| Home | Committees | Membership | Publications | Legislation | Chronology | Commission | Tour | Search |
|
Friday 19 October 2001 Tyrone County Hospital & Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans she has to ensure that facilities and services offered by the Tyrone County Hospital and Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust will not be diminished. (AQW 353/01) Ms de Brún: I refer the member to the answer I gave on 11 October to Question Number AQW 243. Treoraím an Ball don fhreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Uimhir AQW 243 ar 11 Deireadh Fómhair. Ambulance Service : Staffing Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the number of staff currently employed in the Ambulance Service compared to the previous five years. (AQW 382/01) Ms de Brún: The Ambulance Service currently employs 808 staff. The numbers of staff employed by the Ambulance Service for the previous five years are as follows: Year Total Staff 2000 790 1999 725 1998 704 1997 692 1996 675 Fostaíonn an tSeirbhís Otharchairr 808 d'fhoireann. Seo a leanas líon na bhfoirne a bhí fostaithe ag an tSeirbhís Otharcharr le cúig bliana anuas: Bliain Foireann Iomlán 2000 790 1999 725 1998 704 1997 692 1996 675 Downpatrick Hospital Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to explain (a) why the Eastern Health & Social Services has undertaken a further assessment of the services only at Downpatrick Maternity Hospital (b) what steps she is taking to honour her undertakings given on Monday 15 January 2001 (Hansard Volume 8 No 5 page 213) that in-patient maternity services will continue at the hospital; and to make a statement. (AQW 462/01) Ms de Brún: (a) I am advised that the Eastern Health and Social Services Board did not carry out a further assessment of services at Downpatrick Hospital. I understand, however, that on 6 September 2001, the Board issued a set of criteria for the identification of high risk maternity cases that would be transferred to other hospitals rather than be delivered in Downpatrick. I am advised that these criteria have been developed as part of an ongoing process with the objective of ensuring that women are not planned for delivery in units where there is a significant likelihood of the woman or newborn requiring services which are not available on site. (b) As I said in my response on 15 January the position remains unchanged. I am committed to maintaining safe and effective services at the Downe hospital, pending decisions regarding the outcome of the Acute Hospitals Review. I have asked the Down Lisburn Trust and the Eastern Board to do everything possible to maintain safe maternity services at the Downe Hospital until that time. I am advised that actions taken to achieve this objective have included development of a second on call anaesthetic rota system supported by consultants from Belfast hospitals, and the development of the transfer criteria. (a) Tugadh comhairle dom nach ndearna Bord Sláinte Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir measúnú eile ar sheirbhísí Otharlann Dhún Pádraig. Tuigim, áfach, gur eisigh an Bord, ar 6 Meán Fómhair, roinnt critéar le cásanna máithreachais ardbhaolacha a aimsiú a aistreoidh chuig otharlanna eile in áit iad a sholáthar i nDún Pádraig. Tugadh comhairle dom go ndearnadh dul chun cinn leis na critéir seo mar pháirt do phróiseas leanúnach a bhfuil sé mar aidhm aige le cinntiú nach mbíonn plean déanta go mbreitheann mná in aonaid mar go mbíonn seans maith ann go mbeidh seirbhísí de dhíth do bhean nó don naíonán nua nach bhfuil ar fáil ar an láithreán. (b) Mar a dúirt mé i bhfreagra s'agam ar 15 Eanáir níl athrú ar bith ar na tosca. Tá mé geallta do sheirbhísí atá slán agus éifeachtach a chothabháil ag Otharlann Downe, ar fheitheamh cinní maidir le torthaí Athbhreithniú na nGéarotharlann. D'iarr mé ar Iontaobhas an Dúin/Lios na gCearrbhach agus ar Bhord an Oirthir gach rud is féidir a dhéanamh le seirbhísí máithreachais slán a chothabháil ag Otharlann Downe go dtí an t-am sin. Tugadh comhairle dom gur cuireadh forbairt an dara córas uainchláir ainéistéisí ar dualgas, le tacú ó lianna comhairleacha ó otharlanna Bhéal Feirste, chomh maith le forbairt critéar aistrithe san áireamh i measc na ngníomhartha a rinneadh chun an cuspóir seo a bhaint amach. Health Checks In General Practice Mr John Dallat asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to ensure that all patients registered at local health practices receive regular check ups so that medical care is proactive rather than reactive; and to make a statement. (AQO 259/01) Ms de Brún: There is already a multidisciplinary proactive approach to health checks in general practice. General practitioners have certain obligations under their terms of service and are eligible for payment for some services such as health promotion and chronic disease management programmes. However, many practices do much more than this, such as adopting a proactive approach to the assessment of patients for risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke with ongoing follow-up appropriate to the needs of the individual. Decisions about priorities and how checks are undertaken can only be taken at local level taking account of the needs and wishes of the local population, service capacity to deliver, professional knowledge and skills and evidence of effectiveness. Tá cur chuige forghníomhach ildisciplíneach i leith seiceálacha sláinte i ngnáthchleachtas ann cheana féin. Tá oibleagáidí áirithe ar chleachtóirí ginearálta faoi théarmaí a gcuid seirbhísí agus tá siad i dteideal íocaíochta do roinnt seirbhísí mar chur chun cinn sláinte agus cláir bhainistíochta galar ainsealach. Déanann go leor cleachtas áfach i bhfad níos mó ná sin. Áirítear air sin cur chuige forghníomhach a ghlacadh maidir le measúnú othar i leith fachtóirí riosca do ghalar corónach croí agus stróc agus cóireáil leanúnach ina dhiaidh sin a bhíonn cuí do riachtanais an duine aonair. Ní féidir cinnidh a ghlacadh faoi thosaíochtaí agus an tslí a dtabharfar faoi sheiceálacha ach ag an leibhéal áitiúil, ag cur san áireamh riachtanais agus mianta an daonra áitiúil, acmhainn na seirbhíse seachadadh a dhéanamh, eolas gairmiúil agus fianaise éifeachtachta. Primary Health Care Centre: Kilkeel Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when the amended business case for the new Primary Health Care Centre in Kilkeel will be approved; and to make a statement. (AQO 267/01) Ms de Brún: My Department has examined the amended business case for the Integrated Primary Health Care Centre and concluded that some issues have still to be satisfactorily addressed. The Trust has been asked to look at these urgently. I know how important this facility is to the people of Kilkeel and I assure you that my Department is making every effort to ensure that the business case is taken forward as quickly as possible. Rinne mo Roinn iniúchadh ar an chás gnó leasaithe don ionad príomhchúraim sláinte imeasctha agus tháinig sí ar an chinneadh go bhfuil saincheisteanna ann go fóill a chaithfear aghaidh a thabhairt orthu. Iarradh ar an iontaobhas féachaint orthu sin mar ábhar práinne. Tuigim an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an áis seo do mhuintir Chill Chaoil agus is féidir liom a dheimhniú duit go bhfuil mo Roinnse ag déanamh gach iarrachta le go ndéanfar dul chun cinn maidir leis an chás gnó chomh tapa agus is féidir. Reduction of Waiting Lists Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail any representations she has made to the Minister of Finance and Personnel regarding the provision of additional funding to reduce waiting lists. (AQO 286/01) Ms de Brún: I have strenuously made the case on many occasions to the Minister of Finance and Personnel on the need to enhance services and to cut hospital waiting lists. In this year's Budget discussions, for example, I bid for £8m to improve regional services (such as cardiac surgery) and for £12m to enhance hospital capacity. These and other bids were specifically designed to address increasing demands on the Service. I will continue to press for a level of HPSS funding which recognises the full seriousness of the need for additional resources across the health and social services in general and, in particular, to tackle the waiting list problem. Is minic an cás déanta go láidir agam leis an Aire Airgeadais agus Pearsanra faoin ghá atá le feabhas a chur ar sheirbhísí agus le liostaí feithimh ospidéil a ghearradh. Nuair a bhí Buiséad na bliana seo á phlé, mar shampla, d'iarr mé £8m le seirbhísí réigiúnacha (mar mháinliacht chairdiach) a fheabhsú agus £12 m le cur le cumas ospidéal. Bhí na tairiscintí sin agus tairiscintí eile leagtha amach go sonrach le haghaidh ar thabhairt ar mhéadú ar na héilimh ar an tSeirbhís. Leanfaidh mé liom ag lorg leibhéil de mhaoiniú SSSP a thabharfaidh aird ar chomh tromchúiseach is atá an riachtanas le tuilleadh acmhainní ar fud na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta go ginearálta agus go sonrach le tabhairt faoi fhadhb na liostaí feithimh. Refurbishment of Health Board Offices Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what monitoring is undertaken to ensure that spending on the refurbishment of health board offices is carried out in a cost effective manner. (AQO 251/01) Ms de Brún: All capital projects require a Business Case. A formal submission, including details of the costs, must be made to my Department for approval to proceed where the estimate is above a prescribed limit, normally £500,000 for a construction project. Guidelines are issued setting out standards of accommodation in health and social services building projects, including refurbishments. Each project must be delivered in a cost-effective manner. Quarterly reports on progress and expenditure against the agreed cost and timetable for the project must be sent to the Department in the case of all capital projects over £250,000. Éilíonn gach tionscadal caipitil cás gnó. Ní mór aighneacht fhoirmiúil lena n-áirítear sonraí faoi chostais a chur faoi bhráid mo Roinnse le cead dul ar aghaidh má bhíonn an meastachán os cionn teorainn fhorordaithe, de ghnáth £500,000 do thionscadal tógála. Eisítear treoirlínte a leagann amach caighdeáin chóiríochta i dtionscadail tógála na seirbhísí sóisialta agus sláinte, lena n-áirítear athchóirithe. Ní mór gach tionscadal a sheachadadh ar bhealach costas-éifeachtach. Ní mór tuarascálacha ráithiúla ar dhul chun cinn agus caiteachas in éadan costais agus tráthchláir chomhaontaithe don tionscadal a chur faoi bhráid na Roinne i gcás gach tionscadail os cionn £250,000. Free Nursing Care for Elderly Mr Boyd Douglas asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the cost implications of providing free nursing care for the elderly. (AQO 270/01) Ms de Brún: The costs of providing nursing care free to residents of care homes who at present meet these costs from their own resources are estimated to amount to £9.0 and £9.225 million in 2002/03 and 2003/04 respectively. Meastar gurb iad £9.0 agus £9.225 milliún san iomlán faoi seach na costais i 2002-03 agus i 2003-04 le cúram altranais saor in aisce a sholáthar do chónaitheoirí i dtithe cúraim a sheasann na costais seo óna gcuid acmhainní féin faoi láthair. Equitable Life AVC Funds Ms Monica McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why the health service was promoting the Equitable Life Additional Voluntary Contributions Scheme up until the collapse of the company and who gave instructions to continue to promote the scheme within the health and social services trusts. (AQO 257/01) Ms de Brún: Since late December 1998, when HPSS Superannuation Branch became aware there was a problem with Guaranteed Annuity Rate With-Profit policies, Scheme managers have sought professional legal and actuarial advice on an ongoing basis. This advice indicated it would not be in members' best interests to part company with the Equitable life. In March 2001 an announcement was made about Equitable Life being bought out by the Halifax Group and Clerical Medical being employed to administer the Equitable Life's with-profits fund. Regulators were then still of the opinion that Equitable Life continued to be solvent. At that time Scheme managers put in place a number of external funds operated by Clerical medical, which members could access broadly on the terms of the Equitable Life contract. Scheme managers wrote to members to advise them of the availability of these additional funds and to advise on their options, including stopping contributions to the Equitable Life. After receiving further advice in August 2001 Scheme managers wrote to members advising that any member still contributing to Equitable Life with profits AVC funds should be recommended to cease payments, unless they had independent advice to the contrary. Ó dheireadh Nollaig 1998 nuair a tháinig Brainse Pinsin SSSP ar an eolas go raibh fadhbanna le polasaithe an ráta blianachta ráthaithe le-brabús, lorg bainisteoirí scéime comhairle ghairmiúil achtúireach agus dlí ar bhonn leanúnach. Léirigh an chomhairle nárbh é leas na gcomhaltaí imeacht ó Equitable life. I Márta 2001 rinneadh fógra go raibh an Grúpa Halifax ag ceannach Equitable Life agus go raibh Clerical Medical á fhostú le riaradh a dhéanamh ar chiste le-brabúis Equitable Life. Bhí rialathóirí den tuairim ag an am sin go raibh Equitable Life sócmhainneach go fóill. An tráth sin chuir bainisteoirí scéime i bhfeidhm roinnt cistí seachtracha a d'fheidhmigh Clerical Medical a bhféadfadh comhaltaí teacht orthu go leathan ar bhonn théarmaí chonradh Equitable Life. Scríobh bainisteoirí scéime chuig comhaltaí lena gcur ar an eolas go raibh na cistí breise sin ar fáil agus le comhairle a thabhairt dóibh faoina gcuid roghanna, lena n-áirítear scor de ranníoca chuig Equitable Life. I ndiaidh tuilleadh comhairle a fháil i Lúnasa 2001 scríobh bainisteoirí scéime chuig comhaltaí a rá leo gur chóir a mholadh d'aon chomhalta a bhí fós ag tabhairt ranníoc do Equitable Life le brabúis cistí AVC éirí as ranníocaíochtaí mura raibh a mhalairt de chomhairle neamhspleách acu. Operations Outside UK Mr George Savage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she has any plans to make available the option of operations, in other European Union Member States outside the United Kingdom, for those on hospital waiting lists for more than six months. (AQO 271/01) Ms de Brún: I am aware that this judgement of the European Court of Justice has aroused a great deal of interest, particularly in view of our long waiting lists. I have asked my officials to examine the implications of the judgement and to report their conclusions to me. Is eol domh gur spreag an breithiúnas seo de chuid Chúirt Bhreithiúnais na hEorpa cuid mhaith suime, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs ár liostaí fada feithimh. D'iarr mé ar mo chuid feidhmeannach impleachtaí an bhreithiúnais a iniúchadh agus a gcuid tuairimí a thuairisciú domh. Patients in Rural Areas Mr Mick Murphy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make a statement regarding patients concerns over distances involved travelling to out-of-hours centres and that General Practitioners are not aware of the patients medical history in rural areas. (AQO 268/01) Ms de Brún: The recent Southern HSS Board Evaluation of GP Out-of-Hours services at Newry and Moy acknowledged these points and the Board has committed itself to taking forward all of the recommendations from the evaluation. The Department will be looking closely at the findings of this review and a similar review conducted by the Eastern Board. For the majority of out-of-hours consultations, general practitioners can obtain the relevant information from the patient or their carer. However, in complex cases, some medical history can be beneficial. The universally used computer software in out-of-hours centres has the facility to record relevant significant clinical details which can be used in subsequent calls. This information system can be regularly used by the patient's registered GP to inform the out-of-hours service of potential complex problems. In addition, all out-of-hours services have a database of general practitioners' telephone numbers so they can be contacted if urgent information about a patient's medical condition is required. D'aithin an Mheasúnacht le gairid de chuid an Bhord HSS an Deiscirt ar sheirbhísí Eis-Uaire Dochtúirí Teaghlaigh in Iúr agus i Maigh na pointí sin agus tá an Bord tiomanta na moltaí ar fad ón measúnú a thabhairt chun cinn. Beidh an Roinn ag féachaint go grinn ar thorthaí an athbhreithnithe sin agus ar athbhreithniú den sórt céanna a rinne Bord Sláinte an Oirthir. D'fhormhór na gcomhchomhairlí eis-uaire, is féidir le dochtúirí teaghlaigh an t-eolas cuí a fháil ón othar nó ó chúramóir an othair. I gcásanna casta, áfach, is féidir le stair míochaine a bheith tairbheach. Tá an tsaoráid ag an mbog-earra ríomhaireachta a mbaintear úsáid chomhchoitianta as i lárionaid eis-uaire taifead a dhéanamh ar mhionsonraí suntasacha ábharthacha cliniciúla is féidir a úsáid i nglaonna ina dhiaidh sin. Is féidir le Dochtúir Teaghlaigh an othair an córas eolais seo a úsáid go rialta leis an tseirbhís eis-uaire a chur ar an eolas faoi fhadhbanna casta féideartha. Chomh maith leis sin, tá bunachar sonraí d'uimhreacha teileafóin na ndochtúirí teaghlaigh ar fad ag seirbhísí eis-uaire le gur féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh leo má bhíonn eolas práinneach faoi bhail leighis othair de dhíth. Tyrone County Hospital Mr Barry McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide additional funding for the Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh following the increase in workload caused by the discontinuation of some services at the South Tyrone Hospital in Dungannon. (AQO 285/01) Ms de Brún: Additional funding has been provided to Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust following the discontinuation of some services at the South Tyrone Hospital in Dungannon. In particular, the Southern Health and Social Services Board provided additional recurring funding of £50,000 in 2000/01 and £100,000 in 2001/02 to fund some 218 inpatient episodes and 82 outpatient attendances on a recurrent basis. In addition, it has also assisted Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust on a non recurrent basis, providing a further £85,000 in 2000/01 and £40,000 in 2001/02. Tá maoiniú breise curtha ar fáil do Iontaobhas Speiríní, Tír na Lochanna i ndiaidh scor de roinnt seirbhísí ag Ospidéal Thír Eoghain Theas i nDún Geanainn. Go sonrach sholáthair Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Deiscirt maoiniú breise athfhillteach de £50,000 in 2000-2001 agus £100,000 in 2001-2002 le thart ar 218 (dhá chéad ocht déag) eipeasóid othair chónaithigh a mhaoiniú agus 82 freastal othair sheachtraigh ar bhonn athfhillteach. Chomh maith leis sin, chuidigh sé le hIontaobhas Loch-cheantar Speirín ar bhonn neamh-athfhillteach i soláthar eile de £85,000 in 200-2001 agus £40,000 in 2001-2002. TOPREGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Road Safety Programme : Mid Ulster Mr Billy Armstrong asked the Minister for Regional Development to list his road safety programme for the Mid Ulster area and to make it his policy that safety will be the decisive factor when it comes to allocating funding for road projects. (AQW 96/01) The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): Road safety is a key consideration for my Department's Roads Service in allocating funding for all roads projects, including road maintenance schemes. In particular, the Roads Service accident remedial and traffic calming programmes are aimed specifically at reducing the number of accidents on our roads. I have listed below the proposed schemes that are included in the 2001/2002 Roads Service accident remedial and traffic calming programmes for the Mid-Ulster area: Accident remedial schemes
Traffic calming schemes
Revenue From Car Parking Fees Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the revenue raised from car parking fees in each Roads Service Division. (AQW 131/01) Mr Campbell: In 2000/01 the revenue raised from car parking fees in each Division of my Department's Roads Service was as follows:
Bowen's Close : Sewer Extension Mr Mervyn Carrick asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the cost to the public purse in providing sewage disposal facilities for three new houses , 1-3 Bowens Close, Lurgan and what further cost is anticipated. (AQW 137/01) Mr Campbell: A sewer extension scheme to serve numbers 1 to 3 Bowen's Close, and 5 dwellings in the new Knocknashane development, was completed in May 2001. The scheme can also accommodate 3 existing dwellings in Bowen's Lane, which are currently served by septic tanks. The total cost of the scheme was £24,200. No further costs are anticipated. Roads Service : Indicators of Need Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 3392/00, to detail the indicators of need that Roads Service use to apportion resources across district council areas. (AQW 158/01) Mr Campbell: As I indicated in my answer to AQW 3392/00, the resources available to my Department's Roads Service for minor road works and road maintenance are allocated across district council areas using appropriate indicators of need. In the case of minor road works, which includes minor road improvements, traffic calming, accident remedial and transportation schemes, the indicators of need are population, weighted road lengths and the number of road accidents. As for road maintenance, the budget is allocated using a range of weighted indicators tailored to each of the 13 road maintenance activities (ie, resurfacing of motorways and trunk roads, resurfacing of non-trunk roads, carriageway patching, surface dressing, winter service, etc.). For example, the indicators used to allocate funds for resurfacing of non-trunk roads network take account of the amount of travel on the network, the condition of the network and the carriageway in each council area. Traffic Calming Measures : Kircubbin Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the timescale to complete the traffic calming measures in Kircubbin. (AQW 251/01) Mr Campbell: My Department's Roads Service has advised me that the Kircubbin traffic calming scheme to provide entrance features on the main approach roads and measures to reduce the width of the carriageway (including lay-bys, central road markings, etc) was substantially completed in July 2001. The elements of the scheme yet to be completed are the provision of kerb build outs, coloured surfacing and signing. The delay in completing the scheme was caused by the unavailability of specialist kerbing units and of a contractor to provide the coloured surfacing. The entire scheme is expected to be finalised by the end of this month. Road Improvements : Greyabbey Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the timescale for the completion of the road surface at the lower part of Main Street, Greyabbey. (AQW 252/01) Mr Campbell: My Department's Roads Service has advised me that progress on the improvement scheme being undertaken in Main Street, Greyabbey was delayed as a result of design changes having to be made to accommodate the requests of local residents and shopkeepers and because British Telecom had to relocate some of its apparatus. These issues have now been resolved and work on site is due to recommence shortly. It is hoped that the scheme will be finalised by mid-November 2001. Low Floor Accessible Buses Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to improve the number of low floor accessible buses. (AQW 283/01) Mr Campbell: Translink has advised that with the assistance of bus purchase grants from my Department it intends to purchase some 28 new buses per annum over the next three years. Translink anticipate that all these new buses will be low floor. My Department expects to provide some £1.7m per annum towards these new bus purchases. NI Transport Holding Company Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development how many of Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company's directors have had their three year appointment renewed and to detail their individual length of service. (AQW 285/01) Mr Campbell: Four members of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company have had their three-year appointment renewed for a second term. Mr Luke Hasson and Mr Noel Stewart have served from 1 November 1995 and Mr John Freeman and Dr Maria Maloney have served from 1 May 1996. The Department is currently advertising for new appointments, which are expected to take effect from April 2002. Parking Facilities at Train Stations : East Antrim Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to provide additional car parking facilities at train stations throughout the constituency of East Antrim. (AQW 286/01) Mr Campbell: Translink has advised that there is already a relatively considerable number of parking spaces available at train stations in the East Antrim constituency. There are 16, 120, 29 and 30 spaces provided at Greenisland station, Carrickfergus station, Whitehead station and Larne station respectively. Translink is continuing to examine other potential sites for Park and Ride facilities and is currently considering the potential for providing parking spaces at Jordanstown station, Trooperslane station and Clipperstown station. Any developments will be dependent on customer demand and the availability of resources, among other considerations. Bus Service : Carrickfergus to Antrim Area Hospital Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to explain what he intends to do about the ongoing delay in providing a bus service from Carrickfergus to the Antrim Area Hospital. (AQW 287/01) Mr Campbell: The start of this service has been delayed due to a shortage of bus drivers. Translink has informed my Department that a driver has been recruited for the new service it proposes to operate between Carrickfergus and Ballyclare. This service will connect with its Larne to Antrim Hospital service. Translink hopes to begin the service before the end of the year, once the driver has successfully completed a training programme. Newry Bypass Mr Danny Kennedy asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the amount of compensation paid for each portion of land acquired from local landowners to complete the last phase of the Newry Bypass and to confirm the number of unsettled claims. (AQW 312/01) Mr Campbell: The information you have sought is a private matter between my Department and the landowners concerned. I can however advise that, in total, my Department has paid almost £1M in compensation for land that was acquired to complete the last phase (i.e. Stage 3) of the Newry Bypass. At present only one claim for compensation for this stage remains unsettled. Ulsterbus Passenger Numbers Mr David McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development what assessment he has made in relation to the decline in passenger numbers on Ulsterbus by 3% between 1999 and 2001 as published in the "Northern Ireland Transport Statistics 2000-2001"; and to make a statement. (AQW 321/01) Mr Campbell: The decline in Ulsterbus passenger numbers from 48.2m in 1999/2000 to 46.8m in 2000/2001 is the continuation of a long-term trend of reduced bus usage associated with increasing car ownership. In the short-term I consider that the provision of free travel for older people, which I introduced on 1 October 2001, will help reverse this trend. In the longer-term it is obvious that increasing traffic congestion problems will mean that the trend of reducing bus usage and increasing car usage is not sustainable. To encourage more bus usage we must provide a regular, high quality, efficient and reliable bus service. This is one of many transportation goals which I am committed to. However, substantial additional resources to enable such a service to be provided will be required. Bus Service : Carrickfergus to Antrim Hospital Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development to explain the reason for the delay in commencing the bus service from Carrickfergus to Antrim Hospital. (AQW 324/01) Mr Campbell: Further to the answer I gave on 11th June 2001 to AQW 3153/00, Translink has now informed my Department that a driver has been recruited for the new service it proposes to operate between Carrickfergus and Ballyclare. This service will connect with its Larne to Antrim Hospital service. Translink hope to start the service before the end of the year, once the driver has successfully completed a training programme. Pedestrian Crossing : Ballygowan The Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) his plans to provide a pedestrian crossing on the Ballygowan/Belfast Road opposite Ballygowan Village Hall (b) the last traffic survey at this location (c) the result of this survey and (d) the proposed date of the next traffic survey at this location. (AQW 344/01) Mr Campbell: My Department's Roads Service has no current plans to provide a pedestrian crossing on the Ballygowan/Belfast Road at this location. The last pedestrian crossing assessment survey was carried out at the Village Hall on Tuesday 10 October 2000 and it showed that the level of pedestrian/vehicle conflict was well below the threshold for consideration to be given to the provision of a pedestrian crossing. As there has been no significant development in the area the circumstances are unlikely to have changed since the last assessment and therefore Roads Service has no plans to carry out a new pedestrian crossing assessment survey in the area. Ownership of Pathway in Ballygowan The Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister for Regional Development who owns the pathway in Ballygowan from the Brae down to Alexander Dickson Primary School past the medical surgery; and if he will make a statement on the ownership of this pathway. (AQW 349/01) Mr Campbell: The pathway in question has not been adopted into the public road network and is therefore not the responsibility of my Department's Roads Service. In the circumstances, I have no information regarding ownership of the pathway. Regional Transportation Strategy Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline how he intends to strike a balance between the upgrading of the road network, whilst at the same time adopting a pro-active policy in encouraging car owners to use other modes of transport. (AQW 412/01) Mr Campbell: My Department is preparing a 10-year Regional Transportation Strategy which will identify transportation priorities over the next decade. During the course of its development there has been extensive consultation during which the relative priority attributed to different transport modes (e.g., car, public transport, taxi, freight, cycling and walking) has been debated. That included a major working conference which was held on 28th September at which emerging strategies were considered including the balance to which you refer. A comprehensive list of measures to support sustainable transport has been undertaken in recent years and these included measures to encourage travel by modes other than by car. The Regional Transport Programme, which was published in June 2001, outlines those measures undertaken during the last 4 years and sets out the proposals for 2001/2. A copy is available in the Library. My Department is adopting a proactive policy of encouraging car owners to consider using other modes of transport. This approach involves raising the public's awareness of the critical issues such as increasing congestion as well as the health and environmental benefits of exploring more sustainable travel alternatives, including walking, cycling and public transport. Early in the new year my Department will also be launching an Education and Awareness Communication Strategy which will seek to educate the public about the benefits of using more sustainable modes of travel and the role these modes can play in helping to address the problems associated with unrestrained car travel in Northern Ireland. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Allowances for Carers Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development what plans he has to raise the allowance paid to a carer who leaves work to look after an elderly relative. (AQW 278/01) The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): Last Autumn it was announced that a package of measures was to be introduced to enhance social security provision for carers. Two of these measures were implemented in April this year. The Invalid Care Allowance earnings limit was increased from £50 to £72 per week and the Carer Premium paid through the income-related benefits was increased from £14.15 to £24.40 per week. Capital Limits for Pensioners Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development if he has any plans to reform Social Security regulations governing capital limits for pensioners. (AQW 279/01) Mr Morrow: Steps have already been taken to reform capital limits for pensioners. In April 2001, the lower capital limit in the income-related benefits for those over 60 was increased from £3,000 to £6,000. At the same time, the upper limit of the Minimum Income Guarantee and Jobseeker's Allowance for those over 60 was raised from £8,000 to £12,000. In addition, the Pension Credit consultation paper set out the proposals for abolishing both the capital limits and the assumed £1.00 a week rate of return for every £250 of capital for pensioners. Invalid Care Allowance Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development if he has any plans to allow new carers over the age of 65 to be eligible for Carer's benefit. (AQW 282/01) Mr Morrow: Allowing carers over the age of 65 to claim Invalid Care Allowance requires substantial legislative changes which will be introduced as soon as possible. Housing Executive Expenditure : Ards Borough Council Area Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the level of expenditure, by the Housing Executive, in the Ards Borough Council area in each of the last five years. (AQW 310/01) Mr Morrow: The information requested is as follows: NIHE Expenditure in Ards Borough Council Area
Level of Homelessness Dr Esmond Birnie asked the Minister for Social Development what statistical information is held on the level of homelessness in Northern Ireland and how does that level compare to Great Britain. (AQW 361/01) Mr Morrow: For comparative purposes figures for the end of year 1999/2000 for Northern Ireland and Great Britain are as follows:
In addition some information on those presenting as homeless in Northern Ireland can be fund in the Department's publication "Northern Ireland Housing Statistics 2000 - 01". The Simon Community produces figures in its publication "Annual Statistics 2000-01". Benefit Fraud - Reduction Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development what plans he has to set targets for reducing benefit fraud and NIHE grant fraud. (AQW 366/01) Mr Morrow: The Social Security Agency has, as a part of its Security Strategy, set targets to reduce the levels of fraud and error within the benefit systems. The strategic target is to achieve a 5% reduction per year in the level of fraud and error in Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Incapacity Benefit. There are currently no targets for reducing Housing Executive grant fraud. The Housing Executive has a grants scheme fraud strategy, within which there is an extensive system of controls, audits and management and supervisory checks. Child Benefit Policy and Administration Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail whether he intends to recommend transfer of responsibility for policy and administration of child benefit to the Inland Revenue; and to make a statement. (AQW 402/01) Mr Morrow: I have recommended that responsibility for policy and administration of Child Benefit should be transferred to the Inland Revenue. I intend to put down a Motion for debate to bring the matter before the Assembly. Child Benefit Policy and Administration Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Social Development if it is his intention that employees involved in processing Child Benefit claims will remain within the Northern Ireland Civil Service in the event of any transfer of responsibilities to the Inland Revenue. (AQW 403/01) Mr Morrow: Should the responsibility for policy and administration of Child Benefit be transferred to the Inland Revenue, Child Benefit staff in the Social Security Agency would transfer from the Northern Ireland Civil Service to the United Kingdom Civil Service. << Prev |