Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 7

Written Answers. - Funding for Mentally Handicapped.

Michael Lowry

Question:

86 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, (1) the estimated number of persons with a mental handicap being cared for in the community and (2) the estimated annual cost of developing adequate support services for these carers.

Séamus Pattison

Question:

107 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Health the total number of places available in each county for the adult mentally handicapped; the plans he has to increase the number of places in each county to meet the needs of these people; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 107 together.

The position regarding the number of persons being cared for in the community is that there are 5,783 people attending day services and 1,515 people living in group homes. A wide range of home support services is provided by the agencies and in the current year a further £1.2 million has been allocated to provide additional support services for up to 1,000 families.

Information on the numbers of places available for adults with mental handicap in each county has been prepared in the form of a tabular statement which will be circulated in the Official Report.

At present these places are not adequate to meet all the needs of persons with a mental handicap and the Government is committed to expand the number of places available under theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress and the Programme for Government. The additional funds allocated to the services for persons with a mental handicap this year are a sign of the Government's commitment in this area.

Information on the precise number of respite places is not readily available since this service is provided in a flexible manner by all agencies. Resources for respite care are being increased considerably this year. Additional provision for respite breaks of one month for up to 500 persons is being provided and the service will be monitored to assess its effectiveness.

The position regarding long stay residential services is that there are 4,548 people with mental handicap in residential centres and 1,515 people living in group home accommodation.

As regards people with a physical disability, there are approximately 340 residential care places available to cater specifically for this group. Twenty additional places will become available when a new Cheshire Home is opened in Monkstown this year. Planning is also proceeding on the provision of ten additional places in Sligo and 11 in Letterkenny. Health boards have been requested, in the context of the developments under theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress, to assess the level of need for residential accommodation for people with physical disabilities and to draw up a programme to meet these needs.

In relation to persons with a mental handicap, the reportNeeds and Abilities indicated a total additional need for 600 residential and 1,000 day places. It also identified an emerging annual need for 40 residential and 200 day places. Additional places are being provided as recommended in the report and in line with the commitment of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress and the Programme for Government.

Number of Residential and Day Places by County for Adults with Mental Handicap at 31-12-1990

	Residential Places	Day Places
Eastern Health Board
Dublin	1,840	1,363
Kildare	339	196
Wicklow	33	187
	2,212	1,746
Midland Health Board
Laois	9	—
Longford	4	54
Offaly	—	14
Westmeath	167	47
	180	115
Mid-Western Health Board
Clare	31	37
Limerick	365	198
Tipperary NR	41	113
	437	348
North-Eastern Health Board
Cavan	—	25
Louth	267	216
Meath	5	62
Monaghan	73	—
	345	303
North-Western Health Board
Donegal	132	284
Leitrim	6	26
Sligo	367	31
	505	341
South-Eastern Health Board
Carlow	—	22
Kilkenny	190	47
Tipperary SR	19	64
Waterford	151	113
Wexford	85	213
	445	459
Southern Health Board
Cork	804	887
Kerry	100	46
	904	933
Western Health Board
Galway	321	258
Mayo	121	180
Roscommon	41	37
	483	475
Total	5,511	4,720