asked the Minister for Health if he will state the number of mentally deficient or otherwise handicapped children being maintained in institutions in this country, and the cost to public funds; and if the Government propose to take any action to improve the lot of such children in education so as to enable them to avail as far as possible of opportunities to be self-supporting when they reach adult age.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Deficient Children.
11.
The object of maintaining mental defective and otherwise handicapped children in institutions is to ensure that, as far as is possible by medical treatment, by education and by training, they will be self-supporting when they reach adult age. I understand that a national school is recognised by the Department of Education in any of these institutions in which there is a sufficient number of educable children to warrant the appointment of a teacher. In institutions in which formal studies would be beyond the competence of the children, special training suited to their capacities and prospective skills is, in general, also given. The authorities in these institutions have these matters under continuous review and I do not feel there is anything further I could usefully do in the matter.
As the reply to the first part of the question, so far as the information is available, is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
APPROXIMATE number of handicapped children in long-stay institutions and cost to public funds.
|
Number (a) |
Annual cost to public funds (b) |
|
|
£ |
||
|
Mental Defective Institutions |
1,750 |
275,000 |
|
Schools for deaf |
433 |
38,000 |
|
Schools for blind |
91 |
8,600 |
|
Pulmonary tuberculosis institutions |
202 |
64,000 |
|
Orthopaedic Hospitals |
480 |
125,000 |
|
Other |
234 |
47,000 |
|
3,190 |
557,600 |
(a) The numbers shown represent persons under 20 years of age in Mental Defective Institutions on 31st December, 1958, and in other institutions the average number of children on the rolls of the special schools in the institutions during the year ended 30th June, 1958. The average number on the rolls of special schools in Mental Defective Institutions was 414.
(b) Calculated by applying approved capitation charges to number of patients. Such items as grants, etc., from Department of Education are ignored.
Is the Minister satisfied that everything the Government can do to help these mentally deficient and otherwise handicapped children is being done?
Well, I think so, anyway; I believe it is.
Would the Minister agree that there are a great many mentally handicapped children for whom there is no provision available in a suitable institution?
Does the Deputy mean that is because they are at a low level of mentality or because there is no provision for them?
Is he not aware that there are a number of mentally retarded children who should have the benefit of institutional treatment and for whom institutional accommodation is not available?
Yes, I agree with that. I think the Minister is doing his best to provide it.
The Minister anticipates that full provision will be available at a reasonaby eary date?
Oh, yes. That is what he is aiming at.