Friday 6 April 2001
Written Answers to Questions

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the average private sector rents in each District Council Area for (a) a 3-bedroom house (b) a 2-bedroom house and (c) a 1-bedroom house in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2395/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): I regret that, given the limited number of private sector rental transactions that take place, the comprehensive information which you have requested for each of the last five years does not exist.

I am, therefore, unable to supply the information as requested, however, I can confirm that the Department of Finance and Personnel does hold comprehensive information on estimates of the rental values.

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the average private sector rents in each District Council area for (a) a 3-bedroom flat (b) a 2-bedroom flat and (c) a 1-bedroom flat in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2396/00)

Mr Durkan: I regret that, given the limited number of private sector rental transactions that take place, the comprehensive information which you have requested for each of the last five years does not exist.

I am, therefore, unable to supply the information as requested, however, I can confirm that the Department of Finance and Personnel does hold comprehensive information on estimates of the rental values.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to (a) confirm that Peace II funding has been finalised and (b) state what funds have been allocated to each of the eighteen constituencies in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2403/00)

Mr Durkan: The funding to be allocated under the Peace II Programme has been agreed by the Executive and the respective allocations for each Priority and Measure are contained in the Operational Programme which was formally agreed with by the European Commission on 22 March 2001. Details of the eligibility criteria for projects under each Priority and Measure will be contained in the Programme Complement which is currently being drawn up by the Special EU Programmes Body for agreement by the Programme Monitoring Committee. The distribution of funding under this Programme will, therefore, be determined by the extent to which project promoters are able to demonstrate how their projects contribute to the Programme’s overall objectives as well as to the relevant Priority and Measure level objectives. Whilst it is anticipated that all parts of Northern Ireland will benefit from funding under Peace II no pre-determined allocations of funding have been made to any of the eighteen constituencies in Northern Ireland.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the amount of revenue received in rates paid by HMP Maghaberry, HMP Maze and Thiepval Barracks in the last three financial years for which figures are available.

(AQO 1217/00)

Mr Durkan: The amount of revenue received in rates paid in respect of HMP Maghaberry, HMP Maze and Thiepval Barracks in the last three financial years is as follows:-

Mr Attwood asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what action he intends to take in relation to the judgement of the European Court of Human rights in the case of A v United Kingdom (Human Rights: Punishment of Child) [1998] 2 FLR 959 and the necessity of the jurisdictions of the United Kingdom reviewing the law in relation to the defence of parental reasonable chastisement.

(AQW 2586/00)

Mr Durkan: In the case of A v United Kingdom (Human Rights: Punishment of Child) [1998] 2 FLR 959, the European Court of Human Rights found the United Kingdom to be in breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, in that the defence of parental reasonable chastisement did not adequately protect children from punishment which amounted to inhuman or degrading treatment. This judgement of the Court of Human Rights does not permit us to maintain the status quo, particularly now that the Human Rights Act 1998 has engrafted the European Convention into our domestic law. Reviews are therefore being carried out in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to see how matters may be remedied. In Northern Ireland, the lead is being taken by the Office of Law Reform within my Department. Subject to the approval of colleagues on the Executive Committee, I intend to carry out a wide public consultation exercise later this year, and look forward to an informed and evidence-based public debate.

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her plans to recruit, as a matter of urgency, a new Speech and Language teacher at Rosstulla Special School, Jordanstown.

(AQW 2391/00)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 2055/00.

Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 2055/00.

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her plans to increase the number of Speech and Language teachers at Rosstulla Special School, Jordanstown.

(AQW 2392/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 2055/00.

Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 2055/00.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will make it her policy to provide all services and medications free of charge to those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease in line with that available in Scotland.

(AQW 2399/00)

Ms de Brún: I am aware that consideration is being given in Scotland to the possible extension of the provision of free care to many more older people, including those dementia sufferers with greatest need. However, no decisions have been taken on this yet. Similarly, the question of free care for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease here will be considered in the context of the Executive’s deliberations on how personal care for older people should be handled in the future.

Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil machnamh á dhéanamh in Albain ar leathnú soláthar cúraim saor in aisce do níos mó seandaoine, iad siúd a bhfuil an riachtanas is mó de dhíth orthu agus a fhulaingionn ó ghealtachas san áireamh. Ní dhearnadh cinneadh air seo go fóill áfach. Mar an gcéanna, déanfar machnamh ar cheist an chúraim saor in aisce anseo d’othair le Galar Alzheimer i gcómhthéacs machnamh an Fheidhmeannais ar an dóigh ar chóir cúram pearsanta do sheandaoine a láimhseáil sa todhchaí.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people who have obtained the "morning after pill" since 1 January 2001.

(AQW 2405/00)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl an t-eolas a iarradh ar fáil.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of the number of additional nurses required to meet the needs of the Health Service.

(AQW 2410/00)

Ms de Brún: At 20 March 2001 the number of vacancies in HSS trusts was reported as 477. This figure should reduce as a result of ongoing recruitment exercises, more qualified nursing staff returning to practice and around 400 newly qualified nurses available to enter the workforce in September.

I am aware that there are a number of nursing posts that remain unfilled for longer than 6 months and this situation is being dealt with by commissioning additional nurse training places and offering free training to those nurses who wish to return to practice. The number of nurse training places is currently being reviewed.

Ar 20 Márta 2001 tuairiscíodh go raibh 477 folúntas in iontaobhais SSS. Ba chóir go dtiocfadh laghdú ar an fhigiúr de bharr cleachtaí leanúnacha earcaíochta, tuilleadh foirne cáilithe banaltrachta ag filleadh ar an chleachtas agus tuairim is ar 400 banaltra nuacháilithe ar fáil le dul sa líon saothair i mí Mheán an Fhómhair.

Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil go fóill líon mór post banaltrachta atá gan líonadh le breis agus 6 mhí, agus táthar ag freastal ar an chás trí choimisiúnú áiteanna oiliúna banaltra breise agus trí thairiscint saoroiliúna do na banaltraí sin ar mhaith leo filleadh ar an chleachtas. Tá líon na n-áiteanna oiliúna banaltraí faoi athbhreithniú faoi láthair.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps she has taken to promote a strategy of health care for the elderly based on care within the community.

(AQW 2411/00)

Ms de Brún: The community care programme operated by the HSS Boards and Trusts provides a range of care managed packages in the home and in other community settings designed to maintain the health and well-being of the elderly within their own community.

My Department is also involved in a range of initiatives aimed at improving the health and well-being of older people. This includes support for over 50 voluntary community and statutory organisations in the Ageing Well Network. The network has initiated projects such as the cross-community project in Kilrea, which delivers weekly health information and health promotion activities to older people, and the recruitment of senior health volunteers in the Shankill area to bring health information to older people.

My Department, in association with the voluntary sector, provides support and grant aid to the Keep Warm Keep Well campaign, aimed at providing advice on health issues during the colder weather of winter. The Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunisation Programme was extended to include the 65 to 74 age group in its target population for immunisation. Moreover, each GP is required on a yearly basis to invite each person on his/her list of patients who is 75 or over to participate in a consultation either at the surgery or the service user’s own home to check on the state of their health.

Soláthraíonn an clár cúraim phobail a fheidhmíonn Boird agus Iontaobhais SSS réimse beart cúraim sa teach agus i suímh phobail eile a bhfuil cuspóir aige sláinte agus leas seandaoine istigh ina bpobal féin a chothú.

Tá an Roinn s’agamsa rannpháirteach i réimse tionscnamh fosta a bhfuil cuspóir acu sláinte agus leas seandaoine a fheabhsú. Ina measc tá tacaíocht ó níos mó ná caoga eagraíocht deonacha, pobail agus reachtúla san Ageing Well Network. Chuir an gréasán tús le scéimeanna amhail an scéim thrasphobail i gCill Ria, a thugann eolas agus gníomhaíochtaí tionscanta sláinte do sheandaoine agus a earcaíonn saorálaithe sinsearacha sláinte i gceantar na Seanchille le heolas sláinte a chur ar sheandaoine.

Tugann an Roinn s’agamsa, i gcomhar leis an earnáil dheonach tacaíocht agus deontas-i-gcabhair don fheachtas Keep Warm Keep Well, a bhfuil cuspóir aige comhairle a thabhairt ar cheisteanna sláinte le linn aimsir fhuar an gheimhridh. Leathnaíodh an Clár Imdhíonta Fliú agus Niúmacócaigh leis an aoisghrúpa 65 go 75 a chur san áireamh ina spriocdhaonra d’imdhíonadh. Ina theannta sin, éilítear ar gach gnáthdhochtúir cuireadh a thabhairt ar bhonn bliantúil do gach duine ar a liosta othar atá 75 bliain d’aois nó níos mó páirt a ghlacadh i gcomhairliú ag an lialann nó ag teach an úsáideora sheirbhíse é/í féin le seiceáil ar riocht a sláinte.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her proposed timetable for establishing a new hospital in the South West.

(AQW 2412/00)

Ms de Brún: The Acute Hospitals Review Group will report on the future development of hospital services. In advance of that report, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the future provision of acute hospital services in any area.

Tabharfaidh Grúpa Athbhreithnithe na nOspidéal Géarmhíochaine tuairisc ar fhorbairt sheirbhísí ospidéil amach anseo. Sula dtiocfaidh an tuairisc sin, níor chuí tagairt do sholáthar seirbhísí géarmhíochaine ospidéil i gceantar ar bith.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of hospital waiting times.

(AQW 2413/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my response to AQW 2456/00.

Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 2456/00.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what progress is being made in improving services to reduce the incidence of cancer and improve cancer survival rates.

(AQW 2414/00)

Ms de Brún: We are tackling cancer on three fronts, prevention, screening and improving treatment services. We have in place a melanoma strategy, a smoking strategy and an alcohol strategy to advise people of the dangers of overexposure to the sun, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption respectively and a food and nutrition strategy advising on the importance of a healthy diet. We have excellent screening programmes in place to reduce the risk of cervical cancer and to detect breast cancer. In addition cancer services are being improved in line with the Report "Cancer Services – Investing for the Future" and additional resources are being provided to support this. Full implementation of the Report is expected to increase the survival rates for people with cancer by around 10%.

Táimid ag dul i ngleic le hailse ar thrí dhóigh, ag cosc, ag scagadh agus ag feabhsú seirbhísí cóireála. Tá straitéis mheileanóma, chaitheamh tobac agus straitéis alcóil i bhfeidhm againn le comhairle a thabhairt do dhaoine ar na baoil ó ag róchur leis an ghrian, ag caitheamh tobac, agus ó ag ól barraíocht alcóil faoi seach chomh maith le straitéis bhia agus chothaithe ag tabhairt comhairle ar thábhacht aiste bia fholláin. Tá cláir scagtha ar fheabhas i bhfeidhm againn leis an bhaol ó ailse cheirbheacsach a laghdú agus le hailse chíche a fháil amach. Ina theannta sin, tá seirbhísí ailse á bhfeabhsú de réir na Tuairisce "Seirbhísí Ailse – Ag Infheistiú don Todhchaí" agus tá acmhainní breise á soláthar le tacú léi seo. Táthar ag súil go méadóidh cur i bhfeidhm iomlán na Tuairisce na rátaí marthanais do dhaoine le hailse thart faoi 10%.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of the recruitment and retention of consultants.

(AQW 2422/00)

Ms de Brún: In general, there are no major problems over the recruitment and retention of consultants here. I am aware of difficulties in recruitment of consultants in some specialties and at some sites locally. I am also aware that there are some difficulties in retaining consultants at specific sites. My Department regularly reassesses medical manpower requirements to address these and other problems.

Níl fadhbanna móra ar bith ann maidir le hearcú agus coinneáil lianna comhairleacha anseo i gcoitinne. Tá na deacrachtaí in earcaíocht lianna comhairleacha i roinnt speisialtachtaí agus ag roinnt láithreán áitiúil ar eolas agam. Tá a fhios agam fosta go bhfuil roinnt deacrachtaí ann ag coinneáil lianna comhairleacha ag láithreáin ar leith. Athmheasann an Roinn s’agamsa líon na n-oibrithe míochaine atá de dhíth go rialta le dul i gceann na bhfadhbanna seo agus fadhbanna eile.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her plans for increasing the number of hospital beds in the South West region.

(AQW 2423/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to the answer I gave on 4 April to Question Number AQW 2412/00.

Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar Cheist AQW 2412/00 ar an 4 Aibreán.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what progress is being made in improving services to reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease.

(AQW 2424/00)

Ms de Brún: The major risk factors for coronary heart disease include smoking, raised blood pressure, high serum cholesterol levels caused by too much saturated fat in the diet and physical inactivity. Strategies on food and nutrition, physical activity, smoking and alcohol have been developed and are being implemented.

I measc na bpríomhfhachtóirí baoil do ghalar croí corónach tá ag caitheamh tobac, brú fola ard, leibhéil cholaistéaróil shéirim airde ar iad saill sháithithe ró-ard san aiste bia, agus neamhghníomhaíocht fhisiciúil is cúis leo. Forbraíodh straitéisí ar bhia, chothú, ghníomhaíocht fhisiciúil, chaitheamh tobac agus ar alcól agus táthar á gcur i bhfeidhm.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people, by Trust Board area, who have suffered mental breakdowns in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

(AQW 2427/00)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl an t-eolas a iarradh ar fáil.

Mr Douglas asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of the progress in establishing the new cardiac angiography service at Altnagelvin Hospital and when she expects this service to be operational.

(AQW 2428/00)

Ms de Brún: The cardiac angiogram service planned for Altnagelvin Area Hospital should become operational by Autumn this year. Although there was a slight delay in commissioning the necessary equipment, significant progress has now been made in establishing this new service; the equipment has been selected, staff training arrangements are currently under way and suitable accommodation has been identified within the hospital. This development will provide a combined facility, offering both coronary angiography investigations undertaken by Consultant Cardiologists and peripheral angiography services undertaken by Consultant Radiologists. This will improve the angiography services for people in the Western Board area and have a positive effect on waiting times at the Royal Group of Hospitals, where service users from the North-West are currently seen.

Ba chóir don tseirbhís chairdiach angagraim pleanáilte d’Otharlann Ceantair Alt na nGealbhan bheith i bhfeidhm faoin Fhómhar seo. Cé go raibh moill bheag i gcoimisiúnú an trealaimh riachtanaigh, tá dul chun cinn tábhachtach déanta anois i mbunú na seirbhíse nua seo; roghnaíodh an trealamh, tá socruithe oiliúna don fhoireann ag dul ar aghaidh faoi láthair agus aithníodh cóiríocht fhóirsteanach istigh san otharlann. Soláthróidh an fhorbairt seo comháis a chuirfidh idir fhiosruithe corónacha angai-eolaíochta déanta ag cairdeolaithe comhairleacha agus sheirbhísí forimeallacha angai-eolaíochta déanta ag Raideolaithe Comhairleacha ar fáil. Feabhseoidh sí seo na seirbhísí angai-eolaíochta do dhaoine i limistéar Bhord an Iarthair agus beidh éifeacht dhearfach aici ar amanna feithimh ag Otharlanna an Ghrúpa Ríoga, áit a dtéann úsáideoirí seirbhísí ón Iarthuaisceart faoi láthair.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her bids to the Children’s Fund in the current financial year.

(AQW 2434/00)

Ms de Brún: My Department has lodged seven bids, amounting to £14.6 million, for allocations from the first tranche of the Children’s Fund money. The bids are as follows:

Rinne an Roinn s’agamsa seacht dtairiscintí a chosnaigh £14.6 milliún san iomlán ar dháiltí ón chéad chuid d’airgead an Chiste Pháistí. Seo a leanas na tairiscintí:

Mrs Courtney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make Nicotine Replacement Therapy available on prescription.

(AQW 2441/00)

Ms de Brún: Following consultation carried out by my Department in December 2000 and January 2001, I propose to make all nicotine replacement therapies available on health service prescription from GPs. Subject to the legislative will of the Assembly, Regulations to allow this change should come into effect in April 2001.

I enclose, for the Member’s attention, a copy of a press release I issued announcing this initiative on 27 March 2001.

I ndiaidh an chomhairlithe déanta ag an Roinn s’agamsa i Mí na Nollag 2000 agus i Mí Eanáir 2001, tá sé ar intinn agam teiripí malartú nicitín a chur ar fáil ar ordú seirbhíse sláinte ó ghnáthdhochtúirí. Faoi réir toil reachtúil an Tionóil, cuirfidh na rialacha an t-athrú seo i bhfeidhm in Aibreán 2001.

Cuirim isteach cóip den phreasráiteas a d’eisigh mé ag fógairt an tionscnaimh ar an 27 Márta, le haghaidh an Bhaill.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps she is taking to tackle the doubling of the Accident and Emergency waiting list since 1999 in the Southern Health and Social Services Board and to make a statement.

(AQW 2443/00)

Ms de Brún: The 24 people waiting for treatment in A&E in the Southern Board at the end of September 2000 represented the number of patients who previously attended an A&E Department, but were asked to return at a later date to undergo a minor procedure. The waiting time for such patients is very short, with most being seen within two weeks. The September 2000 figures represented a short-term increase and the numbers waiting quickly fell back to previous levels. As at the end of February 2001 there were less than ten people on this list. I do not consider that any specific action is required.

Ba iad na 24 duine a bhí ag fanacht ar chóireáil i dT&É i mBord an Deiscirt ag deireadh Mhí Mheán Fómhair 2000 an líon othar a d’fhreastail ar Roinn T&É roimhe sin, ach iarradh orthu le teacht ar ais ar dháta níos moille le mionchóireáil a bheith acu. Bíonn an t-am feithimh do a leithéid d’othair seo iontach gairid, agus téann formhór díobh chuig an dochtúir taobh istigh de choicís. Léirigh figiúirí Mhí Mheán Fómhair 2000 méadú gearrthéarmach ach thit na líonta go gasta ar ais go dtí na leibhéil a bhí ann roimh ré. Ag deireadh Mhí Feabhra 2001 bhí níos lú ná deichniúr daoine ar an liosta seo. Ní shílim go bhfuil gníomh ar leith de dhíth.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether there are difficulties retaining qualified staff at the Erne Hospital and to make a statement.

(AQW 2444/00)

Ms de Brún: I understand that Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust and the Erne Hospital have experienced no difficulties to date in retaining nurses or doctors. There have, however, been some difficulties in attracting medical staff in particular specialties and these difficulties have been compounded in some cases by the lack of availability of suitable personnel in these specialties here.

Tuigim nach raibh deacrachtaí ar bith ag Iontaobhas SSS Shliabh Speirín go dtí seo ag coinneáil banaltraí nó dochtúirí. Bhí roinnt deacrachtaí aige áfach foireann mhíochaine a earcú i roinnt speisialtachtaí ar leith agus cuireadh leis na deacrachtaí seo i roinnt cásanna mar gheall ar an easpa foirne fóirsteanaí ar fáil sna speisialtachtaí seo anseo.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what scanning services are available for haemorrhage patients in the Gynaecology Department at the Erne Hospital and to make a statement.

(AQW 2445/00)

Ms de Brún: Scanning services for haemorrhaging patients in the Gynaecological Department at the Erne hospital are currently available Monday – Friday and are provided by the Radiology Service, at the Erne hospital.

I am informed that the Trust is currently exploring the opportunity to increase the availability of the Service by purchasing a small scanner and arranging appropriate training for medical staff.

Tá seirbhísí scanta d’othair ag rith fola ar fáil faoi láthair Dé Luain- Dé hAoine sa Roinn Liachta Ban ag Otharlann na hÉirne agus soláthraítear ag an tSeirbhís Raideolaíochta ag Otharlann na hÉirne iad.

Cuireadh in iúl dom go bhfuil an tIontaobhas ag scrúdú na deise faoi láthair chun infhaighteacht na Seirbhíse a mhéadú tríd ag ceannach scanóra bhig agus ag socrú oiliúna fóirsteanaí don fhoireann leighis.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the current status of microbiology services in the Erne Hospital.

(AQW 2446/00)

Ms de Brún: I am informed that the Sperrin Lakeland Trust, in conjunction with Altnagelvin Trust, commissioned a review of all Laboratory Services and a number of recommendations were made regarding Microbiology Services. The recommendations included; the appointment of an additional consultant Microbiologist, computerisation of the Microbiology Service and that the Service should be delivered from the new Laboratory at Tyrone County Hospital so that accreditation of the Service could be obtained.

In conjunction with Altnagelvin Hospital, a second consultant Microbiologist is currently being recruited. An enhanced Microbiology Service including increased Consultant input will be available at the Erne Hospital but the tests will be conducted at Tyrone County Hospital.

Cuireadh in iúl dom gur choimisiúnaigh Iontaobhas Shliabh Speirín, i gcomhar le hIontaobhas Alt na nGealbhan, athbhreithniú na Seirbhísí Saotharlainne uile agus moladh roinnt moltaí maidir le Seirbhísí Micri-bhitheolaíochta. I measc na moltaí bhí ceapadh lia chomhairligh Mhicri-bhitheolaíochta bhreise, ríomhairiú na Seirbhíse Micri-bhitheolaíochta agus moladh gur chóir an tSeirbhís a chur ar fáil ón tSaotharlann nua ag Otharlann Chontae Thír Eoghain sa dóigh gurbh fhéidir creidiúnú a fháil don tSeirbhís.

I gcomhar le hOtharlann Alt na nGealbhan, tá an dara lia comhairleach Micri-bhitheolaíochta á (h)earcú faoi láthair. Beidh Seirbhís Mhicri-bhitheolaíocht méadaithe agus ionchur Lia Chomhairligh méadaithe ar fáil ag Otharlann na hÉirne ach déanfar na scrúduithe ag Otharlann Chontae Thír Eoghain.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to list all services available to the public at the Erne Hospital in (a) 1995 (b) 1997 (c) 1999 and (d) 2001 to date.

(AQW 2447/00)

Ms de Brún: Details of all services available to the public at the Erne Hospital in 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001 to date are set out in the table below.

Leagtar sonraí na seirbhísí uile ar fáil don phobal ag Otharlann na hÉirne i 1995, 1997, 1999 agus i 2001 go dtí seo amach sa tábla thíos.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail measures she has taken to promote improved health care for the elderly consistent with her "care in the community" policy.

(AQW 2448/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my response to AQW 2411/00.

Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 2411/00.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to examine the handling, by the Health Service, of the medical needs of Mrs Lorrayne Irwin, a constituent of the member for West Tyrone.

(AQW 2451/00)

Ms de Brún: If the Member will write to me with full details about the person concerned, I shall ensure that the case is fully examined.

Má scríobhann an Teachta chugam le sonraí iomlána an té lena mbaineann, déanfaidh mé deimhin go ndéanfar mioniniúchadh ar an chás.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her plans for reducing maximum waiting times between (a) a General Practitioners referral and hospital consultant appointment and (b) a hospital consultant appointment and operation or treatment.

(AQW 2456/00)

Ms de Brún: In Priorities For Action 2000/2001, which I issued on 8 March, I set a target of reducing by 50% during the next year the number of those waiting more than 18 months, and the complete elimination of such long waits by March 2003. I also set a target for overall waiting lists to be reduced to 48,000 by March 2002, as a first step towards bringing the numbers down to 39,000 by March 2004. This reduction will have a direct impact on the length of time that people wait for treatment.

In Tosaíochtaí Chun Gnímh 2000/2001, a d’eisigh mé ar an 8 Márta, leag mé sprioc síos le líon na ndaoine siúd ag fanacht níos mó ná 18 mí a laghdú faoi 50% le linn na bliana seo chugainn agus le deireadh iomlán a chur lena leithéid d’fheitheamh fada seo faoi Mhárta 2003. Leag mé sprioc eile síos fosta le liostaí feithimh san iomlán a laghdú go 48,000 faoi Mhárta 2002, mar an chéad chéim chuig laghdú na líonta go 39,000 faoi Mhárta 2004. Beidh éifeacht dhíreach aige seo ar an mhéid ama a fhanfaidh daoine ar chóireáil.

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