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8 Sept 2004 : Column 1321W—continued
Fisheries Conservancy Board Vessel
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what training was provided to the operators of the Fisheries Conservancy Board vessel prior to the incidents that resulted in the current damage. [184833]
Angela Smith: Three members of the Fisheries Conservancy Board's staff have received training to the following standards:
Royal Yachting Association/Maritime and Coastguard Agency Powerboat Advanced Certificate with commercial endorsement;
Maritime Radio Operator Certificate of Competence (Short Range Certificate);
Royal Yachting Association First Aid Course; and
Certificate of Proficiency in Personal Survival Techniques on Board Ship.
Gransha Road, Dundonald
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the position is in relation to the payment of compensation for motorists involved in the Gransha Road, Dundonald, road surfacing problems of two years ago; and when payments will be made to those whose vehicles were damaged. [187514]
Mr. Spellar: On 25 July 2002 routine surface dressing work was carried out on behalf of the Department at Gransha Road by its measured term contractor, Tullyraine Quarries Limited.
On 29 July 2002 reports were received about the failure of the surface dressing and of a substantial number of vehicle damage claims caused by this failure.
The failure was investigated by the Department and these investigations led to the Department referring all the Gransha Road vehicle damage claims, approximately 400, to the contractor, Tullyraine Quarries Limited, in accordance with proper legal and audit practice and procedure.
The Department maintains its position that legal responsibility for the claims lie with its contractor, Tullyraine Quarries Limited. The contractor has not to date conceded responsibility and the claims remain outstanding.
One of the motorists, who sustained vehicle damage on 29 July 2002, issued legal proceedings on 22 July 2003 against the Department, Tullyraine Quarries Limited and Lagan Bitumen Limited. Those proceedings in the County Court were however removed to the High Court on 30 January 2004. That ongoing court action is proceeding as a test case.
The Department cannot comment any further as the legal issues are now subjudice.
Health Promotion
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on the (a) promotion of health and (b) prevention of illness in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. [187433]
Angela Smith: Work to promote health and prevent illness is carried out by Health and Social Services Trusts and also by other organisations such as the Health Promotion Agency, voluntary organisations and general practice. Table 1 shows Trust total expenditure for health promotion and prevention of disease, and Table 2 indicates the budget for other services. These figures are not available separately for health promotion and disease prevention and are provided from the earliest available dates.
| Year ended March | £ million |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 22.5 |
| 1997 | 24.6 |
| 1998 | 23.7 |
| 1999 | 25.0 |
| 2000 | 25.6 |
| 2001 | 27.7 |
| 2002 | 28.6 |
| 2003 | 33.2 |
8 Sept 2004 : Column 1323W
| Year ended March | £ million |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 0 |
| 2001 | 7 3 |
| 2002 | 13 3 |
| 2003 | 18.0 |
| 2004 | 21 8 |
Note
The funding for other services includes funds for the implementation of the Drugs and Alcohol Strategy, an element of which may also be included within Trust expenditure.
HIV/AIDS
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many newly diagnosed cases of HIV there have been in the province since 1 January. [187455]
Angela Smith: Provisional figures indicate there were 20 new HIV cases in Northern Ireland between 1 January and 30 June 2004.
Mental Health
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the Mental Health Strategy Action Plan; [183026]
(2) if he will make a statement on progress towards reducing the proportion of individuals susceptible to psychiatric disorders; [183017]
Angela Smith: The Promoting Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan was issued in January 2003. An Implementation Group has been established to oversee implementation of the Strategy. A range of preventative measures are being taken under the strategy including raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues, promoting coping skills, suicide awareness and outreach work with young people in areas of need. Action towards achieving the target to reduce the proportion of people with a potential psychiatric disorder is ongoing and progress will be measured through Health and Well-being Surveys.
Motorsport
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been made available for the development of motorsports in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years. [178520]
Angela Smith: The total amount of public funding i.e. exchequer and lottery, made available for the development of motorsports in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland is as follows:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | 87,400 |
| 2000–01 | 66,461 |
| 2001–02 | 56,600 |
| 2002–03 | 144,924 |
| 2003–04 | 44,685 |
| Total | 400,070 |
(28) Includes Sports Council exchequer, Sports Council lottery.
8 Sept 2004 : Column 1324W
| £ | |
|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | 0 |
| 2000–01 | 0 |
| 2001–02 | 0 |
| 2002–03 | 15,000 |
| 2003–04 | 200,000 |
| Total | 215,000 |
In addition to this, both the Northern Ireland Events Company and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board have provided funding in each of the past five years, which has been used to assist with its development. The amounts made available are as follows:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | 0 |
| 2000–01 | 0 |
| 2001–02 | 75,000 |
| 2002–03 | 104,679 |
| 2003–04 | 374,500 |
| Total | 554,179 |
MRI Scanners
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the implications of using mobile scanning facilities to increase the number of MRI scans conducted in the Province. [187437]
Angela Smith: Mobile scanners have been used by some HSS Trusts as a temporary measure to enhance provision while new MRI scanners, funded by the New Opportunities Fund at a cost of £6.4 million, are installed at the Ulster, Antrim, Craigavon and Belfast City Hospitals. Using mobile scanners has been found to be an effective way to alleviate waiting times for patients alongside the introduction of additional evening scanning sessions at some hospital sites.
MRSA
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether a voluntary reporting system by hospitals in Northern Ireland of MRSA cases is in place. [184777]
Angela Smith: In April 2002 the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety made it a mandatory requirement for acute Trusts to report MRSA bacteraemia rates. The data is collected, collated and analysed by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Northern Ireland (CDSC) and statistical reports for the first two years of operation are available from its website www.cdscni.org. A copy of this report has been placed in the House Library.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether hospitals in Northern Ireland are required to destroy bed linen of MRSA sufferers after use; and if he will make a statement. [184789]
8 Sept 2004 : Column 1325W
Angela Smith: The UK-wide MRSA Control Guidelines for hospitals do not require bed linen to be destroyed. It should be bagged according to the hospital laundry policy and machine washed on a hot wash setting.
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