To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the receipt of direct payments in the (i) Northern and (ii) Western Heath and Social Care Trusts; and to detail the proportion of direct payments that have not been awarded within the target timeframe.

Guidance covering the provision and receipt of direct payments for all Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust areas can be accessed via the following link: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/direct_payments_legislation_and_guidance_for_boards_and_trusts.pdf

The Northern and Western HSC Trusts have confirmed that they are not aware of any problems or delays with regard to the provision of direct payments in their areas.

There is no target timeframe for the provision of a direct payment; if an individual requests a direct payment and the HSC Trust is content that the assessed eligible needs can be met via the provision of a direct payment, the payment is approved and issued as soon as all conditions of the agreed arrangement have been met.