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 17 April 2009

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
Northern Ireland Assembly Commission

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Climate Change

Mr D McKay asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) what committments are in the Programme for Government relating to Climate Change, and (ii) what responsibilities Ministers have in supporting and promoting this section of the Programme for Government.

(AQW 5954/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness):

It is clear that climate change is one of the most serious problems facing the world. While we recognise that it requires action internationally we are determined to play our part in addressing this challenge. That is why sustainability is one of two cross cutting themes underpinning the Programme for Government.

Protecting and enhancing our environment is one of the five strategic priorities within the Executive Programme for Government. That priority sets out the collective targets for the Executive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2025 and ensure 12% of our electricity is generated from indigenous renewable sources by 2012. In addition, PSA 22 sets out targets for departments in this regard. All departments and Minsters are committed to the delivery of these ambitious targets as we move forward. In line with OFMDFM’s lead role in sustainable development policy we will continue to work with departments to realise our sustainability objectives through our Sustainable Development Strategy and the associated Implementation Plan.

Definition of ‘Victim’

Mr T Elliott asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what the terms of reference are for the review of the definition of 'a victim' announced by the Junior Minister on 26 February 2009.

(AQW 6116/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

Speaking on behalf of the Office, the deputy First Minister outlined our proposals to the Assembly on 31 March 2009, when he said, "We recognise the difficult issues that surround the definition of ‘victim.’ Victims and survivors should consider that issue. We will, therefore, request that the proposed victims’ forum makes it a priority to examine the definition of ‘victim’ and brings forward its proposals." The Victims’ Commissioners have already commenced preparatory work to establish the forum.

Infrastructure Projects

Mr J Craig asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline (i) all infrastructure projects; and (ii) the monetary value of each investment, via the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, planned for the Lagan Valley constituency up to 2011.

(AQW 6187/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister: The information you requested is listed in the table below. Projects of £0.5m or more have been listed separately. In some cases it has been necessary to include the full value of projects covering an area greater than Lagan Valley and where costs cannot be disaggregated by constituency.

Information has been provided up to the end of 2010-11 which is the term of the present Budget. The period beyond 2010-11 in the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland is indicative and details of potential expenditure at constituency level are not available.

ISNI Projects of £500,000 & over in Lagan Valley Constituency Up to the end of 2011

Department	Project Title	Value	Comments
Department of Education	Ballymacrickett P.S. Glenavy	£3.7m	New school on existing site – completed November 2008.
Department of Education	Brookefield Special School, Moira	£4.5m	New school on existing site – completed December 2008.
Department of Education	Pond Park P.S. Lisburn	£4.3m	New school on existing site – under construction, due to complete 2009/10.
Department of Education	Ballinderry P.S.	£2.8m	New school on existing site - under construction, due to complete 2009/10.
Department of Education	St Colman’s P.S. Lambeg	£3.7m	New school on extended site – planning ongoing, estimated construction will start 2009/10.
Department of Education	Dromore Central P.S.	£9.3m	New school on existing site – planning ongoing, estimated construction will start 2009/10.
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment	Telecoms infrastructure projects – Northern Ireland Wide	£12.9m	£6.5m investment in 2009/10 & £6.4m investment in 2010/11. Although these projects are province wide they will include the Lagan Valley constituency
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment	Provision of serviced sites for client companies in the Lisburn area.	£4.4m	Planned investment in 2010/11.
Department for Regional Development	Road Projects A1 Junction Improvement Schemes	£15m	Estimated costs of programmed scheme.
Department for Regional Development	Rail Projects Track Relay – Knockmore to Lurgan	£55m	Subject to agreement of capital plans with Translink. Still at planning stage – project completion due 2014. Economic Appraisal under way.
Department	Project Title	Value	Comments
Department for Regional Development	Purchase 20 new trains to improve services to Lisburn & surrounding areas	£100m	Approximate cost.
Department for Regional Development	Extended platforms on the railways networks	£0.6m	Part of the scheme to purchase 20 new trains.
Department for Regional Development	Upgrade 2 pedestrian crossings at railway crossings in Dunmurry	£2.5m	Scheduled for completion February 2010.
Department for Regional Development	Additional Park & Ride facilities at Lisburn Station	£3m	These projects are still to be confirmed in ongoing discussions around capital planning for the next two years.
Department for Regional Development	Additional Park & Ride facilities at Moira Station	£1m
Department for Regional Development	Bus Projects Improve bus services to Dromore	£0.9m	Budget cost. Project completion due for July 2011 subject to budgets.
Department for Regional Development	Water Projects Castor Bay/Moira Zonal Watermain Improvements	£3.4m	Northern Ireland Water does not hold details of capital projects broken down by parliamentary constituency. However, projects listed in this group are within the Lisburn Borough Council Area, which covers most of the Lagan Valley constituency.
Department for Regional Development	Lisburn North Rural Zone Watermain Improvements	£0.7m
Department for Regional Development	Nutrient Removal at New Holland and Dunmurry Wastewater Treatment Works	£0.7m
Department for Regional Development	Lower Ballinderry Wastewater Treatment Works	£0.9m
Department for Regional Development	Ravarnet Wastewater Treatment Works	£1.4m
Department for Regional Development	Annahilt Wastewater Treatment Works	£4.8m
Department for Regional Development	Lisburn Town Zone Watermain Improvements	£2.3m
Department	Project Title	Value	Comments
Department for Regional Development	Dromara Wastewater Treatment Works	£3.1m
Department for Regional Development	Edenderry Wastewater Treatment Works	£0.5m
Department for Regional Development	Poundburn Wastewater Treatment Works	£0.7m
Department for Regional Development	Dunmurry Drainage Area Plan (Phase 1)	£0.8m
Department for Regional Development	Hugenot Drive Lisburn Sewage Pumping Station	£2.0m
Department for Regional Development	Dunmurry Wastewater Treatment Works	£8.8m
Office of the First Minister & deputy First Minister	Maze/Long Kesh	£3m	Remediation work planned for 2009-10
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development	Laurelvale-Laurevale Stream ll	£0.5m	Estimated cost, at feasibility study stage. (Upgrading infrastructure for new developments & past major floods).
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety	Lisburn Assessment and Resource Centre	Over £3m	Scheduled for completion 2009/10.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety	Replacement Theatres at Lagan Valley Hospital	£3.8m	Design stage. Scheduled to complete in 2010/11.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety	Lagan Valley Hospital and Health & Care Centre	Not Available	Planning Stage. Cost not available until business cases have been approved.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety	Dunmurry Health & Care Centre	Not Available
Department for Education and Learning	South Eastern Regional College – Lisburn Campus	£20m	Estimated Cost. Under construction and due to complete in 2010.
Department	Project Title	Value	Comments
Department for Social Development	Housing projects Seymour Street Lisburn, 48 Elderly units	£8.5m	The new 5 year Social Housing Development Programme (2009/10 – 2013/14) is currently being formulated & will be published on the Housing Executive’s website in due course. The Housing Executive is unable to confirm the contents of its proposed programme of improvement schemes, which is currently being formulated.
Department for Social Development	Trinity place Lisburn, 15 General Needs units	£2.2m
Department for Social Development	Pond Park Road Lisburn, 112 General Needs units	£8.4m
Department for Social Development	Urban Group projects Colin Gateway (IDF scheme)	£3.5m	Belfast Regeneration Office project.

ISNI Projects under £500,000 in Lagan Valley Constituency Up to the end of 2011

Department	Projects	Group Value	Comments
Department for Regional Development	Road Projects	Not Available	Roads Service does not hold details of capital infrastructure projects on a parliamentary constituency basis. However, information on other capital expenditure projects with a value of less than £500,000 for the next two years, is included in the Autumn 2008 council reports for Lisburn, Down, Craigavon and Banbridge which can be accessed at http://www.roadsni.gov.uk/index/publications/publications-council_reports.htm
Department for Regional Development	Water Projects Water & Wastewater infrastructure improvement projects	£2.5	Current estimated costs.
Department of Culture Arts & Leisure	Dromara GFC & Lisburn Racquets Club	£0.37m	Building Sport & Places for Sport Initiatives.
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment	Road extension to Knockmore Hill Industrial Park	£0.17m	Investment in 2008/09.
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development	Lisburn-Brokerstown Road & Flush Bridge Streams and Lurgan-Tirsogue Drain	£0.45m	Estimated cost, at Feasibility Study stage. (Upgrading infrastructure for new developments & past major floods).
Department for Social Development	Urban Group projects 2 Voluntary & Community projects and 3 Belfast Regeneration Projects	£0.94m	Regeneration Improvements. Voluntary & Community projects funded under the Modernisation Fund Capital Programme.

Advertising Expenditure

Mr S Gardiner asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 5476/09, how much has been spent on advertisements by each Department, placed in regional and local newspapers, broken down by each newspaper, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6363/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

Table A provides the classified advertising expenditure, broken down by Irish News, News Letter, Belfast Telegraph and weekly newspapers, for departments for financial years 05/06, 06/07, 07/08. Information is not readily available for each weekly newspaper. The information is as provided by each department in an annual return.

Table A

Classified Expenditure 2005/06
Department	Irish News	News Letter	Belfast Telegraph	Weekly Press
DARD Core Department	£ 8,650.56	£ 8,101.41	£ 16,788.37	£ 34,696.55
DARD Agencies	£ 6,705.21	£ 6,364.33	£ 12,053.18	£ 29,311.07
DARD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 3,501.43	£ 1,099.95	£ 17,945.38	£ 604.84
DARD Total	£ 18,857.20	£ 15,565.69	£ 46,786.93	£ 64,612.46
DCAL Core Department	£ 3,446.73	£ 3,343.49	£ 6,769.64	£ 19,880.70
DCAL Agencies	£ -	£ 360.57	£ 581.91	£ -
DCAL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 10,691.20	£ 11,082.04	£ 51,357.06	£ 3,656.86
DCAL Total	£ 14,137.93	£ 14,786.10	£ 58,708.61	£ 23,537.56
DE Core Department	£ 3,957.61	£ 4,368.32	£ 7,995.42	£ -
DE Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Education and Library Boards)	£ 51,356.82	£ 46,125.39	£ 482,670.31	£ 245,092.07
DE Total	£ 55,314.43	£ 50,493.71	£ 490,665.73	£ 245,092.07
DEL Core Department	£ 12,390.32	£ 13,548.89	£ 21,644.90	£ 15,447.92
DEL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 2,359.01	£ 3,106.12	£ 20,485.14	£ -
DEL Total	£ 14,749.33	£ 16,655.01	£ 42,130.04	£ 15,447.92
DETI Core Department	£ 10,668.09	£ 11,562.74	£ 16,694.89	£ 31,591.04
DETI Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 25,701.30	£ 54,214.14	£ 103,454.33	£ 42,640.10
DETI Total	£ 36,369.39	£ 65,776.88	£ 120,149.22	£ 74,231.14
DOE Core Department	£ 11,304.59	£ 14,381.70	£ 20,464.39	£ 7,407.77
DOE Agencies	£ 154,577.55	£ 160,089.34	£ 280,187.45	£ 785,881.23
DOE Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 2,442.45	£ 1,196.20	£ 6,618.11	£ -
DOE Total	£ 168,324.59	£ 175,667.24	£ 307,269.95	£ 793,289.00
DFP Core Department	£ 43,156.04	£ 51,925.99	£ 96,796.14	£ 8,399.70
DFP Agencies	£ 5,060.89	£ 6,917.90	£ 12,564.72	£ 6,336.10
DFP Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 8,167.10	£ 7,862.80	£ 21,326.33	£ -
DFP Total	£ 56,384.03	£ 66,706.69	£ 130,687.19	£ 14,735.80
DHSSPS Core Department	£ 39,168.45	£ 28,629.63	£ 49,595.32	£ -
DHSSPS Agencies	£ 1,216.04	£ 1,073.11	£ 166,206.19	£ 13,316.71
DHSSPS Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Boards and Trusts)	£ 26,090.67	£ 53,257.01	£ 1,474,958.85	£ 633,572.40
DHSSPS Total	£ 66,475.16	£ 82,959.75	£ 1,690,760.36	£ 646,889.11
DRD Core Department	£ 7,318.78	£ 8,534.84	£ 15,774.74	£ 12,346.87
DRD Agencies	£ 89,153.88	£ 102,541.90	£ 158,877.19	£ 127,891.16
DRD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 6,396.31	£ 6,804.58	£ 168,432.15	£ 3,597.13
DRD Total	£ 102,868.97	£ 117,881.32	£ 343,084.08	£ 143,835.16
DSD Core Department	£ 25,777.00	£ 27,213.00	£ 43,619.00	£ 2,745.00
DSD Agencies	£ 3,634.93	£ 4,856.52	£ 7,978.68	£ 1,002.00
DSD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 33,420.89	£ 42,293.55	£ 87,136.58	£ 74,654.72
DSD Total	£ 62,832.82	£ 74,363.07	£ 138,734.26	£ 78,401.72
2005/06 Total	£ 596,313.85	£ 680,855.46	£ 3,368,976.37	£ 2,100,071.94

Classified Expenditure 2006/07
Department	Irish News	News Letter	Belfast Telegraph	Weekly Press
DARD Core Department	£ 15,066.79	£ 15,574.88	£ 37,602.67	£ 45,086.21
DARD Agencies	£ 3,544.60	£ 3,274.23	£ 10,487.83	£ 17,990.57
DARD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 2,821.00	£ -	£ 5,368.00	£ 587.00
DARD Total	£ 21,432.39	£ 18,849.11	£ 53,458.50	£ 63,663.78
DCAL Core Department	£ 2,876.65	£ 1,739.79	£ 2,367.42	£ 1,445.72
DCAL Agencies	£ 1,179.54	£ 1,356.03	£ 1,865.16	£ -
DCAL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 6,485.26	£ 7,852.70	£ 37,628.76	£ 1,652.32
DCAL Total	£ 10,541.45	£ 10,948.52	£ 41,861.34	£ 3,098.04
DE Core Department	£ 4,507.22	£ 7,068.34	£ 9,250.03	£ 3,427.30
DE Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Education and Library Boards)	£ 27,779.72	£ 33,964.17	£ 490,314.72	£ 215,195.16
DE Total	£ 32,286.94	£ 41,032.51	£ 499,564.75	£ 218,622.46
DEL Core Department	£ 17,118.23	£ 19,494.74	£ 31,068.69	£ 41,197.49
DEL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 1,967.54	£ 2,868.37	£ 17,212.06	£ 1,807.28
DEL Total	£ 19,085.77	£ 22,363.11	£ 48,280.75	£ 43,004.77
DETI Core Department	£ 1,805.27	£ 2,459.48	£ 2,028.00	£ -
DETI Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 53,019.36	£ 73,834.49	£ 125,662.51	£ -
DETI Total	£ 54,824.63	£ 76,293.97	£ 127,690.51	£ -
DOE Core Department	£ 16,038.02	£ 18,407.10	£ 27,732.41	£ 6,376.03
DOE Agencies	£ 126,127.13	£ 114,501.78	£ 233,989.44	£ 833,754.23
DOE Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 4,455.73	£ 1,455.21	£ 9,461.00	£ -
DOE Total	£ 146,620.88	£ 134,364.09	£ 271,182.85	£ 840,130.26
DFP Core Department	£ 34,017.19	£ 32,034.84	£ 57,997.97	£ 2,459.03
DFP Agencies	£ 3,141.86	£ 4,204.64	£ 5,371.62	£ 3,275.52
DFP Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 16,360.82	£ 19,584.20	£ 36,003.19	£ 89,735.60
DFP Total	£ 53,519.87	£ 55,823.68	£ 99,372.78	£ 95,470.15
DHSSPS Core Department	£ 38,579.02	£ 18,211.52	£ 30,410.95	£ 20,730.37
DHSSPS Agencies	£ 402.18	£ 246.79	£ 123,080.68	£ 1,097.70
DHSSPS Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Boards and Trusts)	£ 73,188.77	£ 60,325.03	£ 1,273,026.96	£ 520,983.98
DHSSPS Total	£ 112,169.97	£ 78,783.34	£ 1,426,518.59	£ 542,812.05
DRD Core Department	£ 12,021.05	£ 12,347.28	£ 21,690.51	£ 8,895.07
DRD Agencies	£ 60,385.01	£ 57,619.58	£ 96,526.29	£ 106,076.59
DRD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 43,485.76	£ 60,052.14	£ 130,465.37	£ 75,089.39
DRD Total	£ 115,891.82	£ 130,019.00	£ 248,682.17	£ 190,061.05
DSD Core Department	£ 45,975.88	£ 50,760.61	£ 77,367.84	£ 8,860.00
DSD Agencies	£ 2,358.49	£ 3,480.59	£ 3,500.31	£ 273.00
DSD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 32,694.67	£ 40,716.15	£ 79,647.69	£ 65,467.45
DSD Total	£ 81,029.04	£ 94,957.35	£ 160,515.84	£ 74,600.45
2006/07 Total	£ 647,402.76	£ 663,434.68	£ 2,977,128.08	£ 2,071,463.01

Classified Expenditure 2007/08
Department	Irish News	News Letter	Belfast Telegraph	Weekly Press
DARD Core Department	£ 13,909.12	£ 14,191.42	£ 27,738.13	£ 27,083.15
DARD Agencies	£ 999.51	£ 1,050.09	£ 1,074.61	£ 4,910.88
DARD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 6,196.60	£ 10,995.95	£ 25,434.05	£ 30,209.83
DARD Total	£ 21,105.23	£ 26,237.46	£ 54,246.79	£ 62,203.86
DCAL Core Department	£ 9,476.30	£ 8,389.23	£ 16,574.42	£ 9,437.04
DCAL Agencies	£ 382.92	£ 599.72	£ 859.46	£ -
DCAL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 28,792.39	£ 6,486.51	£ 122,392.73	£ 10,370.09
DCAL Total	£ 38,651.61	£ 15,475.46	£ 139,826.61	£ 19,807.13
DE Core Department	£ 782.00	£ 784.20	£ 1,029.71	£ -
DE Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Education and Library Boards)	£ 34,149.57	£ 35,206.57	£ 627,488.82	£ 56,438.00
DE Total	£ 34,931.57	£ 35,990.77	£ 628,518.53	£ 56,438.00
DEL Core Department	£ 8,585.19	£ 9,294.74	£ 17,480.64	£ 6,437.82
DEL Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ -	£ -	£ -	£ -
DEL Total	£ 8,585.19	£ 9,294.74	£ 17,480.64	£ 6,437.82
DETI Core Department	£ 4,182.42	£ 4,634.01	£ 8,481.08	£ 27,525.42
DETI Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 27,712.45	£ 38,084.88	£ 65,101.40	£ 5,534.08
DETI Total	£ 31,894.87	£ 42,718.89	£ 73,582.48	£ 33,059.50
DOE Core Department	£ 8,821.32	£ 8,818.08	£ 15,477.39	£ 5,483.61
DOE Agencies	£ 171,726.00	£ 170,886.52	£ 276,512.51	£ 906,417.76
DOE Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 8,626.75	£ 609.12	£ 18,622.40	£ -
DOE Total	£ 189,174.07	£ 180,313.72	£ 310,612.30	£ 911,901.37
DFP Core Department	£ 32,654.78	£ 41,815.86	£ 65,244.46	£ 8,740.59
DFP Agencies	£ 1,494.50	£ 2,244.10	£ 5,045.15	£ 4,875.63
DFP Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 13,852.97	£ 18,245.75	£ 30,368.54	£ 8,588.98
DFP Total	£ 48,002.25	£ 62,305.71	£ 100,658.15	£ 22,205.20
DHSSPS Core Department	£ 14,023.65	£ 9,253.76	£ 15,641.53	£ -
DHSSPS Agencies	£ 202.72	£ 258.22	£ 140,768.25	£ -
DHSSPS Non Departmental Public Bodies (Includes Boards and Trusts)	£ 89,438.14	£ 38,924.72	£ 1,048,284.76	£ 390,999.61
DHSSPS Total	£ 103,664.51	£ 48,436.70	£ 1,204,694.54	£ 390,999.61
DRD Core Department	£ 5,423.31	£ 7,371.32	£ 8,474.16	£ 2,178.23
DRD Agencies	£ 66,350.24	£ 70,407.42	£ 104,298.16	£ 118,422.17
DRD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 5,456.60	£ 1,836.92	£ 143,358.49	£ -
DRD Total	£ 77,230.15	£ 79,615.66	£ 256,130.81	£ 120,600.40
DSD Core Department	£ 22,321.68	£ 21,542.22	£ 33,519.99	£ 662.21
DSD Agencies	£ 15,546.15	£ 16,905.33	£ 28,404.21	£ 51,346.35
DSD Non Departmental Public Bodies	£ 30,147.72	£ 38,221.71	£ 82,759.11	£ 82,567.51
DSD Total	£ 68,015.55	£ 76,669.26	£ 144,683.31	£ 134,576.07
2007/08 Total	£ 621,255.00	£ 577,058.37	£ 2,930,434.16	£ 1,758,228.96

Expenditure on campaign advertising in newspapers is not recorded in the format requested and is not readily available by individual newspaper.

Definition of ‘Victim’

Mr T Elliott asked he Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what proposals are in place to change the definition of a 'victim' within legislation.

(AQW 6370/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

Speaking on behalf of the Office, the deputy First Minister outlined our proposals to the Assembly on 31 March 2009, when he said, "We recognise the difficult issues that surround the definition of ‘victim. Victims and survivors should consider that issue. We will, therefore, request that the proposed victims’ forum makes it a priority to examine the definition of ‘victim’ and brings forward its proposals." The Victims’ Commissioners have already commenced preparatory work to establish the forum.

US Investments

Mr T Elliott asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if the recently announced US investments have any conditions attached, such as the 'McBride Principles'.

(AQW 6446/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

This is a private equity fund which has been designed by the Office of the Comptroller of New York State. The Executive has had no involvement in the design of the Fund. All monies allocated by the Comptroller are from the pension funds of New York State employees. It is entirely a matter for the Comptroller of New York State what conditions are placed on those who wish to avail of the funds.

Recent Visit to United States

Mr J Shannon asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what financial commitment it received from its visit to the United States over St Patrick's Day this year.

(AQW 6488/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The key purpose of our visit to the United States around St Patrick’s Day was to promote new inward investment and to strengthen relationships with some of our most important existing investors. In New York, the deputy First Minister joined the Comptroller of New York State at the announcement of a $30 million pension fund investment for Northern Ireland. The Fund will make private equity investments.

In Los Angeles we met with four prospective investors and we are hopeful that at least two of these companies will be in a position to announce major investments in the very near future. Our direct engagement with senior decision makers in all the companies we visited helped strengthen the investment opportunities that we can offer to American companies.

The Irish Technology and Leadership Group, a group of businesses and investors based in Silicon Valley, have committed to host a conference to examine business opportunities here later this year. This is a significant boost and we are delighted that the Group has chosen Belfast as the location for its 2009 conference.

In Chicago the First Minister met with senior executives at Allstate, one of our key investors; he also met with another prospective investor from the IT sector.

Capital Investment

Mr D McNarry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister how many jobs have been created through investment by Government Departments since devolution.

(AQW 6496/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

Capital Investment from departments accounted for some 31% of the total output of the Construction Industry in 2007-08. On this basis it is estimated that in the 2007-08 financial year some 24,000 construction sector jobs were supported through capital investment by government departments. Statistics for the construction industry indicate that in the 2008-09 financial year Government capital investment has maintained a similar level of employment within the construction sector.

North West Gateway Initiative

Mr P Ramsey asked he Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the future programmes, and their planned deliverables in the North West Gateway Initiative.

(AQW 6537/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister: The North West Gateway Initiative was established to provide a focus for sustained co-operative action between the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government which, over a period of time, would make a real difference to the region. The Initiative has no direct associated funding but is aimed at deriving greater synergy through the effective practical co-operation and co-ordination of existing public expenditure. The region was defined as the Councils of Derry, Limavady and Strabane and Donegal County Council.

The Initiative has played an important role in providing a focus on the region and in encouraging practical co-operation between existing Departments and agencies on a North South basis in developing a range of projects.

Specifically, it has facilitated the development of a range of actions including a cross-border tourism framework, the North West Workforce Development Forum, cross border health initiatives, a major investment in cross border roads infrastructure projects and the establishment of a communications link between the North West Institute of Technology and the Letterkenny Institute of Technology, amongst others.

Whilst OFMDFM has an oversight role, the activities/projects are taken forward by individual Departments. The future work programmes, targets and anticipated outcomes for those projects are determined by each Department. You will appreciate that work is ongoing on a large range of issues and projects. If there is a particular project which you are interested in you may wish to seek information on progress from the appropriate NI Department.

Funding for Victims and Survivors

Mr J Shannon asked he Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) what increases have been made in funding for Victims and Survivors since devolution; (ii) if any group or individual has had funding reduced; and (iii) to confirm whether funding is due to be increased next year.

(AQW 6579/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

In January 2008 we announced a total of £36 million over 3 years for victims and survivors, a very significant increase over previous years.

This year, increased levels of funding were available to victims and survivors groups through the core funding and development grant schemes, £2.3 million and £1.5 million respectively, and these levels are set to increase further in the coming financial year. An additional £1 million was also made available to groups to ensure a smooth transition between the Peace II and Peace III support packages. Individual victims benefited from over £2 million of funding delivered through the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund this year.

We intend to make £12·5 million available for work with victims and survivors during the next financial year. That represents an increase of 50% on this year’s allocation.

North West Gateway Initiative

Mr P Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) for an update on the plans emerging from the North West Gateway Initiative; and (ii) to outline future investment programmes under this initiative.

(AQW 6630/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

We refer the Member to the answer provided in response to AQW 6537/09 relating to the future programmes and planned deliverables in the North West Gateway Initiative.

Details of all future investment programmes under the Initiative are not maintained centrally.

Barrosso Task Force Report

Mrs D Kelly asked he Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister when it will publish the action plan in response to the Barrosso Task Force Report.

(AQW 6665/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The Executive Committee agreed its response to the European Commission’s Task Force Report on Northern Ireland on 26 March. We presented President José Manuel Barroso with a copy of the Executive’s ’Priorities for European Engagement’, which included its 2008/09 Action Plan, on 31 March in Brussels. This document was made available immediately thereafter and we plan to make a statement to this House after the Easter recess.

Bank Representatives

Mr D Simpson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister when it plans to next meet with bank representatives to discuss approaches to tackling the current economic situation.

(AQW 6763/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

We are continuing our dialogue with the banks. We met with the Ulster Bank on 3 February 2009, the Northern Bank on 26 February 2009, the Bank of Ireland on 3 March 2009 and the First Trust/AIB on 6 April 2009.

The four local banks have also agreed to participate in the Cross Sector Advisory Forum, the first meeting of which took place on 6 April 2009.

Construction Industry

Mr R Newton asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister how she plans to respond to complaints that the difficulties in the construction industry are being used as an excuse by banks to refuse credit to small and medium sized enterprises, including those with marginal links to the construction industry.

(AQW 6800/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

We remain concerned about reports that credit may still not be getting to local businesses. While we understand that there may be individual cases where loans cannot be made, we are anxious that this does not turn into a trend for refusals. Credit needs to reach our business on reasonable terms if we are to get out of the economic downturn and this will not happen unless the local banks are lending properly. We have now met with all the four major banks (Ulster Bank on 3 February 2009, the Northern Bank on 26 February, the Bank of Ireland on 3 March 2009 and First Trust/AIB on 6 April 2009). The four local banks have also agreed to participate in the Cross Sector Advisory Forum. Notwithstanding the positive messages that banks have been giving us on the funds available to lend, we will continue to monitor the situation and may return to these meetings, if we receive continuing reports of retrenchment.

Corporate Responsibility Issues

Dr S Farry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline what discussions have taken place with (a) colleagues in other jurisdictions; (b) the local business community; and (c) local trade unions regarding corporate responsibility issues.

(AQW 6830/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

We met with representatives of Business in the Community on 2 February 2009 to discuss their work. We are supportive of the efforts of this group to promote corporate social responsibility and we have offered to lend whatever support we can to their activities.

Departmental/Agency Charge Increases

Mr P McGlone asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in light of the economic downturn and its implications for business and domestic consumers alike, what measures the Executive plans to take to mitigate the effects of proposed Departmental/Agency charge increases.

(AQW 6875/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

As a Department the only charges that OFMDFM or any of its public bodies levies on business and domestic customers are those payable in respect of public tours, events and filming at Crumlin Road Gaol and to the Planning Appeals Commission in respect of appeal fees and deemed application fees. We understand that there are no plans to change the current level of charges.

In relation to the Executive we announced in the Assembly on 15 December a range of measures which should sustain our economy over the coming months and years while confidence returns to the global credit market and economic prospects improve. These measures include a domestic rates freeze, a deferment on separate payments for water, reduced prescription charges now (and free from April 2010), and extension of the free bus scheme for the elderly.

Northern Ireland Children's Commissioner

Mr P Weir asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what is the total legal budget for the Northern Ireland Children's Commissioner for 2009/10; and how this compares to the budget for each of the last three years.

(AQW 6928/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The amount budgeted for legal fees for 2009/2010 is £50,000.

The amounts spent by the Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland in legal fees in each of the last three years were:

2006/2007 - £39,336.68
2007/2008 - £52,914.55
2008/2009 - £105,811.54

The amount initially budgeted for legal fees and the amount actually spent can vary. When preparing her annual business plan, the Commissioner decides how she is going to allocate her overall funds. At this time the amount allocated for legal expenses is a provisional figure as the actual expenditure depends on what cases arise during the year which meet the Commissioner’s criteria for support.

Media Coverage

Mr D Kennedy asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail when it has complained to the media about coverage of the Department or the Executive, including (i) to whom it complained; and (ii) on what grounds it complained.

(AQW 6939/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The Executive Information Service (EIS) on behalf of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is in daily contact with a wide range of media outlets to discuss media coverage of the Department and the Executive.

EIS regularly exercises its right to complain about media coverage that it feels is either inaccurate, misrepresentative or which it feels is unduly negative or unfair.

Ombudsman's Office

Mr D Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what plans it has to revise the role and functions of the Ombudsman's Office, in the light of the Review of Public Administration.

(AQW 6988/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The OFMDFM published report – A Review of the Offices of the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints, remains under consideration.

Planning Appeals Commission

Mr R Newton asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what percentage of written representations of planning appeals received by the Planning Appeals Commission related to proposals for single dwellings.

(AQW 6995/09)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

The Planning Appeals Commission is an independent tribunal Non-Departmental Public Body. Given its independent tribunal status, its Chief Commissioner has been asked to provide a response directly to you, and we understand that she has written to you in the following terms:

"I have been asked to provide you with information requested in the above Assembly Question.

The Planning Appeals Commission issued around 1405 decisions in 2008/09; of these decisions approximately 1002 were processed by means of written representation. It is not possible to state what percentage of these related to single dwellings, however, the Commission did receive approximately 493 planning appeals in 2008/09 and roughly 20% of these referred to single dwellings.

I would be happy to provide any further information you require arising out of this response or to meet with you to discuss the matter if that would be more suitable."

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Agricultural Waste Strategy

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in relation to the Agricultural Waste Strategy, what is (i) the status of the strategy; (ii) the timeframe for consultation on the strategy; and (iii) the timescale for its formal publication.

(AQW 6492/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): The Waste Management Strategy for the north of Ireland "Towards Resource Management 2006-2020" includes measures for Agricultural Waste. Following public consultation, the strategy was published in March 2006 by the Department of the Environment which takes the lead on Waste Management issues. No separate Agricultural Waste Strategy has been developed.

Measures controlling organic manure and slurry promote its nutrient value and recycling as a valuable fertiliser. The Nitrates Action Programme Regulations ensure that most manure and slurry is managed on farms to utilise this nutrient resource without polluting the environment.

The Department of Environment’s Waste Management Regulations NI 2006 extend waste management controls to agriculture in accordance with the European Waste Framework and Landfill Directives. The NI Environment Agency is responsible for implementing these Regulations. Advice on managing agricultural waste in compliance with these regulations is provided in my Department’s Code of Good Agricultural Practice. This includes information on types of agricultural waste, disposal and recycling options and Duty of Care obligations

In line with the Waste Management Strategy for the north my Department’s Renewable Energy Action Plan recognises the opportunities presented by generating energy from waste.

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if all of the £15.25m secured to fund the Farm Modernisation Scheme will be spent on the current applications, including administrative costs.

(AQW 6550/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: No not all of the £15.25m of the budget will be spent on this first tranche, this will amount to approximately £6m. The £15.25m covers all three tranches including METS and administrative costs.

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Mr B Armstrong asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what consideration her Department has given to opening further tranches of the Farm Modernisation Scheme in 2009 after it closes for applications on 31 March 2009.

(AQW 6551/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I have commissioned a review for the way forward for the next two tranches of the Farm Modernisation Programme in light of concerns over the launch of tranche one . There will be no further tranches launched in 2009 until this review is completed.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mr T Elliott asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what percentage of overall Bovine Tuberculosis on farm tests were carried out by her Department's in-house veterinary staff.

(AQW 6555/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development:

In 2008 80% of all TB testing was carried out by Private Veterinary Practitioners (PVPs) and 20% by my Department's in-house staff.

Crossnacreevy Site

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if her Department has any responsibility for releasing or raising any finances needed because of the miscalculation of the value of the Crossnacreevy Site

(AQW 6557/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department has responsibility for discharging the DARD Budget which contains a capital receipts target for the sale of Crossnacreevy in 2010/11. That target will not be met and officials are in ongoing discussions with DFP about the budgetary implications.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mr T Elliott asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what input her Department had in the Northern Ireland Audit Office report "The control of Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland."

(AQW 6558/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The NIAO consulted with my Department throughout its investigations. Following the completion of the NIAO’s main fieldwork in 2006, the NIAO had a series of consultations with my Department on its findings. My Department had the opportunity to review the draft report before it was finalised.

At the conclusion of this process, there remained a number of matters in the report with which my Department said it did not agree or believed needed clarification.

For completeness, the NIAO has included these points in Appendix 10 of its report.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mr T Elliott asked e Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action she is considering in response to the Northern Ireland Audit Office report, "The Control of Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland."

(AQW 6559/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I welcome the NIAO Report and its recommendations regarding the control of bovine TB. The Public Accounts Committee hearing to consider the NIAO report took place on Thursday 26 March. The next stage in the process is for the PAC to publish its Report. I look forward to seeing the PAC comments when they publish their Report in due course. My Department will then consider the PAC Report and a formal Memorandum of Reply will be laid before the Assembly within two months of receipt of the Report, giving our commitment to the recommendations that have been made.

My Department is continuing to work in partnership with our key stakeholders to develop the agreed joint industry/Government approach to TB that I announced in December. My Department will take full account of the recommendations of the Report as we develop the detail of the strategy.

Dairy Industry

Mr E Poots asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she is taking to assist the dairy industry.

(AQW 6580/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The dairy industry makes a vital contribution to the agri-food sector in the north of Ireland and my aim is to ensure that it remains competitive and continues to bring benefit to the local economy, particularly in rural areas. Therefore, when milk prices fell sharply last October my executive colleagues and I worked hard to secure the re-introduction of export refunds for dairy products. This included lobbying the Defra Minister to support the re-introduction and at my behest the First and deputy First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister. I and industry representatives welcomed the re-introduction by the European Commission on 22 January.

There is also a need to plan for the future so the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and I agreed to provide support to Dairy UK (NI) to undertake a competitiveness study into the dairy sector. The aim of this study is to ensure that the North has a sustainable dairy sector with a structure to enable it to compete globally.

Financial assistance is also being provided under the Regional Food Programme. Over the last two years the Dairy Council has received funding offers of £228,870 for promotional and market research activities. Assistance is also available to the dairy sector under Axis 1 of the Rural Development Programme, which has a budget of £45m. The dairy sector also benefits indirectly from aid which continues to be provided under the EU School Milk Scheme to encourage the consumption of milk by school children.

In addition my Department carries out a wide range of activities aimed at assisting the dairy sector. These include the provision of technical support to producers and processors; the provision of knowledge and technology transfer programmes and benchmarking services which enable farmers to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their farm business. The industry also receives significant assistance from Government through AFBI and CAFRE, including dedicated dairy technologists.

My Department and I will continue to work for outcomes on issues which are in the best long term interests of the local dairy industry.

Dairy Industry

Mr E Poots asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the strategy documents her Department has produced for the dairy sector, in the last five years.

(AQW 6584/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development was recently informed of my agreement, and that of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Development, to provide support to Dairy UK (NI) to undertake a competitiveness study into the dairy sector. The overall objective of this study is to ensure that the north of Ireland has a sustainable dairy sector with a structure to enable it to compete globally. In view of the important contribution which the dairy sector makes to the local economy and the challenges which it is currently facing this is an important piece of strategic work.

Other strategy documents with a bearing on the dairy sector include the 'Fit For Market' report published in November 2004. The dairy industry was actively involved in implementation of the recommendations in this report and received significant financial support for various projects.

In addition the Red Meat Strategy was published in October 2007. One of the key findings of this study was in relation to dairy-origin beef models. A working group is currently taking forward this recommendation which has potential to benefit farmers by providing for an economically viable outlet for bull calves from dairy herds.

Finally, I can assure you that during the past five years my Department has worked closely with the dairy industry providing policy, technical, scientific and financial support to help ensure that it has a sustainable future

Forestry Service

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many park rangers are employed in the Forestry Service.

(AQW 6635/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: There are 18 industrial staff that have duties largely in connection with the recreation facilities and customer care issues at 9 Forest Parks. During periods of peak demand, additional industrial staff are made available on a needs basis.

Tollymore Forest Park

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development why 24 hour security is not provided at the caravan park in Tollymore Forest Park.

(AQW 6636/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: It is my intention to improve customer facilities and customer service within Forest Service caravan and camping sites, by seeking partnership arrangements with suitably experienced providers. Towards this end, Forest Service staff are currently establishing the level of private sector interest in delivering caravanning and camping services; with the intention of securing a suitable partner or partners in 2009 / 2010. This process is in keeping with Government’s "Wider Markets" initiative, and preference will be given to those who offer a 24 hour presence where appropriate.

Until this happens, sites will continue to be operated by DARD staff and it is impracticable to have these staff within this site 24 hours per day.

Tollymore Forest Park

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many park rangers are employed by the Forest Service at Tollymore Forest Park.

(AQW 6637/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Currently 4 park rangers are employed on a full time basis within Tollymore Forest Park. A further 4 staff are available for park ranger duties on a needs basis.

Tollymore Forest Park

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action her Department has taken or intends to take, to ensure that the Forest Service is combating anti-social behaviour at the caravan park in Tollymore Forest Park.

(AQW 6638/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My response to AQW 6636 also applies. A number of specific measures have been taken to address anti-social behaviour issues at the caravan site at Tollymore Forest Park. These include:

a) The provision of education and advice to visitors via notice boards, site rules leaflet, and the involvement of Forest Service in the "Safer Mournes Partnership" initiative.

b) The provision of Forest Education packages that include education provision on "good citizenship" and respect for the forest environment.

c) The exclusion of offenders from the site.

d) Refusal to take any future booking from known offenders.

e) Evoking applicable legislation (including court orders).

f) Meeting with Senior Police Officers to review interpretation and PSNI action taken.

Forestry Land

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action her Department is taking to prevent anti-social or criminal behaviour on forestry land.

(AQW 6639/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Forest Service is very aware of the importance of maintaining the security of all forest areas and the need to restrict, as far as possible, anti-social or criminal behaviour. This is important in ensuring public safety and forest recreation benefits; preventing the theft/damage of timber and other publicly owned assets, and to maintain habitat diversity and protection of wildlife.

Basic forest security is achieved by placing gates or barriers on all forest roads where public vehicular access is not permitted. Security measures at these entrance points are reviewed and maintained or upgraded as required. Permitted vehicular access on operational forest roads is strictly controlled by permits or licence agreements.

Specific actions are taken throughout the forest estate to manage and control commercial activities. For example:

- All timber buyers are required to comply with the Forest Service Timber Permit Management System. All timber stacks are regularly inspected for theft;

- All incidents of forest fires, fly tipping, dumping of dead animals, dumping of by-products from diesel laundering, unauthorised motorised access etc are fully investigated. Forest Service also provides assistance to the appropriate authorities with a view to prosecuting identifiable offenders. Where possible, action is taken to discourage repeat offences.

A number of specific measures have been taken to address anti-social behaviour issues at the various caravan sites operated by Forest Service. These include:

- Refusal to take any future bookings from known offenders.

- The exclusion of offenders from the site.

- Use of applicable legislation (including court orders).

- Meeting with Senior Police Officers to review cases and PSNI action taken.

- The provision of Forest Education packages that include education provision on "good citizenship" and respect for the forest environment.

Knock River in East Belfast

Mr R Newton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when the Knock River in East Belfast was last cleaned out; and when the next inspection will be carried out.

(AQW 6647/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: As a designated watercourse maintained in the Rivers Agency’s programme of works, the Knock River in East Belfast was last inspected on 17October 2008. Identified maintenance works required to ensure the free flow were subsequently carried out in the period from 11 to 17 November 2008. The next inspection of the Knock River is scheduled for the period September to December 2009, with any necessary maintenance works being carried out during September 2009 to March 2010.

In the event of complaints or severe weather predictions additional inspections will be carried out as necessary.

Thermally Efficient Schemes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has received any inquiries about thermally efficient schemes to provide energy for homes in the countryside.

(AQW 6658/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: To date I have not received any inquires regarding thermally efficient schemes to provide energy for homes in the countryside.

Risk Based Inspections of Feed Businesses

Dr A McDonnell asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) to give a breakdown of the programme of inspections of (a) feed businesses in Northern Ireland, (b) for imports from the Republic of Ireland and (c) for imports from other sources providing the number of samples taken and analysed and the outcomes in terms of findings from both the inspections and the sampling/analyses; and (ii) how and where in the public domain consumers can access this data.

(AQW 6704/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Risk based inspections of all feed businesses including farms are undertaken by Quality Assurance Branch inspectors. Samples are also taken on a risk basis for laboratory testing.

In 2008/09 a total of 1239 feed related inspections were completed and 619 samples were submitted for a range of analyses.

Animal feed legislation is common to all EU Member States, enabling the free movement of feed materials. Therefore DARD does not have a sampling and inspection programme specifically targeting products coming from other Member States. However, if there is a known problem with materials coming from another EU Member State or an EU Rapid Alert has been issued, DARD inspectors work closely with local feed businesses to isolate the problem material, sample and test and arrange for recall of that material, if necessary.

QAB inspectors regularly sample imports of feed materials from non-EU countries. The FSA in consultation with the EU Commission provides guidance regarding the products and origins of greatest risk, which enables targeting of high risk products. Samples are screened for a range of contaminants including toxins, heavy metals, processed animal proteins and dioxins. In 2008/09, 253 samples of imported material were obtained and no problems were detected.

Results of inspections and testing are reported to the FSA, who in turn make returns to the EU Commission. Results are also reported to businesses and where results are unsatisfactory enforcement action is initiated. Relevant stakeholders are also informed of results.

Fishing Boats

Mr J Shannon asked he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what assistance has she given to fishing boats so that they can fish the area (box) in the Clyde, Scotland.

(AQW 6714/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: No assistance has been provided to fishing boats to enable them to fish the Clyde "box". In 2009 the Scottish Government again closed parts of the Firth of Clyde to certain types of fishing method from 14 February to 30^th April in order to protect spawning cod. This closure has been imposed every year since 2002 and the requirements of the closure are unchanged.

Under the new Days at Sea regime that applies to the West of Scotland, of which the Clyde forms part, vessels have to use selective gear as specified in the new TAC and Quota Regulation. All Administrations are also offering more days at sea to vessels that adopt selective gear that goes beyond the statutory minimum specification in order to reduce cod mortality. Selective fishing gear may eligible for funding under the European Fisheries Fund and my Department would welcome applications when the Fund opens in May.

Single Farm Payment Scheme

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when she intends to make a decision on the issue of duplicate fields claims that were applied for under the 2005 Single Farm Payment scheme.

(AQW 6726/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Since receiving the duplicate field judgement my Department has been engaged with its legal advisers as to the impact of the judgement on other duplicate field cases. I and my officials are considering the legal advice given and the options available. I would hope to be in a position to make a decision shortly after the Easter break.

Departmental Funds for Halls

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what the total amount of funding was from her Department for (i) Orange halls; (ii) GAA halls; and (iii) other rural community halls, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6753/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The figures for Orange Order and other halls in receipt of departmental funds are detailed in the attached table. No Cumann Lúthchleas Gael (Gaelic Athletic Association) hall received funding in this period.

		2006	2007	2008
Total	5,035,313.38	3,085,325.56	915,309.75	1,034,678.07
Orange Halls	714,632.53	322,327.27	118,368.75	273,936.51
Others	4,320,680.85	2,762,998.29	796,941.00	760,741.56

Rural Businesses

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many rural businesses her Department has assisted in each of the last three years (i) in total; and (ii) broken down by constituency.

(AQW 6762/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The information is not held in the form requested and could only be produced at disproportionate cost. However 39,981 farm businesses received grant or subsidy in the last EAGF financial year 16 0ctober 2007 to 15 October 2008.

The Department recognises the interest shown by Members in having better information on the level of payments broken down by constituency. Details of subsidy/grant payments for European financial years 2002 to October 2007 are already published on the Department’s website. Further details of payments for the European financial year to October 2008 will be published by the end of April 2009 on the DEFRA website. The information on CAP, Rural Development and other grant payments for the EAGF year October 07/08, summarised by postcode prefix level, is currently available in the Assembly Library.

Departmental Funds for Halls

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many (i) Orange halls; (ii) GAA halls; and (iii) other rural community halls, have benefited from support programmes managed and funded by her Department in rural areas, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6764/09)

2006	2007	2008	Total
8	1	7	16	Orange halls
42	10	22	74	Other halls
50	11	29	90

Welfare of Horses

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps are being taken to introduce legislation to protect the welfare of horses.

(AQW 6816/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 1972, it is already an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal. An owner can be adjudged to have permitted cruelty if he fails to exercise reasonable care to prevent unnecessary suffering. It is also an offence to abandon an animal. The PSNI is responsible for enforcing the 1972 Act with regard to non-farm animals including horses, and has the power to seize an injured or sick animal, or, in the worst cases, to have it destroyed in order to prevent further suffering.

I recently announced my intention to bring forward a new Animal Welfare Bill. I expect to be in a position shortly after the Summer Recess to seek Executive approval to bring forward the Bill.

As I believe that it is vitally important that animal welfare legislation across the Island of Ireland is broadly compatible, the new legislation that I bring forward will also reflect on developments in the South, where new animal welfare legislation is also under consideration. I will also seek to ensure that we learn lessons from Britain where legislation has already been introduced.

In bringing forward new legislation, I will want to ensure that the maximum penalties are available to the Courts for animal cruelty offences, so that these penalties can act as a sufficient deterrent, and provide adequate protection for animals. This is one of the key areas that I will seek to address in new legislation.

In considering what new legislation is needed, I will of course take on board any lessons that might be learned from welfare incidents particularly those concerning horses which have been brought to my attention in recent times.

Countryside Management Scheme

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) how much money has been allocated to the new Countryside Management Scheme; (ii) when the money was made available; (iii) when the scheme was opened; (iv) when the scheme closed; and (v) when the scheme will reopen.

(AQW 6843/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007 – 2013, funding of £219 million is available for the agri environment measure. This includes the funding for existing participants as well as those joining the new Countryside Management Scheme (CMS) and the Organic Farming Scheme. It is anticipated that this funding will allow up to 5000 new participants in addition to those who wish to transfer from existing schemes to the new CMS.
This funding is available for the duration of the RDP.
The first tranche of the new CMS opened to application on 30 June 2008.
The first tranche of the new CMS closed on 29 August 2008.
I anticipate that the next tranche of the new CMS will open in Summer 2009. I will announce the date in due course.

Tourism Initiatives in North Antrim

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her Department's (i) biker tourism initiative; and (ii) sailing lessons initiative in North Antrim.

(AQW 6847/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Under the leader+ Programme my Department paid a grant of £9786 to North Antrim leader+ group to deliver a ‘Biker Tourism Co-operation Project’. The objective of the project was to complete research into biker tourism potential and aid four businesses in the area with the installation of biker facilities. To date the report has been completed and four businesses in the North Antrim Area have received assistance.

The Sailing Lesson initiative was a project initiated and undertaken by a private promoter with Leader+ grant aid of over nine thousand pounds obtained through North Antrim Leader group. The aim of the project was to offer high level sailing coaching, create a website and employ one person. This business is still running and now employs two people in the North Antrim area.

Countryside Management Scheme

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on what date the Countryside Management Scheme will open to receive applications.

(AQW 6944/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: It is anticipated that the new Countryside Management Scheme and the Organic Farming Scheme under the Rural Development Plan 2007 – 2013 will open for applications in summer 2009. I will announce the date in due course.

Clay Lakes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if he is aware that the Clay Lakes remain at risk of drying up again and what action he is taking to rectify this situation; and to provide a completion date for the handover of responsibility for managing the Clay Lakes to the Rivers Agency.

(AQW 6970/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: DARD Rivers Agency currently has no responsibility for controlling water levels in the Clea Lakes. I can confirm that DARD Rivers Agency recently contacted the current controllers to alert them to high water levels posing a potential flood risk. Assurances were given that this situation would be remedied. Due to the legal complexities involved with the transfer of responsibility for water level management it is not possible at this time to provide a definite completion date as requested. However, I can assure you that every effort is being made to complete the transfer of control of the sluice gates for the purposes of the Agency providing more consistent water level management for drainage purposes. However, as the remit of the Agency is flood defence it would not assume any responsibility for low water levels during periods of extreme drought.

Clay Lakes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if he is aware that landowners at Clay Lakes have fishing rights, own land under the lakes and have water rights to households which pre-date the introduction of government stipulated levels in the 1970s; and to outline how the Rivers Agency will control water levels at the Clay Lakes while taking into consideration the rights of landowners in this location.

(AQW 6974/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: DARD Rivers Agency currently has no responsibility for the control of water levels at the Clea Lakes. On transfer of water rights the Agency would intend to carry out maintenance works to the existing sluice gates, and will consider the construction of a weir structure to better ensure water levels are maintained. Landowners and other affected parties, including fisheries interests, would be fully consulted on any proposed works as necessary.

Clay Lakes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development the reasons why (i) water level stipulations at the Clay Lakes were agreed with a single individual rather than a majority of lakeside landowners; and (ii) water levels are not being kept constant by the use of automatic sluices as recently encouraged by the Rivers Agency.

(AQW 6976/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: (i) Available records indicate that the water level stipulations at the Clea Lakes were agreed with the United Chrome Tanners in 1969 as part of a wider arrangement for compensatory works to mitigate the impact of the Ardigon – Dibney Drainage Scheme on their Tannery operation. The Chrome Tanners were in possession of, and dependent on, water rights transferred from a 19^th Century Mill Operation; the then Minister of Agriculture under Drainage Legislation was required to compensate for any diminution of water power or water rights associated with drainage schemes.

(ii) The Rivers Agency is not responsible for operation of the automatic sluices or maintenance of the water levels and can act in an advisory capacity only.

Clay Lakes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development why the undertaking that was given by officials, to landowners at Clay Lakes, during a meeting on 18 June 2008, has since been reneged on.

(AQW 6977/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: At the meeting between representatives of DARD Rivers Agency, NI Environment Agency, Dunbia Dungannon and residents affected by the Clea Lakes on 18 June 2007 it was agreed that responsibility for control of water levels lay with Dunbia Dungannon. It was also agreed that if the historic agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture (now DARD) and the United Chrome Tanners Ltd dated August 1969 be negated it may be possible for the Rivers Agency to construct a control weir at the outlet to the lake. As work regarding the legal transfer of control of water level management remains ongoing it is my understanding that no undertaking has been reneged on.

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail all correspondence and communication received from the European Commission since the application process for the Farm Modernisation Scheme commenced.

(AQW 7014/09)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Department received a letter from the European Commission on the afternoon of 17 February, dated 12 February, drawing our attention to the need to have defined criteria for the selection of operations and projects and asking which selection criteria would be applied to the Farm Modernisation measure.

The Department received a second letter from the European Commission on 12 March suspending the proposal to include additional national funding in the scheme. This suspension is linked to the Commission’s comments on the selection process.

The Department received a third letter from the European Commission on 2^nd April, dated 30 March, noting that it is not their role to approve the selection process for the programme and that it is therefore up to the Department to take a decision on how to proceed. The Commission has also said they will continue to make payments to the Rural Development Programme.

Underpinning this formal correspondence, there has been ongoing informal communication between the Department and the European Commission.

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Festivals and Events

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his Department's funding for festivals and events in East Antrim since May 2007, broken down by each event.

(AQW 5758/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr G Campbell):

Details of the funding for festivals and events in East Antrim since May 2007 by my Department and its arms length bodies are contained in the attached Annex A.

Annex A

EVENTS GROWTH FUND

2007/08
EVENT / FESTIVAL	AWARD (£)
Guinness Carrick Sevens 07	5, 000
TOTAL	5, 000

COMMUNITY FESTIVALS FUND (CFF)

2007/08
EVENT / FESTIVAL	AWARD (£)
Carrick Pageant	3, 900
Broadisland Gathering	3, 000
Chaine Folk & Blues	1, 500
TOTAL	8, 400

DCAL EVENTS UNIT

2008/09
EVENT / FESTIVAL	AWARD (£)
Aquarama Carrickfergus Incorporating Annual Sea Cadet Corps National Sailing Regatta 2008	10, 000
World Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships 2009	85, 000
TOTAL	95, 000

COMMUNITY FESTIVALS FUND*

2008/09
EVENT / FESTIVAL	AWARD (£)
Carrick Sevens	3, 700
Carrick Pageant	5, 000
Whitehead Festival	500
Carrickfergus Ladies Football Festival	6, 200
Sea Cadets Regatta and Aquarama	4, 000
Broadisland Gathering	7, 000
Harbour Community Group - Community Fun Day	800
Gleno Community Group – Storytelling Festival	1, 200
Ulster Scots Four Day Festival	6, 000
Rathcoole Cultural Festival	1, 000
Monkstown Community Festival	2, 000
Monkstown Family Fest & Fireworks Extravaganza	1, 750
Sewing Seeds – Potato Festival	1, 000
Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum	950
Newtownabbey Community Voice	700
TOTAL	41, 800

*2008/09 figures are inclusive of 50% matched funding from local councils.

ULSTER-SCOTS AGENCY

The following detail incorporates the period from May 2007.

Payments pending – Authorised

GROUP	AMOUNT AUTHORISED (£)
Cairncastle (Soiree)	250
TOTAL	250

Letters of offer – money allocated but not yet claimed

GROUP	AMOUNT OFFERED (£)
Cairncastle (soirees/burns night)	5, 000
Ballycarry Comm Assc (festival)	8, 014
Sir Edward Carson FB (festival)	3, 000
Larne District LOL No.1 (festival)	9, 080
Naggyburn (festival)	2, 950
Naggyburn (concert evening)	250
TOTAL	28, 294

Payments made

GROUP	AMOUNT PAID (£)
Glynn Primary School (after-schools club)	900
Cairncastle LOL 692 Community & Cultural Group (soirees/festivals/summer schools)	34, 074
Ballycarry Community (festival)	2, 125
Ballycarry Community Association (festival)	11, 769
Larne YMCA (summer school)	1, 050
Larne District LOL No:1 Education & Cultural Group (Festival)	250
Naggyburn Ulster-Scots & Schomberg Orange Cultural Society (concert evening)	250
East Antrim Traditional Music School (Festival)	7, 000
TOTAL	57, 420

Tuition

East Antrim Elementary Accordion Orchestra	562
East Antrim (Killyglen) Accordion Orchestra	1, 361
Sir Edward Carson	1, 080
East Antrim (Killyglen) Accordion Orchestra	1, 361
TOTAL	4, 364

Festivals and Events

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his Department's funding of festival and events since May 2007, broken down by constituency.

(AQW 5760/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

Funding details, broken down by constituency where this detail is available, can be found in the attached Annex A.

Annex A

Northern Ireland Events Company - 2007/08

2007/08
EVENT	CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
9^th Annual Blues on the Bay Festival 07	South Down	5, 000
7th World Jet Masters 07	Fermanagh & South Tyrone	7, 500
All Ireland Antrim Girls Golf Ch'Ships 07	South Antrim	10, 000
All Ireland Cup & Shields Final 07	Belfast	5, 000
Aspects Irish Literature Festival 07	North Down	5, 000
Big Tickle Comedy Festival 07	Foyle	7, 000
Circle One BSPA Portrush Open 07	North Antrim	6, 000
University of Ulster Foyle Cup Youth Football Tournament 07	Foyle East Londonderry	44, 712
Garden Show Ireland 07	Lagan Valley	15, 000
Guinness Carrick Sevens 07	East Antrim	5, 000
Irish Country Lifestyle 07	South Antrim	10, 000
NI International Horse Show 07	East Belfast	49, 684
NI Milk Cup 07	East Londonderry North Antrim South Antrim	25, 000
Out to Lunch	East Belfast	8, 891
Tennis Legends	East Belfast	40, 000
The National Countrysports Fair 07	Lagan Valley	10, 000
Ulster Grand Prix 07	Lagan Valley	5, 000
Under 19's Rugby World Championships 07	Belfast East	50, 000
Urban Beach Tour - NI 07	East Belfast	12, 000
Yonex Irish International Badminton Championships 2007	Lagan Valley	2, 175
TOTAL		322, 962

DCAL Events Unit – 2008/09

2008/09

EVENT

CONSTITUENCY

AWARD (£)

10^th Annual Guinness Blues on the Bay Festival 2008

South Down

5, 000

Aquarama Carrickfergus Incorporating Annual Sea Cadet Corps National Sailing Regatta 2008

East Antrim

10, 000

Garden Show Ireland 2008

Lagan Valley

25, 000

Guinness Folk Festival 2008

North Antrim

6, 100

Hillsborough International Oyster Festival 2008

Lagan Valley

15, 000

International Indoor Athletics 2009

Belfast East

7, 250

Joint British Isles & International Series 2009

Belfast South

7, 250

Magner’s Big Tickle Comedy Festival 2008

Foyle

East Londonderry

6, 500

Northern Ireland Dance Music Awards 2008

Belfast East

5,000

Northern Ireland International Airshow 2008

North Antrim

18, 000

Out to Lunch 2009

Belfast North

6, 100

Trans / Urban Arts Academy 2008

Belfast East

10, 000

26^th Annual Northern Ireland Milk Cup International Youth Football Tournament 2008

East Londonderry North Antrim

South Antrim

50, 000

Belfast Maritime Festival 2009

Belfast East

200, 000

August Feile – West Belfast Festival 2008

Belfast West

Belfast North

Belfast East

50, 000

European Round FIM Trials & World Round FIM Trials 2008

North Down

40, 000

Kennedy International North West 200

North Antrim

58, 750

Rally Ireland

Fermanagh & South Tyrone

888, 000

Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week 2008

Lagan Valley

40, 000

University of Ulster Foyle Cup 2008

Foyle

East Londonderry

50, 000

World Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships 2009

East Antrim

85, 000

TOTAL

1, 582, 950

Festivals and Events

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much funding his Department has provided for cultural events and festivals in each (a) constituency; and (b) council area, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6061/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

The information requested is set out, where this is possible, at Annex A.

Annex A

ARTS

Community Festivals Fund (2006/07, 2007/08)

During the period 2006- 2008 The Community Festivals Fund was administered by the Northern Ireland Events Company.

The application process was through an open competition, open to all festival organisers across Northern Ireland. Information for the first 2 years of the Community Festivals Fund is not held by Council area or on a constituency basis. (84 projects were funded during this period)

Community Festivals Fund (2008/09)

On 1 April 2008 the delivery of the CFF transferred to local Councils. DCAL provided funding on the basis that each Council would provide at least 50% match funding.

The table below shows the funding awarded by DCAL to each District Council in 2008/09.

DISTRICT COUNCIL	DCAL AWARD (£)
Antrim	12, 300
Ards	18, 000
Armagh	13, 700
Ballymena	15, 600
Ballymoney	6, 800
Banbridge	10, 600
Belfast	77, 300
Carrickfergus	9, 700
Castlereagh	15, 800
Coleraine	14, 200
Cookstown	8, 500
Craigavon	22, 600
Londonderry	31, 200
Down	16, 500
Dungannon	12, 800
Fermanagh	15, 000
Larne	8, 000
Limavady	8, 900
Lisburn	28, 400
Magherafelt	9, 900
Moyle	4, 400
Newry & Mourne	25, 400
Newtownabbey	20, 400
North Down	18, 600
Omagh	13, 100
Strabane	12, 400
TOTAL	450, 100

The table below shows the funding awarded through the CFF to each Constituency in 2008/09.

CONSTITUENCY	COMMUNITY FESTIVALS FUND (CFF) AWARDS (£)
Belfast North	56, 657
Belfast South	58, 273
Belfast West	58, 474
Belfast East	20, 246
East Antrim	35, 613
East Londonderry	44, 780
Foyle	60, 000
Fermanagh and South Tyrone	52, 832
Lagan Valley	57, 118
Mid Ulster	50, 110
North Antrim	47, 072
North Down	39, 950
Newry and Armagh	53, 796
South Down	64, 287
South Antrim	38, 011
Strangford	34, 032
Upper Bann	66, 442
West Tyrone	48, 252
Across Belfast North, South Antrim, East Antrim	6, 800
TOTAL	892, 745

Figures, for constituency areas, include at least 50% match funding by Councils. Councils can put, up to 10% of their contribution, towards administrative costs.

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each District Council in 2006/07.

DISTRICT COUNCIL	AWARD (£)
Antrim	20, 000
Ards	10, 000
Armagh	290, 468
Ballymoney	1, 350
Belfast	8, 952, 630
Carrickfergus	18, 090
Castlereagh	71, 651
Coleraine	277, 167
Cookstown	99, 839
Craigavon	144, 235
Londonderry	1, 486, 484
Down	413, 155
Dungannon	65, 992
Fermanagh	106, 272
Larne	5, 500
Limavady	21, 000
Lisburn	309, 651
Magherafelt	71, 763
Moyle	13, 420
Newry & Mourne	180, 391
North Down	174, 174
Omagh	115, 333
Strabane	60, 522
TOTAL	12, 909, 087

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each Constituency in 2006/07.

CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
South Antrim	20, 000
Strangford	50 ,200
Newry & Armagh	463, 232
North Antrim	14, 770
Belfast North	2, 140, 164
Belfast South	4, 898, 036
Belfast East	285, 408
Belfast West	1, 668,404
East Antrim	23, 590
East Londonderry	298, 167
Mid Ulster	215, 011
Upper Bann	144, 235
Foyle	1, 486, 484
South Down	420, 782
Lagan Valley	301, 720
North Down	174, 174
West Tyrone	175, 855
Fermanagh & S.Tyrone	128, 855
TOTAL	12, 909, 087

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each District Council in 2007/08.

DISTRICT COUNCIL	AWARD (£)
Antrim	15, 000
Ards	10, 001
Armagh	97, 225
Belfast	7, 751, 992
Carrickfergus	5, 000
Castlereagh	6, 440
Coleraine	190, 150
Cookstown	67, 090
Craigavon	63, 788
Londonderry	1, 230, 322
Down	113, 930
Dungannon	10, 000
Fermanagh	34, 300
Larne	5, 000
Limavady	10, 000
Lisburn	262, 622
Magherafelt	5, 000
Moyle	54, 023
Newry & Mourne	146, 790
North Down	75, 320
Omagh	49, 000
Strabane	22, 000
TOTAL	10, 225, 173

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each Constituency in 2007/2008

CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
South Antrim	15, 000
Strangford	16, 441
Newry & Armagh	239, 195
Belfast North	2, 035, 834
Belfast South	4, 543, 227
Belfast East	162, 134
Belfast West	1, 031, 259
East Antrim	10, 000
East Londonderry	200, 150
Mid Ulster	77, 090
Upper Bann	63, 788
Foyle	1, 230, 322
South Down	118, 930
Lagan Valley	242, 160
North Down	75, 320
North Antrim	54, 023
West Tyrone	71, 000
Fermanagh & South Tyrone	39, 300
TOTAL	10, 225, 173

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each District Council in 2008/2009.

DISTRICT COUNCIL	AWARD (£)
Antrim	78, 750
Ards	51, 751
Armagh	127, 000
Banbridge	8, 000
Belfast	10, 104, 772
Castlereagh	79, 000
Coleraine	143, 000
Craigavon	155, 863
Londonderry	1, 573, 264
Down	165, 100
Dungannon	53, 250
Fermanagh	60, 000
Lisburn	307, 042
Magherafelt	55, 000
Moyle	20, 260
Newry & Mourne	188, 987
Newtownabbey	21, 865
North Down	166, 243
Omagh	163, 350
TOTAL	13, 522, 497

The table below shows the funding awarded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in each Constituency in 2008/2009

CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
South Antrim	78, 750
North Antrim	20, 260
East Antrim	21, 865
Strangford	130, 751
Newry & Armagh	315, 987
Belfast North	3, 291, 107
Belfast South	5, 179, 564
Belfast East	287, 239
Belfast West	1, 346, 862
East Londonderry	143, 000
Mid Ulster	91, 250
Upper Bann	155, 863
Foyle	1, 573, 264
South Down	173, 100
Lagan Valley	307, 042
North Down	166, 243
West Tyrone	163, 350
Fermanagh & South Tyrone	77, 000
TOTAL	13, 522, 497

Footnote:

In addition, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland allocated £367,025 in 2006/2007, £295,496 in 2007/2008 and £505,123 in 2008/2009 to organisations whose activities are regional, for example Youth Music Orchestra and Opera Theatre Company. These figures are not reflected in the tables.

EVENTS

The table below shows funding provided, through the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC), in 2006/2007:

DISTRICT COUNCIL	CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	15, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	29, 615
Antrim	South Antrim	9, 000
North Down	North Down	10, 000
Carrickfergus	East Antrim	5,000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	15, 000
Londonderry	Foyle	12, 500
Limavady	East Londonderry	1, 173
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	20, 000
Fermanagh	Fermanagh and South Tyrone	20, 000
Londonderry	Foyle East Londonderry	60, 047
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	8, 000
Carrickfergus	East Antrim	4, 728
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	30, 000
Antrim	South Antrim	15, 000
Down	Strangford	7, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	25, 000
Coleraine	East Londonderry	11, 941
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	14, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	8,891
Belfast, Fermanagh	Belfast East, Fermanagh and South Tyrone	€411, 197*
Down	Strangford	3, 000
Banbridge	Newry and Armagh	4, 286
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	50, 000
Newry & Mourne	South Down	5, 000
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	15, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	15, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	27, 818
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	8, 000

*Payment in Euro because the agreement between Rally Ireland and the NIEC stated this.

The table below shows funding provided to events facilitated by the NIEC in 2006/07.

DISTRICT COUNCIL	CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
Magherafelt	Mid Ulster	495, 122
Down	Strangford	392, 814
Fermanagh	Fermanagh and South Tyrone	152, 357

The table below shows funding provided, through the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC), in 2007/2008:

DISTRICT COUNICL	CONSTITUENCY	AWARD (£)
Newry & Mourne	South Down	5, 000
Fermanagh	Fermanagh & South Tyrone	7, 500
Antrim	South Antrim	10, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	5, 000
North Down	North Down	5, 000
Londonderry	Foyle	7, 000
Coleraine	North Antrim	6, 000
Foyle, Limavady and Strabane	Foyle East Londonderry	44, 712
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	15, 000
Carrickfergus	East Antrim	5, 000
Antrim	South Antrim	10, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	49, 684
Coleraine, Ballymoney and Ballymena	East Londonderry North Antrim South Antrim	25, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	8, 891
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	40, 000
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	10, 000
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	5, 000
Belfast, North Down	Belfast South & North Down	50, 000
Belfast	Belfast North, South, East, West	12, 000
Lisburn	Lagan Valley	2, 175

The DCAL Events Unit provided funding for the following events in 2008/2009:

DISTRICT COUNCIL

CONSTITUENCY

AWARD (£)

Newry & Mourne

South Down

5, 000

Carrickfergus

East Antrim

10, 000

Lisburn

Lagan Valley

25, 000

Coleraine

North Antrim

6, 100

Lisburn

Lagan Valley

15, 000

Belfast

Belfast North, South, East, West

7, 250

Belfast

Belfast South

7, 250

Londonderry

Foyle

East Londonderry

6, 500

Belfast

Belfast East

5, 000

Coleraine

North Antrim

18, 000

Belfast

Belfast North, South, East, West

6, 100

Belfast

Belfast East

10, 000

Coleraine, Ballymoney and Ballymena

East Londonderry, North Antrim

South Antrim

50, 000

Belfast

Belfast East

200, 000

Belfast

Belfast West

Belfast North

Belfast East

50, 000

North Down

North Down

40, 000

Coleraine

North Antrim

85, 000

Fermanagh*

Fermanagh & South Tyrone

880, 000

Lisburn

Lagan Valley

40, 000

Foyle, Limavady and Strabane

Foyle

East Londonderry

50, 000

Newtownabbey

East Antrim

85, 000

*Cross border event

Plantation Exploration/Commemoration

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, in relation to the plans for the Plantation Exploration/Commemoration, to detail (i) the resources that will be allocated; and (ii) the joint approach that is being taken with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in terms of international marketing and development.

(AQW 6629/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

My Department, through its relevant Arms Length Bodies, will provide advice and guidance to any organisation considering ways of commemorating the Plantation of Ulster.

A range of activities and projects, in relation to the 400^th anniversary of the Plantation of Ulster, have already been planned as set out below:

The Ulster-Scots Agency intends to republish the Reverend George Hill’s ‘An Historical Account of the Plantation of Ulster at the commencement of the seventeenth century, 1605 – 1620’, first published in 1877. It will be accompanied by digital images of the Raven Phillips maps held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Those maps will also feature in the Ulster-Scots Agency’s educational resources on the Plantation, funded by the Special European Programmes Body;
Northern Ireland Screen has agreed to partly fund a bilingual documentary series from the Irish Language Broadcast Fund. The series entitled 'Dissenting Voices' is scheduled to be broadcast in January 2010 and will illustrate what life was like on both sides of the Irish Sea at the time of the plantation;
New history displays will feature in the refurbished Ulster Museum. These will provide background to the Plantation and its main features. They will consider Ulster as the departing point for the Gaelic lords and present an account of the settlement of Ulster up to 1615, covering the establishment of the Royal schools, the development of towns and ports, including Londonderry and Coleraine, and the development by the London Companies, of the county formerly known as Coleraine; and
A range of events will take place across the library service. For example, the Linen Hall library is planning an exhibition of contemporary books and pamphlets.

At present there is no formal cooperation with DETI in terms of international marketing and development.

Newtownards Library

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure when the economic appraisal will be completed for the new Newtownards Library; and when is construction expected to begin.

(AQW 6657/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The South Eastern Education and Library Board has been working in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Library Authority to explore a range of feasible options for the provision of public library services in Newtownards.

The likely timescale and cost of the project will not be known until the Economic Appraisal is finalised. From 1 April 2009 responsibility for the project will transfer to the Northern Ireland Library Authority.

While deliberations have taken longer than expected it is important to explore all the options and achieve the best value for money for a potential investment of over £3m.

After the completion of the Economic Appraisal it will take a minimum of 12 to 15 months for detailed designs to be developed and planning permission to be secured before construction can commence on site.

Ulster/Scots and Irish Language Projects

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how many (i) Ulster/Scots and (ii) Irish language projects his Department has funded (a) in total; and (b) broken down by constituency, in each of the last four years.

(AQW 6737/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

The total number of Ulster-Scots and Irish language projects funded by DCAL and its statutory agencies and arms length bodies including the Arts Council, Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge over the last four years is shown in the table below;

YEAR	ULSTER-SCOTS	IRISH
2008	77	37
2007	55	38
2006	30	37
2005	17	51

Unfortunately, this information is not maintained by parliamentary constituency by the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge. I have instructed these Agencies to begin formatting the information relating to funded projects by parliamentary constituency from 1 April 2009.

Financial Awards Made by Department

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the financial awards made by his Department to (i) GAA clubs; (ii) Irish language; (iii) Ulster/Scots; and (iv) Loyal Orders, for events, projects, and other awards, in the Upper Bann area, in each of the last four years.

(AQW 6738/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

The information requested is set out at Annex A.

Annex A

Funding set out in the attached table was not awarded directly by the Department, but either by the Arts Council Northern Ireland, or through the Community Festivals Fund (CFF). The CFF was initially administered by the Northern Ireland Events Company and in 2008 was devolved to local District Councils.

	Event/Project /Other	Financial Year	Financial Award (£)
(i) GAA Clubs	Nil	Nil	Nil
(ii) Irish Language	Gaelic Week	08/09	2, 475
(iii) Ulster/Scots	Co. Down Pipe Band Championships Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra	08/09 08/09	4, 500 10, 000
(iv) Loyal Orders	2007 Twelfth July Festival Boyne and Beyond (Gilford) Lurgan District Community Festival 2006	07/08 06/07 06/07	5, 000 3, 000 3, 000

Projects Planned for Upper Bann

Mr S Moutray asked Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the (i) projects; and (ii) amount of investment planned for the Upper Bann constituency, for each of the next three financial years.

(AQW 6752/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

Please see attached Table.

DCAL CAPITAL PROJECTS – UPPER BANN

Ongoing and Planned Projects
Name	Value	Start Date	2009/10	2010/11	2011/12
St Paul’s GAC, Taghnevan - Construction of a multi-sports complex.	245,000	2008/09	24,500	0	0
Lurgan Rugby Football & Cricket Club - Refurbishment of 2 existing rugby pitches and training area	126,093	2008/09	25,219	0	0
Glenavon FC – Stadia Safety works	800,000	2010/11	0	800,000	0
Portadown Boat Club - New boathouse and storage area	500,000	2009/10	250,000	250,000	0
Craigavon Borough Council - Provision of Inclusive Fitness suite at Craigavon Leisure Centre	40,000	2009/10	40,000	0	0
Glenavon FC – Ground improvements under Soccer Strategy	235,960	2009/10	235,960	0	0
Lurgan Celtic FC	60,860	2008/09	40,000	20,860	0

Floating Jetty at Moneypenny’s Lock Newry Canal Project Promoter: Craigavon Borough Council	£7,200 DCAL Contribution (Approx 50% of total cost)	n/k	£7,200	0	0

Trouble at International Football Match

Mr J Shannon asked he Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions he has had with the PSNI about the trouble caused by some Polish fans in connection with the football match at Windsor Park on Saturday, 28 March 2009.

(AQW 6788/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

I have already issued a public statement condemning all the disturbances which took place in and around the football match at Windsor Park on Saturday 28 March 2009. However, policing, and the trouble that occurred in connection with the game on 28 March, are reserved matters and therefore the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO). In addition, discussions with the police about the trouble caused in connection with the match are a matter for the Irish Football Association (IFA) which is responsible for the organisation of all Northern Ireland home international football games at Windsor Park.

Proposed New National Stadium

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he would consider a financial contribution to the proposed new Danny Blanchflower stadium as the new national stadium.

(AQW 6790/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

I have had individual meetings with the sports’ governing bodies with the intention of finding a cost-effective and sustainable way of assisting football, rugby and gaelic games develop solutions to their stadia needs and have asked them to let me have a short list of options on stadium provision, highlighting their preferred option.

I will wish to further discuss each of the options received with the governing bodies. In due course preferred options and their associated business cases will need to be subjected to economic appraisal to Green Book standards to ensure value for money, operational viability and affordability. The Government’s financial contribution to overall stadia development will need to be considered as part of this.

Trouble at International Football Match

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much the Irish Football Association has paid Eventsec and other firms to provide security for international matches at Windsor Park, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 6806/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure does not retain information on how much the Irish Football Association (IFA) has paid Eventsec or other firms to provide security for international matches at Windsor Park. This is entirely a matter for the IFA.

Trouble at International Football Match

Mr G Savage asked he Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail any contact between his Department and the Home Office about violence emanating from a small section of visiting Polish football fans.

(AQW 6808/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

Violence emanating from football fans is a reserved matter and therefore the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO). It would be a matter for the NIO to consider whether violence involving visiting Polish fans should be raised with the Home Office in the first instance.

Proposed New National Stadium

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions he has had about the new stadium that has been proposed for the Danny Blanchflower playing fields in East Belfast.

(AQW 6858/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

Ulster Scots Agency Newspaper

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (i) how much funding has been provided by his Department for the Ulster Scots Agency newspaper, The Ulster Scot; (ii) how many copies of the newspaper are published; and (iii) what are the areas and bodies that receive the newspaper.

(AQW 6906/09)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

The Department does not directly fund the Ulster-Scots Newspaper. The newspaper is financially supported by the Ulster-Scots Agency who has provided £337,355 of funding and published a total of 1,557,000 issues over the last three years as detailed in the table below:

Year	Funding	Published
2006	£66,109	434,000 (7 issues)
2007	£119,080	520,000 (8 issues)
2008	£152, 166	603,000 copies (9 issues)

The newspaper is distributed as a supplement within the News Letter and also via a mailing list as detailed below:

Democratic Unionist Party
Ulster Unionist Party
England and Scotland
House of Lords
MLAs
MPs
Community Groups
NI Libraries
Overseas
Dáil Éireann
ROI Senate
Ulster-Scots Groups
Local Media
Councils/Local Government

I trust you find this information helpful.

Department of Education

Teaching Posts

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education the number of teaching posts in each school in the North Down constituency.

(AQW 6388/09)

Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane ):

Ní bhailíonn an Roinn eolas ar líon na bpost do mhúinteoirí i dTuaisceart na hÉireann, ach bailíonn sí eolas maidir le líon na múinteoirí.

The Department does not collect data on the number of teaching posts, but does collect the numbers of teachers. The numbers of teachers in each school in the North Down parliamentary constituency in the academic year 2007-2008 is given in the table below.

Teachers¹ in schools in North Down parliamentary constituency, 2007-2008

School name	Number of teachers filling or temporarily filling teaching posts in 2007-2008
Nursery schools
BANGOR NURSERY SCHOOL	2
HOLYWOOD NURSERY SCHOOL	1
TRINITY NURSERY SCHOOL	3
Primary schools and preparatory departments of grammar schools
BALLYVESTER PS	6
HOLYWOOD PS	18
CRAWFORDSBURN PS	8
BALLYHOLME PS	28
DONAGHADEE PS	23
CLANDEBOYE PS	10
MILLISLE PS	8
REDBURN PS	6
BLOOMFIELD ROAD PS	17
GRANGE PARK PS	16
KILCOOLEY PS	9
RATHMORE PS	22
TOWERVIEW PS	21
KILMAINE PS	24
BALLYMAGEE PS	18
ST PATRICK'S PS	11
ST ANNE'S PS	3
ST COMGALL'S PS	12
ST MALACHY'S PS	13
BANGOR CENTRAL PS	28
GLENCRAIG PS	12
GLENLOLA COLLEGIATE PREP. DEPT.	6
BANGOR GRAMMAR SCHOOL PREP. DEPT.	9
SULLIVAN UPPER SCHOOL PREP. DEPT.	14
Secondary and grammar schools
DONAGHADEE HIGH SCHOOL	23
BANGOR ACADEMY AND 6TH FORM COLLEGE	95
ST COLUMBANUS' COLLEGE	37
PRIORY COLLEGE	36
GLENLOLA COLLEGIATE	67
BANGOR GS	61
SULLIVAN UPPER SCHOOL	79
Special schools
CLIFTON SPECIAL SCHOOL	17
LAKEWOOD SPECIAL SCHOOL	9

¹ This table contains the total number of teachers in full-time or part-time permanent positions, teachers employed on a daily (1/365^th) basis, and teachers temporarily covering vacancies (either full- or part-time). It does not include information on unfilled vacancies, or information on posts shared by teachers.

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Education when she proposes to re-instate the Board of the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

(AQW 6524/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá athbhunú Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirdheiscirt atá ar fionraí fós faoi bhreithniú agus fógrófar mo chinneadh i ndáil leis seo ag an oiriúnach amach anseo.

The reinstatement of the suspended Board of the South-Eastern Education and Library Board remains under consideration and my decision in relation to this will be announced at the appropriate time.

Teaching Posts

Mr A Ross asked he Minister of Education how many teaching posts there are in primary schools in the East Antrim constituency.

(AQW 6529/09)

Minister of Education:

Ní bhailíonn an Roinn eolas ar líon na bpost do mhúinteoirí i dTuaisceart na hÉireann, ach bailíonn sí eolas maidir le líon na múinteoirí.

The Department does not collect data on the number of teaching posts in the north of Ireland, but does collect the numbers of teachers. The numbers of teachers in each school in the East Antrim parliamentary constituency in the academic year 2007-2008 is given in the tables below.

Teachers¹ in schools in primary schools in East Antrim parliamentary constituency, 2007-2008

School name	Teachers filling or temporarily filling posts in 2007-2008
CARNALBANAGH PS	4
LARNE AND INVER PS	9
CARRICKFERGUS MODEL PS	17
OLDERFLEET PS	10
WOODBURN PS	9
MULLAGHDUBH PS	3
EDEN PS	10
GLYNN PS	4
BALLYCARRY PS	7
GREENISLAND PS	19
CARRICKFERGUS CENTRAL PS	9
WHITEABBEY PS	18
UPPER BALLYBOLEY PS	4
SUNNYLANDS PS	9
MOYLE PS	19
WHITEHEAD PS	19
KING'S PARK PS	15
LINN PS	19
VICTORIA PS	25
TOREAGH PS	6
SILVERSTREAM PS	8
HOLLYBANK PS	11
WOODLAWN PS	14
OAKFIELD PS	17
CAIRNCASTLE PS	7
SEAVIEW PS	4
ST ANTHONY'S PS	6
ST JOHN'S PS	9
LOURDES PS	2
ST JAMES' PS	14
ST NICHOLAS' PS	6
ST MACNISSI'S PS	10
KILCOAN PS	4
CARNLOUGH CONTROLLED INTEGRATED PS	3
CORRAN INTEGRATED PS	10
ACORN INTEGRATED PS	10

Teachers¹ in schools in secondary schools in East Antrim parliamentary constituency, 2007-2008

School name

Teachers filling or temporarily filling posts in 2007-2008

LARNE HIGH SCHOOL

40

CARRICKFERGUS COLLEGE

63

MONKSTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

50

DOWNSHIRE SCHOOL

59

ST COMGALL'S HIGH SCHOOL

17

ULIDIA INTERGRATED COLLEGE

42

CARRICKFERGUS GS

56

LARNE GS

51

BELFAST HIGH SCHOOL

67

ST MACNISSI'S COLLEGE

41

Teaching Posts

Mr A Ross asked he Minister of Education how many teaching posts there are in secondary schools in the East Antrim constituency.

(AQW 6530/09)

Minister of Education:

Ní bhailíonn an Roinn eolas ar líon na bpost do mhúinteoirí i dTuaisceart na hÉireann, ach bailíonn sí eolas maidir le líon na múinteoirí.

Teachers¹ in schools in primary schools in East Antrim parliamentary constituency, 2007-2008

School name	Teachers filling or temporarily filling posts in 2007-2008
CARNALBANAGH PS	4
LARNE AND INVER PS	9
CARRICKFERGUS MODEL PS	17
OLDERFLEET PS	10
WOODBURN PS	9
MULLAGHDUBH PS	3
EDEN PS	10
GLYNN PS	4
BALLYCARRY PS	7
GREENISLAND PS	19
CARRICKFERGUS CENTRAL PS	9
WHITEABBEY PS	18
UPPER BALLYBOLEY PS	4
SUNNYLANDS PS	9
MOYLE PS	19
WHITEHEAD PS	19
KING'S PARK PS	15
LINN PS	19
VICTORIA PS	25
TOREAGH PS	6
SILVERSTREAM PS	8
HOLLYBANK PS	11
WOODLAWN PS	14
OAKFIELD PS	17
CAIRNCASTLE PS	7
SEAVIEW PS	4
ST ANTHONY'S PS	6
ST JOHN'S PS	9
LOURDES PS	2
ST JAMES' PS	14
ST NICHOLAS' PS	6
ST MACNISSI'S PS	10
KILCOAN PS	4
CARNLOUGH CONTROLLED INTEGRATED PS	3
CORRAN INTEGRATED PS	10
ACORN INTEGRATED PS	10

Teachers¹ in schools in secondary schools in East Antrim parliamentary constituency, 2007-2008

School name	Teachers filling or temporarily filling posts in 2007-2008
LARNE HIGH SCHOOL	40
CARRICKFERGUS COLLEGE	63
MONKSTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL	50
DOWNSHIRE SCHOOL	59
ST COMGALL'S HIGH SCHOOL	17
ULIDIA INTERGRATED COLLEGE	42
CARRICKFERGUS GS	56
LARNE GS	51
BELFAST HIGH SCHOOL	67
ST MACNISSI'S COLLEGE	41

Moira Primary School's New Nursery Unit

Mr J Craig asked he Minister of Education what the estimated timescale is for the completion of work on Moira Primary School's new nursery unit.

(AQW 6561/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá tugtha le fios dom ag Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirdheiscirt go ndéanfear breithniú ar an tionscadal i dtaca le clár mionoibreacha na bliana seo, in éineacht le tosaíochtaí iomaíochta eile agus ó thaobh na n-acmhainní airgeadais a bheidh ar fáil.

The South Eastern Education and Library Board has advised that the project will be considered for this year’s minor works programme, along with other competing priorities and in the context of the financial resources which will be available.

History Curriculum in Secondary Level Education

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Education what topics are available for study as part of the history curriculum in secondary level education; and for a breakdown of the topics available for each of the individual year groups.

(AQW 6614/09)

Minister of Education:

Is cuid den churaclam reachtúil anseo, ón Bhunchéim go hEochairchéím 3, í an Stair. Tugann bun inneachar reachtúil na Staire creatlach agus solúbthacht do mhúinteoirí le leithead agus doimhneacht an ábhair a mhúnlú ionas go bhfreastalóidh sé ar riachtanais gach dalta.

History is part of the statutory curriculum here from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 3. The statutory minimum content for history provides a framework and the flexibility for teachers to tailor the breadth and depth of coverage to meet the needs of individual pupils.

At Key Stage 3, there is an explicit requirement for schools to deliver the minimum content through a broad and balanced range of: historical periods; Irish, British, European and global contexts; and significant political, social economic, cultural and religious development. This includes providing opportunities for pupils to investigate the long and short term consequences of the partition of Ireland and the impact of events and ideas of the 20^th century on the world.

At Key Stage 4, there is significantly less curricular prescription in order to provide greater choice and flexibility for pupils. At Key Stage 4 and in sixth form it is for pupils to choose to study history.

Schools here are free to choose which awarding body they use when entering pupils for GCSEs or A levels. The subject content for history will therefore vary, depending upon the examination specification (syllabus) set by individual awarding bodies. Awarding bodies are required to design and develop their GCSE and A level specifications against criteria set down by the Qualifications' Regulators.

The content requirements set out in the current criteria for GCSE and A level history are very broad in that they define the general parameters for specification development rather than specific topics or periods of history to be studied. These are left to the discretion of the awarding body. For example, in both GCSE and A level history a key requirement is that all awarding bodies must allocate at least 25% of the course content to significant individuals, topics and issues related to Irish and/or British History. Awarding bodies have the freedom to specify content within this broad context.

STEM Subject Teachers

Mr P Butler asked e Minister of Education (i) how many teachers are qualified to teach STEM subjects in each educational sector; and (ii) how many STEM subject teachers there were in each educational sector, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6676/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá tugtha le fios ag an Chomhairle Ghinearálta Teagaisc (GTCNI) go bhfuil 4,125 múinteoir ‘STEM’ ar Chlár na Múinteoirí faoi láthair agus aithníodh 3,314 den líon sin mar mhúinteoirí a raibh conarthaí buana \ sealadacha acu.

Ní choinnítear eolas stáiriúil agus ní bhíonn eolas de réir earnálacha oideachais.

The General Teaching Council (GTCNI) has advised that there are currently 4,125 ‘STEM’ teachers on their Register of Teachers of which 3,314 have been identified as permanent/temporary contracted.

Historical data is not held nor is information available by education sector.

School Pupils in Upper Bann

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Education how many pupils in (i) primary; and (ii) secondary schools in the Upper Bann constituency do not have English as their first language.

(AQW 6677/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is contained in the table below.

Pupils who have English as an additional language attending primary and post-primary schools in the Upper Bann Constituency – 2008/09

School type	Number of pupils who have English as an additional language
Primary	587
Post primary	246
Total	833

Source: School census.

Note:

Figure for primary schools includes nursery, reception and year 1 – classes.
A child with English as an additional language is defined as one for whom English is not their first language and who has significant difficulty with the English language and requires assistance.

Secondary Schools

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to detail the secondary schools that do not have year 13 and 14 pupils enrolled.

(AQW 6691/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is contained in the table below.

Post primary schools that currently do not have pupils enrolled in a sixth form – 2008/09

SCHOOL NAME

ARMAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE

AUGHNACLOY COLLEGE

BALLEE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

BALLYMONEY HIGH SCHOOL

BLACKWATER INTEGRATED COLLEGE

BROWNLOW INT COLLEGE

CASTLE HIGH SCHOOL

CLOUNAGH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

CRAIGAVON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

CRUMLIN INTEGRATED COLLEGE

DE LA SALLE SECONDARY SCHOOL

DONAGHADEE HIGH SCHOOL

DROMORE HIGH SCHOOL

DRUMCREE COLLEGE

DUNDONALD HIGH SCHOOL

DUNLUCE SCHOOL

DUNMURRY HIGH SCHOOL

GARVAGH HIGH SCHOOL

KILLICOMAINE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL¹

KNOCKBREDA HIGH SCHOOL

LISNASKEA HIGH SCHOOL

LURGAN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL¹

MARKETHILL HIGH SCHOOL

MOVILLA HIGH SCHOOL

NENDRUM COLLEGE

NEWTOWNABBEY COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

NEWTOWNHAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL

OUR LADY OF LOURDES HIGH SCHOOL

PARKHALL HIGH SCHOOL

RATHFRILAND HIGH SCHOOL

SAINTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

ST AIDAN'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST ALOYSIUS HIGH SCHOOL

ST BENEDICT'S COLLEGE

ST BRIGID'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST COLMCILLE'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST COLUMBAN'S COLLEGE

ST EUGENE'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST JOHN'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST JOSEPH'S BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL, NEWRY

ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL, COALISLAND

ST MARY'S COLLEGE, IRVINESTOWN

ST MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL, BELLEEK

ST MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL, LURGAN

ST PATRICKS & ST BRIGIDS HIGH SCHOOL

ST PAUL'S COLLEGE

ST PAUL'S JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL¹

STRABANE HIGH SCHOOL

TANDRAGEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL¹

THE HIGH SCHOOL BALLYNAHINCH

Source: Annual school census.

Note:

Junior High schools have been included, but only enrol children up to Year 10.
Sixth form defined as pupils in Year 13 or above studying level 3 courses.

School Enrollment

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the schools that have year 13 and 14 pupils enrolled; and (ii) the number of these pupils in each school.

(AQW 6692/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is contained in the table below.

Post primary schools with pupils enrolled in a sixth form – 2008/09

School name	Total
ABBEY CHRISTIAN BROTHERS GS	218
ANTRIM GS	187
AQUINAS DIOCESAN GS	218
ASHFIELD BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL	71
ASHFIELD GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL	107
ASSUMPTION GS	259
BALLYCASTLE HIGH SCHOOL	53
BALLYCLARE HIGH SCHOOL	283
BALLYCLARE SECONDARY SCHOOL	114
BALLYMENA ACADEMY	318
BANBRIDGE ACADEMY	380
BANBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL	19
BANGOR ACADEMY AND 6TH FORM COLLEGE	257
BANGOR GS	207
BELFAST BOYS' MODEL SCHOOL	154
BELFAST HIGH SCHOOL	233
BELFAST MODEL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS	171
BELFAST ROYAL ACADEMY	386
BLOOMFIELD COLLEGIATE	193
CAMBRIDGE HOUSE GRAMMAR SCHOOL	236
CAMPBELL COLLEGE	197
CARRICKFERGUS COLLEGE	70
CARRICKFERGUS GS	196
CASTLEDERG HIGH SCHOOL	52
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' GS	250
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS SECONDARY SCHOOL	155
CITY ARMAGH HIGH SCHOOL	14
COLÁISTE FEIRSTE	79
COLERAINE SECONDARY SCHOOL	58
COLERAINE ACADEMICAL INSTITUTION	126
COLERAINE HIGH SCHOOL	208
COOKSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL	155
CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE	108
CROSS AND PASSION COLLEGE	158
CULLYBACKEY HIGH SCHOOL	47
DALRIADA SCHOOL	220
DEAN BRIAN MAGUIRC COLLEGE	55
DEVENISH COLLEGE	104
DOMINICAN COLLEGE, PORTSTEWART	269
DOMINICAN COLLEGE, BELFAST	109
DOWN HIGH SCHOOL	266
DOWNSHIRE SCHOOL	66
DRUMGLASS HIGH SCHOOL	32
DRUMRAGH COLLEGE	108
DUNCLUG COLLEGE	93
EDMUND RICE COLLEGE	82
ENNISKILLEN COLLEGIATE	145
ERNE INTEGRATED COLLEGE	84
FIVEMILETOWN HIGH SCHOOL	84
FORT HILL COLLEGE	89
FOYLE & LONDONDERRY COLLEGE	225
FRIENDS' SCHOOL	266
GLASTRY COLLEGE	66
GLENGORMLEY HIGH SCHOOL	164
GLENLOLA COLLEGIATE	269
GROSVENOR GS	289
HAZELWOOD COLLEGE	138
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE	250
HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE	187
HUNTERHOUSE COLLEGE	169
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION COLLEGE	36
INTEGRATED COLLEGE DUNGANNON	95
KILKEEL HIGH SCHOOL	126
LA SALLE BOYS' SCHOOL	218
LAGAN COLLEGE	196
LARNE GS	184
LARNE HIGH SCHOOL	66
LAURELHILL COMMUNITY COLLEGE	83
LIMAVADY GS	253
LIMAVADY HIGH SCHOOL	85
LISMORE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL	228
LISNAGARVEY HIGH SCHOOL	51
LISNEAL COLLEGE	105
LITTLE FLOWER GIRLS' SCHOOL	135
LORETO COLLEGE	195
LORETO GS	270
LUMEN CHRISTI COLLEGE	223
LURGAN COLLEGE	203
MAGHERA HIGH SCHOOL	18
MAGHERAFELT HIGH SCHOOL	56
MALONE INTEGRATED COLLEGE	136
METHODIST COLLEGE	520
MONKSTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL	21
MOUNT LOURDES GS	306
NEW-BRIDGE INTEGRATED COLLEGE	89
NEWRY HIGH SCHOOL	109
NEWTOWNBREDA HIGH SCHOOL	78
NORTH COAST INTEGRATED COLLEGE	50
OAKGROVE INTEGRATED COLLEGE	148
OMAGH ACADEMY	175
OMAGH HIGH SCHOOL	65
ORANGEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL	30
OUR LADY AND ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE	332
OUR LADY OF MERCY GIRLS' SCHOOL	94
OUR LADY'S GS	222
PORTADOWN COLLEGE	374
PORTORA ROYAL SCHOOL	130
PRIORY COLLEGE	23
RAINEY ENDOWED SCHOOL	190
RATHMORE GS	353
REGENT HOUSE SCHOOL	358
SACRED HEART COLLEGE	148
SACRED HEART GS, NEWRY	230
SHIMNA INTEGRATED COLLEGE	105
SLEMISH COLLEGE	120
SPERRIN INTEGRATED COLLEGE	57
ST BRIGID'S COLLEGE	102
ST CATHERINE'S COLLEGE	243
ST CECILIA'S COLLEGE	187
ST CIARAN'S HIGH SCHOOL	146
ST COLMAN'S COLLEGE , NEWRY	238
ST COLMAN'S HIGH SCHOOL, BALLYNAHINCH	68
ST COLM'S HIGH SCHOOL, DRAPERSTOWN	63
ST COLM'S HIGH SCHOOL, LISBURN	83
ST COLUMBANUS' COLLEGE	54
ST COLUMBA'S HIGH SCHOOL	24
ST COLUMB'S COLLEGE	412
ST COMGALL'S HIGH SCHOOL	32
ST COMHGHALL'S HIGH	83
ST DOMINIC'S HIGH SCHOOL	267
ST EUGENE'S COLLEGE	5
ST FANCHEA'S COLLEGE	32
ST GEMMA'S HIGH SCHOOL	60
ST GENEVIEVE'S HIGH SCHOOL	223
ST JOSEPH'S SECONDARY SCHOOL, DERRY	122
ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE, ENNISKILLEN	7
ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE, RAVENHILL ROAD	106
ST JOSEPH'S CONVENT GS	137
ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL, COLERAINE	55
ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL, CROSSMAGLEN	61
ST LOUIS GS, BALLYMENA	243
ST LOUIS GS, KILKEEL	154
ST LOUISE'S COLLEGE	471
ST MACNISSI'S COLLEGE	152
ST MALACHY'S COLLEGE , BELFAST	246
ST MALACHY'S HIGH SCHOOL, CASTLEWELLAN	203
ST MARK'S HIGH SCHOOL	113
ST MARY'S CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' GS	265
ST MARY'S COLLEGE, CLADY	43
ST MARY'S COLLEGE, DERRY	151
ST MARY'S GS, MAGHERAFELT	283
ST MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL, DOWNPATRICK	89
ST MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL, NEWRY	111
ST MARY'S LIMAVADY	85
ST MICHAEL'S COLLEGE, ENNISKILLEN	214
ST MICHAEL'S GRAMMAR, MAGHERALIN	281
ST PATRICK'S ACADEMY, DUNGANNON	407
ST PATRICK'S CO-ED COMP COLLEGE, MAGHERAFELT	350
ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE, BALLYMENA	85
ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE, BANBRIDGE	50
ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE, BEARNAGHEEHA	122
ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE, MULLAGHMORE	69
ST PATRICK'S GS, DOWNPATRICK	203
ST PATRICK'S GS, ARMAGH	203
ST PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL, DUNGIVEN	38
ST PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL, KEADY	220
ST PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL, LISBURN	31
ST PAUL'S HIGH SCHOOL, CAMLOUGH	230
ST PETER'S HIGH SCHOOL, DERRY	77
ST PIUS X COLLEGE	126
ST ROSE'S HIGH SCHOOL	91
STRABANE GS	118
STRANGFORD INTEGRATED COLLEGE	82
STRATHEARN SCHOOL	192
SULLIVAN UPPER SCHOOL	288
THE ROYAL BELFAST ACADEMICAL INST.	262
THE ROYAL SCHOOL ARMAGH	178
THE ROYAL SCHOOL DUNGANNON	168
THORNHILL COLLEGE	393
ULIDIA INTERGRATED COLLEGE	91
VICTORIA COLLEGE	227
WALLACE HIGH SCHOOL	312
WELLINGTON COLLEGE	188

Source: School census.

Note:

Figures may include some children who are re-sitting level 2 exams.

School Meals

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Education how many (i) boys; and (ii) girls, entitled to free school meals, obtained three As at A level standard, in the last academic year.

(AQW 6712/09)

Minister of Education:

Number of Year 14 school leavers achieving 3 or more grade As at A level standard by gender and free school meal entitlement 2006/07

	Pupils not entitled to free school meals	Pupils entitled to free school meals	Total
Boys	676	24	700
Girls	1,021	42	1,063
Total	1,697	66	1,763

Source: School Leavers Survey

A Levels

Miss M McIlveen asked he Minister of Education how many (i) boys; and (ii) girls obtained three As at A level standard, in the last academic year.

(AQW 6713/09)

Minister of Education:

Number of Year 14 school leavers achieving 3 or more grade As at A level standard by gender and free school meal entitlement 2006/07

	Pupils not entitled to free school meals	Pupils entitled to free school meals	Total
Boys	676	24	700
Girls	1,021	42	1,063
Total	1,697	66	1,763

Source: School Leavers Survey

Middletown Estate

Mr T Elliott asked he Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 6099/09, (i) if the £3,411,554 cost to the budget was augmented by a similar amount from the Republic of Ireland; (ii) if these amounts included all costs of acquisition of the Middletown estate; and (iii) in what year the acquisition costs were paid.

(AQW 6729/09)

Minister of Education:

Is féidir liom a dheimhniú gur roinneadh ar bhonn 50/50 idir an Roinn Oideachais ó Thuaidh agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta ó Dheas aon chistiú caipitil agus aon chistiú ioncaim a bhain leis an tionscadal um Ionad Uathachais Choillidh Chanannáin.

I can confirm that all capital and revenue funding relating to the Middletown Centre for Autism project have been shared on a 50/50 basis between the Department of Education (DE) in the north and the Department of Education and Science (DES) in the south.

In the figures provided in the answer to AQW 6099/09 amounts were also provided, which related to DE internal costs relevant to the Middletown project. These costs were specific to DE only and DES will have had their own internal costs of unrelated amounts.

With regards to parts (i) and (ii) of your question, I can confirm that the amounts provided in AQW 6099/09 did include all costs for the acquisition of the Middletown estate which took place in June 2004. The overall capital cost was £3m which was split evenly between DE and DES.

Broughshane Primary School

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education for her assessment of the accommodation at Broughshane Primary School.

(AQW 6731/09)

Minister of Education:

A request for a replacement school was submitted last year to the North Eastern Education and Library Board by the Boards of Governors of the school. The condition of the building is generally good and this together with relatively few shortfalls in accommodation resulted in the North Eastern Education and Library Board being unable to recommend that the school be considered a priority at this time. A permanent extension was carried out to the school in 1998 and the mobiles at the school are in relatively good condition.

North Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to list the schemes in the North Eastern Education and Library Board major capital building programme that are awaiting approval from her Department.

(AQW 6732/09)

Minister of Education:

There are currently fourteen North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) schemes which are at draft Economic Appraisal stage and have not yet been agreed between the Board and the Department:

Antrim Primary School
Ballycastle High School
Ballyclare Primary School
Castle Tower Special School
Cambridge House Grammar
Carrickfergus Grammar School
Carrickfergus High School
Carrickfergus College
Crumlin High School
Cullybackey High School
Coleraine High School (joint EA with Coleraine Academical Institution)
Kilmoyle Primary School
Larne High School
The Thompson Primary School

There are two NEELB primary school schemes for which Economic Appraisals have been approved and which await agreement of funding to proceed. The primary schools concerned are Woodburn and Islandmagee.

The NEELB has identified twelve potential capital major works schemes which will need to be assessed with the department before they could proceed to appraisal stage. These are as follows:

Ashgrove Primary School
Carnmoney Primary School
Carrickfergus Central Primary School
Carrickfergus Model Primary School
Clough Primary School
Greenisland Primary School
Hezlett Primary School
Linn Primary School
Moyle Primary School
Randalstown Primary School
Dunclug College
Downshire School

The need for these schemes has not yet been with the Department.

North Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr M Storey asked he Minister of Education to list the schemes in the North Eastern Education and Library Board major capital building programme that have had economic appraisals approved and are awaiting new starts clearance from her Department.

(AQW 6733/09)

Minister of Education:

There are currently fourteen North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) schemes which are at draft Economic Appraisal stage and have not yet been agreed between the Board and the Department:

The NEELB has identified twelve potential capital major works schemes which will need to be assessed with the department before they could proceed to appraisal stage. These are as follows:

The need for these schemes has not yet been with the Department.

North Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to list the schemes in the North Eastern Education and Library Board major capital building programme.

(AQW 6734/09)

Minister of Education:

There are currently fourteen North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) schemes which are at draft Economic Appraisal stage and have not yet been agreed between the Board and the Department:

The NEELB has identified twelve potential capital major works schemes which will need to be assessed with the department before they could proceed to appraisal stage. These are as follows:

The need for these schemes has not yet been with the Department.

Portadown College

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Education if she will agree to have Departmental officials visit Portadown College to discuss why its Board of Governors wants the new school to be built on the existing footprint.

(AQW 6739/09)

Minister of Education:

Chuir mé in iúl ag an díospóireacht ar Portadown College ar na maillaibh gur iarradh ar Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt (SELB) tabhairt faoi obair bhreise ar an Bhreithmheas Eacnamaíochta (EA)

I indicated during the recent debate on Portadown College that the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) has been asked to undertake some further work on the Economic Appraisal (EA).

I stress, as I did during the debate, the importance of ensuring that the principles of appraisal have been correctly applied and that the decision on how best to provide suitable accommodation for current and future pupils attending Portadown College is robust and presents value for money. To that end the EA must address a full range of feasible options. I hope that the work on the appraisal can be concluded quickly.

Youth Workers

Mr D McKay asked he Minister of Education how many (i) youth workers; and (ii) hours per week will be provided for youth workers in 2009/10 for (a) Doury Road, Ballymena; (b) Ballykeel, Ballymena; and (c) Dunclug, Ballymena.

(AQW 6772/09)

Minister of Education:

Thug Príomhfheidhmeannach Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirthuaiscirt an t-eolas seo a leanas don bhliain 2009/10.

The Chief Executive of the North Eastern Education and Library Board has provided the following information for 2009/10.

	Doury Road		Ballykeel		Dunclug
	FT	PT	FT	PT (1)	FT	PT (2)
Youth Workers	1	9	1	10	1	5
Hours per week provided for youth workers	3.6	44	7.2	49	7.2	29

This figure includes 1 part time worker funded under the DSD Employability and Citizenship Scheme for a total of 5 hours per week.
This figure includes an application for 1 part time youth worker under the DSD Employability and Citizenship Scheme for a total of 5 hours per week. This application has not yet been approved.

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to list the schemes in the South Eastern Education and Library Board's major capital building programme, that are awaiting approval from her Department.

(AQW 6795/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá cúig scéim de chuid Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt nár shocraigh an Roinn breithmheas eacnamaíochta orthu leis an Bhord go fóill;

There are five South-Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) schemes for which Economic Appraisals have not yet been agreed between the Department and the Board;

Academy Primary School, Saintfield
Ballynahinch Primary School
Downpatrick Primary School and Nursery School
Killinchy Primary School
Down High School

Economic Appraisals for a new Ballywalter Primary School and for sports hall provision at Saintfield High School have been agreed and await agreement to proceed.

Additionally, the SEELB has identified six potential capital major works schemes. These are;

Bangor Central Primary School
Brownlee Primary School
Cairnshill Primary School
Forthill Campus, Lisburn
Londonderry Primary School
Tonagh, Knockmore, Old Warren and Lisburn Central Primary Schools

Of these schemes, my Department has recently assessed and agreed the need for a replacement Bangor Central Primary School and a draft EA prepared by the SEELB is under consideration. The remaining schemes have not yet been assessed or agreed by my Department but further engagement with the SEELB on these schemes can be expected in the near future.

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to list the schemes in the South Eastern Education and Library Board's major capital building programme, that have had economic appraisals approved and are awaiting for new start clearance from her Department.

(AQW 6796/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá cúig scéim de chuid Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt nár shocraigh an Roinn breithmheas eacnamaíochta orthu leis an Bhord go fóill;

There are five South-Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) schemes for which Economic Appraisals have not yet been agreed between the Department and the Board;

Academy Primary School, Saintfield
Ballynahinch Primary School
Downpatrick Primary School and Nursery School
Killinchy Primary School
Down High School

Economic Appraisals for a new Ballywalter Primary School and for sports hall provision at Saintfield High School have been agreed and await agreement to proceed.

Additionally, the SEELB has identified six potential capital major works schemes. These are;

Bangor Central Primary School
Brownlee Primary School
Cairnshill Primary School
Forthill Campus, Lisburn
Londonderry Primary School
Tonagh, Knockmore, Old Warren and Lisburn Central Primary Schools

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to list the schemes in the South Eastern Education and Library Board's major capital building programme.

(AQW 6797/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá cúig scéim de chuid Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt nár shocraigh an Roinn breithmheas eacnamaíochta orthu leis an Bhord go fóill;

There are five South-Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) schemes for which Economic Appraisals have not yet been agreed between the Department and the Board;

Academy Primary School, Saintfield
Ballynahinch Primary School
Downpatrick Primary School and Nursery School
Killinchy Primary School
Down High School

Economic Appraisals for a new Ballywalter Primary School and for sports hall provision at Saintfield High School have been agreed and await agreement to proceed.

Additionally, the SEELB has identified six potential capital major works schemes. These are;

Bangor Central Primary School
Brownlee Primary School
Cairnshill Primary School
Forthill Campus, Lisburn
Londonderry Primary School
Tonagh, Knockmore, Old Warren and Lisburn Central Primary Schools

St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education when the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS Forkhill will commence.

(AQW 6801/09)

Minister of Education:

(i) It is estimated that the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(ii) It is estimated that the new build for St Patrick’s PS, Dromintee will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(iii) It is estimated that the new build for St Clare’s Convent PS will commence in autumn 2009 and complete around spring 2012.

(iv) It is estimated that the new build for Carrick PS Burren’s will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around late 2010.

(v) It is estimated that the new build for St Joseph’s PS Newry will commence in early 2010 and complete around summer 2011.

Braitheann na hamscálaí seo ar chur i gcrích sásúil na bpróiseas riachtanach pleanála agus tógála ar fad agus infhaighteacht na n-acmhainní i rith bliain áirithe. Beidh siad faoi réir beartas na Roinne, mar shampla pleanáil cheantar-bhunaithe agus tabharfaidh siad san áireamh iad.

These timescales are of course subject to all the necessary planning and building processes being completed satisfactorily and the availability of resources in any particular year. They will also be subject to, and take into account, Departmental policies such as area based planning.

St Patrick's PS, Dromintee

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education when the new build for St Patrick's PS Dromintee will commence.

(AQW 6802/09)

Minister of Education:

(i) It is estimated that the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(ii) It is estimated that the new build for St Patrick’s PS, Dromintee will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(iii) It is estimated that the new build for St Clare’s Convent PS will commence in autumn 2009 and complete around spring 2012.

(iv) It is estimated that the new build for Carrick PS Burren’s will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around late 2010.

(v) It is estimated that the new build for St Joseph’s PS Newry will commence in early 2010 and complete around summer 2011.

Abbey-St. Clare's, Newry

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education when the new build for Abbey-St. Clare's Newry will commence.

(AQW 6803/09)

Minister of Education:

(i) It is estimated that the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(ii) It is estimated that the new build for St Patrick’s PS, Dromintee will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(iii) It is estimated that the new build for St Clare’s Convent PS will commence in autumn 2009 and complete around spring 2012.

(iv) It is estimated that the new build for Carrick PS Burren’s will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around late 2010.

(v) It is estimated that the new build for St Joseph’s PS Newry will commence in early 2010 and complete around summer 2011.

Carrick PS Burren’s

Mr D Bradley asked he Minister of Education when the new build for Carrick PS Burren's will commence.

(AQW 6804/09)

Minister of Education:

(i) It is estimated that the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(ii) It is estimated that the new build for St Patrick’s PS, Dromintee will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(iii) It is estimated that the new build for St Clare’s Convent PS will commence in autumn 2009 and complete around spring 2012.

(iv) It is estimated that the new build for Carrick PS Burren’s will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around late 2010.

(v) It is estimated that the new build for St Joseph’s PS Newry will commence in early 2010 and complete around summer 2011.

St Joseph's PS, Newry

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education when the new build for St Joseph's PS Newry will commence.

(AQW 6805/09)

Minister of Education:

(i) It is estimated that the new build for St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(ii) It is estimated that the new build for St Patrick’s PS, Dromintee will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around summer 2010.

(iii) It is estimated that the new build for St Clare’s Convent PS will commence in autumn 2009 and complete around spring 2012.

(iv) It is estimated that the new build for Carrick PS Burren’s will commence in late summer 2009 and complete around late 2010.

(v) It is estimated that the new build for St Joseph’s PS Newry will commence in early 2010 and complete around summer 2011.

Post- Primary School Leavers

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Education (i) how many children left primary education in 2008 but were not registered in a post- primary school; and (ii) to detail any follow-up her Department has had with these children and their families.

(AQW 6818/09)

Minister of Education:

Faoi láthair, ní bhailíonn mo Roinn an t-eolas a iarradh. Tugadh isteach uimhreacha sainiúla daltaí (UPNanna) in iar-bhunscoileanna ó thús na scoilbhliana 2007/08 agus i mbunscoileanna ó thús na scoilbhliana 2008/09, áfach. Baineann na huimhreacha seo le daltaí aonair agus iad fós san earnáil bhunoideachais agus iar-bhunoideachais. Tá obair ar siúl a ligfidh don UPN aistriú leis an dalta agus é nó í ag aistriú ón earnáil bhunoideachais go dtí an earnáil iar-bhunoideachais.

My Department does not collect the information requested at present. However, unique pupils numbers (UPNs) were introduced in post primary schools from the start of the 2007/08 school year and in primary schools from the start of the 2008/09 school year. These numbers relate to individual pupils while they remain in the primary or post-primary sector. Work is underway to enable the UPN to move with the pupil when transferring from the primary to post-primary sector.

I understand from the Education and Library Boards (ELBs) that they monitor the number of children transferring from primary to post-primary schools and undertake an assessment to determine unplaced children in their area at the close of the post-primary admissions procedure at 30 May each year.

Children may remain unplaced at this stage for a variety of reasons for example:

they reside in border areas and have decided to attend school in the south;
their families have moved elsewhere;
they have been unable to get a place in their preferred school;
they are awaiting an assessment;
they are receiving Board organised home tuition;
their parents have chosen to home educate; or
they await approval to have an additional year in their primary school.

If unplaced children are identified, ELBs liaise with their parents/carers to determine what action should be taken. For example, they may advise families of the post-primary schools which have places available and request further preferences. Alternatively, the child may obtain a place in their original choice of post-primary school through a successful appeal. Children may also have a needs-appropriate school identified for them following an assessment by an educational psychologist. ELBs will continue to liaise with families until a suitable form of education for the child has been identified.

ELBs also complete a reconciliation exercise each September which highlights any child not enrolled in the school in which they were originally placed or if they have not enrolled elsewhere. The details of any child not enrolled in a school in September are then passed on to the Education Welfare Service (EWS) in each ELB. The EWS will contact the family to determine if appropriate home tuition is in place and, if not; work with the family to secure a school place.

School Leavers Entering Third Level Education

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Education what percentage of students went on to third level education in the last five years, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

(AQW 6821/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá an freagra mionsonraithe sa tábla thíos.

The answer is detailed in the table below.

Percentage of school leavers recorded as entering third level institutions by parliamentary constituency 2001/02 to 2006/07

	2001/02			2003/04			2004/05			2005/06			2006/07
	HE	FE	Total	HE	FE	Total	HE	FE	Total	HE	FE	Total	HE	FE	Total
BELFAST EAST	35.1	20.1	55.3	37.7	21.3	59.0	35.3	27.2	62.4	36.3	25.9	62.2	37.3	24.9	62.2
BELFAST NORTH	23.7	19.7	43.4	19.6	20.6	40.2	28.4	17.8	46.2	24.5	19.8	44.3	26.7	16.2	42.8
BELFAST SOUTH	43.9	20.1	64.1	48.4	17.6	66.0	52.5	16.0	68.5	52.8	20.0	72.9	51.9	17.8	69.7
BELFAST WEST	22.0	16.4	38.5	22.9	20.2	43.2	22.1	22.4	44.5	24.9	22.0	46.8	25.1	22.1	47.1
EAST ANTRIM	34.5	21.3	55.8	38.1	23.8	61.9	39.4	20.4	59.7	34.0	26.3	60.3	37.8	20.1	57.9
EAST DERRY	32.9	35.1	67.9	35.6	27.6	63.2	31.6	36.0	67.5	33.6	38.3	71.9	36.3	36.2	72.4
FERMANAGH AND SOUTH TYRONE	43.0	23.5	66.5	46.2	23.4	69.6	45.4	25.6	71.0	43.3	25.4	68.7	42.8	29.4	72.2
FOYLE	34.0	31.4	65.5	40.3	27.7	68.0	40.9	33.4	74.3	44.1	24.7	68.7	41.1	30.1	71.2
LAGAN VALLEY	39.8	30.9	70.7	39.4	26.8	66.2	38.8	29.7	68.4	39.8	27.5	67.2	42.7	25.0	67.7
MID ULSTER	35.7	26.7	62.4	41.0	24.1	65.2	40.5	22.8	63.3	37.0	28.8	65.7	45.2	22.0	67.3
NEWRY AND ARMAGH	33.9	32.9	66.7	33.6	32.2	65.8	36.9	32.7	69.7	36.0	35.3	71.3	39.0	32.9	71.9
NORTH ANTRIM	34.1	30.0	64.0	34.5	25.0	59.5	38.2	28.4	66.7	34.9	32.5	67.3	38.9	29.1	68.1
NORTH DOWN	42.1	33.5	75.6	42.4	30.8	73.2	45.2	32.6	77.8	44.3	34.3	78.5	43.0	32.5	75.5
SOUTH ANTRIM	34.0	29.4	63.4	36.9	29.2	66.2	40.1	26.0	66.0	41.3	28.8	70.1	37.7	28.5	66.2
SOUTH DOWN	35.3	26.1	61.5	33.5	26.7	60.2	38.5	24.9	63.4	38.1	25.3	63.4	36.1	24.1	60.1
STRANGFORD	35.4	29.7	65.1	34.4	35.6	70.0	36.9	32.7	69.6	37.5	37.0	74.5	36.9	34.4	71.3
UPPER BANN	34.2	30.4	64.6	31.2	38.9	70.1	35.2	36.1	71.2	34.7	32.7	67.4	35.7	33.7	69.3
WEST TYRONE	40.6	21.0	61.6	43.2	21.9	65.1	48.3	25.2	73.6	42.7	21.6	64.4	43.9	29.9	73.8
NI Average	35.0	26.8	61.8	36.0	26.7	62.7	38.1	27.5	65.6	37.4	28.2	65.6	38.4	27.4	65.9

Source: School Leavers Survey

Education and Library Board Workers

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Education when Education and Library Board workers will be told of the location of their jobs in the new Education and Skills Authority.

(AQW 6846/09)

Minister of Education:

Aithním gur ceist rí-thábhachtach í ceist an tsuímh ina mbeidh foireann na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne agus foireann eagraíochtaí eile lonnaithe, a mbeidh a gcuid feidhmeanna ag aistriú go dtí an Údarás um Oideachas agus Scileanna. Níor socraíodh ceist an tsuímh go fóill.

I recognise that location is a critical issue for staff in the Education and Library Boards and staff in other organisations whose functions will be transferring into the Education and Skills Authority. At this stage, no decisions have been taken on location.

A location strategy for ESA is currently being drawn up by the ESA Implementation Team, taking account of the new models of service delivery and associated organisational structures which the team is developing in consultation with staff in the existing organisations. The location strategy will be consistent with Executive policy on the location of public sector jobs and will have equality and improvement of service delivery at the heart of the decision making process.

A draft strategy is expected by the Summer. It will set out the ESA organisational structure and the proposed location of functions and will be implemented over the first 3 years of ESA. Decisions on the location of staff on Day 1 of ESA will be made in the Autumn and communicated in good time to staff before ESA is established on 1 January 2010.

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attending post-primary schools take up the entitlement to free school meals; and what percentage of the post-primary school enrolment they represent.

(AQW 6877/09)

Minister of Education:

Bíonn líon na ndaltaí a fhaigheann béilí scoile ag athrú ó sheachtain go seachtain. Tugann eolas a bhailítear gach bliain ón Áireamh Bhéilí Scoile léargas dúinn maidir leis na líonta a fhaigheann béilí scoile ar an lá a bhailítear eolas an áirimh. Seo a leanas na figúirí ón áireamh a rinneadh sa bhliain 2008.

The number of children taking school meals varies from week to week. However, information collected annually from the School Meals Census provides a snapshot of the numbers taking meals on the day on which census information is gathered. The figures from the 2008 census were as follows:

	Pupils Taking Free School Meals	% Number of Total Enrolment Taking Free School Meals
Total Post-Primary	18,164	12.27
Non-Selective (Secondary)	15,285	10.33
Grammar	2,879	1.95

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils who attend non-selective post-primary schools are entitled to free school meals.

(AQW 6878/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is detailed in the table below.

Post primary pupils entitled to free school meals (FSM) by school type, 2008/09

School type	Number of pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	% of total enrolment entitled to FSM
Secondary	20,868	85,576	24.4
Grammar	3,521	62,410	5.6
Total	24,389	147,986	16.5

Source: School census.

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked he Minister of Education how many pupils attending non-selective schools take up the entitlement to free school meals; and what percentage of the post-primary school enrolment they represent.

(AQW 6879/09)

Minister of Education:

	Pupils Taking Free School Meals	% Number of Total Enrolment Taking Free School Meals
Total Post-Primary	18,164	12.27
Non-Selective (Secondary)	15,285	10.33
Grammar	2,879	1.95

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attending grammar schools take up the entitlement to free school meals; and what percentage of the post-primary school enrolment they represent.

(AQW 6880/09)

Minister of Education:

	Pupils Taking Free School Meals	% Number of Total Enrolment Taking Free School Meals
Total Post-Primary	18,164	12.27
Non-Selective (Secondary)	15,285	10.33
Grammar	2,879	1.95

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attending grammar schools are entitled to free school meals; and what percentage of the post-primary school enrolment they represent.

(AQW 6882/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is detailed in the table below.

Post primary pupils entitled to free school meals (FSM) by school type, 2008/09

School type	Number of pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	% of total enrolment entitled to FSM
Secondary	20,868	85,576	24.4
Grammar	3,521	62,410	5.6
Total	24,389	147,986	16.5

Source: School census.

Grammar School Teachers

Mr P Butler asked he Minister of Education how many teachers in the grammar school sector have availed of the early retirement scheme, in the last 5 years.

(AQW 6904/09)

Minister of Education:

Seo a leanas líon na múinteoirí a chuaigh ar scor ó earnáil na scoileanna gramadaí faoin scéim um luathscor i ngach bliain le cúig bliana anuas.

The number of teachers who have retired from the grammar school sector under the premature retirement scheme in each of the last five years is as follows:

Financial Year	Number of Prematurely Retired Teachers
2004 - 2005	31
2005 – 2006	69
2006 – 2007	67
2007 - 2008	117
2008 - 2009	42

New Primary School at Carrick, Warrenpoint

Mr P J Bradley asked he Minister of Education how she intends to address the delay in issuing the tenders for the building of the new Primary School at Carrick, Warrenpoint.

(AQW 6908/09)

Minister of Education: Tá an scéim a bhaineann le Carrick PS ag ardchéim pleanála agus cuireadh iarratas réamh-thairisceana ar chostais isteach chuig an Roinn le déanaí fá choinne breithnithe.

The scheme for Carrick PS is well advanced in planning with a Pre-Tender cost submission having recently been submitted to the Department for consideration. Further information has been requested from the school’s advisers and this is still awaited. The acquisition/vesting of additional land had been delayed due to redesign work to one of the proposed new school entrances. This redesign work has now been completed and the vesting process should be completed in the

near future. Tenders for the construction of the new school will be sought just as soon as vesting has been completed and all the information for the Pre-Tender submission has been received and agreed.

Primary Schools

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attend primary schools.

(AQW 6909/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos. Is féidir teacht ar eolas breise maidir le rolluithe scoile agus teidlíocht saorbhéilí scoile áfach sa rannán Statistics and Research ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne Oideachais ag an nasc seo a leanas:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/32-statisticsandresearch_pg/32-statistics_and_research_statistics_on_education_pg/32_statistics_and_research-numbersofschoolsandpupils_pg.htm

The information requested is contained in the table below. However, further information in relation to school enrolments and entitlement to free school meals can be accessed on the Statistics and Research part of the Department of Education website via the following link:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/32-statisticsandresearch_pg/32-statistics_and_research_statistics_on_education_pg/32_statistics_and_research-numbersofschoolsandpupils_pg.htm

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

School type	All pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	%
Primary schools	28,419	164,811	17.2
Post primary schools	24,389	147,986	16.5
Total	52,808	312,797	16.9

Source: Annual school census.

Note:

Figures for primary schools include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.
Figures for nursery class children include those recorded as having a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support and those entitled to free school meals.

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attending primary schools are entitled to free school meals; and what percentage of the primary school enrolment they represent.

(AQW 6910/09)

Minister of Education:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/32-statisticsandresearch_pg/32-statistics_and_research_statistics_on_education_pg/32_statistics_and_research-numbersofschoolsandpupils_pg.htm

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

School type	All pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	%
Primary schools	28,419	164,811	17.2
Post primary schools	24,389	147,986	16.5
Total	52,808	312,797	16.9

Source: Annual school census.

Note:

Figures for primary schools include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.
Figures for nursery class children include those recorded as having a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support and those entitled to free school meals.

Post-Primary Schools

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attend post-primary schools.

(AQW 6911/09)

Minister of Education:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/32-statisticsandresearch_pg/32-statistics_and_research_statistics_on_education_pg/32_statistics_and_research-numbersofschoolsandpupils_pg.htm

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

School type	All pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	%
Primary schools	28,419	164,811	17.2
Post primary schools	24,389	147,986	16.5
Total	52,808	312,797	16.9

Source: Annual school census.

Note:

Figures for primary schools include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.
Figures for nursery class children include those recorded as having a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support and those entitled to free school meals.

Free School Meals

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils attending post-primary schools are entitled to free school meals.

(AQW 6912/09)

Minister of Education:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/32-statisticsandresearch_pg/32-statistics_and_research_statistics_on_education_pg/32_statistics_and_research-numbersofschoolsandpupils_pg.htm

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

School type	All pupils entitled to FSM	Total enrolment	%
Primary schools	28,419	164,811	17.2
Post primary schools	24,389	147,986	16.5
Total	52,808	312,797	16.9

Source: Annual school census.

Note:

Figures for primary schools include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.
Figures for nursery class children include those recorded as having a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support and those entitled to free school meals.

Skip2bfit Programme

Mr D Hilditch asked he Minister of Education if she will consider funding the introduction of the Skip2bfit programme in schools.

(AQW 6923/09)

Minister of Education:

Tá mé lántiomanta do pháistí a chur ar an eolas ag aois óg, faoi na tairbhí a bhaineann le stíl mhaireachtála shláintiúil.

I am fully committed to introducing children to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle at an early age.

In support of this, I launched my Curriculum Sports Programme in November 2007 to give our youngest pupils more opportunities to develop their physical literacy skills and to be active. I firmly believe this benefits not only their health but also their overall well-being, self-esteem and achievement in school.

It is a matter for individual schools to decide on any materials or programmes they wish to use to deliver the curriculum, and to meet any associated costs from within the resources available to them. My Department does not prescribe or support the use of any particular programmes or materials by schools to support their curricular provision. Schools may, however, seek advice from their Education and Library Board when making decisions about specific materials or programmes.

Education and Skills Authority

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education how many staff redundancies are expected when the Education and Library Board are changed to the Education and Skills Authority.

(AQW 6925/09)

Minister of Education: Nuair a bhunófar an tÚdarás um Oideachas agus Scileanna ar 1 Eanáir 2010, tabharfar le chéile feidhmeanna na 5 Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne, CCMS, CCEA, an Chomhairle Ógra agus Coimisiún na Foirne, chomh maith le feidhmeanna tosaigh DE, NICIE agus CnaG.

The creation of the Education and Skills Authority on 1 January 2010 will bring together the functions of the 5 Education and Library Boards, CCMS, CCEA, the Youth Council and the Staff Commission and the front-line functions of DE, NICIE and CnaG. The key aim of the RPA in education is to improve education outcomes by creating a single organisation with responsibility for raising standards in every school in every sector and with clear accountability to me and to the Assembly for doing so. This will be facilitated by streamlining administration and releasing resources for re-allocation to the classroom and frontline support services.

The Outline Business Case for ESA indicates that by the end of year 3 of ESA an additional £20m per annum will be released to directly support improved education outcomes and in subsequent phases I believe we can radically improve service delivery in a way which will make further resources available to enhance the quality of front-line services. This will be achieved through the introduction of new service delivery models and a reduction of around 460 administrative and headquarter posts, with the greatest proportionate impact at senior and middle management levels.

I expect that streamlining can be achieved through a combination of the significant number of vacant posts and staff in acting up positions, natural wastage and voluntary severance and that compulsory redundancies can be avoided.

Education Sector

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education what is the anticipated savings in the education sector from the outcome of the Review of Public Administration.

(AQW 6926/09)

Minister of Education:

Is é an feabhsú ar thorthaí oideachais agus ar chomhionannas an tsoláthair atá mar bhunábhar an Athbhreithnithe ar Riarachán Poiblí san Oideachas.

The Review of Public Administration in education is fundamentally about improving educational outcomes and equality of provision. In doing so, there must be a focus on ensuring resources are efficiently and effectively used for improving the most important service that shapes and guides the development and life chances of our young people and builds strong and cohesive communities.

The anticipated efficiency savings arising from the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority (ESA) are £8.3 million and £13 million in 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively. These efficiency savings have already been taken into consideration by the Executive in determining the budget for Education in each of those years. From 2011-12, the level of anticipated efficiency savings is estimated to be in the region of £20 million.

Free School Meals

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education how many children in East Antrim are entitled to free school meals.

(AQW 6960/09)

Minister of Education: Tá 1,584 páiste ag scoileanna agus in áiteanna maoinithe in ionaid dheonacha agus réamhscoile príobháidí i dtoghcheantar Aontroim Thoir atá i dteideal saorbhéilí scoile a fháil.

There are 1,584 children at schools and in funded places in voluntary and private pre-school centres in the East Antrim constituency entitled to free school meals.

Source: school census.

Note:

Figures for primary include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.
Figures for nursery children are included, whether they are recorded as having a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support, or are entitled to free school meals. Figures for children in pre-school centres relate to children with a parent in receipt of Job Skills Allowance or Income Support.
Figures relate to children in funded places in voluntary and private pre-school centres, nursery schools, primary schools and post primary schools.

Nursery Schools

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of Education why children whose parents receive state benefits are given preference for places at state nursery schools over children whose parents do not receive state benefits.

(AQW 6979/09)

Minister of Education:

Is í an aidhm atá ag an Chlár um Fhorleathnú Oideachais Réamhscoile (PSEEP) ná bliain amháin oideachais chistithe réamhscoile ar ardchaighdeán a chur ar fáil do gach páiste ar mian lena t(h)uismitheoirí í, sa bhliain díreach roimh oideachas éigeantach.

The aim of the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme (PSEEP) is to provide one year of high quality funded pre-school education, in the year immediately before compulsory education, for every child whose parents wish it.

In determining the admissions criteria the Department of Education specifies some priorities i.e.

Social disadvantaged (whose parents receive Income Support or income-based Jobseekers’ Allowance)– because research has shown that those children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds tend to experience more difficulty at school than other children; and
4 year olds with July and August birthdays – because these children do not enter compulsory education until after their 5^th birthday.

Pre-school settings must then set their own criteria to select children down to the last available place when too many children apply to a provider. These include a range of factors such as proximity to the school or the previous attendance of siblings and are entirely at the discretion of the individual school/playgroup.

Number of Teachers Sacked

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Education how many (i) teachers; and (ii) headteachers have been sacked, in each of the last 10 years.

(AQW 6971/09)

Minister of Education:

Sna cúig Bhórd Oideachais agus Leabharlainne agus CCMS, díbríodh 10 múinteoir agus múinteoir príomhoide amháin ó phost laistigh den deich mbliain seo chuaigh thart.

Within the five Education and Library Boards and CCMS 10 teachers and 1 head teacher has been sacked within the last 10 years.

Department for Employment and Learning

Further Education Courses

Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning (i) which Further Education courses have the highest percentage of (a) male enrolments; and (b) female enrolments; and (ii) to detail what is being done to encourage men to consider alternative non-traditional employment opportunities.

(AQW 6514/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): (i)(a) The Further Education courses which had the highest percentage of male enrolments in 2007/08 (the latest academic year for which validated data is available) were in Construction, Planning and the Built Environment, Education and Training and Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies.

(i)(b) The Further Education courses which had the highest percentage of female enrolments in 2007/08 were in Health, Public Services and Care, Retail and Commercial Enterprise and Business Administration and Law.

Source: Further Education Statistical Record.

(ii) In order to widen access and increase participation, Further Education (FE) Colleges offer a wide range of provision, through the Sector’s main campuses and approximately 750 Community Outreach Centres. Through their outreach activities and programmes, Colleges engage with particular groups, including gender groups, using these opportunities to encourage them to re-engage in learning and to consider alternative non-traditional employment opportunities.

The Department’s Careers Service also has a key role to play in supporting individuals’ career decision making process through the provision of effective guidance and up to date labour market information. The approach to the delivery of careers guidance is impartial and client centred and explores the skills, interests, experience and achievement of the individual, together with labour market information relating to current and future employment opportunities and requirements. This includes non traditional employment opportunities for men.

Careers Advisers are encouraged in their initial training, and through Continuous Professional Development (CPD), to challenge gender stereotypes and to give clients a genuine understanding of the pay, rewards and challenges of occupations, particularly those not traditionally taken up by their gender.

Further Education Courses

Mr A Ross asked he Minister for Employment and Learning how many people over the age of 40 have enrolled for Further Education courses, in each of the last 5 years.

(AQW 6532/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The table below shows the number of people aged over 40 who have enrolled for Further Education courses from 2003/04 to 2007/08 (the latest year for which validated data is available).

Academic year	Over 40 year old students
2003/04	47,513
2004/05	49,591
2005/06	47,176
2006/07	42,450
2007/08	33,802

Source: Further Education Statistical Record.

Education Based Learning for School Leavers

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail how many private trainers offering work or education based learning for school leavers and adults and are in receipt of funds from his Department, have failed standards inspections, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 6586/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

None of the private training organisations offering work or education based learning for school leavers and are currently in receipt of funds from my Department have failed standards inspections.

Further Education Colleges

Mr P Butler asked he Minister for Employment and Learning what steps his Department will be taking to address the findings in the recent auditor’s report into the financial management of Further Education Colleges.

(AQW 6667/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) published his report on a Review of Financial Management in the Further Education Sector in Northern Ireland from 1998 to 2007, along with the Governance Examination of Fermanagh College of Further and Higher Education, on Wednesday 25 March 2009. Both reports are scheduled to be considered at the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on 7 May 2009 where formal evidence will be taken from Departmental officials.

Following this meeting, the Committee will publish a report setting out its findings and recommendations which will be considered and responded to fully by my Department and the Department of Finance and Personnel. This will be done in the form of a DFP Memorandum of Reply, which is laid by the Minister of Finance and Personnel before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Whilst it would be inappropriate for me to comment in detail in advance of the PAC hearing and the DFP Minister’s considered response to the Committee’s report, I can report that I am satisfied that monitoring arrangements have improved in the FE Colleges since the Auditor's report. A more comprehensive response to your query will be provided by the DFP in its Memorandum of Reply."

Apprenticeships

Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what contact he has had with the top 100 companies to ask them to deliver ApprenticeshipsNI at level 3; and if the Department has encouraged companies to deliver training at this level.

(AQW 6682/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

I have had extensive contact with top 100 companies and in many instances I have discussed skills development and the use of apprenticeships. While the Department would encourage Level 3 to be a desired achievement level, the ApprenticeshipsNI programme offers Level 2 apprenticeships for a number of reasons.

Firstly Level 2 apprenticeships replaced Jobskills Traineeships which encouraged the exploitation of unemployed school leavers. But Level 2 is also a qualification and competence level demanded by many sectors as sufficient for the employment offered, for example, construction, retail, hospitality and catering and social care. It is also a first realistic step for many learners that will encourage them to later raise their personal achievement bar to Level 3. This is particularly important to many returners to training, who are now able to take advantage of the new all age provision and the reduced contracted hours requirement.

For many sectors, for example, engineering, construction, electrical installation, gas fitting and automotive, level 3 is the industry norm and is now considered as a base for foundation degree and degree training for higher skilled technicians or those progressing into management responsibilities. As industry raises its need for skill levels the Department will continue to actively promote Level 3 qualifications.

North West Regional College

Ms M Anderson asked e Minister for Employment and Learning if he will intervene in the current dispute at the North West Regional College to resolve the difficulties and restore an atmosphere conducive to the needs of both staff and students.

(AQW 6728/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

I am aware of the dispute which has arisen at the North West Regional College. The Governing Body of the College is responsible, in the first instance, for the resolution of such problems, and I have been assured that it is actively seeking a way forward.

My Department will remain in contact with the Governing Body as it strives to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

Apprenticeship System

Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how he intends to address the lack of confidence in the apprenticeship system held by small and medium enterprises; and how his Department intends to address this issue including consideration of possible centres of excellence for Small and Medium Enterprises, cooperation through cluster networks and structuring on a sectoral and/or geographical basis..

(AQW 6794/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

I am aware that the Federation of Small Businesses recently briefed the Committee for Employment and Learning and outlined survey findings from a sample of UK SMEs. However, I am not aware of a general lack of confidence in the apprenticeship system by SMEs in Northern Ireland.

The ApprenticeshipNI programme is available to companies of all sizes and recent changes, such as the introduction of all age apprenticeships and the reduction to 21 hours per week as the minimum number of contracted hours for apprentices, are expected to meet the needs of SMEs in particular.

It is the role of the SSCs to promote equally, sector development as deemed appropriate and to bring forward any proposals. Where a group training approach is suggested the Department will consider support but recognises that this may not suit all training models. Examples of current co-operation are the Skills Smart, Skills Shop agreed pilot (although not yet taken forward by Skills Smart), and the work underway with the Engineering Training Council (ETC) to look at the feasibility of regional clustered apprenticeship training for small and medium sized engineering companies. A further successful initiative is the Northern Ireland spoke of the UK National Skills Academy in Manufacturing which is running under the auspices of ETC.

Jobs & Benefits Offices

Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to confirm the number of referrals from all Jobs & Benefits Offices to TWL Training Limited, in the County Antrim area, under Step 2, of the Steps to Work programme.

(AQW 6851/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

At 31 March 2009, the total number of referrals from the Jobs and Benefits Offices in Antrim, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus and Larne and the JobCentre in Ballymena, under Step 2 of the Steps to Work programme to TWL Training Limited, was 438.

Research in Universities

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail how much the charitable and voluntary sectors have spent on research in universities, in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) institution (ii) charity; and (iii) research topic.

(AQW 6873/09)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

I have asked the two universities in Northern Ireland to provide this information as it is not held within my Department. Over the last five full academic years (2003/04 to 2007/08) a total of £36.483m was spent on research by the charitable and voluntary sectors. Of this, £29.988m was spent on the Queen’s University Belfast and £7.495m on the University of Ulster. A total of 131 charitable and voluntary organisations were involved in this spend and it covered a total of 295 research areas and topics. I have appended Table A listing the charities and Table B detailing the research areas and topics.

TABLE A – Charity Listing	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
Action Cancer	157,621	164,772	187,475	299,202	230,879	1,039,950
Action Mental Health		9,926				9,926
Action MS	10,031	10,771	9,965	12,006	52,089	94,862
Alcohol Education Research Council		5,000	4,826			9,826
Alzheimer's Disease Society					163,334	163,334
Alzheimer's Research Trust			30,000	70,500	16,700	117,200
Artillery Youth Centre			3,250			3,250
Association of Continence Advisors	1,758					1,758
BACCN	960					960
Bogside & Brandywell Women's Group-Com Fund	92,094					92,094
British Association of Urology Nurses	4,000					4,000
British Diabetic Assocn	86,712	70,347	507			157,566
British Geomorphological Research Group			400			400
British Heart Foundation	54,820	33,602	1,094	111,604	139,067	340,186
Camelot Foundation				78,965		78,965
Cancer Research UK	680,795	639,205	834,171	970,572	1,577,772	4,702,515
Cardiac Research Fund	29,357	37,584	25,280			92,221
Carnegie UK Trust		12,000				12,000
Cedar Foundation	2,550					2,550
CFPNI		2,263				2,263
Charted Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)					36,980	36,980
Chartered Soc of Physiotherapy		567				567
Chest Heart & Stroke	49,159	95,859	131,590	107,376	139,454	523,439
CIMA General Charitable Trust Fund			9,974			9,974
College of Occupational Therapists via Uni York			2,832			2,832
TABLE A – Charity Listing (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
Community Foundation N.I.				214,464	27,831	242,295
Community Foundation NI				7,088		7,088
Community Relations Council		34,855	76,640	374,500	25,152	511,147
Craft Northern Ireland					9,000	9,000
Cystic Fibrosis	33,174	35,450	73,406	113,444	79,411	334,885
Cystic Fibrosis Trust					250	250
DAIWA Anglo - Japanese Foundation			1,500		2,000	3,500
Derry Well Woman	50,236					50,236
Diabetes UK		149,924		145,326	204,435	499,685
Diabetes UK Support Group – LIMAVADY			2,000	1,250		3,250
Ear Foundation			2,000			2,000
Elizabeth Casson Trust			250			250
Eye Fund Charity, Bedford Hospital				24,500		24,500
Family Planning Association – Lottery	127,060					127,060
Foundation for people with learning disabilities		10,000				10,000
Freshwater Biological Association					28,198	28,198
Genetics Society			2,000			2,000
Gingerbread Northern Ireland		33,409		28,875		62,284
Global Dimensions in Schools NI					5,737	5,737
Heritage Lottery Fund			44,317		49,000	93,317
ICLRD				62,493		62,493
IFI	2,491	1,663	147	146	309	4,755
InterTradeIreland - Centre for Cross-Border Stud			19,200			19,200
Investment Property Forum Educational Trust		67,000				67,000
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust		51,000				51,000
Joseph Rowntree Foundation			34,920	10,000	70,842	115,762
TABLE A – Charity Listing (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
Leverhulme	133,629	128,014	244,221	225,247	150,923	882,034
Leverhulme Trade CharitiesTrust	47,764					47,764
Macmillan Cancer Relief (via NHSSB)		15,000				15,000
Manchester Geographical Society			500			500
McClay Foundation	327,375	427,651	315,381	294,578	79,122	1,444,108
Multiple Sclerosis	11,559	15,946	-2,422	0	0	25,084
Multiple Sclerosis Society		4,500				4,500
NatCen				37,939		37,939
National Association of Theatre Nurses		900				900
NI Chest, Heart & Stroke Association	55,008	130,698			60,050	245,756
NI Kidney Research Fund	52,453	51,949	130,697	40,098	135,616	410,814
NI Leukaemia Research	222,925	250,380	277,465	348,490	389,137	1,488,397
NI Leukaemia Research Fund			155,702			155,702
NICTT - Lottery			91,200			91,200
NICVA		3,000				3,000
Northern Ireland Hospice Care	8,000	8,000	12,000		12,000	40,000
Northern Pharmacies Ltd Trust Fund	30,000					30,000
Northlands		29,683				29,683
NSPCC- NI		21,562				21,562
Nuffield	33,172	22,110	16,290	92,266	53,887	217,725
Organix Foundation					120,000	120,000
Other UK Charities	2,516,413	2,280,938	3,022,821	1,883,978	2,405,770	12,109,919
Parkinson's Disease Society				71,326		71,326
Phillips Price Memorial Trust				500		500
Physiotherapy Research Fund.				56,651	20,018	76,669
Playboard				1,134		1,134
TABLE A – Charity Listing (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
Presbyterian Church in Ireland					5,000	5,000
Prince's Trust				12,931		12,931
Prostate Research Campaign UK					30,000	30,000
Quaternary Research Association			350			350
QUB Foundation	9,521	62,782	159,647	219,714	174,002	625,665
Rank Prize Foundation			10,000			10,000
Rank Prize Fund - Vacation Studentship					1,600	1,600
RICS				6,000		6,000
RICS Educational Trust		2,000				2,000
RICS Foundation	5,000					5,000
Royal Academy of Engineering	400				300	700
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children				50,473		50,473
Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists			500			500
Royal Inst.Chartered Surveyors					7,000	7,000
RVH Cardiac Research Fund			96,000			96,000
Save the Children (NI Programme)				12,541	11,756	24,297
Scottish Crop Research Institute				26,943		26,943
Society for Endocrinology					10,210	10,210
St Columb's Park House	2,000					2,000
The British Academy					300	300
The BUPA Foundation	82,973					82,973
The Burdett Trust		9,843	35,484	39,164		84,491
The Certified Accountants Educational Trust				11,640		11,640
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy	600					600
The College of Optometrists	12,870		48,030		3,785	64,685
The Constance Owens Trust			100			100
TABLE A – Charity Listing (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
The Flax Trust		25,000				25,000
The Foundation for Canadian Studies in the UK				17,643	4,709	22,352
The Garfield Weston Trust				15,000		15,000
The Howard Foundation			2,000	6,000		8,000
The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group			1,800	1,047		2,847
The Irish Nephrology Society: Amegen Res Grant			6,845			6,845
The Judith Trust			36,000			36,000
The Leverhulme Trust	49,042		33,949	58,221	159,270	300,482
The McGrath Trust/Ulster Garden Villages				900,000		900,000
The Nuffield Foundation	11,487	23,153	7,570	1,679	9,716	53,605
The Nuffield Trust		15,612				15,612
The Playhouse	2,500					2,500
The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund	2,500					2,500
The Royal Academy of Engineering	600	300		1,800	4,500	7,200
The Royal College of Midwives Trust	5,000					5,000
The Royal Geographical Society		15,000				15,000
The Royal Society	20,649	7,105	33,340	27,366	14,119	102,579
The Understanding Conflict Trust	16,640					16,640
The Wellcome Trust	76,267	2,640	1,360	95,800	363,331	539,398
Triangle Housing Association Ltd	119,940					119,940
Ulster Cancer Foundation	316,622	298,269	432,677	199,958	362,693	1,610,220
Understanding Conflict Trust	35,228	54,663	58,451	10,300		158,642
University of Ulster Foundation				250,000		250,000
Wellcome	543,335	823,339	959,342	767,266	536,829	3,630,112
Women's Voice Maternity Service Liaison Committee		15,000				15,000
Youth Action NI & Nat Council of YMCAs of Ireland	12,000					12,000
TABLE A – Charity Listing (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Total
Youth Action Northern Ireland		21,295				21,295
Youth Action Northern Ireland/Big Lottery Fund			21,000			21,000
Grand Total	6,146,290	6,231,529	7,706,045	8,416,005	7,984,084	36,483,953

TABLE B - Research Topic/Area	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
13th Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia Research.			970			970
13th International Congress of Radiation Research				1,160		1,160
2004 IEEE International Workshop on IP Operations & Management (IPOM 2004).		1,960				1,960
2006 Royal Society Exhibition.			1,200			1,200
4th DNA Repair Workshop.	700					700
61st Annual Gaseous Electronics Conference.					1,230	1,230
7th Asia-oceania symposium on Fire Science and Technology				1,990		1,990
8th World Biomaterials Conference.					850	850
A comparative study of relative pupil size, ocular accommodation and intraocular pressure. between individuals taking antihistamines and that of a control group.					1,500	1,500
A palliative care needs assessment within the NHSSB.		15,000				15,000
A randomised controlled clinical trial to determine the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training and neuromucular electrical stimulation in a multiple sclerosis population with lower urinary tract dysfunction.	1,758					1,758
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
A randomised double blind 12 week crossover trail of Hypertonic saline (HTS) 7: Versus saline (ITS) (09%) in patients with bronchiectasis.					20,018	20,018
A Study of Performance Measurement in the Outsourcing Decision.			9,974			9,974
A Survey of British Urology Nurses.	4,000					4,000
Actions and mechanisms underlying novel therapeutic actions of GIP receptor antagonists for diabetes.				145,326		145,326
Advanced brain-computer interface using recurrent quantum neural networks				3,730		3,730
African migrants in the North-West.			43,506			43,506
Agriculture, Veterinary & Food Science	60,487	30,345	37,534	35,393	34,100	197,860
Airway Clearance in Bronchiectasis: Is Non-invasive Ventilation a Useful Adjunct in Moderate to Severe Disease?	16,008					16,008
Allied Health Professions & Studies	61,256	39,215	50,378	29,735	63,211	243,795
American Geophysical Union Annual fall meeting (AGU)					1,270	1,270
An Analysis of Real-Time Protocols for Chaotic Encryption in IPv6.	5,137					5,137
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
An evaluation of the Ulster Cancer Foundation's "Smokebusters" club.					25,000	25,000
An examination of the communication between A & E and ICU nursing staff.	960					960
An exploration of the attitudes & knowledge of people in mid life to cancer prevention.				6,000		6,000
An exploration of the attitudes and knowledge of people in mid-life to cancer prevention.	45,000					45,000
An Exploration of the Psychosocial Risk Factors of Hazardous Alcohol Use in People with Learning Disabilities.		5,000				5,000
An exploration of the role of the staff nurse/development officer within Action Mental Health's New Horizon Units and Accept Services.		9,926				9,926
An exploration of the support needs of parents with head and neck cancer.				10,000		10,000
An Integrated Marine Survey of the Bagamoyo/Zanzibar Channel, Tanzania.		15,000				15,000
An investigation of the efficacy of a novel holistic interventive strategy to improve clinical control in haemodialysis patients.			6,845			6,845
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Anthropology	19,494	-4,207	66,986	28,055	5,943	116,271
Anti-cancer activities of soft fruit CAST AWARD				26,943		26,943
Archaeology	22,834	12,842	25,060	5,268	1,941	67,947
Architecture & the Built Environment			1,694	12,643	6,948	21,284
Are people with stomas more likely to develop low back pain?			1,800	1,047		2,847
Art in Public Summer School 2007					2,330	2,330
Beach morphodynamics under rising sea level scenarios in the UK and Japan.					2,000	2,000
Biological Sciences	85,258	60,942	123,063	84,013	116,718	469,994
Business & Management Studies	23,371	47,546	6,406	2,331	16,076	95,731
Canadian studies development programme 2007.					3,959	3,959
Canadian studies programme				3,050		3,050
Cancer Studies	1,673,298	1,960,824	1,985,269	2,427,972	2,930,394	10,977,757
Catalyst partnership for Newry and Armagh, Carrickfergus and Lisburn.	12,000					12,000
Celtic Studies		1,867	3,827	310		6,004
Celts and Slavs in Central and South-eastern Europe.					300	300
Centre for Young Men's Studies.		51,000				51,000
Chaotic behaviour in discrete time models of car following.			1,130			1,130
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Characterization & evaluation of novel CYP2A4 inhibitors as anti-proliferative/prodifferentiating agents targeted towards hormone refractory prostate cancer					30,000	30,000
Characterization of NPAS2 as a novel vitamin D receptor (VDR) interacting protein. A novel role for vitamin D in regulation of the peripheral clock?					9,500	9,500
Characterization of NPAS2 as a novel vitamin D receptor (VDR) interacting protein. A novel role of vitamin D in regulation of the peripheral clock?					710	710
Charge transport at molecular and bio molecular interfaces of carbon nanotubes.			12,000			12,000
Chemistry	367,354	380,172	190,969	85,257	43,672	1,067,423
Children's Friendship Project for Northern Ireland.		2,263				2,263
China - UK Science Networks.		1,150				1,150
Church House Research Project.					5,000	5,000
Civil engineering	78,510	48,446	26,347	40,838	33,720	227,862
Classics, Ancient History, Byzantine & Mod Greek	14,483	-6,142				8,341
Colloquium: 'When words collide'.		5,000				5,000
Common Gestures, Class Acts: Studies in 'young British art'.				20,734		20,734
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Computer Science & Informatics	4,259	15,868	49,145	18,167	301	87,741
Consumption of meat in men aged 18-35 years - a pilot study.					1,600	1,600
Control of bioelectrocatalytic activity by means of magnetic fields				12,000		12,000
Control of DNA methylation in germ cell tumours.		10,000				10,000
Controls and consequences of oxygen depletion in lakes.					28,198	28,198
DAIWA foundation Small Grant.			1,500			1,500
Delineation of littoral cells along a coastal section of Co Down, Northern Ireland.		1,050				1,050
Dentistry	34,709	31,695	25,920	20,077	39,077	151,478
Detection of Biological Binding Events at Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Arrays.	12,000					12,000
Development and Characterisation of Silicon Implemented Wide-Band Circuits and Architectures for Deployment in next Generation Radio Freqency Integrated Circuits.	4,837					4,837
Development and dissemination of antibiotic resistance in eye infecting MRSA.					3,874	3,874
Development and evaluation of potent long acting fatty acid linked analogues of GIP for type 2 diabetes.		149,924				149,924
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Development of Land and Property Markets in Central and Eastern Europe - Issues of Data.	5,000					5,000
Diabetes Education for Adolescents				50,473		50,473
Diabetes Education for Adolescents.					204,435	204,435
Digital Games Research Association, Vancouver Canada 2005.		300				300
Director of the Cardiovascular Research Centre				900,000		900,000
Distinguished Visiting Fellowship - Dr Chen					4,500	4,500
Diversity in Action: Extension July 08-Sept 08 (Slippage).					15,393	15,393
Diversity in Action: Extension.					5,079	5,079
DNA methylation, mismatch repair and drug resistance				61,883		61,883
Do we need palliative care for patients with Parkinsons' disease?				71,065		71,065
Do we need palliative care for patients with Parkinsons’ disease?				261		261
Donation to Research on Suicide.		25,000				25,000
Donation to the Vision Science Research Group				24,500		24,500
Education	60,108	72,131	38,572	208,538	363,663	743,011
Educational Sessions in Pulmonary Rehabilitation.		21,325				21,325
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Effects of Novel GIP Agonists on the Beta-Amyloid-induced block of synaptic plasticity and memory formation impairments.			30,000			30,000
Elected Representatives/political parties and minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland				74,061		74,061
Electrical & Electronic Engineering	62,200	12,878	6,099	6,518	15,956	103,651
Endocrine disruption and cancer.					120,000	120,000
Enduring Values in Medical & Health Care: The Case of Northern Ireland: Medicine and the Troubles.		15,612				15,612
English Language & Literature			388	18,592	-504	18,476
Enhancement Award for the Development of the History of Medicine in Ireland				94,400		94,400
Epidemiology & Public Health	443,303	441,031	477,272	422,348	422,786	2,206,739
Epidemiology of myopia in a UK child population					735	735
Epidemiology of myopia in a UK child population.			48,030			48,030
Equipment application					16,700	16,700
Evaluating the effectiveness of 'NSPCC One-to-one' counselling in schools.		21,562				21,562
Evaluation of Northlands Substance Misuse Project.		29,683				29,683
Evaluation of Princes Trust XL Programme				12,931		12,931
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Evaluation of the Education for Citizenship Support.	2,000					2,000
Evaluation Programme for Community Relations Council core funded groups.		29,855	18,134			47,989
Evaulation of the "Living Well Cancer Programme".	6,000					6,000
Fatigue Research Project.					4,500	4,500
First European Conference on Earthquake Engineering and Seismology.				717		717
First International Conference on Quadruplex DNA				640		640
Flex and Ply.					122,490	122,490
Forward Thinking, Northern Ireland.					155,877	155,877
French			35,992	5,319	-5,350	35,960
Frequency dependent electrical detection of biological binding events at self assembled aligned carbon nanotube arrays.	1,650					1,650
Funding a research assistant.	30,000					30,000
Future Ways Programme				10,300		10,300
Future Ways Programme.		18,375	20,179			38,554
Futureways Programme.	16,640					16,640
General Inequality in British & German Universities.					29,383	29,383
Genetics: screening, choice and rights.		10,000				10,000
Geography & Environmental Studies	117,507	104,721	108,838	63,355	3,778	398,198
Gift towards research on macula disease				2,000		2,000
TABLE B - Research Topic/Area (cont.)	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	Grand Total
Gift towards research on Macula Disease.			2,000	4,000		6,000
Good relations.		3,000				3,000
Health Services Research	11,713	21,428	1,855	5,053	1,963	42,012
Highly Sensitive Biosensors from Chemically Functionalized Graphene Sheets.					1,400	1,400
History	47,664	88,065	98,333	38,850	15,310	288,221
Hot Nano Topics 2008: 3 Overlapping workshops on current hot subjects in Nanoscience.					1,095	1,095
Housing and Neighbourhoods Monitor.					67,042	67,042
Iberian & Latin American Languages			708		2,279	2,987
ICLRD development funding.			19,200			19,200
Identifying perioperative nursing research priorities: A delphi study.		900				900
Identifying predictors that sustain women with a dual diagnosis to successfully reside in the community after discharge from a long-stay hospital.			36,000

Friday 17 April 2009

Written Answers to Questions

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Climate Change

Definition of ‘Victim’

Infrastructure Projects

Bus Projects

Water Projects

Housing projects

Urban Group projects

Water Projects

Urban Group projects

Advertising Expenditure

Table A

Definition of ‘Victim’

US Investments

Recent Visit to United States

Capital Investment

North West Gateway Initiative

Funding for Victims and Survivors

North West Gateway Initiative

Barrosso Task Force Report

Bank Representatives

Construction Industry

Corporate Responsibility Issues

Departmental/Agency Charge Increases

Northern Ireland Children's Commissioner

Media Coverage

Ombudsman's Office

Planning Appeals Commission

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Agricultural Waste Strategy

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Bovine Tuberculosis

Crossnacreevy Site

Bovine Tuberculosis

Bovine Tuberculosis

Dairy Industry

Dairy Industry

Forestry Service

Tollymore Forest Park

Tollymore Forest Park

Tollymore Forest Park

Forestry Land

Knock River in East Belfast

Thermally Efficient Schemes

Risk Based Inspections of Feed Businesses

Fishing Boats

Single Farm Payment Scheme

Departmental Funds for Halls

Rural Businesses

Departmental Funds for Halls

Welfare of Horses

Countryside Management Scheme

Tourism Initiatives in North Antrim

Countryside Management Scheme

Clay Lakes

Clay Lakes

Clay Lakes

Clay Lakes

Farm Modernisation Scheme

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Festivals and Events

Festivals and Events

Festivals and Events

Plantation Exploration/Commemoration

Newtownards Library

Ulster/Scots and Irish Language Projects

Financial Awards Made by Department

Projects Planned for Upper Bann

DCAL CAPITAL PROJECTS – UPPER BANN

Trouble at International Football Match

Proposed New National Stadium

Trouble at International Football Match

Trouble at International Football Match

Proposed New National Stadium

Ulster Scots Agency Newspaper

Department of Education

Teaching Posts

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09

Primary¹ and post primary pupils entitled to Free School Meals² (FSM) 2008/09