HC Deb 06 May 1993 vol 224 cc199-200W
Mr. Martlew

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much will be spent or has been spent in each year from 1990–91 to 1995–96 on(a) stage 1

Mr. Hanley

[holding answer 4 May 1993]: The number of occupational therapists and physiotherapists employed in the Eastern and Southern health and social services boards, Down and Lisburn, Newry and Mourne, and Banbridge and Craigavon units of management in each of the years ended 31 March since 1983 was as follows:

ESAs, (b)stage 2 ESAs, (c) stage 3 ESAs and (d) stage 4 ESAs, identifying how much of the total is allocated for the public access payments; what is the amount to be spent on (i) nitrate-sensitive areas, (ii) the moorland scheme, (iii) the habitat improvement scheme, (iv) set-aside management, identifying how much of the total will be for public access payments, and (v) organic farming in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

[holding answer 4 May 1993]: Expenditure on payments to farmers in the two ESA areas designated in 1988 and 1989 was £200,000 in 1990–91, £393,000 in 1991–92 and £466,000 in 1992–93 and planned expenditure is £750,000 in 1993–94. Planned expenditure for revised and new ESAs designated in 1993 is £2 million in 1994–95 and £4.4 million in 1995–96. None of this funding is specifically allocated for public access.

While there are no plans at present to introduce a nitrate-sensitive areas scheme in Northern Ireland, public consultation documents have been issued under the agri-environment regulation for a moorland scheme, a habitat improvement scheme and an organic scheme. Planned expenditure on payments to farmers under these proposed new measures in Northern Ireland is £252,000 in 1994–95 and £1.08 million in 1995–96. The precise allocation between the schemes will be decided in the light of the results of public consultation. As is the case for ESAs, no payments are specifically allocated for public access.