Northern Ireland Assembly, 19 March 2013

440 contributions from 74 members. The official report.

Matter of the Day

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Mr Conall McDevitt has been given leave to make a statement on the mortar bomb found near New Barnsley police station that fulfils the criteria set out in Standing Order 24. Other Members who wish to be called should rise in their place and continue to do so. All Members who are called will have up to three minutes in which to speak on the subject matter.

An organisation calling itself Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for planting the device. I am always amazed when organisations called Óglaigh na hÉireann claim things in Ireland because there is only one Óglaigh na hÉireann, and that is the defence forces of the Irish state. They are the only people who have the right to hold that name. They are the only people with a mandate to protect the citizens of the Republic of Ireland in that name. They have a proud heritage as peacekeepers and as people who serve everyone in their state.

I suspect that everyone in the House rejects those who placed that mortar bomb. The reject them because the PSNI was their target, and the PSNI is a police service that enjoys the support and consent of the great, great majority of people in this part of Ireland. It is a police service with a mandate given to it by the people of this part of Ireland at the Good Friday Agreement, and nobody will ever take that away from it.

I say in conclusion that, if there are those in our society, in any quarter, who feel that they have something to say and disagree with the way that those of us who are elected go about representing them, they should come out of the shadows and allow themselves to be challenged, in private if necessary but in dialogue. The one thing history teaches us is that there is no end possible through violence, that it is futile, that it always fails and that the future of our island and of our little region — this place we call "Northern Ireland" — is utterly dependent on dialogue, democracy and peace.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Members need to continue to rise in their place if they want to be called.

Ross Hussey (UUP, West Tyrone)

I too begin by praising the member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland who discovered this object. I pay tribute to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and to our army technical officers, who risked their life by attempting to defuse the devices. We had a situation where people were intent on murdering either a police officer, a soldier or a member of the public, and nobody has that right.

Mr McDevitt referred to the organisation. I cannot pronounce that name, and I do not intend to attempt to pronounce it. What they are is terrorists. That is what their intention was. They were there to terrorise the people of west Belfast and further afield. In recent weeks we have also had the attack on Londonderry. The people who do this have no mandate, but that does not worry them, because they are continually attempting to undermine this House and this state. That is their intention. However, we must pay tribute to the bravery of those who are prepared to serve in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and we must pay tribute to our armed services — the army who went to defuse the device. Without them, where would we be?

An explosive device can cause damage wherever it is, and those people went out to kill and maim. The House must reject them, and the people of Northern Ireland must reject them. There are people who know who they are. If we look into this incident and other incidents, we can see a trail that brings them back to the Provisional IRA. We know that explosives that were issued and used by the IRA and ammunition and guns are there, so there is a direct link. I call on anybody in the House and further afield who has any knowledge of these people to bring it to the immediate attention of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, because none of us wants to see these people succeed. Unfortunately, one day they will, and then there will be tears, wiping of eyes and people saying that it should not have happened. Unless we act now, it will happen. I call on all who have any information to take that to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Jonathan Bell (DUP, Strangford)

What we have to realise is that men and women today, as they did over the last number of days, have possibly kissed their wife, husband or children goodbye and gone off to work. The job that we as a people have asked them to do is to serve all the people of Northern Ireland in the Police Service of Northern Ireland. We have to be clear that what we are dealing with today and what we saw with the mortar bomb is an attempt to murder men and women in our society and to murder them indiscriminately by the planting of a mortar bomb, the only purpose of which is murder.

I join those who said that it was the alertness of our police service — in many ways, those men and women never really come off duty — their brilliance and their training that is, possibly, the reason why we are not looking today at the murder of police officers. Mortar bombs are notoriously indiscriminate, and we could well have been looking at the murder of men, women and children who were going about their daily business, never mind having to deal with the traumatic events of funerals being disrupted and children being brought out of school and having to be told by their teachers and parents what had occurred.

The reality is that Northern Ireland has chosen a different way forward that rejects terrorism unequivocally. I believe that that decision is irreversible. The people of Northern Ireland will not choose, in any way, to allow terrorism to play any part in effecting political change.

It is up to everyone to examine their conscience. People are aware of who did this. Human action engineered this event, and somebody somewhere got the material, somebody constructed it, somebody drove the mortar bomb to its destination and somebody primed it. I believe that people will know about this, and an examination of consciences is required.

As a society, the people of Northern Ireland have chosen a different way forward, and terrorism will never be allowed to overrule their democratic will. That said, Northern Ireland is experiencing the lowest recorded levels of violence in any of our lifetimes —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The Member's time is up.

Jonathan Bell (DUP, Strangford)

It is important that we continue with that agenda.

Pat Sheehan (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I apologise for arriving late in the Chamber.

I want to add my voice of condemnation to those of my colleagues here today, and I reiterate the call to anyone who has information about this mortar attack to bring it to the authorities, to the PSNI.

There is an excellent cross-community project in the area where the mortar attack was planned to take place called the Black Mountain Shared Spaces project. It is aimed at developing the part of the Black Mountain that is bordered by Ballygomartin, Highfield, Springmartin, New Barnsley, Moyard and the greater Ballymurphy area, and it involves people from all those communities working together. That co-operation is in stark contrast to those who have no support whatsoever in the communities. I know that the disruption that took place the other day was shared disruption. Primary schools on the Springmartin and Ballygomartin side had to close, and the Owenvale nursing home for elderly people, on the nationalist side, was hemmed in. People could not come and go, visitors could not get in, and there was disruption to the whole community.

I want to reinforce my condemnation but also to point up the positive. The Black Mountain Shared Spaces project is about people working together. I say to those who are intent on bringing us back to the past, "There is no room at all for any type of armed actions. The community does not want it. Pack up, go home and go away. You are not wanted".

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I will add a few words in support of the comments that were made by Mr McDevitt and others.

It is clear that those who left that mortar were targeting the Police Service of Northern Ireland in New Barnsley. It is also clear that, as has been said, they caused huge disruption and, potentially, put lives at risk, not just in the New Barnsley and Moyard areas but across in the Springmartin and Ballygomartin areas. They speak for nobody who has any understanding of where this society is moving. It is pleasing to see that the condemnation is unanimous in the House. That needs to be carried from here out into the wider community.

We should all be grateful for the vigilance of the police officer who spotted the device.

We should also be grateful for the good work done by other police officers, the army technical officers and those who had responsibilities, whether in the schools or community facilities, in that area. All of that helped to avoid the disruption and danger becoming greater than it already was. I am not sure whether we should call the organisation responsible Óglaigh na hÉireann or ONH or terrorists, but the reality is that they sought to terrorise a very large section of west Belfast. The fact that they did not do that is due to good work done by people from that local community alongside the Police Service. We should be grateful to all of them.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

I join others in expressing thanks to the PSNI and, in particular, to the army technical officer who successfully diffused this murderous weapon of attack. The murderous attack was no doubt intended for the police station, but those who intended to use that weapon neither knew nor cared whether it would be just police officers that they might target and kill. In such a built-up area with schools and adjacent housing areas, and given the notorious unreliability of mortars, they knew that the prospect equally existed of many, many deaths either inside or outside the police station.

Therefore, one is particularly grateful and glad that we still have the services of the army technical officers; glad that we still have intelligence services such as MI5, which can help to thwart and derail these murderous attempts. However, as has been said, these people need only to get lucky once. Sadly, if they do, this House will be discussing carnage again.

These people are deploying and using the template set for them by the provisional IRA. Indeed, they now take the title Óglaigh na hÉireann. Those who used that title previously were equally usurpers of the lawful authority of the forces of the Irish Republic and were equally terrorists in their manifestation and actions. A Provo template was used in the design, technology and tactics. It was wrong when it was executed by the Provos then, and it is equally wrong today. There was no justification then.

There is no point in talking in glib terms about there being no public support as though, if there were, that would make it right. It was wrong then, and it is wrong now. Terrorism of all shades and all types is always wrong. Sadly, political responses that pander to terrorism have guaranteed a continuance of terrorism. Let us be very clear: that which was attempted in that area last weekend is no different, no better and no worse than that which was perpetrated for years by those who then reaped the benefits in political concessions.

have to say that as I, along with my party colleague Alderman Frank McCoubrey, visited the nearby Cairnmartin nursing home, the schools and some of the hundreds of households that were evacuated, I was simply appalled, because I was able to see the nature of the device that we are talking about today. I was advised by the police that it was a device, which they had seen on many occasions, designed by people connected to the old IRA. We, in the House, all know that those who were involved in planting that device had no thought for life or the community and the people living in it, whether from Springmartin, Black Mountain or the Springfield Road. The device was trained on the police station to kill police officers. It is important to say that the device was detonated. Very fortunately, 6 lb of explosives stuck in the tube, and we are here today talking about something that could have been devastating for that community and for Northern Ireland.

I stayed in the area until close to 9.00 pm on Friday night, and I pay tribute to Belfast City Council, Ballygomartin Presbyterian Church for opening its facilities, the Police Service and, particularly, the army technical services. Given the terrain and the weather conditions, three different robots had to be deployed so the effect on the community was prolonged. Hundreds of homes were affected as were thousands of people. The saddest cases for me were those of an elderly couple with a disabled son who could not get medication to treat their son because they live close to New Barnsley station, and a family who were burying someone who was a father and grandfather and had to walk out of the Black Mountain estate and could not get to the funeral cars.

The events of Friday and of the past number of weeks have shown that Northern Ireland could be on the slippery slope back to murder and mayhem. However, the resolve of the people of that area on Friday was that they are determined that the would-be murderers and perpetrators of evil — because evil people they are — will not and cannot win. We will not allow Northern Ireland to go back to the dark old days.

Executive Committee Business

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I inform the House that the Budget Bill has received Royal Assent. The Budget Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 became law on 14 March 2013.

Assembly Business

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Mr Joe Byrne has sought leave to present a public petition in accordance with Standing Order 22. The Member will have up to three minutes in which to speak on the subject.

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

I thank you, Mr Speaker, and the Business Office for allowing me to present this petition this morning. I am presenting a public petition that requests, on behalf of the people of Strabane, a jobs initiative for a town and district that has consistently felt neglected and forgotten by government since partition.

Unfortunately, Strabane has a national and international image as the unemployment black spot of Europe. The petition represents and reflects the community's anger and frustration at Strabane's social and economic neglect being once again bypassed by government, most recently epitomised by the Agriculture Minister's decision to relocate 800 Civil Service jobs out of Belfast to Ballykelly, even though Strabane ranked first in the assessment criteria. Strabane scored 73, the next on the list scored 59, and the one after that scored 57. The people of Strabane have felt that the Assembly and Executive do not care about the unemployment situation in Strabane and, in particular, the grossly high levels of youth unemployment and lack of opportunity. My office in Strabane was inundated with phone calls and people visiting to complain about that decision. Despite Strabane having the highest score in the socio-economic assessment criteria for the destination of the jobs relocation, that did not merit a favourable decision.

Unfortunately, the people of Strabane feel let down because they had expectations that the devolved Assembly and Executive would not continue with the same pattern of government indifference and neglect that they have suffered for decades. As an MLA for West Tyrone, I am duty-bound to bring to the House this petition of over 2,000 signatures to highlight the genuine sense of grievance and hurt that now exists throughout the Strabane district, and indeed West Tyrone, about government indifference to the plight of my constituents.

It is with regret that I, as an MLA, and the local campaign group have to plead for Strabane to be regarded as a special case once again when it comes to the need for jobs. The community's sense of disgust and annoyance about government in Belfast once again ignoring and bypassing the merited case for jobs being relocated to Strabane is palpable. People are asking why Strabane is being bypassed once again and whether, even with devolution, it will continue to experience economic discrimination. Mr Speaker, I present to you the signatures on this petition.

Mr Byrne moved forward and laid the petition on the Table.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I will forward the petition to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and send a copy to the Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee.

Ministerial Statements

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

With your permission, I wish to make a statement on the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) estate strategy.

The prison review team, in its review of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, outlined the premise that prisoners can develop and change provided that they are given the opportunity to do so. It also set out the fundamental characteristics of an effective prison system that supports change and promotes desistance from crime.

The development of the prison estate presents an opportunity to create an environment that will promote change and rehabilitation, reduce risk and enhance public safety while providing accommodation that is fit for purpose and provides value for money. The prison estate that we build now will be our prison estate for the next 50 to 100 years. It is essential that we get it right. That is why I wanted to ensure that all responses to the proposals in the outline estate strategy, which was published for consultation last year, were properly considered and evaluated before making any final decisions.

In my interim statement to the Assembly in November last year, I announced a number of key decisions on the prison estate, and I committed to returning to the House to update Members on my final decisions on provision for young offenders and women offenders and the shape of the adult male estate, including a definitive statement on the future of Magilligan prison. Today, I am pleased to be able to bring that update to the House.

I want to take the opportunity to recognise the value that our key partners and stakeholders have brought to the development of the estate strategy. I thank officials in NIPS for their dedication and commitment to developing a strategy for the future and thank our partners in the statutory, community and voluntary sectors for their valuable contribution to the consultation process. I also recognise the positive approach to partnership working that was demonstrated by local councils and business representatives in the north-west, all of which helped to inform my decisions.

The prison review team was clear that although young offenders may be prone to prolific offending and reoffending, they are also capable of change and redirection. Experience has shown a strong correlation between offending behaviour in young people and issues such as poor literacy, language or numeracy skills, or a history of unemployment. Addressing the level of educational need among this group of offenders is essential if we are to improve their chance of rehabilitation and employment upon release. That is why, in November last year, I outlined my commitment to the reconfiguration of Hydebank Wood as a secure college offering young offenders a full programme of skills-based activities to better support rehabilitation and desistance. Building on the vision of the prison review team, my officials, with support from colleagues in the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), have produced a concept development paper that defines the secure college model in more detail and identifies how it can best be achieved.

Work to improve the physical environment at Hydebank Wood and make it more conducive to learning has already commenced. New windows, furniture and fittings have been installed, and it is estimated that further improvements will be completed over the next six to 12 months. However, the secure college approach is more than just bricks and mortar; it is about raising the value placed on learning and skills and changing attitudes to offender management through positive engagement and interaction.

The new approach will enhance current multidisciplinary and multiagency working arrangements and result in dedicated, committed and fully trained staff, with the capacity to offer one-to-one interventions where needed, working with young offenders to support and encourage learning and development. Central to this will be the introduction of new professionally qualified custody officers, the upskilling of existing staff and the implementation of new and improved procedures to ensure that the individual needs of young offenders are identified and met. Engagement with statutory, voluntary and community services that can support young men on release from custody will also be routine.

At the heart of the secure college approach will be the introduction of a revised learning and skills curriculum that will focus on providing essential skills, including literacy, numeracy and ICT, as well as life skills, employability skills, vocational training and recreational services.

Consultation with trade unions and other key stakeholders is ongoing, and it is anticipated that the new curriculum will be introduced in 2014.

I am also pleased to announce that Paul Norbury, a governor with extensive experience working in the National Offender Management Service, will take up his appointment as governor of Hydebank Wood in April and will provide the necessary leadership and inspiration to deliver the secure college model.

My officials, in partnership with the Probation Board, have also been exploring what additional support and services might be put in place to manage young offenders in the community to enable them to benefit from multiagency co-ordinated services to contribute to their successful resettlement. The Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) has reviewed models of best practice for a multiagency approach for young offenders and has identified the resources that will be required for delivery, the potential target offender group, geographical location and potential stakeholders. I hope to be in a position to launch a pilot scheme in the coming months.

I have said before that prison should be used only when it is absolutely necessary and for the most serious and violent offenders. This is particularly true for women offenders. As a group, women offenders present low levels of risk but high levels of vulnerability that the justice system is not well placed to manage, particularly in relation to mental health, substance misuse and previous abuse. There is broad agreement that there should be significantly fewer women in custody and that it is far more effective to support women in the community to address the many complex issues associated with their offending behaviour.

Work to refresh the women’s strategy and to put in place new actions aimed at reducing offending among women and to divert women away from custody is well advanced. This work has been shaped by engagement with a range of stakeholders, including women in the justice system, and my officials will continue to work with partners in the statutory, community and voluntary sectors to further develop and enhance existing supports and services.

The PBNI-led Inspire model, widely praised for its innovative, flexible and dynamic approach to reducing women’s offending through targeted community-based interventions, is now well established in the greater Belfast area. It has also been successfully rolled out to the mid-Ulster and the north-west probation areas, and plans are in place to extend its reach to Ballymena and north Antrim during 2013-14. I want to make the Inspire model available across all of Northern Ireland so that this women-centred, community-based approach becomes the norm when dealing with women’s offending.

For some women, secure custody will be the only proportionate response, but I have been consistently clear that the existing arrangements for women prisoners are not appropriate. This view, which is widely shared by stakeholders, was reinforced during the full inspection of Hydebank Wood, which took place in February. That is why I have committed myself to establishing a new separate facility for women offenders, combining both custodial provision for those who require secure custody and facilities for those for whom a community-based approach is more appropriate. My officials, working with colleagues in PBNI, are in the process of developing options in respect of the shape and size of the facility. A number of options for its location, including three areas on the existing Hydebank Wood site, are being considered. Subject to the approval of business cases and funding being made available, it is envisaged that a new facility for women offenders could be established as early as 2018.

In a more recent development, I have been made aware that the Probation Board intends to vacate Alderwood House, located in the grounds of Hydebank Wood. This presents an ideal opportunity to provide step-down accommodation for women prisoners who have been assessed as suitable for working in the community, and I have asked my officials to consider, as a matter of urgency, what future use might be made of that site. Progress has been made, but more needs to be done to identify the work that would be required to bring the building up to standard. The existing building would provide accommodation for up to six women, subject to planning permission. A design team has been asked to consider options to extend the building or to build additional accommodation on the adjacent land.

Last month, I officially opened the new 120-cell accommodation block, Quoile House, at Maghaberry prison. The opening of Quoile House marks the beginning of a new approach to the development of the prison estate and is consistent with the strategic aims of NIPS to provide safe, secure accommodation, to reform and modernise the service, and to reduce the risk of reoffending.

Alongside the aim of creating an environment that encourages positive change by offenders, the estate strategy recognises the priority of the need to address the issues of overcrowding at Maghaberry. Good progress is being made toward the development of an additional 360-cell accommodation block. It is anticipated that construction of the new block will commence in late 2014.

The creation of this additional accommodation will not only ease accommodation pressures and lead us closer to the goal of reducing shared accommodation but enable NIPS to implement, on a phased basis, my earlier commitment to reconfiguring Maghaberry prison into three discrete areas — for remand prisoners, low- to medium-security sentenced prisoners, and prisoners requiring high-security accommodation — with appropriate support regimes and security for each. I believe that by moving towards a culture that relies more on dynamic security and less on physical security measures, we can develop a security regime that is proportionate to the risk presented. It will also help facilitate the delivery of better-tailored regimes to specific groups of prisoners and reinforce work to rehabilitate offenders.

The remand area will focus on the safe and effective committal and assessment of offenders; the provision of short or modular interventions, courses, work and programmes; and practical resettlement initiatives with considerable external support. Some of the existing facilities at Maghaberry will provide accommodation for low- to medium-security sentenced prisoners, and we will continue to provide step-down facilities for life-sentence prisoners.

It also remains my intention to create a discrete high-security facility, which will include provision for both separated prisoners and prisoners from the integrated population requiring high security. Work to convert the existing accommodation at Bush House and Roe House to a high-security facility will commence in early 2015. This will enable the Prison Service to deliver a regime appropriate to the prisoners held there, while allowing the remainder of the prison to develop a more dynamic regime, with appropriate staffing arrangements, that meets the needs of those prisoners not requiring the highest levels of security.

It is well-established that maintaining family contact is an integral part of effective resettlement. It helps prevent reoffending and contributes to the reduction of intergenerational offending. The existing facility at Maghaberry is not fit for purpose. I have asked officials to consider options for a replacement visits facility that will be more conducive to addressing and maintaining family links. Subject to the availability of funding, this work will commence in late 2015. In the meantime, plans are in place to commence work to refurbish the existing visits area at Maghaberry. This will provide families with a more positive visiting experience and encourage family contact.

The prison review team observed that the closure of the prisoner assessment unit left an important gap in custodial provision. In recognition of the importance of managing the difficult transition between prison and community, particularly for prisoners who have served long sentences, I indicated my intention to redevelop the prisoner assessment unit located on the Crumlin Road as a working-out unit for prisoners approaching the end of their sentence. As an interim solution, a business case for the refurbishment of the existing site is nearing completion. Subject to approval of this business case, work will commence later this year. I intend to review this provision after a year, at which time I will, if I deem it necessary, consider options for a rebuild on the existing site.

I have been consistently clear that my decision on the future of Magilligan prison needs to be based on what is best for the people of Northern Ireland in terms of enhancing public safety through reducing offending. In November, I indicated that I was inclined towards retaining a prison on the Magilligan site, subject to evidence being provided that issues concerning rehabilitation and family links could be adequately addressed.

Over the past few months, officials in NIPS have been continuing to engage with a range of stakeholders on the issue and have been working with local councils and business representatives from the north-west to consider how Magilligan could be used in a different way to overcome the challenges posed by its remote location. A councillors' forum has been established, and a number of workshops to help identify work and training opportunities in the community for prisoners have taken place.

A number of factors, including the responses to the consultation and engagement with the local councils, have helped shape my thinking, and I now consider that there is a case for the retention of Magilligan. However, much of Magilligan is no longer fit for purpose and has outlived its useful economic life. To that end, my officials have engaged with a number of professional service providers to consider the options for a replacement prison on the existing Magilligan site. They are aimed at delivering a range of fit-for-purpose, flexible accommodation that provides staff and prisoner safety; encourages access to education and activities; and encourages and supports rehabilitation.

A number of high-level design concepts are being considered. Those include the option for phased redevelopment, which would allow the prison to remain open and operate as normal during construction. It is envisaged that key elements of the redevelopment will include the replacement of the H-blocks and other ageing facilities; the development of a central activities block; a new entrance building and welcome centre; and a new energy centre. There will also be the creation of a number of independent living units for prisoners nearing the end of their sentence, which will encourage prisoners to take responsibility for their day-to-day routine.

Subject to funding, it is anticipated that the phased redevelopment of Magilligan prison will be completed by 2020. In the immediate term, essential refurbishment and maintenance work will be carried out to ensure that Magilligan meets the minimum standards of safe, decent and secure custody.

In summary, I am today outlining to the Assembly my commitment to bringing forward, over the next 10 years, the reconfiguration of Hydebank Wood as a secure college; the provision of a separate, dedicated facility for women offenders that provides custodial and community services; the reconfiguration of Maghaberry prison, including the development of a new accommodation block and high-security facility; the development of a working-out unit on the site of the former prisoner assessment unit; and the phased redevelopment of Magilligan prison on the existing prison site.

The majority of the expenditure on the extensive capital investment programme required by the estate strategy will fall outside the current 2011-15 Budget period. So, the full implementation of the strategy will be dependent upon the level of funding in future Budget allocations. Although it is difficult to quantify at this stage, it is estimated that the total cost of the long-term redevelopment of the prison estate could approach £202 million. However, it is important to stress that all the projects will be designed and built with a view to maximising the efficient and effective use of staff and facilities, and will, in the long term, result in significant resource savings for the Prison Service.

I thank all who have worked to develop the strategy for the future prison estate and to deliver the achievements to date. I thank my colleagues in the statutory and voluntary and community sectors, who, like me, have a shared vision of a fair justice system, an effective justice system and a safer Northern Ireland.

Alex Easton (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement. I particularly welcome the announcement of the redevelopment of Magilligan, which will safeguard jobs and keep a lot of people in that area happy. That is very much welcomed.

I have two quick questions. First, the Minister mentioned £202 million for the estate strategy. Has he had any meetings with the Finance Minister on that £202 million? If so, could he tell us what occurred at those meetings? Secondly, will he let us know about any estates and land that have not been mentioned in the estate strategy and what the plans are for the future of those sites?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I thank Mr Easton for his welcome of the announcement about Magilligan. I suppose that he had to get in there before his colleagues from the East Londonderry constituency got in on the act.

The costings I gave, of £202 million, are, at this stage, very much a broad estimate. As I indicated, the expenditure will largely lie outside this expenditure period. There will be significant issues to be considered, including, for example, whether the Department of Justice budget remains ring-fenced. So, I have not yet had any detailed discussions with the Finance Minister, although I suspect that there will be interesting issues to discuss.

As for other bits of the estate not mentioned, I can only assume that he is referring to the college at Millisle. It is well established that the college at Millisle will close and the site will be sold when the Desertcreat public service safety college becomes available for the Prison Service, Fire Service and Police Service.

Raymond McCartney (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat, a Príomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire le haghaidh an ráitis seo ar maidin. I thank the Minister for his statement and welcome it. I note that, in his opening paragraphs, he quoted the prison review team. As he knows, that is the sort of basis on which we are guided in all our deliberations around this.

I note, in particular in terms of the announcement about Magilligan, that the Minister said last November that he was:

"now inclined towards retaining a prison on the Magilligan site, subject to evidence being provided that issues concerning rehabilitation and family links can be adequately addressed." — [Official Report, Vol 79, No 7, p12, col 1].

Is the Minister now satisfied about that or can he give us a timeline for when he believes that the councillors' forum will leave him in a position that not only has he evidence but he is absolutely convinced that what led to the prison review team's conclusion about Magilligan is adequately addressed before any announcement of a newbuild?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I thank Mr McCartney for his comments. The issue around family links was highlighted by the prison review team in the way in which Magilligan is currently used, namely as a prison for those serving custodial sentences from all parts of Northern Ireland, and the difficulty that creates.

By looking at the issue of those prisoners where there are no particular family links to be maintained and the potential for developing the prison's use, concentrating there more of those who live close to the north-west area in general — whether they be from Derry, Coleraine or further afield — there are opportunities to develop the use of Magilligan. It is also clear that there needs to be a strong engagement with businesses and local councils in the north-west to show that there is a willingness to have people playing their part in providing the rehabilitation opportunities that are a key part of the work that needs to be done in the Prison Service generally. If that can be done, Magilligan will be able to serve a very useful purpose.

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

I also welcome the statement, particularly in relation to Magilligan. Of course, the jobs are important but the inmates at Magilligan also stand a much better chance of addressing serious problems with literacy and numeracy.

We do not know what sentence the Minister will serve as Justice Minister or, indeed, why he was given the sentence. However, will he assure the House that this is not pie in the sky and that, come 2015, the ground rules will be there and we can be assured that there will be a new prison at Magilligan?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I am grateful for Mr Dallat's opening remarks. I thought that it was clear why I am serving this sentence — because the House gave it to me by a majority verdict.

The plans are most certainly not pie in the sky. As I highlighted, however, there are issues around finances that need to be met, and there will have to be engagement on that as we look into future spending review periods. Unless Mr Dallat has more information than me about the mind of the Chancellor, I am not sure that I could give a commitment that the money will be available. We will seek to do all that we can in the timescale within which we believe it is possible. However, it is my intention that we will proceed as fast as possible with all the plans that I outlined today.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his statement, and the Magilligan part in particular. Some months ago here, the Minister indicated that the buildings at Magilligan may be partly retained and a new block built. According to his statement, however, it appears that it will be a complete newbuild. What changed the Minister's mind on that and is that a more or less expensive option?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Mr Elliott raises a fair point about the capacity of the site as it exists. The reality is that there is simply one accommodation block within Magilligan that is fit for purpose — Howard House. The rest of it is well past its sell-by date. Most of the facilities for workshops and learning and skills are also well beyond their capacity. So, effectively, we are looking at an almost total rebuild within the Magilligan site. However, given the space that is available, it is possible to do that in a way that will enable the prison to continue to function. It is not so much a change of mind as an examination as to the best way of providing services within the site as it exists.

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

I welcome the vision that the Minister of Justice set out for a prison system that supports change and reduces crime in Northern Ireland, and for setting out clear actions that he will take over the next 10 years.

As a member of the Committee for Employment and Learning, I heard only last week from the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NIACRO) that central to reducing offending and crime in Northern Ireland will be improving the education and employability of young offenders. I commend the Minister for the action he has taken to create a secure young offenders college at Hydebank Wood. Will he reassure me that he will continue to work with the Minister for Employment and Learning and organisations such as NIACRO to ensure that the skills, training and careers guidance that we give to young offenders are relevant to the jobs available and needed in our economy?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I thank my colleague for welcoming the statement in slightly broader terms that go beyond Magilligan. There has been useful engagement with DEL officials and, indeed, the Minister for Employment and Learning, who is always very amenable to suggestions that I put to him.

The Member also highlights the positive engagement with organisations such as NIACRO. Much of the good work that is done around the rehabilitation of offenders involves liaison with a significant number of voluntary organisations, of which NIACRO is merely one of the most prominent. As we look to the development of some of those plans, particularly around Hydebank Wood, I think that we will see the opportunity to extend that.

We have also had discussions with businesses that could be interested in providing opportunities for young offenders and women offenders in Hydebank. So, with a commitment from DEL and the Department of Justice, and both Departments working together alongside business and the voluntary sector, there is a real opportunity to make a success of the college proposals.

George Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry)

Will the Minister give assurances that he will ensure that Northern Ireland firms are employed, as far as possible, in the proposed construction of the new facilities to create much-needed permanent construction jobs in Northern Ireland and in my East Londonderry constituency, which has suffered so many job losses in recent years?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I cannot give Mr Robinson the full assurance that I suspect he wants. There will be certain issues relating to the size and scale of contracts, which may have to be advertised in the European journal. I can certainly give an assurance that justice has been done for the college at Desertcreat. Everything will be done to ensure that apprenticeships are provided and that people are taken from the unemployment register. It will be a matter of seeing exactly how contracts are configured and what can then be put into the detail of that. I am fully aware of the issue, but there are requirements of European and UK law that mean that we cannot necessarily be so specialised and local as the Member might wish.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas ar maidin. I thank the Minister for his statement this morning. Ann Owers's report highlighted the fact that facilities for women were very poor; women have been poorly served by the prisons estate over the years; women are a small group in the prison population but mostly comprise vulnerable people; women were inadequately provided for; and there was a requirement for a new prison. I find it disappointing that the plans for the new women's prison are couched in the statement in vague terms compared with the plans for other prisoners. Will that be reviewed? What interim measures can be taken to improve facilities for women?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I am disappointed that Ms McCorley describes the proposals as vague. The fact that we are actively looking at alternative sites for a facility for women and are developing the concept that will combine custodial facilities with community facilities, which builds on the Inspire model and on experience from which Dublin and Glasgow have lessons to teach us, are perhaps not as specific as she might have hoped, but I certainly do not think that they are vague. There is a clear intention and direction.

As we look at the options, particularly for developing other areas on the Hydebank site, it should be possible, in the relatively near future, to have some firm proposals that will build on the options for different sites that I outlined and the option of step-down facilities, and building the Inspire model into that. That is a very clear direction. I fully acknowledge that the current facilities in Ash House are well short of what we regard as appropriate for women prisoners.

Adrian McQuillan (DUP, East Londonderry)

I thank the Minister for his statement this morning, particularly the detail on the newbuild at Magilligan and the phased redevelopment of Magilligan in the meantime. When will that begin, Minister?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I am not sure that I can give the precise timescale that Mr McQuillan is seeking. There are a number of different aspects to how we may look at the Magilligan timescale, but there are areas of work that need to be done simply to make some of the current accommodation, if not exactly fit for purpose, better than it is currently. We will seek to do some work on those areas fairly speedily. The key issue is to get plans under way for proper redevelopment. The issue is that there will have to be a balance between what is spent on short-term remedial work and the long-term development of our plans.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, you mentioned a councillors' forum. What is the make-up and remit of the forum? Has it met? Is there is a budget to identify work and training opportunities in the community?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I can inform Mr Lynch that the councillors' forum grew from discussions that originated when a delegation from Limavady Borough Council, Coleraine Borough Council and Ballymoney Borough Council came to speak to me to make the case, as they saw it, for the retention of Magilligan prison. Prison Service representatives and I put back to them the case that any justification for its retention would be on the basis of providing useful opportunities for family links and working opportunities for rehabilitation. The forum is working with the Prison Service. It is not a particularly formal body, and I do not know whether it will ever be put into statute. However, it offers an opportunity for the Prison Service to engage with local representatives, in the same way as it engages with local business, to see what the opportunities are to make the best use of Magilligan prison, its location and the facilities in the immediate vicinity to aid the rehabilitation of prisoners.

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

I welcome the Minister's statement, although my welcome is tempered by the uncertainty surrounding future funding. Nonetheless, will the Minister expand a little on how the new curriculum will be provided in the secure college at Hydebank? Will it be provided in-house or by a regional college?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I thank Mr Maginness for his welcome, and he raises a significant question. The details of the best way to provide the appropriate learning and skills curriculum are being explored.

I believe that, just as when the Prison Service decided a few years ago that it was not best placed to provide healthcare, and arrangements were made to outsource it to the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, the learning and skills agenda would be better provided by a specialist organisation. That is being discussed with the Department for Employment and Learning to see the best way in which we could manage that. There are tendering issues that might have to be taken into account. It may be simplest if it were simply outsourced to one of the local regional colleges. That is certainly a key potential option. Although the detail has not been fully worked out, it is being worked through.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

I also welcome the statement from the Minister. This is a good news story that should, when implemented, be a win-win situation for everyone.

It is obvious that the consultation process has been taken very seriously, not only by the Minister but by the Prison Service. It demonstrates the value of engaging with all of the stakeholders all of the time. Will the Minister confirm to the Assembly that he and his Department will continue with that approach as the prison strategy is implemented over the next number of years?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I thank my colleague for the compliment. As I have said on a number of occasions, when the Department of Justice conducted consultations, they were genuine and open. I am not sure that, at the first meeting that we had with a group of councillors from the north-west, that was entirely believed. Indeed, one gentleman told me that I had my mind made up to close Magilligan prison. I hope that, today, he realises that that was not the case.

I see Mr Robinson, on the DUP Benches, smiling. He can perhaps take that back to his colleague and tell him that that was not the case.

The reality is that it was an open consultation. It certainly happened on the basis of the PRT's recommendations, but it sought to find the best way forward for Northern Ireland in the current circumstances. It has produced a result that is different from the initial suggestion by the PRT because of the strength of the responses and the detail that went into the consideration of those responses. I am happy to say that I intend it to be the policy of the DOJ to do consultations in a meaningful way.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

I welcome the Minister's direction of travel on HMP Magilligan, and I congratulate those who campaigned for its retention.

I would like to ask the Minister for clarification. In his statement, he said:

"A number of high-level design concepts are being considered. Those include the option for phased redevelopment".

This suggests that there are other options, and yet, in his summary, the Minister committed to the phased redevelopment. So, is there an absolute commitment to phased redevelopment, or is he considering something else in parallel with that? Can he assure us that within this budgetary term he will make the commitment on the design and the necessary works that will enable capital grants to be availed of in the next budgetary term? In other words, will he nail down now his commitment to the future?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Again, I thank Mr Allister for his complimentary remarks. I said that I did not think that anybody who does not know the full mind of the Chancellor of the Exchequer can be certain of exactly where we stand in respect of the next Budget period. It would be a foolish Minister who said that he could give an absolute guarantee about what will happen. I certainly know what our intention is and what we will seek to do, but we can be sure only when we get the detail of the budgetary processes and when certain things are determined, such as whether justice will remain ring-fenced or be included in general Executive funding. Therefore, it simply is not possible to give a hard and fast determination at this stage about what will happen during the next CSR period.

David McClarty (Independent, East Londonderry)

I heartily thank the Minister for this morning's announcement. It is terrific news for the people in my constituency of East Londonderry and beyond. When the review of the prison estate was first announced, it was suggested that Magilligan was on the list for closure and we were not going to enter into real consultation. The Minister, of course, assured us that that would not be the case and there would be real consultation, and so it has proved. So, I thank him for being a Minister of his word. Will he confirm that the award-winning rehabilitation programmes that are in place at Magilligan were one of the key aspects for him in coming to his decision?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

After adulation such as that, I certainly should thank Mr McClarty for his question and acknowledge the role that he and others in the three councils played in putting together a sufficiently good case to ensure that we could see a future role.

One of the key issues was the work done around learning and skills training at Magilligan, which has always been a positive. One of the disadvantages that Magilligan tends to have, of course, is that, frequently, prisoners are not there for very long. It was exceptionally good to see some of the work done at Magilligan during my visits there. That was one of the key factors that showed its positive sides. The important thing will be to tie the work that is done in the prison to the opportunity outside for learning, skills training and job activities, as prisoners near the end of their sentence. That is a key part of the work that we look to do in consultation with local business and local councils.

William Humphrey (DUP, Belfast North)

I apologise to the Minister for missing the early part of his statement to the House: I was at a Committee meeting. As a Member for North Belfast, I congratulate the Minister on his decision to retain the prisoner assessment unit at Crumlin Road. I welcome that decision and commend the Minister for it.

Youth crime and offending is obviously a serious issue. Will the Minister advise the House how the enhanced family visiting facilities that he plans for Maghaberry will reduce intergenerational crime?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I thank Mr Humphrey for identifying the working-out unit on the Crumlin Road. I think that he is the first Member to mention it. We had to go through quite a number of issues before we got there, so I thank him for that.

The issue of how prisoners relate to their family in preventing the continuation of crime into further generations is not always recognised. There is no doubt that, when our visiting facilities are not particularly good and there are limited opportunities for families to have the contact that they would wish, that can create further difficulties. It can perhaps lead to difficulties with children not receiving the attention that they would otherwise have from a parent in prison. A key part of making things different is the provision of the best possible facilities to allow those visits to take place and enable family contacts to be maintained in a way that allows parents to play their parenting role.

Shortly after I became Minister, I opened the facility at the back of Ash House for extended family visits. It allows women in custody to have visits from children somewhere other than simply in the main visiting centre. That is an example of what can be done for women. It is important to also allow men to have the opportunity for extended and extensive contact with their children. The facilities that we have, which tend to be rather crowded and cramped, do not meet the best needs of families.

Jim Wells (DUP, South Down)

I think that most people in the Chamber would agree that the decision on the prisons estate is a balanced one that will generally find a very favourable reaction. Although I am happy with what the Minister has announced, I am most concerned about the comment that he made to Mr Robinson. He said that he would have the same flexibility in contracts as he had with Desertcreat. As he knows, I am extremely concerned about how restrictive some aspects of the Desertcreat contract were. Will he give the House his assurance that he will ensure that the contract for this huge project, which will bring jobs to so many, will be flexible enough to ensure that every builder in Northern Ireland who has the skills and experience can submit a bid? It would be criminal — if you do not mind me using the word — to exclude any potential contractor with the skills from the project because he has been too specific in the materials and design.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I fear that Mr Wells is trying to drag me into areas that are more properly for the Minister of Finance and Personnel. I think that he is also a little uncertain in his description of how contracts were awarded for Desertcreat; I am not sure that they were always as precise as he feels they were. I will certainly give a commitment that, whenever I have any responsibility for contracts, I will ensure that they are as open as possible to allow local businesses to compete. However, I do not know whether I could guarantee that every local building firm will have the opportunity to compete for contracts of that scale. The important thing is to see that, within the limits of competition law, we do as much as we can to encourage the provision of local materials in the contracts and see that there is provision of local jobs, including, in particular, apprenticeships.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

With your permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a statement to the Assembly on the outcome of the consultation exercise on the proposals contained in 'Transforming Your Care: Vision to Action'.

Members will recall that I first presented the ‘Transforming Your Care' (TYC) report to the Assembly on 13 December 2011. Since then, considerable work has been taken forward to develop the proposals into detailed plans that will provide the basis for the transformation set out in TYC over the next three to five years. Those draft plans were made available publicly when I made my statement to the House in July 2012. Following a process of quality assurance, I announced the launch of the public consultation to the Assembly on 9 October 2012. The consultation closed on 15 January. I now want to share the outcome with Members and outline the key stages, moving forward.

First, let me remind Members what Transforming Your Care is about and why reform is needed. In Northern Ireland, as in all health and social care systems, there are significant pressures that can be addressed only by radical change: a growing and ageing population, a growth in chronic conditions, a growth in demand and an over-reliance on hospital beds. There are also advances in medicines and technology that require us to innovate. We need to address growing public expectations on the need for high-quality and compassionate health and social care services.

The 'Transforming Your Care' report presented a compelling case for the reform of health and social care services and demonstrated a clear need to tackle the demand for services, which is predicted to continue to grow by around 4% a year until 2015. The report set out strategic proposals that have the potential to make a huge difference to how we plan and deliver health and social care services both in the medium and the long term. It described a new model for the delivery of integrated health and social care services focused on prevention initiatives, early interventions and promoting health and well-being. It also highlighted that more services should be provided in the community, closer to people’s homes, where possible, and that there should be more personalised care.

As I said in the House on 13 December 2011, in setting my vision for health and social care services, my overriding concern was to drive up the quality of care for clients and patients, improve outcomes and ensure that the patients and clients of our services have the best possible experience in every aspect of their care. I have not wavered from any aspect of that. I was clear when I made that first statement, and I remain clear now that we need to think differently about how and where we deliver our services in the face of increasing and changing demands. We need to stop doing things that do not work, challenge out-of-date practices, ensure the best value from every penny available to us and maximise the use of our skills bases, particularly in prevention and early intervention.

The Francis report provides a stark reminder that quality of care must consistently be at the front and centre of all that we do. We all want the best care for our families, and that means care that is focused on achieving the best outcomes for our patients and service users. That is embedded in the aims of Transforming Your Care and is at the core of my vision for our health and social care system. In the face of those pressures and the compelling need for change, I believe that local commissioning has a critical and powerful role to play in driving change and innovation. We need to ensure that care is provided in the right place, at the right time and by the right people. That means providing care nearer to the home and shifting services from the secondary setting to the primary and community setting.

Everything that has come to attention since the launch of the consultation reinforces the need for change. That is what TYC was about. At its simplest, it is about basic good management and planning. Unplanned change and a lack of preparation will inevitably result in poorer care and treatment, with poorer health outcomes. Without a planned and coherent approach, we will be unable to meet future health needs and will fail patients and our workforce.

Healthcare is universal. It is one of the few things that touch the life of just about everyone in our population. The TYC proposals present a landmark change in the delivery of that care. Therefore, to drive change, we needed to listen to patients, carers, doctors, nurses, staff, managers and, indeed, to everyone who felt they had something to say on the future delivery of health and social care. That is exactly what we did.

In October, I launched 'Transforming Your Care: From Vision to Action'. I asked people to seize the opportunity to make their voice heard as part of the consultation. After three months of engagement, during which every household in Northern Ireland was offered the chance to take part and thousands participated through public meetings and social media, the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) has captured, analysed and summarised the public responses in the post-consultation report. That was published today and is available on the HSCB website.

I have been heartened by the reaction and the public endorsement of the transformation proposals. It was very encouraging to see the number of professional bodies, voluntary and community sector representatives and other representative groups that took the time to canvass their membership and respond to the proposals. I am grateful to all those who took the time to respond to the ‘Transforming Your Care: From Vision to Action’ consultation.

The consultation revealed overwhelming support — 97% of those who responded to the questionnaire — on the need for change. It also provided insight into the concerns of those who provide the services and those who use them. The post-consultation report that the HSCB has produced details the board's proposed responses to the views expressed in the consultation. There are areas in which, I believe, it is important to take immediate action now to drive transformation in key areas. In some other areas, we need to take some time to reflect on the views that have been expressed before final decisions are made. I will say more about those shortly.

Let me be absolutely clear that I do not want to see the transformation process slowed down in any way. Time is not on our side, and we need to take action now to effect the changes that are so critically needed. I intend to ensure that that happens.

The consultation exercise has demonstrated that there is clear support for the concept of changing the way in which health and social care is delivered in Northern Ireland. In many areas of the consultation, the majority of respondents endorsed the need for change but also highlighted important issues that needed to be addressed to ensure effective transformation. For example, there was recognition of the importance of promoting health and well-being and early intervention, building on 'Fit and Well', the 10-year public health strategic framework for Northern Ireland. The importance of the implementation of existing strategies and plans such as 'Living Matters, Dying Matters: A Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy for Adults in Northern Ireland' and the continued implementation of the Bamford review were also highlighted.

Consultees also highlighted the importance of early, local intervention in relation to mental health issues, and, in that context, I am pleased to say that it is intended that some £13 million will be invested over three years to 2014-15 to support the development of community care, prevention and early intervention activities and to continue the resettlement of existing long-stay residents.

I am also pleased to advise that the HSCB now has plans in place for the completion by 2015 of the resettlement of those with learning disabilities who are in long-term institutional care. It is intended that £20 million will be invested over three years to cover the resettlement programme, as well as in services to support the development of community care, prevention and early intervention activities. Care will, of course, be taken in resettlements to ensure that it is done sensitively and in consultation with the individuals and their families.

As well as endorsing the need for change, the consultation highlighted several overarching issues that need to be addressed to ensure full and effective transformation. They include the need to enhance our support for carers. Consultees told us that we needed to provide more information and more support and to ensure that carers' needs are considered fully when designing services. I will look to the Health and Social Care Board to ensure that that happens. I can inform the House that, at this point, targets have been developed and set for 2013-14 to monitor the number of carers identified, the number of assessments offered and the number accepted. In addition, £500,000 has been invested to encourage innovation in respite and short breaks.

The need to ensure that new service models are adequately funded and established before the withdrawal of any service was also highlighted. That will need to be at the heart of the planning process moving forward so that, from a whole-systems perspective, the transition to new arrangements will be as seamless as possible. I also want to assure our service users that, even though I am announcing today a further step towards the implementation stage of Transforming Your Care, there will be no major service change without further specific consultation, where appropriate.

Our workforce is key to our health and social care services. It is the single most important enabler for the delivery of transformation. We have a workforce to be proud of, and it is incumbent on us to make sure that we make best use of it in this new model of care. It will be absolutely key to the success of this transformation that we give priority to ensuring that our staff are fully informed of service changes through meaningful engagement. We already have a regional workforce planning group to co-ordinate that important work. A key element of that work will be the assessment of the implications of the proposed changes for training and development for various professions. A service and workforce planning tool will be introduced for use across all health and social care organisations to assist in that process. We need full and effective planning to ensure our workforce is equipped and trained to work in a new environment, where that is the case.

A further important issue that was raised was the need for more co-ordinated, cross-governmental working to monitor the impact of proposed welfare reforms on the lives of some service users and their health and social care service needs. Others have suggested that there should be closer working with local government or other bodies to improve service delivery and to tackle health inequalities. I agree fully that there are important issues that require attention to ensure the effective and co-ordinated delivery of services. Good communication, working together, learning from and encouraging each other are essential for effective service delivery.

One of the key recommendations in 'Transforming Your Care' was the introduction of integrated care partnerships (ICPs). ICPs will enable local health and social care professionals and the voluntary and community sector organisations to work more closely together on a collaborative basis to improve efficient and effective service delivery. These multisectoral collaborative networks will include statutory, independent and voluntary and community practitioners and organisations in their membership. They will come together to respond innovatively to the assessed care needs of local communities, provide support for service users closer to home and avoid unnecessary visits to hospital. Much work has been done to ensure clarity on how ICPs will operate and where they will focus their energies in their formative stage. I have decided that their initial focus will be on the frail elderly and aspects of long-term conditions for all ages; namely, diabetes, stroke care and respiratory conditions. ICPs will initially undertake two key strands of work. At a strategic level, they will focus on improving care pathways locally. At individual level, they will undertake case management for those most at risk, improving their overall care. I expect the HSCB to establish the first nine ICPs over the next few months and all 17 ICPs to be in place by this time next year, providing full regional coverage. To enable this, we intend to invest over £15m in the development of ICPs and the improvement of care over the next Budget period. The leadership of the ICPs will reflect their multidisciplinary make-up.

I am aware of concerns raised by general practice in regard to the proposed revisions to the general medical services contract for next year, combined with concerns about potential workload increases from a transfer of care under TYC from secondary to primary and community care. Each year, there is a negotiation of revisions to the contract involving the four Health Departments in the UK and the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the BMA. Unfortunately, it was not possible to reach agreement nationally with the General Practitioners Committee last year, and each Health Department has therefore engaged separately with their respective GPCs on proposed changes for next year. I wish the dialogue with the GPC in Northern Ireland to continue in an effort to reach an acceptable agreement. I acknowledge the professionalism and efforts of GPs in Northern Ireland. It is vital that they play a full part in the transformation process to ensure that it is a success. That is in the interests of patients, GPs and the health sector as a whole. I want to make it clear that my focus is to secure the best services for patients and clients across Northern Ireland. It is essential that every sector of the health and social care system plays a full and positive role to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients. GPs have an invaluable contribution to make to that process.

A further area that attracted significant interest in the consultation process was the needs of older people. Over 70% of respondents to the questionnaire agreed with the service proposals. However, there was considerable interest in the provision of statutory residential care. Our focus is on delivering better, targeted care for older people, closer to home, that will enable them to stay at home and, where possible, remain independent. This will provide the better services that people want and will reduce demand for residential care. I propose to reduce the number of statutory residential homes by around 50% over the next three to five years. As it stands today, some of our existing homes are no longer able to provide a sustainable service, while others struggle to meet the modern standards expected from the sector and require expensive capital work that would be better spent on models that offer a choice to older people. This does not mean a reduction in residential homes provided by the independent sector. Where there continues to be a demand for those services, they should continue to be provided.

However, the planned reduction in the number of residential homes signals our commitment to thinking outside an institution-led approach to health and social care provision and to considering new opportunities for ensuring that care provision is service user-led and committed to supporting our citizens to stay at home where possible.

The majority of respondents tell us that our older people prefer to be closer to home, and we have set about making that possible. We intend to invest £3·2 million in social care reform, including reablement, over the three years 2012-13 to 2014-15. We will provide an additional 479 supported living places over the same period, and we intend to invest £1 million to train staff in nursing homes to support people at the end of their life.

I recognise the concerns of the public where facilities are proposed for closure. I know that, for many individuals, that is their home and the transition must be managed sensitively and with appropriate consultation with families and carers. As I have stated before, suitable alternatives must be in place before services are removed. I also know that some people have expressed concern about the possibility of having to pay top-up fees if they are transferred to an alternative residential home. I want to assure you that, where a trust is unable to secure a statutory residential place at the core rate of £550 and uses a higher rate place in the independent sector, the trust will pay the difference in costs.

In relation to mental health, 'Vision to Action' proposed the development of six inpatient acute mental health units for those aged 18 and over, with one each sited in the northern, southern, south-eastern and Belfast areas and two in the western area. It recommended that, following clinical best practice and in order to reduce stigma and ensure good access to acute care, mental health hospitals should be located close to acute hospital provision where possible. Based on those criteria, it was proposed that the second location in the western LCG area would be in the proximity of the new South West Acute Hospital. That matter has attracted a mixed reaction, and, in light of that, I want to take more time to consider the issues raised before I reach a final decision on the way forward. A business case will be produced that fully examines the options. I have asked for that work to begin now.

The proposals on acute hospital care in 'Transforming Your Care' are about putting the patients and service users front and centre in our care provision and ensuring that services are safe, of high quality, resilient and sustainable. Members will be only too well aware of the challenges facing our hospital services, notably in our emergency departments. I acknowledge the good work that has been done towards removing 12-hour breaches, but there is still some way to go. There must be an increased focus on improving the four-hour performance. That is not a target to strive for; it is a standard that users of our system should expect and deserve. We need to make sure that every effort is made to achieve that standard across all our emergency departments. In tackling unscheduled care waiting times, it is evident that it is not a problem that rests solely with the emergency departments. It requires improvement and enhancement across the whole hospital, as well as the improvement of community health and social care services.

Another key issue in 'Transforming Your Care' was the proposal for the development of five to seven acute hospital networks. Those include hospitals of different sizes working with each other to deliver the fullest range of hospital services that we should expect. For our hospitals, the change from an individual institution-based approach to a more sustainable networked approach will undoubtedly involve a change in culture, but that is an essential change to ensure greater engagement and communication and more effective delivery of the services that are appropriate to the secondary sector.

The network approach is by no means new to our hospitals. For example, at the high dependency unit at the Daisy Hill Hospital, the telepresence robot enables intensive care specialists from Craigavon hospital to talk with and support patients in another location. That made national news headlines, and it happened here in our hospital. It is the "without walls" approach that I want to see replicated across Northern Ireland as we work together, not as individual institutions, but as networked services that respond flexibly to our patients' and service users' needs.

The optimisation of service configurations and locations in trusts and hospital networks will be an ongoing process that will respond to current and predicted needs in a local area. In that context, I am pleased to tell the House that £8 million will be invested in additional cardiac catheterisation services over the current Budget period, and £7 million will be invested in additional orthopaedics capacity in the Southern, Western and Belfast Trusts by March 2015 to reduce waiting times and improve outcomes. We will also move ahead with the implementation of the proposed neonatal transport arrangements.

It is my belief that, as we secure the major benefits of successful prevention, early intervention and more effective integration with primary and community care, we can expect our secondary care institutions — our hospitals — to evolve and change in response to this shift in the provision of care and treatment. By helping people to stay at home when possible and to access services in their local communities, we will be working to prevent the development of conditions that might later require hospitalisation.

I know that the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Causeway Hospital has been unsettling for patients, service users and staff. There was significant support in the consultation for taking action on that issue. I want to remove that uncertainty and ensure that there is stability in the way forward. For that reason, I am asking officials to begin work now to take forward a detailed options appraisal, as was outlined in the consultation document. It will consider the future management arrangements for the Causeway Hospital and whether it should remain within the Northern Trust or transfer to the Western Trust. That work will begin straight away with a view to completing the appraisal within six months. The responses also indicated that it should include community services.

In my statement today, I have outlined to the House the overwhelming public support for the new service proposals, some of the challenges involved to deliver the transformation and the effort and dedication that will be needed from all involved to provide a safe and sustainable health and social care service that is fit for the future. We must ensure that we keep our service users and patients at the front and centre of this process and that the provision of safe, sustainable, resilient and effective services is in the right place at the right time by the right people.

I ask Members to consider the report and the endorsement for change. I am determined that we will now move forward on the specific actions that need to be taken to implement the proposals, finalise the action plans and engage locally on proposals for specific changes to improve the quality of care in our community.

I commend the statement to the House.

Sue Ramsey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his lengthy statement and for his earlier pre-briefing, which was useful.

In the statement, the Minister states that nine integrated care partnerships will be established over the next few months and the remaining partnerships will come into being further down the line. Where will those nine partnerships be?

He also talked about ongoing negotiations with GPs about their contracts. I am aware that GPs have serious concerns because of the ongoing negotiations and proposed changes to their contracts. Given that under Transforming Your Care, we are talking about more services being brought into the primary care sector from the secondary and acute sectors, does he believe that GPs will be available, and can he secure the commitment that they will take on those changes, because GPs are vital to this?

The Minister also mentioned acute hospitals and A&E departments. We have heard about A&E departments over the past number of months. He said that improvement and enhancement is required across the whole hospital. Will he outline what has been done on that issue? I agree with him that A&E departments are under pressure because other parts of the hospital do not seem to be delivering or working outside what they see as nine-to-five working hours. It would be useful to find out whether any enhancements or improvements have been made in that sector.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I will deal with the issues in the order that the Chairperson raised them, the first of which was the locations of the new integrated care partnerships (ICPs). There will be 17 integrated care partnerships located across all the trusts. It is our intention and hope to have at least two running in each trust over the next few months. The Western Trust does not have as many ICPs identified, but there may well also be two there. There will be four ICPs in the Belfast Trust, and we hope to have two of those up and running very soon.

Negotiations on GP contracts continue. In England, GPs were given a take-it-or-leave-it option. We are not doing that; we are continuing to engage in discussions with our GPs. In Scotland and Wales, agreement has been reached on the issues. Hopefully, we will get to that stage in the not-too-distant future. I agree with the Member that it is important that we have the GPs and, indeed, all key service providers on board. GPs have a very important role to play. Therefore, it is essential that GPs remain available to us. I want to ensure that they give us their full support. It is in their interest and that of their patients that we go down this route.

A number of trusts have been able to get on top of the issue in emergency departments. We generally find that the Southern Trust and the Western Trust have very limited numbers of 12-hour breaches and reasonably good outcomes on four-hour breaches. In the Belfast Trust, 12-hour breaches have largely been eliminated this year. The Royal, which was under considerable pressure last year, has really got on top of 12 hour-breaches very well. That is not to say it does not still have its moments, as will every emergency department from time to time.

Antrim has continued to be a challenge for us. Although it has improved, we seek further improvement. A turnaround team in Antrim is supporting the work done there, and it will report to us very soon. The Ulster Hospital has found this year quite challenging, with larger numbers coming through its doors and more people needing admission. We have been more active, particularly recently, in diverting ambulances from hospitals that are under pressure. It has been a difficult enough winter. Our emergency departments have performed better than they did the previous year, which was less difficult in the sense that fewer people required admission, but there is still work to be done on that front.

Jim Wells (DUP, South Down)

The Minister, in his statement, outlined that he intends to close 50% of residential homes over a three- to five-year period. Undoubtedly, the question in the community will be about which residential homes will close and which will remain open. Will he outline to Members how he intends to implement that decision? What will be the time frame? When will individual communities know the fate of their residential home?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Implementation will be a matter for the trusts. If it is identified that some homes are largely respite facilities with very small numbers of permanent residents, their long-term future as providers of permanent residential care will certainly be challenged.

Let us be quite clear where we are going: this is about is ensuring that people have the support in their own home to enable them to stay there. That is a choice that people want to have. The creation of 479 new care packages, which will support our frail and elderly to stay at home, is a very important step. The fact that there is not the same requirement for statutory residential care homes means that the situation is considerably better because we are keeping people in their own homes.

I should add that many of the facilities in the statutory residential sector do not meet modern standards. The rooms are too small and do not have adjacent bathrooms. In many instances, people are sharing. We want to do better for our older people so that in their later years they will have a better quality of life. This is not about closing down residential homes, it is about providing a better alternative for people in their later years.

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

I acknowledge the work that departmental officials and others have put into the process. Today is the day we begin to realise the impact that Transforming Your Care will have on our health service. We know that 180 beds will close in our hospitals and, as the Minister just said, that there will be a significant reduction in the number of beds in residential care homes.

One area that was absent from the analysis of the original Transforming Your Care (TYC) was the impact of welfare reform on the proposed changes. What further consideration have the Minister and the team given to the impact of welfare reform on the future configuration of health services in Northern Ireland?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

With welfare reform, one of the big issues that has come up in recent days has been the bedroom tax. That is not something that will impact on us, because where people require someone to stay with them in their homes they will be covered to have that second bedroom. So, those types of things will not impact on us in the same way.

There is a need for intergovernmental working, and that was recognised in the original TYC report, with proposals focusing on the wider role of the Executive in decision-making that can impact on health outcomes and joint-working areas, such as rural isolation and transport. The recent consultation on our vision to action highlighted the issue of welfare reform and particularly how those proposals will impact on the lives of some groups of service users and, by extension, how they could impact on what they will need from health and social care services.

The post-consultation report highlights the need for ongoing engagement with the Department for Social Development (DSD) and other agencies to ensure that we understand and share plans for welfare reform and housing and for close working with local service providers to continue to engage with local councils during the roll-out of local implementation plans. So, it is important that that collaborative approach continues so that something does not happen in one Department that has a significant impact on another area of government. Joined-up working is something that needs to be applied to welfare reform.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

I welcome the Minister's statement this morning. I reiterate the concern expressed by our Committee Chair on the reliance on GPs as we move forward with Transforming Your Care. The vibes that I am getting from the GPs are that they are very concerned. I note the Minister's optimism and wish him every success in bringing about a fruitful conclusion.

The other issue is acute hospitals. Will the Minister advise the House of progress in reducing the over-reliance on A&Es by ensuring that patients are diverted to more appropriate services, such as minor injuries or out-of-hours, to make more space available in the A&Es for urgent cases?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

As I indicated, we are working with the GPs, and hopefully we will get a package that involves them.

In terms of diverting people away from hospitals, the ICPs will be the bodies that do the most for us. We do not have the answers here on the hill. The answers to problems in the health and social care sector lie with people at the coalface who are working on a daily basis with those who have long-term conditions and those who are unwell. I have great confidence in the individuals who will come forward and represent their various sectors of the health and social care sector to table proposals and ideas that are best suited to the communities that they serve. The solution for inner-city Belfast may not be the solution for west Fermanagh.

We need to have that flexibility in place, and the 17 ICPs will give us the opportunity to do that in a flexible way and will ensure that we identify the solutions that ensure that people are treated, first, in their local community and that hospital is there to provide that skill base and support when the local community health sector cannot meet those needs.

Pam Brown (DUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement. I appreciate his update on the integrated care partnerships, when he said that a number are to be started within the next number of months. What money will be available to support the ICPs and how will the money will be spent?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

We identified that we needed around £70 million to deliver on Transforming Your Care. We received an injection of cash in the first year from the Finance Minister — I believe that it was around £18 million — and we will be seeking close to £30 million this year. Some of that will be put towards establishing our integrated care partnerships. We see them as a key item of early work that needs to be carried out, and the appropriate financial support will be provided through this Department. If we can get funding in the monitoring rounds, that will be good and will assist us with it. We will continue with that work.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement. I note that he confirmed today the closure of 50% of residential care and outlined the £3·2 million for social care, which will include reablement. The Minister's statement says that:

"suitable alternatives must be in place before services are removed."

What suitable alternatives are in place? Given the increasing levels of dementia across our communities, I urge the Minister to intervene directly in the case of Slievemore House in my constituency and to consider a purpose-built dementia unit.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

My understanding is that Slievemore is not a facility that is fit for purpose and would not pass the standards that are expected nowadays. That will be the case in a number of our residential homes. A lot of facilities that were developed 40 and 50 years ago are no longer fit for purpose, and we should not expect our elderly people to stay in facilities that are second- or third-rate. We want the best options and the best opportunities for our elderly people, and, primarily, that will be in their own home. That is why we have identified the 479 places and why an additional £3·2 million is being pumped in to support people who require that domiciliary support in their homes.

There is, in my opinion, a degree of disconnect between what we are doing and what is happening on the ground. The trusts need to be very clear that this is the route down which we are going, and they need to ensure that the domiciliary care packages that are put in place are fit for purpose. An elderly person may come to me — as they do — and say that they have osteoporosis and all sorts of problems and that the 15 minutes that someone calls with them in the morning to get them dressed is not long enough. If they need 20 minutes or 25 minutes, the trust should provide that.

One size does not fit all, and we need to ensure that the Executive, the Assembly and I, in my role as Minister, respond properly to the community's needs to ensure that the flexibility is there so that the person who is managing the domiciliary care for each trust has the ability to give people that little bit longer if, for example, they need that extra time in the morning and perhaps not as much in the evening. That will ensure that we provide the appropriate care for our elderly people.

Paula Bradley (DUP, Belfast North)

I thank the Minister for his very comprehensive statement and for bringing up the issue of top-up fees. As we know, there is great variance between residential and private care, and I welcome the fact that he has said that the Department will pay the top-up fees of anyone who needs to move. He talked about additional support. Can I ask the Minister for more emphasis on respite care and on how we are going to take that forward? We know that that prevents long-term admissions into nursing and residential care, and greatly eases the burden that carers have to bear.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

We know that individuals benefit from convenient services through effective person-centred assessment, care planning and review arrangements. Self-directed support initiatives such as direct payments allow individuals to decide when and in what form they get the services that they want. Trusts are continuing to explore new and innovative ways to provide that personalised support, and I made it very clear in my previous answer that that has to be done.

We need to look at new approaches to respite, including short breaks for clients and carers, day trips and outings, evening groups and one-to-one support in the client's home. In addition, trusts will have to continue to provide more traditional nursing or residential home placements for respite when appropriate. Again, flexibility to meet individuals' needs is very important, and we perhaps need to ensure that people who are at the coalface and who recognise the needs of the individuals for whom they are providing support and care are unshackled and unharnessed to be able to provide appropriate care.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I also thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, you talked about the need for enhanced support for carers, and you mentioned cross-government monitoring of the impact of welfare reforms. The possible impacts of welfare reform on carers are not yet clear. If welfare reform is rolled out in conjunction or in parallel with Transforming Your Care, will the Minister ensure that, if extra appropriate support is required for carers, who are an integral and important part of Transforming Your Care, it will be available?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Welfare reform is a decision for the Executive and for the Assembly. The truth is that a lot of us do not like what is proposed on welfare reform. I do not think that any party in this House likes what is being proposed on welfare reform, but we are working against the backdrop that, if we do not like the proposals, we do not have to implement them but have to pick up the tab. If we pick up the tab, what impact will that have on education, health, regional development and everything else?

Although I believe that we can do things to reduce some of the damaging impact of welfare reform, I believe that that involves things that cost in the small tens of millions. If we take out huge swathes of the welfare reform proposals and run ourselves into hundreds of millions, you will see a devastating impact on the healthcare that is provided for our people. Frankly, we cannot afford to take that out of the health budget and put it into the welfare budget. That is not something that Northern Ireland can do, so we all need to work together very rationally to mitigate the more damaging aspects of welfare reform on our community. We all know that many people will be hurt as a consequence of what the Conservatives, which used to be the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - New Force (UCUNF), and the Liberal Democrats, a sister party of Alliance, are doing. We are all damaged by what is happening, and we must all respond in a way that does least damage to our community.

Tom Buchanan (DUP, West Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his statement. Of the six inpatient acute mental health units, two are in the Western Trust area. One is in Omagh and has done an excellent job over many decades. In the Western Trust area, the consultants, the nurses and the community are all in favour of the mental health inpatient provision remaining in Omagh, and we are looking forward to the bringing forward of the second phase of the new hospital to facilitate that. What evidence is there for the suggested relocation to the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Member states a number of groups that support it staying in Omagh. I should also probably say that the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), the Royal Colleges and Bamford favour it moving to Enniskillen. That is the unfortunate position that I am caught in, and I have to make the decision. We are not at the stage where we can identify that it is one or the other, but there is a course of work to be completed to identify the best outcome. I know that the Member and some of his colleagues have been lobbying very hard on the issue. We will look very carefully at the proposal to get the best possible outcome for the south-west region.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement. Recently, we have heard about hospitals or consultants cancelling hospital appointments. Then we hear how millions have been spent on private healthcare. How does that fit in with your statement that:

"we need to ... ensure the best value from every penny available to us"?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

There are reasons why consultants cancel appointments, and most of them are not because they are at home tidying out their sock drawer. Generally, an emergency operation has come in the previous night, so they are not available the next day. That is pretty understandable. Consultants have to do courses to develop their skills, and the notice of them can come in within three or four weeks; therefore, those are cancelled over a longer period. In general, however, consultants do not cancel without having good reason to do so, and we need to nail that.

I welcome the fact that the numbers have come down in the areas of consultants' cancelling and, indeed, patients' cancelling, and we want to see that coming down further. I am wholly unapologetic for the £52 million that was spent on acquiring additional support from the private sector for our health and social care, because we have driven down all areas of waiting times. Two years ago, we were told of cataclysmic outcomes for the health service but, two years later, we have shorter waiting lists. I think that the Member should be thanking the health and social care sector for that, instead of criticising it.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

I thank the Minister for his statement. From his years as a local councillor, he will know the benefit that councils have in reading the opinion of the local community and working with the local community in respect of these things. Can he inform the House how the community planning and the voice of local councils will be taken into account as we move this forward? Will he assure the House that he has confidence in the Northern Trust to deliver the proposals that he has outlined?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I always considered community planning to be far more significant for local councils than some people were saying that it was. In the field of health, there are terrific opportunities, particularly for the roll-out of documents that we have produced, such as 'Fit and Well', in dealing with health inequalities and taking actions on prevention and early intervention. That community planning and the work that is done with local authorities are absolutely essential.

We can make appropriate use of our libraries, our sports facilities and our arts facilities, and we can ensure that elderly people have the opportunity to come together and enjoy each other's company as opposed to being in rural isolation — or, indeed, in urban isolation, because you can be isolated in urban communities too. Our local authorities will have a key role in all of that, and the community planning gives us a great opportunity to ensure that that is rolled out by local communities, identifying what their needs are in those local communities.

Again, one size does not fit all. The better proposals will come from the people working on the ground who know and understand their community and the issues that exist in their community. I know that local authorities do that very well.

George Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry)

I thank the Minister for his statement. If a transfer to the Western Trust area was to occur, would that secure the future of the A&E at the Causeway Hospital, which is very much needed because of the wider local needs and the large influx of visitors to the area during the tourist season?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

It is essential that there is 24/7 access to emergency urgent care at Antrim Area Hospital, Causeway Hospital and, indeed, Altnagelvin. Across that area, we need to ensure that people receive the right support. Clearly, the Causeway Hospital has an issue in that it is somewhat isolated from other areas. Having a community of that scale and size necessitates having a hospital that is robust, resilient and capable of providing the vast majority of the care that people in that area need, especially in emergency situations, given the travel time involved in getting to either Altnagelvin or Antrim to get further services.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. The Minister may be aware of some of the concerns that have been raised by the unions. He recognised in his statement that the workforce is:

"the single most important enabler for the delivery of transformation."

Given that, when was the last time that he had any discussions with the unions?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

As a sector, we meet the trade unions on a regular basis. Those are meetings that I drop in to and attend. I am happy to do that. I am happy to engage in meetings with the trade unions, as and when I am asked to engage with them. In responding to the trade unions, I am not sure that I have turned down very many meetings, if any — maybe some. I call in occasionally when the trade unions are in workforce meetings with departmental officials, and I have spoken at trade union conferences. Dealing with the trade unions is something that I am very happy to do. We do not always end up in agreement with each other, but, nonetheless, engagement is about actually talking to people about the issues that are prevalent. Very often, issues are raised by the trade union sector that I am not aware of or that have resonance. We will take those concerns on board.

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

Minister, thank you for the statement. You are aware of the very great work done by the voluntary and community sector around healthcare. What work will be undertaken to look at procurement in relation to the voluntary and community sector?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The voluntary and community sector can offer so much more than just actual care. I know that, in some areas, domiciliary care is provided by the voluntary and community sector. We will look to means whereby we can take other issues into account. So, it is not just about the cost of provision but about where we can see benefits; for example, if employment opportunities are created in areas where there is considerable long-term unemployment and where social economy businesses can actually feed the benefits back into a community. So, there are good opportunities for us to work with the more advanced social economy sectors to provide services and support for people in their community. There is a greater opportunity, particularly with the strategic investment fund, for such well-developed local communities to bid for work from the HSC.

Declan McAleer (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. The statement makes reference to clinical best practice and says that mental health hospitals should be located close to acute care. Is it the case that the clinicians want to secure all the services at the acute hospital? Will the Minister also give us an indication of the time frame for the business case that he has commissioned?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

In respect of the business case relating to Omagh, it will be a number of months before we can come back to the House on the issue, but we will do that. We are, to be truthful, getting mixed messages. Therefore, it will not be a clear-cut decision. A balanced decision will have to be taken on the issue. It is somewhat difficult. Nonetheless, we will try to arrive at the right and appropriate outcome for people in County Tyrone and County Fermanagh.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I thank the Minister for making the statement. For those already living in a statutory residential care home, however, and those considering residential care, living close to family and friends is important to their well-being. As domiciliary care is not suitable for everyone, how will the Minister ensure that voids in residential care are not created so that people from Larne, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey will have an opportunity to live close to their family and friends when it is appropriate?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

It is a matter for the trust and the LCGs to ensure that they procure services in the right places. Therefore, if there is a considerable lack of residential care in an area, it may be premature to close a facility in such an area if there are no alternatives there.

Most trusts have not been receiving large numbers of people into statutory residential care for about a year and a half. The average length of stay in residential care is six and a half years. Some people move on to nursing care, and others, sadly, pass away. However, the average length of stay is six and a half years, and the roll-out of this programme is over the next three to five years. I want it done in a way that causes the least upset or distress possible to any elderly person in residential care, and I would not want to cause alarm at this stage.

Numbers have crept down very low at many facilities. In those instances, you would want to try to ensure that people who have developed friendships and relationships move together. Three or four people would move from one facility to another so that the bond that they had established with others would not be broken. Of course, that would be done in conjunction with their families. We can do a lot of this in a sensitive way and still achieve the best possible outcome for individuals.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his answers and for the work and determination that he has shown in delivering Transforming Your Care so far. How will the review of paediatric services integrate with Transforming Your Care?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Obviously, paediatric services are a major issue for us, and paediatric facilities in Northern Ireland prove to be challenging in a number of areas because we have a relatively small paediatric population when it comes to specialities. However, the review of paediatric services aims to provide a strategic direction for the development of HSE services over the next 10 years for children and young people aged from nought to 18. It recognises the interface between hospital and community services.

The scope of the review relating to the healthcare services is being completed in three phases. It will be outcome-focused in recognition of the significant interface between hospital and community, the need for continuity of care and the ethos underpinning Transforming Your Care, including the shift of service provision from hospital to the community. Phase 1 is hospital services: super-regional, regional and area, and local. Phase 2 is community services and will be developed concurrently. Phase 3 is palliative and end-of-life care for children, which, sadly, we always have to deal with. Those children very often have complex and life-limiting conditions. That will need to be considered separately to give prominence to such an important topic. It is expected that the consultations on the draft documents will be published in the coming months, and the final document, which will cover the component parts, will hopefully be published in early 2014.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. With your permission, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, 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 6 March 2013.

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

In their opening remarks, Ministers congratulated both agencies on organising successful events recently. Foras na Gaeilge was congratulated on the launch of the new English-Irish dictionary, and the Ulster-Scots Agency was congratulated on the official opening of its new regional office in Raphoe. Minister McGinley also advised the NSMC of events relating to languages that are taking place as part of Ireland's presidency of the European Union.

The meeting dealt with three main 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. The Council also approved the Language Body business plan and budget for 2012. Ministers agreed to extend the existing core funding arrangements to 31 December 2013. They also directed that plans be advanced for introducing a revised model for core funding that takes into account the relevant language strategies in both jurisdictions with a view to making a final decision no later than June of this year.

Ministers also noted a presentation by the CEO of the Ulster-Scots Agency that outlined the flagship school programme and other projects being progressed as part of the agency’s Ulster-Scots and education initiative.

The Council agreed to hold its next Language Body meeting on 12 June 2013.

William Irwin (DUP, Newry and Armagh)

I begin by commenting on the shortness and apparent lack of substance of the agenda for the meeting. That clearly demonstrates that there is little value in some of these meetings. Why was the agenda so brief? Why was there no discussion on waterways, as would normally be the case?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. At the previous sectoral meeting, we agreed to have discussions on how we could progress issues in between sectoral meetings. Because no final decision was made regarding core funding arrangements, it was felt appropriate at this stage just to have a meeting on the Language Body. There was, therefore, no need to have a meeting on waterways. There is no point in bringing people together for the sake of it.

I disagree with the Member: it was a valuable exercise, and it was worth doing. It provided clarity not only to those of us who have responsibility but to the language bodies.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur uirthi. Who decided to terminate the contract for the Irish language newspaper 'Gaelscéal'? Is Foras na Gaeilge considering any alternative sources?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. The decision regarding the 'Gaelscéal' contract was with the board of Foras na Gaeilge. Its decision to terminate the contract was due to targets not being met. Given that those targets were not met, it was deemed appropriate not to continue the contract and, in fact, to terminate it.

With regard to the latter part of the Member's question, I think that it is appropriate that Foras na Gaeilge is considering other options, particularly for the provision of an online service. Foras na Gaeilge will have to determine whether that is around news or an investigative type of service, but I look forward to receiving presentations on that at future NSMC sectoral meetings.

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

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis agus as ucht a cuid freagraí go dtí seo. An bhféadfainn a fhiafraí den Aire cad iad na príomh-chritéir ar chóir a úsáid agus na pleananna a n-ullmhú don tsamhail nua maoinithe?

I thank the Minister for her statement and her answers up until now. What principal criteria should be used to guide the preparation of plans for the new funding model for the Irish language organisation?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. I have no doubt that the criteria need to take into consideration the language plans of the North and the South. As the Member will be aware, we are still going through the lengthy responses to our Programme for Government consultation on a strategy for the Irish language. That is one of the criteria. The other is that we need to look at the long-term planning, development and needs of the language. That includes not only its needs but the needs of people in the sector who will deliver the strategy. One of the reasons for having the meeting was to ensure that, first, consultation on the Irish language was reflected in any new funding arrangements. That is critical because it was a PFG commitment to consult on the development of and strategy for the language. Therefore, it is appropriate that its needs are reflected in the delivery of any new funding arrangements. It is to ensure that the long-term planning, use and protection of the language is at the centre of any new funding arrangements.

Michael McGimpsey (UUP, Belfast South)

Like Mr Irwin, I am surprised not to see any mention of Waterways Ireland, which receives substantial amounts of money through this body. I am looking at the Minister's statement. She says that the existing core funding arrangements for Foras na Gaeilge will be extended to 31 December 2013. Why are we doing that? From when are those arrangements being extended, and how much money are we talking about? I note that the previous paragraph states that the Language Body's business plan and budget for 2012 are being approved only now. So, we are a year behind with that and now we are extending things. Are we not getting our accountancy arrangements somewhat upside down?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. We are not getting our accountancy arrangements upside down. The money was already in the budget. The schemes were due to end in June 2013 and have been extended. That has been allowed for in the budget. Why have they been extended? As I said in answer to Mr Dominic Bradley's question, the schemes have been extended to ensure that they take into consideration the Programme for Government commitment to have a consultation on the Irish language.

I find it a bit rich that the Member, who is a previous Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, lectures anybody on budgets, given that we are still trying to catch up from his watch in 2000 and 2001.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas agus as a cuid freagraí go dtí seo. What is the position on the 2013 business plans and budget?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

We have just finalised the plans for 2012 because of the efficiency savings that were asked of us, as is the case for all language bodies and North/South bodies. Those efficiency savings have been delivered. We are now in a position to look at the draft plans received from Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, which detail the activities that they are required to achieve to meet the goals that they set out in their respective corporate plans. Recently, the NSMC issued guidance on how North/South bodies should draft their 2013 business plan and, indeed, detailed the exchange rates that should be used for the planning process. My main anxiety was that I was reluctant to go further than the efficiency savings that we agreed in 2012 for this year. That was my position, and my position remains that we need to make sure that front line services and facilities and support in the community are not affected by cuts, regardless of what they are or which part of the jurisdiction it is.

William Humphrey (DUP, Belfast North)

I thank the Minister for her statement to the House. She may be aware that, a number of weeks ago, the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee received a presentation from the chief executive and deputy chief executive of Foras na Gaeilge about 'Gaelscéal', the Irish language newspaper. My understanding of the Committee's information is that the paper needed a circulation of 3,600 copies to break even. In the final year of its four-year funding of €1·6 million, there was a circulation of 1,300 copies across the island of Ireland. Does the Minister think that that is an acceptable use of public money? Is her Department going to make contact with the board of Foras na Gaeilge to investigate why that venture was allowed to proceed at the level it did?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

My officials are working with Foras na Gaeilge on that and other matters. I am sure that one of the reasons why Foras na Gaeilge's board decided to terminate the contract was that the terms and conditions were not met.

First, it is important that we establish what the circulation is, what the demand is, where the need is in relation to news and, as I said previously, the type of news that we need to deliver and then look at the appropriate method for doing that. The business case presented to me on this or any future arrangement will be tested and stretched, regardless of where it comes from. That is wholly appropriate. We need to make sure that we protect public money, that we get value for money and, importantly, that we deliver to the appropriate level for service users' needs, and we need to demonstrate what those needs are.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her statement. Has the Ulster-Scots Agency launched any other projects or programmes as part of its initiatives?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I was pleased to be at the Ulster-Scots Agency's launch of its flagship education programme in November. I was pleased not only to be there but to see the level of interest from all the primary schools across the nine counties of Ulster. I think that there were almost 90 schools, if not more, in attendance, which is quite an achievement, as anybody who has attended such launches knows.

The Ulster-Scots Agency has also launched other initiatives around information and communication technology (ICT) that deliver learning through Ulster Scots, particularly in literature, history, music and heritage, as well as innovation and invention through the use of science and technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM). I see STEAM creeping in everywhere; it seems to be replacing STEM. In addition, I know that, during 2013, the agency plans a rerun of its touring drama 'Fair Faa Ye', as well as a major revision of its peripatetic tutor programme, which provides opportunities for young people to develop their musical and cultural skills and talent. I have to say that I am pleased by the additionality that Ulster Scots brings to us in the sectoral format and, more importantly, to the community that it serves.

The sitting was suspended at 12.54 pm.

On resuming (Mr Deputy Speaker [Mr Dallat] in the Chair) —

Oral Answers to Questions

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

Question 14 has been withdrawn and requires a written answer.

Investment: Newry and Dundalk

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

1. asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what work Invest NI undertakes in co-operation with the Industrial Development Agency Ireland to promote the Newry/Dundalk region for foreign direct investment, given the area's ease of access to the two largest centres of population on the island. (AQO 3643/11-15)

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

It should be noted that Invest Northern Ireland is in direct competition with the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) for many of the inward investment projects that it targets. Any co-operation between the two agencies must be put in that context. It does not extend to the collaborative active promotion of cross-border areas for foreign direct investment (FDI) purposes. Invest NI will, however, co-operate with the IDA when it considers that it is in the best interests of Northern Ireland to do so.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Minister for her answer. How does that relate to wider FDI strategies in the Department? Go raibh maith agat.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

As I said, we are often in competition with the IDA for foreign direct investment. We will, however, work with the IDA when we think that there is a prospect of us working together. We will do that, of course, without any difficulty at all. We want to ensure that we meet our Programme for Government targets for foreign direct investment. Those are the targets that have been set for Invest Northern Ireland, and they are the targets by which it works.

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

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. I thank the Minister for her answer.

Last Thursday, the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment visited Derry to hear about the City of Culture and proposals that have been developed in that regard. During that time, we met certain sections of the business community who were very anxious to establish whether specific strategies have been developed for the north-west. Will the Minister advise whether specific geographic strategies are being developed for areas such as the north-west?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I am glad that the Member enjoyed his time in Londonderry when he was with the Committee. We have been very pleased with the way in which the UK City of Culture has really put the city on the map. The Executive have received the One Plan from the city. There are big plans for the city and the region. Invest Northern Ireland has very much bought into that. We will develop the plan along those lines, because it has been developed by the city, Ilex and all the different stakeholders up there.

Robin Newton (DUP, Belfast East)

I thank the Minister for her answers so far. What work is she doing with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)? What benefits does she see in exploiting the GREAT campaign for Northern Ireland?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

We work ever more closely with UKTI because of its network right across the world. It has great specialisms in certain offices across the world, and we want to take advantage of that. There has been regular engagement — more so since I became the Minister — with UKTI. Dialogue is happening across all levels of UKTI and Invest Northern Ireland.

We have ensured that the GREAT campaign messaging and core script include the appropriate reference to the wider Northern Ireland business and tourism offering. We are also working very closely with UKTI to ensure that the Northern Ireland message is included and applied at the relevant international events. Companies such as Wrightbus have been included in the GREAT campaign. We are very pleased to see that that is the case.

Economy: Fiscal Deficit

Megan Fearon (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

2. asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline how the fiscal deficit is taken into consideration when economic strategies are being developed. (AQO 3644/11-15)

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Our economic strategy recognises that an over-reliance on the public sector is a key long-term challenge to be addressed. That, alongside a comparatively small private sector, has contributed to a large fiscal deficit. In order to grow our economy and enhance prosperity, the economic strategy aims to rebalance the economy by promoting a sustainable and growing private sector with firms competing successfully in global markets. The strategy also highlights the need to develop the areas of the private sector that offer the greatest potential for growth, including telecommunications, information and communication technology (ICT), life and health sciences, agrifood, advanced materials and advanced engineering.

Megan Fearon (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Will the Minister detail how she plans to lower the fiscal deficit?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

It is very clear. We intend to grow our private sector, and that is very clearly set out in our Programme for Government. Of course, at a national level, we are dealing with a very significant deficit and, as part of the United Kingdom, we bear part of that deficit. We want to be able to grow the private sector and, I have to say, reduce our welfare benefits. Of course, welfare reform is dealing with that at the moment.

There are also deficits across the euro zone. We look with interest and, indeed, some alarm, at what is happening in Cyprus and the fact that Italy was unable to elect a clear Government. There are problems across the euro zone and some alarming signs, particularly in relation to what happened in Cyprus over the weekend.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

Does the Minister acknowledge that lowering corporation tax in Northern Ireland would help to rebalance the economy? Does she believe that the Prime Minister should bring the corporation tax debate to a conclusion when he meets the First Minister and deputy First Minister in the next two weeks?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Member for his question. We have long said that we need corporation tax powers as a tool to help to close the deficit and bring economic prosperity to Northern Ireland. There is a well-established, long-standing need to rebalance the Northern Ireland economy.

This morning, I was very interested to read that the chair of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) here, Ian Coulter, has started a campaign similar to the UK City of Culture in relation to corporation tax, and has adopted the Snow Patrol song 'Just Say Yes'. The CBI is going to keep pushing the issue until the First Minister and deputy First Minister meet the Prime Minister. I wholly support that. It is two years since the initial consultation was launched, and the delay in reaching a decision means that we are losing out on real jobs and investment opportunities at a time when we need them most. We absolutely need a positive conclusion to be brought to that debate.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

Will the Minister outline what consideration, if any, she has given to the forthcoming Westminster Budget? In particular, has she considered the aspect of childcare costs that is being talked about and how that could be an economic driver? I would like to hear the Minister's views on that.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Like the Member, I have an interest in that particular fiscal intervention. If it is the case that tax breaks for childcare will be given to parents, that can only be to the good. It will encourage parents to get involved in employment and, in many cases, start their own businesses. I would very much welcome that tax intervention if it comes about.

Renewable Energy

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

3. asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps she has taken to develop a long-term vision for renewable energy to 2050 and beyond. (AQO 3645/11-15)

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The strategic energy framework sets out the direction for Northern Ireland energy policy up to 2020, including renewable energy targets. My Department is leading a study that will help us to set a long-term vision for energy. It is not just about renewable energy, as you have to look at the system as a whole up to 2050. This is a complex matter that requires the consideration of many difficult issues, not least cost to consumers. The study should be completed by spring or early summer. However, it is important to recognise this is only the first step in a broader direction of travel.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for her response. I am very glad to hear that there has been some discussion on that matter. Will the Minister consider working across the border with the Republic of Ireland to develop some joint actions?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The important thing for us, first, is to look at our own piece in order to work out what we see as the broader energy framework going forward to 2050. We have had four consultation sessions to try to inform us about the development of the vision. That will certainly set the direction of travel for us, but it will be difficult to set any concrete targets further than 2020. Fifty years is a long time, although it is 37 now, but we need to recognise that there will be changes in technology. If we looked forward from 1976, would we have been able to foresee all the new technologies that are available to us now? We have to factor that in to any vision that we have for 2050, and we also have to look at our carbon reduction targets, which have been set, to make sure that our vision for energy policy sits with them.

The work has begun, and we will certainly be looking at other areas to see whether we can learn or, indeed, work together on anything. I think that the key element for us is to make sure that we have our own vision for 2050.

Phil Flanagan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. The Minister will be aware of a recent report on energy that PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) published that said that the extraction of shale gas could lead to a reduction in energy prices of between 25% and 40%. Would the Minister agree with that claim, or would she agree with me that it would be extremely naive for any of us to think that those with a vested interest in high energy prices would allow the production of shale oil that would be sufficient to result in such a huge reduction in energy prices?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The Member moved from shale oil to shale gas, so I am not sure what he is referring to. However, I am, of course, aware of the PwC report, as, indeed, I am of numerous reports that are being made available on shale gas, hydraulic fracturing and shale oil.

We will take all that information and look at it in the round, and we will not be basing our decisions on one report or another. The Member knows that we have had reports from, for example, a House of Commons Select Committee, which believes that we should proceed with hydraulic fracturing in a regulated environment. We can take that report or that from PwC, or we can take others that are very firmly against hydraulic fracturing and the benefits of shale gas and shale oil.

We need to deal with the facts, and, at present, we are looking at the fact that Tamboran Resources Ltd has not yet submitted an application to drill a test hole to retrieve rock cores. That would usually happen under permitted development, but that is, of course, entirely a matter for Planning Service in the Department of the Environment.

After that test hole is drilled, Tamboran will undertake environmental baseline studies before putting in a planning application. So, there is a long way to go in this process, and we are only at the beginning. I have no doubt that many other reports will come forward in the intervening period.

Stephen Moutray (DUP, Upper Bann)

If a long-term strategic look is to be taken at the Northern Ireland energy market up to 2050, should we look at all forms of energy generation, including nuclear?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

As I indicated to Ms Lo, as we look forward to 2050, we see that there are major uncertainties with new technologies, some of which will flourish and some of which will fail. Indeed, we must also consider how behaviours and infrastructure will have changed over the intervening period. So, I believe that it is wrong to rule anything out of the equation. Of course, nuclear energy is a reserved matter that still sits with Westminster, and therefore, it will remain there. However, that does not stop us including nuclear energy in any vision that we may have for 2050.

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

I thank the Minister for her efforts in trying to improve the energy mix in Northern Ireland. What can she say about the effect of the infrastructure grid restrictions on making sure that renewable energies can be realised here in Northern Ireland, particularly where the North/South interconnector and the east-west connectors are concerned?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The Member knows that I am on record as being very concerned about the slow pace of the North/South interconnector. As I understand it, NIE is planning to resubmit its application for the Northern Ireland element of the interconnector in the near future. That application will then go to the Planning Appeals Commission, probably for a public inquiry. It is my hope that the commission will deal with the application as expeditiously as it can, because this matter is becoming urgent for security of supply and, indeed, for ensuring that we have that grid infrastructure in place.

The Member raised another important issue about the grid infrastructure; and I presume that he was referring to the west of the country where a lot of our wind energy and new anaerobic digesters are located, although not uniquely so. I am concerned that we need to make sure that we have the appropriate grid in place. Now, there are many discussions about who pays for that grid — whether that should be the consumers or the companies that are in charge of transmission and distribution. However, we must make sure that we have the appropriate grid for all sorts of reasons, not least the fact that we need to make sure that the lights stay on across Northern Ireland.

Granville Industrial Estate, Dungannon

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

4. asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an update on the disposal of land at Granville industrial estate/business park, Dungannon. (AQO 3646/11-15)

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

All of the land at Invest Northern Ireland's Granville industrial estate has been allocated to businesses in support of economic development. However, as you will be aware, it has recently developed Dungannon business park, which is adjacent to the Granville estate. I am delighted to be able to advise you that Invest Northern Ireland has very recently completed the sale of almost 15 acres of this new industrial land to a business, in support of its economic development project. Invest Northern Ireland also has registered interests from six businesses seeking to acquire land within Dungannon business park, and it will work closely with them to develop those interests further.

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for her reply, and I particularly welcome the good news that she made known. Can the Minister do anything about energy costs for businesses based at Dungannon business park or at the Granville industrial estate?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Member for his supplementary. Indeed, energy costs and the costs of doing business have continued to rise. It concerns me considerably that a lot of our companies have difficulties with their energy pricing. That is one of the reasons why I was delighted to see the Executive approve putting up to £32·5 million towards extending the natural gas network to main towns in the west and north-west, including Dungannon.

An extension of the gas network will provide an alternative, currently cheaper, energy source for business and domestic consumers. We hope that the Utility Regulator will shortly commence a public consultation on a licence for taking gas to the west and the north-west. A licence award is expected in or around the end of 2013. We hope that that will encourage people to take up use of the network that will be there for them, thereby reducing their energy costs.

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

The site had been valued at £4·2 million. Has the Minister any idea what value she expects it to yield at the minute?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The entirety of the site?

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

Yes.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The Member knows that we have just managed to sell 15 acres of that site for economic development to a local, indigenous company that exports across Europe and that we are delighted to see expand in that area. Although the Member referred to it, the cost of the site is not the primary operation of what we do through Invest Northern Ireland. What we try to do is to intervene where market failure has occurred, so that we can provide the space for companies to come in as foreign direct investors or, as in this case, for local companies to expand their businesses. Therefore, although we always have to ensure value for money in our purchase of sites, we also want to ensure that we have land available for companies that want to expand.

Agrifood: Beef Contamination

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

5. asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what discussions she has had with her Executive colleagues and others on the impact on the agrifood sector of the discovery of horse and pig DNA in processed beef products. (AQO 3647/11-15)

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I have discussed the meat contamination issue with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, the Agriculture Minister and the Health Minister. My Department is represented on the food and feed incident management group, which has met regularly since this issue first came to our attention, and my officials provide daily updates on the key issues. I assure the Assembly that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) is working closely with all the relevant bodies in Northern Ireland to ensure that all efforts are being made to protect the reputation of our home-grown produce, the sector and its contribution to our economy.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

What action has the agencies and Departments taken between them to make sure that there are no gaps in the system that she is discussing with them and to give confidence to consumers that they are safe in the knowledge that what they purchase and eat is exactly what it is described as?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

As the Member knows, we have long said that Northern Ireland has a strong traceability system in place, so there is traceability from the farm to the fork. We should be very confident of all fresh produce in Northern Ireland, and we will continue to be confident of it. We must recognise that contamination is a Europe-wide issue, and I believe that a solution will come from a European level. We will, of course, work with all the relevant agencies to make sure that that is the case.

I reiterate: food produced in Northern Ireland is of stellar quality. We should all be ambassadors for food from Northern Ireland. I had the great pleasure of doing that on HMS Belfast last Friday, 15 March, when I hosted an Invest Northern Ireland reception celebrating St Patrick. We talked a lot about St Patrick's Trail and all that south Down has to offer, but we also talked about good food and the fact that food from Northern Ireland has a strong heritage and authenticity, of which we should be proud.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

I do not think anybody could say that I am not an ambassador for good food in Northern Ireland. [Laughter.] Does the Minister accept that the contamination of processed beef products with horse and other species provides a tremendous opportunity for Northern Ireland farmers and beef processors?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Member for his question and for all that he does for the food industry in Northern Ireland on a very personal level.

As I said, the traceability controls in our agrifood supply chain are very strong. They emphasise the benefits to consumers and businesses of purchasing local produce. I welcome Tesco's announcement last week that it plans to double the amount of fresh meat that it sources in Northern Ireland. It is an important commitment by Tesco, and hopefully other retailers will follow so that profitability will flow down to farmers and have a positive knock-on impact on our agrifood sector, which is also important.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

I probably help the food industry here as well. Does the Department have a campaign planned to ensure that we promote processed food and local fresh food in Northern Ireland?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Each and every part of government should be doing that in any event, and we will continue to do it through Invest Northern Ireland's food department. The Northern Ireland beef and lamb farm quality assurance scheme celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year. We do not want duplication, but we do want results. Invest NI can talk about the extensive traceability controls throughout the supply chain and assure customers of the total integrity of the Northern Ireland beef product. I hope that the farm quality assurance scheme will step up a gear so that we can assure consumers that if they eat produce from a Northern Ireland farm, they will enjoy it very much.

Tourism: Overseas Visitors

Francie Molloy (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

6. asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how the number of overseas visitors during 2012 compared with the target set out in the Programme for Government. (AQO 3648/11-15)

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Full-year figures for 2012 on visitor numbers are not yet available. The annual tourism statistical report for 2012 is due to be published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency on 9 May 2013.

Francie Molloy (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I thank the Minister for her reply, and I regret that the figures are not yet available. Will she tell us how the toing and froing of visitors, North and South, affects visitor numbers here?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The difficulty with the figures is one reason why tourism statistics are coming back into the Department. As the Member says, we do not have all the information at present, so I cannot give a full picture for the tourism sector. Latest estimates indicate that we welcomed over one million visitors from Great Britain and overseas in the first nine months of 2012, but those figures are still provisional estimates, and I am waiting for the full figures.

The domestic market and our visitors from the Republic make up more than half of our overall tourism performance. Unfortunately, I do not have those figures to hand because they have not been made available to us, but it is safe to say that we had a very good 2012. A record 45 cruise ships called at Belfast port, and, as of the end of February, Titanic Belfast had over 700,000 visitors since it opened on 30 March 2012. The Giant's Causeway has had over 325,000 visitors from over 130 countries from July 2012 to the start of January 2013. Those are very good statistics, but we will have the full statistics in May.

Sydney Anderson (DUP, Upper Bann)

What more can be done to encourage new air routes to come to Northern Ireland?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The Member knows, as does the House, that better air access directly into Northern Ireland is a continual focus of mine. The abolition of air passenger duty (APD) on direct long-haul flights has made us a viable option for some destinations in which we may not otherwise have been able to compete.

I am spending a lot of my time working with Tourism Ireland, Belfast International Airport and others to maximise the opportunity presented by the elimination of direct long-haul APD and attract new long-haul services. Direct connectivity would hugely increase the number of tourists who come directly to Northern Ireland, which would be all to the good of the sector.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

The Minister may remember that I thought that the targets were bullish anyhow. Does she intend to revise the target for visitors to the Titanic centre, bearing in mind the experience of last year?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The Audit Office set the target of 400,000 visitors a year, which it thought we would not meet. With the year not even complete, we are now at 700,000, and the number continues to rise. Titanic Belfast has been a game changer for tourism in Northern Ireland. It has been a real catalyst. When I speak to tour operators, whether in Germany, San Francisco or Dubai, they always talk about Titanic Belfast and the fact that it would be a key element of their visit to Northern Ireland.

Of all the figures available, and taking into account that the targets include the Great Britain, overseas, Republic of Ireland and domestic markets, we are broadly on track to meet the overnight visitor and revenue targets, so I do not see any need to revise them at this time.

Renewable Energy: Intergovernmental Agreement

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

7. asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what discussions she has had with the Irish and British Governments in relation to the proposed intergovernmental agreement on renewable energy. (AQO 3649/11-15)

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I have been in correspondence with the Rt Hon Edward Davey MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and his predecessor, Charles Hendry, on this issue for some time. Although this is a reserved matter, I have highlighted its potential impact on consumers and the renewable energy sector in Northern Ireland.

There is an enormous amount of analytical work to do before proceeding to an intergovernmental agreement. Northern Ireland will be fully involved in discussions to examine the costs and benefits of any renewable energy co-operation.

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

Trade in renewable energies will be possible only if it is facilitated by the required legislation across Departments and the different Governments. What are the implications for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The UK renewable road map, which was published in July 2011, sets out the Government's intention to enable the export and import of renewable energy under the flexibility mechanisms in the renewable energy directive in order to secure the greatest benefit to the whole of the UK.

Although the renewable energy directive contains a provision to enable co-operation across Europe, the detailed practical arrangements, which are largely left to member states to determine, are still to be worked out. That is why the memorandum of understanding is aspirational at present. A huge amount of analytical work needs to be carried out, particularly, from our perspective, on the impacts that such trading would have on Northern Ireland. Obviously, we do not want offshore energy from the Republic of Ireland to be traded into the UK, thereby skewing the renewable obligations under which we operate currently.

That is why I believe that we need to be at the heart of any discussions between the UK Government and the Irish Government on this issue.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

1. asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline any plans to reduce speed limits to 20 mph close to schools in Mid Ulster. (AQO 3657/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

My Department’s Roads Service's speed management policy is supportive of the roll-out of 20 mph zones and 20 mph speed limits in residential areas and locations where high numbers of vulnerable road users, such as schoolchildren, are present. 'Northern Ireland's Road Safety Strategy to 2020' contains action measures that are consistent with Roads Service policy. Traffic calming schemes in residential areas often benefit local primary schools and normally include self-enforcing engineering measures, such as road humps, to ensure that traffic speeds are less than 20 mph.

I consider the safety of schoolchildren to be of paramount importance. Over the years, my Department has developed several policies to enhance the safety of children on their journeys to and from school. Those have ranged from additional signing and road markings at schools to central refuge islands and off-road set-down and pick-up areas. Other initiatives include the development of safe walking and cycling routes to schools from neighbouring residential areas.

Despite those measures, there remains a public perception that traffic in the close vicinity of schools travels at inappropriate speeds. Roads Service officials have conducted considerable research to ascertain whether there are additional measures that would be effective in reducing the speed of traffic at school operational times. It was concluded that it would be worthwhile piloting part-time 20 mph speed limits at schools during opening and closing times. Analysis of the pilot schemes has indicated that they were and continue to be very effective at reducing vehicle speeds at schools during operational times, as drivers could observe that there was activity at the schools and, therefore, were more likely to respect the lower speed limits.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

I thank the Minister for his commitment and his acceptance that the safety of schoolchildren is paramount. He will have heard of the primary school in Newtownards where the children were stopping cars that were breaking the limit, even if only by 1 mph. I heard it on the radio, and they were certainly not holding back in telling them —

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

We need a question shortly.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

— that they were doing so. Does the Minister agree that there are schools in rural locations that need more measures to be put in place? Cars were passing near a school in my constituency at 70 mph, and I am happy to discuss the specifics of that with the Minister. However, does he accept that rural schools need more attention?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. I am happy to discuss any individual cases that he wishes to raise. As I said, generally, my commitment to the road safety of schoolchildren and, indeed, everyone is of paramount importance. Roads Service officials have concluded that the provision of 20 mph part-time speed limits at schools is effective. We have carried out pilot studies, and we hope to take those forward. We are developing a new policy encompassing all existing school safety measures that will incorporate the use of 20 mph part-time speed limits where appropriate.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

I congratulate the Minister on his commitment to road safety at schools. Will the Minister update the House on the 20 mph pilots that have been conducted, please?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for her comments and her question. As I said, three pilot schemes were implemented. Those were at Hezlett Primary School between Articlave and Castlerock, Kilmoyle Primary School near Ballybogy and Templepatrick Primary School. The pilot schemes were developed in response to ongoing concerns that traffic is passing schools at excessive speeds, despite the provision of other engineering measures to warn of the presence of schoolchildren and provide protection. After research on the options, it was agreed that the most promising one would be to trial an enforceable, part-time 20 mph speed limit at the beginning and end of the school day. Traffic speeds were monitored for a year at all three sites. There is evidence from the analysis that the introduction of part-time speed limits has been effective in reducing vehicle speeds when the speed limits are illuminated. That continues to be the case, and there has been very positive support from schools and local communities at all three locations. As I have said, officials are developing a new policy encompassing all existing school safety measures that will incorporate the use of 20 mph part-time speed limits where they are appropriate.

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

Does the Minister accept that the case for 20 mph speed limits in urban residential areas and around schools is beyond argument, both from a road safety point of view and a well-being and public health point of view? Is the Minister aware of the huge progress that has been made in Lancashire, where kids — schoolchildren — have played a very active role, alongside members of the community, in regulating and enforcing 20 mph zones and have done so with fantastic results?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member for his supplementary question. Great is the zeal of the convert. The Member has spoken to me directly on the issues. It is not that I or the Department need convincing of this: we are convinced. The issue is the practical rolling out of schemes, particularly, as the Member mentioned, in residential areas. Part of that would be the enforcement of such measures and co-operation with bodies and agencies such as the PSNI.

Declan McAleer (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Should schools wish to be included in the safer routes to school programme, how do they go about that?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. If he has particular schools in mind or if schools want to correspond with me directly or with my Department, I will be happy to hear from them, and we will see whether we can make progress.

Car Parking: Season Tickets

David McClarty (Independent, East Londonderry)

2. asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he has any plans to promote the use of season tickets for Roads Service car parks to encourage businesses to make full use of the car parks. (AQO 3658/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

A limited number of monthly and quarterly season tickets are made available at the majority of Roads Service’s charged car parks. A season ticket offers a substantial cost saving in comparison with daily charges. For example, a monthly ticket for the Central Car Park in Limavady or the Waterside car park in Coleraine will potentially achieve a saving of up to a third in comparison with the daily rate, while a quarterly ticket may achieve an even greater saving. The number of season tickets made available for each car park is usually a twentieth of the overall total — 5% — and that will depend on the number of spaces and their normal usage.

It is most likely that season tickets are used by all-day parkers. However, it should be noted that a season ticket does not automatically guarantee the availability of a parking space. The availability and turnover of parking spaces is ultimately in the best interests of town centre traders and shoppers. However, any request for an increase at a specific car park will be considered by Roads Service officials, taking into account current utilisation levels and the uptake of season tickets.

David McClarty (Independent, East Londonderry)

I thank the Minister for his response, particularly the last bit, when he stated that the Department would listen to any further requests. Is he aware that many local businesses that are adjacent to or very close to Roads Service car parks are interested in making use of season tickets, particularly for their staff and particularly in car parks that are not full to capacity from Monday to Friday?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. He has written to me about the issue, and we hope to meet to discuss car parking season tickets in the east Londonderry area. I am aware of the point that the Member makes. The balance is that we must keep sufficient spaces available to ensure the flow of parking in town centres. All Members will know the pressure that town centres are under, and blocked and all-day parkers do not really contribute significantly to alleviating those conditions. Recently, I was able to convince Executive colleagues that there should be a moratorium on increases in car parking charges until 2015 at the earliest. That was welcome news, as, indeed, was the non-implementation of on-street car parking charges in most of our towns across Northern Ireland. We continue to take measures and will look at all requests in a way that will be positive not only for members of staff and people who want to avail themselves of season tickets but for town centres generally and small businesses in those areas.

George Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry)

Will the Minister examine the removal of the double yellow lines at the perimeter of the Connell Street and Newtown Square car parks in Limavady and their replacement with one- or two-hour restrictions?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. It was not possible to predict such a question and, therefore, to have an instant response. I am happy to take the issue forward and will correspond with the Member as soon as possible.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Does the Minister recognise that there are disparities between some on-street parking machines? That has caused confusion, and people have been fined after using the wrong machine.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. That is an occasional problem that has been highlighted particularly in the media, and I recognise it. When parking our cars, all of us should give due care and consideration to how we park and for how long and ensure that we pay the appropriate amount of money if necessary. Common sense goes a long way in these issues, and that point has been made to the appropriate staff.

Old Warrenpoint Road, Newry

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

3. asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans his Department has to provide ongoing monitoring of traffic and road safety on the Old Warrenpoint Road, Newry. (AQO 3659/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful for the opportunity to respond to the question. I and my Department’s officials were greatly saddened to learn of the recent tragic accident that occurred on Wednesday 6 March involving a cyclist, Mr Lewandowski, on the Old Warrenpoint Road in Newry. I am sure that the Member — indeed, all Members of the House — will join me in extending our sincere sympathy to the family circle at this time. My officials have advised that police investigations are under way, and, when they are complete, Roads Service officials, together with the PSNI, will determine whether additional traffic management measures are considered appropriate at that location, as is the case after all fatal incidents on the road network. Officials will continue to monitor that road and all others throughout Northern Ireland, in line with established policies and standards. One fatality on our roads is one too many, and my Department remains committed to continuing its good work with the Department of the Environment and the PSNI as part of the Northern Ireland road safety strategy to 2020 to further reduce the number of casualties on our roads.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I join the Minister in offering my condolences to the family of the gentleman who was killed on 6 March. Can the Minister assure the House that a full consultation process will take place with residents and the neighbourhood policing team before there are any changes to road safety on the Old Warrenpoint Road?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for her supplementary question and, indeed, for her sympathy to the family. Over recent years, Roads Service has received many requests from locally elected representatives and residents to consider a reduction in the speed limit on the Old Warrenpoint Road from 40 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour. The existing speed limit has been reviewed in line with current policy for the setting of local speed limits, and, to date, it has been considered that the 40 miles per hour limit remains appropriate. That is the shared opinion of Roads Service and the PSNI.

Northern Ireland Water: Board Members

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

4. asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the appointment process used to select board members of Northern Ireland Water. (AQO 3660/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

The Department is responsible for managing the selection process and making the appointments of non-executive members to the board of NI Water (NIW). The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Northern Ireland. This means that it is based on merit after a fair, open and transparent process that involves independent scrutiny. At the outset, officials seek the Minister’s agreement to the role profile, person specification, including the essential criteria for the positions, and appointment timetable. They also consult on how the final submission of candidates suitable for appointment should be presented, either in merit order or an unranked list. Applications for appointment to the board are invited by means of public advertisement. A selection panel, including an independent assessor, then shortlists candidates who meet the essential criteria for the positions. These candidates are then invited for interview. Following the interviews, the panel makes its recommendations for appointment to me to consider. In accordance with the commissioner’s code of practice for public appointments, the Minister must record the rationale for his decision on whom to appoint.

The only appointments that I have made to the NI Water board were in August 2011. This competition had commenced whilst my predecessor, Conor Murphy, was in office. He had agreed the role profile, person specification, including the essential criteria for the positions, and appointment timetable. He had also agreed that the final submission of candidates suitable for appointment should be presented by means of an unranked list. I appointed four non-executive members to the board from this competition. There were no complaints or legal challenges to this process.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, given that you did not alter the selection process used by your predecessor and that you also rejected Dr Alan Lennon's application to be a member of the board, how can you justify the acceptance, at the cost of £290,000 to the public purse, that your Department discriminated against Dr Lennon in his application for a position in NIW?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful for the supplementary question. The Member will know that the issues were all teased out in considerable detail at a recent meeting of the Regional Development Committee. The Member has made another good try today to ask me to comment on the legal and privileged counsel of which I am in receipt as an Executive member. The fact that Dr Lennon had applied for the post of a non-executive director in Northern Ireland Water became public through the tribunal case. In the non-executive director competition, the appointments panel found that there was a very strong field of 13 candidates who were suitable to be recommended for the four appointments to the NIW board. As there were only four appointments to be made, it was inevitable that a number of strong candidates would be disappointed. These are often difficult choices, but I based my decision on what I believed was a combination of the best skills and experience for the board of NI Water. I believe that the board has worked well together, and the improved performance and public perception of the organisation is testament to that. I restate that there have been no complaints or legal challenges to this competition.

Ross Hussey (UUP, West Tyrone)

Will the Minister confirm again that he has made four appointments — I think that that is what he said — since his appointment to office, and will he give us some assistance as to the community background of those who were appointed?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. Overall, I have made 19 first appointments following open competition since May 2011. I have made a total of 38 appointments: 19 were first appointments, as I said; five were non-executive reappointments; 10 were councillors; and four were ex officio board members, such as the chief executive of NI Water. Of the 19 first appointments of board chairs and non-executive board members that I have made, six were Protestant, eight were Roman Catholic, and the community background of five was not known or acknowledged. I simply confirm that all my appointments have been made on merit.

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

Before calling the next Member, I remind Members that they must ask a single question and supplementary questions should not be read.

Northern Ireland Water: Chief Executive

Megan Fearon (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

5. asked the Minister for Regional Development whether the retiring chief executive of Northern Ireland Water will receive any bonuses on his retirement. (AQO 3661/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

The chief executive is an employee of Northern Ireland Water, and his contract is with the company. He will not receive any bonuses on his retirement. He will, of course, be entitled to the normal retirement package based on the length of his service with both Water Service and Northern Ireland Water. I am sure that the Member would wish to join me in paying tribute to Trevor Haslett for the very valuable contribution that he has made as chief executive over the past two or three years in bringing stability to Northern Ireland Water and addressing the problems in the organisation, particularly after the difficult freeze/thaw winter a couple of years ago.

Megan Fearon (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his answer. Has the retiring chief executive received any productivity or other bonuses from NI Water?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

The terms and conditions of employment contained in the contract of the retiring chief executive of Northern Ireland Water did not change as a result of his taking on his present role. He remained subject to the same terms with regard to salary progression and pension entitlement as was the case in his previous substantive role in the company. The chief executive has been subject to the terms of the pay freeze as set out in the terms of the Northern Ireland public sector pay policy during the pay period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2012, and his salary remains subject to the pay progression constraints contained in the 2012 Northern Ireland public sector pay policy, as set out by DFP.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

Will the Minister provide an outline of the type of package available to the incoming chief executive? Does he consider that to be adequate to attract the right type of applicant?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. Obviously, this is a matter primarily dealt with by NI Water and carried forward by it. In many ways, it is an impossible question to answer until the market has been tested. It may have an impact on the quality of applicants interested in the position. However, the appointment and the selection process will determine that. NI Water is now treated as a non-departmental public body for public expenditure purposes, although it was established as a government-owned company, with the intention of giving the organisation greater freedom and flexibilities. The fact that domestic charges have not been introduced means that tighter public expenditure controls are exercised over the company, and that includes the remuneration for senior officials. The Member may know that the post is to be advertised at a salary level of £150,000. That salary is somewhat lower than the current package for the chief executives of Invest NI and Translink and significantly less than the remuneration package for the chief executive of Scottish Water.

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

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his integrity in dealing with matters at NI Water and issuing an apology to Mr Gormley on behalf of the Department. On that point and with regard to the appointment of board members and the procedures and protocols dealt with by the Department and through NI Water, will the Minister advise whether there has been a review internally in the Department or through the Civil Service of how matters would be dealt with in the future in circumstances in which critical PAC reports are brought to the fore? Indeed, the independence of the alleged independent review panel has certainly been brought into question, as has the amount of money paid in that regard. Has there been any extensive review either internally in the Department or at Senior Civil Service level in the office of the head of the Civil Service?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for that somewhat lengthy supplementary question. It contained a number of questions. Let me make a general statement: as Minister, I expect the highest standards when important public appointments are made. I think that I continue to display that through my record. I very much hope that the incidents that I have had to deal with — I did not invent them, but I inherited them — will now finally be put to rest and companies such as NI Water can continue to make significant progress and retain the confidence not only of Members of the House and my Executive colleagues but of the general public.

Southern Relief Road, Newry

Jim Wells (DUP, South Down)

6. asked the Minister for Regional Development for his assessment of the projected cost of the southern relief road, Newry. (AQO 3662/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I consider the southern relief road to be a priority for the Newry area and welcome the positive findings of the feasibility report on the transport benefits that a new road linking the A2 Warrenpoint dual carriageway to the A1 Belfast-Dublin key transport corridor could provide. That would include the potential removal of some through traffic from the city centre road network and improved access to Warrenpoint port.

The feasibility study considered four route options to provide a link between the A2 Warrenpoint dual carriageway and the A1 Belfast-Dublin dual carriageway. Estimated costs range between £100 million and £200 million. The range of costs reflects the challenges presented by the characteristics of the location, including the significant engineering and environmental challenges associated with crossing the Newry river and the canal, making contact with Fathom Mountain on the other side, and crossing the Belfast-Dublin railway line. Nevertheless, affordability in the current economic climate remains challenging, and I am unable to outline any timescale for implementation of the scheme or further public consultation. Timing will, however, depend on a number of factors, including the development process and the proposal clearing the statutory procedures, which includes formal public consultation. It must continue to have a satisfactory economic appraisal, and, given other competing priorities, progress to construction will depend on the funding made available in future Budget settlements.

Jim Wells (DUP, South Down)

I welcome the fact that the Minister has suggested that this is a priority for Newry. I totally agree with him. I also accept that the cost is extremely high. It is a very difficult technical project. Given that it is highly unlikely that that sort of money will be available in the foreseeable future within his present budget, would he consider other options for funding the project, such as a public-private partnership or some form of tolling, or some different way in which we could raise the capital required?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. I am not sure that tolling my constituents would be terribly popular. I caution him on that, because he is in the neighbouring constituency. I have no ideological opposition to looking at ways in which we could involve the private sector. Therefore, I am happy to explore any such opportunities.

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

I inform Members that question 1 has been withdrawn. Mr Gerry Kelly is not in his place —

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

He has escaped.

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

On the run.

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

Order, please. Some remarks made from the Benches just now were totally inappropriate — I do not imagine that we will hear them again.

Mr Conall McDevitt is not in his place. We move on to Mr Roy Beggs, who is in his place.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Question 4. [Laughter.]

Civil Service: Jobs

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

4. asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline how he determines new locations for Northern Ireland Civil Service jobs. (AQO 3675/11-15)

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

I am glad to see a fair degree of confusion this afternoon.

It is up to individual Departments and Ministers to consider the relocation of Civil Service facilities and jobs subject to the normal requirements of business need, value for money and affordability.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Apologies; I did not realise that a number of questions had been withdrawn or that a number of Members were not in their place.

Will the Minister ensure that in determining locations for civil servant jobs, business cases are made, value for money is a major consideration and that lessons are learned from other places such as Scotland and the Republic of Ireland?