HC Deb 04 December 1996 vol 286 cc705-6W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidance and training programmes have been implemented by the cross-community relations unit in respect of the targeting social need initiative. [6782]

Mr. Ancram

In 1991 the central community relations unit—CCRU—conducted a formal series of briefing seminars for senior officials in all Northern Ireland departments on the TSN initiative and its underlying concepts. Similar seminars were subsequently organised for other public sector organisations. CCRU continues to provide departments with general guidance on the implementation of TSN and advice on specific aspects.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the impact of the targeting social need initiative on public expenditure in the last five years. [6783]

Sir John Wheeler

Targeting social need is a public expenditure priority which has had an important influence on spending allocations in Northern Ireland over the past five years. TSN is reflected, for example, in the funding formulae for allocations to schools, the differential rates of industrial development grants and the provision of social housing. A significant proportion of public expenditure is directly related to meeting social need.