Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Hansard, 20 November 2003)

§ Lord Laird
asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many staff there are in the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; and what are its annual running costs. [HL5453]

§ Baroness Amos
At 20 November 2003, there are 14 members of staff in the Linguistic Diversity Unit of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. The annual salary costs for these 14 staff, based on 2002–03 pay rates are £382,000.

§ Lord Laird
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Since 1999 what "future searches" have been carried out by the Northern Ireland Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure; how much each cost; when they were commenced; when they were completed; and what was the outcome. [HL5455]

§ Baroness Amos
Since 1999 the Northern Ireland Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure has undertaken six "future searches". These are:

(1) PUBLIC LIBRARIES FUTURE SEARCH conducted as part of the review of the public library service.

Cost: £20,000

Commenced: 5 November 2001

Finished: 7 November 2001

Outcome: The ultimate outcome was the publication Tomorrows Libraries— Views of the Public Library Sector which was published in December 2002. During the Future Search conference five key themes emerged as the basis for a shared future vision for the library service. These themes were developed further by action planning groups and provided the structure of the above publication. The department is currently working to turn this vision into a practical strategic and resourced way forward.

(2) ARCHIVES POLICY FUTURE SEARCH undertaken to determine future direction for archives in Northern Ireland and provide the foundation for new archive legislation.

Cost: £14,500

Commenced: 17 October 2002

Outcome: The Future Search conference identified the main issues to be addressed in developing archives

355WA

policy and these were explored in more detail by a number of planning groups. The resulting draft report with recommendations is now with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for consideration and response.

(3) GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FUTURE SEARCH was carried out to help develop a strategy for this policy area.

Cost: £18,000

Commenced: 20 February 2002

Finished: 22 February 2002

Outcome: Following the Future Search conference a document entitled A Geographic Information Strategy for Northern Ireland— A Consultative Document was drafted and issued for consultation in December 2002.

(4) FOOTBALL FUTURE SEARCH was undertaken as part of an initiative to develop a strategy for soccer in Northern Ireland.

Cost: £27,000

Commenced: 10 February 2001

Finished: 12 February 2001

Outcome: The proceedings of this Future Search conference helpd to inform the report of the Football Advisory Panel to the Minister, Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland. The report was subsequently endorsed by the Minister and formed the basis of the Irish Football Association's development plan for soccer.

(5) ULSTER-SCOTS FUTURE SEARCH was undertaken to help develop an agreed and achievable strategy for the development of Ulster- Scots language and culture.

Cost: £27,000

Commenced: 28 November 2002

Finished: 30 November 2002

Outcome: The conference produced around 30 common themes and the department is working closely with the Ulster-Scots community to develop an agreed and achievable strategy using these as a base.

(6)ARTS FUTURE SEARCH was undertaken to seek stakeholder views and help develop a coherent strategy for the development of policy in this area.

Cost: £25,000

Commenced: 30 May 2000

Finished: 1 June 2000

Outcome: The Future Search conference identified a number of key issues which stakeholders identified as being critical to the development of this sector. Following the

356WA

conference working groups developed recommendations and actions to progress these key themes all recommendations and actions were published in June 2001 in the Face to Face document, a 10-year vision for Arts and Culture in Northern Ireland.

§ Lord Laird
asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many economists are employed by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; what are their qualifications; and how they were selected. [HL5473]

§ Baroness Amos
There are two economists currently working in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. All economists in Northern Ireland Civil Services (N1CS) are recruited and employed by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) and then posted on-loan to other NICS departments.
Economists are recruited through externally advertised competitions at assistant economist and deputy economist level. The entry requirements for these grades are:
Assistant Economist-"At least a second class honours degree or post graduate qualification in economics or in a subject where the study of economics is a major component".
Deputy Economist—"At least a second class honours degree with economics as a major component and at least 2 years' post qualification experience within the last 5 years in economic/financial research and analysis".

(1) PUBLIC LIBRARIES FUTURE SEARCH conducted as part of the review of the public library service.
Cost:	£20,000
Commenced:	5 November 2001
Finished:	7 November 2001
Outcome:	The ultimate outcome was the publication Tomorrows Libraries— Views of the Public Library Sector which was published in December 2002. During the Future Search conference five key themes emerged as the basis for a shared future vision for the library service. These themes were developed further by action planning groups and provided the structure of the above publication. The department is currently working to turn this vision into a practical strategic and resourced way forward.
(2) ARCHIVES POLICY FUTURE SEARCH undertaken to determine future direction for archives in Northern Ireland and provide the foundation for new archive legislation.
Cost:	£14,500
Commenced:	17 October 2002
Outcome:	The Future Search conference identified the main issues to be addressed in developing archives

	policy and these were explored in more detail by a number of planning groups. The resulting draft report with recommendations is now with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for consideration and response.
(3) GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FUTURE SEARCH was carried out to help develop a strategy for this policy area.
Cost:	£18,000
Commenced:	20 February 2002
Finished:	22 February 2002
Outcome:	Following the Future Search conference a document entitled A Geographic Information Strategy for Northern Ireland— A Consultative Document was drafted and issued for consultation in December 2002.
(4) FOOTBALL FUTURE SEARCH was undertaken as part of an initiative to develop a strategy for soccer in Northern Ireland.
Cost:	£27,000
Commenced:	10 February 2001
Finished:	12 February 2001
Outcome:	The proceedings of this Future Search conference helpd to inform the report of the Football Advisory Panel to the Minister, Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland. The report was subsequently endorsed by the Minister and formed the basis of the Irish Football Association's development plan for soccer.
(5) ULSTER-SCOTS FUTURE SEARCH was undertaken to help develop an agreed and achievable strategy for the development of Ulster- Scots language and culture.
Cost:	£27,000
Commenced:	28 November 2002
Finished:	30 November 2002
Outcome:	The conference produced around 30 common themes and the department is working closely with the Ulster-Scots community to develop an agreed and achievable strategy using these as a base.
(6)ARTS FUTURE SEARCH was undertaken to seek stakeholder views and help develop a coherent strategy for the development of policy in this area.
Cost:	£25,000
Commenced:	30 May 2000
Finished:	1 June 2000
Outcome:	The Future Search conference identified a number of key issues which stakeholders identified as being critical to the development of this sector. Following the