(AQW 4273/01)

(a) I proposed the designation of carers as a priority group for the Executive’s Promoting Social Inclusion programme and this has now been accepted. An interdepartmental working group is now being set up to implement the recommendations. The working group will be led by a senior officer from DHSSPS and will comprise representatives from other Departments, the wider public sector, the voluntary sector and people directly concerned with the issues affecting carers. It is expected that carers’ groups will be represented on the group. Implementation of the plans drawn up by the PSI Group will be an integral part of the Boards Health and Wellbeing Investment Plans and will be monitored through my Department’s existing accountability process.

(b) It is expected that the Carers Strategy will be fully implemented within the PSI timescale of 2 years.

(a) Thug mé stádas grúpa tosaíochta do chúramóirí don chlár Cur Chun Cinn Cuimsithe Shóisialta an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin agus glactar leis seo anois. Ainmníodh cúramóirí mar phríomhghrúpa do Chlár an Fheidhmiúcháin um Chur Chun Cinn Chuimsithe Shóisialta. Tá grúpa idir-rannach oibre á chur ar bun anois leis na moltaí a chur i bhfeidhm. Beidh oifigeach sinsearach ón RSSSSP i gceannas ar an ghrúpa oibre agus air chomh maith, beidh ionadaithe ó Ranna eile, ón earnáil phoiblí iomlán, ón earnáil dheonach agus daoine a bhfuil suim dhíreach acu sna ceisteanna a bhfuil tionchar acu ar chúramóirí. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh ionadaíocht ó ghrúpaí cúramóirí ar an ghrúpa. Beidh cur i bhfeidhm na bpleananna dréachtaithe ag an Ghrúpa CCCCS mar chuid thábhachtach de Phleananna Infheistíochta Sláinte agus Folláine na mBord agus déanfar monatóireacht orthu trí phróiseas láithreach freagrachta mo Roinne.

(b) Táthar ag súil go gcuirfear an Straitéis Cúramóirí i bhfeidhm ina hiomláine laistigh de thréimhse ama 2 bliain an CCCCS.

(AQW 4320/01)

Ms de Brún: At its meeting of 3 May 2001 the Executive decided to commission an Inter-departmental Group on Personal Care comprising representatives of DFP, DHSSPS, OFMDFM and DSD to examine the costs and implications of introducing free personal care here, drawing on the Scottish Care Development Report, and reporting its findings to the Executive.

The terms of reference of the Inter-departmental Group on Personal Care are to:

• Research and define current policy and position with regard to charging for, and provision of, personal and nursing care in domiciliary and residential settings;

• Examine the implications, including equality and New TSN implications, and costs of introducing free personal care;

• Draw on the findings of the Scottish Expert Development Group; and Report its findings to the Executive.

The Inter-departmental Group has met 3 times in full session. It also established a project sub-group to take forward work as described by the terms of reference. The sub-group has met 9 times in full session and members of that group also met frequently to progress separate aspects of their work between set meetings.

Chinn Coiste an Fheidhmiúchán ag a chrinniú ar 3 Bealtaine 2001 ar Ghrúpa Idir-Rannach ar Chúram Pearsanta a choimisiúnú ar a mbeidh ionadaithe an DFP, DHSSPS, OFMDFM agus DSD chun costais agus impleachtaí tabhairt isteach cúraim phearsanta saor in aisce a scrúdú, ag úsáid na Tuairisce ar Fhorbairt Cúraim na hAlban, agus a thorthaí a thuairisciú don Choiste Feidhmiúchán.

Is iad téarmaí tagartha an Ghrúpa Idir-rannaigh ar Chúram Pearsanta:

• Taighde a dhéanamh ar pholasaí agus ar bharúil faoi láthair i dtaca le taillí a iarraidh le haghaidh soláthar cúraim phearsanta agus altranais i suímh bhaile agus chónaithe, agus é a shonrú;

• Na himpleachtaí, impleachtaí comhionannais agus ARS Nua san áireamh, agus costais chun cúram pearsanta saor in aisce a thabhairt isteach a scrúdú;

• Úsáid a bhaint as torthaí Shainghrúpa Forbartha Cúraim na hAlban; agus

• A thorthaí a thuairisciú don Choiste Feidhmiúcháin

Bhí lánchruinniú iomlán ag an Ghrúpa Idir-rannach 3 uair. Bhunaigh sé fo-ghrúpa tionscadail chun obair a thabhairt chun tosaigh de réir mar a cuireadh síos sna téarmaí tagartha í. Bhí lánchruinniú iomlán ag an fho-ghrúpa 9 uair agus bhuail baill ón choiste sin le chéile go minic le gnéithe ar leith dá n-obair a chur chun cinn idir na cruinnithe socruithe.

(AQW 4323/01)

Ms de Brún: Those invited to give evidence to the Inter-departmental Group include officials of the Scottish Health Department, the English Department of Health, the Community Costing User Group for the Health and Personal Social Services, the Registered Homes Confederation, Tamaris NI plc and the local branch of the UK Home Care Association.

The Inter-departmental Group will submit a report to the Executive. It will be a matter for the Executive, having fully considered the findings of the Group, to decide if it will publish the report.

Ina measc siúd ar iarradh orthu fianaise a thabhairt don Ghrúpa Idir-rannach bhí oifigigh ó Roinn Sláinte na hAlban, Roinn Sláinte Shasana, Grúpa Úsáideoirí Costasaithe Pobail le haghaidh na Seirbhísí Sláinte agus Sóisialta Pearsanta, Cónaidhm na mBailte Cláraithe, Tamaris NI plc agus an brainse áitiúil de Chumann Cúram Baile RA.

Cuirfidh an Grúpa Idir-rannach tuairisc faoi bhráid an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin. Bainfidh sé leis an Choiste i ndiaidh dóibh machnamh mion a dhéanamh ar thorthaí an Ghrúpa, chun cinneadh a dhéanamh ar fhoilsiú na tuairisce.

(AQW 4430/01)

Ms de Brún: On foot of the recommendations made by the Cardiac Surgery Review and the Review of Cardiology Services, a number of measures have been implemented:

• Nurse staffing numbers have been enhanced and theatres and cardiac surgery intensive care are now fully staffed;

• Additional funding was allocated for supernumerary nursing posts in cardiac surgery intensive care to support the existing staff and allow additional nurses to receive the specialised training;

• Arrangements have been made to ensure that a Consultant Anaesthetist is now present in Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care during working hours;

• Over the past year a total of £1.95 million has been made available for the planned replacement of ageing equipment;

• The additional resources recently agreed by the Executive will support progress in the modernisation and improved staffing of the cardiac surgery unit;

• Additional cardiac surgery procedures are being purchased outside the HPSS for patients who are able and willing to travel. Last year 251 patients benefited from this initiative. During the current financial year provision has been made for a further 250 patients .

In line with Priorities for Action, I have asked Boards and Trusts to continue the implementation of the action plan arising from the reviews of cardiac surgery and cardiology services.

Mar gheall ar na moltaí déanta ag an Athbhreithniú ar Mháinliacht Chairdiach agus ag an Athbhreithniú ar Sheirbhísí Cairdeolaíochta, cuireadh roinnt beart i bhfeidhm:

• Cuireadh le líon na n-altraí agus tá foirne iomlána in obrádlanna agus i ndianchúram máinliachta cairdiaiche anois;

• Dáileadh maoiniú breise do phoist sháruimhriúla altranais i ndianchúram máinliachta cairdiaiche chun tacú leis na hoibrithe atá ann agus chun ligean d’altraí breise sainoiliúint a fháil;

• Rinneadh socruithe le cinntiú go mbeadh Ainéistéisí Comhairleach i láthair anois i nDianchúram Máinliachta Cairdiaiche i rith uaireanta oibre;

• Thar an bhliain seo a chuaigh thart cuireadh £1.95 milliún ar fáil le trealamh seanchaite a athsholáthar, mar a bhí pleanáilte;

• Tacóidh na hacmhainní breise comhaontaithe ar na mallaibh leis an dul chun cinn i nuachóiriú an ionaid mháinliachta cairdiaiche agus i bhfostú níos fearr oibrithe ann;

• Tá gnáthaimh bhreise mháinliachta cairdiaiche á gceannach taobh amuigh de na SSSP d’othair atá ábalta agus toilteanach le taisteal. Anuraidh, chuaigh an tionscnamh seo chun sochar do 251 othar. I rith na bliana airgeadais seo, rinneadh soláthar do 250 othar breise.

De réir na dTosaíochtaí le hAghaidh Gnímh, d’iarr mé ar Bhoird agus ar Iontaobhais leanúint ar aghaidh le cur i bhfeidhm an phlean ghnímh a d’eascair as na hathbhreithnithe ar mháinliacht chairdiach agus ar sheirbhísí cairdeolaíochta.

(AQW 4433/01)

Ms de Brún: Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts are directly accountable to my Department for the effective use of all the resources at their disposal. In line with this, and in accordance with normal procedures, my Department will be closely monitoring expenditure of the additional resources allocated for cardiac surgery to ensure that they are used to secure additional procedures, to make improvements to the cardiac surgery unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital and to improve staffing cover in the unit, as indicated to the Executive at the time the £3m was agreed.

Tá Iontaobhais agus Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta freagrach díreach do mo Roinn i leith úsáid éifeachtach ar na hacmhainní ar fad atá ar fáil dóibh. Ag teacht leis sin agus de réir na ngnáthnósanna imeachta beidh monatóireacht ghéar á déanamh ag mo Roinn ar chaiteachas na n-acmhainní breise atá leithroinnte do mháinliacht chardiach chun a chinntiú go mbainfear leas astu chun nósanna imeachta breise a bhuanú, chun feabhsúcháin a dhéanamh ar an aonad máinliachta cardiaigh ag Ospidéal Ríoga Victoria agus chun clúdach foirne san aonad a fheabhsú mar a léiríodh don Fheidhmeannas ag an am nuair a haontaíodh an £3m.

(AQW 4434/01)

Ms de Brún: Breast cancer has been found slightly more often in women who take the oral contraceptive pill than in women of the same age who do not. If women stop taking oral contraceptives, this reduces the risk so that after ten years, the risk of finding breast cancer is the same as for women who have never taken the pill. That risk is not affected by how long a woman takes the pill but by the age at which she stops. This is because the risk of breast cancer strongly increases as a woman gets older. The possible small increased risk of breast cancer has to be weighed against the established benefits of oral contraceptives including the protection offered against cancer of the womb and ovary.

These facts have been highlighted by the Committee on the Safety of Medicines and as a result the Summary of Product Characteristics for the oral contraceptive pill and the patient information leaflet included in each pack have been changed to reflect the current body of evidence.

Bíonn ailse brollaigh ar bheagán níos mó ban a thógann piolla frithghiniúnach béil ná ar mhná an aois chéanna nach dtógann é. Má stopann mná ag tógáil cógais fhrithghinniúacha béil laghdaíonn sé an baol agus tar éis deich mbliana is ionann an baol atá ann dóibh ailse brollaigh a fháil agus an baol do mhná nár thóg an piolla riamh. Ní bhíonn aon tionchar ag an achar ama a bhíonn bean ag tógáil an phiolla ar an mbaol sin ach bíonn ag an aois ina stopann sí. Sin mar gheall go n-ardaíonn baol ailse brollaigh go láidir de réir mar a fhaigheann mná níos sine. Caithfear an méadú beag i mbaol ailse brollaigh a chur i gcomparáid leis na buntáistí atá le cógais fhrithghiniúnacha lena n-áirítear cosaint in aghaidh ailse sa bhroinn agus san ubhagán.

Tá na fíricí seo tugtha chun solais ag an gCoiste ar Shábháilteacht Míochaine agus mar thoradh air tá athrú déanta ar an Achoimre ar Thréithe Táirgí don phiolla frithghiniúnach béil agus ar an mbileog eolais d’othair a áirítear i ngach pacáiste chun an fhianaise reatha sin a léiriú.

(AQW 4437/01)

Ms de Brún: It is not possible to separately identify monies allocated to affirming the choice of young people not to engage in sexual activity. All professionals working in the sexual health/family-planning field will counsel young people on their decisions with regard to sexual activity. I can however confirm that in 2001/02 my Department paid LIFE (NI) £17,253 towards core funding and Love For Life £25,000 towards the development of resources for relationship and sexuality education work with parents.

Tá sé dodhéanta an t-airgead a leithroinneadh chun rogha dhaoine óga a dheimhniú gan páirt a ghlacadh i ngníomhnaíocht ghnéis a aithint ar leithligh. Cuirfidh gach gairmeach a oibríonn i réimse sláinte gnéis/ pleanáil chlainne comhairle ar dhaoine óga maidir leis na cinní a dhéanann siad i dtaobh ghníomhaíocht ghnéis. Táim ábalta a dhearbhú, áfach, gur íoc mo Roinn £17,253 le LIFE (TÉ) i leith maoinithe agus £25,000 le Love For Life d’fhorbairt acmhainní d’obair oideachas caidrimh agus gnéasachta.

(AQW 4440/01)

Ms de Brún: The resources for projects which, for various reasons, did not proceed as quickly as planned in 2001/02, amounting to £16.1m, were carried forward under long-standing end year flexibility arrangements, to the Departments 2002/03 budget. No loss of spending power occurred, and the various projects are proceeding. Rephasings arose from such causes as re-examination of a business-case, compliance with detailed procurement procedures, and the rescheduling of schemes to fit in with other requirements eg the need to maintain uninterrupted service to patients.

(AQW 4461/01)

Ms de Brún: The majority of patients value the one to one advice and/or treatment provided by the general practitioner with whom they are registered. However, essential elements of effective general practice are multidisciplinary team working and good communication. Other professionals can enhance services provided to patients in general practice by bringing additional attributes, skills and competencies. Therefore, where another professional is appropriately trained and is working within their professional competency, they can and do provide services directly to patients.

Is mór ag formhór na n-othar an chomhairle agus/nó an chóireáil duine ar dhuine a sholáthraíonn an gnáthdhochtúir lena bhfuil siad cláraithe. Gnéithe riachtanacha, áfach, de chleachtas ginéarálta éifeachtach is ea foireann ildhisciplíneach agus cumarsáid mhaith. Tá gairmithe eile in ann cur leis na seirbhísí d’othair i ngnáthchleachtas trí thréithe, scileanna agus inniúlachtaí breise a thabhairt leo. Mar sin nuair atá oiliúint chuí ar ghairmí eile agus é ag obair laistigh dá inniúlacht ghairmiúil, tá sé ábalta seirbhísí a sholáthar díreach d’othair agus déanann siad sin.

(AQW 4464/01)

Ms de Brún: Under the proposals in the consultation paper Developing Better Services: Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures, maternity services will be maintained at the Mater Hospital on the basis of the development of robust networking arrangements with the new centralised Belfast Maternity Service. It will be for the Mater Trust, working with the new centralised Belfast Maternity service, to show that these arrangements can be put in place and sustained. A Local Hospital will be a modern facility providing a wide range of services including day case surgery, high quality diagnostic services, outpatient clinics, pre and post natal maternity services, intermediate care, and rehabilitation and step-down beds. It will also provide a local base for expert clinicians, specialist nurses and other health professionals who will relate to local populations rather than individual facilities. A change of role to a Local Hospital cannot therefore be considered as "down-grading".

De réir na moltaí sa pháipéar comhairliúcháin Seirbhísí Is Fearr A Fhorbairt: Otharlanna A Nuachóiriú agus Struchtúir a Leasú, fanfaidh na seirbhísí cnáimhseachais ag Otharlann an Mater ag brath ar fhorbairt bearta gréasáin bríomhara le Seirbhís nua lárnaithe Cnáimhseachais Bhéal Feirste . Beidh faoi Iontaobhas an Mater, ag obair leis an tSeirbhís Chnáimhseachas Bhéal Feirste lárnach nua, le taispeáint gur féidir na bearta seo a chur i gcrích agus agus a choinneáil. Beidh Otharlann Áitiúil ina hacmhainn nua-aimseartha ag soláthar réimse leathan seirbhísí, máinliacht lae san áireamh, seirbhísí diagnóiseacha d’ardchaighdeánach, clinicí éisothair, seirbhísí cnáimhseachais roimh bhreith agus iarbhreithe, cúram idirmheánach, agus leabacha athshlánú agus leapacha othar neamhphráinneach. Soláthróidh sí bunáit áitiúil do shainchliniceoirí chomh maith, sainaltraí agus gairmithe sláinte eile a mbeidh baint acu leis an phobal áitiúil in áit áiseanna ar leith. Ní féidir smaoineamh ar athrú róil d’Otharlann Áitiúil mar "íosghrádú" mar sin de.

(AQW 4465/01)

Ms de Brún: As stated in my consultation paper Developing Better Services: Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures, the maintenance of maternity services at the Mater Hospital is conditional on the Mater Trust working with the new Centralised Belfast Maternity Service to show that robust networking arrangements can be put in place and sustained. In the event that the Mater Trust and the new Centralised Belfast Maternity Service cannot show that close networking and adherence to joint clinical protocols can be agreed and sustained, alternative arrangements would have to be made for the provision of maternity services currently provided by the Mater Trust. A Local Hospital will be a modern facility providing a wide range of services including sophisticated methods of investigation, diagnosis and day procedures. It will also provide a local base for expert clinicians, specialist nurses and other health professionals who will relate to local populations rather than individual facilities. A change of role to a Local Hospital cannot therefore be considered as "down-grading".

Mar a dúirt mé i mo pháipéar comhairliúcháin Seirbhísí Is Fearr A Fhorbairt: Otharlanna A Nuachóiriú agus Struchtúir a Leasú tá coinneáil na seirbhísí cnáimhseachais ag Otharlann an Mater ag brath ar Iontaobhas an Mater ag obair le Seirbhís nua lárnaithe Cnáimhseachais Bhéal Feirste, le taispeáint gur féidir bearta gréasáin a chur i gcrích agus agus a choinneáil. Má tharlaíonn sé nach féidir le hIontaobhas an Mater agus le Seirbhís nua lárnaithe Cnáimhseachais Bhéal Feirste a léiriú gur féidir dlúthghréasán agus cloí le comhphrótacail chliniciúla a aontú agus a choinneáil, bheadh gá le socruithe malartacha eile a dhéanamh chun seirbhísí cnáimhseachais a sholáthraíonn Iontaobhas an Mater faoi láthair a chur ar fáil. Beidh Otharlann Áitiúil ina hacmhainn nua-aimseartha ag soláthar réimse leathan seirbhísí ina measc modhanna sofaisticiúla imscrúdaithe, diagnóise agus gnáthaimh lae. Soláthróidh sí bunáit áitiúil do shainchliniceoirí chomh maith, sainaltraí agus gairmithe sláinte eile a mbeidh baint acu leis an phobal áitiúil in áit áiseanna ar leith. Ní féidir smaoineamh ar athrú róil d’Otharlann Áitiúil mar "íosghrádú" mar sin de.

(AQW 4466/01)

Ms de Brún: The approach which I have set out for consultation in Developing Better Services: Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures is based on the expectation that service will become more patient-focused and organised around population groupings rather than facilities. This would require greater movement of staff within the system, but at this stage it is not possible to be specific about how staff at particular facilities will be affected. When the responses to the consultation paper have been considered and decisions taken on the new pattern of hospitals, detailed work will be undertaken with HPSS organisations and other key interested parties to identify future staffing needs. A Local Hospital will be a modern facility providing a wide range of services including sophisticated methods of investigation, diagnosis and day procedures. It will also provide a local base for expert clinicians, specialist nurses and other health professionals who will relate to local populations rather than individual facilities. A change of role to a Local Hospital cannot therefore be considered as "down-grading".

Tá an cur chuige a leag mé amach le haghaidh comhairliúcháin i Seirbhísí Is Fearr A Fhorbairt: Otharlanna A Nuachóiriú agus Struchtúir a Leasú bunaithe ar an ionchas go n-éireoidh an tseirbhís níos othardhírithe agus eagraithe thart ar ghrúpaí pobail in áit thart ar áiseanna. Bheadh gá le níos mó gluaiseacht foirne laistigh den chóras, ach ag an chéim seo ní féidir bheith beacht faoi thionchar a bheidh ar fhoireann ag áiseanna ar leith. Nuair atá machnamh déanta ar an pháipéar comhairliúcháin agus cinní déanta ar an phatrún nua d’otharlanna, tabharfaidh faoi mhionobair le heagraíochtaí SSSP agus eochaireagraíochtaí leasmhara eile chun riachtanais foirne sa todhchaí a aimsiú. Beidh Otharlann Áitiúil ina hacmhainn nua-aimseartha ag soláthar réimse leathan seirbhísí ina measc modhanna sofaisticiúla imscrúdaithe, diagnóise agus gnáthaimh lae. Soláthróidh sí bunáit áitiúil do shainchliniceoirí chomh maith, sainaltraí agus gairmithe sláinte eile a mbeidh baint acu leis an phobal áitiúil in áit áiseanna ar leith. Ní féidir smaoineamh ar athrú róil d’Otharlann Áitiúil mar "íosghrádú" mar sin de.

(AQW 4467/01)

Ms de Brún: I refer the member to my answer to AQW 4466/01.

Treoraím an Ball do mo fhreagra a thug mé ar AQW 4466/01.

(AQW 4468/01)

Ms de Brún: Local Hospitals will be developed to provide the vast majority of services that people get in hospital settings including increasingly sophisticated methods of investigation, diagnosis and day procedures. As a new Local Hospital, with good clinical links to the Royal Group of Hospitals and the Belfast City Hospital, and in close proximity to them, the Mater Hospital will be ideally placed to play an even more significant role in contributing to training of doctors, nurses and other health professionals of the future. To enable the Mater to make this vital contribution, it will be further supported in developing and expanding its role as a key institution in the fields of medical and nurse training. A Local Hospital will be a modern facility providing a wide range of services including sophisticated methods of investigation, diagnosis and day procedures. It will also provide a local base for expert clinicians, specialist nurses and other health professionals who will relate to local populations rather than individual facilities. A change of role to a Local Hospital cannot therefore be considered as "down-grading".

Forbróidh Otharlanna Áitiúla leis an chuid is mó de sheirbhísí a fhaigheann daoine i suímh otharlainne a sholáthar ina measc tá modhanna imscrúdaithe, atá i ndiaidh éirí níos sofaisticiúla, diagnóise agus gnáthaimh lae. Mar Otharlann Áitiúil nua, le naisc mhaithe chliniciúla leis an Ghrúpa Ríoga Otharlann agus le hOtharlann Chathair Bhéal Feirste, agus an-ghar dóibh, beidh Otharlann an Mater in áit mhaith chun ról níos suntasaí maidir le hoiliúint dochtúirí, altraí agus gairmithe sláinte eile san am atá le teacht. Le cur ar chumas an Mater an t-ionchur fíorthábhachtach a dhéanamh, tabharfar taca breise di lena ról a fhorbairt agus a leathnú mar eochairinstitiúid sna réimsí oiliúint míochaine agus altraí. Beidh Otharlann Áitiúil ina hacmhainn nua-aimseartha ag soláthar réimse leathan seirbhísí ina measc modhanna sofaisticiúla imscrúdaithe, diagnóise agus gnáthaimh lae. Soláthróidh sí bunáit áitiúil do shainchliniceoirí chomh maith, sainaltraí agus gairmithe sláinte eile a mbeidh baint acu leis an phobal áitiúil in áit áiseanna ar leith. Ní féidir smaoineamh ar athrú róil d’Otharlann Áitiúil mar "íosghrádú" mar sin de.

(AQW 4477/01)

(a) Individual employers are required to have policies in place to deal with abuse and violence. To assist them a number of documents have been issued containing guidance. These include the NHS Zero Tolerance Pack, which was issued here in February 2000 and commended to all employers. My Department has published a human resources strategy for the HPSS and health and safety in the workplace is one of the areas that will be addressed. A working group has been established comprising individuals from employer and staff side organisations to review the steps taken by employers to implement the Zero Tolerance policy and consider the issue of further best practice guidance.

(b) Some HPSS employers have put a number of security measures in place to improve security. These include CCTV cameras in areas accessible to the public, panic alarms, key pad operated door locks, and full time security at nights in the A & E Department.

(c) South & East Belfast Health & Social Services Trust provides a 24-hour Staff Care Service that offers staff confidential counselling by independent professionally qualified staff. This service is available throughout the HPSS and the vast majority of employers subscribe to it: in the few remaining authorities similar arrangements are available in-house.

(d) Employees are encouraged by Employing Authorities to sue offenders and in addition, some staff have sued Trusts for negligence. There is also an Injury Benefits Scheme in place to compensate staff who are temporarily off work without pay or on reduced pay because of an injury caused by their employment in the HPSS.

(a) Éilítear ar fhostóirí aonair polasaithe a bheith i bhfeidhm acu le déileáil le drochíde agus le foréigean. Chun cuidiú leo cuireadh amach roinnt cáipéisí ina raibh treoir. Ina measc bhí Pacáiste na SNS Caoinfhulaingt ar Bith, a cuireadh amach anseo i mí Feabhra 2000 agus a moladh do na fostóirí go léir. D’fhoilsigh an Roinn s’agam straitéis acmhainní daonna do na SSPS agus is é an tsláinte agus an tsábháilteacht san áit oibre ceann de na hábhair lena mbeidh sí ag deileáil. Bunaíodh grúpa oibre ar a bhfuil daoine ó eagraíochtaí na bhfostóirí agus na foirne chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na céimeanna a ghlac fostóirí leis an pholasaí Caoinfhulaingt ar Bith a chur i gcrích agus machnamh a dhéanamh ar an cheist faoi thuilleadh treorach ar shárchleachtadh.

(b) Chuir roinnt fostóirí na SSSP roinnt beart slándála i bhfeidhm le slándáil a fheabhsú. San áireamh tá ceamaraí CCTV i gceantair atá insroichte ag an phobal, aláraim scaoill, glais eochaircheap-oibrithe dorais, agus slándáil lánaimseartha san oíche sa Roinn T & É.

(c) Soláthraíonn Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta Bhéal Feirste Theas & Thoir Seirbhís Chúraim Foirne 24 uair a thairgíonn comhairle rúnda d’oibrithe tugtha ag foireann ghairmiúil cháilithe. Tá an tseirbhís seo ar fáil ar fud na SSSP agus aontaíonn bunús mór na bhfostóirí léi. Sa roinnt údarás eile, tá socruithe cosúla inmheánacha ar fáil.

(d) Molann Údaráis Fhostaíochta d’fhostaithe an dlí a chur ar choirigh agus ina theannta sin, chuir roinnt oibrithe an dlí ar Iontaobhais de dheasca neamairt. Tá Scéim Sochar Gortuithe ann fosta le hoibrithe atá as láthair ó obair go sealadach nó atá gan pá nó ar phá íslithe a chúiteamh de dheasca gortaithe ar cúis lena bhfostaíocht sna SSSP é.

(AQW 4481/01)

(a) All eligibility for free nursing care will be subject to an assessment of need using an agreed nursing needs assessment tool .

(b) Currently the cost of nursing care in a nursing home is included in the overall cost of a nursing home placement and may be borne by residents whose means are such that they fully fund, or part-fund, their own care.

(a) Beidh teidlíocht uile cúraim shaoir altranais faoi réir measúnaithe ar riachtanais ag úsáid gléis chomhaontaithe mheasúnaithe ar riachtanais altranais.

(b) Tá costas cúraim altranais i dteach altranais san áireamh faoi láthair sa chostas iomlán ar áit i dteach altranais agus d’fhéadfadh leis seo bheith iníoctha ag cónaitheoirí a bhfuil na hacmhainní go leor acu lena gcúram féin a mhaoiniú go hiomlán nó a pháirt-mhaoiniú.

(AQW 4524/01)

Ms de Brún: The consultation period began on 12 June and will continue until 30 September. That is a period of almost 16 weeks and people should aim to have their responses with the Department by this date. However, I will keep the end date under review.

Thosaigh an tréimhse comhchomhairleoireachta an 12 Meitheamh agus leanfaidh sé go 30 Meán Fómhair. Sin tréimhse de bheagnach 16 seachtaine agus ba chóir do dhaoine iarracht a dhéanamh a gcuid freagraí a bheith curtha chuig an Roinn faoin dáta sin. Coinneoidh mé an dáta deiridh faoi athbhreithniú, áfach.

(AQW 3002/01)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr P Robinson): The proposed link road between the Portaferry and Comber Roads in Newtownards is included in the current Area Plan and along with many other schemes will be considered for inclusion in my Department’s Roads Service 10-Year Forward Planning Schedule. The proposed road has more recently been included in a planning application for the proposed Castlebawn Retail Development for which outline planning permission has been granted.

(AQW 3174/01)

Mr P Robinson: Over the past 4 years my Department’s Roads Service has paid the following fees to consultants in Northern Ireland and Great Britain in respect of consultancies involving the design and implementation of road schemes and bridge strengthening works:

(AQW 3960/01)

Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service has included a traffic calming scheme for Altmore Drive, Drumcoo Green, Mourne Drive and Drumglass Way, Dungannon in its proposed 2002-03 programme of works for the Dungannon District Council area. That programme is due to be presented to the Council on Monday 24 June 2002.

The experience of Roads Service has been that the success of any road scheme is dependent on its meeting the needs of the local community. It is expected that the public consultation on this scheme will take place in autumn of this year and that, subject to the success of that exercise, work on the £75,000 scheme will commence early in 2003.