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10 Feb 2005 : Column 1752W—continued
Diabetes
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of diabetes sufferers in the Province received retinal screening in the last year for which figures are available. [214923]
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Angela Smith: Accurate information on the total number of diabetics in Northern Ireland is not available and therefore an accurate percentage cannot be calculated. However, there is information on the number of diabetics who have undergone retinal screening and this is provided below.
From 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004, 12,165 people have undergone screening using digital imaging as part of the screening programme for diabetic retinopathy on behalf of the Eastern, Northern and Southern Health and Social Services Boards.
The Western Health and Social Services Board carries out a separate screening programme. The figures that are available cover the period 1 April 2004 to 31 October 2004 and indicate that 2,960 patients received retinal scans.
Health Care Staff
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what incentives have been provided to discourage nurses from leaving (a) the profession and (b) the Province to work elsewhere. [215377]
Angela Smith: A review of the nursing workforce in March 2002 and subsequent annual reviews did not identify retention as a major issue. There are therefore no specific retention incentives in place. However, in relation to the workforce overall, it is recognised that retention is important in planning for future staffing. Employers have been asked to build this into their strategic planning.
The position is being kept under review through the Department's ongoing workforce planning process.
Magistrates
Rev. Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list recently appointed magistrates broken down by those appointed on a (a) full-time and (b) part-time basis; and what their religion is in each case. [214614]
Mr. Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
The following appointments of resident magistrates and deputy resident magistrates were made during the last three years:
There are currently no part-time resident magistrates. Personal information, in relation to community background, is not held for these appointees.
Mobile Phones
Mr. George Osborne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many mobile telephones
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have been reported lost or stolen from the Department in each year since 1997; and what the cost was in each year. [214883]
Mr. Pearson: The details of the number of mobile phones lost or stolen from the Northern Ireland Office, together with the associated costs of replacements, in each of the years requested are laid out in the following table.
| Number of phones reported lost | Number of phones reported stolen | Cost of replacements (£) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | Nil |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | Nil |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | Nil |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | Nil |
| 2001 | 8 | 2 | 80.00 |
| 2002 | 2 | 1 | Nil |
| 2003 | 2 | 2 | Nil |
| 2004 | 0 | 6 | 225.12 |
This answer relates only to the Northern Ireland Office and does not include information in respect of the eleven departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.
NHS Consultants
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many consultant vacancies there are in each health trust in the Province, broken down by specialty; and what the duration is of each vacancy. [215359]
Angela Smith: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave on 3 February 2005, Official Report, column 1064W.
Parliamentary Questions
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for East Londonderry on 20 January 2005, reference 210847. [215782]
Mr. Gardiner: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 8 February 2005, Official Report, column 1488W.
Post-primary Admissions (Consultation)
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Government plans to deliver the consultation on new post-primary admissions criteria to every household in Northern Ireland. [215156]
Mr. Gardiner:
All parents of school-age children have been given a leaflet providing them with details of the consultation and how they can respond to it. Advertisements have been placed in the three main newspapers (Belfast Telegraph, Newsletter, Irish News) giving details of the consultation and whilst it is not intended to deliver a copy of the consultation document to every home in Northern Ireland over 14,000 copies of the document have already been sent to education partners, schools, churches, political parties, and community and voluntary groups. The document can
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also be viewed and downloaded from the Department of Education website, and responses to the consultation can be made on-line. All those who prefer to receive a paper copy can do so by contacting the Department of Education.
Pre-school Children (Child Care)
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pre-school age children there were in Northern Ireland on the latest date for which figures are available. [214768]
Mr. Pearson: It is estimated that 87,288 children aged 0–3 were resident in Northern Ireland in mid-2003.
Radio Licences
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many commercial radio licences were in use in Northern Ireland at the end of 2004. [213975]
Estelle Morris: I have been asked to reply.
There were 15 commercial radio services broadcasting in Northern Ireland at the end of 2004; seven local analogue services and eight digital sound programme services.
Southern Education and Library Board
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the outcome was of the investigation undertaken by the Southern Education and Library Board against an officer accused of receiving bribes regarding school contract tenders; and if he will make a statement. [214818]
Mr. Gardiner: The Southern Education and Library Board completed an internal investigation into the allegations made against a board officer, in accordance with the formal procedure for dealing with disciplinary matters involving board officers. The investigation revealed that while a board officer had behaved inappropriately, board tendering procedures had not been compromised, nor had the board suffered a loss as a result of the officer's actions. Disciplinary action was taken against the officer for inappropriate behaviour.
The Department of Education, Northern Ireland Audit Office, and the PSNI were informed of the allegation, investigation, and outcome. The PSNI decided to take no action in the case.
I am satisfied that the board has handled this issue in an appropriate manner.
Speeding
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many drivers have been caught speeding by the Police Service of Northern Ireland Traffic Branch since November 2004; and in which areas offences took place. [214664]
Mr. Pearson:
The figures requested are set out in the following table:
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