To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many midwives train annually at the Jubilee maternity hospital; what percentage of all midwives trained in Northern Ireland this figure payments include an amount in respect of personal expenses which is at present £12·65 a week. In some cases residents contract for charges higher than the income support limits and may use the personal expenses allowance against these higher charges.Residents placed by health and social services boards from April 1993 retain an equal amount for personal expenses from income support when their contribution towards the cost of their care is assessed.Income support is normally paid direct to the claimant and the proprietor would not be involved in the payment of benefit unless appointed to act for the claimant where the person is unable to handle his own financial affairs and there is no other suitable person. The appointee can be changed if the social security office receives information which suggests that he is not fulfilling his duties. Case checks for claimants with appointees are carried out by visit every three years for those over pension age and every six months where an appointee is needed on a temporary basis.
Mrs. Ann Winterton