Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers
Outside of land directly owned or managed by the Department, NIEA seeks to work in partnership
with organisations to tackle invasive species. For example, the Department has recently provided part
funding to a £2.6 million catchment scale eradication project, led by the Queens University Belfast.
This project, which covers the Newry Canal/Clanrye River and River Faughan, aims to tackle Japanese
knotweed as well as other invasive species in these river catchments.
To raise awareness of invasive species NIEA has worked in partnership with Local Biodiversity Officers
across Northern Ireland to deliver training on legislation, identification and management options for a
range of species, including Japanese knotweed, to staff from a range of organisations including District
Councils, Roads Service, Rivers Agency, Translink and environmental NGOs. This training has also been
provided to local angling clubs upon request.
In addition NIEA, through its Natural Heritage Grant Programme, can provide funding towards projects
which aim to sustainably control invasive species such as Japanese knotweed.
To reduce the risk of further spread of Japanese knotweed NIEA would advise that it is treated in situ
where it is possible to do so. Where Japanese knotweed is required to be moved offsite the movement
of the waste material must be done in compliance with the Controlled Waste (Duty of Care) Regulations
(NI) 2002 and the Waste Management Regulations (NI) 2006. Any suspected illegal disposal or
transport of waste material, including Japanese knotweed material, can be reported via Crimestoppers
on 0800 555 111. This enables waste crime to be reported completely anonymously.
Council Staff who Received Severance Pay-Outs
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of the Environment how many council staff who were (i) dismissed;
or (ii) resigned, after or during suspension for investigations, received severance pay-outs, or similar,
broken down by council area, in each of the last 10 years.
(AQW 13187/11-15)
Mr Attwood: The information requested is provided in the table below for each of the last 10 years.
(i) Dismissed and received severance pay-outs
Council 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Antrim 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ards 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Armagh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ballymena 0 0 0 0 1^ 1^ 0 0 0 0
Ballymoney 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Banbridge 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Belfast 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Carrickfergus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Castlereagh # # # # # # # # # #
Coleraine 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cookstown 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
Craigavon # # # # # # # # # #
Derry 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Down 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dungannon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
WA 534