Friday 9 June 2000
Written Answers to Questions

Interest Relief Loan Scheme

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in pursuance of AQW 163/99, to confirm whether the £100,000,000 interest relief scheme has been formally submitted to the Department, and to make a statement.

(AQW 429/99)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): The proposals in question have not been put formally to the Department. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to make any statement about them.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what were the levels of expenditure on Agri-environment schemes, Afforestation and Less Favoured Areas Compensatory Allowances forecast for each year from 2000/01 to 2006/07 prior to the announcement by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on modulation and how she intends to finance this expenditure, and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 432/99)

Ms Rodgers: I refer you to my answer of 4 February 2000 to your written question AQW 317/99.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm that to proceed with the current proposals on modulation, the funding and matching funding for modulation from Treasury will not be additional in the way that the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food intended it to be.

(AQW 433/99)

Ms Rodgers: I refer you to my written answer of 3 February 2000 to your question AQW 318/99.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps will be taken to promote Northern Ireland produce.

(AQW 436/99)

Ms Rodgers: There are very strict EU rules limiting the extent to which Governments can support publicity campaigns which promote domestically produced goods in preference to similar goods from other parts of the EU. Consequently, public funds cannot be used to endorse food produce on the basis of its region of origin. However, my Department is providing £2 million to support the marketing of Northern Ireland red meat on the basis of its quality. In addition, £400,000 has been earmarked to support marketing in the pig meat sector. My Department also works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in supporting the marketing and promotional activities of the Northern Ireland agri-food sector.

Planning: Third-Party Appeals

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of the Environment if he is considering the introduction of a third-party appeals system in relation to planning projects.

(AQW 467/99)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): The case for introducing third-party rights of appeal has been considered on a number of occasions in the past — by the previous Northern Ireland Assembly in 1983 and by the House of Commons Select Committee in 1996. However, it was concluded on both occasions that because of resource implications and potential delay and uncertainty in the planning process third-party rights of appeal should not be introduced. The Department is aware, however, of the current interest in the subject of third-party appeals, and policy in this area is being kept under review.

Planning: Farm Diversification

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment to give assurances to the members of the farming community who wish to diversify that every effort will be made to assure them that planning policy will not hamper their efforts.

(AQW 497/99)

Mr Foster: While each proposal is considered on its merits having regard to prevailing planning policies, the Department is favourably disposed towards acceptance of farm diversification, provided that it is of an acceptable nature and scale in the locality; is capable of satisfactory integration into the rural landscape; has acceptable access and parking arrangements; has no potential to cause pollution; and does not cause a nuisance to nearby residents.

Dioxin Contamination

Mr Ford asked the Minister of the Environment whether the Department is aware of recent reports (a) of dioxin contamination near waste incinerators in England and (b) from the United States Environmental Protection Agency on the dangers of dioxins.

(AQW 516/99)

Mr Foster: (a) The Department is aware of a report on contamination related to ash disposal from a waste incineration plant in the north-east of England — Byker combined heat and power plant, which is situated in Newcastle and is operated under contract for Newcastle City Council. The Environment Agency is investigating possible breaches of environmental legislation in that between 1994 and 1999 some of the ash from the plant was deposited and used to construct pathways.

(b) A draft paper on risks from dioxins was issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 1994 for consultation. The final paper is expected this summer. A UK position paper on dioxins is currently being drafted and will inform future decisions.

Waste Incineration

Mr Ford asked the Minister of the Environment what assessment has been made in relation to the use of incineration as part of the waste management strategy for Northern Ireland.

(AQW 517/99)

Mr Foster: Waste-to-energy is one of a range of possible options identified in the strategy, but specific assessments are a matter for district councils when preparing their waste management plans.

These plans will have to meet and sustain the challenging recycling targets and demonstrate that new proposals provide the best practicable environmental option (BPEO) in terms of environmental, economic and social benefits. Should any plans include incineration the facilities would be subject to strict EU emission standards.

Mr Attwood asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel whether Northern Ireland will come within the new arrangements for national statistics announced by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on 7 June 2000.

(AQW 612/99)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): I can confirm that official statistics produced by the Northern Ireland Departments will come within the scope of the national statistics. A copy of the framework document which describes the new arrangements will be placed in the Assembly Library.

Air Ambulance Service

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if there are any plans to provide an air ambulance service in Northern Ireland, and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 450/99)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): The issue of an air ambulance service is addressed in the report of the strategic review of the Ambulance Service on which my Department is consulting to 30 June 2000. I also understand that Ards Borough Council, along with other parties, is taking steps to establish a charitable trust to fund the provision of such a service. I will wish to consider carefully the responses to the consultation on the strategic review before taking decisions on how ambulance services can best be improved.

Luaitear seirbhís Aerothar i dtuairisc athbhreitniú straitéiseach an tSeirbhís Otharchair, a bhfuil mo Roinn ag déanamh staidéar air go dtí 30 Meitheamh 2000. Tuigim chomh maith, go bhfuil Comhairle na hArda agus dreamanna eile ag cur Iontaobhas Carthanachta ar bun le díol as seirbhís mar seo a chur ar fáil. Sula ndéanaim socrú ar an bhealach is fearr leis an seirbhís otharcharr a fhorbairt ba mhaith liom smaoineadh go cúramach ar na freagraí a thiocfaidh ón athbhreitniú staitéiseach.

Hospital Services: (Ballymena)

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action has been taken to ensure the provision of a community hospital/minor injuries unit for the Ballymena area.

(AQW 451/99)

Ms de Brún: The Northern Health and Social Services Board reviewed its acute hospital services in 1998 and recommended the concentration of acute care at Antrim and Coleraine. The board proposed that local hospital services, including day surgery, outpatient services and diagnostic facilities, should be developed at Whiteabbey and Magherafelt. The board also recommended that minor injuries units should be developed in the Ballymena and Larne areas.

I am now considering how our hospital services can be developed in a way which ensures high-quality care for all those who need it. I want to look at all the options involved before coming to any conclusions. I am very aware of how important hospital services are to local communities in particular, and before any changes are made I shall want to ensure that decisions about the future of services are based on the fullest possible information.

Rinne Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Tuaiscirt athbhreithniú ar a chuid géarsheirbhísí oispidéal i 1998 agus mhol sé gur cheart an géarchúram a lárú in Aontroim agus i gCúil Raithin. Mol an Bord gur cheart na seirbhísí áitiúla ospidéal, agus an mháinliacht lae, na seirbhísí eisothar, agus na saoráidí diagnóiseacha san áireamh, a fhorbairt sa Mhainistir Fhionn agus i Machaire Fíolta. Mhol an Bord fosta gur chóir na haonaid chóireála mionghorthuithe a fhorbairt i gceantair an Bhaile Mheánaigh agus Latharna.

Anois tá mé ag cuimhneamh ar an dóigh a bhféadfaí ár seirbhísí ospidéal a fhorbairt lena chinntiú go gcuirfí scoth cúraim ar fáil dóibh siúd a bhfuil sí de dhíth orthu. Ba mhaith liom amharc ar na roghanna atá ann sula ndéanfaidh mé cinneadh ar bith. Tuigim go maith a thabhachtaí atá na seirbhísí ospidéal don phobal áitiúil go háirithe, agus sula ndéanfar athruithe ar bith, ba mhaith liom a chinntiú go bhfuil gach cinneadh faoi na seirbhísí sa todhchaí bunaithe ar an eolas is iomláine.

Influenza Vaccine

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action will be taken to ensure that the influenza vaccine is more widely available and publicised in the future; and what funding will be made available for this vaccine.

(AQW 452/99)

Ms de Brún: My Department is committed to offering influenza vaccine to all people aged over 65 this year for the first time. As in previous years, people of all ages who are at higher risk of serious illness from influenza will also be offered vaccine. Influenza vaccine will also be offered to key health and social care workers. The Chief Medical Officer has set up a multidisciplinary group to make recommendations for the 2000-01 influenza vaccination programme. The programme will include a public information campaign. A total budget of £1·6 million has been set aside.

I mbliana den chéad uair tá mo Roinn ag cur ceangail uirthi féin vacsaíní in éadan fliú a chur ar fáil do dhaoine os cionn 65 bliana d’aois. Cuirfear vacsaíní ar fáil fosta do dhaoine in aois ar bith atá i mbaol mór tromghalair, mar a rinneadh le blianta anuas. Cuirfear an vacsaín ar fail do oibrithe cúraim sláinte agus sóisialta a bhfuil dianriachtanas leo. Tá an Priomhoifigeach Míochaine i ndiaidh grúpa ilghairmiúil a bhunú le moltaí a chur chun tosaigh faoin chlár vacsaíniú in éadan fliú do 2000/2001. Beidh feachtas eolais ann don phobal mar chuid den chlár. Tá buiséad de £1·6m curtha i leataobh dó.

Contraception

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will explain why the morning-after pill is only available in Northern Ireland on prescription from registered general practitioners, and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 453/99)

Ms de Brún: Emergency hormonal contraception (EHC), also known as the morning-after pill, is available here on prescription from general practitioners. It is also available from family planning clinics, including some youth clinics and hospital accident and emergency units. EHCs are licensed as a prescription-only medicine here and in Great Britain under legal criteria set out in directive 92/26 EEC and the Medicines Act 1968.

Tá an frithghiniúinnt hormónach eigeandála (FHE), nó mhaidin dar gcionn piolla, ar fáil anseo ó na gnáthdhochtúirí. Tá sé ar fáil ó clinici pleanáil chlainne, ionad óige agus ionaid thimpiste agus éigeandála otharlainne. Tá ceadaithe FHE a fháil mar chogas oideas amháin anseo agus i Sasana faoi chritéir dli leagtha sios i paipeir treorach 92/26 den CEE agus in Acht Leighis 1968.

Occupational Therapy (North Antrim)

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

(AQW 454/99)

Ms de Brún: In April this year Homefirst Health and Social Services Trust appointed an additional grade 2 occupational therapist (OT), a 0.5 WTE unqualified assistant OT and a 0.25 WTE clerical officer in the North Antrim constituency. There have been no additional staff appointed by the Causeway Health and Social Services Trust.

In Aibrean i mbliaina d’fhostaigh an Iontabhas CéadBaile Sláinte agus Seirbhisi Sóisialta teiripoir shaothair den dara grád, cuntóir teiripoir shaothair 0.5 WTE nach bhfuil cailithe agus oifigeach cleireach 0.25 WTE breise i ceantar Tuaisceart Aontroma. Nior fhostaigh Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhisi Sóisialta Causeway daoine breise.

Hosiptals: 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 455/99)

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 caiteachas 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 456/99)

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.

Crime Victims: Hospital Treatment

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 457/99)

Ms de Brún: The information in the form requested is not readily available and could be provided only at a 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 458/99)

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 criminal offences which rendered victims in need of Health Service attention in the last five years.

(AQW 459/99)

Ms de Brún: The information in the form requested is not available.

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

Patients: Complaints Procedure

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what systems are in place to monitor primary care patient satisfaction with their local medical service.

(AQW 461/99)

Ms de Brún: Health and social services councils represent patients’ interests in all areas of the health and social services, and they work closely with Boards in undertaking periodic surveys to gauge patient satisfaction with the family doctor service at local level. These surveys have proved very useful in highlighting aspects of GP services which need to be improved and developed.

GPs are required to operate a patients’ complaint procedure covering all aspects of their services and to report annually to health and social services boards the number of complaints received.

Déanann na Comhairli Sláinte agus Seribhisi Sóisialta obair ar son na hothar sna seribhisi sláinte agus soisiálta uilig agus oibreann siad leis na Bhoird deanamh cinnte go bhfuil na hothar sásta le na doctúiri clainne áitiúil. Tá sé seo úsáideach le fadhbanna le na seirbhisi doctúiri a thabhairt chun tosaigh.

Tá ar na doctúir córas gearann a cuir ar fáil do na hothar de seirbhisi s’acu uilig agus tá orthu tuairisc bliantiúil a thabhairt don Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhisi Sóisialta mar gheall ar an méid gearann a bhi acu.

Child Protection Register

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will list by community trust board area the numbers of young people committing or attempting suicide while on the child protection register.

(AQW 462/99)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not routinely collected. The death or serious injury of a child whose name was on the child protection register would result in a case management review, about which my Department should be informed. The Department is not aware of any review resulting from a case of suicide or attempted suicide.

Ní bhailítear an t-eolas a iarradh go rialta. Dhéanfaí athbhreithniú bainistíocht cháis agus ba chóir an Roinn s’agam a chur ar an eolas dá bhfaigheadh páiste bás nó dá ngortódh páiste atá ar Chlár Cosanta na bPáistí go trom. Ní feasach an Roinn faoi athbhreithnithe ar bith dá bharr cás féinmharaithe nó cás iarracht féinmharaithe.

Illegal Drugs

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will report on the steps she has taken to support the RUC drugs squad in their anti-drugs campaign.

(AQW 464/99)

Ms de Brún: On 9 February it was agreed that I would take the lead role on behalf of the Executive Committee, working with other relevant Ministers, to oversee the work of the Central Co-ordinating Group for Action Against Drugs. This remains the position.

To support the implementation of the strategy to tackle the drugs issue, an additional £5·5m has been made available over a three-year period until March 2002. Elements of this funding have been committed for information and research and for the creation of a dedicated drug co-ordination post. The remainder is being used to support individual projects at statutory, voluntary and community level that have the potential to contribute to achieving the strategy’s overall aims.

A first round of funding of about £2 million was announced in March 2000. Sixteen projects were successful in obtaining funding. A second funding round was announced on 10 April, with a closing date of 17 May for receipt of bids. Over 70 bids have been received, and it is anticipated that funding decisions on this round will be made before the start of the summer.

Aontaíodh ar 9 Feabhra go nglacfainn an príomhról thar ceann an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin, ag obair le hAirí bainteacha, i bhfeighil obair Ghrúpa Lárnach Comhordaithe ar Ghníomh in éadan Drugaí. Is amhlaidh seo go fóill.

Cuireadh ar fáil £5.5 milliún breise thar thréimhse trí bliana go dtí Márta 2002 le tacú le cur i gcrích straitéis chun dul i ngleic le mórcheisteanna drugaí. Gealladh cuid den mhaoiniú d’ eolas agus thaighde agus do cheapachán post comhordaithe dírithe. Tá an chuid eile á úsáid le tacaíocht a thabhairt ar leibhéíl reachtúla, dheonacha agus pobail a bhfuil an acmhainn acu le cur i gcrích le foriomlán aidhmeanna na straitéise.

Fógraíodh an chéad bhabhta den mhaoiniú, thart faoi £2 mhilliún, i Márta 2000. D’éirigh le sé thionscadal déag maoiniú a fháil. Fógraíodh an dara babhta den mhaoiniú ar 10 Aibreán agus an dáta deiridh ar a glacadh le tairiscintí, 17 Bealtaine. Fuarthas thar 70 tairiscint agus glactar go ndéantar cinneadh ar mhaoiniú an bhabhta seo roimh thús an tsamhraidh.

Prescription Fraud

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail (a) how many health board trusts are in debt because of prescription fraud; (b) what percentage of the total debt this represents and if she will provide a breakdown, geographically, of where this is occurring and include the detection and conviction rate for each area.

(AQW 466/99)

Ms de Brún: The four area boards account for the income for family health services (FHS) charges, and these charges are administered by the Central Services Agency on behalf of the boards. Consequently the Boards, and not the HPSS trusts, have overall accounting responsibility for prescription and other exemption fraud. Accordingly, there are no HSS trusts in deficit owing to prescription fraud.

It is estimated that prescription fraud in the health and personal social services amounted to £10 million in 1998-99, which represents approximately 4% of the total general pharmaceutical services expenditure, but this overall figure cannot be split by geographical area at this time.

Tá na Ceithre Bhord freagracht as táillí Seirbhísí Sláinte an Teaghlaigh (SST) agus riarann Gníomhaireacht Sheiribhísí Lárnacha thar ceann na mBord. Mar thoradh air seo is iad na Boird, ní na hIontaobhais SSSP atá freagracht as calaois oidis agus as calaois ar shaoirse ó tháillí eile. Mar sin de, níl aon easnamh ar Iontabhais SSS mar thoradh ar chalaois oidis.

Meastar go gcosnaíodh calaois oidis £10 milliún i 1998/99, feidhmníonn seo mar 4% de chaiteachas Seirbhísí Cógaisíochta Ginearálta, ach ní féidir an figiúr iomlán seo a roinnt de réir limistéar geografach ag an am seo.

Irish Language

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what is the purpose, extent and cost of the use of Irish in departmental papers and forms, and whether the public are given a choice of language, and to state the legal authority for this policy.

(AQW 480/99)

Ms de Brún: My Department’s press releases, answers to Assembly questions and some public notices appear in Irish as well as English. The related translation costs are currently estimated to amount to about £2,000 per month. The authority for this is derived from the Good Friday Agreement. Members of the public are free to choose with regard to language in their communications with my Department.

Cuirtear an Roinn s’agam nuacht-eisiúintí, freagraí do Cheisteanna an Tionóil agus cuid de na fógraí poiblí amach i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla. Meastar go gcosnaíonn an tseirbhís aistrúcháin don obair seo £2,000 gach mí. Tagann an t-údarás chun seo a dhéanamh ón Chomhaontú. Tá rogha ag an phobal cé acu teanga a ba mhaith leo a úsáid agus iad ag dul i dteagmháil leis an Roinn s’agam.

McCann Erickson: Department Contracts

Mr ONeill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number and value of contracts awarded to McCann Erickson (Belfast) Ltd by the Department from 1 April 1999 to 2 December 1999 and currently extant; (b) the number and value of contracts awarded to McCann Erickson (Belfast) Ltd by the Department from 2 December 1999 to 11 February 1999 and currently extant; (c) the number and value of contracts awarded to McCann Erickson (Belfast) Ltd by the Department from 11 February 2000 to 30 May 2000 and currently extant; and (d) the number and value of contracts awarded to McCann Erickson (Belfast) Ltd by the Department which are still extant; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 501/99)

Ms de Brún: No contracts were awarded to McCann Erickson (Belfast) by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (previously the DHSS) between 1 April 1999 and 30 May 2000.

Níor thug an Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí (an Roinn Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta tráth) conradh ar bith do McCann Erickson (Belfast) idir na dátaí an 1 Aibreán 1999 agus an 30 Bealtaine 2000.

Health and Social Services Expenditure

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what growth there has been in spending on (a) acute hospital services, (b) psychiatric services, (c) children’s and family services and (d) community care, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 520/99)

Ms de Brún: The percentage growth in spending, in each of the last five years on acute hospital services, psychiatric services, children’s and family services, and community care was as follows:

Is é an fás céatadáin a bhí ann sa chaiteachas ar ghéarsheirbhísí ospidéal, ar sheirbhísí síciatracha, ar sheirbhísí do leanaí agus do theaghlaigh, agus ar chúram pobail gach bliain le cúig bliana anuas:-

Children Order 1995

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much money was allocated in each of the last three financial years to each health and social services board and trust to provide exclusively for the implementation of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

(AQW 523/99)

Ms de Brún: The Department does not make revenue allocations to health and social services trusts. All trust income is earned through service level agreements with commissioners of care, including health and social services boards. For the last three financial years the Department has provided funding to the boards to purchase services under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 as set out in the following table:

Ní dháileann an Roinn cuid ar bith dá hioncam ar na hIontaobhais Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta. Gnóthaíonn na hIontaobhais a gcuid ioncaim uile as comhaontuithe ag leibhéal na seirbhísí le coimisinéirí cúraim, agus na Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta san áireamh. Le trí bliana airgeadais anuas thug an Roinn maoiniú do na Boird le seirbhísí a cheannach faoi Ordú na Leanaí (Tuaisceart Éireann) 1995 mar atá leagtha amach sa tábla thíos:

McCann Erickson: Department Contracts

Mr Tierney asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (a) the number and value of contracts awarded to McCann Erickson (Belfast) Ltd by the Department from 1 April 1999 to 2 December 1999 and currently extant; (b) the number and value of contracts awarded to McCann Erickson (Belfast) Ltd by the Department from 2 December 1999 to 11 February 2000 and currently extant; (c) the number and value of contracts awarded to McCann Erickson (Belfast) Ltd by the Department from 11 February 2000 to 30 May 2000 and currently extant; and (d) the number and value of contracts awarded to McCann Erickson (Belfast) by the Department which are still extant; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 507/99)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): As the Department for Social Development came into being on 1 December 1999 I am only able to give details from that date. I can confirm that no contracts have been awarded to McCann Erickson (Belfast) Ltd since devolution on 1 December 1999.