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Written Answers to Questions
Friday 27 July 2001
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Agriculture and Rural Development
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment
TOPOFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
Review of Public Administration
Mrs Joan Carson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail when the review into Public Bodies or Quangos will begin and when its first report is expected.
(AQW 3367/00)
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister (Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon): The Executive gave a commitment in the Programme for Government to undertake a Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland. While decisions have yet to be taken on detailed aspects of the Review, it is expected to be a comprehensive and strategic examination of all aspects of the public sector, not just quangos.
The Executive is still considering arrangements for the review, and hope to make a statement on these as soon as possible.
Appointment to Public Bodies
Mrs Joan Carson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail (a) those persons sitting on (i) two (ii) three (iii) four (iv) five and (v) six or more Quangos; (b) what salary and/or allowance each receives; and (c) by what means each was appointed.
(AQW 3368/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon:
Before offering an appointment to an individual who already holds a public appointment, departments should be satisfied that the person will be able to devote sufficient time and commitment to the new appointment.
Programme for Government : Targets Achieved
Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail which targets, as set out in the programme for government, have been achieved to date.
(AQW 3382/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon:
The following targets contained in the Programme for Government have been achieved to date. The targets are shown against the Departments responsible.
|
DEPARTMENT |
TARGET |
|
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister |
By June 2001, bring forward and consult on proposals for the establishment of a Commissioner for Children as part of a strategy for children. |
|
Department of Culture Arts and Leisure |
By June 2001, establish a forum to co-ordinate and promote the cultural arts and leisure dimension to the "Cultural Quarter" concept of designated areas for locating cultural activity with a view to creating synergy and co-operation. By June 2001, carry out a review of community-based arts and work with District Councils to enable them to develop integrated local plans for culture, arts and leisure. From April 2001, extend the interim Safe Sports Grounds scheme to improve the physical infrastructure of sporting facilities. By May 2001, make key information available in languages other than English including the development of services for Irish and Ulster Scots in support of the Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. From April 2001, extend the Diversity 21 initiative to promote greater respect and understanding of our cultural diversity and shared heritage through cultural and leisure activities and facilities. By May 2001, audit an initial 40 culture, arts and leisure venues and by, by October 2001, develop a programme to improve accessibility to culture and leisure facilities, in particular for people with disabilities or who are socially disadvantaged. By June 2001, develop a programme to enhance the range and quality of culture and leisure facilities, including our maritime and industrial heritage. From April 2001, ensure the conservation and protection of fish stocks by providing grant-aid to the Fisheries Conservancy Board to enable the Board to carry out effectively its statutory conservation functions. |
|
Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment |
Enhance the inward investment brand for Northern Ireland and, from June 2001 onwards, roll it out with agreed new marketing initiatives. |
|
Department of the Environment |
By summer 2001, publish for consultation a new road safety strategy for the next decade. |
|
Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment |
By June 2001, establish a Task force on Employability and Long Term Unemployment. This task force will focus on the factors that make people employable: not just knowledge, skills and motivation but also considerations such as childcare and readiness or ability to travel to find work. From April 2001, bring into operation an enhanced New Deal 25+ which will contain specific Northern Ireland provision allowing early entry to the scheme for those returning to the labour market and lone parents. From April 2001, introduce an enhanced training and work experience period as part of New Deal 25+ which will last for up to 26 weeks. From April 2001, provide greater scope within New Deal 25+ for employers to avail of the Employer Subsidy at any stage in the programme. |
|
Department for Social Development |
From April 2001, introduce a new energy efficiency grant scheme to address fuel poverty in the private housing sector, providing insulation and heating improvements for householders on income and disability based benefits. From April 2001, encourage and support greater community participation, particularly from those groups under-represented in volunteering activities, to increase the number of active community groups and volunteers. From April 2001, increase the programme of grant aid to the Housing Rights Service and the Northern Ireland Tenants’ Action Project to provide advice, support, information and training on a wide range of housing issues which will help strengthen the areas of weakest community infrastructure across Northern Ireland. |
The three actions listed below were achieved after the target date.
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
"In April 2001, initiate consultation on a Single Equality Bill, to be introduced in 2002, harmonising anti-discrimination law as far as practicable and extending it into new categories, including age and sexual discrimination."
A consultation exercise was launched on 8 May 2001.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
"Ensure that, from April 2001, Health and Social Services Boards implement New TSN Action Plans which include measures for tackling inequalities in areas of accidents, cancers, circulatory diseases, diabetes, immunisation, infant mortality, nutrition, smoking, physical activity and alcohol consumption."
Action plans were implemented from May 2001
Department of Finance and Personnel
"By June 2001, publish a new Index of Deprivation for Northern Ireland’s electoral wards."
The new Index was published on 5 July 2001.
Research into Services provided to victims
Ms Mary Nelis asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the cost of commissioning Delotte and Touche to undertake a study of services provided to victims; and to make a statement.
(AQW 3388/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The cost of commissioning the research is £ 34,950.
The research is seeking views on the needs of victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland, and the range and quality of services provided to them. Views are being sought from both victims or survivors groups and individuals who define themselves as victims or survivors, but who are not associated with any group. The study will provide baseline information about the services provided, indicate where gaps exist and assist in determining the priority areas for improvement.
The final report is expected to be available in July 2001. It is proposed that a summary of the findings and an action plan of how the findings will be taken forward will be issued to all those who took part in the research.
Schemes under which Grants are paid to Voluntary and Community Bodies
Mr Mervyn Carrick asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail all current schemes under which grants are paid by the office and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community sector.
(AQW 3442/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The Office funds community and voluntary organisations in the community relations field under the authority of the Community Relations (Amendment) (NI) Order 1975.
The Community Relations Unit administers a small capital programme and also provides funding to a very few groups and projects which do not fall within the remit of the Community Relations Council.
The Community Relations Council, although not an NDPB, is the main channel for community relations funding to the voluntary and community sector. From funding provided through the Community Relations Unit, the Community Relations Council makes grants to various voluntary and community sector bodies under the following schemes:
Core Funding
Development
Development Support
Inter Community
Cultural Diversity
Media
Publications
EU Special Support Programme for Peace & Reconciliation.
The Race Equality Unit in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister is responsible for the management of a newly created funding scheme to support minority ethnic voluntary organisations and projects. The scheme provides core and innovative project funding from a budget of £400,000; the core aim is the promotion of good relations between different ethnic groups.
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland provides financial assistance to other bodies for the purposes of education and research under Article 55 of Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976 and Article 44 of the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997. The Commission also gives financial or other assistance to organisations appearing to the Commission to be concerned with the promotion of equality of opportunity, and good relations, between persons of different racial groups under Article 43 of the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997.
Finally, the office is currently operating interim funding arrangements under two measures of the European Union Peace II Programme, namely ‘Reconciliation for sustainable peace’ and ‘Integration and reconciliation of victims’. The purpose of this scheme is to provide interim funding to sustain projects that are considered likely to be eligible for funding under the Programme paper.
Grants paid to Voluntary and Community Bodies
Mr Mervyn Carrick asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail all grants paid by the office and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01.
(AQW 3443/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The following grants were paid to Voluntary and Community bodies by the Community Relations Unit during 2000/01.
|
Community Relations Council |
£2,758,038 |
|
Chinese Welfare Association |
£86,864 |
|
Co-Operation Ireland |
£200,000 |
|
Ulster People's College |
£69,981 |
|
Encounter |
£5,000 |
|
Multi-Cultural Resource Centre |
£49,324 |
|
FAIT |
£10,206 |
|
Counteract |
£37,937 |
|
Somme Heritage Centre |
£15,000 |
|
Forbairte Feirste |
£3,548 |
|
Ultach Trust (Columba Initiative) |
£25,000 |
|
Corrymeela Community |
£25,000 |
|
Clooney Hall Centre, Londonderry |
£33,264 |
|
Tara Counselling & Personal Development Centre, Omagh |
£87,596 |
|
WAVE Trauma Centre |
£1,900 |
In addition the following were paid by Community Relations Unit under the European Union Physical & Social Environment Programme.
|
Newtownstewart Community Development Association |
£12,294 |
|
Dooneen Community Association |
£30,842 |
The main channel for the provision of Community Relations funding to the community and voluntary sector is the Community Relations Council, which is an independent voluntary organisation supported by Government. From funding provided by the Department and the European Union, it paid out some £3.3m in grants to over 400 groups and projects in 2000/2001. Details of those will be published in the Council’s annual report due later in the year.
The Victims Unit paid the following grants:
|
Widows Against Violence Empower |
£3,000 |
|
Holywell Trust |
£13,000 |
|
NI Victims’ Memorial Fund |
£340,710 |
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland made the following grants to community and voluntary sector bodies in the financial year 2000/01:
Under Article 55 of the Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976
|
Belfast Women Training Service |
£500 |
|
Women Resource and Development Centre |
£600 |
|
Women Together |
£250 |
|
Windsor Women Centre |
£250 |
|
Queens Student Union |
£250 |
|
NI Women’s Euro Platform |
£250 |
|
Inter-agency Group Addressing Gender Equality |
£500 |
|
Women’s Support Network |
£500 |
|
Parents Advice Centre |
£1,650 |
|
Greenway Women’s Group |
£1,150 |
|
Business and Professional Women’s Group |
£600 |
|
Vital Voice |
£500 |
|
Northern Ireland Pre-school Playgroups Association |
£1,738 |
|
NI Childminding Association |
£2,280 |
|
Sole Purpose Partnership |
£565 |
|
Short Strand Partnership |
£1,000 |
|
Nexus Institute |
£500 |
|
Federation of Women’s Institutes |
£500 |
|
Newry and Mourne Women’s Group |
£1,180 |
|
QUB – School of Politics |
£350 |
|
Craigavon Asian Women and Children’s Group |
£500 |
|
Falls Woman Centre |
£750 |
|
Lesbian Line |
£600 |
|
Women’s Information Group |
£500 |
|
Foyle Friends |
£665 |
Under Articles 43 and 44 of the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997
|
Sikh Community Project |
£620 |
|
Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities |
£1,500 |
|
Law Centre (NI) |
£825 |
|
Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities |
£5,000 |
|
Children’s Law Centre |
£4,000 |
|
Chinese Welfare Association |
£8,500 |
|
Parent Advice Centre |
£2,500 |
|
Belfast Travellers’ Education |
£4,794 |
|
Newtownabbey Community Relations Group |
£600 |
|
Belfast Islamic Centre |
£5,500 |
|
Belfast Travellers |
£8,062 |
|
Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities |
£1,100 |
|
Multi-Cultural Resource Centre |
£6,585 |
|
Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities |
£5,000 |
|
Mandarin Speakers Association |
£2,000 |
|
Housing Rights |
£1,056 |
|
Belfast Travellers’ Support |
£3,001 |
Guidance given to Voluntary and Community Bodies in respect of Grants
Mr Mervyn Carrick asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the guidance given by the office and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community bodies, on accessing, using and accounting for grants from public monies.
(AQW 3446/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The Race Equality Unit published Notes of Guidance to assist applicants in making a claim against a fund established in support of minority ethnic organisations.
The Community Relations Unit and the Victims Unit provide oral or written advice as appropriate in response to any approach from a voluntary or community body regarding financial assistance for a project aimed at promoting better community relations or assistance for victims.
The main channel for community relations funding to voluntary and community bodies and the centre of expertise on community relations practice is the Community Relations Council. Guidance notes including eligibility criteria are available in relation to each of its schemes of assistance and, in addition, Council staff are available to provide advice with regard to developing a project proposal.
In the case of Community Relations Unit, Victims Unit and Community Relations Council, the formal letters of offer which make available grants to successful applicants contain relevant information about the use for which the assistance is provided, how it may be drawn down and accounting requirements.
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland offers guidance on the availability of grants under anti-discrimination legislation in the form of explanatory leaflets and other printed materials. These materials explain the requirements to be met by applicants and the basis on which a determination will be made in relation to an application. When grants are approved, the receiving body is required to provide the Commission with evidence of expenditure of the grant in relation to the project for which it was awarded.
Grants paid to Voluntary and Community Bodies
Mr Mervyn Carrick asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail all grants of £100,000 or more made by the office and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01.
(AQW 3460/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The Community Relations Unit paid two grants of over £100,000 to Voluntary and Community bodies in 2000/01.
|
£ |
||
|
- |
Community Relations Council |
2,758,038 |
|
- |
Co-Operation Ireland |
20,00 |
The Victims Unit paid a grant of £340,710 to the Northern Ireland Victims Memorial Fund.
The Community Relations Council is the main channel for the provision of Community Relations funding to the voluntary and community sector. It is not however an NDPB. From funding provided by Community Relations Unit, Community Relations Council made two grants over £100,000 in 2000/01 –
- Corrymeela £168,843
- Mediation Network NI £120,418
Structure of Whitehall Departments
Dr Esmond Birnie asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister whether it has considered any implications of the recent changes to Whitehall Departments for the structures of Departments here.
(AQW 3554/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: We note the recent changes to the structure of Whitehall Departments made by the Prime Minister following his re-election on 8 June. These have no direct implications for the structures of Departments here which were agreed by the Assembly in February 1999. However, under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the four administrations last July, amendments may be required to bilateral concordats agreed between Northern Ireland and Whitehall Departments to properly reflect such structural change and revised responsibilities in Whitehall Departments.
Director of Communication : Length of Contract
Mr Edwin Poots asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the length of contract of the newly appointed Director of Communications.
(AQW 3560/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The contract for the post is to be offered as a permanent appointment.
Victims
Mr Peter Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to define who may or may not be described as a victim and whether there is a statutory or other provision regarding this definition.
(AQW 3623/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The definition of victims as stated in the Programme for Government as endorsed by the Executive and Assembly includes,
"The surviving injured of violent, conflict-related incidents and the close relatives or partners who care for them, along with those close relatives and partners who mourn their dead."
The word "injured" refers to both physical and psychological injury and this clarification will be made in the consultation paper on a victims’ strategy.
There is no statutory definition of a victim.
Payments to Victims
Mr Peter Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail how much has been paid out to victims through funds made available from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
(AQW 3624/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: During the 2000/2001 financial year a total of £420,000 was allocated to a variety of initiatives relating to victims. In particular, over one third of a million was paid to the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund which operates a variety of schemes that assist individual victims in a practical way.
Funding of £650,000 for the current year has not yet been allocated. A victims measure with funding of approximately £6.67 million will be available under the Peace II programme. £1.67 million of this has come from Executive funds.
Access to Polling Stations
Ms Jane Morrice asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, with regard to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, to detail what facilities are available in respect of access to polling stations.
(AQW 3642/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The arrangements for access to Polling Stations are not a matter for the devolved administration. While OFMDFM has responsibility for disability discrimination policy and legislation, each employer or service provider is responsible under the legislation for the provision of facilities or for making reasonable adjustments to existing facilities. While the arrangements in respect of polling stations are a matter for the Secretary of State, we agree that the provision of accessible facilities for disabled people should be in place.
Economic Policy Unit
Mr Derek Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to outline the arbitration carried out by the Economic Policy Unit on competing fund demands and final determinations that were necessary to be reached by EPU within the June monitoring round.
(AQW 3663/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The Economic Policy Unit (EPU) worked closely with the Department of Finance and Personnel to draft agreed advice on the strategic considerations, options, and approach to the June Monitoring round. EPU also expressed views on the extent to which all bids from Departments took account of the priorities and objectives set out in the Programme for Government.
Economic Policy Unit
Mr Derek Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the Economic Policy Unit's current evaluation of the effectiveness of government programmes and policies.
(AQW 3664/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: In March the Executive agreed the Terms of Reference for five Needs and Effectiveness Evaluations. The five areas chosen for evaluation are housing, education, training, industrial development and health, which together account for 70% of planned public spending. Project plans have been drawn up to identify the objectives of the evaluations, the outputs that can be expected, and the timescales involved. The Economic Policy Unit, working in conjunction with the Department of Finance & Personnel and the relevant departments, leads each of the reviews.
Economic Policy Unit
Mr Derek Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail progress within the Economic Policy Unit on the effective co-ordination and development of cross-cutting policies.
(AQW 3665/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The Economic Policy Unit (EPU) has co-ordinated development of the Programme for Government, the Executive’s principal means of promoting cross-cutting policy-making. The Executive Programme Funds provide a financial mechanism to encourage cross-Departmental working to deliver the Executive’s Priorities under the Programme for Government.
EPU has also initiated a programme of cross-cutting Performance and Innovation studies. It participates in several Inter-Departmental Groups on cross-cutting issues and is leading the administration’s response to a number of UK-wide cross-cutting initiatives.
Northern Ireland Block Grant
Mr Derek Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the negotiations that have been undertaken by the Economic Policy Unit, together with the relevant Northern Ireland Minister and the Secretary of State, with HM Treasury on the size of the Northern Ireland block grant.
(AQW 3666/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: The Economic Policy Unit, together with the Department of Finance and Personnel, advised Ministers on negotiations on the size of the Northern Ireland block grant during the 2000 Spending Review. These negotiations included a meeting on 28 June 2000 between the First Minister, Deputy First Minister, Minister of Finance and Personnel, the Secretary of State and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
Modernising Government Strategy
Mr Derek Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail progress by the Public Service Improvement Unit on the development of an overall strategy for modernising government in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 3667/00)
Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon: A Modernising Government Group was established on 8 May 2001, comprising representatives from each Department at Senior Civil Service level. The Group has now met on two occasions and is working to the following Terms of Reference:-
Against the background of "The Creating and Delivering Modern Government Services in NI" paper and the commitments given in the Programme for Government (particularly chapter 7 -"Working Together") the Modernising Government Group should examine and report upon :
The Group has been asked to produce by 30 November 2001, an agreed action plan for submission to Ministers and the Executive.
TOPAGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Maintenance on Watercourses
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail at what periods does the Rivers Agency carry out maintenance on designated watercourses.
(AQW 3473/00)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): The Rivers Agency carries out maintenance works on designated watercourses all year round. In the case of watercourses with fishery interest, channel works are restricted during the spawning season (November to March).
Works on urban watercourses are generally concentrated in the late Autumn, early Winter period in anticipation of high Winter flows, to alleviate potential flooding risks.
Importation of German Cattle
Mr Wilson Clyde asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) the number of cattle of German origin imported into Northern Ireland since 1 Jan 2001 (b) where they were slaughtered and (c) where the remainder of the cattle are currently located.
(AQW 3481/00)
Ms Rodgers: A complete ban on the import of pigs, sheep, goats and cattle into Northern Ireland, was imposed on 21 February 2001, with the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in the United Kingdom.
Prior to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, 31 cattle for breeding were imported from Germany on 1 January 2001. None of the cattle have been slaughtered. Thirty of these cattle remain in a herd in Co Down and one animal has since died.
Rural Proofing
Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail progress on the co-ordination of executive policy on rural proofing.
(AQW 3503/00)
Ms Rodgers: My executive colleagues and I remain firmly committed to the policy of Rural Proofing. The Member will nevertheless understand that because of the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, resources within my Department have had to be diverted from other duties. As a result, progress to establish the machinery necessary to implement rural proofing has been slower than I would have wished. The Ministerial led inter-Departmental Group to oversee the process will, however, be established shortly.
Guidance given to Voluntary and Community Bodies
Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the guidance her Department and its NDPBs give to voluntary and community bodies on accessing, using and accounting for grants from public monies.
(AQW 3517/00)
Ms Rodgers: The Department and its NDPBs offer guidance on accessing, using and accounting for grants from public monies in a number of formats including specific one-to-one advice from Department officials, site visits, information booklets, guidance notes, workshops and ‘grant information evenings’.
The guidance is designed to support voluntary and community groups in the planning, managing and monitoring of projects and budgets.
Grants paid to Voluntary and Community Bodies
Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail all grants paid to voluntary and community bodies by her Department and her NDPBs in the financial year 2000-01.
(AQW 3518/00)
Ms Rodgers: The total grants paid under the Rural Development Programme 1994-1999 amounted to £8.5m.
Within the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, grants of £2.7m were paid under the Community-based Actions Measure.
Forest Service Grants amounted to £76,948 and grants paid to Local Shows, the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster and the Rural Stress Action Fund amounted to £100,884.
Schemes under which grants are paid to Voluntary and Community Bodies
Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail all current schemes under which grants are paid by her Department and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community sector.
(AQW 3519/00)
Ms Rodgers: The current Schemes under which grants are paid are:-
Grants paid to Voluntary and Community Bodies
Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail all grants of £100,000 or more made by her Department and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01.
(AQW 3520/00)
Ms Rodgers: The Department did not make any individual grants of £100,000 or more in the financial year 2000-2001.
Cattle Tested for TB and Brucellosis
Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) the percentage of cattle tested for tuberculosis and brucelosis for the year 1999-00 and were subsequently found to be positive reactors to either disease and (b) the amount of compensation paid as a result.
(AQW 3528/00)
Ms Rodgers: The information requested is as follows:-
Lamb Collection Centre System
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail when the lamb collection point system will commence and who will monitor and regulate the system.
(AQW 3531/00)
Ms Rodgers: The lamb collection centre system is already in place. The approval of the local Divisional Veterinary Officer must be obtained for both the centre and the centre protocols. The running of the centres is on a self regulatory basis, with responsibility lying with Lamb Group Managements. Reconciliation of numbers of lambs presented is undertaken at Meat Plants.
Export of Livestock to the Republic of Ireland
Mr Eamonn ONeill asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development , following her discussions with her counterpart in the Dail, to detail her plans for re-opening trade from Northern Ireland to the Republic for the immediate slaughter of animals.
(AQW 3581/00)
Ms Rodgers: Under regionalisation the export of livestock to the Republic has been allowed and indeed the conditional export of pigs has re-commenced. However the authorities in the Republic have not yet agreed the arrangements under which the importation of sheep can proceed.
My officials have met with their counterparts in the Republic on this issue and the latter have undertaken to progress this matter so that exports from Northern Ireland can recommence in the near future.
Lamb Collection Centres
Mr Eamonn ONeill asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail any plans to open evaluation centres or safeguards in South Down where lambs can be taken prior to transportation to the Republic of Ireland.
(AQW 3582/00)
Ms Rodgers: The provision of lamb collection centres is a matter for the industry and some are already in existence for lambs going to slaughter within Northern Ireland. Collection centres are subject to approval by the Department.
As you are aware the export of sheep to the Republic has not yet re-commenced. I am not aware of any plans by the industry to establish collection centres whether in South Down or elsewhere to deal with lambs for export to the Republic when that trade re-opens.
Fencing of Farmland : Financial Assistance
Mr Eamonn ONeill asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has any plans to provide financial assistance to farmers to improve the fencing of farmland in order to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
(AQW 3583/00)
Ms Rodgers: I will answer AQW 3583 and AQW 3584 together as they are both similar in nature. Provision of fencing of farmland, cattle crush and sheep dip facilities are all the responsibility of individual farmers. While capital grant assistance for items such as these could have been considered under the SPARD scheme, which operated in the previous EU approved Single Programme, no such scheme is currently in operation and there are no plans at present to introduce one.
Crushes and Sheep Dip Facilities : Grant Aid
Mr Eamonn ONeill asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has any plans to grant aid crushes and sheep dip facilities on farms in order to help prevent the spread of communicable disease.
(AQW 3584/00)
Ms Rodgers: I will answer AQW 3583 and AQW 3584 together as they are both similar in nature. Provision of fencing of farmland, cattle crush and sheep dip facilities are all the responsibility of individual farmers. While capital grant assistance for items such as these could have been considered under the SPARD scheme, which operated in the previous EU approved Single Programme, no such scheme is currently in operation and there are no plans at present to introduce one.
Removal of Safeguards
Mr Eamonn ONeill asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail when she will announce the removal of safeguards in Northern Ireland in respect of the sale of livestock.
(AQW 3585/00)
Ms Rodgers: As you may be aware I have announced that livestock marts may re-open from 30 July for sales of store cattle, breeding cattle, bulls, drop calves, pigs and pedigree ewes and rams.
I will review the resumption of sheep sales (other than of pedigree stock) towards the end of August. I will also keep under review the re-commencement of sales of sheep direct from farms (as distinct from their sale through a recognised mart) although it appears unlikely that these will resume before the end of this year.
EU Conservation Regulations
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she intends to provide assistance to the Fishing Industry in light of the new EU conservation regulations.
(AQW 3633/00)
Ms Rodgers: Since both questions refer to the same subject matter, I will answer both together. The latest conservation regulations which has been introduced by the EU are those establishing measures for the recovery of hake stock. It is considered that these will have a limited impact on local fishermen. For example they do not extend to the Irish Sea. It is not therefore my intention to provide assistance to the industry to take particular account of these regulations.
EU Conservation Regulations
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment of the new EU conservation regulations upon fishing; and to make a statement.
(AQW 3634/00)
Ms Rodgers: Since both questions refer to the same subject matter, I will answer both together. The latest conservation regulations which has been introduced by the EU are those establishing measures for the recovery of hake stock. It is considered that these will have a limited impact on local fishermen. For example they do not extend to the Irish Sea. It is not therefore my intention to provide assistance to the industry to take particular account of these regulations.
Oyster Production : Strangford Lough
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she is aware of any proposals made by private firms to increase the oyster production in the Strangford Lough area.
(AQW 3636/00)
Ms Rodgers: Yes. There are currently 2 commercial private enterprises cultivating both Pacific and Native oysters at 8 licensed sites in Strangford Lough. Whilst one is currently producing oysters the other has not yet reached the commercial production stage. A further 2 applications, including one which also involves the cultivation of scallops, are under consideration. The total area licensed and under application to private firms for oyster cultivation is approximately 345 and 215 hectares respectively.
Forest Service : Performance Targets 2001-02
Mr John Dallat asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the performance targets that have been set for the Forest Service for the financial year 2001-02.
(AQW 3679/00)
Ms Rodgers: The following Key Targets have been set for the Forest Service for 2001- 2002:
The Forest Service Business Plan for 2001-2002 will be placed in the Assembly Business Office at a later date.
Rivers Agency : Performance Targets 2001-02
Mr John Dallat asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the performance targets that have been set for the Rivers Agency for the financial year 2001-02.
(AQW 3680/00)
Ms Rodgers: The following Key Targets have been set for the Rivers Agency for 2001-2002:
The Rivers Agency Business Plan for 2001-2002 will be placed in the Assembly Library at a later date.
TOPCULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
Grants to the Voluntary and Community Bodies
Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail all grants paid to voluntary and community bodies by his Department and its NDPBs in the financial year 2000-01.
(AQW 3485/00)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The information needed to respond to these questions adequately is not readily available and is currently being sought from our NDPBs. I therefore propose to respond fully to you as soon as the information becomes available.
I trust you find this acceptable
Grants to the Voluntary and Community Bodies
Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail all current schemes under which grants are paid by his Department and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community sector.
(AQW 3486/00)
Mr McGimpsey: The information needed to respond to these questions adequately is not readily available and is currently being sought from our NDPBs. I therefore propose to respond fully to you as soon as the information becomes available.
I trust you find this acceptable.
Soccer Strategy
Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to the Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland report, to give his assessment of the implications for intermediate, junior and youth football in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 3586/00)
Mr McGimpsey: The ‘Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland’ initiative, which I announced last October, has been guided by an Advisory Panel made up of expertise covering a broad range of football interests. I expect to receive the Advisory Panel’s report in September, and this report will form the basis of a draft Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland which I will publish for widespread consultation.
Before receiving the Panel’s report, I am not in a position to give an assessment of its implications. I fully expect, however, that the report will be a comprehensive one, dealing with all issues affecting all levels of the game.
As you know from my answer to AQW 1479, all football interests have been involved in the Soccer Strategy process, including the consultation exercise at the outset.
Strangford Lough Angling
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the steps being taken to provide angling guides and courses in the area of Strangford Lough.
(AQW 3632/00)
Mr McGimpsey: Your question touches on a number of departmental responsibilities, principally the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, but as angling falls loosely within my remit I have accepted it for reply.
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) produces separate Game and Coarse Angling Guides for Northern Ireland. (Copies of these are available on request). In addition NITB is also acting as facilitator in the development of four regional angling guides which will cover both game, coarse and where applicable sea angling in the four regions South East, South West, North East and North West. The existing and proposed guides are and will be marketed extensively by NITB.
I have no plans to introduce angling courses as this does not fall within my Department’s remit. Nevertheless I will investigate whether it would be possible to run angling or ghillie training courses at schools or colleges.
Soccer Strategy Review
Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to give his assessment of the impact the Soccer Strategy Review will have on the quality of football throughout Northern Ireland.
(AQW 3656/00)
Mr McGimpsey: The ‘Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland’ initiative, which I announced last October, has been guided by an Advisory Panel made up of expertise covering a broad range of football interests. I expect to receive the Advisory Panel’s report in September, and this report will form the basis of a draft Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland which I will publish for widespread consultation.
The aim of producing the soccer strategy is to put in place a plan for the future development of the game in Northern Ireland. It is intended that the Strategy will help to address the difficulties facing the game, particularly at senior level, and restore it to a successful and thriving sport, having regard to modern ideas and standards. I believe that by planning now for the future, we can expect to see improvements in the quality of the game, at all levels throughout Northern Ireland.
TOPEDUCATION
Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan
Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Education if, at the forthcoming Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers, he will put forward proposals to increase the funding of the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan.
(AQW 806/00)
The Minister of Education (Mr McGuinness): I have no responsibility for the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan. This is a matter for the Ministers responsible for the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London who jointly fund the scheme which is managed by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission and administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Administrative Data Sets
Dr Dara O'Hagan asked the Minister of Education to list the administrative data sets held by the department and its Agencies and detail whether these data sets provide qualitative data at enumeration district, electoral ward level, by District Council area or by Parliamentary Constituency.
(AQW 1239/00)
Mr McGuinness: All Northern Ireland Civil Service Departments maintain a range of records on their staff for the purposes of carrying out their functions as employers. Many of the records for individual members of staff are held on computerised systems which are managed by the Department of Finance and Personnel on behalf of Departments and their respective Agencies. These records include personnel, payroll and training records, applicant records for recruitment competitions and superannuation records for retired civil servants. Such records are not managed in a way which routinely provides data sets by enumeration district, electoral ward, District Council or Parliamentary Constituency.
Teachers Branch/Teachers Superannuation Branch maintain a teachers/retired teachers database on behalf of the employers, namely ELBs and CCMS. These records include personnel, payroll and superannuation records for retired teachers. Up-to-date home address details are held for all teachers/pensioners currently on the payroll (except for Voluntary Grammar school teachers). Such records are not managed in a way which routinely provides data sets at the levels referred to above.
However, the following data sets are held in such a way as to enable the production of qualitative data at enumeration district, electoral ward level, by District Council area or by Parliamentary Consitiuency.
Data sources which include post codes as part of the address can be aggregated to all specified geographical units subject to the requirement to respect the confidentiality of the data subject.
"Moving On" Programme
Ms Monica McWilliams asked the Minister of Education to give his assessment of European funded programmes such as Youth Action Northern Ireland's Moving On and to confirm if it is his intention to adopt similar programmes here.
(AQW 1492/00)
Mr McGuinness: I understand that the "Moving On" programme run under the auspices of Youth Action Northern Ireland provided assistance to young mothers to encourage and support them in returning to training or employment. I would support any programme which assists those disadvantaged in our society but the adoption of such programmes is not a matter within the responsibility of my Department.
Pre-School Cohort : Finvoy and Ballymoney
Mr James Leslie asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) the estimated size of the pre-school cohort in the area between Finvoy and Ballymoney (b) the proportion of this cohort for whom pre-school facilities are being provided in the current school year and (c) the proportion of this cohort for whom pre-school facilities are expected to be provided in the next school year.
(AQW 3428/00)
Mr McGuinness: This area lies within the North-Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB). The NEELB Pre-School Education Advisory Group’s methodology for allocating additional places under the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme involves the clustering of electoral wards and the area between Finvoy and Ballymoney falls into two separate ward clusters. These are the Dunloy, Cloughmills, Vow, Killoquin Lower and Killoquin Upper ward cluster and the Fairhill, Seacon, Route, Dervock, Benvardin and Newhill ward cluster. It is not, therefore, possible to provide the information on the basis requested.
However, in the first ward cluster the pre-school cohort is 135. In the current school year places are available for 50% of the cohort and this will rise to 89% in the 2001/02 academic year. In the second ward cluster the pre-school cohort is 168 and in the current school year places are available for 84%. In 2001/02 this level will rise to 90%.
Non-Attendance Data
Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) the number of persistent non-attendance pupils in primary and post primary schools (i) per Board area (ii) per school for each of the last five academic years and (b) what steps he is taking to achieve a 50% reduction in these figures.
(AQW 3438/00)
Mr McGuinness: My Department does not have the information sought. Data about non-attendance will be collected in aggregated form from the Education and Library Boards starting with the 2000/01 school year. Schools refer pupils who are persistent non-attenders to the Education and Library Board for follow up by the Education Welfare Service. The action taken will depend on the individual circumstances of the pupil.
My Department’s current New Targeting Social Need Action Plan contains a target to have reduced by 30% at the end of the 2002/2003 school year, the number of pupils identified as persistent non-attenders compared to the number in 1998/99.
Administration Costs
Mr Mick Murphy asked the Minister of Education to detail what financial and other support is available for small schools to assist with administration.
(AQW 3452/00)
Mr McGuinness: The cost of administration in schools is met from each school’s delegated budget. Formulae contain a specific ‘small schools’ factor which provides a lump sum allocation for such schools to use as they wish. In some cases, schools use such resources to provide teaching cover to release the Principal from a full-time teaching commitment in order to undertake activities associated with the management of the school.
Killard House Special School
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of children from the SEELB area who were unsuccessful in obtaining places for special needs education at Killard House Special School in Newtownards.
(AQW 3474/00)
Mr McGuinness: Initially there were no places for eight children at Killard House Special School, Newtownards, in September 2000 but two of these obtained places in the school later in the year. At the moment the school does not have places for four children in September 2001. The needs of those children unable to obtain places are catered for by the provision of classroom assistance and additional support by peripatetic teachers in mainstream schools until a place becomes available.
Children Excluded from School
Mr David Ford asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of looked after children excluded from school in the year 2000-01.
(AQW 3475/00)
Mr McGuinness: My Department does not collect information about the number of looked after children excluded from school.
Children Excluded from School
Mr David Ford asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of children excluded from school in the year 2000-01.
(AQW 3476/00)
Mr McGuinness: The information sought will not be available until the end of September but will be sent to the member at that time.
Guidance to Voluntary and Community Sector Regarding Grants
Mr Billy Bell asked the Minister of Education to detail the guidance his Department and its NDPBs give to voluntary and community bodies, on accessing, using and accounting for grants from public monies.
(AQW 3477/00)
Mr McGuinness: I will arrange for information in respect of all current schemes and guidance to be placed in the Assembly library.
Grants to the Voluntary and Community Bodies
Mr Billy Bell asked the Minister of Education to detail all grants paid to voluntary and community bodies by his Department and its NDPBs in the financial year 2000-01.
(AQW 3478/00)
Mr McGuinness:
Grants paid by my Department and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01 are as detailed below:-1. Grants paid by the Department of Education
|
Downpatrick Scout Hall £1,588.82 Omagh Boys and Girls Club £300,000.00 Long Tower Centre £48,509.09 Holy Family Youth Club £4,693.72 St Bernadette’s Scouts/Guides £168.75 Boys’ Brigade Belfast Battalion £4,010.78
Pushkin Prizes Trust £25,000 |
|
All Set £4,000 |
|
Brownlow £11,239 |
|
Bryson House £21,421 |
|
Challenge for Youth £57,655 |
|
Children’s Project NI £17,287 |
|
Christian Education Movement £27,182 |
|
Churches Peace Education Programme £59,660 |
|
Co-operation Ireland £16,343 |
|
Community Relations in Schools £61,329 |
|
Corrymeela Community for Reconciliation £44,648 |
|
Council for Education in World Citizenship £32,521 |
|
Harmony Community Trust £81,584 |
|
History Makers £8,469 |
|
Horizon Project £5,400 |
|
Kilbroney Centre £21,940 |
|
Kilcranny £29,334 |
|
Lurgan YMCA £29,620 |
|
National Trust £88,000 |
|
National Union of Students/Union of Students Ireland £67,596 |
|
Navan Centre £35,000 |
|
Northern Ireland Children’s Enterprise £12,500 |
|
Northern Ireland Children’s Holiday Scheme £67,720 |
|
Northern Ireland Youth Forum £20,000 |
|
Parents and Kids Together £12,247 |
|
Peace People £20,833 |
|
Positive Ethos Trust £61,053 |
|
Reach Across £9,224 |
|
School Aid Romania £10,000 |
|
Speedwell Trust £80,949 |
|
Warington Project £55,497 |
|
Workers’ Education Association £36,000 |
|
YMCA - Belfast £36,343 |
|
Youth Sport Omagh £187,280 |
|
JEDI £61,742 |
|
YMCA Ireland £11,140 |
2. Grants Paid by the Education and Library Boards
a. Youth Service Grants: These are too numerous to list here. I will arrange for the information to be placed in the Assembly Library.
b. Community Relations Grants: The information is not yet available. It will be provided as soon as possible.
3. GRANTS paid by YOUTH COUNCIL FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
|
Army Cadet Force Association £1,445 Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs NI £54,568 Boys’ Brigade NI £75,293 Catholic Guides of Ireland £28,408 Church Lads & Girls’ Brigade £3,180 Contact Youth £21,156 Corrymeela £20,851 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award £23,597 Girls’ Brigade NI £66,833 Guide Association £55,050 Int Voluntary Service £23,819 Mencap £26,862 Nat Council YMCA £94,287 NI Deaf Youth Association £3,662 NI Scout Council £61,225 Youth Forum £72,668 Ocean Youth Club £9,256 PHAB £45,125 Play Resource Warehouse £12,713 Playboard £51,873 St John Ambulance £10,016 Scouting Ireland (CSI) £34,975 Share £33,533 Voluntary Service Belfast £18,310 Young Farmers’ Clubs Ulster £51,913 YouthAction NI £183,407 Youthlink NI £83,933 YouthNet £72,503 Church of Ireland Youth Dept £4,800 Girls’ Brigade £4,000 Guide Association £1,500 International Voluntary Service £5,000 Public Achievement £3,500 Scout Association £5,000 UNESCO £3,000 |
NI Scout Council £15,000 YouthAction NI £28,000 Youth Initiatives £18,000 NI Youth Forum £12,875 Church of Ireland Youth Council £18,000 Voluntary Service Belfast £12,500 IMAYC £14,000 Contact Youth £15,000 YouthNet £10,000 Youthlink NI £8,000 Gingerbread NI £9,000 Cathog £5,000 Share Discovery ’80 Ltd £4,000 Mencap £15,000 Peace People £15,000 Children’s Law Centre £15,000 YMCA £15,000 Young Farmers £10,000 Future Voices £10,000 Girls’ Brigade £4,000 Childline £15,000 Action Mental Health £5,000 Play Resource Warehouse £10,000 Nexus Institute £15,000 PHAB £15,000 Facelift £90,000 Boys’ Brigade £3,000 Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs £4,775 VSB Young Citizens in Action £4,978 YMCA £4,300 Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster £7,400 Youth Action NI £8,800 Youth Initiatives £3,000 Youth Link NI £14,617 Youth Net NI £12,000 |
4. GRANTS PAID THROUGH THE ARTS COUNCIL FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
|
DRAMA AND DANCE |
|
|
Reply Theatre Company |
£95,000 |
|
Big Telly Theatre Company |
£43,500 |
|
Youth Drama |
£18,000 |
|
The Dance Collective |
£11,000 |
|
Dance Incentive Scheme |
£4,000 |
|
Scottish Ballet Masterclass Series |
£2,000 |
|
MUSIC AND OPERA |
|
|
Performance by young persons |
£5,000 |
|
TRADITIONAL ARTS |
|
|
The Armagh Rhymers |
£43,000 |
|
Traditional Dance |
£7,000 |
|
LITERATURE |
|
|
Verbal Arts Centre |
£3,500 |
|
Ulster Scots Youth Project |
£4,000 |
5. GRANTS PAID UNDER THE EUROPEAN PROGRAMME FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION - PEACE 1
a. Grants Paid Directly by Department of Education
|
Caengael |
£10,000 |
|
Camogie |
£4,516 |
|
Cinemagic Children’s Film Unit |
£10,336 |
|
Counselling in Schools |
£13,552 |
|
Counselling Outreach to Schools |
£9,239 |
|
CPNI Follow-up Project |
£1,800 |
|
Faith in Schools’ Web Site |
£5,505 |
|
Falls Women’s Centre |
£1,500 |
|
Gaeloiliuint |
£12,250 |
|
Guides - Peace House Programme |
£5,000 |
|
Harmony Community Trust |
£17,400 |
|
Simon Community |
£12,016 |
|
Speedwell - School’s Liaison Project |
£25,661 |
|
Verbal Arts - Artemis Project |
£18,000 |
|
Verbal Arts Language Enhancement Programme |
£13,172 |
|
Vine Study Support Centre |
£14,250 |
|
VINE Summer School and Beyond |
£7,652 |
|
Vision 2000 |
£9,660 |
|
Wheelworks |
£24,000 |
|
Youth Initiatives |
£14,862 |
|
Bowtown Community Youth Club |
£22,500 |
|
Dromore Inter-Church Drop-in Centre |
£14,209 |
|
Dunamanagh Youth Centre |
£66,307 |
|
Guides - Peace House Programme |
£8,265 |
|
Holy Trinity Youth Centre |
£26,747 |
|
Larne YMCA |
£106,793 |
|
5th Portadown BB |
£10,241 |
|
The Princes Trust Volunteers |
£6,354 |
|
Rosario Youth Club |
£351,502 |
|
Scout Council |
£118,096 |
|
Verbal Arts Centre |
£27,697 |
|
Vision 2000 |
£1,199 |
b. Grants Paid Through YouthNet
|
Belfast United FC |
£1,408.00 |
|
Canopy |
£27,592.13 |
|
CBSI |
£5,936.96 |
|
Culturlann McAdam OFiaich |
£13,862.68 |
|
Irvinestown Drama |
£228.00 |
|
NI Forum |
£900.00 |
|
Ozone Unattached Youth Project |
£2,321.27 |
|
Springhill Community Assoc |
£1,240.99 |
|
St James Forum |
£2,420.00 |
|
St John Bosco Regional Club |
£200.00 |
|
Trinty Church Youth Club |
£4,200.00 |
|
Winsor Womens Group |
£21,964.00 |
|
Modern Arts Co-Operative |
£3,166.00 |
|
Suffolk Strategy Group |
£900.92 |
|
123 House |
£10,084.79 |
|
Ardmonagh |
£7,791.30 |
|
Ardoyne |
£600.00 |
|
Armoy |
£12,352.72 |
|
Ballynafeigh |
£14,711.57 |
|
Bangor YMCA |
£9,156.65 |
|
Beechmount |
£6,659.24 |
|
Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs |
£13,769.91 |
|
Boys’ Brigade |
£2,527.00 |
|
Bridge Monkstown |
£2,960.00 |
|
C'Fergus YMCA |
£682.05 |
|
Carntogher |
£168.29 |
|
CBSI |
£2,545.91 |
|
Centre Care |
£222.40 |
|
Chinese Welfare |
£4,322.04 |
|
Cullybackey |
£3,000.00 |
|
Cumann Larscoile |
£13,443.57 |
|
Derry Travellers |
£1,452.76 |
|
Drumcree |
£11,291.45 |
|
Dundrum |
£4,530.22 |
|
Eglinton |
£6,000.00 |
|
Fermanagh Shadow |
£2,707.70 |
|
First Step |
£5,516.60 |
|
Fountain Street |
£13,059.00 |
|
GFI Wah Hep |
£450.14 |
|
GFI Warehouse |
£1,790.16 |
|
GFI YouthQuest |
£600.00 |
|
Glen Parent |
£10,065.00 |
|
Holy Trinity |
£125.50 |
|
Include Youth |
£4,116.55 |
|
Intercomm |
£16,459.00 |
|
Kaiors D |
£2,000.00 |
|
KGm |
£7,334.10 |
|
LL&T |
£6,194.05 |
|
Larne YMCA |
£2,060.85 |
|
Learmount |
£1,402.14 |
|
Ligoniel |
£6,455.00 |
|
Link |
£904.87 |
|
Lisanelly |
£20,975.85 |
|
Loughshore |
£5,523.85 |
|
Markethill |
£13,474.75 |
|
Methodist Church |
£10.00 |
|
Moyola |
£8,454.56 |
|
Newhill |
£15,866.43 |
|
NI Deaf |
£16,764.01 |
|
Niacro |
£5,964.18 |
|
NICE |
£2,720.90 |
|
North Belfast |
£1,310.42 |
|
North Lurgan |
£3,200.00 |
|
Oasis |
£5,000.00 |
|
Off the Street |
£7,000.00 |
|
Old Warren |
£390.00 |
|
Omagh Boys & Girls |
£15,205.95 |
|
Ozone |
£4,766.00 |
|
Peace People |
£9,000.00 |
|
Powerhouse |
£13,942.36 |
|
Shankill Y Womens |
£4,321.00 |
|
South Armagh |
£10,161.49 |
|
Sparks in the Dark |
£3,000.00 |
|
Sprit of Enniskillen |
£12,232.27 |
|
St James’ Forum |
£5,799.26 |
|
Stadium |
£5,643.02 |
|
Star Neighbourhood |
£725.76 |
|
Streetbeat |
£9,284.18 |
|
Taughmonagh |
£6,226.68 |
|
Thematics YouthAction |
£18,860.75 |
|
Thematics Rural |
£4,000.00 |
|
Tidy Theatre |
£1,887.00 |
|
Townsend Street |
£15,750.00 |
|
Tullyalley |
£6,041.30 |
|
Upper Andersonstown |
£18,145.00 |
|
Vine |
£13,491.78 |
|
Wave |
£3,374.62 |
|
Westrock |
£8,154.56 |
|
Woodvale |
£2,000.00 |
|
YouthAction |
£12,078.30 |
|
Youthlink |
£8,692.02 |
Grants paid to Voluntary and Community Sector
Mr Billy Bell asked the Minister of Education to detail all current schemes under which grants are paid by his Department and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community sector.
(AQW 3479/00)
Mr McGuinness: I will arrange for information in respect of all current schemes and guidance to be placed in the Assembly library.
Grants paid to Voluntary and Community Sector
Mr Billy Bell asked the Minister of Education to detail all grants of £100,000 or more made by his Department and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01.
(AQW 3480/00)
Mr McGuinness: The following grants of over £100,000 have been made by my Department:-
|
Youth Action |
£211,407 |
Graduates gaining employment in Teaching
Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of new graduates coming from teaching related degrees or courses and who successfully went on to gain jobs in the year 1999-2000 at (a) primary school level and (b) secondary school level.
(AQW 3526/00)
Mr McGuinness: The data for 1998/99 BEd and Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) graduates are not yet available. The latest year for which data are available is 1997/98. For that year, of those for whom information was available, 91.9% found employment as follows:
235 in the primary sector
298 in the post primary sector
7 in further education
7 in special education
4 teaching English as a foreign language abroad
3 in study centres and peripatetic teaching
1 in a university
42 in institutions of unknown type.
At May 2001 Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment statistics show that 23 newly qualified teachers were registered as seeking teaching posts.
Ratio of Computers to Pupils
Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister of Education to list, by constituency, the ratio of computers to students at both primary and secondary level education and to distinguish them as being either controlled, maintained or integrated schools.
(AQW 3527/00)
Mr McGuinness: As the current level of provision of computers for students is a matter for individual schools the information requested is not held centrally.
The Classroom 2000 project will, by March 2003, provide for all primary and secondary schools a managed service comprising computer infrastructure, connectivity and educational content. The ratio of computers to pupils provided by Classroom 2000 will be as follows:
Key Stage 1 1:14
Key Stage 2 1:10
Key Stage 3 1:9
Key Stage 4 1:7
Years 13 & 14 1:6.5
Special Schools 1:5
Employment Data on Teachers
Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of full-time male and female teachers, by constituency, currently teaching and the age brackets to which they belong, differentiating between controlled, maintained and integrated systems at both (a) primary school level and (b) secondary school level.
(AQW 3530/00)
Mr McGuinness: I have arranged for the information requested to be placed in the Assembly Library.
Payment of Threshold Allowances
Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education to give his assessment as to whether the scheme for the payment of threshold allowances to teachers is best funded centrally.
(AQW 3547/00)
Mr McGuinness: Teachers who pass the threshold assessment move onto a new upper pay scale giving an immediate pay increase. Pay increases relating to the 2000/01 and 2001/02 financial years are being centrally funded. Consideration is being given to the most appropriate funding mechanisms for future years and no decisions have yet been reached.
Central Funding of Teaching Costs
Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education to give his assessment of the benefits to schools if teacher costs were to be funded centrally.
(AQW 3548/00)
Mr McGuinness: Comments have been invited on this issue as part of the consultation on the LMS common funding formula.
If teacher costs were funded centrally this would be likely to require a return to a centralised staffing formula and development of arrangements for determining the organisational structure within each school.
In such a situation the Board of Governors would no longer have responsibility for determining staffing complements and would have less flexibility in terms of the organisational structure. Some schools may view this as a benefit but, undoubtedly, others would take the contrary view.
Payment of Threshold Allowances
Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education to make it his policy that teacher threshold payments will continue to be centrally funded beyond this current financial year.
(AQW 3549/00)
Mr McGuinness: Teachers who pass the threshold assessment move onto an upper pay scale with a consequent pay increase. Those pay increases are being centrally funded in the 2000/01 and 2001/02 financial years. Consideration is being given to the most appropriate funding mechanisms for future years and no decisions have yet been reached.
Teacher Redundancies
Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of teacher redundancies over the last two years that were directly linked to a budgetary shortfall in schools.
(AQW 3550/00)
Mr McGuinness: Decisions on redundancies are made by the relevant employing authorities. The Department of Education subsequently processes redundancy payments at the request of the Education and Library Boards and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools. During the 1999/2000 financial year the Department processed a total of 274 redundancy payments to teachers. In 2000/2001 this figure was 360. As the Department is not given the reasons for these redundancies it is not possible to say if any were directly linked to schools' annual budget allocations.
Reading Recovery
Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education what assessment he has made in relation to the recent research into longitudinal evaluation of reading recovery in Northern Ireland conducted by the Department of Primary Education, University of Strathclyde, and whether he could confirm that schools are in a position to maximise the benefits of this scheme.
(AQW 3557/00)
Mr McGuinness: This research, together with earlier research, provides a full evaluation of the impact of Reading Recovery. The detailed findings on how the delivery of Reading Recovery can be improved will be considered as part of a review of the literacy strategy currently being implemented. The finding that schools have difficulty funding Reading Recovery will be directly addressed by the injection of £6.3m of Executive Programme Funds over the next three years.
Killard House Special School
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education to ensure that children within the SEELB area can receive their special-needs education at Killard House Special School in Newtownards.
(AQW 3567/00)
Mr McGuinness: As I explained to you in my letter dated 6 July, following the Supply Debate, this school has accommodation problems which cannot easily be rectified. However, places are available at Longstone Special School, Dundonald, for secondary school age pupils with moderate learning difficulties, unable to obtain a place in Killard. Those primary school age pupils with speech and language difficulties in a similar position, receive classroom assistance and outreach teaching from Killard in primary schools until places become available in the school.
Unsatisfactory Teaching Reports : Secondary Level Teachers
Mr Danny Kennedy asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of secondary level teachers who received unsatisfactory teaching reports from the Education and Training Inspectorate in each of the last five years for which figures are available, and to provide a breakdown of the figures for each year by subject taught in each Board area.
(AQW 3587/00)
Mr McGuinness: The table below sets out the information requested.
|
1996/97 |
1997/98 |
1998/99 |
1999/2000 |
2000/2001 |
|
|
BELB |
1 English 1 Geography 1 Irish |
1 Technology and Design 1 English |
|||
|
SELB |
1 English 1 Geography 1 Technology and Design |
2 Technology and Design |
1 Technology and Design 1 Science 1 History |
1 Technology and Design |
1 Science |
|
WELB |
1 Home Economics |
1 Science 1 Technology and Design |
1 English/RE |
2 Science 1 Technology and Design 1 Art and Design |
1 Science 1 Geography 2 Technology and Design |
|
SEELB |
1 Art and Design 1 Physical Education 1 Technology and Design |
1 Special Needs |
1 History |
||
|
NEELB |
1 Technology and Design 1 Art and Design |
1 Science |
1 Art and Design |
3 Science 1 Mathematics 1 English |
1 History 1 Art and Design |
|
TOTAL |
6 |
8 |
8 |
11 |
10 |
Capital Expenditure on Schools
Ms Monica McWilliams asked the Minister of Education to detail the level of capital expenditure on schools in each of the last five years.
(AQW 3625/00)
Mr McGuinness: Capital expenditure on schools by Education and Library Boards and capital grants paid to voluntary and grant-maintained integrated schools in each of the last five years is set out below.
|
1996/97 |
1997/98 £68.177m |
1998/99 £80.291m |
1999/00 £76.004m |
2000/01 £96.264m |
Castle Gardens School, Newtownards : Traffic Control Measures
Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education to detail what traffic control measures the SEELB will be taking to ensure the safety of children at the new Castle Gardens School in Newtownards.
(AQW 3650/00)
Mr McGuinness: The South-Eastern Education and Library Board has assessed the need for a School Crossing Patrol at or on the route to the new Castle Gardens school and concluded that there is no requirement at this time. This assessment was carried out in consultation with the Department of the Environment, who have agreed that there are no exceptional road safety hazards. The Board will, however, monitor the situation in the new school term to assess the traffic flow and the possible future need for a School Crossing Patrol.
Special Educational Need Funding
Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Education to give his assessment of the current special needs component within the overall funding allocation to schools.
(AQW 3674/00)
Mr McGuinness: The Special Needs component is a key element in my Department’s Targeting Social Need policy. None of the existing means of allocating Special Educational Need funding is suitable for use within the proposed common funding formula for schools and I have set out a number of proposals for change in my consultation document on the Common Funding Formula which was published on 5th April. I am proposing that funding allocations should take account of educational need as measured by Key Stage 2 results but I hope that all interested parties will take the opportunity to contribute to this important aspect of the debate.
Special Educational Support Services
Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Education to give his assessment of the effectiveness of special educational support services to assist individual pupils and schools that must be accommodated within the overall resources available to each education board.
(AQW 3675/00)
Mr McGuinness: The Education and Training Inspectorate is responsible for assessing the effectiveness of teaching in the Education and Library Boards’ special education support services (Peripatetic Teaching Services and Outreach Services from special schools) through the normal inspection arrangements. Inspections have taken place in recent years on the Belfast, North Eastern and Southern Boards’ Peripatetic and Western Board’s Outreach Services. I will place a copy of these inspection reports in the Assembly Library.
Educational Psychologists
Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Education to detail his plans to increase the provision of educational psychologists within the education system.
(AQW 3676/00)
Mr McGuinness: Prior to the 1999/2000 academic year my Department had transferred funds to the Education and Library Boards to enable them to support five teachers on the M Sc in Educational Psychology course at Queen’s University, Belfast, each year. From 1999/2000 additional funding was allocated to the Boards to enable eleven teachers per year to be trained and to increase the level of support available to each trainee. My Department will be discussing the future demand for educational psychologists with the Boards in the Autumn.
TOPENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Grants to the Voluntary and Community Sector
Mr Mervyn Carrick asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail all current schemes under which grants are paid by his Department and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community sector.
(AQW 3444/00)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): NITB operates a number of financial assistance schemes which are open to applicants across Northern Ireland including the voluntary and community sector. At present the only schemes currently being administered are; the Tourism Development Scheme (TDS), the International Fund for Ireland (IF