Friday 9 March 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr McElduff asked the Minister of the Environment to detail criteria used when assessing applications for a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence.

(AQO 966/00)

Mr Foster: The term Public Service Vehicle or PSV licence can apply either to licences issued for vehicles used as taxis or buses or to licences issued to the drivers of such vehicles. Different criteria apply depending on the licence applied for.

For a taxi driver’s licence, the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 requires the Department to be satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

In fulfilling this obligation, the Department requires an applicant:

• to have had a full driving licence for at least one year;
• to demonstrate that he or she is medically fit; and
• to satisfy a repute check based on the applicant’s criminal record.

In assessing repute, a conviction for murder or a serious sexual offence will lead to the Department refusing the application. For other offences, my Department operates generally to guidelines which require an applicant to have a clear record for twelve months, in the case of convictions for minor offences, or for three years, where serious offences are involved.

An applicant for a bus driver’s licence is required to satisfy the same criteria and, in addition, to be 21 years of age or over.

There is a right of appeal to a magistrate’s court against a decision by the Department to refuse an application on repute or medical grounds.

To obtain a PSV vehicle licence for a taxi or a bus, the vehicle must be presented for an annual inspection to ensure its roadworthiness. These tests are carried out by my Department’s Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the steps he is taking to investigate the recent killing of thousands of fish at the Marble Arch Hatchery, Fermanagh.

(AQO 995/00)

Mr Foster: The Erne and Melvin Enhancement Company Ltd reported on 26 January 2001 that the water abstracted by the hatchery from the Claddagh River was contaminated with slurry. My Department’s Environment and Heritage Service asked the Fisheries Conservancy Board to investigate. The pollutant was traced back to agricultural premises where statutory samples were taken for analysis with a view to prosecution should this be warranted.

On 11 February 2001, a report was made direct to the Fisheries Conservancy Board that a fish kill had occurred at the hatchery. On investigation it was discovered that the perimeter fence at the premises had been cut. It also would appear that the water in the fish tanks had been deliberately contaminated. Accordingly the matter was referred to the RUC who are undertaking an investigation. It is my understanding that the RUC is following a definite line of inquiry.

I deplore both of these events which led to the loss of thousands of fish at the hatchery and represented a serious blow to the programme for restocking Lough Erne and Lough Melvin.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of cases of retrospective planning approval granted by the Planning Service in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

(AQO 1006/00)

Mr Foster: The Planning Service does not have the historic information available and to obtain it would involve a manual check of over 100,000 applications.

This could only be done at disproportionate cost. I have however asked officials to start recording this information on the existing database, in respect of future cases.

Mr Maskey asked the Minister of the Environment to outline what progress has the North-South Ministerial Council made on environmental co-operation, in particular, the initial work programme on environmental research, water quality management and waste management as outlined in the Programme for Government.

(AQO 976/00)

Mr Foster: The Environment sectoral group of the North/South Ministerial Council has met on three occasions, the most recent meeting being in County Fermanagh on 23 February.

These meetings have been progressively developing a work programme to address the seven environmental areas for enhanced co-operation mandated by the inaugural plenary meeting of the Council on 13 December 1999.

I am required by the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to make a statement to the Assembly following each meeting. I last reported on the work of the Environmental sectoral group on 14 November 2000. The Assembly Official Report for that date contains a transcript of my statement. My report on the 23 February meeting is scheduled for 12 March.

Taken together these statements provide details of the progress being made in taking forward the North/South Ministerial Council work programme of environmental co-operation.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what further progress has been made on the designation of National park status for the Mourne Mountains.

(AQO 998/00)

Mr Foster: As I said during the debate on the Member’s motion on this subject last October, I have asked my officials to prepare a report on the issues surrounding both the creation of National Parks and the designation of the remaining Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. I expect to receive this report in the very near future. I will then wish to consider the way forward in consultation with the Assembly Environment Committee.

This will involve consideration of a number of significant and complex issues. These include the role now played by National Parks elsewhere, the responsibilities undertaken by their management Boards, the financial implications and the operational arrangements.

In relation to National Park status for the Mournes, it would also be necessary to examine the implications for other areas. While I accept that there are some arguments in favour of National Park declaration, this requires full consideration of the issues, and I am not in a position to make a commitment to designation.

Mr Poots asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the steps he is taking to address the issue of driving under the influence of drugs.

(AQO 951/00)

Mr Foster: I share the concern of many that driving under the influence of both medicinal and illicit drugs is increasing in Northern Ireland and that this may be a factor in collisions. My Department and the RUC are seeking to establish the extent of driving under the influence of drugs and the extent to which drug-taking impairs driving. Officials are also closely monitoring the research programme of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in Whitehall on issues such as this. When further evidence is available we will consider what needs to be done by way of publicity and enforcement to address the issue.

Recent research in Great Britain indicates that, of drivers killed in road traffic collisions, 4% had consumed medicinal drugs and 18% had taken illicit drugs, mainly cannabis. The figure for illicit drugs represents a six-fold increase when compared with a previous study in the mid 1980s.

An independent survey last year, on behalf of my Department, found that almost one-third of young people aged 18 to 28 in Northern Ireland admitted to having been driven by someone who had been taking drugs.

However, from the research that has been carried out in Great Britain and elsewhere, there is, as yet, insufficient conclusive evidence on the causal links between drug taking and driver impairment and the extent to which this contributes to the number or severity of road casualties. Until research can provide clearer evidence, the scope to develop specific measures to tackle the problem is limited.

My Department continues to keep this under close review, and I can confirm that RUC Officers have been provided with guidelines to assist in recognising if driver behaviour is affected by drugs. The RUC is also considering the provision of formal drug-driving recognition training, including co-ordination testing.

I will also be considering, in the context of the new Road Safety Plan, on which I hope to go to full public consultation shortly, the need to strengthen Police powers to test for drug-driving.

Finance and Personnel

Consultancy Services

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail his projected spend on consultancy services in the 2001/02 financial year.

(AQW 1968/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): The Department of Finance and Personnel has a projected spend of £3,469,000 for consultancy services in the 2001/02 financial year.

Mrs Nelis asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail how the Executive Programme Fund addresses the needs of disadvantaged Traveller Children.

(AQW 2014/00)

Mr Durkan: I refer you to my answer to AQW 1894/00 given on 28 February 2001.

Mr C Murphy asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to confirm the date for publication of unemployment differential statistics compiled by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

(AQW 2021/00)

Mr Durkan: The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency publishes unemployment differential statistics annually as part of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) Religion Report. The most recent report, which was based on the 1999-2000 LFS was published on 1 March.

In addition, the Agency plans to publish a "Source Book on Fair Employment Statistics" later this month. This publication will also include unemployment differential statistics.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of Protestants employed and the percentage of the workforce they represent in each of the last ten years for which figures are available.

(AQW 2027/00)

Mr Durkan: The numbers of Protestants employed and the percentage of the workforce they represent are shown in the table below based on estimates from the Labour Force Survey.

Mr Shannonasked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of Roman Catholics employed and the percentage of the workforce they represent in each of the last ten years for which figures are available.

(AQW 2028/00)

Mr Durkan: The numbers of Roman Catholics employed and the percentage of the workforce they represent are shown in the table below based on estimates from the Labour Force Survey.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of people not counted as Protestant or Roman Catholic employed and the percentage of the workforce they represent in each of the last ten years for which figures are available.

(AQW 2029/00)

Mr Durkan: The numbers of people not counted as Protestant or Roman Catholic employed and the percentage of the workforce they represent are shown in the table below based on estimates from the Labour Force Survey.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she intends to introduce, in line with the Royal Commission on Long Term Care’s recommendation, free care for the first three months of residential care from April 2001.

(AQW 1964/00)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): As I said during the debate in the Assembly on long-term care on Tuesday 27 February, I am minded to bring forward proposals to remove the value of the resident’s home from the means assessment for the first three months in a care home, whether that stay is of a temporary or permanent nature. That will depend on additional resources being made available.

The three-month disregard will take the resident’s home out of the initial assessment of means. This will give residents time between entering a care home and, in some cases, needing to realise the value of their home to help pay for their care in the longer term.

Mar a dúirt mé le linn na díospóireachta sa Tionól ar chúram fadtéarmach Dé Máirt 27 Feabhra go bhfuil sé ar intinn agam moltaí a thabhairt chun tosaigh ar luach theach an chónaitheora a baint den mheasúnú maoine den chéad trí mhí i dteach cúraim, is cuma más buan sealadach tréimse an fheithimh. Beidh seo ag brath ar acmhainní breise curtha ar fáil.

Bainfidh an neamhaird tugtha ar feadh trí mhí teach an chónaitheora amach as an mheasúnú tosaigh maoine. Tabharfaidh seo faill do chónaitheoirí idir teacht isteach chuig teach cúraim, agus i roinnt cásanna, an riachtanas luach a dtí a fháil le cuidiú lena gcúram san fhadtéarma a íoc.

Tá an Roinn s’agam le rialaithe athraithe a dhéanamh ar ball maidir le Rialacháin Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta (Measúnú ar Acmhainní) (TÉ)1993, le hathruithe a chur i bhfeidhm i dtaca le rialacha muirir do chúram cónaitheach agus do theach altranais a bhí socraithe nó curtha ar fáil ag Boird mar a d’fhógair mé Dé Máirt 27 Feabhra 2001.

My Department is to make amending regulations in the near future, in respect of the Health and Personal Social Services (Assessment of Resources) Regulations (NI) 1993, to implement the changes to the charging rules for residential and nursing home care arranged or provided by Boards that I announced on Tuesday 27 February 2001.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps she is taking to improve the delivery of Ear, Nose and Throat services at Altnagelvin Hospital.

(AQW 1996/00)

Ms de Brún: In Altnagelvin Hospital all Ear, Nose and Throat patients are seen within Charter Standards. The number of people waiting for inpatient ENT treatment at the hospital continues to fall, reducing from 396 in January 1999 to 212 in January 2001. I am tackling waiting lists as one of my key priorities and I have already issued a comprehensive framework setting out a strategic approach to achieving reductions in waiting lists. That has been backed by additional investment of £5million this year and a further £8million next year.

In ospidéal Alt na nGealbhan breatnaítear ar gach othar Cluaise, Sróine agus Scornaí laistigh de Chaighdeáin Chairt. Leanadh le titim i líon daoine ag fanacht ar chóireál CCS ag an ospidéal, ag laghdú ó 396 in Eanáir 1999 go 212 in Eanáir 2001. Tá mé ag dul i ngleic le liostaí feithimh mar cheann de mo phríomhthosaíochtaí agus d’eisigh mé cheana creat cuimsitheach ag leagan amach cur chuige straitéiseach le laghduithe i liostaí feithimh a bhaint amach. Cuireadh infheistíocht bhreise £5 mhilliún mar thaca leis seo i mbliana agus £8 milliún eile ar an bhliain seo chugainn.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that the Altnagelvin Hospital has a target to meet in respect of reducing the Ear, Nose and Throat waiting list and whether or not the Hospital is meeting this target.

(AQW 1998/00)

Ms de Brún: Whilst there are no specific targets for the ENT service in Altnagelvin Hospital, I expect all patients to receive their treatment as quickly as possible. As regards that particular specialty in Altnagelvin, I expect figures to continue to reduce in line with my overall target for the reduction in waiting lists, which I shall be announcing in the near future as part of a programme of identified HPSS priority action areas.

Cé nach bhfuil spriocanna ar leith ann don tseirbhís ENT in Otharlann Alt na nGealbhan, tá mé ag súil go bhfaighidh gach othar a gcóireáil a luaithe agus is féidir. Maidir leis an speisialtóireacht ar leith seo in Alt na nGealbhan, tá mé ag súil go laghdóidh na figiúirí ar aghaidh faoi réir mo spríce iomláine do laghdú i liostaí feithimh a bheidh mé ag fógairt ar ball mar chuid de chlár gníomhréimsí tosaíochta SSSP aitheanta.

Ms McWilliamsasked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to support patient participation groups attached to local General Practitioner surgeries by providing financial resources to assist their sustainability.

(AQW 2030/00)

Ms de Brún: There are several patient participation groups currently in operation and any expenses incurred are met from the GP practice income. However, the proposals for new arrangements in primary care, published in the consultation paper "Building the Way Forward in Primary Care", envisage a stronger role for service user and community input to decisions at the primary care level. Depending on the views received as part the consultation, I will be examining how service user and community input can be supported in whatever new primary care arrangements emerge from the consultation exercise.

Tá roinnt Grúpaí Rannphárte Othar ag obair faoi láthair agus seastar costais ar bith déanta ó ioncam chleachtas an an Ghnáthdhochtúra. Beartaíonn na moltaí do shocruithe nua i bpríomhchúram, foilsithe sa pháipéar comhairleach "Ag Tógáil an Bhealaigh Chun Tosaigh i bPríomhchúram" áfach, ról níos láidre d’ionchur úsáideoirí seirbhísí agus pobail ag an leibhéal príomhchúraim. Ag brath ar na tuairimí a gheofar mar chuid den dul i gcomhairle, beidh mé ag scrúdú an dóigh ar féidir tacaíocht a thabhairt d’ionchur úsáideoirí seirbhísí agus pobail i gcibé socruithe nua príomhchúraim a thiocfaidh chun cinn ón chleachtadh comhairleach.

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether the School of Nursing at the Queen’s University, Belfast invited tenders for consultancy services purchased in each of the last three financial years.

(AQW 2037/00)

Ms de Brún: That matter is not within my area of responsibility.

Ní thiteann an cheist seo ar chrann m’fhreagrachta.

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether the School of Nursing at the Queen’s University, Belfast gained prior approval from the Department for the use of external consultancy services.

(AQW 2038/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my response to AQW 2037/00.

Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 2037/00.

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how much the School of Nursing at the Queen’s University, Belfast spent on external consultancy services in this current financial year and in each of the last three financial years for which figures are available.

(AQW 2039/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my response to AQW 2037/00.

Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 2037/00.

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether she approved the use of consultancy services in the School of Nursing at the Queen’s University, Belfast.

(AQW 2040/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my response to AQW 2037/00.

Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 2037/00.

Mr Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the action being taken to promote the prevention of smoking, particularly among teenage girls and young women.

(AQW 2041/00)

Ms de Brún: A Bill to ban tobacco advertising and promotion both here and in Britain was introduced in Parliament at Westminster on 14 December 2000. I have also established an inter-sectoral Working Group on Tobacco to develop and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive action plan to tackle smoking. The plan, which will be published later in the year, will include specific measures aimed at young people and also at helping existing smokers to quit.

My Department has also funded the production of a television advertisement, the development of a website and the launch of a magazine aimed at discouraging smoking among young people. The advert, which was first broadcast in March 2000, has been running since 19 February 2001 and will continue until the end of March 2001. The website can be found at www.up-2-you.net

In addition, Departments, both North and South, are concerned at the trends that show an increase in smoking among young girls. We will be sharing information and exploring opportunities for collaborative working on anti-smoking campaigns.

Cuireadh faoi bhráid na Parlamainte Bille I Westminster le cosc a chur ar fhógairt agus ar chur chun cinn tobac ar 14 Nollaig 2000 anseo agus i Sasana araon. Bhunaigh mé chomh maith Grúpa Oibre idirearnála ar Thobac le cur i bhfeidhm plean cuimsitheach gnímh a rachaidh i ngleic le tobac a chaitheamh a fhorbhairt agus maoirseacht a dhéanamh air. Beidh, sa phlean a fhoilseoidh níos moille anonn sa bhliain, bearta ar leith aimsithe ar dhaoine óga agus le cuidiú a dhéanamh le lucht caite tobac éirí as.

Thug an Roinn s’agam airgead le fógra teilifíse a sholáthar, le suíomh idirlín a fhorbairt agus le hirisleabhar a sheoladh aimsithe ar chur in éadan caitheamh i measc daoine óga. Leanfaidh leis an fhógra a chraoladh ar dtús i Márta na bliana 2000, a bhí sa siúl ó 19 Feabhra 2001 agus a leanfaidh go deireadh mí Mhárta 2001. Is féidir teacht air ag an suíomh idirlín www.up-2-you.net

Lena chois sin, tá imní ar an dá Roinn sa Tuaisceart agus sa Deisceart araon faoi threochtaí a thaispeánann méadú ar chaitheamh tobac i measc cailíní óga. Beimid ag roinnt faisnéise agus ag taiscéaladh deiseanna le comhoibriú ar fheachtais i gcoinne chaitheamh tobac.

Mr Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether there is evidence for the effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and what plans she has to expand its use.

(AQW 2042/00)

Ms de Brún: Evidence-based work reported in the Journal of the British Thoracic Society demonstrates that NRT approximately doubles cessation rates compared with controls such as a placebo or no NRT, irrespective of the intensity of the support. Strong evidence that NRT is effective is limited to adult smokers of 10 cigarettes or more per day who are not suffering from manifest smoking-related diseases.

Guidance on smoking cessation services, including current arrangements for the supply of NRT products, was widely distributed by my Department in December last year. In addition, my Department has recently completed a consultation exercise involving professional bodies and other interested parties on a proposal to allow all NRT products to be prescribed by GPs. My officials are currently assessing the responses and I will make an announcement shortly about the way forward.

Léiríonn obair bunaithe ar fhianaise in Iris Chumann Tóracsach Shasana go méadaíonn go garbh TAN rátaí scoir faoi dhó i gcomparáid le rialúcháin amhail an placebo nó gan TAN, is cuma faoi dhlús na tacaíochta. Tá fianaise láidir go bhfuil TAN éifeachtach teoranta do dhaoine fásta a chaitheann 10 dtóitín nó níos mó sa lá nach bhfuil ceann de na galar a bhaineann le caitheamh tobac go soiléir orthu.

Dháil an Roinn s’agam i Nollaig na bliana seo caite treoir go forleathan ar sheirbhísí scoir maidir le caitheamh, agus le socruithe soláthar tairgí TAN san áireamh. Ar a bharr, chríochnaigh an Roinn s’agam le gairid cleachtadh comhairlithe a bhain le comhlachtaí proifisiúnta agus páirtithe leasmhara eile ar mholadh le cead a thabhairt do gach tairge TAN bheith tugtha ar oideas ag gnáthdhochtúirí. Tá na hoifigigh s’agam faoi láthair ag meas na bhfreagraí agus tabharfaidh mé fógra ar an bhealach chun tosaigh gan mhoill.

Mr Douglas asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) whom she has employed as special advisor(s) (b) the qualifying criteria used for the appointment and (c) the remit of the special advisor(s).

(AQW 2049/00)

(a) I can confirm that I have appointed Leo Green as a special advisor.

(b) My special advisor was appointed on the basis of his ability to carry out the functions of the post.

(c) The remit is set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the standard contract of employment for such advisers, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

(a) Tig liom a dhearbhú gur cheap mé Leo Green mar Chomhairleoir Speisialta.

(b) Ceapadh mo Chomhairleoir Speisialta ar a ábaltacht le dualgais an phoist a dhéanamh.

(c) Tá na téarmaí tagartha leagtha amach i gCuid 1 de Chlár 2 den ghnáthchonradh fostaíochta do a leithéid de chomhairleoirí, ar cuireadh cóip de sa Leabharlann.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail those recommendations outlined in the Ambulance Service Strategic Review that have been implemented.

(AQW 2053/00)

Ms de Brún: The Strategic Review of the Ambulance Service resulted in over 70 recommendations designed to improve the performance of the Ambulance Service over the next 5 years. However, early priority has been given to fleet replacement and the Ambulance Service plan to replace at least 10 vehicles during 2001, which will bring to over 90 the total number of new vehicles brought into service since 1999.

Work is also well advanced on several other issues, including piloting a call prioritisation system, aimed at targeting resources on those who will benefit most, and preparatory work for the introduction of Digital Trunk Radio.

In addition, the Ambulance Service has implemented most of the Review’s recommendations relating to management and personnel issues, such as the development of a Human Resources strategy, a staff performance management system and an equality scheme. Cross-border co-operation on ambulance services is also continuing on both an informal and formal basis.

The remaining recommendations are being considered further as regards the costs and the practical issues involved in their implementation.

Tháinig 70 moladh leagtha amach le feidhmiú na Seirbhíse Otharcharr thar na cúig bliana seo chugainn a fheabhsú as an Athbhreithniú Straitéiseach ar an tSeirbhís Otharcharr. Tugadh tosaíocht luath do mhalartú scuaidrín feithiclí áfach, agus tá rún ag an tSeirbhís Otharcharr 10 bhfeithicil ar a laghad a mhalartú le linn 2001, a shuimeoidh go breis agus 90 an méid iomlán feithiclí nua a bhíothas i seirbhís ó 1999.

Tá obair ag dul go maith chun tosaigh ar roinnt ceisteanna eile, píolótú córais thosaíochta glaoigh, a bhfuil cuspóir aige acmhainní a dhíriú orthu siúd a bhainfidh níos mó tairbhe astu, agus obair ullmhúcháin do thabhairt isteach Raidió Dhigitigh san áireamh.

Ina theannta sin, chuir an tSeirbhís Otharcharr an chuid is mó de mholtaí an Athbhreithnithe maidir le bainistíocht agus le ceisteanna pearsanta i bhfeidhm, ar nós forbairt straitéise Acmhainní Daonna, chórais bhainistíochta ar chleachtadh foirne agus Scéime Cothroime. Tá comhoibriú trasteorann ar sheirbhísí otharcharr ag leanúint ar aghaidh fosta ar bhonn neamhfhoirmeálta agus foirmeálta araon.

Tá tuilleadh machnaimh á dhéanamh ar an chuid eile de na moltaí maidir leis na costais agus leis na ceisteanna praiticiúla bainteach lena gcur i bhfeidhm.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps she is taking to ensure that the new Rapid Response Vehicles in the Ambulance Service are being used according to appropriate guidelines.

(AQW 2054/00)

Ms de Brún: The Report on the Strategic Review of Ambulance Services recommended that, in order to deliver cost effective emergency care, the Ambulance Service should develop the use of single staffed rapid response units. The introduction of this service is dependent on the introduction of the medical-priority based dispatch system, which is to be piloted later this year, and also on the priority that boards accord to this service as regards the availability of additional resources.

Mhol an Tuairisc ar Athbhreithniú Straitéiseach na Seirbhísí Otharcharr gur chóir don tSeirbhís Otharcharr úsáid ionad mearfhreagartha duine aonair a fhorbairt chun cúram costas-éifeachtach éigeandála a chur ar fáil. Braitheann tabhairt isteach na seirbhíse seo ar thabhairt isteach an Chórais Seolta bunaithe ar Thosaíocht Mhíochaine atá le píolótú níos moille i mbliana, agus ar an tosaíocht a thugann Boird don tseirbhís seo ó thaobh infhaighteacht acmhainní breise di.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her proposals with regard to the levels of speech therapy in Special Schools in East Antrim and to make a statement.

(AQW 2055/00)

Ms de Brún: Homefirst Community Trust has appointed replacement therapists covering Rostulla and Roddensvale Special Schools and they will take up post shortly. The trust is actively engaged in filling other vacancies in the speech and language therapy service. I understand that the Northern Health and Social Services Board has funded 3 additional posts from October 2000 and is funding a further additional 4^.5 posts. My Department has been engaged in a workforce survey, the results of which are expected in the next three months. That should assist in the development of workforce planning for speech and language therapists.

Cheap Iontaobhas Phobal Homefirst teiripithe ionaid ag cumhdach Scoileanna Speisialta Rostulla agus Roddensvale agus gabhfaidh siad lena bpostanna ar ball. Tá an tIontaobhas páirteach ar bhonn gníomhach i líonadh folúntas eile sa tseirbhís teiripe labhartha agus teanga. Tuigim gur mhaoinigh Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Tuaiscirt 3 phost breise ó Dheireadh Fómhair 2000 agus go bhfuil sé ag maoiniú 4-5 phost eile. Bhí an Roinn s’agam páirteach i suirbhé meithle oibre, a bhfuiltear ag súil lena thorthaí i gceann trí mhí. Ba chóir dó seo cuidiú le forbairt phleanáil mheithle oibre do theiripithe labhartha agus teanga.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether there are any health implications from the use of telecommunications masts and to make a statement.

(AQW 2067/00)

Ms de Brún: The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, led by Sir William Stewart and set up to assess the current state of research into possible health risks from mobile phones, presented its report last May. It concluded that the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near base stations, on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines. The guidelines referred to are those of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. It also recommended a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phones and base stations until more research findings become available.

Chuir an Grúpa Saineolaithe Neamhspleácha ar Ghutháin Phóca, a bhfuil An Ridire William Stewart i gceannas air agus a bunaíodh le staid reatha an taighde ar na baoil fhéideartha sláinte ó ghutháin siúil a mheasúnú, a thuairisc amach i Mí na Bealtaine anuraidh. Chríochnaigh sí go léiríonn formhór na fianaise nach bhfuil baol ginearálta ann do shláinte dhaoine a chónaíonn cóngarach do stáisiúin bhunáite, ar an bhonn go bhfuiltear ag meas nach mbeidh an nochtadh ach cuid bheag de na treoirlínte. Is iad na treoirlínte, a ndearnadh tagairt dóibh, treoirlínte an Choimisiúin Idirnáisiúnta ar Chosaint Radaíochta Neamhianaithe ar theorannú nochtadh an phobail le réimsí leicreamaighnéadacha. Mhol sí fosta cur chuige réamhchúramach maidir le húsáid ghuthán siúil agus stáisiún bunáite go dtí go gcuirfear tuilleadh torthaí ón taighde ar fáil.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 1748/00, to provide the Health Departments of European Union Countries with information regarding Northern Ireland beef.

(AQW 2070/00)

Ms de Brún: It is a matter for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide information regarding beef and other agricultural products.

Is faoin Roinn Talmhaíochta agus Forbartha Tuaithe atá sé eolas a chur ar fáil maidir le mairteoil agus táirgí talmhaíochta eile.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her plans to utilise the Gordon Thompson Building within South Tyrone Hospital for the specific benefit of the people of the South Tyrone/Mid Ulster area and to make a statement.

(AQW 2099/00)

Ms de Brún: The purpose of the Gordon Thompson Building at South Tyrone Hospital is to provide an educational building for staff. Since the centre opened in 1994, it has been and continues to be an invaluable asset to the Health and Community Social Services provided in the Dungannon and Armagh Area.

Tá sé mar aidhm ag Foirgneamh Gordon Thompson ag Ospidéal Thír Eoghain foirgneamh oideachais a chur ar fáil don fhoireann. Ó osclaíodh an t-ionad in 1994, tá sé ina shocmhainn ríluachmhar go fóill do na Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pobail a chuirtear ar fáil i limistéar Dhún Geanainn agus Ard Mhacha.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, by Board area, (a) the cost of treatment arising from road traffic accidents for which records are available and (b) the percentage of total revenue costs recovered from the relevant insurance companies in respect of such treatment in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2102/00)

Ms de Brún: The cost of treatment arising from road traffic accidents is not available as Health and Social Services Trusts do not analyse treatment costs on the basis of cause of injury.

The percentage of total revenue costs of such treatment recovered from relevant insurance companies over the last three years is not available. The figures in the table below represent the amount recovered by HSS Trusts from insurance companies paying compensation to people injured in road traffic accidents.

The existing arrangements for recovery of treatment costs have proved difficult to administer and ineffective as regards recovery of costs. Therefore the Health and Personal Social Services Bill includes provisions for the introduction of a new and simplified recovery procedure from 2 April 2001, which should significantly increase the income from insurance companies.

Níl costas cóireála de dheasca timpistí trácht bóthair ar fáil as siocair nach ndéanann na hIontaobhais Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta anailís ar chostais chóireála bunaithe ar chúis an ghortaithe.

Níl céatadán costais iomlána ioncaim de chóireál a athshlánaíodh ó chomhlachtaí bainteacha árachais le trí bliana anuas ar fáil. Léiríonn na figiúir sa tábla thíos an tsuim a d’athshlánaigh na hIontaobhais SSS ó chomhlachtaí árachais ag íoc cúiteamh le daoine a gortaíodh i dtimpistí trácht bóthair

Léirigh na socruithe mar atá anois maidir le costais coireála a athshlánú go raibh deacrachtaí lena riar agus mí-éifeachtach i dtéarmaí costais a athshlánú. San áireamh leis an Bhille Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta Pearsanta mar sin tá forálacha ann faoi choinne nós imeachta athshlánaithe atá nua agus níos simplí ó 2 Aibreán 2001 ar

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