The provision of services to persons with a mental handicap in the Ballinasloe area is a matter in the first instance for the Western Health Board. While the Western Health Board does provide some services, I understand from the board that the principal service providers in the area are the Brothers of Charity Services and the Galway County Association.
Service developments to meet identified priority needs in the Western Health Board region are agreed by the Western Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee. This committee is representative of the Western Health Board, Western Care Association, Brothers of Charity Services, Galway County Association and three parent-family representatives nominated by the National Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland, NAMHI, one of whom is from the Ballinasloe area.