Friday 25 January 2002
Written Answers to Questions

Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Agriculture and Rural Development
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Education
Employment and Learning
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Environment
Finance and Personnel
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Regional Development
Social Development

Mr Gibson asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to make a statement on its policy for assisting the victims of terrorism.

(AQW 849/01)

Reply: [holding answer 15 January 2002]: In July 2001 the Department established a victims unit to take forward work to raise awareness of, and co-ordinate activity on, issues affecting victims across the devolved administration and an inter-departmental working group on victims, chaired by the Junior Ministers, Dermot Nesbitt and Denis Haughey, who have specific responsibility for victims issues, has been established and meets at regular intervals.

In recent months junior Ministers, Nesbitt and Haughey, have met with representatives of over 30 victims’ groups to hear their views.

Earlier this year research was commissioned into the current level of service provision to victims. A summary of that report has recently been sent to all those who took part in the exercise along with an action plan indicating how the findings might be taken forward. A copy of the report and the action plan are available on the internet at www.victimsni.gov.uk and copies have also been placed in the Assembly Library. The research will also help to inform the development of a victims’ strategy aimed at providing high quality help and services to address the needs of victims.

In August 2001 a consultation paper on a victims’ strategy was issued which sought views on both the strategy itself and on a number of specific questions asked throughout the paper. The consultation period ended on 9 November 2001 and the responses are currently being considered. It is envisaged that the strategy will be published and in place early in 2002 and will cover the period up until 2004.

In addition, Peace II contains a specific measure for victims with funding of £6.67 million, of which £1.67 million comes from the Executive. The victims unit has been working on the development of this measure and the first call for applications was made recently.

Mrs Carson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what measures are being looked at in strengthening the development of east-west links.

(AQO 633/01)

Reply: The development of relations and co-operation on an east-west basis has been identified as one of the Executive’s priorities under the Programme for Government. The main mechanism for doing so is the British-Irish Council, which was established under the Belfast Agreement to promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands.

The sectoral areas currently covered by the British- Irish Council are environment, drugs, knowledge economy, social inclusion, transport, tourism and health with a focus on telemedicine.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding and supplementary agreements between the UK Government, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly, a Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC), which comprises representatives of the above administrations, has been established. The Committee’s role is to consider non- devolved matters that impinge on devolved responsibilities and vice-versa.

This forum can also consider devolved matters where all parties agree that there is mutual benefit in discussing their respective treatment in the different parts of the UK.

In the coming year, we intend to take forward work in the Joint Ministerial Committee on issues including health, poverty, the knowledge economy and Europe.

A number of the Northern Ireland Departments have extensive east-west links at all working levels with their counterparts in Whitehall, Scotland and Wales. These links are across a wide range of topics and some examples are agriculture, animal health, veterinary matters, trade, industrial research and technology, energy issues, information age initiative, water issues and cultural and linguistic ties.

Mr Hussey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail its commitment to use "plain English" in all aspects of Government.

(AQO 648/01)

Reply: For the past 10 years all public service providers in Northern Ireland have been encouraged to provide information which is easy to read and understand by using plain language.

The public service improvement unit encourages public service bodies to make use of organisations that have a particular expertise, such as the Plain English Campaign and Plain Language Commission, in the use of clear, customer-friendly information.

The Equality Directorate, in consultation with relevant groups, is developing guidance on making information more accessible to those members of our society most at risk from exclusion.

The Equality Directorate intends to publish good practice guidelines for widespread public consultation during 2002.

Mr McElduff asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what items will be discussed at the next meeting in institutional format with Mr Brian Cowen, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

(AQO 609/01)

Reply: As the joint communiqué from the first NSMC Institutional Format meeting held on 17 December 2001 confirms, the next meeting in this format will be held in the South of Ireland in April 2002. The agenda for this meeting has not yet been agreed.

Mr Maskey asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what progress has been made in bringing forward a cross-departmental strategy to tackle racial inequalities as outlined in the Programme for Government.

(AQO 625/01)

Reply: Work on the development of the race strategy is ongoing and will be brought forward during 2002, with subsequent implementation.

There will be a full and open consultation on the document before it is finally agreed by the Executive Committee.

Mr McClarty asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to detail the areas of the needs and effectiveness programme that account for substantial public spending.

(AQO 642/01)

Reply: The Executive have commissioned work on needs and effectiveness evaluations on programmes in health, education, housing, training and vocational education and financial assistance to industry. These five areas account for some 70% of planned public spending in Northern Ireland. A further review is examining the programmes relating to culture, arts and leisure.

In addition to these six evaluations, major reviews of agriculture and regional transportation will also provide a basis for the future work on considering investment in these areas.

Mr Dalton asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what discussions have been held with Her Majesty’s Government in regard to a state award being struck for the Northern Ireland Fire Service.

(AQO 595/01)

Reply: Consideration of the question of a state award for the Northern Ireland Fire Service is being taken forward by our Department. A discussion has taken place between officials of the Department and the Ceremonial Secretariat of the Cabinet Office to consider the process which would be involved in taking forward a proposal for such an award.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has any plans to assist the dairy farming industry as a result of the EU Commission’s reduced export refunds on dairy products.

(AQW 1303/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): I appreciate the importance of the dairy sector to the Northern Ireland agrifood industry and that it is heavily reliant on export markets. Therefore when export refunds on dairy products were reduced by the EU Milk and Milk Products Management Committee I asked my officials to lobby strongly at future meetings for these to be restored. Some progress was made at both the November and December Committee meetings but it is clearly not enough. I met with industry representatives earlier this month to discuss the seriousness of the situation and agree with their view that a substantial increase in export refunds is needed quickly. Following that meeting I lobbied for the support of other Agriculture Ministers throughout the UK. I have also ensured that Commissioner Fischler was made aware of the issues and the need for further increases to stimulate market demand. I trust that further increases in export refunds will be achieved at the next meeting of the Committee and that this will help to improve returns to dairy farmers.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to state the number of cattle herds for which movement has been restricted as a result of (a) tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks; and (b) brucellosis outbreaks.

(AQW 1314/01)

(a) Currently the number of cattle herds for which movement has been restricted as a result of TB outbreaks is 2,568; and

(b) Currently the number of cattle herds for which movement has been restricted as a result of brucellosis outbreaks is 190.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the amount of milk quota that has been transferred from the UK to Northern Ireland in each of the past 10 years.

(AQW 1317/01)

Ms Rodgers: The table below shows the amount of milk quota permanently transferred from Great Britain to Northern Ireland; the amount transferred from Northern Ireland to Great Britain and the net amount transferred to Northern Ireland.

Figures are not available for earlier years. In this respect you will wish to note that the Rural Payments Agency (previously known as the Intervention Board) assumed responsibility for maintaining the milk quota register on 1 April 1994 and statistics are only available from that date. Also prior to 1 April 1993 the transfer of wholesale quota between regions of the UK was not permitted.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to make a statement on the problems facing hill farmers in west Tyrone.

(AQW 1371/01)

Ms Rodgers: Many of the problems facing hill farmers in west Tyrone are similar to those facing farmers elsewhere in Northern Ireland and beyond. They have their origins in the constantly evolving nature of markets, economies, social trends and consumer tastes and preferences, both nationally and internationally, and in the support and trade policy agenda of the major trading blocs and nations.

For the most part, these are matters over which governments have little or no direct control, and most certainly not the Northern Ireland Executive. That is why it is so important that we devise strategies for coping with the challenges, and the opportunities, that change inevitably brings. This is, to a very large extent, what the vision exercise is all about and why I attach such importance to it.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has any plans to improve the controls over the importation of meat; and to make a statement.

(AQW 1373/01)

Ms Rodgers: Imports of meat from member states and third countries are governed by the Fresh Meat (Import Conditions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, which require imports to be in accordance with EU Directives 72/461/EEC and 72/462/EEC as amended. These Directives lay down rules concerning the health problems affecting intra-community trade, require that meat has been obtained from animals slaughtered in approved establishments and provide that all imports must be accompanied by any certificate or document required for any of the purposes of the Regulations.

Trade in meat coming from Great Britain is subject to licensing under the Landing of Carcases and Animal Products Order (Northern Ireland) 1985 (as amended).

Meat imports are also subject to veterinary checks. For those imported from member states and Great Britain the checks will be carried out at point of destination. However imports from third countries are carried out at border inspection posts and must undergo full documentary, identity and physical checks and such checks must be paid for.

Since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain imports of meat have been subject to additional controls in line with the relevant EC decisions. I have also increased staffing levels substantially at both Northern Ireland border inspection posts and I plan to continue with these levels in order to maintain the controls on imports.

My officials are currently considering a publicity drive to make people travelling abroad more aware of their responsibilities in the possible threat to the Northern Ireland economy when bringing meat and dairy products back into Northern Ireland.

I have no plans at present to increase the controls on the import of meat.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what assessment she has made of how the mid-term review of the common agricultural policy will be affected by the enlargement of the EU; and to make a statement.

(AQW 1374/01)

Ms Rodgers: EU enlargement is one of the factors that will bring pressure to bear for a significant reform of the CAP at some point in time. Whether this occurs at the mid-term review of the Agenda 2000 agreement is open to question. Accession negotiations with prospective members of the European Union are ongoing. It is expected that the first full agreements will not be completed until the end of this year at the earliest. Therefore, it is difficult to give a precise indication at this time as to the effect of enlargement on the CAP, particularly as negotiations are only now starting to deal with the difficult and complex chapters associated with food and agriculture.

Initial proposals from the EU Commission on the mid-term review of the Agenda 2000 agreement are not expected until the middle of this year. Obviously, the Commission will be mindful of influences such as enlargement and the WTO negotiations when making these proposals, but it will also be acutely aware of the variable political appetite for reform among the existing 15 member states. In making its proposals, the Commission will not wish to prejudice its position in the enlargement and WTO talks. Whatever it proposes will obviously be the subject of considerable discussion and negotiation among the existing member states. Given these unknowns, it is not possible at this time to give an assessment of the impact of enlargement specifically on the mid-term review.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the measures taken to prevent illegal dumping on forestry land.

(AQW 1381/01)

Ms Rodgers: In order to deter illegal dumping Forest Service protects and maintains boundaries around forest land owned by it and co-operates with the Department of the Environment in the same regard in respect of its lands. Where Forest Service staff become aware of the dumping of waste or of items left these are removed as quickly as possible in the interests of health and safety and because it can attract the attention of others seeking to dump illegally.

Within the Forest Service by-laws there is a penalty of up to £100 for anyone who drops or leaves rubbish, refuse or litter.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has to extend the amount of forestry land available for public walkways.

(AQW 1382/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Forest Service manages around 75,000 hectares of land. The service operates an open access policy and the public is encouraged to make use of most of this land for recreational, sporting and educational purposes. There are something like 2 million visits to state forests each year. In addition, through its community woodland supplement the Forest Service gives support to the development by private owners of woodlands for recreational use.

A review of forest policy is examining all aspects of strategic forestry development, including the potential for increased use of existing forests and for forest expansion to more effectively meet the economic, environmental and social needs of the community. I am keen for forests to become more widely accessible and used both by tourists and local people.

It is expected that a draft policy paper will be issued for public consultation before the summer of 2002. Through this process I look forward to considering representations from all stakeholders, including MLAs.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she has taken to increase export refunds to encourage EU export of milk powder.

(AQW 1398/01)

Ms Rodgers: In recognition of the deteriorating market situation I asked my officials to lobby strongly for increased export refunds for milk powders at the November and December EU Milk and Milk Products Management Committee and welcome the increases which were announced. Since then I have met with industry representatives to hear at first hand of the seriousness of the situation. It is clear that while the increases to date have been helpful a further substantial increase is needed. I therefore lobbied for the support of the other Agriculture Ministers at our recent meeting. I have also ensured that Commissioner Fischler was made aware of the seriousness of the situation. My officials will continue to press the Northern Ireland case at the regular Management Committee meetings in Brussels. I can assure you that it is my objective to secure a further increase in export refunds for milk powders.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how long will it take the farming community to upgrade their records to meet the criteria for the date-based export scheme.

(AQW 1423/01)

Ms Rodgers: Currently, approximately 57% of cattle in Northern Ireland already meet the criteria for the date-based export scheme. The remainder will not become eligible due to late notification of births or movements, or lack of dam survival confirmation. Record keeping does not form part of the eligibility criteria.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many farmers meet the criteria to export under the date-based export scheme.

(AQW 1424/01)

Ms Rodgers: Technically, virtually every cattle farmer in Northern Ireland could potentially avail of the date- based export scheme (DBES). The criteria for the Scheme is based on individual animal eligibility and therefore any producer could have both DBES eligible and ineligible cattle in his herd at any given point in time.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she is taking to ensure farmers keep the correct records to enable them to export under the date-based export scheme.

(AQW 1425/01)

Ms Rodgers: Maintenance of farm records is not a precondition of eligibility for the date-based export scheme, which is based on traceability information held on the APHIS computer database. Farm records are however an important element of the system enabling producers to notify the Department accurately of births, deaths and movements.

Department officials encourage producers to notify these events promptly and accurately by providing them with information registered on APHIS. The recent launch of the Rural Portal Service, which provides farmers with direct access to APHIS records for their herds, is a significant example of this commitment. The Department also carries out inspections at markets, abattoirs and on farms to monitor compliance.

Mr Wells asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what progress has been made in implementing a drainage scheme for the Ballynahinch River.

(AQW 1435/01)

Ms Rodgers: I am pleased to confirm that a flood alleviation scheme on the Ballynahinch River commenced on 4 June 2001 was completed by Rivers Agency on 17 August 2001.

The completed scheme will significantly reduce the risk of flooding to properties previously affected in 1997.

Mr Wells asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide an update on her plans to carry out a drainage scheme on the Burren River in the vicinity of Newcastle.

(AQW 1437/01)

Ms Rodgers: I am pleased to confirm that a viable scheme has been identified to alleviate the recurrent flooding problem from the lower reaches of the Burren River. Rivers Agency is proceeding with the design and is currently engaged in discussions with landowners, statutory authorities and various interest groups, prior to public exhibition of the scheme. Works are programmed to commence in 2003 but adherence to this programme is dependent on agreements being achieved among a diversity of interested parties.

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline (a) the reason for the delay in the payment of suckler cow premiums which were due in November 2001; and (b) what action she proposes to take to ensure future prompt payment of all subsidies.

(AQW 1445/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s annual profile of premia payments for 2001-02 set out the timetable for the payment of agriculture subsidies. In relation to 2001 suckler cow premium, the profile indicated that claims received up to the end of September 2001 would be paid between mid November and 31 December 2001 with subsequent claims payable within three months of receipt.

Payments of suckler cow premium have been made as follows:

• 82% of claims received up to the end of September were paid by 31 December 2001.

At 18 January 2001:

• 62% of claims received in October 2001 were paid;
• 20% of claims received during November 2001 were paid:
• 6% of claims received in December 2001 were paid.

Under European Commission Regulations premium may only be paid when a claim has been validated in accordance with EC legislation and strict scheme rules.

To ensure that the payment of subsidies operates smoothly I have asked the Department to carry out an assessment of the present arrangements and for any necessary further improvements to be put in place as a matter of urgency.

Mr Neeson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will make a statement on rural proofing.

(AQO 632/01)

Ms Rodgers: My Executive Colleagues and I remain fully committed to the principle of rural proofing, which was, of course, referred to in last year’s Programme for Government. I have recently written to my Executive Colleagues outlining the proposals for the procedures to implement this policy effectively. I am confident that as soon as agreement on these proposals has been reached, the inter-departmental group, which I will chair, will hold its first meeting.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what specific measures is she introducing to assist the farming community of west Tyrone in achieving viability and sustainability.

(AQO 604/01)

Ms Rodgers: My Department provides a very extensive range of practical and financial help and support to the agricultural industry throughout Northern Ireland and these benefit the farmers of west Tyrone in the same way that they benefit farmers elsewhere. Examples include business and technical advice, training and education, animal disease control and eradication, research and development and technology transfer, to name but a few. The administration of support payments to farmers amounting to some £200 million per annum is a further graphic illustration of the work of my Department in support of the industry. The Department also operates measures such as the rural development programme which aims to identify the widest possible range of opportunity and need in rural areas and to respond to this through community, sectoral and agribusiness activities. For example, the natural resource rural tourism initiative will aim to develop sustainable tourism in five of Northern Ireland’s disadvantaged rural areas, one of which is the Sperrins. You will also be aware that I announced a £2 million package under the Programme for Government for a beef quality initiative which will be particularly relevant to farmers in areas such as west Tyrone where suckler calf production is a major enterprise. I am hopeful that it will be possible to commence implementing this particular initiative in early spring.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what assessment she has made of the annual quota allocations for each fish species as a result of the December 2000 European Council of Ministers’ meeting; and to make a statement.

(AQO 598/01)

Ms Rodgers: This was a long and arduous council, particularly as we were faced with proposals for extremely severe cuts in stocks including those of particular interest to the local industry. I do believe however that the best possible deal for Northern Ireland was obtained in the circumstances. I was successful in obtaining an increase in the nephrops total allowable catch from the proposed 14,175 tonnes to 17,790 tonnes.

This was no mean achievement bearing in mind that the European Commission proposal was for a 25% cut in this total allowable catch and their reluctance to accept any increase because of their view that the by catch in this fishery includes stocks under threat. In addition increases above the Commission’s proposals were obtained for such stocks as Irish Sea cod, plaice, sole and haddock.

Whilst I have not made an individual assessment of each fish species for which total allowable catches were agreed I would regard the outcome as successful particularly for Irish Sea cod and during the negotiations I was most grateful for the support of my Ministerial Colleagues from England and Scotland and from the Republic of Ireland. However, at the end of the day the need to conserve fish stocks has to be balanced with the need to protect the industry and during these negotiations I was determined to achieve that balance.

Turning to assistance for the industry, I have already introduced a £5 million fishing vessel decommissioning scheme, the results of which have recently been made known. In addition I have recently announced the availability of some £15 million to fund four new schemes to assist the local industry. These are the improvement of facilities at Northern Ireland fishing ports; support for aquaculture; processing and marketing of freshwater and marine products; and promotion of fishery products. I would also hope in the not too distant future to announce further assistance schemes including those on safety training and for improvement in the quality and marketability of fish on board fishing vessels.

Mr Leslie asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the valuation basis used in determining compensation for sheep slaughtered as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in south Armagh and the Glens of Antrim.

(AQO 622/01)

Ms Rodgers: Part II of Schedule 2 to the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 provides for payment of compensation for animals slaughtered because of foot-and-mouth disease.

Under Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 where an animal slaughtered was affected with foot-and-mouth disease the compensation payable shall be the value of the animal immediately before it became affected. In every other case compensation shall be the value of the animal immediately before it was slaughtered.

Valuation is determined between the owner of the animal and a Department valuation officer. If they fail to agree a valuation the owner has recourse to independent valuation.

Mr A Doherty asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when she expects to publish her new forestry strategy; and to make a statement.

(AQO 636/01)

Ms Rodgers: I intend to publish a consultation paper before the summer of 2002. The paper will seek comment on those issues where forestry can make a contribution to the economic, social and environmental development of Northern Ireland, within the limits of what we can afford.

Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has made representations to the Minister of the Environment to remove rural planning hurdles which might hinder development projects emanating from the ‘vision’ strategy document.

(AQO 608/01)

Ms Rodgers: The vision report covers a lot of ground and has a large number of Recommendations. I do not wish to comment on specific issues until I have completed my assessment of the report as a whole and had an opportunity to consider the views of all stakeholders. The consultation period has been extended to 31 January 2002. However, I can say that, where appropriate, I will consult with my Executive Colleagues on aspects of the plan relevant to their responsibilities.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what assessment she has made in respect of animal health issues, of farmlands being used by security forces and protest groups.

(AQO 601/01)

Ms Rodgers: Our assessment of the risk of disease spread from the security forces and protest groups entering farmland suggests that this is relatively low compared to other forms of transmission. While it is theoretically possible for people to transmit disease it is much more likely that disease is spread by direct contact between animals or by movement of infected material by wildlife. The primary means of infection for the two major diseases, tuberculosis and brucellosis, are inhalation in the case of tuberculosis and direct contamination with the fluids surrounding aborted foetuses and afterbirths of infected cows or heifers in the case of brucellosis. My Department has a code of practice for preventing the introduction or spread of animal and poultry disease. While the guidelines set out in the code are designed primarily for Department officials visiting farms or crossing agricultural land they have been made available to the security forces.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what progress has been made to provide assistance to farmers in order to avail themselves of IT equipment.

(AQO 628/01)

Ms Rodgers: Effective use of the new technology depends not only on farmers having access to the equipment but also on developing the skills to use the equipment and having readily available the applications and software of relevance to their business. My Department has been active in all these areas.

We have, for example, been able to assist some farmers obtain funds from LEDU and through various rural development initiatives to purchase computers for use in the farm business.

I have also provided, using Agenda for Government funding, open access computers for farmers at the three DARD Colleges and at up to 30 locations throughout the Province. The locations were specified by UFU and NIAPA. This provides access to computers and the internet for those farmers who do not have suitable IT equipment on the home farm.

DARD Colleges provide a range of courses for farmers and farm families in the use of computers and Greenmount College has developed a substantial and innovative internet site. This pioneering work forms the basis of the rural portal (www.ruralni.gov.uk) which I launched last week.

This work will continue to support the industry in making effective use of this new technology.

Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline if there is a need for those entering farmland to adhere to DARD disease control regulations to avoid the spread of bovine notifiable diseases.[R]

(AQO 599/01)

Ms Rodgers: Our assessment of the risk of disease spread from the security forces and protest groups entering farmland suggests that this is relatively low compared to other forms of transmission. While it is theoretically possible for people to transmit disease it is much more likely that disease is spread by direct contact between animals or by movement of infected material by wildlife. The primary means of infection for the two major diseases, tuberculosis and brucellosis, are inhalation in the case of tuberculosis and direct contamination with the fluids surrounding aborted foetuses and afterbirths of infected cows or heifers in the case of brucellosis. My Department has a code of practice for preventing the introduction or spread of animal and poultry disease. While the guidelines set out in the code are designed primarily for Department officials visiting farms or crossing agricultural land they have been made available to the security forces.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to make a statement on the uptake of the countryside management and organic farming schemes.

(AQO 630/01)

Ms Rodgers: The countryside management scheme came into effect on 20 March 2001. Since then 341 applicants have entered into management agreements with the Department, a further 130 applicants have been offered management agreements in December 2001 and DARD expects to offer agreements to a further 700 applicants in the next few months. Under the terms of the scheme, first payments are made following completion of each year’s undertakings. It is also intended that the countryside management scheme will re-open to new applications later in 2002 and annually thereafter.

The organic farming scheme came into effect on 1 March 2001. There are 72 scheme participants, which is only half the number anticipated by this stage. This is due mainly to the effects of the foot-and-mouth disease situation, which meant that necessary on-farm inspections by organic sector bodies could not take place. However we anticipate increased interest in the scheme in 2002.

Mr Davis asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has to consult with her colleague in Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in respect of a potential application to build a potato chip production plant in Northern Ireland, and to outline if such a plant would attract grant aid.

(AQO 635/01)

Ms Rodgers: When the new processing and marketing grant scheme opens my Department will call for applications. At that stage we will work closely with Department of Trade and Industry agencies, IBD and LEDU who are co-funders of worthy projects. I can not indicate approval of the potential project the Member has outlined until a detailed application has been received and fully assessed.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if Northern Ireland falls within the scope of any investigations being carried out by the European Union anti-fraud unit in respect of alleged overpayments of compensation to farmers whose herds suffered foot-and-mouth disease.

(AQO 618/01)

Ms Rodgers: There were no overpayments of compensation for animals slaughtered because of the disease. Animals were individually valued by the Department’s valuation officers and owners signed Statements of Valuation agreeing to the valuations of their animals. Following valuation animals were kept under supervision until they were slaughtered, thus there was no possibility that animals could be removed from owners’ premises following valuation.

However an inspection team from the European Veterinary Fund Audit office recently visited Northern Ireland, as part of their audit of the UK’s claim to the EU for a financial contribution towards the cost of compensation paid for animals slaughtered because of foot-and-mouth disease. The audit team’s report has not yet been received.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to AQO 449/01, what practical steps is he taking to ensure that a 50-metre swimming pool will be a central part of the Centre of Excellence at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown; and to make a statement.

(AQW 1232/01)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): I refer the Member to the answer I gave on AQW 1259/01 which confirmed that current plans are to provide a 50 metre swimming pool at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown as part of the Sports Institute for Northern Ireland.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to AQW 1091/01, to give a breakdown of monies spent by the South Eastern Education and Library Board for public libraries under their control, in each of the past five years.

(AQW 1305/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The following table gives a breakdown of expenditure by the South Eastern Education and Library Board on the public libraries under its control over the last five years.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline (a) any plans he has to provide resources for the development of youth football; and (b) how he intends to allocate these resources.

(AQW 1312/01)

Mr McGimpsey: I recently obtained £1.6 million over the next three years from the Executive Programme Funds to assist in the development of youth football in Northern Ireland. It is my intention that this money should be distributed to football through the Sports Council. The Sports Council is therefore drawing up plans for the allocation of this funding at the moment and I anticipate that the Sports Council’s plan will be finalised within the next few weeks.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if his Department or any of its agencies retains a list of names of the people who signed the Ulster Covenant in 1912.

(AQW 1336/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) holds the original signatures of the Ulster Covenant. They are set out on approximately 47,150 forms (usually 10 names to each form) within the Ulster Unionist Council archive (PRONI Ref D/1327). There is no separate list of the signatures.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to list the documents that his Department possesses in relation to the 1912 Ulster Covenant.

(AQW 1337/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The documents in relation to the 1912 Ulster Covenant are held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. The main archive is the Ulster Unionist Council archive D/1327. There is also relevant information in the following papers:

*The total figure for 1999/00 is less than shown in the response to AQW 1091 as the Board has submitted a revised figure.

• The Northern Ireland Information Service archive (INF/7A)
• Abercorn (D/623)
• Carson (MIC/665)
• Craigavon (D/1415)
• Joseph Cunningham (D/1288)
• H Mongtomery Hyde (D/3084)
• 7th Marquess of Londonderry (D/3099)
• Sir Robert Lynn, MP (D/3480/59)
• Ellison Macartney (D/3649)
• Joshua Peel (D/889)
• Colonel Saunderson (MIC/281, T/2996)
• Ulster Women’s Unionist Council (D/2688, D/1098)

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much money was allocated to the Ulster Cycling Federation in each of the last three years.

(AQW 1339/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council recognise the Ulster Cycling Federation (UCF) as the governing body for the sport of cycling in the province. The UCF have had the following funding allocated in the last three years.

The Northern Ireland Cycling Federation, as an unrecognised governing body, do not qualify for Sports Council Exchequer funding support, although they are eligible to apply for Sports Lottery assistance.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much money was allocated to the Northern Ireland Cycling Federation in each of the last three years.

(AQW 1340/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council recognise the Ulster Cycling Federation (UCF) as the governing body for the sport of cycling in the province. The UCF have had the following funding allocated in the last three years.

The Northern Ireland Cycling Federation, as an unrecognised governing body, do not qualify for Sports Council Exchequer funding support, although they are eligible to apply for Sports Lottery assistance.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he has any proposals to introduce a two-bag limit for salmon within inland waterways, in particular, the Lough Neagh and Upper Bann system.

(AQW 1354/01)

Mr McGimpsey: I can confirm that approval has been given to a proposal by the Fisheries Conservancy Board to introduce a two fish daily bag limit for rod caught salmon within the board’s area, which includes Lough Neagh and the Upper Bann system. The bag limit will apply from 1 June to the end of the annual fishing season. During the period from 1 March to 31 May all salmon caught must be returned immediately to the water. The by-laws will come into operation on 1 March 2002.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans he has to enhance inland fishing in the Carrickfergus Borough Council Area.

(AQW 1383/01)

Mr McGimpsey: There are limited opportunities to enhance inland fisheries in the Carrickfergus Borough Council area due to the lack of rivers and loughs. However the Department has four waters in the area which form part of the public angling estate and plans have been drawn up to improve and further develop waters such as Lough Mourne, the Woodburn Reservoirs and the Marshallstown Reservoir. Furthermore consideration is being given to other sources of funding such as the Executive Programme funds.

Regardless of the above, routine maintenance and improvement work is constantly ongoing in the public angling estate and the Department has recently constructed a disabled anglers car park at Middle South Woodburn reservoir. Moreover some work has already begun, in co-operation with the Water Service, to provide extensive disabled facilities at Marshallstown; Upper, Lower and Middle, South and North Woodburn. This will include access and fishing stands for the disabled as well as some tree planting and a new car park at North Woodburn, which should improve road safety and vehicle security.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans he has to provide funding to district councils for the development of sports and recreational facilities; and to make a statement.

(AQO 596/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The responsibility for securing adequate facilities for social, physical and cultural activities, under Article 10 of the Recreation and Youth Service (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, lies with district councils.

In addition, statutory responsibility for the development of sport rests with the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. To date the Sports Council has made a sum of approximately £44.9 million available from the Sports Lottery Fund to capital projects, of which £9.8 million has been awarded to district councils.

My Department is, through the cultural forum, working with district councils to assist them with the development of local cultural strategic plans. These plans will be used to assist access to funding sources including that available under the Peace II programme.

Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what advice or instructions he has given to each Government Department to promote the use of the Irish language in public life.

(AQO 607/01)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department advised Ministerial Colleagues of the provisions of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages which the devolved administration could apply to Irish. The Department chairs an interdepartmental group which is developing advice on implementing the Charter. On 6 July 2001 my Department issued to Departments model interim guidance on the use of Irish in official business. This was intended to help Departments understand and meet the minimum requirements of Part III Article 10 of the European Charter. Further draft model guidance will be submitted to the Executive early this year. Furthermore, my Department responds as appropriate to requests from other Departments for advice on specific issues and regularly contributes to consultative exercises.

Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) the date of the last inspection carried out at O’Neill Memorial Primary School, Crossnacreevy; (b) the date of the last parents’ meeting; and (c) if the possible closure of the school was recorded on the agenda for the last parents’ meeting.

(AQW 1289/01)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): The South-Eastern Education and Library Board has confirmed:

(a) The date of the last inspection was May 1996;

(c) The South-Eastern Education and Library Board’s area strategic development plan, which indicates that there will be a review of primary provision, was an item on the agenda for the meeting on 28 November 2001.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to provide the current waiting times for appointments with education psychologists in each education and library board.

(AQW 1304/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The position on referrals for statutory assessment of special educational needs at Stage 4 of the code of practice in each education and library board area is as follows: -

Average waiting times at Stage 3 of the code of practice are not available.

Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) if the chairman of the board of governors of O’Neill Memorial Primary School has received any requests, since 1 December 2001, for an Extraordinary General Meeting of Parents with the Governors; (b) the decision reached; and (c) the reason for this decision.

(AQW 1306/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The South-Eastern Education and Library Board have confirmed:

(a) The chairperson of the board of governors received a letter posted on 14 December 2001 from a group of concerned parents requesting an emergency meeting of the board of governors; and

(b) and ( c) The chairperson responded on 15 December 2001 indicating that because of the Christmas holidays it would not be possible to hold a meeting until the new year. The parents were asked to write to the secretary to the board of governors suggesting suitable dates for a meeting.

Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister of Education to list (a) the parent governors of O’Neill Memorial Primary School, Crossnacreevy, at the beginning of the academic year September 2001; and (b) the number of children each parent governor has enrolled at the school.

(AQW 1307/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The South-Eastern Education and Library Board have confirmed:

(a) The parent governors at September 2001 were Mrs Valerie Atcheson and Mr Desmond Butler; and

(b) These individuals did not have children at the school in September 2001, but did so at the time of their election as parent governors.

Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) those parent governors of O’Neill Primary School, Crossnacreevy, at January 2002, and were they appointed at a parents’ meeting; (b) the date of the parents’ meeting; (c) if all the parents were invited to this meeting; and (d) the number of children each of these parent governors have enrolled at the school.

(AQW 1308/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The South-Eastern Education and Library Board have confirmed:

(a) At January 2002 there were 2 vacancies for parent governors at the school due to the withdrawal of the parent governors elected to serve for the period 2001-2005. The school is in the process of arranging a new election;

(b) The governors who have withdrawn were elected at the meeting held on 29 October 2001;

(c ) All parent were invited to this meeting; and

(d) As parent elections are currently pending details are not known.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to outline (a) the number of student teachers currently training that will have mathematics as their main subject area; and (b) if he is considering increasing these numbers to meet any potential shortfall.

(AQW 1332/01)

Mr M McGuinness: There are currently 105 student teachers training with mathematics as their main subject. My Department adjusts the overall allocation of teacher training places annually to ensure a reasonable match between the numbers being trained and projected teacher vacancies based on a statistical model. Each higher education institution is then responsible for distributing its total allocation of places across its own course provision.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education what assessment he has made in relation to the number of suitable mathematics teachers available currently for posts advertised for secondary level schools; and to make a statement.

(AQW 1334/01)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department does not collect information from the employing authorities about the number of applications to fill teaching vacancies in schools; and the employing authorities have not reported to my Department that they are experiencing serious problems in recruiting mathematics teachers to secondary schools.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of classroom assistants currently employed in primary schools in each education and library board area.

(AQW 1352/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I have been advised by the education and library boards that the numbers are as follows:

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education to list the schools awaiting high priority maintenance work in the constituency of North Down; and the proposed dates for the commencement of this work.

(AQW 1385/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Responsibility for maintenance of controlled and maintained schools in the constituency rests with the South-Eastern Education and Library Board. I understand from the board that it plans to commence high priority maintenance work at the schools listed below over the next two years. The Department has no information on planned maintenance work at other schools in the constituency.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail, by education authority, the average class size in secondary schools in each year since 1994.

(AQW 1449/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The information requested is not held by the Department, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Education what qualifications or experience classroom assistants require before entering the classroom environment.

(AQW 1456/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I have been advised that while there are a number of qualifications that offer qualified status to classroom assistants, the minimum qualification offering recognised status by the education and library boards to classroom assistants in all schools is a NVQ Level II in Early Years Care and Education.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if she will consider providing Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) with the facility to collect data on the religious background of their Northern Ireland applicants.

(AQW 1323/01)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): This matter has been discussed with UCAS. As an admissions organisation for institutions across the United Kingdom they are unwilling to treat applicants from Northern Ireland in a different way from those of the other jurisdictions.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what plans she has to promote community relations programmes in teacher education and further and higher education.

(AQW 1325/01)

Ms Hanna: The promotion of community relations programmes in teacher education is the responsibility of the Department of Education.

A working group set up by my Department is to produce recommendations on the promotion of community relations within the FE curriculum. It is also expected to produce a good practice guide for colleges.

The NI universities are autonomous bodies with a statutory obligation, under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, to promote equality of opportunity and good community relations. My Department has set aside additional funding of £155,000 in 2001-02 to assist the universities in meeting these statutory obligations.

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (a) the number of complaints, post devolution, that have reached tribunal stage and have been referred to the Labour Relations Agency in respect of cases taken against directors of further education colleges on the grounds of bullying, abusive behaviour and discriminatory employment practices; and (b) what measures she intends to put in place to address such matters.

(AQW 1327/01)

Ms Hanna: Governing bodies, and employees do not, as a matter of course, advise the Department of cases that have been referred to tribunals or the Labour Relations Agency. The Department has however been made aware of two cases, since 1999, where complaints have been made against directors of colleges and which have been referred to the Labour Relations Agency. Staffing and employee relations matters are issues for the governing body of colleges of further and higher education. There exists already internal and external procedures, including employment law, for dealing with such matters.

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister for Employment and Learning when does the Training and Employment agency intend to lay its accounts before the Assembly for the year 1999-2000; and to make a statement.

(AQW 1412/01)

Ms Hanna: The Training and Employment Agency’s final set of accounts for 1999-2000 were passed in draft form to the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) in September 2000. The NIAO questioned the technical accounting policy used in those accounts in relation to the timing of the recognition of income from European Union claims. After extended discussions, an alternative approach has been accepted. I hope that the necessary information will be available within about a month to enable the accounts to be redrafted and passed to NIAO. They will then be laid as soon as NIAO have completed its report.

Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the percentage of employees at the Halifax Call Centre (Gasworks site) who reside in each Belfast post code area.

(AQW 1281/01)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): The information requested is gathered on new investment projects in order to assess the extent to which actual jobs created have had an impact in New TSN areas. The information is gathered on a voluntary basis from companies promoting these projects on the understanding that it will not be used to identify individual companies unless the companies are content to release the data, currently DETI does not have the information requested. It is the intention of the Department that figures relating to job creation in New TSN areas will be published after the financial year end.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail, by constituency, the number of applications received for petroleum licenses in each of the last three years.

(AQW 1380/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The details are as follows:

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to set up a cross-departmental committee to harness the tourism potential of the inland fishing and forest walks within the Carrickfergus Borough Council area.

(AQW 1391/01)

Sir Reg Empey: In 1999 the Northern Ireland Tourist Board established national product marketing groups for the Northern Ireland angling and walking products. Each group is comprised of representatives from regional tourism organisations, local authorities, government agencies and advisory bodies, Sustrans and the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN). A partnership approach is adopted by the product marketing groups to develop and fulfil an annual marketing activities plan and highlight areas for further product development.

Carrickfergus Borough Council is already represented on each group through the Causeway coast and glens regional tourism organisation. In the circumstances, I do not feel a further cross-departmental committee to harness the tourism potential of the inland fishing and forest walks within the Carrickfergus Borough Council area would be appropriate.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what assurances he received from Bombardier with reference to the retention of design staff in Belfast.

(AQW 1400/01)

Sir Reg Empey: I have had frequent meetings and discussions with Bombardier, including my recent visit to Bombardier Headquarters in Montreal. I have received assurances from Bombardier that it is committed to retaining a strong design, engineering and manufacturing capability in Belfast, which will enable it to respond effectively to future business opportunities.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of redundancies in the Bangor job centre area in the last year.

(AQW 1510/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Over the year to 18 January 2002, there were 4,848 redundancies in Northern Ireland confirmed to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Of these, 19 were in the Bangor job centre area.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what percentage of planning applications made since 1996 were approved in each of the following sectors (a) large scale retail development; (b) new housing development; and (c) hotel complexes.

(AQW 1248/01)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): The details are set out below:

Percentage of applications approved

• Large scale retail developments 59%
• Housing development 67%
• Hotel complexes 70%

The figure for new housing development excludes applications for single houses.

The figure for hotel complexes includes applications received for restaurants and public houses.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQW 866/01 and AQW 867/01, to detail (a) how water and electricity supplies are to be provided to the properties in the development and (b) any precedent that would support an unorthodox method, should one be adopted, of providing water and electricity in this case.

(AQW 1257/01)

Mr Foster: It is a matter for statutory service providers to determine how they provide their services. However, my Department has written to the agents acting for the developer in this case, imposing a number of conditions under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. These have been imposed to protect the badgers near this site, and include a condition that no services are to be placed underground within the "no development" zone.

Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of the Environment to impose a moratorium on all planning applications for telecommunication masts until such time as all health concerns have been fully assessed.

(AQW 1261/01)

Mr Foster: It would not be practical, or indeed lawful, for me to impose a moratorium on planning applications for telecommunication masts, as my Department has a statutory duty to process and determine any valid planning application which it receives. Accordingly once all material planning information relating to an application for a telecommunications mast has been received and fully considered, including consultation replies together with any other representations received, my Department is under a legal obligation to determine that application.

The member may also be aware that Article 33 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 provides an applicant, in all but major cases designated under Article 31 of that Order, with the right to appeal to the Planning Appeals Commission on the grounds that his or her application has not been determined by my Department within laid down timescales.

Any objections relating to health issues or other public concerns raised in representations on planning proposals are fully considered by Planning Service in processing applications. Where appropriate advice on health matters is sought from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. As regards proposals for telecommunications masts, the most recent advice available from the DHSSPS has advised that, where emissions from the mast are within the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) public exposure guidelines, they would not raise any further questions with regard to health. It is in the context of this current advice from DHSSPS that Planning Service considers health concerns raised about such development.

Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of the Environment to make it his policy that any future planning applications for telecommunication masts will only be granted where they are at least 1,000 metres from private/public dwellings.

(AQW 1262/01)

Mr Foster: My Department issued a consultation paper on 10 November 2000, seeking views on possible changes to planning legislation for the control of development by licensed telecommunications code system operators, and on the terms of a draft planning policy statement on telecommunications development.

Following a decision of the Executive Committee, I intend to shortly bring forward legislation, which will require full planning permission for all new telecommunications development. All new mast development will then be subject to the full rigour of the planning process. At the same time my Department is revising the draft planning policy statement on telecommunications development taking advice, on health issues, from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. As part of that revision, my Department is considering the issues raised by the Member. I will, of course, advise the Member of the outcome of that process.

Mr McMenamin asked the Minister of the Environment what plans he has to ensure that emissions from telecommunication masts do not exceed the legal limits.

(AQW 1263/01)

Mr Foster: My Department has no responsibility for monitoring or control of emissions from telecommunications base stations. Responsibility for the regulation of telecommunications in the United Kingdom rests with the Department of Trade and Industry. Operators of public telecommunications systems require a licence issued by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984.

The Stewart Report on mobile phones and health in May 2000 recommended the adoption, as a precautionary approach, of the International Commission on Non- Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) public exposure guidelines in lieu of the guidelines of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB).

The Report also recommended that an independent random audit of telecommunications base stations should be carried out to give the public confidence that emissions to which the public are exposed do not exceed the ICNIRP guidelines. Surveys are currently being undertaken by the Radiocommunications Agency (RA), an Agency of the DTI. The initial focus of the audit is schools with base stations on their premises. 100 surveys have been completed up to December 2001, including 6 school sites in Northern Ireland, with all measurements so far showing emissions to be hundreds of times below the ICNIRP public exposure guidelines. The full results are published on the RA website at (www.radio.gov.uk).

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what assessment has been made in relation to the effect of green belts on the development opportunities of local district councils such as the creation of new community and leisure facilities.

(AQW 1291/01)

Mr Foster: My Department has not carried out any specific assessment of the effects of green belts on the development opportunities of local councils. Specific applications would be assessed against prevailing planning policies contained in the planning strategy for rural NI and planning policy statements and against the content of the relevant area plan. However, the development plan preparation process offers councils the opportunity to make representations covering the extent of green belt which may be relevant to any development matters causing concern.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQO 2/01, what progress has been made in relation to the removal of the telecommunications mast at School Road, Crogary, Newry.

(AQW 1315/01)

Mr Foster: I have little to add to my answer to AQO2/01 when I explained that Crown Castle, agents for One 2 One, had intended to replace the mast with two smaller roadside masts. This is still their position.

Crown Castle wrote to me on 19 December 2001 advising that they were consulting widely on the sites identified. In addition to writing to the local council with details of their proposals, they advised that they had sent mail shots to all those parties believed to have an interest in this matter. They further advised that they were at the initial stages of consultation and were not yet in a position to submit planning applications. In responding to that letter, my private secretary stated that I was anxious to ensure that this matter is satisfactorily resolved with the minimum of further delay, and added that I trusted they would be in a position to submit the relevant applications as soon as possible.

No applications have been received to date, but we will continue to press Crown Castle for a satisfactory resolution of this matter.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the measures he uses to ensure that the number of multiple occupancy dwellings do not exceed the number of private occupancy dwellings within new housing developments in Portstewart and Portrush.

(AQW 1342/01)

Mr Foster: Under the provisions of the Planning (Use Classes) Order (NI) 1989, a dwelling house may be occupied by not more than six residents living together on a communal basis, as a single household, without the requirement to seek planning permission for a change of use from a dwelling previously occupied by a single person, or by people living together as a family.

Similarly a new dwelling can be designed to accommodate up to six residents living together on a communal basis as a single household without a requirement for the developer to specifically distinguish it as a proposed house in multiple occupation. The Regulations do not provide my Department with any powers to specify how the dwelling might subsequently be occupied, at the time an original planning application is determined.

As a consequence, there are no measures available to ensure that dwellings in multiple occupation to not exceed the number of privately occupied dwellings.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment if he has any plans to limit bulk buying of houses for student occupation in areas of new residential development.

(AQW 1343/01)

Mr Foster: I have no powers to limit the bulk buying of housing for student accommodation. However, any proposals to provide accommodation for multiple occupancy are bound by the provisions of the Planning (Use Classes) Order (NI) 1991, which states that a dwelling house may be occupied by not more than six residents living together on a communal basis, as a single household, without the requirement to seek planning permission for a change of use from a dwelling previously occupied by a single person, or by people living together as a family.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (a) the number of new houses built in Portstewart in the last five years; and (b) the number of these houses currently owner-occupied.

(AQW 1344/01)

Mr Foster: Records held on housing completions in Portstewart are available for the last four years 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-01. These show that there were 421 housing completions during that period.

My Department does not hold information on houses which are owner occupied.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of houses built in Portstewart without initial planning permission, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1345/01)

Mr Foster: My Department does not keep a record of this information.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of planning permissions granted retrospectively in 2001.

(AQW 1361/01)

Mr Foster: The information requested is not readily available, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to my Department.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (a) the monitoring process for emissions at Premier Power Ltd, Ballylumford, Islandmagee; and (b) if any regulations have been breached in each of the last three years.

(AQW 1362/01)

Mr Foster: Ballylumford Power Station which operates on natural gas, with heavy fuel oil as a standby fuel, is authorised under the Industrial Pollution Control (NI) Order 1997.

The authorisation requires the company continuously to monitor emissions to the atmosphere of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide and smoke and manually to test the emissions from each boiler, on an annual basis, using an accredited testing laboratory.

The company is also required to monitor its discharges to Larne Lough for key parameters, such as temperature, pH, total residual oxidant, oil/grease and ferrous sulphate, on a four-hourly, daily or monthly basis depending on the parameter.

The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) regularly inspects the plant and arranges for check monitoring of the emissions to air and water.

Copies of the authorisation and monitoring reports are placed on public registers, which are located in Larne Borough Council offices and in the EHS Office in Calvert House, Belfast.

Over the last three years, the company has complied with all of the authorised limits, except for three breaches of the particulate-to-air limit and a few periods of dark smoke emission. The first particulate breach was recorded in March 2000 and the other two occurred during October 2001. The intermittent episodes of dark smoke emission occurred during 1 to 4 January 2002 when there was an interruption of the gas supply to the station and the company was required to switch over to heavy fuel oil. When the plant was returned to gas firing, the problem disappeared. The particulate exceedences were very minor and did not result in any off-site complaint nor any reported adverse impact on the environment.

On each occasion, EHS was informed by the company of the reasons for the release and the steps taken to alleviate the problem.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment what action he intends to take to sustain and enhance local communities that are experiencing a high density of multiple student occupancy, in particular, towns neighbouring the University of Ulster, Coleraine.

(AQW 1365/01)

Mr Foster: There are no provisions within planning law to enable my Department to control who occupies particular properties and there is no basis in planning law or policies for distinguishing between students and other sections of the community. Providing that the use to which the property is put meets with legal requirements and the provisions of current planning policy, there are no actions that my Department can take.

I understand the Member’s concern about the impact of student accommodation on a community, and on the character of specific areas around the north coast, and within the catchment area of the University. However, there are limitations on the ability of the land use planning system to regulate the growth of houses in multiple occupation, that do not exceed the threshold specified in the Planning (Use Classes) Order (NI) 1989. Where houses in multiple occupancy require planning permission my Department seeks to ensure the protection of residential amenity in its consideration of planning applications.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment what assessment he has made in the relationship between areas with multiple student occupancy and current house prices.

(AQW 1366/01)

Mr Foster: I have made no assessment of this matter. However, the area plan preparation process, particularly with the new "Issues Paper" approach, will allow planning issues related to multiple occupancy of properties to be raised and discussed.

Mr McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment if there is an optimum percentage of dwellings of multiple occupancy that can be accommodated by an existing community.

(AQW 1367/01)

Mr Foster: My Department is not aware of any such figure. While many houses in multiple occupation fall outside the scope of existing planning regulations contained within the Planning (Use Classes) Order (NI) 1989, and do not require planning consent, where they do, my Department’s prime consideration in processing planning applications is the potential impact on the amenities of an area. In reaching a planning decision, my Department’s aim is to ensure the protection of residential amenity and the provision of a suitable standard of accommodation.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of the Environment what financial assistance is available to local councils to help them achieve their waste recycling targets.

(AQW 1376/01)

Mr Foster: My Department’s remaining budget for waste management in the current financial year is £2.5 million.

I have recently approved a waste management grant scheme which will disburse £2 million of this budget to Councils in the current financial year. A copy of the scheme was sent to all councils on 14 January 2002.

The scheme provides funding for activities, including recycling, which will help councils meet the objectives and targets in the NI waste management strategy and in councils’ developing waste management plans. The amount to be allocated for recycling is a matter for the Councils themselves, in line with their draft waste management plans and the terms of the scheme. The allocation in my Department’s budget for 2002-03 is £7.4 million. No decisions have yet been taken on how much of this will be available to councils. This will depend on progress in finalising their waste management plans. Again the amount available to support recycling within any allocation will be a matter for the Councils themselves.

The remaining £0.5 million of this year’s budget is being used by my Department for further waste data surveys, on public awareness and education on waste issues and on extending the GB Waste to Resources action programme to Northern Ireland.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of the Environment to make a statement on the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development and on Northern Ireland participation in the Cabinet Committee dealing with the Summit.

(AQW 1388/01)

Mr Foster: The World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 (WSSD) will mark the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio.

The Whitehall Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is leading the UK preparations for the Summit.

The agenda for WSSD has not yet been formally agreed, but is evolving through the international preparatory process. UK priorities for the summit are eradicating poverty by making globalisation work for sustainable development, freshwater and oceans, access to clean energy, sustainable development initiatives for Africa, resource productivity/efficiency worldwide (including the use of scientific and technological knowledge) and capacity building as a cross cutting issue.

Northern Ireland is undertaking a number of activities in the run-up to WSSD, including a conference in September 2001, a Green Living Fair and the ‘Our World Project’, which I launched, in partnership with the Worldwide Fund for Nature, in September 2001. This project involves schools in Northern Ireland competing for a grant of £15,000 to help make their school more sustainable. In addition, an Earth Champion, selected from the winning school, will play an active role at the Summit.

The new Cabinet Committee on WSSD [MISC 18], chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, is co-ordinating the UK’s strategy for the Summit. The Environment Ministers from the three devolved Administrations, have been invited to attend meetings of the Committee. There have been two meetings to date. Unfortunately, because of Executive and Assembly Business, which must take priority for me, I have been unable to attend either. I have therefore written to the Deputy Prime Minister to assure him of my support for the process and I will attend future meetings where possible. Moreover, my Department is represented at meetings of officials supporting the MISC 18 process.

Mr Maskey asked the Minister of the Environment if the Belfast Regeneration office has any plans to sell land, which it considers surplus to use, in the Upper Dunmurry Lane adjoining the Colin Glen Trust for a horticultural college and garden centre.

(AQW 1407/01)

Mr Foster: I can confirm that my Department regards these lands as surplus to its requirements. The Department of Social Development’s Belfast Regeneration Office is taking forward the disposal process on behalf of my Department.

As part of this process, and in line with Government procedures, details of the lands have been circulated to other Government Departments, and expressions of interest have been invited. If a compelling case can be made, the lands may be transferred to the appropriate Department. If not, they will be placed on the open market.

While there have been expressions of interest none of these have involved a proposal to develop a horticultural college and garden centre.

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what facilities exist for the recycling of plastics.

(AQW 1414/01)

Mr Foster: There are 15 Northern Ireland companies which recycle or reprocess plastic film and/or dense plastic waste. They are listed in a comprehensive guide to recycling and reprocessing facilities entitled ‘Recycling Directory of Ireland’. The Directory identifies alternative paths for plastics waste, which minimise the loss of valuable material to landfill and reduce costs to companies. It is available free of charge to industry, business and local authorities both in hard copy and via a web-site (www.irelandrecycling.ie).

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what percentage of packaging is currently recycled.

(AQW 1421/01)

Mr Foster: The most up-to-date figures available for the percentage of waste packaging being recycled are for the calendar year 2000 and refer to the UK, as a whole. These indicate that 36% of packaging waste was recycled.

Since the packaging recovery scheme was designed to operate in a seamless way across the UK, it is not possible to separate data individually applicable to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Department is commissioning further studies of commercial and industrial waste. These will, among other things, help to clarify what progress is being made in promoting the recycling of packaging waste.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to outline (a) any meetings which have taken place with local district councils to agree a strategy for the disposal of fridges and freezers; and (b) the timetable for agreeing and implementing this strategy.

(AQW 1422/01)

(a) To date no meetings have taken place with local councils to agree a strategy for the disposal of fridges and freezers as this is dependent on guidance on recovery standards and the subsequent establishment of facilities.

(b) The short-term strategy is to store waste units until an approved disposal route can be found. Guidance on storage issued to councils last week for consideration. My officials are making arrangements to meet with council representatives to discuss the guidance and other issues relating to storage.

Draft guidance on standards for the recovery of ozone depleting substances from insulating foam has been circulated. It should become clearer over the next three months how the waste management industry intends to respond to these and the needs of councils in terms of the siting of approved disposal plant. It would be appropriate at that stage to commence the formulation of a strategy for disposal of the waste units when decisions could be taken based on more accurate transport and disposal cost information.

Mr Wells asked the Minister of the Environment when he expects to complete his programme of designation of areas of special scientific interest.

(AQW 1438/01)

Mr Foster: I am not yet able to say when the programme will be completed. My Department’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) is at present reviewing the network of Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs). EHS hopes to complete this review in the next financial year. In this review, the current and proposed extent of the ASSI network (as well as the subsequent management and monitoring requirements) is being assessed. It is not yet possible to predict the final number of ASSIs nor to estimate when the designations will be completed. The final number is likely to be more than twice the present total of 190 but the average size of the additional sites will be much less than that of the existing ones.

There has been steady progress in the declaration of ASSIs, despite the additional requirement to identify and designate sites under European Directives and other international obligations. The 190 current ASSIs cover about 6% of our land area. There remains a significant number of additional sites which are known to merit designation.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what action has been taken or is planned in the future to eradicate vandalism against local government properties.

(AQW 1454/01)

Mr Foster: No direct action has been taken by the Department of the Environment to eradicate vandalism of local government properties. This is a matter for district councils, some of which have installed CCTV systems in their areas to address local problems such as vandalism.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail, by district council area, the financial cost of the vandalism of local government buildings over the past five years.

(AQW 1455/01)

Mr Foster: The financial cost of the vandalism of local government buildings is not recorded centrally. Expenditure over the past five years could only be determined at disproportionate cost.

Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to detail, in each of the last 3 years within North Down, the number of (a) buildings which have been given the designation "listed"; and (b) "listed" buildings which have been demolished.

(AQW 1492/01)

Mr Foster: Within North Down, no buildings have been given the designation "listed", nor has any "listed" Building been demolished, within the last three years.

Mr B Bell asked the Minister of the Environment if it is his intention to enter into a bilateral concordat with any GB Departments in order to maintain good working relations.

(AQW 1569/01)

Mr Foster: I can confirm that my Department has agreed a bilateral concordat with the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR). I believe this will provide a sufficient basis for the continued good working relationship, which already exists between the two Departments, copies of the concordat have been placed in the Assembly Library.

My officials are also involved in discussions with officials from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) with a view to agreeing a similar concordat with that GB Department.

Mr Leslie asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQW 86/01, to detail (a) the number of applications that are currently outstanding; and (b) the number of applications that have been outstanding for more than one year.

(AQW 1272/01)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Dr Farren): The registry has approximately 26,912 applications for registration awaiting processing. Approximately 17,951 of these applications are overdue in terms of internal target times, which the registry uses to monitor the progress of work (See Note 1 below). Some 7,431 applications are one year old. There are 2,880 applications which have exceeded target times by one year.

The reference to entries has been assumed to relate to applications for regist