Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to provide an update on the Quinquennial Review of the Rate Collection Agency.

(AQW 792/01)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): I have just received the final report of the first stage of the review of the Rate Collection Agency. Copies have been placed in the Library.

I now intend referring the Report to the Committee for Finance and Personnel for consideration and comment by 31 January 2001. Views will also be sought from staff representatives and the Equality Commission. On the wider front, a targeted mailshot, drawing attention to the document on the DFP web site, will be sent to organisations from the Community and Voluntary Sector, including representative groups and other individuals who have been consulted on the Department's Equality Scheme. A general press release announcing the start of the consultation period will also be issued.

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 495/01, to detail (a) the frequency of home adaptations by occupational therapists which are failing to meet their targets, by Board area and (b) any plans she has to address the under funding in this area.

(AQW 664/01)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): The information is not available in the form requested. I have provided additional funding for the service this year, on a recurrent basis. Further funding will be considered in the light of other health and social services pressures.

Níl an t-eolas ar fáil san fhoirm iarrtha. Thug mé maoiniú breise don tseirbhís seo i mbliana ar bhonn rialta. Déanfar machnamh ar thuilleadh maoinithe a thabhairt mar gheall ar bhrúnna eile ar na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta.

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the action she is taking to address the demand for speech therapists in Special Needs Schools in East Antrim (b) any plans to employ private speech therapists as a temporary measure to address this problem; and (c) to make a statement.

(AQW 673/01)

Ms de Brún: The provision of speech and language therapy services in the East Antrim area is the responsibility of Homefirst Community Trust. I understand that the Trust has explored a number of alternative methods of filling speech and language therapy vacancies. Measures have included an unsuccessful attempt to set up a speech and language therapy bank and more recently the possibility of using agency staff. The Trust is continuing to do all it can to fill current vacancies.

My Department has reached agreement with the University of Ulster to increase by 10 the number of student places for speech and language therapy from the start of the current academic year. In addition, it is undertaking a comprehensive review of Health and Personal Social Services workforce planning. This will identify what further measures need to be taken to address specific issues in particular services.

My Department has also established a joint working group with officials from the Department of Education to look at all aspects of support for children with special needs, including opportunities for jointly funded pilot projects to enhance service provision.

Iontaobhas Pobail Homefirst atá freagrach as seirbhísí teiripe labhartha agus teanga a sholáthar i limistéar Aontroma Thoir. Tuigim gur scrúdaigh an tIontaobhas roinnt modhanna eile le folúntais theiripe labhartha agus teanga a líonadh. I measc na mbeart a rinneadh bhí iarracht in aisce sciathán teiripe labhartha agus teanga a chur ar bun agus ar na mallaibh an fhéidearthacht go bhfostófaí oibrithe ón ghníomhaireacht. Tá an tIontaobhas ag déanamh a dhíchill go fóill na folúntais reatha a líonadh.

Tháinig an Roinn s'agamsa ar chomhaontú le hOllscoil Uladh líon na n-áiteanna ar fáil do mhic léinn san ábhar teiripe labhartha agus teanga a mhéadú faoi 10 áit ó thús na bliana reatha acadúla. Ina theannta sin, beidh sí ag déanamh athbhreithnithe chuimsithigh ar phleanáil na Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsanta don mheitheal oibre. Aimseoidh sé seo na bearta breise a bheadh orthu le déanamh le tabhairt faoi cheisteanna ar leith i seirbhísí áirithe.

Bhunaigh an Roinn s'agamsa comhghrúpa oibre le hoifigigh ón Roinn Oideachais le smaoineadh ar na gnéithe uile tacaíochta atá ar fáil do pháistí le riachtanais speisialta, deiseanna do scéimeanna píolótacha comh-mhaoinithe le cur lena soláthar seirbhísí san áireamh.

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current staffing levels and financial situation at Whiteabbey Hospital.

(AQW 675/01)

Ms de Brún: The number of staff employed in Whiteabbey Hospital is as follows:

Administrative & Clerical 142

Nursing 287

Ancillary & General 99

Professions Allied to Medicine 43

Medical 52

Professional & Technical 8

Tradesmen 18

Pharmacy 6

TOTAL 657

As regards the financial position, United Hospitals HSS Trust (which includes Whiteabbey Hospital) has reported a surplus of £50k for the period up to 30 September 2001. The Trust has advised me that there is an overspend of £312k for the 6 months up to 30 September in those areas for which Whiteabbey Hospital has its own budget. The Trust is however forecasting a breakeven position at the year-end, through a combination of measures including in year savings and a resolution of funding issues.

Seo a leanas líon na n-oibrithe fostaithe in Otharlann na Mainstreach Finne:

Riarthach & Cléireachas 142

Altranas 287

Coimhdeach agus Ginearálta 99

Gairmeacha Bainteach le Míochaine 43

Míochaine 52

Gairmiúil & Teicniúil 8

Trádálaithe 18

Cógaisíocht 6

IOMLÁN 657

Maidir leis an riocht airgeadais de, thug Iontaobhas SSS na nOtharlann Aontaithe (ina bhfuil Otharlann na Mainstreach Finne), le fios go raibh fuílleach de £50k acu don tréimhse suas go dtí 30 Meán Fómhair 2001. Chuir an tIontaobhas in iúl dom go raibh caiteachas iomarcach de £50k caite acu do na 6 mí suas go dtí 30 Meán Fómhair sna réimsí sin a bhfuil a buiséad féin ag Otharlann na Mainstreach Finne dóibh. Tá an tIontaobhas ag meas áfach go mbeadh sé gan gnóthú ná cailleadh faoi dheireadh na bliana trí roinnt beart, coigiltis ionbhliana agus réiteach ar cheisteanna maoinithe san áireamh.

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 1582/00, to outline progress to date.

(AQW 676/01)

Ms de Brún: Originally, it had been anticipated that Coleraine Hospital would be decommissioned - to facilitate its disposal - approximately six months after the opening of the new Causeway Hospital in April 2001. However at a meeting between officers of my Department, Causeway Trust and Valuation and Lands Agency, on 6 September 2001, the Trust advised that it was unlikely that the decommissioning of the hospital would be achieved before the end of January 2002. It was tentatively agreed that the sale of the hospital should be by way of public auction, possibly in mid-April 2002. It was agreed however that a further meeting would be held on 10 January 2002, when it was anticipated that the Trust could be definitive regarding the decommissioning/vacation of the hospital site.

Immediately following the meeting on 6 September 2001, Dalriada Doctor on Call expressed an interest in acquiring part of the site to build a Primary Care Centre. This expression of interest is currently being pursued and a meeting between Dalriada Doctor on Call and officers of my Department, Causeway Trust, Valuation and Lands Agency has been arranged for 30 November 2001.

Ar dtús, réamh-mheasadh go ndíchoimisiúnófaí Otharlann Chúil Raithin - chun a cur de lámh a éascú - timpeall is sé mhí i ndiaidh oscailt Otharlann nua an Chlocháin in Aibreán 2001. Ag cruinniú idir oifigigh mo Roinne, Iontaobhas an Chlocháin agus an Ghníomhaireacht Luachála agus Tailte ar 6 Meán Fómhair 2001 áfach, chuir an tIontaobhas in iúl nár dhócha go mbainfí díchoimisiúnú na hotharlainne amach faoi dheireadh mhí Eanáir 2002. Comhaontaíodh go faicheallach gur chóir go ndíolfaí an otharlann ar cheant phoiblí, i lár mhí Aibreáin 2002 b'fhéidir. Comhaontaíodh áfach go mbeadh cruinniú eile ann ar 10 Eanáir 2002, nuair a bheifí ag súil go bhféadfadh an tIontaobhas bheith níos soiléire maidir le díchoimisiúnú/fágáil shuíomh na otharlainne.

Go díreach i ndiaidh an chruinnithe ar 6 Meán Fómhair 2001, léirigh an tseirbhís Dochtúir Dhál Riada ar Dualgas suim cuid den suíomh a cheannach chun Ionad Príomhchúraim a thógáil. Tá an léiriú suime seo á leanúint faoi láthair agus socraíodh cruinniú idir an tseirbhís Dochtúir Dhál Riada ar Dualgas, oifigigh mo Roinne, Iontaobhas an Chlocháin agus an Ghníomhaireacht Luachála agus Tailte do 30 Samhain 2001.

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current staffing levels and financial situation at the Causeway Hospital.

(AQW 677/01)

Ms de Brún: The number of staff employed in Causeway Hospital is as follows:

Administrative & Clerical 154

Nursing 592

Ancillary & General 175

Medical & Dental 81

Professional & Technical 90

Tradesmen 8

Social work 10

TOTAL 1,110

As regards the financial position, Causeway Health and Social Services Trust has reported a deficit of £139,000 for the period up to 30 September 2001. The deficit is forecast to increase to £300,000 at the year-end and the Trust has indicated that this is due to pressures at the new Causeway Hospital. Discussions are ongoing with the NHSSB regarding funding for these pressures.

Seo a leanas líon na n-oibrithe fostaithe in Otharlann an Chlocháin:

Riarthach & Cléireachas 154

Altranas 592

Coimhdeach agus Ginearálta 175

Míochaine agus Déadach 81

Gairmiúil & Teicniúil 90

Trádálaithe 8

Obair Shóisialta 10

IOMLÁN 1,110

Maidir leis an riocht airgeadais de, chuir Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Chlocháin in iúl go raibh easnamh de £139,000 acu don tréimhse suas go dtí 30 Meán Fómhair 2001. Meastar go méadóidh an t-easnamh go £300,000 ag deireadh na bliana agus chuir an tIontaobhas in iúl go bhfuil sé seo amhlaidh mar gheall ar na brúnna in Otharlann nua an Chlocháin. Tá caibidlí ag dul ar aghaidh faoi láthair leis an BSSST i dtaca le maoiniú a fháil do na brúnna seo.

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of day procedure and overnight beds available at the Causeway Hospital and how this compares with the combined number of beds at the former Coleraine and Route Hospitals.

(AQW 678/01)

Ms de Brún: Currently there are 235 total beds in the Causeway Hospital, 22 of which are in the Day Procedures Unit.

Previously there were a total of 270 beds available at Coleraine and Route Hospitals, 12 of which were in the Day Procedure Unit at Route Hospital.

Faoi láthair tá 235 leaba san iomlán in Otharlann an Chlocháin, tá 22 acu siúd in Aonad Gnáthamh Lae.

Roimhe seo bhí 270 leaba san iomlán ar fáil in Otharlanna Chúil Raithin agus Route, bhí 12 acu siúd san Aonad Gnáthamh Lae ag Otharlann Route.

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what assessment she has made in relation to the supply and demand of bed spaces at the Causeway Hospital.

(AQW 679/01)

Ms de Brún: I am advised that a rigorous assessment of the supply and demand of bed spaces at the Causeway Hospital was carried out prior to construction and that during the construction and commissioning period, the clinical profile of the new hospital was kept under continual review by a team of representatives of the Trust, Board, GPs and the then DHSS.

As a further measure, the Eastern and Northern Boards established a two-year pilot scheme in June 1999, examining the number of emergency medical admissions across the two Board areas. The scheme, which is due to be evaluated shortly, will enable the Boards to monitor the level of demand and the number of beds required to effectively manage emergency hospital admissions in the area.

Cuireadh in iúl dom go ndearnadh measúnú dian ar sholáthar agus ar éileamh na leapacha in Otharlann an Chlocháin roimh a tógáil agus gur choinnigh foireann ionadaithe ón Iontaobhas, ón Bhord, de Ghnáthdhochtúirí agus ón iar-RSSS próifíl chliniciúil na hotharlainne nua faoi athbhreithniú leanúnach le linn tréimhse a tógála agus a coimisiúnaithe.

Mar bheart breise, chuir Boird an Oirthir agus an Tuaiscirt scéim phíolótach dhá bhliain ar bun i Meitheamh 1999 le scrúdú a dhéanamh ar líon an ghlactha isteach éigeandála mhíochaine ar fud an dá cheantar Bhoird. Cuirfidh an scéim, atá le measúnú ar ball, ar chumas Bhoird monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar leibhéal an éilimh ar leapacha agus ar an líon leapacha a bheidh de dhíth leis an ghlacadh isteach éigeandála in otharlanna sa cheantar a láimhseáil go héifeachtach.

Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make a statement on the provision of dermatology treatment in the Northern Health Board Area.

(AQW 681/01)

Ms de Brún: I am advised that that the Dermatology Service in the Northern Board Area is under increasing pressure due to a significant increase in GP referrals. There is currently one Consultant Dermatologist, based at the United Hospitals Trust, and a locum, based at the Causeway Trust.

The Board and Trusts are working collaboratively to ensure this specialty has the level of cover required. Plans are also in place through the regional training programme to provide for an increase in the overall number of Consultant Dermatologists across all Board areas.

Cuireadh in iúl dom go bhfuil an tSeirbhís Deirmeolaíochta i gCeantar an Bhoird Thuaisceartaigh faoi bhrú atá ag méid mar gheall ar mhéadú mór in atreoruithe Ghnáthdhochtúra. Faoi láthair, níl ach Deirmeolaí Comhairleach amháin ann, lonnaithe in Iontaobhas na nOtharlann Aontaithe, agus ionadaí lonnaithe in Iontaobhas an Chlocháin.

Tá an Bord agus na hIontaobhais ag comhoibriú le chéile le cinntiú go mbeidh an leibhéal ceart cumhdaigh ann atá de dhíth ar an speisialtóireacht seo. Tá bearta curtha i bhfeidhm tríd an chlár réigiúnach oiliúna le líon iomlán na nDeirmeolaithe Comhairleacha a mhéadú ar fud na gceithre cheantar Bhoird go léir.

Mrs Joan Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 485/01, how many of the 93 patients were treated for ballistic injuries in the Trauma and Orthopaedic specialty.

(AQW 694/01)

Ms de Brún: Of the 93 patients referred to in AQW485/01, nine were recorded as having a diagnosis of assault with a handgun or other firearm.

Den 93 othar a ndearnadh tagairt dóibh in AQW 485/01, cláraíodh gur fáthmheasadh naonúr mar ionsaithe le gunna láimhe nó le harm tine.

Mrs Joan Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 485/01, to detail the total cost of treating the 93 patients in the Trauma and Orthopaedic speciality in 2000-01.

(AQW 695/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl an t-eolas a iarradh ar fáil.

Mrs Joan Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 485/01, to detail the length of time and average length of time the 93 patients being treated in the Trauma and Orthopaedic speciality in 2000-01 remained in hospital.

(AQW 696/01)

Ms de Brún: The 93 patients referred to in AQW 485/01 spent a total of 552 days in hospital. The average length of stay was 6 days.

Chaith na 93 othar a ndearnadh tagairt dóibh in AQW 485/01 552 lá san iomlán in otharlann. Ba é an seal ama a d'fhan siad ná 6 lá de ghnáth.

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what plans she has to provide free nursing and personal care for the elderly.

(AQW 699/01)

Ms de Brún: In May, the Executive agreed in principle to the introduction of free nursing care in nursing homes from April 2002. Unfortunately, the scenario envisaged in the Executive's draft budget proposals, announced on 25 September 2001, does not provide sufficient resources to allow for the introduction of free nursing care next year and therefore it has been necessary to defer this important initiative until sufficient resources are available.

Our intention in this area remains unchanged and I intend to bring forward the legislation shortly, through the proposed Health and Personal Social Services (No1) Bill, to allow for free nursing care to be introduced once the necessary resources are identified.

The Executive agreed in May that an interdepartmental group should be set up to examine the costs and implications of introducing free personal care, taking account of the recent work commissioned by the Scottish Executive. The inter-departmental Group, which is being led by officials from my Department, will ensure that a detailed and considered examination of this issue is undertaken, before fully informed decisions can be made.

I mí na Bealtaine, chomhaontaigh an Feidhmeannas i bprionsabal go dtabharfaí cúram saor altrachta isteach i dtithe altrachta ón Aibreán 2002. Ar an drochuair, ní chuireann an plean measta i moltaí dhréachtbhuiséad an Fheidhmeannais, fógartha ar 25 Meán Fómhair 2001, ní cuireann sé go leor acmhainní ar fáil le cúram saor altrachta a thabhairt isteach an bhliain seo chugainn agus mar sin de, b'éigean an scéim thábhachtach seo a chur siar go mbeadh go leor acmhainní ar fáil.

Níl sé i gceist againn ár n-intinn a athrú i dtaca leis an réimse seo agus tá sé ar intinn agam an reachtaíocht a thabhairt chun tosaigh ar ball tríd an Bhille (Uimh. 1) Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta Pearsanta molta, chun cúram saor altrachta a thabhairt isteach a luaithe is a aimsítear na hacmhainní atá de dhíth.

Chomhaontaigh an Feidhmeanas i Mí na Bealtaine go mbunófaí grúpa idir-rannach le costais agus le himpleachtaí thabhairt isteach chúraim shaoir phearsanta a scrúdú, ag glacadh na hoibre is déanaí coimisiúnaithe ag Feidhmeannas na hAlban san áireamh. Cinnteoidh an Grúpa idir-rannach a bhfuil oifigigh mo Roinne i gceannas air go ndéanfar mionscrúdú tuisceanach ar an cheist seo sular féidir bearta iomlána cuimsitheacha a dhéanamh.

Mr Boyd Douglas asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the level of funding allocated for staff training needs, by discipline, in each of the Health Trust areas for the years 1999-00 and 2000-01.

(AQW 706/01)

Ms de Brún: This information is not available in the form requested.

Níl an t-eolas ar fáil san fhoirm a iarradh é.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 391/01, to detail (a) the number going to 999 requests and (b) the number taking patients to hospital.

(AQW 712/01)

Ms de Brún: During the three year period from 1 October 1998 to 30 September 2001, 45 vehicles broke down on their way to a 999 request or call out. A further 26 vehicles broke down on their way to hospital with a patient, following a call out.

Le linn na tréimhse trí bliana ó 1 Deireadh Fómhair 1998 go dtí 30 Meán Fómhair 2001, bhris 45 feithicil anuas ar a mbealach chuig iarratas 999 nó ar glao amach. Bhris 26 feithicil eile anuas ar a mbealach chun na hotharlainne agus othar leo, i ndiaidh glao amach.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people waiting for orthopaedic appointments for each of the last three years in the Ulster Community & Hospital HSS Trust area.

(AQW 713/01)

Ms de Brún: Figures for numbers of persons waiting for outpatient appointments are collected on a quarterly basis. It is therefore not possible to produce annual figures. Information on numbers of persons waiting for their first outpatient appointment in the Trauma & Orthopaedics specialty at the Ulster Community & Hospitals HSS Trust for the quarters ending June 1999, June 2000 and June 2001 is detailed in Table 1 below.

Bailítear figiúirí ar líon na ndaoine ag fanacht le coinní othair sheachtraigh ar bhonn ráithiúil. Mar sin de, ní féidir figiúirí bliantúla a chur amach. Mionléirítear i dTábla 1 thíos eolas ar líon na ndaoine ag fanacht lena gcéad choinne othair sheachtraigh sa speisialtóireacht Tráma agus Ortaipéide in Iontaobhas SSS Phobal Uladh agus Otharlanna do na ráithí ag críochnú Meitheamh 1999, Meitheamh 2000, agus Meitheamh 2001.