asked the Minister for Health the number of institutionalised mentally handicapped (i) children and (ii) adults in (a) health board and (b) other institutions in each health board area, and in each case the number of such persons in institutions solely catering for the mentally handicapped.
Written Answers . - Mentally Handicapped .
356.
: The information sought is as follows:
Centres catering solely for the Mentally Handicapped *
|
Health Board Area |
Health Board Centres |
Voluntary Centres |
||
|
Children |
Adults |
Children |
Adults |
|
|
Eastern |
— |
— |
564 |
1,363 |
|
South Eastern |
29 |
— |
102 |
248 |
|
Southern |
— |
— |
509 |
221 |
|
Mid Western |
58 |
4 |
185 |
223 |
|
Midland |
14 |
93 |
102 |
25 |
|
Western |
— |
— |
74 |
161 |
|
North Western |
18 |
81 |
114 |
118 |
|
North Eastern |
— |
— |
68 |
247 |
|
Totals |
119 |
178 |
1,718 |
2,606 |
*Source: Returns to Department of Health—31 December 1979.
Centres not catering solely for the Mentally Handicapped
The 1974 census of the mentally handicapped enumerated a total of 3,882 mentally handicapped persons in centres not catering solely for the mentally handicapped. A breakdown of this figure between children and adults and also by health board area is not readily available. Preparations are at present underway for a further census of the mentally handicapped to be undertaken by the Medico-Social Research Board in 1981. This new census will give a breakdown of the various categories of mentally handicapped still in these centres.
375.
asked the Minister for Health the number of mentally handicapped (i) children (ii) adults deemed to be (a) mildly (b) moderately (c) severely and (d) profoundly handicapped in each health board area.
: The information sought insofar as it is available is as follows:
The Census of the Mentally Handicapped in the Republic of Ireland, 1974, carried out by the Medico-Social Research Board enumerated the following numbers in the moderate, severe and profound range of mental handicap:
A.—Total numbers by Health Board area
|
Health Board Area |
Number |
||
|
Age 5-19 |
Age 20 and over |
Total |
|
|
South Eastern |
554 |
796 |
1,350 |
|
Mid-Western |
514 |
590 |
1,104 |
|
Midland |
357 |
494 |
851 |
|
North Western |
270 |
490 |
760 |
|
Eastern |
1,351 |
1,305 |
2,656 |
|
Southern |
704 |
887 |
1,591 |
|
Western |
550 |
884 |
1,434 |
|
North Eastern |
360 |
571 |
931 |
|
From outside the State |
— |
— |
148 |
|
Totals |
4,660 |
6,017 |
10,825 |
B.—The Mentally Handicapped by age and degree of handicap
(A breakdown of these figures between health boards is not available)
|
Age Group |
Degree of Handicap |
|||
|
Moderate |
Severe |
Profound |
Total |
|
|
5-19 |
1,564 |
1,645 |
757 |
3,966 |
|
20 and over |
4,183 |
1,950 |
726 |
6,859 |
|
Total |
5,747 |
3,595 |
1,483 |
10,825 |
The total number of mildly mentally handicapped persons in the State is not known. The 1974 national census of the mentally handicapped did, however, enumerate a total of 1,845 mildly mentally handicapped persons in residential care. There are numerous problems associated with counting mildly mentally handicapped persons. For instance, mild mental handicap with borderline mental handicap, merges into the normal population in such a way that it is difficult to separate them.