Written Answers to Questions

Official Report (Hansard)

Friday 9 March 2012

Volume 73, No WA3

This publication contains the written answers to questions tabled by Members.

The content of the responses is as received at the time from the relevant Minister or representative of the

Assembly Commission and has not been subject to the official reporting process or changed in any way.

Suggested amendments or corrections will be considered by the Editor.

They should be sent to:

The Editor of Debates, Room 248, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX.

Tel: 028 9052 1135 · e-mail: simon.burrowes@niassembly.gov.uk

to arrive not later than two weeks after publication of this report.

Written Answers to Questions

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister ............................................................... WA 403

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development .................................................................. WA 404

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure ................................................................................ WA 415

Department of Education ...................................................................................................... WA 427

Department for Employment and Learning .............................................................................. WA 442

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment .................................................................... WA 446

Department of the Environment ............................................................................................. WA 481

Department of Finance and Personnel ................................................................................... WA 513

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety ......................................................... WA 523

Department of Justice .......................................................................................................... WA 550

Department for Regional Development ................................................................................... WA 594

Department for Social Development ...................................................................................... WA 619

Northern Ireland Assembly Commission ................................................................................. WA 638

Contents

Assembly Members

Agnew, Steven (North Down)

Allister, Jim (North Antrim)

Anderson, Ms Martina (Foyle)

Anderson, Sydney (Upper Bann)

Attwood, Alex (West Belfast)

Beggs, Roy (East Antrim)

Bell, Jonathan (Strangford)

Boylan, Cathal (Newry and Armagh)

Boyle, Ms Michaela (West Tyrone)

Bradley, Dominic (Newry and Armagh)

Bradley, Ms Paula (North Belfast)

Brady, Mickey (Newry and Armagh)

Buchanan, Thomas (West Tyrone)

Byrne, Joe (West Tyrone)

Campbell, Gregory (East Londonderry)

Clarke, Trevor (South Antrim)

Clarke, Willie (South Down)

Cochrane, Mrs Judith (East Belfast)

Copeland, Michael (East Belfast)

Craig, Jonathan (Lagan Valley)

Cree, Leslie (North Down)

Dallat, John (East Londonderry)

Dickson, Stewart (East Antrim)

Dobson, Mrs Jo-Anne (Upper Bann)

Doherty, Pat (West Tyrone)

Douglas, Sammy (East Belfast)

Dunne, Gordon (North Down)

Durkan, Mark H (Foyle)

Easton, Alex (North Down)

Eastwood, Colum (Foyle)

Elliott, Tom (Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Farry, Dr Stephen (North Down)

Flanagan, Phil (Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Ford, David (South Antrim)

Foster, Mrs Arlene (Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Frew, Paul (North Antrim)

Gardiner, Samuel (Upper Bann)

Gildernew, Ms Michelle (Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Girvan, Paul (South Antrim)

Givan, Paul (Lagan Valley)

Hale, Mrs Brenda (Lagan Valley)

Hamilton, Simon (Strangford)

Hay, William (Speaker)

Hilditch, David (East Antrim)

Humphrey, William (North Belfast)

Hussey, Ross (West Tyrone)

Irwin, William (Newry and Armagh)

Kelly, Mrs Dolores (Upper Bann)

Kelly, Gerry (North Belfast)

Kennedy, Danny (Newry and Armagh)

Kinahan, Danny (South Antrim)

Lewis, Ms Pam (South Antrim)

Lo, Ms Anna (South Belfast)

Lunn, Trevor (Lagan Valley)

Lynch, Seán (Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Lyttle, Chris (East Belfast)

McCallister, John (South Down)

McCann, Fra (West Belfast)

McCann, Ms Jennifer (West Belfast)

McCarthy, Kieran (Strangford)

McCartney, Raymond (Foyle)

McCausland, Nelson (North Belfast)

McClarty, David (East Londonderry)

McCrea, Basil (Lagan Valley)

McCrea, Ian (Mid Ulster)

McDevitt, Conall (South Belfast)

McDonnell, Dr Alasdair (South Belfast)

McElduff, Barry (West Tyrone)

McGimpsey, Michael (South Belfast)

McGlone, Patsy (Mid Ulster)

McGuinness, Martin (Mid Ulster)

McIlveen, David (North Antrim)

McIlveen, Miss Michelle (Strangford)

McKay, Daithí (North Antrim)

McKevitt, Mrs Karen (South Down)

McLaughlin, Mitchel (South Antrim)

McMullan, Oliver (East Antrim)

McNarry, David (Strangford)

McQuillan, Adrian (East Londonderry)

Maginness, Alban (North Belfast)

Maskey, Alex (South Belfast)

Maskey, Paul (West Belfast)

Molloy, Francie (Mid Ulster)

Morrow, The Lord (Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Moutray, Stephen (Upper Bann)

Murphy, Conor (Newry and Armagh)

Nesbitt, Mike (Strangford)

Newton, Robin (East Belfast)

Ní Chuilín, Ms Carál (North Belfast)

Ó hOisín, Cathal (East Londonderry)

O’Dowd, John (Upper Bann)

O’Neill, Mrs Michelle (Mid Ulster)

Overend, Mrs Sandra (Mid Ulster)

Poots, Edwin (Lagan Valley)

Ramsey, Pat (Foyle)

Ramsey, Ms Sue (West Belfast)

Ritchie, Ms Margaret (South Down)

Robinson, George (East Londonderry)

Robinson, Peter (East Belfast)

Ross, Alastair (East Antrim)

Ruane, Ms Caitríona (South Down)

Sheehan, Pat (West Belfast)

Spratt, Jimmy (South Belfast)

Storey, Mervyn (North Antrim)

Swann, Robin (North Antrim)

Weir, Peter (North Down)

Wells, Jim (South Down)

Wilson, Sammy (East Antrim)

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 403

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

New Victims and Survivors Service

Mr Nesbitt asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, following the evidence given to the

Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister by the Commission for Victims

and Survivors, whether the establishment of the new Victims and Survivors Service will require legislation

to be passed by the Assembly, and what timescale will apply.

(AQW 8646/11-15)

Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness (The First Minister and deputy First Minister): Approval has

been given by the Department of Finance and Personnel to establish the new Victims and Survivors

Service under the Budget Act. This is sufficient to cover at least the first year of operation. We are currently

considering whether new legislation is necessary for any aspect of the work after this one-year period.

European Economic and Social Committee

Mr Lunn asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of the impact that the

work of the European Economic and Social Committee has on Northern Ireland.

(AQO 1365/11-15)

Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness: The European Economic and Social Committee is a consultative

body that gives representatives of Europe’s socio-occupational interest groups, and others, a formal

platform to express their own, non-governmental, points of view on EU issues.

The opinions of the Committee are part of the formal legislative process in Brussels and can positively

influence decisions which affect this administration, helping to ensure that European policies and

legislation reflect economic, social and civic circumstances ‘on the ground.’

In some areas its view, or ‘opinion’, must be sought before legislation can be agreed. This includes

important policy sectors for us, such as agriculture, employment, transport, education, consumer

protection, health and structural funds.

We are currently represented on the Committee by Jane Morrice, a communications consultant, and

Michael Smyth, Head of the School of Economics of the University of Ulster.

Recent work carried out by Jane Morrice has made a positive contribution to our lobbying strategy

on a PEACE IV Programme. We are pursuing this, building on commitments by Commissioner Hahn

concerning continued EU support for Peace funding which we have secured as part of our work with the

Barroso Task Force.

We will continue to press for a PEACE IV programme in our dealings with Dublin, London and Brussels.

Northern Ireland

Assembly

Friday 9 March 2012

Written Answers to Questions

WA 404

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Discrimination in the Workplace

Mr D McIlveen asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what action their Department has taken

to reduce discrimination in the workplace against pregnant women, young people and migrant workers.

(AQW 8752/11-15)

Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness: Discrimination against pregnant women, young people and

migrant workers in the workplace is unlawful under legislation as set out below.

■ Pregnant women – Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976, as amended

■ Young people – Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (NI) 2006, as amended

■ Migrant workers – Race Relations (NI) Order 1997, as amended

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body sponsored by

the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM). The Equality Commission has

responsibility for combating discrimination and provides advice and assistance to people who believe

they have suffered such discrimination as well as advising employers of their responsibilities under the

laws concerned.

Secondment to Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail (i) the number of (a) full-

time; and (b) part-time staff who are currently on secondment from their Department, or its arm’s

length bodies, to each recognised trade union; (ii) the salary scale for each secondee; and (iii) the

length of each secondment to date.

(AQW 8782/11-15)

Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness: No staff are seconded from OFMDFM or its arm’s length bodies

to a trade union.

Ethnic Minority Development Fund

Mr Agnew asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what consideration they have given to

extending the funding for groups which receive core funding from the Ethnic Minority Development Fund,

given that it is unlikely that the funding applications will be processed by the time the current round of

funding expires on 31 March 2012.

(AQW 8919/11-15)

Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness: We are conscious that any gaps in funding may have a

detrimental impact on services provided to minority ethnic people and we are examining all possible

options to minimise any such impact.

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Imported Sheep or Cattle

Mrs Dobson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) how many calves for rearing,

and store cattle for fattening, were imported in the last three years; (ii) from where these animals were

imported; and (iii) whether any of the source countries has had any instances of the Schmallenberg

Virus in either sheep or cattle.

(AQW 8506/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill (The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development): According to my Department’s

Animal & Public Health Information System (APHIS) there have been 150,231 cattle imported under

breeding and production certification during the last 3 years (1 January 2009 to 28 February 2012).

These cattle were imported from the south, Britain and countries within Continental Europe including

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 405

Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland and Romania and I have detailed below the amount of

cattle imported per year from each country.

2009 2010 2011 2012 (to date)

Austria - 28 44 83

Britain 311 578 1,907 310

Denmark 1 - - 10

France 8 11 19 171

Germany - 41 55 -

Holland 28 107 391 29

Ireland 46,638 63,445 32,323 2,337

Romania - - 1,065 291

Total: 46,986 64,210 35,804 3,231

The source countries where the Schmallenberg Virus has been detected in cattle and sheep include

Britain, France, Germany and Holland and a small percentage of cattle have been imported from those

countries. The number of cattle imported since June 2011 are as follows:

Britain France Germany Holland

1,711 190 20 219

Fishing Vessel Decommissioning

Mr Frew asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, following her statement on 16

January 2012, and pursuant to AQW 6548/11-15, whether an announcement will be made on a

definite timescale for fishing vessel decommissioning in February 2012.

(AQW 8543/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: I have not been able to make an announcement about vessel decommissioning in

February as I had hoped. Senior departmental officials met with DFP on 7 February to discuss the

proposed rationale for a decommissioning scheme. DFP raised some issues requiring additional

consideration in DARD’s draft business case. DFP further advised that by fully addressing these

matters it would help to facilitate a more efficient and timely approval pathway. These issues have now

been addressed fully and the Final Business Case was submitted formally to DFP on 1st March 2012. I

will make an announcement as soon as DFP’s views are known.

Rural Development Programme

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how much funding has been

allocated to date to each of the Rural Development Programme clusters; and how much each cluster

has spent on administering the programme.

(AQW 8570/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: Axis 3 of the NIRDP 20007-2013 is administered by seven local council clusters using the

‘bottom up’ approach. Each cluster has been given an indicative allocation of funds not actual funds.

To 31st January 2012 the clusters have spent against their programme allocation as follows:

Cluster Allocation Project Spend Admin Spend

GROW 8,890,899 1,480,765 579,973

WA 406

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Cluster Allocation Project Spend Admin Spend

NER 13,181,300 2,198,665 962,112

LRP 8,691,556 872,406 689,283

DRAP 13,498,066 1,665,270 921,019

SOAR 16,731,839 1,775,988 1,256,558

ARC 18,484,112 2,659,993 1,389,390

SWARD 20,522,227 3,379,960 1,646,689

Total 99,999,999 14,033,047 7,445,024

Anaerobic Digesters and Wind Turbines

Mr Frew asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what funding or incentives her

Department has in place for installing anaerobic digesters and erecting wind turbines.

(AQW 8628/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: DARD funding is available for anaerobic digesters under the Biomass Processing Challenge

Fund which is managed under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for NI 2007-

2013 and part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The aim of the Fund is to encourage agricultural and forestry businesses to install biomass fuelled

technologies primarily to aid agricultural activities at farm level.

A grant rate of up to 40% of eligible costs, to a maximum of €400,000 per project may be paid,

however the Renewable Obligation will have an impact on the financial assistance provided. It is

anticipated that Tranche 2 will open in summer 2012.

Additionally under Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme grant assistance may be provided for

standalone renewable initiatives including the erection of wind turbines or for projects where renewable

energy technology is planned as part of the larger project. None of the energy produced may be used to

increase the profitability of a farm business or reduce any farm home domestic running costs.

Private promoters which include farmers and farm family members and rural micro businesses (less

than10 employees) may be offered financial assistance at a rate of up to 50% of eligible costs up a

maximum grant amount of £50,000. Social Economy Enterprises and Community Groups seeking to

introduce renewable technologies can be funded at a rate of 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum

grant amount of £170,000 depending on the measure applied to. A feasibility study is a Programme

requirement and as an eligible cost may be supported through technical assistance at similar grant

rates up to a maximum grant amount of £5,000.

The Axis 3 measures are delivered by seven Joint Council Committees working in partnership with their

appointed Local Action Group. As a Programme requirement only projects which are compatible with

the priorities in the local rural development strategy and which have been successful in a competitive

assessment, including robust economic appraisal, will be supported.

Postgraduate Studentship

Mrs Dobson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to list the universities at which

successful Postgraduate Studentship applicants have studied; and how many successful applicants

studied at each university in each of the last three years.

(AQW 8654/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: The universities at which successful Postgraduate Studentship applicants funded by DARD

have been registered for study (at PhD level) are;

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 407

■ Queen’s University Belfast,

■ University of Ulster,

■ Durham University.

Each successful applicant must be registered at a university, but may carry out their research at an

approved study centre, such as the Agri-food and Biosciences Institute for NI (AFBI) or the College

of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). The following table shows how many successful

applicants were registered at each university in each of the last three academic years and highlights

the study centres attended.

Registered

university Queen’s University Belfast

University

of Ulster

Durham

University

Total PhDs

Study

centre QUB AFBI CAFRE UU Durham

2011/12 12 8 1 0 1 22

2010/11 11 10 1 1 0 23

2009/10 14 8 0 1 0 23

As each Postgraduate Studentship is for a three year period, the maximum number of students funded

in any one year is twenty four.

Postgraduate Studentship

Mrs Dobson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many Postgraduate

Studentship places her Department has provided in each of the last three years; and how much

funding for these places has been provided over the same period.

(AQW 8655/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: DARD awards up to eight new Postgraduate Studentships at PhD level per year. Each

Studentship lasts for up to three years. Over the last three academic years, the total number of

Studentships and funding provided in each year has been as follows;

Academic year 2011/12 2010/11 2009/10

Number of Studentships provided 22 23 23

Total funding provided (£) 417,714 430,583 421,935

Schmallenberg Virus

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action she is taking to

prevent the spread of the Schmallenberg Virus in livestock.

(AQW 8659/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is an emerging virus that has caused disease in cattle, sheep

and goats in mainland Europe and southern Britain. There are still many uncertainties around this new

virus, such as the vector responsible for transmission, the geographic distribution, transmissibility of

infected animals and the virus origin. However current data available suggests that the impact of SBV

on animal health and production is variable.

This is not a notifiable disease, and as such there are no trade restrictions in place. There are no

control measures in place in any of the affected countries in the EU. Indeed a Member State needs

to be able to demonstrate freedom if it wants to impose conditions and that is currently not possible.

WA 408

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Freedom is currently not demonstrable as there is no test for wide spread surveillance. This virus is not

like Bluetongue but more like Akabane, which is not the subject of international trade conditions

Nevertheless DARD is continuing to monitor developments including discussions at the European Commission.

My officials have conducted veterinary risk assessments and consider that the most likely means of spread

to the north of Ireland would be via the import of ruminants from affected areas in Britain and Europe.

My officials have written to importers and asked them to source stock responsibly and enquire about

the health history of the herds of origin.

Information is available on the DARD and AFBI websites. Officials have met with representatives

from industry and veterinary organisations. Information has also been set to all Private Veterinary

Practitioners (PVPs) and to importers.

In order to provide surveillance information here all farmers have been asked to inform their PVPs

about any serious malformations or nervous signs in new born animals in their herds or flocks. To date

the virus has not been detected in the north of Ireland or indeed the south of Ireland. In addition DARD

will assist in a, north of Ireland and Britain, research project.

My officials are in contact with their counterparts in DAFM, DEFRA and the Commission as further

information emerges from clinical cases and research. As such any further steps that my Department

takes will be evidence based, providing for an informed and proportionate response.

Measure 3.6 of the Rural Development Programme

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when the decision was taken that

the republican monument at Crossmaglen was eligible for funding under Measure 3.6 of the Rural

Development Programme; and why it was not referred to the Executive as a controversial issue.

(AQW 8703/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: Advice on eligibility was relayed to the Chair of the SOAR Joint Council Committee (JCC)

by my officials on 26 January 2012, following a request by the previous Chair to review earlier advice.

I am informed that the eligibility of a project is an operational matter and does not constitute a

determination that a project will be funded.

Crossmaglen Republican Monument

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how and when she became aware

that the Crossmaglen republican monument was eligible for funding under Measure 3.6 of the Rural

Development Programme.

(AQW 8705/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: I was informed on 20 February 2012 about my Department’s advice to the JCC in relation

to the eligibility of this application.

Republican Monument in Crossmaglen

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline the process for the

handling of the application following her determination that the republican monument at Crossmaglen

was eligible for funding under Measure 3.6 of the Rural Development Programme.

(AQW 8707/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: The decision to assess this Project for funding is taken by Southern Organisation for

Action in Rural Areas (SOAR). The assessment process involves a site visit, completion of an economic

appraisal, full assessment and scoring by the Local Action Group (LAG) assessment panel and

consideration by full LAG Committee. The decision of the LAG is passed to the Joint Council Committee

(JCC) with a recommendation regarding funding. Final decisions are made by the JCC.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 409

Crossmaglen Republican Monument

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the content of the

additional plaques which are intended to be added to the Crossmaglen republican monument, which

she has determined is eligible for funding under Measure 3.6 of the Rural Development Programme.

(AQW 8721/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: The proposed plaques are part of an application currently under assessment by Southern

Organisation for Action in Rural Areas (SOAR). It would not be appropriate for the Department to divulge

their content until such times as the decision process is complete.

Crossmaglen Republican Monument

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in relation to her decision that the

Crossmaglen republican monument is eligible for funding under Measure 3.6 of the Rural Development

Programme, what consideration was given to the equality implications and the Ministerial Code of

Conduct, in particular the obligations to uphold the rule of law and to promote the interests of the

whole community.

(AQW 8723/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: Equality considerations are an important part of the assessment process for all projects.

The assessment process follows the eligibility determination and has just commenced in relation

to this project. I have no involvement in this process so my Ministerial responsibilities can have no

bearing on this or any project.

Secondment to Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (i) the number of (a)

full-time; and (b) part-time staff who are currently on secondment from her Department, or its arm’s

length bodies, to each recognised trade union; (ii) the salary scale for each secondee; and (iii) the

length of each secondment to date.

(AQW 8784/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development currently has four staff on full time

secondment to the NI Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) as trade union officials. There is also one full

time seconded officer to NIPSA in its Arms Length body. There are no part-time staff on secondment

to recognised trade unions. Details of salary and the length of each secondment is set out on the

attached table.

DARD

Officer Grade Salary Scale Length of Secondment at Feb 2012

Officer A Administrative Officer £18,038 - £22,180 7 years

Officer B Administrative Officer £18,038 - £22,180 6 years 9 months

Officer C Executive Officer I £23,336- £26,086 3 years 7 months

Officer D Staff Officer £27,115- £30,520 10 years

ARMS LENGTH BODIES

Grade Salary scale Length of secondment at Feb 2012

Officer 1 Scientific Officer £23,336- £26,086 4 years 8 months

WA 410

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Departmental Jobs in Enniskillen

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether, given the availability

of the former NI Water building in the Killyhevlin Industrial Estate, her Department plans to assess the

feasibility of locating more departmental jobs in Enniskillen.

(AQW 8796/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: You will be aware from the draft Programme for Government that I am currently considering

the feasibility of relocating the DARD headquarters from Belfast to a rural area. However, to date no

decision has been taken on where the proposed new DARD HQ will be located.

The HQ relocation project is subject to the NI Executives appraisal and business case processes. My

Department has received approval from DFP in respect of the Strategic Outline Case and my officials

are now developing an Outline Business Case – another necessary component in a project of this size.

Dog Attacks

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) how many dog attacks on (a)

domestic animals; and (b) guide dogs have been reported in each of the last five years; and (ii) how

many of the dog owners were (a) prosecuted; and (b) convicted.

(AQW 8801/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: Dog control here is legislated for by the Dogs Order 1983, as amended by the Dogs

(Amendment) Act 2011. The Councils are responsible for enforcing this legislation and provide

statistics to my Department regarding its operation.

The Dogs (Amendment) Act 2011 amended the Dogs Order 1983 to include a number of new provisions,

including a new offence to allow a dog to attack and injure any other animal owned by another person.

Prior to this provision coming into operation on 28 July 2011, it was not an offence to allow a dog

to attack and injure an animal, excluding livestock, owned by another person. The Councils were not

required to supply my Department with information regarding dog attacks on domestic pets before this

offence came into operation.

Between 28 July 2011 and 31 December 2011, there were 124 investigations into dog attacks

on animals owned by other people (excluding livestock). None of these investigations resulted in

prosecution. My Department does not hold information on how many of the attacked animals, if any,

were guide dogs.

Single Farm Payment Applications

Ms Ritchie asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what is the current processing

time for Single Farm Payment applications, from inspection to payment.

(AQW 8840/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: It currently takes on average between six and seven months to process a Single Farm

Payment after the date on which an inspection was carried out in the field. My Department is currently

processing payments on claims inspected during August 2011. A Programme of EU Audit Compliance

is currently underway in the Department and this has the potential to result in a significant reduction in

this processing time in future years.

Land eligibility inspections were carried out on 1,894 claims to Single Farm Payment (SFP) in 2011.

Unfortunately, inspections have discovered that quite a number of claimants have claimed ineligible

areas or have not updated their farm maps in regard to boundaries. In many cases these breaches

date back as far as 2005. Each change has to be traced to the year it started and the impact of the

change applied to payments. These assessments are processed as quickly as practical, however cases

involving retrospective eligible area changes are complex and take longer to clear.

While we have met our payment targets so far, I am disappointed that problems remain in regard to

the slower payment of inspection cases. I have asked my officials to review the processing system in

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 411

the current year and beyond to identify if further action can be taken to reduce delays for farmers still

awaiting payment.

Single Farm Payments

Ms Ritchie asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action her Department is

taking to address delays in the release of Single Farm Payments which is having a detrimental effect on

the farming community.

(AQW 8841/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: A Programme of EU Audit Compliance is currently underway in the Department and this

has the potential to result in a significant reduction in this processing time in future years. The most

significant investment in this regard is the introduction of a new Land Parcel Identification System

(LPIS), which once stabilised should significantly reduce the number of breaches found at field inspection.

It is intended that LPIS maps will be issued in advance of the 2013 Single Application Form.

The introduction of control with remote sensing, which will be piloted this year, also has the potential to

significantly enhance the processing of inspection cases.

Land eligibility inspections were carried out on 1,894 claims to Single Farm Payment (SFP) in 2011.

Unfortunately, inspections have discovered that quite a number of claimants have claimed ineligible

areas or have not updated their farm maps in regard to boundaries. In many cases these breaches

date back as far as 2005. Each change has to be traced to the year it started and the impact of the

change applied to payments. These assessments are processed as quickly as practical, however cases

involving retrospective eligible area changes are complex and take longer to clear.

While we have met our payment targets so far, I am disappointed that problems currently remain in

regard to the slower payment of inspection cases. I have asked my officials to review the processing

system in the current year and beyond to identify if further action can be taken to reduce delays for

farmers still awaiting payment.

Schmallenberg Virus

Mr Campbell asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what discussions have been

held with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the spread of the Schmallenberg

Virus and any possible spread to farms in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 8851/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: My officials have been in regular contact with DEFRA on Schmallenberg virus. This has

been through meetings and regular reports on both the Continent and in Britain.

The most recent CVO Stocktake meeting took place on 1 March 2012. This was one of a series of

Stocktake Meetings which have occurred on a regular basis since the New Year. There has also been

a meeting of the CVOs, Devolved Administrations. At these meetings, the implications of the spread

of SBV and the research needs to increase our understanding of the epidemiology of the virus were

discussed. My officials are also in contact with their counterparts in DAFM, and the Commission as

further information emerges from clinical cases and research.

Ulster-Scots Culture and Heritage

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she will be promoting

Ulster-Scots culture and heritage as well as the Líofa initiative at the Balmoral Show.

(AQW 8933/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: As part of the commitment given to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages,

all public bodies here are required to encourage the use of Irish and Ulster-Scots. As a large public

service provider, DARD is also expected to take some steps to raise awareness levels too. The Council

of Europe Charter on Regional or Minority Languages is designed to protect and promote regional or

WA 412

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

minority languages. At present, the Charter obligations apply to each language differently, as Part II of

the Charter applies to Irish and Ulster-Scots and Part III applies only to Irish.

The Líofa initiative will be promoted by the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure (DCAL) at this year’s

Balmoral Show. Steps have now been taken to also include space for DCAL at the Balmoral Show for

Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency to promote their respective heritage and cultures.

Glenariff Forest Park

Mr McMullan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how her Department can help

develop Glenariff Forest Park and its caravan park as a tourist facility.

(AQW 8954/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: The forest recreation strategy acknowledges that we will have to work with partners

to realise the full potential of forests to deliver against wider objectives such as health, tourism,

education and sport and my officials are working with other government agencies, local authorities and

other recreational providers to ensure that opportunities are realised.

Within the context of this strategy, an assessment of the existing and potential tourism development

opportunities available from forests in the north of Ireland has been jointly commissioned between

the NI Tourist Board and Forest Service. The purpose of the study is to gather and analyse tourism

information and provide evidence-based proposals for tourism development for forests in the north of

Ireland. This will inform the Forest Service planning review process and assist the NI Tourist Board and

other partners to support the case for tourism development in forests. The study is required to provide

specific outputs for forests in the Antrim Hills and Glens area (Moyle) and Moyle District Council are

represented on the project steering group.

My officials in Forest Service have also been working in partnership with the Strategic Investment

Board to explore market opportunities for investment and service delivery across the forest estate,

including the provision of caravan and camping. A business case for testing commercial opportunities

in renewable energy and leisure, including caravan and camping, has been completed and is currently

going through the approvals process.

Rural Crime

Mr Storey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the meetings that she has

had with the PSNI in relation to rural crime since May 2011.

(AQW 8991/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: I met the Chief Constable in January to highlight the increase in rural crime, including the

rise in theft from farms, and the very high level of concern it is causing within the farming community.

The Chief Constable has since written to notify me of a recent intelligence led investigation which

has resulted in the recovery of stolen items including a tractor, plant and tools. As a result of this

investigation I understand that an individual is to appear at Court in the coming weeks charged with

handling stolen goods.

I will be meeting the Chief Constable again shortly to discuss how we can work together to tackle rural

crime including raising awareness of measures which farmers can take to reduce incidences of rural

crime. I also want to explore with him how DARD Direct Offices can be used to disseminate information

on rural crime prevention to rural dwellers.

My Department’s Veterinary Service Enforcement Branch has also been working closely with the PSNI in

dealing with rural crime including carrying out joint on farm inspections, training some members of the

PSNI in areas of livestock movement and identification and establishing 24/7 communication channels.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 413

Loífa Initiative

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how much her Department has

spent to date on promoting the Loífa initiative; and how much she has allocated to be spent on the initiative.

(AQW 9005/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: As yet no direct funding has been provided, or allocated by DARD in support of the

Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure (DCAL) Líofa initiative and any future spend in promoting the

initiative, is likely to involve staff costs in my Equality Unit.

Proposed Move to New Departmental Headquarters

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether her Department

has submitted a business case on the proposed move to new departmental headquarters to the

Department of Finance and Personnel; and if not, to outline the timescale for the submission.

(AQW 9022/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: The HQ relocation project is subject to the NI Executives appraisal and business case

processes and therefore follows the NI Guide to Expenditure Appraisal and Evaluation (NIGEAE). The

first stage of that process is the approval of a Strategic Outline Case. DFP approved the Strategic

Outline Case for this project on 01 December 2011. Preparatory work is currently underway for

the development of the Outline and Full Business Case. I expect the business case process to be

completed by 31 March 2013.

Líofa Initiative

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide an estimate of the

cost of the three proposed Líofa initiative launches happening outside Belfast and Londonderry.

(AQW 9074/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: The three proposed Líofa initiative launches outside Belfast and Derry will likely take

place at DARD Direct locations and will involve my Equality Branch staff. At present it is not possible to

estimate these costs.

Staff Disciplinary Actions

Mr Kinahan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of staff

disciplinary actions taken by her Department in each of the last two years, at Staff Officer level and

above, including details of the offence and the disciplinary sanctions applied.

(AQW 9128/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has taken disciplinary action

against two officers at Staff Officer grade or above in the period January to December 2010 and two

staff at Staff Officer grade or above in the period January to December 2011. Details of the offences

and sanctions imposed are set out in the attached table.

JANUARY 2010- DECEMBER 2011

Grade Offence Sanction

Inspector Grade 111 Bringing the Department into disrepute

which was a breach of the Standards of

Conduct policy

Downgrading and disciplinary

transfer

Inspector Grade 11 Inappropriate behaviour which was in

breach of Standards of Conduct policy

Dismissed

WA 414

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

JANUARY 2011 – DECEMBER 2012

Grade Offence Sanction

Higher Professional &

Technical Officer

Bringing the Department into disrepute

which was a breach of the Standards of

Conduct policy

Formal warning and financial

penalty

Staff Officer Inappropriate behaviour that was in breach

of the Dignity at Work policy

Disciplinary transfer and

financial penalty

Líofa Initiative

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many staff have have signed

up to the Líofa initiative; and whether she plans to launch similar initiatives on the cultural heritage of

Ulster Scots.

(AQW 9137/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: Currently we have not yet assessed the amount DARD staff who have signed up to the

Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure (DCAL) Liófa initiative.

We are currently sourcing the delivery of Ulster-Scots language classes and it has been agreed that in

2012/2013 DARD will explore with the Ulster Scots Agency about the possibility of providing lunchtime

classes. DARD has in the meantime obtained a selection of books and dictionaries on Ulster-Scots

these are available for staff to borrow from the Department’s Learning Resource Centre.

Dog Collars which Emit an Electric Shock

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether will introduce measures to

regulate or ban the use of dog collars which emit an electric shock.

(AQW 9177/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: My animal welfare priorities are the roll-out of the provisions in the Welfare of Animals

Act 2011, including new subordinate legislation on the welfare of farmed animals, dog breeding

establishments and the tail docking of dogs.

I have no plans at present to introduce a ban on electronic collar training devices. However, the Welfare

of Animals Act 2011 includes the power to make subordinate legislation to secure the welfare of

animals. This provision could provide the power to ban shock collars in future if the evidence shows

that it is necessary.

I am aware that Defra commissioned research in 2007 into the use of shock collars. The results of

this research are currently being peer reviewed and it is anticipated that the findings will be published

later this year. When the outcome of that research is available I will consider if subordinate legislation,

if any, may be required to secure the welfare of animals. Any such legislation would be subject to public

consultation, scrutiny by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and approval by affirmative

resolution of the Assembly.

Job Vacancy Advertised in Irish

Mr Wells asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development why her Department recently

advertised a job vacancy entirely in Irish with no English translation.

(AQW 9191/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: The advertisement in question was to seek applications for the Agri-Food Strategy Board.

An English language version of this advert was also published in the Belfast Telegraph, the Irish News

and the Newsletter.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 415

Ulster-Scots Culture and Heritage

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she plans to promote

Ulster-Scots culture and heritage through the DARD Direct offices in a similar way to the Líofa initiative.

(AQW 9197/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: Discussion is taking place with the Ulster-Scots Agency on the provision of awareness and

promotional material to be displayed through the DARD Direct Offices.

It has also been agreed that in 2012/2013 DARD will explore with the Ulster Scots Agency about the

possibility of providing lunchtime classes based on the same format as the Irish Language pilot. DARD

has in the meantime obtained a selection of books and dictionaries on Ulster-Scots and these are

available for staff to borrow from the Department’s Learning Resource Centre.

Departmental Advertisement

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development why an advert placed by her

Department in the Sunday Life on 4 March 2012 appeared exclusively in Irish.

(AQW 9214/11-15)

Mrs O’Neill: The advertisement in question was to seek applications for the Agri-Food Strategy Board.

An English language version of this advert was also published in the Sunday Life on the same day, as

well as in the Belfast Telegraph, the Newsletter and the Irish News on preceding days.

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Attendance at Sports Events

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how many (i) association football; (ii) rugby

union; (iii) Gaelic; and (iv) cricket matches she has attended since May 2011.

(AQW 8371/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín (The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure): Since taking office in May 2011 I have

received official invitations and have attended as Minister (i) 3 Soccer matches; (ii) 1 Rugby Union

match; (iii) No Football matches, no Hurling matches, 1 Camogie match; and (iv) I was scheduled

to attend 1 Cricket match, however this was called off due to poor weather conditions. I have also

attended a variety of sporting events in a personal capacity.

Staff Employed in Inland Fisheries

Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the (i) number; (ii) job title; and

(iii) grade of staff employed in Inland Fisheries.

(AQW 8700/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: In answer to your questions please see the summary table below.

Inland Fisheries Staff

Analogous Grade Full Grade Name/Title No of Staff in Post

Grade 7 Chief Fisheries Officer 1

Principal 1

Grade 7 Total 2

WA 416

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Inland Fisheries Staff

Analogous Grade Full Grade Name/Title No of Staff in Post

Deputy Principal Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer 1

Deputy Principal 2

Deputy Principal Total 3

Staff Officer Senior Fisheries Officer 5

Staff Officer 3

Staff Officer Total 8

Executive Officer 1 Executive Officer I 4

Fisheries Officer 1 6

Inspector Group 2 8

Executive Officer 1 Total 18

Executive Officer 2 Executive Officer II 1

Fisheries Officer 2 3

Executive Officer 2 Total 4

Administrative Officer Administrative Officer 11

Administrative Officer Total 11

Administrative Assistant Administrative Assistant 2

Casual Administrative Assistant 1

Administrative Assistant Total 3

Industrial Chargehand/Spec Grade C 16

Senior Supervisor - Grade A 2

Skilled Grade D 1

Supervisor - Grade B 4

Industrial Total 23

Grand Total 72

Upgrade of Brandywell Stadium, Derry

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how much funding her Department has

allocated for the upgrade of Brandywell Stadium, Derry.

(AQW 8730/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: Sport NI is responsible for the distribution of funding for sport in the north of Ireland.

Sport NI has not allocated any exchequer funding for the upgrade of the Brandywell Stadium, Derry in

the current CSR period.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 417

Cultural Tourism Potential in the South Down Constituency

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how her Department intends to promote

existing cultural tourism potential in the South Down constituency, particularly the history of the 1798

rebellion.

(AQW 8732/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: The Department of Culture, Arts plays a central role in cultural tourism in the north of

Ireland and will invest £158.24m capital and £431.19m current funding in the culture, arts and leisure

sector over the 4 years of the current CSR Period 2011-2015.

The Department invests in the cultural infrastructure that is essential to attract visitors in the first

instance and central to a positive visitor experience once they get here, e.g. museums, theatres, sports

venues and visitor attractions, and also invests significant revenue funding to ensure that there is an

attractive arts and cultural programme on offer for visitors. That investment helps to differentiate the

north of Ireland from competing locations as a ‘destination of choice’ for potential visitors.

The profile and beauty of South Down has been considerably raised on the global stage recently with

the help of the Oscar win by ‘The Shore’, filmed in Killough and other major productions such as

Holywood Box Office’s (HBO’s) Game of Thrones where parts of Series 1 were filmed in Tollymore Forest

and Castleward.

Foras na Gaeilge funds a number of projects in South Down that help to promote the Irish language in

the constituency, which contributes to the development of the cultural tourism product in that regard.

The Department is not aware of any specific plans in relation to the 1798 Rebellion in any of the

council areas in the South Down Constituency, however I would wish to draw your attention to the

fact that the Ulster Museum contains various objects relating to the 1798 Rebellion and has made

a long-term loan of a Newry Yeomanry belt plate and button to the Newry and Mourne Museum.

National Museums would also be pleased to explore further loan possibilities to museums and other

appropriate venues in the South Down constituency in support of their efforts to promote cultural

tourism potential in the area.

Sport Matters Strategy

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what progress has been made against

the following targets (i) that every student teacher at primary level should undertake physical literacy

training to support their teaching of physical education; (ii) the creation of a rolling programme of

physical literacy training for all primary school teachers; (iii) the establishment of at least 20 School

Club Partnerships; (iv) the creation of 100 multi-skills clubs and the deployment of 400 multi-skills

coaches; and (v) the creation of an annual programme of continuous professional development for

4,500 coaches, as set out in the Sport Matters Strategy.

(AQW 8737/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: Sport Matters seeks to identify what success might look like should its 26 high level

targets be fully achieved over the life of the strategy. In the case of Participation (Physical Literacy)

Sport Matters additionally lists 5 key requirements that would allow its stated vision of a child’s

experience of sport and physical recreation to be realised. I am aware from the Department of

Education (DE) and SportNI of the following elements of progress within their areas of responsibility in

fulfilling these particular success requirements:-

i) The Higher Education Institutions have confirmed to the Department of Education (DE) that every

student teacher at primary level undertakes physical literacy training to support their teaching of

physical education.

ii) DE is funding the Curriculum Sports Programme for primary schools the aim of which is to develop

the generic physical literacy skills of the youngest pupils through participation in enjoyable sports.

Sports coaches delivering the programme work closely with primary school teachers to raise their

confidence and provide support in their delivery of physical education.

WA 418

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

iii) Information is not currently available on the number of school club partnerships that have been

established since the launch of Sport Matters.

SportNI, however, is currently seeking to encourage clubs to develop partnerships with schools as

part of its Clubmark NI programme. SportNI estimates that approximately 200 clubs are currently

taking part in this programme.

iv) The most recently available data from SportNI suggests that there are currently 50 multi-skills

clubs operating across the north and approximately 60 multi-skills coaches currently deployed

through the network of Activ8Wildcats clubs.

v) SportNI has delivered an annual programme of continuous professional development

opportunities to an average of 1,525 coaches per year since 2009.

Visiting Anglers from Overseas

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of visiting anglers

from overseas in each of the last twelve years.

(AQW 8768/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: The Department has only recorded information from 2009 onwards. Prior to 2009 the

Fisheries Conservancy Board had responsibility for angling licences. I have detailed below the records

held by the former Fisheries Conservancy Board on angling licences issued to visiting anglers (those

with addresses outside the north of Ireland).

Years 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

No. of Licences

Issued 4978 3599 3489 3532 3498 3511

Years 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

No. of Licences

Issued 3187 3160 3253 2884 2844 2811

Angling Licences

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for her assessment of the impact that having

such a large number of angling licences across the island of Ireland has on attracting visiting anglers,

(AQW 8769/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: There are three bodies across the island of Ireland which provide fishing licenses for

their jurisdictions, namely DCAL, the Loughs Agency and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The licensing

regimes are all different reflecting the priorities in each jurisdiction. For example, in the IFI area anglers

are only required to purchase a licence to fish for salmon and sea trout.

While the overall situation may appear complex to visiting anglers, there would appear to be little impact

on the sale of DCAL angling licences to anglers visiting the DCAL jurisdiction, as numbers sold between

2005 and 2010 have largely remained steady.

2023 Rugby World Cup

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what role she intends to play in supporting

any potential bid by the Irish Rugby Football Union to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

(AQW 8786/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: Pursuant to my answer to AQW 5711/11-15, under Sports Matters Government is

committed to establishing the north of Ireland as a world class venue for sporting events. Should the

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 419

Irish Rugby Football Union decide to bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup they would enjoy my full

support in making the case to my ministerial colleague in DETI who has responsibility for events.

Secondment to Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (i) the number of (a) full-time; and

(b) part-time staff who are currently on secondment from her Department, or its arm’s length bodies,

to each recognised trade union; (ii) the salary scale for each secondee; and (iii) the length of each

secondment to date.

(AQW 8856/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín:

Number of staff on

secondment Salary scale for each employee Length of secondment to date

a) full-time - 2 £18,038-£22,180

£17,161-£21,519

2 years

4 months

b) part-time - 0 - -

Achievement of ‘The Shore’

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans her Department has to

recognise the achievement of ‘The Shore’ in winning an Oscar for Best Live Action Short.

(AQW 8905/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: I am very proud that a film that was funded by NI Screen, filmed in the North of Ireland

and written, produced and directed by someone from this country has achieved such an accolade.

I understand that the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is hosting a reception to pay

tribute to the Oscar success on Thursday 8 March 2012 and I am fully supportive of this well deserved

recognition.

Oscar Success of ‘The Shore’

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans her Department has to build

on the Oscar success of ‘The Shore’.

(AQW 8907/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: Terry and Oorlagh George’s Oscar for ‘The Shore’ is a significant boost for screen

industries in the North of Ireland. ‘The Shore’ was supported by NI Screen using Lottery funds provided

through the Arts Council of NI. The publicity surrounding the Oscar for The Shore will assist the ongoing

good work being undertaken by both NI Screen and the production community in general to grow the

creative industries here.

Promoting the Creative Industries

Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what presence her Department had in Hollywood,

USA to maximise the opportunity to promote the Creative Industries during the Oscars weekend.

(AQW 8912/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: NI Screen, using funds provided by DCAL, supported a promotional campaign in support

of ‘The Shore’. As has been very clear from the local and international coverage of The Shore’s Oscar

success, promotion of the skills base and talent available in the North of Ireland was one of the key

messages within that promotional campaign. We are grateful to both Terry and Oorlagh George for ensuring

that the talent of the actors and crew in the North of Ireland was so prominent within their story.

WA 420

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Creative Industries sector in Northern Ireland

Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what specific activity was undertaken by her

Department to promote awareness of the Creative Industries sector in Northern Ireland, between the

announcement that the short film ‘The Shore’ had been nominated for an Oscar, and the awarding of

the Oscar.

(AQW 8918/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: DCAL provided £15,000 to support a promotional campaign that celebrated ‘The Shore’

and its Oscar nomination. This support was critical to the enormous coverage that was given to ‘The

Shore’ by US quality news outlets. Key amongst the messages in this promotional campaign was the

talent of the actors and production crew in the North of Ireland.

Mr McMullan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, in order to allow her Department to

produce a register of riparian owners or lease holders, whether she would consider introducing a policy

to require all parties who claim ownership or fishing rights on rivers or waterways, to produce proof; and

to make this register available to the public.

(AQW 8959/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: The Departments priority at this time is to establish a fully documented register of

ownership for the DCAL Public Angling Estate waters.

A register of private riparian owners or leaseholders of fishing rights to private rivers or waterways will

take considerable time and resources to compile and maintain and could only be considered when the

above work has been carried out and subject to required resources being available at that time.

Anyone seeking information on fishing rights can consult with Land & Property Services, which is the

responsible Agency for maintaining registries of title to property and land, including sporting and fishing

rights, in the north of Ireland.

Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (i) what progress his Department has

made in halting the decline in the rate of participation in sport and physical recreation; and (ii) the

current rates of participation in sport and physical recreation, broken down by (a) gender; and (b) age.

(AQW 8964/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, in partnership, with

Sport NI, has developed and is implementing a 10 year strategy for sport and physical recreation

entitled, Sport Matters. The decline in the rate of participation in sport and physical recreation is

identified as a key issue to be addressed over the life of Sport Matters. Sport Matters also contains

a specific target to have stopped the decline in adult participation in sport and physical recreation by

2013. The latest DCAL published participation figures indicate that approximately 50% of the population

are currently participating in sport and physical activity. This compares with 46% for the previous year

and 45% in the year prior to Sport Matters approval by the Executive. The latest published figures also

indicate that 57% of males and 44% of females are currently participating in sport. The table below

sets out the latest published information on sports participation broken down by age:-

Age of

participant

Aged 16-

Aged 25-

Aged 35-

Aged 45-

Aged 55-

64 Aged 65+

% of respondents

participating 73 70 62 49 41 23

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 421

Liófa Initiative

Mr Swann asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for a breakdown of the total cost to date of

the Liófa initiative; and for an estimate of the total cost of the initiative through to 2015.

(AQW 9035/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: The breakdown of cost for the Líofa 2015 initiative launch is as follows:-

Interpreters Website Banners Hospitality

Promotional

material Total

Cost £251.90 £1217.16 £ 178.00 £ 694.80 £1500.00

£3841.86

I am in the process of appointing a Líofa Development Officer who will be in post for a period of one

year however, this may be extended for a further year subject to the agreement of all parties. The salary

scale will be £27,115 to £30,520 and will be paid by DCAL.

I will be allocating further funds to the Líofa 2015 project as appropriate.

Safety of Designated Sports Grounds Scheme

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the funding that has been

allocated to the 30 sports stadia under the Safety of Designated Sports Grounds Scheme in each of

the last ten years. [R]

(AQW 9056/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: Sport NI is responsible for the distribution of funding to sport in the north of Ireland.

Over the last ten financial years, Sport NI has provided £16,431,216 to those sports grounds designated

under the Safety of Sports Grounds (NI) Order 2006. A breakdown of this figure is provided in the table

overleaf. In addition to this, the Ulster Council GAA received funding during the period 2005-2008

totalling £2,447,668 towards a modernisation programme that included refurbishment works to the

main county grounds.

WA 422

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Occupier of

ground 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Totals

Antrim GAA 39,650 65,650 565,773 671,073

Armagh GAA 100,000 140,000 830,693 808,000 1,878,693

Ballyclare

Comrades FC 232,000 59,652 291,652

Ballymena

United FC 20,000 161,636 12,940 1,219,611

Ballymoney

United FC 58,972 58,972

Carrick Rangers

FC 52,760 52,760

Clan na Gael

GAC 0

Cliftonville FC 800,000 300,000 1,100,000

Coleraine FC 70,000 67,067 137,067

Crossmaglen

GAC 0

Crusaders FC 77,450 440,706 704,070 1,222,226

Derry City FC 9,724 9,724

Derry GAA 15,000 800,000 6,998 821,998

Donegal Celtic

FC 824,133 48,954 873,087

Down GAA 15,000 800,000 808,000 1,623,000

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 423

Occupier of

ground 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Totals

Downpatrick

GAC 60,000 59,436 119,436

Dungannon GAC 226,675 47,111 273,786

Fermanagh GAA 50,000 65,000 405,123 28,624 548,747

Glenavon FC 70,000 347,000 24,404 441,404

Glentoran FC 50,597 59,350 109,947

Larne FC 53,200 53,200

Linfield FC 85,000 215,462 300,462

Loughgiel

Shamrocks GAC 61,114 61,114

Newry City FC 27,000 231,500 58,687 317,187

Owenbeg Centre

of Excellence 0

Portadown FC 245,256 65,000 800,000 314,495 48,780 1,473,531

St John’s GAC 56,998 56,998

Irvinestown GAC 28,515 28,515

Tyrone GAA 40,000 140,000 613,770 793,770

Ulster Rugby 230,991 90,000 328,437 1,215,000 28,828 1,893,256

16,431,216

WA 424

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Occupier of

ground 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Totals

Antrim GAA 39,650 65,650 565,773 671,073

Armagh GAA 100,000 140,000 830,693 808,000 1,878,693

Ballyclare

Comrades FC 232,000 59,652 291,652

Ballymena

United FC 20,000 161,636 1,025,035 12,940 1,219,611

Ballymoney

United FC 58,972 58,972

Carrick Rangers

FC 52,760 52,760

Clan na Gael

GAC 0

Cliftonville FC 800,000 300,000 1,100,000

Coleraine FC 70,000 67,067 137,067

Crossmaglen

GAC 0

Crusaders FC 77,450 440,706 704,070 1,222,226

Derry City FC 9,724 9,724

Derry GAA 15,000 800,000 6,998 821,998

Donegal Celtic

FC 824,133 48,954 873,087

Down GAA 15,000 800,000 808,000 1,623,000

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 425

Occupier of

ground 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Totals

Downpatrick

GAC 60,000 59,436 119,436

Dungannon GAC 226,675 47,111 273,786

Fermanagh GAA 50,000 65,000 405,123 28,624 548,747

Glenavon FC 70,000 347,000 24,404 441,404

Glentoran FC 50,597 59,350 109,947

Larne FC 53,200 53,200

Linfield FC 85,000 215,462 300,462

Loughgiel

Shamrocks GAC 61,114 61,114

Newry City FC 27,000 231,500 58,687 317,187

Owenbeg Centre

of Excellence 0

Portadown FC 245,256 65,000 800,000 314,495 48,780 1,473,531

St John’s GAC 56,998 56,998

Irvinestown GAC 28,515 28,515

Tyrone GAA 40,000 140,000 613,770 793,770

Ulster Rugby 230,991 90,000 328,437 1,215,000 28,828 1,893,256

16,431,216

WA 426

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Oscar Success of ‘The Shore’

Ms Ruane asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans her Department has to build on

the Oscar success of ‘The Shore’.

(AQW 9059/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: Terry and Oorlagh George’s Oscar for ‘The Shore’ is a significant boost for screen

industries in the North of Ireland. ‘The Shore’ was supported by NI Screen using Lottery funds provided

through the Arts Council of NI. The publicity surrounding the Oscar for The Shore will assist the ongoing

good work being undertaken by both NI Screen and the production community in general to grow the

creative industries here.

Fish Pass at the Quoile Barrier on the Quoile River

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (i) what action her Department has taken

to repair the fish pass at the Quoile Barrier on the Quoile River; (ii) to outline any future action her

Department intends to take on this matter; and (iii) what action the Department will take to safely

remove the seals which have entered the Quoile River as a result of damage to the fish pass and are

depleting the river’s fish stocks.

(AQW 9060/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín:

(i) DCAL officials have requested the Rivers Agency, as owner of the Quoile Barrier, to undertake a

survey and if necessary carry out remedial work.

(ii) DCAL Inland Fisheries staff will continue to liaise with the Rivers Agency and will keep this matter

under regular review.

(iii) Seals are protected species under the Wildlife Order and the Quoile area is a designated Nature

Reserve managed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). DCAL can take no action

in relation to seals without the approval of NIEA and the Department does not have the specialist

knowledge and equipment to safely remove the seals.

European Heritage Label

Mr McMullan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether she will consult with the UK

Government in relation to Europe’s cultural heritage before any future decisions are taken, such as, on

the European Heritage Label.

(AQW 9104/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: I would welcome any opportunity for the North of Ireland to have its cultural sites such

as the Pilgrim Route in Fermanagh, Gracehill, the Navan Centre, and Derry, to name just a few, to have

the opportunity to be considered for European Heritage status. The importance of some of these such

as Gracehill (a Moravion settlement) and the Navan Centre (a Kingly site of Ireland) becomes magnified

when considered in a transnational context.

My officials continue to liaise with colleagues in DCMS to ensure that I am kept appraised of European

policy developments.

Licences for Fishing with Nets in Lough Neagh

Mr Swann asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how many licences for fishing with nets in

Lough Neagh her Department has issued in 2012; and for her assessment of the impact this might

have on the salmon population in the 2012 season.

(AQW 9262/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: The table below details the number of licences for fishing with nets on Lough Neagh

issued by my Department up to 7 March 2012:

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 427

Type of net licence

Number

issued

Draft net for the capture of salmon and freshwater fish on Lough Neagh 9

Single wall set net or trammel net for the capture of trout in Lough Neagh 41

Single wall set net for the taking of freshwater fish other than Trout or rainbow trout

(coarse) 98

Bait net (must be used in conjunction with a long line for eels) 4

Salmon can only be legally taken on Lough Neagh with a draft net and these are mainly used to target

pollan. DCAL Fisheries Protection Officers very rarely detect salmon in wall or trammel nets that they inspect.

Carcass tag returns would indicate that very few salmon are taken by draft net licence holders. A total

of 9 salmon were taken in 2010 and the total for 2011 was 36 salmon.

All 2012 draft net licence holders have been sent a letter by the Department asking that they voluntarily

do not fish for salmon in 2012 and where possible return any salmon caught to the water unharmed.

The main threat to salmon in Lough Neagh comes from illegal nets placed close to the mouths of rivers

that the fish move into to spawn. Fisheries Protection Officers are alert to this and will respond appropriately.

Department of Education

Postage and Printing Costs

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Education whether his Department, and its arm’s-length bodies,

give elected representatives the choice of receiving reports and all other correspondence by email to

minimise postage and printing costs.

(AQW 8423/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd (The Minister of Education): As far as is practicable, my Department and its Arms Length

Bodies use electronic means of communication, including corresponding and sending reports by e-mail

and making documents available on-line.

While adhering to Assembly guidance on the provision of information to MLAs, my Department, where

possible, meets individual requests from MLAs for receipt of Assembly Statements, answers to

Assembly Questions and other documents by e-mail only.

Northern Workforce Development Forum Report

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Education, in light of the Labour Market Profile: Northern Workforce

Development Forum report, why the Northern area has been particularly hit by job losses in the Education

Sector.

(AQW 8488/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: I note the figures which are the cause of concern relate to a census of employment in

2007 undertaken by the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

The drop in recorded employee jobs in the Education Sector between September 2005 and September

2007 for the Northern area (Table 3 in the report) is due to a change in the way any person with more

than one job with the same employer was recorded in the Education Sector within this area. Prior to

2007 a person with more than 1 job with the same employer was counted more than once. This data

quality issue was addressed for this area in the 2007 Census and a person with more than one job

with the same employer should no longer be counted more than once.

WA 428

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Table 1 provides comparison data for September 2005, September 2007 and September 2009.

This shows that the number of the jobs within the Education Sector in the Northern area was stable

between 2007 and 2009.

TABLE 1: NUMBER OF EMPLOYEE JOBS WITHIN THE EDUCATION SECTOR IN THE NORTHERN AREA,

SEPTEMBER 2005, 2007 AND 2009

Sector SIC03

2005 2007 2009

Education 17,807 15,420 15,399

Source: Census of Employment

1 The2003StandardIndustrialClassication(SIC)hasbeenusedtoimprovecomparabilityovertime.

Funding for Classroom Assistants

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Education whether he can guarantee that, following the changes to

how classroom assistants are funded (i) the provision of classroom assistants will remain a universal

service (ii) these changes will not result in a reduction in the provision of classroom assistants; and (iii)

no school will be left without the support of classroom assistants.

(AQW 8489/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: My Department has not made any changes to the way Classroom Assistants are funded.

Jolly Tots Pre-School Playgroup, Mayobridge

Ms Ritchie asked the Minister of Education what steps he intends to take to ensure that the Jolly Tots

Pre-School Playgroup, Mayobridge, is sustained and that morning and afternoon sessions are available

on a Monday to Friday basis during term-time.

(AQW 8536/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: Jolly Tots Playgroup is in the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme this year. For

2012/ 2013 they will be allocated places by the SELB according to the number required to meet

demand in the area.

I have recently approved a Development Proposal for a new twenty-six place part-time nursery unit at

St. Patrick’s Primary School in Mayobridge. This approval is subject to the school ceasing to admit

children to its reception class. This decision was made to meet a need for additional provision in the

wider area.

Jolly Tots Pre-School Playgroup, Mayobridge

Ms Ritchie asked the Minister of Education what resources will be allocated to Jolly Tots Pre-School

Playgroup, Mayobridge, to ensure that it is sustained and maintained for the young families in the area.

(AQW 8537/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: Jolly Tots Playgroup is in the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme this year. For

2012/ 2013 they will be allocated places by the SELB according to the number required to meet

demand in the area.

I have recently approved a Development Proposal for a new twenty-six place part-time nursery unit at

St. Patrick’s Primary School in Mayobridge. This approval is subject to the school ceasing to admit

children to its reception class. This decision was made to meet a need for additional provision in the

wider area.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 429

Energy Efficiency in Schools

Mr Storey asked the Minister of Education to outline his Department’s policy in relation to energy

efficiency in schools.

(AQW 8552/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: There are two major elements that impact on energy efficiency in schools: management of

the physical infrastructure; and influencing the behaviours of pupils and teachers.

All major works in schools must include measures to achieve a Building Research Establishment

Environment Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating, an internationally recognisable standard used

to assess the environmental performance of buildings. All major projects are required to achieve a

BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’ for new schemes, or ‘very good’ for refurbishment schemes. All contracts

include overarching requirements in respect of energy, water and low carbon design. My Department

also continues to review and revise its school design handbook to ensure it incorporates appropriate

guidance on sustainable and energy efficient design. Consideration is given to the use of renewable

energy sources and where appropriate, these are employed for school heating (typically biomass boilers

and occasionally photovoltaic solar panels).

My Department and the Education and Library Boards (ELBs) support schools in meeting their

responsibilities under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. This legislation currently requires

that all publicly occupied buildings have a Display Energy Certificate and an associated advisory report.

Carbon emissions from the schools’ estate are monitored and reported on annually as part of the

Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme. This scheme is designed to encourage

participants to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing energy consumption. An annual energy return

is also provided to the Public Sector Energy Campaign. This campaign, managed by DFP, assesses

the performance of the public sector in the drive to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon

consumption in line with agreed targets.

My Department seeks to develop young people as contributors to the environment and Education for

Sustainable Development (ESD) is now included in the curriculum for all key stages. Through ESD,

pupils explore issues such as exercising environmental responsibility through the conservation of

resources (including energy), waste-management and the promotion of local biodiversity. Schools are

also encouraged to integrate sustainable development into their School Development Plans.

The ELB energy officers actively promote energy efficiency and offer advice and support to all schools

within their respective Board areas. The ELBs also work with councils to support ‘Eco Schools’

(administered by TIDY NI) by facilitating seminars, providing assessors and offering training for teachers.

Energy Efficiency in Schools

Mr Storey asked the Minister of Education what work his Department is currently carrying out in

relation to energy efficiency in schools.

(AQW 8554/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: Energy efficiency in schools is largely managed by the four Energy and Environment

Officers and five Environment Support Officers in the Education and Library Boards (ELBs). The ELBs’

Energy and Environment Sections actively promote energy efficiency and offer advice and support

including a programme of advisory visits to schools within their Board areas. The ELBs work with

councils to support the Eco-Schools programme (administered by TIDY NI) by facilitating seminars,

providing assessors and offering training for teachers.

Carbon emissions from the schools’ estate are monitored and reported on annually as part of the

Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme. School electricity metering equipment is

being upgraded to aid identification of energy waste as part of the ELBs’ energy efficiency monitoring

and targeting programme. In addition, electricity sub meters are being installed in mobile classrooms

to comply with the Energy of Performance of Buildings Directive which requires all publicly occupied

buildings to have a Display Energy Certificate and an associated advisory report.

WA 430

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

The ELBs have continued to upgrade buildings and their associated mechanical and electrical

infrastructure to improve energy efficiency. Energy conservation projects for this financial year

(2011/12) include:

■ Installation of BMS (Building Management Systems)

■ Upgrading windows

■ Installation of roofspace insulation

■ Installation of energy efficient lighting

■ Boiler servicing

■ Installation of biomass boilers

■ Oil to gas conversion projects

My Department continues to encourage schools to implement sustainable development into their

School Development Plans. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been fully integrated into

all grant aided schools for all key stages and includes exercising environmental responsibility through

the conservation of resources.

Funding for Classroom Assistants

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Education, in light of the changes to the funding for classroom

assistants, to detail (i) how the resources will be reallocated to schools; and (ii) whether schools, with

a disproportionately high number of children with special needs, will receive the resources to employ a

sufficient number of classroom assistants.

(AQW 8557/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: My Department has not made any changes to the way Classroom Assistants are funded.

Teachers: Redundancy or Early Retirement Packages

Mr Craig asked the Minister of Education how many teachers who have received redundancy or early

retirement packages have been re-employed to carry out substitution or cover work in each of the last

three years.

(AQW 8580/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: The information requested is as follows:

Financial year 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

Number of teachers who have received enhanced compensation

for redundancy or premature retirement benefits and have

been re-employed in a substitute or temporary capacity 1731 1616 1409

The above figures exclude teachers whose redundancy compensation was not paid through the

Department’s payroll.

School Visit Invitations

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Education to detail the school visit invitations he has received since

his appointment, broken down by sector.

(AQW 8657/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: Please see attached list of schools, broken down by sector that I have received an

invitation to visit since my appointment as Education Minister.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 431

Nursery - Controlled

311 6177 Magherafelt Nursery School, Magherafelt

Nursery - Roman Catholic Maintained

513 6607 College Farm Nursery, Armagh

Primary - Controlled

201 0380 Model Primary School, Derry

201 2510 Barrack St Boys’ Primary School, Belfast

301 2264 Millburn Primary Sschool, Coleraine

401 1631 Holywood Primary School, Holywood

401 1647 Ballykeigle Primary School, Comber

401 1688 Redburn Primary School, Holywood

501 6117 Ballyoran Primary School, Portadown

501 6138 Bocombra Primary School, Portadown

501-1127 Carrick Primary School, Burren

Primary - Roman Catholic Maintained

103-0327 Holy Rosary Primary School, Belfast

103-6576 Holy Child Primary School, Belfast

103-6623 Holy Trinity Primary School, Belfast

103-6589 St Teresa’s Primary School, Belfast

103-6602 St Oliver Plunkett Primary School, Belfast

203 2676 St Patrick’s Primary School, Gortin

203 6069 St Anne’s Primary School, Derry

203 6458 St Mary’s Gortnaghey Primary School, Dungiven

203 6632 Holy Trinity Primary School, Enniskillen

203-1869 St Mary’s Primary School, Newtownbutler

203-2294 St Mary’s Primary School, Attinure

203-6096 St Mary’s Girls’ Primary School, Strabane

303 3313 St Bernard’s Primary School, Glengormley

303 6103 St Brigid’s Primary School, Magherafelt

303-2387 St Francis Primary School, Derrylatinee

403 1663 St Joseph’s Primary School, Newcastle

403 6081 St Luke’s Primary School, Belfast

403 6182 St Colmcille’s Primary School, Downpatrick

403-1671 St Patrick’s Primary School, Castlewellan

403-3028 St Patrick’s Primary School, Portaferry

WA 432

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Primary - Roman Catholic Maintained

403-3036 St Mary’s Primary School, Killyleagh

403-6113 St Nicholas Primary School, Ardglass

503 1108 Clea Primary School, Keady

503 1138 St Joseph’s Primary School, Armagh

503 1213 St Clare’s Convent Primary School, Newry

503 2715 St John’s Primary School, Moy

503 6590 Primate Dixon Primary School, Coalisland

503 6633 St Francis Primary School, Lurgan

503 6673 St Bronagh’s Primary School, Rostrevor

503-0975 St Malachy’s Primary School, Armagh

503-1148 St Patrick’s Primary School, Crossmaglen

503-1160 St Teresa’s Primary School, Lurgan

503-1172 St Mary’s Primary School, Granemore

503-2591 Roan St Patrick’s Primary School, Eglish

503-2692 St Mary’s Primary School, Stewartstown

503 1103 Tannaghmore Primary School, Lurgan, Craigavon

Primary - other maintained

104 6596 Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin, Belfast

204 6638 Gaelscoil ui Dhochartaigh, Strabane

204-6669 Bunscoil an Traonaigh, Lisnaskea

204-6677 Gaelscoil na gCrann, Omagh

304 6678 Gaelscoil na Speíríní, Draperstown

304 6685 Naiscoil Éanna, Glengormley

404 6648 Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche, Castlewellan

Primary - Controlled Integrated

105 6535 Forge Integrated Primary School, Belfast

405 1680 Bangor Central Integrated Primary School, Bangor

405 6541 All Children Integrated Primary School, Newcastle

Primary - Grant Maintained Integrated

206 6552 Omagh Integrated Primary School, Omagh

306 6652 Maine Integrated Primary School, Randalstown

406 6668 Drumlins Integrated Primary School, Ballynahinch

Secondary - Roman Catholic Maintained

123 0053 St Louise’s Comprehensive, Belfast

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 433

Secondary - Roman Catholic Maintained

123 0155 St Genevieve’s High School, Belfast

123 0173 St Gemma’s High School, Belfast

123 0182 De La Salle College, Belfast

123 0262 Corpus Christi College, Belfast

123 0275 St Joseph’s College, Belfast

123-0026 St Patrick’s College, Belfast

223 0077 St Mary’s, Limavady

223 0298 Sacred Heart College, Omagh

223-0085 St Mary’s High School, Belleek, Enniskillen

323 0132 St Colm’s High School, Draperstown

323-0310 St Killian’s College, Garron Tower

423 0107 St Columbanus’ College, Bangor

423 0223 St Colm’s High School, Dunmurry

523 0088 St Paul’s Junior High School, Craigavon

523 0108 St Mary’s High School, Newry

523 0135 St Mark’s High School, Warrenpoint

523 0160 St Brigid’s High School, Armagh

523 0213 Lismore Comprehensive, Craigavon

523 0256 Drumcree College, Portadown

523-0076 St Patrick’s College, Banbridge

523-0160 St Brigid’s High School, Armagh

523-0192 St Joseph’s College, Coalisland

523-0293 St Patrick’s College, Dungannon

Secondary (Grammar) - Controlled

141 0270 Wellington College, Belfast

341 0008 Ballyclare High School, Ballyclare

Secondary (Grammar) - Voluntary

142 0022 Methodist College, Belfast

142 0029 St Dominic’s, Belfast

142-0082 St Rose’s High School Dominican College, Belfast

242 0229 Foyle College, Derry

342 0077 Belfast High School, Belfast

442 0259 Our Lady and St Patrick’s College,Belfast

542 0056 St Michael’s Grammar School, Lurgan

WA 434

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Secondary (Grammar) - Voluntary

542-0268 St Patrick’s Grammar School

Secondary - Controlled

321-0091 Carrickfergus College, Carrickfergus

Secondary - Controlled Integrated

425 0024 Priory College, Holywood

525 0216 Brownlow Integrated College, Craigavon

Secondary - Grant Maintained Integrated

426 0255 Lagan College, Belfast

Secondary (Grammar) - Controlled

441 0063 Regent House, Newtownards

441 0085 Down High School, Downpatrick

Special School - Controlled

131 0016 Mitchell House School, Belfast

131 6582 Oakwood School and Assessment Centre, Belfast

331 6676 Castle Tower Special School, Ballymena

531 6521 Ceara Special School, Lurgan

531 6523 Sperrinview Special School, Dungannon

Special School - Maintained

133 6548 St Gerard’s Education Centre, Belfast

Asbestos in Schools

Mrs Cochrane asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the current system for identifying asbestos

in schools and removing it; and (ii) the number of schools that have been (a) identified as having

asbestos; and (b) have had asbestos removed, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 8739/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd:

(i) The Department is acutely aware of the risk to the health of staff and pupils of education

establishments posed by asbestos. Following the introduction of the Control of Asbestos at Work

Regulations (NI) 2003 and the Control of Asbestos (NI Order) 2007, there is a duty placed on the

education sectors to ensure that asbestos is managed effectively.

To identify the presence of asbestos in the schools’ estate, the Education and Library Boards

(ELBs) arrange for asbestos surveys to be carried out. Should any high risk areas be identified

then arrangements for removal are made. Where it is not considered necessary to remove the

asbestos immediately, the ELBs have developed plans for managing the asbestos safely in the

schools that they own or for which they have a maintenance responsibility. The Voluntary Grammar

(VG) schools and Grant Maintained Integrated (GMI) schools should have similar plans for the

management and control of any residual asbestos in their schools.

The Department takes asbestos and other health and safety issues very seriously and aims,

within the constraints of a prioritised budget, to mitigate any risks identified.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 435

(ii) There are currently 910 schools in the schools’ estate (excluding the VG and GMI sectors) that

may have some asbestos containing materials.

The following table indicates the numbers of schools (excluding the VG and GMI sectors) that have

had asbestos containing materials removed over the last 5 years. As a general rule the removal of

asbestos will have been on a partial basis at each school. It was not possible to obtain detailed

information regarding the status of individual schools in the VG and GMI sectors within the available

timescale.

Year 2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 Total

Number of Schools

(exc VG and GMI) 146 162 188 188 169 853

Asbestos in Schools

Mrs Cochrane asked the Minister of Education what consideration he has given to the report of the

All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health highlighting the dangerous levels

of asbestos in schools nationwide; and whether he plans to implement any of the recommendations

outlined in the report.

(AQW 8740/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: The Department is acutely aware of the risk to the health of staff and pupils of education

establishments posed by asbestos. Following the introduction of the Control of Asbestos at Work

Regulations (NI) 2003 and the Control of Asbestos (NI Order) 2007, there was a duty placed on the

education sectors to ensure that asbestos is managed effectively. The Education and Library Boards

(ELBs) were tasked with obtaining information regarding the extent of asbestos in the schools’ estate.

As a result, asbestos assessments of the schools’ estate in the North of Ireland have already been

carried out. These assessments show where asbestos is present in premises and there are detailed

planned measures for managing identified risks, including monitoring the condition of and maintaining

any asbestos containing material. Any material identified to be at ‘high risk’ was removed following the

assessment.

The asbestos assessment data are held centrally by the Education and Library Boards. In addition all

schools are required to have an asbestos register / management plan. A Department of Education

circular (No. 2003/20) gives advice to the education sectors and schools on the Control of Asbestos

at Work Regulations (NI) 2003. This DE Circular is to be updated shortly to reflect any changes required

as a result of revisions of the Regulations.

Asbestos removal is just one of many competing priorities for finance and is normally funded from the

ELBs’ maintenance budgets for the Controlled and Maintained estates. The Voluntary schools’ sector

generally funds work from their allocated budgets.

I consider, therefore, that the education sectors in the North of Ireland are already broadly complying

with the recommendations in the report.

Secondment to Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of (a) full-time; and (b) part-

time staff who are currently on secondment from his Department, or its arm’s length bodies, to each

recognised trade union; (ii) the salary scale for each secondee; and (iii) the length of each secondment

to date.

(AQW 8773/11-15)

WA 436

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Mr O’Dowd:

Number FT/PT Salary Scale Length of Secondment

1 Full-time £23,336-£26,086 15 years

1 Part-time £18,038-£22,180* 8.5 years

ALBS

Number FT/PT Salary Scale Length of Secondment

1 Full-time £15,726 - £16,830 Since 1 May 2005

1 Full-time £27,849 - £30,011 Since 1 August 2005

1 Full-time £15,726 - £16,830 Since 5 September

2011

1 Full-time £22,221 - £26,276 Since 1 June 2002

1 Part-time £17,161-£21,519* Since 1 February 2006

1 Part-time £17,161 - £21,519* Since 1 April 2009

1 Part-time £14,787 - £15,825* Since 1 January 2010

*this is the full time rate for the grade, the part time secondee is paid pro rata for hours worked

Article 3 Subsection 7 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (NI) Order

2005

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Education how many schools in the Western Education and Library

Board area are in breach of Article 3 Subsection 7 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (NI)

Order 2005.

(AQW 8785/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: I understand that this question relates to Article 7 of the Education (NI) Order 1996, as

substituted by Article 3 of SENDO.

In relation to Article 7, the Western Education and Library Board has advised that two schools are in

breach of this legislation. The board is actively progressing the re-location of provisions from special

schools to mainstream schools in line with this legislation.

Asbestos from Schools

Mr McDevitt asked the Minister of Education (i) in how many schools asbestos is present; and (ii) whether

he plans to begin a programme to remove the asbestos from those schools in which it poses a risk.

(AQW 8828/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd:

(i) The Department is acutely aware of the risk to the health of staff and pupils of education

establishments posed by asbestos. Following the introduction of the Control of Asbestos at Work

Regulations (NI) 2003 and the Control of Asbestos (NI Order) 2007, there is a duty placed on the

education sectors to ensure that asbestos is managed effectively.

The Education and Library Boards were previously tasked with obtaining information regarding the

extent of asbestos in the schools’ estate and as a result, asbestos assessments of the schools’

estate in the North of Ireland were carried out. These assessments identified where asbestos

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 437

was present in premises. Following the assessments, detailed planned measures for managing

identified risks, including monitoring the condition of and maintaining any asbestos containing

material were prepared. Any asbestos containing material determined to be at ‘high risk’ was

removed following the assessments.

The number of schools in the estate (excluding the Voluntary Grammar and Grant Maintained

Integrated sectors) that may still have some asbestos containing material is currently 910.

(ii) It is current Government policy that provided asbestos is in good condition and is unlikely to be

disturbed, it is better to be managed for the remaining life of the school rather than to disturb it.

Asbestos is however removed, albeit on an ad-hoc basis, if it is likely to be disturbed as a result of

refurbishments or other work being carried out at a school.

Homophobic Bullying

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Education what action his Department is taking (i) to ensure that

schools are welcoming places for pupils from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender backgrounds; and

(ii) to tackle homophobic bullying.

(AQW 8862/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd:

(i) All young people have the right to be educated in a safe environment and to be treated with

respect and dignity, irrespective of their sexual orientation. Schools have responsibilities to

promote equality, good relations and diversity and in doing so, they must ensure that they

are welcoming to all pupils. These responsibilities are driven by the Department’s education

policies, education and employment legislation and anti-discrimination, human rights and equality

legislation.

Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is an important element within the revised curriculum

and is taught through the Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (in primary schools)

and the Learning for Life and Work (in post-primary schools) areas of learning. Pupils also have

opportunities to explore issues around diversity, inclusion and equality through Citizenship

education. Teachers have been trained in all requirements of the curriculum and schools have

been made aware of the wide range of RSE resources available. RSE is also inspected by the

Education and Training Inspectorate.

The Department’s Circular 2001/15 advises schools that they should have in place a policy

setting out how they will address the delivery of RSE. The policy should be the subject of

consultation with parents, and should be endorsed by the school’s Board of Governors. In

developing or reviewing their RSE policies, schools have been advised by DE Circular 2010/01 to

take account of guidance produced by the Equality Commission on Eliminating Sexual Orientation

Discrimination.

(ii) The Department is committed to tackling the issue of bullying in schools and is pro-active in

examining ways to prevent it.

The Department’s publication ‘Pastoral Care in Schools: Promoting Positive Behaviour’ offers detailed

guidance to support schools in tackling all forms of bullying and states that racist, homophobic,

sectarian or other offensive name-calling is a form of bullying.

The Education and Library Boards provide in-service teacher training on anti-bullying and this is

supplemented with school-based advice on preventative strategies. In 2010, an Inter-Board group

launched ‘Let’s Stop Bullying’, an inter-active CD-ROM developed for all primary and special schools,

funded by the Department and made available through the C2K system.

The Department continues to fund and participate in the local Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) and the

British and Irish Anti-Bullying Forum. In 2009, a homophobic bullying working group ensured that the

Forum’s website (www.niabf.org.uk) offered advice and guidance on this issue. This group has recently

been reformed and is forming an action plan.

WA 438

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Identification of Pupils who are Gay and Lesbian

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Education how his Department collects information on the

identification of pupils who are gay and lesbian and their experience of the education system; and how

his Department intends to improve this process.

(AQW 8863/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: My Department uses information from surveys and wider research to understand gay

and lesbian pupils’ experiences of the education system and to respond to these. For example my

Department works alongside others to provide specific guidance to schools, pupils and their parents on

issues such as homophobic bullying and transgender bullying through sub-groups of the NI Anti-Bullying

Forum.

I take my responsibilities with regard to equality very seriously and will ensure that my Department

takes account of Equality Commission guidance on Section 75 responsibilities regarding the need to

promote equality of opportunity and good relations among all pupils.

Community Use of School Premises

Mrs Dobson asked the Minister of Education when the working group that has been established to

develop guidance for schools to enhance the community use of school premises will commence work.

(AQW 8969/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: The ELBs and CCMS have recently nominated representatives to participate in the working

group established to develop the guidance for schools. DE officials are now arranging to meet with the

working group during March to agree Terms of Reference (ToR). The ToR will include a timeline for the

commencement and completion of this work.

Pre-School Provision in Richhill, Co Armagh

Mr Irwin asked the Minister of Education whether he has any plans to increase the availability of

funded pre-school provision in Richhill, Co Armagh.

(AQW 8988/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: The pre-school admissions process for September 2012 is underway with applications at

Stage 1 of the process currently being considered by providers.

A Pre-School Education Advisory Group (PEAG) in each Education and Library Board area manages this

process on behalf of the Department.

The Southern Education and Library Board PEAG has advised that they have been approached to admit

a new voluntary pre-school provider in Richhill to the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme

(PSEEP) for September 2012. This request will be considered as part of the PEAG’s ongoing

management of the level of funded provision needed to meet demand in the area.

Departmental Offices in Rathgael, Bangor

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Education, to detail (i) whether he has any plans to relocate jobs from

his departmental offices in Rathgael, Bangor; (ii) the number of jobs that will be affected; (iii) when the

relocation will take place; (iv) to where the jobs will be relocated; and (iv) whether any compensation

will be offered to staff.

(AQW 8993/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: Based on current information approximately 39 staff based in Rathgael House will transfer

to the Education and Skills Authority (ESA) on 1 April 2013. A decision on the future location of these

staff will be taken in the context of a location strategy for the ESA as a whole, which is currently

being developed. If staff are relocated, then the Civil Service terms and conditions on recompense for

additional travel or relocation will apply in relation to the staff who are affected.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 439

Enrolment Numbers for Special Needs Schools

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Education to detail the current enrolment number for each Special

Needs school.

(AQW 9010/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: The information requested is detailed in the table below. The information is contained in

the table below and is routinely published on the DENI website.

ENROLMENTS AT SPECIAL SCHOOLS – 2011/12

School name Total Enrolment

Ardmore House Special School 8

Arvalee School and Resource Centre 112

Beechlawn Special School 161

Belmont House Special School 125

Brookfield Special School 123

Castletower School 256

Ceara Special School 102

Cedar Lodge Special School 166

Clarawood Special School 12

Clifton Special School 127

Donard Special School 66

Elmbrook Special School 40

Erne Special School 82

Fleming Fulton Special School 124

Foyleview Special School 110

Glenveagh Special School 193

Greenwood House Assessment Centre 57

Harberton Special School 200

Hill Croft Special School 95

Jordanstown Special School 47

Killard House Special School 153

Kilronan Special School 80

Knockavoe School & Resource Centre 93

Knockevin Special School 89

Lakewood Special School 6

Lisanally Special School 98

Longstone Special School 152

Mitchell House Special School 84

WA 440

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

School name Total Enrolment

Oakwood School and Assessment Centre 107

Park Education Resource Centre 126

Parkview Special School 159

Rathore School 138

Riverside Special School 46

Roddensvale Special School 90

Rossmar Special School 85

Rosstulla Special School 167

Sandelford Special School 138

Sperrinview Special School 94

St Gerard’s Education Resource Centre 193

Thornfield Special School 88

Tor Bank Special School 157

Total 4,549

Source: School census

Departmental Staff

Mr Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of departmental staff, broken down by

location.

(AQW 9012/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) departmental staff is detailed below:

Rathgael House,

Bangor, Co Down

Waterside House,

Derry Purdy’s Lane, Belfast Total

458.01 113.68 4.00

575.69

Science and Mathematics Qualifications

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Education how his Department intends to ensure that children

understand that science and mathematics qualifications have a strong exchange value in the education

and labour market and are not purely specialist routes.

(AQW 9024/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: I am clear about the important role education has in ensuring that pupils have the

opportunities to develop the skills they need as future contributors to the economy in a fast-changing,

globalised world, including recognising the expected growth in STEM-related areas.

The choices young people make at key transition points in their education particularly at Key Stage 4

under the Entitlement Framework, should aim to keep their options open for future progression into

further or higher education, training or employment. Access to high quality, age appropriate, careers

education, information, advice and guidance from school, careers advisors, employers and others

underpins a pupil’s choice. Schools are encouraged to take account of Labour Market Information and

information on priority skills areas including STEM in offering access to a coherent and economically

relevant choice of courses for pupils.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 441

There are opportunities in the Mathematics and Numeracy and Science and Technology Areas of

Learning within the curriculum to explore how the skills used in maths and science will be useful in a

range of careers.

Pupils Leaving Year 12 without GCSEs

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of (i) boys; and (ii) girls who

have completed post-primary education without gaining any GCSEs at grades A*-C, or equivalent

qualifications, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 9041/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: Please see the table below.

NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF SCHOOL LEAVERS NOT ACHIEVING ANY GCSES AT GRADES A*-C

OR EQUIVALENT 2005/06 TO 2009/10

2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %

Boys 2,786 21.4 2,461 19.5 2,054 16.9 1,609 13.9 1,283 11.3

Girls 1,459 11.7 1,357 11.1 1,166 9.8 948 8.1 725 6.3

Source: School Leavers Survey

Education and Library Boards Staff

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of (i) teachers; and (ii) staff currently

employed by the Education and Library Boards, who have no direct class contact with pupils.

(AQW 9042/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: The Education and Library Boards do not hold this information and it can only be obtained

at a disproportionate cost.

Braidside Integrated School, Ballymena

Mr Lunn asked the Minister of Education whether there are any plans to provide a permanent building

at Braidside Integrated School, Ballymena, given that the existing premises are temporary and

inadequate.

(AQW 9047/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: As you are aware, I have commissioned the Education and Library Boards, working in

conjunction with the CCMS and other sectors to co-ordinate collective, strategic area planning.

In any area, potential capital schemes will be critically assessed as part of the area planning process,

to determine how they will contribute to the overall infrastructure required. No school building project

will be looked at in isolation and will be considered in the context of the wider area with any future

capital investment targeted at supporting area plans.

Until this work is completed I will not be in a position to comment on any potential project or individual school.

Community Relations, Equality and Diversity Policy

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Education for his assessment of the operation of the Community

Relations, Equality and Diversity Policy to date.

(AQW 9071/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: Since the Community Relations, Equality and Diversity in Education (CRED) policy was

launched in March 2011 significant progress has been made.

WA 442

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

The focus has been on progressing enabling actions as detailed within the policy, including awareness

raising across schools and youth organisations and the launch in January of a guidance document and

self evaluation indicator framework to facilitate baselining and assessing progress.

Structures are in place to oversee implementation of the policy including a joint Youth and Schools

Interboard Panel reporting to the Senior Education Officers Group within the Education and Library

Boards (ELBs) and a CRED Reference Group within the Youth Council (YCNI).

A dedicated website (www.CREDNI.org) has been developed to support implementation of the policy

and disseminate good practice. ELBs are leading on the development of a regional training strategy to

ensure educators have the skills and experience to deliver curricular requirements relating to CRED and

skills training is expected to commence in 2012/13.

ELBs have developed and implemented a CRED Enhancement Scheme, which has provided funding

to over 200 schools and youth organisations to support projects which provide targeted inventions on

community relations, equality and diversity issues across the range of section 75 groups. YCNI are

overseeing the implementation of three strategic projects aimed at enhancing strategic connections for

the delivery of CRED across the voluntary youth service.

Garvagh High School, Coleraine

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Education what plans there are for the future of Garvagh High School,

Coleraine,

(AQW 9081/11-15)

Mr O’Dowd: Any significant change to a school, such as a school closure or amalgamation, requires

the publication of a statutory Development Proposal to support that intent. It is the school managing

authority, which is the North Eastern Education and Library Board in the case of Garvagh High School,

in conjunction with the Board of Governors of an individual school that brings forward Development

Proposals to the Department. The Department has not received a Development Proposal for this

school.

Publication of a Development Proposal must be preceded by consultation between the school managing

authority, school trustees, Board of Governors, staff and parents of the affected school as well as wider

consultations with schools in the area. Once published, the Development Proposal process provides

for a 2 month period during which comments can be sent directly to my Department. At the end of the

two month period, I make a decision on the proposal taking account of all the pertinent issues and

comments received.

Department for Employment and Learning

Welfare Reform Programme

Mr Lunn asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what discussions he has held with his

Executive colleagues in relation to his Department’s role in implementing vital aspects of the Welfare

Reform programme after April 2012.

(AQW 7999/11-15)

Dr Farry (The Minister for Employment and Learning): My Department is responsible for the work-

focused aspects of the Welfare Reform programme. In the Welfare Reform context I have had a range

of discussions with my Executive colleagues. I am a member of the Executive Sub-Committee on

Welfare Reform which meets regularly to discuss plans for and progress on the Reform programme.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 443

Applying to Universities South of the Border

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what steps his Department has taken to

make it easier for students to apply to universities south of the border.

(AQW 8431/11-15)

Dr Farry: My Department and I remain committed to ensuring that students from Northern Ireland

continue to have a free choice of academic institution within the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland

and elsewhere.

My Department will continue to meet the cost of the registration fee (currently €2,000) for those

students from Northern Ireland who will be undertaking a full-time undergraduate degree in the

Republic of Ireland, entering in academic year 2012/13. Eligible students will also be able to apply for

a non-repayable means-tested higher education bursary of up to £2,000, and a maintenance loan up to

a maximum of £4,840.

Furthermore, following the publication of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and the

Confederation of British Industry (IBEC-CBI) Joint Business Council Report, ‘A Study of Obstacles to

Cross-border Undergraduate Education’, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation has proposed

the establishment of a forum to discuss the outcomes of the report and I have agreed that my

Department will be represented on this forum.

Proposed Merger of Queen’s University, Belfast and Stranmillis University College,

Belfast

Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, pursuant to AQW 7182/11-15, to

outline the responses of NIPSA and the University and College Union on the merger of Stranmillis

University College and Queen’s University Belfast, including the position of Stranmillis Union Branch.

(AQW 8560/11-15)

Dr Farry: The responses to which the member refers are already in the public domain and available on

the following website:

www.delni.gov.uk/index/consultation-zone/archived-consultations/archived-consultations-2011/

stranmillis-qub-merger.htm

Further and Higher Education Facilities

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister for Employment and Learning whether any consideration has been

given to the establishment of an Ireland-wide application process to further and higher education

facilities.

(AQW 8621/11-15)

Dr Farry: Currently, applications to most Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Great Britain and Northern

Ireland are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) system. Applications

to HEIs in the Republic of Ireland are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO) system.

My Department’s Careers Service provides impartial advice to young people and adults on appropriate

further and higher education opportunities, including those available through UCAS, the CAO and direct

application. This advice includes information on courses in Northern Ireland, ROI, GB and elsewhere,

when relevant to an individual client.

Further and Higher Education Facilities

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister for Employment and Learning (i) to detail any reports that have

considered the mobility problems facing students who must cross the border to attend further and

higher education facilities; (ii) what recommendations were contained within these reports; and (iii) to

outline what steps his Department has taken as a result of the recommendations made.

(AQW 8623/11-15)

WA 444

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Dr Farry: In August 2011, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and the Confederation

of British Industry (IBEC-CBI) Joint Business Council published a report on Undergraduate Mobility.

That report examined the obstacles to North-South undergraduate mobility and, whilst some factors

are likely beyond the control of either government, such as the higher cost of living in the Republic of

Ireland, the report made a number of recommendations to increase student mobility in both directions

across the border.

Each of the actions identified in the recommendations falls to one, or a combination of, the following

organisations: The Department of Education and Skills (DES) in the Republic of Ireland, the Department

of Education (DE), higher education institutions in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and

my Department. A copy of the recommendations is attached at Annex A for your information.

Recommendation number 4 falls solely to my Department and states:

Action should be taken by the Northern Irish and British higher education authorities to end the

anomaly – identified by the Stuart Report – under which Northern Ireland undergraduates studying

in the Republic receive lower ‘bursaries’ compared to the maintenance grants paid to their

counterparts studying in the UK.

In 2011, my Department’s public consultation on the future policy on higher education tuition fees and

student finance arrangements invited views on potential changes to the current funding arrangements

for Northern Ireland domiciled undergraduates who study in the Republic of Ireland.

My officials are continuing to consider the potential options.

The Irish Business and Employers Confederation has proposed the establishment of a forum to discuss

the outcomes and key recommendations of the report and I have agreed that my Department will be

represented on this forum.

Annex A

IBEC-CBI Joint Business Council

A Study of Obstacles to Cross-Border Undergraduate Education

Recommendations

1 Improve the quality and flow of information about university courses and entry requirements

for school-leavers in both jurisdictions (and particularly for prospective Northern Ireland

undergraduates who might want to go to university in the Republic of Ireland).

This would in the first instance be a task for the individual university admissions offices. Some

Southern admissions officers have told this researcher that they are not convinced that the return

(in terms of higher NI undergraduate applications) on such an improved information campaign

would justify the expense at a time of severe financial cutbacks.

2 If dedicated inter-governmental funding were made available, a case might be made for a more

coordinated campaign to recruit undergraduates on a cross-border basis, perhaps overseen by an

organisation such as Universities Ireland, the all-island network of university presidents. However

in the present and immediate future, with university fees significantly higher in Northern Ireland

than the Republic of Ireland, it is likely that this will mainly lead to larger numbers of Northern

undergraduates going to Southern universities. At the very least, a programme of visits by more

school groups to university campuses in the other jurisdiction could be organised.

The 2011 Hunt Report says there is ‘significant potential for institutional collaboration on a North-

South basis to advance cross-border regional development and strategically advance Irish higher

education on an all-island basis.’ If this is going to be more than lip service (and not be shelved in

the way that the proposals of the Williams Report were in the 1980s) some government resources

will have to be provided to develop this collaboration.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 445

3 The border region Institutes of Technology – Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo – which are almost

invisible in Northern Ireland schools, should initiate a joint awareness-raising and recruitment

campaign in border region schools in Northern Ireland. As a first step, they should take a joint

stand at the annual UCAS Convention in Belfast.

4 Action should be taken by the Northern Irish and British higher education authorities to end

the anomaly – identified by the Stuart Report – under which Northern Ireland undergraduates

studying in the Republic receive lower ‘bursaries’ compared to the maintenance grants paid to

their counterparts studying in the UK. The system of NI Education and Library Boards paying the

registration fees of NI students at RoI universities should also be reviewed.

5 The two Northern Ireland universities should initiate an awareness-raising and induction scheme

for students from Republic of Ireland to prepare them for living in a society which is still deeply

divided along sectarian lines. This could include a ‘buddy system’ to link existing undergraduates

(either Northerners or Southerners who had spent some time in the North) with newly arrived

entrants from RoI.

6 The IUA-CCEA working group examining the equivalences between A Level and Leaving Certificate

examination grades for Northern school-leavers applying to Southern universities should make its

report available to the Irish university presidents charged by the Minister for Education and Skills

with preparing options for change to the CAO system – in order to ensure that the most equitable

system of equivalences possible is incorporated into a reformed CAO system.

7 There should be a rapid move towards a central agency – as recommended by the Hunt

Report – to ensure the more efficient delivery of Republic of Ireland maintenance grants to all

undergraduates, and particularly to those RoI undergraduates in Northern Ireland whose grants

are ‘portable’. It is understood that this process has already started, and that negotiations have

begun between the Department of Education and Skills and the City of Dublin VEC with a view to

having CDVEC become that central delivery agency in 2012.

8 A Higher Education Authority/Department of Education and Skills task force should be established

as soon as possible to examine the implications for Irish universities and undergraduates of

the large university tuition fees that will be introduced in English and Welsh universities in the

academic year 2012-2013.

9 A study should be commissioned by the Irish Department of Education and Skills and the

Northern Ireland Department for Employment and Learning to examine the implications for higher

education on the island of the future fall in the number of 18 year olds in the North and the high

birth rate in the South feeding into higher demand for education places at all levels. Among other

things, it should re-examine the recommendations of the Williams Report of 1985.

North West Regional College

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many staff at the North West

Regional College received redundancy packages in (i) 2008; and (ii) 2011; and what was the total cost

of the redundancy packages.

(AQW 8816/11-15)

Dr Farry: Each further education college, in its capacity as an employing authority, is responsible for all

employment-related matters. Consequently, my Department does not hold the information requested by

the Member. I have, therefore, referred this query to the North West Regional College Director, who will

respond to the Member directly.

Teacher Education Infrastructure

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the outcome of the

procurement exercise on the first part of the two-stage study of the teacher education infrastructure.

(AQW 9115/11-15)

Dr Farry: The procurement exercise for first part of the two-stage study of the teacher education

infrastructure is still ongoing and no outcome can be reported at this time.

WA 446

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Local Businesses in Town Centres

Ms Lo asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what her Department is doing to prevent

the decline in the use of high streets by retail outlets; and what initiatives are in place to ensure

support for local businesses in town centres.

(AQW 6709/11-15)

Mrs Foster (The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment): Invest NI has taken a number

proactive steps to help Northern Ireland’s businesses cope with the impact of the new economic

uncertainty. Measures such as the new Growth Loan Fund, the Jobs Fund and the Boosting Business

initiative have all been implemented in direct response to the prevailing economic conditions and,

importantly, eligibility for them is not restricted solely to existing Invest NI clients.

A comprehensive guide to all of Invest NI’s financial and advisory support is available from the agency’s

website at www.investni.com. In addition, Invest NI’s nibusinessinfo.co.uk website offers easy to use,

comprehensive and up to date practical advice and guidance on all aspects of starting, running and

growing a business with access to over 70 business support tools, best practice case studies and

access to funding options as well as wider support.

In addition a number of other Departments, DSD, DFP and DOE have an involvement in this issue.

For example, the Department for Social Development has a number of initiatives that are used in

an attempt to prevent the overall decline in our towns and city centres, these are Comprehensive

Development Schemes, Public Realm Schemes and reStore.

DFP are responsible for the Small Business Rates Relief Scheme which currently provides help to up

to 16,000 small business premises. As the Member will be aware the Executive has agreed to expand

this Scheme, providing additional support of around £6 million to up to 8,300 business ratepayers in

2012/13.

DOE has responsibility for Policy Planning Statement (PPS) 5, “Retailing and Town Centres”. I understand

that the Environment Minister will soon be announcing his intention to give weight to draft PPS 5 “Town

Centres and Commercial Leisure Developments, a document which also favours the focus of retail

development in town centres.

Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Our Time, Our Place Showcase

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment why the Twelfth July, Scarva and the

centenary of the Ulster Covenant are excluded from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Our Time, Our

Place showcase; and what she intends to do to address this.

(AQW 7714/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Three Twelfth of July Flagship events for 2012 have been confirmed as Carrickfergus,

Ballynahinch and Enniskillen and are on the discovernorthernireland.com and the ni2012 portal.

Further details about the full range of activities taking place as part of the Flagships will be posted

nearer the event once information becomes available.

Belfast Orangefest have already uploaded basic information on their event via Belfast Visitor and

Convention Bureau to discovernorthernireland.com and details are also on the ni2012.com portal.

The Royal Black Institution will not have the information on the Scarva Sham Fight until end of March

2012 and when received this will be uploaded by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB). NITB will

also publicise relevant details on the centenary of the Ulster Covenant when available.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 447

Tender Processes

Mr Lunn asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, in light of recent issues highlighting

the failure of some civil servants to meet their own tendering guidelines, to detail her Department’s

tender processes.

(AQW 8002/11-15)

Mrs Foster: DETI carries out its procurement activities through a Service Level Agreement with Central

Procurement Directorate (CPD), which is a Centre of Procurement Expertise. CPD disseminates advice

and guidance on public procurement policies including tendering guidelines through Procurement Policy

Guidance Notes. These can be found on the CPD website at

http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/index/procurement-2/cpd/cpd_publications/content_-_cpd_-_policy_-_

procurement_guidance_notes.htm .

International Airline Carriers

Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) what measures she has, or

intends, to put in place to support efforts to attract new international airline carriers; (ii) what formal

co-operation she has established with the industry; and (iii) whether there is specialised team in place

to address this matter.

(AQW 8038/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Convenient, competitive and direct access is essential to the development of tourism to

Northern Ireland. Tourism Ireland plays a lead role in investing in co-operative marketing with airlines,

airports and other tourism interests to drive demand for air services from key overseas markets

to Northern Ireland and to help maintain our vital network of routes. Tourism Ireland is therefore in

dialogue with Northern Ireland airports on an ongoing basis in relation to any opportunities for new,

extended or re-instated services. In addition, my Department has appointed Avia Solutions, by open

competition, to provide specialist aviation advice and assistance as required.

To maximise the opportunities presented by 2012, my Department has provided Tourism Ireland with

funding to deliver an access development fund to increase direct air services to Northern Ireland and

to drive increased visitor numbers in the short term on existing services (this initiative also extends to

ferry services). This increased co-operative activity with air (and sea) carriers will add to the extensive

programme of activity planned by Tourism Ireland both in the immediate term and throughout 2012.

Agri-Food Sector

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail, for each of the last ten

years, (i) the number of people employed in the agri-food sector; (ii) the number of businesses active in

the agri-food sector; and (iii) the level of grants that has been provided to businesses in the agri-food

sector.

(AQW 8183/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Agri-food sector includes Agriculture as well as Food and Drink processing and the

information provided below reflects this. In addition you should note that the figures in this response,

on the food processing component of the agri-food sector, relate only to businesses where the products

are destined for human consumption – and so therefore exclude activities such as the production of

animal feeds and pet food.

Part (i) Data on the number of employee jobs in the Food and Drink Processing subsector can be

obtained from the biennial Census of Employment. You should note that these figures may differ from

the number of people employed in the subsector, as one person may have more than one job. The

latest available data is for September 2009.

WA 448

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

TABLE 1: NUMBER OF EMPLOYEE JOBS IN THE FOOD AND DRINK PROCESSING COMPONENT OF

THE AGRI-FOOD SECTOR, SEPTEMBER 2001 TO SEPTEMBER 2009

Year 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

Number of Employee Jobs 17,256 17,342 17,330 17,293 17,538

Source: Census of Employment, NISRA

Information on the number of people working on farms is collected by DARD and is outlined in Table 2

below. The workforce includes full time, part time, casuals, spouses and employees as well as farmers

and family workers. However, it does not include persons working on a contractual basis.

TABLE 2: NUMBER OF PERSONS WORKING ON FARMS

Year Workforce Year Workforce

2001 56,362 2007 48,974

2002 54,273 2008 48,964

2003 54,486 2009 48,031

2004 53,332 2010 46,948

2005 51,073 2011 46,848

2006 49,952

Source: June Agricultural and Horticultural survey, DARD

Part (ii) Data on the number of businesses active in the Food and Drink Processing subsector can be

obtained from the Office for National Statistics’ Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR), from

which Northern Ireland holds data back to 2003.

TABLE 3: NUMBER OF BUSINESSES ACTIVE IN THE FOOD AND DRINK PROCESSING COMPONENT OF

THE AGRI-FOOD SECTOR, SEPTEMBER 2003 TO SEPTEMBER 2011

Year Number of Businesses

2003 445

2004 435

2005 415

2006 410

2007 400

2008 385

2009 370

2010 385

2011 380

Source: Inter-Departmental Business Register, ONS

Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 5

Information on the number of farm businesses is collected by DARD and is shown in the table below.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 449

TABLE 4: NUMBER OF FARMS 2001-2011

Year Businesses Year Businesses

2001 29,818 2007 26,146

2002 28,513 2008 25,952

2003 28,281 2009 25,264

2004 27,600 2010 24,471

2005 27,064 2011 24,436

2006 26,739

Source: June Agricultural and Horticultural survey, DARD

Part (iii) Financial assistance, offered by Invest NI, to support projects in the food processing

component of the agri-food sector is detailed below, along with the number of jobs each project was

expected to create or safeguard. Invest NI was formed on 1st April 2002 and therefore information on

the level of grants provided by Invest NI is only available from this point onwards.

TABLE 5: INVEST NI OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE TO AGRI-FOOD SECTOR

Financial Year

Total Assistance

(£ million) New jobs Safe Jobs

2002-03 5.18 132 295

2003-04 4.96 554

2004-05 11.99 81 704

2005-06 9.82 354 326

2006-07 4.89 353 131

2007-08 5.34 293 113

2008-09 6.52 370 120

2009-10 11.22 394 381

2010-11 7.85 284 1,214

Grand Total 67.77 2,260 3,838

Source: Invest NI

In addition DARD also provides a range of grants to agriculture and food, which are detailed in Table 6

below.

TABLE 6: DARD CAPITAL GRANTS PAYABLE TO AGRICULTURE AND FOOD (CALENDAR YEARS)

Capital Grants

(£ million) 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Farm and

Conservation

Grant Scheme 0.30 0.15 - - - - - - - -

Environmentally

Sensitive Areas - - - - - 0.30 0.37 0.21 0.01 -

WA 450

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Capital Grants

(£ million) 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Investment

in agricultural

holdings - - 0.31 1.30 2.73 0.13 - - - -

Organic Farming

(Conversion of

Animal Housing)

Scheme - - - 0.76 0.81 0.39 - - - -

Farm Nutrient

Management

Scheme - - - 0.37 12.17 16.66 92.46 - - -

Countryside

Management

Scheme - - - - - 0.56 0.78 0.44 0.02 -

Farm

Modernisation

Scheme - - - - - - - 2.18 2.09 5.82

Process and

Marketing

Grants Scheme 4.80 2.30 7.40 5.50 7.30 - 2.70 2.80 2.90 3.10

Total capital

grants 5.10 2.45 7.71 7.93 23.01 18.04 96.30 5.63 5.03 8.92

Source: DARD

Notes:

1 These data relate to monies due rather than monies actually received (ie. they are on an accruals basis).

2 Dashes indicate nil or payments of less than £50,000

Single Electricity Market

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of whether

the fact that being part of a single electricity market on the island of Ireland and that the policy for

renewable electricity is set by the British Government is counterproductive; and what action her

Department intends to take to address this situation.

(AQW 8186/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The principles under which the Single Electricity Market (SEM) was established in 2007

were to provide for a competitive, sustainable and reliable market in electricity in both Northern Ireland

and the Republic of Ireland at the minimum cost necessary and to operate in the context of the EU

internal energy market.

Renewable electricity policy is devolved to Northern Ireland and is not set by the United Kingdom

Government. However, as part of the United Kingdom, electricity consumers in Northern Ireland

benefit from having the costs of renewable electricity incentivisation spread across all United Kingdom

consumers. Such benefits would not be possible in the smaller all-island market. Keeping the cost

to consumers as low as possible is helped by close alignment to wider United Kingdom renewable

electricity policy.

Northern Ireland contributes to the wider United Kingdom targets imposed by the European

Commission on Member States to increase renewable energy demand by 2020. As a separate Member

State, the Republic of Ireland has its own target and renewable electricity incentivisation policy.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 451

The Department is working with the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland Governments to establish

an EU-wide Internal Market in electricity by 2014 with the common aim of providing for the safe, secure,

sustainable and affordable flow of electricity across borders and to ensure the best possible outcome

for Northern Ireland consumers.

NI 2012 Our Time Our Place

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (i) the total amount

committed in the (a) 2010/11; and (ii) 2011/12 budget periods to advertise ‘ni 2012 Our Time Our

Place’; and (ii) the amount of money provided to each organisation which featured in the advertisement.

(AQW 8192/11-15)

Mrs Foster: In order to promote the significant number of events in 2012 Northern Ireland Tourist

Board, which has responsibility for marketing Northern Ireland in the domestic market and the Republic

of Ireland, has committed to investing over £1.6million to date, in the 2011/12 financial period. No

investment was made in the 2010/11 financial period to promote ni2012. A donation of £500 location

usage rights was paid to one organisation featured in the advertisement.

Tourism Ireland, which markets Northern Ireland worldwide, has committed £4.7million for marketing

ni2012. The majority of the money will be spent in the Great Britain market, which is our most

important market. £1million of this investment has been invested in co-operative marketing campaigns

with air and sea carriers.

Department Spend on Conferences, Away-days and Team Building Exercises

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how much her Department has spent

on conferences, away-days and team building exercises in each of the last three years.

(AQW 8205/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Please see table below:

Division Amount Financial Year

*Conferences

2008/2009Away Days

Team Building £ 67.00

*Conferences

2009/2010Away Days £ 397.00

Team Building £ 79.00

*Conferences £ 2710.00

2010/2011Away Days £ 1706.00

Team Building £ 42.00

Increases in Energy Prices

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, in light of recent increases in

energy prices and the publication of the Consumer Council’s analysis of the McIldoon report, how she,

and the Utility Regulator, will ensure that the current market structures provide an equitable distribution

of risk between energy consumers and industry shareholders.

(AQW 8207/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The energy industry in Northern Ireland is fully privatised and consists of both equity and

mutualised energy companies. I am confident that the Energy (NI) Order 2003, the Electricity (Single

WA 452

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Wholesale Market) (NI) Order 2007, the Electricity (NI) Order 1992, and the Gas (NI) Order 1996 have

established an effective framework for regulating the electricity and natural gas sectors, and that the

Utility Regulator, in liaison with my Department, is working to deliver effective market conditions which

include the protection of electricity and natural gas consumers with regard to price and quality of service.

The McIldoon Report focused on electricity price increases in 2008. These price increases were largely

driven by rises in international gas prices. Fuel prices for power stations can increase and this is a

real and unavoidable risk. Consumers of energy either take this risk or pay someone else to take it for

them. Energy market structures all over the world cannot prevent a rise in fuel prices. They can only

ensure that no more than the actual price rise is faced by consumers. This is achieved in the Single

Electricity Market because generators are only allowed to bid their actual fuel costs and the market is

regulated accordingly.

Increases in Energy Prices

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, in light of recent increases in

energy prices and the publication of the Consumer Council’s analysis of the McIldoon report, how

she, and the Utility Regulator, will ensure that electricity generators are not overpaid within the Single

Electricity Market and that all possible pressure is placed on them to ensure that electricity is produced

at the lowest possible cost for consumers.

(AQW 8211/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Single Electricity Market (SEM) is based on a ‘Gross Mandatory Pool’, which means

that all generators above 10MW must sell their electricity through this pool and all suppliers are

required to buy from it. The system is objective and transparent and is widely accepted by economists

and energy experts worldwide to be an efficient means of setting the market price i.e. it provides the

best price to the consumer. This is supported by the fact that SEM prices are closely correlated to fuel

(mainly gas) prices. The SEM is also significantly regulated to prevent any abuse of market power by a

dominant participant.

Increases in Energy Prices

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, in light of recent increases in

energy prices and the publication of the Consumer Council’s recent analysis of the McIldoon report,

how she, and the Utility Regulator, will ensure that the level of investment risk within the regulated

energy markets is correct, and that consumers are not paying towards higher than necessary capital

costs for energy infrastructure projects.

(AQW 8212/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Energy (NI) Order 2003, the Electricity (Single Wholesale Market) (NI) Order 2007, the

Electricity (NI) Order 1992, and the Gas (NI) Order 1996 establish the regulatory framework in respect

of the electricity and natural gas industries in Northern Ireland. In line with these arrangements, the

Utility Regulator has an important role in undertaking regular Price Controls of the regulated utilities

who own and operate energy networks. As part of the Price Control process, the Utility Regulator carries

out a rigorous scrutiny of an energy company’s proposed expenditure over an identified period in order

to determine the future level of revenue and associated incentives for that company. Price Controls

must balance the need to ensure that energy companies can continue to fund their operations and

have sufficient resources to ensure security of energy supply and deliver necessary investment, along

with the need to ensure that these companies can provide a high standard of service to consumers at

a fair price. The Price Control process ensures that only efficient costs are passed onto consumers.

My Department has no direct role in the Price Control process but continues to co-operate with the

Utility Regulator and respective energy companies to ensure that market arrangements are in place

which should act to put downward pressure on energy costs while protecting consumers with regard to

price and quality of service.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 453

Digital Hub in Belfast

Mr Humphrey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether the siting of a digital hub

in Belfast is a priority for her Department.

(AQW 8214/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Creative Industries are identified as a priority sector in helping to rebuild and

rebalance the Northern Ireland economy. My Department and Invest NI will continue to work closely

with a range of stakeholders both in Belfast, and across Northern Ireland in general, to support the

development and growth of the Creative Industries.

It is my understanding that Belfast City Council is currently considering a study to assess the feasibility

of creating a Digital Hub in Belfast. If the study is positive and if there is a clear alignment to Invest

NI’s priorities, Belfast City Council will consider making an application for funding under the Local

Economic Development (LED) Measure to support the sector’s growth in Belfast.

Economic Activity Rate

Mr Lunn asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if she will make a statement on the

monthly trend in the economic activity rate since June 2009.

(AQW 8224/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Trend statistics for the Northern Ireland economic activity rate since April – June 2009 are

presented in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1: ECONOMIC ACTIVITY RATE FROM 2009 – 2011

NI UK

Quarter 16+ 16-64 16+ 16-64

Apr-Jun 2009 57.9 68.6 63.4 76.9

Jul-Sep 2009 58.6 69.4 63.3 76.7

Oct-Dec 2009 58.9 69.8 63.2 76.6

Jan-Mar 2010 59.7 70.8 63.1 76.5

Apr-Jun 2010 59.8 71.2 63.2 76.6

Jul-Sep 2010 59.9 71.2 63.4 76.8

Oct-Dec 2010 60.1 71.7 63.3 76.6

Jan-Mar 2011 60.4 72.2 63.3 76.8

Apr-Jun 2011 61.7 73.4 63.3 76.8

Jul-Sep 2011 61.2 72.9 63.1 76.7

Oct-Dec 2011 61.1 72.8 63.2 76.9

Source: Labour Force Survey, DFP

Each and every month the latest figures on economic activity are published within a Labour Market

Report produced by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. The latest report can be

accessed at http://www.detini.gov.uk/lmr_february_2012.pdf. In addition, each month, I comment

on the latest labour market figures via a Press Statement which includes details of Northern Ireland’s

economic inactivity. Furthermore my Department produces an Economic Commentary three times a

year which assesses the most recent trends in the Northern Ireland economy. The November 2011

edition of this commentary provided an assessment of the trend in economic inactivity during the

economic downturn.

WA 454

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Tamboran Resources

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what further consideration has been

given to the suggestion that Tamboran Resources should provide a bond to insure against liability and

potential indemnities arising from adverse environmental and health impacts as a result of hydraulic

fracturing; and to detail the financial protection that such a bond would afford.

(AQW 8247/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Officials in my Department have been liaising with their counterparts in the Department of

Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in order to understand the requirements for insurance and bonds

that exist in mature producing hydrocarbons provinces such as the North Sea and onshore Great

Britain. My Department will then discuss the options with the regulatory authorities responsible for

environmental protection and planning in Northern Ireland. It should be noted that DECC is responsible

for environmental and decommissioning issues offshore UK whereas those responsibilities fall to the

Environment Agency and Local Planning Authorities for onshore hydrocarbons in Great Britain.

Petroleum Licences for Hydraulic Fracturing

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to AQW 7217/11-15,

(i) whether the granting of petroleum licences for hydraulic fracturing operations was not subject to

a strategic environmental assessment because the petroleum licensing onshore Northern Ireland is

defined as a plan or programme for energy, and was adopted before 21 July 2004 in accordance with

the Petroleum (Production) Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 and the Petroleum Production Regulations

(Northern Ireland) 1987; and (ii) to confirm whether the Notice (2010/C169/4), published by the

Department in the Official Journal of the European Union, announcing the availability of all of onshore

Northern Ireland for Petroleum Licence applications and inviting applications by 27 August 2011, was a

plan or programme for energy as defined by the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes

Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2004.

(AQW 8255/11-15)

Mrs Foster: My Department considers that the policy decision to establish a petroleum licensing

regime, by means of the Petroleum (Production) Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 and the Petroleum

Production Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987, whereby all of onshore Northern Ireland was made

available for licensing, constituted a plan or programme for energy adopted before 21 July 2004.

My Department considers that the decision to publish a Notice (2010/C169/4) in the Official Journal

of the European Union, announcing the availability of all of onshore Northern Ireland for Petroleum

Licence applications and inviting applications by 27 August 2011, was not a plan or programme for

energy as defined by the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (Northern

Ireland) 2004. This Notice was published in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Hydrocarbons

Licensing Directive Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 which were a legal prerequisite to ensure that

the petroleum licensing regime in Northern Ireland complied with the requirements of Directive 94/22/

EC. As such, DETI concluded that this did not constitute a plan or programme separate from that of the

original decision to make all of onshore Northern Ireland available for petroleum licensing described in

i) above.

No petroleum licences have been granted for hydraulic fracturing operations. Hydraulic fracturing is

a technical process designed to enhance the production of hydrocarbons from a well and, as such,

requires approvals separate from the granting of a petroleum licence before it can be undertaken.

Tourist Board Certified Hotels that Provide Wi-Fi Access

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to list the Tourist Board certified

hotels that provide wi-fi access.

(AQW 8269/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has certified 135 hotels, of these 47 have advised

they provide Wi-Fi access. The names are:

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 455

■ Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast

■ Downshire Arms Hotel, Banbridge

■ Mahons Hotel, Irvinestown

■ Killyhevlin Hotel & Health Club, Enniskillen

■ Royal Court Hotel, Portrush

■ Bushmills Inn Hotel, Bushmills

■ Ballygally Castle Hotel, Ballygally

■ Stormont Hotel, Belfast

■ Seagoe Hotel, Portadown

■ Beechlawn House Hotel, Dunmurry, Belfast

■ Manor House Country Hotel, Killadeas,

Enniskillen

■ Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena

■ Europa Hotel, Belfast

■ Ashburn Hotel, Lurgan

■ La Mon Hotel & Country Club, Comber

■ Lodge Hotel, Coleraine

■ Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, Newcastle

■ Everglades Hotel, Londonderry

■ Dobbins Inn Hotel, Carrickfergus

■ Burrendale Hotel, Country Club and Spa,

Newcastle

■ Bushtown Hotel, Coleraine

■ Best Western Magherabuoy House Hotel,

Portrush

■ The Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown

■ Templeton Hotel, Templepatrick

■ Travelodge Belfast Central, Belfast

■ Malone Lodge Hotel, Belfast

■ Tullylagan Country House, Cookstown

■ Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, Bangor

■ Clarion Hotel, Carrickfergus

■ Jurys Inn Belfast, Belfast

■ Westville Hotel, Enniskillen

■ Canal Court Hotel, Newry

■ Ballymac Hotel, Lisburn

■ Hilton Templepatrick, Templepatrick

■ Hilton Belfast, Belfast

■ Benedicts of Belfast, Belfast

■ Holiday Inn Belfast, Belfast

■ Ramada Da Vinci’s Hotel, Londonderry

■ Ramada Portrush, Portrush

■ Days Hotel Belfast City Centre, Belfast

■ Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast, Belfast

■ Malmaison, Belfast

■ Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim

■ The Merchant Hotel, Belfast

■ Lough Erne Resort, Enniskillen

■ Park Inn Hotel Belfast, Belfast

■ IBIS Belfast Queens Quarter, Belfast

Restaurants and Cafes that Provide Wi-Fi Access

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to list the restaurants and cafes that

provide wi-fi access.

(AQW 8270/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Comprehensive information on restaurants and cafes that provide Wi-Fi access is not

collected or held by the Department.

Increases in Energy Prices

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, in light of recent increases in

energy prices and the publication of the Consumer Council’s recent analysis of the McIldoon report,

how she, and the Utility Regulator, will ensure that all possible policy and regulatory instruments are

used to tackle the growing levels of fuel poverty.

(AQW 8276/11-15)

Mrs Foster: DETI and the Utility Regulator are committed to working alongside others in seeking to

tackle the current levels fuel poverty. Both parties are represented on the newly formed Joint Forum on

WA 456

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Fuel Poverty, which also includes the Consumer Council, and is chaired by Social Development Minister,

Nelson McCausland.

Tourists from the Asian Market

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment when she was first made aware that

many tourists from the Asian market require a seperate Visa to cross the border.

(AQW 8292/11-15)

Mrs Foster: I am aware that as a different jurisdiction, the Republic of Ireland operates a separate visa

regime from that administered by the United Kingdom. Therefore visitors, such as those from Asia,

require a United Kingdom visa to visit Northern Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland has introduced a Visa Waiver Scheme for nationals of 16 countries who hold a

valid visa for entry into the United Kingdom.

I understand there are security and resource implications which currently prevent the introduction of

a reciprocal scheme for those entering Northern Ireland with a valid Irish visa, including visitors from

Asia. I have raised this issue with the Northern Ireland Office and will continue to raise the issue with

both Governments.

Visa Waiver Scheme

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether she has discussed with

the Secretary of State the possibility of introducing a Visa Waiver Scheme to increase the number of

tourists visiting the rest of the island of Ireland to come north.

(AQW 8293/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Republic of Ireland currently operates a Visa Waiver Scheme for nationals of 16 countries

who hold a valid visa for entry into the United Kingdom. I have discussed the possibility of reciprocal

scheme in respect of Northern Ireland with Hugo Swire MP, Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office.

I understand there are security and resource implications which currently prevent the introduction of a

reciprocal scheme for those entering Northern Ireland with a valid Irish visa. I will continue to raise this

issue with both Governments.

Proposed North-South Electricity Interconnector

Mr Dunne asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether she has received

representations from the Utility Regulator regarding the proposed North-South electricity interconnector;

and whether the Regulator is supportive of the project.

(AQW 8328/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Utility Regulator advocated the need for extra interconnection as part of the

Department’s work to develop an All Island Energy Market Framework in 2004. Since then, the

Regulator has continued to support the need for the interconnector. The Regulator has also briefed

the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for Enterprise Trade and Investment on the need for the

interconnector to reduce the cost of system constraints within the Single Electricity Market.

Proposed North-South Electricity Interconnector

Mr Dunne asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of the importance

of planning permission being granted in this calendar year for the proposed North-South electricity

interconnector.

(AQW 8329/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Planning Appeals Commission will start its public inquiry into NIE’s application for a

new North South Inter-connector on 6 March 2012. This will allow full consideration of the merits of,

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 457

and objections to, the line. It is important to bring certainty to the market on this important issue as

soon as possible so I hope the inquiry can be completed and a decision reached before the end of 2012.

Legislative Framework for Geothermal Energy

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether her Department plans to

bring forward a legislative framework for geothermal energy in the next three years.

(AQW 8356/11-15)

Mrs Foster: My Department recognises the need for a legislative framework for geothermal energy in

Northern Ireland. Although no decision has yet been taken on the timescale for the preparation of such

legislation, officials are monitoring the progress being made towards such a framework in the UK and

will consider how applicable this would be to Northern Ireland.

€500 million PROGRESS Micro-Finance Scheme

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how much funding has been drawn

down from the €500 million PROGRESS micro-finance scheme; and what steps her Department has

taken to increase drawdown.

(AQW 8428/11-15)

Mrs Foster: To date, no amounts have been drawn down from the PROGRESS micro-finance scheme by

any intermediary within the UK.

The cap rate of 20% is a major disadvantage of this scheme and operates in a similar way to the

relatively unused Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme in Northern Ireland. Invest NI estimates that

this would only provide a maximum guarantee of £180k in respect of its proposed £5 million Small,

Micro, Medium Enterprises (SMME) Loan Fund.

The proposed SMME Loan Fund is Invest NI’s direct response to the financing difficulties faced by micro

enterprises and is expected to be operational by July 2012. It will provide unsecured loans of between

£1k and £50k to start-up and growth potential individuals or companies and social enterprises in the

SME and micro enterprise size range.

An economic appraisal was carried out by independent consultants on behalf of Invest NI that clearly

identified market failure in the provision of debt finance to small, micro and medium enterprises. Whilst

due consideration was given to the European PROGRESS micro-finance facility during the establishment

of the proposed Invest NI £5 million SMME Loan Fund, a detailed review of the terms and conditions

pertaining to the PROGRESS facility concluded that the disadvantages together with the additional cost

of the resulting reporting burden and the timeframe to establish Invest NI as an approved intermediary,

meant that the SMME Loan Fund initiative was approved without PROGRESS.

Invest NI remains open to considering PROGRESS at some future date, and indeed, its tender papers

for fund management services for the proposed £5 million SMME Loan Fund will seek evidence of

experience of PROGRESS (or its predecessor guarantee).

VAT Registered Businesses in the North Antrim Constituency

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how she plans to increase the

number of VAT registered businesses in the North Antrim constituency.

(AQW 8464/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Invest NI works actively with businesses in the North Antrim area, both VAT and non VAT

registered, to encourage and stimulate sales growth which, in due course, would in the majority of

cases lead to VAT registration.

New start and existing businesses can avail of a range of support both financial and advisory. Invest NI

recently launched its Boosting Business initiative, promoting its range of support under the five themes

of Jobs, R & D, Exports, Technology and Skills. Its Jobs Fund is being actively promoted to businesses

WA 458

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

which lack the working capital needed to increase employment levels to take advantage of growth

opportunities.

Invest NI also has a dedicated Global Starts team whose role it is to identify early stage companies

with high growth potential and provide specific, tailored support to help accelerate the growth of these,

usually technology-based, companies in export markets. Services offered by the Global Starts team are

available to clients in the North Antrim area.

Invest NI’s North Eastern Regional Office is also working closely with Councils in the North Antrim

area to develop a range of new programmes targeted at small and locally focused businesses. These

programmes are submitted for funding under the Local Economic Development (LED) measure of the

Sustainable Competitiveness Programme. Invest NI is also working with Councils in the area to map

key drivers of economic development and to develop, in partnership, new products/services that can

impact on wider economic development in areas such as North Antrim.

As a result of such engagement, Invest NI has developed, in partnership with other stakeholder, an

initiative aimed at small independent retailers which has been piloted successfully in several Council

areas including Ballymena.

The North Eastern Office continues to work closely with other stakeholder organisations in the North

Antrim area, including in particular Local Enterprise Agencies, to support the growth of small and micro

businesses.

Northern Workforce Development Forum

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, given that figures in the latest Labour

Market Profile show that 14.3 percent of people who work in the Northern Workforce Development

Forum do so in Ballymena, what plans she has to encourage and rejuvenate trade in the town.

(AQW 8465/11-15)

Mrs Foster: With regards to Trade, my Department’s primary aim is to encourage companies, including

those located in the Ballymena area, to sell their products and services in international markets.

Northern Ireland’s domestic market is too small to drive the private sector growth required to make a

step-change in our economy. Sustained growth can only be achieved by helping our business base to

develop the products and services to enter and exploit export markets for the first time and then by

supporting them to identify market opportunities, undertake market visits and enter and succeed in

additional growth markets.

Too many of our existing exporters have historically relied on the ROI or GB markets from which to

generate external sales, however, continued economic uncertainty in these markets will mean our

exporters will need to broaden their horizons. A significant amount of future global growth will continue

to come from emerging markets and we will support ambitious companies to explore and exploit

opportunities in these markets. A key focus will remain on the BRIC countries of Brazil, Russia, India

and China and we will continue to monitor and strategically target opportunities which emerge from the

CIVETS grouping (Columbia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa) as well as the cash-rich

countries of the Middle East.

During the last three years, (1st April 2009 to 28th February 2012) companies in the Ballymena

District Council area have participated in the following Invest NI trade activities:

■ 154 participations in trade missions, exhibitions and export seminars targeted on overseas

markets;

■ 19 participations in export and trade focused workshops;

■ 49 interventions relating to marketing support from trade advisers in key overseas markets;

■ 37 interventions relating to specific consultancy projects to strengthen trade and export

capabilities; and,

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 459

■ In November 2011, 24 companies attended the Focus on Finance Workshop held in Ballymena.

11 of these companies are availing of the one to one financial appraisal support available after

participation on the workshop.

I am also acutely aware of the trading difficulties being faced by those locally-focused businesses,

particularly those operating within the retail sector, located throughout Northern Ireland. My

Department recognises that retail spending is a significant contributor to the economic well being of

Northern Ireland. Independent retailers, such as those located in Ballymena town centre, are under

increasing pressure as a result of the recession, rising costs, the impact of online shopping and the

dominance of the multiples.

In recognition of these pressures and the fact that expenditure in national multiples and online

represents a leakage from the Northern Ireland economy, Invest NI has engaged with other

stakeholders to help develop a framework for a retail initiative. This focuses on four key elements:

trends in retail, the impact of technology, the importance of the retail environment and the in-store

experience. This initiative has been delivered in two Council areas (including Ballymena) on a pilot

basis, in partnership with the University of Ulster, Business in the Community and the South Eastern

Regional College.

Finally, you will be aware that lead responsibility for urban regeneration resides with the Department

for Social Development. In relation to encouraging and rejuvenating trade in Ballymena town centre,

my colleague the Minister for Social Development has been pushing forward with the implementation

of the measures outlined in the Ballymena masterplan. In the coming year, his Department will

fund a revitalisation project aimed at boosting trading conditions in the Church Street area of the

town centre. DSD also plans to implement a significant public realm scheme in the town centre in

2013/2014, subject to the necessary funding being available and promote a development scheme

on a large derelict site on Bridge Street. Invest NI is also working closely with Ballymena Town

Centre Development Company Limited in the implementation of its recently launched strategy for the

development of the town centre.

Proposed North-South Electricity Interconnector

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) what representations she has

received from the Renewables Industry regarding the proposed North-South electricity interconnector;

(ii) for her assessment of the benefits of the interconnector in generating investment and employment

in the renewables industry sector; (iii) whether the interconnector will help meet the 2020 climate

change target of producing 40 percent of electricity from renewable energy sources.

(AQW 8467/11-15)

Mrs Foster: I have not received any representations from the Renewables Industry specifically regarding

the North-South interconnector. In its 2011 Report “Inquiry into Barriers to the Development of Renewable

Energy Production and its Associated Contribution to the Northern Ireland Economy” the Committee for

Enterprise Trade and Investment concluded that the interconnector was a vitally important element of

infrastructure both from an energy and economic perspective. I agree with that finding.

The extra transmission capacity of the proposed Interconnector is important for large scale development

of renewable power, allowing the transmission grid and Single Electricity Market to work more efficiently.

In order to meet the 2020 target it is vital that the Interconnector proceeds at the earliest opportunity.

Petroleum Licensing

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether the current regulations,

governing petroleum licensing, would permit gas companies to hydraulically fracture shale rock, with the

use of chemicals underneath land, without the express permission of the landowner, and without any

requirement to compensate the landowner.

(AQW 8469/11-15)

WA 460

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Mrs Foster: The Petroleum (Production) Act (NI) 1964 and the subordinate legislation made under

that Act vests undeveloped petroleum in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. It also

authorises the Department to grant licences to search and bore for and get petroleum.

Any licence granted under the Act may expressly specify conditions with respect to damage or injury

resulting from or arising out of the exercise of any right authorised by the licence or the ancillary right.

Section 4 of the Act makes provision for compensation in relation to the petroleum vested in the

Department under the 1964 Act.

Petroleum Licences for Hydraulic Fracturing

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to AQW 7217/11-15,

whether she intends to undertake a strategic environmental assessment for the current or next round

of onshore oil and gas licensing.

(AQW 8470/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Applications for petroleum licences in Northern Ireland may be made at any time and are

not subject to licensing rounds (in accordance with “the open door procedure” described in Article 3

(3) of the Hydrocarbons Directive 94/22/EC). The establishment of an initial window for applications

to be submitted by 27 August 2011 in Notice (2010/C169/4), published by the Department in the

Official Journal of the European Union, was solely for the purpose of ensuring that initial applications

for petroleum licences were treated in a non-discriminatory manner, following the introduction of The

Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and The Petroleum Production

(Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.

Regulation 11 of The Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 amended

section 1 of the Petroleum Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 to include the strata beneath the internal

waters adjacent to Northern Ireland. A strategic environmental assessment will be carried out before

the internal waters are made available for petroleum licensing because the policy decision to vest

the property in petroleum in DETI, to enable the Department to grant petroleum licences in these

waters, would be considered a separate plan or programme for energy as defined by the Environmental

Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004. The internal waters of

Northern Ireland have not previously been available for petroleum licensing under either the Northern

Ireland or UK offshore licensing regime.

Petroleum Production (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment why the amendment to the

Petroleum (Production) Act 1987, made in Regulation 2 (6) (i) of the Petroleum Production (Amendment)

Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, was deemed necessary; and whether any representatives from

oil or gas companies made any representations to, or had any correspondence with, her Department

regarding the Petroleum Production (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, or the

Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 during the last five years, and to

provide further details.

(AQW 8471/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Regulation 2 (6) (i) of the Petroleum Production (Amendment) Regulations (Northern

Ireland) 2010 amends Clause 24 of Schedule 2 to the Petroleum Production Regulations (Northern

Ireland) 1987. Schedule 2 to the 1987 Regulations sets out the model clauses for petroleum licences

in Northern Ireland and Clause 24 relates to the confidentiality requirements of reports submitted to

the Department by the licensee.

The primary purpose of the Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

and the Petroleum Production (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 was to implement

the Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive in Northern Ireland. Appropriate amendments for the purposes

of the Directive were made to the Petroleum Production Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 but

other amendments were also made to bring arrangements in Northern Ireland more closely into line

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 461

with those in Great Britain. Clause 24 of the 1987 Regulations (reports to be treated as confidential)

was amended to align the provision with arrangements in Great Britain under regulation 27 of The

Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Seaward and Landward Areas) Regulations 2004.

The period provided for publication of data by the Department was reduced to 4 years from the date on

which data was due to be received by the Department rather than, as previously, 5 years from the date

on which data was received by the Department.

Due to late implementation of the Directive in Northern Ireland, existing licensees were informed either

that their licences would not be renewed if due to expire before the Regulations came into operation

or that they would be revoked by the Regulations. Representations were made to the Department,

and correspondence was received from, two of the existing licensees regarding the impact of the

Regulations on their licences.

Number of Overseas Visitors

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (i) the number of

overseas visitors; (ii) the number of overseas visitors to the island of Ireland; and (iii) the percentage of

overseas visitors to the island of Ireland who have visited here, in each of the last seven years.

(AQW 8501/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The estimated number of overseas visitors (including visitors from Great Britain) to

Northern Ireland, island of Ireland and the percentage of visitors to the island of Ireland who visited NI

in each of the last seven years are detailed below.

Overseas visitors to

Northern Ireland (000s)

Overseas visitors to the

island of Ireland (000s)

Percentage of overseas

visitors to the island

of Ireland who visited

Northern Ireland

2004 1,733 7,746 22%

2005 1,701 8,114 21%

2006 1,702 8,725 20%

2007 1,785 9,070 20%

2008 1,709 8,688 20%

2009 1,443 7,636 19%

2010

1,418 6,700 21%

Source: Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Tourism Ireland

1 Preliminary estimates. Preliminary estimates for 2011 are scheduled for publication in April 2012.

Price of Electricity and Gas

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what is the estimated addition to

the price of (i) electricity; and (ii) gas per kilowatt hour resulting from green taxes or policies.

(AQW 8513/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Responsibility for green policies is spread across a number of Departments given their

different remits. Green taxes are a reserved matter and therefore the impact is assessed at a UK level

by HMT. This answer is therefore limited to those policies impacting on DETI policy areas. Information is

only available as additional cost per bill.

Currently, the Northern Ireland Renewable Obligation is the main mechanism for incentivising renewable

electricity generation. It places an obligation of financing the policy on energy companies which is then

passed onto the consumer through energy bills and currently represents approximately £12 to £15 on

WA 462

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

an average annual domestic electricity bill. It does not impact on gas bills. Other policies such as the

Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (due to end in 2013) and the NFFO/ROF add a further

£11 to a bill.

Going forward, the Strategic Energy Framework estimates that the combined cost of renewable

electricity installations, together with the cost of the grid investment necessary to meet the 40%

target could be between £49 and £83 per household on an annual basis by 2020 at current prices. In

addition, proposals for Electricity Market Reform (EMR), including the Carbon Price Floor, will also bring

additional costs to consumers. The full impact of these policies is still being assessed.

Employment Opportunites

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, given that 41.6 percent of the

working age population have no qualifications, what plans her Department has to create employment

opportunites for this group; and how she will ensure that there is enough flexibility in the criteria for

jobs, so that this group is not automatically excluded.

(AQW 8519/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The draft Northern Ireland Economic Strategy sets out how the Executive plans to grow a

prosperous local economy by 2030. Higher levels of employment and prosperity, including within those

groups with lower skills levels, will be key to reducing poverty levels and the delivery of the objectives of

the Economic Strategy will be the Executive’s collective responsibility.

Recognising the importance of job creation in tackling poverty, my Department has, as part of the

Programme for Government and the NI Economic Strategy (NIES) committed to promote 25,000

new jobs by March 2015. The draft NIES identifies a range of commitments that aim to both rebuild

the local economy by addressing the long-standing structural weaknesses that have constrained

our economic growth, and rebalance the economy towards higher levels of private sector growth.

These actions, which cut across all Departments, are expected to deliver job creation and growing

employment levels in Northern Ireland.

As the recession has had a significant impact on the local labour market, the draft NIES also includes a

number of measures, across all Departments, which aim to rebuild the local labour market in the short

to medium term. These measures in particular, have the potential to greatly help the economically

inactive, those that have recently being made unemployed and help provide opportunities for those

employees with lower-skill sets. The rebuilding themes also recognise the important contribution the

Social Economy sector makes to the NI Economy. As part of its measures to promote employment and

strengthen employability, the Strategy seeks to promote the social economy and its contribution to

economic growth.

Specific actions falling under the rebuilding themes include:

■ Under Invest NI’s job fund, promote 6,300 jobs in export focussed sectors by March 2015, with

4,000 jobs to be created by March 2014;

■ Move 114,000 working age benefit clients into employment by March 2015 (DEL);

■ Stimulate 1,150 new employment opportunities in rural areas under the Rural Development Fund

by 2015 (DARD);

■ Implement a Childcare Strategy to support new measures to reduce barriers to employment

(OFMDFM);

■ Implement the Social Investment Fund to tackle poverty, unemployment and physical deterioration

in disadvantaged communities (OFMDFM);

■ Increase the number of working age customers in reception of work-focused benefits to support

them to move into work (DEL);

■ Provide an Employer subsidy for businesses to recruit individuals who have been unemployed or

economically inactive for a period of more than 13 weeks (DEL);

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 463

■ Maximise the social benefits of investment through the inclusion of social clauses in all public

procurement contracts for supplies, services and construction (DFP); and

■ Offer a period of supported self-employment for those interested in running their own business

(DEL).

Examples of specific rebalancing measures identified within the draft NIES, which will support those

who are economically inactive and help those with low skills to up-skill, include:

■ Incentivise employment of the long term unemployed through linking DEL’s Steps to Work

Programme to the Invest NI Jobs Fund;

■ Agree and introduce an Executive strategy for young people who are NEETs (Not in Employment,

Education or Training) by April 2012;

■ Develop Strategic Employment Strategies for Belfast and Londonderry aimed at increasing

employment and reducing economic inactivity;

■ Promote 6300 jobs in local companies; 5900 jobs in inward investors and 6500 in new business

starts by March 2015;

■ Deliver 210,000 qualifications at levels 2, 3, 4 and above by March 2015; and,

■ Develop a European Social Fund 2014-2020 programme aimed at enhancing employability and

increasing the overall employment rate, in particular for those groups at a disadvantage in the

labour market.

With regard to your second point, as I’m sure you can appreciate, it is for an individual business to

set the recruitment criteria for any vacant post that they may have. The criteria will be based on the

individual needs of that business to ensure it has the correct skills to help optimise its growth and

development. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for Government to try and influence this process in

any way. However, I can assure you that my Department and the Executive will continue to do what we

can to help businesses to create a wide variety of jobs across various skills levels and ensure that our

work force has the appropriate skills to find, secure and retain sustainable employment.

Postage and Printing Costs

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether her Department, and

its arm’s-length bodies, give elected representatives the choice of receiving reports and all other

correspondence by email to minimise postage and printing costs.

(AQW 8524/11-15)

Mrs Foster: With regard to reports, I refer the Member to the answer I gave in AQW 6082/09.

For correspondence my Department will provide electronic responses to correspondence from Members

of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) when requested by them to do so.

Communication in relation to Ministerial Statements is carried out in accordance with the requirements

of Assembly Standing Orders which require written copies of Oral Statements to be made available to

each MLA.

Sale of Home Heating Oil at Retail Pumps

Mr Swann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what regulations govern the sale of

home heating oil at retail pumps in petrol station forecourts.

(AQW 8542/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The regulations for controlling the sale of home heating oil through liquid fuel measuring

instruments on petrol station forecourts are the same as for petrol/diesel pumps.

The applicable legislation is:-

■ The Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act (NI) 2000

WA 464

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

■ The Weights and Measures (NI) Order 1981

■ The Measuring Instruments (Liquid Fuel and Lubricants) Regulation 2006

■ The Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel and Lubricants) Regulations 1998

■ The Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel and Lubricants) (Use for Trade) Regulations (Northern

Ireland) 2007

■ The Price Marking Order (Northern Ireland) 2004.

Costs of Decommissioning Wind Turbines

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether she has considered introducing

legislation to require companies to pay into a bond to guarantee that the costs of decommissioning

wind turbines will not be met by taxpayers or landowners, in the event of a company entering receivership.

(AQW 8556/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Planning permission requires that above ground structures are dismantled after 25 years

from grid connection or if generation has ceased for a period of 6 months (unless a further consent

has been granted). This is to ensure that the habitat is restored and the quality of the landscape

maintained. The operator of the wind farm, which may in some cases be the landowner, is responsible

for this. I understand that some operators do set aside funding for decommissioning purposes. This

does not involve the taxpayer and is not an issue on which I would legislate.

As regards offshore renewable energy developments, my Department will shortly be consulting on a

new Energy Bill. In order to meet international obligations with regard to safety and navigation and the

protection of the marine environment, this Bill will include provisions for a decommissioning regime

which would apply to the current Offshore Renewable Energy Leasing Round. This regime, which will

be consistent with that in place in GB waters, will ensure that the companies responsible for offshore

renewable energy projects are accountable for the costs of decommissioning at the end of the project’s

life or in the event of insolvency.

Climate Change Research

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to AQW 7750/11-15, and

given her confirmation that the production of carbon emissions from fracking will have to be assessed

in the context of the current and future energy supply mix, whether her Department intends to inform

companies engaged in gas extraction of the quotas on the amount of gas they are permitted to extract

before they initiate production, to ensure that their business cases remain viable.

(AQW 8558/11-15)

Mrs Foster: My Department has no current plans to set quotas on the amount of gas that companies

may extract in any future gas production projects. Please refer to the Answer to AQW 8559/11-15

for the context in which the greenhouse gas emissions associated with any future gas production in

Northern Ireland will be considered.

Climate Change Research

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to AQW 7750/11-15, for

his assessment of the percentage of shale gas reserves that should be exploited in Fermanagh to

allow Northern Ireland to remain within its carbon budget; and how his Department intends to measure

the carbon impact of shale gas extraction, given that the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

has confirmed that the production of carbon emissions from fracking will have to be assessed in the

context of the current and future energy supply mix.

(AQW 8559/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Northern Ireland does not have a separate carbon budget but is included within overall UK

carbon budgets. However, the Northern Ireland Executive is committed to playing its part in the transition

to a low carbon economy and the draft Programme for Government (2011-15) has set a non-statutory

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 465

target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 35% below 1990 levels by 2025. Consideration of the

carbon impact of any future production of shale gas will use the most appropriate methods available

when a development plan is submitted to the regulatory authorities, and verified using appropriate

monitoring systems should such a development receive approval to proceed.

Shale Gas Exploration in County Fermanagh

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether her Department has made

any assessment of how shale gas exploration could impact negatively on tourism.

(AQW 8565/11-15)

Mrs Foster: From previous experience, oil and gas exploration in Northern Ireland has had minimal or

no negative effect on tourism. However, any application to drill an exploration well for shale gas, with

associated hydraulic fracturing, would be subject to the full rigour of the Planning and Environmental

Impact Assessment processes within which the tourism implications would be fully addressed through

comprehensive consultation.

Proposed North-South Electricity Interconnector

Ms Lo asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of the impact that

the proposed North-South electricity interconnector may have on reducing the cost of electricity.

(AQW 8572/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Transmission capacity constraints are estimated to cost consumers in Northern Ireland

and the Republic of Ireland some £18 million to £25 million per annum. A second interconnector will

remove these costs and is expected to save Northern Ireland electricity consumers £7 million per annum.

Proposed North-South Electricity Interconnector

Ms Lo asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what discussions she has had with the

Consumer Council in relation to the proposed North-South electricity interconnector.

(AQW 8573/11-15)

Mrs Foster: I have not held discussions with the Consumer Council in relation to the proposed electricity

interconnector.

InvestNI Business Park, Melmount Road, Strabane

Ms Boyle asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an update on the development of

the InvestNI Business Park, Melmount Road, Strabane; and what work is being undertaken to attract

and secure prospective tenants to the Business Park.

(AQW 8576/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Invest NI has acquired 40 acres of land at Melmount Road for the purposes of developing

a new business park to support economic development in the Strabane area.

The contract for the development works was awarded in December 2011 and the first phase of

construction works is expected to complete during autumn this year.

Invest NI will actively market the business park to both foreign and indigenous investors. It is worth

noting that the agency is currently in receipt of a number of company interests in respect of serviced

sites within the park.

It is important to note, however, that the final decision on investment location rests solely with the investor.

Invest NI continues to engage proactively with Strabane Council in progressing this development.

WA 466

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

North Antrim Employment

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, given that North Antrim had the

fifth highest number of redundancies in the year ending 13 January 2012, what plans her Department

has to create employment in the area.

(AQW 8588/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Between 1st April 2008 and 31st January 2012 my Department in conjunction with

Invest NI has issued 522 offers of assistance to companies within the North Antrim Parliamentary

Constituency area (PCA), generating almost £82 million of investment and promoting 438 new jobs.

During this time some 476 new business starts were also assisted in the area.

As a direct response to the downturn, I also launched “The Jobs Fund” in April 2011 with a ring-fenced

budget of £19m to support business owners to create new, sustainable jobs that will tackle our current

levels of unemployment. To date, the uptake in North Antrim has been steady with 6 projects approved

that will create 19 new jobs in the area.

The Jobs Fund, through its Neighbourhood Renewal Area (NRA) Business Start grant, has also issued

offers of support to 3 individuals to start new businesses in North Antrim. In addition, a further 6 young

entrepreneurs aged 16-24 have been offered support through the NEET Business Start Grant (aimed at

young people Not in Employment, Education or Training).

At a local level Invest NI’s North Eastern Regional Office, based in Ballymena, is also working closely with

Councils in the North Antrim area to develop a range of new programmes targeted at locally focused

businesses that have not traditionally been able to avail of Invest NI support. These programmes

are submitted for funding under the Local Economic Development (LED) measure of the Sustainable

Competitiveness Programme and seek to improve the capacity and capability of local businesses to

grow and ultimately create new jobs.

Invest NI is also working with Councils in the North Antrim area to map key drivers of economic

development and to develop, in partnership, new products and services that can impact on wider

economic development and provide an environment where businesses can thrive and create new jobs.

As a result of this engagement, Invest NI has developed, in partnership with other stakeholders, an

initiative aimed at small independent retailers which has been piloted successfully in several Council

areas including Ballymena. This type of activity is helping to create an environment where businesses

are better placed to sustain existing jobs and create new jobs.

In September 2011, Invest NI in partnership with other stakeholder organisations in the North East,

delivered / facilitated over 20 events in the North East aimed at SMEs and related stakeholder

organisations. These events focused on the range of support available to SMEs in the region and were

open to businesses and potential entrepreneurs to stimulate the growth of small and micro businesses

and ultimately support new job creation in the area.

While Invest NI is not currently delivering a Business Start Programme, it has put in place appropriate

arrangements to respond to business start enquiries to ensure potential entrepreneurs can access

the relevant advice and support that they need. This activity is supporting the needs of potential

entrepreneurs as they move into self employment and create further jobs as their businesses grow.

As you can see from the above, my Department and Invest NI are continuing to seek to maximise

economic development opportunities in North Antrim and you can be assured that we will continue to

help companies in the area cope with the effects of the downturn and build towards future success.

Tendering Process for the Go For It Programme

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how the tendering process for the

Go For It programme was assessed; and who made the decision on the award of the tender.

(AQW 8624/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The award of the contract for the new Business Start Programme was a procurement

decision carried out in line with public procurement guidelines.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 467

Three tenders were received for the programme and these were assessed by a Tender Evaluation Panel

which was made up of Invest NI personnel with direct programme management experience. In line with

best practice in public procurement and to ensure fairness and transparency this tender panel was

facilitated by the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD).

Anaerobic Digesters and Wind Turbines

Mr Frew asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what funding or incentives her

Department has in place for anaerobic digesters and wind turbines.

(AQW 8629/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Anaerobic digesters and wind turbines are incentivised by the Northern Ireland Renewables

Obligation which provides a revenue stream for the renewable electricity generated in the form of

Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs). DETI does not offer grants towards the generation of

renewable electricity.

DETI recently consulted on proposals to provide financial support for a range of renewable heat

installations, including anaerobic digesters, as part of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Whilst it

is proposed that anaerobic digesters which receive ROCs for the generation of electricity will not be

eligible to receive the heat incentive, ‘heat only’ systems will, however, receive RHI payments.

Natural Gas

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many households have had

natural gas available to them, in each of the last five years, broken down by council area.

(AQW 8716/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The gas distribution companies, Phoenix Natural Gas (PNG) and firmus energy have

provided the following information for each of the last five years.

PNG - PROPERTIES PASSED (‘000S)

BY GAS PIPELINES IN THE GREATER GREAT BELFAST AND

LARNE LICENSED AREA

Licence District

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Carrickfergus 11.2 11.4 11.7 12.2 12.4

Carryduff and Castlereagh 19.2 19.7 20.2 20.8 21.5

Duncrue 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.8

East Belfast 39.5 40.1 40.5 40.9 41.5

Harbour 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.9

Larne 5.8 6.2 6.4 7.1 7.6

Lisburn 19.6 20.5 21.4 22.9 24.0

Newtownabbey 24.3 24.9 26.0 26.8 27.8

Newtownards 11.7 13.0 14.7 16.3 17.4

North and West Belfast 68.9 70.7 72.2 74.0 75.3

North Down 28.0 28.8 29.2 30.3 31.4

South Belfast 29.2 29.9 30.7 30.9 31.2

TOTAL: 258.2 266.3 274.4 283.8 291.9

1 PNGguresfor‘PropertiesPassed’includebothdomesticandbusinessproperties.

2 AllPNGgureslistedarecumulative.

3 PNGdonotholddatabyDistrictCouncilareabutratherbydeneddistrictswithintheirlicencearea.

WA 468

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

FIRMUS ENERGY – ESTIMATED DOMESTIC PROPERTIES PASSED4 BY GAS PIPELINES IN THE 10

TOWNS LICENSED AREA

District Council Area 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Antrim 300 2,000 3,000 4,000 4,600

Armagh 0 0 0 700 800

Ballymena 1,200 2,600 3,200 3,800 5,000

Ballymoney 500 1,100 1,500 1,600 1,600

Banbridge 0 1,100 1,600 1,800 1,800

Coleraine 1,100 1,800 2,200 2,600 3,500

Craigavon 600 2,700 4,800 6,600 8,500

Londonderry 3,600 6,300 8,700 10,700 13,000

Limavady 200 700 1,000 1,300 1,300

Newry & Mourne 600 1,200 1,900 2,000 2,600

TOTAL 8,100 19,500 27,900 35,100 42,700

Estimated as at 30 September each year. All figures are cumulative.

Natural Gas

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many households have availed

of natural gas in each of the last five years, broken down by council area.

(AQW 8717/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The gas distribution companies, Phoenix Natural Gas (PNG) and firmus energy have

provided the following information for each of the last five years.

PNG – PROPERTIES CONNECTED (‘000S)

IN GREATER BELFAST AND LARNE LICENSED AREA

Licence District

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Carrickfergus 4.9 5.1 5.3 5.6 6.0

Carryduff and Castlereagh 4.1 4.7 5.2 5.8 6.5

Duncrue 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4

East Belfast 18.6 19.6 20.5 21.4 22.6

Harbour 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.7 0.7

Larne 2.6 2.8 2.9 3.2 3.5

Lisburn 8.0 8.7 9.4 10.4 11.2

Newtownabbey 9.7 10.5 11.2 11.9 12.9

Newtownards 4.0 4.5 4.9 5.6 6.4

North and West Belfast 40.3 42.2 44.1 46.0 48.3

North Down 10.5 11.5 12.4 13.3 14.7

South Belfast 11.6 12.6 13.8 14.4 15.2

TOTAL: 114.7 122.6 130.7 138.8 148.5

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 469

1 The PNG data for ‘Properties Connected’ covers both domestic and business properties.

2 AllPNGgureslistedarecumulative.

FIRMUS ENERGY – DOMESTIC PROPERTIES CONNECTED IN THE 10 TOWNS LICENSED AREA

District Council Area 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Antrim 100 320 960 1320 1780

Armagh 0 0 0 20 130

Ballymena 160 230 370 660 1,210

Ballymoney 170 210 250 340 450

Banbridge 50 150 240 350 460

Coleraine 110 260 460 550 930

Craigavon 40 220 410 850 1,470

Londonderry 250 650 1,240 1,960 3,450

Limavady 40 80 140 250 340

Newry & Mourne 50 110 260 340 650

TOTAL 970 2,230 4,330 6,640 10,870

All figures are cumulative.

Natural Gas

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what percentage of households in

each council area currently avail of natural gas.

(AQW 8718/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Department does not hold this information in the detail necessary to provide a

meaningful response.

Natural Gas

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what percentage of households

currently have natural gas available to them.

(AQW 8719/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Department does not hold this information in the detail necessary to provide a

meaningful response.

Gas Prices

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her Department’s assessment of

the volatility of future gas prices compared with renewable heating sources.

(AQW 8720/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Department is unable to comment on future natural gas prices and renewable heating

sources such as biomass, as prices are driven by market forces, are subject to many variables, and are

therefore outside the Department’s control.

WA 470

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

InvestNI Funding

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how much funding InvestNI has invested in businesses in the South Down area in each of the

last ten years, broken down by the (i) type of business; and (ii) areas within South Down.

(AQW 8734/11-15)

Mrs Foster: As Invest NI was only established in 2002, the information contained in this answer relates to the 9 financial years 2002-03 to 2010-11.

Table 1 shows the amount of assistance offered by Invest NI in the South Down Parliamentary Constituency Area (PCA) between 2002-03 and 2010-11 broken down by

type of business (industrial sector).

TABLE 1: INVEST NI ASSISTANCE OFFERED IN SOUTH DOWN PCA BY INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (2002-03 TO 2010-11)

SECTOR 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Business & Financial

Services 1,955 19,876 180,672 142,755 68,820 52,488 70,797 51,893 147,112

Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals 14,250 - 10,126 80,119 41,828 20,000 - 74,700 15,585

Clothing & Textiles 1,554,320 38,675 303,905 - 1,056 - - 25,200 1,000

Construction Services - 100 1,568 74,558 97,985 71,492 16,400 264,950 204,381

Electrical, Electronic & Optical

Equipment - 8,000 - 91,037 4,400 - - 1,000 12,900

External Delivery

Organisations - 100,000 14,729 - - - 5,000 - -

Fabricated Metal & Metal

Finishing 94,604 410,879 60,973 5,133 66,003 134,599 410,435 419,748 138,997

Food, Drink & Tobacco 478,804 31,646 103,852 165,799 135,804 119,183 115,630 573,106 157,853

Glass, Ceramic & Concrete

Products 3,120 70,476 441,556 21,306 25,280 353,786 14,900 163,942 24,000

Non-Electrical Machinery 10,000 109,134 131,561 55,108 110,078 15,647 73,586 17,500 42,197

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 471

SECTOR 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Other Manufacturing 34,175 42,310 16,824 3,673,183 21,000 58,881 8,167,198 278,872 37,847

Other Services 111,873 161,793 2,735,717 25,820 6,302 368,143 99,294 242,706 89,513

Paper Products, Printing &

Publishing 5,360 939 945 4,100 48,386 14,903 - 5,000 -

Rubber & Plastic products 26,500 2,700 849 - 25,000 39,184 5,000 28,584 20,075

Software & Computer

Services 24,340 27,252 1,795 - 4,440 55,956 95,757 160,511 124,509

Transport Equipment 32,010 27,590 260,739 290,250 84,635 29,700 163,704 1,981,412 102,324

Wood Products 2,120 - 63,334 30,453 4,255 9,092 3,450 77,398 15,000

TOTAL 2,393,431 1,051,371 4,329,144 4,659,619 745,272 1,343,054 9,241,151 4,366,522 1,133,293

WA 472

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Table 2 shows the amount of assistance offered by Invest NI in the South Down PCA between 2002-03 and 2010-11 broken down by area (District Electoral Area

(DEA)).

TABLE 2: INVEST NI ASSISTANCE OFFERED IN SOUTH DOWN PCA BY DEA (2002-03 TO 2010-11)

DEA 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Ballynahinch 66,450 87,446 38,872 - 1,056 99,184 29,800 142,017 67,302

Crotlieve 173,285 221,159 479,789 503,515 134,400 141,501 308,604 526,191 354,305

Downpatrick 142,110 108,227 169,374 78,558 129,586 253,645 172,016 402,126 90,621

Dromore - - 62,437 12,500 84,885 118 26,022 112,576 18,000

Knockiveagh 1,552,500 5,375 312,280 - 33,410 180,413 16,450 175,472 735

Newcastle 119,067 21,391 2,552,032 123,964 74,232 12,507 40,950 349,447 272,753

Rowallane 323,249 103,000 21,604 80,327 6,100 93,800 2,400 7,283 3,850

The Fews 1,820 232 1,304 408 96,880 72,079 82,783 749,305 163,916

The Mournes 14,950 504,541 691,452 3,860,347 184,723 489,807 8,562,126 1,915,355 163,579

TOTAL 2,393,431 1,051,371 4,329,144 4,659,619 745,272 1,343,054 9,241,151 4,379,772 1,135,061

Notes to Tables 1 & 2:

1 A further £26,149 of assistance offered cannot be split at Table 1 level.

2 A further £11,131 of assistance offered cannot be split at Table 2 level.

3 SectorsarebasedontheUKStandardIndustrialClassications..

4 DEAs are based on NI Statistics & Research Agency Central Postcode Directory.

5 InvestNIrevisesperformancedataonaregularbasistoensurethatitreectsimplementedprojects;therefore,thedataabovemaydiffertopreviouslypublishedinformation.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 473

In addition, Invest NI offered assistance of £816,800 during the period to locally-owned start up businesses through the Start A Business programme. This support

is shown by DEA in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3: INVEST NI ASSISTANCE OFFERED THROUGH THE START A BUSINESS PROGRAMME IN SOUTH DOWN PCA BY DEA (2002-03 TO 2010-11)

DEA 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Ballynahinch 5,250 16,250 15,750 12,400 6,400 12,000 3,800 - -

Crotlieve 42,250 32,000 55,250 34,100 16,400 21,600 11,800 - -

Downpatrick 24,000 40,500 61,750 34,950 12,000 18,400 8,800 - -

Dromore 1,750 4,500 3,750 2,800 400 400 1,200 - -

Knockiveagh 3,250 11,750 5,000 8,100 7,600 4,800 3,400 - -

Newcastle 18,500 24,500 39,250 24,150 12,600 13,000 12,200 - -

Rowallane 5,750 3,750 12,000 5,050 800 2,800 1,200 - -

The Fews 5,250 5,750 4,500 6,250 1,800 2,400 1,200 - -

The Mournes 13,250 9,750 22,000 8,750 5,800 7,000 3,200 - -

Total 119,250 148,750 219,250 136,550 63,800 82,400 46,800 - -

NOTES:

1 StartaBusinessProgrammewasrenamedastheEnterpriseDevelopmentProgrammeduring2009-10,whichoffersguidanceandsupportbutdoesnotoffernancial

assistance.

WA 474

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Extending the Gas Network to Ballycastle

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her Department’s assessment of

the possibility of extending the gas network to Ballycastle.

(AQW 8775/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Extending the natural gas network to new areas such as Ballycastle can only take place

where it is economically viable to do so, and ultimately, will depend on the natural gas industry coming

forward with specific proposals. The availability of suitable gas loads in Ballycastle is therefore an

important factor for extension of the gas network, as would be the commitment of companies and

public sector organisations in the area to connect to natural gas if it were to become available.

Local Nuclear Power Provision

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether companies have contacted

her Department expressing an interest in providing local nuclear power provision.

(AQW 8776/11-15)

Mrs Foster: I can confirm that no companies have approached my Department to express an interest

in providing a nuclear power facility in Northern Ireland.

High Speed Satellite Broadband Services

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what action has been taken to

inform rural communities of the provision of high speed satellite broadband services since the contract

was awarded in January 2012.

(AQW 8777/11-15)

Mrs Foster: On 6 January 2012, I announced the award of a contract to deliver high-speed satellite

broadband services to Onwave Ltd. The contract ensures that everyone in Northern Ireland continues to

have access to broadband services. Onwave delivers services in areas where, due to commercial and

technical reasons, broadband cannot be accessed via telephone lines.

Onwave has an extensive marketing strategy to promote its services across Northern Ireland, which

includes radio advertising and printed material. I understand that the company has also engaged in

a series of meetings with local representatives and key stakeholders to explain the benefits of high-

speed broadband.

My Department has developed a telecommunications Fact Sheet, which references all broadband

technologies available in Northern Ireland. The Fact Sheet is currently being updated and will reflect the

arrival of Onwave to the Northern Ireland market.

I will arrange for a copy of the revised Fact Sheet to issue to all Members and to be placed in the

Assembly Library. The Fact Sheet will also be sent to key stakeholders across Northern Ireland and is

available on the DETI website.

Consultants Used by Invest NI

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the total cost for the

consultants used by Invest NI over each of the last five years.

(AQW 8788/11-15)

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 475

Mrs Foster:

Type of Consultancy 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11

Economic Appraisals

& Programme

Evaluations £618k £679k £888k £772k £530k

Sector and Economic

Studies £159k £148k £80k £99k £134k

Investment, Audit &

Governance £55k £0k £17k £319k £232k

IT Systems

Consultancy £72k £96k £211k £86k £208k

Others £336k £260k £150k £10k £62k

Note that these figures include VAT

The above table provides a breakdown of the various categories of consultancy expenditure. A brief

description of the major components is as follows

■ “Economic Appraisals and Programme Evaluations” are an essential component in the decision

to provide direct financial assistance and specialist programme advice to companies. These

activities are conducted by technical and specialist external professional advisors who provide

an independent assessment that seeks to demonstrate if a project should be supported or to

evaluate if the actual outputs from a programme delivered the anticipated economic benefits. This

category accounts for approximately 56% of consultancy spend.

■ “Economic Reports and Sector Studies” provide an important input into informing and influencing

the most effective support that can be developed for companies within given sectors. This

category accounts for approximately 10% of consultancy spend.

■ In some instances there is a requirement to engage external advisers to provide “Investment,

Audit and Governance” services in relation to specific investments that require a more focused

or specialist degree of monitoring. This category accounts for approximately 10% of consultancy

spend.

Consequently due to the nature of Invest NI activities there is an ongoing requirement to engage

external consultants. In particular the first three categories in the table which account for approximately

75% of the total expenditure on consultancy are essential to enable the organisation to fulfil it’s role

whilst ensuring the highest level of governance standards.

These figures are as reported to DFP in the annual ‘Use of Consultants’ submission. The classification

of consultants is in line with the definition under DFP guidance FD (DFP) 04/09 on the Use of External

Consultants.

Enterprise Development Programme

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for a breakdown of the

£6,720,266 programme delivery costs of the Enterprise Development Programme between December

2008 and October 2011.

(AQW 8789/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The £6,720,266 refers to programme delivery costs paid to the former contractor

(Enterprise NI) for the Enterprise Development Programme and is broken down based on the two core

elements of that programme:-

WA 476

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Start up (including pre start activity) Growth

£5,972,004 £ 748,262

This figure should be viewed in the context of approximately £28.5m having been paid to Enterprise

NI, by Invest NI, during the ten year period 2002 – 2012. These figures represent fees for programme

delivery and do not include grant payments to start-up businesses.

Rugby World Cup

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what discussions she has had

with her Ministerial colleagues, in the Executive or in the Dublin Government, about the possibility of

the Rugby World Cup coming to the island of Ireland in 2023.

(AQW 8790/11-15)

Mrs Foster: I raised the potential of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland hosting the 2023

Rugby World Cup at a meeting with Ulster Rugby on 28th February 2012. I understand that the IRFU are

investigating the option of tabling a bid for 2023 but are not yet in a position to provide an update on

the viability of such a bid. I would be happy to make representations as appropriate on behalf of Ulster

Rugby when further details of the bid are known.

Business Start Up Scheme

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many people have contacted

Invest NI with a view to setting up a business, in each month since the beginning of the legal challenge

to the proposed Business Start Up Scheme.

(AQW 8791/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Invest NI has responded to a total of 3,216 enquiries from 1 October 2011 to 29 February

2012, the breakdown per month is:-

October 2011 November 2011 December 2011 January 2012 February 2012

714 594 570 694 644

Invest NI Business Start Up Programme

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment since the beginning of the legal

challenge to the proposed Invest NI Business Start Up Programme, and in relation to those seeking

advice to start a business (i) to which other stakeholders or organisations they have been redirected;

(ii) how many have been redirected to each of these stakeholders or organisations; and (iii) how many

have been dealt with by Invest NI.

(AQW 8792/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Invest NI is proactively engaging with DEL, specifically their Steps to Work Programme

(STW), and with Prince’s Trust NI (PTNI). Where appropriate individuals have been signposted to

organisations at a local level.

Invest NI has an active and on-going relationship with DEL (and its service providers) in relation to the

Self Employment strand of its STW programme. Participants on the STW are routinely referred to Invest

NI for advice and support in relation to starting their businesses.

Invest NI has responded directly to 587 Steps to Work enquiries, had 1:1 meetings with 78 STW

participants, 244 STW participants have attended Invest NI’s business clinics and 144 of these

individuals have completed business plans. STW participants can access additional support through

DEL’s service providers.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 477

Invest NI also has an agreement with Prince’s Trust NI that all enquiries received from 18-24 years olds

will be refer to the Trusts’ Enterprise Programme through which they can receive additional support.

Invest NI engages directly with these individuals through the Invest NI business clinics and 1:1 advisory

sessions.

Invest NI has referred 109 individuals to PTNI.

As outlined at (ii)

Multiple Redundancies in a Concentrated Area or Constituency

Mr Frew asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the support her Department

can provide when there are multiple redundancies in a concentrated area or in a constituency.

(AQW 8824/11-15)

Mrs Foster: In those unfortunate circumstances where job losses are announced by an Invest NI client

company, Invest NI works closely with colleagues in the Department for Employment and Learning to

do all possible to limit the impact of any redundancies and sustain as many jobs as possible in the

short term. This may include the provision of specialist ‘redundancy clinics’ which offer a wide range

of advice to those affected. Where possible, these clinics will seek to highlight any other suitable

job vacancies in the area and provide affected staff with details of benefit entitlements. Invest NI’s

Regional Office teams also play a significant role in such clinics by providing one to one advice and

guidance to those who may wish to consider self employment as an alternative.

Generating Electricity from Renewable Sources

Mr McNarry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what progress has been made on

the targets for generating electricity from renewable sources.

(AQW 8829/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Programme for Government 2008 – 2011 target of 12% electricity consumption from

renewable sources by 2012 has been exceeded. Over the twelve month rolling period to end January

2012, on average, 13.5% of electricity consumption was from renewable sources.

SeaGen Tidal Energy Converter

Mr McNarry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of the success

and viability of the SeaGen tidal energy converter installed in Strangford Lough.

(AQW 8830/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The 1.2 MW SeaGen demonstration device, installed in Strangford Lough in 2008, has

been successful on several different levels. It was the first grid connected commercial scale tidal energy

system authorised as a UK power station and able to claim Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs)

for its generation. It can generate 20 MW hrs per day on average and produces as much energy as a

typical wind turbine of twice its electrical capacity (2.5MW). It has to date generated over 3 GW hrs of

electricity to the NI Grid which is more than all the rest of the UK wave and tidal sector combined.

The device has been the subject of a very detailed environmental monitoring programme and in January

2012 an independent report concluded that it has had no significant or adverse impact on the marine

environment. In light of this, Marine Current Turbines, SeaGen’s owners have announced that they are

seeking an extension to the current 5 year licence to generate in Strangford Lough, which expires in

2013. In February 2012 Siemens, one of the global leaders of renewable technologies announced its

acquisition of MCT.

WA 478

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

SeaGen Tidal Energy Converter

Mr McNarry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many local homes are

supplied with electricity generated by the SeaGen tidal energy converter installed in Strangford Lough.

(AQW 8831/11-15)

Mrs Foster: No local homes are supplied with electricity generated by Seagen, although the energy

output from SeaGen would be sufficient to power around 1500 homes if it was bought by a domestic

energy provider. However, SeaGen’s generation is bought under a power purchase agreement by ESBI

who in turn sell it to a commercial company.

SeaGen Tidal Energy Converter

Mr McNarry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what plans she has to install more

energy generators similar to the SeaGen tidal energy converter.

(AQW 8832/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The installation of more energy generators similar to SeaGen is a matter for commercial

developers. As managers of the seabed, The Crown Estate, announced the first Northern Ireland

Offshore Renewable Energy Leasing Round in December 2011 and it is seeking proposals from

companies for offshore wind and tidal projects. As regards tidal developments, proposals are being

sought for a range of projects from small scale (1MW to 10MW) to larger scale (10MW to 100MW)

within an overall limit of 200MW for the Rathlin Island and Torr Head Strategic Area. Such projects may

involve the use of a number of different types of tidal technology from a range of companies.

My Department encourages further development of tidal energy by incentivising renewable generators

through the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation which provides a revenue stream for renewable

electricity generated in the form of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs).

Customer Charter for Home Heating Oil Companies

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of the proposal

by the Consumer Council to make domestic home heating oil companies sign up to a Customer

Charter.

(AQW 8838/11-15)

Mrs Foster: I understand that the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) is working, in

conjunction with the Northern Ireland Oil Federation (NIOF), to develop a voluntary Code of Practice

which, it is proposed, will address service standard issues/redress, including payment methods,

support, energy efficiency, complaints, customer care and safety. The aim is to introduce it over the

next 3 – 6 months.

I welcome the collaborative approach between the CCNI and the NIOF on the development of this

Customer Charter.

Bureaucracy in the TradeLinks Programme

Ms Ritchie asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps she will take to reduce

bureaucracy in the TradeLinks programme which operates between Enterprise NI and the Border County

Enterprise Boards in the Republic of Ireland.

(AQW 8849/11-15)

Mrs Foster: My Department has no role in the administrative oversight of the Tradelinks programme or

its internal processes. Enterprise Northern Ireland delivers Tradelinks II under the terms of an Interreg

IVA letter of offer from the Special EU Programmes Body.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 479

HCL BPO Services NI

Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether she had any discussions

with HCL BPO Services NI prior to its decision to shed 255 jobs in Northern Ireland; and whether she

was aware prior to the announcement that it was creating 220 jobs in Kilkenny.

(AQW 8852/11-15)

Mrs Foster: I have met with senior representatives from HCL BPO Services over recent months and

throughout our discussions have sought to retain and sustain as many jobs as possible for Northern

Ireland. HCL’s decision to retain a significant presence in Northern Ireland and to continue to invest

in their operation here is to be welcomed. These job losses are extremely regrettable but I have been

informed that this decision was not taken lightly and is as a result of wider commercial circumstances

and unconnected to the announcement in Kilkenny. I have received assurances from HCL’s senior

management team that any jobs planned for Kilkenny are from clients based in the ROI and are to meet

client requirements to deliver services in the Republic of Ireland.

Secondment to Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (i) the number of (a) full-

time; and (b) part-time staff who are currently on secondment from her Department, or its arm’s length

bodies, to each recognised trade union; (ii) the salary scale for each secondee; and (iii) the length of

each secondment to date.

(AQW 8857/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Department and its arms length bodies currently have (i) (a) one full-time member of

staff and (b) one part-time member of staff on secondment to a recognised trade union. (ii) The salary

scales for the two secondees are £18,038 to £22,180 and £21,392 to £23,250. (iii) The length of the

two secondments to date is 3 years 3 months and 2 years 10 months.

InvestNI: Ipsos Mori

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether InvestNI commissioned

Ipsos Mori to undertake market research into stakeholder perceptions of InvestNI in 2010/11; and

when these results will be made public.

(AQW 8859/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Aside from dealing with businesses and client companies, Invest NI also engages with a

wide range of stakeholders including elected representatives, business organisations and the media,

financial and economic institutions and seeks feedback on its performance, communication and

engagement with them.

In February 2011, Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) commissioned Ipsos MORI, an independent

market research organisation, to conduct research and seek the views of a range of representatives

from local business organisations, the media, financial and economic institutions and elected

representatives.

Whilst the survey covered a broad range of stakeholders, with a diverse range of, sometimes competing,

interests, it is encouraging that knowledge of Invest NI and its remit among its stakeholders is high and

impressions of the organisation are generally positive. Opinions on Invest NI were considered to have

improved over year prior to the report, despite the difficult economic climate.

Relationships with those stakeholders with whom Invest NI has the most engagement are clearly

stronger than with the wider stakeholder group. This is not surprising and even inevitable, and I am

aware that the Chief Executive and leadership team continually strive to improve relationships with the

wider stakeholder group.

WA 480

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Ferry Prices

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to AQW 8024/11-15 what

action her Department is taking to address the Consumer Council’s report of December 2011 which

recommended that the Executive, in conjunction with the Scottish Executive and the Department of

Transport should examine the potential for reducing the cost to consumers of Irish Sea ferry services.

(AQW 8944/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The development and operation of ferry links, and the fares the operators charge, are

entirely matters for commercial decision by individual sea carriers and the Northern Ireland and Great

Britain ports. My Department has not therefore discussed the Consumer Council report, “Ferry Travel

- A Consumer Council report on the perceptions and experiences of ferry passengers in Northern

Ireland”, with the Scottish Executive or the Department for Transport.

Northern Ireland Tourist Board Funding

Mrs Dobson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the funding provided

by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and her Department to the (i) Twelfth of July Celebrations; (ii)

13th July Royal Black Preceptory Sham Fight in Scarva; and (iii) Royal Black Preceptory celebrations in

August, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 8982/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has not received any request for funding from the Orange

Order or the Royal Black Preceptory in the last five years. The current Tourism Events Fund closed on

the 7 October 2011. The NITB hopes to open its 2013/14 Tourism Event Fund in autumn 2012.

For six years the NITB has worked closely with the Orange Order in developing the tourism flagship

programme.

Grants for Tourism Related Projects in the North Down Constituency

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total amount paid out in

grants for tourism related projects in the North Down constituency in each of the last five years.

(AQW 9050/11-15)

Mrs Foster: Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has paid out a total of £38,688 in grants for three

tourism related projects in the North Down constituency over the last five years:

■ 2010-2011, £21,000 grant to North Down and Ards Borough Council’s to develop an Ulster Scots

Trail and undertake an Ulster Scots Names Project.

■ 2011-2012, £10,386 grant to North Down Borough Council to enhance the interpretation and

landscaping from Bangor Abbey to North Down Museum on the St. Patrick’s Trail.

■ 2011-2012 £7,302 grant to North Down Borough Council to install two large bespoke totem

information panels at North Down Museum and Bangor Abbey on the St. Patrick’s Trail.

■ In addition, NITB have issued 2 Letters of Offer to North Down Borough Council for two projects in

the 2012 – 2013 period:

■ £11,891 grant to enhance the visitor facilities at Groomsport village which is one of the key stop

off points within North Down along the Mourne Coastal Route.

■ £28,232 grant to upgrade the exhibitions and the overall visitor experience in North Down

Museum.

An application has been received under the open call TDS 2011-13 from the North Down constituency.

This project is currently being scored.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 481

Our time, Our Place

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if and when, she met, or plans to

meet, with (i) the Irish Football Association; (ii) the GAA; and (iii) Ulster Rugby to discuss the input they

could have into ‘Our time, Our Place’.

(AQW 9068/11-15)

Mrs Foster: NITB officials and I met with Ulster Rugby on 28th February 2012 to further understand

Ulster Rugby’s role in developing the tourism product in Northern Ireland and in driving civic pride

amongst the population of Northern Ireland. NITB has also contacted the Irish Football Association

and the GAA, to arrange further meetings with the same objectives. In addition NITB continues to work

closely with and regularly meet the European Tour to understand the role golf and the Irish Open can

play in promoting Northern Ireland in 2012.

Department of the Environment

Environmental Impact of Fracking

Mr McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment what (i) discussions; (ii) investigations; and (iii)

assessments on the environmental impact of fracking have taken place (a) within his Department; (b)

with experts and specialists; and (c) with other Governments or administrations.

(AQW 5956/11-15)

Mr Attwood (The Minister of the Environment): I am fully aware of that there are widespread concerns

in relation to the process of hydraulic fracturing. While no planning applications have been received to

date it is anticipated Tamboran Resources will submit applications possibly as early as next year.

In the interim the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is continuing to supplement its knowledge

of the process through reviewing emerging research, studying case studies from other parts of the

world and liaising with counterparts in other Environment Agencies in Britain and Ireland, and other

countries where fracking is currently proposed or taking place.

NIEA met with the Republic of Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Dublin, on the 17

January 2012. The purpose of the meeting was to establish formal lines of communication to enable

transboundary issues regarding the current proposals to carry out a hydraulic fracturing operation in the

Lough Allen Basin, which is within both Northern Ireland’s and the RoI’s jurisdictions, to be discussed.

The EPA welcomed the discussions and stated their commitment to ensuring a close working relationship

between both Agencies going forward. The next meeting between the Agencies will take place in March,

in Belfast. I will raise this issue with Minister Hogan at an NSMC Environment Sectoral Meeting on 2

March 2012.

In addition, at a cross Departmental level, officials from DOE (Planning, NIEA), and DETI (Health and

Safety Executive, Geological Survey) are meeting to discuss the hydraulic fracturing process and the

likely Departmental responses to future proposals. The scope of these meetings has widened to

involve officials from corresponding Departments in the Republic of Ireland. To date this grouping has

met twice; in November 2011 and again in early February 2012.

Recently I met with representatives of Tamboran Resources and conveyed the imperative that the

company ensures it complies with all planning and environmental requirements. Tamboran have

accepted the need for such assessments and to liaise with both Strategic Planning Division and NIEA

in scoping the content of an Environmental Statement if the issue of fracking moves forward.

I will ensure that at both Ministerial and official level liaison with counterparts in the RoI will continue

to allow a better understanding of the environmental risks resulting from this process for the mutual

benefit of both jurisdictions as the current area of exploration straddles both sides of the border.

I am also further assessing what environmental requirements are needed in advance of any future

planning application and in relation to any future exploratory drilling.

WA 482

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Civil Service Posts

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of the Environment how many Civil Service posts existed in his

Department at (i) Administrative Assistant; (ii) Administrative Officer; (iii) Executive Officer 2; (iv)

Executive Officer 1; (v) Staff Officer; (vi) Deputy Principal; (vii) Grade 7; and (viii) Grade 6 levels, at the

beginning of (a) 2007; and (b) 2012, broken down by local Council area.

(AQW 7800/11-15)

Mr Attwood:

1 Details of Northern Ireland Civil Service staff in post in DOE at the beginning of 2007 broken down

by local council area and analogous grades are as follows:

STAFF IN POST - JANUARY 2007

District Council

Area

Grade

6/7 DP SO EOI/EO2 AO AA Total

Ards - - 1 8 28 - 37

Armagh - - 2 7 17 2 28

Ballymena 6 9 18 38 37 12 120

Belfast 97 207 242 301 244 78 1169

Carrickfergus - - - 1 1 - 2

Castlereagh - - 1 3 - 1 5

Coleraine 7 14 28 64 209 82 404

Cookstown - - - 4 23 - 27

Craigavon 5 12 26 39 36 19 137

Derry 4 5 12 19 31 5 76

Down 5 7 17 33 35 15 112

Dungannon - 1 2 3 1 - 7

Fermanagh - 3 9 14 33 5 64

Larne - - 1 4 13 - 18

Limavady - - 1 2 4 - 7

Lisburn 10 19 74 80 36 10 228

Magherafelt - - 1 - - - 1

Newry & Mourne - - - 8 12 1 21

Newtownabbey - - - 4 23 - 27

North Down - - - 1 - - 1

Omagh 5 9 20 26 32 14 106

Total 139 286 455 659 815 244 2598

2 In addition to the staff in post details provided DOE had 220 vacancies at the beginning of 2007.

A breakdown of these vacancies by local council is not available.

3 Details of Northern Ireland Civil Service staff in post at the beginning of 2012 broken down by

local council area are as follows:

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 483

STAFF IN POST - JANUARY 2012

District Council

Area

Grade

7 DP SO EOI EO2 AO AA Total

Ards - - - 1 7 - 42 - 50

Armagh - - - 2 3 1 26 1 33

Ballymena 1 2 9 20 16 4 36 5 93

Belfast 14 82 228 259 153 98 214 31 1079

Carrickfergus - - - - 1 - 1 - 2

Castlereagh - - - - 4 - - 1 5

Coleraine 2 8 15 31 28 41 224 78 427

Cookstown - - - 1 3 - 27 - 31

Craigavon - 3 8 27 20 6 38 7 109

Derry - 2 5 15 14 4 32 2 74

Down - 2 7 20 15 4 33 7 88

Dungannon - - - 4 4 - 2 1 11

Fermanagh - - 3 8 12 2 30 2 57

Larne - - - 1 2 - 20 - 23

Limavady - - - - 3 - 4 - 7

Lisburn 1 6 30 75 68 7 48 9 244

Magherafelt - - - 1 - - - - 1

Newry & Mourne - - - 1 6 - 22 1 30

Newtownabbey - - - 1 3 - 29 - 33

North Down - - - 1 1 - 1 - 3

Omagh 1 4 7 22 7 6 35 5 87

Total 19 109 312 490 370 173 864 150 2487

4 Details of related vacancies in DOE at the beginning of 2012 broken down by local council area

are as follows:

VACANCIES – JANUARY 2012

District Council

Area

Grade

6/7 DP SO EOI/EO2 AO AA Total

Ards - - - - 1 - 1

Armagh - - - - - - -

Ballymena - - - 1 - 1

Belfast 4 12 22 20 8 3 69

Carrickfergus - - - - - - -

Castlereagh - - - - - - -

WA 484

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

District Council

Area

Grade

6/7 DP SO EOI/EO2 AO AA Total

Coleraine - 2 5 7 2 1 17

Cookstown - - - - - - -

Craigavon - - - - - - -

Derry - - - 6 - - 6

Down - - 1 - .5 - 1.5

Dungannon - - - - - - -

Fermanagh - - - - .5 - 05

Larne - - - - - - -

Limavady - - - - - - -

Lisburn 2 4.4 - 1 7.4

Magherafelt - - - - - - -

Newry & Mourne - - - - - - -

Newtownabbey - - - - - - -

North Down - - - - - - -

Omagh - - - - - - -

Total 6 14 32.4 33 14 4 103.4

People Caught Without a Valid Tax Disc

Mr McDevitt asked the Minister of the Environment how many people were caught without a valid tax

disc in 2011, as a result of mobile roadside checks, broken down by constituency.

(AQW 8330/11-15)

Mr Attwood: DVA operates two forms of roadside checks for vehicles being used without valid tax

discs. Reports of unlicensed vehicles are received from vehicles equipped with automatic number plate

reading (ANPR) camera equipment and from VEAS, the company employed under a UK-wide contract to

provide wheelclamping services.

Unfortunately the Agency is unable to provide a breakdown of detections by constituency because

records are stored in the IT system against individual vehicle registration marks and places of detection

are not stored in a way that would facilitate the production of relevant figures. However, the total

number of vehicles detected as a result of mobile roadside checks in 2011 was 23,776.

Postage and Printing Costs

Mr McKay asked the Minister of the Environment whether his Department, and its arm’s-length bodies,

give elected representatives the choice of receiving reports and all other correspondence by email to

minimise postage and printing costs.

(AQW 8424/11-15)

Mr Attwood: In line with good practice and sustainable development, my Department and its arms

length bodies issues documents, where practical, either in electronic format or alternatively provides

details of the relevant web link / address.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 485

Where there is a statutory requirement for a document to be laid before the Assembly, where possible,

these are hand delivered in bulk to Parliament Buildings for distribution to members’ pigeon holes

reducing the distribution costs.

Correspondence from elected representatives is normally responded to in the same format as used by

the elected representative.

Equality Impact Assessments and Public Consultations

Mr Easton asked the Minister of the Environment how much his Department has spent on (i) Equality

Impact Assessments; and (ii) public consultations in each of the last three years.

(AQW 8429/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The table below provides details of the amounts the Department has spent on printing,

advertising and postage costs associated with public consultations in each of the last three years

(2008/09 to 2010/11).

Business Area

2008/09

2009/10

2010/11

Department (excluding agencies) 28,922 49,893 102,202

Planning Service 2,822 65,965 939

DVA 180 180 -

Total 31,924 116,038 103,141

As there are no specific account codes for ‘Equality Impact Assessments’ or ‘public consultation’ it

is not possible to be definitive about the level of expenditure that may have been incurred for each

of these activities. However, in attempt to answer this AQW, figures have been extracted based on a

review of a number of analysis codes, which in the main relate to the consultation process.

The increase of £52,309 in the Department’s spend (excluding agencies), from 2009/10 to 2010/11,

mainly reflects the public consultation costs of a number of road safety activities covering Graduated

Driver Licensing, Signs and Warning Lights on school buses and the Goods Vehicle (Licensing of

Operators ) Act NI 2010 – Licensing of Operators and Enforcement powers. The increase of £63,143 in

Planning Service from 2008/09 to 2009/10 is mainly due to the engagement of consultants to assist

with the stakeholder consultation exercise conducted on the Reform of the NI Planning System.

Planning Policy to Encourage New Businesses to Locate in Town Centres

Mr Easton asked the Minister of the Environment what plans his Department has to introduce a

planning policy to encourage new businesses to locate in town centres.

(AQW 8526/11-15)

Mr Attwood: I wish to progress retail planning policy by focusing on where is best to grow and develop

retailing in the future. As a first step, I will soon be announcing that weight shall be given to draft PPS

5 on ‘Retailing, Town Centres and Commercial Leisure Developments’ which seeks to sustain and

enhance the vitality and viability of town centres in a manner consistent with achieving the strategic

objectives of the Regional Development Strategy 2025.

Following this it is my intention to proceed with work on finalising a fit for purpose retail planning policy

as quickly as possible. To this end I will be initiating a policy ‘conversation’ among all key stakeholders

on the future of our city and town centres. This will involve a wide ranging debate on all matters relating

to the vitality and viability of city / town centres.

Revised PPS 4 published in November 2010 includes planning policy for economic development,

including office use, and encourages such development in city and town centres.

WA 486

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Protection to Cyclists

Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment what plans his Department has for safety devices to be

fitted on lorries to give greater protection to cyclists.

(AQW 8527/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The Department is aware of the difficulties faced by cyclists in heavy and fast moving

traffic and of the difficulties that lorry drivers experience in detecting cyclists when in close proximity.

The risk of “blind spots” in driver’s vision is therefore an issue which the Department has been keen to

address.

In November 2009, the Department amended the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations

(NI) 1999 to implement EC Directive 2007/38/EC on the retrofitting of mirrors in heavy goods vehicles

which requires goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross weight, and first used after 1 January 2000, to

be retrofitted with improved ‘wide angle’ and ‘close proximity’ mirrors on the passenger side. These

additional mirrors increase the driver’s field of vision and reduce “blind spots”, thus giving HGV drivers

improved vision of cyclists and other road users.

Construction and Use Regulations also require the fitment of protective side guards to the majority of

heavy goods vehicles. These are intended to prevent cyclists and other vulnerable road users slipping

under the front and rear wheels of such vehicles.

You will wish to note that the Department is currently developing a new public information campaign

on awareness of blind spots on heavy goods vehicles. This campaign is due to launch in the next few

weeks and should be of benefit to all road users, including cyclists. The Department is monitoring the

occurrence of accidents to determine the need for further measures.

Road Safety Issues

Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment what plans his Department has to increase awareness

amongst drivers of the road safety issues faced by cyclists and pedestrians.

(AQW 8528/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The DOE has a statutory duty to promote road safety. One of the ways it raises awareness

of road safety issues is through the Department’s road safety advertising campaigns.

Two road-user groups, cyclists and pedestrians, are particularly vulnerable and as such the Department

has recently taken action to increase awareness amongst all road users, including drivers, of the risks

they face on the road.

In October 2011 the Department launched the ‘Be Cycle Aware’ campaign, employing radio and bus rear

advertising, in order to remind drivers and cyclists on the road to pay attention when sharing the road.

A radio advert targets drivers as they travel in the car during daytime hours when they would be

expected to share the road with cyclists.

A second radio advert and bus rear advertising targets cyclists, reminding them of their vulnerability

and the need to pay attention and stay safe on the roads.

This activity is in line with Action Measure 124 of the Road Safety Strategy 2020 - “We will give

consideration to measures that improve the safety of cyclists; including what cyclists can do to keep

themselves safe and what other road users can do”.

Pedestrian casualties are of particular concern and as such the Department is currently developing a

new campaign that will raise awareness of pedestrians amongst drivers and will also urge pedestrians

to be more aware of drivers.

Initially, this will be a television campaign, strongly supported by press and online activity. All messages

in the new pedestrian campaign will link to the relevant advice in the Highway Code. The campaign is

due to launch in the coming months.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 487

This activity addresses many of the elements as outlined in action measures 125, 126, 127 and 129

of the Road Safety Strategy 2020.

Currently all road users are provided with detailed guidance through the current edition of the Highway

Code which contains rules, information and advice that helps prepare them for the demands of today’s

roads. Advice on how drivers should treat vulnerable road users, including cyclists and pedestrians,

with extra care and attention is covered specifically by Rules 204 to 218 of the Code.

Policy in Relation to Cyclists

Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment what consideration he has given to establishing a cross-

departmental group to co-ordinate a policy in relation to cyclists.

(AQW 8529/11-15)

Mr Attwood: DRD has responsibility for sustainable transport, and therefore takes the lead on encouraging

cycling as a form of transport.

The 2007 NI Cycling Strategy Report suggested that there was an opportunity to integrate cycling and

walking into one sustainable transport forum. This developed into an Active Travel Forum which was

established in March 2010, a cross Departmental body chaired by DRD that includes a representative

from DOE, as well as from DHSSPS, DE and DOJ.

Travelwise, Northern Ireland’s Safer Routes to Schools (SRS), is an initiative between the DRD and

the Department of Education (DE) with input from a number of other partners, including the DOE. The

initiative encourages parents, children and teachers to use sustainable transport, which includes

cycling, for their journey to and from school.

Under Article 52 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 DOE has a statutory duty to promote

road safety and one of the ways the Department does this is through the provision of the Cycling

Proficiency Scheme (CPS). The Department’s interest in providing cycle training to primary school children

is as a road safety improvement measure.

In October 2011 the Department launched the ‘Be Cycle Aware’ campaign, employing radio and bus

rear advertising, in order to remind drivers and cyclists on the road to pay attention when sharing the

road. A radio advert targets drivers as they travel in the car during daytime hours when they would

be expected to share the road with cyclists. A second radio advert and bus rear advertising targets

cyclists, reminding them of their vulnerability and the need to pay attention and stay safe on the roads.

As indicated in this answer, there are therefore a number of Departments working on cycle matters, and

a number of groups to coordinate this work.

Enforcement Cases

Mr Craig asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQW 6634/11-15, how many of the

enforcement cases in the Lisburn area were resolved within (i) one year; (ii) two years; and (iii) three

years or more.

(AQW 8577/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The Department holds data on the length of time taken to deal with each enforcement

case and separates this information into four categories as follows: those closed within 0 -1 year; 1- 2

years; 2 – 3 years; and finally those 3 years and over.

The table on the following page details those of files closed in Lisburn district for each of the past two

complete financial years and that of the current financial year to date. The table also indicates the

length of time taken to secure a closure in those cases.

WA 488

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Belfast Area Belfast Area Belfast Area

1/4/09 to 31/3/10 1/4/10 to 31/3/11 1/4/11 to date 28/2/12

Lisburn Lisburn Lisburn

0-1 yr 79 160 44

1-2yrs 50 28 35

2-3yrs 31 18 19

3+yrs 38 37 83

198 243 181

Hydraulic Fracturing

Ms Lo asked the Minister of the Environment (i) whether his Department has adequate resources

and expertise to assess planning applications which include the process of hydraulic fracturing,

given that such planning applications have never been assessed in Northern Ireland; and (ii) whether

his Department has the capacity to assess an Environmental Impact Assessment submitted by an

applicant in relation to hydraulic fracturing.

(AQW 8589/11-15)

Mr Attwood: As I have previously stated I am fully aware that there are widespread concerns in

relation to the process of hydraulic fracturing. While no planning applications have been received to

date it is anticipated Tamboran Resources will submit applications possibly as early as next year. A

full and proper Environmental Impact Statement will form the basis of the Departments determination

of any application and I am confident my officials in Strategic Planning Division assisted by a range of

consultees will be able to properly assess the proposal and supporting information.

One of the key consultees will be the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). In the interim the

NIEA is continuing to supplement its knowledge of the process through reviewing emerging research,

studying case studies from other parts of the world and liaising with counterparts in other Environment

Agencies in Britain and Ireland, and other countries where fracking is currently proposed or taking

place. I will of course, take and acquire any specialist advice needed to make a determination of a

planning application.

NIEA met with the Republic of Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Dublin, on the 17

January 2012. The purpose of the meeting was to establish formal lines of communication to enable

transboundary issues regarding the current proposals to carry out a hydraulic fracturing operation in the

Lough Allen Basin, which is within both Northern Ireland’s and the RoI’s jurisdictions, to be discussed.

The EPA welcomed the discussions and stated their commitment to ensuring a close working

relationship between both Agencies going forward. The next meeting between the Agencies will take

place in March, in Belfast.

In addition, at a cross Departmental level, officials from DOE (Planning, NIEA), and DETI (Health and

Safety Executive, Geological Survey) are meeting to discuss the hydraulic fracturing process and the

likely Departmental responses to future proposals. The scope of these meetings has widened to

involve officials from corresponding Departments in the Republic of Ireland. To date this grouping has

met twice; in November 2011 and again in early February 2012.

Recently I met with representatives of Tamboran Resources and made it clear to that I expect the

most rigorous Environmental Impact Assessment in relation to this matter. Tamboran have accepted

the need for such assessments and to liaise with both Strategic Planning Division and NIEA in scoping

the content of the required Environmental Statement. Such a statement will form the basis of the

Departments determination of relevant matters and it must take account of all potential impacts on the

environment and public health.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 489

I will ensure that at both Ministerial and official level liaison with counterparts in the RoI will continue

to allow a better understanding of the environmental risks resulting from this process for the mutual

benefit of both jurisdictions as the current area of exploration straddles both sides of the border.

Local Government Reform

Ms Lo asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on when local government reform will be

implemented.

(AQW 8590/11-15)

Mr Attwood: As the Minister responsible for implementation of the local government reform

programme, I shall manage reform in line with the 2015 timetable proposed in the draft Programme for

Government 2011-15.

I am currently establishing the implementation structures required to help manage and integrate

the work needed to bring about the operational delivery of the programme. This includes a Regional

Transition Committee, which I will chair, to provide the high level political leadership necessary to

drive implementation forward. Its membership will include the Chairs of the 11 Voluntary Transition

Committees, which are to be restored by the end of this month to enable convergence work to

commence in each of the council groupings.

I am also taking forward the programme of legislation required to give effect to local government

reorganisation. There are two main pieces of legislation, the first of which is the draft Local

Government (Boundaries) Order (NI) 2012, which has recently been agreed by the Executive and will be

laid before the Assembly in the near future. The second is the Local Government (Reorganisation) Bill

which, subject to the Executive’s agreement, I intend to introduce during the autumn session to give

effect to the Executive’s decisions on the future shape of local government.

Rose Energy’s Proposal for an Incinerator at Glenavy

Mr Frew asked the Minister of the Environment when a decision on Rose Energy’s proposal for an

incinerator at Glenavy will be announced.

(AQW 8612/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The former Minister’s announcement of August 2010 was the subject of judicial review

proceedings. Lord Justice McCloskey adjourned the judicial review proceedings on 2 March 2011 on

the basis that the application process had not been completed.

The applications are now in the final stage of consideration. The files on this case containing a report

and recommendation will be forwarded to me within the next few weeks.

The Department will make a recommendation to me on whether to proceed by way of a NOP to approve

or refuse the applications or by way of a Public Inquiry.

Built Heritage

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of the Environment how much revenue has been generated by

Built Heritage in each of the last five years.

(AQW 8618/11-15)

Mr Attwood: Revenue generated within the Northern Ireland Environment Agency from its Built Heritage

in each of the last five full financial years is as follows:

WA 490

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Year 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11

Admission to historic

monuments in state

care, retail and book

sales, educational

tours, wedding and

other bookings,

commercial filming,

photography and

operation of the ferry

to Devenish.

£242,667 £305,593 £282,969 £250,709 £243,881

Total £1,346,827

Revenue generated from the Built Heritage for 2011-12 is not yet available though admission charges

alone have already exceeded £250,000.

My Department has no access to figures for revenue generated by others in the Built Heritage sector

such as the National Trust.

Built Heritage

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of the Environment how much Built Heritage has invested in (i)

private homes; (ii) commercial premises; and (iii) public buildings in each of the last five years.

(AQW 8619/11-15)

Mr Attwood: NIEA compiles information based on the following categories - Church Grant; District

Council Grant; National Trust Grant, and Private Grant. I have provided, on the attached table, a

breakdown of grant-aid disbursed in these categories for each of the last 5 financial years. Figures are

not yet available for the 2011/12 financial year.

It is not possible to break this information down into ‘commercial premises’ as this is not a specific

category for grant-aid; large commercial organisations are not eligible for grant-aid, as is the case with

‘public buildings’.

Financial Year Church Grant

District

Council Grant

National Trust

Grant Private Grant Total

2006/07 £295,160 £83,240 £109,080 £1,092,394 £1,579,874

2007/08 £392,827 £173,886 £291,156 £1,500,359 £2,358,228

2008/09 £689,740 £639,933 £93,534 £2,672,257 £4,095,464

2009/10 £483,804 £258,189 £127,675 £2,457,184 £3,326,852

2010/11 £963,210 £510,546 £10,220 £2,291,795 £3,775,771

Anaerobic Digesters and Wind Turbines

Mr Frew asked the Minister of the Environment what funding or incentives his Department has in place

for anaerobic digesters and wind turbines.

(AQW 8630/11-15)

Mr Attwood: Under the Rethink Waste Programme the Department provides capital and revenue

funding to encourage diversion of waste from landfill and to boost recycling. My Department does not

specifically provide funding or incentives for provision of renewable energy infrastructure projects such

as anaerobic digesters or wind turbines. However, I understand that you have also tabled this question

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 491

to my Ministerial colleagues in both DARD and DETI and they will therefore confirm the position of their

respective Departments in relation to funding for renewable energy projects.

Civil Service: Temporary Contracts

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment (i) how many of the staff at the Driver and Vehicle

Agency headquarters, Coleraine, are employed on temporary contracts; and (ii) for how long each

member of staff has been employed on a temporary contract.

(AQW 8635/11-15)

Mr Attwood: Table 1 attached provides details on the four staff employed on temporary contracts at

the Driver and Vehicle Agency Headquarters, Coleraine.

In addition to these temporary staff twenty-one agency workers are engaged at the Driver and Vehicle

Agency Headquarters, Coleraine, through a Recruitment Agency. Details on these are provided at Table 2.

In the main these casual staff and agency workers are used to cover staff absences such as maternity

leave and peeks in demand.

You will note that four of the agency workers have exceeded the normal 51 week limit set by the Department

of Finance and Personnel (DFP). Flexibility on the 51 week rule has been approved by DFP. This is to

allow for completion of a casual recruitment competition necessary to provide continuity in relation to

the Agency’s responsibilities to conduct Automatic Number Plate checks on behalf of the Driver and

Vehicle Licensing Agency, Swansea. The competition is expected to be finalised by May 2012.

The typical cost of employing a casual member of staff at DVA Headquarters Coleraine is £1,400 per

calendar month. During the month of January 2012 the cost of agency workers engaged at the Driver

and Vehicle Agency Headquarters, Coleraine was circa £25,000.

TABLE 1: CASUAL STAFF EMPLOYED DIRECTLY BY THE DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF DVA

Duration of Engagement to Date (Weeks) Number of Casual Staff

Commenced 27/2/2012 1

3 2

7 1

Total 4

TABLE 2: AGENCY WORKERS ENGAGED THROUGH A RECRUITMENT AGENCY

Duration of Engagement to Date (Weeks) Number of Agency Workers

Commenced 27/2/2012 1

2 1

3 1

4 1

5 1

8 1

10 1

15 1

16 1

WA 492

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Duration of Engagement to Date (Weeks) Number of Agency Workers

18 1

20 2

21 1

23 1

38 1

39 2

58 1

59 2

60 1

Total 21

Beneficiaries of Landfill Tax

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the beneficiaries of landfill tax in each council

area in the last 12 months.

(AQW 8636/11-15)

Mr Attwood: Landfill Tax is a reserved matter and is administered by HMRC on behalf of the Treasury.

All of the revenue that is raised through landfill tax in Northern Ireland goes to the UK Exchequer. Since

2003/04, as a Barnett consequential, Northern Ireland has received an allocation from the landfill tax.

However, there is no direct link between the area in which the revenue is raised and where it is spent.

The use of all funding that is allocated through the Barnett formula is a matter for the Executive.

Some further monies raised through landfill taxes are returned to Northern Ireland through the Landfill

Communities Fund.

The Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme) enables landfill site operators

to claim tax credit for contributions they make to approved environmental bodies for spending on

projects that benefit the environment. The environmental bodies are those enrolled by ENTRUST, the

regulatory body for the scheme.

For the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 (the latest 12 month period that figures are available)

there were 34 NI Environmental Bodies enrolled by ENTRUST. During this period, £840,919.95 was

spent on 47 projects based in Northern Ireland by 9 Environmental Bodies.

The projects by council area and the Environmental Bodies are set out in the following table. A number

of the projects by their nature cover more than one council area.

LANDFILL COMMUNITIES FUND – PROJECT/PROJECT SPEND 2010/2011 BY COUNCIL AREA

District Council Area Environmental Body Project Project Spend

Ards Borough Council Wildfowl & Wetlands

Trust

1 Coastal Habitat

Restoration –WWT

Castle Espie

1 £9,650.00

Armagh City & District

Council

EB Scotland Ltd 1 Markethill Recreation

Area

2 Palace Grounds

Armagh

1 £2,551.10

2 £932.20

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 493

District Council Area Environmental Body Project Project Spend

Banbridge District

Council

Wildlife Trust (Ulster) 1 Solitude Park

Maintenance

1 £6,783.51

Belfast City Council Groundwork Northern

Ireland

Colin Glen Trust

1 Glenbank Woodland

Trail

2 Divis Mountain to

Sir Thomas and Lady

Dixon Park and Nature

Trail

3 PIPS House Access

Project

4 Multipurpose

Biodiversity Garden

and Playspace at An

Droichead

5 Suffolk Community

Centre Interactive

Outdoor Play Area

6 Inverary garden –

reimaging second

bonfire site

7 Hannahstown

Community Garden

8 Sport and Leisure

Swifts FC

9 Ligoniel Environment

& Heritage Project

10 Tyndale Community

Garden of Reflection

11 Ligoniel

Environment &

Heritage Project –

Phase II

12 The HUBB

Civil Defence Hall

Renovation

13 The Colin Glen

Forest Park Biodiversity

Enhancement

Programme

1 £980.00

2 £24,356.49

3 £1,067.10

4 £4,248.00

5 £46,700.36

6 £705.82

7 £1,682.43

8 £24,905.25

9 £17,608.88

10 £20,421.89

11 £18,350.34

12 £29,692.00

13 £20,811.70

Coleraine Borough

Council

EB Scotland Limited

Conservation

Volunteers NI

1 Shamrock Park,

Garvagh

2 Whiterocks Sand

Dune Biodiversity

Project

1 £144,124.94

2 £23,125.00

Cookstown District

Council

EB Scotland Limited 1 Coagh Community

Garden

1 £1,500.00

WA 494

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

District Council Area Environmental Body Project Project Spend

Craigavon Borough

Council

Groundwork Northern

Ireland

Royal Society for the

Protection of Birds

Wildlife Trust (Ulster)

1 Aghalee – Beyond

the Centre –

refurbishment element

2 Enhanced

biodiversity at

Portmore Lough

3 Enhancement

& restoration of

floodplain grazing

marsh at Portmore

Lough

4 Enhancing conditions

for NI Priority Species

at Portmore Lough

5 Landing Stage

at Moneypenny’s

Lockhouse

1 £14,398.91

2 £31,088.65

3 £26,000.00

4 £30,399.36

5 £10,000.00

Derry City Council Groundwork Northern

Ireland

1 Galliagh

Neighbourhood Park

2 Junior Wardens

Environmental Project

3 Hope Transition

Project

4 Glen Park

Masterplan – Phase 2

Childrens Play Area

5 Multi Use Games

Area @ Lincoln Courts

Community Centre

6 Cornshell Creative

Space Project

1 £42,804.50

2 £4500.00

3 £18,527.00

4 £41,841.50

5 £6,812.96

6 £580.75

Down District Council Royal Society for the

Protection of Birds

Wildlife Trust (Ulster)

1 Northern Ireland

Kites

2 Conservation

and promotion of

grasslands across

nature reserves in NI

(Ballynahinch)

1 £21,366.44

2 £17,079.74

Fermanagh District

Council

Wildlife Trust (Ulster)

Conservation

Volunteers NI

1 Marble Arch Caves

Global Geopark –

Fencing

2 Enhancement of

Racecourse Lough,

Enniskillen

3 Growing Together

(Fermanagh)

1 £12,154.35

2 £6,600.00

3 £12,000.00

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 495

District Council Area Environmental Body Project Project Spend

Lisburn City Council Groundwork Northern

Ireland

1 Enhancement of Old

Colin Woodland

2 Downshire YM Pitch

Upgrade

1 £4,871.58

2 £11,467.71

Newry and Mourne

District Council

Wildlife Trust (Ulster) 1 Provision of

pathways, summer

seats, interpretative

panels and railings

1 £4,900.00

Newtownabbey

Borough Council

Groundwork Northern

Ireland

Ophir Rugby Football

Club

Woodland Trust

1 Throne Community

Woodland

Improvements

2 Ophir Development

Project

3 Bringing colour to

Carnmoney Hill

1 £13,800.00

2 £50,000.00

3 £4,966.50

North Down Borough

Council

Wildlife Trust (Ulster) 1 The conservation

and promotion of

Wetlands across

nature reserves in NI

2 The conservation

and promotion of

Woodlands across

nature reserves in NI

1 £13,404.72

2 £10,900.91

Strabane District

Council

Groundwork Northern

Ireland

1 Urney Community

Walk and season

planting

2 Cairdre Community

Garden and Allotment

Project

3 Environmental

Enhancement Project

at Ballycolman

Linkside Community

1 £18,960.00

2 £9,998.98

3 £1,298.38

Total Expenditure £840,919.95

Northern Area Plan

Mr Swann asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the timescale and the stages to be

completed prior to the implementation of the Northern Area Plan.

(AQW 8641/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The Draft Northern Area Plan 2016 is the subject of an Independent Examination currently

being conducted by the Planning Appeals Commission. Stage one of the Independent Examination

addressed strategic policy matters as contained in Volume One of the Draft Plan and was held over

the period 19th September 2011 until the 6th October 2011. Stage Two of the examination into site

specific matters commenced on 23rd January 2012 and is programmed to close on 22nd March 2012.

Following the Examination the Planning Appeals Commission will prepare a report recommending how,

in its view, the objections should be addressed. The Commission is likely to give a broad indication

WA 496

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

of the timescale for preparation of its report at the close of the Independent Examination. Thereafter,

the Department will take into account this report, amending the Plan where appropriate, before moving

to final adoption. The timescale for this latter stage will depend on the extent and complexity of the

issues arising from the Planning Appeals Commission’s report.

Northern Area Plan

Mr Swann asked the Minister of the Environment, given that the Northern Area Plan provides a planning

framework up to 2016 (i) what the status of the plan will be post 2016; and (ii) what steps he is taking

to ensure that any such area plan is introduced in a timely manner.

(AQW 8643/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The Draft Northern Area Plan has been formulated to provide a development framework

up until 2016. However, under the provisions of PPS1: General Principles (paragraph 45), the Plan

can continue to be a material consideration past its stated end date, to the extent that policies and

proposals remain applicable to current circumstances. It is anticipated that the Plan will provide a

foundation on which future development plans will be formulated by Councils

following on from the Review of Public Administration. At present the Department is currently giving

consideration to the best mechanisms for both working with and empowering Councils to participate in

Plan production over the run up to the Review of Public Administration, including supportive legislative

change.

Unfortunately as of yet I am not in a position to announce a date for the adoption of the plan as it

is still subject of an ongoing Independent Examination. The Department has been working with the

Planning Appeals Commission to ensure that the Independent Examination process guards against

unnecessary delay and ensures that objections are heard as efficiently as possible. Stage one of the

Independent Examination addressed strategic policy matters as contained in Volume One of the Draft

Plan and was held over the period 19th September 2011 until the 6th October 2011. Stage Two of

the examination into site specific matters commenced on 23rd January 2012 and is programmed to

close on 22nd March 2012. Following the Examination the Planning Appeals Commission will prepare

a report recommending how, in its view, the objections should be addressed. The Department will take

into account this report, amending the Plan where appropriate, before moving to final adoption.

Normally the Planning Appeals Commission will inform the Department at the close of the Independent

Examination when it expects to deliver its report. Once the Report is received the Department will

announce a time table for the adoption of the plan. The Department will continue to monitor progress

and if shortages in development land arise, remedial actions can be taken.

Planning Applications for Wind Farms

Mr Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment how many planning applications for wind farms have

been submitted in each of the last three years; and how many have been (i) approved; and (ii) refused.

(AQW 8649/11-15)

Mr Attwood: In 2009, 6 applications were received, in 2010, 6 applications were received and in 2011,

15 applications were received.

In 2009, 9 applications were approved and 1 was refused, in 2010, 8 applications were approved and

none were refused, and in 2011, 5 applications were approved and none were refused.

Taxi Fares

Mr Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment how taxis will be able to charge, under the new

regulations, fares less than that shown on their meters.

(AQW 8650/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The proposals for taxi fare regulations mean that a maximum taxi fare would apply in

Northern Ireland. As is currently the case with Belfast Public Hire licensed taxis, any driver can charge

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 497

less than the metered fare either by agreeing a fare with a passenger in advance of the journey or by

deciding on and providing for a regular discount which applies to all fares.

A receipt printer will be required to record and print the maximum fare payable, and the driver will be

able to record how much the customer was actually charged.

It is important to understand this proposal – it is about maximum fares not minimum fares and there

should be no suggestion otherwise. Licensing and regulation of taxis will help better standards and

safety, is what customers, tourists and visitors expect, is good practice in places across the world and

is what disability organisations and consumer groups support. This is a challenging issue to get right

but I am determined to do so and to move decisively.

New Taxi Regulations

Mr Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the status of Belfast by-laws in relation to

the new taxi regulations.

(AQW 8651/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The new Taxi Licence Regulations are scheduled for introduction later this year. These

regulations create a new single tier licensing system for all taxis across Northern Ireland. Once the

regulations are in place the Belfast Bye-laws, which currently relate only to Belfast Public Hire taxis, will

be repealed.

Two-Tier Taxi System of Private Hire and Wheelchair Access Taxis

Mr Kinahan asked the Minister of the Environment to clarify the intent behind the new two-tier taxi

system of private hire and wheelchair access taxis.

(AQW 8652/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The proposed single tier licensing regime whereby all taxis can be hailed or pre-booked

but only wheelchair accessible ones can stand at taxi ranks is intended to:

■ improve passenger safety by making it easier to identify a licensed taxi,

■ increase the availability of taxis at peak times by reducing the restrictions on the types of service

taxis can provide,

■ give passengers greater freedom to choose the type of taxi whey want to take without having to

plan and book this in advance,

■ increase the provision of wheelchair accessible taxis outside Belfast by making accessibility a

requirement for standing at ranks, and

■ be the first step in the long term objective to deliver a more accessible taxi fleet

Veteran or Vintage Cars Exempt from MOT

Mr McKay asked the Minister of the Environment (i) whether he would consider making veteran or

vintage cars exempt from MOT, similar to the system that operates in the Irish Republic; and (ii) what

action he intends to take to encourage such car owners to use their vehicles on public roads.

(AQW 8667/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The Department issued a consultation document on 29th November 2011 to seek views

on the exemption of historic vehicles from periodic roadworthiness testing, which would include both

the MOT and the goods vehicle test. The consultation set out three options for exemption from test

- for vehicles first used before 1960, before 1945 or before 1920. The aim of the document was to

gather as much information and opinion as possible to enable the Department to select one of these

options, whilst avoiding any compromise of road safety. The consultation closed on 21st February 2012

and the Department is presently collating the responses.

WA 498

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

When a clear policy on test exemptions for historic vehicles has been finalised, taking into account the

responses to the consultation, the Department will bring forward proposals.

The Department is aware of the value of the Northern Ireland historic car fleet and is supportive of the

community of enthusiasts who keep these vehicles on the road. This support must of course always be

balanced with the need to maintain road safety standards.

Tendering Practices for Legal Services

Mr Dickson asked the Minister of the Environment what action his Department is taking to ensure that

district councils comply with good tendering practices for legal services.

(AQW 8685/11-15)

Mr Attwood: Under the Local Government (Best Value) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002, (the 2002 Act),

district councils are required to make arrangements for continuous improvement in the way in which

their functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

How individual councils obtain their legal services is legally and technically a matter for each council.

However, it is expected that, in line with best value, councils should seek out the most economical

provider of a quality service. Also, in his report of 12 June 2008, the Chief Local Government Auditor

encouraged all councils to review their legal advice arrangements on a more regular basis. This was

reiterated in the current Chief Local Government Auditor’s report in 2011 and is something that will be

considered in future local government audits.

I have been encouraging local authorities to demonstrate how current procurement arrangements

can provide value for money and comply with legislation. I will be meeting with the Local Government

Procurement Group shortly to discuss how the sector can improve procurement practices and to

encourage collaborative procurement.

I agree strongly that best practice should prevail when tendering legal services and indeed I wrote to

councils last year to request details of practices. I shall make it clear at the LGPG meeting my views on

these matters.

Planning Application A/2010/0493/F

Mr McCartney asked the Minister of the Environment when he will make a decision on planning

application A/2010/0493/F, in relation to an ASDA store at Crescent Link Retail Park, Derry.

(AQW 8692/11-15)

Mr Attwood: This planning application is being assessed along with several other current applications

in Derry which include a major retail element as part of the proposals.

My officials have undertaken a thorough reassessment of the relevant retail information associated

with these proposals to ensure that decisions are made with the benefit of the most up to date

information available.

Each case will be considered on its individual merits. I will take into account all factors, including in

town/out of town retail issues.

Permit to Discharge

Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of the Environment (i) what are the conditions of a permit to discharge;

and (ii) what were the conditions of a permit to discharge (a) 10 years ago; and (b) five years ago.

(AQW 8708/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) administers a system of discharge

consents which lay down site specific conditions relating to the quality and quantity of effluent that may

be discharged. The site specific conditions are formulated using scientific protocols which ensure that

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 499

the discharge can be sustained by the receiving waterway without damage to the aquatic environment

and without breaching national or EU Directive standards.

When consent conditions are being drawn up, account is taken of:

■ the composition and volume of the proposed discharge;

■ the water quality target for the receiving water, as specified by the Water Framework Directive;

■ the existing quality of the receiving water;

■ the available dilution (flow) in the receiving waterway; and

■ relevant EU Directive requirements or international agreements.

Most discharge consents include numerical conditions for certain parameters of the effluent, which

enables a quantitative assessment of compliance to be made. Formulation of numeric consent conditions

may require mathematical modeling. A number of non-numeric conditions may also be stipulated, such

as safe access to a sampling point, and the requirement for any treatment system to undergo regular

maintenance.

The effluent quality conditions stipulated on a consent will reflect the requirements of the current water

quality objectives of the receiving waterway as defined by water quality legislation. Therefore, consents

issued 5 and 10 years ago will contain conditions reflective of the legislation at that time. A discharge

consent may, however, be reviewed by the Department at intervals of not less than 4 years from the

date of issue. The Department will, where appropriate, carry out such a review should it be deemed

necessary to meet current legislative requirements.

Site at 160-220 Castlereagh Road, Belfast

Mrs Cochrane asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on the site at 160-220 Castlereagh

Road, Belfast following the refusal of planning permission for a development on this site.

(AQW 8742/11-15)

Mr Attwood: Planning permission for a superstore, car parking, servicing arrangements and

landscaping was refused on 7th September 2011 following a public inquiry. The reasons for refusal

related to the adequacy of the roads infrastructure and the vehicular access to Castlereagh Road.

The site does, however, have an extant planning permission for a smaller retail development granted

on 7 July 2010. This development is for a superstore, car parking, access, servicing arrangements,

dotcom area and landscaping.

Planning permission had previously been granted for a residential development comprising 2 detached

dwellings, 16 semi-detached dwellings, 40 townhouses and 125 apartments. This permission was

granted on 23 January 2006 and has now expired.

The Department is currently processing an outline application for a similar form of residential development

(Ref Z/2011/0119/O) which was received on 3 February 2011. The Department is awaiting a number

of consultation replies and a petition of objection has been received.

Planning Policies

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of the Environment whether a section 75 assessment is carried out

on planning policies before they are implemented.

(AQW 8750/11-15)

Mr Attwood: When developing new or revised planning policy statements (PPSs), DOE officials carry

out equality screening to assess the impact on the promotion of equality of opportunity and/or good

relations in accordance with Section 75 and Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Where an equality screening indicates that adverse impacts are likely to arise, then a full Equality

Impact Assessment (EQIA) will be undertaken. The EQIA process seeks to ensure that policies do not

WA 500

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

have the effect of discriminating against individuals or groups of people who fall within the categories

defined in Section 75.

The Department also undertakes equality screening on development plans which apply regional policies

at the appropriate local level. Draft EQIAs have been published with a number consultation draft plans,

including: Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (published in November 2004); draft Banbridge,

Newry & Mourne Area Plan 2015 (published in August 2006); and draft Northern Area Plan 2016

(published in May 2005). Final EQIAs have been prepared for the Belfast Houses in Multiple Occupation

Subject Plan 2015 (adopted December 2008); Ards & Down Area Plan 2015 (adopted in March 2009);

and Magherafelt Area Plan 2015 (adopted in December 2011).

Finally, I can advise that the Equality Scheme for the Department of the Environment (2011-2016),

which has been approved by the Equality Commission NI on 25 January 2012, is available to view or

download at www.doeni.gov.uk/index/information/equality_unit.

Licences to Restaurants and Bars

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of the Environment whether councils have to take disability access

into account before granting licences to restaurants and bars.

(AQW 8753/11-15)

Mr Attwood: Only restaurants or bars that provide entertainment on their premises are required to be

licensed by councils. The terms, conditions and restrictions attached to an entertainments licence will

be decided by the council, and different terms may be applied to different venues. The legislation for

entertainments licensing refers to facilities for the disabled as one of the factors that may be specified

in the terms of the licence.

In addition, disability access is covered in Part 10 of the Department’s Model Terms, Conditions and

Restrictions for Indoor Entertainments – Technical Requirements. Councils are required to have regard

to any model terms, conditions and restrictions issued by the Department.

Items of Treasure

Mr Spratt asked the Minister of the Environment how many items of treasure have been found in each

of the last three years, broken down by constituency.

(AQW 8757/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The Northern Ireland Environment Agency: Built Heritage records show that in the last

three years there has only been one reported find of possible treasure made in Northern Ireland. The

artefact was reported to the NIEA in June 2011 as being found in December 2009. It was found within

the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency and a date has been set for a Coroner’s inquest in late

March 2012. The Coroner will rule whether that artefact qualifies as treasure or not.

In addition to this find, there are a number of artefacts that were found prior to the last three years but

have had Coroner’s inquests and been declared treasure within the last three years. In 2009, a Bronze

Age gold bracelet from the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency, a Bronze Age gold personal

ornament from the South Down constituency and a medieval silver ring from Upper Bann were declared

treasure by the Coroner. In 2012 to date, a silver coin hoard from Newry & Armagh and gold finger ring

from Fermanagh and South Tyrone have been declared treasure by the Coroner.

Searching for Archaeological Objects Without a Licence

Mr Spratt asked the Minister of the Environment how many people have been convicted of searching

for archaeological objects without a licence in each of the last three years, broken down by

constituency.

(AQW 8759/11-15)

Mr Attwood: In Northern Ireland searching for archaeological objects is controlled under the Historic

Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995. Under that Order, it is illegal to excavate for

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 501

archaeological objects, which will include treasure items, without a licence from the Department of

the Environment. Furthermore, any person who, except under and in accordance with any conditions

attached to a licence issued by the Department, excavates in or under any land (whether or not such

excavation involves the removal of the surface of the land) for the purpose of searching generally for

archaeological objects or of searching for, exposing or examining any particular structure or thing of

archaeological interest shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not

exceeding level 3 (£1,000) on the standard scale.

I am advised that, according to records held by the Built Heritage Directorate of the Northern Ireland

Environment Agency, covering the last three years, no person in Northern Ireland has been convicted of

searching for archaeological objects without a licence.

Being in Possession of a Detection Device

Mr Spratt asked the Minister of the Environment how many people have been convicted of being in

possession of a detection device on a protected site in each of the last three years, broken down by

constituency.

(AQW 8760/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The Northern Ireland Environment Agency: Built Heritage records show that in the last

three years no person in Northern Ireland has been convicted of being in possession of a detection

device on a protected site.

Areas of Townscape Character

Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to list the Areas of Townscape Character.

(AQW 8761/11-15)

Mr Attwood: Planning Policy Statement (PPS 6): Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage

(March 1999) sets out the Department’s planning policies for the protection and conservation of

archaeological remains and features of the built heritage and advises on the treatment of these issues

in development plans.

An addendum to PPS 6 ‘Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage’ entitled ‘Areas of Townscape

Character’ was published in August 2005. The addendum, which should be read in conjunction with

the provisions of PPS 6, provides additional planning policies relating to Areas of Townscape Character,

for demolition of buildings, new development and the control of advertisements. The addendum

advises that, for its purposes and those of other planning policy publications, all references to Areas of

Townscape Character should be read as including Areas of Village Character.

The complete list of Areas of Townscape / Village Character is set out below and includes (a) those

designated in accordance with regional planning policy through the development plan process (see

Summary Tables 1 & 2 below) and (b) those listed in Schedule 1 of the Planning (Demolition and

Description of Buildings) Direction 2009 (See Table 3 below).

SUMMARY TABLE 1: ATC & AVC DESIGNATIONS IN ADOPTED PLANS

Adopted Area Development

Plan Number of ATCs Number of AVCs ATC & AVC Total

Ards & Down Area Plan 2015 11 0 11

Cookstown Area Plan 2010 12 0 12

Craigavon Area Plan 2010 4 0 4

Derry Area Plan 2011 4 0 4

Dungannon & South Tyrone

Area Plan 2010 11 0 11

WA 502

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Adopted Area Development

Plan Number of ATCs Number of AVCs ATC & AVC Total

Fermanagh Area Plan 2007 3 17 20

Magherafelt Area Plan 2015 3 0 3

Totals 48 17 65

SUMMARY TABLE 2: PROPOSED ATC & AVC DESIGNATIONS IN DRAFT PLANS

Draft Area Development Plan Number of ATCs Number of AVCs ATC & AVC Total

Banbridge /Newry Area Plan

2015 35 0 35

Belfast Metropolitan Area

Plan 2015 86 14 100

Northern Area Plan 2016 8 1 9

Totals 129 15 144

Note: For breakdown of each plan refer to separate ‘List of Areas of Townscape Character (ATC) and Areas of

Village Character (AVC) in Northern Ireland’ dated 28/02/12.

TABLE 3: AREAS OF TOWNSCAPE CHARACTER LISTED IN SCHEDULE 1 OF THE PLANNING

(DEMOLITION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUILDINGS) DIRECTION 2009

Council Area of Townscape (ATC)

Belfast City Council Cherryvalley ATC

Circular Road ATC

Cliftonville ATC

Donegall Park Avenue ATC

Hampton Park ATC

Holyland ATC

North/South Parade and Park Road ATC

Rosetta ATC

Rugby Road ATC

Sunningdale ATC

Twaddell ATC

Wandsworth ATC

Ballymena District Council Area Galgorm Road and Old Galgorm Road ATC

Castlereagh Borough Council Area Creagh ATC

Thiepval ATC

Newtownabbey Borough Council Area Hazelbank/Abbeylands ATC

Lenamore (Extension) ATC

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 503

Council Area of Townscape (ATC)

North Down Borough Council Bangor Bay (Princetown Road and Seacliff Road/

Clifton Road) ATC

In addition to those ATC’s listed above in Table 3, the following tables list Areas of Townscape

Character referred to in Adopted and Draft Plans.

ARDS AND DOWN AREA PLAN 2015 (ADOPTED 30TH MARCH 2009)

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Kearney Ards Countryside Ards Borough

ATC Comber The Square Ards Borough

ATC Comber The Mill Village Ards Borough

ATC Donaghadee New Road/Warren

Road

Ards Borough

ATC Greyabbey - Ards Borough

ATC Kircubbin - Ards Borough

ATC Newtownards Court Street/Court

Square

Ards Borough

ATC Bryansford - Down District

ATC Dundrum - Down District

ATC Newcastle The Harbour, The Rock

and King Street

Down District

ATC Seaforde - Down District

DRAFT BANBRIDGE / NEWRY AND MOURNE AREA PLAN 2015 (PUBLISHED 22ND AUGUST 2006)

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Annaclone - Banbridge District

ATC Banbridge Hayes Park Banbridge District

ATC Banbridge Peggy’s Loaning Banbridge District

ATC Banbridge Town Centre Banbridge District

ATC Dromore Meeting Street Banbridge District

ATC Dromore Mount Street Banbridge District

ATC Gilford Gilford Mill & High

Street

Banbridge District

ATC Gilford Town Centre Banbridge District

ATC Leitrim - Banbridge District

ATC Loughbrickland - Banbridge District

ATC Rathfriland - Banbridge District

ATC Scarva - Banbridge District

WA 504

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Tullylish - Banbridge District

ATC Annalong - Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Bessbrook Chapel Road Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Bessbrook Mount Charles Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Crossmaglen - Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Forkhill - Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Hilltown - Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Jerrettspass - Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Kilkeel - Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Newry Bridge Street Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Newry Canal Street Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Newry Cornmarket Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Newry Corry Square Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Newry Dominic Street Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Newry Drumalane Road Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Newry Dublin Road Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Newry High Street Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Newry Kilmorey Street Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Newry Windsor Hill Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Rostrevor Victoria Square Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Rostrevor Warrenpoint Road Newry & Mourne

District

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 505

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Warrenpoint Town Centre &

Seafront

Newry & Mourne

District

ATC Warrenpoint Well Road Newry & Mourne

District

DRAFT BELFAST METROPOLITAN AREA PLAN 2015 (PUBLISHED 30TH NOVEMBER 2004)

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Belfast Alexander Park Belfast City

ATC Belfast Ardenlee Belfast City

ATC Belfast Belmont Belfast City

ATC Belfast Botanic Avenue Belfast City

ATC Belfast Castlehill Road Belfast City

ATC Belfast Cherryvalley Belfast City

ATC Belfast Cherryvalley Extension Belfast City

ATC Belfast Circular Road Belfast City

ATC Belfast Cliftonville Belfast City

ATC Belfast Cyprus Park/Cyprus

Gardens

Belfast City

ATC Belfast Donegall Road (Village) Belfast City

ATC Belfast Donegall Road East Belfast City

ATC Belfast Falls/Donegall Road Belfast City

ATC Belfast Falls/St Mary’s Belfast City

ATC Belfast Finaghy Belfast City

ATC Belfast Fruithill Park Belfast City

ATC Belfast Glandore Gardens Belfast City

ATC Belfast Green Road Belfast City

ATC Belfast Hampton Park Belfast City

ATC Belfast Holland Park Belfast City

ATC Belfast Holyland Belfast City

ATC Belfast Holywood Arches Belfast City

ATC Belfast Innishfayle Belfast City

ATC Belfast Knock Eden Park Belfast City

ATC Belfast Lagan Village Belfast City

ATC Belfast Ligoniel Belfast City

ATC Belfast Lisburn Road Belfast City

ATC Belfast Lower Cavehill Road Belfast City

WA 506

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Belfast Lower Cliftonville Belfast City

ATC Belfast Lower Lisburn Road Belfast City

ATC Belfast Lower Ormeau Belfast City

ATC Belfast North Parade/South

Parade

Belfast City

ATC Belfast Ormeau Belfast City

ATC Belfast Ravenhill Park Belfast City

ATC Belfast Ravenhill Triangle Belfast City

ATC Belfast Ravenscroft Avenue Belfast City

ATC Belfast Rosetta Belfast City

ATC Belfast Rugby Road Belfast City

ATC Belfast Sandford Avenue/

Sunbury Avenue

Belfast City

ATC Belfast Shankill Belfast City

ATC Belfast Stockmans Lane/

Mooreland Park

Belfast City

ATC Belfast Stranmillis Riverside Belfast City

ATC Belfast Stranmillis Village Belfast City

ATC Belfast Sunningdale Belfast City

ATC Belfast Templemore Avenue Belfast City

ATC Belfast Twaddell Belfast City

ATC Belfast Upper Malone Belfast City

ATC Belfast Victoria Street/Oxford

Street

Belfast City

ATC Belfast Wellesley Avenue/Keir Belfast City

ATC Belfast Willowholme Belfast City

ATC Belfast Woodstock Road Belfast City

ATC Belfast Woodvale Belfast City

ATC Carrickfergus Belfast Road Carrickfergus Borough

ATC Carrickfergus Larne Road Carrickfergus Borough

ATC Greenisland - Carrickfergus Borough

ATC Greenisland Shore Road Carrickfergus Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Castlereagh

Cregagh Castlereagh Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Castlereagh

Cregagh Park & Everton

Drive

Castlereagh Borough

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 507

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Metropolitan

Castlereagh

Dundonald Castlereagh Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Castlereagh

Newtownbreda Castlereagh Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Castlereagh

Rochester Avenue Castlereagh Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Castlereagh

Thiepval Castlereagh Borough

AVC Moneyreagh - Castlereagh Borough

AVC Drumbeg - Lisburn City

AVC Edenderry - Lisburn City

AVC Glenavy - Lisburn City

AVC Lambeg - Lisburn City

ATC Lisburn City Bachelors Walk Lisburn City

ATC Lisburn City Hilden Lisburn City

ATC Lisburn City Seymour Street Lisburn City

ATC Lisburn City Wallace Park Lisburn City

ATC Lisburn City Warren Park Lisburn City

AVC Lower Ballinderry - Lisburn City

ATC Metropolitan Lisburn Dunmurry Lisburn City

AVC Purdysburn - Lisburn City

AVC Upper Ballinderry - Lisburn City

ATC Ballyclare - Newtownabbey

Borough

AVC Ballyeaston - Newtownabbey

Borough

AVC Doagh - Newtownabbey

Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Newtownabbey

Abbeyville Park Newtownabbey

Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Newtownabbey

Fernagh Newtownabbey

Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Newtownabbey

Hazelbank/Abbeylands Newtownabbey

Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Newtownabbey

Lenamore Newtownabbey

Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Newtownabbey

Old Manse Road Newtownabbey

Borough

WA 508

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Metropolitan

Newtownabbey

Rush Park Newtownabbey

Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Newtownabbey

Whiteabbey Newtownabbey

Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Newtownabbey

Whiteabbey Mill Newtownabbey

Borough

ATC Metropolitan

Newtownabbey

Ypres Park Newtownabbey

Borough

AVC Straid - Newtownabbey

Borough

ATC Bangor Bangor Central North Down Borough

ATC Bangor Bangor East North Down Borough

ATC Bangor Bangor West North Down Borough

AVC Crawfordsburn - North Down Borough

AVC Groomsport - North Down Borough

AVC Helen’s Bay - North Down Borough

ATC Holywood Holywood North North Down Borough

ATC Holywood Holywood South North Down Borough

ATC Holywood Holywood/Bangor Road North Down Borough

ATC Holywood Kinnegar North Down Borough

ATC Holywood Marino,Cultra,Craigavad North Down Borough

COOKSTOWN AREA PLAN 2010 (ADOPTED 25TH JUNE 2004)

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Ballinderry - Cookstown District

ATC Ballyronan - Cookstown District

ATC Churchtown - Cookstown District

ATC Coagh - Cookstown District

ATC Cookstown - Cookstown District

ATC Desertcreat - Cookstown District

ATC Drapersfield - Cookstown District

ATC Pomeroy - Cookstown District

ATC Stewartstown - Cookstown District

ATC The Loop - Cookstown District

ATC The Rock - Cookstown District

ATC Tullyhogue - Cookstown District

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 509

CRAIGAVON AREA PLAN 2010 (ADOPTED 25TH AUGUST 2004)

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Charlestown - Craigavon Borough

ATC Donaghcloney - Craigavon Borough

ATC Lurgan College Walk Craigavon Borough

ATC Portadown Bachelor’s Walk Craigavon Borough

DERRY AREA PLAN 2011 (ADOPTED 1ST MAY 2000)

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Culmore - Derry City

ATC Eglinton - Derry City

ATC Londonderry Bond’s Hill Derry City

ATC Londonderry Victoria Park Derry City

DUNGANNON & SOUTH TYRONE AREA PLAN 2010 (ADOPTED 16TH MARCH 2005)

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Augher - Dungannon & S.Tyrone

District

ATC Aughnacloy - Dungannon & S.Tyrone

District

ATC Ballygawley - Dungannon & S.Tyrone

District

ATC Benburb - Dungannon & S.Tyrone

District

ATC Castlecaulfield - Dungannon & S.Tyrone

District

ATC Clogher - Dungannon & S.Tyrone

District

ATC Coalisland - Dungannon & S.Tyrone

District

ATC Donaghmore - Dungannon & S.Tyrone

District

ATC Dungannon - Dungannon & S.Tyrone

District

ATC Fivemiletown - Dungannon & S.Tyrone

District

ATC Moy - Dungannon & S.Tyrone

District

WA 510

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

FERMANAGH AREA PLAN 2007 (ADOPTED 1ST MARCH 1997)

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

AVC Ballinamallard - Fermanagh District

AVC Belcoo/Holywell - Fermanagh District

AVC Belleek - Fermanagh District

AVC Brookeborough - Fermanagh District

AVC Derrygonnelly - Fermanagh District

AVC Ederney - Fermanagh District

ATC Enniskillen Belmore Street Fermanagh District

ATC Enniskillen Henry Street Fermanagh District

AVC Garrison - Fermanagh District

ATC Irvinestown - Fermanagh District

AVC Kesh - Fermanagh District

AVC Lack - Fermanagh District

AVC Lisbellaw - Fermanagh District

AVC Lisnarick - Fermanagh District

AVC Magheraveely - Fermanagh District

AVC Maguiresbridge - Fermanagh District

AVC Newtownbutler - Fermanagh District

AVC Pettigoe/Tullyhommon - Fermanagh District

AVC Rosslea - Fermanagh District

AVC Tempo - Fermanagh District

MAGHERAFELT AREA PLAN 2015 (ADOPTED 14TH DECEMBER 2011)

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Maghera - Magherafelt District

ATC Magherafelt - Magherafelt District

ATC Upperlands - Magherafelt District

DRAFT NORTHERN AREA PLAN 2016 (PUBLISHED 11TH MAY 2005)

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC Coleraine Coleraine Town Centre Coleraine Borough

ATC Portrush - Coleraine Borough

ATC Limavady Main Street Limavady Borough

AVC Armoy - Moyle District

ATC* Coleraine Mountsandel Road Coleraine Borough

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 511

Plan Designation Settlement Location Council Area

ATC* Coleraine Lodge Road Coleraine Borough

ATC* Portstewart Central Avenue Coleraine Borough

ATC* Portstewart Harryville Coleraine Borough

ATC* Portballintrae - Coleraine Borough

* Proposed and accepted at Stage 2 of Public Examination into the draft Northern Area Plan 2016 –

ConsequentlytheseveATCsarenowrecognisedasDraftPlanproposals.

Secondment to Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) the number of (a) full-time; and

(b) part-time staff who are currently on secondment from his Department, or its arm’s length bodies,

to each recognised trade union; (ii) the salary scale for each secondee; and (iii) the length of each

secondment to date.

(AQW 8774/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The number of full time staff currently on secondment from this Department or its

arm’s length bodies broken down by union, salary scale for each secondee and the duration of each

secondment is set out in the Table below. There are no part-time staff currently on secondment to a

recognised trade union.

Department Number of Staff

Duration of

Secondment as

at 1 March 2012

*Minimum to

Maximum Salary

Scale Union

DOE 1 3 years 3 months £34,163 to

£38,893

NIPSA

1 2 years 11

months

£21,392 to

£23,250

NIPSA

* Current salary scale based on the 2010-2011 pay award.

Planning Applications

Mr Spratt asked the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of the current backlog of planning

applications.

(AQO 1424/11-15)

Mr Attwood: You may be aware of the Action Plan in place to deal with the PPS14/21 applications that

were at deferral stage prior to the publication of the final version of PPS21 on 1st June 2010. I am

pleased to advise that this review has been complete.

Of the other backlog applications, I agreed with officials that we should initially concentrate on

determining the ‘major’ category of planning applications that have been in the system for more than

12 months. As a result over the last 18 months, the number of applications which exceed 12 months

in the system reduced by over 40% to 2250 of which some 1450 are major applications.

There are a number of reasons for delays in processing planning applications mainly due to the need to

redeploy planning and administrative staff due to an unprecedented reduction in income from planning

application fee receipts. This has led to reallocation of cases to remaining staff and increases in case

loads. That said, the backlog of applications is continuing to reduce but inevitably the average and

percentile timescale for processing will lengthen as decisions are issued on more older applications. I have

WA 512

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

developed a workforce planning model in order to build a planning system that is more fit for purpose

and provide decisions on planning applications in a timely manner, subject to finance being available.

I would urge applicants to engage with my planners and local communities at an early stage, and to

submit high quality applications accompanied by all of the information and surveys necessary to allow

if to be determined as quickly as possible. As I have demonstrated on Article 31 applications, active

management, firm leadership and tighter systems can produce a more fit for purpose planning system.

Review of PPS 21

Mr McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on the review of PPS 21 and rural

planning policy.

(AQO 1419/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The review of the operation of PPS21 is now concluded. I am currently finalising the

review report and will announce the outcome of the review in the near future.

Wind Turbines

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of the Environment to outline how he will ensure that communities living

near wind turbines get greater financial benefits than they have received to date.

(AQO 1426/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The community benefits to be derived by any given community group will depend on the

scale of the proposed development. Given our dispersed rural settlement pattern, wind farm developers

often enter into negotiations with individual farmers and rural dwellers as well as community groups,

local to the proposed windfarm development. The question remains as to what constitutes a ‘fair’,

‘reasonable’ or ‘meaningful’ level of benefit for the local community.

I am encouraged therefore that the Northern Ireland Renewable Industry Group (NIRIG) is at an advanced

stage in the development of a community benefit protocol. The Sustainable Energy Interdepartmental

Working Group will consider this document when published.

I have met officials to discuss how, if possible, to better manage the community benefits arising from

renewable applications. I will look, in particular, at the Scottish model, plan to meet the Fermanagh

Trust which has published proposals and see how to move the issue forward.

Planning: Rose Energy

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on the Rose Energy planning

application.

(AQO 1428/11-15)

Mr Attwood: The applications are now in the final stage of consideration. The files on this case

containing a report and recommendation will be forwarded to me shortly. The Department will make a

recommendation on whether to proceed by way of a NOP to approve or refuse the applications or by

way of a Public Inquiry.

Sprucefield Centre Limited Planning Application

Mr Givan asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on the Sprucefield Centre Limited

planning application.

(AQO 1429/11-15)

Mr Attwood: As you may be aware the Department has requested that the Planning Appeals Commission

(PAC) hold a Public Local Inquiry to consider this application.

The holding of the Inquiry has been delayed by inter alia judicial review proceedings - which have now

been withdrawn - and the need to consider and advertise further environmental information submitted

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 513

by the applicant. Further information was submitted to the Department on 18 August 2011 and again

on 3 February 2012. This information is presently under consideration by my officials and is being

advertised in accordance with the statutory requirements.

I am advised that the Department will be in a position before the end of March 2012, to write to the

PAC requesting a new date for the inquiry.

Driver and Vehicle Agency

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment, in light of the proposed changes to the Driver and

Vehicle Agency (DVA), what steps can be taken to protect the 300 DVA jobs in Coleraine.

(AQO 1430/11-15)

Mr Attwood: I am deeply concerned about the possible impact on jobs as a consequence of the work

currently being undertaken by DVLA to examine how they can deliver an integrated IT system and the

associated study on the options for the delivery of vehicle licensing services in NI following integration

of the IT systems.

The transfer of some licensing work to the Web or to post offices would not have a major impact.

This would be relatively straightforward work, and most staff are engaged on other duties such as

enforcement. However, DVLA have recently announced that they intend to close all their regional and

local offices in Britain, with the loss of 1400 jobs, and centralise the work in Swansea. DVLA are

looking at this option in relation to DVA.

I have had two meetings in London with the Transport Minister on this issue and emphasised the impact

that the loss of jobs could have in NI, especially in Coleraine, where 260 of the 320 jobs are located.

In view of all the other challenges facing our economy the threat to jobs is unacceptable. In addition, I

have argued the need to maintain capacity in anticipation of new foreign haulage charges, the capacity

of DVA staff to undertake contract work from Swansea and other options to maintain staff numbers.

I have been assured that no decisions have yet been taken about how vehicle licensing will be carried

out here in the future and that I will be fully consulted before any decisions are taken. I am now writing

to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to escalate my

argument on this issue and to outline further proposals to protect staff numbers. I have been highly

vigilant on this issue since becoming Minister, I will continue to be so and urge all to join me in this effort.

Department of Finance and Personnel

Social Clauses in Public Procurement Contracts

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many jobs have been created as a

result of social clauses in public procurement contracts, in the Foyle constituency in each of the last

five years.

(AQW 8132/11-15)

Mr Wilson (The Minister of Finance and Personnel): The purpose of the employment related social clauses

in contracts is not job creation per se but rather to provide job opportunities for the unemployed and

apprentices. (More recently, a requirement for student placements has also been added.) The measures

are not targeted at geographical areas and the contracts do not stipulate from where contractors or

their subcontractors should draw their workforce.

I am therefore unable to say what the impact of social clauses has been in the Foyle constituency.

However, a number of departments have provided me with the numbers of construction contracts

containing requirements for job opportunities that they awarded in Foyle in the past five years. They

have also indicated the number of placements provided. This information is set out in aggregate in

tabular form below.

No employment related placements have been provided in non-construction contracts.

WA 514

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Year

No. of contracts with

employment clauses

Number of placements provided for:

Unemployed Apprentices

2007/08* 0 0 0

2008/09* 1 2 0

2009/10 1 2 16

2010/11 7 14 37

2011/12 4 30 7

Total 13 48 60

* EmploymentrelatedsocialclauseswererstintroducedinDecember2008forcontractswithprocurements

commencing after that date.

Stormont Estate: Generate Renewable Energy

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what plans are in place to utilise the

Stormont Estate to generate renewable energy.

(AQW 8372/11-15)

Mr Wilson: A 100 KW wood pellet biomass boiler was installed in the Stables Building on the Stormont

Estate in 2009/10.

The feasibility of further opportunities for renewable energy installations within the estate will be

considered as part of a more wide-ranging review of accommodation within the Stormont Estate. It is

anticipated that this review will take place beyond the current budget period (FY10/11-FY13/14).

Electric Car Charging Facilities in the Grounds of the Stormont Estate

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel whether his Department has any plans to

install electric car charging facilities in the grounds of the Stormont Estate.

(AQW 8376/11-15)

Mr Wilson: In July 2011 DFP engaged with DRD to consider the potential for providing charging units

within the Stormont Estate car park as part of DRD’s ‘plugged-in places’ project.

Year 1 of the project involved selecting locations for ‘public’ charging points however the Stormont

Estate was not selected as a preferred location due to the small numbers of public vehicles entering

the estate.

Contracts Awarded from the Central Procurement Directorate

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the (i) value; and (ii) percentage

of all contracts awarded from the Central Procurement Directorate won by businesses in each district

council area, for the latest available year.

(AQW 8420/11-15)

Mr Wilson: The Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) does not currently hold information on the

contracts awarded in each council area. It is usually possible to deduce the council area from address

data provided by suppliers. This is normally a very time consuming manual task that would require

several weeks to complete. However, CPD is currently developing systems to automate this process

and it is anticipated that an analysis of contracts awarded during 2011/2012, by council area, will be

available in May 2012.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 515

Vacant Properties

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQW 7257/11-15, (i) how many

of the properties have been built in the last six months and are yet to appear on the register of rated

properties; and (ii) to detail the number of properties whose ownership has been unidentified for more

than six months.

(AQW 8442/11-15)

Mr Wilson: The number of the properties that have been built in the last six months and are yet to

appear on the register of rated properties is not available. However, of the 19,895 vacant properties

where ownership was not identified within Northern Ireland as at 29th January 2012, 1,203 had a first

valuation after 29th July 2011 (6 months prior to 29th January 2012). All of these properties appear

on the register of rated properties.

The number of the properties where ownership has been unidentified for more than six months is not

available.

All domestic properties which did not have ownership details were subject to a number of tracing steps

as part of the preparations for the implementation of Rating of Empty Homes on 1st October 2011,

including: issue of letters; land registration and electoral register searches; matching of Power NI

records; inspection visits; and use of an external tracing service.

Vacant Properties

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQW 7257/11-15, what action has

been taken to reduce the number of properties with unidentified ownership.

(AQW 8444/11-15)

Mr Wilson: Rating of Empty Homes (REH) was introduced on 1st October 2011. The policy creates a

liability of 100% of occupied rates for vacant domestic properties in the Valuation List.

A number of exclusions apply and generally these have to be applied for. However, a 12 month

developer exclusion from REH from the date of completion of new properties is included in the

legislation; this has been extended to 18 months for new properties completed before 31st March

2012. This exclusion and the exclusion for properties with a rateable Capital Value of £20,000 or less

are awarded automatically.

Work has been ongoing since early 2011 by a team of staff to gather ownership details of empty

domestic properties and by October 34,500 owners had been identified.

Work continues to trace both the 19,000 domestic and non-domestic vacant owners recorded on our

rating system. The primary source of information has been the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds

and more recently other investigative methods have been added to include PowerNI, NI Water and

through the recently awarded tracing contract service, although inevitably, as the property is vacant,

these sources are less useful than for occupied properties. LPS staff have also been obtaining

ownership information when dealing with ratepayers by telephone and will continue to do so. However,

it is inevitable that not all owners of empty properties will be traceable.

Vacant Rating of Industrial Properties

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the rationale for the vacant rating

of industrial properties and vacant non-domestic properties being assessed at 50 percent, whilst

vacant rating for industrial properties are also assessed at 50 percent, even though occupied industrial

properties are levied at 30 percent.

(AQW 8468/11-15)

Mr Wilson: Empty properties that are constructed or adapted for industrial purposes are not subject to

rates. This is not the position in England and Wales where rates are charged on empty factories.

WA 516

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

This was an issue considered in a policy evaluation undertaken and published by my Department in

2009. In the light of that evaluation I decided not to remove this exclusion due to concerns about

eroding the Northern Ireland industrial base. Longer term, however, the case for continuing this

exemption needs to be looked at again when the economy recovers.

The Executive has agreed that for the current spending review period, 70% industrial derating will

continue apply to eligible properties occupied for manufacturing purposes and liability will therefore

remain at 30% liability.

Number of People of Working Age who are Employed

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the percentage and number of

people of working age who are employed in each district council area.

(AQW 8540/11-15)

Mr Wilson: Estimates of the numbers in employment by district council area are sourced from the

Labour Force Survey (LFS), Local Area Database, with the most recent data available for January –

December 2010.

Please note that LFS estimates at District Council Area level are based on relatively small sample

sizes and are subject to a higher degree of sampling variability. They should, therefore, be treated with

caution. In addition, these estimates are based on the residency of an individual.

The requested breakdown of employment by District Council Area is shown in Table 1 overleaf.

TABLE 1: ALL THOSE AGED 16 - 64 AND IN EMPLOYMENT, BY DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA

District Council Total in employment Employment Rate

Antrim 25,000 72.7

Ards 32,000 67.4

Armagh 27,000 65.7

Ballymena 23,000 60.7

Ballymoney 14,000 68.4

Banbridge 24,000 73.4

Belfast 111,000 65.0

Carrickfergus 20,000 76.6

Castlereagh 31,000 73.0

Coleraine 23,000 61.8

Cookstown 17,000 67.6

Craigavon 43,000 70.6

Derry 41,000 55.4

Down 31,000 70.6

Dungannon 23,000 59.1

Fermanagh 27,000 66.1

Larne 14,000 65.7

Limavady 13,000 61.2

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 517

District Council Total in employment Employment Rate

Lisburn 50,000 69.0

Magherafelt 20,000 66.3

Moyle 8,000 72.0

Newry & Mourne 38,000 64.3

Newtownabbey 33,000 68.2

North Down 36,000 66.8

Omagh 20,000 58.7

Strabane 12,000 51.2

Northern Ireland *755,000 65.8

*Total does not add up due to rounding of figures

Number of People of Working Age who are Employed

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the percentage and number of

people of working age in each district council area who are employed in the public sector.

(AQW 8541/11-15)

Mr Wilson: It is not possible to provide information on the percentage and number of people of

working age in each district council area who are employed in the public sector. However, estimates for

the number of employee jobs in the public sector in each district council area are available from the

Business Register and Employment Survey 2010.

These estimates are based on the location of the job and do not distinguish between employees of

working age and non-working age. Estimates for the total number of non-agricultural employee jobs in

each district council area are also available from this source. Percentages have been calculated using

these figures.

The information is attached in table 1 overleaf.

TABLE 1: PERCENTAGE AND NUMBER OF PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEE JOBS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

BY DISTRICT COUNCIL, SEPTEMBER 2010

District Council

Number of Public

Sector Employee Jobs

Percentage of Total

Employee Jobs Total

Employee Jobs

Antrim 9,561 34% 28,309

Ards 4,769 29% 16,633

Armagh 6,228 36% 17,208

Ballymena 7,079 31% 23,149

Ballymoney 2,140 30% 7,124

Banbridge 2,960 26% 11,351

Belfast 71,604 36% 201,081

Carrickfergus 2,448 34% 7,118

Castlereagh 11,523 43% 26,523

WA 518

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

District Council

Number of Public

Sector Employee Jobs

Percentage of Total

Employee Jobs Total

Employee Jobs

Coleraine 6,283 29% 21,657

Cookstown 1,985 17% 11,985

Craigavon 11,229 32% 35,168

Derry 14,892 33% 44,955

Down 6,230 34% 18,590

Dungannon 4,503 22% 20,225

Fermanagh 5,481 26% 21,172

Larne 1,886 21% 9,101

Limavady 2,552 34% 7,594

Lisburn 9,437 23% 40,555

Magherafelt 3,791 28% 13,667

Moyle 1,060 34% 3,125

Newry & Mourne 8,503 27% 31,933

Newtownabbey 6,363 22% 28,565

North Down 5,917 29% 20,676

Omagh 6,968 41% 17,064

Strabane 2,292 26% 8,738

Total *217,684 31% *693,268

Source: Business Register and Employment Survey, 2010

1 Theseguresexcludeagriculturebutincludeanimalhusbandryserviceactivitiesandhunting,trappingand

game propagation.

* Totalsmaynotaddupduetoroundingofgures.

Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy

Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what potential costs to the Block Grant have

been discussed since the publication of the estimates in the UK Government’s consultation document

‘Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy’.

(AQW 8647/11-15)

Mr Wilson: The Ministerial Working Group set up to take forward the work on ‘Rebalancing the

Northern Ireland economy’ agreed a Terms of Reference and work programme at our first meeting on

15 December 2011. This programme includes a specific workstream to examine in detail the costs

associated with devolving Corporation Tax.

Officials have since been progressing this work with HM Treasury and HMRC counterparts. All elements

of the costs presented in the UK Governments consultation document and their later branch plant

estimates are being closely examined. No new cost estimates will be available until the final report of

the Ministerial Working Group.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 519

Government Contracts

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what is the threshold for Government contracts

above which the Central Procurement Division must be involved.

(AQW 8673/11-15)

Mr Wilson: The Executive’s Public Procurement Policy requires Departments, their Agencies, NDPBs

and public corporations to carry out their procurement activities by means of documented Service Level

Agreements (SLAs) with the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) or a relevant Centre of Procurement

Expertise (CoPE).

There are no thresholds relating to the provision of procurement services by CPD under a Service Level

Agreement (SLA).

Registered Businesses in the South Down Area

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many registered businesses are in the

South Down area.

(AQW 8733/11-15)

Mr Wilson: The number of VAT and/or PAYE registered businesses can be obtained from the

Interdepartmental Business Register. At January 2012, there were 5,050 VAT and/or PAYE registered

businesses in the South Down Parliamentary Constituency.

Non-Domestic Rating System

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel whether he has any plans to reform the non-

domestic rating system so that it is fairer and more accurately reflects the profit that a business makes

in a year as opposed to the commercial value of a building.

(AQW 8767/11-15)

Mr Wilson: I have no plans to change the methodology for valuing commercial properties for rating purposes.

The valuations for the majority of commercial properties in Northern Ireland are based on an estimate

of their rental value.

For most businesses profitability is a highly volatile figure from one year to the next and would be an

extremely difficult and costly way of administering a local tax. Profit shifting and shielding are particular

issues with such an approach.

Gross Domestic Product

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the Gross Domestic Product in

each of the last five years.

(AQW 8780/11-15)

Mr Wilson: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is not produced for Northern Ireland. Because of a definitional

change, what was formerly referred to as GDP was actually Gross Value Added (GVA) at basic prices.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for producing GVA for the UK and its regions.

The table overleaf details the GVA in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years (2006 to 2010). The

information provided for Northern Ireland includes GVA per head of the population and Total GVA.

Northern Ireland GVA Per head (£) Northern Ireland Total GVA (£ million)

2006 15,359 26,750

2007 16,013 28,169

2008 15,928 28,271

WA 520

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Northern Ireland GVA Per head (£) Northern Ireland Total GVA (£ million)

2009 15,249 27,279

2010

15,651 28,162

1 2010 estimates are provisional.

Block Grant

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, for each of the last four years, to detail (i)

the value of the Block Grant; (ii) the amount of money collected through district rates; and (iii) the total

amount of Executive expenditure.

(AQW 8795/11-15)

Mr Wilson: In terms of the Member’s reference to the Block Grant, I have provided figures for the NI

Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) which represents devolved expenditure that is financed by HM

Treasury.

This expenditure is enhanced by the Executive’s own revenue raising powers in terms of the regional

rate and borrowing under the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative.

The level of money collected through the district rate is a matter for individual councils.

The table below sets out the funding received from HM Treasury in terms of the NI DEL and the funding

generated by the regional rate and RRI Borrowing. The expenditure is net of any departmental receipts

or income, such as the proceeds from asset sales.

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

£m £m £m £m

NI DEL 8,690.7 9,238.3 11,653.5 11,156.5

Regional Rates 519.9 607.4 547.1 537.9

RRI Borrowing 104.6 260.0 246.0 236.9

Other Items 8.0 0.4

Total DEL

Expenditure 9,315.2 10,105.7 12,454.6 11,931.7

1 DOJandPPSareincludedintheseguresfrom2009-10onwards

2 Totals may not add due to rounding

The position reflected above is for the total NI DEL and associated expenditure. However, the NI DEL

is subject to separate controls in terms of current expenditure and capital investment. In addition, the

non cash elements within current expenditure are subject to a separate ring-fence.

Rates Arrears

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what has been the total level of rates arrears in

each of the last five years.

(AQW 9045/11-15)

Mr Wilson: The total level of rates arrears at the end of each year for the last five years (as published

in the Land & Property Services Annual Report & Accounts) and the level in each District Council area

are given in the table overleaf. The latest year for which information is available is for 2010/11 and the

earliest year for which information is available at District Council level is for 2007/08.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 521

DEBT AT END OF EACH YEAR (£ MILLIONS)

District Council

31st March

2011

31st March

2010

31st March

2009

31st March

2008

31st March

2007**

Antrim 3.982 4.086 2.915 2.782

Ards 5.510 5.534 4.653 4.057

Armagh 4.809 4.375 3.679 3.474

Ballymena 3.668 3.599 2.900 3.259

Ballymoney 1.348 1.328 1.019 1.087

Banbridge 3.235 2.743 2.325 2.167

Belfast 49.318 52.514 46.526 43.496

Carrickfergus 2.759 2.622 2.528 1.603

Castlereagh 3.443 4.614 2.891 3.647

Coleraine 3.743 3.674 3.454 3.395

Cookstown 1.482 1.426 1.345 1.612

Craigavon 7.979 8.189 6.011 6.726

Derry 9.746 10.094 9.682 8.332

Down 4.727 5.627 4.202 3.966

Dungannon & S.Tyrone 3.045 3.080 2.477 2.645

Fermanagh 3.506 3.309 3.207 2.891

Larne 1.494 1.454 1.595 1.310

Limavady 2.027 1.881 1.683 1.355

Lisburn 10.248 10.131 8.523 7.073

Magherafelt 1.777 1.613 1.370 1.288

Moyle 0.832 0.816 0.711 .583

Newry & Mourne 9.236 8.587 6.989 6.521

Newtownabbey 6.520 6.827 6.329 5.108

North Down 6.907 7.199 5.314 4.905

Omagh 2.214 2.986 2.311 2.659

Strabane 2.269 2.160 2.479 2.056

Unallocated to DC* (0.283) (3.507) (0.649) (4.218)

Total 155.542 156.962 136.468 123.780 88.3

* Monies receipted but not allocated to individual ratepayer accounts.

** Analysis of end of year debt is not available at individual Council level.

WA 522

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Rates Arrears

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the total level of rates arrears in each

council area in each of the last five years.

(AQW 9046/11-15)

Mr Wilson: The total level of rates arrears at the end of each year for the last five years (as published

in the Land & Property Services Annual Report & Accounts) and the level in each District Council area

are given in the table overleaf. The latest year for which information is available is for 2010/11 and the

earliest year for which information is available at District Council level is for 2007/08.

DEBT AT END OF EACH YEAR (£ MILLIONS)

District Council

31st March

2011

31st March

2010

31st March

2009

31st March

2008

31st March

2007**

Antrim 3.982 4.086 2.915 2.782

Ards 5.510 5.534 4.653 4.057

Armagh 4.809 4.375 3.679 3.474

Ballymena 3.668 3.599 2.900 3.259

Ballymoney 1.348 1.328 1.019 1.087

Banbridge 3.235 2.743 2.325 2.167

Belfast 49.318 52.514 46.526 43.496

Carrickfergus 2.759 2.622 2.528 1.603

Castlereagh 3.443 4.614 2.891 3.647

Coleraine 3.743 3.674 3.454 3.395

Cookstown 1.482 1.426 1.345 1.612

Craigavon 7.979 8.189 6.011 6.726

Derry 9.746 10.094 9.682 8.332

Down 4.727 5.627 4.202 3.966

Dungannon & S.Tyrone 3.045 3.080 2.477 2.645

Fermanagh 3.506 3.309 3.207 2.891

Larne 1.494 1.454 1.595 1.310

Limavady 2.027 1.881 1.683 1.355

Lisburn 10.248 10.131 8.523 7.073

Magherafelt 1.777 1.613 1.370 1.288

Moyle 0.832 0.816 0.711 .583

Newry & Mourne 9.236 8.587 6.989 6.521

Newtownabbey 6.520 6.827 6.329 5.108

North Down 6.907 7.199 5.314 4.905

Omagh 2.214 2.986 2.311 2.659

Strabane 2.269 2.160 2.479 2.056

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 523

District Council

31st March

2011

31st March

2010

31st March

2009

31st March

2008

31st March

2007**

Unallocated to DC* (0.283) (3.507) (0.649) (4.218)

Total 155.542 156.962 136.468 123.780 88.3

* Monies receipted but not allocated to individual ratepayer accounts.

** Analysis of end of year debt is not available at individual Council level.

Cost of Division

Ms Lo asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQO 1443/11-15, what actions his

Department is taking to (i) tackle the cost of division; and (ii) reduce segregation.

(AQW 9057/11-15)

Mr Wilson: I refer the Member to the Hansard transcript of my response to AQO 1435/11-15 and to

the written answer she received to AQO 1443/11-15.

Building Regulations

Mr Kinahan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel whether he is considering transferring

building regulations to the Department of the Environment; and, if so, when.

(AQW 9078/11-15)

Mr Wilson: There are no current plans to transfer building regulations to the Department for the Environment.

Applicants for Jobs in the Civil Service

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, for each of the last three years, to detail (i)

the number of applicants for jobs in the Civil Service, broken down by religious background; and (ii) of

these, the percentage of successful applicants, broken down by religious background.

(AQW 9216/11-15)

Mr Wilson: Information on staff appointments to the Northern Ireland Civil Service has been published

in annual reports on the website www.nicsrecruitment.gov.uk for the financial years 1 April 2003 to

31 March 2010 and for the period 1 January 2010 to 1 May 2011 at the following link http://www.

nisra.gov.uk/publications/Analysis of NICS Recruitment Competitions 01Apr09 - 31Dec10.pdf The

information includes occupational groups, gender, community background and declared disability.

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Water Microbiological Testing Regime

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the water microbiological

testing regime in each hospital’s neonatal unit (i) prior to the pseudomonas outbreak; and (ii) subsequent

to the pseudomonas outbreak.

(AQW 8585/11-15)

Mr Poots (The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety): I have commissioned an

independent review of the recent tragic incidents of pseudomonas infection in neonatal units. The

review is now underway and will be investigating the reasons for the incidents; actions taken, and

lessons that need to be learned from the incidents.

At this stage I cannot comment on technical areas such as these that will form part of the investigations

of the review team into the reasons for the incidents and actions taken.

WA 524

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

I have asked for an interim report by the end of March so that urgent actions can be taken and have

asked for the final report to be presented no more than eight weeks after the interim report at which

time I will bring the report to the Assembly.

Water Microbiological Testing Regime

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the bacteria which

the water microbiological testing regime tested for in each hospital’s neonatal unit (i) prior to the

pseudomonas outbreak; and (ii) subsequent to the pseudomonas outbreak.

(AQW 8586/11-15)

Mr Poots: I have commissioned an independent review of the recent tragic incidents of pseudomonas

infection in neonatal units. The review is now underway and will be investigating the reasons for the

incidents; actions taken, and lessons that need to be learned from the incidents.

At this stage I cannot comment on technical areas such as these that will form part of the

investigations of the review team into the reasons for the incidents and actions taken.

I have asked for an interim report by the end of March so that urgent actions can be taken and have

asked for the final report to be presented no more than eight weeks after the interim report at which

time I will bring the report to the Assembly.

Water Microbiological Testing Regime

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the water

microbiological testing regime for (i) fixtures and fittings; and (ii) taps in each hospital’s neonatal unit

(a) prior to the pseudomonas outbreak; and (b) subsequent to the pseudomonas outbreak.

(AQW 8587/11-15)

Mr Poots: I have commissioned an independent review of the recent tragic incidents of pseudomonas

infection in neonatal units. The review is now underway and will be investigating the reasons for the

incidents; actions taken, and lessons that need to be learned from the incidents.

At this stage I cannot comment on technical areas such as these that will form part of the

investigations of the review team into the reasons for the incidents and actions taken.

I have asked for an interim report by the end of March so that urgent actions can be taken and have

asked for the final report to be presented no more than eight weeks after the interim report at which

time I will bring the report to the Assembly.

Malnutrition Problem Facing some Older People

Mr Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the

malnutrition problem facing some older people.

(AQW 8642/11-15)

Mr Poots: The importance attached to the nutrition of adults of all ages has been recognized through

the launch of “Promoting Good Nutrition – a strategy to improve the quality of nutritional care for adults

in Northern Ireland” published by my Department in March 2011. The strategy is targeted at all health

and social care settings, including people’s own homes.

Ambulance Travel Time

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the estimated

ambulance travel time from (i) Ballycastle; (ii) Ballymoney; (iii) Rasharkin; (iv) Dunloy; (v) Loughgiel; (vi)

Armoy; (vii) Carey; (viii) Ballintoy; and (ix) Cargan to the Causeway Hospital, Coleraine.

(AQW 8660/11-15)

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 525

Mr Poots: I must advise that NIAS cannot provide “estimated” ambulance travel times, but rather

average ambulance travel times. The times provided below relate to emergency activity only for the

period 01/01/2011 to 31/12/2011.

Location Average Travel Time (min:sec) Journeys Undertaken

Ballycastle 27:50 409

Ballymoney 14:32 1,078

Rasharkin 26:33 97

Dunloy 21:35 89

Loughgiel 29:25 11

Armoy 25:11 29

Ballintoy 22:20 7

Cargan 35:00 1

Carey This area is not a “residential” area or ward, but relates to a Barony/Church

Parish area and therefore NIAS cannot provide data.

Source: NIAS

Ambulance Travel Time

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the estimated

ambulance travel time from (i) Ballycastle; (ii) Ballymoney; (iii) Rasharkin; (iv) Dunloy; (v) Loughgiel; (vi)

Armoy; (vii) Carey; (viii) Ballintoy; and (ix) Cargan to the Antrim Area Hospital.

(AQW 8661/11-15)

Mr Poots: I must advise that NIAS cannot provide “estimated” ambulance travel times, but rather

average ambulance travel times. The times provided below relate to emergency activity only for the

period 01/01/2011 to 31/12/2011.

Location Average Travel Time (min:sec) Journeys Undertaken

Ballycastle 40:50 4

Ballymoney 34:01 7

Rasharkin 36:21 12

Dunloy 26:00 5

Loughgiel n/a 0

Armoy n/a 0

Ballintoy n/a 0

Cargan 35:22 21

Carey This area is not a “residential” area or ward, but relates to a Barony/Church

Parish area and therefore NIAS cannot provide data.

Source: NIAS

WA 526

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Complaints of Neglect/Abuse in Care Homes

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many complaints of

neglect/abuse in care homes have been made to each Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last

three years.

(AQW 8662/11-15)

Mr Poots: The information is not available in the form requested and could only be obtained at

disproportionate cost.

Family Planning Association

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how the Family

Planning Association has spent its allocated funds in each of the last three years, including (i) rent and

rates; (ii) staff costs; (iii) marketing costs; and (iv) supplying free contraception.

(AQW 8668/11-15)

Mr Poots: The information requested in respect of core and project funding allocated by my Department

to the Family Planning Association (FPA) in each of the past three years is set out in the table below:

YEAR 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

Rent & Rates £5,507.73 £5,729.65 £7,049.19

Staff Salaries & Other

Related Costs £100,298.97 £107,513.51 £117,249.06

Marketing/ Advertising

Costs £319.60 £1,524.96 £607.08

Supplying Free

Contraception NIL NIL NIL

The FPA also receives funding from Health and Social Care organisations however the information

requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Cross-Departmental Commissioning of Children’s Services

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail any cross-

departmental commissioning of children’s services.

(AQW 8695/11-15)

Mr Poots: My Department does not commission services for children, jointly or otherwise. The Health

and Social Care Board is responsible for commissioning health and social care services, resource

management, performance management and service improvement. The recently established Children

and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP), which is led by the Health and Social Care Board,

has the capacity to jointly plan and commission services for all children and young people in Northern

Ireland.

My Department is currently involved in a range of cross-departmental policy initiatives, supported by a

range of statutory and voluntary sector partners, aimed at improving outcomes for children in all areas

of their lives.

Treatment for Advanced Prostate Cancer

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what treatments are

provided for people with advanced prostate cancer; and for his assessment of these treatments.

(AQW 8710/11-15)

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 527

Mr Poots: The HSC Board commissions a range of treatment from Trusts for patients with advanced

prostate cancer. The specific treatment will vary according to the individual patient and the stage or

severity of their disease. Treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

Clinically advanced localised cancer cannot normally be eradicated by surgery alone. The rate of

progression of the disease varies considerably. Patients with locally advanced disease mainly receive

radiotherapy or hormone therapy. Some men live for many years with few symptoms, whilst others

develop extensive disease quite rapidly.

Integrated Care Partnerships

Mr McCallister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) for a breakdown of

the GP practices in each of the 17 Integrated Care Partnerships; and (ii) when the Partnerships will

meet and which organisations or groups will be represented at any such meetings.

(AQW 8715/11-15)

Mr Poots: Integrated Care Partnerships are an important component of the future model for Integrated

Health and Social Care set out in Transforming Your Care. They should build on the work of the 17

existing Primary Care Partnerships. The Integrated Care Partnerships will join together the full range

of Health and Social Care services in each area, including GPs, community health, and social care

providers, hospital specialists and representatives from the independent and voluntary sector. The

Integrated Care Partnerships have not been created, though, it is important and my expectation that

they become established and start operation over a short period of time.

Secondment to Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the number of

(a) full-time; and (b) part-time staff who are currently on secondment from his Department, or its arm’s

length bodies, to each recognised trade union; (ii) the salary scale for each secondee; and (iii) the

length of each secondment to date.

(AQW 8779/11-15)

Mr Poots: In my Department there is (i) (a) 1 full-time member of staff seconded to NIPSA; (b) no part-

time staff seconded to trade unions; (ii) salary range is £23,336 - £26,086; (iii) secondment period

runs from 14 January 2008 to date.

This information in relation to my Department’s arm’s length bodies is not held centrally and could only

be obtained from individual HSC bodies at a disproportionate cost.

Water Microbiological Testing Regime

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the bacteria which

the environmental microbiological testing regime routinely tested for in each hospital’s neonatal unit (i)

prior to the pseudomonas outbreak; and (ii) subsequent to the pseudomonas outbreak.

(AQW 8803/11-15)

Mr Poots: I have commissioned an independent review of the recent tragic incidents of pseudomonas

infection in neonatal units. The review is now underway and will be investigating the reasons for the

incidents; actions taken, and lessons that need to be learned from the incidents.

At this stage I cannot comment on technical areas such as these that will form part of the investigations

of the review team into the reasons for the incidents and actions taken.

I have asked for an interim report by the end of March so that urgent actions can be taken and have

asked for the final report to be presented no more than eight weeks after the interim report at which

time I will bring the report to the Assembly.

WA 528

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Microbiological Standards

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the microbiological

standards for (i) water; and (ii) fixtures and fittings in each hospital’s neonatal unit (a) prior to the

pseudomonas outbreak; and (b) subsequent to the pseudomonas outbreak.

(AQW 8805/11-15)

Mr Poots: I have commissioned an independent review of the recent tragic incidents of pseudomonas

infection in neonatal units. The review is now underway and will be investigating the reasons for the

incidents; actions taken, and lessons that need to be learned from the incidents.

At this stage I cannot comment on technical areas such as these that will form part of the investigations

of the review team into the reasons for the incidents and actions taken.

I have asked for an interim report by the end of March so that urgent actions can be taken and have

asked for the final report to be presented no more than eight weeks after the interim report at which

time I will bring the report to the Assembly.

Water Microbiological Testing Regime

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many microbiological

results for (i) water testing; and (ii) environmental swabs in each hospital’s neonatal unit were (a) a

matter of concern; or (b) failed against prescribed standards, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 8807/11-15)

Mr Poots: I have commissioned an independent review of the recent tragic incidents of pseudomonas

infection in neonatal units. The review is now underway and will be investigating the reasons for the

incidents; actions taken, and lessons that need to be learned from the incidents.

At this stage I cannot comment on technical areas such as these that will form part of the investigations

of the review team into the reasons for the incidents and actions taken.

I have asked for an interim report by the end of March so that urgent actions can be taken and have

asked for the final report to be presented no more than eight weeks after the interim report at which

time I will bring the report to the Assembly.

Pseudomonas SPP.

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether pseudomonas spp.

was regularly tested for in the (i) water sources; and (ii) fixtures and fittings in each hospital’s neonatal

unit (a) prior to the pseudomonas outbreak; and (b) subsequent to the pseudomonas outbreak.

(AQW 8810/11-15)

Mr Poots: I have commissioned an independent review of the recent tragic incidents of pseudomonas

infection in neonatal units. The review is now underway and will be investigating the reasons for the

incidents; actions taken, and lessons that need to be learned from the incidents.

At this stage I cannot comment on technical areas such as these that will form part of the investigations

of the review team into the reasons for the incidents and actions taken.

I have asked for an interim report by the end of March so that urgent actions can be taken and have

asked for the final report to be presented no more than eight weeks after the interim report at which

time I will bring the report to the Assembly.

Fire Station in Ballycastle

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether capital funding will

be made available for a fire station in Ballycastle within the next three years.

(AQW 8866/11-15)

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 529

Mr Poots: Due to capital funding constraints, I do not anticipate funding being made available to

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) within the next three years for this project. Should the

Executive make additional capital funding available to my Department, I will reconsider this decision in

light of operational and strategic priorities for NIFRS and the wider Department.

GPs Using 0844 Telephone Numbers

Mr Wells asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he has taken to

prevent GPs using 0844 telephone numbers as the only means by which their surgeries can be contacted.

(AQW 8872/11-15)

Mr Poots: There are 23 Practices (6%) out of the 355 GP practices that use 0844 telephone numbers.

Patients contacting a practice using a 0844 number should not incur charges above the equivalent of a

local call.

In September 2011, the Department issued a letter to the HSC Board outlining the policy in relation

to the use of the 0844 number. The HSC Board, at the Department’s request, wrote to all practices in

October 2011 and again in February 2012 to advise them of their responsibilities in relation to the use

of 0844 numbers. Practices were advised that if, having taken all reasonable steps, it is not possible

to ensure that the patient would pay no more than they would to a local geographical number, they

must consider introducing a system under which if a caller asks to be called back the practice should

do so at its own expense. Practices were also advised that they should not enter into, renew or extend

contracts for telephone services unless they were satisfied that patients would not pay more that they

would to call a local geographical number.

I would emphasise that in specific cases where patients have an issue regarding the cost of the calls

in contacting their GP practice they should take this up directly with the relevant GP practice, which is

responsible for providing the service.

Social Care in a Residential Home

Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 7781/11-

15, to outline the reasons why there was a significant difference in the average cost per person to stay

in statutory residential homes in 2010/11 compared with independent/private care homes.

(AQW 8885/11-15)

Mr Poots: The cost differential is primarily attributable to the method used by each sector in

determining their average cost per person per week.

The costs provided for statutory residential care homes represent the average unit costs for one week’s

care regardless of the category and extent of care provided in the home. The cost includes the direct

and indirect costs not only of the home but also a portion of trust overhead costs, including capital

charges and other trust services which are provided in the home.

The costs of the independent sector relate solely to the weekly charge to an individual of a week’s

residence in the home averaged over the annual duration of occupied weeks.

Social Care in a Residential Home

Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 7781/11-

15, given the significant difference in the cost of keeping people in statutory care homes compared

with independent/private care homes, whether he intends to carry out a review of care home placements

to ensure cost effective placements and that people are receiving the most appropriate care.

(AQW 8886/11-15)

Mr Poots: I recognise the need to ensure that resources are used in the most efficient and effective

way possible. To that end, I have agreed a process of reform to establish the future direction and funding

of adult social care, which will include issues such as the cost effectiveness of care and who provides

WA 530

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

it. The process has begun and a discussion paper will be issued shortly for public consultation to promote

awareness of challenges facing social care and, consequently, consensus on the need for change.

Acute Psychiatric Unit at Windsor House, Belfast City Hospital

Ms Lo asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) why there has been

a reduction in the number of beds in the acute psychiatric unit at Windsor House, Belfast City Hospital;

and (ii) the long-term plans for Windsor House.

(AQW 8901/11-15)

Mr Poots: The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust along with other Trusts are reducing dependence

on beds as alternatives to inpatient care, such as Acute Home Treatment services are being developed. This

enables services users to have their acute care in their own home or within the Home Treatment service.

Following a full public consultation process, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has submitted a

business case to the DHSSPS for the development of a new 80 bedded acute mental health inpatient

unit on the current Windsor House site.

New Fire Station in Newcastle

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on plans for

a new fire station in Newcastle.

(AQW 8908/11-15)

Mr Poots: There are no plans at present for a new fire station in Newcastle. It remains one of 26 Fire

Stations identified by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Strategic Development Plan as

needing to be replaced.

New Hospital in Enniskillen

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to list the 76 names that

were suggested for the new hospital in Enniskillen.

(AQW 8922/11-15)

Mr Poots: The suggested names are as follows:

Wolfe Lake Hospital Inis Ceithleann Hospital

Border South-west Hospital Ceithleann’s Island Hospital

Erne Hospital University Teaching Hospital

Cross County Hospital (a principal for your health

needs) (The)

Koinonia Hospital... family hospital where you

feel welcomed

Erne Hospital (The) South West County Hospital

SW General Hospital (The) South West United Hospital

Sperrin Lakeland (The) South West General [This was included twice in

overall list of 76 names]

Lakeland Sperrin Hospital St Michaels South West Acute Hospital

Central Hospital (The) Gordon Wilson South West Acute Hospital

Feryone Hospital of the SW St Molaise

Hospital SOUTH WEST Tyrone Infermanaghry

South West Acute Hospital [This was included

twice in overall list of 76 names]

Silveroak Hospital

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 531

South West Hospital Lakelands Hospital

Rural Hospital Enniskillen South West University Teaching Hospital

Rural Hospital Lough Erne General

Derryargon New Hope Hospital (The)

Silverwood New Hope Hospital

Devenish Sperrin Lakeland Hospital

Culdeas South West Hospital (The)

South West Area Hospital Princess Catherine Hospital

Sperrin Lakeland Acute Hospital (The) Western General Hospital

St Luke’s Hospital St Catherine Hospital

Wilson Monaghan Acute Hospital Lakeview

Lakeview Southwest Lochview

Lakeside Acute Hospital Wolfe Lough Hospital Enniskillen

North Western Greenfield(s)

Garden of Healing (The Garden) Greenland(s)

WestGold Cherrymount

South Western Area Heron View

Burkitt’s Beechview

The South West Area Hospital Hilltop

Drumcoo Hospital Hillside

Wolfe Lough Health Care Island(s) (The)

Lakeland Hospital Islandview (The)

South West General Hospital Enniskillen Area Hospital

Lough side General Hospital Western Valley Hospital

Century One General Hope Hospital

Health Service Dental Provision in Co. Fermanagh

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of

Health Service dental provision in Co. Fermanagh.

(AQW 8924/11-15)

Mr Poots: I consider that the availability of Health Service dentistry in Co. Fermanagh is currently

sufficient to meet needs. Following a tender for the provision of additional dental services taken

forward by my Department and the HSC Board, Oasis Dental Care opened 14 dental practices

throughout Northern Ireland, including a new 6 dentist practice in Enniskillen. This practice is currently

registering new Health Service patients.

Judicial Review in Relation to the Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much the judicial

review, brought in 2008 and decided in 2010, in relation to the Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee

WA 532

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

cost his Department, including (a) the total legal costs incurred; and (b) the legal costs his Department

had to pay to the Committee.

(AQW 8963/11-15)

Mr Poots: The judicial review, brought in 2008 and decided in 2010, in relation to the Pharmaceutical

Contractors Committee cost my Department (a) £152,791.04, including VAT; in total legal costs

including (b) legal costs of £119,588.70, including VAT, which the Department had to pay to the

Committee.

Rise in Obesity

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) what progress his

Department has made in halting the rise in obesity; and (ii) the number of people who are currently

deemed to be obese, broken down by (a) gender; and (b) age.

(AQW 8965/11-15)

Mr Poots: In 2007, the Department published the Fit Futures Implementation Plan to tackle the rising

prevalence in childhood obesity. The Department has now developed a Framework for Preventing

and Addressing Overweight and Obesity in Northern Ireland 2012-2022:

(i) A Fitter Future for All which aims to tackle to issue of overweight and obesity throughout the entire

life course of the population and will be launched on 9th March 2012. Implementation of the non-

departmental outcomes within the Framework will be taken forward by the Public Health Agency.

The following information is presented by percentage: The Health and Social Wellbeing Survey

(HSWB) 2005/06 recorded 8% of children aged 2-15 as obese and 24% of adults aged 16+ as

obese. The Health Survey in Northern Ireland (HSNI) 2010/11 also recorded 8% of children aged

2-15 as obese and 23% of adults aged 16+ as obese. The most recent survey indicates that

we have managed to halt the rise in obesity but that a continued and sustained focus on the

addressing the obesogenic environment remains a high priority.

(ii) The Health Survey Northern Ireland 2010/11 collected information on the height and weight of

individuals, aged 2 and over. The classification of obesity differs for adults and children and for

this reason the results are presented separately below.

Adults

a) Table 1 below outlines the proportion of adults (aged 16+) classified as obese, from the 2010/11

Health Survey Northern Ireland. The figures have been broken down by gender.

TABLE 1: OBESITY LEVEL BY GENDER

Male Female Total

Obese 23% 23%

23%

Source: Health Survey Northern Ireland 2010/11

b) Table 2 below outlines the proportion of adults (aged 16+) classified as obese, from the 2010/11

Health Survey Northern Ireland. The figures have been broken down by age-group.

TABLE 2: OBESITY LEVEL BY AGE-GROUP

16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Total

Obese 12% 16% 25% 29% 30% 27%

23%

Source: Health Survey Northern Ireland 2010/11

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 533

Children

a) Table 3 below outlines the proportion of children (aged 2-15) classified as obese, from the

2010/11 Health Survey Northern Ireland. The information is based on the International Obesity

Task Force guidelines. The figures have been broken down by gender.

TABLE 3: OBESITY LEVEL BY GENDER

Boys Girls Total

Obese 8% 9%

Source: Health Survey Northern Ireland 2010/11

b) Table 4 below outlines the proportion of children (aged 2-15) classified as obese, from the

2010/11 Health Survey Northern Ireland. The information is based on the International Obesity

Task Force guidelines. The figures have been broken down by age-group.

TABLE 4: OBESITY LEVEL BY AGE-GROUP

2-10 11-15 Total (2-15)

Obese 10% 5%

Source: Health Survey Northern Ireland 2010/11

Children at Risk of Parental Alcohol and/or Drug Dependency

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) what progress his

Department has made in achieving a 10 percent reduction in the number of children at risk of parental

alcohol and/or drug dependency; and (ii) to provide a breakdown of the current number of children at

risk by (a) gender; and (b) age.

(AQW 8966/11-15)

Mr Poots:

(i) It has been estimated that there could be as many as 40,000 children living in a family where

there is an alcohol problem in Northern Ireland. It is also likely that a significant number of young

people are living with parents or carers who are problem drug users. This issue is often referred

to as Hidden Harm – as these young people may not be known to services; and they often do not

know where to turn for help.

The New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs recognises this important issue, and this

Department developed a Regional Action Plan to address this issue in 2008. The Public Health

Agency and the Health and Social Care Board subsequently developed a joint implementation plan

to drive this forward. Priorities include planning/commissioning and integrated working, including

the rollout of a regional protocol; development of specialist services for children/young people;

safeguarding children’s welfare; workforce development; and research & evaluation.

Importantly, in support of the joint implementation plan, the Health and Social Care Sector has

allocated over £700,000 to schemes which either fully or partially undertake work to support

children and young people at risk of Hidden Harm.

(ii) Given the sensitive and discreet nature of this issue, it has been very difficult to put in place a

robust measure on the number of children at risk of parental alcohol and/or drug dependency.

Work is underway to look at this in more detail, but currently this information is not available.

WA 534

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Reduction in the Suicide Rate

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) what progress his

Department has made in achieving a minimum of 15 percent reduction in the suicide rate; and (ii) to

provide a breakdown of the most recent suicide rate by (a) gender; and (b) age.

(AQW 8967/11-15)

Mr Poots:

From 2006 a range of actions, based on international evidence of best practice, have been

progressed as part of the implementation of the Protect Life strategy. These include:

(i) training on suicide/mental health awareness; community-led suicide prevention/bereavement

support services; local research into suicide; Deliberate Self Harm Registry in A&E Units; Lifeline

24/7 crisis response helpline; and programmes targeted at vulnerable young men.

Suicide is a societal issue, and given recent trends in suicide rates, it is most unlikely that

the 15% reduction target will be achieved. The refreshed Protect Life strategy, which is due for

publication shortly, will include a number of new objectives/actions which will in future allow for a

more balanced assessment of the wider impact of the strategy.

(ii) I have detailed below a breakdown of the latest 3 year rolling average suicide rate per 100,000

population by both gender and age.

AGE GROUP

Under

20 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80 +

Females

2008-10 2.6 9.5 7.5 15.1 8.3 6.1 4.3 1.6

Males

2008-10 6.7 41.0 37.7 41.7 27.2 18.8 13.3 17.9

Births to Mothers who are Under 17 Years Old

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) what progress his

Department has made in achieving a 40 percent reduction in the number of births to mothers who

are under 17 years old; and (ii) how many mothers under 17 years old have given birth in the last 12

months, broken down by age.

(AQW 8968/11-15)

Mr Poots: The latest data (2008-2010) indicates that the rate of births to teenage mothers aged under

17 years has reduced by 27% to date from the baseline rate of 4.1 births per 1,000 females (1998-

2000). The target uses a three year rolling average to analyse the data.

The provisional number of births to mothers under 17 years in the last 12 months, broken down by

age, is set out below:

NUMBER OF RESIDENT LIVE BIRTHS TO MOTHERS AGED UNDER 17 BY AGE, Q4 2010-Q3 2011

Age of Mother Number of Resident Live Births Registered

Total Under 17 Total 112

13 1

14 2

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 535

Age of Mother Number of Resident Live Births Registered

Total Under 17 Total 112

15 26

16 83

P Data for 2011 remains provisional until the publication of the 2011 Annual Report of the Registrar General

due to be released in November 2012

Tobacco Control Strategy

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how he plans to tailor

the Tobacco Control Strategy towards people under 18 years old, as they are the least likely to get

involved in such a scheme.

(AQW 8972/11-15)

Mr Poots: It is recognised in the new Tobacco Control Strategy that the majority of smokers become

addicted to tobacco whilst still in their teens. Children and young people are, therefore, identified as

a priority group for specific intervention. The Public Health Agency has been tasked with developing a

comprehensive action plan for the strategy. The Agency will establish a multi-sectoral implementation

group to assist in this work. This group will develop actions aimed at effectively engaging with children

and young people.

An initial priority for the Implementation Group will be the development of innovative education and

awareness raising programmes aimed at preventing young people from taking up smoking. Preventative

measures will be complemented by the provision of tailored smoking cessation services in settings

convenient to under eighteens who are already smokers.

In addition, a number of legislative controls, aimed at reducing the uptake of smoking by young people,

have recently been introduced or are imminent. These include: a ban on the sale of tobacco from

vending machines; a ban on the display of tobacco products in retail outlets; and tougher sanctions for

retailers who persistently flout the law with regards to underage sales of tobacco products.

Young People with Cancer

Mr Newton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many young people

aged between 16 and 24 were diagnosed with cancer in each of the last five years.

(AQW 8975/11-15)

Mr Poots: Information regarding the number of people aged between 16 and 24 years old who were

diagnosed with cancer (ICD-10

C00-C97) in N. Ireland in the years 2006 to 2010, by year of diagnosis,

is given in the table below;

Year of diagnosis

Number of people

All people with cancer

(C00-C97)

People with cancer excluding

non-melanoma skin cancer

(C00-C97 excluding C44)

2006 56 51

2007 78 66

2008 63 58

2009 74 60

2010 71 64

WA 536

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

1 ForalistingandexplanationofICD-10codesseeInternationalClassicationofDiseasesforOncology,

3rd Edition, World Health Organisation, Geneva, 2000. For an explanation of ICD-10 codes see: http://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ICD-10_codes.

2 Non-melanoma skin cancer (C44) is a malignant disease that is very common but rarely fatal, and is often

excluded from cancer statistics when assessing cancer burden in the community.

Young People with Cancer

Mr Newton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the average survival

rate for young people with cancer aged between 16 and 24.

(AQW 8977/11-15)

Mr Poots: The following table includes information regarding the observed survival of people (n=282)

aged between 16 and 24 years old who were diagnosed with cancer (ICD-10

C00-C97 excluding C44

)

in N. Ireland in the years 2001 to 2005 and followed-up till the end of 2010;

Years after diagnosis Survival of patients (%) and 95% confidence interval

1 92.6% (89.0%–95.0%)

2 87.5% (83.1%–90.8%)

3 85.4% (80.7%–88.9%)

4 84.1% (79.3%–87.8%)

5 82.9% (78.0%–86.8%)

1 ForalistingandexplanationofICD-10codesseeInternationalClassicationofDiseasesforOncology,

3rd Edition, World Health Organisation, Geneva, 2000. For an explanation of ICD-10 codes see: http://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ICD-10_codes.

2 Non-melanoma skin cancer (C44) is a malignant disease that is very common but rarely fatal, and is often

excluded from cancer statistics when assessing cancer burden in the community.

Young People with Cancer

Mr Newton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the types of cancer

that have affected young people aged between 16 and 24 in each of the last three years.

(AQW 8978/11-15)

Mr Poots: The table below includes information regarding the types of cancer (ICD-101 C00-C97)

diagnosed in people aged between 16 and 24 years old in N. Ireland in the years 2008 to 2010, by

type of cancer and year of incidence;

Cancer site

Incidence

2008 2009 2010

Lymphoma (C81-C85) 13 13 14

Malignant melanoma (C43) 6 6 11

Non-melanoma skin (C44) 5 14 9

Testis (C62) 11 9 8

Cervix (C53) 6 6 0

Brain and other CNS (C70-C72) <52 8 5

Leukaemia (C91-C95) 6 <5 <5

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 537

Cancer site

Incidence

2008 2009 2010

Other malignant cancer

19 20 22

1 ForalistingandexplanationofICD-10codesseeInternationalClassicationofDiseasesforOncology,

3rd Edition, World Health Organisation, Geneva, 2000. For an explanation of ICD-10 codes see: http://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ICD-10_codes.

2 Toprotectpatientcondentialitythenumberincellsmarked‘<5’isconcealed.

3 Other malignant cancer’ included the following cancer sites: Bone (C40,C41), Thyroid (C73), Colorectal

(C18-C21), Head and Neck (C00-C14, C30-C32), Other malignant cancer, Connective/soft tissue (C47,C49),

Ovary (C56), Kidney (C64-C66,C68), Stomach (C16),Lung (C33,C34), Breast (C50), Uterus (C54-C55),

Oesophagus (C15), Vulva (C51), Bladder (C67).

Consultation on People Smoking in Cars Carrying Children

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when the consultation

will be published on people smoking in cars carrying children.

(AQW 8979/11-15)

Mr Poots: It is my intention to go out to public consultation in the early summer on a range of options

around banning smoking in private vehicles.

Officials in my Department are in the process of meeting with relevant stakeholders to discuss the

potential impacts of such a ban and these discussions are helping to inform the development of a

comprehensive consultation package. The consultation exercise will also seek views on issues around

implementation and enforcement.

Sex Offenders

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safetyhow many sex offenders

are currently registered on the Independent Safeguarding Authority’s Children’s Barred List under the

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007.

(AQW 9006/11-15)

Mr Poots: When a person accepts a caution or is convicted of a relevant offence they are automatically

barred by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) from working/volunteering with children and/or

vulnerable adults. Depending on the offence, the person may be permitted to make representations to

be removed from the barred list(s). In addition the ISA considers allegations of sexual abuse under its

discretionary powers.

The ISA has confirmed that it has included 241 individuals in the Children’s Barred List under the

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007. Of these, 195 individuals (81%) were considered in

relation to a sexual related offence or allegation.

Phase II of the Benefit Entitlement Checks

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) why Phase II

of the Benefit Entitlement Checks, under the Maximizing Access in Rural Areas (MARA) Project, will not

be tendered; (ii) the budget for the MARA project; (iii) whether an independent evaluation of Phase II

has been undertaken; (iv) whether an assessment has been carried out to provide a rationale for the

decision not to tender for Phase II; and (v) how learning from Phase I has been incorporated into the

service delivery model.

(AQW 9014/11-15)

WA 538

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Mr Poots:

(i) The benefit entitlement checks, (BECs) under the maximising access in rural areas project will

not be tendered as the Social Security Agency will undertake the benefit checks in Phase II.

(ii) The budget for the MARA project is £2.928 million in total (2011- 2015).

(iii) An independent evaluation of Phase I was completed by Deloitte in August 2011. Phase II has

recently commenced and an independent evaluation will be commissioned in 2014/15

(iv) The rationale for the decision not to tender for Phase II is as follows:

è In keeping with the Northern Ireland Guide to expenditure, appraisal and evaluation government

departments should carry out assignments where it has the necessary skills and resources to

do so. In this case the SSA can provide the requisite service and in doing so this strengthens

the interdepartmental approach to this significant regional project.

è To optimise successful tracking of specific and overall outcomes for the MARA project. The

evaluation noted the problems tracking referrals for Phase 1 and the need to clearly measure

outcomes in Phase II.

(v) The following learning from the Phase 1 has been incorporated into MARA.

è A community development approach in the identification of those households most in need

continues to be strengthened and deployed.

è A formal household identification partnership agreement with Lead Organisations as part of

the tender process has been established to ensure early buy in at local community level to the

project.

è An Information Technology (IT) system has been developed for data collection, to expedite

onward referrals automatically on a weekly basis to a range of referral partners and to ensure

outcome measurement directly from referral agencies. The IT system will also facilitate regular

monitoring and reporting for the MARA project.

è Robust selection criteria for the formal recruitment of enablers on an “as and when” contract

has been developed.

è More focused and interactive training has also been developed for enablers.

è A marketing plan for the MARA project is currently being developed and the launch of the MARA

Project on the 15th March is the first phase of this marketing plan.

è A second household visit to at least 80% of households approximately 8-12 weeks after initial

visit has been incorporated into the project to ensure that the needs of the householder

identified at the first visit have been fully pursued.

Life Expectancy Differential

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what progress his

Department has made in facilitating a 50 percent reduction in life the expectancy differential between

the most disadvantaged areas and other areas.

(AQW 9016/11-15)

Mr Poots: There are many inter- related factors which impact on health. Health inequalities are wholly

or partly a result of differences in the wider socio economic circumstances of people’s lives. Reducing

health inequalities and closing the life expectancy gap between the most disadvantaged areas and

other areas is therefore a challenge which goes beyond the remit of Health, and requires long-term

coordinated effort.

Northern Ireland - much like other parts of the UK - continues to experience differences in health and

wellbeing outcomes. Despite increases in life expectancy across all areas, improvements in the 20%

most deprived areas were lower than those seen across NI as a whole. Latest information against the

targets for male and female life expectancy therefore indicates a widening of the life expectancy gap

against the baseline position (female gap increased by 0.2 years and male gap increased 1.1 years)

for those living in disadvantaged areas against the Northern Ireland average.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 539

Tackling health inequalities is an ongoing challenge and that is why my department is in the process of

leading the development of a new public health strategic framework which will seek cross-departmental

and cross-sectoral support for updated focus on public health priorities, including addressing the social

determinants of health.

Number of Adults who Smoke

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) what progress his

Department has made reducing the number of adults who smoke to 21 percent; and (ii) to provide the

latest available data on the number of adults who smoke, broken down by (a) age; and (b) gender.

(AQW 9018/11-15)

Mr Poots:

(i) In spite of a range of initiatives funded by my Department and delivered by the Public Health

Agency, adult smoking prevalence rates in Northern Ireland have remained at around 24% since

2007. Reducing smoking prevalence remains a priority for my Department and I have recently

launched a new strategy which sets the strategic direction for tobacco control and smoking

reduction for the next decade.

There have been significant achievements in recent years, including the introduction of smoke-free

legislation, the expansion smoking cessation services and increasing uptake of these services,

and the introduction of legislation aimed at preventing children and young people from accessing

tobacco. This has resulted in greater protection for the entire population from second-hand smoke

and improved support for thousands of smokers wishing to quit.

Smoking, as is the case with most lifestyle behaviours, is influenced by a wide range of social

factors many of which are beyond the remit of the health and social care sector. These include

poverty, unemployment, and low educational attainment. Progress on addressing these issues

would assist in reducing population smoking prevalence.

(ii) The Health Survey Northern Ireland 2010/11 collected information on smoking prevalence and

set out below, in tables 1 and 2 respectively, are the proportion of adults (aged 16+) who currently

smoke by age and gender;

TABLE 1: SMOKING PREVALENCE BY AGE-GROUP

16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Total

Currently smoke 26% 34% 24% 26% 23% 11%

24%

TABLE 2: SMOKING PREVALENCE BY GENDER

Male Female Total

Currently smoke 25% 23%

24%

Source: Health Survey Northern Ireland 2010/11

Number of Manual Workers who Smoke

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) what progress his

Department has made in reducing the number of manual workers who smoke to 25 percent; and (ii) to

provide the latest available data on the number of manual workers who smoke, broken down by (a) age;

and (b) gender.

(AQW 9020/11-15)

Mr Poots:

(i) The manual workers subset of the population has proved to be the most resistant to measures

aimed at reducing smoking prevalence, with the latest statistics revealing that 31% of this group

WA 540

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

are current smokers. While this figure has come down from 35% in 2003 when my Department’s

previous Tobacco Action Plan was published, it remains unacceptably high.

My Department’s new Tobacco Control Strategy, which I recently launched, sets the strategic

direction for tobacco control and smoking reduction for the next decade. In this document,

disadvantaged people, including manual workers, have been identified as a key priority group. The

Public Health Agency, in drawing up an action plan to accompany the new strategy, will set out a

number of dedicated actions in an effort to further reduce smoking prevalence amongst manual

workers. Improving access to specialist smoking cessation services will be a key component of

this.

Smoking, as is the case with most lifestyle behaviours, is influenced by a wide range of social

factors many of which are beyond the remit of the health and social care sector. These include

poverty, unemployment, and low educational attainment. Progress on addressing these issues

would greatly assist in reducing smoking prevalence amongst the manual workers subset.

(ii) The Health Survey Northern Ireland 2010/11 collected information on smoking prevalence and

set out below, in tables 1 and 2 respectively, are the proportion of manual workers (aged 16+)

who currently smoke by age and gender;

TABLE 1: MANUAL WORKERS SMOKING PREVALENCE BY AGE-GROUP

16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Total

Currently smoke 40% 45% 31% 33% 29% 15%

31%

Please note that within the 16-24 year old age-group, 40% of respondents did not have a socio-

economic group assigned. For the other age-groups, the proportions were less than 5%.

TABLE 2: MANUAL WORKERS SMOKING PREVALENCE BY GENDER

Male Female Total

Currently smoke 32% 30%

31%

Source: Health Survey Northern Ireland 2010/11

Waiting Time for a Routine Dermatology Appointment

Mr Frew asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 8193/11-

15, to detail (i) the number of dermatology appointments requested; and (ii) the annual appointment

capacity for each Health and Social Care Trust area in each of the last three years.

(AQW 9027/11-15)

Mr Poots: The most robust and regionally consistent measure of required appointments over the

last three years is the number of referrals received by Health and Social Care Trusts for a first

outpatient appointment. Similarly, the combined number of first outpatient attendances and missed

first outpatient appointments provides the most robust and regionally consistent measure of annual

capacity over this period.

The number of referrals received, by each HSC Trust, for a first outpatient appointment in the

Dermatology specialty during 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 is outlined in the table below:

Total number of referrals received for a first outpatient appointment in the Dermatology specialty, by

HSC Trust: 2008/09 to 2010/111

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 541

HSC Trust

Financial Year

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

Belfast 11,713 12,503 12,305

Northern 9,838 9,977 9,749

Southern 9,358 8,608 10,197

South Eastern 9,708 10,863 10,051

Western 7,417 7,851 7,958

Total Northern Ireland 48,034 49,802 50,260

Source: Health and Social Care Board

1 Number of referrals has been provided as an indicator of the number of appointments requested

The combined number of first outpatient attendances and missed first outpatient appointments in the

Dermatology specialty at each HSC Trust during 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 are outlined in the

table below:

Total number of first outpatient attendances and missed first outpatient appointments in the

Dermatology specialty, by HSC Trust: 2008/09 to 2010/112,3

HSC Trust

Financial Year

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

Belfast 8,921 9,189 8,685

Northern 6,864 5,145 4,466

Southern 8,374 7,980 7,472

South Eastern 6,434 4,604 4,610

Western 6,481 6,443 6,817

Total Northern Ireland 37,074 33,361 32,050

Source: Departmental Quarterly Outpatient Activity Return

2 Thecombinednumberofrstoutpatientattendancesandmissedrstoutpatientappointmentshavebeen

provided as an indicator of appointment capacity.

3 Data includes activity undertaken as part of a waiting list initiative, but excludes activity provided by the

Independent Sector.

Causeway Hospital, Coleraine

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) what steps he has taken

to enhance the viability of the new Causeway Hospital, Coleraine; and (ii) whether he will make a

statement in relation to this matter.

(AQW 9039/11-15)

Mr Poots: The Causeway Hospital, opened in 2001, provides 24/7 acute hospital services to the

local Causeway community. I am aware of recent concerns regarding the future of the hospital and can

confirm that there are no plans to alter its acute status.

You will be aware, however, that the recent review of health and social care services in Northern

Ireland has made it clear that significant changes will be required to our health service. It is too soon

to say exactly what the future configuration of services will look like, or the implications for individual

WA 542

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

hospitals, but our aim must be to have safe, resilient and sustainable services with the focus on the

individual and not the institution.

Local Commissioning Groups will draw up specific proposals for hospitals in their area which meet the

principles and criteria laid down by the review team and I am committed to consulting fully on any major

reconfiguration of services which I intend to take forward.

Audit on Diabetes Provision

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether an audit on

diabetes provision has been carried out, similar to the National Diabetes Paediatric Audit which was

carried out in England,

(AQW 9049/11-15)

Mr Poots: Within Northern Ireland a number of regional audits for diabetes services provision have

been undertaken, including an audit of diabetes education published in 2008 and currently being

updated and a regional audit of hospital care undertaken in conjunction with Co-Operation and

Working Together (CAWT) in 2010. Confidential enquiries into maternal and child health and pregnancy

outcomes with diabetes have also been conducted.

In 2009 the Diabetes Consultant Group in Northern Ireland was allowed to use the National Diabetes

Audit template to complete a Northern Ireland submission. The results were analysed by the clinician

in charge of the exercise, who provided the results for Northern Ireland. The intention is to do a similar

exercise at intervals.

In addition, each HSC Trust has computer systems for adults and children with diabetes to allow them

to conduct audits of their patients.

The Report of the HSC Review ‘Transforming Your Care’ identifies long term conditions, such as

diabetes, as a key area for health and social care. To ensure the highest quality services for people

with diabetes, I have asked officials in my Department to initiate a review to consider the provision of

existing services and emerging priorities in order to inform the development of a strategic and co-

ordinated approach to improving services for people with diabetes.

External Consultancy Fees for Patients at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much has been spent

on external consultancy fees for patients at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, who were referred to the

Fitzwilliam Clinic, Belfast in the last year.

(AQW 9052/11-15)

Mr Poots: During 2010/11 (latest information available) all referrals to the Fitzwilliam Clinic, Belfast

from the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald were in respect of plastics outpatients services.

The total paid to the Fitzwilliam Clinic for the plastics outpatient service for the financial year 2010/11

was £366,628.

The Regional Plastics Outpatients Referral Centre is based at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald (South

Eastern Health and Social Care Trust) and in that context, all such referrals would be for patients from

across Northern Ireland.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence Technology Appraisals and Clinical

Guidelines

Mr Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in light of the new policy

introduced in September 2011, on the implementation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence

(NICE) Technology Appraisals and Clinical Guidelines, what action (i) his Department; and (ii) the

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 543

Health and Social Care Board has taken to ensure that patients and clinicians are able to access NICE

approved treatments and procedures.

(AQW 9053/11-15)

Mr Poots:

i As set out in circular HSC (SQSD) NICE 04/11, in the majority of cases, my Department has

reviewed and endorsed NICE guidance within the agreed timescales of four weeks for Technology

Appraisals and eight weeks for Clinical Guidelines.

Additionally, my securing of funds in the October Monitoring round allowed the Health and Social Care

Board to ensure that patients can access certain new NICE-approved drugs and treatments .

ii. As part of the new process, the HSC Board is required to submit to the Department a commissioning

plan (in the case of Technology Appraisals) or Board response (in the case of Clinical Guidelines) within

15 weeks of the confirmed receipt of endorsement.

The commissioning plans and Board responses will set out the Board’s strategy for implementing the

guidance in the context of resources available and other HSC priorities.

The first of these responses and plans are to be submitted to my Department shortly and once agreed,

they will form the formal Departmental policy position on implementation.

Software Companies Listed in the August 2011 Northern Ireland Care Record

Outline Business Case

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 8019/11-

15, to detail (i) the rationale behind the decision to follow the HSCNI Technology Partner Agreement

Framework Contract with Hewlett Packard for this project; (ii) the number and names of the companies

that were initially selected to participate in the procurement process; (iii) when the procurement

process began; (iv) the criteria used to determine the selection; (v) which companies were short-listed;

(vi) the short-listing process; (vii) the areas the Health and Social Care Board and/or his Department

are currently discussing with the companies; and (viii) the procurement process.

(AQW 9061/11-15)

Mr Poots: The information sought is as follows:

i in considering the options, the Electronic Care Record (ECR) project used a scored criteria

comprising value for money, resources required to complete the procurement, timescales, the

extent to which direct engagement with potential suppliers was allowed for, and procurement

flexibility. The process is documented in the Procurement Strategy ‘Northern Ireland Electronic

Care Record Procurement Strategy’. Having adopted the assessment and evaluation approach set

out in the Strategy, it was concluded that the preferred option was to procure the ECR software

and related services through the Technology Partner Agreement’s Procurement Service;

ii. the companies initially selected to participate in the procurement process were:

■ Axsys Technology

■ Carefx

■ csamhealth

■ dbMotion

■ Enline

■ Graphnet

■ IBM

■ Intersystems

■ iSoft

■ Microsoft

■ Oracle

■ Orion Health

■ Restart Consulting

iii. as part of the ‘project start-up’ phase, preparation for procurement and development of the

Procurement Strategy took place in June-November 2011. The Procurement Strategy received

WA 544

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Project Board approval on 22 September 2011, and a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) was

distributed to an agreed long list of bidders on 10 October 2011;

iv. the longlist of bidders receiving the PQQ was limited to suppliers of a commercially available

ECR product, based on the Northern Ireland ECR Project Team’s market assessment of potential

solutions, and to suppliers who had previously expressed an interest in the Project;

the following Suppliers submitted PQQs:

v Axsys Technology; csamhealth; dbMotion; Intersystems; and Orion Health;

vi. the PQQ responses were evaluated in terms of the relevant technical knowledge and experience

shown, capability/capacity, and organisational and financial standing. Three bidders (Orion Health,

Intersystems and csamhealth) distinguished themselves as clearly better than their rivals;

vii. the shortlisted companies are currently preparing their full tender responses to the ECR

requirements. Limited dialogue, in order to clarify any legal, financial or technical queries the

bidders have, may take place at this juncture; and

viii. I understand that this point relates to the Technology Partner Agreement. This is a framework

agreement aimed at providing an efficient and effective route to procure a broad range of ICT

equipment and services. The framework was awarded to Hewlett Packard in August 2009 following

a fully compliant OJEU procurement under the Public Contract Regulations 2006 and conducted

using the competitive dialogue procedure provided for in those Regulations. The framework was

let for a period of four years, and is due for renewal in 2013.

Liver Function Tests

Mr Swann asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on how many occasions (i)

Social Services has required parents to take a liver function test; and (ii) children have been removed

from their parents because of liver function test results.

(AQW 9067/11-15)

Mr Poots: Health and Social Care Trusts cannot require or compel anyone to take a liver function test, and

figures on children removed from their parents because of liver function test results are not available.

Rare Diseases

Mr Dunne asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people have been

diagnosed with a rare disease in each Health and Social Care Trust area, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 9096/11-15)

Mr Poots: Information on the number of people that have been diagnosed with a rare disease in each

of the last five years is not available.

Northern Ireland Care Record Outline Business Case

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 8018/11-

15, given that the Electronic Care Records (ECR) Project’s proof of concept was for a view only portal

that provided Health and Social Care professionals with a unified view of data from a variety of existing

clinical information systems (i) why only the four top scoring companies in the tender exercise were

contacted to provide costs for a project to implement a clinical portal to provide full ECR functionality

and scope across hospitals; (ii) who made this decision; (iii) when this decision was made; (iv) how the

four companies scored, broken down by each section; and (v) to detail the high level scoping document

and ECR costs template provided to the companies.

(AQW 9119/11-15)

Mr Poots: The top six companies from the Northern Ireland Electronic Care Record (NIECR) Proof of

Concept pre qualification process were asked to provide costs, with five suppliers providing information.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 545

It was considered that the inclusion of the costs of four suppliers was sufficient to inform the cost

assumptions in the Outline Business Case, prior to the commencement of a new procurement process

for the regional NIECR project. The decision to use the cost assumptions of these suppliers was taken

by the Electronic Care Record Project Team in January 2011.

The Electronic Care Record Proof of Concept pre-qualification process scores of the four companies

included in the Outline Business Case, the scoping and costs letter and the associated costs template

have been placed in the Assembly library due to the size of the documents.

Staff Disciplinary Actions

Mr Kinahan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of

staff disciplinary actions taken by his Department in each of the last two years, at Staff Officer level

and above, including details of the offence and the disciplinary sanctions applied.

(AQW 9125/11-15)

Mr Poots: It has not been necessary for my Department to take formal disciplinary action under the

NICS Disciplinary policy against any staff at Staff Officer level and above in the last two years.

Convicted Sex Offenders

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many convicted sex

offenders are disqualified from working with children and vulnerable adults under the Protection of

Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.

(AQW 9139/11-15)

Mr Poots: The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) assumed responsibility for barring decision-

making from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) and the

Department of Education in 2009 under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order

2007. The ISA began making barring decisions in respect of referrals received from Northern Ireland

organisations on 13 March 2009. From that same date, DHSSPS ceased making barring decisions

under the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order (POCVA).

In the course of decision-making by DHSSPS under POCVA, a total of 158 individuals were added to

either the Disqualification from Working with Children’s List and/or the Disqualification from Working

with Vulnerable Adults List. Referrals were made under POCVA on the basis of misconduct which

harmed a child or vulnerable adult or placed them at risk of harm; and, in the majority of cases, those

referred had no criminal convictions for sexual offences or otherwise. DHSSPS cannot confirm the

number of convicted sex offenders included on the POCVA disqualification lists on the basis that it

does not hold that information.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Technology Appraisals and Clinical

Guidelines

Mr Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) which of the

National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Technology Appraisals and Clinical Guidelines have

been implemented since the publication of Circular HSC (SQSD) 04/11 ‘New Process for Endorsement,

Implementation, Monitoring and Assurance in Northern Ireland’; and (ii) the level of funding allocated

for the NICE approved treatments and procedures.

(AQW 9157/11-15)

Mr Poots:

(i) The HSC Board has issued 23 Commissioning Statements since 28 September 2012 when

the new guidance came into effect. These refer to guidance published by NICE prior to the new

process being introduced. The reference numbers for the endorsed NICE guidance are set out in

the table below.

WA 546

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Technology Appraisal guidance (TAs) for which the HSC Board has sent out a Commissioning

Statement

TA 75, TA 166, TA 169, TA 187, TA 188, TA 190, TA 193, TA 195, TA 198, TA 200, TA 208, TA 215, TA

216, TA 221, TA 222, TA 223, TA 226, TA 227, TA 228, TA 229, TA 230, TA 232, TA 234

For guidance published by NICE from 28September 2012 the Health and Social Care Board is required

to submit to my Department a commissioning plan or Board response setting out its plans for

implementation of endorsed NICE guidance. These plans or responses are expected within 15 weeks of

the confirmed receipt of the endorsement and the first of these are expected shortly.

(ii) Some £5million of additional funding was secured as part of October Monitoring for specialist

medicines, some of which provided access to the treatments referred to in the Commissioning

Statements listed above.

When developing commissioning plans and Board responses for the implementation of NICE guidance,

the HSC Board must take into account available resources and competing HSC priorities.

Community Pharmacies

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, following the recent

judicial review, what steps his Department will take in relation to community pharmacies.

(AQO 1475/11-15)

Mr Poots: Following the remedy hearing, on 7 February 2012, for the judicial review brought by

Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland (CPNI) I subsequently met with their representatives on 14

February 2012 to discuss the way forward for community pharmacy. I am keen that we move forward

in a way which will enable community pharmacy to deliver the new healthcare model envisaged in

“Transforming Your Care”, which is sustainable for pharmacists, improves outcomes for patients and

which delivers value for money.

Following the meeting I have tasked officials in my Department and the HSC Board to continue

negotiations with CPNI on the way forward for community pharmacy and how the available funding

could be invested now and for the future. Officials have subsequently met formally with CPNI on three

occasions.

Northern Ireland Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association

Mr Wells asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the level of grant aid

paid to the Northern Ireland Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association in each of the last five years.

(AQW 9183/11-15)

Mr Poots: The funding provided to the ME Association by my Department in each of the last five years

is set out in the table below.

Year Amount of Funding

20011/12 £18,434

20010/11 £18,434

2009/10 £18,434

2008/09 £17,984

2007/08 £17,546

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 547

Alleged Abuses in Nursing Homes

Mr McCallister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of

the alleged abuses in nursing homes found during the investigation carried out by the Northern Ireland

Human Rights Commission.

(AQW 9212/11-15)

Mr Poots: I welcome the NI Human Rights Commission’s interest in this extremely important area.

Making sure that vulnerable people’s human rights are upheld, especially when they cannot do so for

themselves, should always be at the forefront of our thinking and working practices as a civilised society.

I am satisfied that the vast majority of nursing homes and their staff are doing a high quality job in

caring for their residents, and I commend the many staff who routinely give of their utmost to provide

the best possible care. But I am very dismayed and concerned at the instances of poor practice

chronicled in the report. Even if they are very much in the minority, as I believe they are, they are simply

not acceptable. I should indicate that the evidence gathering and analysis of it would not have been

carried out to the standards we would normally expect.

My Department will be examining the recommendations from the report in detail over the coming

weeks, in consultation with RQIA and HSC and the independent sector as appropriate, and I will take

any necessary action to ensure we achieve our aim of doing everything possible to protect the most

vulnerable members of our society.

Prescription Medicines for Prisoners

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (i) the policy on

prescription medicines for prisoners; and (ii) how prescription medicines are regulated when a prisoner

is on a two-week course.

(AQW 9235/11-15)

Mr Poots:

(i) Medicines are prescribed in prisons on the basis of national guidance and the clinical judgement

of the medical practitioner.

(ii) All prisoners who are prescribed medication are subject to a comprehensive risk assessment to

determine their suitability to be in possession of their own medication. The risk assessment takes

into account the prisoner, the medication and their location. If they are considered suitable, they

may receive their medication on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, depending on the drug. If they

are not considered suitable to be in possession of their own medication, it will be issued to them

dose by dose by a nurse.

Winter Fuel Allowance

Mr Molloy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what provision is in place for

cancer patients to claim the winter fuel allowance when a GP has neither provided a consent form nor

sent the relevant information to his Department.

(AQW 9286/11-15)

Mr Poots: I can advise that all General Practitioner (GP) Practices have been asked to examine their

records and identify patients with a diagnosis of cancer who meet the eligibility criteria set by my

Department for payment.

Patients who consider they should receive payment, but have not yet received a consent form from their

GP, should, in the first instance, contact their GP.

WA 548

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Tyrone County Hospital, Omagh: Paediatric Dental Service

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) why the paediatric dental

service has been removed from the Tyrone County Hospital, Omagh; and (ii) whether an inquiry was

held prior to the decision being made; and if so, to detail the findings.

(AQW 9325/11-15)

Mr Poots: The provision of services are operational matters for Health and Social Services Trust. The

Western Health and Social Care Trust has advised that for reasons of patient safety daycase paediatric

surgery will take place at Tyrone County Hospital only in instances where there is a second anaesthetist

on site.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Mr Copeland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the estimated

annual cost to the Health Service of treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

(AQO 1467/11-15)

Mr Poots: It is not possible to quantify separately the resources provided by Health and Social Care

Services for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder. However, in the year 2010/11 year £228

million was spent on specialist services for people with mental health problems. This does not include

expenditure on primary care services and voluntary organisations which may treat and support patients

with post traumatic stress disorder.

Arthritis

Mr McQuillan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what research is being

carried out in relation to arthritis.

(AQO 1468/11-15)

Mr Poots: Currently there are nine clinical research projects underway to benefit people with arthritis

involving four of the five HSC Trusts in association with university-based researchers. The projects are

investigating a variety of approaches to diagnosis and care including:

■ clinical trials of novel drugs;

■ tests to determine whether a person’s gene profile can predict their response to a certain drug;

■ tests for biological molecules, known as biomarkers, that change to indicate whether or not a

person is responding to treatment; and

■ studies on the application of MRI and of ultrasound.

Audiology

Mr Givan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action is being taken to

ensure a high standard of provision of audiology services.[R]

(AQO 1469/11-15)

Mr Poots: Audiology services are an essential component of the range of care provided to people with

a hearing impairment, and we in Northern Ireland are fortunate to have well trained, committed, and

dedicated audiology professionals delivering these services.

However, as our population gets older, and advances are made in digital hearing aid technology, the

demand for audiology services will undoubtedly increase. Faced with these challenges, I have decided

to follow the example of our colleagues in Great Britain and begin to develop quality standards for

audiology services here, to ensure that the service we provide in the future will continue to be of the

highest quality possible, and focused on the needs of the patient.

As a fundamental first step in this process, my Department has asked the Health and Social Care

Board to instigate a scoping study, which will look at where we are now in terms of audiology quality

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 549

standards and make recommendations about where we want to be. They have agreed to report by the

end of June 2012.

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, given that Stereotactic

Ablative Radiotherapy can deliver lifesaving treatment to cancer patients, what action his Department is

taking to make this treatment more widely available to patients.

(AQO 1470/11-15)

Mr Poots: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy is a specialist service that is not currently provided in

Northern Ireland. The relatively small population of Northern Ireland may not be sufficient to safely

maintain the highly specialised skills required to provide this service locally. Any consideration of local

provision would need to take account of factors such as best practice guidance with reference to

issues such as number of patients and operators needed to support and sustain a robust model of

service for our population.

However stereotactic radiotherapy is available in other parts of the UK mainland and patients from

Northern Ireland can be referred by their consultants through the HSC Board Extra Contractual Referrals

(ECRs) process. Tertiary referrals are provided in Leeds Teaching Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospital

and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London.

The decision to recommend a patient for stereotactic radiotherapy is, in the first instance, a matter for

the clinical judgement of the referring consultant. This is based on the patient’s clinical condition, the

best available evidence on the most appropriate treatment and discussions with the patient on his or

her treatment options.

Currently there are no plans to introduce this treatment in Northern Ireland.

Mater Hospital, Belfast

Mr Humphrey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether his Department

has any plans to expand services at the Mater Hospital, Belfast.

(AQO 1471/11-15)

Mr Poots: The Mater Hospital continues to provide an excellent range of services to the people of

North Belfast and beyond. The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, in its document “Excellence and

Choice - A consultation on the proposals to reorganise the delivery of acute services in Belfast” has

set out its initial plans for the provision of some acute services across all the Belfast Hospitals.

Work on these plans is ongoing and several changes have already been successfully implemented to

deliver the best possible care to patients. “Transforming Your Care” The Review of Health and Social

Care in Northern Ireland, will also have a bearing on the future configuration of services in Belfast.

However, I look forward to the Mater Hospital having a continued role in the provision of safe resilient

and sustainable services in the future.

South Tyrone Hospital, Dungannon

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans he has for the

South Tyrone Hospital, Dungannon.

(AQO 1472/11-15)

Mr Poots: I have no plans to change the current service provision at the South Tyrone Hospital. On 24

February 2012, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust concluded its consultation on the future

service model for minor injury services across the Trust area, including South Tyrone.

Any proposed changes to the configuration of services arising out of this consultation will be considered

within the context of providing safe and sustainable health and social care services.

WA 550

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Dentists: Practice Allowance

Mr Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the

impact on the delivery of high quality patient treatment, resulting from the loss of the seven percent

Practice Allowance for dentists in deprived areas.

(AQO 1473/11-15)

Mr Poots: The practice allowance was introduced in 2005 to provide Health Service committed

practices with financial support for the increasing requirements on practitioners. Practices who meet

the eligibility criteria set out in the Statement of Dental Remuneration, or can demonstrate that they

are sufficiently committed to the Health Service, are still able to receive the higher rate of practice

allowance, which is 11% as against 4% for all other dentists.

As this change, which was fully implemented in April 2011, should not affect Health Service committed

practices, there should not be any impact on the ability of Health Service committed practices to

continue delivering high quality treatment and care to patients in deprived areas or elsewhere.

Business Services Transformation Programme

Ms Ritchie asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the

impact that the commencement of the recruitment programme by the Business Services Organisation

might have on the validity of the consultation on the Business Services Transformation Programme.

(AQO 1474/11-15)

Mr Poots: The recruitment programme would have had no such impact. It was concerned with the

BSO’s existing operations, and was entirely unrelated to the Business Services Transformation

Programme and to the shared service proposals on which the public consultation closed last

Wednesday.

Department of Justice

Prison Service Staff: Disciplinary Actions or Investigations

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice (i) how many disciplinary actions against, or investigations

of, Prison Service staff are on-going; (ii) on what date did each case begin; (iii) at what stage is each

case; and (iv) of those staff currently under investigation, how many are suspended on full pay.

(AQW 8438/11-15)

Mr Ford (The Minister of Justice ): There are currently 17 disciplinary actions on-going against Prison

Service Staff and 8 members of staff currently under investigation. The table below provides the

information requested.

(i) Number (ii)Date Case Began (iii)Current Stage

1 01.10.2009 Appeal

2 02.10.2009 Appeal

3 08.04.2010 Case on hold pending outcome of dignity at work complaint.

4 03.11.2010 Hearing

5 01.09.2011 Appeal

6 02.09.2011 Appeal

7 01.11.2011 Hearing

8 22.11.2011 Hearing

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 551

(i) Number (ii)Date Case Began (iii)Current Stage

9 22.11.2011 Hearing

10 22.11.2011 Hearing

11 09.01.2012 Appeal

12 02.02.2012 Hearing

13 06.02.2012 Hearing

14 09.12.2012 Hearing

15 14.02.2012 Hearing

16 14.02.2012 Hearing

17 14.02.2012 Hearing

(iv) There are eight Prison Service staff currently under investigation, all have been suspended on full

pay. The table below provides the information requested.

Number Suspension

1 28.03.2011

2 15.12.2011

3 16.12.2011

4 04.01.2012

5 04.01.2012

6 04.01.2012

7 23.01.2012

8 23.01.2012

Visit to Portlaoise Prison

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, given his intention to visit Portlaoise Prison to investigate

searching practices, whether he will change exisiting legislation, or introduce new legislation, to exempt

Northern Ireland from that which is relevant to all UK prisons, should he decide to engage a similar

search mechanism to that used in Portlaoise.

(AQW 8440/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Prisons Act (Northern Ireland) 1953 gives authority to make rules for the management

of prisons in Northern Ireland. Prison Rules in England & Wales, while similar in many respects to the

Prison Rules in Northern Ireland, are made under separate legislation (Prisons Act 1952).

I will keep the rules regarding searching under review as NIPS continues to explore alternative

technologies for searching.

Accommodation Arrangements for Marian Price in Hydebank Wood Prison

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Justice to outline the accommodation arrangements for Marian

Price in Hydebank Wood Prison.

(AQW 8499/11-15)

Mr Ford: Marian McGlinchey (nee Price) is located in a self-contained unit within the Healthcare

complex at Hydebank Wood Prison.

WA 552

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Her cell accommodation is augmented by separate recreational and kitchen facilities, all of which

already existed on site, and are consistent with the facilities available to some existing female prisoners in

Ash House. Work is in hand to create an appropriate environment and daily regime for Ms McGlinchey

within the Heathcare Centre, including extended visiting sessions and access to a prisoner payphone.

Subject to risk assessment Ms McGlinchey also has the opportunity to undertake work, education or

general association in the company of other female prisoners.

Marion McGlinchey: Accommodation and Facilities

Lord Morrow asked Minister of Justice whether Marion Price has relinquished her separated prisoner

status to be accommodated in Hydebank Women’s Prison; and if not, what alterations will have to be

made, and what will they cost.

(AQW 8561/11-15)

Mr Ford: Marian McGlinchey (nee Price) has not relinquished her separated prisoner status on transfer

to Hydebank Wood Prison.

Alterations have been made to Mrs McGlinchey’s accommodation. These include; the installation of

new doors and partitions; the fitting of an extractor fan; and the provision and movement of electrical

sockets. The cost to date of meeting these at Hydebank Wood is £3533.11.

HMP Magherberry Healthcare Centre

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, given that the Pearson Review Team Report in 2009 raised

concerns that ‘the overriding emphasis on security and the physical arrangements to ensure security

at Maghaberry make unannounced visits impossible’ and that ‘any malpractice may be suspended for

the duration of a visit’, how unannounced visits are being dealt with at HMP Magherberry Healthcare

Centre.

(AQW 8563/11-15)

Mr Ford: Prison Governors and managers regularly visit all areas of the prison unannounced. These

visits occur during the day and night, and include the Healthcare Centre.

Postage and Printing Costs

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Justice whether his Department, and its arm’s-length bodies, give

elected representatives the choice of receiving reports and all other correspondence by email to

minimise postage and printing costs.

(AQW 8567/11-15)

Mr Ford: With regard to reports the Department of Justice follows the guidance published by OFMDFM

entitled, ‘Guidance on Distribution of Departmental Publications and Consultation Documents.’

With regard to all other correspondence the Department will usually reply in the method which was

used by the applicants.

Strabane Courthouse

Ms Boyle asked Minister of Justice for a breakdown of the £396,000 in works and costs that would be

required to ensure that Strabane Courthouse is fit for purpose.

(AQW 8574/11-15)

Mr Ford: The table below provides a breakdown of the estimated cost of the recommended works to

Strabane Courthouse based on Condition Surveys carried out in 2005. New Condition Surveys are

being carried out. Final costs for undertaking any works would depend on a number of factors, including

the final specification and security requirements.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 553

Recommended Works at Strabane Courthouse

Description of Improvements

Estimated

Cost

External

Roof Specialist Survey

External Walls & Car park Redecorate railings & fencing

Monitor render for repairs

Windows/Doors Redecorate and specialist

clean

Rainwater Drainage Redecorate and clean

Sub Total £13,000

Internal

Entrance Foyer/Reception Alter lobby

Lift

Archway Metal Detector/mag

locks

Signs generally

Public Circulation Areas Minor works

Public Utility Areas Toilet flooring, minor work to

ceilings

Judges’/Magistrates’

Chambers

Minor work to efflorescence

Court Executive Offices Replace all ceiling tiles

Redecoration Whole building

Security Accommodation/Cells Clad seating with stainless

steel

Sub Total £94,000

Mechanical Services

Heating Replace plant

Decorate tank

Bund replacement

Overhaul radiators

Ventilation Review Courtroom 1 system

Domestic Water Services Minor works

Sub Total £38,500

WA 554

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Recommended Works at Strabane Courthouse

Description of Improvements

Estimated

Cost

Electrical Services

External Lighting Minor replacements

Emergency Lighting New batteries

Fire Alarms Alarm to Sangar Upgrade

system

Ancillary Equipment Replace junction boxes

Upgrade system

Sub Total £21,000

Fire, Health and Safety

Fire Signage

Violence & aggression Dock screens

Stairs Minor adaptations

Fire Alarm system General upgrade

Roof areas Access ladder

Sub Total £17,000

Security

Various

Sub Total £23,500

Universal Access

External Road signs

Means of Access Minor alterations

Access within courthouse Lift installation

Change ironmongery

Widen strategic doors

Use of Building Relocate consultation rooms

Alterations to counter

Courtroom Seating/

Witness Stand

Major refurbishment

Remove step at bench,

Courtroom 2

Sub Total £157,000

Estimated Professional Fees on above work £32,000

Total £396,000

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 555

The table below provides a breakdown of the estimated cost of the recommended works to Strabane

Courthouse based on Disability Discrimination Act Surveys carried out in 2010. Final costs for

undertaking any works would depend on a number of details, including the final specification.

Recommended works

Improve access to the building

New signage to disabled parking bay.

Tactile paving to steps leading to courtroom. £700

Access into the building

New compliant doorsets into main entrance door, Court 1 and Court 2. £8,000

Access within the building – Horizontal Circulation

Remodel openings and corridor widths to cell area.

Remodel openings to provide compliant doors.

Remodel entrance and landing to main court on first floor.

Remodel entrance foyer lobby to first floor court. £19,140

Access within the building – Vertical Circulation

Provide extended handrails to staircases.

Provide disabled refuge intercom. £1,950

Toilet facilities

Upgrade existing disabled toilets on ground floor.

Upgrade existing public male and female toilet.

Upgrade existing holding area toilet. £1,500

Visitor reception

Provide compliant public counter including fold down seating. Provision and a low level

call point.

Provide dimmable lighting to public office counter. £4,100

Courtrooms

Provide wheelchair spaces to public gallery and solicitor area in courtroom 2.

Provide a new suitably sized witness box.

Court 2 – induction loop/IR system to be reinstated. £8,200

Visitor signage

Provide suitable signage to BS 8300 standard. £2,000

General

Provide flashing beacons (except to courtrooms and induction loop systems throughout

the building). £1,950

Total £47,540

WA 556

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Strabane Courthouse

Ms Boyle asked the Minister of Justice for a breakdown of the £47,500 expenditure that would

be required to ensure that Strabane Courthouse is fit for purpose in compliance with the Disability

Discrimination Act.

(AQW 8575/11-15)

Mr Ford: The table below provides a breakdown of the estimated cost of the recommended works to

Strabane Courthouse based on Condition Surveys carried out in 2005. New Condition Surveys are

being carried out. Final costs for undertaking any works would depend on a number of factors, including

the final specification and security requirements.

Recommended Works at Strabane Courthouse

Description of Improvements

Estimated

Cost

External

Roof Specialist Survey

External Walls & Car park Redecorate railings & fencing

Monitor render for repairs

Windows/Doors Redecorate and specialist

clean

Rainwater Drainage Redecorate and clean

Sub Total £13,000

Internal

Entrance Foyer/Reception Alter lobby

Lift

Archway Metal Detector/mag

locks

Signs generally

Public Circulation Areas Minor works

Public Utility Areas Toilet flooring, minor work to

ceilings

Judges’/Magistrates’

Chambers

Minor work to efflorescence

Court Executive Offices Replace all ceiling tiles

Redecoration Whole building

Security Accommodation/Cells Clad seating with stainless

steel

Sub Total £94,000

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 557

Recommended Works at Strabane Courthouse

Description of Improvements

Estimated

Cost

Mechanical Services

Heating Replace plant

Decorate tank

Bund replacement

Overhaul radiators

Ventilation Review Courtroom 1 system

Domestic Water Services Minor works

Sub Total £38,500

Electrical Services

External Lighting Minor replacements

Emergency Lighting New batteries

Fire Alarms Alarm to Sangar Upgrade

system

Ancillary Equipment Replace junction boxes

Upgrade system

Sub Total £21,000

Fire, Health and Safety

Fire Signage

Violence & aggression Dock screens

Stairs Minor adaptations

Fire Alarm system General upgrade

Roof areas Access ladder

Sub Total £17,000

Security

Various

Sub Total £23,500

WA 558

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Recommended Works at Strabane Courthouse

Description of Improvements

Estimated

Cost

Universal Access

External Road signs

Means of Access Minor alterations

Access within courthouse Lift installation

Change ironmongery

Widen strategic doors

Use of Building Relocate consultation rooms

Alterations to counter

Courtroom Seating/

Witness Stand

Major refurbishment

Remove step at bench,

Courtroom 2

Sub Total £157,000

Estimated Professional Fees on above work £32,000

Total £396,000

The table below provides a breakdown of the estimated cost of the recommended works to Strabane

Courthouse based on Disability Discrimination Act Surveys carried out in 2010. Final costs for

undertaking any works would depend on a number of details, including the final specification.

Recommended works

Improve access to the building

New signage to disabled parking bay.

Tactile paving to steps leading to courtroom. £700

Access into the building

New compliant doorsets into main entrance door, Court 1 and Court 2. £8,000

Access within the building – Horizontal Circulation

Remodel openings and corridor widths to cell area.

Remodel openings to provide compliant doors.

Remodel entrance and landing to main court on first floor.

Remodel entrance foyer lobby to first floor court. £19,140

Access within the building – Vertical Circulation

Provide extended handrails to staircases.

Provide disabled refuge intercom. £1,950

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 559

Recommended works

Toilet facilities

Upgrade existing disabled toilets on ground floor.

Upgrade existing public male and female toilet.

Upgrade existing holding area toilet. £1,500

Visitor reception

Provide compliant public counter including fold down seating. Provision and a low level

call point.

Provide dimmable lighting to public office counter. £4,100

Courtrooms

Provide wheelchair spaces to public gallery and solicitor area in courtroom 2.

Provide a new suitably sized witness box.

Court 2 – induction loop/IR system to be reinstated. £8,200

Visitor signage

Provide suitable signage to BS 8300 standard. £2,000

General

Provide flashing beacons (except to courtrooms and induction loop systems throughout

the building). £1,950

Total £47,540

Police and Community Safety Partnerships

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Justice how many applications for independent membership of Police

and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSP) have been received for each PCSP area.

(AQW 8593/11-15)

Mr Ford: The process of appointing independent members to Policing and Community Safety

Partnerships (PCSPs) is a restricted function of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

However, the Board updated the PCSP Joint Committee (consisting of representatives from my

Department and the Board) of the number of applications received in each area, which are as follows:

PCSP/ DPCSP Applications Received Belfast breakdown

Antrim 24

Ards 30

Armagh 18

Ballymena 29

Ballymoney 16

Banbridge 30

Belfast 83* 45

Belfast – North DPCSP 20

Belfast – South DPCSP 20

WA 560

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

PCSP/ DPCSP Applications Received Belfast breakdown

Belfast – East DPCSP 22

Belfast – West DPCSP 32

Carrickfergus 17

Castlereagh 13

Coleraine 13

Cookstown 13

Craigavon 23

Derry 24

Down 21

Dungannon & South Tyrone 15

Fermanagh 21

Larne 17

Limavady 14

Lisburn 33

Magherafelt 16

Moyle 12

Newry and Mourne 29

Newtownabbey 35

North Down 18

Omagh 10

Strabane 11

Total 585

* Applicants for Belfast can apply for membership of the city’s PCSP and one or more District Policing and

Community Safety Partnership (DPCSP). Members of DPCSPs may also be members of the Belfast PCSP.

Prison Service in Ireland: Historical Artefacts

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Justice what steps are being taken (i) to maintain the integrity

of the collection of artefacts relating to the history of the Prison Service in Ireland, which are held at

Woburn House, Millisle; and (ii) to record the items which are loaned to other sites or exhibitions.

(AQW 8609/11-15)

Mr Ford:

(i) The collection of artefacts stored at Millisle remain the property of the Northern Ireland Prison

Service. There are currently no plans to remove or dispose of the artefacts from Millisle.

(ii) Over the past 6 years NIPS employed an ex officer to catalogue the artefacts, including those

items on loan to the former prison at Crumlin Road. An inventory of any items loaned out from

Millisle is retained on site.

In addition to the artefacts already loaned to OFMdFM for use at the former prison site on Crumlin

Road, NIPS has also been asked to consider the loan of artefacts to the Maze/Long Kesh Programme

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 561

Delivery Unit, who are considering a future display to include Prison Service artefacts at the new Peace

and Reconciliation Centre which is planned for the Maze site, subject to receiving European funding. No

decision has yet been taken on this request, but in the event that any items are loaned an agreement

will be drawn up and an inventory will be completed.

Prison Service in Ireland: Historical Artefacts

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Justice what assurances he can give that the collection of

artefacts relating to the history of the Prison Service in Ireland, which are held at the Prison Service

College, will remain intact until a decision has been taken on a Northern Ireland Prison Service

museum.

(AQW 8611/11-15)

Mr Ford:

(i) The collection of artefacts stored at Millisle remain the property of the Northern Ireland Prison

Service. There are currently no plans to remove or dispose of the artefacts from Millisle.

(iii) Over the past 6 years NIPS employed an ex officer to catalogue the artefacts, including those

items on loan to the former prison at Crumlin Road. An inventory of any items loaned out from

Millisle is retained on site.

In addition to the artefacts already loaned to OFMdFM for use at the former prison site on Crumlin

Road, NIPS has also been asked to consider the loan of artefacts to the Maze/Long Kesh Programme

Delivery Unit, who are considering a future display to include Prison Service artefacts at the new Peace

and Reconciliation Centre which is planned for the Maze site, subject to receiving European funding. No

decision has yet been taken on this request, but in the event that any items are loaned an agreement

will be drawn up and an inventory will be completed.

Illiteracy and Innumeracy Among Prisoners

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Justice (i) to detail the level of illiteracy and innumeracy among

prisoners over the last three years; (ii) what affirmative actions have been taken to address these

issues; and (iii) with which organisations or bodies have these actions been undertaken.

(AQW 8633/11-15)

Mr Ford: Tables A and B below set out the levels of literacy and numeracy among prisoners assessed

on committal over the last three years, 2009-2011.

I refer to my reply to your previous AQW 4809/11 (March 2011).

The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) is engaged with the Department for Employment & Learning,

including Belfast Metropolitan College, the North West Regional College, and the Prison Arts Foundation

in providing support to prisoners.

TABLE A – LITERACY

Year Establishment

Below

Entry Level

EL1 = 5

year old

EL2 = 7

year old

EL3 = 9

year old

Level 1 =

14 year old

and higher

2009 Maghaberry 6% 4% 14% 38% 38%

Magilligan 4% 6% 11% 26% 53%

Hydebank 8% 4% 16% 51% 21%

Ash House 13% 3% 2% 55% 27%

WA 562

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Year Establishment

Below

Entry Level

EL1 = 5

year old

EL2 = 7

year old

EL3 = 9

year old

Level 1 =

14 year old

and higher

2010 Maghaberry 4% 2% 13% 44% 37%

Magilligan 4% 2% 10% 25% 59%

Hydebank 3% 2% 16% 19% 60%

Ash House 2% 4% 18% 13% 63%

2011 Maghaberry 6% 5% 16% 43% 30%

Magilligan 5% 1% 9% 33% 52%

Hydebank 2% 2% 13% 18% 65%

Ash House 1% 2% 18% 18% 61%

TABLE B – NUMERACY

Year Establishment

Below

Entry Level

EL1 = 5

year old

EL2 = 7

year old

EL3 = 9

year old

Level 1 =

14 year old

and higher

2009 Maghaberry 7% 6% 17% 38% 32%

Magilligan 4% 3% 12% 43% 38%

Hydebank 7% 5% 20% 44% 24%

Ash House 13% 2% 16% 56% 13%

2010 Maghaberry 4% 2% 3% 46% 45%

Magilligan 4% 2% 7% 42% 45%

Hydebank 3% 2% 3% 46% 46%

Ash House 7% - 7% 47% 39%

2011 Maghaberry 12% 7% 21% 41% 19%

Magilligan 2% 1% 4% 53% 40%

Hydebank 2% 2% 3% 44% 49%

Ash House 2% 2% 8% 42% 46%

Sex Offender Treatment Programme

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, pursuant to AQW 7466/11-15, to detail the length of time

between release from custody and the commission of a further similar offence, for each of the seven

people who had not participated in a Sex Offenders Treatment Programme.

(AQW 8656/11-15)

Mr Ford: The following table details the length of time between release from custody and the

commission of a further similar offence, for each of the seven people who had not participated in a Sex

Offenders Treatment Programme.

Number: Time period lapsed from release to date of reoffending:

1 9 months and 20 days

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 563

Number: Time period lapsed from release to date of reoffending:

2 4 months and 17 days

3 1 month and 14 days

4 2 years, 11 months and 3 days

5 5 months and 21 days

In the remaining two cases the further charges relate to offences committed prior to the original

sentence.

Driving Without Insurance

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, pursuant to AQW 7685/11-15 and AQW 7767/11-15,

why Prison Service staff were not reported to the PSNI or the Public Prosecution Service for aiding

and abetting the commission of an offence, or any other relevant charge; and whether he will order an

investigation into the handling of this matter.

(AQW 8663/11-15)

Mr Ford: Following the completion of an investigation into the Prisoner Assessment Unit, the Northern

Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) did not consider that a criminal offence had been committed.

The two officers were subsequently charged and disciplined under the NIPS Code of Conduct and Discipline.

Small Claims Court

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Justice whether the Courts and Tribunals Service has a standard

procedure for advising members of the public who wish to appeal a Small Claims Court decision

without employing a solicitor.

(AQW 8671/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Northern Ireland Courts & Tribunals Service booklet “Small Claims Guide” explains how

to lodge an appeal against a Small Claims Court order. The guide also informs customers that court

staff are unable to provide legal advice and recommends they contact a solicitor or the Citizens Advice

Bureau if legal advice is required.

The Department of Justice has no power to instigate an appeal of a Small Claims Court decision to which

it is not a party. Where the Department is a party it has the same rights of appeal as all other litigants.

Small Claims Court

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Justice whether his Department has the power to instigate an appeal of

a Small Claims Court decision.

(AQW 8672/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Northern Ireland Courts & Tribunals Service booklet “Small Claims Guide” explains how

to lodge an appeal against a Small Claims Court order. The guide also informs customers that court

staff are unable to provide legal advice and recommends they contact a solicitor or the Citizens Advice

Bureau if legal advice is required.

The Department of Justice has no power to instigate an appeal of a Small Claims Court decision to which

it is not a party. Where the Department is a party it has the same rights of appeal as all other litigants.

Judicial Review: Legal Costs

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Justice who has the authority to set the conditions under which

legal fees are paid for by the losing party in a judicial review.

(AQW 8713/11-15)

WA 564

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Mr Ford: The award of legal costs and outlays in a judicial review is a matter for the discretion of the

court. The normal principle will be that ‘costs follow the event’: that is the party winning the review will

be entitled to costs, but will generally be unable to recover these if the ‘losing party’ is in receipt of

legal aid.

Where the parties do not agree the amounts payable, the court may order that the legal fees are

assessed by the costs judge (known as the Taxing Master). In any particular case the costs associated

with the use of lawyers from outside the jurisdiction will be determined according to the circumstances

and the applicable legal principles.

The court’s decision in respect of the award of costs to or against any party, and the decisions as to

what costs are to be allowed, are both matters of judicial discretion which are subject to review and

appeal by the appellate courts.

Judicial Review: Legal Costs

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister of Justice why the losing party in a judicial review does not have to

pay the costs of lawyers from outside Northern Ireland, regardless of their expertise.

(AQW 8714/11-15)

Mr Ford: The award of legal costs and outlays in a judicial review is a matter for the discretion of the

court. The normal principle will be that ‘costs follow the event’: that is the party winning the review will

be entitled to costs, but will generally be unable to recover these if the ‘losing party’ is in receipt of

legal aid.

Where the parties do not agree the amounts payable, the court may order that the legal fees are

assessed by the costs judge (known as the Taxing Master). In any particular case the costs associated

with the use of lawyers from outside the jurisdiction will be determined according to the circumstances

and the applicable legal principles.

The court’s decision in respect of the award of costs to or against any party, and the decisions as to

what costs are to be allowed, are both matters of judicial discretion which are subject to review and

appeal by the appellate courts.

Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Justice for his assessment of the viability of prosecutions under the

Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 and the sustainability of heavily discounted sentences

for accomplice witnesses who turn out to be unreliable.

(AQW 8724/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Director of Public Prosecutions has responsibly for the viability of prosecutions taken

under specific legislation. The convention of providing reduced sentences existed in common law before

the enactment of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA), introduced a statutory

framework for the use of assisting offenders which includes a provision for the court to substitute a

greater sentence if the assisting offender fails to give their agreed evidence. A reduction in sentence is

not mandatory under SOCPA.

Pearson Review Team Report

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, in light of the concerns raised in the Pearson Review Team

Report, what action has been taken in relation to (i) the duration of disciplinary investigations into

alleged misbehaviour by staff; and (ii) the difficulties of convincing a neutral observer that fairness and

transparency exists.

(AQW 8725/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Prison Service is currently setting up a Professional Standards Unit which will be

responsible for ensuring disciplinary investigations are conducted within set timeframes. The unit

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 565

will improve perceptions of fairness and transparency by overseeing investigations centrally, setting

standards, and holding comparative data on cases.

Proposed Courthouse Closures

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, pursuant to AQW 7952/11-15, given that the majority

of defendants appearing at magistrates courts are from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and

that those on JobSeekers Allowance receive £57 per week, how they are expected to travel further

distances to attend court, particularly in the Magheraflet and Starbane areas which are predominantly

rural areas with a poor public transport network.

(AQW 8726/11-15)

Mr Ford: Defendants attending court hearings are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Data

on the socio-economic background of defendants appearing at Magistrates’ Courts is not collected,

however, information collected through Exit Surveys in 2011 indicated that on the day of the survey,

84% of court users attending Magherafelt Courthouse used private transport while 1% used public

transport. 76% of court users attending Strabane Courthouse used private transport to get to court

and 3% used public transport. The availability of public transport and associated cost has been

considered and will inform the analysis of consultee responses.

Convicted Child Murderer, Ronnie Graham

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, in relation to the convicted child murderer, Ronnie Graham,

(i) who authorised his partial release back into the community; (ii) who decided that it was suitable

for him to reside at Thompson House, Belfast, which is surrounded by schools, and Centenary House,

Belfast; and (iii) what assessments were carried out to determine the safety of the public, particularly

children, during the periods of temporary release.

(AQW 8728/11-15)

Mr Ford: The information requested constitutes sensitive personal data as defined at section 2 of the

Data Protection Act 1998. The disclosure of such information is likely to breach the data subject’s

rights under the Act and would be incompatible with the Data Protection Principles. The information

cannot therefore be provided as requested.

Sexual Abuse

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice how many people, in their capacity as a member of the

clergy or a religious body, have been convicted of sexual abuse in each of the last ten years to date.

(AQW 8729/11-15)

Mr Ford: Court conviction datasets do not contain such information.

Board Members of the NI Prison Service Trust

Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister of Justice, for each of the last five years, to detail (i) the names of

the Board Members of the NI Prison Service Trust; (ii) each individual’s attendance records at Board

meetings, including the percentage of time they attended each meeting; (iii) how Board members

are recruited; and (iv) what written records exist of approval of the appointment processes from the

Commissioner for Public Appointments.

(AQW 8745/11-15)

Mr Ford:

(i) The names of Directors within the past 5 years are as follows:

Name

Mr F Spratt 2006/7-present

WA 566

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Name

Mr C McGrugan 2006/7-present

Mrs J Robinson MBE 2006/7- present

Mrs M Kerr 2006/7- present

Mr N Lowe 2006/7-present

Mr D Gowdy 2006/7-present

Mr J McCready 2006/7-present

Mr E Fair 2006/7-present

Rt Hon J Donaldson MP 2007/8-present

Mr S Gaynor 2010/11-present

Miss A McGarvey 2011/12-present

Ms A Lo MLA 2010/11

Mr J Steele CB OBE TD DL FRSA 2006/7-2010/11

Lady Hermon 2010/11

Lady Bloomfield 2006/7-2009/10

Mr B Rea MBE 2006/7-2008/9

Miss M Hempton 2006/7-2008/9

Lord Maginnis 2006/7-2009/10

Mr A Maginess MLA 2006/7-2009/10

Mrs S Peake 2006/7

Mr D Clayton 2006/7-2008/9

Mr N Mitchell 2006/7-2007/8

(ii) Attendance records are not easily accessible and the percentage of time is not available.

(iii) Board members are appointed according to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the

Prison Service Trust.

(iv) The Prison Service Trust is incorporated under the Companies (NI) Order 1986 as a company

limited by guarantee in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and is not

regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland (CPANI) and therefore not

required to seek approval of its appointment process from the CPANI.

NI Prison Service Trust

Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister of Justice, in relation to the NI Prison Service Trust (PST), to detail,

since its establishment (i) whether the Trust has exceeded the statutory minimum number of carers

accompanying clients on any trip that was at least partially funded by the public sector; (ii) the caring

needs of those clients on each trip; and (iii) the qualifications of the accompanying PST staff to meet

those needs in line with (a) statutory requirements; and (b) guidelines issued by arm’s-length bodies,

such as Disability Action.

(AQW 8746/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Prison Service Trust has provided the following answers:

(i) There are a minimum of two volunteers per trip.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 567

(ii) Client’s needs on each trip are variable.

(iii)(a) & (b) Volunteers are sufficiently qualified to meet the needs of the clients on trips.

NI Prison Service Trust

Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister of Justice how many people (i) qualify for support from the NI Prison

Service Trust; and (ii) are supported by the Trust.

(AQW 8747/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Prison Service Trust has provided the following answers:

(i) 544 people qualify for support from the NI Prison Service Trust.

(ii) Each client case is considered on its own merits by the Prison Service Trust Board of Directors.

Funding for Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked the Minister of Justice to detail the level of funding his Department allocated to

each trade union in the (i) 2000/01; (ii) 2005/06; and (iii) 2010/11 financial years.

(AQW 8764/11-15)

Mr Ford: As the Department of Justice was created in April 2010 figures can only be provided for the

2010/11 financial year.

The Department does not allocate funding to trade union organisations. However, it does pay the salary

costs of employees who are released on full-time secondment to a recognised trade union.

In 2010/2011 DOJ released four employees to undertake trade union work at a total cost of £155,073.28.

Healthcare Centre at Maghaberry Prison

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice (i) how many of the 38 recommendations contained in the

Pearson Review Team Report have been fully implemented; and (ii) whether the safer cells/observation

cells in the Healthcare Centre at Maghaberry Prison have been completed, and when they will be

functional.

(AQW 8797/11-15)

Mr Ford:

(i) 24 of the Pearson Review Team Report recommendations have been fully implemented. In addition,

a further nine recommendations have been subsumed within the Strategic Efficiency and

Effectiveness (SEE) Programme.

(ii) The safer/observation cells in the Healthcare Centre at Maghaberry Prison were completed in May

2010.

Life Sentences (NI) Order 2001

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice how many prisoners are currently serving sentences under

the Life Sentences (NI) Order 2001.

(AQW 8798/11-15)

Mr Ford: As of 28 February 2012, 187 prisoners are currently serving sentences under the Life

Sentences (NI) Order 2001.

Category A Prisoners

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice how many Category A prisoners are classed as separated.

(AQW 8800/11-15)

Mr Ford: There are 45 Category A prisoners who are classed as separated.

WA 568

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Proposed Closure of Courthouses

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Justice what research has been carried out, or is planned to

be carried out, on the financial impact of the proposed closure of courthouses on those who will be

affected.

(AQW 8806/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Hearing Centre closure consultation exercise recognised that some court users,

including legal representatives, may have to travel further to attend court. When developing these

proposals my officials researched the distance between venues, travel time, and availability and cost

of public transport. The potential financial impact of the proposed closures has been highlighted

during the public meetings which formed part of the consultation exercise. All points raised during the

consultation exercise will be fully considered.

Any increase in staff travel costs is expected to be minimal as the majority of Hearing Centre staff are

already based at other courthouses.

Proposed Closure of Courthouses

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Justice what increase expenditure on travel for staff and legal

representatives has been factored into the proposed closure of courthouses.

(AQW 8808/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Hearing Centre closure consultation exercise recognised that some court users, including

legal representatives, may have to travel further to attend court. When developing these proposals

my officials researched the distance between venues, travel time, and availability and cost of public

transport. The potential financial impact of the proposed closures has been highlighted during the

public meetings which formed part of the consultation exercise. All points raised during the consultation

exercise will be fully considered.

Any increase in staff travel costs is expected to be minimal as the majority of Hearing Centre staff are

already based at other courthouses.

Closure of Courthouses

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Justice for his assessment of the impact of the proposed closure

of courthouses on the number of claims for Legal Aid.

(AQW 8809/11-15)

Mr Ford: Legal aid is not granted on the basis of distance travelled to court and accordingly I do not

anticipate any impact on the number of claims made for legal aid arising from the proposal to close

hearing centres.

Drink Driving

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Justice to detail the number of convictions for drink driving in each of the

last five years, broken down by (i) constituency; and (ii) court division.

(AQW 8820/11-15)

Mr Ford: Drink driving offences span a number of statutes. The answer refers to offences under Article

15(1), Article 16(1)a, Article 16(1)b Article 17(6) and Article 18(7) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland)

Order 1995. This includes convictions for offences that do not distinguish between driving under the

influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

The tables below give the number convicted by constituency of residence of the offender and by court

division for the calendar years 2004 to 2008 (the latest year for which figures are currently available).

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 569

NUMBER OF PEOPLE CONVICTED FOR DRINK OFFENCES BY CONSTITUENCY OF RESIDENCE OF THE

OFFENDER 2004-2008

Constituency 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Belfast East 113 128 104 115 74

Belfast North 142 127 137 130 104

Belfast South 122 120 116 105 96

Belfast West 136 136 100 132 108

East Antrim 118 117 101 111 79

East Londonderry 131 125 129 154 98

Fermanagh and South Tyrone 112 112 171 172 162

Foyle 112 115 114 109 83

Lagan Valley 118 127 84 131 107

Mid Ulster 111 148 172 150 134

Newry and Armagh 176 179 184 207 198

North Antrim 131 124 121 188 108

North Down 125 119 134 126 121

South Antrim 129 121 100 170 120

South Down 142 138 120 169 128

Strangford 133 126 138 131 122

Upper Bann 112 160 140 174 134

West Tyrone 134 114 174 140 127

Unknown 141 200 250 522 469

Total 2,438 2,536 2,589 3,136 2,572

NUMBER OF PEOPLE CONVICTED FOR DRINK OFFENCES BY COURT DIVISION 2004-2008

Court Division 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Antrim 224 345 337 519 333

Ards 637 367 377 463 367

Armagh and South Down 218 327 329 428 370

Belfast 371 661 515 670 557

Craigavon and Lisburn 326 275 240 300 284

Fermanagh and Tyrone 296 341 535 478 435

Londonderry 366 220 256 278 226

Total 2,438 2,536 2,589 3,136 2,572

Data are collated on the principal offence rule; only the most serious offence for which an offender is

convicted is included.

WA 570

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Data for 2004 to 2006 should not be directly compared with data from 2007 to 2008 as the data sets

are sourced from different systems.

Disabled Car Parking Bays

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Justice how many people have been convicted of the misuse of disabled

car parking bays in each of the last five years.

(AQW 8822/11-15)

Mr Ford: In November 2006 a new decriminalised system of parking enforcement involving penalty

charge notices was introduced by the Department of Regional Development as the standard method

of enforcement of parking contraventions including the misuse of parking spaces for people with

disabilities. The powers are extensively used and statistics can be obtained from DRD.

As a result, there were only two convictions for “parking in a disabled person’s parking space” under

Article 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 during the period in question.

Speeding up Justice Branch

Mr Agnew asked the Minister of Justice (i) for his assessment of the work of the Speeding up Justice

Branch, given that the length of time taken to deal with cases has increased, whilst the number of

cases has fallen; (ii) for his assessment of the proposal to introduce statutory time limits for access to

justice; and (iii) what measures he intends to put in place to ensure that the right to a fair trial is not

prejudiced.

(AQW 8835/11-15)

Mr Ford: The causes of delay in the criminal justice system are varied and complex and driving out

avoidable delay is the responsibility of a range of organisations within the criminal justice system.

The role of the Speeding up Justice Branch is to support criminal justice agencies in identifying and

understanding the causes of delay; co-ordinating the delivery of a multi-agency programme to speed

up justice; developing policy and legislative proposals to assist the justice agencies in their efforts

to improve organisational performance; and reporting to me, through the Criminal Justice Board, on

progress. I am personally overseeing this collective effort to tackle delay and I can confirm that the

Branch is actively pursuing the programme of work I have commissioned to speed up our justice system.

While I am disappointed that more has not been achieved, we must not lose sight of the fact that some

progress is being made. As the recent Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland report into delay

found, although performance in summons cases had deteriorated, performance in charge cases has

continued to improve. The report also noted that the volume of Public Prosecution Service indictable

cases and Crown Court listed cases had increased.

As I announced in the House on 6 February, statutory time limits will be introduced, initially in the Youth

Court, within the lifetime of this Assembly. Statutory time limits will reinforce the programme of reform

and ensure a strong focus right across the justice agencies on the timely delivery of justice.

The right to a fair trial is enshrined in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Any measures within the programme of reform to speed up justice will be ECHR compliant.

Ronald Terence Graham

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice whether Ronald Terence Graham is no longer deemed ‘highly

dangerous to society’, as determined by a consultant psychiatrist and quoted in the Lord Chief Justice

Kerr’s ruling of March 2006.

(AQW 8843/11-15)

Mr Ford: The information requested constitutes sensitive personal data as defined at section 2 of the

Data Protection Act 1998. The disclosure of such information is likely to breach the data subject’s

rights under the Act and would be incompatible with the Data Protection Principles. The information

cannot therefore be provided as requested.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 571

Category A Prisoners

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice how many Category A prisoners are currently (i) remanded;

and (ii) sentenced.

(AQW 8844/11-15)

Mr Ford: There are 81 Category A prisoners, (i) 33 are currently awaiting trial or on remand and (ii) 48

are sentenced.

Conduct of Prison Governors

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, given that two prison facility governors were suspended

from duty and disciplined for discharging a prisoner’s drug debt, and were found to have contributed

to the reputational damage of the Prison Service, why their conduct was not reported to the Chief

Inspector of Prisons or to the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice.

(AQW 8845/11-15)

Mr Ford: The suspension and discipline of both Governors was dealt with under the Northern Ireland

Prison Service (NIPS) Code of Conduct and Discipline. There is no requirement to report internal

disciplinary issues to the Chief Inspector of Prisons or the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice.

Secondment to Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked Minister of Justice to detail (i) the number of (a) full-time; and (b) part-time staff

who are currently on secondment from his Department, or its arm’s length bodies, to each recognised

trade union; (ii) the salary scale for each secondee; and (iii) the length of each secondment to date.

(AQW 8853/11-15)

Mr Ford:

Number of staff on secondment

to a recognised trade union Salary scale Length of secondment

4 full-time staff seconded from

DOJ and its Agencies

£18,038- £22,180 £23,336-

£26,086

£27,115- £30,520

£45,110 (single point)

All secondments ongoing from

12 April 2010

There are no part-time staff on secondment to a Trade Union.

Prison Service: Private Investigators

Mr Givan asked the Minister of Justice, pursuant to AQW 7354/11-15, whether Data Protection law

was breached by passing personal information on Prison Sevice staff to private investigators; and

whether any of the employees affected by this action have raised concerns about this process and the

associated security implications.

(AQW 8868/11-15)

Mr Ford: No aspects of the Data Protection Act 1998 were breached by passing personal information

to private investigators. The Prison Service is entitled to defend its legal interests and this is provided

for in the provisions at Schedules 2 and 3 of the Act, which specify the conditions for lawful processing.

Two individuals have made complaints in regard to the employment of private investigators. The Prison

Service has responded to both complaints and it would not be appropriate to discuss the details at this

stage.

WA 572

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Justice to detail the number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders that the (i)

PSNI; (ii) local councils; and (iii) Housing Executive have applied for in the North Down area in each of

the last three years.

(AQW 8880/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Anti-social Behaviour (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 provides for the making of an anti-

social behaviour order against a person by a magistrates’ court on application by a relevant authority,

or by the court before which a person is convicted of a criminal offence.

The relevant authorities have advised that, in the North Down constituency, the PSNI applied for one

ASBO in each of 2009 and 2011: both were issued.

Notes

All figures are based on operational information provided by the agencies and may be subject to

change.

Anti Social Behaviour Orders

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Justice how many Anti-social Behaviour Orders were issued in the North

Down constituency in each of the last three years.

(AQW 8881/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Anti-social Behaviour (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 provides for the making of an anti-

social behaviour order against a person by a magistrates’ court on application by a relevant authority,

or by the court before which a person is convicted of a criminal offence.

The relevant authorities have advised that, in the North Down constituency, the PSNI applied for one

ASBO in each of 2009 and 2011: both were issued.

Notes

All figures are based on operational information provided by the agencies and may be subject to

change.

Community Safety Strategy

Mr S Anderson asked the Minister of Justice for an update on the development of a new Community

Safety Strategy.

(AQW 8896/11-15)

Mr Ford: My Department has been engaging with key stakeholders to finalise the Community Safety

Strategy. The draft Strategy will be considered by the Justice Committee on 22 March, and subject to

Committee views, I intend to seek Executive approval by May and launch the Strategy soon thereafter.

Community Safety Strategy

Mr S Anderson asked the Minister of Justice how the success of the Community Safety Strategy will be

measured in terms of building safer, shared and confident communities with lower levels of crime and

where people feel able to report incidents of crime.

(AQW 8897/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Community Safety Strategy will include a range of indicators to measure success,

including police recorded crime and anti-social behaviour statistics, and findings on experiences and

perceptions of crime from the Northern Ireland Crime Survey.

The Strategy will contribute directly to a number of commitments detailed in the draft Programme for

Government, including those on tackling anti-social behaviour, seeking local agreement to reduce the

number of peace-walls and tackling crime against older and vulnerable people.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 573

Crimestoppers

Mr S Anderson asked the Minister of Justice how much funding his Department has provided to

Crimestoppers in each of the last three years.

(AQW 8898/11-15)

Mr Ford: The funding paid to the Crimestoppers Trust since the Department of Justice was established

is outlined in the table below.

Financial year 2010 - 2011 2011 – 2012 (to date) Total

Amount Paid £11,250 £15,000

£26,250

The Department of Justice provides funding to 26 Community Safety Partnerships who also provide

financial support to the Crimestoppers Trust for the implementation and delivery of projects at a

community level. Details are in Table below.

Financial year 2010 - 2011 2011 – 2012 (to date) Total

Amount Paid £5,857.50 £19,027

£25,164.50

Neighbourhood Watch Schemes

Mr S Anderson asked the Minister of Justice to list the Neighbourhood Watch schemes which operate

in each council area; and how much funding his Department has provided to each scheme in each of

the last three years.

(AQW 8899/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Department of Justice came into being on the 12 April 2010; since that time my Department

has contributed £25,000 per annum for the promotion and establishment of Neighbourhood Watch

Schemes. My Department does not fund individual Neighbourhood Watch Schemes.

A list of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes which operate in each Council area is attached at Annex A.

Neighbourhood Watch Schemes ANNEX A

■ Antrim

■ Burnside Road, Dunadry

■ Mainebank Neighbourhood Watch

■ Neillsbrook Community Development Group

■ The Beeches Crumlin Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cairn Terrace Neighbourhood Watch

■ Landgarve Manor Neighbourhood Watch

■ Laurelvale Neighbourhood Watch

■ Beechfield and Birchill Avenue Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Lakeview Neighbourhood Watch

■ Steeple Green/Gardens Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Springfarm and District Community

Association

■ Parkley Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glenoak Grange Neighbourhood Watch

■ Pakenham Close Neighbourhod Watch

■ Temple Rise Neighbourhood Watch

■ Toome Neighbourhood Watch

■ Aldergrove Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cumbria Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ Orchard Hill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cidercourt Road and Camlin Gardens

Neighbourhood Watch

■ Neillsbrook Fold Randalstown

■ Ashdale Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cairn Walk Bungalows Neighbourhood Watch

■ Brantwood Gardens Lower Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Knightswood neighbourhood Watch

Total: 25

WA 574

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Ards

■ Grange and Granary Community Watch

■ Lisbane Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glen Road West Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glen Road East Neighbourhood Watch

■ Breckenridge Neighbourhood Watch

■ Millisle Road N W

■ Laurelbank NW

■ Ballynichol Neighbourhood Watch

■ Knockeden Neighbourhood Watch

■ East Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ East End Residents Association

■ Lusky Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ardmore and Brae Neighbourhood Watch

■ Bowtown Estate Neighbourhood Watch

■ Abbot Link Neighbourhood Watch

■ Meadow Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Scrabo Hill Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Rookery Killinchy Neighbourhood Watch

■ Whiterock Neighbourhood Watch

■ Upper Circular Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Marcella Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Watermeade N W

■ Barrhall/Ballyquinton Road N W

■ Main St Kircubbin Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cuttles Neighbourhood Watch

■ Shore Road & Seaview Avenue N Watch

■ Shore Road Square N Watch

■ Masonic Beach N Watch

Total: 28

Armagh

■ Tonnagh, Lisdown and Bracknagh NW

■ Drumsallen and Dernasigh NW

■ Tynan Neighbourhood Watch

■ Loughgall Village & District Improvement

Association

■ Wayside Tandragee

■ Loughgilly Neighbourhood Watch

■ Sinton Park Tandragee Neighbourhood Watch

■ Mourneview Park Tandragee Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Derryhale Neighbourhood Watch

■ Richhill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Mavemacullen Neighbourhood Watch

■ Hillside Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Dinnahorra Neighbourhood Watch

■ Messancy Place/Woodford Drive

Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ashgrove Markethill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Breezemount, Hamiltonsbawn Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Enagh Markethill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Sleepy Valley/Corcreevy Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Green Park Markethill N W

■ Tannaghmore Neighbourhood Watch

■ Hillside Park N W

■ Thornhill Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Clonroot Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glassdrummond Neighbourhood Watch

■ Crossmore Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lir Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Carbry Heights Keady Neighbourhood Watch

■ Crossmore Green Neighbourhood Watch

■ Crossmore Downs Neighbourhood Watch

■ Seagahan Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cardinal Dalton Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Drumcairn Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lisbane Road neighbourhood Watch

■ Tullyallen Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballyards Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballymacully Road neighbourhood Watch

■ Blacks Lane Neighbourhood Watch

■ Eden Drive Neighbourhood Watch

■ Primate’s manor Neighbourhood Watch

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 575

■ Richview Heights Neighbourhood Watch

■ Main Street/Greywood Close Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Dukes Lane neighbourhood Watch

■ Lislasly Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lisbofin Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Drumcullen Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Edenderry Drive Neighbourhood Watch

■ Jenny’s Row Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ard Na Greine Neighbourhood Watch

■ Coolmillish Way Neighbourhood watch

■ Beech Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Woodford Heights Neighbourhood Watch

■ Clay Road North Neighbourhood watch

■ Clea Road South Neighbourhood watch

■ Ashley Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Mullahead Neighbourhood Watch

■ Carnagh South Neighbourhood Watch

■ Carnagh North Neighbourhood Watch

■ Woodlawn Heights Neighbourhood Watch

■ Old Mill Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 59

Ballymena

■ Carolhill Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Brooke Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Millfield Area Neighbourhood Watch

■ Mull Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Skye Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballykeel 2 Neighbourhood Watch

■ Waveney Mews Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cullybackey Residents Association

■ Kilmakevit Drive Neighbourhood Watch

■ Tobar Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Station View Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 11

Ballymoney

■ Church Meadow Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Brambles Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 2

Banbridge

■ Bannview Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Tonaghmore & District Rural Watch Group

■ Rossconnor Residents Association

■ Cline Road Community Association

■ Thornhill Community Association

■ Rampart Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lissize and Kiltariff Neighbourhood Watch

■ Kinallen Rural Community Development

Association

■ Ballyroney Neighbourhood Watch

■ Laganvale Neighbourhood Watch

■ Residents of Rugby Avenue

■ Bracken Valley and Ridge Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Bronte NWNI Group

■ Gransha Rural Community Development

Association

■ Willow Estate Neighbourhood Watch

■ Castle Hill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Brookfield Community Association

■ The Spires Neighbourhood Watch

■ Parkhill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Villawood Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Magherabeg Rural Watch

■ Beresford Green Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballygowan Road Dromore Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Milebush Manor Neighbourhood Watch

WA 576

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

■ Jubilee Heights Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lower Drumgooland Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cross Heights Neighbourhood Watch

■ Dromara Rural Watch

■ Hunters Hill Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lough Road neighbourhood Watch

■ Springfields Neighbourhood Watch

■ Gowanvale Drive Neighbourhood Watch

■ Windyridge Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 33

Belfast North

■ Fortwilliam Parade Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glandore Neighbourhood N W

■ Waterloo Neighbourhood Watch

■ Upper Cavehill Residents

■ Somerton Close Neighbourhood Watch

■ Gracehill/Oldpark Neighbourhood Watch

■ Brown Square Community Association

■ Ladbrooke Drive N W

■ Duncairn Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Kinnaird Close Neighbourhood Watch

■ Waterloo Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Beverlely /St Luke’s/Cumberland

Neighbourhood Watch

■ BIH Housing Cliftonville Road Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Ashfield Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Henry St/North Queen St Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Glastonbury/Somerton N Watch

■ Dunlambert Drive neighbourhood Watch

■ Waterloo Neighbourhood Watch

■ TDK Community Group

Total: 19

Belfast South

■ Beechlands/Cherryhill NW Scheme

■ Shamrock Place Neighbourhood Watch

■ Old Coach Gardens

■ Trossachs Area Residents Association

■ Old Stranmillis Residents Association

■ Fairway Drive N W

■ Elgin Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ Delhi Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ Hampton Park Residents Association

■ Old Coach Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ St Ives Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Deramore Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Bladon Drive Deramore Residents’

Association

■ Deramore Park South Neighbourhood Watch

■ Deramore Drive Neighbourhood Watch

■ Wellington Square Neighbourhood Watch

■ College Heights, Wellington Sq

Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lower Courtyard Neighbourhood Watch

■ Raby Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ Newforge Lane Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lavinia Square Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ulidia Neighbourhood Watch

■ Agra Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ Burmah Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ Malone Hill Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Malton Fold Neighbourhood Watch

■ Shrewsbury Drive Neighbourhood Watch

■ Upper Harberton Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Queensbury Neighbourhood Watch

■ Malone Court/Mews Neighbourhood Watch

■ Dorchester Park N W

■ Sandy Row Neighbourhood Watch

■ My Lady’s Road (Lower)/Lower Ravenhill Road

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 577

■ Piney Hills Estate Neighbourhood Watch

■ Upper Malone Neighbourhood Watch

■ North Parade/South Parade/Park Road N

Watch

Total: 36

Belfast East

■ Glenhoy/Dunraven Neighbourhood Watch

■ RACKS

■ Richmond Green Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ardenlee Parade Neighburhood Watch

■ Laganview Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ Marmont Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Palmerston/Larkfield Neighbourhood Watch

■ Langtry Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ Wandsworth Community Centre

■ Richmond Neighbourhood Watch

■ Belmont Church Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Palmerston Neighbourhood Watch

■ Inverary Neighbourhood Watch

■ Larkfield Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ulidia Neighbourhood/Jameson Street

Neighbourhood Watch

■ Palmerston Road (Lower) Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Palmerston Park N W

■ Larkfield Park N W

■ Victoria Avenue Sydenham Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Connsbrook Avneue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Wandsworth Junction Neighbourhood Watch

■ Upper Sydenham Avenue Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Old Holywood Rd Neighbourhood Watch

■ Kingsley Court NW

■ Edgecumbe Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Walled Garden Neighbourhood Watch

■ Abetta Residents neighbourhood Watch

■ Nettlefield Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballyhackamore Traders Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Halcombe Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ Archdale drive East neighbourhood Watch

■ Butterfield Lodge Neighbourhood watch

■ Glenmachan Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Norwood Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cairnburn Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 35

Belfast West

■ Hillhead Neighbourhood Watch

■ Meadowhill Grange Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 2

Carrickfergus

■ Whitehead Neighbourhood Watch

■ Selby and Dromore Neighbourhood Watch

■ Fairview Avenue/McCrae’s Brae

Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lumford Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Regent Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Craigowen Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Donegall Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Farm Lodge Neighbourhood Watch

■ Old Grange Drive Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 9

WA 578

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Castlereagh

■ Gilnahirk Residents Assoc

■ Sunderland Road NW

■ Upper Gilnahirk NW

■ Glenhugh Park/Crescent neighbourhood

watch

■ Ballyrussell Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Crescent Neighbourhood Watch

■ Oakwood Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Willowbank Drive Neighbourhood Watch

■ Downshire Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Millar’s Forge Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lenaghan Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cairnshill Court Fold

■ Kew Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Moneyreagh- Ashdene Road Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Drumart Drive South Neighbourhood Watch

■ Breda Park neighbourhood Watch

■ Bapaume/Picardy/Thiepval Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Gilnahirk Rise Neighbourhood Watch

■ Elsmere Park neighbourhood watch

■ Cairnshill Road neighbourhood Watch

■ Archdale Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ St Elizabeth’s Court Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 22

Coleraine

■ Heights Community Association

■ Garvagh Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Creeve Residents Neighbourhood Watch

■ Portstewart Community Forum

■ Hezlet Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ Clifton/Hendra Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Society Court/ Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ Castlerock Neighbourhood Watch

■ Mill Court Garvagh N W

■ Prospect Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Swilly Drive neighbourhood Watch

■ Dunsuivnish Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Knockancor Drive neighbourhood Watch

■ Burnside Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Swiily Road Neighbourhood watch

■ Swilly Park neighbourhood Watch

■ Dunsuivnish Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Dunsuivnish Drive Neighbourhood watch

■ Rathain Fold Neighbourhood Watch

■ Windyhall/Tullans Pk Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 20

Cookstown

■ Drumnacross Neighbourhood Watch

■ Coagh Neighbourhood Watch

■ Castle Court/Castle Villas Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Burn Brae Crescent Neighbourhood Watch

■ Dunmore Neighbourhood Watch

■ Blackhill/Riverside Drive Community

Association

■ Millrace and Turnaface Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 7

Craigavon

■ Birches Community Association

■ Knocknamuckley Neighbourhood Watch

■ Waringstown Neighbourhood Watch

■ Pinebank Residents Association

■ Canvy Manor Neighbourhood Watch

■ Enniscrone Portadown Neighbourhood Watch

■ Chasewood Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Markville/Oakdene Neighbourhood Watch

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 579

■ Lakelands Neighbourhood Watch

■ Fox St, Alexandra Gdns, Craigavon Ave

Neighbourhood Watch

■ Oran Fold Neighbourhood Watch

■ Oakleigh Fold Neighbourhood Watch

■ Derrinraw & Derrycarib Neighbourhood Watch

■ Parkmore Neighbourhood Watch

■ Garrymore Neighbourhood Watch

■ Manor Park neighbourhood Watch

■ Derryinver Neighbourhood watch

■ Ballyhannon Lodge Neighbourhood Watch

■ Gallrock Road neighbourhood Watch

■ Birchwood Grange Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballynarry Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Clonmakate Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Timakeel Lodge Neighbourhood watch

■ Derrycaw Lane neighbourhood Watch

■ Derrylileagh Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Belmont Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Oaks neighbourhood watch

■ Clantilew/Tarthlogue/Drumanphy N Watch

■ Drumard Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Derrylettiff Road Neighbourhood watch

■ Keelmount/Scotch Street Neighbourhood

Watch

Total: 31

Derry

■ Hampstead Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Fortwilliam Neighbourhood Watch

■ Eglinton Neighbourhood Watch

■ Maydown Neighbourhood Watch

■ Oakfield Neighbourhood Watch

■ Brickfield Court neighbourhood Watch

■ North & West Housing Neighbourhood watch

(APEX)

■ Fr Mulvey Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lowry’s Lane/Glenwood Neighbourhood watch

■ Glenbrook House Neighbourhood watch

■ Blackthorn Manor Neighbourhood Watch

■ Beechwood Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ Aberfoyle Neighbourhood Watch

■ Castle Park/Heather Drive Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Culmore Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Beechleigh Park Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 16

Down

■ Ringdufferin Neighbourhood Watch

■ Toye Neighbourhood Watch

■ Wallace Hill Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Shore Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Tullyveery Neighbourhood Watch

■ Tullykin Neighbourhood Watch

■ Pikestone Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Drumlins Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cluntagh Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Turmennan Road

■ Waterfoot Residents Group

■ Strangford Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Hans Sloane Square Neighbourhood Watch

■ Inishvoe Neighbourhood Watch

■ Killyleagh High Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ Strangford View Neighbourhood Watch

■ Gallow’s Hill Residents Association

■ Quay Street Ardglass Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ashdale Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cumber Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Shore Road Strangford Neighbourhood Watch

■ Killyleagh St Crossgar Neighbourhood Watch

■ Merrion Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Newline Neighbhourhood Watch

■ Well Lane Neighbourhodd Watch

WA 580

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

■ Station Road Crossgar N W

■ Old Park Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Crawfordstown Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Drumgooland Neighbourhood Watch

■ Nutgrove Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cloughley Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Kennel Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Drumaness Community Neighbourhood Watch

■ Darragh Cross Village Neighbourhood Watch

■ Loughinisland Neighbourhood Watch

■ Darragh Cross Community Association

■ Loughinisland/Seaforde Neighbourhood

Watch

■ The Heights Loughinisland Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Mary Street Crossgar Neighbourhood Watch

■ Clough Neighbourhood Watch

■ Woodquarter Lane Neighbourhood Watch

■ Legamaddy Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballynoe Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glen Road Downpatrick Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballylucas Neighbourhood Watch

■ Derryboye Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballyalgan Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glasswater Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Castlerainey Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Clanmaghery Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Decourcey Way Neighbourhood Watch

■ Tullywest Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cathedral Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cathedral View Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ardigon Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Loughinisland Road N W

■ Ballykinlar Neighbourhood Watch

■ Inch Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballyhornan Central Neighbourhood Watch

■ Killard Square Ballylhornan Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Bishopscourt Neighbourhood Watch

■ Fofanny Neighbourhood Watch

■ Dundrum Village Neighbourhood Watch

■ St Paul’s Close Neighbourhood Watch

■ Kilcoo Community Association

■ The Quay Neighbourhood Watch

■ Wood Road Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 67

Dungannon

■ Moygashel Community/Culture Association

■ Cunningham’s Lane Cross Community

Residents’ Assoc

■ Milltown Area Community Assoc

■ Caledon Neighbourhood Watch

■ Church Mews N W

■ Bush Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ardglena/Blacks Lane Neighbourhood Watch

■ Brookfield neighbourhood Watch

Total: 8

Fermanagh

■ Tedd Neighbourhood Watch

■ Drumclay and District Neighbourhood Watch

■ Drumgallon Drumawill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Benaughlin Neighbourhood Watch

■ Mountview Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ardtonagh Neighbourhood Watch

■ Drumlyon Neighbourhood Watch

■ Bellisle Neighbourhood Watch

■ Castle Street Irvinestown Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Killyfole Rosslea Neighbourhood Watch

■ Coleshill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Derrychara Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballagh Cross Neighbourhood Watch

■ Coleshill Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 14

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 581

Larne

■ Riverdale & District Residents Association

■ Kitchener’s Avenue Residents’ Association

■ Sallagh Park Community Association

■ Dixon Park Residents Association

■ Seacourt Community Council

■ Harbour Community Group

■ Kilcairn Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballygally Community Development

Association

■ Ballygally Neighbourhood Watch

■ Inverbeg Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ Argyll View Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ferris Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballygally Community Development

Association

■ Ballynure Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 14

Limavady

Total: 0

Lisburn

■ Drumlough Rural Watch

■ Aberdelghy Park/Gardens Grove

■ Thornleigh Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ashvale, Dunbeg and Kilwarlin Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Dundrod Neighbourhood Watch

■ Dog Kennel Lane Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lombard Residents

■ Soldierstown Neighbourhood Watch

■ Addison Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Drumbeg Residents Association

■ Carrisbrook Neighbourhood Watch

■ Upper Limetree Community

■ Feumore Neighbourhood Watch

■ Carnreagh Neighbourhood Watch

■ Coachman’s Neighbourhood Watch

■ Drumard Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Dales

■ Lyngrove Residents Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cairnmore/Monaville Neighbourhood Watch

■ Green Lane/Tullynacross Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Sequoia Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Laganvale Mews Neighbourhood Watch

■ Bawnhill Road Community Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Stoneyford Neighbourhood Watch

■ Corrstown Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Thornhill Crescent Area Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ashvale Neighbourhood Watch

■ Kilwarlin Neighbourhood Watch

■ Park Lane & Park Street N W

■ Dunbeg Park/Kilwarlin N W

■ Harmony Fold Neighbourhood Watch

■ Walkers Farm Hillsborough Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Antrim Road Central Lisburn Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Causeway Meadow Neighbourhood Watch

■ Langtry Lodge Moira Neighbourhood Watch

■ Main Street Glenavy Neighbourhood Watch

■ Rathvarna Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballinderry Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Meadows & Glen Close N Watch

■ Ballinderry Neighbourhood Watch

■ Woodbrook Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 41

WA 582

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Magherafelt

■ Beechlands Neighbourhood Watch

■ Riverpark Neighbourhood Watch

■ Culnady Neighbourhood Watch

■ Edmund Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ Killowen Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glenburn Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 6

Moyle

■ Dunseverick Community Association

■ Portcammon Fold N W

■ Dunamallaght Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Rathlin Court Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 4

Newry & Mourne

■ Lower Harbour Road NW

■ Pinewood Hill, Warrenpoint

■ Crieve Court NW Scheme

■ Donaghmore Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glinn Ree Neighbourhood Watch

■ Shinn Neighbourhood Watch

■ Avoca Lawns Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ashley Heights/Court Residents Association

■ Chestnut Grove Neighbourhood Watch

■ Shandon Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Riverview Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ashfield Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Bearna Park Residents Association

■ Charlemont Square Bessbrook

Neighbourhood Watch

■ Kennard Villas Neighbourhood Watch

■ Drumcashel Neighbourhood Watch

■ Nine Mile Road, Newtownhamilton

Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ryan Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Crohill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Saval Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cedar Grove Neighourhood Watch

■ Willow Grove Neighbourhood Watch

■ Beechmount Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Elmwood Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ardfreelin N W

■ Mourneview Park Newry N W

■ Cortamlet South N W

■ Cortamlet North N W

■ Benagh Road N W

■ Greater Linenhall Square N W

■ Saint Clare’s Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Innisfree Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballyholland Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ McAteer Villas & Moorhill Road N W

■ Rockfield Heights Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ballyholland Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lower Corrags/Grinan Lough N Watch

■ Chapel Road/St Mary’s Villas Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Acorn Hill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Clochain Fold

■ Woodside Park Bessbrook Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Billy’s Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Brannock Meadows Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ashgrove Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Holywood Grove Neighbourhood Watch

■ Carrickvista Bessbrook Neighbourhood Watch

■ Fern Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ Mourne View Neighbourhood Watch

■ McGinn Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Hawood Way Neighbourhood Watch

■ Liska Avenue & Villas Neighbourhood Watch

■ Brannock Heights Neighbourhood Watch

■ Clare House Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glenhill Park Neighbourhood Watch

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 583

■ Windsor Hill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Donaghaguy Close Neighbourhood Watch

■ Hillside Close Neighbourhood Watch

■ Iveagh Avenue neighbourhood Watch

■ Brannock Close Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lower The Glen Neighbourhood Watch

■ Liska Manor neighbourhood Watch

■ JF Kennedy Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Old Hall Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ Springfield Avenue neighbourhood watch

■ Church Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ Warrenpoint Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ St Rita’s Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Carquillan Neighbourhood Watch

■ Highfields neighbourhood Watch

■ Carnaney Neighbourhood watch

■ Rostrevor Road Neighbourhood watch

■ Greenpark Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Moygannon Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Rath Road neighbourhood Watch

■ Mourne Drive neighbourhood Watch

■ Newtown Villas/Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Queen Street Neighbourhood Watch

■ Slievefoy Place Neighbourhood Watch

■ Rosses Quay neighbourhood Watch

■ Greendale Crescent Neighbourhood Watch

■ Killowen Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Forge Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Brambles Neighbourhood Watch Kilkeel

Total: 84

Newtownabbey

■ Ballynure and District Community Association

■ Twinburn

■ Rogan Manor Residents Association

■ Whitehouse Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ollardale Community Group

■ Dermont Residents Neighbourhood Watch

■ Carnvue Residents Neighbourhood Watch

■ Carnhill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glenkeen and Lenamore Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Annas Grove Area Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cashel/Ballyalton Neighbourhood Watch

■ Straid Village Neighbourhood Watch

■ Kings Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Fernagh Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Kings Crescent Neighbourhood Watch

■ Bracken Way Neighbourhood Watch

■ The Cairn Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glendermere Heights Neighbourhood Watch

■ Highgrove Neighbourhood Watch

■ Innis/Iona Neighbourhood watch

■ Church/Glebe Neighbourhood Watch

■ Kimberley Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Glenmount Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 23

North Down

■ Clandeboye Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Harbour Ward (Southwell Road)

■ Grange Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Station Road N W

■ Church Avenue Neighbourhood Watch

■ Helen’s Bay and Crawfordsburn Residents

Association

■ Crawfordsburn Road NW

■ Meadow Way/Burnside Park Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Brandon Grove Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cargoes Crescent and Cootehall Park

Neighbourhood Watch

■ Fort Road Neighbourhood Watch

WA 584

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

■ Cootehall Road/Cooleen Gardens

Neighbourhood Watch

■ Briarwood Neighbourhood Watch

■ Sheridan Drive Neighbourhood Watch

■ Tughan Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ Belgravia Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Towerview Gardens, Bangor, Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Innisbrook Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Grey’s Point Helen’s Bay Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Corvally Court Neighbourhood Watch

■ Pinehill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Briarwood Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Craigdarragh Neighbourhood Watch

■ Woodlands Neighbourhood Watch

■ Tonic Fold Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cranley Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Stratford Neighbourhood Watch

■ Vernon Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cedar Grove 2 Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 29

Omagh

■ Bankmore Residents Assoc Neighbourhood

watch

■ Ardmore/Sperrin N’hood Watch

■ Campsie Residents Group

■ Beragh Neighbourhood Watch

■ Trillick N’hood Watch

■ Gillygooley Neighbourhood Watch

■ Lisanelly Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Retreat Heights Neighbourhood Watch

■ Mountjoy Neighbourhood Watch

■ Gallow’s Hill Neighbourhood Watch

■ Brookmount Heights Tenants Association

■ Townview Avenue, Avenue North and Avenue

South Neighbourhood Watch

■ Tamlaght Road Residents Association

■ Sunningdale and Railway View Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Ashley Gardens, Cannonhill and Coolnagard

Drive Neighbourhood Watch

■ Kevlin Road and Cannondale Neighbourhood

Watch

■ Festival Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Anderson Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Brookvalley Neighbourhood Watch

■ Knocksilla Neighbourhood Watch

■ Culmore/O’Kane Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Cranny/Gavaghey Neighbourhood Watch

■ McClay Park neighbourhood Watch

■ Racrane Court

■ Duncan Park Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ecclesville Heights Neighbourhood Watch

■ St Julians House Neighbourhood Watch

■ Fox Park Neighbourhood watch

Total: 28

Strabane

■ Sion Mills Neighbourhood Watch

■ Ardstraw neighbourhood Watch

■ Castlegore Neighbourhood watch

■ Millbrook Gardens Neighbourhood Watch

■ Hospital Road Neighbourhood Watch

■ Laurel Drive Neighbourhood Watch

Total: 6

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 585

Fold Schemes

■ Abbey Court

■ Ardigh Fold

■ Ballinascreen Fold

■ Belsize Court

■ Benevenagh Fold

■ Blaris Fold

■ Bradagh Fold

■ Bronte Fold

■ Brookvale Fold

■ Brownhill Fold

■ Carrickblacker Fold

■ Chapelfields Fold

■ Clanrye Fold

■ Colman Fold

■ Corliss Fold

■ Cromlyn Fold

■ Cullingtree Fold

■ Curran Fold

■ Dean Crooks Fold

■ Deerfin Fold

■ Derg Fold

■ Donard Fold

■ Donovan Fold/Court

■ Drumhaw Fold

■ Edenderry Fold

■ Fergus Fold

■ Fold Mews

■ Forthriver Fold

■ Fortwilliam Fold

■ Foyle Fold

■ Fruithill Fold

■ Glen Fold

■ Glenravel Fold

■ Gortgole Fold

■ Hamilton Fold

■ Hillbank Fold

■ Hillside Court

■ Inis Fold

■ Inverary Fold

■ Iverna Fold

■ KLT Fold

■ Kerrington Court

■ Kingsway Fold

■ Knockmoy Fold

■ Lagan Fold

■ Lavery Fold

■ Lawnfield Court

■ Lir Fold

■ Loopland Fold

■ Loughview Fold

■ Macneice Fold

■ Maine Fold

■ McClay Fold

■ Meadowell Fold

■ Mill Brea Fold

■ Monasterbane

■ Mount Royal Fold

■ Mullincross Fold

■ Ollar Fold

■ Patricks Fold

■ Rathain Fold

■ Rathain Fold Annex

■ Riversley Fold

■ Roe Fold

■ Scrabo Fold

■ Sliabh Dubh Manor

■ Skerries Fold

■ Spafield Fold

■ Springvale Fold

■ St. Brigid’s Fold

■ St Paul’s Fold

■ Tearmann Fold

■ Tobar Fold

■ Toberdoney Fold

■ Tullaghmurry Fold

■ Tullyvallan Fold

■ Valley Fold

■ Waveney Fold

Total: 78

These 78 folds come under 1 umbrella so are counted as 1

Total: 680

WA 586

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Strip Searching

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Justice why the alternatives to strip searching, that he saw in use in

prisons in Britain and Ireland, are not suitable for Maghaberry Prison.

(AQW 8925/11-15)

Mr Ford: The full body searching method I observed during my visit to Birmingham Prison is the same

as that applied in Maghaberry Prison. I did not see any alternative to full body searching in use there.

I will be meeting officials to discuss the detailed evaluation of my visit to Portlaoise Prison, and the

recently completed Review of Full Body Imaging Scanners in the coming weeks.

Non-Jury Trials

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice to detail the cost of each non-jury trial over the last ten

years.

(AQW 8931/11-15)

Mr Ford: Estimating the detailed costs of individual cases requires a manual exercise. Extracting the

information required to answer this question would incur disproportionate cost.

Sexual Offenders Treatment Programme

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice whether Ronald Terence Graham has completed a Sexual

Offenders Treatment Programme during his current sentence.

(AQW 8932/11-15)

Mr Ford: The information requested constitutes sensitive personal data as defined at section 2 of the

Data Protection Act 1998. The disclosure of such information is likely to breach the data subject’s

rights under the Act and would be incompatible with the Data Protection Principles. The information

cannot therefore be provided as requested.

RUC George Cross Foundation Regulations 2002

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Justice, under the RUC George Cross Foundation Regulations 2002,

when and by what process the current trustees were appointed, or reappointed.

(AQW 8943/11-15)

Mr Ford: The RUC George Cross Foundation comprises a Chairman and a Board of five Trustees.

All appointments were made on 25 July 2002 by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in

accordance with the RUC George Cross Foundation Regulations 2002.

Two of the trustees are statutory nominations of the Chief Constable and the Policing Board, as

provided for in the regulations. The Chairman and trustees’ initial term of appointment was for five

years with the option for re-appointment when the initial term of office expired. The Secretary of State

re-appointed the Chairman and four of the trustees on 25 July 2007. The fifth trustee was re-appointed

on October 2007 following a formal recruitment exercise.

All re-appointments were made in line with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments

(OCPA) Code of Practice which existed at the time.

A new appointments process will launch shortly and will be conducted in line with the Commissioner for

Public Appointments Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice for Ministerial Public Appointments in

Northern Ireland.

Legal Aid

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice whether Legal Aid has been granted to defendants who are

part of the Occupy Belfast movement; and if so, how much has been paid to date.

(AQW 9004/11-15)

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 587

Mr Ford: The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service has no record of any legal aid applications

arising from the actions of the Occupy Belfast movement.

Northern Ireland Prison Service Exit Scheme

Mr Allister asked the Minister of Justice whether he can give an assurance that payments made under

the Northern Ireland Prison Service Exit Scheme will be subject to taxation in 2012/13, as indicated by

officials to the Committee for Justice.

(AQW 9017/11-15)

Mr Ford: Those leaving the Northern Ireland Prison Service under the terms of the Voluntary Early

Retirement Scheme must be taxed in accordance with the rules of H M Revenue and Customs.

Consequently, any member of staff with a leaving date of 31 March 2012 will be taxed in the 2011/12

tax year. Officials advised the Justice Committee of this change at a meeting on 9 February 2012.

Proposed Court House Closures

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice when he intends to initiate discussions with the Minister for

Regional Development in relation to increasing public transport services, in the event of the proposed

court house closures, to ensure access to justice for all court users.

(AQW 9073/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Hearing Centre consultation exercise specifically sought views on the impact that the

proposed closures would have on court users. The availability of public transport has been raised at

the public meetings which formed part of the consultation exercise and I wish to consider the issues

raised by consultees before making any decision. Until I do so, I currently have no plans to discuss this

matter with the Minister for Regional Development.

Taxing Master

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice (i) how many high cost cases have come before the Taxing

Master in each of the last ten years; and (ii) what was the total defence pay-out for these cases.

(AQW 9076/11-15)

Mr Ford: Very High Cost Cases (VHCCs) were introduced by the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings

(Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2005 and the first claims for payment were assessed in 2008. The

tables below give a breakdown of the number of claims assessed in VHCCs and the total amount

of the assessment for each year since the assessments began. The criteria for certification were

tightened in 2009 before VHCCs were abolished in 2011. There are currently 34 VHCC claims awaiting

assessment.

Claims under the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2005

Year No of claims assessed Value of assessments

2008 64 £6m

2009 532 £27m

2010 175 £20.2m

2011 51 £3m

Total 822 £56.2m

WA 588

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Claims under the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) Rules

(Northern Ireland) 2009

Year No of claims assessed Approx Value of assessments

2010 1 £36,000

2011 49 £2.4m

2012 25 £2.2m

Total 75 £4.6m

Proposed Court House Closures

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice, in light of Northern Ireland Court Service’s presentation on

the consultation on court boundaries to the Committee for Justice on 27 May 2010, which stated that

‘the proposals will not reduce the number of court venues in Northern Ireland, nor will they impact on

the venues where they currently sit’ and ‘the purpose of the proposals was not to diminish the number

of courts’ to detail (i) what has changed since this consultation; and (ii) on what date a decision was

taken to consult on proposed court house closures.

(AQW 9077/11-15)

Mr Ford: The proposals on changing court boundaries to create a single territorial jurisdiction were

welcomed by consultees and will afford additional flexibility for listing Magistrates’ Court and County

Court business.

The NI Courts and Tribunals Service has developed savings plans to deliver required running cost

efficiencies. The current consultation on proposals to close Hearing Centres notes the challenging

economic circumstances facing all public sector bodies including the Courts and Tribunals Service. I

approved the development of this consultation paper in July 2011.

Rural White Paper

Mr McQuillan asked the Minister of Justice whether his Department has been in contact with the

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in relation to the development of the Rural White

Paper.

(AQW 9082/11-15)

Mr Ford: I met with the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister in December to discuss the issue

of rural crime. My Department is represented on DARD’s Rural White Paper project group. Most recently,

in early February, my officials have been consulted on the Rural White Paper Action Plan.

The purpose of the ongoing contact between my Department and DARD is to ensure that community

safety issues are adequately reflected in the Rural White Paper and Action Plan.

Rural Communities

Mr McQuillan asked the Minister of Justice what role his Department has had in creating vibrant,

sustainable and safer rural communities.

(AQW 9083/11-15)

Mr Ford: The forthcoming Community Safety Strategy will support efforts to make rural communities

safer through preventing and reducing rural crime. At a local level Community Safety Partnerships

deliver initiatives in rural areas across Northern Ireland that contribute to the reduction of crime, fear of

crime and anti-social behaviour.

There are a range of initiatives to prevent and reduce rural crime from local Neighbourhood Watch and

Rural Watch schemes, to trailer marking schemes and crime prevention advice to rural groups.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 589

Many Community Safety Partnerships have held successful trailer marking schemes tailored to the

particular needs of the rural community, with over twenty events held over the past six months and

further events planned throughout the year.

The new Policing and Community Safety Partnerships, due to be established in April 2012, will have a

key role in engaging and empowering individuals and communities to find solutions to locally identified

concerns. Organisations representing the rural community can take the opportunity to engage with their

local Policing and Community Safety Partnership, ensuring that their voice is heard.

Turning to Anti-Social Behaviour, in Northern Ireland we have adopted a multi-agency partnership to

tackle this issue using a graduated approach of prevention, intervention and enforcement to tackle

anti-social behaviour. This approach has contributed to a reduction of over 20% in the incidence of anti-

social behaviour across Northern Ireland since 2008.

In the coming months I will publish a new executive strategy ‘Building Safer, Shared and Confident

Communities’ which will set out the strategic direction for reducing crime, anti-social behaviour, and

fear of crime in Northern Ireland over the next five years.

The new strategy will emphasise the importance of collaborative working and securing the commitment

of key stakeholders in addressing wider social issues which are a factor in crime and anti-social

behaviour.

Finally, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland has commenced an inspection on how the criminal

justice system in Northern Ireland addresses anti-social behaviour with a view to publishing a final

report in spring 2012. I await the outcome of this inspection, and will consider any recommendations

arising from it.

New Community Safety Strategy

Mr McQuillan asked the Minister of Justice when the New Community Safety Strategy will be published;

and what are the strategy’s priorities.

(AQW 9084/11-15)

Mr Ford: The new Community Safety Strategy is scheduled to be presented to the Justice Committee

on 22 March and I hope to get Executive approval in by May, with publication soon thereafter.

The strategy’s priorities which contribute to the Department of Justice’s wider vision of a fair, just and

safer community are:

■ Safer communities, with lower levels of crime and anti-social behaviour;

■ Shared Communities, where everyone’s rights are respected in a shared and cohesive community;

and

■ Confident communities, in which people feel safe and have confidence in the justice agencies that

serve them.

Rural Communities

Mr McQuillan asked the Minister of Justice what action his Department is taking to (i) keep rural

communities safe; and (ii) reduce rural crime and anti-social behaviour.

(AQW 9086/11-15)

Mr Ford: The forthcoming Community Safety Strategy will support efforts to make rural communities

safer through preventing and reducing rural crime. At a local level Community Safety Partnerships

deliver initiatives in rural areas across Northern Ireland that contribute to the reduction of crime, fear of

crime and anti-social behaviour.

There are a range of initiatives to prevent and reduce rural crime from local Neighbourhood Watch and

Rural Watch schemes, to trailer marking schemes and crime prevention advice to rural groups.

WA 590

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Many Community Safety Partnerships have held successful trailer marking schemes tailored to the

particular needs of the rural community, with over twenty events held over the past six months and

further events planned throughout the year.

The new Policing and Community Safety Partnerships, due to be established in April 2012, will have a

key role in engaging and empowering individuals and communities to find solutions to locally identified

concerns. Organisations representing the rural community can take the opportunity to engage with their

local Policing and Community Safety Partnership, ensuring that their voice is heard.

Turning to Anti-Social Behaviour, in Northern Ireland we have adopted a multi-agency partnership to

tackle this issue using a graduated approach of prevention, intervention and enforcement to tackle

anti-social behaviour. This approach has contributed to a reduction of over 20% in the incidence of anti-

social behaviour across Northern Ireland since 2008.

In the coming months I will publish a new executive strategy ‘Building Safer, Shared and Confident

Communities’ which will set out the strategic direction for reducing crime, anti-social behaviour, and

fear of crime in Northern Ireland over the next five years.

The new strategy will emphasise the importance of collaborative working and securing the commitment

of key stakeholders in addressing wider social issues which are a factor in crime and anti-social

behaviour.

Finally, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland has commenced an inspection on how the criminal

justice system in Northern Ireland addresses anti-social behaviour with a view to publishing a final

report in spring 2012. I await the outcome of this inspection, and will consider any recommendations

arising from it.

Voluntary Staff Exit Scheme

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Justice for his assessment of the situation where almost 400

employees of the Prison Service have applied to, and are eligible to leave under, the Voluntary Staff Exit

Scheme and remain uncertain about their future.

(AQW 9159/11-15)

Mr Ford: 544 members of the Northern Ireland Prison Service applied for the Voluntary Early

Retirement Scheme. For operational reasons it is not possible to allow all applicants to leave at this

time. 224 applications have so far been approved of which 151 will leave on 31 March 2012. The

departure of 73 individuals has been delayed for operational reasons.

The remaining 320 of the applications received remain under consideration.

Following the departure of those individuals due to leave on 31 March NIPS management will review the

situation and agree the best way to proceed. Management will remain in contact with those who have

applied for the Scheme.

Justice: Alternatives to Prosecution

Mrs Dobson asked the Minister of Justice for an update on his plans for alternatives to prosecution.

(AQO 1483/11-15)

Mr Ford: It is vital that our criminal justice system tackles offending behaviour in an effective and

proportionate way. As part of this, the Department of Justice is developing three new alternatives to

prosecution for individuals who commit relatively minor offences and who are likely to go on to lead law-

abiding lives.

Firstly, a police issued fixed penalty will create a power for police to dispose of certain offences by

giving a first-time or non-habitual offender a fixed penalty to be paid within 28 days. I intend to give the

police this important new tool in June of this year.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 591

Secondly, for offenders who want to address their offending behaviour, we introduced conditional

cautions in last year’s Justice Act. This powerful new provision enables prosecutors to attach rehabilitative

and reparative conditions to cautions which the offender must comply with or face prosecution. We are

currently working with justice agencies and anticipate that we will introduce these new measures later

this year.

Finally, in the forthcoming Faster, Fairer Justice Bill, I intend to introduce prosecutorial fines which

would allow the Public Prosecution Service to impose fines for a broader range of minor offences; this

includes a mechanism to make direct compensation payments to victims.

These alternative disposals will reduce time spent by police on administration allowing manpower to be

redeployed to the frontline, and will also reduce the burden on the courts and prosecutors enabling us

to make more effective use of our limited resources and to speed up the justice system.

Office of the Police Ombudsman: Interim Chief Executive

Mr Boylan asked the Minister of Justice to outline the changes in the delegation of responsibilities

within the Office of the Police Ombudsman arising from the creation of the position of interim Chief

Executive.

(AQO 1482/11-15)

Mr Ford: The change in the delegation of responsibilities within the Office of the Police Ombudsman

did not arise from the appointment of an interim Chief Executive Officer but from the departure of

the Police Ombudsman before the identification or appointment of a successor. Arrangements were

properly made by the outgoing Ombudsman to ensure that the statutory functions of the Police

Ombudsman could be exercised in that period.

With the exception of the power to change the authorisation of delegation, all the Police Ombudsman’s

functions are delegated to the appropriate staff of the Ombudsman’s Office.

The appointment of an interim Chief Executive arose from the Police Ombudsman’s signalling his

intention to resign by the end of January 2012 and from the absence of a substantive Chief Executive

in the Office during the period of transition.

As previously stated in this Chamber the Police Ombudsman approached my Department for assistance

in identifying an interim Chief Executive in November 2011. My Department then sought assistance

from the Head of the Civil Service and the Department of Finance and Personnel.

Subsequently – and after seeking independent legal advice – the Police Ombudsman advised me on

12 January 2012 of his decision to remain technically as Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. He

formally delegated his functions as Police Ombudsman to appropriate levels within the Office on 28

January 2012.

Prisoners: Dissident Republicans

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Justice how many dissident republican prisoners are currently on

remand.

(AQO 1485/11-15)

Mr Ford: The Prison Service does not classify prisoners as dissident republicans.

There are currently 36 separated republican prisoners in custody.

The total number of separated prisoners on remand is 23. This figure includes those awaiting trial.

WA 592

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Northern Ireland Prison Service

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister of Justice how he will ensure that the Northern Ireland Prison Service

will continue to run effectively following the imminent departure of the Director General and the Change

Manager.

(AQW 9290/11-15)

Mr Ford: As I told the Assembly on 6 March, a team of people are working on the reform of the

Northern Ireland Prison Service.

A Strategic Efficiency and Effectiveness Programme (SEE) Board meets every month to consider

progress reports and to make decisions about review recommendations. The SEE Board is chaired

by the Director General and is comprised of Executive Directors and Governors. The SEE Board is

supported by a full time programme manager and support staff. The progress of the SEE Programme

is monitored internally by the Prison Service Management Board (PSMB) and externally through the

Prison Reform Oversight Group (PROG). PSMB directors include a former Head of the National Offender

Management Service and a former PSNI Deputy Chief Constable, both of whom were members of the

Prison Review Team. In addition, the work of the PROG is informed by a departmental sub-group chaired

by the DOJ Permanent Secretary. This group includes representatives from the Probation Board and

the DHSSPS. It has also recently been confirmed that the DHSSPS Permanent Secretary will sit on the

Prison Reform Oversight Group.

I am confident that the necessary foundations for the fundamental reform of the Prison Service are

now in place and that the Service is well placed to respond to the changes necessary in the years

ahead. The structures outlined above will drive and monitor the reform programme, and every effort

is being made to find a high calibre candidate to replace Colin McConnell as soon as possible. A new

Organisational Change Manager has already been appointed and he will begin to familiarise himself

with the issues at hand before he formally takes on his new role. A number of additional appointments

are currently under consideration to provide further expertise and support as the momentum of the

reform programme gathers pace.

Prison Service: Lisnevin Site

Mr Easton asked the Minister of Justice for an update on the future of the Prison Service site at

Lisnevin, Millisle.

(AQO 1484/11-15)

Mr Ford: The prison population has risen sharply in recent times. An estate strategy is being prepared

to address the population growth and the associated overcrowding issue. As part of this strategy,

consideration is being given to a number of sites that may offer the potential to provide additional,

contingency accommodation. These sites include Millisle.

As yet, there are no plans for the future use of the Millisle site. If a recommendation is made in the

estate strategy then this will be subject to full public consultation before any decision is made.

The estate strategy is currently being finalised and I will get sight of it in mid March after which it will

go to the Justice Committee for discussion on 29 March.

PSNI: Enhanced Severance

Mr Brady asked the Minister of Justice what is the total amount of enhanced severance paid up to

March 2012 to officers taking early retirement from the PSNI.

(AQO 1486/11-15)

Mr Ford: The total amount of enhanced severance paid to officers taking early retirement from the PSNI

to date is £501m.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 593

National Crime Agency

Mr Cree asked the Minister of Justice to outline any discussions he has had with the Westminster

Government regarding the establishment of the National Crime Agency.

(AQO 1487/11-15)

Mr Ford: I last met with the Home Secretary in January this year and the establishment of the National

Crime Agency (NCA) formed part of those discussions in particular the need for any new arrangements

to take account of devolved issues in Northern Ireland.

My officials are in regular discussions with the Home Office on the establishment of the NCA.

Prison Service: Redundancy Scheme

Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Justice for his assessment of the progression of the Prison Service

redundancy scheme and the timescale for full implementation.

(AQO 1488/11-15)

Mr Ford: 544 members of the Northern Ireland Prison Service applied for the Voluntary Early

Retirement Scheme. 224 applications have so far been approved of which 151 will leave on 31 March

2012. The departure of 73 individuals has been delayed for operational reasons. The remaining 320 of

the applications received remain under consideration.

Supergrass Trial

Mr Girvan asked the Minister of Justice how much has been spent on conducting the recent

supergrass trial.

(AQO 1489/11-15)

Mr Ford: There are a number of cost elements associated with the case of The Crown v Haddock &

Others including those of the police, Public Prosecution Service, prisons, the courts and legal aid.

In relation to police costs, it will take a little time for these to be assessed but I have asked for the

information to be provided to the Justice Committee in due course.

The estimated cost to the Public Prosecution Service is in the region of £520,000. This includes

counsel fees and the salary and associated expense of staff who worked on the case.

The estimated cost to the Prison Service for the custody and transport of the defendants totalled

£768,605.

Judicial, staff and court accommodation costs are estimated at £219,000. This includes the additional

court facility provided at Headline Building.

In terms of legal aid, I shall provide the final costs once these are known. Claims have not yet been

submitted in respect of this trial, as the case has only very recently been completed. As the case was

certified as a Very High Cost Case the fees will be assessed by the Taxing Master. It is not possible

to provide an estimate of the final legal aid bill until the claims made by legal representatives are

submitted and assessed.

Antisocial Behaviour: Foyle

Mr Durkan asked the Minister of Justice to what he attributes the 60 percent reduction of recorded

incidents of anti-social behaviour in Foyle over the past year.

(AQO 1490/11-15)

Mr Ford: Building safer communities by preventing anti-social behaviour and reducing the harm it

causes to communities is a key priority for my Department.

WA 594

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Members will be aware of the graduated approach which my Department has adopted to address

this type of behaviour. This approach - which is based on prevention, intervention, and enforcement

measures - has contributed to a reduction of over 20% in anti-social behaviour incidents since 2008.

While the reduction in anti-social incidents in Foyle is to be welcomed my understanding, from the

figures published by PSNI in their ASB incident monthly update to 31 January 2012, is that there has

been a 23.2% reduction in ASB incidents over the past year.

This reduction in recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour in Foyle can be attributed to the graduated

approach and local partnership working between statutory, community and voluntary sectors and to

address locally identified issues of concern.

This approach is evident in initiatives such as the City Community Safety Warden Scheme, Community

Safety Forums, Challenge Underage Drinking and Drink Think which operate in the Foyle area.

The new Community Safety Strategy, which will be published in the coming months, will build on the

graduated approach and will set out proposals to address anti-social behaviour through working in

greater partnership regionally and locally.

Department for Regional Development

Inspector’s Inquiry and Report on the A5

Mr Allister asked the Minister for Regional Development what purpose the Inspector’s Inquiry and

report on the A5 will now serve, given his announcement on 14 February 2012 that work on the road

will begin.

(AQW 8317/11-15)

Mr Kennedy (The Minister for Regional Development): As the Member will be aware, the

announcement of the upgrade of significant elements of the A5 to dual carriageway is part of a

balanced package of improvements to the strategic road network. I have made it clear that progression

of the A5 (through completion of statutory procedures and commencement of construction) is subject

to the outcome of the public inquiry held last year. The announcement does not prejudge the outcome

of the Inspector’s report, nor compromise its independence.

My Department recently received the Inspector’s report and recommendations which will be given

careful consideration. This will allow further development of the scheme, which will address the

recommendations made by the Inspector that have been accepted by my Department, in relation to

issues raised at the local inquiries.

Equality Impact Assessments and Public Consultations

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Regional Development how much his Department has spent on (i)

Equality Impact Assessments; and (ii) public consultations in each of the last three years.

(AQW 8364/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: The money spent on Equality Impact Assessments and other public consultations in each

of the last 3 years is set out in the table below.

Financial Year EQIA Costs Consultation Costs Total Costs

2008/09 NIL £50,222.73 £50,222.73

2009/10 £22,844.86 £22,815.67 £45,660.53

2010/11 £7,893.19 £43,472.77 £51,365.96

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 595

Southern Relief Road for Newry

Mr Wells asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the estimated cost of the proposed

Southern Relief Road for Newry.

(AQW 8451/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it is continuing to develop the proposal

to provide a Newry Southern Relief Road. This involves the provision of a crossing of the Newry River

and Canal, providing a link between the A1 Belfast to Dublin dual carriageway and the A2 Newry to

Warrenpoint dual carriageway.

Roads Service officials further advise that a number of broadly defined potential corridors have been

considered for the provision of this relief road, and these have been identified in a feasibility study

report published in November 2008.

Officials report that preliminary cost estimates, based on typical unit costs, have been prepared for

indicative route alignments within each route corridor. These estimates range from £100m to £211m,

and the feasibility study has indicated that the scheme would be expected to provide significant

economic benefits.

Cyclists in the North Down Area

Mr Dunne asked the Minister for Regional Development what action his Department has taken to

improve provision for cyclists in the North Down area over the last five financial years.

(AQW 8459/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that over the last five years, it has provided

the following cycling measures in the North Down Council area:

■ 1 km of advisory cycle lanes at Abbey Street and Newtownards Road, Bangor;

■ a signed cycle route from Helens Bay to Newtownards (this is part of the Strangford Lough Cycle

Trail;

■ Advanced Stop Lines at a number of junctions throughout Bangor town centre, some of which

include short feeder lanes; and

■ preparation of an existing footway for shared use to extend the existing cycle track along the A2

Belfast Road from Crawfordsburn Avenue to the junction of Ballyrobert Road.

Currently, there are approximately 20 kms of cycle lanes in the North Down Council area for which my

Roads Service is responsible. Roads Service will continue to implement provision for cycling in line with

the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan, which includes the North Down area, subject to the level of

funding available.

Details of completed and proposed cycle lane schemes can be found in Roads Service’s Spring and

Autumn Reports to Councils. These reports can be accessed from my Department’s internet site at the

web address below, once they have been presented to local Councils:

http://www.drdni.gov.uk/index/freedom_of_information/customer_information/cinformationtype-

results.htm?signpost=Customer+information&informationType=Roads+Service+reports+to+councils

Cycle Lanes in the North Down Area

Mr Dunne asked the Minister for Regional Development how many cycle lanes there are in North Down;

and whether he has any plans to increase the number in the future.

(AQW 8460/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: I would refer the Member to my answer to his Assembly Question AQW 8459/11-15.

WA 596

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Ground Penetrating Radar Surveys

Mr Frew asked the Minister for Regional Development for his assessment of the use of ground

penetrating radar surveys to protect construction workers by identifying the depth of underground

utilities; and whether he has any plans to adopt this technology.

(AQW 8545/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it carried out a trial of ground

penetrating radar some years ago. As the trial failed to accurately locate the line and depth of all

underground services, no further use was made of these surveys.

Roads Service is currently working with the construction industry in carrying out a further trial to

establish whether there has been improved accuracy with such surveys. A decision has not yet been

taken regarding the future use of this technology.

Utility Companies

Mr Frew asked the Minister for Regional Development what measures are in place to ensure that

Roads Service is fulfilling its responsibilities in ensuring that utility companies accurately record the

location, depth and line of their services.

(AQW 8546/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: It is an offence under Article 39(4) of The Street Works (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (the

Order) for a street works undertaker to fail to comply with his duties under Article 39, including those

duties under Article 39(2) as prescribed in The Street Works (Records) Regulations (Northern Ireland)

2004.

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it is not aware of any offences committed under

Article 39(4) of the Order. Therefore, Roads Service has not found it necessary to take forward any

prosecutions under these powers. However, utility companies have been asked to consider quality

assurance of new installations with specific regard to accuracy of record drawings. This item will be

discussed at the next meeting of the Northern Ireland Road Authority and Utilities Committee.

Postage and Printing Costs

Mr McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development whether his Department, and its arm’s-length

bodies, give elected representatives the choice of receiving reports and all other correspondence by

email to minimise postage and printing costs.

(AQW 8568/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department and its Arm’s Length Bodies respond to requests from Members of the

Legislative Assembly for the provision of reports and other correspondence electronically. In many

cases responses are already provided in the format in which requests for information are received.

There is also a requirement, under the guidance issued by OFMDFM on the ‘Distribution of

Departmental Publications and Consultation documents’, to provide hard copies of some documents

to certain recipients including political representatives, parliamentary contacts and Legal Deposit and

other libraries.

The Department also follows the arrangements for laying documents in the Northern Ireland Assembly

set out in the OFMDFM ‘Guidance on the Laying, Presenting and Depositing of Papers in the NI Assembly.’

Hillhall Road, Lisburn

Mr Craig asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQO 1307/11-15, to detail the

cost of the minor improvement scheme to enhance visibility for motorists on the Hillhall Road, Lisburn.

(AQW 8569/11-15)

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 597

Mr Kennedy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that pursuant to AQO 1307/11-15, it is

estimated that the minor improvement scheme, currently ongoing on the Hillhall Road, will cost £300k

which includes land costs, construction and alterations to existing utility company apparatus.

Core Node on the TEN-T Network

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 8031/11-15, (i) to detail

the criteria for inclusion as a Core Node on the TEN-T network; (ii) to outline the basis for Derry’s

inclusion as a Core Node; and (iii) whether any discussions have taken place at North-South Ministerial

Council Transport meetings in relation to the extension of the mainline rail network from Derry to Cork.

(AQW 8582/11-15)

Mr Kennedy:

(i) The European Commission identified the Core Nodes of the TEN-T Network based on its

methodology “The New Trans-European Transport Network Policy – Planning and Implementation

Issues”. This is a very detailed and complex document. However, analysis of the document

suggests that core nodes have been selected based on the following criteria:

■ MEGA cities according to ESPON with more than 0.5 million inhabitants;

■ conurbations or city clusters which exceed 1 million inhabitants;

■ cities or conurbations located at branching or crossing points on the TEN-T Core Network; or

■ ports with an annual transhipment volume of at least 1 % of the total transhipment volume of

freight by all EU seaports.

(ii) Londonderry is of significant strategic importance, not just to Northern Ireland but to Great

Britain and to the Republic of Ireland. The North-West is one of the most isolated and peripheral

regions of the European Union and has high levels of economic and social deprivation. Inclusion

of Londonderry as a core node will provide the Department with greater opportunity to avail of

European funding for transport links to and from Londonderry. This will make the City a more

attractive option for inward investment and development of the surrounding region by promoting

access to the single market.

Geographically, Londonderry is an obvious border crossing point linking Northern Ireland with the

Republic of Ireland. In addition, Londonderry has the potential to become an important gateway

between the EU and neighbouring North Western states.

As a result, inclusion of Londonderry on the TEN-T core network fits within the overall objective of

the TEN-T, which is to provide a framework for the development of infrastructure for the smooth

functioning of the internal market and for ensuring economic, social and territorial cohesion and

improved accessibility across the EU.

(iii) The specific issue of extending the mainline rail network from Cork to Londonderry has not been

raised at North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Transport meetings. The focus of railway issues

at recent NSMC Transport meetings has been on improvements to the Dublin to Belfast line. In

2008, the NSMC Transport meeting noted that there were no plans to build a rail link between

Sligo and Londonderry through Donegal.

NOTE: ESPON: Metropolitan European Growth Areas in the European Spatial Planning Observatory Network’s Atlas

2006

Electrical Cable and Fittings Stolen from Street Lights

Mr Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the value of the electrical cable and

fittings stolen from street lights in the last twelve months; and the cost of replacing these components.

(AQW 8631/11-15)

WA 598

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Mr Kennedy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the total cost of replacing the stolen

cables and repairing associated damage is currently estimated to be in the region of £330,000,

although the scrap value of the cables stolen would be substantially less than the replacement costs.

All incidents have been reported to the PSNI and other bodies in accordance with my Department’s

guidelines for dealing with theft of assets.

Stolen Gratings

Mr Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the value of the gratings stolen from

manholes in the last twelve months; and the cost of replacement.

(AQW 8632/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the total cost of replacing stolen

gratings from manholes, in the last 12 months, is currently estimated to be in the region of £12,000,

although the scrap value of the gratings stolen would be substantially less than the replacement costs.

Northern Ireland Water has advised that it does not hold records of the value of manhole or other

covers stolen or the cost of replacement. It would, however, estimate that, during the past 12 months,

the cost of replacing stolen manhole or other covers was £33,500.

Londonderry Railway Station

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) what building works are planned for

Londonderry Railway Station; (ii) the reasons for this building work; and (iii) the estimated cost of the

work.

(AQW 8666/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: Translink advise that, at present, no building works are planned for Londonderry station

other than routine maintenance and pre-planned renewals which will include the scheduled upgrade of

CCTV systems at a cost of £20,000.

Londonderry Railway Station

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) to detail the current level of security

provision at Londonderry Railway Station, including the times at which it is provided; (ii) the reasons for

this level of security; (iii) what is the cost of this level of provision; and (iv) whether the level of security

provision currently employed is related to the recent reduction in staffing hours.

(AQW 8670/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: Security at railway stations and in general is an operational matter for Translink who have

advised me as follows regarding the situation at Londonderry Railway Station:-

(i) Security provision hours have recently been extended at Londonderry Railway Station in

response to increased vandalism occasioned to civil engineering trains which were stabled in

Londonderry sidings. These civil engineering trains are being deployed to Londonderry to support

the commencement of Track Safety Improvement Works now on-going between Londonderry and

Coleraine. It would not be appropriate to detail the levels of security at any location other than

to say it should be sufficient and proportionate to protect company assets and it is continually

reviewed.

(ii) See (i).

(iii) It would not be appropriate to detail the costs of security at any location other than to say it

should be sufficient and proportionate to protect company assets. Equally, all security is provided

by designated companies who are selected through competitive tender, therefore we are satisfied

with the requisite quality and costs of same.

(iv) Security provision is not related to recent reduction in staffing.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 599

Reduction in Metro Services

Ms Lo asked the Minister for Regional Development for his assessment of the reduction in Metro

services and the impact it has had on the Annadale and Belvoir communities in South Belfast.

(AQW 8677/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: The provision of Metro services is an operational matter for Translink.

Translink has advised me that to make the best use of resources, it needs to make reductions in the

frequency of some Metro services and/or combine services where passenger numbers were not high

on an ongoing basis.

In regard to services in Annadale and Belvoir, previously the level of service provided on the No. 29

route was maintained because funding from external stakeholders was available. This is no longer the

case. As a result, timetable adjustments on this route came into effect from 1 September 2011. There

was no reduction in service provision to the Belvoir area at this time.

Translink has advised me that elected representatives were advised of these changes in August 2011,

prior to implementation of any changes.

Following continuous monitoring of the services it provides, Translink has decided that from 27

February 2012 an additional two journeys in each direction (Monday to Friday) and three on Saturdays

between Annadale and Belfast city centre will be made by diverting other services.

Bus Routes between Derry and Dublin

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 7591/11-15, and given

the commitment in the draft Programme for Government to provide financial and other support across

Government to ensure the success of the City of Culture, whether he will ensure that a full bus service

operates from Derry to Dublin throughout 2013.

(AQW 8681/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: Scheduled international bus services between Northern Ireland and the Republic of

Ireland are provided within an open market and a number of operators including Translink, offer bus

connections to meet passenger demand for travel between Londonderry and Dublin. Translink has

advised that it is in contact with the City of Culture organisers and that the timetables of services

provided jointly by Ulsterbus and Bus Éireann will be kept under review to take account of the

programme of events planned.

It is open to the City of Culture organisers in order to meet the special transport requirements of

participants and visitors to arrange private hire with properly licensed bus and coach operators,

including Translink. It is also open to those operators to offer excursions or special services.

Complaints to NI Water

Mr Frew asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) how many complaints NI Water has received,

in each of the last three years, in relation to (a) reminders for payments being received before the

actual bill; (b) not receiving a bill until a number of weeks after it was dated; (c) intimidating final

demand letters; and (e) customer service and communication; and (ii) for his assessment of these

figures.

(AQW 8712/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that billing complaints are not

recorded in the categories requested. A breakdown of related complaints is set out in the table below.

Complaint Regarding

No. of complaints

2009

No. of complaints

2010

No. of complaints

2011

Timing of reminders 7 4 N/A

WA 600

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Complaint Regarding

No. of complaints

2009

No. of complaints

2010

No. of complaints

2011

Delay in issuing the bill 27 15 16

Debt recovery procedure including

the wording of the Final Notice 5 17 17

Bill or Final Notice not received 8 4 3

Debt recovery timetable 2 1 3

Poor information on the Bill/lack of

information to customers 30 30 6

The categorisation of complaints has changed during this period so there is some variation in the profile.

NIW is striving to continually improve its service to customers. A review of billing complaints is

underway within NIW to identify any weaknesses in the procedures and to develop measures that will

ensure that accurate and timely billing information is provided to customers. While NIW considers every

complaint important, the number of complaints received should be seen in the context of 170,000 bills

issued each year.

Roads in the Holywood Area

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development how much has been spent on roads in the

Holywood area in each of the last five years.

(AQW 8755/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department’s Road Service has advised that it does not maintain an analysis of

its expenditure for specific areas within a Council boundary. However, the table below details the

maintenance expenditure over the last five financial years for the North Down Borough Council area:

North Down Borough Council Area – Total Maintenance Expenditure

2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

£5,556,000 £5,744,000 £4,180,000 £4,304,000 £4,252,000

Roads Service has also carried out other work in the North Down area, including minor works schemes,

bridge maintenance and traffic management schemes. However, as a breakdown of this work by Council

area is not readily available, I would refer you to previous Council reports, which provide details of the

work completed on roads in the North Down Borough Council Area. These reports can be accessed

from my Department’s internet site at the following web address:

http://www.drdni.gov.uk/index/freedom_of_information/customer_information/cinformationtype-

results.htm?signpost=Customer+information&informationType=Roads+Service+reports+to+councils

Funding Allocated to Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the level of funding his Department

allocated to each trade union in the (i) 2000/01; (ii) 2005/06; and (iii) 2010/11 financial years.

(AQW 8765/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department provides funding to the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA)

for a number of full-time officials and support staff seconded from the Department.

During each of the years in question, the total salary costs met by DRD in respect of these seconded

staff were as follows:

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 601

Year 2000/01 2005/06 2010/11

Salary Costs £ 160,742 200,460 172,975

NSL Services Group

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he intends to take to address

the differential between the amount paid to NSL Services Group for the parking enforcement and car

park management contract and the level of revenue generated.

(AQW 8771/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: The Member is aware that the costs associated with the provision of parking services and

parking enforcement, including contract payments to NSL Services Group, exceed parking income and

the deficit is funded by my Department.

I would point out that the primary aim of parking enforcement is to encourage drivers to park properly.

If all drivers adhere to parking regulations, then income from Penalty Charge Notices would reduce

and the overall deficit would increase. However, the non-financial benefits of having fewer illegally

parked cars on our streets include less congestion, more available parking spaces in town centres and

improved safety. My Department is of the opinion that these benefits are essential to the vitality of

towns and cities and it is therefore important that effective enforcement continues to be provided.

My Department will continue to monitor the cost of providing parking services and parking enforcement

and strive to keep this to a minimum, while also looking at ways of increasing revenue to minimise the

deficit.

60+ Travelcards

Mr Agnew asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) how Translink is reimbursed for the

cost of fares for holders of 60+ travelcards; (ii) whether holders can only purchase single fares; and

if so, (iii) whether his Department is paying a higher rate to Translink, given that single fares are more

expensive than return fares.

(AQW 8834/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: In response to your questions on reimbursement for 60+ travelcard users I would advise

that:-

(i) Those aged above 60 who are permanent residents of Northern Ireland are eligible for a travelcard

entitling them to free travel on stage carriage services throughout Northern Ireland.

The 60 Plus travel card is a SmartPass which means that each journey is electronically recorded

and that the Department only reimburses Translink on the basis of actual journeys in line with

audit recommendations. In reimbursing Translink, the Department also takes account of the

increased patronage generated by free travel. The reimbursement of Translink and the small

private operators on the concessionary fare scheme is audited on an annual basis by independent

auditors appointed by the Department.

(ii) Sixty Plus SmartPasses can only be used to obtain single tickets this minimises the risk of

fraudulent usage given current systems infrastucture.

(iii) The policy on the issuing of single tickets seeks to minimise the risk of fraud and wastage in

circumstances where the individual obtaining the ticket is not making a financial contribution.

Travel concessions funded under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme and discounts

offered commercially by Translink are separate issues. Transport operators offer discounted ticket

products to encourage commercial customers to make additional journeys on public transport

services to stimulate revenue and passenger journey growth. The main purpose of SmartPasses

is to help ensure social inclusion. The overall level of grant support or reimbursement to Translink,

from any source, will ultimately impact on fare levels and service provision.

WA 602

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

A28

Mr Irwin asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to address the concerns

of motorists travelling from Newry to Armagh along the A28, regarding the lack of an overtaking lane

leaving Newry, and the problem this presents for drivers when heavy goods vehicles or other slow

moving vehicles restrict the free flow of traffic.

(AQW 8842/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: I can advise the Member that when the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport

Plan 2015 was being compiled, the provision of widened carriageway schemes was considered for the

A28 Newry - Armagh Road, including a northbound overtaking opportunity north of Newry. However,

in the intervening period, design standards have been revised and it is no longer recommended

that widened carriageway schemes are provided where there are a significant number of minor road

junctions and accesses. Consequently, there are currently no plans to providing dedicated overtaking

opportunities north of Newry.

However, you will be aware that a southbound Climbing Lane is currently under construction at

Edenaveys on the A28, which does meet the particular design requirements. It is anticipated that work,

which will cost £3.3m, will be completed this Spring.

Secondment to Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the number of (a) full-time; and

(b) part-time staff who are currently on secondment from his Department, or its arm’s length bodies,

to each recognised trade union; (ii) the salary scale for each secondee; and (iii) the length of each

secondment to date.

(AQW 8855/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: Five full-time staff from my Department and one full-time member of staff from Northern

Ireland Water (NIW) are currently seconded to the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA). In

addition, two full-time NIW staff are currently on secondment to UNITE.

Details for each of the secondees concerned are set out in the table below.

Seconded From Seconded To

Period of Secondment

(to nearest month)

Current Salary Range

DRD NIPSA 5 years and 6 months 34,163 - 38,893

DRD NIPSA 6 years 21,392 - 23,250

DRD NIPSA 7 years and 5 months 18,038 - 22,180

DRD NIPSA 12 years and 3

months

27,115 - 30,520

DRD NIPSA 5 years and 4 months 27,115 - 30,520

NIW UNITE 6 years and 11

months

20.107 - 24,516

NIW UNITE 6 years and 11

months

20.107 - 24,516

NIW NIPSA 6 years and 11

months

15,038 - 18,380

No part-time staff from my Department or its Arm’s Length Bodies are currently seconded to trade unions.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 603

Financial Relief

Ms Ritchie asked the Minister for Regional Development what financial relief will be provided to

residents who live in private residential estates where the roads, water and sewage facilities and street

lighting provision have not been brought up to an adoptable standard.

(AQW 8860/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department has no legislative authority to use public funds for the provision of

financial relief to residents, who live in private residential estates where the roads, water and sewage

facilities and street lighting provision have not yet been brought up to an adoptable standard.

My Department will, however, continue to discharge its responsibilities relating to the determination and

adoption of new residential streets, sewage facilities and street lighting in line with current legislation.

This will include appropriate enforcement action and use of bond monies to complete street works,

where developers have failed to complete.

Northern Ireland Water (NIW) has similarly advised that it has no mechanism whereby funding can be made

available to residents in developments where sewerage systems have not yet been adopted. However,

it will seek to work with residents, developers and their successors, assignees and administrators to

advise on the options available. This will ensure sewers are brought up to an adoptable standard and

that enforcement measures utilising the bond security will be applied, where applicable.

I should also advise that as all water mains within developments are laid by NIW, they are therefore

owned and maintained by NIW as part of the public water supply system.

The Member will also be aware that the Committee for Regional Development is conducting an Inquiry

into unadopted roads, and a formal consultation period is currently under way.

Translink: Redundancies

Mr Allister asked the Minister for Regional Development whether Translink had any contact with

stakeholder groups, including rail users groups, Disability Action, local councils, and the UK City of

Culture 2013 Committee before embarking on staffing reductions on the north-west rail route; and to

outline the reasons for Translink’s position on this issue.

(AQW 8873/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: Staffing levels are an operational matter for Translink and consultation with outside

agencies/bodies such as those referred to, would not be normal practice. You will appreciate Translink

is required to operate commercially within the current difficult economic environment. It is essential

that they continue to operate efficiently to ensure fare levels are kept to a minimum, service provision

is protected as far as possible, staff wage and pension costs can be afforded and staffing is kept at

levels which maintain a safe and efficient service. To date small reductions in staff numbers have been

managed by voluntary redundancy or by redeployment. I am assured by Translink that this will continue

to be the situation.

Disability Discrimination Act

Mr Allister asked the Minister for Regional Development, in light of the investment by Translink in new

facilities at stations on the north-west rail link, for his assessment of how they will be utilised given the

restricted opening hours resulting from staff reductions on the route.

(AQW 8874/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: Translink has advised that stations and halts on the north-west corridor were included

as part of a network-wide programme to achieve Disability Discrimination Act compliance at public

transport facilities. Measures included re-surfacing of platforms to provide tactile paving, adapted toilet

facilities, lowered counter heights at customer service interfaces and improved lighting. This was, by

necessity, a rolling programme which took several years and which concluded in 2009.

WA 604

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Other infrastructure projects either in hand or planned for rail stations in this area include:

■ Canopy and station building cladding at Ballymena

■ Footbridge at Ballymoney

■ Repair to canopy at Coleraine

■ CCTV renewal at Londonderry (as part of a network-wide programme)

■ Refurbishment of existing platform canopy at Portrush, power-washing and repainting

Translink is of the view that these projects are aligned to its aim of providing optimum standard in

facilities for their customers and does not consider that either the staff changes or the change in

opening hours referred to will adversely impact on the use of its services and facilities.

Restructuring of the North-West Rail Link

Mr Allister asked the Minister for Regional Development whether Translink has provided his

Department with a breakdown of the increased costs that will be incurred as a result of their staffing

restructuring on the north-west rail link.

(AQW 8875/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: Staffing levels are an operational matter for Translink who have advised me that the staff

restructuring on this rail corridor involved voluntary redundancies. This will result in efficiency savings

as there will be less expenditure on staff costs.

As advised previously in response to AQW 8670/11-15, any costs for additional security provision at

Londonderry Railway Station are not related to recent reduction in staffing levels.

Translink: Managerial Appointments

Mr Allister asked the Minister for Regional Development why there is an ongoing increase in

managerial appointments in Translink at a time when customer care or operational staff numbers are

being reduced.

(AQW 8876/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: Staffing levels are an operational matter for Translink who have advised me that since the

start of the financial year, 1 April 2011 to 2 March 2012, there has been no increase to the managerial

headcount.

Plugged-In Places Scheme

Mr Flanagan asked the Minister for Regional Development to list the locations of the ‘Plugged-In

Places’ charging points for electric cars.

(AQW 8911/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: The Northern Ireland ‘Plugged In Places’ scheme is a joint initiative with the Department

of the Environment and a range of Consortium Partners. The scheme aims to pilot electric vehicle

infrastructure in 6 Council locations across Northern Ireland in 2011/12, with further expansion to new

Council areas across the region in 2012/13.

The Project will see 41 standard charge points and 4 rapid charge points installed in Belfast City

Council, Newry and Mourne District Council, Derry City Council, Fermanagh District Council, Armagh

District Council and Larne Borough Council areas by 31st of March 2012.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 605

A full list of the Year 1 Charge Point locations is outlined below;

No. Region Location

Standard Chargers

1 Belfast Little Victoria Street Car Park, Belfast

2 Belfast Corporation Square Car Park, Belfast

3 Belfast Little Donegall Street, Belfast

4 Belfast Cromac Street Car Park, Belfast

5 Belfast Hope Street North, Belfast

6 Belfast Adelaide Street on street parking, Belfast

7 Belfast Dublin Road on street parking, Belfast

8 Belfast Lower Crescent on street parking, Belfast

9 Belfast Bloomfield Shopping Centre, Bangor

10 Belfast Central Station car park, Belfast

11 Belfast Cairns Hill Park and Ride, Belfast

12 Armagh Linenhall Street Roads Service car park, Armagh

13 Armagh Lonsdale Street Roads Service car park, Armagh

14 Armagh Armagh Leisure Centre

15 Armagh Palace Demense, Armagh

16 Newry Bagenals Castle, Newry

17 Newry Bridge Street car park, Newry

18 Newry Basin Walk car park, Newry

19 Newry Monaghan Street car park, Newry

20 Newry Hill Street on street parking, Newry

21 Newry Canal Court Newry

22 Newry Newry Train station, Newry

23 Londonderry Victoria Market car park, Londonderry

24 Londonderry Bishop Street car park, Londonderry

25 Londonderry Railway Yard, Londonderry

26 Londonderry Strand Road, Londonderry

27 Londonderry Carlisle Road on street, Londonderry

28 Londonderry The Diamond on street, Londonderry

29 Londonderry Templemore Leisure Centre, Londonderry

30 Fermanagh Down/Market/Cross Street, Enniskillen

31 Fermanagh Eden Street, Enniskillen

32 Fermanagh Quay Lane North, Enniskillen

WA 606

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

No. Region Location

33 Fermanagh Wellington Street, Enniskillen

34 Fermanagh Queen St, DRD Carpark, Enniskillen

35 Fermanagh Cross Street, DRD Carpark, Lisnaskea

36 Fermanagh Main Street, Irvinestown - DRD

37 Fermanagh Main Street, Belleek - DRD

38 Larne Narrow Gauge Road, Larne

39 Larne Agnew Street, Larne

40 Larne Riverdale, Larne

41 Larne Carnlough, Havelock Place

Rapid Chargers

1 Dungannon M1, Junction 15, Donnelly Group Garage

2 Magherafelt M2, Glenshane Pass, Jamsies Garage

3 Lisburn A1, Garage

4 Newry A1, Newry, 24 Hour Garage

During 2012/13 the project will aim to install a further 100 charge points across Northern Ireland. This

will include expansion to include other Council areas outside the initial locations. The ecar Project team

are currently identifying and finalising locations for installation during 2012/13.

Traffic Weight Restriction Order

Mrs Hale asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the criteria used to assess the need

for a Traffic Weight Restriction Order in a residential area.

(AQW 8961/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that when considering the need for a

weight restriction on a road, it will primarily take into account the condition of the road. Other factors

considered include road geometry, gradient, and traffic volumes, including the percentage of heavy

vehicles.

However, weight restrictions are used very sparingly as they would apply to all vehicles in excess of the

specified Gross Vehicle Weight and can have an adverse effect on other road users, including delivery

vehicles, which need to use the road in question for access to premises.

A26

Mr McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development what the estimated reduction in average

travel time from Belfast to Ballycastle would be if the proposed work on the A26 from Glarryford to the

Drones Road junction was carried out.

(AQW 9008/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: As part of the design process for the proposed A26 dualling between Glarryford and the

A44 Drones Road junction, Roads Service has undertaken studies to estimate the journey time savings

over this length of carriageway. These modelled journey time savings, after upgrading this seven

kilometre length of single carriageway to dual carriageway, are detailed in the table below:

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 607

Northbound Southbound

Time Period Saving Time Period Saving

Am peak 1 min 31 seconds Am peak 3 min 16 seconds

interpeak 1 min 32 seconds interpeak 1 min 33 seconds

Pm peak 4 min 31 seconds Pm peak 1 min 51 seconds

MV Canna Ferry

Mr Swann asked the Minister for Regional Development when his Department was informed of the MV

Canna’s withdrawal from service.

(AQW 9031/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: The operator of the Ballycastle to Rathlin Island ferry informed my Department on 1

March 2012 that the MV Canna would be taken off service for essential engine maintenance. The ferry

was taken off service on 5 March, on the same date that a temporary replacement vessel was brought

into operation.

MV Canna Ferry

Mr Swann asked the Minister for Regional Development when his Department was made aware that

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited had appealed against the Lloyd’s Register of the MV Canna.

(AQW 9032/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department was informed by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited on 27 October

2011 that it had formally lodged an appeal with Lloyd’s Register requesting a review of the granting of

classification for the MV Canna.

Engine Overhaul of the MV Canna

Mr Swann asked the Minister for Regional Development when his Department was first informed that

the required engine overhaul of the MV Canna had not taken place.

(AQW 9033/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: The Department was notified by Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd on 1 February 2012 that an

overhaul of the MV Canna’s engines was required. On 5 March 2012 the MV Canna left Ballycastle for

dry dock for this work to be undertaken.

Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd

Mr Swann asked the Minister for Regional Development whether the terms of the contract held by

Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd have been breached, either in terms of the failure to provide the ferry service or

the failure to submit the company accounts by the required date.

(AQW 9034/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: Rathlin Island Ferry Limited has not breached its terms of contract with my Department.

Traffic Weight Restrictions

Mrs Hale asked the Minister for Regional Development to list the locations where traffic weight

restrictions are in force; and the reasons why each restriction is in place.

(AQW 9038/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: Details of locations where traffic weight restrictions are in force, in respect of roads, are

listed below. The roads are listed under the appropriate weight restriction at each location identified,

WA 608

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

with restrictions having been put in place by means of an Order under Article 4 of the Roads Traffic (NI)

Order 1997.

I can advise the Member that the reason for the restriction is not stated in the legislation and given

that many of the restrictions have been in place for a considerable number of years and in some cases

decades, this information is not readily available. However, the Member will be aware from my answer

to her Assembly Question AQW 8961/11-15, of the factors that my Department’s Roads Service

considers when determining whether a weight restriction is necessary at any particular location to

protect the underlying road.

WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS

2 Tonnes Maximum Gross Weight

■ Dogleap Road, Limavady, carried by the Largy Bridge over the River Roe.

3 Tonnes Maximum Gross Weight

■ Church Road, Armoy, from its junction with Main Street, to its junction with Gracehill Road, Route

B15.

■ Shore Road, Unclassified No. 2017, in the townlands of Ballyvanen and Ballyvorally, County

Antrim, from its junction with Darachrean Road, Unclassified No. 49, to its junction with Ingram’s

Road, Unclassified No. 49.

■ Ingram’s Road, Unclassified No. 49, in the townland of Ballyvorally, County Antrim.

■ Shell Road, Unclassified No. 125, Campsie, County Londonderry.

■ Gortscreagan Road, Unclassified No. 181, Claudy, from its junction with Slieveboy Road, Route

C512, to its junction with Carnanreagh Road, Route C511.

■ Torr Road, Route C82, Cushendun and Ballycastle, from its junction with Bay Road, Cushendun, to

its junction with Murlough Road, Unclassified No. 88, Ballycastle.

■ Groganstown Road, Unclassified No. 26, Groganstown, Dunmurry, County Antrim, from its junction

with Colinglen Road, Route A501, to a point 350 metres north-east of that junction.

■ Ardlough Road, Route C503, Londonderry, from its junction with Carmoney Road, Unclassified No.

131, to its junction with Old Drumahoe Road, Route C503.

■ Bonds Glen Road, Route C514, Londonderry, from its junction with Ardground Road, Route C508,

to its junction with Longlands Road, Route B49.

■ Chapel Road, Londonderry, from its junction with Spencer Road, to its junction with Fountain Hill.

■ Corrody Road, Unclassified No. 155, Londonderry, from its junction with Woodside Road, to its

junction with Kittybane Road.

■ Fountain Hill, Londonderry, from its junction with Spencer Road, to its junction with Chapel Road.

■ Moore Street, Londonderry.

■ Rossdowney Road, Unclassified No. 120, Londonderry, from its junction with Ardlough Road, Route

C503, to its junction with Crescent Link, Route A514.

■ Woodside Road, Unclassified No. 155, Londonderry, from its junction with Bards Hill, to a point

645 metres south of its junction with Corrody Road.

■ Temple Road, Route C568, in the townlands of Templetown and Maydown, County Londonderry,

from its junction with Clooney Road, Route A2, to a point 850 metres north-east of that junction.

■ Ballysillan Park, Belfast, while travelling in a south-easterly direction.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 609

3.5 Tonnes Maximum Gross Weight

■ North-eastbound carriageway of Church Place, Route A3, Lurgan, between the War Memorial and

Shankill Parish Church

5 Tonnes Maximum Gross Weight

■ Hammond Road, Unclassified No. 2062, in the townlands of Aghadavy, Magheramesk and

Maghaberry, County Antrim.

■ Craneystown Road, Unclassified No. 72, in the townlands of Ballycarrickmaddy and Ballymave,

County Antrim.

■ Hungry House Lane, Unclassified No. 72, in the townlands of Ballycarrickmaddy and Ballynadolly,

County Antrim.

■ Horse Park Road, Unclassified No. 70, in the townland of Ballyellough, County Antrim.

■ Kilcorig Road, Unclassified No. 70, in the townlands of Ballyellough, Magheragall and Kilcorig,

County Antrim.

■ Flowbog Road, Unclassified No. 23, in the townlands of Ballymacward Upper and Slievenacloy,

County Antrim, from its junction with Rock Road, Route B101, to a point 69 metres north-west of

its junction with Ballycollin Road, Unclassified No. 23.

■ School Lane, Unclassified No. 72, in the townlands of Ballymave, Ballyellough and

Ballycarrickmaddy, County Antrim.

■ Ballyrainey Road, Route C266, Comber.

■ Filterbeds Road, Unclassified No. 78, in the townland of Derrykillultagh, County Antrim.

■ Porters Bridge Road, Unclassified No. 78, in the townland of Derrykillultagh, County Antrim.

■ Shore Road, Unclassified No. 2017, in the townlands of Feumore and Ballyvanen, County Antrim,

from its junction with Lough Road, Unclassified No. 49, to its junction with Feumore Road.

■ Whinney Hill, Unclassified No. 70, in the townlands of Kilcorig, Ballyclogh and Ballynadolly, County

Antrim.

■ Lagmore Road, Unclassified No. 100, in the townland of Lagmore, County Antrim, from its junction

with Colinglen Road, Route A501, to a point 190 metres west of its junction with Stewartstown

Road, Route B102.

■ Park Road, Newtownabbey, from its junction with Mallusk Road, to its junction with Antrim Road.

■ Glenleary Road, Unclassified No. 3340, Coleraine, from its junction with Castleroe Road, to its

junction with Coolyvenny Road.

■ Hillhead Road, Unclassified No. 5285, Newry.

■ Corcreechy Road, Unclassified No. 6062, Newry, from its junction with Corcreechy Road, Route

C340, to its junction with Turmore Road, Route C339.

■ Ballybarnes Road, Unclassified No. 104, Newtownards, from a point 800 metres north-east of its

junction with Belfast Road, Route C263, to its junction with Ballysallagh Road, Route B170.

7.5 Tonnes Maximum Gross Weight

■ Boghead Bridge Road, Unclassified No. 1002, Aghalee.

■ Brankins Island Road, Unclassified No. 1011, Aghalee.

■ Diamond Lane, Unclassified No. 1005, Aghalee.

■ Feather Bed Road, Unclassified No. 1024, Aghalee.

■ Grants Lane, Unclassified No. 1023, Aghalee.

■ Montiaghs Road, Unclassified No. 1024, Aghalee.

WA 610

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

■ Moss Lane, Unclassified No. 1003, Aghalee.

■ Unnamed road, Unclassified No. 1004, Aghalee, linking Boghead Bridge Road, Unclassified No.

1002, and Brankinstown Road, Route C10.

■ Birch Hill Road, Unclassified No. 1074, Antrim, from its junction with Crosskennan Road, Route

C44, to its junction with Ballygore Road.

■ Bush Road, Unclassified No. 1073, Antrim, from its junction with Crosskennan Road, Route C44,

to its junction with Glenmullion Road, Unclassified No. 1072.

■ Carnearney Lane, Unclassified No. 1067, Antrim, from its junction with Carnearney Road,

Unclassified No. 1066, to its junction with Ladyhill Road, Unclassified No. 1065.

■ Carnearney Road, Unclassified No. 1066, Antrim, from its junction with Ladyhill Road, Unclassified

No. 1065, to its junction with Parkgate Road, Route C43.

■ Chapeltown Road, Unclassified No. 1058, Antrim, from its junction with Steeple Road, Route C45,

to its junction with Tavnaghmore Road, Unclassified No. 1056.

■ Drumkeeran Road, Unclassified No. 1048, Antrim, from its junction with Oldwood Road, to its

junction with Lisnevenagh Road, Route A26.

■ Eskylane Road, Unclassified No. 1059, Antrim, from its junction with Kilgavanagh Road,

Unclassified No. 1061, to its junction with Chapeltown Road, Unclassified No. 1058.

■ Kilgavanagh Road, Unclassified No. 1057, Antrim.

■ Kilgavanagh Road, Unclassified No. 1061, Antrim, from its southern extremity to its junctions with

Kilgavanagh Road, Unclassified No. 1057, and Creevery Road, Unclassified No. 1060.

■ Ladyhill Road, Unclassified No. 1065, Antrim, from its junction with Carnearney Road, Unclassified

No. 1066, to its junction with Steeple Road, Route C45.

■ Old Ballynoe Road, Unclassified No. 1068, Antrim, from its junction with Carnearney Lane,

Unclassified No. 1068, to its junction with Crosskennan Lane, Unclassified No. 1069.

■ Oldwood Road, Antrim, from its junction with Craigstown Road, Route B53, to its junction with

Lisnevenagh Road, Route A26.

■ Rough Lane, Unclassified No. 1071, Antrim.

■ Thornhill Road, Unclassified No. 1057, Antrim, from its northern junction with Creevery Road,

Unclassified No. 1060, to its junction with Fernisky Road, Route 53.

■ Ballynulto Road East, Unclassified No. 2101, Ballymena, from its junction with Church Road,

Route A36, to its junction with Rocavan Road, Route C65.

■ Carniny Road, Unclassified No. 2026, Ballymena, from its junction with Tullygrawley Road, Route

C57, to its junction with Teeshan Road, Unclassified No. 2027.

■ Fenagh Road, Unclassified No. 2025, Ballymena, from its junction with Crankill Road, Route A26,

to its junction with Tullygrawley Road, Route C57.

■ Shillanavogy Road, Unclassified No. 2107, Ballymena, from its junction with Glenhead Road,

Unclassified No. 2106, to its junction with Drumcrow Road, Unclassified No. 4015.

■ Deroar Road, Unclassified No. 1738, Beragh, County Tyrone, from its junction with Dreenan Road,

Unclassified No. 1737, to its junction with Bancran Road, Route C627.

■ Dreenan Road, Unclassified No. 1737, Beragh, County Tyrone, from its junction with Spring Road,

Route C628, to its junction with Bancran Road, Route C627.

■ Athenree Lane, Unclassified No. 1733, Carrickmore, County Tyrone, from its junction with Quarry

Road, Route C626, to its junction with Tiroony Road, Route B46.

■ Curran Road, Route C558, Castledawson.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 611

■ Ardbarren Road, Unclassified No. 138, Castlederg, from its junction with Scraghy Road, Route

B72, to its junction with Ardbarren Road, Route C672.

■ Drumgallan Road, Unclassified No. 119, Castlederg, from its junction with Castlederg Road, Route

B50, to its junction with Magheracreggan Road, Route C679.

■ Tullymoan Road, Unclassified No. 202, Clady, County Tyrone, from its junction with Lisdoo Road,

Unclassified No. 202, to its junction with Orchard Road, Route C677.

■ Kilcronagh Road, Unclassified No. 829, Cookstown, from its junction with Pomeroy Road, Route

B4, to its junction with Sandholes Road, Route C622.

■ Ardmore Road, Unclassified No. 1145, Crumlin, from its junction with Largy Road, Route C22, to

its junction with Diamond Road, Route C23.

■ Ballyclan Road, Unclassified No. 1143, Crumlin, from its junction with Largy Road, Route C22, to

its junction with Diamond Road, Route C23.

■ Cidercourt Road, Unclassified No. 1140, Crumlin, from its junction with Largy Road, Route C22, to

its junction with Cidercourt Road, Unclassified No. 1141.

■ Cidercourt Road, Unclassified No. 1141, Crumlin.

■ Loughview Road, Unclassified No. 1148, Crumlin, from its junction with Diamond Road, Route

C23, to its junction with Dunore Road, Unclassified No. 1152.

■ Dunnygarron Road, Unclassified No. 2024, Cullybackey, County Antrim, from its junction with

Fenagh Road, Route C56, to its junction with Redford Road, Unclassified No. 2023.

■ Bay Rampart, Unclassified No. 1065, Derryadd.

■ Byrnes Rampart, Unclassified No. 1068, Derryadd.

■ Church Road, Unclassified No. 1069, Derryadd.

■ Hall Rampart, Unclassified No. 1064, Derryadd.

■ Lenny’s Road, Unclassified No. 1070, Derryadd.

■ Pier Rampart, Unclassified No. 1067, Derryadd.

■ Skeltons Rampart, Unclassified No. 1066, Derryadd.

■ Unnamed road, Unclassified No. 1071, Derryadd, linking Pier Rampart, Unclassified No. 1067,

and Byrnes Rampart, Unclassified No. 1068.

■ The Palms, Unclassified No. 1149, Derrymacash.

■ Cullion Road, Unclassified No. 5200, Desertmartin, from its junction with Drumard Road,

Unclassified No. 5204, to its junction with Iniscarn Road, Route C555.

■ Drumard Road, Unclassified No. 5204, Desertmartin, from its junction with Cahore Road,

Unclassified No. 5206, to its junction with Cullion Road, Unclassified No. 5200.

■ Altmore Drive, Unclassified No. 7516, Dungannon, from its junction with Carland Road, Route A29,

to its junction with Oaks Road, Route A45.

■ Teeavan Road, Unclassified No. 2404, Dungiven, from its junction with Glenshane Road, Route A6,

to its junction with Teeavan Road, Unclassified No. 2403.

■ Turmeel Road, Unclassified No. 2403, Dungiven.

■ Dickeystown Road, Unclassified No. 4009, Glenarm, from its junction with Drumnagreagh Road,

Route B148, to its junction with Feystown Road, Unclassified No. 4010.

■ Carnduff Road, Unclassified No. 4050, Glynn, Larne, from its junction with Carrickfergus Road,

Route C74, to its junction with Browndod Road, Route C73.

■ Glenburn Road, Unclassified No. 4049, Glynn, Larne, from its junction with Shore Road, Route A2,

to its junction with Carrickfergus Road, Route C74.

WA 612

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

■ Ballyfore Road, Unclassified No. 4045, Larne, from its junction with Ballyvallagh Road,

Unclassified No. 4044, to its junction with Ballyrickard Road, Route B100.

■ Casement’s Brae, Larne.

■ Lodge Road, Larne.

■ Corran Road, Unclassified No. 8112, Markethill.

■ Inisclan Road, Unclassified No. 1253, Mountfield, County Tyrone, from its southern junction with

Lenagh Road, Route C612D, to a point 225 metres north-east of that junction.

■ Boghill Road, Unclassified No. 1104, Newtownabbey, from its junction with Lylehill Road, Route

C27, to its junction with Flush Road, Unclassified No. 1104.

■ Cavankill Road, Unclassified No. 5172, Newtownhamilton.

■ Cold Brae Road, Unclassified No. 5123, Newtownhamilton.

■ Elders Road, Unclassified No. 5178, Newtownhamilton.

■ Macullaghs Road, Unclassified No. 5173, Newtownhamilton.

■ School Road, Unclassified No. 5096, Newtownhamilton.

■ Viewpoint Road, Newtownhamilton.

■ Largybeg Road, Route C679D, Newtownstewart, from its junction with Drumlegagh Church Road,

Route C680, to its junction with Letterbin Road, Route C680B.

■ Strahulter Road, Unclassified No. 1910, Newtownstewart, from its junction with Killymore Road,

Route B46, to its junction with Strahulter Road, Route C613.

■ Arleston Road, Unclassified No. 1701, Omagh.

■ Glencam Road, Unclassified No. 1269, Omagh, from its junction with Gortin Road, Route B48, to

its junction with Killybrack Road, Unclassified No. 1269.

■ Clonavon Avenue, Portadown.

■ Ballylurgan Road, Unclassified No. 1044, Randalstown.

■ Ballylurgan Road, Unclassified No. 1050, Randalstown, from its junction with Connaught Road,

Unclassified No. 1043, to its junction with Craigstown Road, Route B53.

■ Greenan Road, Unclassified No. 1037, Randalstown, from its junction with Moneynick Road, Route

A6, to its junction with Derrygowan Road, Route C52.

■ Knockroe Road, Unclassified No. 209, Sion Mills, County Tyrone, from its junction with Melmount

Road, Route A5, to its junction with Orchard Road, Route C677.

■ Aughnabrack Road, Unclassified No. 1104, Templepatrick, from its junction with Lylehill Road,

Route C27, to its junction with Flush Road, Unclassified No. 1104.

■ Cloughanduff Road, Unclassified No. 1100, Templepatrick, from its junction with Antrim Road,

Route A6, to its junction with Old Coach Road, Route B95.

■ Flush Road, Unclassified No. 1104, Templepatrick, from its junction with Boghill Road,

Unclassified No. 1104, to its junction with Ballyutoag Road, Route A52.

■ Brecart Road, Unclassified No. 1005, Toomebridge.

■ Creagh Road, Unclassified No. 5107, Toomebridge, from its junction with Blackpark Road,

Unclassified No. 5106, to its junction with Castledawson By-Pass, Route A6.

■ Crockroe Road, Unclassified No. 1647, Trillick, County Tyrone.

■ Coolkill Road, Route B210, Tynan, County Armagh.

■ Mound Road, Unclassified No. 6196, Warrenpoint.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 613

■ Rawbrae Road, Unclassified No. 3014, Whitehead.

■ Moneycarrie Road, Route C543, Coleraine, from its junction with Mullaghinch Road, Route B207,

to its junction with Ballygawley Road, Route B188.

■ Ardreagh Road, Unclassified No. 361, Coleraine, from its junction with Greenhill Road, Route B66,

to its junction with Drumcroon Road, Route A29.

■ Ballymacrea Road, Unclassified No. 36, Portrush, from its junction with Ballybogey Road, Route

B62, to a point 1300 metres south-west of that junction.

■ Corbally Road, Route C96, Portrush, from its junction with Gateside Road, Route C93, to its

junction with Ballyholme Road, Route C96.

■ Grove Road, Route C545, Garvagh, from its junction with Carhill Road, Route A29, to its junction

with Kurin Road, Route C545.

■ Grove Road, Unclassified No. 378, Garvagh from its junction with Kurin Road, Route C545, to its

junction with Edenbane Road, Route B64.

■ Killeague Road, Route C539, Coleraine, from its junction with Cashel Road, Route B186 to its

junction with Kinnyglass Road, Unclassified No. 338.

■ Macleary Road, Unclassified No. 338, Coleraine, from its junction with Cashel Road, Route B186,

to its junction with Killure Road, Unclassified No. 338.

■ Killure Road, Unclassified No. 338, Coleraine, from its junction with Killeague Road, Route C539,

to its junction with Drumcroon Road, Route A29.

■ Dawson Street, Unclassified No. 7008, Armagh, from its junction with Edward Street, to its

junction with Abbey Street, while travelling in a southerly direction.

■ Dawson Street, Unclassified No. 7008, Armagh, from its junction with Edward Street, to its

junction with Cathedral Road, while travelling in a northerly direction.

■ Clooney Road, Route C558, Tobermore.

■ Ballyheather Road, Route C602, Strabane, from its junction with Moyagh Road, Unclassified No.

1819, to its junction with Ballyheather Road, Route C602.

■ Split Bog Road, Unclassified No. 4277, Moneyslane, from a point approximately 600 metres

south-east of its junction with Closkelt Road, Unclassified No. 4276, to its junction with

Moneyslane Road, Route B7.

■ Island Road, Unclassified No. 82, Shankbridge, Ballymena.

■ Tullynamullan Road, Unclassified No. 83, Shankbridge, Ballymena, from its junction with Maine

Road, Route C48, to a point approximately 1,275 metres south-east of that junction.

■ Bachelors Walk, Portadown.

■ Pinehill Road, Unclassified No. 109, Ballymoney.

■ Lisboy Road, Unclassified No. 110, Ballymoney, from its junction with Knockahollet Road, Route

C86 to its junction with Kilraughts Road, Route B16.

■ Loughabin Road, Unclassified No. 111, Ballymoney, from its junction with Knockahollet Road,

Route C86, to its junction with Gortstagherty Road, Route C90.

■ Old Frosses Road, Unclassified No. 173, Cloughmills and Dowgry Road, Route C60, Cloughmills.

■ Canal Street, Route A27, Newry, and that part of Armagh Road, Route A27, Newry, between its

junction with Barrack Street, and a point approximately 10 metres northwest of its junction with

Plunkett Street.

■ Beechmount Park, Unclassified Nos. 6293-16 and 6293-17, Newry.

■ Elmwood Park, Unclassified No. 6293-14, Newry.

WA 614

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

■ Upper Damolly Road, Unclassified No. 6293-04, Newry, from its junction with

■ Ashgrove Avenue, to its junction with Rathfriland Road.

■ Millbay Road, Route B90, Islandmagee, County Antrim.

■ McRory’s Road, Unclassified No. 5071, Newtownhamilton.

■ Manooney Road, Unclassified No. 8733, Killylea, County Armagh.

■ Ballynahone Road, Route C557, Magherafelt, and Killyboggin Road, Unclassified No. 5172,

Magherafelt, from its junction with Desertmartin Road, Route A29 to its junction with Lisalbanagh

Road, Unclassified No. 5171.

■ Killynamph Road, Unclassified No. 9446, Lisnaskea.

■ Carn Road, Unclassified No. 127, Nutts Corner, Crumlin, from its junction with Belfast Road, Route

A52, to its junction with Seven Mile Straight, Route B39.

■ Umgall Road, Unclassified No. 104, Nutts Corner, Crumlin.

■ Lisnabilla Road, Route C8, Moira.

■ Killynamph Road, Unclassified No. 9446, Lisnaskea.

■ Kensington Park, Unclassified No. 7027, Lisburn, County Antrim.

■ Friary Road, Newtownhamilton, Route C204, from its junction with Clady Road, Route C204, to a

point approximately 2392 metres south of that junction.

■ Drennan’s Road, Route C25, Crumlin.

■ Davagh Road, Unclassified No. 1236, Greencastle, County Tyrone.

■ Craigahulliar Road, Unclassified No. 306, Portrush and Craigahulliar Road, Unclassified No. 36,

Portrush.

■ Corramore Road, Unclassified No. 1974, Plumbridge, County Tyrone.

■ Shinny Road, Unclassified No. U337, Coleraine, from its junction with Cashel Road, Route B186 to

its junction with Cam Road and Letterloan Road Route C540.

■ Ballinteer Road, Unclassified No. 336, Coleraine, from its junction with Farranseer Park

Macosquin, to its junction with Windyhill Road, Route B201.

■ Ballystrone Road, Unclassified No. 326, Coleraine.

■ Isle Road, Unclassified No. 325, Coleraine.

■ Ringrash Road, Route C534, Coleraine, from its junction with Ramsey Park Macosquin, to its

junction with Windyhill Road, B201.

■ Cullyrammer Road, Unclassified No. 368, Kilrea, from its junction with Mullaghinch Road, Route

B188, to a point approximately 650 metres north of its junction with Killyvally Road, Unclassified

No. 369.

■ Cam Road, Unclassified No. 127, Nutts Corner, Crumlin, from its junction with Belfast Road, Route

A52, to its junction with Seven Mile Straight, Route B39.

■ Umgall Road, Unclassified No. 104, Nutts Corner, Crumlin.

■ British Road, Aldergrove, Crumlin, County Antrim, from its junction with Dungonnell Road, for a

distance of approximately 2,500 metres in an easterly direction.

■ Bog Road, Unclassified No. 5412, Forkhill, between its junction with Sheen Road, Route C224,

and a point approximately 1,050 metres north of that junction.

■ Barnaghs Road, Unclassified No. 1725, Carrickmore, County Tyrone, between its junction with

Gleneeny Road, Unclassified No. 1725, and its junction with Reclain Road, Unclassified No. 903.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 615

■ The north-western carriageway of Bridge Street, Banbridge, from its junction with Scarva Street, to

a point 96 metres north-east of that junction.

■ The south-eastern carriageway of Bridge Street, Banbridge, from a point 99 metres north-east of

its junction with Rathfriland Street, to that junction.

■ The north-western carriageway of Newry Street, Banbridge, from a point 75 metres south-west of

its junction with Scarva Street, to that junction.

■ The south-eastern carriageway of Newry Street, Banbridge, from its junction with Rathfriland

Street, to a point 72 metres south-west of that junction.

■ Ballydonaghy Road, Route C20, Crumlin, from its junction with Moira Road, Route A26, to its

junction with Dundrod Road, Route B101.

■ Ballycowan Road, Unclassified No. 2079, Ballymena from its junction with Lisnevenagh Road,

Route A26, to its junction with Liminary Road, Route C46.

16.5 Tonnes Maximum Gross Weight

■ Rallagh Road, Unclassified No. 2401, Dungiven.

■ Teeavan Road, Unclassified No. 2403, Dungiven, from its junction with Magheramore Road, Route

C523, to its junction with Teevan Road, Unclassified No. 2404.

■ Printshop Road, Nutts Corner, Crumlin, County Antrim.

■ Long Rig Road, Route C26, Nutts Corner, Crumlin.

Roads Service similarly prohibits or restricts use of vehicles on certain road bridges. This is done

by means of signs where Roads Service it is satisfied that the bridge is insufficient to bear vehicles

exceeding certain weight limits.

The location of the bridges is provided by Council area and the bridge structure name in the table

below. Details of the weight restriction in place are also provided for each bridge.

Council Area

Bridge/Structure

Name Location

Weight Restricted

Tonnes

Ballymena Council Ballycowan Ballycowan, Ballymena. 7.50

Legagrane Skerry East Road,

Ballymena.

2.50

Magherafelt Council Newbridge Old Airfield Road. 7.50

No Name Bridge Street. 18.00

Antrim Council Tavnaghmore Chapeltown Road,

Kells.

5.00

Coleraine Council Glasgort Glasgort Road,

Ballymoney.

7.50

Londonderry Council The Crooked Bridge Barnes Road. 3.00

Kilgort Gortscreagan Road. 3.00

Limavady Council Owenbeg 2 Foreglen Road. 7.50

Largy Dog Leap Road. 2.00

Moyle Council Armoy Church Road 2.00

East Torr 1 Farranmacallan Road 3.00

WA 616

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Council Area

Bridge/Structure

Name Location

Weight Restricted

Tonnes

Craigavon Council Fishponds Bridge Tamnamore Road,

Dungannon

18.00

Douglas Bridge Cullnagrew Road,

Dungannon.

7.50

Featherbed Rd., Br. Featherbed Road,

Derryhirk, Aghagallon.

17.00

Armagh Council Metal Bridge Porthill Road, Mowhan

Armagh.

3.00

Fergy’s Bridge Cusher-Gosford

Road, Derryeughan

Markethill.

7.50

Mill Race Br. Ballynagallagh Road,

Tassagh

3.00

Ballynagallagh Rd. Br. Ballynagallagh Road,

Tassagh

3.00

Kilmacanty Rd. Br. Kilmacanty Rd., Br.,

Kilmore, Loughgall

3.00

B’macawley-Foley Rd.

Br.

Ballymacawley-Foley

Road, Tullynagin.

3.00

Newry & Mourne

Council

Skerriff’s Br. Skerriff Road,

Cullyhanna.

3.00

Kilnasaggart Rd. Br. Kilnasaggart Road,

Jonesborough.

3.00

Belfast City Council Summerhill Ave Summerhill Avenue. 17.00

Kings Bridge Sunnyside Street 7.50

Ladas Way/Loop River Ladas Way 17.00

Knockvale Grove Knockvale Grove. 17.00

Omagh Council King James Bridge Irishtown Road,

Omagh.

7.50

Strabane Council Newtownstewart Br. 7.50

Mullyfabeg Bridge Tullycar Road,

Castlederg.

7.50

Abercorn Bridge 3.00

Fermanagh Council Rosscor Viaduct 7.50

Dungannon Council Oona Bridge Drumflugh Road,

Benburb.

7.50

Bonds Bridge 7.50

Down Council Kilmore Bridge Kilmore Road, Kilmore. 10.00

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 617

Hillsborough: Road Signs

Mrs Hale asked the Minister for Regional Development what consideration his Department has given to

introducing road signs demarcating Hillsborough village as a conservation area.

(AQW 9089/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department’s Roads Service and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board have developed

a protocol for tourist signing. While this protocol does not specifically identify Conservation Areas for

additional signing, it does facilitate the erection of town and village nameplate signing, with the local

Council taking a prominent/lead role in seeking such signage.

Roads Service has no record of having been asked to provide such signing for Hillsborough and has,

therefore, not given the matter any consideration.

Water Leakage

Mr Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development what action his Department is taking, in

conjunction with NI Water, to tackle water leakage.

(AQO 1493/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: The current priorities for water are set out in Social and Environmental Guidance. The

Guidance was agreed by the Executive in April 2010. The key aim on leakage is for Northern Ireland

Water (NI Water) to achieve the ‘Economic Level of Leakage’. This is the level at which it would cost

more to reduce leaks than to produce additional water. The economic level is the recognised industry

standard throughout the United Kingdom.

NI Water has achieved significant reductions in the level of leakage in recent years through leakage

management, upgrading water infrastructure and targeting resources to detect and repair leaks. NI

Water is currently on course to meet the 2011/12 target of 171 megalitres per day as set by the Utility

Regulator. It aims to further reduce leakage to a level of 168 megalitres per day by the end of March 2013.

The Executive is providing over £600 million for investment during the Budget period to enable NIW to

reduce leakage and make other improvements to our infrastructure.

Alleys and Pathways

Ms Lo asked the Minister for Regional Development what action his Department is taking to resolve

the problem of unadopted alleys and pathways.

(AQO 1491/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the adoption of a private street,

including a pathway or alley, is governed by Article 9 of the Private Streets (NI) Order 1980.

Under the Order, a street may be considered for adoption where:

■ the majority of the owners and/or frontagers so request it;

■ the Department is of the opinion that the street, or part of the street, should become a public

road; and

■ the street is first brought up to the required standard at the expense of the owners and/or

frontagers.

The Member will appreciate that there are a large number of unadopted roads and private pathways in

Northern Ireland and to agree to bring a particular unadopted pathway up to adoption standards would

set an unacceptable precedent.

WA 618

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Road Safety: Cyclists

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister for Regional Development what discussions he has had with the

Minister of the Environment regarding road safety for cyclists.

(AQO 1499/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: I have met with Minister Attwood on two occasions. In our meeting on 17 August 2011 we

discussed speed limits and the road safety strategy. Our meeting on 15 December 2011 was held as

part of the Ministerial Road Safety Group.

The specific issue of road safety for cyclists was not discussed at these meetings. The focus was more

on the protection of all vulnerable road users including pedestrians, children, the elderly and, of course,

cyclists.

One of the results of the meetings is that my officials are co-operating with DOE officials in preparing a

publication to provide advice on safe cycling.

Northern Ireland Water: Governance and Accountability

Mr Givan asked the Minister for Regional Development for his assessment of the governance and

accountability mechanism between his Department and Northern Ireland Water.

(AQO 1500/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: Northern Ireland Water was established to be a regulated utility company operating

at arms length from government control. DRD is the sole shareholder in the company. However, the

continued majority government funding of NI Water has resulted in the reclassification of NI Water as

an NDPB for public expenditure purposes.

This has led to complex and overlapping governance arrangements. Following recommendations by the

Public Accounts Committee (PAC), my Department is taking forward the development of a Management

Statement/Financial Memorandum in conjunction with DFP and I am considering the options for wider

governance changes.

Public Transport: Investment

Mr Lyttle asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps he will take to rebalance investment

by his Department on public transport.

(AQO 1501/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: I am continually reviewing how to prioritise investment across my Department and indeed,

recently allocated an additional £22 million to Translink from the roads budget to fund phase one of the

Londonderry to Coleraine railway relay.

The strategy for the development of the transport system in Northern Ireland is framed in the Regional

Development Strategy and developed in the Regional Transport Strategy. The current Transport

strategy has been reviewed and a new approach is proposed. At its core is a move towards greater

sustainability which will contribute positively to growing the economy while improving the quality of life

for all and reducing the transport impacts on the economy.

There has been major investment in projects aimed at improving the railways network in Northern

Ireland over the past few years and that has helped rebalance investment in public transport. Some key

infrastructure projects are currently being taken forward by my Department including some £150 million

which is being invested in the New Trains Programme and £47 million on the first two phases of the

Londonderry to Coleraine railway track upgrade.

In considering an effective balance between roads investment and investment in other forms of

transport I think it is important to recognise that the vast majority of public transport users avail of the

bus services travelling via the roads network. In this context investment in roads benefits many users

of public transport.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 619

I will continue to review my Department’s investment priorities to ensure that resources are used most

effectively in delivering the services for which we are responsible.

Flags Protocol

Mr Dickson asked the Minister for Regional Development for his assessment of the current flags

protocol.

(AQO 1502/11-15)

Mr Kennedy: My Department does not approve of, or support, the unauthorised use of departmental

property for any purpose, however, as the Member will appreciate, the removal of sectarian motivated

signs and emblems, including flags, is a matter that needs to be treated with sensitivity. The

Department also has to take into account the safety of those who are asked to undertake the removal.

The risk of escalating the problem also needs to be taken into consideration.

The Department has signed up to the multi-agency Protocol on the Display of Flags in Public Areas,

which was introduced in April 2005. Under the Protocol, my Department’s Roads Service will, when

called upon by the lead Agency, provide the access equipment and resources to assist in the removal

of unwanted flags, once agreement has been reached with the local community.

Unauthorised memorials on the property of the Department’s arms- length bodies are matters for the

Boards of those organisations, bearing in mind their responsibilities for safety and statutory obligations

to promote good relations between people of different religious beliefs or political persuasions.

While the current protocol has been helpful, I welcome its review, which is being led by OFMDFM and is

currently ongoing. Roads Service will, of course, be participating in the review.

Department for Social Development

Postage and Printing Costs

Mr McKay asked the Minister for Social Development whether his Department, and its arm’s-length

bodies, give elected representatives the choice of receiving reports and all other correspondence by

email to minimise postage and printing costs.

(AQW 8427/11-15)

Mr McCausland (The Minister for Social Development): My Department will provide electronic

responses to correspondence from Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) when requested by

them to do so. MLAs are normally advised of the publication of reports by my Department and its arm’s-

length bodies by means of a letter of notification which will allow them to access the publication on the

relevant website. Communication in relation to Ministerial Statements is carried out in accordance with

the requirements of Assembly Standing Orders which require written copies of oral Statements to be

made available to each MLA.

Solid Fuel and Economy 7 Heating

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to AQW 7584/11-15, to detail the

specific plans each Housing Association has to replace Economy 7 and solid fuel heating systems.

(AQW 8555/11-15)

Mr McCausland: My department does not routinely collect this information and I understand that

Housing Associations’ plans to replace Economy 7 and solid fuel heating systems vary. However, the

table below details the information that each Housing Association has provided to my department in

relation to replacing their existing systems.

WA 620

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

ALPHA Alpha Housing Association currently has 409 units with Economy 7 and

has no Solid Fuel heating systems. Most stock comprises sheltered

apartments and until a gas supply is made available, Economy 7 will

remain the most suitable heating. However, they aim to convert 57 units to

gas in 2012/13.

APEX Apex Housing Association currently has 88 units with Economy 7. They aim

to complete conversions to gas, where it is available, over the next two

financial years - 50 units in 2012 and 28 units in 2013. The remaining 10

units in Fermanagh are in a privately owned scheme leased by Apex and

the owner has no immediate plans to change heating though Apex are in

ongoing discussions with the owner.

ARK Ark Housing Association currently has no units with Solid Fuel heating.

They currently have 84 units with Economy 7 within two sheltered schemes

and a family centre. While they have no immediate plans to replace

Economy 7 in the sheltered schemes, they aim to replace Economy 7 to

gas in the Family Homeless Scheme when funding becomes available.

FILOR Filor Housing Association currently has 44 units with Economy 7 and

has no Solid Fuel heating systems. They plan to convert six Economy 7

systems to gas in 2012/13.

FLAX Flax Housing Association currently has 38 units with Economy 7 and has

no Solid Fuel heating systems. It aims to upgrade all to gas, where it is

available, by end of March 2012

FOLD Fold Housing currently has 266 units with Economy 7 and six with Solid

Fuel Heating systems. It aims to convert Economy 7 to gas, where it is

available, as follows: 46 units in 2012/13; 49 units in 2013/14; 45

units in 2014/15; 59 units in 2015/16 and 67 units in 2016/17. The six

Solid Fuel heating systems will be replaced by gas, where it is available, in

2012/13.

GOSFORD Gosford Housing Association currently has 45 units with Economy 7 and

has no Solid Fuel heating systems. The Association has no plans to

replace these heating systems in next two years but has undertaken to

review their position after that time.

GROVE Grove Housing Association has only one unit with Economy 7 which cannot

be replaced as the tenant refuses the upgrade. They have no Solid Fuel

heating systems.

HABINTEG Habinteg Housing Association currently has 105 units with Economy

7 heating. They have no Solid Fuel heating systems. A detailed Stock

Condition Survey has been carried out by independent assessors in 2010.

All planned maintenance work, including any upgrade to insulation and/

or any replacement of heating systems will be carried out in accordance

with the recommendations of this extensive survey and according to its

schedule of works/Planned maintenance programme.

HARMONY HOMES Harmony Homes has 62 units with solid fuel heating and plans to carry

out conversions within the Association’s “3 Streets Project”, commencing

March 2012 and lasting 2.5 years. They have 105 units with Economy 7

heating, nine of which will be changed to gas during this contract. Their

remaining 96 units with Economy 7 are contained in three sheltered

schemes and they have no plans to replace this.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 621

HELM Helm Housing currently has 18 Solid Fuel systems which have not been

replaced because their tenants refuse upgrades. Of the 1,216 units with

Economy 7, Helm aims to replace 100 of these with gas in 2012/13 under

Cosy Homes Scheme and will continue with this programme, subject to the

availability of funding.

OAKLEE Oaklee Homes Group has 1,124 units with Economy 7 heating and 10

with Solid Fuel. Their current life cycle renewal is set out in their planned

maintenance system at 25 years – making the last conversion planned for

2024. However, following a recent recommendation that Oaklee carry out

an analysis of Economy 7, a paper has gone to the Association’s Board to

consider bringing forward planned conversions to 2020 (154 conversion

per annum.)

OPEN DOOR Open Door Housing Association currently has 39 units, none of which

are Solid Fuel. It has one unit with Economy 7, but the tenant refuses

upgrade. The remain 38 units are in a new build scheme which is only 10

years old and the heating system is due to be replaced within the next few

years. However, as no gas supply is available, the Association is currently

exploring energy efficient alternatives.

SHAC SHAC currently has 267 tenancies with Economy 7 heating and 17 with

Solid Fuel. As part of the Oaklee Homes Group, it is included in the paper

sent to the Association’s Board to consider accelerating the planned

conversion programme.

SOUTH ULSTER South Ulster Housing Association has 148 properties with Economy 7

heating and no solid fuel heating systems. They have no plans to replace

Economy 7 heating systems as they are in apartment blocks.

TRIANGLE Triangle Housing Association has no units with solid fuel. They have 59

units with Economy 7 heating and aims to replace these with mainly gas at

the end of their lifespan.

TRINITY Trinity Housing Association currently has 33 units with Economy 7 and no

Solid Fuel heating systems. It aims to upgrade 12 of these units to gas,

where it is available, in 2012/13. The Association advises that it has

a number of elderly tenants who refuse upgrades to alternative heating

systems.

ULIDIA Ulidia Housing Association currently has 24 units with Economy 7. It has

no plans to upgrade these as 22 are not on the gas network or there is

insufficient space to accommodate an oil tank. The remaining two units

with Economy 7 cannot be upgraded as their tenants refuse upgrade.

WESLEY Wesley Housing Association currently has 87 units with Economy 7. It aims

to upgrade all of these units between 2016/19 to gas.

Disability Living Allowance

Mr Copeland asked the Minister for Social Development how many people are in receipt of Disability

Living Allowance because of (i) alcohol addiction; and (ii) drug addiction.

(AQW 8581/11-15)

Mr McCausland: Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance is based on an assessment of how much

help someone needs with personal care and/or mobility needs because of their disability. Drug or

alcohol dependency does not therefore confer entitlement to Disability Living Allowance.

WA 622

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

My Department previously reported on the primary disabling conditions for Disability Living Allowance

recipients. Following a review and a consultation process on a revised set of reports on Disability Living

Allowance, my department ceased publishing this information in February 2011. The last report is

available at www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/publications/dla.htm.

1 TheinformationprovidedisanOfcialStatistic.TheProductionanddisseminationofallsuchStatisticsis

governedbythePrinciplesandProtocolsoftheCodeofPracticeforOfcialStatistics.Thisisenforcedby

UK Statistics Authority

Ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions

Ms Ritchie asked the Minister for Social Development when he is next due to meet Ministers in the

Department for Work and Pensions; and what items will be for discussion.

(AQW 8594/11-15)

Mr McCausland: I am meeting Lord Freud, the Department for Work and Pensions Minister for Welfare

Reform, in London on 13 March 2012. At that meeting we will be discussing a range of Welfare Reform

issues including passported benefits and potential flexibilities within Welfare Reform as well as

Department for Work and Pensions jobs in Belfast.

Board of the Housing Executive

Ms Ritchie asked the Minister for Social Development how many times he has met with the Board of

the Housing Executive since coming into office.

(AQW 8596/11-15)

Mr McCausland: Whilst I have met the Chairman and other individual members of the Board at various

meetings, I have formally met the Board of the Housing Executive once on the 29 February 2012.

Board of the Housing Executive

Ms Ritchie asked the Minister for Social Development when he last met with the Board of the Housing

Executive; and what subjects were discussed.

(AQW 8597/11-15)

Mr McCausland: I last met with the Board of the Housing Executive on 29 February 2012 to discuss

the fundamental review of the Housing Executive and my housing priorities.

Employment and Support Allowance

Ms Boyle asked the Minister for Social Development how many people are currently receiving the

appeal rate of the Employment and Support Allowance, broken down by district council area.

(AQW 8600/11-15)

Mr McCausland: As Employment and Support Allowance does not have an appeal rate, the information

requested is not available.

People Classified as Homeless

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many people are currently classified as

homeless, broken down by (i) constituency; and (ii) council area.

(AQW 8603/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The information is not available in the format requested as the Housing Executive

does not routinely collate information by Parliamentary Constituency. The table below gives details of

those accepted as statutorily homeless (Full Duty Applicant) by Council area at 31 March 2011, which

are the most recent figures available.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 623

Council Area Accepted as homeless (Full Duty applicant)

Antrim Borough Council 388

Ards Borough Council 455

Armagh City and District Council 122

Ballymena Borough Council 498

Ballymoney Borough Council 102

Banbridge District Council 145

Belfast City Council 2766

Carrickfergus Borough Council 260

Castlereagh Borough Council 434

Coleraine Borough Council 347

Cookstown District Council 85

Craigavon Borough Council 307

Derry City Council 932

Down District Council 299

Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council 322

Fermanagh District Council 159

Larne Borough Council 128

Limavady Borough Council 130

Lisburn City Council 862

Magherafelt District Council 121

Moyle District Council 100

Newry& Mourne District Council 324

Newtownabbey Borough Council 556

North Down Borough Council 425

Omagh District Council 92

Strabane District Council 84

Total 10443

The Information provided is an Official Statistic. The Production and dissemination of all such Statistics

is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is

enforced by UK Statistics Authority.

Housing Executive: Vandalism

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how much the Housing Executive has spent, as a

result of vandalism, in the North Down area in each of the last three years.

(AQW 8605/11-15)

WA 624

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Mr McCausland: The figures below detail the total spend by the Housing Executive as a result of

vandalism in the Housing Executive’s Bangor District Office area in each of the last three years: -

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

£20,634 £44,532 £12,024

The Information provided is an Official Statistic. The Production and dissemination of all such Statistics

is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is

enforced by UK Statistics Authority.

Decent Homes Standard

Mr Eastwood asked the Minister for Social Development what plans the Housing Executive and

Housing Associations have to insulate all their properties to the Decent Homes Standard.

(AQW 8614/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The Housing Executive implemented a major programme to install cavity wall

insulation in the mid to late 1980s. The 2009 House Condition Survey indicated that only 5.2% of

Housing Executive dwellings had no wall insulation. These are largely non-traditional property types

which do not have cavity walls, for which the Housing Executive is considering alternative means of wall

insulation. With regards to loft insulation the 2009 House Condition Survey indicated that only 1.2%

of Housing Executive stock had no loft insulation and they have been installing and upgrading this

through External Cyclical maintenance and heating schemes. In terms of improving thermal efficiency,

the Housing Executive also estimates that approximately 50% of its stock has some degree of double

glazing and they are currently working to identify those properties which still require double glazing.

Once this information is available, as required in the draft Programme for Government, by March 2012,

it will prepare a programme for the installation of glazing to all Housing Executive homes by the end of

2015. In addition, the Housing Executive currently installs double glazing both as part of its planned

External Cyclic Maintenance programme and as part of a dedicated programme for such work. Extra

funding secured through the Monitoring Round has enabled an increase in this activity.

The majority of Housing Associations have advised me that most of their properties already meet

the Decent Homes Standard. They intend that any remaining properties will have upgraded insulation

installed to the Decent Homes Standard as part of maintenance programmes or at times of change of

tenancy, subject to the availability of funding.

Shared Accommodation Rate for Housing Benefit

Ms Lo asked the Minister for Social Development, in light of the changes to the shared accommodation

rate for Housing Benefit, what measures are being considered to mitigate the difficulties that may be

faced by those in receipt of the benefit.

(AQW 8687/11-15)

Mr McCausland: There have been a number of measures that have been put in place to mitigate

the effect of the recent legislation relating to the extension of the age limit from 25 to 35 within the

Housing Benefit scheme for the Shared Accommodation Rate for private rented sector tenants. These

include:-

■ From 16 November, providing early advice to all those affected on the potential impact on their

Housing Benefit so they can make informed decisions about their accommodation needs;

■ Ensuring that changes will be implemented on a rolling basis when an individual’s claim comes

forward for renewal. This provides transitional protection from the effect of the change for some

existing claimants for periods ranging up to December 2012;

■ Exemptions from the legislation for certain vulnerable groups;

■ An increase in the fund available for Discretionary Housing Payments from £1.7m to £3.4m to

assist claimants in meeting the reduction to their existing awards.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 625

As regards future actions, I have written to the Housing Executive to ask them to consider what further

Housing Services might be developed for those affected, including the implications for the Social

Rented Sector. I have also commissioned research to gain a further insight into the impact of the

changes. This research is due to report in June 2012.

I have also been advised by NIHE that they estimate there are upwards of 30,000 bedspaces available

for persons who are prepared to live in shared accommodation in the private rented sector.

Village Area of South Belfast

Ms Lo asked the Minister for Social Development what action has been taken to address the problems

that have occurred in the Village area of South Belfast, as a result of the significant number of derelict

properties awaiting demolition.

(AQW 8688/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The Housing Executive has already demolished 178 properties within the Village Area

of South Belfast and is currently involved in further demolitions within the Monarch Area (Phase 2)

which will continue until the end of March. Other demolition will be progressed in the main Village Re-

Development Area and is expected to continue for a number of months. In the meantime, all remaining

vacant properties have been secured and are re-secured immediately if vandalised or broken into.

I recognise that during this time of change for the area, there have been many problems specifically for

those remaining residents still living there. I understand there have been over 50 cases forwarded for

prosecutions for theft from empty properties thanks to the vigilance of the local community, Housing

Executive and local PSNI working together.

The Housing Executive has a dedicated Neighbourhood Officer who carries out daily inspections of

the area to ascertain if there has been any vandalism, theft etc. This has been supplemented by the

provision a community based officer who will inspect the area on weekends and holiday periods through

the provision of a Community Service Agreement with the Greater Village Regeneration Trust.

A Housing Officer is also available on a daily basis to answer any queries relating to the redevelopment

of the area and a Housing Executive sub-office operates on a Wednesday afternoon.

Fuel Allowance

Mr Dunne asked the Minister for Social Development how many people in the North Down area will

receive the one-off fuel allowance payment this year.

(AQW 8731/11-15)

Mr McCausland: All customers who were in receipt of Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseekers

Allowance Income Based or Employment Support Allowance Income Related during the qualifying week

from 12 to18 December 2011 are entitled to receive the one-off Fuel Allowance Payment. To date my

Department has identified 7,136 people in North Down area who meet the required eligibility criteria.

In some cases, additional information may still be required before a decision can be made on the

eligibility of a claim to a qualifying benefit. Payment of the one-off Fuel Allowance Payment to qualifying

customers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.

Housing Executive: Temporary Accommodation

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development how much the Housing Executive has paid to

private landlords for providing temporary accommodation in the Derry district office area in each of the

last three years.

(AQW 8743/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The table below details the number of private landlord properties used by the Housing

Executive in its Collon Terrace, Waterloo Place and Waterside District Office areas as follows: -

WA 626

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Year Number of properties *Approximate cost per year

2009/10 140 £957,320

2010/11 171 £1,169,272

2011/12 to date 210 £1,435,980

* The Housing Executive has advised that, given the transient nature of this group, these costs are

approximateasnotallpropertiesareoccupiedatalltimesandnotalltenantsareonfullhousingbenet.

Inaddition,theguresarebasedonanaveragerentof£131.50perweekperproperty.

The Information provided is an Official Statistic. The Production and dissemination of all such Statistics

is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is

enforced by UK Statistics Authority.

Housing Executive: Temporary Accommodation

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development how many private properties in the Foyle area

are currently being used as temporary accommodation by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 8744/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The Housing Executive currently uses 210 private landlord properties in its Collon

Terrace, Waterloo Place and Waterside district office areas as temporary accommodation.

Economically Inactive Long-Term Sick People

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) what research has been carried

out on the number of economically inactive long-term sick people; (ii) the number of economically

inactive long-term sick people, broken down by illness; and (iii) how much long-term sickness costs his

Department each year.

(AQW 8748/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The definition of economic inactivity (as defined within the UK Statistics Authority

Publication Hub) is as follows: “Economically inactive people are not in work and do not meet the

internationally agreed definition of unemployment. They are people without a job who have not actively

sought work in the last four weeks and/or are not available to start work in the next two weeks”.

(i) My Department has conducted specific research on economically inactive long-term sick people

claiming social security benefits, this research and statistical analysis, in relation to claimants of

Incapacity Benefit and/or Employment Support Allowance, is listed below:

■ The production of quarterly National Statistics Publications which provides detailed analysis of

both Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance customers http://www.dsdni.gov.

uk/index/stats_and_research/benefit_publications.htm ;

■ An analysis of the Employment and Support Allowance customer activity at each stage of the

Employment and Support Allowance journey;

■ Customer Satisfaction Survey for IB Re-Assessment Customers who have used the Customer

Support and Advise Team (CAST) during the Re-Assessment process; and

■ The Department has recently published a draft Equality Impact Assessment on the Welfare

Reform (NI) Bill (2)

http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/consultations/archived-consultations/archived-consultations-2009/

consultations-equality-impact-assessment-on.htm

(ii) The information requested is not available as there is no current reliable data source that can be

used to accurately estimate numbers of economically inactive long-term sick people.

(iii) The Social Security Agency administers the following benefits in respect of long term sickness:

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 627

■ Incapacity Benefit

■ Income Support (Long Term Sick)

■ Severe Disablement Allowance

Expenditure on the above benefits for the last three financial years is included below.

Benefit

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

£’000 £’000 £’000

Incapacity Benefit 336,590* 321,401 298,760

Income Support (Long Term Sick) 298,313 305,463 292,588

Severe Disablement Allowance 40,815 42,265 41,214

* IncapacityBenetforthe2008/09nancialyearwasnotpaidexclusivelyinrespectoflongtermsickness.

The table below includes expenditure for those social security benefits that may also be paid in

respect of, but not exclusively for, long term sickness. This table also includes expenditure for Carer’s

Allowance which is paid under qualifying conditions to an individual who cares for someone who is ill or

has a disability.

Benefit

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

£’000 £’000 £’000

Disability Living Allowance 679,452 728,373 753,456

Industrial Injuries Benefit 27,622 28,726 28,653

Employment Support Allowance 4,641 52,598 94,576

Careers Allowance 90,401 97,999 103,573

Economically Inactive People

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development what research has been carried out into

why there are 5000 more people who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness this year

compared to last year.

(AQW 8749/11-15)

Mr McCausland: No information has been provided on the source which supports your claim that there

are 5000 more people who are economically inactive due to long term sickness this year as compared

to last year. I am therefore unable to provide an answer to your question.

Housing Executive Staff

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development whether the £250 recently paid to Housing Executive

staff is a one-off payment, or whether future payments will be made to staff earning less than £21,000.

(AQW 8751/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The Housing Executive is governed by pay arrangements set nationally by the National

Joint Council for Local Government Services. The £250 payment for those staff earning less than

£21,000 is at this point, a one-off payment.

WA 628

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Empty Properties

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to provide a breakdown of the empty properties

identified within the North Down constituency, broken down by (i) whether it is a (a) house; (b) flat; or

(AQW 8762/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The information is not available in the format requested as the Housing Executive

does not routinely collate information by Parliamentary constituency. However, the Housing Executive’s

Bangor District office updated figures record 69 void properties within their stock at 28 February 2012,

as follows:-

Property Type Number

4 Bedroom house 1

3 Bedroom house 14

2 Bedroom house 2

1 Bedroom bungalow 2

2 Bedroom bungalow 12

3 Bedroom bungalow 2

1 Bedroom flat 24

2 Bedroom flat 12

The Information provided is an Official Statistic. The Production and dissemination of all such Statistics

is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is

enforced by UK Statistics Authority.

Secondment to Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the number of (a) full-time; and

(b) part-time staff who are currently on secondment from his Department, or its arm’s length bodies,

to each recognised trade union; (ii) the salary scale for each secondee; and (iii) the length of each

secondment to date.

(AQW 8781/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The Department for Social Development has 4 full-time staff and no part-time staff

currently on secondment to NIPSA. Salary scale details and the length of each secondment, to date,

are set out in the table below. In relation to the Department’s arms-length bodies, the Northern Ireland

Housing Executive has 3 full-time staff and no part-time staff seconded out and the relevant details

are also provided in the table below. The other 2 bodies i.e. Ilex Urban Regeneration Company and the

Charity Commission for Northern Ireland have no staff on secondment to a recognised trade union.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 629

Organisation

Number of Staff

on secondment

to a recognised

Trade Union Grade Trade Union Salary Bandwidth

Length of each

Secondment to

date

DSD 4 full-time 3x EO2

1xEO1

NIPSA

£21,392 - £23,250

£23,336 - £26,086

8 years 8

months

5 years 8

months;

4 years 1

month.

4 years 6

months;

NIHE 3 full-time 1x level 2

1xlevel 4

1x level 5

UNITE

NIPSA

£13,189 -£16,054

£16,830 - £22,958

£21,519 - £26,276

2 years 2

months;

12 years 3

months;

4 years 10

months;

The information provided is an official statistic. The production and dissemination of all such statistics

is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is

enforced by UK Statistics Authority

Housing Executive Tenants

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development, in relation to Housing Executive properties

(i) why dependants have to be registered on a rent book for 12 months, after they become 18 years of

age, before they are entitled to a succession of tenancy; and (ii) for his Department’s assessment of

the difficulties this causes young people when their guardians die or move away.

(AQW 8812/11-15)

Mr McCausland: Dependents do not have to be registered on a rent book for 12 months after they

become 18 years of age before they are entitled to a succession of tenancy. If a dependent’s name is

on a rent book for a property they are in fact a joint tenant and the rules for succession of tenancy do

not apply.

However, if the dependent is not on the rent book for the property (i.e. they are not a joint tenant) a

succession of tenancy can still occur via a statutory right as identified in the Housing (NI) Order 1983

for secure tenancies and in the Housing (NI) Order 2003 for introductory tenancies. The following

categories of people can succeed on statutory grounds:-

(a) The wife or husband or civil partner of the deceased.

(b) A member of the deceased’s family, if the member of the family was residing with the deceased

throughout a period of 12 months ending on the date of the deceased’s death. At the time of the

deceased’s death, the family member must have occupied the relevant dwelling as his / her only

or principal home.

In many circumstances difficulties establishing proof of residence arise as a result of tenants not

notifying the Housing Executive when someone joins or leaves their household.

In order to meet the requirement in (b) above the Housing Executive seeks to establish that the

applicant for succession has indeed resided at the relevant property for a period of 12 months. In

applying this criterion the Housing Executive considers all relevant information which could include

WA 630

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

amongst other things proof that the applicant was declared on a Housing Benefit application at the

dwelling in question or other documents proving residence.

In addition to statutory rights to succession there are also instances under the Housing Selection

Scheme rules (Rule 74) where there are certain policy grounds for a succession. In this situation the

Housing Executive considers each case on its own merits. Examples of possible scenarios are: -

■ A carer only if he/she was living with the deceased for a time in order to care for him / her and for

that reason had sold a dwelling or given up a tenancy or licence in relation to a dwelling. (For the

purposes of this paragraph, a tenancy or licence shall be ignored if the carer had been granted

the said tenancy or licence by a relative).

■ The potential successor has accepted responsibility for the deceased tenant’s dependants.

There are also very limited grounds for an assignment of a tenancy. However, where an applicant does

not meet the legislative or policy criteria to an assignment or succession then the Housing Executive

carries out a homeless assessment to identify whether or not the applicant is owed a statutory duty. In

addition to this the applicant will be provided with advice and assistance.

In the event that a person is not entitled to a succession or assignment of the tenancy the Housing

Executive will provide comprehensive advice on alternative housing options and endeavour to find an

appropriate housing solution.

Disability Living Allowance

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development for his assessment of the inequality issues

arising from his Department’s decision to not provide the mobility component of Disability Living

Allowance in new assessments for individual who are 65 years of age or over, and to offer Attendance

Allowance instead.

(AQW 8813/11-15)

Mr McCausland: I do not agree that there is an equality issue arising from the decision to pay

Attendance Allowance to new claimants over the age of 65. The social security system has many

examples whereby different provision is made for people at different stages of their lives. There is a

range of benefits payable to people of working age but a different range of benefits payable to people

over State Pension age reflecting their different circumstances and needs.

For people who become disabled after the age of 65, Attendance Allowance provides well targeted

financial assistance to people with the extra costs of their disability and helps maintain their

independence. It is part of a package of assistance available to older people. Entitlement is based

on the need for, and extra cost of, personal care which results from severe disability but it does not

provide specific help with a person’s mobility needs. However, recipients are able to use their benefit in

whatever way best suits their needs and priorities, including meeting mobility costs.

The aim of Disability Living Allowance is to focus help with the extra costs of disability on people who

become severely disabled earlier in life and who, as a consequence, face limited opportunities to

work, earn and save compared to people without a disability. Disabled people of working age have

less opportunity to work and save than those who do not have a disability and payment of the mobility

component may, in some cases, help an individual get and retain employment. While it can remain in

payment past the age of 65, it is right to give the most help with the extra costs of disability to those

who are severely disabled earlier in life.

As you know it is planned to replace Disability Living Allowance with a new benefit, Personal

Independence Payment which will be introduced for working-age claimants from April 2013. It is

proposed that age thresholds will be maintained; however any final decision in relation to the

introduction of the new benefit will be a matter for the Assembly.

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 631

Income Support

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development what percentage of people in (i) the North Down

area; (ii) the Ards area; and (iii) Northern Ireland are in receipt of income support.

(AQW 8818/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The table below shows the percentage of people aged 16 to 59 in receipt of Income

Support compared to the total population aged 16 to 59 in (i) the North Down area; (ii) the Ards area;

and (iii) Northern Ireland expressed as a percentage:

Area Percentage of claimants

North Down Local Government District 4.1%

Ards Local Government District 4.7%

Northern Ireland 7.5%

Data Source:NorthernIrelandBenetsStatisticsSummaryNovember2011

The Information provided is an Official Statistic. The Production and dissemination of all such statistics

is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is

enforced by United Kingdom Statistics Authority.

Housing Executive Properties in the North Down Area

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development (i) on how many Housing Executive properties in the

North Down area have problems with mould and dampness been reported in the last three years; and

(ii) what measures the Housing Executive has taken to address this matter.

(AQW 8819/11-15)

Mr McCausland: Over the last three years the Housing Executive has received 317 reports of problems

with mould and dampness from tenants in their Bangor District office area.

Mould growth is the main symptom of condensation and may be confused for damp. It is best treated

by regular ventilation of the property. Where the Housing Executive is aware of condensation in a

property the tenant will be advised that it can be prevented by:-

■ Allowing air to circulate throughout the property by opening doors occasionally

■ Using extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms

■ Opening windows when cooking

■ Not blocking air vents

■ Drying clothes outside if possible

■ Ensuring there is ventilation in the property, especially bedrooms, during the night.

Reports of damp are assessed by the Housing Executive’s maintenance staff and contractors on a

case by case basis and the necessary remedial action is taken. Typical examples of work carried out

would be:-

■ Damp proof course

■ Installation of extractor fans in kitchens

■ Checking of water pipes in kitchens and bathrooms

■ Cleaning of outside guttering to prevent water penetration

■ Inspection of roofs and external doors

WA 632

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Every Housing Executive tenant is provided with a tenant’s handbook at the start of their tenancy which

includes advice on condensation. The Housing Executive also has a separate condensation advice

leaflet which is available in all of their District offices and also online at www.nihe.gov.uk.

Housing Executive Properties with Four Bedrooms

Mr Swann asked the Minister for Social Development how many Housing Executive properties have four

bedrooms, broken down by district office area.

(AQW 8879/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The table below provides a breakdown of the Housing Executive’s four bedroom

properties by district office area.

District Number of 4 Bed Properties

West Belfast 406

East Belfast 121

South Belfast 144

North Belfast 329

Shankill 46

Belfast Area Total 1,046

Bangor 57

Newtownards 84

Castlereagh 85

Lisburn Antrim Street 107

Lisburn Dairyfarm 112

Downpatrick 76

South East Total 521

Banbridge 46

Newry 231

Armagh 54

Lurgan 263

Portadown 107

Dungannon 105

Fermanagh 83

South Area Total 889

Ballymena 118

Antrim 83

Newtownabbey 1 70

Newtownabbey 2 39

Carrickfergus 67

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 633

District Number of 4 Bed Properties

Larne 48

Ballycastle 29

Ballymoney 40

Coleraine 132

North East Total 626

Waterloo Place 209

Waterside 144

Collon Terrace 170

Limavady 90

Magherafelt 81

Strabane 198

Omagh 101

Cookstown 73

West Area Total 1,066

Total 4,148

The Information provided is an Official Statistic. The Production and dissemination of all such Statistics

is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is

enforced by UK Statistics Authority.

Vacant Housing Executive Properties

Mr Swann asked the Minister for Social Development to provide a breakdown of the vacant Housing

Executive properties broken down by (i) whether they has (a) four; (b) five; or (c) six bedrooms; and (ii)

district office area.

(AQW 8883/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The information is not available in the format requested as the Housing Executive

does not collate vacant properties by the number of bedrooms. However, the table below provides a

breakdown of vacant Housing Executive properties by district office area as at 31 January 2012.

District Total Voids

West Belfast 61

East Belfast 113

North Belfast 301

Shankill 218

South Belfast 207

Belfast Total 900

Bangor 59

Newtownards 63

WA 634

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

District Total Voids

Castlereagh 80

Lisburn Antrim St. 46

Lisburn Diary Farm 16

Downpatrick 20

South East Total 284

Banbridge 24

Newry 22

Armagh 42

Lurgan/Brown 119

Portadown 18

Dungannon 20

Fermanagh 15

South Total 260

Ballymena 119

Antrim 31

Newtownabbey 1 128

Newtownabbey 2 23

Carrick 10

Larne 69

Ballycastle 9

Ballymoney 18

Coleraine 31

North East Total 438

Waterloo Pl 17

Waterside 22

Collon Terrace 20

Limavady 12

Magherafelt 21

Strabane 19

Omagh 34

Cookstown 5

West Total 150

N.I. Total 2,032

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 635

The Information provided is an Official Statistic. The Production and dissemination of all such Statistics

is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is

enforced by UK Statistics Authority.

Housing Executive Properties in the North Down Area

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many Housing Executive properties in the

North Down area will have new kitchens installed within the next three years, broken down by (i) district

office area; and (ii) the total associated costs.

(AQW 8889/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The current position regarding kitchen replacement schemes in Housing Executive

properties in the North Down area in the next three years is as follows:-

Bangor District Office area:

■ 2012/13 No schemes programmed

■ 2013/14 Rathgill Estate – 36 dwellings at an estimated cost of £198,000

■ 2014/15 Kilcooley Estate – 224 dwellings at an estimated cost of £1,232,000

Rathgill Estate – 95 dwellings at an estimated cost of £523,000

These planned schemes will be subject to funding being available.

Housing Executive Properties in the North Down Area

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many Housing Executive properties in the

North Down area will have natural gas installed within the next three years, broken down by (i) district

office area; and (ii) the total associated costs

(AQW 8890/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The current position regarding the installation of natural gas systems to Housing

Executive properties in the North Down area in the next three years is as follows:-

Bangor District Office area;

■ 2012/13 Rathgill/Jubilee Estates – 42 dwellings at an estimated cost of £277,000

■ 2013/14 Kilcooley Estate Economy 7 – 53 dwellings at an estimated cost of £350,000

■ 2014/15 No schemes programmed

These planned schemes will be subject to funding being available.

Unclaimed Benefits

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development what action is being taken to reduce the level of

unclaimed benefits.

(AQW 8891/11-15)

Mr McCausland: Promoting benefit uptake is a key priority for the Department and the Social Security

Agency has taken a proactive approach to increasing uptake since 2005.

The Social Security Agency, through its annual Benefit Uptake Programmes, has used a range of direct

targeting, promotional and community outreach approaches to increase the uptake of all benefits. This

work has generated an additional £37.6 million in annual benefit and arrears for over 11,000 people to

date.

In 2011/12 significant additional investment has been made in benefit uptake, taking the annual

spend to in excess of £1.3m across 4 complementary approaches:

WA 636

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

■ 25,000 people, selected from existing customer data, have received a personal invitation to have

a full benefits assessment through a contracted partner in the independent advice sector.

■ A promotional approach at council and community level involving trusted partners such as

community and older peoples’ groups, general practitioners, pharmacies and church/faith based

groups. Entitlement checks are delivered by telephone with home visits offered to those who

require assistance with making a claim.

■ The “Make the Call” advertising campaign is an extension of this approach and is a television,

radio, press and outdoor advertising campaign aimed at older people. Over 12,000 calls have

been received to date and ongoing monitoring indicates that around 40% of callers have potential

entitlement.

■ A £375,000 Innovation Fund for Increasing Benefit Uptake has funded 7 projects led by the

community and voluntary sector partners to test new and innovative ways of reaching people with

potential unclaimed benefit entitlement.

A wide range of general services are also in place to make people aware of their potential entitlement

to benefit. These include the production of specific publications, some in minority ethnic languages;

NI Direct website; an online Benefits Adviser Service; general assistance with information available

through our network of local and centralised offices.

Capital Projects in the Foyle Area

Mr Durkan asked the Minister for Social Development whether his Department has any plans for

capital projects in the Foyle area in the 2011-15 budget period.

(AQW 8913/11-15)

Mr McCausland: In 2011/12 my Department, through various funding programmes, has invested in

a range of capital projects. Under the UK City of Culture 2013 Investment Fund we are delivering 12

public realm schemes in Londonderry including works on Queen’s Quay, Foyle Embankment, Spencer

Road and at Strand Road. We are funding a ReStore pilot project targeting retail premises on Spencer

Road, Union Hall Place and Bank Place and in the restoration and refurbishment works at the Guildhall.

Through Ilex Urban Regeneration Company around 30 community infrastructure projects across the

city will also be supported under this funding programme. Projects at Holywell Trust, St Columb’s Park

House and Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership are benefiting from the Modernisation Fund Capital

Programme and under the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund we are investing in projects at Old

Library Trust, Caw Nelson Drive Action Group as well as the Fountain Multi Use Games Area.

For 2012/13 and beyond plans are in place to provide further funding to Ilex for the community

infrastructure projects in respect of the UK City of Culture 2013 and the decontamination of Fort

George. Subject to appraisal there are plans to further enhance the city’s Public Realm, to extend

the ReStore pilot and to invest in a City Dressing scheme. We are also considering investing in the

new North West Regional Sports Campus project at St Columb’s Park, the proposed Science Park at

Fort George and the Waterside Greenway. We continue to work closely with the four Neighbourhood

Partnerships in the city to identify capital development priorities in their respective Neighbourhood

Renewal Areas.

Whilst my Department will not have additional funding for the One Plan for Londonderry, the work

and budget of my North West Development Office will be prioritised in line with the Transformational

Themes set out in the Plan. My Department will also champion the Quality Spaces, Places and

Neighbourhoods Catalyst Programme and work with key stakeholders to ensure delivery of projects

under that programme.

New Housing Schemes for Glen Court and Cedar Court, Derry

Mr Durkan asked the Minister for Social Development when construction of the new housing schemes

for Glen Court and Cedar Court, Derry will commence.

(AQW 8917/11-15)

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 637

Mr McCausland: These schemes are not in the current programme to be started before the end of this

financial year. I am now reviewing the Social Housing Development Programme for 2012-2015 and if

these schemes form part of that programme, they will be published on the Housing Executive website.

(www.nihe.gov.uk) in due course.

Mortgages

Mr D McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development, given that there was an increase in the

number of mortgages issued in the final quarter of 2011, what action his Department intends to take

to ensure this upward trend continues.

(AQW 8958/11-15)

Mr McCausland: My ministerial colleague Sammy Wilson and I met banking industry representatives

late in 2011 and I am heartened that greater numbers of mortgage products are becoming available for

consumers, including Co-Ownership applicants. Officials from both my Department and the Department

of Finance and Personnel continue to engage with the industry to ensure this trend continues.

In addition I have also increased the funding available for Co-Ownership to £103.25 million up to 2014/15

and will explore new intermediate housing models to increase the number of affordable homes available.

Primary Legislation on Business Improvement Districts

Mrs Cochrane asked the Minister for Social Development (i) when in 2012 he intends to introduce

primary legislation on Business Improvement Districts; and (ii) whether he is able to introduce the

legislation soon, given the delays that have already occurred.

(AQW 9048/11-15)

Mr McCausland: Subject to Executive agreement, I plan to introduce a Business Improvement Districts

(BIDs) Bill, which is currently being drafted, to the Assembly before the summer recess. This should

allow time for the Bill to complete its Assembly passage by the end of the year which is in line with my

previous commitments in relation to this piece of legislation.

Boiler Replacement Scheme

Mr Durkan asked the Minister for Social Development whether he intends to launch a Boiler Replacement

Scheme, given that the pilot Boiler Replacement Scheme ends on 31 March 2012.

(AQW 9055/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The pilot Boiler Replacement Scheme has been very successful and the Housing

Executive is no longer taking applications for the scheme. The scheme will close on 31 March and will

then be subject to a full evaluation which will determine if the pilot scheme should continue.

Installers engaged in carrying out boiler replacement for applications which have already been approved,

should ensure works have been completed and electrical certificate and Building Control certificates

are submitted to their local Grant Office before 31 March 2012.

Housing Executive: Temporary Accommodation

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to AQW 8743/11-15, what plans

he has to address the increase in the number and cost of properties being used as temporary

accommodation by the Housing Executive in the Derry area.

(AQW 9316/11-15)

Mr McCausland: The Housing Executive has a statutory responsibility to provide temporary accommodation

for those who find themselves homeless.

However, social housing cannot be the only answer to meet the housing needs of those that find

themselves homeless or the 40,000 applicants on the waiting list. We clearly need to find a more

holistic and sustainable solution to housing need for all who need a home. The forthcoming welfare

reform changes will have a particular impact on a wide range of younger people and we are undertaking

some research at the minute to identify the scale of that impact.

WA 638

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

In the meantime I plan to bring forward a new housing strategy that will seek to create more choice,

opportunity and provide access to a wider range of people to whom social housing can not meet their

needs and this will be announced in the coming months.

Northern Ireland Assembly Commission

Reports and Correspondence by Email to Minimise Paper Wastage

Mr McKay asked the Assembly Commission whether it has considered contacting non-governmental

organisations, Government Departments and companies to urge them to give MLAs the option of

receiving reports and correspondence by email to minimise paper wastage.

(AQW 8566/11-15)

Mr P Ramsey (The Representative of the Assembly Commission): The Assembly Commission (the

Commission) has not considered contacting non-governmental organisations, Government Departments

and companies to urge them to give MLAs the option of receiving reports and correspondence by email

to minimize paper wastage. However, it is noted that an increasing number of organisations are now

using electronic means of distribution and communication.

The Commission has sought preferences from Members in relation to their receipt of internal official

publications and is committed to reducing direct and indirect environmental impact through the

adoption of effective resource and waste management programmes within the Northern Ireland

Assembly as outlined within our Sustainable Development Strategy.

The Commission recognises that Members receive a large amount of information in hard copy from

external agencies and would be supportive of any Member reducing unnecessary consumption. The

Assembly’s Communications Office will contact those Members’ who have not yet provided an email

address on the Assembly website, and encourage them to do so.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact our Environmental Services Manager,

Ms Christine Watts on Ext 21265 to discuss.

Funding for Trade Unions

Mr McCallister asked the Assembly Commission to detail the level of funding it allocated to each trade

union in the (i) 2000/01; (ii) 2005/06; and (iii) 2010/11 financial years.

(AQW 8766/11-15)

Mr Weir (The Representative of the Assembly Commission): The Assembly Commission does not

allocate direct funding to any trade union. However, the Assembly Commission recognises the Northern

Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) for consultation and negotiation purposes and reasonable

provision is made for staff of the Commission to engage in trade union activities connected with

consultation and negotiation on staffing matters.

In 2000/01 and 2005/06 the Commission did not allocate any direct funding to meet the cost of trade

union activities. In 2010/11, the Assembly Commission met the salary costs of one seconded Full-Time

Equivalent (FTE) member of staff to NIPSA to assist with the development of effective industrial relations.

The salary band for this member of staff was £29,543 - £33,446 and we also paid associated

employer costs such as pension contributions and National Insurance costs. Under the terms of a Joint

Agreement with NIPSA, the Commission also permits certain Officers of the local Branch of NIPSA to

undertake reasonable trade union activities. However, such activities are undertaken without adverse

impact on business requirements so the notional cost of these activities is not recorded.

Procurement of Printer Ink Cartridges

Mr Eastwood asked the Assembly Commission what measures are in place to ensure the procurement

of printer ink cartridges is not abused by Members.

(AQW 8962/11-15)

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

WA 639

Mr P Ramsey (The Representative of the Assembly Commission): The policy on supply of IT Consumables

is referred to in the Members handbook (pg. E70) where it states:

“Members are entitled to the following computer consumables, for use in the supplied printers centrally

funded, currently OKI C5900 and C5550 MFP which can be obtained from Office Resources, room B35

■ Laser paper

■ Replacement toner kits and the consumables for those colour laser printers supplied by the IS

Office on behalf of the Assembly Commission

If you bring your used toner kits when collecting the new replacement, the Stationery Office will send

them to be recycled.

Consumables must be only used for Assembly Business”

In relation to the supply of all IT consumables provided by Office Resources, there are currently no

restrictions on the number of products that a Member can request; however, staff in Office Resources

will provide Members advice if required, on the most efficient use of toners.

A full record of both Oki and other printer ink products provided to Members is maintained and updated

by Office Resources.

The Assembly Commission has considered enhanced governance arrangements for the use of office

consumables and at its meeting on 29th November 2011, the following was agreed:

■ That expenditure by Members on office consumables would be published for 2011-2012 at the

same time as information on Office Cost Expenditure is published.

■ That the provision of a second class option for pre-paid envelopes should be included when

undertaking the next procurement exercise, due to commence in early 2012.

■ That in future, orders for consumables must be approved by the MLAs themselves.

I would ask you to note that responsibility for office consumables has now passed to the Independent

Financial Review Panel.

Pension Contributions from MLAs

Mr Agnew asked the Assembly Commission, pursuant to AQW 6197/11-15 (i) who are the five

Members appointed to act as Trustees; (ii) to detail the scheme rules; and (iii) to provide a copy of the

Statement of Investment Principles for Members’ pensions.

(AQW 8989/11-15)

Mr Weir (The Representative of the Assembly Commission):

(i) The current Pension Trustees were appointed by resolution of the Assembly on 28 June 2011 and

comprise:

è Mr Trevor Lunn MLA (Chairman)

è Mr Mickey Brady MLA

è Mr John Dallat MLA

è Mr Ross Hussey MLA

è Mr Jim Wells MLA

(ii) The Scheme Rules are available on the Members’ Pension Scheme pages of the Assembly

website at http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/Your-MLAs/Members-Pension-Scheme.

(iii) The Statement of Investment Principles is also available on the Members’ Pension Scheme pages

of the Assembly website.

WA 640

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Department for Regional Development WA 594

60+ Travelcards WA 601

A26 WA 606

A28 WA 602

Alleys and Pathways WA 617

Bus Routes between Derry and Dublin WA 599

Complaints to NI Water WA 599

Core Node on the TEN-T Network WA 597

Cycle Lanes in the North Down Area WA 595

Cyclists in the North Down Area WA 595

Disability Discrimination Act WA 603

Electrical Cable and Fittings Stolen

from Street Lights WA 597

Engine Overhaul of the MV Canna WA 607

Equality Impact Assessments and

Public Consultations WA 594

Financial Relief WA 603

Flags Protocol WA 619

Funding Allocated to Trade Unions WA 600

Ground Penetrating Radar Surveys WA 596

Hillhall Road, Lisburn WA 596

Hillsborough: Road Signs WA 617

Inspector’s Inquiry and Report on

the A5 WA 594

Londonderry Railway Station WA 598

MV Canna Ferry WA 607

Northern Ireland Water: Governance

and Accountability WA 618

NSL Services Group WA 601

Plugged-In Places Scheme WA 604

Postage and Printing Costs WA 596

Public Transport: Investment WA 618

Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd WA 607

Reduction in Metro Services WA 599

Restructuring of the North-West

Rail Link WA 604

Road Safety: Cyclists WA 618

Roads in the Holywood Area WA 600

Secondment to Trade Unions WA 602

Southern Relief Road for Newry WA 595

Stolen Gratings WA 598

Traffic Weight Restriction Order WA 606

Traffic Weight Restrictions WA 607

Translink: Managerial Appointments WA 604

Translink: Redundancies WA 603

Utility Companies WA 596

Water Leakage WA 617

Department for Employment and Learning WA 442

Applying to Universities South of the

Border WA 443

Further and Higher Education Facilities WA 443

North West Regional College WA 445

Proposed Merger of Queen’s University,

Belfast and Stranmillis University

College, Belfast WA 443

Teacher Education Infrastructure WA 445

Welfare Reform Programme WA 442

Department for Social Development WA 619

Board of the Housing Executive WA 622

Boiler Replacement Scheme WA 637

Capital Projects in the Foyle Area WA 636

Decent Homes Standard WA 624

Disability Living Allowance WA 621

Disability Living Allowance WA 630

Economically Inactive Long-Term

Sick People WA 626

Economically Inactive People WA 627

Employment and Support Allowance WA 622

Empty Properties WA 628

Fuel Allowance WA 625

Housing Executive Properties in the

North Down Area WA 631

Housing Executive Properties in the

North Down Area WA 635

Housing Executive Properties in the

North Down Area WA 635

Housing Executive Properties with

Four Bedrooms WA 632

Housing Executive Staff WA 627

Housing Executive: Temporary

Accommodation WA 625

Housing Executive: Temporary

Accommodation WA 626

Housing Executive: Temporary

Accommodation WA 637

Housing Executive Tenants WA 629

Housing Executive: Vandalism WA 623

Income Support WA 631

Ministers in the Department for

Work and Pensions WA 622

Mortgages WA 637

New Housing Schemes for Glen

Court and Cedar Court, Derry WA 636

People Classified as Homeless WA 622

Postage and Printing Costs WA 619

Primary Legislation on Business

Improvement Districts WA 637

Written Answers Index

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Secondment to Trade Unions WA 628

Shared Accommodation Rate for

Housing Benefit WA 624

Solid Fuel and Economy 7 Heating WA 619

Unclaimed Benefits WA 635

Vacant Housing Executive Properties WA 633

Village Area of South Belfast WA 625

Department of Agriculture and Rural

Development WA 404

Anaerobic Digesters and Wind Turbines WA 406

Crossmaglen Republican Monument WA 408

Crossmaglen Republican Monument WA 409

Departmental Advertisement WA 415

Departmental Jobs in Enniskillen WA 410

Dog Attacks WA 410

Dog Collars which Emit an Electric

Shock WA 414

Fishing Vessel Decommissioning WA 405

Glenariff Forest Park WA 412

Imported Sheep or Cattle WA 404

Job Vacancy Advertised in Irish WA 414

Líofa Initiative WA 413

Líofa Initiative WA 414

Loífa Initiative WA 413

Measure 3.6 of the Rural

Development Programme WA 408

Postgraduate Studentship WA 406

Postgraduate Studentship WA 407

Proposed Move to New

Departmental Headquarters WA 413

Republican Monument in Crossmaglen WA 408

Rural Crime WA 412

Rural Development Programme WA 405

Schmallenberg Virus WA 407

Schmallenberg Virus WA 411

Secondment to Trade Unions WA 409

Single Farm Payment Applications WA 410

Single Farm Payments WA 411

Staff Disciplinary Actions WA 413

Ulster-Scots Culture and Heritage WA 411

Ulster-Scots Culture and Heritage WA 415

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure WA 415

2023 Rugby World Cup WA 418

Achievement of ‘The Shore’ WA 419

Angling Licences WA 418

Attendance at Sports Events WA 415

Creative Industries sector in

Northern Ireland WA 420

Cultural Tourism Potential in the

South Down Constituency WA 417

European Heritage Label WA 426

Fish Pass at the Quoile Barrier on

the Quoile River WA 426

Licences for Fishing with Nets in

Lough Neagh WA 426

Liófa Initiative WA 421

Oscar Success of ‘The Shore’ WA 419

Oscar Success of ‘The Shore’ WA 426

Participation in Sport and Physical

Recreation WA 420

Promoting the Creative Industries WA 419

Lease Holders WA 420

Safety of Designated Sports

Grounds Scheme WA 421

Secondment to Trade Unions WA 419

Sport Matters Strategy WA 417

Staff Employed in Inland Fisheries WA 415

Upgrade of Brandywell Stadium, Derry WA 416

Visiting Anglers from Overseas WA 418

Department of Education WA 427

Article 3 Subsection 7 of the Special

Educational Needs and Disability

(NI) Order 2005 WA 436

Asbestos from Schools WA 436

Asbestos in Schools WA 434

Asbestos in Schools WA 435

Braidside Integrated School, Ballymena WA 441

Community Relations, Equality and

Diversity Policy WA 441

Community Use of School Premises WA 438

Departmental Offices in Rathgael,

Bangor WA 438

Departmental Staff WA 440

Education and Library Boards Staff WA 441

Energy Efficiency in Schools WA 429

Enrolment Numbers for Special

Needs Schools WA 439

Funding for Classroom Assistants WA 428

Funding for Classroom Assistants WA 430

Garvagh High School, Coleraine WA 442

Homophobic Bullying WA 437

Identification of Pupils who are Gay

and Lesbian WA 438

Jolly Tots Pre-School Playgroup,

Mayobridge WA 428

Jolly Tots Pre-School Playgroup,

Mayobridge WA 428

Northern Workforce Development

Forum Report WA 427

Postage and Printing Costs WA 427

Pre-School Provision in Richhill,

Co Armagh WA 438

Pupils Leaving Year 12 without GCSEs WA 441

School Visit Invitations WA 430

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Science and Mathematics

Qualifications WA 440

Secondment to Trade Unions WA 435

Teachers: Redundancy or Early

Retirement Packages WA 430

Department of Enterprise, Trade and

Investment WA 446

€500 million PROGRESS Micro-Finance

Scheme WA 457

Agri-Food Sector WA 447

Anaerobic Digesters and Wind Turbines WA 467

Bureaucracy in the TradeLinks

Programme WA 478

Business Start Up Scheme WA 476

Climate Change Research WA 464

Consultants Used by Invest NI WA 474

Costs of Decommissioning Wind

Turbines WA 464

Customer Charter for Home Heating

Oil Companies WA 478

Department Spend on Conferences,

Away-days and Team Building

Exercises WA 451

Digital Hub in Belfast WA 453

Economic Activity Rate WA 453

Employment Opportunites WA 462

Enterprise Development Programme WA 475

Extending the Gas Network to

Ballycastle WA 474

Ferry Prices WA 480

Gas Prices WA 469

Generating Electricity from Renewable

Sources WA 477

Grants for Tourism Related Projects

in the North Down Constituency WA 480

HCL BPO Services NI WA 479

High Speed Satellite Broadband

Services WA 474

Increases in Energy Prices WA 451

Increases in Energy Prices WA 452

Increases in Energy Prices WA 455

International Airline Carriers WA 447

InvestNI Business Park, Melmount

Road, Strabane WA 465

Invest NI Business Start Up

Programme WA 476

InvestNI Funding WA 470

InvestNI: Ipsos Mori WA 479

Legislative Framework for

Geothermal Energy WA 457

Local Businesses in Town Centres WA 446

Local Nuclear Power Provision WA 474

Multiple Redundancies in a

Concentrated Area or Constituency WA 477

Natural Gas WA 467

Natural Gas WA 468

Natural Gas WA 469

NI 2012 Our Time Our Place WA 451

North Antrim Employment WA 466

Northern Ireland Tourist Board Funding WA 480

Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Our

Time, Our Place Showcase WA 446

Northern Workforce Development

Forum WA 458

Number of Overseas Visitors WA 461

Our time, Our Place WA 481

Petroleum Licences for Hydraulic

Fracturing WA 454

Petroleum Licences for Hydraulic

Fracturing WA 460

Petroleum Licensing WA 459

Petroleum Production (Amendment)

Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 WA 460

Postage and Printing Costs WA 463

Price of Electricity and Gas WA 461

Proposed North-South Electricity

Interconnector WA 456

Proposed North-South Electricity

Interconnector WA 456

Proposed North-South Electricity

Interconnector WA 459

Proposed North-South Electricity

Interconnector WA 465

Proposed North-South Electricity

Interconnector WA 465

Restaurants and Cafes that Provide

Wi-Fi Access WA 455

Rugby World Cup WA 476

Sale of Home Heating Oil at Retail

Pumps WA 463

SeaGen Tidal Energy Converter WA 477

SeaGen Tidal Energy Converter WA 478

Secondment to Trade Unions WA 479

Shale Gas Exploration in County

Fermanagh WA 465

Single Electricity Market WA 450

Tamboran Resources WA 454

Tendering Process for the Go For It

Programme WA 466

Tender Processes WA 447

Tourist Board Certified Hotels that

Provide Wi-Fi Access WA 454

Tourists from the Asian Market WA 456

VAT Registered Businesses in the

North Antrim Constituency WA 457

Visa Waiver Scheme WA 456

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Department of Finance and Personnel WA 513

Applicants for Jobs in the Civil Service WA 523

Block Grant WA 520

Building Regulations WA 523

Contracts Awarded from the Central

Procurement Directorate WA 514

Cost of Division WA 523

Electric Car Charging Facilities in the

Grounds of the Stormont Estate WA 514

Government Contracts WA 519

Gross Domestic Product WA 519

Non-Domestic Rating System WA 519

Number of People of Working Age

who are Employed WA 516

Number of People of Working Age

who are Employed WA 517

Rates Arrears WA 520

Rates Arrears WA 522

Rebalancing the Northern Ireland

Economy WA 518

Registered Businesses in the South

Down Area WA 519

Social Clauses in Public Procurement

Contracts WA 513

Stormont Estate: Generate Renewable

Energy WA 514

Vacant Properties WA 515

Vacant Rating of Industrial Properties WA 515

Department of Health, Social Services and

Public Safety WA 523

Acute Psychiatric Unit at Windsor

House, Belfast City Hospital WA 530

Alleged Abuses in Nursing Homes WA 547

Ambulance Travel Time WA 524

Ambulance Travel Time WA 525

Arthritis WA 548

Audiology WA 548

Audit on Diabetes Provision WA 542

Births to Mothers who are Under 17

Years Old WA 534

Business Services Transformation

Programme WA 550

Causeway Hospital, Coleraine WA 541

Children at Risk of Parental Alcohol

and/or Drug Dependency WA 533

Community Pharmacies WA 546

Complaints of Neglect/Abuse in

Care Homes WA 526

Consultation on People Smoking in

Cars Carrying Children WA 537

Convicted Sex Offenders WA 545

Cross-Departmental Commissioning

of Children’s Services WA 526

Dentists: Practice Allowance WA 550

External Consultancy Fees for

Patients at the Ulster Hospital,

Dundonald WA 542

Family Planning Association WA 526

Fire Station in Ballycastle WA 528

GPs Using 0844 Telephone Numbers WA 529

Health Service Dental Provision in

Co. Fermanagh WA 531

Integrated Care Partnerships WA 527

Judicial Review in Relation to the

Pharmaceutical Contractors

Committee WA 531

Life Expectancy Differential WA 538

Liver Function Tests WA 544

Malnutrition Problem Facing some

Older People WA 524

Mater Hospital, Belfast WA 549

Microbiological Standards WA 528

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

(NICE) Technology Appraisals and

Clinical Guidelines WA 545

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Technology Appraisals and Clinical

Guidelines WA 542

New Fire Station in Newcastle WA 530

New Hospital in Enniskillen WA 530

Northern Ireland Care Record Outline

Business Case WA 544

Northern Ireland Myalgic

Encephalomyelitis Association WA 546

Number of Adults who Smoke WA 539

Number of Manual Workers who

Smoke WA 539

Phase II of the Benefit Entitlement

Checks WA 537

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder WA 548

Prescription Medicines for Prisoners WA 547

Pseudomonas SPP. WA 528

Rare Diseases WA 544

Reduction in the Suicide Rate WA 534

Rise in Obesity WA 532

Secondment to Trade Unions WA 527

Sex Offenders WA 537

Social Care in a Residential Home WA 529

Software Companies Listed in the

August 2011 Northern Ireland Care

Record Outline Business Case WA 543

South Tyrone Hospital, Dungannon WA 549

Staff Disciplinary Actions WA 545

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy WA 549

Tobacco Control Strategy WA 535

Treatment for Advanced Prostate

Cancer WA 526

Tyrone County Hospital, Omagh:

Paediatric Dental Service WA 548

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Waiting Time for a Routine

Dermatology Appointment WA 540

Water Microbiological Testing Regime WA 523

Water Microbiological Testing Regime WA 524

Water Microbiological Testing Regime WA 527

Water Microbiological Testing Regime WA 528

Winter Fuel Allowance WA 547

Young People with Cancer WA 535

Young People with Cancer WA 536

Department of Justice WA 550

Accommodation Arrangements for

Marian Price in Hydebank Wood

Prison WA 551

Antisocial Behaviour: Foyle WA 593

Anti Social Behaviour Orders WA 572

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders WA 572

Board Members of the NI Prison

Service Trust WA 565

Category A Prisoners WA 567

Category A Prisoners WA 571

Closure of Courthouses WA 568

Community Safety Strategy WA 572

Conduct of Prison Governors WA 571

Convicted Child Murderer,

Ronnie Graham WA 565

Crimestoppers WA 573

Disabled Car Parking Bays WA 570

Drink Driving WA 568

Driving Without Insurance WA 563

Funding for Trade Unions WA 567

Healthcare Centre at Maghaberry

Prison WA 567

HMP Magherberry Healthcare Centre WA 552

Illiteracy and Innumeracy Among

Prisoners WA 561

Judicial Review: Legal Costs WA 563

Judicial Review: Legal Costs WA 564

Justice: Alternatives to Prosecution WA 590

Legal Aid WA 586

Life Sentences (NI) Order 2001 WA 567

Marion McGlinchey: Accommodation

and Facilities WA 552

National Crime Agency WA 593

Neighbourhood Watch Schemes WA 573

New Community Safety Strategy WA 589

NI Prison Service Trust WA 566

NI Prison Service Trust WA 567

Non-Jury Trials WA 586

Northern Ireland Prison Service WA 592

Northern Ireland Prison Service

Exit Scheme WA 587

Office of the Police Ombudsman:

Interim Chief Executive WA 591

Pearson Review Team Report WA 564

Police and Community Safety

Partnerships WA 559

Postage and Printing Costs WA 552

Prisoners: Dissident Republicans WA 591

Prison Service in Ireland:

Historical Artefacts WA 560

Prison Service in Ireland:

Historical Artefacts WA 561

Prison Service: Lisnevin Site WA 592

Prison Service: Private Investigators WA 571

Prison Service: Redundancy Scheme WA 593

Prison Service Staff: Disciplinary

Actions or Investigations WA 550

Proposed Closure of Courthouses WA 568

Proposed Courthouse Closures WA 565

Proposed Court House Closures WA 587

Proposed Court House Closures WA 588

PSNI: Enhanced Severance WA 592

Ronald Terence Graham WA 570

RUC George Cross Foundation

Regulations 2002 WA 586

Rural Communities WA 588

Rural Communities WA 589

Rural White Paper WA 588

Secondment to Trade Unions WA 571

Serious Organised Crime and

Police Act 2005 WA 564

Sex Offender Treatment Programme WA 562

Sexual Abuse WA 565

Sexual Offenders Treatment Programme WA 586

Small Claims Court WA 563

Speeding up Justice Branch WA 570

Strabane Courthouse WA 552

Strabane Courthouse WA 556

Strip Searching WA 586

Supergrass Trial WA 593

Taxing Master WA 587

Visit to Portlaoise Prison WA 551

Voluntary Staff Exit Scheme WA 590

Department of the Environment WA 481

Anaerobic Digesters and Wind Turbines WA 490

Areas of Townscape Character WA 501

Being in Possession of a Detection

Device WA 501

Beneficiaries of Landfill Tax WA 492

Built Heritage WA 489

Built Heritage WA 490

Civil Service Posts WA 482

Civil Service: Temporary Contracts WA 491

Friday 9 March 2012 Written Answers

Driver and Vehicle Agency WA 513

Enforcement Cases WA 487

Environmental Impact of Fracking WA 481

Equality Impact Assessments and

Public Consultations WA 485

Hydraulic Fracturing WA 488

Items of Treasure WA 500

Licences to Restaurants and Bars WA 500

Local Government Reform WA 489

New Taxi Regulations WA 497

Northern Area Plan WA 495

Northern Area Plan WA 496

People Caught Without a Valid Tax Disc WA 484

Permit to Discharge WA 498

Planning Application A/2010/0493/F WA 498

Planning Applications WA 511

Planning Applications for Wind Farms WA 496

Planning Policies WA 499

Planning Policy to Encourage New

Businesses to Locate in Town

Centres WA 485

Planning: Rose Energy WA 512

Policy in Relation to Cyclists WA 487

Postage and Printing Costs WA 484

Protection to Cyclists WA 486

Review of PPS 21 WA 512

Road Safety Issues WA 486

Rose Energy’s Proposal for an

Incinerator at Glenavy WA 489

Searching for Archaeological

Objects Without a Licence WA 500

Secondment to Trade Unions WA 511

Site at 160-220 Castlereagh Road,

Belfast WA 499

Sprucefield Centre Limited Planning

Application WA 512

Taxi Fares WA 496

Tendering Practices for Legal Services WA 498

Two-Tier Taxi System of Private Hire

and Wheelchair Access Taxis WA 497

Veteran or Vintage Cars Exempt

from MOT WA 497

Wind Turbines WA 512

Northern Ireland Assembly Commission WA 638

Funding for Trade Unions WA 638

Pension Contributions from MLAs WA 639

Procurement of Printer Ink Cartridges WA 638

Reports and Correspondence by

Email to Minimise Paper Wastage WA 638

Office of the First Minister and deputy First

Minister WA 403

Discrimination in the Workplace WA 404

Ethnic Minority Development Fund WA 404

European Economic and Social

Committee WA 403

New Victims and Survivors Service WA 403

Secondment to Trade Unions WA 404

Revised Written Answers

Friday 9 March 2012

(AQW 8734/11-15)

As Invest NI was only established in 2002, the information contained in this answer relates to the 9 financial years 2002-03 to 2010-11.

Table 1 shows the amount of assistance offered by Invest NI in the South Down Parliamentary Constituency Area (PCA) between 2002-03 and 2010-11 broken down

by type of business (industrial sector).

TABLE 1: INVEST NI ASSISTANCE OFFERED IN SOUTH DOWN PCA BY INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (2002-03 TO 2010-11)

SECTOR 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Business & Financial

Services 1,955 19,876 180,672 142,755 68,820 52,488 70,797 51,893 147,112

Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals 14,250 - 10,126 80,119 41,828 20,000 - 74,700 15,585

Clothing & Textiles 1,554,320 38,675 303,905 - 1,056 - - 25,200 1,000

Construction Services - 100 1,568 74,558 97,985 71,492 16,400 264,950 204,381

Electrical, Electronic & Optical

Equipment - 8,000 - 91,037 4,400 - - 1,000 12,900

External Delivery

Organisations - 100,000 14,729 - - - 5,000 - -

Fabricated Metal & Metal

Finishing 94,604 410,879 60,973 5,133 66,003 134,599 410,435 419,748 138,997

Food, Drink & Tobacco 478,804 31,646 103,852 165,799 135,804 119,183 115,630 573,106 157,853

Glass, Ceramic & Concrete

Products 3,120 70,476 441,556 21,306 25,280 353,786 14,900 163,942 24,000

Non-Electrical Machinery 10,000 109,134 131,561 55,108 110,078 15,647 73,586 17,500 42,197

SECTOR 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Other Manufacturing 34,175 42,310 16,824 3,673,183 21,000 58,881 8,167,198 278,872 37,847

Other Services 111,873 161,793 2,735,717 25,820 6,302 368,143 99,294 242,706 89,513

Paper Products, Printing &

Publishing 5,360 939 945 4,100 48,386 14,903 - 5,000 -

Rubber & Plastic products 26,500 2,700 849 - 25,000 39,184 5,000 28,584 20,075

Software & Computer

Services 24,340 27,252 1,795 - 4,440 55,956 95,757 160,511 124,509

Transport Equipment 32,010 27,590 260,739 290,250 84,635 29,700 163,704 1,981,412 102,324

Wood Products 2,120 - 63,334 30,453 4,255 9,092 3,450 77,398 15,000

Total 2,393,431 1,051,371 4,329,144 4,659,619 745,272 1,343,054 9,241,151 4,366,522 1,133,293

Table 2 shows the amount of assistance offered by Invest NI in the South Down PCA between 2002-03 and 2010-11 broken down by area (District Electoral Area

(DEA)).

TABLE 2: INVEST NI ASSISTANCE OFFERED IN SOUTH DOWN PCA BY DEA (2002-03 TO 2010-11)

DEA 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Ballynahinch 66,450 87,446 38,872 - 1,056 99,184 29,800 142,017 67,302

Crotlieve 173,285 221,159 479,789 503,515 134,400 141,501 308,604 526,191 354,305

Downpatrick 142,110 108,227 169,374 78,558 129,586 253,645 172,016 402,126 90,621

Dromore - - 62,437 12,500 84,885 118 26,022 112,576 18,000

Knockiveagh 1,552,500 5,375 312,280 - 33,410 180,413 16,450 175,472 735

Newcastle 119,067 21,391 2,552,032 123,964 74,232 12,507 40,950 349,447 272,753

Rowallane 323,249 103,000 21,604 80,327 6,100 93,800 2,400 7,283 3,850

The Fews 1,820 232 1,304 408 96,880 72,079 82,783 749,305 163,916

The Mournes 14,950 504,541 691,452 3,860,347 184,723 489,807 8,562,126 1,915,355 163,579

TOTAL 2,393,431 1,051,371 4,329,144 4,659,619 745,272 1,343,054 9,241,151 4,379,772 1,135,061

Notes to Tables 1 & 2:

1 A further £26,149 of assistance offered cannot be split at Table 1 level.

2 A further £11,131 of assistance offered cannot be split at Table 2 level.

3 SectorsarebasedontheUKStandardIndustrialClassications..

4 DEAs are based on NI Statistics & Research Agency Central Postcode Directory.

In addition, Invest NI offered assistance of £816,800 during the period to locally-owned start up businesses through the Start A Business programme. This support

is shown by DEA in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3: INVEST NI ASSISTANCE OFFERED THROUGH THE START A BUSINESS PROGRAMME IN SOUTH DOWN PCA BY DEA (2002-03 TO 2010-11)

DEA 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Ballynahinch 5,250 16,250 15,750 12,400 6,400 12,000 3,800 - -

Crotlieve 42,250 32,000 55,250 34,100 16,400 21,600 11,800 - -

Downpatrick 24,000 40,500 61,750 34,950 12,000 18,400 8,800 - -

Dromore 1,750 4,500 3,750 2,800 400 400 1,200 - -

Knockiveagh 3,250 11,750 5,000 8,100 7,600 4,800 3,400 - -

Newcastle 18,500 24,500 39,250 24,150 12,600 13,000 12,200 - -

Rowallane 5,750 3,750 12,000 5,050 800 2,800 1,200 - -

The Fews 5,250 5,750 4,500 6,250 1,800 2,400 1,200 - -

The Mournes 13,250 9,750 22,000 8,750 5,800 7,000 3,200 - -

Total 119,250 148,750 219,250 136,550 63,800 82,400 46,800 - -

NOTES:

assistance.

ISSN 1463-7162

Daily Editions: Single copies £5, Annual subscriptions £325

Bound Volumes of Debates are issued periodically during the session: Single copies: £90

Printed in Northern Ireland by The Stationery Office Limited

Published by Authority of the Northern Ireland Assembly,

Belfast: The Stationery Ofce

and available from:

Online

www.tsoshop.co.uk

Mail, Telephone, Fax & E-mail

TSO

PO Box 29, Norwich, NR3 1GN

Telephone orders/General enquiries: 0870 600 5522

Fax orders: 0870 600 5533

E-mail: customer.servic[email protected]o.uk

Textphone 0870 240 3701

TSO@Blackwell and other Accredited Agents