(AQW 1794/01)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): My policy is to ensure an expansion of intensive care and high dependency provision in line with the review of those services by the Chief Medical Officer in February 2000.

Is é an polasaí atá agam ná leathnú soláthar dianchúraim agus ardspleáchais ag teacht le hathbhreithniú ar na seirbhísí sin ag an Phríomh-Oifigeach Míochaine i Mí Feabhra 2000.

(AQW 3528/01)

(a) The Report of the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics concerning the morning-after pill (MAP) has been considered by the appropriate professional advisers in my Department. The new progestogen only product (brand name Levonelle 2 containing levonorgestral 0.75mg) was authorised in November 1999 following advice from the independent expert scientific advisory body, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) who were satisfied as to the quality, safety and efficacy of the product for the intended purpose. Substantial evidence reviewed by the CSM included 2 World Health Organisation (WHO) sponsored pivotal studies. One study involving approximately 2000 women in 14 countries has been published in the Lancet (1998). The other published in Human Reproduction (1993) involved 880 women. CSM has also considered evidence from a study of the effects of self-administering emergency contraception (New England Journal of Medicine, 1998). None of this important research is referred to in the report from the Scottish Council on Bioethics.

There is considerable experience of worldwide use of levonorgestral. It has been available here and in Great Britain in other contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy products for 30 years, although only recently for emergency hormonal contraception (EHC). It has been used for emergency contraception in other parts of the world since the 1980s and between 9 and 23 million women have taken it. No major safety issues have emerged to date. The Medicines Control Agency continues to monitor the safety of the MAP and will review any potential safety issues in the light of any new evidence which may emerge.

(b) As regards guidelines on the use of the MAP, every GP here has received copies of very detailed advice on the MAP from a unit at Queen’s University, Belfast, which is funded by my Department. In addition detailed advice is also available both to Health Professionals and patients, on the website of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care. Patients also receive detailed notes on the use of the MAP with each supply.

(a) Rinne na comhairleoirí gairmiúla cuí sa Roinn s’agam machnamh ar an Tuairisc de chuid Chomhairle na hAlban ar Bhitheitic Dhaonna maidir leis an phiolla an mhaidin dar gcionn (MAP). Ceadaíodh an tairge nua ina raibh prógaistigin amháin (Levonelle an t-ainm branda ina bhfuil 0.75mg de levonorgestral ann) i Samhain 1999 i ndiaidh comhairle ón shainchomhlacht neamhspleách comhairleach eolaíochta, an Coiste ar Shábháilteacht Chógas (CSM) a bhí sásta faoi cháilíocht, shábháilteacht agus faoi éifeachtúlacht an tairge úsáidte don chuspóir a bhfuiltear ag súil leis. I measc na fianaise suntasaí a d’athbhreithnigh an CSM bhí 2 staidéar lárnach urraithe ag an Eagraíocht Dhomhanda Sláinte (WHO). Foilsíodh staidéar amháin in The Lancet (1998) a raibh thart ar 2000 bean páirteach ann i 14 tír. Bhí 880 bean sa cheann eile foilsithe in Human Reproduction (1993). Rinne CSM machnamh ar fhianaise ó staidéar ar iarmhairtí frithghiniúna práinní a thug na mná dóibh féin (New England Journal of Medicine, 1998). Ní dhéantar tagairt do chuid ar bith den taighde tábhachtach seo sa tuairisc ó Chomhairle na hAlban ar Bhitheitic.

Tá taithí fhairsing ann ar úsáid dhomhanda levonorgestral. Tá sé ar fáil anseo agus sa Bhreatain Mhór i dtairgí frithghiniúna agus teiripe athsholáthar hormón le 30 bliain anuas, cé nár úsáideadh é d’fhrithghiniúint hórmóin phráinneach ach le gairid (EHC). Úsáideadh é le haghaidh frithghiniúna práinní in áiteanna eile sa domhan ó bhí na 1980í ann agus ghlac idir 9 agus 23 milliún bean é. Níor tháinig mórcheisteanna sábháilteachta chun solais go nuige seo. Leanann an Ghníomhaireacht Rialaithe Cógas léi ag monatóireacht sábháilteacht MAP agus déanfar athbhreithniú ar cheisteanna féideartha sábháilteachta ag brath ar fhianaise nua a thiocfadh chun solais.

(b) Maidir le treoirlínte ar úsáid MAP fuair gach DG anseo cóipeanna de chomhairle iontach mion ar an MAP ó aonad ag Ollscoil na Banríona, Béal Feirste, a mhaoiníonn an Roinn s’agam. Ar a bharr tá comhairle mhion ar fáil do Ghairmithe Sláinte agus othair araon, ar líonláithreán an Choláiste Ríoga Lianna Ban agus Cnáimhseoirí, Dámh Pleanáil Chlainne agus Cúram Sláinte Atairgí. Faigheann othair mion-nótaí ar úsáid an MAP le gach soláthar cógais.

(AQW 3633/01)

Ms de Brún: It would not be practical to attempt to amend the Mental Health legislation on this issue alone. My Department has initiated a Review of Mental Health Policy and Legislation, which will include a review of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 in its entirety. All relevant issues, including access to patients’ records, will be considered during that review, and any proposals to amend the legislation will be subject to consultation.

Ní bheadh sé praiticiúil iarracht a dhéanamh an reachtaíocht ar Mheabhairshláinte a leasú faoin ábhar seo amháin. Tá tús curtha ag mo Roinn le hAthbhreithiú ar Pholasaí agus Reachtaíocht Mheabhairshláinte, a chuirfidh athbhreithniú ar an Ordú um Mheabhairshláinte (Tuaisceart Éireann)1986 ina iomláine san áireamh . Déanfar measúnú i rith an athbhreithnithe sin ar gach saincheist ábharthach, lena n-áirítear rochtain ar thaifid na n-othar, agus beidh aon mholadh maidir leis an reachtaíocht a leasú faoi réir ag comhchomhairle.

(AQW 3656/01)

Ms de Brún: It is not possible to specify the financial allocation for such programmes. Funding for services for people with acquired brain injury is provided within the Physical/Sensory Programme of Care, which in 2000/2001 amounted to £48.9m.

Ní féidir an dáileadh airgid a léiriú dá leithéid de chláir. Soláthraítear maoiniú do sheirbhísí daoine a bhfuil lot inchinne faighte acu laistigh den Chlár Cúraim Fhisicigh/Chéadfaigh a raibh £48.9m san iomlán ann sa bhliain 2000/2001.

(AQW 3736/01)

Ms de Brún: There is no set ratio for the number of bowel cancer consultants per head of population.

Níl cóimheas socruithe do lianna comhairleacha ailse inne de réir líon an daonra.

(AQW 3762/01)

Ms de Brún: "Priorities for Action 2002/03" issued in April this year, requires Boards and Trusts to ensure that 75% of people receive hospital treatment within three months and that 90% receive treatment within one year. I am advised that the Western Health and Social Services Boards’ targets relating to waiting lists for ear, nose and throat operations in West Tyrone are broadly in line with this requirement.

Éilíonn "Tosaíochtaí le hAghaidh Gnímh 2002/03" eisithe in Aibreán na bliana seo, ar Bhoird agus ar Iontaobhais le cinntiú go bhfaigheann 75% de dhaoine cóireáil otharlainne laistigh de thrí mhí agus go bhfaigheann 90% de dhaoine cóireáil laistigh de bhliain amháin. Cuireadh in iúl dom go bhfuil spriocanna Bhord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Iarthair, i dtaca le liostaí feithimh d’obráidí cluaise, sróine agus scornaí, leagtha amach go ginearálta de réir an choinníll seo.

(AQW 3784/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(AQW 3815/01)

Ms de Brún: In the twelve-month period to 31 March 2002 the fire stations at Newtownards, Comber and Donaghadee have been backed up due to staffing shortages

Sa tréimhse dhá mhí déag go dtí 31 Márta 2002 tugadh tacaíocht do na stáisiúin dóiteáin i mBaile Nua na hArda, sa Chomar agus i nDomhnach Daoi de dheasca na heaspa oibrithe.

(AQW 3828/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department’s New TSN Action Plan for the period April 2001-March 2003 sets out some sixty targets and actions designed to improve health and health care for the benefit of the most disadvantaged people, groups and areas. These include:

• the development of a public health strategy "Investing for Health";

• launching an "Investing for Healthier Communities" grants programme and taking forward actions which focus on tackling health inequalities in identified areas of need through the work of the four Health action Zones;

• maximising the use of New Opportunities Fund for out of school childcare in areas of social need;

• providing 17 additional residential care places for children in three new homes;

• addressing the health and social well-being needs of Travellers through a community led health care programme ;

• the implementation of 15 Sure Start first round projects aimed at families with young children in disadvantaged areas;

• making available an additional £1.8 million from April 2001 for the creation of a small number of projects for pre-school children in areas of high deprivation not covered by the first round Sure Start programme.

• implementing the Drug and Alcohol Regional and Local Action Plans which target marginalized groups such as young vulnerable people, those in prison or juvenile justice centres, and parents and families of problem drug and alcohol users.

A key action in improving health care services to those in need is the implementation of systems to ensure more equitable distribution of resources to HSS Boards and guidelines to assist HSS Boards in the allocation of resources to HSS Trusts in their area.

Leagann amach Plean Gníomhaíochta ARS Nua mo Roinne seasca sprioc agus gníomh don tréimhse Aibreán 2001- Márta 2003, leagtha amach le sláinte agus le cúram sláinte a fheabhsú ar mhaithe le daoine, grúpaí agus le ceantair is mó faoi mhíbhuntáistí. Ina measc tá:

• straitéis sláinte poiblí "Infheistíocht sa tSláinte" a fhorbairt;

• clár deontas "Infheistíocht le hAghaidh Phobail níos Sláintiúla" a lainseáil agus beart a chur chun cinn a thabharfaidh go príomha faoi éagothromaíochtaí sláinte i gceantair aitheanta faoi mhíbhuntáistí trí obair na gceithre Chrios Gnímh ar Shláinte;

• úsáid an Chiste Nuadheiseanna a íosmhéadú do chúram páistí taobh amuigh den scoil i gceantair faoi mhíbhuntáistí sóisialta;

• 17 áit bhreise cúraim chónaithe do pháistí a sholáthar i dtrí theach nua;

• tabhairt faoi riachtanais shláinte agus leasa shóisialta an Lucht Taistil trí chlár cúram sláinte pobalbhunaithe;

• 15 scéim chéad bhabhta Sure Start a chur i bhfeidhm dírithe ar theaghlaigh le páistí óga a chónaíonn i gceantair faoi mhíbhuntáistí;

• £1.8 milliún breise a chur ar fáil ó Aibreán 2001 le líon beag scéimeanna a chruthú do pháistí réamhscoile i gceantair a bhfuil anás ard ann nach bhfuil clúdaithe i gclár chéad bhabhta Sure Start.

• Pleananna Réigiúnacha agus Áitiúla Gníomhaíochta a chur i bhfeidhm ar Dhrugaí agus ar Alcól a dhíreoidh ar dhreamanna imeallaithe amhail daoine óga soghonta, iad siúd i bpriosún nó in ionaid cirt agus dlí do na haosánaigh, agus tuismitheoirí agus teaghlaigh úsáideoirí drugaí agus alcóil a bhfuil fadhbanna acu.

Eochairbheart i bhfeabhsú seirbhísí cúraim sláinte dóibh siúd ar an anás is ea cur i bhfeidhm córas le cinntiú go ndáilfear acmhainní ar bhonn níos cothroime ar Bhoird SSS agus go mbeidh treoirlínte ann chun cuidiú le Boird SSS na hacmhainní a dháileadh ar Iontaobhais SSS ina gceantar.

(AQW 3829/01)

Ms de Brún: Around 475 nurses should complete their training in August this year and most have attended a Job Fair held at Queen’s University on 1^st May at which 16 Trusts were represented. In addition, 71 nurses are currently engaged in Return to Professional Practice Training and further courses are being arranged later this year to deal with waiting lists for places.

Ba chóir go gcríochnódh 475 altra a n-oiliúnt i Mí Lúnasa na bliana seo agus d’fhreastal an chuid is mó acu ar Aonach Poist ag Ollscoil na Banríona ar 1 Bealtaine ar a raibh 16 Iontaobhas ionadaithe. Ina theannta sin, tá 71 altra ar Fhilleadh ar an Chleachtas Gairmiúil agus tá cúrsaí breise le socrú níos moille sa bhliain seo le dul i ngleic le liostaí feithimh d’áiteanna.

(AQW 3830/01)

Ms de Brún: Epilepsy is a condition stemming from a variety of causes, which is treated within a number of different hospital specialties and in primary care by a range of health professionals. It is therefore not possible to specify the amount of funding used to deal with this condition, nor would it be possible to ring-fence resources for it.

Níl an t-eolas a iarradh ar fail. Is amhlaidh seo go príomha toisc gur riocht é an titimeas, a eascraíonn ó roinnt fáthanna, a gcuirtear cóir leighis air laistigh de speisialtachtaí in otharlanna éagsúla agus i bpríomhchúram ag réimse gairmithe sláinte. Toisc gur amhlaidh sin, d’fheicfinn deacrachtaí móra, gan aon bhuntáiste sóiléir, le hiarrachtaí a dhéanamh chun airgead a chur ar leataobh ar a shon sin.

(AQW 3831/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(AQW 3840/01)

Ms de Brún: For the year ended 31 March 2002, crews at the Fire Stations in Newtownards, Comber, Donaghadee, Ballywalter and Portaferry failed to turn out to incidents due to staff shortages and turned out with crewing levels below those specified by the Fire Authority as shown in the following table:

(AQW 3841/01)

Ms de Brún: During week commencing 27 May 2002 a countrywide advertising campaign began to attract potential recruits into the retained fire-fighter ranks. This recruitment drive will continue until adequate staffing levels are attained. The areas being particularly targeted include Newtownards, Comber, Donaghadee and Ballywalter.

Portaferry is not being targeted, as the current staffing levels there are satisfactory.

Le linn na seachtaine a thosaigh ar 27 Bealtaine 2002, thosaigh feachtas fógraíochta fud fad na tíre ag mealladh earcach ionchasach mar ghnáthchomhraiceoirí dóiteáin coinneáilte. Leanfaidh an feachtas earcaíochta seo go mbainfear amach an líon sásúil oibrithe. I measc na gceantar áirithe ar ar dhírigh sé bhí Baile Nua na hArda, An Comar, Domhnach Daoi agus Baile Bháltair.

Níltear ag díriú ar Phort an Phéire, mar go bhfuil líon na n-oibrithe ansin sásúil faoi láthair.

(AQW 3842/01)

Ms de Brún: The required staffing levels (establishment) and current availability for the fire stations listed is as follows: -

Seo a leanas líon na n-oibrithe atá de dhíth (gnáthoibrithe) agus an líon atá ar fáil faoi láthair sna stáisiúin dóiteáin: -

(AQW 3852/01)

Ms de Brún: Since April 2001 my Department has put in place a number of measures to enable us to determine the rates of hospital acquired infection here. These include the establishment of the Healthcare Infection Surveillance Centre (HISC) in November 2001 and making surveillance of MRSA bacteraemias a mandatory requirement for Trusts. Data from both these surveillance schemes will be available later this year which will establish baseline levels for hospital acquired infections against which the effectiveness of any interventions aimed at lowering the rates of these infections can be monitored. Reducing the rates of hospital acquired infections is one of the priority areas identified in my Department’s Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan (AMRAP). Board and Trusts are already taking action as recommended in the report to reduce hospital acquired infections.

My Department also initiated a hospital environmental cleanliness exercise last year, following which I have allocated £300,000 this year to a special exercise in this field. Priorities for Action 2002/03 also make reference to environmental cleanliness in hospitals and a workshop in April involving the key players from Trusts further highlighted its importance.

Ó Aibreán 2001 chuir mo Roinn roinnt beart i bhfeidhm le cur ar ár gcumas rátaí ionfhabhtaithe a tógtar san otharlann a chinntiú. Ina measc seo tá bunú Ionad Faire ar Ionfhabhtú i gCúram Sláinte(HISC) i Samhain 2001 agus faire ar MRSA bacteraemias sainriachtanach do na hIontaobhais. Beidh an dáta ón dá scéim faire ar fáil níos moille anonn sa bhliain a gheobhaidh amach bonnleibhéil d’ionfhabhtuithe a thógtar san otharlann, agus uaidh sin inar féidir monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar éifeacht idirghabhálacha ar bith a bhfuil sé mar aidhm acu rátaí na n-ionfhabhtuithe seo a ísliú. Is é ceann de na tosaíochtaí atá aimsithe i bPlean Gníomhaíochta Frithmhiocróbach mo Roinne. Tá an Bord agus na hIontaobhais i mbun gnímh cheana de réir mar a mhol an tuairisc le hionfhabhtuithe a thógtar san otharlann a laghdú.

Thionscnaigh mo Roinn cleachtadh glaineacht timpeallachta otharlann anuraidh agus ina dhiaidh chuir mé £300,000 ar leataobh maidir le cleachtadh speisialta sa réimse seo. Déanann Tosaíochtaí le haghaidh Gnímh 2002/03 tagairt do ghlaineacht timpeallachta in otharlanna agus do cheardlann in Aibreán a bhfuil na heochairpháirtithe ó Iontaobhais ann lena thábhacht a thabhairt chun solais.

(AQW 3853/01)

Ms de Brún: As already indicated in my response to AQW 1453/01 there are no reported difficulties in filling university places with students who wish to study for the medical profession.

Notwithstanding this, the specialist medical workforce is reviewed annually and the numbers in training are adjusted, resources permitting, to take account of the changing situation. In recognition of the current staffing position for the medical profession the intake of medical students was increased in 2001 from 166 to 180.

Mar a chuir mé in iúl cheana féin i mo fhreagra ar AQW 1453/01 ní raibh deacrachtaí ar bith ann i líonadh áiteanna ollscoile le mic léinn ar mian leo staidéar a dhéanamh i ngairm na míochaine.

Ina ainneoin seo, déantar athbhreithniú ar an tsainmheitheal mhíochaine go bliantúil agus coigeartaítear an líon daoine in oiliúint, de réir na n-acmhainní ar fáil, leis an riocht athraitheach a chur san áireamh. Mar aitheantas ar riocht reatha na n-oibrithe i ngairm na míochaine, méadaíodh an glacadh isteach de mhic léinn míochaine ó 166 go 180 sa bhliain 2001.

(AQW 3854/01)

Ms de Brún: The Fire Brigade applies three forms of risk assessment when fire appliances are mobilised with crewing levels of less than four per appliance.

The first aspect of risk assessment is the weekly monitoring of likely availability of personnel to crew fire appliances. This determines the need for mobilisation of a fire appliance from an adjacent Station.

The second measure is the Incident Command System, which proactively assesses the risks at incidents, for example, by maintaining up-to-date information on premises with particular risks.

The third form is a Dynamic Risk assessment undertaken by the Incident Commander when the fire appliance arrives at the incident, which determines the extent to which mobilised appliances and their crew can effectively cope.

All risk assessments take into account the safety of personnel and the operational needs at incidents.

Úsáideann an Bhriogáid Dóiteáin trí chineál measúnaithe baoil nuair a úsáidtear gléasanna dóiteáin ina bhfuil líon na foirne níos lú ná ceathrar an gléas.

Is í an chéad ghné den mheasúnú baoil monatóireacht sheachtainiúil a dhéanamh ar infhaighteacht dhochúil na foirne le dul i bhfeighil na ngléasanna dóiteáin. Cinníonn seo an gá le gléas dóiteáin a úsáid ó Stáisiún cóngarach dó.

Is í an dara gné an Córas Ordaithe Teagmhas a dhéanann measúnú proghníomhach ar na baoil ag teagmhais, mar shampla, trí eolas a choinneáil suas chun dáta ar áitribh le baoil ar leith.

Is í an tríú gné Mearmheasúnú Baoil déanta ag an Cheannasaí Teagmhais nuair a shroicheann an gléas dóiteáin an teagmhas, a chinníonn a mhéad agus is féidir leis na gléasanna in úsáid agus lena bhfoireann é a láimhseáil go héifeachtach.

Cuireann na measúnuithe baoil go léir sábháilteacht na foirne agus na riachtanais fheidhmiúla ag teagmhais san áireamh.

(AQW 3856/01)

Ms de Brún: When responding to accidents on the Belfast to Bangor Road, the Fire Brigade has potentially 18 fire appliances available to attend to incidents there. These fire appliances are drawn from 3 Belfast fire stations, as well as Holywood, Bangor and Newtownards fire stations.

All of these fire appliances are available to mobilise to the wide variety of incidents on the Belfast to Bangor Road.

Although the fire appliances at Bangor fire station are used to support the fire stations in North Down and Ards, the Fire Brigade considers that it has adequate resources to respond to incidents on the Belfast to Bangor Road.

Nuair a fhreagraíonn sí ar thimpistí ar Bhóthar Bhéal Feirste go Beannchar, tá an cumas ar an Bhriogáid Dóiteáin 18 gléas dóiteáin a bheith ar fáil acu le riar ar theagmhais ansin. Faightear na gléasanna dóiteáin seo ó 3 stáisiúin dóiteáin i mBéal Feirste, agus ó stáisiúin dóiteáin in Ard Mhic Nasca, i mBeannchar agus i mBaile Nua na hArda chomh maith.

Tá na gléasanna dóiteáin go léir ar fáil le húsáid ag réimse leathan teagmhas eagsúil ar Bhóthar Bhéal Feirste go Beannchar.

Cé go n-úsáidtear na gléasanna dóiteáin i stáisiún dóiteain Bheannchar le tacú leis na stáisiúin dóiteáin i nDún Thuaidh, agus in Aird, síleann an Bhriogáid Dóiteáin go bhfuil acmhainní go leor acu le freagairt ar theagmhais ar Bhóthar Bhéal Feirste go Beannchar.

(AQW 3859/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department has issued guidance to the HPSS on the potential dangers posed by latex allergies. An increasing number of latex free products are already in use and others being introduced to use where available.

D’eisigh mo Roinn treoir chuig na SSSP ar na contúirtí féideartha le hailléirgí laitéise. Tá líon méadaithe tairgí saor ó laitéis in úsáid agus tá tairgí eile á dtabhairt isteach nuair atá siad ar fáil.

(AQW 3861/01)

Ms de Brún: In order to claim compensation for problems arising from hospital acquired infection, patients would have to be able to establish that the hospital in question was legally liable for the patient acquiring the infection. In other words the patient would have to prove that the hospital was negligent in some way or was in breach of some statutory duty placed upon it.

Chun gur féidir cúiteamh a éileamh mar gheall ar fhadhbanna a eascraíonn ó ionfhabhtú a tógadh san otharlann, níor mhór don othar bheith ábalta a chruthú go raibh an otharlann i gceist faoi dhliteanas ar son an othair a thóg an t-ionfhabhtú. Lena chur ar dhóigh eile, bheadh ar an othar a chrúthú go ndearna an otharlann neamart ar dhóigh nó a sháraigh dualgas reachtúil éigin a cuireadh uirthi.

(AQW 3862/01)

Ms de Brún: The total cost of methadone items dispensed on Health Service prescriptions here, by Board area, in each of the last three financial years is as follows:

Seo a leanas costas iomlán na n-ábhar methadone ullmhaithe mar oidis na Seirbhíse Sláinte anseo, de réir Bordcheantair, i ngach bliain de na trí bliana deireanacha airgeadais:

(AQW 3863/01)

Ms de Brún: All hospitals are required to have an infection control policy. Earlier this year all Trusts were asked to benchmark their infection control standards against new standards developed by the Regional Advisory Committee on Communicable Disease Control. In addition my Department recently ran a regional workshop to facilitate Trusts in developing their approach in this area. Approaches to address any deficiencies are agreed jointly between Trusts, Boards and the Department. Some funding is available to assist any Trusts having difficulties in meeting the standards.

Ní mór do gach otharlann polasaí rialaithe ionfhabhtaithe a bheith acu. Iarradh ar gach Iontaobhas pointe cóimheasa a fháil dá gcaighdeáin i dtaca le caighdeáin nua a d’fhorbair an Coiste Coimhairleach Réigiúnach ar Rialú Galar Teagmhálach. Ar a bharr reáchtáil mo Roinn ceardlann Réigiúnach leis na hIontaobhais a éascú chun a gcur chuige a fhorbairt sa réimse seo. Tá cur chuige le tabhairt faoi easpaí ar bith comhaontaithe idir Iontaobhais, Boird, agus an Roinn. Tá roinnt maoinithe ar fáil chun cuidiú le hIontaobhais a bhfuil deacrachtaí acu caighdeáin a bhaint amach.

(AQW 3864/01)

Ms de Brún: At the end of 2001 my Department undertook a regional survey of infection control procedures in all Trusts here. This covered all aspects of infection control, including the existence of infection control policies and their implementation and evaluation within the Trust. Preliminary data from this survey indicates that there is a structured infection control programme in each hospital.

Ag deireadh 2001 thug mo Roinn faoi shuirbhé réigiúnach ar nósanna imeachta ar rialú ionfhabhtaithe i ngach Iontaobhas anseo. Chlúdaigh seo gach gné de rialú ionfhabhtaithe, go raibh polasaithe ann ar rialú ionfhabhtaithe, a gcur i bhfeidhm agus a meastóireacht laistigh den Iontaobhas. Tugtar le fios ón chéad dáta go bhfuil clár struchtúrtha ar rialú ionfabhtaithe i ngach otharlann.

(AQW 3873/01)

Ms de Brún: The higher employer’s national insurance contribution will increase the costs for HPSS and other employers from April 2003. I would hope that the Executive’s Budget settlement for 2003-04 will reflect that situation. In deciding how to deploy my Department’s resources for that year I will take account of the financial pressures facing all services funded from my budget.

Méadóidh ranníocaíocht árachas náisiúnta is airde an fhostóra na costais do na SSSP agus d’fhostóirí eile ó Aibreán 2003. Bheinn ag súil go léireoidh socrú Buiséid an Fheidhmiúcháin do 2003-04 an riocht seo. Nuair a bheidh mé ag déanamh cinnidh ar an dóigh le hacmhainní mo Roinne a dháileadh don bhliain sin cuirfidh mé san áireamh na brúnna airgeadais atá ar na seirbhísí go léir maoinithe ó mo bhuiséad.