HC Deb 17 July 1997 vol 298 cc318-9W
Mr. Desmond Browne

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Northern Ireland Health and Social Services Estates Agency. [9838]

Marjorie Mowlam

The targets below have been set for the Northern Ireland Health and Social Services Estates Agency for 1997–98. The targets are in line with the Government's policy of seeking to improve the service provided to clients in terms of both quality and value for money. I am satisfied that the targets present a demanding challenge for the Agency. They are as follows:-

Delivery of services Provide the Agency's services in accordance with the requirements of the Service Level Agreements agreed with clients. Develop the management process for the Retained Estate in support of the HSS-E by March 1998. Provide HSS-E with a Defects Centre in relation to the HPSS Estate. Investigate and clear 60 per cent. of all adverse incidents within six months of notification of Health Estates. Provide support and advice to the HSS-E on environmental and energy issues and establish an annual environmental award for best environmental practice within the HPSS estate. Review Firecode in the light of the impending Places of Work Regulations and deliver to the HSS-E the annual Fire Report on the HPSS estate by March 1998. Complete for HSS Trust clients nine Outline Business Cases of total estimated capital value £29.15 million. Complete planning and design team briefing for one scheme, estimated capital value £1.3 million. Complete tender process and move to construction stage five schemes of estimated capital value £99.44 million. Project Manage to completion on site 13 schemes of estimated total capital value £12.57 million. Complete design and/or achieve Practical Completion in respect of 15 schemes (value £4 million), these to include feasibility studies and Planning Supervision in compliance with CDM Regulations. Arrange for the Completion of Defects Certificates to be issued for 85 per cent. of all schemes completed in the previous year. Issue Final Certificates after the agreement on Final Account of 60 per cent. of outstanding contracts. Provide lead Clerks of Works Inspection Services on Craigavon Hospital, Causeway Hospital, Altnagelvin Hospital and the Royal Group of Hospitals on projects valued at £98 million. Complete 85 per cent. of periodic specialist equipment tests by their programmed date and remainder within six weeks of that date. Complete 75 per cent. of specialist and diagnostic equipment acceptance tests, equipment evaluations and other tests within six weeks of receipt of request and the remainder within 10 weeks. Complete Electricity At Work Regulation compliance surveys and issue recommendations for one Trust and two Hospital Sites. Provide High Voltage, Low Voltage and Medical Gas Pressure Systems Authorising Engineer services to 23 locations.

Efficiency of service Achieve an in-house 5 per cent. efficiency saving. Complete the implementation of an enhanced management information and project costing system which will permit greater control of resources against client service needs.

Financial management and performance Manage the Agency's resources so as to deliver its Business Plan within the gross budget allocation ad adjusted during the course of the year. Ensure that the Agency's management accounting and information systems are adequate to support the preparation of auditable accounts for 1997–98, thereby ensuring the issue of an Accounts Direction by the Department of Finance and Personnel.

A copy of the targets is being placed in the Library of the House.

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