Friday 23 June 2000
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr McLaughlin asked the Minister of the Environment to introduce a moratorium on the construction of incinerators pending the availability of authoritative evidence on the environmental impact of such facilities; to undertake to examine options adopted in other states to achieve 100% no waste; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 563/99)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): I do not believe that it is appropriate to introduce a moratorium. A final report on risks from dioxins from incineration of waste by the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States is expected to issue this summer. It follows from a draft paper issued for consultation in 1994 on which the UK provided detailed comments. In addition, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is currently drafting a UK position paper on dioxins, which will assess the effectiveness of abatement measures already taken or planned to reduce releases of dioxins to the environment and the impact on human exposure. My Department will give careful consideration to the findings of these studies and any recommendations which flow from them.

My Department is always willing to examine options adopted elsewhere to achieve a higher level of recovery of wastes. The recently published waste management strategy for Northern Ireland contains challenging targets for the recovery and recycling of wastes. These will be reviewed periodically. The level of recovery achievable is, of course, dependent upon establishing an integrated network of treatment facilities and the development of markets for products containing recycled material.

Mr A Doherty asked the Minister of the Environment to outline what steps are being taken to ensure that those areas which have not yet benefited from area development plans will not suffer disadvantage in comparison with those areas for which plans are well advanced.

(AQW 566/99)

Mr Foster: The Department’s objective is to meet the development planning needs of all district council areas. Where an area plan is beyond its notional end date, its policies and proposals, so long as they are still relevant, remain a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

Mr A Doherty asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what steps are to be taken to ensure that energy recovery methods, introduced as part of a waste management strategy, will be in line with schedule 3 to the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 and will offer no threat to the environment or to human health.

(AQW 567/99)

Mr Foster: At present, any proposal to recover energy through incineration would be subject to that plant’s meeting stringent conditions on emissions. The conditions would be set and monitored by my Department in accordance with national law and European or international standards. Certain processes would require authorisation under the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. This would require the operator to demonstrate that the most appropriate techniques for pollution control were being applied and that the environmental impact of the process was acceptable. Concerns for human health relate, in the main, to dioxins from the incineration of waste. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is currently drafting a position paper on dioxins, which will assess the effectiveness of abatement measures already taken or planned to reduce releases of dioxins to the environment and the impact on human exposure. My Department will give careful consideration to the findings of these studies and any recommendations which flow from them.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of the Environment to outline a timetable of legislation for the registration and control of dangerous wild animals.

(AQW 582/99)

Mr Foster: I intend to consult the Assembly’s Environment Committee about the policy proposals in the autumn and hope to bring a Bill before the Assembly shortly thereafter with a view to enactment by July 2001. The timing of the introduction of a Bill will, of course, be subject to the legislative priorities agreed by the Executive Committee and to the availability of legislative time in the Assembly.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what plans he has to ensure that Islandmagee is not disadvantaged by overdevelopment; if he will contemplate changes in legislation to provide protection for this and similar rural communities; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 588/99)

Mr Foster: Current planning policy and legislation already ensures that rural communities such as Islandmagee are not disadvantaged by overdevelopment. Responsibility for future planning policy for housing in rural settlements and the countryside now rests with the Department for Regional Development. However, my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development would have important contributions to make, as might others.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm that the necessary resources have been allocated to the Department of the Environment Planning Service to complete the North Down and Ards area plans, and to give a completion date for those plans.

(AQW 594/99)

Mr Foster: The resources to undertake the Ards and Down Area Plan 2015 are in place, and the plan is scheduled for adoption during 2002-03. A replacement plan for the North Down Borough Council area will be subsumed into the Belfast metropolitan area plan, work on which is scheduled to commence in the current business year.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what steps have been taken to expedite the planning application for the riverside development in Comber, and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 629/99)

Mr Foster: There are a number of complex issues associated with this application, and my Department is not yet in a position to make a decision. I can give an assurance, however, that the chief executive of the Planning Service is personally endeavouring to have the processing of the application completed as soon as possible.

Mr E McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment what plans he has to make a contribution to the OSPAR Commission in Copenhagen on Monday 26 June 2000, and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 665/99)

Mr Foster: The obligations of the UK as a signatory to the OSPAR Convention are an excepted matter, and Ministers from the devolved administrations do not attend meetings of the OSPAR Commission. My officials are kept informed by their counterparts in UK Government Departments on OSPAR matters.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of the Environment what plans he has to remove third-party liability from landowners who wish to facilitate greater access to the countryside.

(AQW 669/99)

Mr Foster: My Department carried out a public consultation last year on providing for access to the Northern Ireland countryside. Analysis of responses to that consultation should be completed by the autumn. Occupiers’ liability is one of the key issues, and my Department will be carrying out a review of the existing occupiers’ liability legislation as part of its deliberations.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of the Environment if he has given consideration to the introduction of third- party planning appeals, and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 312/99)

Mr Foster: This subject was considered on a number of occasions prior to the current devolution. The conclusion was that third-party appeals would add delay and uncertainty to the planning process, would have significant resource implications and should not be introduced in Northern Ireland. I am advised that third-party appeals might add up to £1million per annum to the costs of the Planning Service and Planning Appeals Commission. This would need to be found from within the Northern Ireland budget. I am, however, aware of current interest in the subject and will keep policy under review.

Mr Poots asked the Minister of the Environment to undertake to relax the criteria for planning approval applied to farmers seeking retirement homes.

(AQO 290/99)

Mr Foster: In the first instance this is a matter for the Department for Regional Development. However, my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development would also have important contributions to make to the consideration of this policy.

Mr Neeson asked the Minister of the Environment when he proposes to designate Raloo village in the East Antrim constituency as a conservation area, as proposed in the Larne area plan.

(AQO 288/99)

Mr Foster: The Department’s resources for this area of work are already fully committed, and I cannot at this stage give an indication of when work on this project might start.

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of the Environment if it is his policy to encourage the retention of the green belt around Belfast.

(AQO 289/99)

Mr Foster: The green belt around Belfast was designated in the Belfast urban area plan 2001. In addition, the draft regional strategic framework being prepared by the Department for Regional Development makes provision for the definition of a strategic green belt around the Belfast metropolitan area. The Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan will need to review the limits of that green belt.

Mr R Hutchinson asked the Minister of the Environment to comment on the computed loss to the Larne ratepayer of £844,683 arising from the purchase and sale of Cairndhu Hospital and grounds by Larne Borough Council, and if he will make a statement.

(AQO 262/99)

Mr Foster: I understand that an appeal has been made to the courts, under section 82 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972, in relation to the local government auditor’s decision in this case. As the matter is now sub judice, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

Rev Dr Ian Paisley asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm when the Armoy refuse collection site will close.

(AQO 297/99)

Mr Foster: Closure of the Armoy landfill site is a matter for the operator, Moyle District Council. However, I can confirm that a planning application for a time extension to the site, until 31 December 2000, is being considered by my Department.

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of the Environment if he will ensure that prompt action is taken to stop illegal/ unapproved dumps such as the Geddes site in Helen’s Bay.

(AQO 287/99)

Mr Foster: The Department endeavours to act promptly in all such cases within the constraints of current planning enforcement powers. The Department is currently monitoring activities at the Geddes site in Helen’s Bay and will pursue any illegal dumping on the site.

Mr Carrick asked the Minister of the Environment to indicate whether he has any plans for the reorganisation of local government and over what timescale.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment what further steps have been taken to establish an Environmental Protection Agency in Northern Ireland, and if he will make a statement.

Mr Byrne asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what is the current position in relation to finalisation of the next round of European Union funding programmes — in particular, Peace II, given the importance of such funding to community groups in Northern Ireland — and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 574/99)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): Negotiations with the European Commission on a community support framework (CSF), which contains the broad strategy and priorities for action under the structural funds, have been under way since 29 March 2000 and are expected to be concluded by July. However, the agreement of the CSF is only one stage in the process of finalising the next round of EU funding, as the operational programmes (including Peace II), which set out in more detail the priorities and allocations of expenditure, must then be negotiated with the Commission and a programme complement agreed by the Programme Monitoring Committee. When the programme complement has been agreed, setting out details regarding selection criteria and beneficiaries of assistance, calls for projects will be issued, and funds will begin to flow to groups on the ground.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what element of subtractionality he expects in next year’s block grant as a result of his proposal to increase the regional rate by 8% this year, and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 595/99)

Mr Durkan: The 8% increase in the domestic regional rate for 2000-01 is consistent with the increases allowed for in the 1998 comprehensive spending review allocations announced by the Treasury in July 1998. There will therefore be no adjustment to the assigned Northern Ireland budget in respect of regional rate increases.

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to name the solicitors’ firms engaged to act on behalf of (a) each individual health and social services board and (b) each individual health and social services trust in Northern Ireland from 1995 to the present; to confirm that legal services are properly tendered for; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 565/99)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): The names of solicitors’ firms engaged to act on behalf of (a) each individual health and social services board and (b) each individual health and social services trust from 1995 to the present are attached.

I can confirm that legal services are properly tendered for. I can further advise that during 1999 the Government Purchasing Agency (GPA) carried out an independent review of legal services provided to health and personal social services (HPSS) bodies. The GPA report concluded that the framework established for the supply of legal services has facilitated value-for-money improvements in the provision of legal services to HPSS bodies. However, the report also highlighted a number of recommendations to help to achieve further improvements. These recommendations were forwarded to HPSS bodies for their attention and action, where appropriate, on 14 February 2000.

I gceangal leis seo gheofar na comhlachtaí aturnaetha atá fostaithe le gníomhú ar son (a) gach Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta ar leith agus (b) gach Iontaobhais Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta ar leith ó 1995 go nuige seo.

Thig liom a dhearbhú go lorgtar tairiscintí ar sheirbhísí dlí go cóir. Fosta is féidir liom a inse go ndearna Gníomhaireacht Cheannaigh an Rialtais (GCR) athbhreithniú neamhspleách ar na séirbhísí dlí a cuireadh ar fáil do chomhlachtaí Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta Pearsanta (SSSP). Ba é an tuairim a bhí ag GCR ina tuarascáil gur chuidigh an chreatlach a bunaíodh chun seirbhísí dlí a chur ar fáil le feabhsuithe ab fhiú ó thaobh costais iad maidir le seirbhísí dlí a sholáthar do chomhlachtaí SSSP. Mar sin féin, tharraing an tuarascáil aird ar roinnt moltaí a chuideodh lena thuilleadh feabhsuithe a bhaint amach. Ar an 14 Feabhra 2000 cuireadh na moltaí seo ar aghaidh chuig na comhlachtaí SSSP go n-amharcfadh siad orthu agus go ngníomhódh siad dá mba chuí leo in áit ar bith.

Mr Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to explain what happened to all the stationery used by the Department before the design of stationery was altered to include printing in Irish, the cost of this change, and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 572/99)

Ms de Brún: Stationery used by the former Department of Health and Social Services had to be discarded when the title was changed, on devolution, to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS). In addition, a small supply of stationery with the DHSSPS title was also discarded when I decided, on taking up my appointment, that the Department’s title should appear in both English and Irish.

Since my appointment, the Department has spent a total of £4,336 on headed notepaper and other stationery in the bilingual format.

The additional cost of including Irish and English on departmental stationery is not significant when set against the overall departmental expenditure.

B’éigean réiteach a fháil den seanpháipéarachas a d’úsáid an tsean-Roinn Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta nuair a athraíodh an teideal go dtí an Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí (RSSSSP) le linn cineachadh na chumachta. Chomh maith leis sin fuarthas réiteach de bheagán eile páipéarachais nuair a chinn mé féin, i ndiaidh domh dul i gceann mo chuid dualgas mar Aire, gur cheart go mbeadh teideal na Roinne i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge.

Ó ceapadh mé tá an Roinn i ndiaidh £4,336 san iomlán a chaitheamh ar pháipéar comhfhreagrais le ceannteidil dhátheangacha agus ar phaipéarachas eile atá mar an gcéanna.

Níl mórán de chostas breise i gceist nuair a chuirtear Gaeilge agus Béarla ar phaipéarachas na Roinne taobh le caiteachas na Roinne ina iomláine.

Mr Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how much has been spent on advertising in both English and Irish by the Department since her appointment as Minister, what were the percentage increases on the same period in previous years, and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 573/99)

Ms de Brún: Since my appointment as Minister, my Department has placed two newspaper advertisements in both English and Irish. The cost of placing these advertisements in daily and weekly newspapers was £19,808. In addition, a recruitment advertisement for a senior post in DHSSPS appeared in the weekly Irish language newspaper ‘Lá’ at a cost of £222.

Advertising requirements vary from one year to the next, and it is not possible to make a direct comparison with previous years.

Ó ceapadh mé mar Aire chuir mo Roinnse dhá fhógra i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla sna nuachtáin. £19,808 a bhí ann mar chostas ar na fógraí a cuireadh sna nuachtáin laethúla agus seachtainiúla. Ar a bharr seo cuireadh fógra earcaíochta , £222 a luach, faoi phost sinsearach sa RSSSSP i Lá, nuachtán seachtainiúil Gaeilge.

Athraítear na riachtanais fógraíochta ó bhliain go bliain agus ní féidir comparáid dhíreach a dhéanamh leis na blianta a chuaigh thart.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that as fluoride levels in the body increase, calcium levels decrease.

(AQW 593/99)

Ms de Brún: Very high intakes of fluoride, sufficient to produce acute toxicity, cause low serum calcium levels. Fluoride in physiological doses has no effect on serum calcium or calcium balance.

Má ghlactar fíorchuid mhór fluairíde is leor sin le géarthocsaineacht a thabhairt do dhuine agus titfidh leibhéil an tséirim chailciam ann. Ní chuireann dáileoga fiseolacha fluairíde isteach ar an séiream cailciam nó ar cothromaíocht an chailciam ar chor ar bith.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is currently being done to raise the pay of those who are (a) low-paid, (b) underpaid; if she will conduct a review of those sectors in the Health Service receiving low rates of pay; what representations have been made to her on this; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 596/99)

Ms de Brún: Staff employed in the health and personal social services (HPSS) are paid at the same rates as their colleagues in the National Health Service (NHS) and in social services departments of local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales. The British Government’s proposals contained in ‘Agenda for Change – Modernising the NHS Pay System’ are currently being developed on a UK-wide basis. They include a new pay system that will offer staff a more attractive career, with the potential for better progression, greater use of skills, improved status and higher earnings for those who contribute most to the service. A job evaluation scheme will be used to evaluate every job in the HPSS and pay will be awarded on the basis of the job’s worth in fair comparison with other jobs in the HPSS. Officials of my Department and colleagues employed in the HPSS, are involved at all stages of the development of the new scheme, and I will be considering how the flexibility in the framework, when it is agreed, can best be applied to meet the needs of the HPSS.

Significant pay increases were awarded this year to nurses, midwives, health visitors and staff in the professions allied to medicine. It was recognised that certain grades of staff in these groups had been underpaid, and additional increases in the form of immediate increments were also awarded to those particular grades.

A number of representations have been made regarding several of issues relating to pay. Indeed, the Member herself has made previous representations to me in relation to a review of the low pay of HPSS staff.

In view of the current developments it would not be appropriate for me to conduct a review at this stage.

Faigheann na baill foirne sna Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsantas pá ar na rataí céanna agus a fhaigheann a gcomhghleacaithe sa tSeirbhís Náisiúnta Sláinte (SNS) agus i ranna seirbhísí sóisialta údaráis áitiúla Shasana, na hAlban agus na Breataine Bige. Faoi láthair ar fud na Ríochta Aontaithe tá Rialtas na Breataine ag tabhairt chun cinn a chuid moltaí féin atá ar fáil in ‘Agenda for Change – Modernising the NHS Pay System’. Tá an Rialtas ag moladh struchtúr nua pá a thabharfaidh gairmréim níos tarraingtí dóibh siúd a thugann an oiread is mó don tseirbhís. Beidh faill acu dul chun cinn a dhéanamh, úsáid níos fearr a bhaint as a gcuid scileanna, ardú stádais a fháil agus a thuilleadh pá a ghnóthú. Beidh scéim meastóireachta oibre ann agus bainfear úsáid aisti le gach cineál oibre sna SSSP a mheas agus bunófar an tuarastal ar luach na hoibre i gcomparáid chothrom le jabanna eile sna SSSP. Tá baint ag feidhmeannaigh de chuid mo Roinne agus ag a gcomhghleacaithe sna SSSP le forbairt na scéime nua céim ar chéim agus nuair a bheas comhaontú fúithi beidh mé ag cuimhneamh ar an dóigh is fearr ar féidir solúbthacht na creatlaí seo a úsáid le riar ar riachtanais na SSSP.

I mbliana fuair na daoine seo a leanas ardú suntasach pá: banaltraí, mná cabhrach, cuairteoirí sláinte agus baill foirne sna gairmeacha a bhaineann le míocháine. Aithníodh go rabh baill foirne ar ghraid áirithe sna grúpaí seo ar ghannphá agus tugadh arduithe breise i bhfoirm breisíochtaí láithreacha dóibh siúd.

Cuireadh roinnt tuairimí faoi mo bhráid maidir le ceisteanna pá agus leoga, tá an comhalta tionóil í féin i ndiaidh ábhar a chur faoi mo bhráid roimhe a bhain le athbhreithniú ar phá íseal bhaill foirne na SSSP. Mar gheall ar na forbairtí atá ag teacht chun cinn faoi láthair ní bheadh sé oiriúnach agam athbhreithniú a chur sa tsiúl ag an phointe seo.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether fluoride is a cumulative poison.

(AQW 598/99)

Ms de Brún: The potential for fluoride to accumulate in calcified tissue is widely recognised. Excessive fluoride intake over a period of years may cause clinical skeletal fluorosis. It is estimated that fluoride intakes of at least 10 to 20 mg daily for at least 10 to 20 years may cause this condition. Reviews of the evidence on fluoridation are currently under way in GB and in the Republic of Ireland, and I will be considering the findings once reports are available.

Aithnítear go forleathan gur féidir le fluairíd bailiú i bhfíocháin chailcithe. Má ghlacfar barraíocht fluairíde thar thréimshe de blianta féadfar fluaróis chnámharlaigh chliniciúil a fháil. Chun go mbeadh duine sa riocht seo meastar go mbeadh air 10-20 milleagram ar a laghad a ghlacadh sa lá go ceann 10-20 bliain ar a laghad. Táthar ag athbhreithniú na fianaise ar fhluairídiú faoi láthair sa Bhreatain Mhór agus i bPoblacht na hÉireann agus cuirfidh mé a bhfuil aimsithe acu san áireamh chomh luath agus bheas tuarascálacha ar fáil.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether lead and arsenic are cumulative poisons.

(AQW 599/99)

Ms de Brún: The toxic potential of both arsenic and lead have always been recognised. The World Health Organisation/Food and Agriculture Organisation Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants has recommended that weekly intakes of lead from all sources should not exceed 0.025 mg per kg body weight, and 0.015 mg in the case of inorganic arsenic.

Aithníodh ariamh cumas tocsaineach arsanaice agus luaidhe araon. Mhol Comhchoiste Saineolaíoch Na hEagraíochta Domhanda Sláinte/Na hEagraíochta Bia agus Talmhaíochta um Bhreiseáin i mBia agus Ábhair Éilliúcháin nár cheart go nglacfadh duine níos mó ná 0.025 milleagram luaidhe an cileagram de mheáchan coirp sa tseachtain as gach foinse agus 0.015 milleagram i gcás na harsanaice neamhorgánaí.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm what is the minimum level of arsenic required to cause an adverse biological effect in an infant.

(AQW 600/99)

Ms de Brún: The World Health Organisation/Food and Agriculture Organisation Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants has recommended that weekly intakes of inorganic arsenic from all sources should not exceed 0.015 mg per kg body weight.

Tá sé molta ag Comhchoiste Saineolaíoch Na hEagraíochta Domhanda Sláinte/Na hEagraíochta Bia agus Talmhaíochta um Breiseáin i mBia agus Ábhair Éilliúcháin nár cheart go nglacfadh duine níos mó ná 0.015 milleagram den arsanaic neamhorgánach an cileagram de mheáchan coirp sa tseachtain as gach foinse.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm what is a toxic level of arsenic for an infant.

(AQW 601/99)

Ms de Brún: The World Health Organisation/Food and Agriculture Organisation Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants has recommended that weekly intakes of inorganic arsenic from all sources should not exceed 0.015 mg per kg body weight.

Tá sé molta ag Comhchoiste Saineolaíoch Na hEagraíochta Domhanda Sláinte/Na hEagraíochta Bia agus Talmhaíochta um Breiseáin i mBia agus Ábhair Éilliúcháin nár cheart go nglacfadh duine níos mó ná 0.015 milleagram den arsanaic neamhorgánach an cileagram de mheáchan coirp sa tseachtain as gach foinse.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm the minimum level of lead required to cause an adverse biological effect in an infant.

(AQW 616/99)

Ms de Brún: The World Health Organisation/Food and Agriculture Organisation Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants has recommended that, for infants, weekly intakes of lead from all sources should not exceed 0.025 mg per kg body weight. This takes into account the fact that lead is a cumulative poison.

Tá sé molta ag Comhchoiste Saineolaíoch Na hEagraíochta Domhanda Sláinte/Na hEagraíochta Bia agus Talmhaíochta um Breiseáin i mBia agus Ábhair Éilliúcháin nár cheart go nglacfadh naíonáin níos mó ná 0.025 milleagram luaidhe an cileagram de mheáchan coirp sa tseachtain as gach foinse. Cuireann seo san áireamh gur nimh charnach luaidhe.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to cite any laboratory studies which show that one part per million of fluoride in drinking water has reduced tooth decay.

(AQW 617/99)

Ms de Brún: Laboratory studies are not appropriate in demonstrating the effectiveness of fluoridation in reducing tooth decay. However, population studies have shown that water containing a concentration of fluoride about one part per million — either naturally present or adjusted — reduces tooth decay.

Ní staidéir i saotharlanna an bealach is cuí le héifeacht fluairídithe a thaispeáint maidir le laghdú meath fiacla. Ach tá staidéir ar an daonra i ndiaidh a thaispeáint go laghdaíonn uisce a bhfuil páirt amháin fluairíde an milliún ann – bíodh sí ann go nadúrtha nó socraithe – meath fiacla.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to cite any "blind" or "double blind" studies with a human population which prove that fluoridation has reduced tooth decay.

(AQW 618/99)

Ms de Brún: Several studies been conducted under "blind" conditions. They have clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of fluoridation. These include the following:

Backer Dirks,O; Kwant, GW (1961): The results of six and a half years of artificial fluoridation of drinking water in the Netherlands. The Tiel-Culemborg experiment. Arch. Oral. Biol. 5, 284-300;

Hardwick, J.L., Teasdale, J., and Bloodworth, G. (1982): Caries increments over four years in children aged 12 at the start of water fluoridation. British Dental Journal 153, 217-222;

Jackson, D., James, P.M., and Thomas, F.D. (1985): Fluoridation in Anglesey 1983: a clinical study of dental caries. British Dental Journal 158, 45-49;

Milsom, K, Mitropoulos, C M. (1990): Enamel defects in eight-year-old children in fluoridated and non-fluoridated parts of Cheshire. Caries Research 24, 286-289;

O’Mullane,DM (1982): The changing patterns of dental caries in Irish schoolchildren between 1961 and 1981. J. Dent. Res. 61, 1317-1320;

Thomas, F.D., and Kassab, J.Y. (1992): Fluoridation in Anglesey: a clinical study of dental caries in mothers at term. British Dental Journal 173, 136-140.

The "double blind" methodology is inappropriate for population studies such as those looking at the efficacy of water fluoridation

Rinneadh roinnt staidéar faoi thosca "dalla" agus thaispeáin siad go soileir éifeacht an fhluairídithe, mar atá:

Backer Dirks,O; Kwant,GW (1961): The results of 6 1/2 years of artificial fluoridation of drinking water in the Netherlands. The Tiel-Culemborg experiment. Arch. Oral. Biol. 5, 284-300;

Hardwick, J.L., Teasdale, J., and Bloodworth, G. (1982): Caries increments over 4 years in children aged 12 at the start of water fluoridation. British Dental Journal 153, 217-222;

Jackson, D., James, P.M., and Thomas, F.D. (1985): Fluoridation in Anglesey 1983: a clinical study of dental caries. British Dental Journal 158, 45-49;

Milsom, K , Mitropoulos, C M. (1990): Enamel defects in 8-year-old children in fluoridated and non-fluoridated parts of Cheshire. Caries Research 24, 286-289;

O’Mullane,DM (1982): The changing patterns of dental caries in Irish schoolchildren between 1961 and 1981. J. Dent. Res. 61, 1317-1320;

Thomas, F.D., and Kassab, J.Y. (1992): Fluoridation in Anglesey: a clinical study of dental caries in mothers at term. British Dental Journal 173, 136-140.

Ní hé an cur chuige "dall faoi dhó" is cuí i gcás staidéar ar an daonra cosúil leis na cinn atá ag iniúchadh éifeacht fluairídiú uisce.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm the toxic level of lead for an infant.

(AQW 619/99)

Ms de Brún: The World Health Organisation/Food and Agriculture Organisation Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants has recommended that, for infants, weekly intakes of lead from all sources should not exceed 0.025 mg per kg body weight. This takes into account the fact that lead is a cumulative poison.

Tá sé molta ag Comhchoiste Saineolaíoch Na hEagraíochta Domhanda Sláinte/Na hEagraíochta Bia agus Talmhaíochta um Breiseáin i mBia agus Ábhair Éilliúcháin nár cheart go nglacfadh naíonáin níos mó ná 0.025 milleagram luaidhe an cileagram de mheáchan coirp sa tseachtain as gach foinse. Cuireann seo san áireamh gur nimh charnach luaidhe.

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to introduce an initiative to help children in care equivalent to Quality Protects, to confirm the source and amounts of funding available, and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 622/99)

Ms de Brún: I am aware that there is much concern regarding the present state of children’s social services. A further £6·5 million is being made available this year, which will help the development of residential services and the implementation of the Children Order. I will be considering how services can be further improved and will be giving careful consideration to bringing forward proposals for an initiative equivalent to Quality Protects, adapted to suit local circumstances.

Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil imní mhór ann faoin staid ina bhfuil seirbhísí sóisialta do pháistí faoi láthair. Cuirfear £6.5 mhilliún breise ar fáil i mbliana agus cuideoidh seo le seirbhísí cónaithe a fhorbairt do pháistí agus le hOrdú na Leanaí a chur i bhfeidhm. Beidh me ag cuimhneamh ar na dóigheanna ar féidir breis feabhais ar chur ar sheirbhísí agus smaoineoidh mé go cúramach ar mholtaí a thabhairt chun tosaigh gur cheart tionscnamh ar aon dul le "Is í an Cháilíocht ár gCosaint" a bheith ann ach é a bheith curtha in oiriúint do na dálaí áitiúla.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether drugs containing fluoride compounds were ever used to suppress thyroid activity.

(AQW 623/99)

Ms de Brún: Fluoride has in the past been used in the treatment of exophthalmic goitre, but the therapeutic action was found to be uncertain and such medication is now obsolete.

San am a chuaigh thart baineadh úsáid as fluairíd le cóireáil a thabhairt don ainglis bholgshúileach ach fuarthas amach go raibh an ghníomhaíocht teiripeach éiginnte agus tá an cineál sin míochnithe anois as feidhm.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether fluoride was formerly used to suppress thyroid activity.

(AQW 626/99)

Ms de Brún: Fluoride has in the past been used in the treatment of exophthalmic goitre, but the therapeutic action was found to be uncertain and such medication is now obsolete.

San am a chuaigh thart baineadh úsáid as fluairíd le cóireáil a thabhairt don ainglis bholgshúileach ach fuarthas amach go raibh an ghníomhaíocht teiripeach éiginnte agus tá an cineál sin míochnithe anois as feidhm.

<< Prev / Next >>