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2 May 2006 : Column 1467W—continued
Utility Companies
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will be in a position to introduce the proposed permit scheme for utility companies laying pipelines and cables in roads. [65826]
Dr. Ladyman:
The Department is working to ensure that the regulations are produced as soon as possible.
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NORTHERN IRELAND
Addictions
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are estimated to have (a) a gambling addiction, (b) an alcohol addiction and (c) a drug addiction in (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) each council area in each of the last five years. [66462]
Mr. Woodward: Information on the number of people estimated to have a gambling addiction is not available.
Information regarding alcohol addiction is not available as requested. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) carried out the first ever census of Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services on 1 March 2005. Using the data collected, we are able to provide the following information on persons in treatment for alcohol misuse. It is important to note that alcohol misuse does not constitute addiction.
Information regarding drug addiction is not available by district council as requested. The Northern Ireland Addicts Index Database holds information on all those persons registered in concurrence with the Misuse of Drugs (Notification of and Supply to Addicts) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1973. Using the data held we are able to provide the following information on persons who were registered on the index. The information is provided at both HSS Board and Trust level.
| HSS Board | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern HSSB | 108 | 106 | 86 | 105 | 97 |
| Northern HSSB | 147 | 133 | 104 | 115 | 102 |
| Southern HSSB | 17 | 19 | 23 | 14 | 15 |
| Western HSSB | 30 | 38 | 26 | 21 | 20 |
| Northern Ireland | 302 | 296 | 239 | (37)259 | (38)239 |
(37) This figure includes four individuals for whom Health and Social Services Trust could not be established.
(38) This figure includes five individuals for whom Health and Social Services Trust could not be established.
(39) This figure includes four individuals for whom Health and Social Services Trust could not be established.
(40) This figure includes five individuals for whom Health and Social Services Trust could not be established.
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Alzheimer's Disease
Dr. Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State forNorthern Ireland how many people with Alzheimer's disease in Northern Ireland were prescribed anticholinisterase drugs in each of the last five years. [66142]
Mr. Woodward: Information is not available on drugsprescribed to people with Alzheimer's disease. However, information is available on the number of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors prescription items dispensed in primary care from 2001 to 2005 (see Table 1 below). Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are commonly used to treat the dementia of Alzheimer's disease. Information is not available on the actual number of individuals that this relates to.
| Number of Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor prescription items dispensed | |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 15,087 |
| 2002 | 19,605 |
| 2003 | 25,986 |
| 2004 | 33,056 |
| 2005 | 38,245 |
Note:
Figures include data for donepezil hydrochloride, galantamine, memantine hydrochloride and rivastigmine.
Source:
Central Services Agency
Anti-bullying Strategy
Dr. Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what funds are available for the implementation of the anti-bullying strategy in Northern Ireland; [66103]
(2) how the anti-bullying strategy is to be implemented in schools in Northern Ireland; [66104]
(3) what the Department of Education's anti-bullying strategy is. [66105]
Angela E. Smith: The Department of Education actively promotes and funds anti-bullying initiatives through its anti-bullying programme. The current programme comprises funding for a dedicated bullying advice helpline, operated by ChildLine; a further study into the extent and nature of bullying in schools in Northern Ireland as a follow up to the research published in 2002; and a survey of pastoral care in schools to ensure compliance with the requirements to have measures in place to tackle bullying.
The Department is a member of the local Anti-bullying Forum. The Forum, which draws its members from the statutory and voluntary sectors, was launched in November 2005, with the aim of sharing models of best practice, disseminating information, developing and co-coordinating joint initiatives. This will ensure that schools and organisations working with children and
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young people are able to have appropriate strategies to prevent and deal with bullying behaviours. The Forum has developed a three-year anti-bullying strategy with the Department of Education funding its administrative structure. The main elements of the Forum's strategic plan includes developing, implementing and promoting of models of good practice, developing parental partnerships, website development and organising annual bullying week.
In 2005–06 the Department of Education has contributed approximately £55,000 to the development of anti-bullying initiatives. In 2006–07 the Department has agreed to fund £66,000 to the local Forum to implement its anti-bullying strategy and providing the terms and conditions of grant are met, the Department has agreed in principle to fund in 2007–08 and 2008–09. Across the education and library boards at least £200,000 per annum is allocated to specific anti-bullying activity. The Department does not have information about the resources that schools devote to anti-bullying initiatives from their own budgets.
Anti-racism Funding
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effects of the funding awarded to each of the 13 organisations in February 2005 to tackle racism. [65329]
Angela E. Smith: In February 2005 £100,000 was made available specifically to assist local communities build positive relationships with minority ethnic people, thereby helping to tackle hate crime in a number of geographical areas. 33 organisations applied and 13 received funding. These projects were subject to continual monitoring to ensure that they fulfilled the aims and objectives set out in the original applications.
This investment, in the Government's view, represents good value for money. It has enabled those organisations to undertake a range of activities and develop programmes to help minority ethnic and migrant groups integrate into society. The programmes also addressed the problem of racism. For example, over 100 people attended workshops across Northern Ireland to share experiences and develop action plans to tackle racism; a CD ROM is being produced to promote the integration of minority ethnic people into the local communities; over 75 people, in the Greater Belfast area, representing five community groups, received anti-racism and diversity training; over 200 young people from local schools in the mid-Ulster area attended a Chinese cultural awareness and martial arts event; 90 people from North and East Belfast attended cultural celebration events; and 75 children from the mid-Down area attended a six week summer camp designed to tackle issues such as conflict resolution.
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