(AQW 3969/01)

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

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

(AQW 3984/01)

Ms de Brún: Neither my Department nor Dr Tony Hindle has been in contact with York Health Economics Consortium about the Consortium’s Review of the Acute Hospital Review Group Report. Dr Hindle was asked to undertake a review of the material produced by the Consortium and also the material produced by Colin Stutt consulting in relation to the report " A New Acute Hospital for the South West of Northern Ireland: Report to Fermanagh District Council" in order to provide advice to the Department on the different conclusions made in these reports.

Ní raibh mo Roinn nó an Dr. Tony Hindle i dteagmhaíl le Cuibhreannas Eabhraic um Eacnamaíocht na Sláinte faoi Athbhreithniú an Chuibhreannais ar Thuairisc an Ghrúpa Athbhreithnithe ar Ghéarotharlanna. Iarradh ar an Dr. Hindle athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na hábhair a sholáthair an Cuibhreannas agus na hábhair a sholáthair Colin Stutt a bhí i gcomhairle maidir leis an tuairisc "A New Acute Hospital for the South West of Northern Ireland: Report to Fermanagh District Council" chun comhairle a chur ar fáil don Roinn ar na tátail dheireanacha a rinneadh sna tuairiscí seo.

(AQW 4020/01)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 3727/01. The Eastern Health and Social Services Board receives an equitable share of the total resource available here for health and social care. It is a matter for the Board to ensure that this is distributed as equitably as possible across their population. The recent exercise makes a valuable contribution to the assessment of the current situation. As indicated previously the Board intends to bring forward proposals, in the autumn, for public consultation as to how the issue is to be addressed within its area.

Treoraím aird an Bhaill do mo fhreagra ar AQW 3727/01. Faigheann an Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta sciar cothrom de na hacmhainní ina n-iomlán atá ar fáil do shláinte agus cúram sóisialta. Is ceist í seo don Bhord le cinntiú go ndáiltear seo chomh cothrom is féidir ar fud a bpobail. Cuireann an cleachtadh ar na mallaibh go mór le measúnú na staide reatha. Mar a cuireadh in iúl roimhe tá sé mar rún ag an Bhord moltaí a thabhairt chun tosaigh, san Fhómhar, le haghaidh comhairliúcháin phoiblí le fáil amach cad é mar a thabharfar faoin cheist laistigh dá limistéar.

(AQO 1615/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department and the Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts are working with the wider statutory and voluntary sector to support people with a learning disability in accessing the services and activities they wish to use and enjoy.

I recently launched the report ‘A Fair Chance’, which records the views expressed by people with a learning disability about the services they use and how these might better address the equality of opportunity issues they face. The report has been distributed widely to health and social services and to other Departments and their agencies. This will help to inform future service development.

Tá mo Roinn agus na Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus na hIontaobhais ag obair leis an earnáil reachtúil agus leis an earnáil dheonach le tacaíocht a thabhairt do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas le gur féidir leo teacht a bheith acu ar na seirbhísí agus ar na gníomhaíochtaí is mian leo a úsáid agus a mbaineann siad taitneamh astu.

Sheol mé an tuairisc ‘Deis Chothrom’ le déanaí a dhéanann taifead ar thuairimí daoine faoi mhíchumas faoi na seirbhísí a mbaineann siad úsáid astu agus caidé mar a d’fhéadfadh siad seo aghaidh níos fearr a thabhairt ar na ceisteanna comhdheise a mbíonn orthu déileáil leo. Cuireadh an tuairisc chuig mórán seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta agus chuig Ranna eile agus a ngníomhaireachtaí. Cuideoidh sé seo le heolas a chur ar fáil d’fhorbairt na seirbhíse sa todhchaí.

(AQO 1573/01)

Ms de Brún: At the end of last year a bid was made on Executive Programme Funds to allow the Kilkeel project to begin but this was unsuccessful. I have put the Kilkeel project forward again as a bid on the additional funding recently announced by the Chancellor Gordon Brown. If this is successful the development will of course be able to proceed immediately.

Ag deireadh na bliana seo caite, rinneadh tairiscint ar Chistí Chlár an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin le tús a chur le tionscadal Chill Chaoil; ach níor éirigh léi. Chuir mé tionscadal Chill Chaoil chun tosaigh arís mar thaisircint ar an mhaoiniú breise a d’fhógair Seansailéir Gordon Brown le déanaí. Má éiríonn leis, rachaidh an fhorbairt ar aghaidh láithreach, ar ndóigh.

(AQO 1587/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department, in conjunction with Boards, has taken a number of steps to reduce financial loss. These include:

• the use of pharmaceutical advisors to promote cost effective prescribing by GP’s.

• the promotion of the adoption of prescribing formularies by practices.

• the promotion of the use of less expensive generic rather than branded drugs.

• reviews of repeat prescriptions.

• the introduction of the "Managing Your Medicines" initiative in which pharmacists help to ensure individual compliance with treatment regimes.

The four Boards, together with the Central Services Agency, are also currently reviewing the prescribing payments system to reduce the potential for miscoding of items dispensed by pharmacists.

Reducing financial loss through tackling fraud is also a priority for my Department whether this is due to members of the public wrongly claiming exemption from charges or practitioners making erroneous or fraudulent claims for payment.

Steps taken to address this issue include:

• the introduction of Point of Dispensing checks by which community pharmacists indicate whether proof of eligibility for exemption from charges has been shown by individuals.

• the introduction of Fixed Penalty Charges to further deter illegitimate claims for exemption, and ultimately a criminal offence for persistent offenders.

• the establishment of a Counter Fraud Unit within the Central Services Agency to pursue cases of illegitimate claims for exemption and carry out investigation of potential fraud by practitioners.

Ghlac mo Roinn, in éineacht le Boird, roinnt céimeanna le caillteanas airgeadais a laghdú, lena n-áirítear:

• comhairleoirí cógaisíochta a úsáid le eisiúint oideas chostas-éifeachtach a chur chun cinn

• úsáid foirmlí ordaithe oideas ag cleachtais a chur chun cinn

• úsáid a bhaint as drugaí cineálacha atá níos saoire thar drugaí mairc.

• athbhreithnithe ar athoidis

• tionscnamh "Ag Bainistiú do Mhíochainí" a thabhairt isteach trína gcuidíonn poitigéirí a chinntiú go gcloítear le réimeanna cóireála.

Tá na ceithre Bord in éineacht leis an LárGhníomhaireacht Seirbhísí ag déanamh athbhreithniú faoi láthair ar an chóras íocaíochtaí dáilte leis an deis do míchódú míreanna a dháileann poitigéirí a laghdú.

Is tosaíocht i mo Roinn é laghdú a dhéanamh ar chaillteanas airgeadais tríd dhul i ngleic le calaois cé acu a thig seo ó dhaoine a bheith ag éileamh díolúintí ó mhuirir go mícheart nó lucht cleachtais a bheith ag déanamh éilimh earráideacha nó calaoiseacha maidir le híocaíochtaí.

Ar na bearta a rinneadh le haghaidh a thabhairt ar an tsaincheist seo tá:

• seiceálacha ag Pointí Dáilte trína dtaispeanánn poitigéirí pobail cé acu a thaispeáin duine go raibh cruthú aige go bhfuil sé saor ó dhíolúine.

• Muirir Phionós Socraithe a thabhairt isteach le héilimh neamhdhlisteanacha ar dhíolúintí a chosc a thuilleadh, agus sa deireadh coir coiriúil do shíorchiontóirí.

• Aonad Frith-Chalaoise a bhunú sa LárGhníomhaireacht Seirbhísí le dul sa tóir ar chásanna d’éilimh neamhdhlisteanacha ar dhíolúine agus le imscrúdú a dhéanamh ar chalaois a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ar bun ag lucht cleachtais.

(AQO 1576/01)

Ms de Brún: Having reviewed the changes announced in England, I have indicated to Executive colleagues my intention to move ahead with the existing proposals to transfer the external audit function from my Department’s Health Service Audit to the NIAO. The Department of Finance and Personnel will bring forward, in September, legislation to give effect to this change.

These new arrangements, with the audit function undertaken by a body independent of my Department, are in line with the thrust of the proposals announced by Alan Milburn.

I ndiaidh athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na hathruithe a fógraíodh i Sasana, chuir mé in iúl do mo Chomhghleacaithe sa Choiste Fheidhmiúcháin go bhfuil sé ar intinn agam leanúint ar aghaidh le moltaí iniúchadh seachtrach a aistriú ó Iniúchóireacht Seirbhíse Sláinte mo Roinne go dtí an Oifig Iniúchóireachta. Tabharfaidh an Roinn Airgeadais agus Pearsanra reachtaíocht isteach i mí Mheán Fómhair leis an athrú seo a chur i bhfeidhm.

Tá na socruithe nua sin ar chomhchéim leis na moltaí a d’fhógair Alan Milburn; rachaidh comhlacht atá neamhspleách ar mo Roinn i mbun cúrsaí iniúchta.

(AQO 1622/01)

Ms de Brún: A preliminary assessment of the equality implications of the proposals has been carried out and deprivation indices have been reviewed in relation to the location of a new acute hospital in Fermanagh/Tyrone. Details of the equality assessment are contained in the consultation paper, Developing Better Services: Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures, a copy of which has been sent to all MLAs.

Rinneadh réamh-mheasúnú ar impleachtaí comhionannais na moltaí agus rinneadh athbhreithniú ar na hinnéacsanna easnaimh maidir le suíomh ospidéil ghéarmhíochaine nua i bhFear Manach/Tír Eoghain. Tá sonraí an measúnaithe chomhionannais sa pháipeár comhairliúcháin, Ag Forbairt Seirbhísí Níos Fearr: Ag Nuachóiriú Otharlann agus ag Athchóiriú Struchtúr; cuireadh cóip de seo chuig gach Comhalta Tionóil.

(AQO 1621/01)

Ms de Brún: Following discussions at the Executive, I have published a consultation paper on the way forward on the Acute Hospital Review. The consultation paper was issued on Wednesday, 12 June 2002, and the consultation period will run until 30 September. Allowing an appropriate period for an analysis of responses, it is hoped that final decisions can be reached during the course of 2002. The proposals in the consultation paper are designed to be implemented over a 10 year period.

I ndiaidh plé a dhéanamh ag an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin, d’fhoilsigh mé páipéar comhairliúcháin ar an bhealach chun tosaigh ar Athbhreithniú na nOspidéal Géarmhíochaine. Eisíodh an páipéar comhairliúcháin Dé Céadaoine 12ú Meitheamh 2002, agus leanfaidh an tréimhse chomhairliúcháin ar aghaidh go dtí an 30ú Meán Fómhair. Ag cur tréimhse chuí le haghaidh anailíse ar fhreagraí san áireamh, táthar ag súil go dtiocfar ar chinní deiridh le linn na bliana 2002. Ceapadh na moltaí sa pháipéar comhairliúcháin le go gcuirfí i bhfeidhm iad thar thréimhse 10 mbliana.

(AQO 1571/01)

Ms de Brún: Newry and Mourne Trust advises that as a result of negotiations with the owner of Wyncroft, the facility will remain open until the end of August 2002. In the meantime, the Trust has written to all families affected by the proposed closure advising them that it is actively working to secure alternative places for those who use the facility.

Tugann Iontaobhas an Iúir agus Mhúirne le fios, mar thoradh ar idirbheartaíochtaí le húinéir Wyncroft go bhfanfaidh an áisíneacht ar oscailt go dtí deireadh mhí Lúnasa 2002. Idir an dá linn, scríobh an t-Iontaobhas chuig gach teaghlach a gcuirfeadh an dúnadh beartaithe isteach orthu ag rá leo go bhfuil sé ag obair go gníomhach le áiteanna eile a fháil dóibh siúd a bhainann úsáid as an áisíneacht.

(AQO 1614/01)

Ms de Brún: The ‘Adopting Best Care’ report contains a number of recommendations to my Department, Boards and Trusts aimed at improving adoption services. In launching the report I gave a commitment that adoption services would remain high on my Department’s agenda and my officials are presently working to address how the recommendations directed at the Department might best be taken forward. The Social Services Inspectorate will be following up the inspection findings with each Board and Trust and will require Boards and Trusts to submit by 1 November 2002, a formal report to the Department outlining their progress in implementing the report’s recommendations.

Tugann an tuarascáil ‘Ag Glacadh Togha an Chúraim’ moltaí do mo Roinn, do Bhoird agus d’Iontaobhais a bhfuil sé mar aidhm acu seirbhísí ucthtaithe a fheabhsú. Agus mé ag seoladh na tuarascála, gheall mé go mbeadh tús áite ag seirbhísí uchtaithe ar chlár oibre mo Roinne; tá mo chuid feidhmeannach ag obair ar conas is fearr na moltaí a díríodh ar an Roinn a chur i bhfeidhm. Beidh Foireann Cigireachta na Seirbhísí Sóisialta ag obair ar thorthaí na cigireachta i gcomhar le gach Bord agus Iontaobhas, agus beidh sí ag iarraidh ar Bhoird agus Iontaobhais tuarascáil fhoirmiúil a chur faoi bhráid na Roinne faoin 1ú Mí na Samhna 2002, ag cur síos ar an dul chun a rinne siad maidir le moltaí na tuarsacála a chur i bhfeidhm.

(AQO 1583/01)

Ms de Brún: The comprehensive assessment by care management of an individual’s care needs should include an assessment of the person’s social, emotional and spiritual needs, together with a profile of his or her social activities, hobbies or other interests. This information enables care home staff to plan a range of activities that meets the needs and interests of residents.

Boards’ Registration and Inspection Units regularly inspect the quality of life within care homes to ensure that activities are appropriate to the needs and capacity of residents.

Nuair a dhéanann an bhainistíocht cúraim measúnú cuimsitheach ar riachtanais chúraim duine ba chóir measúnú a bheith ann ar a riachtanais shóisialta, mhothúchánacha agus spioradálta, chomh maith le cur síos ar a ghníomhaíochtaí sóisialta, caithimh aimsire agus spéiseanna eile. Cuireann sin ar chumas fhoireann an tí chúraim gníomhaíochtaí a phleanáil a fhreastalaíonn ar riachtanais agus spéiseanna na gcónaitheoirí.

Déanann Aonaid Chláraithe agus Cigireachta Bord cigireacht rialta ar cháilíocht na beatha i dtithe cúraim lena chinntiú go dtagann na gníomhaíochtaí le riachtanais agus le spéiseanna na gcónaitheoirí.

(AQO 1600/01)

Ms de Brún: The Department of Education has not consulted with me on the provision of pre-school places in terms of the health, childcare and quality of life issues. In terms of inspection arrangements for pre-school play-groups necessary under the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme, the Education and Training Inspectorate of the Department of Education inspects for the educational content of the curriculum provided, while the Health and Social Services Trusts inspect on the standards of health, childcare and quality of life issues.

The Pre-School Education Expansion Programme document Investing in Early Learning, published in 1998, was devised in consultation with a wide range of groups and individuals with an interest in pre-school education including government Departments. The Pre-School Education Expansion Programme also forms part of the wider Children First strategy which was also informed and developed through a formal consultation process in February 1999.

Ní raibh an Roinn Oideachais i gcomhairle liom faoi shláinte, cúram leanaí agus cáilíocht na beatha a sholáthar in áiteanna réamhscoile. Faoi na socruithe cigireachta do ghrúpaí súgartha réamhscoile is gá faoin Chlár Leathnaithe Oideachais Réamhscoile, déanann Cigireacht Oideachais agus Oiliúna de chuid na Roinne Oideachais cigireacht ar ábhar oideachais an churaclaim; is iad na hIontaobhais Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta a dhéanann cigireacht ar chaighdeáin sláinte, chúram leanaí agus cáilíocht na beatha.

Chuathas i gcomhairle le cuid mhór grúpaí agus daoine ar suim leo an t-oideachas réamhscoile, Ranna Rialtais san áireamh, nuair a bhíothas ag dréachtú na cáipése Ag Infheistíocht sa Luathfhoghlaim a foilsíodh i 1998. Tá an Clár Leathnaithe Oideachais Réamhscoile ina chuid de straitéis níos leithne Páistí ar dTús; chuidigh comhairliúchán foirmiúil i mí Feabhra 1999 an straitéis seo a fhorbairt agus a chur ar an eolas.

(AQO 1619/01)

Ms de Brún: I have spoken with Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Health and Children. I have also sent him a copy of the recently published consultation paper on the way forward for acute services, ‘Developing Better Services: Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures’. We have agreed to meet shortly to discuss the issues involved. The matter has also been the subject of a meeting and correspondence between senior officials of my Department and the Department of Health and Children in Dublin, in relation to the potential of hospitals in Cavan and Sligo to provide services to patients from the North.

I also considered carefully the findings of the York University Health Economics Consortium. It was apparent, from the current stage of planning for hospital services in the South, that there is not sufficient certainty as to whether the relevant hospitals in the South will deliver, over the longer term, the capacity and services equivalent to those provided by the nine proposed acute hospitals in the North. Any information which emerges during the course of the consultation will be taken into consideration before reaching final decisions.

On virtually every occasion that I have spoken with Micheál Martin, issues raised touched upon acute hospital provision.

Le do chead, a Cheann Comhairle, freagróidh mé ceisteanna 7,8,18,19 le chéile mar go mbaineann siad uilig le húsáid ospidéal sa Deisceart.

Phléigh mé an t-ábhar seo le Micheál Martin TD, an tAire Sláinte agus Leanaí. Chuir mé cóip chuige fosta den pháipéar comhairliúcháin ar an bhealach chun tosaigh do ghéarsheirbhísí a foilsíodh le deireannas ‘Ag Forbairt Seirbhísí Níos Fearr: ag Nuachóiriú Otharlann agus ag Athchóiriú Struchtúr’. D’aontaíomar go mbuailfimid le chéile ar ball le plé a dhéanamh ar na hábhair seo. Bhí an t-ábhar faoi chaibidil fosta ar chruinniú agus bhí comhfhreagras air idir feidhmeannaigh shinsearacha mo Roinne agus na Roinne Sláinte agus Leanaí i mBaile Átha Cliath le fáil amach arbh fhéidir le hotharlanna i gCondae an Chabháin agus i gCondae Shligigh seirbhísí a chur ar fáil do othair ón Tuaisceart.

Rinne mé machnamh cúramach ar chinneadh Chuibhreannas Eacnamaíocht na Sláinte de chuid Ollcoil Eabhrac. Ba léir ó staid reatha pleanála do sheirbhísí ospidéil sa Deisceart go raibh amhras ann cé acu a bheadh na hotharlanna ábhartha sa Deisceart in ann acmhainneacht agus seirbhísí a sholáthar san fhadtréimhse a bheadh inchurtha leis na seirbhísí a sholáthraítear sna naoi n-otharlann géarmhíochaine sa Tuaisceart. Cuirfear cibé faisnéis a thiocfas as an chomhairliúcháin san áireamh sula nglacfar na cinntí deiridh.

Gach uair, a bheag nó a mhór, a labhair mé le Micheál Ó Máirtín, bhí baint de chineál éigin ag gach ceist a tógadh le soláthar géarotharlainne.

(AQO 1616/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department conducted a review of the scheme in November 2000. The main purpose of the review was to address the process by which Awards are made to ensure that equality of opportunity is afforded to all consultants on the basis of merit alone. The review was completed in July 2001 and a number of important changes were made to the scheme. The changes made were designed to achieve a fairer and more open and transparent system.

Negotiations on a framework for a new consultants’ contract have recently been agreed between the Health Departments, the BMA and the NHS Confederation. Within this framework, there is provision to replace the Distinction and Meritorious Service Awards with Clinical Excellence Awards.

Detailed negotiations on the introduction of, and the format and guidance for the new Clinical Excellence Awards are continuing but there is no obligation on the devolved administrations to replicate the exact scheme that will be introduced in England. As is the case in Scotland, my Department will be conducting a root and branch review of the existing scheme to consider how the proposed Clinical Excellence Awards scheme should be applied here.

Rinne mo Roinn athbhreithniú ar an scéim i mí na Samhna 2000. Ba í príomhaidhm an athbhreithnithe ná dul i gceann an phróisis trína ndéantar Dámhachtainí lena chinntiú go dtabharfar comhionannas deise do gach sainchomhairleoir ar bhonn tuilleantais amháin. Críochnaíodh an t-athbhreithniú i mí Iúil 2001 agus rinneadh roinnt athruithe tábhachtacha ar an scéim. Rinneadh na hathruithe le córas níos cothromaí agus níos oscailte a chruthú.

Le deireannas, aontaíodh caibidlí ar chreat do chonradh úr do shainchomhairleoirí idir na Ranna Sláinte, Cumann Míochaine na Breataine agus Comhcheangal na Seirbhíse Sláinte Náisiúnta. Cruthaíonn an creat seo deis Damhachtainí Oirircis Chliniciúil a chur in áit na nDamhachtainí Gradaim agus Seirbhíse Fiúntais.

Tá mionchaibidlí ag dul ar aghaidh ar fhormáid agus ar threoir do na Damhachtainí Oirircis Chliniciúil nua agus ar conas iad a thabhairt isteach, ach níl sé de fhiachaibh ar na riaracháin chineachta aithris bheacht a dhéanamh ar an scéim a thabharfar isteach i Sasana. Mar atá amhlaidh in Albain, beidh mo Roinn ag cur athbhreithniú ó bhonn aníos ar an scéim le machnamh a dhéanamh ar conas scéim bheartaithe na nDamhachtainí Oirircis Chliniciúil a thabhairt isteach anseo.

(AQW 4145/01)

Ms de Brún: My Department commissioned Dr Tony Hindle to review the reports:

• A Review of the Acute Hospitals Review Group Report: Final Report, by York Health Economics Consortium; and

• A New Acute Hospital for the South-West of Northern Ireland: Report to Fermanagh District Council, by Colin Stutt Consulting.

Copies of Dr Hindle’s review have been placed in the Assembly Library and on my Department’s Internet Website.

Choimisiúnaigh mo Roinn an Dochtúir Tony Hindle le hathbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na tuarascálacha:

• Athbhreithniú ar Thuairisc an Ghrúpa Athbhreithnithe ar Ghéarospidéil: Tuairisc Dheiridh le Cuibhreannas Eacnamaíocht na Sláinte Eabhrac; agus

• Géarospidéal Úr do Iar-Dheisceart Thuaisceart na hÉireann: Tuairisc do Chomhairle Ceantair Fhear Manach le Colin Stutt Comhairleach.

Cuireadh cóipeanna d’athbhreithniú an Dr. Hindle i leabharlann an Tionóil agus ar Láithreán Gréasáin mo Roinne.

(AQO 1353/01)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr P Robinson): I can assure you that my Department’s Roads Service will play its role, from an engineering point of view, in improving road safety on our rural roads and footpaths.

In this context Roads Service takes account of any road safety issue when assessing a request for the provision of a footway on any road. However, as the funds available for such works are limited, all requests for footways and other minor works proposals are assessed and prioritised in the basis of need. In assessing the priority for footway schemes consideration is given to road safety and other factors, including:

• pedestrian counts;

• traffic volumes;

• the potential for pedestrian and traffic growths;

• accident histories;

• environmental factors, for example, the presence of schools which tend to generate frequent pedestrian flows etc;

• the practicality of constructing the schemes; and

• the cost of schemes and the availability of funds.

(AQW 3750/01)

Mr P Robinson: It is estimated that leakage, or unaccounted for water, in Water Service’s Western Division is approximately 52 million litres per day. Based on the marginal operating costs of providing water, which takes account of additional expenditure such as electricity, chemicals and sludge treatment, this represents a cost of some £1.1 million per annum.

Water Service intends to invest £4 million on leakage reduction measures in the Western Divisional area over the next 4 years. The aim is to reduce leakage by 23 million litres per day and achieve the economic level of leakage by 2006.

(AQW 3792/01)

Mr P Robinson: Translink has advised that it considers that by securing and strengthening the fencing behind Dillon’s Court, Whiteabbey, it has taken all reasonable steps to prevent access to the track at this vicinity. Accordingly it has decided not to raise the fence.

(AQW 3811/01)

Mr P Robinson: Based on a combination of census and Valuation and Lands Agency information, it was estimated that some 2,300 houses in the Omagh and Strabane District Council areas were unconnected to the public water supply.

Water Service has carried out a study of these, and 3 other Council areas. Taking account of properties which are not domestic (for example outbuildings) and long-term vacant properties, it is estimated that some 2,000 houses in Omagh and Strabane District Council areas are actually not connected. Of these, some 1,800 are "deemed to be served" since there is already a watermain in the nearest public road.

Schemes to provide a public water supply to some 30 houses in the Omagh and Strabane District Council areas are presently at design or construction stage. My officials are currently in discussions with other Government Departments, and public bodies such as District Councils, with a view to developing a scheme to provide assistance to improve the water quality of those houses which will remain dependent on individual private water sources.

(AQW 3812/01)

Mr P Robinson: Translink report that 136,490 applications had been received for Senior Citizen Smartpasses by 10 June 2002, of which 134,025 had been processed and posted.

(AQW 3832/01)

Mr P Robinson: I am pleased to advise that my Department’s Roads Service issued the tender documents for the Comber Bypass scheme at the beginning of this month. It is expected that the contract for the scheme will be awarded in August and that construction work on site will commence promptly thereafter.

(AQW 3838/01)

Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service already has the statutory power, under the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, to introduce residents’ parking schemes which are aimed at addressing parking problems experienced by some residents who live close to town and city centres.

Roads Service had identified a number of pilot residents’ parking schemes to test the necessary administrative and enforcement procedures involved. However, you will appreciate, that these schemes would only be of benefit to local residents if they are effectively enforced and in Northern Ireland, unlike the rest of the United Kingdom, this is solely a matter for the Police (or Traffic Wardens operating under Police control). Regrettably, during discussions on this issue, the Police indicated that they would not be able to undertake the necessary enforcement work in relation to such schemes.

Road Service has therefore begun the process to decriminalise parking offences in Northern Ireland. Decriminalised parking enforcement is operational in other regions in the UK and, when introduced in Northern Ireland, my Department, as the road authority, will become responsible for enforcing parking restrictions, including residents’ parking schemes. It is, however, likely to take several years before the necessary legislation and organisational arrangements are in place.

(AQW 3878/01)

Mr P Robinson: My Department is determined to explore the most cost effective means of investing in public services in Northern Ireland and to optimise the allocation from all available sources.

As you will be aware, the major scheme to widen the A2 Carrickfergus to Belfast Road between Shore Avenue and Island Park is not included in the current Roads Service Major Works Preparation Pool. It would therefore not be appropriate at this stage to include such a scheme in a Roads Service Reinvestment and Reform Initiative bid for the finance available over the first two years of the initiative, since only major schemes which are well advanced in stages of planning could be expected to reach construction during this period. The scheme is however amongst those being considered along with others on arterial routes for inclusion in the proposed Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan, work on which has already commenced.

I can confirm that Roads Service has made a bid for additional Reinvestment and Reform Initiative funding for the structural maintenance of the urban and rural road network and a number of resurfacing schemes on the A2 between Carrickfergus and Belfast would be among those being considered for inclusion in such a programme.

I of course recognise the importance of the A2 route for Carrickfergus. Roads Service is therefore currently undertaking a major revision of the junction between the A2 Shore Road and the Old Shore Road at Whiteabbey. The scheme, which includes the provision of anti-skid surfacing on the A2 Shore Road approaches to the junction and pedestrian crossing facilities, also incorporates pedestrian refuge islands and traffic signals in the centre of the carriageway. In addition, a scheme to resurface some ¾ mile of the A2 dual carriageway Southbound has recently commenced.

(AQW 3933/01)

Mr P Robinson: I have not been asked formally by Fermanagh District Council to consider doing so, however a similar issue has been raised with my Department by Derry City Council. As I indicated in my response on that occasion, legislation will require to be enacted by the Assembly to enable District Councils to delegate to others operational responsibility for airports.

I am prepared to consider the matter further, but must look in the first instance to the District Councils concerned to provide the policy rationale for such legislation.

(AQW 3974/01)

Mr P Robinson: I have had and taken the opportunity to comment on DFP’s draft consultation paper on the Review of Rating Policy before its publication. In addition, an official from my Department has participated in the Review of Rating Policy as a member of the DFP led steering Group established to oversee the Review. This official has had the opportunity to comment on the drafting and compilation of DFP’s consultation paper.

(AQW 3843/01)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): The Housing Executive’s Tenants Handbook specifies that a tenant can keep one domestic pet and must ask their District Manager’s permission in circumstances where more than one pet is desired.

Where a tenant resides in a flat or maisonette and wishes to keep a pet, the District Manager would look sympathetically on such a case, where the tenant has a mental or physical disability. A District Manager may seek the opinions of other residents within the block before reaching a decision and permission would be conferred in writing. Where permission is granted, and a pet subsequently creates a nuisance, the District Manager may review the original decision.

The rules on the keeping of pets by tenants of registered Housing Associations are set out in the individual association’s tenants handbooks and/or tenancy agreements and can vary depending on the type of accommodation involved for example, general needs houses, sheltered schemes and flats. Most, but not all, associations will allow the keeping of pets. If the Member has any particular case in mind, I will be happy to have the matter investigated.

(AQW 3857/01)

Mr Dodds: I fully recognise the important role Citizens Advice Bureaux play in promoting social inclusion by providing advice to some of the most disadvantaged people in our community. I am pleased to confirm, therefore, that Citizens Advice Bureaux already receive mainstream funding through the District Councils’ Community Support Programme. This amounted to £1,092,424 in 2000-01, the latest year for which information is available. Furthermore, the Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux receives mainstream funding from my Department, and in the current year this amounts to £384,216.

(AQW 3858/01)

Mr Dodds: An increase in resources was made available to Disability Living Allowance Branch and The Appeals Service during 2001-02 and 2002-03 to fund the cost of 40 additional staff to write appeals and arrange Tribunal hearings, for extra overtime working and an increased number of Tribunal hearings. The Department also consented to the appointment of additional Tribunal members. Twenty-five new members were appointed in February 2002.

As a result of these actions the time taken to process DLA appeals within the Social Security Agency has reduced from approximately 28 weeks to 12 weeks. Action is continuing with a view to further reducing this figure. The average time taken by The Appeals Service to clear the appeal upon receipt from the Social Security Agency was, on average, 22 weeks during the last year. Clearance times and the number of appeals outstanding are expected to reduce further by the end of March 2003.

(AQW 3880/01)

Mr Dodds: The Department established a project team in December 2001 to take forward the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. It has been addressing the requirement to publish a Publication Scheme as a matter of priority. A survey of information currently published has been completed and the team is reviewing what further information might usefully be included in the Department’s scheme. An initial draft scheme has been developed and this will be completed by the end of July. It will be submitted to the Information Commissioner for approval within the timescale laid down by the Lord Chancellor’s Department. Subject to approval by the Information Commissioner, the Department is on schedule to issue its Publication Scheme on 30 November 2002.

(AQW 3881/01)

Mr Dodds: The Housing Executive is currently compiling the findings of the 2001 House Condition Survey (HCS). The HCS includes questions relating to the economic position of households. The data from the HCS is currently undergoing analysis and the preliminary results are expected to be available in the autumn with the final analysis to be completed by the end of the year.

The Socio-Economic questions, in respect of each household member, asked about their age, gender, relationship to the head of household, marital status, employment status, travel to work arrangements, illnesses, disabilities, ethnicity, earnings, benefits/tax credits, housing benefits, religion, car ownership, distance from utilities/social activity centres, and history of household accidents.

In addition the HCS will provide information on tenure and housing conditions.

(AQW 3895/01)

Mr Dodds: The programme of action referred to in the Programme for Government was not one specific and discrete intervention. Instead, it referred to a wide range of actions being taken by the Department across a number of Programmes. These actions include extra assistance to District Councils for their Community Support Programme and a new EU Programme to provide assistance to strategic support organisations. Technical assistance has been provided through Local Strategy Partnerships to help voluntary and community groups access EU funding, and the Active Community Initiative has put in place a small grants programme to help small and newly emerging groups. The Department is also working to finalise a new Outreach Programme to encourage statutory organisations to strengthen and coordinate their support for community infrastructure.

Although no specific geographic areas have yet been designated for intervention because of a lack of objective information about the location of such areas, work is in progress to identify areas characterised by the

• presence of high levels of social need;

• absence of voluntary and community organisations and tenants associations in any given area; and

• lack of funding applications emerging from a given area.

(AQW 3907/01)

Mr Dodds: From April this year just over 75,000 pensioners benefited from the increase of Minimum Income Guarantee.

(AQW 3909/01)

Mr Dodds: In 2001-02, nearly 257,000 pensioners benefited from a Winter Fuel payment and in the previous year just over 254,000 benefited.

(AQW 3920/01)

Mr Dodds: The Belfast and Londonderry strategies are being developed within the framework of the Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, which my Department aims to launch by September 2002. This strategy along with the Belfast and Londonderry strategies will place the tackling of the most acute disadvantage at the heart of all regeneration activity and seek to empower local communities to drive urban renewal initiatives in their own areas. The strategies for Belfast and Londonderry are at different stages of development and I will address each separately:

The Consultation Process for the Belfast Strategy was officially launched on 27 March 2002 and will conclude on 30 June 2002. Comments from the workshops together with written responses will then be analysed over the summer period, following which the revised Belfast strategy will be presented to the DSD’s Assembly Committee and the Executive Committee in Autumn 2002.

The Londonderry Strategy is currently being drafted and, when finalised, will allow officials to make arrangements for the consultation process to begin. My Department expects to have the draft strategy completed shortly. The normal consultation period is approximately 13 weeks, after which comments from the workshops and written responses will be analysed.