(AQW 3039/01)

Ms de Brún: In 2000, the Health Promotion Agency produced a series of fact sheets, (Nutrition Factfile: Factsheets on Diet and Health), which was distributed to Heads of Home Economics Departments and Health Education Co-ordinators in all post-primary schools here. This publication included a fact sheet on eating disorders.

Sa bhliain 2000, chuir an Ghníomhaireacht um Chothú Sláinte sraith de bhileoga fíricí ar fáil, (Nutrition Factfile: Factsheets on Diet and Health), a scaipeadh ar Cheannairí na Ranna Eacnamaíochta Baile agus ar Chomhordaitheoirí Oideachas Sláinte i ngach scoil iarbhunoideachais anseo. Áirítear san fhoilseachán sin bileog eolais ar neamhoird itheacháin.

(AQW 3056/01)

Ms de Brún: The establishment figures at 31st March 2002 for full time and part time posts in the Fire Authority are as follows:

Seo a leanas na figiúirí bunaíochta an 31ú Márta 2002 do phoist lánaimseartha agus páirtaimseartha san Údarás Dóiteáin:

(AQW 3057/01)

Ms de Brún: The staffing levels in the Fire Brigade at 31st March 2002 were;

Ba iad leibhéil foirnithe sa Bhriogáid Dóiteáin an 31ú Márta 2002 ná:

(AQW 3058/01)

Ms de Brún: The number of Fire Authority employees temporarily promoted to the following posts at 31st March 2002 is as follows:

Is mar seo a leanas an líon fostaithe Údaráis Dóiteáin a fuair ardú céime go sealadach chuig na poist seo a leanas ag an 31ú Márta 2002:

(AQW 3063/01)

Ms de Brún: The details of credit notes issued by Navigator Blue to the Fire Authority during the financial years 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01 and 2001-02 are as follows;

Credit notes issued by Navigator Blue and retained by the Fire Authority at 31 March 2002 are:

Is mar seo a leanas mionsonraí na nótaí creidmheasa a d’eisigh Navigator Blue chuig an Údarás Dóiteáin i rith na mblianta airgeadais 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01 agus 2001-02;

Is iad na nótaí creidmheasa eisithe ag Navigator Blue agus coimeádta ag an Údarás Dóiteáin ag an 31 Márta 2002:

(AQW 3064/01)

Ms de Brún: The Fire Authority’s current contract with Navigator Blue ends on 31st May 2002. Under the contract, Navigator Blue provides the Authority with media services and acts as an advertising agency. For placing advertisements Navigator Blue does not levy a charge on the Authority but receives a 15% commission from the company with whom they place the advertising. For the sourcing of products and other services, Navigator Blue receives a flat rate commission of 26.5%. There are no additional charges made for their attendance at meetings or in sourcing sponsorship agreements for the Brigade.

Críochnaíonn conradh reatha an Údaráis Dóiteáin le Navigator Blue an 31^ú Bealtaine 2002. Faoin gconradh, soláthraíonn Navigator Blue seirbhísí meáin don Údarás agus gníomhaíonn sé mar ghníomhaireacht fógraíochta. Chun fógraíocht a dhéanamh ní thoibhíonn Navigator Blue muirear ar an Údarás ach faigheann sé coimisiún 15% ón gcuideachta lena ndéanann sé an fhógraíocht. D’fhoinsiú táirgí agus seirbhísí eile, faigheann Navigator Blue coimisiún ag ráta cothrom de 26.5%. Ní dhéantar aon mhuirir bhreise dóibh a bheith i láthair ag cruinnithe nó i bhfoinsiú comhshocruithe urraíochta don Bhriogáid.

(AQW 3080/01)

Ms de Brún: All my Department’s existing policies, interim or otherwise have been screened for equality of opportunity. In addition, my Department in its Equality Scheme has stated that it will assess the equality implications of all new policies as they are being developed.

My Department currently has one interim policy, which is the provision of sub-fertility services. A consultation document on the sub-fertility service is currently being prepared. The consultation process will inform the provision of a permanent service and in particular the eligibility criteria and equality issues.

Tá gach ceann de pholasaithe mo Roinne, bídis eatramhach nó a mhalairt scagtha do chomhionannas deiseanna. Chomh maith leis sin, luaigh mo Roinn ina Scéim Comhionannais go ndéanfaidh sé measúnú ar impleachtaí comhionannais gach polasaí nua de réir mar a fhorbraítear iad.

I láthair na huaire tá polasaí eatramhach ag mo Roinnse, ar sholáthar seirbhísí fo-thorthúlachta á ullmhú. Tabharfaidh an próiseas comhchomhairle faisnéis ar sholáthar seirbhíse buaine agus go háirithe na critéir incháilitheachta agus ceisteanna comhionannais.

(AQW 3091/01)

Ms de Brún: The Fire Authority has not applied for "Investors in People" accreditation.

The Fire Authority operates under the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Fire Brigades Scheme of Conditions of Service, which does not include a requirement for any form of performance related pay.

Níor chuir an tÚdarás Dóiteáin isteach ar an gcreidiúnú "Infheisteoirí i nDaoine".

Feidhmíonn an tÚdarás Dóiteáin faoin gComhairle Náisiúnta i gComhar do Choinníollacha Seirbhíse Scéim Bhriogáid Dóiteáin na nÚdarás Áitiúla, nach gcuireann riachtanas d’aon chineál pá de réir feidhmíochta san áireamh.

(AQW 3093/01)

Ms de Brún: The cost of overtime time payments to the Fire Authority’s Control Room staff for the period 1st November 2001 to 31st March 2002 was £ 40,495.20.

During the financial year 2001-2002 there were 11 occasions when eight members of Control Room staff exceeded 50 hours overtime in any period of one month.

Is £40,495.20 an costas íocaíochtaí ragoibre d’fhoireann Sheomra Rialaithe an Údaráis Dóiteáin don tréimhse ón 1^ú Samhain 2001 go dtí an 31^ú Márta 2002.

I rith na bliana airgeadais 2001-2002 bhí 11 ócáid ann nuair a rinne ocht gcomhalta d’fhoireann an tSeomra Rialaithe níos mó ná 50 uair an chloig ragoibre i dtréimhse aon mhí amháin.

(AQW 3094/01)

Ms de Brún: There have been a number of studies into specific aspects of diet and the relationship with foetal death. These include a study in the US on the relationship between vitamin A and foetal death and a Swedish study on the intake of fish contaminated with organochlorides and stillbirth rates.

Tá roinnt staidéir déanta ar ghnéithe sainiúla d’aiste bia agus an ghaolmhaireacht le bás féatach. Áirítear orthu sin staidéar sna Stáit Aontaithe ar an ngaolmhaireacht idir vitimín A agus bás féatach chomh maith le staidéar Sualannach ar ionghabháil éisc éillithe le horgánaclóirídí agus rátaí marbh-bhreitheanna.

(AQW 3095/01)

Ms de Brún: The general health benefits of eating fish as part of a balanced diet are well established and this advice is given to all first time expectant mothers in "The Pregnancy Book". However, it would be premature of my Department to issue specific advice on the low consumption of seafood in early pregnancy as a risk factor for pre-term delivery and low birth weight, based solely on the findings of this Danish study.

Tá sochair ghinearálta sláinte maidir le hiasc a ithe mar chuid d’aiste chothromaithe bia seanbhunaithe agus tugtar an chomhairle sin do gach máthair a bhíonn ag súil don chéad uair in "The Pregnancy Book". Bheadh sé roimh am ag mo Roinnse, áfach, comhairle shainiúil a eisiúint ar chaitheamh íseal bia mara i dtoircheas luath mar fhachtóir riosca do shaolú agus do mheáchan íseal breithe, bunaithe go huile agus go hiomlán ar an staidéar sin ón Danmhairg.

(AQW 3096/01)

Ms de Brún: All first time expectant mothers are given a copy of "The Pregnancy Book", which is produced in collaboration with the Health Promotion Agency and distributed by Health Boards. The Book contains a wealth of information about pregnancy, including advice on healthy eating.

Tugtar cóip den "The Pregnancy Book" do gach máthair a bhíonn ag súil don chéad uair, agus táirgtear an leabhar i gcomhoibriú leis an nGníomhaireacht um Chur Chun Cinn Sláinte agus dáiltear é ar na Boird Sláinte. Tá flúirse eolais sa Leabhar faoi thoircheas, lena n-áirítear comhairle ar ithe sláintiúil.

(AQW 3097/01)

Ms de Brún: Currently 11 Health and Social Services Trusts provide parentcraft classes in a number of different locations, including hospitals, Health Centres and other community settings. Information on the average number who benefit from such classes is not available.

I láthair na huaire soláthraíonn 11 Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta ranganna i gceird na tuismitheoireachta i roinnt suíomh difriúil, lena n-áirítear ospidéil, Ionaid Sláinte agus suímh phobail eile. Níl eolas ar an meánlíon a bhaineann sochar as ranganna den sórt sin le fáil.

(AQW 3098/01)

Ms de Brún: "The Pregnancy Book", which is distributed to all first time expectant mothers, contains advice on vitamin A consumption.

Tá comhairle ar vitimín A sa leabhar "The Pregnancy Book" a dháiltear ar gach máthair a bhíonn ag súil don chéad uair.

(AQW 3108/01)

Ms de Brún: There is currently one project funded by the Research and Development Office for the HPSS in the general area of low birth weight and health. The study is entitled "Quality of life and health outcomes for those born with low birth weight: a 50 year follow-up study" and is connected with Queen’s University. I am not aware of any other research in this topic area in the two universities at this time.

I láthair na huaire tá tionscadal amháin maoinithe ag an Oifig Taighde agus Forbartha do na SSSP i réimse ginearálta an mheáchain íseal ag am breithe agus sláinte. Is é an teideal atá ar an staidéar ná "Quality of life and health outcomes for those born with low birth weight: a 50 year follow-up study" agus tá sé ceangailte le hOllscoil na Ríona. Ní heol dom faoi aon thaighde eile sa réimse topaice sin sa dá ollscoil ag an tráth seo.

(AQW 3109/01)

Ms de Brún: The Research and Development Office for the HPSS is not currently funding any research specifically into the effects of maternal diet on the foetus. One study entitled "Diabetes, obesity, intrauterine growth and atherosclerosis: the fetal origins hypothesis" is being funded through the Endocrinology and Diabetes Recognised Research Group. The host institution for this research is the Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust. I am not aware of any other research in this topic area in the two universities at this time.

Níl an Oifig Taighde agus Forbartha do SSSP ag maoiniú aon taighde sainiúil ar éifeachtaí aiste bia na máthar ar an bhféatas i láthair na huaire. Tá staidéar amháin dar teideal "Diabetes, obesity, intrauterin growth and atherosclerosis: the fetal origins hypothesis" á mhaoiniú tríd an nGrúpa Aitheanta Taighde Inchríneolaíochta agus Diaibeitis. Is é Iontaobhas SSS Ghrúpa Ríoga na nOspidéal an institiúid óstach don taighde sin. Ní heol dom faoi aon thaighde eile sa réimse topaice sin sa dá ollscoil ag an tráth seo.

(AQW 3128/01)

Ms de Brún: Ultrasound imaging has been used as an effective diagnostic tool for over 30 years. It enables assessment of gestational age and detection of multiple pregnancies and fetal abnormalities. I have been advised that there is no verified documented evidence of adverse effects on patients caused by exposure to diagnostic ultrasound.

Research on the use, benefits and risks of ultrasound is conducted at a number of centres worldwide. Results of current and future research will continue to inform clinicians and patients of the benefits and risks of ultrasound examinations.

Tá úsáid á bhaint as íomháú ultrafhuaime mar uirlis éifeachtach fáthmheasa le os cionn 30 bliain. Cumasaíonn sé measúnú a dhéanamh ar aois gine sa tréimhse iompair mar aon le hilthoirchis agus ainriochtaí féatacha a bhrath. Comhairlítear dom nach ann d’aon fhianaise deimhnithe cáipéisithe d’iarmhairtí dochracha ar othair arna chúisiú ag nochtadh chuig ultrafhuaim fáthmheasa.

Déantar stiúradh ar thaighde ar úsáid, sochair agus rioscaí ultrafhuaime ag roinnt lárionad ar fud an domhain. Leanfaidh torthaí ó thaighde reatha agus taighde amach anseo de bheith ag tabhairt faisnéise do chliniceoirí agus d’othair ar na sochair agus na rioscaí a bhaineann le himscrúduithe ultrafhuaime.

(AQW 3131/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(AQW 3132/01)

Ms de Brún: As Foetal Drug Syndrome is not a recognised medical term or diagnosis, it is not possible to provide this information.

De bhrí nach fáthmheas ná téarma aitheanta liachta é Siondróm Druga Féataigh, ní féidir an t-eolas sin a sholáthar.

(AQW 3146/01)

Ms de Brún: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety makes no provision for private health care insurance for staff.

Staff are, of course, free to take out private health insurance cover as private citizens. However, the nature and cost of such insurance is a matter for the individual member.

Ní dhéanann an Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí aon fhoráil d’árachas príobháideach chúram sláinte don fhoireann.

Tá cead a gcinn ag an bhfoireann, ar ndóigh, clúdach árachas príobháideach sláinte a ghlacadh mar shaoránaigh phríobháideacha. Is ceist don duine aonair féin, áfach, cineál agus costas árachais den sórt sin.

(AQW 3155/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many patients have died in NI hospitals over the past 5 years due to HAIs (hospital acquired infections).

(AQW 3156/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.