(AQW 2817/01)

Ms de Brún: The future provision of acute hospital services for the people of Fermanagh and Tyrone will form part of the overall package of acute hospital services being considered as part of the Acute Hospitals Review. Following discussion at the Executive, proposals on the way forward can be put out for full public consultation. It is hoped that final decisions can be taken in the course of 2002.

I have made it clear that, until long-term decisions are made, I expect every effort to be made to maintain existing services at all our acute hospitals.

Beidh soláthar seirbhísí géarotharlainne do mhuintir Fhear Manach agus Thír Eoghain sa todhchaí mar chuid den phacáiste sheirbhísí géarotharlainne a bhfuiltear ag déanamh machnaimh air mar chuid den Athbhreithniú ar Ghéarotharlanna. I ndiaidh caibidil a dhéanamh sa Choiste Feidhmiúcháin, is féidir moltaí ar an bhealach chun tosaigh a chur faoi chomhchomhairle iomlán phoiblí. Táthar ag súil cinnidh deireannacha a ghlacadh i rith 2002.

Chuir mé in iúl go soiléir go bhfuil mé ag dúil go ndéanfar gach iarracht na seirbhísí atá ann faoi láthair a choinneáil inár ngéarotharlanna go léir go dtí go nglactar cinnidh fhadtéarmacha.

(AQW 2851/01)

Ms de Brún: There has been a reduction of almost 24% in waiting lists for occupational therapy services in the period December 2000 to December 2001. This is a result of additional funding provided to recruit an extra 20 occupational therapists, and changes in procedures arising from the recommendations of the Joint Housing Executive/DHSSPS review of Housing Adaptations Service.

Tá laghdú chóir a bheith 24% ar liostaí feithimh do sheirbhísí teiripe saothair sa tréimhse ó Nollaig 2000 go Nollaig 2001. Is toradh é seo ar mhaoiniú breise a tugadh chun 20 teiripeoir saothair breise a earcú, agus ar athruithe ar ghnáthaimh a tharla toisc moltaí comhathbhreithniú Feidhmeannas Tithíochta/SSSSP ar Sheirbhís Oiriúnuithe Tithíochta.

(AQW 2870/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department has set up a Group to draw up a strategy to deal with all aspects of the disease. Much work has been done on this, and voluntary groups and individuals with the disease have been involved.

Before finalising the strategy, officials from my Department will meet with concerned voluntary groups and individuals in June to discuss in more detail the needs of patients and patient groups e.g. counselling services, care pathways, nursing support services. Meantime individual patients with the disease are referred to a specialist who will investigate and advise on treatment regimes such as "alpha-interferon"

Bhunaigh mo Roinn Grúpa le straitéis a chumadh le déileáil le gach gné den ghalar. Tá cuid mhór oibre déanta uirthi seo, agus bhí grúpaí deonacha agus daoine a bhfuil an galar orthu páirteach ann.

Sula gcuirfear an dlaoi mhullaigh ar an straitéis, buailfidh oifigigh ó mo Roinn le grúpaí deonacha agus le daoine leasmhara aonair a bhfuil imní orthu i Meitheamh le riachtanais othar agus grúpaí othar m.sh. seirbhísí comhairle, agus cosáin chúraim agus seirbhísí tacaíochta altranais, a phlé go mion. Idir an dá linn, seoltar othair aonair a bhfuil an galar orthu chuig saineolaí a fhiosróidh agus a thabharfaidh comhairle ar chórais chóireála amhail "alpha-interferon".

(AQW 2923/01)

Ms de Brún: Demand for Chiropody services currently exceeds that which can be fully provided within the existing level of resources. My Department will shortly conduct a Workforce Planning Review for Chiropody services and will make an assessment of the number of Chiropodists needed. Treatment is not restricted to emergency treatment only, however existing service providers prioritise delivery of Chiropody services to those with greatest clinical need, in order to target those most at risk. Those needs identified as non-priority are placed on waiting lists and responded to when possible.

Tá an t-éileamh ar sheirbhísí cosliachta i láthair na huaire níos mó ná mar is féidir a sholáthar go hiomlán laistigh den leibhéal acmhainní atá ann cheana. Stiúrfaidh mo Roinnse go gairid Athbhreithniú Pleanála an Fhórsa Saothair do sheirbhísí Cosliachta agus déanfaidh sí measúnú ar an líon Coslianna atá de dhíth. Níl an chóireáil teoranta do chóireáil éigeandála amháin, tugann na soláthróirí seirbhíse atá ann cheana áfach tosaíocht do sheachadadh seirbhísí Cosliachta dóibh siúd a bhfuil an riachtanas cliniciúil is mó orthu, ionas gur féidir spriocdhíriú orthu sin is mó atá i mbaol. Cuirtear na riachtanais a dtugtar aitheantas neamhthosaíochta dóibh ar liostaí feithimh agus déantar freagairt ina leith nuair is féidir.

(AQW 2924/01)

(a) Currently there are 8.75 whole time equivalent Chiropodists employed by the HPSS per 100,000 of the population here.

(b) The Total Number of Chiropodists here is currently 175.

(a) I láthair na huair tá comhionann lánaimsire 8.75 de Choslianna fostaithe ag an HPSS in aghaidh gach céad míle duine den daonra anseo.

(b) Is é an Líon Iomlán Coslianna anseo faoi láthair ná 175.

(AQW 2926/01)

Ms de Brún: Information on the number of children currently requiring speech therapy is not available. Information on the number of children currently awaiting assessment by Speech & Language therapists in each Health and Social Services Board is shown in the table below.

Níl eolas ar líon na bpáistí a bhfuil teiripe urlabhra de dhíth orthu faoi láthair ar fáil. Léirítear sa tábla thíos eolas ar líon na bpáistí atá ag fanacht ar mheasúnú ag Teiripeoir Urlabhra & Teanga i ngach Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta.

(AQW 2927/01)

Ms de Brún: The jobs of staff employed by the Eastern Multifund and by other fundholding practices to carry out fund management work will inevitably come to an end with the closure of the GP fundholding scheme. There are, however, a number of possibilities for the alternative employment of such staff.

The majority of those who have been employed by practices to manage fundholding also have other jobs within the practice and will continue to be employed by those practices after the ending of the scheme. The Eastern Multifund will also continue to employ a number of its staff for some further months in order to close down the accounts of its constituent practices.

Any members of staff who may be faced with redundancy as a result of the ending of fundholding will have access to a Staff Redeployment Unit that has been in operation for some time within the HPSS. Staff who register with the Unit will be assisted in finding alternative employment within the wider HPSS. A number of staff from the Multifund have registered with the Unit and some have already been found new jobs as a result.

Upwards of 30 new jobs will be created to support the operation of the Local Health and Social Care Groups and the process of recruiting staff to fill these vacancies will start once LHSCG Management Boards have been established. Employees of the Multifund and of former fundholding practices will of course be free to compete for these posts.

Is cinnte go gcuirfear deireadh le postanna oibrithe fostaithe ag an Ilchiste Oirthearach agus ag clinicí cistesheilbhe eile le hobair stiúradh maoinithe a dhéanamh, ag cealú na scéime cistesheilbhe Gnáthdhochtúirí. Tá roinnt féidearthachtaí eile ann áfach lena leithéid de na hoibrithe sin a fhostú i bpostanna eile.

Tá postanna eile laistigh den chlinic fosta ag formhór na ndaoine sin a bhí fostaithe ag clinicí leis an scéim chistesheilbhe a stiúradh agus fostóidh na clinicí go fóill iad i ndiaidh chealú na scéime. Fostóidh an tIlchiste Oirthearach cuid dá oibrithe go fóill le roinnt míonna eile le cuntais na gclinicí ina limistéar a dhruidim.

Cruthófar breis agus 30 post nua le tacú le feidhmiú na nGrúpaí Áitiúla Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialta agus tosófar ar an phróiseas le hoibrithe a earcú chun na postanna a líonadh a luaithe is a bheidh Boird Stiúrtha na nGÁSCSí bunaithe. Leoga, beidh fostaithe an Ilchiste agus iarfhostaithe chlinicí na scéime cistesheilbhe saor le dul san iomaíocht do na postanna seo.

(AQW 2928/01)

Ms de Brún: Information on (a), (b), (c) and (d) is not available. In relation to (e) and (f), my Department has revised and published its New TSN Action Plans for the period April 2001 to March 2003, taking account of progress and new priorities arising through the Programme for Government. The revised Action Plan contains details on progress made towards all of the Department’s TSN objectives and targets for the period up to 31 March 2001 and in Section 3, shows the targets and actions achieved in the published "Making it Work" targets for 2000/2002. To date, the achievements include:

• Development of the Investing for Health Strategy;

• Establishing two Health Action Zones;

• Taking forward actions arising from the Drugs Strategy;

• Publishing the report of the Promoting Social Inclusion group on teenage parenthood "Myths and Reality" and consulting on the proposals;

• Ensuring that funding allocations are more equitably distributed according to health and social care need;

• Development and implementation of 23 Sure Start projects aimed at families with young children in disadvantaged areas.

Níl eolas ar (a), (b), (c) agus ar (d) ar fáil. Maidir le (e) agus (f), leasaigh agus d’fhoilsigh mo Roinn a Pleananna Gníomhachta DRS Nua don tréimhse Aibreán 2001 go Márta 2003, ag cur san áireamh an dul chun cinn agus na tosaíochtaí nua a tháinig as an Chlár um Rialtas. Sa Phlean Gnímh leasaithe tá sonraí ar an dul chun cinn déanta ar chuspóirí agus ar spriocanna DRS go léir na Roinne don tréimhse suas go 31 Márta 2001 agus i Mír 3, léiríonn sé na spriocanna agus na bearta bainte amach sna spriocanna foilsithe i "Á Thabhairt i gCrann" don bhliain 2000/2002. Seo a leanas ar baineadh amach go dtí seo:

• Forbairt na Straitéise Infheistíocht sa tSláinte;

• Bunú dhá Chrios Gnímh ar Shláinte;

• Cur chun cinn beart ag teacht as an Straitéis Drugaí;

• Tuairisc an Ghrúpa um Chuimsiú Sóisialta a Chur Chun Cinn ar thuismíocht déagóra "Miotais agus Réalaíocht" a fhoilsiú agus ag dul i gcomhairle ar na moltaí;

• Cinntiú go ndáilfear maoiniú níos cothroime de réir an riachtanais shláinte agus chúraim shóisialta;

• Forbairt agus cur i bhfeidhm 23 scéim Sure Start dírithe ar theaghlaigh le páistí óga a chónaíonn i gceantair faoi mhíbhuntáistí.

(AQW 2937/01)

Ms de Brún: The withdrawal of this funding of the Shadow Trust is a matter for the Minister for Employment and Learning. The Trust already receives some funding from the South and East Belfast HSS Trust and is being helped by that Trust to look for alternative sources of funding to replace that withdrawn.

Is ceist don Aire Fostaíochta agus Foghlama é aistarraingt mhaoiniú Iontaobhas an Fhreasúra. Faigheann an tIontaobhas roinnt maoinithe cheana féin ó Iontaobhas HSS Bhéal Feirste Theas agus Thoir agus tá an tIontaobhas sin ag cabhrú le foinsí malartacha maoinithe a lorg le dul in áit an mhaoinithe atá aistarraingthe.

(AQW 2958/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department is about to issue revised child protection guidelines to all professionals with responsibility for the protection of children. In cases where there is evidence to suggest that parents or carers may be abusing substances to an extent which may impair their ability to care for the child, the professionals are advised to give consideration to the need for a child protection investigation on the grounds of neglect.

All children who are assessed as being "at risk", including those whose parents misuse drugs, are managed in accordance with the policy and procedures of the four Board Area Child Protection Committees (ACPCs). Each ACPC, which is a multi-agency, interdisciplinary committee, is ultimately responsible for the protection of children in their area, who may be at risk of abuse. Each Committee also has responsibility for the promotion and safeguarding of children’s welfare. In cases where risk is suspected, it is policy to notify the Child Care Team of the situation and to work jointly with them thereafter. This includes information sharing and regular attendance at childcare case conferences.

Tá mo Roinn ar tí treoirlínte leasaithe ar chosaint páistí a chur chuig na gairmithe go léir atá freagrach as cosaint páistí. I gcásanna a bhfuil fianaise ann a léiríonn gur féidir go bhfuil tuismitheoirí nó altramaithe ag mí-úsáid substaintí sa mhéid go bhfuil tionchar aici ar a gcumas le haire a thabhairt don pháiste, moltar do na gairmithe smaoineamh ar an ghá le fiosrúchán chosaint an pháiste a dhéanamh bunaithe ar chúiseanna neamhchúraim.

Déileáiltear le gach páiste, na páistí sin chomh maith a mbaineann a dtuismitheoirí mí-úsáid as drugaí, a mheastar mar "i mbaol" de réir polasaí agus gnáthaimh na gceithre Choiste Bordcheantair Cosanta Páiste (CBCPanna). Tá gach CBCP, ar coiste ilghníomhaireachta agus ildhisciplíneach é, freagrach sa deireadh thiar as cosaint páistí ina limistéar féin ar féidir leo bheith i mbaol drochíde. Tá gach Coiste freagrach fosta as cur chun cinn agus as cosaint leas páistí. I gcásanna a bhfuil amhras baoil ann, is é an polasaí an riocht a chur in iúl don Fhoireann Chúram an Pháiste agus le comhoibriú leo as sin amach. Tá malartú eolais agus freastal rialta ar chomhdhálacha chás chúram an pháiste i gceist chomh maith.

(AQW 2959/01)

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

Níl an t-eolas ar fáil ar an dóigh iarrtha.

(AQW 2966/01)

Ms de Brún: I refer the member to AQW 2676/01

Tagraím an comhalta do AQW2676/01

(AQW 2985/01)

Ms de Brún: In 1998/1999 funds totalling £124,000 were made available to Health and Social Services Boards specifically for oral health promotion. For 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002, £500,000 was allocated each year on a capitation basis to Boards to develop, implement and evaluate local measures to address oral health needs and to increase oral health promotion.

Sa bhliain 1998/99 cuireadh maoiniú de £124,000 san iomlán ar fáil do na Boird Shláinte agus Sheirbhísí Sóisialta go háirithe do chur chun cinn sláinte béil. Sna blianta 1999/2000, 2000/2001 agus 2001/2002, dáileadh £500,000 gach bliain ar bhonn ceannsraithe ar Bhoird le bearta áitiúla a fhorbairt, a chur i bhfeidhm agus a mheasúnú le tabhairt faoi riachtanais shláinte béil agus le cur chun cinn sláinte béil a mhéadú.

(AQW 2986/01)

Ms de Brún: The information is not available in the form requested. Some comparisons are shown in the tables below.

Níl an t-eolas ar fáil san fhoirm iarrtha. Léirítear roinnt comparáidí sna táblaí thíos.

(AQW 3000/01)

Ms de Brún: The service established in December is an interim service. A consultation document on sub-fertility services is currently being prepared. The consultation process will inform the provision of a permanent service and in particular the eligibility criteria and equality issues.

Is seirbhís idirthréimhsiúil í an tseirbhís a bunaíodh i mí na Nollag. Tá doiciméad comhairlithe ar sheirbhísí fothorthúlachta á ullmhú faoi láthair. Rachaidh an próiseas comhairlithe i bhfeidhm ar sholáthar seirbhíse buaine agus go háirithe na critéir cháilitheachta agus ceisteanna comhionannais.

(AQW 3026/01)

Ms de Brún: The service established in December is an interim service. A consultation document on sub-fertility services is currently being prepared. The consultation process will inform the provision of a permanent service and in particular the eligibility criteria and equality issues.

Is seirbhís idirthréimhsiúil í an tseirbhís a bunaíodh i mí na Nollag. Tá doiciméad comhairlithe ar sheirbhísí fothorthúlachta á hullmhú faoi láthair. Rachaidh an próiseas comhairlithe i bhfeidhm ar sholáthar seirbhíse buaine agus go háirithe na critéir cháilitheachta agus ceisteanna comhionannais.

(AQW 3027/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is detailed in the tables below:

Tá an t-eolas a iarradh mionsonraithe sna táblaí thíos:

(AQW 3031/01)

Ms de Brún: The approach adopted here to the prescribing of these specialist drugs for the treatment of adults with severe rheumatoid arthritis and children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is broadly in line with recent recommendations made by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence. While NICE has endorsed the use of these drugs within clearly defined guidelines, it has identified the need for further assessment to determine their long-term clinical effectiveness.

A recent report by rheumatologists here has also concluded that while these drugs represent a major advancement in the treatment of this illness, it is essential that their use should continue to be strictly controlled and monitored, particularly in light of possible serious adverse effects. My Department is continuing to work with Boards and clinicians to promote a cautious approach to their introduction, within the resources available.

Despite the additional resources I have recently been able to announce for 2002/03, Health and Social Services continue to be under severe financial pressure. I am committed to introducing drugs that offer significant improvement in patient care and I have been able to allocate modest new resources for specialist drugs. Where new drugs are expensive but offer real advances in patient care, I will continue to seek the support of Executive colleagues in securing the necessary resources.

Tá an cleachtas anseo maidir le hordú na saindrugaí seo do chóireáil daoine fásta le géarairtríteas réamatóideach agus páistí le hairtríteas ideapaiteach don óige go ginearálta de réir na moltaí déanta ar na mallaibh ag an Fhoras Náisiúnta um Fheabhas Cliniciúil (FNFC). Cé gur aontaigh FNFC le húsáid na saindrugaí seo laistigh de threoirlínte soiléire, ghlac sí leis an ghá le tuilleadh measúnaithe a dhéanamh lena n-éifeachtacht chliniciúil fhadtéarmach a fháil amach.

Chinn tuairisc fosta déanta ag réamaiteolaithe anseo ar na mallaibh cé go léiríonn na drugaí seo dul chun cinn mór i gcóireáil an tinnis seo, tá sé riachtanach go rialaítear a n-úsáid go dian go fóill agus go ndéantar monatóireacht orthu go háirithe ag cur san áireamh féidearthacht na seachthorthaí dochracha tromchúiseacha. Tá mo Roinn ag comhoibriú le Boird agus le dochtúirí go fóill le modh cúramach oibre dá dtabhairt isteach a chur chun cinn, laistigh de na hacmhainní ar fáil.

In ainneoin na n-acmhainní breise a bhí mé ábalta fógairt ar na mallaibh don bhliain 2002/03, tá na Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta faoi dhianbhrú airgeadais go fóill. Tá mé geallta do thabhairt isteach drugaí a chuireann feabhas mór ar chúram othar agus bhí mé ábalta acmhainní nua measartha a dháileadh do shaindrugaí. Nuair atá drugaí nua costasach ach cuireann siad feabhas ar chúram othar, leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh le hiarraidh ar thacaíocht ó mo chomhghleacaithe san Fheidhmeannas leis na hacmhainní riachtanacha a fháil.

(AQW 3032/01)

Ms de Brún: No new funding has been identified for breast cancer research by the Research and Development Office for the HPSS since my answer to AQW 1083/01.

Funding for research into breast cancer may have become available from sources outside the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, for example the Medical Research Council.

Ní bhfuair Oifig Taighde agus Forbartha na SSSP maoiniú nua ar bith do thaighde ar ailse chíche ó d’fhreagair mé ceist AQW 1083/01.

B’fhéidir go mbeadh maoiniú do thaighde ar ailse chíche ar fáil ó fhoinsí eile taobh amuigh den Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí, ón Chomhairle um Thaighde Míochaine mar shampla.

(AQW 3040/01)

Ms de Brún: Action is being taken on many fronts. Last year the Health Promotion Agency spent £1 million on initiatives to tackle the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease. These efforts were complemented at local level by the health promotion work of Health & Social Services Boards and Trusts and by general medical practitioners.

I have recently issued the "Investing for Health" public health strategy which aims to address the wider determinants particularly social and economic inequalities which cause ill-health and premature death. A considerable amount of activity under the "Investing for Health" Strategy is being directed at reducing coronary heart disease. In addition I have also recently given a commitment to control tobacco advertising and promotion here.

Tá beart á dhéanamh ar a lán dóigheanna. An bhliain seo a chuaigh thart, chaith an Ghníomhaireacht um Chur Chun Cinn Sláinte £1 milliún ar scéimeanna le tabhairt faoi fhachtóirí an bhaoil bainteach le galar corónach croí. Ar leibhéal áitiúil cuireadh leis na hiarrachtaí seo trí obair chur chun cinn sláinte na mBord agus Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus na ngnáthdhochtúirí.

D’eisigh mé an straitéis sláinte poiblí "Infheistíocht sa tSláinte" ar na mallaibh a bhfuil sé de chuspóir aici tabhairt faoi na factóirí leathana, go háirithe faoi éagothromaíochtaí sóisialta agus eacnamaíochta ar cúis le drochshláinte agus le bás roimh am iad. Tá cuid mhór den obair faoin Straitéis "Infheistíocht sa tSláinte" á díriú ar laghdú i ngalar corónach croí. Ina theannta sin, thug mé gealltanas fosta ar na mallaibh fógraíocht agus cur chun cinn tobac a rialú anseo.

(AQW 3041/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(AQW 3059/01)

Ms de Brún: At the time of writing, 47 couples have been declined fertility treatment solely on the basis of age.

Ag am a scríofa, diúltaíodh cóireáil torthúlachta do 47 lánúin ar bhonn aoise agus ar an mbonn sin amháin.

(AQW 3061/01)

Ms de Brún: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety complies fully with the Data Protection Act 1998. The Department ensures that personal data about individuals is protected by strict compliance with the eight Data Protection Principles set out in Schedule 1 of the Data Protection Act 1998. All personal information held by the Department is shared only on a need to know basis, and disclosed only in a manner compatible with the purpose for which it is held.

Comhlíonann an Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí go hiomlán an tAcht um Chosaint Sonraí 1998. Cinntíonn an Roinn go gcosnaítear sonraí pearsanta daoine tríd na hocht bPrionsabal ar Chosaint Sonraí, leagtha amach i Sceideal 1 den Acht um Chosaint Sonraí 1998, a chomhlíonadh. Tugtar gach eolas pearsanta coinneáilte ag an Roinn de réir an ghá le heolas a thabhairt, agus ní thugtar ach ar dhóigh é atá oiriúnach don chuspóir lena bhfuil sé coinneáilte.

(AQW 3062/01)

Ms de Brún: There has been no disciplinary action taken against personnel in the Fire Brigade or the Fire Authority arising from cases of alleged discrimination in the past five financial years.

Níl aon ghníomh smachtaithe tógtha i gcoinne pearsanra sa Bhriogáid Dóiteáin nó san Údarás Dóiteáin ag eascairt as cásanna de leatrom líomhnaithe sna cúig bliana airgeadais seo caite.

(AQW 3066/01)

Ms de Brún: Over the past 5 financial years the Fire Authority has paid a total of £92,700 in compensation in four cases of alleged discrimination, all of which were settled out of court. The Authority successfully defended a further two cases at industrial Tribunal.

Leis na cúig bliana airgeadais seo caite d’íoc an tÚdarás Dóiteáin £92,700 ar an iomlán i gcúiteamh i gceithre chás de leatrom líomhnaithe. Socraíodh gach ceann acu lasmuigh den chúirt. Chosain an tÚdarás go rathúil dhá chás eile ag Binse tionsclaíoch.

(AQW 3075/01)

Ms de Brún: This information is not available.

Níl an t-eolas seo ar fáil.

(AQW 3076/01)

Ms de Brún: In 2000/01 the R&D Office established an Endocrinology and Diabetes Recognised Research Group and has committed almost £2.5 million to the funding of 9 research studies into various aspects of diabetes. In addition, since 1998, the R&D Office has committed £541,000 to studentships and fellowships in the field of diabetes research. Funding for research into diabetes may be available from sources outside the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, for example Diabetes UK.

I 2000/01 bhunaigh an Oifig T&F (Taighde agus Forbartha) Grúpa Aitheanta Taighde ar Inchríneolaíocht agus ar Dhiaibéiteas agus gheall sí chóir a bheith £2 milliún do mhaoiniú 9 staidéar taighde ar ghnéithe éagsúla de dhiaibéiteas. Ina theannta sin, ó 1998, gheall an Oifig T&F £541,000 do scoláireachtaí agus do chomhaltachtaí ar thaighde diaibéitis. Is féidir go mbeidh maoiniú do thaighde ar dhiaibéiteas ar fáil ó fhoinsí eile taobh amuigh den Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí, ó Dhiabéiteas na Ríochta Aontaithe mar shampla.

(AQW 3077/01)

Ms de Brún: This information is not available.

Níl an t-eolas seo ar fáil.

(AQW 3129/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(AQW 3130/01)

Ms de Brún: No information is available on the number of miscarriages which can be linked exclusively to smoking in pregnancy. While smoking is a critical health issue for both mother and child, it is only one of a number of factors associated with miscarriages.

I established an inter-sectoral Working Group on Tobacco in March last year to develop and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive Action Plan to tackle smoking. The Plan, which will identify pregnant women who smoke as a key target group, is being finalised and will be issued for consultation early in the summer.

Níl eolas ar fáil ar líon na mbreitheanna anabaí ar féidir baint dhíreach a dhéanamh le caitheamh tobac amháin i rith iompar clainne. Cé gur ceist thromchúiseach shláinte í don mháthair agus don leanbh níl sí ach ar cheann den roinnt fachtóirí bainteach le breitheanna anabaí.

Bhunaigh mé Grúpa idir-rannógach Oibre ar Thobac i Márta an bhliain seo a chuaigh thart le cur i bhfeidhm Plean chuimsithigh Ghnímh le tabhairt faoi chaitheamh tobac a fhorbairt agus a stiúradh. Tá an dlaoi mhullaigh á cur leis an Phlean, a aithneoidh mná ag iompar clainne agus a chaitheann tobac mar eochairghrúpa sprice, agus eiseofar le haghaidh comhairlithe é go luath sa samhradh.