Northern Ireland Assembly, 22 January 2013

323 contributions from 63 members. The official report.

Ministerial Statements

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. A Cheann Comhairle, ba mhian liom ráiteas a dhéanamh leis an Tionól a nuashonrú faoi mo phleananna infheistíochta caipitiúla don tréimhse amach romhainn.

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement updating the Assembly on my capital investment plans for the coming period. In my statement to the Assembly in the autumn of 2011 under the heading "Putting Pupils First: Shaping our Future", I set out the challenges associated with the schools estate. Shoiléirigh mé go raibh m’fhócas ar eispéireas oideachais den chéad ghrád a chur ar fáil do dhaltaí – eispéireas a chabhródh lenár ndaoine óga a gcuid poitéinsil a bhaint amach. I made it clear that my focus was on providing a first-class educational experience for pupils that would help our young people to fulfil their potential.

In managing our wide and diverse schools estate, one of the major challenges is the need to balance limited capital resources against the large-scale capital investment needed across the estate. Using the strategic work on area planning, I have moved to ensure that capital investment is targeted to ensure the delivery of modern, fit-for-purpose schools that will be sustainable long into the future. In June last year, I set out for the Assembly my Department’s capital investment plans, which included an investment of over £133 million in 18 newbuild projects. At the time, I made it clear that I expected those projects to be actively managed and moved forward to construction as soon as possible. I am pleased to advise the Assembly that work on the projects is progressing well. I am confident that the first of them will be on site early in the new financial year. I am also pleased to report that planning for the move of St Gerard’s Educational Resource Centre to the former Balmoral High School is being progressed. It is envisaged that the centre will be relocated before the end of the school year.

In making that statement in June, I also made clear my intention to announce a further list of projects to be taken forward in planning and to release more information on the new schools enhancement programme. A Cheann Comhairle, inniu ba mhaith liom coinneáil leis an gcoimitmint sin agus nuashonrú ar phleananna infheistíochta caipitiúla mo Roinne a sholáthar don Teach. Today, I wish to follow through on that commitment and provide the House with an update on my Department’s capital investment plans for the coming period. Last June, I made it clear that the capital budget available meant that we had to do more with the existing estate. In support of this, I announced the establishment of a new schools enhancement programme that would make funding of up to £4 million available for refurbishing or extending existing schools deemed sustainable under area planning. I am pleased to announce today the first call for projects under that programme. Information on the scheme and details of the application process have today been issued to all the relevant managing authorities and schools. Details of the programme have also been placed on the Department’s website. It is anticipated that the first projects selected under the programme will be announced before the end of the school year. Initially, up to £20 million will be made available for the programme in each of the two coming financial years. The schools enhancement programme will prioritise projects aimed at facilitating amalgamations, improving existing facilities and facilitating structural changes needed across the estate.

I recently highlighted that significant funds had been ring-fenced to tackle the backlog in maintenance across the estate and that £40 million had been invested in the current financial year. This focus on maintenance will continue over the coming financial year and, taken together with the investment in minor works, the new schools enhancement programme and the investment in newbuilds, should go a long way to addressing the long-outstanding accommodation issues across the estate.

I can report that the Department has taken receipt of the outline business case for work on the Lisanelly shared education campus and is progressing with the examination of it as a priority. I am committed to delivering on that Programme for Government flagship project as soon as practicable. Lisanelly remains the only viable project for Omagh and the surrounding area in the wake of the public consultation process on post-primary area planning. Déanfaidh mé soiléiriú sa bhreis faoi Lios an Eallaigh nuair a labhraím leis an Teach faoi phleanáil ceantair sna seachtainí romhainn. I will expand on the Lisanelly project in the coming weeks when I address the House on area planning.

Unfortunately, as Members will be aware, Arvalee special school in Omagh, which is to be taken forward as part of the campus project, was burned down on 31 August last year. A temporary solution has been secured to accommodate pupils. However, a newbuild is urgently required. In light of this, I have approved the appointment of a team to develop a business case to look at a newbuild solution for Arvalee on the Lisanelly site as an initial phase of the project.

A Cheann Comhairle, anois ba mhaith liom díriú ar liosta na dtionscadal atá á gcur chun cinn i dtéarmaí pleanála. I now turn to the list of projects to be advanced in planning. The significant time needed to develop a capital investment project from its initial concept through to actual build means that a portfolio of projects must be advanced to the point at which they could effectively utilise funds that may be available in the future. In making this announcement, it is my intention that the projects will be taken through to construction. However, I wish to make it clear that the authorisation to proceed with construction will be based on the level of capital funding available at the time and all necessary approvals being obtained.

Inniu, tá mé ag fógairt 22 thionscadal le cur chun cinn i dtéarmaí pleanála. Today, I announce a further 22 projects to be advanced in planning, representing a potential investment of some £220 million. These projects have been drawn from priority projects identified by the various managing authorities, and the process used in selecting the projects for this announcement is available on the Department’s website. All the projects have been considered in the context of the area planning work being undertaken and form part of the long-term provision in their respective area.

The capital works that I am announcing today are aimed at effecting the agreed rationalisation of the schools estate or addressing serious or substandard accommodation inadequacies, overcrowding or undue reliance on temporary accommodation. Of the 22 projects, 14 are required to deal with previous or planned amalgamations or rationalisations in the estate. This is consistent with the drive towards more viable and sustainable schools and the principle of area planning.

I do not believe that, in a modern, forward-looking society, we should accept a situation in which children receive their entire primary school education in temporary accommodation, the majority of which is clearly outdated. Although we are not in a position to resolve all such situations at this time, six of the projects to be taken forward will provide permanent build solutions for integrated and Irish-medium schools currently located almost exclusively in temporary accommodation.

I know that Members are anxious to hear the list of projects selected, and I will move to that. The eight post-primary projects to be brought forward in planning are these: Holy Trinity College in Cookstown; Strabane Academy; St Patrick’s Academy in Dungannon; a newbuild project to encompass the existing schools of St Mary’s High School, St Paul’s Junior High School and St Michael’s Grammar School in Lurgan; Parkhall Integrated College in Antrim; Down High School; and, finally, two proposals to meet the needs of the controlled and voluntary post-primary sectors in Fermanagh. The first of those projects is the provision of a new school to replace Devenish College and to facilitate the amalgamation or closure of Lisnaskea High School. The second is to make provision for a new school to facilitate the amalgamation of Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School and Portora Royal School.

The 14 primary school projects to be taken forward are these: a new primary school to service Islandmagee and the surrounding area to include Mullaghdubh and Kilcoan primary schools; a new primary school for the amalgamated schools of St Joseph and St James's in Poyntzpass; Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh in Strabane; Gaelscoil Uí Néill in Coalisland; St Bronagh’s in Rostrevor; a project encompassing St Mary’s Primary School, Cargan, and Glenravel Primary School; Omagh Integrated Primary School; Braidside Integrated Primary School; Portadown Integrated Primary School; a proposal to provide a newbuild solution to service the needs of three schools — Craigbrack, Mullabuoy and Listress primary schools — on the outskirts of Derry; Corran Integrated Primary School in Larne; Elmgrove Primary School in east Belfast; Glenwood Primary School and Edenderry Nursery School in the Shankill area; and, finally, Edendork Primary School in Dungannon.

I reaffirm that my Department’s strategy for capital investment for the coming years will be shaped by the outworkings of area planning, and it forms part of the ongoing programme focused on improving outcomes for our young people. It is a continuation of the pragmatic approach that I have taken to ensure the strategic and effective utilisation of capital investment in the schools estate throughout the remainder of the current Budget period. It will also ensure that we have effective capital investment plans in place moving forward.

My announcement today is not only good news for the schools to be advanced in planning but, through the schools enhancement programme, it provides an opportunity for schools to enhance and extend the lifespan of the existing estate and to support proposals emerging from area planning. On the basis of the multiplier figures used by the construction industry uses — £2·84 for every £1 invested and 28 and a half jobs created for every £1 million invested — this announcement provides a potential investment of up to £625 million in the local economy and secures more than 6,200 jobs in the construction industry. That level of investment will be a much-needed boost to the construction industry here over the coming years.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I welcome the fact that we have come to the House today to look at the announcement that has been made on investment in the refurbishment of our schools and planning for the future. That continues to be an area where we need to deliver. As the House is aware, the Committee has taken an active interest, particularly in the Lisanelly site and Arvalee special school. I am sure that Members will note that a business case is to be advanced for the latter, and mention of that in the statement is to be welcomed.

On eight occasions, the Minister's statement referred to area planning, as well as to decisions on refurbishment and extensions to schools based on decisions relating to the area planning process. The Committee and, I think, every school in Northern Ireland wants to know when the outcomes of the area plan consultation will be published. In asking for this clarification, I reiterate the Committee's view that the results of the post-primary consultation should be published before the primary school consultation on area planning commences, because that has raised serious concerns.

The Minister referred to 18 projects that he announced in June. He indicated then that these projects could be under construction by the end of this financial year or the start of the next year. In today's statement, the Minister updated the House by saying that only one of those projects has met that expectation. I ask the Minister to look seriously at the processes used after announcements are made. Clearly, they are not working. Can he advise on the appropriate timescale for the approval of the business cases and commencement of construction for the newbuild projects that he announced today that are to be advanced to the planning stage?

I will conclude as a Member of the House. I declare an interest as a member of the board of governors of Ballymoney High School and say how disappointed the school will be, as I am, that, yet again and despite meeting all the criteria and expectations of the board and the Department, it is not even mentioned 10 years later. That raises serious concerns about the references in the document to area planning.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I thank the Chair of the Committee for his question, which covers a wide range of subjects. I will try my best to cover them all.

I hope to be in a position to publish the area planning consultation results within a number of weeks. There were 47,000 responses, which is fantastic. It shows that there was significant interest in the matter and that the public and the sectors actively responded to it. Therefore, let us give their consultation responses due regard and respect and analyse them. We will then be in a position to set out the next steps in area planning in a number of weeks.

I have always said that area planning will be an evolutionary process rather than the Big Bang, all happening at once. We will be able to sign off definitively on parts of each board's area plans and say, "That is the way forward". Indeed, this statement and my statement in June are based on the information that we already have from the area planning process. This is part of the rolling-out of area plans. The announcements that I made today are strategic investments in the schools estate and in the education of an area.

I was asked when we will publish for consultation the primary school area plans. I also hope to be in a position to do that in a number of weeks. We want to learn from the post-primary consultation exercise. I had discussions with the chief executives of the boards and CCMS last week on what lessons we should learn and have learnt from the post-primary process. We will then be in a position to publish the results on the post-primary area plans before the primary school ones. I will confirm that to the Committee in due course and explain the way in which that process will work.

On my June announcement on newbuilds, the Chair and the Committee are aware that taking forward newbuild programmes is quite an onerous task. I had hoped to have proposals on the ground as quickly as possible, and I still think that we are meeting that target. I have said that we have to have projects in place either in this financial year or early in the next. If there is slippage of a number of months, although that may be disappointing to a degree, the key point is that we are getting the projects on the ground, that construction will start and that they will be built. The St Gerard's Educational Resource Centre project is moving forward and will be in place before the end of the school term. All those things are moving forward, and I am content that we are acting as quickly as possible.

Any building project, regardless of size — we are dealing with hundreds of millions of pounds' worth of projects — can run into delays and other problems, some of which, from experience, I believe can be avoided; others cannot be avoided. Should the entire process of government be fine-tuned? I believe so, because the number of hoops that we have to jump through to get a project on the ground is unnecessary. I even raised that with the head of the Civil Service at a meeting to discuss strategies for the way forward. We are where we are, and we have to continue using those processes. I would like to see them refined.

The projects that I announced today will move forward to varying degrees. I have announced that they are moving forward in the planning process. I have been very careful about what I have said today. This is a good news story, but I do not want to raise expectations among those schools that construction will start in the immediate future. It will not. The schools have to continue through the planning process. I suspect that a number of the projects will be able to start in the current budgetary period, and that is why we are planning for them. If there is slippage in any of the other projects, we will be able to move those in. If further finance or capital becomes available, we have a list of schools ready to move forward. That is why we are there.

I understand the disappointment not only of Ballymoney High School but of others. I have no doubt that, as the questions continue, I will hear that a number of schools are disappointed not to have been included in today's announcement. I will make more definitive statements around a number of schools as part of my capital announcement. I suspect that this will be my last capital announcement in the medium term, although I hope that it is not the last capital announcement of this Assembly term.

We continue to progress schools through the system, and I want to be in a position to announce further school builds before the end of this Assembly term. However, I also emphasise that schools should look at the enhancement package. I am not suggesting that that is the answer to Ballymoney High, but I say in broad terms that an investment of up to £4 million in a post-primary school or any school will make a significant difference to the fabric of that school.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I welcome the Minister's statement. The inclusion of Down High School in the list of projects will be greeted with great approval and gratitude across County Down. I also welcome the significant funds for the school enhancement programme. Bearing that in mind, will the Minister expand on the significance of the programme not just for our schools estate but for our wider economy?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

My primary objective is to ensure that we have a functional schools estate. However, the consequences of that are good news for the construction industry. In part of my statement, I used the calculator that the construction industry uses: for every £1 invested, £2·84 is stimulated in the industry. It is a significant investment, with the potential of up to £625 million being invested in the local economy and the potential for around 6,000 jobs as we move forward. So, the Department is playing its part in assisting the construction industry through this bleak period. This year, we are also investing £40 million in maintenance in our schools. That includes programmes that will ensure that the fabric of our schools estate is improved and assist the construction industry. I continue to seek finances for a number of areas of investment in the schools estate for the benefit of the schools estate, but I am delighted that it also assists the construction industry.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

I welcome the statement and the spend on rebuilds and maintenance, especially with Parkhall Integrated College. I just hope that no new hoops are brought forward.

When it comes to the enhancement programme, we seem to be creating divisions between types of schools as regards area planning. Will the Minister prioritise, so that sharing is more evident or encouraged when he looks at rebuilds in the future?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The details of the school enhancement programme have been published on the Department's website today. Managing authorities have those details. I encourage schools to take a close look at those, particularly schools that may have been disappointed today that they were not part of the announcement, and consider what advantages there would be for them in moving forward through that project of up to £4 million investment in the schools estate. It is a very worthwhile programme.

With regard to greater sharing in the schools estate, I have emphasised time and again that we require further sharing in our schools estate. I announced the Lisanelly programme of work today as being the only viable option to move forward in Omagh. Although there have been delays, understandably, in the Omagh area in relation to considerations around Lisanelly, I am of the view that we now need to move forward with the Lisanelly project and that it is now decision time around that element. I will certainly facilitate shared education when the programmes are brought forward to me. I am looking through the area plans at the moment to consider how shared education has been facilitated in those, and that will also be emphasised in the primary school area plans.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement, which I welcome both for educational and economic reasons. I welcome the £40 million investment in maintenance and the school enhancement project, particularly the new schools in my constituency — St Bronagh’s in Rostrevor and Down High School. They were badly needed and are much welcomed.

You mentioned slippage etc. As the Chair said, it is important to progress things from plan to cutting the first sod. My concerns for my constituency are Knockevin Special School and the newbuild at St Louis' Grammar School in Kilkeel, which would help to secure —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I encourage the Member to come to his question.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

— the plans for all post-primary education. I am really asking the Minister to clarify something that he said to the Chair about the last capital announcement in the medium term. Did you say that there would be some announcement before the end of this Assembly term?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I will clarify what I meant about the last capital announcement in the medium term: these are the only projects — and my June announcement — that I can move forward with the confidence, firstly, that we have, with regard to the June announcement, the finances to build those schools and, secondly, that, if we move forward the projects that I have announced today, we are in a position to deal with them either through slippage or additional funds coming forward to the Executive or planned towards the next CSR.

It is January 2013. No one knows either the investment we will be able to secure from the Executive or what other, if any, announcements will come from the British Government on their budgetary or economic policies. On a number of occasions, we have seen that we have actually benefited from announcements in Britain where we have got the counterbalance in terms of our block grant for capital. Therefore, particularly in this announcement, I want to be in the position that, if money becomes available, there is a list of schools ready to move forward. I am not ruling out another announcement on capital, but. at this stage, my plans do not include one. If money becomes available, I assure you that I will bring projects forward.

As regards St Louis' Grammar School and the other schools that you mentioned, I am not ruling anything out. The fact that a school is not on today's list does not mean that it is ruled out for the future. There is continuing work to be done on a significant number of schools and on area plans before we can bring further schools forward. So I encourage schools that seek further capital builds — they may be proposing amalgamation or whatever way they propose to move forward — to continue that work. The announcement marks out a phase in the capital builds programme. I would like to be in a position to make a further announcement later in this Assembly term, but we are where we are today.

Trevor Lunn (Alliance, Lagan Valley)

I welcome the Minister's statement, and particularly the fact that he has clearly recognised the most needy cases, which is reflected in the fact that there are four integrated primary schools and two Irish-medium primary schools on the list, all of which operate out of decrepit Portakabins.

I want to ask him about Lisanelly. He will be aware of the desire of Drumragh Integrated College in Omagh to be involved in the Lisanelly project. Can he tell us anything or, perhaps, give any encouragement that the school's opinion will be taken into account as Lisanelly is taken forward?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I assure the Member that the school's opinion will be taken into account as Lisanelly is moved forward. The configuration of the schools estate on Lisanelly has not been defined, for instance, in terms of the number of schools required or whether there will be a sixth-form college on the site. All those issues are of interest to all schools in Omagh and to Drumragh. I assure the Member that their views will be taken into account. Will the final plan include every wish of each individual school? No, it will not. That is just the reality of the situation. However, I can certainly assure the Member that opinions will be and are being taken into account. I will also say this: it is decision time on Lisanelly. It is a Programme for Government commitment that I intend to fulfil. So, while we have, quite rightly, gone through a prolonged period of consultation and discussion with individual schools and sectors, it is now decision time. Either you are going onto the Lisanelly site, or you are not.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement. I also thank him for his recent visit to schools in Holywood, where he saw at first hand the need for three new buildings. Can he update us on progress on the Holywood schools project?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I thank the Member for his question. I did, quite recently, visit Holywood with the Member. I think that I agreed to another meeting with him to discuss the matter further. The Holywood project is fluid in the sense that there has been a rethink around how that project might move forward from the board. Those issues are being discussed with the schools and elected representatives. I want to keep abreast of those discussions. Until they come to a conclusion, however, I cannot make a definitive announcement on the way forward. My advice to the Member and the schools involved is to keep those discussions going. I will meet them in due course. As I have said to other Members in the Chamber, the fact that a school or schools are not included in today's announcement does not mean that they will not move forward in the future.

(Mr Deputy Speaker [Mr Dallat] in the Chair)

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I also thank the Minister for his statement. I have listened carefully to some of his answers. He will forgive me if this is a bit repetitive, but does he intend to announce further capital build programmes? I think in particular of my constituency of West Belfast. I know that there has been some discussion around the area plans.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I thank the Member for her question. As I said, I would like to be in a position to make further announcements about capital investment before the end of this Assembly term. We will have to evaluate what happens in the June announcement and how well these proposals move forward. We will then have to do our sums to see what capital we have.

As I said to Mr Rogers, as we head towards the end of January 2013, no one here knows what the financial position will be as we move into the last two years of this CSR. The British Government may make further announcements about changes to budgetary processes there, and we will hopefully benefit from that if further capital is available. The Executive are continually examining their budget remits to see whether there is slippage in any Department and which Departments can use that money in the short term. Today's announcement puts the Department of Education in a very healthy position for any of those potential outcomes, which will enable us to move forward. If more money becomes available, that will be used up by these projects, and if there is excess money, I can assure you that I will make further capital announcements.

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The Minister lamented the fact that he has too many hoops to jump through and that there is too much bureaucracy to deal with. What steps is he taking to tackle all that? Surely that is one of the functions that falls to the Minister: ensuring that red tape and bureaucracy are minimised. I suspect that he would have the full support of the House if he arrived at a solution for that.

To what extent were the projects and the programme that he announced here today influenced by the fact that there is so much temporary accommodation out there, with teachers having to teach in cabins and wooden huts? Will this, in fact, deal with that sort of scenario? If not, how many of those situations will still exist after this programme is carried through?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I will deal with those questions in reverse order. We are dealing with six projects today that are largely in temporary accommodation. That by no means resolves the issue completely. I do not have in front of me the information on the exact number of schools in temporary accommodation, but I will get my officials to forward that to you.

As for bureaucracy and the hoops we have to jump through, you are quite right: as the Minister of Education — this is, indeed, the case for any Minister — there is a responsibility on me to try to lessen bureaucracy in the Department. We are taking measures to deal with that. For instance, we are examining a regularised plan and design concept for primary schools, so that we do not have to design each individual primary school. We will have a regular design for primary schools. I am not talking about a 1960s red-brick model. I am talking about a modern, fit-for-purpose, inviting design that will meet the needs of primary schools, with only minor adjustments needed.

We will follow that up with designs for post-primary schools, but that is a more complicated process. A number of the processes that we have to go through happen across government. For example, the length of time that it takes to deal with an economic appraisal is, in my view, ridiculous. That is not because civil servants are not dealing with them, but because of the processes that they have to go through. Business cases also have to be gone through. Anybody here who has been involved in planning matters will know that it can be quite difficult to get through a planning process. I have raised those matters with the Executive and the head of the Civil Service, and they are being taken into account as we move forward. So, we are improving on how we manage government with less bureaucracy, but we certainly have not got there yet.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

A lot of Members have their name down for a question, so I remind you to keep your question short. I am sure that the Minister — I see him nodding — will keep that in mind as well when he answers.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I appreciate and welcome the Minister's statement. I never thought that I would see some of those proposals for Fermanagh on paper. I will welcome it even more when young children are moving in, and I will remind them that it was Minister O'Dowd who made the announcement.

How far will the £40 million for newbuilds go towards those projects? Is there any timescale for the ones in Fermanagh?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

There are a lot of figures floating about here today, so I can understand Members misinterpreting what I say. That £40 million is for school maintenance, which is a different programme again. It is for a school maintenance programme, and there is a rolling programme of maintenance going through.

We have a significant backlog of maintenance across the schools estate, although I increased funding dramatically over the past year. I intend to review my budgets again for this and the last financial year to see whether we can make any further funding available for school maintenance. During the monitoring rounds, the Executive also made funding available for future school maintenance programmes.

The projects that I announced today have potential costs in the region of £220 million. We have yet to secure some of that funding, although, as I said, as building programmes move forward there may be some slippages. We have to look at what expenditure has the potential to be spent in this CSR. I suspect that some of the projects that I announced today will move forward to building stages. However, some are at the very early stages and it may take two to three years before construction begins. The important thing is that we are moving the projects forward and they are in a position to use money when it becomes available.

Michaela Boyle (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I welcome the Minister's statement. It is a good news story for the education sector in the Strabane area. I am sure that the staff, principals and boards of governors of Strabane Academy and Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh, in Strabane, are jumping with joy this morning when they hear this news. It is, indeed, a great boost to the economy in Strabane, as well, in terms of jobs. Will the funding for the school maintenance and school enhancement programme continue to grow, as that may be the only source of funding that some schools that are not on the list can access for their schools?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

In the last financial year, £40 million was available for the school maintenance programme. We are projecting in the region of £37 million in the next financial year. I am looking at budgets to see whether we can make further money available for maintenance. Without anticipating what the Executive may do in respect of the monitoring rounds, I will continue to bid through the monitoring rounds for school maintenance money. So, there has been a significant investment in school maintenance over the last number of years, and we are beginning to tackle some of the problems in the schools estate. However, I am not suggesting that we are there yet.

I have set aside £20 million per annum for the school enhancement programme towards the end of this financial CSR period. I hope that we will be able to use that completely, and I suspect that we will. I think that it will be a popular programme among schools and will see significant improvement to the schools estate as well. So, there are opportunities for schools to access a number of funding programmes to improve the fabric of their schools.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Nuair a bhí an tAire ag caint, thagair sé don phleanáil cheantair. Tá an próiseas sin socraithe i ndeisceart Ard Mhacha. Ar an ábhar sin, an aontaíonn an tAire liom go bhfuil an t-am ann le hinfheistiú a dhéanamh in Ardscoil Naomh Iosaf i gCrois Mhic Lionnáin?

The Minister referred in his statement to area planning. That process is very much settled for south Armagh, with excellent co-operation between the high schools there. Will the Minister agree that this is an opportune time to consider investment in St Joseph's High School, Crossmaglen? Will he accept, if he has not already done so, an invitation to visit that school?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The standard answer to all Members who have raised individual schools is this: today's announcement does not rule out a school going forward in the future. If capital becomes available, I will make further announcements.

Indeed, I will be making an announcement around area planning. In certain parts of the North, area planning is largely settled. They have made inroads over the last number of years and planning has been going on. I would like to be a position when making an announcement around area planning to point towards a number of areas that have fulfilled their area planning obligations.

I think that I have on file an invite to St Joseph's. If I have not, I am more than happy to go to St Joseph's and take a look around the school, as I have with other areas, examine the school's estate and have a discussion with the staff and pupils about their views on the way forward for education, which I, as Minister, always find very helpful.

Paul Girvan (DUP, South Antrim)

Thank you, Minister, for your statement. I welcome the investment of £220 million in capital projects. I particularly welcome the announcement about Parkhall Integrated College. We had many meetings about that matter, for which I thank the Minister. I want an assurance about the time frame in which it will be taken forward. I appreciate the fact that not all of today's announcements are at the same stage; some are further along the road than others. Parkhall Integrated College has approval and so on and is ready to go, so will you give me a time frame? Considering the plight of our local construction industry, when contracts are given, will local firms be able to take advantage of them?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I thank the Member for his question. I was impressed with the cross-party delegation that I met with representatives from Parkhall several months ago in the Building. Despite our reputation of sometimes not being able to work together as political parties, that was a fine example of local political parties working together. The group made an impressive presentation with school representatives, and it had cross-community support. After further examination, the merits of the school spoke for themselves. Parkhall is well advanced in the planning process and has only a number of phases to go through before signing off. However, we have to match that against the money when it is available. I cannot give a definitive time, but the project is more advanced than others in the planning stages.

Francie Molloy (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his announcement. It comes after blue Monday and is certainly a good Tuesday, particularly for Holy Trinity College in Cookstown. It provides a new school for Cookstown and gives the town a clear identity as the hub of mid-Ulster. That is important as we try to provide schools for the future. Can any European funding be drawn down, particularly for the advancement of research and development and opportunities to fund it?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

My Department is not using any European funding for the projects. It has, however, been involved in discussions with other Departments and was included in the last visit to Brussels by Executive officials. We are beginning to involve ourselves more closely with the European project and potential funding streams. I will happily accept money from anywhere; if you have any influence in those circles, I will be more than happy to accept that from you.

In terms of Cookstown, Holy Trinity College was one of the core schools that was identified by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), which sees the school as being an integral part of area planning. As with all the other schools, I am delighted to be in a position to make that announcement.

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

I join my colleague in thanking the Minister for the positive statement. It is difficult for me to ask a question, given that my colleague asked everything about Parkhall. The Minister recognised that there was cross-party support. Recognition must also be given to the school principal because he played an important role in bringing forward that delegation. There is a concern because the school has been on a list before, but it fell off. Will you give us an assurance that Parkhall is on the list to stay until it is built?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I have been cautious about making capital announcements because I realise that, in the past, we announced lengthy lists of schools that would be built some day. Schools, quite rightly, expected them to be built, but they never came to fruition and frustration grew. My June announcement stated that if there is money to build those schools, they will definitely go ahead. Parkhall has been identified as a core school in the area, and it will go ahead. It is at an advanced stage of planning. I now have to bring it to the next planning stage and match that up against funds. I can say definitively that Parkhall is going ahead in the future.

When I acknowledged the cross-party delegation that came to the Building, I was also acknowledging the role of the principal, who, along with representatives from that area, presented a firm argument about the future needs of Parkhall. I acknowledge his work in that regard.

Stewart Dickson (Alliance, East Antrim)

Thank you, Minister, for your statement. I particularly welcome two projects in east Antrim: Mullaghdubh and Kilcoan primary schools, and particularly Corran Integrated Primary School in Larne, both of which many of my colleagues from east Antrim, I am sure, and I have lobbied very hard on. Minister, can you assure the House today that those two projects will not be marched to the top of the hill only to be disappointed once again and that they will proceed? Finally, Minister, will you agree to meet me to discuss both projects in detail?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Members are aware that they can write to me and ask for meetings. I am more than happy to receive such requests. I answer numerous letters. I do not need to come into the Chamber for you to invite me to a meeting. I am more than happy to meet you about both these projects and discuss what stages of planning and moving forward they are at.

As I said in response to the Member who spoke previously, I have been cautious in making capital announcements. I could stand here and announce that every school on the list will proceed. That would be great —, "Minister announces all" — but I do not want to do that. I want to make announcements about schools that, as we go through the planning process, I am confident, or reasonably confident, will be sustainable. Those listed today have been identified to me by the various managing authorities as sustainable schools that will fit into the area planning process, be financially sound and continue to have stable or increased enrolments. Therefore, they should move forward as new schools into the future.

Joe Byrne (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

I also welcome the Minister's very positive statement, particularly for the schools in Omagh and Strabane that he mentioned. What progress, or otherwise, has there been on replacing Carrickmore's Dean Maguírc school, and what can he say about the tug of war over ascertaining its new site?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I do not have the full details of those projects in front of me. If the Member wishes to write to me, I will elaborate on that as much as I can.

Today's announcements are the result of engagement involving my officials, the education boards and the CCMS, and of my officials taking responsibility for the building programmes that the Department of Education is directly responsible for. So the list that I have announced is the result of that consultation. As I have said to all other Members, because a school is not on today's list does not mean that it has been scrubbed. Each school will have to stand on its own merits after today's announcement, and there are various reasons why a particular school is not in this announcement.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

The plight of Ballymoney High School has already been raised, but the Minister did not answer the question. So I ask again: why is it that, after 10 years of languishing in need, Ballymoney has been ignored again?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I was pretty sure that I did answer the question. Ballymoney has not been ignored, nor has any other school that is not on the list. At this stage, I am announcing proposals after discussions with the boards, CCMS and other managing authorities on school programmes. If the Member believes that Ballymoney has been ignored, he must take up that matter with the North Eastern Education and Library Board. I do not think that we should send out the message from the Chamber today that because a school is not on the list, its future has been decided — it has not.

I will make further announcements about core schools and area planning in the coming weeks. I hope to be in a position, at that stage, to refer to a number of projects that are at the stage at which they can be designated as future core schools, a number of which will require newbuild programmes. So let us not write off a school's future on the basis of questions asked after a statement. A programme of work on area planning is continuing. I would like to be in a position to make further capital announcements in the future. As I have said to many Members, this is January 2013, and we do not know what the financial position will look like over the next couple of years. I hope to be in a position to make further announcements as a result of the work of the Executive and, perhaps, further announcements from the British Exchequer.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

The previous Member to ask a question and my colleague referred to Ballymoney High School, and the Minister may be aware that Rainey Endowed was part of the joint project with Ballymoney that was to have gone ahead. Unfortunately, the Department changed the rules for that. Will the Minister assure the House that Rainey Endowed, parts of which are falling apart, will have a newbuild in the not-too-distant future? Will he give the school principal and its board of governors some assurance that it is on his agenda, and will he agree to meet them?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I am going to bring my diary secretary to the next Assembly meeting. I will agree to meet you; I have no difficulty meeting you and the school to discuss those matters. I cannot stand up here and give a guarantee to any school that is not on the list. That should not be taken as a negative. I am announcing plans for these schools today as part of moving forward. I am continuing to work with my departmental officials and the various managing authorities out there to see how we can continue to move other projects forward. Let us continue the engagement on each of those particular schools to see what we can do going into the future.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

The plight of Rainey has just been raised. I welcome the statement and the potential investment for the construction industry, which is very much needed at this time. However, I am most disappointed, as the students and staff will be, that Rainey Endowed is not on the list of capital projects. Does the Minister feel that holding them to ransom in this way is the best way to enforce area plans?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The Member should consider whether using that language is the best way to lobby a Minister. I am not holding anybody to ransom. I am moving area planning and the capital build programme forward in an open, transparent manner. You, and anyone else, can examine how I brought the statement forward through my Department's website. The information on how they were brought forward is there.

The information that I have in front of me about Rainey Endowed is that the draft area plan from the board proposes that:

"Rainey Endowed and Sperrin Integrated College will work towards becoming a bi-lateral shared 11-19 school with enrolment increased to 1600 initially working on a split site arrangement but with a requirement for a new build as soon as possible."

So, the proposal has not been completely worked through. No one is arguing that that should not be further examined and discussed. I am happy to meet the school to discuss it further. A newbuild for Rainey has not been ruled out, nor has it for any of the other schools discussed here. The process is at the stage it is at. I have announced the schools that I am confident we can move forward with. As I said, I could stand here and announce that 100 schools are going to be built. That would not mean that they would be built. Let us do this in a staged approach to ensure that the announcements actually mean something and that programmes of work are actually rolling out.

Jo-Anne Dobson (UUP, Upper Bann)

I also thank the Minister for his statement. I welcome the projects that are to be taken forward. However, last week in Committee, Minister, I raised with you the situation of Richmount Primary School, which is in Portadown in our constituency. Will you give an assurance that you will work to ensure that the unmet preschool need will be taken forward?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The issue at Richmount Primary School is nothing to do with capital builds.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. With your permission, I wish to make a statement in compliance with section 52 of the NI Act 1998 regarding the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) inland waterways meeting, which was held in Armagh on 12 December last year.

The Executive were represented by me, as the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, and by junior Minister Jonathan Bell from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM). The Irish Government were represented by Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, and by Dinny McGinley TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs. The statement has been agreed with junior Minister Bell, and I am making it on behalf of us both.

Ministers endorsed the recommendation that sponsor Departments should consider options around the setting up of a board for Waterways Ireland and present proposals for consideration at a future NSMC inland waterways meeting. The aim is to present the paper at the next NSMC meeting in the summer this year.

The Council received a progress report from Mr John Martin, chief executive of Waterways Ireland, on its work, including the following significant achievements: the sponsorship programme to promote the awareness of the waterways across all navigations, with 94 events sponsored up until the end of October 2012, with an estimated attendance of almost 1·1 million people and an estimated value to the economy of over €85 million; maintenance of the waterways, with 99% of waterways remaining open from April to October; at 31 October 2012, a total of 591 metres of additional moorings had been provided, of which 50 metres are at Spencer Dock on the Royal Canal in Dublin and 541 metres at Lough Key forest park on the Shannon navigation; four new publications, which are 'A Taste of the Waterways', 'Guide to the Barrow, 'Good Boating Guide' and 'What’s On 2012'; the continued involvement and engagement with the INTERREG IVc Waterways Forward project; and the Waterways Ireland education programme, which includes the development of education packs for schools. That was launched in November by Minister Deenihan and Minister Quinn at the Waterways Ireland visitor centre in Dublin, and at the NSMC meeting on 12 December by Minister Deenihan and me at the joint secretariat offices in Armagh.

The senior environment officer at Waterways Ireland gave a presentation on the negative impacts of invasive species on the waterways. The presentation highlighted the types of invasive species, which can be aquatic plants, riparian plants, fish and invertebrates. The effect of each type of species on the waterway network was covered. Measures for tackling problems associated with invasive species were also discussed.

The Council noted progress on the development of Waterways Ireland's 2012 business plan and budget. The Ministers discussed the main priorities for Waterways Ireland in 2013 and noted progress on the 2013 business plan and budget. The priorities for this year include ensuring that the navigations are open and all existing facilities operational during the main boating season from April to October and actively promoting the waterways to extend and expand their recreational use in all forms.

The Council received a progress report on the restoration work for the Clones to Upper Lough Erne section of the Ulster canal. Ministers noted that the inaugural meeting of the inter-agency group on the Ulster canal was held on 20 September. The group will examine funding options for the project, which is continuing to proceed through the planning process in both jurisdictions. Waterways Ireland has responded to all requests for clarification and all objections to date, and a decision is awaited from Monaghan County Council and the Department of the Environment's Planning Service.

The Council consented to two property disposals at the River Shannon at Harvey’s Quay to Limerick City Council to facilitate the provision of a boardwalk along the river’s edge adjacent to the quay wall, and along the Grand Canal towpath at Edenderry, Co Offaly, to facilitate the development of a circular walkway by Offaly County Council.

Ministers thanked John Martin, who is due to retire in March this year, for his contribution to Waterways Ireland and noted the process for appointing a new CEO. The Council agreed to meet again in Waterways Ireland sectoral format in summer 2013.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

I understand that proposals will be considered at the next NSMC meeting for setting up a board for Waterways Ireland. Can the Minister advise of the timescale for the establishment of that board and when appointments will be advertised and made?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I cannot give the Member any advice on the timescale. At the moment, the progress report that we have states that options are being considered for the next NSMC meeting in June. Other than that, we have no indication of what those options include, including a timeline or, indeed, appointments to the board.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an ráitis a thug sí dúinn ar maidin. I thank the Minister for her statement. Will she outline what capital works have been undertaken in recent years, particularly in the North?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I know that, at the minute, there is a budget set aside for capital works. In 2012, Waterways Ireland's target was to complete 700 metres of new and upgraded moorings at the waterways: 50 metres at Spencer Dock; 541 metres at Lough Key forest park on the Shannon; 90 metres at Derryadd on Lough Erne; and 40 metres at the water sports jetty near Killyhevlin on Lough Erne.

Waterways Ireland has a plan to spend approximately £300,000 in capital in its 2012-13 budget, which includes a proposal to provide 160 metres of additional moorings at Crom on Lough Erne and a new works depot on the lower Bann.

Michael McGimpsey (UUP, Belfast South)

The outgoing chief executive of Waterways Ireland, John Martin, was appointed when I was Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure. His appointment was clearly a very good one and I wish him well in his retirement. He served for 10 or 12 years in that post, which, at the beginning, I can assure Members, was very exacting, because it brought the waterways in the two jurisdictions together. I endorse the Minister's expression of gratitude to John Martin.

I note that the sponsorship programme to promote awareness of the waterways across all navigations included 94 events that were attended by 1·1 million people and created value to the economy of over €85 million. That is very welcome. How much of that refers to Northern Ireland?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

First, I appreciate the Member's remarks about Mr John Martin and I am sure that he will appreciate them as well. John Martin, who is an engineer of note and a character of note, has given great service, particularly to Waterways Ireland.

I will write to the Member with details of the exact number of events that took place in the North — we are talking about places on the lower Bann and at Coleraine — and the exact amount of money that has been spent on those events at those sites.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis. An aontaíonn an tAire liom-sa go bhfuil obair iontach — agus obair dheonach — ar siúl ag Craobh an Iúir agus Phort an Dúnáin de Uiscebhealaí Éireann chun canáil an Iúir agus Phort an Dúnáin a athchóiriú? An nglacfadh an tAire le cuireadh teacht agus féachaint ar an obair sin agus bualadh leis an chraobh áirithe sin den eagraíocht?

Does the Minister agree that excellent work is being undertaken on the Newry canal by the Newry and Portadown branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland?

Since this is a day on which many invitations have been issued, will she accept an invitation to view that work and meet representatives of the Newry and Portadown branch?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as ucht a cheiste. I thank the Member for his question. I agree that the work on the Newry canal, the partnership and the links with other partnerships in the city, is commendable. The Member will, perhaps, be disappointed to learn that I have already received an invitation from some party colleagues. However, it is better that we, collectively, meet the full partnership. All elected representatives from the area should be there too. This is something that people in the constituency should be proud of. The plans that we have to progress in that area are important because investment in it is much needed.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for her statement. I congratulate Waterways Ireland for all the good work that it has done. The Minister mentioned the education programme, which includes the development of education packs for schools, which she launched in Armagh. Will she expand a bit on what is in those packs and how they will be rolled out?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The education packs are for primary school children aged 8 to 11. They are targeted at primary schools that are situated along the waterways and the rivers. The packs highlight the natural environment, the natural resources that are to be found in neighbourhoods and communities and the environment in general. It looks at using waterways and rivers as a health indicator — for example, towpaths and walks. However, it is also about boating and, indeed, water safety. I welcome it: it is a good initiative. It is certainly something that both Ministers will be looking forward to receiving progress reports on, because it is something that we could roll out, not just to primary schools but to post-primary schools, and do so on the basis that the needs for older children can have a place in the waterways as well.

David Hilditch (DUP, East Antrim)

I thank the Minister for her statement. While I note the success of the maintenance of the waterways, has there been any discussion on the responsibility of waste management and environmental issues, including disposal issues, which have been drawn to my attention by some users? There may be some confusion between the local authorities, the private sector and the agency.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his point. I probably need to talk to him afterwards about clarification. The only time waste disposal was discussed was in relation to the invasive species. Indeed, Waterways Ireland is responsible for making sure that weeds — particularly Nuttall's pondweed, which was fairly problematic in 2010 and 2011 — are disposed of. While there is not a formal service level agreement with local government and local partners, there is a formal setting where they meet and try to share responsibility for environmental issues around the waterways. I am happy to talk to the Member about anything specific that he has in mind.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her statement. Can she tell us the current position with the business plans and budgets for 2012?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The business plans and the budgets have come up. Trevor Lunn is not here, but it is something that comes up quite a lot, particularly around the NSMC meetings. The current position is this: all the Ministers met the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of agencies, particularly Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency. We also met the CEO to make sure that the budgets, the business plans and the efficiency savings that were indicated went ahead. So, Waterways Ireland has reported to us that it has met its efficiency savings in its budget and business plans for 2012, to which we provided £3·5 million. So, things seem to be on target for 2012 and moving in the right direction for 2014 as far as Waterways Ireland is concerned.

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)

I concur with the congratulatory comments to Mr John Martin on his retirement and wish him all the best.

The Minister alluded to the setting up of a board for Waterways Ireland. She will be aware that there is a concern about cross-border bodies per se in both Northern Ireland and the Republic about the under-representation of the Protestant community in employment. Will that be a priority for the new board?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I have not seen any terms of reference for any new board. At the minute, we are just looking at proposals for what the configuration of a board would look like. I have not been made aware of any concerns regarding the religious make-up of workers or members of the board. If the Member wishes to write to me with anything specific, I will be happy to try to respond.

I appreciate the comments that the Member made about Mr John Martin, and I am sure that he will be happy to receive those comments in the spirit that they were given.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas ar maidin. I thank the Minister for her statement. In relation to the education programme and the impacts on schoolchildren, is it anticipated that this will have an impact on children in areas of deprivation?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Yes it will, particularly because a lot of villages and towns around the waterways have been isolated. They are rural and have not received much investment. Thinking of the waterways in terms of maintenance, environment, fishing or even sport or leisure activities, we are trying to make sure that the programmes are delivered to schools, that there is something in them for everyone and that the children and young people can see a future on the waterways. It is really important to take those initiatives and, indeed, any investment to people who were the furthest removed from investment before.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

Thanks to the Minister for her statement. The restoration of the Ulster canal will create opportunities for water-based and waterside activities. The recreational aspects of inland waterways have a strong attraction for all our tourists. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in order to harness and develop that tourism potential?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board and, indeed, Tourism Ireland are now involved with waterways and the interagency group, particularly in relation to the Ulster canal. They are not only looking at additional funding opportunities for the completion of the Ulster canal but are working quite closely on the tourism product of our waterways, and will continue to do so. I accept the Member's point: it is imperative that there is a joined-up and interdepartmental approach, particularly in trying to provide a more robust and fuller tourism product.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

The joint communiqué from the meeting says:

"The Council noted progress on the development of Waterways Ireland 2012 Business Plan and Budget."

The joint communiqué from the July meeting said exactly the same. The joint communiqué from the February meeting said exactly the same. Back in October 2011, we were told that, at that meeting, the Council:

"reviewed progress in finalising the Business Plan and Budget 2012."

Now that we are through and finished with 2012, is it the case that Waterways Ireland's budget for 2012 has never been finalised? What do you do at these meetings? Is it just a day out for the Minister?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I think the Member is being ridiculous. [Interruption.] No, I think you are being ridiculous, but, in fairness to you, you are fairly consistent.

At the minute, the budget is with both Finance Departments for approval and everything is proceeding as normal. It is in the context that the operational responsibility for Waterways Ireland will go through all the different Departments and different processes, and everything is on board. It is with the Finance Departments for final approval, and it will progress as expected and anticipated.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

And when was the 2012 —

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

Order, please. The rules of the House are very clear: the Member asks the question, the Minister responds, and there should be no further communication.

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

Minister, you noted that there were discussions about tackling problems associated with invasive species. Was there any discussion about anything that can be used across other Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) waters? I am thinking specifically about the River Bush and the concerns that are there, with locals saying that a non-indigenous weed species has been growing for quite some time around the River Bush research station.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member may be aware that Waterways Ireland received capital funds for weed-harvesting equipment, which has gone round all the DCAL waterways. To my knowledge, the problem with the River Bush is being treated and dealt with. It has not been flagged up to me as an area, or a waterway for that matter, that has been so problematic that it needs to be prioritised. The River Bush was not discussed at the meeting, but obviously this is a constituency question, and the Member is entitled to an answer. The River Bush is part of an ongoing maintenance programme to make sure that any invasive species do not get out of control.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. With your permission, and in compliance with section 52 of the NI Act 1998, I wish to make a statement regarding the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) language body meeting, which was held in Armagh on 12 December 2012.

The Executive were represented by me as Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, and by junior Minister Jonathan Bell from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. The Irish Government were represented by Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and Dinny McGinley TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs.

The meeting dealt with issues relating to the language body and its two constituent agencies, Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch — the Ulster-Scots Agency — and Foras na Gaeilge — the Irish language agency.

I will now present a summary of the issues discussed by the Council on 12 December 2012.

Recognising that there is a need for change in the sector, Ministers discussed the Foras na Gaeilge review of core funding, which will be the focus of the next language meeting in 2013.

The Council received progress reports from the chairpersons and the chief executive officers of the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge. The Ulster-Scots Agency reported the following achievements: advancement of the Ulster-Scots flagship programme for primary schools, including agreement with schools on participation in and organisation of an inaugural teachers' conference; delivery of 16 seminars to raise awareness of agency-funded programmes for festival funding, summer schools and music/dance tuition; establishment of the Ulster-Scots Language Forum with representation from language groups, the ministerial advisory group on Ulster Scots, the University of Ulster and the BBC; and completion of the strategic review of the community workers scheme.

Foras na Gaeilge reported the following achievements: funding for the provision of specialised courses for the public service, with over 1,200 participants attending night classes and over 2,200 participating in online learning; promotion of the language among young people through funding of almost €500,000 for 66 summer camps and 77 youth events; further development of the terminology database, with the addition of 1,460 new terms and the revision of 120 existing terms; and the promotion of the use of Irish in a business context in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, with match funding support provided to 125 businesses.

Ministers also noted the ongoing collaboration between the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge on governance issues and the promotion of the work of the Language Body, including revision of the equality scheme, participation in joint showcase events and sponsorship of a book in Irish about Robbie Burns.

The Council noted that Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency have applied efficiency savings to the 2012 budgets in accordance with the guidance issued by the Finance Departments and that the 2012 business plans and budgets will be brought to a future NSMC meeting for approval as soon as possible. Ministers noted that the 2008 and 2009 consolidated Language Body reports and accounts were laid in the Assembly and in the Houses of the Oireachtas on 11 July 2012 and on 7 December 2012 respectively. The Council also directed Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency to include as a key priority in their 2013 business plans the publication of the Language Body accounts for 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The Council noted that draft 2013 business plans for Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency have been prepared, with the focus on delivery of key priorities for each agency. Sponsor Departments will work together to finalise the 2013 business plans and budgets and, following approval by the sponsor Ministers and Finance Ministers, will bring them forward for approval at a future NSMC meeting.

Ministers noted a presentation by the CEO of the Ulster-Scots Agency, outlining the work being undertaken by the agency and other stakeholders to progress the Hairtlan initiative. This entails the establishment of a Hairtlan advisory panel and the development of a funding stream to support the project. The Council also noted the timetable for launching the scheme in 2013 in order to enable programme delivery to begin in 2014.

Ministers noted the provisions of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2012 with regard to the publication and periodic review of the official standard for Irish. This is to be used in translating all primary and secondary legislation in the Oireachtas and as the guide for writing in the Irish language. Foras na Gaeilge will also take appropriate action as required to adhere to the official standard for Irish in carrying out its functions with regard to terminology and publications.

The Council agreed to consider a suitable date for the next Language Body meeting.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

I note the Minister's comment on the promotion of the use of Irish in a business context, particularly in the SME sector. Given that English is the global language of business, what benefit does she see that having for a sector that is already experiencing difficult economic pressures? Could the match funding that is being made available for that project not be used more wisely?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I do not think that small and medium-sized enterprises would appreciate the Member's comments. They have been asking for this for some time and support the project wholeheartedly. It comes down to where people feel that the Irish language belongs. It is regrettable that the Chair of the Committee has such disdain for the Irish language.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an dara ráiteas a thug sí dúinn ar maidin. Core funding is due to end on 30 June 2013. Has a decision been made for future arrangements to be made and to be in place by that date?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The review of core funding was not discussed in any great detail at the last NSMC meeting. The Executive, as part of the Programme for Government, had Irish language and Ulster-Scots strategies, which ended on 27 November. It is important that the outcomes of those strategies are reflected in any new core funding arrangements. The Member will be aware that there will be changes in the Irish language sector. However, it is imperative that the outcomes of those consultations are visible in any new funding arrangements.

Michael McGimpsey (UUP, Belfast South)

As someone who has spent most of his life in small and medium-sized businesses, I was intrigued to hear about the promotion of the use of Irish in a business context and the match funding. I am interested to know how much money we are talking about. I was a businessman in a former life. If I were on a building site or in a building firm and wanted to access Irish, what are the criteria? Would it be a matter of me hiring a bricklayer who can speak Gaelic, and you paying half the money, or is there something more pertinent as far as a business is concerned? As someone who has been in business all his life, I find this hard to —

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

Could we have a question, please?

Michael McGimpsey (UUP, Belfast South)

— understand in a business context.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I will get the Member the exact figures. There has been a demand for promotional and marketing material for small and medium-sized businesses. I am surprised that the Member has not received such requests, because the demand has built up since 2002 or 2003. The issue has been raised in the Irish language sector across all regions the length of the island. Foras na Gaeilge has responded to that. It is not just about meeting demand. It is about using Foras na Gaeilge core funding to try to promote better business opportunities for those who wish to do it through the medium of the Irish language.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Chuala mé ansin tagairt ag an Aire don tsamhail nua maoinithe ina ráiteas. An dtig liom a dheimhniú arís inniu léi go seasfaidh sí an fód do na heagraíochtaí bun-mhaoinithe mar a gheall sí a dhéanfadh sí cheana féin sa Tionól?

I notice the reference in the Minister's statement to the funding of voluntary Irish language organisations. Will the Minister once again attest to the fact that she will defend those organisations, as she said she would in the House previously?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as ucht a cheiste. I have always said that I will defend the Irish language, as I will defend Ulster Scots. What I will not defend is a review or reorganisation of the sector that does not meet needs. I know that the Member is also coming from that position. This is not just about maintaining the status quo for the sake of it. It is about making sure that there is core funding for the Irish language to meet the needs of not only children and their parents but the business sector — as we heard in previous questions — the environment and any aspect of life through the medium of Irish language.

It is imperative that those needs are defended. However, I will not — any Minister worth their salt would not — defend something that, on occasion, is indefensible. There have been extensive reviews, and I have done extensive consultations. I want to look at the existing, new and emerging needs of the sector, and that is what I will defend. I will defend the needs of the Irish language sector not only for the sake of it but because it is the right thing to do.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for her statement. I have to admit that I have not really followed the progress of the Ulster-Scots Agency's work very much. Therefore, what is the Hairtlan initiative? She mentioned a funding stream to support the initiative. Is that funding from the budget of the agency?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

It is, and the Hairtlan project is about geographical areas and hubs for the Ulster-Scots language, culture and heritage. It is really important because it looks at the oral history and development of the language, but primarily at the development of culture and heritage. Currently, there are no set criteria for a candidate area, but the Ulster-Scots Agency will work with communities who want to identify themselves as part of a Hairtlan area. The Member may be aware that north Down, east Antrim and east Donegal have previously designated themselves as Hairtlan areas, but the desire is to try to roll that out as widely as possible depending on where the demand and need are.

David Hilditch (DUP, East Antrim)

I welcome the Minister's statement and the advancement of the Ulster-Scots flagship programme. At this stage, is there any timescale for its implementation? Are there anticipated numbers of schools and pupils likely to be involved in each academic year and any potential costs?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I went to the inaugural meeting, which involved about 16 schools. I thought that that was very impressive. I also felt that, as it was the first meeting, many other schools would come on board. I have no idea about the cost yet, but it will certainly be within the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency. I am glad that there has been an opportunity to reflect on where the needs are and that the agency has taken those needs into consideration and tried to respond. The Member was one of the people who asked why money for Ulster Scots was being handed back, which is the last thing that we want to do. We want to make sure that the money is spent on identified need. The project has great potential, and I look forward to it being rolled out.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her statement. What is being done to speed up the process to publish the outstanding annual reports and accounts?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

As I mentioned in my statement, both Ministers made it their responsibility, even after the meetings were over, to talk not only to the CEOs but to the chairpersons of the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge. The delays are historical and go back to 2001, and, although the accounts and reports are laid consequentially, that is not to say that there is a huge backlog. Both Departments, the Finance Departments and the Audit Office have looked at simplifying, but not diluting, the process. Indeed, we have spoken to the Audit Office and the Comptroller and Auditor General in the Finance Departments, North and South.

The process was used for the first time to complete the 2008 accounts, and those were laid in the respective Houses on 12 July. The 2009 accounts were laid on 7 December. However, I want to be totally clear: we are still unhappy with the progress so far. We want all the 2012 accounts to be laid before the end of this year. I hope that the gap — it is not a chasm, but it is huge because of the delays originally created in 2001 and beyond — will be bridged and that people will not be frustrated by having to ask the same questions after each statement on each sectoral meeting. I am as frustrated with that as they are.

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

Minister, in your statement, you say:

"Foras na Gaeilge will also take appropriate action, as required, to adhere to the Official Standard for Irish in carrying out its functions with regard to terminology and publications."

Who is responsible for the official standard of Irish, and why is Foras na Gaeilge not using it in its terminology and publications?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member may not be aware that there are different dialects in each province. We need an agreed standard for the Irish language, and I will look at that quite keenly. Through Maynooth College, Queen's and the University of Ulster, we are looking at that to make sure that the Irish language has an agreed standard in future.

People's spoken and written Irish is very much down to the province and county that they come from. I am sure that the Member will support Foras na Gaeilge in bringing that forward in the future.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Cuirim fáilte roimh ráiteas an Aire ar maidin. The Minister referred to the consultations. Can she specify when we can expect the outcome and what the next steps will be beyond that?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member will appreciate that there were a substantial number of responses to both consultations. That is very positive. Our officials are still going through each of those responses, some of which are very lengthy. For example, one response came to 50-plus pages on the education section alone, so the Member will appreciate that it is a time-consuming process. However, I hope to have the responses to those consultations completed by the end of March, and I will bring to the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee and Executive colleagues ways of moving forward with both strategies.

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a cuid freagraí go nuige. Molaim-se go hard na hiarrataí éifeachtacha atá ar bun ag macasamhail Foras na Gaeilge. Ach más féidir liom ceist a chur ar an Aire: cad é atá ar bun ag an dá Roinn stáit le polasaithe faoi leith dá gcuid féin a chur i bhfeidhm, agus an bhfuil clár oibre faoi leith ag an dá Roinn leis na teangacha a chur chun cinn?

I thank the Minister for her statement. The work of Foras na Gaeilge and, indeed, Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch is to be commended for its efficiency and delivery. I speak as a former member of the board of Foras na Gaeilge. Will the Minister outline what, specifically, the two respective government Departments are doing? Do they have a particular programme of work for delivery, and, if so, can she outline some of that delivery to us?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question, and I appreciate his support for both bodies. Both agencies have taken on a lot of joint work, which was not the case previously. That is to be welcomed, and it has increased. For example, they are producing a revised equality scheme for both agencies, which is not completed. That is helpful. They also participate in joint events, such as the national ploughing championships, and they are participating in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. As I outlined in the statement, they have produced a book in Irish on Robbie Burns.

So, there is a programme of work to ensure that the business plans and the agreed programmes of work on the way forward are on target. They are on target, and this is additional work. Both agencies' emerging needs throughout the year will be presented. I am content with the work that both agencies are doing not only singly but together. It sends out a very positive message across the sectors.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

In this week of Robbie Burns night, I am sure that my constituents will be well impressed that, among all the squander, we now have a book written in Irish about Robbie Burns. They might be more interested to know why it is that the accounts, which go to the heart of the financial probity of this cross-border body, are so much in arrears and why, years on, we still await those accounts. Why does the Minister come to the House and say that she is disturbed about it? She is the Minister, but she does not seem to do anything about it. Why is that?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

That is not the case. I will ignore the Member's remarks on Robbie Burns. I just do not think that it befits the poet or, indeed, the work that has been put into developing this book, which the Ulster-Scots Agency, Foras na Gaeilge and the respective communities are quite proud of.

The annual reports and accounts for the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge have to be consolidated from the annual report and accounts of the North/South body. As the Member will be aware, that is defined in the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. They have to be laid in front of the respective Parliaments. I outlined, in response to a previous question, the process that we brought forward to simplify and speed up the consolidation of accounts. We made it a priority to meet the chairs of both agencies to outline to them how imperative that work is. I have no ministerial or statutory obligation other than to make sure that I do everything that I can to have accounts produced. I am satisfied that Mr Deenihan and I have done that.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

I certainly welcome the establishment of the Ulster-Scots language forum. Will the Minister detail how those who will sit on that body will be selected and what its remit will be?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Ulster-Scots Agency is leading on that, which is totally appropriate. It is looking at the ministerial advisory group on Ulster Scots and at other partnerships and groups that have been there for a long time and have a lot of experience to offer. We will mark the progress of that work, but I am content that the agency itself is best placed to take that forward. In response to a question from one of your colleagues on the schools initiative and the Hairtlan project, I said that many people have been working in that area for a long time. It would be foolhardy to ignore not only their views but their experience and opinions. The agency knows that, and it will use those people to take the programme forward. I support it in that.

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

I want to update the Assembly on the outcome of January monitoring and the Budget technical exercise that was undertaken after the Executive's agreement to realign budgets for 2013-14 and 2014-15.

I will start off by talking about January monitoring, before saying a few words about the Budget technical exercise. Before I go into the detail of the monitoring round, it is worth pointing out that the focus continues to be on the non-ring-fenced resource items, which hereafter I will simply refer to as resource expenditure or resource departmental expenditure limit (DEL). The Executive still monitor the ring-fenced resource and administration expenditure positions, and they are included in the tables attached to the statement.

The key strategic financial management issue for the Executive for the remainder of this financial year is to ensure that HM Treasury budget exchange scheme limits are not breached at the end of the year. Members will recall that those amount to 0·6% of resource DEL and 1·5% of capital DEL. That, of course, excludes the Department of Justice, which is subject to separate end-year flexibility arrangements. The actual amounts will be finalised and agreed with HM Treasury in the coming weeks, but they are likely to be around £50 million of resource DEL and £14 million of capital DEL. Importantly, any end-of-year underspends in excess of those amounts will be lost to Northern Ireland. That is something that I have impressed on other Ministers.

The starting point of this monitoring round was the October monitoring outcome, which concluded with an overcommitment of £14·6 million of non-ring-fenced resource expenditure and £10·3 million of capital investment. A number of adjustments were made at the centre that impacted on the overall financial position in this monitoring round. I would like to highlight some of those items.

As part of October monitoring, the Executive agreed to allocate £5 million resource DEL and £5 million capital DEL to the jobs and economy initiative in this financial year. That was held at the centre for allocation in this monitoring round. Departments have now confirmed that only £3·1 million of resource DEL and £0·3 million of capital DEL can be spent in this financial year. That makes available £2 million of resource DEL and £4·8 million of capital DEL in this round for allocation.

Members may also recall that, after the October monitoring round, the Executive held in balance £2 million of resource DEL to fund spend under the social investment fund, childcare strategy and Delivering Social Change projects in this financial year. The total expenditure on those funds is now expected to be £1·8 million, which frees up the remaining £0·2 million for allocation in this round.

As I have already mentioned, the Budget exchange scheme allows the Executive to carry forward and draw down end-year underspends up to the limit agreed with Her Majesty's Treasury. The scheme requires the devolved Administrations to adjust drawdown to the final outturn position. This only recently became available and showed that there were additional underspends in 2011-12 at block level of £1·9 million resource DEL and £1 million capital DEL. There were also additional capital DEL Barnett consequentials for 2012-13 amounting to £1·5 million announced in the Chancellor’s autumn statement. Those additional amounts were also made available for allocation.

The latest regional rate forecast indicated that an additional £3·8 million of resource funding could be made available in the January monitoring round. That was due to a number of factors, most notably the realisation of higher income levels and lower levels of irrecoverable losses than initially estimated.

As part of the October monitoring round, the Executive also agreed that £1·5 million would be made available to DCAL for sports in 2012-13. DCAL has now confirmed that the funding split required in 2012-13 amounts to £0·6 million resource DEL and £0·9 million capital DEL, and that represents a pressure at the centre to be covered in this monitoring round.

Funding was also released to the centre in respect of the coastal communities fund, reinvestment and reform initiative (RRI) borrowing and the centrally managed EU budget and salaries for individuals working in statutory bodies. All of those amounted to £2·5 million resource DEL and £0·2 million capital DEL.

All the above centre items impacted on the starting position in this monitoring round. Taking those into account, along with the October monitoring overcommitment, resulted in a reduction in the starting overcommitment to £4·7 million of resource expenditure and £3·8 million in respect of capital investment. That provides — it is a long, contorted route, and I hope that Members have followed the figures — the starting position for the January monitoring round before any departmental reduced requirements, reclassifications and internal allocations were taken into account.

I will now turn to the reduced requirements, which is the money that Departments said that they were not going to use. Departments declared reduced requirements in this monitoring round of £30·2 million resource expenditure and £12·1 million capital investment. The full details of those reduced requirements are included in the tables attached to the statement. I remain concerned at the high level of reduced commitments surrendered in this round, particularly since it is difficult to spend large amounts of resources in the final few months of the financial year. I would like to highlight some of the most significant easements and update Members on both the schools end-year flexibility scheme and the A5 road scheme legal case.

The Department for Social Development surrendered £17·8 million of resource expenditure, which accounted for nearly two thirds of all the resource DEL reduced requirements in this round. The easements contributing to this amount came largely from the Housing Executive and the Social Security Agency. Although some of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive reduced requirements were due to additional asset sales and efficiencies, which are good, a considerable amount was due to the deferral of a planned staff early release scheme. The bulk of the Social Security Agency easements related to reduced IT costs, historical VAT payments and welfare reform costs that were not brought forward as quickly, due to the progress of the welfare reform measure.

In relation to the schools EYF scheme, which allows schools to either draw down or increase their reserves, Members may recall that the Department of Education was allocated £5 million in June monitoring to cover the estimated 2012-13 net schools drawdown. The final schools EYF declaration, however, confirmed that the final estimated net drawdown will be zero in this financial year. That means that the £5 million will be returned as a reduced requirement in this round. Whilst it is disappointing that those resources will be returned at this late stage of the financial year, it is, I suppose, an improvement on last year's position, when £10·5 million was surrendered at this stage. The schools EYF stock to be carried forward into 2013-14 will now remain at £46·7 million.

I turn to the ongoing A5 road scheme legal case. I understand that the full hearing is scheduled for mid-February 2013. If it is resolved quickly, there is still a possibility of spending about £20 million on the A5 scheme in this financial year. However, it is clear that there is already a £30 million easement. Recently, I secured from the Chief Secretary up to £50 million of RRI borrowing flexibility to manage the issue. The £30 million easement in DRD was, therefore, handled as a technical adjustment to the DRD budget, with a corresponding reduction in RRI borrowing in this financial year. That provides the Executive with an additional £30 million RRI borrowing power in 2014-15. My officials will continue to liaise with their DRD colleagues on the issue. Should it be necessary to make a further adjustment to the DRD capital budget, it can be applied before the end of the year, with a corresponding reduction in RRI borrowing. I will update the Assembly on that issue at the provisional out-turn stage.

I turn to internal reallocations. It is good practice that Departments seek to manage any emerging pressures internally before bringing forward bids for additional allocations. Whilst the public expenditure control framework allows Departments scope to undertake many such movements on a unilateral basis, movements across spending areas in excess of the de minimis threshold are subject to Executive approval. In some instances, Departments have also sought permission to move allocations across spending areas to facilitate the transfer of responsibility for a particular function from one business area to another. The internal reallocations agreed by the Executive in this monitoring round are included in the tables for information.

The Executive also agreed a number of reclassifications between the resource and capital categories in this round. There were also reclassifications between ring-fenced and non-ring-fenced resource DEL categories. Again, those reclassifications are shown in the tables.

All those issues impacted on the amount of resources available to the Executive in this monitoring round. Taking into account the starting position, the reduced requirements and the reclassifications resulted in £20·6 million of resource expenditure and £13·9 million capital investment resources being available to the Executive. Against those resources, Departments' bids amounted to £96·7 million of resource expenditure and £27·6 million of capital expenditure. Again, the bids are detailed in the tables.

The level of allocations that was agreed by the Executive was informed by a judgement on the final level of overcommitment that should ideally be carried forward to the end of the year and the quality of the bids submitted. Historically, there has always been some underspend at year end in both resource expenditure and capital investment. The key risk for the Executive is that the level of underspend may exceed the limits in the Budget exchange scheme, which would, of course, mean that those resources would be lost to Northern Ireland. On the other hand, there is also a risk of breaching HM Treasury control totals if the Executive decide to commit too much in the January monitoring round. So, a balance clearly has to be struck. Recent experience suggests that the risk of exceeding the Budget exchange scheme limit is greatest for resource DEL, with recent capital DEL end-year underspends being well below the Budget exchange scheme limit. That informed the Executive’s decisions in this round.

Before I go on to highlight some of the main allocations, I would like to mention two separate funding transfers made in the monitoring round. The first funding transfer relates to the £11·8 million of funding allocated to us as part of the UK Government’s Get Britain Building initiative. This is good news for the construction industry and homebuyers. That funding was ring-fenced, as it scores as a financial transaction, and therefore had to be used for the purpose it was allocated for: loan and equity investment only. My officials have been working with their DSD colleagues on a business model that meets HM Treasury eligibility criteria, and the Executive have now agreed to proceed with two local schemes.

The first scheme involves housing associations purchasing vacant or repossessed properties to fix up and then sell on the market at a discount. The second scheme is a new shared equity scheme, which is a variation on the existing co-ownership scheme. The new shared equity scheme requires first-time buyers to purchase a starter share of between 60% and 75% and put down a 3% to 5% deposit. Participants will initially pay a very low rent on the remaining share, with the interest increasing to encourage buyout of the remaining share after five years. Those schemes should provide a much-needed boost for our local housing market and construction sector. The new shared equity scheme should also assist first-time buyers in getting on to the property ladder in what continues to be a very challenging environment.

The second funding transfer relates to the sale of the former St Patrick’s military base in Ballymena. Under the Hillsborough agreement, proceeds from the sale of former military sites should be transferred to the Department of Justice. Accordingly, the sale proceeds of £2·2 million were transferred to the Department of Justice from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister as part of this monitoring round.

The Executive agreed allocations totalling £21·8 million for resource expenditure and £20·7 million for capital investment. Those allocations are detailed in the tables, but I will highlight only a few of the main ones.

The Executive agreed to allocate £10 million of resource expenditure to the Department of Justice for the prison officer exit scheme. That allocation will help to drive forward ongoing Prison Service reform. Members should also note that that allocation will be more than matched by DOJ surrendering at least £10 million of capital funding in the 2014-15 financial year. That should help the Executive to address the overcommitment in that year.

Some £10 million was also allocated to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. That allocation allows the Department to address additional demand on emergency departments and other acute hospital services resulting from winter and unscheduled care pressures. It also provides additional resources for family and childcare services, general dental services and further work on infection control in our hospitals. That should be welcomed by the Assembly.

The Executive also agreed to allocate £17·7 million of capital investment funding to the Department for Regional Development. That will allow the Department to purchase 42 new buses at a total cost of £6·7 million. When I have good news for the Green Party, it does not even turn up. It would have been really happy about that. Furthermore, it provides an additional £10 million towards road structural maintenance and £1 million for the replacement of 600 street lighting columns. That brings expenditure on structural maintenance in this year to £100 million.

The outcome of the January monitoring round was that the Executive are now carrying forward an overcommitment of £8 million in respect of resource expenditure. In terms of capital expenditure, the Executive agreed to carry forward a zero overcommitment. Since the amount of capital allocations exceeded the amount of resources available, it was necessary to switch £6·8 million from resource to capital to ensure that the overcommitment was zero at the end of the monitoring round.

Members should note that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and indeed the entire block face an unavoidable pressure of £18 million in respect of EU funding not being made available for the Titanic project. The Executive are still considering the complex circumstances surrounding that bid, and a decision on whether to agree the allocation has, therefore, not yet been taken. The Executive may yet still agree that allocation, which would increase the resource expenditure overcommitment to £26 million. However, that is still acceptable in the context of the level of underspends likely to emerge at the end of the financial year.

Before I conclude the statement, I would like to say a few words about the Budget technical exercise relating to the 2013-14 and 2014-15 financial years. The Budget technical exercise allowed Departments to reclassify expenditure and move resources across spending areas, with movements in excess of the de minimis threshold subject to Executive approval. There were also some ring-fenced resource reduced requirements surrendered by Departments as part of that exercise. All those movements are shown in the tables accompanying the statement.

Allocations to the Departments for the next two years under the jobs and economy initiative were also made as part of the Budget technical exercise. In total, £32·5 million resource expenditure and £9·1 million capital investment was allocated in 2013-14, with £27·4 million resource expenditure and £6·9 million capital investment in 2014-15. There was also an allocation of £1·5 million made available to DCAL for sports in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The Budget technical exercise and the jobs and economy initiative allocations impacted on the departmental budget position for 2013-14 and 2014-15. Revised final departmental budget tables have, therefore, been attached for information.

There are a few further issues that the Executive will have to consider next year, and I would like to highlight them. Members will be aware that the Executive agreed, as part of the 2013-14 and 2014-15 Budget realignment, to reduce the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) budget by £0·2 million in each of the next two financial years. The reduction was based on the actual spending performance of the NIAO during 2011-12 and should not, in my view, in any way impact on its operational capacity. However, the Chairman of the Committee recently wrote to me expressing concern over the impact of that budget reduction, although he also indicated that the Audit Committee agrees that some reduction in the Northern Ireland Audit Office budget may be warranted. In light of that, the Executive agreed to monitor the situation and will come back to it when it comes to the June monitoring round in 2013-14. I think that that will make the Chairman a happy man this morning.

In concluding, I would like to highlight the significant allocations made as part of this monitoring round. They will benefit many people in Northern Ireland. They include money for front line services in health, the purchase of new buses and improvements to our roads infrastructure. The ring-fenced financial transactions transferred to DSD as part of this round will also deliver a much-needed boost for the local housing market and construction sector. New housing schemes should also assist first-time buyers in getting into the property market in what continues to be a challenging environment.

The Executive are carrying forward a considerable overcommitment on the resource DEL side. That should ensure that our block-level underspend at the provisional out-turn stage will not exceed the Budget exchange scheme limit and hence prevent any resources being lost to Northern Ireland. For all those reasons, I commend the monitoring round to the Assembly. I trust that it will receive a warm welcome from Members, whose constituents will be affected by the allocations that have been made and announced today.

Daithí McKay (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement. I am not a happy man about the reduced requirements. In total, £42·3 million resource and capital was surrendered. One third of that came from the Department for Social Development, and £4·7 million came from the Minister's Department, which has a much smaller budget than others. Will the Minister give those Departments a slap on the wrists?

On a more serious point, does it appear, Minister, that you will remain within the Budget exchange scheme limit as we come towards year end? What is your assessment of the risk of non-ring-fenced moneys being returned and possibly lost to the Executive?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

I am glad that the Chairman has raised the issue of the late reduced requirements that have been declared by Departments. Although we have found worthwhile projects on which to spend the money, the sooner we are aware of reduced requirements, the better we can plan expenditure and make sure that it fits with the Programme for Government and the kind of priorities that the Assembly has set. I emphasise to my Department and to other Ministers the need to look at these things earlier. On some occasions, it cannot be anticipated. Nearly two thirds of the reduced requirements have come from one Department: DSD. The money for the redundancy scheme in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and some of the IT stuff that was required for welfare reform could not be spent because of delays, and there is nothing that you can do about that. However, it is important that we look ahead and try to make sure that Departments declare the money. Of course I will slap wrists, publicly or privately, when necessary.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

Fourteen Members are down to speak, so I plead with you to be brief. I am sure that the Minister has taken note of that as well.

Paul Girvan (DUP, South Antrim)

I will be brief. I thank the Minister for his statement. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety cannot normally bid in monitoring rounds, so why has £10 million been given to it at this stage?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

There was an agreement that the Health Department would have flexibility with its budget and so would not normally be able to bid in monitoring rounds. However, when we are faced with the situation that the Chairman described, in which there are lot of reduced requirements at the end of the year, it is better, quite frankly, to spend the money than give it back to Westminster. When there are particular issues in a Department that could improve the quality of life for people in Northern Ireland, those bids should be considered. It was against that — considering people who are waiting for emergency surgery, dealing with unforeseen winter demands on the health service or addressing the matter of infections, which is a big issue in hospitals — that it was deemed that the £10 million was well worth spending. I would prefer that the money go into the health service in Northern Ireland than back to the Treasury in London.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

I sympathise with the Minister. It is an almost impossible task to balance a budget that is moving all the time. When I looked at the statement this morning, I thought, "Whatever happened to the review of the financial process?". Things would be an awful lot easier if we had a clear system that required people to budget and abide by the budget that they decided on.

My question is on the significant underspend by DSD of £17·8 million. I am particularly interested in the Social Security Agency part of it. The Minister said that it relates to IT costs being reduced; historic VAT payments; and, indeed, welfare reform costs, which I would have thought are a little early. I know that a lot of money is not being provided —

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

Sorry, may we have a question, please?

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

Yes, it is in there — not being provided on grants and welfare benefits. Will the Minister elaborate on the nature of these underspends?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

I will not enter a debate on budget arrangements. I, too, wish that we had them in place, although I am not so sure that they would deliver some of the things that the Member talked about.

About £2·5 million of the DSD underspend resulted from there not being time to apply spending for the reduction in Housing Executive staff. The rest was due to welfare reform not going at the pace that had been expected. Of course, there have been delays at Westminster in bringing in universal benefit etc. Therefore, some of the anticipated expenditure on IT systems and delivery has not been necessary. That is partly due to the delay nationally in implementing some of the welfare reform issues, so there was no need to spend the money as soon as this because the systems do not yet have to be in place. Therefore, the right thing to do was to return that money. It would have been much better to know that the money would not be required this year. However, given that some of these decisions arise at a national level, the Minister can respond only as that information percolates down.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I refer the Minister to the £18 million DETI bid to write down the EU debtor. Is that associated with the major project application to the EC in June 2009? I note that the total project cost was £97 million and the associated ERDF drawdown being sought was £18·02 million. There was a difference in legal opinion. The EC 's legal advisers believed that the application was ineligible, whereas the UK's lawyers believed that it was eligible. Has that been settled? If not, where do the Executive stand on this £18 million?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

I thank the Member for the question. I want to emphasise a number of points. First, this is not the result of an overspend on the project. The project came in on time and on budget. It is a question of how it will be financed. Initially, there was to have been £18 million of EU money. There is a dispute, and the clear legal opinion that DETI received, including that of the people who wrote the rules for Europe, was that the procurement route followed was correct and it could go that way. Later, the EU said that the procurement had not been properly done and, therefore, this would not be subject to EU funding. DETI will challenge that. However, as EU money has to be spent within a certain time frame, the prudent thing to do was to say, "There is £18 million of EU money that has still not been claimed. DETI could not claim it because the EU was opposed and took a different view on whether the procurement was correct. So let us make that EU money available to some other Department and then use the Executive money to finance the Titanic signature project". That is what the exercise was about. DETI made a bid that would free up £18 million of EU money that another Department could then bid on. It was a prudent step for this reason: had we waited and left it until a year or even less time from the end of the EU spending period, the danger was that we could not have spent the EU money on time. So, this is simply a transfer. There is a pot of EU money, which DETI originally intended to use. The EU has challenged it, but we believe that we have a robust challenge to make on it. Rather than run the risk of losing it, it was decided that a bid would be made now to use Executive money for the Titanic signature project and that another Department would bid for the EU money, so that we could secure the EU money. That is the reason.

The Executive have not taken a view on it yet. As I said in the statement, if the Executive take a view on it in the near future, all that we would do is simply make an adjustment in our level of overcommitment. I am happy that, even with £26 million overcommitment on resource DEL, we will still live within the exchange scheme limits.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

I thank the Minister for his statement. The Minister will be aware of the real concern throughout Northern Ireland about what is being forced on local councils to pay for the review of public administration, not that they wanted it. Will the Minister give the Assembly an assessment of the bid that DOE made to compensate local councils for the reform of public of administration so that it will not be landed on the ratepayers?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

There are a number of points to make about DOE's bid. First, I did not believe that it was the amount of money that was actually required. Indeed, it was an excessive bid. I have had discussions with the Environment Minister on that, and my officials have had extensive discussions with his officials. There were a lot of assumptions in the bid. For example, it assumed that every councillor would take the retirement money, which, of course, will not be the case. It was also assumed that every councillor on the new shadow councils would be a brand new councillor, which, of course, would not be the case, and that councils would spend money building up capacity for councillors who may or may not be on the new councils. There are a lot of flaws in the bid itself.

The second point that I will make on the bid is that many of those things — we have narrowed it down for the transition costs — could be financed either when the transfer of functions arises or through the councils' own resources. Do not forget that councils will make substantial savings as a result of RPA. It is my view that those savings should be used to finance the costs, rather than the costs falling on the Assembly and, hence, reducing the amount of money that we have available for public services.

The third thing to say is that there are issues with this. Certain costs will be involved as councils converge. I am sympathetic to how those convergence costs might be addressed. That is a discussion that I have not yet had with the Environment Minister, because he has, of course, been focusing on the transition costs. The Executive's position is that councils themselves should meet all the costs. There is a case for looking at how we can deal with some of the convergence costs, and we will have a discussion on that. However, I emphasise to the Member that there are substantial savings for councils. The amount of resources required for the transition from existing to bigger councils is very minimal. Some of them are capital costs and could be included in capital budgets at a very minimum rate. Therefore, I think it only right that councils should bear those costs, and my message to councils is that they should now be starting to look at how those costs can be financed. Do not look for a bailout by the Executive, especially when the savings are so substantial that any loan that needs to be taken out could easily be serviced by the councils themselves, without going anywhere near the ratepayers. That is the important thing.

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement. Will he expand on the benefits of allocating resources to DSD to set up the house purchasing initiatives?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

The benefits are many. First, £11·8 million is available and will lead to new house building, so that will help the construction industry. Secondly, it will help with affordable housing, because people will have the option of purchasing the remaining share of their home. They put up only between 60% and 75% and then buy the rest over a five-year period. Of course, there is an incentive for them to do so, because the rate of interest goes up the more time goes on. So, they get an easy step on to the housing market and then an incentive to become full owners of the property. This has the benefits of increasing house ownership, increasing building, injecting money into the building and construction industry and, of course, helping the DSD to deal with the whole issue of demand for housing by relieving some of the pressure on social housing.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for the allocations made to the Department, particularly in respect of road structural maintenance and street lighting. I also congratulate him on the easement that he has negotiated in respect of the A5. Is there further scope to negotiate further easement on that budget should the legal case take longer than he anticipated? I think he said it should take until mid-February.

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

As I said, we will continually monitor with DRD when the spend on that road is likely to start. The DRD has indicated that it is fairly confident of the legal case, and it thinks it can spend £20 million this year. If it cannot do so or if it needs to spend more, we will simply make an adjustment on the RRI borrowing. Since we have up to £50 million, which is the full amount of money allocated for this year, we have the ability to ease either way — either to make more money or less money available this year. We actually have flexibility: it just means monitoring and keeping in touch with DRD officials on that.

David McIlveen (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement. He will recall that something in the region of £10 million was surrendered to the Department of Justice to facilitate the prison officer redundancy package. Will the Minister indicate what the Executive will get back from that from the Department?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

I suppose that what we want to do is encourage the prison reform proposals of the DOJ and get them implemented as quickly as possible, especially if they lead to savings on its long-term revenue budget. The Department of Justice said that it believed it had a number of prison officers who would take up the early retirement scheme if the money was available. We have that money available this year. Again, as with the Department of Health, we do not want to run the risk of losing that money to the Treasury. So, the money will be made available to the DOJ to allow for more people to take up early retirement. The good thing is that we will actually get it back next year in the form of a capital payment from DOJ, and that will help ease some of the capital pressures that we will have next year. It is a way of managing money between one year and the next. When you have an underspend one year and you are likely to have a pressure the next year, you can easily carry the money over while keeping within all of the Treasury rules.

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I suspect that there is not a Member in the House today who is not perplexed at the fact that there is an under-requirement of £42·3 million. It strikes me that a lot of speculative bidding goes on and that the Minister is the unfortunate individual who has to deliver the bad news. That said, however, will he and his Department have to accommodate any further pressures in relation to the A8? Will he confirm that the A8 and A5 projects are one and the same scheme, or have they been divided?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

They are two separate road schemes. Two separate contracts have been undertaken by two separate firms, and there are different timings for each scheme. However, they both come under the Department for Regional Development's budget, and the job of delivering those schemes on budget is the responsibility of the Minister for Regional Development. He has not indicated to me or my officials in any way that there is likely to be an overspend on those schemes. We expect Departments to manage these capital projects. I have to say that the record of this Executive in delivering capital projects on time and on budget has been fairly good.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

I must confess that I did not quite follow the Minister's answer to Mr Bradley about the £18 million that was expected for the Titanic Quarter from the EU. Surely what table D indicates is that there is a shortfall of £18 million, which DETI made a bid to have filled in the monitoring round, and that it is not money that is available for distribution, as I took the Minister to say, to other Departments. It is a hole in the budgetary arrangements that will require to be filled. Is that not the case?

On the question of EU matters, it has emerged that, previously, £55 million or £56 million for EU fines for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) came from departmental underspends that were accumulated to meet that purpose. Is any of that going on again in anticipation of EU fines?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

No, that is not the case. Maybe I did not explain it very well. The cost of the Titanic signature project is as had been anticipated. The funding cocktail, however, now has to be revised because there is a dispute about one of the elements of that funding: the EU element. Is it payable, or is it not payable? DETI believes that it is payable, because it believes that it got strong legal advice before it entered into the contract that the form of the contract was legal. DETI took that advice from the best possible source, which was the people who drew up the EU rules, but it has now been challenged. That means that there is £18 million of EU money that cannot at present be allocated to the Titanic signature project but could be allocated to some other project. So, being prudent, DETI has said that it will make that £18 million available so that some other Department can bid for it, which means, of course, that it will not have to ask the Executive for any money. The money that is required for the funding of the Titanic signature project will simply come from Executive money. There is no hole there. There is still the same amount of money; it is simply that someone else will spend the EU money and DETI will spend whatever that other Department's money would have been on the Titanic signature project. That is putting it in the simplest terms. I do not think that there is any need to worry. My only worry would be that, if we dilly-dally on this and leave off any decision, as there is a time limit in which the EU money can be spent, we could let things go on and find that we will lose the money because we do not have time to spend it. That is why DETI was right to bring forward a bid at this time, and that is one of the reasons why I was happy to accede to it.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement and his comments on the Audit Office. While we are on that subject, will he guarantee that he will respect the Audit Office's independence? Will he work with me and others to get a procedure in place that recognises that independence to resolve issues so that we have the transparency that we require in future?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

There was never an issue about the independence of the Audit Office. I am responsible for the money that is allocated from the Northern Ireland Budget to each of the spending areas, and one of the things that concerned me and my officials, when we looked at all Departments, was that some had bid for money and had consistent underspends or consistent reduced requirements. To better plan for that, we wanted to allocate the money on a long-term basis. So, we looked at where the underspends were and said, "Right, let's then allocate that money so that we have it as planned expenditure". That was done so that we would not run into the kind of situation that I have been describing here today. So, it was purely a budgetary exercise. As the resources were not being used anyway by the Audit Office and it was not spending the money, there was no question of impinging on its ability to do its work. Including this Assembly, there is no area of public expenditure that should be sacrosanct from the good management of public money. People would expect that. In no way was the exercise an attempt to assault the independence of the Audit Office. Of course, as I said in my statement, if it is proved that there is a need for additional resources, a bid can be made for them in the June monitoring round and we can have discussions about that. However, that would have to be justified, just as any other Department would have to justify a bid for expenditure and would have to go onto the list that determines the bids that have the greatest priority.

Joe Byrne (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

Like others, I welcome the statement by the Minister. There has been £11·8 million allocated to the building programme from the UK Treasury, and you highlighted two possible schemes: the housing associations purchasing some existing properties and the new co-ownership scheme, which I very much support. What will be the breakdown of the £11·8 million for those two schemes? Is there an explanation of why £7 million has been given up by the Housing Executive?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

I cannot tell the Member at the moment what the division between the two will be. To a certain extent, it will depend on demand, because the purchase of new homes really depends on how many people come forward. Also, the purchase of existing properties by housing associations will depend on what houses are available and which ones they feel they could purchase, do up and sell on quickly. So, the division will really depend on the opportunities that are available, and that will be for the Social Development Minister to monitor. The important thing is that there is £11·8 million available to him to do that. All of that will have an impact on the construction industry and on the ability of people to get homes, hopefully, at prices that are affordable to them.

The sitting was suspended at 12.58 pm.

On resuming (Mr Speaker in the Chair) —

Oral Answers to Questions

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Question 1 has been withdrawn.

DARD: Headquarters

John McCallister (UUP, South Down)

2. asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline how Ballykelly was chosen from the final shortlist as the preferred site for the relocation of her Department's headquarters. (AQO 3194/11-15)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. The advancement of the relocation of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) headquarters is a Programme for Government commitment for which a strategic outline case was approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP). Members will be fully aware that the Department’s current headquarters at Dundonald House and Hydebank are no longer fit for purpose.

A number of steps were taken before I reached my final decision on the relocation to Ballykelly. The first stage in the process was the development of a longlist of potential locations. The list was taken from the new regional development strategy and, using the 23 local government districts, my officials scored each against a defined set of objective criteria. These included nine different socio-economic factors that considered such things as unemployment levels, deprivation and earnings levels, as well as practical considerations such as the number of public sector and Civil Service jobs already sited in the area.

As I previously outlined, the top two areas in this analysis were Strabane and Limavady, which are both in the north-west. I made my decision to relocate to Ballykelly based on two further factors: the availability of the Executive-owned site at the former Shackleton Barracks, and the availability of buildings on that site that could potentially be utilised.

Work is progressing on developing the business case, which will consider the viable options for relocating my Department's headquarters to Ballykelly.

John McCallister (UUP, South Down)

I am grateful to the Minister for her reply. It certainly throws up one question about the viability, and maybe she can comment on the viability of some of the buildings on the site.

Minister, there is a real sense that you have moved ahead of your Department and officials, with them now playing catch-up. Can you explain why you took the decision unilaterally on Ballykelly, which was effectively a political one, before asking your officials to write the business case?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Well, I am the Minister, so it is my job to make decisions. The Member will be very aware that, in the Programme for Government, we had a commitment to relocate DARD headquarters to a rural area. That was a Programme for Government commitment to which all parties signed up. That was, I suppose, the starting point for me to make a decision.

Using the criteria that I outlined to the Member, including the 23 local government districts under the regional development strategy alongside all the other socio-economic criteria, that is the area that came up as most beneficial.

The officials have been tasked to go away to look to the future and what needs to be done now. We have a very competent programme board in place that is looking at all the issues, particularly the fact that there are buildings on the site that could potentially be used. So, I think it is a perfect site. I think there are obvious advantages, given the fact that the Executive owned it, so that will obviously save money for the public purse. There is also the fact that there are buildings on the site that could potentially be used. Some of them are, obviously, more modern than others, but we will certainly be looking towards any that are able to be used.

I have not run ahead of the Department. It is my job to make decisions, and it also my job to make sure that everything is looked at and explored. Based on the Programme for Government commitment, I took the decision for Ballykelly.

Paul Frew (DUP, North Antrim)

Given the rationale that the Minister outlined for picking Ballykelly as a site, and given the fact that there are sites throughout the Province of a similar nature to Ballykelly as regards old military sites, where there are still buildings on most of these old sites that could maybe be fit for purpose, and given that some of those sites are based in what are classed as regional hubs, namely Ballymena, for one, and St Patrick's Barracks —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I encourage the Member to come to his question.

Paul Frew (DUP, North Antrim)

Would the Minister not have been better looking at all the sites before making a final decision?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

As I said in my answer to the previous supplementary, the criteria that I used are clear; they are clear for everyone to see. The Member, I think, is making it a local issue and is making a point for his own constituency, which many Members will do and have done. I could make the same case for areas in Mid Ulster.

The fact is that we used the criteria, which are very clearly set out and are very objective. People can look at them at any stage. The 23 local government districts under the regional development strategy have been identified, and that is a long running piece of work. There are also the socio-economic criteria that were applied. The top two locations were in the north-west, and this site, as I said, has the obvious advantage of being owned by the Executive, so it was easy for us to get on-site as quickly as possible. But the major benefit has to be the fact that we are saving money for the public purse.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

If I understand this correctly — the Minister can correct me if I am wrong — the decision was taken on foot of a ministerial direction, because it was not compatible with Civil Service advice to appraise all options. Ballykelly was not chosen on its competing merits, for the shortlisting did not consider specific sites but council areas. It was only after Ballykelly was chosen that she moved to a business case to try to sustain that decision. Is that the absurd way in which the decision was made?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

There is nothing absurd about it. A direction is necessary in a case in which you want to avoid delay and reduce uncertainty. Standard procedure is to appraise all options fully, even those that do not meet the Executive's identified policy to move the headquarters to a rural location by 2015, as set out in the Programme for Government. That would be complex, cumbersome and, in the final analysis, wasteful of resources. The decision was taken on the basis of the very objective criteria that I outlined, which are open and accessible for anyone to explore further. I encourage to Member to do that.

The regional development strategy identified 23 locations, and then further objective criteria were applied. Whether you like it or not, the reality is that the north-west was the area that was identified. The top two areas were identified as a result of all the objective criteria being applied. As a result, the Ballykelly site, because of the obvious advantages that I have outlined, including it being an Executive-owned site, was a natural option to take.

Sixmilewater

Pam Brown (DUP, South Antrim)

3. asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline the work that Rivers Agency has carried out or will carry out to improve the Sixmilewater watercourse. (AQO 3195/11-15)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The significant flood of Sixmilewater in August 2008 caused damage to property at Muckamore, as well as at Meadowside and Riverside in Antrim. Properties were also affected along the rivers that flow into Sixmilewater at Parkgate and Doagh. I am very pleased to advise the House that, following that significant event, Rivers Agency has undertaken considerable works to reduce the risk of flooding to people and property, as well as identifying further work that could be undertaken, subject to competing priorities for available funding.

Rivers Agency has removed material washed down by the flood that could have obstructed flows and increased the risk of further flooding. The agency has also continued to perform planned routine inspections and conduct necessary maintenance work to ensure the free flow of the watercourse. In addition, the agency undertook work at Meadowside in Antrim and Muckamore to ensure that the existing flood defences continue to perform effectively. Rivers Agency is also completing the construction of a flood alleviation scheme at Parkgate. At Riverside in Antrim, the agency has been working with Roads Service to improve the storm drainage system during times of high river flows.

Rivers Agency has also identified cost-effective flood alleviation works at Riverside and along the Doagh river that could be undertaken, subject to competing priorities for available funding.

Pam Brown (DUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for her answer. As she outlined, in 2010, Riverside Mews in Antrim was identified by Rivers Agency for flood alleviation works, but that is not included in its current capital works programme. Will the Minister provide an update on when we can expect those improvement works to take place?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

As I said in my original answer, works at Parkgate will be completed during the 2013-14 financial year. The timing for the works at Riverside in Antrim — I think that that is the location you referred to — and along the Doagh river are subject to competing priorities for available funding. That work is not programmed in the current Budget period, but I assure the Member that, as and when any funding becomes available, Rivers Agency will continually reassess all areas that need flood alleviation measures. The location that she referred to will be treated in exactly the same manner as other areas.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

As many will know, Sixmilewater is very close to my heart, because I live on it. Given that 83% of the surface-water bodies in the local management area have been classified as "less than good", what plans do Rivers Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) have to ensure that we improve the water quality?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I can perhaps give the Member more detail in writing, but I assure him that Rivers Agency regularly works with NIEA at official level on a range issues, including water quality. I am happy to provide the Member with detail of any specific negotiations on the water quality of Sixmilewater in writing.

Ash Dieback

Conall McDevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

4. asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action Forest Service is taking to cope with ash dieback disease. (AQO 3196/11-15)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The chief executive of the Forest Service leads the departmental response to ash dieback disease. Officials whose normal functions include plant health continue in those roles, drawing on the expertise of specialists in policy, science, surveillance, agrienvironment schemes and forestry. They are supported by officials from other Departments and local government.

I would like to record my thanks for the co-operation of the former Minister for forestry, Shane McEntee, and the excellent working relationship that I had with him. I am sure that Members will join me in expressing sympathy to the McEntee family on Shane's death just before Christmas. Shane and I worked very closely to ensure that the island of Ireland was as well protected against the disease as possible. We jointly brought in legislation to prevent further introductions of disease to young plants and ash wood. We shared our experiences of how best to find and eradicate the disease.

As also happens in the South, my Department carries out surveillance of recent ash planting on public and private woodland, in roadside and urban landscape schemes, on farms, and in nurseries and garden centres. The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) provides laboratory testing facilities for North and South when symptoms suggest that the disease might be present. As of 10.00 am today, 800 sites have been surveyed. The disease has been confirmed at 24 recently planted sites and two nursery sites. Those include young woodland, garden centres and landscape planting in public places. Forest Service assistance has been offered to private site owners to ensure that the disease is dealt with as swiftly as possible.

We are now planning how best to carry out surveillance work through the summer. As we have no evidence to date that the disease has spread to the wider environment, our policy remains one of detection and eradication. I will continue to work on the issue with my counterparts in the South and in Britain.

Conall McDevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I echo the Minister's condolences to the McEntee family. Mr McEntee will be a sad loss to Irish politics. He was an honest and fine parliamentarian.

Does the Minister acknowledge that quite a number of the sites are on Forest Service land and that that has caused disruption not only to the work of Forest Service but to users of forest parks, not least runners and mountain bikers, whose activities the Minister has done so much to promote in recent months? Can she give us an idea of the amount of money that has been spent on tackling the disease to date?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

As the Member is aware, the disease is relatively new. The strain of the disease was identified only in 2011. A lot of work is being done on surveillance, research and eradication. That has to be the focus at this moment in time. We really need to concentrate on identifying the areas that have been affected. We need to make sure that we have done the research. Given that it is a new disease, we need to make sure that our science is up to date right across the island. We have very much deployed a fortress Ireland approach, which is one that has served us well in other instances, particularly during the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

We are very much committed to this work at the minute. We are engaging regularly with stakeholders to make sure that we get the message out about what people should be looking for. We are asking them to report detections and, if in doubt, to please seek advice from the Department. We met the Mountain Bike Alliance last week. It is very positive about talking to all of its stakeholders and getting the message out there, and it will continue to do that in the time ahead. I can assure the Member that the focus, at this moment in time, is on surveillance, research and eradication.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Will the Minister consider enlisting the help of the general public in reporting suspected cases of ash dieback?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Yes; absolutely. This time of year might not be the right time, as trees are not in leaf. So, I am focusing very much on engaging with professionals in the forestry sector, the horticulture and landscape industries and in central and local government to provide the training that is needed in disease recognition and in circulating the relevant information. As the causal link between symptoms and the disease are difficult to confirm at this time of year — even for the professionals — I plan to delay greater involvement of the public until the summer. By that time, we will have completed our immediate surveys linked to trade and started on the wider surveillance of sites of known infection.

In the meantime, the Department has a helpline for the public that takes calls about trees of concern. Our website has links to photographs of the disease symptoms, and we have put up posters in forest parks about basic biosecurity. Since the beginning of the disease outbreak, the Department has received just over 20 telephone calls and e-mails from the public. In the time ahead, particularly as we enter spring and summer, we will work very closely with the public to make sure that we have put enough information out there to enable them to come forward and identify to the Department things that they regard as suspicious as and when they see them.

William Irwin (DUP, Newry and Armagh)

Given the seriousness of ash dieback and the damage that it has caused across Europe — I think that 90% of ash trees in Denmark were devastated and lost because of ash dieback — would it not have been wise for the Department and the Minister to have banned the import of ash much earlier?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The first positive diagnosis that the organism causing ash dieback was a new disease was not made until 2011, when scientists looked at the disease and concluded that Chalara fraxinea, or ash dieback as it is commonly known, is a new virulent species. The disease that was previously prevalent across Ireland, Britain and continental Europe had been in place since the 1800s. So you cannot ask whether we were able to take action before now because the disease has been around for hundreds of years. The disease that we are dealing with is a new strain of Chalara fraxinea that was identified only in 2011. That is why the science is still not developed and why we are still working very hard, from the science end, to develop avenues to treat or eradicate the disease.

Circuses: Wild Animals

Steven Agnew (Green, North Down)

5. asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she plans to introduce secondary legislation to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. (AQO 3197/11-15)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I have not yet developed a position on a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in the North. It is important to note that no circuses are based in the North of Ireland. A number of circuses are registered in the South, some of which, as the Member will be aware, regularly travel here. My Department has an agreed protocol with counterparts in the South that provides for an inspection of animals from those registered circuses before they move back to the South. At this time, we have no evidence to suggest that the welfare of those animals is compromised.

My immediate priority on animal welfare is the roll-out of subordinate legislation under the Welfare of Animals Act 2011, including the regulation of dogs in breeding establishments, which will come before Members next month, and the development of regulations on the welfare of animals in pet shops, animal boarding establishments and riding establishments. I also intend to bring forward legislation to regulate the welfare of livestock at markets here.

I can advise the Member that I have been approached by Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) ministerial colleagues, who propose to introduce a Bill banning the use of wild animals in circuses in England. It is important to realise that that Bill is being taken forward on ethical as opposed to welfare grounds. That is because the available scientific evidence does not support the view that the welfare of animals in circuses is being compromised.

Before making any decision on a ban on using wild animals in travelling circuses here, I want to take the time to assess the available evidence and to give the issue detailed consideration. I met representatives from Animal Defenders International and the Born Free Foundation yesterday to discuss those issues. Our meeting was frank and constructive, and the organisations have undertaken to provide me with evidence, which I agreed to examine.

Steven Agnew (Green, North Down)

I thank the Minister for her answer. I think that a ban, rather than welfare protection, is needed because even a circus with the best intentions towards the welfare of animals could not meet the needs of many of those wild animals. An elephant, for example, travels 25 kilometres a day in the wild on average, and elephants in circuses have a much lower life expectancy. The Minister pointed out that we do not have circuses in Northern Ireland, but they frequently come from the South, and the burden on the Department, were it to introduce such —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I encourage the Member to come to his question.

Steven Agnew (Green, North Down)

The burden on the Department, were it to introduce such a ban, would be minimal, but the alleviation of suffering would be huge. I ask the Minister to follow DEFRA and make an ethical decision.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I assure the Member that I do not have a closed mind on the issue. For me to bring forward legislation, I need an evidence base, which I am endeavouring to acquire. The two organisations that I met yesterday have been tasked with coming back to me with that kind of information, and I will make sure that I explore that in detail. It is important to point out that, given that we do not have any registered circuses in the North, we need an all-island approach to the issue because there is no point in having legislation in one jurisdiction and not in the other. I intend to raise that issue at my next North/South Ministerial Council meeting with Minister Coveney to see what his plans are. I note from a Dáil question that he has the same position as me: he has not ruled it out. There is scope to explore the issue further, but I assure the Member that I am happy to receive any evidence and information that he has because that is what I need to move forward.

Robin Newton (DUP, Belfast East)

On the basis of all the evidence available, does the Minister agree that the decision of Belfast City Council to ban wild animal circuses from council property was a wise decision, and would she, at this interim stage, encourage other councils to take similar decisions?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The Member will be aware that, right across this island, a number of councils have banned circuses from using their property, and that is a decision for the elected members of those councils. A lot of the groups involved in lobbying on the issue feel very strongly about it, and they will continue to lobby elected representatives. I will look at all of the evidence and then make a decision based on that. In the Welfare of Animals Act 2011, we have in place some of the most progressive legislation on animal welfare. For the moment, I will concentrate my efforts on introducing the secondary legislation to that strong legislation, which puts us in a good position on animal welfare standards. As I said, I am open to listening to the evidence on circuses.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

Will the Minister confirm whether she has met her Executive colleagues on this issue since cruelty to animals was discussed in the House last September?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Banning wild animals from circuses is not a cross-departmental issue, so it has not been discussed at the Executive. If, in the future, however, I were minded to introduce legislation, I would bring it to the Executive for further discussion.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

I thank the Minister for her answers so far, which I find very measured. Will the Minister agree with me that we have come a long road from the days of the Bulgarian dancing bears that were trained on hot coals? Will she ensure that when circuses are in Northern Ireland entertaining largely young people, her Department will ensure that claims of cruelty to animals can be verified, if it happens at all?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I thank the Member for that. I assure the Member that we have protocols in place with our counterparts in the South on the inspection of animals and that those will continue in the absence of any possible legislation in the future. As I said, we have very progressive animal welfare legislation, and we can stand over it. As we bring forward the secondary legislation, it will be strengthened even further. We are in a positive position, and we will explore this issue further as we move on down the line and receive more evidence.

Common Agricultural Policy: DARD/NIEA Engagement

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

6. asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for an update on her Department’s engagement with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency in developing a position on the common agricultural policy reform proposals. (AQO 3198/11-15)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Since the CAP reform proposals were published in October 2011, officials from my Department have met representatives from the Environment Agency a number of times to share views on the evolution of the reform development process. The agency has also accepted DARD’s invitation to sit on a number of internal DARD working groups that have been set up to take forward the development of measures for the 2014-2020 rural development programme. My Department has recently established a stakeholder consultation group for that programme. The group provides a forum for stakeholders to advise and comment on programme development. NIEA is represented on the group, and DARD has been liaising with it on the preparation of a prioritised action framework. This is an EU requirement to ensure that the funding needs of the Natura 2000 network are properly reflected in the future priorities of all funds. DARD will continue to liaise with the Environment Agency through the development programme and until the prioritised action framework is finalised.

Discussions have taken place with NIEA on the options for the monitoring and evaluation of environmental schemes and measures in the proposed programme. It is a statutory requirement that a strategic environmental assessment is carried out on the proposed rural development programme. DARD has consulted NIEA on the development of the terms of reference for the procurement of the strategic environmental assessment evaluators. It is also the intention that NIEA will be invited to join the steering group that will be established to oversee the work of the evaluators.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

Thanks to the Minister for her comprehensive response. It is now very important that the environmental aspect be put into the CAP and that the EU hear about our concerns. Has the Minister communicated with her counterparts in Westminster?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I assure the Member that, throughout the CAP reform process, we have continued to engage with DEFRA on all of the issues. We engaged with Caroline Spelman, the previous Minister, and we now engage with the new Minister. We will continue to do that. It is very important that we make sure that our voice is heard in Europe. We deploy an all-Ireland, or team Ireland, approach when I go to Europe. As far as raising the issues that we have highlighted are concerned, our 15 MEPs are on the same page. [Interruption.]

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Order. Allow the Minister to finish.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Our 15 Irish MEPs will continue to — [Interruption.]

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Order.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

— voice our concerns in Europe and make sure that our points are heard. I am confident that, in the time ahead, we will be listened to and that we will secure all necessary engagements with the Commission and the Parliament. No doubt it is a difficult period, and, when homing in on all the details, we see that it is difficult to make sure that our interests are well reflected.

Jo-Anne Dobson (UUP, Upper Bann)

Is the Minister aware of the views that are widely held in the rural communities that there should be a much greater level of funding in axis 2 of the next rural development programme?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The Member will be aware that, at the moment, the battle is to make sure that we can get any sort of financial framework agreed in Europe. To date, that has not happened. We are hopeful that there may be some agreement on 7 and 8 February that will allow us to at least be secure in the funding that we will achieve. After that, we will decide on the split of the funding.

I do not think that it is fair to say that anyone has lost out. Over £180 million in agrienvironment schemes alone has been paid out of the rural development programme right into farmers' hands. So, I think that it would be unfair to suggest that farmers have not had a fair share of the rural development programme.

For me, the key aspect of the rural development programme and the axis 2 funds is to make sure that we get money distributed to not only farmers but the wider rural community. People who live and work in the rural community are also entitled to be supported so that they can continue to do those things. We must continue to tackle isolation and poverty and all those issues in the rural community. I think that the axis 2 programme was an excellent way for us to do that.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I thank the Minister for her response so far. Will she outline how random compliance inspections for the CAP and single farm payments are carried out?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

There are a number of types of inspection. This is not really relevant to the question, but I am happy to give the Member the detail, because a process is applied to selecting people for inspection. That process is based sometimes on concerns arising from, for example, previous overdeclarations. There is a very clear and accountable process, the details of which I am very happy to provide for the Member in writing.

Dog Breeding: Welfare Standards

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

7. asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how she intends to address the issue of dog breeding establishments with poor animal welfare standards, in particular puppy farms. (AQO 3199/11-15)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I intend to bring forward new dog breeding establishment regulations under the Welfare of Animals Act next month for debate and approval by the Assembly. Those draft regulations already secured the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee's support at its meeting on 11 December, and the Executive have agreed to the making of those regulations, subject to the Assembly's approval.

The new regulations will provide commercial dog breeders with clear standards that must be met and maintained to ensure the welfare of all breeding bitches, stud dogs and pups in the establishment. They will provide strong powers to improve welfare conditions in substandard breeding establishments.

I appreciate that regulation alone will not stop so-called puppy farming. That will take a concerted effort by members of the public, future dog owners, good breeders and enforcement agencies working together to identify breeders, licensed or unlicensed, who put financial gain before the welfare needs of dogs and their pups. However, the regulations will clearly set out the welfare standards with which commercial breeders must comply. More importantly, the regulations provide the powers to allow action to be taken where a breeder does not meet those standards. Council inspectors will also have clear standards to apply and strong enforcement powers to allow action to be taken, as well as to prosecute anyone who is illegally breeding dogs.

In addition, the new enforcement powers and tough penalties will act as a deterrent to those taking part in illegal dog-breeding activities, sending out a clear message that such activities will not be tolerated.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Minister for her answer. Will the regulations restrict the size of breeding establishments? Go raibh maith agat.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Commercial dog breeding, irrespective of whether it is large- or small-scale, is a legitimate business, and the regulations will not place any legal limitation on the size of any breeding establishments or on the number of breeding bitches that can be held there. However, I think that it is important to remember that puppy farming is about not the size of the establishment but the conditions in which the dogs and pups are kept.

The regulations aim to provide commercial breeders with clear standards that must be met and maintained to ensure the welfare of all breeding bitches, stud dogs and pups in the establishment. The regulations will also provide enforcement officers with clear standards and strong powers to enforce them. They are not intended to cover individuals who breed the odd litter of pups from a pet, show dog, working gun dog or sheepdog. They are also not intended to cover organisations such as hunt clubs, which, although they breed dogs for hunting, do not sell pups. The Welfare of Animals Act provides general powers that can be used to address any welfare issues that may arise with hobby breeders or in hunt kennels.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Question 3 has been withdrawn and requires a written answer.

Northern Ireland Screen

Pam Brown (DUP, South Antrim)

1. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for her assessment of Northern Ireland Screen commission's promotion of Northern Ireland as a major production location over the last 12 months. (AQO 3208/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

NI Screen has implemented key multichannel campaigns to showcase the benefits of the North as a centre for independent film, television and new media production, selling our location, funds and facilities to the global screen industry. These campaigns also communicate the North's successes and promote our unique product and talent on a world stage.

Marketing plays an important strategic role in NI Screen and is a fundamental part of its business, helping to facilitate the organisation's mission of boosting our economy, celebrating our culture and enhancing our children's education.

NI Screen's notable achievements include attracting to the North of Ireland the production of HBO's 'Games of Thrones', the largest television drama in Europe, and part funding Terry and Oorlagh George's short film, 'The Shore', which, as the Member is aware, won an Oscar in the live action short film category last year.

Pam Brown (DUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she outline what plans her Department has to build on the recent success by assisting local councils that may wish to open up their facilities and services to assist in creation and production?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I have not had any discussions with local government on this in particular, but I have had discussions with some members from local government around the creative industries and the role that councils have to play. I am happy to take forward any partnership with local government to NI Screen and vice versa. Any experience that we have that would enhance the potential for independent film and television production has to be processed and encouraged, and I am happy to play any part in that.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. What community work does NI Screen carry out that could practically support deprived and socially excluded communities?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for her question. NI Screen carries out quite a good range of work, particularly with disadvantaged and deprived communities. It is responsible for some of the three creative learning centres, the Nerve Centre in Derry, Crossnacreevy in Castlereagh, and the AmmA Centre in Armagh are examples. These centres provide training for young people and youth leaders, and assistance and support for teachers and people working in schools in the new and creative digital technologies. Above all, it is proud of the work that it has done, particularly around marginalised and hard-to-reach groups. I am pleased with the work that NI Screen has done and continues to do with communities from deprived areas.

Michael Copeland (UUP, Belfast East)

I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. Given her comments, particularly around 'Game of Thrones' and other potential similar ventures, can she indicate how many new jobs she believes can be created and in what sectors those jobs would fall as a result of these welcome activities?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. It is really important to note that the creative industries and television and film production are a really good economic driver. From 2007 to 2010, £166 million was created, and around £24 million of that went on jobs. When I visited NI Screen's 'Games of Thrones' set, people there had worked in shirt factories and had been made redundant and were now part of wardrobe and design. Students coming out of art college are now part of the stage and creative design, and students and apprentices are going through creative industries and television and film production. These new industries and opportunities need to be nurtured and encouraged. Certainly, NI Screen is doing quite well with regard to providing employment not only to people who lost their jobs but to new people coming along.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

Will the Minister detail any efforts that she has made to make it easier for local artists to access production equipment for films, TV or music?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

With regard to local artists, I assume that the Member is talking about film and television production. However, I have also met musicians. The Member might be aware that my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) are responsible for bringing forward a new music strategy. At the end of the day, it is really important not only to try to develop the skills and talent that we have here but to ensure that artists have opportunities and can compete with other people.

I have met NI Screen and others who are involved in the sector, including universities, to discuss how we can help. It is important that the industry does not seem to be one for people who are already there but is attractive to those who are coming in. That is really important. We have not set aside a separate fund for equipment. We are looking at the business of strategies, which are funded, to try to enhance opportunities for people now. It is something that I know, through different budget bids, we will look at in the future. We are, however, still in the process of having those discussions across the sector. When they conclude, hopefully, at the end of this year, we will be in a better position to know exactly what the real needs are with regard not only to training but to equipment.

World Police and Fire Games

Alban Maginness (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

2. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether there will be sufficient suitable accommodation for the athletes and visitors at the World Police and Fire Games 2013. (AQO 3209/11-15)

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

11. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how she is working with Executive colleagues to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation for visitors and competitors during the World Police and Fire Games 2013. (AQO 3218/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will take questions 2 and 11 together.

Accommodation has been and remains a key area of work for 2013 World Police and Fire Games Limited. In recognition of that, the company has developed an accommodation strategy, which is based on an analysis of the accommodation required for athletes and visitors during the games. The strategy indicates that there will be sufficient accommodation for all athletes and visitors. The company is working with the full support of the Tourist Board, the Hotels Federation and the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau in order to achieve the accommodation targets for the games and also to ensure that all accommodation offered to visitors is of a suitable standard. In a further effort to maximise accommodation provision for the games, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and I attended an accommodation breakfast meeting on 20 January, which was set up to highlight to hoteliers and other accommodation providers the opportunities that the games present. Currently, 2,560 rooms are booked through the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau, representing over £2 million. The company will continue to focus on that as a priority. A system is in place to ensure that weekly levels of accommodation uptake can be monitored.

Alban Maginness (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

I thank the Minister for her very detailed and informative reply. The games are a big opportunity for local businesses and local people generally. Would the Minister give any specific advice to those who wish to provide additional accommodation to both visitors and athletes?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. He is right: it is a brilliant opportunity. It is, probably, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have games of this size in Belfast and also taking place in 15 venues outside the city. At the breakfast meeting, I met people from small B&Bs and guesthouses who have fed into the World Police and Fire Games company. The advice that I would give is to feed into the company or, even, contact the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) or DETI. We would be happy to forward people on. We want to hear from as many people as possible who feel that they can offer something towards accommodation for the games. Every opportunity should be made available to them to make that process as easy as possible.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

We need assurances from the Minister that there will be adequate accommodation for the World Police and Fire Games considering the high demand for beds and accommodation that there was in August last year. It is anticipated that there will be 23,000 visitors to the World Police and Fire Games. Can the Minister provide some details of how the plans that she has put or is putting in place will meet the accommodation needs of those anticipated visitors?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau, the Tourist Board, Belfast City Council, DETI, people from small businesses, such as guesthouses, and hoteliers attended the breakfast meeting last Friday. If all 25,000 visitors come to Belfast this August, there is an estimated shortfall of beds of between 5,000 and 7,000. There is where the idea of pop-up hotels, campus hotels and student accommodation comes in. The assurance given is that the accommodation must be of a certain standard. That is why work is starting now with the Tourist Board and the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau to make sure that all requirements are in place as soon as possible and that people who provide that accommodation know what they are as early as possible so that they can make appropriate arrangements and so that they, too, can have some economic benefits from the games.

David Hilditch (DUP, East Antrim)

I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. Can the Minister confirm the process for registration for accommodation providers? More importantly, are any additional fees required of them?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Not that I am aware of, but if the Member has any particular question, or any particular example of something that has been asked from athletes that is additional, I would be keen to hear that. I am not aware of it. I have met athletes from five different countries who are going to be competing here in August, and they were very happy with not only the registration process but, indeed, the accommodation and all the other processes between the services. So if there is anything in particular that the Member wishes to bring to my attention, I would be very happy to hear that.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. How best might the benefits of the games be maximised right across the North?