Friday 27 October 2000
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES
AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Cardiac Surgery

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the number of people from Northern Ireland who have been referred to hospitals in Scotland for heart operations in the past year.

(AQW 368/00)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): In the financial year 1999/2000, a total of 26 people from here were referred to hospitals in Scotland for cardiac surgery. All of these referrals were from the Western Health and Social Services Board.

Sa bhliain airgeadais 1999/2000, seoladh 26 duine ón áit seo go dtí otharlanna in Albain le haghaidh máinliachta corónaí. Tháinig siad uilig ó Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an larthair.

Carers Strategy

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will make it her policy to introduce a Carers Strategy for Northern Ireland that will offer financial, physical and emotional assistance for those who provide care on a voluntary basis in the home environment.

(AQW 374/00)

Ms de Brún: Yes. I have asked officials to develop proposals for a strategy for carers here. Carers and their representatives will be directly involved in preparing the strategy and there will be full consultation with all interested parties.

Beidh sé mar pholasaí agam. D’iarr mé ar fheidhmeannaigh moltaí a fhorbairt do straitéis anseo do chúramóirí. Beidh baint dhíreach ag cúramóirí le hullmhú na straitéise agus rachfar i gcomhairle le gach páirtí leasmhar.

Tobacco Advertising

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans she has to review legislation in respect of tobacco advertising.

(AQW 375/00)

Ms de Brún: I remain committed to banning tobacco advertising here and am considering how best to introduce such a ban in the light of the recent European Court of Justice ruling annulling the EC Directive banning tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

Fanaim tiomanta cosc a chur ar fhógraíocht tobac anseo agus tá mé ag machnamh ar an dóigh is fearr lena léitheid de chosc a thabhairt isteach; go háirithe i ndiaidh an rialaithe ón Chúirt Eorpach Cirt a chealaigh an Treoir CE a chuir cosc ar fhógraíocht, cur chun cinn agus urraíocht tobac.

Muckamore Abbey Hospital

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the number of visits by the Social Services Inspectorate to Muckamore Abbey Hospital in each of the last five years.

(AQW 386/00)

Ms de Brún: The Social Services Inspectorate has not made any visits to Muckamore Abbey Hospital in the last five years, as visiting hospitals is not a regular part of the Inspectorate’s remit.

The Mental Health Commission has a statutory remit to visit hospitals and details of their visits are published in the Commission’s Annual Report. The Commission has visited Muckamore Abbey Hospital on six occasions in the past five years. In addition, the Hospital Advisory Service Review Group visited the hospital in January 2000.

Níor thug Cigireacht na Seirbhísí Sóisialta cuairt ar Otharlann Mhainistir Mhaigh Chomair le cúig bliana anuas, mar ní gnáthchuid de shainchúram na Cigireachta í cuairteanna a thabhairt ar otharlanna.

Tá sainchúram reachtúil ar an Choimisiún Meabhairshláinte cuairt a thabhairt ar otharlanna agus foilsítear sonraí a gcuairteanna i dTuairisc Bhliantúil an Choimisiúin. Thug an Coimisiún cuairt ar Otharlann Mhainistir Mhaigh Chomair sé huaire le cúig bliana anuas. Lena chois, thug Grúpa Athbhreithnithe Sheirbhís Chomhairleach Otharlainne cuairt ar an otharlann i mí Eanáir 2000.

GP Consultations

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will provide statistics on waiting times for consultations with General Practitioners and to give her assessment of how these compare with similar statistics for Great Britain.

(AQW 392/00)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

A voluntary scheme was introduced in October 1999 whereby GPs who meet certain criteria qualify for an additional allowance. The first criterion is that all patients, where it is clinically appropriate, are able to obtain a consultation within 24 hours. At present about 78% of GP practices are meeting this voluntary standard.

The recently published NHS Plan in England contains a proposal to give all patients, by the year 2004, a right of access to a primary care professional within 24 hours and to a GP within 48 hours. My officials are considering the implications of these recommendations for our health service and any proposals for change in GPs’ arrangements will be subject to consultation with all interested parties.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

Tugadh isteach scéim dheonach i nDeireadh Fómhair 1999 faoina gcáilíonn liachleachtóirí, a chomhlíonann critéir áirithe, le haghaidh liúntas breise. Is é an chéad chritéar go bhfaigheann gach othar, nuair is cuí go cliniciúil é, cruinniú comhairleach dochtúra faoi cheann 24 uair. Faoi láthair tá thart faoi 78% de sheomraí comhairle liachleachtóirí ag comhlíonadh an chaighdeáin dheonaigh seo.

Sa Phlean NHS a foilsíodh i Sasana le deireannas tá moladh an ceart a thabhairt do gach othar, faoin bhliain 2004, teacht a bheith aige/aici ar ghairmí cúraim phríomhúil faoi cheann 24 uair agus ar liachleachtóir faoi cheann 48 uair. Tá mo chuid feidhmeannach ag déanamh machnaimh ar impleachtaí na moltaí dár seirbhís sláinte agus rachaidh moltaí ar bith maidir le hathrú i socruithe liachleachtóirí faoi chomhairle na bpáirtithe leasmhara uilig.

Health Services (Rural Areas)

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will outline her plans to improve access to health services in rural areas; and if she will make a statement.

(AQW 398/00)

Ms de Brún: I recognise that all people, including those in rural areas, need to have easy access to health and social services, and such matters are taken into account in the plans of Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts. The particular needs of people living in rural areas are being reflected in a number of reviews of services, which are currently being undertaken. I am at present considering the recommendations of the strategic review of the Ambulance Service. The capitation formula for distributing resources to Health and Social Services Boards will reflect the differential cost of providing health and social services in rural areas. The independent review of hospital services, which I commissioned recently, will include consideration of the important aspect of local accessibility. As far as primary care is concerned, there are a number of incentive schemes already in place to encourage practitioners to provide services in rural areas.

Aithním gur gá don phobal uile, lena n-áirítear na daoine sin a chónaíonn i gceantair thuaithe, fáil fhurasta a bheith acu ar sheirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta agus cuirtear ábhair den chineál seo san áireamh i bpleananna na mBord agus na n-Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta. Léirítear riachtanais ar leith na ndaoine a chónaíonn i gceantair tuaithe i roinnt athbhreithnithe ar sheirbhísí, atá á ndéanamh i láthair na huaire. Faoi láthair, tá mé ag déanamh machnaimh ar mholtaí an athbhreithnithe straitéisigh ar an tSeirbhís Otharcharr. Léireoidh an fhoirmle chaipitíochta do dháileadh acmhainní ar Bhoird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an costas difreálach ar sholáthar seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta i gceantair thuaithe. San athbhreithniú neamhspleách ar sheirbhísí otharlainne, a choimisiúnaigh mé ar na mallaibh, beidh machnamh ar ghné thábhachtach na rochtana furasta áitiúla. Ó thaobh cúram príomhúil de, tá scéimeanna dreasachta i bhfeidhm cheana féin le liachleachtóirí a spreagadh chun seirbhísí a sholáthar i gceantair thuaithe.

Cardiac Services

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail (a) how much the review of Cardiac Services has cost so far and (b) what the estimated final cost will be.

(AQW 400/00)

Ms de Brún: Work on the review of Cardiac Surgery has begun only recently and the costs incurred so far are negligible. It is estimated that the final cost will be around £18,000, plus the costs of staff time, which cannot be predicted at this stage.

Níltear ach i ndiaidh tosú ar athbhreithniú Mháinliacht Chairdiach agus tá na costais an-íseal go dtí seo. Meastar go mbeidh thart faoi £18,000 air faoi dheireadh, costais am na foirne san áireamh, rud nach féidir a réamhaithris faoi láthair.

Hospitals: Bed Blocking

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will outline the steps she has taken to reduce the delayed discharge of patients (bed-blocking) from hospitals.

(AQW 401/00)

Ms de Brún: In July I provided an additional allocation of £11 million to the HPSS budget for community care. I will make a further announcement on my Department’s 2001/02 spending plans, including money for community care services, in the near future. These allocations are designed to enable Boards to provide more timely and increased numbers of care packages for elderly and other vulnerable people in the community, thereby freeing hospital beds for other patients.

Comprehensive plans have been drawn up by Boards and Trusts in anticipation of the pressures during the winter months. These include greater use of intermediate care schemes to reduce the need for inappropriate hospital admissions and ensure that people who do not need to be in hospital can be discharged.

My Department has also introduced monthly monitoring of delayed discharges and I shall be stepping this up to weekly monitoring over the winter months.

Ar an I Iúil, sholáthair mé £11 milliún breise do bhuiséad an SSPS do chúram pobail. Déanfaidh mé fógairt eile ar phleananna caiteachais mo Roinne i 2001/02, an t-airgead do sheirbhísí cúraim phobail san áireamh, ar ball. Ceapadh na leithrannta seo le cuidiú leis na Boird níos mó pacáistí cúraim tráthúla a sholáthar do sheandaoine agus do dhaoine leochaileacha eile sa chomhphobal, tríd sin scaoiltear leapacha otharlainne saor d’othair eile.

Dhréachtaigh na Boird agus na hIontaobhais pleananna cuimsitheacha in oirchill na mbrúnna le linn míonna an gheimhridh.Orthu seo tá úsáid bhreise a bhaint as scéimeanna cúraim idirmheánaigh leis an ghá do iontrálacha míchuí a laghdú agus le cinntiú go ligtear amach daoine nach gá dóibh bheith san otharlann.

Thug mo Roinn isteach monatóireacht mhíosúil ar scaoilte moillte, agus beidh mé a mhéadú seo go monatóireacht sheachtainiúil i rith míonna an gheimhridh.

Cardiac Surgery

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the number of people from the Republic of Ireland who have received heart operations in Northern Ireland in the last twelve months.

(AQW 403/00)

Ms de Brún: In the financial year 1999/2000, 3 patients from the south of Ireland were treated in cardiac surgery here.

Sa bhliain airgeadais 1999/2000, tugadh cóireáil máinliacht chairdiach do thrí hothar ó dheisceart Éireann anseo.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the number of people from the Republic of Ireland who are on the waiting list for heart operations in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 404/00)

Ms de Brún: One person from the south of Ireland is currently waiting for cardiac surgery here.

Tá duine amháin ó dheisceart na hÉireann ag fanacht san am i láthair ar mháinliacht chairdiach.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the total cost of performing heart operations and providing aftercare in Northern Ireland for people from the Republic of Ireland over the past twelve months.

(AQW 405/00)

Ms de Brún: In the financial year 1999/2000, three patients from the south of Ireland were treated in cardiac surgery here. All were treated as private patients and therefore the cost to the HPSS of performing heart operations and providing aftercare for people from the south of Ireland was zero.

Sa bhliain airgeadais 1999/2000, tugadh cóireáil máinliacht chairdiach do thrí hothar ó dheisceart na hÉireann anseo. Fuair an t-iomlán acu córeáil phríobháideach, mar sin de, ní raibh costas ar bith ar an SSSP as obráidí cairdiacha a dhéanamh nó soláthar iarchúraim do dhaoine ó dheisceart na hÉireann.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail which health body is responsible for the provision of aftercare for patients from the Republic of Ireland who have heart operations in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 406/00)

Ms de Brún: There are two circumstances in which patients from the South of Ireland might have cardiac surgery here. One would be where a Health Board from the South contracts with the Royal Group of Hospitals (RGH) Trust for a number of cardiac operations and, in that case, the relevant Health Board would have sole responsibility for the provision of aftercare. The other circumstance would be where a patient from the South of Ireland enters into a private arrangement for cardiac surgery in the RGH Trust. In the latter case, arrangements for the provision of aftercare would be the responsibility of the patient.

Tá dhá thoisc ann inar féidir le hothair ó Dheisceart na hÉireann máinliacht chairdiach a fháil anseo. I dtoisc amháin déanann Bord Sláinte ón Deisceart conradh leis an Ghrúpa Ríoga Otharlann (GRO) do roinnt obráidí cairdiacha; sa chás sin an Bord Sláinte amháin a bheadh freagrach as soláthar iarchúraim. Sa toisc eile, déanann othar ó Dheisceart na hÉireann socrú príobháideach do mháinliacht chairdiach san Iontaobhas GRO. Sa chás dheireanach, an t-othar a bheadh freagrach as socruithe sholáthar iarchúraim.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail which health body is responsible for the provision of aftercare for patients from Northern Ireland who have heart operations in Scotland.

(AQW 407/00)

Ms de Brún: Where a Health and Social Services Board contracts for cardiac surgery for one of its residents with a hospital in Scotland, that Board is also responsible for making appropriate aftercare provision for the patient, usually in its own area.

Nuair a dhéanann Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta conradh le haghaidh máinliachta cairdí do chónaitheoir dá chuid le hotharlann in Albain, tá an Bord sin freagrach fosta as soláthar iarchúraim chuí don othar, ina limistéar féin de ghnáth.

Ulster Hospital Trust

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail how many hospital beds were available (a) in the Ulster Hospital Trust 1997-1999 and (b) in the rest of Northern Ireland during the same period.

(AQW 413/00)

Ms de Brún: This information is given in the table below.

Average available beds 1997 – 1999

Léirítear an t-eolas seo sa tábla thíos.

Meánmhéid na Leapacha ar fáil 1997 – 1999

Administrative Staff

Rev Robert Coulter asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the number of administrative staff employed at (a) her Department, (b) each of the Health and Social Services Boards, and (c) each of the Health Trusts.

(AQO 203/00)

Ms de Brún: My Department currently employs 642 administrative staff.

At the 31st March 2000 the Eastern Health and Social Services Board had 128 administrative and clerical staff, the Northern Board had 119, the Southern Board 123 and the Western Board 188.

The total number of administrative and clerical staff employed in the 19 Health and Social Services Trusts at 31st March 2000, was 8,853. Rather than read out the figure for each Trust individually, I will provide the Member with the information in writing. Administration and clerical staff carry out a wide range of duties, many of which are related directly to patient care e.g. ward clerks, medical record staff, and receptionists in GP surgeries. The amounts spent by Boards and Trusts on management and core administration are tightly controlled by my Department and compare favourably with management and administration costs in England, Scotland and Wales.

Fostaíonn mo Roinnse foireann riaracháin 642 duine.

Ar an 31 Márta 2000 bhí 128 de fhoireann riaracháin agus chléireachais ag Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir; bhí 119 ag Bord an Tuaiscirt, 123 ag Bord an Deiscirt agus 188 ag Bord an Iarthair.

Ba é 8,853 líon iomlán na foirne riaracháin agus chléireachais a bhí fostaithe ag na hIontaobhais Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta ar an 31 Márta 2000. In ionad an figiúr do gach Iontaobhas ar leith a léamh amach, seolfaidh mé an t-eolas chuig an Teachta i scríbhinn. Comhlíonann an fhoireann riaracháin agus cléireachais réimse leathan dualgas a bhfuil baint dhíreach ag cuid mhór acu le cúram othar, mar shampla, cléirigh barda, foireann thaifead liachta agus fáilteoirí i seomraí freastail liachleachtóirí. Coinníonn mo Roinn súil ghéar ar na suimeanna a chaitheann Boird agus Iontaobhais ar bhainistíocht agus ar riarachán láir agus ní bhfaighfear locht orthu i gcomparáid le costais bhainistíochta agus riaracháin i Sasana, in Albain agus sa Bhreatain Bheag.

Beta Interferon

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will make a statement on the availability of the drug Beta Interferon to those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.

(AQO 183/00)

Ms de Brún: Beta interferon is currently available to people with multiple sclerosis who have been assessed by a consultant neurologist as likely to benefit from the treatment.

I am aware that the review of beta interferon recently conducted by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has given rise to considerable concern about the future availability of the drug. I have already met with representatives of the Multiple Sclerosis Society to hear at first hand of their concerns and I will shortly be meeting with health professionals to take their views.

Any recommendations made by NICE will apply only to England and Wales and I will wish to consider the recommendations in terms of their application here. I am conscious that the current uncertainty is giving rise to a great deal of anxiety among MS sufferers and I hope to be in a position to clarify the matter as soon as possible after the NICE recommendations are finalised. Unfortunately, at this point I have no information as to when the final guidance from NICE is likely to be produced.

Tá Béite-Inteirfearón ar fáil faoi láthair d’othair a bhfuil scléaróis iolrach orthu más rud é go measann néareolaí comhairleach ina leith gur dócha go mbainfeadh siad tairbhe as mar chóireáil.

Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil imní mhór ar dhaoine faoi sholáthar an druga sa todhchaí i ndiaidh an athbhreithnithe ar bhéite-inteirfearón a rinne an Institiúid Náisiúnta um Fheabhas Cliniciúil (INFC) le gairid. Bhuail mé cheana le hionadaithe ón Chumann Scléaróise Iolraí lena gcuid imní a chluinstin go pearsanta agus ar ball beag buailfidh mé le daoine gairmiúla sa réimse sláinte lena a dtuairimí a fhail.

Beidh feidhm ag aon mholtaí a rinne an INFC i Sasana agus sa Bhreatain Bheag amháin agus beidh mise ag iarraidh na moltaí a bhreithniú maidir lena gcur i bhfeidhm anseo. Tuigim go bhfuil an éiginnteacht atá ann ag cur a lán buairimh ar dhaoine a bhfuil scléaróis iolrach orthu agus tá súil agam go mbeidh sé ar mo chumas an cheist a shoiléiriú a luaithe is féidir i ndiaidh don IFNC a moltaí a chríochnú. Ar an drochuair níl eolas ar bith agam ag an phointe seo faoi cá huair is dóiche a chuirfear treoir ón INFC ar fáil.

Long-Term Residential Care

Mr McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans she has for long- term residential care for the elderly and if she will make a statement.

(AQO 210/00)

Ms de Brún: I have asked officials to examine all the proposals contained in the British Labour Government’s statement of 27 July on long-term care and to bring forward a range of options that I may consider. I will make a statement when this work is completed.

Tá mé i ndiaidh a iarraidh ar fheidhmeannaigh scrúdú a dhéanamh ar na moltaí a rinneadh i ráiteas Rialtas Lucht Oibre na Breataine ar an 27 Iúil faoi chúram fadtéarmach agus réimse roghanna a chur faoi mo bhráid a d’fhéadfainn a bhreithniú. Déanfaidh mé ráiteas nuair a bheas an obair seo curtha i gcrích.

Discussions with Minister for
Social Development

Mr Close asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail any discussions she has had with the Minister for Social Development regarding Public Health issues.

(AQO 187/00)

Ms de Brún: I have had no direct discussions with the Minister for Social Development regarding Public Health issues although, following an invitation extended by me through the Ministerial Group on Public Health, my officials have done so.

Ní raibh plé díreach ar bith ann idir mé féin agus an tAire Forbartha Sóisialta faoi cheisteanna a bhaineann le Sláinte Phoiblí, ach san am céanna bhí plé díreach ag mo chuid feidhmeannach leis i ndiaidh dom cuireadh a thabhairt dó tríd an Ghrúpa Aireachta ar Shláinte Phoiblí.

Surgery Waiting List

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the change in the total waiting list for surgical operations on a monthly basis from November 1999 until September 2000.

(AQO 215/00)

Ms de Brún: Information on people waiting for inpatient treatment is collected on the basis of speciality rather than whether they are waiting for a surgical operation. I will provide the Member with figures for the numbers of patients waiting for inpatient admission to the surgical specialities. These figures are currently published on a quarterly basis.

Bailítear eolas ar dhaoine atá ag feitheamh le cóireáil mar othair chónaitheacha ar bhonn speisialtóireachtaí, ní ar an bhonn go bhfuil siad ag feitheamh le hobráid. Cuirfidh me figiúirí ar fáil don Chomhalta maidir le líon na n-othar atá ag feitheamh le hiontráil mar othair chónaitheacha chuig na speisialtóireachtaí máinliachta. Foilsítear na figiúirí seo ar bhonn ráithe faoi láthair.

Special Schools: Nursing Staff

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will review the provision of non teaching nursing staff in Special Schools.

(AQO 182/00)

Ms de Brún: Provision of nursing staff in special schools was reviewed earlier this year by a joint Health and Social Services/Education and Library Board review group. The review group concluded that in most circumstances trained carers should be able to carry out the majority of ongoing personal and health care needs. The carers would be trained, supported and mentored by community learning disability nurses, community paediatric nurses and school health nurses.

Ní ba luaithe i mbliana rinne grúpa athbhreithnithe comhpháirteach de chuid na seirbhísí sláinte, na seirbhísí sóisialta agus na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlann athbhreithniú ar sholáthar altraí i scoileanna speisialta. Is é a shocraigh an grúpa athbhreithnithe gur cheart go mbeadh cúramóirí oilte ábalta freastal, i mbunús na gcásanna, ar an chuid is mó de riachtanais leanúnacha sláinte agus pearsanta na ndaltaí. Bheadh oiliúint, tacaíocht agus comhairle á dtabhairt do chúramóirí ag altraí míchumais foghlama, ag altraí péidiatraiceacha pobail agus ag altraí sláinte scoileanna.

Ambulances

Mr Gallagher asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will detail the total number of ambulances currently based in the Western Health Board Area and what percentage this is of the Northern Ireland fleet.

(AQO 181/00)

Ms de Brún: There are 27 Accident & Emergency ambulances based in the Western Division. This represents 20% of the Ambulance Service’s Accident & Emergency fleet.

Tá 27 n-otharcharr Thaismí agus Éigeandálaí bunaithe sa Rannán Iartharach. Is é seo 20% de fhlít Taismí agus Éigeandálaí na Seirbhíse Otharcharranna.

Nursing Staff

Mr Poots asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps have been taken to encourage nursing staff to remain within the Health Service.

(AQO 206/00)

Ms de Brún: Nurses play a vital role in providing care. This was recognised in the pay awards from April this year, when higher than inflation awards were made to Nurses in general, and substantial awards were made for experienced Nurses at C and E Grades. I also recently announced the creation of eight new Nurse Consultant posts. These posts will provide career development opportunities for nurses while maintaining their day to day contact with patients.

In addition, my Department is presently involved with the Health Departments in England, Scotland and Wales in the development of a new pay scheme, which will offer all HPSS 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.

Tá ról barrthábhachtach ag altraí agus iad ag soláthar cúraim. Aithníodh seo san ardú pá a tugadh dóibh ó mhí Aibreáin i mbliana nuair a tugadh ardú d’altraí i gcoitinne a bhí níos airde na an ráta boilscithe agus nuair a tugadh ardú suntasach d’altraí Ghráid C agus E a raibh taithí acu. D’fhógair mé fosta ar na mallaibh gur cruthaíodh ocht bpost nua d’Altraí Comhairleacha. Tabharfaidh na poist seo deiseanna d’altraí cur lena ngairmréim ach teagmháil a bheith acu le hothair i rith an ama.

Ina theannta sin, tá mo Roinnse faoi láthair, i gcomhar leis na Ranna Sláinte i Sasana, in Albain agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, ag plé forbairt córais nua pá a fhágfaidh go mbeidh gairmréim níos tarraingtí ag gach ball foirne na SSSSP agus beidh faill acu siúd a thugann an oiread is mó don tseirbhís dul chun cinn a dhéanamh, úsáid níos fearr a bhaint as a gcuid scileanna, ardú stádais a fháil agus tuilleadh pá a ghnóthú.

NHS Circulars

Mr J Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will ensure that all National Health Service circulars are properly disseminated.

(AQO 198/00)

Ms de Brún: Since health and social services are devolved matters, it is not appropriate to disseminate NHS circulars which apply to England, Wales and Scotland. Where appropriate, guidance concerned with the subject matter of NHS circulars, but which reflects the policies and procedures of my Department, is issued to all relevant HPSS bodies, and to other interested organisations where appropriate.

Ós rud é gur ábhair chineachta na seirbhísí slainte agus na seirbhísí sóisialta, ní cuí a bheith ag scaipeadh imlitreacha na SNS a bhaineann le Sasana, leis an Bhreatain Bheag agus le hAlbain. Nuair is cuí, eisítear eolas treorach a bhaineann le hábhair imlitreacha na SNS, ach a léiríonn nós imeachta agus polasaithe mo Roinne agus eisítear iad chuig gach comhlacht SSSSP lena mbaineann siad agus chuig eagraíochtaí leasmhara eile nuair is cuí.

Free Prescriptions (Students)

Mr Carrick asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will outline her policy regarding the eligibility for free prescriptions of students who participate in the students loan scheme and if she will make a statement.

(AQO 179/00)

Ms de Brún: Students who participate in the students loan scheme are assessed in exactly the same way as any other person who applies for help with prescription costs under the health service low income scheme.

Déantar measúnú ar mhic léinn atá páirteach sa scéim iasachta do mhic léinn ar an dóigh cheannann chéanna a ndéantar measúnú ar dhuine ar bith eile a iarrann cúnamh i leith costas oideas faoi scéim na seirbhíse sláinte dóibh siúd atá ar bheagán ioncaim.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Drainage

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will outline his plans to improve drainage systems to reduce the risk of flooding and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 402/00)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): The risk of flooding is related to the intensity and duration of the rainfall and the capacity and condition of the drainage systems. The sewerage network consists of some 10,200 km of sewers and has suffered chronic under investment in the past. Water Service is progressing a programme of some 105 area drainage studies to determine the improvements required to the sewerage network to reduce the risk of flooding and to meet environmental objectives. This programme of studies is planned for completion in 2003 and it is estimated that it will identify a capital investment requirement for improvement schemes in excess of £300 million.

The largest of the schemes is the £100 million upgrade of the Belfast sewer system which is programmed to commence in 2003 and which will take 6 years to complete. Planning is also underway to improve the sewerage network in East Belfast with a £2.6 million scheme due to commence in 2002 with completion in 2004. The entire programme of improvements is unlikely to be completed within this decade given current funding levels.

In addition to the major schemes, a number of interim measures, aimed at reducing the risk of flooding in vulnerable areas, are under active consideration or are currently being implemented. These include the £170,000 scheme designed to help alleviate the problem of flooding in the Lower Ravenhill Road area of Belfast which is due to be completed within this financial year.

Water Quality

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will detail the improvements made to the quality of water in Northern Ireland in the past five years.

(AQW 415/00)

Mr Campbell: Water supplied for domestic purposes is required to meet the standards laid down in the Water Quality Regulations (NI) 1994. Water is regularly monitored and tested for quality, and the table below summaries the results for the past five years.

Compliance with Regulatory Standards

The results in the tale show that drinking water quality is of a high standard but further investment is required to fully comply with the Regulations. Water Service has identified a need to invest some £800 million on new treatment works and refurbishment of existing works, and on improvements to the water distribution network over the next ten years.

ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

Statutory Committees

Rev Dr Ian Paisley asked the Assembly Commission to confirm the number of meetings of each of the statutory committees and give a breakdown of those that took place in public session and the number in closed session; and to detail the total number of hours each committee has been in session.

(AQW 58/00)

Dr O’Hagan (Assembly Commission) [supplementary answer]: I am writing to advise you that my written reply, on 29 September, to your question to the Assembly Commission about Statutory Committee meetings contained incorrect information about meetings of the Regional Development Committee. My reply reported that that Committee had a total of 21 meetings of which 19 were "closed", 2 were "closed/public and the duration of the meetings had been 35 hours. The correct information on meetings of the Regional Development Committee is shown in the attachment to this letter.

The inclusion of incorrect information resulted from an administrative error in the Committee Office and I apologise for this. The Business Office will be advised that incorrect information was provided in my written reply and the correct information will be published in the Official Report in due course.

Assembly Publicity

Mrs I Robinson asked the Assembly Commission to detail how much has been spent by the Assembly on publicity.

(AQW 376/00)

Mr Wells (Assembly Commission): I am responding on behalf of the Assembly Commission.

To date the Assembly Commission has spent £159,862 on publicity which covered the development of the Assembly’s website (£25,000), recruitment advertising (£133,862) and a general advertisement promoting the Assembly’s address and central telephone number (£1,000).

Mount Charles

Ms Lewsley asked the Assembly Commission how much of the produce sold by Mount Charles in Parliament Buildings is sourced from Northern Ireland suppliers.

(AQW 380/00)

Mr Wells: I am responding to you on behalf of the Assembly Commission.

All of the produce sold by Mount Charles in Parliament Buildings is sourced from Northern Ireland suppliers.

Ms Lewsley asked the Assembly Commission what percentage of the produce sold by Mount Charles in Parliament Buildings is produced in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 381/00)

Mr Wells: I am responding to you on behalf of the Assembly Commission.

It is estimated that 65% of the produce sold by Mount Charles in Parliament Buildings is produced in Northern Ireland.

No-Confidence Motion (Cost)

Mr Bradley asked the Assembly Commission to provide the estimated cost of tabling, debating and recording the 9 October proposal of no confidence in the First Minister.

(AQW 382/00)

Mr Wells: I am responding to you on behalf of the Assembly Commission.

The estimated staff, printing and recording costs of supporting a half day of an Assembly plenary is £3,023. There were no additional costs incurred in tabling, debating and recording the 9 October motion of no confidence in the First Minister which represented one half of the plenary time on that particular day.

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