Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has to assist farmers to
improve farm infrastructure.
(AQW 3/00)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural
Development (Ms Rodgers): One of the first initiatives that I announced
on taking up appointment was the establishment of a Task Force to develop a
vision for the future of the agri-food industry in Northern Ireland. The Strategy
Group’s remit is to identify the problems and opportunities in the rural economy
over the next decade and to map out a strategy to meet that vision. All aspects
of the industry are being thoroughly examined and the issues of farm structure,
supply chain, and processing sector structure are high on the agenda.
The work of the Strategy Group is proceeding
apace and I expect to receive their reply early next year. This matter is of
the utmost priority and I will give due consideration to the recommendations
put to me.
Veterinary Faculty
Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development if she supports the provision of a Veterinary
Faculty at one of the local universities.
(AQW 4/00)
Ms Rodgers: On the basis of present
information I could not support the proposal that a Veterinary Faculty be established
at a University in Northern Ireland. There are no indications of a major manpower
shortage in the recruitment of veterinary surgeons to work in Northern Ireland.
Against this background, it would be difficult to justify the costs, especially
in view of many competing demands, of establishing and running a Veterinary
Faculty locally. There must also be concerns about the viability of such a Faculty.
Other Universities have established reputations in this sphere and there could
be no guarantee about the uptake of places. A Veterinary Faculty also requires
adequate clinical cases for training purposes and a considerable weight of veterinary
research to attract lecturing staff, both of which would be extremely difficult
to meet from within Northern Ireland. Finally you will appreciate that determining
their curricula is a matter for both QUB and UU as autonomous institutions.
Both received additional student places on foot of the 1998 Comprehensive Spending
Review, but neither University sought to establish Veterinary Degree courses
with any of the additional places secured. Further expansion is being considered
in the context of Spending Review 2000 but, again, neither University made a
case to establish Veterinary Degree courses.
I have consulted my colleague Dr Sean
Farren MLA, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment,
on this matter.
Lough Neagh Catchment
Mr Jim Wilson asked the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline progress in regard to the Erne
Catchment Nutrient Management Scheme and indicate whether she intends to implement
a similar scheme for Lough Neagh.
(AQW 12/00)
Ms Rodgers: The Erne Catchment
Nutrient Management Scheme was introduced in October 1996 under the Special
Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. The initiative was one of a
number designed to provide support and co-operation between the public bodies
in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in addressing problems of common
concern. The objective of the Scheme is to reduce farm source pollution of waters
in certain river catchments in the Erne system.
The Scheme has progressed satisfactorily
with approximately 1200 farmers, representing around a 95% uptake of those targeted,
being assisted to draw up nutrient management plans for their farms. Expenditure
on the Scheme to date has totalled £981,000, and it is due to end in December
2000.
The expectations for the scheme are that
there should eventually be an improvement in the Erne’s water quality. While
early indications are positive, it is likely that full benefits of the Scheme
will only be measurable in the long-term i.e. after 10 years have elapsed. It
is proposed to conduct an evaluation of the Scheme’s effectiveness, particularly
in relation to phosphate loading once the final data for year ending 31 December
2000 has been processed.
As the Scheme was time-bound and specifically
designed to operate on a cross border catchment, it is not possible, therefore,
to extend it to Lough Neagh. However, within the context of the Programme for
Government and the Spending Review, I am considering what action it might be
possible to take to reduce the contribution made by agriculture to the general
problem of eutrophication, particularly in the area of the Lough Neagh catchment.
TOP
CULTURE, ARTS AND
LEISURE
Equality Scheme/Sports Council
Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister
of Culture, Arts and Leisure what efforts he has made to ensure that grants
by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland comply with the equality agenda of
the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
(AQW 2/00)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and
Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The Sports Council is in the process of drawing
up an Equality Scheme which will address all equality issues. Following widespread
consultation, a final draft Equality Scheme has been adopted by the Council
and this has still to be approved by the Equality Commission.
TOP
EDUCATION
Independent Schools
Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister
of Education if he will ensure equality of treatment for the Independent Christian
School sector in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 1/00)
The Minister of Education (Mr McGuinness):
All independent schools are treated equally by the Department of Education
through the legislative framework for independent schools which is contained
in the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1986. No independent school can be
funded directly by the Department but it is open to any independent school to
apply for grant-aided status and be assessed against established criteria. All
grant-aided schools must comply with the relevant statutory requirements including,
for example, the delivery of the statutory curriculum and management arrangements.
Term Time Employees
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister
of Education to detail his policy on the terms and conditions of Term Time Employees
working in Schools in Northern Ireland; and to outline what steps he is taking
to address concerns of these employees about their employment rights.
(AQW 27/00)
Mr McGuinness: The terms and conditions
of service of term time staff in schools are a matter for the education and
library boards and other employing authorities. However, I have sympathy for
the staff involved and have been monitoring the position closely. Boards have
recently made an offer aimed at addressing staff concerns, and unions are consulting
their members. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage but
it is clear that a resolution can only be achieved by negotiation through the
established arrangements.
TOP
ENTERPRISE, TRADE
AND INVESTMENT
Small Businesses
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister
of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the measures being taken to cut
red tape for small businesses.
(AQW 44/00)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade
and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): Small business representatives in Northern
Ireland have indicated that the main regulatory burdens affecting small businesses
relate to reserved matters such as National Insurance, VAT and PAYE requirements
which are the responsibility of the Westminster Parliament.
To ensure that no new unreasonable regulatory
burdens are imposed on business, NI Departments are required to complete Regulatory
Impact Assessments for all legislation being brought forward which affects business.
DETI officials liaise with colleagues
in the Regulatory Impact Unit, Cabinet Office, to ensure that any new initiative
being introduced by Whitehall Departments are considered for Northern Ireland.
TOP
ENVIRONMENT
Area Plans
Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister
of the Environment to outline what progress has been made in respect of the
Area Plans for Down and Newry and Mourne areas.
(AQO 4/00)
The Minister of the Environment (Mr
Foster): The first stage of the process, in terms of information gathering,
research and analysis, has been completed for the Ards and Down Area Plan. An
"Issues" paper is currently being finalised for public consultation
in October. The first stage of the Banbridge and Newry and Mourne District Area
Plan is also underway, and it anticipated that the "Issues", will
be published in December.
TOP
HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES
AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Acute Hospitals Review Group
Mr John Taylor asked the Minister
of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many persons have been appointed
as members of the Acute Hospitals Review Group; how many of these members live
in (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Great Britain, (c) Republic of Ireland, and (d)
elsewhere; how many of the members are perceived to be (a) Protestant, and (b)
Roman Catholic; and if she is satisfied that the Group is representative of
the people of Northern Ireland.
(AQW 9/00)
The Minister of Health, Social Services
and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): I have appointed nine members to
the Acute Hospitals Review Group. Six live in the north of Ireland, one lives
in Great Britain and two live in the south of Ireland. I have no information
as to the perceived religion of any members of the group. I selected members
on the basis of the contribution that they would be able to make to the group’s
work. I am satisfied that each can reflect the views of all sections of the
community, as many of them have done or continue to do in their working life.
Tá mé i ndiaidh naonúr
ball a cheapadh ar Ghrúpa Athbhreithnithe na nOspidéal Géarmhíochaine.
Cónaíonn seisear díobh i dTuaisceart na hÉireann,
cónaíonn duine eile sa Bhreatain Mhór agus beirt eile i
nDeisceart na hÉireann. Níl eolas ar bith agam faoin chreideamh
a mheastar atá ag ball ar bith den ghrúpa. Roghnaigh mé
na baill ar bhonn a bhféadfadh siad a chur le hobair an ghrúpa.
Tá mé sásta go bhfuil gach ball ábalta tuairimí
gach earnáil den phobal a chur in iúl, mar atá déanta
ag a lán díobh cheana nó mar a dhéanfaidh siad go
leanúnach feasta i rith a saoil oibre.
Investment in Hospitals
Mr John Taylor asked the Minister
of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what was the total Capital Investment
for the past 10 years at (1) Altnagelvin Hospital, (2) the Royal Victoria Hospital,
(3) The City Hospital, (4) The Mater Hospital, and (5) The Ulster Hospital.
(AQW 10/00)
Ms de Brún: The figures
for total capital investment for the past 10 years at each hospital are as follows:-
Altnagelvin Hospital - £33.51m
Royal Victoria Hospital - £99.73m
Belfast City Hospital - £14.61m
Mater Hospital - £3.67m
Ulster Hospital - £11.31m
In addition to these figures, the estimated
capital value of leased equipment and other facilities procured by way of private
partnerships under the Private Finance Initiative is as follows:-
Altnagelvin Hospital - £0.39m
Royal Victoria Hospital - £6.8m
Belfast City Hospital - £4.45m
Ulster Hospital - £0.31m
Is mar seo a leanas atá na figiúirí
don infheistíocht chaipitiúil i ngach ospidéal le 10 mbliana
anuas:-
Ospidéal Alt na nGealbhan - £33.51m
Ospidéal Ríoga Victoria - £99.73m
Ospidéal Chathair Bhéal
Feirste - £14.61m
Ospidéal an Mater - £3.67m
Ospidéal Uladh - £11.31m
I dteannta na bhfigiúirí
sin is mar seo a leanas atá luach caipitiúil measta trealaimh
léasaithe agus saoráidí eile a fuarthas ar mhodh comhpháirtíochtaí
faoin Tionscnamh Airgeadais Phríobháidigh:
Ospidéal Alt na nGealbhan - £0.39m
Ospidéal Ríoga Victoria - £6.8m
Ospidéal Chathair Bhéal
Feirste - £4.45m
Ospidéal Uladh - £0.31m
Ulster Hospital
Mr John Taylor asked the Minister
of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what proposals there are for Capital
Investment at the Ulster Hospital during the next 5 years; and if she will make
a statement.
(AQW 11/00)
Ms de Brún: I recognise
fully that a range of services needs to be developed on the Ulster Hospital
site, in line with the investment programmes under way or recently completed
on other major acute sites. My Department’s officials are discussing with the
Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust how its proposals can be brought together
in a strategic development plan for the Ulster Hospital. Once that has been
done, and a detailed Business Case drawn up to support the proposals, I will
look at the decisions which need to be taken about the timetable and funding.
Aithním go hiomlán go gcaithfear
réimse de sheirbhísí a fhorbairt in Ospidéal Uladh
atá ar aon dul leis na cláir infheistíochta atá
ar siúl nó atá curtha i gcrích i bpríomhionaid
ghéarmhíochaine eile. Tá feidhmeannaigh de chuid mo Roinne
ag plé le hIontaobhas SSS Phobal agus Ospidéal Uladh an dóigh
ar féidir a chuid moltaí a chur in alt a chéile mar phlean
straitéiseach do Ospidéal Uladh. A luaithe a bheas sin déanta
agus Cás Gnó mionsonraithe ullmhaithe i dtacaíocht leis
na moltaí breathnóidh mé ar na cinntí a bheas le
glacadh maidir leis an chlár ama agus an maoiniú.
Review Chairpersons
Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister
of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to list the number of reviews initiated
by her, to detail who is chairing them; and when each is expected to report.
(AQW 24/00)
Ms de Brún: The information
is contained in the table below.
