(AQW 2351/01)

Ms de Brún: Information is not readily available in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Níl eolas ar fáil go héasca sa dóigh ar iarradh é agus ní féidir é a fháil ach ar chostas díréireach.

(AQW 2352/01)

Ms de Brún: The problem of delayed discharges needs to be tackled both within the hospital system and in the community. I allocated an additional £2 million from April 2001 to enable Boards and Trusts to meet the target of providing an increased 230 community care packages in the course of 2001/02. A further £10.8 million has been allocated in-year specifically for winter pressures and community services and I will shortly be announcing the allocations which will be made for community services next year. These will enable Boards to expand their caseload capacity by 1,000 new packages of care and among the priorities will be minimising delayed discharges, reducing waiting lists in the community and restoration of domiciliary care as a realistic alternative to institutional care.

In addition, various initiatives have been taken to help alleviate the pressures on acute hospital services. Examples of these are the use of Discharge Co-ordinators, Rapid Response Nursing, Hospital at Home, Intensive Community Care and Home from Hospital schemes that provide intermediate care in the community and prevent undue delay in hospital and inappropriate admissions to hospital.

Ní mór tabhairt faoin fhadhb i moill scaoilte amach ó laistigh den chóras otharlainne agus sa phobal araon. Dháil mé £2 milliún ó Aibreán 2001 chun cur ar chumas Bord agus Iontaobhas an sprioc le 230 pacáiste breise cúraim phobail a sholáthar le linn 2001/02 a bhaint amach. Dáileadh £10.8 milliún breise i mbliana go háirithe do bhrúnna geimhridh agus do sheirbhísí pobail agus beidh mé ag fógairt na ndálaí ar ball a thabharfar do sheirbhísí pobail an bhliain seo chugainn. Cuirfidh siad seo ar chumas Bord 1,000 pacáiste nua cúraim a chur le toilleadh a n-ualaigh cháis agus i measc na dtosaíochtaí beidh íosmhéadú scaoilte amach, laghdú liostaí feithimh don phobal agus athsholáthar cúraim bhaile mar rogha réadúil eile in áit chúraim institiúide.

Ina theannta sin, cuireadh tús le roinnt scéimeanna chun cuidiú leis na brúnna ar sheirbhísí géarotharlainne a mhaolú. I measc na solaoidí díobh seo tá úsáid Chomhordaitheoirí Scaoilte Amach, Altranais Mhearfhreagartha, Chúraim Otharlainne sa teach, Dhianchúraim Phobail agus Scéimeanna Éisotharlainne Tí a sholáthraíonn cúram idirthréimhse don phobal agus a chuireann cosc ar mhoill neamhriachtanach agus ar ghlacadh isteach mícheart sna hotharlanna.

(AQW 2357/01)

Ms de Brún: Health and Social Service Boards and Trusts are required to comply with guidance consistent with the requirements of Government Accounting procedures on reporting fraud.

All Health and Social Service Boards and Trusts have confirmed their compliance with these requirements.

Bíonn ar Bhoird agus Iontaobhais Seirbhíse Sláinte cloí de réir an dlí le treoir chomhsheasmhach chun riachtanais mhodhanna Cuntasaíocht Rialtais ar chalaois a thuairisciú.

Chinntigh gach Bord agus Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta gur chomhlíon siad na riachtanais seo.

(AQW 2363/01)

Ms de Brún: The details are as follows:

In addition, 3 sites owned by the Fire Authority are not currently used for fire service purposes:

i. Building and site adjacent to Newtownards Fire Station in South Street, Newtownards.

ii. Land to the rear of Lurgan Fire Station, Alexandra Crescent, Lurgan.

iii. Land to the rear of Westland Fire Station, Westland Road, Belfast.

Is iad a leanas na sonraithe:

Ina theannta, tá 3 suíomh, ar leis an Údarás Dóiteáin iad, nach bhfuil in úsáid faoi choinne seirbhísí dóiteáin.

i. Foirgneamh agus suíomh taobh le Stáisiún Dóiteáin i Sráid Theas, Baile Nua na hArda.

ii. Talamh ar chúl Stáisiún Dóiteáin Bhaile an Lorgain, Corrán Alexandra, An Lorgain.

iii. Talamh ar chúl Stáisiún Dóiteáin Westland, Bóthar Westland, Béal Feirste

(AQW 2383/01)

Ms de Brún: A review of current mental health policy, strategy and legislation is about to commence and will be completed over the next 2 years.

Táthar réidh le tús a chur le hathbhreithniú ar pholasaí, straitéis agus réachtaíocht láithreach sláinte meabhrach agus críochnófar é thar an chéad dá bhliain eile.

(AQO 982/01)

Ms de Brún: The operational system for the out- of-hours GP service for patients in the Strabane and Omagh districts includes the use of out-of-hours centres. Out-of-hours calls for the Strabane, Donemana and Castlederg area are covered by the Mournedoc GP co- operative centred in Strabane, and calls for the West Tyrone area are covered by the Westdoc GP co-operative with centres in Omagh and Enniskillen. GPs in Omagh Town Health Centre make their own arrangements for out- of-hours services for their patients.

The current out-of-hours co-operative arrangements began here in 1995. As a result of these arrangements, the majority of GPs have moved to form out-of-hours co-operatives through which large numbers of GPs organise and cover their members' patients on a rota basis.

Cuimsíonn an córas oibríochta do sheirbhís gnáthdhochtúirí éis-uaire i gceantar an tSratha Bháin agus na hÓmaigh úsáid ionad eis-uaire. Clúdaíonn comharchumann gnáthdhochtúirí Mhórna, atá lonnaithe ar an tSrath Bhán, glaonna éis-uaire do limistéar an tSratha Bháin, Dhún na Manach agus an Chaisleáin Dheirg; clúdaíonn comharchumann gnáthdhochtúirí Westdoc, ag a bhfuil ionaid san Ómaigh agus in Inis Ceithleann, glaonna do limistéar Thír Eoghain thiar. Déanann gnáthdhochtúirí in Ionad Sláinte Bhaile na hÓmaigh a gcuid socruithe féin do sheirbhísí éis-uaire dá gcuid othar. Thosaigh na socruithe reatha anseo in 1995.

Mar thoradh ar na socruithe sin, tá comharchumainn eis-uaire bunaithe ag an chuid is mó de ghnáthdhochtúirí trína n-eagraíonn líon ard ghnáthdhochtúirí agus trína gclúdaíonn siad othair a gcuid comhalta ar bhonn uainchláir.

(AQO 978/01)

Ms de Brún: The Ambulance Service has been having problems with one particular make of trolley, purchased at a cost of £126,000 between April 1998 and July 1999, and has recently decided to start a programme of trolley replacement. The Ambulance Service is currently seeking compensation from the supplier for the trolleys being replaced. The new York 4 Stretcher Trolleys are being purchased at a cost of £66,960.

Tá deacrachtaí ag an tSeirbhís Otharcharr le cineál amháin ar leith tralaí, a ceannaíodh ar chostas de £126,000 (céad fiche is a sé mhíle) idir Aibreán 1998 agus Iúil 1999, agus cinneadh le déanaí go gcuirfí tús le clár le tralaithe nua a chur ina n-áit. Tá an tSeirbhís Otharcharr ag lorg cúitimh faoi láthair ó sholáthraí na dtralaithe a bhfuil cinn eile le cur ina n-áit. Tá Tralaithe Sínteáin nua York 4 á gceannach ar chostas de £66,960 (seasca is sé mhíle, naoi gcéad seasca).

(AQO 953/01)

Ms de Brún: The regional neonatal intensive care unit of the Royal-Jubilee Maternity Service, has been open and has been functioning effectively since its refurbishment was completed in autumn 1999.

Tá an t-aonad dianchúraim nua-naíoch réigiúnach i Seirbhís Mháithreachais an Ospidéil Ríoga-na hIúbhaile oscailte agus ag tá sé ag feidhmiú go héifeachtach ó críochnaíodh a athchóiriú i bhFómhar 1999.

(AQO 1011/01)

Ms de Brún: The Executive's approach to future funding of the Health and Personal Social Services will be decided in the context of the 2002 Spending Review.

Socrófar cur chuige an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin i leith mhaoiniú Seirbhísí Sláinte Sóisialta agus Pearsanta sa todhchaí i gcomhthéacs an Athbhreithnithe Caiteachais 2002.

(AQO 958/01)

Ms de Brún: Approximately 50 percent of acute psychiatric inpatient facilities are alongside acute hospital provision. However, there are differing views on whether a psychiatric unit should be integrated with acute hospitals and the alternative view is that we should provide a range of services and facilities in community settings, which are locally accessible and meet user's needs.

Tá thart ar 50 faoin chéad de ghéarshaoráidí siciatracha d'othair chónaitheacha in éineacht le soláthar géarospidéil. Tá tuairimí éagsúla ann, áfach, ar chóir aonad siciatrach a chomhtháthú le géarospidéil; tá a athrach de thuairim ann gur chóir dúinn réimse seirbhísí agus saoráidí a sholáthar i suímh phobail a bhfuil teacht áitiúil orthu agus a dhéanann freastal ar riachtanais úsáideoirí.

(AQO 994/01)

Ms de Brún: There are 5 consultant neurosurgeons employed by the Royal Group of Hospitals Trust.

The consultants are supported, at present, by 2 specialist trainees. One further specialist trainee is currently filled by a locum appointment. Maintenance of three specialist training posts will provide for future consultant vacancies arising through retirement or the establishment of additional posts.

Tá cúigear néarmháinlia comhairleach fostaithe ag Iontaobhas Ghrúpa Ríoga na nOspidéal.

Tá na comhairligh á dtacú, faoi láthair, ag beirt oiliúnaí speisialtóra. Tá ceapachán locum ann faoi láthair d'oiliúnaí speisialtóra breise. Soláthróidh cothabháil trí phost oiliúna speisialtóra folúntais do chomhairligh, má éiríonn comhairleach as post nó má bhunaítear poist bhreise.

(AQO 977/01)

Ms de Brún: The number of nurses providing district nursing services in Sperrin Lakeland Trust over the past 3 years is as follows:

Is é a leanas líon na n-altraí a sholáthraíonn seirbhísí altranais ceantair in Iontaobhas Speirín, Tír na Lochanna le trí bliana anuas:

(AQO 983/01)

Ms de Brún: The Implementation Plan on the Strategic Review of Ambulance Services identifies the range of measures needed to improve response times. These measures, which require significant additional investment, include an increase in the number of Patient Care Service vehicles and crews, a modern communication system, a Medical Priority Despatch System, additional training capacity, new response locations, "Rapid Responder" units and additional A&E vehicles and crews.

A Medical Priority Despatch System is to be piloted in the EHSSB Ambulance Control from April 2002 and new response locations have already been established at Ballygawley, Carrickfergus, and Seaforde. In addition, Executive Programme Funds amounting to £3.21m will provide for two key Ambulance Service developments over the next three years, namely the introduction of Digital Trunk Radio to modernise communications and Rapid Responder schemes to improve response times in rural areas.

Sainaithníonn an Plean Feidhmithe ar Athbhreithniú Straitéiseach na Seirbhísí Otharchairr na bearta atá riachtanach le hamanna freagartha a fheabhsú. r na bearta sin, a éilíonn infheistíocht bhreise shuntasach, tá méadú sa líon feithiclí agus foirne Seirbhíse Cúraim Othar, córas nua-aimseartha cumarsáide, Córas Eis-Seolta Tosaíochta Liachta, cumas breise oiliúna, suímh nua freagartha, aonaid "Mearfhreagróir" agus feithiclí agus foirne breise Taisme agus Éigeandála.

Déanfar píolótú ar Chóras Eis-Seolta Tosaíochta Liachta i Rialú Otharcharr Bhord an Oirthir ó Aibreán 2002, agus bunaíodh suímh nua freagartha cheana féin i mBaile Geithligh, Carraig Fhearghais agus Baile Forda. Chomh maith leis sin, soláthróidh Cistí Chlár an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin de £3·21 (trí pointe fiche is a haon) mhilliún dhá eochairfhorbairt Seirbhíse Otharcharr thar na chéad trí bliana eile; is iad sin Raidió Trunca Digiteach a thabhairt isteach le cumarsáid a nua-chóiriú chomh maith le scéimeanna Mearfhreagróra le feabhas a chur ar amanna freagartha i gceantair thuaithe.

(AQO 954/01)

Ms de Brún: The Stewart Report concluded that RF radiation produced by mobile phones here is within guidelines drawn up by the National Radiological Protection Board and the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection and as such is highly unlikely to be a cause of direct adverse health effects on the general population.

The report, nevertheless, recommended that a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technologies be adopted until much more detailed and scientifically robust information on any health effects becomes available. In line with this approach, the report also recommended that widespread use of mobile phones by children should be discouraged.

Ba é cinneadh Thuarascáil Stewart go bhfuil radaíocht a sholáthraítear anseo ag gutháin phóca laistigh de na treoirlínte arna leagan amach ag an Bhord Cosanta Raideolaíochta Náisiúnta agus ag an Choimisiún Idirnáisiúnta ar Chosaint Radaíochta Neamh-Ianaithe, agus mar sin ní móide go mbeadh sé ina chúis dhíreach easláinte sa daonra ginearálta.

Mar sin féin, mhol an tuairisc dúinn a bheith cúramach faoi dul le teicneolaíochtaí ghuthán póca go dtí go bhfuil fáil ar eolas i bhfad níos sonraí agus níos fódúla ó thaobh na heolaíochta de ar conas a rachadh siad i gcion ar an tsláinte. Ag coinneáil leis an chur chuige seo, mhol an tuairisc fosta gur chóir áiteamh ar pháistí gan ró-úsáid a dhéanamh de ghutháin phóca.

(AQO 1000/01)

Ms de Brún: The specialist medical workforce is reviewed annually and numbers in training adjusted, resources permitting, to take account of the changing situation. In recognition of the current position for consultant medical staffing the number of medical students was increased in 2001 by 8.5%, from 166 to 180.

In September 1997 pre-registration nursing and midwifery education moved to the Higher Education sector with provision for 440 student places. With effect from September 2000 the number of student places was increased to 540 per year and from September 2001 the number of places was increased by a further 100, bring the total student intake to 640. As well as this expansion in the number of available student nurse places other initiatives have been taken to enhance the supply of qualified nurses, including free training for nurses and midwives returning to practice.

In response to identified training needs and to ease to retention difficulties my Department continues to allocate significant resources, in excess of £9m annually, to support the continued professional development of qualified nursing staff.

Déantar athbhreithniú bliantúil ar líon oibre na speisialtóirí liachta agus déantar coigeartú ar an líon atá ar oiliúint, má cheadaíonn na hacmhainní sin, leis an suíomh athraitheach a chur san áireamh. Le feabhas a chur ar líon reatha na gcomhairleach liachta, méadaíodh líon na mac léinn leighis faoi 8·5% (ocht pointe a cúig) i 2001, ó 166 (céad seasca is a sé) go dtí 180 (céad ochtó).

I Meán Fómhair 1997 ghluais an t-oideachas cnáimhseachais agus altranais réamhchláraithe go dtí an earnáil Ard-Oideachais agus foráladh do 440 áit mac léinn. Le héifeacht ó Mheán Fómhair 2000 méadaíodh an líon áiteanna mac léinn go dtí 540 sa bhliain agus ó Mheán Fómhair 2001 méadaíodh an líon áiteanna 100 eile, a thugann an glacadh iomlán mac léinn go dtí 640. Chomh maith leis an leathnú seo sa líon áiteanna mac léinn altranais atá ar fáil chuathas i mbun tionscnamh eile le méadú a dhéanamh ar an soláthar altraí cáilithe, le hoiliúint in aisce d'altraí agus do chnáimhsí a bhíonn ag filleadh ar chleachtas san áireamh.

Mar fhreagairt ar riachtanais sainaitheanta oiliúna agus le deacrachtaí coinneála a mhaolú, leanann mo Roinn de bheith ag leithdháileadh acmhainní suntasacha, sa bhreis ar £9 milliún in aghaidh na bliana, le tacú le forbairt leanúnach ghairmiúil na foirne cáilithe altranais.

(AQO 999/01)