(AQW 2268/01)

Reply: While it is normal for planning to be taken forward on the basis of continuity, decisions of the Executive do not bind successive administrations. It is a matter for each new administration to decide whether to adopt the strategies and policies of its predecessor. Any changes to those strategies and policies can be made through legislation, the budgets, or administratively, as appropriate.

(AQW 2401/01)

Reply: We have not made any representations to UK Government or the European Commission to have a common register of sex offenders throughout the European Union. This is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2403/01)

Reply: Accommodation and Construction Division (ACD) within the Department of Finance and Personnel hold the maintenance budget for office buildings and will respond in respect of these buildings. However, the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister has responsibility for a number of properties that fall outside ACD control. Set out below are the relevant figures for each the buildings for the last three years:

*The figures for the North South Ministerial Council are for NI only and encompasses both rental and all maintenance of the property

(AQW 2404/01)

Reply: We deplore all attacks on vulnerable people. Such attacks have no place in a democratic society. The responsibility for criminal justice including criminal law on assault is a reserved matter.

However, we understand that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland intends to consult on the scope for strengthening legislation in respect of attacks motivated by racism and sectarianism. We are not aware however of any plans to strengthen the law in relation to attacks against older people.

(AQO 1028/01)

Reply: Following a very successful consultation, which closed on 8 November 2001, over 300 responses have been analysed and decisions are being taken on the way forward. We intend to introduce legislation to the Assembly in the near future, with a view to appointing the Commissioner in the Autumn.

We are at an advanced stage of drafting the Bill and we are also bringing forward the necessary preparatory work for the appointment.

We recognise that progress in taking this initiative forward has not been as quick as we had hoped. However, we firmly believe that it is better to take a little more time now, to make sure that the office we establish can properly discharge its important role. We believe that by doing this, Northern Ireland can be a world-leader in improving life for children and young people.

(AQO 1059/01)

Reply: We currently have no plans to make a joint visit to the USA. We made joint visits to the US in early February and again on 12-14 March. Both visits included meetings with senior members of the US Administration on Capitol Hill. During our recent visit to Washington we met with President Bush and updated him on progress with devolution and expressed our thanks for the ongoing support from the US administration. At a subsequent meeting with Secretary of State, Colin Powell, we reflected on developments over the past number of months, work being progressed by the Executive and what assistance and expertise may be available through the US administration in relation to taking forward some of the major policy reviews including the Review of Public Administration.

(AQO 1063/01)

Reply: We understand the Department of the Environment has prepared a Report on National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The issues covered, including the involvement of local communities and the need to resource any management bodies, are complex and require careful consideration.

The Environment Committee has provided its initial views on the Report. When officials in the Department of the Environment, and Minister Nesbitt, have considered these comments, we understand that the Minister will make a statement on the way forward.

In the circumstances, it would be premature for us to express a view on the concept of National Park designation.

(AQO 1027/01)

Reply: The last Executive meeting was held on the 19 March. The Executive discussed the Capital of Culture bid and agreed the draft Victims Strategy.

(AQW 2487/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): EU rules provide for advance payments on direct farm subsidy claims for the 2002 scheme year to commence from 16 October 2002 and for balance payments to be 96% complete by the end of June 2003. The Department will publish its detailed scheme by scheme payment targets within this overall timetable prior to the start of payments in October 2002.

The Department’s Annual Profile of Premia Payments for 2001/02, which was published by press release on 31 October 2001, set out the payment targets for the 2001 scheme year. Updates on performance against this Profile have been published in press releases on 18 January 2002, 19 February 2002 and 14 March 2002.

(AQW 2489/01)

Ms Rodgers: The dairy industry contributes to the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC) through levies collected on slaughter from animals derived from the dairy herd. It receives the same benefits from levies collected as are available to the specialist beef sector.

The LMC activities which are funded by levy are Information Services, Agriculture and Marketing/ Promotion.

Information Services are designed to fulfil LMC’s legal obligation to research, analyse and disseminate information about markets, prices and other pertinent matters in regard to the entire beef and sheep sector.

In regard to "Agriculture", LMC’s primary role is to ensure that the producer sector is aware of market requirements, including quality assurance, weight and grade specification, etc.

Marketing and Promotion which seeks to enhance the market opportunities for Northern Ireland beef and lamb, is the area where LMC spends the majority of its levy income.

(AQW 2490/01)

Ms Rodgers: Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, it falls to individual employers and the self- employed to report accidents, which result in either major injuries or absences of more than three days away from work, to the Health and Safety Executive (NI). My Department’s responsibility in this area relates only to its employees. The number of farmyard accidents involving the Department’s employees during the last five years is outlined in the table below.

(AQO 1038/01)

Ms Rodgers: I am aware of the pilot exercise carried out in collaboration with Consignia in Leicestershire, and that officials in Northern Ireland, including officials in my own Department, are considering whether something similar could prove effective in Northern Ireland.

I am, of course, very keen that anyone who wishes to use DARD’s extensive range of services should have ready access to information about those services from the widest possible range of sources. If Consignia are able to offer an additional means of providing such information in a way which is effective and which represents value for money, I should certainly be prepared to give it close consideration.

(AQO 1032/01)

Ms Rodgers: The launch of the Good Farming Practice programme was delayed until 29 January 2002 due to the FMD crisis. Since the launch at the end of January 1,500 applications have been received with 1,200 training places being offered. To 8 March 2002, 500 participants completed the introductory workshop and it is anticipated that a further 450 to 500 participants will have completed this workshop by the end of the 2001/02 financial year.

(AQO 1047/01)

Ms Rodgers: I am well aware of the Member’s keen interest in this part of his constituency, and of the efforts he has made in drawing its problems to Ministers’ attention.

Many of those problems seem to relate to major infrastructure issues which fall outside my area of responsibility. Nevertheless, officials from the Rural Development Division of DARD are aware of developments in the Ballyhornan area and would welcome applications from local collectives or co-operatives wishing to promote local regeneration projects for funding under the new round of EU Structural Funds Programmes.

I understand that a number of local groups are currently engaged in drawing up a development programme for the area. Needless to say, I shall be happy to consider any assistance which my Department might be able to offer in implementing that programme when it is complete.

(AQO 1035/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Tullaghmurray Lass was reported missing in the early hours of the 15th February, and my Department’s fishery protection vessel was involved with 2 helicopters and a Nimrod in the subsequent Search and Rescue operation co-ordinated by HM Coastguard.

The search and rescue operation was terminated by HM Coastguard at 1100 on Saturday 16 February.

Having met the Greene family I was conscious of the need to make every effort to find the missing vessel, thought to be somewhere on the seabed in its usual fishing area, and made representations to the authorities in both jurisdictions. In due course the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau of DTLR made available HMS Bridport, and the Irish Naval Service the LE Eithne. Both ships commenced a sonar search on 19 February co-ordinated by MAIB.

Although hampered frequently by rough weather, these minesweepers made a detailed examination of the seabed in areas determined by the Kilkeel fishermen who knew the habits of Tullaghmurray lass best. Contacts revealed by sonar were inspected by video where possible.

Both vessels had to leave the search on occasion to re-fuel and change crew, and HMS Bridport received fresh orders on 26 February, handing over to HMS Bangor.

Despite unprecedented efforts by the vessels of both Navies and my Department’s Fishery Protection Vessel, none of the contacts were identified as a sunken vessel.

On 6 March I met Admiral John Lang the Chief Inspector of the MAIB, who showed me a chart of the search area and explained that in his professional assessment the exercise must sadly be concluded without success. Although MAIB terminated the search at midday on 6 March, the investigation remains open and further significant evidence would result in the return of a vessel for a video examination.

(AQO 1039/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Food Body Working Group was appointed on 21 February 2002 and met for the first time last week. The Group’s role is to consider whether or not there is a need for a Food Body and, if there is, its possible structure, functions and funding. It has been asked to report by the middle of June.

(AQO 1045/01)

Ms Rodgers: Safety at sea is the responsibility of Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions Maritime and Coastguard agency, and is a reserved matter. Following the tragedies of the sinking of the Charisma and the loss of the Tullaghmurray Lass, nobody can be in any doubt of the dangers involved in putting out to sea.

I have recently visited Kilkeel and spoken at length to fishermen and members of their families. I am therefore aware of the understandable concerns they have over their safety, and I can assure the Member that my Department will make every provision to encourage the industry to improve safety in the catching sector in light of these incidents and encourage implementation of any recommendations that may result from them in the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau reports.

(AQO 1036/01)

Ms Rodgers: There has been no significant expenditure of modulation monies to date, but those funds which have been committed have been used in support of organic farming and afforestation of agricultural land. Expenditure of modulation monies is, however, set to rise significantly as participants in the other agri-environment schemes start to qualify for payments. The beneficiaries of modulation funds committed so far would have been required either to have owned the land in question or to have held it in a long-term lease.

(AQW 2407/01)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The Department currently has its Headquarters within the Interpoint Building in central Belfast. Accommodation and Construction Division within the Department of Finance and Personnel hold the maintenance budget for this building and they will respond in respect of Interpoint.

DCAL has responsibility for the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and their maintenance budget for the period since devolution on 2 December 1999 to 31 March 2002 has been as follows :

Similarly the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland maintenance budget for the period since devolution on 2 December 1999 to 31 March 2002 has been follows:

Since the transfer of the three Inland Waterways and Fisheries properties at Bushmills, Movanagher Fish Farm in Kilrea and Riversdale in Co Fermanagh from the former Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland there has been no formal maintenance budget. However the following has been spent on maintenance and the money transferred from within other programme budgets.

(AQW 2431/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council is totally committed to providing equality of opportunity for people who suffer social disadvantage for any reason, including disability. The Council fully supports the "mainstreaming" of people with a disability into every day sporting opportunities. To this end the Council, under the distribution of Lottery Funds, affords a higher priority to projects which provide opportunities for people with a disability and allow a higher percentage of funding for these projects.

(AQW 2469/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Following careful consideration of the comments received from the consultation exercise, I hope to be in a position to publish a draft strategy for the development of soccer in Northern Ireland before the summer. I envisage that this will include proposed actions involving my Department as well as other key organisations involved in soccer.

(AQW 2470/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council is currently engaged in drawing up specific criteria for the establishment of a network of Football Development Centres to be located at soccer clubs across Northern Ireland, over the next 3 years, using Executive Programme Funds. The Sports Council hopes to involve 10,000 children and young people on an annual basis and the programme, being prepared, will seek to address wider community and social deprivation issues through the medium of soccer. It will also include a talent identification and development programme for young players attending the Development Centres. It is intended that each Centre will employ a full time Development Officer who will be responsible for leading the programme for their respective club. It is envisaged that Development Officers will be in post by September 2002.

(AQW 2471/01)

Mr McGimpsey: As I outlined in my statement to the Assembly on 19 February 2002 a number of initiatives has already been undertaken by my Department in relation to encouraging events for the Golden Jubilee.

In July 2001, I established a Golden Jubilee Advisory Panel, representing various sectors such as youth, voluntary, business, events organisers etc. The remit of this group is to guide on programme content and the funding scheme, as well as general Golden Jubilee publicity in Northern Ireland. The emphasis has continually been on community-led events, and this was encouraged through the establishment of the Golden Jubilee Non Lottery grants scheme through my Department. The uptake of this scheme has been encouraging.

Briefings have been held with the Lord Lieutenants, and a Jubilee contact has been established in almost every district council. Through these networks, as well as substantial mailings to community groups, headquarter organisations and schools, officials in my Department have received almost 500 completed event registration forms. These outline provisional planned events for the Golden Jubilee.

The events planned will form the basis of a publication – Golden Jubilee Diary of Events - which will show the extent and variety of the events planned throughout Northern Ireland encompassing all ages and areas. It is hoped that this souvenir brochure will be launched at the beginning of May. The distribution of the grants will also take place over this period, as assessment will then be complete.

Another initiative which will be announced by the Department, is the provision of souvenirs or mementoes for school children. As I outlined to the Assembly, my Department is investigating a number of options, and I hope to provide further detail on these in the near future.

(AQW 2472/01)

Mr McGimpsey: In 2001/02, the Sports Council expressed its intention of undertaking a Strategic Review of Disability Sports. This Review has not yet taken place. However, Disability Sports have prepared a development plan and this will form the basis of the Review, which is expected to be completed in the Autumn of 2002.

(AQW 2501/01)

Mr McGimpsey: As you will be aware, the Advisory Panel’s report on the development of a soccer strategy for Northern Ireland has called on Government, in conjunction with the governing body for football, to end the uncertainty on the issue by making a firm commitment to establish a national stadium for football. The report also recommended that an early decision should be taken on the mix of sports that should be involved with football in the project. My Department is in the process of working up a strategy for the development of football in the province, this will include how we propose moving forward on the national stadium issue.

I have managed to a secure an additional £1m for 2002/3 to build upon the Interim Safety at Sports Grounds Scheme, which was designed to address the urgent health and safety needs at Northern Ireland’s sporting venues. My Department is also considering the needs in the longer term and is in the process of drawing proposals for a programme of improvements at sports stadia.

(AQO 1055/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Firstly, I am pleased to be able to say that my officials are about to pass a draft response on the Local Museum and Heritage Review to key stakeholders for comment; it will then be sent to the Members of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee. After that, the document will be published for consultation.

However, I do not want to give the impression that no progress has been made on the issues raised in the Review. Since last year the Cultural Forum has been established and is doing important work in bringing together the key players in the museum and heritage sectors, and in assisting district councils in the development of their local cultural strategies. In addition, we are funding a partnership between the Linenhall Library and the Nerve Centre to develop the CultureNorthernIreland website to promote awareness of our rich cultural heritage. The development of an Archives Policy is also continuing apace with a workshop-based conference planned for early April and a digitisation project planned for the next financial year. And my Department is working closely with the Education and Training Inspectorate to develop a Learning Strategy.

One of the fundamental aspects of the Review is the question of providing increased funding. We intend therefore to use the opportunity of the current spending review to bid for the extra resources required to take forward other Review recommendations.

(AQO 1057/01)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department recognises that work needs to be done to develop a coherent policy in respect of British and Irish sign languages. Meetings with the Royal National Institute for the Deaf and the British Deaf Association have identified interpreting services as a key issue. As I stated in a previous response to the member on 24 September 2001 my Department is convening a working party of interested individuals and organisations to explore important issues and agree a way forward. Discussions have taken place with officials and representative organisations with a view to constituting the working party in April.

Since the 24 September 2001 progress has been made in my Department in promoting the use of sign language. Staff from Linguistic Diversity Branch have attended a deaf awareness training course and this is now being extended to all officials in my Department. My Department is engaged in developing, on behalf of all Executive departments, a linguistic diversity awareness seminar which will include reference to sign languages. I am aware that staff from some other Departments have already attended deaf awareness training courses and we would encourage officials who have not already done so to avail of the opportunity.

(AQO 1056/01)

Mr McGimpsey: This issue will be addressed in our response to the Local Museums and Heritage Review.

I am pleased to be able to say that my officials are about to pass a draft response on the Review to key stakeholders for comment; it will then be sent to the Members of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee. After that, the document will be published for consultation.

However, I do not want to give the impression that no progress has been made on the issues raised in the Review. Since last year the Cultural Forum has been established and is doing important work in bringing together the key players in the museum and heritage sectors, and in assisting district councils in the development of their local cultural strategies. In addition, we are funding a partnership between the Linenhall Library and the Nerve Centre to develop the CultureNorthernIreland website to promote awareness of our rich cultural heritage. The development of an Archives Policy is also continuing apace with a workshop-based conference planned for early April and a digitisation project planned for the next financial year. And my Department is working closely with the Education and Training Inspectorate to develop a Learning Strategy.

One of the fundamental aspects of the Review is the question of providing increased funding. We intend therefore to use the opportunity of the current spending review to bid for the extra resources required to take forward other Review recommendations.

(AQO 1022/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland is responsible for the distribution of funding for sport, including disability sport. This includes funding for Talented Athletes with disabilities and a substantial capital investment for improving access for the disabled.

I understand that the Sports Council is in receipt of an application from Disability Sport under the Lottery ‘Starting Well’ programme, which, if successful, would provide £84,000 over 4 years.

The Department is currently working with the Sports Council and Disability Sport to make a case for Executive Programme Funds which, if successful, would include provision for people with disabilities.

(AQO 1050/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland is an Agency within my Department. As part of its core work it produces a range of detailed topographic maps including a Road Atlas showing 16 town maps.

OSNI actively encourages the use of these topographic maps in partnership or under licence to local Councils to enable the production of individual street maps. As the production cost of a current street map is £20k, it is only when there are sufficient sales to cover the cost would OSNI publish a map.

I understand that discussions are underway with some local councils on co-funding a new series of street maps, as past sales of these have not recovered the full cost of production and bringing these to the market.

(AQO 1053/01)

Mr McGimpsey: This issue will be addressed in our response to the Local Museums and Heritage Review.

I am pleased to be able to say that my officials are about to pass a draft response on the Review to key stakeholders for comment; it will then be sent to the Members of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee. After that, the document will be published for consultation.

However, I do not want to give the impression that no progress has been made on the issues raised in the Review. Since last year the Cultural Forum has been established and is doing important work in bringing together the key players in the museum and heritage sectors, and in assisting district councils in the development of their local cultural strategies. In addition, we are funding a partnership between the Linenhall Library and the Nerve Centre to develop the CultureNorthernIreland website to promote awareness of our rich cultural heritage. The development of an Archives Policy is also continuing apace with a workshop-based conference planned for early April and a digitisation project planned for the next financial year. And my Department is working closely with the Education and Training Inspectorate to develop a Learning Strategy.

One of the fundamental aspects of the Review is the question of providing increased funding. We intend therefore to use the opportunity of the current spending review to bid for the extra resources required to take forward other Review recommendations.

(AQW 2408/01)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): The introduction of the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs in 1998 served to increase awareness of special educational needs in schools and among parents. Since then an increase in referrals for statutory assessment has led to a consequential increase in the number of statements issued.

The total numbers of statements for the last three years are:

A related issue has been an increase in the number of children presenting for statutory assessment with diagnoses of specific conditions or displaying significant behavioural difficulties.

Money is not set aside, as such, for the education of children with special educational needs. Instead, Education and Library Boards assess and respond to need on an individual basis, in line with the Code of Practice.

Details of approximate funding for special educational needs pupils for the last three years are given below. It was not possible to provide figures for the five-year period within the timescale of the question.

# 1998/99 SEELB figure does not include non-delegated General Schools Budget items such as mainstream classroom assistants, LMS formula allocations for both pupils in units attached to mainstream schools and non-statemented pupils in mainstream schools, and staff costs associated with special units.

## WELB figure includes non-delegated costs of Special Units and classroom assistants in mainstream schools only.

### BELB figure includes only LMS formula funding for Special Needs as its non-delegated GSB cost.

All figures are the best approximations by the Boards available within the timescale of the question.

(AQW 2410/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The information requested is as follows:

(a) There are currently 13 categories for statemented pupils collected in the school census. In previous years there were 9 categories.

(b)

(AQW 2433/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The staffing position in the Education Welfare Service at 1 March 2002 was:

(AQW 2434/01)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department will be setting targets in the Public Service Agreement for improved attendance at school and monitoring the position. However, it must be remembered that responsibility to ensure regular attendance at school rests primarily with parents. Where a school has concerns about a pupil’s attendance, a referral can be made to the Education Welfare Service. An officer will normally visit the home to make an assessment of the situation and from that determine appropriate follow up action based on the underlying reasons for the poor attendance.

(AQW 2435/01)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department will be setting targets in the Public Service Agreement for improved attendance at school and monitoring the position. However, it must be remembered that responsibility to ensure regular attendance at school rests primarily with parents. Where a school has concerns about a pupil’s attendance, a referral can be made to the Education Welfare Service. An officer will normally visit the home to make an assessment of the situation and from that determine appropriate follow up action based on the underlying reasons for the poor attendance.

(AQW 2450/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Moneydarragh Primary School, Annalong is one of a number of schools which is included in my Department’s programme of economic appraisals. Preliminary work has already commenced on this appraisal and a site meeting to discuss options for improving the accommodation has been arranged for April.

In relation to St. Joseph’s Primary School, Ballymartin Village, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) has asked my Department to arrange a site visit to assess the school’s accommodation problems, with a view to including a scheme in the school capital priorities list. This visit has also been arranged for April.

My Department is not aware of any current plans to amalgamate these two schools.

(AQW 2454/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The percentage of pupils achieving 5+ GCSEs at grades A* to C in secondary and grammar schools is as follows:

The percentage of pupils achieving 5+ GCSEs at grades A* to G in secondary schools is as follows:

I consider that pupils in both secondary and grammar schools are continuing to perform at a creditable level. However, there is much to be done in the drive to achieve higher standards in all sectors, and the School Improvement Programme is central to my Department’s efforts in this area.

(AQW 2473/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I fully support the need to consult young people on educational issues which affect them and I am, for example, currently considering how best to achieve this as part of the consultations on the review of post-primary education.

I am aware too that this issue will be considered as part of the discussions on the draft Bill of Rights and the Children’s Commissioner and I look forward to playing a full part in those discussions.

(AQW 2474/01)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department has completed a number of Public Private Partnerships projects in schools in which it has determined that value for money deals are achievable through PPP and it has learned valuable lessons on how best to make use of PPP. Last year, I announced eight secondary school projects with a total capital value of some £70m to be taken forward under PPP as part of the 2001 New Starts Capital Programme. I will be making an announcement later this month of this year’s New Starts Capital Programme.

Notwithstanding legitimate concerns about Public Private Partnerships, I believe that, properly managed, the use of PPP will allow faster progress on meeting urgent accommodation needs than would otherwise be possible with the resources available to my Department. However Public Private Partnerships are not an appropriate method of procurement in all circumstances. In the education sector smaller projects in particular do not lend themselves to PPP as they are unlikely to attract private sector interest or offer better value for money. The future use of the PPP in schools will therefore focus on putting a number of schemes together to create a project which will offer value for money, whilst at the same time meeting the full educational needs of the individual schools involved.

(AQW 2475/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The Department allocates recurrent funding to Education and Library Boards for the maintenance of controlled and maintained schools and other Board property. The resources expended by the Boards in each of the last three years are set out below.

(AQW 2492/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Policy on dealing with pupils who bring weapons into school is a matter for schools. Schools are responsible for their own discipline policies and within these to determine the sanctions which will be applied in respect of any breaches.

(AQW 2493/01)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department does not collect this information. The possibility of collecting it at education and library board level through the notifications from schools about suspensions is under consideration.

(AQW 2495/01)

* Qualifications data were missing for 479 16 year old leavers in 1995/96. This represents 3.5% of 16 year old school leavers and 1.9% of all school leavers. There is evidence that the missing data relate predominantly to those with no GCSEs.

These figures do not include pupils at special or independent schools.

(AQW 2496/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Data are not available in exactly comparable form but for Scotland, available figures relate to all school leavers with no Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) qualifications.

For England and Wales, available figures relate to 16 year-olds who are not in full-time education.

(AQW 2504/01)

Mr M McGuinness: There are currently 25 schools in the Derry City Council area that do not have nursery provision. They are:

• Groarty Primary School

• Culmore Primary School

• Ballougry Primary School

• Drumahoe Primary School

• Eglinton Primary School

• Newbuildings Primary School

• Lisnagelvin Primary School

• Cumber Claudy Primary School

• Maydown & Strathfoyle Primary School

• Craigbrack Primary School

• Broadbridge Primary School

• St Mary’s Primary School

• Listress Primary School

• Mullabuoy Primary School

• St John’s Primary School

• St Anne’s Primary School

• St Oliver Plunkett Primary School

• St Columba’s Primary School

• Trench Road Primary School

• St Therese’s Primary School, Lenamore

• Chapel Road Primary School

• St Eithne’s Primary School

• Bunscoil Cholmcille

• St Patrick’s Primary School

• Foyle and Londonderry College Prep Department

(AQW 2518/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Set out below is the information requested in respect of the nursery unit at Belvoir Park Primary School for the 2001/2002 and 2002/03 school years:

The allocation of places for the 2002/03 school year will not be complete until 14 June 2002.

(AQW 2519/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The statutory pre-school admissions arrangements which afford priority to children whose parents are in receipt of Income Support or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance in the allocation of funded pre-school places, whether full or part-time, are part of the implementation of the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme. The decision to amend the existing admissions arrangements stemmed from the substantial body of research in the USA and UK which showed that experience of good quality pre-school education was beneficial for children from socially disadvantaged circumstances. In view of the research which already existed, it was not considered necessary to commission locally based research.

(AQW 2023/01)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): While I very much deplore and condemn attacks on student in South Belfast, this is a law and order issue and as such is a reserved matter. As regards residents’ concerns, while your question does not elaborate, your letter to me of 6 February points up a number of difficulties. I shall be responding separately to your letter but, in essence, none of the points you highlighted fall within the ambit of my Department’s responsibilities. In the circumstances I do not propose to pursue the establishment of a cross departmental working group.

(AQW 2455/01)

Ms Hanna: Currently I have no plans to undertake a further review of the student loan system. However, I will consider the implications of any outcomes emerging from the current DfES review into student finance.

(AQW 2456/01)

Ms Hanna: I have no proposals to restructure Higher Education in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2457/01)

Ms Hanna: Modern Apprenticeships are work based full time training opportunities available to young people who have attained minimum school leaving age and are under 25 years of age. Certain existing employees are also eligible.

There are no plans to introduce Modern Apprenticeships in schools.

(AQW 2458/01)

Ms Hanna: The Department does not monitor currently the reasons why students drop out of further and higher education.

(AQW 2497/01)

Ms Hanna: Careers Officers from this Department’s Careers Service provide impartial guidance and accurate, timely and up to date careers information to A level students in schools and colleges to help them make informed decisions about opportunities in continuing education, training and employment.

(AQW 2545/01)

Ms Hanna: No Northern Ireland MPs have employed staff under the New Deal Programme.

(AQW 2294/01)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey) [holding answer 12 March 2002]: Employment in call centres in Northern Ireland has increased significantly over the past number of years. However, not all call centres have received support from the Industrial Development Board (IDB) or the Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU), as some have been the result of developments in the commercial sector; and in addition, call centres have no Standard Industry Classification of their own. Therefore, it is difficult to determine a precise figure for the number of people employed in this sector. However, the total number currently employed in call centres supported by IDB and LEDU is approximately 5,500. This figure is based on Full Time Equivalents, which means that the actual number of individuals employed would exceed 6,000.

IDB and LEDU do not maintain data on the male/ female balance within call centres.

(AQW 2397/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Postal services are a reserved matter for which the Department of Trade and Industry is responsible across the UK. The implications for Northern Ireland industry and business of any decision that has been, or may be, taken with regard to greater market liberalisation are unclear at present. My Ministerial colleagues and I will continue to monitor the situation.

(AQW 2438/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Officials from IDB have been in contact with Montracon Management over recent months and offered assistance to the company as it worked through the rationalisation required in order to remain competitive in the marketplace. The loss of skilled jobs is always very regrettable but the company believes that the actions taken will help safeguard the employment of the remaining workforce. IDB will maintain contact with the company.

(AQW 2439/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The various actions taken by the company, including the redundancy of some 60 workers at Mallusk, are seen as necessary to ensure continuing operations in Northern Ireland and the group as a whole. The trailer market in the UK and ROI is extremely competitive and the company must continue to look at ways to maintain its position in the market.

(AQW 2440/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department’s agencies are acutely aware of the difficulties facing the hi-tech sector and they are working to safeguard employment and promote competitiveness in established companies, in addition to encouraging new investment from indigenous and overseas companies. Whilst there are no plans to organise an investigation into the current problems faced by the hi-tech sector, the agencies are promoting a number of sectoral initiatives including export promotion, the opening of the NI Technology & Development Centre in Boston, quality initiatives and broadband access programmes.

(AQW 2441/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Services and Systems solutions Limited (SX3) has announced that up to 150 compulsory redundancies will take place across the UK and Ireland. It is too early to say how many redundancies will take place in Northern Ireland and which sites will be affected. Any redundancies are regrettable, however, this is a commercial decision taken by the company as a result of worsening conditions in the IT sector.

There are a number of areas under discussion with the company. For reasons of commercial confidentiality I cannot provide details. However, I can give you my assurance that all reasonable steps will be taken to minimise the local impact of the restructuring where that is possible.

(AQW 2442/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Services and Systems solutions Limited (SX3) has announced that up to 150 compulsory redundancies will take place across the UK and Ireland. The company currently employs approximately 750 staff in Northern Ireland; total employment in UK and Ireland is about 1300. These redundancies are in addition to the 100 voluntary redundancies announced in November 2001, also across the UK and Ireland.

This recent announcement follows a restructuring of SX3’s businesses. It is not clear at this time how this announcement will affect operations in Northern Ireland. However, I have written personally to the Managing Director of SX3 Ireland in order to express government’s support for the Northern Ireland operations. I have also stated my hope that this successful homegrown Northern Ireland IT services company can find ways to minimise the impact on local employment.

I have continued to maintain close contact through my officials who have had a number of meetings with the company. My officials are continuing to examine ways in which assistance might be offered to the company to minimise the local impact of the restructuring where that is possible. These discussions are ongoing.

(AQW 2459/01)

Sir Reg Empey: I am aware that Dr Sean Farren, Minister of Finance and Personnel, wrote to you on 19 March 2002 about this matter. I can confirm that I am content with the contents of this letter. A copy of this letter will be place in the Assembly Library.

(AQW 2466/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Projects typically take 4-5 years to build up to maximum employment. Consequently the Industrial Development Board (IDB) starts to analyse job creations in the second year after projects are secured. The table below shows the number of jobs created to date in respect of projects secured in 1998/99 and 1999/ 2000.

For comparison, the relevant job promotion figures for projects secured by IDB in the years 1998/99, 1999/ 2000 and 2000/2001 are also shown. Promotion figures for 2001/02 are not yet available.

* Creation figures will be made available during 2002/03.

(AQW 2467/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Tourism Ireland in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has devised a number of special promotional campaigns, which are aimed specifically at increasing visitors to Northern Ireland. Such initiatives include campaigns in Scotland and the North of England, together with campaigns aimed at attracting more car visitors from Britain.

Tourism Ireland launched its Marketing Strategy for 2002 at functions in Dublin and Belfast on 7 November 2001 and will present details of its promotional programme to members of the Industry in Northern Ireland at three road shows organised by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on 20 & 21 March 2002 in Belfast, Enniskillen and Londonderry.

Tourism Ireland aims to introduce overseas travel trade and media, many for the first time, to the appeals and attractions of Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2468/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Up-to-date unemployment statistics at ward level are only available from the claimant count. However, whilst the number of unemployed claimants at ward level may be obtained, unemployment rates at ward level are not available.

Details of the number of claimant count unemployed for each ward in Belfast North Parliamentary Constituency Area can be found in Table 1 overleaf. Also provided (Table 2) is an unemployment rate for Belfast North Parliamentary Constituency Area as a whole compared to Northern Ireland.

Claimant count data is published monthly in the Department’s Labour Market Statistics (LMS) publication, copies of which are placed in the Assembly Library. The LMS bulletin contains a detailed breakdown of claimant unemployment at sub-Northern Ireland level, includi