asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the present position of the proposal of the Dawn group for the establishment of a residential unit for mentally handicapped adults in Enniscorthy, County Wexford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wexford Residential Unit.
8.
This proposal is under consideration by my Department in consultation with the health board. The Deputy will appreciate that the scope for developing additional services is limited, since new services can be financed only by re-allocation from other areas but I recognise that the efforts of this voluntary group merits sympathetic consideration.
I am relieved to hear that the project has not been abandoned. The Minister will be aware that a meeting took place between representatives of the group and the CEO of the South Eastern Health Board on 1 September and that the information given at that meeting was that the project would not go ahead. Is the Minister aware that it was stated at that meeting that the amount of capital moneys available for the project, as indicated by the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Desmond, would not be available and that the moneys raised by the group by voluntary contributions in Wexford would be channelled into another project? Indeed, I am relieved to hear that the project is ongoing. Would the Minister give us an update on the position and say whether there is a firm commitment to the provision of such a centre in Enniscorthy?
The South Eastern Health Board have indicated to the Department that the provision of a residential facility for mentally handicapped adults is their current priority in the development of services for the mentally handicapped in County Wexford and that there needs to be an outlet for adolescents at present in the child centre at St. John of Gods, Enniscorthy. Obviously, the question of providing funds for the commissioning of such a residential unit will be considered in the context of the finance available for the development of services for the mentally handicapped generally.
May I ask the Minister if he is making a commitment to the Dawn group and to the people of County Wexford that he is well disposed to the provision of this centre? Obviously, the money cannot be provided out of the funds of the South Eastern Health Board as it is a major capital development. Will the Minister guarantee that he will consider favourably this project in the immediate future?
I am well disposed to this project. I recognise that the Dawn organisation have raised over £100,000 themselves and I compliment them on that. However, the final decision will have to be made in the light of the funding available for mentally handicapped services generally.
Is the Minister aware of the acute shortage of residential facilities for the adult mentally handicapped in County Wexford? The child centre at St. John of Gods in Enniscorthy cannot take in any more because the places are filled by residents who are now adults. Will the Minister ensure that within the capital programme to be allocated to the South Eastern Health Board, a commitment is made to commence this project in 1989? Will he also clarify whether it will be a multi-purpose residential unit or a unit exclusively for the mentally handicapped?
As I have said, I am aware that the South Eastern Health Board consider the provision of a facility for mentally handicapped adults as a priority in the development of their services for the mentally handicapped. I will keep that in mind. I am aware of the work that St. John of Gods in Enniscorthy and Summerhill House are doing but I accept that the South Eastern Health Board see it as a priority in the development of their service. However, the funding depends on the funding generally available for mentally handicapped services.
I am gratified by the Minister's clarification of the question. May I ask him whether he will indicate directly to the Dawn group that he is well disposed to the project and that the £150,000 now available from voluntary contributions in County Wexford for this project will at least be well matched by public funds in the immediate future.
I would not like to mislead the Deputy. I did not say that the funds will be well matched but that I was well disposed to the project and will be considering it in the light of the allocations. I have no doubt that if I were to write to the Dawn group in County Wexford, they would have heard already from Deputies Howlin and Yates as well as Deputies Hugh Byrne and Browne that I was well disposed to the project.
They are not here.
Their absence is noted.
I do not think it will be necessary to write to them.