I propose to take Questions Nos. 200, 208, 209 and 210 together.
The Report of the Review Group on Mental Handicap Services — Needs and Abilities deals with the issues of training and employment of people with mental handicap. The report, which has been adopted by Government in principle, stresses the importance of continuing the stimulus and effort provided in early intervention and school programmes throughout adulthood. It recommends that all pupils who avail of special educational programmes should have access to pre-vocational and vocational training. It recognises that on completion of training, and where open employment is not possible, the majority of people with mental handicap will require employment in a sheltered environment.
The report recommends that the Department of Labour should play a greater role in the training and employment of people with mental handicap who are capable of following the training provided and who are suitable for open employment. Discussions will shortly take place with the Department of Labour on this matter.
The number of places in day workshops and training centres for people with mental handicap increased from 2,485 in 1985 to 3,423 in 1990. It is not possible from the information available to the Department to distinguish between the number of people with mental handicap who are in sheltered employment and those in vocational training or the number of places involved. The provision of vocational training and sheltered employment is an integral part of the services provided for people with mental handicap and separate expenditure figures are not available.