WRITTEN ANSWERS

Notes:

(1) The heading of Primary Schools includes Controlled Schools, Maintained Schools and Schools with Nursery Classes or Special Units

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of (a) the difficulties imposed upon schools that accept pupils in excess of their quotas, (b) that these excess pupils are weighted zero, (c) that such restrictions result in an inability to offer a comprehensive range of subjects particularly for 6th form pupils and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 308/00)

Mr McGuinness: Where an increase in a school’s admissions or enrolment number is approved by the Department, the additional pupils attract funding under the LMS formula. Additional pupils admitted without Departmental approval may be zero-rated for funding purposes. This policy is designed to keep admissions and enrolment numbers in line with the physical capacity of schools and to avoid the creation of additional surplus places in other schools.

Dr Dara O'Hagan asked the Minister of Education what steps he took to address issues of religious and political discrimination in preparing the Department's draft equality scheme and to list those consulted in preparing this aspect of the draft scheme.

(AQW 317/00)

Mr McGuinness: The purpose of the Equality Scheme is to show how the Department proposes to fulfil the duties imposed by Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 in having regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between nine identified categories of individuals, two of which are persons of different religious belief and persons of different political opinion.

There is no hierarchy of categories and all nine are treated similarly. Therefore no specific steps were taken to address issues of religious and political discrimination over and above the other categories.

During the consultation process the Department ultimately issued printed copies of its draft scheme to some 450 organisations and individuals including all MLAs, representatives of the main churches and all local political parties. The full list of those consulted was included at Annex F to the Department’s revised Equality Scheme a copy of which was placed in the Assembly Library .

Mr John Taylor asked the Minister of Education if he will detail the number of pupils there are at each of the primary, secondary and grammar schools in the constituency of Strangford; and what were the equivalent figures over the last five years.

(AQW 333/00)

Mr McGuinness: Figures for the 2000/01 school year are not yet available. The information for the previous 5 years is as follows:

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will (a) confirm that the revised pay scale for Nursery Schools principals, as announced in 1999 is now in place and (b) detail those Boards where it has not yet been implemented and (c) state when this will be rectified.

(AQW 353/00)

Mr McGuinness: All nursery school principals were assimilated by my Department to the new pay spine for principals from 1 September 1999. Boards of Governors then had to set an individual school range of seven consecutive spine points for their principal’s pay progression, having regard to the employing authorities’ guidance, which is based on the different sizes of schools. All Education and Library Boards and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools have confirmed to the Department that all nursery school principals are now being paid on the individual school range set in accordance with the statutory Determination issued by the Department on 25 August 1999 and the employing authorities’ guidance.

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will confirm that (a) the revised pay scale for Controlled Nursery School principals has not yet been implemented by the Southern Board, (b) the revised pay scale for Maintained Nursery School principals has not yet been introduced and (c) if he will take steps to rectify this.

(AQW 354/00)

Mr McGuinness: My Department assimilated all controlled nursery school principals in the Southern Education and Library Board’s area, and maintained nursery school principals, to the new pay spine from 1 September 1999. Individual school ranges then had to be determined by Boards of Governors within the principal group assigned to each school by my Department, using each school’s enrolment at the time of the October 1998 schools’ census, and taking account of the employing authorities’ guidance. This work has been completed and all Education and Library Boards and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools have confirmed to the Department that all nursery school principals are being paid on the revised pay spine, in accordance with the guidance from the Department and the employing authorities.

Dr Dara O'Hagan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps he took to address issues of religious and political discrimination in preparing the Department's draft equality scheme and to list those consulted in preparing this aspect of the draft scheme.

(AQW 296/00)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): All nine Section 75 categories, including persons of different religious belief and political opinion, were treated equally in the detailed preparation of the draft equality scheme. Over 300 groups were consulted on the draft scheme including the main churches and political parties.

Mr Alban Maginness asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will enter into consultation with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to draw up a strategy for the development of tourism in North Belfast.

(AQW 344/00)

Sir Reg Empey: A strategy for the development of tourism in North Belfast is being developed by Locus Management on behalf of the Inner City North Belfast Tourism Project which is managed by the Ashton Community Trust. A wide range of public, private and voluntary sector interests is represented on the steering committee. The study is being funded by NITB and the Belfast Regeneration Office. NITB is represented on the steering group and officers there will keep me informed of progress

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will detail (a) how many new inward investments have been announced in the last two years and (b) how many new jobs have been created from these projects.

(AQW 378/00)

Sir Reg Empey: In the two year period up to 30 September 2000 17 new inward investment projects supported by IDB and promising 4,794 new jobs have been announced. Employment in new projects typically builds up over a period of 3-5 years. Current employment relating to these 17 projects is 1,923.

Mr Jim Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment if he will confirm that a planning application has been made in respect of a site at Hillhead Road, Ballyclare.

(AQW 319/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): I can confirm that an invalid planning application for Earthworks and Drainage Works to facilitate future development potential of land was submitted to my Department on 28 September 2000. The application was made valid following receipt of the additional information required and can now be processed.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if he will review current planning regulations in respect of caravan sites.

(AQW 327/00)

Mr Foster: Current policy on caravan sites is set out in the publication entitled "A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland", published in September 1993. I have no plans at present to review the current policy in respect of caravan sites.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail his plans to address the problem of coastal erosion around Northern Ireland and to give a timescale for the implementation of these plans.

(AQW 335/00)

Mr Foster: Coastal erosion impacts upon the responsibilities of several Departments, including the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department for Regional Development.

I have no plans to address the impacts of coastal erosion as they affect the responsibilities of my Department.

Mr Alban Maginness asked the Minister of the Environment if he will introduce measures to regulate the use of Quads (four-wheeled motorcycles) on the public highway.

(AQW 343/00)

Mr Foster: I have no plans to introduce further measures to regulate the use of Quads. Quad bikes or quadricycles (as defined in the Motor Cycles Etc. (EC Type Approval) Regulations 1999) are designed mainly for off-road use and normally classified as agricultural vehicles. As with other agricultural vehicles quads are allowed some limited road use when travelling no more than 1.5 kilometres between areas of private land.

For unrestricted normal road use most of these vehicles would require extensive modifications to comply with construction and use and lighting regulations and, as with a car, would require full type approval to EC requirements. However, for quadricycles which satisfy these standards there is no restriction on their use on public roads.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail the amount of compensation awarded to Omagh Council following the Omagh bombing.

(AQW 347/00)

Mr Foster: Financial assistance amounting to £660,368 was provided to Omagh District Council to assist it to meet additional costs incurred in the aftermath of the bomb on 15 August 1998.

The expenditure, which has been validated by the Local Government Auditor, related mainly to staff costs associated with the clean-up process, memorial services, visits by State leaders and the Royal Family, the Incident Centre, administration of the Memorial Fund, and to loss of income from Omagh Leisure Centre.

Mr Jim Wells asked the Minister of the Environment if he has any plans to update and amend the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

(AQW 364/00)

Mr Foster: The schedules to The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 list animals and plants for which special protection is needed. My officials are reviewing the schedules and will shortly put advice to me on whether changes are required.

I will, of course, wish to consult interested parties on any proposals for change.

Mr Jim Wells asked the Minister of the Environment if he has any plans to update and amend the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

(AQW 365/00)

Mr Foster: My officials have been considering whether additional measures are required to strengthen the protection and management of sites designated under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (as amended in 1989). I expect them to put advice to me on this shortly.

I will, of course, wish to consult widely on any proposed changes to the legislation.

Mr Alban Maginness asked the Minister of the Environment if he will consider extending the conservation in the Belfast area covering Somerton Road and Chichester Park area, to include the streets up to and including Downview Avenue.

(AQW 379/00)

Mr Foster: I have no immediate plans to do so, but I will take the Member for North Belfast’s request into consideration in any future review of the five recently designated Belfast Conservation Areas.

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of the Environment if his Department has made any assessment of the damage to the environment which may be caused by ad hoc diesel retailing operations.

(AQW 383/00)

Mr Foster: No general environmental assessment has been made of the environmental impact of ad hoc diesel retailing operations.

However, the Environment and Heritage Service of my Department receives reports of specific pollution incidents arising from these operations from members of the public and its own field staff.

All such reports are fully investigated and remedial action taken as appropriate.

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail the funding allocated to the Transport, Licensing and Enforcement Branch in each of the last six years.

(AQW 395/00)

Mr Foster: The funding allocated to Transport Licensing and Enforcement Branch in each of the last six years is as follows:

1994/95 - £ 999K
1995/96 - £1249K
1996/97 - £1480K
1997/98 - £1356K
1998/99 - £1360K
1999/00 - £1389K

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail the funding allocated to the Enforcement section of the Transport, Licensing and Enforcement Branch in each of the last six years.

(AQW 396/00)

Mr Foster: The funding allocated to the Enforcement Section of Transport Licensing and Enforcement Branch in each of the last six years is as follows:

1994/95 - Not Available
1995/96 - £821K
1996/97 - £808K
1997/98 - £746K
1998/99 - £695K
1999/00 - £726K

Ms Mary Nelis asked the Minister of the Environment what advice he has given all relevant Departmental Ministers to ensure the elimination of pollution from inland waterways.

(AQO 142/00)

Mr Foster: My officials work in close co-operation with the other Departments in providing advice on water pollution matters. Co-ordination takes place through an inter-departmental Water Quality Management Committee which is chaired by my Department and also includes officials from the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Regional Development, Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Culture, Arts and Leisure.

My Department has also liaised closely with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development about farm-source pollution, providing advice on codes of good agricultural practice, working jointly on issues such as eutrophication and biodiversity and advising on eligibility under various agri-environmental grant schemes.

In addition, my officials have prepared advisory material for publications and guidance notes for those Departments involved in the construction of roads, bridges and green field developments.

And as environmental regulator of the Water Service in the Department for Regional Development, my Department sets standards for effluent discharges from Water Service water treatment plants, sewerage systems and sewage treatment works.

Mr Seamus Close asked the Minister of the Environment if he is satisfied with current planning policy for retail development in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 163/00)

Mr Foster: My Department currently exercises its planning responsibilities, in respect of retail development, in accordance with the provisions set out in Planning Policy Statement 5 (PPS 5) entitled "Retailing and Town Centres". The policy seeks to address both the protection of existing town centres and the need to encourage an efficient, competitive and innovative retail sector. Any review of current planning policy in this area would be a matter for the Department for Regional Development and, while striking the right balance will not always be easy, I see merit in such a review.

Mr Sammy Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment if he will make a statement on the current status of the planning application for the D5 site on the Belfast Harbour Estate.

(AQO 162/00)

Mr Foster: I am aware that the applicants have lodged an appeal. In addition, I understand that the respondents have cross appealed. My Department will not be appealing the recent legal decision to quash the planning permission. However we will be appealing the Courts interpretation of the "complements" test. This test is used by my department in assessing major retail proposals in out of centre locations. The planning application remains live pending the outcome of the appeal. Since the case is sub-judice, I cannot say more at this stage.

Mr David Ford asked the Minister of the Environment what plans he has to ensure that local councils in Northern Ireland increase the percentage of household waste which is recycled.

(AQO 148/00)

Mr Foster: The NI Waste Management Strategy published by my Department in March of this year includes a range of targets for the reduction, recycling and recovery of household waste.

One of these targets is to recycle or compost 15% of household waste by 2005 - a significant increase on the current level of recycling, which is estimated to be around 5%.

District Councils have a duty under the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 to complete by 30 June 2001 Waste Management Plans setting out how they propose to achieve the targets set out in the Strategy.

If my Department is not satisfied that the proposed Plans meet the requirements of the 1997 Order and the Strategy, it may give directions to Councils in order to secure compliance.

Dr Dara O'Hagan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will outline the consultation process carried out by him on the Department's draft equality scheme; (a) how the consultation was carried out, (b) who was consulted, (c) how the responses received will be written into the final scheme to be submitted to the Equality Commission and (d) how the consultation process will be taken forward.

(AQW 298/00)

(a) The draft equality scheme for the Department of Finance and Personnel was issued for consultation on 17 April 2000. Comments were requested by 12 .June 2000. The issue of the draft scheme was advertised in the three main local newspapers and a copy was posted on the Department’s Internet site .

Over 500 copies of the draft scheme were issued to a range of organisations and individuals including representatives of the nine categories specified in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Further copies were issued on request to those who contacted the Department in response to the public advertisement. The draft scheme was also presented to the Committee for Finance and Personnel. An undertaking to provide the draft scheme in alternative formats was given although, to date, no requests for alternative formats have been received.

(b) Annex C of the revised draft scheme, copies of which have been placed in the Assembly Library, provides a full list of those to whom the draft scheme was issued. A copy of the revised scheme has also been posted on the Department’s Internet site - www.nics.gov.uk/dfp.htm.

(c) Forty eight responses were received by the Department. Wherever possible comments from consultees have been taken into account in the revised draft scheme which was submitted to the Equality Commission on 30 June 2000. Other comments, including those received after the 12 June closing date, are under active consideration by the Department.

(d) I now await the Equality Commission’s comments on the revised draft scheme. The Department is committed to consulting further with the Equality Commission and major representative organisations as to which policies should be subjected to Equality Impact Assessment, and on the most appropriate methods of consultation on such assessments.

Dr Dara O'Hagan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what steps he took to address issues of religious and political discrimination in preparing the Department's draft equality scheme and to list those consulted in preparing this aspect of the draft scheme.

(AQW 318/00)

Mr Durkan: The purpose of the equality scheme is to show how the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) proposes to fulfil the duties imposed by Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

The initial review of the Department’s policies/functions included an assessment of the impact on each of the nine categories specified in Section 75, including those relating to religious belief and political opinion, by applying the criteria prescribed by the Equality Commission:-

(a) is there any evidence of higher or lower participation or uptake by different groups?
(b) is there any evidence that different groups have different needs, experiences, issues and priorities in relation to the particular policy?
(c) is there an opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity or better community relations by altering the policy or working with others in government or in the larger community?
(d) have consultations with relevant groups, organisations or individuals indicated that particular policies create problems which are specific to them?

Further consultation will be undertaken to determine finally which policies/functions should be subjected to Equality Impact Assessment.

The equality of opportunity obligation applies equally to all nine categories, including persons of different religious belief and political opinion. Therefore no specific steps were taken to identify/address issues of religious and political discrimination over and above the other seven categories.

Over 500 copies of DFP’s draft equality scheme were issued as part of a general consultation. Comments were invited from, among others, thirteen political parties (including the nine represented in the Assembly, Members of the Legislative Assembly, the four main churches and four other religious organisations). A full list of those who received a copy of the draft scheme is provided at Annex C of the revised scheme, copies of which have been placed in the Assembly Library. A copy has also been posted on the following web site - www.nics.gov.uk/dfp.htm.

Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will undertake to provide additional funding to the Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust to alleviate the current deficit.

(AQW 292/00)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): Given the current deficit of the Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust and its statutory duty to break-even, my Department has formally requested that a Financial Recovery Plan should be produced by the end of October, showing that a balanced financial situation can be achieved within an agreed timescale. This Plan will be examined and reviewed both by my Department and the Trust’s main Commissioners.

It would be inopportune of me to pre-judge the outcome of the Recovery Plan proposals, as they have not yet been finalised.

Ós rud é go bhfuil easnamh ar Iontaobhas Ghrúpa Ospideal Cheantar Craigavon faoi láthair agus go bhfuil dualgas reachtúil air na cuntais a comhardú, Tá mo Roinnse i ndiaidh a iarraidh go gcuirfí Plean Téarnaimh Airgeadais ar fáil faoi dheireadh mhí Dheireadh Fómhair, plean a thaispeánfaidh gur féidir comhardú na gcuntas a bhaint amach taobh istigh de scála ama a bhfuil aontú ann faoi. Déanfaidh mo Roinnse agus Príomhchoimisinéirí an Iontaobhais araon scrúdú agus athbhreithniú ar an Phlean seo.

Ba mhíthráthúil an mhaise dom breith roimh ré a thabhairt ar thoradh na moltaí sa Phlean Téarnaimh ós rud é nár críochnaíodh go fóill iad.

Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the current level of deficit for all Trusts in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 293/00)

Ms de Brún: The operational deficit for all HPSS Trusts for 1999/2000 was £15.6 million. The overall Trust cumulative operational deficit position was £20.2 million to 31 March 2000.

In light of this deficit and the statutory duty of Trusts to break even, my Department has formally requested that Financial Recovery Plans should be produced at the end of October by the relevant Trusts, showing that they can achieve a balanced financial position within agreed timescales. These Plans will be examined and reviewed both by my Department and the Trusts’ main Commissioners.

Ba é £15.6 milliún an t-easnamh oibríochtúil ar na hIontaobhais uile don bhliain 1999/2000. A fhad leis an 31 Márta 2000 ba é £20.2 milliún easnamh carnach iomlán oibríochtúil na nIontaobhas.

I bhfianaise an easnaimh seo agus dhualgas reachtúil na nIontaobhas gur gá na cuntais a chomhardú, tá mo Roinnse i ndiaidh a iarraidh go foirmiúil go gcuirfeadh na hIontaobhais atá i gceist Pleananna Téarnaimh Airgeadais ar fáil faoi dheireadh mhí Dheireadh Fómhair, pleananna a thaispeánfaidh gur féidir comhardú na gcuntas a bhaint amach taobh istigh de scála ama a bhfuil aontú ann faoi. Déanfaidh mo Roinnse agus Príomhchoimisinéirí na nIontaobhais araon scrúdú agus athbhreithniú ar na Phleananna seo.

Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if it is her intention to allocate additional funding to Trusts to help reduce their deficit.

(AQW 294/00)

Ms de Brún: Given the current Trust deficits and their statutory duty to break even, my Department has formally requested that Financial Recovery Plans should be produced by the end of October by the relevant Trusts, showing that they can achieve a balanced financial situation within agreed timescales. These Plans will be examined and reviewed both by my Department and the Trusts’ main Commissioners.

It would be inopportune of me to pre-judge the outcome of the Recovery Plan proposals, as they have not yet been finalised.

Ós rud é go bhfuil easnaimh ar Iontaobhais faoi láthair agus go bhfuil dualgas reachtúil orthu na cuntais a comhardú, tá mo Roinnse i ndiaidh a iarraidh go gcuirfeadh na hIontaobhais atá i gceist Pleananna Téarnaimh Airgeadais ar fáil faoi dheireadh mhí Dheireadh Fómhair, pleananna a thaispeánfaidh gur féidir comhardú na gcuntas a bhaint amach taobh istigh de scála ama a bhfuil aontú ann faoi. Déanfaidh mo Roinnse agus Príomhchoimisinéirí na nIontaobhas araon scrúdú agus athbhreithniú ar na Phleananna seo.

Ba mhíthráthúil an mhaise dom breith roimh ré a thabhairt ar thoradh na moltaí sna Pleananna Téarnaimh ós rud é nár críochnaíodh go fóill iad.

Dr Dara O'Hagan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will outline the consultation process carried out by him on the Department's draft equality scheme; (a) how the consultation was carried out, (b) who was consulted, (c) how the responses received will be written into the final scheme to be submitted to the Equality Commission and (d) how the consultation process will be taken forward.

(AQW 299/00)

Ms de Brún: My Department’s Equality Scheme was submitted to the Equality Commission for approval on 30 June. The Scheme contains the information requested and I am sending a copy of it to you.

Cuireadh Scéim Chomhionannais mo Roinne faoi bhráid An Choimisiúin Chomhionannais ar 30 Meitheamh. An t-eolas a iarradh, tá sé sa Scéim agus tá mé ag seoladh cóipe chugat.

Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she has any plans to develop new Fracture Services Units in Northern Ireland particularly outside Belfast.

(AQW 300/00)

Ms de Brún: No, not at present. My advice from the profession is that if the current complement of Orthopaedic Surgeons was spread more thinly, the situation would be worse not better.

As regards the future, my Department is considering a Speciality Advisory Committee report which, among other things, recommends an increase in the number of surgeons and the establishment of a Fracture (and Orthopaedic) Service at Antrim and Craigavon Hospitals. Steps have already being taken to substantially increase the number of trainee surgeons in line with that recommendation. This will facilitate a significant expansion of Trauma and Orthopaedic services.

Níl, chan faoi láthair. Is é an chomhairle a fuair mé ó lucht na gairme sin go mbeadh cúrsaí níos measa, chan níos fearr, dá mbeadh líon na Máinlianna Ortaipéideacha, mar acmhainn, á scaipeadh níos tanaí.

Maidir leis an todhchaí, tá tuarascáil ón Choiste Comhairleach Speisialtóireachtaí á bhreithniú ag mo Roinn, agus moltar sa tuarascáil, i measc rudaí eile, gur chóir líon na máinlianna a mhéadú agus seirbhís um Chnámhbhriseadh (agus Seirbhís Ortaipéideach) a bhunú in Ospidéil Aontroma agus Craigavon. Tá bearta á ndéanamh le líon na máinlianna faoi oiliúint a mhéadú go mór ar aon dul leis an moladh sin. Cuideoidh seo nuair a bheifear ag cur go suntasach leis na seirbhísí Ortaipéideacha agus Tráma.

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her plans for the £53m for Health Services announced on 3 July 2000.

(AQW 304/00)

Ms de Brún: The £53m has been allocated to health and social services as follows: