Friday Volume 42 10 July 2009 No WA 4 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) CONTENTS Written Answers to Questions Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister [p213 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development [p216] Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure [p222] Department of Education [p226] Department for Employment and Learning [p236] Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment [p239] Department of the Environment [p242] Department of Finance and Personnel [p249] Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety [p257] Department for Regional Development [p284] Department for Social Development [p303] Northern Ireland Assembly Commission [p309] Written Answers [p313] £5.00 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. 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For more information please contact the Northern Ireland Assembly, Printed Paper Office, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3XX Tel: 028 9052 1078 ASSEMBLY MeMBerS Adams, Gerry (West Belfast) McCarthy, Kieran (Strangford) Anderson, Ms Martina (Foyle) McCartney, Raymond (Foyle) Armstrong, Billy (Mid Ulster) McCausland, Nelson (North Belfast) Attwood, Alex (West Belfast) McClarty, David (East Londonderry) Beggs, Roy (East Antrim) McCrea, Basil (Lagan Valley) Boylan, Cathal (Newry and Armagh) McCrea, Ian (Mid Ulster) Bradley, Dominic (Newry and Armagh) McCrea, Dr William (South Antrim) Bradley, Mrs Mary (Foyle) McDonnell, Dr Alasdair (South Belfast) Bradley, P J (South Down) McElduff, Barry (West Tyrone) Brady, Mickey (Newry and Armagh) McFarland, Alan (North Down) Bresland, Allan (West Tyrone) McGill, Mrs Claire (West Tyrone) Brolly, Francie (East Londonderry) McGimpsey, Michael (South Belfast) McGlone, Patsy (Mid Ulster) Browne, The Lord (East Belfast) McGuinness, Martin (Mid Ulster) Buchanan, Thomas (West Tyrone) McHugh, Gerry (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Burns, Thomas (South Antrim) McIlveen, Miss Michelle (Strangford) Butler, Paul (Lagan Valley) McKay, Daithí (North Antrim) Campbell, Gregory (East Londonderry) McLaughlin, Mitchel (South Antrim) Clarke, Trevor (South Antrim) McNarry, David (Strangford) Clarke, Willie (South Down) McQuillan, Adrian (East Londonderry) Cobain, Fred (North Belfast) Maginness, Alban (North Belfast) Coulter, Rev Dr Robert (North Antrim) Maskey, Alex (South Belfast) Craig, Jonathan (Lagan Valley) Maskey, Paul (West Belfast) Cree, Leslie (North Down) Molloy, Francie (Mid Ulster) Dallat, John (East Londonderry) Morrow, The Lord (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Deeny, Dr Kieran (West Tyrone) Moutray, Stephen (Upper Bann) Dodds, Nigel (North Belfast) Murphy, Conor (Newry and Armagh) Doherty, Pat (West Tyrone) Neeson, Sean (East Antrim) Donaldson, Jeffrey (Lagan Valley) Newton, Robin (East Belfast) Durkan, Mark (Foyle) Ní Chuilín, Ms Carál (North Belfast) Easton, Alex (North Down) O’Dowd, John (Upper Bann) Elliott, Tom (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) O’Loan, Declan (North Antrim) Empey, Sir Reg (East Belfast) O’Neill, Mrs Michelle (Mid Ulster) Farry, Dr Stephen (North Down) Paisley, Rev Dr Ian (North Antrim) Ford, David (South Antrim) Paisley Jnr, Ian (North Antrim) Foster, Mrs Arlene (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Poots, Edwin (Lagan Valley) Gallagher, Tommy (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Purvis, Ms Dawn (East Belfast) Gardiner, Samuel (Upper Bann) Ramsey, Pat (Foyle) Gildernew, Ms Michelle (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Ramsey, Ms Sue (West Belfast) Hamilton, Simon (Strangford) Ritchie, Ms Margaret (South Down) Robinson, George (East Londonderry) Hanna, Mrs Carmel (South Belfast) Robinson, Mrs Iris (Strangford) Hay, William (Speaker) Robinson, Ken (East Antrim) Hilditch, David (East Antrim) Robinson, Peter (East Belfast) Irwin, William (Newry and Armagh) Ross, Alastair (East Antrim) Kelly, Mrs Dolores (Upper Bann) Ruane, Ms Caitríona (South Down) Kelly, Gerry (North Belfast) Savage, George (Upper Bann) Kennedy, Danny (Newry and Armagh) Shannon, Jim (Strangford) Kinahan, Danny (South Antrim) Simpson, David (Upper Bann) Lo, Ms Anna (South Belfast) Spratt, Jimmy (South Belfast) Long, Mrs Naomi (East Belfast) Storey, Mervyn (North Antrim) Lunn, Trevor (Lagan Valley) Weir, Peter (North Down) McCallister, John (South Down) Wells, Jim (South Down) McCann, Fra (West Belfast) Wilson, Brian (North Down) McCann, Ms Jennifer (West Belfast) Wilson, Sammy (East Antrim) Friday 10 July 2009 Written Answers NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY Friday 10 July 2009 Written Answers to Questions Office of the FirST MiniSter and depUTY FirST MiniSter Members of the European Parliament Mr S Gardiner asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline their plans to create a more structured relationship with Northern Ireland’s three Members of the European Parliament. (AQW 8350/09) First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): The Executive’s office in Brussels had a good working relationship with our MEPs under the last mandate and we would expect that relationship to continue. The issue of MEP engagement is currently under review. Officials plan to meet each of the MEPs in the near future and will take their views on the need for a more structured relationship. Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Strategy Mrs D Kelly asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in light of the recent racist attacks and incidents in South Belfast, when the Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Strategy will be published. (AQW 8475/09) First Minister and deputy First Minister: We are appalled by the deplorable racist attacks on Romanian families in the South and East Belfast areas within the past two weeks, and indeed other recent racist and sectarian attacks. These are unacceptable acts on men, women and young children who came here to build a new future for themselves. This incident has done major damage to our reputation and our efforts to build a shared and better future for everyone. We have consistently stated that migrant workers are bringing very real benefits both to our society and our economy. We welcome and support those who have come to live and work here and we utterly condemn hate crime and discrimination of any kind. It must be remembered that these are the actions of a few; most people were appalled, and many acted to support these families. A range of groups we fund in Belfast, and local community representatives, are working to prevent more attacks of this kind and to support the unfortunate victims. We are fully committed to building a cohesive, shared and integrated society for all. We want to ensure that newcomers to our shores are welcomed into communities which are not divided, separate or unequal, whilst at the same time addressing the challenges that face new and host communities. We are on record as stating that we are finalising proposals for a draft Programme of Cohesion, Sharing and Integration. That Programme must, and will, tackle the challenges which local communities are facing. It will set a framework to confront racism, sectarianism and other prejudices. We hear the calls for us to conclude the preparation of our policy proposals. We are hopeful that work on this is nearing completion. However, we also recognise that a framework alone is not enough. It requires the efforts of us all to stand up to reject the behaviours and prejudices which underpin these actions. WA 213 Friday 10 July 2009 Written Answers We can reassure communities, particularly the most vulnerable, that whilst we liaise with the Assembly Committee, the work of challenging sectarianism, racism and all forms of intolerance is continuing with our active support. Gender Advisory Panel Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the planned activities of the Gender Advisory Panel after 2009. (AQW 8485/09) First Minister and deputy First Minister: It is envisaged that the planned activities of the Gender Advisory Panel after 2009 will continue to focus on implementing the 10-year Gender Equality Strategy, and preparing for the mid-term review of the strategy in 2011. The current terms of reference for the Gender Advisory Panel are due for review in June 2009. The next meeting of the Gender Advisory Panel is to take place on 11 September 2009. The current terms of reference stipulate that meetings shall take place several times a year and members of the advisory panel will be given two optional dates 4 weeks in advance of a meeting. Gender Advisory Panel Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the timescales for any future activities of the Gender Advisory Panel. (AQW 8486/09) First Minister and deputy First Minister: It is envisaged that the planned activities of the Gender Advisory Panel after 2009 will continue to focus on implementing the 10-year Gender Equality Strategy, and preparing for the mid-term review of the strategy in 2011. The current terms of reference for the Gender Advisory Panel are due for review in June 2009. The next meeting of the Gender Advisory Panel is to take place on 11 September 2009. The current terms of reference stipulate that meetings shall take place several times a year and members of the advisory panel will be given two optional dates 4 weeks in advance of a meeting. Gender Advisory Panel Mr P Weir asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister the dates for future meetings of the Gender Advisory Panel. (AQW 8487/09) First Minister and deputy First Minister: It is envisaged that the planned activities of the Gender Advisory Panel after 2009 will continue to focus on implementing the 10-year Gender Equality Strategy, and preparing for the mid-term review of the strategy in 2011. The current terms of reference for the Gender Advisory Panel are due for review in June 2009. The next meeting of the Gender Advisory Panel is to take place on 11 September 2009. The current terms of reference stipulate that meetings shall take place several times a year and members of the advisory panel will be given two optional dates 4 weeks in advance of a meeting.