asked the Minister for Health whether in view of the absence of legislation for the treatment and training of mentally defective children, and of the inadequate facilities available at present for treatment, he will introduce legislation to deal with this matter; and whether, in order to provide immediate additional accommodation for such children, he will examine the question of converting to this purpose some hospitals at present allocated to the treatment of tuberculosis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Defective Children.
The treatment and training of mentally defective children depend primarily on the availability of adequate trained staff and the provision of suitable accommodation. Apart from the fact that the passage of legislation will not ease the position in regard to these aspects of the problem, I understand that there are formidable constitutional difficulties in the way of the enactment of effective legislation.
I am aware that there is a shortage of accommodation and so far as our resources permit steps are being taken to deal with the matter. In the past few years about 1,320 new beds have been provided for mental defectives and a further 240 are in course of completion.
The needs of mental defectives are always borne in mind in considering the utilisation of any hospital buildings which become available but I should like to point out to the Deputy that, in view of the necessity for taking precautions against accident or injury to children who are incapable of looking after themselves, elaborate safeguards must be provided, and consequently very few buildings which were originally constructed for other purposes are suitable for the housing and training of mental defectives without substantial alterations.