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WRITTEN ANSWERS Friday 12 January 2001 Agriculture and Rural Development Ulster Farmers Union Anti-Smoking Enterprise, Trade and Investment Aggregate Tax Schedule I of The Rates (Amendment) Order (NI) 1998 Health, Social Services and Public Safety "Morning After Pill" Aggregates Tax Budget Share West Tyrone AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Ulster Farmers Union Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to (a) confirm that she has had regular meetings with the Ulster Farmers Union and (b) detail what issues were discussed. (AQW 1130/00) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): I have met representatives of the Ulster Farmers’ Union on a number of occasions since the restoration of devolution, including a trip to Union Headquarters in October, when I met with the Commodity and Central Committee Chairmen. My most recent business meeting was in early November, though I also hosted the launch of the UFU Food Promotion Initiative at the end of November. During the course of my meetings with the UFU, we have discussed a wide range of issues reflecting the current concerns of the industry, such as the difficulties of the pigs sector, the case for the relaxation of the beef export restrictions, the new LFA support scheme, agrimoney compensation and the draft Programme for Government. At an operational level, officials from throughout my Department are in contact with UFU officials and office bearers on almost a daily basis. TOPSpecial Advisors Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education to confirm that his special advisor has a criminal record resulting from terrorist related convictions. (AQW 980/00) The Minister of Education (Mr McGuinness): I do not consider that it is appropriate to answer questions requesting personal details about civil servants. Telecommunications Masts Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail how many telecommunications masts have been placed within the grounds of schools and if he will identify, by management type, those schools in which masts have been erected. (AQW 990/00) Mr McGuinness: I understand there are currently six such masts, with one in each of the following schools - Controlled Schools Carrickfergus Grammar Ballyclare Secondary Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn Killinchy Primary School
Catholic Maintained Schools St Mark’s High School, Warrenpoint Voluntary Grammar Schools St Mary’s Christian Brothers Grammar, Belfast There is no evidence to suggest that the heath and safety of staff and pupils in schools is affected by telecommunications masts on school premises. The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, which reported on this matter last May, concluded that mobile phone base stations presented no general health and safety risks but in line with the recommendations in the Group’s Report, the Radiocommunications Agency will be carrying out an audit of telecommunication masts on school premises to ensure that exposure guidelines are not exceeded and the masts comply with the agreed specifications. I am aware, of course, that there is genuine concern about this issue and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. There are four masts on Education and Library Board owned premises but neither the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools nor the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education have entered into contracts with telecommunications suppliers for the siting of masts within their grounds. The erection of masts on school grounds is a matter for individual school authorities. I am satisfied that the resources allocated to them are sufficient to meet the funding needs of schools. My Department is not party to contracts entered into between telecommunications providers and school authorities and has no plans to monitor any such contracts. Telecommunications Masts Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will ensure that all telecommunications masts sited within school grounds meet with current safety legislation. (AQW 991/00) Mr McGuinness: I understand there are currently six such masts, with one in each of the following schools - Controlled Schools Carrickfergus Grammar Ballyclare Secondary Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn Killinchy Primary School
Catholic Maintained Schools St Mark’s High School, Warrenpoint Voluntary Grammar Schools St Mary’s Christian Brothers Grammar, Belfast There is no evidence to suggest that the heath and safety of staff and pupils in schools is affected by telecommunications masts on school premises. The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, which reported on this matter last May, concluded that mobile phone base stations presented no general health and safety risks but in line with the recommendations in the Group’s Report, the Radiocommunications Agency will be carrying out an audit of telecommunication masts on school premises to ensure that exposure guidelines are not exceeded and the masts comply with the agreed specifications. I am aware, of course, that there is genuine concern about this issue and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. There are four masts on Education and Library Board owned premises but neither the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools nor the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education have entered into contracts with telecommunications suppliers for the siting of masts within their grounds. The erection of masts on school grounds is a matter for individual school authorities. I am satisfied that the resources allocated to them are sufficient to meet the funding needs of schools. My Department is not party to contracts entered into between telecommunications providers and school authorities and has no plans to monitor any such contracts. Telecommunications Masts Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he will confirm that safeguards exist to protect the health and safety of staff and pupils in schools or colleges where telecommunications masts are currently sited. (AQW 992/00) Mr McGuinness: I understand there are currently six such masts, with one in each of the following schools - Controlled Schools Carrickfergus Grammar Ballyclare Secondary Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn Killinchy Primary School
Catholic Maintained Schools St Mark’s High School, Warrenpoint Voluntary Grammar Schools St Mary’s Christian Brothers Grammar, Belfast There is no evidence to suggest that the heath and safety of staff and pupils in schools is affected by telecommunications masts on school premises. The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, which reported on this matter last May, concluded that mobile phone base stations presented no general health and safety risks but in line with the recommendations in the Group’s Report, the Radiocommunications Agency will be carrying out an audit of telecommunication masts on school premises to ensure that exposure guidelines are not exceeded and the masts comply with the agreed specifications. I am aware, of course, that there is genuine concern about this issue and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. There are four masts on Education and Library Board owned premises but neither the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools nor the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education have entered into contracts with telecommunications suppliers for the siting of masts within their grounds. The erection of masts on school grounds is a matter for individual school authorities. I am satisfied that the resources allocated to them are sufficient to meet the funding needs of schools. My Department is not party to contracts entered into between telecommunications providers and school authorities and has no plans to monitor any such contracts. Telecommunications Masts Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to reduce the need for Boards, Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education or individual schools to seek alternative funding by entering into contracts with telecommunications suppliers which necessitate the siting of masts within their grounds and if he will make a statement. (AQW 993/00) Mr McGuinness: I understand there are currently six such masts, with one in each of the following schools - Controlled Schools Carrickfergus Grammar Ballyclare Secondary Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn Killinchy Primary School
Catholic Maintained Schools St Mark’s High School, Warrenpoint Voluntary Grammar Schools St Mary’s Christian Brothers Grammar, Belfast There is no evidence to suggest that the heath and safety of staff and pupils in schools is affected by telecommunications masts on school premises. The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, which reported on this matter last May, concluded that mobile phone base stations presented no general health and safety risks but in line with the recommendations in the Group’s Report, the Radiocommunications Agency will be carrying out an audit of telecommunication masts on school premises to ensure that exposure guidelines are not exceeded and the masts comply with the agreed specifications. I am aware, of course, that there is genuine concern about this issue and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. There are four masts on Education and Library Board owned premises but neither the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools nor the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education have entered into contracts with telecommunications suppliers for the siting of masts within their grounds. The erection of masts on school grounds is a matter for individual school authorities. I am satisfied that the resources allocated to them are sufficient to meet the funding needs of schools. My Department is not party to contracts entered into between telecommunications providers and school authorities and has no plans to monitor any such contracts. Telecommunications Masts Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education to ensure that he will closely monitor contracts entered into by telecommunications providers and Education and Library Boards, Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education or individual. (AQW 994/00) Mr McGuinness: I understand there are currently six such masts, with one in each of the following schools - Controlled Schools Carrickfergus Grammar Ballyclare Secondary Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn Killinchy Primary School
Catholic Maintained Schools St Mark’s High School, Warrenpoint Voluntary Grammar Schools St Mary’s Christian Brothers Grammar, Belfast There is no evidence to suggest that the heath and safety of staff and pupils in schools is affected by telecommunications masts on school premises. The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, which reported on this matter last May, concluded that mobile phone base stations presented no general health and safety risks but in line with the recommendations in the Group’s Report, the Radiocommunications Agency will be carrying out an audit of telecommunication masts on school premises to ensure that exposure guidelines are not exceeded and the masts comply with the agreed specifications. I am aware, of course, that there is genuine concern about this issue and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. There are four masts on Education and Library Board owned premises but neither the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools nor the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education have entered into contracts with telecommunications suppliers for the siting of masts within their grounds. The erection of masts on school grounds is a matter for individual school authorities. I am satisfied that the resources allocated to them are sufficient to meet the funding needs of schools. My Department is not party to contracts entered into between telecommunications providers and school authorities and has no plans to monitor any such contracts. Urban and Rural Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister of Education to state the definition of (a) urban and (b) rural used within his Department. (AQW 1005/00) Mr McGuinness: In general terms, urban applies to cities and towns and rural to all other areas. For the purposes of the new viability criteria for Irish-medium and integrated primary schools the Department is applying the definition of urban to Belfast and Derry and rural to all other areas. Anti-Smoking Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Education to give his assessment of the impact of anti-smoking programmes in schools in the last ten years. (AQW 1046/00) Mr McGuinness: I am very aware of the importance of getting across the anti-smoking message in schools. This is an aspect of Health Education which is a compulsory element of the school curriculum. My Department, in conjunction with other bodies, has issued guidance to schools on smoking as part of an overall package on the misuse of drugs. But it must be recognised that this is only part of the picture; a school can only ensure that it gets across the message about the harmful effects of smoking. Outside school there are unfortunately very strong messages which promote and encourage young people to smoke. While no assessments have been carried out in the last ten years on the impact of schools on anti-smoking, the Health Promotion Agency has carried out a number of campaigns over the past number of years which, while not targeted specifically at schools, nevertheless have aimed to reduce the incidence of smoking among young people. Evaluations of these campaigns showed that they had had positive results. West Tyrone Mr Pat Doherty asked the Minister of Education to (a) detail all buildings and amenities within his responsibility in the constituency of West Tyrone (b) outline the percentage of his budget that has been allocated to the West Tyrone constituency and (c) explain how this compares with the previous budget. (AQW 1090/00)
Mr McGuinness: Responsibility for buildings and amenities rests with the owners and within the education sector in West Tyrone this is the Western Education and Library Board and individual voluntary bodies. Budget information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. TOPENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT Investment in East Antrim Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland has any plans to attract investment to the East Antrim area. (AQW 1028/00) The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): IDB seeks to encourage new employment from existing companies and new investors; in the past couple of years in particular this investment has been mostly from the knowledge based sectors such as telecommunications, software development and call centre operations. The recent world-class investments by Nortel Networks in Monkstown and by C-MAC and Solectron mean that East Antrim is now very well placed as an attractive location for further inward investment. Land for investments is available at both Carrickfergus and Larne. IDB has also been working with local councils, including those in East Antrim, both to support the councils’ own efforts and to ensure co-operation with IDB in the attraction of these kind of projects. This work has included participation in the CORE Group of Councils’ Strategy Conference in May 2000, and IDB has also recently held a seminar for all council Economic Development Officers in order to share experiences in marketing Northern Ireland as an investment location and encourage joint working in the future. Recycled Products in Industry Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the steps he is taking to encourage the use of recycled products in industry. (AQW 1029/00) Sir Reg Empey: My Department through the Industrial Research & Technology Unit (IRTU) has since 1993 managed a range of programmes to encourage industry to improve its environmental performance and competitiveness. Over that time the emphasis has shifted from recycling towards waste minimisation and reuse as the options preferred in the waste hierarchy. Market led demand for recycled products is essential to the economic viability of waste recycling. (POINT the Environmental Newsletter produced by IRTU has featured articles promoting the use and purchasing of recycled product. It has also highlighted the NI2000 'Buy Recycled Campaign' which aims to close the recycling loop by increasing the demand for recycled products.) My Department with the Department of Environment is supporting an international conference, exhibition and design competition aimed at promoting the development of markets for recycled products. The event 'Blue Skies -Green Horizons' to be held in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast from 5th - 7th February will highlight how new sustainable business opportunities can be created by developing products that use recycled materials. Since 1994, IRTU's Waste Exchange Bureau has supported the development of a network of local recycling companies by facilitating the exchange of waste materials between producers and potential users. The recently launched Internet based waste exchange, NIWEB, has improved the sourcing of recyclable wastes, helping local companies respond to demands for recycled products and materials. IRTU provides financial support to promote environmental auditing and the development of accredited environmental management systems within business. Participating companies are encouraged to adopt 'green purchasing' policies to reduce their environmental impacts and improve resource efficiency. The 'Supply Chain Challenge', which encourages business 'champions' to influence the 'greening' of their supplier base has been actively supported and promoted by IRTU. Potential Investors Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (a) the number of Industrial Development Board and Local Enterprise Development Unit potential investors who visited Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and (b) the areas visited by constituency. (AQW 1031/00) Sir Reg Empey: The Industrial Development Board records details of potential inward investor visits by District Council area and has not maintained a separate record of visits by parliamentary constituency. The attached table provides details of visits, by potential inward investors to District Council areas, arranged by the Industrial Development Board between April 1995 and March 2000. I should point out that the IDB deals with all inward visits, irrespective of the size of the potential new project and this is why there are no separate figures for LEDU. However, LEDU works closely with IDB, and the various Councils, in those visits which have relevance to their client companies. For example, in November 1999 LEDU, in conjunction with Into the West (a consortium of the five local District Councils In Tyrone and Fermanagh and LEDU), hosted a conference in Omagh when 15 companies from Australia, Canada and New Zealand visited the region to seek out opportunities for joint venture investments with small companies in this area. These investors visited companies in the constituencies of West Tyrone, Mid Ulster and Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
Notes: Visits to Northern Ireland which do not include interest in specific Council areas are excluded from this table. Total District Council visits may exceed total visits to Northern Ireland as companies may visit more than one District Council area. Industrial Development Board Offices in America >Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline his plans to review the number and location of Industrial Development Board offices in the United States of America and whether he proposes to establish an office in Washington D.C. to work in co-operation with the Northern Ireland Bureau. (AQW 1038/00) Sir Reg Empey: IDB's resources, including the number and location of its offices are constantly reviewed and aligned to the inward investment opportunity in the territorial and sectoral markets across the USA. The inward investment business opportunity from Washington D.C. has been adequately serviced to date from the IDB's office in Boston, in co-operation with the Northern Ireland Bureau, but I will be looking at the wider opportunities over the coming months in view of the recent announcement about the future of the Department’s agencies. Industrial Development Board Offices in America Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total cost incurred in each of the last two financial years by each of the four Industrial Development Board offices in the United States of America and the amount proposed under the draft Budget for 2001/2002. (AQW 1039/00) Sir Reg Empey: The cost incurred for the past two years is tabled below. The Chicago (head office) costs include all centralised administration billing, IT and management costs common for all the USA offices. It is not possible to meaningfully allocate the PR activity costs by location due to the cross-sectoral and geographical nature of the activities. 1999/00 2000/01
The budgets for 2001/2002 have not yet been agreed. Industrial Development Board's Boston Office Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail which of the Industrial Development Board offices in the United States of America is responsible for interaction with the political and business communities in Washington D.C. (AQW 1040/00) Sir Reg Empey: IDB's office in Boston is responsible for targeting the business community in Washington DC, and links with the Northern Ireland Bureau on political influencers in that area. Average Wage Mr John Fee asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the average wage for (a) an adult male in Northern Ireland for each of the last five years and (b) and adult female in Northern Ireland for each of the last five years. (AQW 1062/00) Sir Reg Empey: The average gross weekly earnings of full–time adult employees whose pay was unaffected by absence for each of the last five years by gender are as follows:
Aggregate Tax Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to (a) give his assessment of the aggregate tax on quarrying and (b) outline the steps he is taking to counter its introduction into Northern Ireland. (AQW 1074/00) Sir Reg Empey: On 29 November 2000 Mark Durkan and officials from relevant Departments including the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment met representatives of the Quarry Products Association (QPA) to hear their assessment of the impact of the proposed aggregates levy on the NI Quarrying Sector. Mark Durkan made a subsequent statement in response to the Assembly motion on 12 December 2000, setting out the position and the steps that he and Ministerial colleagues were taking to fully assess the impact of the levy on the quarrying industry and the local economy as the basis for deciding whether a sustainable case can be made to Treasury. I am of course concerned about the particular impact of the levy on the competitiveness of NI quarrying products companies and I and Ministerial colleagues are giving the matter the fullest consideration also having regard to the objectives on sustainable development which the Executive has signed up to in its draft Programme for Government. Targeting Social Needs Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to (a) list the designated Targeting Social Needs areas in each constituency (b) detail any recent review of those areas and (c) give his assessment of Targeting Social Needs in the Strangford constituency. (AQW 1075/00) Sir Reg Empey: The DETI New TSN Action Plan, together with all other Departmental Action Plans, will be published shortly by OFM/DFM and will contain, a) details of the areas designated, and b) the basis on which areas were reviewed to consider and identify disadvantage. As regards the Strangford constituency, my reply to AQW 886/00 explained that the Councils within the constituency do not exhibit overall high levels of disadvantage compared to other areas, and have therefore not been designated for New TSN purposes by DETI. DETI will, however, react to significant employment changes in an area, whether New TSN designated or not. The establishment of the Ards Task Force within the Strangford constituency is an example of this approach. Christmas Cards Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (a) the number of official Christmas cards he has sent (b) the cost of their design, publication and postage and (c) the list of people on the Minister's official Christmas card list. (AQW 1111/00) Sir Reg Empey: (a) The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has sent approximately 410 official Christmas cards. (b) The Minister’s official Christmas card was ordered from a charity catalogue at a cost of £810. Postage cost £87. (c) Christmas cards are typically sent to individuals and members of organisations with with which DETI regularly corresponds or which have a significant interest in the department’s activities and responsibilities. Climate Change Levy Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail his contingency plans to protect the international competitiveness of energy intensive companies should the European Commission refuse the package of measures associated with the introduction of the Climate Change Levy. (AQW 1140/00) Sir Reg Empey: Policy on the Climate Change Levy is a reserved taxation matter and remains the responsibility of Parliament. I would therefore relay the following answer provided in response to the same question, raised as an oral Parliamentary Question in the House of Lords on 23 November 2000: "The Government has always made clear that aspects of the climate change levy package are subject to state aids clearance. The most recent draft of the EU guidelines for environmental measures were published in October, and I am glad to say they are encouraging for the UK applications. The Government is continuing to work closely with the Commission to ensure a timely approval of its applications. Top Ten Visitor Centres Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of visitors to the top ten visitor centres in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years. (AQW 1141/00) Sir Reg Empey: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) collates figures for a range of facilities included in the itineraries of visitors to Northern Ireland. "Tourist visitors" may comprise only a small proportion of total visitors to the facilities over the year. Performance figures are presented in NITB's annual Visitor Attraction Survey report. A copy of the report is available in the Assembly Library. TOPSchedule I of The Rates (Amendment) Order (NI) 1998 Mrs Joan Carson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what steps he is taking to implement the provisions of Schedule 1 of the Rates (Amendment) Order (NI) 1998 and if he will indicate when rural shops and post offices in Northern Ireland can expect to benefit from the same level of rates relief as that already enjoyed by their counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales. (AQW 1064/00) The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): I refer you to the answer (AQW 621/00) I gave on 24 November to the member for East Antrim (Sean Neeson), in the Official Report (Hansard) for that date, - (the Written Questions Booklet) which issued to all Members. TOPHEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY Special Advisors Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that her special advisor has a criminal record for terrorist convictions and to give the details of these convictions. (AQW 979/00) The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): I do not consider that it is appropriate to answer questions requesting personal details about civil servants. Ní shílim go bhfuil sé ceart ceisteanna ag iarraidh sonraí pearsanta faoi státseirbhísí a fhreagairt. Diverted from Mental Health Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail when she expects the £100,000 diverted from Mental Health by Down Lisburn Trust for acute services to be returned. (AQW 981/00) Ms de Brún: As was previously indicated, Down Lisburn Trust hopes to restore the £100,000 diverted this year from Mental Health to acute services back to Mental Health next year subject to resource availability. Mar a tugadh le fios roimhe, tá súil ag Iontaobhas an Dúin agus Lios na gCearrbhach an £100,000 a atreoraíodh ón MheabhairShláinte go géarsheirbhísí i mbliana a thabhairt ar ais don MheabhairShláinte sa bhliain seo chugainn ag brath ar infhaighteacht acmhainne. Leaving Care and Child Protection Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail when the Leaving Care and the Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Bills will be implemented and if she will make a statement. (AQW 982/00) Ms de Brún: The Leaving Care Bill has been included in the Legislative Programme for the current Session of the Assembly and the Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Bill will be included in the following session. Before they are introduced in the Assembly, consultation documents for each Bill will be issued outlining the Department’s proposals for change. It is intended that these proposals will be issued for public consultation in the near future. Subject to Assembly approval, and the production of any supporting regulations and guidance, the new legislation will be implemented as soon as possible. Cuireadh an Bille Ag Fágáil Cúraim sa Chlár Reachtaíochta do sheisiún reatha an Tionóil agus beidh an Bille um Chosaint Páistí agus Aosach Leochaileach sa chéad seisiún eile. Sula gcuirfear faoi bhráid an Tionóil iad, eiseofar doiciméid chomhairliúcháin ar gach Bille ag leagan amach moltaí na Roinne le haghaidh athrú. Tá sé beartaithe go n-eiseofar na moltaí seo le haghaidh comhairliúcháin phoiblí gan mhoill. Ag brath ar fhaomhadh an Tionóil, agus ar sholáthar rialacha agus ar threoracha tacaíochta, cuirfear an reachtaíocht nua i bhfeidhm a luaithe agus is féidir. Epidemiology Survey Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she has any plans to conduct an epidemiology survey on Mental Health as current data and statistics need updating. (AQW 984/00) Ms de Brún: I am considering a number of large-scale health surveys, including one on mental health. The timing of these surveys will depend on securing the necessary finance. Tá mé ag déanamh machnaimh ar roinnt suirbhéanna mórscála, ceann ar an mheabhairshláinte san áireamh. Beidh uainiú na suirbhéanna seo ag brath ar an airgead riachtanach a fháil. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mr Edwin Poots asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current waiting time for patients requiring a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. (AQW 998/00) Ms de Brún: This information is not routinely collected centrally. Information obtained from the Royal Victoria Hospital indicates that non-urgent cases wait for up to 22 months for an MRI scan. Urgent cases can be seen more quickly but can wait for up to 5 months. Information obtained from Musgrave Park Hospital indicates that routine cases wait approximately 7 months for an MRI scan. Urgent cases can be seen in 3-6 weeks but emergency cases can be seen much sooner. A portable scanner is also in operation at the Antrim Area Hospital but details of waiting times for this scanner are not available. Ní bhailítear an t-eolas seo go lárnach de ghnáth. Léiríonn an t-eolas seo a fuarthas ó Ospidéal Ríoga Victoria go bhfanann cásanna nach bhfuil práinn leo suas le 22 mhí faoi choinne scanadh MRI. Is féidir cásanna práinneacha a fheiceáil níos gaiste ach féadann siad fanacht suas le cúig mhí. Léiríonn an t-eolas a fuarthas ó Ospidéal Pháirc Musgrave go bhfanann gnáthchásanna thart ar seacht mí faoi choinne scanadh MRI. Is féidir cásanna níos práinní a fheiceáil i 3-6 seachtaine ach is féidir cásanna éigeandála a fheiceáil níos gaiste. Tá scanóir iniompartha ag feidhmiú in Ospidéal Cheantar Aontroma ach níl sonraí ar uaireanta feithimh don scanóir seo ar fáil. Extra £1.5 Million Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what proportion of the extra £1.5 million allocated to the Health budget will be earmarked for mental health. (AQW 1012/00) Ms de Brún: I am not clear as to the extra £1.5 million to which you refer. However, I am pleased to point out that, as a result of the October Monitoring Round, I was successful in securing an extra £0.5 million for mental health. This will be allocated to Health and Social Services Boards shortly. Níl sé soiléir agam maidir leis an £1.5 milliún breise a dtagraíonn tú dó. Tá áthas orm le cur in iúl áfach, mar thoradh ar Bhabhta Monatóireachta Mhí Dheireadh Fómhair, gur éirigh liom £0.5 milliún breise a fháil do shláinte mheabhrach. Dáilfear seo ar na Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta gan mhoill. Cancer Specialist Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if she will confirm that the cancer specialist is leaving the Ulster Hospital and detail what steps she is taking to fill the post. (AQW 1014/00) Ms de Brún: I am not aware that any cancer related staff are leaving the Ulster Hospital. Ní feasach dom go bhfuil aon bhaill fhoirne a bhfuil baint acu leis an ailse ag imeacht ó Ospidéal Uladh. Funding for Nursing Care Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of funding she has allocated to provide National Health Service (NHS) nursing care to residents of private nursing homes and consequently how many NHS hospital beds will be made available. (AQW 1017/00) Ms de Brún: I have not allocated funds specifically for this purpose, although an additional £15 million has been allocated to Health and Social Services Boards this year for winter pressures. This should provide for additional community nursing services and extra community care packages. However, it is a matter for Boards, in partnership with Trusts, to decide how these resources are specifically distributed. At present there is no accurate estimate of the potential numbers of acute beds that could be freed by such measures. Even with this additional investment, I am conscious that there is still a need for further resources to enable more patients to be cared for in their own homes, therefore freeing up hospital beds. To this end I am seeking to secure additional community care funding through the December Monitoring Round and I will ensure that it is given a high priority when detailed decisions are made on allocations for future years. Níor leithroinn mé airgead le haghaidh na cúise áirithe seo, cé gur leithroinneadh £15 mhilliún breise ar Bhoird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta i mbliana do bhrúnna an gheimhridh. Ba chóir go ndéanfadh seo seirbhísí breise altranais phobail agus bearta breise cúraim phobail a sholáthar. Baineann sé leis na Boird, i gcomhar leis na hIontaobhais, áfach, cad é mar a shocraíonn siad ar dháileadh ar leith na n-acmhainní seo. Faoi láthair níl meastachán cruinn ar líon poitéinsiúl géarleapacha a thiocfadh a scaoileadh saor mar tríd a leithéid de bhearta. Fiú leis an infheistíocht bhreise seo is eol dom go bhfuil gá ann go fóill le hacmhainní breise, le faill a thabhairt do níos mó othar bheith faoi chúram ina dtithe féin, rud a scaoilfeas saor leapacha ospidéil. Leis an chuspóir seo a bhaint amach tá mé ag iarraidh airgead breise cúraim phobail a chinntiú trí Bhabhta Monatóireachta na Nollag agus cinnteoidh mé go dtabharfar tosaíocht ard dó nuair a dhéanfar mionchinnidh ar leith ar leithranna sna blianta seo chugainn. 300 Extra Beds Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her distribution plans for 300 extra beds recently announced and detail (a) when these extra beds will be available and for what period (b) the number of additional beds allocated to each Trust area and (c) the total cost involved. (AQW 1018/00) Ms de Brún: Details about the additional hospital beds in place for winter are set out in the table below.
The additional beds detailed above were all operational by 1 January 2001 and will be available until March or April depending on circumstances. The additional Intensive Care and High Dependency beds which have been provided are permanent. Leagtar amach sonraí faoi leapacha ospidéil bhreise don gheimhreadh sa tábla seo thíos.
Bhí na leapacha breise a dtugtar miontuairisc orthu thuas uilig oibríochtúil faoi 1 Eanáir 2001 agus beidh siad ar fáil go dtí Márta nó Aibreán, ag brath ar na tosca. Tá na leapacha Dianchúraim agus Ardspleáchais bhreise a cuireadh ar fáil le bheith ann go buan. Patients Transferring Wards Mr John Fee asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline her plans to improve facilities for patients transferring from Accident and Emergency Departments to general wards. (AQW 1019/00) Ms de Brún: The availability of hospital beds for patients requiring admission from Accident & Emergency departments is a key element in the comprehensive plans which Boards and Trusts have developed in readiness for this winter. The level of emergency admissions is highest during the winter months and, in recognition of that, a wide range of measures has been put in place to provide extra bed capacity over coming months. These measures include the provision of approximately 300 additional hospital beds. There will also be about 1,000 additional community care packages in place this winter, including intermediate care schemes to reduce the need for inappropriate hospital admissions and help to ensure that people who do not need to be in hospital can be discharged. Is príomhghné de phleananna cuimsitheacha a d’fhorbair na Boird agus na hIontaobhais le déanamh réidh don gheimhreadh, go gcuirtear leapacha ospidéil ar fáil d’othair a bhfuil iontráil de dhíth orthu ó na ranna Timpiste agus Éigeandála. Tá líon na n-iontrálacha éigeandála níos airde le linn mhíonna an gheimhridh agus dá bhrí sin cuireadh réimse leathan beart i bhfeidhm le líon breise leapacha a chur ar fáil thar na míonna atá romhainn. Cuimsíonn na bearta seo soláthar 300 leaba bhreise ospidéil. Beidh thart ar 1,000 beart cúraim phobail breise ann an geimhreadh seo, lena n-áirítear scéimeanna cúraim idirmheánaigh le riachtanas iontrálacha ospidéil míchuí a laghdú agus le cuidiú le daoine nach gá dóibh bheith san ospidéal a ligean amach. Accident and Emergency Departments Mr John Fee asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, for each month since April 1999, (a) the number of people treated in the Accident and Emergency Departments in acute hospitals in Northern Ireland (b) the average waiting time for treatment in each Accident and Emergency Department in Northern Ireland (c) the number of people admitted to the wards from each Accident and Emergency Department in Northern Ireland and (d) the average waiting time for a bed for patients admitted to the wards from each Accident and Emergency Department in Northern Ireland. (AQW 1020/00) (a) Ms de Brún: Information on attendances
at A&E departments in hospitals here is collected on a quarterly basis
and is detailed in the table below.
(b) This information is not collected centrally. (c) This information is collected on a quarterly basis and is detailed
in the table below. Patients admitted to hospital via A&E departments, by Trust
(d) Information on the time waiting for admission from an A&E department is collected on the basis of time bands (less than 1 hour, 1 to under 2 hours, 2 hours or more) and it is not possible to derive an average waiting time from these figures. (a) Bailítear eolas ar fhreastal ar ranna T&É in ospidéil anseo ar bhonn ráithiúil agus tá mionchuntas air sa tábla thíos. Freastal ar Ranna T&É in ospidéil áitiúla
(b) Ní bhailítear an t-eolas seo go lárnach. (c) Bailítear an t-eolas seo go ráithiúil agus tá mionchuntas air sa tábla thíos. Othair a ligeadh isteach chuig an ospidéal trí Ranna T&É, de réir Iontaobhais
(d) Bailítear an t-eolas ar an am a caitheadh ag fanacht ar iontráil ó ranna T&É de réir bandaí ama (níos lú ná 1 uair, uair go dtí níos lú ná 2 uair, 2 uair nó níos mó) agus ní féidir meánam feithimh a bhaint as na figiúirí seo. Waiting on Trolley's Mr John Fee asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the circumstances under which a patient awaiting admission to a ward from an Accident and Emergency Department is required to wait on a trolley (b) the average length of time, for each month since April 1999, patients have had to wait on trolleys in acute hospitals in Northern Ireland and (c) the number of patients, for each month since April 1999, who have had to wait more than one hour on a trolley in each Accident and Emergency Department, in acute hospitals in Northern Ireland. (AQW 1021/00) Ms de Brún: (a) Patients wait on trolleys when they have been assessed as needing admission to hospital but no vacant bed is available. This occurs because the number of beds available over a 24-hour period depends on the balance between new admissions and discharges. Overall the numbers are roughly in balance over the 24-hour period but at peak admission times there can be a mismatch between the admissions and discharges. Every effort is made to anticipate changes in demand but equally it is not possible to tailor the two to cover all the circumstances. Boards are currently endeavouring to re-arrange capacity to better reflect bed pressures. (b) Information on the time waiting for admission from an A&E department is collected on the basis of time bands (less than 1 hour, 1 to under 2 hours, 2 hours or more) and it is not possible to derive an average waiting time from these figures. (c) This information is collected on a quarterly basis and is detailed in the table below. Patients admitted to hospital via A&E departments waiting over 1 hour for admission, by Trust
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