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13 Mar 2006 : Column 2035W—continued
Free School Meals
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Belfast East (Mr. Robinson) of 1 December 2005, Official Report, column 2240W, on free school meals, why the number of children in receipt of free school meals exceeds the number of children entitled to free school meals in the (a) South Eastern and (b) Southern Education and Library Board areas. [57046]
Angela E. Smith: Unfortunately, the information contained in my previous answer to the hon. Member for Belfast East on 15 December, Official Report, column 2241W, was incorrect. The figures given for the number of children in receipt of free school meals related to the wrong Education and Library Board for all areas except Belfast. The correct figures are given in the table.
At October 2004, the number of schoolchildren entitled to, and in receipt of, free school meals in each Education and Library Board area was as follows:
Note:
Figures relate to year 1 to year 7 pupils in primary schools and pupils at post-primary schools. Figures for pupils at special schools entitled to free school meals are not collected.
The Department continues, through the Education and Library Boards, to take steps to encourage eligible pupils to take up their entitlement.
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by the Western Education and Library Board to encourage eligible pupils to take up their entitlement to free school meals. [57058]
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Angela E. Smith: The Western Education and Library Board (WELB) is taking a number of steps to encourage eligible pupils to take up their entitlement to free school meals. These include: promotional activities (such as drawing attention to availability in schools' Admission Arrangements booklets, and reminding school Principals of the need to encourage uptake); partnership activities (such as working closely with the Social Security Agency (SSA) Western District to raise the profile of free school meals, and influencing strategies to facilitate the identification and targeting of existing claimants who have failed to take up their entitlement); and making it easier to take up entitlement by reducing the bureaucracy associated with making an application (including allowing rural low-income families to apply for free school meals directly to the Board. The Board, rather than the family, then verifies benefit entitlement with the relevant Social Security Office.)
Heroin Addicts
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of heroin addicts in Northern Ireland. [57625]
Mr. Woodward: An estimate of the number of heroin addicts in Northern Ireland is not available. However, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) maintains several databases that record the number of registered addicts and the uptake of treatment for problem drug use across Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Addicts Index Database holds information on all those persons registered in concurrence with the Misuse of Drugs (Notification of and Supply to Addicts) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1973. The 2005 Statistical Bulletin reported that on 31 December 2005, a total of 168 persons were recorded as addicted to heroin. DHSSPS also maintains the Northern Ireland Substitute Prescribing Database, which holds information on persons receiving substitute prescribing treatment for opiate dependence. On 8 March 2006, a total of 249 people were recorded as in contact with substitute prescribing services where the main problem drug was heroin. DHSSPS also maintains the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database, which holds information relating to problem drug users presenting to treatment services. In 2004–05 a total of 237 persons reported where their main problem drug was heroin.
It is important to note that problem drug use and dependence does not constitute addiction and that although there will be an overlap between the three databases, there will be a proportion of heroin addicts that may never be in contact with treatment services. In recognition of this issue, DHSSPS has already commissioned a research study (to include information from the Criminal Justice System) to produce a reliable estimate of problem heroin use in Northern Ireland. It is anticipated that that report will be published, via the DHSSPS website, in April of this year. A similar study conducted in 2000–01 indicated that there were approximately 800 problem heroin users in Northern Ireland during that period.
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Hillsborough Castle
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many days per year Hillsborough castle is open to the public; and whether there are plans to increase this number in 2006. [55311]
Mr. Hain: In 2006 Hillsborough castle will be open to the public for guided tours on Saturdays during May and June. In addition we will facilitate tours from organised groups during the working week, official business permitting. We will also open on European Heritage Open Days.
We have no plans to extend public opening at present. Our experience from previous years has shown that visitor numbers would not be sufficient to make opening at other times of the year financially viable.
ICT Course
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be included in the new functional information and communications technology course to be taught in schools in Northern Ireland. [57620]
Angela E. Smith: The proposed introduction of a functional skills element into ICT qualifications is part of the 14–19 White Paper published in England in February 2005. Proposals are at consultation stage and final decisions on the content of the course have not yet been reached. The Department of Education and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment will consider in due course to what extent parallel adjustments may be needed to NI GCSEs to ensure that the common currency of GCSE qualifications across England, Wales and Northern Ireland is maintained.
Intelligent Design
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what redress is available to parents of a child removed from a class in Northern Ireland for expressing a belief in intelligent design. [57622]
Angela E. Smith: I would not expect such a situation to occur, as schools should show respect for the beliefs of every pupil. If it did, as with any issue of concern, parents should discuss the matter with the principal and Board of Governors of the school. If this did not resolve the issue, parents could seek redress from their Education and Library Board's Curriculum Complaints Tribunal.
Liquor Licensing
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the proposed reforms of liquor licensing on independent licensed premises in the North Down area, with particular reference to the removal of the surrender requirement. [57047]
Mr. Hanson:
The package of proposals will weigh up the rights, needs and demands of various interested parties. The measures will help boost the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries, afford a clearer voice to local residents living, and businesses operating, near
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premises where licensable activities are carried on, offer further protection for children, help tackle the issue of underage drinking and contribute to Government's strategy for combating alcohol-related crime and disorder and antisocial behaviour in Northern Ireland. Responses to the public consultation which ended on 31 January 2006 are being considered, including those from independent licensed premises. The Government intends to make a policy announcement in summer 2006.
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether substantive feedback will be provided to (a) respondents and (b) other stakeholders in the consultation on liquor licensing; [57085]
(2) whether the consultation on liquor licensing reform will be subject to evaluation. [57106]
Mr. Hanson: Responses to the public consultation which ended on 31 January 2006 are being considered. The Government intends to make a policy announcement in summer 2006.
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what assessment he has made of the potential for increased alcohol-related domestic violence if the proposals for an increase in the number of retail outlets selling alcohol outlined in the Liquor Licensing—The Way Forward are implemented; and if he will make a statement; [57098]
(2) what meetings he has had with representatives of organisations concerned with domestic violence regarding the proposed reform of liquor licensing; and if he will list the (a) participants and (b) the outcome of each meeting; [57049]
(3) what research he has commissioned on the potential for increased alcohol-related domestic violence if the proposals for an increase in the number of retail outlets selling alcohol outlined in the Liquor Licensing—The Way Forward are implemented; and if he will make a statement. [57097]
Mr. Hanson: The proposals for reform of liquor licensing were drawn up with input from a steering group including officials from the Department for Social Development, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Northern Ireland Office and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The consultation paper on the reform of liquor licensing was distributed to a wide range of bodies including organisations concerned with health, justice and community safety matters. The paper was also widely advertised and received a great deal of attention in the press and the media in general. No requests for meetings were received from organisations concerned with domestic violence.
The number of retail outlets selling alcohol in Northern Ireland is a matter for the courts. It is proposed that it will become a matter for district councils in due course.
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