Friday 25 May 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her plans to ensure that Whiteabbey Hospital remains a vital part of hospital provision for residents in east Antrim, south Antrim and north Belfast; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2933/00)

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 an Grúpa Athbhreithnithe ar Ghéarotharlanna tuairisc ar fhorbairt amach anseo seirbhísí otharlainne. Roimh an tuairisc sin, ní bheadh sé ceart domsa trácht ar sholáthar seirbhísí géarotharlainne amach anseo i gceantar ar bith.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what plans have been put in place to allocate capital funding to each hospital in order that they can provide a Stroke Unit; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2935/00)

Ms de Brún: The commissioning of services for stroke patients is a matter for health and social services boards, which have recently come together to develop a regional approach to the provision of stroke services. My Department will consider any emerging proposals for capital developments in the normal way.

Is ceist do Bhoird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta é coimisiúnú seirbhísí d’othair stróc, a bhuail le chéile ar na mallaibh le cur chuige réigiúnach do sholáthar seirbhísí stróc a fhorbairt. Déanfaidh an Roinn s’agamsa an gnáthmhachnamh ar mholtaí ar bith d’fhorbairtí caipitil a thiocfaidh amach as.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what measures have been put in place to eradicate the current strain of cryptosporidiosis which has occurred in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board area; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2936/00)

Ms de Brún: The current strain of cryptosporidiosis, which has been identified in cases in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board area is type 1, i.e. the human form of the disease. The prevention of the entry of cryptosporidium into the treated water supply is the responsibility of the Water Service of the Department for Regional Development, and I understand that the Eastern Health and Social Services Board have established a multi agency outbreak control team to investigate the cause of the cryptosporidiosis outbreak. A probable source of contamination of the water supply, involving site drainage at the Donore Point Water Treatment Works, has been found and repairs made. The Minister for Regional Development has asked Prof Adrian Long, Queen’s University, Belfast, to carry out an examination of the circumstances surrounding the probable contamination of the water supply. It is hoped that Professor Long’s report will be available at the end of this month.

Sórt 1, is é sin, an fhoirm daonna den ghalar, is ea an ráig reatha de chrioptaspóireois a aithníodh i gceantar Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir. Is í an tSeirbhís Uisce ón Roinn Forbartha Réigiúnaí atá freagrach as an chosc ar chrioptaspóraidiam ag dul isteach sa soláthar uisce cóireáilte agus tuigim gur bhunaigh Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir Foireann IlGhníomhaireachta Smachtú Ráige le cúis na ráige crioptaspóraideoise a fhiosrú. Fuarthas foinse dhóchúil truaillithe a bhfuil baint aici le taoscadh suímh ag Oibreacha Cóireála Uisce Donore Point, sa soláthar uisce agus deisíodh í. D’iarr an tAire Forbartha Réigiúnaí ar an Ollamh Adrian Long, Ollscoil na Banríona Béal Feirste, scrúdú a dhéanamh ar na tosca is cúis le truailliú dóchúil an tsoláthair uisce. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh tuairisc an Ollaimh Long ar fail ag deireadh na míosa seo.

Mr Carrick asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment on the safe level of cryptosporidium in drinking water as recommended in the Bouchier Report.

(AQW 2940/00)

Ms de Brún: The most recent report of the Bouchier Committee indicated that it is not currently possible to recommend a health related standard for cryptosporidium in drinking water.

A treatment standard for treated water has been agreed at less than 1 oocyst in 10 litres of treated water.

Chuir an tuairisc is déanaí de Choiste Bouchier in iúl nach féidir caighdeán bainteach le sláinte do chrioptaspóraidiam in uisce inólta a mholadh faoi láthair.

Aontaíodh caighdeán cóireála d’uisce cóireáilte ar níos lú ná 1 úchist i 10 lítear d’uisce cóireáilte.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) those recommendations of the community care review that have been implemented and (b) how the review has impacted on policy within her Department.

(AQW 2942/00)

Ms de Brún: The community care review team is on course to provide me with a report and recommendations by the end of September 2001. The review will take account of other ongoing reviews and current policies within my Department.

Tá an fhoireann athbhreithnithe chúraim phobail ag gabháil tuairisce agus moltaí a sholáthar dom faoi dheireadh Mheán Fómhair 2001. Cuirfidh an t-athbhreithniú athbhreithnithe eile ag dul ar aghaidh faoi láthair agus na polasaithe reatha istigh sa Roinn s’agamsa san áireamh.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the cost of the acute hospital review to date (b) how much was paid to each member in total and (c) confirm the amount claimed by each member in travelling and subsistence expenses.

(AQW 2943/00)

(a) The cost to date of the acute hospitals review is £409,238. This figure includes salaries, commissioned research and office expenses.

(b) The total remuneration and (c) travelling and subsistence amounts paid in respect of each member is shown in the table.

(a) £409,238 is ea an costas go dtí seo ar an Athbhreithniú ar Ghéarotharlanna. Cuireann an figiúr seo tuarastail, taighde coimisiúnaithe agus costais oifige san áireamh.

(b) Léirítear sa tábla thíos an t-airgead iomlán íoctha agus (c) costais taistil agus chothaithe íoctha do gach ball.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 2236/00, whether she intends to make public the findings of her review of safety implications.

(AQW 2946/00)

Ms de Brún: In response to the recommendations of the Stewart report on mobile phone technology, a programme management committee has been set up to advise on further research in this field. It has recently been inviting bids for research projects, in a number of areas such as effects on brain function, improvements in dosimetry and the consequences of exposure to pulsed signals. Actual research work is unlikely to begin until October and publication of findings will follow in due course.

Mar fhreagairt ar mholtaí thuairisc Stewart ar theicneolaíocht ghuthán soghluaiste, bunaíodh Coiste Bainistíochta Cláir le comhairle a thabhairt ar thaighde breise sa réimse seo. Ar na mallaibh, bhí sé ag fáiltiú roimh thairiscintí do thionscadail taighde i roinnt réimsí amhail éifeachtaí ar fheidhm na hinchinne, feabhsuithe i ndáileogmhéadracht agus iarmharta nochtadh do chomharthaí bíge. Ní dócha go dtosóidh fíorobair thaighde go dtí Deireadh Fómhair agus leanfaidh foilsiú na dtorthaí in am is i dtráth.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to consider introducing a means test for IVF treatment to ensure that those least able to afford it would qualify for such treatment.

(AQW 2950/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 2905/00.

Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 2905/00.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of patients referred to occupational therapy departments in the Ards Borough Council area in 1998-99, 1999-00 and 2000-01 and outline the steps she is taking to address the backlog of cases.

(AQW 2956/00)

Ms de Brún: Numbers of referrals to occupational therapists in the Ards Borough Council area for the financial years 1998-99 to 2000-01 are detailed in the table below.

In line with the Programme for Government I have secured an additional £0·5 million in the current financial year to provide an extra 20 community occupational therapists. My Department’s priorities for action 2001/2002 includes a target that boards and trusts should reduce the numbers waiting for occupational therapy assessment for housing adaptation by 20% over the period April 2001 to March 2002. Implementation of the recommendations contained in the preliminary report of the joint DHSSPS/Housing Executive review of the housing adaptations service commenced on 1 March 2001 and should improve the throughput of such cases.

Mionléirítear sa tábla thíos líon na ndaoine atreoraithe chuig teiripithe saothaoir i gComhairle Ceantair na hAirde do na blianta airgeadais 1998/99 go 200/01.

De réir Chlár um Rialtas, chinntigh mé £0.5m breise sa bhliain reatha airgeadais le 20 teiripí saothair pobail breise a sholáthair. I ‘Tosaíochtaí do Bhearta 2000/2002’ mo Roinne tá sprioc ann inar chóir do Bhoird agus d’Iontaobhais líon na ndaoine ag fanacht ar mheasúnú teiripe saothair d’oiriúint tithíochta a laghdú de réir 20% le linn na tréimhse Aibreán 2001 go Márta 2002. Thosaigh cur i bhfeidhm na moltaí istigh i réamhthuairisc Chomhathbhreithniú na RSSSSP/an Fheidhmeannas Tithíochta ar an tSeirbhís Oiriúnú Tithíochta ar an 1 Márta 2001 agus ba chóir dó próiseáil chásanna mar seo a fheabhsú.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how she will assist those couples, who have previously received IVF treatment resulting in the birth of a child, but who have since been unsuccessful in qualifying for free fertility treatment.

(AQW 2957/00)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 2905/00.

Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 2905/00.

Mr J Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in the light of the investigation by the BBC’s Spotlight programme into the affairs of the Northern Ireland Hospice on Tuesday 8 May, to consider establishing a public inquiry into the affairs of the hospice or to suggest what course of action needs to be taken as a means of restoring public confidence in such an essential institution.

(AQW 2958/00)

Ms de Brún: As an independent voluntary organisation, managerial issues are a matter for the hospice to resolve through its own procedures. I am of course very much aware of the need to maintain public confidence in the hospice, given the key role that it plays in the provision of services, and I hope that the present dispute can be resolved as soon as possible.

Mar eagraíocht neamhspleách dheonach, is ceist don Ospáis le réiteach trína gnáthaimh féin iad ceisteanna bainistíochta. Go deimhin, tá eolas iontach agam ar an ghá le muinín an phobail as an Ospáis a choinneáil, ag cur an eochair-róil atá aici i soláthar seirbhísí san áireamh, agus tá súil agam gur féidir an díospóid atá ann faoi láthair a réiteach a luaithe agus is féidir.

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the financial resources made available to reduce the rate of suicide.

(AQW 2959/00)

Ms de Brún: Funding to reduce the rate of suicide is contained within the budget for mental health services and there is no separate allocation for it. £124 million was available for mental health services in 1999-2000 and a further £2 million has been added to this budget in the current year. In addition, £4·5 million has been allocated to substance misuse initiatives under the drugs strategy in recognition of the link between suicide and substance abuse. The Department also provides £0·5 million to support the work of voluntary organisations which provide services for people with mental health problems and £0·8 million is being made available over three years to a new out of hours community mental health service in the Southern HSS Board. All of these measures should assist in the efforts to reduce the rate of suicide.

Tá an maoiniú leis an ráta féinmharaithe a laghdú istigh sa bhuiséad do sheirbhísí sláinte meabhrach agus níl dáileadh ar leith eile ann dó. Bhí £124m ar fáil do sheirbhísí sláinte meabhrach i 1999/2000 agus cuireadh £2m breise leis an bhuiséad seo sa bhliain reatha. Ina theannta sin, dáileadh £4.5m ar scéimeanna mí-úsáid substaintí faoi choimirce na Straitéise Drugaí mar aitheantas ar an cheangal idir féinmharú agus mí-úsáid substaintí. Cuireann an Roinn £0.5m ar fáil fosta le tacú le hobair eagraíochtaí deonacha a sholáthraíonn seirbhísí do dhaoine le fadhbanna sláinte meabhrach agus tá £0.8m á chur ar fáil thar tréimhse 3 bliain do sheirbhís nua sláinte meabhrach pobail taobh amuigh de gnáthuaireanta oibre i mBord SSS an Deiscirt. D’fhéadfadh na bearta seo uile cuidiú leis na hiarrachtaí chun an ráta féinmharaithe a laghdú.

Mr Fee asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps she is taking to increase the number of registered child minders; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2962/00)

Ms de Brún: Childminders are registered, inspected and supported by the Early Years Teams in the health and community services trusts. Many of the trusts work in partnership with the Northern Ireland Childminding Association (NICMA) to provide pre-registration training for childminders and also support other training initiatives. Trusts also sponsor childminding places for children who are in need in their area.

Tá feighlithe leanaí cláraithe, iniúchta agus faigheann siad tacaíocht ó Fhoirne Túsbhlianta in Iontaobhais Sheirbhísí Sláinte agus Pobail. Oibríonn cuid mhaith de na hIontaobhais i bpáirtíocht le Cumann Feighlithe Páistí Thuaisceart Éireann (CFPTÉ) chun oiliúint reamhchláraithe d’fheighlithe páistí agus tugann siad tacaíocht do thionscnaimh oiliúna eile. Tugann Iontaobhais urraíocht d’áiteanna feighlithe do pháistí a bhfuil riachtanais othru ina gceantar.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether she has any plans to introduce the direct entry midwifery course in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2968/00)

Ms de Brún: A departmental education strategy group is considering this matter in consultation with the HPSS and the profession.

Tá Grúpa Rannógach Straitéise Oideachais ag déanamh machnaimh ar an cheist seo i gcomhairle leis na SSSP agus leis an Ghairm.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her plans to address public health issues at Castlederg Ambulance Station.

(AQW 2972/00)

Ms de Brún: The Ambulance Service has undertaken remedial work to improve conditions at Castlederg Ambulance Station, and is currently making arrangements for the provision of sluice facilities.

Ghlac an tSeirbhís Otharcharr uirthi féin obair leasúcháin a dhéanamh le coinníollacha oibre ag Stáisiún Otharcharr Chaisleán na Deirge a fheabhsú, agus tá sí ag déanamh socruithe faoi láthair le háiseanna bualchomhla a sholáthar.

Ms Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail when the regional adoption inspection document will be launched.

(AQO 1517/00)

Ms de Brún: The regional report is due to be completed by the end of June and should be formally launched in September of this year.

Táthar leis an Tuairisc Réigiúnach a chríochnú faoi dheireadh Mhí Mheithimh agus is cóir go seoltar í go foirmiúil i Mí Mheán Fómhair na bliana seo.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average number of vacancies that exist within the public sector for (a) nurses and (b) speech and language therapists.

(AQO 1523/00)

Ms de Brún: HSS trusts reported a total of 477 nurse vacancies as at 21 March 2001.

Currently there are 39 vacant speech & language therapy posts throughout the Health and Personal Social Services. These figures include a number of vacancies for temporary staff to cover maternity leave and long-term sick leave of permanent staff. Some vacancies are for part-time staff.

Chuir Iontaobhais SSS in iúl go raibh 447 (ceithre chéad daichead is a seacht) bhfolúntas ann do bhanaltraí ag an 21 Márta 2001.

Faoi láthair, tá 39 (tríocha is a naoi) bhfolúntas poist ann do theiripithe labhartha agus teanga ar fud na Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsanta. Cuireann na figiúirí seo roinnt folúntas d’fhoireann shealadach san áireamh le saoire mháithreachais agus tinnis fhadtéarmaigh na foirne buaine a chumhdach. Tá cuid de na folúntais ann d’fhoireann pháirtaimseartha.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give an update on facilities and/or resources being put in place to improve the service to cancer patients; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1500/00)

Ms de Brún: This year a total of £6 million is available for the development of cancer services, on top of the additional £8 million which was allocated last year. These resources have facilitated the development of oncology services at the cancer units, with over 50% of day-patient chemotherapy now provided outside of the cancer centre in Belfast. So far, two additional consultant oncologists and 70 nurses have been appointed to the cancer centre and cancer units, bringing the total staff involved in the provision of radiotherapy and chemotherapy services to adult cancer patients to approximately 500. In addition, £4 million is being made available for the development of a new day hospital and outpatients suite as part of the first phase of the cancer centre development at Belfast City Hospital.

Tá £6 mhilliún san iomlán ar fáil i mbliana d’fhorbairt seirbhísí ailse mar bharr ar an £8 milliún breise a dáileadh anuraidh. Chuidigh na hacmhainní seo le forbairt seirbhísí oinceolaíochta ag na hionaid ailse, le breis agus 50% de cheimiteiripe othar lae á soláthar anois taobh amuigh den ionad ailse i mBéal Feirste. Go dtí seo, ceapadh beirt oinceolaithe comhairleacha breise agus 70 banaltra don ionad ailse agus do na hionaid ailse eile araon, sin thart faoi 500 san iomlán ar an fhoireann ag soláthar seirbhísí raiditeiripe agus ceimiteiripe d’othair aosacha le hailse. Ina theannta sin, tá £4 mhilliún á chur ar fáil d’fhorbairt otharlainne nua lae agus seomra éisothar mar chuid den chéad chéim i bhforbairt an ionaid ailse ag Otharlann Cathrach Bhéal Feirste.

Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail progress being made towards the development of telemedicine facilities in local hospitals.

(AQO 1532/00)

Ms de Brún: Telemedicine is increasingly being used by clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients. A survey in 1998 reported that there were 63 projects here involving this technology. A number of telemedicine services have now been established, including paediatric cardiology tele-video ultrasound diagnosis between Altnagelvin Hospital and the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and a tele-neurology link between the minor injuries units in the Ards and Bangor Community Hospitals and the accident and emergency department of the Ulster Hospital. This new technology offers the potential to improve the quality of service to patients and I am keen to encourage its development.

Tá an teili-leigheas atá á úsáid ag cliniceoirí i bhfáthmheas, cóireáil agus cúram othar ag dul i méid. Chuir suirbhé a rinneadh i 1998 in iúl go raibh 63 (seasca is a trí) thionscadal ag úsáid na teicneolaíochta seo. Tá roinnt seirbhísí teili-leighis ar bun anois, ina measc tá fáthmheas péidiatraiceach cairdeolaíochta ultrafhuaime teili-fhíse idir Otharlann Alt na nGealbhán agus Otharlann Ríoga Bhéal Feirste do Pháistí Tinne, agus nasc teili-néareolaíochta idir Ionaid Mhionghortuithe in Otharlanna Pobail na hAirde agus Bheannchair agus an Roinn Timpistí agus Éigeandálaí in Otharlann Uladh. Tugann an teicneolaíocht nua seo an deis le cáilíocht na seirbhísí atá ar fáil d’othair a fheabhsú agus tá an-spéis agam ina forbairt a spreagadh.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether the recently installed communication system upgrade in the Ambulance Service is functioning adequately.

(AQO 1493/00)

Ms de Brún: The communication system has not been recently upgraded. However, it is the intention to replace existing analogue equipment with a new digital communication system by the year 2004. A medical priority dispatch system will be piloted in the EHSSB area by March 2002 and the Ambulance Service is currently considering the case for a single control centre.

Níor athchóiríodh an córas cumarsáide ar na mallaibh. Tá sé ar intinn agam áfach an trealamh analóige atá ann faoi láthair a mhalartú ar chóras nua digiteach cumarsáide faoin bhliain 2004. Déanfar píolótú ar Chóras Seolta Tosaíochta Leighis i gceantar an BSSSO faoi Mhárta 2002 agus tá an tSeirbhís Otharcharr ag déanamh machnaimh faoi láthair ar an chúis d’ionad stiúrtha amháin.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of mammography screening for the over 60s.

(AQO 1512/00)

Ms de Brún: Women between the ages of 50 and 64 are invited for breast screening every three years. Last year there was an uptake rate of 74% out of the 46,000 women invited, an increase of 1% on 1999. No invitation is sent to women beyond age 64 but they may continue to attend, if they wish. My Department is currently examining the implications of extending the programme to women up to age 70.

Tugtar cuireadh do mhná idir 50 agus 64 bhliain d’aois le teacht le haghaidh scagadh chíche gach trí bliana. Anuraidh, tháinig 74% (seachtó is a ceithre faoin chéad) de na 46,000 (daicheadh is a sé mhíle) bean ar tugadh cuireadh dóibh, sin méadú de 1% (a haon faoin chéad) ar 1999. Ní thugtar cuireadh do mhná níos sine ná 64 bhliain d’aois ach is féidir leo coinneáil leo ag freastal más mian leo. Faoi láthair, tá mo Roinn ag scrúdú impleachtaí leathnú an chláir do mhná go dtí 70 bliain d’aois.

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what steps she is taking on the issue of capacity in Craigavon Area Hospital and whether additional funding will be made available to meet public demand.

(AQO 1529/00)

Ms de Brún: As I have previously made clear, our hospital service is facing a serious problem regarding under-capacity. This problem is a direct result of years of underfunding of the HPSS by successive governments. I am continuing to press the case for additional resources with my Executive colleagues to address this matter.

In order to ease pressure on Craigavon Area Hospital a range of measures have been introduced. These include: increasing the number of intensive care and high dependency beds at the hospital; the development of a six bed day procedure unit for medical patients; and the enhancement of community provision to help alleviate the pressure at the hospital. In addition, a further four beds have been opened in the gynaecology ward.

I have asked the Southern Health and Social Services Board and Craigavon Area Hospital Trust to work together to ensure that capacity at Craigavon Area Hospital and the overall service capacity in the Southern Board Area are being used to best effect. I understand that a business case for the development of a high-quality 40 bed prefabricated unit is also being drawn up. I will give this business case my urgent attention once it is agreed with the Southern Health and Social Services Board and submitted to my Department.

Mar a chuir mé in iúl go soiléir cheana féin, tá fadhb thromchúiseach ag ár seirbhísí otharlainne maidir le tearcacmhainn. Tá an fhadhb seo ann mar thoradh díreach ar rialtais leanúnacha ag tearcmhaoiniú na SSSP leis na blianta. Coinním liom ag éileamh ar mo Chomhghleacaithe san Fheidhmeannas tuilleadh acmhainní a chur ar fáil le dul i gceann na ceiste seo.

Leis an bhrú ar Otharlann Ceantair Craigavon a mhaolú tugadh réimse beart isteach. Ina measc tá méadú i líon na Leapacha Dianchúraim agus Ardspleáchais ag an otharlann; forbairt ionad gnámhaimh lae sé leaba d’othair leighis; agus méadú i soláthar pobail leis an bhrú ar an otharlann a mhaolú. Ina theannta sin, cuireadh ceithre leaba breise ar fáil sa bharda liachta ban.

D’iarr mé ar Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Deiscirt agus ar Iontaobhas Otharlann Ceantair Craigavon obriú le chéile le cinntiú go bhfuil acmhainn iomlán na seirbhísí i mBord an Deiscirt á húsáid a éifeachtaí agus is féidir. Tuigim go bhfuil cás gnó d’fhorbairt ionad réamhdhéanta ardcháilíochta 40 leaba á dhréachtú. Breithneoidh mé ar an chás gnó seo go práinneach a luaithe agus a aontaítear le Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Deiscirt agus a chuirfear isteach chuig mo Roinn é.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to advise on the timescale for the completion of the rewrite of ‘Co-operating to Safeguard Children’ and to confirm if this document will be subject to equality screening and impact assessment under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

(AQO 1509/00)

Ms de Brún: ‘Co-operating to Safeguard Children’ is at final draft stage. The last consultation round with the four Area Child Protection Committees has just ended. The deadline for final comments was 1 May 2001. All comments have now been received and these are currently being considered. In relation to equality screening and impact assessment under section 75, the Department intends to issue the draft for consultation on equality issues in June.

Tá an cháipéis ‘Ag Comhoibriú le Páistí a Chosaint’ ag an chéim dheireanach dréachta. Tá an babhta deireanach comhairlithe leis na ceithre Choiste Ceantair Chosaint Páistí críochnaithe anois. 1 Bealtaine 2001 ba ea an dáta deiridh do mholtaí deireanacha. Fuarthas gach moladh anois agus tá machnamh á dhéanamh orthu faoi láthair. Maidir le scagadh comhionannais agus measúnú éifeachta faoi alt 75, tá sé ar intinn ag an Roinn an dréacht a fhoilsiú le haghaidh comhairliú ar cheisteanna comhionannais i Mí Mheithimh.

Mr Neeson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the progress to date by the inquiry into the retention of children’s organs.

(AQO 1519/00)

Ms de Brún: I am advised that the administrative and support arrangements for the Human Organs Inquiry have been finalised and that advertisements were placed in the press last week. These provided information and contact details covering both the inquiry and the relatives reference group and invited comment from all interested parties.

I am also advised that the chair of the inquiry, Mr John O’Hara, is writing to all relevant authorities seeking information and comment. I understand that the inquiry team and the relatives reference group have met to discuss their respective roles and how they can work collaboratively, where appropriate.

I am also informed that the inquiry team has met the parents support group Heartbreak and that it has established links with relevant bodies in England, Scotland, Wales and in the South.

Cuireadh in iúl dom gur cuireadh bailchríoch ar na socruithe riaracháin agus tacaíochta don Fhiosrúchán Orgán Daonna, agus gur cuireadh fógraí sa phreas an tseachtain seo caite. Chuir siad seo eolas agus sonraí teagmhála ar fáil ag cumhdach an Fhiosrúcháin agus an Ghrúpa Tagartha Gaolta araon, agus d’iarr siad moltaí ar gach uile pháirtí leasmhar.

Cuireadh in iúl dom fosta go mbeadh Cathaoirleach an Fhiosrúcháin, An tUasal O’Hara, ag scríobh chuig na húdaráis fheiliúnacha uile ag iarraidh eolais agus moltaí. Tuigim gur bhuail Foireann an Fhiosrúcháin agus an Grúpa Tagartha Gaolta le chéile lena rólanna féin agus leis an dóigh ar féidir leo comhoibriú a dhéanamh, más cuí é, a phlé.

Cuireadh in iúl domhsa fosta gur bhuail Foireann an Fhiosrúcháin leis an ghrúpa tacaíochta tuismitheoirí ‘Heartbreak’ agus gur bhunaigh sí naisc le forais fheiliúnacha i Sasana, in Albain, sa Bhreatain Bheag agus sa Deisceart.

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