Mr Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel whether equality impact assessments and new targeting social need will be taken into consideration in the decentralisation of civil service jobs and will he undertake to keep the needs of West Tyrone and Strabane to the fore in respect of this restructuring.

(AQW 614/01)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): I can confirm that the examination of the scope for the decentralisation of civil service jobs, which forms part of the Strategic Review of Civil Service Office Accommodation, will take account of a range of relevant factors and policies, including New Targeting Social Need and the impact on equality of opportunity as well as the number of jobs already in an area in relation to the local workforce, the Regional Development Strategy, business efficiency, service delivery and cost. My department is currently undertaking an Equality Impact Assessment on Developing Policy on the Location of Civil Service Jobs which will inform the conclusions of the strategic review.

With regard to the needs of West Tyrone and Strabane, it would be wrong for me to prejudge the outcome of the accommodation review or to speculate as to the precise locations which might be involved in any subsequent dispersal of civil service jobs but I will convey the Member's view to the consultants undertaking the review so that it too can be taken into account in the development of conclusions and recommendations.

Ms Carmel Hanna asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to make a statement in respect of the review of Public Private Partnerships and to assure that their use will be driven by practical reasons and by need only.

(AQO 379/01)

Mr Durkan: The Infrastructure Investment Deficit in our public services, estimated to be at least £4 Billion over the next 10 years, makes it important for the Executive to explore new ways of financing and providing much needed public services, such as the use of Public Private Partnerships. We have therefore established the PPP Working Group to carry out a review of the use of PPP taking into account in its deliberations evidence on the benefits and constraints from a wide range of perspectives.

All options will be carefully and objectively examined by the Working Group in preparing its final report and recommendations by March 2002. This will enable the Executive to determine a clear Policy Framework in this area by September 2002 following public consultation.

Whatever options are determined, it is essential that the use of PPPs, where appropriate, to deliver public services infrastructure must be affordable, deliver value for money and provide effective solutions to meet the needs of our public services in the public interest. In that sense, the use of PPPs is not ideologically driven. Their use is only one means of helping us deal with real needs of our public services.

Mr Jim Wilson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what procedures are in place within his department to ensure that issues raised by the Public Accounts Committee and the Comptroller and Auditor General are adequately and fully dealt with.

(AQO 390/01)

Mr Durkan: Primarily it is duty of subject Departments to consider reports issued by both the Comptroller and Auditor General and Public Accounts Committee. However, in relation to the latter, my Department has a formal role to ensure that issues raised in these reports are responded to in the form of a memorandum of reply. Following the laying of memoranda, my Officials then monitor commitments given to ensure that they have been addressed as appropriate.

Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of treatment programmes available to drug users.

(AQW 596/01)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): There are five statutory and two non-statutory in-patient treatment programmes available to drug users.

Eight Community Addiction Teams cover the four Board areas and offer community based treatment services. In addition, a number of voluntary and community sector organisations offer specialist counselling and support services to drug misusers.

At its last meeting the Drug and Alcohol Ministerial Strategic Steering Group approved the allocation of an additional £1.59million over three years to the Community Addiction Teams for the provision of counselling services for young drug users. This initiative is a partnership between the Community Addiction Teams and specialist voluntary sector agencies.

Tá cúig chlár reachtúla agus dhá chlár neamhreachtúla i gcóireáil othar cónaitheach ar fáil do lucht mí-úsáide drugaí.

Clúdaíonn na hocht bhFoireann Andúile Pobail limistéir na gceithre Bhord agus tairgíonn siad seirbhísí pobalbhunaithe cóireála. Ina theannta sin, tairgíonn roinnt eagras ón earnáil dheonach agus phobail sainsheirbhísí comhairle agus tacaíochta do lucht mí-úsáide drugaí.

Ag an chruinniú dheireanach, d'fhormheas an Grúpa Straitéiseach Aireachta ar Stiúradh Drugaí agus Alcóil dáileadh £1.59 milliún breise thar na trí bliana seo chugainn ar Fhoirne Andúile Pobail le seirbhísí comhairle a sholáthar do lucht óg mí-úsáide drugaí. Is páirtíocht idir na Foirne Andúile Pobail agus na sainghníomhaireachtaí ón earnáil dheonach í an scéim seo.

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total number of addicts who are currently appearing on a waiting list for drug treatment.

(AQW 598/01)

Ms de Brún: I have been advised that a total of 52 people with drug misuse problems are currently on waiting lists for assessment or treatment.

Cuireadh in iúl dom go bhfuil 52 duine a bhfuil fadhbanna mí-úsáid drugaí acu ar liostaí feithimh faoi láthair le haghaidh measúnaithe nó cóireála.

Mr David Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, following her announcement of interim arrangements for the funding of infertility treatments, what steps have been taken to screen the criteria under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

(AQW 599/01)

Ms de Brún: The eligibility criteria for the interim sub-fertility service, which begins on 17 December, were not subjected to an equality impact assessment under the 1998 legislation, as this service is an intermediate measure pending a public consultation on the future of sub-fertility services. Any long-term proposals for the future of sub-fertility services will be subject to an equality impact assessment.

Ní raibh na critéir bhailíochta don tseirbhís eatramhach fhothorthúlachta, a thosóidh ar 17 Nollaig, faoi réir measúnú tionchair chomhionannais de réir reachtaíocht na bliana 1998, mar gur beart eatramhach í an tseirbhís seo atá ag fanacht le comhairliú poiblí ar thodhchaí sheirbhísí fothorthúlachta. Beidh moladh fadtéarmach ar bith do thodhchaí sheirbhísí fothorthúlachta faoi réir measúnú tionchair chomhionannais.

Mr David Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why the criteria under the new interim arrangements for IVF treatment exclude those who already have children living with them, and if this criteria has been screened under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

(AQW 600/01)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 599/01. The criteria for the interim sub-fertility service are those recommended in an Advisory Report of a Steering Group established by the Regional Services Medical Consortium. The criteria for access to longer-term sub-fertility services will be the subject of public consultation. Any long-term proposals for the future of sub-fertility services will be subject to an equality impact assessment.

Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 599/01. Is iad na critéir don tseirbhís eatramhach fhothorthúlachta na critéir sin molta i dTuairisc Chomhairleach Ghrúpa Stiúrtha bunaithe ag an Chuibhreannas Míochaine um Sheirbhísí Réigiúnacha. Beidh na critéir úsáidte le seirbhísí fadtéarmacha fothorthúlachta a fháil faoi réir comhairlithe phoiblí. Beidh moladh fadtéarmach ar bith do thodhchaí sheirbhísí fothorthúlachta faoi réir measúnú tionchair chomhionannais.

Mr David Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consultation has taken place with consumers regarding the new interim funding arrangements and criteria for IVF treatment.

(AQW 602/01)

Ms de Brún: The criteria for the interim sub-fertility service are those recommended in an Advisory Report of a Steering Group, established by the Regional Services Medical Consortium. The Steering Group, which included a representative of Health and Social Services Councils, met representatives of patient groups during the course of its work. The criteria for access to longer-term sub-fertility services will be the subject of public consultation. Any long-term proposals for the future of sub-fertility services will be subject to an equality impact assessment.

Is iad na critéir don tseirbhís eatramhach fhothorthúlachta na critéir sin molta i dTuairisc Chomhairleach Ghrúpa Stiúrtha bunaithe ag an Chuibhreannas Míochaine um Sheirbhísí Réigiúnacha. Bhuail an Grúpa Stiúrtha a bhfuil ionadaí ó na Comhairlí Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta air, bhuail siad le hionadaithe ghrúpaí othar le linn a chuid saothair. Beidh na critéir úsáidte le seirbhísí fadtéarmacha fothorthúlachta a fháil faoi réir comhairlithe phoiblí. Beidh moladh fadtéarmach ar bith do thodhchaí sheirbhísí fothorthúlachta faoi réir measúnú tionchair chomhionannais.

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what safeguards are in place to ensure that class 'A' prescription drugs cannot be obtained illegally.

(AQW 635/01)

Ms de Brún: Control of the supply, possession, manufacture and administration of Class A drugs ie those listed in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971(the Act), is subject to misuse of drugs legislation. It is the responsibility of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (the Department), through its Misuse of Drugs Inspector, to monitor this legislation.

Regulations made under the Act include safeguards to ensure proper storage, record keeping and documentation and these aspects apply to all those involved in handling these controlled substances whether by automatic right under the Regulations or by licence of the Department. In this regard I announced last week a funding package to assist community pharmacists to upgrade the current security arrangements in respect of drugs liable to abuse.

Companies and individuals including practitioners and community pharmacists are subject to announced and unannounced inspection visits which may require production of all stocks, documents and records on demand. Practitioners and community pharmacists also have specific legal obligations regarding the writing of prescriptions and the supply and administration of these preparations.

Tá stiúradh, seilbh, déanamh agus tabhairt drugaí Rang A, is é sin na drugaí sin liostáilte i gCuid 1 de Sceideal 2 d'Acht Mí-úsáid Drugaí (An tAcht), tá siad go léir faoi réir reachtaíochta ar mhí-úsáid drugaí. An Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí (An Roinn) atá freagrach as monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar an reachtaíocht seo trína Cigire ar Mhí-úsáid Drugaí.

Ar na rialacháin déanta de réir an Achta tá cinnteacht le stóras ceart a chosaint, taifid agus cáipéisí a choinneáil agus baineann na gnéithe seo leo go léir a raibh páirt acu i láimhseáil na substaintí stiúrtha seo, bíodh sin go huathoibríoch mar is ceart de réir na Rialachán nó trí chead na Roinne, nó ná bíodh. Maidir leis seo, d'fhógair mé an tseachtain seo a chuaigh thart go gcuirfí pacáiste maoinithe ar fáil chun cuidiú le cógaiseoirí pobail na socruithe slándála atá acu faoi láthair a athchóiriú i dtaca leis na drugaí a mbeadh baol ann go mbainfí mí-úsáid astu.

Tá comhlachtaí chomh maith le daoine aonair, dochtúirí agus cógaiseoirí pobail san áireamh, faoi réir cuairteanna cigireachta fógartha agus neamhfhógartha a mbeadh taispeáint na stoc, na gcáipéisí, agus na dtaifead go léir atá acu i gceist dá n-éileofaí orthu. Tá dualgais ar leith ar dhochtúirí agus ar chógaiseoirí pobail maidir le hordú scríofa cógas chomh maith lena soláthar agus lena dtabhairt amach.

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (a) how she ensures equality of distribution for the meals on wheels service across the Health & Social Services Community Trusts and (b) her method of monitoring.

(AQW 640/01)

Ms de Brún: Meals on wheels is only one of a range of community services which Trusts can arrange to provide care and support for clients in their area. Each community based Health and Social Services Trust is responsible for decisions on the extent to which meals in the community are provided and on their delivery to service users in its area. Trusts must have regard to their duties under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

My Department is committed to carry out an Equality Impact Assessment of its Community Care policy this year. It will use routinely collected information on receipt of meals on wheels for each programme of care to inform the Equality Impact Assessment process.

Níl sa tseirbhís béilí ar rothaí ach ceann den réimse seirbhísí pobail is féidir le hIontaobhais a shocrú le cúram agus le tacaíocht a sholáthar do chliaint ina limistéar féin. Tá gach Iontaobhas pobalbhunaithe Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta freagrach as a fhairsinge agus a sholáthraítear béilí don phobal agus as a soláthar d'úsáideoirí na seirbhíse ina limistéar féin. Ní mór d'Iontaobhais tábhacht a thabhairt do chomhlíonadh a ndualgas de réir Mhír 75 d'Acht Thuaisceart Éireann 1998.

Tá an Roinn s'agamsa geallta do Mheasúnú Tionchair Chomhionannais a dhéanamh ar a polasaí Cúraim Phobail i mbliana. Bainfidh sí úsáid as eolas bailithe go rialta ar fháil béilí ar rothaí do gach clár cúraim le heolas a thabhairt le linn an phróiseas Mheasúnú Tionchair Chomhionannais.

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current staffing levels and financial situation at Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh.

(AQO 411/01)

Ms de Brún: The number of staff employed in Tyrone County Hospital at 8 November 2001 is as follows:

Administrative & Clerical 83
Ancillary & General 19
Nurses & Midwives 261
Social Work 1
Professional & Technical 91
Medical & Dental 46
TOTAL 501

As regards the financial situation, Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust has reported an overall deficit of some £528k for the period up to 30 September 2001. The Trust has advised that Tyrone County Hospital accounts for some £212k of this deficit. The Trust is however forecasting a breakeven position at the year-end, through a combination of measures including in year savings and additional non-recurring assistance from the Western Health and Social Services Board.

Is mar seo a leanas atá an líon foirne atá ar fostú ag Ospidéal Chontae Thír Eoghain an 8 Samhain 2001:

Riarachán & Cléireach 83
Coimhdeach & Ginearálta 19
Altraí & Cnáimhseacha 261
Obair Shóisialta 1
Gairmiúil & Teicniúil 91
Míochaine & Fiaclóireacht 46
IOMLÁN 501

Maidir leis an staid airgeadais, thuairisc Iontaobhas Cúraim Shóisialaigh agus Sláinte Speirín, Tír na Lochanna easnamh foriomlán de £528 míle don tréimhse go dtí 30 Meán Fómhair 2001. Chuir an tIontaobhas in iúl go bhfuil Ospidéal Chontae Thír Eoghain freagrach as £212 míle den easnamh sin. Tá an tIontaobhas ag tuar, áfach, go mbeidh sé meá ar mheá ag deireadh na bliana trí bhearta éagsúla, lena n-áirítear coigiltí bliana agus cabhair bhreise neamhinfhillte ó Bhord Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialacha an Iarthair.

Mr Alan McFarland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her financial bid for the administration of the Northern Ireland Fire Authority in the financial year 2002-03.

(AQO 407/01)

Ms de Brún: The existing baseline provides for £57million and no additional funds were sought outside of normal inflation uplifts.

I am mindful of the need for the Fire Authority to continue to be adequately staffed, trained and equipped to deal with an ever changing and developing role, and I consider that this allocation will enable the Authority to continue to provide an efficient level of service.

A bid has also been made for Executive Programme Funding, amounting to £2 million, in respect of a new Digital Trunk Radio Communications System.

Forálann an bhunlíne atá ann cheana do £57 milliún agus níor lorgadh aon chistí breise lasmuigh de na gnátharduithe boilscithe.

Is léir domh an gá atá ann go leanann an tÚdarás Dóiteáin de go leor foirne, oiliúna agus trealaimh a fháil le déileáil le ról a bhíonn go síoraí ag athrú agus ag forbairt, agus measaim go gcuirfidh an leithdháileadh seo ar chumas an Údaráis leanúint de sheirbhís ag leibhéal éifeachtach a sholáthar.

Rinneadh tairiscint chomh maith do Mhaoiniú an Chláir Feidhmiúcháin, a rinne suas £2 mhilliún, i leith Chóras Digiteach Cumarsáide Raidió Trunca.

Mr Jim Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (a) the method for collating information for the 2000 Infant Breast Feeding Survey (b) her proposals to increase breast feeding rates in Northern Ireland in line with the UK average (c) if she has set targets for breast feeding and (d) if they are being achieved.

(AQO 372/01)

Ms de Brún: The information is as follows

a) Questionnaires were sent out to mothers of 2600 babies born between August and October 2000 and designed to arrive when they were 6-10 weeks old. Further questionnaires were issued at 4-5 months and again at 8-9 months.

b) We have in place a Breastfeeding Strategy which identifies co-ordination of breastfeeding activities, commissioning support for breastfeeding mothers, raising public awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and improving training for health professionals as key areas for action. In addition we are in the process of appointing a Regional Breastfeeding Co-ordinator to promote breastfeeding here.

c) We have two targets for breastfeeding rates:

• By 2002 the proportion of women breastfeeding during the first two or three days after birth should be increased to 50%.

• By 2002 the proportion of women breastfeeding at 6 weeks should be increased to 35%

d) Preliminary findings from the 2000 Infant Feeding Survey suggest that the first target has been achieved. Between 1995 and 2000 there was a significant increase in breastfeeding here, the rates have increased from 45% in 1995 to 54 % in 2000. Data to monitor progress towards the second target will not be available until early in the new year when the full Survey results will be published.

Seo a leanas an t-eolas:

a) Cuireadh ceistiúcháin amach chuig máithreacha 2600 naíonán a rugadh idir Lúnasa agus Deireadh Fómhair 2000 agus dearadh iad le teacht nuair a bheadh na naíonáin 6-10 seachtaine d'aois. Eisíodh tuilleadh ceistiúchán nuair a bhí na naíonáin 4-5 mí d'aois agus arís nuair a bhí siad 8-9 mí d'aois.

b) Tá Straitéis Beathaithe Cíche againn a shainaithníonn comhordú ghníomhaíochtaí beathaithe cíche, a dhéanamm coimisiúnú ar thacaíocht do mháithreacha atá ag tabhairt na cíche dá naíonáin, a ardaíonn feasacht an phobail ar an tábhacht a bhaineann le beathú cíche agus a fheabhsaíonn oiliúint do ghairmigh sláinte mar eochair-réimsí gníomhaíochta. Chomh maith leis sin táimid i mbun Comhordaitheoir Réigiúnach Beathaithe Cíche a cheapadh le beathú cíche a chur chun cinn anseo.

c) Tá dhá sprioc againn do na rátaí beathaithe cíche:

• Faoi 2002 ba chóir go mbeadh méadú chuig 50% ar an chion ban a thugann beathú cíche i rith na chéad dhá nó trí lá i ndiaidh na breithe.