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Friday 09 November 2001 General Exchequer Grant : District Councils Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to explain how he has allocated the reduction of the General Exchequer Grant across all district councils. (AQW 508/01) Mr Foster: The approximate spread of a £2 million reduction in the previous indicative allocation for 2002/2003, using the data for councils which qualify for the resources element of the General Exchequer Grant this year, is illustrated in the table below. This is reflected in the Executive's draft budget, which is currently out for consultation. The actual impact would depend on the detailed application of the formula, which includes district council expenditure forecasts.
General Exchequer Grant : District Councils Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if he has any plans to ensure that the reduction in the General Exchequer Grant is apportioned across all district councils. (AQW 510/01) Mr Foster: The Executive's draft budget for 2002/2003, which is currently out for consultation, implies a £2 million cut in the previous indicative allocation for the resources element of the General Exchequer Grant. This element of the grant is distributed in accordance with a statutory formula. It is payable only to those district councils, whose total rateable value, per head of population, falls below a level, determined each year by the Department. Normally 16-19 councils qualify for a share of the grant, therefore the reduction would apply only to those councils. Legal Expenses : Bowen's Close, Lurgan Mr Seamus Close asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the legal expenses occurred to date, and the projected legal expenses on the ongoing litigation in respect of Nos 1, 2 and 3 Bowen's Close, Lurgan. (AQW 530/01) Mr Foster: Litigation is ongoing in this case and the Court has not yet considered the matter of costs. Costs not yet considered the matter of costs. Costs incurred to date by either the Department or the Judicial Review applicant will depend on the Court Judgement and the final award of costs by the Judge. This is also the position regarding the Department's projected legal costs National Park Designation Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment what steps will the Executive take to approve a policy to designate certain parts of Northern Ireland with National Park status; and to make a statement. (AQO 352/01) Mr Foster: Since my Department is responsible for National Park designation, this question has been transferred to me for reply. I refer the Minister to the answer I gave to his oral question on 10 September 2001. I have since sent the report by my officials, to which I referred in that reply, to the Assembly Environment Committee and I look forward to receiving its views. When I have received and have had an opportunity to consider the Committee's views, I will make a statement on the way forward. TOPLitigation Costs Mr Edwin Poots asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the litigation costs incurred by each department in respect of those court cases concerning the failure to nominate Ministers to attend North/South Ministerial Council meetings. (AQW 392/01) The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): The costs to be incurred by departments on behalf of their Ministers in this litigation are not yet known. TOPHealth, Social Services and Public Safety Prescription Fraud Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans she has to deal with fraudulent claims for exemption from payment of prescription charges. (AQW 448/01) The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): Tackling prescription exemption fraud is a priority of my Department and part of a major programme of action to counter fraud whether perpetrated by members of the public or practitioners. Significant work has already been undertaken. For example, point of dispensing checks have been introduced, a dedicated Counter Fraud Unit was established in January this year to target the main areas of exemption abuse, and, over the last 18 months more than 100 members of the public have been successfully taken through the Small Claims Court procedure to recover the prescription charges evaded. Next year my Department is intending to introduce Fixed Penalty Fines up to a maximum of £100, to penalise individuals who fraudulently claim exemptions from prescription payments. In addition, where individuals are proven to have repeatedly evaded payment of prescription charges, criminal proceedings for such evasion could be undertaken. This could result in a maximum fine of £2500. Is tosaíocht de chuid mo Roinne tabhairt faoi chalaois díolúine oideas, agus tá sé mar chuid de phríomhchlár gnímh le tabhairt faoi chalaois, bíodh sin déanta ag daoine den phobal, nó ag liachleachtóirí, nó ná bíodh. Tá obair mhór déanta cheana féin. Mar shampla tá pointí seiceála dáilte tugtha isteach, bunaíodh Aonad Calaoise Cuntair sainiúil in Eanáir i mbliana le díriú ar príomhréimsí mhí-úsáid díolúine, agus le 18 mí anuas tugadh breis is 100 duine den phobal go rathúil os comhair nós imeachta Chúirt na Mionéileamh chun na muirir oideas a himghabháladh a athghnóthú. An bhliain seo chugainn tá sé i gceist ag mo Roinnse Fíneálacha Socraithe Pionóis go huasmhéid de £100 a thabhairt isteach, chun pionós a ghearradh ar dhaoine a éilíonn díolúintí go calaoiseach ó íocaíochtaí oideas. Chomh maith leis sin sa chás go gcruthaítear go bhfuil íocaíocht muirir oideas imghafa go minic ag daoine tionsnófar imeachtaí coiriúla fán imghabháil sin. Féadfar uasfhíneáil de £2500 a ghearradh fá sin.Breast and Testicular Cancer Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail promotional costs relating to the prevention and early detection of (a) breast cancer and (b) testicular cancer. (AQW 459/01) Ms de Brún: Much has been done and is continuing to be done in promoting awareness, aimed at the prevention and detection, of breast cancer and to a lesser extent, testicular cancer. Promotional work of this kind involves a great many professionals, including GPs, Breast Cancer Nurses and Health Promotion Staff working in Health Boards, Trusts, and a variety of other agencies. It is not, however, possible to disaggregate the costs incurred in promotion of this kind from other costs incurred by these professionals in the course of their daily activities. Rinneadh cuid mhór oibre cheana féin agus tá sí á déanamh go fóill le eolas dírithe ar chosc agus ar fháil amach ailse cíche, agus go pointe níos lú ailse uiríche, a chur chun cinn. Tá cuid mhór gairmithe páirteach san obair chothaithe seo, Gnáthdhochtúirí, Altraí Ailse Cíche agus Foireann Chothú Sláinte ag obair i mBoird Shláinte, in Iontaobhais agus i ngníomhaireachtaí éagsúla eile san áireamh. Ní féidir áfach na costais tarraingthe sa sórt seo chur chun cinn a scaradh ó chostais eile tarraingthe ar na gairmithe seo i rith a gcuid gníomhaíochtaí laethúla. Bedside Phones in Hospitals Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) any plans to install bedside phones in hospitals, (b) the expected call charges and (c) the steps that will be taken to keep the charges in line with normal tariffs. (AQW 472/01) Ms de Brún: Some hospitals here have bedside telephone installations which patients may rent. Details as to charges are a matter for the private companies which supply this equipment. I am not aware of any plans to install bedside phones more widely in our hospitals. All hospitals here provide payphones, which may be fixed or mobile, to enable patients or visitors to make phone calls in private. Cuireann roinnt Otharlann anseo teileafóin isteach taobh leis an leaba ar féidir leis an othar iad a fháil ar cíos. Baineann mionsonraí ar na costais leis na comhlachtaí príobháideacha a sholáthraíonn an trealamh seo. Ní fios dom faoi phlean ar bith táillefóin a chur isteach níos forleithne taobh leis an leaba inár n-otharlanna. Cuireann gach otharlann anseo táillefóin ar fáil, ar féidir leo bheith doghluaiste nó soghluaiste, le ligean d'othair nó do chuairteoirí glaonna teileafóin a dhéanamh go príobháideach. Arthroscopic Surgery Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline any plans or initiatives to reduce the number of people waiting for orthoscopic surgery at Green Park Healthcare Trust. (AQW 478/01) Ms de Brún: A number of measures flowing from the Framework for Action on Waiting Lists, which I issued in September 2000, will impact on the waiting list for arthroscopic surgery. I allocated an additional £3 million this year for waiting list initiatives and last year's extra £5 million was made recurrent, leaving a total of £8 million available this year for waiting list action. Boards and Trusts have drawn up comprehensive plans covering the action they are taking on waiting lists. In relation to Green Park Healthcare Trust, a pilot initiative on arthroscopic surgery has been undertaken. This has resulted in an additional 20 patients being treated and thereby removed from the waiting list. Beidh tionchar ag roinnt beart ón Chreatlach Le hAghaidh Gnímh ar Liostaí Feithimh, a d'eisigh mé i mí Mheán Fómhair 2000, beidh tionchar acu ar an liosta feithimh do mháinliacht artrascópach. Dháil mé £3 milliún breise i mbliana do scéimeanna liostaí feithimh agus socraíodh an £5 milliún breise a dáileadh anuraidh a thabhairt go bliantúil, rud a d'fhág £8 milliún san iomlán ar fáil i mbliana le haghaidh gnímh ar liostaí feithimh. Dhréachtaigh Boird agus Iontaobhais pleananna cuimsitheacha ag clúdach an ghnímh atá siad a dhéanamh ar liostaí feithimh. Maidir le hIontaobhas Chúram Sláinte na Páirce Glaise, cuireadh tús le scéim phíolótach ar mháinliacht artrascópach. Tháinig cóireáil 20 othar bhreise aisti agus dá bharr sin, scriosadh den liosta feithimh iad. Types of Orthopaedic Operations Mrs Joan Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the different types of orthopaedic operations. (AQW 482/01) Ms de Brún: I shall write to the Member with the information requested as it is very detailed. I have also arranged to have this information placed in the Assembly Library. Scríobhfaidh mé chuig an Bhall leis an eolas iarrtha mar go bhfuil sé an-mhion. Shocraigh mé fosta go gcuirfí an t-eolas ar fáil i Leabharlann an Tionóil. Cross Border Co-Operation Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps is she taking to enhance cross border co-operation in health as envisaged in the Acute Hospitals Review Group Report. (AQW 484/01) Ms de Brún: Following publication of the Acute Hospitals Review Group Report in June, I issued the Report for a period of public consultation, which will end on 31 October. Following consideration of the outcome of the public consultation process and discussion with Executive colleagues proposals on the way forward can be put out for consultation. I hope to be in a position to announce decisions in the course of 2002. Nuair a foilsíodh tuairisc an ghrúpa athbhreithnithe ar ghéarospidéil i mí an Mheithimh, d'eisigh mé an tuairisc le haghaidh tréimhse chomhairliúcháin phoiblí a chríochnóidh ar 31 Deireadh Fómhair. I ndiaidh toradh an phróisis chomhairliúcháin a mheas agus caibidil a dhéanamh le Comhghleacaithe an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin, is féidir moltaí ar an bhealach chun tosaigh a chur faoi chomhairliúchán. Tá súil agam bheith i riocht cinntí a fhógairt i rith 2002. Orthopaedic Operations 1997-2001 Mrs Joan Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many orthopaedic operations were carried out on patients needing treatment for inflicted injuries on legs and arms for the year (a) 1997 (b) 1998 (c) 1999 (d) 2000 and (e) 2001. (AQW 485/01) Ms de Brún: Information is available on numbers of persons who underwent operations in the Trauma & Orthopaedics specialty with a primary diagnosis of injury to the arms or legs and who also had a secondary diagnosis of assault. This information for the financial years 1996/97 to 2000/01 is detailed in the table below.
Tá eolas ar fáil ar líon na ndaoine a chuaigh faoi scian sna speisialtachtaí Tráma agus Ortaipéide ar fáthmheasadh ar dtús le gortuithe ar a sciatháin nó ar a gcosa iad agus ar fáthmheasadh arís mar ionsaithe iad. Mionléirítear an t-eolas seo do na blianta airgeadais 1996/97 go 2000/01 sa tábla thíos.
Patient Waiting Lists Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number of patients who are currently waiting for operations and (b) of these patients the number who are on the waiting list for (i) 12 months (ii) 24 months and (iii) 36 months. (AQW 486/01) Ms de Brún: Information on persons waiting for inpatient admission to the surgical specialties for the quarter ending June 2001 (the latest date for which information is available) is detailed in Table 1 below. These figures are collected in time bands, the highest of which is 24 or more months.
Tá an t-eolas ar dhaoine atá ag fanacht ar iontráil othair seachtraigh do na speisialtóireachtaí máinliachta don cheathrú a chríochníonn Meitheamh 2001 (an dáta is déanaí a bhfuil eolas ar fáil dó) i dTábla 1 thíos. Tá na na figiúrí seo bailithe de réir bandaí ama, is é 24 mí nó níos mó an ceann is mó.
Occupational Therapy Assessments Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the criteria and timescale for preparing an assessment for home adaptations by occupational therapists and (b) if these targets are currently being met in each Board area. (AQW 495/01) Ms de Brún: Charter Standards for Community Services, effective from April 1996, set the following timescales for occupational therapy assessments for housing adaptations. For Priority Cases, assessment will start within 2 weeks of referral. The therapist will recommend the equipment or minor adaptations needed within another week. If the therapist is familiar with the individual's needs he or she will recommend any major adaptations within 2 months of referral. If the individual's needs are not known, the therapist will make a recommendation within 6 months, where possible. For other cases, assessment will start within 3 months of referral. The therapist will recommend equipment or minor adaptations needed within another month. If the therapist is familiar with the individual's needs he/she will recommend any major adaptations within 3 months of the start of the assessment. If the individual's needs are not known, the therapist will make a recommendation within 6 months of the start of the assessment, where possible. Priority is given to those who are coming out of hospital and at risk; living alone and at risk; living with a carer who is disabled or elderly; or terminally ill. Due to problems of the underfunding of the health and social services here, the targets are not being met in all cases in each Board area. The available occupational therapy resources are being targeted on priority cases. Leag Caighdeáin na Cairte do Sheirbhísí Pobail, a chuaigh i bhfeidhm ó Aibreán 1996, na hachair ama seo a leanas síos do mheasúnuithe teiripe saothair ar oiriúnuithe tithíochta. Do chásanna tosaíochta, tosóidh measúnú laistigh de 2 seachtain i ndiaidh an atreoraithe. Molfaidh an teiripí an trealamh nó na mionoiriúnuithe a bheidh de dhíth laistigh den tseachtain ina dhiaidh. Má tá a fhios ag an teiripí ar riachtanais an duine aonair, molfaidh sé/sí príomhoiriúnú ar bith laistigh de 2 mí i ndiaidh an atreoraithe. Muna bhfuil a fhios ag an teiripí ar riachtanais an duine aonair, déanfaidh sé/sí moladh a luaithe agus is féidir laistigh de 6 mí. Do chásanna eile, tosóidh measúnú laistigh de 3 mí i ndiaidh an atreoraithe. Molfaidh an teiripí trealamh nó mionoiriúnuithe a bheidh de dhíth laistigh den mhí ina dhiaidh. Má tá a fhios ag an teiripí ar riachtanais an duine aonair, molfaidh sé/sí príomhoiriúnú ar bith laistigh de 3 mí i ndiaidh toiseacht an mheasúnaithe. Muna bhfuil a fhios ag an teiripí ar riachtanais an duine aonair, déanfaidh sé/sí moladh a luaithe agus is féidir laistigh de 6 mí i ndiaidh toiseacht an mheasúnaithe. Tugtar tosaíocht dóibh siúd atá ag teacht amach as an otharlann agus atá i mbaol; dóibhsean a chónaíonn ina n-aonar agus atá i mbaol; dóibhsean a chónaíonn le feighlí atá míchumasach nó sean; nó dóibh siúd a bhfuil tinneas marfach orthu. Mar gheall ar na fadhbanna a bhaineann le fomhaoiniú na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta anseo, níl na spriocanna á mbaint amach i ngach uile cás i ngach ceantar Boird. Tá na hacmhainní teiripe saothair ar fáil á n-úsáid do chásanna tosaíochta. Anterior Cruciate Ligaments Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number of surgeons trained in the orthoscopic repair of Anterior Cruciate Ligaments each year and (b) the amount of funds allocated to this particular training. (AQW 504/01) Ms de Brún: Currently three local surgeons are trained in the arthroscopic repair of the anterior cruciate ligament. This is a highly specialised procedure and the number of surgeons able to perform this operation will always be relatively small. A larger number of surgeons can perform anterior cruciate ligament repair by means of open surgery. No specific funding is allocated for this training. To date, training in this procedure has been obtained through placement overseas. However, as such placements can be arranged in a number of ways - personally by trainees/consultants, through scholarships or through the NI Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education, information on costs is not available. If arranged through the Northern Ireland Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education, such placements may receive financial support from the Council. Faoi láthair tá triúr máinlianna áitiúla oilte i ndeisiú artrascópach an bhallnaisc tosaigh chroisigh. Sainmhodh ard atá ann agus beidh líon na máinlianna atá ábalta an obráid seo a dhéanamh measartha beag i gcónaí. Is féidir le líon níos mó máinlianna an ballnasc tosaigh croiseach a dheisiú trí mháinliacht oscailte. Ní thugtar maoiniú ar leith don oiliúint seo. Go dtí seo, fuarthas oiliúint ar an mhodh seo trí shocrúcháin thar sáile. Mar gur féidir a leithéid de shocrúcháin a shocrú ar roinnt dóigheanna áfach - go pearsanta ag printísigh/máinlianna comhairleacha, trí scolaireachtaí nó trí Chomhairle Oideachas Míochaine agus Fiaclóireachta Iarchéime TÉ, níl eolas ar na costais ar fáil. Má shocraítear trí Chomhairle Oideachas Míochaine agus Fiaclóireachta Iarchéime TÉ iad, féadtar a leithéid de shocrúcháin tacaíocht airgeadais a fháil ón Chomhairle. Digital Hearing Aids Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 2520/00, to detail the result of her discussions with representatives of the Deaf Community, in particular, any discussions from April 2001 to date. (AQW 505/01) Ms de Brún: In April 2001 I met voluntary sector organisations representing the hearing impaired community to discuss a range of issues, including the provision of digital hearing aids (DHAs). Following that meeting I asked officials to pursue funding for the provision of DHAs here. A bid, prepared in association with RNID, is currently with the Executive Programme Funds Evaluation Panel for consideration. In Aibreán 2001, bhuail mé le heagraíochtaí ón earnáil dheonach a sheasann don phobal lag-éisteachta le réimse ceisteanna a phlé, soláthar áiseanna digiteacha éisteachta (ÁDÉanna) san áireamh. I ndiaidh an chruinnithe sin, d'iarr mé ar oifigigh iarracht a thabhairt ar mhaoiniú a fháil hÁDÉanna a sholáthar anseo. Tá machnamh á dhéanamh faoi láthair ag Painéal Measúnaithe Chistí Chlár an Fheidhmeannais ar thairiscint a rinneadh agus a ullmhaíodh i gcomhar leis an INRDB. Cost of Hearing Aids Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the cost and types of hearing aids currently provided by the Health Service and (b) the current cost of digital hearing aids. (AQW 506/01) Ms de Brún: Analogue hearing aids are currently provided by the Health Service costing between £60 and £200 per hearing aid. The cost of digital hearing aids can range between £100 and £200. Soláthraíonn an tSeirbhís Sláinte áiseanna analóige éisteachta faoi láthair a chosnaíonn idir £60 agus £200 an áis éisteachta. Is féidir le costas áiseanna digiteacha éisteachta bheith sa réimse ó £100 go £200. Ulster Hospital A&E Department Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps she is taking to prevent patients having to wait on trolleys in the Ulster Hospital Accident and Emergency Department, as occurred on Monday 15 October 2001. (AQW 511/01) Ms de Brún: I am advised that as a result of the pressures on the Ulster Hospital and in particular the volume of the trolley waits on 15 October, as a short term measure to ease the pressure, 10 additional beds in Bangor and Ards have now been opened. I announced on 31 July 2001, a Strategic Development Plan for the Ulster Hospital, which includes measures to provide additional capacity and to upgrade it 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. De thoradh na mbrúnna ar Otharlann Uladh agus mhéid na ndaoine ag fanacht le tralaithe ar 15 Deireadh Fómhair, cuireadh in iúl dom gur cuireadh 10 leaba breise ar fáil anois i mBeannchar agus in Aird mar bheart gearrthréimhseach leis na brúnna a mhaolú. D'fhógair mé Plean Straitéiseach Forbartha d'Otharlann Uladh ar 31 Iúil 2001, ina bhfuil bearta chun tuilleadh toillte a chruthú agus chun í a athchóiriú sa dóigh go gcomhlíonfaidh sí caighdeáin reachtúla. Dháil mé £2 milliún fosta d'athchur ar fáil 20 leaba d'othair chónaitheacha fhásta i mBarda Jaffe le tabhairt faoi fhadhbanna thoilleadh leapacha san otharlann agus le líon doghlactha na ndaoine ag fanacht ar thralaithe a laghdú. Beidh mé go fóill ag cur in iúl do mo chomhghleacaithe san Fheidhmeannas go maolófar na brúnna ar na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta ach acmhainní breise a chur ar fáil. Security in Hospitals Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action has been taken to improve security in hospitals following attacks on health care staff. (AQW 512/01) Ms de Brún: The safety of hospital staff is a matter for each Trust. The Department requires all HPSS employers to have a health and safety policy in place and to review and develop their policy to take account of any guidance it may issue from time to time. A number of documents containing guidance on dealing with violence have been issued to employers by the Department. These included the NHS Zero Tolerance Pack. The Department is currently undertaking a review of the steps taken by employers to implement the Zero Tolerance policy, and it is hoped that this will inform the development of further guidance. Is ceist do gach Iontaobhas í sábháilteacht na foirne otharlainne. Iarrann an Roinn ar na fostóirí SSSP go léir polasaí sláinte agus sábháilteachta bheith acu agus a bpolasaí a athbhreithniú agus a fhorbairt le treoir ar bith a fhéadann sí a thabhairt ó am go ham a chur san áireamh. Tá roinnt cáipéisí ina bhfuil treoir ar an dóigh le déileáil le foréigean eisithe ag an Roinn d'fhostóirí. Iontu tá Pacáiste na SNS Caoinfhulaingt ar Bith. Tá an Roinn ag déanamh athbhreithnithe faoi láthair ar na bearta déanta ag fostóirí leis an pholasaí Caoinfhulaingt ar Bith a chur i bhfeidhm agus táthar ag súil go gcuirfidh sé seo le forbairt tuilleadh treorach eile. Waiting Lists for Child & Adolescent Phychiastrist Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number on the current waiting list for appointments with the child and adolescent psychiatrist, in the North Down area and (b) how does that compare with other areas in the province. (AQW 513/01) Ms de Brún: (a) At 30 September 2001 there were 92 people waiting for outpatient appointments with the Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Ulster Community & Hospitals Trust. (b) This information is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. (a) Ar 30 Meán Fómhair 2001, bhí 92 duine ag fanacht ar choinní éisothair leis an Síciatraí Páiste agus Ógánaigh in Iontaobhas Phobal agus Otharlanna Uladh. (b) Ní bhailítear an t-eolas seo go lárnach agus ní fhéadfaí é seo a fháil ach ar chostas dhíréireach. Numbers of Nurses in Health Service Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action is being taken to address the current lack of nurses in the health service. (AQW 514/01) Ms de Brún: The number of nurse training places has been increased to 640 per annum from this year - the corresponding intake for 1999 was 440 and for last year 540. Moreover, free return to practice training remains available for qualified nurses and midwives wishing to return to professional practice. So far, 269 participants have completed training, 81 are currently participating in training and 54 are on waiting lists for places. To address recruitment and retention difficulties and ensure that properly trained staff are available, my Department provides funding for a wide range of post registration training for nurses, with particular focus on meeting identified training needs of those working in specialist areas. Funding of £400,000 has recently been provided to Health and Social Services Boards to support a total of 38 short term supernumerary posts in pressurised areas such as Intensive Care and Theatres with a view to easing retention difficulties. A detailed workforce plan for the nursing workforce is being produced to assist me on decisions on the future numbers of student places. Méadaíodh líon na n-áiteanna oiliúna d'ábhar altraí go 640 in aghaidh na bliana ón bhliain seo - 440 sa bhliain 1999 agus 540 anuraidh ba ea an glacadh isteach. Ina theannta sin, tá saoirse le hoiliúint dhochtúireachta a dhéanamh arís ar fáil d'altraí agus do mhná cabhracha cáilithe ar mian leo dochtúireacht ghairmiúil a dhéanamh arís. Go dtí seo, chríochnaigh 269 rannpháirí a n-oiliúint, tá 81 ag déanamh oiliúna i láthair na huaire agus tá 54 duine ar liostaí feithimh le haghaidh áiteanna. Le tabhairt faoi na deacrachtaí in earcaíocht agus i gcoinneáil na foirne agus le cinntiú go bhfuil foireann oilte mar is ceart ar fáil, tugann an Roinn s'agamsa maoiniú le haghaidh réimse leathan oiliúna iarchláraithe d'altraí, agus an cuspóir ar leith aige le riar ar riachtanais aitheanta oiliúna na ndaoine sin ag obair i réimsí speisialtóireachta. Tugadh maoiniú de £400,000 ar na mallaibh do Bhoird Shláinte agus Sheirbhísí Sóisialta chun tacú le 38 post gearrthéarmach sáruimhríochta i réimsí ar leith atá faoi bhrú amhail Dianchúram agus Obrádlanna de gheall ar na deacrachtaí i gcoinneáil na foirne a mhaolú. Tá plean mion meithle oibre á bheartú don mheitheal altrachta a chuideoidh liom socruithe a dhéanamh ar líon na n-áiteanna a bheidh ar fáil do mhic léinn sa todhchaí. Hospital Beds : Bangor & Newtownards Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total number of beds in Bangor and Newtownards hospitals and, of these, how many could be made available to ease the pressures on the Ulster Hospital. (AQW 515/01) Ms de Brún: There are 20 inpatient beds in each of the local hospitals in Ards and Bangor. Normally, 15 beds on each site are available, although in view of recent pressures at the Ulster Hospital, the remaining 10 have been opened on a temporary basis. The Ulster Community & Hospitals Trust is discussing with the Eastern Health & Social Services Board the possibility of opening these 10 beds for the duration of the winter period in order to relieve pressures on the Ulster Hospital, depending on the level of resources available. Tá 20 leaba d'othair chónaitheacha sna hotharlanna áitiúla in Aird agus i mBeannchar. Bíonn 15 leaba ar fáil i ngach suíomh de ghnáth, ach mar gheall ar na brúnna déanacha ar Otharlann Uladh, cuireadh na 10 leaba eile ar fáil ar bhonn sealadach. Tá Iontaobhas Phobal agus Otharlanna Uladh ag plé na féidearthachta go gcuirfear na 10 leaba seo ar fáil ar feadh thréimhse an Gheimhridh le Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir chun na brúnna ar Otharlann Uladh a mhaolú, ag brath ar an mhéid acmhainní ar fáil. Northern Target Training Scheme Mr Seamus Close asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail ( a) resources that have been allocated to the Northern Health Board to implement the "Northern Target" training scheme and (b) the steps in place to ensure this scheme represents real value for money in respect of quality training for health service staff. (AQW 550/01) Ms de Brún: No resources have yet been paid to the Northern Health and Social Services Board by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to implement the Northern TARGET pilot training scheme. The Northern Board has committed itself financially to support the pilot and the Department has agreed in principle to provide up to £95,000 for this financial year only to pump prime the initiative. The release of this money will be subject to the Department being satisfied about the final details of the Northern Target business plan, which will define the objectives of the pilot and how it will be evaluated. It will be for the evaluation to establish the value, including the value for money, of this innovative approach to supporting continuing professional development in primary care. Níor íoc An Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí airgead ar bith do Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Tuaiscirt le scéim phíolótach oiliúna SPRIOC Bhord an Tuaiscirt a chur i bhfeidhm. Gheall Bord an Tuaiscirt go dtabharfadh sé féin airgead le tacú leis an scéim phíolótach agus d'aontaigh an Roinn i bprionsabal gan £95,000 a thabhairt sa bhliain airgeadais seo ach leis an scéim a spreagadh. Tabharfar an t-airgead seo má bhíonn an Roinn sásta faoi shonraí deireanacha phlean gnó SPRIOC Bhord an Tuaiscirt, a shainmhíneoidh cuspóirí na scéime píolótaí agus an dóigh a ndéanfar measúnú uirthi. An measúnú a gheobhaidh amach fiúntas an chur chuige nua seo le tacú le forbairt leanúnach ghairmiúil i bpríomhchúram, luach a cuid airgid san áireamh. HIV Infection : Intravenous Drug Use Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total number of people who have become HIV positive as a result of intravenous drug use, for the year 1999-2000 and how does this figure compare to the previous 5 years. (AQW 594/01) Ms de Brún: The latest available information shows that in the last five calendar years from 1996 to 2000, there was one case of HIV infection here where the route of infection was believed to be injecting drug use. Léiríonn an t-eolas is déanaí atá ar fáil go raibh cás amháin de ghalrú VED anseo sna cúig bliana deireanacha ó 1996 go 2000 ar creideadh gurbh é instealladh drugaí tarchur an ghalraithe é. Children in Care Due to Parental Drug Abuse Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of children who are placed in alternative care by Social Services as a result of parental drug abuse. (AQW 595/01) Ms de Brún: This information is not collected centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Ní bhailítear an t-eolas seo go lárnach agus ní fhéadfaí é a sholáthar ach ar chostas dhíréireach. TOP |
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