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Friday 1 March 2002 Non-Departmental Public Bodies Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to list all Non-Departmental Public Bodies under his control, and to advise if they follow guidance on reporting fraud to the Comptroller and Auditor General, as required under Government Accounting procedures. (AQW 2010/01) The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Dr Farren): The Department of Finance and Personnel has no executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs). However it does have responsibility for three advisory NDPBs, namely the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee, the Statistics Advisory Committee, the Law Reform Advisory Committee, along with the Lay Observer. As none of these committees or the Lay Observer has responsibility for a budget, there is no requirement for them to adhere to the guidance as stipulated. Any costs associated with the running of the committees are borne by the Department, which is obliged to follow the guidance on reporting fraud to the Comptroller and Auditor General, in accordance with Government Accounting procedures. Decentralisation of Jobs Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of personnel currently employed within his department and how many of these jobs may be decentralised between January and December 2002. (AQW 2036/01) Dr Farren: The information requested is as follows: At 1 January 2002 the Department of Finance and Personnel employed 2678* staff. As a result of a decision to centralise superannuation functions currently carried out within departments in the Belfast and North Down areas, around 40 jobs will be relocated in my department in Derry before the end of the year. A strategic review of Civil Service Accommodation, which includes an examination of the scope for decentralisation of Civil Service jobs, is currently ongoing. Pending the outcome of the review, opportunities to relocate Civil Service jobs will continue to be examined on a case for case basis, as particular needs arise. Where there are considered to be pressing accommodation needs or where short-term decisions are required, business cases are prepared taking full account of the current relocation policy. * Data is for NI Civil Service staff (industrial and non-industrial, permanent and casual) excluding those on a career break. NI Civil Service staff excludes civil servants in the Home Civil Service, NI Audit Office, Electoral Office and NI Court Service. Official Transport Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQO 808/01, to detail the total cost of (a) providing an ‘in-house’ official car service for Ministers; and (b) providing a contracted official car service for Ministers. (AQW 2049/01) Dr Farren: A study in late 2000 into the alternative means of providing official transport services for Ministers and senior officials found that the estimated of cost of an in-house service would be £637 K while an equivalent contracted service would cost £965 K. Official Transport Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to AQO 808/01, to provide a breakdown of the £300,000 savings achieved from maintaining an in-house service as opposed to a contracted official car service. (AQW 2050/01) Dr Farren: A study into the alternative means of providing official transport services estimated that an in-house service would cost on average of £7 per hour less than an equivalent contracted service. The estimated savings are calculated on requirement for approximately 46000 transport hours.
Health, Social Services and Public Safety Consultancy Costs Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much money has been spent on external consultants and consultancy reports in each of the last 3 years. (AQW 1953/01) The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): My Department incurred costs as follows in each of the last 3 years:
Seo a leanas na costais a gearradh ar an Roinn s’agam i ngach de na 3 bliain dheireanach.
GP Fundholding Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what negotiations and consultations she has had with GP fundholding representatives in relation to the imminent 31 March transfer of responsibility back to the Boards. (AQW 1957/01) Ms de Brún: Over the past 2 years I have had wide ranging discussions with GP Fundholders and their representatives about the ending of the fundholding scheme. I have met with the General Medical Committee of the BMA on 3 occasions. I have also met with representatives of the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Eastern Multifund, the Northern Ireland GP Forum as well as a number of individual GP Fundholders. HSS Boards have been given the responsibility of ensuring that, where possible, the level and range of services that have been developed by fundholders will continue after 31 March 2002. All Boards intend to maintain the majority of those services at 2001/2002 levels for next year. Le dhá bhliain anuas, bhí caibidlí forleathana agam le Ciste-shealbhóirí Gnáthdhochtúireachta agus lena n-ionadaithe faoi dheireadh a chur leis an scéim chiste-sheilbhe. Bhuail mé le Coiste Ginearálta Míochaine na CMB trí huaire. Bhuail mé le hionadaithe an Choláiste Ríoga Ghnáthdhochtúirí, leis an Ilchiste Oirthearach, le Fóram Gnáthdochtúireachta Thuaisceart na hÉireann fosta, chomh maith le roinnt Ciste- shealbhóirí aonair Gnáthdochtúireachta. Tá cúram glactha ag Boird SSS as cinntiú, más féidir é, go leanfaidh leibhéal agus réimse na seirbhísí a forbraíodh ag ciste-shealbhóirí i ndiaidh 31 Márta 2002. Tá rún ag na Boird go léir bunús na seirbhísí sin a choinneáil ag leibhéil 2001/2002 don bhliain seo chugainn. Language Used Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) which language is used as the primary means of communication within her Department; (b) the normal timeframe for responding to a question in English; (c) the length of delay between the English response being available and the Irish translation being completed and made available to the Member. (AQW 1959/01) Ms de Brún: English is the working language primarily used in my Department. Assembly Questions are answered in accordance with Assembly Business Office timescales and guidelines. All translations are completed within the normal timescales for answering questions and do not result in a delay in the answer being made available to the Member. Is é Béarla an teanga oibre a úsáidtear go príomha sa Roinn s’agamsa. Freagraítear Ceisteanna Tionóil de réir achair ama agus treoirlínte Oifig Ghnó an Tionóil. Bíonn na haistriúcháin go léir déanta laistigh den ghnáthachar ama le ceisteanna a fhreagairt agus ní chuireann siad moill ar thabhairt an fhreagra don Bhall. General Palliative Care Education Provision Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what new training is available for district and community nurses dealing with palliative care. (AQW 1962/01) Ms de Brún: A wide range of appropriate General Palliative Care Education Provision is already accessible to district and community nurses to meet identified service needs.A Children’s Palliative Care Project, which includes an Education Forum, has recently been established. A series of 5 road shows, exploring clinical topics relation to children’s palliative care, will commence shortly and run until early April. The Project Team is likely to address the need to develop further education opportunities. Is féidir le haltraí ceantair agus pobail riachtanais aitheanta sheirbhísí réimse leathan Soláthar cuí Oideachais ar Chúram Mhaolaitheach Ghinearálta a chomhlíonann. Bunaíodh Scéim Chúraim Mhaolaithigh do Pháistí, ina bhfuil Fóram Oideachais, ar na mallaibh. Tosóidh sraith de 5 seó bóthair, ag scrúdú ábhar cliniciúil bainteach le cúram maolaitheach páistí, ar ball agus beidh siad ar siúl go dtí go luath i mí Aibreáin. Is dócha go dtabharfaidh Foireann na Scéime faoin ghá le tuilleadh deiseanna oideachais a fhorbairt. NHS Trusts: Performance Indicators Mr M Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what performance indicators NHS Trusts are required to publish regularly. (AQW 1963/01) Ms de Brún: Trusts are required to produce both an audited set of annual accounts and an annual report, which they make available to the public. A wide range of other information is collected on Trust performance including Charter standards, reference costs, waiting lists, waiting times and information required to monitor progress towards targets etc. Much of this information is published routinely by the Department, by Boards or by Trusts themselves. Bíonn ar Iontaobhais cuntais bhliantúla iniúchta agus tuairisc bhliantúil a chur ar fáil, a chuireann siad ar fáil don phobal. Bailítear réimse leathan eile sonraí faoi fheidhmiú Iontaobhais, caighdeáin Chairte san áireamh, costais thagartha, liostaí feithimh, agaí feithimh agus eolas eile atá de dhíth le dul chun cinn i dtreo spriocanna a mhonatóireacht srl. Déantar cuid mhór den eolas seo a fhoilsiú go rialta ag an Roinn, ag Boird nó ag Iontaobhais féin. Consultancy Costs Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number and cost of consultations, reviews and other public discussion documents that have been issued by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in the last 3 years. (AQW 1966/01) Ms de Brún: The number and cost of consultations and reviews that I have initiated since the establishment of the Executive are outlined in my answer to Assembly Question AQW 1490/2001. Tugtar líon agus costas na gcomhairlithe agus na n-athbhreithnithe ar chuir mé tús leo ó bhunú an Fheidhmeannais sa fhreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Tionóil AQW 1490/2001. Working Partnerships Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration was given to facilitating a joint approach to issuing consultation, review and other public discussion documents by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety by Board, Trust or any other named agency responsible to the Department within the last 3 years. (AQW 1967/01) Ms de Brún: The Department seeks, where appropriate, to work in partnership with Boards, Trusts and other health, social services and public safety agencies on consultations, reviews and public discussion documents. Iarrann an Roinn, más cuí é, ar chomhoibriú i bpáirtíocht le Boird, le hIontaobhais agus le seirbhísí eile sláinte agus sóisialta chomh maith le gníomhaireachtaí eile sábháilteachta poiblí ar chomhairliúcháin, athbhreithnithe agus ar phlé-cháipéisí poiblí. Charter for Patients and Clients Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail which Hospital Trusts operate a Patient’s Charter. (AQW 1969/01) Ms de Brún: A Charter for Patients and Clients was launched in 1992. All HSS Trusts are required to ensure that the minimum standards set out in the Charter are met and that appropriate mechanisms are in place to monitor the delivery of Charter standards at unit level. Seoladh A Charter for Patients and Clients sa bhliain 1992. Ní mór do na hIontaobhais SSS go léir cinntiú go gcomhlíontar na híoschaighdeáin leagtha amach sa Chairt agus go bhfuil na struchtúir chuí i bhfeidhm le monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar chomhlíonadh chaighdeáin na Cairte ag leibhéal ionaid. Diaphyseal Aclasis Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of (i) males; and (ii) females currently diagnosed with Diaphyseal aclasis. (AQW 1970/01) Ms de Brún: This information is not collected. Ní chruinnítear an t-eolas seo. Diaphyseal Aclasis Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of money that goes into the research of Diaphyseal aclasis. (AQW 1971/01) Ms de Brún: No specific research into diaphyseal aclasis is currently being funded by the HPSS R&D Office. No information is available on other sources of funding. Níl saintaighde ar bith ar aclaisís diaifíse maoinithe ag Oifig T&F na SSSP faoi láthair. Níl eolas ar fáil ar fhoinsí eile maoinithe. Free Nursing Care for the Elderly: Legislation Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has she any plans to amend legislation to ensure free nursing care for the elderly. (AQW 1972/01) Ms de Brún: The measure to facilitate free nursing care will be carried in the Health and Personal Social Services No.1 Bill to be introduced in the Assembly in the coming weeks. Subject to the will of the Assembly, I intend that, from October this year, the cost of nursing care will not be included when assessing a person’s ability to contribute towards the nursing home charge. Beidh an beart le cúram altranais saor a éascú i mBille Uimh.1 na Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsanta a thionscnófar sa Tionól sna seachtainí atá le teacht. Faoi réir toil an Tionóil, tá sé ar intinn agam gan chostas cúraim altranais a chur san áireamh ó Dheireadh Fómhair na bliana seo nuair a dhéanfar measúnú ar chumas duine cuid de tháille an tí altranais a íoc. Residential Care Packages Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of pensioners benefiting from residential care packages in each of the last 3 years. (AQW 1974/01) Ms de Brún: Information on the number of residential care packages in effect in the Elderly Care Programme of Care at 31 March in each of the last three years is detailed in the table below. This information is published in the annual Community Statistics publication, which is available in the Assembly Library and on my Department’s website.
Miondealaítear eolas ar líon na bpacáistí cúraim chónaithe i bhfeidhm sa Chlár Cúraim Chúram Seandaoine ar 31 Márta agus i ngach bliain de na trí bliana deireanacha sa tábla thíos. Foilsítear an t-eolas seo i bhfoilseachán bliantúil na Staitisticí Pobail, atá ar fáil i Leabharlann an Tionóil agus ar líonláithreán mo Roinne.
Support for Residential Care Pensioners Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans she has to increase support for residential care pensioners. (AQW 1976/01) Ms de Brún: I am currently considering proposals to further amend the Health and Personal Social Services (Assessment of Resources) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 to introduce the 3-month disregard in April 2002 together with further increases in the capital limits for inflation. Boards are required to allow residents an amount for their personal expenses each week and I am considering proposals to increase the Personal Expenses Allowance from April 2002. Tá mé ag déanamh machnaimh faoi láthair ar mholtaí le Rialacháin (Measúnú Acmhainní) na Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsanta (Tuaisceart na hÉireann) 1993 a leasú a thuilleadh chun an neamhshuim 3 mí mar aon le tuilleadh méaduithe sna cailcí caipitil do bhoilsciú a thionscnamh in Aibreán 2002. Tá ar Bhoird suim airgid a cheadú do chónaitheoirí dá gcostais phearsanta féin gach seachtain agus tá mé ag déanamh machnaimh ar mholtaí leis an Liúntas do Chostais Phearsanta a mhéadú ó Aibreán 2002. Financial Support: Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the financial support available for each pensioner in (i) nursing home care; and (ii) residential home care. (AQW 1989/01) Ms de Brún: The Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 requires that a person is charged for residential or nursing home care arranged by a Board under Articles 15 and 36 of the Order. The Health and Personal Social Services (Assessment of Resources) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993, which are aligned with the test of eligibility for Income Support, prescribe the form of financial assessment to be applied in these circumstances. Where residents possess capital assets, including savings and property, in excess of £18,500 they are required to pay the full cost of their care. Financial support is given where the value of capital is below the threshold value but residents are also required to contribute from personal income in accordance with the regulations. The financial support available to each resident is dependent on their individual circumstances and ability to contribute towards the residential care or nursing home charge. In relation to nursing homes, new legislation is being brought before the Assembly shortly, and, subject to the will of the Assembly, will mean that from October this year, the cost of nursing care will not be included when assessing a person’s ability to contribute towards the nursing home charge. De réir Ord na Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsanta (Tuaisceart na hÉireann) 1972 ní mór táille a ghearradh ar dhuine do chúram tí chónaithe nó altranais socraithe ag Bord faoi Ailt 15 agus 36 den Ord. Leagann Rialacháin (Measúnú Acmhainní) na Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsanta (Tuaisceart na hÉireann) 1993, atá ceangailte leis an scrúdú intofachta do Thacaíocht Ioncaim, leagann siad amach foirm an mheasúnaithe airgeadais atá le cur i bhfeidhm sna tosca seo. Nuair atá sócmhainní caipitil, airgead taisce agus sealúchas san áireamh, níos mó ná £18,500 ag cónaitheoirí, ní mór dóibh costas iomlán a gcúraim a íoc. Tugtar tacaíocht airgeadais nuair atá luach a gcaiptil níos lú ná luach na tairsí ach ní mór do chónaitheoirí íoc as óna n-ioncam pearsanta féin de réir na rialachán. Braitheann an tacaíocht airgeadais atá ar fáil do gach cónaitheoir ar a dtocsa aonair féin agus ar a gcumas cuid de tháille an tí chúraim chónaithe nó altranais a íoc. Maidir le tithe altranais, tá reachtaíocht nua á cur faoi bhráid an Tionóil ar ball, agus, faoi réir toil an Tionóil, ciallóidh sí sin nach gcuirfear costas an chúraim altranais san áireamh ó Dheireadh Fómhair na bliana seo nuair a dhéanfar measúnú ar chumas duine cuid de tháille an tí altranais a íoc. Nursing and Residential Homes: Costs Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans she has to increase payment to residential homes to cover the increasing cost of residential care for pensioners. (AQW 1990/01) Ms de Brún: I am aware of the pressures facing nursing and residential homes and I will be considering their position in the decisions I will be making shortly on the allocation of my budget for 2002/03. Tuigim na brúnna atá ar thithe altranais agus ar thithe cónaithe agus déanfaidh mé mo mhachamh ar a riocht sna cinní a dhéanfaidh mé ar ball ar dháileadh an bhuiséid s’agam do 2002/03. Deficit: GP Fundholding Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current deficit from GP fundholding accounts. (AQW 1994/01) Ms de Brún: The projected deficit in GP Fundholding for the 2001/02 financial year is £2,082,000. The major part of the deficit has arisen in fundholders’ prescribing budgets. Is é £2,082,000 an t-easnamh measta i gCiste- shealbhaíocht Ghnáthdhochtúireachta don bhliain airgeadais 2001/02. Tháinig an chuid is mó den easnamh seo ó bhuiséid oideas chiste-shealbhóirí. Rape Crisis Centre Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make a statement on the current level of resources for the Rape Crisis Centre and any future proposals for the development of its work. (AQW 1995/01) Ms de Brún: In the current year, the Department is making available a grant of up to £33,120.00 towards the central administration costs of the Belfast Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre. Award of a grant is, of course, subject to an organisation complying fully with the terms and conditions of the grant. My Department has also made available £6,500 to assist the organisation in the development of a Business Plan with a clearly defined strategic focus. Departmental officials have been in close contact with the Belfast Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre to help expedite the production of the Business Plan. I mbliana, tá an Roinn ag cur deontais suas le £33,120.00 ar fáil chun cuidiú le lárchostas riaracháin Ionad Éignithe agus Drochíde Gnéasaí Bhéal Feirste. Bronntar deontais ar eagraíocht, ar ndóigh, ar acht go gcomhlíonann sí téarmaí agus coinníollacha an deontais go hiomlán. Chuir mo Roinn £6,500 ar fáil fosta le cuidiú leis an eagraíocht Plean Gnó a fhorbairt le fócas straitéiseach léirithe go soiléir. Bhí oifigigh na Roinne i dteagmháil dhlúth le hIonad Éignithe agus Drochíde Gnéasaí Bhéal Feirste le cuidiú leo luas soláthar Plean Gnó a ghéarú. Occupational Therapist Posts Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of Occupational Therapist posts which have been (i) filled; and (ii) vacant for the last 2 years for which figures are available in each Health and Social Service Trust. (AQW 1997/01) Ms de Brún: The information is detailed in the tables below. (i) Occupational Therapist posts which have been filled in the 2000 and 2001 calendar years
- Not applicable N/A Not available (ii) Occupational Therapist posts which were vacant at the end of the 2000 and 2001 calendar years
1 Combined figures for Craigavon & Banbridge Community and Craigavon Area Hospital Group. 2 Current vacancies - Not applicable N/A Not available
(i) Poist Theiripithe Saothair a líonadh sna blianta féilire 2000 agus 2001.
1 Figiúirí curtha le chéile do Ghrúpa Otharlanna Phobal Craigavon & Dhroichead na Banna agus Cheantar Craigavon Neamhfhóirsteanach N/F Níltear ar fáil (ii) Folúntais Phoist Theiripithe Saothair ag deireadh na mblianta féilire 2000 agus 2001.
1 Figiúirí curtha le chéile do Ghrúpa Otharlanna Phobal Craigavon & Dhroichead na Banna agus Cheantar Craigavon 2Folúntais faoi láthair Neamhfhóirsteanach N/F Níltear ar fáil |
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