asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that local authorities are unable to find vacancies in homes that cater for children who are mentally deficient; and, if so, if he will indicate what steps he proposes to take to provide suitable accommodation for such children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Care of Mental Deficients.
I am aware that local authorities are experiencing difficulty in finding vacancies in institutions which cater for children who are mentally deficient.
In the short-term hospital building programme, provision is made for accommodation for an additional 830 children. When this accommodation is available, a considerable improvement in the present position should be effected.
Does the Minister contemplate that when this building is completed, defective children at the moment kept in hospitals for adults will be moved out?
Is the Deputy referring to defective children in county homes? They will be moved out.
I am referring to institutions such as Grangegorman and Portrane.
Oh, yes.
Is it intended to have a number of relatively small institutions or to have a large institution?
I am not speaking from advice, but my own idea is that it will be necessary to have institutions for the several types. They will have to be divided, firstly, according to sex, secondly, according to age, and thirdly, according to degree.
Is it not better to have them segregated in small buildings than in one big institution?
That would be very difficult.