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Friday 13 October 2000 Gender Inequality Mr David Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps are being taken to address the gender inequality in hospital laboratories in Northern Ireland, and to deal with the increasing number of equal value claims from female staff in laboratories. (AQW 249/00) Ms de Brún: As part of the Opportunity Now in the HPSS campaign initiated by my Department and supported by HPSS bodies, local statistics detailing Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers and Medical Laboratory Assistants staff breakdowns by age, whole time equivalent, gender and grade have been obtained allowing a profile of the profession to be compiled. These statistics are to be analysed with a view to highlighting the issues in terms of demographics for the laboratory professions. The research will then culminate with the hosting of 5 representative focus groups meeting locally in November 2000 that will add qualitative comment on issues such as career development, pay and work life balance. A report will then be produced for wide dissemination during January 2001. Where inequalities in relation to gender are identified the report will attempt to make recommendations aimed at having them alleviated. Officials from my Department have met with the staff organisation representing laboratory staff and a further meeting is arranged for 24 October to discuss equality and workforce planning issues. At present there are only 2 equal pay cases relating to female staff in laboratories. My Department, in conjunction with its counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales, is currently engaged with staff organisations in the development of a new pay system for NHS/HPSS staff. The new system will be supported by an integral job evaluation scheme which 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. Mar chuid de Opportunity Now in the HPSS, feachtas a sheol mo Roinnse agus tacaíocht aici ó chomhlachtaí na SSSSP, fuarthas staitisticí áitiúla ina raibh mioneolas ar bhaill foirne, ar Oifigigh Eolaíocha Saotharlann Míochaine agus Cúntóirí Saotharlann Míochaine iad, de réir aoiseanna, de réir coibhéise in uimhreacha lánaimseartha de réir inscní, agus de réir grád a chuireann ar ár gcumas próifíl na gairme a chur le chéile. Tá na staitisticí seo lena scagadh chun na príomhphointí a léiriú maidir le déimeagrafaíocht gairmeacha saotharlainne. Tiocfaidh an taighde chun críche ansin nuair a thabharfhar 5 fócasghrúpaí le chéile go háitiúil i mí na Samhna 2000 agus cuirfidh siad sin tuairimí luachmhara leis an eolas atá ann cheana faoi cheisteanna éagsúla, mar shampla, forbairt gairmréime, pá agus cothromaíocht idir obair agus an gnáthshaol. Ullmhófar tuarascáil lena scaipeadh go forleathan i rith mhí Eanáir 2001. Déanfar iarracht sa tuarascáil, i gcásanna a bhfuil easpa comhionannas aimsithe ar bhonn inscne, moltaí a ceapadh chun an easpa sin a mhaolú. Bhuail feidhmeannaigh ó mo Roinnse cheana leis an cheardchumann a ghníomhaíonn ar son na mball foirne saotharlann agus tá cruinniú eile socraithe eatarthu don 24 Deireadh Fómhair chun ceisteanna a bhaineann le comhionannas agus le pleanáil i dtaobh an fhórsa saothair a phlé. Faoi láthair níl ann ach dhá chás ina bhfuil ionannas pá á lorg a bhaineann le mná san fhoireann i saotharlanna. Faoi láthair, tá mo Roinnse, i gcomhar lena macasamhail i Sasana, in Albain agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, ag plé forbairt córas nua pá do bhaill foirne na SNS/SSPS leis na ceardchumainn. Beidh scéim measúnaithe post mar dhlúthchuid den chóras nua seo agus bainfear úsáid aisti le gach post sna SSSSP a mheasúnú agus tabharfar tuarastal ar bhonn thuillteanas an phoist i gcomparáid chothrom le gach post eile sna SSSSP. Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers Mr David Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer staff have taken early retirement or voluntary redundancy, how many vacancies have been advertised and how many new Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers have been appointed in Northern Ireland in the last five years. (AQW 250/00) Ms de Brún: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be obtained 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. Cancer Screening Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she plans to provide cancer-screening appliances for patients whose physical needs are not yet met by the current provision. (AQW 258/00) Ms de Brún: Screening is currently provided for breast and cervical cancers. Screening covers all physical types. I am not aware of any problems in providing screening for women with particular physical needs. Tá scagadh á sholáthar faoi láthair le haghaidh ailse chíche agus ailse cheirbheacs. Tá scagadh ar fáil do na cineálacha fisiciúla uile. Ní fios dom go bhfuil fadhbanna ar bith ag baint le scagadh i gcás ban a bhfuil riachtanais fhisiciúla ar leith acu. In Vitro Fertilisation Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she has any plans to provide In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) for those who cannot afford private health care. (AQW 259/00) Ms de Brún: The provision of sub-fertility services, including in-vitro fertilisation, is at present being considered by a group established by the regional medical services consortium, which commissions regional services on behalf of the four health and social services boards. The group will advise on how services for people experiencing fertility problems can be improved. Until I receive the group’s report, I shall not be in a position to determine what changes may be needed to improve services. Faoi láthair tá soláthar seirbhísí fothorthúlachta agus toirchiú in-vitro san áireamh, á mheas ag grúpa a bunaíodh ag an chuibhreannas réigiúnach a choimisiúnaíonn seirbhísí réigiúnacha thar ceann na gceithre bhord sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta. Cuirfidh an grúpa eolas ar fáil fosta faoi na dóigheanna ar féidir feabhas a chur ar sheirbhísí do dhaoine a bhfuil fadhbanna torthúlachta acu. Go dtí go bhfaighidh mé tuarascáil an ghrúpa ní bheidh mé in ann a shocrú cad é na hathruithe a bheadh de dhíth chun seirbhísí a fheabhsú. Influenza Vaccination Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm who has been appointed to the Chief Medical Officer's multidisciplinary group on influenza vaccination; how many meetings of the group have been held to date and the total cost to date of this group. (AQW 261/00) Ms de Brún: The Chief Medical Officer appointed 22 members including representatives from HSS Boards and Trusts, professional groups, primary care and the voluntary sector to the multidisciplinary Influenza/Pneumococcal Immunisation Working Group. A full list of members is attached. The group first met on 28th April 2000 and has now met on 5 occasions. To date the total cost of the group to the Department is £619.68. Cheap an Príomhoifigeach Míochaine 22 bhall chuig an Mheitheal ildisciplíneach ar Imdhíonadh in éadan Fliú agus Niúmacocais, agus orthu siúd bhí ionadaithe ó Bhoird SSS agus ó Iontaobhais SSS, ó ghrúpaí gairme, ón earnáil chúraim phríomhúil agus ón earnáil dheonach. Tá liosta iomlán na mball i gceangal leis seo. Tháinig an mheitheal le chéile den chéad uair ar an 28 Aibreán 2000 agus anois tá 5 chruinniú i ndiaidh a bheith aici. Is é £619.68 costas iomlán na meithle don Roinn go dtí seo. Appointments to the Influenza Pneumococcal Working Group
Ceapúcháin chuig an Mheitheal ar Imdhíonadh in éadan Fliú agus Niúmacocais
Prescription Fraud Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will (a) detail what steps have been taken to deal with prescription fraud; (b) provide statistics on the reduction of fraud which has taken place and (c) confirm the number of prosecutions which have been instituted. (AQW 262/00) Ms de Brún: The Department has been working closely with Health and Social Services Boards, the Central Services Agency and the pharmaceutical profession to introduce a range of measures to tackle exemption fraud. From 1 September 1999 patients who claim to be exempt from paying the statutory charge have been asked to produce evidence of entitlement when presenting their prescription. If no evidence is produced, the form is marked accordingly and can then be subsequently checked by the Central Services Agency. A major IT project is currently being implemented which will enhance the process for validating individual claims for exemption. A specialist Counter Fraud Unit is being established in the Central Services Agency to tackle exemption fraud by members of the public and undertake investigations into potential fraud involving GPs, dentists, pharmacists and opticians. New statutory powers are currently proposed which would introduce fixed penalty fines where exemption is falsely claimed, and which would also create a specific offence of evading statutory charges. It will also be possible, under the Tribunal system, to exclude a practitioner from the Boards’ lists if he or she is proved to have abused any health scheme for financial or other benefit. It is difficult to be precise with regard to the current level of undetected fraud, and therefore provide detailed statistics on its reduction. However, there has been an estimated increase of £1 million in income for the twelve months to June 2000, after taking account of increased charges and numbers of prescription forms. This can reasonably be attributed to the introduction of "point of dispensing" checks and related publicity. So far as prosecutions are concerned, if a patient refuses to pay charges in relation to an erroneous claim to exemption, the case can be taken to the Small Claims Court. To date 42 cases have been successfully pursued in this way and a further 16 are due before the end of the year. Tá an Roinn i ndiaidh bheith ag obair go dlúth i gcomhar leis na Boird Slainte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta, le Gníomhaireacht na Lársheirbhísí (GL) agus le poitigéirí chun roinnt beart a chur i bhfeidhm le tabhairt faoi chalaois díolúine. Ón 1 Meán Fómhair 1999 iarradh ar othair a deir go bhfuil siad díolmhaithe ón táille reachtúil oideas a íoc sin a chruthú nuair atá siad ag tabhairt na n-oideas don phoitigéir. Mura bhfuil aon chruthúnas acu, marcáiltear na foirmeacha aonair dá réir agus féadfaidh an GL iad a scrúdú níos moille. Tá tionscadal mór TE á chur i bhfeidhm agus cuideoidh seo leis an phróiseas a bhaineann le bailíocht a thabhairt do na díolúintí a iarrann othair. Tá Sainaonad Frithchalaoise á bhunú sa GL agus beidh sé mar aidhm aige tabhairt faoi chalaois díolúine ag daoine agus fiosrúcháin a dhéanamh ar chásanna a bhféadfadh calaois a bheith ann a bhaineann le liachleachtóirí, le fiaclóirí, le poitigéirí agus le radharceolaithe. Tá cumhachtaí nua reachtúla á moladh faoi láthair a thabharfadh isteach fíneálacha pionóis socraithe i gcásanna ina n-éilítear díolúine go breagach agus a chruthódh cion ar leith maidir le seachaint táillí reachtúla. Féadfar fosta, faoin chóras Binsí, ainm liachleachtóra a eisiamh ó liostaí na mBord má chruthaítear gur bhain sé/sí drochúsáid as scéim sláinte ar bith ar mhaithe le tairbhe airgid nó tairbhe ar bith eile Is deacair a bheith beacht maidir le leibhéal reatha na calaoise nach n-aimsítear agus staitisticí mionsonraithe faoina laghdú a sholáthar dá bharr sin. Ach meastar gur tháinig méadú £1 mhilliún ar an ioncam sa dá mhí dhéag suas go dtí Meitheamh 2000 i ndiaidh an méadú i dtáillí agus i líon na bhfoirmeacha oidis a chur san áireamh. Bheadh sé réasúnta sin a chur síos don iniúchadh a tosaíodh ag na ‘pointí dáileacháin’ agus don phoiblíocht a ghabh leis. I dtaca le hionchúisimh de, má dhiúltaíonn othar táillí a íoc i gcás díolúine a éilíodh go hearráideach, féadfar an cás a thabhairt chuig Cúirt na nÉileamh Beag. Go dtí seo d’éirigh le 42 chás a saothraíodh ar an dóigh seo agus tá 16 chás eile le bheith ann roimh dheireadh na bliana. Downe Hospital Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 650/99, if she is aware of the Eastern Health and Social Services Boards (EHSSB) report on Acute Services and if she will ensure that its recommendations on Downe Hospital are taken into consideration by her Review Group. (AQW 273/00) Ms de Brún: The Eastern Health and Social Services Board recently completed a consultation exercise on the pattern of acute services within its area and is presently considering the responses to the consultation. While the exercise was ongoing, a Working Group, representative of a broad range of interested parties, and acting on a request from the Board, prepared a report specifically on the future of acute services at the Downe. The Chairman of the Eastern Board sent me a copy of this report on 20 September. I understand that he also sent a copy to Dr Maurice Hayes, Chair of the Review Group, which I set up to look at acute services here generally. I expect that he will want to take it into account in preparing his own report. Tá Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir i ndiaidh babhta comhairliúcháin a chríochnú faoi phatrún na seirbhísí géarmhíochaine taobh istigh dá cheantar agus i láthair na huaire tá na freagraí a fuarthas á scrúdú aige. A fhad agus bhítear á dhéanamh sin, d’ullmhaigh Meitheal, atá ionadaíoch do réimse leathan páirtithe leasmhara, tuarascáil, ar iarratas ón Bhord, tuarascáil a bhaineann go sonrach le chomhdéanamh seirbhísí géarmhíochaine Ospidéal an Dúin sa todhchaí. Sheol Cathaoirleach Bhord an Oirthir cóip den tuarascáil seo chugam ar an 20 Meán Fómhair. Tuigim gur sheol sé cóip fosta chuig an Dr Maurice Hayes, Cathaoirleach an Ghrúpa Athbhreithnithe, grúpa a bhunaigh mé féin le seirbhísí géarmhíochaine i gcoitinne athbhreithniú. Tá mé ag súil go mbeidh sé ag iarraidh á cur san áireamh nuair a bheas sé ag ullmhú a thuarascála féin. Enrolled Nurse Conversion Survey Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she is aware of the Enrolled Nurse Conversion Survey and if she will ensure that a process is established to facilitate those who wish to convert from 2nd level to 1st level (Registered). (AQW 274/00) Ms de Brún: I am aware of the recent Enrolled Nurse Conversion Survey conducted by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board. It is recognised that identification and facilitation of enrolled nurse conversion is an important element of workforce development. The other Health and Social Services Boards have now been asked to conduct a similar survey to establish the interest by enrolled nurses in undertaking a conversion course. Once this information has been received and analysed I will consider what processes are appropriate to facilitate those who wish to convert to 1st level registered nurse. Tá a fhios agam faoin suirbhé a rinne Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir ar altraí rollaithe atá ag iarraidh cúrsa cláraithe a dhéanamh. Aithnítear gur gné thábhachtach i bhforbairt an fhórsa saothair go bhféadfar teacht ar na haltraí rollaithe atá ag iarraidh an cúrsa cláraithe a dhéanamh agus cuidiú leo sin a dhéanamh. Táthar i ndiaidh iarraidh ar na Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta eile anois suirbhé den chineál céanna a dhéanamh le fáil amach cá mhéad altra rollaithe ar mhaith leo an cúrsa cláraithe a dhéanamh. A luaithe a bheas an t-eolas seo faighte agus scagtha, breithneoidh mé ar na próisis is cuí chun cuidiú leo siúd atá ag iarraidh an t-athrú a dhéanamh le bheith ina n-altraí claraithe 1ú leibhéal. Health Boards Publicity Mr Danny O'Connor asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much has been spent on publicity, (including salaries, literature and reports) by each Health (AQW 279/00) Ms de Brún: The information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The annual accounts and supplementary financial returns of HSS Boards and Trusts do not separately identify expenditure on publicity. The supplementary financial returns of HSS Boards and Trusts disclose expenditure on advertising. Table 1 discloses the expenditure on advertising for the last three years. Ní féidir teacht go réidh ar an eolas sa chruth inar iarradh é agus ní fhéadfadh á fháil gan chostas díréireach. Ní aimsítear go sonrach caiteachas ar phoiblíocht i gcuntais agus i dtuairisceáin fhorlíontacha bhliantúla airgeadais na mBord agus Iontaobhas SSS. Tá faisnéis ann faoin chaiteachas ar fhógraíocht i tuairisceáin fhorlíontacha airgeadais na mBord agus na nIontaobhas. Tá an t-eolas faoin chaiteachas ar fhógraíocht le trí bliana anuas i dTábla 1. TABLE 1 ADVERTISING EXPENDITURE
Source: Supplementary Financial Returns of HSS Bodies. TÁBLA 1 CAITEACHAS AR FHÓGRAÍOCHT
Foinse: Tuairisceáin Fhorlíontacha Airgeadais na gComhlachtaí SSS. UK Childhood Cancer Study Mr Danny O'Connor asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she has read the United Kingdom Childhood Study published in the Lancet as "Exposure to Power Frequency Magnetic Fields and the risk of childhood cancer" and if she will make a statement. (AQW 281/00) Ms de Brún: The publication of UK Childhood Cancer Study in the Lancet 4 December 1999 was the first part of the UK Childhood Cancer Study on Childhood Cancer and electromagnetic fields (EMF). The Department will consider the results in the context of other work in this area and will seek views from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The NRPB’s Advisory Group conducted an extensive review of the subject in 1992 and an additional review of new studies in 1994. They concluded that there was no firm evidence of a carcinogenic hazard associated with residence near major sources of electricity supply. Some studies, however, have suggested a slightly raised risk and public concern persists. The results of this study and others will be included in a forthcoming new review by the NRPB Advisory Group. The Department will consider this review when it is available. Ba é an UK Childhood Cancer Study a foilsíodh sa Lancet an 4 Nollaig 1999 an chéad chuid de thionscadal an UK Childhood Cancer Study ar Ailse Leanaí agus ar réimsí leictreamaighnéadacha (RLM). Déanfaidh an Roinn breithniú ar na torthaí i gcomhthéacs obair eile sa réimse seo agus iarrfaidh sí tuairimí ar an Bhord Náisiúnta Cosanta ar Radaíocht (BNCR). Rinne Grúpa Comhairleach an BNCR dianathbhreithniú ar an ábhar sa bhliain 1992 agus rinne sé athbhreithniú breise sa bhliain 1994. Ba é a mbarúil nach raibh fianaise dhaingean ann go raibh baol carcanaigineach orthu siúd a bhí ina gcónaí in aice le foinsí móra soláthair leictreachais. Tá roinnt staidéar ann, afach, atá i ndiaidh a thabhairt le fios go bhfuil ábhar éigin priacail ann agus tá an pobal buartha faoi i dtólamh. Beidh torthaí an staidéir seo agus staidéar eile á gcur san áireamh in athbhreithniú nua a bheas á dhéanamh ag Grúpa Comhairleach an BNCR ar ball. Déanfaidh an Roinn scrúdú ar an athbhreithniú seo nuair a bheas sé ar fáil. TOPHIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT Proteus Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment if he will outline the time-scale and value of current contracts the Department holds with Proteus. (AQW 242/00) The Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment (Dr Farren): As part of its contract with the European Union to deliver the transnational Employment and Adapt Community Initiatives, the Department was required to put in place a National Support Structure (NSS) to provide technical assistance to projects being funded under these Initiatives. PROTEUS was selected and awarded the NSS contract to run from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 1999. The contract was valued at £540,000. Proteus continues to provide this service in the current year but within the original contract value. Border Training Bureau Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment why no funding has been made available to the Border Training Bureau to bridge the funding gap occasioned by the ending of Peace I and the start of Peace II. (AQW 243/00) Dr Farren: The Border Training Bureau project was put forward by this Department for funding from the £2m made available in the Agenda for Government by the Executive Committee. Regrettably as the amount sought by projects was over five times that available and Border Training Bureau, along with many other projects, was not accepted for support. Service Standards Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment if the European Unit of the Training and Employment Agency has submitted application for accreditation of service standards, e.g. Charter Mark, and to report on the outcome of such application and if he will make a statement. (AQW 244/00) Dr Farren: The European Unit of the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training & Employment has not submitted an application for accreditation of service standards. However, the Department will be considering a quality strategy which will include a focus on customer service. European Unit of the Training and Employment Agency Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment what criteria the European Unit of the Training and Employment Agency employ for processing, (a) first advance claims, (b) second advance claims and (c) final claims. (AQW 245/00) Dr Farren: Under the 1994 -1999 Structural Funds Programmes, European Unit provides ESF assistance to projects funded under measures within the Single Programme, Community Initiatives and the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. Standard criteria apply to the processing of ESF claims for payment. Each year a first advance is payable when the Promoter meets (or continues to meet) the pre-conditions laid down in the Letter of Offer and confirms that the project has commenced (or is continuing). Payment of a second advance is dependent upon certification that 25% or more of the total eligible budget for that year has been spent. A final annual payment is made subject to terms and conditions of the letter of offer having been observed, when a detailed final claim covering the full year has been checked and reconciled with an independent certification of the claim and when confirmation of actual match funding has been received. Requests for payments must be on the official forms issued by European Unit and accompanied by supporting documentation. European Funding Ms Jane Morrice asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment if project providers may attend decision making meetings where their applications for European funding are being considered and to outline the appeals procedure for applicants who are unsuccessful in receiving funding. (AQW 246/00) Dr Farren: With regards to areas of EU funding which are the responsibility of this Department there has been no recent selection activity. In the past project providers have not attended selection meetings and there has not been an appeals procedure. Magee Campus Ms Mary Nelis asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment if he will ensure that the bulk of additional full time places in higher and further education will be based in the North West. (AQW 253/00) Dr Farren: It is for the Universities, as an autonomous bodies, to determine the geographical distribution of places, including any additional places won on a bidding basis, among their Campuses in accordance with their strategic priorities. The University of Ulster received a number of additional places as a result of the 1998 Comprehensive Review (CSR), the bulk of which it has allocated to the Magee Campus. Since 1984, when Magee College became part of the University of Ulster (UU), the student population has risen from 200 to some 2,933 (1,927 full-time and 1,006 part-time) in 1999/00. The University’s Corporate Plan for 1999/00 to 2002/03 acknowledges the significant role played by the Magee Campus in economic and community development in the region, and outlines continued expansion. In respect of further education, there is no restriction on the North-West Institute’s recruitment of full-time FE places. It is also free to bid for any additional full-time HE places which might become available as a result of the Spending Review. Draft Equality Scheme Dr Dara O'Hagan asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment what steps he took to address issues of religious and political discrimination in preparing the Department's draft equality scheme and to list those consulted in preparing this aspect of the draft scheme. (AQW 316/00) Dr Farren: The purpose of the Equality Scheme is to show how the Department proposes to fulfil the duties imposed by Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 in having due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between people of different religious belief and political opinion. There are seven other axes to which the equality of opportunity obligation also applies. There is no hierarchy of axes and all nine are to be treated similarly. Therefore no specific steps were taken to address issues of religious and political discrimination over and above the other axes. The Department published its draft Equality Scheme for public consultation on 7 April. The consultation process was conducted in accordance with the Equality Commission’s guidelines and the Department sent the draft Scheme to over 100 organisations, inviting comments on any aspect of the Scheme. Details of those consulted are contained in Annex C of the Department’s Scheme, a copy of which you have already received. In addition an advertisement was placed in the local press advising the public that the consultation was under way and that copies of the scheme could be obtained from a given source. The scheme was also placed on the Department’s website. East Down Institute of Further & Higher Education Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment what changes are contemplated by his Department for a variation in status for East Down Institute of Further and Higher Education. (AQO 110/00) Dr Farren: No variation in status is planned for East Down Institute of Further & Higher Education. Northern Ireland Higher Education Council Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment if he will detail the costs and benefits of maintaining the Northern Ireland Higher Education Council and the Northern Ireland Further Education Consultative Committee; and if he will make a statement. (AQO 124/00) Dr Farren: The approximate cost of maintaining the Northern Ireland Higher Education Council and the Further Education Consultative Committee in 1999/00 was £266,500. Both play an important role in providing advice to my Department, both on the planning and funding of higher education, and on issues of strategic importance to the HE and FE sectors. Mergers Between Training Centres & Further Education Colleges Mr Joe Byrne asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment what progress has been made following the mergers between the training centres and further education colleges and what are the overall implications for practical skills training. (AQO 128/00) Dr Farren: A total of 9 Training Centres merged with Further Education Colleges on 1 September 2000. Under the terms of merger, some 2,500 trainees and 120 training centre staff transferred to the colleges, together with training centre premises, equipment and other assets. The mergers will allow for a more coherent approach to skills training and will benefit industry, those in need of skills training, and the economy in general. TOPParking for Disabled Drivers Ms Mary Nelis asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will review the current criteria and arrangements for the provision of parking bays for disabled drivers adjacent to their homes. (AQW 252/00) The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): As this is a matter for the Department for Regional Development, your question has been forwarded to me for reply. Roads Service last reviewed its policy on the provision of on-street parking bays for disabled people in 1998. As a result of that review, it was decided to permit, in cases of special hardship, the provision of parking bays for disabled passengers as well as drivers. I have no plans at present to review the current criteria and arrangements for the provision of parking bays for disabled drivers. TOPHousing for Disabled Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development if he will make it his policy to ensure that specially adapted houses are only allocated to the disabled. (AQW 272/00) The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): The allocation of all public housing stock is a matter for the Housing Executive and it would be improper for me to intervene. You will appreciate that the Housing Executive has to balance the demands of those needing adapted accommodation against the need to ensure that housing stock is used effectively. I am advised that its preferred policy is to allocate a specially adapted property to a person requiring such accommodation, making further adaptations if necessary. However, where no such need exists, as part of good housing management, the Executive will offer an adapted property to a general applicant on the waiting list for the particular area. It is not always possible to keep properties empty, in anticipation that an applicant will be found with the needs to match the design of the available property and who wishes to live in or move to that particular area. Housing Refurbishment Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development whether he has any plans to review the present system for awarding contracts for the refurbishment of Northern Ireland Housing Executive property. (AQW 284/00) Mr Morrow: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. However, I am advised by the Chief Executive that it is currently investigating a number of alternative systems in relation to its refurbishment contracts. This is in line with Government policy and Treasury guidelines for procurement in the public sector. No decisions have yet been taken on any new procurement proposals. Housing Refurbishment Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development whether a uniform procedure is used for awarding all contracts for the refurbishment of Northern Ireland Housing Executive property. (AQW 285/00) Mr Morrow: The awarding of such contracts is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. However, I am advised by the Chief Executive that there is a standard procedure for the award of refurbishment contracts. There is uniformity in procedures where contracts are of similar size and estimated cost. The procurement of works and services is governed by: a. where the value of the proposed works or services is estimated to exceed the current thresholds of the European Communities, the procurement is in accordance with the appropriate regulations; b. where the estimated value is below the thresholds the procurement is in accordance with the Executive’s Standing Orders and Contracts Manual. Housing Refurbishment Delay Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development if he will make a statement on the eighteen month delay in awarding a contract to refurbish Northern Ireland Housing Executive bungalows at Hawthorne Grove, Carrickfergus. (AQW 286/00) Mr Morrow: I am advised by the Chief Executive of the Housing Executive that this contract was delayed due to the nature of the work to be carried out and because of vandalism and arson attacks on the dwellings. The Housing Executive is currently involved in negotiations to include these dwellings in a scheme which has recently started in the Carrickfergus area. Subject to a successful conclusion of negotiations, it is hoped to begin work as soon as possible. Special Purchase Evacuated Dwellings Scheme Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development if he will detail the estimated cost of repairs to homes and rehousing incurred under the Special Purchase Evacuated Dwellings Scheme (SPED) since 1 August 2000, and to detail the consequent effect on other housing budgets. (AQO 122/00) Mr Morrow: The SPED scheme covers the purchase costs of private sector homes that have had to be vacated because of threats against the life of the owner. It does not cover the cost of repairs or re-housing. Since 1 August, the NI Housing Executive has spent some £618,000 on the Special Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings Scheme across Northern Ireland. A nominal figure funded from previous SPED purchases is included in the NIHE’s budget each year. Any additional funding required, is the subject of an in-year bid which is at the discretion of the Executive Committee. All previous bids have always been met in full. There are, therefore, no consequential effects on other NI Housing Executive programmes. |