asked the Minister for Health if his Department's census of handicapped children has yet commenced; and if any information is available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Handicapped Children.
70.
Details of the proposed census of mentally handicapped children have not yet been finalised. My Department are at present in communication with the Medico-Social Research Board in the matter.
In the meantime statistical information regarding the numbers of mentally handicapped in special residential centres, in day care and on waiting lists for placement in the residential centres is being collected and collated in my Department. On 31st December, 1972, there were 2,267 mentally handicapped children and 2,100 mentally handicapped adults in special residential centres, and a further 3,513 mentally handicapped children and 391 adults were receiving education and training on a day basis.
71. D'fiafraigh
den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil sé ar intinn ag a Roinn scéim ar bith a chur chun cinn le tuilleadh áite cónaí a chur ar fáil do pháistí a bhfuil creapáil orthu agus atá mall-intinneach.
Do mhol Coimisiún Fiosrúcháin um Míchumas Meabhrach 5,700 áit comhnaithe ins na h-institúid speisialta do dhaoine a bhfuil míchumas meabhrach orthu, 3,200 áiteanna do pháistí agus 2,500 do dhaoine fásta. Tá 4,500 áiteanna ar fáil fé lathair agus tá scéimeanna chun breis agus 1,200 áiteanna nua do bhunú. Nuair a bheidh na scéimeanna san go léir críochnaithe i gceann cúpla bliain, táim sásta go mbeidh dóthain áiteanna ar fáil do pháistí mall-intinneach a bhfuil mí-chumais eile orthu.
Chomh luath agus a bhéas na h-áiteanna nua críochnaithe an mbeidh an Rúnaí Parlaiminte toilteanach an t-eolas sin a thúirt dom?
I gceann bliain nó dó.