In addition, since 2001/02, extra earmarked funds have become available through the Executive Programme Funds for initiatives in Special Education:

(AQW 211/02)

Mr M McGuinness: The Department’s budget for 2002/03 includes £53.1m for home to school transport, £29.6m for the school meals service, and £3.6m for community relations. As there is a close link between social need and educational need, action to Target Social Need is considered to be a direct and integral part of mainstream educational provision.

(AQW 212/02)

Mr M McGuinness: The Department’s budget for 2002/03 includes £4.2m from sources other than budgetary provision. This relates to grant from the European Union.

(AQW 237/02)

Mr M McGuinness: Pre-school places in the statutory sector are, as has been the case since the early 1970s, open to children from 2 years old to the lower limit of compulsory school age. In all cases, however, applications from children in their immediate pre-school year are given priority ahead of younger children. Children in their penultimate pre-school year who attend nursery schools and units are therefore occupying places that would otherwise be unfilled.

In the 2001/02 academic year, 1,423 children attending statutory nursery schools and units had not attained the age of 3 by the date of the School Census. This number represents 11% of children in statutory settings at that time and 7% of the children in all types of funded pre-school education.

(AQW 378/02)

Mr M McGuinness: There were some 12,436 subject entries from Northern Ireland to GCE A Level examinations run by Examination Boards other than CCEA, representing approximately 45% of all subject entries from local candidates. Information on the number of candidates who took these examinations is not available.

The independent inquiry ordered by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills will have implications for the National Qualifications Framework, and so will be of direct relevance both here and in Wales as well as in England. I will consider the report carefully and the implications that any recommendations may have for students here.

CCEA have not been involved in the marking and grading problems in England, and I am not aware of any concerns having been raised about CCEA’s 2002 examinations service. I have every confidence that CCEA will continue to provide a robust and reliable examinations service for our young people.

(AQW 379/02)

Mr M McGuinness: The criteria used are laid down in the GCSE, GCE, VCE and GNVQ Code of Practice 2001/02 (Second Edition), which is issued by the 3 Regulatory Authorities (CCEA, ACCAC in Wales and QCA in England), and is available on CCEA’s website (www.ccea.org.uk/gce.htm). All the awarding bodies have agreed to implement the Code in full.

While there is potential for human error in any marking procedure, I am advised that the sampling procedure used to adjust marks for coursework is subject to stringent scrutiny and checking procedures, ensuring that the level of errors is negligible.

(AQW 381/02)

Mr M McGuinness: Although in summer 2002 some 45% of A level entries from candidates here were to examining boards in England, these were in the main to Edexcel and AQA examining boards: the Oxford and Cambridge examining board, where most of the problems in England seem to have arisen, was used by only a very few centres here for a limited number of low-entry subjects. I am advised therefore that our candidates have been affected by the English problems only to a very minor extent.

CCEA, as regulatory body, and my Department are monitoring the situation closely and are aware of a small number of examination centres where some problems have arisen, although it is not clear at this stage the circumstances involved. The examination centres in each case are taking the matter up with the examining board concerned.

The independent inquiry ordered by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills will have implications for the National Qualifications Framework, and so will be of direct relevance both here and in Wales as well as in England. I will consider the report carefully and the implications that any recommendations may have for students here.

(AQW 24/02)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): I have visited the Community Outreach Centre and regard it as an excellent new resource for North and West Belfast. In discussion between my officials and the Springvale Board it was agreed that a better time for the official opening would be the early Autumn. I look forward to performing the ceremony in the near future.

The management of the Centre of the Springvale project is the responsibility of Springvale Educational Village; they have assured the Department that the Centre was open and available for use by Community Groups throughout the school holiday period.

(AQW 112/02)

Ms Hanna: My Department currently contracts with Bombardier Shorts to offer 55 Modern Apprenticeships in the aircraft industry. As engineering is classified as a priority skills sector the number of allocated training places can be increased to meet the demands of this industry. In addition, within the Greater Belfast Area there are a number of Training Organisations offering a further 200 Modern Apprenticeships in affiliated engineering disciplines.

(AQW 158/02)

Ms Hanna: Information on the number of people, diagnosed as having Asperger’s Syndrome who have entered further education since 1999 is not held by the Department.

(AQW 247/02)

Ms Hanna: Student accommodation and student housing rights are matters for the Department for Social Development and are outside the remit of my Department.

It would therefore, be inappropriate for me to make representation to the Minister for Social Development regarding student accommodation and student housing rights in respect of the new Housing Bill.

(AQW 259/02)

Ms Hanna: No. It is not normal practice when new policy is announced to introduce arrangements retrospectively.

(AQW 402/02)

Ms Hanna: The number of academic staff employed at Queen’s University, Belfast, whose principal subject of academic discipline is either medicine or subjects allied to medicine, from 1997/98 to 2000/01 is provided in the table below:

Source: HESA

¹ Refers to pre-clinical (A1) and clinical medicine (A3) subjects, taken from the HESA medicine and dentistry subject group.

² The HESA subject group including anatomy & physiology, pharmacology, pharmacy, ophthalmics, audiology, nursing and other medical subjects.

(AQW 403/02)

Ms Hanna: The number of students enrolled on Medicine¹ courses at Queen’s University, Belfast from 1997/98 to the 2001/02 academic year is provided in the table below:

Source: HESA

¹ Refers to students enrolled on pre-clinical (A1) and clinical medicine (A3) courses, taken from the HESA medicine and dentistry subject group.

² 2001/02 figures are provisional.

(AQW 122/02)

(a) The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has already provided funding towards the development of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s facilities at Whitehead and would be happy to consider any further proposals the Society may have. In the wider context, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) is giving consideration to the development of a sustainable support infrastructure for the heritage sector generally.

(b) Neither NITB or DCAL have had any recent discussions with the Society nor are any currently planned.

(AQW 136/02)

Sir Reg Empey: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board had no knowledge of a company called BA Publishing Services and has never awarded any contracts to that company. As already stated in information supplied in May 2002 to the Public Accounts Committee W G Baird Group acquired Corporate Document Services Ltd (CDS) in December 2000. We now understand that this company had been previously called BA Publishing Services (The name change occurred in May 1998). NITB’s first contract with CDS was awarded in August 2000.

(AQW 137/02)

Sir Reg Empey: NITB has never awarded any contracts to BA Publishing Services. We understand that BA Publishing Services was renamed as Corporate Document Services Ltd in May 1998. The share capital of CDS Ltd was bought by the Baird Group in December 2000.

NITB’s first contract with CDS Ltd was in August 2000 (Details of NITB’s contracts with CDS were provided to the PAC in May 2002).

(AQW 142/02)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department has worked with our colleagues in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the Department of the Environment (DOE) to develop and implement policy that capitalizes on the unique qualities of the County Antrim coastline, while protecting those same resources for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

My Department, through the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), will continue to work with DARD and DoE both directly and in partnership with others such as the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, which is actively involved in tourism product development, environmental and visitor management, and research and education in the area.

The NITB is also represented on the Working Group for the Management Plan for the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a study being undertaken by the Department of the Environment’s Environment and Heritage Service.

(AQW 179/02)

Sir Reg Empey: DETI through the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Invest NI provides support for the promotion and development of rural accommodation businesses. Support available ranges from the provision of business advice and mentoring through to the provision of financial assistance for the establishment, development and marketing of B&B’s.

In the 5-year period to 31 March 2002 the Department offered financial support of £567k to B&B’s located in rural Northern Ireland. £145k was offered specifically to the farmhouse B&B sector of which £54k was offered to assist with capital development and upgrading and £91k to assist with strategic and tactical marketing through the Northern Ireland Farm Country Holidays Association (NIFCHA). The annual breakdown of this is contained in the table below.

(AQW 191/02)

Sir Reg Empey: Figures are not available for the percentage of companies conducting "the majority of their business" on the Internet. However, in its International Benchmarking Report (2001), DTI provides UK regional results which are weighted by company size. On this basis, 30% of NI businesses facilitate either online orders or payments (which is close to the UK average); 24% of NI companies trade electronically by interacting with their supplier base online. This is the lowest proportion of all UK regions.

At international level, statistics are based on a simple count of businesses. On this basis, 24% of UK companies are both ordering and paying online. Germany, Canada and Australia are comparable at 23 - 25%. Ireland (21%), USA (20%), Sweden (18%), Italy (11%), France (10%) and Japan (9%) lag behind.

(AQW 192/02)

Sir Reg Empey: 65% of Northern Ireland businesses have websites. This figure is 15% below the UK national average, which is reported at 80% in the 2001 DTI International Benchmarking Report. The Report also shows that the figure of 65% places Northern Ireland in a central position between the world’s leaders and laggers. The leaders - UK, Sweden, Germany, US and Canada - report that 73-80% of businesses have websites whilst Ireland, Australia, Italy, Japan and France lag with 56-64% of their businesses having websites.

(AQW 245/02)

(a) The budget allocated to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) for the financial year 2002/03 is £3,166,000. HSENI also has a complement of 87 professional and administrative staff.

(b) The resources allocated to HSENI will continue to be kept under review and any decision to allocate additional funding will be taken in the context of the overall public expenditure situation.

(AQW 268/02)

Sir Reg Empey: Following September 11 last year, the entire global airline industry has suffered a severe crisis. Faced with excess capacity many airlines have mothballed aircraft, reduced flights, cancelled orders, cut staff and reined in non-essential work, in an attempt to control costs. Many airlines had substantial debt even before September 11 and events since then have further contributed to a financial crisis within the industry, leading to potential bankruptcy in some major U S airlines. This has a severe knock on effect for aircraft manufacturers and firms servicing the airline industry, including Bombardier. In August this year the company received cancellations for four Challenger wide-body aircraft and four Learjet 45 aircraft.

In these circumstances, I believe that it would be inappropriate for me to implement an independent financial audit along the lines suggested.

I have been working closely with Bombardier since last October when, as a result of current market conditions, they announced the likelihood of up to 2000 redundancies by the end of this year. My Department and I will continue to work closely with the company to help them to consolidate and strengthen their operations in Northern Ireland, in spite of the current crisis facing the aerospace sector.

(AQW 269/02)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department does not provide financial assistance for export guarantees. This is administered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department, which is part of British Trade International under the Department of Trade & Industry. Any questions on this matter should be addressed to the Rt Hon Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H OET, or to the Export Credits Guarantee Department, PO Box 2200, 2 Exchange Tower, Harbour Exchange Square, London, E14 9GS.

(AQW 271/02)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment received nine responses by 30 August 2002 to the consultation paper on proposals for converting the NI Companies Register to an e-Government service.

(AQW 279/02)

Sir Reg Empey: I am aware of the situation at the Northern Ireland Plastics plant at Killyleagh. Invest NI officials met with Mr Bill Chambers, NI Plastics’ Managing Director, on 2 September 2002 and have agreed to fund an external review of the company’s financial position with a view to assessing what assistance may be available to help the company. I understand that the present employment at the company is 61.

(AQW 333/02)

Sir Reg Empey: Following September 11th last year, the entire global airline industry has suffered a severe crisis. Faced with excess capacity many airlines have mothballed aircraft, reduced flights, cancelled orders, cut staff and reined in non-essential work, in an attempt to control costs. Many airlines had substantial debt even before September 11th and events since then have further contributed to a financial crisis within the industry, leading to potential bankruptcy in some major U S airlines. This has had a severe knock on effect for aircraft manufacturers and firms servicing the airline industry, including Bombardier.

In August this year the company received cancellations for four Challenger wide-body aircraft and four Learjet 45 aircraft. In spite of this, Bombardier remains fully committed to its aerospace and manufacturing operation in Northern Ireland, which is part of its core business and an integral part of Bombardier Aerospace Inc. In the circumstances, I believe that it would be inappropriate for my Department to implement an audit along the lines suggested.

I have been working closely with Bombardier since October last year, when, as a result of current market conditions, the company announced the potential of up to 2000 redundancies by the end of this year. My Department and I will continue to work closely with the company to help it consolidate and strengthen its operations in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 194/02)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Nesbitt): Applications for the erection of telecommunication masts and wind turbines throughout Northern Ireland are processed under existing planning regulations and are considered on their individual merits against prevailing planning policies, taking account of representations received following normal advertising and consultation arrangements. There is no specific strategy for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency.

Under existing planning regulations all proposals for the erection of telecommunication masts and wind turbines require planning permission. Where appropriate, under the provisions of the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (NI) 1999, an Environmental Statement may be required to accompany planning applications for such development.

My Department’s prevailing policy guidance for the development of telecommunication masts is set out in Planning Policy Statement 10 Telecommunications, while the main policy guidance for the development of wind turbines is currently set out in Policy PSU 12 of ‘A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland’.

I can assure you that my Department gives careful and detailed consideration to all proposals for telecommunications and wind turbine development within the context of the policies and regulations outlined above.

(AQW 215/02)

Mr Nesbitt: In recent months, concerns were raised by the Environment and Heritage Service about the quality of discharges and risks of water pollution from sewage treatment plants and sewerage networks at a number of locations in Northern Ireland. This raised complex legal, environmental and operational issues.

Consequently, a number of planning applications in the areas affected have been held, on a precautionary basis, while urgent discussions are taken forward between my Department and the Department for Regional Development, which is the Department responsible for waste water treatment.

Planning applications which do not require connection to the sewerage network, for example, some house extensions or garages, continue to be processed to a conclusion by Planning Service.

While I am not in a position to say when the 136 cases in the Ards Borough Council area, which are affected by this precautionary measure, will be processed to decision stage, I am determined, working with my Ministerial colleagues, to find an early resolution which will meet Northern Ireland’s development needs while at the same time protecting the environment.

(AQW 262/02)

Mr Nesbitt: The Allotments Act (Northern Ireland) 1932,as amended, enables district councils to provide, at their discretion, allotments for use by residents in their areas. In providing allotments, district councils are required, under the 1932 Act, to make regulations concerning the control and management of these facilities. My Department, therefore, has no role in either the making or the review of regulations governing the use of council allotments.

(AQW 276/02)

Mr Nesbitt: My Department is working through an inter-departmental control group to stop the spread of zebra mussels from Lough Erne to other lakes. The group is led by the Environment and Heritage Service of DOE, and includes representatives of DARD, DRD, DCAL and Waterways Ireland. The natural heritage agency in the Republic of Ireland, Duchas, has been invited to join the group to provide cross-border links.

Through an awareness campaign we are asking people to do several things:

My Department, in partnership with DARD, is also carrying out research to predict possible ecological impacts, improve the effectiveness of control measures, identify vulnerable lakes and put in place a system to provide early warning should other major lakes become colonised. Further preventative measures may follow when the research findings are available next year.

(AQW 185/02)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Dr Farren): Internal structures such as cold stores and walk-in refrigerated enclosures are usually formed by using insulating core panels. These panels are used for this purpose because they provide good thermal insulation, allow for a high degree of prefabrication, have low assembly costs and have a degree of reusability. Moreover, the panel systems can provide surface finishes that are beneficial where food hygiene is important. One such surface finish is a polyester coating.

There are many sources of advice specifically related to the building of cold stores that are available to designers, some of which are listed below: -

Design, construction, specification and fire management of insulated envelopes for temperature controlled environments - International Association of Cold Storage Contractors (European Division)

RFIC Guide to the management and control of the fire risks in temperature controlled structures of the refrigerated food industry - Cold Storage and Distribution Federation

The Loss Prevention Council Design Guide for the Fire Protection of Buildings

List of Approved Fire and Security Products and Services - Loss Prevention Certification Board

BS 5588 Part 11

England and Wales Approved Document B, 2000 Edition (Appendix F)

Other advice is available from the technical service departments of the various insulating core panel manufacturers.

The current Technical Booklets that support the Northern Ireland Building Regulations do not include any specific provisions in respect of the building of cold stores or the particular use of polyester finishes.

As a result of fires over recent years the insurance industry has incurred a number of large scale losses. It is now very wary about providing insurance cover for buildings using insulating core panels and insurance premiums have risen as a consequence. This concern includes cold stores.

Insurance companies seek the opinion of their own surveyors on all aspects of the risk in determining insurance premiums or indeed whether insurance is provided at all. They make reference to internal guidance relating to the type of panel and manufacturer.

Members of the British Rigid Urethane Foam Manufacturer’s Association have been working with the insurance industry and some have products accredited by the Loss Prevention Certification Board. This accreditation has a bearing on whether insurance is provided.

(AQW 49/02)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): I would expect nurse-led minor injuries units to treat around 80% of patients currently attending A&E units. They will treat a wide range of clinical conditions, excluding conditions that are life threatening or the result of major trauma. In addition, staff will have necessary training and support to provide immediate resuscitation and facilitate the urgent transfer of seriously ill patients, should they inappropriately present themselves at the unit.

The minor injuries units will be networked with major A&E facilities, and will be supported by telemedicine and teleradiology linkages to clinical advice from A&E specialists.

Bhéinn ag súil go gcóiriú aonaid mionghortaithe faoi threoir altra thart ar 80% ochar atá ag freastal ar aonaid T&É. Cóireoidh siad raon leathan de dhálaí cliniciúla, gan dálaí atá saol-bhagartha nó atá ina dtoradh ar mór-sceimhle a chur san áireamh. Ina theannta sin, beidh oiliúint agus tacaíocht riachtanach ag an fhoireann oibre chun athbheochan láithreach a chur ar fáil agus chun aistriú práinneach ochar atá go dona tinn a éascaíocht, dá dtiocfadh siad i láthair go mí-chuí ag an Aonad.

Beidh an t-aonad mionghortaithe a líonrú le príomh achmhainní T&É, agus beifear a dtacú trí cheangail teili-leighis agus teili-raideolaíochta chuig comhairle chliniciúil ó speisialtóirí T&É.

(AQW 106/02)

Ms de Brún: The use of mifepristone (RU486) is permitted here only in the treatment of intra-uterine fetal death. It is not used in the community and should only be prescribed by obstetricians for this licensed indication. Prescribing of this medicine, through the hospital sector, is very low. Exact figures are not available centrally.

This medicine should only be accessed as part of a medical procedure for which consent is obtained in the normal way.

Níl úsáid mifípriostón (RU486) ceadaithe anseo ach amháin i gcóireáil bás féatais ionútaraigh. Ní úsáidtear é sa phobal agus níor chóir ach do Lianna Ban é a ordú don chóireáil ceadaithe seo. Tá ordú an chógais seo, tríd an earnáil otharlainne, iontach íseal. Níl figiúirí cruinne ar fáil go lárnach.

Níor chóir teacht ar an chógas seo ach amháin mar pháirt de gnáthamh míochaine trí chead a fháil ar an ghnáth-bhealach.

(AQW 108/02)

Ms de Brún: A wide range of measures to tackle waiting lists are being implemented at present. These include the provision of additional hospital inpatient procedures, including the purchase of procedures outside the health and social services where appropriate; the development of community provision as an alternative to hospital admission; more efficient management of the process of diagnosis, hospital admission, treatment and discharge; the validation of waiting list information; and improved management of waiting lists.

To underpin this work, a regional service improvement leader has been appointed and additional resources for waiting lists have been allocated. I have also recently announced plans for significant expansion in hospital capacity at the Mater, Antrim, Ulster and Craigavon Hospitals, for a new day procedure unit for the Erne, and for new modular theatres at Musgrave Park. A number of protected elective facilities are being developed. When these come on stream, they will be a major factor in getting more people treated more quickly.

Táthar ag cur réimse leathan bearta i bhfeidhm faoi láthair le dul i ngleic le liostaí feithimh. Is é atá san áireamh ná gnáthaimh bhreise othar cónaitheach otharlainne a sholáthar, ar a bhfuil ceannach gnáthamh lasmuigh de na seirbhísí sláinte agus sóisialta nuair is cuí; forbairt soláthar pobail mar mhalairt ar iontráil chuig an otharlann; bainistiú níos éifeachtaí de phróiseas na diagnóise, iontrála chuig an otharlann, cóireála agus scaoilte amach; daingniú eolas liostaí feithimh; agus bainistiú feabhsaithe de líostaí feithimh.

Le tacaíocht a thabhairt don obair seo, ceapadh ceannaire feabhsaithe seirbhísí réigiúnacha agus áimsíodh acmhainní breise do liostaí feithimh. D’fhógair mé pleananna ar na mallaibh chomh maith i leith acmhainn otharlainne in Otharlanna an Mater, Aontroma, Uladh agus Craigavon a leathnú go suntasach, i leith ionad úr gnáthaimh lae d’Otharlann na hÉirne, agus d’obrádlanna úra modúlacha in Otharlann Pháirc Musgrave. Táthar ag forbairt roinnt áiseanna roghnacha cosanta. Nuair a thagann siad i bhfeidhm, is iad siúd is mhórchúis le cinntiú go gcuirfear cóireáil ar dhaoine níos gasta.

(AQW 110/02)

(a) For routine scans, the waiting time is usually 8 to 9 months, urgent scans are carried out in under four weeks and emergency scans are usually carried out on the day of request.

(b) A number of measures have been taken to reduce waiting times for MRI scans: MRI provision is being enhanced in order to reduce waiting times for patients. In line with this, the new MRI scanner at Altnagelvin Hospital is now operational and MRI scanners are also planned for the Belfast City Hospital, Antrim Area Hospital, Craigavon Area Hospital and the Ulster Hospital. A new replacement scanner will also be installed at the Royal Group of Hospitals. In the meantime, mobile scanners are being used to reduce waiting times.

(a) Do ghnáthscantaí, is é an ghnáthaga feithimh 8 go 9 mí de ghnáth, déantar scantaí práinneacha laistigh de níos lú ná ceithre seachtaine agus de ghnáth déantar scantaí éigeandála ar an lá a iarrtar iad.

(b) Rinneadh roinnt beart le hagaí feithimh scantaí MRI a laghdú: táthar ag cur le soláthar MRI le hagaí feithimh a laghdú d’othair. Ag cloí leis seo, tá an scanóir úr MRI in Otharlann Alt na nGealbhan i bhfeidhm anois agus tá scanóirí MRI pleanáilte chomh maith d’Otharlann Chathair Bhéal Feirste, d’Otharlann Cheantar Aontroma, d’Otharlann Cheantar Craigavon agus d’Otharlann Uladh. Cuirfear athsholáthar úr de scanóir chomh maith isteach sa Ghrúpa Ríoga Otharlann. Idir an dá linn, táthar ag baint úsáide as scanóirí soghluaiste le hagaí feithimh a laghdú.

(AQW 113/02)

(a) There were 5,077 patients waiting for inpatient admission to the Trauma and Orthopaedic Specialty at Green Park Healthcare Trust at 30th June 2002 (the most up to date figures available). The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment was 5,794.

(b) The current maximum waiting time for slot system patients is 7 months.

(c) Bhí 5,077 othar ag fanacht le hiontráil othair chónaithigh chuig an Speisialtacht Tráma agus Ortaipéide ag Iontaobhas Cúram Sláinte na Páirce Glaise ar 30 ^{ú Meitheamh 2002 (an staitistic is deireanaí} atá ar fáil). Ba é 5,794 duine líúón na ndaoine ag fanacht lena gcéad choinne éisothair.

(d) Is é 7 mí an t-uasaga feithimh faoi láthair d’uaireanta coinní otharlann dáilte.

(AQW 114/02)

Ms de Brún: There are no specialist services in which the length of waiting lists is restricted.

Níl sainseirbhísí ar bith ina bhfuil fad na liostaí feithimh teoranta.

(AQW 119/02)

Ms de Brún: Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts are currently putting in place detailed plans for dealing with the peaks in demand for services which occur over the winter months. Board plans for the winter are due to be submitted to my Department by 30 September 2002 and, once these have been assessed, I shall be making a statement about the preparations for winter.

Faoi láthair, tá Boird agus Iontaobhais Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Poiblí ag cur mionphleananna i bhfeidhm le deileáil leis na buaiceanna in éileamh seirbhísí a tharlaíonn le linn mhíonna an gheimhridh. Tá pleananna na mBord don gheimhreadh le bheith curtha faoi bhráid na Roinne s’agam roimh 30 Meán Fómhair 2002 agus, a luaithe a mheastar iad, beidh mé ag déanamh ráitis faoi na hullmhúcháin don gheimhreadh.

(AQW 123/02)

Ms de Brún: I welcome the evaluation report on the Barnardo’s Young People’s Therapeutic Project. Officials are currently considering the report and I look forward to receiving their assessment of the pilot project, which received financial support from my Department.

It is likely that the report will inform future work by my Department in relation to young people who display behaviour which is sexually concerning or harmful. Work, which will involve the development of policy guidelines, is planned to commence early next year.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an tuarascáil mheasúnaithe ar Thionscadal Teiripeach Daoine Óga de chuid Bernardo’s. Tá Feidhmeannaigh faoi láthair ag machnamh ar an tuarascáil agus tá mé ag súil lena measúnú a fháil ar an treoirthionscadal a fuair tacaíocht airgeadais ón Roinn s’agam.

Is dócha go gcuirfidh an tuarascáil obair na Roinne s’agam ar an eolas amach anseo maidir le daoine óga a léiríonn iompar atá imníoch nó díobhálach ar bhonn gnéasach. Tá sé beartaithe obair a bhainfidh le forbairt treoirlínte polasaí a thosú go luath sa bhliain seo chugainn.

(AQW 124/02)

Ms de Brún: The figures for people reporting heroin as their main drug of misuse are:

Is iad na figiúirí ar dhaoine a chur in iúl gur héaróin an príomhdhruga mí-úsáide s’acu ná:

(AQW 128/02)

Ms de Brún: I have not appointed a ministerial driver. Instead, Sinn Féin provides me with a driver who can be called upon as required and I consider this the most appropriate arrangement. I understand that other ministers have different arrangements. I believe that all transport regulations in relation to the ministerial vehicle and driver are being adhered to.

Níl tiománaí aireachta ceaptha agam. Ina áit, cuireann Sinn Féin tiománaí ar fáil ar féidir a iarraidh nuair is gá agus measaim gur seo an socrú is fóirsteanaí. Creidim go bhfuiltear ag cloí leis na rialacha iompair uile maidir leis an fheithicil agus an tiománaí aireachta.

(AQW 130/02)

(a) In line with my Department’s policy, individual Trusts have developed procedural guidelines in relation to the management of violent and threatening situations. However, not all Trusts employ Security Guards in their Accident and Emergency Departments.

(b) In the event of a disturbance, Trust personnel are required to make an assessment of the situation and decide whether or not it can be dealt with safely within their own resources. No member of staff is required to undertake any task for which they have not received the appropriate training.

(a) De réir polasaí na Roinne s’agam, d’fhorbair Iontaobhais aonarach treorlínte gnáthamh maidir le cásanna foiréigneach agus bagartha a bhainistiú. Ní fhostaíonn gach Iontaobhas, áfach, Gardaí Slándála ina Ranna Timpiste agus Éigeandála.

(b) I gcás coiscrithe, teastaíonn uaidh phearsanra Iontaobhais an chás a mheasúnú agus socrú ar féidir é a réiteach laistigh dena acmhainní féin ná nár féidir. Ní theastaíonn uaidh ball ar bith den fhoireann tasc a ghlacadh orthu féin nach bhfuil an oiliúint chuí faighte acu.

(AQW 131/02)

Ms de Brún: This report was publicly launched on 13 June 2002 and will help inform policy decisions. In relation to the six recommendations:

1. My department has commissioned a review of the literature on substitute prescribing for opiate dependence, including consideration of the effectiveness of interventions elsewhere.

3. Work is ongoing to develop the Drug Misuse Database and statistics from the Drug Misuse Database will be published shortly.

4. The Addicts Register is being retained for the foreseeable future.

5. The training needs of those workers dealing with heroin users are being addressed as part of a wider review of training needs of health and social care workers.

Seoladh an tuarascáil seo go poiblí ar 13 Meitheamh 2002 agus cuideoidh sé le cinní ar pholasaí a chur ar an eolas. I dtaca leis na sé moltaí de:

1. Choimisiúnaigh an Roinn s’agam athbhreithniú ar an eolas scríofa ar mhalartúcháin a ordú do spleáchas drugaí a bhfuil oipiam iontu, mar aon le héifeacht na n-idirghabhálacha in áiteanna eile a chur san áireamh.

3. Tá obair idir lámha chun an Bunachar Sonraí ar Mhí-úsáid Drugaí a fhorbairt agus foilseofar staitisticí ón Bhunachar Sonraí ar Mhí-úsáid Drugaí roimh i bhfad.

4. Tá Clár na nAndúileach a choimeád go ceann i bhfad.

5. Táthar ag dul i ngleis leis na riachtanais oiliúna do na hoibrithe sin atá ag deileáil le húsáideoirí héaróine mar pháirt d’athbhreithniú níos leithne ar riachtanais oiliúna oibrithe sláinte agus cúraim shóisialta.

(AQW 134/02)

Ms de Brún: I refer the Member to my answer to AQW 108/2002.

Treoraím an Ball do mo fhreagra a thug mé ar AQW 108/02.

(AQW 141/02)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is as follows:

*2001/2002 data is provisional and may be subject to change.

Is é a leanann an t-eolas a iarradh:

*Tá staitisticí 2001/2002 sealadach agus b’fhéidir mar sin go ndéanfadh athruithe orthu.

(AQW 143/02)

Ms de Brún: The information requested in the first part of the question is not available. Regarding the second part, I can confirm that I sought additional resources in the budget process to improve diabetes services.

The outcome of these bids was, of course, made known in this morning’s statement on the draft Budget to the Assembly by my colleague the Minister for Finance and Personnel and I regret to note that my Department’s bids in respect of diabetes services were not met.

Níl an t-eolas a iarradh sa chéad chuid den cheist ar fáil. Maidir leis an dara cuid, thig liom a chinntiú gur iarr mé acmhainní breise sa phróiseas cáinaisnéise le seirbhísí diaibéitis a fheabhsú.

Thug an comhoibrí s’agam, an tAire Airgeadais agus Pearsanra torthaí na n-iarrachtaí seo le fios, ar ndóigh, , i ráiteas na maidine seo ar dhréacht na Cáinaisnéise don Tionól agus is oth liom tabhairt faoi deara nár chomhlíonadh tairiscintí na Roinne s’agam maidir le seirbhísí diaibéitis.

(AQW 144/02)

Ms de Brún: The estimated financial costs of the proposals in my consultation paper Developing Better Services: Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures is set out in Appendix 3 of the paper. They cover the capital costs of buildings, backlog maintenance and equipment, as well as the revenue costs of the additional staff required (consultants, nurses, GPs, therapists and education) over a 10 year period. The estimated capital costs of the hospital modernisation proposals are around £1.2bn and the revenue costs needed to provide the new staffing levels proposed will, by 2012, be approximately £165m, at today’s prices.

The estimated costs cover service development and modernisation which are a direct consequence of my proposals and costs of service development more generally in areas such as primary care are not included in the projected costs.

Tá na costais airgeadais measta ar na moltaí i mo pháipéar comhairle Seirbhísí Níos Fearr A Fhorbairt: Otharlanna A Nuachóiriú agus Struchtúir a Leasú leagtha amach in Aguisín 3 den pháipéar. Cuireann siad san áireamh costais caipitiúla na bhfoirgneamh, trealamh agus cothabháil riaráiste, chomh maith le costais ioncaim na foirne breise atá ag teastáil (comhairligh, altraí, Gnáth dhochtúirí, teiripeoirí agus oideachas) thar thréimhse 10 bliain. Tá costais airgeadais measta na moltaí otharlainne nua-aimseartha thart ar £1.2bn agus de réir costais an lae inniu, beidh na costais ioncaim atá de dhíth leis na leibhéil foirne úir atá molta a chur ar fáil, faoi 2012, timpeall is £165m.

Cuireann na costais measta forbairt agus nua-aimsearacht seirbhísí san áireamh atá ina dtoradh díreach ar mo chuid moltaí agus ní chuirtear costais forbartha seirbhísí in áiteacha amhail príomhchúram go h-iondúil san áireamh sna costais beartaithe.

(AQW 145/02)

Ms de Brún: I have taken a number of actions to expand day surgery capacity. A dedicated day procedures unit is being developed at the Erne Hospital and the existing day case unit at Altnagelvin Hospital is also being expanded to include Urology, Orthopaedics and ENT. I have also approved the development of day surgery services at South Tyrone Hospital. A new unit concentrating on the provision of day surgery procedures is being developed at the Mater Hospital and proposals for similar facilities at the Lagan Valley Hospital are also being taken forward.

Thug mé faoi roinnt ghníomhartha le toilleadh máinliacht lae a leathnú. Táthar ag forbairt aonad diongbháilte gnáthaimh lae in Otharlann na hÉirne agus táthar ag leathnú chomh maith an t-aonad cás lae atá ann cheana féin in Otharlann Alt na nGealbhan le hÚreolaíocht, Ortaipéidic agus CSS a áireamh. Ghlac mé chomh maith le forbairt seirbhísí máinliacht lae in Otharlann Dheisceart Thír Eoghain. Táthar ag forbairt aonad úr ag díriú ar sholáthar gnáthaimh mháinliacht lae in Otharlann an Mater agus táthar ag tabhairt moltaí d’áiseanna cosúil leo in Otharlann Ghleann an Lagáin chun tosaigh chomh maith.

(AQW 146/02)

Ms de Brún: My Department is taking a number of steps to address health inequalities. These include co-ordinating action across all sectors through the "Investing for Health" strategy which aims to reduce inequalities in health by targeting action in the most deprived areas, and the implementation of new TSN action plans by my Department and by HPSS bodies aimed at tackling social need and social exclusion by targeting efforts and resources at those in greatest social need.

In relation to cancer, a number of actions have been undertaken. My Department has recently published a Tobacco Action Plan, under which action will be directed at those most in need. A strategy on food and nutrition has also been put in place to tackle factors underlying the incidence of cancer, particularly in areas of greatest social need. The Health Promotion Agency has issued nutritional guidelines promoting healthy eating early in life and produced a community based nutrition education programme targeted at low income families and Health and Social Services Boards are taking action to raise awareness of and subsequent uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening programmes.

Tá an Roinn s’agam ag tabhairt roinnt céimeanna le dul i ngleic le héagothromaíochtaí sláinte. Orthu sin tá gníomh a chomhordú ar fud na n-earnálacha go léir tríd an tstraitéis "Infheistíocht sa tSláinte" a bhfuil sé de rún aici éagothromaíochtaí sa tsláinte a laghdú trí dhíriú ar ghníomh sna ceantair a bhfuil an díothacht shóisialta agus eacnamúil ann, agus cur i bhfeidhm pleananna gníomhaíochta ARS nua ag an Roinn s’agam agus ag comhlachtaí SSSP a bhfuil sé mar aidhm acu tabhairt faoi riachtanais shóisialta agus eisiamh sóisialta trí iarrachtaí agus acmhainní a dhíriú orthu siúd a bhfuil na riachtanais shóisialta is mó acu.

Maidir leis an ailse, tugadh faoi roinnt gníomhartha. D’fhoilsigh an Roinn s’agam Plean Gnímh ar Thobac ar na mallaibh, beidh gníomh dírithe dá réir orthu siúd a bhfuil na riachtanais is mó acu. Cuireadh straitéis ar bhia agus ar chothú i bhfeidhm chomh maith le tabhairt faoi fhachtóirí is cúis le minicíocht na hailse, go háirithe sna ceantair is mó riachtanais shóisialta. D’eisigh an Ghníomhaíocht um Chothú Sláinte treoirlínte cothaithe ag cur itheachán sláintiúil go luath sa saol chun cinn agus sholáthraigh siad clár oideachas cothuithe bunaithe sa phobal atá dírithe ar theaghlaigh ar ioncam íseal agus tá Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta ag dul i mbun gnímh le feasacht a spreagadh agus le piocúlacht ina dhiaidh sinde na cláir scagthástála ailse chíche agus mhuinéal na broinne a mhéadú.

(AQW 147/02)

Ms de Brún: The commissioning of hospice services is primarily a matter for Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts. The level of hospice funding is determined following contractual negotiations between Boards, Trusts and hospices. I have no plans to review these arrangements.

Baineann coimisiúnú na seirbhísí ospíse go príomha é le hIontaobhais agus Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta. Tá an leibhéal maoinithe ospíse cinntithe i ndiaidh idirbheartaíochtaí conarthacha idir Boird, Iontaobhais agus ospísí. Níl sé ar intinn agam na socruithe seo a athbhreithniú.

(AQW 148/02)

Ms de Brún: The Implementation Action Plan of the Strategic Review of the Ambulance Service detailed the measures to be put in place for the provision of a more effective and responsive service.

The significant resources invested in ambulance services in recent years has already enabled considerable progress to be made in taking forward a number of these measures, including the purchase of over 100 replacement vehicles, upgraded medical equipment, improved training, the piloting of a Medical Priority Despatch System and the development of Rapid Responder Schemes in each Board area.

The significant additional resources announced in July from the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative will allow for further improvements including fleet replacement, the provision of additional ambulances and crews and support for training initiatives.

These are all positive developments which ultimately will result in improved response times and a better quality service. However, more resources are needed to fully implement the full range of measures needed to enhance ambulance services. I will continue to press for these additional resources.

Léirigh Plean Cur i bhFeidhm Gníomhaíochta den Athbhreithniú Straitéiseach ar an tSeirbhís Otharchairr na bearta atá le cur i bhfeidhm le haghaidh seirbhís níos éifeachtaí agus níos freagraí a sholáthar.

Ceadóidh na hacmhainní suntasacha breise ón Tionscnamh Athinfheistíochta agus Athchóirithe a fógraíodh i mí Iúil d’fheabhsuithe breise, soláthar otharcharranna agus foirne bhreise mar aon le tacú le tionscnaimh oiliúna curtha san áireamh.

Is forbairtí dearfacha iad seo go léir a mbeidh agaí freagartha feabhsaithe agus cáilíocht seirbhíse níos fearr mar thoradh orthu ar deireadh. Tá níos mó acmhainní de dhíth, áfach, le réimse iomlán beart atá de dhíth a chur i bhfeidhm le cur le seirbhísí otharchairr . Leanfaidh mé orm leis na hacmhainní breise seo a éileamh.

(AQW 149/02)

Ms de Brún: A total of 37 paramedics have been trained in the last 5 years as follows:

A further 12 paramedics have been trained to date this year and a programme due to commence on 30 September will provide training for an additional 36.

Cuireadh oiliúint ar 37 paraimhíochaineoir san iomlán le 5 bliain anuas mar a leanas:

Cuireadh oiliúint ar 12 paraimhíochaineoir de bhreis go dtí seo i mbliana agus soláthróidh clár atá le tosú ar 30 Meán Fómhair oiliúint do 36 breise.

(AQW 157/02)

Ms de Brún: I have asked Departmental officials to review The Royal College of Nursing’s Health Manifesto and to advise me on it. I will be giving careful consideration to all of the points made in the Manifesto.

D’iarr mé ar fheidhmeannaigh na Roinne Forógra Sláinte an Choláiste Ríoga Altranais a athbhreithniú agus comhairle a chur orm i dtaca leis. Beidh machnamh géar á dhéanamh agam ar na pointí go léir a rinneadh san Fhorógra.

(AQW 159/02)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available at Health Trust Area level. Information is available at Board of Residence level and is given in the table below. The latest information available is for the year 2001/2002.

Níl an t-eolas a iarrtar ar fáil ag leibhéal Ceantar Iontaobhas Sláinte. Tá eolas ar fáil ag leibhéal Bord Cónaithe agus léirítear sa tábla thíos é. Is iad staitisticí na bliana 2001/2002 an t-eolas is déanaí atá ar fáil.

(AQW 163/02)

Ms de Brún: NHS Direct has been evaluated in England and Officials in my Department have read and analysed the review. The assessment indicates that the NHS Direct project had begun to achieve the policy objectives for which it was designed. One of the objectives for NHS Direct is ‘to help improve quality, increase cost effectiveness and reduce unnecessary demands on other NHS services by providing a more appropriate response to the needs of the public.’

NHS Direct has since merged with GP Out of Hours Services in England to provide a combined service which maximise the benefits of both, it is also linked to the ambulance service and local hospitals.

Rinneadh meastóireacht ar SNS Díreach i Sasana agus tá an léirmheas léite agus anailís déanta air ag Feidhmeannaigh sa Roinn s’agam. Léiríonn an meastóireacht gur thosaigh an tionscadal SNS Díreach ag baint amach cuspóirí an Pholasaí ar a raibh sé leagtha amach. Is é ceann de na cuspóirí atá an SNS Díreach ná ‘cuidiú chun caighdeán a fheabhsú, éifeact chostais a mhéadú agus éilimh nach gá ar seirbhísí eile SNS a laghdú trí fhreagairt níos foirsteanaigh a chur ar fáil do riachtanais an phobail’.

Déanamh comhchuid den SNS Díreach agus na Seirbhísí Gnáth Dhochtúra Seachuaireanta i Sasana ó shin le seirbhís comhcheangailte a chur ar fáil a mhéadaíonn sochar na beirte, tá sé ceangailte leis an tseirbhís otharchairr agus otharlanna áitiúla chomh maith.

(AQW 164/02)

Ms de Brún: The Department of Health has recently merged the NHS Direct and GP Out of Hours Services in England to provide a combined service which maximises the benefits of both, it is also linked to the ambulance service and local hospitals. Scotland is introducing NHS24 along similar lines.

My Department has recognised that such a combined service could offer service users here significant benefits and has sought to introduce a pilot project in the Western Board area to test the system locally. Two bids were made for Executive Programme Funds to support this initiative but these were unsuccessful.

Rinne an Roinn Sláinte comhchuid den SNS Díreach agus na Seirbhísí Gnáth Dhochtúra Seachuaireanta i Sasana le déanaí le seirbhís comhcheangailte a chur ar fáil a mhéadaíonn sochar na beirte, tá sé ceangailte leis an tseirbhís otharchairr agus otharlanna áitiúla chomh maith.

Tá Albain ag tabhairt isteach SNS24 ar bhealaí macasamhail sin.

Thug an Roinn s’agam faoi deara go dtiocfadh le leithéid de sheirbhís comhcheangailte buntaistí ar leith a chur ar fáíl do h-úsáideoirí na seirbhíse anseo agus chuairtí chun treoirthionscadal a thabhairt isteach i mBordcheantair an Iarthar chun an córas a thriail go háitiúil. Fuarthas dhá thairiscint do Chistí Chlár an Fheidhmiúcháin chun an tionscnamh seo a thacú ach níor éirigh leo.

(AQW 169/02)

Ms de Brún: The Belfast Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre have not made application for funding for 2002/03. My Department issued an application form for 2002/03 and associated guidance notes to the organisation in October 2001 and again in June 2002. Should this be returned it will be considered in line with Departmental priorities and criteria for funding voluntary organisations.

Ní dhearna Ionad Éignithe agus Drochíde Gnéasaí Bhéal Feirste iarratas ar mhaoiniú don bhliain 2002/03. D’eisigh an Roinn s’agam foirm iarratais don bhliain 2002/03 agus nótaí treoracha a bhaineann léi chuig an eagraíocht i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2001 agus arís i mí Meithimh 2002. Má chuirtear seo ar ais measfar í de réir tosaíochtaí Roinne agus na gcritéar i leith eagraíochtaí deonacha a mhaoiniú.

(AQW 183/02)

Ms de Brún: The information requested is not available. However, costs associated with attacks on Fire Service crews has been provided in AQW 184/02.

Níl fáil ar an eolas a iarradh. Níl an t-eolas a iarradh ar fáil. Cuireadh costais a bhí bainteach le hionsaithe ar fhoirne na Seirbhíse Dóiteáin, áfach, ar fáil i AQW 184/02.

(AQW 184/02)

Ms de Brún: From 1 January to 11 September 2002, a total of 14 firefighters were injured attending civil disturbance calls and the cost of the subsequent days lost due to sickness was £6,253.18.

During the same period, 86 fire appliances sustained damage but, at present, costs are not directly attributed to equipment damage resulting from such attacks.

Ón 1 Eanáir go dtí Meán Fómhair 2002, gortaíodh 14 comhraiceoir dóiteáin san iomlán agus iad ag freastal ar scairteanna chuig suaitheadh cathartha agus ba é £6,253.18 an costas ar laethanta caillte mar gheall ar thinneas ina dhiaidh sin.

Le linn na tréimhse céanna, baineadh dochar do 86 gléas dóiteáin ach, faoi láthair, ach, faoi láthair, níl na costais a bhaineann go díreach le damáiste don trealamh mar gheall ar a leithéid d’ionsaithe léirithe mar sin.

(AQW 186/02)

Ms de Brún: A Working Group has been set up to take forward the establishment of an ‘All Island Food and Nutrition Forum’. The Working Group is considering the Terms of Reference of the Forum and it is too early to give an assessment of the expected cost and remit at this stage.

Bunaíodh Grúpa Oibre le bunú ‘Fóram Uile-Oileán Bia agus Cothaithe’ a thabhairt chun tosaigh. Tá an Grúpa Oibre ag déanamh machnaimh ar Choinníollacha Tagartha an Fhóraim agus tá sé i bhfad róluath le measúnú a thabhairt ar an chostas ionchais agus ar fhreagrachtaí ag an phointe seo.

(AQW 189/02)

Ms de Brún: My Department has issued no specific guidelines regarding the employment of doctors, nurses and other health professionals from within the EU.

The free movement of doctors, nurses and other professionals around the EU is underpinned by a complex legislative framework which sets down minimum standards of training and guarantees mutual recognition of formal qualifications.

Níor eisigh an Roinn s’agam treoirlínte sainiúla ar bith maidir le fostaíocht dochtúirí, banaltraí agus gairmithe sláinte eile ó laistigh den AE.

Tugann creatlach choimpléasc reachtaíochta a leagann amach íoschaighdeáin oiliúna agus a chinntíonn comh-aitheantas cáilíochtaí foirmiúla tacaíocht do bhogadh saor dochtúirí, banaltraí agus gairmithe eile thart ar an AE.

(AQW 193/02)

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

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

(AQW 200/02)

Ms de Brún: The information is detailed in the tables below.

Léirítear an t-eolas sna táblaí thíos.

(AQW 203/02)

Ms de Brún: My Department’s budget for the 2003-04 financial year will not be finalised until December 2002. In the meantime, the Ambulance Service has no plans to increase the staff complement at Newtownards Station or to expand the size of the existing fleet. Three of the nine ambulances based at Newtownards have been replaced within the past two years and as additional resources become available the Ambulance Service will continue to replace vehicles which are outside the recommended 140,000 miles or 7 years in service.

Ní bheidh buiséad na Roinne s’agam don bhliain airgeadais 2003-04 tugtha chun críche go dtí Nollaig 2002. Idir an dá linn, níl pleananna ar bith ag an tSeirbhís Otharchairr an fhoireann iomlán i Staisiúin Bhaile Nua na hArda a mhéadú nó le méid an chabhlaigh atá ann cheana féin a leathnú. Athsholáthraíodh trí den naoi n-otharcharr atá lonnaithe i mBaile Nua na hArda le dhá bhliain anuas agus de réir mar a thagann acmhainní breise ar fáil leanfaidh an tSeirbhís Otharchairr uirthi ag athsholáthar feithiclí atá lasmuigh den 140,000 míle molta nó den 7 bliain molta i seirbhís.

(AQW 204/02)

Ms de Brún: I have had no discussions with Westminster on the pay review for fire fighters.

Ní raibh caibidlí ar bith agam le Westminster ar an athbhreithniú tuarastail do chomhraiceoirí dóiteáin.

(AQW 205/02)

Ms de Brún: To date I have not had any meetings with representatives of the Fire Brigades Union to discuss fire-fighters pay. However, I have agreed to meet with local representatives of the Union to discuss the pay claim and other current issues.

Go dtí seo ní raibh cruinnithe ar bith agam le hionadaithe ó Cheardchumann na mBriogáidí Dóiteáin le tuarastal comhraiceoirí dóiteáin a phlé. D’aontaigh mé, áfach, go mbuailfinn le hionadaithe áitiúla den Cheardchumann leis an éileamh tuarastail agus ceisteanna reatha eile a phlé.

(AQW 207/02)

Ms de Brún: The table below shows the number of children (a child is defined here as a person aged under 18 years) admitted to hospital with primary or secondary diagnoses of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) over the last 5 years.

*Data is provisional and may be subject to change

These figures do not refer to individuals because it is possible to be admitted to hospital more than once in the course of the year.

Source: Hospital Inpatients System

Léiríonn an tábla thíos líon na bpáistí (sainmhínítear páiste mar dhuine faoi 18 bliain d’aois) a tugadh isteach chuig an otharlann le príomhdhiagnóisí nó le diagnóisí tánaisteacha d’einceifilimiailíteas miailgeach/siondróm tuirse ainsealach (CSF/ME) le 5 bliain anuas.

*Tá na staitisticí sealadach agus b’fhéidir mar sin go ndéanfadh athruithe orthu.

Ní dhéanann na staitisticí seo tagairt do dhaoine aonair mar is féidir bheith tugtha isteach chuig an otharlann níos mó ná uair amháin le linn na bliana.

Foinse: Córas Otharlainne Othar Cónaitheach

(AQW 208/02)

Ms de Brún: Details of the number of full-time equivalent salaried general dental practitioners in each HSS board area are detailed in the table below.

Tá líon coibhéis lánaimseartha na ngnáthlianna fiaclóireachta atá ar thuarastal i ngach ceantar bord SSS léiríthe sa tábla thíos.

(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.