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23 Nov 2005 : Column 1983W—continued
Climate Change
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government are taking in Northern Ireland to tackle climate change. [30192]
Angela E. Smith: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given to his question on actions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (PQ 05/2441 refers). In addition to these measures, work is under way to ensure that Northern Ireland prepares for the impacts of climate change.
The Department of the Environment (DOE) has recently commissioned the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER) to provide an updated report on the implications of climate change for Northern Ireland, incorporating a risk assessment approach and recommended adaptation strategies for key impacts. This study is due to be completed by the end of 2006.
DOE's Environment and Heritage Service has issued guidance to public bodies on climate change impacts in Northern Ireland, with information on how it might impact across sectors and on the delivery of key public services.
The Department is also working in partnership with key stakeholders on the development of a Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland which is due to be published along with the first of a series of implementation plans in 2006. Climate Change and Energy has been identified as one of the six priority areas for action within the emerging strategy.
Community Restorative Justice
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether (a) direct and (b) indirect public funding has been allocated to Community Restorative Justice schemes in Northern Ireland. [31235]
Mr. Hanson:
No funding has been given to community-based restorative justice schemes by the Northern Ireland Office. We are undertaking a
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thorough search of all 11 Northern Ireland Departments and associated public bodies to ascertain if money has been given for non-criminal justice related work which will take some time. I will write to the hon. Gentleman when the information is available and place a copy in the Library.
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he treats the Northern Ireland Police Board as a stakeholder in respect of the development of Community Restorative Justice schemes in Northern Ireland. [31236]
Mr. Hanson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland does regard the Northern Ireland Policing Board to be a key stakeholder in respect of the development of community-based restorative justice schemes in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received from the Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre about the work of community restorative justice organisations in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [29544]
Mr. Hanson: No direct representations have been received from the Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre about the work of community-based restorative justice organisations in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of community restorative justice projects in Northern Ireland in dealing with cases of (a) alleged rape and (b) alleged domestic violence. [29545]
Mr. Hanson: The Government have recognised that community-based restorative justice programmes can have a part to play in helping to secure a normal society and is willing, in principle, to support their involvement with low level criminal cases. We would not consider any sexual or domestic violence offences to be low level, and the guidelines currently being formulated do not therefore envisage that any such offence will be referred to community-based schemes.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the applications for public funding that have been submitted by community restorative justice organisations in Northern Ireland giving in each case (a) the name of the organisation, (b) the date of application, (c) the sum of money applied for and (d) the expected time scale for a decision; and if he will make a statement. [29546]
Mr. Hanson: I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy in the Library.
Councils
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) Protestants and (b) Roman Catholics were employed in each council in Northern Ireland in each of the past four years. [30130]
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Angela E. Smith:
An analysis of the employees of each district council, reflecting community background, is set out in the following table. Statistics for 2001, 2002 and
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2003 have been taken from the Equality Commission's 2003 Monitoring Report. The 2004 figures have not yet been published.
(6) Protestant
(7) Roman Catholic
(8) Non-denominational
Criminal Injuries Compensation
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many compensation claims have been made to his Department under the Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2002; how many payments have been made in each year of the operation of the scheme; and what the total value of claims was in each year. [25218]
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Mr. Hanson: Between 1 May 2002 and 31 October 2005 the Compensation Agency had received a total of 26,308 claims, under the Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2002. To this date 1603 claims have been withdrawn, 18,153 claims have been assessed and payment has been made in 4,379 claims. The total value of payments is £20,216,884.00 and the following annual breakdown applies:
| Total number of claims receiving payment | Total value (£) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | 3 | 75,000.00 |
| 2003–04 | 568 | 3,277,784.00 |
| 2004–05 | 1,881 | 8,281,291.00 |
| 2005–06 (to 31 October 2005) | 1,927 | 8,582,809.00 |
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