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	44
Regional Development	4	11	24	70	21	8	123	261
Social Development	0	0	2	33	40	11	10	96
NIO	0	0	2	5	4	2	0	13
RUC Civilian staff	0	0	0	2	18	5	0	25
Total	21	31	68	224	147	69	247	807

¹Permanent and casual, Industrial and Non-Industrial staff on a headcount basis.

² The grade structure listed in the table is that for General Service grades, but the figures reported include other non-industrial staff working at equivalent grade levels outside the General Service.

³ Other grades include industrial and casual staff.

Legal Action Related to North/South Ministerial Council

Mr Nigel Dodds asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to ensure that no public money is expended by the Executive or any Department on legal action related to North/South Ministerial Council meetings.

(AQW 847/00)

Mr Durkan: In most circumstances, the Departmental Solicitor’s Office will provide legal support to Departments and Ministers in the discharge of their official functions. In cases which have implications for Ministers in their official position, and where a conflict of interest could arise, or the Minister deems it necessary, the Ministerial Code allows for the commissioning of independent legal advice. Accounting officers will ensure that there are controls on any expenditure which might be incurred, and final payment will be subject to review and advice by the Departmental Solicitor.

Legal Advisors and Costs

Mr Edwin Poots asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (a) who is the solicitor acting on behalf of the Minister of Education in the case against the First and Deputy First Minister, (b) was this solicitor previously registered to act on behalf of the Department of Education and what is the estimated fee (c) who is the barrister acting on behalf of the Minister of Education against the First and Deputy First Minister (d) was this barrister previously registered to act for the Department of Education (e) what fee this barrister is charging per day and what is the estimated preparation fee and (f) how long the case is predicted to last.

(AQW 911/00)

Mr Durkan: The information requested is as follows:-

(a) The solicitors acting on behalf of the Minister of Education in the case against the First Minister and Deputy First Minister are Messrs P J McGrory and Co.

(b) These solicitors do not act for the Department of Education, nor have they previously acted for that Department. The solicitors’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor.

(c) The barristers acting on behalf of the Minister of Education in the case against the First Minister and Deputy First Minister are Mr Michael Lavery QC and Mr John Larkin BL.

(d) I have no knowledge of either barrister acting previously for the Department of Education.

(e) The barristers’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor. The case is listed for 15 December and is predicted to last 1 day.

Legal Advisors and Costs

Mr Edwin Poots asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (a) who is the solicitor acting on behalf of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in the case against the First and Deputy First Minister, (b) was this solicitor previously registered to act on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and what is the estimated fee (c) who is the barrister acting on behalf of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety against the First and Deputy First Minister, (d) was this barrister previously registered to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (e) what fee is the barrister charging per day and what is the estimated preparation fee and (f) how long the case is predicted to last.

(AQW 912/00)

Mr Durkan: The information requested is as follows:-

(a) The solicitors acting on behalf of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in the case against the First Minister and Deputy First Minister are Messrs Madden and Finucane.

(b) These solicitors do not act for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, nor have they previously acted for that Department. The solicitors’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor.

(c) The barristers acting on behalf of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in the case against the First Minister and Deputy First Minister are Mr Seamus Treacy QC and Mr Martin O’Rourke BL.

(d) I have no knowledge of either barrister acting previously for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

(e) The barristers’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor. The case is listed for 15 December and is predicted to last one day.

Legal Advisors and Costs

Mr Edwin Poots asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (a) who is the solicitor acting on behalf of the First and Deputy First Minister in the case against them by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, (b) how much is the estimated fee (c) who is the barrister acting on behalf of the First and Deputy First Minister in the cases brought by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (d) how much is the barrister charging per day and what is the estimated preparation fee and how (e) long the case is predicted to last.

(AQW 913/00)

Mr Durkan: The information requested is as follows:-

(a) The solicitors acting on behalf of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in the cases against them by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety are, respectively, Messrs King and Gowdy and Messrs Rory McShane and Co.

(b) The solicitors’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor.

(c) The barristers acting on behalf of the First Minister are Mr Declan Morgan QC, and Mr Patrick Good BL. The barristers acting on behalf of the Deputy First Minister are Mr Peter Smith QC and Mr Michael Keogh BL.

(d) The barristers’ fees will be subject to the approval of the Departmental Solicitor. The cases are listed for 15 December and are predicted to last one day

INTERREG III

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail his current proposals for funding under INTERREG III.

(AQW 925/00)

Mr Durkan: The draft Programme proposals for INTERREG III, Strand A were drawn up by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) following a comprehensive consultation process. The proposals were approved by the Executive Committee and NSMC, prior to their submission to the European Commission on 22 November, as a basis for negotiations over the next 5 months. Formal negotiations will begin as soon as the Commission approves the admissibility of the Programme proposals. Total funding available for the new Programme will be approximately STG£75m.

The INTERREG Programme will be managed by the SEUPB which will be involved in the negotiations of the draft Programme proposals with the European Commission, and will report regularly to the North/South Ministerial Council. The SEUPB will also prepare the Programme Complement which details the Measures in the Programme, the financial allocations to those Measures and identifies the most appropriate delivery mechanisms to be used to implement the Programme. The Programme Complement will be approved by the joint Monitoring Committee established to oversee implementation of the Programme.

Review of Rate Collection Agency

Mr Eamonn ONeill asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what plans he has for a review of the Rate Collection Agency.

(AQW 1105/00)

Mr Durkan: My Department will shortly start a review of the Rate Collection Agency. The review group, whose membership includes both customers of the Agency and staff representatives, will be supported by consultants. It will evaluate the organisation options for carrying out the Agency’s functions in the future, its performance and the operation of its relationships with the Department of Finance and Personnel. It is planned that the review will be completed by the end of March 2001.

An informal market sounding exercise is also underway to explore how potential suppliers would propose to meet the Agency’s future need for an integrated computer system. The emerging findings from this exercise will be considered as part of the review.

TOP

HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Ulster Hospital Accident & Emergency Department

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of patients treated at the Accident and Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital in each of the last three years and how do these figures compare with other Accident and Emergency Departments in Belfast.

(AQW 827/00)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): Information on the number of Accident & Emergency attendances at the Ulster Hospital is detailed in the table below. Comparative figures for Accident & Emergency Departments in other Belfast hospitals are also shown.

Attendances at A&E Departments, 1997/98 - 1999/00
	1997/98	1998/99	1999/00
Ulster	60,143	68,824	68,661
Belfast City Hospital	53,210	51,956	50,823
Royal Victoria	75,969	77,650	76,805
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children	28,836	29,606	30,414
Mater Infirmorum	44,950	43,070	45,190
Total	263,108	271,106	271,893

Tá sonraí ar líon na bhfreastal ar an Roinn Timpistí agus Éigeandála ag Otharlann Uladh tugtha sa tábla thíos. Taispeántar figiúirí comparáideacha don Roinn Timpistí agus Éigeandála in otharlanna eile chomh maith.

Freastail ar Roinn T&É, 1997/98 - 1999/00
	1997/98		1998/99		1999/00
Otharlann Uladh	60,143	68,824		68,661
Otharlann Chathair Bhéal Feirste	53,210	51,956		50,823
Otharlann Ríoga Victoria	75,969	77,650		76,805
Otharlann Ríoga Bhéal Feirste do Pháistí Tinne	28,836	29,606		30,414
Otharlann Mater	44,950	43,070		45,190
Iomlán	263,108	271,106		271,893

Budget Increase

Ms Pauline Armitage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what percentage of the 7.2% budget increase received by her Department she will allocate to the independent sector.

(AQW 850/00)

Ms de Brún: My Department will not be allocating a specific amount of the budget increase to the independent sector, as the purchase of health care provision is the proper domain of Health and Social Services Boards. However, the independent sector, as part of the local health and social care community may, according to local needs and priorities, benefit from this improved financial position.

Ní bheidh mo Roinn ag dáileadh suim ar leith den mhéadú buiséid ar an earnáil neamhspleách, mar baineann ceannach sholáthar chúram sláinte leis na Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta. Mar sin féin, thig leis an earnáil neamhspleách, mar chuid den chomhphobal sláinte agus cúraim shóisialta áitiúil, de réir riachtanas agus tosaíochtaí áitiúla, sochar a bhaint as an fheabhas seo sa staid airgeadais.

Fees Paid to Independent Sector

Ms Pauline Armitage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how she proposes to agree the fees paid to the independent sector for the provision of nursing and residential care for the elderly for the years 2001/02 and 2002/03 in respect of the minimum care specification.

(AQW 851/00)

Ms de Brún: It is the responsibility of Health and Social Services Boards to agree with providers the fees to be paid for places in independent sector nursing and residential care homes. The rates are reviewed each year in light of prevailing circumstances and priorities and my department is currently considering, with Boards, the approach for 2001/2002.

Is í freagracht na mBord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta na táillí atá le híoc as áiteanna in árais altranais agus cúraim chónaithe de chuid na hearnála neamhspleáiche a shocrú le soláthraithe. Déantar athbhreithniú ar na rátaí gach bliain de réir na dtosca agus na dtosaíochtaí atá ann ag an am agus tá an cur chuige do 2001/2002 á mhachnamh faoi láthair ag mo Roinn i bpáirt leis na Boird.

Waiting Times at Accident & Emergency Department at Ulster Hospital

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times at the Accident and Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital.

(AQW 852/00)

Ms de Brún: The Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust has taken some steps recently to improve its A&E service and waiting times. Within the past month, 22 nurses from the Philippines have been appointed to relieve pressures in various departments in the hospital. Two of these are presently working in the A&E department. By the end of January 2001, the Trust intends to have at least another 6 nurses, over and above its present establishment, in A&E. The Minor Injuries Units set up by the Trust a few years ago, in Bangor and Ards Community Hospitals, with telemedicine links to the Ulster, are continuing to provide a valuable service to patients in those areas and to take some of the pressure off the Ulster’s A&E Department.

Ghlac Iontaobhas Ospidéal agus Pobail Uladh roinnt céimeanna ar na mallaibh lena seirbhísí agus amanna feithimh taisme agus éigeandála a fheabhsú. Le mí anuas, ceapadh 22 altra ó na Filipíneacha leis an bhrú a laghdú i ranna éagsúla san ospidéal. Faoi láthair tá beirt acu ag obair sa roinn T&É. Faoi dheireadh Mhí Eanáir 2001, tá rún ag an Iontaobhas seisear altra eile ar a laghad, de bhreis ar an líon atá ann anois, a bheith aige sa roinn T&É. Tá seirbhís luachmhar á cur ar fáil go fóill ag na hAonaid Mhionghortuithe a chuir an tIontaobhas ar bun roinnt blianta ó shin in Ospidéil Phobail Bheannchair agus na hArda d’othair sna ceantair sin, le naisc teileleighis le hOspidéal Uladh, agus tá na seirbhísí sin ag baint cuid den bhrú ó Roinn T&É Ospidéal Uladh.

Waiting Times at all Accident & Emergency Department in Northern Ireland

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if, pursuant to AQW 603/00, she will detail the average waiting time for Accident and Emergency Departments at all hospitals in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 853/00)

Ms de Brún: Information is not available in the form requested.

Níl eolas ar fáil san fhoirm a iarradh.

Nurses Prescribing Medicines

Mr Alan McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, to outline her policy on the role of nurses in prescribing medicines.

(AQW 881/00)

Ms de Brún: The initiative to extend prescribing rights to nurses was one of the recommendations in the Review of Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines Report (the Crown Report) published in 1989. The recommendations in the Crown Report were generally welcomed here and prescribing by nurses was introduced on a phased basis from 1998/99. The final Crown Report published in March 1999 recommended extending nurse prescribing to a wider range of nurses and from an expanded Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary.

My Department has recently issued a consultation paper, prepared by the Department of Health in London, to interested parties inviting comments on the proposals to extend nurse prescribing. Comments are required by 15 January 2001 and decisions on the way forward will be taken as soon as possible after that.

Bhí an tionscnamh chun cearta ordaithe oideas a leathnú d’altraí ar na moltaí sa Tuairisc ar an Athbhreithniú ar Ordú, Sholáthar agus Riarachán Cógas (Tuairisc an Dr. Crown) a foilsíodh i 1989. Fearadh fáilte fhorleathan anseo roimh na moltaí i dtuairisc an Dr. Crown agus tugadh ceart d’altraí oidis a ordú ar bhonn céimithe ó 1998/99. Mhol tuairisc dheireanach an Dr. Crown, a foilsíodh i Márta 1999, go leathnófaí cearta ordaithe oideas do réimse níos leithne altraí agus ó Leabhar Foirmlí méadaithe d’Altraí Ceadaithe chun Oidis a Ordú.

D’eisigh mo Roinn páipéar comhairliúcháin ar na mallaibh, ullmhaithe ag an Roinn Sláinte i Londain, do pháirtithe leasmhara ag iarraidh orthu a mbarúlacha a nochtadh ar na moltaí chun cearta ordaithe oideas a thabhairt d’ altraí a leathnú. Caithfidh barúlacha a bheith istigh roimh 15 Eanáir 2001 agus déanfar socruithe ar an bhealach chun tosaigh chomh luath agus is féidir ina dhiaidh sin.

Long Term Care

Mr Alan McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the financial implications of implementing the findings of the Royal Commission on long-term care.

(AQW 882/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQO 210/00. Work is continuing on proposals for the provision of long-term care here and I will make a statement when this is completed. An initial bid for additional resources to implement options on long-term care was made within this year’s Spending Review. If a need for further funding arises this will be considered in the context of the next Spending Review.

Dírim aird an Teachta ar an fhreagra a thug mé ar AQO 210/00. Tá obair ag dul ar aghaidh ar mholtaí maidir le soláthar cúraim fhadtéarmaigh anseo agus déanfaidh mé ráiteas nuair a chuirfear críoch leis an obair seo. Rinneadh tairiscint thosaigh ag iarraidh acmhainní breise le roghanna ar an chúram fadtéarmach a chur i gcrích in Athbhreithniú Caiteachais na bliana seo. Má tharlaíonn go bhfuil gá le tuilleadh maoinithe, déanfar machnamh air sin i gcomhthéacs an chéad Athbhreithnithe Caiteachais eile.

Nurses Authorised to Prescribe Drugs

Mr Alan McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how many nurses are authorised to prescribe drugs.

(AQW 883/00)

Ms de Brún: Nurses working in Community Trusts or for GPs as practice nurses who hold the District Nurse or Health Visitor qualification and who have successfully completed an approved nurse prescribing course are legally entitled to prescribe. The number of nurses authorised to prescribe will be 293 by the end of 2000. It is anticipated that an additional 273 nurses will be authorised to prescribe by the end of 2001.

Altraí ag obair in Iontaobhais Phobail nó le liachleachtóirí mar altraí cleachtais a bhfuil cáilíochtaí mar Altra Ceantair nó Chuairteoir Sláinte acu agus a bhfuil cúrsa ceadaithe d’ altraí ar oidis a ordú déanta acu atá i dteideal oidis a ordú de réir dlí. 293 an líon altraí a mbeidh údarás acu oidis a ordú faoi dheireadh 2000. Táthar ag dúil go n-údarófar 273 altra sa bhreis le hoidis a ordú faoi dheireadh 2001.

Royal Commission on Long Term Care

Mr Alan McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if it is her intention to implement the findings of the Royal Commission on long-term care, in line with the decision of the Scottish Executive.

(AQW 884/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQO 210/00. It is imperative that any proposals that I may bring to the Executive for changes to long-term care are founded on the needs of older people here. Work is continuing on proposals for the provision of long-term care and I will make a statement when I have completed my consideration.

Dírím aird an Teachta ar an fhreagra a thug mé ar AQO 210/00. Ní mór go bhfuil aon mholtaí a chuirfinn os comhair an Fheidhmeannais maidir le hathruithe sa chúram fadtéarmach bunaithe ar riachtanais daoine níos sine anseo. Tá obair ag dul ar aghaidh i rith an ama ar mholtaí le haghaidh sholáthar cúraim fhadtéarmaigh agus déanfaidh mé ráiteas nuair atá machnamh déanta agam air.

Maternity Services

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what further steps she is taking regarding maternity services in Belfast in the light of the High Court ruling of 29 November 2000.

(AQW 907/00)

Ms de Brún: I am considering advice from my legal advisors in assessing the full implications of the recent Judicial Review and determining what actions need to be taken in the light of the judgement. I would expect to make a statement shortly.

In arriving at any conclusions, my continuing concern is to ensure the future of safe and effective maternity services in the interest of women, mothers and babies.

Tá mé ag déanamh machnaimh ar chomhairle ó mo chomhairleoirí dlí ag measúnú impleachtaí uilig an Athbhreithnithe Bhreithniúnaigh agus ag cinneadh cad é na bearta a ba chóir a dhéanamh i dtaca leis an bhreithiúnas. Tá mé ag dúil le ráiteas a dhéanamh gan mhoill.

Is é an cúram is mó a atá agam agus mé ag teacht ar aon chonclúidí a chinntiú go mbeidh seirbhísí máithreachais atá sábháilte, éifeachtach ann sa todhchaí ar mhaithe le mná, máithreacha agus leanaí.

Parity for all Trusts

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will (a) confirm that Trusts in Great Britain are treated differently to Trusts in Northern Ireland and (b) take steps to ensure parity for all Trusts in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 914/00)

Ms de Brún: I understand that this question refers to the treatment of the financial deficits of Trusts. I can confirm that Trusts, both here and in England, have to comply with the statutory duty to break even over a rolling three year period, and in exceptional circumstances, over a five year period. Where Trusts, both here and in England, experience financial deficits, they are required to produce a financial recovery plan in order to recover the deficit position. With regard to these matters Trusts here are dealt with in the same way as in GB.

All Trusts for which my Department has responsibility must comply with the same statutory duties and follow the Departmental recovery plan guidance. I can ensure you that these recovery plans will be evaluated and agreed on a consistent basis, following the same approach, to ensure parity for all Trusts.

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Tuigim go mbaineann an cheist seo leis an dóigh ar caitheadh le heaspaí airgeadais Iontaobhas. Is féidir liom a dhearbhú go gcaithfidh Iontaobhais, anseo agus i Sasana araon, cloí leis an dualgas reachtúil gan gnóthú ná cailleadh thar thréimse trí bliana as a chéile, agus i gcásanna ar leith, thar thréimhse cúig bliana. Nuair a bhíonn deacrachtaí airgeadais ag Iontaobhais anseo agus i Sasana araon, iarrtar orthu plean téarnaimh airgeadais a sholáthar leis an staid easpa airgeadais a athghabháil. Maidir leis na hábhair seo pléitear le hIontaobhais ar an dóigh chéanna anseo agus sa BM.

Caithfidh na hIontaobhais uile a bhfuil a bhfreagracht ar mo Roinn cloí leis na dualgais reachtúla céanna agus treoir phlean téarnaimh na Roinne a leanúint. Féadaim a dhearbhú duit go ndéanfar meastóireacht agus socrú ar na pleananna téarnaimh seo ar bhonn comhsheasmhach, ag leanúint den chur chuige céanna, le cinntiú go bhfuil cothroime ann do gach Iontaobhas.

Mental Health Care

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline how she is addressing the National Service framework for Mental Health Care within Northern Ireland.

(AQW 920/00)

Ms de Brún: The National Service Framework for Mental Health sets quality standards for England and Wales. My Department is currently reviewing a range of issues for improving the quality of care and treatment within the HPSS. The development of local service frameworks, linked to the Programme for Government and HPSS priorities, is one of the issues under consideration.

Leagann Creatlach na Seirbhíse Náisiúnta don Mheabhairshláinte amach caighdeáin cháilíochta do Shasana agus don Bhreatain Bheag. Tá mo Roinn ag déanamh athbhreithniú ar réimse saincheisteanna faoi láthair le caighdeán cúraim agus cóireála sa tSláinte agus i Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Pearsanta a fheabhsú. Ar na saincheisteanna atá á machnamh tá forbairt chreatlaigh sheirbhíse áitiúla, ceangailte leis an Chlár Rialtais agus le Tosaíochtaí Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Pearsanta.

TOP

HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT

Private Finance Initiatives

Ms Mary Nelis asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail (a) current Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) undertaken by his Department (b) his plans for future PFI considerations and (c) if he is satisfied that PFI will in the longer term give value for money.

(AQW 848/00)

The Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment (Dr Farren): (a) Current PFI Projects

Information Systems/Information Technology (IS/IT) Services – In May 1998, the Training and Employment Agency signed a 10 year PFI contract with ICL (International Computers Limited) for the provision of a range of IS/IT services. This contract is now used to provide IS/IT services to the Department.

North West Institute of Further and Higher Education – The contract with the private sector contractor, Northwin Limited, was signed in August 1999 and will provide, over 25 years, for 7,500 sq ms of accommodation and related services for the North West Institute. The new building will be on the Institute’s main campus with a target date for occupation of February 2001.

Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education – The contract with the private sector contractor, Northwin Limited, was signed in July 2000. It will provide a new building on the Millfield Campus to replace the existing Millfield and Ormeau accommodation and will offer, over 25 years, 20,700 sq ms of accommodation. The target date for the occupation of the new building is September 2002.

(b) Future Projects

Omagh and East Tyrone Colleges Project – To provide a new build for Omagh College and a new build at Dungannon for East Tyrone College.

The scheme, is being taken forward as a single project and is, currently, at Outline Business Case (OBC) stage. It will go to PFI test if the OBC is positive and approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel.

Springvale – The project, is to provide a FE/HE campus for the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education and the University of Ulster at Springvale in West Belfast. A Project Board and Project Team has been established to prepare the Outline Business Case.

(c) Longer Term Vale for Money

This process has in-built mechanisms that provide indicators of whether value for money is achievable in relation to each individual project. The public sector body, as part of its prepatory work, develops an Outlined Business Case (OBC) making a case for pursuing a PFI solution to its requirements. The OBC includes a fully costed reference project or public sector comparator (PSC) which tests whether an affordable investment option exists. Risk assessments of the PSC are undertaken and refined throughout the PFI procurement process to take account of unforeseen changes.

EQUAL

Ms Mary Nelis asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail the criteria in respect of EQUAL and to confirm the number of community and voluntary sector groups who responded to the consultation.

(AQW 871/00)

Dr Farren: EQUAL is an EU Community Initiative designed to test and promote new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in the workforce, affecting the unemployed and those in work. It will be necessary for projects to address an aspect of these issues and that they be undertaken by Development Partnerships. Such partnerships must be made up of at least two local groups, and at least two transnational partners from within other EU or from enlargement countries.

Promoters of projects will be required (at the outset) to identify from the positive outcomes they expect and to report, on a monthly basis, the results achieved against those targets.

During June and July this year a written consultation was undertaken of some 150 interested bodies and individuals. Twenty-five replies were from the voluntary and community sector with some of these from umbrella organisations. Three workshops were held to allow special interest groups to outline their views on issues to issues to be addressed by EQUAL. Representatives of community and voluntary sector groups attended these workshops.

Back to Your Future

Mr Eamonn ONeill asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment what targets he has set for the 'Back to the Future' campaign.

(AQO 468/00)

Dr Farren: The ‘Back to your Future’ campaign is the first phase of a campaign to attract experienced people back to Northern Ireland. This experience of a web-based initiative will assist me to set future targets. As 40% of graduates leave Northern Ireland each year there is significant potential for the initiative. Since the launch 14 companies have received a total of 31 job applications.

Basic Skills Strategy

Ms Carmel Hanna asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment what steps he will be taking to implement a Basic Skills strategy, in light of the recent International Adult Literacy Report which highlighted levels of adult illiteracy and innumeracy levels in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 465/00)

Dr Farren: I am committed to addressing the problems highlighted in the International Adult Literacy Survey. An important element in this work has been the establishment of the Basic Skills Unit to advise the Department on the development of a set of standards for basic skills; the establishment of a new basic skills curriculum; assessment arrangements corresponding to the new standards; and national standards for tutors and trainers. The Unit will also promote research and innovation. Its advice will inform decisions on the most appropriate strategy to be implemented in Northern Ireland.

Adult Learning Facilities

Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to outline the provision he is making for Adult Learning Facilities in South Down and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 448/00)

Dr Farren: The East Down Institute of Further and Higher Education has 5 Campuses and 32 outreach centres providing a range of vocational and non-vocational provision for adults. In addition planning for provision in South Down is progressing well with East Down Institute and others leading a partnership in the Downpatrick District Council Area.

Task Force on Employability

Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail his plans to take forward the work of the inter-departmental Task Force on Employability.

(AQO 459/00)

Dr Farren: I plan to hold the inaugural meeting of the Employability Task Force, which will comprise representation from NI Departments, early in the New Year. I am in the process of commissioning a scoping study, to begin in January. This study which will review the existing evidence on employability and develop workable definitions of employability will help inform the work of the Task Force.

TOP

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Agreement With Government Departments in Great Britain

Mr William Hay asked the Minister for Regional Development if it is his intention to enter into an agreement with any Government Department in England, Soctland or Wales regarding working relations since devolution.

(AQW 780/00)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): The Department for Regional Development and the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions (DETR) have a close working relationship across a wide spectrum of policy issues of common interest. With the advent of devolution it has been considered desirable to place this relationship onto a more formal footing. My Department and DETR have therefore developed a bi-lateral concordat. The joint document is today published at Westminster and the Assembly. Copies have been placed in the respective libraries.

Traffic Volumes A4

Mrs Joan Carson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) traffic volumes on the A4 route between the end of the M1 motorway and Ballygawley roundabout in each of the last five years (b) the required level of traffic volume to justify construction of a dual carriageway (c) current proposals for major work schemes to improve the A4 and A5 roads and (d) what other schemes are being considered for possible inclusion in the Road Service's 10 year Forward Planning Schedule.

(AQW 812/00)

Mr Campbell: (a) The table below shows the Annual Average Daily Traffic flow, in terms of vehicles per day (vpd), on the A4 route between the end of the M1 motorway and Ballygawley Roundabout for the period 1995–1999:

Year	Annual Average Daily Traffic(vpd)
1995	11,000
1996	11,500
1997	11,000
1998	11,500
1999	14,000

(b) If a single carriageway is perceived to be giving less than an acceptable level of service in terms of journey times, reliability, road safety etc., Roads Service will identify and assess options for improving its level of service taking into account factors such as traffic volumes, traffic mix and road alignment. These options may include dualling. Normally, however, in GB the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has concluded that a typical single carriageway trunk road will operate satisfactorily with only occasional peak period congestion with a traffic flow of up to approximately 18,000 vehicles per day.

(c) The following major works schemes on the A4 and A5 routes are currently included in the Roads Service Major Works Preparation Pool:

• A4 junction improvement at Eglish;
• A4 climbing Lane at Cabragh;
• A5 Strabane Bypass (Stage 2);
• A5 Newtownstewart Bypass; and
• A5 Omagh Throughpass.

(d) The following schemes on the A4 and A5 routes are being considered for possible inclusion in the Roads Service 10 Year Forward Planning Schedule:

• A4 additional lane at Lurgacullion;
• A4 climbing lane at Killeeshill;
• A4 road realignment between Augher and Annaghilla;
• A4 improvement of overtaking opportunities between Augher and Enniskillen;
• A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass;
• A5 road realignment at Tullyvar;
• A5 climbing lane at Castletown;
• A5 additional lane at Folk Park, Omagh;
• A5 road realignment between Grange and Drumgauty;
• A5 climbing lane at Gortaclare;
• A5 climbing lane at Blackhill;
• A5 climbing lane at Ballygawley; and
• A5 Strabane Bypass Stage 3.

Wastewater Treatment Works, Omagh

Mr Pat Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development if, following his visit to Omagh on 27 September to discuss the concerns surrounding the wastewater treatment works at Hunter Crescent, he will outline his plans to address this situation and detail a timetable for action.

(AQW 819/00)

Mr Campbell: I was pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with the Council and the local residents groups, and to hear at first hand their concerns about the siting of the proposed new Wastewater Treatment Works,

Water Service is giving detailed consideration to the representations made and is presently carrying out further detailed costings and land valuations on the Council’s preferred site. Consultants, commissioned by Water Service, have been liaising closely with Council officials on this aspect.

I wish to consider all of the issues very carefully, in view of the strong feeling expressed by the Council and residents about the siting of the Works. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement next month on the way ahead.

Road Improvements on the A8

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline a timeframe for the implementation of the package of road improvements on the A8 Belfast to Larne Road between Ballyearl and Kilwaughter.

(AQW 824/00)

Mr Campbell: The implementation programme for this package of road improvements is subject to the successful completion of the statutory procedures and to the availability of funding. In this context and on the assumption that there are no major objections to the statutory procedures, work on the first element of the package (ie the proposed roundabouts at Antiville and Millbrook) is currently scheduled to commence in the Autumn 2001, with work on the other elements commencing in 2002/03.

A8 Trans European Network

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will give his assessment of the importance to the Northern Ireland economy of the A8 Trans European Network between Belfast and Larne and if he will ensure that this route will form an integral part of the 10 year Regional Transportation Strategy.

(AQW 825/00)

Mr Campbell: The A8 Belfast to Larne road links Northern Ireland to external markets in Great Britain and the rest of Europe. As such, it is vital to the local economy where some 99% of freight is carried by roads. In recognition of its economic importance, the Department had included in its Major Works Preparation Pool a package of measures totalling some £12M for road improvements along the route.

The A8 is part of the upper tier of regionally important routes for both rail and road traffic. I can confirm that the Regional Transportation Strategy will reflect the role that these routes play in supporting and developing the Northern Ireland economy.

Road Classification

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the criteria applicable to designation of road classification (a) "A" (b) "B" (c) "C" and (d) "unclassified" roads in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 838/00)

 

Mr Campbell: Road classification dates back a very considerable time (pre Local Government Reorganisation) and its use today is limited to route identification. Any new road outside a motorway would be classified on the basis of the comparable route classification in the area.

 

Roads Service have been unable to find any historic record of how the classification system was determined originally but it has no relevance to current funding allocations.

Salmon and Eel Migration

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development what contact he has had with the Minister of the Environment, to ensure that salmon and eel migration patterns will be given due consideration during the construction of the millennium foot and cycle bridge across the River Bann.

(AQW 844/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has informed me that the Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of the Environment was consulted during the design stage of the project. In particular the migration patterns of salmon and eels were discussed. It was agreed that no excavation works should be carried out between March and August in order to avoid the migration periods. A Draft Marine Construction Licence to this effect was issued on 16 December 1999 by the Water Quality Branch of the Environment and Heritage Service. This was followed by the issue of the Marine Construction Licence on 1 November 2000.

The scheme began on 13 November 2000 and work on the river piers will begin in late December 2000 or early January 2001. All river works are due to be completed before the end of February 2001.

Importance of A26 Road

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of the importance to the economic and tourist potential of the Coleraine and East Londonderry areas of the A26 road and rail network between Belfast and Coleraine and if he will ensure that this route will be included in the Road Service's 10 year Forward Planning Schedule.

(AQW 845/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department fully appreciates that efficient transport links between Belfast and Coleraine are vital to the economic prosperity of the areas in question. The importance of the route is recognised by its designation as a Key Transport Corridor in the Department’s draft Regional Strategic Framework. I can confirm that a number of schemes on the A26 are currently being assessed for possible inclusion in the Roads Service 10-Year Forward Planning Schedule.

Traffic Volumes B82/B72

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the most recent data available for traffic volumes on the B82/B72 - Enniskillen to Victoria Bridge Route by vehicle type.

(AQW 866/00)

Mr Campbell: I am answering Assembly Questions AQW 866/00 and AQW 867/00 together. The table below shows average daily traffic flows, in terms of vehicles per days (vpd), on sections of the B82/B72 route during 1997 and 1998:

ROAD	1997	1998
B82 Enniskillen to Kesh (north of Trory junction)	5,030 vpd (9% HGV)	5,018 vpd (9% HGV)
B72 Victoria Bridge to Castlederg (west of Victoria Bridge)	2,600 vpd (12% HGV)	2,412 vpd (13% HGV)

The percentage of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) included in the daily traffic flows is shown in brackets in the table above. This is the only information on vehicle types available to my Department’s Roads Service for these roads.

The road classification system in Northern Ireland was inherited by my Department’s Roads Service in 1973 following Local Government Reorganisation. Roads Service has no records, however, of the criteria formerly used to classify roads and the classifications remain in use today are largely for route identification purposes. As such, it is not possible to determine what proportion of the B82/B72 route would have met the old "A" class criteria.

Proportion of B82/B72 Meets "A" Road Criteria

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development what proportion of the B82/B72 - Enniskillen to Victoria Bridge Route - meets "A" road criteria.

(AQW 867/00)

Mr Campbell: I am answering Assembly Questions AQW 866/00 and AQW 867/00 together. The table below shows average daily traffic flows, in terms of vehicles per days (vpd), on sections of the B82/B72 route during 1997 and 1998:

ROAD	1997	1998
B82 Enniskillen to Kesh (north of Trory junction)	5,030 vpd (9% HGV)	5,018 vpd (9% HGV)
B72 Victoria Bridge to Castlederg (west of Victoria Bridge)	2,600 vpd (12% HGV)	2,412 vpd (13% HGV)

The percentage of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) included in the daily traffic flows is shown in brackets in the table above. This is the only information on vehicle types available to my Department’s Roads Service for these roads.

The road classification system in Northern Ireland was inherited by my Department’s Roads Service in 1973 following Local Government Reorganisation. Roads Service has no records, however, of the criteria formerly used to classify roads and the classifications remain in use today are largely for route identification purposes. As such, it is not possible to determine what proportion of the B82/B72 route would have met the old "A" class criteria.

Low Water Pressure in Plumbridge

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development if he is aware of a lack of water pressure supply to the Derbrough Road area, Plumbridge, and to outline his plans to address this situation.

(AQW 868/00)

Mr Campbell: Water Service is not currently aware of any problems with water pressure in the Dergbrough Road area of Plumbridge. Only two complaints about water pressure in the area have been received in the past few years and both were satisfactorily resolved. However, investigations are continuing and I will write to the Member with the outcome.

Damaged Bridges

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development when he became aware of infrastructural damage to bridges No 181 on the C677A and 1369 on the B50.

(AQW 869/00)

Mr Campbell: I am answering Assembly Questions AQW 869/00 and AQW 870/00 together. I assume that the questions relate to Bridges 60181 and 61369 on the above routes.

My Department’s Roads Service inspected the bridges in question in June 1999 as part of its general bridge inspection programme. Defects to the parapet walls on both bridges were identified, otherwise the bridges were found to be in good structural condition.

Repair work to the parapet walls on both bridges will be carried out as part of a larger scheme to replace a twin bridge culvert in Killen on the B72 Killen to Castlederg road. This work is programmed to commence in February 2001.

Damaged Bridges

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail arrangements for repair of infrastructural damage to bridges No 181 on the C677A and No 1369 on the B50.

(AQW 870/00)

Mr Campbell: I am answering Assembly Questions AQW 869/00 and AQW 870/00 together. I assume that the questions relate to Bridges 60181 and 61369 on the above routes.

My Department’s Roads Service inspected the bridges in question in June 1999 as part of its general bridge inspection programme. Defects to the parapet walls on both bridges were identified, otherwise the bridges were found to be in good structural condition.

Repair work to the parapet walls on both bridges will be carried out as part of a larger scheme to replace a twin bridge culvert in Killen on the B72 Killen to Castlederg road. This work is programmed to commence in February 2001.

Recent Proterties Connected to Mains Water Supply

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, by constituency, the number of additional properties that have been connected to mains water supply as a result of the increase in financial allowance from £2,900 to £5,000 per property.

(AQW 889/00)

Mr Campbell: The reasonable cost allowance for connection of existing properties to the public water supply was increased from £2,900 to £5,000 on 4 May 2000. As a result of this increase 54 additional properties have now been connected. Water Service records of these properties are held on a District Council basis and are summarised below.

District Council	No of Properties
Armagh Newry and Mourne Limavady Strabane Omagh Fermanagh	2 2 4 1 11 2
Antrim Ballymena Magherafelt Coleraine Moyle Ballymoney	7 6 9 3 3 3

Requests for Connection to Mains Water Supply

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, by constituency, the number of requests for connection to mains water supply that have been refused on the basis of finance since 1 January 2000.

(AQW 890/00)

Mr Campbell: Since 1 January 2000, applications to connect 49 existing properties to the public water supply have been refused as the costs involved were in excess of the reasonable cost allowance. Water Service records of these properties are held on a District Council basis and are summarised below.

District Council	No of Properties
Banbridge Limavady Derry Strabane Dungannon	3 4 3 5 4
Omagh Ballymena Magherafelt Moyle Larne	3 8 5 3 11

Applications for a further 26 properties are currently being considered.

Number of Properties Without Mains Water Supply

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, by constituency, the estimated number of properties not having access to mains water supplies.

(AQW 891/00)

Mr Campbell: The information requested is not available on a constituency basis. Based mainly on census information, Water Service estimates that over 98.5% of households are connected to the public water supply. This would mean that approximately 6000 households are not connected.

Water Service is currently engaged in a study to identify how many properties are not connected in the Omagh District Council area. This study should enable a more accurate figure to be determined for the total number of properties not connected across Northern Ireland.

Westlink Traffic Flow

Mr Pat McNamee asked the Minister for Regional Development what information Roads Service has on traffic flow figures on the Westlink in terms of volume, origin of journey and destination.

(AQW 894/00)

Mr Campbell: Traffic flows are monitored on the M1/Westlink corridor at a number of locations using automatic traffic counters. The weekday daily traffic flow (two-way) on Westlink, between the Broadway and Grosvenor Road junctions, is currently in the region of 63,000 vehicles and the two-way peak hour flow is up to 4,500 vehicles.

Roads Service’s data on travel patterns is based on information on the M1 close to Westlink. It provides details , in percentage terms, of inbound and outbound traffic in terms of origin and destination during AM and PM peak periods. For illustrative purposes, this information indicates that over 50% of all journeys, approaching Belfast from the south in the morning peak, originates from the area towards the west of the province, almost 25% has an origin from the A1 corridor (Banbridge, Newry and beyond) to the south. Approximately 27% of all journeys in the morning peak have a destination of the city centre, while almost 15% terminate in the Harbour/Docks area.

Rural Regeneration of Transport Investment

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment on the impact on rural regeneration of transport investment.

(AQW 903/00)

Mr Campbell: A key aim of the Regional Development Strategy is to guide future development in ways that promote a balanced and equitable pattern of sustainable regeneration across NI. To facilitate this, the Strategy identifies a new core strategic transport network. This network provides the skeletal framework for the future development of the whole Region connecting all the main centres of economic and social activity. The enhancement of the strategic network will play a fundamental part in strengthening the attractiveness of rural towns as centres for regeneration and related investment and services for their wider rural communities.

In addition to improving the accessibility of rural settlements the Strategy also recommends examining initiatives to develop rural transport services to raise the quality of rural bus connections and partnerships between community transport and public transport providers especially for disadvantaged remoter areas.

The Regional Transportation Strategy will assess the consequences of adopting alternative transport strategies with differing levels of investment. The Strategy will include an assessment of the broad impacts on rural areas.

Already the Department’s Rural Transport Fund is supporting improvements to public transport in rural areas. The objective of the Fund is to reduce social exclusion by improving transport opportunities for people with reduced mobility. Grant aid has been provided to Ulsterbus for the purchase of 10 new minibuses for use in rural areas and the Fund is currently subsidising services on 28 new routes operated by Ulsterbus. With assistance from the Fund, 12 Rural Community Transport Partnerships, located across Northern Ireland, are operating services using 20 fully accessible minibuses, provided by the Department. Proposals submitted by another 5 Partnerships are being examined by the Department.

Backlog of Road Repairs

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to address the backlog of road repairs.

(AQW 904/00)

Mr Campbell: I am very conscious that I have inherited a significant road maintenance backlog and that existing levels of funding fall far short of what is required. This has been confirmed by the recent Northern Ireland Audit Office report on structural maintenance. My Department has only 50% of the funds necessary to maintain the roads and a backlog of £100M. The structural integrity of the road network is one of my top Departmental priorities and I will continue to press for additional funding for road maintenance at every opportunity.

Roads Service Major Works

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail those schemes in the Roads Service major works preparation pool that will not commence in order of priority due to a shortfall in funding.

(AQW 919/00)

Mr Campbell: I should explain that my statement on 15 November 2000 about the availability of funding for major road schemes was simply to alert the public that, although the draft Budget had proposed sufficient resources for such schemes in the next financial year (2001/02), the schemes would require certainty of funding to be completed in the subsequent two years. It would appear from the indicative budgets for the following two years that some schemes may have to be deferred. I can assure you, however, that my Department’s Roads Service is continuing to progress the schemes included in the Major Works Preparation Pool through their necessary statutory processes. The order in which schemes will be admitted to the Construction Programme will be dependent on their relative priorities and the funding available at the time the statutory processes are completed. At this stage, it is not possible to identify the specific schemes that might have to be deferred if the funding issue is not resolved.

Carrickfergus Sewage System Upgrade

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development if he has any plans to upgrade the sewer system in the Carrickfergus and Whitehead areas.

(AQW 923/00)

Mr Campbell: Water Service is progressing a programme of 105 Drainage Area Studies across Northern Ireland, to determine the extent and cost of improvements to the sewerage network in order to cope with future demands on the system, reduce the risk of flooding, and meet environmental objectives.

A Drainage Area Study of the Carrickfergus sewerage system was completed recently and the proposals are presently being discussed with the Environment and Heritage Service, whose consent is required for discharges from the system to local watercourses and Belfast Lough. A Drainage Area Study of the Whitehead sewerage system is programmed to commence in March 2001 and is expected to be completed by October 2002.

Water Service has to prioritise its capital investment plans to meet its statutory duties and increasing environmental standards arising mainly from EU Directives. Given current funding levels and priorities, it is unlikely that the general upgrading of the sewerage network in the Carrickfergus and Whitehead areas can start before 2006.

Water Service has, however, commissioned consultants to investigate areas, which are susceptible to flooding, to determine if cost-effective interim solutions are possible in advance of any general network upgrading. Seven areas in Carrickfergus and three within Whitehead are covered by the investigation. The consultants are expected to report by April 2001 and it is intended that any solutions identified will be implemented by the end of 2003.

City-Vitality-Sustainability (CIVITAS)

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development if he has any plans to make application for funding via the European Commission's "CIVITAS" (City-Vitality-Sustainability) programme.

(AQW 926/00)

Mr Campbell: My officials are aware of this new initiative and are currently investigating the opportunities it presents and whether there is scope for the Northern Ireland transport sector to apply for funding. I understand that any city or city region wishing to participate in the initiative is required to commit itself to implementing packages of integrated measures, possibly including access restrictions for polluting vehicles, charging for urban roads, encouraging new types of mobility, and promoting clean and efficient urban public transport. Any proposed package must be capable of achieving a significant change in modal split and in tackling congestion across the whole city.

This is all entirely appropriate to my Department’s transportation vision of achieving "a modern, sustainable, safe transport system which benefits society, the regional economy and the environment and which actively contributes to social inclusion and everyone’s quality of life". It appears to link with the work already being done to develop a ten-year Regional Transport Strategy for Northern Ireland. Any proposals are required to contain clear evidence of political consensus and support. Selected projects will receive 35% EU funding of the allowable costs, which are clearly linked to the proposed activities, and additional to normal investments and operations. Further investigations will determine whether this initiative is worth pursuing.

Concession Road, Culloville, Co Armagh

Mr John Fee asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his plans to improve road safety along Concession Road, Culloville, Co Armagh.

(AQO 514/00)

Mr Campbell: As this is a matter for the Department for Regional Development, your question has been forwarded to me for reply.

My Department’s Roads Service proposes to carry out a combined traffic calming/accident remedial scheme along Concession Road, Culloville. The proposed scheme will include gateway features, carriageway markings and central hatching which will promote reduced vehicular speeds along Concession Road and will also improve junction safety. I understand that preliminary design of the scheme is nearing completion and consultation with elected representatives and local residents is programmed to commence in the near future. The scheme is programmed for 2001/02.

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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Disabled Adaptations

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development if he will consider changing the system for those awaiting disabled adaptations and to prioritise those in most need.

(AQW 820/00)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): Yes. A fundamental review of the adaptations service is currently being undertaken by the Housing Executive and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. A preliminary report of the review recommends a number of changes to the system and these are currently under consideration.

Housing Executive Unoccupied Dwellings

Mr Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of unoccupied Housing Executive dwellings by housing district in the greater Belfast area.

(AQW 837/00)

Mr Morrow: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive whose Chief Executive has advised me that that the information requested is set out in the attached table. It provides the number of vacant dwellings, in each Housing Executive District in the Greater Belfast area, by reason for vacancy, together with a brief synopsis of why the dwellings are vacant. For the purpose of this analysis, Greater Belfast includes all Belfast Districts together with the Districts at Newtownabbey 1 & 2, Castlereagh and Lisburn Dairy Farm (ie Twinbrook & Poleglass).

	Housing Executive Districts
Unoccupied reason	Belfast 1	Belfast 2	Belfast 3	Belfast 4	Belfast 5	Belfast 6	Belfast 7	T'brook/ Poleglass	C'reagh	N'abbey 1	N'abbey 2	Totals
Awaiting relet	3	20	1	12	9	7	0	1	23	0	5	81
Major COT repairs	9	38	0	10	35	7	65	0	15	0	8	187
Improvement schemes	26	44	10	51	15	15	6	22	19	28	12	248
Used for decanting	3	13	0	0	3	7	3	1	44	18	33	125
For sale	0	11	24	8	3	1	34	0	81	4	0	166
Used by security forces	0	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	10
Difficult to let	8	9	0	12	67	8	0	0	59	22	16	201
Unlettable/ blocked up	0	13	0	101	16	127	27	0	38	0	7	329
Pending demolition	10	465	27	212	481	178	30	0	0	80	12	1,495
Totals	59	613	72	406	629	350	165	24	279	152	93	2,842

Awaiting Re-let

These properties are normally only vacant for a short period of time, following the termination of the previous tenancy, and are either in the process of being allocated or are undergoing urgent or minor change of tenancy repairs.

Major Change of Tenancy Repairs

These dwellings are in need of major repairs following the termination of the previous tenancies. The repairs will usually be completed within 4-6 weeks

Improvement Schemes

Most of these dwellings are currently undergoing major improvement works or are included in schemes, which are about to go on site. the properties are usually vacant for a short period only prior to the commencement of the works. A smaller number have been earmarked for schemes not due to go on site in the immediate future.

Used for Decanting

These properties are being used to support current improvement schemes by enabling tenants to be temporarily rehoused while works are being carried out.

For Sale

These properties have been placed on market for sale because it has not been possible to let them.

Used by the Security Forces

These are flats, which have been secured to facilitate the Security Forces in the block situated at Divis Tower (Belfast 3).

Difficult to Let (normally vacant <6 months)/Unlettable/Blocked Up (Normally vacant A months)

Most of these properties are located in areas with letting difficulties, due to lack of demand, or areas where housing need has been met: those categorised as "unlettable" have been blocked up either to prevent vandalism or as a result of being vandalised.

Essential Travel Costs

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development if he will provide an allowance to those in receipt of income support in rural areas to take account of the essential travel costs that they incur and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 854/00)

Mr Morrow: Income Support is an income-related benefit intended to help people whose resources are insufficient to meet their daily living expenses. There are no separate amounts for specific items of expenditure, such as travelling expenses included in Income Support rates. People are free to choose for themselves how they wish to spend their benefit as their individual circumstances require.

For anyone who is getting Income Support, help with travel costs may be available in certain circumstances, such as attending a hospital for treatment or visiting a relative in hospital or residential home. There are no plans to introduce a separate allowance to those in receipt of Income Support in rural areas to cover travel costs.

Winter Fuel Payment

Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister for Social Development if he has any plans to include people with disabilities in the Winter Fuel Payment scheme.

(AQW 855/00)

Mr Morrow: Winter Fuel Payments are paid to older people who are most at risk from the effects of cold weather. Disabled people who satisfy the qualifying conditions are already included in the scheme. The scheme has been extended this year to include both men and women aged 60 and over and the need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit has been removed. There are no plans to extend the scheme further.

Disabled people can already receive disability benefits, and the disability premium in income-related benefits, in recognition of their extra costs. Also, Cold Weather Payments are made to vulnerable groups, including people who get disability premium in their Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance regardless of age, when there is severe weather in their area.

Disability Living Allowance

Mr John Fee asked the Minister for Social Development if, in relation to the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), he will detail (a) the total number of applications which were made in each month since April 1998 (b) the total number of appeals which were lodged in each month since April 1998 (c) the average length of time taken to process an application in the period since April 1998 (d) the average length of time taken to process appeals against decisions in relation to applications in the period since April 1998 (e) how many appeals were (i) successful, (ii) unsuccessful and (iii) outstanding, for each month since April 1998 (f) the average estimated cost of processing an appeal and (g) if he will review arrangements relating to the appeals procedure with a view to improving the service for applicants.

(AQW 856/00)

Mr Morrow: The total number of applications for Disability Living Allowance, appeals lodged, in each month since April 1998, and the respective average clearance times are outlined in Table 1 attached.

The number of appeals that were successful, unsuccessful and outstanding for each month since April 1998 are shown in Table 2 attached.

The average direct cost of processing a Disability Living Allowance appeal is approximately £275 per case, based on the number of cases cleared in the 1999/00 year. The cost of obtaining the indirect costs would be disproportionately high.

In order to reduce the backlog of Disability Living Allowance appeals, the Social Security Agency have already put in place 19 additional staff and a further 10 staff are just finishing their training. In addition, overtime working has been undertaken. I understand that the President of the Appeals Service is also making arrangements for the appointment of additional appeal panel members. It is anticipated that these measures will facilitate a significant improvement in the service and a reduction in the backlog of Disability Living Allowance appeals.

TABLE 1

The Number of DLA applications and appeals received, and the average clearance times in each month since April 1998

Month	NEW CLAIMS		APPEALS
	Number Received	Average Clearance Time in Days	Number Received	Average Clearance Time in Days
Apr 1998	1688	22	185	41
May 1998	1649	40	177	94
June 1998	2174	45	238	86
Jul 1998	1875	51	259	88
Aug 1998	1721	46	154	82
Sep 1998	2134	Not available	208	Not available
Oct 1998	2198	Not available	205	Not available
Nov 1998	2212	55	179	82
Dec 1998	1551	35	149	Not available
Jan 1999	1911	57	208	86
Feb 1999	1921	55	189	83
Mar 1999	2448	Not available	203	Not available
Apr 1999	2014	52	171	89
May 1999	2147	53	171	77
Jun 1999	2263	Not available	181	Not available
Jul 1999	1636	50	97	84
Aug 1999	1739	40	134	94
Sep 1999	2120	56	158	91
Oct 1999	2153	60	121	92
Nov 1999	2205	Not available	106	Not available
Dec 1999	1371	76	145	129
Jan 2000	1559	59	170	108
Feb 2000	2064	Not available	261	Not available
Mar 2000	2343	60	381	96
Apr 2000	1787	55	427	105
May 2000	1977	42	444	120
Jun 2000	2044	46	250	128
Jul 2000	1432	Not available	109	Not available
Aug 2000	1665	56	888	149
Sep 2000	1861	Not available	388	Not available
Oct 2000	2149	60	504	169

 

TABLE 2

 

The number of Disability Living Allowance appeals which were successful, unsuccessful and outstanding, in each month since April 1998.

DLA APPEALS
MONTH	NUMBER SUCCESSFUL	NUMBER UNSUCCESSFUL	NUMBER OUTSTANDING
Apr 1998	85	121	920
May 1998	96	139	841
Jun 1998	105	124	823
Jul 1998	88	108	816
Aug 1998	63	82	784
Sep 1998	81	117	777
Oct 1998	82	138	718
Nov 1998	103	120	657
Dec 1998	56	87	637
Jan 1999	58	105	643
Feb 1999	57	92	635
Mar 1999	68	124	627
Apr 1999	58	70	642
May 1999	52	82	660
Jun 1999	64	90	647
Jul 1999	61	87	601
Aug 1999	43	72	618
Sep 1999	47	66	636
Oct 1999	55	66	695
Nov 1999	60	87	697
Dec 1999	40	53	737
Jan 2000	32	56	1159
Feb 2000	44	92	1530
Mar 2000	34	100	1903
Apr 2000	40	122	2086
May 2000	35	163	2548
Jun 2000	44	156	2720
Jul 2000	25	94	3012
Aug 2000	53	150	3180
Sep 2000	47	148	3606
Oct 2000	53	230	3776

Community Economic Regeneration Schemes

Mr Alban Maginness asked the Minister for Social Development to consider the conversion of the Community Economic Regeneration Schemes (CERS) loans into grants, to stimulate the development of the recipient organisations.

(AQW 874/00)

Mr Morrow: My predecessor, Nigel Dodds MLA, approved the transfer of the Community Economic Regeneration Scheme (CERS) loan book to the Ulster Community Investment Trust on 19 June 2000. UCIT has capital resources and wide-ranging experience in the community, business and banking fields. Its aim will be to apply these assets to the future development of Community Economic Development Organisations including those with loans obtained under CERS.

Community Economic Regeneration Schemes

Mr Alban Maginness asked the Minister for Social Development, if he will recommend that Community Economic Regeneration Schemes (CERS) loans be transferred to the Ulster Community Investment Trust.

(AQW 875/00)

Mr Morrow: My predecessor approved the transfer of the Department’s share of the Community Economic Regeneration Scheme (CERS) loan book, and that of its sister scheme, the Community Regeneration and Improvement Special Programme (CRISP) to the Ulster Community Investment Trust on 19 June 2000.

Community Economic Regeneration Schemes

Mr Alban Maginness asked the Minister for Social Development if he is aware that two of the five Community Economic Regeneration Schemes (CERS) are located in North Belfast, namely the Ashton Centre and the Wolfhill Centre, and that any transfer of their outstanding loans to the Ulster Community Investment Trust would be damaging to their future development.

(AQW 876/00)

Mr Morrow: There were originally 5 CERS schemes in Belfast but 2 have now repaid their loan leaving 3 schemes where the loans are to be transferred to the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT). Throughout Northern Ireland, there are 12 CERS schemes and 30 schemes under the Community Regeneration and Improvement Special Programme, all with similar funding arrangements to the Wolfhill and Ashton Centres, making a total of 42 schemes whose loans will be transferred to UCIT. There is no reason to assume that these new arrangements will be detrimental to the organisations concerned. On the contrary, the aim of UCIT is to invest in community economic development projects such as Wolfhill and Ashton, to create jobs, income and wealth in these communities. The capital resources and the wealth of community, banking and business experience which UCIT will bring to bear should provide a major boost to their development.

Housing Executive Owned Homes

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development to (a) detail the number of homes currently in housing executive ownership (b) give a breakdown of the type of dwelling and (c) detail the total revenue from these rentals.

(AQW 922/00)

Mr Morrow: (a) There are currently 124,361 houses in Housing Executive ownership.

(b) The following is a breakdown by dwelling type:-

House Type	Number
Detached House Semi-detached Terraced House Detached Bungalow Semi-detached Bungalow Terrace Bungalow Flat Maisonette Total	110 10,512 65,864 925 8,151 13,209 23,281 2,309 124,361

(c) Gross collectable income from these dwellings is estimated to be £245.7m for 2000/01

Housing Executive Unoccupied Homes

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Housing Executive homes which are at present unoccupied and how many people are currently regarded as homeless.

(AQW 924/00)

Mr Morrow: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has advised me that:

(a) the number of unoccupied homes is 6,204, which includes 4,227 houses that are undergoing major works or are awaiting demolition. The remaining houses are in interface properties or areas where there is no demand

(b) the number of people on the waiting list, at the end of October 2000, who are regarded as homeless, is 3,472.

Additional Community Development Workers

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development what steps he is taking to identify areas where there is a lack of community sector infrastructure and to outline his plans to provide additional community development workers in areas where there is a shortfall.

(AQO 483/00)

Mr Morrow: I am determined to ensure that support is made available to help those areas of social need where community infrastructure is weakest. For that reason, the Department is developing a special measure to address areas of weak community infrastructure as part of the negotiations on the new Peace II Programme.

Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme (DEES)

Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister for Social Development to indicate when his deliberations on the future development of the Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme (DEES) will be concluded and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 454/00)

Mr Morrow: I would anticipate reaching a final decision on the future development of the Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme towards the end of February 2001 and making a statement shortly thereafter on the details of the new initiative, which will be the main policy for tackling fuel poverty in Northern Ireland.

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