(AQW 4303/01)

Ms de Brún: The A & E department of the Causeway Hospital does not have any beds designated specifically for accident and emergency cases so the question of bed shortage in that department does not arise. There is however a bed shortage overall, occasioned mainly by an inexplicable increase in the number of urgent and emergency surgical admissions and by staff sickness.

The number of people awaiting discharge from Causeway Hospital to the community at the end of May 2002 showed an 11% decrease on the previous month. Overall in the seven months from September 2001 to March 2002 delayed discharges from all acute hospitals fell by 23%.

In addition to the £2m I made available in the last financial year for further community care packages and the £10.8m for winter pressures, I have provided a further £19m for community care services this year. Part of that money will go to supporting an additional 1000 people in the community and enable earlier discharge from hospital. I will continue to seek, with my Executive colleagues, further funding to alleviate the pressures.

The first report of the Community Care Review, published in April 2002, identified a range of good-practice schemes designed to reduce hospital admissions and facilitate faster, safe discharge and hospital-at-home services. Arrangements are being made to share these across HSS Trusts.

Níl leaba ar bith i Roinn T & É Otharlann an Chlocháin curtha i leataobh go háirithe do chásanna timpistí agus éigeandálaí agus sa chás sin, ní bhaineann an ganntanas leapacha sa roinn sin leis an cheist. Go ginearálta áfach, tá ganntanas leapacha ann, arb iad an méadú domhínithe i líon na ndaoine ligthe isteach go práinneach nó ar éigeandáil le haghaidh máinliachta agus tinneas na n-oibrithe go príomha is cúis leis.

Bhí líon na ndaoine ag fanacht le bheith scaoilte amach ó Otharlann an Chlocháin sa phobal ag deireadh mhí na Bealtaine 2002 11% níos lú ná an mhí roimhe sin. Sna seacht mí ó Mheán Fómhair 2001 go Márta 2002, thit líon na ndaoine scaoilte amach moillithe ó ghéarotharlanna faoi 23% san iomlán.

I dteannta an £2m a chuir mé ar fáil sa bhliain airgeadais seo a chuaigh thart do níos mó pacáistí cúraim phobail agus an £10.8m le tabhairt faoi bhrúnna geimhridh, chuir mé £19m breise ar fáil do sheirbhísí cúraim phobail i mbliana. Úsáidfear cuid den airgead sin le tacú le 1000 duine breise sa phobal agus éascóidh sé scaoileadh amach níos luaithe ó otharlanna. Leanfaidh mé le hiarraidh ar, mar aon le mo chomhghleacaithe sa Choiste Feidhmiúcháin, mhaoiniú breise leis na brúnna a mhaolú.

D’aimsigh an chéad tuairisc den Athbhreithniú ar Chúram Pobail, foilsithe in Aibreán 2002, réimse scéimeanna dea-chleachtas ceaptha leis an méid daoine ligthe isteach in otharlanna a laghdú, agus le scaoileadh amach níos gaiste agus slán daoine agus le seirbhísí otharlann sa bhaile a éascú. Tá na socruithe á ndéanamh leo seo a roinnt ar fud na nIontaobhas SSS.

(AQW 4304/01)

Ms de Brún: I am at present considering a request to meet with representatives of Epilepsy Action Branches.

Tá mé ag déanamh machnaimh faoi láthair ar iarratas le bualadh le hionadaithe Bhrainsí Ghníomhú ar Thitimeas.

(AQW 4305/01)

(AQW 4306/01)

Ms de Brún: The prioritisation and funding of services is a matter, in the first instance, for Health and Social Services Boards, as commissioners of services for their local populations.

Is ceist do Bhoird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta í, ar an chéad dul síos, tosaíocht a thabhairt do sheirbhísí agus dá maoiniú mar an lucht coimisiúnaithe seirbhísí dá ndaonraí áitiúla.

(AQW 4307/01)

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

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

(AQW 4313/01)

Ms de Brún: The average GP patient list size is 1,812 patients per whole time equivalent GP.

Across all Board areas there are 63 single partner GPs. In the Eastern Board area there are 28.

In the Eastern Board area there are 7 single partner GPs with a list size above the average GP patient list size and 21 single partner GPs with a list size below the average

Information on the number of GP practices using locum GPs and the number of GP locums registered are not readily available in the form requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Is é 1,812 othar an GD coibhéise lánaimseartha meánlíon na ndaoine ar liostaí othar GD.

Trasna na gceantar Boird go léir tá 63 GD páirtí shingil. I gceantar Bhord an Oirthir tá 28.

I gceantar Bhord an Oirthir tá 7 GD páirtí shingil le liosta de dhaoine níos mó ná an meánlíon daoine ar liosta othar GD agus 21 GD páirtí shingil le liosta de dhaoine níos lú ná an meánlíon.

Níl eolas ar líon na gclinicí GD ag úsaid GDanna ionaid agus ar líon na nGDanna ionaid cláraithe ar fáil go héasca san fhormáid iarrtha agus ní féidir é a sholáthar ach ar chostas dhíréireach.

(AQW 4321/01)

Ms de Brún: The following officials are members of the Inter-departmental Group:

Mr Leslie Frew Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Mr Andrew Hamilton Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Mr Rodney Scott Department of Finance and Personnel

Mr Eugene Rooney Office of the First and Deputy First Minister

Mr Martin Mayock Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Mr John O’Neill Department for Social Development

Is baill iad na hoifigigh a leanas den Ghrúpa Idir-rannach:

An tUasal Leslie Frew An Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí

An tUasal Andrew Hamilton An Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí

An tUasal Rodney Scott An Roinn Airgeadais agus Pearsanra

An tUasal Eugene Rooney Oifig an Chéad-Aire agus an LeasChéad-Aire

An tUasal Martin Mayock An Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí

An tUasal John O’Neill An Roinn Forbartha Sóisialta

(AQW 4325/01)

Ms de Brún: In March last year I established an inter-sectoral Working Group to develop a comprehensive Action Plan to tackle smoking here. In developing the Action Plan the Working Group took full account of the White Paper. The protection of non-smokers is a key element of the Plan, which will be issued shortly for consultation.

I Márta na bliana seo caite bhunaigh mé Grúpa idir-rannógach Oibre le Plean cuimsitheach Gnímh a chumadh le tabhairt faoi chaitheamh tobac anseo. I gcumadh an Phlean Ghnímh chuir an Grúpa Oibre an Páipéar Bán san áireamh. Is í príomhghné den Phlean í cosaint neamhchaiteoirí tobac, a chuirfear amach ar ball le haghaidh comhairliúcháin.

(AQW 4339/01)

Ms de Brún: The number of patients who waited for admission to wards in the Ulster Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit for the period January to March 2002 (the most recent data available) was 3,405. 70% of these patients were admitted within 2 hours of the clinician’s decision to admit. For the same period in 2001 3,605 patients waited for admission, 71% of these patients were admitted within 2 hours of the clinician’s decision to admit.

Ba é 3,405 líon na n-othar a d’fhan le hiontráil ar bhardaí ó Ionad Timpistí agus Éigeandálaí Otharlann Uladh don tréimhse Eanáir go Márta 2002 (na sonraí is déanaí atá ar fáil). Ligeadh isteach 70% de na hothair seo taobh istigh de 2 uair a chloig i ndiaidh cinneadh dochtúra chun iad a iontráil. Don tréimhse chéanna i 2001 d’fhan 3,650 othar ar iontráil, ligeadh isteach 71% de na hothair seo taobh istigh de 2 uair a chloig i ndiaidh cinneadh dochtúra chun iad a iontráil.

(AQW 4340/01)

Ms de Brún: The Strategic Development Plan for the Ulster Hospital, which I announced on 31 July 2001, includes a proposal to extend the Accident and Emergency department and to upgrade it to meet statutory standards. I have also allocated £2 million for the reinstatement of 20 adult inpatient beds in the Jaffe Ward, to address the problems of bed capacity at the hospital and reduce the unacceptable number of patients waiting for admission.

San áireamh sa phlean forbartha straitéisí d’Otharlann Uladh, a d’fhógair mé ar 31 Iúil 2001, tá moladh ann chun cur leis an Roinn Timpistí agus Éigeandálaí agus í a uasghrádú le teacht le caighdeáin reachtúla. Dháil mé £2 milliún fosta le haghaidh athshuíomh 20 leaba othar cónaitheach aosach ar Bharda Jaffe, le dul i ngleic le fadhbanna toillte na leapa ag an otharlann agus leis an uimhir dhoghlactha othar ag fanacht le hiontráil a laghdú.

(AQW 4341/01)

Ms de Brún: The main factors behind the shortage of beds at the Ulster Hospital’s Accident and Emergency department on 25 June were an unusually heavy demand for beds, especially medical beds, a higher than average requirement for urgent elective surgical admissions, and a significant number of patients awaiting discharge.

The Strategic Development Plan for the Ulster Hospital, which I announced on 31 July 2001, includes a proposal to extend the Accident and Emergency department and to upgrade it to meet statutory standards. I have also allocated £2 million for the reinstatement of 20 adult inpatient beds in the Jaffe Ward, to address the problems of bed capacity at the hospital and reduce the unacceptable number of patients waiting for admission.

Ba iad an ráchairt mhór neamhchoitianta ar leapacha, leapacha míochaine go háirithe, riachtanas níos airde ná mar atá coitianta d’iontráil mháinliach roghnach phráinneach, agus uimhir mhór d’othair ag fanacht le bheith scaoilte amach na príomhfhachtóirí is mó leis aneaspa leapacha ag Roinn Timpistí agus Éigeandálaí Otharlann Uladh ar 25 Meitheamh.

San áireamh sa phlean forbartha straitéisí d’Otharlann Uladh, a d’fhógair mé ar 31 Iúil 2001, tá moladh ann chun cur leis an Roinn Timpistí agus Éigeandálaí agus í a uasghrádú le teacht le caighdeáin reachtúla. Dháil mé £2 milliún fosta le haghaidh athshuíomh 20 leaba othar cónaitheach aosach ar Bharda Jaffe, le dul i ngleic le fadhbanna toillte na leapa ag an otharlann agus leis an uimhir dhoghlactha othar ag fanacht le hiontráil a laghdú.

(AQW 4348/01)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available. Information on the time that patients wait to be seen in A&E departments is not collected centrally. The current Charter Standard is that when patients need to be admitted to hospital from an A&E Department, they should be given a bed within two hours of the clinician’s decision to admit them.

In the quarter January to March 2002, 75% of patients admitted to wards from the Trust’s Accident and Emergency Department were admitted within 2 hours of a clinician’s decision to admit.

Níl an t-eolas iarrtha ar fáil. Ní bhailítear eolas go lárnach ar an méid ama a fhanann othair le bheith cóireáilte i ranna T & É. Is é Caighdeán láithreach na Cairte gur chóir go dtabharfaí leaba d’othair nuair is éigean iad a ligean isteach in otharlann ó Roinn T & É, laistigh de dhá uair ó chinneadh an lia iad a ligean isteach.

Sa ráithe Eanáir go Márta 2002, ligeadh isteach 75% d’othair ligthe isteach i mbardaí ó Roinn Timpistí agus Éigeandálaí an Iontaobhais laistigh de dhá uair ó chineadh an lia iad a ligean isteach.

(AQW 4349/01)

Ms de Brún: The two additional neurologists recommended in the Review of Neurology Services have been appointed with effect from 1 August 2002.

Ceapadh beirt néareolaithe breise a moladh san Athbhreithniú ar Sheirbhísí Néareolaíochta le tosú ó 1 Lúnasa 2002.

(AQW 4363/01)

Ms de Brún: Although the interviews for posts in the Fire Brigade control room at Lisburn have been completed, the list of successful candidates will not be published until medical examinations have been completed and all candidates notified of whether or not they have been successful. The Fire Authority anticipates that the list of successful candidates will be published by 31 July 2002.

As to the experience that individual candidates have of working in the Brigade’s Control Room, it is not Brigade policy to disclose any information that could lead to the identification of individuals and thereby breach confidentiality. However, 5 of the 135 candidates interviewed were existing temporary control room staff.

Cé go ndearnadh na hagallaimh do na poist i seomra rialúcháin na Briogáide Dóiteáin i Lios na gCearrbhach, ní fhoilseofar liosta de na hiarrthóirí ar éirigh leo go dtí go ndéanfar scrúduithe míochaine orthu agus go gcuirfear in iúl do na hiarrthóirí gur éirigh leo nó nár éirigh leo. Tá súil ag an Údarás Dóiteáin go bhfoilseofar liosta de na hiarrthóirí ar éirigh leo faoi 31 Iúil 2002.

Maidir leis an taithí atá ag iarrthóirí aonair ar obair a dhéanamh i Seomra Rialúcháin na Briogáide, ní hé polasaí na Briogáide é eolas a nochtadh a d’fhéadfadh daoine aonair a aithniú agus dá bharr sin, a sháródh rúndacht. Bhí 5 de na 135 iarrthóir a cuireadh faoi agallamh ina n-oibrithe sealadacha láithreacha sa Seomra Rialúcháin áfach.

(AQW 4364/01)

Ms de Brún: The table below outlines the information you have requested. All of these vehicles which include landrovers, vans and mini buses were purchased through the Home Office Framework Agreement.

In addition, all of the Brigade’s 138 major pumping appliances, purchased through open tender, are capable of holding a crew of six personnel. The Brigade’s fleet of 147 cars are capable of carrying five persons. These vehicles are procured through the Home Office Framework Agreement.

There have been no vehicles purchased under a manufacturer / dealer demonstrator scheme.

Déanann an tábla thíos breacadh síos ar na sonraí a d’iarr tú. Ceannaíodh gach feithicil tríd an Chomhaontú Creatlaigh Oifig Ghnóthaí Baile.

Ina theannta sin, is féidir le gach mórghléas pumpála (138) de chuid na Briogáide foireann de sheisear pearsanra a iompar. Ceannaíodh na feithiclí seo trí thairiscintí oscailte.

Is féidir le cairr na Briogáide (147) cúigear a iompar. Soláthraítear na feithiclí seo tríd an Chomhaontú Chreatlaigh Oifig Ghnóthaí Baile

Níor ceannaíodh feithicil ar bith faoi scéim léirsitheora déantóra / déileálaí.

(AQW 4365/01)

Ms de Brún: This case did not proceed to the Tribunal as the matter is being resolved by agreement between the parties.

Ní dheachaigh an cás seo ar aghaidh chuig an Bhinse mar tá an t-ábhar á réiteach trí chomhaontú idir na páirtithe.

(AQW 4366/01)

(a) The members of the interview panel for the appointment of non-executive members to the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland, which sat on 25 March, 8 April and 15 April 2002, were appointed in line with my Department’s Public Appointment Procedures. The Panel of three comprised:

• a senior civil servant in the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, responsible for policy and performance management in the business area of public safety, who chaired the Panel;

• the Chair of the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland, who was a member of the Panel; and

• an Independent Assessor, in line with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, who was a member of the Panel. The Independent Assessor is one of a pool of such Independent Assessors and has many years’ experience in the field of human resources.

(b) I am not aware of any conflict of interest or personal relationship between any applicant and any member of the selection panel. In accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, the Independent Assessor validated the selection process, including shortlisting and interviewing. I am content that the interviews were conducted in strict accordance with the Commissioner’s Code of Practice.

The panel’s role is to assess each candidate’s ability against the published criteria for the post. The panel then comes to a collective decision on the outcome of the interviews, and provides these assessments to the Department. The over-riding principle remains appointment on merit and no candidates can be recommended to me unless they have been assessed as suitable against the established selection criteria. It is then my responsibility to select the successful candidate(s).

(a) Ceapadh baill an phainéil agallaimh le haghaidh ceapadh na mball neamh-fheidhmeannach d’Údarás Dóiteáin Thuaisceart Éireann, a shuigh ar 25 Márta, 8 Aibreán agus ar 15 Aibreán 2002, de réir Ghnáthamh Ceapacháin Phoiblí na Roinne s’agam. Ar an phainéal de thriúr bhí;

• Státseirbhíseach sinsearach sa Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí, atá freagrach as bainistíocht polasaí feidhmiúcháin san earnáil ghnó de shábháilteacht phoiblí, a bhí ina chathaoirleach ar an Phainéal;

• Cathaoirleach Údarás Dóiteáin Thuaisceart Éireann, a bhí mar bhall den Phainéal; agus

• Measúnóir Neamhspleách, de réir Cód Cleachtais eisithe ag an Choimisinéir um Cheapacháin Phoiblí, a bhí ina bhall den Phainéal. Is duine de dhream Measúnóirí Neamhspleácha é an Measúnóir Neamhspleách a bhfuil roinnt mhaith blianta de thaithí aige san achar acmhainní daonna.

(b) Níl a fhios agam faoi choinbhleacht spéise nó faoi chaidreamh pearsanta ar bith idir iarratasóir agus ball ar bith den phainéal roghnaithe. Dhaingnigh an Measúnóir Neamhspleách, de réir Cód Cleachtais eisithe ag an Choimisinéir um Cheapacháin Phoiblí, an próiseas roghnaithe, an ghearrliostáil agus na hagallaimh san áireamh. Tá mé sásta go ndearnadh na hagallaimh go hiomlán de réir Chód Cleachtais an Choimisinéara.

Is é ról an phainéil ábaltacht gach iarratasóir a mheas in éadan na gcritéar foilsithe don phost. Tagann an painéal ar chomhchinneadh ansin ar thoradh na n-agallamh, agus soláthraíonn sé na meastacháin don Roinn. Is é an prionsabal is tábhachtaí ná go gceaptar iarratasóir bunaithe ar thuillteanas agus ní féidir iarratasóir ar bith a mholadh dom ach gur measadh iad a bheith cuí de réir na gcritéar bunaithe roghnach. Is í mé féin atá freagrach ansin as an iarratasóir rathúil / na hiarratasóirí rathúla a roghnú.

(AQW 4394/01)

Ms de Brún: Information on people waiting for treatment either as inpatients or outpatients is collected on the basis of specialty rather than the type of operation.

At 31 March 2002, the number of patients waiting for inpatient admission to hospital in the ophthalmology specialty was 6,099. The number of outpatients waiting for a first appointment in the same specialty at 31 March 2002 was 14,592.

Bailítear eolas ar dhaoine ag fanacht ar chóireáil mar othair chónaitheacha nó mar othair sheachtracha ar bhonn speisialtóireachta seachas an sórt obráide.

Ar 31 Márta 2002, ba é 6,099 duine líon na n-othar ag fanacht le bheith ligthe isteach in otharlanna sa speisialtóireacht oftailmeolaíochta mar othair chónaitheacha. Ba é 14,592 duine líon na n-othar seachtrach a bhí ag fanacht ar a gcéad choinne sa speisialtóireacht chéanna ar 31 Márta 2002.

(AQW 4406/01)

Ms de Brún: Hours worked by medical staff within the Accident & Emergency Department of The Ulster Hospital vary, dependent upon their grade. They all work within the recommended guidelines set by the British Medical Association and Junior Doctors Committee on compliance with the "New Deal" on Junior Doctors’ Hours. Any gaps in the service are filled by locum medical staff as required.

Nursing staff work, on average, 30-37½ hours per week. Where extra cover is required, this is provided by Bank or Agency staff. If A&E nursing staff work any additional hours, they do so on a voluntary basis and in keeping with the hours set down in the Working Time regulations.

Athraíonn na huaireanta oibre déanta ag an fhoireann mhíochaine i Roinn Timpistí & Éigeandálaí Otharlann Uladh, de réir a ngráid. Oibríonn siad taobh istigh de na treoirlínte leagtha síos ag Cumann Míochaine na Breataine agus ag Coiste na nDochtúirí Sóisearacha ar chomhall an "New Deal" ar Uaireanta Dochtúirí Sóisearacha. Líonann oibrithe ionaid míochaine de réir na huaire atá siad de dhíth bearna ar bith sa tseirbhís.

Oibríonn oibrithe altranais 30-37½ uair sa tseachtain, ar an mheán. Nuair atá cumhdach de dhíth, tá sé seo déanta ag oibrithe Ionaid nó Gníomhaireachta. Má oibríonn oibrithe altranais T&É níos mó uaireanta, déanann siad iad seo go deonach agus de réir na n-uaireanta leagtha síos sna rialacháin ar Amanna Oibre.

(AQW 4408/01)

Ms de Brún: Such studies add to our knowledge and research base. The conclusions reached confirm my Department’s assessment that a multi-faceted approach is needed in tackling teenage pregnancy. This approach will be reflected in my Department’s Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood Strategy and Action Plan which will be issued shortly. It will stress the importance of parent/child communication, sex education in the context of relationships and personal and social education, promoting self esteem and good accessibility to services delivered by well trained staff.

Cuireann a leithéid de staidéar seo lenár mbonn taighde agus eolais. Daingníonn na tátail a baineadh as measúnú na Roinne s’agam go bhfuil gá le cur chuige iltaobhach le dul i ngleic le toircheas déagóirí. Léireofar an cur chuige seo i bPlean Gnímh agus Straitéise na Roinne s’agam ar Thoircheas agus ar Thuismíocht Déagóra a eiseofar gan mhoill. Cuirfidh sé béim ar thábhacht na cumarsáide idir tuismitheoir agus páiste, ghnéasoideachas i gcomhthéacs caidrimh agus oideachais phearsanta agus shóisialta, chur chun cinn féinmheasa agus ar inrochtaineacht ar sheirbhísí soláthraithe ag foireann ardoilte.

(AQW 4410/01)

(a) I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 2791/01.

(b) The cost, to date, of the work since the closing date for consultation on the Acute Hospitals Review (31 October 2001), leading to the publication of the consultation paper: ‘Developing Better Services: Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures’, is estimated to be £151,714. This figure includes DHSSPS staff salaries, commissioned research, and the cost of printing, translating, distributing and advertising the consultation paper.

(a) Luaim don Bhall an freagra a thug mé ar AQW 2791/01.

(b) Meastar gurb é £151,714 na costais, go nuige seo, don obair ó dháta deiridh an chomhairliúcháin ar an Athbhreithniú ar Ghéarotharlanna (31 Deireadh Fómhair 2001), suas go foilsiú an pháipéir chomhairliúcháin: ‘Seirbhísí Níos Fearr A Fhorbairt - Otharlanna A Nuachóiriú agus Struchtúir a Leasú’. San áireamh leis an fhigiúr seo tá tuarastail oibrithe na RSSSSP, taighde coimisiúnaithe, agus costais phriontála, aistriú, dáileadh agus fógairt an pháipéir chomhairliúcháin.

(AQW 4414/01)

Ms de Brún: Information on people waiting for treatment is not available by gender or age.

Information on people waiting for treatment either as inpatients or outpatients is collected on the basis of specialty rather than the type of operation.

At 31 March 2002, the number of patients waiting for inpatient and day case admission to hospital in the ophthalmology specialty was 6,099. Of the 6,099 patients waiting, 5,240 had been waiting less than 12 months, 755 had been waiting between 12 and 24 months, and 104 had been waiting longer than 24 months.

The number of outpatients waiting for a first appointment in the ophthalmology specialty at 31 March 2002 was 14,592. Of those 12,203 patients had been waiting less than 12 months, 2,043 patients had been waiting between 12 and 24 months, and 346 patients were waiting longer than 24 months.

Níl eolas ar dhaoine ag fanacht le cóireáil ar fáil de réir inscne nó aoise.

Bailítear eolas ar dhaoine ag fanacht le cóireáil mar othair chónaitheacha nó mar éisothair ar bhonn speisialtachta ná an sórt obráide.

Ar 31 Márta 2002, ba é 6,099 líon na n-othar a bhí ag fanacht le hiontráil san otharlann mar othair chónaitheacha nó mar chás lae sa speisialtacht oftailmeolaíochta. De na 6,099 othar a bhí ag fanacht, bhí 5,240 ag fanacht níos lú ná 12 mí, 755 ag fanacht idir 12 agus 24 mí, agus bhí 104 ag fanacht níos mó ná 24 mí.

Ba é 14,592 líon na n-éisothar a bhí ag fanacht lena gcéad choinne sa speisialtacht oftailmeolaíochta ar 31 Márta 2002. Díobh siúd, bhí 12,203 othar ag fanacht níos lú ná 12 mí, 2,043 othar ag fanacht idir 12 agus 24 mí, agus bhí 346 othar ag fanacht níos mó ná 24 mí.

(AQW 4415/01)

Ms de Brún: Currently there are 20 (Whole Time Equivalent 18.92) Consultant Ophthalmologists who provide ophthalmology services on a regional basis for the entire population.. These consultants are based at the Royal Group of Hospitals, the Mater and Altnagelvin Trusts.

Faoi láthair, tá 20 Oftailmeolaí Comhairleach (18.92 Coibhéis Lánaimseartha) ann a sholáthraíonn seirbhísí oftailmeolaíochta ar bhonn réigiúnach don phobal iomlán. Tá na hoftailmeolaithe comhairleacha seo lonnaithe in Iontaobhais Otharlanna an Ghrúpa Ríoga, an Mater agus Alt na nGealbhan.

(AQW 4416/01)

Ms de Brún: Ophthalmic opticians and ophthalmic medical practitioners decide whether a person’s sight needs to be tested in the light of their assessment of the person’s eye care needs. The interval at which a person should be advised to have another check up is also a matter for clinical judgement.

A Health Service sight test fee of £16.72 is payable to practitioners for sight tests carried out on or after 1 April 2002 on behalf of those who are exempt from Health Service charges. Health Service domiciliary visiting fees, which are payable in addition to the sight test fee, are £29.44 for the first and subsequent person seen at one visit and £7.37 for the third and subsequent persons seen at the same visit.

Déanann radharceolaithe oftalmacha agus dochtúirí oftalmacha míochaine cinneadh ar an ghá le scrúdú nó gan scrúdú a dhéanamh ar radharc duine ag cuimhneamh ar a measúnú ar riachtanais chúram súile an duine. Is ceist don dochtúir í fosta cinneadh cliniciúil a dhéanamh ar a mhinice a ba chóir a mholadh do dhuine dul chuig an dochtúir le haghaidh scrúdaithe.

Tá táille scrúdú radhairc na Seirbhíse Sláinte de £16.72 iníoctha le dochtúirí do scrúduithe radhairc déanta ar nó i ndiaidh 1 Aibreán 2002 thar cionn na ndaoine sin atá saor ó tháillí na Seirbhíse Sláinte a íoc. Is é £29.44 táille na Seirbhíse Sláinte do chuartaíocht bhaile, atá iníoctha mar bharr ar an táille scrúdú radhairc, don chéad duine agus don duine eile cóireáilte i ndiaidh sin ar chuairt amháin, agus is é £7.37 atá iníoctha don triú duine agus do dhaoine eile cóireáilte ina dhiaidh sin ar an chuairt chéanna.

(AQW 4419/01)

Ms de Brún: During the financial year 2001/02, the Fire Authority produced 50,000 information leaflets at a cost of £695.00.

Le linn na bliana airgeadais 2001/02 chuir an tÚdarás Dóiteáin 50,000 bileog eolais ar fáil ar chostas £695.00.

(AQW 4420/01)

Ms de Brún: The cost of providing Fire Service information leaflets is covered by the Fire Authority’s budget allocation.

Clúdaíonn leithdháileadh bhuiséad an Údaráis Dóiteáin an costas chun bileoga eolais Seirbhíse Dóiteán a chur ar fáil.

(AQW 4425/01)

Ms de Brún: The target for crewing levels at incidents is for there to be 4 crew per appliance at any incident. This is in accordance with standards laid down by the Central Fire Brigades’ Advisory Council.

Is é an sprioc do léibhéil criúanna ag eachtraí a tharlaíonn ná go mbeadh 4 criú i láthair in aghaidh gach fearas ag aon eachtra ar leithligh. Sin de réir an chaighdeáin atá leagtha síos ag Comhairle Chomhairleoireachta an Lár-Bhriogáid Dóiteáin.

(AQW 4426/01)

Ms de Brún: The Fire Authority has taken a number of initiatives to recruit fire fighters. These include hosting Open Days aimed at encouraging women to join the Fire Service, and recruitment campaigns targeted at attracting part time fire fighters for those Retained Stations where staffing levels are more than 10% below establishment levels.

Another major recruitment campaign for retained fire fighters was launched in May and, on 3 August, 29 full time fire fighter recruits will graduate from the Brigade Training Centre. The next training course for 24 full time recruits is planned to start at the end of August.

Thug an tÚdarás Dóiteáin faoi roinnt tionscnamh chun lucht dóiteáin a earcú. Áirítear orthu sin Laethanta Oscailte dírithe ar mhná a spreagadh chun dul isteach sa tSeirbhís Dóiteáin agus feachtais earcaíochta dírithe ar lucht dóiteáin páirt-aimseartha a mhealladh chuig na Stáisiúin Choiméadta ina bhfuil leibhéal foirne os cionn 10% faoi leibhéal na bunaíochta.

Rachadh i mbun mórfheachtais eile chun lucht dóiteáin coiméadta a earcú i mBealtaine agus an 3 Lúnasa gheobhaidh 29 earcach dóiteáin lán-aimseartha a gcáilíocht ó Ionad Oiliúna na Briogáide. Is ag deireadh mí Lúnasa a thosóidh an chéad chúrsa oiliúna eile do 24 earcach lán-aimseartha.