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18 Jan 2005 : Column 884W—continued
Children's Fund
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much extra funding has been provided to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for 2005–08 to allow for the mainstreaming of services funded under the Children's Fund. [208616]
Angela Smith: Children and families remain a priority for Government. All projects funded under the current three-year Children's Fund cycle will receive their full allocation from existing Children's Fund monies. No resources have been specifically provided for 2005–08 to mainstream the services currently provided by existing Children's Fund projects when this funding cycle is complete.
The Budget settlement for 2005–08 has allocated some £15 million over the period for a capital Modernisation Fund. This will be administered by DSD and Children's organisations will be able to apply for support from this fund.
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will extend the provision of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [209186]
Angela Smith: There are no plans to extend directly the provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill to Northern Ireland, principally because there are significant differences in the existing legislative base and the powers of central and local government in Northern Ireland. However, I will wish to consider whether similar legislative proposals should be brought forward for Northern Ireland.
Disabled Facilities
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of abolishing the Disabled Facilities Grant means test for children in Northern Ireland. [207774]
Mr. Spellar:
The abolition of the Disabled Facilities Grants means test for parents of children with disabilities came into effect from 16 February 2004 and during the first 9 months, to October 2004, 49 applications for grant-aid were received from parents with disabled children. The Housing Executive estimates that annually prior to the amendment 25–30
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such applications would have been made and, when the changes have been in operation for a full year, it intends to carryout an assessment to determine how many of the applicants would previously have had to make a contribution.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Mr. Lidington:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average unit cost is to Driver
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and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland of processing an application for (a) a driver's licence, (b) a vehicle licence, (c) a taxi licence and (d) a road freight licence; what the comparable figures were for the last four financial years; and if he will make a statement. [208581]
Angela Smith: The information requested is as follows. My reply to question 208583 given today, sets out the plans to review current fee levels.
(11) This unit cost excludes first licence costs which are included as part of the cost of the first registration transaction.
(12) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland took over financial responsibility for taxi, road freight and road service licensing in April 2001.
All of the above are calculated on full costs with the exception of vehicle relicensing which is on a cash basis only.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken to reduce and eliminate the financial deficit on processing licences by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland. [208582]
Angela Smith: Due to a revised method of funding introduced in 2004, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) now leads on drivers fees for the whole of the UK. DVLA will address the deficit on DVLNI's driver fees account through the payment of a subsidy.
In order to address the deficit in taxi licensing operations, the fee for taxi vehicle licensing increased on 1 November 2004. Taxi driver licensing fees are currently under review.
For road freight and road service licensing a fees review is planned for 2005–06.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to change the levels of licensing fees currently charged by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland. [208583]
Angela Smith: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland has fees for driver licences, taxi vehicle licences, taxi driver licences, road freight licences and road service licences.
Due to a revised method of funding introduced in 2004, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) now leads on drivers fees for the whole of the UK. DVLA has issued a public consultation on proposed changes to driver fees. If agreed these revised fees would apply UK wide.
Taxi licence fees were increased in November 2004. A further review of taxi driver licence fees is underway.
Road freight and road service fees will be reviewed in 2005–06.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his planning estimate is of the expected income of Driving and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland in (a) 2004–05, (b) 2005–06, (c) 2006–07 and (d) 2007–08 from (i) driver licensing fees, (ii) vehicle licensing fees, (iii) taxi licensing fees and (iv) road freight licensing fees. [208584]
Angela Smith: The information is as follows.
| Licensing fees | 2004–05 | 2005–06 | 2006–07 | 2007–08 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | 2,400 | 3,926 | 3,765 | 3,423 |
| Vehicle | (13)— | (13)— | (13)— | (13)— |
| Taxi | 450 | 700 | 700 | 700 |
| Road freight and road service | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 |
(13) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI) acts as agents of the Secretary of State for Transport in the collection of vehicle excise duty (VED) and related fees. The income from VED and related activities does not form part of DVLNI income and is forecasted and accounted for by DVLA, an agency within the Department for Transport.
Note:
All forecast fee income is based on current fee levels.
Eating Disorders
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been set aside for establishing eating disorders services in the Province. [208812]
Angela Smith: £1 million has been secured for 2004–05 to develop community-based specialist eating disorders teams within each board area, which will be managed within an appropriate 'regional care network'.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients from Northern Ireland with eating disorders have required treatment outside the Province in each of the last five years. [208813]
Angela Smith:
The number of patients from Northern Ireland with eating disorders who have had treatment outside the Province is detailed in the following table.
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| Financial year | Number of patients from Northern Ireland who received treatment outside the Province |
|---|---|
| 2003–04 | 20 |
| 2002–03 | 12 |
| 2001–02 | 12 |
| 2000–01(14) | 4 |
| 1999–2000(14) | 6 |
(14) Information for Northern Health and Social Services Board is not available for 2000–01 and 1999–2000 and is therefore excluded from these figures.
Note:
Figures refer to those residents of Northern Ireland with eating disorders who have received treatment outside the Province.
Source:
Health and Social Services Boards
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