(AQW 4039/01)

Ms de Brún: Preparatory work for the review has been undertaken, and I hope to announce the details of the review and membership of the Review Team shortly.

Tá an obair ullmhúcháin don athbhreithniú tosaithe agus tá súil agam sonraí faoin athbhreithniú agus comhaltaí an Fhoireann Athbhreithnithe a fhógairt go luath.

(AQW 4040/01)

Ms de Brún: A decision on an all-Ireland Institute for Mental Health has not yet been made. Officials from my Department are currently examining proposals with their counterparts from the Department of Health and Children in Dublin, and both Departments will be bringing an assessment to the respective Ministers for decision.

Ní dhearnadh cinneadh go fóill ar Institiúid Uile-Éireannach um Shláinte Meabhrach. Faoi láthair, tá oifigigh ó mo Roinn ag scrúdú na moltaí i gcomhar lena gcomhghleacaithe ón Roinn Sláinte agus Leanaí i mBaile Átha Cliath agus beidh an dá Roinn ag cur measúnaithe faoi bhráid a nAirí féin le cinneadh a dhéanamh orthu.

(AQW 4041/01)

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

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

(AQW 4042/01)

Ms de Brún: Longer-term funding decisions are being taken by the Executive as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review process which will be completed in December of this year. Future plans for individual schemes, such as the Sure Start programme, will then be settled in the light of the overall budget allocated to my Department.

Tá bearta ar mhaoiniú níos fadtéarmaí á ndéanamh ag an Fheidhmiúchán mar chuid de phróiseas an Athbhreithnithe Chuimsithigh ar Chaiteachas a chríochnófar i Nollaig na bliana seo. Mar sin de, socrófar pleananna sa todhchaí do scéimeanna aonair, ar nós Sure Start, ag cuimhneamh ar an bhuiséad iomlán dáilte ar mo Roinn.

(AQW 4050/01)

Ms de Brún: Information on pay grades in relation to administrative and nursing staff working in General Practices both locally and in Great Britain is not held in a format which would enable such comparisons to be made.

Níl eolas ar ghráid phá maidir le hoibrithe riaracháin agus altranais ag obair i nGnáthchlinicí go háitiúil agus sa Bhreatain Bheag coinnithe i bhformáid a chuideodh lena leithéid de chomparáidí a dhéanamh.

(AQW 4103/01)

Ms de Brún: While the proposals outlined in the consultation paper ‘Developing Better Services: Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures’ follow a similar approach to the Acute Hospitals Review Group (AHRG) report, they go further than the recommendations made by the AHRG in that they propose:

(a) a second enhanced Local Hospital in the West;

(b) a second protected elective centre west of the Bann;

(c) the piloting of two midwife-led stand alone maternity units; and

(d) specific measures for dealing with the access problems faced by people in rural areas.

The AHRG proposal for a reduction of 500 acute beds has not been accepted and the consultation paper sets out a number of options for reforming administrative structures in the health and personal social services.

Cé go bhfuil na moltaí leagtha amach sa pháipéar comhairliúcháin ‘Seirbhísí Níos Fearr A Fhorbairt - Otharlanna A Nuachóiriú agus Struchtúir a Leasú’ cosúil leis an chur chuige úsáide i dtuairisc an Ghrúpa Athbhreithnithe ar Ghéarotharlanna (GAGO), molann siad níos mó ná na moltaí déanta ag an GAGO mar go molann siad:

(a) an dara Otharlann mhéadaithe Áitiúil san Iarthar;

(b) an dara ionad roghnach cosanta siar ón Bhanna;

(c) píolótú dhá ionad aonair mháithreachais treoraithe ag mná cabhrach; agus

(d) bearta ar leith le déileáil leis na fadhbanna rochtana atá ag daoine a chónaíonn i gceantair tuaithe.

Níor glacadh le moladh an GAGO le líon na leapacha géarotharlainne a laghdú faoi 500 leaba agus leagann an páipéar comhairliúcháin amach roinnt dóigheanna eile leis na struchtúir riaracháin sna seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta pearsanta a leasú.

(AQW 4108/01)

Ms de Brún: On leaving a special school, young people with a learning disability may attend:

• an Adult Training Centre;

• a vocational training scheme;

• a voluntary sector scheme;

• a College of Further Education; or be in

• supported employment.

Ar fhágáil scoile speisialta dóibh, is féidir le hógánaigh a bhfuil míchumas foghlama acu freastal ar:

• Ionad Oiliúna Aosach;

• Scéim oiliúna gairmiúla;

• Scéim na hearnála deonaí;

• Coláiste Breisoideachais; nó bheith;

• I bhfostaíocht thacaithe.

(AQW 4109/01)

Ms de Brún: It is for Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts, in co-operation with other statutory and voluntary sector providers, to ensure that there is the range and volume of day activities to meet the assessed needs of young people with a learning disability in their areas.

My Department 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 sé faoi Bhoird agus Iontaobhais Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta, i gcomhar le soláthraithe eile na hearnála reachtúla agus deonaí, le cinntiú go bhfuil an réimse agus an méid go leor gníomhaíochtaí lae ann le riar ar riachtanais mheasúnaithe dhaoine óga a bhfuil míchumas foghlama acu ina limistéir.

Lainseáil mo Roinn an tuairisc ‘A Fair Chance’ ar na mallaibh, a chláraíonn na tuairimí curtha in iúl ag daoine a bhfuil míchumas foghlama acu ar na seirbhísí a úsáideann siad agus ar an dóigh dá fheabhas ar féidir leo tabhairt faoi na ceisteanna cothromaíochta deiseanna atá acu. Cuireadh an tuairisc go forleathan chuig na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta, chuig Ranna eile agus chuig a ngníomhaireachtaí chomh maith. Cuideoidh sí seo le forbairt na seirbhísí sa todhchaí a thabhairt suas chun dáta.

(AQW 4110/01)

(a) This information is detailed in the table below.

(b) Information is not available in the form requested.

(a) Tá an t-eolas seo ar fáil go mion thíos.

(b) Níl an t-eolas ar fáil ar an dóigh iarrtha.

(AQW 4111/01)

Ms de Brún: Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts are responsible for ensuring that the nature and scale of day care services meet assessed local need.

Boards’ Health and Wellbeing Investment Plans contain proposals for expanding the provision of day care places in line with my Priorities for Action 2002/03. My Department will monitor progress against these Plans.

Tá Boird agus Iontaobhais Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta freagrach as cinntiú go riarann an sórt agus an méid seirbhísí cúraim lae ar an riachtanas measúnaithe áitiúil.

I bPleananna Infheistíochta Sláinte agus Folláine na mBord tá moltaí le soláthar na n-áiteanna cúraim lae a mhéadú de réir mo Thosaíochtaí le haghaidh Gnímh i 2002/03. Déanfaidh mo Roinn monatóireacht ar dhul chun cinn na bPleananna seo.

(AQW 4117/01)

Ms de Brún: The Ulster Hospital has been provided with a Union Flag. My Department does not advise HPSS Boards and Trusts of the designated dates for flying the Union Flag, but the dates are published in the Belfast Gazette. The Ulster Hospital has detailed written internal procedures for flying the Union Flag. The Union Flag was not flown at the Ulster Hospital on 15 June 2002.

The Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 stipulated that the Union Flag should be flown at full mast over Specified Government Buildings on certain designated dates each year. These designated dates and any additional dates are published in the Belfast Gazette. There is no requirement on HPSS Boards and Trusts to fly the Union Flag on the designated dates, and it is for each organisation to exercise its own discretion as to whether or not the flag should be flown.

Tugadh bratach na Ríochta Aontaithe d’Otharlann Uladh. Ní chuireann mo Roinn na dátaí ainmnithe in iúl do Bhoird agus d’Iontaobhais SSSP le bratach na Ríochta Aontaithe a chur ar foluain ach tá na dátaí foilsithe sa Belfast Gazette. Tá mionghnáthaimh inmheánacha scríofa ag Otharlann Uladh i dtaca le cur ar foluain bratach na Ríochta Aontaithe. Ní raibh bratach na Ríochta Aontaithe ar foluain thar Otharlann Uladh ar 15 Meitheamh 2002.

Rinne Rialacháin Bhratacha (Tuaisceart Éireann) 2000 coinníoll gur chóir go mbeadh bratach na Ríocha Aontaithe ar foluain ar bharr na gcrann thar Fhoirgnimh Rialtais ar leith ar dhátaí ainmnithe gach bliain. Tá na dátaí ainmnithe seo agus dátaí breise ar bith eile foilsithe sa Belfast Gazzette. Ní éilítear ar Bhoird agus ar Iontaobhais SSSP bratach na Ríochta Aontaithe a chur ar foluain ar na dátaí ainmnithe sin agus tá sé faoi gach eagraíocht féin cinneadh a dhéanamh ar ar chóir an bratach a chur ar foluain nó nár chóir.

(AQW 4124/01)

Ms de Brún: The Causeway HSS Trust hopes to be able to relocate services in the gynaecology ward at the Causeway Hospital next month. In the meantime gynaecology services have continued, and will continue to be maintained, elsewhere in the hospital, and urgent and emergency cases are being dealt with.

Tá súil ag Iontaobhas SSS an Chlocháin le bheith ábalta seirbhísí sa bharda gínéiceolaíochta in Otharlann an Chlocháin a athlonnú an mhí seo chugainn. Idir an dá linn, leanfar leo agus coinneofar iad go fóill in áit eile san otharlann agus táthar ag déileáil le cásanna práinneacha agus éigeandála.

(AQW 4129/01)

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

The numbers of civil servants in the Department who are known to live in (a) the constituency of West Tyrone and (b) the constituencies of Foyle and East Derry and who work in one of the 4 Belfast constituencies as at January 2002 are 4 and 9 respectively.

Níl eolas á choinneáil go díreach san fhoirm iarrtha.

Is iad 4 agus 9 faoi seach líon na státseirbhíseach sa Roinn mar is eol ar Eanáir 2002 a chónaíonn i (a) dtoghcheantar Thír Eoghain Thiar agus (b) i dtoghcheantair an Fheabhail agus Dhoire Thoir agus a oibríonn i gceann de na 4 toghcheantar i mBéal Feirste.

(AQW 4142/01)

(a) I have indicated my intention to centralise dermatology services in my consultation document ‘Developing Better Services – Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures’, launched on 12 June. This proposal is in line with the recommendations of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board’s report ‘Taking forward the Pattern of Acute Hospital Services in the Eastern Board Area’ (December 2000).

(b) The consultation period on ‘Developing Better Services – Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures’ will end on 30 September, and, following discussion at the Executive, it is hoped that final decisions will be reached before the end of 2002.

(c) The centralisation of dermatology, and the future provision of other regional services, needed to be considered within the context of the future overall provision of acute hospital services. It would not be sensible to centralise dermatology in advance of final decisions on acute hospital services.

(a) Sa doiciméad comhairliúchain s’agam‘Seirbhísí Níos Fearr A Fhorbairt - Otharlanna A Nuachóiriú agus Struchtúir a Leasú’ a lainseáladh ar 12 Meitheamh, chuir me in iúl an rún atá agam le seirbhísí deirmeolaíochta a lárú. Tá an moladh ag cloí le moltaí Thuairisc Bhord Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir ‘Ag glacadh chun tosaigh Patrún Seirbhísí na nGéarotharlann i gCeantar Bhord an Oirthir.’ (Nollaig 2000).

(b) Críochnóidh an tréimhse chomhairliúcháin ar ‘Seirbhísí Níos Fearr A Fhorbairt - Otharlanna A Nuachóiriú agus Struchtúir a Leasú’ ar 30 Meán Fómhair, agus, i ndiaidh caibidlí ag an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin, táthar ag súil gur féidir cinní a dhéanamh roimh dheireadh 2002.

(c) Bhí gá le machnamh a dhéanamh ar lárú deirmeolaíochta, agus ar sholáthar seirbhísí eile reigiúnach amach anseo, taobh istigh den chomhthéacs de sholáthar seirbhísí géarotharlainne san iomlán amach anseo. Ní bheadh ciall leis deirmeolaíocht a lárú roimh chinní deiridh bheith déanta ar sheirbhísí géarotharlainne.

(AQW 4143/01)

Ms de Brún: The risk factors for coronary heart disease i.e. physical inactivity, poor nutrition, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are the same for urban and rural areas.

The Health Promotion Agency which is responsible for health promotion public information campaigns spent £1 million last year on initiatives to tackle the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease. A similar amount will be spent in the current year. These efforts are complemented at local level by the health promotion work of Health & Social Services Boards and Trusts and by general medical practitioners.

Is mar a chéile i gceantair uirbeacha agus tuaithe na fachtóirí riosca do ghalar croí corónach i.e. míghníomhaíocht fhisiceach, cothú lag, caitheamh tobac agus an iomarca alcóil.

Caith an Ghníomhaireacht um Chur Chun Cinn Sláinte, atá freagrach as feachtais faisnéise poiblí ar chur chun sláinte, £1 milliún anuraidh ar thionscnaimh le tabhairt faoi na fachtóirí riosca a bhaineann le galar croí corónach. Caithfear méid den chineál céanna sa bhliain reatha. Déantar comhlánú ar na hiarrachtaí sin ag leibhéal áitiúil ag obair chur chun cinn sláinte na mBord agus na nIontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus agus ag gnáthlia-chleachtóirí.

(AQW 4144/01)

(a) The number of beds set aside for respite care in Statutory Residential Homes within these areas is as follows:

Children from these areas may also avail of respite care beds in Cherrylodge, a 3-bed unit in Randalstown.

In addition respite care is provided by the independent sector and the number of respite care days purchased from this sector by Homefirst Trust in 2001/2002 is detailed in the following table:

Within these geographical areas there are 30 people who provide child care respite in their homes. These services include a range of day care, overnight and weekend respite. Respite is provided in all other programmes of care in the form of day care and to people in their own homes through the Trust’s contract with Extracare and Crossroads.

(b) The information requested is not available.

(c) – (e)

The Carers Strategy published in April stated that carers have a right to rest, relaxation and a social life. This was one of the key principles identified by carers themselves which they considered should underpin the strategy. The Department along with Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts will review the provision currently being made for carers’ breaks with carers and people needing care.

The Carers and Direct Payments Act 2002 has a provision, subject to the making of regulations, which will give HSS Trusts the power to run short-term break voucher schemes. Such schemes will be designed to offer flexibility in the timing of carers’ breaks and choice in the way services are delivered to the person cared for while his or her usual carer is taking a break. Regulations will be introduced when the review of respite care provision has been completed.

Is mar seo a leanas atá an líon leapacha atá curtha i leataobh do chúram faoisimh sna hÁrais Chónaitheacha Reachtúla laistigh de na ceantair sin:

Is féidir le leanaí ó na ceantair sin fáil a bheith acu ar leapacha chúram faoisimh in Cherrylodge, aonad 3 leaba i mBaile Raghnaill.

Chomh maith leis sin cuireann an earnáil neamhspleách cúram faoisimh ar fáil agus tugtar tuairisc sa tábla seo a leanas ar an líon laethanta chúram faoisimh a cheannaigh Iontaobhas Homefirst ón earnáil sin i 2001/2002:

Laistigh de na ceantair gheografacha sin tá 30 duine ann a sholáthraíonn cúram faoisimh leanaí ina dteach féin. Áirítear ar na seirbhísí sin raon chúram faoisimh lae, thar oíche agus deireadh seachtaine. Soláthraítear cúram faoisimh i ngach clár faoisimh eile i bhfoirm chúram lae agus cuirtear sin ar fáil i dteach na ndaoine féin trí chonradh an Iontaobhais le Extracare agus Crossroads.

(b) Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh.

(c) – (e)

Luaigh an Straitéis Chúramaithe a foilsíodh i mí Aibreáin go bhfuil sé de cheart ag cúramaithe scíth, suaimhneas agus saol sóisialta a bheith acu. Ba shin ceann de na príomhphrionsabail a d’aithin na cúramaithe iad féin a mheas siad a chuirfeadh taca faoin straitéis. Déanfaidh an Roinn i dteannta na mBord agus na nIontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta athbhreithniú ar an soláthar atá á dhéanamh faoi láthair do shosanna cúramaithe le cúramaithe agus daoine a mbíonn cúram de dhíth orthu.

Tá foráil san Acht um Chúramaithe agus Íocaíochtaí Díreacha 2002, faoi réir ag rialacháin a dhéanamh, a thabhairfaidh an chumhacht d’Iontaobhais SSS scéimeanna dearbháin do shos gearrtréimhseach a rith. Beidh scéimeanna den sórt sin deartha chun solúbthacht a chur ar fáil i leagan amach thráth na sosanna cúramaithe agus rogha a chur ar fáil sa chaoi a seachadtar seirbhísí don duine faoi chúram fad a bhíonn a ghnáthchúramaí ar sos. Tabharfar rialacháin isteach nuair a thabharfar an t-athbhreithniú ar sholáthar cúraim chun críche.

(AQW 4157/01)

(a) In 2001 958 prescriptions were issued by GPs for Methadone (in both its proprietary and generic forms) and in addition a number issued by consultant psychiatrists for which figures are not available.

(b) The information requested is not available.

(c) The Needle and Syringe Exchange Scheme is operated by a few pharmacists across the four Health Board areas. This is a confidential and non-judgemental service issuing clean needles and syringes to injecting drug users and providing a facility for the return of used equipment. This service is placed in local pharmacies, making it easily accessible with the benefit of professional advice being available.

(a) I 2001 bhí 958 oideas do Methadone ordaithe ag GDanna (ina fhoirmeacha dílsithe agus cineálacha araon) agus ina theannta sin, bhí roinnt díobh ordaithe ag síciatraithe comhairleacha nach bhfuil figiúirí ar fáil dóibh.

(b) Níl an t-eolas iarrtha ar fáil.

(c) Tá an Scéim Mhalartaithe Snáthaide agus Steallaire á stiúradh ag cúpla cógaiseoir ar fud na gceithre Bhordcheantar Sláinte. Is seirbhís rúnda agus neamhdhrochmheasúil í seo a thugann snáthaidí agus steallairí glana amach do mhí-úsáideoirí drugaí atá a n-instealladh féin agus a sholáthraíonn áise leis an trealamh úsáidte a thabhairt ar ais di. Tá an tseirbhís seo ar fáil i gcógaslanna áitiúla, a éascaíonn an rochtain uirthi agus a thugann comhairle ghairmiúil uirthi.

(AQW 4163/01)

Ms de Brún: In accordance with The Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, the Union flag was flown at Castle Buildings at half mast from Thursday 4 April to Tuesday 9 April 2002.

De réir Rialacháin na mBratach (Tuaisceart Éireann) 2000, cuireadh bratach an Aontais ar leathfholuain ag Foirgnimh an Caisleáin ón Déardaoin 4 Aibreán go dtí an Mháirt 9 Aibreán 2002.

(AQW 4178/01)

Ms de Brún: The new Integrated Primary Health and Social Care Centre in Kilkeel is a priority, and I am looking at how progress can be made.

At the end of last year a bid was made to Executive Programme Funds to allow the scheme to begin, but this was unsuccessful. A fresh bid on the additional funding recently announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown was put forward, but this has also been unsuccessful. I will continue to explore the possibilities in the context of the overall capital pressures facing my Department.

Is tosaíocht é an tIonad nua Imeasctha Príomhchúram Sláinte agus Sóisialta i gCill Chaoil agus tá mé ag fiosrú na dóighe ar féidir dul chun cinn a dhéanamh.

Ag deireadh na bliana seo a chuaigh thart cuireadh tairiscint isteach ar Chistí Chlár an Fheidhmiúcháin le ligint don scéim tósú ach níor éirigh léi. Cuireadh tairiscint úr eile isteach ar mhaoiniú breise a d’fhógair Seansailéir Gordon Brown ach theip uirthi seo chomh maith. Leanfaidh mé le bheith ag fiosrú na bhféidearthachtaí i gcomhthéacs na mbrúnna iomlána caipitil ar an Roinn s’agam.

(AQW 4250/01)

Ms de Brún: I will be determining the question of the appropriate level of resources for the Mental Health Commission following consideration of the recent review of the Commission.

Cinnfidh mé ceist an leibhéil chuí acmhainní don Choimisiún Sláinte Meabhraí tar éis an t-athbhreithniú a rinne an Coimisiún le déanaí a bhreithniú.

(AQW 4252/01)

Ms de Brún: In the 1991 Census, some 142,000 people (9.4% of the population) claimed that they could speak, read or write Irish, and I would expect the numbers to have increased in the years since the Census. There are however no figures for the number of people who are Irish only speakers.

I nDaonáireamh 1991 dúirt 142,000 (9.4% den daonra) go raibh siad ábalta Gaeilge a labhairt, a léamh nó a scríobh agus bheinn ag súil go mbeadh ardú tagtha ar na figiúirí ó aimsir an Daonáirimh. Níl aon fhigiúirí ann áfach faoi na daoine nach labhrann ach Gaeilge amháin.

(AQW 4314/01)

Ms de Brún: During the period 1 April 2001 – 31 March 2002 there were 45 fire stations which were unable to turn out to some incidents due to staff shortages and 43 fire stations where appliances turned out with staffing levels which were below the minimum standard.

Le linn na tréimhse 1 Aibreán 2001 – 31 Márta 2002 bhí 45 stáisiún dóiteáin ann nach raibh ábalta freastal ar theagmhais de dheasca na heaspa foirne agus 43 stáisiún dóiteáin ann a raibh líon na foirne a d’fhreastail ar theagmhais i ngléasanna faoin íoschaighdeán.

(AQW 4315/01)

Ms de Brún: During the period 1 April 2001 – 31 March 2002 there were no instances where the fire station in Newry failed to turn out to incidents. At Armagh fire station there were 3 instances of failure to turn out due to staff shortages and 2 where staffing levels were below the minimum standard.

Le linn na tréimhse 1 Aibreán 2001 – 31 Márta 2002 ní raibh uair ar bith ann nár fhreastail an stáisiún dóiteáin ar an Iúr ar theagmhais. Theip ar stáisiún dóiteáin Ard Mhacha freastal ar theagmhais 3 uair de dheasca na heaspa foirne agus bhí líon na foirne faoin íoschaighdeán 2 uair.

(AQW 4324/01)

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

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

(AQW 4386/01)

Ms de Brún: No reports have been made to my officials over the last year regarding soil or water samples in the East Antrim coastal area.

Ní tugadh tuairisc ar bith do na hoifigigh s’agam le bliain anuas maidir le samplaí ithireach nó uisce i gceantar cóstach Oirthear Aontroma.