asked the Minister for Health the number of mentally handicapped children in the various counties seeking admission to residential homes; and the numbers that are on the waiting list at the moment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Handicapped Children.
4.
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, 1970—the latest date for which information is available— were awaiting residential care in the special centres for the mentally handicapped.
Following is the statement:
MENTALLY Handicapped Children (i.e. under 16 years of age) awaiting admission to residential centres.
Position as at 31st March, 1970
|
Health Authority |
Number of Children |
|
Carlow |
17 |
|
Cavan |
25 |
|
Clare |
8 |
|
Cork |
167 |
|
Donegal |
36 |
|
Dublin |
175 |
|
Galway |
72 |
|
Kerry |
10 |
|
Kildare |
18 |
|
Kilkenny |
13 |
|
Laois |
14 |
|
Leitrim |
15 |
|
Limerick |
50 |
|
Longford |
17 |
|
Louth |
9 |
|
Mayo |
33 |
|
Meath |
14 |
|
Monaghan |
12 |
|
Offaly |
22 |
|
Roscommon |
30 |
|
Sligo |
24 |
|
Tipperary (NR) |
3 |
|
Tipperary (SR) |
9 |
|
Waterford |
18 |
|
Westmeath |
13 |
|
Wexford |
36 |
|
Wicklow |
9 |
|
Total |
869 |
I have not got the figures but I imagine it is a pretty long waiting list in some cases. Would the Minister investigate the possibility that this long waiting list may have arisen as a result of excessive emphasis in departmental policy on institutional care for certain categories of mentally handicapped children who perhaps might be better if left in the family atmosphere? Would he be so kind as to investigate this possibility?
That possibility has been investigated. Examination of mentally handicapped children includes examination as to whether they can be kept under day care or residential care. The principal problem affecting this country and others is that you very often have to place children in residential care in a district that does not necessarily represent their origin geographically because there is a particular religious order willing to do the work and with premises which can be extended. That is another complication.