(AQW 3446/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Department has revoked no road haulage operator licences during the period from 1998 to date.

Prior to revocation or suspension of an operator’s licence, the Department issues warning letters to licensed operators who, in any 12 month period, have accumulated four convictions for minor road traffic offences. Warning letters have been issued as follows:

(AQW 3448/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Department issues road freight operator licences under the Transport Act (NI) 1967 in line with EC requirements. To qualify for an operator licence to carry goods for hire and reward an applicant must satisfy standards of repute, professional competence and financial standing. Convictions for serious offences and repeated road traffic offences are used to determine repute and can lead to the refusal, suspension or revocation of a licence.

I have no plans currently to revise the requirements for the issue of a Road Freight Operator Licence. When priorities and resources permit I would intend to review the proposals issued for consultation in 1998 by the former Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland on the regulation of the road haulage industry in Northern Ireland. These included proposals to extend regulation to the own account sector.

(AQW 3548/01)

(a) Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) has not issued a Directive to Planning Service but has recommended that no more development be connected to the Downpatrick sewerage system until operational problems at the inlet to the town’s sewage treatment works are resolved.

These problems have led to unauthorised discharge of sewage to a downstream waterway, with subsequent water pollution.

(b) EHS is prepared to consider proposals by developers and/or the Department for Regional Development (DRD) for alternative means of servicing development in order to allow building to proceed.

These matters will be discussed between DOE and DRD officials, including what measures DRD can take in the short and long term to address the situation. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of DRD Water Service to determine what action needs to be considered in relation to the operational problems at the inlet to the town’s sewage treatment works.

(AQO 1358/01)

Mr Nesbitt: One of the key elements in the development of the new Northern Ireland Road Safety Strategy is the establishment of long-term targets for road casualty reductions to be agreed with the principal agencies involved in road safety – the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Department for Regional Development’s Roads Service.

I am writing this week to the Acting Chief Constable and to the Minister for Regional Development seeking their views on the proposed targets prior to finalisation of the draft strategy which is imminent. When the targets are agreed with the Police Service and the Roads Service, I will announce them in the context of the publication of the strategy.

In relation to the second part of the question, the Road Safety Strategy will describe the actions to be taken by the road safety agencies, to deliver the strategic objectives set out in the consultation document, published by my Department in May 2001. This document detailed the education, enforcement and engineering measures being taken and proposed by the road safety agencies to reduce road deaths and injuries. It also identified three specific initiatives which together have the potential to make a significant contribution to reducing road deaths and serious casualties.

These initiatives, which will be taken forward within the new Road Safety Strategy, are

• to increase the wearing of seatbelts,

• to extend to Northern Ireland, the scheme to use income from fixed penalties to fund increased deployment of safety cameras, which is currently operating very effectively in areas of Great Britain, and

• to provide further traffic calming measures.

While government and its agencies have a vital part to play in improving road safety, I would emphasise that the achievement of significant reductions in road deaths and serious injuries depends largely on all road users behaving responsibly on our roads.

(AQO 1355/01)

Mr Nesbitt: Under the Motor Vehicles (Taxi Drivers’ Licences) Regulations 1991, new applicants for taxi driver licences, and existing taxi drivers over 45 years of age applying for renewal, are required to provide my Department with a medical report. Should the medical report confirm that the applicant suffers from insulin dependent diabetes, the application will be refused, unless the applicant held a taxi driver licence when the legislation changed on 21 October 1991, and the Department knew of the disability before 1 January 1991. If the diabetes is managed by means other than insulin, the medical report will be sent to the Occupational Health Service which, as the Department’s medical advisors, will make a recommendation as to the individual’s suitability to hold a taxi driver licence. Similar procedures are followed if diabetes develops during the currency of a licence. It is a condition of the taxi driver licence that any change in the holder’s medical circumstances must be brought to the Department’s attention.

(AQO 1351/01)

Mr Nesbitt: It is not possible to put a precise cost on the implementation of the Waste Management Strategy. The Strategy has implications for all those who produce, manage or treat waste. It has a long-term planning horizon. Capital and recurrent costs of implementing the strategy will depend on how much waste is produced over time, and on decisions to be made about treatment and related facilities. There will be economic benefits, to offset the costs, from the re-use, recycling and recovery of waste, depending on the levels achieved and the markets available.

The principal costs of implementing the Waste Management Strategy will lie in the establishment of an integrated network of waste management facilities across Northern Ireland. The main vehicle for decisions on the nature and location of these facilities will be District Council Waste Management Plans. However, final decisions will depend on consideration of the outcome of the recently ended public consultation on the draft Waste Management Plans, which were published by the 3 District Council Partnership Groups in February.

Final draft Plans are to be submitted to my Department by 28 June. These are to include detailed implementation action plans which will contain details of the capital and recurrent costs involved. At that stage the cost of developing and operating the network of facilities, of establishing reprocessing capacity, and of creating markets for recycling that will deliver the objectives of the Waste Management Strategy, will become clearer.

In addition to an indicative baseline of £8.5m for waste management, I have also put forward bids in my Department’s Position Report of £5.1m, £4.8m and £4.5m for 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 respectively, to assist District Councils and others in the implementation of the Waste Management Strategy.

(AQO 1343/01)

Mr Nesbitt: Landfill sites can pose a pollution risk if they are not properly engineered and managed. The Environment and Heritage Service of my Department is responsible for investigating reports of pollution incidents from any sources which affect, or may affect, ground or surface waters.

Records show that, in the 4 year period from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2001, EHS received 200 reports alleging that the source of pollution was a landfill site. Of the 200 reports received, six were subsequently categorised as serious pollution incidents.

In relation to the second part of the Question, EHS is consulted by the Planning Service about all planning applications for landfill sites. In all cases, EHS advises that construction and operation should be carried out in accordance with the guidelines contained in Waste Management Paper 26B. This requires a full hydrogeological survey and risk assessment to be carried out in relation to the site.

In addition, any direct discharge of treated leachate to a waterway from a landfill site is subject to discharge consent control under the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. Consent from EHS is necessary for both the discharge of treated leachate and for the disposal of materials on the site. Discharge consent is granted only where EHS is satisfied that there will be no resulting pollution of surface or ground waters.

EHS also undertakes surveys of landfill sites. These surveys include monitoring of groundwater boreholes around the site, leachate monitoring and surface water monitoring.

(AQO 1345/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The main instrument available to the European Commission to enforce Member State compliance with Directives is through instigation of infraction proceedings in the European Court of Justice. If the ECJ finds against the Member State, and depending on the action taken by the Member State to achieve compliance, the Commission may seek the imposition of a fine.

Recently the Commission has taken steps to speed up the infraction process and a much more vigorous enforcement approach is now evident.

Currently there are several infraction cases being brought by the Commission against the UK, including Northern Ireland, in relation to failure to transpose into domestic legislation, or otherwise to implement, the requirements of environmental Directives. For the main part, these are the result of a backlog of untransposed Directives inherited from the period of Direct Rule.

Apart from the fact that these legal proceedings undermine Northern Ireland’s environmental standing in Europe, there is also a risk that some of these cases will proceed to the stage where fines are imposed against the UK. Any fines are likely to be substantial and, where the fines result in whole or in part from lack of compliance by Northern Ireland, the Treasury may seek for some or all to be paid by the Northern Ireland Administration

Because of these financial risks to Northern Ireland, both my predecessor and I have sought to secure the additional staff needed to expedite the transposition and implementation of EU environmental Directives. My Department received extra resources for 2001/02 and 2002/03 for this purpose and I am seeking a further increase for 2002/03. This will be reflected in an increased flow of infraction-related primary and subordinate legislation which will come before the Assembly in the remainder of this session and next. I am working closely with the Environment Committee and look forward to its co-operation in the urgent processing of the relevant legislation. However, even more needs to be done if we are to clear the backlog and move to a position of being able to transpose and implement environmental Directives in a timely way. This is reflected in further the bids for 2003/04 onwards which I have included in my Department’s Position Report for the 2002 Spending Review.

(AQO 1354/01)

Mr Nesbitt: A total of 16 landfill planning applications have been determined in the last two years. Of these, 3 applications have been refused and 13 applications approved.

(AQO 1342/01)

The Network has established an Ulster Way Working Group. The Group is representative of a wide range of user bodies, statutory agencies and farmers and landowners. I understand that the Group has held several meetings, including two public consultation meetings.

The study is due to be completed towards the end of this year. Its findings will be considered by all the relevant parties, with a view to seeking agreement on the way forward.

(AQO 1349/01)

Mr Nesbitt: Responsibility for coastal matters falls to several Departments, including the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department for Regional Development and my own Department.

The Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research recently published a study, commissioned by my Department, entitled "Implications of Climate Change for Northern Ireland: Informing Strategy Development". The objectives of the study were to investigate, in broad terms, the likely impacts of climate change on the environment, economy and natural resources of Northern Ireland. A copy of the study report is available in the Assembly Library.

Although the study’s conclusions demonstrate that the impact of climate change on Northern Ireland is likely to be considerably less dramatic than some recent media headlines suggest, the report nevertheless outlines possible impacts across a number of sectors. These include sectors relevant to the coastal area, such as coastal and flood defence and fisheries. In these sectors climate change could have implications for intertidal areas, for dune coasts and for fish productivity, possibly affecting catch size and composition.

It is important to acknowledge, however, that this was a scoping study outlining a range of possible outcomes in a number of different scenarios. While it represents an important first step towards developing a Northern Ireland strategy for climate change, a more detailed programme of research will need to be undertaken, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, in order to determine more precisely the adaptation measures that will need to be put in place for the coastal area and other sectors.

(AQO 1359/01)

Mr Nesbitt: There is no separate review of local government. However, the administration of local public services will be examined within the context of the Review of Public Administration, which is due to be launched in the coming weeks. Responsibility for taking forward that review rests with the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister.

(AQO 1344/01)

Mr Nesbitt: Planning Policy Statement 1-General Principles (PPS 1) makes it clear that the availability of infrastructure is an important material consideration in the determination of a planning application.

Planning Service consults Water Service of the Department for Regional Development, the Water Management Unit of Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of the Environment and Roads Service of the Department for Regional Development, as necessary, on proposals for commercial, residential and industrial development for advice on the adequacy of existing water, sewerage and roads infrastructure. Where consultees advise that the requisite infrastructure is not in place to facilitate the proposed development, it is the policy of the Department normally to refuse planning permission as being premature.

Where proposals exceed the capacity of existing infrastructure, developers may offer to provide the necessary infrastructure to service their proposals or to make a contribution towards its provision. In such circumstances Planning Service may grant planning permission subject to a negative condition relating to the progress of the development and to the provision of the works to facilitate it, such as road widening or other infrastructural improvements.

(AQO 1352/01)

Mr Nesbitt: I am pleased to say that a discussion paper on proposals for a Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Strategy has now been agreed by Executive Ministers. I plan to publish the document and begin the consultation process later this month.

My Department will oversee the consultation process. However, the Sustainable Northern Ireland Programme, an organisation part-funded by the voluntary and local government sectors and by my Department, has been asked to organise a number of seminars across Northern Ireland. These are intended to provide an opportunity for a more participative approach to gathering views and comments. The outcome of these seminars will be fed into the consultation process.

It is intended that the consultation period will run to 30 September 2002. The responses will help form the basis for drawing up a Sustainable Development Strategy which, depending on other priorities and pressures that may arise, I hope to publish by the end of this year.

(AQO 1347/01)

Mr Nesbitt: There are currently 3 full-time Enforcement Officers in the Belfast Planning Office – 1 Higher Professional Technical Officer (HPTO) and 2 Professional Technical Officers (PTOs). In addition, a proportion of senior officers’ time, at Senior Professional Technical Officer (SPTO), Principal Professional Technical Officer (PPTO) and Divisional Planning Manager level, is devoted to enforcement work. I have recently moved to strengthen the management of the development control and enforcement sections within the Belfast Division and other Divisions, and that should have a positive impact n the Belfast Division’s ability to deal with enforcemento casework.

The Enforcement Section in the Belfast Divisional Planning Office is currently investigating 777 cases any or all of which could end up in formal enforcement action being taken.

The Planning Service approach to enforcement is set out in Planning Policy Statement 9 – The Enforcement of Planning Control. The Planning Service generally seeks in the first instance to remedy any breach of planning control through co-operation. In considering whether formal enforcement action is the best remedy for unauthorised development, the Department takes into account whether the breach would be contrary to planning policy or unacceptably affect public amenity; the extent of the breach; the willingness of the offender(s) to remedy the breach voluntarily, and the statutory time limits for enforcement action.

(AQW 3301/01)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Dr Farren): Participation on the Local Strategy Partnerships is made on the basis of an equal partnership between two strands, Local Government and the main Statutory Agencies operating at local level; and the four pillars of Social Partners: private sector, community sector, voluntary sector and agricultural and rural development sector.

In accordance with this guidance Local Strategy Partnerships in each district council area were required to configure to represent the balance of local interests and the principles enshrined in the Peace II Programme.’ Guidance on the formation of and operation of Local Strategy Partnerships was issued by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) in its capacity as Managing Authority for the PEACE II Programme.

In accordance with the guidance, the SEUPB consulted with the Northern Ireland Regional Sectoral Partners Group (Concordia) and agreed with Concordia a formula applied at local level and protecting the principle of local selection while simultaneously ensuring regional endorsement as follows:

Local selections and nominations for each of the social partners (business, trade unions, agriculture and voluntary and community sector) to be made in consultation with and endorsed by the regional sector.

Dependant upon the size and nature of Partnership arrangements ensure that an acceptable number of places are equally apportioned to each of the social partners for endorsement.

Additional places to be allocated by local social partners.

Concordia group members would oversee and guarantee the process ensuring that where possible selections were made locally by their constituent members.

To ensure continuity in the transition process 50% of the social partner representation was drawn from existing Partnership members and would be endorsed by their own sectors.

In order to ensure renewal of representatives over the lifetime of the programme, a transparent and periodic process of renewal will also be agreed.

(AQW 3325/01)

Dr Farren: There are no proposals at present to require companies who install passive fire protection equipment into Government buildings to have third party accreditation, in order to ensure compliance with BS 476.

I understand that this issue is currently under review in England and Wales. When the outcome is known consideration will be given to its impact for Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3368/01)

Dr Farren: The level of expenditure in each of the last 3 years on consultancy firms/consultants based in (a) Northern Ireland; (b) Republic of Ireland; (c) the rest of the United Kingdom and (d) outside the British Isles is as follows:

(AQW 2344/01)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): Differences in the percentage of Trusts’ expenditure on family and child care are caused by several factors. The particular age profile of a Trust area will account for some of the difference, with a younger population requiring a greater funding commitment. There will also be differences in the level of relative need and this, too, will ultimately be reflected in budget deployment.

Bíonn roinnt fachtóirí mar chúis le difríochtaí i gcéatadán caiteachais na nIontaobhas ar chúram teaghlaigh agus leanaí. Tugann próifíl aoise ar leithligh limistéar Iontaobhais míniú ar chuid den difríocht, mar go dteastaíonn tiomantas maoinithe níos mó ó phobal níos óige. Beidh difríochtaí chomh maith i leibhéal an riachtanais ábharthaigh agus léireofar sin, chomh maith, i ndeireadh thiar i leithdháileadh buiséid.

(AQW 2345/01)

Ms de Brún: Differences in expenditure levels are explained by a number of factors. The age profile of the relevant population will differ across Trusts, as will levels of need. The cost of delivering a service can also vary as between urban and rural areas. A fourth significant reason for variance is that some Trusts not only serve their own areas but supply regional services to people living outside their boundaries.

Tugann roinnt fachtóirí míniú ar dhifríochtaí i leibhéil chaiteachais. Beidh próifíl aoise an phobail ábharthaigh difriúil ar fud na nIontaobhas, faoi mar a bheidh leibhéil na riachtanas. Is féidir leis an gcostas a bhaineann le seirbhís a thabhairt i gcrích athrú chomh maith idir limistéir uirbeacha agus limistéir thuaithe. Ní amháin go ndéanann roinnt Iontaobhas freastal ar a limistéir féin ach soláthraíonn siad seirbhísí réigiúnacha do dhaoine a chónaíonn lasmuigh dá dteorannacha, agus bheadh sin ar cheathrú cúis shuntasach d’éagsúlacht.

(AQW 2761/01)

Ms de Brún: My colleagues and I within the Executive share a vision to have happier, healthier children who are better equipped to grow into confident adults who feel that they have a real stake in society and an ability to influence its future.

The investment in Sure Start outlined in the Programme for Government 2001-2004 is one example of our commitment to translate that vision into reality by helping to take steps to break the cycle of deprivation through early, sustained measures to promote healthy social and emotional development.

Tá an aisling chéanna ag mo chomhghleacaithe agus agam féin laistigh den Fheidhmeannas go mbeadh leanaí níos sona agus níos sláintiúla agus iad a bheith feistithe níos fearr le fás agus forbairt ina ndaoine fásta a bhíonn muiníneach agus a mhothaíonn go bhfuil leas ceart acu sa sochaí agus cumas tionchar a bheith acu ar an todhchaí.

Is sampla amháin den infheistíocht in Sure Start a dtugtar imlíne air sa Chlár do Rialtas 2001-2004 dár dtiomantas leis an aisling sin a fhíorú trí chabhrú le céimeanna a ghlacadh chun an timthriall díothachta a bhriseadh trí bhearta luaithe, inbhuanaithe chun forbairt shláintiúil shóisialta agus mhothaitheach a chothú.

(AQW 2883/01)

Ms de Brún: I allocate resources to each Board on a capitation formula basis and it is then for the Boards themselves to make detailed funding allocations. In the years 1998-99 to 2000-01, Boards made available the following amounts for expenditure on the acute Programme of Care:

Dáilim acmhainní ar gach Bord ar bhonn foirmle chaipitíochta agus ansin tá sé faoi na Boird iad féin na dálaí miona airgid a dhéanamh. Sna blianta 1998-99 go 2000-01, chuir na Boird na suimeanna seo a leanas ar fáil le caitheamh ar an Ghéarchlár Cúraim:

(AQW 2912/01)

Ms de Brún: Information on the number of inpatients in the Acute Programme of Care in each Board for the last three financial years is detailed in the table below. This information is also published in the annual Hospital Statistics publication, which is available in the Assembly Library and on my Department’s website.

Tá mionsonraí ar an eolas ar an líon othar cónaitheach sa Chlár Géarchúraim i ngach Bord do na trí bliana airgeadais seo caite sa tábla thíos. Tá an t-eolas seo foilsithe chomh maith san fhoilseachán bliantúil Hospital Statistics, a bhfuil fáil air i Leabharlann an Chomhthionóil agus ar láithreán gréasáin mo Roinne.

(AQW 2913/01)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 2883/01.

Treoraím an Ball do mo fhreagra a thug mé ar AQW 2883/01.

(AQW 2957/01)

Ms de Brún: The figures in the table below represent the number of credit cards in use by HPSS Boards, HSS Trusts, Agencies, NDPBs, and the total expenditure on those cards in the financial year ended 31 March 2002.

The above excludes purchase cards which are used for the procurement of certain supplies. For example, the government procurement card is a method of payment for goods and services without credit or cash facilities and is available to all Departments and Agencies.

Léiríonn na figiúirí sa tábla thíos an líon cártaí creidmheasa in úsáid ag Boird an SSSP, ag Iontaobhais SSS, ag Gníomhaireachtaí, ag NDPBanna, agus taispeáintear an caiteachas iomlán ar na cártaí sin sa bhliain airgeadais dár críoch an aonú lá is tríocha de Mhárta 2002.

Níl cártaí ceannaigh a bhíonn in úsáid chun soláthairtí áirithe a sholáthar san áireamh thuas. Mar shampla, is modh íocaíochta d’earraí agus do sheirbhísí gan aon saoráidí creidmheasa ná airgid tirim é cárta soláthair an rialtais agus tá sé ar fáil do gach Roinn agus Gníomhaireacht.

(AQW 3017/01)

Ms de Brún: While figures show that breast cancer is on the increase, there is a decrease in the mortality rates for this disease. The successful Breast Screening programme can identify cancer at an early stage, which means earlier treatment, which in turn improves the outcome, therefore leading to a reduction in the mortality rates.

In line with the Campbell Report, a large number of the features of a good breast cancer service are in place, including one-stop clinics, timely admission for surgery, multi-disciplinary team working, specialist breast care nurse team and close links to Oncology. The recent appointments of a plastic surgeon and a surgeon skilled in breast reconstruction have enabled an important addition to the service at Belfast City Hospital. The surgical team has been further strengthened by the inclusion of a breast surgeon at Lagan Valley Hospital.

Cé go léiríonn na figiúirí go bhfuil ailse chíche ag méadú, tá laghdú ar rátaí mortlaíochta i dtaca leis an ghalar seo. Is féidir leis an chlár Scagtha Cíche bhfuil ag éirí go maith leis, ailse a aimsiú ag céim luath, a bhfuil coireál luath mar thoradh air, a fheabhsaíonn an toradh dá bharr, ina a mbeidh mar sin laghdú ann sna rátaí mortlaíochta.

Ag cloí le tuairisc Campbell tá líon mór de shainghnéithe seirbhís mhaith ailse chíche i bhfeidhm, clinicí aon aonaid, iontráil thráthúil mháinliachta, foireann ildisciplíneach ag obair, sainfhoireann altraí cúram ailse agus dhlúthnaisc d’Oinceolaíocht. Chuir na ceapacháin le gairid máinlia plaisteach agus máinlia oilte in atógáil chíche deis ar fáil daoine breise don tseirbhís a shaoradh ag Otharlann Chathair Bhéal Feirste. Cuireadh leis an fhoireann mháinliachta arís trí mháinliachta cíche a thabhairt isteach ag Otharlann Ghleann an Lagáin.

(AQW 3054/01)

Ms de Brún: Substantive promotions for uniformed staff in the Fire Brigade here are governed by the agreements reached by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Fire Brigades.

Promotion opportunities for non-uniformed staff are filled through open competition. This procedure is followed by the Fire Authority to comply with Fair Employment legislation and to address any imbalance in the make up of the work force.

Is comhshocruithe a dtagtar orthu ag an gComhairle Náisiúnta i gComhar do Bhriogáid Dóiteáin na nÚdarás Áitiúil a rialaíonn arduithe céime substaintiúla don fhoireann faoi éide sa Bhriogáid Dóiteáin.

Líontar deiseanna arduithe céime don fhoireann nach mbíonn faoi éide trí chomórtas oscailte. Leanann an tÚdarás Dóiteáin an nós imeachta sin chun an reachtaíocht um Fhostú Cothrom a chomhlíonadh agus chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar aon mhíchothromas i gcomhdhéanamh an fhórsa saothair.

(AQW 3055/01)

Ms de Brún: Filling the current vacancies would enhance the operational effectiveness of the Fire Brigade, as it would allow for improvements in its managerial and operational efficiency through the consistency resulting from being fully staffed. The Fire Authority is actively recruiting and training new staff to fill these vacancies.

Chuirfeadh líonadh na bhfolúntas reatha go mór le héifeachtacht feidhme an Bhriogáid Dóiteáin, mar go gceadódh sé d’fheabhsúcháin ina éifeachtacht bhainistíochta agus feidhmíochta tríd an gcomhleanúnacht a bhíonn mar thoradh ar lánfhoirniú. Tá an tÚdarás Dóiteáin go gníomhach ag earcú agus ag oiliúint foirne nua chun na follúntais sin a líonadh.

(AQW 3074/01)

Ms de Brún: The number of paediatric intensive care beds, at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, which are open each day is dependent on clinical requirements and staffing levels.

If all 7 Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and 4 High Dependency Unit beds are open, then the nursing staff requirement would equate to 63.40 (whole time equivalent) nurses. The total funding needed to provide nursing staff for these beds is £1.7 million, which has been made available.

There are also significant costs associated with the Consultant Anaesthetic Service and support costs, however, to quantify these would prove disproportionate to cost.

Braitheann an líon leapacha dianchúraim péidiatraiceacha, ag Ospidéal Ríoga Bhéal Feirste do Leanaí Breoite, a bhíonn ar oscailt gach lá ar riachtanais chliniciúla agus ar leibhéil foirne.

Dá mbeadh gach ceann den 7 leaba san Aonad Dianchúraim Péidiatraiceach agus den 4 leaba san Aonad Ard-Spleácha ar oscailt, ansin bheadh an riachtanas foirne altranais comhionann le 63.40 (comhionann lánaimsire) altraí. Is é an maoiniú iomlán atá riachtanach chun foireann altranais a sholáthar do na leapacha sin ná £1.7 milliún, suim atá curtha ar fáil.

Baineann costais shuntasacha chomh maith leis an tSeirbhís Chomhchomhairle Ainéistéiseach agus bheadh costais tacaíochta, ar scor ar bith, chun iad sin a chainníochtú díréireach le costais.