---

5 Feb 2004 : Column 1051W—continued

NORTHERN IRELAND

Age Discrimination

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his policy on tackling age discrimination in Northern Ireland. [152592]

Mr. Spellar: Consultation on proposals for legislation which will tackle age discrimination in employment and training in line with the requirements of the EU Employment Framework Directive ended on 23 January 2004.

Draft regulations will be developed in the light of responses to this consultation and further consultation on these regulations will then take place. The legislation will come into force in late 2006 to comply with the Directive. Guidance will be developed and published when the regulations have been made giving employers time to complete preparations for their new obligations, and it will allow individuals to familiarise themselves with their new rights.

5 Feb 2004 : Column 1052W

Policy development is continuing within the context of the single Equality Bill, on extending protection for the age ground to the provision of goods, facilities and services. A consultation on the single Equality Bill is planned for this year.

Children's Commissioner

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the work of the Children's Commissioner in Northern Ireland. [152590]

Mr. Spellar: Mr. Nigel Williams was appointed as the first Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland on 1 October 2003. His powers and duties, as an independent champion for children and young people, are set out in the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. This legislation establishes the primary aim of the commissioner which is to

'safeguard and promote the rights and best interests of children and young people'.

In the period since his appointment, the commissioner has met with children and young people throughout Northern Ireland to listen to their concerns. He has also engaged with political representatives, and statutory, voluntary and community organisations dealing with children and young people's issues.

He has already established a unique identity and branding with a dedicated interactive website, www. niccy.org, and has begun the process of recruiting his staff team, with the involvement of young people. He has also commissioned a base-line study into how Northern Ireland is implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Drugs Treatment

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to increase the number of specialist beds in the Province for the treatment of patients with drug addictions; and if he will make a statement. [152365]

Angela Smith: There are no plans at present to expand the number of specialist beds for the treatment of patients with drug addictions. However, the services for problem drug users, including the provision of specialist beds, will continue to be assessed. An independent review of mental health and learning disability policy, services and legislation has been established and part of its remit involves looking at the services available to problem drug users.

Education and Library Board Transition Plan

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what opportunity is available to parents of young people with moderate learning disabilities to comment on the Education and Library Board Transition Plan. [152234]

Jane Kennedy: In accordance with the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs, an Education and Library Board is required to produce a Transition Plan at the first (and subsequent) Annual Review of the statement of Special Educational Needs following the young person's

5 Feb 2004 : Column 1053W

14th birthday. The Transition Plan draws together information from a variety of sources, including the young person, his/her parents, the school and any other professionals involved with the young person.

Parents of young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) are routinely invited to transition planning meetings in schools to discuss key issues relating to the young person's SEN. Parents are invited to comment during the meeting and to contribute actively to the transition planning process.

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how (a) parents and (b) others may appeal the provisions contained in the Education and Library Board Transition Plan. [152235]

Jane Kennedy: Transition Plans are reviewed and updated on an annual basis following the young person's statutory Annual Review of a Statement of Special Educational Needs. When Transition Plans are written there is every opportunity for parents, the young person and others to have their opinion noted and the Education and Library Board will endeavour to resolve any difficulties identified. Within existing legislation there is no provision for a formal appeal specifically of the Transition Plan. If, however, as a result of the Annual Review, the Education and Library Board amends the educational provision contained in the Statement of Special Educational Needs, the parent has the normal right of appeal to the SEN Tribunal, if he/she is in disagreement with the provision.

Fair Employment Legislation

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what employees are exempt from fair employment legislation in Northern Ireland; and for what reason they are exempt. [152586]

Mr. Spellar: The Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 as amended by the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 provides for the following exemptions in respect of employees:

(i) any employment or occupation as a clergyman or minister of a religious denomination;

(ii) any employment or occupation where the essential nature of the job requires it to be done by a person holding, or not holding a particular religious belief or political opinion.

The legislation recognises that there are particular jobs where it may be necessary for a person carrying out that work to be of a particular religious belief or political opinion.

Government Solicitors

Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether solicitors have been retained to draft legislation in respect of the Single Equality Bill. [152215]

Mr. Spellar: No. Assembly Bills introduced by the Northern Ireland Executive during devolution and Orders in Council made under the Northern Ireland Act 2000 while the Assembly is suspended are drafted by the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. A panel of experts,

5 Feb 2004 : Column 1054W

who are legal and academic specialists, was set up in February 2003 to provide advice to assist in the policy development process.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the longest period is that an individual has been waiting for (a) in-patient admission and (b) initial out-patient assessment in orthopaedic surgery. [152366]

Angela Smith: Information from health trusts in Northern Ireland indicates that, at the end of December 2003, the longest time an individual has been waiting for in-patient admission to the trauma and orthopaedics specialty is 2,808 days, and the longest time for an initial out-patient appointment is 3,485 days.

It should be noted, however, that over 80 per cent. of in-patients for trauma and orthopaedics and 90 per cent. of out-patients are seen in less than 12 months.

Learning Difficulties

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the terms of reference are of the working group chaired by the Department of Education to consider future provision for the needs of young people with moderate learning difficulties; and if he will place a copy of them in the Library. [152141]

Jane Kennedy: The Department of Education does not chair a group to consider future provision for the needs of young people specifically with moderate learning difficulties. It does, however, chair an Inter Departmental Working Group (IDG) that is looking at the Transition of young people with statements of special educational needs to adult life.

The remit of the IDG is:

To consider gaps in the process of transition from school (mainstream and special) for children with Statements of Special Educational Needs;

To address these gaps by considering needs and best practice in the area; and

To formulate proposals for additional resources in relation to the transitions planning process through to post-school provision in employment, further education and training and day care.

A copy of the above has been placed in the Library.

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which Northern Ireland Departments are represented on the working group chaired by the Department of Education to consider provision for the future needs of young people with moderate learning difficulties; how many times the working group has met; and from whom the group has taken evidence. [152142]

Jane Kennedy: The Department of Education does not chair a group to consider future provision for the needs of young people specifically with moderate learning difficulties. It does, however, chair an inter-departmental working group (IDG) that is looking at the transition of young people with statements of special educational needs to adult life.

5 Feb 2004 : Column 1055W

The IDG on transitions consists of representatives from the Departments of Education, Employment and Learning, and Health, Social Services and Public Safety, and at one meeting representatives from the Social Security Agency were co-opted for advice. The IDG has met on seven occasions and has taken advice from a range of interests including the Education and Library Boards, the Education and Training Inspectorate, a number of schools and parents groups, a community Health and Social Services Trust, the Carers Forum, a cross section of voluntary groups and an MLA with a special interest in the transitions process.

---