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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Feb 1970

Vol. 244 No. 8

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Handicapped Children.

110.

asked the Minister for Education if, having regard to the complaints by health authorities of inadequate liaison between his Department and health authorities in the matter of educational facilities for mentally handicapped children, he will ensure in future full prior consultation with health authorities concerned before new facilities are proposed.

Monthly meetings are held between officers of my Department and the Department of Health in regard to the provision on a national basis of facilities for the mentally handicapped.

Chief medical officers have met officers of the Department on different occasions either individually or in conjunction with local associations to discuss the provision of facilities for different areas. It is usual for inspectors of the Department to call on the chief medical officer when the question of the need for facilities for mentally handicapped children in an area is being investigated.

The case which the Deputy may have in mind is one where the Department of Health has agreed to the provision of residential accommodation and the question of the educational facilities to be provided has not yet been discussed with any of the interested parties.

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