§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the cost of providing ambulance services for the annual 12 July celebrations. [123889]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe estimated cost of providing ambulance services for the 12th July celebrations in 1999 was £10,760. It is estimated that the cost of providing ambulance services for this year's 12th July celebrations will be of the same magnitude.
Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what income was derived in each of the past three years by each of the district health boards from charges levied for the provision of ambulance services required for open air public events; if he will list the top 10 consumers of ambulance services and the income derived from each; and what policy considerations must be taken into account in deciding whether to charge for services provided for a particular event. [123888]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe income derived in each of the past three years in each Health Board area in Northern Ireland from charges levied for the provision of ambulance services was:
£ 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 Eastern 831 13,567 8,355 Northern 3,500 3,762 3,950 Southern 1,000 — — Western 1,690 451 2,230 Charges are levied for open-air events organised and run by individuals or organisations, usually for profit or charity, on a one-off basis. No records are therefore maintained of regular "consumers".
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service will raise charges for private events, at which the public may be present, when the organisers request specific services such as supplying vehicles, staff or a treatment centre. Charges are based on aspects such as the skill mix and availability of staff, the number of vehicles required, an estimation of potential number of patient journeys and the potential usage of drugs and medical equipment.
Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.