asked the Minister for Health if he has made a decision to establish a residential school for mentally handicapped children in Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School for Mentally Handicapped Children.
1.
I have decided not to approve a proposal to provide a permanent residential centre for severely and moderately handicapped children at Lady Lane, Waterford. Approval had been given to the use, as a temporary measure, of these premises but the cost of necessary adaptations was found to be very high. I could not justify the considerable expenditure involved on a building which would be located on an unsuitable site and which could never form the nucleus of a suitable centre.
Is the Minister aware that his predecessor was disposed to the siting of the residential school but, apparently, there has now been some re-thinking on the matter? What does the Minister mean by a day centre? What type of school has he in mind?
If this particular site were developed it would not be really suitable and the Minister, therefore, decided that it would be a mistake to expend a considerable amount of money on something that would not be satisfactory.