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Written Answers
Tuesday, 15th July 2003.
Language Implementation Body: Budget 2003
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- On what date and in what form the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was informed of the desire of the Government of the Irish Republic to cut the budget of the Language Implementation Body for 2003; what was his response; to whom and on what date did he respond; and whether they will place in the Library of the House all documentation they have on this topic, including e-mails, letters memoranda and minutes of meetings.[HL3279]
The Lord President of the Council (Lord Williams of Mostyn): Officials in the Department of Finance and Personnel were informed of the proposed cut to the Southern contribution to the language body's budget on 21 November 2002 at a meeting with officials from the Department of Finance. The Minister responsible for the Department of Finance and Personnel was advised of the proposed reduction on 24 January 2003 and he agreed the budget for the language body on 29 January 2003. The two Governments gave formal approval to the recommendation on the budget on 26 February 2003, under the agreement made by the exchange of notes dated 19 November 2002.
The papers relating to the decision made on the language body budget under the exchange of notes of 19 November 2002 have been placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- On what date and in what form the Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel was informed about the decision of the Government of the Irish Republic to cut the budget of the Language Implementation Body; what was its response; to whom and on what date did it respond; and whether they will place in the Library of the House all documentation they have on this topic, including
e-mails, letters, memoranda and minutes of meetings.[HL3280]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Officials in the Department of Finance were informed of the proposed cut to the Southern contribution to the language body's budget on 21 November 2002 at a meeting with officials from the Department of Finance.
The papers relating to the decision made on the language body budget under the exchange of notes of 19 November 2002 have been placed in the Library.
Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How the funds for the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for 2003–04 will be allocated; whether provision for Ulster Scots activity, other than through the Ulster Scots Agency, is included in the 2003–04 budget allocation; and, if so, how much.[HL3314]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Funds for the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) for 2003–04 will be allocated in line with the budget document Building on Progress presented by the right honourable Member for Dudley South on 11 December 2002. This is available in the House of Lords Library.
Provision for Ulster Scots activity is provided for through monies allocated to the North/South Language Body.
There is also assistance for Ulster Scots activities through DCALs NDPBs, in particular the Arts Council. They currently have committed £83,000 to Ulster Scots activities in 2003–04 to the Development fund for Ulster Scots Language, Arts and Altnaveigh House Cultural Society respectively.
There are also four lottery applications from Ulster Scots organisations: the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra, Schomberg Society, Altnaveigh Trust Society and the Ulster Scots Dance Alliance which are currently being considered.
In addition a number of organisations that have Ulster Scots aspects to their programmes, such as marching or pipe bands, will also receive funding during this period.
North/South Language Body
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12 May (WA 1), in what form, by whom and on what date the Ulster Scots Agency was informed of the change in the budget of the North/South Language Body.[HL3364]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 11 June 2003 (WA 44).
Northern Ireland: Energy Costs
Lord Kilclooney asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they propose to introduce legislation to reduce the cost of borrowing in the Northern Ireland energy market sector; and what proposals there are to ensure that customers benefit from that reduction.[HL3508]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer to the reply I gave to the noble Lord on 10 July (Official Report, WA 48).
Northern Ireland: North West Gas Pipeline Project
Lord Kilclooney asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many firms have tendered for the construction of the natural gas pipeline to the North West of Northern Ireland; how many of these firms are based outside Northern Ireland; and what is the present timetable for the provision of the gas pipeline.[HL3510]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: In 1999, following an invitation from the then Director General of Gas for Northern Ireland seeking applications for licences to take natural gas outside the Greater Belfast area, two consortia submitted expressions of interest to develop a Northern Ireland Gas Pipeline Project including a gas pipeline to the North West, (both these consortia are based outside Northern Ireland). Following explanatory discussions one formal licence application was made and on 12 February 2002 a gas conveyance licence was granted to London-based Bord Gais Eireann (UK).
The North West Gas Pipeline Project is currently at Planning Permission stage and it is anticipated that construction will commence early in 2004 with completion in October 2004.
Lisburn to Antrim Railway Line
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What procedure is being used to close service traffic on the railway line between Lisburn and Antrim; and what is its legal basis.[HL3546]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The procedure being used to discontinue services on the railway line between Lisburn and Antrim is that set out in Section 60 of the Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1967.
PEACE I Funding
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which European Union PEACE I funded programmes have been reported to, or investigated by, the Northern Ireland Audit Office; in which cases irregularities were uncovered; and how much money was involved in each case.[HL3550]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Irregularities which involve European Union Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE I) funding and in which fraud is proven or suspected are notified to the Comptroller and Auditor General (NI). It is then for the relevant government department to investigate such cases. The table provided below lists cases reported to the NIAO. Actual fraud should not be assumed in all cases and it is for the relevant department to decide whether there is sufficient evidence to refer the matter to the PSNI.
| Project | Estimated Amount(1) |
| Oakleaf Community Network | £2,210.83 |
| Hospitality Association of Northern Ireland | £1,000.00 |
| Dundonald Community Projects | £16,350.00 |
| MARI (UK wide investigation) | *Not Known(2) |
| Ballyclo Suckler Calf Initiative | £114,139.00 |
| Bryson Community Enterprises Ltd, Fountain Area Partnership Ltd | £114,500.00 |
| Rosslea Community Playgroup | £12,500.00 |
| Swags and Tails | £25,000.00 |
| Trillick Enterprise Leisure Ltd | £12,000.00 |
| Capacity Builder | £20,000.00 |
| Petals Daycare Centre | £8,405.00 |
(1) May include funding from sources other than PEACE I.
(2) Case referred to the Serious Fraud Office at UK level. There was no specific irregularity in Northern Ireland.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Williams of Mostyn: A list of irregularities reported to, or investigated by the PSNI is provided below.
(3) Referred to the Serious Fraud Office at UK level. There was no specific irregularity at NI level.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Only irregularities over 4,000 euros are reported to the European Commission and are investigated by the European Anti Fraud Office (OLAF). A list of such irregularities funded from the EU PEACE I programme is in the table below.
Which European Union PEACE I funded programmes have been reported to, or investigated by, the police; in which cases irregularities were uncovered; and how much money was involved in each case.[HL3554]
Project Amount in £s
Hospitality Association of Northern Ireland 1,000.00
MARI (UK wide investigation) *Not Known(3)
Dundonald Community Projects 16,350.00 Swags and Tails 25,000.00
Petals Daycare 8,405.00
Oakleaf Community Network 2,210.83
Ballyclo Suckler Calf Initiative 114,139.00
Which European Union PEACE I funded programmes have been reported to, or investigated by, the European Commission; in which cases irregularities were uncovered; and how much money was involved in each case.[HL3555]
Project Amount in £s
Bunscoil an Luir 132,724.50
Kircubbin Nursery Provision 10,500.00
Millburn Community Association 4,000.00
Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (formerly Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust) 101,813.50
Rathfriland and District Regeneration Company 3,048.00
Capacity Builder 20,000.00
Trillick Forge 10,875.00
Whitecity Community Development Association 3,066.81
Drumalane/Fathorn Park Residents Association 3,000.00
Northern Ireland African Culture Centre 47,000.00
Disabled in the Community Action 6,600.00
Clifton/Oldparrk Feile 6,000.00
Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health 3,000.00
SPRING 2,900.00
The Blind Centre for Northern Ireland 2,600.00
Family and Community together Group 3,200.00
Fivemiletown Community Development Association 3,297.00
Down Residential Project 3,811.00
Brookborough 22,600.00
NICTU 2,750.00
Carrickfergus 2,575.00
Lisburn YMCA 3,220.00
Border Directions 2,500.00
Erne Catchment Nutrient Scheme 11,277.00
Oakleaf Community Network 2,210.83
Cookstown Partnership project—Little House on the Prairie 8,700.00
Newry & Mourne Partnerships Ballyholland Community Association 22,499.00
Ring of GullionTourism Ltd 31,444.00
MARI (NI) Nil
EPIC 20,000.00
KITE—TWN Project 17,841.00
Springhill Development Assoc 41,500.00
Hospitality Association of Northern Ireland 6,000.00
Moylinn House 4,000.00
Ulster Peoples College 31,000.00
Ulidia Training Services 2,600.00
Walkway Womens Group 4,500.00
Fountain Area Partnership 113,000.00
Personal Economic Development Programme 11,000.00
Sem Bag Manufacturing Project 12,600.00
Dundonald Community Projects 25,600.00
KITE—PlayBoard Project 22,060.00
KITE—PROTEUS Project 16,359.00
Petals Daycare 8,405.00
Roslea Cross Community Playgroup 7,600.00
Grinian Playgroup 3,813.00
Swags and Tails 25,000.00
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