Friday 16 March 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, by Board area, (a) the cost to each Board of treating patients who reside in another Board area and (b) the cost to each Board of treating patients who reside outside Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2186/00)

Ms de Brún: Boards do not meet the costs of treatment of patients who reside in another Board area. All such costs are met by the Board of residence of the individual concerned. The one exception to this is A&E provision, where the host Board meets the full cost of such provision irrespective of where users come from.

Nor do Boards generally meet the costs of treating patients from other regions or countries. If the patient is from England, Scotland or Wales there are arrangements in place for the local Trust providing the care to be reimbursed by the individual’s local health authority.

Ní íocann Boird costais chóireála othar a chónaíonn i limistéar Boird eile. Íocann an Bord ina gcónaíonn an duine aonair na costais uile. Eisceacht amháin is ea soláthar T&É, mar go n-íocann an Bord ina bhfuil sé á chur ar fáil, costas iomlán an tsoláthair beag beann ar ar as na húsáideoirí.

Ní íocann Boird costais chóireála othar ó réigiúin nó ó thíortha eile de ghnáth chomh maith. Más as Sasana, as Albain nó as an Bhreatain Bheag an t-othar, tá socruithe i bhfeidhm don Iontaobhas áitiúil ag soláthar an chúraim le bheith aisíoctha ag údarás áitiúil sláinte an duine aonair.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, by Trust Board area, how many people have suffered miscarriages in the last five years.

(AQW 2190/00)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl an t-eolas a iarradh ar fáil.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether she intends to introduce legislation to prevent staff, who have tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), from having access to patients in the Health Service.

(AQW 2193/00)

Ms de Brún: I have no plans at present to legislate in this area.

Detailed guidance on the management of infected health care workers has been in place since 1991 and is kept under regular review. The guidelines were last updated in December 1998 and were widely distributed to health professionals here and to medical, dental and nursing schools. The revised guidance was based on recommendations from the Expert Advisory Group on AIDS. My Department is represented on the Group.

Níl rún ar bith agam faoi láthair reachtaíocht a thabhairt isteach sa réimse seo.

Bhí mionthreoirlínte ar láimhseáil oibrithe cúraim shláinte galraithe i bhfeidhm ó 1999 agus coinnítear faoi athbhreithniú rialta iad. Leasaíodh na treoirlínte is déanaí i Mí na Nollag 1998 agus tugadh go forleathan do ghairmithe sláinte anseo agus do scoileanna leighis, fiaclóireachta agus banaltrachta iad. Bunaíodh na treoirlínte leasaithe ar mholtaí ón Ghrúpa Comhairleach Saineolaithe ar SEIF. Tá ionadaíocht ón Roinn s’agamsa ar an Ghrúpa.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of cases of asthma diagnosed in each health board area in each of the last two years for which figures are available.

(AQW 2199/00)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl an t-eolas a iarradh ar fáil.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of cases of diabetes diagnosed in each health board area in each of the last two years for which figures are available.

(AQW 2200/00)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl an t-eolas a iarradh ar fáil.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what health indices exist for Northern Ireland and to state how these compare with those produced elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

(AQW 2205/00)

Ms de Brún: The Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR) all ages is the only regularly produced health index where we can be compared to England, Scotland and Wales.

Table 1 below details the male, female and all persons all ages SMR for here, England, Wales and Scotland. SMRs allow death rates to be compared even where populations have different age and gender profiles.

Is é an Cóimheas Básmhaireachta Caighdeánaithe (CBC) do gach aois an t-aon innéacs sláinte amháin a dhéantar go rialta ar féidir linn comparáid a dhéanamh eadrainn agus Sasana, Albain agus An Bhreatain Bheag.

Mionléiríonn Tábla 1 thíos fir, mná agus gach duine de gach aois CBC anseo, i Sasana, in Albain agus sa Bhreatain Bheag. Déanann CBCanna comparáid idir rátaí báis fiú nuair atá próifílí éagsúla aoise agus inscne ag daonraí.

Mr ONeill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her plans for the future of primary care pilot schemes.

(AQW 2241/00)

Ms de Brún: The primary care pilot schemes were due to end on 31 March 2001. However, in light of the decision by the Assembly to delay the ending of fundholding until April 2002 and the impact this would have on the timetable for introducing new primary care arrangements, I decided to continue funding the pilots for a further 6 months from 1 April 2001. In announcing my decision on 12 February 2001, I explained that I would keep the funding of the pilots under review in the light of the outcome of the consultation exercise on Building the Way Forward in Primary Care. I expect that during the course of the year we will be looking to those involved in the pilots to move into the new arrangements that emerge from the consultation.

Bhí na scéimeanna píolóta príomhchúraim le críochnú ar an 31ú Márta 2001. Mar gheall ar chinneadh an Tionóil áfach le deireadh ciste-shealbhaíochta a mhoilliú go dtí Aibreán 2002, agus ar an éifeacht a bheadh aige seo ar an chlár ama do thabhairt isteach socruithe nua príomhchúraim, chinn mé go leanfainn ar aghaidh ag maoiniú na scéimeanna píolóta ar feadh 6 mhí breise ón 1ú Aibreán 2001. Nuair a d’fógair mé mo chinnidh ar an 12ú Feabhra 2001, mhínigh mé go gcoinneoinn maoiniú na scéimeanna píolóta faoi athbhreithniú mar gheall ar chinneadh an chleachtaidh chomhairligh ar Ag Tógáil an Bhealaigh chun Tosaigh i bPríomhchúram. Tá mé ag súil, le linn na bliana, go mbeidh muid ag iarraidh go nglacfaidh iad siúd a bhí páirteach sna scéimeanna píolóta leis na socruithe nua a thiocfaidh chun cinn ón chomhairliú.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that, in implementing the Programme for Government’s action point to reduce drug misuse, members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary will have a central role to play on local committees.

(AQO 1027/00)

Ms de Brún: Four Drugs Co-ordinating Teams have responsibility, at local level, for the implementation of the Drugs Strategy in a manner appropriate to local needs and situations. The Teams include representation from the Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts, the Education and Library Boards and Youth Service, the voluntary and community sector and the RUC.

Ar leibhéal áitiúil, tá freagracht ar cheithre Fhoireann Comhordaithe Drugaí as an Straitéis Drugaí a chur i bhfeidhm ar dhóigh atá ar fóirstean do riachtanais agus do thosca áitiúla. Ar na foirne tá ionadaithe ó na Boird agus Iontaobhais Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta, na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne agus Seirbhíse Óige, an earnáil dheonach agus phobail agus ón RUC.

Rev Robert Coulter asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of injuries caused by fireworks during 2000.

(AQO 1071/00)

Ms de Brún: Following the Halloween period in the year 2000, it was reported that 100 persons were treated at local A&E departments as a result of injuries caused by fireworks.

I ndiaidh Oíche Shamhna na bliana 2000, tuairiscíodh gur tugadh cóireáil do 100 duine i rannóga Taismí agus Éigeandála mar gheall ar ghortuithe a fuair siad ó thinte ealaíne.

Mr Dodds asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she intends to bring forward legislation to implement any aspect of the report by the Royal Commission on Long Term Care (Cm 4192-I) entitled "With Respect to Old Age: Long Term Care-Rights and Responsibilities."

(AQO 1056/00)

Ms de Brún: It is my intention to bring forward amendments to the Health and Personal Social Services (NI) Order 1972 to pave the way for the introduction of free nursing care from April 2002. It will also be necessary to make changes to the 1972 Order, the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (NI) Act 1992 and the Jobseekers (NI) Order 1995 in connection with both the ending of the Income Support Preserved Rights scheme and the transfer of claimants to care management by the health and personal social services in April 2002. It is intended that the necessary amendments will be carried in a further Health and Personal Social Services Bill to be presented to the Assembly after the summer recess.

Tá rún agam leasuithe ar an Health and Personal Social Services (NI) Order 1972 a thabhairt chun tosaigh leis an bhealach a réiteach do chúram altranais saor in aisce a thabhairt isteach ó Aibreán 2002. Beidh sé riachtanach fosta athruithe a dhéanamh ar Ordú na bliana 1972, an Social Security Contributions and Benefits (NI) Act 1992 agus an Jobseekers (NI) Order 1995 mar gheall ar dheireadh a chur leis an scéim Cearta Caomhnaithe Tacaíochta Ioncaim agus le héilitheoirí a aistriú go bainisteoireacht cúraim faoi na seirbhísí sláinte pearsanta agus sóisialta in Aibreán 2002. Tá sé de rún go mbeidh na leasuithe riachtanacha i mBille Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Pearsanta agus Sóisialta eile atá le cur faoi bhráid an Tionóil i ndiaidh shos an tsamhraidh.

Mr Leslie asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of Air/Sea Rescue provision.

(AQO 1069/00)

Ms de Brún: This is a reserved matter.

Is ní forchoimeádta é seo.

Dr Adamson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her policy on recruitment to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

(AQO 1070/00)

Ms de Brún: The Ambulance Service’s employment policies and practices are established in line with appropriate employment legislation and Codes of Practice. The 1998 Act has placed new duties on all public authorities with regard to Equality and recruitment policies in the Ambulance Service are amongst those to be reviewed in light of the new statutory duties. Recruitment activity in the Ambulance Service is based on Workforce plans which take into account the current needs of the Ambulance Service and planned Service developments.

Tá polasaithe agus cleachtais reatha na Seirbhíse Otharcharr ag cur leis an reachtaíocht fostaíochta iomchuí agus le Cóid Cleachtais. Leag an tAcht 1998 dualgais úra ar gach údarás poiblí maidir le Comhionannas, agus tá polasaithe earcaíochta sa tSeirbhís Otharcharr orthu sin atá le haithbhreithniú faoi na dualgais reachtúla nua. Tá an earcaíocht sa tSeirbhís Otharcharr bunaithe ar phleananna Líon Saothair a chuireann riachtanais reatha na Seirbhíse Otharcharr agus forbairtí beartaithe na Seirbhíse san áireamh.

Ms Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what progress has been made to provide a support group for those affected by reports on unauthorised retention of human organs.

(AQO 1031/00)

Ms de Brún: Arrangements are now well advanced regarding the establishment of the Support Group that I announced to the Assembly on 13 February, as part of a package of measures to address the whole issue of post-mortem, organ removal and retention. Membership of the Group, to be entitled ‘the Relatives Reference Group’, is currently being finalised, and I will announce both its membership and terms of reference shortly.

Tá socruithe faoi lán seoil maidir leis an Ghrúpa Tacaíochta a d’fhógair mé don Tionól ar 13 Feabhra a chur ar bun mar chuid de phacáiste beart le aghaidh a thabhairt ar shaincheist scrúduithe iarbháis, agus orgáin a bhaint agus a choinneáil. Tá bailchríoch á cur ar bhallraíocht an ghrúpa, a mbeidh "An Grúpa Tagartha Gaolta" mar theideal air. Fógróidh mé a bhallraíocht agus a théarmaí tagartha ar ball.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy operations that have been postponed and/or cancelled with the introduction of new guidelines on single use instruments issued by the Chief Medical Officer on 1 February 2001.

(AQO 1020/00)

Ms de Brún: The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. It is known, however, that approximately 100 of these operations are normally carried out every month in hospitals.

Níorbh fhéidir an t-eolas a iarradh a chur ar fáil ach ar chostas díréireach. Tá a fhios, áfach, go ndéantar thart ar 100 de na hobráidí seo in ospidéil áitiúla achan mhí.

Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail any progress made towards the provision of an Air Ambulance on an all Ireland basis.

(AQO 1082/00)

Ms de Brún: The Cross Border Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Working Group is presently considering the case for the provision of an air ambulance service to cover the whole island. The Group is currently in the process of commissioning independent advice on the costs and benefits of such a service.

Faoi láthair tá an Mheitheal Oibre Trasteorann do Chúram Éigeandála Réamhospidéal ag breathnú ar cé acu arbh fhéidir seirbhís aerotharcharr a sholáthar d’iomlán an oileáin. Faoi láthair tá an mheitheal ag coimisiúnú comhairle neamhspleách ar chostais agus ar bhuntáistí seirbhíse den chineál.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment on the practice of paying performance related pay within Trusts that are currently running deficits.

(AQO 1081/00)

Ms de Brún: It is important to understand the basis of the deficits issue. Trust deficits have largely emerged as a problem within the last two financial years and most deficits have occurred in the acute hospital trusts. There are a number of reasons for these deficits including increasing demands on service and HPSS funding not keeping pace with this rising demand. These are issues which are not within the direct control of managers.

Performance related pay is designed to reward managers for good performance against the objectives for the individual and the organisation. I would expect the organisation to take all relevant factors into account, including the resources available and the difficulty of managing the levels of demand experienced, in determining the amount of performance pay for its staff.

Tá sé tábhachtach saincheist na n-easnamh a dhealú ó shaincheist pá de réir feidhmithe aonair. Sa dá bhliain airgeadais dheireannacha is mó a tháinig easnaimh Iontaobhas chun solais mar fhadhb, agus tharla an chuid is mó de na heasnaimh sna hiontaobhais ghéarospidéal. Tá roinnt fáthanna leis na heasnaimh seo, lena n-áirítear an méadú atá ar ráchairt ar sheirbhísí agus fosta nach bhfuil maoiniú SSPS ag coinneáil coise leis an éileamh mhéadaitheach seo. Is rudaí iad seo nach bhfuil faoi stiúir dhíreach bainisteoirí.

Tá sé d’aidhm ag an phá de réir feidhmithe bainisteoirí a chúiteamh le dea-fheidhmiú i gcoinne na gcuspóirí don duine aonair agus don eagraíocht. Tá coinne agam go gcuirfidh an eagraíocht iomlán na bhfachtóirí iomchuí san áireamh, lena n-áirítear an staid airgeadais, agus í ag cinneadh ar mhéad na pá de réir feidhmithe dá foireann.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to her statement of 13 December 2000, to detail what progress has been made towards a sustainable, long-term reduction in hospital waiting lists.

(AQO 1068/00)

Ms de Brún: I have made the development of a firm foundation for sustainable progress on waiting lists a top priority for the next three years. The Framework I issued in September last set out a strategic context for action on waiting lists and comprehensive plans have been drawn up by Boards and Trusts as a result. An extra £5 million was allocated this year to support the implementation of these plans. Priorities For Action, which I issued last week, sets a target of cutting in-patient waiting lists to 39,000 in three years’ time, from their present level of around 50,000.

A further £8 million has been earmarked for next year for action on waiting lists. On top of that, this year’s non-recurrent allocation of £5 million will be made recurrent, bringing the total additional resources available next year to £8 million.

Rinne mé barrthosaíocht de dhúshraith a leagan do chur chun cinn inbhuanaithe ar liostaí feithimh do na chéad trí bliana eile. Leag an Chreatlach a d’eisigh mé i Meán Fómhair na bliana anuraidh amach comhthéacs straitéiseach le haghaidh gníomhaíochta ar liostaí feithimh. Dá bharr seo, dhréachtaigh Boird agus Iontaobhais pleananna cuimsitheacha. Leithroinneadh £5 mhilliún sa bhreis i mbliana le tacú le cur i bhfeidhm na bpleananna seo. Leagann ‘Tosaíochtaí do Ghníomhaíocht’, a d’eisigh me an tseachtain seo chuaigh thart, amach sprioc de liostaí feithimh d’othair chónaitheacha a laghdú go 39,000 óna leibhéal reatha de thart ar 50,000 faoi cheann trí bliana.

Cuireadh £8 milliún eile de bhreis in áirithe don bhliain seo chugainn le haghaidh gníomhaíochta ar liostaí feithimh. Mar bharr air sin, déanfar £5 mhilliún de leithroinnt neamhathfhillteach na bliana seo athfhillteach, rud a ardóchas iomlán na n-acmhainní breise a bhéas ar fáil sa bhliain seo chugainn go £8 milliún.

Mr R Hutchinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her plans to increase the availability of palliative care for patients with terminal illnesses who wish to be cared for within their own homes especially for those living in rural areas.

(AQO 1023/00)

Ms de Brún: The report on Cancer Services ‘Investing for the Future’ recommended a regional review of palliative care services. Subsequently the Chief Nursing Officer chaired a group to review the current provision of palliative care and to make recommendations on the future provision of these services.

‘Partnerships in Caring’ was published and circulated in May 2000. The report recommends a way forward for palliative care services here. The review highlights the need for partnership with patients and their families, between the variety of care providers and with service planners and commissioners ‘as it is only in working together in a co-ordinated way that we can hope to provide consistently high quality services’.

The Chief Nursing Officer met with Board and Trust representatives on 19 December 2000 to review progress on implementing the recommendations contained within the report. At this meeting a range of initiatives were outlined, aimed at developing palliative care in the community, a service which was until recently primarily provided by the voluntary sector. There is now an emphasis on partnership between statutory, independent and voluntary sectors to develop palliative care services in the community. At the meeting it was decided that the local group of the National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care should take the lead in developing regional standards and guidelines for palliative care.

This group will be assisted by the DHSSPS and Campbell Commissioning Group and will meet again in six months to further review progress.

Mhol an tuairisc ar sheirbhísí ailse ‘Ag Infheistiú don Todhchaí’ aithbhreithniú réigiúnach ar sheirbhísí cúraim mhaolaithigh. Ina dhiaidh sin bhí an Príomh-Oifigeach Altranais ina chathaoirleach ar ghrúpa le soláthar reatha an chúraim mhaolaithigh a aithbhreithniú agus le moltaí a dhéanamh ar sholáthar na seirbhísí seo sa todhchaí.

Foilsíodh agus scaipeadh ‘Páirtíochtaí sa Chúram’ i mí Bealtaine 2000. Molann an tuairisc bealach chun tosaigh do sheirbhísí cúraim mhaolaithigh anseo. Tarraingíonn an t-aithbhreithniú aird ar an riachtanas le páirtíochtaí le hothair agus lena dteaghlaigh idir soláthraithe cúraim éagsúla agus coimisinéirí "mar is trí oibriú le chéile amháin ar dhóigh chomhordaithe a thig linn súil a bheith againn leibhéal leanúnach seirbhísí ardcháilíochta a chur ar fáil".

Bhuail an Príomh-Oifigeach Altranais le hionadaithe Bord agus Iontaobhas ar 19 Nollaig 2000 leis an dul chun cinn ar chur i bhfeidhm mholtaí na tuairisce a aithbhreithniú. Ag an chruinniú seo rinneadh breac-chuntas ar réimse tionscnamh arbh aidhm dóibh an cúram maolaitheach a fhorbairt sa phobal, seirbhís a chuir an earnáil dheonach ar fáil don chuid is mó go dtí le deireannas. Tá béim á cur anois ar pháirtíocht idir na hearnálacha reachtúla, neamhspleácha agus deonacha le seirbhísí cúraim mhaolaithigh a fhorbairt sa phobal. Cinneadh ag an chruinniú gur chóir ghrúpa áitiúil de chuid na Chomhairle Náisiúnta do Chúram Ospíse agus Maolaitheach Speisialtóra bheith i dtús cadhnaíochta ag forbairt caighdeáin réigiúnacha agus treoirlínte don chúram mhaolaitheach.

Gheobhaidh an grúpa seo cuidiú ón RSSSPS agus an Campbell Commissioning Group agus tiocfaidh sé le chéile arís i gceann sé mhí le dul chun cinn a aithbhreithniú.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline when she intends to implement the resolution on long term care of the elderly passed by the Assembly on 27 February 2001.

(AQO 1046/00)

Ms de Brún: It is my intention to bring the resolution on free personal care to the attention of the Executive as soon as possible so that they may consider it at the earliest opportunity. It will then be for the Executive, in the light of available resources, to decide if and when free personal care for the elderly can be introduced. It is my intention to bring forward amendments to the Health and Personal Social Services (NI) Order 1972 to pave the way for the introduction of free nursing care from April 2002.

Tá sé de rún agam aird an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin a tharraingt ar an rún ar chúram pearsanta saor in aisce chomh luath agus is féidir le go mbeidh sé in ann é a bhreathnú an chéad áiméar a gheobhaidh sé. Fágfar faoin Choiste Feidhmiúcháin, agus é ag cur na n-acmhainní atá ar fáil san áireamh, cinneadh más féidir cúram pearsanta saor in aisce do na sean a thabhairt isteach. Tá sé de rún agam leasuithe ar an Health and Personal Social Services (NI) Order 1972 a thabhairt chun tosaigh leis an bhealach a réiteach le cúram altranais saor in aisce a thabhairt isteach ó Aibreán.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to detail his plans to counter skills shortages.

(AQW 2164/00)

The Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment (Dr Farren): The recent Skills Monitoring Report, commissioned by the NI Skills Task Force, provides the essential focus for more detailed research on priority skills.

It informs programme managers in government of industry sectors and occupations requiring attention and targeting of resources to counter skills shortages.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what funding has been allocated towards safety improvements to the junctions on the A8 at Millbrook and Antiville for the years 2001/2002 and 2002/2003.

(AQW 2084/00)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): The funding available to my Department for major road schemes is managed on a programme rather than a scheme by scheme basis. In other words, funds are not allocated to individual schemes in advance of their construction being contractually committed.

The package of proposed improvements for the A8 Belfast to Larne road comprises discrete schemes, one of which is the construction of the roundabouts at Millbrook and Antiville (estimated to cost some £1·9M). The statutory procedures for each scheme are being progressed separately so that any difficulty in one does not affect the others. The roundabouts can therefore be constructed independently of the other schemes when the statutory procedures pertaining to them are completed successfully, subject to the availability of funding at that time.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the steps he is taking to enable school-crossing patrols to assist senior citizens and disabled persons to cross roads.

(AQW 2091/00)

Mr Campbell: As this is a matter for the Department for Regional Development’s Roads Service your question has been passed to me for reply. The Department intends to introduce amending legislation to enable adults as well as children to use school crossing patrols. This amendment, together with other proposed amendments in the pipeline, will be taken forward when the Department next amends the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. The timing will be dependent on the resources available and other legislative priorities.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) what funding is available and (b) what schemes have been approved to improve road safety on the B90 between Carrickfergus and Larne Road junction for the year 2001/02.

(AQW 2118/00)

Mr Campbell: Within the overall funding available to it in 2001/02, my Department’s Roads Service plans to invest around £13M on a range of minor improvement schemes at various locations across the entire network of some 15,000 miles of roads and footways. Much of this will be directed to improving safety, particularly where there is scope to improve sites with a poor accident history.

In relation to the B90 between Carrickfergus and its junction with the A2 Larne Road near Whitehead, Roads Service is developing a scheme to provide a pedestrian refuge and right-turning pocket at the petrol station on the Middle Road section of the B90. The timing of this scheme depends on its priority compared with other schemes competing for the limited funds available, but the Divisional Roads Manager is hopeful it can proceed in 2001-02 if at all possible. He is also considering other improvement schemes on that route in future years.

Mr Neeson asked the Minister for Regional Development if he has any plans to introduce "tidal flow" traffic schemes.

(AQW 2130/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has no plans at present to introduce tidal flow traffic schemes.

Most congested commuter routes tend to be relatively narrow with frontage development and are unsuitable for tidal flow techniques. Management and safety issues are also a major concern and make the idea impractical in most situations.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide a list of all new developments, by District Council Area, which commenced over five years ago and have yet to have their roads and services formally adopted by his Department.

(AQW 2136/00)

Mr Campbell: A list of those developments, which commenced over 5 years ago and where all of the associated roads and services have not yet been formally adopted by my Department, has been placed in the Assembly Library.

I should point out that in many cases, roads and services within developments are adopted in stages as the work progresses. Some of the developments listed have therefore been partially adopted.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of the current state of repair of the Ballyheather Road in the Strabane District Council area and to make a statement.

(AQW 2141/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that, whilst there is some damage to roadside verges, the overall condition of Ballyheather Road is satisfactory when compared to similar rural roads across the country. The road received surface dressing treatment over its entire length in 1998.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the estimated cost of providing the free travel scheme for pensioners and when this scheme will be introduced.

(AQW 2165/00)

Mr Campbell: I intend to introduce a free travel scheme for men and women aged 65 and over from 1 October 2001. I have been able to secure £3 million for 200-02 and further indicative allocations of £6 million in 2002-03 and 2003-04 to enable the scheme to go ahead. This will be in addition to some £4 million per annum currently being spent to fund half-fare travel for older people. The actual cost of free travel will depend upon the extent to which our senior citizens make use of the scheme.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to maintain and improve the Cargie Road, Cullyhanna, County Armagh.

(AQW 2175/00)

Mr Campbell: My Department’s Roads Service carries out cyclical maintenance of all roads which includes the cleaning of drainage outlets, gullies and back channels and grass cutting on roadside verges. In addition, all roads are routinely inspected so that essential response maintenance work is identified and completed as necessary.

Cargie Road is maintained in line with the above procedures. Arising from routine road inspections a section of the road has been included in a programme of surface dressing works to be carried out this summer. At present, Roads Service has no plans to carry out any improvement work.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he has any plans to extend the free travel scheme to groups other than pensioners.

(AQW 2182/00)

Mr Campbell: The existing scheme provides free travel on public transport for people who are registered blind and half-fare travel for war disabled pensioners, people aged 65 and over and children up to age 16. People aged 65 and over will qualify for free travel from 1 October 2001. I should like to extend the concessionary fare scheme further to include additional categories of disabled people but this would require additional funding.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his policy regarding verge cutting in rural areas.

(AQW 2213/00)

Mr Campbell: The policy of my Department’s Roads Service is to cut roadside verges on public roads up to twice a year in rural areas and up to 5 times a year in urban areas.

I should explain that, in cutting grass on its lands, the Roads Service objective is to prevent overgrowth onto carriageways and footway surfaces and the obstruction of sightlines and traffic signs. Grass cutting operations are therefore carried out for road safety reasons and not for cosmetic or amenity purposes.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of homes which received insulation grants under the Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme (DEES) within the parliamentary constituency of Mid Ulster.

(AQW 2098/00)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): Based on information provided by the Scheme Manager for the Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme (DEES), from January 1995 to 31 December 2000, 6,280 homes have received insulation grants under the Scheme within the parliamentary constituency of Mid Ulster.

As I have made clear in earlier replies, my Department does not fund DEES on a constituency basis as the Scheme is demand led. Funding is provided to the Scheme Manager who responds to requests from individual clients for the installation of energy efficiency measures in their properties.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (a) at what stage is the proposed new housing development at Edenvale Avenue, Carrickfergus and (b) what funding is available for this development.

(AQW 2120/00)

Mr Morrow: This project is being undertaken by Fold Housing Association and is currently programmed to start in autumn 2001. Fold is at present discussing decanting options with the residents of the 18 existing orlit dwellings, which will be replaced by 34 new family homes.

Provision for the scheme has been made in the Housing Association development programme for 2001-02. At this early stage estimated costs only are available. The total cost of the project is likely to be in the region of £2m and of this total my Department will contribute around £1·2m by way of Housing Association Grant.

Mr Ford asked the Minister for Social Development to detail his plans to update legislation with regard to charities in Northern Ireland, particularly the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 and the Charities (Northern Ireland) Order 1987.

(AQW 2122/00)

Mr Morrow: The Department for Social Development is presently monitoring developments in England and Wales and elsewhere with a view to deciding whether changes to the existing Northern Ireland charity legislation would be desirable. Any proposed changes will, of course, be the subject of public consultation as well as consultation with interested bodies.

Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the circumstances in which an applicant for Jobseeker’s Allowance would compromise their entitlement to benefit by (a) undertaking an academic course and (b) undertaking voluntary work.

(AQW 2178/00)

Mr Morrow: The basic conditions of entitlement for the receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance are that a person should be available for and actively seeking work each week. Full-time students undertaking a course of study are not eligible for Jobseeker’s Allowance as they are not considered to be available for work. Student couples who have a dependent child can claim Jobseeker’s Allowance during the summer vacation period subject to the normal conditions of entitlement. Also, in the case of married couples where one partner is a student, the other partner can claim benefit in the normal way all year round.

Unemployed people may undertake a couse of study as a part-time student and continue to get Jobseeker’s Allowance, provided they remain available for and actively seeking work, and are prepared to rearrange or, if necessary, give up the course if a suitable job opportunity arises.

There is no limit on the number of hours a person may undertake voluntary work whilst in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance as long as they are actively seeking work and available to accept offers of work at 48 hours’ notice. This represents a concession from the normal requirement that they should be available immediately for employment. They must also be willing and able to give up or rearrange their voluntary work in order to take up employment.

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