asked the Minister for Health the funding arrangements for St. Michael's House, Ballymun, Dublin 11; if his attention has been drawn to the staff shortages which are affecting the care of mentally handicapped patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - St. Michael's House (Dublin)
16.
My Department makes an annual allocation towards the running expenses of St. Michael's House. The amount of the allocation for the current year is £4.64 million — which is 7.7 per cent more than the approved our-turn for 1986. The apportionment of this allocation to the individual units is a matter for the administration of St. Michael's House.
The services provided by St. Michael's House in Ballymun include five residential care units with ten places in each. These units were built from a capital grant of more than £1 million which was provided by my Department. My Department provided funds for a total of 52 posts for the five units. However, only four of the units were brought into operation by St. Michael's House.