(AQW 3561/01)

Ms de Brún: The Reinvestment and Reform Initiative represents a significant and much-needed opportunity to increase our capital budget. As a result of years of underinvestment, the HPSS has a large backlog of essential maintenance and refurbishment work, together with a need to construct new facilities and procure modern equipment for twenty-first century standards of treatment and care. In my initial bid for RRI money, I am including both types of work. Among the new facilities for which I shall be seeking funding will be the Cancer Centre.

Tugann an Tionscnamh Athinfheistíochta agus Athchóirithe deis shuntasach a bhfuil géarghá léi lenár mbúiséad caipitil a mhéadú. Mar thoradh ar na blianta easpa infheistíochta, tá riaráiste mór d’obair éigeantach chothabhála agus dheisiúcháin ann, chomh maith leis an ghá le háiseanna nua a thógáil agus trealamh nua-aimseartha a fhóireann do chaighdeáin chóireála agus chúraim an aonú haois fichid a fháil. Iniata le m’iarratas d’airgead TTA, tá mé ag cur an dá cineál oibre san áireamh. Beidh an tAonad Ailse i measc na n-áiseanna nua a mbeidh mé ag cuardach maoinithe dó.

(AQW 3577/01)

Ms de Brún: During the month of March 2002, the total number of invoices remaining unpaid to suppliers to the Royal Victoria Hospital were as follows:

(i) 30 days after receipt – 4018 (or 42.6% of invoices)

(ii) 45 days after receipt – 2127 (or 22.6% of invoices)

(iii) 60 days after receipt – 1347 (or 14.3% of invoices)

The majority of purchases by the Royal Group of Hospitals are made under standard contracts, which affirm the Trust’s obligation to pay suppliers at the end of the month following the month in which the invoice is received or the goods are delivered, whichever is the later. Under these standard terms, payment to suppliers will be due anywhere between 30 and 61 days.

The Department monitors the performance of all Trusts in relation to prompt payments on a monthly basis and has raised the prompt payment performance of the Royal Group of Hospitals with its senior management. Improvements have been achieved in the last year but further improvements are necessary and the Department will be monitoring this in the course of 2002/03.

I rith mhí an Mhárta 2002, seo a leanas méid na sonrasc nár íocadh go fóill do sholáthraithe Otharlann Ríoga Victeoiria:

Tá bunús na n-earraí ceannaithe ag Grúpa Ríoga na nOtharlann ceannaithe faoi ghnáthchonarthaí, a dheimhníonn dualgas an Iontaobhais na soláthraithe a íoc ag deireadh na míosa i ndiaidh na míosa ina bhfaightear an sonrasc nó ina seachadtar na hearraí, cibé ceann is moille. De réir na ngnáth-théarmaí seo, íocfar soláthraithe ag am ar bith idir 30 agus 61 lá.

Déanann an Roinn monatóireacht ar fheidhmiú na nIontaobhas go léir i dtaca le híocaíochtaí láithreacha in aghaidh na míosa agus chuir sí feidhmiú Ghrúpa Ríoga na nOtharlann le híocaíochtaí láithreacha a dhéanamh i dtreis lena bhainistíocht shinsearach. Baineadh amach feabhsuithe sa bhliain seo a chuaigh thart ach tá tuilleadh feabhsuithe de dhíth go fóill agus beidh an Roinn ag déanamh monatóireachta orthu seo i rith 2002/03.

(AQW 3583/01)

Ms de Brún: The flagpole was removed due to deterioration and damage in an act of vandalism. I understand it will be replaced as soon as possible.

Baineadh an crann brataí ar shiúl mar thoradh ar mheath agus ar dhamáiste de dheasca gníomh loitiméireachta. De réir mar a thuigim déanfaidh é a athsholáthar a luaithe is féidir.

(AQW 3587/01)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 3520/01.

Treoraím an Ball do mo fhreagra a thug mé ar AQW 3520/01.

(AQW 3598/01)

Ms de Brún: The main initiative taken to help strengthen family life since the establishment of the institutions has been the introduction of the Sure Start programme. Sure Start recognises the importance of children and families and aims to strengthen families by encouraging early bonding between parents and their children. One of the core services to be provided under any Sure Start project is "support for families and parents."

The Sure Start programme aims to help parents develop more confidence in their own abilities and respond to their children more positively. By learning better parenting skills, parents can help to improve their child’s health and educational attainment, as well as their own confidence and self-esteem.

Is é an príomhghníomh a rinneadh le saol teaghlaigh a neartú ó bunaíodh na hinstitiúidí ná tionscnamh na scéime Sure Start. Aithníonn Sure Start tábhacht pháistí agus teaghlach agus tá sí d’aidhm aici páistí agus teaghlaigh a neartú trí cheangal luath idir tuismitheoirí agus a bpáistí a spreagadh. Is í ceann de na croísheirbhísí atá le soláthar faoi scéim Sure Start ar bith "tacaíocht do theaghlaigh agus do thuismitheoirí".

Tá sí d’aidhm ag an scéim Sure Start cuidiú le tuismitheoirí níos mó muiníne a bheith acu ina gcumais féin agus freagairt níos dearfaí dá bpáistí. Trí níos fearr scileanna tuismíochta a fhoghlaim, is féidir le tuismitheoirí sláinte agus éachtaí oideachais a bpáiste a fheabhsú, agus a bhféinmhuinín agus a bhféinmheas a fheabhsú chomh maith.

(AQW 3599/01)

Ms de Brún: The Executive has never specifically addressed the work of this group.

Ní dheachaigh Coiste an Fheidhmiúcháin i ngleic le hobair an ghrúpa seo ar bhonn leithleach riamh.

(AQW 3604/01)

Ms de Brún: My Ministerial counterpart in Wales has not extended help with prescription charges in the manner that you have suggested, and I understand there are no plans to do so. However, the National Assembly for Wales decided in April 2001 not to increase their prescription charges, but to hold them at £6 for a period of 3 years, and also to extend exemption to all persons under the age of 25. I do not intend to extend Health Service prescription charge exemptions here in such a way. Almost 90% of all Health Service prescription items are dispensed free of charge here. Also, patients who need regular medication can make considerable savings by purchasing a pre-payment certificate to obtain as many prescription items as necessary for a set fee.

Níor thionscain mo chomhghleacaí Aireachta sa Bhreatain Bheag cuidiú le táillí oidis a íoc sa dóigh ar mhaigh tú, agus tuigim nach bhfuil sé beartaithe sin a dhéanamh. Chinn Tionól Náisiúnta na Breataine in Aibreán 2001, áfach, gan a dtáillí oidis a mhéadú, ach iad a choinneáil ar £6 ar feadh tréimhse 3 bliain, agus gach uile dhuine faoi 25 bliain d’aois a shaoradh uathu chomh maith. Níl sé ar intinn agam díolúintí ó tháillí oideas na Seirbhíse Sláinte a thionscnamh anseo ar a leithéid de dhóigh. Tugtar amach beagnach agus 90% d’oidis na Seirbhíse Sláinte saor in aisce anseo. Is féidir le hothair a bhfuil cógas rialta de dhíth orthu cuid mhór airgid a choigilt fosta trí theastas réamhíocaíochta a cheannach a ligfidh dóibh a mhéad oideas a bheidh de dhíth orthu a cheannach ar tháille shocraithe.

(AQW 3605/01)

Ms de Brún: The Redeployment Unit is not operated by the Department, but by the Central Services Agency. It provides a mechanism whereby staff who may potentially be made redundant due to the ending of GP fundholding may register their details with a view to re-employment in the Health and Personal Social Services. I understand that to date 6 staff previously employed within GP fundholding have taken up new positions within the HPSS, as a result of registering with the Redeployment Unit.

Níl An tAonad Athlonnaithe faoi stiúir na Roinne, ach faoin Lárghníomhaireacht Seirbhísí. Cuireann sé meicníocht ar fáil sa dóigh go dtig le hoibrithe, ar féidir go ndéanfar iomarcach iad mar thoradh ar dheireadh curtha le cisteshealbhú GDanna, a sonraí a chlárú le haghaidh athfhostaithe sna Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsanta. De réir mar a thuigim, go nuige seo ghlac 6 oibrí a d’oibrigh laistigh de chisteshealbhú GDanna le poist nua laistigh den SSSP, mar thoradh ar chlárú leis an Aonad Athlonnaithe.

(AQW 3610/01)

Ms de Brún: The broad range of symptoms and disabilities associated with this condition means that to address sufferers’ needs, care must be determined on an individual basis. Close co-operation between patients, carers and the relevant health and social care professionals is therefore essential for ensuring that sufferers obtain the most suitable treatment for their needs.

Is é is ciall leis an an réimse leathan airíonna agus míchumas bainteach leis an riocht seo nach mór cúram a shocrú de réir an duine aonair le freastal ar riachtanais an fhulangaithe. Mar sin de, tá comhoibriú dlúth idir othair, feighlithe agus na gairmithe cuí sláinte agus cúraim shóisialta riachtanach le cinntiú go bhfaighidh fulangaithe an chóireáil is fóirsteanaí dá gcuid riachtanas.

(AQW 3612/01)

Ms de Brún: I recognise that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME is an illness which can vary across a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities, and acknowledge the difficulties faced by clinicians and patients alike as a result of the lack of specific disease markers and a clear understanding of the cause and disease process.

Close co-operation between patients, carers and the relevant health and social care professionals is therefore essential for ensuring that sufferers obtain the most suitable treatment for their needs.

Aithním gur féidir le hairíonna agus le míchumais éagsúla bheith bainteach leis an tinneas Siondróm Ainsealach Tuirse/ME, agus aithním na deacrachtaí atá ag dochtúirí agus ag othair araon de dheasca na heaspa sainairíonna ar leith bainteach leis an ghalar agus an easpa tuisceana soiléire ar chúis agus ar phróiseas an ghalair.

Mar sin de, tá comhoibriú dlúth idir othair, feighlithe, agus na gairmithe cuí sláinte agus cúraim shóisialta riachtanach le cinntiú go bhfaighidh fulangaithe an chóireáil is fóirsteanaí dá gcuid riachtanas.

(AQW 3613/01)

Ms de Brún: There has been a general increase in demand over recent years for orthopaedic services, and waiting lists have grown as a result. A number of measures are being taken to deal with this increase in demand, including increasing the number of orthopaedic surgeons in training and purchasing operations in Scotland.

My Department, in liaison with Boards and Trusts, is also exploring options for increasing theatre capacity for orthopaedic surgery, and for ensuring that existing facilities are used to maximum efficiency.

Le blianta beaga anuas bhí meadú ginearálta éilimh ar sheirbhísí ortaipéideacha, agus d’fhás liostaí feithimh dá bharr seo. Táthar ag cur i bhfeidhm roinnt beart le dul i ngleic leis an mheadú ar an éileamh seo, ina measc táthar ag cur le líon na máinlianna ortaipéideacha i dtraenáil agus obráidí a cheannach in Albain.

Tá an Roinn s’agam, i gcomhar le Boird agus le hIontaobhais, ag fiosrú roghanna le hacmhainn obrádlainne don mháinliacht ortaipéideach a mheadú, agus le cinntiú go mbaintear éifeachtúlacht is mó as na háiseanna atá ann cheana.

(AQW 3641/01)

(a) All Trusts have a duty to ensure that high standards of cleanliness in hospitals are being met and maintained. As levels of cleanliness vary between hospitals, my Department is currently working with the service to develop a common set of standards to which all Trusts will have to adhere.

(b) Regular inspections on the standards of hospital cleanliness are carried out by Trusts.

(a) Tá dualgas ar gach Iontaobhas le cinnitú go mbíonn glaineacht d’ardchaighdeán bainteach amach in otharlanna agus go gcoinnítear sin. Toisc go mbíonn éagsúlacht de ghlaineacht ann idir otharlanna, tá an Roinn s’agam ag obair leis an tseirbhís chun caighdeáin choitianta a fhorbairt nach mór do gach Iontaobhas cloí leo.

(b) Déanann Iontaobhais cigireacht rialta ar chaighdeáin ghlaineacht otharlainne.

(AQW 3655/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(AQW 3676/01)

Ms de Brún: Details of the goods and services for which Navigator Blue issued credit notes are shown below. The majority of the credit notes were issued by Navigator Blue due to amounts paid for Fire Safety advertising being subsequently reduced by receipt of sponsorship funding and V.A.T. adjustments.

(AQW 3680/01)

Ms de Brún: In order to reduce waiting times and improve access to services, cataract surgery is now provided at Lagan Valley Hospital and at South Tyrone Hospital, augmenting the service at the Royal Group, Altnagelvin and Mater Hospitals.

Following a regional review of ophthalmology services, a group of professionals in the field has been working with my Department to develop proposals for the future of these services. I expect to receive their report shortly and I will then consider what action should be taken to improve services.

Le hagaí feithimh a laghdú agus leis an rochtain ar sheirbhísí a fheabhsú, soláthraítear máinliacht fhinn anois in Otharlann Ghleann an Lagáin agus in Otharlann Thír Eoghain Theas, mar sin de, ag cur leis an tseirbhís in Otharlanna an Ghrúpa Ríoga, Alt na nGealbhan agus an Mater.

I ndiaidh athbhreithnithe réigiúnaigh ar sheirbhísí oftailmeolaíochta, bhí dream gairmithe a oibríonn sa réimse seo ag obair le mo Roinn chun moltaí ar thodhchaí na seirbhísí seo a fhorbairt. Tá mé ag súil lena dtuairisc a fháil ar ball agus ansin déanfaidh mé machnamh ar an bheart a ba chóir a dhéanamh le seirbhísí a fheabhsú.

(AQW 3741/01)

(a) This information is not available.

(b) At present there is no psychologist dedicated to the diabetes care team in this area. The Western Health and Social Services Board are currently examining their priority developments for 2002/03 and hope to be able to develop dedicated clinical psychology input for diabetes care. However, this is dependent on the finalisation of an investment plan and the availability of funding.

(a) Níl an t-eolas seo ar fáil.

(b) Faoi láthair, níl síceolaí ar bith ann tiomnaithe don fhoireann cúraim diaibéitis sa réimse seo. Tá Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Iarthair ag scrúdú a bpríomhfhorbairtí don bhliain 2002/03 faoi láthair agus tá súil acu go mbeidh siad ábalta ionchur síceolaíochta cliniciúla tiomnaithe do chúram diaibéitis a fheabhsú. Braithfidh sé seo, áfach, ar thabhairt chun críche plean infheistíochta agus ar infhaighteacht maoinithe.