asked the Minister for Health if he is prepared to make the necessary funds available to the management of Peamount Hospital in order to allow them to provide suitable housing accommodation in the community for selected mentally handicapped patients; and if he will agree that this is the most appropriate way to care for many of these patients.
Written Answers. - County Dublin Hospital.
568.
Following discussions with the Board of Management of Peamount Hospital last November a project team was established representative of the hospital, the Eastern Health Board, the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God and my Department with the following terms of reference:
1. To consider the role of Peamount Mental Handicap Unit in relation to:
(a) the Department of Health; (b) the Eastern Health Board; (c) other agencies providing services for mentally handicapped people; (d) current trends in training and activation and to consider
2. the immediate requirements of Peamount in the context of its longer term role.
When the project team reports to the Department consideration will be given to identifying the most appropriate solution to the requirements of the residents in Peamount Hospital who are mentally handicapped. I am as the Deputy will be aware, extremely concerned at the extent to which some mentally handicapped people are institutionalised when they could be leading more enriching lives within the community. I am aware of the particular circumstances of the residents in Peamount Hospital in this regard.