(AQW 559/02)

Ms de Brún: I am aiming to take final decisions towards the end of the year on the proposals I have published in my consultation document Developing Better Services – Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures. I will be making an announcement after that. This will include the way forward with redevelopment of the Downe Hospital.

Tá sé mar aidhm agam cinní deireanacha a dhéanamh i dtrátha dheireadh na bliana ar na moltaí a d’fhoilsigh mé sa doiciméad comhairliúcháin s’agam Seirbhísí Is Fearr A Fhorbairt - Otharlanna A Nuachóiriú agus Struchtúir a Leasú. Déanfaidh mé fógra ina dhiaidh sin. Beidh an bealach chun tosaigh le hathfhorbairt Otharlann an Dúin san áireamh leis seo.

(AQW 560/02)

Ms de Brún: Since my response to AQW 4020/01 on 14 June 2002, the Eastern Health and Social Services Board has initiated action in a number of areas. Work has started to assess the implications of the recently published 2001 Census of Population estimates. The Board is also seeking to confirm the accuracy of the underlying statistical analysis and to examine the expenditure on Family Practitioner Services to confirm the validity of the position in respect of the population of Down Lisburn Area. The Board plans to develop proposals to address the matter, and, following a period of public consultation, the strategy produced should begin to be implemented from April 2003.

Ó bhí an fhreagairt s’agam ann ar AQW 4020/01 ar 14 Meitheamh 2002, chuir siad tús le Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an Oirthir gníomh i roinnt réimsí. Thosaigh an obair ar impleachtaí mheastacháin an Daonáireamh Daonra 2001 a mheasúnú a foilsíodh le déanaí. Tá an Bord ag iarraidh chomh maith cruinneas na bunanailíse staitistiúla a dhearbhú agus an caiteachas ar Sheirbhísí Dochtúirí Teaghlaigh a scrúdú le bailíocht an scéil a dhearbhú maidir le daonra Ceantar an Dúin Lios na gCearrbhach. Tá sé beartaithe ag an Bhord moltaí a fhorbairt le tabhairt faoin cheist, agus, i ndiaidh tréimhse chomhairliúcháin phoiblí, ba chóir, ó Aibreán 2003, tús a chur le cur i bhfeidhm na straitéise a táirgeadh.

(AQO 325/02)

Ms de Brún: Staffing difficulties have resulted in the temporary unavailability of up to 8 beds in the surgical wards since 10 September. Steps are being taken to recruit additional nursing staff and those beds will be brought back into use over the next 2 months as staff are appointed.

Mar thoradh ar dheacrachtaí foirne bhí dofhaighteacht shealadach 8 leaba ar a mhéad i mbardaí máinliacha ó 10 Meán Fómhair. Táthar ag tabhairt céimeanna le baill foirne altranais breise a earcú agus bainfear athúsáid as na leapacha sin thar an chéad 2 mhí eile de réir mar a cheapfar baill fhoirne.

(AQO 286/02)

Ms de Brún: I am aware of the difficulties which the Belfast Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre faces and I can report that my Department has now received an application for funding and a Business Plan from the organisation.

To assist my Department further in its consideration, the acting committee members of the Belfast Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre have been invited to meet urgently with my officials. It will only be possible to take appropriate funding decisions after that consideration has been completed.

Is eol domh na deacrachtaí atá ag an Ionad Éigeandála um Éigniú agus Mhí-úsáid Gnéis Bhéal Feirste agus thig liom a thuairisciú go bhfuil iarratas ar mhaoiniú agus Plean Gnó faighte ag mo Roinn ón eagraíocht anois.

Le cúnamh breise a thabhairt do mo Roinn agus í ag machnamh an scéil, tugadh cuireadh do bhaill choiste gníomhach an Ionaid Éigeandála um Éigniú agus Mhí-úsáid Gnéis Bhéal Feirste bualadh go práinneach le mo chuid feidhmeannach. Ní féidir cinneadh cuí maoinithe a dhéanamh go dtí go bhfuil an machnamh sin i gcrích.

(AQO 299/02)

Ms de Brún: Distinction awards are granted to medical and dental consultants in recognition of outstanding professional work. The criteria used to decide which consultants should receive awards cover the following six areas -

Leagfar amach sonraí gach ceann de na sé chritéar seo i "Treoir do Scéim Duaiseanna Gradaim Comhairleach na SSSP" agus socróidh mé go bhfaighidh an Comhalta cóip den Treoir.

Beidh mo Roinn ag déanamh athbhreithniú bunúsach ar an scéim thar roinnt míonna le teacht leis an aidhm páipeár comhairliúcháin a réiteach le moltaí a leagan amach ar an bhealach chun tosaigh.

(AQO 306/02)

Ms de Brún: I can advise that 384 capital contracts with a total value of £27,581,804 and 1,567 service contracts with a total value of £17,408,719 have been awarded by my Department and the public bodies for which it is responsible since the start of the current financial year.

Only contracts with values around the EC procurement thresholds to generate sufficient opportunity to help the unemployed are considered for inclusion in the pilot project.

My Department has asked the bodies for which it is responsible to review their procurement plans for the next six months to identify suitable contracts within this range for possible inclusion in the pilot project. The identification of suitable contracts will require careful consideration and I will want to be assured those nominated can accommodate the evaluation timescale for the pilot and that the award of vital contracts are not held back.

Is féidir liom a rá gur bhronn mo Roinn agus na comhlachtaí poiblí a bhfuil sí freagrach astu 384 chonradh caipitil a bhfuil luach iomlán de £27,581,804 phunt orthu agus 1,567 gconradh seirbhíse a bhfuil luach iomlán de £17,408,719 orthu ó thús na bliana airgeadais reatha.

Caithfidh conarthaí luachanna a bheith acu ar thairseacha soláthair an Aontais Eorpaigh le deis fostaíochta a chruthú do dhaoine dífhostaithe sular féidir iad a chur isteach sa tionscadal píolóta.

D’iarr mo Rionn ar na comhlachtaí a bhfuil sí freagrach astu a gcuid pleananna soláthair don chéad sé mhí eile a athbhreithniú le conarthaí oiriúnacha a aithint laistigh den réimse seo le gur féidir iad a chur sa tionscadal píolóta. Teastóidh machnamh cúramach le conarthaí oiriúnacha a aimsiú agus is maith liom a bheith cinnte gur féidir leo siúd a ainmnítear achar ama measúnaithe an tionscadail phíolóta a chomhlíonadh agus nach gcoinnítear siar bronnadh conarthaí ríthábhachtacha.

(AQO 279/02)

Ms de Brún: The current level of resources allocated by the Trust to combating disorder at Altnagelvin Hospital for the 2002/2003 financial year is approximately £143,000.

Leithdháil an tIontaobhas £143,000 sa bhliain airgeadais 2002/2003 le dul i ngleic le neamhord ag Otharlann Alt na nGealbhan.

(AQO 329/02)

Ms de Brún: For the financial year 2002/2003 I allocated additional funding of £19.1m for community care services. Part of that money is being invested in utilising the appropriate range of HPSS skills to support an additional 1000 people in settings in the community which facilitate a return to independence and reduce the need for long-term residential and nursing home care. Each of the HSS Boards brought forward detailed proposals for achieving its share of the 1,000 target by the end of this financial year and these proposals have been approved.

Don bhliain airgeadais 2002/2003 leithdháil mé £19.1m de mhaoiniú breise ar sheirbhísí cúraim phobail. Tá cuid den airgead sin á infheistiú le raon fóirsteanach scileanna na SSSP a úsáid le tacú le 1,000 duine breise i suímh sa phobal a éascaíonn filleadh ar neamhspleáchas agus a laghdaíonn an gá le haghaidh cúraim chónaithigh agus cúram theach altranais atá fadtéarmach. Rinne gach ceann de na Boird SSS mionmholtaí lena scair den sprioc de 1,000 duine a bhaint amach roimh dheireadh na bliana airgeadais seo agus ceadaíodh na moltaí seo.

(AQO 278/02)

Ms de Brún: The election of the National President of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, as with the election of officers to any voluntary organisation, is a matter for that organisation and not for the Department.

The Society is a registered charitable organisation, which provides a range of services to the more vulnerable members of society such as older people, the long-term unemployed and those in hospital or in prison. Services include nearly new clothing and furniture shops where goods are available at affordable prices; the provision of courses in education, home budgeting and confidence building; holidays for over 600 older people each year at Clare Lodge in Newcastle; visiting and offering friendship and help to over 3000 people every week in hospital, prison or in their own homes and, in limited circumstances, cash assistance.

In recognition of the work being done by the Society towards improving the lives of the less fortunate members of our society, my Department has contributed £68, 905 to The Society of St Vincent de Paul for the 2002/03 financial year.

Baineann toghchán an Uachtaráin Náisiúnta ar Chumann Naomh Uinseann de Pól leis an eagraíocht sin agus ní leis an Roinn; mar is amhlaidh do gach eagraíocht dheonach.

Is eagraíocht charthanachta chláraithe é an Cumann a sholáthraíonn raon seirbhísí do dhaoine leochaileacha amhail daoine scothaosta, iad sin atá dífhostaithe go fadtéarmach agus daoine in otharlanna nó i bpríosún. Ar na seirbhísí a sholáthraíonn an Cumann tá siopaí éadaigh beagnach úr agus siopaí troscáin a bhfuil earraí ar fáil iontu ar phraghasanna réasúnta; soláthar cúrsaí san oideachas, sa bhuiséadacht bhaile agus i dtógáil muiníne; saoire do bhreis agus 600 duine scothaosta gach bliain ag Clare Lodge sa Chaisleán Nua; ag cuartaíocht, ag déanamh cairdis agus ag tabhairt cúnaimh do bhreis agus 3000 duine gach seachtain san otharlann, i bpríosún agus ina mbaile féin agus, i gcúinsí teoranta, cúnamh airgid.

Mar gheall ar an obair atá á déanamh ag an Chumann le saolta na ndaoine is lú ádh sa tsochaí a fheabhsú, thug mo Roinn £68,905 phunt do Chumann Naomh Uinseann de Pól don bhliain airgeadais 2002/2003.

(AQO 292/02)

Ms de Brún: On 27 February2001, the Assembly debated the provision of long-term care for the elderly and resolved that the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Long Term Care for the Elderly be implemented in full.

The Executive at their meeting on 3 May 2001 agreed that an Inter-departmental Group of senior officials drawn from the Department of Health, Social Service and Public Safety, the Department of Finance and Personnel, the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Department for Social Development should be established to examine the costs and implications of introducing free personal care here and to report to the Executive.

The Group’s Report on Free Personal Care was forwarded to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on Thursday 8 August. Following discussion at the Executive on 12 August, Ministers asked for some further work to be undertaken.

Ar 27 Feabhra 2001, phléigh an Tionól soláthar cúraim fhadtéarmaigh do dhaoine scothaosta agus socraíodh go gcuirfí moltaí an Choimisiúin Ríoga ar Chúram Fadtéarmach do dhaoine scothaosta i bhfeidhm ina n-iomláine.

D’aontaigh an Coiste Feidhmiúcháin ag a gcruinniú ar 3 Bealtaine 2001 gur chóir Grúpa Idir-Rannach d’fheidhmeannaigh shinsearacha ón Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí, ón Roinn Airgeadais agus Pearsanra, ó Oifig an Chéad-Aire agus an LeasChéad- Aire agus ón Roinn Forbartha Sóisialta a bhunú le himscrúdú a dhéanamh ar chostais agus ar impleachtaí cúraim phearsanta a thabhairt isteach saor in aisce anseo agus le tuairisciú don Choiste Feidhmiúcháin.

Cuireadh Tuairisc an Ghrúpa ar Chúram Pearsanta Saor in Aisce ar aghaidh chuig an Chéad-Aire agus chuig an LeasChéad-Aire Déardaoin 8 Lúnasa. I ndiaidh plé a dhéanamh sa Choiste Feidhimiúcháin ar 12 Lúnasa, d’iarr Airí go dtabharfaí faoi obair bhreise.

(AQO 301/02)

Ms de Brún: Waiting list targets for 2001/02 were based on significant additional investment becoming available to complement the improved management arrangements which were outlined in the Framework for Action on Waiting Lists, published in September 2000. In the event, however, only a limited amount of extra funding could be allocated and, as demand for hospital services continued to outstrip supply, it was inevitable that waiting list targets could not be achieved.

Bhí spriocanna do liostaí feithimh do 2001/02 bunaithe ar infheistíocht shuntasach bhreise a bheith ar fáil leis na socruithe feabhsaithe bainistíochta a chomhlánú a léiríodh in Creatlach le hAghaidh Gníomhaíochta ar Liostaí Feithimh, a foilsíodh i Meán Fómhair 2000. Sa chás sin, áfach, níorbh fhéidir ach méid teoranta de mhaoiniú breise a dháileadh agus, as siocar gur mó t-éileamh ar sheirbhísí otharlainne ná a soláthar, ní raibh aon imeacht air nárbh fhéidir spriocanna do liostaí feithimh a bhaint amach.

(AQO 290/02)

Ms de Brún: In September 2000, I established the Cardiac Surgery Review to identify the significant factors contributing to the decreased throughput in surgery at the Royal and recommend measures that should be taken to improve services.

In line with the Action Plan developed, a number of measures have been taken to increase capacity and reduce the waiting times for cardiac surgery. In this regard, nurse staffing numbers have been enhanced, and theatres and cardiac surgery intensive care are now fully staffed in line with current capacity. In addition, over the past year a total of £1.95 million has been made available for the planned replacement of ageing equipment at the Cardiac Surgery Unit.

These measures have facilitated an increase in capacity at the Royal; the number of operations proposed for this year is 800 – an increase of 84 procedures on last year’s figures. It is intended that by 2003/04 this throughput will increase to 1000 procedures.

I have also secured additional resources, which will be used to fund an additional 100-120 patients to receive treatment in facilities in Great Britain or the South of Ireland.

I Meán Fómhair 2000, bhunaigh mé an tAthbhreithniú ar Mháinliacht Chairdiach le fachtóirí suntasacha a aithint a chuireann leis an laghdú i luas othar tríd an chóras máinliachta in Otharlann Ríoga agus le bearta a mholadh a ba chóir cur i bhfeidhm le seirbhísí a fheabhsú.

Ag cloí leis an Phlean Gníomhaíochta a forbraíodh, glacadh le roinnt beart le hacmhainn a mhéadú agus le hamanna feithimh do mháinliacht chairdiach a laghdú. Maidir leis seo, cuireadh leis an líon foirne altranais agus faoi láthair bíonn foireann iomlán in obrádlanna agus i ndianchúram máinliachta cairdiaiche de réir acmhainne reatha. Ina theannta sin, le bliain anuas cuireadh £1.95 san iomlán ar fáil don athsholáthar pleanáilte do threalamh as dáta san Aonad Máinliachta Cairdiaiche.

D’éascaigh na bearta seo méadú san acmhainn san Otharlann Ríoga; tá 800 obráid molta don bhliain seo – méadú de 84 ghnáthamh ar staitisticí na bliana seo caite. Tá sé beartaithe go mbeidh méadú roimh 2003/04 ar líon na ndaoine a théann tríd an chóras go 1000 gnáthamh.

D’aimsigh mé chomh maith acmhainní breise a mbainfear úsáid astu le 100-120 othar breise a mhaoiniú le cóireáil a fháil in áiseanna sa Bhreatain Mhór nó i nDeisceart na hÉireann.

(AQO 287/02)

Ms de Brún: I am aware of the tragic case of 2 year old Ainlee Walker who died in January this year. It is my understanding that Newham Council is currently conducting a case management review of the case. Officials in my Department will consider the review report, which is due to be published in November, to ascertain if it contains any lessons for our own procedures.

Is eol domh cás tragóideach Ainlee Walker a bhí 2 bhliain d’aois agus a fuair bás i mí Eanáir na bliana seo. De réir mar a thuigim, tá Comhairle Newham ag stiúradh athbhreithniú ar bhainistíocht an cháis. Measfaidh feidhmeannaigh mo Roinne an tuairisc athbhreithnithe, atá le foilsiú i mí na Samhna, le fáil amach an bhfuil ceachtanna ann dár nósanna imeachta féin.

(AQO 327/02)

Ms de Brún: The provision of community health care services for people living in Short Strand is the responsibility of South and East Belfast Health and Social Services Trust.

In recognition of the difficulties experienced in this area recently, the Trust’s Family Trauma Centre team are providing community trauma services for children and adults. Individual counselling and group sessions are also being provided. The Trust’s Crisis Support Team, Psychiatric Support Team and Community Development Team also remain involved within the local community, providing support and services as appropriate.

Tá freagracht ar Iontaobhas Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta Bhéal Feirste Thoir agus Theas seirbhísí cúraim sláinte pobail a sholáthar do na daoine atá ina gcónaí ar an Trá Ghearr.

Mar gheall ar na deacrachtaí a bhí sa cheantar seo le déanaí, tá foireann Ionad Tráma Teaghlaigh an Iontaobhais ag soláthar seirbhísí tráma pobail do pháistí agus d’aosaigh. Tá comhairliúchán aonarach agus seisiúin grúpaí á chur ar fáil chomh maith. Tá Foireann Tacaíochta Géarchéime an Iontaobhais, Foireann Tacaíochta Shíciatrach agus Foireann Forbartha Pobail bainteach go fóill laistigh den phobal áitiúil, ag tabhairt tacaíochta agus seirbhísí nuair is cuí.

(AQO 337/02)

Ms de Brún: The Private Finance Initiative is one of a range of potential options for making use of scarce resources but it certainly does not substitute private funds for public investment in the long run, and it cannot provide a complete solution to our pressing need for more capital investment.

Tá an Tionscnamh Airgeadais Phríobháidigh ar cheann de réimse roghanna féideartha le húsáid a bhaint as acmhainní ganna, ach is cinnte nach gcuireann sé cistí príobháideacha in ionad infheistíochta poiblí san fhadtéarma, agus ní féidir leis réiteach iomlán a sholáthar ar ár riachtanas práinneach le haghaidh tuilleadh infheistíochta caipitiúla.

(AQW 242/02)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr P Robinson): My Department’s Roads Service has no plans to extend to Carrickfergus the section of the National Cycle Network (NCN), which currently runs from Belfast to the University of Ulster at Jordanstown. However, Roads Service is keen to work with local Councils, cycle groups and other interested bodies in researching potential off-road routes for such an extension.

I should add that Roads Service is presently developing plans to improve cycling facilities at other locations within Carrickfergus. These include the provision of a cycle track between Trooperslane Industrial Estate and Trooperslane railway halt in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and along Oakfield Drive to Oakfield Primary School. Roads Service is also committed to aiding Sustrans, the promoter of the NCN, in the development of a cycle route between Whiteabbey and Larne with a spur into Carrickfergus.

(AQW 270/02)

Mr P Robinson: My Department’s Roads Service carefully assesses all applications for the introduction of new speed limits having regard to a number of factors. However, for any speed limit to be considered by Roads Service and supported by the Police, frontage development over a minimum of 800 metres of road is required.

In the case of Douglas Bridge, I understand that frontage development of any substance extends over a length of only 420 metres. As this is well short of the required 800 metres, the introduction of a speed limit lower than the national limit cannot be justified.

I should add that within the past two years, Roads Service has provided a road centre warning line, ‘SLOW’ markings on the carriageway and ‘Junction Ahead’ warning signs, all within the confines of the village and will continue to keep road safety in Douglas Bridge under review.

(AQW 485/02)

Mr P Robinson: Legal Services for the Department are obtained through the Departmental Solicitor’s Office (DSO) of the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP).

With regard to banking, my Department is part of the pool of accounts controlled by DFP. The contract for banking services is subject to the open tender procedure and was awarded centrally by DFP following evaluation of a range of detailed criteria designed to ensure that the successful bidder would provide value for money while meeting the Department’s business needs and professional banking standards. The tender documents and conditions for the current contract were compiled by the Government Procurement Agency (GPA), now Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) and the contract came into effect in April 2001.

Many Professional Services are tendered for on the Department’s behalf by DFP’s CPD, which awards contracts on the basis of the offer which is the most economically advantageous to the Department. Where the Department sources professional services independently, for example, specialist research which falls outside CPD framework arrangements, these are obtained in line with the Department’s Accounting Procedures and Guidance on the Use of Consultants.

This guidance requires tenders to be sought by public advertisement where expenditure exceeds £20,000 and by invited tenders from an approved list of suppliers for expenditure between £15,000 and £20,000. As permitted under the guidance, services are on occasion procured by way of a single tender.

In all cases, the criteria used to determine that an offer is the most economically advantageous, include the period for completion or delivery, quality, aesthetic and functional characteristics, technical merit, after sales services, technical assistance and price.

(AQW 533/02)

Mr P Robinson: I have no plans at present to amend the current winter service policy of my Department’s Roads Service, which was subject to a detailed review only last year.

One of the key outcomes of the review, which was fully debated by the Assembly, was that the practice of targeting the limited resources available for this service on the busier roads should continue. However, the review also recognised that a modest increase in the salted network was justified, mainly for the benefit of the rural communities. It was therefore decided to:

These new initiatives increased the salted network by approximately 4% and the application of the policy means that 28% of the total road network, carrying 80% of all traffic is now salted at an annual cost of approximately £5 million.

Northern Ireland is already top of the UK league in terms of the length of road salted per head of population and there is a fine balance to be drawn between putting even more funds into salting or to the many other worthwhile demands on Roads Service, many of which are also safety related. Whilst I can understand the concerns of those who use the remaining more lightly trafficked roads that are not included in the salted network, it is simply not practical to salt all roads.

(AQW 585/02)

Mr P Robinson: A review of the current criteria used by my Department’s Roads Service to determine the need for controlled pedestrian crossings is underway. This is a complex issue and emerging proposals will be brought before the Regional Development Committee in due course. This is unlikely to happen, however, before the end of January 2003.

(AQW 484/02)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): My Department and its Agencies use a mix of in-house and external sources for legal, banking and professional services. All legal services, are either provided or contracted by the Department of Finance and Personnel, through its Departmental Solicitors’ Office. Professional staff within the DFP Construction Service, the DOE Planning Service and the Valuation and Lands Agency also provide advice across a range of specialist areas.

Where external professional services are required, these are normally procured through tender and contracts are awarded on the basis of the offer which is the most economically advantageous. The criteria used to determine this include the timescale for completion or delivery, quality, aesthetic and functional characteristics, technical merit, after sales service, technical assistance and price.