Bliain	Cuntas daoine	CAI1
2001	0.31	0.29
2000	0.26	0.25
1999	0.25	0.22
1998	0.23	0.21

¹ CAI - Coibhéis Ama Iomláin

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she has committed funding for free nursing care for the elderly in her budget for the financial year beginning April 2002.

(AQW 989/01)

Ms de Brún: As I have previously announced, I intend to introduce free nursing care in nursing homes from October 2002, subject to the completion of the passage of the necessary legislation through the Assembly. To facilitate introduction from next October, I have committed £4.5 million of the departmental budget for the financial year 2002 - 2003.

Mar a d'fhógair mé cheana, is é mo rún altranas saor in aisce a thabhairt isteach i dtithe altranais anseo ó Dheireadh Fómhair 2002, ag brath ar phasáiste na reachtaíochta cuí tríd an Tionól. Lena éascú seo ó Mhéan Fómhair seo chugainn, gheall mé £4.5 milliún ó bhuiséad na Roinne don bhliain airgeadais 2002 - 2003.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps are being taken to provide a full time Fire Service for Newtownards.

(AQW 992/01)

Ms de Brún: The Fire Brigade are currently finalising a major report on the provision of fire cover. The report is due to be presented to the Fire Authority in March 2002 and may recommend changes to the current fire cover.

The Chief Fire Officer has advised that no decision will be made about the future provision of fire cover in Newtownards until the above report has been finalised and approved.

Tá an Bhriogáid Dóiteáin ag cur dlaoi mhullaigh faoi láthair ar thuairisc bharrthábhachach ar sholáthar árachais dóiteáin. Tá an tuairisc le cur faoi bhráid an Údaráis Dóiteáin i Márta 2002 agus is féidir go molfaidh sé athruithe ar an árachas reatha dóiteáin.

Chuir an Príomh-Oifigeach Dóiteáin in iúl nach ndéanfar cinneadh ar bith ar sholáthar árachais dóiteáin i mBaile Nua na hArda sa todhchaí go gcuirfear an dlaoi mhullaigh ar an tuairisc thuasluaite agus go gceadófear í.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps are being taken to ensure that the level of service is maintained during the process of organisational change at (a) Tyrone County Hospital and (b) Sperrin Lakeland Trust.

(AQW 993/01)

Ms de Brún: I have made clear that, until longer-term decisions on the future of our hospital services are made, I expect every effort to be made to maintain existing services at local hospitals, including Tyrone County Hospital. My officials are in frequent contact with Health and Social Services Boards and HSS Trusts to address any problems which arise.

Rinne mé go soiléir é, go dtí go ndéantar cinní níos fadtéarmaí ar thodhchaí ár n-otharlann, tá mé ag súil go ndéanfar gach iarracht seirbhísí faoi láthair a chothabháil ag otharlanna áitiúla, Otharlann Thír Eoghain san áireamh. Is minic m'oifigigh i dteagmháil le Boird Shláinte agus Sheirbhísí Sóisialta agus le hIontaobhais SSS le dul i ngleic le fadhbanna a thagann aníos.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the current retirement age for fire fighters and if this is in line with the current equality legislation regarding ageism.

(AQW 1005/01)

Ms de Brún: The terms and conditions under which fire fighters are employed here are set out in the Scheme of Conditions of Service of the National Joint Council for Local Authorities. Under this scheme all fire fighters whose terms include a liability to engage in firefighting are required to retire at age 55. For those at Assistant Divisional Officer rank and above the age of retirement is 60. However, the Fire Authority may grant an extension of up to 6 months to the date of retirement in the interests of efficiency.

The Firemen's Pension Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 1973 allows a fire fighter to retire voluntarily at 50 years providing that he or she has completed 25 years service.

Within the Authority's Equality Scheme there is a commitment to carry out an Equality Impact Assessment on employee resourcing and the age of retirement will be considered during this study, due to be completed in 2002.

Tá na téarmaí agus coinníollacha faoina bhfuil comhraiceoirí dóiteáin anseo fostaithe leagtha amach i Scéim Choinníollacha Seirbhíse den Chomhchomhairle Náisiúnta um Údaráis Áitiúla. Faoin scéim seo is gá do gach comhraiceoir dóiteáin, a bhfuil dliteanas aige le bheith páirteach i gcomhrac dóiteáin mar chuid dá théarmaí, éirí as an obair agus iad 55 bliain d'aois. Dóibh siúd atá ar chéim Oifigeach Cúnta Roinne agus níos airde is é 60 bliain an aois scoir. Is féidir, áfach, go dtabharfaidh an tÚdarás Dóiteáin síniú ama 6 mí ar a mhéad a fhad leis an dáta scoir ar mhaithe le héifeachtúlacht.

Ligeann Ordú Scéim Phinsin Comhraiceoirí Dóiteáin (Tuaisceart Éireann) 1973 do chomhraiceoir dóiteáin éirí as an obair go deonach ag 50 bliain d'aois a fhad is atá 25 bliain de sheirbhís déanta aige/aici.

Laistigh de Scéim Chomhionannais an Údaráis tá gealltanas ann chun Measúnú Tionchair ar Comhionannas a dhéanamh ar aimsiú fostaithe agus déanfar machnamh agus ar an aois scoir le linn an stáidéir seo, atá le bheith críochnaithe i 2002.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when she expects the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to publish its recommendations on the prescribing of the atypical anti-psychotic medicines for schizophrenia.

(AQW 1006/01)

Ms de Brún: I understand that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is aiming to publish its recommendations on the prescribing of these drugs in March 2002.

Tuigim go bhfuil sé d'aidhm ag an Institiúid Náisiúnta um Fheabhas Cliniciúil a cuid moltaí ar ordú na ndrugaí seo a fhoilsiú i Márta 2002.

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action she is taking to improve services for cancer patients.

(AQW 1008/01)

Ms de Brún: This year an additional £3m has been made available for the development of cancer services. These resources have facilitated the development of oncology services at the four cancer units, with over 50% of day-patient chemotherapy now provided outside of the Cancer Centre in Belfast. So far, two additional consultant oncologists and 70 nurses have been appointed to the Cancer Centre and cancer units, bringing the total staff involved in the provision of radiotherapy and chemotherapy services to approximately 500. In addition, I recently announced that £4m was being made available for the development of a new day hospital and outpatients suite as part of the first phase of the new Cancer Centre at the Belfast City Hospital.

I have also approved the acquisition of two additional linear accelerators with two bunkers at Belvoir Park Hospital at a capital cost of £3.8m. My decision to provide two machines will secure the future of services at the hospital, pending the opening of the new Cancer Centre at the Belfast City Hospital. I have also recently approved a list of further urgent remedial work costing about £550,000 - to immediately fund repairs to the building infrastructure and equipment aimed at enhancing current services.

Cuireadh £3m breise ar fáil i mbliana chun seirbhísí ailse a fhorbairt. Chuidigh na hacmhainní seo le seirbhísí oinceolaíochta a fhorbairt sna ceithre ionad ailse, agus breis agus 50% de cheimiteiripe othair lae soláthraithe anois taobh amuigh den Ionad Ailse i mBéal Feirste an toradh a tháinig as. Go dtí seo, ceapadh beirt oinceolaithe comhairleacha breise agus 70 altra anois don Ionad Ailse agus d'ionaid eile ailse, sin timpeall is 500 duine ar an fhoireann san iomlán a sholáthraíonn seirbhísí raiditeiripe agus ceimiteiripe. Ina theannta sin, d'fhógair mé ar na mallaibh go raibh £4m á chur ar fáil chun otharlann nua lae agus sraith seomraí d'othair a chóiriú mar chuid den chéad chéim den Ionad nua Ailse in Otharlann Chathair Bhéal Feirste.

Cheadaigh mé fosta go gceannófaí dhá luasaire líneacha breise le dhá bhuncaer in Otharlann Pháirc Belvoir ar chostas chaiptil de £3.8m. Cinnteoidh mo chinneadh chun dhá inneall a sholáthar todhchaí na seirbhísí san otharlann, go dtí go n-osclófar an tIonad nua Ailse in Otharlann Chathair Bhéal Feirste. Ar na mallaibh cheadaigh mé liosta d'obair bhreise phráinneach leasúcháin a mbeidh thart faoi £550,000 uirthi - chun deisiúcháin bhonneagar an fhoirgnimh agus chun trealamh a chuirfidh feabhas ar na seirbhísí mar atá a mhaoiniú láithreach.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps she is taking to develop a Child Death Review Team for Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1009/01)

Ms de Brún: Under the current arrangements here, as in England and Wales, the deaths of all babies from 20 weeks gestation to 1 year are notified to the Confidential Enquiry on Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy (CESDI). Each year a particular subset of these deaths is investigated by CESDI. In the case of children from 1 to 15 any deaths which are unexplained or occur as the result of an accident are notified to the coroner and will then be subject to a coroner's enquiry.

In England and Wales, consideration is being given to a proposal to combine CESDI with the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths and to extend it to cover children up to 16 years old. My officials will be watching developments in this matter.

Faoi réir na socruithe reatha anseo, cosúil leo siúd i Sasana agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, cuirtear bás gach uile leanbh ó thréimhse iompair 20 seachtain go 1 bliain in iúl don Fhiosrúchán Rúnda ar Mharbh-bhreitheanna agus ar Bhásanna Páistí (FRMBP). Gach bliain, déanann FRMBP fiosrúchán ar chuid ar leith de na básanna seo. Maidir le páistí idir 1 bliain agus 15 bliain d'aois, cuirtear bás ar bith gan mhíniú nó a tharla de dheasca timpiste in iúl don chróinéir, agus ansin, beidh sé faoi réir fhiosrúchan an chróinéara.

I Sasana agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, tá machnamh á dhéanamh ar mholadh chun FRMBP a chónasc leis an Fhiosrúchán Rúnda ar Bhásanna Mháthartha, a chlúdódh páistí suas go 16 bliain d'aois. Beidh mo chuid oifigeach ag faire ar chúrsaí maidir leis an cheist seo.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 728/01, in relation to the Framework for Action on Waiting Lists, to outline (a) the most recent orthopaedic appointment survey including start date and completion date; and (b) if a criteria is used to prioritise appointments at the Ulster Community and Hospital HSS Trust.

(AQW 1010/01)

Ms de Brún: I am not aware of any recent orthopaedic appointment survey at the Ulster Community and Hospital Health and Social Services Trust.

With regard to criteria used to prioritise appointments at the Ulster Community and Hospital Health and Social Services Trust, I am advised that the Consultants prioritise the new appointments on the basis of clinical urgency.

Níl suirbhé ar bith ar choinní ortaipéideacha déanta ar na mallaibh in Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta Phobal agus Otharlann Uladh ar eolas agam.

Maidir leis na critéir úsáidte le tosaíocht a thabhairt do choinní in Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta Phobal agus Otharlann Uladh, cuireadh in iúl dom gur thug na Lianna Comhairleacha tosaíocht do na coinní nua ar bhonn práinne cliniciúla.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans she has to involve district nurses in profiling the health needs of their community.

(AQW 1014/01)

Ms de Brún: The new Local Health and Social Care Groups (LHSCGs), which are being established from 1 April 2002, will create a mechanism for primary care professionals to play an effective role in the commissioning of services for the communities they serve. Assessing local health and social care needs is integral to the commissioning process and, with the multidisciplinary partnership approach envisaged, I expect that district nurses and other community nurses will be closely involved in profiling the health needs of their community.

Cruthóidh na Grúpaí nua Áitiúla Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialta (GÁSCSí), a bhunófar ar 1 Aibreán 2002, cruthóidh siad meicníocht lenar féidir le gairmithe príomhchúraim ról éifeachtach bheith acu i gcoimisiúnú seirbhísí do na pobail ar a riarann siad. Tá measúnú ar riachtanais áitiúla shláinte agus chúraim shóisialta riachtanach don phróiseas choimisiúnaithe agus, le cur chuige na páirtíochta ildhisciplíní measta, tá mé ag súil leis go mbeidh altraí ceantair agus altraí pobail eile páirteach go dlúth i gcur in iúl riachtanas áitiúil sláinte a bpobail.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how the national care standards for residential care homes reflect the treatment needs of those with drug and alcohol problems.

(AQW 1015/01)

Ms de Brún: National Care Standards are part of the new regulatory framework for care homes and other care services currently being established under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act. These include standards for care homes for people with drug and alcohol problems. The Department of Health in England and the National Assembly in Wales are also working on National Minimum Standards for such services under their Care Standards Act.

I outlined my plans for improving and extending the regulation of care services here in the consultation document Best Practice - Best Care issued in April 2001. The proposals set out in that document include the development of standards for a range of care services including residential care homes in consultation with interested parties.

Tá na Caighdeáin Chúram Náisiúnta mar pháirt den chreatlach nua rialúcháin do thithe cúraim agus do sheirbhísí cúraim eile atáthar á mbunú faoi Acht Rialú Cúraim (Albain). Clúdaíonn seo caighdeáin do thithe cúraim do dhaoine le fadhbanna drugaí agus alcóil. Tá An Roinn Sláinte i Sasana agus an Tionól Naisiúnta sa Bhreatain Bheag ag obair chomh maith ar Íoschaighdeáin Naisiúnta dá leithéid de sheirbhísí faoina nAcht Caighdeáin Chúraim.

Bhreac mé síos mo chuid pleananna faoi shíniú agus fheabhsú rialú na seirbhísí cúraim anseo sa doiciméad comhairlithe 'Sárchleachtadh - Sárchúram' a eisíodh in Aibreán 2001. Is atá san áireamh leis na moltaí sa doiciméad sin ná forbairt caighdeán ar sheirbhísí cúraim chomh maith le réimse seirbhísí tithe cúraim i gcomhairle le páirtí leasmhara.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail her policy on sending patients for treatment to hospitals outside Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1016/01)

Ms de Brún: I am happy, in principle, to draw on hospital services available elsewhere in the interests of patients. The health and social services already make very good use of services in Glasgow, London, Dublin and other centres, as part of the overall services available to patients. In doing so, of course, there is the issue of how that impacts on the overall financial resources available to services here. There needs to be an appropriate balance to ensure that services which people need are accessible and readily available.

Tá mé sásta, i bprionsabal, seirbhísí otharlainne ar fáil in áiteanna eile a úsáid do leas othar. Baineann na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta úsáid an-mhaith cheana féin as seirbhísí i nGlaschú, Londain, i mBaile Átha Cliath agus in áiteanna eile, mar chuid de na seirbhísí iomlána ar fáil d'othair. Leoga, leis seo a dhéanamh ní mór an cheist faoin dóigh a bhfuil tionchar aici seo ar na hacmhainní iomlána airgeadais ar fáil abhus anseo a scrúdú. Is gá cothromas cuí a bheith ann le cinntiú go bhfuil na seirbhísí atá de dhíth ar dhaoine ar fáil go réidh agus go bhfuil siad infhaighte.

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps she is taking to protect cancer patients from hospital-acquired infections.

(AQW 1027/01)

Ms de Brún: I am concerned that all patients, including cancer patients, should be protected as far as possible from hospital-acquired infections.

The Health and Social Services Boards have been working with Trusts to implement a programme of action to strengthen the prevention and control of infections in hospitals. In June 2001 the Department issued guidance to Hospital Trusts on the standards of cleanliness against which they were to benchmark their facilities. Reports from Trusts have been received and are under consideration by my officials.

The Department is currently preparing an Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan which will be launched early in the New Year. Among other things, the Plan will be aiming to ensure the introduction of measures in hospitals to combat the emergence of antimicrobial resistances and to manage infection.

Tá mé imníoch gur chóir na hothair go léir, othair a bhfuil ailse orthu san áireamh, a chosaint a mhéad agus is féidir ó ghalruithe otharlainne.

Bhí na Boird Shláinte agus Sheirbhísí Sóisialta ag obair le hIontaobhais chun clár gnímh a chur i bhfeidhm a d'fhéadfadh cosc agus rialú galruithe in otharlanna a neartú. I Meitheamh 2001, thug an Roinn treoir d'Iontaobhais Otharlainne ar chaighdeáin ghlaineachta ar a raibh siad a n-áiseanna a mheas. Fuarthas tuairiscí ó Iontaobhais agus tá mo chuid oifigeach a meas.

Tá an Roinn ag ullmhú Plean Gníomhaíochta ar Fhrithbheart Frithmhicróbach i láthair na huaire a lainseálfar go luath sa Bhliain Úr. I measc rudaí eile, beidh sé de chuspóir ag an Phlean a chinntiú go dtabharfaí bearta isteach in otharlanna le tabhairt faoi theacht chun cinn frithbheart frithmhiocróbach agus le déileáil le galruithe.

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in each year since 1995.

(AQW 1028/01)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 3245/00.

Treoraím an Ball do mo fhreagra a thug mé ar AQW 3245/00.

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps are being taken to shorten waiting lists in the Health Service, particularly in the areas of heart disease and cancer.

(AQW 1029/01)

Ms de Brún: In line with the Framework for Action on Waiting Lists, which I issued in September 2000, a long-term programme of work is under way to tackle waiting lists.

With regard to heart disease, my Department has developed a joint action plan for the implementation of the recommendations made by the Cardiac Surgery review and the Review of Cardiology Services. The Action Plan, was issued for a period of public consultation which ended on 4 January 2002, sets out a range of recommendations aimed at reducing the waiting list and waiting times for surgery.

In the meantime, a number of immediate steps are being taken, including the purchase of cardiac surgery at units elsewhere for some patients who are able and willing to travel, and action to improve the recruitment and training of specialist staff.

In terms of cancer services, I introduced a two week outpatient appointments target last year for people with suspected breast cancer.

In radiotherapy, I have recently approved the acquisition of two additional linear accelerators at Belvoir Park Hospital at a capital cost of £3.8m. The provision of this new equipment should improve the waiting time for radiotherapy significantly.

Ag teacht le Creatlach le hAghaidh Gnímh ar Liostaí Feithimh, a d'eisigh mé i Meán Fómhair 2000, táthar ag tabhairt faoi chlár oibre fadtéarmach le dul i ngleic le liostaí feithimh.

I dtaca le galar croí, d'fhorbair an Roinn s'agam comhphlean gníomhaíochta chun moltaí a chur i gcrích a rinne an t-athbhreithniú ar Mháinliacht Chairdiach agus Athbhreithniú Seirbhísí Cairdeolaíochta. Leagann an Plean Gníomhaíochta, a eisíodh faoi choinne tréimhse comhairlithe phoiblí a chríochnaigh ar 4 Eanáir 2002, réimse moltaí ag díriú ar liosta feithimh agus agaí feithimh faoi choinne máinliachta a laghdú.

Idir an dá linn, táthar ag tabhairt roinnt céimeanna, ina measc tá ceannacht máinliachta cairdeolaíoch ag aonaid in áiteanna eile do roinnt othar atá ábalta agus toilteanach taisteal, agus táthar i mbun gnímh earcú agus oiliúint sainfhoirne a fheabhsú.

I dtaca le seirbhísí ailse, anuraidh thug mé isteach sprioc coicíse le haghaidh coinne othar seachtrach do dhaoine faoina bhfuil amhras go bhfuil ailse orthu.

I raiditeiripe, cheadaigh mé dhá luasaire líneacha a fháil d'Otharlann Belvoir ar na mallaibh ar chostas caipitil £3.8m. Ba chóir go bhfeabhsófaí soláthar an trealaimh seo agaí feithimh do raiditeiripe ar bhonn suntasach.

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of cardiology consultations in each Health Board area.

(AQW 1030/01)

Ms de Brún: Information is available on the number of attendances at consultant outpatient clinics in the Cardiology specialty in local hospitals for 2000/01, and is detailed in the table below.

Tá eolas ar fáil ar líon na ndaoine a d'fhreastail ar chlinicí comhairleacha éisothair i speisialtóireacht na Cairdeolaíochta in otharlanna áitiúla don bhliain 2000/01, agus mionléirítear sa tábla thíos é.

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what are the average length of waiting lists for angiograms in each Health Board area.

(AQW 1031/01)

Ms de Brún: This information is not available.

Níl an t-eolas seo ar fáil.

Mr Eamonn ONeill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average length of time those eligible for wheelchairs must wait.

(AQW 1032/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available. The time required to provide an appropriate wheelchair depends on a number of factors, including the type of chair recommended by an occupational therapist, whether modifications are needed to meet the user's assessed needs and whether the equipment is available from the Health Service contract or has to be obtained from another supplier.

Níl an t-eolas a iarradh ar fáil. Braitheann an t-am a ghlacann sé le cathaoir rothaí chuí a sholáthar ar roinnt fachtóirí, ina measc, an cineál cathaoireach a mhol teiripí saothair, cé acu a bhíonn mionathruithe de dhíth le freastal ar riachtanais mheasta an úsáideora agus cé acu atá an trealamh ar fáil ó chonradh na Seirbhíse Sláinte nó an gá é a fháil ó sholáthraí eile.

Mr Eamonn ONeill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she has any plans to increase funding for the purchase of wheelchairs.

(AQW 1033/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department is currently examining the funding of the wheelchair service to determine what further resources might be needed to meet current demand. Meanwhile, I have recently provided an additional £300,000 to help address in-year pressures.

Tá an Roinn s'agam ag scrúdú mhaoiniú sheirbhís na cathaoireach rothaí le cinntiú cad iad na hacmhainní is dócha a bheadh de dhíth le freastal ar an éileamh láithreach. Idir an dá linn, sholáthair mé £300,000 breise le gairid le cuidiú le dul i ngleic le brúnna inbhliana.

Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her strategy for psychiatric services.

(AQW 1034/01)

Ms de Brún: My strategy for psychiatric services, as outlined in the Programme for Government, is to support people with mental health difficulties at home or in their own community unless their needs require hospital care.

Is í an straitéis s'agam faoi choinne seirbhísí síciatracha, mar atá breactha síos sa Chlár um Rialtas, tacú le daoine a bhfuil deacrachtaí sláinte meabhrach acu sa bhaile nó ina bpobal féin ach má bhíonn gá acu le cúram otharlainne.

Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to publicise the circular 'Living and Working Conditions for Doctors in Training in Northern Ireland'.

(AQW 1035/01)

Ms de Brún: The circular in question will be issued to Trusts and Boards in the near future. The latest draft of the circular has been sent to the Housing Executive for comment and advice on the relevant provisions relating to standards of accommodation and housing legislation. When this advice is received the circular will be finalised and issued.

Tabharfar an imlitir atá i gceist d'Iontaobhais agus do Bhoird ar ball. Cuireadh an dréacht is déanaí den imlitir chuig an Fheidhmeannas Tithíochta le haghaidh tráchta agus comhairle ar na forálacha cuí a bhaineann le caighdeáin chóiríochta agus le reachtaíocht tithíochta. Nuair atá an chomhairle seo faighte cuirfear an dlaoi mhullaigh ar an imlitir agus ansin eiseofar í.

Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total sum of penalty payments paid by Trusts as a result of junior doctors working excessive hours.

(AQW 1036/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested could not be obtained without disproportionate effort.

Ní féidir an t-eolas a iarradh a fháil ach ar iarracht dhíréireach.

Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the hospitals that have made the necessary arrangements to enable a reduction in the working hours for junior doctors.

(AQW 1037/01)

Ms de Brún: However, all Trusts are working hard to improve this situation. Since the establishment of the Improving Junior Doctors Working Lives Implementation Support Group (ISG) in August 2001, all Trusts have been visited and advised on how to improve their compliance with the hours and rest requirements of the New Deal. Trusts are now submitting modified work patterns for assessment by the ISG against the New Deal standards and, when agreed, these will be implemented as soon as possible.

Tá na hIontaobhais uile áfach ag obair go crua leis an scéal seo a fheabhsú. Ó bunaíodh Grúpa Feidhmithe Tacaíochta um Shaol Oibre Dochtúirí Sóisearacha a Fheabhsú (GFT) i Lúnasa, tugadh cuairt ar gach Iontaobhas agus tugadh comhairle dóibh ar conas is féidir cloí le huaireanta agus/nó riachtanais scíste an New Deal/tSocraithe Nua. Tá Iontaobhais ag tabhairt isteach patrúin oibre nua-athruithe agus measúnóidh an GFT iad i dtaobh chaighdeáin an tSocraithe Nua, agus nuair a chomhaontaítear iad, cuirfear i bhfeidhm iad a luaithe is féidir.

Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the hospital rota system will be seriously affected by the implementation of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD), and what strategy has her Department adopted in this regard.

(AQW 1038/01)

Ms de Brún: The implementation of the European Working Time Directive in relation to junior doctors will mean that significant changes to junior doctors' current working patterns will have to be implemented. In particular, meeting the rest requirements of the EWTD will mean much greater use of shift working as opposed to the current on-call arrangements.

My Department has established an Improving Junior Doctors' Working lives Implementation Support Group in partnership with the BMA Junior Doctors' Committee to provide support to HSS Trusts in meeting fully the targets in relation to the working hours and rest requirements set out in the EWTD.

The four Health Departments have also begun technical discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry (the lead Government Department on the EWTD) on the legal steps they will need to make on our behalf in order to retain maximum flexibility for employers in the way they deploy staff within the Directive's provisions. It is possible to derogate by regulation from various of the Directive's provisions in order to give extra flexibility to employers in planning work rotas and managing services. Negotiations will then need to be undertaken with the BMA to agree alternative arrangements regarding minimum rest periods and the amount and timing of compensatory rest. These arrangements will, nevertheless, be expected to fully safeguard the health and safety of junior doctors and their patients.

Ciallóidh cur i bhfeidhm Treoir Eorpach Am Oibre maidir le dochtúirí sóisearacha nach mór athruithe suntasacha i bpatrúin láithreacha oibre na ndochtúirí sóisearacha a chur i bhfeidhm. Ciallóidh comhall riachtanais scíste TEAO go háirithe gur mó an úsáid a bheidh le sealobair seachas na socruithe láithreacha agus dochtúirí ar dualgas.

Bhunaigh mo Roinn Grúpa Feidhmithe Tacaíochta um Shaol Oibre Dochtúirí Sóisearacha a Fheabhsú i gcomhar le Coiste Dochtúirí Sóisearacha an CMB chun tacú le hIontaobhais SSS na spriocanna maidir le huaireanta oibre agus riachtanais scíste a bhaint amach go hiomlán mar atá leagtha amach sa TEAO.

Thosaigh na ceithre Roinn Sláinte ar phlé teicniúil leis an Roinn Trádála agus Tionscadail (an phríomh-Roinn Rialtais ar an TEAO) ar na céimeanna dlíthiúil is gá dóibh a thabhairt thar ár gceann sa dóigh go gcoinneofar uas-solúbthacht d'fhostóirí ar an dóigh a n-imlonnaítear an fhoireann laistigh d'fhorálacha na Treorach. Is féidir forálacha éagsúla na Treorach a mhaolú trí reachtaíocht sa dóigh go dtabhfar solúbthacht bhreise d'fhostóirí chun rótaí a phleanáil agus seirbhísí a bhainistiú. Ní mór ina dhiaidh sin tabhairt faoi idirbheartaíocht leis an CMB chun teacht ar shocruithe malartacha maidir le íostréimhsí scíste agus fad agus uainiú an scíste chúitigh. Beifear ag dúil, mar sin féin, go gcosnóidh na socruithe seo sláinte agus sábháilteacht na ndochtúirí sóisearacha agus a n-othar.

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