Friday 27 April 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr Maskey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (a) the budget in (i) sterling and (ii) euro’s allocated to Local Economic Development Initiatives in the objective 1 transitional programme and (b) the priority and measures under which funding allocations are considered.

(AQW 2529/00)

(a) The financial allocation for Local Economic Development under the Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity (formerly known as the Transitional Objective 1 Programme) is 40 million euros (c £25.8m) excluding matching funding.

(b) This funding will be allocated under Priority 1 (Sub-Priority 1(a)) Measure 1.4.

Mr B Hutchinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to confirm that allocations from Executive Programme Funds are equality proofed to avoid discrimination against marginalised groups.

(AQW 2534/00)

Mr Durkan: The Executive Programme Fund allocations which were announced earlier this month were carefully scrutinised to ensure that they were consistent with statutory equality obligations and the principles of New Targeting Social Need.

Ms Hannaasked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to give an update on the review of accommodation.

(AQO 1280/00)

Mr Durkan: Tenders for the accommodation review assignment have been invited from suitably qualified firms and I expect consultants to be appointed by the end of April. In the matter of timing, and as I explained in the answer I provided on 12 February, I anticipate it will be October, possibly November, before final recommendations regarding accommodation and associated dispersal implications can be brought to the Assembly.

Mr A Doherty asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail what progress has been made on the needs and effectiveness reviews.

(AQO 1278/00)

Mr Durkan: The Executive has agreed terms of reference for five reviews of expenditure covering the areas of health, education, training, housing, and industrial development. These reviews are in their initial stages and my officials are working in conjunction with colleagues in the Economic Policy Unit and the relevant departments to take the exercise forward.

Mr Attwood asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline what arrangements have been made for the processing of the 2001 Census and when the first results will become available.

(AQW 2738/00)

Mr Durkan: The 2001 Census will use state of the art information capture system to process come 700,000 forms. The processing of Census forms for the whole of the UK has been outsourced using competitive procurement procedures to Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin performed a similar service for the US Census last year and have chosen a site in Widnes in the North West of England to undertake the work. The joint procurement with Scotland and England and Wales will keep NI Processing costs to a minimum releasing resources for alternative uses in the NI programme. The processing operation will also involve the necessary data editing, coding and tabulation. A priority will be the production of information on age and sex for all geographical levels of output by early Autumn 2002 such that the data can inform public expenditure allocations.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the nature and use of econometric models, such as the regional capitation formula, within her Department.

(AQW 2496/00)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): The main area where the Department has to date made use of econometric models has been in the development of deprivation - related needs indicators for use in a number of its resource allocation formulae. These include not only the regional capitation formula but also those formulae used to allocate GP Prescribing and GP Fundholding (Acute Services) resources to Health and Social Services Boards. In this context, econometric models are used to determine those factors, over and above age and gender, which best predict an area’s need for resources.

I bhforbairt táscairí riachtanas bainteach le hanás le húsáid i gcuid dá foirmlí dháileadh acmhainní ab ea an príomhréimse inar bhain an Roinn úsáid as creatlacha eacnaméadracha go dtí seo. Ní chuireann siad seo an fhoirmle réigiúnach cheannsraithe amháin san áireamh ach na foirmlí sin a úsáidtear le hacmhainní ciste- shealbhaíochta (géarsheirbhísí) agus ordaithe gnáthdhochtúra a dháileadh ar bhoird sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta. Sa chomhthéacs seo, úsáidtear creatlacha eacnaméadracha leis na fachtóirí sin, le cois aoise agus inscne, a mheasann níos fearr riachtanais cheantair d’acmhainní a shocrú.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm (a) if notices of withdrawal of recognition have been sent to general practitioner fundholders (b) if these notices will be sent by 1 April 2001 and (c) if extra money will be given to general practitioner fundholders to reduce their overspends.

(AQW 2507/00)

Ms de Brún: No notices of withdrawal of recognition have been sent to any fundholding practices.

I have made additional resources available which will permit health and social services boards to address the accumulated deficits incurred by GP fundholders in 2000-01. This means that fundholders’ budgets in 2001-02 will not be reduced to cover prior year overspends.

Níor cuireadh fógraí ag tarraing siar aitheantais chuig clinicí ciste-shealbhaíochta ar bith.

Chuir mé acmhainní breise ar fáil a chuirfidh ar chumas bhoird sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta le dul i gceann easnamh carnach tarraingthe ar ciste-shealbhóirí gnáthdhochtúra i 2000-01. Ciallaíonn sé seo nach ndéanfar laghdú i mbuiséid ciste-shealbhóirí i 2001-01 le caiteachais iomarcacha ó anuraidh a chumhdach.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in relation to her ‘Priorities for Action 2001-02’ document to detail (a) to whom it was sent (b) who was involved in its drafting and (c) who was consulted regarding its content.

(AQW 2508/00)

(a) ‘Priorities for Action 2001-02’ contains planning guidelines for the health and personal social services. As such, it has been issued for action to all HPSS bodies and general medical practitioners, including GP fundholders. In the interests of openness and transparency, copies have also been sent to public representatives, trades unions, professional bodies and a wide range of voluntary and community groups.

(b) ‘Priorities for Action’ was compiled by senior officials and professional advisers in my Department. As the Member will be aware, a draft was put before the HSSPS Committee in tandem with the public service agreement and budget allocations.

(c) ‘Priorities for Action’ sets the agenda for the health and personal social services to deliver on the Executive’s Programme for Government, in particular ‘Working for a Healthier People’. It was, therefore, drawn up in the context of the Programme for Government, itself the subject of extensive consultation, and the budget allocations for 2001-02, which were agreed by the Assembly.

(a) In ‘Tosaíochtaí do Ghníomhaíocht’ 2001-02 tá treoirlínte pleanála do na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta pearsanta. Mar sin de, cuireadh amach do ghníomhú chuig na forais SSSP uile agus chuig gnáthdhochtúirí í, gnáthdhochtúirí ciste-shealbhaíochta san áireamh. Ar mhaithe le hoscailteacht agus le soiléireacht, cuireadh cóipeanna di chuig ionadaithe poiblí, ceardchumainn, forais ghairmiúla agus chuig réimse leathan grúpaí deonacha agus pobail.

(b) Oifigigh shinsearacha agus comhairleoirí gairmiúla i mo Roinn a chuir ‘Tosaíochtaí do Ghníomhaíocht’ le chéile. Mar is eol don Bhall, cuireadh dréacht di faoi bhráid an Choiste SSSSP mar aon le dáiltí buiséid agus an comhaontú seirbhíse poiblí.

(c) Leagann ‘Tosaíochtaí do Ghníomhaíocht’ an clár oibre síos do na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta pearsanta le Clár Rialtais an Fheidhmeannais a chur i bhfeidhm, go háirithe ‘Ag Obair Do Phobal Níos Sláintiúla’. Mar sin de, dréachtaíodh i gcomhthéacs an Chláir Rialtais í, é féin ábhar an chomhairlithe fhorleathain chomh maith leis na dáiltí buiséid do 2001-02 a comhaontaíodh ag an Tionól.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 2206/00, to detail in what format figures on morbidity in Northern Ireland can be obtained.

(AQW 2509/00)

Ms de Brún: There are no standard measures of morbidity, but death rates are often used as an indicator of ill health and some information is available from disease registries and population surveys.

Níl tomhais chaighdeánaithe ghalrachta ar bith ann ach is minic a úsáidtear rátaí báis mar tháscaire easláinte agus tá roinnt eolais ar fáil ó chláir ghalar agus ó shuirbhéanna daonra.

Mr J Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what progress has been made by the implementation body, Food Safety Promotion Board, set up under the North/South Ministerial Council.

(AQW 2516/00)

Ms de Brún: The Food Safety Promotion Board has been active for over 12 months, although it was not formally launched until November last year. Since its inception, it has promoted a TV advertising campaign to enhance awareness of food safety and preventative measures against foodborne diseases; set up its own helpline and funded research into food safety. Steps have been taken to set up a website and an interim scientific advisory committee has been established. Seven staff, out of a planned 20, are in post and the leasing of its permanent headquarters in Cork is being finalised.

Bhí an Ghníomhaireacht um Chur Chun Cinn Sábháilteachta Bia gníomhach le breis agus 12 mí anuas, cé nár seoladh go foirmiúil í go dtí an tSamhain anuraidh. Óna bunú chuir sí feachtas fógraíochta teilifíse chun cinn le heolas ar shábháilteacht bia agus ar bhearta coisctheacha in éadan galar a thagann ó bhia a mhéadú; chuir sí a líne chabhrach féin ar bun, agus mhaoinigh sí taighde ar shábháilteacht bia. Rinneadh bearta le líonláithreán a chruthú agus bunaíodh coiste comhairleach eatramhach eolaíochta. Tá post ag seachtar as an fhiche duine pleanáilte le bheith ar an fhoireann agus tá an dlaoi mhullaigh á cur ar léasú a ceannárais bhuain i gCorcaigh.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of the benefits in the provision of digital hearing aids and to make a statement.

(AQW 2520/00)

Ms de Brún: The provision of digital hearing aids by the Health Service is being trialed in 20 hospital audiology departments in England. An interim report on this new service is due in October. I expect this report will provide me with a firm basis on which to make decisions as to the introduction of a similar service here. Meanwhile, I have discussed the benefits of digital hearing aids with representatives of the deaf community here.

Tá triail á baint as áiseanna éisteachta digiteacha soláthraithe ag an tSeirbhís Náisiúnta Sláinte i 20 roinn closeolaíochta otharlainne i Sasana. Cuirfear tuairisc eatramhach ar an tseirbhís nua seo amach i nDeireadh Fómhair. Tá mé ag súil gur céillí an bunús í seo le cinneadh a dhéanamh ar thabhairt isteach seirbhíse mar an gcéanna anseo. Idir an dá linn, phléigh mé tairbhí áiseanna digiteacha éisteachta le hionadaithe an phobail bhodhair anseo.

Mr Tierney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of in-patients in acute hospitals with brain injuries and related disorders waiting to be referred to Spruce House, in Derry City Council area, for rehabilitation and specialist care.

(AQW 2523/00)

Ms de Brún: This information is not available.

Níl an t-eolas seo ar fáil.

Mr Tierneyasked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what therapeutic physical, speech and language services are available for inpatients with brain injuries in the north west region.

(AQW 2524/00)

Ms de Brún: In patients with brain injuries receive speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy in accordance with their medically assessed need. The necessary therapy is provided by hospital staff.

Faigheann othair chónaitheacha le gortuithe inchinne teiripe labhartha agus teanga, teiripe saothair agus fisiteiripe de réir a riachtanais mhíochaine mheasúnaithe. Soláthraíonn an fhoireann otharlainne an teiripe atá riachtanach.

Mr Tierney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average waiting time for in-patients in acute hospitals with brain injuries and related disorders waiting to be transferred to Spruce House, in Derry City Council area, for rehabilitation and specialist care.

(AQW 2525/00)

Ms de Brún: This information is not available.

Níl an t-eolas seo ar fáil.

Mr Tierney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what developments have taken place in the north west region since the publication of the 1998-99 report into brain injured rehabilitation inpatient services in Northern Ireland by Dr Paul Darragh.

(AQW 2526/00)

Ms de Brún: Since the publication of Dr Darragh’s report, the Western Health and Social Services Board has developed ‘A Strategy for Meeting the Needs of Adults with Brain Injury’. The board has committed five beds in Spruce House to the assessment, rehabilitation, and respite medical care for people with brain injury.

Community services are being developed through the provision of a community rehabilitation team. A neuropsychologist and a social worker have already been appointed. Funding has also been made available to facilitate the development of community rehabilitation services in Foyle and Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trusts.

The board is liaising with voluntary and independent providers to further develop additional specialist residential care for people with brain injuries.

Ó fhoilsiú tuairisc an Dr. Darragh, d’fhorbair Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Iarthair ‘Straitéis le Riar ar Riachtanais Daoine Fásta le Gortú Inchinne’ Chuir an bord cúig leaba i Spruce House ar fáil do mheasúnú, d’athshlánú agus do chúram faoisimh mhíochaine do dhaoine le gortú inchinne.

Tá seirbhísí pobail á bhforbairt trí chur le chéile foirne athshlánú pobail. Ceapadh néarsíceolaí agus oibrí sóisialta cheana féin. Cuireadh maoiniú ar fáil le cuidiú le forbairt sheirbhísí athshlánaithe pobail in Iontaobhais SSS An Fheabhail agus Speirín Tír nalochanna.

Tá an bord ag comhoibriú le soláthraithe deonacha agus neamhspleácha le sainchúram cónaithe breise do dhaoine le gortuithe inchinne a fhorbairt a thuilleadh.

Mr Molloy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what action can be taken to increase the availability of Coagucheck system machines to enable self-testing/monitoring of blood.

(AQW 2528/00)

Ms de Brún: Anti-coagulant monitoring is usually provided by the outpatient department of acute hospitals or by general practitioners. In recent years near-patient testing has been made possible by the introduction of Coagucheck system machines and other similar devices. This is beneficial to a proportion of patients who require monitoring. Currently, the test strips are not available on prescription and my Department is considering the possibility of the test strips being admitted to the drug tariff.

Ranna isothar géarotharlann nó gnáthdhochtúirí a dhéanann monatóireacht fhrith-théachtach de ghnáth. Sna blianta déanacha, féadadh scrúdú a dhéanamh ar othair chóngaracha nuair a tugadh meaisíní córas seiceála téachta agus gléasanna eile cosúil leo isteach. Tá siad seo tairbheach do roinnt othar ar gá monatóireacht a dhéanamh orthu. Faoi láthair, níl na stiallacha scrúdaithe ar fáil ar ordú agus tá mo Roinn ag déanamh machnaimh ar an fhéidearacht go gcuirfí na stiallacha scrúdaithe ar fáil ar tharaif dhrugaí.

Mr B Hutchinsonasked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her meetings with the Minister for Social Development and/or his officials and the Minister of State and/or officials in the Northern Ireland Office in relation to the drug strategy for Northern Ireland and to make a statement.

(AQW 2533/00)

Ms de Brún: In February 2000, the Executive Committee determined that responsibility for driving forward the drug strategy and co-ordinating action to tackle drug-related issues should rest with the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

As a result of this decision, the ministerial group on drugs was established. I chair this group, which provides for membership by the Ministers for Social Development, Education and Further and Higher Education, Training and Employment. The NIO Minister Adam Ingram also agreed to attend the ministerial group meetings on a regular basis.

This group has met on three occasions: October 2000, January 2001 and April 2001. Adam Ingram, Minister of State, has attended these meetings, along with Mr McGuinness. Dr. Farren has attended two meetings.

The Minister for Social Development, and his predecessor, have refused to participate in the group.

I wrote to the Minister for Social Development on 29 March and reiterated my invitation to him to participate in the ministerial group meetings. He has once again declined to participate in the group and has expressed his opinion that the arrangements devised by the Executive are seriously flawed and represent an inadequate mechanism to tackle the problems.

Officials from the relevant Departments, including DSD and NIO, participate on the central co-ordinating group for action against drugs, chaired by the permanent secretary of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

I Mí Feabhra 2000, chinn an Coiste Feidhmiúcháin go mbeadh an Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí freagrach as cur chun cinn na straitéise drugaí agus as comhordú birt le dul ngleic le ceisteanna bainteach le drugaí.

Mar thoradh ar an chinneadh seo, bunaíodh an grúpa aireachta ar dhrugaí. Tá mé sa chathaoir ar an ghrúpa seo, a bhfuil na hAirí Forbartha Sóisialta, Oideachais, Breis agus Ardoideachais Oiliúna agus Fostaíochta ina mbaill de. D’aontaigh an tAire OTÉ Adam Ingram go bhfreastalódh sé ar chruinnithe an ghrúpa aireachta go rialta.

Bhuail an grúpa seo le chéile trí huaire: Deireadh Fómhair 2000, Eanáir 2001 agus Aibreán 2001. D’fhreastail Adam Ingram, An tAire Stáit, ar na cruinnithe seo, mar aon leis an Uasal Mac Aonghusa. D’fhreastail an Dr. Ó Fearáin ar dhá chruinniú.

Dhiúltaigh an tAire Forbartha Sóisialta reatha agus a réamhtheachtaí rannpháirt a ghlacadh sa ghrúpa.

Scríobh mé chuig an Aire Forbartha Sóisialta ar an 29 Márta agus d’atug mé cuireadh dó rannpháirt a ghlacadh i gcruinnithe an ghrúpa aireachta. Arís, dhiúltaigh sé rannpháirt a ghlacadh sa ghrúpa agus chuir sé a thuairim in iúl go raibh lochtanna troma ar na socruithe déanta ag an Fheidhmeannas agus go léiríonn siad go bhfuil an mheicníocht easnamhach le tabhairt faoi na fadhbanna.

Glacann oifigigh ó na Ranna cuí, an RFS agus OTÉ san áireamh, páirt sa ghrúpa comhordaithe lárnach um beartú in éadan drugaí, a bhfuil rúnaí buan na Roinne Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí sa chathaoir air.

Mr Fordasked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail which amber-rated prescription drugs are prescribed by general practitioners in the Eastern Health Social Services Board Area.

(AQW 2536/00)

Ms de Brún: The Eastern Health and Social Services Board does not operate a system of amber-rated prescription drugs for prescribing by general practitioners in its area. However, my Department has recently consulted widely on proposals developed by the regional group on the prescribing of specialist drugs for the development of red and amber lists relating to the prescribing responsibility for certain medicines. The proposals seek to ensure consistency of approach and high-quality patient care throughout the four health boards. The comments received are being considered and I will decide on the way forward shortly.

Níl córas drugaí ómra measta ar ordú i bhfeidhm ag Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir ina limistéar féin do ghnáthdhochtúirí le hordú. Ar na mallaibh áfach, chuaigh mo Roinn i gcomhairle fhorleathan ar mholtaí forbartha ag an ghrúpa réigiúnach ar ordú drugaí speisialtachta d’fhorbairt liostaí dearga agus ómra ag baint leis an fhreagracht ordaithe do chógais ar leith. Tá na moltaí ag iarraidh cur chuige atá de réir a chéile agus cúram ardcháilíochta othar a chinntiú ar fud na gceithre bhord sláinte. Tá machnamh á dhéanamh ar na moltaí a fuarthas faoi láthair agus déanfaidh mé cinneadh ar an bhealach chun tosaigh ar ball.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people suffering from (a) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (b) haemophilia (c) hepatitis C and to outline her policy on compensation payments for those suffering from hepatitis C following a court ruling in England and Wales, on 26 March 2001, awarding compensation to those infected by hepatitis-contaminated blood.

(AQW 2537/00)

(a) The information is not available in the format requested. However, the cumulative total of people who have tested HIV positive here, since testing began in 1985, now stands at 207. This total relates to those first diagnosed here and does not include people initially diagnosed elsewhere who may now be resident here.

(b) Two hundred and fifty-three haemophilia patients are registered at the haemoplilia centre based at the Royal Group of Hospitals. A small number of other patients, not registered at the centre, attend Altnagelvin Hospital.

(c) The information is not available in the format requested. However the cumulative number of hepatitis C laboratory reports recorded here each year since 1994 (none are recorded before that) now stands at 255.

With regard to the issue of compensation and the recent court ruling on 26 March against the National Blood Authority, the High Court judgement is long and complex and it would be inappropriate to offer any comment on the matter of compensation until there has been an opportunity to assess it carefully.

(a) Níl an t-eolas ar fáil san fhoirm a iarradh. Is é 207 líon iomlán carnach na ndaoine anois fáthmheasta mar VED-dhearfach anseo ó thosaigh scrúduithe i 1985. Baineann an t-iomlán seo leo siúd a céadfháthmheasadh anseo agus ní chuireann sé daoine a céadfháthmheasadh in áiteanna eile agus a chónaíonn anseo anois san áireamh.

(b) Tá 253 othar haemaifilia cláraithe ag an ionad haemaifilia in Otharlanna an Ghrúpa Ríoga. Freastalaíonn roinnt bheag othar nach bhfuil cláraithe ag an ionad ar Otharlann Alt na nGealbhan.

(c) Níl an t-eolas ar fáil san fhoirm a iarradh. Is é 255 anois líon carnach na dtuairiscí saotharlainne ar heipitíteas C cláraithe anseo gach bliain ó 1994 áfach. (Níl tuairisc ar bith cláraithe roimhe sin).

Maidir le ceist an chúitimh agus an rialú cúirte is déanaí ar an 26 Márta in éadan an Údaráis Náisiúnta Fola, tá breithiúnas na hArd-Chúirte fada agus casta agus bheadh sé mícheart agam tuairim a thabhairt ar cheist an chúitimh go dtí go raibh deis agam é a mheas go cúramach.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, by board area, (a) the number of people diagnosed as having diabetes (b) the resources allocated to diabetes services and (c) innovations introduced to diabetes services in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

(AQW 2548/00)

(a) It is not possible to detail the number of people diagnosed as having diabetes here as there is no central register of diabetes sufferers. However, data from the Survey of Health and Social Wellbeing, carried out in 1997 show that the proportion of people aged 16 and over in each board area who had been told by a doctor that they were suffering from diabetes were as follows:

(b) The information is not available in the form requested. The Department does not allocate funds by medical specialty.

(c) It is difficult to document all innovations introduced in each board area in each of the last 10 years. However, the main innovations over that period include:-

(a) Ní féidir mionchuntas a thabhairt ar líon na ndaoine a fáthmheasadh le diaibéiteas anseo mar nach bhfuil clár láir ar bith d’fhulangaithe diaibéitis ann. Léiríonn na sonraí seo a leanas ón Suirbhé Sláinte agus Leasa Shóisialaigh a rinneadh i 1997 coibhneas na ndaoine 16 bliain d’aois agus níos mó i ngach ceantar boird a ndúirt a ndochtúir leo go raibh siad ag fulaingt ó dhiaibéiteas:

(b) Níl an t-eolas ar fáil san fhoirm a iarradh. Ní dháileann an Roinn maoinithe de réir speisialtachta míochaine.

(c) Tá sé deacair gach athrú déanta i ngach ceantar boird i ngach bliain de na 10 bliain deireanacha a dhoiciméadú. I measc na bpríomhathruithe a rinneadh le linn na tréimhse sin bhí:-

Mrs Courtney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of cases on waiting lists for more than 12 months in Western Health and Social Services Board.

(AQW 2549/00)

Ms de Brún: At 31 December 2000 (the latest date for which information is available), 314 people (5% of the total waiting) had been waiting for 12 months or more for inpatient admission to Western Board hospitals. At the same time, 1,422 people (8% of the total waiting) had been waiting for 12 months or more for their first outpatient appointment at Western Board hospitals.

Ag an 31 Nollaig 2000 (an dáta is déanaí dá ha fuil eolas ar fáil) bhí 314 duine (5% den líon iomlán ag fanacht) ag fanacht ar feadh 12 mí nó níos mó le dul isteach in otharlanna Bhord an Iarthair mar othair chónaitheacha. Ag an am céanna, bhí 1,422 duine (8% den líon iomlán ag fanacht) ag fanacht ar feadh 12 mí nó níos mó dá gcéad choinne éisothair ag otharlanna Bhord an Iarthair.

Mr Wells asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of new ambulance vehicles brought into service in the Downpatrick Ambulance Unit from October 1999 to date.

(AQW 2576/00)

Ms de Brún: One new accident and emergency ambulance vehicle was brought into service in the Downpatrick area from October 1999.

Chuaigh otharcharr timpistí agus éigeandálaí nua amháin i seirbhís i gceantar Dhún Pádraig ó Dheireadh Fómhair 1999.

Mr Tierney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail those community trusts that have a 24-hour paediatric community nurse service.

(AQW 2599/00)

Ms de Brún: None of the local trusts provides a 24-hour paediatric community nurse service.

Six local trusts, Foyle, Sperrin Lakeland, Armagh & Dungannon, North & West Belfast, Ulster Community & Hospitals, South & East Belfast, provide a paediatric community nurse service from Monday to Friday from 9 am until 5 pm. In addition, Causeway Trust provides a community paediatric nurse service seven days a week from 9am until 5 pm.

Ní chuireann iontaobhais áitiúla ar bith seirbhís phéidiatraiceach altra pobail 24 uair ar fáil.

Cuireann sé iontaobhas áitiúla, An Feabhal, Sliabh Speirín, Ard Mhacha agus Dún Geanainn, Béal Feirste Thuaidh agus Thiar, Pobal agus Otharlanna Uladh, Béal Feirste Theas agus Thoir, seirbhís phéidiatraiceach altra pobail ar fáil ón Luain go hAoine ó 9r.n. go dtí 5i.n.. Ina theannta sin, cuireann Iontaobhas An Chlocháin seirbhís phéidiatraiceach altra pobail ar fáil seacht lá sa tseachtain ó 9r.n. go dtí 5i.n.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what steps she is taking to address the accumulated deficit problem at the Royal Group of Hospitals.

(AQW 2621/00)

Ms de Brún: The forecast accumulated operational deficit at the Royal Group of Hospitals as at 31 March 2001 amounted to some £18m. Some £10·5m of this was financed via a short-term loan issued by the former Department of Health and Social Services in 1998-99 and 1999-2000.

At the end of March, an allocation of £10·5m was made to the trust specifically to repay the loan to the Department. This has now been effected.

In addition, a further £7·7m has been made available to the trust to eradicate the remaining operational deficit. This was largely financed by a share of the £18m special allocation approved by the Executive for trust deficits.

As a result of these transactions, the accumulated operational deficit at the Royal Group of Hospitals has now been discharged.

£18m san iomlán ab ea an t-easnamh feidhmiúil carnach measta ag Otharlanna an Ghrúpa Ríoga ag an 31 Márta 2001. Maoiníodh £10·5m de seo trí iasacht ghearrthéarmach a thug an Iar-Roinn Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta i 1998-99 agus i 1999-2000.

Ag deireadh Mhí an Mhárta, dáileadh £10·5m ar an iontaobhas leis an iasacht a fuair sé a aisíoc don Roinn. Tá seo déanta anois.

Ina theannta sin, cuireadh £7·7m breise ar fáil don iontaobhas leis an chuid eile den easnamh feidhmiúil a ghlanadh. Maoiníodh é seo den chuid is mó trí sciar den dáileadh speisialta £18m ceadaithe ag an Fheidhmeannas d’easnaimh iontaobhais.

Mar thoradh ar na bearta seo, glanadh anois an t-easnamh feidhmiúil carnach ag Otharlanna an Ghrúpa Ríoga.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number of complaints received under the Department’s equality scheme since its approval and (b) the subject area of each complaint.

(AQO 1275/00)

Ms de Brún: My Department has received one complaint under its equality scheme, relating to the availability of drugs for patients undergoing fertility treatment.

Fuair mo Roinn gearán amháin faoina scéim chomhanannais a bhain le hinfhaighteacht drugaí d’othair a bhí ag dul faoi chóireáil thoirchithe.

Mr Poots asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what consultation she has had with the Food Standards Agency on the recent importation of meat containing specified risk material.

(AQO 1302/00)

Ms de Brún: I have been kept informed by way of case-by-case submissions from the Food Standards Agency on all incidents involving beef imported here with specified risk material attached. In each case, the agency has informed me of the details of the affected consignments from other member states importing directly into here and of the action taken to protect public health.

Coinníodh ar an eolas mé trí aighneachtaí cás ar chás ón Ghníomhaireacht um Chaighdeáin Bia ar gach eachtra a bhaineann le mairteoil a iomportáladh anseo a bhfuil abhar sainbhaoil iniata léi. I ngach cás, thug an ghníomhaireacht eolas domh ar shonraí na gcoinsíneachtaí a bhfuil amhras ann fúthu ó bhallstáit eile a iomportáladh go díreach anseo agus ar na bearta a rinneadh le sláinte an phobail a chosaint.

Mrs Courtney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline when she hopes to be in a position to make prostate testing available in all board areas.

(AQO 1289/00)

Ms de Brún: The National Screening Committee, which advises Health Ministers, does not recommend prostate cancer screening based on the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. However, this is being kept under review. In addition, the Department of Health in London is developing a prostate cancer risk management programme that will enable those anxious about this disease to make an informed choice about whether to take the PSA test. I will consider in due course whether this should be developed here.

Ní mholann an Coiste Náisiúnta Scagtha, a thugann comhairle d’Airí Sláinte, scagadh ailse próstataí a bunaíodh ar an scrúdú antaigine próstataí (APL). Tá sé seo á choinneáil faoi athbhreithniú, áfach. Ina theannta sin, tá An Roinn Sláinte i Londain ag forbairt chlár bainistíochta baoil ón ailse phróstatach a ligfidh dóibh siúd atá buartha faoin ghalar seo rogha eolach a dhéanamh ar cé acu a ba chóir dóibh dul faoin scrúdú APL nó nár chóir. Déanfaidh mé machnamh in am is i dtráth ar chóir é a fhorbairt anseo.

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to increase, in line with inflation, the tariff paid to nursing and residential homes for the care of the elderly.

(AQO 1274/00)

Ms de Brún: It is the responsibility of health and social services boards to agree with providers the fees to be paid and rates are reviewed each year in light of prevailing circumstances and priorities. I understand that boards are seeking to agree rates for places in independent sector residential and nursing care homes above the rate of inflation.

Is é freagracht na mbord sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta teacht ar aontú leis na soláthraithe ar na táillí atá le híoc, agus athbhreithnítear na rátaí gach bliain de réir gnáth-thosca agus gnáth-thosaíochtaí. Tuigim go bhfuil boird ag iarraidh rátaí d’áiteanna i dtithe altranais agus cónaithe na hearnála neamhspleáiche a aontú thar an ráta boilscithe.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what steps she is taking to ensure that people with diabetes receive the best standard of treatment available irrespective of socio-economic background.

(AQO 1293/00)

Ms de Brún: Treatment for diabetes is available for all those who have this condition, irrespective of socio- economic background. Much work is ongoing at board level, and in HSS trusts and primary care, to promote high-quality services for those with diabetes. In addition, a local task force on diabetes has recently been convened to review guidelines on best practice and to consider the impact of developments in diabetic services elsewhere. It will provide updated clinical and service guidance to promote best standards of care for diabetic patients here.

Tá cóireáil don diaibéiteas le fáil ag gach duine a bhfuil an riocht seo acu, cuma faoina chúlra shocheacnamaíoch. Tá a lán oibre ar siúl ag leibhéal boird agus in iontaobhais SSS agus i gcúram príomhúil le seirbhísí ardcháilíochta a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd a bhfuil diaibéiteas orthu. Lena chois sin, cuireadh le chéile tascfhórsa ar dhiaibéiteas áitiúil le treoirlínte ar dhea-chleachtas a athbhreithniú agus le héifeacht forbairtí i seirbhísí diaibéitis in áiteanna eile a mheas. Soláthróidh sé treoir chliniciúil agus seirbhíse uasdátaithe leis na caighdeáin chúraim is fearr a chur ar fáil d’othair dhiaibéiteacha anseo.

Mr Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her capital expenditure plans for the next financial year.

(AQO 1266/00)

Ms de Brún: My capital budget for the financial year 2001-02 is £64·85 million. This includes £4·9 million for centrally funded projects, mainly IT, and £1 million earmarked for modernisation of the Ambulance Service.

Proceeds from sales, estimated at £2 million, will be added to the budget.

I have approved expenditure totalling £20·55 million to take forward, or complete, major hospital redevelopment projects at Altnagelvin, Causeway, Craigavon and the Royal Victoria Hospitals, and to begin work on the cancer day hospital at the Belfast City Hospital, together with essential remedial works at the Central Services Agency headquarters building in Adelaide Street, Belfast.

A total of £22 million has been distributed to health and social services trusts to enable them to undertake local capital works.

In addition, I will be considering projects for funding, in line with my ‘Priorities for Action’ published last month. These include the provision of residential children’s homes, expansion of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as part of the ‘Imaging Modernisation Programme’ I announced last December, further redevelopment of the Royal Victoria Hospital and the upgrading of the Ulster Hospital.

Is ea £64·85 mhilliún mo bhuiséad caipitil don bhliain airgeadais 2001-02. Cuimsíonn sé seo £4·9 milliún do scéimeanna lármhaoinithe, TE don chuid is mó agus £1 milliún curtha in áirithe leis an tSeirbhís Otharcharr a nuachóiriú.

Cuirfear fáltais ó dhíolacháin — meastar gur £2 mhilliún atá ann faoi láthair — leis an bhuiséad iomlán.

Cheadaigh mé caiteachas a shuimíonn £20·55 mhilliún le scéimeanna atógála tábhachtacha otharlainne a dhéanamh, nó a chríochnú ag Otharlanna Alt na nGealbhan, An Chlocháin, Craigavon agus ag Otharlann Ríoga Victoria, agus le hobair a thosú ar an otharlann lae ailse ag Otharlann Chathair Bhéal Feirste, agus ar oibreacha riachtanacha feabhais ag foirgneamh cheannáras na LárGhníomhaireachta Seirbhísí i Sráid Adelaide, Béal Feirste.

Dáileadh £22 mhilliún san iomlán ar iontaobhais sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta le cuidiú leo oibreacha áitiúla caipitil a dhéanamh.

Ina theannta sin, beidh mé ag déanamh machnaimh ar mhaoiniú roinnt scéimeanna de réir mo ‘Tosaíochtaí do Gníomhaíocht’ a foilsíodh an mhí seo caite. Orthu seo tá soláthar tithe cónaithe do pháistí, leathnú ar íomhú athshondais mhaighnéadaigh (ÍAM) mar chuid den ‘Clár Nuachóirithe Íomhaithe’ a d’fhógair mé An Nollaig seo caite, tuilleadh atógála na hOtharlainne Ríoga Victoria agus uasghrádú Otharlainne Uladh.

Mr J Kelly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what media outlets are utilised by trusts and boards to advertise job vacancies.

(AQO 1299/00)

Ms de Brún: Job vacancies are advertised mainly in the ‘Belfast Telegraph’, although local newspapers in a trust or board area are used to recruit into lower paid jobs. Consultant posts are advertised in the British Medical Journal. Professional posts that are difficult to fill and those of a specialised nature are publicised in the appropriate professional journal.

Fógraítear folúntais sa ‘Belfast Telegraph’ don chuid is mó, cé go n-úsáidtear nuachtáin áitiúla i limistéar iontaobhais nó boird le daoine a earcú i bpoist a bhfuil tuarastal níos ísle orthu. Fógraítear poist lianna comhairleacha sa British Medical Journal. Fógraítear poist ghairmiúla atá deacair a líonadh agus iad siúd de nádúir shainiúil, san irisleabhar cuí.

Mr McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her plans for the introduction of screening to identify hearing impairment in infants.

(AQO 1296/00)

Ms de Brún: We will be participating in the planned pilot programme to introduce hearing screening of newborn babies. Applications from trusts to run a pilot here are being considered and it is hoped that one will be in operation by June.

Beimid rannpháirteach sa chlár píolóta pleanáilte le scagadh éisteachta leanaí nuabhreithe a thabhairt isteach. Tá machnamh á dhéanamh ar iarratais ó iontaobhais le clár píolóta a reáchtáil anseo agus táthar ag súil go mbeidh ceann i bhfeidhm faoi Mheitheamh.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the steps she intends to take to maintain paediatric services as a result of the intended closure of Carraigfoyle Paediatric Support Unit, Belfast.

(AQO 1309/00)

Ms de Brún: The Eastern Health and Social Services Board has advised that it is in discussion with the Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust about alternatives to the paediatric services provided at Carraigfoyle. The trust will shortly be advising parents of new arrangements. South and East Belfast HSS Trust will continue to deliver a local service for children from their area through their community paediatric facilities, such as Holywood Arches Clinic. In the meantime, provision at Carraigfoyle will continue until alternative services are in place.

Chuir Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir in iúl go bhfuil sé ag plé seirbhísí eile seachas na seirbhísí péidiatraiceacha a sholáthraítear ag Carraig Feabhail le hIontaobhas SSS Phobal agus Otharlanna Uladh. Beidh an t-ontaobhas ag cur tuismitheoirí ar an eolas faoi na socruithe nua ar ball. Leanfaidh Iontaobhas SSS Bhéal Feirste Theas agus Thoir ar aghaidh seirbhís áitiúil a chur ar fáil do pháistí óna cheantar féin trína n-áiseanna péidiatraiceacha pobail, amhail Clinic Stuanna Ard Mhic Nasca. Idir an dá linn, leanfar ar aghaidh seirbhísí a chur ar fáil ag Carraig Feabhail go dtí go mbeidh na seirbhísí eile ar fáil.

Mr Neesonasked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that the pending review of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 will be conducted by an independent body.

(AQO 1295/00)

Ms de Brún: I have not yet finalised my plans for this review.

Níor chuir mé an dlaoi mhullaigh ar mo phleananna don athbhreithniú seo.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her policy in dealing with Assembly questions requiring answers in writing.

(AQO 1261/00)

Ms de Brún: My policy in answering all Assembly questions is to give the relevant information as fully and concisely as possible, taking into account factors such as the availability of the information requested and the estimated cost of providing it.

Is é an polasaí atá agam an t-eolas bainteach a thabhairt i bhfreagraí ar cheisteanna uilig de chuid an Tionóil a iomláine agus a achoimre agus is féidir, ag cur san áireamh fachtóirí amhail infhaighteacht an eolais a iarrtar agus an costas a bhaineann lena chur ar fáil.

Ms Armitage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to explain (a) why seriously ill patients are transferred from hospitals in Belfast to hospitals in the constituency of East Londonderry by minibus and not by ambulance; (b) how are these decisions made and (c) by whom.

(AQO 1263/00)

Ms de Brún: Decisions about the transfer of service users from one hospital to another are taken by hospital clinicians in the context of the service user’s condition. If the Member has concerns about a specific case I shall be happy to look into it.

Is iad na cliniceoirí ospidéil a dhéanann cinnidh faoi aistriú úsáideoirí seirbhíse ó ospidéal amháin go hospidéal eile, i gcomhthéacs riocht úsáideoir na seirbhíse. Má tá an Comhalta buartha faoi chás ar leith, ba bhreá liom an cás a scrúdú.

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