Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Office
of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail for the period since
devolution (i) the district councils visited by each Minister; (ii) the dates
of the visits; (iii) the subjects discussed.
(AQW 690/99)
The First Minister and Deputy First
Minister (Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon): On 29 June Mr Haughey visited Omagh
District Council. He spoke at a seminar on civic leadership with Councils Serving
Communities as the theme.
Devolution: Public Information Language
Format
Dr Ian Adamson asked the Office
of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister why public information about
the devolution of powers to Northern Ireland, available in English and Gaelic,
has not been made available in the Ulster-Scots language and in the languages
of the ethnic minorities.[R]
(AQW 698/99)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: Information
about the devolution of powers to Northern Ireland was published at the time
of devolution and repeated at the reinstatement of devolution to describe and
explain to the public the new institutions arising directly from the Agreement.
The information was printed only in English and Irish following the format used
for the Agreement.
TOP
AGRICULTURE
AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Visits to District Councils
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail for the period since devolution
(i) the district councils she has visited; (ii) the dates of the visits; (iii)
the subjects discussed.
(AQW 691/99)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural
Development (Ms Rodgers): During the period in question one District Council
area was visited.
On 27 January 2000 I met with the chairman
and members of Strabane District Council to see at first hand, sites bordering
on the River Mourne that had been affected by flooding due to the exceptional
heavy rainfall during December 1999.
Sheep Scab Control
Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development if an evaluation of alternative approaches
to eradicating sheep scab has been undertaken.
(AQW 706/99)
Ms Rodgers: No, but the Government
is funding a major research programme costing £1.6m into alternative strategies
to control sheep scab. These projects include basic studies on the biology of
the scab mite and aim to identify aspects of the mite’s physiology which might
be targets for alternative control methods. These might include vaccines, fungi
pathogenic to the mites, means of altering the allergic response of the sheep,
or means of interfering with the feeding process of the mite. My Department
will be advised of the findings in due course.
Sheep Scab Control
Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development if the Department has considered an alternative
strategy in the event of a major outbreak of sheep scab during the period when
farmers are without organophosphates.
(AQW 707/99)
Ms Rodgers: No. The Government’s
decision to suspend the marketing of OP sheep dips is a temporary measure whilst
companies improve container design. Advice from the expert scientific Veterinary
Products Committee is expected shortly following which the position will be
urgently review. Also there are other alternative, effective treatments available
for the treatment of sheep scab, including synthetic pyrethroid dips, pour-ons
and injectable products.
Sheep Dipping Costs
Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm the economic cost to farmers
of the withdrawal of organophosphate sheep dips.
(AQW 710/99)
Ms Rodgers: The cost of dipping
sheep is estimated at 30p per animal (product cost only). To achieve the same
breadth of protection using an injectable and pour-on would cost about 80p per
animal. Whilst the Government recognises that this is an added cost, current
OP containers present a safety hazard to users and the Government is doing all
it can to assist in the return of OP dips as soon as proposals for improved
containers have been found to be acceptable.
Less Favoured Areas Compensation Scheme
Mr Gardiner Kane asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps will be taken to ensure that
imbalances do not occur when Less Favoured Areas payments are made on a land
area basis.
(AQW 717/99)
Ms Rodgers: The Commission has
challenged the Department’s proposed LFA Compensatory Allowances Scheme in the
way it is targeted at suckler cow and sheep producers and with the indirect
link to production levels within the Scheme. Both these elements served to limit
the payments imbalances likely to occur in the switch from the headage based
HLCA Scheme to the new area based Scheme. As negotiations with the Commission
proceed, I am hopeful that targeting will be accepted though it seems clear
that a headage link will not.
Since the Scheme must fit within the
legislative framework it is inevitable that there will be some redistribution
of funds. The extent will depend on what we can
agree with the Commission and the Department
will be looking for the best Scheme for NI that we can get. To ease redistribution
the Department will be seeking to include some provision in the revised Scheme
for phasing in the new payments arrangements, possibly over the first three
years.
Pig Restructuring Scheme
Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm that Northern Ireland will receive
a share of the funding available for the United Kingdom's Pig Restructuring
Scheme based on its proportion of the United Kingdom sow population in June
1998, irrespective of the uptake in Northern Ireland of the 'outgoers' element
of the scheme.
(AQW 723/99)
Ms Rodgers: It is not possible
to give you the assurance you seek. The Scheme will be operated on a UK-wide
basis and our share will ultimately be determined by the quantity and quality
of Northern Ireland applications accepted for aid under the scheme. I and my
officials will endeavour to ensure that the scheme operates on a level playing
field throughout the UK so that Northern Ireland pig producers receive a fair
proportion of the available funding.
I would advise that EU Commission approval
to the introduction of the proposed scheme is still awaited. It should also
be borne in mind that a 16% reduction in UK capacity will have to be achieved
during the Outgoers phase of the scheme to enable the Ongoers element to proceed.
Less Favoured Areas Compensation Scheme
Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development what is the current position in regard
to the rejection by the European Union Commission of the plan for future Less
Favoured Areas support; will she act to ensure that the re-distribution of funds
with the Less Favoured Areas is minimised, and if she will make a statement.
(AQW 724/99)
Ms Rodgers: The situation regarding
the new Less Favoured Areas Compensatory Allowances Scheme is that the Commission
has sought clarification regarding targeting the allowances at suckler cow and
sheep producers and with the link to production levels that exists within the
Scheme. The Commission views these as possibly incompatible with the legislation.
My Department, along with the other UK Agriculture Departments has continued
to negotiate with the Commission and is now hopeful that targeting will be permitted
where the need can be objectively demonstrated. It is however unlikely that
any link to production levels will be permitted.
The degree of redistribution of funds
between the old and new schemes will depend on the nature of the scheme finally
agreed. I want this to be as good a scheme as we can get for Northern Ireland
but it has to fit within the regulatory framework. As it seems inevitable that
there will be some redistribution of funds we will be seeking to include some
provision for phasing in the new payment arrangements possibly over the first
three years.
Leader +
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development what is the current position in regard
to proposals for a new Leader Plan Initiative (2000-2006); are there plans to
mainstream this type of rural development; and will decisions be made locally.
(AQW 725/99)
Ms Rodgers: Work has begun on
preparing the Northern Ireland proposals. A consultation document was issued
by the Department on 8 March 2000 with a closing date for responses of 21 April.
A total of 44 submissions have been received. I have written to all those who
received a copy of the consultation document to advise them of the outcome of
the consultation exercise. However, I want the consultation to be an ongoing
process rather than a one off event. Therefore, on 28 June I invited prospective
Local Action Groups to submit summaries of their proposed strategies for their
areas. This will allow me to consider how the aims, objectives and criteria
of LEADER+ in Northern Ireland should be drafted to avoid excluding good proposals
brought forward by local groups.
LEADER+ will form an integral part of
the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme. As such, it will be mainstreamed
into the Department’s work in rural areas.
All LEADER+ funding will be delivered
by Local Action Groups made up of representatives from local public sector,
private sector and community organisations. These groups will have responsibility
for drawing up and delivering development strategies in their areas and, therefore,
decisions on LEADER+ will be made locally by these groups.
Nitrogen Vulnerable Zones
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development if farmers not affiliated to farming unions
will be consulted as part of the Government's Action Plan on the designation
of Nitrogen Vulnerable Zones.
(AQW 737/99)
Ms Rodgers: The designation of
three Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) in Northern Ireland took place in January
1999 following a detailed scientific survey of nitrate levels in both ground
and surface waters, and is fully in accordance with the provisions of the EU
Nitrate Directive. While these NVZ designations will remain, the results of
that survey produced no information which would justify the designation of any
further NVZs in Northern Ireland. consequently, there are no plans to designate
further NVZs in Northern Ireland and therefore the question of further consultation
does not arise.
I understand that when the Environment
and Heritage Service designated the existing NVZs, all known landowners in each
zone were contacted beforehand, irrespective of their affiliation to the farming
unions. however, these operational questions are matters for the Department
of the Environment and any further questions that you may have in regard to
this should be addressed to my ministerial colleague Sam Foster.
You should be aware that the Department
of Agriculture and Rural Development has prepared an information pack for farmers
in the existing NVZs and provided them with the opportunity to receive a farm
visit to help them understand what is required in practical terms. I suggest
that you advise any of your constituents who may be concerned to approach my
Department's County Agricultural Development Office to avail themselves of this
assistance.
IT Training for Farmers
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development to describe what plans exist for an Information
Technology training programme specifically designed for the farming community.
(AQO 388/99)
Ms Rodgers:
- DARD, through Greenmount College and Enniskillen College,
provides tailored IT training for farmers and growers. To date over 2000 farmers
and growers have received basic IT skills training mainly at introductory and
intermediate level with some progressing to advanced level.
- It is planned to expand the training programme with
courses being offered at DARD’s Colleges and at various other locations throughout
the province. A priority will be for more people to achieve a higher level
qualification – the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL).
- In addition, under the Agenda for Government I have
secured new funding of £800,000 for an Information and Communication Technology
Initiative. This will improve access to information technology equipment and
skills particularly for farmers with small businesses and in the west. There
will be new access points to use information technology at a range of venues,
and we will support these with training and high speed links.
- Following a pilot seminar this year, a series of ‘hands
on’ E-commerce workshops for farmers and growers will commence in Autumn 2000.
It is also proposed to expand the level of training and support for the adoption
of ICT by the farming community under the CSF.
Less Favoured Areas: Minimising Losses
Mr Seamus Close asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps will be taken to mitigate the
financial, social and environmental consequences of the Department's current
revised proposals for a new Less Favoured Area Scheme, which could involve losses
for over 10,000 marginal beef and sheep farmers.
(AQO 377/99)
Ms Rodgers: The Department is
endeavouring to devise a scheme that meets the requirements of Council Regulation
1257/1999 while at the same time minimising the redistribution of funds across
beneficiaries. The proposals put to the EU Commission achieved this with a good
measure of success but, unfortunately, the Commission had difficulty with the
targeting of specific enterprises and with the link to headage levels. The Department,
along with the other UK Agriculture Departments, has continued to negotiate
with the Commission and is now hopeful that targeting the key enterprises will
be permitted. It is, however, unlikely that any link to headage levels will
be permitted.
The new LFA scheme will have more environmental
conditions attached to it than its predecessor, the Hill Livestock Compensatory
Allowances Scheme. Payment rates will take into account TSN (Targeting Social
Need) considerations.
Work on the revised scheme is ongoing.
Agriculture Colleges: Teaching Standards
Mr James Leslie asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development what assessment she has made of the standard
of skills teaching in colleges of agriculture in Northern Ireland.
(AQO 391/99)
Ms Rodgers:
- All courses at the colleges of agriculture are accredited
by National Awarding organisations and as such are subject to their quality
assurance systems. For both full-time and part-time courses, external examiners/verifiers
visit each college several times per academic year to monitor the standard
of teaching and assessment and give feedback.
- Each college has a course Advisory Board, which includes
representatives from industry. These Boards give an overall direction and assure
the quality of the college courses.
- DARD has an agreement with DHFETE whereby the Education
and Training Inspectorate, supplemented by specialist expertise from GB, carries
out regular inspections at the DARD Colleges.
Flood Alleviation Projects
Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the progress and priority status
of each of the projects to alleviate flooding problems in Northern Ireland.
(AQO 369/99)
Ms Rodgers: I have seen at first
hand the problem in the Members own constituency and understand the urgency
of seeking solutions. The Rivers Agency of my Department has prioritised and
is taking forward an extensive flood alleviation programme costing some £8 million
in the current financial year. As this programme covers a large number of separate
locations throughout Northern Ireland too numerous to list here, I have arranged
for full details to be placed in the Assembly Library. I would mention however
that high priority, high investment flood alleviation schemes protecting major
urban centres are underway in Newry, Newtownards, Belfast, Ballymena and Limavady.
Other substantial flood alleviation projects for Kells and Ballymurphy, Belfast
will commence this summer.
Livestock Compensatory Allowances
Mr David Ford asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development to clarify the position in regard to the
policy of the European Commission towards future arrangements for the payment
of Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances; and if she will make a statement.
(AQO 379/99)
Ms Rodgers: The Department is
endeavouring to devise an area based scheme to replace the Hill Livestock Compensatory
Allowances Scheme that meets the requirements of Council Regulation 1257/1999
while at the same time minimising the redistribution of funds across beneficiaries.
The proposals put to the EU Commission achieved this with a good measure of
success but, unfortunately, the Commission had difficulty with the targeting
of specific enterprises and with the link to headage levels. The Department,
along with the other UK Agriculture Departments, has continued to negotiate
with the Commission and is now hopeful that targeting the key enterprises will
be permitted. It is, however, unlikely that any link to headage levels will
be permitted as this is not consistent with the desired move to an area based
scheme. Work is still ongoing.
E U Sheepmeat Regime Review
Mr Alan McFarland asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide information on the European
Union's intentions to review its Sheepmeat Regime.
(AQO 390/99)
Ms Rodgers: We do not know the
EU Commission’s intentions in detail, but we understand that they are in the
process of reviewing the Sheepmeat Regime. It is not clear the extent of any
change which might emerge or find agreement because of the differing agendas
of the various Member States. If and when any firm proposals are brought forward,
the views of the industry and of the Assembly’s Agriculture and Rural Development
Committee will be sought as appropriate.
Farming: Youth Career Guidance
Rev Dr Ian Paisley asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development what initiatives will be taken to attract
young people into farming as a full-time career.
(AQO 371/99)
Ms Rodgers:
- My Department has Trained Schools Liaison Officers
who visit schools and attend careers conventions throughout the province to
offer guidance to potential young entrants, thus helping young people and/
or their parents to assess future prospects and identify the most suitable
course for career needs.
- The Agricultural Colleges provide high quality full-time
and part-time courses in the Agriculture, Horticulture and Equine Studies.
The courses provided are continually up-dated to meet industry’s evolving needs.
- The Department, in partnership with others, also offers
a Multi-skilling Programme which gives young people the opportunity to train
in agriculture and another discipline, thus providing the necessary skills
to farm part-time and also secure employment off the farm.
- While there are no specific initiatives planned for
young farmers under the next round of Structural Funds, I am confident that
they will benefit from the proposals which are being negotiated with the European
Commission.
Fish Quotas
Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline what discussions have taken
place or are planned to take place at a North/South Ministerial Council meeting
concerning a permanent quota swap arrangement for cod and whiting between fishermen
in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and if she will make a statement.
(AQO 368/99)
Ms Rodgers: I have not had nor
do I plan to have any discussion at a North/South Ministerial Council concerning
a permanent swap arrangement for cod and whiting. Issues of international quota
swaps fall outwith the remit of the North/South Ministerial Council. However,
I am in continual contact with colleagues in MAFF and SERAD on a wide range
of fisheries issues including the issue of the application of the Hague Preference
arrangements which I know is a matter of considerable interest to local fishermen.
When the TAC’s for 2001 are being negotiated in December I will ensure that
the effects of the Hague Preference on local fishermen are minimised
TOP
CULTURE, ARTS AND
LEISURE
Visits to District Councils
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister
of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail for the period since devolution (i) the
district councils he has visited; (ii) the dates of the visits; (iii) the subjects
discussed.
(AQW 692/99)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and
Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): In the period since devolution I have made two visits
to district councils.
At the invitation of the Mayor of Ballymoney,
I visited the council on Wednesday 14 June 2000 to attend a civic reception
in honour of Joey Dunlop’s notable achievement in this year’s Isle of Man Tourist
Trophy Races. The purpose of this visit was to show my support for Joey Dunlop
and the significant contribution he has made to the world of motorcycle racing.
No business meeting took place on this visit.
On Friday 23 June 2000 I went to Strabane
District Council visiting the site of the proposed new library in the town,
and afterwards attending an informal lunch hosted by the Council. During this
visit I announced details of my Department’s first capital project, a new £1
million purpose-built library for Strabane. Although the purpose of the visit
was to make this announcement, no formal business meeting took place.
Library Service Review
Ms Eileen Bell asked the Minister
of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action has been taken to review the Library
Service in Northern Ireland.
(AQO 383/99)
Mr McGimpsey: The Department indicated
its intention to carry out a review of the Library Service in April. Discussions
are ongoing about the terms of reference and methodology for taking this forward.
We will aim to begin the review in the
Autumn. The first step will be to examine the scope, purpose and value of the
public library services in Northern Ireland, building upon work already done
on behalf of library services in the Irish Republic and England. I will expect
to receive initial proposals within 6 months. Over the following year I will
want to see the development of a more detailed strategy, taking account of the
work already achieved by the Electronic Libraries Project for ensuring that
library services remain relevant and responsive to the needs of the Northern
Ireland people in the Information Age.
Libraries need to become community information
hubs, to open up new ways of lifelong learning using the new technologies to
ensure that even those from the most socially disadvantaged backgrounds do not
lose out in this information age.
Lower Lough Erne: Trout and Salmon Fishing
Mr Jim Wilson asked the Minister
of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action he intends to take to restore Lower
Lough Erne as a prime trout and salmon fishery.
(AQO 372/99)
Mr McGimpsey: The Department is
participating with the authorities in the Republic of Ireland in an EU funded
Erne Salmon Management Programme. The objective of this Programme is to re-introduce
a self-sustaining population of wild salmon to the Erne to support a quality
salmon rod fishery. Information from the work carried out to date indicates
that there is good habitat on the Erne tributaries to produce salmon but the
study has identified problems with fish passage downstream of Belleek. I will
be addressing this with my counterpart in the Republic of Ireland as a matter
of priority.
Trout stocks have not declined to the
same extent as salmon. There is good trout fishing on Lower Lough Erne, and
I am keen to maintain this as a premier wild trout fishery. A number of measures
are in place to sustain and improve trout stocks. A brown trout and coarse fish
hatchery has recently been established by the Erne and Melvin Enhancement Company
to produce indigenous Lough Erne trout fry for stocking out into the feeder
rivers. Prior to this the Department had stocked the Lough from the fish farm
at Movanagher.
Local Angling Clubs have received around
£131,000 of grant aid from the Salmonid Enhancement Programme for the rehabilitation
of trout and salmon spawning and nursery habitats and this should also assist
in the improvement of stocks throughout the Lower Lough. I have bid for further
funds for an Angling Development Programme in the next round of EU Structural
Funds which will be available to clubs and other organisations for further enhancement
and stock improvement works.
Electro fishing surveys carried out during
last winter on the main rivers flowing into the lough indicated large stocks
of juvenile trout and this increase in trout productivity has been confirmed
by the number of small trout caught in the Lough during the season so far. This
is an early indicator of the success of the rehabilitation works.
I am committed to improving salmon and
trout stocks in Lough Erne and the measures outlined above should help to achieve
this. I am not however complacent and I recognise that there are problem areas
such as the impacts on salmon migration, water quality issues and the effects
of zebra mussels all of which will need to be addressed. I am looking at what
can be achieved.
Belfast City of Culture Bid
Mr Sean Neeson asked the Minister
of Culture, Arts and Leisure if the Department supports the call for Belfast
to be made a European City of Culture and what action it will take to promote
the issue.
(AQO 385/99)
Mr McGimpsey: I am delighted to
say that my Department fully supports the bid to have Belfast designated as
European Capital of Culture in 2008. The experience of Glasgow, which was designated
European City of Culture in 1990, demonstrated clearly the enormous social and
economic benefits which we could expect, not only for Belfast but for the whole
of Northern Ireland, if the Belfast bid is successful.
A "Capital of Culture Steering Group"
has been set up recently to take forward the task of developing the bid and
my Department will play a full and positive role on this group.
MAGNI Corporate Plan
Mr Seamus Close asked the Minister
of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action will be taken to ensure that the proposals
set out in the recently published Museums and Galleries Northern Ireland corporate
plan will be delivered.
(AQO 384/99)
Mr McGimpsey: My Department is
working closely with the management of the MAGNI to identify the support which
they will require to deliver the programmes outlined in their first Corporate
Plan.
I am fully behind the Museum’s new vision
for the future. However its realisation will require time and money and will
call for creative and imaginative approaches to fund-raising.
Community Arts Funding
Mr Donovan McClelland asked the
Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to indicate the nature and duration of
support given to the Community Arts sector.
(AQO 364/99)
Mr McGimpsey: The Arts Council
has operated a Community Arts budget since 1979 and in the current financial
year will allocate £686,000 to Community Arts. The level of Arts Council revenue
funding for Community Arts has risen by a third in the last six years. Since
1995 the Council has also spent over £1.5 million of National Lottery funds
on Community Arts, and, through the Forum for Local Government and the Arts,
has encouraged district councils to increase their spending in this important
area.
There have been many other streams of
funding available to the Community Arts Sector in recent years, including the
Belfast Community Arts Development Fund, an initiative of the Belfast Regeneration
Office (formerly Making Belfast Work) which provided £1m over a four year period
and £0.5m of European Peace and Reconciliation money distributed by the Northern
Ireland Voluntary Trust. Other funders, such as Co-operation Ireland, the Community
Relations Council, the European Partnership Boards and the International Fund
for Ireland, have contributed to the growth of the Community Arts sector. This
commitment clearly demonstrates the value of Community Arts in tackling social
and economic disadvantage on an inclusive and cross-community basis.
However, many of these initiatives were
time-bounded and are now coming to an end, or have already finished. This leaves
a question mark over whether the growth in the sector seen in recent years can
be sustained. My Department will therefore commission an independent review
of the Community Arts sector as recommended in the recent review of Arts Council
strategy by Professor Anthony Everitt. Such a review will provide, for the first
time, a clear and comprehensive description of activity in the sector and its
associated funding. It should also provide a realistic assessment of the sector’s
financial needs and a basis for establishing an agreed framework for its development
and funding.
TOP
EDUCATION
Ulster-Scots in Schools
Dr Ian Adamson asked the Minister
of Education how the Council for the Curriculum, Examination and Assessment
intends to incorporate Ulster-Scots language and culture into the new curriculum.[R]
(AQW 697/99)
The Minister of Education (Mr McGuinness):
While there are no current demands from within the schools system for Ulster-Scots
to be taught as a language, there is already scope within the statutory Northern
Ireland curriculum for schools to introduce aspects of Ulster-Scots language,
literature and culture in the curriculum as part of the Cultural Heritage and
Education for Mutual Understanding cross-curricular themes. Any school can include
this on a voluntary basis where there is demand. I understand that there had
been previous discussion between representatives of the Ulster Scots Heritage
Council and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, and the
Council staff are very willing to have further discussions with the Council,
and others, as part of their current Review of the curriculum.
Youth and Cultural Exchanges: Air Flight
Tax
Mr Eamonn ONeill asked the Minister
of Education to make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to secure
the removal of the air flight tax of £35 per person for youth and cultural exchanges
between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and to make a statement.
(AQW 699/99)
Mr McGuinness: I have been asked
to respond to this question as my Department has responsibility for the Education
and Library Boards and the Youth Council, through which the vast majority of
youth exchanges are facilitated.
Taxation, including air flight taxes,
are a reserved matter and not for this Assembly. I am aware that there are a
considerable number of exchanges between the youth sectors North and South,
although I understand that most of the transport is undertaken through the use
of minibuses. I will, however, make enquiries into the scale of the problem
and I will write to the Member again.
Integrated Schools: Board of Governors
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister
of Education if the Department has issued any guidelines on Boards of Governors
within the Integrated Sector regarding their election and religious composition.
(AQW 735/99)
Mr McGuinness: My Department issues
guidance on the arrangements for the election of parent and teacher representatives
to Boards of Governors of all grant-aided schools, as part of the 4-yearly reconstitution
exercise.
My Department has not issued any guidelines
on the religious composition of Boards of Governors of integrated schools. The
legislative framework for Boards of Governors of integrated schools is set out
in the Education Reform (NI) Order 1989 and there are no specific requirements
in relation to religious composition.
TOP
ENTERPRISE, TRADE
AND INVESTMENT
Bombardier Aerospace Shorts: Funding and
Fair Employment
Mr Gerry Adams MP asked the Minister
of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail all financial assistance committed
to Bombardier Aerospace (in relation to Shorts) in the past 12 months; and what
steps he has put in place to ensure that such funds will be used to redress
the religious imbalances in the employment profile of the workforce.
(AQW 720/99)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade
and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): My Department, through the IDB, has made
two offers of selective financial assistance to Bombardier Aerospace Shorts
in the twelve months period to 30 June 2000, totalling £15,055,000, relating
to the provision of 1,325 new jobs overall. The Company operates a fair employment
affirmative action programme and, like other companies in Northern Ireland,
is required to recruit in accordance with employment legislation.
Bombardier Aerospace Shorts: Recruitment
Mr Gerry Adams MP asked the Minister
of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail what steps will be taken to ensure
that young people from West Belfast can successfully access the new employment
created at Shorts.
Sir Reg Empey: It is a matter
for Bombardier Aerospace Shorts to take forward its specific recruitment needs
for the expansion announced recently. I understand that it is pursuing a number
of initiatives to generate interest among young people in careers in aerospace.
District Council Areas: Employee Jobs
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr asked the Minister
of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the most recent estimates of the
numbers in employment in each District Council area.
(AQW 744/99)
Sir Reg Empey: Estimates of the
number of employee jobs below Northern Ireland level are only available from
the Census of Employment and the most up to date figures relate to September
1997. Employee jobs estimates at this date for each District Council area within
Northern Ireland can be found in Table 1 below.
Table 1 – Northern Ireland Employee Jobs by District
Council Area
|
DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA
|
TOTAL EMPLOYEE JOBS1
|
|
ANTRIM
|
19,219
|
|
ARDS
|
16,976
|
|
ARMAGH
|
15,163
|
|
BALLYMENA
|
23,025
|
|
BALLYMONEY
|
7,105
|
|
BANBRIDGE
|
8,512
|
|
BELFAST
|
170,858
|
|
CARRICKFERGUS
|
7,738
|
|
CASTLEREAGH
|
20,501
|
|
COLERAINE
|
19,093
|
|
COOKSTOWN
|
7,381
|
|
CRAIGAVON
|
32,753
|
|
DERRY
|
37,327
|
|
DOWN
|
14,959
|
|
DUNGANNON
|
14,836
|
|
FERMANAGH
|
17,185
|
|
LARNE
|
8,143
|
|
LIMAVADY
|
7,391
|
|
LISBURN
|
32,641
|
|
MAGHERAFELT
|
10,835
|
|
MOYLE
|
2,901
|
|
NEWRY AND MOURNE
|
23,544
|
|
NEWTOWNABBEY
|
24,789
|
|
NORTH DOWN
|
19,026
|
|
OMAGH
|
14,555
|
|
STRABANE
|
9,002
|
|
NORTHERN IRELAND
|
585,458
|
1 Figures exclude Agriculture but include
Animal Husbandry Service Activities and Hunting, Trapping and Game Propagation.
Source : NI Census of Employment 1997
FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
Civil Service Employment by District Council
Area
Mr David Ford asked the Minister
of Finance and Personnel to list the numbers of people employed in each of the
ten Government Departments and to provide a breakdown of the location of these
jobs.
(AQW 743/99)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel
(Mr Durkan): The information as at 1 January 2000, including a figure for
the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, is attached.
Number of Civil Servants employed in each Department
by District Council Area
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Department
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DARD
|
DCAL
|
DE
|
DETI
|
DFP
|
DHFETE
|
DHSSPS
|
DOE
|
DRD
|
DSD
|
OFMDFM
|
Total
|
Non-industrial
|
District Council Area
|
ANTRIM
|
183
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
17
|
89
|
|
306
|
|
|
|
ARDS
|
44
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
21
|
8
|
58
|
|
148
|
|
|
|
ARMAGH
|
61
|
12
|
|
6
|
|
20
|
|
24
|
21
|
75
|
|
219
|
|
|
|
BALLYMENA
|
111
|
|
|
4
|
41
|
57
|
|
77
|
324
|
66
|
|
680
|
|
|
|
BALLYMONEY
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
8
|
42
|
|
67
|
|
|
|
BANBRIDGE
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
8
|
33
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
BELFAST
|
1441
|
205
|
|
892
|
1759
|
644
|
823
|
684
|
1253
|
4895
|
183
|
12779
|
|
|
|
CARRICKFERGUS
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
15
|
|
1
|
|
27
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
CASTLEREAGH
|
60
|
1
|
|
40
|
64
|
17
|
|
|
165
|
203
|
|
550
|
|
|
|
COLERAINE
|
158
|
9
|
|
|
9
|
19
|
|
293
|
114
|
113
|
|
715
|
|
|
|
COOKSTOWN
|
84
|
|
|
1
|
|
13
|
|
15
|
8
|
37
|
|
158
|
|
|
|
CRAIGAVON
|
19
|
|
|
|
54
|
61
|
|
84
|
297
|
121
|
|
636
|
|
|
|
DERRY
|
108
|
3
|
110
|
3
|
136
|
113
|
37
|
46
|
72
|
497
|
|
1125
|
|
|
|
DOWN
|
33
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
28
|
|
79
|
225
|
115
|
|
482
|
|
|
|
DUNGANNON
|
149
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
2
|
17
|
87
|
|
285
|
|
|
|
FERMANAGH
|
102
|
11
|
|
2
|
|
46
|
|
40
|
48
|
81
|
|
330
|
|
|
|
LARNE
|
37
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
12
|
|
49
|
|
113
|
|
|
|
LIMAVADY
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
2
|
8
|
44
|
|
81
|
|
|
|
LISBURN
|
35
|
|
|
156
|
25
|
82
|
|
20
|
17
|
66
|
|
401
|
|
|
|
MAGHERAFELT
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
9
|
64
|
|
95
|
|
|
|
MOYLE
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
NEWRY MOURNE
|
76
|
3
|
|
|
|
67
|
|
14
|
14
|
147
|
|
321
|
|
|
|
NEWTOWNABBEY
|
|
|
|
|
|
69
|
|
21
|
2
|
59
|
|
151
|
|
|
|
NORTH DOWN
|
|
34
|
444
|
|
246
|
73
|
|
2
|
13
|
70
|
|
882
|
|
|
|
OMAGH
|
144
|
12
|
|
|
43
|
41
|
|
74
|
143
|
96
|
|
553
|
|
|
|
STRABANE
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
11
|
61
|
|
94
|
|
|
Total
|
|
2857
|
304
|
554
|
1104
|
2390
|
1519
|
860
|
1511
|
2802
|
7195
|
183
|
21279
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Industrial
|
District Council Area
|
ANTRIM
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
98
|
|
|
|
ARDS
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
8
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
ARMAGH
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
|
BALLYMENA
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
155
|
|
|
|
BALLYMONEY
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
BANBRIDGE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
BELFAST
|
76
|
|
|
3
|
36
|
2
|
|
2
|
388
|
|
|
507
|
|
|
|
CARRICKFERGUS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
25
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
CASTLEREAGH
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
1
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
< |
