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 23 October 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
Assembly Commission
Revised Written Answers

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Integrated Development Fund Budget

Mr M Durkan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether any monies previously allocated to the Integrated Development Fund budget have been reallocated to other budgets or programmes.

(AQW 302/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): Of the 32 pilot projects submitted for approval to date, 31 have been formally approved and Integrated Development Funding support totalling £45.2m has been made available to the projects. The most recent project to be submitted for approval, Broadbridge Dualling in the North West, is being considered.

In the October 2007 Monitoring Round the Executive agreed, because of the extreme pressures facing Departments at that time, to reassign all of the uncommitted remaining Integrated Development Fund resources, totalling £14.5m capital at that point, to help meet a range of urgent in-year pressures.

Those outstanding pilot projects which had previously received approval in principle may still be brought forward as bids for funding, subject to the provision of the required economic appraisals. Following formal endorsement by OFMDFM/DFP Ministers, each will be considered, as a high priority, for funding support by the Executive as part of the quarterly financial monitoring process.

Executive’s Investment Strategy

Mr P Butler asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline capital projects that will be commencing over the next 2 years as part of the Executive’s Investment Strategy, to help local firms through these difficult times.

(AQW 577/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: It is currently planned to advertise 232 major capital construction projects totalling an estimated £2.06 billion under the procurement process in the next two years as part of the Executive’s Investment Strategy. An additional £279 million of smaller works (projects with an estimated value of less than £1m) are also planned during this period. These figures exclude projects where work is already on the ground or that have already completed their procurement phase, and also those that have not yet received full departmental approval. All future capital projects are subject to the availability of resources.

Hospitality

Mr T Lunn asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail how much their Department spent on (i) hospitality; and (ii) alcohol, in (a) 2007-2008; (b) 2008-2009; and (c) this year to date.

(AQW 925/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: It is not possible to provide the information broken into the categories requested as the information is not held in this format.

Table 1 below summarises total Departmental spend on hospitality in 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and from 1 April 2009 to 31 August 2009.

Table 1:

OFMDFM Hospitality Spend, 1 April 2007 to 31 August 2009

	2007/08 (£’000s)	2008/09 (£’000s)	2009/10(£’000s)1 Apr to 31 Aug
Total Hospitality spend	207	238	70

Hospitality

Mr J Dallat asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the amount of money spent by their Department on hospitality, broken down by (i) drinks; (ii) food; and (iii) entertainment, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 1033/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: It is not possible to provide details of hospitality spend for our Department broken down by (i) drinks; (ii) food; and (iii) entertainment as requested, as the information is not held in this format.

Table 1 below however summarises total Departmental spend on hospitality in 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Table 1:

OFMDFM Hospitality Spend, 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2009

	2006-07 (£’000s)	2007-08 (£’000s)	2008/09 (£’000s)
Total Hospitality spend	120	207	238

Costs of Division

Mr T Lunn asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what advice his Department has given to other Departments and Agencies concerning Costs of Division.

(AQW 1221/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: In August 2007 we advised the Executive that the cost of division research was commissioned by the previous administration on 29 March 2006 and was conducted and finalised during direct rule. It is an independent piece of research. The interpretation of and commentary on the datasets contained in the report represent the views of Deloitte and not those of the First Minister, deputy First Minister or the Executive and the report of itself does not form an agreed basis for future policy development.

Funding for Blind and Partially Sighted People

Mr J Shannon asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister if any funding is available to help blind and partially sighted people who live below the poverty line.

(AQW 1243/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: Although OFMDFM does not have any available funding to help blind and partially sighted people here, including those below the poverty line, the department has been working closely with RNIB in the implementation of the Vision Strategy.

The department is represented on the Vision Strategy Implementation Group and associated Priority Action Group on Accessibility and Inclusion.

OFMDFM is committed to raising awareness of the barriers affecting blind and visually impaired people through the facilitation of Visual Awareness Training within the department.

The forthcoming Promoting Social Inclusion Disability Report will also contain recommendations that seek to address the range of barriers that face all disabled people and prevent them from participating economically and socially.

Efficiency Savings

Ms J McCann asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what services in their Department have been affected by efficiency savings (i) in the last financial year; and (ii) in the first six months of this financial year.

(AQW 1275/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: As part of the Budget 2008-11 process the Executive agreed that all departments would deliver the same 3% per annum efficiency savings over the years 2008-09 to 2010-11. As a consequence, the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister will deliver £13.83 million of savings by 2010-11.

Efficiency savings in OFMDFM have been achieved through an improvement in and refocusing of the delivery of programmes and functions. Efficiency savings have been delivered through the exercise of control over discretionary spend, restructuring to avoid duplication of work, and the streamlining of processes across the Department.

Blind People

Mr J Shannon asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister if they are aware of the recent Action for Blind People survey that reports that two thirds of blind people face discrimination when seeking employment; and what help they, along with other Departments, can offer to blind and partially sighted people.

(AQW 1337/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: With regard to blind people facing discrimination when seeking employment, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 contains measures designed to prevent discrimination against disabled people in employment or when seeking employment. Among these measures is a duty on employers to make "reasonable adjustments" to a policy, practice or procedure related to the working environment. The duty to make reasonable adjustments applies to the recruitment process and during all stages of employment.

Our department is represented on the inter-departmental Vision Strategy Implementation (NI) Group which has been set up to take forward the Vision Strategy. We are also represented on the Implementation Groups associated Priority Action Group on Accessibility and Inclusion which is looking at the accessibility of written materials with the aim of ending exclusion in terms of leisure activities and the external environment.

We would also draw attention to the forthcoming Promoting Social Inclusion Disability Report which contains recommendations that seek to address the range of barriers faced by many disabled people in accessing employment opportunities.

The Department for Employment and Learning’s (DEL) Disablement Advisory Service (DAS) provides a range of disability employment programmes to meet the needs of people with disabilities including those who are blind or have a visual disability. The particular programme that is appropriate for each individual can be discussed, agreed and accessed through Employment Advisers based in local Jobs and Benefits Offices/Jobcentres. DAS also has a team of Occupational Psychologists to assist Advisers provide their services.

In addition, DEL has two representatives, including the Head of DAS, who sit on the Vision Strategy Implementation (NI) Group and also on its Education and Employment Priority Action Group. The main purpose of this Action group is to obtain equal educational attainment and to maximise access to employment for the blind and visual impaired people.

Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion

Mr C Boylan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) if they intend to introduce a moratorium on recruitment and promotion within their Department; and if so (ii) when it will commence; (iii) what, if any, exceptions will be made; and (iv) how long they anticipate it will last.

(AQW 1344/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: We have no plans to introduce a moratorium on recruitment and promotion within our department. Nonetheless we are mindful of the need to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and value for money in the operation of the department and have been monitoring our staffing levels carefully for some time. Indeed the size of the Department has reduced from 408 staff in post in September 2007 to 394 in September 2009. We are currently considering how best to utilise our staff resource to maximise delivery across the range of our departmental responsibilities and in that context all vacancies arising are assessed on a case by case basis related to business need. For the past 2 years officials have carefully scrutinised all vacant posts and only those posts supported by a strong business case and approved by the Accounting Officer have been filled – whether through internal transfer, promotion or recruitment. An example of posts supported by a strong business case are the recent external recruitment competitions to fill key legal posts in the Office of the Legislative Counsel.

£29m for Good Relations

Dr S Farry asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail how the £29m for good relations within the current budget has been allocated. [R]

(AQW 1391/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The £29m approximately, settlement for good relations within the current Comprehensive Spending Review period 2008-2011 has been allocated as follows:

2008/2009 £8.405m

2009/2010 £9.742m

2010/2011 £10.788m

Funding has been allocated in 2008/09 and 2009/10 mainly to the Community Relations Council through grant-in-aid, the District Councils Community Relations Programme, the Minority Ethnic Funding Scheme, Summer Diversionary Programmes, funding for a range of community relations projects and organisations.

Funding allocations for 2010/11 have not yet been decided.

Brussels Visit

Mr P Butler asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the recent visit to Brussels.

(AQO 144/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: On 21 and 22 September 2009, Junior Minister Kelly led a delegation of civil servants to Brussels. The main purpose of the visit was to hold a meeting of the Barroso Taskforce Working Group. The Minister also hosted a reception for some of our key contacts in Brussels. During a programme of visits over the two days, the Minister met senior European Commission officials and the Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy, Pawel Samecki, and presented him with the 2008/09 end of year report on our European engagement.

He also met senior European Commission officials, who advised on the Commission response to the economic downturn and on a proposal for a new microcredit facility for SMEs and the unemployed. The issue of a conflict resolution centre was also raised.

The Report demonstrates the breadth of the Executive’s engagement with the European Institutions. We have had increased success in securing transnational and interregional funding and research and development funding. We have contributed to policy discussions on areas of importance to us and we have increased the number of our officials working in the European Commission.

Following the Taskforce Working Group meeting, officials from 8 Departments met their Commission counterparts in a series of bilateral meetings on issues across the spectrum of EU policy areas.

The Taskforce initiated by President Barroso has helped us enormously in our engagement with Europe and we have written to congratulate him on his recent re-election for a further 5-year term. President Barroso has shown himself to be a great friend to us.

Peace III

Mr A Easton asked e First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment on the efficiency of the distribution of Peace III funding to successful applicants.

(AQO 145/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: OFMDFM is the Accountable Department for the following Priorities under the PEACE III Programme:

Priority 1.1 – Building Positive Relationships at the local level;
Priority 1.2 – Acknowledging and dealing with the past; and
Priority 2.2 – Key institutional capacities are developed for a shared society.

To meet these responsibilities the Department meets with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) on a regular basis to receive progress reports and to monitor the implementation of these parts of the Peace III Programme.

Within each of these priority areas, there is evidence of both substantial progress already made and also further progress to be achieved. The Department will continue to monitor developments to ensure that Programme objectives are achieved for the benefit of all sections of the community.

Brussels Visit

Mr S Moutray asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the recent EU Taskforce Group meeting in Brussels and their Department's progress against key targets.

(AQO 147/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: On behalf of OFMDFM, Junior Minister Kelly led a delegation of civil servants to Brussels on 21 to 22 September 2009. While the Minister and officials had broader programmes of meetings and visits, the primary purpose of the visit was to hold a meeting of the Barroso Taskforce Working Group.

The working group was addressed by Ronnie Hall, the Commission official tasked with leading the Commission taskforce team, Maurice Maxwell, the Commission representative in Belfast, and by officials from both the UK and Irish Permanent Representations.

NICS officials from 8 Departments provided updates on key activities planned and progress made on priority areas.

Points of discussion included Commission praise for the good work done in preparing the Bombardier State Aids case and continued interest in a conflict resolution centre. The Commission are also keen to build relationships with local government and NGOs.

Both the UK Representation and Irish Representation officials stressed the need to continue to engage with the Institutions in Brussels and the value of high level meetings in opening doors at official level.

Progress against the key targets set out in the Priorities for European Engagement 2008 – 2009 document are listed in the Priorities for European Engagement End of Year Report 2008 – 2009, a copy of which can be downloaded at http://www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/barroso_task_force_-_end_of_year_report_2008_09_-_final_publication-2.pdf

Some highlights include:

Promotion of our policy interests by input to the UK policy position on Cohesion Policy, the EU Budget Review, Trans-European Networks, and the Common Agricultural Policy Health Check;

Fast-tracked approval of 4 Structural Funds programmes worth €1.1 billion;

Increased success in INTERREG IV trans-national and interregional funding programmes;

Success in securing €4.5 million of research and development funding from the 7th Framework Programme; and

More civil service secondments to European Union institutions, giving staff the opportunity to learn at first hand how they function.

"451 Issues Agreed by the Executive"

Mr G Savage asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister if the reference made by the First Minister on 22 September 2009 on the "451 issues agreed by the Executive" is a breach of Executive confidentiality.

(AQW 1738/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: We consider that a reference in numerical terms to the overall volume of business progressed by the Executive is not a breach of its protocol on confidentiality.

Economic Taskforce

Mr S Gardiner asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the work of the Economic Taskforce.

(AQO 244/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Cross Sector Advisory Forum, established to continue our dialogue with business, trade unions, voluntary and community and other stakeholders, met on 7 October. This was the third plenary session since April.

The work of the Forum is a key element in our response and provides us with an opportunity to gather further ideas on the Executive’s approach to building recovery. Over the summer the Forum’s sub-groups have been working on a substantive range of issues covering: infrastructure, planning and procurement; business and skills; hardship, poverty, debt and energy; agriculture; banking, finance and lending; and housing and property, to bring forward ideas for remedial action to address problems arising from the Economic Crisis. An update of the work of the sub-groups was given to the plenary on 7 October. We have asked the sub-groups to submit a recommendations paper to us by 31 October.

We pay close attention to the impact of the recession on the local economy and issues surrounding the downturn which continues to be a standing item on the agenda of the Executive’s meetings.

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Efficiency Savings

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what services in her Department have been affected by efficiency savings (i) in the last financial year; and (ii) in the first six months of this financial year.

(AQW 1304/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): My Department has in place 12 Efficiency Delivery Plans (EDPs) in place to deliver the 3% efficiency savings required under the Budget 2008-11. Services affected are noted below in association with the relevant EDP:

AFBI - In 2008/09 AFBI ceased to provide certain services to DARD. Work on Food Microbial Technology & Food Biofilm Research. Agroforestry research was reduced to demonstration-only status and some aspects of work on plant rhizobia were phased out.

In the first half of 2009/10 efficiency savings have not affected provision of services to DARD although some minor aspects are to be discussed and agreed for cessation with DARD by 31 December 2009.

Rural Development: savings associated with new Rural Development Programme - During 2008/09, DARD officials were working with Councils, Social Partners and Rural Representatives to constitute the Local Action Groups in preparation for delivery of Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. The procurement process for the Delivery Agent for Axis 1 was also ongoing. The efficiency saving did not affect this process significantly, although progress was slower than might have been expected. In the first six months of 2009/10 the Local Action Groups were fully constituted and working to deliver Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme. The Delivery Agent for Axis 1 was in place and in the process of implementing the various measures. While the efficiency savings did not affect this process significantly, we had to use staff input from other parts of Service Delivery Group to assist.

Advertising

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how much has been spent (i) by her Department; and (ii) by Departmental agencies and non-departmental public bodies, on advertising in public sector jobs sections of (a) the Belfast Telegraph; (b) the News Letter; (c) the Irish News; and (d) other newspapers, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1313/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The attached Annex provides information regarding the amounts spent on advertising in public sector jobs sections of the Belfast Telegraph, the News Letter, the Irish News and other newspapers by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).

The Annex also provides information regarding the amounts spent by DARD’s Agencies, the Forest Service and Rivers Agency, and non-departmental public bodies sponsored by DARD.

A20 Road, Mountstewart, Greyabbey

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if his Department is paying for the banking work that is being carried out at the main A20 road at Mountstewart, Greyabbey.

(AQW 1339/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: DARD Rivers Agency staff recently carried out works to the designated sea defence at Kilnatierney. These works involved the removal of two sections of the sea defence to allow inundation of the lands immediately behind the defence for environmental and economic benefit. The material removed from the defence was used on site at the behest of the landowner to help reinforce the bank of the A20 road at Mounstewart, Greyabbey. This also resulted in DARD Rivers Agency making substantial savings as costs associated with the transportation and disposal costs for the material were avoided.

Rock Armouring at Mountstewart

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if there are any environmental reasons for the rock armouring at Mountstewart, Greyabbey.

(AQW 1340/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: DARD Rivers Agency, in conjunction with the National Trust and the NI Environment Agency, carried out works on a designated sea defence at Kilnatierney on the outskirts of Greyabbey. Whilst the works were not carried out for specific environmental reasons, DARD Rivers Agency and the National Trust felt that the agricultural land immediately behind the sea defence, which is owned by the National Trust, will be better utilised to develop priority inter-tidal habitat, of value for over-wintering wildfowl. Therefore Rivers Agency staff removed two sections of the sea defence to allow the inundation of the wetland at high water only. Rock armouring was imported to the site and used to protect the remaining structure from damage by the sea. It is anticipated that once the inter-tidal habitat has been properly established Rivers Agency would recommend de-designation of the sea defence to the Drainage Council for NI. If approved Rivers Agency would then be relieved of maintenance responsibility.

Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) if she intends to introduce a moratorium on recruitment and promotion across her Department; and if so (ii) when it will commence; (iii) what, if any, exceptions will be made; and (iv) how long she anticipates it will last.

(AQW 1342/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development currently has no plans to introduce a moratorium on recruitment and promotion.

Farm Businesses

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of farm businesses currently operating; and how many people are employed by these businesses.

(AQW 1352/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Based on data gathered for the June Agricultural and Horticultural Survey (2008), there are approximately 26,000 farm businesses in the north of Ireland. Some 31,000 people are engaged in a full-time or part-time capacity as farmers or business partners on these farms. A further 11,600 workers are employed on a full-time, part-time or casual basis.

Staff Numbers

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of Civil Servants employed by her Department, broken down by grade, in each division and agency.

(AQW 1353/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The attached Annex provides information regarding the number of Civil Servants employed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, broke down by grade, in each division and agency.

Annex

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
	Permanent Secretary	1
Central Services Group
	Deputy Secretary	1
DHR & Business Improvement Division	Assistant Secretary	1
	Principal	4
	Deputy Principal	13
	HPTO (Civil Engineer Assistant)	1
	Staff Officer	17
	Executive Officer I	11
	Executive Officer II	16
	Administrative Officer	16
	Support Grade Band 1	1
	Administrative Assistant	9
	Administrative Assistant (Casual)	3
	SGB 2 Watchperson/Cleaner	5
	SGB 2 Watchperson/Cleaner (Casual)	2
	Support Grade Band 2	6
	Support Grade Band 2 (Casual)	2
	Typist	2
		109
Finance Division	Assistant Secretary	1
	Principal	5
	Accountant (Grade7)	2
	Deputy Principal	5
	Auditor DP MIIA or BATS	1
	Auditor DP MIIA and BATS	1
	Accountant (DP)	3
	Staff Officer (Accountant)	1
	Staff Officer	12
	Auditor (SO) MIIA or BATS	2
	Auditor (SO) MIIA and BATS	1
	Executive Officer I	13
	Personal Secretary	1
	Executive Officer II	11
	Administrative Officer	11
	Administrative Assistant (Casual)	1
	Administrative Assistant	5
		76
DHR & Business Improvement Division
	Assistant Secretary	1
	Principal	4
	Deputy Principal Information Officer	1
	Deputy Principal	7
	Staff Officer	9
	Information Officer	1
	PTO Graphic Designer	2
	Executive Officer I	7
	Senior Personal Secretary	1
	Personal Secretary	3
	Executive Officer II	8
	Technical Grade1 (DARD)	1
	Administrative Officer	12
	Typist	1
	Administrative Assistant (Casual)	1
	Administrative Assistant	2
		61
Information Systems and Management Division	ICT Level 8	1
	Principal	1
	ICT Level 7	2
	ICT Level 6	2
	Deputy Principal	4
	Staff Officer	3
	Librarian	1
	ICT Level 5	8
	ICT Level 4	15
	Executive Officer I	1
	Assistant Librarian	1
	ICT Level 3	10
	Executive Officer II	8
	Administrative Officer	10
	Administrative Assistant	3
		70
Rural Policy	Assistant Secretary	1
	Principal	1
	Deputy Principal	3
	Staff Officer	3
	Executive Officer I	1
	Administrative Officer	1
		10
Forest Service Agency
Forest Service Agency	Assistant Secretary	1
	Forest Operations Officer	1
	Principal	1
	Divisional Officer (G7)	2
	Forest Officer I	7
	Deputy Principal	3
	Accountant (DP)	1
	Staff Officer (Accountant)	1
	Staff Officer	5
	Forest Officer II	12
	PTO Graphic Designer	1
	Forest Officer Grade III	24
	Executive Officer I	2
	Area Forest Engineer	2
	Senior Mapper	1
	Personal Secretary	1
	Executive Officer II	9
	Mapper	4
	Administrative Officer	21
	Administrative Assistant (Casual)	1
	Administrative Assistant	2
	Industrial	138
		240
Rivers Agency
Rivers Agency	Chief Executive UG5	1
	Superintendent Civil Engineer (G6)	2
	PPTO Civil Engineer	8
	Accountant (Grade7)	1
	SPTO (Civil Engineering Assistant)	8
	SPTO (Civil Engineer)	15
	ICT Level 6	2
	Deputy Principal	4
	Accountant (DP)	1
	Staff Officer (Accountant)	1
	Staff Officer	4
	Inspector Group 4	8
	ICT Level 5	1
	HPTO (Civil Engineer)	4
	HPTO (Civil Engineer Assistant)	13
	Agricultural Inspector Grade III	2
	Scientific Officer	2
	PTO (Civil Eng Assistant)	25
	ICT Level 4	2
	Graduate Trainee Civil Enginr	2
	Executive Officer I	6
	Area Foreman (PTO)	6
	Personal Secretary	1
	Executive Officer II	10
	Technical Grade1 (DARD)	19
	Administrative Officer	13
	Typist	3
	SGB 2 Watchperson/Cleaner	1
	Sandwich Course Student	2
	O Level Tr Civ Eng Assistant	8
	Administrative Assistant	12
	Industrial	232
		419
Central Policy Group
	Deputy Secretary	1
Policy and Economics	Ch Agricultural Economist (G5)	1
	Principal Agric Economist (G7)	4
	Principal	4
	Senior Agricultural Economist	3
	Deputy Principal	5
	Staff Officer	6
	Inspector Group 4	5
	Agricultural Economist	4
	Executive Officer I	3
	Senior Personal Secretary	1
	Personal Secretary	2
	Executive Officer II	7
	Administrative Officer	10
	Administrative Assistant	3
		58
Animal Health and Welfare Policy	Assistant Secretary	1
	Veterinary Officer (G7)	2
	Principal	4
	Deputy Principal	13
	Staff Officer	13
	Executive Officer I	6
	Executive Officer II	8
	Administrative Officer	3
	Administrative Assistant (Casual)	1
	Administrative Assistant	2
		53
Farm, Food and Environmental Policy	Assistant Secretary	1
	Principal	3
	Deputy Principal	10
	Staff Officer	18
	Executive Officer I	6
	Executive Officer II	8
	Administrative Officer	5
	Administrative Assistant	4
		55
Fisheries Division	Assistant Secretary	1
	Principal	2
	Chief Fisheries Officer	1
	Deputy Principal	5
	Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer	1
	Staff Officer	5
	Senior Fisheries Officer	3
	Fisheries Officer 1	6
	Executive Officer I	4
	Fisheries Officer 2	8
	Executive Officer II	5
	Administrative Officer	4
	Typist	1
	Administrative Assistant	2
		48
Scientific Advisory	Assistant Secretary	1
Service Delivery Group
	Deputy Secretary	1
CAFRE Development and Educational Services	Assistant Secretary	1
	Senior Principal (G6)	2
	Veterinary Officer (G7)	1
	Agricultural Inspector Grade I	8
	Deputy Principal	1
	Agricultural Inspector Grade II	52
	Staff Officer	2
	Librarian	1
	Inspector Group 4	3
	ICT Level 5	1
	Higher Scientific Officer	1
	Agricultural Inspector Grade III	134
	Accommodation Manager	2
	Scientific Officer	3
	PTO (Civil Eng Assistant)	1
	Inspector Group 3	1
	Inspector Group 2	23
	ICT Level 4	1
	Forest Officer Grade III	1
	Executive Officer I	1
	Audio Visual Technician	1
	Assistant Librarian	2
	Assistant Accomodation Manager/ess	1
	Accommodation Manager (Enniskillin)	2
	Inspector Group 1	1
	ICT Level 3	4
	Food Technology Tech	6
	Executive Officer II	14
	Support Grade Band 1	1
	Assistant Scientific Officer	6
	Administrative Officer	19
	Typist	6
	Support Grade Band 2	2
	SGB 2 Watchperson/Cleaner	3
	Sandwich Course Student	2
	Cleaner	1
	Administrative Assistant (Casual)	1
	Administrative Assistant	21
	Industrial	60
		393
Rural Development	Assistant Secretary	1
	Senior Principal (G6)	1
	Principal	6
	Agricultural Inspector Grade I	4
	Deputy Principal	22
	Agricultural Inspector Grade II	23
	Staff Officer	38
	Inspector Group 5	5
	Inspector Group 4	1
	Agricultural Inspector Grade III	32
	Inspector Group 3	9
	Inspector Group 2	16
	Executive Officer I	26
	Senior Personal Secretary	1
	Personal Secretary	3
	Inspector Group 1	5
	Executive Officer II	40
	Administrative Officer	126
	Typist	4
	Support Grade Band 2 (Casual)	1
	Support Grade Band 2	2
	Cleaner	1
	Administrative Assistant (Casual)	6
	Administrative Assistant	104
		477
Rural Payments and Inspection	Assistant Secretary	1
	Principal	3
	Agricultural Inspector Grade I	3
	Deputy Principal	9
	Agricultural Inspector Grade II	13
	Staff Officer	16
	Inspector Group 4	37
	Agricultural Inspector Grade III	30
	Inspector Group 2	36
	Executive Officer I	17
	Agricultural Inspector Grade IV	1
	Executive Officer II	37
	Administrative Officer	94
	Typist	1
	Support Grade Band 2	2
	Support Grade Band 2 (Casual)	1
	Administrative Assistant (Casual)	3
	Administrative Assistant	13
		317
Veterinary Service
	Deputy Secretary	1

Logistics	Sp Veterinary Officer (G6)	4
	Veterinary Officer (G7)	16
	Principal	2
	Divisional Veterinary Officer	11
	Deputy Principal	8
	Staff Officer	7
	Senior Meat Inspector	1
	Inspector Group 4	3
	ICT Level 5	1
	Senior Imports Inspector	3
	Poultry Meat Inspector	1
	Meat Inspector	2
	Inspector Group 2	10
	ICT Level 4	2
	Executive Officer I	9
	Senior Personal Secretary	1
	Personal Secretary	1
	Inspector Group 1	44
	ICT Level 3	5
	Executive Officer II	10
	Administrative Officer	28
	Administrative Assistant	7
	Industrial	5
		182
Operations	Sp Veterinary Officer (G6)	3
	Veterinary Officer Testing	22
	Veterinary Officer (G7)	83
	Temporary Veterinary Officer	5
	Divisional Veterinary Officer	11
	Deputy Principal	1
	Senior Meat Inspector	10
	Inspector Group 5	1
	Inspector Group 4	16
	Poultry Meat Inspector	12
	Meat Inspector	108
	Inspector Group 3	2
	Inspector Group 2	16
	Executive Officer I	3
	Inspector Group 1	121
	Executive Officer II	5
	Administrative Officer	30
	Administrative Assistant (casual)	1
	Administrative Assistant	15
		465
Overall Total		3039

Agri-Food and Biosciences

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many people are employed in the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Hillsborough.

(AQW 1355/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute employs a total of 102 staff in Hillsborough.

Young Entrants Scheme for Farmers

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline her Department's position on the re-establishment of a young entrants scheme for farmers; and to provide an update on the progress of discussions with key stakeholders on this issue.

(AQW 1357/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The New Entrants Scheme formally closed to new applications on 27 February 2009, although applicants had until the end of June 2009 to provide necessary documentation connected with their application. An in-depth assessment to evaluate the Scheme’s impact and cost effectiveness is just concluding. As part of this assessment, my officials met with stakeholders to share emerging findings and listen to views on the way ahead. I expect to receive the report on this assessment within the next month and will consider my next steps thereafter.

Rock Armouring, Greyabbey

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline the reasons for the rock armouring at Mount Stewart, Greyabbey.

(AQW 1382/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: DARD Rivers Agency, in conjunction with the National Trust and the NI Environment Agency, carried out works on a designated sea defence at Kilnatierney on the outskirts of Greyabbey. The works involved Rivers Agency staff removing two sections of the sea defence to allow the inundation of the wetland immediately behind the Sea Defence, owned by the National Trust, at high water only. Rock armouring was imported to the site and used to protect the remaining structure from damage by the sea. It is anticipated that once the inter-tidal habitat has been properly established Rivers Agency would recommend de-designation of the sea defence to the Drainage Council for NI. If approved Rivers Agency would then be relieved of maintenance responsibility.

Dog Licenses

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what has been the increase in dog licenses granted in each local Council in the last year.

(AQW 1415/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Dog statistics are collated on a calendar year basis, and therefore the last two years for which my Department has complete figures are 2007 and 2008. The number of dog licences granted in each local Council in the years 2007 and 2008, and the difference between the years, are detailed in the following table.

Council	Dogs licensed 2007	Dogs licensed 2008	Increase
Antrim	3758	3819	61
Ards	5897	7331	1434
Armagh	2980	3791	811
Ballymena	7123	7115	-8
Ballymoney	3024	2805	-219
Banbridge	3340	3494	154
Belfast	10411	10677	266
Carrickfergus	2021	1803	-218
Castlereagh	3487	3958	471
Coleraine	6278	6621	343
Cookstown	1883	3567	1684
Craigavon	4902	4875	-27
Derry	1825	1859	34
Down	6384	6627	243
Dungannon	2102	2195	93
Fermanagh	4831	4815	-16
Larne	3275	3446	171
Limavady	2349	2234	-115
Lisburn	8649	9288	639
Magherafelt	1930	1883	-47
Moyle	1608	1681	73
Newry and Mourne	4037	4697	660
Newtownabbey	5063	5176	113
North Down	4765	5915	1150
Omagh	2149	2366	217
Strabane	2216	2170	-46
Total	106287	114208	7921

Dog Licence Fee

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if her Department's proposal to increase the dog licence fee includes reduced fees for older people and people in receipt of benefits.

(AQW 1419/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The current licence fee of £5 falls far short of the cost of enforcing the dog control legislation. As a result, the bulk of the cost of the dog warden service in councils is currently borne by all ratepayers, not just by licensed dog owners. In fact the dog licence fees currently collected by some councils amount to less than 10 per cent of the cost of providing a dog warden service.

As I said in the Assembly on 12 October, I am proposing that the licence fee should be increased to a more appropriate level, with significant reductions for certain groups such as pensioners and those on benefits. I am proposing, subject to Executive approval, to consult on the basis of 3 options. These include a preferred option based on an inflation-linked rise, an option to maintain the status quo, and an option which covers the full cost of the dog warden service.

Under my preferred option, a dog licence will be free to those aged 65 and over; the cost to those on benefits will be pegged at the current price of £5; the cost to owners whose dog is neutered will also be pegged at the current price of £5; and the full fee cost to others will be £12.50, reflecting the increase in inflation since the fee was last reviewed in 1983. Under my proposal, as is the case now, guide dogs will be exempt from the licensing requirement.

I believe this option for the licence fee will help the elderly, protect those on benefits, encourage neutering and reduce the number of strays and unwanted dogs. It will also provide some additional resource to local councils to meet the costs of dog control.

The licence fee is only one part of my proposals for new dog control measures. I believe that the measures I am proposing to require micro-chipping of all dogs, provide powers to councils to place conditions on dogs and their owners where there are concerns about dog behaviour and to make attacks by a dog on another dog an offence, will be widely welcomed and I look forward to hearing the responses from all stakeholders when these are put out to public consultation.

Pigs' Blood

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what information her Department holds on the health risks of spreading material containing pigs' blood onto land.

(AQW 1437/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Animal By-Products Regulations (NI) 2003 does not permit the direct landspreading of raw blood, or material containing it. The purpose of this is to safeguard animal and public health. As this process is not permitted, DARD does not hold information on the health risks of spreading material containing pig’s blood on land.

However, the Animal By-Products Regulations (NI) 2003 do not prevent the landspreading of material containing pig’s blood if the blood has been processed in approved premises, such as a composting plant.

Dog Licenses

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for the percentage of dogs that are licensed.

(AQW 1458/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Councils license just over 100,000 dogs annually. As it is unknown how many dogs there are in the north of Ireland as a whole, we do not know what percentage of dogs are currently licensed in the north.

In 2008, 114,208 dog licences were issued here.

Microchipping of Dogs

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many dogs have been microchipped in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1459/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department does not hold records of the number of dogs that have been micro-chipped.

Licensing and Microchipping of Dogs

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the total income generated by her Department from the licensing and microchipping of dogs.

(AQW 1460/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The income from the licensing of dogs goes to the Local Councils. The current licence fee £5 has not been reviewed since 1983 and falls far short of the cost of providing the dog warden services.

My Department does not require, organise or perform micro-chipping of dogs, and therefore generates no income from this.

My Department therefore generates no income from the licensing or micro-chipping of dogs.

Dog Control

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the annual cost of dog control, including the cost of dog wardens.

(AQW 1461/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Local councils are responsible for enforcing the Dogs (NI) Order 1983. As information on the cost of enforcement is not routinely provided to my Department, it does not hold data for all councils.

The costs for Armagh, Belfast, Fermanagh and Ballymena for the most recent financial year available are set out in Table 1.

Table 1

Costs of dog control for Armagh, Belfast, Fermanagh and Ballymena for the most recent financial year available.

Council	Licence income (£s)	Dog control Costs (£s)	Shortfall	Licence income as % of costs
Armagh	16,000	112,837	96,837	14
Belfast	56,142	682,586	626,444	8
Ballymena	37,067	101,061	63,994	36
Fermanagh	20,000	84,791	64,791	23

Dog Licences

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many dog licences have been issued, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1462/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The number of dog licences granted in each of the last 5 years for which my Department has complete figures is set out in Table 1.

Table 1

Dog Licences granted by Local Councils in the last 5 calendar years (2004-2008) (from figures provided to DARD by Local Councils)

Year	Number of licences
2004	94909
2005	95367
2006	102991
2007	106287
2008	114208

Horse Riders

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action she is taking to allow horse riders the same right of access to publicly owned land as walkers.

(AQW 1472/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The majority of publicly owned land that falls within the remit of my Department is managed by the Forest Service. Within our forestry, there is in excess of 100 kilometres of designated pony trekking trails. In addition, we have a number of arrangements which facilitate local pony trekking centres, local pony clubs and the Irish Long Distance Riding Association.

I recently launched a strategy to develop the recreational and social use of our forests. In this, DARD has committed to producing operational guidelines in relation to developing cycling and horse riding trails in forests. The strategy places greater emphasis on forest recreation provision, as part of forest management planning, and seeks to increase the accessibility of forests to the public. The provision of additional horse riding access will be considered by Forest Service where there is a demand and where additional access can be accommodated.

My Department has no control over country parks that are privately owned, or ones offering public access such as those owned by organisations like the National Trust. Any country parks controlled by Borough and District Councils do not fall within DARD’s remit.

DOE have advised that horse riding is only permitted within specified areas in NI Environment Agency (NIEA) properties at Crawfordsburn, Redburn and Castle Archdale Country Parks due to concerns relating to the safety of other users. In addition, walkers are only allowed access to publicly owned land where permission has been given.

Dog Licence

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for assessment of the fairness of dog owners being forced to pay an increased dog licence of £50 to make up for the actions of irresponsible dog owners, most of whom do not pay the current £5 fee; and whether an increased fee is more likely to discourage a lot more dog owners not to pay.

(AQW 1483/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Since Questions 1483/10 and 1484/10 refer to the same subject matter, this response deals with both questions together.

The current licence fee of £5 falls far short of the cost of enforcing the dog control legislation. As a result, the bulk of the cost of the dog warden service in councils is currently borne by all ratepayers, not just by licensed dog owners. In fact the dog licence fees currently collected by some councils amount to less than 10 per cent of the cost of providing a dog warden service.

During my Review of the legislation, local councils suggested figures for dog licences ranging up to £70. My officials explored with the ARD Committee some early ideas on a fee of £50 with 50 per cent reductions for the owners of neutered dogs, people aged 65 or over and those on certain means-tested benefits.

I am proposing, subject to Executive approval, to consult on the basis of 3 options. These include a core option based on an inflation-linked rise, an option to maintain the status quo, and an option which covers the full cost of the dog warden service.

Under my core proposal: a dog licence will be free to those aged 65 and over; the cost to those on benefits will be pegged at the current price of £5; the cost to owners whose dog is neutered will also be pegged at the current price of £5; and the full fee cost to others will be £12.50, reflecting the increase in inflation since the fee was last reviewed in 1983. Under my proposal, as is the case now, guide dogs will be exempt from the licensing requirement.

I believe this core proposal for the licence fee will help the elderly, protect those on benefits, encourage neutering and reduce the number of strays and unwanted dogs. It will also provide some additional resource to local councils to meet the costs of dog control.

Dog Licence

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in relation to the new proposed £50 dog licence (i) will there be any discount introduced for pensioners; and (ii) will there be any allowances for people with guide dogs or hearing dogs.

(AQW 1484/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Since Questions 1483/10 and 1484/10 refer to the same subject matter, this response deals with both questions together.

Puppy Farming

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has any plans to introduce legislation to restrict puppy farming; and what consideration has been given to imposing heavier restrictions on puppy farmers, rather than imposing £50 licence fees on dog owners.

(AQW 1485/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: It is my intention, subject to Executive approval, to bring a new Animal Welfare Bill to the Assembly around the same time as the Dog Control Bill. The new Animal Welfare Bill will provide powers to regulate, through subordinate legislation, all dog breeding establishments. Specific proposals to enhance the standards required to protect and improve the welfare of dogs in breeding establishments will be subject to full consultation at that time.

Regarding the dog licence fee, the current fee of £5 falls far short of the cost of enforcing the dog control legislation. As a result, the bulk of the cost of the dog warden service in councils is currently borne by all ratepayers, not just by licensed dog owners. In fact the dog licence fees currently collected by some councils amount to less than 10 per cent of the cost of providing a dog warden service.

During my Review of the legislation, local councils suggested figures for dog licences ranging up to £70. My officials explored with the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee some early ideas on a fee of £50 with 50 per cent reductions for the owners of neutered dogs, people aged 65 or over and those on certain means-tested benefits.

As I said in the Assembly on 12 October, it is extremely unfortunate that this exploratory thinking on the licence fee was wrongly presented in the media as a firm proposal. I have listened very carefully to the concerns of the Committee and the public. I am proposing, subject to Executive approval, to consult on the basis of 3 options. These include a preferred option based on an inflation-linked rise, an option to maintain the status quo, and an option which covers the full cost of the dog warden service.

Under my preferred option: a dog licence will be free to those aged 65 and over; the cost to those on benefits will be pegged at the current price of £5; the cost to owners whose dog is neutered will also be pegged at the current price of £5; and the full fee cost to others will be £12.50, reflecting the increase in inflation since the fee was last reviewed in 1983.

Dog Licence

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to explain the rationale for her proposal to raise the cost of a dog licence from £5 to £50.

(AQW 1557/10)

Dangerous Dogs

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when the consultation on her proposals for dealing with dangerous dogs will begin.

(AQW 1607/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Subject to the approval of the Executive, I intend to launch a public consultation on my proposals for new dog control measures in November 2009.

Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in light of the theft of cattle under the control of DARD officials in county Armagh on 5 October 2009, whether her Department is in breach of paragraphs 13 and 20 of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972; and if not, to provide reasons.

(AQW 1713/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The apparent theft of the cattle is under police investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment until the investigation is completed.

Diseases of Animals Bill

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to list the organisations her Department has consulted on the Diseases of Animals Bill.

(AQW 1831/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department consulted with some 400 organisations and individuals in January 2008 on proposals for a Diseases of Animals Bill. I have arranged for a list of the consultees to be forwarded to you. A copy of the consultation list has also been placed in the Assembly Library.

Cattle Theft

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to AQW 1713/10, if she will make public her Department's submission to the PSNI or reveal it, in confidence, to the Agriculture Committee.

(AQW 1908/10)

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The apparent theft of the cattle is under police investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment until the investigation is completed. If the Committee wishes I can arrange for an Official to attend to provide a briefing and respond to any questions that can be answered without jeopardising the PSNI investigation or any potential prosecution which may arise from it.

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Advertising

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much has been spent (i) by his Department; and (ii) by Departmental Agencies and non-departmental public bodies, on advertising in public sector jobs sections of (a) the Belfast Telegraph; (b) the News Letter; (c) the Irish News; and (d) other newspapers, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1314/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr N McCausland): The information requested is set out at Annex A.

Annex A

	04/05 (£)	05/06 (£)	06/07 (£)	07/08 (£)	08/09 (£)
DEPARTMENT
Belfast Telegraph	512	4,842	-	22,195	23,003
News Letter	600	2,127	-	11,133	13,010
Irish News	584	2,256	11,607	8,432	10,436
Other	473	24,418	1,446	22,798	19,953
TOTAL	2,169	33,643	13,053	64,558	66,402
NON DEPARTMENTAL PUBLIC BODIES
Belfast Telegraph	13,795	24,766	20,125	39,942	60,295
News Letter	2,284	3,696	3,048	3,421	3,899
Irish News	1,649	2,691	2,259	2,577	3,074
Other	1,992	544	400	15,982	36,433
TOTAL	19,720	31,697	25,832	61,922	103,701

Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland (OSNI) and Public Record Office Northern Ireland (PRONI) were Departmental Agencies until 31 March 2008 and 31 March 2006 respectively. PRONI did not incur any advertising costs in this period.

Information requested in relation to OSNI is not readily available and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost, as indicated by the DFP Minister.

Events Sponsored by Waterways Ireland

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (i) the events sponsored by Waterways Ireland in the last financial year; (ii) the cost of these events; (iii) the civil servants, public representatives and elected representatives who were invited; (iv) who attended; and (v) the decision making process for selection of the events.

(AQW 1376/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Waterways Ireland promotes recreation on the inland waterways through a range of activities including a Sponsorship Programme and through Joint Activities. Joint Activities are developed in partnership with other organisations such as the Waterways Ireland Riverfest supported by Waterways Ireland in conjunction with the local organising committee, Coleraine Borough Council and the Lower Bann Partnership.

2008 Financial Year (Jan – Dec 2008)

(i) Events supported by Waterways Ireland, please see attached spreadsheet Annex A;

(ii) The costs were: Joint Activities: €132,000 - £105,000

Sponsorship: €72,500 - £57,520

(iii) Waterways Ireland does not organise the Sponsored events and as such has no record of civil servants, public representatives and elected representatives who were invited to attend events.

(iv) Staff of Waterways Ireland attended these events in a promotional or technical role but as Waterways Ireland was not the organiser of the sponsored events or joint activities I am not aware who attended other than Waterways Ireland staff themselves.

(v) Joint Activities: Waterways Ireland assesses applications based on the potential impact of the activity on long term waterway recreation, and on local community waterway awareness; promotion of the waterways and their potential impact on the local economy.

Sponsorship: The criteria for the assessment of applications under the Sponsorship Scheme are attached at Annex B. These criteria are provided to all applicants in the application pack.

Annex A

	Name of Event	Waterway	Activity
Mar 2008	Waterways Ireland Erne Junior Pike Fishing Classic	Erne	Angling
	Erne Head of the River	Erne	Rowing
Apr 2008	Waterways Ireland Pike Challenge	SNN & S.E.W	Angling
	Waterways Ireland Schools League	Erne	Angling
May 2008	Limerick Regatta and Waterways Ireland Row For It Junior Rowing League	SNN, O'Briensbridge	Rowing
	King of the Barrow	Barrow	Angling
	The Garadice Gamble	SEW	Angling
	The Grand Canal Offaly Voyage 2008	Grand Canal	Arts
	Portora Regatta and Waterways Ireland Row For It Junior Rowing League	Erne	Rowing
	Boatmans Reunion	SNN, L. Derg	Boatman's Reunion
	TriAthy 2008	Barrow	Swimming
	Tasting Sessions in Rowing	Erne	Rowing
June 2008	Iniscealtra Festival of Arts	SNN, L. Derg	Community Festival
	Carlow Regatta and Waterways Ireland Row For It Junior Rowing League	Barrow	Rowing
	Garadice Lake Triathlon	SEW	Swimming
	Castleconnell Sprint Regatta	SNN, Castleconnell	Rowing
	Athlone Regatta and Waterways Ireland Row For It Junior Rowing League	SNN, L. Ree	Rowing
	Waterways Ireland Waterford & District Annual Coarse Angling Festival	Barrow	Angling
	8th Annual Mullingar RCAG Rally	Royal Canal	Rally
	Shannonbridge Midsummer Festival	SNN, Shannonbridge	Arts
	Crom Living History and Have A Go Day	Erne	Envt./Heritage
	Laser Connaught Event	SNN, L. Derg	Sailing
	Lough Erne Relay Challenge	Erne	Swimming
	Waterways Ireland MacGregor Rally (also Mar)	SNN, L. Ree	Sailing
July 2008	Féile Brian Ború ( Swim competition)	SNN, L. Derg	Community Festival
	Lisnaskea Water Festival	Erne	Community Festival
	Lough Ree Environmental Summer School & Arts Festival	SNN, L. Ree	Envt./Heritage
	An tSuca Fiain	SNN, Ballinasloe	Community Festival
	All Ireland Championships	Barrow	Angling
	Daingean Festival	Grand Canal	Community Festival
August 2008	Irish Long Distance Swimming Championship	Erne	Swimming
	C-O-S Sprints Regatta & Waterways Ireland Row For It Junior Rowing League	SNN, C-O-S	Rowing
	RCAG Western Rally (Mullingar to Abbeyshrule)	Royal Canal	Rally
	Wakejam II	Erne	Watersports
	Gransha Youth Club Water Activities	Erne	Watersports
	RCAG Western Rally (Abbeyshrule to Ballymahon)	Royal Canal	Rally
	Annual Crom Trip	Erne	Rowing
	NCFFI Junior Canal Championships	Royal Canal	Angling
Sept 2008	Gig 'n the Bann Cross Community Festival	L Bann	Arts
	Lough Key Triathlon	SNN, L. Key	Swimming
	Irish Gay Rowing Weekend	SNN, C-O-S	Rowing
	Enniskillen Arts Festival	Erne	Arts
	Bann Head of the River	L Bann	Rowing
	Waterways Ireland Erne World Pike Fishing Classic 2008	Erne	Angling
Jan 2009	*St Michaels Head of the River	SNN, O'Briensbridge	Rowing
Feb 2009	*Shannon Head of the River	SNN, C-O-S	Rowing


	JOINT ACTIVITIES
May 2008	Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival	Erne	Angling
June 2008	Waterways Ireland Riverfest	L Bann	Community Festival
July 2008	Waterways Ireland triAthlone	SNN, Athlone	Triathlon
August 2008	Waterways Ireland Scarriff Harbour Festival	SNN, Scarriff	Community Festival
August 2008	Waterways Ireland Classic Boat Regatta	SNN, L Derg	Sailing

* The Sponsorship Programme for 2009 was open to applicants until the 3 Feb 2009. As evaluation only takes place after the closing date, events taking place in Jan Feb 2009 would not be able to be supported, so they are included in the 2008 programme.

Annex B

Criteria for Application for Sponsorship

Applications are assessed according to the following criteria and assigned a score with sponsorship funding assigned to the highest scoring Events. Only Events which meet the essential criteria will be considered.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The Event must:

Be water-based or a waterside activity on one or more of the seven waterways under the remit of Waterways Ireland;
Attract new waterway users in an active capacity and not just as spectators;
Be consistent with a sustained balanced use of the waterways with due regard for the environment, ecology, natural and built heritage and biodiversity of the waterways;
Apply for and receive event approval from the Waterways Ireland Inspector of Navigation. (This is to ensure that the Event is in compliance with the bye-laws and other navigation considerations. See attached for the "Application for Approval of an Event" form which should be completed and submitted with the Sponsorship Application); and
Have public liability insurance and insurance which indemnifies Waterways Ireland against claim. See attached for the "Insurance Confirmation Form" which should be completed by your Insurance Company and submitted with the Sponsorship Application.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Equality of Access

There should be equal access of participation in the Event for groups highlighted under the Waterways Ireland Equality Scheme, which provides equality for people regardless of:

Age
Political Opinion
Dependents
Race
Disability
Religious Belief
Gender
Sexual Orientation
Marital Status
Member of the Traveller Community

Cross Border Participation

As a North/South Implementation Body, Waterways Ireland promotes cross-border participation in events on the waterways, i.e., involvement of competitors/spectators from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at the same Event.

Development of non-established Events

Where possible, funding will be assigned to assist with the development of new Events which provide additional opportunities to attract more users to the waterways.

All-island Strategy for Angling Tourism

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what progress has been made in developing an all-island strategy for angling tourism.

(AQW 1407/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The development of a cross-border strategy for angling tourism falls within the remit of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and its counterpart in the Irish Republic, Failte Ireland. They are responsible for product development in their respective countries. Tourism Ireland is the agency responsible for marketing the angling product overseas and enacting the strategy as developed by the two Tourist Boards.

Inland Fisheries Branch have established a small dedicated Promotions Team to raise awareness of Northern Ireland and the Public Angling Estate which comprises 64 fisheries owned or leased by the DCAL, as a first class venue for local and international anglers within a confined budget allocation.

The Promotions team have worked closely with Failte Ireland who produced leaflets, e-brochures and Centre of Excellence brochures which include the Public Angling Estate and angling tourism in Northern Ireland. DCAL’s fishery officers also work with Tourism Ireland while attending angling shows in a number of locations in Europe. Shows in Europe have contributed to increasing numbers of visiting tourist anglers to Northern Ireland.

Anglers

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what measures his Department has taken to address the concerns of anglers in relation to (i) the quality of angling; (ii) the quality of information on angling; (iii) the attractiveness of the environment; and (iv) the accessibility of angling waters.

(AQW 1408/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The DCAL angling website allows anglers to make complaints and seek advice on angling related issues. The Department has a team dedicated to responding quickly to queries raised by anglers through the angling website. Staff can quickly alert technical staff to issues raised and seek their professional advice to enable a detailed accurate response to the angler.

DCAL has built up efficient, effective working relationships with Rivers Agency, NIEA, Loughs Agency, DARD, NI Water and other water related bodies to provide an efficient, accurate response to queries or issues raised by anglers.

The Department is constantly improving the DCAL Angling Website (www.dcal-fishingni.gov.ukto make it more user friendly. Angling guides updated on a regular basis and are provided free to anglers. A promotions

team constantly take on board recommendations raised by anglers when reviewing and updating the guides. The Department works closely with Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland to produce detailed accurate information to the tourist angler. Tourism Ireland has recently produced e-brochures on angling with input from DCAL.

The Department targets areas of concern which have been highlighted by anglers. DCAL technical staff work with local councils, forestry service and land owners in an effort to control litter, dog fouling, illegal fishing etc. The Department is also considering the addition of photographs in angling brochures and the website to show anglers the attractiveness of the environment.

Access to the Public Angling Estate is through a DCAL permit which is available on-line and at most tackle shops. Clubs also distribute day tickets at local tackle shops and other local outlets. Put and Take fisheries sell day tickets on site. Physical access is provided at most waters in the form of car parks, paths and fishing stands. Disabled access is also provided for at a numbers of waters which are listed in the new Disabled Anglers Guide.

Northern Ireland: Tourist Destination for Anglers

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if his Department has met with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to develop a strategy to promote Northern Ireland as a tourist destination for anglers; and if he has considered an all-island strategy with Tourism Ireland.

(AQW 1411/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: DCAL together with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) and the Loughs Agency of the Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission,commissioned a report on the Socio-Economic Impact of Angling, which made recommendations for a joint agency approach to maximising the marketing and promotion of the angling product. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board and DCAL are supportive of a "multi-agency" approach and welcome such co-operative partnerships.

DCAL and the NITB recognise partnership as the way forward for successful tourism development and delivery of a prized product in a niche market.

DCAL Fisheries Officers work with Irish Republic Fisheries Board Officers on the Tourism Ireland stands at overseas Angling Shows, advising anglers on angling waters and opportunities on both sides of the border. DCAL also works with Tourism Ireland in organising visits by overseas angling media or tour operators. The recent Pike fishing visit by Jouke Jansma from De Roofvis Magazine, The Netherlands was organised by DCAL technical staff working with Tourism Ireland and NITB with input from Central Fisheries Board (on the basis that they could also visit an Irish Republic water if they wished during their visit)

Grant-making Arrangements

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if his officials are working with the Arts Council and the Ulster-Scots Agency, in the same way they are working with Sports NI, to examine clauses in their grant-making arrangements to advise if changes are required.

(AQW 1486/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: My Department and its Arms Length Bodies continually review procedures to ensure that the allocation of public funding is effective and fit for purpose

Bands

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if bands, which are linked to the UVF or the UDA, can avail of funding through his Department, the Arts Council, or the Ulster-Scots Agency.

(AQW 1487/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure does not fund bands directly.

Individuals and organisations can avail of funding from the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The Ulster-Scots Agency, through its Financial Assistance Scheme, may provide funding for musical tuition. Through the Arts Council’s Musical Instruments for Bands Scheme and Small Grants Programme funding is available for musical tuition and musical instruments. All organisations securing funding from either of these sources must comply with the Equality and Good Relations policies of the respective funding organisation.

Bands

Mr D McKay asked e Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if bands, that carry UVF flags, should be allowed to avail of funding through his Department, the Arts Council or the Ulster-Scots Agency.

(AQW 1488/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure does not fund bands directly.

Individuals and organisations can avail of funding from the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Olympic Bid from Portadown Rowing Club and the Silverwood Equestrian Centre, Lurgan.

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure when a final decision will be made in relation to the Olympic bid from Portadown Rowing Club and the Silverwood Equestrian Centre, Lurgan.

(AQW 1814/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I am unaware of any Olympic bid from Portadown Rowing Club and the Silverwood Equestrian Centre, Lurgan.

The Elite Facilities Programme is about creating a facility, performance and participation legacy for Northern Ireland beyond 2012 that will also cover key gaps in facility provision across the sports infrastructure.

Applications to Stage Two of the Elite Facilities Programme competition have been made; for both rowing and canoeing facilities by Portadown 2000; and for equestrian facilities in Lurgan by The Meadows Equestrian Centre & Stud Ltd.

The recent judicial review decision on the Elite Facilities Programme competition will now allow Sport NI to move forward with this programme. However, the announcement of successful applications has been delayed to allow for the Court’s judgement to be implemented.

I am informed by Sport NI that it hopes to be in a position to provide interested parties with an update on the programme timetable later this month.

Sponsorship

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (i) how many receptions he has sponsored in recognition of sporting achievements since coming to office; and (ii) to detail who received a reception and for what reason.

(AQW 1895/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Since taking up office on 1 July I have hosted one reception in recognition of sporting achievement. On 10 August 2009 I hosted a reception for Tony McCoy at Parliament Buildings where family and friends joined with the horse racing fraternity in celebrating his achievement in winning 3,000 National Hunt races.

GAA Grounds and Competitions

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to provide an update on his discussions with the GAA regarding the naming of grounds and competitions.

(AQO 266/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I have raised a number of concerns following recent publicity around the naming of grounds and competitions. I have made it clear that my major priority is to promote sport as a vehicle for improving community relations and community cohesion in Northern Ireland and that I expect all governing bodies, including the GAA, to do all they can to support these objectives. What happened at Galbally in August is unacceptable and I am sure that many senior figures in the GAA will be as horrified as I am that a sports ground was used for this type of activity.

I have asked Sport Northern Ireland to carry out a review of their existing terms and conditions of grant to sport specifically focusing on strengthening the shared and better future and good relations requirements of funding. I also understand the Ulster Council of the GAA is working to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the use of the Galbally Pearses grounds in August for a commemoration of deceased members of terrorist organisations. I look forward to receiving reports on both these matters when completed.

All governing bodies must continue working to recognise and promote further the role sport has in creating a shared and better future.

East-West Links

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what he is doing to promote East-West linkages.

(AQO 267/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: One of the Northern Ireland Executive’s priorities is developing East-West relationships with other parts of the United Kingdom and as Scotland is our nearest neighbour and given the cultural, historical and social connections we share, I am committed to promoting and enhancing this relationship.

My recent fact finding visit to Scotland, which included meetings with the culture and sports Ministers and visits to cultural organisations and institutions, provided me with both an opportunity to explore with Scottish colleagues how cultural connections can be strengthened and share with them positive aspects of the Northern Ireland experience.

My Department, through Foras na Gaeilge, contributes to the Colmcille Initiative which was launched in 1997 and receives funding from Northern

Ireland, Scotland and the Irish Republic, fostering support for the Gaelic languages and developing links between Gaelic Scotland and Ireland.

Additionally through the British-Irish Council I will work with other Council members to bring forward areas of mutual interest that deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.

Irish Language Strategy

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline the reasons for the delay in bringing his Department's Irish Language Strategy to the Executive.

(AQO 268/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Since taking up office I have been actively considering the issues surrounding the enhancement and development of the Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture and the enhancement and protection of the development of the Irish language.

I have also been taking account of the position of other regional or minority languages across the United Kingdom, especially the situation in Scotland which has close parallels to Northern Ireland in terms of regional and minority languages.

I intend to bring a paper on the high level principles on which the Indigenous or Regional Minority Languages Strategy might be based to the Executive in the near future.

Sports Stadia

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether his Department supports a shared sports stadium.

(AQO 269/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Members will be aware that a decision has been taken not to proceed with the proposal to develop a multi- sports stadium at the former Maze site. In the light of this decision the Governing Bodies of the three main ball sports were asked to identify their preferred option to meet their sports’ strategic needs. Their proposals centred on the redevelopment of the existing main stadiums, namely the GAA’s Casement Park, Rugby’s Ravenhill Park and Windsor Park in respect of the IFA.

The proposals put forward by the Governing Bodies are for the development of three separate stadia tailored to their sports’ individual requirements as the most practical and effective way forward.

Nevertheless Sports’ Governing Bodies have a key role to play in a shared and better future for all our communities and will be encouraged to develop further opportunities and strategies to bring our communities together by opening up their sports and stadia to all.

Ministerial Receptions

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to list all the receptions he has hosted since taking up office.

(AQO 270/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Since taking up office on 1st of July I have hosted 5 receptions:

On 10 July I welcomed delegates of worldwide Imperial Orange Councils to Stormont. Delegates attended from across the globe for the 43rd Triennial Conference;
On 22 July 2009 I joined with competitors and guests at a reception in Stormont to send my best wishes to the Northern Ireland Team travelling to the 2009 World Police and Fire Games in Vancouver;
I hosted a reception in the Marriott Pinnacle Hotel, Downtown Vancouver on Friday 31 July for the Northern Ireland Team competing in the 2009 World Police and Fire Games in Vancouver;
On 27 July 2009 I welcomed competitors in the 5th World Dwarf Games to Belfast. I met with the President of the Dwarf Athletic Association UK (DAAUK) and competitors from across the world taking part in the Games, a major international event in the Paralympic calendar; and
On 10 August 2009 I hosted a reception for Tony McCoy at Parliament Buildings where family and friends joined with the horse racing fraternity in celebrating his achievements.

Sport and Physical Recreation Strategy

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to provide an update on the 'Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation', including a timetable for implementation.

(AQO 271/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), in partnership with Sport Northern Ireland (SNI), has prepared a final version of a planned new Northern Ireland Sports Strategy now entitled "Sport Matters: The Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation, 2009-2019". The final version of this strategy has been forwarded to the Northern Ireland Executive for consideration at a future meeting. I have been pressing and will continue to press for this to be considered and agreed by the Executive as soon as possible. Once approved by the Executive, work on implementation would begin immediately. Full implementation is expected to take place over a 10 year period.

Arts Sponsorship

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action he is taking to encourage private sector sponsorship of the Arts.

(AQO 272/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: I am committed to the development of the arts in Northern Ireland and recognise that the sustainable development of the sector will require funding from a variety of sources public, private and voluntary.

Whilst the current economic climate presents a more challenging environment in which to secure private sector donations to the arts, I would be supportive of those activities which will maximise funding from such sources.

My Department, through the Arts Council, continues to fund Arts and Business (NI). Arts and Business aims to promote mutually beneficial relationships through a range of measures between business, the arts and the public sector in order to increase the level of private sector investment in the arts.

In addition, my Department has ensured that strategic arts infrastructure projects, such as the Lyric Theatre, the Crescent Arts Centre and the Metropolitan Arts Centre are proactive in seeking funding from the private sector towards capital project costs. This includes a requirement that such projects set in place a formal fundraising strategy and, where necessary, appoint a fundraising manager.

Olympic-sized Swimming Pool in Bangor

Mr A McFarland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for an update on the Olympic-sized swimming pool in Bangor; and when it will be completed.

(AQO 273/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The Olympic sized swimming pool is being developed by North Down Borough Council supported by the investment of £15m of public funding through Sport NI. The project is part of a £42m leisure development by the Council, to be sited at the Valentine Playing Fields in Bangor.

The timescale for construction rests with North Down Borough Council who are focused on completing the building project as quickly as possible.

I am informed by Sport NI that the Project is currently at invitation to tender for contract stage, is on track within the project timeline and on target for completion in early 2012.

Department of Education

Working Groups

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail the number and type of working groups currently carrying out work on behalf of her Department.

(AQW 550/10)

Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane ): Tá seacht ngrúpa oibre is fiche ag déanamh oibre ar son na Roinne Oideachais faoi láthair. Seo iad a leanas:-

There are twenty seven working groups currently carrying out work on behalf of the Department of Education. These are:-

Autism Spectrum Disorder Conference Planning Group

This group is co-led with the Department for Education and Science and is tasked with organising an All-Ireland conference on Autism Spectrum Disorder to take place in Armagh in November 2009.

Sub-Group of Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children & Young People

This group considers provision for children with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools including transition to adulthood and the provision of health and social care intervention.

Middletown Centre for Autism Building Integrated Project Team

This group is co-led with the Department for Education and Science and is representative of those involved in the project to design and build the Middletown Centre for Autism. This includes Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and officials from both the Department of Education in the north and the Department for Education and Science in the south.

Community Use of School Premises Working Group

An informal working group made up of key educational stakeholders co-ordinated by CCMS which was established to explore how best to achieve the increased use of school premises by the wider community.

Pupils’ Emotional Health and Wellbeing Programme

Programme being developed by key stakeholders and interested parties.

It will focus on the post primary sector and be expected to address how a pupil’s emotional health and wellbeing is promoted by the school, what support systems are available to support a pupil under stress and what support is available to a school in the event of a crisis.

Sharing In Education Programme Team

Reviews and makes recommendations for support on education-related applications to the International Fund for Ireland as part of the Department's role as managing agent.

Steering Group for the Review of SEN and Inclusion

Advising the Department on matters connected with review policy proposals.

Taskforce on Traveller Education The Taskforce is cross-sectoral and includes members of the Traveller community across Ireland, representatives from a range of non-government organisations and government Departments and public bodies from all of Ireland. The aim of the Taskforce is to assist the Department develop an action plan on Traveller education.

Newcomer Factor of Common Funding Formula Working Group This group has been set up to provide guidance to schools on clearly defined criteria that can be used in determining whether or not a newcomer pupil qualifies for the newcomer factor within the Common Funding Formula.

Traveller Factor of Common Funding Formula Working Group The Department established this group to develop guidelines for Principals and Boards of Governors on good practice. Specifically, these guidelines will outline how to use the Traveller factor of the Common Funding Formula to achieve the optimum support for Traveller children in schools.

The Literacy and Numeracy Taskforce

The key purpose is to finalise the revised literacy and numeracy strategy, including targets for the promotion of literacy and numeracy, and to ensure the effective implementation of the strategy.

The Irish Medium Literacy & Numeracy Working Group

Assembled to focus on developing a strategy for raising achievement in literacy and numeracy in Irish-medium schools that is complementary to the English-medium literacy and numeracy strategy.

The Inter-Departmental Sub-Committee on Early Years and Childcare

To provide a forum to agree strategic, operational and resourcing responsibilities in relation to relevant childcare provision and early years between DE and DHSSPS.

The Regional Development Programme Group (Sure Start)

To provide a forum to oversee the development of the Programme for 2 year olds in Sure Start.

Regional Reference Group for the 0-6 Strategy

To provide a panel of expertise to advise on the delivery, policy and practice of Early Years for the Early Years Strategy.

Steering Group of the Update of the Multiple Deprivation Group This group steers the update of the 2005 measures of spatial deprivation in the north of Ireland and the responses to the recommendations noted in the 2005 Multiple Deprivation Measure report. It quality assures the research and the effective dissemination, briefing and presentation of the research.

eSchools Project Board Oversees the implementation of the eSchools data warehouse.

eSchools Project Management Group The group works to agree changes to variables to be reported through various DE data collection exercises from schools and to discuss issues arising during, or as a result of, the data collection exercises themselves.

eSchools Strategic Review Board The Board is responsible for reviewing the reports prepared by the e-Schools Project Director, reviewing progress on the e-Schools Development Roadmap, reviewing and considering major new or potential improvements to the Services identified by the Contractor, jointly producing, reviewing and agreeing a Strategic Plan and providing strategic direction to the Continuous Improvement Programme in addressing emerging stakeholder requirements.

e-Schools Business Change Working Group The aim of this group is to review and propose revisions to current business processes based on the use of the e-Schools solution, to improve processes and achieve added benefits, including educational benefits.

Data and Research Advisory Sub-Group of the Obesity Prevention Steering Group One of four Advisory Groups established to take forward the Fit Futures Implementation Plan, designed to address childhood obesity. Its function is to advise, comment and provide formative feedback to the Obesity Prevention Steering Group on the Fit Futures Implementation and on those relevant issues related to the key activities assigned. Membership of the group includes representatives from DHSSPS, DE, DCAL, Food Safety Promotion Board, Food Standards Agency, Health Promotion Agency.

Education Research Forum The Forum includes representatives from all the Higher Education Institutions in the north of Ireland, the Education and Training Inspectorate, the Department for Employment and Learning and the Department of Education. Its purpose is primarily to exchange research information, knowledge and skills and to inform analytical thinking on current and emerging issues in relation to education.

DE/NIO longitudinal research study on young men Research into the transition of young males in post-primary education across a five year time frame. It focuses on their experiences in terms of education, of violence and factors that affect mental, emotional and physical health and self-esteem.

USID group (Using Schools Information and Data) The USID group is jointly chaired by the Education and Training Inspectorate and C2k. The group examines the use of schools data in schools and shares best practice models.

C2k Liaison Working Group This group is responsible for ensuring the consistency and standard of data to be included in the schools annual data collections.

NSPCC Staying Safe research steering group

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is being funded by the Department of Education to undertake research exploring the development of a child abuse prevention programme within primary schools. This research aims to access the views of a range of key stakeholders in relation to this issue, including teachers, parents, children and school staff and it comprises an in-depth case study based in the Ballymena area.

Area-Based Planning Exercise for Post-Primary Education, Central Group and 5 Area Groups

This exercise was commissioned to test the concept of area based planning in the post-primary sector that was related to the efficient and effective delivery of the Entitlement Framework (EF). The outcomes of this exercise were intended to anticipate and inform the area-based planning work to be undertaken by the Education and Skills Authority (ESA).

STEM subjects

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education why £0.8 million for STEM subjects in specialist schools was surrendered to the Department of Finance and Personnel.

(AQW 863/10)

Minister of Education: The £0.8 million funding surrendered to the Department of Finance and Personnel was capital funding which had been made available under the Innovation Fund.

Níl an cistiú seo, a dearbhaíodh i mí Eanáir 2008, ar fáil ach chun tacaíocht a thabhairt do thionscadail chaipitiúla i dtaca le sainscoileanna STEM atá ar aon dul le bunaidhmeanna na tairisceana. Ó tharla gur urraíodh an cistiú seo agus de bharr comaoineacha cáinaisnéise níos leithne, rinne mé an cinneadh go mbeadh na scoileanna a sainíodh agus a shaineofar ó mhí Mheán Fómhair 2009 ar aghaidh ar na scoileanna deireanacha a shaineofar mar shainscoileanna faoin chóras reatha.

This funding, which was confirmed in January 2008, could only be used to support capital projects related to STEM-specialist schools in line with the original intentions of the bid. Since this funding was secured and in the context of wider budget considerations I decided that the schools designated from September 2009 would be the last to be designated as specialist schools under the current model. This changed policy context and shortened timescale meant that further capital investment would not have represented value for money. Any funding secured from the Innovation Fund cannot be transferred either to other areas of activity within DE nor indeed to other measures within our STEM programme. As a result, and in line with current budgeting rules,any surpluses in funding must be surrendered to DFP at the earliest opportunity for reallocation. This funding was surrendered to DFP in the September monitoring round.

Meetings

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education to detail any meetings that she or her officials have held with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, Scottish Qualifications Authority or equivalent agencies in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 911/10)

Minister of Education: My officials and their colleagues in the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) are in regular contact with their respective Qualifications’ Regulators - the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in England and the Department for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning (DCELLS) in Wales.

Areas of common interest include: maintaining qualifications’ standards; the development of skills related qualifications; increasing access to qualifications; referencing qualifications to the new European Qualifications Framework; and crisis management (particularly in relation to the outbreak of a swine flu pandemic).

Tá córais dhifriúla do scrúduithe poiblí i ndeisceart na hÉireann agus in Albain. Bhuail oifigigh ó mo Roinn agus ó CCEA leis na húdaráis cáilíochtaí in Albain agus sa deisceart, ar roinnt ócáidí le hiniúchadh a dhéanamh ar réimsí a d’fhéadfaí níos mó comhoibrithe a dhéanamh orthu agus leis an dea-chleachtas a chomhroinnt.

The south of Ireland and Scotland operate different public examinations systems. Officials from my Department and CCEA have also met on many occasions with the qualifications authorities, in Scotland and the south, to explore areas for increased co-operation and sharing of best practice.

2009 Biennial Report of the Chief Inspector

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education what action her Department is taking to implement the findings of the latest 2009 Biennial Report of the Chief Inspector.

(AQW 931/10)

Minister of Education: I have welcomed the Chief Inspector’s Biennial Report covering inspections during the period 2006-2008. The Inspectorate’s evaluations, especially the Chief Inspector’s Report, are considered carefully by the Department and inform significantly my reform programme, including my approach to School Improvement, and Special Educational Needs and Inclusion, the creation of the Education and Skills Authority, the development of Irish Medium Education, the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy and other policy areas.

Tá mé iontach sásta gur thaispeáin an Tuarascáil go raibh feabhsuithe i ngach réimse atá faoi chúram na Roinne agus cuirim fáilte roimh an aitheantas a thugann an tuarascáil do gach duine a bhíonn i dteagmháil le páistí agus le daoine óga lá i ndiaidh lae.

I am delighted that the Report has shown improvements in all areas under the responsibility of the Department and I welcome the recognition that this accords to all those in daily contact with children and young people.

Good Mental Health

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Education what plans she has to promote good mental health in children under the school health curriculum.

(AQW 946/10)

Minister of Education: I believe strongly in supporting our children and young people in succeeding at school and in preparing for life and work. The revised curriculum, which is now in place in all year groups in all grant aided schools, has a very clear focus on raising standards in literacy and numeracy and on delivering a broad and balanced education that can stimulate and excite all young people. It has a very clear focus on developing skills as well as knowledge – including the skills that young people need to make healthy choices, to build self-confidence and self-esteem and to build constructive relationships.

Is bunmhír thábhachtach den churaclam athbhreithnithe í Forbairt Phearsanta, ó leibhéal na bunscoile ar aghaidh. Tugtar tacaíocht do na daoine óga trí thuiscint níos fearr a thabhairt dóibh ar fhadhbanna sláinte mheabhrach, lena n-áirítear cúiseanna, cosc, agus straitéisí a fhorbairt le deileáil le haon fhadhbanna a bhíonn nó a bheidh acu, nó ag duine a bhfuil aithne acu orthu, le linn a saoil.

Personal Development is an integral part of the revised curriculum, from primary level onwards. It supports our young people in better understanding mental health problems, including causes, prevention, and developing strategies to deal with any problems they, or someone they know, experience throughout their lives.

In addition my Department is in the process of developing a Pupils’ Emotional Health and Wellbeing Programme, initially to focus on the post primary sector. The Programme will address how a pupil’s emotional health and wellbeing is promoted by the school, both through the curriculum and all other school activity, what support systems are available to support a pupil under stress and what support is available to a school in the event of a crisis.

The Programme will contribute to the building of resilient emotional health and well being of pupils. Emotional wellbeing is critical in developing a healthy successful school community including developing a pupil’s social, emotional and behavioural skills. It links with all non academic/curriculum matters affecting pupils such as Counselling, pastoral care, suicide prevention, anti bullying policy, discipline and healthy schools. It is intended to be a vehicle for providing the "glue" to link these individual policies/ services together in a consistent and coherent way. The outcomes from this work are expected during 2010.

Support Staff

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Education how many support staff are employed in each of the five Education and Library Boards.

(AQW 1064/10)

Minister of Education: Thug na cúig Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an t-eolas atá sa tábla thíos maidir le líon na gcúntóirí ranga, cúntóirí buana agus sealadacha araon, a bhí fostaithe ag 1 Meán Fómhair 2009.

The five Education and Library Boards have provided the information in the table below in respect of the number of classroom assistants, both permanent and temporary, employed at 1 September 2009.

Bord/ Board	Béal Feirste/ Belfast	An tIarthar/ Western	An tOirthuaisceart/ North Eastern	An tOirdheisceart/ South Eastern	An Deisceart/ Southern	IOMLÁN TOTAL
Líon na gCúntóirí Ranga/ Number of Classroom Assistants	1147	1472	1635	1362	1883	7499

Nutritional Standards of School Meals

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Education what action has been taken by her Department and the five Education and Library Boards to improve the nutritional standards of school meals.

(AQW 1065/10)

Minister of Education: Chuir an Roinn Oideachais tús le próiseas le bia a fheabhsú i scoileanna trí thionscadal píolótach a thabhairt isteach chuig timpeall ar 100 scoil sa bhliain 2004 le tástáil a dhéanamh ar an dóigh ar glacadh le tabhairt isteach na gcaighdeán éigeantach cothaithe. Dá dheasca sin, thosaigh an Roinn Oideachais, i gcomhar leis na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne agus le húdaráis eile scoile ag tabhairt isteach na gcaighdeán seo chuig scoileanna i rith théarma an fhómhair 2005 agus tá siad anois i bhfeidhm i ngach scoil anseo.

The Department of Education (DE) began the process of improving food in schools by implementing a pilot project in around 100 schools during 2004 to test the reaction to the introduction of compulsory nutritional standards. As a result DE, in conjunction with the Education and Library Boards and other school authorities, began to introduce the standards to schools during the autumn 2005 term and they are now in place in all schools here.

DE is also making available additional funding of over £3 million this year to improve the food content value of school meals, as it has done since 2006/07.

The Education and Training Inspectorate has appointed two Nutritional Associates to evaluate the nutritional quality of meals in schools and examine schools' general approaches to promoting healthy eating as part of the school inspection process.

In addition, DE and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) have also jointly funded the appointment of a Food in Schools Co-ordinator based in the Public Health Agency who is responsible for developing guidance on food in schools and for providing specialist support to Education Boards and Health partners. The "School Food – Top Marks" programme providing an essential guide for teachers, pupils, professional caterers and others in promoting and implementing healthier eating and drinking in schools was launched in March 2009.

The Department of Education has also been working with DHSSPS to draw up a Food in Schools policy document which draws together the range of strategies and plans that are being put in place to deliver improved nutrition for our school children.

The policy aims to ensure that school food is representative of the five food groups; makes a significant contribution to childhood nutrition and enables children to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to make healthy food choices both at school and at home. The draft policy was issued for public consultation on Monday, 14 September 2009 and I would encourage everyone to respond.

School Closure

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Education if she has had any discussions with the Minister of Finance and Personnel regarding his public comments about the need to close schools because of budgetary pressures.

(AQW 1066/10)

Minister of Education: Ní raibh aon phlé agam leis an Aire Airgeadais agus Pearsanra faoin ghá atá ann le scoileanna a dhruidim mar gheall ar bhrú buiséadach. Níl baint ar bith ag an Aire Airgeadais agus Pearsanra le druidim scoileanna.

I have not had any discussions with the Minister of Finance and Personnel about the need to close schools because of budgetary pressures. School closures are not a matter for the Minister of Finance and Personnel. All school closures are subject to the publication of a Development Proposal by the relevant Education and Library Board for the area in which the school is located. The publication of a Development Proposal initiates a statutory 2-month consultation period during which representations can be made to my Department. At the end of this period I make my decision on the Development Proposal.

School Building Projects

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Education how many school building projects have been delayed by her Department in the past year.

(AQW 1067/10)

Minister of Education: Tá mo Roinn freagrach as réimse casta ceisteanna a bhainistiú maidir le tionscadail chaipitiúla tógála, cuid acu nach bhfuil neart ag an Roinn orthu.

My Department has responsibility for managing a complex range of issues in relation to capital building projects some of which are not within its control.

In the past year some 45 major capital projects have not commenced within the original envisaged timeframe. There have been various reasons for these delays including site acquisition issues; review of projected long term enrolments; revised plans required; revisions to economic appraisals; and the legal challenge to the Department’s Major Construction Framework.

It should be noted that the Department of Education’s overall final capital expenditure figure for 2008/09 was £199m. Which represents a spend of 99.1% against the full year’s Capital Budget of £201m.

New School Building Works

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Education to give her Department’s target lead-in time for new school building works, from the time of initial announcement to the date that building work begins.

(AQW 1069/10)

Minister of Education: Nuair a fhógraítear scéimeanna caipitiúla tógála scoile, caithfear iad a chur faoi na céimeanna éagsúla pleanála/deartha sula mbainfidh siad an stádas amach nuair is féidir tairiscintí a bhronnadh.

When school capital building schemes are announced they must go through the various planning/design stages in order to get to a position where tenders can be awarded. As all schemes can vary in size and complexity they will encounter a different range of issues and as such there is no general target lead-in time from the time of announcement to the date building work begins. However, individual schemes do have an estimated start/completion date for the actual building works

It is critically important that investment in the education estate is consistent with and supportive of the policy framework I am putting in place. At the heart of this are Every School a Good School, Revised Curriculum, Sustainable Schools and the Entitlement Framework. As area based planning develops these policies will drive the reshaping of our estate and the consequential investment plans. As Minister for Education I need to ensure that the substantial resources we are now investing produce the best outcomes for children and value for the taxpayer. I have commissioned therefore a review of current projects to validate that all are consistent with the policy framework and hence will be viable and sustainable in the long term.

It is anticipated that this review will be completed in the near future.

North South Educational Exchanges

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education for an update on the review of North South Educational Exchanges.

(AQW 1117/10)

Minister of Education: Work is ongoing on developing proposals for a structure for a new programme and my colleague Batt O’Keefe and I continue to consider and will agree how best to progress the specific recommendations of the review.

Idir an dá linn, tá socraithe agam agus ag Batt O’Keefe go leanfar leis an Chuibhreannas Malartaithe Thuaidh Theas (NSEC) don bhliain 2009/10.

In the meantime, Batt O’Keefe and I have agreed that the North South Exchange Consortium (NSEC) will continue for the 2009/10 year.

Primary School Class Sizes

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education what steps her Department is taking to reduce primary school class sizes, further to the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development Report of September 2009 highlighting averages across 31 nations.

(AQW 1155/10)

Minister of Education: I am aware of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Report, "Education at a Glance 2009" and its findings in relation to class sizes across 31 nations.

Is í cáilíocht na múinteoirí agus an teagaisc a chuireann siad ar fáil an príomhthionchar a bhíonn ar thorthaí foghlama, agus tá fianaise ann fosta go mbíonn tionchar dearfach ag ranganna níos lú i bhfoghlaim sna luathbhlianta ar thorthaí.

The quality of teachers and the instruction they provide is the key influence on learning outcomes, however, I am aware that there is evidence that smaller class sizes in early years learning can have a positive impact on outcomes.

In view of this evidence and the importance of early years development, funding to specifically support the Foundation Stage of the revised curriculum is fully delegated to primary schools. In 2009-10, this amounted to some £22.3 million and builds on and increases the funding previously available under the Making a Good Start programme. From April 2008, this has been provided directly to schools to ensure the provision of classroom assistance for all Year 1 and Year 2 classes in all grant-aided primary schools.

As I stated in my response to AQs 8427 and 8429 in July 2009, I have given priority to increasing funding to front-line school services and to increasing the proportion of available funding going to primary schools. The Local Management of Schools arrangements allow a school’s Boards of Governors flexibility to take decisions on class sizes as part of their responsibilities for determining their school’s staffing complement and for managing its budget. This allows Governors to determine how they use their delegated funding to maximum effect in accordance with their school’s specific needs and priorities.

This includes determining the number of teachers, non-teaching staff including classroom assistants. Decisions, by schools, on class sizes must also be taken in certain cases in accordance with specific statutory limitations and educational and health and safety policy considerations.

Looking ahead, I have commissioned a review of schools’ funding to examine a range of issues, with particular focus on bringing greater fairness and equality to the arrangements for distributing funding across all schools and targeting social need.

Storage Heaters in Schools

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to list the schools that still rely, in part or in whole, on storage heaters to provide heat for children at school.

(AQW 1161/10)

Minister of Education: De réir an eolais a fuarthas ó na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne, ó Scoileanna Deonacha Gramadaí, agus ó Scoileanna Imeasctha faoi Chothabháil Stáit, seo a leanas na scoileanna a bhíonn ag brath go hiomlán nó go páirteach ar thaiscthéitheoirí:

According to information provided by Education and Library Boards, Voluntary Grammar Schools and Grant Maintained Integrated Schools, the following schools rely, in part or in whole, on storage heaters:

Belfast Royal Academy

Belmont House Special School

Belvoir Nursery School

Bunscoil an Iúir

Carnhill Nursery School

Castle Tower (Loughan) School

Corran Integrated Primary School

Craigavon Primary School

Devenish College, Enniskillen

Enniskillen Model Primary School

Foyle & Londonderry College

Gillygooley Primary School

Hunterhouse College

Lack Primary School

Larne High School

Lurgan Model Primary School

Mullaghdubh Primary School

Newtownabbey Educational Guidance Centre

Newtownhamilton Primary School

Omagh North Nursery School

Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry

Portadown College

Portadown Integrated Primary School

Roddensvale Special School

Spa Primary School

St Benedict’s College

St Colman’s Abbey Primary School, Newry

St Columban’s College, Kilkeel

St Mary’s High School, Newry

St Mary’s Primary School, Derrymore

St Mary’s Primary School, Teemore

St Mary’s-on-the-Hill Primary School

St Patrick’s Primary School, Mullinahoe

St Patrick’s Primary School, Newry

Thornfield House School

Tor Bank Special School

Tandragee Junior High School

Translating

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the cost of publishing and translating all material from her Department in Irish and Ulster-Scots format for the last ten years.

(AQW 1163/10)

Minister of Education: The total cost is £151,190. This represents the cost of translating material from the Department of Education in Irish and Ulster-Scots since 1 April 2001, using the service – wide translation contract, and printing costs since 1 April 2005. Costs are included up to 31 March 2009. The Department does not hold details of Irish and Ulster-Scots translation costs prior to 1 April 2001 or details of printing costs prior to 1 April 2005.

Sa bhliain 2008, cheap an Roinn beirt Oifigeach Foirne Gaeilge le húsáid na Gaeilge a éascú sa Roinn. Tá roinnt dualgas ar na hoifigigh seo lena n-áirítear obair ar aistriúcháin phráinneacha. Ní áirítear ar leithligh na costais a thabhaítear agus tascanna ar leith á ndéanamh.

In 2008 the Department recruited two Irish Language Staff Officers to facilitate its use of Irish. These officers have undertaken a range of duties including urgent translation work. The costs incurred in carrying out specific tasks are not separately calculated.

Classroom Assistant Evaluations

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Education how many classroom assistant evaluations (i) have been completed; and (ii) are due to be completed, in the Southern Education and Library Board and North Eastern Education and Library Board areas.

(AQW 1169/10)

Minister of Education: Fuarthas an t-eolas atá sa tábla thíos ó Bhoird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt agus an Oirthuaiscirt.

The Southern and North Eastern Education and Library Boards have provided the information in the table below.

Board	Number of Classroom Assistants
Board	Job Evaluation payment process completed	Due to be Completed
North Eastern	272	1041
Southern	299	602

I am concerned about the length of time it is taking to complete the classroom assistant job evaluation process. There is a need for all parties involved to resolve outstanding issues at the earliest possible date. I have written to the Boards asking them to ensure that all outstanding cases are processed without delay.

Classroom Assistant Evaluation

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Education to outline the appeal procedures available to staff, following the classroom assistant evaluation process.

(AQW 1170/10)

Minister of Education: Tá an socrú postmheastóireachta a rinneadh i mí na Samhna 2007 bunaithe ar thrí ghrád nua: Cúntóir Ranga (Ginearálta); Cúntóir Ranga (Riachtanais Speisialta); agus Cúntóir Ranga (Riachtanais Bhreise). Tá tuarastail athbhreithnithe agus riaráiste á n-íoc ar an bhonn sin.

The November 2007 job evaluation agreement is based on three new grades: Classroom Assistant (General); Classroom Assistant (Special Needs); and Classroom Assistant (Additional Special Needs). Revised salaries and arrears are being paid on that basis.

I am aware that there have been difficulties in agreeing the appropriate job description for some individual classroom assistants. In light of this difficulty, Board management and trade union sides, through the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), have been working together to put in place a process for determining the most appropriate job description in such cases. I understand that this matter currently remains under consideration by the JNC.

Meetings with MLAs

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Education how many official meetings she has had with MLAs from each party, in each of the last two years.

(AQW 1180/10)

Minister of Education: Seo a leanas líon na gcruinnithe oifigiúla a bhí agam le Comhaltaí den Tionól Reachtach le dhá bhliain anuas:

In each of the last two years I have had official meetings with MLA's from each party as follows:

1 October 2007 - 30 September 2008

DUP 15 Meetings

UUP 11 Meetings

SF 9 Meetings

Alliance 2 Meetings

SDLP 2 Meetings

I also met with the Education Committee on 5 occasions

1 October 2008 - 30 September 2009

DUP 4 Meetings

UUP 6 Meetings

SF 14 Meetings

SDLP 1 Meeting

I also met with the Education Committee on 3 occasions.

False Accommodation Addresses

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education what action she is taking to prevent the use of false accommodation addresses to gain access to non-selective post-primary schools.

(AQW 1246/10)

Minister of Education: Tá miontreoir oibríochtúil foilsithe ag an Roinn Oideachais (Iarscríbhinn 4 Imlitir 2009/07) le cabhair a thabhairt do scoileanna maidir lena ndualgas le heolas áirithe in iarratais iontrála d’iarbhunscoileanna a dheimhniú. Is féidir leis an eolas seo, de réir chritéir foilsithe iontrála scoile, an t-iarratasóir a cháiliú d’iontráil. Baineann an treoir seo leis na hiarbhunscoileanna go léir.

The Department of Education has published detailed operational guidance (Annex 4 of Circular 2009/07) to assist schools with their "duty to verify" certain information contained within applications for admission to post-primary schools which, according to a school’s published admissions criteria, may qualify the applicant for admission. The guidance applies to all post-primary schools.

An applicant’s address is one such example, as this can qualify an applicant for admission through criteria that give priority to those resident in a stated geographical area or through criteria that give priority to those whose residence is nearest to the school.

Area-Based Planning

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to outline the connections between the work of the area-based planning groups for post primary provision and the local Learning Communities.

(AQW 1247/10)

Minister of Education: Tá Pobail Fhoghlama sa Cheantar bunaithe i ngach ceantar agus tá scoileanna ó gach earnáil páirteach iontu, le comhsholáthar 14-19 a phleanáil ar bhealach comhordaithe le fócas ar leith ar sheachadadh an Chreata Teidlíochta.

Area Learning Communities (ALCs) have been established, in all areas and involving schools from all sectors, to plan collaborative 14-19 provision in a co-ordinated way with a specific focus on delivering the Entitlement Framework. The remit of the area-based planning exercise was to consider the efficient and effective delivery of the Entitlement Framework on an area basis. There are therefore major overlaps between the ALC’s work and the intended outcomes of the post-primary area based planning exercise. ALCs have considered the issues in their area and how to address them and 18 ALCs made submissions to the Area Groups. These submissions, along with those from other interested parties, formed part of the evidence base for the Area and Central Reports. The work of the 5 Area Groups and the Central Group is now complete and the report is with me. I am currently considering the findings and recommendations and will issue my response in the near future.

Area-Based Planning

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how area-based planning and post-primary transfer are interlinked.

(AQW 1248/10)

Minister of Education: Is í an aidhm atá ag pleanáil bunaithe sa cheantar ná a chinntiú go mbíonn deis ag páistí agus ag daoine óga teacht ar sheirbhísí agus ar áiseanna a fhreastalaíonn ar a riachtanais oideachais agus a chuidíonn leo lena gcumas iomlán a bhaint amach.

Area-based planning is about ensuring that children and young people have the opportunity to access and benefit from services and facilities that can meet their educational needs and enable them to reach their full potential. In undertaking this, the Educational and Skills Authority will need to take into account my Department’s policy and practice relating to transfer, amongst others.

Behavioural Issues

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Education (i) how many children are currently in specialised units because of behavioural issues having been removed from mainstream schools; and (ii) what support is in place for these children when they return.

(AQW 1279/10)

Minister of Education: Tá tugtha le fios ag na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne go bhfuil 474 páiste atá 14 bliain d’aois nó níos lú ag freastal ar aonaid speisialaithe faoi láthair de bharr fhadhbanna iompraíochta. Tá roinnt de na páistí óga seo ag freastal ar na haonaid seo ar bhonn páirtaimseartha agus bítear ag súil go n-imeascfar formhór díobh i scolaíocht phríomhshrutha in am trátha. Is éadóigh go bhfillfidh daltaí níos mó ná 14 bliain d’aois ar ais ar scolaíocht phríomhshrutha.

The Education and Library Boards advise that some 474 children aged 14 or below are currently attending specialised units because of behavioural issues. Some of these young people are attending the units on a part-time basis and the expectation is that most will be reintegrated into mainstream school in due course. Pupils aged above 14 years are unlikely to return to mainstream school.

When a pupil returns to school, support is available in the form of outreach from the unit attended, peripatetic teacher support, as well as expertise from Curriculum Advisory and Support Service, Education Psychology Service, the Education Welfare Service and the Behaviour Support Team within each Board area.

The intensity and duration of the support available for children returning to mainstream school will depend on progress and need and also on the support already available in the school. A multi-agency support team which may involve the school, the pupils’ parents, Board officers and a number of other professionals will produce a behaviour management plan and determine the level of support, if any, required. Support can include phased reintegration packages including additional resources such as the use of specialist Outreach Behaviour Support teachers, individual tutors and behaviour support assistants. In some instances the support will remain with the reintegrated pupil for some time.

Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of Education (i) if she intends to introduce a moratorium on recruitment and promotion across her Department; and if so (ii) when it will commence; (iii) what, if any, exceptions will be made; and (iv) how long it will last.

(AQW 1393/10)

Minister of Education: Níl sé ar intinn agam, faoi láthair, moratóir ar earcaíocht ná ar ardú céime a thabhairt isteach sa Roinn.

I have no plans, at present, to introduce a moratorium on recruitment and promotion across my Department.

Advertising Public Sector Jobs

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Education how much has been spent (i) by her Department; and (ii) by departmental agencies and non-departmental public bodies, on advertising in public sector jobs sections of (a) the Belfast Telegraph; (b) the News Letter; (c) the Irish News; and (d) other newspapers, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1399/10)

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

The information requested is detailed in the table below.

TOTALS	£36,026.04	£962,644.99
	Department of Education	NDPB’s and Agencies
2008-09
Belfast Telegraph	£ 9,402.96	£611,880.51
News Letter	£ 6,230.32	£ 33,383.40
Irish News	£ 4,707.08	£ 29,264.46
Others	£15,685.68	£288,116.62

2007-08

Belfast Telegraph	£ 2,968.51	£565,164.92
News Letter	£ 2,272.31	£ 22,765.00
Irish News	£ 1,418.75	£ 20,897.67
Others	£ -	£ 56,727.66
TOTALS	£ 6,659.57	£ 665,555.25

2006-07

Belfast Telegraph	£ 3,557.82	£533,788.67
News Letter	£ 1,708.73	£ 27,232.58
Irish News	£ 5,261.17	£ 28,872.20
Others	£27,399.70	£231,614.85
TOTALS	£37,927.42	£821,508.30

2005-06

Belfast Telegraph	£ 5,758.08	£407,643.07
News Letter	£ 6,187.63	£ 30,381.27
Irish News	£ 9,695.91	£ 33,557.28
Others	£ 429.00	£285,502.57
TOTALS	£22,070.62	£757,084.19

2004-05

Belfast Telegraph	£ 6,590.41	£517,538.41
News Letter	£ 4,100.90	£ 97,205.29
Irish News	£ 2,901.07	£ 82,297.63
Others	£ -	£229,971.17
TOTALS	£13,592.38	£927,012.50

Education and Library Boards

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Education to outline (i) if she has issued directions to Education and Library Boards on co-operation with parents of children who have Statements of Special Educational Needs, and who wish to enrol their child in a Grammar School; (ii) to outline her Department's understanding of why several parents have found it impossible to identify an officer within each Board to deal with this issue; and (iii) if she can now identify an officer with this responsibility within each Board.

(AQW 1417/10)

Minister of Education: As indicated in the Department’s published Transfer 2010 Guidance, children with statements of special educational needs will continue to transfer to post-primary schools, including grammar schools, on the basis of the content of their statement. The Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs, and the Supplement to the Code, clearly outline the parent’s role during the annual review of a child’s statement of special educational needs. The Code of Practice advises that parents’ views should always be sought. The Code and the Supplement may be accessed at www.deni.gov.uk.

Tá tugtha le fios ag príomhfheidhmeannaigh na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne dom nár chuala siad faoi aon tuismitheoir a raibh deacracht aige nó aici teagmháil a dhéanamh leo maidir le haistriú ó bhunscoil go hiarbhunscoil.

I am advised by the Chief Executives (CEs) of the Education and Library Boards (ELBs) that they are unaware of any parent who has difficulty in contacting them on the matter of transfer from primary to post-primary.

I am further advised by the CEs that all children with statements of special educational needs who are transferring from primary to post-primary education have their statement reviewed prior to transfer to determine suitable provision and school placement. Within this process a range of correspondence is sent to parents which has clearly identified the contact name and telephone number of the relevant Board officer. The named Board officer is in contact with parents to share information and enable parents to express a preference of school for their child’s post-primary education. Any parent contacting the special education department of the Board will be able to discuss their child’s post-primary placement with the relevant Board officer.

Schools

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Education how many days each (i) primary school; and (ii) secondary school has been closed for 'exceptional' reasons in the South Antrim constituency, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1426/10)

Minister of Education: In imthosca eisceachtúla, nuair atá druidim scoile riachtanach ar chúiseanna nach bhfuil neart ag gobharnóirí scoile orthu, is féidir leis an Roinn ísliú a fhaomhadh ar an méid laethanta ba chóir don scoil bheith ar oscailt. Sna blianta 2004 go 2008, níor druideadh aon iarbhunscoil i dtoghcheantar Aontroim Theas mar gheall ar imthosca eisceachtúla.

In exceptional circumstances, where the closing of a school becomes necessary for reasons outside the control of the school governors, the Department can grant approval for a reduction in the required number of days during which a school should be in operation. In the years 2004 to 2008, none of the post-primary schools in the South Antrim Constituency was closed for exceptional reasons.

A list of the primary schools in the South Antrim Constituency for which the Department approved closure for exceptional reasons is provided below.

2004

School	No. of exceptional closure days
Maine Integrated Primary School	1
Moneynick Primary School	2
Tildarg Primary School	2

2005

School	No. of exceptional closure days
Greystone Primary School	1
Groggan Primary School	1
Mossley Primary School	1
Randalstown Primary School	1
Straid Primary School	1

2006

School	No. of exceptional closure days
Mossley Primary School	2
Tildarg Primary School	1

School Closure Days

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Education to detail the total number of 'exceptional closure' days for all (i) primary schools and (ii) secondary schools, across Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1427/10)

Minister of Education: Tá sé socraithe agam go gcuirfear an t-eolas seo a iarradh i Leabharlann an Tionóil.

I have arranged for the information to be placed in the Assembly Library.

Primary School Federation

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education what her Department considers to be necessary for the formation of (i) a viable two-school primary federation; and (ii) a viable three-school primary federation, in relation to (a) enrolments; (b) minimum intake per year group; (c) travel-to-school distances; (d) distances between individual sites; and (e) teacher numbers.

(AQW 1429/10)

Minister of Education: Leagtar amach sa Pholasaí do Scoileanna Inbhuanaithe a foilsíodh i Mí Eanáir sa bhliain 2009, na sé chritéar seo a leanas chun inmharthanacht scoileanna a mheasúnú.

• Eispéireas oideachasúil ar Ardchaighdeán

• Treochtaí rollaithe seasmhacha

• Staid airgeadais fhónta

• Ceannaireacht agus Bainistíocht láidir

• Inrochtaineacht

• Naisc láidre leis an phobal.

My Sustainable Schools Policy, published in January 2009, defines a set of six criteria to be used in considering the viability of schools as follows:-

Quality Educational Experience

Stable Enrolment Trends
Sound Financial Position
Strong Leadership and Management
Accessibility
Strong Links with the Community.

The quality of education provided will be the overriding consideration.

The policy recognises that existing small schools may work together to meet local need. This may be through federation, where small schools on separate sites come together to form a single school. Such proposals would be considered on a case-by-case basis against the range of criteria and indicators set out in the policy, taking account of individual local circumstances.

Primary School Federation

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many schools have been considered for 'federation' in the last five years; and how many are currently being considered.

(AQW 1430/10)

Minister of Education: Breathnaíodh dhá thogra le haghaidh cónaidhme le cúig bliana anuas. Níl aon togra eile á bhreathnú faoi láthair.

Two proposals for federation have been considered in the last five years. No other

proposals are currently being considered.

Statemented Process

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Education to outline the process for getting a child statemented and how long this takes.

(AQW 1467/10)

Minister of Education: The statementing process may be initiated by an Education and Library Board or at the request of a parent or the child’s school. The process is set out in the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs and the Supplement to the Code. These may be accessed at www.deni.gov.uk.

The time scale for conducting a statutory assessment is set out in the Education (Special Educational Needs) Regulations (NI) 2005, which may also be accessed at www.deni.gov.uk. From the date that the Board notifies the parent that it is considering making an assessment or from the date that a request to carry out an assessment is received from the parent or school the Board has 6 weeks, subject to certain statutory exceptions when it may be impractical to meet the 6 week timescale, in which to decide whether to carry out a statutory assessment.

Má bheartaíonn an Bord ar mheasúnú reachtúil a dhéanamh, bíonn 10 seachtain aige ón dáta ar cuireadh in iúl don tuismitheoir an measúnú a chríochnú, arís faoi réir eisceachtaí reachtúla áirithe ina mbeadh sé neamhphraiticiúil amscála na 10 seachtaine a chomhall. Ar chríochnú an mheasúnaithe, bíonn 2 seachtain ag an Bhord chun

ráiteas beartaithe riachtanais speisialta oideachais a eisiúint nó chun a chur in iúl don tuismitheoir nach bhfuil sé de rún aige ráiteas a dhéanamh.

If the Board decides to carry out a statutory assessment it has 10 weeks, again subject to certain statutory exceptions when it may be impractical to meet the 10 week timescale, from the date on which it notifies the parent to complete the assessment. On completion of the assessment the Board has 2 weeks to issue a proposed statement of special educational needs or to inform the parent that it does not propose to make a statement.

The Board has a further 8 weeks from the date on which it served the proposed statement on the parent in to issue the final statement, making a total of 26 weeks in which to complete the statementing process.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Mrs C Hanna asked the Minister of Education if she has any plans to introduce training for teachers and classroom assistants in dealing with children affected by Autism spectrum disorders.

(AQW 1474/10)

Minister of Education: The provision of annual programmes of basic and more advanced training on autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) for teachers and classroom assistants in all schools is a strategic objective of the Inter-Board ASD Group.

An annual programme of training for teachers and classroom assistants is delivered through the ASD Services in each Education and Library Board (ELB), and the high volume, well attended courses have been positively evaluated. These include training in ASD awareness, promoting positive behaviour, promoting communication, autism and sensory issues, transition planning, encouraging social skills and practical strategies for pupils with ASD. As a result of this training, a large proportion of children with ASD are supported by their own teachers and assistants without the need for intervention by the ASD Service.

In addition, and to complement the ELB training, the Middletown Centre for Autism has developed a comprehensive programme of training encompassing a wide range of specialist topics related to autism spectrum disorders. The training commenced in November 2007 and since then 1501 education professionals including teachers, classroom assistants and educational psychologists have attended training delivered by the Centre.

In the current academic year from August until 22nd October 2009, 571 professionals and parents will have been trained by the Centre. This includes 259 teachers and 187 classroom assistants.

Tá réamheolaire iomlán agus ilchineálach oiliúna ag an Ionad don bhliain 2009-2010 agus tá an oiliúint ar fad dírithe go sonrach ar mhúinteoirí agus ar chúntóirí ranga atá ag obair le páistí agus le daoine óga ar speictream an uathachais. Chomh maith leis sin, forbrófar cláir chreidiúnaithe oiliúna do mhúinteoirí agus do chúntóirí ranga.

The Centre has a full and varied training prospectus for 2009-2010 with all training specifically targeted towards teachers and classroom assistants working with children and young people on the autism spectrum. In addition, accredited training programmes are to be developed for both teachers and classroom assistants.

Southern Education and Library Board

Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister of Education if the Southern Education and Library Board has carried out a full Equality Impact Assessment on the Music Service, and if so, to outline the findings.

(AQW 1495/10)

Minister of Education: Tá curtha in iúl ag an mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne Theas dom nach ndearna sé measúnú comhionannais iomlán ar a sheirbhísí ceoil. Tá mo Roinn, áfach, ag forbairt beartais um sholáthar sheirbhísí ceoil a chuirfidh an tÚdáras nua Oideachais agus Scileanna ar fáil agus beidh sé á chur i bhfeidhm de réir ár ndualgas reachtúil comhionannais.

The Southern Education and Library Board tells me that it has not carried out a full Equality Assessment on its music service. However, my department is in the process of developing a policy on the provision of music services by the new Education and Skills Authority and this will be taken forward in keeping with our statutory equality duty.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) has confirmed that the schools listed below receive music tuition and that all schools in the SELB area who have requested tuition have been accommodated this year.

School Name	Sector
Dromore Central Primary	Controlled Primary
Millington Primary	Controlled Primary
Kings Park Primary, Lurgan	Controlled Primary
Kilkeel Primary	Controlled Primary
Edenderry Primary, Banbridge	Controlled Primary
Cookstown Primary	Controlled Primary
Waringstown Primary	Controlled Primary
Hardy Memorial Primary	Controlled Primary
Abercorn Primary	Controlled Primary
Edenderry Primary, Portadown	Controlled Primary
Tandragee Primary	Controlled Primary
The Armstrong Primary	Controlled Primary
Ballydown Primary	Controlled Primary
Carrick Primary, Lurgan	Controlled Primary
Markethill Primary	Controlled Primary
Bocombra Primary	Controlled Primary
Hart Memorial Primary	Controlled Primary
Iveagh Primary	Controlled Primary
Dungannon Primary	Controlled Primary
Maralin Village Primary	Controlled Primary
Ballyoran Primary	Controlled Primary
Howard Primary	Controlled Primary
Drumadonnell Primary	Controlled Primary
Orritor Primary	Controlled Primary
Windsor Hill Primary	Controlled Primary
Bush Primary	Controlled Primary
Lurgan Model Primary	Controlled Primary
Moyallon Primary	Controlled Primary
Bronte Primary	Controlled Primary
Fivemiletown Primary	Controlled Primary
Moneymore Primary	Controlled Primary
Brackenagh West Primary	Controlled Primary
Annalong Primary	Controlled Primary
The Cope Primary	Controlled Primary
Hamiltonsbawn Primary	Controlled Primary
Woods Primary	Controlled Primary
Donaghey Primary	Controlled Primary
Aughnacloy Regional Primary	Controlled Primary
Richmount Primary	Controlled Primary
Orchard County Primary	Controlled Primary
Ballytrea Primary	Controlled Primary
Richmond Primary	Controlled Primary
Killyman Primary - Amalgamating Sep08	Controlled Primary
Mullavilly Primary	Controlled Primary
Carntall Primary	Controlled Primary
Darkley Primary	Controlled Primary
Poyntzpass Primary	Controlled Primary
Gilford (Craigavon Memorial) Primary	Controlled Primary
Dromore Road Primary	Controlled Primary
Birches Primary	Controlled Primary
Bessbrook Primary	Controlled Primary
Derryhale Primary	Controlled Primary
Cortamlet Primary	Controlled Primary
Drumhillery Primary	Controlled Primary
Milltown Primary	Controlled Primary
Newmills Primary	Controlled Primary
Churchill Primary	Controlled Primary
Donaghmore Primary	Controlled Primary
Coagh Primary	Controlled Primary
Moy Regional Primary	Controlled Primary
Augher Central Primary	Controlled Primary
Keady Primary	Controlled Primary
Total Controlled Primary Pupils
Percentage CP schools with Tuition	72%


School Name	Sector
Kilbroney Integrated Primary	Controlled Integrated Primary
Total Controlled Integrated Primary Pupils
Percentage CIP schools with Tuition

Bunscoil an Iuir	Other Maintained Primary
Seagoe Primary	Other Maintained Primary
Total Other Maintained Primary Pupils
Percentage OMP Schools with Tuition	50%

Bridge IPS	Grant Maintained Integrated Primary
Portadown IPS	Grant Maintained Integrated Primary
Saints and Scholars IPS	Grant Maintained Integrated Primary
Total Grant Maintained Integrated Primary Pupils
Percentage GMI schools with Tuition	50%

Lisanally School	Controlled Special
Rathore	Controlled Special
Total Controlled Special Pupils
Percentage CSp Schools with Tuition	40%

School Name	Sector
St Francis' Primary, Lurgan	Maintained Primary
Tannaghmore Primary	Maintained Primary
Holy Trinity Primary, Cookstown	Maintained Primary
St Dallan's Primary, Warrenpoint	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Dungannon	Maintained Primary
St Anthony's Primary, Craigavon	Maintained Primary
St Joseph's Convent Primary, Newry	Maintained Primary
Primate Dixon Memorial Primary	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Armagh	Maintained Primary
Cloghogue Primary	Maintained Primary
St Ronan's Primary, Newry	Maintained Primary
St John the Baptist Primary, Portadown	Maintained Primary
Carrick Primary, Warenpoint	Maintained Primary
St Brendan's Primary	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Banbridge	Maintained Primary
Armagh Christian Brothers'	Maintained Primary
St Malachy's Primary, Carnagat	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Newry	Maintained Primary
St Peter's Primary, Cloughreagh	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Ballymaghery	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Mullabawn	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Mayobridge	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Crossmaglen	Maintained Primary
St Malachy's Primary, C'croppan	Maintained Primary
Edendork Primary	Maintained Primary
St Joseph's Primary, Bessbrook	Maintained Primary
St Francis' of Assisi Primary	Maintained Primary
St Clare's Convent Primary, Newry	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Aghacommon	Maintained Primary
St Colman's Abbey Primary, Newry	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Cabra	Maintained Primary
St Teresa's Primary, Lurgan	Maintained Primary
Ballyholland Primary	Maintained Primary
Mount St Catherine's Primary	Maintained Primary
St Bronagh's Primary, Rostrevor	Maintained Primary
St Malachy's Primary, Armagh	Maintained Primary
St John's Primary, Moy	Maintained Primary
St Joseph's Primary, Meigh	Maintained Primary
St Joseph's Primary, Galbally	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Donaghmore	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Cullyhanna	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Pomeroy	Maintained Primary
Dromintee Primary	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Dunamore	Maintained Primary
Our Lady's and St Mochua's D'noose	Maintained Primary
St Brigid's Primary, G'drummond	Maintained Primary
St Colmans' Primary, Kilkeel	Maintained Primary
St Peters' Primary, Moortown	Maintained Primary
Presentation Primary	Maintained Primary
St Jarlath's Primary Blackwatertown	Maintained Primary
St Francis' Primary, Aghaderg	Maintained Primary
St Brigid's Primary, Mountjoy	Maintained Primary
Clonalig Primary	Maintained Primary
St John's Primary, Gilford	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Granemore	Maintained Primary
Killowen Primary, Rostrevor	Maintained Primary
St John's Primary, Middletown	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Derrymore	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Loup	Maintained Primary
St Joseph's & St James' Pr Poyntzpass	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Stewartstown	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Ballygawley	Maintained Primary
Grange Primary	Maintained Primary
Killean Primary	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Maralin	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Derrynaseer	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Rathfriland	Maintained Primary
St Oliver Plunkett's Primary, Ballyhegan	Maintained Primary
St Colman's Primary, Dromore	Maintained Primary
St Colman's Primary, Bann	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Aughnacloy	Maintained Primary
St Malachy's Primary, Ballymoyer	Maintained Primary
Jonesborough Primary	Maintained Primary
Moneydarragh Primary	Maintained Primary
Clea Primary	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Maghery	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Glassdrumman	Maintained Primary
St Brigid's Primary, Drumilly	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Derrytrasna	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Drumgreenagh	Maintained Primary
St Paul's Primary, Cabra	Maintained Primary
St Laurence O'Toole's Primary, Belleeks	Maintained Primary
Clontifleece Primary	Maintained Primary
Laghey Primary	Maintained Primary
St Malachy's Primary, Glencull	Maintained Primary
Anamar Primary	Maintained Primary
St John's Primary, Eglish	Maintained Primary
Total Maintained Primary Pupils
Percentage MP Schools with Tuition	68%

Southern Education and Library Board

Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister of Education to list the schools, by sector, which participate in the Music Service's instrumental tuition organised by the Southern Education and Library Board.

(AQW 1498/10)

School Name	Sector
Dromore Central Primary	Controlled Primary
Millington Primary	Controlled Primary
Kings Park Primary, Lurgan	Controlled Primary
Kilkeel Primary	Controlled Primary
Edenderry Primary, Banbridge	Controlled Primary
Cookstown Primary	Controlled Primary
Waringstown Primary	Controlled Primary
Hardy Memorial Primary	Controlled Primary
Abercorn Primary	Controlled Primary
Edenderry Primary, Portadown	Controlled Primary
Tandragee Primary	Controlled Primary
The Armstrong Primary	Controlled Primary
Ballydown Primary	Controlled Primary
Carrick Primary, Lurgan	Controlled Primary
Markethill Primary	Controlled Primary
Bocombra Primary	Controlled Primary
Hart Memorial Primary	Controlled Primary
Iveagh Primary	Controlled Primary
Dungannon Primary	Controlled Primary
Maralin Village Primary	Controlled Primary
Ballyoran Primary	Controlled Primary
Howard Primary	Controlled Primary
Drumadonnell Primary	Controlled Primary
Orritor Primary	Controlled Primary
Windsor Hill Primary	Controlled Primary
Bush Primary	Controlled Primary
Lurgan Model Primary	Controlled Primary
Moyallon Primary	Controlled Primary
Bronte Primary	Controlled Primary
Fivemiletown Primary	Controlled Primary
Moneymore Primary	Controlled Primary
Brackenagh West Primary	Controlled Primary
Annalong Primary	Controlled Primary
The Cope Primary	Controlled Primary
Hamiltonsbawn Primary	Controlled Primary
Woods Primary	Controlled Primary
Donaghey Primary	Controlled Primary
Aughnacloy Regional Primary	Controlled Primary
Richmount Primary	Controlled Primary
Orchard County Primary	Controlled Primary
Ballytrea Primary	Controlled Primary
Richmond Primary	Controlled Primary
Killyman Primary - Amalgamating Sep08	Controlled Primary
Mullavilly Primary	Controlled Primary
Carntall Primary	Controlled Primary
Darkley Primary	Controlled Primary
Poyntzpass Primary	Controlled Primary
Gilford (Craigavon Memorial) Primary	Controlled Primary
Dromore Road Primary	Controlled Primary
Birches Primary	Controlled Primary
Bessbrook Primary	Controlled Primary
Derryhale Primary	Controlled Primary
Cortamlet Primary	Controlled Primary
Drumhillery Primary	Controlled Primary
Milltown Primary	Controlled Primary
Newmills Primary	Controlled Primary
Churchill Primary	Controlled Primary
Donaghmore Primary	Controlled Primary
Coagh Primary	Controlled Primary
Moy Regional Primary	Controlled Primary
Augher Central Primary	Controlled Primary
Keady Primary	Controlled Primary
Total Controlled Primary Pupils
Percentage CP schools with Tuition	72%


School Name	Sector
Kilbroney Integrated Primary	Controlled Integrated Primary
Total Controlled Integrated Primary Pupils
Percentage CIP schools with Tuition

Bunscoil an Iuir	Other Maintained Primary
Seagoe Primary	Other Maintained Primary
Total Other Maintained Primary Pupils
Percentage OMP Schools with Tuition	50%

Bridge IPS	Grant Maintained Integrated Primary
Portadown IPS	Grant Maintained Integrated Primary
Saints and Scholars IPS	Grant Maintained Integrated Primary
Total Grant Maintained Integrated Primary Pupils
Percentage GMI schools with Tuition	50%

Lisanally School	Controlled Special
Rathore	Controlled Special
Total Controlled Special Pupils
Percentage CSp Schools with Tuition	40%

School Name	Sector
St Francis' Primary, Lurgan	Maintained Primary
Tannaghmore Primary	Maintained Primary
Holy Trinity Primary, Cookstown	Maintained Primary
St Dallan's Primary, Warrenpoint	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Dungannon	Maintained Primary
St Anthony's Primary, Craigavon	Maintained Primary
St Joseph's Convent Primary, Newry	Maintained Primary
Primate Dixon Memorial Primary	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Armagh	Maintained Primary
Cloghogue Primary	Maintained Primary
St Ronan's Primary, Newry	Maintained Primary
St John the Baptist Primary, Portadown	Maintained Primary
Carrick Primary, Warenpoint	Maintained Primary
St Brendan's Primary	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Banbridge	Maintained Primary
Armagh Christian Brothers'	Maintained Primary
St Malachy's Primary, Carnagat	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Newry	Maintained Primary
St Peter's Primary, Cloughreagh	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Ballymaghery	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Mullabawn	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Mayobridge	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Crossmaglen	Maintained Primary
St Malachy's Primary, C'croppan	Maintained Primary
Edendork Primary	Maintained Primary
St Joseph's Primary, Bessbrook	Maintained Primary
St Francis' of Assisi Primary	Maintained Primary
St Clare's Convent Primary, Newry	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Aghacommon	Maintained Primary
St Colman's Abbey Primary, Newry	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Cabra	Maintained Primary
St Teresa's Primary, Lurgan	Maintained Primary
Ballyholland Primary	Maintained Primary
Mount St Catherine's Primary	Maintained Primary
St Bronagh's Primary, Rostrevor	Maintained Primary
St Malachy's Primary, Armagh	Maintained Primary
St John's Primary, Moy	Maintained Primary
St Joseph's Primary, Meigh	Maintained Primary
St Joseph's Primary, Galbally	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Donaghmore	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Cullyhanna	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Pomeroy	Maintained Primary
Dromintee Primary	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Dunamore	Maintained Primary
Our Lady's and St Mochua's D'noose	Maintained Primary
St Brigid's Primary, G'drummond	Maintained Primary
St Colmans' Primary, Kilkeel	Maintained Primary
St Peters' Primary, Moortown	Maintained Primary
Presentation Primary	Maintained Primary
St Jarlath's Primary Blackwatertown	Maintained Primary
St Francis' Primary, Aghaderg	Maintained Primary
St Brigid's Primary, Mountjoy	Maintained Primary
Clonalig Primary	Maintained Primary
St John's Primary, Gilford	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Granemore	Maintained Primary
Killowen Primary, Rostrevor	Maintained Primary
St John's Primary, Middletown	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Derrymore	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Loup	Maintained Primary
St Joseph's & St James' Pr Poyntzpass	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Stewartstown	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Ballygawley	Maintained Primary
Grange Primary	Maintained Primary
Killean Primary	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Maralin	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Derrynaseer	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Rathfriland	Maintained Primary
St Oliver Plunkett's Primary, Ballyhegan	Maintained Primary
St Colman's Primary, Dromore	Maintained Primary
St Colman's Primary, Bann	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Aughnacloy	Maintained Primary
St Malachy's Primary, Ballymoyer	Maintained Primary
Jonesborough Primary	Maintained Primary
Moneydarragh Primary	Maintained Primary
Clea Primary	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Maghery	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Glassdrumman	Maintained Primary
St Brigid's Primary, Drumilly	Maintained Primary
St Mary's Primary, Derrytrasna	Maintained Primary
St Patrick's Primary, Drumgreenagh	Maintained Primary
St Paul's Primary, Cabra	Maintained Primary
St Laurence O'Toole's Primary, Belleeks	Maintained Primary
Clontifleece Primary	Maintained Primary
Laghey Primary	Maintained Primary
St Malachy's Primary, Glencull	Maintained Primary
Anamar Primary	Maintained Primary
St John's Primary, Eglish	Maintained Primary
Total Maintained Primary Pupils
Percentage MP Schools with Tuition	68%

Polish Pupils

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Education how many Polish children are enrolled in (i) primary schools; and (ii) secondary schools.

(AQW 1512/10)

Minister of Education: Níl eolas ar náisiúntacht na ndaltaí ar fáil. Bailítear eolas ar theanga theaghlaigh na ndaltaí, áfach. Is ar an bhonn sin amháin atá an t-eolas sa tábla thíos á chur ar fáil.

Information on pupil nationality is not available. However, details of the home language of children is collected. Information has been provided on this basis in the table below.

Pupils enrolled in primary and post primary schools who have Polish recorded as their home language – 2008/09

School type	Pupils
Primary	1,790
Post primary	835
Total	2,625

Source: School census.

Note:

Primary school figures include nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.

Universty Attendance

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Education how many (i) Protestant school leavers; and (ii) Catholic school leavers opted to attend university in Northern Ireland in 2008/09 and 2009/10.

(AQW 1561/10)

Minister of Education:

Tá an t-eolas a iarradh le fáil sa tábla thíos. Baineann an suirbhé is déanaí ar na daoine a d’fhág an scoil le daltaí a d’fhág an scoil sa bhliain acadúil 2007/08 agus coinníonn sé taifead dá gceann sprice don bhliain acadúil 2008/09. Ní bheidh fáil ar an eolas do cheann sprice don bhliain acadúil 2009/10 go dtí mí Bhealtaine 2010.

The information requested can be found in the table below. The most recent school leavers survey relates to pupils leaving school in 2007/08 and records their destination for the 2008/09 academic year. Destination data for the 2009/10 academic year will not be available until May 2010.

Number of school leavers with a destination recorded as NI Higher Education Institution (1) by religion of pupil 2008/09

	Number
Protestant	2,454
Catholic	3,788
Other(2)	466
Total	6,708

Source: School Leavers Survey

Notes

1. Excludes special and independent school leavers.

2. Other category includes Other Christian, No religion and Non Christian.

Funded Projects

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education to list all projects her Department has funded, in each constituency, since devolution; and to detail the cost of each project.

(AQW 1574/10)

Minister of Education: Dhíreoinn aird an chomhalta ar na freagraí a thug médon Uasal Dáithí McKay, Comhalta Tionóil Aontroim Theas, agus don Uasal Peter Weir, Comhalta Tionóil Dhún Theas, i dtaca le AQW 458/10 agus AQW 835/10 a foilsíodh sa Tuairisc Oifigiúil ar 9 Deireadh Fómhair 2009.

I refer the member to the answers I provided Mr Dáithí McKay, the member for North Antrim, and Mr Peter Weir, the member for North Down, in respect of AQW 458/10 and AQW 835/10 both published in the Official Report on 9 October 2009.

Educational Underachievement

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education to detail all factors that contribute to educational underachievement in Protestant working class areas.

(AQW 1575/10)

Minister of Education: As Education Minister, my focus is on raising standards for all young people and tackling educational underachievement wherever it exists.

Ní bhaineann na príomhfhachtóirí a théann i bhfeidhm ar thearcghnóthachtáil le haon phobal amháin go heisiatach. Léiríonn taighde go soiléir go bhfuil ceangal idir tearcghnóthachtáil agus míbhuntáiste socheacnamaíoch. Sa tuaisceart, tá bearna ró-mhór ann idir na daoine is buntáistiúla agus na daoine is míbhuntáistiúla. Téann bochtaineacht ábharach agus bochtaineacht ardaidhme taobh le taobh rómhinic.

The main factors contributing to underachievement are not exclusive to one community. Research clearly shows the link between underachievement and socio-economic disadvantage. In the north, we have too wide a gap between the most and least disadvantaged. Too often, material poverty is compounded by poverty of aspiration.

Even among schools with similar levels of disadvantage, performance varies greatly. Traveller children experience some of the worst educational outcomes of any minority ethnic group.

I am taking forward a major reform programme that will enable every young person to fulfil her or his potential.

On 30 April 2009, I launched ‘Every School a Good School – A Policy for School Improvement’. This flagship policy will tackle underachievement and promote equality and the raising of standards across the north.

Transfer 2010 will lay the foundations of a system based on social justice, equality and excellence. These programmes will be supported by other key reforms aimed at raising standards. These include the revised curriculum; the Entitlement Framework for post-primary pupils; a revised literacy and numeracy strategy; an early years’ strategy; the Way Forward for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion; support for Newcomer pupils; and the Extended Schools programme. I am also working through the North South Ministerial Council to tackle underachievement.

Allegations of Abuse

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education to outline the responsibilities placed upon schools in each sector which has received allegations of abuse.

(AQW 1577/10)

Minister of Education: Tá treoir na Roinne do scoileanna ar an dóigh ar chóir déileáil le líomhaintí i dtaca le drochíde amhrasta leagtha amach i gCiorclán 1999/10 agus baineann paragraif 28-31 le nósanna imeachta don tuairisciú. Baineann an treoir seo leis na scoileanna deontaschúnta go léir.

The Department’s guidance to schools on how they must deal with allegations of abuse or suspected abuse is set out in Circular 1999/10 and paragraphs 28 to 31deal with the procedures for reporting. The guidance applies to all grant-aided schools.

The person receiving the allegation, or noticing signs of possible abuse, must notify the designated teacher for child protection. The designated teacher must notify the Principal and together they will decide, taking advice as necessary, if the information is such that the matter should be referred immediately to social services or the police. Where schools’ staff are unsure about the need for a referral advice is available from the Child Protection Support Service for Schools or the relevant Health and Social Care Trust’s Gateway Team.

Unofficial Selection Tests

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Education how many year-7 pupils from the maintained sector are taking the unofficial selection tests this year.

(AQW 1776/10)

Minister of Education: Ní heol don Roinn Oideachais líon na ndaltaí a iontráladh do theisteanna easaontacha. Is féidir an t-eolas seo a fháil uathu sin atá freagrach as riar na dteisteanna easaontacha.

The number of pupils entered for breakaway tests is not known to the Department of Education. This information can only be provided by those who are responsible for administering breakaway tests.

Unofficial Selection Tests

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Education how many year-7 pupils from the controlled sector are taking the unofficial selection tests this year.

(AQW 1777/10)

The number of pupils entered for breakaway tests is not known to the Department of Education. This information can only be provided by those who are responsible for administering breakaway tests.

Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Education to provide an update on the new build for Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin on the Cliftonville playing fields.

(AQW 1778/10)

Minister of Education: Tá scéim móroibreacha caipitil do Bhunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin ag céim an Bhreithmheasa Eacnamaíochta. Moltar sa Bhreithmheas Eacnamaíochta go dtógfar foirgneamh nua ar shuíomh pháirceanna imeartha Cliftonville.

A major capital works scheme for Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin is at revised Economic Appraisal (EA) stage. The EA recommends a new build on the Cliftonville playing fields site. In September 2009, the Department of Education issued comments on the EA and a further revised EA is expected to be submitted shortly. Following approval of the EA, it has been agreed that the scheme will proceed to project development and design stage and arrangements for any site purchase can proceed. The project will then be in a strong position to compete for funding from a future capital announcement.

Dromintee Primary School

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education when the capital scheme for Dromintee primary school will commence.

(AQW 1866/10)

Minister of Education: Tá sé riachtanach go bhfuil an mórinfheistiú seo san eastát oideachais i gcomhréir leis agus mar thacaíocht ag an chreat beartais atá á chur i bhfeidhm agam. Tá Gach Scoil ina Scoil Mhaith, An Curaclam Athbhreithnithe, Scoileanna Inbhuanaithe agus An Creat Teidlíochta lárnach den chreat beartais seo. De réir mar a thagann forbairt ar phleanáil cheantarbhunaithe, beidh na polasaithe seo mar stiúradh ag athstruchtúrú an eastáit agus na pleananna infheistithe a éireoidh as sin. Mar Aire Oideachais, caithfidh mise a chinntiú go soláthraíonn na hacmhainní substaintiúla atá á n-infheistiú againn faoi láthair, go soláthraíonn na hacmhainní atá a n-infheistiú againn faoi láthair na torthaí is fearr do na páistí agus an luach is fearr don cháiníocóir. Mar sin de, tá athbhreithniú ar na tionscadail atá á ndéanamh faoi láthair údaraithe agam lena dheimhniú go bhfuil siad ar fad i gcomhréir leis an chreat beartais agus dá bhrí sin go mbeidh siad inmharthana san fhadtréimhse.

It is anticipated that this review will be completed in the near future and subject to the outcome of the review it is estimated that construction work on the new school building for Dromintee Primary School could commence in Spring 2010 with an estimated completion date of around Spring 2011.

Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Education, in relation to the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, to detail (i) the annual salary for the Chair; and (ii) the amount paid to Board members in expenses in the last financial year.

(AQW 1941/10)

Minister of Education: i. Ba é an tuarastal bliantúil a íocadh le Cathaoirleach CCEA sa tréimhse 2008/09 ná £16,680. Cuireadh na sonraí ar fáil i gcuntais fhoilsithe 2008/09 de chuid CCEA.

i. The annual salary paid to the CCEA Chair in 2008/09 was £16,680. Details have been provided in CCEA’s 2008/09 published accounts

ii CCEA’s Council during 2008/09 consisted of a Chair and 14 other members. The total amount of expenses paid in 2008/09 to the 14 Council members and Chair who served during this period was £5,084.

Department for Employment and Learning

University Places

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail for each of the last three years (i) the number of students who accepted places at university; (ii) the number of students who dropped out during their first year; and (iii) the number who dropped out and were re-admitted.

(AQW 1281/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): (i) The total number of first year enrolments (including all levels and mode of study) at Northern Ireland Higher Education Institutions for each of the last three available years are as follows:

2005/06 – 22,725
2006/07 – 21,115
2007/08 – 20,970

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

(ii) Information on drop out rates is available for full-time undergraduate entrants only and cannot be provided for all levels and mode of study as provided in (i) above.

The following figures show the number of full-time undergraduate entrants to Northern Ireland Higher Education Institutions that are no longer in Higher Education after year of entry, for each of the last three available years:

No longer in HE in 2005/06 following entry in 2004/05 – 1,065
No longer in HE in 2006/07 following entry in 2005/06 – 1,175
No longer in HE in 2007/08 following entry in 2006/07 – 935

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

(iii) The Department does not hold information on the number of students who dropped out of HE and were readmitted.

Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Numeracy and Literacy Skills

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (i) the number of people between the ages of 16 and 64 who are perceived to lack basic numeracy and literacy skills; and (ii) the level of funding allocated to address this issue.

(AQW 1282/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) showed that in 1996, around 24% of the working age population of Northern Ireland (just over 250,000 people based on current estimates of working age population) were operating at the lowest levels of prose literacy.

The OECD has developed a follow up Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) which aims update to the 1996 IALS and DEL has committed to participate in this survey. However, as the PIAAC survey will not commence until 2011 and results will not be available until 2013, DEL has commissioned an interim measure to model existing data from a range of other sources to inform ongoing policy and assess the impact of its current strategy. The results will be available by the end of 2009.

(ii) Between 2002-03 and 2008-09, approximately £39.5 million was spent on the Essential Skills programme

Undergraduate University Places

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many full-time undergraduate students are currently studying in university in Northern Ireland or elsewhere; and how many full-time undergraduate university places are available.

(AQW 1329/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: There were 29,950 full-time undergraduate students enrolled at Northern Ireland Higher Education institutions in 2007/08. 27,795 of these were from Northern Ireland. In the same academic year the Maximum Student Number (MaSN) allocation for full-time undergraduate places funded by the Department for Employment and Learning at Northern Ireland Higher Education institutions was 25,727. The remainder were mainly funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

In addition, in 2007/08 there were 13,305 full-time undergraduate students from Northern Ireland at Higher Education institutions in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. These places are funded by the respective funding bodies in these areas.

Sources:

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), Higher Education Authority (HEA) and University Grant Tables

Notes:

Enrolment figures have been rounded to the nearest 5 and the latest available enrolment data are for 2007/08.

Undergraduate University Places

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many people applied for first year undergraduate places in the University of Ulster and Queen's University in each of the academic years between 2004/05 and 2009/10.

(AQW 1331/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Applicant figures have been provided by the University of Ulster and Queen’s University and cover Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) applicants only i.e. applicants to first year full-time undergraduate courses.

The number of people applying for first year full-time undergraduate places at the University of Ulster and Queen’s University in each of the academic years between 2004/05 and 2009/10 through UCAS is detailed in the table below:

	University of Ulster	Queen's University


2004/05	13,988	11,758
2005/06	15,241	11,948
2006/07	14,284	11,547
2007/08	13,428	11,908
2008/09	13,014	11,085
2009/10	13,971	11,818

Source: Figures provided by the University of Ulster and Queen’s University Belfast.

Recruitment and Promotion

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Employment and Learning (i) if he intends to introduce a moratorium on recruitment and promotion across his Department; and if so (ii) when it will commence; (iii) what, if any, exceptions will be made; and (iv) how long it will last.

(AQW 1394/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: This Department recently imposed a temporary pause on filling vacancies by means of recruitment and promotion in order to take stock of the impact of budgetary constraints and reassess staffing needs. The situation will be reviewed once the Department has completed its workforce planning exercise.

Advertising

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how much has been spent (i) by his Department; and (ii) by departmental agencies and non-departmental public bodies, on advertising in public sector jobs sections of (a) the Belfast Telegraph; (b) the News Letter; (c) the Irish News; and (d) other newspapers, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1401/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning:

The table below details the amount spent (including VAT) by the Department for Employment and Learning on advertising in the public sector jobs sections of the Belfast Telegraph, the Newsletter, the Irish News and other papers in the last five financial years.

	2004/2005	2005/2006	2006/2007	2007/2008	2008/2009
Belfast Telegraph	£2744.77	£6834.46	£15823.40	£9580.88	£8260.56
Newsletter	£1862.27	£4200.12	£9810.17	£6301.34	£5308.25
Irish News	£1258.30	£4091.85	£8549.54	£4923.19	£4083.25
Other Newspaper	£819.00	nil	£43690.79	£5370.80	£11159.60

(ii) The table below indicates the total spent (excluding VAT) by non-departmental public bodies on advertising in the public sector jobs sections of the Belfast Telegraph, the Newsletter, the Irish News and other papers in the last five financial years.

	2004/2005	2005/2006	2006/2007	2007/2008	2008/2009
Belfast Telegraph	£9290.00	£5717.00	£5756.00	£3826.00	£1640.00
Newsletter	£2863.00	£2609.00	£2617.00	£3050.00	£1300.00
Irish News	£2018.00	£1884.00	£1723.00	£1944.00	£839.00
Other Newspaper	£3180.00	nil	nil	£245.00	nil

'Protestant Student Exodus'

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister for Employment and Learning for an estimate of the cost of preparations made by his Department for the debate on 'Protestant Student Exodus' which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday 6 October 2009.

(AQW 1434/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: Preparations for the debate included inputs from branches in Higher Education Division, Analytical Services, the Careers Service and Skills in Industry Division. In addition, the Department of Education provided supplementary statistics on the school-leaver population. Costs have been calculated on the basis of hourly inputs by grade and Divisions

The total cost of preparations for the debate is calculated as £1,356 for the Department for Employment and Learning.

Stranmillis College

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to list the religious breakdown of pupils at Stranmillis college.

(AQW 1446/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The number of NI domiciled students enrolled in courses at Stranmillis University College, broken down by religious background, in 2007/08 is detailed in the table below:

Protestant	680
Catholic	160
Other	30
Not known/available	385
Total	1,255

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Notes:

(1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

(2) The latest available data are for 2007/08.

(3) Information on religion is only collected for NI domiciled students studying at NI institutions.

(4) Religious affiliation is not a mandatory question and therefore can have a high non-response rate.

St Mary’s College

Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to list the religious breakdown of pupils at St Mary’s college.

(AQW 1447/10)

Minister for Employment and Learning: The number of NI domiciled students enrolled in courses at St Mary’s University College, broken down by religious background, in 2007/08 is detailed in the table below:

Protestant	10
Catholic	910
Other	5
Not known/available	75
Total	1,000

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Notes:

(1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

(2) The latest available data are for 2007/08.

(3) Information on religion is only collected for NI domiciled students studying at NI institutions.

(4) Religious affiliation is not a mandatory question and therefore can have a high non-response rate.

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Energy Providers

Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment when domestic energy consumers in Northern Ireland will be able to choose their energy provider, as is the case for energy consumers in rest of the UK.

(AQW 1351/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster): The electricity supply market in Northern Ireland has been fully open to competition since 1 November 2007 when the Single Electricity Market (SEM) was established. This combined the wholesale power generation markets in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for the purposes of driving down power generation costs. NIE Energy remains the only electricity supplier to the domestic market in Northern Ireland at present although some companies have indicated their willingness to enter this sector.

The natural gas market in the Greater Belfast licensed area has been fully open to supply competition since 1 January 2007. At present Phoenix Supply is the principal supplier of natural gas to the domestic market within this licensed area, however a number of companies hold gas supply licences in the Greater Belfast licensed area, and the Utility Regulator and my Department will continue to encourage companies to offer domestic gas consumers the option of switching supplier.

My Department co-operates with the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR) to encourage new suppliers’ participation in the retail energy market in Northern Ireland. Since the introduction of the SEM there has been increasing interest in obtaining new electricity and gas supply licences, and evidence of increasing energy supply competition in the industrial and commercial sector. However, given the small market here compared to the much larger market in Great Britain where competition is well established, it may take some time to establish effective competition in the domestic energy sector.

NIAUR has recently formed a dedicated team tasked with establishing a regulatory programme to deliver competition, and has consulted on a range of competition issues within the past year seeking views on how to improve energy retail competition.

Invest NI

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of jobs and total inward financial investment generated by each Invest NI office, outside of Northern Ireland, in each of the last five years

(AQW 1359/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Invest NI currently has a network of 11 offices located outside Northern Ireland. In addition, Invest NI has representatives based in Tokyo and Seoul.

Invest NI has a network of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) offices located in North America (Boston, New York, San Jose), Europe (London, Brussels, Dublin) and South Asia (Mumbai). These offices focus on promoting Northern Ireland as a location capable of providing solutions to the business needs of new investors.

Invest NI also operates Trade Development Centres in Boston, Dubai, Mumbai, Dusseldorf, Taipei and Shanghai which provide practical assistance to Northern Ireland companies seeking to develop and secure new business and strategic business partnerships in those markets. In addition, Invest NI has a representative in Seoul who focuses on promoting technology development and university links.

Inward investment is the culmination of a process involving the participation of many Invest NI teams, often from across different offices. As such, it is not possible to align each investment with a particular office. The tables below detail the number of jobs promoted and planned investment in the last five financial years by source region.

2004-05
	Offers	New Jobs Promoted	Safeguarded Jobs	Planned Investment £'m
Continental Europe	6	181	133	11.86
Great Britain	8	1154	12	36.56
North America	17	1044	785	123.36
Republic of Ireland	16	238	382	22.61
India	2	850	0	15.22
Asia Pacific	2	0	0	0.06

Total	51	3467	1312	209.67

2005-06
	Offers	New Jobs Promoted	Safeguarded Jobs	Planned Investment £'m
Continental Europe	3	641	278	73.26
Great Britain	11	670	33	27.12
North America	10	1412	2812	211.53
Republic of Ireland	5	179	95	32.98
India	1	158	0	7.43
Asia Pacific	1	40	63	9.88

Total	31	3100	3281	362.19
2006-07
	Offers	New Jobs Promoted	Safeguarded Jobs	Planned Investment £'m
Continental Europe	3	398	90	15.66
Great Britain	4	93	0	5.90
North America	8	885	93	60.89
Republic of Ireland	8	818	21	47.42
India	3	1227	0	42.70
Asia Pacific	1	30	0	3.23

Total	27	3451	204	175.80
2007-08
	Offers	New Jobs Promoted	Safeguarded Jobs	Planned Investment £'m
Continental Europe	3	298	276	35.70
Great Britain	7	308	67	12.32
North America	14	422	1102	119.56
Republic of Ireland	7	324	30	41.09
India	2	834	0	19.96
Asia Pacific	2	552	0	27.50
Total	35	2738	1475	256.13
2008-09
	Offers	New Jobs Promoted	Safeguarded Jobs	Planned Investment £'m
Continental Europe	6	775	2	85.67
Great Britain	12	262	3	17.02
North America	11	1667	0	574.81
Republic of Ireland	13	1345	152	107.38
India	0	0	0	0
Asia Pacific	1	6	0	0.39

Total	43	4055	157	785.27
Total 2004/05 - 2008/09
	Offers	New Jobs Promoted	Safeguarded Jobs	Planned Investment £'m
Continental Europe	21	2293	779	222.14
Great Britain	42	2487	115	98.91
North America	60	5430	4792	1,090.15
Republic of Ireland	49	2904	680	251.48
India	8	3069	0	85.31
Asia Pacific	7	628	63	41.07

Total	187	16811	6429	1,789.07

Notes:

Figures include offers of assistance towards both first-time inward investments and reinvestments by existing externally-owned clients.
Table totals may not add due to rounding
New Jobs Promoted represent the number of jobs expected to be promoted by the project.
Safeguarded Jobs represent the number jobs that would have been lost if the project was not supported.
Total Planned Investment includes planned investment by the client and Total Assistance Offered by Invest NI.

Jobs Advertising

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how much has been spent (i) by her Department; and (ii) by departmental agencies and non-departmental public bodies, on advertising in public sector jobs sections of (a) the Belfast Telegraph; (b) the News Letter; (c) the Irish News; and (d) other newspapers, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1400/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Please see attached tables which detail advertising expenditure by DETI and its Non Departmental Public Bodies in the public sector jobs sections of the papers listed above, in each of the last five years.

(i) DETI Core

NEWSPAPER	2004/05 Total in £’s	2005/06 Total in £’s	2006/07 Total in £’s	2007/08 Total in £’s	2008/09 Total in £’s
(a) BELFAST TELEGRAPH	0	0	0	0	5,435
(b) NEWSLETTER	0	0	0	0	3,970
(c) IRISH NEWS	0	0	0	0	5,055
(d) OTHER NEWSPAPERS	0	0	0	0	9,892

Note: There is no expenditure for DETI Core for the years 2004/05 to 2007/08, since prior to 2008/09, DFP Recruitment Service bore the cost of recruitment advertisements.

(ii) DETI Non Departmental Public Bodies

NEWSPAPER	2004/05 Total in £’s	2005/06 Total in £’s	2006/07 Total in £’s	2007/08 Total in £’s	2008/09 Total in £’s
(a) BELFAST TELEGRAPH	93,841	68,553	117,370	59,560	85,749
(b) NEWSLETTER	36,538	38,204	68,742	31,958	53,517
(c) IRISH NEWS	26,476	25,951	49,596	24,401	41,771
(d) OTHER NEWSPAPERS	27,118	85,911	15,712	27,579	90,200

Ballycastle to Campbeltown Ferry

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he has held discussions with the Scottish Government regarding the Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry; and if so to provide an update.

(AQW 1431/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: I have been in regular contact with my Scottish Government Ministerial counterparts with regard to how best to take forward the recommendations contained in the consultants’ report into the case for restoring the ferry service and plan to discuss the matter further when I meet Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, at the IBEC/CBI Summit in Edinburgh today.

Wildlife

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps she is taking to encourage people to visit the wildlife of Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1524/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The natural landscape and prolific wildlife of Northern Ireland is an important part of the tourism offering. The NITB through all the distribution channels available to it i.e. www.discovernorthernireland.com and the media and marketing campaigns ensures that the message about Northern Ireland’s great wildlife is promoted and information is readily available.

The website highlights all the key wildlife to see in each region, and this year as part of National Wildlife Week, NITB ran a PR campaign supported by a visitor guide of Northern Ireland’s wildlife hot-spots.

The Tourist Board’s current marketing campaign ‘Explore More’ focuses on the great outdoors, encouraging people to get out and about and enjoy whatever they are interested in, including the enjoyment of a countryside rich in wildlife.

Self-Employed

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many people are currently self-employed, broken down by constituency if available.

(AQW 1898/10)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Estimates of the number of self-employed persons in Northern Ireland are available from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). However, the LFS design does not support the production of sufficiently reliable self-employment estimates at constituency level.

LFS self-employment estimates are available at district council level, but these estimates are based on relatively small sample sizes and should therefore be treated with caution. The table below provides LFS self-employment estimates for the period January to December 2008 by district council area. The confidence interval associated with these estimates has also been provided for information.

Northern Ireland Self-Employment Estimates by District Council Area1, 2008

District Council	Estimated number of self-employed	95% Confidence Interval
Antrim	3,000	+/- 2,000
Ards	5,000	+/- 2,000
Armagh	4,000	+/- 2,000
Ballymena	4,000	+/- 2,000
Ballymoney	3,000	+/- 1,000
Banbridge	5,000	+/- 2,000
Belfast	11,000	+/- 3,000
Carrickfergus	2,000	+/- 1,000
Castlereagh	4,000	+/- 2,000
Coleraine	3,000	+/- 1,000
Cookstown	3,000	+/- 2,000
Craigavon	6,000	+/- 2,000
Derry	4,000	+/- 2,000
Down	5,000	+/- 2,000
Dungannon	4,000	+/- 2,000
Fermanagh	6,000	+/- 2,000
Larne	2,000	+/- 1,000
Limavady	2,000	+/- 1,000
Lisburn	7,000	+/- 2,000
Magherafelt	4,000	+/- 2,000
Moyle	2,000	+/- 1,000
Newry & Mourne	10,000	+/- 2,000
Newtownabbey	4,000	+/- 2,000
North Down	6,000	+/- 2,000
Omagh	4,000	+/- 2,000
Strabane	2,000	+/- 1,000
Northern Ireland	115,000	+/- 10,000

1 Estimates at District Council Area level are based on relatively small sample sizes and are subject to a higher degree of sampling variability. They should, therefore, be treated with caution.

2 The 95% confidence interval provides a range in which the true self-employment figure would be expected to fall 95% of the time, if the sample was drawn repeatedly.

Source: Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey, January – December 2008.

Department of the Environment

Cottonmount Site

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment (i) what action his Department is taking to ensure there is no repeat of the odour from the Cottonmount site; and (ii) should there be a repeat, what plans are in place to ensure a prompt response.

(AQW 1302/10)

Minister of the Environment (Mr E Poots): (i) As a result of complaints received from residents living close to the Cottonmount landfill site towards the end of September 2009, staff from the Land and Resource Management (LRM) unit of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) carried out an inspection of the site on 1 October 2009.

During their visit on the 1 October 2009, the operator was in the process of installing two temporary deodorising units to deal immediately with the problem. The operator was instructed to install a permanent deodorising unit and this was in place by 5 October 2009.

(ii) On the detection or notification of any further incidents of odour from this site, LRM staff will carry out a prompt and full investigation. This may result in requesting the operator to carry out remedial measures within a specific timeframe or NIEA taking further action if required.

CO2 Emissions

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment (i) to outline the Executive's commitment to reducing CO2 emissions; (ii) whether it supports the reduction of vehicles on the road; and (iii) what steps it is taking to bring about this reduction.

(AQW 1377/10)

Minister of the Environment: The Executive is committed to reducing emissions of all greenhouse gases including CO2. In its Programme for Government (2008-2011) the Executive set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% in 2025 on 1990 levels.

It is clear that current patterns of transport and the high level of dependency upon the private car have a significant impact on our CO2 emissions. If that impact is to be reduced, it will require a move towards cleaner vehicles and more sustainable transport choices.

The Department for Regional Development, through its TravelWise initiative, seeks to promote and encourage sustainable modes of travel as alternatives to the private car. Walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing are promoted to businesses, commuters and schools as part of the drive to help reduce congestion and contribute to reduction in CO2 emissions.

A key objective of the review of the Regional Transportation Strategy, recently announced by the Minister for Regional Development, is to ensure more sustainable transport arrangements which provide for a proper balance between the needs of people, business and the environment. To inform the review in this regard, the Department for Regional Development has taken forward work to establish the greenhouse gas emissions of road transport arrangements in the North of Ireland, with a view to identifying and costing an appropriate policy and strategy response.

Review of Public Administration

Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the numbers and percentages of women and members of ethnic minority communities on council Transition Committees set up under the Review of Public Administration; and for his assessment of the arrangements in place to ensure their participation.

(AQW 1392/10)

Minister of the Environment: The table below details the numbers and percentages of women currently on the voluntary transition committees. The information requested in respect of ethnic minority communities is not readily available.

I am content the arrangements that will be put in place for the establishment of the Statutory Transition Committees will ensure, as far as is practicable, inclusivity across the political parties. It will then be a matter for the individual political parties on the constituent councils to determine, in consultation with their elected members, who is best placed to represent them on the Statutory Transition Committees.

FEMALE REPRESENTATION ON TRANSITION COMMITTEES
Councils	Female Members on TC	% Members

Lisburn/Castlereagh	1	6.3
North Down/Ards	3	18.8
Down/Newry Mourne	1	6.3
Armagh.Banbridge/Craigavon	2	13.3
Antrim/Newtownabbey	5	31.3
Larne/Ballymena/Carrickfergus	2	13.3
Ballymoney/Coleraine/Moyle/Limavady	5	25.0
Dungannon/Cookstown/Magherafelt	0	0.0
Omagh/Fermanagh	0	0.0
Derry/Strabane	6	37.5
Belfast	2	10.0

Recruitment and Promotion

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of the Environment (i) if he intends to introduce a moratorium on recruitment and promotion across his Department; and if so (ii) when it will commence; (iii) what, if any, exceptions will be made; and (iv) how long he anticipates it will last.

(AQW 1395/10)

Minister of the Environment: Due to financial pressures in the Department arising mainly from a significant reduction in planning fee income, action has been taken to restrict expenditure on staffing in the Department. This includes restrictions on filling vacant posts through recruitment and promotion and these have been in place since the start of September. Exceptions to these restrictions will be considered in areas such as those funded from sources outside the NI Departmental Equalisation Limit and where it is considered that vacancies need to be filled because of the urgency or priority of the work associated with specific posts. These arrangements will be kept under review in the light of the Departments overall financial position, but I anticipate they will remain in place for at least the rest of this financial year.

Advertising

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of the Environment how much has been spent (i) by his Department; and (ii) by Departmental agencies and non-departmental public bodies, on advertising in public sector jobs sections of (a) the Belfast Telegraph; (b) the News Letter; (c) the Irish News; and (d) other newspapers, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1402/10)

Minister of the Environment: The table below provides details of expenditure by my Department, split between the core and the three agencies, and the non–departmental public bodies affiliated to my Department, on advertising in the public sector jobs sections of newspapers for each of the last 5 years.

	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
DOE Core Department	£	£	£	£	£
Belfast Telegraph	1,810	3,488	6,482	1,967	8,231
News Letter	892	2,084	1,094	-	4,379
Irish News	1,476	1,328	3,218	790	3,485
Other Newspapers	-	-	3,962	1,047	-
Sub Total	4,178	6,900	14,756	3,804	16,095
DOE Agencies
Belfast Telegraph	33,965	32,638	16,111	14,727	10,857
News Letter	18,627	18,640	10,392	10,296	5,016
Irish News	20,712	14,076	9,985	14,219	4,207
Other Newspapers	7,396	5,893	6,193	-	3,459
Sub Total	80,700	71,247	42,681	39,242	23,539
Non - departmental
public bodies
Belfast Telegraph	3,379	6,618	9,461	17,939	14,284
News Letter	1,483	1,056	1,295	-	-
Irish News	1,145	2,312	4,283	7,863	6,514
Other Newspapers	-	-	4,833	1,760	-
Sub Total	6,007	9,986	19,872	27,562	20,798
Overall Total	90,885	88,133	77,309	70,608	60,432

Omagh Area Plan

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of the Environment how much has been spent on preliminary works for the draft Omagh Area Plan.

(AQW 1470/10)

Minister of the Environment: The West Tyrone Area Plan 2019 was being prepared under the provisions of the Planning Order 1991 to replace the Omagh Area Plan 2002 and the Strabane Area Plan 2001. Work on the Plan however has ceased as a consequence of the ongoing litigation regarding the Environmental Reports which accompanied the draft Northern and Magherafelt Area Plans.

Work began on the Plan in September 2004 and it is estimated that approximately £958,000 has been spent on preparation. This comprises of £78,300 for consultancy costs – for a community consultation and for a retail capacity study as well as £28,800 for printing, advertising and other internal costs. While it is difficult to give a precise figure for staff costs it is estimated that they are in the order of £850,000. In taking forward this plan, the Department has sought to keep costs to a minimum by undertaking the majority of the research work using Departmental staff.

Marine Conservation Zones

Mr D Ford asked the Minister of the Environment when the designation of Marine Conservation Zones will begin, in the light of the international targets for 2010 and 2012.

(AQW 1477/10)

Minister of the Environment: My Department is currently designating a number of Marine Protected Areas as part of our obligations under the Habitats and Birds Directive. These sites will assist in meeting the 2010 and 2012 international targets and play an important role in fulfilling the UK government’s commitment to marine conservation.

Efficiency Savings

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of the Environment what services in his Department have been affected by efficiency savings (i) in the last financial year; and (ii) in the first six months of this financial year.

(AQW 1499/10)

Minister of the Environment: To meet the efficiencies in 2008-09 and the year to date, the Department implemented a 15% reduction in non salary running costs along with the suppression of certain low priority vacant posts and a reduction in consultancy spend.

Furthermore, a significant element of the overall efficiency savings have been delivered by phasing out the Waste Management Grant Scheme which funded district councils to implement their waste management plans to put in place minor infrastructure projects to meet waste recycling targets. At a lesser cost the Department established the Programme Delivery Support Unit (PDSU) in conjunction with the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) to assist the waste management partnerships (representing the district councils) on procurement and delivery of their waste management plans through the Strategic Waste Infrastructure Fund (SWIF). The Executive allocated £200m to the SWIF over the Budget 2008-11 period (2008-09 to 2010-11).

The above measures have had minimal effect on the Department’s ability to deliver frontline services for 2008/09 and the first 6 months of 2009/10.

Public Service Vehicle Tests

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if he is aware that taxi drivers' profits are down by 40% this year as a result of the cost of Public Service Vehicle tests; and what action he intends to take to address this.

(AQW 1509/10)

Minister of the Environment: Under the DFP guidance on fees and charges within "Managing Public Money Northern Ireland", the Agency is required to recover in full the costs associated with delivering a service.

The fee for a taxi PSV licence increased to £138.50 on 1 April 2009, an increase of £12 on the previous fee. It is unlikely that the £12 increase in the cost of the PSV licence could result in a drop of 40% in taxi drivers’ profits.

Given the requirement for full cost recovery, as set out above, I am unable to reduce the PSV fee, but I am very much aware of the implications of any cost increase on any industry in the current economic climate. I have asked officials to ensure that the costs are kept under continuous review so that services are delivered in the most cost effective manner.

External Consultants

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQW 1057/10, to detail the £182,375 expenditure on the website project; and to explain why this expenditure is no longer deemed to be external consultancy expenditure.

(AQW 1522/10)

Minister of the Environment: The £182,375 expenditure relates to the payment of a contract let to AEA Technology for the creation and maintenance of an air quality website and archive which provides a primary source of air pollution and monitoring information to a wide audience and fulfils the Department’s legal obligation under the Air Quality Framework Directive and Air Quality Standards Regulations.

The contract was originally regarded as external consultancy, however, following further review of the Department of Finance and Personnel Guidance on the Use of External Consultants this work should have been classed as "contracted services" and therefore should not have been deemed as external consultancy.

Public Service Vehicle Test Fees

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to explain the 9.5% increase in Public Service Vehicle test fees, given that there was also a 4% increase in the previous year.

(AQW 1526/10)

The recent PSV Taxi Licence fee increase of £12 (9.5%) covers increased costs from inflation and pay awards over the period from 1 April 2007 (when the fee was last increased) to March 2010.

A breakdown of the costs incurred in the PSV licensing process is set out below:

PSV Taxi Licence Fee

Direct Costs

Labour £ 44.64

Enforcement Cost £ 20.00

Taxi Plating £ 22.05

Taxi IT System Costs £ 9.93

Booking System £ 2.03

Testing Equipment PFI £ 4.11

Overhead Costs

Labour (e.g. IT, finance, personnel & customer services staff) £ 15.82

Overheads (e.g. IT, stationery, training, travel, telephone) £ 8.40

Accommodation (rent, rates, heat, light, security, cleaning) £ 8.17

Central DOE/DRD/DFP charges £ 3.28

TOTAL COSTS £138.43

FEE £138.50

Taxi Drivers Association

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what discussions his Department has had with the Taxi Drivers Association regarding the cost of a Public Service Vehicle test.

(AQW 1532/10)

Minister of the Environment: The Department’s officials have had no recent discussions with any of the Northern Ireland Taxi Drivers Associations regarding the cost of a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) test. However, discussions on a wide range of taxi related matters including costs take place on a regular basis.

Taxi Licences

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment how many taxi licences have been issued in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1562/10)

Minister of the Environment: Year Taxi Driver Licences Taxi Vehicle Licences

2008/09 3,501 11,034

2007/08 4,279 10,597

2006/07 4,728 9,899

2005/06 4,403 10,219

2004/05 3,821 6,742

Taxi Licences

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment if he has any plans to limit the number of taxi licences issued each year.

(AQW 1563/10)

Minister of the Environment: I have no plans to limit the numbers of taxi licences issued, as my Department does not have the legislative powers to do so.

Public Hire Taxis

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment how many public hire taxis are currently operating in Belfast City Centre.

(AQW 1564/10)

Minister of the Environment: At 13 October 2009, there were 519 taxis licensed to operate as Belfast Public Hire taxis.

Public Hire Taxis

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment what action he has taken to assess the environmental impact of large numbers of public hire taxis circling Belfast City Centre on a daily basis, due to the limited number of spaces in official taxi ranks.

(AQW 1565/10)

Minister of the Environment: The impact of traffic in Belfast city centre is monitored on an ongoing basis. However, equipment such as that used to monitor air quality is unable to differentiate between taxis and other vehicles, so no separate assessment has been made of the specific impact of Belfast public hire taxis.

I understand that legislation came into effect on 17 August 2009 to provide 10 new spaces for public hire taxis in Chichester Street and that the Department for Regional Development is presently assessing other sites for possible enhanced or new taxi provision.

Brent Geese

Mr J Shannon asked e Minister of the Environment if the numbers of Brent geese at Strangford Lough is currently greater than it has been for the past few years.

(AQW 1572/10)

Minister of the Environment: Strangford Lough is the single most important site in the world for Light-bellied Brent Geese outside the breeding period.

Counts co-ordinated by Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Castle Espie recorded the following maximum numbers of Light-bellied Brent Geese on Strangford Lough in recent years.

Year	Number of Birds
2002/03	17,520
2003/04	21,500
2004/05	26,250
2005/06	21,885
2006/07	24,658
2007/08	29,417
2008/09	26,718
2009/10	28,583 (to date)

Whilst there has been a general increase in the Strangford Lough population of Light-bellied Brent Geese over the past seven years, the numbers present in October 2007 have to date not been exceeded.

WasteTyres site, Mayobridge

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment (i) what is the permitted storage capacity of the approved WasteTyres site at Chapel Hill, Mayobridge; (ii) for his assessment of whether the site presents any health hazards to employees or local residents; and (iii) for his assessment of the fire risk at the site which may arise as a result of regular fires on the nearby Tamnaharrie Mountain.

(AQW 1605/10)

Minister of the Environment: The total quantity of tyres accepted at the site per year must not exceed 7,000 tonnes and the total quantity of waste stored at the site at any one time, must not exceed 300 tonnes: 270 tonnes unprocessed and processed end of life tyres and 20 tonnes of metal.

The licence contains conditions which, if complied with, will ensure that the activity is carried out without risk of harm to human health or the environment. The licensed site does not currently present a significant risk to employees, local residents or the environment.

However the waste company has extended its process operations to the baling of tyres which is not authorised by the licence. There is a significant risk to human health and the environment due to the presence of a very large quantity, estimated at 400,000 tyres (3,200 tonnes) which are baled and currently stored on adjacent land which falls outside the licensed area. Should this stockpile catch fire, the effect on the local area is likely to be serious.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency issued a Notice requiring the company to remove all end of life tyres currently stored in excess of the quantities permitted by the licence, by 17 October 2009 otherwise the Agency will consider suspending the licence. The company has also been informed that the baling of tyres is not authorised by the existing licence and that the baled tyres currently stored on adjacent land have no authorisation and must be removed as soon as possible.

(iii) The site is surrounded by a road on one side and open fields with watercourses. Tamnaharrie Mountain is situated a greater distance from the site. The fire risk presented as a result of regular fires on Tamnaharrie Mountain is therefore considered to be low.

Nature Conservation on Public Estates.

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what action he is taking to improve protection and restoration of nature conservation on public estates.

(AQW 1614/10)

Minister of the Environment: As part of the review of the Wildlife Order it is proposed to place a new statutory duty upon Departments and Public Bodies to further the conservation of biodiversity, in a way that is consistent with the exercise of their functions. This duty will be particularly relevant to those parts of the public sector which have responsibility for estate management.

Hare Population

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if he would consider the export of hares from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland to further enhance the hare population there.

(AQW 1615/10)

Minister of the Environment: The results of an all island survey of Irish hares, carried out by Queen’s University in 2007, suggest that population densities of Irish hares are similar in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Therefore I see no valid scientific reason to translocate Irish hares at this time. The Northern Ireland Species Action Plan for the Irish hare highlights the need to conserve the local stock and as the Northern Ireland population is known to fluctuate between years it would be unwise to move any hares from their local groups.

Translocations of any wild animals would only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Studies show that moving animals can cause extreme stress to the individuals during capture, transportation and after release in a new environment. Additionally, the impacts of translocations on the local genetic uniqueness of the species would need to be carefully considered, as local populations may have adapted to survive in the specific environmental conditions in which they are found.

Planning Decisions

Mr D Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment if he would consider passing on the cost of legal cases taken by developers to those same developers who are delaying planning decisions.

(AQW 1650/10)

Minister of the Environment: The award of costs is a matter which falls within the exclusive competence of the courts.

Taxi Licences

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of the Environment how many taxi licences have been issued to drivers in the East Antrim constituency in each of the last three years.

(AQW 1671/10)

Minister of the Environment: The number of taxi drivers’ licences issued to residents in areas covered by the BT38 and BT40 postcodes for each of the last 3 years is as follows:

2008/09 107

2007/08 122

2006/07 166

Licensed Taxi Drivers

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of the Environment how many licensed taxi drivers have been operating in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1672/10)

Minister of the Environment: Taxi drivers’ licences are 5-year licences and the number issued in each of the last 5 years is as follows:

2008/09 3,501

2007/08 4,279

2006/07 4,728

2005/06 4,403

2004/05 3,821

Bio-Diversity

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to outline how Bio- Diversity will be delivered for conservation.

(AQW 1703/10)

Minister of the Environment: The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy was launched in September 2002 and all members of the Northern Ireland Executive signed up to delivering its 76 recommendations.

The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group was established in 2004 to advise the Minister of the Environment on progress in the implementation of the Strategy. I have just received their most recent Report and am assessing its recommendations with my officials.

The Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) have a major part to play in delivering the Strategy, but do so alongside other government Agencies/Departments. For example, DARD delivers biodiversity action through its Countryside Management Scheme; the Forest Service is active in the promotion of grant aid for native woodland planting; and business, in the form of the Quarry Products Association, has developed several projects targeting vulnerable species. My Department has encouraged all Departments to develop Biodiversity Implementation Plans.

Within NIEA a large number of delivery projects have been co-ordinated and funded. The grant aid programme has a category for biodiversity projects and many education, community and NGO projects have been supported. Habitat action plans have been published for 38 priority habitats in Northern Ireland; while over 400 priority species, all requiring some positive action, have been identified and species action plans prepared in an effort to conserve the most vulnerable.

The delivery of these actions is being co-ordinated through a number of habitat delivery groups, all are cross-sectoral with representation from Government Departments, NGOs, academics, business representatives and landowners. These delivery groups have developed work plans aimed at focusing effort to deliver biodiversity on the ground.

Local biodiversity action is being spearheaded by biodiversity officers based in District Councils. To date, 15 Council areas have developed local biodiversity action plans with associated targets and have established voluntary partnerships to take forward the delivery of biodiversity action across Northern Ireland.

11 New Councils

Mr T Gallagher asked e Minister of the Environment to confirm if plans for 11 new councils by 2011 are on target; and what funding his Department plans to make available in support of this new model.

(AQW 1725/10)

Minister of the Environment: I am confident that local government reform will be delivered in May 2011.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers economic appraisal of Local Government Service Delivery, which I put to the Strategic Leadership Board last week, provides a detailed assessment of the options to deliver the key services by the 11 new councils. It clearly shows that there are significant benefits to be had from the reform and I will be using this as a basis to analyse funding issues for consideration and decisions by the Finance Minister and the Executive.

Illegal Waste Sites

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of the Environment how many inspections have been carried out by his Department on the illegal waste sites at (i) Moneyguard Road in Trillick; and (ii) Slattinagh in Garrison; and (iii) for his assessment of the risks to public health from these illegal waste sites.

(AQW 1854/10)

Minister of the Environment: At both sites, intrusive inspections have been carried out and a number of test pits have been dug, to allow officials to assess the nature, quantity and origin of the waste present, to determine the polluting potential of the waste and to determine whether or not any efforts had been made by the defendants to prevent pollution.

The site at Moneygar Road Trillick is currently subject to legal proceedings in the Crown Court and it is therefore not possible to give information on the number of inspections.

The site at Slattinagh was subject to one major intrusive inspection during the course of a criminal investigation into the site.

In relation to public health issues, in both cases, the body of the waste has been capped with a layer of clay and stones and the sites are not readily accessible to the public.

The Department is mindful in such cases of the potential for pollution of the environment and harm to human health and has been in detailed negotiations with the authorities in the Republic of Ireland (where the waste originated) to ensure that it is returned. The removal and return of the waste will remove the source of pollution and in so doing will eliminate risk both to human health and to the environment.

Department of Finance and Personnel

Vacancies in the Northern Ireland Civil Service

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the location; and (ii) the number of vacancies in the Northern Ireland Civil Service at (a) Deputy Principal level; and (b) all higher levels, broken down by grade, in each Government Department.

(AQW 1139/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr S Wilson): The location and number of vacancies in permanent posts in each Northern Ireland Civil Service department at the grades of (a) Deputy Principal; (b) Grade 7; (c) Grade 6; and (d) Senior Civil Service are set out in the attached table.

Vacancies (Full Time Equivalent basis) in the eleven NI Departments and their Agencies

in Grades: DP; Unified Grade 7; Unified Grade 6; Senior Civil Service,

at 1 October 2009

Department	Deputy Principal1		Unified Grade 72		Unified Grade 62		Senior Civil Service3
Department	Number	Location (posts)	Number	Location (posts)	Number	Location (posts)	Number	Location (posts)
Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD)	4.4	Belfast (3.4), Ballymena (1)	11	Belfast (3)Antrim (1)Province Wide (7)	4	Belfast (3)Location to be confirmed (1)	2	Belfast
Culture, Arts & Leisure (DCAL)	2	Belfast	0	-	0	-	0	-
Education (DE)	0	-	2	Bangor	0	-	0
Employment & Learning (DEL)	9	Belfast	1	Belfast	0	-	1	Belfast
Enterprise, Trade & Investment (DETI)	0	-	4	Belfast	0	-	0	-
Finance & Personnel (DFP)	6	Belfast (3)Bangor (3)	9	Belfast (8) Bangor (1)	3	Belfast (1)Ballymena (1)Londonderry (1)	2	Belfast
Health, Social Services & Public Safety (DHSSPS)	1	Belfast	8	Belfast	1	Belfast	8	Belfast
Environment (DOE)	2	Belfast	2	Belfast	3	Belfast (2),Coleraine (1)	1	Belfast
Regional Development (DRD)	1	Belfast	6	Belfast	2	Belfast	1	Belfast
Social Development (DSD)	11	Belfast	13	Belfast (11) Londonderry (2)	2	Belfast	1	Belfast
Office of the First & Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM)	1	Belfast	3	Belfast	0	-	2	Belfast
TOTAL	37.4		59		15		18

1General service grades only

2 Unified Grades, comprise both general service and professional/technical grades

3 Senior Civil Service comprises both general service and professional/technical grades

Civil Servants

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel (i) to outline the pay rise awarded to Civil Servants in the Department of Education in (a) 2007/08; and (b) 2008/09; and (ii) how this compares with average pay rises in the private sector.

(AQW 1288/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: NICS pay awards are determined centrally by DFP and apply to all employees across the eleven departments. While individual employees may receive differing base pay rises due to individual circumstances, the overall average increase to base pay is calculated on an NICS-wide basis and reported as such.

The pay awards for Northern Ireland Civil Servants compared to the NI Private Sector in 2007/08 and 2008/09 are set out below. The NICS figures are based on the average base pay increase for staff in post. The figure provided for the NI Private Sector is based on information taken from the results of the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). The ASHE survey information related to the pay-week which included 16th April 2008. The estimated pay increase figure was calculated by comparing the 2008 ASHE figure with that available for 2007. The results are therefore not necessarily representative of pay over a longer period and are not directly comparable with the NICS pay award figures. An estimate for the average increase for the year to April 2009 is not yet available as ASHE 2009 results are due to be published in November 2009.

NICS PAY AWARDS
PRIVATE SECTOR

YEAR

NON-INDUSTRIAL

INDUSTRIAL

SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE

ASHE

2007
4% 3.44% 2.52% 3.7%

2008
4% 3.5% 2.48% N/A

	NICS PAY AWARDS	PRIVATE SECTOR
YEAR	NON-INDUSTRIAL	INDUSTRIAL	SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE	ASHE
2007	4%	3.44%	2.52%	3.7%
2008	4%	3.5%	2.48%	N/A

Efficiency Savings

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what services in his Department have been affected by efficiency savings (i) in the last financial year; and (ii) in the first six months of this financial year.

(AQW 1307/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: No services in the Department of Finance and Personnel have been adversely affected by efficiency savings either in the last financial year or in the first six months of this financial year.

Advertising

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how much has been spent (i) by his Department; and (ii) by Departmental agencies and non-departmental public bodies, on advertising in public sector jobs sections of (a) the Belfast Telegraph; (b) the News Letter; (c) the Irish News; and (d) other newspapers, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1315/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Department of Finance and Personnel spent £569,921 and Departmental agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent £23,622 on advertising in public sector jobs sections within the last five years. The attached table details the expenditure on each newspaper.

The department’s figures include costs for all other departments as it incurs the costs for corporate competitions. The agencies did not incur any costs in 2007-08 or 2008-09 as the costs were borne by the department corporately.

The figures exclude the costs for the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), as the body is unable to disaggregate its costs between the Department of Finance and Personnel, the Department of Finance in the Republic of Ireland and the European Union.

Department of Finance & Personnel

	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	Total
Belfast Telegraph	42,609	22,053	29,504	28,677	33,636	156,479
News Letter	22,952	11,974	19,178	20,020	21,074	95,198
Irish News	16,424	10,034	13,334	12,693	13,713	66,198
Other	69,129	29,496	40,467	64,428	48,526	252,046
Total	151,114	73,557	102,483	125,818	116,949	569,921

Agencies

	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	Total
Belfast Telegraph	3,184	1,480	2,149			6,813
News Letter	1,949	929	1,304			4,182
Irish News	1,421	669	957			3,047
Other	5,736	568	3,276			9,580
Total	12,290	3,646	7,686			23,622

Pension Funds

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the total number of senior Civil Servants who have received one-off payments, bonuses, or ‘top-ups’ paid into their pension funds; and the amount of these payments, in each of the last 10 years.

(AQW 1348/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: This information is not held centrally by DFP and is not readily available from departments.

Civil Service Equal Pay Claim

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline progress on the Civil Service equal pay claim; and when he expects a final outcome to negotiations.

(AQW 1383/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: Officials are engaged with NIPSA with the aim of achieving a negotiated settlement to the equal pay claims, if possible.

I am determined to seek a resolution to this matter as soon as possible. However, there are very complex issues associated with the claims and there is still a lot of work to be done before the matter will be resolved. It is for this reason that I am unable to give a timescale for the resolution of this issue.

Capital Receipts

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail all capital receipts received against budget targets to date, across all Departments.

(AQW 1385/10)

Minister of Finance and Personnel: The attached table sets out the latest position for capital receipts against the plans agreed in Budget 2008-11. This reflects the information provided by departments to DFP.

The latest information for 2008-09 is the Provisional Outturn position, whilst for 2009-10 the latest position available is the Forecast Outturn returns received from departments at the beginning of September. Departments have not yet had the opportunity to revise plans for 2010-11.

Departmental Capital Receipts
					£million
		2008-09		2009-10
		Budget 2008-11	Prov. Outturn	Budget 2008-11	Forecast Outturn
DARD	Rivers Agency Plant, Vehicles & Machinery	-0.1	-0.1	-0.1	-0.1
	Omagh Regional Office	-1.0
	Forest Service	-3.1	-2.5	-3.1	-0.1
	Processing & Marketing Grants	-4.3	-2.3
	Agri-Food Waste Challenge			-1.0	-1.0
	NI Rural Development programme Axis 1, 3 & 4	-2.7	-0.3	-8.4	-10.2
	NI Rural Development Programme Axis 2	-0.3	-0.3	-1.0	-0.5
	CAFRE Recurrent Capital	-0.9	-0.0	-0.3	-0.3
	Fisheries Grants	-2.3	-3.3	-3.0	-0.6
	Woodland Grant Scheme	-0.5		-0.5
	Rural Development Capital Grants	-2.5	-4.5	-0.2	-0.2
	Forest Service SRC	-0.1	-0.1	-0.0	-0.0
	ISB Computer Equipment				-0.2
	Veterinary Capial		-0.0
TOTAL DARD		-17.8	-13.4	-17.7	-13.2
DCAL	Libraries Disposals	-1.0	-0.4	-1.0	-0.3
	Museums Sale of Land	-4.6			-2.0
TOTAL DCAL		-5.6	-0.4	-1.0	-2.3
DE	DE Departmental Capital		-0.2
	Capital Receipts - ELB	-12.0	-4.2	-19.0	-18.0
	Capital Receipts - Vol	-2.5	-0.0	-2.5
	Capital Receipts - Youth Services - ELB/Statutory	-0.5		-0.5
	ELBs - Sale of Buildings - NBV		-0.0
	EUPRP Projects		-0.0
TOTAL DE		-15.0	-4.4	-22.0	-18.0
DEL	SRIF Receipts		-2.4		-5.8
TOTAL DEL			-2.4		-5.8
DETI	Next Generation Networks	-0.1		-3.0	-3.0
	Broadband Stimulation	-0.5	-0.2	-1.0	-0.2
	Broadband Local Access Contract		-0.4
	International Connectivity	-0.9	-3.9	-6.3	-34.0
	Renewable Energy			-0.9
	Enterprise Support(Invest NI)-Capital Grant to Bus	-1.4	-1.5	-1.5	-2.6
	Enterprise Support(Invest NI)- Capital Receipts	-25.0	-17.7	-15.0	-6.0
	European Programmes	-2.1	-0.1	-2.1	-0.8
	European Programmes - Interreg IV - Receipts				-0.2
	Giant's Causeway Visitor's Centre				-0.0
	Signature Project Receipts	-2.3		-11.5	-8.5
TOTAL DETI		-32.2	-23.8	-41.3	-55.4
DFP	Procurement ICT Systems		-0.1
	NICS Residual Office Estate Capital Building works				-0.5
		2008-09		2009-10
		Budget 2008-11	Prov. Outturn	Budget 2008-11	Forecast Outturn
	Workplace 2010 PPP	-175.0
TOTAL DFP		-175.0	-0.1		-0.5

DHSSPS	Disposals	-55.0	-2.1	-15.0	-15.0
	European Programmes - Interreg - Receipts				-0.1
TOTAL DHSSPS		-55.0	-2.1	-15.0	-15.0
DOE	DVA Enforcement Function Projects		-10.0
	DVA - Recoupment from DVLA	-0.3	-1.1	-0.3	-0.7
	EHS - Capital Grants to District Councils		-0.1
TOTAL DOE		-0.3	-11.2	-0.3	-0.7
DRD	Strategic Road Improvements (SRIs)		-7.9		-1.1
	Local Transport & Safety Measures(LTSMs)&Other		-1.0		-1.8
	Roads - Asset Disposals	-1.0	-0.8	-1.0	-1.0
	Rail - New Trains				-0.7
	Land Disposals		-0.8
	Departmental Sundry Capital		-0.0
TOTAL DRD		-1.0	-10.5	-1.0	-4.6
DSD	Urban Development Grants		-0.1
	CRISP		-1.4
	Comprehensive Development	-0.4	-3.1	-1.7	-22.8
	Peace lll Creating Shared Public Spaces				-7.7
	House and Land Sales	-80.4	-8.2	-68.7	-6.0
	Loan Repayment (NIHE)	-97.5	-97.9	-92.1	-92.1
	Loan Repayments (HA)	-0.9	-3.9	-0.8	-0.8
	HA Grant Repayments	-4.9	-1.4	-4.9	-1.0
	Modernisation of Service Delivery Arrangements		-0.2
TOTAL DSD		-184.1	-116.3	-168.2	-130.3
TOTAL		-486.0	-184.6	-266.5	-245.8

Figures may not add due to roundings.

Amounts of less than £50k are shown as £0.0 million

BACKGROUND NOTE

In Budget 2008-11 a total of £1.4 billion capital receipts were identified against departmental baselines. This figures does not include the £199 million of receipts that were expected to be generated over the Budget period in light of the findings of the Capital realisations Taskforce (CRT). This is because the late identification of this component meant it was not possible to attribute receipts to specific departments as part of the Budget process.
Subsequent to the final Budget 2008-11 being agreed in January 2008, the level of receipts from the disposal of surplus assets has been adversely affected by the downturn in the property market, leading to a shortfall in income against the original plans.
In 2008-09, based on provisional outturn, only £184.6 million of capital receipts were realised against an original plan of £486 million. The shortfall in this year was due mainly to the Workplace 2010 project (£175 million), house and land sales (£72 million) and the deferral of the Belvoir Park site (£50 million) by DHSSPS.
For 2009-10 the latest information available is the Forecast Outturn returns received from departments at the beginning of September. These returns indicate forecast receipts of £245.8 million against an original plan of £266.5, i

Friday 23 October 2009

Written Answers to Questions

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Integrated Development Fund Budget

Executive’s Investment Strategy

Hospitality

Hospitality

Costs of Division

Funding for Blind and Partially Sighted People

Efficiency Savings

Blind People

Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion

£29m for Good Relations

Brussels Visit

Peace III

Brussels Visit

"451 Issues Agreed by the Executive"

Economic Taskforce

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Efficiency Savings

Advertising

A20 Road, Mountstewart, Greyabbey

Rock Armouring at Mountstewart

Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion

Farm Businesses

Staff Numbers

Agri-Food and Biosciences

Young Entrants Scheme for Farmers

Rock Armouring, Greyabbey

Dog Licenses

Dog Licence Fee

Pigs' Blood

Dog Licenses

Microchipping of Dogs

Licensing and Microchipping of Dogs

Dog Control

Dog Licences

Horse Riders

Dog Licence

Dog Licence

Puppy Farming

Dog Licence

Dangerous Dogs

Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

Diseases of Animals Bill

Cattle Theft

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Advertising

04/05 (£)

05/06 (£)

06/07 (£)

07/08 (£)

08/09 (£)

Events Sponsored by Waterways Ireland

Name of Event

Waterway

Activity

Criteria for Application for Sponsorship

All-island Strategy for Angling Tourism

Anglers

Northern Ireland: Tourist Destination for Anglers

Grant-making Arrangements

Bands

Bands

Olympic Bid from Portadown Rowing Club and the Silverwood Equestrian Centre, Lurgan.

Sponsorship

GAA Grounds and Competitions

East-West Links

Irish Language Strategy

Sports Stadia

Ministerial Receptions

Sport and Physical Recreation Strategy

Arts Sponsorship

Olympic-sized Swimming Pool in Bangor

Department of Education

Working Groups

STEM subjects

Meetings

2009 Biennial Report of the Chief Inspector

Good Mental Health

04/05
(£)

05/06
(£)

06/07
(£)

07/08
(£)

08/09
(£)