asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children in the South-Eastern Health Board who are awaiting to be admitted to residential care for the mentally handicapped.
Written Answers. - Residential Care for the Mentally Handicapped.
169.
My Department's policy in relation to the provision of residential care for mentally handicapped people, with the exception of short term care — temporary relief, is that it should be offered where other alternatives such as family support and hostel accommodation have proved unsuitable.
At present, in the South-Eastern Health Board, there are 79 adults and 19 children wait-listed for admission to residential facilities of various kinds. Many of these may be accommodated in supervised facilities in the community rather than in institutions. In addition there are 167 adults with mental handicap in the psychiatric hospitals in the board's area, a position which neither I nor the board consider satisfactory. The board plans to accommodate these mentally handicapped adults in hostel accommodation with appropriate support services and if necessary in residential care.