(AQW 3589/01)

Ms de Brún: The information is given in the table below:

¹ Whole Time Equivalent

Tá an t-eolas tugtha sa tábla thíos:

(AQW 3611/01)

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

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

(AQW 3673/01)

Ms de Brún: The Fire Authority received 591 applications to its advertisement to fill twelve vacancies in the Control Room. Of these applications, 516 candidates were shortlisted for assessment and 156 candidates called for interview.

Candidates’ suitability for the posts will be determined by the assessment of their application and at interview. No additional marks will be allocated to any of the current temporary staff applying for the posts.

Fuair an tÚdarás Dóiteáin 591 iarratas tar éis a fhógra chun dhá fholúntas déag a líonadh sa Seomra Rialaithe. As na hiarratais sin cuireadh 516 ar ghearrliosta le measúnú agus glaodh ar 156 iarrthóir chuig agallamh.

Cinnfear oiriúnacht iarrthóirí le aghaidh na bpost trí mheasúnú ar a n-iarratais agus ag agallamh. Ní leithdháilfear aon mharcanna breise chuig aon fhoireann shealadach reatha a bheidh ag déanamh iarratais ar na postanna.

(AQW 3675/01)

Ms de Brún: A request was made to the Control Room for the deployment of a Hydrocarbon Detector Dog to an incident at a bonfire in Ballymena on 11 May. Unfortunately the dog handler was unavailable due to illness.

Rinneadh iarratas chuig an Seomra Rialaithe chun Madra Aimsithe Hidreacarbóin a chur chuig eachtra tine chnámh ag an Baile Meánach an 11 Bealtaine. Ní raibh láimhseálaí an mhadra faraor ar fáil de bharr breoiteachta.

(AQO 1401/01)

Ms de Brún: The ‘First Report’ of the Review of Community Care identified a number of innovative schemes and practices which will help Trusts to develop local solutions to the pressures they are experiencing.

My Department is now consulting with the Health and Social Services Boards on how best the recommendations can be implemented. Implementation plans will include a monitoring and reporting process which will allow my Department to satisfy itself not only that recommendations are being taken forward but that they are achieving the required results.

D’aithin ‘Chéad Tuairisc’ an Athbhreithnithe ar Chúram Pobail scéimeanna agus cleachtais nuálacha a chuideoidh le hIontaobhais teacht ar réitigh áitiúla ar na brúnna a bhfuil siad fúthu.

Faoi láthair, tá mo Roinn i gcomhchomhairle leis na Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta faoi conas is fearr na moltaí a chur i bhfeidhm. Ar na pleananna forfheidhmithe beidh próiseas monatóireachta agus tuairiscithe a shásóidh mo Roinn go bhfuil na moltaí á gcur i bhfeidhm agus go bhfuil siad ag baint amach na dtorthaí a theastaíonn fosta.

(AQO 1404/01)

Ms de Brún: The health and safety of staff employed in the HPSS is an important issue which I take very seriously. Protection of staff is a matter for individual employers and they are required by my Department to have policies in place to deal with abuse and violence.

To assist them my Department has issued a number of documents containing guidance on dealing with violence. These include the NHS Zero Tolerance Resource Pack, which was commended to all. Some HPSS employers have already put a number of security measures in place to improve safety. A working group comprising representatives from Trusts and Staff Side organisations has been established to review current guidance and consider the issue of further best practice guidance.

Is tábhachtach liom sláinte agus sábháilteacht na foirne sna Seirbhísí Sláinte Sóisialta agus Pearsanta. Tá cosaint a chuid foirne faoi chúram gach fostóir, agus éilíonn mo Roinn ar fhostóirí polasaithe a bheith i bhfeidhm acu le déileáil le droch-íde agus le foréigean.

D’eisigh mo Roinn cáipéisí ina bhfuil treoir ar conas déileáil le foréigean le cuidiú leo, agus bunaíodh grúpa oibre ar a bhfuil ionadaithe ó Iontaobhais agus ó eagraíochtaí Foirne le treoir reatha a athbhreithniú agus le breis treorach den chleachtas is fearr a bhreithniú.

(AQO 1389/01)

Ms de Brún: As of 30 March 2002, there were 100 patients from the Southern Health and Social Services Board and 73 patients from the Western Health and Social Services Board on the waiting list for cardiac surgery.

Ar 30 Márta 2002, bhí 100 othar ó Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Deiscirt agus 73 othar ó Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Iarthair ar liosta feithimh do mháinliacht chardiach.

(AQO 1386/01)

Ms de Brún: Two specialities are currently not accepting routine GP referrals for waiting lists - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, and Rheumatology at United Hospitals Trust. These specialties are, however, continuing to accept referrals for urgent and emergency cases.

Faoi láthair, tá dhá speisialtóireacht ann nach bhfuil ag glacadh le gnáthchoinní othar ó liachleachtóirí do liostaí feithimh — Síciatracht Leanaí agus Ógánach ag Ospidéal Ríoga Bhéal Feirste do Leanaí Breoite agus Réamaiteolaíocht in Iontaobhas na n-Ospidéal Aontaithe. Tá na speisialtóireachtaí seo, áfach, ag glacadh le coinní ó Ghnáthdhochtúirí i gcásanna práinne agus éigeandála.

(AQO 1377/01)

Ms de Brún: The main conditions that can be diagnosed in utero are Downs syndrome, neural tube defects and other foetal anomalies such as lesions of the heart, kidneys and abdominal wall. It is also possible to detect some conditions that have a genetic link, for example, cystic fibrosis.

Is iad na príomhriochtaí is féidir a fháthmheas sa bhroinn Siondróim Down, éalanga feadáin néaraigh agus aimhrialtachtaí eile féatais ar nós loit an chroí, an duáin agus bhalla an bhoilg. Is féidir fosta riochtaí a bhfuil nasc géiniteach ag baint leo a aimsiú, an fhiobróis chisteach mar shampla.

(AQO 1376/01)

Ms de Brún: The new arrangements in primary care involve the setting up of 15 Local Health and Social Care Groups. The new Groups will be run by Management Boards made up of primary care professionals, community and service users, as well as representatives from Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts. Since the 1 April 2002, a great deal of work has gone into the recruitment and selection process which has resulted in suitable candidates being identified for almost half of the 270 Management Board positions. Efforts are continuing to fill the remaining vacancies. Meantime, work is continuing to ensure that the new Groups become operational as soon as possible.

Baineann na socruithe nua sa chúram phríomhúil le bunú 15 Grúpa Áitiúil Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialta. Déanfaidh Boird Bhainistíochta, ar a mbeidh gairmithe cúraim phríomhúil, úsáideoirí seirbhíse agus pobail chomh maith le hionadaithe ó na Boird agus na hIontaobhais Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta na grúpaí nua a bhainistiú. Ó 1 Aibreán 2002 i leith, rinneadh go leor oibre ag earcú agus ag roghnú iarrthóirí oiriúnacha do bheagnach leath den 270 post ar na Boird Bhainistíochta. Táthar ag iarraidh na folúntais eile a líonadh. Idir an dá linn, táthar ag obair ar an chúlráid lena chinntiú go mbeidh na Grúpaí nua ag feidhmiú a luaithe is féidir.

(AQO 1395/01)

Ms de Brún: No decisions have yet been taken on the way forward on the Acute Hospitals Review, including the Tyrone County Hospital. Until longer-term decisions have been made, I will expect Boards and Trusts to make every effort to maintain existing services. My officials are working closely with the Board and Trust to assist them in sustaining services in the Tyrone County Hospital and the position is being closely monitored.

Níor glacadh cinntí ar bith go fóill ar an bhealach chun tosaigh ar an Aithbhreithniú ar Ghéarospidéil, lena n-áirítear Ospidéal Chondae Thír Eoghain. Go dtí go nglacfar cinntí fadtréimhseacha, beidh mé ag súil le Boird agus le hIontaobhais a ndícheall a dhéanamh leis na seirbhísí atá ann cheana a choinneáil. Tá mo chuid feidhmeannach ag obair go dlúth leis an Bhord agus leis an Iontaobhas ag cuidiú leo seirbhísí in Ospidéal Chondae Thír Eoghain a choinneáil agus tá monatóireacht ghéar á déanamh ar chúrsaí.

(AQO 1383/01)

Ms de Brún: The Department does not have a record of the number of staff who have been offered new positions in the Health and Personal Social Services. I understand, however, that to date one member of staff previously employed within the Eastern Multifund has taken up a new position within the HPSS.

Níl taifead ag an Roinn ar an líon foirne ar tairgeadh poist nua dóibh sna Seirbhísí Sláinte, Sóisialta agus Pearsanta. Tuigim, áfach, gur ghlac ball foirne amháin, a ba ghnáth leis oibriú in Iolchiste an Oirthir, post nua sna Seirbhísí Sláinte, Sóisialta agus Pearsanta.

(AQO 1405/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer has promoted this initiative and engaged the active support of the Directors of Pharmaceutical Services in each of the four Health and Social Services Boards to develop this service for patients. I have set ‘Priorities for Action’ targets for the Boards of 20% of pharmacies delivering this service in 2001/02 and 30% in 2002/03, and these are being achieved.

Chuir Príomhoifigeach Cogaisíochta mo Roinnse an tionscnamh seo chun cinn agus bhain sé tacaíocht ghníomhach Stiúrthoírí na Seirbhísí Cogaisíochta amach i ngach ceann de na Boird Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sláinte chun an tseirbhís seo a fhorbairt d’othair. Tá spriocanna ‘Tosaíochtaí do Ghníomh’ leagtha amach agam do na boird go mbeadh 20% de chogasalanna ag soláthar na seirbhíse i 2001/02 agus 30% i 2002/03 agus tá siad sin á mbaint amach.

(AQO 1402/01)

Ms de Brún: There has not been a significant reduction in the numbers vaccinated. In 1995/96, 22,500 children received MMR vaccination by age two. In 2000/01 the number vaccinated was 21,500. However, there was a reduction of almost 1000 in the number of children eligible to receive the MMR vaccination over that period.

Níor tháinig laghdú suntasach ar an líon leanaí atá á vacsaíniú. I 1995/96, fuair 22,500 (fiche is a dó míle cúig chéad) leanbh vacsaín MMR faoi aois a dhá mbliain; i 2000/01, vacsaíníodh 21,500 (fiche is a haon míle cúig chéad). Bhí laghdú, áfach, de bheagnach 1,000 ar an líon leanbh a bhí i dteideal an vacsaín MMR a fháil thar an tréimhse sin.

(AQO 1388/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

The Interdepartmental Group on Personal Care set up by the Executive to examine the costs and implications of introducing free personal care is working to establish a detailed breakdown of care costs and is to report to the Executive by the end of June 2002.

Níl an t-eolas a hiarradh ar fáil.

Tá an Grúpa Idir-Rannach ar Chúram Pearsanta a bhunaigh an Coiste Feidhmiúcháin le scrúdú a dhéanamh ar chostas agus ar na himpleachtaí a bhaineann le cúram pearsanta saor in aisce ag obair le briseadh síos sonrach a fháil ar chostas cúraim, agus tá sé le tuairisciú don Choiste Feidhmiúcháin faoi dheireadh mhí an Mheithimh 2002.

(AQW 3204/01)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr P Robinson): My Department’s Roads Service does not retain information of expenditure on road maintenance on a depot basis. The funds available for road maintenance are allocated to the 4 Roads Service Divisions who, in turn, apportion their budgets on the basis of need across district council areas. The attached table details the expenditure incurred by Road Service on a district council basis for road repairs and total road maintenance for the 2000/2001 financial year.

(AQW 3240/01)

Mr P Robinson: Under current policy agreed between my Department’s Roads Service and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board provides that tourist signs may be provided as follows:

• on motorways for attractions that draw more than 75,000 visitors per annum (up to a maximum of 20 miles from attractions);

• on primary routes (ie roads having green direction signs) for attractions that draw more than 20,000 visitors per annum up to a maximum of 20 miles from attractions;

• on nearest main roads (ie, A or B class roads) for attractions drawing less than 20,000 visitors per annum; and

• on nearest main roads (ie, A and B class roads) for tourist accommodation in rural areas (ie, on roads where the national speed limit applies) up to a maximum of 5 miles from the accommodation. Such signing is not permitted from motorways.

The current policy also provides that:

• where clear directions are given to destinations or areas by existing traffic signs, tourist signs to attractions are not necessary until the general destinations or areas are reached;

• tourist attractions and accommodation must be approved by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board; and

• signs to tourist accommodation in urban areas are not permitted.

As I indicated in my answer to your earlier Written Assembly Question a review of the policy on the provision of tourist signs is currently under way and is being led by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

(AQW 3323/01)

Mr P Robinson: Total income from metered water customers amounts to some £35 million per annum. Unfortunately, the existing IT system used for billing metered water customers does not enable this income to be broken down by the various categories of customer, and the information could only be obtained manually at disproportionate cost. However, the upgrading of the IT system, which is to be carried out next year, will enable such information to be provided.

The cost of collecting metered water receipts in the 2000/2001 financial year was just over £2.5 million.

(AQW 3326/01)

Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Water Service needs to make substantial investment across a wide range of infrastructure improvements. Protecting water quality in rivers and lakes is seen as a high priority to be met as soon as practical within available resources.

While my first priority remains the provision of highest standards of public health protection by upgrading Water Treatment Works, my Department is now also able to programme significant investment in Waste Water Treatment Works upgrading to meet higher standards of effluent discharges. Over the next five years expenditure totaling over £160 million has been programmed to upgrade 180 Waste Water Treatment Works across Northern Ireland.

In the longer term improvements to sewerage networks are also planned across all areas, particularly with regard to the retention and control of storm water which presently discharges to rivers during heavy rainfall. A major investment programme totaling £100 million between 2004 and 2009 is planned to improve storm water retention and management in Belfast. This will be followed by progressive sewerage networks improvements across all areas. Expenditure of up to £40 million per year is envisaged with resourcing commitment likely from 2008 onwards. The programme of sewerage networks upgrading is seen as a priority for advancement if additional funding can be secured.

(AQW 3334/01)

Mr P Robinson: Water Service proposes to construct a new Wastewater Treatment Works on the site of the existing Works at Ballyclare. Discussions with other statutory bodies on issues influencing the detailed design of the Works have taken longer than anticipated. An application for outline planning approval was submitted to Planning Service in February 2002, and initial work has commenced on the procurement procedures with the publication of a Notice in the EC Journal. Water Service will shortly be inviting applications for a Restricted List of contractors who will be invited to tender for the project later this year. Construction is now expected to commence in April 2003 and will take 18 months to complete at a cost of over £5 million. Improvements, costing some £1 million, will be made to the sewerage system in Ballyclare at the same time.

(AQW 3347/01)

Mr P Robinson: The cost of providing water to customers in the 2000/2001 financial year, on an accrual accounting basis, was £109 million. This figure excludes the cost of capital expenditure. The breakdown of these costs is as follows:

(AQW 3348/01)

Mr P Robinson: In recent years, my Department’s Roads Service has invested significant resources in the improvement of roads in the South Down area. Expenditure has, with the agreement of Down District Council, largely been concentrated on the improvement of main routes, particularly the A7 linking Downpatrick with Belfast, which was identified as a Link Corridor in my Department’s Regional Development Strategy. Investment has also extended to the introduction of a new ferry on the Strangford to Portaferry ferry service which provides an important link in the roads network of the area.

As you will be aware, Roads Service has been engaged in consultation as part of the ongoing preparation work on the 10-Year Forward Planning Schedule of major road schemes, which it is expected could be started within the 10-year period of the Department’s Regional Transportation Strategy. Until work on the Schedule is complete, I am unable to detail the potential schemes that are likely to be carried out in the South Down area. I hope, however, to be in a position to publish the Forward Planning Schedule later this year, following publication of the Regional Transportation Strategy.

(AQW 3403/01)

Mr P Robinson: A number of factors influence whether or not particular areas are prone to flooding arising from the sewerage system. These factors include the intensity and duration of rainfall, and the capacity, condition and operational effectiveness of the sewerage system. Water Service does not have a definitive list of all areas in Northern Ireland, which are prone to flooding. It is of course aware of those areas where flooding has occurred in the past. Many of the incidents of severe flooding were directly attributable to the lack of capacity in the sewerage infrastructure arising from the under-investment over many years.

Water Service is currently carrying out detailed studies on 105 drainage areas across Northern Ireland. These studies are examining the condition and effectiveness of the current sewerage systems, and will result in recommendations for upgrading the sewerage systems to meet future capacity and environmental requirements. These improvements will considerably reduce the risk of flooding from the sewerage system in future. The studies will be completed by 2004, and the total capital investment required for the upgrading work is expected to be in excess of £300 million. Given current funding levels, it is unlikely that the entire programme of improvements will be completed this decade. However the major upgrade of the Belfast sewerage system, costing some £100 million, is programmed to commence in late 2004.

Pending the commencement of this major programme of upgrading the sewerage systems, I was able to secure £5.5 million of Executive Programme Funds for investment over a three period in interim flood prevention schemes in particular areas which been subjected to repeated flooding in the past. To date, approximately £1.2 million has been invested on these interim measures, mainly in the Greater Belfast area. Work is presently ongoing or has been completed at more than 25 locations in the Greater Belfast area. These include Brentwood Park, Carrington Street, Southview Cottages, Cooldaragh Park and Kings Avenue in Belfast; Doagh Road in Newtownabbey; Marine Parade in Whitehead; Sunnylands and Ransyven Park in Carrickfergus; and Mountpleasant and Lenamore Park in Jordanstown. At Carrington Street a pumped relief overflow was provided last year at a cost of £286,000 and work at the River Terrace Pumping Station and Balfour Avenue should be completed by November 2002. Contractors are on site, or are about to commence work, in a number of other locations in Belfast including Cavendish Street, Oldpark Road, Divismore Park, Somerton Road, Premier Drive and Camberwell Terrace. In addition there are many other locations where remedial work is planned including Cambrai Street, Barnett’s Road and Woodland Grange in Belfast, and Joymount in Carrickfergus.

There are also a number of major schemes outside of the Greater Belfast area which are ongoing or have been completed. Expenditure on these schemes is additional to the Executive Programme Funds. Work in Ballycastle at Moyle Road, Fairhead View and Clare Road was completed in March 2002 at a cost of £505,000. A sewer study scheme is programmed to commence in Cookstown at a cost of £675,000. Flood alleviation schemes are planned for Aldergrove, at a cost of £115,000 and at Bushmills Road in Portrush, at an estimated cost of £105,000. Work at Moneygran Road, Kilrea, is due to commence in the summer of 2002, with further work scheduled in association with Roads Service. In the Southern and Western areas, £150,000 will be spent on flood relief schemes this year, and another 13 schemes have been identified for remedial works in the future at a cost of £450,000.

(AQW 3404/01)

Mr P Robinson: In April 2001, my predecessor, Gregory Campbell, announced changes to the Department’s metered water charging policy, which exempted certain classes of customers served by a supply pipe of 20 millimetres diameter or less from standing charges.

Some 16,400 farmers have benefited from this change in charging policy and no longer pay any charges for their metered water supply. This represents some 35% of all farmers who have a metered water supply.

(AQW 3405/01)

Mr P Robinson: The replacement of the sewer through Crawfordsburn Village was completed last December. The new sewer is operating satisfactorily. Several low lying properties in the village cannot be connected to the new sewer until a small pumping station is constructed. Negotiations for the acquisition of the proposed site for the pumping station are continuing.

In the interim, Water Service is continuing to use a tanker to remove the wastewater from these properties.

(AQW 3644/01)

Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service has invested some £370,000 in the Fermanagh District Council area over the past 5 years on traffic calming schemes at Maguiresbridge, Newtownbutler, Lisnaskea, Derrylin, Kesh and Derrygonnelly. A number of site specific traffic calming measures were provided as part of these schemes including, mini-roundabouts, central hatching, pedestrian refuges, speed cushions and gateway signs.

Only the traffic calming scheme for Kesh village, completed during the 1999/2000 year, incorporates speed cushions, which are located on the Crevenish Road. The total cost of this scheme was £101,000. The speed cushions element cost approximately £5,000.

Presently, there are no 20-mph zone gateways in the Fermanagh District Council area. However, in the current financial year, Roads Service plans to implement a 20-mph zone as one of the measures included in the proposed traffic calming scheme for the Derrin Road, Loughview Drive, and Corban Avenue area of Enniskillen. The public consultation on these proposed traffic calming measures is expected to commence by July of this year.

(AQW 3458/01)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): There are currently 135 vacant Housing Executive properties situated at ‘Peace Lines’. Of these 127 are in Belfast and 8 in Portadown.

(AQW 3467/01)

Mr Dodds: The published new build housing programme for the Borough is detailed in the table below. Housing associations currently have 15 new homes under construction and plan a further 57 over the 3-year period 2002/2003 to 2004/2005.

The annual review of the Housing Associations programme is due to take place in December. This will afford an opportunity to look afresh at the waiting list information and to reprioritise the new build programme as appropriate.

(AQW 3507/01)

Mr Dodds: In the last 3 months, the Housing Executive’s Grounds Maintenance Contractors have carried out the following work in the Carrickfergus area:

• The completion of cutting shrub beds throughout the Carrickfergus estates.

• Formal grass cutting, which started on 1 April 2002.

• Regular litter removal from grass areas, shrub beds, rough grass and the base of hedges.

• The application of pesticide to shrub beds.

• Tree removal and pruning.

• The cleaning of culverts and water-courses.

(AQW 3557/01)

Mr Dodds: All permanent staff in the Administrative Assistant grade who are assessed as being "fitted" or "exceptionally fitted" for promotion are eligible to apply for internal promotion to Administrative Officer. Candidates are assessed at a competence-based interview against four job-related criteria to demonstrate the ability or competence to be effective at the Administrative Officer grade. Length of service in the NICS is not a specific criterion used in internal promotions.

(AQW 3627/01)

Mr Dodds: This information is neither required by, nor available to, the Housing Executive, which operates the SPED scheme. Under the scheme, if the Chief Constable issues a certificate confirming that a threat or intimidation is real, this is sufficient for the Housing Executive to invoke the scheme, without the need for further background as to the actual incident concerned.

(AQW 3677/01)

Mr Dodds: I can confirm that officials in the Social Security Agency are undertaking an economic appraisal on how services could be delivered to pensioners in Northern Ireland following the introduction of State Pension Credits in October 2003. The appraisal, which is being taken forward in accordance with the guidance issued by the Department of Finance and Personnel has considered a number of suitable locations based West of the River Bann. Following advice from the Valuation and Lands Agency and Development Offices, and also taking into account of the need to have a site operational for advance claims to State Pensions Credit from April 2003, the agency initially visited 3 sites. There are a further 9 sites which are subject to detailed consideration and economic appraisal. As this has not yet been completed I am not in a position to confirm the details of locations which are being considered. No final decision on the precise location has yet been taken.

(AQW 3536/01)

(a) No information has been supplied to the Assembly Commission with regard to the use of Hippo bags as their use is not recommended in the type of low-flush cisterns installed in Parliament Buildings;

(b) As Hippo bags are not recommended for use in low-flush cisterns the question of water and financial savings does not arise.

(AQW 3537/01)

(a) No Hippo bags have been installed to date in Parliament Buildings.

(b) On the basis of advice from Water Service and Construction Service, Hippo bags should not be installed in cisterns in Parliament Buildings.