(AQW 9/01)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): The present make up of Brigade personnel by religious affiliation in the Western Command Area is as follows. The groupings of ranks/grades etc. is necessary in order to protect the anonymity of individual staff.

Seo a leanas an miondealú faoi láthair den fhoireann Briogáide de réir a reiligiúin i gCeantar Cheannas an Iarthair. Tá na grúpaí de ranganna/ghráid srl. riachtanach chun ainmneacha oibrithe indibhidiúla a chosaint.

Ulster Hospital : Shortage of Beds

Ms Eileen Bell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she has any plans to alleviate the shortage of beds in the Ulster Hospital by providing immediate finance to (a) improve staffing levels and facilities in the Accident and Emergency Department and (b) improve the range and quality of care in the community facilities in the North Down area.

(AQW 25/01)

Ms de Brún: (a) Demand in health and social services is far outstripping supply, and the difficulties encountered in a number of our hospitals are a symptom of a service that has been seriously under funded in the past. There has been a history of under investment at the Ulster Hospital since it was built in 1962, the effects of which cannot be reversed overnight. However, the major redevelopment programme that I announced on 31 July, will ensure that the population served by the hospital, receives the highest standards of treatment and care for many years to come.

The strategic Development Plan that I endorsed includes a proposal to extend the Accident and Emergency Department to provide additional capacity and upgrade to meet statutory standards. I have also allocated £2 million for the reinstatement of 20 adult inpatient beds in the Jaffe Ward, to address the problems of bed capacity at the hospital and reduce the unacceptable number of trolley waits. I shall be continuing to make the case to my Executive colleagues that the pressures on health and social services will only be relieved if additional resources are made available.

(b) The responsibility for providing community care facilities in a particular area rests with the individual Trust. However, I recognise that there are problems in the delivery of community care services here and that is why I have commissioned a comprehensive review of the implementation of community care policy. The review will consider the effectiveness of the current arrangements for delivering community care services and will report to me by 30 September 2001.

(a) Tá an ráchairt ar sheirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta go mór ag sárú an tsoláthair, agus is comhartha ar sheirbhís a fomhaoiníodh go dona roimhe seo iad na deacrachtaí a bhí ag roinnt dár n-otharlann. Tá claonadh stairiúil d' fho-infheistíocht in Otharlann Uladh ónar tógadh sa bhliain 1962 í a raibh éifeacht aige uirthi nach féidir a athrú thar oíche. Cinnteoidh an príomhchlár athchóirithe a d'fhógair mé ar 31 Iúil go bhfaighidh an pobal ar a riarann an otharlann na caighdeáin is airde de chóireáil agus de chúram leis na blianta fada.

Sa Phlean Straitéiseach Forbartha ar aontaigh mé leis, tá moladh le cur leis an Roinn Timpistí agus Éigeandálaí chun toilleadh agus athchóiriú breise a sholáthar ar dhóigh a gcomhlíonfaidh caighdeáin reachtúla. Dháil mé £2 milliún fosta d'athchur ar fáil 20 leaba d'othair chónaitheacha fhásta i mBarda Jaffe le dul i gceann na bhfadhbanna a bhaineann le toilleadh leapa agus le líon doghlactha na ndaoine ag fanacht ar thralaithe. Beidh mé ag áitiú ar aghaidh ar mo chomhghleacaithe san Fheidhmeannas go maolófar na brúnna ar na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta ach acmhainní breise a chur ar fáil.

(b) Is é an tIontaobhas indibhidiúil é féin atá freagrach as soláthar áiseanna cúraim phobail i gceantar ar leith. Admhaím áfach go bhfuil fadhbanna ann i soláthar seirbhísí cúraim phobail anseo agus sin an fáth ar choimisiúnaigh mé athbhreithniú cuimsitheach ar chur i bhfeidhm an pholasaí chúraim phobail. Déanfaidh an t-athbhreithniú machnamh ar éifeacht na socruithe reatha do sholáthar seirbhísí cúraim phobail agus tabharfaidh sé tuairisc domsa faoi 30 Meán Fómhair 2001.

Rape Crisis Centre : Financial Assistance

Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what financial assistance she can offer to the Rape Crisis Centre in order to prevent it from closing.

(AQW 27/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department has provided funding every year since 1989 to the Belfast Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre towards its core administrative costs. In the current year, this funding amounted to £33,120.

Earlier this year, in order to assist the Centre to strengthen its financial position, my Department made available an additional grant of £11,300 to the organisation to enable it to improve its business and strategic planning processes through the development of a strategic plan.

Thug an Roinn s'agamsa maoiniú gach bliain ó 1989 d'Ionad Éignithe agus Drochíde Gnéasaí Bhéal Feirste chun a chroí-chostas riaracháin a chlúdach. I mbliana, is é £33,120 an maoiniú san iomlán a tugadh.

Níos luaithe i mbliana, chun cuidiú leis an Ionad a staid airgeadais a neartú, chuir an Roinn s'agamsa deontas breise de £11,300 ar fail don eagras chun cur ar a chumas a phróisis phleanála gnó agus straitéisí a fheabhsú trí fhorbairt phlean straitéisigh.

Carrickfergus Community Service : Meals-on-Wheels

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in respect of the meals-on-wheels service currently provided at no public cost to the South and East Antrim area by Carrickfergus Community Services, to detail the cost of providing such a service should it cease trading and has she any plans to provide additional funding to assist this essential service.

(AQW 92/01)

Ms de Brún: The meals-on-wheels service to which you refer is funded by the Community Business Programme and Carrickfergus Borough Council.

I have been informed that, although Homefirst Health and Social Services Trust sent a grant application form to Carrickfergus Community Services in May of this year, the form has not yet been returned to the Trust.

If Carrickfergus Community Services should cease trading, the Trust will assess those clients currently receiving meals-on wheels from Carrickfergus Community Service and make alternative arrangements.

Maoinítear an tseirbhís béilí ar rothaí dá dtagraíonn tú ag an Chlár Gnó Phobail agus ag Comhairle Buirge Charraig Fhearghais.

Cé gur chuir Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta Homefirst foirm iarratais le haghaidh deontais chuig Seirbhísí Pobail Charraig Fhearghais i mBealtaine na bliana seo, tuigim nár cuireadh an fhoirm ar ais chuig an iontaobhas go fóill.

Dá scoirfeadh SeirbhísíPobail Charraig Fhearghais de bheith ag trádáil, déanfaidh an t-iontaobhas measúnú ar na cliaint sin atá ag fáil béilí ar rothaí ó Sheirbhísí Pobail Charraig Fhearghais agus déanfaidh sé socruithe eile.

Meals-on-Wheels

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number of people aged 65 and over who receive meals-on-wheels per 1000 population for each trust area (and the Northern Ireland average) during 1999-00 and 2000-01 and (b) to give her assessment of any divergence between trust areas in the number of people receiving such meals.

(AQW 93/01)

Ms de Brún: This information is detailed in the table below. Figures refer to the position at 31^st March in each year.

⁽¹⁾ Armagh & Dungannon Trust does not provide a meals on wheels service. However, it does provide meals via the home help service where there is an assessed need.

⁽²⁾ Foyle Trust is unable to provide an age analysis and therefore figures for numbers of people aged 65 and over have been estimated.

⁽³⁾ Figures for Newry and Mourne for 31^st March 2000 have been estimated.

⁽⁴⁾ Figures for South and East Belfast are for a chilled meals service.

(b) It is a matter for each Health and Social Services Trust to determine the need for services in the Trust area.

(a) Miondealaítear an t-eolas seo sa tábla thíos. Tagraíonn na figiúirí don riocht ar 31 Márta i ngach bliain.

(1) Ní sholáthraíonn Iontaobhas Ard Mhacha & Dhún Geanainn seirbhís 'béilí ar rothaí'. Soláthraíonn sé béilí áfach trí sheirbhís chabhróra tí áit a measúnaítear a bhfuil riachtanas.

(2) Ní féidir le hIontaobhas an Fheabhail anailís ar aois a sholáthar agus mar sin de, measadh figiúirí do líon na ndaoine de 65 bliain d'aois agus níos sine.

(3) Measadh figiúirí don Iúr agus Mhúrn do 31 Márta 2000.

(4) Tá na figiúirí do Bhéal Feirste Theas agus Thoir do sheirbhís bhéilí fuara.

(b) Is ceist do gach Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta í cinneadh a dhéanamh ar an ghá le seirbhísí i gceantar an Iontaobhais.

Tyrone County Hospital, Omagh : Review of Surgical Beds

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 3678/00, to detail the result of the review which was scheduled for the end of August 2001 in relation to the configuration of surgical beds needed at Tyrone County Hospital, Omagh.

(AQW 118/01)

Ms de Brún: I can confirm that the Sperrin Lakeland Trust has now completed its review of surgical beds at Tyrone County Hospital and has shared this analysis with the Western Health and Social Services Board. The following proposals have been put to the Board for consideration.

A total of 34 beds would be available for surgical services.

20 of these beds would remain open on a 7 days per week basis with the remaining 14 beds available from 5.00pm on Sunday evening through to 12 midday on Saturday.

The Trust will continue to monitor the surgical bed complement on a twice daily basis.

Tig liom a dhearbhú gur chríochnaigh Iontaobhas Shliabh Speirín agus Thír na Lochanna a athbhreithniú anois ar leapacha máinliacha in Otharlann Chontae Thír Eoghain agus gur chuir sé an anailís seo in iúl do Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Iarthair. Cuireadh na moltaí seo a leanas faoi bhráid an Bhoird le haghaidh machnaimh.

Bheadh 34 leaba san iomlán ar fáil do sheirbhísí máinliacha.

Bheadh 20 de na leapacha seo ar fáil go fóill 7 lá sa tseachtain agus bheadh na 14 leaba eile ar fáil ó 5.00i.n. tráthnóna Dé Domhnaigh go dtí 12 meán lae Dé Sathairn.

Leanfaidh an tIontaobhas ar aghaidh monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar chuóta na leapacha máinliacha dhá uair sa lá.

Regional Breastfeeding Co-ordinator

Mr Kieran McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail when she expects to appoint a regional Breast Feeding Co-ordinator.

(AQO 16/01)

Ms de Brún: The process of appointing a Regional Breastfeeding Co-ordinator is well underway. Applications for the post are due to be shortlisted on 21 September. The interviews will be arranged in early October and I would hope that the position would be filled before the end of the year.

Tá an próiseas le comhordaitheoir réigiúnach ar bheathú ciche a cheapadh faoi lánseoil. Tá iarratais don phost le cur ar ghearrliosta ar 21 Meán Fómhair. Socrófar na hagallaimh go luath i mí Dheireadh Fómhair, agus tá súil agam go gceapfar duine éigin sa phost roimh dheireadh na bliana.

Operations and Procedures : Cancellations

Mr John Dallat asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to indicate the number of operations and procedures cancelled by each of the hospital trusts in advance and on the day arranged in the last five years; and to make a statement.

(AQO 107/01)

Ms de Brún: The information is not available in the form requested. However information does indicate that 1% of elective operations are cancelled on the day they are scheduled to take place.

Níl an t-eolas ar fáil san fhoirm a iarradh. Léiríonn an t-eolas, áfach, go gcuirtear 1% d'obráidí toghaí ar ceal ar an lá a leagadh amach dóibh.

Royal Hospital Trust : Millennium Garden

Ms Eileen Bell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) whether the £1.4m of general public funds, spent by the Royal Hospital Trust on a millennium garden in the period 1997/9, was based on the submission, and approval, of an acceptable business plan; (b) whether the expenditure had the approval of her department and of the full board of the Hospital Trust itself; and (c) whether the £1.4m expenditure fully met the matching funding criteria of the National Lottery.

(AQO 11/01)

Ms de Brún: (a) A business plan for the millennium garden project was prepared by the Trust and submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

(b) This plan, including use of public funds, was not submitted to the Trust Board, nor to my Department.

(c) As a result, I am unable to comment on whether the Trust met the matching funding criteria of the National Lottery.

I am unhappy with how the Trust dealt with this matter involving significant public funds. My Department will be pursuing with the Trust deficiencies in its governance procedures.

(a) D'ullmhaigh an t-iontaobhas plean gnó do thionscadal ghairdín na mílaoise agus cuireadh seo faoi bhráid an Heritage Lottery Fund.

(b) Níor cuireadh an plean seo, lena n-áirítear úsáid maoinithe phoiblí, faoi bhráid bhord an iontaobhais ná faoi bhráid mo Roinne.

(c) Mar sin, ní féidir liom a rá cé acu ar chomhlíon an t-iontaobhas na critéir do mhaoiniú comhoiriúnaithe An Chrannchuir Naisiúnta nó nár chomhlíon.

Tá mé míshásta leis an dóigh ar láimhseáil an t-iontaobhas an t-ábhar seo ina raibh maoiniú suntasach poiblí i gceist. Beidh mo Roinn, i gcomhar leis an iontaobhas, ag dul sa tóir ar na heaspaí ina nósanna rialaithe.

Primary Care System

Mr Alan McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline when she expects to issue her plan for a new primary care system in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 72/01)

Ms de Brún: I expect to make an announcement about the future arrangements for primary care within the next few weeks.

Tá sé ar intinn agam fógra a dhéanamh faoi na socruithe don chúram phríomhúil sa todhchaí faoi cheann na chéad chúpla seachtain eile.

Access to Hospital Services

Mr Joe Byrne asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her plans to ensure that all citizens have equality of access to hospital services.

(AQO 33/01)

Ms de Brún: The Acute Hospitals Review Group has made recommendations about the future development of hospital services and I have issued the Group's report for a period of public consultation which lasts until 31 October. Following that, and after discussion with other Ministers and Departments, I intend to issue a consultation paper setting out proposals for the future development of hospital services. Any changes proposed will be subject to an equality impact assessment in line with Section 75 of the Equality Act.

Tá moltaí déanta ag an ghrúpa athbhreithnithe ar ghéarotharlanna ar fhorbairt seirbhísí otharlainne sa todhchaí agus d'eisigh mé tuairisc an ghrúpa le haghaidh tréimhse comhairliúcháin phoiblí a mhairfidh go dtí 31 Deireadh Fómhair. Ina dhiaidh sin, agus i ndiaidh caibidlí le hAirí eile, tá sé ar intinn agam páipéar comhairliúcháin, a leagann amach moltaí d'fhorbairt seirbhísí otharlainne sa todhchaí, a eisiúnt. Athraithe ar bith a mholfar, cuirfear iad faoi mheasúnú iarmhairte ar chomhionannas ag teacht le Mír 75 den Acht Comhionnannais.

Development of Hospital Services : Tyrone County Hospital

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail measures she has or will be putting into place to enhance the provision of services at Tyrone County Hospital.

(AQO 50/01)

Ms de Brún: The Acute Hospitals Review Group has submitted a report about the future development of hospital services and I have issued it for a period of public consultation, which lasts until 31 October. Following that, and after discussion with other Ministers, I intend to issue a consultation paper setting out the proposals for the future development of hospital services. In the meantime, I am informed that the additional resources allocated to the Western Board from the June monitoring round will enable services at Tyrone County to be sustained in the current year.

Chuir an grúpa athbhreithnithe ar ghéarotharlanna tuairisc ar fhorbairt sheirbhísí otharlainne sa todhchaí faoi mo bhráid agus d'eisigh mé í le haghaidh tréimhse comhairliúcháin phoiblí a mhairfidh do dtí 31 Deireadh Fómhar. Ina dhiadh sin, agus i ndiaidh caibidlí le hAirí eile, tá sé ar intinn agam páipéar comhairliúcháin a leagann amach moltaí d'fhorbairt sheirbhísí otharlainne sa todhchái a eisiúnt. Idir an dá linn, insítear domh go gcoinneoidh na hacmhainní breise a dáileadh ar Bhord an Iarthair ó bhabhta monatóireachta mhí an Mheithimh seirbhísí ag dul ar aghaidh in Otharlann Chontae Thír Eoghain sa bhliain reatha.

Waiting Lists Versus Waiting Times

Dr Joe Hendron asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she has any plans to move from "waiting lists" to "waiting times" as a measure of delay in delivery of healthcare.

(AQO 119/01)

Ms de Brún: I am already concerned not only about the overall number of people waiting for treatment but also about how long some of them have to wait. For that reason, I introduced last year a two-week deadline within which suspected breast cancer patients should be seen by a consultant and, this year, have asked Boards and Trusts to reduce by 50% the number of people waiting for longer than the charter standards for all treatments.

Tá imní orm cheana féin ní amháin faoi líon na ndaoine atá ag fanacht le cóireáil ach fosta faoina fhad agus a chaithfidh cuid acu fanacht léi. Dá bharr sin, thug mé spriocdháta dhá sheachtaine isteach anuraidh inar chóir d'othair a mheastar ailse chíche a bheith orthu dul chuig dochtúir comhairleach. I mbliana, d'iarr mé ar bhoird agus ar iontaobhais líon na ndaoine atá ag fanacht níos faide ná caighdeáin na cairte le gach uile chóireáil a laghdú faoi 50%.

Acute Hospitals Review Group Report : Consultation

Mrs Annie Courtney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the action, including the timetable, she proposes to take following the consultation on the Hayes report on acute healthcare.

(AQO 117/01)

Ms de Brún: I have issued the Acute Hospitals Review Group's report for a period of public consultation ending on 31 October. Following that, and after discussion with other Ministers and Departments, I intend to issue a consultation paper setting out proposals for the future development of hospital services. I hope that it will then be possible to bring forward an implementation plan for hospital services in the course of 2002. Any changes proposed for the long-term future of our acute hospitals will be subject to an equality impact assessment.

D'eisigh mé tuairisc an ghrúpa athbhreithnithe ar ghéarotharlanna le haghaidh tréimhse comhairliúcháin phoiblí a chríochnóidh ar 31 Deireadh Fómhair. Ina dhiaidh sin, agus i ndiaidh caibidlí le hAirí agus le Ranna eile, tá sé ar intinn agam páipéar comhairliúcháin a leagann amach moltaí d'fhorbairt sheirbhísí otharlainne sa todhchaí a eisiúint. Tá súil agam gur féidir plean feidhmithe do sheirbhísí otharlainne a chur amach le linn 2002. Athraithe ar bith a mholtar do thodhchaí fhadtéarmach ár ngéarotharlann, cuirfear iad faoi mheasúnú iarmhairte ar chomhionannas.

Waiting Times : MRI Scans

Ms Carmel Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the measures she is taking to reduce the waiting times for MRI scans for neurology patients.

(AQO 30/01)

Ms de Brún: A number of measures have been taken to reduce waiting times for MRI scans for neurology patients and others who require such scans. Last December, I initiated an Imaging Modernisation Programme which identified, as a key priority, the expansion of MRI provision. I also announced funding for an MRI scanner at Altnagelvin Hospital and the procurement process for this scanner is now under way, with tenders and evaluation due shortly. The New Opportunities Fund's decision earlier this year to fund three additional MRI scanners, which will be sited at the Ulster, Antrim, and Craigavon Area Hospitals, will also have a significant effect.

In the meantime, a mobile MRI unit had been providing a scanning service for the Northern and Western Board areas to help reduce waiting lists there. Additional scanning capacity from a mobile unit is also continuing at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Rinneadh roinnt beart le hamanna feithimh do scanadh MRI a laghdú d'othair néareolaíochta agus do dhaoine eile a bhfuil a leithéid de scantaí de dhíth orthu. I Nollag na bliana anuraidh, chuir mé tús le clár nuachóirithe íomháithe, a d'aithin, mar eochairthosaíocht, leathnú an tsoláthair MRI. D'fhógair mé fosta maoiniú do scanóir MRI in Otharlann Alt na nGealbhan, agus tá an próiseas leis an scanóir seo a fháil ar siúl anois; beidh tairiscintí agus measúnú le fáil ar ball. Beidh éifeacht thábhachtach fosta ag cinneadh an Chiste Deiseanna Nua níos luaithe i mbliana trí scanóir MRI breise, a bheidh suite in Otharlann Uladh, Aontroma agus Otharlann Ceantair Chreag na hAbhann, a mhaoiniú.

Idir an dá linn, bhí ionad taistil MRI ag soláthar seirbhíse scanta do cheantair Bhord an Tuaiscirt agus an Iarthair le cuidiú le liostaí feithimh ansin a laghdú. Tá cumas scanta breise ó ionad taistil ar fáil go fóill fosta in Otharlann Ríoga Victoria.

Down Lisburn Trust : Bridging Funding

Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline discussions she has held with the Chairperson and members of the Down Lisburn Trust concerning the provision of bridging funding; and to make a statement.

(AQO 48/01)

Ms de Brún: I have not had discussions with the Chair and members of the Down Lisburn Trust concerning the provision of bridging funding. The matter has been the subject of correspondence between officials and I understand an offer to discuss the matter has been made at official level to the Trust.

Ní raibh caibidil ar bith agam le cathaoirleach agus le baill Iontaobhas an Dúin/Lios na gCearrbhach maidir le soláthar maoinithe eatramhaigh. B'ábhar comhfhreagrais idir oifigigh í an cheist seo, agus tuigim gur tairgeadh don iontaobhas an cheist a phlé ag leibhéal oifigiúil.

Ambulance Response Times

Mr John Fee asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to report any planned or achieved improvements in ambulance response times in rural areas and specifically in South Armagh.

(AQO 42/01)

Ms de Brún: Following the Report on the Strategic Review of the Ambulance Service, an Implementation Steering Group has recently produced a detailed and fully costed set of proposals for implementation, including measures designed to achieve improved response times in all areas. These are currently being subjected to an equality impact assessment and, when this has been completed, I will be consulting widely before coming to a view on the way ahead. In the meantime, I can assure you that the Ambulance Service is continuing to look at ways to improve response times in rural areas.

De thoradh na tuairisce ar athbhreithniú straitéiseach na Seirbhíse Otharcharr, chuir grúpa stiúrtha feidhmithe amach roinnt mionmholtaí lánchostáilte le haghaidh feidhmiú, lena n-áirítear bearta le haghaidh amanna freagartha i ngach réimse a fheabhsú. Tá siad faoi mheasúnú iarmhairte ar chomhionannas faoi láthair, agus nuair a bheidh sé seo réidh beidh mé ag dul i gcomhairle go forleathan sula ndéanfaidh mé cinneadh ar an bhealach chun tosaigh. Idir an dá linn, dearbhaím duit go bhfuil an tSeirbhís Otharcharr ag scrúdú bealaí go fóill le hamanna freagartha i gceantair thuaithe a fheabhsú.

Consultant Cardiac Surgeons

Mr Edwin Poots asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how many cardiovascular surgeons are currently employed by the Health Service.

(AQO 81/01)

Ms de Brún: Currently there are five consultant cardiac surgeons employed by the health and social services. With effect from 19^th September Mr Sarsam will cease to be an employee of the Trust and the number of cardiac surgeons employed will decrease to four. I have been informed that the Royal Group of Hospitals will shortly be initiating steps to recruit a replacement for Mr Sarsam.

Tá cúig mháinlia chairdiacha chomhairleacha ar fostú faoi láthair ag na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta. Éireoidh an tUasal Sarsam as a fhostaíocht leis an iontaobhas ar 19 Meán Fómhair, agus titfidh an líon máinlia cairdiach atá ar fostú go ceathrar. Insíodh domh go mbeidh an Grúpa Ríoga Ospidéal ag glacadh céimeanna gan mhoill le duine a earcú le áit an Uasail Sarsam a líonadh.

Waiting Times

Mr Seamus Close asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the cost of and waiting times for (a) a cataract removal; (b) a heart bypass; (c) a hernia operation; and (d) a knee replacement compared to the rest of the United Kingdom.

(AQO 18/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested by the Honourable Member is very detailed, and it would be impractical for me to deal with this question here. I have therefore arranged to have this information on waiting times for the operations placed in the Assembly Library.

Information on costs for particular operations is not available.

Tá an t-eolas a iarrann an Comhalta Onórach iontach mion, agus bheadh sé neamhphraiticiúil agamsa plé leis an cheist anseo. Mar sin de shocraigh mé go gcuirfí an t-eolas seo ar amanna feithimh do na hobráidí i Leabharlann an Tionóil.

Níl eolas ar chostais obráidí áirithe ar fáil.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Limavady Bypass

Ms Mary Nelis asked the Minister for Regional Development in respect of the tendering process for the Limavady Bypass, to detail (a) whether he considers the process resulted in best value for money (b) the number of tenders received (c) the religious background of firms tendering (d) the number of tenders shortlisted and (e) the shortlisting criteria applied in this process.

(AQW 5/01)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): Officials in my Department's Roads Service have advised me that:

(a) the tendering process used for the Limavady Bypass was entirely compatible with current HM Treasury and EU guidelines on procuring best value contracting. As such, therefore, I am confident that the process will result in best value for money;

(b) four tenders were received for the contract;

(c) they have no information about the religious background of those firms who tendered for the contract and there is no requirement to seek such information;

(d) four firms made submissions for prequalification for the contract. All four were assessed and found to be suitable to be invited to tender; and

(e) during the prequalification process, firms that were interested were requested to submit team structure and company details including financial standing, relevant experience and technical suitability. All firms were informed how their submissions would be assessed.

During the tender process, the prequalified tenderers were asked to provide a quality submission, a financial submission and make a presentation to the tender assessment panel. All tenderers were informed how their submissions would be assessed.

Sewage Infrastructure : Drumahoe

Ms Mary Nelis asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans are in place to upgrade the sewage infrastructure in the Drumahoe area.

(AQW 6/01)

Mr Campbell: The Drumahoe Wastewater Treatment Works consistently meets the discharge standards set by the Department of the Environment. However, my Department's Water Service is very conscious of its responsibility to ensure that its infrastructure will be able to meet future needs and regulatory requirements. It has carried out detailed studies to assess the impact of future development on the Drumahoe Works and the sewerage network.

In view of these studies it is proposed to eventually discontinue full wastewater treatment at the Drumahoe Works and instead pump the wastewater to the Culmore Wastewater Treatment Works. However, the existing stormwater treatment facility at Drumahoe will be retained. The scheme is estimated to cost some £500,000 and will be undertaken in tandem with the upgrading of the Culmore Works. Upgrading work at the Culmore Works is currently programmed to commence in late 2002 and will take 2 years to complete, at a cost of some £14 million.

A number of improvements to the sewerage system are also proposed. These include the upgrading of pumping stations and improvements to the main and local sewers. These improvements are programmed to be carried out on a phased basis, from 2002, as part of sewer network upgrading in the Londonderry area. The overall cost is in the region of £3.5 million.

The Water Service's Capital Investment Programme is currently the subject of a major review. However, I will inform the Member if any of the programme dates for upgrading sewerage infrastructure in Drumahoe are altered.

Footway : Castleroe Corner, Coleraine

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development what progress has been made towards the widening of the footpath and a crossing provision at Castleroe Corner in Coleraine.

(AQW 31/01)

Mr Campbell: I am pleased to advise you that a scheme to widen the existing footway on Castleroe Road, in the village of Castleroe, near Coleraine, is included in the Roads Service minor works programme for the current financial year. The scheme also involves extending the footway a short distance southwards towards the nearby school. When completed, this will provide a safer road crossing point for pedestrians away from Castleroe Corner.

I have to advise you, however, that some difficulties are being experienced in acquiring the necessary land for the scheme. The District Valuer's Office is in negotiations with the relevant landowner and his agent in an attempt to reach agreement to allow the scheme to proceed.

A29 : Completion of Repairs

Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the estimated date of completion of repairs to the Desertmartin Road from Moneymore and whether this work will be completed within the estimated timescale for the project.

(AQW 32/01)

Mr Campbell: The A29 between Desertmartin and Moneymore has been the subject of a series of reconstruction schemes over the last 18 months, to improve its general alignment, width and strength.

The original road closure for the latest scheme at Ruben's Glen was for five weeks ending 3 September 2001. Additional finances subsequently became available which allowed a further scheme south of Carmean Lane to be started. The road closure was therefore increased by four weeks to 1 October 2001. Pending any unforeseen delays there should be no further road closures. However, completion of some ancillary work is likely to take a further four to six weeks.

This will complete the existing programme of improvement works for this road.

Toome Bypass

Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the current position in respect of the Toome Bypass contract.

(AQW 34/01)

Mr Campbell: My Department's Roads Service has completed the environmental and planning procedures for this scheme. An objection has however been received to the proposed Vesting Order. To date, that objection has not been resolved.

As you may know, I have been successful in securing Executive Programme Funds for this scheme and, if the objection to the Vesting Order can be resolved shortly, work on site could commence early next year.

Free Travel Scheme : War Pensioners

Mr Danny Kennedy asked the Minister for Regional Development to make it his policy that the free travel scheme for senior citizens will be extended to include disabled war pensioners irrespective of their age.

(AQW 36/01)

Mr Campbell: All war disabled pensioners currently qualify for half fare travel on public transport. From 1 October war disabled pensioners over 65 will qualify for free travel, in common with all other people over 65. War disabled pensioners under 65 will, unlike most other disabled people under 65, continue to qualify for half fare travel. However, I have already indicated that I intend to carry out a review of the Concessionary Fares Scheme within the next year to consider how it could be extended, if the Assembly allocates the necessary additional resources.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Sale of NIHE Stock : Ballysally Estate, Coleraine

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the current position in regard to the selling off of Northern Ireland Housing Executive stock to private developers in the Ballysally Estate in Coleraine.

(AQW 30/01)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, whose Chief Executive has advised me that, at this stage, no stock is being sold to private developers. The Housing Executive is currently preparing an Estate Based Strategy for the Ballysally Estate in Coleraine. It will probably be early 2002 before consultation with local residents is complete and detailed proposals are developed.

Social Security Benefits : Mid-Ulster

Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to his press release of 31 August 2001 detailing statistics on claims for Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance, to carry out a study to determine why the number of Incapacity Benefit recipients in Mid-Ulster is approximately one third higher than the Northern Ireland average; and to make a statement.

(AQW 44/01)

Mr Morrow: There is at present insufficient information available on take-up levels for Social Security benefits, to indicate what variations may be present or to permit research into the reasons behind any variations. Accordingly, the focus on research at present is to establish overall levels of take up for all benefits. The Family Resources Survey, which is the major source of information on this subject for Great Britain, will commence in Northern Ireland in April 2002, with first results for 2002-03 available in late 2003.

Incapacity Benefit : Qualifying Conditions

Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the medical conditions affecting people in Mid-Ulster which allowed them to qualify for Incapacity Benefit.

(AQW 45/01)

Mr Morrow: The qualifying conditions for Incapacity Benefit are the same for all customers throughout Northern Ireland. The Social Security Agency does not hold a breakdown of the medical conditions affecting Incapacity Benefit customers and this information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

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