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13 Mar 2007 : Column 220W—continued
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety physiotherapy taskforce has met since its formation; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of each meeting. [127125]
Paul Goggins: The Physiotherapy taskforce met twice. The first meeting was held 9 November 2006 and the second on 21 November 2006, Further correspondence occurred via email. The taskforce have reported to me and I have endorsed their proposals for immediate action to fund 10 time-bound three-month placements for newly qualified physiotherapists. Copies of the minutes of both meetings will be placed in the Library.
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many physiotherapy graduates were working as volunteers in each health trust area in Northern Ireland in each of the last six years; and how many such volunteers went on to gain employment within each trust. [127126]
Paul Goggins: The information requested is presented in the following table.
Police Service of Northern Ireland
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland took a career break in each of the last five years, broken down by grade; how many of those involved have since returned to work; what the Police Service of Northern Ireland's policy is on career breaks; when it was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement. [123515]
Paul Goggins: The current policy on career breaks within the Police Service of Northern Ireland was introduced in May 2006 and is due for review in May 2007. Prior to the introduction of this policy there was no formal facility or policy for career breaks. Police officers could avail of unpaid leave but no figures have been collated relating to this. The number of officers who have taken career breaks under the current policy is 12, of which one has returned to work.
| Constables | Inspector | |
The policy on career breaks is designed to provide a means for police officers who have completed their initial probationary period to spend a period of time away from work pursuing other activities without giving up their career, and can last for between one to five years. While on a career break, officers may not pursue a business interest or other paid employment, or full time education unless it falls within policy guidelines and regulations. Although unpaid, officers retain their salary points and rank and sympathetic consideration is given to officers with regard to returning to their previous post. Should it be necessary, appropriate training can be provided on return.
Respite Care
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were waiting for respite care in each health trust area in Northern Ireland as of 1 March; and how many of those have been waiting (a) 0-3, (b) 3-5, (c) 6-9, (d) 10-12, (e) 13-16 and (f) longer than 16 months. [126961]
Paul Goggins: Information on the total number of people waiting for respite care is not available centrally. Information is, however, available on the number of adults waiting for respite care at 31 December 2006 (the latest date for which such information is available) and is shown, according to the time bands for which the information is collected, in the following table.
Social Security Benefits: Fraud
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are taken to ensure that fines imposed for benefit fraud in Northern Ireland are paid. [119344]
Paul Goggins: Any fine imposed by a court will result in a fine notice being issued to the defendant, stipulating a period of time to pay and giving the defendant the opportunity to apply to the court for further time to pay or for an order to pay by instalments. The notice will also include a warning that non-payment will result in the issue of a warrant committing the defendant to prison and additional costs attendant upon such issue.
If payment is not received within the period allowed, a “Warrant of Commitment for Sum Adjudged to be paid by Conviction” will be automatically issued to PSNI to either collect the money or lodge the defendant in HM Prison/YOC.
Warrants are registered and sent to the District Command Unit in which the defendant is believed to reside. Management of the execution process varies across District Command Units according to available resources and competing operational demands. While the execution of some warrants will not present difficulties, others may be problematic and will necessitate a more determined effort by police.
Although not an exhaustive list, the following enquiries should be carried out:
Personal calls to the address shown on the warrant at different times of the day and days of the week.
Enquiries with neighbours, friends and family where appropriate.
Checks on ICIS and PPS Case Prep.
Enquiries with local Criminal Intelligence Officer.
Enquiries with Criminal Intelligence Officer at previous address/address last proceeded against where appropriate.
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