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Sustainable Development

Answer

The recent announcement on the Draft Priorities and Budget indicated significant increased funding for Northern Ireland in the health and education sectors along with three new ring-fenced investment priority funding packages: children and young people, investment in training and skills and in protecting the environment by the research and development of new sources of renewable and clean energy. This will help to ensure that Northern Ireland is better equipped for a more sustainable future.The Department of the Environment (DOE) is taking the lead in producing the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland (NISDS) which is due to be published along with an implementation plan in summer 2006.The emerging strategy has identified six priority areas for action and flagged up that some of the key sustainable development issues for NI relate to energy, waste and transport and their associated impacts on society.In tackling the key issue of waste, the Department of the Environment is working with all local authorities on the implementation of the Waste Management Strategy and provides funding which supports recycling of waste. Together with the recent inclusion of Antrim borough council in the kerbside collection scheme operated by Bryson House Recycling, this has contributed to the area having one of the highest recycling rates in NI (38.4 per cent.).Energy and CO2 emissions from fossil fuels are another key issue for NI. The erection of a 600 kWh wind turbine on the Antrim Hospital site generates the hospital's base electrical loading using renewable energy and giving an estimated reduction of 1,376 tonnes in CO2 annually.In terms of transport, a series of improvements to the A8 Belfast to Larne road over recent years will help to increase safety and improve travel times on what is a key route within the Antrim council area. Furthermore, DRD have announced that almost £700,000 will be invested in local transport and safety schemes in the Antrim council area this year.Last month, the Department for Social Development awarded Antrim town centre £75,000 as part of a town marketing programme which includes support for a programme of events and a shop local initiative. This will help support the local economy and assist in branding Antrim as an interesting place to visit.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

439 c2199-200W;439 c2197-8W; 30806

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Northern Ireland Sustainable development Antrim

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk