asked the Minister for Health if he will provide money for the partial opening, at least, of the Bawnmore training centre for the mentally handicapped in Limerick, which is completed but unoccupied since March, 1976.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Training Centre.
8.
I regret that, due to current economic difficulties, it has not yet been possible for me to make the necessary finances available to enable the Bawnmore complex to be opened. I shall be receiving a deputation in the near future from the health board, parents, and representatives of the Brothers of Charity and I shall be discussing the matter with them.
Is the Minister aware that parents and friends in this centre have estimated that it could be opened on a partial basis this year at a cost of £70,000? The Minister has made a grant of £30,000 for the security of the premises——
And maintenance.
The net cost of partially opening the premises, which are so urgently needed, would be only £40,000 this year. In the light of that, would the Minister reconsider his refusal to allow the centre to open this year?
I do not think the figures the Deputy mentioned are quite correct. As I have pointed out, I have agreed to receive a deputation from the three interested parties and I will discuss with them what, if anything, can be done to carry out what they have requested.
When does the Minister estimate that this badly needed centre might be opened, at least partially?
I would not be able to decide that until I have seen representatives of the health board, the parents and the Brothers of Charity.
Is the Minister aware that the health board have been requesting him to meet deputations since March this year?
This is so and I explained fully why it was not possible to have a complete opening of the Bawnmore centre during 1976. Quite frankly, the money was not available to do this. I am informed it would cost £640,000 to maintain the Bawnmore home over a year and that money is not available to the Mid-Western Health Board at the present time.
Is the Minister aware that he told me in a previous reply that the cost of opening the full complex in a year would be £500,000?
The figure has increased to £640,000.
Does the Minister not agree in these circumstances if he cannot open the full complex, that because of the nature and planning of the complex it can be partially opened? At least that will give hope to those who cannot get in at this stage that it will be fully opened next year.
I will discuss this matter with the deputation.
Is the Minister prepared to tell us when he will receive a deputation from the Mid-Western Health Board, the parents concerned and the Brothers of Charity?
There is nothing about a deputation in the question.
May we take it that the Minister will receive the deputation as soon as possible?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that the lack of places for the handicapped, particularly in cases where adult handicapped are occupying places normally reserved for children, has reached crisis proportions?
The Deputy is extending the scope of the question.
Is the Minister aware that the finances necessary for the dayto-day running——
I have told the Deputy that he is extending the scope of the question and I cannot permit that. I am calling Question No. 9.
Beds that would normally be occupied are now unoccupied——
I have called Question No. 9. The Deputy must desist. He is not in order.
I attended a meeting recently and thousands of people expressed a wish that this crisis situation be brought to the attention of the Minister. The Chair should not be a party to stopping that.
The Deputy is being disorderly. Question No. 9 has been called.
Is the Minister aware of the situation? What does he intend doing about it?
The Minister is aware that he has provided an extra 700 beds in the last two and a half years——
The beds are not occupied. The beds that were occupied for years before the Minister came to office are now unoccupied because of the Minister's neglect.
The Chair should be obeyed. Question No. 9.
An extra 700 beds have been provided.
They are not occupied.
That is not so.