(AQW 216/02)

Ms de Brún: Information on attendances at the A&E departments in the Royal Victoria Hospital and Belfast City Hospital is detailed in the table below.

* Data for 2001/2002 is provisional

Information is not available in the form requested in respect of the recommended number of A&E attendances.

Léirítear sa tábla thíos eolas ar fhreastail ar na Ranna T&É in Otharlann Ríoga Victeoiria agus in Otharlann Chathair Bhéal Feirste.

Níl an t-eolas ar fáil ar an dóigh ar iarradh é maidir le líon molta an fhreastail ar T&É.

(AQW 219/02)

Ms de Brún: The amount of money spent by Homefirst Community HSS Trust at industrial tribunals was:

(a) 1999 – 2000, £15,372;
(b) 2000 – 2001, £25,540; and
(c) 2001 – 2002, £3,250.

Ba é seo méid an airgid a caith Iontaobhas SSS Phobal Homefirst ar Bhinsí Tionsclaíochta:

(a) 1999 – 2000, £15,372;
(b) 2000 – 2001, £25,540; agus
(c) 2001 – 2002, £3,250.

(AQW 221/02)

Ms de Brún: 82 employees at Homefirst Trust are eligible to be considered for performance related pay under their current employment contracts. The range of staff includes senior managers in the social work, nursing, allied health professions and support services disciplines.

Tá 82 fostaí ag Iontaobhas Homefirst i dteideal a bheith curtha san áireamh do thuarastal bunaithe ar fheidhmiú faoina gconarthaí reatha fostaíochta. Áiríonn réimse na foirne bainisteoirí sinsearacha sna disciplíní oibre sóisialta, altranais, gairmeacha bainteach le sláinte agus seirbhísí tacaíochta.

(AQW 222/02)

Ms de Brún: There is no automatic entitlement to the maximum increase available for performance related pay, awards are made at the discretion of the Trust and are subject to the satisfactory completion of agreed objectives. In 2001/2002 none of the 82 employees at Homefirst Trust eligible for performance payments received the maximum increase available, which is 6% of salary.

Níl duine ar bith i dteideal láithreach don uasmhéadú atá ar fáil don tuarastal bunaithe ar fheidhmiú, déantar dámhachtainí de réir rogha an Iontaobhais agus tá siad faoi réir críochnú sásúil na cuspóirí socraithe. I 2001/2002 ní bhfuair duine ar bith de 82 fostaí an Iontaobhais Homefirst a bhí i dteideal tuarastail bunaithe ar an fheidhmiú an uasmhéadú a bhí ar fáil, is é sin 6% de thuarastal.

(AQW 223/02)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 222/02.

Treoraím an Ball do mo fhreagra a thug mé ar AQW 222/02.

(AQW 230/02)

Ms de Brún: 17 HSS Trusts allow staff time away from work to attend medical and dental appointments without having to make-up the time taken at a later date.

Tugann 17 Iontaobhas SSS cead dá gcuid foirne am a ghlacadh amach ón obair le freastal ar choinní míochaine agus fiaclóireachta gan iachall a chur orthu leis an bhris a thabhairt isteach níos moille anonn.

(AQW 231/02)

Ms de Brún: The Trust does not have a specific policy to cover attendance at blood donation sessions. However, it is the Trust’s view that the times the sessions are held would allow most staff to attend in their own time.

Níl polasaí ar leith ag an Iontaobhas le freastal ar sheisiúin dheonachán fola a chlúdach. Is é barúil an Iontaobhais, áfach, ná go gceadófaí na hamanna a mbíonn na seisiúin ar siúl do mhórchuid na foirne dul le linn a g

(AQW 278/02)

Ms de Brún: I am aware that scientists have recently discovered a new mechanism for repairing damaged DNA that could bring important advances in the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Further research will be necessary to translate this work into possible new therapeutic approaches which could be evaluated in clinical trials for evidence of safety and efficacy. However, it would not be appropriate to consider introducing this particular chemical process widely until the research is fully completed and evaluated.

Is eol dom gur tháinig eolaithe ar na mallaibh ar mheicníocht úr le DNA damáiste a dheisiú a d’fhéadfadh forbairtí tábhachtacha a dhéanamh in éifeacht cheimiteiripe. Beidh gá le taighde breise le cur chuige úr teiripeach a dhéanamh den obair a d’fhéadfadh a bheith measta i dtastálacha cliniciúla ar mhaithe le fianaise ar an tsábháilteacht agus ar an éifeacht. Ní bheadh sé fóirsteanach, áfach, machnamh ar an phróiseas cheimiceach ar leith seo a thabhairt isteach go forleathan go dtí go bhfuil críoch iomlán curtha leis an taighde agus go dtí go bhfuil meastóireacht iomlán déanta air.

(AQW 303/02)

Ms de Brún: The Ambulance Service Trust, as the Health Service provider of ambulance services currently operates three different categories of ambulance:

(1) the Accident & Emergency vehicle which costs around £100,000 to buy and £300,000 per annum to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;

(2) the Intermediate Care vehicle which costs around £40,000 to buy and £170,000 per annum to run 16 hours a day, 7 days a week; and

(3) the Patient Care Service vehicle which costs around £36,000 to buy and £90,000 per annum to run 16 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Oibríonn Iontaobhas Seirbhís Otharchairr, mar sholáthraí seirbhísí otharchairr an tSeirbhís Sláinte, trí chatagóir dhifriúla otharchairr:

(1) An fheithicil Timpistí agus Éigeandála a chosnaíonn tuairim is £100,000 le ceannach agus £300,000 in aghaidh na bliana le bheith i seirbhís 24 uair in aghaidh an lae, 7 lá in aghaidh na seachtaine;

(2) An fheithicil Cúraim Idirmheánaigh a chosnaíonn tuairim is £40,000 le ceannach agus £170,000 in aghaidh na bliana le bheith i seirbhís 16 uair in aghaidh an lae, 7 lá in aghaidh na seachtaine; agus

(3) An fheithicil Sheirbhís Cúram Othar a chosnaíonn tuairim is £36,000 le ceannach agus £90,000 in aghaidh na bliana le bheith i seirbhís 16 uair in aghaidh an lae, 7 lá in aghaidh na seachtaine.

(AQW 349/02)

Ms de Brún: I have been seeking to increase the number of Rheumatologists here. Those currently in training have the potential to produce an increase of 10% in Rheumatology provision in the next two years. The Consultant medical workforce, across all hospital-based specialties, is reviewed by my Department annually and this informs decisions on the numbers in training.

I am aware that the National Assembly of Wales has announced their intention to develop a strategy for Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have asked my Departmental officials to keep me informed of developments.

Bhí mé ag iarraidh líon na Réamaiteolaithe anseo a mhéadú. Tá acmhainneacht acu siúd atá faoi oiliúint faoi láthair méadú de 10% a chur le soláthar Réamaiteolaíoch sa chéad dá bhliain eile. Déanann an Roinn s’agam athbhreithniú bliantúil ar an mheitheal oibre míochaine Comhairleach, ar fud na speisialtachtaí otharlannbhunaithe go léir, agus cuireann seo an cinneadh s’agam ar an eolas faoin líon atá faoi oiliúint.

Is eol dom gur fhógair Tionól Náisiúnta na Breataine Bige go bhfuil rún acu straitéis a fhorbairt d’Airtríteas Réamatóideach. D’iarr mé ar oifigigh na Roinne s’agam mé a choinneáil ar an eolas maidir le forbairtí.

(AQW 97/02)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr P Robinson): The current retail planning policy for Northern Ireland is set out in Planning Policy Statement 5 -"Retailing and Town Centres", published by DOE in 1996.

In England and Wales the policy on retailing is set out in PPG 6. In Scotland the policy is set out in NPPG 8.

While the precise content of each planning policy policies differ, the core of all three is to sustain and enhance the vitality and viability of town centres as the most appropriate location for retail and other related activities.

The Department for Regional Development is currently preparing a new planning policy statement on retailing in response to the rapidly changing retail situation in Northern Ireland. The new retail planning policy will draw heavily from the evidence-based research on retailing in Northern Ireland which will be completed at the beginning of October by Roger Tym and Partners.

I hope to present a draft of the new planning policy statement on retailing to the Regional Development Committee over the next few months before it is subjected to a full public consultation.

(AQW 117/02)

Mr P Robinson: Translink advise that work has recently been completed on signalling at Whitehead and Jordanstown crossings and that work will commence soon to upgrade the level crossings at the Jordanstown and Trooperslane Junction from Automatic Half Barriers to Manually Controlled Barriers with Closed Circuit Television.

Significant work is also planned, subject to securing the necessary funding, to upgrade the track between Bleach Green Junction and Whitehead. This will include upgrading sea defences, repairing the Whitehead tunnel, and the relay of the twin track. Upon completion of the track relay, line speed will be raised to 70mph between Belfast and Whitehead.

It is anticipated that, as well as enhancing safety on the line, these planned improvements and other minor works will lead to reduced journey times between Belfast and Larne.

(AQW 118/02)

Mr P Robinson: In cooperation with the Association of Chief Police Officers, my Department’s Roads Service has been facilitating the testing of the latest fixed site digital camera technology, which allows the transfer of images of speeding or traffic signal offences directly to a central processing office. The testing has been ongoing in both Essex and here in Northern Ireland, where it is expected to continue into early October 2002.

This type of equipment has not yet been approved for use in the United Kingdom and the purpose of these tests is to provide the necessary information to gain Home Office approval. The portable camera laser equipment presently used by the Police, is the only camera equipment for the detection of speed offences that is presently approved for use in Northern Ireland.

Departmental approval for the use of fixed site digital cameras in Northern Ireland will be granted by the Department of the Environment, subsequent to Home Office approval being obtained. The timing for this remains unclear, but approval is unlikely to be granted before the end of this current year.

With regard to introducing new legislation, I should explain that, Article 23 of The Road Traffic Offenders (NI) Order 1996 presently permits a photographic record from a prescribed device to be produced in evidence in prosecutions for contravention of a speed limit and for failure to comply with a red traffic signal. New primary legislation will not therefore be required to facilitate the introduction of new equipment. Each specific item will be prescribed by regulations as and when Home Office approval is given.

(AQW 121/02)

Mr P Robinson: After an intensive and rigorous tendering process the contract for the provision of 23 new three car trains to Northern Ireland Railways was awarded in February 2002 to CAF, a Spanish Company with previous experience of building similar trains that are in operation in Great Britain, with Northern Spirit and the Heathrow Express. The first train should be delivered to Northern Ireland Railways by December 2003 and delivery of all 23 trains should be complete one year later in December 2004. Each new train should enter into scheduled passenger service 3 to 4 months after delivery, following a commissioning period by Northern Ireland Railways.

This new rolling stock should provide much greater passenger comfort and reliability as well as reducing journey times.

(AQW 156/02)

Mr P Robinson: In July of this year, the House unanimously approved the strategic direction and underlying principles of my Regional Transportation Strategy. This identified the strategic transportation priorities and necessary investment needed to provide a modern, sustainable and safe transportation system over the next 10 years.

My Department’s Roads Service is preparing a 10-Year Forward Planning Schedule of major road schemes, which it is expected could be started within the 10-year period of the Strategy. Roads Service is currently carrying out scheme appraisals on a number of schemes for possible inclusion in the schedule. I can confirm that the Cullybackey Throughpass, which is estimated to cost £2 milliom, is among the schemes currently being appraised against the five criteria of environment, safety, economy, accessibility and integration as set out in the Northern Ireland Transport Policy Statement, ‘Moving Forward’, published in November 1998.

You will appreciate that there are many competing pressures on the finite resources available for the roads programme and not all schemes will be successful. Successful schemes will then be taken through the statutory procedures of Environmental Assessment, Planning Approval and Land Acquisition.

(AQW 188/02)

(AQW 196/02)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): Five extra staff have been recruited one in each Housing Executive area to deal with applications for central heating conversions due to ill-health and disability.

(AQW 197/02)

Mr Dodds: Following a review of adaptations in April 2001, it was agreed that the Housing Executive would process central heating conversions requested due to ill-health and disability. As a result of this, performance improved to the extent that:

Prior to this arrangement a tenant had to wait for an assessment by an Occupational Therapist, which could have taken as long as 2 years before the application was processed by the Housing Executive.

In the private sector, my Department is discussing with the Housing Executive the possibility of assessing applications for changes of heating within Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) directly rather than asking Occupational Therapists to conduct assessments. However, the impact of such a change may not be significant as in most cases applicants for DFGs require more work than a change of heating and would therefore still have to wait for an assessment by an Occupational Therapist.

(AQW 95/02)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Robert Coulter): The Assembly does not use a credit card, but rather the HM Treasury Government Procurement (GPC) card. The GPC card has been specifically designed to allow public sector organisations greater control over the range of goods and services that can be purchased using a GPC card than is currently available under a normal corporate credit card scheme. For example it is possible to exclude specific suppliers under the GPC scheme.

Procurement cards are issued to staff only at the request of senior line management and each application must be authorised by a member of the Senior Management Board - (Clerk to the Assembly, Deputy Clerk or Deputy Chief Executive). Each card is specifically tailored to the user setting an individual monthly credit limit and the merchant categories/suppliers that can be used. In addition there are a range of categories including, cash, financial services, mail order, automotive fuel and other services which are blocked to all users and others relating to centrally provided services within the Assembly - eg office equipment, stationery, IT which are blocked to all but appropriate staff.

Individual monthly statements are received for each card and cardholder is required to present receipts and reconcile each transaction, the monthly reconciliation is then authorised by the card holders line management. In addition the Finance Office receives a number of summary reports from Ulster Bank, the GPC card provider, which allows oversight and supervision of procurement cards at the global level.

A review of GPC card usage is currently underway with a view to further tailoring the service to the Assembly’s needs and also reviewing and revising GPC controls in light of improved management information being developed by Ulster Bank in partnership with the Government Purchasing Agency.

In relation to problems identified over inappropriate use of the cards. There has been one incident where a member of staff used their GPC for personal expenses in error, on realising the error the member of staff immediately reported the matter to senior staff and made arrangement to repay the amount in full.

(AQW 96/02)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Robert Coulter): Following the accidental use of a procurement card for personal expenses an amount of £29.83 was repaid. On realising the error, the member of staff immediately reported the matter to senior staff and made arrangements for the amount in question to be repaid in full.