Friday 07 June 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
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Social Development

Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister

Commissioner for Children

Mr Wells asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what progress has been made on the legislation for the Commissioner for Children and Young People’s Bill.

(AQW 3231/01)

Reply: Work on the drafting of the legislation for the Commissioner for Children and Young People’s Bill is well advanced and we intend to introduce the Bill to the Assembly in June.

Commissioner for Children

Mr Beggs asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what additional functions are being proposed for a Children’s Commissioner for Northern Ireland compared to (a) Wales; (b) Norway; and (c) Republic of Ireland (Ombudsman).

(AQW 3383/01)

Reply: Ultimately the functions of the Commissioner for Children and Young People will be a matter for the Assembly to decide.

The consultation paper, which was issued last year, however envisaged the Commissioner having functions in four main areas: advocacy; legal representation; com-plaints; rights promotion and research.

This can be compared to Wales and Norway where the respective Commissioner and Ombudsman have no power to bring legal proceedings in their own name or to intervene in legal proceedings.
In the Republic of Ireland, the Bill to establish an Om-buds-man for Children does not contain powers in relation to assisting children or intervening in relation to legal proceedings nor bringing test proceedings in his own name.

Civic Forum

Mr Wells asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the costs associated with the establishment and running of the Civic Forum since its inception.

(AQW 3539/01)

Reply: The cost of establishing the Civic Forum was approximately £75,000. This covered the cost of filling the post of Civic Forum Chairman and the costs to nominating sectors.

The Civic Forum’s running costs since its establish-ment in October 2000 until 24 May 2002 have been as follows:

October 2000	March 2001 £145,000
April 2001	March 2002 £450,000
April 2002	24 May 2002 £ 40,000

Civic Forum

Mr Shannon asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the costs for the Civic Forum in the last 12 months for (a) building; (b) Secretariat; and (c) Members.

(AQW 3578/01)

Reply: The running costs of the Civic Forum from April 2001 until 24 May 2002 were approximately £490,000. This includes £207,000 for Secretariat salaries and expenses and £50,000 for members’ travel and accommodation.

The Civic Forum currently occupies offices in a property, which is leased by the Department of Finance and Personnel and thus is part of the Government estate.

Euro

Dr Birnie asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what position, if any, has the Executive adopted on the possibility of the UK adopting the Euro.

(AQW 3591/01)

Reply: This is a matter for the UK Government but we would anticipate there would be consultations with the devolved administrations before any developments take place.

Rural Post Offices

Ms Morrice asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to outline (a) if it will under-take to support rural post offices as they are fundamental to the local community, and (b) if it will support their financial assistance.

(AQW 3634/01)

Reply: Responsibility for the postal service is a reserved matter and support for rural post offices subsequently falls to the Department of Trade and Industry.

The Cabinet Office Performance and Innovation Unit Report “Counter Revolution” in June 2000 placed a formal requirement on the Post Office to maintain the rural network.

The Post Office Regulator Postcomm has provided advice to the Department of Trade and Industry on support to the rural network following the transfer of Social Security payments to bank accounts from January 2003.

A £2m capital funding project has been established by the Department of Trade and Industry to assist community and voluntary groups maintain or re-establish rural post offices. To date funds have been provided in respect of Stranagalwilly Post Office, Co Tyrone and Ballyward Post Office, Co Down.

Review of Public Administration
Mrs I Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQO 1133/01, to outline (a) any plans it has for the Review of Public Administration; (b) the date for its commencement and completion; and (c) the proposed timescale for its implementation.

(AQW 3635/01)

Reply: As stated in response to AQO 1133/01, the proposed terms of reference for the Review of Public Administration were debated in the Assembly on 25 February 2002, and in the subsequent weeks we engaged in a pre-consultation process with a broad spectrum of stakeholder interests.

We are now in the process of finalising the terms of reference, taking on board points raised during the pre-consultation. The revised terms of reference will then have to be quality assured by high-level independent experts before we launch the Review. We expect to launch the Review in the coming weeks, and the main phase is expected to take eighteen months to complete.

The length of time necessary to implement the recom-mend-ations emerging from the Review will depend on the nature of those recommendations. It is not possible to be definitive about the time needed at this stage.

Agriculture and Rural Development

‘Taste of Ulster’ Initiative

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail funding and other support the Department has given to the ‘Taste of Ulster’ initiative, over the past 5 years.

(AQW 3785/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): The Department’s financial contribution to the ‘Taste of Ulster’ initiative over the past 5 years was £93,787. Officials have also supported the work of the Management Board of ‘Taste of Ulster’ and provided technical support to the ‘Taste of Ulster’ Speciality Food Group.

Review of the Horticulture Sector

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline (a) the completion date of the Review of the Horticulture Sector; and (b) the date it will be made available to the public.

(AQW 3820/01)

Ms Rodgers: The consultants appointed to undertake a strategic review of the Commercial Horticulture Sector now expect to present their report at the end of June. Given this timescale and the forthcoming holiday period, I would anticipate that it would be early autumn before I will be seeking the industry’s views on their findings and recommendations.

Review of the Horticulture Sector

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps will be taken to implement the Review of the Horticulture Sector following publication.

(AQW 3821/01)

Ms Rodgers: I will not be a position to respond to your question until I have received the Consultant’s report on the review of the Commercial Horticulture Sector and have had the opportunity to consider its content and recommendations, and indeed have taken account of the industry’s views on the latter.

Greenmount College: Vacancy

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline (a) the current position regarding the vacant post of ‘Top Fruit Advisor’ for the apple industry; and (b) the timescale for an appointment to this position.

(AQW 3868/01)

Ms Rodgers: The position of Top Fruit Adviser within Technology and Business – Crops and Horticulture Division at Greenmount College is currently vacant due to the promotion of the member of staff who previously filled this post.

Arrangements have been made for the previous incumbent to provide part-time cover until such times as the post can be filled. This will take some time due to the very specialist nature of the post and funding constraints. The post may not be filled on a permanent basis until April 2003.

I realise the importance of this sector and assure you that my Department will endeavour to provide the necessary expertise to ensure its sustained development.

Culture, Arts and Leisure

Signage: Irish Language

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps he has taken to ensure that all signage in buildings and workplaces within the Depart-ment’s responsibility are in the Irish language.

(AQW 3679/01)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): Research commissioned by my Department to inform work on implementing the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has shown a degree of general public support for some signage in indigenous languages.

My Department has tri-lingual signs in English, Irish and Ulster-Scots at the entrances to the Interpoint Centre. It is a matter for the Department’s Agencies and other Associated Bodies to determine wider dual practice on Irish and/or Ulster-Scots signage.

European Capital of Culture 2008: Belfast Bid

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much is being spent on consultation fees in respect of Belfast’s bid to become European capital of culture in 2008.

(AQW 3707/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The total amount spent on consult-ation fees to date in respect of Belfast’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2008 is £21,282.56.

Education

Education and Library Boards: Staffing Levels

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the total number of staff in all categories currently employed by (a) each Education and Library Board; and (b) all Inter-Board services.

(AQW 3651/01)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): The latest information available is at 30 September 2001 and is as follows:

BELFAST EDUCATION AND LIBRARY BOARD
	Industrial		Non Industrial
	Full - time	Part - time	Full - time	Part - time
Headquarters Administration	3	10	232	17
Curriculum Advisory & Support	-	-	47	15
Youth Service	-	27	33	112
Transport	72	80	6	-
Miscellaneous (school crossing patrol, maintenance, others)	-	111	-	-
School Meals Service	41	530	17	1
Library Service	15	31	49	54
School-Based Staff	150	921	548	239
Inter-Board Services	10	9	51	-

 

NORTH EASTERN EDUCATION AND LIBRARY BOARD
	Industrial		Non Industrial
	Full - time	Part - time	Full - time	Part - time
Headquarters Administration	2	11	353	61
Curriculum Advisory & Support	-	-	47	15
Youth Service	4	24	36	470
Transport	69	86	-	-
Miscellaneous (school crossing patrol, maintenance, others)	78	161	3	-
School Meals Service	139	1,098	15	-
Library Service	-	32	91	150
School-Based Staff	198	2,233	430	993
Inter-Board Services	-	-	4	-

Nursery Teachers

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education how many full-time posts of 4½ hours are available for Nursery Teachers within each Board area in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3652/01)

Mr M McGuinness: It is not possible to provide the information on the basis requested.

As all full-time teachers have the same working time contract irrespective of the phase in which they teach, the number of full-time teachers in nursery schools over the last 3 years is set out in the table below. It does not include teachers in nursery units attached to primary schools, as the Department does not hold this information separately. The figures have been extracted from the teachers’ payroll.

	1999/00	2000/01	2001/02
BELB	64	63	61
WELB	21	22	23
NEELB	33	35	35
SEELB	31	31	31
SELB	27	26	26

NEELB: Staffing Levels

Mr Dalton asked the Minister of Education to detail current staffing levels within the North Eastern Education and Library Board.

(AQW 3661/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The latest information available is at 30 September 2001 and is as follows:

	Industrial		Non Industrial
	Full - time	Part - time	Full - time	Part - time
Headquarters Administration	2	11	353	61
Curriculum Advisory & Support	-	-	47	15
Youth Service	4	24	36	470
Transport	69	86	-	-
Miscellaneous (school crossing patrol, maintenance, others)	78	161	3	-
School Meals Service	139	1,098	15	-
Library Service	-	32	91	150
School-Based Staff	198	2,233	430	993
Inter-Board Services	-	-	4	-

School Teachers

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he has any plans to commend the achievement of the Province’s grammar schools in placing high numbers of students in ‘Ivy League’ universities throughout the UK.

(AQW 3667/01)

Mr M McGuinness: I frequently commend our schools and our teachers for their dedication and commitment to ensuring that all our young people are helped to achieve their full potential. I am happy to reiterate my gratitude to our teachers but I think it would be invidious for me to single out any one sector for special commendation.

Burns Report

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to outline (a) the completion date of the recently announced public postal consultation on the Burns Report; (b) the cost of this exercise; and to make a statement.

(AQW 3690/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The closing date for responses to the consultation exercise, including completion of the house-hold response form, is 28 June 2002. The estimated cost of this exercise is £185,000 but the final cost will depend on the level of response. I want as many people as possible to let me have their views and all responses will be considered. I intend to publish an analysis of the responses received from all the strands of consultation around the end of September.

Primary and Secondary Schools: Funding

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) any proposed changes to the common funding formula for primary schools; and (b) any steps he is taking to address the current funding imbalance between primary and secondary education.

(AQW 3744/01)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department’s consultation docu-ment on the common funding formula for all grant- aided schools, published last year, proposes a skewing of resources to the primary sector. The adjustment to AWPU weightings and changes in other factors, such as premises, small schools protection and teacher salary protection, proposed in the consultation document will contribute to the shift in the share of resources received by primary schools. The cumulative effect of all the proposals, planned for implementation in April 2003, would be to increase primary sector funding by around £12m or 4% and the balance between funding attracted by primary schools compared to post-primary schools would rise from 65% to 67%.

Summer Literacy and Numeracy Schemes

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Education to outline (a) the number of summer literacy and numeracy schemes that were established for children in each of the last 3 years; and (b) the number he anticipates in place for summer 2002.

(AQW 3752/01)

Mr M McGuinness: The number of summer literacy and numeracy schemes in each of the last 3 years was 61, 106, 131 respectively. The Department has made available funds for 161 schemes for summer 2002.

Employment and Learning

University Equality Schemes

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what measures local universities have taken to fulfil their obligations under section 75(1)(a) of the NI Act 1998.

(AQW 3871/01)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): The universities have produced Equality Schemes which set out how they will meet their duties under Section 75. These have been submitted to the Equality Commission for approval. The institutions have also carried out extensive staff awareness training on issues such as obligations under the legislation, dealing with complaints and the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Equality Schemes. They have also employed a Research Officer and Research Assistant to support Equality Impact Assessments.

University Awards

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Employment and Learning whether local universities should have concern at any proposal to name university awards after persons who have been linked with paramilitary activity by Garda Siochana informers or other security personnel.

(AQW 3885/01)

Ms Hanna: The local Universities are, like all UK Universities, legally independent bodies with a large degree of autonomy in managing their own affairs including the awarding and naming of scholarships and bursaries. I have, therefore, no locus in this area which is internal to the respective Universities.

Further and Higher Education Institutes: Disabled Access

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister for Employ-ment and Learning to give an update on what steps have been taken to ensure adequate access for people with disabilities, not only to buildings but to all services and facilities, in Institutes of Further and Higher Education.

(AQO 1496/01)

Ms Hanna: Institutes of Further and Higher education currently have duties under the Disability Discrimination Act to disabled employees and when providing non educational services to the public. There are also a number of initiatives already in place at Further Education colleges which promote access for students with disabilities or learning difficulties, including specific support for individuals. The Department will be adding to these measures shortly by taking forward, with the Department of Education, new legislation which will provide comprehensive and enforceable rights to education for all disabled people on the same basis as the rest of the United Kingdom.

Investors in People

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister for Employ-ment and Learning how does the uptake of ‘Investors in People’ awards in Northern Ireland compare to Great Britain.

(AQO 1466/01)

Ms Hanna: There are currently in excess of 25,000 recognised ‘Investors in People’ organisations in GB accounting for 23.8% of the workforce. Northern Ireland has 570 recognised organisations employing 20·4% of the Northern Ireland workforce.

University Funding

Mr J Kelly asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what assessment can she make as to whether research and training at our universities is suffering as a result of shifting resources to widening access.

(AQO 1500/01)

Ms Hanna: Funding of research and training and funding towards widening access to higher education are separate aspects of my Department’s grant allocation to the universities. There has been no shift in resources from one area of activity to the other. Indeed, additional resources have been provided for both SPUR £43 million and the Student Support package £65 million.

Further Education Colleges

Rev Robert Coulter asked the minister for employment and learning to detail the total cost of senior management salaries as a proportion of the total allocated budgets of further education colleges.

(aqo 1491/01)

Ms Hanna: The total cost of service management salaries was approximately 3% of the overall expenditure by colleges in 2000/01, the latest year for which figures are available.

Further Education Colleges: Centres of Excellence

Mr Savage asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline (a) the centres of excellence which exist within further education colleges; and (b) the criteria normally used for determining a centre of excellence.

(AQO 1492/01)

Ms Hanna: In 2000/2001 colleges bid for recognition as centres of excellence in one or more of six key vocational areas significant to the regional economy. This resulted in the creation of eight centres of excellence across six colleges - in four key vocational areas: 

Information and communication technology; 
electronics; 
manufacturing engineering; 
and tourism and hospitality.

The criteria for the assessment of the centres of excellence bids focused on the quality of teaching and learning and the links with the relevant local business.

‘Roberts Report’: Postgraduate Studies

Mr Foster asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what assessment can she make of the recent ‘Roberts Report’ on postgraduate studies in science and engineering.

(AQO 1481/01)

Ms Hanna: The Roberts Report, commissioned by the Treasury, the Department for Education and Skills, and the Department of Trade and Industry was published very recently on 15th April. The report examines the reduction in the supply of science, technology, engineering and mathmatics skills in the UK and its adverse impact on the economy. The Department’s postgraduate advisory board will consider the report at its June meeting and will advise me of its recommendations.

Student Grants

Mr Gallagher asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what steps is she taking to increase the number of students receiving grants.

(AQO 1503/01)

Ms Hanna: The aim of the recent Student Support Review was to increase participation in third level education. Grants of up to £1,500 pa were introduced in September 2001 to support further education students from low-income families. A similar level of assistance will be available to higher education students from September 2002. Also in place from September 2001 are childcare grants and an increase in the level of parental income at which a contribution towards tuition fees becomes due.

Further Education Courses

Mr McGrady asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what steps she will take to ensure the provision of software engineering and information technology at a higher education level at East Down Institute in Downpatrick.

(AQO 1463/01)

Ms Hanna: Subject to the normal course approval process East Down Institute is free to develop higher education level provision in software engineering and information technology on a part-time basis. Due to financial considerations the level of publicly funded full-time higher education provision is subject to restriction.

Unemployment

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how the task force on Employability and Long-Term Unemployment will address those areas of Northern Ireland with the highest incidences of long- term unemployment.

(AQO 1482/01)

Ms Hanna: The taskforce is giving careful consideration as to how it will deal with those areas of Northern Ireland with the highest incidences of long-term unemployment. Its action plan is currently undergoing rigorous drafting to bring it to the final draft stage. I intend to issue the draft action plan to the Assembly Committee and subsequently to report to the Executive before the summer recess. Until this has been achieved I am not in a position to announce details of proposed initiatives.

Adult Literacy Strategy

Mr McHugh asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, in relation to the adult literacy strategy, to outline (a) targets she has developed for the reduction of low levels of literacy skills; and (b) measures being put in place to ensure that those targets are achieved.

(AQO 1498/01)

Ms Hanna:
(a) The long term aim is, by 2012, to reduce by half the number of people with low levels of literacy and numeracy.
(b) I will establish and lead an essential skills committee who will drive the essential skills for living strategy forward and implement the key recommendations to achieve the targets detailed in the strategy.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Wind Turbines

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the health and safety record of wind turbines located at wind farm developments in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3636/01)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): HSENI has not received reports of any dangerous occurrences, accidents, or cases of disease at wind farm developments in Northern Ireland as required by The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997.

Health and Safety Practices

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many companies as a result of accidents at work were (i) fined; (ii) penalised in some other way; or (iii) ordered to implement changes in health and safety practices.

(AQW 3683/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The numbers of companies fined following prosecutions for breaches of health and safety at work legislation during each of the last 3 years, and the numbers required to make improvements to health and safety at work practices/procedures as a result of formal enforcement action, are as follows:

Enforcing Authority	1999/2000	2000/01	2001/02
Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland
Prosecutions	11	8	10
Enforcement Notices	43	121	219
District Councils
Prosecutions	11	10	3
Enforcement Notices	158	93	81

The figures for 2001/02 are provisional. Figures provided above relate to the total number of prosecutions and enforcement notices. Separate figures are not available for prosecutions and enforcement notices which would have resulted following accidents at work.

Injuries at Work

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline, in each of the last 3 years, (a) the number of people injured at work with (i) minor injuries; and (ii) major injuries; (b) the average time off work due to injuries; and (c) the cost of injuries to industry and business.

(AQW 3684/01)

Sir Reg Empey:
(a) Based on information reported to the enforcing authorities under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, the number of people injured at work with minor and major injuries in each of the last three years is set out in the following table:

Year Specified major injuries Other injuries resulting in more than 3 days absence from work

Year	Specified Major Injuries	Other injuries resulting in more than 3 days absence from work
2001/02	525*	3,152*
2000/01	644	3,832
1999/00	605	3,843

* These figures relate solely to injuries reported to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI). Details of injuries reported to district councils during 2001/02 are not yet available.

(b) A recent research study commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland indicated that the average time employees are off work due to injuries is 5·5 days.

(c) The study also estimates the annual cost of workplace accidents to the Northern Ireland economy to be almost £500 million of which some £370 million represents the costs to employers.

Renewable Energy Resources

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he is considering any proposals for improving green and renewable energy sources.

(AQO 1486/01)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department, together with DTI and NIE, are sponsoring the completion of an important network study which will determine the maximum potential which NI can realise for generating electricity from renew-able energy sources. This study will help form renewable energy policy and indicate what target should be set for 2010.

Fish Processing Industry

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what support will be provided to sustain the fish-processing industry in Ardglass and Kilkeel; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1464/01)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department is currently imple-menting a development strategy for the fish-processing sector for the period of 2000-2006. This was completed in conjunction with the industry, the trade body — Northern Ireland Seafood Ltd and DARD. This strategy sets out my Department’s continued and sustained approach to the development of this important sector.

Imports and Exports

Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what is the value of imports and exports from/to (a) Republic of Ireland, (b) England; (c) Scotland; and (d) Wales.

(AQO 1499/01)

Sir Reg Empey: For the calendar year 2001, total imports from Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland were £965 million and total exports from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland were £981 million. These statistics are produced by HM Customs and Excise and only refer to goods that have crossed the UK frontier. Comparable infor-m-ation for England, Scotland and Wales is not available.

Biomedical Research

Rev Robert Coulter asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the current level of commercial activity in the Province which is based on biomedical research.

(AQO 1487/01)

Sir Reg Empey: There is an emerging cluster of commercial operations within Northern Ireland based on biomedical research. At present there are 7 companies, which are clients of Invest NI, and together these are generating a turnover of over £20m.

Environment

Planning Application: Killyleagh

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environ-ment to outline (a) the current stage of the proposed Gocean Development at Killyleagh; and (b) the timescale for the completion of the planning application.

(AQW 3629/01)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Nesbitt): The Department is awaiting additional information from the applicant in the form of an addendum to the Environmental Statement submitted with the planning application on 24 November 2000.

The additional information, which was requested from the applicant on 11 January 2002, was identified by Environ-ment and Heritage Service, which noted a number of deficiencies in the Environmental Statement, such as the impact of the proposed development on the Strangford Lough Area of Special Scientific Interest/Ramsar site.

The Department is currently engaged in discussions with the applicant in relation to the outstanding information. Until that information is received, the application cannot be taken any further forward.
Once the outstanding information is received, I will ensure that the application is determined as quickly as possible.

Planning Applications

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of the Environ-ment to detail his current policy in respect of planning applications for wind farm developments at Garrane, Rosslea and Callagheen, Belleek.

(AQW 3639/01)

Mr Nesbitt: I am combining the answers to the above questions as they overlap in relation to the Department’s planning policies for wind farms.

The relevant planning legislation, including European Directives is:
(a) The Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 which requires that an application for such development is submitted and determined in accordance with legis-lative requirements.

(b) Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Reg-ulations (Northern Ireland) 1999. This legislation transposes EU Directive – Annex III to Council Directive 85/337/EEC (c) as amended by Council Directive 97/11/E C (d) into Northern Ireland law. A determination of whether an application requires to be accompanied by an Environmental Statement is made by the Department where the installation of more than 2 turbines, or the hub height of any turbine or other structure exceeds 15 metres in height.

The planning policies, which are used to consider planning applications for wind farms, are:-

(a) PSU12 - of the planning strategy for Rural Northern Ireland 1993, which is the policy relating to Renewable Energy.

(b) Planning Policy Statement 1 – General Planning Principles.

(c) Planning Policy Statement 2 – Planning and Nature Conservation, in so far as it is relevant to a particular site.

(d) Planning Policy Statement 6 – Planning Archaeology and the Built Heritage, in so far as it is relevant to a particular site.

(e) Planning Policy Statement 3 – Planning & Roads Con-siderations regarding access and traffic generation.

(f) The relevant Development Plan for the area in which the proposed wind farm is located. In the case of the Garrane, Rosslea and Callagheen proposals, this is the Fermanagh Area Plan 2007.

(g) Supplementary guidance is also provided in:
Development Control Advice Note 15 – Vehicular Access Standards.
Development Control Advice Note 10 – Environmental Impact Assessment.

I can assure you that the Department will give careful and detailed consideration to the wind farm proposals at Garrane and Callagheen against the policies and regulations outlined above.

Planning Applications

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of the Environ-ment, pursuant to AQW 2125/01, to detail the planning legislation, including European Directives, and planning policies used to consider a planning application for a wind farm.

(AQW 3640/01)

Mr Nesbitt: I am combining the answers to the above questions as they overlap in relation to the Department’s planning policies for wind farms.

The relevant planning legislation, including European Directives is:
(a) The Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 which requires that an application for such development is submitted and determined in accordance with legis-lative requirements.

(b) Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regu-lations (Northern Ireland) 1999. This legislation transposes EU Directive – Annex III to Council Directive 85/337/EEC (c) as amended by Council Directive 97/11/E C (d) into Northern Ireland law. A determination of whether an application requires to be accompanied by an Environmental Statement is made by the Department where the installation of more than 2 turbines, or the hub height of any turbine or other structure exceeds 15 metres in height.

The planning policies, which are used to consider planning applications for wind farms, are: -
(a) PSU12 - of the Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland 1993, which is the policy relating to Renewable Energy.
(b) Planning Policy Statement 1 – General Planning Principles.
(c) Planning Policy Statement 2 – Planning and Nature Conservation, in so far as it is relevant to a particular site.
(d) Planning Policy Statement 6 – Planning Archaeology and the Built Heritage, in so far as it is relevant to a particular site.
(e) Planning Policy Statement 3 – Planning & Roads Considerations regarding access and traffic generation.
(f) The relevant Development Plan for the area in which the proposed wind farm is located. In the case of the Garrane, Rosslea and Callagheen proposals, this is the Fermanagh Area Plan 2007.
(g) Supplementary guidance is also provided in:
Development Control Advice Note 15 – Vehicular Access Standards.
Development Control Advice Note 10 – Environmental Impact Assessment.

I can assure you that the Department will give careful and detailed consideration to the wind farm proposals at Garrane and Callagheen against the policies and regulations outlined above.

Exotic and Wild Animals

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of the Environ-ment to outline (a) what assessment he can make in relation to the availability of expertise and suitable premises in Northern Ireland to look after exotic and wild animals; and (b) if he intends to give responsibility to the USPCA for seized exotic and wild animals.

(AQW 3681/01)

Mr Nesbitt: My Department has policy responsibility for regulating the keeping of dangerous wild animals by private individuals. What is categorised as a dangerous wild animal will need to be established by legislation but is unlikely to include all exotic and wild animals.
My Department has been working on primary legislation in this area. A Bill was to have been introduced in the Assembly last December, but work has had to be deferred for a number of reasons. One reason is to allow for the development of proposals for a centralised regulatory regime, to take account of concerns expressed by the Assembly Environment Committee about the original policy proposal to have the regime administered by district councils.

The development of the new proposals will include consideration of the options for securing the expertise necessary to undertake the inspections that would form an essential part of the process for processing applications for licences to keep dangerous wild animals. This work will also involve examining the options available for dealing with any seized animals, where this action is deemed necessary.

I acknowledge that both expertise and premises suitable for accommodating seized or unwanted dangerous wild animals, particularly the larger species, are very limited in Northern Ireland.

 Work to consider the options is at an early stage and no decisions have yet been made. Any proposal for an organisation such as the USPCA to provide expertise and/or accommodation facilities in support of the operation of the proposed regulatory regime will need to take account of established procurement policies.

ASSI: Strand Lough and Killough

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of the Environ-ment what assessment he can make of the impact on the environment and farming activities of the new ASSI designation for the Strand Lough and Killough areas.

(AQW 3682/01)

Mr Nesbitt: My Department’s Environment and Heritage Service declared Killough Bay and Strand Lough as an area of special scientific interest (ASSI) on 14 December 2001. Our aim is to safeguard the plants and animals of this coastal site along with its associated swamp, fen and wet grassland for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

The past management of this area has ensured the survival and wellbeing of the many special plants and animals found throughout the ASSI. Continued careful use of the area should allow current activities to be sustained at levels that do not threaten the important features of the ASSI. Landowners, and those who hold rights within the designated area, who wish to undertake certain potentially damaging operations specified in the declaration documents, are legally obliged to seek consent from my Department. If the operation is judged likely to have an adverse effect, a management agreement will be offered in order to protect the conservation interests of the site. To date, Environment and Heritage Service has received only one application from a private landowner at this site and this is currently being assessed.

Planning Permission

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environ-ment in what circumstances would a new planning application be permitted to bypass the outline planning stage of the Planning Service’s planning procedure.

(AQW 3693/01)

Mr Nesbitt: When seeking planning permission applicants have the option of making an outline or a full planning application. The purpose of outline planning permission is to determine in principle, the acceptability of a proposal to build on any particular site. Where an outline planning permission is granted, it is conditional on the subsequent approval by the Department of the details of the proposed development, which is known as ‘reserved matters’.
Where an application is made for full planning per-mission it should include all the particulars needed to describe the development. In this way the principle of the development is determined along with the details of the proposal.

It is up to the applicant to decide which type of application that he wishes to submit. Reserved matters applications submitted following an outline consent will only be approved where they comply with the conditions of the outline permission. Where a submission of reserved matters is clearly not in accordance with the outline planning permission to which it relates, the application will be refused. The applicant will be advised to submit either a new full application or a new reserved matters application, in accordance with the terms of the existing permission.

If a new application is required in the above circum-stances, the principle and the detail of the proposal will again be judged for their acceptability in planning terms. This determination will also take into account any previous site history as a material consideration.
Therefore, there are no circumstances in which the ‘outline planning stage’ is bypassed by a new planning application.

Deer Park, Newtownstewart, West Tyrone

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of the Environ-ment, pursuant to AQW 3300/01, to detail the represent-ations received from the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside, in respect of the Deer Park, Newtown-stewart, West Tyrone.

(AQW 3731/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC) was consulted by my Depart-ment’s Environment and Heritage Service on the proposed Deer Park area of special scientific interest (ASSI) in February 1998. The council’s scientific committee was presented with the documentation that subsequently formed the designation package, together with a description of the site, its importance and the management considerations.

The committee supported the proposed designation and this was endorsed by the full council at its meeting on 6 March 1998. The research contract with the University of Ulster ran for three years, from September 1994. The work programme involved identification, mapping and interpre-tation of the main glacial landform complexes. Over 30 discrete areas were identified and described. The many reports and maps generated by this research are not suitable for placing in the Assembly Library but are available for inspection at the offices of the Environment and Heritage Service. Critical localities, selected on the basis of scientific importance and landscape significance, were then identified in discussion between the University of Ulster and EHS. EHS’s subsequent survey work had two aims:

• to determine what elements of the Deer Park moraine would merit inclusion in the designated site, and

• to identify a specific boundary for the proposed ASSI.

This work ensured that only the most significant element of the landform feature was included within the designated site and that it had a site boundary that would be easily identifiable.

Deer Park, Newtownstewart, West Tyrone

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of the Environ-ment, pursuant to AQW 3299/01, to outline (a) the research paper undertaken by the University of Ulster into key glacial landform complexes throughout Northern Ireland and to lodge this paper in the Assembly Library; and (b) the survey undertaken by the Environmental Heritage Service in regard to the Deer Park, Newtown-stewart, West Tyrone.

(AQW 3732/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC) was consulted by my Depart-ment’s Environment and Heritage Service on the proposed Deer Park area of special scientific interest (ASSI) in February 1998. The council’s scientific committee was presented with the documentation that subsequently formed the designation package, together with a description of the site, its importance and the management considerations.

The committee supported the proposed designation and this was endorsed by the full council at its meeting on 6 March 1998. The research contract with the University of Ulster ran for three years, from September 1994. The work programme involved identification, mapping and interpretation of the main glacial landform complexes. Over 30 discrete areas were identified and described. The many reports and maps generated by this research are not suitable for placing in the Assembly Library but are available for inspection at the offices of the Environment and Heritage Service. Critical localities, selected on the basis of scientific importance and landscape significance, were then identified in discussion between the University of Ulster and EHS. EHS’s subsequent survey work had two aims:

• to determine what elements of the Deer Park moraine would merit inclusion in the designated site, and

• to identify a specific boundary for the proposed ASSI.

This work ensured that only the most significant element of the landform feature was included within the designated site and that it had a site boundary that would be easily identifiable.

Equality Impact Assessments

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of the Environ-ment to outline (a) the number of equality impact assess-ments (EIA) carried out by his Department to date; and (b) the total cost of (i) research; (ii) consultation; (iii) printing; and (iv) dissemination, for each EIA.

(AQW 3773/01)

Mr Nesbitt:
(a) The Department has carried out 6 equality impact assessments (EIAs) to date; of which 2 are complete and 4 are at consultation stage.
(b) The total costs are set out below:

i. Research, £25,824
ii. Consultation, Nil
iii. Printing, Nil
iv. Dissemination, £1857

These figures do not include staff costs or depart-mental overheads which constitute a large proportion of the total cost of producing the EIAs.

Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Local Health and Social Care Groups

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (a) what steps are in place to ensure that health and social care groups (LHSCG), when established, will be adequately resourced; and (b) that budgets delegated to LHSCG will be based on a weighted capitation approach reflective of the need of communities.

(AQW 3529/01)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): I am making over £5million available to cover the management and administration costs of the local health and social care groups. I believe this will be sufficient for the initial stages of the groups’ development, but it will be kept under review. Staff resources at health and social services board level will also be available to provide professional, administrative and management support to LHSCG. As the groups take on greater responsibility, I also expect resources to move to them from the boards.

LHSCG will also receive budgets for primary care development and, increasingly, for commissioning. I can confirm that the delegation of these budgets to groups will be informed by the weighted capitation approach, which takes account of the relative need of communities. Prescribing budgets for LHSCG will also be calculated using a weighted capitation formula.

Tá mé chun níos mó ná £5 mhilliún a chur ar fáil chun costas bainistíochta agus riaracháin na nGrúpaí Sláinte Áitiúla agus Cúram Sóisialta a chlúdach. Creidim gur leor é seo do chéimeanna tosaigh i bhforbairt na nGrúpaí, ach coinneofar súil air. Cuirfear acmhainní foirne ag leibheál Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta ar fáil chomh maith chun tacaíocht ghairmiúil, riaracháin agus bainistíochta do na LHSCGanna a sholáthar. De réir mar a ghlacann na Grúpaí le níos mó freagrachtaí, tá mé ag súil go dtabharfar acmhainní dóibh ó na Boird.
Gheobhaidh na LHSCGanna buiséid chomh maith d’fhorbairt chúram phríomhúil agus do choimisiúnú de réir a chéile. Is féidir liom a dheimhniú go roinnfear na buiséid do Ghrúpaí de réir an chur chuige ceannsraithe ualaithe, a chuireann riachtanas coibhneasta na bpobal san áireamh. Déanfar comháireamh i moladh na gcostas le haghaidh LHSCGanna ag baint úsáide as foirmle ceannsraithe ualaithe.

Orthopaedic Surgery: South Tyrone Hospital

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 3321/01, if the two modern operating theatres in South Tyrone Hospital have been used for orthopaedic surgery since the service was transferred to Craigavon Area Hospital.

(AQW 3709/01)

Ms de Brún: The two theatres in question have not been used for orthopaedic surgery since acute services were temporarily transferred to Craigavon Area Hospital.

Níor úsáideadh an dá obrádlann atá i gceist le máinliacht ortaipéideach a dhéanamh ó aistríodh géarsheirbhísí go sealadach go hOtharlann Cheantar Craigavon.

Social Development

Housing Executive: Houses in Multiple Occupation

Mr M Robinson asked the Minister for Social Develop-ment how many properties were converted into houses in multiple occupation by local authorities in (a) 1999; (b) 2000; and (c) 2001.

(AQW 3657/01)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): The Housing Executive does not convert properties into houses in multiple occupation (HMO). It provides grant-aid which allows the owners of properties to do so. The number of grants awarded to convert properties to HMO is shown in the following table.

Year	Grants Awarded
1999	17
2000	18
2001	8

Disability Living Allowance

Mr Wells asked the Minister for Social Development to outline, in each of the last 3 years, (a) the number of requests for a review of a decision to refuse (a) disability living allowance (DLA) applications which were successful; and (b) the number of decisions to refuse applications for DLA which were overturned at appeal.

(AQW 3695/01)

Mr Dodds: The number of people who requested a review of a refusal of disability living allowance and were successful over the last 3 financial years are as follows:

Year	Number Allowed
1999/2000	676
2000/2001	1,991
2001/2002	2,346

The number of people who appealed decisions not to allow disability living allowance and were successful over the last 3 financial years are as follows:

Year	Number Overturned
1999/2000	287
2000/2001	455
2001/2002	771

Request for Meetings

Mr Adams asked the Minister for Social Develop-ment, pursuant to AQW 3194/01, how he monitors all requests for meetings to ensure that they are dealt with in accordance to both the Ministerial Pledge of Office and the Code of Conduct with regard to equality of treatment, impartiality and preventing discrimination.

(AQW 3711/01)

Mr Dodds: I decide on all requests for meetings with me, and as explained in my written response to AQW 3194/01, I take all my decisions in accordance with the Ministerial Pledge of Office and the Code of Conduct, as I undertook to do when taking up Ministerial office.

Housing Grants

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Development how many grants aimed at (a) reducing unfit housing; and (b) improving private sector housing conditions, have been awarded in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3712/01)

Mr Dodds: The information requested is as follows:

Grant Type	1999/2000 No	2000/2001 No	2001/2002 No
	Improving housing conditions including those for a disabled occupant
Disabled Facilities	1,388	1,564	1,600
Minor Works Assistance	1,944	2,378	2,413
Repairs	3,529	3,820	3,382
Total	6,861	7,762	7,395

Full Duty Applicants

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Develop-ment to detail the percentage of applicants, accepted as statutorily homeless, who have secured permanent tenancies within three months of application, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3713/01)

Mr Dodds: The Housing Executive measures perform-ance in respect of full duty applicants from the date of acceptance as homeless rather than the date of application. From that perspective, performance, within 3 months, in the last 3 years is as follows:

Social Housing Sector: New Homes

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Develop-ment how many new homes have been built in the social housing sector in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3714/01)

Mr Dodds: I refer the member to my response to AQO 1271/01 which is contained in the Official Report for 7 May.

Adaption of Properties

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Develop-ment how many properties have been adapted to meet the needs of occupants such as the elderly or those with disability in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3715/01)

Mr Dodds: The information requested is as follows:

  
The figures relate to work carried out to Housing Executive, housing association and private sector properties. The Housing Executive also carries out a significant number of minor works for people with disabilities. These include the provision of handrails, ramps, lever taps and lowering of cupboards. However, it does not routinely gather statistics on such works.

Housing Executive Properties: Heating

Mr Ford asked the Minister for Social Development how many Housing Executive properties have been converted to oil or gas heating in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3717/01)

Mr Dodds: The information requested is as follows:

Gambling Laws: Casinos

Mr Berry asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the legislation which relates to the establish-ment of casinos in Northern Ireland and to ensure that a casino will not be established at the Gosford Castle site, Markethill.

(AQW 3865/01)

Mr Dodds: The law on gambling in Northern Ireland is contained in the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. The 1985 Order does not permit facilities for high stakes gaming such as are provided by commercial gaming clubs (casinos) in Great Britain and similar establishments elsewhere. A casino cannot, therefore, operate lawfully anywhere in Northern Ireland.

Benefit Entitlement

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister for Social Develop-ment what are his plans to further the uptake of benefits.

(AQO 1475/01)

Mr Dodds: My Department is committed to ensuring that everyone claims and receives their proper benefit entitlement. The Social Security Agency has a range of measures in place designed to encourage people to claim social security benefits. These include undertaking regular publicity campaigns to signal the arrival of new benefits or increase awareness of existing ones. For example:

• the minimum income guarantee campaign has resulted in just over 8,000 additional successful claims;

• information days have been held recently in a number of towns across Northern Ireland; and

• A to Z guides for pensioners and for farmers have been widely distributed.

The agency also works closely with a number of voluntary sector organisations to identify and address barriers to benefits, including provision of interpreting facilities for some ethnic minority groups:

• a teleclaims service for new pensioners was intro-duced last year and the pension advisers are being evaluated in 2 social security office areas; and

• finally the agency provides comprehensive infor-mation, advice and assistance to people through each of the social security offices and the Benefit Shop in Castlecourt.

Work will continue in this area and will take account of emerging uptake issues from the agency’s welfare reform and modernisation programme.

Housing Executive: Sale of Land and Property

Mr J Kelly asked the Minister for Social Develop-ment to outline (a) land or properties the Housing Executive sold off in the last 10 years and then re-purchased; (b) the amount of money received for such land and property; and (c) how much was involved in the re-acquisition.

(AQO 1497/01)

Mr Dodds: The information requested is not held centrally, and could only be collected at a disproport-ionate cost. In general terms, there have been occasions when land has been sold by the Housing Executive and compulsorily purchased at a later stage to form part of an urban renewal area or a redevelopment area. In addition, houses sold through the Housing Executive’s houses sales scheme have been bought back, either through the acquisition of satisfactory houses scheme, commonly called the ASH scheme, or the Scheme for the Purchase of evacuated dwellings, known as SPED. There will often be differences between the sale proceeds and the re-purchase costs, both of which are dependent on overall market changes and the time scales involved. The sale and the repurchase prices are determined by the Valuation and Lands Agency or other valuers.

Housing: Interface Areas

Mr Savage asked the Minister for Social Develop-ment what housing action he plans to undertake to improve interface areas in towns outside Belfast.

(AQO 1506/01)

Mr Dodds: I am conscious of the impact that inter- community strife has on housing and particularly on the lives of people residing in interface areas. I deplore violence in any shape or form but especially when it impinges on such a basic human right as one’s home. Clearly there is a security dimension to this which falls outside my responsibility but, where possible, I would encourage community leaders to work together to try to resolve difficulties. If there are specific housing issues to be addressed I will endeavour to facilitate resolution of these through the Housing Executive and other housing agencies. For example, I have recently introduced a scheme to provide protective security measures for homes at interface areas.

Housing Executive: Economy 7

Mr McGrady asked the Minister for Social Develop-ment what plans he has to discuss with the Housing Executive the need to review the eligibility criteria for financial assistance for the installation of Economy 7; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1465/01)

Mr Dodds: I have no plans to discuss with the Housing Executive the need to review the eligibility criteria for financial assistance for the installation of Economy 7.

There are no specific eligibility criteria for financial assistance in the private sector for the installation of Economy 7 heating; qualification for such assistance is the same, no matter what type of heating is installed.