To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the process by which data relating to people living with learning disabilities is (i) compiled; (ii) stored; and (iii) disaggregated.

(i) Information on activity within the Learning Disability Programme of Care (POC) is collected by the Department using a series of statistical returns provided by Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts and the HSC Board. Data providers are supplied with technical guidance documents outlining the methodologies to be used in the collection, reporting and validation of each statistical return submitted to the Department.

For each statistical information return data providers are given a set period of time to submit the information. Following submission, the Department carries out a number of validation checks to verify that the information is consistent both within and across information returns. At the end of each financial year a more detailed set of validations is carried out to ensure the information is up to date and reflects changes made over time.

Additional information is also compiled on persons with learning disabilities as part of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). This data is compiled by GP practices and securely uploaded to the Payments, Calculation and Analysis System (PCAS) on 31 March each year. It is then automatically processed to establish performance against the QOF indicators and the associated points and payments that come from this. GP practices have a three month window during which they can query the results. Once all data has been signed off by GP practices, the Department downloads it from the PCAS system.

(ii) Data received by the Department is then stored on a secure file management system, with access restricted in line with existing Departmental arrangements.

(iii) Data released by the Department will be aggregated up to hospital, Local Commissioning Group, HSC Trust and/or Northern Ireland level, and will be treated for confidentiality to avoid personal disclosure.