§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 9 September, what progress has been made in the provision of pensions for staff of the implementation bodies. [HL5087]
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§ Baroness AmosSince the previous Written Answer on this subject, progress continues to be made on all aspects of the pension scheme for staff of the North/ South Implementation Bodies. Consultation with stakeholders in both jurisdictions has been of a more comprehensive nature than was first envisaged but the issue is being addressed and taken forward by the two administrations as quickly as possible.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 8 September (WA 5), whether all the bodies have now supplied final accounts for 2000, 2001 and 2002 to the North/South Ministerial Council; if not, which bodies have not yet supplied such accounts; and why. [HL5O88]
§ Baroness AmosThe position regarding final accounts is shown in the attached table.
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Body Year Final Accounts Provided to NSMC? If not, the reason Trade and Business 2000 Yes Development Body 2001 Yes 2002 Yes The Food Safety 2000 Yes Promotion Board 2001 No The 2001 Accounts were submitted in May 2002 and the certification took longer than anticipated. The Accounts were certified in June 2003 and will be submitted to the NSMC shortly. 2002 No Audit fieldwork has been completed. Further work is required before the Accounts can be signed off. Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission 2000 No 2000 Accounts have been certified, these will be submitted shortly to the NSMC. 2001 No The 2001 and 2000 Accounts will be certified by the end of December 2003. Current delay is due to a delay in finalising the accounts of the Loughs. 2002 No Waterways Ireland 2000 Yes 2001 No Accounts for 2001 were certified 2002 No on 28 October 2003 and will be submitted shortly to NSMC. Accounts for 2002 are with the Comptrollers and Auditors General and it is expected that these will be signed off soon. Special EU 2000 Yes Programmes Body 2001 Yes 2002 No The Comptrollers and Auditors General have certified the accounts; they will be submitted shortly to the NSMC. The accounts are currently with Ministers in Sponsor Departments for consideration. North/South 2000 No Departments have recently Language Body agreed the format for 2001 No Consolidated Accounts for the 2002 No North/South Language Body with the Comptrollers and Auditors General.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 10 September (WA 122) concerning consultation about the 2003 budget with the Ulster Scots Agency, whether this was contrary to the Financial Memorandum for the cross-border implementation bodies; and [HL5125]
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 13 October (WA 93) concerning cross- border implementation bodies, what is meant by "normally consulted"; and whether the annual procedure is to consult the bodies on budgetary matters. [HL5432]
§ Baroness AmosI refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 12 November[Official Report, col. WA 197).
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
With regard to the budgets for 2004 of the cross border implementation bodies:
[HL5397]
- (a) on what date each body supplied a business case to the appropriate department and how much funding was requested;
- (b) on what date the budget was agreed with each of the appropriate departments in the cases where agreement has been reached;
- (c) what is the amount agreed for each budget and how it compares in percentage terms with that of 2003; and
- (d) in which cases proportionality of funding was altered since 2003, by how much and why.
§ Baroness AmosDetails of the date on which each body supplied a 2004 business plan to the relevant sponsor department and the amount of funding requested are set out in the attached table. Budgets for all North/South implementation bodies are subject to joint agreement by Ministers, North and South in accordance with the arrangements under the agreement made by the exchange of notes between the two governments dated 19 November 2002. This process has not yet been completed in respect of 2004, and it is therefore not possible to provide the information requested at parts (b) (c) and (d) at this time.
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2004 Budgets for North/South Bodies North/South Body Date Business Plan Submitted Amount of Funding Requested (£ million) Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission 5 September 2003 3.2 Waterways Ireland 28 August 2003 31.7 Language Body— Ulster Scots Agency 20 August 2003 3.0 Foras na Gaeilge 13 October 2003 13.8 InterTrade— Ireland 23 October 2003 9.0
2004 Budgets for North/South Bodies North/South Body Date Business Plan Submitted Amount of Funding Requested (£ million) Special EU Programmes Body 1 August 2003 2.0 Food Safety Promotion Board 16 October 2003 6.1
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there is any expected underspend during 2003 for each of the cross-border implementation bodies; if so, which bodies may be underspent and by how much; and what are the reasons for such underspends. [HL5507]
§ Baroness AmosThe attached table provides details of the underspend which each of the North/South implementation bodies has advised is anticipated at this time.
Expected Underspend for North/South Bodies Body Amount of Expected Expected Underspend Reasons for Underspend Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission £1.7 million Legislation required for the Agency to undertake all of its functions has not been progressed. Waterways Ireland £4.1 million Delays in the provision of accommodation, recruitment and planning process for a number of capital projects in the South. Language Body Nil N/A InterTrade— Ireland £2.5 million Delays in the full implementation of the approved work programme. Special EU Programmes Body £0.1 million Delays on work to the Common Chapter and the establishment of the Regional Partnership Board. Food Safety Promotion Board Nil N/A
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the expected underspends during 2003 of the cross-border implementation bodies will affect their budgets for 2004. [HL5508]
§ Baroness AmosThe budgets for North/South implementation bodies for 2004 will be considered in the context of the relevant body's 2004 business plan in accordance with the normal budgetary process.
353WAWhile underspend of a body is not an issue considered in the budget process, the factors contributing to that underspend may have an impact on the development of the business plan and thus the budget.