Northern Ireland Assembly, 9 April 2013

496 contributions from 68 members. The official report.

Ministerial Statements

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. With your permission, I wish to make a statement about the outcomes of the baseline analysis of economic inactivity undertaken by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI).

The Executive’s Programme for Government included a commitment for both Departments to address the issue of inactivity through the development of a strategy to help those most in need to re-engage with the labour market through skills and training programmes, targeted incentives and job creation. The baseline study is the first step in the development of that strategy. It provides a detailed analysis of inactivity in Northern Ireland that will underpin the draft strategy that will be presented to the Executive for agreement later this year. This statement is, therefore, an opportunity to provide the Assembly with an analysis of our starting point, to give an initial indication of potential actions and to receive feedback from MLAs.

I wish to begin by outlining what we mean by "economic inactivity". It is a labour market classification referring to those who are neither in work nor unemployed. Employment encompasses many forms of work, including self-employment and work undertaken in a family business, while to be unemployed, an individual must be actively seeking work and be available to start immediately.

Unemployment has traditionally dominated the labour market debate. Although the current unemployment rate of 8·5% in Northern Ireland is higher than the UK average of 7·8%, the current disparity in the employment rate, which stands at 66·3% compared with the UK average of 71·5%, can be explained only by Northern Ireland’s higher rate of economic inactivity, which currently stands at 27·4% of the working-age population. That rate compares with a figure of 23% in Scotland, 24·6% in Wales, 25·4% in the north-east of England and 23·8% in the north-west of England. The overall UK average is 22·3% and is at the lower end of the spectrum for inactivity across Europe, while Northern Ireland’s rate is similar to many southern and eastern European countries and the Republic of Ireland, whose rate currently stands at 31·1%.

Unlike the trend for unemployment, which was gradually decreasing before 2008, the level of economic inactivity in Northern Ireland has remained within a stable range between 26% and 32% since the mid-1980s. A higher inactivity rate reflects lower levels of economic participation, which in turn can hinder growth. A healthy economy should have a participation rate above 70%, as has been recognised in the European Commission’s Europe 2020 targets, which seek to increase the proportion of 20- to 64-year-olds in employment to 75% by the end of the decade. In the Northern Ireland context, maximising labour participation is crucial to increasing the productivity of the region. In addition to helping people find work, my Department’s role in increasing the skills of the working-age population is also key to achieving this outcome. However, in seeking to reduce inactivity, there is a risk that inactive individuals may simply be recategorised as unemployed, without progressing into employment. In order to prevent that outcome, the key measurement of success for the strategy will be increased economic participation.

The first step of the analysis was to recognise the variety of reasons for disengagement from the labour market. Given the criteria for unemployment, there is a proportion of the economically inactive who are able to work but are either discouraged from active jobseeking or are unable to look for work due to a short-term injury or illness. These groups are not a critical factor, however, together accounting for only 8% of the total inactive figure. The four other major classifications of inactivity are students, those with family commitments, the long-term sick and disabled, and early retirees.

Students, the largest single group, account for approximately 31% of the inactive, a higher proportion than the UK average and the highest of any UK region. This is a benign form of economic inactivity, as students are investing in their education and training and contributing to the upskilling of the current workforce. Therefore, there is a significant productivity gain to the economy from the investment in skills. This finding also helps to account for the higher rate in Northern Ireland but not completely. Northern Ireland also has a higher proportion classified as inactive due to long-term sickness and disability.

In contrast to students, early retirees account for only 12% of the total inactive figure — the lowest of any UK region. The inactive with family commitments or a long-term illness or disability each account for 24% of the total figure. Unlike students or early retirees, individuals in those categories are more likely to be dependent on out-of-work benefits. They are also the categories in which disengagement from work is less likely to be voluntary or beneficial, and, therefore, they are the groups who would benefit most from additional support. For those reasons, these categories will be the focus of the strategy.

The baseline study analysed several key characteristics of the economically inactive: gender, age, location and level of education. The stable inactivity rate concealed different trends for men and women. Female inactivity rates are higher but have been falling, while male rates have been rising. In the target categories, there are more men than women in the long-term sickness and disability category, but women account for the vast majority of those with family commitments. Any intervention will, therefore, have to take account of gender issues. The analysis of age found that students account for most of the 16 to 24 age group. However, sickness and disability dominate older age groups, highlighting the need to consider attitudes towards older workers. In terms of location, inactivity is neither limited to one region nor evenly distributed across Northern Ireland. In general, western and rural areas have higher rates than eastern and urban regions. However, some of the highest rates occur in urban centres. For example, the Belfast City Council area recorded one of the highest rates, at 31·3% of the city’s working-age population. That means that factors other than job availability drive inactivity. In urban communities with high deprivation levels and a poor skills base, an individual’s circumstances and employability come into play. Currently, only 18% of those classified as inactive want to work. The findings are reinforced by the education levels evidenced in the economically inactive. Over one third of inactive people of working age have no qualifications. Focusing solely on the target groups, that figure rises to 42%. Action is therefore required to address the skills gap.

The analysis included an assessment of previous interventions designed to tackle inactivity. To date, the main initiative targeted at the inactive is Pathways to Work, a programme of incentives and support designed to help people with health conditions return to employment. Other interventions include the Local Employment Intermediary Service (LEMIS) and Step Ahead. My Department has also utilised the European social fund mechanism to finance projects focused on inactive groups. Those initiatives have delivered some positive outcomes.

Some recent reforms to social security and aspects of the current Welfare Reform Bill before the Assembly will also provide a context to promote re-engagement with the labour market. It is important that we fully incentivise work for those for whom work is appropriate and ensure that government support can assist people in recognising that employment works for them. Equally, we must be mindful of the scale of the challenge. For instance, as of February of this year, over 23,000 incapacity benefit claimants migrated to ESA or jobseeker’s allowance. However, of that group, only 139 have left benefits and moved into work.

Nevertheless, there is more that we can do. As I have indicated, the central recommendation of the baseline analysis is to focus the strategy on those who are inactive due to family commitments or a long-term illness or disability. Regarding the latter group, I recognise that there are some who will never be able to work due to the severity of their health conditions. However, there are many people with work-limiting conditions who, with the right support, may be able to participate. The results have suggested that interventions should focus on those individuals, and, given their age profile, the analysis recommended developing initiatives to help older workers improve their skills and overcome barriers.

Within the family commitments category, the analysis recommended focusing on lone parents, as they account for approximately 10% of the overall inactive figure. They are also among those most in need of support, as, in addition to employability barriers, they often face difficulties in accessing transport and childcare. The childcare strategy will play a key role in assisting this group. That strategy is currently being developed by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, following the conclusion of a consultation period.

In developing measures to help these groups, the analysis also recommended more extensive research and a widening of the scope of the strategy to involve stakeholders such as other Departments and health professionals. The first stage of the research — a literature review — is complete and will help to inform the strategy and further projects. The strategy is being developed in line with these recommendations, with the overall aim of tackling inactivity by increasing economic participation. I look forward to updating the Assembly on the development of the strategy over the coming months.

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement and for providing the pre-briefing for the Deputy Chair and myself before this. He made it clear in the briefing and the statement that this is a starting point. He definitely laboured that point, so we can be under no illusion that it is a beginning. Given the categories that the Minister has targeted for his focused attention, has he considered how the changes to DLA and other proposed welfare reforms will impact on the economically inactive? Also, figures in the report show economic activity to have been almost stagnant in Northern Ireland since the 1980s. Will the Minister enlighten the House as to what he believes will work in tackling the problem?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

I thank the Chair for his comments and formally welcome him to his post. I know that he has been in office for the best part of a month, but I think this is the first time he has been before the Assembly in that role. I look forward to working with him alongside the rest of the Committee in the future.

First, the Member is right to highlight the fact that this problem has been with us for a considerable period. Economic inactivity in Northern Ireland has stood at between 26% and 30% for the best part of 30 years, irrespective of the ups and downs of other factors in the economy. That points to the fact that there are much more fundamental problems at play here.

We should have no doubt that this is a fundamental structural problem in our economy. What is new is that there is a clear focus from the Executive on the issue. It is in the Programme for Government, and I know that the First Minister and the deputy First Minister have been keen to ensure that we tackle the issue and bring forward a strategy.

The Member is also right to say that welfare reform will create a particular context around all this, and there are different aspects to that which are of relevance. We are moving to a situation in which we are trying increasingly to incentivise people to work. It is not about forcing people into work, but where people want to work — at times, the welfare system has acted as a barrier to that — that will hopefully be one of the positive aspects of the reforms that will be taken forward.

New categories will emerge in light of the full move to universal credit. Different modes of conditionality will replace the old distinctions between those who are unemployed and those who are inactive, with people being on full conditionality through to those on low conditionality. That will take a lot of effort to change. It will not happen overnight, but, for sure, we have to close the gap between us and the rest of the UK and, indeed, with what is happening in other parts of the European Union. Today is a starting point, and we need to have a real engagement around the programmes that will really make a difference in incentivising people to move forward and make that leap.

Tom Buchanan (DUP, West Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his statement. It is worrying that economic activity in Northern Ireland stands out from the rest of the UK, with 27·2% of the working-age population between 16 and 64 economically inactive compared with the UK average of 22·3%. I note from the Minister's statement that —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I encourage the Member to come to his question.

Tom Buchanan (DUP, West Tyrone)

— his targeted approach to the problem seems to be focused on older, disabled men in urban areas with low skills and on single mothers. In targeting those sectors, I ask him not to forget the others who may well benefit from a focused approach. What is the timeline for the strategy, and when are we likely to learn of its success?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

I thank the Deputy Chair for his comments. Officials in my Department and in DETI are working on the strategy, and we are in discussions with other relevant Departments. We hope to bring a draft strategy to the Executive within a matter of months, which, I imagine, will then go out for public consultation. I hope that a final strategy will be agreed by the Executive before the end of this year.

The Member is also right to highlight the fact that Northern Ireland stands out from the rest of the UK. We have to accept that and face up to it but also use that fact to spur us on to greater action. It is important that we seek to target our interventions where they can make the biggest difference.

First, we have to recognise that we have a higher number of students in Northern Ireland than in other parts of the UK. Students are counted as economically inactive because they are not immediately available for work. That is a good thing, of course, because they are investing in their skills. We know that the Northern Ireland economy will have a greater demand for higher-level skills in the future, so we are making ourselves more competitive and those students, in turn, will be much more adaptable workers in the modern economy.

Nevertheless, there are areas of economic inactivity where there are problems. For some people, their family commitments are a lifestyle choice, and we do not want to interfere with that. Equally, however, some are trapped in a situation where they have been discouraged from entering the world of work or where work is not viewed as being of benefit to them.

Those who are long-term sick or are disabled comprise a major category, within which there are some people whose health conditions mean that they are simply not able to work, and, of course, we accept that as well. However, within that, there are also those who are capable of working but have not been properly supported by the system up until now. The welfare reform changes that are under way may actually make it easier for them to receive some benefits and to be in employment. The overall thrust must be that we target the strategy on where the greatest problem lies and where we can make the biggest difference and get results. We will not change this overnight, but, for sure, we have to join the journey rapidly.

Bronwyn McGahan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his statement. I have a question on economic inactivity that concerns rural areas and lone parents. Minister, what measures are you taking to redress the imbalance for lone parents living in rural areas?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

I thank the Member for her question. She is right to identify that there is a geographical nature to economic inactivity. It is not universal or uniform across Northern Ireland. There is undoubtedly an issue of rural disadvantage, and we will be very mindful of that when we take forward the strategy. She asks about lone parents, and, of course, the two will overlap in some cases. She will be aware that, under the auspices of OFMDFM, the Executive are moving ahead with a childcare strategy. Members right across the House have rightly identified that as a key enabler to empower people, particularly women, who have been excluded from the labour market to return.

We are aware of the issues regarding lack of capacity in Northern Ireland relative to other parts of these islands. So, in parallel to the strategy, work will be conducted to address that. Equally, there are things that we can do with employers to encourage employers to adopt more family-friendly hours and practices that take into account some of the particular circumstances and challenges being faced, particularly by women returners.

Pat Ramsey (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

I welcome the Minister's statement. This is a very challenging period for the Minister and his Department. It is also the most distressing and worrying period for all those who are on disability benefits. As chair of the all-party group on learning disability, I ask the Minister to outline to the House how much additional funding the Department has to help the many tens of thousands of people who are expected to come off disability benefits? How many more specialised disability advisers are in place to look at the range of complicated disabilities that people have?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

I thank Mr Ramsey for his questions and comments. He touches on a particularly important area. Delivering on the strategy will involve resources. That is still to be scoped out, and I stress that we are at the first stage of the process. There is a clear interface between what we do to address economic inactivity and what is happening with welfare reform. That is a much wider debate. The Assembly has had that discussion on many occasions, and it will have it again in the very near future.

Where my interest and responsibilities flow is in assisting those who have a degree of disability to engage with the labour market. It is important that we stress the message on every occasion that there are people with some degree of either mental health or physical health issue who are capable of engaging in the workplace. There are people with learning disabilities who are capable of engaging with work. It is important that we recognise their particular and specific circumstances and put in place support mechanisms for them. The Member will be aware that we have the disability employment service, which is a subsection of the wider employment service. We have a range of programmes that are designed to help people to return to work, whether it is Access to Work, Workable or Work Connect. We keep those programmes under constant review. I anticipate that we will look to review them again in light of the wider economic inactivity strategy to see how we can support people in those circumstances even better than we have up until now.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

Like others, I welcome the Minister's statement. Isn't the Assembly grateful that we still have a very active and dedicated Department for Employment and Learning headed up by a very active Minister? We want to get as many people as possible off the dole and into employment, and we have the right people in the right place to do that job. What is the relationship between economic inactivity and a skills deficit in Northern Ireland?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

I thank the Member for his question. He points to an important issue. There is a clear relationship between economic inactivity and skills deficits, levels of deprivation and a lack of labour mobility in sections of the population. The geographical spread of inactivity is not linked to the availability of jobs. There are areas of Northern Ireland where jobs are available and people are trying to recruit, yet, in parallel, those areas have some of the highest levels of economic inactivity. That clearly points to much deeper problems and other dynamics in our economy that have to be addressed.

We have a skills strategy in place for Northern Ireland, and we know that there is a strong requirement to upskill the workforce across a very broad front. The profile of skills that we will require over the next 10 years will have a much higher requirement for higher-level skills. At the same time, the opportunities for those with low or no qualifications will diminish, perhaps to 10% of available jobs by 2020. So, in parallel to the strategy, we have to continue to do what we are doing on skills to ensure that, as we empower people to engage with the labour market, they have the skills to take advantage of opportunities that will be there for them in due course.

Alastair Ross (DUP, East Antrim)

The Minister has the lead on skills and training, but he also has a role to play in job creation. Obviously, the Assembly has identified the devolution of corporation tax powers as a key tool in job creation. In the absence of a decision on that until after the Scottish referendum, what is the Minister doing to make it easier for employers to take on new jobs and, in particular, to ensure that employment law in Northern Ireland is not seen as being less attractive than that elsewhere in the United Kingdom?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

The Member asked a number of far-reaching questions. He mentioned corporation tax, and virtually everyone in the House — there are a few exceptions — supports and understands the real opportunity that would arise from a lower level of corporation tax and is frustrated by the failure of the UK Government to enable that to be taken forward at this stage.

Nevertheless, we can do things that are relevant to preparing the ground for a lower level of corporation tax and, in parallel, will make our economy more efficient in any event, irrespective of whether we have a lower level of corporation tax. It is important that we continue to do those things because they are important for our economy, irrespective of our future with corporation tax. They include changes to employment law, as the Member specifically referenced, and it is important that we take that forward. I am preparing a draft consultation paper on some of the legislative changes that will go to the Executive in the near future. Work is under way in the Labour Relations Agency to better promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. We also want to review the tribunal rules to make them better for respondents and claimants in the small minority of cases — hopefully — that make their way to tribunals.

Beyond that, to make our economy more efficient, we must continue to invest in skills, promote more STEM subjects, identify the priority growth sectors for the economy and make sure that there are no skills shortages and mismatches in those areas. Those actions are well under way in my Department, and I intend to intensify efforts in that respect over the coming months.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for his statement. Will he agree that these figures are terrible and that there is a distinct geographical disparity? Will he agree that we should go back to the effective methods of getting people back to work and encouraging the decentralisation of jobs?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

The Member is right to highlight the fact that there is a geographical disparity with the figures.

That is the reason for the baseline study; it is important that we drill down beneath a very simplistic headline figure and gain a proper understanding of what is going on. Job creation is absolutely critical, and I certainly recognise that my Department has a role to play in that. However, the entire Executive — every Minister and Department — have a role to play. I stress that the Executive should continue to place the economy as their top priority. Major efforts are under way to assist local companies to create additional jobs and to attract investment into Northern Ireland. The decentralisation of jobs is a much wider debate, and one for other Ministers and the Executive as a whole to consider.

David Hilditch (DUP, East Antrim)

The Minister highlighted the use of the European social fund mechanism by the Department. He has indicated some positive outcomes, but will he give the House some more detail on that and how the fund could be used to work with the target groups?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

The European social fund has been of major benefit to Northern Ireland. As a supporter of the European Union, I should take this opportunity to stress that the UK's continued membership of the EU is very much in the interests of Northern Ireland, particularly in assisting people who are unemployed or economically inactive. The social fund provides us with additional resources beyond those that we have through the block grant and allows us to delve in and create different types of projects. A whole range of organisations currently benefit from the European social fund.

The Member will be aware that the future European Union budget is being negotiated. It is important that the next phase of the European social fund is sufficiently flexible to ensure that it works for the particular circumstances in Northern Ireland, whether that is through supporting apprenticeships or putting in place measures to work with people who are economically inactive. My officials are taking forward those points in the planning of programmes. We recognise that the fund can make a huge difference. We continue to make our case as strongly as possible to ensure that we have that money available. Certainly, we welcome the fact that the UK Government have backed away from very significant potential cuts in the structural funds available to Northern Ireland.

Fra McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I welcome the Minister's statement. As he knows, I have raised the issue of the migration of people on incapacity benefit a number of times. Does the Minister agree that the migration of 23,000 people in receipt of incapacity benefit to ESA and jobseeker's allowance has more to do with forcing people off benefits rather than a serious attempt to get them into work? The fact that only 0·6% of people have left benefits points in that direction.

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

I will pick up on the final point that the Member made. To be quite blunt and open about where we currently stand, we are not placing huge numbers of people who have gone through that migration into employment. There is clearly a whole host of dynamics at work that we have to drill down into and understand. We need to significantly improve that situation, perhaps through taking a different approach as part of the strategy.

I do not want to see a situation where people are being forced off benefits or perceive that they are being forced off benefits. However, it is important that we understand that people being in work should be viewed as beneficial. It is beneficial for the individuals themselves and their ability and opportunities to develop and support themselves and their families. It is also important for wider society.

The statement mentions the percentage of our participation rate as being in the mid-60s. In the European Union, a healthy participation rate is above 70%. At present, in our economy, we are not properly mobilising all the talent available to us or the human capital in our potential labour market. That is a major structural problem for the Northern Ireland economy. We have to confront that, one way or another. Where people do want to engage in work, but perhaps have been held back by a range of barriers, which can, at times, include the particular nature of the benefits system, we should try to enable and facilitate them to re-engage with the labour market. At the same time, for those for whom work is not suitable, we should continue to provide a proper safety net.

Sammy Douglas (DUP, Belfast East)

I thank the Minister for his statement. Will he outline what his Department is doing to ensure that we are educating our young people in the skills that the workforce needs?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

I thank the Member for his question. The issue starts with careers advice on what are the most relevant and high-growth sectors in our economy. The Member will be aware that we are planning a joint review of careers policy with the Department of Education early next year. This is a joint responsibility between the two Departments.

In the meantime, I very much welcome the inquiry that the Committee is undertaking, and I look forward to taking on board the results in future work in due course. We are significantly investing in science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, and there is an expansion of those subjects at undergraduate level. We have also extended by 60% through to 2015 the number of PhD places that are publicly funded in Northern Ireland. We are also undertaking a major review of apprenticeships in Northern Ireland, and we want to ensure that apprenticeships are viable and have parity of esteem as an alternative pathway to higher education. In doing so, we want to ensure that we are training young people in skills that are highly relevant to employers' needs. That is good for employers in the sense that they get people with the right skills for their organisations. It is also good for the people concerned, because they know that they have skills that are marketable in our economy and that will give them a much greater chance of having sustainable employment.

Phil Flanagan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. Most people agree that these are shocking statistics that demonstrate the need for a radical change in how we do things in creating jobs here. We heard that 34% of people are not in employment and that, of the 66% people who have a job, many are underemployed and do not have enough money to live on. However, taking into account the high rate of economic inactivity here compared with the rate in Britain and the recent announcement —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I encourage the Member to come to his question.

Phil Flanagan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

— on the failure to devolve corporation tax powers to the Executive, does the Minister agree that there is a need for us to have the necessary tools to grow our own economy through the transfer of a full range of fiscal powers to the Executive?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

I thank the Member for his questions. In some respects, we could be having a much wider economic discussion. Let me first endorse some of the Member's comments: yes, it is a fairly shocking picture that I set out to the Assembly this morning. We have had that for the best part of 30 years, and it has been a fairly persistent problem. It is not something that we will change overnight, but, for sure, we have to begin the process of tackling it and to be creative in how we address it. He is also right to point to underemployment among those who are in the labour market. So, we need to maximise productivity across the board in Northern Ireland.

Where his wider point is concerned, my party certainly believes in tax-varying powers for the Assembly, and we have pushed that on a number of occasions. Of those powers, a lower level of corporation tax is by far the most significant and central lever that the Executive and Assembly will want to obtain in the immediate future. In saying that, however, I stress that we are talking about modifications to a much wider fiscal situation in the UK as a whole and that we obviously do not have the resources to be financially independent, given the huge scale of the current subvention. So, we support tax-varying powers for sure, but they have to be limited in the context of a much wider picture.

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

There is a lack of provision in the Dungannon and south Tyrone area for young adults with disabilities who leave special needs facilities at the age of 19-plus. What will the Minister do to change that and to ensure that those people are valued, as, indeed, they are?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

I thank Lord Morrow for his question and concur with his last comment that those people are very much valued. I certainly believe, and I know that everyone else does, that they have the potential to make a contribution to the world of work and that it is important that we provide them with support.

In answers to previous questions, I have mentioned the current work of the disability employment service and the various programmes that are on offer. However, I am aware of some wider unease and the fact that the Employment and Learning Committee, the Health Committee and the Education Committee have all raised issues around that point of transfer from school into what happens thereafter. It is something that we will have to pick up as part of this strategy as well as part of other efforts and considerations that other Departments are making. There is not an immediate answer available to Lord Morrow in that respect, but I recognise that it is an issue that we will have to get to grips with.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

The historic and continuing levels of economic inactivity are clearly quite shocking, but, in this statement, I see no reference to the black economy. Why is that? Does the Minister think that nobody who officially is economically inactive is in fact involved in the black economy? In this analysis, will there be any study of that, or are we just going to close our eyes to that?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

I concur with Mr Allister at the beginning, in terms of the acknowledgement that this is a major challenge facing society as a whole. If we have problems with the black economy, it is important that enforcement is taken through the various mechanisms that are available for that, whether that is through HMRC or through people losing their benefits. We are happy to have those discussions with the Department for Social Development (DSD) to get an idea of the scale of that.

I am sure that there is a degree of a black economy in Northern Ireland, but it is important that we do not over-egg that. We certainly do not have a black economy of anywhere near the scale of some other European Union countries and, indeed, of some other parts of the world. That is not to diminish it as an issue, but it is important that we place it in proper perspective but, in doing so, acknowledge it and see what further steps can be taken. On the back of the question, I am happy for my officials to discuss that issue with DSD and other relevant agencies such as HMRC.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

I thank the Minister for his statement. The Minister said that changes cannot be made overnight, but he also said that the childcare strategy will play a key role in assisting those who are inactive due to family commitments. The childcare strategy has been in the making for quite a considerable amount of time. Can the Minister outline how detrimental it has been that a childcare strategy is not yet in place, and can he outline any actions that he might be taking to urge that process along?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

The Member is right to say that this will not be changed overnight. We certainly can rise to the challenge of putting in place new policies and programmes fairly swiftly on the back of the strategy itself, but, on the figures, this has been 30 years in the making. I will not suggest that it will take 30 years to unpick it, but we will not be able to unpick it in a major way overnight.

In terms of the scale of what we are trying to achieve, there will not be any immediate targets for how we will bring it down, but I have very clearly stressed that we need to have a participation level in excess of 70% in Northern Ireland before we can say that this is a healthy economy and that we are addressing the major structural problems that exist.

The issue of the childcare strategy has been a source of frustration for Members, but it is a high priority for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM). In particular, the junior Ministers are keen to take it forward. The consultation has just closed, and, no doubt, officials in that Department will be closely analysing the responses that have come in to that. I and my officials are very happy to work closely with OFMDFM on the finalisation of that strategy and to see what more we can do as a Department and, indeed, what synergies can be created between the childcare strategy and the forthcoming economic inactivity strategy.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

With your permission, Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement on the handling of the winter weather incident.

The purpose of the statement is to present to the Assembly details of my Department’s handling of the recent severe weather incident. Members will be fully aware of the significant snow event that affected Northern Ireland on 21 and 22 March 2013 and the subsequent period of very cold weather that continued until last weekend.

Heavy snow and strong winds disrupted the lives of thousands of people and caused significant hardship to many, particularly those in many rural areas, including the farming community. The scale of the problems encountered by some isolated communities is something which we have not experienced for decades and, I hope, we will not see repeated in the foreseeable future.

In many areas, the wind, coupled to the weight of the snow and ice, brought down power lines, and that, at one stage, affected thousands of homes. In addition, over 1,000 homes lost their water supply for a short period. Many roads, particularly minor roads in upland areas, were blocked by large snowdrifts. Areas of the Sperrins, the glens of Antrim, the Mournes, the Dromara hills, the Castlereagh hills, upland areas around Lisburn, Craigantlet, and high ground stretching from the north of Belfast to Antrim were particularly badly affected. I witnessed snowdrifts almost 20 feet high in the Mournes and the glens of Antrim — something that I have never seen before.

I would now like to turn to the response by the staff of my Department. On Thursday 21 March 2013, after a multi-agency conference call organised by the local government emergency management group, all agencies including Roads Service, NI Water and Translink were put on standby to deal with any issues arising from the anticipated severe weather. Regular conference calls were held throughout the height of the emergency. Those were particularly effective in ensuring that relief efforts were directed quickly to the point of need.

My Department was represented at meetings of the Civil Contingencies Group (Northern Ireland), which was convened by OFMDFM and chaired by the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. That group met daily from Sunday 24 March until Good Friday to ensure strong leadership in co-ordinating relief efforts. I visited the operations centre to lend my personal support to the operations.

The permanent secretary subsequently decided to convene a meeting of my Department’s emergency management group. The major emergency response plan was activated in support of the Civil Contingencies Group (Northern Ireland) to ensure that the resources of the Department and its arm’s-length bodies were being deployed to deal with the impact of the severe weather. The Department’s emergency management group met regularly to discuss and review our response to the very challenging conditions.

My Department also maintained a full-time presence at the PSNI’s gold command centre, which allowed the various agencies to prioritise and co-ordinate our efforts with the other responder organisations. I will say more about that later.

I want to commend front line staff in Roads Service, NI Water and Translink who, despite very challenging circumstances, worked tirelessly to improve conditions for those affected by the snow. I also want to pay tribute to the contractors, farmers and plant-hire companies who assisted the clearance operations.

Roads Service teams worked round the clock, initially to clear the main traffic routes and then the minor roads in upland areas. It is fair to say that the scale of that task was huge, and, even with the help of contractors, farmers and hired plant, it took nearly a week to get all areas back to near-normality. In some areas, snow is still lying at the sides of roads. Once main roads were cleared, Roads Service teams continued to work throughout the Easter weekend and over the last week on the minor roads to ensure that the high snow banks, left as a result of the initial clearance operations, were made safe and windblown snow was cleared to keep roads open.

I visited Roads Service staff in the worst-affected areas during that period. I pay to tribute to front line staff, having seen on the ground and at first hand the work they did. They worked through the night in the most atrocious and dangerous conditions to clear roads that were impassable.

Staff worked long shifts, went home briefly and came straight back out again. They gave up time with their family in order to help those living in the worst affected areas, and that included the additional staff who were called in over the weekend to provide the public with information on road conditions and to handle incoming calls for assistance.

I heard many stories about how individual workers and the emergency services made a difference to some of our most vulnerable neighbours; how a side road off the gritting route was cleared to allow the delivery of oxygen to a housebound patient; how they helped to clear roads to enable NIE staff gain access to damaged power lines; and how farmers also volunteered to help assist stranded motorists. Mr Speaker, we have many unsung heroes. Their dedication and commitment to their work should be commended by all of us.

Let me give you a flavour of the work involved. Roads Service used almost 10,000 tons of salt from 21 March to lunchtime on Wednesday 27 March, whereas the five-year average for salt usage, which includes the severe winter of 2010, is 60,000 tons for an entire winter from the start of October until mid-April. So, in virtually a week, we used 10,000 tons against 60,000 tons for a winter. The entire network was treated almost 12 times during the period, and that equates to approximately 1,100 runs by gritters and 84,000 kilometres of salting in a week. Early estimates put the cost of my Department’s response to this incident in the region of £3 million.

It is also important to recognise the major recovery work of NI Water. Severe weather conditions caused disruption to water supplies from Friday 22 March to Tuesday 26 March 2013. The impact on water services was mainly as a consequence of lost electricity to water and sewage pumping stations. However, snow drifts in many areas prevented access to pumping stations and water treatment works and delayed the restoration of water supplies to customers in affected areas.

NI Water staff and contractors were placed on alert in response to an amber severe weather warning on Thursday 21 March. The company’s major incident plan was activated and incident teams were in place from early Friday morning to manage the situation as it unfolded over the days that followed. Those arrangements remained in place over the weekend until all affected customers were returned to supply on Tuesday 26 March 2013.

The majority of NI Water’s water-production facilities are equipped with on-site standby generators that automatically activate when mains power supplies fail. Those standby generators maintained water supplies to approximately 427,000 properties where the power supply had been interrupted. NI Water also maintains a contingency stock of mobile generators that can be deployed to sites where on-site backup generators do not already exist. In some cases where access was impossible due to road conditions, restoration became dependent on the recovery of NIE mains electricity or snow clearance by Roads Service to allow mobile generators to be connected on site. Where power supplies had been interrupted for even brief periods, NI Water technicians had to attend the affected sites to reset tripped switches as NI Water power supplies came back on line.

NI Water received over 2,500 mains-failure alarms through the company’s monitoring centres, which affected approximately 680 NI Water installations between 22 March and 26 March. By Sunday 24 March 2013, the majority of sites had been returned to service, but several significant areas remained problematical, primarily due to the continued loss of mains power and inaccessibility for mobile generators. The main areas affected were in counties Down and Antrim. A 16,000 litre tanker was deployed to Straid village to provide a local source of alternative water supply for customers in the area affected in the Larne, Ballyclare and Carrickfergus triangle.

Bottled water was made directly available to an estimated 250 customers who remained without a water main supply for more than 24 hours. The Red Cross was also extremely helpful in providing assistance with delivery of bottled water to customers in remote areas. In total, NI Water estimates that 10,000 litres of bottled water were distributed to customers.

Over the course of the event, it is estimated that under 1,500 customers were without water supplies due to electricity failure at water installations. On Saturday 23 March 2013, NI Water received its highest number of customer calls, with 1,161 operational calls answered. Some 34 call centre staff — four times the normal weekend staffing levels — were available to answer calls. During the incident, the call centre was also actively contacting approximately 150 customers on its critical care register in affected areas. On Monday, the call centre reverted back to normal staffing levels.

The primary objective was to restore interrupted water supplies by maintaining water production from water treatment works, restoring water pumping stations to operation and to recover levels in service reservoirs where interruptions to power supplies had caused depleted storage.

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

NI Water staff and contractors worked continuously through extreme and dangerous conditions to access remote sites, reset tripped switches, connect mobile generators and supply bottled water to customers. Over 230 staff and contractors were engaged over the main five-day period of the incident. Costs for the incident are estimated to be in the region of £120,000.

By Tuesday 26 March 2013, normal operational status had been restored in all areas, albeit with some installations continuing to run on emergency generators, and incident management teams were stood down.

Turning to Translink, despite the extreme weather, Northern Ireland Railways maintained its service throughout the period, and no weather-related delays occurred. In addition, the vast majority of Metro and Ulsterbus services operated to timetable. Some bus services were impacted locally due to the prevailing road conditions at the time. However, nearly all bus services were soon operating to timetable.

I want to put on record my thanks for the hard work and dedication of all those involved in what was a relief effort. While it was a collective effort on behalf of a large number of individuals, it is worth highlighting, for example, the joint effort of Northern Ireland Water and NIE to transport a generator to Boghill service reservoir in the mountains north of Belfast. That took 18 hours of continuous working to 3.00 am, digging through 12-foot snowdrifts to ensure that upwards of 3,000 customers in north and west Belfast experienced little or no interruptions of supply. Two staff members in the south Down area drove for two hours in hostile and dangerous conditions but could go no further by road, so they continued for another hour on foot to restore a remote water pumping station to full operation. Water treatment plant managers in the Antrim hills and in the Mourne mountains remained on site without a break from Friday to Monday to maintain water production throughout this difficult period. That was well beyond the call of duty.

I have mentioned the efforts of staff from my Department, but it would be remiss of me not to make reference to others who provided vital leadership and assistance. As I alluded to earlier, the efforts to clear roads, provide help to vulnerable people and reconnect electricity and water supplies were co-ordinated from the gold command centre at PSNI headquarters. Senior officials from Roads Service, NI Water, NIE, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Land and Property Services (LPS), PSNI and councils worked together to co-ordinate the relief efforts. Vulnerable people were identified, and search and rescue teams were deployed to provide urgent medicine or to evacuate those in need of assistance to hospital, some by helicopter.

I want to pay tribute to the PSNI, who skilfully co-ordinated the exercise, Mourne and North West mountain rescue teams and the Ambulance Service who battled their way to those in need of help. In some cases, they walked for many miles in snowshoes, as that was the only feasible way to travel.

On Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 March, it was clear that a humanitarian relief effort was required to provide basic provisions to many families trapped in the glens of Antrim. That, too, was co-ordinated through PSNI gold command. Also co-ordinated by the PSNI, and with the help of mountain rescue teams, helicopter support and the Red Cross, much-needed supplies were delivered to those stranded. Red Cross volunteers worked quietly and efficiently in the background to assist with that effort and were vital to its success — a truly excellent effort.

As I am sure that my Executive colleague Minister O'Neill will reflect on, staff in my Department worked closely with DARD officials to ensure that roads were cleared to allow access to farms. I also pay tribute to the local government emergency management group, which co-ordinated numerous multiagency conference calls during the period to identify local issues and instigate action. That was important and ensured that the response was effective and co-ordinated.

In the face of that relief effort, there was, however, criticism in the media about snow not being cleared from footways in cities and towns. A small number of elected representatives were also critical of my Department, particularly in relation to clearing snow from footways and estate roads.

In a prolonged period of severe weather, Roads Service has agreements with 23 out of the 26 councils, enabling councils to clear snow on a number of designated town centre footways to aid the retail sector. Councils in the affected areas, and others, helped to clear snow from town centre footways and assisted Roads Service in other ways during the snow clearance operations. I want to acknowledge their work.

However, it is simply not possible to clear every footway in every housing development in Northern Ireland. Roads Service resources were concentrated on clearing main roads and minor roads, with efforts on the latter concentrated on areas where humanitarian aid was required or where there were animal welfare issues. I fully accept that footway conditions can be difficult, especially for elderly and vulnerable people. In situations such as this, it is the spirit of good neighbourliness that can come to the assistance of those in need. There were many examples of people helping themselves and others, and I commend all who did so.

The Department's major emergency response plan was stood down on Friday 29 March 2013. The civil contingencies group was stood down on Wednesday 3 April 2013. Both groups will review the response to this weather event to ensure that lessons can be learned. The collective response to this weather emergency was a good example of how Departments and agencies can work together effectively.

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for his statement. I also place on record the Committee's thanks to departmental officials, Northern Ireland Water, Translink, other government officials, the emergency services and the scores of volunteers for their immediate and selfless actions in ensuring that the core networks and the worst-affected areas were opened as quickly as possible, often at great risk to themselves. It was a supreme effort in exceptional circumstances. I saw many Roads Service staff working alongside contractors and, indeed, farmers who volunteered to help. I also thank the Minister for briefing the Deputy Chair of the Committee and me during the period.

Although the operation was extremely well co-ordinated, will the Minister tell the House whether there were any failures or lessons to be learned, and whether he believes that there may be a need for investment in specialist equipment that may be needed in the future, given the scale of this incident?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Chair of the Committee for his comments, particularly those in relation to all the efforts by Roads Service, NI Water, Translink and the many other agencies that were involved. I pay tribute to the collective team effort of other agencies, such as the Rivers Agency from DARD, and, indeed, NIE. Although NIE is a privately operated company, its staff performed sterling work, and it is right that we recognise that.

Of course, we will be reviewing the operation, as we would normally expect to review an operation of that nature. Although I believe that the overall operation was effective, there will, undoubtedly, be lessons that we can learn and which we can apply for future reference.

With regard to additional equipment or plant hire, I can inform the Chair of the Committee that I have already begun to make the argument to Executive colleagues for the need to invest further in our winter preparation plant, such as snowploughs, etc. Hopefully, I will have his support in that. To modernise that plant would not only be useful, but necessary, as we approach winter conditions later this year. I very much hope that the Executive will recognise the need for that, and I know that he and the members of the Committee will give their support to that.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for his statement.

It was indeed a very intense storm. Even those of us in the Sperrins area of County Derry, who are used to snow, had not seen anything like it in a long time, if ever. Along with the Chair, I pay tribute to Roads Service for the work that it did. I lost count of the number of times I contacted it over the period and received a prompt and efficient service. I also pay tribute to the local contractors, who, even when they were out on a contract, went in and cleared private lanes and the like. I also mark the self-reliance that was shown and the preparatory work that was carried out by local communities. In the long term, such actions probably reduced the losses that they suffered during that period.

However, Minister, I do have one issue, and it is a year-on-year one, particularly along such routes as the A6 Glenshane Road. It concerns the practice of ploughing snow into the sides of roads, thus blocking off many private driveways and lane-ways, which, perhaps, would not be cleared for quite some time.

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

Can we have a question?

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Will the Minister address that? Will he also look at the criteria for the clearing of private lane-ways, particularly in humanitarian cases?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his positive comments, particularly in relation to staff involved in the snow clearance operations. It is important that I restate that, initially, the priority is to keep the main routes open, and then to address the secondary routes. That was possible only through what became almost superhuman efforts, not only by Roads Service, but by private contractors, who were brought in especially, and local farmers. They all played their part in assisting during the operation.

I have not witnessed the likes of it before. I think I was four in 1963, so I can scarcely contend to seriously remember the conditions then, and I was not even heard of in 1947. I think that the conditions that existed over this period were almost unparalleled. In many cases, it was akin to driving through a wedding cake. It was astonishing that huge banks of ice and snow had to be cleared by the snowploughs.

Inevitably, that caused ditches and hedges to become banked up. Undoubtedly, it added to problems with fencing and hedges for local farmers. Of course, we will seek to address those issues. Processes are in place to do that.

I hear what the Member says on addressing the issue of private lanes. However, I have outlined the considerable resources that this particular episode has cost already and the mammoth task that was before us to keep main routes open and, then, address secondary routes. Other issues come into play; not least resources, but insurance issues and other aspects, to which I am unable to respond in the way in which, perhaps, the Member would like and other elected Members have indicated. I think that the logic of the operation was good. In those circumstances, should be continued.

Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for his statement and, indeed, all the officials and staff who performed above and beyond the call of duty. Has the Minister considered, or will he consider, how the DRD response could have been improved? Although it worked well in most cases, I know there were still gaps and a need for improvement. I have been horrified by local stories of vulnerable, mainly elderly, people, living alone, who were trapped in their homes without food for days. I am thinking of places such as Glenarm or those above Glenarm that face down the Braid, the glens generally and, indeed, many other areas across Northern Ireland that received heavy snow. In many cases, health and social services staff were unable to gain access.

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

Is there a question?

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

Sorry. Is there an interruption over here? Could we have a question, please?

Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

Could the Minister not create a better or more efficient network of local emergency-response people, like farmers and others, who might be triggered to cope with emergencies such as those that we had with the snow? I observe how countries in middle Europe respond rapidly to snow and keep roads open.

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

Can we have a question, please?

Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

Is there anything that we can learn from them?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his initial positive comments that reflected on the work of staff. He raised a number of additional points. I am not sure how practical he would find them if he, perhaps, looked at the situation more objectively. I have explained to the House that the system is to prioritise keeping main routes open and, then, address secondary routes. That, in turn, assists other agencies, such as NIE and NI Water, to gain access to address some of the faults that have occurred in their systems.

The emergency hotlines were an important aspect. I think that issues of humanitarian aid or health emergencies were quite well addressed. Many emergency situations were identified at the earliest possible time so that help and relief could be given. That is how the system should work properly. I have said that we will, of course, review the operation extensively. We will look at areas, perhaps, where improvements can be made. I am happy to give that undertaking.

There was a huge self-help response in local communities that gave help to neighbours and friends, particularly in rural areas. I know how important that became. It is right that we acknowledge that and that we continue to encourage it. There are limitations to what Government and their agencies can do. By working together collaboratively and collectively, and involving self-help from local communities, we can, in large part, address many ongoing issues.

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

Order. Although it is very important that Members have an opportunity to pay tribute to those who were involved in the crisis, I encourage them to, please, come to their questions a little bit more quickly so that more Members can be heard.

Ross Hussey (UUP, West Tyrone)

I, too, would like to pay tribute to all those involved in this exercise, particularly the volunteers who did it for no financial reward.

The Minister, in his statement, for which I thank him, referred to the handling of future winter conditions. Given the fact that the Finance Minister denies that climate change actually exists, does the Minister believe that that will make it difficult for him to secure additional funding to counter extreme weather conditions in the future?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his helpful and warm comments to all the staff and agencies involved. I outlined that I have already indicated to Executive colleagues, not least the Finance Minister, how additional resources, through the upgrade of plant and machinery, would certainly give assistance and perhaps even comfort as we approach winter conditions later this year. I will not engage in a debate today on climate change or, indeed, Members' or Ministers' attitudes to it, except to say that it is inevitable that winter conditions will prevail again in parts of Northern Ireland.

Trevor Lunn (Alliance, Lagan Valley)

Unlike the youthful Minister, I vividly remember 1963. In my opinion, it was a lot worse this year than in 1963.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

What about 1947?

Trevor Lunn (Alliance, Lagan Valley)

No. [Laughter.] I join the Minister in congratulating everybody in the statutory sector and voluntary sector who were involved in the response effort. Everybody performed magnificently, and we owe them thanks and praise, so I would not want to say anything remotely critical. I would, however, like to comment on the last section of the Minister's statement about the relationship between the Department and councils. Is he satisfied that that relationship is now secure and clear in respect of funding and liability? If not, does he think that, down the line, we may need legislation similar to that which was enacted in England, Wales and Scotland for emergency planning in the past few years?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his comments about the staff and the work of agencies. I accept his point about further co-operation with local government. As Minister, I have made — I think that the Member and the House know this — strenuous efforts to improve that relationship and to put in place memorandums of understanding with the councils in Northern Ireland, to which 23 out of the 26 have signed up. I think that that represents progress. I do not discount the fact that we can make further efforts to improve that. Whether that involves or need involve legislation, I remind the Member that, strictly speaking, neither local councils nor, indeed, Roads Service in the Department for Regional Development have a statutory obligation, as it stands, to clear footpaths.

Clearly, it is in the public interest and in the interest of the health of our citizens to do that, and there is an expectation that it should happen. However, that has resource implications and perhaps legal implications, too, and we have tried to address those through the memorandums of understanding. I was very pleased with the co-operation that we received during this period, but I am happy to engage further with NILGA as well as other local government bodies and agencies to see whether we can improve that further.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

I, too, join the Minister and other Members in commending everyone who helped, in any way, the people affected by this. I was not born in either of the years that the Minister mentioned, but I have no doubt that it was bad then. However, from the pictures and footage that I saw, it certainly was not good at all on this occasion.

The Minister referred to the work of the local government emergency management group. Is the Minister content that the local government emergency plans that are in place worked effectively in this case? Is he content that those councils affected by the snow put plans in place for the clearing of footpaths?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question and for indicating his youthfulness. He asks largely the same question as Mr Lunn did previously about whether things can be improved further among local government, DRD and Roads Service. The answer to that is probably yes, and we will try to do that. However, I was very satisfied with the reports that I received through local government on the work that was happening in local estates and on local footways and pathways, but it is simply not practical or possible that every single footway and area on every estate can be cleared immediately of snow and ice. It is unrealistic to raise that expectation.

I also want to pay particular tribute to the many voluntary organisations and individuals who used their resources to help clear estates, footways or, indeed, church car parks. I was aware of church car parks that were snowbound in areas around north Belfast. I know that the minister of Ballyhenry Presbyterian Church, Reverend Niall Lockhart, was very grateful for the efforts of local people and local contractors who carried out that public service on a voluntary basis, and I am encouraged by that. Of course, we will continue to work with local government and other agencies in a positive manner.

Declan McAleer (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Minister, I want to draw attention to page 2 of your statement, which refers to the excellent work that was provided by contractors. Will you provide some clarity on the small number of cases of liability where fences were damaged as a result of snow being cleared from the network? Also, will you clarify how the invoicing of this work will be processed for the contractors, what the timescales will be and matters such as that?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his comments. There may well be an issue around damage to fences or whatever, and there is a process whereby compensation can be claimed. I have had some preliminary discussions with representatives from the farmers' union on the issue. We are still in the slow thaw and huge banks of ice and snow are still melting before our very eyes. Once that situation clears, literally, we will be in a better position to assess how that can be addressed.

There has been an impact on fences and hedges because of the sheer volume of snow that fell and the drifting that occurred as a result of the wind patterns. There was also an impact on fences and hedges in the snow-clearing operations, so distinguishing the differences there will be a task for officials and others involved. However, we will certainly attempt to resolve all issues as amicably and quickly as we can.

Alex Easton (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement and offer my praise to him and his Department for the efforts made in the rural community. Did DRD help to clear any farm lanes at all because of the severity of the conditions? How many cars and people had to be rescued from the roads?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for that. Obviously, emergency situations evolved and had to be dealt with on the ground. It was not necessary for me to give approval to certain actions, except to know that people who found themselves in an emergency situation would be assisted, and I am content with that. So I do not have the detail on either aspect of the situation that the Member seeks. If such detail is quantifiable and available, we will provide it to him.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for his detailed statement to the House this morning. Fortunately, where I come from, there was absolutely no snow, so it was like looking at a different continent.

Many lessons were learned from two years ago. From talking to colleagues, I know that there was a fairly effective response, but the Minister will know that the call centre was one of the big difficulties two years ago. Did the call centre pass the litmus test on this occasion?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question and comment, which derived, I think, from comments of colleagues. He may have thought that he was in a different continent, but let me assure him that he was in the same jurisdiction — snow or no snow.

On NI Water's operation and responses, my statement indicated that quite a considerable number of staff were deployed over and above the normal number. It is clear to me that the responses were adequate and dealt with the volume of calls that came in. That represents significant progress from previous episodes.

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

I join the Minister and other Members in congratulating all who made a difference at that time.

I want to ask the Minister about the emergency response unit, particularly in rural areas. We know that primary roads are the main responsibility, but might there have been a case for bringing in contractors and farmers more quickly to work on secondary roads? When 30 centimetres of snow has already fallen and, as happened in my area, more snow falls and quickly becomes 2 metres, that is hard to deal with.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member for his question. I am satisfied that additional resources, comprising something like 135 pieces of equipment, either snowploughs or additional machinery, were pulled in at the earliest point. I want to place on record that we had considerable help from the Rivers Agency, which provided not only resources but plant. All things being equal, through responding to the weather warnings in place and having the agencies on high alert, there were significant benefits this time in our being able to get out on the front foot, starting the snow-clearing operations to keep main roads open and then addressing secondary roads as soon as possible.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I, too, would like to pay tribute to Roads Service staff and contractors for working long hours and taking risks on behalf of the community. Indeed, I also pay tribute to Northern Ireland Water and NIE staff for renewing power and water supplies, along with the actions of councils, the police and volunteers.

The Minister said that Roads Service was reviewing the winter equipment available to it. Does the Minister agree that it would also be appropriate for Northern Ireland Water to review its emergency backup systems, particularly in isolated pumping areas, where, as a result of loss of power and even difficulty placing emergency generators, water supplies were lost for a considerable period?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful for the Member's preliminary remarks, which paid tribute to the staff in all the agencies. As part of the review, we will task NI Water to look at how successful its operations and backup operations were and whether improvements can be made.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his timely statement. I also want to place on record our thanks to the Minister for coming to the North Down constituency. He came to Craigantlet and was active with his shovel. Obviously, every little helps. The Minister will have seen an example there of real community spirit. Roads Service — we have paid tribute to the north Down section — local farmers and local contractors worked together to deal with the snow.

Does the Minister have any plans to utilise readily available modern farm machinery, in conjunction with local framers and contractors, in a more structured manner for future periods of heavy snow? Will the Minister consider that for the future?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question and his very positive comments about my work. My shovelling technique was, I felt unfairly, criticised by a local broadcaster. Nevertheless, although it was important for me to see the operations at first hand, it was more important that that work was ongoing. I pay tribute not only to Roads Service staff who were involved in that work but to the private contractors and the local farmers whom I met on that day in the Craigantlet hills. They played their part and used their own machinery.

The Member raised an interesting proposal. As part of the overall response, we will look at that and see how contractors and local farmers can continue to assist Roads Service. I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I am pretty sure that there will be further wintry conditions later this year. We need to prepare for those.

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

I join with others in thanking the Minister for his statement. Like others, I also pay tribute to the performance of the services during the bad weather.

Minister, weather forecasts and reports may not always be accurate, but, in your statement, you said that you had received a warning about the bad weather. From conversations that I had with Road Service staff, I learned that, in some cases, contractors were brought in only belatedly. Will you assure the House that if there is another event such as this, you will do whatever you can to ensure that Roads Service does not hold off in calling the contractors in and that it will bring them in at their earliest convenience. I see that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development is now in the Chamber. She belatedly brought in the army. Perhaps if we have the services of the army in Northern Ireland, they could be used to clear roads if we have another such event in the future.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question. Let me say that the weather warnings that were given in advance were absolutely heeded, and preparations were made and put in place at the earliest point. However, it was only after we got into the incident and assessed the almost unparalleled volumes of snow in some areas and the resultant winds that caused the drifting that we saw that it was so necessary to call in additional help at the earliest point. It was a proper response. I said that we will review the incident and the operations. If lessons are to be learned, we will continue to apply those.

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

I welcome the Minister's statement and recognise the sterling work by DRD staff over the period of the incident.

What consideration will be given to the future use of snowploughs or snowblowers in those areas where roads are not on the gritting routes? Certain inaccessible roads were closed for a number of days, and McKelvey Brothers contractors did excellent work on behalf of DRD. What about those farmers who contracted privately with plant hire people to try to relieve access to their properties?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question. I hope that I have paid adequate tribute to the independent operators and the people who assisted. Their deployment in any emergency situation obviously remains an ongoing issue, and we will continue to look at that to see how we can further improve things.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a statement outlining the consequences for the farming sector of the severe weather event that took place over the weekend of 22 to 24 March.

Members will be aware that this was an extreme weather event, with the worst conditions experienced in many decades, particularly in the glens of Antrim, County Down and the Sperrins. I emphasise that it was not exclusively in Antrim and Down but also in the Sperrins area. The Rivers Agency had been on high alert in the days leading up to the adverse weather, and heavy rainfall had occurred, which led to flooding, primarily in south Down throughout Friday, Friday night and Saturday morning, when the agency's operational resources were fully deployed on flood response.

At noon on Saturday 23 March, the Rivers Agency received a call for assistance from Roads Service, and within two hours, it had personnel, machinery and equipment en route to Larne to assist with the snow crisis. Rivers Agency participated daily in frequent conference calls with Roads Service and other responders, and stepped up levels of support as guided by Roads Service colleagues. Throughout the remainder of the weekend and into the early days of the following week, it continued to provide a significant level of support.

I take this opportunity to pay tribute to my Rivers Agency staff, who had to deal with the aftermath of the flooding on 22 March, and to those who were engaged in snow clearance and putting in place preparations for a possible thaw, which, had it materialised, could have caused significant flooding. That preparation included engagement with the Met Office and others through a series of conference calls, as well as making practical arrangements, such as assessing catchment areas, setting up temporary sandbag stores and monitoring watercourses.

Members will also be aware that, as a result of the extreme weather, the Executive’s central contingency group convened, and co-ordinated a multiagency response to what presented as a humanitarian crisis. Quite properly, the initial focus was on people needing urgent food, water and medical supplies. It is important to remember that NIE estimated that over 35,000 homes were off supply at some stage over that weekend. As I said, our role at that point was to support Roads Service in improving access to affected areas.

It became clear only on Sunday 24 March that there was an emerging animal welfare issue. I was alerted on Sunday morning and my permanent secretary attended the central civil contingency group that afternoon. Very difficult humanitarian issues were clearly being faced by those in rural areas. However, there was also developing intelligence to suggest that farmers were experiencing significant difficulty in accessing stock and getting feed to them on the hills. The priority was, rightly, to ensure roads to the most affected areas were cleared as quickly as possible. Minister Kennedy and I spoke about the problems that were being experienced by rural dwellers, particularly those off the gritted network. I emphasise that, at that juncture, it was difficult to obtain intelligence on what was happening. Members will fully appreciate the difficulty that farmers faced under these extreme weather conditions in communicating with the outside world.

Officials were present at events attended by farming industry representatives on the evenings of Friday 22 March and Saturday 23 March, and at neither event was there a sense of the scale of the developing crisis. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) helpline was available throughout the weekend. It was checked on the Sunday evening for any communication, but the only recorded call related to flooding that had been experienced on the Friday. However, throughout Sunday, a picture of the severity of the crisis being faced by farmers emerged. I spoke with the head of the Civil Service to seek assurance that all necessary resources available to the Executive were being mobilised and I then requested to speak to the Regional Development Minister.

On Monday 25 March, an early analysis of the situation on the ground was made through College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) development advisers contacting farmers; farmers contacting DARD; and contact with other stakeholder organisations. That indicated the scale of the problem and particularly the fact that accessing stock was the major difficulty.

Accessibility by road was impossible in the areas worst affected in the early stages of this crisis, which compounded issues of access to livestock in more isolated areas. At that point, I requested that the British Secretary of State make helicopter assistance available. After speaking to Justice Minister Alan Shatter TD, I also obtained airborne resources from the Irish Air Corps. I also ensured that Forest Service soft-track vehicles were available to provide ground support to assist farmers in moving fodder to stock that had become isolated and inaccessible due to the adverse weather. The complementary air and ground support programme that I deployed benefited numerous farmers in the most affected areas. That first phase of our response concentrated on access to fodder, farmers running out of fodder, access to livestock and the consequences of blocked roads and lanes. As I said, the first assistance to farmers using Forest Service soft-track vehicles began on Monday 25 March. Those vehicles continued to be deployed throughout the period. In total, 90 farms were assisted by soft-track vehicles — 33 in Down, 54 in Antrim, and three elsewhere in the North of Ireland.

During that period, the DARD helpline was manned 24 hours a day. In total, from Monday 25 March to Sunday 7 April, we received 350 calls about the severe weather; although from Sunday 31 March, fewer calls were received in connection with the weather and most calls were in connection with the fallen stock scheme. An incident room was operational in Dundonald House. Using the information gathered from the helpline, my staff at Greenmount contacted farmers, and using air reconnaissance in the glens of Antrim area on Tuesday 26 March and in the Slieve Croob area on Wednesday 27 March, DARD prioritised and planned its distribution of feed. Informed by the information we gathered, fodder was airdropped to the worst affected areas over the three-day period Tuesday 26, Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 March. In total, 46 airdrops were made, of which 21 were in Down and 25 in Antrim.

I welcome the fact that the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has stated that it was supportive of the actions taken by DARD. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank the UFU for its assistance and efforts to ensure that much-needed fodder was located and made available.

Based on the analysis of the information gathered from the helpline calls and local intelligence, the improved road access situation and the success to date of the use of the Forest Service soft-track vehicles, by close on Thursday 28 March, the assessment was made that the immediate priority needs in relation to access to fodder had been addressed by the airdrops, meaning that further helicopter support was not required at that time. The Forest Service soft-track vehicles continued to be deployed to assist with delivery of fodder to livestock in hard-to-reach farms. I have kept under review the option for further aerial drops, but they have not been found necessary at this stage. The focus of calls to the helpline over the Easter weekend shifted to issues around fallen stock.

On 28 March, I sought and secured the agreement of the Executive to hardship funding to assist farmers in the areas worst affected by the snow storm in the North of Ireland. The first element of that is that DARD will pay for the costs of collection and disposal of fallen stock that has died as a direct result of the snow storm. That relieves those farmers of a potential cost to their business and will protect the environment and animal health by encouraging the proper disposal of fallen stock.

The primary criteria for eligibility for the hardship funding is that farmers must have been severely affected by livestock losses arising from the recent snow storm and have fallen livestock collected by approved renderers between 2 and 15 April. From my contact with farmers out on the ground, it is obvious already that the thaw is taking longer and the farmers’ losses are greater than anticipated. I can, therefore, announce that the collection and disposal arrangements will remain in place until at least 19 April.

All those farmers severely affected by the recent snow storm event are potentially eligible for that hardship scheme. So that those who were potentially hardest hit would have immediate help, a list of postcodes was identified from those calls for urgent assistance to the DARD helpline, and all farmers in those areas will have their fallen stock collected and disposed of by those arrangements. However, whether part of the published postcode list or not, any farmer who considers that they have suffered livestock losses as a result of the snow storm may be eligible for the scheme. I appreciate that there are smaller discrete areas in other locations in the North of Ireland where farmers have been equally affected by the snow storm and I have made arrangements in my Department to confirm the eligibility of any farmer calling the DARD helpline and requesting that fallen stock is collected under those arrangements.

The collection and disposal scheme opened on 2 April and collection of fallen stock has commenced to those farmers considered eligible, whether part of the published postcodes or otherwise. As of 4.00 pm yesterday, carcasses had been collected from 440 farms. A total of 8,153 sheep had been collected, of which 6,246 were lambs. Additionally, 240 cattle were collected. The vast majority of calls received from farmers to date, including a number from around the Sperrins and other affected areas in the west, have been confirmed into the scheme on the basis of the information provided. In fact, 140 applications have been approved to date and only 10 have not been accepted.

In due course, I will bring to the Executive proposals for the second element of the hardship measures, which will seek to mitigate the costs of livestock losses that have been sustained by farmers arising from the snow storm. The hardship payment will be specifically for livestock losses. The hardship scheme will be linked to the collection and disposal scheme and will be framed in light of the information gathered on the extent and nature of losses, which we will build as farmers have stock removed and disposed of by the approved renderers.

The details of the scheme and how to apply to it will be made public as soon as possible.

The overall hardship funding will be up to the maximum that is allowed under the EU state aid de minimis rules of €7,500 per farmer, including the costs of collection and disposal of the fallen animals. It is envisaged that the hardship payment will be based on a proportion of loss at individual farm level.

The scheme will require subordinate legislation. Before making my statement, I had intended to ask the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development — I will do it in due course — for the support of the Committee to enact the legislation as quickly as possible. My officials plan to discuss scheme proposals with the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) and NIAPA later this week

I will now turn to the processing of single farm payments and other subsidy payments to affected farmers. I am pleased to report that, because payments were made more quickly this year than last year, most farmers in the affected areas will already have had their payments, whether single farm payments (SFP) or less favoured areas compensatory allowance (LFACA) payments.

As of the end of March, 95·1% and 94·5% of SFP and LFACA payments had been processed with forecast outturns of 96% and 96·5% respectively by mid-April. In addition, the countryside management scheme payments are expected to commence this month, as opposed to October last year. A small number of farmers in the affected postcode areas remain to be paid, and we will process those payments as quickly as possible.

One critical issue arises with regard to LFACA payments and claims for the 2014 scheme year. Those claims are made on the 2013 single application form and require the farmer to have the appropriate stocking density between 1 April and 31 October 2013. Farmers who cannot meet the required stocking density between those dates as a result of force majeure associated with snow conditions need to write and tell the Department at the earliest opportunity that that is the case. The Department will accept letters up to but not beyond the single application form submission deadline of 15 May. If farmers neglect that and, as a result, do not obtain an LFACA payment in 2014, it will then, in all probability, be too late to claim under force majeure provisions. Therefore, it is vital that farmers take action on this matter now and write to the Department to explain why the stocking density has fallen below the required level.

I am concerned about the problems ahead for the sector. The poor growing conditions of last year, a prolonged winter, poor grass growth because of low temperatures and difficult conditions could compound the practical difficulties for some farmers. I am also conscious of the cash-flow demands arising from this crisis and restocking. I will be inviting representatives of the National Sheep Association, the UFU and NIAPA to a meeting to discuss the way forward.

In the past two weeks, I have visited farms in the glens of Antrim, south Down and the Sperrins and have witnessed first-hand the problems that have been faced by farmers. I acknowledge the true community spirit that has been demonstrated in those areas, as farmers and the wider agrifood industry, including the banking sector, worked together to procure and deliver much-needed fodder to affected farms.

The hay and concentrates that were donated in the glens and south Down were very much appreciated by the local farmers. I commend the work of local farmers and volunteers who have battled the worst of the elements to assist their neighbours. I know that people will continue to do what they can to be good neighbours and to assist the vulnerable and elderly in their area.

In conclusion, I commend the work of my staff, many of whom worked long hours alongside farmers and the voluntary sector in very difficult conditions.

Paul Frew (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for her statement on this tragic crisis in the farming community.

Will she agree that it is fair comment to suggest that she was too slow in dealing with this crisis — some 24 hours too slow — and that she was too quick to withdraw the Royal Air Force's Chinook air support — at least 24 hours too soon — at a time when it was needed the most in my constituency of North Antrim and the neighbouring constituency of East Antrim? Although the roads were cleared, the snow was still on the hills, lane-ways and farmyard drives. Will she assure the House that, because stock is still buried on the hills of North Antrim and East Antrim, she will extend the carcass collection scheme beyond 19 April if it is needed?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I do not agree that we were too slow to respond. As I said in my statement, the initial issue was a humanitarian one, and that is how it had to be dealt with. The priority over the Saturday and Sunday was to get food, water and medical supplies to people, and that had to be the initial response.

Over the weekend, it became more apparent that there was also an animal welfare issue that needed to be dealt with, and we put plans in place quickly.

Let us be very clear: Rivers Agency staff were out dealing with flooding issues in County Down on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and right into Saturday morning. As soon as the call came from Roads Service to say that it needed some assistance to clear roads, staff were completely deployed to take on that challenge, and they did so happily. They worked very well over those days and continue to do so after the crisis. Were we slow to respond? No, I do not agree with that claim. We acted promptly and took the measures that were appropriate at that time.

I was very grateful to be able to secure the helicopters. They were necessary. Anybody who saw the conditions from the media coverage or when they visited any of the affected areas could see how difficult it was to get any sort of land access, particularly to livestock on high ground. The helicopter assistance was fantastic and played a very key role over the next number of days. I am grateful to the British MoD and the Irish Air Corps for providing that service when we needed it. Over 90 drops were made, and, from speaking to farmers, I know that they were very grateful for that approach.

Were the helicopters taken away too early? No, I do not agree with that assertion. The information that we had was that the calls to the helpline requesting feed had basically been dealt with. We had approached all the people who had requested our assistance. At that stage, we were very confident that the rest of the people who needed to be reached could be got to using the soft-track vehicles that we had on the ground. That was the assessment that we made.

I also remind the Member that we still had that air assistance on standby. Right over the Easter break, they were sitting ready to come again if needed. They were not dismissed; they were kept on standby to help if needed. We made a fair assessment at the end of the week that we had met the needs of the farming community that we needed to meet and that the rest could be reached by ground. I am content about that.

I have extended the date for collecting the animals because, even as late as last Friday when I was in the Sperrins, I could see how deep the snow still is on the hills. Unless that situation changes, we will have to come back to that date. I have extended it to 19 April to reflect the current situation. We will make another call on that closer to 19 April.

Declan McAleer (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Thank you, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her efforts in resolving this and acting decisively. I also thank her for coming down to visit the Sperrins on Friday to meet some of the affected farmers. One of the concerns that farmers raised during that visit, which my colleague Oliver McMullan will also have found in the glens, is the impact of the reduced stocking densities on their LFA payments. Will the Minister be specific and tell us what we should advise the farmers who think that they might be affected by that?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I thank the Member for the question. I was delighted to visit the Sperrins and talk to the farmers, because there was a bit of misinformation or confusion on the postcode issue. I was delighted to be able to reassure the farmers in person on Friday that they are, in fact, included in the scheme. It is fair to say that the situation in the Sperrins was different from that in Antrim and Down. We witnessed pockets of sporadic snow in the Sperrins whereas there was more of a blanket coverage in Down and Antrim.

You are right: one issue that was raised by the group of farmers that I met was around stocking density and their concerns about losing LFA payments. I really want to encourage all Members to assure farmers that there is provision within the LFACA scheme to be able to waive the required stocking density under the force majeure criteria. Under that regulation, that can be applied only if farmers request it themselves. I encourage all Members to talk to farmers to make sure that they get that request in before 15 May, which is the single farm payment application deadline. We need to get that message out very strongly. I also intend to contact farmers to encourage them to do that. I will also use other avenues, such as the UFU and NIAPA, to get that message out. We can deal with the stocking density issue under the force majeure, but the onus is on the farmer to come forward and ask for that provision; I cannot just apply it.

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

I welcome the Minister's statement. Does the Minister accept that DARD officials were very slow to get out to visit farms? I appeal to the Minister to make sure that the Department has field officers who go out and liaise directly with farmers. In those areas where there is great concern, how likely are we to have some sort of local clinics where affected farmers can go to have their queries addressed? There was great confusion because the helpline did not deal directly with farmers' requests. Lastly, I commend the work of the Forest Service, particularly in those areas of north Antrim where many farms were cut off.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I thank the Member for his question. I assure him that field officers are on the ground and that staff are liaising with the farming community. It is unfortunate that some farmers felt that there were confusing messages on the helpline. We sought to address that very quickly, and I made the public statement on Friday to make sure that farmers in the Sperrins did not feel that they were being treated any differently, because they were not. It is very important that that message is very clear to all of the farming community.

As I said, it has been a very difficult period. The crisis has been unique and extreme due to the weather. Over the past number of weeks, not just staff from the Departments but people from voluntary organisations and the farming community themselves have worked particularly hard and really have helped each other out. I commend them all for that work. We have shown that when Departments work together there can be positive differences on the ground. That was very evident in the approach to this crisis. We will continue to do that.

As regards clinics, I am regularly out and about meeting farmers through different forums. I have received a request from Declan McAleer to come into the Sperrins area to meet the farming community, and I would be happy to honour that. We will continue to do more of that in the time ahead, because it is important that we engage with all of the farming community and that they all feel that they have a voice and are being listened to.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for her statement. I also praise the staff on the ground and the resilience of the farmers.

On page 2 of your statement, Minister, you indicate that:

"94 farms were assisted by soft track vehicles".

You also state that 46 were assisted by airdrops, which comes to a total of 140. There were 350 calls to the DARD helpline in one week alone, so I am assuming that, overall, it only assisted 30% or 40% of the farms that made requests. Is that accurate? What has become of the farms that did not get that assistance?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I assure the Member that the calls to the helpline were for varying reasons, such as the weather, people being stranded and enquiries about the fallen stock scheme. So, there was a variety of issues. I assure the Member that 440 farms have been visited as part of the fallen stock scheme. As I said, the queries were varied and were all responded to. I am confident that people have all been replied to and that their issues have been dealt with.

As I said, there were farmers ringing about a lack of access to fodder and requesting our assistance and requesting the soft-track vehicles. People called the helpline for a variety of reasons, but we made sure that we responded to them all.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her statement.

I have to support our Agriculture Committee Chairman's comments that it looked like there was a slow start by the Department. On the day we had the special meeting with the officials, I asked why it was not until the Monday that full effort was put into operation. It seemed strange because we were warned on the Monday that the severe weather was coming. It seems strange that it took so long for the Department to respond. The Minister will defend what has been done, but are there lessons to be learned? If there is a warning of severe weather, will action be taken there and then rather than waiting for almost three or four days?

In the last paragraph of her statement, she mentioned the wider agrifood industry. I heard the Ulster Farmers' Union guy this morning —

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

Will the Member please come to a question?

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

Yes, Mr Deputy Speaker. I heard him say how satisfied they were. However, the agrifood industry includes horticultural people who have lost produce. Is there any compensation or hardship fund for those people who lost produce in the tragedy that unfolded last week?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Again, as I have said in previous answers, and the Member would not expect me to say anything different, I do not agree with the assertion that there was a slow start. I do not know how many other ways you would like me to put it. There was a humanitarian issue that needed to be dealt with. Surely you are not saying that people should not be dealt with first? Surely you are not saying that the priority should not have been to get water, medical supplies and food to people?

I am quite sure that that is not what you are indicating, but you can clarify that for yourself.

Over the initial days of the crisis — on the Wednesday and Thursday, before the snow came — the Rivers Agency was on the ground because of the weather and flooding in the Down area. As soon as the agency was required on the ground because of the snow, which came over the Friday and Saturday, all the resources were deployed by lunchtime on Saturday. We had over 50 Rivers Agency staff on the ground clearing snow. Unless you clear the roads, you are not getting to anybody. So, that was the approach at the start, and I am content that the Rivers Agency and DARD were on the ground carrying out the role that they needed to carry out.

When the humanitarian issue was being dealt with over the Saturday and Sunday, as the figures started to emerge and as we started to get more contact, we could clearly see that an animal welfare issue was emerging. That is when DARD again stepped up and started the discussions. We got involved in the civil contingency group, and we made sure that we started to work towards securing helicopter assistance — all the things that needed to be done. So, I am very confident that DARD responded to the crisis in an appropriate manner, when it should have and how it should have. Are there lessons to be learned? In any crisis, you will always learn a lesson. We are not at the end of this; it is still ongoing. There is still a lot of hardship out there, and we have still not collected all the dead animals. However, when we get to the end of this, we will of course sit back and take a look at whether there is anything that we need to learn. If that is the case, we will learn lessons from it.

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for her statement. The weather was unprecedented, and hard work was done. We have to recognise that. I appreciate what the Minister has said about the lessons that we could learn.

The statement identifies postcode areas and states that those who are not included in the postcode areas "may be eligible" for assistance. Is the Minister aware that, on the day that the Department came to the Committee, I asked about the Department's own stock on the Glenwhirry hills, where, of 350 sheep, it had accounted for only 80? That postcode is not included on the list. What assurance would that give a farmer on similar hills? If the Department cannot account for 270 of its sheep and is not included on the list, how on earth do farmers on similar hills have a chance?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I do not think that you should get hung up on postcodes. It is a difficult enough situation for the farming community without trying to mix and cause an issue that is not there. The postcodes were issued for one reason: to enable the scheme to move quickly. People could call up, say that they were in a certain postcode area and get things moving and get stock lifted. That was the purpose. I also said that, if you are not in those postcode areas, you may also be included. For example —

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

May.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Would the Member suggest that any farmer should just be able to ring up and say that they can claim? If you are dealing with a hardship scheme, you need some way to verify the data. The postcodes used were based on Met Office statistics and information from staff on the ground. The Member should stop mixing. I have made it very, very clear to farmers who are outside a postcode area that, if they can verify that they experienced loss and the weather was bad in their area, they are in the scheme. Quite a number of people came forward and have been put into the scheme as a result; I think that the figure for people outside the postcode areas is around 140. Let us not make this any more confusing or difficult for the farming community. It is a hard enough time.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an ráiteas agus fosta as an chuairt a thug sí orainn i lár na Speiríní an Aoine seo caite. I thank the Minister for her statement and the visit that she paid to us in the heart of the Sperrins last Friday. That gave great succour and reassurance to the farmers of the East Derry and West Tyrone constituencies. On the back of that, Minister, how many farmers in the Sperrins have applied for and been included in the scheme?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

As I said, the Sperrins were slightly different in that there was not a blanket coverage of snow. Even within some postcode areas in the Sperrins, some areas were severely affected and some to a lesser extent or not at all. So, it was definitely sporadic and patchy. When I was up there on Friday, I could see for myself that the hardship those farmers experienced was no different to that of any other farmer in Down or Antrim. I can confirm that 69 farmers have applied to the scheme and all have been accepted at this stage. Other applications are being processed. I am confident that those farmers are more content now that they are being included in the scheme and being treated no differently.

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)

The Minister has been at pains to point out the issue with the postcode scheme. If similar issues pertain on future occasions when we have extreme weather conditions, will she ensure that, in the midst of the crisis, some farmers in areas of East Londonderry, whom she did not visit on her recent visits, will not be made to feel as if they are an appendix to the main scheme? Will she dispense with the postcode scheme and ensure that farmers who are affected, wherever they are, can understand that they are being treated equally by the Department and can be assured of emergency assistance from the Department, irrespective of where they live?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I assure the Member that equality is at the core of everything that I do. There is never an intention to leave anybody out or to make any farmer feel that they are being treated less equally. If they do feel like that, I will always set out to rectify it. I was in Antrim, the Sperrins and Down, and maybe the Member should have asked me to come along to visit some of the affected farmers in his constituency. I would have been happy to do that. I spent a number of days on the ground, meeting farmers and witnessing their experience at first hand. I informed all MLAs when I was going into their area, and I was happy to meet Members. The experience of farmers was very difficult, and, in quite a lot of areas, MLAs were on the ground providing practical and physical support. I am content that I got out and about and met as many people as possible, but, if the Member felt that I should have visited some people in his constituency, he should have requested a visit.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for her proactive, flexible and balanced approach to the crisis that unfolded last week. Indeed, as has been outlined, the Minister joined me and my colleague from South Down John McCallister in the Kilcoo and Mourne area, listened to the farmers who were affected and acted upon those concerns. When the emergency meeting was called last week, I was delighted to hear that the Minister had directed officials to engage with insurance companies that were perhaps coming across as more rigid than they should have been. We have heard about the great flexibility of the Rivers Agency, which dealt with flooding in Rostrevor one minute and was quickly into action again to address the snow problem. I am coming to the question now.

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

A very good idea.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

It is very important to praise the air support from both the British MoD's RAF Chinook and —

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

The Member really must do as he promised and come to a question.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

— the Irish Air Corps. Could the Minister give her assessment of the significance and value of such support?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The air support was vital in getting to hard-to-reach people, particularly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, when it was nearly impossible to get to people by road. I very much welcome their input and thank them for it. When the Irish Air Corps was called to an emergency, it had to rescue two mountain climbers. It did not just deal with the crisis in the farming community but ended up, because of the snow, having to rescue two people who decided to climb a mountain. The 90 drops were very effective, and I know that the farming community welcomed that input. That sets a precedent that if we ever find ourselves in such a situation again — hopefully, we will not — we will have that assistance to call on.

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

Thanks to the Minister for her statement. Like other Members, I acknowledge the help that has been given by the various agencies. The snow might have gone away, but the problem has not. If you are a sheep farmer, the highlight of your year is the lambing period. At the moment, we have breeding flocks decimated, sheds demolished and insurance policies proven to be useless. Too many farmers can see the back wall of the silo; in other words, they have no feed. I ask the Minister to do two things: take the onus off the farmers and get DARD officials out to visit those who have been severely affected and work with her colleagues in the Executive to bring forward a comprehensive compensation scheme.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I have already done that. I was delighted that I secured Executive agreement for a hardship package. It was twofold: first, lifting the fallen stock and, secondly, looking towards hardship. It is not compensation, and it will not compensate for all people's losses, but it will work towards some sort of hardship payment. We are talking upwards of £5 million under the de minimis rule.

I know that the farming community has called for that, and, when I was out on the ground meeting people, the key issues were about how they would get the stock lifted and how they would pay for that and that their insurance may not cover their sheds being down. All those issues were really difficult, and I know that some farmers' heads are totally down. So, I am committed to making sure that we work with them in the time ahead. The hardship package will go some way to helping them, providing practical advice. As I said, I will enter into discussions with the farming unions and all those key people on the approach in the year ahead. It has been such a difficult 18 months for the farming community, so we need to plan for the period ahead. I will continue to do that over the next number of months.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I too express concern about the proposed deadline of 19 April for the fallen animals scheme. My daughter was in the Antrim hills at the weekend and reported walking through 3-feet snowdrifts. The dykes above Larne and Carrick still show sizeable drifts of snow in many places, and, from them, many fallen animals are likely to emerge. Therefore, will the Minister ensure that undue pressures are not put on farmers who have already suffered extensive losses and that that scheme will be extended? It is physically impossible for many of them to recover their stock at this time.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

For the very reasons that the Member has outlined, I have extended it to 19 April. I will keep that under review, because I saw for myself as late as Friday the depth of the snow and the difficulties that are still being faced. I do not want farmers to put themselves in any danger or difficulty by going up and trying to take the livestock down until it is safe to do so. I will keep that position under review. 19 April is the date for now. Let us work towards that, and we will just watch how the thaw happens.

George Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry)

Can the Minister explain why postcodes BT47 and BT49, which include the farming communities in the Limavady and Dungiven areas, were excluded from her Department's compensation scheme in 2010, despite the loss of approximately 1,200 animals? Thankfully, those areas have been included in the current carcass-lifting scheme and compensation scheme, which I welcome.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I cannot speak to the 2010 scheme, but I assure the Member that, regardless of whether or not you are listed on the postcode scheme that was initially set out, if you have been affected by snow and you have lost livestock, you can be included in the scheme. I give the Member that assurance. I cannot compare the two, because, in 2010, I was not in the Ministry.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Is it a correct understanding of paragraph 25 that the Minister intends to cap the assistance under the hardship scheme to any farmer, no matter how extensive his losses are, at €7,500 and that the cost of the recovery of the fallen animals will be deducted from that? There will be no assistance for restocking and no assistance for restoring infrastructure in farms. She seems to have closed down the possibility of considering what she should be considering: a proper scheme approved by Europe under state aid approval that would actually meet the need, not simply make a token contribution that might come nowhere near meeting the need. Will she put in place a proper compensation scheme?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

As I said in previous answers, I have secured Executive agreement for a hardship scheme. That had two elements: first, lifting the fallen stock and, secondly, a hardship payment. Farmers are telling me that they do not want this put on the long finger. They need support, and they need it as quickly as possible. So, I looked at a number of options, and the hardship scheme under the EU de minimis rules seemed to be the most appropriate scheme. It allows us to get money out to farmers in a speedier manner.

I looked at three areas for possibilities that we could look at. The first was the European Union solidarity fund, and the second was the Commission regulation under the state aid block exemption. Those take a long time, and, after going through the process, we might not necessarily meet all the requirements. The EU state aid de minimis provision allowed me to introduce a scheme as quickly as possible. Farmers need to be able to restock come autumn. This allows me to get the money out as quickly as possible.

The limits are set down by Europe under EU state aid de minimis rules. The Member will be aware of that. It is a €7,500 limit. You cannot look at blanket compensation. You have to look at the scheme that we can take forward on an individual farm basis up to the de minimis level per farm business. We cannot compensate for the full value of the loss: this is a hardship scheme, not a compensation scheme. As to the farm businesses that have lost buildings and sheds, in many instances people are arguing with insurance companies. I know that that is an ongoing issue with insurance companies because they are not covering those losses. That is a particular issue that needs to be addressed, and I have asked officials to take that up. I intend to meet the NFU in the time ahead to discuss that, because it is an issue. Farmers are feeling cheated because their insurance is not covering them for what, they feel, they were paying a premium for. That is another issue.

I will look towards the hardship payment. I am delighted that we have Executive agreement on it. It is the best scheme that we could bring forward speedily. I know that it is welcomed by farmers. There has been a mixture of losses. Some have lost a few stock, some quite a large number. The hardship payment will be based on the level of loss, but, as I said, it is a hardship payment, not compensation.

John McCallister (UUP, South Down)

I welcome the Minister's statement. Indeed, I was grateful that she visited the South Down constituency, accompanied by Mr Hazzard and me, to see at first hand the damage that had been done.

Like my colleagues, I am concerned about the lack of information in the statement about the structural damage on farms. That is one of the key elements that we have to address. I know that the farms that the Minister visited in South Down had suffered extensive structural damage. We must find a way of bringing forward some sort of package, possibly in conjunction with insurance providers. More farmers will be put out of business simply because the cost of restoring farm buildings is too high.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The scheme that I am bringing forward allows me to look at hardship as a result of losses to livestock, not losses to farm buildings. However, that is a particular issue. As the Member said, when we visited a number of farms, we could see the sheds that had been brought down. We could see the frustration of the farmers, who asked why they had been paying a premium if they were not going to be covered in the event of something like this. That is an issue for insurance companies, and I am happy to challenge them on their role on behalf of the farming community. That is a key area that we need to address in the time ahead. I agree: if you insure your house and you are not covered, you have right to challenge the insurance company. The farmers who have lost their sheds as a result of this weather deserve to be compensated where they have been paying insurance. That is an issue. However, the scheme that I am bringing forward is for the loss of livestock, not the loss of buildings.

William Irwin (DUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Minister for her statement. In relation to the hardship scheme, there are de minimis rules, whereby €7,500, which is in the region of £6,500, is the maximum amount payable. As has been touched on by Mr Allister, a farmer who has lost a large number of animals will need almost the whole of that de minimis sum to remove the fallen stock from his farm. I ask the Minister and her Department to look at ways in which the costs of fallen stock might be covered under a scheme outside the de minimis rules, thereby giving the farmers some room for manoeuvre.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

You cannot calculate it at this stage. I can give you a rough cost. What we are talking about for lifting fallen stock, particularly lambs, is £1·54 for a lamb of up to two months old. The number of sheep lifted to date is 8,153, of which 6,246 were lambs. We are talking about early lambs. So we are talking roughly about £1·56 as the cost. So, if someone has lost 200 lambs, calculate that. We are not talking about a massive amount of money up to the limit of the de minimis rules. Do not scaremonger; let us work it out. Let us get the fallen stock lifted. Let us work towards getting that done first, and then I will bring back a scheme to the Executive. You are very welcome to talk to Ministers about their response to that in the Executive when I bring back the scheme. The scheme that I will bring forward seeks to give some sort of hardship payment as quickly as I can to the farming community, which is asking for some money to help it to restock. This is a way to do it. Therefore, I am content that we take that forward. Do not scaremonger. The scheme that we brought forward is the most appropriate at this time.

Jim Wells (DUP, South Down)

The Minister hides behind the issue of insurance. The reality is that in South Down there are at least seven farmers who have lost sheds and either could not get storm damage insurance or did not have it. Therefore, the consequences of what happened are extremely serious — even more serious, perhaps, than losing stock. Can she devise some way of assisting those farmers to enable them to rebuild their outbuildings in order to keep whatever livestock they can afford to have in the future? Without doing that, it could be the end of the road for some farmers.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I know that it is a devastating time for farmers. I have met them, and I can see it. Their heads are down, and it is very difficult. However, the scheme that I am bringing forward has to be around verifiable loss and, in this instance, it has to be around verifiable loss of livestock. That is the scheme that I am bringing forward. I will bring it to the Executive table, and it will be up for discussion. As I said to the Member who spoke previously, talk to your own Ministers about the discussion that we will have in the Executive. I believe that the scheme is the most appropriate one at this moment, and it allows us to get some money out to farmers. It will not fully compensate their loss, but it will be some sort of hardship payment.

Why should we run away from insurance companies? Insurance companies are there to do a job, and people pay a premium for a reason. They should be covered if they pay insurance. If insurance companies are not paying out, I am happy to challenge them on that. That is the issue as I see it at this minute.

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

Order. That concludes questions on the statement.

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I wonder if you could draw to the Speaker's attention the fact that there is a well-established protocol when ministerial visits take place to constituencies that MLAs and Members of Parliament are notified in advance of the visit, so that the Speaker might send a reminder to Ministers to avoid any accusation of a sectarian visit from a Minister. Having made a check at each of my constituency offices in the course of the present statement I have established that no such notification was given to either my office or my colleague's office.

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

Order. That is really a matter for the Minister.

The Business Committee has arranged to meet immediately after the lunchtime suspension. I propose, therefore, by leave of the Assembly, to suspend the sitting until 2.00 pm. The first item of business when we return will be Question Time.

The sitting was suspended at 12.52 pm.

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

Oral Answers to Questions

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

1. asked the Minister for Regional Development why a site for a park-and-ride scheme on the A6 at Dungiven has not yet been identified. (AQO 3730/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

In response to a supplementary question that he asked in the House on 12 February, I wrote to the Member on 24 February 2013 regarding this issue. In 2009-2010, my Department's Roads Service explored the possibility of acquiring part of the former controlled secondary school site to provide a dedicated park-and-ride site. However, it became clear in initial consultations with local residents that there was strong opposition to the proposal, and it was not developed any further. As part of the development, including the public inquiry on the dualling of the A6 between Londonderry and Dungiven, opportunities to provide a number of park-and-ride sites have been considered. One of those is located on the eastern side of Dungiven in the Magheraboy townland and would provide approximately 100 park-and-ride spaces. That facility would be developed along with the construction of the Dungiven bypass element of the scheme.

My Department has already provided formal park-and-ride and park-and-share sites along the A6 at Drumahoe, Maghera, Magherafelt and Toome. In addition, informal park-and-ride facilities using existing on-street and off-street parking have been developed at Dungiven and Claudy. In February, I opened a major extension to the park-and-ride site at Drumahoe, and plans are being developed for a significant extension to the existing site at the Castledawson roundabout, Magherafelt.

Over 1,000 additional park-and-ride and park-and-share spaces have been provided in the past two years, which is an increase of over a quarter in the total number that are available. At the end of 2012, there were 5,863 park-and-ride/park-and-share spaces throughout Northern Ireland, and my Department's park-and-ride programme aims to deliver a further 1,000 spaces between 2013 and 2015.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. The Minister will know that I asked a number of questions on this matter in the past, which he alluded to. Dungiven is one of the last areas on the A6 that is not served by a formal park-and-ride system. That has resulted in on-street parking and parking at health centres and on private properties, which is far from satisfactory. You mentioned the Magheraboy site, which I drive past every day and which I think is unsuitable. A number of sites have been identified, but has any effort been made to acquire a site that is perhaps within the town curtilage, given the amount of dereliction that exists there and the size of some sites that might be suitable there?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question and, indeed, for his interest in this issue. He will know that various sites that I outlined in response to his question have been identified but that no action has been taken on them. We are, of course, open to further suggestions, and if the Member has any that he wishes to make, we will have them assessed and I will ask Translink to carry forward that work.

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)

The Minister outlined the success of the park-and-ride schemes, and he included the Drumahoe site, which had to be expanded very shortly after it opened. In the preparatory work for any future schemes, such as that at Dungiven and others along the A6, given the sooner than expected construction of the road scheme there, will he ensure that sufficient space is acquired to ensure that a proper, adequate site is prepared that does not require expansion within two years of provision?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question and for his welcome for the additional facilities that we have provided, particularly at Drumahoe. One of the costs of success of park and ride is that we have seen an expansion in various sites. As you plan and prepare for these things, every attempt is made to identify an area of ground and proper space for the most available number of spaces. Obviously, we will continue to do that as we develop other sites.

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

I thank the Minister for his answers so far, and I encourage him to continue to invest in park-and-ride schemes. Does the Minister agree with me that, given that Dungiven lost its rail link many years ago and is totally dependent on bus transport, this really should be a priority for his Department?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. Of course, he is his usual coaxing self in an attempt to persuade me to spend money in his area. There is no harm in that, of course; all politics is local. We continue to seek to identify opportunities for park-and-ride schemes. I am pleased with the progress that we have had over recent years and hope that we can continue to develop sites, including sites in and around Dungiven. [Interruption.]

Ross Hussey (UUP, West Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his responses so far. Will the Minister provide figures for how much his Department has spent on park-and-ride schemes over the past two years?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. I am happy to confirm that the Department spent some £2·1 million on the provision of park-and-ride facilities in the past two years. That has delivered over 1,000 additional spaces throughout Northern Ireland and represents an increase of over a quarter in the number of available spaces.

A draft delivery programme for 2013-15 is being prepared by my Department's park-and-ride programme board. The programme is a prioritised schedule of the park-and-ride projects to be delivered within this Budget period, with clearly defined responsibilities for funding, implementation, maintenance and operation. The programme, which is based on the report of the strategic review of park-and-ride, will propose to develop park-and-ride and park-and-share sites at several locations, including Lisburn, Bangor, Portadown, Newry, Omagh — which the Member will be interested in — Cullybackey, Dundonald and Templepatrick.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

2. asked the Minister for Regional Development whether there is any evidence that the increase in the number of road accidents in recent months has been due to the type of grit or salt applied to the roads. (AQO 3731/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

Roads Service sources its rock salt from mines in Carrickfergus, County Antrim. That remains the primary material used for de-icing roads, and Roads Service did not acquire or use any new types of rock salt for that purpose during the recent winter period.

With regard to any increase in road traffic accidents being caused by the type of salt being used, I can advise the Member that investigations into the cause of road traffic accidents are carried out by the PSNI. However, Roads Service has no evidence that there has been an increase in the number of road accidents in recent months or that the type of salt being applied to the roads is contributing to road traffic accidents.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat. Question answered, thanks.

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Mr Deputy Speaker, when I am on my feet, may I apologise for my indiscretion with my phone?

I just draw the Minister's attention to the A4, and the gritting programme there. It seems that we have that problem almost resolved, and I have no doubt that that is due in great degree to the part that he has played in it all. However, I draw his attention to another matter on the A4, which is the lack of compensation or completion of —

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I remind the Member that the question is about the type of grit.

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Yes, that is right, but I already spoke about that. [Laughter.] I said that it was working, and I was going to ask him whether he could speed up the compensation for those whose land was taken in relation to the A4, which is now open for nearly three years.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

That is clearly not relevant to the original question, no matter the ingenuity attempted by the Member. We will, therefore, move on.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member for his question and for his apology for his mobile phone going off. I did not take that personally at all. I am aware of the issue that he raised in relation to the A4. I will look at it and see whether I can improve time factors involved in it, and I will write directly to the Member about it.

Robin Newton (DUP, Belfast East)

3. asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to alleviate car parking and traffic problems in housing estates which were designed when there were fewer cars. (AQO 3732/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

The Member has raised this issue with me in the past. As I stated in my response previously, many social housing estates were designed and built when the level of private car ownership was much lower. As such, roads were primarily intended to provide access rather than parking. Given the level of parking provision in those areas, some residents may be unable to park immediately outside their property. I am aware of the difficulties that that can cause, especially for those with mobility issues.

Regrettably, Roads Service does not have the remit or, indeed, the resources to provide parking at private residences for social or amenity reasons. However, I can advise that Roads Service policy recognises that the level of car parking may, in certain circumstances, significantly affect road safety or traffic progression on through routes. In such instances, Roads Service may take appropriate action. Under that policy, Roads Service has introduced a range of schemes to provide additional parking spaces or to introduce parking and waiting restrictions to ensure the safe movement of vehicles along main through routes in a number of social housing estates. Further requests for the introduction of additional parking measures will continue to be assessed in accordance with that policy. The policy was reviewed recently to take account of the emergence of housing associations and the fact that many houses have been purchased by tenants.

Robin Newton (DUP, Belfast East)

I thank the Minister for his response and the fact that he recognises that there is a problem. The problem leads to neighbour-to-neighbour disputes, a plethora of accidents, albeit relatively small, but which turn out to be expensive, and to high levels of frustration.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Can we have a question, please?

Robin Newton (DUP, Belfast East)

Will the Minister consider a relaxation, perhaps in areas in which there are parking problems for the disabled, to accommodate them and allow them to park closer to their home?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. I understand fully and sympathise with his point. Part of any solution, perhaps, would be better neighbourliness. Relationships can sometimes be very strained in housing estates, and I have had that experience in my constituency. However, we will continue to work at the issue, which was never intentional. It is an unintended consequence of building those housing estates, many years ago in some cases. They have caused subsequent parking problems, particularly for those with a lack of mobility. Greater consideration by neighbours and people living in such places would go a long way towards assisting with the problem.

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

The Minister will know that many streets in the south Belfast area are from an age when the number of cars that are parked in them today was never expected, and he is well aware of the requirement for residential parking schemes in areas of the Holylands, Stranmillis and the Windsor area of the Lisburn Road. Has he any update on such schemes since his visit to some of those areas last year?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. I know that he is aware that there is a slight difference between those who experience parking problems in settled housing estates and residents' parking schemes, which are primarily designed to take account of the parking difficulties of extra commuter traffic, not population traffic, coming into an area. The Member is right; I was in areas of south Belfast seeing at first hand some of the problems being experienced there. Unfortunately, progress has been slow and continues to be slow, not only in that area but in a range of areas. However, I very much hope that, at an early date, we can get a scheme under way that will prove to people who live in that general area, and in other areas, that such residents' parking schemes can work if they are given a proper chance.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Question 4 has been withdrawn and requires a written answer.

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

5. asked the Minister for Regional Development what additional funding has been made available to Roads Service in this financial year. (AQO 3734/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

Roads Service has submitted bids for additional resources in each of the three monitoring rounds in the financial year. As a result, Roads Service was successful in securing an additional £57·7 million in total: £15·7 million in resource funding and £42 million in capital funding. However, although I very much welcome those additional allocations, this issue highlights my view that spending performance should be a more significant factor in Budget processes. Recently, not for the first time, my Department responded positively to a request to absorb resources — some £1·3 million of capital — very late in the year. Indeed, had the request come sooner, I would have been able to absorb more, with a consequent positive impact for both the construction sector and the wider economy. We need to move away from continually allocating funding to Departments that then fail to spend it, thus relying on late adjustments such as this. In that context, I hope that DRD’s strong performance in delivering planned spend is given appropriate weight when the Executive next consider Budget allocations.

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Perhaps it proves the underinvestment that DRD has had. That is not a direct criticism. I am sure that you appreciate that you are bidding for particular resources to carry out programmes of work. However, given the state of roads — in particular, to be parochial, I suppose, in South Antrim — the maintenance programme over the past couple of years and the safety programmes that have had their budgets cut, how confident are you that additional money will be found to tackle safety in particular and the lack of maintenance spending on roads?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member for his supplementary question. Although I am pleased about the additional resources that we have been allocated over the past couple of years, involving record levels of spend for maintenance, I want to take that uncertainty out of the equation and put maintenance on a proper basis. I have to say, following the recent wintry weather, that my expectation is that, as with any freeze-and-thaw cycle, it will have a damaging effect on the road network, causing, perhaps, carriageways to split and potholes to form, particularly on minor roads. I am happy to serve notice of that. I hope that the Member and his colleagues will support the provision of additional resources to the Department for Regional Development so that roads can be maintained properly and safety remains the predominant concern at all times.

Declan McAleer (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Minister, £330 million of your budget has been set aside for the A5 project. Can that scheme or parts of it progress at this stage?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

Are we still on supplementaries to question 5, which is on the budget? That is a very good try.

The Member will know that the A5 situation is still reasonably fluid in a legal sense. I am still considering the outcome of the judge's decision yesterday. I hope to consider further the legal advice that is open to me and, indeed, engage in conversations with Executive colleagues over coming days.

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

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Will yesterday's judgement on the A5 have any further impact on the Department's budget?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

Again, I am grateful to the Member. It is a valiant effort to introduce that topic when we are talking about structural road maintenance. Nevertheless, I need to be cautious in my responses to the House today, not out of any discourtesy to any Members. I will simply say that we are looking closely at the judgment, its implications for the A5 scheme and the legal ramifications that will flow from it. I want to take the time to carefully consider it before coming to a considered view.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

6. asked the Minister for Regional Development whether any progress has been made on the provision of a suitable train station at the Waterside terminus. (AQO 3735/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

This is an operational matter for Translink, and it has completed an initial feasibility study that has identified four options for further consideration. The options are as follows: to refurbish the existing station; to provide a new Ebrington station; to relocate to the original Waterside station; or to provide a new Waterside link station. Translink has commenced a public consultation regarding the location for the renewed or redeveloped station, and it is due to conclude on 24 May 2013. Translink plans to develop an economic appraisal to finalise the decision.

I am aware of the local interest in the matter. Indeed, in May 2012, I met a cross-community/cross-political group to hear its views. I must emphasise to the Member that there is no funding in the current capital programme to 2014-15 for a station to be built or refurbished. We will need to consider all relevant costs for each option.

It is also worth pointing out that plans are being progressed for phase 2 of the Coleraine to Londonderry track relay, which is due to start during the Budget period. It will be important to ensure that funding is in place to take that and other rail projects forward. It will, therefore, be important to consider any potential funding streams once the final decision is taken on the preferred option.

Finally, the Member will be aware that I officially reopened the Coleraine to Londonderry line on 22 March. That was a very successful event, and it clearly demonstrates my commitment to improve train services to the north-west.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Is it not the case that the preferred option is the former terminus? Will he outline whether any or all of the options have been costed at this point?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for her supplementary question, which is another very good attempt to tease an answer from me. However, it would be very unwise for me to give an answer at this stage because of the public consultation; it would be wrong for me to predetermine or pre-empt the outcome of that in any way. I have no doubt that, when representations and assessments are made, the financial aspects will also be looked at.

Mark Durkan (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

I congratulate the Minister on the vital role that he played in the refurbishment and reopening of the Derry to Belfast railway line. I was delighted to greet him upon his arrival on the first train.

The Minister said that there was no funding available in the current budget. I know that the Minister was in Europe recently enough, and I wonder whether there was any indication that funding may be available under the Trans-European Network scheme.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question and for the warmth of his welcome in Londonderry that day. I was in Londonderry, I am not sure where he was. [Laughter.] It was a very enjoyable day, and there was a great atmosphere. I was very pleased to be at the opening in Londonderry that day because it represented such a significant landmark day for public transport and rail travel between Belfast and Londonderry and, indeed, Coleraine and Londonderry. I will now move on to your real question.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

Very good.

I have no difficulty with continuing to encourage my officials to seek every opportunity for European funding under TEN-T or any other appropriate measure. The Member may know that we had some success in relation to the works that are being carried out to Portadown railway station. I certainly believe that my officials have a very good record in chasing grant aid from Europe, and that will continue to be the case if there are opportunities there.

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

Along the same lines.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

7. asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on non-domestic charging rates for NI Water. (AQO 3736/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

Northern Ireland Water has advised me that, with effect from 1 April 2013, all water and sewerage charges will decrease by an average of 2·7% and, as a result, all non-domestic customers will see a reduction in the amount they pay for water and sewerage services. This is particularly welcome news given the difficult economic climate, as it will benefit all sectors of our economy. The reductions are possible in part due to the significant sustainable cost efficiencies that have been delivered by Northern Ireland Water over the price control 2010-13 period (PC10) and the further savings that NI Water have committed to making best endeavours to deliver in 2013-14.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for that statement; it is certainly good news for business. Will he press his colleagues on the Executive to follow this lead to soften the financial burden on local businesses generally?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary and his warm welcome for the news, and I am happy to lead the way in providing benefits to all sectors of our economy as we move forward. That is the challenge for the Executive and, on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, I am happy to be playing an important role in that.

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he agree that those savings are partly down to the very efficient management structure that there has been in Northern Ireland Water over the past number of years? Does he think that that should be encouraged in other areas as well?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question, and I agree entirely: we have seen significant progress in management structures and streamlining efficiencies. I pay tribute to the chief executive and the senior executives involved in that process, which can be difficult and challenging. Nevertheless, I think it is very welcome and will be welcomed by the wider population, particularly the business community.

Cathal Boylan (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

8. asked the Minister for Regional Development whether environmental safeguards will be put in place to allow the A5 project to proceed. (AQO 3737/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I want to assure the Member that my Department continues to pursue this scheme — we are now talking about the A5 scheme — and I remain focused on achieving the important benefits that will flow from it, including the important cash flow to the hard-pressed construction sector and the much needed improvements to the road network in the west of the Province.

It is right to say that my Department successfully defended 11 of the 12 grounds on which the legal challenge was brought, and we are proactively working with our legal team to navigate through the issues flowing from Mr Justice Stephens's judgement. Revisiting the form of assessment under the habitats directive will inevitably result in delay to the construction phase, which is difficult to quantify at this time. I should add that the judge provided a one-week stay to the decision to quash, and this will permit full consideration to be given to the merits of an appeal.

Cathal Boylan (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. Two Members have asked questions about whether the A5 will go ahead: if it does not, are there other projects that could absorb the moneys that you have already bid for in the budget?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member for his supplementary question. In the same way as I approached the earlier questions, I am afraid that I have to show some caution as we continue to consider the legal advice and seek to chart a way forward on all these issues. You are aware that the judge has provided a one-week stay to the decision to quash and that, during that week, we have to give full consideration to the merits of an appeal and the implications that would flow from that.

Michaela Boyle (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

1. asked the Minister for Social Development what discussions are taking place to ensure that there is a proper strategy to deal with deprivation in the Strabane District Council area. (AQO 3745/11-15)

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

In terms of a strategy to deal with deprivation, my Department provides a wide range of support to individuals, families, households and communities. Support for individuals and families includes the provision of decent and affordable housing; action to address fuel poverty; the delivery of child maintenance arrangements; and comprehensive social security provisions, including the delivery of a major welfare reform agenda. Support for communities includes the neighbourhood renewal strategy, support for the community and voluntary sector and a range of measures that are aimed at improving town centres. Those are all key to addressing poverty and social disadvantage and will help individuals and families in the Strabane district, as they will help those throughout Northern Ireland.

I recognise that my Department must work with others to tackle deprivation effectively. To that end, my officials are in constant contact with officials in other Departments and public bodies, district councils, community and voluntary groups and the business community. I will also point out that my Department's remit for tackling spatial deprivation is limited to urban areas. In the Strabane District Council area, that means that my Department's funding is limited to Strabane town. The responsibility for tackling spatial deprivation in village and rural areas rests with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Michaela Boyle (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his answer. He will be aware that, as he stated, Strabane is among the most socially deprived communities in the North. Just today, the oil stamp saving scheme funded by the Public Health Agency was launched in Strabane. Do the Minister and his Department have any intention of supporting or funding such projects to further help to address fuel poverty in the Strabane district?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

The Member will be aware of the work that we already undertake to tackle fuel poverty, whether through the warm homes scheme or the boiler replacement scheme, both of which have been extremely successful. We also seek to tackle fuel poverty through our benefit uptake campaigns, which put people in a better position to meet the cost of fuel bills. Our primary way of funding areas of high deprivation is through neighbourhood renewal, and there is already significant investment in the Strabane area through that strategy.

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

I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. Will he indicate whether his Department is having discussions with any other Department about having some sort of joined-up approach so that there could be infrastructure improvements for Strabane? I welcome some of the correspondence that I have had from the Minister in the past.

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

The word "infrastructure" is quite expansive and can cover many different things. Of course, any major infrastructure work would be the responsibility of the Department for Regional Development (DRD), and other Departments would contribute to other aspects of infrastructure. The Member will be aware, I am sure, of the work that is ongoing in town centres across the Province to improve their general appearance — I am just looking through my notes for examples. Certainly, in the case of Strabane, I am happy to come back to him with more details of the full programme of works, although all that information is available on our website.

Ross Hussey (UUP, West Tyrone)

Ms Boyle referred to the fact that Strabane is one of the most deprived areas — I believe that the council ranks second in Northern Ireland. So, will the Minister detail how the total resource that his Department invests in Strabane's regeneration compares with the average that is invested in other Northern Ireland council areas?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

Over the past four years, my Department has delivered 27 projects with a total value of over £3 million in the Strabane neighbourhood renewal area. As I said, details of the projects that are funded in Strabane and elsewhere are available on the Department's website.

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

2. asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the success of the boiler replacement scheme. (AQO 3746/11-15)

Jim Wells (DUP, South Down)

15. asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the boiler replacement scheme. (AQO 3759/11-15)

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

With the Speaker's permission, I will answer questions 2 and 15 together, as they are about the same issue.

There has been unprecedented interest in the boiler replacement scheme, which I launched last September. As Members will be aware, £12 million has been allocated to the scheme over three years, and it is open to owner-occupiers who earn less than £40,000 and have an inefficient boiler that is at least 15 years old.

There have been 30,000 inquiries to date. Some 12,800 applications have been received, 12,500 boiler installer forms have been issued to applicants and 7,200 forms have been received and processed. A total of 6,500 formal approvals to proceed with the installation of a new boiler have been issued by the Housing Executive. Of those, 2,500 applicants have confirmed that they have completed the installation, and some are waiting on the building control certificate to send to the Housing Executive to receive payment. It is estimated that some 6,000 boiler installations were completed by the end of the March. So, we are very much on target.

That has all been achieved within the first seven months of the scheme, which has an objective of assisting 16,000 households over three years. By replacing their old non-condensing boiler with a new condensing boiler, householders in an average three-bedroom semi-detached house will save in excess of £2,700 over 10 years. That figure increases the older the boiler is that is being replaced. The thermal efficiency of the homes that have replaced their boilers under the scheme will also significantly increase, with some delivering a 30% increase in fuel efficiency. The money saved will make a real difference to the most vulnerable in our community. The scheme has also helped 600 boiler installers throughout Northern Ireland to find work. At a time of economic crisis, the scheme has been of great benefit to local businesses and the local economy.

Along with the warm homes scheme and recent work with local councils on the affordable warmth pilot, the scheme further underlines my commitment to addressing fuel poverty. Overall, it is apparent that the boiler replacement scheme has been a great success. The overall objective —

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

The Minister's time is up.

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

— of replacing 16,000 boilers will be surpassed.

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

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his comprehensive answer. Is it anticipated that there will be any change to the criteria for the boiler scheme? Will the age of the boilers to be replaced be reduced at any stage in the future?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

We are in a situation where so many people are interested in the scheme that it is virtually oversubscribed. Therefore, it would be unwise to alter the criteria in any way. I think that the criteria are right. The older the boiler the greater the saving, and we want to target our resources at those homes where the savings will be greatest.

Jim Wells (DUP, South Down)

Many Members will be delighted to hear of the success of the scheme and the high degree of uptake. Given that there is clearly a latent demand in the country for boiler replacement, has the Minister's Department given any consideration to perhaps extending the scheme at the end of the three-year period? Clearly, by the time it closes, there will still be many people in Northern Ireland who wish to replace their boiler, but who cannot do so because of the limited time and funding.

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

We have had significant interest, as I have already indicated. I also indicated the amount of money that we have: £12 million for the scheme over the three-year period. We have also managed to secure £5 million in additional funding from the European regional development fund, and I am exploring the possibility of securing even more funding before the scheme ends. That is clearly because of the success that we have had with it.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

Is the Minister aware of the approximate proportion of those who have been successful in the scheme and who have transferred to gas as a more efficient method of heating their homes?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

I do not have those figures to hand. I will endeavour to gain that information, but I do not have it at hand today.

Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

3. asked the Minister for Social Development to outline where co-ownership schemes have been established since the allocation of the £7·5 million from the last monitoring round. (AQO 3747/11-15)

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

8. asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses have been bought through the co-ownership scheme in the Foyle constituency in each of the last three years. (AQO 3752/11-15)

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

With permission, I will answer questions 3 and 8 together, as they raise similar issues.

The Member for South Belfast is incorrect and should be aware that it was not £7·5 million but £8 million that was allocated in the October monitoring round. Affordable homes delivered through co-ownership are demand-led. Therefore, the location of homes supported by the scheme is dictated by applicants to the scheme. As I outlined in a recent reply to a question for written answer, a breakdown of property purchases to date is available by district council area. I will furnish the Member with a written copy. Although co-ownership statistics are available only on a district council basis, I can report that for 2010-11, in the city council area of Londonderry, a total of 12 properties were purchased using the housing association grant. In 2011-12, the total was eight properties, and to date in 2012-13, a total of 36 properties have been purchased.

Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for his answer. It has always struck me that the co-ownership scheme is very useful. Does the Minister have any plans to further expand, encourage or promote co-ownership schemes in either size or number?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

The Member talks about "schemes", but this is a scheme. It is incumbent on people to come forward, and it responds to demand. I am always keen to put more resources into co-ownership. I did so recently, but some members of his party were rather critical of that.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for that detail and particularly for the constituency breakdown, but I ask him directly whether there has been — [Interruption.]

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Order.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Are there downsides or negatives to the co-ownership scheme, and, if so, will the Minister outline them?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

In all honesty, I would be hard-pressed to find negatives to a scheme that I think is extremely good, is delivering on the ground, meeting a need and helping people to get onto the property ladder. I would have great difficulty in finding anything negative about it.

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)

On the day after Lady Thatcher's passing, home ownership in deprived areas is a topical issue. Will the Minister outline some of the significant advantages of providing affordable homes through the co-ownership scheme?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for the question because that gets to the heart of the matter. There are real benefits from providing affordable homes through co-ownership. First, they cost the Government nothing in maintenance because, unlike social homes, maintenance costs fall to the applicant who purchases a home under the scheme. Secondly, it allows my Department to utilise its budget better to support more households. Thirdly, in assisting people to buy their own home, the scheme prevents those who wish to purchase their own home but cannot do so outright from having to apply to the social housing waiting list to have their housing needs met. It therefore helps to shorten the housing waiting list.

Michael Copeland (UUP, Belfast East)

Is the Minister considering any changes to the quota system of applications for the co-ownership scheme in the immediate, short and long-term future?