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Friday 12 January 2001
Radiotherapy Equipment Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (a) detail the radiotherapy equipment available in Northern Ireland (b) outline the level of staffing in cancer services across Northern Ireland and (c) give her assessment of any improvements that have been made in this area. (AQW 1100/00) Ms de Brún: The radiotherapy treatment equipment available comprises four linear accelerators, a tele-isotope cobalt unit, a superficial unit and a brachytherapy unit. Treatment planning equipment consists of two simulators and a treatment planning system. Information is not readily available on the number of staff involved in the care of cancer patients, as their treatment and care is provided across a wide range of specialties and directorates, including oncology, surgery, palliative care and diagnostic services in acute and community settings. The provision of cancer services is being improved at present in line with the 1996 report ‘Cancer Services: Investing for the Future.’ It recommended that cancer care should be delivered by multidisciplinary, multiprofessional teams and that the provision of cancer services should be reorganised, with cancer units established in each board area, linked to the cancer centre in Belfast. In line with this, oncology clinics are now provided at the cancer units at Antrim, Altnagelvin, Craigavon and the Ulster Hospitals. Over 50% of day-patient chemotherapy is now provided outside the cancer centre. Specialisation in site-specific cancers has also commenced with the identification of lead clinicians in a range of cancers. Multidisciplinary teams have also been established. Sa trealamh cóireála raiditeiripe ar fáil tá ceithre Luasaire Líneacha, Ionad Cóbailt Teiliosatóipe, Ionad Éadomhanda agus Ionad Bracaiteiripe. Sa Trealamh Pleanála Cóireála tá 2 Insamhlúchán agus Córas Pleanála Cóireála. Níl eolas ar fáil go réidh ar líon na ndaoine san fhoireann a bhfuil lámh acu i gcúram othar le hailse, mar go soláthraítear a gcóireáil trasna réimse leathan speisialtachtaí agus stiúrthóireachtaí, san áireamh tá seirbhísí oinceolaíochta, máinliachta, cúraim mhaolaithigh agus fáthmheasa i suímh ghéir agus phobail araon. Tá soláthar seirbhísí ailse á fheabhsú faoi láthair de réir na tuairisce 1996 Seirbhísí Ailse: Ag Infheistiú don Todhchaí. Mhol sí gur chóir d’fhoirne ildhisciplíneacha, ilghairmiúla cúram ailse a sholáthar agus gur chóir soláthar seirbhísí ailse a atheagrú, le hionaid ailse bunaithe i ngach ceantar Boird, ceangailte leis an Ionad Ailse i mBéal Feirste. Faoi réir seo, soláthraítear clinicí oinceolaíochta ar fáil anois ag na hionaid ailse in Otharlann Aontroma, Alt na nGealbhán, Craigavon agus Uladh. Soláthraítear breis agus 50% de cheimiteiripe othair lae taobh amuigh den ionad ailse. Thosaigh saineolaíocht in ailsí suíomh-shainiúla le haithint dochtúirí móra i réimse ailsí. Bunaíodh foirne ildhisciplíneacha fosta. Research: Removal of Organs Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her policy in relation to the removal and retention of organs from dead children for the purposes of research. (AQW 1101/00) Ms de Brún: The policy here in relation to the removal or retention of organs from children who have died is that no organs are used for the purposes of research. Where organs are removed for post-mortem examination this is done only with the consent of the parents or guardian. In March 2000 the chief medical officer, Dr Henrietta Campbell, issued interim guidance on post-mortem examination to all trusts. The chief medical officer in England, Prof Liam Donaldson, is conducting an investigation into the issue of organ and tissue retention, and my Department will issue further definitive guidance following his report to Ministers and the issuing of equivalent guidance to the NHS. Is é an polasaí anseo maidir le baint nó coinneáil orgán ó pháistí a fuair bás nach n-úsáidtear orgán ar bith do chúiseanna taighde. Nuair a bhaintear orgáin do scrúdú iarbháis, déantar seo le cead na dtuismitheoirí nó an chaomhnóra amháin. I Mí an Mhárta 2000, d’eisigh an Príomh-Oifigeach Míochaine, an Dr Henrietta Campbell, treoir eatramhach ar scrúdú iarbháis do na hIontaobhais SSS uilig. Tá an Príomh-Oifigeach Míochaine i Sasana, An tOllamh Liam Donaldson, ag déanamh fiosraithe ar cheist na coinneála orgáin agus fíocháin agus eiseoidh an Roinn s’agam tuilleadh treorach soiléire i ndiaidh tuairisc an POM i Sasana chuig Airí, agus eisiúint comhthreorach don SNS. Regional Medical Services Group Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (a) detail the members of the regional medical services group (b) confirm by whom they were appointed and their clinical experience (c) outline the areas they will examine (d) detail the meetings they have had to the present and when they expect to report. (AQW 1102/00) Ms de Brún: (a) The regional medical services consortium (RMSC) board is comprised of the boards’ directors of public health and the boards’ directors with responsibility for planning/contracting, plus nursing and GP representatives. The current members are:
There is also a RMSC project team, which is responsible for the identification and investigation of service development issues and the preparation of papers, reports and recommendations. The current members are:
From time to time RMSC will co-opt other members to assist in the appraisal of specific issues involving social services or professions allied to medicine. (b) The four health and social services boards appoint the members of the RMSC board and the project team. It would require disproportionate effort to provide details of the members’ clinical experience. (c) The RMSC was set up by the four health and social services boards and the Department of Health and Social Services in 1991, to allow boards to co-operate in the commissioning and purchasing of regional medical services; and to ensure that vulnerable services — particularly high-cost/low-volume ones — are protected. The RMSC is not a purchaser or commissioner in its own right, and can best be described as a voluntary forum within which commissioners can discuss regional medical issues of mutual interest. (d) The RMSC board usually meets four times a year and the project team meets monthly. Reports and recommendations made by the project team are submitted to the RMSC Board for approval. The RMSC board in turn is responsible to the four boards’ chief executives for any decisions taken. (a) Tá Stiúrthóirí Sláinte Poiblí na mBord agus Stiúrthóirí na mBord atá freagrach as Pleanáil/Déanamh Conarthaí, agus as ionadaithe banaltraí agus DGí ar Bhord Chuibhreannas Seirbhísí Míochaine Réigiúnacha (CSMR). Is iad seo a leanas na baill atá air faoin láthair:
Tá Foireann Tionscadail CSMR ann fosta atá freagrach as aithint agus fiosrú ceisteanna forbartha seirbhísí agus as ullmhú páipéar, tuairiscí agus moltaí. Seo a leanas baill na Foirne faoi láthair:
An tUas. R McMillen Bainisteoir Tionscadail, Tionscadal Coimisiúnaithe Mhac Cathmhaoil (Do cheisteanna a bhaineann le Seirbhísí Ailse) Ó am go ham, comhthoghfaidh CSMR baill eile chun cuidiú le measúnacht ceisteanna áirithe a bhaineann leis na Seirbhísí Sóisialta nó le Gairmeacha Bainteach le Míochaine. (b) Ceapann na ceithre Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta baill ar Bhord an CSMR agus ar Fhoireann an Tionscadail. Bheadh iarracht dhíréireach de dhíth le sonraí de thaithí chliniciúil na mball a chur ar fáil. (c) Bhunaigh na ceithre Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus An Roinn Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an CSMR i 1991, chun cead a thabhairt do Bhoird comhoibriú a dhéanamh i gcoimisiúnú agus i gceannach seirbhísí míochaine réigiúnacha; agus le cinntiú go gcosnaítear seirbhísí lagchuidithe (go háirithe seirbhísí ardchostasacha agus ísealchumasacha). Ní ceannaitheoir nó coimisinéir ceart é féin an CSMR ach is é an cur síos is fearr a dhéanamh air gur fóram deonach é inar féidir le coimisinéirí ceisteanna míochaine réigiúnacha de chomhshuim a phlé. (d) Cruinníonn Bord an CSMR ceithre huaire sa bhliain de ghnáth agus cruinníonn Foireann an Tionscadail go míosúil. Cuirtear tuairiscí agus moltaí déanta ag Foireann an Tionscadail isteach chuig Bord an CSMR d’fhormheas. Tá Bord an CSMR é féin freagrach do Phríomh-Fheidhmeannaigh na gceithre Bhord do chinneadh ar bith a dhéantar. Beacon Houses: Fermanagh and Tyrone Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will, through the western board, provide adequate funding for voluntary care for day patients with mental problems referred by GPs to Beacon Houses in counties Fermanagh and Tyrone. (AQW 1104/00) Ms de Brún: Spending decisions on services for such patients are matters for the western board in discussion with local trusts. However, I assure you that day care generally and the services of the Beacon Houses in particular are recognised as a vital element of service provision. There are currently 292 daily places provided by trusts and the voluntary sector for people with mental health problems in the western board area. Sperrin Lakeland Trust has a contract with the Northern Ireland association for mental health to provide 39 places for people with mental health problems in Omagh and Fermanagh. Baineann cinnte ar chaitheamh ar sheirbhísí d’othair mar sin leis an Bhord SSS Iartharach i plé le hIontaobhais áitiúla. Geallaim duit áfach, go n-aithnítear cúram lae i gcoitinne, agus seirbhísí na dTithe Beacon go háirithe mar ghné fhíorthábhachtach de sholáthar seirbhíse. Faoi láthair, soláthraíonn Iontaobhais agus an earnáil dheonach 292 áit laethúla do dhaoine le fadhbanna sláinte meabhrach i gCeantar an Bhoird Iartharaigh. Tá conradh ag Iontaobhas Shliabh Speirín le Cumann Thuaisceart Éireann um Shláinte Meabhrach le 39 n-áit a sholáthar do dhaoine le fadhbanna sláinte meabhrach ar an Ómaigh agus i bhFear Manach. Morning-After Pill Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm when the morning-after pill will be available without prescription in Northern Ireland and if chemists will be given the discretion to sell or prescribe the drug. (AQW 1106/00) Ms de Brún: Emergency hormonal contraception (EHC), also known as the morning-after pill, has been legally available here, without prescription, from Monday, 1 January 2001. It is anticipated that the product will not, however, become available from the manufacturer until late January/early February 2001. Supply will be on the basis of a prescription written by a GP or by sale of medication. There is currently no provision in law for pharmacists to prescribe. Pharmacists have a code of ethics, which includes the provision that those who, for personal convictions or religious beliefs, do not wish to supply a specific medicine, are not required to do so. However, they are obligated under their professional code to re-direct anyone requesting emergency hormonal contraception to an appropriate alternative source of supply, which may be another pharmacist, GP surgery or family planning clinic. Beidh frithghiniúint hormónach éigeandála (FHÉ), ar a dtugtar "an piolla don mhaidin dár gcionn" chomh maith, ar fáil go dleathach anseo, gan oideas, ón Luan 1 Eanáir 2001. Meastar nach mbeidh an piolla curtha ar fáil ag an déantóir áfach go dtí go mall i mí Eanáir nó go luath i mí Feabhra 2001. Cuirfear ar fáil é ar bhonn oidis scríofa ag gnáthdhochtúir nó ar díol mar leigheas. Faoi láthair ní thugann an dlí cead do chógaiseoirí an t-oideas a scríobh. Tá cód eiteac ag na cógaiseoirí ina bhfuil foráil ann dóibh siúd, de thairbhe creidimh phearsanta nó creideamh reiligiúnach, nár mhian leo leigheas áirithe a chur ar fáil, ní thugtar orthu a leithéid a dhéanamh. Tá siad faoi dhualgas óna gcód gairmiúil go n-atreoródh siad duine ar bith atá ag iarraidh frithghiniúint hormónach éigeandála chuig duine eile cuí a chuireann ar fáil í bíodh sin ina chógaiseoir, ina fheitheamhlann gnáthdhochtúra nó ina chlinic pleanáil clainne. Morning-After Pill: Test and Analysis Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what tests and analysis have been done on the morning-after pill to ensure no harmful effect on those using it on a regular basis. (AQW 1107/00) Ms de Brún: Emergency hormonal contraception (EHC), also known as the morning-after pill, is not recommended for use on a regular basis. Clinical trials have shown that the efficacy of hormonal emergency contraception is increased the earlier it is taken after unprotected sexual intercourse. Pharmacy supply is therefore important in allowing women timely access to emergency contraception at times when doctors or clinics might not accessible. The committee on the safety of medicines (CSM) considered the scientific evidence of the safety of levonorgestrel 0·75mg if it was removed from prescription control for women aged 16 and above. They advised that levonorgestrel 0·75mg for emergency contraception may safely be supplied as a pharmacy medicine for women aged 16 and above and that that all the steps required to safely supply emergency contraception could be successfully completed in a pharmacy. They also recommended that women obtaining emergency contraception from a pharmacist should be encouraged to see a doctor for follow up advice. Ní mholtar úsáid frithghiniúint hormónach éigeandála (FHÉ), ar a dtugtar "an piolla don mhaidin dár gcionnn" chomh maith, ar bhonn reatha. Thaispeáin trialacha cliniciúla dá luaithe a ghlactar é i ndiaidh collaíochta gan frithghiniúint is amhlaidh a mhéadaítear éifeacht frithghiniúint hormónach éigeandála. Is tábhachtach mar sin sólathar tráthúil cógaslainne a dhéanamh ag tabhairt faille do mhná an fhrithghiniúint éigeandála a fháil nuair nach mbeadh teacht ar dhochtúirí ná ar chlinicí. Rinne an Coiste um Shábháilteacht Cógas (CSC) a mhachnamh ar fhianaise eolaíochta ar shábháilteacht levonorgestrol 0·75mg má bhaintear é ó rialú oidis do mhná atá 16 nó os a chionn. Mhol siad gur féidir levonorgestrol 0·75mg a chur ar fáil go sábháilte mar chógas cógaslainne do mhná atá 16 nó os a chionn agus gur féidir na céimeanna cearta atá riachtanach le frithghiniúint éigeandála a shólathar go sábháilte a bhaint amach i gcógaslann. Molann siad chomh maith gur chóir mná a spreagadh, atá ag fáil frithghiniúint éigeandála ó chógaslannaí, le dul chuig dochtúir le comhairle a fháil maidir leis an cheist seo. Trust Recovery Plan Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to list in summary form the agreed measures per financial year in each trust recovery plan to achieve the agreed recovery target. (AQW 1112/00) Ms de Brún: The recovery plans produced by the relevant trusts are still under consideration by my Department and as such do not represent agreed final documents. It is therefore inappropriate for me to comment on the plans at this stage. My Department will continue to evaluate the recovery plan proposals and aims to complete this process by the end of the financial year. Tá an Roinn s’agam ag meas na bpleananna téarnaimh go fóill atá déanta ag na hIontaobhais chuí agus mar sin ní doiciméid iad atá beartaithe go críochnúil. Ní cóir dom mar sin mo thuairim a nochtadh ar na pleananna faoi láthair. Rachaidh an Roinn s’agam ar aghaidh ag measúnú na moltaí le haghaidh plean téarnaimh agus tá sé mar aidhm aici an próiseas a chríochnú faoi dheireadh na bliana airgeadais. Nurses: Return to Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how many people have completed the return to professional practice course for nurses in each of the past five years. (AQW 1113/00) Ms de Brún: Return to professional practice courses have been offered since 1998. The following numbers of nurses have completed training in each year since then: 1998 54 One hundred and seventeen nurses are currently participating in return to practice training. Additional training places will be available early next year to meet an identified demand for places. Tá Cúrsaí don Fhilleadh ar an Chleachtas Gairmiúil á dtairiscint ó 1998. Seo a leanas líon na mbanaltraí a chríochnaigh an traenáil i ngach bliain ó shin: 1998 54 Tá 117 banaltra ag glacadh páirte i dtraenáil fillte ar chleachtas faoi láthair. Beidh áiteanna traenála breise ar fáil go luath san athbhliain chun éileamh ar áiteanna a aithnítear a líonadh. Trust Deficit Recovery Plan Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the methodology of equality impact assessment that has been applied to each trust deficit recovery plan and the conclusions and adverse impacts established for each trust plan. (AQW 1114/00) Ms de Brún: The recovery plans produced by the relevant trusts are still under consideration by my Department and as such do not represent agreed final documents. The equality considerations are an important part of the development of the recovery plans by the relevant organisations, and I will expect those organisations to address their equality obligations fully in any agreed recovery measures. Tá na pleananna téarnaimh a rinne na hIontaobhais chuí faoi athbhreithniú go fóill ag mo Roinnse, agus, mar sin de, ní cáipéisí críochnaithe comhaontaithe iad. Is cuid thábhachtach iad na saincheisteanna comhionannais i bhforbairt phleananna téarnaimh na n-eagraíochtaí cuí agus beidh coinne agam go dtabharfaidh na heagraíochtaí sin aghaidh iomlán ar a ndualgais chomhionannais maidir le bearta téarnaimh comhaontaithe ar bith. Breast Cancer: Consultants Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (a) detail the number of consultants employed in dealing with breast cancer (b) give her assessment of the provision of service since the departure of Mr Khan and (c) confirm when Mr Khan’s replacement will be appointed. (AQW 1126/00) Ms de Brún: It is not possible to provide the information requested on the number of consultants dealing with breast cancer. Consultants in a number of different specialties, including general surgery, medical/clinical oncology, radiology and pathology may be involved in dealing with cases of breast cancer at different stages or in different cases and they are not identified separately as dealing with breast cancer cases. I am happy to report that Dr Khan has withdrawn his resignation and I am satisfied that the breast reconstruction service is continuing to operate smoothly. Ní féidir an t-eolas a iarradh a thabhairt ar líon na lianna comhairleacha ag déileáil le hailse chíche. Féadann lianna comhairleacha i roinnt sainréimsí éagsúla, ina measc, máinliacht ghinearálta, oinceolaíocht mhíochaine/chiniciúil, raideolaíocht agus paiteolaíocht bheith bainteach leis ag déileáil le cúiseanna ailse cíche ag céimeanna nó i gcásanna éagsúla, agus ní idirdhealaítear iad mar liannna ag déileáil le cásanna d’ailse chíche. Tá áthas orm le cur in iúl gur tharraing Dr Khan a éirí as siar agus tá mé sásta go bhfuil an tseirbhís atógála cíche ag feidhmiú ar aghaidh go réidh. Breast Cancer: Reconstructive Surgery Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (a) detail the incidence rate for breast cancer for each of the last five years and (b) detail how many patients are waiting for reconstructive surgery. (AQW 1127/00) Ms de Brún: a) Information is available for the calendar years 1993 to 1996 and is detailed in the table below. The number of incidences from 1997 to date is not yet available from the cancer registry. Incidence of breast cancer in the local female population
b) At 30 November 2000 — the latest date for which information is available — there were 514 persons waiting for breast reconstruction surgery at local hospitals. It is not possible to determine which patients are having breast reconstruction surgery solely because of breast cancer. a) Tá eolas ar fáil do na blianta 1993 go dtí 1966 agus é sonraithe sa tábla thíos. Níl méid na minicíochta ó 1997 go dtí an lá inniu ar fáíl go fóíll ón Chlárlann Ailse. Minicíocht ailse cíche I measc an bhandaonra áitiúil
b) Ar an 30ú lá de Shamhain 2000 (an dáta is déanaí a bhfuil eolas ar fáil) bhí 514 dhuine ag fanacht ar mháinliacht ar athdhéanamh cíche in otharlanna áitiúla. Ní féidir a rá cé acu de na hothair a bhí ann fá choinne athdhéanta chíche as ailse chíche amháin. Nursing Homes: Monitoring Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (a) detail how she monitors nursing homes and/or residential care and (b) outline her plans to improve the monitoring process. (AQW 1128/00) Ms de Brún: The conduct of nursing homes and residential care homes is regulated under the Registered Homes (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, the Nursing Homes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 and the Residential Care Homes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993. Responsibility for monitoring compliance with the Order and the Regulations rests with the registration and inspection units of the health and social services boards. I am currently considering ways of improving regulation and will set out my plans in due course. Rialaítear oibriú na mbailte banaltrachta agus na mbailte cúraim chónaithigh faoi Ord na mBailte Cláraithe (TÉ) 1992, Rialacha na mBailte Banaltrachta (TÉ) 1993 agus Rialacha na mBailte Cúraim Chónaithigh (TÉ) 1993. Luíonn an fhreagracht as monatóireacht go ndéantar de réir an Oird agus na Rialacha le hAonaid Chláraithe agus Iniúchta na mBord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta. Tá mé ag déanamh machnaimh ar dhóigheanna leis an rialú a fheabhsú faoi láthair agus leagfaidh mé amach na pleananna seo i gceann na haimsire. Nursing Home Care: Relatives’ Liability Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (a) give her assessment of the liability to relatives in respect of payment for the provision of care in nursing homes and (b) detail any plans she has to review this. (AQW 1129/00) Ms de Brún: Relatives are not liable, under the provisions of articles 36 and 99 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 and the Health and Personal Social Services (Assessment of Resources) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993, for the payment of any costs connected with residential or nursing home care provided or arranged by the health and personal social services. However, there is provision in the legislation and guidance to enable a willing third party to pay the additional accommodation costs where residents choose to enter more expensive accommodation than that normally contracted by a board. Furthermore under article 100 of the Order, married partners who have sufficient resources may be expected to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of their spouse’s care. This is a seldom-used provision, and I am considering its repeal in the package of measures that I will bring forward for the long-term care of the elderly. Ní ar ghaolta, faoi fhorálacha Airteagail 36 agus 99 den Ord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta Pearsanta(TÉ) 1972 agus Rialacha Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta Pearsanta (Measúnú ar Acmhainní) (TÉ) 1993, atá íocaíocht costais ar bith a bhaineann le cúram cónaitheach nó le teaghlach altranais a sholáthraíonn nó a shocraíonn na Seirbhísí Sóisialta Pearsanta agus Sláinte. Tá foráil agus treoir sa reachtaíocht áfach le cur ar chumas duine eile na costais bhreise lóistín a íoc áit ar bith a roghnaíonn cónaitheoirí dul isteach chuig lóistín eile atá níos costasaí seachas ceann atá faoi chonradh ag Bord de ghnáth. Ar a bharr seo, faoi Airteagal 100 den Ord, is féidir go mbeifear ag dúil le go dtabharfadh céile pósta a bhfuil go leor acmhainní acu airgead a thabhairt le cuidiú le costas chúram a chéile. Is annamh a úsáidtear an fhoráil seo agus tá mé ag déanamh machnaimh ar a aisghairm sna bearta a chuirfidh mé chun tosaigh faoi choinne chúram fadtéarmach na sean. Ambulance Service Staff Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (a) detail the number of ambulance workers who have left the service on grounds of ill health in each of the last five years and (b) outline the policy she intends to follow to address this issue. (AQW 1134/00) Ms de Brún: The number of ambulance service staff who, as the result of ill health, have retired or left the service is as follows: 1995/96 19 My Department has issued guidance to all health and personal social services employers on occupational health and health and safety and is aware that the Northern Ireland ambulance service trust has developed policies in accordance with both sets of guidelines. It is also known that the trust continuously monitors reasons for ill health and strives to ensure that staff have a safe and healthy environment within which to work. My Department’s guidance on occupational health is currently being revised. Tá méid na foirne a d’éirigh as, nó a d’fhág, an tseirbhís otharchairr de thairbhe drochshláinte, mar a leanas. 1995/96 19 Thug mo Roinn treoir ar shláinte cheirde, ar shláinte agus ar shábháilteacht, do gach fostóír de chuid an SSPS. Is eol dóibh fósta, go bhfuil cuspóirí bunaithe ag an Iontaobhas Sheirbhís Otharchairr Thuaisceart Éireann a luíonn le gach sráith de na treoirlínte. Tá sé ar eolas fósta, go bhfuil scéím mhonatóra ar siúl ag an Iontaobhas a scrúdaíonn fáthanna drochshláinte, agus iad ar a ndícheall timpeallacht sábháilte, sláintiúil a chur ar fáíl don fhoireann ina mbeidh siad ábalta oibriú ann. Faoi láthair, tá treoir mo Roinne ar shláinte cheirde á athscrúdú. Dental Provision Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of the availability and accessibility of dental provision in Northern Ireland. (AQW 1135/00) Ms de Brún: I am satisfied with the level of accessibility and availability of dental provision here. The health service provides a full range of dental services through general dental practitioners, the community dental service and the hospital dental service. No-one should be unable to obtain health service dental treatment. There is one general dental practitioner — the main provider of health service dentistry — for every 2,400 people here which is better provision than in England, Scotland and Wales. Tá mé sásta le leibhéal fhoráil na déidliachta anseo ó thaobh rochtana agus infhaighteachta de. Cuireann an tSeirbhís Sláinte réimse iomlán seirbhísí déidliachta ar fáil trí ghnáthfhiaclóirí, trí sheirbhís déidliachta an phobail agus trí sheirbhís déidliachta an ospidéil. Ba chóir go mbeadh duine ar bith ábalta teacht ar chóireál déidliachta na seirbhíse sláinte. Maidir le gnáthfhiaclóirí, na príomhsholáthróirí déidliachta sna seirbhíse sláinte, tá fiaclóir amháin ann do gach 2,400 duine anseo is fearr an fhoráil ná mar atá i Sasana, in Albain nó sa Bhreatain Bheag. Child Protection Working Group Mr Close asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to list the voluntary sector representatives on the child protection working group established under the North/South Ministerial Council. (AQW 1146/00) Ms de Brún: The child protection joint working group established under the North/South Ministerial Council consists of officials from the Department of Education and Science, the Department of Health and Children and the Catholic Council for Maintained Schools in the South and from the Department of Education and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety here. The Group has submitted a report containing preliminary recommendations to both Education Ministers. If the Ministers approve the broad approach outlined in the report, the group will begin to develop detailed proposals, and the voluntary sector will be included in consultation on the proposals. Tá an Comhghrúpa Oibre ar Chosaint an Pháiste a bunaíodh faoi Chomhairle Airí Thuaidh/Theas déanta suas as oifigigh ó Roinn an Oideachais agus na hEolaíochta, ón Roinn Sláinte agus Páistí agus Comhairle na Scoileanna Maoinithe Caitliceacha sa Deisceart agus ó Roinn an Oideachais agus ón Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí anseo. Chuir an Grúpa tuairisc a bhfuil bunmholtaí inti faoi bhráid na beirte Aire Oideachais. Má aontaíonn an bheirt Aire leis an chur chuige ginearálta a ndéantar achoimhre air sa tuairisc, tosóidh an Grúpa ar mholtaí mionchruinne a fhorbairt agus beidh an earnáil dheonach páirteach sa chomhairliú ar na moltaí. Child Protection Working Group Mr Close asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the composition and current agenda of the child protection working group established under the North/South Ministerial Council. (AQW 1147/00) Ms de Brún: The working group is tasked with establishing a mechanism for the reciprocal identification of people who are considered unsuitable to work with children. The initial emphasis is on teachers, but it is envisaged that this will extend in due course to other education, youth and health sector staff who have substantial, unsupervised access to children. Tá an Grúpa Oibre freagrach as meicníocht a bhunú chun daoine a aithint go cómhalartach a mheastar nár cheart dóibh bheith ag obair le páistí. Tá an chéadbhéim ar mhúinteoirí, ach táthar ag dúil go leathnóidh seo amach in am is i dtráth do bhaill fhoirne oideachais, óige agus sláinte eile a bhíonn le páistí cuid mhór gan stiúradh.
Conlig Water Service Depot: Staffing Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will (a) confirm that staff changes are proposed at the Water Service depot at Conlig (b) outline the numbers involved (c) detail what consultations have taken place with local representatives on this matter. (AQW 986/00) The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): Water Service carries out periodic reviews of its work arrangements to ensure the optimum use of resources, including staff, in order to provide improved services and to demonstrate best value for money, in the interests of customers and the tax payer. A review team is currently considering the rationalisation and centralisation of the technical services function within Eastern Division of Water Service. The technical service function deals with the processing of applications for new connections to water mains and sewers, new housing development proposals, and planning and property inquiries. The function is presently undertaken at five locations including the Conlig office, where 4 members of staff are involved. It is expected that the review will be completed next month and the final recommendations will be discussed with trade union representatives in the normal way through Water Service’s consultative procedures, before decisions are taken on the way ahead. Cycle Lanes Mr Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to ensure that cycle lanes currently being developed by Sustran will be created in rural towns across Northern Ireland to promote road safety, healthy recreational activity and concern for the environment and if he will make a statement. (AQW 997/00) Mr Campbell: The Northern Ireland cycling strategy, which my Department launched in June 2000, recognises the health and environmental benefits of cycling. The strategy aims amongst other things, to improve cyclists’ safety and create a cycle-friendly infrastructure. As regards the latter, Roads Service is helping Sustrans to develop the national cycle network in Northern Ireland. The first phase of the network, which will be substantially completed by April 2001, will create 500 miles of cycle network. In conjunction with district councils, Roads Service hopes to improve cycle access in towns across Northern Ireland by developing planned urban cycle networks and by providing an additional 50 miles of urban cycle route by the end of 2005. Aggregates Tax Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of the financial implications of a proposed UK aggregates tax to the work of his Department. (AQW 1025/00) Mr Campbell: It is proposed that the aggregates tax will be introduced with effect from 1 April 2002. My Department’s initial assessment is that this will impose additional costs of about £7 million annually. Most of these costs will be borne on the roads programme where the introduction of the tax is expected to increase road maintenance and capital costs by some 7·5% — £5 million to £6 million. It is estimated that the Water Service will face additional costs of £1 million and that the transport companies will also have increased costs of at least £200,000. Buildings and Amenities: West Tyrone Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development to (a) detail all buildings and amenities within his responsibility in the constituency of West Tyrone (b) outline the percentage of his budget that has been allocated to the West Tyrone constituency and (c) explain how this compares with the previous budget. (AQW 1079/00) Mr Campbell: I have detailed below my Department’s buildings and amenities in response to part (a) of your question. The information requested in parts (b) and (c) is not recorded on a constituency basis and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. Roads Service Offices and Depots
Water Service Offices and Depots
Buildings and Amenities: West Tyrone Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Social Development to (a) detail all buildings and amenities within his responsibility in the constituency of West Tyrone (b) outline the percentage of his budget that has been allocated to the West Tyrone constituency and (c) explain how this compares with the previous budget. (AQW 1082/00) The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): The Department for Social Development has responsibility for the following buildings in the constituency of West Tyrone: i. Omagh Social Security Office, 19 Mountjoy Road, Omagh, BT79 7BB. ii. Benefit Investigation Services, 15/17 High Street, Omagh, BT79 1BA. iii. Omagh Medical Support Services, Block A, Nurses Home, Community Service Building, Tyrone & Fermanagh Hospital, Omagh iv. The Appeal Service, 12/14 Dublin Road, Omagh, BT78 1ES. v. Strabane Social Security Office, Urney Road, Strabane, BT82 9BX. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide information in relation to budgets as this can only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Sunday On-Course Betting Mr Bradley asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the initial action taken by him in response to the wishes of the Assembly, as expressed on 28 November 2000, regarding the introduction of legislation necessary to legalise Sunday on-course betting. (AQW 1087/00) Mr Morrow: I have noted the motion carried by the Assembly on 28 November on this matter. Housing Benefit Claims System Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development what action he is taking to expedite the housing benefit claims system and what steps he is taking to ensure that assessments are correct. (AQW 1096/00) Mr Morrow: The Housing Executive is required by housing benefit regulations to determine all housing benefit claims within 14 days of receiving all information needed for the assessment of the claim, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. For the year 1999/2000 the Executive succeeded in determining 94·25% of all claims within this timescale. The figure for the six-month period, April to September 2000 was 94·5%. As regards accuracy, for the year 1999/2000 the Executive achieved an accuracy level of 96·4% in the assessment of all claims. For the six-month period to September 2000 the accuracy rate was 95·3%. Both of these measures of performance compare favourably with those of local authorities in Great Britain. The Executive’s performance in these areas is monitored within the organisation and by the Local Government Auditor, and is reported on regularly to the Department to ensure that this high level of achievement is maintained. |