11 February 2000
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Finance and Personnel

Life Expectancy

Ms Ramsey

asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will provide a breakdown of life-expectancy rates by community trust board area.

(AQW 292/99)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): Life expectancy statistics are not currently available by community trust areas. Estimates of life expectancy for Northern Ireland’s four health and social service board areas and 26 local government districts are given in the table below.

Mortality and Morbidity Rates

Ms Ramsey

asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will provide a breakdown of mortality and morbidity rates by committee trust board area.

(AQW 293/99).

Mr Durkan:

Mortality statistics are not currently available by community trust areas. Latest estimates of mortality rates per 1,000 population for Northern Ireland’s 26 local government districts and the four health and social services board areas are given in the table below. Crude mortality rates for any area (the number of deaths per 1,000 population) are affected by the age distribution of the resident population. Accordingly, it is recommended that mortality rates for areas be compared using age-standardised mortality rates.

There are no direct measures of morbidity available.

Special Advisers

Mr Ford

asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to list those appointed as special advisers in his Department, detailing in each case the date appointment was offered, the date employment commenced, the gender of the appointee, whether or not the appointment was a result of open competition, and membership of any political party on the date appointment was offered.

(AQW 329/99)

Mr Durkan:

The Department has not appointed any special advisers to date.

Management Trainee Programme

Ms Lewsley

asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many candidates were recruited to the management trainee programme in 1996 and how many of those recruited were still on the programme at 31 December 1999.

(AQW 336/99)

Mr Durkan:

Twenty people were recruited to the 1996 management trainee scheme. Twelve remained on the scheme at 31 December 1999.

Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Ulster Hospital: Bed Crisis

Mr Shannon

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to review funding to the Ulster Hospital in order to address the present bed crisis.

(AQW 269/99)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): Out of its share of the extra resources for winter pressures, the Eastern Health and Social Services Board has earmarked £269,000 for the Ulster Hospital specifically to fund the additional costs incurred as a result of the present bed crisis. To ensure that this funding is sufficient the board will be reviewing the actual activity undertaken by the hospital and will allocate further funds as required.

As a sciar de na hacmhainní breise do bhrú an gheimhridh, tá £269,000 curtha i leataobh ag Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir d’Oispidéal Uladh, go díreach le maoiniú a sholáthar do na costais bhreise mar gheall ar an ghéarchéim leapacha atá ann faoi láthair. Le cinntiú gur leor an maoiniú seo, beidh an bord ag déanamh athbhreithnithe ar an ghníomhaíocht atá ar bun ag an ospidéal faoi láthair agus cionroinnfidh an bord tuilleadh maóinithe de réir mar is gá.

Cancer Units: Funding

Mr Shannon

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will review funding of cancer units throughout Northern Ireland.

(AQW 271/99)

Ms de Brún:

In doing so, I am very aware of how important it is to improve our cancer services. Cancer is one of the major causes of death in this country, and survival rates are lower than in other European countries.

I am determined to ensure that the fight against cancer should be adequately resourced. Accordingly, it is my intention to use the anticipated additional £9 million in 2000-01 from the proceeds of the increase in tobacco duties for this purpose. These extra resources will support the further development of the cancer units and the enhancement of palliative-care services.

Is maith is eol dom a thábhachtaí atá sé ár seirbhísí ailse a fheabhsú. Is í an ailse ceann de phríomhchúiseanna an bháis sa tír seo agus tá rátaí marthanais níos ísle ná i dtíortha eile na h Eorpa.

Tá mé meáite ar chinntiú go mbeidh acmhainní cuí curtha ar fáil don troid in éadan na h-ailse. Dá thairbhe sin, tá sé de rún agam úsáid a bhaint as an £9 milliún sa bhreis atáimid ag súil le fáil sa bhliain 2000/1 ó na fáltais ó mhéadú dleachtanna ar an tobac chuige seo. Tacóidh na hacmhainní breise seo leis an fhorbairt sa bhreis sna haonaid ailse agus le méadú ar sheirbhísí cúraim mhaolaithigh.

Muckamore Abbey Hospital

Mr J Wilson

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if any account has been taken of the concerns of the Society of Parents and Friends of Muckamore Abbey Hospital over the proposals for relocation of residents, and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 295/99)

Ms de Brún:

The concerns of the Society of Parents and Friends of Muckamore Abbey Hospital have been taken into account.

In the light of these, the North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust will shortly be consulting with the society, and other interested parties, on the formulation of proposals.

Glacadh san áireamh imní Chumann na dTuismitheoirí agus Chairde Otharlann Mhainistir Mhaigh Chomair.

Dá bhrí sin, beidh Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Sóisialta Bhéal Feirste Thuaidh agus Thiar ag gabháil i gcomhairle leis an Chumann gan mhoill comh maith le páirtithe leasmhara eile chun moltaí a chur in eagar.

Air Ambulance Service

Mr Kennedy

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if there are any plans to provide an air ambulance service, given its proven success in other parts of the United Kingdom, and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 305/99)

Ms de Brún:

The final report on a strategic review of the provision of ambulance services here was received by my Department, and the question of an air ambulance service is addressed in that report.

I wish to study the report’s findings and recommendations, and the comments received on them, before reaching any decisions on the viability of any air ambulance service.

Fuarthas an tuarascáil dheiridh ar athbhreithniú straitéiseach ar an soláthar seirbhísí otharcharr anseo ag mo Roinn, agus pléitear ceist aersheirbhís otharchairr taobh istigh den tuarascáil sin.

Ba mhian liom ar dtús staidéar a dhéanamh ar thátail agus ar mholtaí na tuarascála, agus ar an mhéid a bheidh le rá fúthu, sula ndéanfainn aon chinntí maidir le hinmharthanacht aersheirbhís otharchairr.

Hospitals Expenditure

Mr Paisley Jnr

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what disaggregation of expenditure by injury / cause of illness is provided by hospitals in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 312/99)

Ms de Brún:

The information is not readily available in the form requested. Health and social services trusts do not allocate costs or expenditure by injury / cause of illness.

Níl an t-eolas, mar a iarradh é, infhaighte. Ní dháilíonn iontaobhais seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta costais nó caitheachas de réir dochair/cúis tinnis.

Mr Paisley Jnr

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide a breakdown of expenditure by hospitals in Northern Ireland and by admission criteria for each of the last five years.

(AQW 313/99)

Ms de Brún:

The information in the form requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Níl fáil go réidh ar an eolas a d’airr tú agus ní fhéadfaí é a fháil ach ar chostas a bheadh díréireach.

Crime Victims: Medical Care

Mr Paisley Jnr

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many victims of crime were treated in Northern Ireland hospitals in each of the last five years.

(AQW 314/99)

Ms de Brún:

The information in the form requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Níl fáil go réidh ar an eolas a d’iarr tú agus ní fhéadfaí é a fháil ach ar chostas a bheadh díréireach.

Mr Paisley Jnr

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what arrangements her Department has for recovering costs of medical care provided to victims of crime.

(AQW 315/99)

Ms de Brún:

There are no arrangements for recovering such costs.

Níl socruithe déanta leis na costais seo a fháil ar ais.

Mr Paisley Jnr

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what financial value can be accrued from cost recovery from those found guilty of crimes which rendered victims in need of Health Service attention in the last five years.

(AQW 316/99)

Ms de Brún:

The information in the form requested is not available.

Níl an t-eolas ar fáil san fhoirm a iarradh.

Minor Injuries Unit (Larne)

Mr O’Connor

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action is being taken to ensure the provision of a community hospital minor injuries unit for the Larne area.

(AQW 319/99)

Ms de Brún:

Following a review of acute hospital services in its area in 1998, the Northern Health and Social Services Board recommended that Antrim Area Hospital should become the focus for acute services in the southern part of the board’s area, with local hospital services, including day surgery, outpatient services and diagnostic facilities, being developed at Whiteabbey. The board also recommended that a minor injuries unit should be developed in Larne.

I am at present considering how our hospital services can be developed in a way which ensures high-quality hospital care for all those who need it. In doing so, I am very aware of how important hospital services are to local communities in particular. Before any changes are made, therefore, I shall want to ensure that decisions about the future of such services are based on the fullest possible information.

I ndiaidh an athbhreithnithe a rinneadh in 1998 ar ghéarsheirbhísí otharlainne laistigh dá limistéar, mhol Bord Sláinte, agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Tuaiscirt gur chóir na géarsheirbhísí a dhíriú ar Otharlann Cheantar Aontroma sa taobh ó dheas de limistéar an bhoird, ag fágáil seirbhísí áitiúla otharlainne, comh maith le máinliacht lae, seirbhísí na n-othar seachtrach agus áiseanna fáithmheasa á bhforbairt san otharlann ar an Mhainistir Fhionn. Molann an bord comh maith gur chóir aonad mionghortaithe a fhorbairt i Látharna.

Faoi láthair, tá mé ag déanamh machnaimh ar an dóigh is fearr lenár seirbhísí otharlainne a fhorbairt le cinntiú go mbíonn cúram oispidéil ardchailíochta ar fáil do chách a bhfuil sé de dhíth air/uirthi. Chuige sin, tuigim tábhacht na seirbhísí otharlainne don phobal áitiúil go háirithe. Sular ndéanfar athrú ar bith, mar sin, déanfaidh mé cinnte go mbeidh cinnidh faoi thodhchaí na seibhísí bunaithe ar an eolas is iomláine a d’fhéadfaí a fháil.

Contraception

Mr O’Connor

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will confirm that in Northern Ireland morning-after pills are available only on prescription from registered general practitioners.

(AQW 321/99)

Ms de Brún:

Emergency contraception, including the morning-after pill, is available on prescription from general medical practitioners. It is also available from family planning clinics, including some youth clinics and hospital accident and emergency units.

Tá frithghiniúnt éigeandála, mar aon leis an ‘phiolla lá arna mharach’ ar fáil le hoideas ó ghnáthdhochtúirí ginearálta. Tá sé ar fáil comh maith ó chlinicí pleanáil clainne comh maith le clinicí óige agus aonaid otharlainne timpistí agus éigeandála.

Occupational Therapy (East Antrim)

Mr O’Connor

asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action has been taken to reduce occupational therapy waiting times in the East Antrim constituency.

(AQW 322/99)

Ms de Brún:

A further 1·5 WTE occupational therapy staff are being appointed in Homefirst Community Trust, serving East Antrim. The trust has agreed a strategy to target, by June 2000, clients waiting six months or more.

Ceapfar 1·5 de fhoireann teiripe saothair lán-aimseartha in Iontaobhas Pobail Homefirst ag freastal ar Anontroim Thoir. D’aontaigh an tiontaobhas ar straitéis le díriú ar chliaint atá ag fanacht le 6 mhí nó níos faide faoi Mheitheamh 2000.

Higher and Further Education,
Training and Employment

Long-Term Unemployment

Mrs Nelis

asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment if he will examine the need to overhaul the intensive activity period for the long-term unemployed in the New Deal programme for over-25-year-olds.

(AQW 335/99)

The Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment (Dr Farren): Northern Ireland is one of 29 areas throughout the United Kingdom which are currently testing the effectiveness of new approaches to helping long-term unemployed adults back into work. The New Deal 25-plus pilots were introduced in November 1998 and will operate until April 2001. Northern Ireland is by far the largest pilot area, with 30,000 of the overall 90,000 available places.

The intensive activity period is a key feature of the pilots, which offers participants a 13-week programme aimed specifically at getting them into a job or improving their employability.

An evaluation of the New Deal 25-plus pilots is currently under way, and the results will be published and made available later in the year. Until the evaluation is complete it would be inappropriate to make any substantive changes to any aspect of the New Deal 25-plus programme. Any future provision for the long-term unemployed, post-April 2001, will, of course, fully take into account the results of the evaluation.

Regional Development

Roads Service Budget

Mrs Nelis

asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the proposed allocation from his budget to the Roads Service west of the Bann.

(AQW 277/99)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr P Robinson): The allocation of my Department’s Roads Service budget to the four Roads Service divisions and across district council areas has not yet been determined. I will announce the details as soon as they have been finalised.

Special Advisers

Mr Ford

asked the Minister for Regional Development to list those appointed as special advisers in his Department, detailing in each case the date appointment was offered, the date employment commenced, the gender of each appointee, whether or not disabled, whether or not the appointment was a result of open competition, and membership of any political party on the date appointment was offered.

(AQW 349/99)

Mr P Robinson:

My special adviser, of male gender, was offered and commenced employment on 31 January 2000. I am not aware of any disability that he may have. He was appointed in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and, to the best of my knowledge, is not a member of any political party.

Social Development

Housing Executive Waiting List:
Medical Priority

Mrs Nelis

asked the Minister for Social Development if he will investigate the allocation policy of the Housing Executive in respect of the medical priority waiting list for housing.

(AQW 276/99)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): Following a comprehensive consultation exercise, a common selection scheme for the allocation of future tenancies by both the Housing Executive and housing associations is planned for implementation later this year.

One of the factors which drove the need for a review of the existing allocation scheme was recognition of the difficulty in matching an applicant with medical problems to appropriate accommodation. Representatives of public bodies responsible for health and welfare needs were fully involved in the review and the final design of the proposed common selection scheme. Operation of the scheme will include liaison between the Housing Executive and other agencies, in an attempt to ensure that an individual’s health and other support needs are addressed as part of the allocation process.

In the meantime, allocations must continue to be made on the basis of the current scheme approved by the Department. It is envisaged that the next review, which will give an indication of the effectiveness of allocation policy, will take the form of an evaluation exercise when the common selection scheme has been in operation for a sufficient time.

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