asked the Minister for Health the annual requirement for places in institutions in respect of mentally handicapped adults; the average annual number of places being provided; and the plans there are to increase the number of such places.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Handicapped Residential Centres.
5.
asked the Minister for Health the number of mentally handicapped adults at present awaiting admission to institutions; and when it is expected that accommodation will be provided.
7.
asked the Minister for Health the number of mentally retarded children at present awaiting admission to institutions; and when it is expected that accommodation will be provided.
8.
asked the Minister for Health the number of places in institutions required annually by mentally handicapped children; the average annual number of places being provided; and the plans there are to increase the number of places.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 8 together.
On 31st March, 1974, the latest date for which completed statistics are available, there were 530 mentally handicapped persons under 16 years and 150 over 16 years on the waiting lists of health boards for admission to residential centres.
The number of places for children in the special residential centres rose by 192 in 1974. The approved building and planning programme will provide a further 232 places for children. It is expected that 20 places will become available in 1975, 22 in 1976, 90 in 1977 and 100 in 1979. In addition, a large number of the adult places being provided will release accommodation for children on the waiting lists.
The number of places for adults in the special residential centres rose by 221 in 1974 and there are a further 678 places in planning or being built. It is expected that 142 places will become available in 1975, 266 in 1976, 60 in 1977 and 210 in 1978.
Proposals involving the provision of a total of 870 further places for mentally handicapped persons are at present under examination with a view to possible inclusion in the approved planning and building programme.
Statistics showing the additional numbers of mentally handicapped children and adults requiring places each year are not available. The results of a census of the mentally handicapped conducted by the Medico-Social Research Board are expected to be available shortly and will provide reliable information on which to base future planning.