QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
ON WEDNESDAY 16 JULY 2008
Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Employment and Learning
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Environment
Finance and Personnel
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Regional Development
Social Development
Assembly Commission
Questions to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
1. Dr Farry (North Down):
To ask the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister for its assessment of the correlation between high levels of deprivation and poverty, and high levels of sectarian tensions and segregation in society.
(AQW 8743/08)
Questions to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure
1. Mr Bresland (West Tyrone):
To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what financial assistance has been provided to the Ulster Scots Academy in each of the last three financial years.
(AQW 8734/08)
2. Mr Bresland (West Tyrone):
To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what financial assistance has been provided to Cricket, the Gaelic Athletic Association, Hockey and Football in each of the last three financial years, broken down by (i) district council area; and (ii) club.
(AQW 8735/08)
3. Mr Ross (East Antrim):
To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions he has held, or intends to hold, with the Great Britain Olympics Organisation to ensure that athletes from Northern Ireland can compete with the British team at the Olympic Games.
(AQW 8750/08)
4. Mr Ross (East Antrim):
To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action his Department has taken to attract sporting events to Northern Ireland, given the impact that this would have on tourism.
(AQW 8776/08)
Questions to the Minister for Employment and Learning
1. Dr Farry (North Down):
To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning for his assessment of the impact of sectarian divisions and segregation on labour market mobility.
(AQW 8744/08)
2. Mr McClarty (East Londonderry):
To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning to give the costs of training teachers at (i) St. Mary's University College; (ii) Stranmillis University College; and (iii) the University of Ulster.
(AQW 8793/08)
3. Mr McClarty (East Londonderry):
To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning, in light of the importance of the Shared Futures Agenda, to give an assurance that teacher training places at the University of Ulster will not be reduced.
(AQW 8796/08)
4. Mr McClarty (East Londonderry):
To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning how many teacher training places are allocated to (i) St Mary's University College; (ii) Stranmillis University College; and (iii) the University of Ulster.
(AQW 8797/08)
5. Mr McClarty (East Londonderry):
To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning, in light of the increase in teacher training places at St Mary's and Stranmillis University Colleges, if there are plans to increase teacher training places at the University of Ulster; and if not to detail the reasons why.
(AQW 8798/08)
6. Mr Ross (East Antrim):
To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning what projects his Department has funded in the East Antrim constituency in the last 12 months.
(AQW 8748/08)
Questions to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
1. Mr Dallat (East Londonderry):
To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what consideration has been given and what progress has been made by her Department to utilise the Post Office as a source, agency or outlet for the delivery of its services as outlined in the May 2008 report of the Assembly's Ad Hoc Committee, 'Report of the Committee’s Consideration of, and Proposals for, Partnership that could Enhance the Economic Case for Viable Local Postal Services'.
(AQW 8737/08)
2. Ms Ní Chuilín (North Belfast):
To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) what the is length of each contract/lease for InvestNI office space in the North Belfast constituency; (ii) for how long have each of these contracts/leases been in place; and (iii) how much has been paid to date on the contracts/leases for vacant office space.
(AQW 8753/08)
3. Ms Ní Chuilín (North Belfast):
To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) what office space Invest NI currently leases in North Belfast constituency; and (ii) which of these locations is currently occupied by InvestNI client companies.
(AQW 8755/08)
4. Mr B Wilson (North Down):
To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, in the light of her Department’s commitment to increase the amount of energy obtained from renewable sources, would she examine the possibility of generating electricity through a pump storage generation project, similar to that proposed in Camlough in the early 1970s.
(AQW 8790/08)
Questions to the Minister of the Environment
1. Dr Farry (North Down):
To ask the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of comments from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors that divided societies tend to have greater carbon footprints.
(AQW 8746/08)
2. Dr Farry (North Down):
To ask the Minister of the Environment what plans he has to review the Northern Ireland planning framework to ensure that it maximises the potential to create shared space.
(AQW 8747/08)
3. Dr Farry (North Down):
To ask the Minister of the Environment what plans he has to review the Northern Ireland planning framework to ensure that it maximises the development of new housing around current and future public transport nodes.
(AQW 8749/08)
4. Mr Ross (East Antrim):
To ask the Minister of the Environment to detail the recycling rate of each District Council in each of the last 3 years.
(AQW 8754/08)
5. Mr Shannon (Strangford):
To ask the Minister of the Environment what steps he is taking to control and reduce the dust from quarries situated close to homes.
(AQW 8784/08)
Questions to the Minister of Finance and Personnel
1. Mr Savage (Upper Bann):
To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel when he will provide rates relief for married couples over the age of 65.
(AQW 8745/08)
2. Mr Savage (Upper Bann):
To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel how much money is expected to be received from the E162.4M European Union Solidarity Fund to deal with the consequences of the flooding which took place in June 2007.
(AQW 8766/08)
3. Mr Shannon (Strangford):
To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel what steps he is taking to ensure that civil servants who request 1 to 2 year career breaks can find alternative job opportunities closer to their homes.
(AQW 8782/08)
Questions to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
1. Mr Dallat (East Londonderry):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration has been given and what progress has been made by his Department to utilise the Post Office as a source, agency or outlet for the delivery of its services as outlined in the May 2008 report of the Assembly's Ad Hoc Committee, 'Report of the Committee’s Consideration of, and Proposals for, Partnership that could Enhance the Economic Case for Viable Local Postal Services'.
(AQW 8738/08)
2. Mr Durkan (Foyle):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the progress made under Agenda for Change in changing pay for paramedics and emergency medical technicians; and when this process will be concluded.
(AQW 8729/08)
3. Mr Gallagher (Fermanagh and South Tyrone):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) how many people were employed by the Western Health and Social Care Trust as home-help/domiciliary care workers; (ii) how many of these workers have been on sick leave for periods of more than 1 week; and (iii) how many of these workers were absent for periods of more than 1 month, in 2007-08.
(AQW 8768/08)
4. Mr McCarthy (Strangford):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if his Department is aware of a vaccination called Gardasil, which is available for the human papillomavirus vaccination programme due to commence in September 2008.
(AQW 8770/08)
5. Mr McCarthy (Strangford):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will review the decision made by the GB Department of Health to offer young women a bivalent human papillomavirus vaccine.
(AQW 8771/08)
6. Mr McCarthy (Strangford):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how regional health bodies will function after the Review of Public Administration, including the division between the Director of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer.
(AQW 8773/08)
7. Mr McCarthy (Strangford):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans he has to involve councillors on the new regional health bodies; and what consideration has been given to the potential clashes of interest, given the accountability role of District Councils.
(AQW 8774/08)
8. Mr McCarthy (Strangford):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he has noted the disappointment expressed by patients' groups on the recent decision by the GB Department of Health to choose Cervarix as the vaccine for the human papillomarvirus vaccination to commence in September 2008; and if he will outline how the vaccine was chosen.
(AQW 8775/08)
9. Ms Ní Chuilín (North Belfast):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that the gynaecologist who has been the subject of recent reporting in the local press no longer works in any capacity for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQW 8756/08)
10. Mr Ross (East Antrim):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the training offered to sports clubs that purchase their own defibrillators.
(AQW 8736/08)
11. Mr Weir (North Down):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action is being taken to review procedures in the Ulster Hospital, in particular the handling of laundry, to ensure the avoidance of contamination and infection.
(AQW 8759/08)
12. Mr Weir (North Down):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action is being taken to reduce contamination and infection in hospitals, particularly in the handling of laundry.
(AQW 8760/08)
13. Mr Weir (North Down):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what protective clothing is provided to van drivers dealing with hospital laundry.
(AQW 8762/08)
Questions to the Minister for Regional Development
1. Mr Brady (Newry and Armagh):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development if he will review the protected route status of the of the old A1 Newry to Dundalk Road.
(AQW 8767/08)
2. Mr Dallat (East Londonderry):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development what consideration has been given and what progress has been made by his Department to utilise the Post Office as a source, agency or outlet for the delivery of its services as outlined in the May 2008 report of the Assembly's Ad Hoc Committee, 'Report of the Committee’s Consideration of, and Proposals for, Partnership that could Enhance the Economic Case for Viable Local Postal Services'.
(AQW 8740/08)
3. Mr Durkan (Foyle):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development for an update on the proposal to centralise Telemetry Services in Northern Ireland Water to a single location; and to outline the criteria being used to select a specific site.
(AQW 8725/08)
4. Mr Durkan (Foyle):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development when staff working in Telemetry Services in Northern Ireland Water had a pay review; and to outline the other companies against which their pay was compared.
(AQW 8727/08)
5. Mr McElduff (West Tyrone):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development what engagement he has had with the North West Gateway Initiative; and what the focus of this initiative has been.
(AQW 8787/08)
6. Mr McKay (North Antrim):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development what work is currently being carried out by Northern Ireland Water in Rasharkin; and when is this work due to be completed.
(AQW 8751/08)
7. Mr Shannon (Strangford):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development how much the average water charge is on bills issued.
(AQW 8781/08)
8. Mr Shannon (Strangford):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development why blind people are given full discount to use public transport, while partially sighted people are only given a 50% reduction.
(AQW 8786/08)
9. Mr Shannon (Strangford):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development what discussions he has had with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People in relation to improvements to shared surface footpaths and roads.
(AQW 8799/08)
10. Mr Spratt (South Belfast):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development which streets in (i) Lisburn Road; (ii) Lower Malone Road; and (iii) Stranmillis, are initial parking surveys to take place.
(AQW 8777/08)
11. Mr Spratt (South Belfast):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development when will consultations for residents parking schemes commence in (i) Lisburn Road; (ii) Lower Malone Road; and (iii) Stranmillis.
(AQW 8778/08)
12. Mr Spratt (South Belfast):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development what initial parking surveys and design processes have taken place for residents' parking schemes in (i) the Markets (East); (ii) Lower Ormeau Road; (iii) Holylands/University; (iv) Lower Lisburn Road; and (v) Donegall Road.
(AQW 8780/08)
13. Mr Weir (North Down):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development what provision is made in the Department's budget to provide increased access to, and usage of, public transport by people with disabilities.
(AQW 8763/08)
14. Mr Weir (North Down):
To ask the Minister for Regional Development what action is he taking to provide increased access to, and usage of, public transport by people with disabilities.
(AQW 8765/08)
Questions to the Minister for Social Development
1. Mr Brady (Newry and Armagh):
To ask the Minister for Social Development what departmental funding for housing has been relocated to other areas within the Department, such as the Warm Homes Scheme.
(AQW 8769/08)
2. Mr Dallat (East Londonderry):
To ask the Minister for Social Development what consideration has been given and what progress has been made by her Department to utilise the Post Office as a source, agency or outlet for the delivery of its services as outlined in the May 2008 report of the Assembly's Ad Hoc Committee, 'Report of the Committee’s Consideration of, and Proposals for, Partnership that could Enhance the Economic Case for Viable Local Postal Services'.
(AQW 8739/08)
3. Mrs Hanna (South Belfast):
To ask the Minister for Social Development for an update on the work carried out by Pricewaterhouse Coopers as specialist advisors on the Co-ownership Housing Scheme.
(AQW 8788/08)
4. Mr P Maskey (West Belfast):
To ask the Minister for Social Development how much was paid by the Department for the acquisition of the Andersonstown Barracks site.
(AQW 8726/08)
5. Mr P Maskey (West Belfast):
To ask the Minister for Social Development how much has been spent by the Department on the development of the Andersonstown Barracks site since its acquisition.
(AQW 8728/08)
6. Mr P Maskey (West Belfast):
To ask the Minister for Social Development to detail the value of the tender awarded by the Department to Deloitte and Touche to undertake the community engagement process in the vicinity of the Andersonstown Barracks site.
(AQW 8730/08)
7. Mr P Maskey (West Belfast):
To ask the Minister for Social Development how she has encouraged and facilitated the submission of the widest possible range of development proposals for the Andersonstown barracks site within the commercial and social sector.
(AQW 8731/08)
8. Mr P Maskey (West Belfast):
To ask the Minister for Social Development how the map that was submitted to Deloitte and Touche, to determine the boundaries of the consultation process in relation to the development of the Andersonstown barracks site, was generated; and the decisions underpinning the imposition of those boundaries.
(AQW 8733/08)
9. Mr McKay (North Antrim):
To ask the Minister for Social Development how many properties the Housing Executive has offered to (i) Ballyloughan Community Initiative; and (ii) Durlston Pastoral Care Centre; how many offers the Housing Executive has withdrawn; and what action she is taking to ensure that this service remains in the Dunloy area.
(AQW 8752/08)
Questions to the Assembly Commission
1. Mr Durkan (Foyle):
To ask the Assembly Commission what are the facilities provided in Parliament Buildings for people with visual and hearing difficulties.
(AQW 8732/08)