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11 May 2006 : Column 530W—continued
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in (a) each Department in Northern Ireland and (b) the Northern Ireland Office have been (i) disciplined and (ii) dismissed for inappropriate use of the internet while at work in each of the last five years. [68009]
Mr. Hanson: The number of staff in the core NICS Departments and the Northern Ireland Office who have been disciplined for inappropriate use of the internet while at work during the period 2001 to date is set out in the following table:
| Department | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
| (1) NIO staff did not have access to the internet until 2004 |
One officer in the NICS Core Departments and NIO has been dismissed for inappropriate use of the internet while at work during the period 2001 to date. This officer, who was an employee of DARD, was dismissed in 2004.
DXA Scanning
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time was in Northern Ireland in March (a) 2003, (b) 2004, (c) 2005 and (d) 2006 for a bone density (DXA) scan. [69270]
Paul Goggins: The following table shows the average waiting time for a bone density (DXA) scan in all Trusts which provide this service in Northern Ireland.
In addition to the above, the Royal Belfast hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) provide bone density (DXA) scans. There is no waiting time for these scans as patients are given an appointment or seen on the day.
Essential Car Users (Health Service)
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what categories of Health Service employees have qualified as essential car users in each year since 2000; and what mileage allowance was payable to each category of essential car user in each year. [69280]
Paul Goggins: Community Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitors, Social Workers, Chief Executives, Senior Executives and Senior Managers working in the Health and Personal Social Services are classified as essential car users. In determining the level of mileage allowance there are four options available to an HPSS employer: a leased car; a regular user allowance; standard mileage rate, or public transport rate depending on certain conditions being met. The mileage rates payable under each category have been in force since April 2000 and are as set out below:
Regular user allowances are paid to employees who are designated by their employer as an essential car user, but it is uneconomic or not possible to offer a leased car, and where in the course of their employment they are required to travel either:
i. An average of more than 3,500 miles a year or
ii. An average of at least 1,250 miles a year and uses their car on average three days a week or spend 50% of their time on travel or
iii. An average of at least 1,000 miles a year and use their car on average four days a week.
The current rates payable for a regular user are in the following table:
| Engine capacity | Up to 1000cc | 1001cc to 1500cc | Over 1500cc |
Standard mileage rates are paid to employees who use their own vehicle for official business but do not satisfy the criterion for a regular user. The current rates payable for standard mileage are as in the following table:
| Engine Capacity | Up to 1000cc | 1001cc to 1500cc | Over 1500cc |
Public transport mileage rate.
Public transport mileage is payable at 23p per mile where the employer deems that standard or regular user rates do not apply.
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Government have to change the mileage allowance payable to each category of essential car users in the health service; and if he will make a statement. [69281]
Paul Goggins: The Executive of the NHS staff council will undertake a review of all mileage rates payable to NHS staff as part of their work programme for the 2006-07 year. The outcome of this review will be applicable to health and personal social services staff in Northern Ireland.
EU Funding
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much EU income was secured in each of the last 10 financial years for projects emanating from Northern Ireland. [68064]
Mr. Hanson: Details of EU income by structural fund are shown in the following table:
| EU structural fund income | ||||
| £ million | ||||
| European regional development fund (ERDF) | European social fund (ESF) | European agricultural guidance and fisheries fund (EAGGF) | Financial instrument for fisheries guidance (FIFG) | |
| Notes: 1. The question has been interpreted as referring to structural funds and the answer refers to these only. 2. Amounts for 2005-06 financial year are estimated and subject to confirmation. |
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much EU money was (a) allocated and (b) expended in respect of each source of EU funding in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 financial years. [68065]
Mr. Hanson: Details of each of the EU Structural Fund financial allocations and expenditure are shown in the following Tables A and B showing details by Structural Fund .
The question has been interpreted as referring to Structural Funds and the answer refers to these only.
The allocation amounts to Northern Ireland are made by the Commission in Euro by calendar year. These have been converted to financial years assuming an even spend over the four quarters and to Sterling at a notional rate of 1.55 = £1.00
Allocations for the Interreg III cross-border programme have been omitted, as these allocations are not made separately by jurisdiction.
Amounts for 2005-06 financial year are estimated outturn and subject to confirmation.
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