Mr David Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail what discussions took place with their special advisors prior to answering AQW 471/00 on 6 November.

(AQW 673/00)

The First Minister and Deputy First Minister (Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon): [holding answer 30 November 2000]: In preparing the answer to AQW 471/00 on 6 November, we satisfied ourselves that all those employed in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister as Special Advisers had complied with their terms and conditions of employment. In accordance with normal practice, details of internal advice and discussions are not made available.

Mr Edwin Poots asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the steps being taken to ensure that commercially run down areas are not disadvantaged by New Targeting Social Need.

(AQW 757/00)

Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: New TSN aims to tackle social need and social exclusion by targeting efforts and available resources on people, groups and areas objectively defined as being in greatest social need. New TSN targeting will benefit rather than disadvantage commercially run down areas.

The Department of the Environment’s New TSN Action Plan includes objectives to alleviate social, economic and environmental need in disadvantaged areas, including commercially run down areas. The Planning Service is committed to assessing the New TSN impact of development plans and to ensuring that new Development Plans reflect New TSN principles. The Planning Service is currently identifying built up areas where there is potential for development with the aim of promoting greater use of brownfield sites.

From a spatial planning policy point of view, the Department of Regional Development’s Regional Development Strategy seeks to achieve both targeting of social need and the renewal of commercially run-down areas.

The Department of Social Development’s Belfast, Londonderry and Regional Development Offices, through New TSN-compatible programmes, already target considerable resources on run-down commercial areas. In line with New TSN, the Department will bring forward new regeneration strategies for the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods, including some run-down commercial areas

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to make a statement about Government programmes for the support of victims.

(AQW 767/00)

Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The draft Programme for Government recognises that meeting the needs of victims will require co-ordinated and concerted action across Departments. It contains a number of actions to achieve this aim, including a commitment to put in place, by April 2001, a cross-departmental strategy for ensuring that the needs of victims are met through effective, high quality help and services. This will be facilitated by an inter-departmental working group on victims, which is chaired by the Junior Ministers.

OFMDFM received an allocation of £200,000 for the Victims Unit in the year 2000/01 following the October expenditure monitoring round. Ministers will seek further in-year resources in the December monitoring round.

In addition, whilst details of the European PEACE II Operational Programme have yet to be finalised, it is intended that projects to assist victims of violence will receive substantial resources under the programme.

Mr David Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to advise on which government department will be taking responsibility for the recently announced Children's Fund and to outline the mechanisms and criteria for fund allocation.

(AQW 879/00)

Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The Children’s Fund will provide support for children in need and young people at risk. The arrangements for the management and distribution of the Fund are currently being considered.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when she last reviewed the costs of veterinary products available to farmers.

(AQW 809/00)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): The Office of Fair Trading is conducting an investigation into certain aspects of the pricing of veterinary medicines in the United Kingdom. OFT will consider whether there is any evidence of anti-competitive practices. In addition, as part of the Government’s Strategy for Agriculture, a Review Group has been established to consider the dispensing of prescription only medicines by veterinary surgeons. The Review Group has been asked to submit a Report to Ministers by 31 March 2001.

Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the costs of the Steering Committee on Cross Border Rural Development (SCCBRD) in terms of set up and running costs.

(AQW 813/00)

Ms Rodgers: There are no set up costs for the Steering Committee. The Committee has been in existence since 1991 and was reconstituted at the NSMC in June 2000. The running costs will be minimal as the Steering Group is made up of officials who meet quarterly on an alternate North/South basis. The costs for my Department per annum are approximately £2,400 made up as follows:

1 x Assistant Secretary @ 2 days = £820
1 x Grade 7 @ 2 days = £550
1 x Deputy Principal @ 2 days = £430
Administrative support (AO) @ 2 days = £200
Miscellaneous costs = £400
Total = £2400

Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will recommend that the Assembly Agriculture Committee has access to the preliminary findings of the joint study of the pig industry.

(AQW 814/00)

Ms Rodgers: Given that the report is nearing completion and I will wish to consult the Committee on its final conclusions there would be little point in providing the Committee with draft preliminary findings at this stage.

Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) what progress has been made by the joint study of the pig industry (b) who are the officials appointed to this study and (c) when it will be completed.

(AQW 815/00)

Ms Rodgers: I am advised that good progress has been made by the consultants appointed to carry out the cross border study of the pig industry. The consultants have been assisted in their task by a Steering Group composed of industry representatives and relevant Government officials from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Northern Ireland representatives have included officials from DARD and IDB. I am hopeful that the report will be finalised before the end of this month.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline her policy for the future of the dairy industry with particular reference to milk quotas.

(AQW 822/00)

Ms Rodgers: The dairy industry makes an important contribution to the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland. Although I await the recommendations of the Vision Group I can say that my aim will be to ensure that the dairy sector remains competitive and continues to bring benefit to the local economy, particularly in rural areas. A study of the operation of milk quotas in the UK is being commissioned. I will be interested to see the findings of that study which will help to inform UK Ministers in advance of the EU review of the milk quota system in 2003. I will be working, in full consultation with industry organisations, for an outcome which is in the best long term interests of the local industry.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will make a statement on tuberculosis in the bovine herd.

(AQW 823/00)

Ms Rodgers: Although there has been a TB eradication scheme in operation in Northern Ireland for some years, the disease remains a problem.

The number of Reactor and Negative in Contact animals identified and slaughtered has risen from 3424 in 1995/1996 to 8630 in 1999/2000. This represents an increase from 0.147% to 0.344% in disease incidence, that is reactors as a percentage of the number of animal tests carried out. The disease incidence has risen to 0.45% in the period April to September 2000 and the problem does not look like diminishing in the near future.

The increase in the disease has inevitably meant an increase in the amount of TB compensation which has risen from £2.2m in 1995/1996 to £5.8m in 1999/2000. I am concerned at this continuing rise in the level of compensation.

The increase in TB here is similar to the situation in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. TB spread occurs through small farms with numerous neighbouring farms and farm units leading to high levels of cattle contact across boundaries. There is also evidence to suggest that the badger may play a more significant role in the spread of TB in cattle. In Great Britain a large scale experiment is currently in place to evaluate the effectiveness of different badger control strategies. Although we are not conducting any badger cull here in Northern Ireland we will take account of any measures that emerge from the work in GB.

Research work is also continuing on the development of a blood sampling test as a replacement for the current TB skin test. Results to date indicate that we are still some way away from replacing the current TB skin test.

At this time we are making considerable efforts to eliminate infection in Northern Ireland and will intensify these in the incoming year. A TB policy review is also currently underway to look at all aspects of control measures to consider if further or different measures might be introduced.

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she is taking to expand the current recreational use of forests without compromising their sustainability.

(AQW 843/00)

Ms Rodgers: The Forest Service manages 75,000 hectares of land. The Service has operated an open access policy for many years and the public is encouraged to make use of the forest estate for a variety of recreational and educational activities. In most cases access is free, but in those areas where specific facilities are provided a charge is made to help recover costs.

This year I have set the Forest Service a target of achieving 440,000 paying visitors. In 1999/00 there were 405,000 paying visitors, out of an overall total of two million visits to forests. A marketing strategy is currently being prepared and this will help in the promotion of Forest recreation throughout Northern Ireland next year.

A study is also underway to assess the quality and accessibility of existing recreation facilities and to assess whether public needs and expectations are being met. In particular, this seeks to identify potential user groups which are presently under-represented.

Earlier this year the Forest Service management of Northern Ireland's forests was certified against the UK Woodland Assurance Standard. This provides independent reassurance of sustainable forest management through third party auditing. The Forest Service has successfully met the requirements of this Standard, which requires that access to forests is encouraged in a sustainable manner and vulnerable sites or species are not compromised.

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what measures are in place to ensure that imported cattle embryos and semen do not present risk to the health of the Northern Ireland herd.

(AQW 849/00)

Ms Rodgers: Imports of cattle embryos and semen from Member States are governed by the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations ((Northern Ireland) 2000, which require imports to be in accordance with EU Directives 89/556 and 88/407 respectively. These Directives lay down rules regarding the collection, processing and storage of embryos and semen and provide that all imports must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate which confirms the disease status of the donor animal.

Imports of cattle embryos and semen from Great Britain are subject to licensing under the Artificial Reproduction of Animals (NI) Order 1975 which ensures the material poses no disease risk to Northern Ireland.

Imports of cattle embryos and semen from outside the EU are subject to import licences under the Landing of Carcases Order (NI) 1985 which ensure that the imports must comply with EU rules, including controls on the collection, processing and storage of the genetic material.

All imports of genetic material which land at Belfast Port or Airport from Third Countries are checked by the Department's Veterinary Service, while random checks are carried out on imports from Member States. Once imported into Northern Ireland the genetic material must enter an approved main store where six monthly checks are carried out by the Department's Veterinary Service.

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail how new initiatives to simplify the common agriculture policy are affecting the work of her Department and impacting on local farmers; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 892/00)

Ms Rodgers: EU discussions relating to the possible simplification of the CAP are still at a relatively early stage. The topic was raised at a meeting of the EU Agriculture Council on 23 October, where there was unanimous support for simplification of the CAP and for the creation of an Ad Hoc Working Group to take this initiative forward. The group will consider matters such as:

- Greater flexibility regarding scheme penalties;
- A simplified system of payments for small farmers;
- Allowing field inspections to be done for several schemes simultaneously;
- Reviewing some of the Arable Aid rules;
- More radical options could also be considered, such as more delegation to Member States, or more decoupling of payments from production.

In principle, I would welcome any proposals which would reduce the complexity and bureaucratic burden of the CAP. However, I will obviously wish to ensure that no disadvantage may accrue to Northern Ireland producers as a consequence of this and will be examining all proposals closely at the appropriate time.

At present, the possible simplification of the CAP is having minimal effect on the work of my Department and none on local farmers, but this will alter as concrete proposals emerge and the detail of implementation needs to be considered.

Rev Dr William McCrea asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the contractual arrangements of her Department that give exclusive propagation and marketing rights for all new grass seed and potato varieties bred by the Loughgall Plant Breeding Station to commercial companies outside Northern Ireland and if she will detail the full financial commitment of her Department associated with these contracts.

(AQW 896/00)

Ms Rodgers: I can confirm that the Department has contractual arrangements with Barenbrug Holdings with regard to grass seed varieties and Agrolon Ltd with regard to potato varieties. These arrangements date back to 1991 and 1993 respectively and were entered into following an open tender procedure to identify a suitable commercial partner for the commercialisation and marketing of varieties bred at the Loughgall Plant Breeding Station. In both cases Northern Ireland interests were able to tender but those that did were considered to be less advantageous than the successful bidders. I would point out that the fact that the commercial partners in each case are based outside Northern Ireland does not disadvantage the Northern Ireland agricultural industry.

The financial details of the contracts are commercial in confidence matters and it would not be appropriate to disclose these.

Rev Dr William McCrea asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to comment on the Plant Health implications in respect of small ware being imported from Great Britain for planting and if she will detail what steps she and her Great Britain counterpart are taking to stop this illegal trade in light of the brown rot findings in both England and Scotland.

(AQW 898/00)

Ms Rodgers: Small ware potatoes illegally imported from Great Britain and planted in Northern Ireland would present a plant health risk on two counts as they may be infested with Potato Cyst Nematode, as well as potentially carrying Ralstonia Solanacearum, the bacterium that causes Brown Rot.

We are not in any way complacent on this matter but it is my assessment that the risk for the industry in this respect is very small as there is no evidence of significant trade in illegal seed potatoes.

Inspectors in my Department are extremely vigilant in checking for illegal imports and apply a very robust enforcement policy, which includes taking legal action where appropriate. Only two cases of illegally imported material were revealed last year. A consignment of English CC grade seed, which is not permitted to be planted in Northern Ireland, was found prior to planting and the importer was required to return it to its source in England. The other case involved an old variety of which no basic seed was available in the UK and a small amount was imported and planted. This was discovered by an Inspector in the middle of the growing season and the Department took appropriate action.

With regard to preventative measures, UK Agriculture Departments fully comply with the EU rules on plant health and similar statutory checks on disease controls are undertaken throughout the UK. In Northern Ireland all seed and ware farms are inspected annually and Inspectors check on seed being planted and the source of that seed. Other measures taken to maintain the good plant health status of local potato production include sample checking on imports and inspection of registered potato businesses including importers, processors and packers. Also, Department scientists test random samples of ware and seed potatoes in Northern Ireland, and water from rivers, to detect any signs of Brown Rot.

In June 2000 DARD issued a Guidance Note to the potato industry providing information on Brown rot, how it spreads, and the measures put in place by the Department to prevent the spread of the disease in Northern Ireland. The guidance also outlined what the industry can do to help. It is vitally important that growers safeguard their industry by ensuring that all seed is obtained from reliable and safe sources.

I would take this opportunity to stress that if anyone in the potato industry has information on illegal imports from Great Britain this information should be passed to the Department so that action can be taken.

There are no associated running costs to the Northern Ireland Potato Industry for this Departmentally funded scientific work. However, the industry is charged an occasional fee of £118 + VAT for Brown Rot testing (3 to 4 instances per year).

>Rev Dr William McCrea asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) the number of plant health check inspections performed on imported ware and seed potatoes (b) the percentage of total throughput checked (c) the number of consignments failing to meet European Community and Northern Ireland Plant Health Regulations and (d) the number of tuber samples sent for laboratory examination to confirm presence of brown rot from each to the European Community border control posts at Larne, Belfast, Londonderry and Warrenpoint for the last 5 years.

(AQW 910/00)

Ms Rodgers: There have been no direct imports from non-EU countries in the past five years to any of the ports in the question or indeed to any other NI ports. Potatoes from outside the EU enter via other UK ports and are subject to the relevant controls there. It follows, having regard to the points raised in the question, that (a) there have been no inspections of such imports at any of these European Community border control posts; and therefore that (b), (c) and (d) do not arise.

However, can I add that in line with the relevant EU Council Directive potatoes arriving in Northern Ireland from within the European Union are subject to a system of official plant health checks and DARD Inspectors undertake random checks in compliance with these provisions. These arrangements however exclude specific controls at borders between Member States because the Directive places the primary responsibility for plant health inspection on the authorities in the EU country of origin. Provided that the EU plant health rules are observed, there must be no hindrance to the movement of potatoes within the Community.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) how the recently announced £150,000 counselling fund will be administered (b) what criteria will be used for its allocation and (c) how much will be allocated to each constituency.

(AQW 915/00)

Ms Rodgers: My officials have consulted with industry representatives and health personnel working in this topic area and are currently finalising our proposals.

A number of organisations are already involved in projects to help farmers and their families and I envisage that a main strand of this additional funding will be to build on and expand these initiatives while encouraging new initiatives from other local groups in Northern Ireland. Allocation will be by assessment of the bids for funds from these groups against set criteria such as how their proposal will help those needing support in the farming community.

Funds will also be allocated to the provision of general information on stress and coping with change including sources of help in local areas.

Allocation will not be by constituency. The programme will be aiming to cover all of Northern Ireland through local group initiatives and distribution of general information.

Rev Dr William McCrea asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of staff and the running costs to the Northern Ireland Potato Industry in respect of Policy Division, the Technology and Business, Supply Chain and Quality Assurance Divisions of the Agri Food Development Service.

(AQW 916/00)

Ms Rodgers: No staff costs or other running costs are passed on directly to the potato industry for any of the areas of work referred to in the question. A total of 38 staff (28 in the Agri-Food Development Service (AFDS) and 10 in Farm Policy Division) are involved in these areas but this figure is not meaningful as potato industry work is combined with other activities relating to different sectors of agriculture.

Certain statutory fees must however be charged to the industry for potato inspections undertaken by the Quality Assurance Division and for the administration of health "passports". In the financial year 1999/2000 the fees for this work totaled £121,914 but £62,958 was rebated in respect of potatoes exported. The rebate figure is not a directly comparable figure as rebates may be made in respect of the previous year whilst other rebates due in-year may not be made until the following year.

Rev Dr William McCrea asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm the number of potato processors and pre-packers who have sought approval for waste disposal facilities and been approved by her Department in the last 5 years and if she will detail what steps she is taking to ensure all such premises importing potatoes from brown rot infected regions in Great Britain meet the required standards to stop brown rot contamination of rivers and arable land in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 917/00)

Ms Rodgers: Only one potato processor has applied to DARD for approval for waste disposal facilities and the Department, after inspection, refused to grant approval because the necessary conditions could not be fulfilled. Processing of potatoes from Egypt and regions of the EU known to be affected by Brown Rot can only be approved when certain conditions have been met. The solid waste from processing must be disposed at an approved landfill site, heat treated to 70ºC for 30 minutes or incinerated. Likewise the liquid waste from processing should be treated to 70ºC for 30 minutes or discharged into an estuary or tidal water. At present no potato processor or packer in Northern Ireland can meet these conditions.

The handling and disposal of potatoes from Brown Rot demarcation zones in Great Britain, must satisfy the relevant EC Directive and it is the responsibility of the competent authority, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to implement the directive in full. The Directive stipulates that these potatoes must only be processed at a site with approved facilities so that there is no risk of Brown Rot spreading. As no processor in Northern Ireland can satisfy these requirements we have been assured by our counterparts in MAFF that none of this high risk material has been imported into Northern Ireland. This is borne out by the fact that none of the imported material sampled by inspectors at processing plants has shown any signs of brown rot on visual inspection or by laboratory test.

I am satisfied that the checks undertaken by MAFF and DARD Inspectors are proving to be effective.

Ms Mary Nelis asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what percentage of his Department's budget has been allocated specifically for Irish language projects and groups and what percentage has been allocated to other language and cultural groups.

(AQW 873/00)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): My Department funds the North/South Language Body which through its two agencies, Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch, may promote and support activity related to language and culture.

Foras na Gaeilge’s specific functions include promotion of the Irish language.

Indicative funding of £7.2m stg is available to Foras na Gaeilge in the start-up year of operation. My Department will provide £1.8m stg of that. This represents 2.8% of the Department’s budget this year. Indicative funding for Foras na Gaeilge in 2001/2002 is £10.12m stg of which my Department will provide £2.53m. This represents 3.53% of the draft budget.

Indicative funding of £667k stg is available to Tha Boord of Ulster-Scotch in the start-up year of operation and my Department will provide £500k of that. This represents 0.8% of the Department’s budget this year. Indicative funding for Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch in 2001/2002 is £1.29m of which my Department will provide £970k. This represents 1.35% of the draft budget.

Funding to promote cultural activity generally is made available through a range of programmes for which my Department is responsible.

The Department's funding in support of the arts in Northern Ireland is channelled largely through the Arts Council, which has considerable independence in determining the allocation of resources in line with its artistic judgement. The level of expenditure by the Council on Irish language and Ulster-Scots arts activities has risen significantly in recent years. In the last year for which current figures are available 1999/2000, approximately £102k has been provided for Irish language arts and £15k for Ulster-Scots language arts. (This means arts projects or organisations with an important Irish language or Ulster-Scots dimension).

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has through its Cultural Diversity Panel sought to give recognition to the work of ethnic minority voluntary groups. Ongoing project funding has assisted the development of festivals, events and other cultural projects organised by and for ethnic minority groups.

The Department does not allocate any of its arts budget specifically for Irish language projects and groups or other language and cultural groups.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to address incidents of bullying within the integrated education sector.

(AQW 828/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr McGuinness): Every school is required to have a written discipline policy which must promote self-discipline among the pupils, good behaviour and respect for others. Parents get a free copy of that policy statement. My Department has advised schools, in its booklet "Pastoral Care in Schools: Child Protection", issued under cover of Circular 1999/10, that they should have a clear, whole-school anti-bullying policy statement within their pastoral care and discipline policies. This should set out what measures the school will take to prevent bullying, and how they will tackle it when it happens. My Department also issues on a regular basis guidance on bullying produced by other statutory and voluntary agencies such as the NSPCC.

All guidance issued goes to all grant-aided schools, including integrated schools.

I intend to strengthen this by taking the next available legislative opportunity to make it a mandatory requirement upon every school to have an anti-bullying policy in place.

My Department is also preparing substantial guidance to schools on the promotion of good behaviour. This guidance will have a major section on combating bullying, and practical advice on how to deal with both bullies and their victims. A major piece of research into bullying in Northern Ireland has also been commissioned from the University of Ulster. The report is due next summer. Among other things it will be reporting on good practice and suggesting practical strategies which schools can use to tackle bullying.

My Department is also working with a consortium of voluntary and statutory agencies to develop a strategy for promoting an anti-bullying culture in schools.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of incidents of bullying in the integrated education sector in the Strangford and South Down Areas in each of the last three years.

(AQW 830/00)

Mr McGuinness: The information requested is not available. Data on incidents of bullying are not collected by my Department or the Education and Library Boards.

Mrs Joan Carson asked the Minister of Education if he, or his Department, has (a) been involved at any stage in the proposed amalgamation of the Boys' Academy and Girls' Academy in Dungannon in order to obtain new buildings, (b) given any undertaking to the Board of Trustees of the two schools that new buildings will only be provided if an amalgamation takes place, and (c) been made aware of the serious concerns parents from both schools have about the proposed amalgamation.

(AQW 831/00)

Mr McGuinness: At the request of the Trustees, my Department carried out an Economic Appraisal to determine how best to provide for the educational needs of the pupils in St Patrick’s Boys’ and Girls’ Academies. The recommended option in the Appraisal is to provide a new co-educational school to replace the two existing schools. My Department accepts that the accommodation deficiencies at the two schools must be addressed regardless of whether or not the amalgamation proceeds. The school Trustees have embarked on a consultation process with parents and other interested parties and my Department is aware that concerns have been expressed during this process. If the Trustees decide to proceed with the amalgamation a statutory development proposal will be required. This provides for a two month period during which representations may be made to my Department. At the end of that period a decision on the proposal will be taken having regard to the views expressed, including representations from the parents of pupils at the two schools.

Mr Danny Kennedy asked the Minister of Education to detail the amounts paid to the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools for 1999/2000 under each of paragraphs 11, 13, 14 and 15 of schedule 8 of the Education Reform (NI) Order 1989.

(AQW 877/00)

Mr McGuinness: All grant-aid from the Department of Education to the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools is payable under paragraph 15 of Schedule 8 of the Education Reform (NI) Order 1989.

The amounts paid in the financial year 1999/2000 in respect of expenditure by the Council on (i ) staff salaries and (ii) members emoluments, and in respect of (iii) total recurrent expenditure and (iv) total capital expenditure were as follows:

Mr Danny Kennedy asked the Minister of Education how many full-time non-teaching posts are provided for in the budget of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.

(AQW 878/00)

Mr McGuinness: I am advised by the Council that it currently has 55 full-time non-teaching staff, divided between Council Headquarters and Diocesan Education Officers.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to explain why the Strangford constituency area was omitted from the initial review of the textiles and clothing sector in the light of the recent large job losses in this industry.

(AQW 826/00)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): The remit of the review which I announced earlier this year was to develop an effective strategy for the future development of the textiles and clothing sector throughout Northern Ireland. In undertaking the assignment the consultants covered a range of activities including interviews with selected companies that represented the key products and markets supplied by the sector and workshops to which all companies in the sector were invited. A number of companies located in the Strangford constituency participated in this process.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (a) the number of visits to Ards, Down and Castlereagh council areas by potential investors in the last two years and (b) how many investors relocated to other council areas.

(AQW 829/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The attached table provides details of visits by potential inward investors to Ards, Down and Castlereagh District Council areas arranged by the Industrial Development Board between April 1998 and March 2000. From the 29 recorded visits 2 companies to date have located in other Council areas.

* Not shown due to either no employees or confidentiality constraints.

Knockmore Hill Industrial Estate

Mr Edwin Poots asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many companies the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland have brought to view the Knockmore site.

(AQO 452/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Between April 1996 and March 2000 IDB arranged 13 visits by potential inward investor companies to Knockmore Hill Industrial Estate.

Economic Development Agencies

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if, in reviewing the role of the Economic Development Agencies, he will ensure that consideration is given to examining the contribution from the local enterprise development companies and agencies and how they may continue their role in the future.

(AQO 484/00)

Sir Reg Empey: As part of my review of economic development structures I hope to implement an organising framework for the totality of enterprise and small business policy in Northern Ireland. This will provide the opportunity for the Local Enterprise Agency network to deliver quality business services and to play a key strategic role in small business development at the local level.

Northern Ireland Business Venture Capital

Mr Joe Byrne asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will undertake to create a Northern Ireland business venture capital fund to further economic development in the region and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 482/00)

Sir Reg Empey: There are already two business venture capital funds – Crescent Capital and Enterprise Equity – which are active in Northern Ireland. These funds service in the main medium to larger-sized investments, and I am actively seeking to introduce a new fund to cater for lower level of investment funding. In addition, IDB has commissioned new fundamental research into sources of private sector funding available in Northern Ireland to assist the growth of small to medium sized companies.

North South Gas Pipeline

Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the provisions he is making for the extension of the North/South Gas Pipeline to the South East of Northern Ireland.

(AQO 447/00)

Sir Reg Empey: I would refer the Member to my response to his earlier question (AQW 280/00) on this matter. I am still keen for the natural gas industry to be extended to the South East of Northern Ireland, however it is for the private sector to put forward commercially viable proposals.

Angling

Ms Mary Nelis asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps he is taking to encourage and develop angling as a tourist attraction.

(AQO 445/00)

Sir Reg Empey: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board markets and promotes the angling product through a variety of channels employing publications, exhibitions, advertising, media, tour operators and specialised events. The establishment of an Angling Product Marketing Group ensures both representation of angling interests from throughout Northern Ireland and creates increased opportunities for marketing.

North South Tourist Company

Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, given the strategic importance of the new publicly owned North/South tourist company, to confirm that the Northern Ireland Tourist Board is equipped to represent the best interests of Northern Ireland.

(AQO 450/00)

Sir Reg Empey: As co-owner of the new company, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board will be involved in the company’s strategic all-Ireland marketing remit and also will be responsible for regional marketing initiatives for Northern Ireland which will be delivered normally through the company. The NITB will continue to be resourced to meet these and its other statutory requirements effectively.

North South Gas Pipeline

Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give a report on progress towards establishing a North-South gas pipeline.

(AQO 473/00)

Sir Reg Empey: It is for the private sector to put forward commercially viable proposals to construct a North-South gas pipeline. Two companies have expressed an interest in constructing a North/South pipeline but have also indicated that before they would be able to proceed it will be necessary to sign up large gas users in the Republic of Ireland in order to make a pipeline economically viable. At present there are a number of difficulties working against a North/South gas interconnector project.

Broadband Accessibility

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to make a statement on the importance of broadband accessibility to future economic growth in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 480/00)

Sir Reg Empey: Future economic growth in Northern Ireland will depend on a wide range of disparate factors. In order to compete effectively in the global economy, local businesses need access to a modern telecommunications infrastructure and access to broadband telecommunications services will be important to the progressive development of knowledge intensive businesses.

TOP

ENVIRONMENT

Areas of Special Scientific Interest

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to indicate how legislation similar to the Countryside and Rights of Ways (CROW) Bill at Westminster would help increase the status of the Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) designation here.

(AQW 816/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): My officials have been considering whether additional measures (including legislation similar to some parts of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act) are required here to ensure that Areas of Special Scientific Interest are effectively protected and managed. I expect them to bring forward proposals shortly on possible means of strengthening the existing legislation. I will consult widely on any such proposals.

Wildlife Protection Laws

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to outline his porposals to amend wildlife protection laws.

(AQW 817/00)

Mr Foster: My officials have been considering whether additional measures are required to ensure that wildlife and habitats are effectively protected and managed. I expect them to bring forward proposals shortly on possible means of strengthening the existing legislation. I will consult widely on any such proposals.

Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW)

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment if he will confirm that the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Bill at Westminster will not apply to Northern Ireland and indicate the steps he is taking to implement similar measures within Northern Ireland.

(AQW 818/00)

Mr Foster: The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act does not apply to Northern Ireland.

My officials have been considering whether additional measures (including legislation similar to some parts of the CROW Act) are required here to ensure that Areas of Special Scientific Interest are effectively protected and managed. I expect them to bring forward proposals shortly on possible means of strengthening the existing legislation. I will consult widely on any such proposals.

Conservation Areas

Mr Nigel Dodds asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the Conservation Areas and Areas of Townscape Character in Belfast and to outline the criteria for the designation of such areas.

(AQW 846/00)

Mr Foster: There are now 13 Conservation Areas and 19 Areas of Townscape Character in Belfast and these are set out in the attached schedule.

The Belfast Urban Area Plan 2001 included proposals to protect the built heritage of the City by the designation of Conservation Areas and the identification of Areas of Townscape Character.

Conservation Areas are designated under Article 50 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991. This provides that the Department, after consultation with the Historic Buildings Council and the local district council, may designate as Conservation Areas, areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. The Planning Order further provides that within designated conservation areas, buildings cannot be demolished without the consent of the Department.

The Belfast Urban Area Plan 2001 provided for the protection of Areas of Townscape Character – areas of fine townscape not regarded at the time as priority contenders for Conservation Area designation. Policy C3 of the Belfast Urban Area Plan provides that the Department may prepare supplementary guidance for the control of development within Areas of Townscape Character. There is no control over demolition in these areas.

The identification of Conservation Areas and Areas of Townscape Character in Belfast emerged from a study by Queen’s University that was commissioned by the Department in preparation for the BUAP 2001. While all areas identified were regarded as contenders for Conservation Area status, not all areas were seen to be of the same sensitivity and they varied in the extent to which they were exposed to development pressure. The programme of Conservation Area designation proposed in the Belfast Urban Area Plan 2001 concentrated on the most important areas. The position is kept under review.

With the growing threat in recent years to the built heritage in Belfast’s Victorian and Edwardian suburbs, the Department has acted to designate as Conservation Areas a number of areas previously identified as Areas of Townscape Character. The five new Conservation Areas are Malone, Cyprus Avenue, Knockdene, Kings Road and Somerton. The most significant change resulting from this designation is to bring demolition of existing property under planning control.

BELFAST CONSERVATION AREAS

Year designated

Linen Conservation Area Catherdral Conservation Area Belfast City Centre Conservation Area Merville Garden Village Conservation Area McMaster Street Conservation Area Malone Park/Adelaide Park Conservation Area Queen's Conservation Area Stanmillis Conservation Area Malone Conservation Area Cyprus Avenue Conservation Area Knockdene Conservation Area King's Road Conservation Area Somerton Conservation Area

1992 1990 1998 1995 1994 1993 1987 1996 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000

AREAS OF TOWNSCAPE CHARACTER

Cherryvalley area of townscape character

Circular Road area of townscape character

Cliftonville area of townscape character

Cregagh area of townscape character

Donegall Park Avenue area of townscape character

Hampton Park area of townscape character

Hazelbank/Abbeylands area of townscape character

Holyland area of townscape character

Lenamore area of townscape character

Lenamore (extension) area of townscape character

North/South Parade and Park Road area of townscape character

Rosetta area of townscape character

Rugby Road area of townscape character

Rushpark area of townscape character

Sunningdale area of townscape character

Thiepval area of townscape character

Twaddell area of townscape character

Upper Malone area of townscape character

Wandsworth area of townscape character

Road Accidents

Mr Gerry Adams asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of child pedestrians killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents per 100,000 of the population in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain in each of the last three years.

(AQW 860/00)

Mr Foster: The information currently available on the number of child pedestrians (under 16 years of age) killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents per 100,000 of the population is as follows:

	NI	GB
1997 1998 1999	36.6 34.6 Not Available	33.8 32.0 29.5

Information for Northern Ireland for 1999 is not yet available.

The collection of road casualty statistics in Northern Ireland is carried out by the RUC. As policing is a reserved matter, my Department accesses these through the Police Division of the Northern Ireland Office. It has not been possible to obtain the information for 1999 in the time available. I will write to the Member as soon as my Department receives these figures.

Lack of Play Facilities

Mr Gerry Adams asked the Minister of the Environment if the lack of accessible play facilities is a contributing factor to child pedestrian deaths and serious injuries in road traffic accidents and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 861/00)

Mr Foster: It is not possible from the available statistics to determine the extent to which the availability of accessible play facilities may or may not be a contributing factor to child pedestrian deaths and serious injuries in road traffic accidents.

Road casualty statistics are collected by the RUC who have advised me that information on the availability of play facilities in the vicinity of child pedestrian road traffic accidents is not recorded.

Capture of Hares

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what steps he is taking to prevent the capture and transfer of hares from Rathlin Island.

(AQW 865/00)

Mr Foster: Permits to take hares from the wild for coursing are issued by the Environment and Heritage Service of my Department.

The permits have not hitherto specified the locations within Northern Ireland from which the hares may be taken.

I have asked the Service to attach a condition to future permits to preclude capture of hares on islands so as to protect small populations.

Northern Ireland Biodiversity Convention

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to (a) confirm the establishment of the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group (b) detail each member appointed and the date appointed and (c) outline his assessment of the Biodiversity Convention.

(AQW 872/00)

Mr Foster: I can confirm that the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group (NIBG) was established in late 1996.

The membership of NIBG is as follows:

Mr Richard Rogers (Chairman) - Department of the Environment (DOE)

Dr Bob Brown - Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Mr Philip Doughty - Ulster Museum

Dr David Erwin - Ulster Wildlife Trust

Mr Ronnie Farrell - Ulster Farmers’ Union

Dr John Faulkner - DOE

Mr Ken Forbes - Banbridge District Council

Dr Harry Gracey - Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Mrs Pat Hunter - Confederation of British Industry

Dr Paul Johnston - Consultant (Fisheries)

Mr Wilfred Mitchell - Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers’ Association

Mr Ian McKee - Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Mr Mervyn Rankin - Ballymena Borough Council

Dr Howard Platt - DOE

Mrs Jo Whatmough - The National Trust

In 1994 the UK Government ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity and produced the UK Biodiversity Action Plan based on the principles of the Convention. Northern Ireland continues to contribute to the implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. I intend to publish a Biodiversity Strategy for Northern Ireland during 2001.

Northern Ireland Biodiversity Convention

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what policies are contained within the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Convention with regard to priority species and if the granting of licenses to capture hares is compatible with the Convention.

(AQW 880/00)

Mr Foster: Recommendations for a Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy were submitted to my Department on 4 October 2000 by the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group. These recommendations are currently being considered by Departments. Their purpose is to enable Northern Ireland to fulfil its responsibilities as a part of the UK, which is a signatory to the international Convention on Biological Diversity.

The recommendations propose that action plans should be put in place and implemented for some 36 wild species, one of which is the Irish Hare.

An action plan for the Irish Hare was published by the Environment and Heritage Service of my Department, also on 4 October 2000. This plan identifies the main threats to the survival of the Irish Hare. The capture of hares for coursing purposes is not identified as one of these main threats, largely because under Irish Coursing Club rules the hares are rarely killed in coursing and are released back into the wild.

The granting of a limited number of licences to capture hares, with appropriate conditions, is therefore compatible with the Biodiversity Group’s recommendations. However, I will wish to keep this and other aspects of biodiversity under review as work on the Strategy and on implementation of the plan proceeds.

Telecommunications

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of the Environment if he will make a statement on the operation of planning controls on telecommunications masts.

(AQW 902/00)

Mr Foster: On 10 November 2000 I issued a consultation paper on proposals to amend planning legislation relating to telecommunications development and on a draft Planning Policy Statement. The closing date for responses to the consultation paper is 15 January 2001.

Until such times as changes are made to the legislation and policy, my Department will process applications for telecommunications development in accordance with existing law and policy.

Assisting Local Authorities

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the action he is taking to assist local authorities to deal with illegal dumping and abandoned animal carcasses.

(AQW 906/00)

Mr Foster: Under the Pollution Control and Local Government (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, District Councils have powers to require landowners to remove illegally deposited waste or to remove it themselves and recover their costs.

To assist local authorities a guidance document on tackling fly tipping was published in March 1999 by my Department’s Environment and Heritage Service. Regulations under the Waste and Contaminated Land (NI) Order 1997 recently introduced requirements for waste carriers to be registered. I also plan to consult early in 2001 on new provisions to impose a 'duty of care' on waste producers. These requirements should combine to further limit illegal activities.

Fallen animals are classified as agricultural waste and District Councils have the necessary powers under the 1978 Order to remove them.

Planning Enforcement Notices

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to detail how many planning enforcement notices have been served for breach of planning regulations and how many have been enforced in the current financial year.

(AQW 921/00)

Mr Foster: Since 1 April 2000 to date, my Department has served 36 Enforcement Notices in respect of breaches of planning control. During the same period, 16 enforcement cases have resulted in formal court action for non-compliance with Enforcement Notices previously served.

Regional Shopping Centre

Mr Edwin Poots asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the criteria which need to be met by regional shopping centres and to list the centres which currently meet these criteria.

(AQO 510/00)

Mr Foster: From a retail planning perspective, a regional shopping centre should occupy a location and comprise a type and scale of provision such as to serve a wide catchment area in a regional context.

As identified within Planning Policy Statement 5 entitled "Retailing and Town Centres, Northern Ireland currently has 3 such Regional Shopping Centres. These are Belfast City Centre, the City Centre of Londonderry which serves the north west region and one purpose-built, out-of-town centre at Sprucefield.

Sewage Pollution in the Glenavy River

Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of occasions there have been reports of sewage pollution in the Glenavy River.

(AQO 494/00)

Mr Foster: Since 1995 there have been 14 reports made to Environment and Heritage Service regarding sewage in the Glenavy River. Eight of the incidents were attributable to the Water Service, five were from domestic sources (private sewage works, septic tanks and cesspools) and one was from an industrial site. The table below shows the distribution of incidents by year and source.

Year	Water Service	Domestic	Industrial
1995	1	1	1
1996	0	1	0
1997	1	0	0
1998	2	0	0
1999	2	2	0
2000 (to date)	2	1	0

TOP

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Barnett Formula

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline what recent discussion he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to the operation of the Barnett formula.

(AQW 834/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): I have not had any discussions with the Chancellor relating to the operation of the Barnett formula recently. However, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and myself met with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to press for changes in relation to the Barnett formula.

My officials have also had a series of meetings with HM Treasury officials during the Spending Review process to discuss Northern Ireland’s Barnett determined funding allocations.

In response to these representations HM Treasury agreed to a number of changes to the operation of the Barnett formula. These changes are worth some £40m extra a year to Northern Ireland over the 2000 Spending Review period. HM Treasury also agreed to provide additional CAP funding for modulation payments of £3 / 4 / 4.5m over the 2000 Spending Review period.

Civil Service Jobs in Omagh

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he has any plans that will impact on the number of civil service jobs in (a) Omagh District Council Area and (b) Strabane District Council Area.

(AQW 839/00)

Mr Durkan: The number of civil servants employed on a function, or in a geographical area, depends on the business needs of Departments, which are subject to change from time to time. The only plans of which I am aware at present, and which would impact significantly on the number of Civil Service jobs currently located in the Strabane and Omagh District Council areas, relate to the Job Seekers’ Allowance Joint Working initiative. This involves the Social Security and Training and Employment Agencies working together for the benefit of their customers and could result in up to 12 additional jobs in Omagh towards the end of 2001 and a similar number in Strabane in 2002.

In line with the commitments made in the draft Programme for Government and in the context of an accommodation review, I intend to examine the scope for decentralisation of Civil Service jobs. It would be wrong to prejudge the outcome of this work or to speculate as to the precise locations which might be involved in any decentralisation exercise. Factors which will be taken into account include the current number of Civil Service jobs in an area in relation to the local workforce; New TSN indicators; the regional planning strategy; the effects on equality of opportunity and not least service delivery, business efficiency and cost.

Civil Service Jobs in Strabane

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to state the proportion of civil service jobs in (a) Strabane District Council Area and (b) Omagh District Council Area as a proportion of the number of people living in each of these areas.

(AQW 840/00)

Mr Durkan: The proportion of civil service jobs to the population of working age in Strabane and Omagh District Council’s areas is 0.7% and 2.8% respectively.

Civil Service Personnel Residing in Strabane and Omagh District Councils

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to state the number of civil servants, and their grades, resident in (a) Strabane District Council Area and (b) Omagh District Council Area - who work outside their respective residential council area.

(AQW 841/00)

Mr Durkan: Reliable and comprehensive information on where Civil Servants reside is not available centrally. I have asked my officials to examine urgently how such data might be compiled and kept up to date and will write to you on the outcome.

Civil Service Jobs in Strabane and Omagh District Councils

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to state the number of civil service jobs in (a) Omagh District Council Area and (b) Strabane District Council Area - together with the grade of those jobs and their respective Government Departments/Agencies.

(AQW 842/00)

Mr Durkan: The information is set out in the attached tables:

Table 1 Number of NI Civil Servants working in Strabane District Council Area (1^st January 2000)¹

Department	Grade Level2						Total
	Deputy Principal Staff Officer Executive Officer Admin Officer Admin Assistant Other Grades3
Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment	1	1	11	5	2	2	22
Regional Development	1	1	6	2	1	45	56
Social Development	0	1	17	28	6	9	61
RUC Civilian staff	0	0	1	12	8	0	21
Total	2	3	35	47	17	56	160

 

Table 2 Number of NI Civil Servants working in Omagh District Council Area (1^st January 2000)¹

 

 

Department	Grade Level2							Total
	Senior/ Principal Deputy Principal Staff Officer Executive Officer Admin Officer Admin Assistant Other Grades3
Agriculture and Rural Development	12	9	17 46		21	29	105	239
Culture, Arts and Leisure	0	0	1	11	0	0	0	12
Environment	3	6	14	21	20	8	2	74
Finance and Personnel	2	4	5	11	15	5	1	43
Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment	0	1	3	25	8	1	6