asked the Minister for Health if he will support the efforts of the Sligo Parents and Friends Association to establish a residential centre at Cloonamahon, Collooney for mentally handicapped children, as the need for such a centre is long overdue in the Sligo region.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sligo Handicapped Children Centre.
6.
The question of establishing a residential centre for the mentally handicapped at Cloonamahon, Collooney, is at present being examined by the North Western Health Board. If it is found to be a feasible proposition, the intention is that the centre would be under the control of the board and would be financed from public funds. I would, of course, be most anxious that the views of the Sligo Parents and Friends Association about its operation should be considered and I have arranged for a discussion on the matter next week between my Department, the health board and the association.
For years I have been advocating the need for such a home in that area. The Parents' and Friends' Association have come a long way in bringing about those negotiations. They are prepared to spend up to £10,000——
Could I have a question, Deputy?
——and I would strongly recommend that this place be considered as a home for mentally retarded children.
This would be a matter in the initial stages for the health board itself. I would not be prepared to say at this stage whether or not it should be used exclusively for adult mentally handicapped or mentally handicapped children. In any case, the proposition appears to me as one that would relieve the situation in respect of both the children and the adults. I think I have indicated in a letter to the Deputy and to the secretary of the association that I would be favourably disposed to such a proposition. The finalisation of that can only occur when there are these discussions between the Department, the health board and the association.
Is the Minister aware that the health board and the Department will only sanction this development if it is for adult patients?
That is the thinking now. There is no final decision, but, as I indicated to Deputy McLaughlin, one of the propositions might be that it would be for adult mentally handicapped with provision for some mentally handicapped children. In any case, it would mean that adult handicapped would move into this establishment and leave places for children in other establishments in the area.
But this is not feasible.
We cannot argue the matter today. We must make some progress.
I accept that, but we want this matter clarified, because the health board and the Department have notified their intentions to the parents——
The Deputy is making a statement.
——that it is for adult patients alone. Is the Minister aware that the problem in the North Western Health Board area is in regard to places for young boys, in particular, and not for adult patients? It would seem futile to consider this project for adults alone.
I did not say adults alone; I said adults mainly, but children would be accommodated there as well. I also said to move adults from other institutions into this place would provide accommodation, probably more suitable accommodation, for children. In any case, the matter will not be finalised until this discussion takes place between the Department, the health board and the association.
Would the Minister ensure, if it does go ahead on the basis of a partially adult patient institution, that, when adult patients are brought from other institutions, children from the North Western Health Board area will be put into those institutions, that they will be exchanged for the adult patients.
I do not think the Deputy would expect me to commit myself until these discussions, which are being held next Monday, take place.