Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers
Mr Ford: The average working days lost per member of staff due to sickness absence in Northern
Ireland’s prisons over the last 3 financial years is outlined below:
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
Magilligan 9.1 11.8 9.7
Maghaberry 12 14 17
Hydebank 17.5 14.3 16
United Nations Doctors
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice whether the United Nations doctors attended, and
examined, Marion Price; and if so, (i) on which date and where did they attend; (ii) whether the doctors
subsequently made representations to the Northern Ireland Prison Service; and (iii) to what extent did
the doctors’ input influence the decision to have Ms Price moved from prison to hospital.
(AQW 13283/11-15)
Mr Ford: Neither the United Nations, nor anyone representing that organisation, has requested to visit
Mrs Marian McGlinchey.
Two doctors representing the Irish United Nations Association (which is not part of the UN but a
voluntary organisation whose objectives are to promote the aims and objectives of the UN in Ireland)
booked a professional visit to Mrs McGlinchey which was scheduled to take place in Hydebank Wood on
Wednesday 6 June. The doctors cancelled their visit. They subsequently rescheduled their visit to Mrs
McGlinchey and one has since visited her at the outside hospital to which she had been transferred
prior to their visit.
The decision to transfer Mrs McGlinchey to an outside hospital was taken on the basis of a
recommendation for secondary care received from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and
the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. No input from any other individuals or organisations had any
influence on that decision.
Disorderly and Abusive Behaviour in Hospital Accident and Emergency Units
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Justice whether he will consider allocating revenue, received from
Fixed Penalty Notices for disorderly and abusive behaviour in hospital Accident and Emergency units, for
patient comfort funds or for other beneficial schemes in the Health Service.
(AQW 13284/11-15)
Mr Ford: All Penalty Notice revenue received must be surrendered to the Consolidated Fund. It is not,
therefore, possible for the Department of Justice to allocate these funds to specific initiatives.
The member may wish to note, however, that each Penalty Notice is subject also to a £5 Offender Levy
which is not surrendered to the Consolidated Fund, but is allocated exclusively to victims’ services.
Anti-Social Behaviour
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Justice what funding his Department plans to provide to local councils to
combat anti-social behaviour.
(AQW 13286/11-15)
Mr Ford: In Northern Ireland we have adopted a multi-agency partnership to tackle anti-social behaviour,
which uses a graduated approach of prevention, intervention and enforcement to tackle anti-social
behaviour. This approach has contributed to a reduction of over 20% in the incidence of anti-social
behaviour across Northern Ireland since 2008.
WA 580