asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the necessity for accommodation for adult severely mentally handicapped patients in County Wexford; if he is aware of the commitment of a group, Disabled Awareness (DAWN) who have collected enormous funds to support the project; when this project will commence and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wexford Mentally Handicapped Patients.
5.
I am aware of the necessity for accommodation for mentally handicapped adults in County Wexford. The present position regarding the proposed residential centre for mentally handicapped adults is that I have approved the brief for this development and the commencement of stage 2 planning of the complex at Enniscorthy. The selection of the design team who will prepare the stage 2 planning documentation is currently under way. Following the final detailed planning of this project, the commencement of construction will be given due consideration within the total capital resources available to me between 1985 and 1987.
Is the Minister aware that it was agreed to appoint the design team last August and it is now nine months later? Will he tell us the reason for the delay in this appointment? Surely it should not take nine months?
The project brief for the new centre was submitted to the Department in mid-1983 and was approved in May 1984 when approval was also given to the commencement of stage 2. There is no delay in the matter. The project is quite large costing £5 million. I have made provision for the project within the framework of the capital programme for 1985-1987. I am aware that a substantial amount of money has been collected locally. A sum of £100,000 has been mentioned but in the context of expenditure of £5 million that is relatively small. Nevertheless we are grateful that amount has been collected. I want to have a look at the way these large centres are developing and I will do that as soon as I get the final brief on the matter. There will not be any delay.
Will the Minister accept that the people in Wexford believe that taking nine months to appoint a design team could be regarded as a delaying tactic? Further, is he aware that the temporary unit at Enniscorthy is full with 16 patients and it is estimated that there are another 16 patients scattered throughout the county and living in most inadequate conditions? Will he say when work on the unit at Enniscorthy will commence?
There is no doubt that the situation in Wexford is unsatisfactory and I share the concern of the Deputy and the local concern in that regard. The centre will be established on a phased basis. It is my view that in the planning of these huge centres insufficient consideration has been given to the role of hostels, day care centres, workshops and to the role of the community and social therapy. Instead, everyone has a vision of a massive centre with 200 mentally handicapped people being cared for by a large staff. I urge that Deputies and local organisations would review that kind of structure. This will not in any way interfere with the moneys being allocated to Enniscorthy. In my own constituency, where a very large centre was planned for Loughlinstown, I urged that there be a detailed review of that structure.
Is the Minister satisfied with the plans for Enniscorthy? Will he state when work on the unit will commence? I would remind him that the local contribution has been enormous.
I am satisfied with the plans as provided but I will be anxious to discuss the matter with the design team. There has been no delay in setting up the team——
It is nine months already.
That is not unusual when one considers that we will be spending £5 million. I wish to assure the Deputy that I will discuss with the design team the best possible facility for Enniscorthy and for the whole catchment area of Wexford.
Will the Minister say when the unit will be built?
Very soon. There will be no delay.
That is a very broad answer.