asked the Minister for Health the number of mentally handicapped children in County Roscommon; if he is aware of the long delay in getting such children admitted to suitable institutions; and if he will consider having an addition provided to St. Patrick's Hospital, Castlerea, to cater for such children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Handicapped Children.
22.
Pending the further development of diagnostic and assessment services, it is not possible to give the exact number of mentally handicapped children in County Roscommon. At present 53 children from County Roscommon are in special institutions for the mentally handicapped. On 31st March last there were 26 mentally handicapped children on the Health Authority's waiting list for institutional care.
I am well aware of the difficulty of obtaining institutional care for mentally handicapped children in need of such care and the Deputy will be aware from replies to previous parliamentary questions on this subject that a considerable amount of extra accommodation has been provided and more is being provided.
I have already had under examination a suggestion for the acquisition of houses or other accommodation adjacent to St. Patrick's Hospital, Castlerea, for the residential care of mentally handicapped children. I considered that the suggestion was unlikely to lead to a satisfactory permanent arrangement for the care of mentally handicapped children but I advised the health authorities concerned that, as a temporary expedient, I would raise no objection to the use, as a residential institution for the mentally handicapped, of existing health authority accommodation which could be brought into early use and without considerable expense.