Incontinence (Hansard, 7 May 1998)

§ Rev. Martin Smyth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been on waiting lists in(a) Belfast South and (b) Northern Ireland, for continence pads from the NHS for more than (i) one month, (ii) three months and (iii) six months. [40196]

§ Mr. Worthington
There are currently no waiting lists for incontinence pads in any of the Community health and Social Service Trusts in Northern Ireland.

§ Rev. Martin Smyth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what level of funding her Department has given to voluntary organisations providing support for incontinent people in each year since 1990–91. [40195]

§ Mr. Worthington
The Department has not funded any voluntary organisation specifically to provide support for incontinent people in any year since 1990–91.
Since 1994, the Department has co-ordinated and supported Northern Ireland's participation in an annual National Continence Campaign. For the last 3 years, the Department has arranged and funded a freephone helpline during National Continence Week. In 1997, the Department's expenditure on arrangements for National Continence Week was approximately £8,700.

§ Rev. Martin Smyth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1990–91 on the grounds of incontinence. [40197]

§ Mr. Worthington
Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Thompson. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Chris Thompson to Rev. Martin Smyth, dated 5 May 1998:
I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of people who have claimed Incapacity Benefit on the grounds of incontinence in each year since 1990–91.The Social Security Agency does not keep statistics on Incapacity Benefit under the heading of incontinence as an incapacity. To obtain this information each case would have to be examined separately. This would involve a major clerical exercise which would incur disproportionate costs.I am sorry I cannot provide the information you require but I hope this explains the position to you.