(AQW 3867/01)

Reply: The information requested is not held by this department. The Equality Commission publishes information on the religious composition of public and private sector organisations with more than 26 employees. However, where the number of Protestants or Roman Catholic employees is fewer than 10, only the total number of employees is published. This is to ensure the religious background of individual employees cannot be inferred from the figures.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has fewer than 26 employees.

There is no statutory requirement to monitor gender or disability in the workforce.

(AQW 3952/01)

Reply: The information sought in the question is available in the "Public Bodies" publication produced annually by the Cabinet Office and made available through the Stationery Office and on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/quango. This publication provides information on the size, spend and membership of the UK "quango" sector, including public bodies attached to the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments. The current edition of the publication, "Public Bodies 2001" is available in the Assembly Library.

(AQO 1656/01)

Reply: On 29 April we informed the Assembly that, following a consultation process with Ministers about the implementation process for the corporate identity, some issues would require further discussion at a future Executive meeting.

(AQO 1633/01)

Reply: It is not the policy of the Administration to disclose in advance what issues will be raised at future Executive meetings.

(AQO 1651/01)

Reply: A firm of consultants has not yet been appointed to carry out the Review. It is expected that the Review will take 2/3 months to complete once consultants have been appointed.

(AQO 1647/01)

Reply: We must all support the police in their efforts to maintain law and order, as well as stepping up our own efforts to deal with the underlying causes of sectarianism.

The Executive has not discussed the recent violence in east Belfast however we stand ready to support any local initiative aimed at allowing local communities to resolve their differences peacefully. As in North Belfast, the solution will be found only in dialogue.

Our Office has provided support through the Community Relations Council for a number of groups and projects aimed at improving community relations. These include the work of the Belfast Interface Project with the Inner East Interface Group whose members are drawn from both the Short Strand and Newtownards Road communities and the Ballynafeigh Community Development Association’s Social Energy Project and partnership in the Five Areas Advice Project, which include Donegall Pass and the Markets, Ballynafeigh and the Lower Ormeau Road.

(AQO 1645/01)

Reply: We understand the Malone Road Barracks site should be ready for transfer in a few months time.

The transfer of all of the significant security and military assets offers us many possibilities for economic and social regeneration. We will want to consider all the options carefully so that we achieve dynamic development, working in partnership with local communities.

(AQO 1653/01)

Reply: The agenda for the next plenary of the NSMC which is scheduled to take place on Friday 28 June has yet to be agreed.

(AQO 1630/01)

Reply: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review and put in place a cross-departmental strategy for the promotion of community relations, leading to measurable improvements in community relations, reducing the causes of conflict between communities.

The Review will take into consideration wider factors affecting current community relations policy. A report on the policy review was submitted to us in February, and we are currently considering it. Following consideration of the report by the Executive and the Committee of the Centre, we intend to issue a consultation document to all key stakeholders and interested bodies this month, with a view to work beginning on the implementation of the agreed strategy by early Autumn 2002.

(AQO 1660/01)

Reply: The Peace Park was created to commemorate all those from the island of Ireland who served, fought and died during World War I and to promote peace and reconciliation among all the people of the island. Working in conjunction with the Irish Government development work has been carried out on the tower, paths and landscaping at the site together with the provision of information plaques and seating at various locations throughout the site. In keeping with its purpose the Park is finished to a very high standard and will be maintained to the same high standard as other similar memorial sites in the area.

(AQO 1655/01)

Reply: The Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill, which we are introducing into the Assembly today, envisages a broad role and remit for the Commissioner which will include reserved matters such as juvenile justice.

The Bill sets out a range of functions such as the promotion of children’s rights; reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of law and policy; reviewing authorities’ arrangements for handling complaints etc; and conducting investigations in certain cases. These functions will be exercisable in relation to authorities operating in the reserved field.

(AQW 4017/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): I am fully aware of the problems facing the Bramley apple sector and of the problems caused by over-production. However, I will await the outcome of the Strategic Review of the Commercial Horticulture Sector before coming to a decision as to the type of Government support that would be appropriate for this sub-sector. The Consultants are due to present their report by the end of June, and I will be seeking industry’s views on their findings and recommendations for the way ahead in the early autumn.

The scope for a "grubbing up" scheme would be dependent on a number of factors, including:

• the need as identified by sector stakeholders;

• the likelihood of "grubbing up" bringing positive long-term benefit to the sector;

• the view of the EU Commission; and

• the availability of finance.

The Strategic Review will address some of the above issues. Depending on the outcome of that review, others might need to be explored. I am advised that there are no plans at present to introduce an EU-wide Grubbing-up Scheme.

(AQW 4018/01)

Ms Rodgers: The report "Stress and Hopelessness levels in Northern Ireland Farmers" produced by Gallagher and Fowler (QUB School of Psychology), in association with the UFU, identified various factors impacting upon levels of hopelessness and stress. Farm income and isolation were two major factors, which various DARD initiatives can help to alleviate, either directly or indirectly.

In choosing a career young people and their parents are strongly influenced by future career prospects and the image of the industry. A competitive and profitable industry, perceived as having a viable future, will be successful in attracting young people to enter it.

My Department already provides a wide range of support services to help the industry improve its competitiveness. For young people wishing to enter the industry, my Department’s colleges provide a range of high quality courses. These courses are widely advertised and promoted, with comprehensive careers guidance provided for potential students and their parents. On returning to farm, a young person can receive further support from the Department for the adoption of technology and best management practice.

Within the Vision Action plan I will have a number of initiatives, which will provide further support to all farmers to improve competitiveness of their businesses. The ‘Challenges’ and benchmarking, for example, can be of tremendous benefit to younger farmers open to change. Challenges involve group working through which farmers can secure mutual support.

Some farm families will need to secure additional income from off-farm employment. To help young people who wish to combine off-farm employment with part-time farming, the DARD colleges are collaborating with FE Colleges to provide a ‘Multiskilling’ programme. Through the programme young people can achieve a qualification in agriculture as well as a qualification in another discipline to help them secure off-farm employment.

Shortly a range of new measures to support re-skilling and up-skilling of farm families will be opened for applications. This programme, funded under PEACE II, will help farm families to secure additional income from the farm, either from traditional enterprises or diversification, and will open up opportunities for off-farm employment.

As you already know, I have commissioned a study on the possible impact of an early retirement scheme and/or a new entrants scheme as permitted under the Rural Development Regulation. The report should be submitted to me by 31 July 2002 and thereafter I will be giving careful consideration to the recommendations.

I am very much aware of the stress being experienced by many people in the industry. For this reason I continue to support the operation of a Rural Stress Help line and other measures to ensure that people can get easy access to appropriate help.

(AQW 4058/01)

Ms Rodgers: The discretionary capital enhancement, or ‘E-Plan’, element of the ESA Scheme closed to new applications with effect from 31 March 1999, as there were insufficient funds available at that time to meet a significant and unanticipated upsurge in demand.

However, I fully recognise the importance of this aspect of the ESA Scheme to many farmers in Northern Ireland. Indeed, its re-introduction is the subject of a specific recommendation in the recent ‘Vision for the future of the agri-food industry’ report. I hope to be in a position to re-open this element of the ESA Scheme, but it is difficult to put a precise date on when this will be possible. I am sorry I cannot be more definitive at this time.

However, ESA farmers have the option of participating in new ESA Scheme (NESA) provisions, which were introduced as part of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Plan (NIRDP) 2000-2006. As is the case with the Countryside Management Scheme, NESA participation is dependent upon the applicant’s ability to satisfy more stringent pollution control criteria and there are differences in the environmental prescriptions and payment rates. There is also scope for scheme participants to receive, as part of their annual management payment, remuneration in respect of an agreed programme for the restoration of field boundaries, including stone walls.

(AQW 4098/01)

Ms Rodgers: Information is not held in precisely the form requested. The numbers of civil servants in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who are known to live in (a) the constituency of West Tyrone and (b) the constituencies of Foyle and East Derry who work in one of the 4 Belfast constituencies as at January 2002 are 29 and 39 respectively.

(AQW 4164/01)

Ms Rodgers: The flying of the Union Flag from Government Buildings in Northern Ireland and in particular on the occasion of the death of a member of the Royal Family, such as HRH Princess Margaret, is governed by the Flags Regulations (NI) 2002.

The Schedule to those Regulations specifies 7 buildings at which the flag should be flown on such days as are notified in the Belfast Gazette.

In accordance with the Regulations, and the notification published in the Belfast Gazette of 8 February 2002, the Union Flag was flown at half mast at Dundonald House, the only specified building for which my Department has responsibility, on 15 February 2002.

There was no requirement to fly the Flag at any other building. Regulation 7 provides discretion to fly the flag at other buildings.

In the interests of adopting a consistent approach throughout the Department, I decided not to take up that discretion.

(AQW 4172/01)

Ms Rodgers: The flying of the Union Flag from Government Buildings in NI and in particular on the occasion of the death of a member of the Royal Family, such as Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret or Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, is governed by The Flags Regulations (NI) 2000.

The Schedule to those Regulations specifies 7 buildings at which the flag should be flown on such days as re notified in the Belfast Gazette.

In accordance with the Regulations, and the notification in the Belfast Gazette of 8 February 2002, the Union Flag was flown from Dundonald House, the only specified building for which my Department has responsibility, on 15 February 2002 to mark the funeral of Her Royal Highness, The Princess Margaret.

There was no requirement to fly the Flag at any other building. Regulation 7 provides discretion to fly the flag at other buildings. In the interests of adopting a consistent approach throughout the Department, I decided not to take up that discretion.

Also in accordance with the Regulations, and the notification in the Belfast Gazette of 29 March 2002, the Union Flag was flown at Dundonald House, the only specified building for which my Department has responsibility, from Thursday 4 April to Tuesday 9 April 2002 to mark the period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

There was no requirement to fly the Flag at any other building. However, Regulation 7 provides discretion to fly the flag at other buildings. That discretion was exercised on Tuesday 9 April, the day of the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

(AQW 4192/01)

Ms Rodgers: I am not aware of any proposals to regionalise export refunds during the mid-term CAP review of the dairy require nor do I have any plans to press for such a proposal to be included in the UK position. It is difficult to envisage how such a system could be made to work without distorting trade within a single market which is organised and supported at Community level. I am however aware of the importance of this matter to the Northern Ireland dairy industry and we will continue to press the Northern Ireland case in Brussels to help ensure that exporters of dairy products derive maximum benefit from the assistance which is currently available.

(AQW 4193/01)

Ms Rodgers: Export refunds are designed to encourage the export of Community goods and reduce oversupply on Community markets. They are one of a number of disposal measures which also include intervention and subsidised usage schemes. As all of these measures can help support the farmgate price of milk it would be difficult to attribute the exact impact of any of them since account also needs to be taken of the volume of milk available for processing, the prevailing demand for products on world markets and currency exchange rates. Nevertheless I consider that our strong lobbying, firstly to have export refunds reintroduced in 2001 and secondly for six increases in the levels of these refunds, has been very helpful during this difficult time for producers. The fact that export refunds for skimmed milk powder, which is so important to Northern Ireland, have increased from zero to 715 euro per tonne or circa £458 per tonne is a significant achievement and I hope that the increase in milk prices, which was realised at the June auction by United Dairy Farmers, will be further enhanced in coming months.

(AQW 4271/01)

Ms Rodgers: To protect the drainage function of watercourses, (both designated and undesignated) the Department’s Rivers Agency operates a consent system under Schedule 6 of the Drainage (NI) Order 1973 for developments likely to affect flows in watercourses, such as culverting. This necessitates a detailed assessment, by site survey or investigation and hydraulic calculations, to determine all applications and the conditions of any consent (such as pipe size) to alleviate flooding risk. Rivers Agency’s published performance targets require it to deal with 98% of such applications within 3 months.

I am advised that while the Agency met you and local residents on 1 May and 17 May 2002 to discuss a general proposal to culvert the watercourse at Prospect Green, the application for consent was not received until 17 June. Rivers Agency will progress this application as quickly as possible within existing resources and competing priorities.

(AQO 1641/01)

Ms Rodgers: All 147 DARD Veterinary Officers in post at the time were authorised to assess and license slaughtermen.

(AQO 1689/01)

Ms Rodgers: The proposal to which you refer is a recommendation made by the independent Review Panel which I set up to advise me on my Department’s arrangements for agri-food R&D and education. The Report, which contained seven recommendations, was presented to me on 29 April 2002 and I am consulting publicly on these recommendations until 31 August 2002.

I am currently studying the report and, as yet, I have not decided on my preferred way forward. I hope to announce my decision on this in the autumn in the light of the results of the consultation exercise and discussions with my Executive colleagues.

(AQW 4002/01)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): I would like to see tobacco advertising eliminated entirely from motorcycle road racing. I also, however, recognise that alternative sponsorship is rare at the moment and that motorcycle road racing currently needs tobacco advertising to survive. I would therefore support a ban on such advertising which gives motor cycle sport a suitable "lead-in" period to allow it time to find other forms of sponsorship.

(AQW 4006/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The ending of sponsorship agreements is one of several proposals which are still under consideration. The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety will make an announcement about these proposals before the recess.

It is a matter for governing bodies of sport to secure alternative sources of funding. The only sport in Northern Ireland that relies on tobacco sponsorship is motorcycling. I understand that its governing body, the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland, will be considering new sources of funding as part of its strategic plan.

(AQW 4025/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The North/South Ministerial Council meeting on Language Sectoral format on 7 December 2001 approved the process for selection of the Chief Executive by open competition.

I look forward to that process being completed in the near future.

(AQW 4099/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Information is not held in precisely the form requested. The numbers of civil servants in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure who are known to live in (a) the constituency of West Tyrone and (b) the constituencies of Foyle and East Londonderry who work in one of the 4 Belfast constituencies as at January 2002 are 1 and 9 respectively.

(AQW 4215/01)

In the time given we have been unable to gather the appropriate data. This will be provided at a later date.

I take your question to mean use of the indoor athletics facilities. To date no organisations have used the facility.

To date there have been no events in the facility.

I would ask you to note that my Department is addressing the issue of athletics at the Odyssey. We are currently looking at the possibility along with the Sports Council for Northern Ireland of a week long event of athletics involving schools, community groups, handicapped groups etc. Whilst my Department cannot make the Arena management put on athletics it is intended that the Department’s views on staging athletics will be put to the members of the Arena Forum, for consideration.

My Department will continue to monitor the situation.

(AQW 4270/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Mr Mallon was formally appointed on 6 September 2001 by the Chair of the Ulster Scots Agency, The Lord Laird of Artigarvan, to the post of Administrative Consultant. That contract was renewed by the Agency on 19 November 2001 and again on 14 January 2002.

The appointment was by way of a term contract with Mallon Associates.

(AQW 4281/01)

Mr McGimpsey: During the last five financial years, 57 grants, totalling £16,116,300, were awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to churches in Northern Ireland. A breakdown of the awards is attached.

Details of all Lottery awards made by all National Lottery distributors across the UK can be accessed through the awards search on the web site of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport at
‘www.culture.gov.uk/lottery/ index.html’.

(AQO 1626/01)

Mr McGimpsey: My department has a very wide remit covering many areas of activity. These are reflected in the Departmental Objective –

• To foster a creative, informed and active lifestyle which will act as a powerful catalyst for change and which will project a positive image of Northern Ireland both at home and abroad

The Programme for Government (PfG) priorities are reflected throughout my Department’s strategic objectives. These can be summarised into three main targets

• Widening access and participation in Culture, Arts and Leisure;

• Developing cultural resources and infrastructure;

• Promoting a positive image of Northern Ireland.

These targets are therefore used as the main criteria for spending by my department. Details of the monies being made available during 2002/03 are contained in the Main Estimates which were published recently.

(AQW 4054/01)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): (a) The grades obtained in the Transfer Test by those pupils who applied to Down High School, but who were unsuccessful in their application; and (b) the number of pupils from each local primary school who applied to Down High School but who were unsuccessful for admission in September 2002 are detailed below as follows:

(AQW 4055/01)

Mr M McGuinness: (a) The grades obtained in the Transfer Test by those pupils who applied to St Patrick’s Grammar School, Downpatrick, but who were unsuccessful in their application; and (b) the number of pupils from each local primary school who applied to St Patrick’s, Downpatrick but who were unsuccessful in their application for admission in September 2002 are detailed below as follows:

(AQW 4056/01)

Mr M McGuinness: (a) The primary schools which will contribute pupils to Year 8 (Form 1) at Down High School; (b) the number of pupils transferring to Down High School from each primary school; and (c) the grades obtained by pupils in each primary school who will be transferring to Down High School in September 2002 are detailed below as follows:

(AQW 4057/01)

Mr M McGuinness: (a) The primary schools which will contribute pupils to Year 8 (Form 1) at St Patrick’s Grammar School, Downpatrick; (b) the number of pupils transferring to St Patrick’s, Downpatrick from each primary school; and (c) the grades obtained by pupils in each primary school who will be transferring to St Patrick’s, Downpatrick in September 2002 are detailed below as follows:

(AQW 4068/01)

Mr M McGuinness: All grant-aided school sectors and the voluntary and private playgroup sector have the opportunity to benefit from the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme, with voluntary and private providers able, for the first time, to access government funding. As a result of the Programme pre-school education provision has almost doubled in a period of 4 years. The NTSN aspect of the policy relates to targeting places, in the first instance, on children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

(AQW 4071/01)

Mr M McGuinness: Under my Department’s Pre- School Education Expansion Programme, the voluntary and private playgroup sector has become a valued partner of the statutory sector in providing pre-school education and is, for the first time, able to access government funding. The NTSN aspect of the policy relates to targeting the Programme, in the first instance, at provision for children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Last year my Department published evidence that the introduction of the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme equalised the participation rate of children from disadvantaged and less disadvantaged backgrounds in pre-school education. The relevant document is "New Targeting Social Need: Analysis of existing information on education participation, achievement and outcomes for disadvantaged individuals and groups".

(AQW 4078/01)

(a) Units are intended to meet parental demand for Irish-medium education in circumstances where it would not be appropriate or effective to do so by providing a free-standing school. Each case is considered on its merits.

(b) The initial intake for September 2002 to the Irish-medium unit at St Catherine’s College, Armagh is expected to be 10.

(c) The Southern Education and Library Board has responsibility for funding this unit and is currently in discussion with the school regarding the financial allocation to be made.

(d) The development proposal to establish the unit was approved on 8 March 2002.

(AQW 4080/01)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department has, in conjunction with education and library boards and CCMS, commenced an equality impact assessment on the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme which will be the subject of public consultation and will take account of the equality impact on community-based playgroups.

(AQW 3340/01)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): [supplementary answer]: Unfortunately, the information contained in my previous answer to you on 21 May 2002 was incorrect.

The last two sentences of my response should read "Seven full-time Foundation Degree pilots, with 100 FTE students are currently running which focus specifically on Information Technology. A further 100 FTEs in Information Technology will be provided during 2002/03".

I apologise for any inconvenience.

(AQW 3941/01)

Ms Hanna: The management and accountability of the institutes is a matter for their management teams and their Governing Bodies, which were newly appointed on 1 April 2002. My Department has spoken to each Governing Body individually and has completed a series of induction training seminars for Governors covering their roles and responsibilities. The Principals are the Accounting Officers of the institutes and are responsible for the use of public funds. In general, the sector remains in sound financial health. Four institutes are in financial deficit and are either implementing recovery plans or developing recovery plans with external support.

(AQW 3990/01)

Ms Hanna: The table below details the number of applications for teacher training courses at NI Higher Education institutions 1998/99 to 2002/03

Source: Queen’s University Belfast, University of Ulster, Stranmillis University College, St Mary’s University College

The table below details the number of students enrolled on teacher training courses at NI Higher Education institutions 1997/98 to 2001/02

Source: HESA

(AQW 4037/01)

Ms Hanna: Priority will be placed on Essential Skills in all training programmes within my Department. All participants on these programmes will be given the opportunity and support to develop and enhance their Essential Skills. My Department is currently piloting a number of projects to test the curricula across programmes in Further Education, New Deal, Jobskills, Focus for work, and Learndirect.

(AQW 4065/01)

Ms Hanna: The legislation permits my Department to allocate capital funds to Queen’s University and the University of Ulster for specific projects aimed at enhancing teaching and research facilities and at improving access for the disabled. There is no scope to make funding available towards the redevelopment of the Queen’s University Students’ Union.

(AQW 4072/01)

Ms Hanna: New Deal for Disabled People is aimed at helping people receiving incapacity-related benefits to move off benefit dependence and into work. There is a range of support available under NDDP, including education and training to prepare people for work.

(AQW 4073/01)

Ms Hanna: My Department is allocating approximately £4.75 million in 2002/03 to provide up to 850 places on the Employment Support programme. This programme is available to young people with disabilities, if appropriate to their circumstances. My Department also provides match funding to a range of providers that deliver a variety of supports to disabled young people, using ESF funding.

(AQW 4075/01)

Ms Hanna: My Department funds and provides a wide range of training and further education provision for young people with disabilities. This includes Jobskills, Further Education courses, specialist training with disability organisations, and New Deal for Disabled People. Advice on these opportunities can be obtained from the Department’s Special Needs Careers Service and Disablement Advisory Service.