I would add that this year, as an indication of our commitment to the needs of young people with learning difficulties, I have been able to announce the go ahead for 5 new Special Schools. Two of these were announced under my Department’s capital programme in March and the other three under the Executive’s Reinvestment and Reform Initiative.

(AQO 322/02)

Mr M McGuinness: The next meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in educational sector is scheduled for 6 November 2002. The agenda for the meeting has not yet been agreed.

(AQW 344/02)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): DEL owns the Felden Training Centre, currently occupied by the East Antrim Institute of Further & Higher Education (EAIFHE). Asbestos has been used as a component in its construction.

There are 6 DEL staff, 25 Institute staff and 120 trainees in the Centre.

The Institute is preparing an economic appraisal of its accommodation needs and, as part of that appraisal, will determine the best option to address the asbestos issue.

(AQW 362/02)

Ms Hanna: The Department does not hold information on the overall number of undergraduate places available in specific subject areas in either Queen’s University or the University of Ulster.

However, the number of undergraduate students enrolled on each year of Computer Science related courses at each campus of the University of Ulster and at Queen’s University in 2001/02¹ are outlined in the table below:

(AQW 399/02)

Ms Hanna: My Department does not lease any buildings. DFP, as part of the general office estate, lease a number of buildings occupied by staff from my Department and they will be responding accordingly.

(AQW 416/02)

Ms Hanna: I continue to encourage Colleges, universities and other providers to make lifelong learning opportunities widely available for people of all ages and interests, whether work related or otherwise. In particular the strategy for helping those with essential skills deficiencies will apply to all ages. However certain programmes, while available to older people, are primarily designed to improve the employability skills of those in work or seeking to re-enter the labour force.

(AQW 487/02)

Ms Hanna: The total capital cost of the Springvale Educational Village is £70.7m. The Executive has committed to provide £40m for the main campus by way of a contribution, equivalent to that capital sum, towards the Private Finance Initiative unitary payment. The Institutions are to find the remaining £30.7 from a variety of sources and, as they indicated to the Department at March 2000, these sources are the Millenium Commission (£1.5m), the Northern Ireland Educational Foundation (£11.5m), the International Fund for Ireland (£8.2m) and themselves (£9.5m).

(AQW 488/02)

Ms Hanna: To date, total financial assistance provided by my Department for the development and service costs of Springvale amounts to £502,985. This includes £51,846 consultancy to prepare the Outline Business Case.

(AQW 554/02)

Ms Hanna: There is a large body of survey evidence and significant anecdotal evidence that a shortage of available childcare is a barrier to employment for many parents, particularly mothers. It is worth noting that this issue was raised by participants at all 31 engagement meetings held by the Task Force on Employability and Long Term Unemployment. The Labour Force Survey shows that 40% of people who want a job but are not looking give ‘family and home care’ as the reason. The figure for women is over 70%. DEL has recently taken delivery of a draft final report of a piece of research, commissioned jointly by DEL, the Equality Commission and the four Childcare Partnerships, on the use of and demand for daycare in Northern Ireland. This showed an existing and growing gap between demand and supply. An article on this research will be published in this year’s Labour Market Bulletin and the full report will be made available as soon as possible after it has been signed off by the commissioning partners.

(AQW 556/02)

Ms Hanna: The organisation ‘Employers for Childcare’ submitted an application under Measure 2.8- The Advancement of Women’ of the Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity. Following the selection process it was awarded European Social Fund assistance, for the period 01 June 2002 – 31 May 2004, of £753,971.

(AQW 577/02)

Ms Hanna: An application for a work permit for a group of "Baltic Dancers" was received from the Movie Star Cafe in June 2002. The members of the group were all residents of Baltic State countries. A work permit was issued on 1 July 2002 for a period of twelve weeks from the group’s date of entry to the United Kingdom.

(AQW 435/02)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Nesbitt) [supplementary answer]: Unfortunately the information contained in my previous answer to you could have been misinterpreted and Section C should therefore read as follows:

(c) While there is no legislation that specifically prevents the burning of tyres, other more general powers are available. For example District Councils have powers (under the Clean Air (NI) Order 1981) to take action against smoke emissions that are likely to be prejudicial to health or a smoke nuisance. Councils also have powers to control the illegal deposition of waste, including tyres, on land through the Pollution Control and Local Government (NI) Order 1978. In addition, the Duty of care Regulations came into force on 1 October 2002. In enforcing these Regulations, my Department’s Environment and Heritage Service will monitor the completion of Waste Transfer Notes to try to ensure that tyres are disposed of properly.

I apologise for any inconvenience.

(AQW 579/02)

Mr Nesbitt: The legislation requires my Department to notify each landowner and occupier within an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and give them a list of activities which might damage its scientific interests. Owners and occupiers are required to give written notice to the Department before undertaking any such activity. Where my Department does not grant consent, it offers to enter into a management agreement in accordance with the legislation. This is an entirely voluntary arrangement and the landowner may choose to proceed with the activity once the statutory time limits for consideration of applications for consent, have been exceeded.

There is no time limit to the successful conclusion of a management agreement and delays may be caused by the need for landowners to establish proof of title.

Management agreements are usually accompanied by payments to the landowner to redress any resulting loss of income or loss in value of their property. Since January 2000, the Department has had to ensure that payments associated with agreements relating to agricultural production comply with EC State Aid rules and this has caused delays in concluding some agreements.

I am informed by my officials that there are currently two outstanding cases within Strangford Lough ASSI where there have been protracted negotiations about management agreements. In both cases the landowners will shortly be offered a revised management agreement in line with the Management Of Sensitive Sites (MOSS) scheme that I recently announced for the beneficial management of ASSIs.

(AQW 580/02)

(a) In exercising its function of designating Areas of Special Scientific Interest my Department has a duty to notify owners and occupiers of the lands and the relevant district councils. A total of 290 owners, occupiers and other interested parties were notified about the Outer Ards Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).

(b) Such designations only take place after appropriate scientific survey. Survey work commenced in 1985 on the Outer Ards with regular bird counts on the coastline. The area was also surveyed for earth science interests, coastal vegetation and intertidal species. A scientific assessment of the area was made by my Department’s Environment and Heritage Service, and endorsed by the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside, prior to the designation.

(c) My Department has a statutory obligation to consider any comments made by consultees following the declaration before confirming the ASSI. The Environment and Heritage Service is currently considering representations made in relation to specific scientific interests of the Outer Ards. This may result in some changes to the ASSI boundary at confirmation.

(AQW 280/02)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Dr Farren): Data is held only in relation to current applications, therefore details of the number of transfers already met are not available. Also, there is no precise or agreed definition of the North West area.

However, as at March 2001, 142 NICS staff working in the Belfast Travel to Work Area (TTWA) had outstanding requests to transfer to work locations in the Derry or Strabane TTWAs.

(AQW 445/02)

Dr Farren: All project applications for PEACE II Funding are considered by a selection panel, which assesses the applications against the PEACE distinctiveness criteria, the Horizontal Principles and Measure specific criteria. Scores are awarded and recorded on a template against each of these to determine which projects are successful.

(AQW 446/02)

Dr Farren: The PEACE II application form asks applicants to specify the intended area of impact for the funding requested and this is considered as part of the project selection process. All areas, groups and sectors will have equal access to PEACE II funding. Equality of opportunity and balanced intervention is one of a number of horizontal principles that govern the way the PEACE II Programme will be implemented. Furthermore, in accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1988, the Special EU Programmes Body has a responsibility to promote equality of opportunity.

(AQW 496/02)

Dr Farren: The voluntary redemption scheme provided for in the Ground Rents Act 2001 was brought into effect on 29 July 2002, and gives owners of residential property the option to redeem their ground rents. Further guidance and the relevant forms are available from Land Registers. The Act also provides for a compulsory scheme of redemption, and it is intended that this will be introduced following a review of the voluntary purchase scheme.

(AQO 317/02)

Dr Farren: The presentation of Executive Programme Fund allocations in the Draft Budget Document, which I presented to the Assembly on 24 September, was applied consistently across all departments.

(AQO 315/02)

Dr Farren: I met the Chief Secretary to the Treasury during his recent visit to Northern Ireland and discussed a range of issues, including the application of the Barnett Formula. I explained that the NI Executive is not convinced that the services for which we are responsible are fairly funded, and expressed concern that the Treasury has not yet fully taken on board our concerns about the formula. I have separately written to Treasury, on behalf of the Executive, setting out our concerns. I have also invited the Treasury to consider our evidence more fully and establish a mechanism by which we can take work forward.

It would have been my intention to have pursued this matter forcibly.

(AQO 332/02)

Dr Farren: All PEACE II Funds are targeted at areas, sectors, and or groups adversely affected by political unrest which demonstrate that they meet the distinctiveness criteria and the appropriate Measure specific criteria. Project selection processes must also take account of the degree to which projects meet the Programmes horizontal principles including New TSN and Balanced Intervention/ Equal Opportunities. With the exception of Priority 3, in which funds are allocated to Local Strategy Partnerships in each District Council area there are no geographical limitations on the distribution of funding under the Programme.

(AQO 330/02)

Dr Farren: The general theme is that each Reform Plan should focus on a small number of strategically important reforms encompassing the major proportion of expenditure in each department. I expect them to describe how services to the public will be improved, and identify more efficient ways of working.

Each Reform Plan should set out the improvements in services which will be sought in each area, the timetable for the implementation of change and the outcomes, which are to be delivered. I will be looking for opportunities to free up resources to be re-deployed to other priorities and evidence of rigorous benchmarking of performance against best practice elsewhere. I also expect to see new approaches to management, the harnessing of better expertise in service delivery and the development of more effective partnerships between the public, the private and the community and voluntary sectors as a means of improving performance.

However, reform will require very different actions in different contexts. So we are not prescribing a rigid formula: instead we are encouraging departments to be innovative in their approach and thinking. My officials recently met with those from all other departments to facilitate the development of plans, and further engagement of this nature will take place as necessary over the coming weeks.

(AQO 293/02)

Dr Farren: The findings of the Ouseley report were brought before the Executive in May and I made a statement to the Assembly on 11 June 2002. At present the report is subject to a public consultation that shall complete on 31 October 2002. I can confirm that revised arrangements for the retirement age of civil servants were introduced on 4 October. With effect from that date all civil servants have the option to remain in service beyond age 60 and up to a maximum of age 65, subject to continued satisfactory performance and attendance.

(AQO 340/02)

Dr Farren: The funding allocated under EU Programmes has been agreed by the Executive and the respective financial allocations for each Priority and Measure are specified in the Operational Programme which has been formally agreed with the European Commission. The first opportunity to make changes is after the Mid-Term Evaluation of PEACE II which will be undertaken between now and summer 2003. The Mid-Term Evaluation will take account of socio economic changes and where appropriate will make proposals on any necessary changes between Measures of the PEACE II Programme. It would have been my intention that any such changes would be subject to the agreement of the Monitoring Committee and the Executive.

(AQO 331/02)

Dr Farren: I can confirm that the compulsory age of retirement for staff employed in the Northern Ireland Civil Service was raised to the age of 65 with effect from 4th October 2002.

This means that staff who reached age 60 on or after 4 October will no longer be retired automatically but will be given the option to remain in service beyond age 60 and up to a maximum of age 65, subject to continued satisfactory performance and attendance.

(AQO 304/02)

(a) The number and value of contracts awarded, or potentially to be awarded by the Department of Finance and Personnel in the 2002/2003 financial year are as follows:

(b) Contracts in 2002/03 year have not been, nor will they be, considered for inclusion in the pilot scheme to be determined by the Procurement Board.

(c) Each Department was asked in July 2002 to put forward 2 contracts for inclusion in the pilot scheme for consideration by the Procurement Board. Only those contracts at pre-tender stage at the time could be considered because the tender documentation requires prospective bidders to include a plan for the unemployed.

(AQO 285/02)

Dr Farren: As you are aware I announced the launch of the Executive’s Consultation paper on the Review of Rating Policy in the Assembly on 27 May 2002. The question of urban regeneration is one of the policy matters being considered in the Review.

No decisions on any changes to the current rating system will be taken until all the responses have been analysed and considered by the Executive in the autumn.

As you may also be aware a Revaluation of Non-Domestic property is underway and a new valuation list will be introduced in April 2003. This will take into account economic and social changes that have taken place since the last revaluation in 1997 and will restore the link between rateable values and open market rental values thus ensuring a more equitable distribution of the rate burden. It is too early to make a judgment on its full impact until the exercise is complete and the precise effect on individual properties, business sectors and locations is known but it is quite possible that the revaluation will ease the rate burden on many businesses located in town centres that have been in decline.

(AQW 372/02)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(AQW 375/02)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(AQW 380/02)

Ms de Brún: My priorities on taking up office were to tackle the pressing policy and resource issues which were impacting most directly on the delivery of care to service users. The current organisational structures were considered by the Acute Hospitals Review Group in their report published in June 2001. The Group’s proposals and the result of the pre-consultation exercise on the Group’s report have contributed to my proposals for the reform of organisational structures set out in my consultation paper ‘Developing Better Services: Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures‘. I consider that the current organisational structures of the Health and Personal Social Services need to be reviewed to determine whether they are appropriate in the new environment of partnership and co-operation signalled in the Executive’s Programme for Government.

Ar glacadh leis an oifig dom ba iad na tosaíochtaí a bhí agam ná dul i ngleic leis na ceisteanna práinneacha polasaí agus acmhainne a bhí ag dul i bhfeidhm go díreach ar sholáthar cúraim d’úsáideoirí seirbhíse. Mheas an Grúpa Athbhreithnithe ar na Géarotharlanna na struchtúir eagraíochtúla faoi láthair ina dtuairisc a foilsíodh i Meitheamh 2001. Chuir moltaí an Ghrúpa agus toradh an chleachtaidh réamhchomhairliúcháin ar thuairisc an Ghrúpa leis na moltaí s’agam féin leis na struchtúir eagraíochtúla a leasú leagtha amach sa pháipéar comhairliúcháin s’agam ‘Seirbhísí Is Fearr a Fhorbairt: Otharlanna a Nuachóiriú agus Struchtúir a Leasú’. Measaim nach mór athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar struchtúir eagraíochtúla faoi láthair sna Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsanta le dearbhú má tá siad cuí i ré úr na páirtíochta agus an chomhoibrithe léirithe i gClár an Choiste Fheidhmiúcháin um Rialtas.

(AQW 467/02)

Ms de Brún: Health and Social Services Boards are responsible under the Water (Fluoridation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 for bringing forward schemes to introduce fluoride into the water supply here. I am not aware at present of plans in any Board area to do so.

Tá Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta freagrach de réir Ordú Uisce (Fluairíniú) (Tuaisceart Éireann) 1987 as scéimeanna a thabairt chun tosaigh leis an fhluairíd a thabhairt isteach inár soláthar uisce anseo. Ní eol dom faoi láthair go bhfuil pleananna i mBordcheantar ar bith leis seo a dhéanamh.

(AQW 476/02)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 466/02.

Treoraím an Ball do mo fhreagra a thug mé ar AQW 466/02.

(AQW 477/02)

Ms de Brún: The criteria which will be applied when making a decision to include an individual on either of the statutory lists have yet to be developed. Work in this area will be taken forward by my officials, in consultation with the relevant professionals. In general terms, a decision to list will be based on the assessment that the individual poses a threat to children and as a result is unsuitable for work with them.

Tá na critéir a chuirfear i bhfeidhm nuair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar cé acu duine a chur ar cheachtar de na liostaí reachtúla le bheith forbartha go fóill. Tabharfaidh na feidhmeannaigh s’agam an obair sa réimse seo chun tosaigh, i gcomhairle leis na gairmithe bainteacha. I dtéarmaí ginearálta, beidh an cinneadh le liostáil a dhéanamh bunaithe ar an mheasúnú gur féidir gur bagairt ar pháistí atá sa duine agus dá bharr sin ní bheidh an duine fóirsteanach le hobair leo.

(AQW 478/02)

Ms de Brún: An accredited organisation which does not fulfil the terms of an accreditation agreement is likely to have its accredited status removed. In relation to child care organisations, as defined by the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Bill, the issue of non-compliance with the requirements placed on them by the Bill will be addressed by the relevant regulating authority.

Is dócha go mbainfí stádas creidiúnaithe d’eagraíocht creidiúnaithe nach gcomhlíonann téarmaí an chomhaontithe creidiúnaithe. I dtaca le heagraíochtaí cúram leanaí de, mar atá sainmhínithe ag an Bille um Chosaint Páistí agus Aosach Soghonta, rachaidh an t-údarás rialaitheach bainteach i ngleic le ceist an neamhghéillte do na riachtanais a chuireann an Bille orthu.

(AQW 480/02)

Ms de Brún: A review of eating disorder services is ongoing and my Department is currently considering the comments received from a wide spectrum of people following the consultation of the Eating Disorder Services report. Decisions on services will be made taking these comments into account.

Tá athbhreithniú ar sheirbhísí neamhord itheacháin ag dul ar aghaidh faoi láthair agus tá an Roinn s’agam ag déanamh machnaimh san am i láthair ar na tuairimí a fuarthas ó raon leathan daoine i ndiaidh an comhairliúchán ar thuairisc na Seirbhísí Neamhord Itheacháin. Déanfar cinní ar sheirbhísí ag cur na dtuairimí seo san áireamh.

(AQW 481/02)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is detailed in the tables below.

Tá an t-eolas a iarradh léirithe sna táblaí thíos.

(AQW 559/02)

Ms de Brún: I am aiming to take final decisions towards the end of the year on the proposals I have published in my consultation document Developing Better Services – Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures. I will be making an announcement after that. This will include the way forward with redevelopment of the Downe Hospital.

Tá sé mar aidhm agam cinní deireanacha a dhéanamh i dtrátha dheireadh na bliana ar na moltaí a d’fhoilsigh mé sa doiciméad comhairliúcháin s’agam Seirbhísí Is Fearr A Fhorbairt - Otharlanna A Nuachóiriú agus Struchtúir a Leasú. Déanfaidh mé fógra ina dhiaidh sin. Beidh an bealach chun tosaigh le hathfhorbairt Otharlann an Dúin san áireamh leis seo.