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Friday 16 February 2001
Children in Foster Placements Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail by board area (a) the number of children currently with foster parents and (b) the number of children adopted in the years 1998 and 1999. (AQW 1594/00) Ms de Brún: (a) At the end of March 1999, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of children in foster placements was:
(b) The number of children adopted in 1998 and 1999 was:
(a) Ag deireadh Mhí an Mhárta 1999, an dáta is déanaí atá figiúirí mar seo ar fáil, seo a leanas líon na bpáistí a bhí in áiteanna altrama:
(b) Seo a leanas líon na bpáistí a altramaíodh i 1998 agus i 1999:
Numbers Suffering From Cancer Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the numbers suffering from cancer in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board area for the years 1998 and 1999. (AQW 1602/00) Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available. Níl an t-eolas a iarradh ar fáil. Emergency Services Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her proposals to have the emergency services use common facilities. (AQW 1608/00) Ms de Brún: The report on the strategic review of the Ambulance Service stated that there was potential for use of common facilities between the emergency services and a number of such proposals are currently under consideration. As a result of the strategic review a number of project groups have been established to look more closely at how the report’s recommendations could be implemented and the costs of doing so. The potential to further develop the use of common facilities by the emergency services will be explored as part of this work. Dúirt an tuairisc ar athbhreithniú straitéiseach ar an tSeirbhís Otharchairr go bhfuil féidearthacht ann go dtiocfadh leis na seirbhísí éigeandála áiseanna a roinnt agus tá roinnt moltaí den sórt á machnamh faoi láthair. De thoradh an athbhreithnithe straitéisigh cuireadh roinnt grúpaí tionscnaimh ar bun le hamharc níos grinne ar an dóigh a d’fhéadfadh moltaí na tuairisce a chur i bhfeidhm agus ar na costais a bheadh i gceist. Fiosrófar an fhéidearthacht go bhféadfadh forbairt bhreise a dhéanamh ar chomhúsáid áiseanna ag na seirbhísí éigeandála mar chuid den obair seo. Residential and Nursing Home Accommodation Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps she is taking to ensure that the fall in the number of independent sector residential and nursing homes in Great Britain is not replicated in Northern Ireland. (AQW 1609/00) Ms de Brún: My Department and the health and social services boards and trusts will continue to work in partnership with the independent sector to provide appropriate residential and nursing home accommodation. Last year a working group carried out a review of funding for residential and nursing homes in the independent sector. The group recommended that fees paid to independent sector providers of nursing and residential care beds should be reviewed annually and that boards and trusts should consider waiting lists for places in nursing and residential care homes. Where appropriate, more places should be purchased in independent sector care homes to raise occupancy levels. It was also recommended that boards and trusts should consider whether block contracts could be offered to homes to give the provider a more secure income stream and that boards and trusts should consider setting fee structures to encourage and reward quality. Boards and trusts are now working to implement those recommendations. Leanfaidh mo Roinn agus na Boird agus iontaobhais sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta ar aghaidh ag obair i bpáirtíocht leis an earnáil neamhspleách chun cóiríocht chónaithe agus bhanaltrachta chuí a sholáthar. Anuraidh, rinne grúpa oibre athbhreithniú ar mhaoiniú tithe cónaithe agus banaltrachta san earnáil neamhspleách. Mhol an grúpa gur chóir athbhreithniú bliantúil a dhéanamh ar tháillí a íocadh do sholáthraithe leapacha cúraim chónaithe agus bhanaltrachta san earnáil neamhspleách agus gur chóir do na boird agus d’Iontaobhais machnamh a dhéanamh ar liostaí feithimh d’áiteanna i dtithe cónaithe agus banaltrachta. Nuair a bheidh sé cuí, ba chóir níos mó áiteanna i dtithe cúraim na hearnála neamhspleáiche a cheannach le leibhéil na ndaoine a chónóidh iontu a mhéadú. Moladh fosta gur chóir do bhoird agus d’iontaobhais machnamh a dhéanamh ar thairiscint bhloc-chonarthaí do thithe le sruth ioncaim níos daingne a thabhairt don sholáthraí agus gur chóir Bhoird agus d’Iontaobhais machnamh a dhéanamh ar leagan síos struchtúr táillí le cáilíocht a spreagadh agus a chúiteamh. Tá boird agus iontaobhais ag obair anois leis na moltaí sin a chur i gcrích. Morning-After Pill Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that she has signed an Order permitting the sale of the morning-after pill to women aged 16 years or over, even though the age of consent in Northern Ireland is 17 years of age. (AQW 1648/00) Ms de Brún: On 8 December 2000 I signed an Order (The Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Amendment (No. 3) Order 2000), which introduced the sale of the morning-after pill to women aged 16 years or over from 1 January 2001. I can also confirm that prior to my signing, notification was sent to the HSSPS Committee. On attaining 16 years, a person can secure medical treatment without parental consent. Ar an 8ú Nollaig 2000, shínigh mé an tOrd (Ord Athraithe (Uimh. 3) ar Chógais ar Ordú Amháin (Úsáid Dhaonna)) a thug díol an phiolla don mhaidin dar gCionn do mhná 16 bliana d’aois nó níos mó isteach ón 1ú Eanáir 2001. Thig liom a dhearbhú fosta gur cuireadh scéala faoi chuig an Choiste SSSSP sular shínigh mé é. Nuair a bhaineann duine éigin 16 bliana d’aois amach is féidir leis an duine cóireáil mhíochaine a fháil gan cead tuismitheora. Discovery of Foetus Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (a) detail what investigation she has initiated into the finding of a foetus in a vehicle belonging to the Ulster Hospital Trust and (b) state who is in charge of this investigation and to make a statement. (AQW 1659/00) Ms de Brún: I have asked the chief executive of the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust to investigate this as a matter of urgency. My officials are in contact with the trust and have asked for a full report to be provided. D’iarr mé ar phríomh-fheidhmeannach Iontaobhas Otharlanna agus Phobal Uladh an cheist seo a fhiosrú go práinneach. Tá m’oifigigh i dteagmháil leis an iontaobhas agus d’iarr siad orthu tuairisc chuimsitheach a dhéanamh. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Mr I Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive in Northern Ireland in the last 12-month period for which figures are available and detail the comparable figures for (a) 1995 (b) 1990 and (c) 1985. (AQW 1662/00) Ms de Brún: Information on persons newly diagnosed as HIV positive (1) here for the calendar years 1985, 1990 and 1995 are detailed in the table below.
(1) Individuals with laboratory reports of infection plus those with AIDS or death reports for whom no matching laboratory report has been received. Initial figures for the 12 months up to December 2000 indicate that there were 14 persons newly diagnosed as HIV positive here. Mionléirítear eolas ar dhaoine nuafháthmheasta mar VED-dhearfach (1) anseo do na blianta 1985, 1990 agus 1995 sa tábla thíos.
(1) Daoine aonair le tuairiscí saotharlainne ar ghalrú agus iad siúd le SEIF nó le tuairiscí báis nach bhfuarthas a mhacasamhail de thuairisc saotharlainne orthu. Léiríonn na figiúirí tosaigh don 12 mhí go dtí an Nollaig 2000 go raibh 14 dhuine nuafháthmheasta mar VED-dhearfach anseo. Brucellosis Reactive Animals Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the procedures she has in place to treat persons infected through contact with brucellosis reactive animals and to make a statement. (AQW 1675/00) Ms de Brún: Individuals who suffer, or who are concerned that they may be suffering, from brucellosis should, in the first instance, contact their general practitioner. Hospital admission, consultant referral or specialist microbiological advice may be necessary. As the early symptoms of brucellosis can mimic those of viral illnesses, it is essential that general practitioners are alert to patients who present with flu-like symptoms and who may be occupationally at risk. The need for vigilance was highlighted in the March 2000 edition of the Chief Medical Officer’s ‘Update’ (a newsletter sent to all doctors here). This alerted doctors to the re-emergence of brucellosis, reminding them of the early symptoms and of the ‘at risk’ occupational groups. Ba chóir do dhaoine aonair a fhulaingíonn nó atá buartha go bhfulaingíonn siad ó bhrúiséallóis dul i dteagmháil lena ngnáthdhochtúir ar an chéad dul síos. Féadann ligean isteach otharlainne, atreorú chuig comhairleoir nó sainchomhairle mhicri-bhitheolaíochta bheith riachtanach. Mar gur féidir le hairíonna luatha brúiséallóise aithris a dhéanamh ar thinnis víreasacha, tá sé riachtanach go mbíonn gnáthdhochtúirí san airdeall ar othair a bhfuil an chuma orthu go bhfuil airíonna cosúla fliú orthu, nó orthu siúd a d’fhéadfadh a bheith i mbaol mar gheall ar a ngairm. Cuireadh béim ar an ghá le bheith san airdeall in eagrán an Mhárta 2000 de ‘Leagan Úr Leasaithe’ an Príomh-Oifigigh míochaine (nuachtlitir a sheoltar chuig na dochtúirí uile anseo). Chuir seo dochtúirí san airdeall ar ateacht ar ais brúiséallóise, ag cur na n-airíonna luatha agus na ngrúpa a d’fhéadfadh bheith ‘i mbaol’ mar gheall ar a ngairm i gcuimhne dóibh. "Dalriada Doctors on Call" Mr O’Connor asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm the number of out-of-hours doctors who are part of the "Dalriada doctors on call" service and what size of population they cover. (AQW 1687/00) Ms de Brún: "Dalriada doctors on call" out-of-hours service draws from a total of 282 doctors caring for a population of 380,000. The out-of-hours service is provided from four centres, located in Ballymena, Coleraine, Moneymore and Newtownabbey. During the out-of-hours periods three of the centres have a minimum of three doctors on duty with one doctor oncall up to midnight, and one doctor on duty and one doctor oncall from midnight to 7.30 am - 8.00 am. In the other centre, Moneymore, which covers fewer patients, a minimum of two doctors are on duty with one oncall up to midnight, and from midnight to 7.30 am - 8.00 am there is one doctor on duty and one doctor oncall. Procedures are in place to increase the number of doctors on duty if there is increased demand. Roghnaíonn an tseirbhís as uaireanta oibre "dochtúirí Dhál Riata ar dualgas" ó 282 dhochtúir san iomlán a riarann ar dhaonra 380,000. Soláthraítear an tseirbhís as uaireanta oibre ó ceithre ionad, suite ar an Bhaile Meánach, i gCúil Raithin, i Muine Mór agus i mBaile Nua na Mainstreach. Le linn na dtréimhsí as uaireanta oibre tá trí dhochtúir ar a laghad ar diúite le dochtúir amháin ar dualgas ó mheán oíche go dtí 7.30r.n/8.00r.n. San ionad eile i Muine Mór a chumhdaíonn níos lú othar, tá dhá dhochtúir ar a laghad ar diúite le dochtúir amháin ar dualgas go dtí meán oíche; agus ó mheán oíche go dtí 7.30r.n./8.00r.n., tá dochtúir amháin ar diúite agus dochtúir amháin eile ar dualgas. Tá gnásanna ann anois le líon na ndochtúirí ar diúite a mhéadú má tá méadú san éileamh orthu. Sure Start Projects in South Down Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her plans to extend the Sure Start Programme in south Down. (AQW 1697/00) Ms de Brún: Sure Start projects in Downpatrick and Newry were approved for funding in July last year. While parts of south Down were identified by the eastern and southern childcare partnerships as priority areas for the second round of Sure Start projects, no bid has been received from those areas. The introduction of the second round of projects from April this year will complete the allocation of all of the funding available for the Sure Start programme. Ceadaíodh maoiniú do thionscadail Sure Start i nDún Pádraig agus san Iúr i Mí Iúil anuraidh. Cé gur aithin páirtíochtaí cúraim pháistí an oirthir agus an deiscirt ceantair sa Dún Theas mar cheantair thosaíochta don dara babhta de thionscadail Sure Start, ní bhfuarthas iarratas ar bith ó na ceantair sin. Cuirfidh tabhairt isteach an dara babhta de thionscadail ó Aibreán i mbliana dáileadh na maoinithe uile a bhí ar fáil don chlár Sure Start i gcrích. Age Profile of Nursing Staff Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of the age profile of nursing staff in Northern Ireland and to make a statement. (AQW 1712/00) Ms de Brún: As at 30 September 2000 an estimated 19,411 nurses and midwives were employed in the HPSS. The age profile is set out in the following table: Nursing Staff in Post by Age at 30 September 2000 (Headcount)
Mar a bhí ar 30 Méan Fómhair 2000 measadh go raibh 19,411 altra agus bean chabhrach fostaithe i SSSP. Tá an phróifíl aoise leagtha amach sa tábla thíos: Foireann Altrachta I bPost De Réir Aoise ar 30 Meán Fómhair 2000 (Cuntas Cloiginn)
Ms Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if future maternity provision at the Mater and Lagan Valley hospitals will be included in the proposed review of regional maternity services. (AQO 767/00) Ms de Brún: The acute hospital review group is currently carrying out a review of acute hospitals here and its report, which is due to be published in the spring, will help to inform my decisions on the future of all hospital services, including regional maternity services. Faoi láthair tá grúpa athbhreithnithe na nospidéal géarmhíochaine ag déanamh athbhreithniú ar na hospidéil ghéarmhíochaine anseo agus rachaidh a thuarascáil, atá le foilsiú san earrach, i gcion ar na cinntí a dhéanfaidh mé maidir leis na seirbhísí ospidéal uilig sa todhchaí, agus seirbhísí réigiúnacha máithreachais san áireamh. Orthodontic Treatment Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the availability of orthodontic treatment and to make a statement. (AQO 802/00) Ms de Brún: Orthodontic treatment is available to everyone under the health and social services system here on the basis of clinical need. Most treatment is given following a referral from a general dental practitioner to a specialist orthodontist or a practitioner with orthodontic experience. Tá coireáil ortadóntach ar fáil do gach duine anseo faoin chóras sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta ar bhonn riachtanais chliniciúil. Tugtar cóireáil d’othair i ndiaidh d’fhiaclóir ginearálta iad a chur ar aghaidh chuig sainortadóntóir nó chuig cleachtóir a bhfuil taithí ar ortadóntaic aige. Occupational Therapy Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of occupational therapy provision in Northern Ireland and to make a statement. (AQO 754/00) Ms de Brún: Health and social services boards and trusts are responsible for occupational therapy provision to meet the needs of their populations. There are 295 full-time and 125 part-time occupational therapists employed by community health and social services trusts. In addition, there are 75 full-time and 14 part-time therapists employed by hospital Trusts. At 30 September 2000 there were 13,000 people waiting for a community occupational therapy assessment, of whom 2,500 were priority cases. I have identified £0·5m to recruit an additional 20 occupational therapists in the coming financial year. I have also approved implementation of the recommendations contained in the preliminary report of the joint housing executive/DHSSPS review of the housing adaptations service, designed to improve occupational therapy response times for the service. Tá na boird agus na hiontaobhais sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta freagrach as teiripe ceirde a sholáthar le freastal ar riachtanias a ndaonraí. Fostaíonn na hiontaobhais phobail sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta 295 theiripeoir ceirde lánaimseartha agus 125 theiripeoir ceirde páirtaimseartha. Lena chois sin, fostaíonn na hiontaobhais ospidéil 75 theiripeoir lánaimseartha agus 14 theiripeoir pháirtaimseartha. Ar 30 Meán Fómhair 2000 bhí 13,000 duine, ar cásanna práinne 2,500 díobh, ag feitheamh lena measúnú le haghaidh teiripe ceirde. Tá mé i ndiaidh £0·5m a aimsiú le 20 teiripeoir ceirde breise a earcú sa bhliain airgeadais atá le teacht. Tá ceadú tugtha agam fosta maidir le feidhmiú moltaí na réamhthuarascála ar athbhreithniú comhpháirteach an Fheidhmeannais Tithíochta/RSSSSP ar an tseirbhís oiriúnaithe tithe leis an tréimhse a ghiorrú ina gcuirtear an tseirbhís teiripe ceirde ar fáil. Morning-After Pill Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to explain her policy on the availability of the morning-after pill (Levonelle-2). (AQO 756/00) Ms de Brún: An emergency hormonal contraception product (Levonelle-2), containing levonorgestrel 0·75mg, has been authorised as a prescription only medicine since November 1999. The Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Amendment (No.3) Order 2000, which I signed on 8 December 2000, reclassified levonorgestrel 0·75mg for pharmacy availability for women aged 16 and over. I can also confirm that prior to my signing, notification was sent to the HSSPS Committee. This product is now licensed here, and in England, Scotland and Wales, without prescription from 1 January 2001. Ó mhí na Samhna 1999 údaraíodh táirge frithghiniúnach hormónach éigeandála (Levonelle – 2), a bhfuil 0·75mg léabhanoirgeistril ann, mar chógas le haghaidh oideas amháin. De réir an Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Amendment (No.3) Order 2000, a shínigh mé ar an 8 Nollaig 2000, athaicmíodh léabhanoirgeistril mar chógas le bheith ar fáil i gcógaslanna do mhná 16 bliana d’aois agus os a chionn. Thig liom a dhearbhú fosta gur cuireadh scéala faoi chuig an Choiste SSSSP sular shínigh mé é. Ón 1 Eanáir 2001 tá an táirge sin ceadúnaithe gan oideas anseo agus i Sasana. Nursing Care for the Elderly Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she has any plans to introduce free nursing care for the elderly in Northern Ireland. (AQO 804/00) Ms de Brún: My Department is currently considering the issues of long-term care for the elderly, including nursing care, and I intend to make a statement shortly. Tá mo Roinnse ag déanamh breithniú faoi láthair ar cheisteanna a bhaineann le cúram do dhaoine aosta, agus cúram altranais san áireamh, agus tá rún agam ráiteas a dhéanamh faoi ar ball. Hospital Medical Equipment Mr Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (a) define "essential hospital medical equipment" and (b) list current requests for replacement of same in each trust area. (AQO 737/00) Ms de Brún: There is no precise definition of the term "essential hospital medical equipment". This would cover equipment ranging from surgical scalpels through intravenous tubing to imaging equipment, all of which ensure the safe and effective running of hospital services to patients. Trusts receive an annual allocation of general capital from within which they are expected to maintain and upgrade their assets, including hospital medical equipment. Trusts do not, therefore, routinely submit requests for the replacement of equipment to my Department. In the past, capital resources available to the Department have not kept pace with the need to replace and modernise equipment. As a result a substantial backlog has built up. From this year I will be increasing the level of general capital available and I expect that this will go some way to managing this backlog. I would, however, make it clear that eliminating the backlog, as well as meeting statutory standards, will require additional capital. Níl sainmhiniú beacht ar an téarma "trealamh míochaine riachtanach ospidéil". Is éard a bheadh i gceist trealamh i ngach réimse, mar atá, sceanóga máinliachta, feadáin infhéitheacha nó trealamh déanta íomhánna, ar nithe iad sin uile a chinntíonn go reáchtáiltear seirbhísí ospidéil d’othair go slán éifeachtach. Faigheann iontaobhais leithroinnt chaipitil ghinearálta gach bliain as a mbítear ag dréim leis go ndéanfaidh siad a gcuid socmhainní, agus trealamh míochaine ospidéil san áireamh, a chothabháil agus a uasghrádú. Ar an ábhar sin ní gnách le hIontaobhais iarratais i leith athsholáthair trealaimh a chur faoi bhráid mo Roinne. San am a chuaigh thart níor leor na hacmhainní a bhí ar fáil ag an Roinn le riar ar na riachtanais maidir le trealamh a athsholáthar nó nuachóiriú a chur air. Dá bharr seo tá riaráiste mór anois ann. Ón bhliain seo ar aghaidh méadóidh mé leibhéal an chaipitil ghinearálta a bheas ar fáil agus tá mé ag súil go mbeidh sé ina chuidiú maidir leis an riaráiste sin a bhainistiú. Ach ba mhaith liom a rá go soiléir go mbeidh caipiteal breise de dhíth má táimid chun deireadh a chur leis an riaráiste agus caighdeáin reachtúla a shroicheadh chomh maith. In Vitro Fertilisation Mr Poots asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if it is her intention to make in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment available on the National Health Service in Northern Ireland. (AQO 738/00) Ms de Brún: The provision of sub-fertility services, including invitro 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. I shall be considering all the issues involved in sub-fertility, including the provision of invitro fertilisation treatment, when I receive the group’s report. Faoi láthair tá soláthar seirbhísí fothorthúlachta, agus toirchiú in vitrio san áireamh, á mheas ag grúpa atá bunaithe ag an chuibhreannas seirbhísí míochaine réigiúnacha a choimisiúnaíonn seirbhísí réigiúnacha thar ceann na gceithre bhord sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta. Beidh mé ag déanamh breithniú ar na ceisteanna a bhaineann le fothorthúlacht, agus soláthar cóireáil toirchiú in vitro san áireamh, nuair a gheobhaidh mé tuarascáil ón ghrúpa. Victims of Domestic Violence Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her Department’s role in (a) reducing the incidents of domestic violence and (b) the protection of victims of domestic violence and to make a statement. (AQO 747/00) Ms de Brún: My Department provides the secretariat support for the regional domestic violence forum, which brings together the main statutory and voluntary sector agencies dealing with domestic violence. The forum’s aims are:
My Department also provides financial support for the vital work being done by Northern Ireland Women’s Aid Federation to assist women and children who are victims of domestic violence. There are measures in both the criminal and civil law to protect victims of domestic violence. The introduction of the Family Homes and Domestic Violence Northern Ireland Order in 1999 strengthened the civil law to provide better protection to victims of domestic violence. Last year the regional domestic violence forum established a new subgroup to examine child protection issues arising from domestic violence. Cuireann mo Roinnse tacaíocht rúnaíochta ar fáil don fhóram réigiúnach um fhoréigean teaghlaigh, a tharraingíonn le chéile príomhghníomhaireachtaí na hearnála reachtúla agus na hearnála deonaí a bhíonn ag plé le foréigean teaghlaigh. Is iad aidhmeanna an fhóraim:
Tugann mo Roinnse tacaíocht airgeadais fosta le haghaidh na hoibre a dhéanann Cónascadh Cúnta na mBan le cuidiú a thabhairt do mhná agus do leanaí ar íospartaigh foréigin teaghlaigh iad. Féadtar bearta a dhéanamh sa dlí coiriúil agus sa dlí sibhialta araon chun íospartaigh foréigin teaghlaigh a chosaint. Tugadh isteach an Family Homes and Domestic Violence (NI) Order sa bhliain 1999 a neartaíonn an dlí sibhialta le cosaint níos fearr a thabhairt d’íospartaigh foréigin teaghlaigh. Bhunaigh an fóram réigiúnach um fhoréigean teaghlaigh foghrúpa nua anuraidh chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar cheisteanna a bhaineann le cosaint leanaí nuair atá foréigean teaghlaigh ann. Free Wigs for Chemotherapy Outpatients Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make it her policy to extend the qualification for free wigs to chemotherapy outpatients and to make a statement. (AQO 764/00) Ms de Brún: Under current legislation, hospital inpatients can receive a wig free of charge. Day patients and outpatients are expected to pay for their wig unless they are exempt on income grounds. Charges for wigs were introduced in 1971 and reflect the long-standing principle that those who can afford it should contribute towards the cost of the appliance they need. Full or partial remission of charges for wigs is available under the Health Service low income scheme. I have no plans at present to amend the legislation. Faoin reachtaíocht reatha, thig le hothair chónaitheacha ospidéil bréagfholt a fháil in aisce. Bítear ag súil go n-íocfaidh othair lae agus othair sheachtracha as bréagfholt mura rud é go bhfuil siad díolmhaithe ar fhorais ioncaim. Cuireadh tús le costas a ghearradh ar bhréagfhoilt sa bhliain 1971, rud a léiríonn an prionsabal seanbhunaithe gur chóir dóibh siúd a bhfuil sé ar a n-acmhainn ranníocaíocht a dhéanamh i leith chostas an fhearais atá uathu. Is féidir costais na mbréagfholt a laghdú go páirteach nó go hiomlán faoi scéim na seirbhíse sláinte do dhaoine ar bheagán ioncaim. Níl pleananna ar bith agam faoi láthair an reachtaíocht a leasú. Obstetric Unit at the Ulster Hospital Ms Morrice asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what progress has been made in approving development plans for the obstetric unit at the Ulster Hospital. (AQO 784/00) Ms de Brún: The Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust has submitted proposals for the upgrade and extension of the Obstetric Unit at the Ulster Hospital to my Department. This was part of a strategic development plan for a phased refurbishment of the hospital. My Department is urgently assessing the detail of the plan and I will announce my decision once this process is completed. Tá Iontaobhas Phobal agus Ospidéal Uladh i ndiaidh moltaí maidir le huasghrádú agus fairsingiú a dhéanamh ar Aonad Cnáimhseachais Ospidéal Uladh a chur faoi bhráid mo Roinne. Bhí seo mar chuid de phlean forbartha straitéiseach le haghaidh athchóiriú céimnithe an ospidéil. Tá mo Roinn ag déanamh measúnú práinneach ar mhionsonraí an phlean agus fógróidh mé an cinneadh a dhéanfaidh mé a luaithe a bheas an próiseas sin curtha i gcrích. Roads Strategy to Support Healthcare Needs Mr McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail any discussions she has had with the Minister for Regional Development with a view to developing a roads strategy to support healthcare needs. (AQO 806/00) Ms de Brún: I have had no such discussions. My Department, however, liaises with the Department for Regional Development on these matters as the development and improvement of our roads system will improve access to healthcare and an effective transportation policy will impact on people’s health. This has resulted in some specific road developments to support the provision of healthcare services. DHSSPS is also working with DRD with a view to carrying out a health impact assessment (HIA) on the transportation strategy. Ní raibh a leithéid de phlé agam. Ach bíonn mo Roinn i dteagmháil leis an Roinn Forbartha Réigiúnaí faoi na nithe seo, nó de réir mar a chuirfear forbairt agus feabhas ar an chóras bóithre atá againn is fusa a bheas daoine ábalta teacht ar chúram sláinte agus rachaidh polasaí éifeachtach iompair i bhfeidhm ar shláinte an phobail. Dá bharr seo forbraíodh bóithre sonracha chun tacú le soláthar seirbhísí cúraim sláinte. Tá an RSSSSP ag obair i bpáirt leis an RFR fosta chun measúnú a dhéanamh ar thionchar na straitéise iompair ar chúrsaí sláinte. Hospice Service Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm the annual cost of running the hospice service in Northern Ireland. (AQO 805/00) Ms de Brún: Information on the costs of providing hospice services is not routinely collected by my Department, as these services are provided on a voluntary basis by a number of different organisations. Ní gnách le mo Roinn eolas a bhailiú ar na costais maidir le soláthar seirbhísí ospísí ós rúd é go gcuireann roinnt eagraíochtaí éagsúla na seirbhísí sin ar fáil ar bhonn deonach. Hospital Treatment for Punishment Beatings Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to list, by local authority area, the number of patients treated by hospitals as a result of punishment beatings. (AQO 734/00) Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available. Níl an t-eolas a iarradh ar fáil. Average Mortality Index Rev Robert Coulter asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average mortality index for Northern Ireland hospitals. (AQO 783/00) Ms de Brún: Information is not available in the form requested. Níl eolas ar fáil sa chruth inar iarradh é. |