asked the Minister for Health when the Eastern Health Board acquired the premises of the Augustinian Fathers at Ballyboden, County Dublin, indicating the date of acquisition and the payment made.
89.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Ballyboden (Dublin) Premises.
88.
asked the Minister for Health the use which has been made by the Eastern Health Board of the premises of the Augustinian Fathers at Ballyboden, County Dublin, from the date of its acquisition, indicating the number of (a) patients and (b) staff there and also the category of patients who have been housed there.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.
The Eastern Health Board commenced leasing and occupation of these premises and adjoining 12½ acres on 1 July 1980. Initially, approximately half of the premises was made available to the board. Since 1 September 1982 the health board has the use of the whole building.
During 1980 and 1981, necessary alteration works, including fire precaution works, were undertaken at the centre prior to the admission of residents. However, during this period, an interim day care service was provided for 14 persons at the centre.
Admission to residential care commenced on 1 September 1982. There are now 17 persons in residence with eight day attenders. It is expected that the number in residence will rise to 30 by the end of October. It is intended to have 40 persons in residence by the beginning of next year together with 20 day attenders. The majority of the persons in residence or in day services will be moderately mentally handicapped.
Sixteen care staff and seven domestic staff are currently employed. A general practitioner is available on a sessional and on-call basis. I might add that the administration headquarters of the mental handicap section of the Eastern Health Board with four staff have also been relocated at the centre. The premises have also been used for a number of in-service training courses for staffs employed in the mental handicap services.