§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what estimate he has made of the maintenance backlog of each education and library board in Northern Ireland; [19683]
(2) what estimate he has made of the maintenance backlog of the education and library boards in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; [19684]
(3) what action he has taken in response to the report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office "Education and Library Boards: Maintenance of Board Property". [19685]
§ Mr. AncramThe current estimated maintenance backlog of each board is as follows:
- Belfast: £33.6 million
- North-eastern: £12.7 million
- South-eastern: £30.3 million
- Southern: £22.3 million
- Western: £14.8 million
The extent of the maintenance backlog in any year is dependent on the previous level of investment by the boards and any additional demands which may arise. Estimates of the total maintenance needs for the three years ending 1999–2000 are not available.
The Northern Ireland Audit Office report has been considered in consultation with the education and library boards and a programme of action has been agreed to address the report's recommendations. This matter is the subject of on-going Public Accounts Committee consideration and my Department will be responding in detail to the PAC report in due course.