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21 Jun 2005 : Column 957W—continued
Olympic Bid
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport about the role Northern Ireland would play should the London bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012 be successful. [5515]
Mr. Hanson: There is regular liaison with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in support of the London Bid and to maximise the opportunities for Northern Ireland who are also represented in the Nations and Regions Committee.
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of how Northern Ireland may benefit should the London bid to host the Olympic games in 2012 be successful. [5516]
Mr. Hanson: If London wins the bid to stage the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2012 it will have the potential to leave a lasting legacy of community facilities across the UK and inspire greater participation in sport.
The whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland, could also anticipate benefits through volunteering, hosting of pre-games preparation camps, increase in tourism, increased awareness of the benefits of participating in sport, economic and business procurement opportunities. I would also hope that competitors from Northern Ireland would participate in the games.
In Northern Ireland a Regional Co-ordinating group has been established to raise awareness of the bid and to consider how to maximise benefits arising from a successful bid.
Education (Out-of-school Provision)
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to support out-of-school provision in Northern Ireland. [5956]
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to allocate funding for the expansion of out-of-schools provision in Northern Ireland. [5529]
Angela E. Smith: There are no mainstream funds available to support an out-of-schools programme in Northern Ireland; such support could only be made from within the Northern Ireland block and at the expense of other services including mainstream classroom funding.
My Department is, however, pursuing a number of developments along similar lines, such as full service (extended) schools, education action zones and provision within the Belfast Board area that will be
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supported through the Integrated Development Fund. All these envisage schools as the learning hubs of their communities, supporting and encouraging provision throughout the extended school day. Breakfast clubs, homework clubs, sports and a range of other activities are already offered in many schools before and after school hours.
Under the PEACE II Programme extension 2004–06 out of school childcare provision and other activities can continue to be supported under Measure 1.5, Positive Action for Women.
Parades Commission
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much it has cost to operate the Parades Commission in each year since its formation. [5519]
Mr. Woodward: This information is readily available in the annual reports of the Parades Commission, which are available in the Library, or alternatively can be downloaded from the Parades Commission website, www.paradescommission.org, and detail the Commission's operating costs for each year since its inception.
Police Service
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the earliest date is by which he expects to be able to end the 50:50 recruitment procedure for entry into the Police Service of Northern Ireland. [4832]
Mr. Woodward: In line with the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Policing, it is our aim to achieve, by 2010–11, a composition within the PSNI regulars which includes 30 per cent. from a Catholic community background. I am happy to say that we are well on target to reach this goal.
The 50:50 recruitment provisions are subject to triennial review with the current order allowing for their continuation until 30 March 2007. Their renewal will be subject to a widespread consultation process and debates in both Houses.
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to ensure that people employed by the Police Service in Northern Ireland as cleaning staff have the same terms and conditions of service after the review of cleaning services is concluded. [5546]
Mr. Woodward: The terms and conditions of service of cleaning staff is a matter for the chief constable however I am assured that the outsourcing of this function will be managed within the TUPE framework.
Pupil Behaviour
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children are defined as having behavioural problems in the South East Education and Library Board area; and if he will make a statement. [5327]
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Angela E. Smith: There were 1,477 children on special educational needs registers with emotional and behavioural difficulties attending schools and pre-school centres in the South Eastern Education and Library Board area in 2004–05.
Information about the number of pupils with behavioural problems who fall below the threshold for inclusion on a school's special educational needs register is not held centrally. However, support for pupils into this category will be re-considered shortly. The Department is awaiting a report from Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), on the operation and effectiveness of the Boards' Behaviour Support teams, which were established in 1998–99 to support schools in managing this group of pupils. The findings will inform a decision on the future direction of this service and whether a major review is necessary.
The ETI issued another report in 2004 on Provision for Pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties and Persistent and Challenging Behaviours in Special Schools in NI", which highlighted problems in this area. DE has subsequently made available additional resources to the Boards to help address these issues.
Road Building
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new road building projects in Northern Ireland are scheduled for the next five years; and what the anticipated cost of the construction is. [5528]
Mr. Woodward:
The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady, in response to this question.
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Letter from Malcolm McKibbin to Lady Hermon, dated 21 June 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding how many new road building projects in Northern Ireland are scheduled for the next five years; and what the anticipated cost of the construction is."
I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
Roads Service defines major road projects as those where the scheme costs are estimated to exceed £1.0m. These schemes are referred to as Strategic Road Improvements (SRIs). Roads Service manages the delivery of SRIs through the following programmes:
Preparation Pool—High priority schemes that Roads Service is committed to progressing through the statutory procedures of Environmental Appraisal, Direction Order (equivalent to planning approval) and Land Vesting. Preparation Pool schemes are expected to be implemented within the next 5 years or so (subject to clearing the statutory procedures, having a satisfactory economic appraisal and the availability of funds at the time).
Forward Planning Schedule—Schemes that perform well when assessed at feasibility stage and which are expected to be implemented within the next 10 years or so (subject to clearing the statutory procedures, having a satisfactory economic appraisal and the availability of funds at the time).
Therefore, schemes currently held in the Preparation Pool are the most likely to be implemented within the next 5 years (subject to clearing the statutory procedures, having a satisfactory economic appraisal and the availability of funds at the time). The table attached presents brief details of the 22 schemes currently held in the Preparation Pool, the cost of which is estimated to cost £476.7m.
(25) Scheme estimate excludes developer contribution.
(26) Scheme estimate at 2002 prices—under revision.
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