Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 1979

Vol. 312 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Handicapped Residential Centres.

1.

Dr. O'Connell

asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement regarding the progress made in providing residential centres for the mentally handicapped since the last budget.

Minister for Health (Mr. Haughey)

Sixteen major capital projects were approved in Feburary 1978 for the provision of residential accommodation for the mentally handicapped. A number of schemes providing improved facilities at centres for the mentally handicapped were also initiated. I also approved earlier this month further major projects for accommodation for the mentally handicapped in this year's capital programme.

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate with the Official Report lists showing the present position in relation to the projects commenced in 1978 and those recently approved.

Following are the lists:

MENTAL HANDICAP SERVICES

Major Capital Projects approved in February, 1978

Health Board Area	Project	Present Position
EASTERN	Eastern Health BoardMajor new residential complex at Loughlinstown for adults and children (210 residential places, 120 day places)	Planning brief completed and detailed planning is about to commence
	Cheeverstown House, TempleogueMajor new residential complex for adults and children (130 residential places, 150 day places)	Building due to commence Mid-1979
	St. John of God Centre, IslandbridgeNew adult day care unit (60 additional places)	Building in progress
	St. Michael's House
	(i) 50 bed residential unit for children and adolescents at Ballymun	Building in progress
	(ii) Replacement of Cheeverstown House adult day care unit	Planning in progress
	(iii) New 70-place adult day care unit at Belcamp.	Planning in progress
	(iv) 2 new hostels for 20 adults
	Stewart's Hospital, Palmerstown Major redevelopment scheme	Building about to commence
MIDLAND	St. Mary's, Delvin, Co. Westmeath Scheme to provide 10 bed chalet, Therapeutic pool and staff cafeteria	Planning almost completed
MID-WESTERN	Brothers of Charity, Bawnmore, Limerick
	Provision of ancillary facilities	Building to commence in near future
NORTH-EASTERN	Brothers of St. John of God, Drumcar, Co. Louth
	Major improvements scheme including
	2 × 10 bed adult chalets and 2 × 10 bed chalets for girls	Planning almost completed.
SOUTH-EASTERN	St. Patricks, Kilkenny
	2 × 10 bed chalets for adults and assembly hall	Planning almost completed
	Carriglea Training Centre, Dungarvan
	2 × 10 bed chalets for adults	Planning almost completed
	Brothers of Charity, Belmont Park Waterford
	3 × 10 bed chalets for adults	Planning almost completed
SOUTHERN	Cork Polio and General After Care Association
	Improvements scheme at Tracton Park	Planning almost completed
	Brothers of Charity, Lota, Cork
	2 × 10 bed chalets	Building to commence in near future
	St. Mary of the Angels, Beaufort, Kerry
	(i) 3 × 10 bed chalets for adolescents	Building in progress
	(ii) 30 bed multiple handicap unit
	Southern Health Board
	2 × 10 bed chalets for adults at Gortroe, Killarney	Planning in progress
	St. Patrick's, Upton, Cork
	50 bed unit for adults and improved staff accommodation	Planning almost complete
WESTERN	Western Health Board
	Major new residential complex at Swinford, Co. Mayo for adults and children (250 residential places, 60 day places)	Planning brief completed. Detailed planning in progress.
	Brothers of Charity, Kilcornan House, Galway
	New units to provide 54 new places for adults	Planning in progress
	Western Care Association
	Improvements scheme at St. Johns, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo.	Building to commence shortly.

MENTAL HANDICAP SERVICES

Major Capital Projects approved in February, 1979

Health Board Area	Project
EASTERN	St. Michael's House
	(i) Major development at Ballymun to provide 100 residential places for adults and ancillary facilities
	(ii) Extension to child assessment centre
	KARE — County Kildare
	Residential Unit for 22 adults at the Deanery, Kildare town
	St. Raphael's, Celbridge
	New general purpose hall
	Sunshine Home, Foxrock
	Scheme of adaptations
	St. Vincents, Navan Road
	(i) Re-development scheme
	(ii) Fire precautions and other improvements at main building
	Moore Abbey, Monasterevan
	Nurses Accommodation
MIDLAND	St. Peter's Castlepollard
	Nurses accommodation
MID-WESTERN	St. Anne's Corville, Roscrea
	Gymnasium
	Brothers of Charity, Bawnmore, Limerick
	Day care centre, pre-vocational training unit, and residence
	St. Vincent's Lisnagry, Limerick
	2 × 10 bed training hostels
NORTH-EASTERN	St. John of God Brothers, Drumcar, Co. Louth
	Improvement of mechanical and electrical installation and provision of a residence
SOUTH-EASTERN	Carriglea Training Centre, Dungarvan
	Recreation hall
SOUTHERN	Brothers of Charity, Lota, Cork
	(i) Recreational facilities
	(ii) 2 × 10 bed chalets for severely handicapped
	Cork Polio and General After Care Association
	Improvement work at Association's centres
	Residential facilities for adult mentally handicapped in County Kerry
	St. Mary of the Angels, Beaufort, Kerry
	Extension to kitchen and other improvements
WESTERN	Western Care Association
	New group home for adults at Belmullet
	St. Joseph's, Kilcornan, County Galway
	Activation Therapy Centre for severely handicapped
	Holy Family Centre, Renmore, Galway
	New early childhood development unit
	Irish Sisters of Charity, Ballybane, Galway
	Provision of training school for nurses for the mentally handicapped

Dr. O'Connell

How many are on the waiting list for admission to residential centres? How many further places have been provided?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a separate question.

Dr. O'Connell

No, Sir. I am asking the Minister to spell out the progress made.

Mr. Haughey

The figures on the waiting list are not readily available but the general position is as follows. When the major capital schemes approved in 1978 and 1979, together with the schemes previously approved, have been completed, they will provide 1,510 additional residential places—350 for children and 1,160 for adults—and 800 additional day—places—180 for children and 620 for adults.

Dr. O'Connell

For what proportion of the total number on the waiting list does that account?

Mr. Haughey

I do not know.

Dr. O'Connell

Would the Minister have any idea?

Mr. Haughey

I do not have that information.

Dr. O'Connell

Would the Minister mind if I put down another question?

Mr. Haughey

No, but I will look up the information for the Deputy.

Dr. O'Connell

If the Minister could send me that information I would be very grateful.

Mr. Haughey

Certainly.