asked the Minister for Health the present number of mentally retarded children on the waiting list for admission to in-patient care; and what proposals the Government have to increase the number of places for such children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Retarded Children.
20.
On 31st March, 1972, there were 691 mentally handicapped children on the waiting lists of health boards for admission to residential centres.
An additional 1,000 places are under construction or being planned at the special residential centres for the mentally handicapped. About 300 of these places will be for children and about 700 for adults but the provision of these adult places will, in a number of cases, result in the release of accommodation designed for children but which is at present occupied by adolescents and young adults. New places are becoming available each year. An additional 380 places, mostly for adults, were completed in 1972. It is expected that a further 375 will be completed in 1973 and about 700 in 1974 and 1975.