Written Answers to Questions Official Report (Hansard)
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Written Answers to Questions Official Report (Hansard) Friday 4 July 2014 Volume 96, No WA4 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. Contents Written Answers to Questions Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister ............................................................... WA 379 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development .................................................................. WA 385 Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure ................................................................................ WA 388 Department of Education ...................................................................................................... WA 389 Department for Employment and Learning .............................................................................. WA 431 Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment .................................................................... WA 436 Department of the Environment ............................................................................................. WA 447 Department of Finance and Personnel ................................................................................... WA 465 Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety ......................................................... WA 473 Department of Justice .......................................................................................................... WA 495 Department for Regional Development ................................................................................... WA 512 Department for Social Development ...................................................................................... WA 525 Northern Ireland Assembly Commission ................................................................................. WA 535 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: [email protected] to arrive not later than two weeks after publication of this report. Assembly Members Agnew, Steven (North Down) McCallister, John (South Down) Allister, Jim (North Antrim) McCann, Fra (West Belfast) Anderson, Sydney (Upper Bann) McCann, Ms Jennifer (West Belfast) Attwood, Alex (West Belfast) McCarthy, Kieran (Strangford) Beggs, Roy (East Antrim) McCartney, Raymond (Foyle) Bell, Jonathan (Strangford) McCausland, Nelson (North Belfast) Boylan, Cathal (Newry and Armagh) McCorley, Ms Rosaleen (West Belfast) Boyle, Ms Michaela (West Tyrone) McCrea, Basil (Lagan Valley) Bradley, Dominic (Newry and Armagh) McCrea, Ian (Mid Ulster) Bradley, Ms Paula (North Belfast) McDonnell, Alasdair (South Belfast) Brady, Mickey (Newry and Armagh) McElduff, Barry (West Tyrone) Buchanan, Thomas (West Tyrone) McGahan, Ms Bronwyn (Fermanagh and Byrne, Joe (West Tyrone) South Tyrone) Cameron, Mrs Pam (South Antrim) McGimpsey, Michael (South Belfast) Campbell, Gregory (East Londonderry) McGlone, Patsy (Mid Ulster) Clarke, Trevor (South Antrim) McGuinness, Martin (Mid Ulster) Cochrane, Mrs Judith (East Belfast) McIlveen, David (North Antrim) Copeland, Michael (East Belfast) McIlveen, Miss Michelle (Strangford) Craig, Jonathan (Lagan Valley) McKay, Daithí (North Antrim) Cree, Leslie (North Down) McKevitt, Mrs Karen (South Down) Dallat, John (East Londonderry) McKinney, Fearghal (South Belfast) Dickson, Stewart (East Antrim) McLaughlin, Ms Maeve (Foyle) Dobson, Mrs Jo-Anne (Upper Bann) McLaughlin, Mitchel (South Antrim) Douglas, Sammy (East Belfast) McMullan, Oliver (East Antrim) Dunne, Gordon (North Down) McNarry, David (Strangford) Durkan, Mark (Foyle) McQuillan, Adrian (East Londonderry) Easton, Alex (North Down) Maginness, Alban (North Belfast) Eastwood, Colum (Foyle) Maskey, Alex (South Belfast) Elliott, Tom (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Milne, Ian (Mid Ulster) Farry, Stephen (North Down) Morrow, The Lord (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Fearon, Ms Megan (Newry and Armagh) Moutray, Stephen (Upper Bann) Flanagan, Phil (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Nesbitt, Mike (Strangford) Ford, David (South Antrim) Newton, Robin (East Belfast) Foster, Mrs Arlene (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Frew, Paul (North Antrim) Ní Chuilín, Ms Carál (North Belfast) Gardiner, Samuel (Upper Bann) Ó hOisín, Cathal (East Londonderry) Girvan, Paul (South Antrim) O’Dowd, John (Upper Bann) Givan, Paul (Lagan Valley) O’Neill, Mrs Michelle (Mid Ulster) Hale, Mrs Brenda (Lagan Valley) Overend, Mrs Sandra (Mid Ulster) Hamilton, Simon (Strangford) Poots, Edwin (Lagan Valley) Hay, William (Speaker) Ramsey, Pat (Foyle) Hazzard, Chris (South Down) Ramsey, Ms Sue (West Belfast) Hilditch, David (East Antrim) Robinson, George (East Londonderry) Humphrey, William (North Belfast) Robinson, Peter (East Belfast) Hussey, Ross (West Tyrone) Rogers, Sean (South Down) Irwin, William (Newry and Armagh) Ross, Alastair (East Antrim) Kelly, Mrs Dolores (Upper Bann) Ruane, Ms Caitríona (South Down) Kelly, Gerry (North Belfast) Sheehan, Pat (West Belfast) Kennedy, Danny (Newry and Armagh) Spratt, Jimmy (South Belfast) Kinahan, Danny (South Antrim) Storey, Mervyn (North Antrim) Lo, Ms Anna (South Belfast) Sugden, Ms Claire (East Londonderry) Lunn, Trevor (Lagan Valley) Swann, Robin (North Antrim) Lynch, Seán (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Weir, Peter (North Down) Lyttle, Chris (East Belfast) Wells, Jim (South Down) McAleer, Declan (West Tyrone) Wilson, Sammy (East Antrim) Northern Ireland Assembly Friday 4 July 2014 Written Answers to Questions Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister Model Aircraft Enthusiasts: Maze/Long Kesh Site Mrs Dobson asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether model aircraft enthusiasts will regain permission to use the Maze/Long Kesh site in Lisburn. (AQW 30992/11-15) Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness (The First Minister and deputy First Minister): There is no current agreement on Maze/Long Kesh. We continue to discuss a way forward. Shared Future Mr I McCrea asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how events such as the Giro d’Italia contribute to their shared future strategy. (AQO 6135/11-15) Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness: The Together: Building a United Community Strategy outlines a vision of a united community, based on equality of opportunity, the desirability of good relations and reconciliation – one which is strengthened by its diversity, where cultural expression is celebrated and embraced and where everyone can live, learn, work and socialise together, free from prejudice, hate and intolerance. We recognise that sport is a powerful tool in bringing people together and the Strategy commits to supporting initiatives that use sport to build good relations. We know and have seen at first hand that sport can play a central role in breaking down divisions in society and can provide a mechanism to encourage sharing, learning and friendship, especially among young people. For our people and neighbourhoods to begin to see the real tangible benefits of better good relations, we must all play our part in addressing division, intolerance, hate and separation. We are fully committed to this agenda and to driving forward on the commitments outlined in Together: Building a United Community. We are all too aware that a united community does not only bring social benefits but also economic advantages, such as increased tourism and investment opportunities. The success of the Giro cannot be questioned and can only further strengthen the competitive position of our tourism industry and contribute to the economy in both the short and long term. Attracting the Giro to our shores has the potential to contribute significantly to the economy, through attracting additional visitors, including out of state visitors, and generating additional tourism revenue. However, perhaps most importantly, it has shone a positive light on our community and demonstrated the unity that can be created when we all work together for the benefit of all our people. Support for Religious and Ethnic Minority Groups Mr Nesbitt asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what financial, or other, support is available from their Department for religious and ethnic minority groups. (AQW 33877/11-15) WA 379 Friday 4 July 2014 Written Answers Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness: The Minority Ethnic Development Fund (MEDF), managed by the Racial Equality Unit, has been providing support for voluntary and community organisations working with minority ethnic people and groups since 2003. The fund, worth £1.1m per annum, is currently supporting approximately 30 projects. The Racial Equality Unit also provides day to day assistance and guidance to individuals and groups in respect of their funding awards. Social Investment Fund: Update Lord Morrow asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the allocation of the Social Investment Fund. (AQO 6285/11-15) Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness: The Fund has been allocated across the nine Social Investment Fund Zones as follows:- ■ Belfast North £9 million ■ Belfast South £8 million ■ Belfast East £8 million ■ Belfast West £12 million ■ Londonderry/Derry £9.5 million ■ Northern £9 million ■ Western £8 million ■ Southern £8.5 million ■ South Eastern £8 million Flood