asked the Minister for Health the number of mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed or autistic children in each health authority area who await accommodation in special residential institutions; and when he expects places will be provided for each waiting child.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retarded Children.
79.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the number of mentally handicapped children in each health authority area who at 31st March, 1968 were awaiting residential care in the special centres for the mentally handicapped.
With regard to autistic children, I have indicated in replies to previous questions that there is no accepted definition of autism in children. The term is used to describe a particular illness but is also used to cover a number of different mental illnesses of childhood. At present statistics of the total number of children in this country in need of psychiatric care, including the autistic and emotionally disturbed, are not available, nor, indeed, are they available for any country.
As I have indicated to the House on many occasions recently more than 600 additional places have become available in the special residential centres for the mentally handicapped over the past three years and there are at present plans for the provision of a further 750 places. Provision is also being made for further accommodation for mentally ill children including autistic and emotionally disturbed children.
I would again like to assure the House that I will spare no effort to provide suitable accommodation for all mentally handicapped or mentally ill children as rapidly as circumstances and resources will permit.
Following is the statement:
MENTALLY Handicapped Children (i.e. under 16 years of age) on Health Authorities' waiting lists at 31st March, 1968, for care in special Residential Centres.
|
Health Authority |
Number of Children |
|
Carlow |
18 |
|
Cavan |
20 |
|
Clare |
17 |
|
Cork |
121 |
|
Donegal |
34 |
|
Dublin |
165 |
|
Galway |
66 |
|
Kerry |
37 |
|
Kildare |
16 |
|
Kilkenny |
38 |
|
Laois |
27 |
|
Leitrim |
14 |
|
Limerick |
57 |
|
Longford |
18 |
|
Louth |
7 |
|
Mayo |
29 |
|
Meath |
19 |
|
Monaghan |
11 |
|
Offaly |
11 |
|
Roscommon |
26 |
|
Sligo |
17 |
|
Tipperary (N.R.) |
18 |
|
Tipperary (S.R.) |
35 |
|
Waterford |
14 |
|
Westmeath |
14 |
|
Wexford |
24 |
|
Wicklow |
23 |
|
TOTAL |
896 |
Will the Minister state when these facilities will be provided? Will he state when more facilities will be provided for the mentally handicapped?
If the Deputy had been listening for the past two or three months——
This has been going on over six years and not just a few months.
——he would know that we have provided 600 additional places in the past three years and we will provide 750 more in the next few years.
Will the Minister state the number of mentally handicapped in the country?
Will the Deputy?