(Cavan) asked the Minister for Health the number of retarded children under the age of 12 years awaiting admission to suitable homes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retarded Children.
43.
At 31st March, 1967, there were 645 mentally handicapped children under the age of 12 on health authority waiting lists for admission to special institutions. Additional places provided in the last two years amounted to 600. A further 300 should be added in the present year.
(Cavan): Would the Minister be good enough to tackle this as a problem deserving top priority?
I have been doing that ever since I was appointed. Deputy Fitzpatrick should know that.
(Cavan): Unfortunately, I know of cases where children have been on the waiting list for three, four, or five years. It is a dreadful state of affairs for the families concerned. The Minister will agree——
We cannot have a debate on this.
(Cavan): It is not a debate, Sir. The Minister will agree that the amount of money involved would be very small in comparison with the amount being spent on perfectly healthy children? Perhaps he would persuade the Government to raise the necessary money to solve this problem?
I want to make clear (a) that it is not a question of money; (b) that this is and has been a matter of urgent priority at least for some years; and (c) that I do not lose any opportunities to provide accommodation to enable this problem to be solved.
(Cavan): If I give the Minister the name of one solitary child, will he look into it?
I should be glad to.