asked the Minister for Health the rates for capitation grants given by regional health boards to voluntary institutions providing residential care for children in each of the years from 1972 to 1976 inclusive.
Written Answers. - Child Care.
89.
The weekly capitation rate for residential schools and special schools for children in care was—£9.90 in 1972; £11.00 in 1973; £12.50 in 1974; £15.00 in 1975.
An increase in the 1975 rate is under review for the present year. A decision will be made soon.
90.
asked the Minister for Health the number of available places in special residential schools and institutions for children in care in each of the years 1970 to 1975 inclusive.
My colleague, the Minister for Education, has the responsibility for all special residential schools and residential homes.
While each of these institutions has an authorised accommodation limit, I understand that during recent years, in compliance with the recommendations of the Kennedy Report, the majority of them have been adapted to give effect to the concept of group homes while some homes have been closed altogether. Thus, the total accommodation available in these institutions has been reduced gradually from approximately 480 places in special schools in the year 1970 to 280 places in 1975. The corresponding figures for residential homes is 1,800 places in 1970 reducing to an estimated 1,700 in 1975.
In addition to the aforementioned institutions there are a number of homes which are approved under the Health Acts for the reception of children into care. These homes provide accommodation for approximately 400 children at present. There has been no significant change in the number of available places in these homes since 1970.
91.
asked the Minister for Health if he intends to provide special residential care facilities for physically and mentally handicapped children who have reached the age of 18 years.
Special residential facilities are already available for 2,335 mentally handicapped persons over 16 years, a large proportion of whom have additional physical handicaps. There are a further 720 places in planning or being built.
The National Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Dún Laoghaire, provides special assessment, treatment and appliances for physically handicapped persons.
There are six Cheshire Homes in different parts of the country with accommodation for 174 chronically disabled adults. A new 35-bed Cheshire Home is being built at present at Bohola, County Mayo, with the assistance of a grant from the Hospitals Trust Fund.
Many physically handicapped adults are maintained in chronic sick units provided by health boards. There are no other proposals before my Department for the provision of residential centres for physically handicapped persons over 18 years of age.
I should explain that in most cases it is much better for physically handicapped adults to be able to live in their own homes. Grants are available from local authorities in cases where an extra room or other structural work is necessary for the proper accommodation of a physically disabled person in an existing house. Such structural work may include the provision of bathroom and toilet facilities at ground floor level and the building of ramps and widening of door openings for wheelchairs.