| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
9 Nov 2004 : Column 674W—continued
Lucy Crawford
Mrs. Iris Robinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will conduct a full independent inquiry into (a) the death of Lucy Crawford in the Erne hospital in April 2000 and (b) subsequent investigations conducted by the Sperrin Lakeland Health Trust; and if he will make a statement; [194802]
9 Nov 2004 : Column 675W
(2) what investigations he has conducted into the actions of Sperrin Lakeland Trust following the death of Lucy Crawford in April 2000. [194803]
Angela Smith: I believe it is of the highest importance that the general public have confidence in the quality and standards of care provided by our health and social services. Consequently I have announced that Mr. John O'Hara QC is to conduct an independent inquiry into the issues raised regarding the deaths of Lucy Crawford, Raychel Ferguson and Adam Strain.
Ministerial Meetings (Paramilitaries)
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met (a) members of the Brigade staff of (i) the UDA, (ii) the UVF and (iii) the INLA and (b) members of the Army Council of the Provisional IRA; and what he discussed on each occasion. [196500]
Mr. Pearson: In the course of advancing the political process I have met with a number of groups that give political analysis to paramilitary organisations, and who assure me that they are serious about committing themselves to a political path and an end to violence. Such meetings are a means of testing that commitment and I will continue to encourage that process at every opportunity. I have made it clear that continuing paramilitary activity is unacceptable and only serves to undermine the standing of those who are engaged in the political process.
Neutral Working Environments
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken in response to complaints against the chief executive of the Child Support Agency in relation to a breach of his Department's policy on wearing Gaelic Athletic Association sports clothing. [197106]
Mr. Spellar: This is an internal personnel matter in relation to an individual and has been dealt with in accordance with the Department's personnel procedures.
Nursery Schools (Strabane)
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to improve nursery school provision in the Strabane area. [196285]
Mr. Gardiner: The following improvements to nursery school provision are planned to take place in the current year:
Ballycolman Nursery School, Strabane
The provision of a new soft play area.
Edwards Primary School, Castlederg
A new school is under construction at present, which includes nursery provision. It is expected that the main school will be occupied around Christmas, although the nursery unit may open before then.
Patient Exemption Fraud
Mr. Lidington:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated level of patient
9 Nov 2004 : Column 676W
exemption fraud was in the family practitioners service in each financial year from 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [195423]
Angela Smith: The estimated level of patient exemption fraud in the family practitioners service from 1999–2000 is as follows:
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | 13.8 |
| 2000–01 | 11.3 |
| 2001–02 | 10.0 |
| 2002–03 | 10.0 |
| 2003–04 | 8.0 |
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, together with the Health Boards and the Central Services Agency, continues to make considerable efforts to reduce losses through patient exemption fraud. There has been good progress and tackling fraud remains a key priority.
Police Funding
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average spending on policing was per capita in Northern Ireland in 2003–04. [196177]
Mr. Pearson: The average policing cost per head of population is £405.75. This figure is based upon revenue running costs including non cash items and excluding Capital and Patten expenditure.
Pre-school Education
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how full-time nursery education in the pre-school year will be implemented for children in (a) Greater Shankill and (b) North Belfast. [197110]
Mr. Gardiner: With the exception of the nursery places at Hazelwood Integrated Primary School, which were created under the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme, all nursery places in North Belfast and the Greater Shankill area are already full-time.
The Pre-School Education Expansion Programme in Northern Ireland provides only funding for part-time provision I have no plans to fund full-time nursery places at Hazelwood Integrated Primary School at this time. Any future decision to do so will depend on the outcome of the review of pre-school education.
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to publish the outcome of the review of pre-school education. [197112]
Mr. Gardiner: It is expected that the outcome of the Review of Pre-School Education in Northern Ireland will be published in March 2005.
Probation Board
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the recent appointment of the head of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. [196170]
9 Nov 2004 : Column 677W
Mr. Paul Murphy: The maximum period of appointment to the position of chairman of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland is two three year terms, that is six years in all. The present chairman will complete this period at the end of this month. Following an open competition conducted in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, I have therefore appointed Ronald Spence as chairman of the Probation Board for a three year term starting on 1 December 2004.
Public Sector Pay
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is his policy to introduce (a) regional and (b) local pay for the public sector in Northern Ireland. [195530]
Mr. Pearson: The Government recognise that pay flexibility at regional and local levels is an important part of their objectives for greater efficiency in the delivery of public services and for regional development. In Northern Ireland, this approach is being taken forward through the development and maintenance of a Pay and Workforce Strategy. This uses objective evidence to support pay policies that reflect regional and local labour market conditions whenever possible and ensure that pay is sufficient to recruit, retain and motivate staff to deliver public services to the standards required.
Schools (East Londonderry)
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) primary and (b) post primary schools will need to be replaced in the East Londonderry constituency within the next five years; and what the planned timetable is for each school. [196512]
Mr. Gardiner: In the East Londonderry constituency three primary schools and one post-primary school have received approval to proceed to tender. The completion date for each will be dependent on the planning, procurement and construction work required so it is only possible to provide approximate timescales at this stage.
A further three primary and two post-primary schools have been identified by the relevant school authorities as requiring a major capital works scheme. These have been assessed by the Department of Education as having a need for a scheme and economic appraisals will be undertaken to determine the options. Progressing the schemes following the appraisal process will be subject to the availability of resources.
The relevant school authorities have also identified a further eight potential schemes for assessment within the next five years.
The schools and their current status are as follows.
1. Schemes approved for funding:
Dungiven, Largy and Burnfoot primary schools—A new amalgamated replacement primary school. Estimated completion date autumn 2006.
Carnalridge Primary School, Portrush—a new school on existing site. Estimated completion date autumn 2006.
Glasvey and Limegrove Special Schools—a new amalgamated school in Limavady. Estimated completion date autumn 2007.
Coleraine College—an extension/refurbishment on existing site. Estimated completion date autumn 2007.
2. Schemes in planning which have been assessed by the Department of Education as having a major capital need and are at the economic appraisal stage
3. Other schools notified to the Department by the relevant school authorities for future assessment (within next five years)
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |