Vol. 413 No. 6
118 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if she will outline (1) the number of places in the Swinford Centre for persons with a mental handicap which remain to be occupied and (2) the length of time these have remained idle; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Aras Attracta, Swinford, was completed in 1985, and has a capacity for 186 adult places. The first resident was admitted on 7 November 1988 and 86 places have been commissioned to date. The Western Health Board, which is responsible in the first instance for the administration of this centre, are examining the possibility of transferring a further 40 people with mental handicap from St. Mary's Hospital, Castlebar, to Aras Attracta during 1992. It is hoped to offer further places to Aras Attracta to people with mental handicap currently in centres outside of the Western Health Board.
