HC Deb 17 March 2004 vol 419 c303W
Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the contribution made by health service employees aged 65 or over to the NHS in Northern Ireland. [160464]

Angela Smith

HPSS employees do a difficult and demanding job which serves the sick and vulnerable in our society. Age is not a factor in determining the value of the contribution of HPSS employees.

Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many health service employees were aged 65 years and above in Northern Ireland on the latest date for which figures are available. [160585]

Angela Smith

The number of employees aged 65 years and above working in HPSS organisations in Northern Ireland as at 31 December 2003 was 99 (or 65.4 whole time equivalent).