asked the Minister for Health the present position with regard to accommodation for mentally handicapped children; when it is envisaged that further accommodation will be made available; and the number of mentally handicapped children at present awaiting admission.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Mentally Handicapped Children.
15.
On the 31st December, 1971, there were 2,290 mentally handicapped children accommodated in special residential centres operated by voluntary bodies. As I have already indicated to the House there are schemes in progress and in planning which will provide an additional 1,400 places at those centres over the next few years. About 500 of these places will be for children and 900 for adults but the provision of these adult places will in the main result in the release of accommodation for children. It is expected that 380 will be completed in 1972, 375 in 1973 and 650 in 1974 and 1975.
On 31st March, 1971, there were 895 mentally handicapped children on the waiting lists of health boards for admission to residential centres. This figure includes children who are mildly, moderately and severely handicapped and covers an age range from less than one year up to 16 years.
May I ask the Minister, in view of the fact that it will be 1975 before this waiting list can be provided with accommodation, could he ensure some priority for the present 895 or that proportion of them in urgent need of accommodation? Could he ask that details be provided so that some form of priority could be established?
I think I have already told the Deputy in the House that I met all the organisations concerned with handicapped children and asked them to engage in a diagnostic assessment process which would place those waiting for admission in some kind of priority. The National Council for Handicapped Persons is considering proposals with this in view.
Is the Minister aware that some of these children have had to go to Northern Ireland because of the urgency of the need for treatment?
A few children have gone to Northern Ireland.
Could the Minister say what the Government pay for each patient to the voluntary organisations?
They pay a capitation fee but I cannot remember the amount.
On the question of children going to Northern Ireland, would the Minister take into consideration that if there is a vacancy north of the Border it would facilitate the family and the child and would he expedite a decision by his Department in relation to the payment of the cost of maintaining the patient in such an institute?
If it is in accordance with the arrangements we have made, yes. We have sent some children to the establishment known as Glencraig in the North.
The Minister will appreciate that the money is no good if the vacancy is not there. It is only good if the vacancy is there.
I want to indicate to the House that there is no question of financial stringency in relation to this matter. The completion of this programme is a matter of organisation and planning, the arrangements made by the splendid voluntary organisations and the training of staff. It is not money that is holding up the completion of these plans.
I fully accept what the Minister has said and acknowledge the situation to be as he has stated, but my point is that if there is a vacancy immediately across the Border for a child living in my constituency of Donegal, the child will not be deprived of that vacancy because of delay on the part of the Department in making the money available at the time it is needed.
I shall look into any question the Deputy has in mind in that regard.