Friday 27 July 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Finance and Personnel

Comparative Productivity Levels

Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to give his assessment of current productivity levels (output per worker) in manufacturing and other sectors in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK and other parts of the western world.

(AQW 3552/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): The most appropriate measure for assessing comparative productivity levels is Gross Domestic Product per hour. Up-to-date sectoral measures of productivity by region are not readily available. Therefore, the data presented here refer to all sectors of the economy. Table 1 shows, for 1999, the relative position of Northern Ireland compared to the UK and other GB regions. Table 2 shows, for 1999, the position of the UK relative to a number of other countries.

Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to give his assessment of the impact on total Departmental running costs of the new Departmental structure created in 1999.

(AQW 3555/00)

Mr Durkan: The last full year for which information is held for the pre-devolution departmental structure is 1998-99. In that year departmental running cost (DRC) provision was £585.2m. The comparable planning figure for the new structures for 2000-01 was £628.4m, and we provided £681.0m for 2001-02 in the Budget as approved in December 2000.

The bulk of the difference between the figures for 1998-99 and 2000-01 represents uplifts to cover pay increases over the gap of two years. The larger increase in 2001-02 also reflects the growing workload that is being taken forward by departments to fulfil the objectives of the Programme for Government, and to service fully the new institutions.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the total expenditure by the Northern Ireland Civil Service in 2000-01 on (a) air fares and (b) subsistence expenses.

(AQW 3621/00)

Mr Durkan: The total expenditure by the Northern Ireland Civil Service in 2000-01 on air fares and subsistence expenses was as follows:-

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to confirm if any bids from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety were received for (a) a new maternity hospital (b) £12m for the strategic development of the Ulster Hospital Trust and (c) cancer services.

(AQW 3627/00)

Mr Durkan: In relation to 2002/3 a bid of £8m has been lodged to cover a range of regional services including cancer services. A bid of £10m has also been lodged in respect of capital expenditure including the redevelopment of the Ulster Hospital. Specific bids were also received for 2001/2 as follows:-

(a) No bids were received for a new maternity hospital.

(b) Under the Executive Programme Funds a bid of £1/11/10m to cover the years 2001/02 to 2003/04 was lodged for the redevelopment of the Ulster Hospital. A total of £0.5/3/6.5m was allocated.

(c) In the 2000 Spending Review, a bid of £11/14/16m for cancer services (again for 2001/02 to 2003/04) was lodged of which £6/7.1/8.2m was successful. Under the Executive Programme Funds a bid of £0.27/0.14/0.04m was also made for an Information Sharing System for cancer services of which all but £50k administration costs in the first year were met.

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the sum raised by the regional rate in 2000-01 and how much extra would be raised in 2001-02 if the following percentage increases had been applied to domestic and commercial properties in each of the following NAV quartiles: lowest quartile - 3%, second quartile - 6%, third quartile - 12% and top quartile - 20%.

(AQW 3628/00)

Mr Durkan: The estimated regional rate revenue to be raised in 2000-01 was £292m.

It is not possible to detail the exact sum raised by the regional rate until the total rate revenue raised has been apportioned between the regional rate element and the district rate element in the course of the current year. If the following regional rate percentage increases had been applied in 2001-02 to domestic and non-domestic properties in each of the following NAV quartiles: lowest quartile – 3%, second quartile – 6%, third quartile – 12% and top quartile – 20%, an additional £7.2m approximately would have been raised by the domestic regional rate and £29.2m approximately by the non-domestic regional rate.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of successful Gap funding applications per constituency.

(AQW 3638/00)

Mr Durkan: On the basis of the information supplied to me by SEUPB and Departments, the number of successful Gap Funding applications to date per constituency is as follows:-

The process is still ongoing and decisions remain to be taken on a number of the applications received.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to state the source of the £300,000 capital funding which was made available to the Executive Office in Brussels.

(AQW 3646/00)

Mr Durkan: In the course of the June Monitoring round additional allocations, including the capital funding for the Executive Office in Brussels, in the amount of £63m were made. These allocations were funded from a number of sources – End Year Flexibility from 2000-01, additional resources from the Treasury and savings declared by departments. It is not possible to link individual allocations to specific sources.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the average levels of absenteeism within each of the NICS Departments.

(AQW 3658/00)

Mr Durkan: The information sought is only readily available for non-industrial civil servants. The table below reflects the actual percentage rate of absence for non-industrial civil servants in terms of available working days lost for the 2000/2001 financial year. Comparable statistics for industrial civil servants are not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the average level of absenteeism within (a) the public sector and (b) the private sector during each of the last five years for which figures are available.

(AQW 3659/00)

Mr Durkan: The Department of Finance and Personnel holds figures relating to the Northern Ireland Civil Service only. I have provided you with details relating to the NICS – please see AQW 3658/00.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number and amount of Gap funding that has been awarded by district council area and the nature of the award.

(AQW 3662/00)

Mr Durkan: On the basis of information supplied to me by the SEUPB and Departments, the number and amount of Gap Funding that has been awarded to date by District council area is as follows:-

The process is still ongoing and decisions remain to be taken on a number of the applications received. To detail the nature of each individual award is an extensive exercise and outweighs the result. However, the overall nature of all the awards for Gap Funding is directly related to the Aims and Objectives, of the new PEACE II Programme.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 3199/00, to define (a) what is meant by a "gradual introduction" of these drugs and (b) what is the cut off point which determines "moving beyond gradual introduction".

(AQW 3457/00)

(a) As further studies are required to ascertain the efficacy of these drugs in the longer term, it is essential that their use is strictly monitored and controlled. The decision to promote a cautious approach to the introduction of the drugs, and to have their introduction carefully monitored and controlled, of necessity means that some patients have commenced treatment with the drug while some have not. As such, their introduction is gradual.

(b) Any decision to move beyond the gradual introduction of these drugs will take account of emerging evidence of efficacy and available resources.

(a) Mar go bhfuil tuilleadh staidéir de dhíth le héifeachtacht na ndrugaí seo a fháil amach san fhadtéarma, tá sé riachtanach go ndéantar monatóireacht ar agus go stiúrtar a n-úsáid go docht. Ciallaíonn an cinneadh le cur chuige cúramach do thabhairt isteach na ndrugaí seo a chur chun cinn, go ndéantar monatóireacht ar agus go stiúrtar a n-úsáid go docht, gur thosaigh roinnt othar cóireáil leis na drugaí seo agus roinnt othar eile nár thosaigh. Mar sin de, tá a dtabhairt isteach céimseach.

(b) Glacfaidh cinneadh ar bith le dul chun cinn níos mó ná tabhairt isteach chéimseach na ndrugaí seo, fianaise éifeachtachta ag teacht astu agus acmhainní ar fáil, san áireamh.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 3199/00, to detail (a) from whom she is awaiting expert advice and (b) what steps have been taken to promote the introduction of Enbrel and Remicade.

(AQW 3458/00)

(a) My Department is continually assessing the published evidence on these new drugs and has also recently received evidence jointly submitted by rheumatologists and Arthritis Care. My senior officials are maintaining regular contact with specialists in this field and with the Health and Social Services Boards and will take account of any guidance produced by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) later this year.

(b) Approximately £500,000 is currently being invested in these drugs in this financial year. All rheumatologists here have had an opportunity to introduce some service users to these drugs.

There have been a number of meetings held here recently to discuss this issue. These have highlighted the need to continue to promote a gradual introduction of these new therapies and I understand that a working group is to be convened in the near future to address some of the issues raised. I am advised that rheumatologists here are participating in an audit of the use of these drugs and my Department will take account of all additional information on effectiveness, including the results of this audit.

(a) Déanann mo Roinn measúnú leanleannach ar an fhianaise a foilsíodh ar na drugaí nua seo, agus le deireannas fuair sí comhfhianaise a chuir réamaiteolaithe agus Cúram Airtrítis faoina bráid. Coinníonn mo chuid feidmeannach sinsearach I dteagmháil rialta le saineolaithe san ábhar seo agus leis na boird sláinte agus seirbhísí sóisialta; cuirfidh mo chuid feidhmeannach sinsearach san áireamh treoir ar bith a fhoilseoidh an Institiúid Náisiúnta um Fheabhas Cliniciúil níos moille I mbliana.

(b) Tá thart faoi £500,000 á infheistiú sna drugaí seo sa bhliain airgeadais seo. Bhí deis ag gach uile réamaiteolaí anseo roinnt úsáideoirí seirbhísí a chur ar an eolas faoi na drugaí seo.

Bhí roinnt cruinnithe anseo ar na mallaibh leis an cheist seo a phlé. Chuir siad seo béim ar a thábhachtaí atá sé na teiripí nua seo a thabhairt isteach de réir a chéile, agus tuigim go gcuirfear grúpa oibre le chéile ar ball le dul I gceann cuid de na hábhair a tarraingeadh anuas. Cuireadh in iúl domh go bhfuil réamaiteolaithe anseo ag glacadh páirte in iniúchadh ar úsáid na ndrugaí seo agus glacfaidh mo Roinn s’agamsa gach uile eolas breise ar a n-éifeacht chomh maith le torthaí an iniúchta seo san áireamh.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps she is taking to alleviate the Orthopaedic waiting list, currently standing at two and a half years, at Musgrave Park Hospital.

(AQW 3487/00)

Ms de Brún: The Framework for Action on Waiting Lists, which I issued in September last, set out a strategic context for action on waiting lists. As a result, Boards and Trusts have developed comprehensive action plans which contain a range of measures aimed at improving the efficiency of all stages in the process of hospital treatment.

Additional resources have also been provided and, in the current year, a total of £8 million is available for action on waiting lists. I hope that these measures will have a direct impact on waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery.

Leag An Chreatlach le hAghaidh Gníomhaíochta ar Liostaí Feithimh amach, a d’eisigh mé i Meán Fomhair anuraidh, comhthéacs straitéiseach le haghaidh Gníomhaíochta ar liostaí feithimh. Mar thoradh uirthi seo, d’fhorbair Boird agus Iontaobhais pleananna cuimsitheacha gníomhaíochta ina bhfuil réimse beart dírithe ar fheabhsú éifeachtacht gach céim sa phróiseas cóireála otharlainne.

Soláthraíodh acmhainní breise fosta agus tá £8 milliún san iomlán ar fáil i mbliana le haghaidh Gníomhaíochta ar liostaí feithimh. Tá súil agam go mbeidh tionchar díreach ag na bearta seo ar liostaí feithimh do mháinliacht ortaipéideach.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of surgeons currently qualified to perform Orthopaedic surgery in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3488/00)

Ms de Brún: Currently, there are 33 consultant orthopaedic surgeons in post here. In addition, there are 18 specialist registrars and 13 senior house officers who may undertake orthopaedic procedures under consultant supervision.

Faoi láthair, tá 33 máinlia ortaipéideach comhairleach ag obair anseo. Ina theannta sin, tá 18 sainchláraitheoir agus 13 oifigeach sinsearach tí ann arbh fhéidir leo modhanna ortaipéideacha a dhéanamh faoi mhaoirseacht lia chomhairligh.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail whether paramilitary punishment beatings and shootings have had an adverse impact on waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery.

(AQW 3489/00)

Ms de Brún: Information is not collected under this category.

Ní bhailítear eolas ar an chatagóir seo.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps she is taking to progress (a) the implementation of the Breastfeeding Strategy for Northern Ireland (b) how many of the recommendations have been implemented (c) what guidance has been issued to Boards and Trusts and (d) what assessments have been carried out regarding its success.

(AQW 3490/00)

Ms de Brún: My Department has recently established a Implementation Group to progress the Strategy. It is also intended to appoint a Regional Breastfeeding Co-ordinator to promote and assist in its implementation and to take forward the recommendations. The majority of the 28 recommendations have been implemented or are in the process of implementation. No specific guidance has been issued to Boards or Trusts about the Strategy’s recommendations however the Implementation Group comprises representatives from these bodies, as well as from the voluntary sector. The Implementation Group and the Breastfeeding Co-ordinator will assess and monitor progress on the implementation of the recommendations in the Strategy.

Bhunaigh mo Roinn Grúpa Feidhmithe ar na mallaibh leis an Straitéis a chur chun cinn. Táthar ag brath Comhordaitheoir Réigiúnach ar Bheathú Cíche a cheapadh le cuidiú lena cur i bhfeidhm agus lena cur chun cinn chomh maith leis na moltaí a fhorbairt. Cuireadh formhór na 28 moladh i bhfeidhm sin nó tá siad á gcur i bhfeidhm i láthair na huaire. Níor tugadh treoir ar leith do Bhoird nó d’Iontaobhais faoi mholtaí na Straitéise, ach ar an Ghrúpa Feidhmithe tá ionadaithe ó na forais seo agus ón earnáil dheonach chomh maith. Measúnóidh agus déanfaidh an Grúpa Feidhmithe agus an Comhordaitheoir ar Bheathú Cíche monatóireacht ar dhul chun cinn chur i bhfeidhm na moltaí sa Straitéis.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps she is taking to progress (a) the implementation of the strategy for reducing alcohol related harm (b) which targets have been met and (c) the cost of such implementation to date.

(AQW 3491/00)

Ms de Brún: To ensure coherent and consistent delivery of the aims of the Strategy for Reducing Alcohol Related Harm and the Drug Strategy priority has been given to establishing appropriate implementation structures. Good progress has been made and the Executive recently approved my proposals for the joint implementation of the two strategies.

The joint model will necessitate a change to the membership and remit of structures such as the Drug Co-ordination Teams. I have already announced that resources will be made available in the current year to enable each of the Teams to recruit an additional worker to help carry the increased workload arising from the alcohol strategy. Qualitative research has also been taken forward among adults who binge drink. The results of this research are being used by the Health Promotion Agency to develop proposals for an information campaign in the current year.

Work towards all of the targets will progress rapidly now that the joint approach has been agreed and once the implementation structures are in place.

The qualitative research was carried out at a cost of £18,000. The main resource implication has been the time commitment, not only from officials, but also by representatives from the voluntary, community and statutory sectors.

Le cinntiú go mbainfí aidhmeanna na Straitéise le Dochar Bainteach le hAlcól a Laghdú agus na Straitéise Drugaí amach go leanúnach agus go rialta, tugadh tosaíocht do bhunú struchtúr fóirsteanach feidhmithe. Rinneadh dul chun cinn maith agus ar na mallaibh, cheadaigh an Feidhmeannas mo mholtaí do chomhchur i bhfeidhm an dá straitéis.

Athróidh an chomhchreatlach ballraíocht agus freagracht struchtúr amhail Foirne Comhordaithe Drugaí. D’fhógair mé cheana féin go gcuirfí acmhainní ar fáil i mbliana le cur ar chumas gach Foireann oibrí breise a earcú le cuidiú leis an ualach oibre breise a iompar a bhéas ann de bharr na straitéise alcóil. Rinneadh taighde cáilíochtúil fosta ar dhaoine fásta a ólann barraíocht. Tá torthaí an taighde seo á n-úsáid ag an Ghníomhaireacht um Chur Chun Cinn Sláinte le moltaí d’fheachtas eolais a fhorbairt sa bhliain reatha.

Rachaidh obair ar bhaint amach na spriocanna ar aghaidh go gasta agus an comhchur chuige anois agus nuair a chuirfear na struchtúir fheidhmithe i gcrích.

Rinneadh an taighde cáilíochtúil ar chostas £18,000. Ba é an phríomhimpleacht acmhainne an tiomantas ama ní amháin ó oifigigh ach ó ionadaithe ó na hearnálacha deonacha, pobail agus reachtúla.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) whether Relenza is available on the Health Service (b) the number of prescriptions issued for its use and (c) the cost to date.

(AQW 3492/00)

Ms de Brún: Relenza is available on the Health Service. Since the drug was licensed for use in the treatment of influenza in September 1999 until February 2001, the last date for which information is available, fourteen prescriptions issued by GPs have been dispensed at a cost of £336.

Tá Relenza ar fáil ar an tSeirbhís Sláinte. Ó ceadúnaíodh an druga d’úsáid i gcóireáil ulpóige i Meán Fómhair 1999 go dtí Feabhra 2001, an dáta is déanaí dá bhfuil eolas ar fáil, dáileadh ceithre oideas déag, ordaithe ag Gnáthdhochtúirí, ar chostas £336.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail those consultation documents issued by her Department that are currently in the public domain.

(AQW 3493/00)

Ms de Brún: The following documents are currently in the public domain for consultation:

Report of the Acute Hospitals Review Group

Best Practice, Best Care (A Framework for setting standards, delivering and improving monitoring and regulation in the HPSS)

Tá na cáipéisí seo a leanas faoi bhráid an phobail do chomhairliú faoi láthair:

Tuairisc an Ghrúpa Athbhreithnithe ar Ghéarotharlanna

Sárchleachtadh, Sárchúram (Creatlach do leagan síos caighdeán, do dhéanamh agus d’fheabhsú monatóireachta agus rialacháin sna SSSP).

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the steps she is taking to ensure that the public is not confused over the number of consultation documents currently in the public domain in relation to the Health Service and (b) what policy is in place to ensure that whatever recommendations arise from consultation documents such as Best Practice - Best Care, and Building the Way Forward in Primary Care, will be fully implemented.

(AQW 3494/00)

(a) I want to see communities given real opportunities to shape and influence the decisions taken about their services. Involving the public through consultation is therefore key to the future development of those services.

I am unaware of any public confusion over the issues currently being consulted upon in the HPSS. However, my Department’s aim when producing consultation documents is to ensure that they make transparent what issues are being consulted upon; are written in plain language; are clearly set out; and give contact points where people who are unsure can get advice or help in making their views known. My officials also meet with communities to outline what the consultation is about and how the process for responding works.

(b) As Minister responsible, I must make decisions on whether, and to what extent, proposals arising from consultation procedures should be implemented. In coming to those decisions I take fully into account the views of service users, interested parties and communities at large.

(a) Is mian liom go dtabharfar deiseanna do phobail tionchar a bheith acu ar na socruithe déanta ar a seirbhísí, agus iad a bheartú fosta. Mar sin de, tá rannpháirtíocht an phobail trí chomhairliú barrthábhachtach d’fhorbairt na seirbhísí sin sa todhchaí.

Ní fios domh aon mhearbhall bheith ar an phobal faoi na hábhair atá faoi chomhairliúcgán sa tSeirbhís Sláinte. Is í aidhm mo Roinne áfach agus í ag cumadh cáipéisí le haghaidh comhairlithe, le cinntiú go gcuireann siad na ceisteanna a bhfuiltear ag dul i gcomhairle orthu in iúl go soiléir, go bhfuil siad scríofa i dteanga shoiléir, leagtha amach go soiléir, agus go dtugann siad eolas ar phointí teagmhála lenar féidir le daoine nach bhfuil cinnte fúthu comhairle agus cuidiú a fháil lena gcuid tuairimí a chur in iúl. Buaileann mo chuid oifigeach le pobail fosta le hachoimre a dhéanamh ar chuspóirí an chomhairlithe agus ar an dóigh a bhfeidhmíonn an próiseas freagartha.

(b) Ós mé an tAire atá freagrach astu, caithfidh mé cinnidh a dhéanamh ar cé acu a ba chóir nó nár chóir, agus ar a mhéad a ba chóir na moltaí ag teacht as gnáthaimh chomhairlithe a chur i bhfeidhm. Nuair a dhéanfaidh mé na cinnidh sin, glacfaidh mé tuairimí úsáideoirí seirbhísí, páirtithe leasmhara agus pobal i gcoitinne, go hiomlán san áireamh.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail all grants of £100,000 or more made by her Department and its NDPBs to voluntary and community bodies in the financial year 2000-01.

(AQW 3497/00)

Ms de Brún: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety made grants totalling £100,000 or more to the following organisations in 2000/01:

In addition, the Eastern Health and Social Services Board awarded Belfast Healthy Cities a grant totalling £100,000 in 2000/01. No other grants of £100,000 or more were awarded by NDPBs to voluntary or community bodies in that year.

Thug an Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí deontais de £100,000 san iomlán nó níos mó do na heagraíochtaí seo a leanas i 2000/01:

Ina theannta sin, thug Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir deontas de £100,000 san iomlán do Chathracha Sláintiúla Béal Feirste i 2000/01. Níor thug NDPB deontais ar bith eile de £100,000 nó níos mó d’fhorais dheonacha nó phobail sa bhliain sin.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail all current schemes under which grants are paid by her Department and its NDPBs to the voluntary and community sector.

(AQW 3498/00)

Ms de Brún: There are two main funding schemes through which the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety supports the voluntary and community sector. The Department’s main grants programme provides core funding to support the regional infrastructure of a number of voluntary organisations that work in the area of health and social care. The programme can also be used to support these organisations on a project basis. In relation to support for the community activity, EU Structural Funds represent the Department’s main channel for supporting the sector.

In addition, Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts provide support to a wide range of local organisations which provide services similar, or related to, the health and personal social services.

Tá dhá phríomhscéim mhaoinithe ann trína thacaíonn an Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí leis an earnáil dheonach agus phobail. Soláthraíonn príomhchlár deontas na Roinne príomh-mhaoiniú le tacú le bonneagar réigiúnach roinnt eagraíochtaí deonacha a oibríonn sa réimse sláinte agus cúraim shóisialta. Is féidir an clár a úsáid fosta le tacú leis na heagraíochtaí seo ar bhonn scéime. Maidir le tacaíocht do ghníomhaíocht phobail, is iad Cistí Struchtúrtha an AE an príomhbhealach trínar féidir leis an Roinn tacaíocht a thabhairt don earnáil.

Ina theannta sin, tugann Boird agus Iontaobhais Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta tacaíocht do réimse leathan eagraíochtaí áitiúla a sholáthraíonn seirbhísí cosúil leis, nó bainteach leis na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta pearsanta.

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail all grants paid to voluntary and community bodies by her Department and its NDPBs in the financial year 2000-01.

(AQW 3499/00)

Ms de Brún: The attached schedule details the grants paid by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to voluntary and community groups in 2000/01.

Details of all grants paid by the Department’s NDPBs can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mionléiríonn an sceideal faoi iamh na deontais íoctha ag an Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí do ghrúpaí deonacha agus pobail i 2000/01.

Ní féidir sonraí na ndeontas uile íoctha ag NDPBs na Roinne ach ar chostas dhíréireach.

<< Prev / Next >>