(AQW 3092/01)

Ms de Brún: The numbers of staff at 31 March 2002 on temporary promotion within the Fire Brigade were 280 uniformed and 3 non-uniformed.

The attached table indicates the length of time the personnel have been in temporary promotion.

Temporary promotions are carried out in accordance with the Fire Authority’s "Code of Procedures on Recruitment and Selection" which are within the parameters designated by the Codes of Practice of the Equality Commission.

Is é an líon foirne ag an 31 Márta 2002 ar ardú céime sealadach laistigh den Bhriogáid Dóiteáin ná 280 faoi éide agus 3 gan a bheith faoi éide.

Léiríonn an tábla a ghabhann leis seo an tréimhse ama a chaith an pearsanra in ardú céime sealadach.

Déantar ardú céime sealadach de réir "Cód Nósanna Imeachta ar Earcú agus Roghnú" an Údaráis Dóiteáin atá laistigh de na paraiméadair a ainmníonn Cóid Chleachtais an Choimisiúin Chomhionannais.

(AQW 3111/01)

Ms de Brún: The appointment and grading of staff is a matter for local management in both of these Trusts. Whilst clerical officers may have similar responsibilities, their range of duties may vary considerably and, therefore, impact on the grade attributed to the post.

Is ábhar don bhainistíocht áitiúil sa dá iontaobhas sin ceapadh agus grádú foirne. Cé go bhféadfadh freagrachtaí cosúla a bheith ag oifigigh cléireacha, d’fhéadfadh a raon dualgas athrú go mór agus, dá bhrí sin, tionchar a bheith aige ar an ngrád a luaitear leis an bpost.

(AQW 3112/01)

Ms de Brún: The Equality Impact Assessment will be circulated for public comments at the same time as the consultation document on sub-fertility, which is expected in the summer.

Scaipfear an Measúnú Tionchar Comhionannais chun tuairimí poiblí a fháil ag an am céanna leis an gcáipéis chomhchomhairlithe ar fho-thorthúlacht, a bhfuil súil leis sa samhradh.

(AQW 3173/01)

Ms de Brún: I am aware that some newly qualified speech & language therapists from the University of Ulster take up employment in England, Scotland or Wales. Details of the numbers involved are set out below:

(Information on 2001 Graduates is not yet available).

My Department has undertaken a comprehensive review of the speech and language therapy workforce; this includes an assessment of recruitment issues such as the effect of graduates not taking up immediate employment here and also the balancing effect of recruitment from other places. This report is being finalised and its findings and recommendations will inform decisions on any further recruitment initiatives.

Tá a fhios agam go nglacann roinnt teiripeoirí nuacháilithe urlabhra agus teanga ó Ollscoil Uladh le postanna i Sasana, in Albain nó sa Bhreatain Bheag. Tá sonraí ar líon na dteiripeoirí i gceist leagtha amach sa tábla thíos:

(Níl eolas ar Chéimithe sa bhliain 2001 ar fáil go fóill).

Thosaigh mo Roinn ar athbhreithniú cuimsitheach a dhéanamh ar an mheitheal urlabhra agus teanga; cuimsíonn sé seo measúnú ar cheisteanna earcaíochta chomh maith, amhail tionchar drogall na gcéimithe le postanna a ghlacadh anseo láithreach agus tionchar cothrom na hearcaíochta ó áiteanna eile fosta. Tá an dlaoi mhullaigh á cur ar an tuairisc seo agus tabharfaidh a torthaí agus a moltaí eolas ar bhearta faoi thuilleadh scéimeanna earcaíochta eile.

(AQO 1274/01)

Ms de Brún: Partnership initiatives in accordance with the Strategy for Support of the Voluntary and Community Sector, as detailed in Partners for Change, are already well established between statutory agencies and voluntary and community organisations in the health and social services. My Department provides grant aid to regional voluntary and community organisations, as well as financial assistance through the Social Services Inspectorate’s Training Support Programme for voluntary organisations in the social services. Information and advice is also available to organisations from the Department’s policy units and the Social Services Inspectorate. Boards and Trusts have developed comprehensive volunteering policies and effective partnerships have been established with voluntary organisations in the provision of services, and in other joint initiatives.

Tá tionscnaimh chomhpháirtíochta de réir Straitéis do Thacaíocht na hEarnála Deonaí agus Pobail, mar a mhionsonraítear in Comhpháirtithe don Athrú, bunaithe go maith cheana féin idir gníomhaireachtaí reachtúla agus eagraíochtaí deonacha agus pobail sna seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta. Soláthraíonn mo Roinnse cabhair deontais chuig eagraíochtaí deonacha agus pobail, chomh maith le cúnamh airgeadais trí Chlár Tacaíochta Oiliúna Chigireacht na Seirbhísí Sóisialta d’eagraíochtaí deonacha sna seirbhísí sóisialta. Tá eolas agus comhairle ar fáil chomh maith d’eagraíochtaí ó aonaid pholasaí na Roinne agus ó Chigireacht na Seirbhísí Sóisialta. Tá polasaithe cuimsitheacha deonaithe forbartha ag Boird agus ag Iontaobhais agus tá compháirtíochtaí éifeachtacha bunaithe le heagraíochtaí deonacha i soláthar seirbhísí agus i gcomhthionscnaimh eile.

(AQW 3222/01)

Ms de Brún: There have been no recorded instances of babies born with foetal alcohol syndrome here in the last five years.

Ní raibh aon chás taifeadta de naíonáin a rugadh le siondróm alcóil féataigh anseo sna cúig bliana seo caite.

(AQW 3237/01)

Ms de Brún: During the financial year 2001/02, Boards allocated over £900,000 towards anti-TNF drugs for arthritis sufferers.

Le linn na bliana airgeadais 2001/02, dháil Boird breis agus £900,000 ar dhrugaí frith-TNF dóibh siúd a bhfuil airtríteas orthu.

(AQW 3249/01)

Ms de Brún: The information is not available in the form requested. The Regional Disability Service advises that in each of the last three years the numbers of non-powered and powered wheelchairs issued was as follows:

Níl an t-eolas ar fáil sa dóigh ar iarradh é. Cuireann an tSeirbhís Míchumais Réigiúnach in iúl gur eisíodh cathaoir rotha cumhachta agus neamchumhachta gach bliain le trí bliana anuas mar a leanas:

(AQW 3250/01)

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

Níl eolas ar fáil go réidh san fhoirm iarrtha agus ní fhéadfaí é a fháil ach ar chostas díréireach.

(AQW 3259/01)

(a) This information is not available.

(b) In the financial year 2000/01, there were 1,871 inpatient admissions to local hospitals for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Of these, 381 were male and 1,490 were female.

(a) Níl an t-eolas seo ar fáil.

(b) Sa bhliain airgeadais 2000/01, bhí iontráil de 1,871 othar cónaitheach chuig otharlanna áitiúla le haghaidh diagnóisithe d’oistéairtríteas. Astu seo, bhí 381 fear agus 1,490 bean.

(AQW 3260/01)

(a) This information is not available.

(b) In the financial year 2000/01, there were 5,340 inpatient admissions to local hospitals for a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Of these, 1,783 were male and 3,557 were female.

(a) Níl an t-eolas seo ar fáil.

(b) Sa bhliain airgeadais 2000/01, bhí iontráil de 5,340 othar cónaitheach chuig otharlanna áitiúla le haghaidh diagnóisithe d’oistéapóróis. Astu seo, bhí 1,783 fear agus 3,557 bean.

(AQW 3261/01)

(a) This information is not available.

(b) Information is available on numbers of inpatient admissions to local hospitals for diagnoses of diabetes, and is detailed in the table below.

(a) Níl an t-eolas seo ar fáil.

(b) Tá eolas ar fáil ar líon n-iontrálacha chuig otharlanna áitiúla le haghaidh diagnóisithe de dhiabéiteas, agus léirítear seo sa tábla thíos.

(AQW 3276/01)

Ms de Brún: CoaguChek reagent test strips were added to the Drug Tariff here with effect from 1 May 2002 and are now available on prescription.

(AQW 3277/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(AQW 3302/01)

Ms de Brún: The Child Health Surveillance Programme is the primary means of detecting physical and developmental abnormalities in children at an early stage, including Dyspraxia.

The content and timing of the Child Health Surveillance programme is currently under review by the National Screening Committee and my officials will consider the findings of the review when these become available.

Is é an Clár Faire Sláinte Leanaí an bealach príomhúil chun mínormáltachtaí forbartha agus fisiceacha a bhrath i leanaí ag staid luath. Áirítear Diospraicse orthu sin.

Tá athbhreithniú á dhéanamh faoi láthair ar ábhar agus amú an chláir Faire Sláinte Leanaí ag an gCoiste Scagthástála Náisiúnta agus breithneoidh m’oifigigh cinní an athbhreithnithe sin nuair a bheidh fáil orthu.

(AQW 3303/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(AQW 3304/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(AQW 3305/01)

Ms de Brún: Over the period 14-23 April 2002 inclusive, there were 118 trolley waits at the Ulster Hospital. These figures refer to the total number of patients waiting for inpatient admission at 9.00 a.m. each morning.

Le linn na tréimhse 14-23 Aibreán 2002 uile san áireamh, bhí 118 fanacht ar thralaí ag Otharlann Uladh. Tagraíonn na figiúirí seo d’uimhir iomlán na n-othar a bhí ag fanacht le hiontráil othar cónaitheach ar 9.00 a.m. gach maidin.

(AQW 3308/01)

Ms de Brún: Expenditure by the Health Promotion Agency on the public information campaign on smoking in each of the last 3 years was as follows:

These figures exclude salary costs.

The 1999/2000 and 2000/01 campaigns focused on young people aged up to 16 years. Research found that the campaigns had been successful in helping to reduce the number of current and experimental smokers.

The 2001/02 campaign, which targeted adult smokers, ended in March and is currently being evaluated.

Is é mar a leanas caiteachas na Gníomhaíochta um Chothú Sláinte ar fheachtas eolais phoiblí ar chaitheamh tobac gach bliain le trí bliana anuas.

Níl costais na dtuarastal curtha san áireamh leis na figiúirí seo.

Dhírigh na feachtais 1999/2000 agus 2000/01 ar ógánaigh suas go dtí 16 bliain d’aois. De réir torthaí taighde d’éirigh leis na feachtais cuidiú le líon na gcaiteoirí láithreacha agus turgnamhacha a laghdú.

Chríochnaigh an feachtas, a dhírigh isteach ar chaiteoirí aosacha, i Márta agus táthar á mheastóireacht faoi láthair.

(AQW 3321/01)

Ms de Brún: South Tyrone Hospital has two modern theatres opened in 1994 and one of the theatres is equipped with a Laminar Flow air conditioning system.

Tá dhá obrádlann nua-aimseartha ag Ospidéal Dheisceart Thír Eoghain a osclaíodh i 1994 agus tá ceann de na hobrádlanna sin feistithe le córas aerchóirithe sreafa lannaigh.

(AQW 3322/01)

Ms de Brún: The future range of services to be provided at South Tyrone Hospital will be determined in the context of the decisions to be made on overall acute hospital provision here.

Cinnfear an raon seirbhísí a chuirfear ar fáil amach anseo ag Ospidéal Dheisceart Thír Eoghain i gcomhthéacs na gcinní atá le déanamh ar sholáthar foriomlán na n-ospidéal géarliachta anseo.

(AQW 3342/01)

Ms de Brún: Staff employed solely by the Eastern Multifund have been given the same opportunity as all other fundholding staff to register with the Health and Personal Social Services Redeployment Unit.

The Staff Redeployment Unit does not serve notice of redeployment opportunities to HPSS staff. Individuals provide their personal details to the Redeployment Unit and the unit provides the opportunity for employers, on a voluntary basis, to match the skills and experience of registrants with vacancies they may have. Employers may use the personal details of matched registrants for short listing and interview purposes, or ask the Redeployment Unit to bring the vacancies to the attention of the registrant who would then be expected to complete the relevant application forms and take part in the normal recruitment process.

Tugadh an deis chéanna don fhoireann atá fostaithe ag Ilchiste an Oirthir amháin agus a tugadh do gach duine eile den fhoireann chisteshealbhaithe clárú le hAonad Athleagan Amach na Seirbhísí Sóisialta Pearsanta agus Sláinte.

Ní sheirbheálann an tAonad Athleagan Amach Foirne fógra dheiseanna athleagan amach don fhoireann SSSP. Cuireann daoine aonair a mionsonraí pearsanta ar fáil don Aonad Athleagan Amach agus soláthraíonn an t-aonad an deis d’fhostóirí, ar bhonn deonach, scileanna agus taithí na gcláraithe a mheaitseáil le folúntais a d’fhéadfadh a bheith acu. Is féidir le fostóirí úsáid a bhaint as mionsonraí pearsanta chláraithe meaitseáil chun críocha gearrliostaithe nó agallaimh, nó iarradh ar an Aonad Athleagan Amach na follúntais a thabhairt ar aird an chláraí a mbeifí ag súil go comhlánódh sé/sí na foirmeacha iarratais cuí agus go nglacfadh sé/sí páirt sa ghnáthphróiseas earcaíochta.

(AQW 3379/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department commissioned an evaluation of car lease schemes available to Senior Executives in HSS Trusts for the period April 1997 to March 2001. A copy of the evaluation report will shortly be made available to the Public Accounts Committee and will be placed in the library.

Choimisiúnaigh mo Roinn measúnú ar na scéimeanna léasa chairr ar fáil d’Fheidhmeannaigh Shinsearacha in Iontaobhais SSS don tréimhse Aibreán 1997 go Márta 2001. Cuirfear cóip de thuairisc an mheasúnaithe ar fáil don Choiste Cuntas Poiblí ar ball agus cuirfear sa leabharlann í.

(AQW 3380/01)

Ms de Brún: There are a number of car leasing arrangements in operation for HPSS Senior Executives. The details of these schemes will shortly be made available in the evaluation report commissioned by my Department. A copy of this report will be placed in the library.

Tá roinnt scéimeanna léasa chairr i bhfeidhm d’Fheidhmeannaigh Shinsearacha na SSSP. Cuirfear sonraí na scéimeanna seo ar fáil ar ball i dtuairisc an mheasúnaithe coimisiúnaithe ag mo Roinn. Cuirfear cóip den tuairisc seo sa leabharlann.