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18 May 2004 : Column 935W—continued
Alzheimer's Disease
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what percentage of his Department's health budget has been allocated to genetic research into the causes of Alzheimer's in each year since 2000; [173267]
(2) what plans he has to increase his Department's health budget allocation to genetic research into the causes of Alzheimer's in the current financial year. [173302]
Angela Smith: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has not allocated and is not currently planning to allocate any funding for research specifically into the potential genetic causes of Alzheimer's over the period in question. However, it is currently supporting a neurological research programme which is not classed as genetic research. The total budget for this five-year programme is £366,814, including initial funding of £21,913 in 2002–03, £52,570 in 2003–04 and there is a budget provision of £65,679 this year.
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of his Department's health budget was spent on the development of treatment and care for Alzheimer's sufferers in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the provision for those with Alzheimer's in Northern Ireland. [173273]
Angela Smith: The information requested is not available.
The Department recognises that, as people live longer, there will be a corresponding increase in the numbers who suffer from Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-related conditions. The needs of people with these conditions are currently being considered as part of the on-going Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability.
Arthritis
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are used to prioritise patients to receive new anti-TNF drugs for rheumatoid arthritis; and if he will make a statement. [173612]
Angela Smith: Priority is given to those patients who, having been assessed as suitable for treatment with anti-TNF drugs, have been on the waiting list for the longest time.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what obstacles prevent all rheumatoid arthritis sufferers deemed suitable for new anti-TNF drugs by their consultants from receiving them; and if he will make a statement. [173613]
Angela Smith:
The decision on the appropriate treatment for an individual patient is a matter for the clinician concerned, in consultation with the patient. Ideally, all rheumatoid arthritis sufferers deemed suitable for anti-TNF drug treatment by their consultants should receive these medicines. However, rising demand, the high costs of these medicines and the
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infrastructure required to prepare and administer them, and limited health service resources result in some patients having to wait for this form of treatment. In the meantime they continue to receive conventional treatment for their condition.
Autism Services
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been provided for autism services in each of the past five years in the (a) Northern Board area and (b) rest of Northern Ireland. [173614]
Angela Smith: The information requested is not available centrally.
Bail
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times defendants charged with murder in Northern Ireland have been released on bail in each year since 2000. [166440]
Mr. Leslie [pursuant to his reply, 20 April 2004, Official Report, column 441W]: I have been asked to reply.
The information contained in my previous answer was inaccurate. I apologise for this error, which was due to related charges of attempted murder and manslaughter being included in the annualised totals.
In 2001, 10 defendants on murder charges were released on bail.
In 2002, 11 defendants on murder charges were released on bail.
In 2003, 10 defendants on murder charges were released on bail.
Body Piercing and Tattooing
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with what frequency inspections are carried out on body piercing and tattooing establishments in Northern Ireland; what the nature of such inspections is; and by whom they are carried out. [173811]
Angela Smith: Inspections of body piercing and tattooing establishments are in general carried out by Environmental Health Officers employed by district councils. The frequency of such inspections is a matter for each council and information on this is not held centrally.
Under Part V of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, district councils may control tattooing and ear-piercing practices in their districts. Inspections of these establishments are carried out to ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the premises, the practitioners and the equipment used; inspections of establishments engaged in body piercing (other than ear piercing) are carried out to ensure compliance with the requirements of health and safety at work legislation.
Civil Partnerships
Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many respondents were (a) in favour of and (b) against the Government's proposals
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set out in the consultation document Civil Partnerships: A Legal Status for Committed Same Sex Couples in Northern Ireland. [170719]
Mr. Pearson: A report analysing the responses, containing statistical information and outlining the Government's approach to the issues raised by respondents to the consultation is being compiled and will be published within the next few weeks.
Departmental Expenditure (Entertainment)
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his latest estimate is of the amount spent by his Department on entertainment in each year from 1996–97 to 2004–05. [169005]
Mr. Pearson: The estimated total spend by the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland Administration and the Northern Ireland Office on all forms of entertainment in each financial year from 1996–97 to 2004–05 is set out in the following table:
| Total (£) | |
|---|---|
| 1996–97 | 681,358 |
| 1997–98 | 668,280 |
| 1998–99 | 803,170 |
| 1999–2000 | 813,959 |
| 2000–01 | 841,778 |
| 2001–02 | 756,189 |
| 2002–03 | 865,859 |
| 2003–04(52) | 852,548 |
| 2004–05(53) | 908,622 |
(52) Provisional outturn
(53) Estimated outturn
Departmental Procurement
Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the (a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by his Department over the last five years is of British or Northern Ireland manufacture. [170805]
Mr. Pearson: As there is no requirement on departments to hold records on the country of origin of crockery, cutlery or glassware the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Early Retirement
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many employees in his Department took early retirement in the last financial year; and at what total cost. [171728]
Mr. Pearson: The number of employees, covered by the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Northern Ireland) who took early retirement in the financial year ending 31 March 2004 totalled 307 at a cost of £9,746,601.87. Of these, 226 retired early on grounds of ill health at a cost of £5,527,899.53.
The figures reflect the amounts actually paid out during the financial year 2003–04. The total cost of enhancements to pension benefits and the additional compensation amounts paid in advance of normal age of retirement is only available at disproportionate cost.
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The figures include those applicable to Next Steps Agencies and NDPB's, which are also members of the Scheme.
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