Assembly update - 24 September 2007

Monday 17 September

Questions to the Minister for Education

Youth Services
It was the turn of Minister of Education, Caitríona Ruane, to answer oral questions from MLAs. She said her Department allocates a budget of approximately £32 million for youth services. Of that, £1.82 million has been allocated in 2007-08 for outreach and detached youth workers, which she described as an important and difficult role.

In reply to a supplementary question on Sure Start, Ms Ruane said that if the Assembly is serious about tackling disadvantage and giving young people a start in life, particularly those from the most disadvant­aged areas, the early-years strategy must be right. She would engage with the Committee for Education to develop the Department’s existing strategy, and they would work together to devise the best possible programme.

In response to another supplementary, she added: “I am a passionate supporter of youth services. It is important to reach out to all young people, particularly those living in disadvantaged areas across the North.”

Academic Selection
Mr Pat Ramsey, SDLP Member for Foyle, asked if the Minister was aware of the uncertainty being felt by teachers, parents and young children over academic selection and the effect that that is having on morale and motivation in schools.

Will she tell Members when she expects to bring forward a new transfer procedure and will she confirm that academic selection will not be part of it?

Ms Ruane accepted there was uncertainty but did not commit to any date for bringing forward proposals. “People can be confident that I will bring forward arrangements that will be in the best interests of all our children, and I will take the time necessary to do so.”

School Mergers
Mr Sean Neeson, Alliance MLA for East Antrim, said the Bain Report indicates that some rationalisation of schools will be unavoidable. In communities where the closure of schools will be unavoidable, has the Minister examined the possibility of promoting the amalgamation of controlled and maintained schools, especially in areas where the alternative for some children would be a bus journey to a single-identity school that is located some distance from their homes?

Ms Ruane said the Department of Education is trying to ensure that schools amalgamate with schools that are located nearest to them, “and we would love schools in the controlled and maintained sectors — where they feel that it is appropriate — to amalgamate and provide education for the children”.

Questions to the Minister for Employment and Learning

Student Fees
Mr Paul Butler, Sinn Fein MLA for Lagan Valley, asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if there has been an assessment of the impact of tuition fees in third level education, particularly on the number of applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Minister Sir Reg Empey said it was too early to gauge the impact of variable tuition fees, as we have completed only one academic year of the new arrangements, but a study is planned in the academic year 2008-09.

Discrimination against older people
In a supplementary question Mr Danny Kennedy, Ulster Unionist Member for Newry and Armagh, asked if the Minister is aware of proposed exorbitant increase in tuition fees that affects many senior citizens attempting to take non-vocational courses. He asked him to review the problem urgently and to address the issues of ageism, equality and consistency of approach by the new regional colleges.

Sir Reg revealed that he hadreceived a significant volume of correspondence from many Members on that issue. “The Department does not, however, set charges; colleges are autonomous bodies that set their own charges. I believe that there is an understanding among the college employers to agree a tariff among themselves. Several colleges, which had their own separate fees, are amalgamating. However, I am not satisfied that the understanding is being adhered to.”

He went on to refer to “bizarre legal outworkings of the age discrimination legislation”.

“As Members know, it was designed to assist older people by preventing discrim­ination on the basis of age. However, it seems that the legal advice that was given to colleges has been interpreted in such a way as to suggest that if colleges discriminate in favour of older people, they could fall foul of the law. I will draw that to the attention of the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister.

“Since the legislation was designed to prevent discrimination against older people, it seems perverse to discover that one cannot discriminate in their favour. That point must be clarified. I will talk to the college employers about the matter, because I am aware of the inconsistencies and of colleges’ concern over possible breaches of the age discrimination law.”

Economic Inactivity
The Minister said our inactivity rate is some 5·5% higher than Great Britain’s, mainly because Northern Ireland has proportionately more students, as well as people out of work because of sickness and disability. The inactivity rate in the Republic is around 2% to 2·5% lower than ours, which is chiefly down to less inactivity that is attributable to sickness or disability.

He was replying to Dr Stephen Farry, Alliance, North Down, who claimed the figures are a major structural weakness in our economy, particularly given the low levels of official unemployment figures. He asked the Minister to commit to setting targets to reduce the figure in Northern Ireland to that of the next-lowest UK region in the near future, and ultimately towards the UK average. Sir Reg agreed the figure should be reduced but did not accept a target in his reply.

Questions to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Areas of high unemployment
Ms Martina Anderson, Sinn Fein, Foyle, asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the new and existing incentives to support economic investment in areas of high unemployment or social deprivation.

Mr Nigel Dodds said “My Department is committed to using its resources to benefit the most disadvantaged, and has designated six council areas as the focus for activities aimed at tackling poverty and social need: Newry and Mourne, Strabane, Londonderry, Omagh, Cookstown and Dungannon, as well as certain areas of Belfast. Invest NI provides a full range of services and can offer enhanced rates of assistance to projects that locate in disadvantaged areas.”

Between April 2002 and March 2006, 49% of assistance offered by Invest NI was to clients that located in disadvantaged areas. Of the 52 first-time inward investment projects offered assistance in the same period, 73% were located in disadvantaged areas, as were 37% of new locally-owned businesses with high growth potential.

Ms Anderson said both Government spending and direct inward investment should be used for the dual purpose of building prosperity and reducing inequality.

Mr Jim Wells, DUP, South Down,asked the Minister to cite a specific example of how Invest Northern Ireland tackles deprivation in areas of high unemployment?

Mr Dodds said the previous week he had attended the opening of new high-tech units in Londonderry, as part of the North West Business and Technology Zone. “That is a good example of how co-operation between the two jurisdictions attracted European funding. Also last week, in my constituency of North Belfast — as part of the wider Renewing Communities initiative — we saw the example of the Exploring Enterprise programme, which is designed to awaken and encourage people’s interest in starting businesses in areas of high unemployment and social deprivation.”

Motions debated

Suicide
The Assembly agreed on Monday 17 September to ask its Health Committee to look urgently at the problem of suicides, bring recommendations to the Executive and report back to the Assembly by 12 February 2008.

During the debate the Health Minister claimed Northern Ireland’s mental health needs are much greater than in Britain and accepted that public mental health services are under-funded and inadequate.

The matter was tabled by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and party colleague Caral Ní Chuilín, MLA for North Belfast. Originally they proposed that the matter be handled by a special committee but they accepted an amendment from Ms Iris Robinson, DUP chair of the Health Committee, to send it to there instead.

The motion adopted by the Assembly without a division was:

“That this Assembly shares the growing concern about the level of suicide, particularly among our young people and refers this issue to the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee to examine, as a matter of urgency, the delivery of services and support to people who may be at risk from suicide; make recommendations to the Executive; and present its report to the Assembly at the earliest opportunity, but not later than 12 February 2008.”

Proposing the resolution, Mr Adams referred to the report published in June into the death of Danny McCartan which found serious failures of care by the Health Service. Another report identified people over 60 years of age as a group at serious risk of suicide.

“For legitimate reasons, the motion could not be debated until now, but in the course of the summer, more people committed suicide. The statistics are frightening. In 2006, 291 people died by suicide in the North and close to 500 died in the South. That means that nearly 800 people took their lives last year on this island. Yet, suicide is preventable; all of us can play a part in reducing it. That is especially true of those of us elected to this Assembly. Ba chóir do na húdaráis ceannasaíocht láidir a thaispeáint san ábhar seo. (The authorities should show strong leadership in this matter.)

“The bereaved families have demonstrated remarkable courage. Many of them have been to the fore in helping to prevent the same tragedy engulfing others. They deserve our respect and praise, but they also deserve practical assistance and public investment. A lot of burnout has occurred at the grass roots; support groups and family networks are still not properly resourced. It is a source of concern that much of the money ring-fenced for suicide prevention is recycled through the Health Promotion Agency. It is also a concern that there are still insufficient community-based services, too few psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists, and most GPs still do not receive dedicated training in suicide awareness and prevention.

“Sinn Féin believes that civic society must be mobilised to respond. A conference will take place here on Monday 24 September to discuss this. I have spoken to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Minister of Education and the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety as well as to representatives of other parties in the Assembly. Ba chóir dúinn a bheith ag obair le chéile.” (We should be working together.)

Ms Robinson said society will never effectively deal with suicide by expecting mental-health professionals alone to solve the challenge. However, by accepting that suicide is a social, biological, spiritual and mental-health problem, all those areas can be examined to find a solution.

“There must be wide consultation with all stakeholders and experts in the field. As policy-makers and politicians, we must first listen. When dealing with such a painful subject, there is a temptation to act hastily and risk investment that may not be very effective … Any group that is constituted to examine suicide must, therefore, involve the necessary experts — by which I do not mean only professionals: expertise resides in many parts of the community.

“The family unit is the main element that holds together a healthy society. Effective policies that support the family are important in the healthy development and maturation of a child. However, more important still is that the healthy strong family acknowledges the role of the older individual. In aboriginal culture, the older person does not retire and become perceived as valueless. The best translation of how they are regarded is “the manual”. The older individual is someone from whom others seek advice and guidance.

“The young and the old may be at risk from suicide because they feel useless and worthless. They have no purpose in their lives and, worst of all, they have no hope that that will change. Research has consistently shown that hopelessness puts a person who is contemp­lating suicide at high risk.

“Suicide has been described as a permanent solution to a temporary problem. As communities, we must show people that help and support is available when required and that there are always options. Investment in community infrastructures is important, and pragmatism, not platitudes, is required. The young mother who is geographically isolated from her family and who cannot access affordable childcare needs a practical solution.”

Contributing to the debate, Mr John McCallister, South Down UUP Member, made reference to the voluntary and community sector: “I am aware of the great work on this issue that is done by many voluntary groups, and I pay tribute to that.”

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Michael McGimpsey reaffirmed his commitment to do all in his power to improve mental health services for those who are in crisis and at risk.

“Some individuals show signs of risk and can be targeted for additional support and services. In others, warning signs may be absent or less obvious, and therefore they are much more difficult to reach and support. There is no easy answer; there is no quick fix. If we are to turn the tide and have a reduction in the rate of suicide in Northern Ireland, we will all have to work together — statutory bodies, communities, voluntary organisations, the media and local churches — and take a long-term view.

“It is estimated that Northern Ireland’s mental-health needs are at least 25% greater than those of England. Suicide is one manifestation of poor mental health in our population. Many factors affect mental health and well-being, and a range of policies relating to alcohol and drugs, sexual health and abuse or violence can contribute to a reduction in suicide. It is difficult to tackle suicide in isolation and outside the context of a wider strategy to improve mental health and well-being. I therefore urge the Assembly to continue to address the issue in an integrated way.

“I accept that mental-health services are not good enough. We all know that those services have been under-funded for years and that we are now trying to redress the balance. The Bamford Review, which has recently been finalised, has shown that there is a clear need to reform and modernise mental-health services to bring about improvements. Prevention is a key element in improving services; and I am fully committed to that.

Winding up the debate, Ms Ní Chuilín said the funding for community groups is very sporadic, and the Minister has recognised that. Even the funding for the Protect Life strategy and other strategies that fall within the remit of this House is piecemeal. The strategies are often cross-cutting, but they are also often piecemeal. So, in a sense, the ability to plan and sustain and retain what services there are is often threatened. We must consider that issue as well.

Free Transport
Mr Kieran McCarthy, Alliance MLA for Strangford, moved a Private Members’ Motion

“That this Assembly, in the promotion of equality for all in Northern Ireland, calls upon the Minister for Regional Development to introduce free public transport for women from the age of 60.”

He said that in 2005, the Alliance Party conference passed a motion calling for all pensioners, regardless of gender, to be awarded a Senior SmartPass. A Senior SmartPass enables the holder to travel by rail, bus or the Strangford ferry without having to put their hand in their purse or pocket.

“Unfortunately, female pensioners are being denied a Senior SmartPass, as they have to wait a further five years to avail of it. Surely, that is discrimination at its worst. Moves must be made to rectify this serious anomaly as soon as possible. If it is right for the Government to regard women as pensioners when they reach the age of 60 and to pay them a state pension, common sense says that those women ought to be entitled to a Senior SmartPass, among other things.

Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim, Mr Roy Beggs moved an amendment which was eventually agreed:

“That this Assembly, mindful of policy elsewhere in the United Kingdom, calls upon the Minister for Regional Development, subject to budgetary considerations, to introduce free public transport for women and men at the age of 60.”

Mr Beggs said free transport for older people can greatly improve their quality of life.

“Many older people live on limited budgets, and their entitlement to the Senior SmartPass, which allows them free travel on public transport, helps them to use their limited budgets for other basic essentials, and it enables them to make additional trips to see friends and family. Therefore, the relative isolation under which they would otherwise have lived is removed and their lives are significantly improved.”

Tuesday 18 September

Motions debated

Fuel Poverty
Mr Roy Beggs, Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim moved:

“That this Assembly calls on the Minister for Social Development to review the strategy for the eradication of fuel poverty, particularly amongst pensioner households and households with children.”

Mr Beggs said that no one should have to choose between food and heat, which can happen. “There is clear evidence that a warm, dry home can improve life expectancy, and, of course, the opposite is true: a cold, damp home can reduce life expectancy and increase the need for intervention from the Health Service.

“From a financial perspective, it is important to invest in eradicating fuel poverty at an early stage to avoid the future costs that will incur if it goes unaddressed. Apart from the personal issues and terrible circumstances that some people endure, there are sound financial reasons to right this wrong.

“Which of the following would be the best use of taxpayers’ money: dealing with fuel poverty by removing energy-inefficient homes as a one-off cost investment, or dealing with the ill-health consequences of fuel poverty amongst families, children and older people, which would be an ongoing drain on the public purse? It is the old story: early intervention is the most effective way of saving money.

“One of the triggers for the motion was a report which came to me from Mr Cobain, who is a member of the Committee for Social Development. Mr Cobain noted a complacent comment from the permanent secretary of the Department for Social Development, who stated that the Department is on target to eradicate fuel poverty as set out in ‘Ending Fuel Poverty: A Strategy for Northern Ireland’.

“In other words, by 2010, fuel poverty in vulnerable groups such as children and older people would be eradicated, and by 2016, fuel poverty would be entirely eradicated. I was astounded, when I heard this. Mr Cobain asked the permanent secretary to repeat the claim, and he reiterated that he was confident that the target would be achieved.

“I believe that this will be a very difficult task: it is difficult to identify all those who are in the vulnerable category and difficult to get assistance to them. It is not something that anyone should be complacent about. It would be great if the target were met, but there is a lot of work to be done if it is to be achieved.”

Mr Alban Maginness, SDLP Member for North Belfast, proposed an amendment that the Assembly “notes the debate on fuel poverty which took place on 29 May 2007 and the resolution adopted; and calls on the Executive to prioritise the elimination of fuel poverty in the forthcoming Programme for Government.”

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, said she was disappointed to see reports of complacency and flatly denied them. “Let me be clear. My Department and I are committed to tackling fuel poverty and there is no room for classifying me, or my Department, as complacent. There is no room for complacency.”

She also revealed that she had made representations to the Minister of State for Work and Pensions at Westminster to increase winter fuel payments but that this request had been declined. Mrs Ritchie said she would continue to press the matter.

The motion, as amended, was carried without a division.

Answers to Written Questions

Answers to Written Questions to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
East Antrim MLA Seán Neeson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to report on the appointment of a Victims' Commissioner. The Ministers responded that victims and survivors’ needs are a high priority and they want to get the decision on an appointment right. The appointment of a Victims’ Commissioner is under active, detailed and careful consideration and they hope to make an early decision on this important appointment.

Mervyn Storey asked the Ministers to provide a timeframe for the publication of a Victims' Strategy; and to detail the plans for consultation with the Assembly on this issue. They replied that it is hoped to publish a draft strategy for victims and survivors shortly.

In response to a question by Mickey Brady asking for the current position on the appointment of a Commissioner for Older People, the Ministers responded that a review should be conducted, recognising the need to consult with the age sector, older people and the Departmental Committee. They aim to have the review completed by the end of 2007.

Answers to Written Questions to the Minister for Agriculture & Rural Development
Foyle MLA Martina Anderson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will outline how her department intends to address the equality agenda in relation to rural communities. The Minister referred to the equality impact assessment paper on the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007- 2013 which is currently out for public consultation. The consultation period runs until 2 November and during this time a series of consultation events will be hosted to discuss the new Programme with various interested groups. She is keen to ensure that people who work and live in rural areas are treated every bit as fairly as their urban counterparts.

In response to a question from West Tyrone MLA Claire McGill on the progress of the Rural Childcare Strategy, the Minister explained that The Rural Childcare Stakeholders Committee has now met twice and is due to bring forward a report on Rural Childcare issues in January 2008. Membership of the group is wide and includes childcare specialists, community groups, women’s interests and government representatives.

Answers to Written Questions to the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure
Responding to a question by Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Gerry McHugh on the expansion of the mobile library service, the Minister appreciated that mobile libraries provide a greatly valued service in rural areas as emphasised in the DCAL Framework Policy for Libraries. However operational decisions regarding the most effective and efficient way to provide library services in any particular area are made by Education and Library Boards.

Answers to Written Questions to the Minister for the Environment
Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone asked the Minister if she will outline in detail the implications for all planning applications refused, or with an opinion to refuse, under Draft Planning Policy Statement 14: Sustainable Development in the Countryside, in light of Mr Justice Gillen's decision of 7 September 2007.

The Minister answered that Planning Service is currently holding all applications that have been determined under draft PPS14, including those where an opinion has already been presented to the District Council but no decision has been issued. Applications for single rural dwellings listed on Council schedules during the week beginning 10 September 2007 have been deferred. The implications for applications which have previously been refused will be considered further in light of the outcome of the further Court hearing on 14 September 2007.

Answers to Written Questions to the Minister for Health, Social Services & Public Safety
Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly asked the Minister if he has established an inter-Ministerial group to deliver on the Tackling Violence in the Home Strategy and to detail the number of meetings that have taken place to date. The Minister responded that he has written to Ministers Peter Robinson, Margaret Ritchie and Caitriona Ruane seeking their endorsement of the 2007/08 Domestic Violence Action Plan and informing them about the proposed Group. In order to establish the Group, I intend to seek the Executive’s formal approval in early November and follow with the first meeting as soon as possible thereafter.

Answers to Written Questions to the Minister for Regional Development
Another question on PPS14 from Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone, asking the Minister what progress has been made on the review of Planning Policy Statement 14: Sustainable Development in the Countryside and to detail the number of meetings of the Executive Sub-Committee that have been held to date. The Minister answered that the 5 July meeting of the Executive Committee agreed to undertake a review of rural planning policy to be taken forward by an Inter-Departmental Group of Ministers. Meetings with key stakeholders were held on 29 and 30 August. The first meeting of the Inter-Departmental Group is due to be held shortly.

Following Mr Justice Gillen's decision of 7 September 2007 in relation to Draft Planning Policy Statement 14: Sustainable Development in the Countryside, Patsy McGlone then asked the Minister to outline what policy will now apply from 16 March 2006 onwards. The Minister shall consider fully all aspects of this Judgement in conjunction with other Ministerial colleagues. The Court has however given both parties one week (from Friday 7 September) to consider if they wish to provide evidence on the issue of remedies before finalising the judgement. Draft PPS14 will continue to be taken into account in the decision making process until the final outcome of the legal proceedings.

Answers to Written Questions to the Minister for Social Development
In response to a question by South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns on the cost of clearing up and securing the site of a bonfire in the Member’s constituency, the Minister detailed the cost and maintained that clearances of bonfires identified are dealt with as part of the NIHE Grounds Maintenance contract.