asked the Minister for Health the number of full time professional staff employed by the North Eastern Health Board as at 31 December in each of the past five years for the provision of psychological services to the mentally handicapped in (a) County Louth, (b) Drogheda and (c) Dundalk; and the number of other staff providing back-up services in these areas over the same periods.
Written Answers. - Psychological Services.
87.
One full time psychologist has been employed by the North Eastern Health Board in County Louth at 31 December over each of the years from 1981 to 1985 for the provision of psychological services for mentally handicapped children in the county, including Dundalk and Drogheda. One full time public health nurse has also been employed over the same period for the provision of services for mentally handicapped children in County Louth. In addition services in County Louth for people with a mental handicap are provided by non-statutory agencies, the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, St. Mary's, Drumcar, — the Sheltered Workshop, Ardee Road, Dundalk, — Order of Malta Workshop, Industrial Estate, Drogheda, — Ardee Day Centre, Ardee.
These agencies are supported by my Department and the North Eastern Health Board but their staff are employed by the various agencies, not by the board.