were appointed in 2007 by the then Minister for Education following a public appointments exercise carried out by the Department of Education and monitored by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (NI).
Ba iad an dá Roinn a cheap baill an Bhoird agus rinneadar é sin ar an mbunús go mbeadh daoine éagsúla air a bheadh taithí acu ar na réimsí seo a leanas: uathachas, oideachas speisialta, cúram sláinte, airgeadas, acmhainní daonna agus bainistiú agus pleanáil gnó.
The Board members were appointed by both Departments on the basis that the Board comprised a range of individuals with experience in the following areas: autism, special education, health care, finance, human resources, business management and planning. This was to ensure that the Board had the breadth of experience to meet the many challenges involved in establishing a new north/south educational organisation.
Middletown Centre of Excellence for Autism
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Education to detail, for each year since 2002, the amount of money spent on (i) capital costs; (ii) revenue funding; and (iii) other costs, in relation to the Middletown Autism Project; and to further detail the staff currently employed and their salaries.
(AQW 4618/08)
Ms C Ruane: Féach ar an tábla thíos ar a bhfuil an fhaisnéis atá ag teastáil chun codanna i, ii agus iii de do cheist a fhreagairt.
Please see the table below with the information required for parts i, ii and iii of your question.
For the final part of your question regarding salaries of staff employed at the Centre, I cannot divulge actual salaries as these are personal information covered under the Data Protection Act.
The salary bands for the current posts are:
Chief Executive Officer – SCP* 68-73 £54,534-£59,040 ;
Head of Research and Development - SCP 64-67 £51,189-£53,673;
Head of Learning Support and Assessment - SCP 64-67 £51,189-£53,673;
Head of Corporate Services - SCP 64-67 £51,189-£53,673;
Caretaker/Maintenance Officer – SCP 22-25 £18,450-£20,235 ;
and a Grounds Operative (part-time) – SCP 9-11 £13062--£14197.
The Centre also employs 2 temporary Administration Staff employed through a recruitment agency and a part-time Cleaner however as these posts do not have an applicable scale their wages cannot be divulged.
* SCP – Spinal Column Point
Table
Year |
Type |
Amount |
|---|---|---|
2002/03 |
Revenue |
£25,615.00 |
|
Capital |
£0.00 |
|
Other |
£29,454.19 |
|
Total |
£55,069.19 |
2003/04 |
Revenue |
£141,098.79 |
|
Capital |
£0.00 |
|
Other |
£40,477.59 |
|
Total |
£181,576.38 |
2004/05 |
Revenue |
£176,272.68 |
|
Capital - Purchase |
£1,500,000.00 |
|
Other |
£52,922.49 |
|
Total |
£1,729,195.17 |
2005/06 |
Revenue |
£56,303.86 |
|
Capital |
£0.00 |
|
Other |
£47,658.58 |
|
Total |
£103,962.44 |
2006/07 |
Revenue |
£84,277.19 |
|
Capital |
£0.00 |
|
Other |
£54,945.97 |
|
Total |
£139,223.16 |
2007/08 |
Revenue |
£355,452.78 |
To date |
Capital |
£74,831.25 |
|
Other |
£51,534.88 |
|
Total |
£481,818.91 |
Middletown Centre of Excellence for Autism
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to detail the consultations that were carried out by the Middletown Centre of Excellence for Autism, to assess the needs among the community in (i) Northern Ireland; and (ii) the Republic of Ireland.
(AQW 4713/08)
Ms C Ruane:
The Chief Executive of the Middletown Centre for Autism has provided me with the following information:
A consultation exercise was carried out in December 2007 and January 2008. The purpose of this consultation was both to inform and invite comments regarding how the proposed services could best be delivered by the Centre. The outturn of the consultation exercise will ultimately be the production of the corporate plan and annual business plans for the Centre and the development of service provision that meets the needs of stakeholders and the objectives Department of Education and The Department of Education and Science.
Rinneadh 15 léiriúchán san iomlán (5 cinn sa Tuaisceart - ceann i gach limistéar Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne - 8 i nDeisceart na hÉireann agus 2 cheann ag Coillidh Chanannáin), agus bhí 296 dhuine i láthair ag na léiriúcháin.
In total 15 presentations were made (5 in the North – one in each Education & Library Board area - 8 in the South of Ireland and 2 at Middletown), a total of 296 individuals attended the presentations.
Newspaper Expenditure
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Education to detail her department's expenditure on (i) newspapers; (ii) magazines; and (iii) periodicals, in each of the last 3 years.
(AQW 4795/08)
Ms C Ruane: Is mar seo a leanas atá an fhaisnéis a hiarradh:
The information requested is as follows:
Actual Spend (Financial Years)
April 2005- March 2006
Newspapers - £4,372.95
Periodicals - £408.15
April 2006 – March 2007
Newspapers - £3,882.29
Periodicals - £1,213.70
April 2007- March 2008
Newspapers - £3,325.68
Periodicals - £2,818.71
No expenditure on magazines.
Employment and Learning
Job Categories
Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline the forecasted numbers and job categories of skilled/ qualified professional and technical employees, including apprentices, that will be required in each of the next five years in order to successfully underpin the local economy.
(AQW 4637/08)
The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey):
The most recent forecasts of annual demand for each occupation in Northern Ireland to 2015 are set out in the table below.
The Executive has established a responsive system to ensure that the skill needs of the economy are met. My Department has established a Skills Expert Group to consider how best to respond to changing skills demands at the regional level. At a local level, six employer-led Workforce Development Forums (WDF) have been established. The WDFs ensure that local labour and skills needs are taken into account when planning for training provision. This framework is underpinned by the work of the 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). Each SSC is developing a sector Skills Agreement which provides an evidence base for training needs in its sector and outlines how these are to be met.
Table: Annual Average Replacement and Expansion Demand by Occupation, 2005-1015
|
Employed 2005 |
Expansion Demand |
Replacement Demand |
Total Requirement |
Corporate managers |
57,920 |
710 |
4,100 |
4,810 |
Managers & proprietors in agriculture & services |
20,830 |
280 |
1,920 |
2,200 |
Science & technology professionals |
17,480 |
160 |
1,220 |
1,380 |
Health professionals |
9,450 |
150 |
360 |
510 |
Teaching & research professionals |
37,790 |
290 |
2,070 |
2,360 |
Business & public service professionals |
26,470 |
810 |
1,650 |
2,450 |
Science & technology associate professionals |
9,410 |
90 |
830 |
920 |
Health & social welfare associate professionals |
31,990 |
70 |
1,660 |
1,730 |
Protective service occupations |
2,640 |
0 |
130 |
140 |
Culture, media & sports occupations |
9,050 |
100 |
700 |
800 |
Business & public service associate professionals |
28,840 |
290 |
2,760 |
3,040 |
Administrative occupations |
70,640 |
100 |
6,610 |
6,710 |
Secretarial & related occupations |
23,870 |
310 |
2,350 |
2,660 |
Skilled agricultural trades |
25,950 |
-410 |
1,480 |
1,070 |
Skilled metal & electrical trades |
31,630 |
-560 |
1,930 |
1,370 |
Skilled construction & building trades |
36,220 |
270 |
2,180 |
2,450 |
Textiles, printing & other skilled trades |
17,280 |
-50 |
1,660 |
1,600 |
Caring personal service occupations |
43,180 |
970 |
4,310 |
5,280 |
Leisure & other personal service occupations |
13,700 |
100 |
1,370 |
1,470 |
Sales & customer service occupations |
57,640 |
390 |
8,050 |
8,450 |
Customer service occupations |
2,580 |
50 |
390 |
440 |
Process, plant & machine operatives |
29,550 |
-400 |
3,020 |
2,620 |
Transport & mobile machine drivers & operatives |
29,620 |
20 |
2,330 |
2,350 |
Elementary trades, plant & storage related occupations |
22,970 |
-440 |
2,740 |
2,300 |
Elementary administration & service occupations |
56,050 |
700 |
7,720 |
8,420 |
Notes: Numbers may not add due to rounding
Source: Regional Forecasts (2006) Occupation Forecasts and Replacement Demand Analysis for Northern Ireland, 2005-2015. (Department for Employment and Learning)
Press Officers
Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of press officers that are employed by his department.
(AQW 4758/08)
Sir Reg Empey: The Department for Employment and Learning currently employs four Press Officers (Information Officers) who provide support to the Minister and officials on core press office activity and work directly with the media on a regular basis. A further three Information Officers are employed in a marketing and administrative role.
Young People in Fermanagh
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of people in Co Fermanagh, aged between 16 and 18 years, who are not in education, employment or training.
(AQW 4893/08)
Sir Reg Empey: Estimates of the number of people in Northern Ireland not in education, employment, or training are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Due to sample size constraints within LFS, it is not possible to produce estimates at the level requested. At a Northern Ireland level, the latest figures for October-December 2007 estimate that there were 9,000 persons aged 16-18 in Northern Ireland who were not in employment, participating in government training schemes or in full-time education. It is not possible to separately identify those in part-time education or non-government sponsored training.
Qualifications Regulator
Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline his plans for supporting the new policy of the qualifications regulator (QCA) of assisting employers to gain national recognition as awarding bodies; and to identify which of QCA's 4 models of employer engagement he favours to promote the skills agenda for the local economy.
(AQW 4902/08)
Sir Reg Empey: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority was commissioned by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills to investigate how to recognise demand-led training and qualifications from employers and providers, for inclusion on the Qualifications and Credit Framework. At present a pilot is being run in England only, to test the models which have been referred to in the question. The pilot will run until the end of March 2008, when a report will be produced for English Ministers with recommendations on how the national qualifications system can meet the training needs of employers.
My Department has been maintaining a watching brief on developments, in collaboration with the Council for Curriculum Examination and Assessment, which is fully involved in the pilot. When I receive the final report, I will then decide which model, or models, will be best suited to promote the Northern Ireland skills agenda and also meet the demands of the local economy.
Neighbourhood Renewal Areas
Mrs C McGill asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail, in addition to his department's mainstream responsibilities, the resources that have been allocated to (i) Neighbourhood Renewal Areas; and (ii) the Strabane Neighbourhood Renewal Area, in each of the last 2 years.
(AQW 4909/08)
Sir Reg Empey: (i) The Department for Employment and Learning has allocated the following resources to Neighbourhood Renewal areas in addition to its mainstream responsibilities.
Targeted Initiatives
Under Targeted Initiatives, resources allocated to West Belfast, Greater Shankill, Londonderry and Strabane (all Neighbourhood Renewal Areas) for each of the last 2 years are as follows:
2005/06 - £4,330,314
2006/07 - £2, 003,147
Labour Market Intermediaries
Resources allocated to North, South and East Belfast under Labour Market Intermediaries (LMIs) for the last 2 years are as follows:
2005/06 - £767,708
2006/07 - £702,320
Since April 2008, a new programme, the Local Employment Intermediary Service, has been available across Belfast and in Londonderry and Strabane.
TOTAL 2005/6 £5,098,022
2006/7 £2,705,467
(ii) The data above is not disaggregated to individual areas, hence information for Strabane Neighbourhood Renewal Area is not available
Learning Disabilities
Mr W Irwin asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, pursuant to his answer to AQW 4686/08, to detail the range