Friday Volume 46 27 November 2009 No WA 1 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) CONTENTS Written Answers to Questions Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister [p1] Department of Agriculture and Rural Development [p4] Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure [p8] Department of Education [p25] Department for Employment and Learning [p40] Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment [p44] Department of the Environment [p50] Department of Finance and Personnel [p53] Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety [p56] Department for Regional Development [p66] Department for Social Development [p83] Northern Ireland Assembly Commission [p92] Written Answers [p103] £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. This document is available in a range of alternative formats. 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 27 November 2009 Written Answers NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY Friday 27 November 2009 Written Answers to Questions Office of the FirST MiniSter and depUTY FirST MiniSter Refusal of Executive Ministers to attend Functions in Religious Buildings Mr P J Bradley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of the refusal of Executive Ministers to attend functions in buildings owned by religious communities, citing religious or political reasons. (AQW 1121/10) First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): We have made no such assessment. Presbyterian Mutual Society Mr A Easton asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on resolving the Presbyterian Mutual Society financial situation. (AQW 2473/10) First Minister and deputy First Minister: We are taking a very active and close interest in the work which is ongoing to find a solution to the difficulties of the Presbyterian Mutual Society (PMS). We know that this is a matter which is of great concern to the members of PMS and the wider community. We met with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on the 14th of October to discuss progress on PMS matters. We are now awaiting the full report on final considerations and options from officials. The financial and commercial sensitivities surrounding this matter are such that we need to preserve a certain level of confidentiality around the details of options until a viable resolution has been identified and agreed. However, we can assure you that we are working to secure the best outcome we can for PMS savers. MP’s Hotline Ms A Lo asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister if they are aware of recent changes to Home Office policy which states that Members of any other legislative assembly cannot avail of the MP’s hotline; and what action will they take on this matter. (AQW 2548/10) First Minister and deputy First Minister: We are aware that the UK Border Agency has recently clarified its stance on the handling of enquiries from Members of the devolved administrations, which is that enquiries on individual cases should be made by MPs given that immigration is an excepted matter. However, we have written to the Home Secretary to ask him to consider alternative ways in which Members of the Legislative Assembly might be enabled to make representations on behalf of individual constituents, in recognition of their position as elected representatives. WA 1 Friday 27 November 2009 Written Answers Appointment of a Commissioner for Older People Mr A McQuillan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister why they are not holding a meeting in the Coleraine area to canvas public opinion on the appointment of a Commissioner for Older People. (AQW 2609/10) First Minister and deputy First Minister: The proposals to establish a Commissioner for Older People are a priority for the Executive, given its commitment to provide a “strong independent voice for older people”. We want the consultation process to be as inclusive as possible. As part of the consultation process, which continues until 7 January 2010, there will be nine public meetings, facilitated by the Older People’s Advocate, Dame Joan Harbison, in the weeks commencing 16 and 23 November. The locations were chosen based on advice from Dame Joan and following consultation with the Age Sector Platform and Age Concern/Help the Aged. In line with this advice there will be at least one event in each county and two in Belfast. As far as possible, events are located within a 30-mile radius of main towns/cities. In identifying suitable locations, consideration was given to geographical spread, age profile and accessibility. Although Coleraine has not been included in the programme of public meetings, it is hoped that people in the area will contribute to the consultation by attending their nearest event in Ballymena or any other location or by submitting a response in writing, by e-mail, telephone or textphone. We should advise that the Department intends to reimburse attendees for reasonable travel costs incurred, including, where appropriate, bus or coach hire for groups. Executive Sub-committee on Poverty and Social Exclusion Mrs M Bradley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how many times the Executive sub- committee on Poverty and Social Exclusion has met in the last year; and to outline the workplan of the sub- committee. (AQW 2705/10) First Minister and deputy First Minister: In agreeing, on 20th November 2008, to formally adopt the broad architecture and principles of Lifetime Opportunities as the basis of its strategy to tackle poverty and social exclusion and patterns of deprivation based on social need, the Executive further agreed to the establishment of an Executive Sub-Committee on poverty and social inclusion. This Executive Sub-Committee is responsible for agreeing, the priorities and key Executive actions for tackling poverty and social inclusion here and also agreeing the monitoring