(AQW 3626/01)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Nesbitt): I have taken particular note of the success of the recently introduced levy on plastic carrier bags in persuading consumers in the Republic of Ireland to reduce significantly their use of plastic bags.

In the UK as a whole, around ten billion plastic bags are given away each year. That constitutes a significant source of landfill and an equally significant source of litter. Unfortunately, because taxation is an excepted matter, Northern Ireland does not have the necessary legal powers to allow the introduction of a levy here independently of the rest of the UK. I am aware that Michael Meacher at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has given notice that he intends to press for the introduction of a similar levy. I can confirm that it is my intention to support DEFRA in this, and to encourage the Welsh and Scottish Devolved Administrations to do likewise. In particular, I will raise the issue at meetings of the Environment Sector of the British-Irish Council.

In the meantime I have asked my officials to explore any options which might have an equivalent effect to the levy. They are engaging in discussions with the supermarket sector, to look at the possibility of developing a voluntary scheme to encourage consumers to reduce the current profligate use of plastic bags.

As the experience of the Republic of Ireland has shown, people are willing to act with greater environmental responsibility when given appropriate encouragement. I am hopeful that we can build constructively on the heightened public awareness of waste issues brought about by my Department’s recent ‘Wake up to Waste’ campaign.

(AQW 3466/01)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Dr Farren): [holding answer 22 May 2002]: The Rate Collection Agency is responsible for the administration of Housing Benefit for those ratepayers who own and occupy their own homes. The Agency has no responsibility for award of Housing Benefit in the public or private rented sectors and accordingly the information provided relates only to the owner-occupier sector.

The Agency records information on Housing Benefit awards by District Council Area. A schedule showing the number of households by District Council Area, those receiving Housing Benefit and those paying rates direct is attached at Appendix 1.

The number of households in Appendix 1 excludes properties owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and properties that are vacant. Rates are foregone on vacant property.

* Excludes Vacant Properties and Northern Ireland Housing Executive Properties.

(AQW 3538/01)

Dr Farren: The removal of the defence of reasonable chastisement was one of a number of options explored in the consultation document ‘Physical Punishment in the Home - Thinking about the Issues, Looking at the Evidence’. That document considered the human rights and equality context of the debate, including the issue of religious liberty. As work following the consultation moves forward, and taking into account the consultation responses received, I shall be further considering all the human rights and equality implications of the options presented, including the implications for the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion under Article 9 of the ECHR, in the light of relevant judicial consideration of its scope.

(AQW 3546/01)

Dr Farren: The Rate Collection Agency is responsible for the collection of rates in Northern Ireland.

Agency records list properties by broad description with one such description being ‘Hall’. There are 3600 halls listed but it is not possible to easily or comprehensively identify these as Orange Halls, Apprentice Boys Halls or Hibernian Halls.

Therefore, I regret that I am unable to supply the information as requested.

(AQW 3603/01)

Dr Farren: Relate NI and Accord are funded through the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Relate NI is a non-profitmaking, registered charity, which has been in existence for over fifty years. It provides a range of confidential services such as relationship counselling, family mediation and education and training, aimed at helping those experiencing relationship difficulties. The organisation was awarded a grant of £170,930 in 2000/01 and £175,200 in 2001/02 and in addition received a grant of £26,260 in 2001/02 to facilitate a premises assessment. The Department has made available core funding amounting to £179,580 in 2002/03.

Accord is an agency of the Catholic Church providing a nationwide service to couples preparing for or seeking a deeper commitment within the sacrament of marriage. The Department awarded Accord core funding of £68,132 in 2000/01 (plus £4,295 slippage) and £69,840 (plus £2,600 slippage) in 2001/02 and is making available a grant of £71,586 in 2002/03.

I am aware that there is much further potential for the use of family mediation services in Northern Ireland. I intend that the forthcoming Family Law Bill will contain specific provision for the courts to refer family proceedings for mediation, and the matter of encouraging further service provision is currently the subject of interdepartmental discussions.

(AQW 3609/01)

Dr Farren: I will continue to press the Secretary of State and his colleagues for early legislative action to amend these requirements, which the Government has acknowledged are out of date.

(AQW 3630/01)

Dr Farren: All LSPs are required to develop and agree Integrated Local Area Strategies to give a strategic context to their work. This process should ensure the development of activities that complement the work of District Councils and avoid duplication. The make up of the Local Strategy Partnerships (LSPs) also includes representatives from District Councils which together with working relationships between Councils and LSPs will avoid duplication. In addition, in the context of the delivery of Measures 3.1 and 3.2 of the PEACE Programme, they will address specific consequences of the conflict and its impact in each particular District.

(AQW 3631/01)

Dr Farren: Local Strategy Partnerships do not have a direct role in respect of the statutory functions of District Council. However, in developing a broader strategic and partnership approach, they may through their own activities complement and in this way help contribute to the wider delivery of services by local District Councils in terms of physical, economic and social regeneration in their District. It is also possible that District Councils could contract with or work in partnership with LSPs to deliver statutory services.

(AQW 3632/01)

Dr Farren: Local Strategy Partnerships (LSPs) will administer significant funds from the PEACE II Programme for the implementation of the two Programme Measures (3.1 and 3.2) for which they are responsible and for the production of Integrated Local Strategies to provide the strategic context for their work. The requirement that each LSP produce an Integrated Local Strategy is one mechanism that is intended to help them become more sustainable. This will ensure that their activities are closely linked to other statutory, private and voluntary sector activities in their areas. All LSPs are also being strongly encouraged to look beyond the implementation of the two PEACE Measures for which they are responsible to influence other PEACE II and mainstream funding decisions that relate to their area. The development of this wider role is crucial to their future sustainability. Another important feature is that each LSP has been agreed at a local level and this strong partnership approach will bring benefits that can easily be recognised and will attract future roles for them.

(AQW 3685/01)

Dr Farren: I announced in the Assembly on 27 May 2002 the launch of the Consultation Paper on the Review of Rating Policy. The consultation period ends on 16 September 2002 and the results will be analysed before any decisions are taken on the way forward including that on the future of Industrial Derating.

(AQW 3701/01)

Dr Farren: Information on the home and work location of NICS staff in the 11 Ministerial Departments, who are living and working in N. Ireland, as at 1 January 2002 is contained in the table on the following page.

(AQW 3702/01)

Dr Farren: The Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee (NIBRAC) last met on 15 October 2001.

Since that meeting, NIBRAC’s 3 year term of office has expired and officials are currently seeking to appoint a new committee. I expect to be in a position to appoint a reconstituted committee in the very near future. It is anticipated that the first meeting of the new committee will take place towards the end of June.

During the next 3 years the Department will be reviewing the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1979, the Building (Prescribed Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 and parts C, E, F and L of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 together with their supporting technical booklets. The views of NIBRAC will be sought at both consultation and final proposals stages in all cases.

Subsequently, the Department expects to carry out reviews of parts D, G and R of the regulations.

(AQW 3719/01)

Dr Farren: The numbers of deaths from heart disease (International Classification of Diseases, Version 9, codes 390-429), per 100,000 population for people aged 65-74, were 834, 802 and 716 in 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively.

(AQW 2685/01)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): The Business Support Unit role is to look at business needs to establish that the correct staffing numbers in terms of grading and loading are in place and to establish that the work being carried out is required to meet the business needs. It also ensures that the work is carried out in the most efficient and effective way to achieve value for money and this may identify any duplication of work and reduce bureaucracy.

Over the three year period the unit has made recommendations about the grading and loading of some 400 posts identifying where work was being carried out at too high and too low a grade. The recommendations also covered the need for additional posts and the need to increase or reduce workloads to ensure adequate job weight. Issues such as the need to cease doing work that was neither adding value nor necessary for the business and the rationalisation of work where different branches were doing similar tasks were also addressed.

The grades of posts reviewed over the last three years are as follows:

• Senior Civil Service – bands 1-9

• Administrative Assistant, Administrative Officer, Executive Officer 2 and 1,

• Staff Officer, Deputy Principal, Principal, Senior Principal

• Professional and Technical grades – Professional and Technical Officer (PTO), Higher PTO, Senior PTO, Principal PTO, Chief Clerk of Works, Clerk of Works 1 and 2, Technical Grade 1,

• Senior Pharmaceutical Officer, Pharmaceutical Officer

• Dental Officer

• Deputy Principal Accountant

• Personal Secretary

• Senior Personal Secretary

• Assistant Statistician

• Nurse Grade D

The Department does not, however, hold centrally a detailed analysis of the specific recommendations or the action which was taken.

Is é ról an Aonad Tacaíochta Gnó féachaint ar riachtanais ghnó chun a bhunú go bhfuil an líon ceart foirne ó thaobh grádála agus lódála socraithe agus a fháil amach go bhfuil gá leis an obair atáthar a dhéanamh chun freastal ar riachtanais ghnó. Cinntíonn sé freisin go bhfuil an obair á déanamh ar an mbealach is éifeachtaí agus is éifeachtúla chun luach an airgid a fháil agus d’fhéadfadh sé sin aon dúblú oibre a aithint agus maorlathas a laghdú.

Le linn na tréimhse trí bliana tá moltaí déanta ag an aonad faoi ghrádáil agus lódáil thart ar 400 post ag aithint obair a bheith á déanamh ag grád ró-ard nó ró-íseal. Chlúdaigh na moltaí freisin an gá atá le riachtanais bhreise agus an gá méadú nó laghdú a chur le hualach oibre le meáchan oibre leordhóthanach a aithint. Tugadh aghaidh ar cheisteanna freisin faoin ngá éirí as obair nach raibh ag cur luach breise ar fáil nó nár ghá don ghnó agus réasúnú oibre sa chás go raibh brainsí éagsúla ag déanamh tascanna cosúil le chéile.

Seo a leanas grádanna na bpost a athbhreithníodh le trí bliana anuas:

• An Státseirbhís Sinsearach - bandaí 1-9

• Cúntóir Riaracháin, Oifigeach Riaracháin, Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin 2 agus 1, Oifigeach Foirne, Leas- Cheannasaí, Ceannasaí, Ceannasaí Sinsearach.

• Grádanna Gairmiúla agus Teicniúla

• Oifigeach Gairmiúil agus Teicniúil (PTO), Ard Oifigeach Gairmiúil agus Teicniúil, Oifigeach Gairmeach agus Teicniúil Sinsearach, Príomhoifigeach Gairmiúil agus Teicniúil, Príomh-Chléireach Oibreacha, Cléireach Oibreacha 1 agus 2, Grád Teicniúil 1.

• Oifigeach Cógaisíochta Sinsearach, Oifigeach Cógaisíochta

• Oifigeach Déidliachta

• Leas-Phríomhchuntasóir

• Rúnaí Perasanta

• Rúnaí Pearsanta Sinsearach

• Staitisteoir Cúnta

• Altra Grád D

Níl anailís mhion faoi na moltaí sainiúla ná faoin ngíomh a tógadh ag an Roinn go lárnach, áfach.

(AQW 2879/01)

Ms de Brún: Losartan was first licensed for use in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) in 1994. It is available on prescription here in different strengths and in combination with another medicine. It is not licensed for the prevention of diabetic complications. However, it may be beneficial for certain patients who have both diabetes and hypertension. The choice of medicines used in the overall management of a diabetic patient, is a clinical one taking account of the needs of the individual patient and evidence of effectiveness.

In order to prevent or delay the risk of complications, which can arise from diabetes, it is essential that there is close control of both blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

Rinneadh ceadúnú ar dtús ar Losartan chun cóireáil a dhéanamh ar hipeartheannas (ardbhrú fola) in 1994. Bhí sé ar fáil ar oideas anseo i láidreachtaí áirithe agus i gcomhar le míochaine eile. Níl sé ceadúnaithe chun castachtaí diabiatais a chosc. D’fhéadfadh leas a bheith ann áfach do roinnt othar a mbíonn diabiatas agus hipeartheannas araon ag gabháil dóibh. Is rogha cliniciúil an rogha míochaine a mbaintear leas astu do bhainistíocht iomlán othair le diabiatas a thugann aird ar riachtanais aonair an othair agus ar fhianaise a n-éifeachta.

Chun riosca castachtaí a chosc nó a mhoilliú, cinn is féidir teacht as diabia teas tá sé riachtanach go gcoinnítear dianrialú ar leibhéil siúcra san fhuil agus ar bhrú fola.

(AQW 3247/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department’s Policy for the provision of Wheelchairs is:

"A person should be provided with a wheelchair if he or she is permanently disabled and requires the use of a wheelchair on a regular basis and is assessed by an occupational therapist as meeting agreed criteria".

The Eligibility Criteria for provision of particular wheelchairs are developed by the Commissioning Trusts and by the Regional Wheelchair Forum. Details have been placed in the Assembly Library.

Is é polasaí mo Roinne i dtaobh soláthar Cathaoireacha Rotha ná:

"Ba chóir cathaoir rotha a chur ar fáil do dhuine má tá sé nó sí míchumasach go buan agus úsáid cathaoir rotha de dhíth ar bhonn rialta agus go gcomhlíonann siad na critéir i ndiaidh do theiripeoir saothair measúnú a dhéanamh orthu."

Forbraíonn na hIontaobhais Choimisiúnaithe agus an Fóram Réigiúnach Cathaoireacha Rotha na Critéir Theidlíochta do chathaoireacha rotha ar leith. Cuireadh na sonraí i Leabharlann an Tionóil.

(AQW 3255/01)

Ms de Brún: Scoliosis surgery here is carried out at Greenpark Health Care Trust and the Royal Group of Hospitals Trust.

The average cost per patient for 2000/01 was £6093 at Greenpark and £7600 (paediatric) at the RVH.

In an effort to reduce waiting times for clinically urgent patients, arrangements have been made for a small number of patients to travel to another unit for surgery. The estimated cost per patient is £23,260.

Déantar máinliacht scolóise anseo in Iontaobhas Cúraim Sláinte Greenpark agus in Iontaobhas Ospidéal an Ghrúpa Ríoga.

Ba é an meánchostas i 2000/01 in aghaidh an othair ná £6093 i Greenpark agus £7600 (péidiatraic) i Otharlann Ríoga Victeoiria.

In iarracht chun amanna feithimh a laghdú d’othair faoi phráinn clinice tá socruithe déanta chun go mbeidh líon beag othar ábalta taisteal chuig aonad eile do mháinliacht. Is é an costas meastaithe in aghaidh an othair ná £23,260.

(AQW 3257/01)

Ms de Brún: When I announced my endorsement of the Ulster Hospital Strategic Development Plan (SDP) in July 2001, I also approved the business case for the reinstatement of 20 adult inpatient beds in Jaffe Ward. This was the first of 9 projects comprising Phase 2 of the SDP, to address critical capacity and continuity issues. The beds should be available by November 2002.

Also included in Phase 2 is a business case to create an additional 48 beds, 20 in Ward 12 and 28 in the Care of the Elderly Unit. My officials are working actively with the Trust and the Eastern Health and Social Services Board to conclude the business case process. I am hopeful that the Trust will be given approval to proceed with the project soon. That being the case the 20 additional beds in Ward 12 should be available by April 2004 and the 28 in the Care of the Elderly Unit by June 2005.

Nuair a d’fhógair mé formhuiniú Phlean Forbartha Straitéiseach Otharlann Uladh (PFS) mí Iúil 2001, cheadaigh mé cás gnó le haghaidh 20 leaba aosach othar cónaitheach a thabhairt ar ais chuig Barda Jaffe. Ba é seo an chéad tionscadal de 9 tionscadal ina raibh Céim 2 den PFS ann, mar atá tabhairt faoi ghéaracmhainn agus ceisteanna leanúnachais. Ba chóir go mbeadh na leapacha ar fáil faoi Shamhain 2002.

Áirítear chomh maith i gCéim 2 cás gnó chun 48 leaba bhreise a chruthú, 20 acu i mBarda 12 agus 28 agus Aonad Chúram na Sean. Tá mo chuid oifigeach ag obair go gníomhach leis an Iontaobhas agus le Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Iarthair leis an chás gnó a thabhairt i gcrích. Tá súil agam go dtabharfaí cead don Iontaobhas leanúint ar aghaidh leis an tionscadal gan mhoill. Más é sin mar atá ba chóir don 20 leaba bhreise i mBarda 12 bheith ar fáil faoi Aibreán 2004 agus 28 in Aonad Chúram na Sean faoi Mheitheamh 2005.

(AQW 3307/01)

Ms de Brún: The Department is not currently funding any research specifically into the effects of maternal alcohol consumption on the health of the foetus.

Níl an Roinn ag maoiniú sainthaighde ar bith faoi láthair ar thionchair ólachán alcóil na máthar ar shláinte an fhéateas.

(AQW 3330/01)

(a) The cost to the Southern Health and Social Services Board of laboratory services at South Tyrone Hospital for the three year period before it was transferred to Craigavon Area Hospital was:

• 1998/99 £414,906

• 1999/00 £373,971

• 2000/01 £342,106

(b) The cost of provision of laboratory services to the Southern Health and Social Services Board since the transfer to Craigavon Area Hospital in 2001/02 is £169,202.

(a) Is é an costas a bhí ar Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Deiscirt i leith seirbhísí saotharlainne ag Ospidéal Dheisceart Thír Eoghain don tréimhse trí bliana roimh an aistriú go hOspidéal Limistéar Craigavon ná:

• 1998/99 £414,906

• 1999/00 £373,971

• 2000/01 £342,106

(b) Is é costas na seirbhísí saotharlainne ar Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Deiscirt ó thráth an aistrithe go hOspidéal Limistéar Craigavon in 2001/02 ná £169,202.

(AQW 3341/01)

(a) The information requested is not available.

(b) The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) has delivered two major reports on food allergy to Government. A report on peanut allergy, published in 1988 and a major report on food intolerance & allergy was published in July 2000. The Food Standards Agency has published leaflets aimed at the catering sector to raise awareness of food allergy. The Agency has recently commissioned research to look at problems associated with foods sold loose at catering establishments. The Agency has research work in progress looking at the problems associated with the use of advisory labelling of nuts. Proposals to make important changes to the rules on food labelling are under discussion in the European Commission. The Food Standards Agency has been instrumental in bringing these proposals forward. The changes are aimed at ensuring all consumers are given comprehensive ingredient listing information, and people with food allergies are able to identify ingredients they may need to avoid.

(a) Ní an t-eolas a heiliodh ar fáil.

(b) Tá an Coiste ar Thocsaineacht Ceimicí i mBia, Tairgí Tomhaltóirí agus Comshaoil tar éis dhá thuairisc mhóra ar ailléirge bia a sheachadadh don rialtas. Foilsíodh tuairisc ar ailléirge pise talún i 1988 agus mórthuairisc ar choll bia agus ailléirge in Iúil 2000. Tá bileoga eolais foilsithe ag an nGníomhaireacht um Chaighdeáin Bia atá dírithe ar an earnáil lónadóireachta chun feasacht maidir le ailléirge bia a ardú. Tá taighde coimisinúnaithe ag an nGníomhaireacht le gairid chun féachaint ar fhadhbanna a bhaineann le bia a dhíoltar leo féin in ionaid chócaireachta. Tá obair thaighde ar siúl ag an nGníomhaireacht chun féachaint ar na fadhbanna a bhaineann le húsáid na lipéidí comhairleacha ar chnónna. Tá moltaí chun athruithe tábhachtacha a dhéanamh ar rialacha a bhaineann le lipéadú á bplé i gCoimisiún na hEorpa. Tá ról lárnach ag an nGníomhaireacht um Chaighdeáin Bia i dtabhairt chun cinn na moltaí seo. Tá na hathruithe dírithe ar a chinntiú go bhfuil eolas cuimsitheach ar liosta comhábhar ar fáil do gach tomhaltóir agus go mbeidh daoine le ailléirgí bia in ann comhábhair nach mór dóibh a sheachaint a aithint.

(AQW 3391/01)

Ms de Brún: I am not aware of any such inconsistencies. However the Food Standards Agency, which has responsibility for the preparation of food safety legislation, has also a key role in overseeing district council food law enforcement and has been instrumental in the introduction of measures intended to ensure high standards and consistency of application.

The Agency, with the co-operation of local authorities in Great Britain and here, has developed a framework agreement on Food Law Enforcement by which the Agency sets and monitors standards of enforcement by district councils as well as regularly auditing their performance.

Nílimse ar an eolas maidir le haon neamhréireachtaí den chineál sin. Tá ról tábhachtach ag an nGíomhaireacht Caighdeán Bia, a bhfuil sé de fhreagracht uirthi reachtaíocht sábháilteachta bia a ullmhú, maoirsiú a dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú dlí bia chomhairle ceantair, agus bhí páirt lárnach ag an nGníomhaireacht i mbearta a thabharit isteach chun ardchaighdeáin agus leanúnachas maidir le feidhmiúchán a chinntiú.

Trí chomhoibriú le húdaráis áitiúla sa Bhreatain Mhór agus anseo tá comhaontú creatoibre ar Fheidhmiú Dlí Bia forbraithe ag an nGníomhaireacht trína leagan an Ghníomhaireacht amach caighdeáin fheidhmithe na gcomhairlí ceantair agus a ndéanann sí monatóíreacht orthu chomh maith le hiniúchadh a dhéanamh ar a bhfeidhmíocht.

(AQW 3401/01)

(a) The following vacancy information is the most recent date available to the Department:

(b) Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts are responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient staff to provide the level of service to meet the assessed need of their populations. However, in order to address recruitment and retention issues throughout the HPSS, my Department is engaged in a workforce planning initiative that will produce detailed plans for each of the main health and personal social services groups. These plans will inform future decisions on student intake levels.

(a) Is é an t-eolas folúntais seo a leanas an dáta is déanaí atá ar fáil don Roinn:

(b) Tá Iontaobhais agus Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta freagrach as a chinntiú go mbíonn dóthain foirne ann chun an leibhéal seirbhíse a sholáthar chun freastal ar riachtanas measta na bpobal. Ionas gur féidir tabhairt faoi cheisteanna earcaíocta agus coimeádta ar fud an SSSP, áfach, tá mo Roinnse i mbun tionscnaimh phleanála fórsa saothair a chuirfidh pleananna mionsonraithe ar fáil do gach ceann de na príomhghrúpaí sláinte agus seirbhísí pearsanta sóisialta. Tabharfaidh na pleananna seo faisnéis ar chinní amach anseo ar leibhéil ionghabhála mac léinn.

(AQW 3439/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department made available a funding package of £250,000 in 2001/02 for projects aimed at reducing unplanned teenage pregnancy and supporting young parents. The Department is allocating £300,000 in this financial year towards implementing the "Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood" Strategy and Action Plan.

Chuir mo Roinn pacáiste airgid de £250,000 ar fáil i 2001/02 do thionscadail a bhfuil sé de chuspóir acu toircheas neamhphleanáilte i measc déagóirí a laghdú agus tacú le tuismitheoirí óga. Tá an Roinn ag dáileadh £300,000 sa bhliain airgeadais seo le Straitéis agus Plean Gníomhaíochta "Toircheas agus Tuismíocht Déagóra" a chur i bhfeidhm.

(AQW 3440/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department issued the Report of a Working Group on Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood entitled "Myths and Reality" for public consultation in November 2000. Following the consultation, a Working Group was established to consider the responses and develop the Strategy and Action Plan. The Group is currently finalising the document which is due to be published next month.

Chuir mo Roinn amach Tuairisc an Ghrúpa Oibre ar Thoircheas agus ar Thuismíocht Déagóra dar theideal "Miotais agus an Réalachas" le haghaidh comhairlithe phoiblí i Samhain 2000. I ndiaidh an chomhairlithe, bunaíodh Grúpa Oibre le machnamh a dhéanamh ar na freagraí agus leis an Straitéis agus an Phlean Gnímh a fhorbairt. Faoi láthair, tá an Grúpa ag cur na dlaoi mullaigh ar an cháipéis atá le foilsiú an mhí seo chugainn.

(AQW 3473/01)

Ms de Brún: Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Services Trust has advised that there are currently 75 places in Omagh Day Centre, 20 of which are in the Special Needs Unit. The Trust advises that there is currently one person waiting for a place in the Day Centre. An allocation of funds from the Western Health and Social Services Board to meet ‘in year’ pressures will be used to address this need.

My Department’s Priorities for Action 2002/03 requires Boards and Trusts to continue to expand the provision of day care and respite care places for people with a learning disability.

Some of the additional funding allocated to Health and Social Services Boards for the development of community services in 2002/03 will be available for this purpose.

Tá sé curtha in iúl ag Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sláinte Lakeland Sperrin go bhfuil faoi láthair 75 áit in Ionad Lae na hÓmaí, 20 acu ata san Aonad do Riachtanais Speisialta. Tá sé curtha in iúl ag an Iontaobhas go bhfuil, faoi láthair, duine amháin ag fanacht le háit san Ionad Lae. Bainfear leas as leithdháileadh cistí ón mBord Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sláinte an Iarthair chun freastal ar bhrúnna "laistigh den bhliain seo’ chun tabhairt faoin riachtanas seo.

Éilíonn Tosaíochtaí do Ghníomh 2002/03 mo Roinnse go leanfadh Boird agus Iontaobhais ag leathnú soláthar áiteanna cúraim lae agus cúraim faoisimh do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas foghlama.

Beidh roinnt den mhaoiniú breise a leithdháileadh do Bhoird Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sláinte d’fhorbhairt seirbhísí pobail i 2002/03 ar fáil dó seo.

(AQW 3530/01)

Ms de Brún: Health and Social Services Boards are charged with the responsibility of establishing the Management Boards of the new Local Health and Social Care Groups. Guidance issued by my Department on 12 February 2002 on the arrangements for selecting Management Board members for the new Groups stressed the need to appoint those best suited to the job. To this end, Boards were required to draw up a competency framework taking account of the Local Health and Social Care Group Management Board roles outlined in the guidance. In the nomination or selection of members for the Management Boards, a common job description and personnel specification was used. A competency-based series of questions were used at interviews to identify those candidates with the knowledge, skills and experience to successfully carry out the job.

Tá an fhreagracht ar Bhoird Seirbhísí Sóisialta Boird Bhainistíochta na nGrúpaí nua Sláinte Áitiúla agus Chúram Shóisialta a bhunú. Leag an treoir a d’eisigh mo Roinnse an 12 Feabhra 2002 béim ar na socruithe do roghnú comhaltaí do Bhord Bainistíochta do na Grúpaí nua chun iad is siúd is oiriúnaí don obair a cheapadh. Chuige sin éilíodh ar na Boird creat inniúlachta a tharraing aníos ag glacadh san áireamh rólanna Bhord Bainistíochta Ghrúpaí Sláinte Áitiúla agus Chúraim Shóisialta mar atá leagtha amach sa Treoir. Agus comhaltaí don Bhord Bainistíochta á roghnú nó á n-ainmniú baineadh leas as tuairisc poist nó sonraíocht phearsanra choitianta. Baineadh leas as sraith ceisteanna bunaithe ar inniúlacht ag agallamh chun teacht ar na hiarrthóirí sin leis an eolas, na scileanna agus an taithí le go n-éireodh leo an obair a dhéanamh.

(AQW 3547/01)

(a) This information is not available. Anti-TNF drug treatments such as Enbrel are not made available on request, but only after a full assessment of the patient’s condition by a consultant rheumatologist.

(b) The number of patients currently prescribed Enbrel and Remicade is 99.

(c) Rheumatologists here have had the opportunity to prescribe this treatment for appropriate patients since November 1999.

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.

(a) Níl an t-eolas seo ar fáil. Ní chuirtear cóireáil le drugaí fhrith-TNF amhail Enbrel ar fáil ar iarratas ach i ndiaidh do réamaiteolaí comhairleach measúnú iomlán a dhéanamh ar riocht an othair.

(b) 99 is ea líon na n-othar a dtugtar na hoidis Enbrel agus Remicade dóibh faoi láthair.

(c) Bhí an deis ag réamaiteolaithe anseo an chóireáil seo a shocrú d’othair chóra ó Shamhain 1999.

Tá an modh oibre a dhéantar anseo i dtaca le hordú na saindrugaí seo le daoine fásta a bhfuil airtríteas géar scoiltigh orthu agus le páistí a bhfuil airtríteas ideapaiteach don óige orthu a chóireáil, go ginearálta de réir na moltaí déanta ag an Institiúid Náisiúnta um Fheabhas Cliniciúil (NICE) ar na mallaibh. Cé gur aontaigh NICE le húsáid na ndrugaí seo laistigh de shainthreoirlínte soiléire, chuir sí béim ar an ghá le tuilleadh measúnuithe a dhéanamh lena dtionchar cliniciúil fadtéarmach a fháil amach.

Chríochnaigh tuairisc déanta ag réamaiteolaithe ar na mallaibh fosta cé gur cruthúnas iad na drugaí seo ar an dul chun cinn mór atá déanta i gcóireáil an tinnis seo, tá sé riachtanach gur cheart a n-úsáid a stiúradh go dian agus monatóireacht dhian a dhéanamh orthu go fóill, go háirithe agus ag cuimhneamh ar na seachthorthaí dochracha féideartha. Tá mo Roinn ag obair go fóill le Boird agus le dochtúirí chun modh cúramach oibre dá dtionscnamh a chur chun cinn, laistigh de na hacmhainní ar fáil.