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Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 18 May (WA 75), whether Mr O'R-aga-n attended the Ulster Scots future search from 28 to 30 November 2002; and whether he gave consultancy advice to the department directly after the event; and, if so, why that information was not provided. [HL2961]
Baroness Amos: Mr O'R-aga-n attended the future search conference in November 2002. The advice he subsequently gave related to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made since 1 March by the Ulster Scots future search, organised by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. [HL3010]
Baroness Amos: Since 1 March 2004, there have been a number of meetings of the Ulster Scots Future Search Implementation Group. These addressed language, education, equality, communication, community infrastructure/empowerment and internationalism. The work was temporarily suspended in April 2004 at the request of Ulster Scots representatives.
Waterways Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
When the consultative meeting with Waterways Ireland took place, at which the 2004 budget for Waterways Ireland was considered; who attended
- the meeting; and whether they will place copies of the minutes of the meeting in the Library of the House. [HL2730]
Baroness Amos: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 31 March 2004 (WA 157).
Under Part II, paragraph 2 (Internal discussion and advice) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it would be inappropriate for the Government to disclose documentation relating to discussions on the budget for Waterways Ireland.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much has been spent each year to date in restoration by Waterways Ireland of the Royal Canal and the Union Canal; what is the projection for the future; and when restoration will be completed. [HL2888]
Baroness Amos: The restoration of the Royal Canal is part of an overall capital works programme agreed under the Republic of Ireland national development plan 2000–06. Since Waterways Ireland took over responsibilty for the restoration of the Royal Canal on 1 April 2000, a total of 7.22 million euros has been spent to date. The yearly expenditure was as follows:
The projected future expenditure is as follows:
It is hoped to complete the restoration under the national development plan 2000–06.
Waterways Ireland does not have a Union Canal under its remit.
Irish Language Agency
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What factors were taken into consideration in the decision to allocate proportionality of funding for the Irish Language Agency for each year since 2000. [HL2731]
Baroness Amos: The budgets for the Irish Language Agency have been determined in accordance with normal budgeting procedures on the basis of business plans supplied by the agency. The assessment of benefits for each jurisdiction in relation to the language body budget, including the Irish language budget, was made when the body was established in December 1999. No new factors have arisen since then which would require a change to this assessment.
10 Jun 2004 : Column WA42
Republic of Ireland: Official Languages Act
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 22 April (WA 55), whether the Republic of Ireland's Official Languages Act 2003 applies to all implementation bodies which have locations in the Republic of Ireland. [HL2733]
Baroness Amos: The Government understand that the Official Languages Act 2003 applies to those activities of the bodies that occur in the Republic of Ireland.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 6 May (WA 125) concerning the Republic of Ireland's Official Languages Act 2003, when the code of practice reflecting the legal and policy frameworks established in both jurisdictions will be ready; whether a copy will be placed in the Library of the House; and whether it will refer to the Official Languages Act 2003. [HL2945]
Baroness Amos: The code of practice is currently in preparation. When it is finalised it is likely that it will refer to the Official Languages Act 2003.
I will ensure that copies are placed in the Library of the House.
Cross-Border Implementation Bodies
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in respect of the 2004 budgets for Cross-Border Implementation Bodies, is it possible for a body to receive up to a 40 per cent increase on its 2003 budget under the policy of care and maintenance; and if so, on what basis. [HL2749]
Baroness Amos: It is possible for a body to receive an increase in its 2003 budget provided it relates to the continuation of policies and activities clearly agreed in the North/South Ministerial Council.
Language Implementation Body
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
In relation to the statement concerning the 2004 budget of the Language Implementation Body in the record of Cross-Border Decisions IP/LAN 11, with whom did the departments agree the 2004 business plans, where and on what dates; and what is meant by "the 2003 baseline position". [HL2816]
Baroness Amos: Following agreement with the two Departments of Finance, the two sponsor departments agreed with each other on 15 January 2004 to approve specified actions of the 2004 business plans. This approval followed consideration and discussions between the departments concerned and with the two agencies. The 2003 baseline position means the approved budget for 2003.
10 Jun 2004 : Column WA43
Northern Ireland: Hospitals
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What hospitals in Northern Ireland have a total smoking ban; which have a partial ban; and which have no ban at all. [HL2820]
Baroness Amos: The information requested is provided in the table below:
Northern Ireland: Long-term Care of the Elderly
Lord Lipsey asked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to extend to Northern Ireland the provision whereby elderly people no longer have to sell their homes in their lifetime to pay for long term care. [HL2873]
Baroness Amos: There are no plans at present to extend the deferred payments scheme for long-term care to Northern Ireland. A 12-week disregard on the value of a resident's home came into operation on 22 April 2002.
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